ChaNee's Weekend Movie Recommendations
Grab a bucket of popcorn, your favorite drink, take a comfy seat and.......
Genome Hazard
Aru Tensai Kagakusha No Itsukakan
Country: Japan, South Korea Year: 2014 Genre: Action, Thriller, Mystery
Ishigami Taketo (Hidetoshi Nishijima) is an average man with a loving wife, a rewarding job, and a comfortable life. Or so it seems. Everything changes when he arrives home to celebrate his first year anniversary with his lovely wife, Miyuki (Yoko Maki), whose dead body is found on the floor. What is more confusing, and disturbing, is that he receives a phone call from Miyuki telling him that she is going to stay the night at her parents' house. Things only get worse when two suspicious policemen enter his home amidst the drama and confusion. But, with the help of a visiting Korean reporter, Kang Ji Won (Kim Hyo-Jin). The mystery begins to unfold.
I am one of those that love co-production films and dramas. I love seeing how different perspectives come together to create something that makes people take notice. I think all that were involved with this particular production did a very good job. The movie catches your attention the moment Hidetoshi Nishijima is shown on screen (I am trying to sound convincing while giving credit to the writers. Is it working? Because we know ALL credit goes to HN for catching our attention) Seriously, I felt this was a well written and directed movie, that had plenty of action, plenty of mystery (even if you know about "genome"), and plenty of confusion, because I was confused right along with Ishigami, and when things started to make sense to him, they made sense to me. A very satisfactory "on the edge of your seat" movie.
All-Round Appraiser Q: Mona Lisa's Eyes
Bannou Kanteishi Q Monariza no Hitomi
Country: Japan Year: 2014 Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Meet Riko Rinda (Haruka Avase), a self-taught genius appraiser of art and valuables, and Yuto Ogasawara (Tori Matsuzaka), an under-appreciated magazine editor who is looking forward to break his first big story. Under circumstances offered to Riko, but a chance meeting created by Yuto, the appraiser and editor find themselves at The Louvre in Paris, France, participating in a qualifying round to be hired as an employee during the Mona Lisa exhibition that will be held in Japan. While preparing for the final test, Riko and Yuto have been thrust in the investigation of an international incident involving the Mona Lisa, as well as the myths that surround the painting.
This movie gave me a little bit of "The Davinci Code" feel without the religious implication and the consistent twist and turns of the evidence. The focus was placed on one subject: The Mona Lisa. This was more a light-hearted mental action mystery. It plays up to the myths and mysteries surrounding the Mona Lisa portrait. Why can't it be a woman simply sitting for a portrait painting by the renowned Leonardo da Vinci? If you found "The Davinci Code" boring, you might consider this a bit boring or you may fall in the category where I found myself. I enjoyed this from beginning to end, but I will have to watch again because the subbed few copies floating around aren't that good so I KNOW I missed out on some important parts so hopefully they will have better copies soon.
Nazotoki wa dinner no ato de: Movie
The After-Dinner Mysteries
Country: Japan Year: 2013 Genre: Mystery, Comedy
This movie is an extension of the 10 episode drama of the same name that aired in 2011. The movie, drama, and specials are based on the book. Nazotoki Wa Dinner no ato de by Tokuya Higashigawa.
Police officer, Hosho Reiko (Keiko Kitagawa), is well set to enjoy her much needed vacation. She wants to let her hair down and act according to what her "normal" life requires. Being a wealthy heiress and sailing the last cruise of her family's luxury liner, The Princess Reiko, to the shores of Singapore. She has brought her trusted but annoyingly arrogant butler, Kageyama (Sho Sakurai). However her plans are stopped by several mysterious murders on the cruise including a "possible" attack on her personal life. Can Reiko & her butler solve the whodunit before she joins the fishes at the bottom of the ocean?
It is quirky. It is over the top, and it has flaws, but it doesn't disappoint! It is well written and directed and the cast are fantastic together. If I didn't read that it was inspired by a novel, I would have assumed it was a live action drama based off a highly rated manga. While I was watching, I was taken back to a time I was an Agatha Christie mystery book fanatic. I would obsessively look for every Christie book that was published. I think I read ALL of them. Keep in mind the board game, Clue, as well. The After-Dinner Mysteries is definitely a classic whodunit set in modern times, and the movie has made the drama series a definite must in my book.
