Popular reviews

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  Review by Eli Hayes ★★★★★ 8

  "I can't afford to hate people. I haven't got that kind of time."

  While I was watching this, I kept forgetting that it was made in '52. Ikiru is an amazing movie, and probably my new favorite of its respective decade. The social commentary, especially in the third act, is spot on... possibly even more relevant today. The black and white photography is simply beautiful, and Takashi Shimura's lead performance as Watanabe is something to marvel over. Rarely have I seen such genuine sadness on an actor's face; it's something that I'll never forget. Essential viewing for all human beings on Planet Earth.

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  Review by Jaime Rebanal ★★★★★ 36

  (NOTE 12/02/2019): This is not exactly my best writing - as I was only starting to develop my skills as a teenager with writing single paragraph-long reviews, but eventually I plan to write a more detailed review explaining why this is my favourite film of all time to take over this space. I will leave this old review up for keepsakes, but I will also include the new text to be visible first in the foreseeable future.

  Before I begin, I would like to say that this is not going to be a proper review and I want you to keep the one person behind it in mind.

  My name is Jaime Rebanal, and I am a hopeless individual who…

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  Review by YI JIAN ★★★★½ 14

  This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

  An old man sat on a swing, the snow formed a blanket on his hunched back, his heart was warmer than ever. For the past 50 years he had rushed through life, and we all know bad things happen to those who hurry. They would look back and realize all the effort was for nothing. The man got disconnected with his only son, lost all his friends, and most importantly, forgot to admire the grossly incandescent sun. "Not enough time" was the excuse he used to give himself. "I have work to do! I must sweat and frown and sit at that same table every day for--"

  For what?

  That night on the swing, he had all the time in…

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  Review by Wood ★★★★ 3

  This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

  Life is Brief, so take 2 and half hours to watch a tiny Japanese man die of stomach cancer the movie.

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  Review by liam f ★★★★★ 7

  as a wise man once said, it matters not what you've done, but what you do with what you've done for others. thank you.

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  Review by Chris ★★★★★ 5

  Not the funniest, but definitely the most emotionally affecting episode of Parks and Recreation I've ever seen.

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  Review by Joel Haver ★★★★★ 7

  Life is brief and the world is a dark place full of mummies. Oh look, that one is climbing out of its sarcophagus. Must be faulty bandaging. The bandaging department should’ve taken care of that. Shame on them.

  No wait. It’s no one’s fault, he was simply tired of being a mummy. What a beautiful thought, to break free. I should do that too. With similar passion and tenacity. Yes, I’ll do exactly that. But not today. Today exhausts me. Exhausts all of us. Best to lay down. Tomorrow will be different though. Always tomorrow.

  Life is brief.

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  Review by Mad ★★★★★ 6

  100

  I'm just a little person
  One person in a sea
  Of many little people
  Who are not aware of me

  I do my little job
  And live my little life
  Eat my little meals
  Miss my little kid and wife

  
  In other words, a masterpiece.

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  Review by Evan T ★★★★★

  Echoes of a man’s legacy remaining only through the creaks of the inanimate, impressions lasting on one good person for every dirty dozen. Kurosawa flips Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life on its head in the most extraordinary way, stripping it of its family-fare components and replacing them with bitter truths. Takashi Shimura gives what might just be the greatest performance of Japanese cinema, flawlessly depicting Watanabe’s growing lack of concern for job security or physical well-being in the realisation of what he’s facing, the very essence of Walter White’s ethos. Not only does Ikiru seem responsible for the framework of AMC’s tallest achievement Breaking Bad, the latter half seems to directly influence Lumet’s universally praised classic 12 Angry Men. This…

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  Review by Emily Jayne ★★★★★ 7

  Once again I've seen why Kurosawa is constantly quoted by film buffs, modern directors, and lecturers as among their favorites. He is indeed a master of his craft.

  This beautiful tale could have been so ordinary...really it SHOULD have been so ordinary. "Life is about living" is no longer a unique thought. You'd find quotes saying as much in dozens of modern popcorn flicks and Pinterest boards alike.

  What Kurosawa has done here, though, is take a film that's premise is "What would you do with six months to live?" and instead asked the question "What makes a life worthwhile?" And surprise: The answer is not climbing Mt. Everest, or parasailing, or bungee jumping, or going from event to event…

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  Review by braden ★★★★★ 2

  “If I could be like you for just one day before I died; I won’t be able to die unless I can do that”
  
  Akira Kurosawa’s deeply moving Ikiru is a beautifully heartfelt meditation on life and the value of time as a man is confronted with the harrowing realisation he only has months before his death, reflecting on a life spent in a pointless council job and dedicating the time and passion he has left to achieve something positive and meaningful. While the concept in theory may sound clichéd or overly melodramatic, Kurosawa handles the story with a certain grace and innocence that makes it so affecting and humanistic; emphasising the themes with appropriate simplicity and creating sympathy and emotion…

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  Review by George Carmi ★★★★★ 5

  I came home tonight and all I wanted to do was sleep. Instead, I watched this 2.5 hour contemplative masterclass and spent the last moments of my Saturday questioning the meaning of life and whether or not I was put on this planet with a purpose. I have yet to find my answers and can assure you that the themes of this film will keep me awake at night.

  This film, in the name of the holiest fuck, is an absolutely endearing, entirely meditative, analysis on life and ones purpose. Kurosawa crafts an incredibly beautiful marvel here. His consistent, and now legendary, techniques in film-making, lighting, and camera work enhance this tragic, yet thought-provoking, story.

  This emotional piece of art deals with themes that dig into your core in an incredibly bittersweet manner. It's a powerful experience and a moving narrative that allows you to open your mind to the world.

  Goodnight. I am physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted.