Tag: Movie
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Is Death Note a Reflection of Our Own Extremes?
Read more: Is Death Note a Reflection of Our Own Extremes?Do extremes ever lead to true justice? Death Note is a Japanese manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, serialized from December 2003 to May 2006. The story follows Light Yagami, a high school student who discovers the “Death Note,” a mysterious book belonging to the shinigami Ryuk that grants its…
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Is Robin Hood (1973) Still Relevant in Today’s Society?
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Read more: Is Robin Hood (1973) Still Relevant in Today’s Society?Robin Hood is a 1973 American animated musical adventure comedy film produced by Walt Disney Productions and is based on the English folktale Robin Hood. I watched it when I was very young, but after playing the board game Villainous recently—where Prince John is one of the villains we could play—it made me want to…
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Is “Once Upon a Time in China” a Reflection on Colonialism and Power?
Read more: Is “Once Upon a Time in China” a Reflection on Colonialism and Power?How does the film’s historical context shape its message? Once Upon a Time in China is a 1991 Hong Kong biographical martial arts film directed and produced by Tsui Hark, starring Jet Li as Wong Fei-hung, a legendary Chinese martial artist, physician, and folk hero. The story unfolds at the end of the 19th century,…
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Is Wicked (2024) a Reflection of Our Own Prejudices and Potential for Change?
Read more: Is Wicked (2024) a Reflection of Our Own Prejudices and Potential for Change?Can We Truly Overcome Prejudice? Wicked (2024) was just released in Japan, and we went to see it with my wife. I later learned that it was an adaptation of a 2003 musical, which was based on a novel inspired by The Wizard of Oz. The story serves as a prequel, following the journey of…
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Ninja Scroll and the Power of Action: Are We Truly Living?
Read more: Ninja Scroll and the Power of Action: Are We Truly Living?Ninja Scroll is a 1993 Japanese animated jidaigeki-chanbara film written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri. It is said to have influenced the Wachowskis in the creation of The Matrix franchise. The quality of the animation is spectacular, with dynamic fight sequences and a cast of unique characters, each possessing distinct abilities. This combination makes it…
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Can We Change Our Minds? American History X and the Power of Influence
Read more: Can We Change Our Minds? American History X and the Power of InfluenceHow does trauma shape our beliefs? American History X is a 1998 American drama film directed by Tony Kaye and written by David McKenna. Edward Norton and Edward Furlong star as two brothers involved in white power skinhead and neo-Nazi movements. This movie is quite emotionally charged and left a strong impression on me, making…
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Prisoners: Can We Break the Cycle of Hatred and Revenge?
Read more: Prisoners: Can We Break the Cycle of Hatred and Revenge?What does Prisoners teach us about morality and justice? Prisoners is a 2013 American thriller film, directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Aaron Guzikowski. Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal take on the leading roles, delivering performances that are both remarkable and deeply unsettling. Jackman portrays Keller Dover, a father whose daughter goes missing—presumably kidnapped—while…
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Porco Rosso: How Do Culture, Creativity, and Technology Shape Our Future?
Read more: Porco Rosso: How Do Culture, Creativity, and Technology Shape Our Future?How did historical events influence Porco Rosso? Porco Rosso is a 1992 Japanese animated adventure fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, based on his 1989 manga Hikōtei Jidai. Animated by Studio Ghibli, with a score composed by Joe Hisaishi, the film follows an Italian World War I ex-fighter ace who now works as…
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Black Box Diaries: What Does It Reveal About Gender Roles and Cultural Change in Japan?
Read more: Black Box Diaries: What Does It Reveal About Gender Roles and Cultural Change in Japan?How does Japanese society perceive the #MeToo movement? This post marks the first time I discuss a piece of content I haven’t personally watched. Why? Black Box Diaries is a Japanese documentary released in October 2024 in the UK and the US, but it has yet to be released in Japan—if ever. Recently nominated for…
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How Does Zootopia Challenge Our Perceptions of Prejudice and Neuroplasticity?
Read more: How Does Zootopia Challenge Our Perceptions of Prejudice and Neuroplasticity?How do our brains shape our understanding of the world? Zootopia is a 2016 American animated buddy cop comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. Set in a world of anthropomorphic animals, it follows an unlikely partnership between a small rabbit police officer and a cunning con artist fox as they work together to…