THE HOAX

"THE HOAX"(2006/U.S.A)
Synopsis
Early in 1971, McGraw-Hill passes on Clifford Irving's new novel. He's desperate for money, so, against the backdrop of Nixon's reelection calculations, Irving claims he has Howard Hughes's cooperation to write Hughes's autobiography. With the help of friend Dick Suskind, Irving does research, lucks into a manuscript written by a long-time Hughes associate, and plays on corporate greed. He's quick-thinking and outrageously bold. Plus, he banks on Hughes's reluctance to enter the public eye. At the same time, he's trying to rebuild his marriage and deflect the allure of his one-time mistress, Nina Van Pallandt. Can he write a good book, take the money, and pull off the hoax?


Clifford's lie became larger gradually, and it was no longer to get onto the reclaim.
He was able to deceive people around him because of his knowledge of Hughes' background and he also tried to behave and think like Hughes for his success of writing an autobiography. His lies were going to be exposed several times, but he managed to avoid them. He had been involved in the world of his lies hence the inability to distinguish fiction from reality. He seemed like a mythomaniac.
But I thought he did not tell a lie at all. There were many facts in his book.
In addition, the issue of political contributions to President Nixon which was in the document Clifford got from an unknown person led to the Watergate scandal and so this scene had the ring of truth. Hughes wanted the downfall of Nixon, so that documents might have been Hughes' gimmick trap.
Clifford was going to deceive Hughes, but in fact he was deceived by Hughes. He might be a only chess piece for an execution of a large conspiracy involving politics.
Although this movie was based on the true story, I didn't know which part of the movie was true.
Anyway there were humor and thrill in this movie, so I enjoyed it very much.


My rating:★★★

THE ARTIST

"THE ARTIST"(2011/France)
Synopsis
Hollywood 1927. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a silent movie superstar. The advent of the talkies will sound the death knell for his career and see him fall into oblivion. For young extra Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), it seems the sky's the limit - major movie stardom awaits. The Artist tells the story of their interlinked destinies.

This movie won an Academy Award Best Picture this year in Oscars.
At first I wondered why this movie won the said award, but after watching it, I have realized the reason.
Many of the recent movie have a complicated stories and make full use of a latest 3D technology.
"The Artist" is a silent film and the story is very simple, but I think these elements give a strong impression to the audience.
I also think that in a silent film or the classic film,  actors and the actresses appear to be more attractive when it is compare with a full-color movie,maybe because we can notice only their actions and body languages.We cant hear any dialogue so our attention is drawn to their action and physical appearances.
I think everything in this movie is so fresh to the audience.
There are two additional important things that I want to bring up about this movie.

First is that you can enjoy watching the costumes in Hollywood of the 1930s.
Second is that we can be surely entertained by the dog named Uggie as Jack,as one of the most imnportant characters in the film.

My rating :★★★

CARNAGE

"CARNAGE"(2011/France/Germany/Spain/Poland)
Synopsis
In Brooklyn Bridge Park, eleven year old Zachary Cowan strikes his eleven year old classmate Ethan Longstreet across the face with a stick after an argument. Among the more serious of Ethan's injuries is a permanently missing tooth and the possibility of a second tooth also being lost. Their respective parents learn of the altercation through Ethan's parents questioning him about his injuries. The Longstreet parents invite the Cowan parents to their Brooklyn apartment to deal with the incident in a civilized manner. They are: Penelope Longstreet, whose idea it was to invite the Cowans, she whose priorities in life include human rights and justice; Michael Longstreet, who tries to be as accommodating as possible to retain civility in any situation; Nancy Cowan, a nervous and emotionally stressed woman; and Alan Cowan, who is married more to his work as evidenced by the attachment he has to his cell phone and taking work calls at the most inopportune times.

Two pairs of the parents met to talk in a civilized manner. They tried to understand each other's situation, but to be honest, they thought that the incident was not their son's fault each other. 
At first, they talked gently, but they were distracted by other couple's thoughts and attitude gradually, and finally, they directed their anger to their own partner.
I know it happen very well. So that was why they could not succeeded in their ideal talk.
The highlight of the movie is a performance of  splendid actors. 
Especially Christoph Waltz who is acted as Alan Cowans, has a biting tongue and his acting is so funny!　He seems to be a typical American who has a high academic career. 
I could not stop myself from laughing aloud!
This movie is based on the play by French playwright Yasumina Reza.
It must be so fun if I can watch the story by live on the stage!

My rating: ★★★★

JOHN CARTER

"JOHN CARTER"(2012/U.S.A.)
Synopsis
John Carter, a Civil War veteran who in 1868 was trying to live a normal life, is "asked" by the Army to join. But he refuses so he is locked up. He escapes and is pursued. Eventually they run into some Indians and there's a gunfight. Carter seeks refuge in a cave. While there he encounters someone who is holding some kind of medallion. When Carter touches it, he finds himself in a place where he can leap incredible heights, among other things. He later encounters beings he has never seen before. Later he meets a woman who helps him to discover that he is on Mars. And he learns there's some kind of unrest going on.

The original novel of this movie is a masterpiece of Edgar Rice Burroughs  written 100 years ago.
His amazing novels had a big influence on George Lucas who directed "Star Wars" and James Cameron who directed "Avatar".
Some film companies and directors had been trying to make this movie "John Carter" for many years. But, they don't have any technique to realize the fantastic world of Burroughs' faithfully.
Lucas released  "Star Wars"  series and got many fans all over the world  before "John Carter" was made. Lucas might have an image of Burroughs' world in his own films.
So when I saw the"John Carter"movie,  I can see the image of "Star Wars"-like some characters,  a circumstance of hero's world, and a story itself of course.
 The audience was not able to find fresh discovery and impression by this movie.
I was disappointed by it because I liked the novel of Burroughs.

Burroughs had written "Barsoom series"  more than ten episodes. I really hope that his story will be filmed again, but accoding to Walt Disney films, "John Carter"  did not make it on the box office,  so I don't think that they will make the sequel soon.

And, I think if they will try to make a movie of this series again, they should make an animated version of "John Carter"  for children, because Walt Disney has been given children a dream with their inimitatable aminations!

My rating:　★★

PERFECT SENSE

"PERFECT SENSE"(2011/U.K.)
Synopsis
An odd epidemic appears across the globe: people suddenly lose one of their senses. At first, it's an outbreak of loss of smell. It's often presaged by a destructive temper tantrum. In this mix are a scientist and a chef - she's Susan, one of a team trying to understand the epidemic; he's Michael, charming and engaging. Susan and Michael begin a relationship in the middle of increasing chaos, as the loss of other senses plagues more people and as civil authorities try to maintain order. Susan's voice-over reflections provide insight. Is love possible in such a changed world? Can anything make perfect sense?

One day people lost their sense of smell by an unidentified virus. They panicked at one time however they still tried to manage to act in a normal circumstance.

When Michael and Susan were walking in the park,they saw a performer whose dance let them remember what was having sense of smell like..

The scene is the park was the most impressive for me because it showed how the sense smell is connected to our memory.

This  pandemic disease didn't stop and later on people lost also their sense of taste.

They refused to go to the restaurant because they couln't enjoy tasting delicious dish at all.

When we lose one of our senses,it seems that other senses become more sensitive.

In other words,we can lose one sense but at the same time other senses can become stronger.

In this movie, people lost their senses of smell, taste and hear.They felt extreme loneliness however they found out that people's warmth were more important.

At the end of the movie,people lost also their sense of sight and darkness was  starting to fill their surrounding.
I dont have a clear vision what would happen after the story, but I think inspite of losing every sense that each person has, they will still continue to hold on with their family's , partner's, and friend's warmth.

My rating:　★★★

LIMITLESS

”LIMITLESS"(2011/U.S.A)
Synopsis
A paranoia-fueled action thriller about an unsuccessful writer whose life is transformed by a top-secret "smart drug" that allows him to use 100% of his brain and become a perfect version of himself. His enhanced abilities soon attract shadowy forces that threaten his new life in this suspenseful and provocative film.
Aspiring author Eddie Morra is suffering from chronic writer's block, but his life changes instantly when an old friend introduces him to NZT, a revolutionary new pharmaceutical. With every synapse crackling, Eddie can recall everything he has ever read, seen or heard, learn any language in a day, comprehend complex equations and beguile anyone he meets- as long as he keeps taking the untested drug.
Soon Eddie takes Wall Street by storm, parlaying a small stake into millions. His accomplishments catch the eye of mega-mogul Carl Van Loon, who invites him to help broker the largest merger in corporate history. But they also bring Eddie to the atterntion of people willing to do anything to get their hands on his atash of NZT. With his life in jeopardy and the drug's brutal side effects taking their toll. Eddie dodges mysterious stalkers, a vicious gangster and an intense police investigation as he attempts to hang on to his dwindling supply long enough to outwit his enemies.

According to the movie, a human brain is activated usually about 20% and the effect of NZT is 100% to activate it. Eddie became a successful person in life to take the smart drug, but drug is drug after all. He knew that a lof of people died or were suffering from the aftereffects because of the drug but he could not live without it.
If I were suffering from an incurable disease and there were a possibility that the drug could cure it, I would try it. However, I am healthy in reality and I don't want to try it just to satisfy my curiosity and greed.
A story of a miracle drug is common in a movie, but I was interested in the story line and the production of  "LIMITLESS".
Eddie overcame a number of crisis and he ran for the election of members of the Senate at the end of the story. He said his brain was trained and he no longer needed NZT. I thought he lied in order to deceive Carl Van Loon. If it is not, the movie will justify a smart drug.
However, the scene which I envy Eddie is that he could learn any language in a day!

HESHER

"HESHER"(2010/U.S.A)
Synopsis
Loud music. Pornography. Burning shit to the ground. These are a few of Hesher's favorite things. And they are what Hesher brings into the lives of TJ and his father, Paul when he takes up residence in their garage uninvited.

Grief-stricken by the loss of TJ's mother in a car accident, Paul can't muster the strength to evict the strange squatter, and soon the long-haired, tattooed Hesher becomes a fixture in the household. Like a force of nature, Hesher's anarchy shakes the family out of their grief and helps them embrace life once more.


I didn't know that Hesher was a nickname for people who like metal music.
In this movie, who on earth is Hesher? Nobody knew this answer, but a few people knew that he was not only a crazy man.
He could not control himself and he was always dangerous. But the truth was that he was a pure-hearted man.  
For some reason Hesher liked TJ, and he helped TJ from the bully. Hesher was also very kind to TJ's grandmother. Maybe he was what was called a champion of justice. He was just a little too much to punishing the wicked.
Until the middle of this movie I could not stop laughing because of Hesher's strange attitude and behavior.
But in the ending, I was touched by the scene when he walked by pressing the coffin with TJ and his father.
In the interview Joseph Gordon-Levitt acted as Hesher and said he admired Hesher. I think that most people especially men may be attracted by Hesher's anachistic and bohemian lifestyle. 
If there is a person like him in my real life, I will not be close to him. And I don't usually listen to metal music. But I like this movie because Joseph Gordon-Levitt is so cool !


My rating:★★★

I'M HERE

”I'M HERE"(2010/U.S.A)
you can watch this video in full-length movies.


Sheldon was an honest robot working in the library. He met Francesca and he fell in love with her at first sight. Since then, they always stayed together and Sheldon felt so happy like never before.
Since Francesca was a reckless woman, she lost her arm and leg somewhere. Sheldon gave up his arm and leg for her. It was lame losing them for him, but he seemed so happy because he was able to help for her. One day, she had a serious accident and she lost a large part of her body. This time Sheldon helped her by giving his body. So what happened to him?
Although he lost his body, he seemed happy.
When I watched this movie for the first time,  this story immediately reminded me of Shel Silverstein's picture book "The Giving Tree".
In this book, since the tree had loved the boy and gave him all even if the tree had a self-sacrifice. There are many interpretations of this picture book and I don't know what is right. Giving is loving, but too much giving spoils a person.
I thought Francesca didn't understand how big Sheldon's love for her at first. But after the operation in the hospital, she realized that.
I was touched with Sheldon's pure feelings but somehow I felt so sad.
In this movie, self-sacrifice was treated as a beautiful thing. Sheldon might be so happy, but he could never walk hand in hand with Francesca. It made me sad.
Spike Jonze, the director of this movie, is famous for directing of "Being John Malkovich" "Where the Wild Things Are" and "Weapon of Choice"(a music video). His movies are so funny and interesting! I am his big fan for many years!
"I'M HERE" was his first romance movie. 
I think this may be the ultimate movie of pure love. What do you think?


My rating: ★★★★

GATTACA

"GATTACA"(1997/U.S.A)
Synopsis
In the not-too-distant future, a less-than-perfect man wants to travel to the stars. Society has categorized Vincent Freeman as less than suitable given his genetic make-up and he has become one of the underclass of humans that are only useful for menial jobs. To move ahead, he assumes the identity of Jerome Morrow, a perfect genetic specimen who is a paraplegic as a result of a car accident. With professional advice, Vincent learns to deceive DNA and urine sample testing. Just when he is finally scheduled for a space mission, his program director is killed and the police begin an investigation, jeopardizing his secret.


This is a movie released 14 years ago, but there are still a lot of fans of this movie.
Why are there many fans of this movie?　
I think that because the hero has a very positive hope in his future although his life has already been decided by fate. 
He wanted to be an astronaut, but his heart was already weak at birth. He could not give up his dream and although his way was illegal, he got a chance to be an astronaut. He made a lot of effort to impersonate Jerome. He was involved in an incident which was likely to revealed his identity, but he managed to solve it. Deployment of this incident was very exciting and there was a thrill.
At the beginning of last year, NASA selected films that are possible and impossible to happen in real life based on a scientific standpoint. The top of the possible film was this movie GATTACA. 
In the near future, birth will be taken over by genetic engineering. But I want to believe that humans will be changed by effort even if we have the fate of the natural. That was the theme of this movie.
I was sure that Vincent eventually became a man worthy of an astronaut.
"IN TIME" will be released soon in Japan and this movie was made by the same director of "GATTACA". So I'm looking forward to watching it !


My rating:★★★

THE LOST THING

"THE LOST THING"(2010/Australia)
you can watch this video in full-length movies.


This animation is a film adaptation of Shaun Tan's picture book. In his books, his world is very fantastic and it looks like a Sci-fi story. Because I can see unique and interesting creatures. Also there is a deep and meaningful message in all of his stories.
In this movie, I, the main charecter, met a strange creature and he realized  it was lost. Everyone around the creature didin't bother to take care of it. They were all busy. The creature was actually very friendly to him and they played together most of the afternoon. Since then, he could not leave the creature behind. He began looking for a place where the creature could stay and live. Eventually, the creature found a comfortable place to live in and in the end, "I" lost the creature.
After sometimes, "I" noticed that its now very seldom for him to see things or creatures similar to his friend. He just thought that maybe he had been very busy for the past days or maybe he just stopped noticing what happening around him.
So what was the creature? I think it is an expression that is coming from his heart. He could not see the thing when he became busy doing other stuff.
Although sometimes we are busy, we also need to relax or rest our minds for a while. If we  will not do this, we will lost a lot of important things and we also miss to think about the people who needs help.
There are many people who need help, but sometimes we become apathy when we are busy. 
I think apathy is the worst things that can happen to our life. This story made ​​me realize that there's a lot of things around me.
This movie was awarded the short film category at last year's Oscar. The story, of course, is very nice. The hand writing style CG animation has been made ​​very carefully and creatively.
I love this movie very much.


My rating:★★★★

KICK-ASS

"KICK-ASS"(2010/U.S.A/U.K)
synopsis
When Dave Lizewski- ordinary New York teenager and rabid comic-book geek dons a green-and yellow internet-bought wetsuit to become the no-nonsense vigilante,Kick-Ass, he soon finds an answer to his own question; because it hurts. But, overcoming all the odds, the eager yet inexperienced Dave quickly becomes a phenomenon, capturing the imagination of the public. However, he's not the only superhero out there- the fearless and highly-trained father-daughter crime-fighting duo, Big Daddy and Hit Girl have been slowly but surely taking down the criminal empire of local Mafioso, Frank D'Amico. And, as Kick-Ass gets drawn into their no-holds-barred world of bullets and bloodletting with Frank's son, Chris, now reborn as Kick-Ass's arch-nemesis, Red Mist- the stage is set for a final showdown between the forces of good and evil- in which the DIY hero will have to live up to his name. Or die trying...

I'm not a big fan of comics, but I enjoyed watching this movie !
Dave was a stupid hero, but Hit Girl was a really cool superhero! All of her action in this movie was so amazing although several scenes were too cruel to watch. My favorite scene was when Hit Girl reloaded her guns in the air during the gunfight.
Nicolas Cage is known as a crazy fan of comics, so he seemed to enjoy acting Big Daddy. He suggested to the director to change the costume of Big Daddy and he wore a Batman costume of the 1960's as he desired. He also said lines to mimic the Adam West（acting Batman of the 60's TV series.) and Chloë Grace Moretz-Hit Girl said in her interview that it was hard to suppress a laugh. If you know these episodes, this movie becomes more and more fun to watch. 
The major film production company refused to produce this movie and the director; Matthew Vaughn made ​​this at his own expense. As a result, since this movie was a big hit , the sequel is likely comming. I'm excited to watch it and to see Hit Girl again!

My rating:★★★

DISTRICT 9

"DISTRICT9"(2009/U.S.A/South Africa/Canada/New zealand)
Synopsis
In 1982, a massive star ship bearing a bedraggled alien population, nicknamed "The Prawns," appeared over Johannesburg, South Africa. Twenty-eight years later, the initial welcome by the human population has faded. The refugee camp where the aliens were located has deteriorated into a militarized ghetto called District 9, where they are confined and exploited in squalor. In 2010, the munitions corporation, Multi-National United, is contracted to forcibly evict the population with operative Wikus van der Merwe in charge. In this operation, Wikus is exposed to a strange alien chemical and must rely on the help of his only two new 'Prawn' friends.


Under the broken spaceship, aliens were forced to live in refugee camps and they had to move to new camps. Aliens and humans didn't get along well each ohter and Wikus also didn't like Aliens. But he was in need a help from an alien called Christopher Johnson because he was exposed to a mysterious liquid in the tube Christopher made. He gradually began to turn into an alien. He could only protect himself in District 9 from being chased by human. I think he could understand for the first time how difficult it is to live in the refugee camp. The highlight of this movie is his change of thinking for the aliens. According to the information in the movie, his lines of the movie were all ad lib! I was surprised to know that.
The theme of this story forced migration policy from the sixth district in Cape Town since Apartheid policy had been made. We must help each other regardless of race. But If the aliens would come in your country like in this movie, would you help them?  Mankind would treat them as invaders even if they could be friends. So this movie also included the sad history of humans.
Although I hate to see and eat prawn, I like this movie !


My rating:★★★★

CALENDAR GIRLS

"CALENDAR GIRLS"(2003/U.K.)
Synopsis
Based on a true story, eleven middle-aged Englishwomen pose nude for their annual Women's Institute calendar as a fund-raiser for the local hospital. Chris (Helen Mirren) gets the idea to raise money for the hospital after Annie's (Julie Walters) husband dies of leukemia. The calendar is a little different in that each woman is posing behind a different task that the Women's Institute teaches their members, such as making bread rolls, knitting, planting flowers, and playing the piano. Before they know it, the calendar is a big hit in England with tremendous sales. Eventually, they are flown to American to be interviewed by Jay Leno. The calendar has made almost a million dollars for the local hospital.


Chris was a very active and modern woman. She was tired to attend a meeting of a conservative women's institute every thursday. Her idea of making a nude calendar was an unacceptable for the institute.
The purpose of making this calendar was to earn money for a donation to the hospital, but women who appeared in the calendar shoot seemed to enjoy it. Although the women were above the age of 50, they were all very beautiful. I was impressed with one line which the woman said " I am 55 years old. If I'm not gonna get them out now, when am I?" She was  still a cute woman! I think women can try to be beautiful at any age. This movie was showing it for us. 
In this movie Chris emphasized that we were not naked, but nude. What is the difference between naked and nude? Chris said nudity was an art! She was really a modern woman.
This movie is very fun and heartwarming. I highly recommend this movie!

My rating:★★★