Movies & Dramas

• Burn the House Down (2023): I initially watched this because my favorite actress Nagano Mei is the main character. After watching, I felt myself more aware of human greed (social position, money) and family love. And, of course, Japanese movie-making quality is still among the best to me. (2023/12/30)

• Mother (2020): A sad story about a single mom who abuses and dehumanizes her son. I could understand better why it's so hard for people raised in disadvantaged environments (like her son) to break free from their misery. They might have 'good choices,' but how they were raised prevents them from making those choices. They might prefer to keep everything unchanged, even if they are pushed into a dead end. (2024/1/1)

• Dearest (2021): I just finished watching the movie "Dearest" starring Yoshitaka Yuriko. As a big fan of hers, I was excited to see her in a new role. From the movie, I learned that the criminal justice system is not always perfect; it does not always protect the victims. I strongly resonated with the last scene of the film. Rio, after working for 15 years to develop a drug to treat her brother’s memory-loss disease, finally achieved her dream, getting approval for her drug. I could not forget her saying, "こんな幸せ日はないわ" (There is no such happy day like this). It was a kind of motivation for me to keep working hard to achieve my dream. The movie also explores common themes of love, compassion, hope, as well as human greed. And as always, Yuriko's acting was so good! (2024/1/6)