Shinyhat's Film Diary

I share my thoughts on the films I watch. 映画鑑賞日記

[shinyhat]

#633: Bring Him Down to a Portable Size (2025)

A woman learns her estranged brother has suddenly died. Over four busy days, she reunites with his ex-wife and niece, handling the funeral and his things while complaining about him nonstop. But his belongings reveal a side of him she never knew — and that slowly changes her. If you're into drama films, this one's worth watching.

(Japanese title: "兄を持ち運べるサイズに") (7 out of 10)

[shinyhat]

#632: A Moon in the Ordinary (2025)

Two old classmates meet again by chance in their fifties, and slowly fall in love. There are no dramatic scenes, just quiet, everyday moments that feel real. Some small hints only make sense later, which is a nice touch. It stays with you long after it ends. A must-watch.

(Japanese title: "平場の月") (10 out of 10)

[shinyhat]

#631: Skinamarink (2022)

Two kids wake up at midnight and find their family gone, along with every window and door. The film barely explains anything, so you have to imagine what's going on. It's bold, but not an easy watch. One clue near the end adds meaning, but little else happens. It wasn't for me.

(Japanese title: "スキナマリンク") (4 out of 10)

[shinyhat]

#630: Lee Cronin's The Mummy (2026)

A girl disappears in Egypt. Eight years later, she's found, but completely changed. Her family's relief fades fast, as strange things start happening at home. The mystery pulls you in and keeps you guessing. Be warned: the second half turns into full horror. The trapped, hopeless feeling is done brilliantly. Horror fans will find this worth watching.

(Japanese title: "THE MUMMY／ザ・マミー 棺の中の少女") (8 out of 10)

[shinyhat]

#629: Project Hail Mary (2026)

A mysterious force is draining the sun's energy, and Earth is running out of time. A man wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is. As he slowly remembers the truth and searches for a way to save Earth, we discover it all right along with him — that's what makes this story so exciting. The ending felt a little surprising, but sci-fi fans should give it a try.

(Japanese title: "プロジェクト・ヘイル・メアリー") (8 out of 10)

[shinyhat]

#628: Hoppers (2026)

A girl accidentally turns into a beaver to save the forest. It may look like a kids' anime, but it's really about clashing values and seeing the world through different eyes. Diversity runs deep in this story. The ending is nicely done. The film is worth watching.

(Japanese title: "私がビーバーになる時") (8 out of 10)

[shinyhat]

#627: The Sheep Detectives (2026)

A murder happens in a quiet country town, and a group of sheep team up to find out the truth. It sounds like a strange idea — sheep solving the murder case — but the story is actually well put together. The mix of comedy and mystery works really well together. Overall, it's a satisfying movie to watch.

(Japanese title: "ひつじ探偵団") (8 out of 10)

[shinyhat]

#626: Black Showman (2025)

A murder case in a quiet small town. An unconventional ex-magician uncle and a daughter who just lost her father team up to uncover the truth. The mystery keeps you hooked, and having a magician as the lead makes it fun to watch. It's an entertaining watch, but I wished it had one more twist at the end. Still, if you're into mysteries, it's worth your time.

(Japanese title: "ブラック・ショーマン") (8 out of 10)

[shinyhat]

My top 5 favorite films among the movies I watched from #601 to #625

1: Two Seasons, Two Strangers (2025) (Japanese title: "旅と日々")

2: Kokuho (2025) (Japanese title: "国宝")

3: Sentimental Value (2025) (Japanese title: "センチメンタル・バリュー")

4: Samurai Vengeance (2026) (Japanese title: "木挽町のあだ討ち")

5: Blue Boy Trial (2025) (Japanese title: "ブルーボーイ事件")

[shinyhat]

#625: Talk to Me (2022)

A story about a girl who gets addicted to a ritual that calls up spirits — and slowly loses everything. You never know what's coming next, so you can't look away. The ending has a clever ironic twist. Even if horror isn't your thing, this one is worth watching.

(Japanese title: "TALK TO ME トーク・トゥ・ミー") (8 out of 10)

[shinyhat]

#624: The Invisible Man (2020)

A woman escapes an abusive relationship — only to be hunted by her ex-boyfriend, who is supposed to be dead. Behind the classic monster setup lies a different kind of horror — the fear of not being believed by anyone. This was truly brilliant. Worth watching even if scary movies aren't your thing.

(Japanese title: "透明人間") (8 out of 10)

[shinyhat]

#623: The Running Man (2025)

Set in a near-future society, this sci-fi action film follows a man forced to take part in a deadly national TV show. While the premise may sound futuristic, its themes of media manipulation, ratings-driven entertainment, and social media culture feel very relevant to today's world. The ideas behind the film are interesting, but I found the ending a little too explanatory. Personally, I wish it had ended in a way that left more room for reflection.

(Japanese title: "ランニング・マン") (5 out of 10)

[shinyhat]

#622: The Final Piece (2025)

A mystery drama in which the past of a brilliant shogi player is gradually revealed as a murder investigation unfolds. The story itself is well constructed, but as a mystery it is not particularly deep, and as a human drama about the protagonist's life, I wished it had explored its themes in greater depth. The subject matter is interesting and the film is solidly made, but a more detailed portrayal of its characters and themes would have made it more memorable.

(Japanese title: "盤上の向日葵") (6 out of 10)

[shinyhat]

#621: Blue Boy Trial (2025)

A film based on a real court case from 1960s Japan involving a doctor who performed gender-affirming surgery. What makes it particularly fascinating is that debates about gender identity were already taking place long before terms such as “diversity” and “LGBTQ” entered everyday conversation. By looking back at a time when society was overwhelmingly hostile to such ideas, the film offers valuable insight into how questions about gender and identity were viewed and discussed. A thought-provoking film that is well worth watching.

(Japanese title: "ブルーボーイ事件") (9 out of 10)

[shinyhat]

#620: Warfare (2025)

A recreation of a real battle that took place during the Iraq War in 2006. Shot in an almost documentary-like style, the film focuses less on storytelling and more on the experience itself. Viewers are placed alongside the soldiers and made to share the fear, confusion, and constant tension of combat. There are no dramatic victories or heroic moments, and at times the battle can even feel pointless. Yet that very sense of futility may be what makes the film feel so authentic. For that reason alone, the film is worth watching.

(Japanese title: "ウォーフェア 戦地最前線") (7 out of 10)

[shinyhat]

#619: Kokuho (2025)

A human drama about a man who dedicates his entire life to the art of Kabuki. Although it is centered on a traditional Japanese performing art, it works surprisingly well as an entertaining film that anyone can enjoy. I was also impressed by its somewhat dark and ironic theme that being a good person and being a great artist are not always the same thing. A must-see film.

(Japanese title: "国宝") (9 out of 10)

[shinyhat]

#618: Sentimental Value (2025)

A family drama about a film director who abandoned his family years ago and his daughter, an actor. While the story is built around their reconciliation, what makes it interesting is that it focuses less on rebuilding the parent-child relationship and more on the process of trying to understand and accept another person. The father may never have become the ideal person, but that is exactly why the ending leaves such a strong impression. Highly recommended.

(Japanese title: "センチメンタル・バリュー") (9 out of 10)