Jujutsu Kaisen 0(劇場版 呪術廻戦 0) Japanese Anime Film Thoughts

 

      Jujutsu Kaisen O is a 2021 anime film directed by Sunghoo Park and written by Hiroshi Seko. The film was original suppose to be an ark to the anime for the Jujutsu Kaisen however, the studio MAPPA gained more money for the film. So the studio produced better action sequences. upon release, Kaisen O became the highest grossing film of 2021 in Japan. 

   A guy cursed by his childhood classmate is sent to a school of curses....  The curse attached to the guy is one of extreme power and other forces want it for themselves.

   This film is the anime adaption of the manga. There's a manga adaption that is a pretty much the whole story of the film. Some new scenes were added to the film that I don't really remember. You can read the single volume manga to know the full story before watching the film. It's really a cut and paste situation. What this film has going for it was the beautiful animated fight scenes. Lighting fast movements in animated design takes a hold of most audiences when they watch. I enjoyed the eye candy even though I had read the manga before hand. 

   No matter if you're a fan of the series or you just like anime in general, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is a good time. The story isn't hard to follow and the action is top tier. Enjoy everyone!!

Project Wolf Hunting(늑대사냥) Korean Film Thoughts

 

    Project Wolf Hunting is a 2022 film directed by Kim Hong Sun and stars actor singer Seo in Guk alongside Jang Dong Yoon with Sung Dong il, The film was selected for film festivals where it was well received but was most successful in South Korea. 

    A group of criminals being transported to by sea decide to overtake the police onboard and return to South Korea... Little do they know that they have entered into a situation beyond their wildest nightmares. 

     This is a film that has a pretty slow start. You get introduced to some characters that aren't likable at all.  Their situation isn't a good one since they are captive on a ship with no means of escape. Then before you get to the midway point, things pick up on a very violent fashion. Please be warned that this film has a certain level of violence. It's not the worse that I've seen though.Violent scenes continue as they distract from the mystery portion of the film. Especially when outside forces join the party.... I won't say too much because I think the surprise is one of the best parts of Wolf Hunting.  A lot happens by the end of everything that transpires, yet there was enough of a reveal to possible have a sequel. I'm not sure if that will ever happen though. 

   I thought the acting was alright. Their performances were reminiscent of other films such as The Witch or even Frankenstein. The execution of everything was fine. It just wasn't a lot to work with.      

    Project Wolf Hunting excels the most in it's horrific violent action than anything else. The plot is just good enough to support the blood bath. If a bloody good time is what you're seeking, then you will enjoy this film as much as I did. 

ASH ISLAND - Rose Album Thoughts(K-rap/Rock)

   

   I've know about Ash Island for awhile now but, I never gave his music a chance until recently. He reminded me of his existence when he did a feature on Korean Japanese rapper Changmin's latest album in Japan.... Then I ran across his new album teaser and said I would give Rose a listen. 

  

Tracklist:
1. 작별인사 (Feat. Paul Blanco)
2. WONDER
3. Rose In The Heart
4. Trapped (Feat. Chillin Homie)
5. U Know It (Feat. Louie)
6. Drop Top (Feat. The Quiett)
7. 거짓말이라도
8. Bad Words (Feat. BE’O)
9. 시간은 왜 앞으로만 가

   Ash Island is a confusing artist all around. You don't know if he's a rapper, singer, or what.  I want to say that he's a rock artists. That was until he starts messing with Hip Hop beats to start some bars off. Rose is a melodramatic melody rap fiasco that's catchy. The tracks choruses are bright and straight to the point so they are easy to sing along to. This is ash's M.O. for the most part. He want you to feel the the lyrics while you sing with him. However, there's hints of a street rapper in him too, which is very different.  Rose is a fun album since most of the tracks are hard to skip. All artists should strive to make music that draws people in so much so that skipping isn't an option. 

    Ash Island is one of the few artists that can use autotune on all his vocals and make it not sound annoying. autotune is all over his music. Yet, the sound blends in well with his natural vocals. I think he plays around in the studio with the amount that he uses. I'm big on how good he sounds though. 

Ha Hyun Sang(하현상) - Time and Trace(시간과 흔적) Album Thoughts(K-indie)

 

    Ha Hyun Sang is a singer that I know nothing about. A quick search tells me that he was on a Korean singing survival program at the start of his career. He is the leader of his own band while also releasing solo EPs. Time and Trace is his first full album so I stumbled on this talent at the right time.

Tracklist:
1. Melancholy
2. 말야
3. 시간과 흔적
4. 하루가
5. 소년의 방
6. Laputa
7. 까만 낮
8. Good Night
9. 집에 가는 길
10. Same Old Song
11. 파도

     I love how all the harmonies and band instrumental lines just blend together so well. Ha Hyun Sang is only twenty four year old and he's already creating a body of work that show cases all that he is. Some might call the tracks ballad rock. Well, I would but a few tracks do hit hard on the guitars since he plays himself. Time and Trace is an emotional rollercoaster  through emotion that doesn't waver off it's path not once in the album's run time. Even a random pop number doesn't make the album feel disjointed. Time and Trace is an album for Korean music listeners who want to step away from the overproduced mainstream tracks for something a bit more raw.  

   Ha Hyun Sang is a high tenor voice that he sues to sing with his heart. You can hear him sing all his lyrics with a really sadness and clarity. I wasn't a bit fan of his vocals when the album first started however, the album's title tracks is such a beautiful song. Maybe even his best vocal performance on the album. 

    I hope that those Kpop/Korean music lovers found a new artist to check out. Ha Hyun Sang is very talented in my opinion. Enjoy!!!

Sing a Bit of Harmony(アイの歌声を聴かせて) Japanese anime film Thoughts(2022)

 

   Sing a Bit of Harmony is a 2021 film that was J.C. Staff Co and produced by Yasuhiro Yoshiura. At the time of release in Japan. the film garnered a top ten spot at the movies and was nominated for many awards in it's home country. There was also praise for the film worldwide due to the film's themes about loving one's self using song. A manga version was created after the success of the film. 

    The new girl in class goes up to a random classmate  as she introduces herself to everyone and ask her his she happy and proclaims to wanting to make her happy using her voice. The classmate is shunned by most everyone but little does she know that she will form bonds with people that she never though she would...

   I absolutely love how the trailers and teasers don't tell you the whole picture. A lot is going on in this film that you don't get a really good look at until you watch the film. From the trailers, you would think that this film is just a high school musically about a girl trying to make another somewhat gloomy girl happy....Nope the world that the story is set in also plays a huge part in the story. I won't spoil it for you but this fact causes a lot of laughs, tears, and just a deeper thought process into what makes us human. What as humans also truly makes us happy? Sing a Bit of Harmony is a solid film that doesn't slow down or have weak plot holes. Everything feels perfect for a musical. Speaking of the songs, they fit well with the flow of the plot. It's not annoyingly placed in the film just to be there either. The singing actually plays an important part in the film which I thought was cool. 

    The art has a bit of a Mamoru Hosoda's Summer Wars(or Belle) influence. Especially in the world design. You get to see a ton of technology here because the world has moved in that direction in the film. Everything looks mystical, et grounded in reality. 

  I highly recommend this film to anyone who likes Japanese anime. You will have a good time and the plot will make you feel joyous in the end. Have fun watching!!!!