Paradise Kiss Movie

As I was browsing, I recently discovered that there was a ParaKiss adaptation! I was so excited that I watched it without reading the reviews. Haha, bad idea. I haven't read the manga in a long while since I wasn't happy with the ending. I saw the reason in the plot, loved the depth and realism of the characters, but I'm an optimist; If there's a will, there's a way... While reading a comment (not an actual review), I read that they changed the ending so, I was intrigued on as to how they wrote it.

So, looking at the cast, I thought Kitagawa Keiko could pull off a good Yukari seeing her rendition of Hino Rei. (Another stubborn and slightly shrewd character, although not as deep) Also, I saw Mukai Osamu's acting in Hotaru no Hikari and Atashinchi no Danshi and thought he had enough suave and depth to pull of George. Seeing that the leads had the potential to pull the characters off, I was even more excited.
And then the movie started...

Ok. For anyone that actually read ParaKiss, you will be disappointed regardless of whether you liked the manga ending or not. The character development was thrown down the drain, forget about depth, morality, family issues, friendship, name any central theme on ParaKiss--it was gone! From a beautifully heart wrenching manga, they tried to make it into a run-of-the-mill RomCom. Yuck. In fact its ditortion into the typical RomCom formula wasn't even done right! If I had not read the manga, I'd think that (in the movie) Yukari should have ended up with Hiroyuki...completely opposite to what director envisioned as the movie's ending (but ironically, in line with the manga).

It was a mess. I really thought Keiko Kitagawa could pull of Yukari's inner-struggle-covered-by-a-veil-of-stoicism. But whether it was her (lack of) interpretation, or the director, she turned out to be a bratty, emotion driven girl who can only see what's in front of her. In stead of having depth in character, she's turned into some dunce who has no depth, no insight, no real self-identity crisis (which was there before she met the ParaKiss crew). The "pressure" she had from her parents (seen in the manga) was erased and replaced by fluff moments of strict parents being parents. This ended up depicting that Yukari was misconstruing the whole situation, in a victim mentality, and not owning up for her actions (which I remember that she did in the manga. It was one of the reasons why I respected her.)

Then there was the (lack of) interaction between George and Yukari that killed the whole movie. It didn't exist. No tension, no chemistry. It just looked like there was physical attraction and lust. No understanding, no stripping of defenses to only each other, no miscommunication. In the manga, I remember feeling that there was something so alluring about them as a couple. Something that they could only find in each other... It was completely erased in this pointless movie. The only time there was chemistry: the last...2 minutes? of the movie. Where they reunite. (In the manga story line, I felt that at this moment, I feel it is possible for the relationship to work. When they have come closer to finding their own path in life. I'm sure many will disagree, the current ending was beautiful nonetheless)

And don't even get me started on the secondary characters. The actress for Miwako was too tall and to devious looking. I did not feel the Miwako's purity of character at all. Arashi was not rocker enough, and no offence but Isabella was not feminine enough. She's supposed to be the epitome of class and femininity--you cannot tell that she's transgender. (The actor came close to demonstrating her poise though. Nice try.)

I feel that Yamamoto Yusuke was the only person that acted his character to its true spirit. Too bad we don't see how true his rendition is because he barely gets any character development.

Let me say again. The script writing was bad. This movie failed to stay even remotely close to the manga plot, and more importantly the themes. The production team probably wanted to make it a "chic romance story" and it failed at that too!

I blame the production team since I've seen actors perform better than in this vapid movie... Don't watch it. It won't even pass as a fluffy romcom.

So disappointed...I wonder how Yazawa-sensei feels about the rendition.
~Kiyoikou

Luck.

What are the chances that 100% of the time lose something and never find it? I know its well deserved since I forgot it but honestly, why can't people just be nice? Why can't they kindly leave it at lost and found. Besides, the object is not even top of the line. It's mediocre at best! This is an object commonly misplaced. With a plethora of these objects, a lot of which exceed mine in many properties, you'd think ONE, just one would be mine. Dissappointing but not surprising.
... I really hope there is a silver lining this time.

- Kiyoikou

Attribution

Ok, what was that. First impressions are essential, true. However are people so narrow minded so as to make a complete assessment of an individual just because they were almost late? Why is it that people act antagonistically towards another without getting to know the other person? Especially if rumours never circulate about this person, they are not even close to being in the same social circle and they are as average as average can be.
If they were not blessed with beauty, grace, supreme intelligence, optimism, what is it about them that perturbs another party? What is the reason for being so damn unpleasant? ...People..
---

On another note, WHAT is up with people walking with their jackets half on? I mean, either one sleeve is on, or their shoulders are exposed yet the lower half of the torso is loosely on the body (not tied around the waist). I mean, is it appealing to look so...disheveled? Youth.

The Benefits of Writing.

Ok so, I haven't written paragraphs in a timed setting for a long time. And when I say long time, I mean years. I stayed away from it like a cat avoids water. Who, by the way, if not for anxiety, are amazing swimmers. That being said, just recently, I had to partake in a timed writing task. And, let me tell you, I didn't do to bad! I think I owe it to writing on this blog. Perhaps it helps maintain a cohesion between thoughts and their expression. This attribution is not a groundbreaking revelation, however, it does propel me to continue scribing my thoughts... Regardless of the presence of an (albeit virtual) audience, or not. =p
However, I still do wonder about the long term effects that blogs have had on the modern generation. I mean, before, only esteemed people with a strong grasp of their language published opinion papers and such. And most people write their thoughts in a diary. Private. An outlet of emotions instead of repression. However this new privilege to express one's thoughts to the world, and maintain a certain level of anonymity, what effect does it have on the populace? Is it partially responsible for the lack of restrain, dignity, and privacy that so many lack today?

Anyway, I'm beat. So I'll regretfully sign off with a new found appreciation for blogs. As well as something to think about... Haha
- Kiyoikou

Sincerity

There are people that feel entitled to certain...unearned priviledges. In a way, ignorance turns out to be a silver lining for those who must endure their in sufferable company. I guess for them to maintain the self preserving belief that they are good, they screen themselves from the truth. Don't expected to be treated a certain way if you don't mentally belief in the attitude you pretend to exude. It's as simple as that. One last note, the truth might hurt for a while, but lying to yourself will cripple you for life.

Communication

T: I don't feel like i've explained myself clearly. You seemed to have painted a picture that looks like me...but...the colours are off. The expression is one that I won't make unless I was pushed to do so.
It makes sense since we haven't known each other that long. I wanted to correct you...but I feel like you could benefit from the painting.
Is it alright? Inspiring you with a lie? If miscommunication had a silver lining, I hope this is it.
--
Random stranger: I'm on the bus... I see it. What are you looking at, Creep? Don't think you're subtle. You're not. Oh, you're "yawning" now? That just really deplorable. How could you think that you're not coming across as a creep? You're as obvious as could be. Like a mule trying to pass off as an ass. Oh, I'm sorry, is that too vulgar for you? Yes, stop staring, that's right appearances can decieve. That's what you get for trying to judge a book by its cover.

- Kiyoikou

You revisited

Our chance meetings are just that. Nothing more. I hope either party does not see it with anymore depth. I don't know why I'm writing to you again... Is it because of what you represent? Probably. This garbled mess I'm typing... Don't see it as an indication of anything else but frustration. In the end, I hope you remain forever ignorant...