“My wish isn’t a shooting star, please let it reach you. If everyone is alone, we wouldn’t have met”

Aquarian age was released in 2008 starring Dori Sakurada, Rakuto Tochihara, Takuya Uehara, Keita Kimura, Akio Fukuhara and also a special appearance by alice nine. and Takeru from SuG. I watched the trailer for Aquarian Age a long time ago, and it intrigued me. Now finally I got to watch the movie. At the end of the day you remember the good things about a movie the most, and this movie though not without flaws also had some pretty awesome parts to it that overall come together for a decent film worth watching.

The movie focuses on several high school boys who discover that they inherited latent genetic traits — among other things, wings that sprout out of their backs. They soon find themselves caught in a millennia-old war between secret organizations who have been fighting each other since the beginning of human society.

(Warning: very long, rambly story recap under here.)

On the whole what I liked about the film was made to be rather realistic, or at least believable. It is a beautiful film: gorgeously shot, and I love how dark and gloomy the lighting is. It suits mood of the film and makes it very beautiful to watch. But not only is it aesthetically beautiful, but what I really loved about this film was the relations between the main characters and the characters themselves. Nothing is as it seems, mystery makes the film because you have got to keep watching to find out the truth and see what happens. But the family relations, friendships, and a lot of the characters themselves were so interesting, too. From the beginning I liked them (the characters) and watching them deal with their circumstance, was often moving. Scenes like with Kaname, alone in his room getting up and nervously turning to see the scars on his back where his wings are. Scenes like the ending between Noaya and Kaname where they decide not to harm each other, but to join forces to do the ultimate good. These scenes and others were not only beautiful to watch, but also gave the film a bit of depth and emotion. I guess this human element to it also contributed to how believable it was.

Of course this film had the potential to look cheap, but there is clearly high budget here again making it look wonderfully realistic. The wing scars are so believable that they are almost grotesque, and other effects are also done very well. Right at the end the actual wings were freaking awesome too o_o There are also brilliant and varied settings to again make it feel very real: and hinting at a large budget. Of course there are a couple of things that did ruin this overall believability of the film. For instance, where is everyone else? Apart from the concert crowd at beginning, the streets always strangely deserted which is weird. Did they spend everything on effects and setting instead of wasting it on some extras or something? XD Other instances also made it obvious what it was based on e.g. evil priests. I did not get those evil priests, and they were laughable. I loved Nakuara, and I think the setting of the church was gorgeous but the evil priests…no just no. The priests also got the typical OTT ‘evil guy’ music which didn’t help. The music sometimes, not just with the priests, was too obvious but other times, modern and awesome and totally fitting. Again, I loved the opening with the alice nine. song. This is possibly the best song I’ve heard from alice nine. (minus rainbows) and I am now listening to it on repeat.

The actors themselves were decent. It didn’t help the three main characters looked so alike because gloomy footage and heavy shadows made it hard to distinguish who was who, and I admit because of something this stupid I was confused at the beginning. But apart from that weird observation, the acting was generally good, only sometimes feeling forced (with the doctors, organization members, and of course…the damn priests). Maybe linking back to how empty this film was (no people on the streets at all) I think sometimes things were just too convenient. Everything linked together too well. And it was never explained why Tsukasa knew Nakuara, and was also a bit strange how Kaname seemed friends with the one guy, and didn’t really know Naoya then suddenly he was best friends with Naoya (BL vibes included) and other guy just disappeared until he was needed again. That guy was one obvious plot device, I didn’t even catch his name, although thankfully they gave him a bit of family background which saved him from being too generic.

Lastly, I’m glad that by the end the film surprised me. I totally did not expect the ending. I was suspicious of the culprit, but not in the way it ended up. Throughout the film, the perpetrator was made out to be anyone and so of course it is good that it wasn’t too obvious.

So despite its flaws Aquarian age is going to be a movie I recommend. It started well, dragged a little, and then ended perfectly. Although not a unique storyline in the world of fantasy, it was done pretty well. I had low expectations for this film, but I ended up enjoying it.

Ai no Kotodama, or Words of Devotion is a 2007 Japanese Boys Love film starring Tokuyama Hidenori, Matsuoka Rinako and Saito Yasuka. Admittedly I wasn’t expecting much from the film, thinking it may turn out OK but not amazing like Itsuka no kimi e. But Ai no Kotodama actually turned out to be a very special film. It’s really brilliant and wonderful to watch: leaving you feeling strangely happy by the end (that just shouldn’t be possible with Boys Love XD Just joking, there are other films like this…I know. ^^)

The story follows the relationship between Ootani and Tachibana, and not them finding out they love each other and becoming a couple rather they are already a couple, who have been together so long they know each other inside out, right down to their individual habits and feelings: they probably don’t know what life is without the other. Although their romantic relationship is a secret between them alone, they are known for always being together. Currently they live together, and have done so for almost two years. They have always been together, and never question if they will part. Everything seems perfect and they are so happy together, to the point they probably take such simple happiness for granted. Their little world is finally disrupted though when they suddenly meet an old high school friend, Yuki, who seems to have a crush on Tachibana, making Ootani feel jealous and insecure. A gap forms between them, for once they do not understand each others feelings and suddenly there are obstacles in the way of their happiness. It’s as simple story as it sounds, yet it conveys so much. What really makes this film is just how cute, sweet, and romantic it is. The subtle little glances between characters, the small actions, watching how people interact etc. It’s nice, keeping a calm relaxed pace and always staying light-hearted.

Although sometimes it becomes apparent that the story is lifted from a manga, most of the time is appears very realistic: or maybe it’s just one those stories which draws you in so much until you completely believe it is real. This simple but enchanting film is easy to sit back and chill out to getting completely lost in it in the process. Watching Ootani and Shinya together made me smile. They are such a beautiful couple and I love how they were portrayed as normal people in a normal relationship (and they were already together which makes a change). Both are pretty ordinary the way they act and also look. Good looking yes, but still they look like you’re average student. You could tell they had been together a long time to, which is probably down to the good acting. The actors here really portray their characters well. Tokuyama did well as the shy yet slightly childish Ootani and Saito was excellent as the more outgoing and confident Shinya. And in fact, the perfect chemistry between them was so good to the point where they really do make you think they are a couple. The last sex scene between them was also unique; simply it’s so tender and romantic that it’s almost cheesy. And again, the chemistry between the two actors completes that as another tender romantic scene to make you grin like an idiot. XD As you can tell, watching these two was probably what I enjoyed most XD But Matsuoka also did a brilliant job of conveying her characters own insecurities in subtle looks etc. I actually liked the character of Yuki, who was also a relatively normal character- cute, outgoing, sweet and kind. And although originally she seems to be the bitch to hate for destroying their relationship, she does become a character with whom you can sympathise with. Yes, the characters they portray so well are characters you can love. They are not the most 3D characters ever; you don’t know much of their pasts or their dreams. All you really know is their current selves, how they currently live their lives and then through that you get glimpse of their personalities: but yet somehow it’s more than enough. It means the film isn’t burdened by angsty pasts, nor dragged out too long so they can stuff in all those memories.

Admittedly there’s no passion in this, there’s no fiery emotions or extreme lust/anger/hatred etc. It’s not like they broke up, nor did anyone/everyone die (*cough*Bangkok love story*cough*) or get brutally murdered in a crime of passion (looking at you there Boys Love): more like their relationship teetered for a moment, then they got back together and their relationship became stronger for experiencing those new feelings of Jealousy and insecurity. Yuki herself also grew from losing her love. So as a simple love story it’s just perfect and sometimes…it’s nice to watch something that doesn’t depress you for days afterwards but instead lingers as a happier memory

I decided to watch this film on a whim, intrigued by it’s premise of twins and it’s BL-ness (yay for being shallow). Itsuka no kimi e revolves around “twin” brothers- the older one Noburu is quiet and introverted, compared to his loud and outgoing older brother Ryo. Another guy arrives on the scene and basically changes the older brothers life and brings him out of shell. There is some very light BL going on here- I mean super light AND pretty fluffy too (compared to Boys Love which was pretty angsty and melodramatic).

To be honest it wasn’t bad but it certainly wasn’t the best thing I’ve ever seen. The fact that it derived from a manga was very obvious as the story wasn’t very strong, and had some cliche and silly situations (”coincidences”) which could only be found in a manga. Hell, the entire plot is something you’d only find in a manga. Even the conclusion and the way it was set out was manga-like. Well, anyway…

Fukami Noboru is quiet and talented, studying photography at university. Another student on the same course Kouhei notices him and although at first makes fun at him along with his friends, he is subconciously drawn to Noburu. On one particular day he hasn’t done his homework and goes to the library to find books to help him, and within one of the books he finds a photo of two twin boys: immediatly recognizing the one as Noburu. Now curious he goes to meet Noburu, who never admits it’s him even as he snatches the photo away in defense. Slowly though, he is getting to know more about Noburu and Noboru (unwilling or not) is opening up to Kouhei in return.

The first part of this film is really dull, and filled with cliche- the film is really hard to get into. Kouhei is a little annoying as a character too, as is his girlfriend who doesn’t seem to even serve any part in the entire film apart from screaming loudly and annoying “Kouhei!!!!!” and to look pained as she sees Kouhei losing interest in her for Noboru.

The film does get a little more interesting in the second part where Kouhei sees Noburu entering a bar when walking home late at night, and unable to believe it (Noburu doesn’t seem to be the person to be out that late drinking) he goes to the bar the next night and waits to be able to confront him. Although after waiting for hours it doesn’t seem like he’s going to turn up, but of course just as Kouhei goes to leave he arrives. Kouehei immediatly recognizes it’s not Noburu, younger brother Ryo is loud and outgoing- very different from his brother. They drink and talk- forming a strange friendship whilst getting very drunk in the process. The whole drunk scene was very very amusing. Plotwise, Kouhei has been drawn into the world of the two brothers. You can see him beginning to be more and more obsessed with Noburu- talking about him alot, talking to him to try and get him to open up and now getting to know his older brother.

Finally the film has failed to build up much tension, but the concluding section of the film that follows was pretty interesting- enough to make me forget the cliche and the overall confusion. The twist is finally revealed, that shock horror Ryo is dead…and I think Noburu is just acting as him to keep him alive or something like that. It doesn’t make much sense. Naturally Kouhei becomes the one to hold him as he cries and confronts the pain of losing his brother he has suppressed and it’s all happy happy by the end with Noburu and Kouhei as a couple. I couldn’t have suspected the whole there aren’t no twins thing, and that did make certain things earlier in the film make more sense although the explanation they gave for it was wierd and well, stupid. Doesn’t make much sense overall and a lame conclusion if you think about it properly.

However Itsuka no kimi e was an enjoyable film overall, even if pretty average. Certain bits didn’t really make sense… but I wouldn’t expect it too. I would have appreciated the film to have more depth, and for Kouhei to be a better character. But it was OK, although I think it would have been better left as a manga- this didn’t work that well live action!

(Update: I happened to eventually stumble upon the manga this was based on and it’s definitly alot better, more compact and focused…)