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karenedThis time round, the plane ride was toooo fabulous.
Not just because there was a really ikemen guy sitting right at the end of the aisle just before the toilet, which got me going to the toilet for a record 4 times during the plane ride. XP
There was never a lack of movie to watch aboard Singapore Airline, but never once did I feel so excited about watching a movie aboard. As I flipped through the entertainment catalogue, I saw quite a few interesting English films. And then, I flipped a little more and found myself looking at GOKUSEN!! I wasn't able to catch it when it aired in the cinemas because it fell right during my exam period. So, that was a MUST WATCH ne! A page after, I saw Jang Geun Suk's face. The title of the movie was odd, something like 'The truth of sth sth'. So, I read the Korean title and it was Itaewon Salinsageon (Itaewon Murder Case)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've read about this movie, but have not watched it yet. So, that was on my list too! Given the relatively short journey, that was all I could watch. Besides, i was really very sleepy by the end of Itaewon! Below is are the thoughts I randomly scribbled on my notebook while watching Gokusen The Movie.
Gokusen The Movie should really be Gokusen SP: The Final. I mean, they kept the background musics, the tv episode filming and cutting style, which didn't meet my expectations for a movie.
The first scene in the new Class 3D, where one of the students threw a tennis ball at Yankumi, who steps out of way to avoid being hit, is a shameless replica of the manga as well as Gokusen 1, which I disliked. Next, we are given an introduction to our new 3D. I didn't know that the old 3D from Gokseun 3 had graduated, having failed for all 3 attempts to watch that season, so I actually thought that the guy in a red shirt was haruma. Hey, he does resemble Haruma a little k!? But not exactly the same, and hence I was really confused until the scene where the Season 3 3D main clique appeared at Kuma's restaurant. I go back to that later.
Of course, next up is Kame as Odagiri Ryu. Ok, Ryu IS good looking. But, being the Shin fan I am, I just couldn't help but view his actions within Shin in mind. So it was like "this seems like something Shin would do" all the way. Even when the Season 3 3D clique exclaimed, upon seeing Yankumi walking around with a young, ikemen guy, "Yankumi can never find such a handsome boyfriend!", I was all "NO! YOU ARE WRONG! Yankumi has a secret lover in Shin, the smart ass who got into Waseda. And he is a total ikemen!" And when Yankumi got worked up at the restaurant, Kame managed to shut her up just by pulling the back of her coat. Again, it is something Shin would do ne.
At the restaurant, we also had Yankumi sitting down with students from all three seasons. When they discussed about how they had once bet about Yankumi quiting after tasting how bad they are, Yankumi sniffed sadly. Strangely, I did too, a sourness overtook my chest. This is the last time I'll get to watch dear Yankumi! With this thought in mind, I made myself enjoy the movie and forget about Shin. T.T
Kame helped out too, because there was a scene in Yankumi's house where Tetsu got angry at Ryu or something. Ryu seemed to be frightened by Tetsu and went "Kowaii!"; this was something Shin had never did! =)
I was pleasantly surprised when Teppei (Takeda Keita) and Koide Keisuke (Hyuuga Kosuke) appeared out of the blue on the streets. I actually didn't notice it at all when Yankumi knocked into them. Haha...And then, to bring it further, the policeman Shinohara made a comeback in the form of a politician! When I first saw him, I was like "OMG! Shinohara moved up the political ladder to run for election!?". But they then introduced him as a totally new character, and at first I suspected that I had recognised the wrong person. It was only when Yankumi said that he resembles someone she liked in the past that I realised I wasn't wrong. hehe, I'm pleased with this scene because FINALLY, it shows that what happened in the past seasons aren't 'erased'. The only issue I had with this scene, at that point in time, was that the scene seemed to serve no purpose.
I haven't googled it up yet, but I suspect that the leader of the current 3D, the one who got into trouble with the biker gang, is actually the leader of AAA. *shrugs* I'm not that familiar with AAA aniwaes... Oh, I think it was really awkward to have the subplot of 3D getting into trouble with the bikers gang because it totally didn't connect with the main one of Kazama getting invovled in the drug ring. It was like there just for the purpose of Yankumi delivering her typical lecture (and a copied one about not letting your friends go alone even if following means sure 'death') and I think non-Gokusen fans won't really get the point. It may look detached and even cliched. Plus, even for Gokusen fans like me, the scene lacks originality. In fact, the part where banging sounds echo in the warehouse prior to Yankumi breaking down a wall resembles the one in ep 1 of Gokusen 1, where she broke down the door to a warehouse.
Another Gokusen traditional cliche is Yankumi's "let's run towards the sun!". Fortunately, the scene in the movie is set in the streets and not by the riverbank, as was the case for the drama ones. Unfortunately, that robs the movie of the beautiful scenery.
Next, we move to the main plot. At first I had suspected that Kazama was framed for the drug deal, where someone threw his wallet at the scene just as was the case for Ryu in Gokusen 2. But surprise surprise, it wasn't! And my previous comment about the election scene being of no purpose was proved wrong when it was revealed that the politician-in-running was in fact head of the drug ring!
So, the final scene had Yankumi seeking justice for Kazama at the election talk, where our next Gokusen cameo appeared.
Mocomichi was Tsuchiya Hikaru!!!!!!! I couldn't recognise him when he first appeared. Funny thing is, I found him cute when his face appeared on the screen. And 4 seconds later, after Yankumi bumped into him, I realised who he really was. I like that they made Mocomichi's cameo serve a substantial purpose by having him report on the hidden drugs. I like that they made him whip out his trademark fan at the end, no matter how silly and out-of-place it may be. Of course, to non-Gokusen fan, it will just look out-of-place. But for us fans, we understand what that was for!
Of course, there were some parts that even I cannot accept. Like how Class 3D managed to catch the live broadcast through the hp of one of the students. In the first place, why is a student from 3D watching an election talk!?! Shouldn't he be more interested in porn sites, or music videos, or Youtube even? And then the final fight on the stage, on live broadcast. Which idiot would do that? Besides, having been exposed of his involvement in drugs, the most logical thing to do is not to stay and fight on LIVE BROADCAST in front of the whole nation, but to escape before the police find their way to him. O.O That's why the final fight, which is supposed to be the highlight of the movie, seemed too contrived.
I was happy with the very last part of the movie. Throughout the movie, we had many past season students returning, but none for Gokusen 1, except for Kuma. So, when Minami returned, I was really shocked and excited. (off-topic but it was only then that I realised that he was one of the dorm heads in Hanakimi!) In fact, I was more excited there then any other scenes in the movie! I was thinking, "Anyone else?" when Noda, my dear dear dear Narimiya-kun, appeared, with a portfolio bag! So, he really is a fashion designer now? XP It kind reminded me of his role in Honey And Clover. Next up was Uchiyama, by dear Oguri Shun. And he did that tap-shoulder-finger-cheek action again! I'm really so happy that all these trademark actions were brought back too. Then I realised that the trend was to start from the less important student upwards...so...Shin?
=( Demo, he didn't appear.
WHY!?!?!? JUN, doushite?????
Hey, at least talk a little about him with Uchiyama! =(
Overall, while I'm glad that Gokusen The Movie came to Singapore's shores, I would rather that it didn't for it could have damaged Gokusen's name a little. It makes a good SP, one which Gokusen fans can enjoy. However, as a movie, it has too much flaws that a non fan may not be able to accept and the frequent reference, both subtle and obvious, to past seasons make little sense and meaning to them as well.
Finally, I started on Itaewon, which gave me a huge shock by showing me a gruesome death 5 mins after the start of the movie. It is a wonderful movie because it kept me thinking about the truth of the murder throughout its length. Everytime enough evidence is established to make a conclusion on the real murderer, something else will pop up to point to the other direction. In fact, the prosecutor himself got confused in the middle of the court hearings. When Alex got sentenced, the movie-goer in me started thinking, "Hey this is too easy! There's bound to be a twist so Pearson has to be the murderer." But I forgot that this isn't a movie. It's based on a true case and so in real life, we won't know. Sadly. I'm thinking that both of them had a part in the murder, and perhaps plotted together to pretend to accuse the other party so that they can get off more easily. In fact they did get away with the crime, since one got sentenced to 2 years for withholding evidence and the other to life-sentence, but that sentence was later nullified due to procedural issues. So, maybe they did. No one knows. I just have to admire Jang Geun Suk for his English, which although isn't perfect, is good enough for the big screen.
We went to stay at an onsen at Hakone the first day we landed. The place was beautiful and the service superb. I watched Hey!Hey!Hey! for fun and was surprised when Arashi made up majority of the program. They are really amazing. When KT made it for 2 positions on the top 10 singles ranking, I was like "Wow, they did quite well!" But then, Arashi came and took away 5th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st. O.O And 1st for Top 10 albums. If this is not THE arashi year, I don't know what this is...Can't type more for I need to go sleep already!
----------------------------------------Comments transfered from vox
matsuzy wrote:
Dec 9, 2009
ive watched the itaewon movie too and i agree with the plot that both of them did it then accused each other.. it kind of really looked like that in the end ne.. anyway were you asking for the timeslot for their shows bcoz youre going to watch it? i actually dont know it too since i dont really watch nor download them.. but i'll help you search for it! :D
Dec 9, 2009
haha yeah, I am!! I just watched Liar Game last night haha!! But I don't know where to start searching and don't really have enough time in front of the comp to go search...would be great if you could help!!!!!!!!!
You know, that smirk Pearson (JGS) showed right at the end when he left the prosecutor office after serving his sentence...it was so scary..