Storyline: Rise Up: Raizu appu (2009) Nakajima Ryo, who burst onto the scene with the original and refreshing This World of Ours (2007), which was immensely popular on the film festival circuit, is a promising young director that I assumed would be bold with his film-making. Being a fan of his freshman feature, I naturally was quick to pick up his sophomore effort. Rise Up disappoints in every way possible. While This World of Ours was fresh, original, and powerful, Rise Up is a complete departure, resulting in a film that is overly cliché and suffers from the pitfalls of mainstream conformity. I predicted the entire movie within the first 10 minutes and the film turned into a comedy for me as every prediction came true.Wataru (Hayashi Kento) is standing at the top of a huge hill, enjoying the beautiful scenery before jumping off and paragliding down as his friend, Hiroya (Taiga), films him. Before touching down, a girl, Rui (Yamashita Rio), walks in Wataru's path, causing him to crash land in an unexpected way. Hiroya is angry and continuously yells at Rui, but Wataru quickly realizes that she is blind and accepts the situation.The three meet again soon after, initiating a "job" of sorts in which the two boys lead Rui around town as if they are her "seeing-eye dogs." They soon find that she is difficult to handle, though Wataru seems to develop a liking to her. It is soon discovered that the two boys work for Rui's brother (Aoki Munetaka) at an amusement park as mascot animals, initiating a few comedic scenes. Life continues and friendship develops until certain memories come to light and expose a tragic incident that occurred in the past. (This is all in the official trailer, along with more).Rise Up is billed as a touching, sentimental romantic drama but fails to present the events that take place in an effective manner, causing the viewer to feel disconnected from the characters. During some scenes, I was puzzled as to how things happened the way they did. Some events are just too convenient or random–a token example of a director unable to find a good flow for his movie. The story is definitely tragic and is intended to be touching, but the movie is too short to effectively immerse the viewer in the characters' world. What Rise Up does do is present the Japanese population as completely helpful and kind, as every person that Rui encounters (except for one man, who, in a rush, knocks her over) while she is out on her own never fails to assist her in the best way possible. I view this as a hopeful message to society, as real life is definitely far from the way the story presents it.Acting is sub-par at best, even from Hayashi Kento (though he shows signs of promise and has definitely delivered acceptable performances in the past–his face stands up well to the intimate camera-work). The characters themselves are one-dimensional, performing as expected and never straying from the generic path established in the beginning. The two friends–Wataru and Hiroya–are opposites; Wataru is kind, understanding, and quiet, while Hiroya is loud and argumentative, though good at heart. These two are perfect friends, playing off one another well. As a side note– I assume that a major draw to most potential viewers is the possible romantic aspect between Wataru and Rui, but it is not as involved as you may expect. You have been warned.Though Rise Up is drastically different from This World of Ours in subject matter, it somewhat retains the stylistic camera-work of Nakajima's first film (in which he was the cinematographer; however, he chose to use a separate cinematographer for Rise Up). The camera is intimate, though less in-your-face and not filmed in the hand-held style, and I did find it to be visually pleasing. The soundtrack is all over the place, with some tracks honestly sounding like music you would hear in a commercial or a hotel lobby. These are contrasted with some uplifting tracks and the inclusion of the classical piano masterpiece, Clair de Lune, three separate times.Rise Up is a disappointing effort by Nakajima Ryo to make a mainstream, commercially accessible film, unlike his previous, drastically different This World of Ours. Though it includes some beautiful and visually pleasing shots, the film as a whole exudes amateurism, which worked for This World of Ours, but fails in this context. It's not overlong and is paced fairly well, but the flow of events is improvised in some cases and doesn't completely work as a whole. This is a tragic drama that attempts to be sentimental, and it is–but it falls short of making a lasting impression on the viewer because of its unbelievable story and awkward flow. I hope your next film is an improvement, Mr. Nakajima.
Christmas at Graceland (2018)
Christmas at Graceland (2018) A Chicago-based business executive travels to Memphis to secure one of the city's oldest family-owned banks. While in Memphis, Laurel reunites with an old flame Clay, a local music promoter with loftier aspirations.
Snegurochka protiv vsekh (2021)
Snegurochka protiv vsekh 2021 The main qualities of 45 year old businessman Yevgeny Vasin are the brilliant mind, thanks to which he became rich, and the disgusting character, which turns the life of the businessmans relatives and subordinates into a
Three Crosses Not to Die (1968)
Three Crosses Not to Die (1968) Jerry, Reno and Paco are in prison, where they meet a young Mexican man who claims he has been convicted for a crime he hasn't committed. Mysteriously, the three men are released of prison and proceed to prove the Mexi
Feast of Love (2007)
A meditation on love and its various incarnations, set within a community of friends in Oregon. and is described as an exploration of the magical, mysterious and sometimes painful incarnations of love.
Husbands Report (1971)
Husbands Report 1971 Ehemanner Report Husbands Report is just another of the countless German Report movies, which were produced after the big success of Schoolgirl Report The episodic nature of these movies is here somehow connected with a frame
AS:VS Back in Business (2014)
Sequel to the 2012 film At Stake Vampire Solutions, the ASVS team is back and facing a host of new problems as they work to avoid government shut down, and fight to stay alive while combating the growing vampire threat
Where Are You, Joao Gilberto (2018)
Where Are You, Joao Gilberto 2018 Where are you, Joao Gilberto sets out in the footsteps of German writer Marc Fischer who obsessively searched for the legendary founding father of Bossa Nova, Brazilian musician Joao Gilberto, who has not been seen i
Greed in the Sun (1964)
Greed in the Sun (1964) Rocco and his female accomplice, Angèle hijack a truck from a trucking company in the Saharan desert. The head of the trucking company, Castigliano hires Rocco's friend, Hervé and a newly employed German, Hans to go after hi
Cavale (2002)
Cavale 2002 After nearly fifteen years behind bars, lefty revolutionary Bruno escapes and heads back to Grenoble, France His plan Settle some old scores, hook up with his foxy ex lover, and avoid the cop on his tail An unexpected event, however, brin
Stolen Kisses (1968)
Stolen Kisses (1968) Antoine Doinel joined the army but has just been discharged. The film tells his reunion with Christine Darbon, the girl he was in love with before the beginning of the film, and his adventures in his jobs : first as a night watch
Ribblehead (2022)
Ribblehead 2022 Mark Smithson, a formerly successful writer, is struggling with his second book When a family connection leads him to investigate a local landmark, his writers block is lifted But soon he is drawn into a world of terrifying cre
Oleanna (1994)
Oleanna (1994) Student Carol visits Professor John to discuss how she failed his course but the discussion takes awkward turn.
Guest of Honour (2019)
Guest of Honour (2019) Veronica wants to remain in jail for a sexual assault she knows she's been wrongfully indicted for. She and her father, Jim, find themselves acting out of the bounds of good behavior as the past haunts them.
Lone Wolves (2016)
Lone Wolves (2016) After an apocalypse of questionable origin, Private James Conroy is living in an abandoned shack at the base of a radio tower. When Conroy finally contacts Garry Freeman, marooned in a space station, they have to learn to work toge
2019: After the Fall of New York (1983)
2019: After the Fall of New York (1983) After a nuclear war, society breaks down into two groups, the evil Euraks and the rebel Federation. A mercenary named Parsifal is hired by the Federation to infiltrate New York City, which is controlled by the
Beowulf & Grendel 2005
In Denmark, during the 6th century, Danish king Hrothgar and his warriors kill a troll whose son, Grendel, vows revenge.
Dirty Wars (2013)
Investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill is pulled into an unexpected journey as he chases down the hidden truth behind America's expanding covert wars.
Willie Barcena: I Gotta Be Honest (2012)
Willie Barcena: I Gotta Be Honest (2012) In his second one hour stand-up comedy special "I Gotta Be Honest", Willie Barcena has taken 20 years of stand-up comedy to another level speaking directly to every man in America with his real life stories of
Kingdom of the Planet of th CAM- Clean - 7.5 |
Godzilla x Kong The New Emp HD - 6.4 |
Abigail (2024) HD - N/A |
Challengers (2024) HD - N/A |
Sting (2024) HD - N/A |
Civil War (2024) CAM - 7.5 |
The Fall Guy (2024) Leaked.Web.Cam.Audio - 7.3 |
The Ministry of Ungentleman HD - N/A |
Tarot (2024) CAM - N/A |
Chief of Station (2024) HD - N/A |
Boobs An American Obsession HD - 5.8 |
My Favorite Fabric (2018) HD - 5.9 |
Kingdom of the Planet of th CAM- Clean - 7.5 |
Godzilla x Kong The New Emp HD - 6.4 |
Abigail (2024) HD - N/A |
The Ministry of Ungentleman HD - N/A |
Civil War (2024) CAM - 7.5 |
The Fall Guy (2024) Leaked.Web.Cam.Audio - 7.3 |
The Monkeys Mask (2000) SD - 5.1 |
Tarot (2024) CAM - N/A |
Boobs An American Obsession HD - 5.8 |
Ghostbusters Frozen Empire HD - 6.4 |
Late Bloomer (2024) HD - 6.0 |
Darkness of Man (2024) HD - N/A |
The Beekeeper (2024) HD - N/A |
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdo HD - N/A |
Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) HD - N/A |
Wonka (2023) HD - 7.3 |
Dune Part Two (2024) HD - N/A |
Madame Web (2024) HD - 3.8 |
Godzilla x Kong The New Emp HD - 6.4 |
Anyone But You (2023) HD - 6.7 |
Land of Bad (2024) HD - 7.5 |
Road House (2024) HD - N/A |
Argylle (2024) HD - N/A |
The Marvels (2023) HD - 6.1 |