Sakuran

In short, a nonexistent plot with good acting. Another manga-based movie where the story doesn't really hold together because it doesn't cover the whole manga, only a part of it.

The story falls short, but there's plenty of ear and eye candy here to make up for it. Ninagawa's background in photography is obvious: Almost every single shot in the movie could be printed out and hung on the wall. The snazzy soundtrack by Shiina Ringo and Neko Saito is all kinds of awesome, and Anna Tsuchiya is great in the lead role. (3/5)