It was very refreshing. A bit of comedy, drama and action rolled into one.
It doesn’t drag or get boring.
The concept, the characters, most especially the timeline (timeloop -whatever you want to call it) — it’s most definitely not the first time that the topic / concept has been used but it was delivered differently.
I loved the action scenes too.

KimuTaku’s acting was superb. From being Reiji, he totally morphs into this new character as Lloyd. From a dork to a ruthless yet kindhearted killing machine.

Full review here: https://elijahmaliksmom.wordpress.com/2017/01/02/ando-lloyd-a-i-knows-love/

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Some may find the story boring and common, but as the writer I know once said “Stories are mostly the same, same story line and same plot, what makes it good and/or stand out is how it was executed.” And I believe “A Life” was executed well.

Each episodes shows how Okita Sensei is able to help somebody grow individually as a human being or as a doctor or Nurse, may it be intentionally or not. I love how they humanize the characters in a way that people watching can relate to each one of them in a personal level.

I would also like to point out that even though Masao’s and Kazu’ friendship may be imperfect, but it is relate-able, as it really happens in real life. Some really has those kinds of “friends” who say they mean well but has hidden agenda.

If there’s one this I DO NOT LIKE in this series it’s the bodies they are operate, it obviously looks like a dummy, those use for testing theories and such. They could’ve a made it look more real.

Full review here: https://elijahmaliksmom.wordpress.com/2017/04/22/a-life-a-love/

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Good points:
Every twist and turn of this story will leave you wanting to dig in deeper. It’s not your usual JDrama with sweet love and tears. This one has a dark side. Kimura, yet again, played his role excellently. As I’ve said in the past, when he plays a role you’ll forget that he played a different character in the past. This series will keep you guessing until the end.


Bad points:
While I love Takuya Kimura to bits, this series has all the feels in all the wrong places. I don’t know why. Everything got a little better though from episode 7 on wards. Maybe it was the Miwa character. I just find Miwa’s character a bit, ugh, dragging. I don’t know why she’s like that but it made it hard for me to watch this series because of her character, mainly, among other reasons. Thank goodness it was Kimura, if not, I wouldn’t have finished this series. Kimura’s character is mysterious enough to let you want to finish watching the series to know where he is coming from and what really happened.

Review originally written here: https://elijahmaliksmom.wordpress.com/2017/03/25/one-million-stars-falling-from-the-sky/

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If the ending was different I would have given this movie a 9.5 or even a 10.

Why does great film end in a sad or tragic ending? That's not even a prerequisite. This could have endes on a happier note.

It was a good movie as a whole. Though I read spoilers, I know how it's gonna end, I did not expect that there was a chance for the ending to change . Gosh. I'm so affected and irritated by the fact that there could have been a chance for a happy ending and people decided not to take such opportunity.

Longer review here: https://elijahmaliksmom.wordpress.com/2018/05/19/only-you-can-hear-me/

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Kamenashi played the son of somebody who is know for his wine expertise and collection. When Shizuku’s father dies he left a will that leaves his 2 billion worth of wine collection to the person who will diacover what the 7 “Apostles” are. These apostles are wine.

Shizuku is somebody who gave up on wine because of his father. He then eventually decided to compete not to get the inheritance but to know more about his father Yutaka.

Kame did a great job. His expressions are awesome. And here he speak French, quite cool. All the cast also did a good job.

This drama was made back in 2009 and you’ll only feel its oldness because of the phones they use. Lol.

Full review at elijahmaliksmom.wordpress.com

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I only watched this (put it on my PTW list) because of Yonekura Ryoko. It was lame.
I don't even know why it has 3 more sequels.
The story was written very badly.

Good thing I really like Ryoko (Doctor X) so I was able to finish it, I'm happy just to see her with a different persona other than that of Michiko on Doctor x..

She looks very different here though. So young. I almost did not recognize her.

This movie is mixed English and Japanese so even if I was basically watching it raw I was able to understand the story (or not).

If I watched it in the early 2000s I MAY have enjoyed it, maybe.

Aside from Ryoko, I liked the action part of it. The title is just apt for her being a crazy woman with a gun. LOL.

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Ok, so this one is a feel good movie. It has few dramatic scenes but it was just enough and properly placed. The story is just simple and I love it how it is.

The cinematography is just awesome. Como in Italy is just surreal.

The characters are well played.
Maine's acting was ok, please be aware that this is her first movie, or her first actual acting stint.
Alden was great and onpoint as always with his acting. Cai and Cacai are so funny and they mixed well with Maine's querkiness.

The comedy part of this movie was also superb. All the actors has great comedic timing.

The only complaint I have was it felt lacking. Even though this is already a 2 hour movie I would have wished that it was longer sfor them to be able to show more of both character's develoment.

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I know my thoughts are scattered everywhere but do watch the film it was good even if it is painful.

I found this film good but of course not every body will have the same reaction to it.
There are things I don't like about it (teen pregnancy, rape, those who raped her not being caught) but the good outweighs the bad.
I know this can all happen in reality, plus it was supposed to be based on a true story, so it has happened already.

Some may say that it is too cliche or it is very unrealistic, but I guess that's how they are in Japan. Cultural differences. If it doesn't happen to you it doesn't mean it cannot really happen.

Full review: https://wp.me/s7aUsF-koizora

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FULL Review here: https://elijahmaliksmom.wordpress.com/2017/05/26/shinobi-heart-under-blade/

Acting here was great, all the cast did well and the fight scenes were awesome (though honestly I hoped for more). It’s close to those Chinese movies were they have great fight scenes, of course this is not some kungfu flying kind, so expect that there’s less flying and less martial arts. If you like Anime, this movie is comparable to Naruto with their ‘abilities’ and Ninjas (and it’s Japan. LOL.) I will point out a few comparison, with images, later on.


If there is something I do not like here is that I felt that it was rushed. I mean this is a 1 hour and 50 minutes less movie but it felt lacking. I would have preferred if they made it a 2 hour movie and showed more of the love story between Oboro and Gennosuke. The story did not even bother showing or at least slightly explained how they fell in love being from two different clans, and their clans are even enemies to begin with.

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The movie is good, and it made me cry a lot specially during the last episode but this is really not a review I'm going to give, but a realization I had after watching the series again.


At the end of the day I am happy, thankful even, that I watched Zettai Kareshi again. It reminded me of a few things I've almost forgotten.

Everybody deserves to be loved unconditionally. It doesn't matter how "ugly" you look while sleeping with your mouth open, or if you snore loudly, or if you're moody, clumsy, clingy, fat, thin, or even if you have an ugly scar, or even if you had a child while you'e unwed -- always remember that somewhere out there your very own Night Tenjo is waiting just for you.

Everybody wants, no -- needs, to be loved unconditionally, the same way Night loved Riko. There will be somebody out there who will be willing to love you flaws and all. Believe that there is someone somewhere in this world who was made just for you, who will be happy just seeing you happy, who will cry with you, who will hug you even if you're mad at him/her, who will love you just how you deserve to be loved.

:)

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Fill review on elijahmaliksmom.wordpress.com

...SPOILERS may be ahead...

This is really one fucked up story. How can anyone just turn a blind eye when you see your partner with your own eyes making out or kissing another guy, not just once but twice? Then you even blame yourself as to why you were cheated on because you were a nobody?

I just can't understand the concept of this story. If not for Takuya and me wanting to watch all his works, I won't even start the 3rd episode. I never liked story lines like this. God! The year this was created was 1996 and yet the characters here are already so liberated, or is this really how it is in Japan during those years?

Would I recommend this series to anybody? Yes and no. Yes, if you're bored to your wits and you've got nothing better to watch or if you want to get irritated and angry. No, since I really did not like it. I really only finished it because I do not drop things and it's Takuya Kimura's work.

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