Monster(怪物) Japanese Film Thoughts(2023)

 

   Monster is a 2023 film that was directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda(Shoplifters, Broker) and was written originally by Yuji Sakamoto. The film was the last one musical conductor Ryuichi Sakamoto worked on before his death and the film is dedicated to his memory. Soya Kurokawa, Sakura Ando,(Godzilla Minus One) Eita Nagayama, and, Hinata Hiiragi star in the psychological drama. Many critics praised the film's direction with most people placing it as one of the best of last year. 

    A single mother becomes alarmed after finding out that her son is being bullied by his teacher. She is even more shocked when she finds that her son is being called a bully of another classmate.... Who is at fault? Who is this other classmate?

     Monster is a film that allows you to pull back all the layers. There are many layers to this film that come from the emotional drama in each character. Some characters are the center of the story however, other characters also add such depth to events. This took me off guard when experiencing the detail in each character. The film starts with one perspective which is the mother. Then it moves to another perspective and another viewpoint. One scene was shown in the same view but in a brand new light through various eyes. The mystery slowly unfolds as you witness certain character's view. I wasn't prepared for the attention to background detail for characters such as the principle. My heart connected to all the characters as true emotions are revealed and the film's message starts to hit me hard. Situations like that one that the kids were involved in make me sad. A solution like the one that the plot ended at was liberating, yet full of a deep sadness. 

    The child cast carried the film. Such a subject matter can be hard to blend into. These young actors took on the challenge though. The Teacher and Mother come in a close second as best performances. They play supporting cast very well. That principle's monotone face stayed in my head after the film was over. 

      

     LGBTQ supporters will respect this film as a piece of art. Other people will appreciate this story being told from the perspective of children. These are problems that children have and hopefully this film will highlight something that some people might not have been aware of.  

Angela Aki - アンジェラ・アキ sings『この世界の片隅に』 Album Thoughts (J-pop/Classical)

 

      I grew up listening to the wonderful vocalist which is Angela Aki. Born to an Italian mother and a Japanese father, Aki is considered one of the most popular mixed race singers of the 2000s in Japan along with the likes of Crystal Kay and Anna Tsuchiya. She final released a new single after years of living in America, to study music. A full surprise album was released a few weeks after. 

1. 1
   この世界のあちこちに
2. 2
   焼き尽くすまで
3. 3
   波のウサギ
4. 4
   醒めない夢 feat. 海宝直人
5. 5
   掘り出しもんみーつけた
6. 6
   端っこ
7. 7
   花まつり
8. 8
   言葉にできない feat. 海宝直人
9. 9
   自由の色
10. 10
    記憶の器

     This album sounds like a Classical music theory class. Angela is still in her element of piano playing pop songs however, this time around a mature tone has taken place of the pop we would usually hear in her earlier works. Everything sounds slick and tied together in production while Aki's piano playing is the center of it all. I can hear the musical director in her new music when it comes to the vocal layerings in her own vocals as well as the featured vocalists that sing on this album. The Orchestra sounds bolder than any of her other songs but there isn't a real uptempo song on Sings. We get maybe one track thats a little groovy. I'm pointing this out but it really doesn't matter because the album is a solid listen. Angela's music dedication is unmatched in vocals and musicality. 

    I still stick by what I have been saying for years: Angela Aki is one of the best Japanese vocalists of all time. Aki popped back to the industry when she was needed the most. She might not even realize that she was needed but, I really missed her music. Home is still my favorite song by her.