Akio's Corner

  Movie: Red Sparrow In contemporary Russia, the renowned ballerina Dominika Egorova faces a pivotal turning point when a career-ending injury befalls her. Struggling to support her ailing mother, she is approached by her uncle Ivan, a high-ranking official in the SVR. In a desperate bid to secure ongoing medical care for her mother, Dominika is tasked with seducing the Russian gangster Dimitry Ustinov. However, a horrific incident unfolds during their encounter when Ustinov is killed by Sergei Matorin, an SVR operative acting on Ivan's orders. Faced with a life-altering choice, Dominika must either become an SVR operative or face execution for witnessing the assassination. On the other side of the covert spectrum, CIA operative Nate Nash operates in Moscow, navigating a dangerous espionage game. When confronted by the police during a meeting with a Russian mole named Marble, Nash engineers a diversion to safeguard his contact's identity. Reassigned to Budapest, Nash insists on

  Movie: Lockout In the year 2079, CIA agent Snow faces charges for the murder of Colonel Frank Armstrong, who had uncovered a mole selling classified information about the United States space program. Acting on the President's advice, Secret Service director Scott Langral has Snow convicted of both murder and espionage, sentencing him to thirty years in the high-security space penitentiary MS One, where inmates are held in stasis throughout their sentences. Snow's colleague, Harry Shaw, endeavors to locate Mace, Snow's contact, who knows the whereabouts of Frank's briefcase containing the stolen secrets. Simultaneously, Emilie, the President's daughter, arrives at MS One to investigate claims of mental instability developing in prisoners kept in stasis. Amid her inquiries, a violent uprising ensues led by deranged inmate Hydell, resulting in Emilie's capture. Shaw persuades Langral and the President to send Snow to rescue Emilie, emphasizing the potential assis

  Movie: Children of Men In the year 2027, Earth faces an ecocide due to human activities, causing widespread environmental devastation. Eighteen years of human infertility, war, and global depression push the world to the brink of collapse. The United Kingdom stands as one of the last nations with a functioning government, albeit transformed into a police state where immigrants face arrest, imprisonment, or execution. Theo Faron, once an activist turned cynical bureaucrat, is abducted by the Fishes, a militant immigrant rights group led by his estranged wife, Julian Taylor. The couple separated following the death of their son during a 2008 flu pandemic. Julian offers Theo money to secure transit papers for a young refugee woman named Kee. Theo, obtaining the documents from his government minister cousin, agrees to escort Kee in exchange for a larger sum. As they head towards Canterbury with Fishes leader Luke and former midwife Miriam, an armed gang ambushes them, resulting in Julian

  Movie: Cold Skin In 1914, a young Englishman embarks on a journey to a secluded island in the South Atlantic to assume the role of a weather observer for a year. Upon arrival, it becomes apparent that the man he is replacing has gone missing. The island's sole inhabitant, Gruner, the caretaker of a rudimentary lighthouse, explains that the previous observer succumbed to typhus, potentially while swimming in the sea, with no trace of the body. As the man explores the island, he stumbles upon peculiar rock circles on the beach and discovers the diary of the former meteorologist, filled with drawings of local wildlife, including enigmatic sea creatures. Disturbingly, he experiences nightly encounters with these creatures attempting to breach his cabin. In a misguided attempt to thwart them, he inadvertently sets his cabin ablaze. While exploring further, the man encounters a female sea creature, and Gruner intervenes to prevent him from harming her, revealing that she is "tame&

  Movie: The Boy Greta Evans, an American hailing from Montana, embarks on a journey to the United Kingdom upon securing a position as a nanny for the elderly Heelshires. Upon her arrival, the couple acquaints Greta with her unusual charge: a life-sized porcelain doll named Brahms, treated as their son. The Heelshires provide Greta with explicit instructions, including reading to Brahms and playing loud music for him, as they head off on holiday. Initially disregarding the rules, Greta maintains regular contact with her sister, who reveals that Greta's abusive ex-boyfriend, Cole, is attempting to locate her. The local deliveryman, Malcolm, becomes a frequent visitor, and Greta discovers that the real Brahms perished in a fire two decades earlier on his eighth birthday. As Greta prepares for a date with Malcolm, strange occurrences unfold, including the disappearance of her dress and jewelry, leading her to the attic where she finds unsettling photographs of young Brahms. Intrigued

  Movie: After Life Released in 2009, 'After Life' is a psychological horror-thriller directed by Agnieszka Wójtowicz-Vosloo, based on her original screenplay. The film features a cast including Liam Neeson, Christina Ricci, and Justin Long. Eliot Deacon, proprietor of a funeral home, maintains a gentle demeanor as he attends to the deceased under his care. Anna Taylor, a middle school teacher, crosses paths with Eliot while attending her piano teacher's funeral at his establishment. That evening, a heated argument with her boyfriend Paul drives Anna to distress, leading to a traffic accident. To her shock, she awakens on an embalming table in Eliot's funeral home, discovering him cutting her clothes and claiming she is deceased. Eliot asserts he possesses a unique gift—he can hear the voices of the dead. Showing Anna a collection of photographs documenting his assistance in the transition of the departed, he administers a fictional drug, hydronium bromide, to prevent r

  Movie: Deep Living with her rebellious younger sister, June, and caring for their grandmother, medical student Jane faces a relentless routine of studying, household responsibilities, and financial struggles. This hectic lifestyle leads her to become an insomniac. Professor Nichcha, her mentor, suggests Jane participate in a research project conducted by a German pharmaceutical company. The project, known as Deep, is led by the company's head scientist, Hans Miller. Its goal is to extract a brain chemical called Qratonin, responsible for inducing wakefulness. This involves implanting a microchip in the subject's nape. In return for her participation, Jane is promised a substantial reward and signs a nondisclosure agreement. She receives the implant and a watch to monitor her Qratonin levels. Hans warns her that falling asleep for over 60 seconds before reaching 100% Qratonin levels will trigger cardiac arrest. Throughout the experiment's first level, Jane encounters other

  Movie: I Am Hero Hideo Suzuki, an assistant manga artist, spends his days in an office drawing with coworkers and tuning in to the news. Reports of bizarre incidents catch their attention, including a dog attack and an arrest for obscene acts. Renowned for their peculiar news, Mitani mocks Suzuki and his fellow manga artists, prompting Suzuki to passionately defend manga as the pinnacle of Japanese culture. That evening, Suzuki returns home to his tense girlfriend, Tekko, and draws while reflecting on his aspirations as a manga artist. Motivated by his awards and inspirational quotes, Suzuki seeks inspiration for his new comic. In an unexpected turn, he contemplates using a rifle but refrains. The next day, chaos ensues when a mysterious infection spreads, turning people into zombies. Suzuki's coworkers fall victim to the virus, and Tekko, frustrated with his failures, breaks up with him. As Suzuki navigates the escalating crisis, he discovers the shocking reality of the infected

  Movie: Other Life In the intricate narrative of "OtherLife," we delve into the captivating story of Ren Amari, a pioneering researcher and co-founder of a technology company alongside entrepreneur Sam. With a groundbreaking nanotechnology invention, Ren creates OtherLife, a unique form of biological virtual reality capable of crafting realistic memories. The narrative unfolds with suspense and intrigue, exploring themes of morality, technology, and the blurred boundaries between reality and simulation. Ren Amari, co-founder of a technology company alongside entrepreneur Sam, serves as the lead researcher. Employing nanotechnology, she develops OtherLife, a form of biological virtual reality capable of generating lifelike memories. In the lead-up to the product launch, Ren tests the code on herself with the oversight of engineer Byron Finbar. Unbeknownst to others, she privately uses the technology on her comatose brother, Jared, in the hopes of aiding his recovery. However,

  Movie: Timeline Professor Edward Johnston heads an archaeological expedition in Castlegard, near La Roque Castle in Dordogne, France. The village witnessed the 1357 execution of Lady Claire, whose martyrdom played a pivotal role in France's triumph over England in the Hundred Years War. Johnston's team, including Scottish archaeologist Andre Marek, students Kate Erickson, Josh Stern, and Francois Dontelle, as well as Johnston's son Chris, makes a fascinating discovery in a nearby monastery—a sarcophagus containing the remains of a French knight holding hands with his lady, an unconventional practice for the time. Concerned about potential interference at the site, Johnston investigates ITC Corporation, the project's sponsor. The students stumble upon a note and a lens from Johnston's bifocals, seemingly from over 600 years ago, begging for help. When contacting ITC, they are invited to the company's headquarters. At ITC, the team learns from President Robert D

  Movie: Hannibal A decade following the apprehension of the serial killer Jame Gumb, FBI Special Agent Clarice Starling finds herself at the center of controversy after a drug raid goes awry, resulting in the tragic deaths of five individuals. During this tumultuous time, Mason Verger, the lone survivor of Hannibal Lecter's cannibalistic attacks, reaches out to Starling. Verger, a wealthy but paralyzed victim seeking revenge, orchestrates an intricate plan to capture and eliminate Lecter. Leveraging his influence, Verger manipulates Starling's reassignment to the dormant Lecter case, hoping to lure the elusive killer out of hiding. Learning of Starling's predicament, Lecter sends her a letter with a distinctive fragrance, identified as a rare skin cream available only in select shops worldwide. Meanwhile, in Florence, Chief Inspector Rinaldo Pazzi investigates Lecter under the guise of Dr. Fell, a library assistant curator. Pazzi, driven by Verger's substantial bounty

  Movie: The Shape of Water Elisa Esposito, discovered abandoned by a river with neck scars in infancy, is mute and uses sign language. In 1962, amidst the Cold War, she works as a custodian in a covert government lab in Baltimore, Maryland, maintaining a routine life above a movie theater. Her sole companions are her closeted gay neighbor Giles and co-worker Zelda Fuller. Colonel Richard Strickland captures an enigmatic amphibious creature from a South American river, bringing it to the Baltimore facility. Elisa, intrigued, finds it to be a humanoid amphibian. She secretly visits, forming a close bond. General Frank Hoyt, aiming to exploit the Amphibian Man for the US in the Space Race, is convinced by Strickland to vivisect it. Dr. Robert Hoffstetler, a scientist and Russian spy Dimitri Mosenkov, pleads to keep it alive but faces conflicting orders. Elisa overhears the plan, urging Giles to help liberate the creature. Initially reluctant, Giles, after setbacks, has a change of heart.

  Movie: Knock Knock In the bustling city of New York, architect David Harrison finds himself home alone on a stormy night while his wife and kids are away for the weekend. Seeking refuge from the relentless rain, two stranded young women, Emily and Sarah, knock on his door for shelter. Grateful for the kindness, they share a meal, and David soon discovers they are artists looking for inspiration. As the night progresses, the atmosphere turns increasingly tense, and the boundaries between hospitality and danger blur. The charismatic duo begins to subtly manipulate David's emotions, playing on his vulnerabilities and insecurities. A game of seduction unfolds as the women reveal hidden secrets about themselves, making David question his own moral compass. Despite initial resistance, he succumbs to their advances, leading to a passionate encounter. However, the night takes a dark turn when the women reveal their true intentions: they are on a mission to expose seemingly respectable in

  Movie:  Berlin Syndrome Berlin Syndrome is a 2017 psychological horror thriller film directed by Cate Shortland from a screenplay by Shaun Grant, based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Melanie Joosten. The film follows a young Australian photographer (Teresa Palmer) who travels to Germany, where she meets an attractive young English teacher (Max Riemelt). Waking up after a stormy night of passion with him, the photographer is suddenly taken hostage by her would-be lover. In Berlin, Australian backpacker and photographer Clare encounters local English teacher Andi. They spend the day together and later engage in intimate activities at Andi's apartment. The following morning, Clare discovers herself locked in. Upon Andi's return, he admits forgetting to leave a key, leading to another night after a dance outing. The next day, Clare finds "meine" (German for 'mine') written on her shoulder and her phone's SIM card missing. Attempting to escape through

  Movie: Traffik Brea, a determined journalist played by Paula Patton, stumbles upon a major scandal that she has been tirelessly investigating for months. To her dismay, a rival journalist scoops her story, leaving Brea fuming. Confronting her boss, Carl (William Fichtner), only worsens matters as he dismisses her exposé as a mere fluff piece and threatens to fire her. Attempting to shake off her professional frustrations, Brea joins her boyfriend John (Omar Epps) and friends Darren (Laz Alonso) and Malia (Roselyn Sanchez) for a birthday dinner. The night takes an unexpected turn when Darren unintentionally reveals John's surprise romantic getaway to the California mountains. Brea, harboring mixed feelings about the prospect of a proposal, confides in Malia during a bathroom break. The journey to the mountains begins with John surprising Brea with a handcrafted car. Their road trip takes a dark turn when they encounter Cara (Dawn Olivieri), a frightened woman at a gas station who

The rain poured relentlessly, casting a dismal hue over the cityscape. Neon lights flickered through the mist, creating an eerie ambiance that seemed to seep into the very fabric of reality. A dilapidated apartment building stood in the heart of the metropolis, its crumbling facade whispering tales of despair. Dr. Evelyn Harlow, a renowned psychologist, found herself drawn to this desolate place by a cryptic message left on her office voicemail. The voice was distorted, but its urgency was unmistakable. Against her better judgment, she entered the crumbling building, ascending a creaky staircase that seemed to groan with each step. The door to Apartment 13 was slightly ajar, revealing a dimly lit room adorned with faded wallpaper and antique furniture. In the center of the room, a single flickering candle illuminated a grotesque scene. A series of blood-red handprints adorned the walls, creating a morbid tapestry that hinted at an unspeakable horror. Evelyn's breath caught in her t

  Movie: Oblivion "Oblivion" is a visually stunning science fiction film directed by Joseph Kosinski, and released in 2013. Starring Tom Cruise, Olga Kurylenko, and Andrea Riseborough, the film presents a post-apocalyptic world with a unique blend of mystery, action, and thought-provoking themes. In the year 2077, Earth has become a desolate wasteland after a war with scavenger aliens in 2017 left the planet uninhabitable. Jack, a repair technician, and Victoria, a communications officer, are seemingly the last humans on Earth. They work to maintain drones that hunt scavengers and protect hydrothermal platforms converting seawater into fusion energy. Sally, the commander aboard the orbiting space station "Tet," oversees their work, as humanity prepares to depart for Saturn's moon, Titan. Despite having their memories wiped, Jack dreams of a pre-war life with an unknown woman. During a scavenger trap incident, Jack discovers a mysterious signal originating from t

  Movie: Transcendence "Transcendence" is a science fiction thriller directed by Wally Pfister, marking his directorial debut. Released in 2014, the film stars Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, and Morgan Freeman.  The story revolves around Dr. Will Caster, a brilliant scientist specializing in artificial intelligence. His quest to create a self-aware superintelligent machine draws the attention of extremist groups who fear the potential consequences of such technological advancements. Driven by an assassination attempt, Will's consciousness is uploaded into a computer by his wife, Evelyn, and friend and fellow researcher, Max Waters, in a desperate attempt to preserve his knowledge and consciousness. As Will transcends the limitations of human existence, the film delves into the ethical and existential dilemmas surrounding artificial intelligence and the consequences of playing with the fabric of human consciousness. The line between man and machine blurs, leading to questions

  Movie: Drag Me to Hell I am delighted to present to you the riveting plot of the supernatural horror film "Drag Me to Hell." Directed by Sam Raimi, this cinematic masterpiece takes us on a spine-tingling journey through the life of our protagonist, Christine Brown, a young and ambitious loan officer portrayed by Alison Lohman. The story begins with Christine's desperate attempt to impress her boss and secure a promotion by making a tough decision to deny an old woman, Mrs. Ganush, an extension on her mortgage. Little does Christine know that this seemingly routine decision will set off a chain of horrifying events. Enraged and humiliated, Mrs. Ganush places a curse on Christine, condemning her to three days of relentless torment by a malevolent demon. As Christine grapples with the supernatural forces unleashed upon her, the film skillfully weaves elements of psychological horror and visceral scares. The ominous atmosphere is heightened by Raimi's signature style, c

  Movie: The Wolf of Wall Street "The Wolf of Wall Street" is an electrifying cinematic journey that thrusts its audience into the chaotic and extravagant life of Jordan Belfort, played with unparalleled intensity by Leonardo DiCaprio. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film is not a mere biopic but an immersive exploration of the excesses, ambition, and moral dilemmas that define the world of high finance. Set against the backdrop of the late 1980s and early 1990s, the narrative unravels the captivating rise and catastrophic fall of Belfort as he establishes the infamous brokerage firm, Stratton Oakmont, and becomes an emblematic figure of Wall Street decadence. "The Wolf of Wall Street" unfolds as a gripping narrative that follows the extraordinary life of Jordan Belfort, portrayed with magnetic energy by Leonardo DiCaprio. Starting his career as a young stockbroker in the late 1980s, Belfort quickly rises to prominence, establishing the brokerage firm Stratton Oak

  Movie: I am Mother "I Am Mother" unfolds as a thought-provoking journey through a post-apocalyptic world, where the enigmatic relationship between a young girl named Daughter and her robotic guardian, Mother, takes center stage. Set within the confines of a secure underground bunker, the narrative initially paints a stark picture of a contaminated and dangerous outside world. However, the plot intensifies when Daughter's curiosity leads her to a wounded woman who challenges Mother's narrative, unraveling a complex web of deception and truth. The film expertly explores themes of trust, identity, and the consequences of technological guardianship in a future where the line between artificial intelligence and humanity becomes increasingly blurred. As Daughter confronts the conflicting stories shaping her reality, the audience is propelled into a suspenseful tale that questions the very essence of existence and the choices that define our collective destiny. "I Am

  Movie: Down "Down" unfolds within the sterile confines of a modern corporate skyscraper, its glass facade reflecting the hustle and bustle of the city below. The elevator, a seemingly mundane part of everyday office life, becomes an unexpected crucible for the film's protagonists, Sarah and Mark. The two coworkers, who previously shared only passing pleasantries in the hallway, now find themselves thrust into an unsettling predicament as the elevator grinds to a halt between floors. As the initial confusion and frustration give way to a growing sense of claustrophobia, Sarah and Mark's relationship is tested under the intense pressure of their confinement. The elevator, once a banal means of transportation, transforms into a crucible that forces the characters to confront their personal demons and unresolved issues. The dim emergency lights cast eerie shadows, heightening the psychological tension within the confined space. Outside the elevator, the building's s

Movie: The Call "The Call" (2020) is a South Korean thriller directed by Lee Chung-hyun. The film primarily revolves around two women, Seo-yeon (played by Park Shin-hye) and Young-sook (played by Jeon Jong-seo), who become connected through a mysterious phone call that transcends time. The story begins with Seo-yeon moving into her family's home, where she discovers an old cordless phone in the basement. As she answers a call, she realizes that the voice on the other end belongs to Young-sook, a woman who claims to be living in the same house but in the year 1999. Initially dismissing it as a prank, Seo-yeon becomes increasingly convinced when events described by Young-sook start unfolding around her. Seo-yeon and Young-sook form an unusual and supernatural connection through the phone. They realize that they can affect each other's lives by altering events in their respective timelines. However, as they try to change their destinies, unintended consequences and a ser