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Amazing in the first hour, with lots of powerful scenes (like the one on the roof of the school) and bordering on genius at times. But then, as if a switch was flipped, the direction and atmosphere change and suddenly it falls "only" into the realms of an above-average and unconventional film. Which is also good. (2006.01.15)

The first thirty minutes or so were really exciting. The film was atmospheric, unpredictable and weird (in the good sense of the word). Unfortunately, the hour that followed can only be described as “weird”, but in the more negative sense. The film wants to point out at something, say something, but does it so unclearly that you have to guess it somehow… and I also feel that it contradicts itself some times. It’s worth watching nevertheless. And Dessert rulez :-D (2011.02.14)

For a full hour I thought I was watching a fairly serious and original whodunit, where apart from a few splashes of blood there is nothing really all that shocking, bizarre, or perverse – all the more so as I waited with anticipation for things to happen and I would get some more detailed explanation... A more detailed explanation, which when it came felt like a kick in the ribs, but I couldn't take my eyes off it... Since I'm almost completely unfamiliar with Japanese cinema (except for a few commercials, of course), even the "cinematic milieu" was basically new to me, and I honestly stared like a deer in the headlights at how they can film in Japan, because I've never seen anything like it anywhere before. It reminded me of Kubrick in its depth, sophistication, and overall compactness, plus there's an extreme criticism of social conditions, an attempt to point out how easily influenced people are, and as far as any kind of rating goes – I guess you can't rate this as average or just by feel, or apply any kind of generally set standards to it... Either you don't buy it and you curse it, or you're completely fascinated by it... (2011.05.01)

A group of students is waiting for the subway. As the train approaches, they all line up directly on the line that one should not cross. After a while, they start counting down, step over the line, and when the train is almost at the station, they all jump in front of it and die. Blood sprays in huge streams. The group of students is joking about suicides, and suddenly they decide to do it too. Is it just a joke, just fun? It seems so, they just get excited and climb to the edge of the roof. But then they jump. Another flood of blood, people scream. These are not isolated suicides, on the contrary, they are one of many. As if they have become a phenomenon. There is also talk of a group called "Suicide Club" that the students want to create, transform, and set a record for the highest number of people killed at once. A very powerful film that shows madness in a Japanese style, which is truly very strong. Why do these people do it? Is it just a pose? Is it really just another phenomenon? Something like Pokémon? Only with fatal consequences? It is a unique view of the present time, where anything can truly become a phenomenon. However, you have to accept that the film is not gentle, but portrays scenes with naturalistic perfection. Cutting off one's own hand while cutting dough is truly a very intense experience. It is not a film for every temperament, but it can broaden your horizons a lot. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/09/jeden-den-jak-porodit-oliver-twist-wall.html (2013.02.28)