Reviews

Money isn't Everything

Real Movies show real Life, they give us a new perspective on our own experience or show us "what if" reality. This movie is called "Black Republic" to signalize the bad reality and perspective of the society, but i like the Korean title more "그들도 우리처럼" - They Are Also Like Us. This original title gives us more connections with the theme and the characters in the movie. I was wondering about many characters whose story wasn't developed in the movie but in all of them we see the dark shadow of their existence and struggle for dignity, justice, love, peace, but ultimately hope and better future. It happens so often, as we see in the movie, how people struggle to get money, but money is never the real purpose. People want something else, something meaningful.

This is a movie from the past period of history and cinema, and therefore braver and more honest then new movies, pure in its depiction of the story, without unnecessary twists and turns, not trying to put comedy relief to make it more enjoyable or fun, not trying to put "the message" or worrying about offending the viewer with modern correctness, - just a simple but very impactful story. We mostly follow one man and try to understand him just by observing him and his interactions, so for me this movie was very intriguing and even meditative.

Don't despair in the darkness of today but look for a better tomorrow with hope.

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New Face for Bao

iQIYI has this under the title: The Mystery of Jade
Awesome choice for the new face of Judge Bao - Joe Xu Hai Qiao played the character excellently. Li Ming Xuan as Bao sidekick kicked butt with the fight choreography. There aren't a lot of fight scene but I think its just right for the story.
Just like Dee Renjie movies and series changing actors who play the role, Judge Bao series, however far in between, is always a satisfying watch for mystery genre viewers. The entire production: sets, scene props, wardrobes, lighting, effects, fight choreography and especially camera work were all done well.
Recommended viewing for Mystery lovers. If you are a Dee Renjie fan, you wouldn't be disappointed with Judge Bao selections.

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A lighthearted yet bad comedy movie.

The adventure begins when Riam’s mother and sister get taken hostage by a group of bandits for the reason that the bandit leader is searching for a virgin who was born on a certain date and year in order to gain immortality, which happened to be Riam. So Riam and her goofball friends begin a journey to rescue her sister and mother. As silly as it might sound, that’s the story this movie is highlighting.

While this movie has a decent premise and a good lineup of actors, the execution is pretty bad in many ways. The plots are underwhelming, and the fun adventure this movie is intended to be is pretty messy. Not to mention the bad CGIs that make the whole thing look so outlandish. When it comes to jokes, it’s understandable that everyone has different senses of humor, so we interpret the comedy differently. To me, there are some funny moments, but they are predictable. I’m fine with slapstick jokes (which I know it’s popular in Thailand), but if they were supported with clever punchlines, it would make the jokes laughable. Unfortunately, some punchlines are missed, making the comedy look silly and contrived. I was cringing more than I was laughing.

Bella Ranee Campen is famous for her humorous and natural acting style, so Riam is not even a challenging character for her to carry. Riam is carefree, mischievous, and beautiful all in one, but the character doesn’t have the wow factor that makes it stand out or even make it better than other characters Bella had played before. Other supporting characters do their parts nicely to help advance the story with Riam.

I learned that this movie hit millions at the box office, so I reasoned that would be a good enough reason to watch it. But I found it hard to digest this movie as a whole. Overall, 'E-Riam Sing' is a lighthearted watch with good and positive messages, but it’s not a smart comedy. It’s just not my cup of tea.

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"It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all"- Lord Tennyson

First of all, even though this is an adaptation of the drama, I think it's better to watch the drama before the movie because there is a lot of unpacking in a short time. Where as the drama takes it's time to explain the complicated time loop.

This is one of the most beautiful movies of all time. The soundtrack was the prettiest thing about this movie. Since music is a very important part of this movie, the musics did the movie proper justice.I'm Never going to be bored of the soundtrack.

The characters were awesome. I loved every character in this movie. I love the fact that we could see more of WQS's story in the movie. The plot and the character's will always have My heart.

The Cinematography is also good.The acting was top notch..

I don't normally rewatch movies, but i might rewatch this one.
Overall, This one was a 10/10 experience!!I would definitely recommend to a friend.

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"They do nothing. Like you"

The Lobster Kid is a short film that punched above its weight. Short on time and budget, director Jsf Hsu made the most of each scene and supplied a lovely soft jazz score to fit the mood.

A thirteen-year-old girl is trapped in a street gang. She uses lobster analogies when her mind needs to hide from the violence of her surroundings. She desires to escape far away to Taitung and be closer to the lobsters’ surf. Suffering from the punishment of trying to leave, she inadvertently winds up with a begging priest. As the priest has taken a vow of silence, she makes herself at home traveling the city with him, using him to sell her wares and make money for him, too.

The performances were natural with only the gang mistress sliding over the top. The rapport between the girl and monk flowed easily accompanied by a delicate humor. At one point she met up with a friend and played with the young woman’s small daughter. The monk saw that the con artist was little more than a child herself, generous and kind in spirit. The gentle jazz score never intruded but buoyed the action subtly.

My rating might be a tad high given the sometimes amateur performances. The ending won me over and warmed my heart, putting a smile on my face. Like the silent monk who could appear and disappear, I wanted to do whatever was necessary to make this homeless child happy.

7 April 2024

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A sorrowful story for a bound to fail romance

Initially I saw this film thinking nothing of it as just some sweet innocent romance, but as I watched farther the relationship between K and cream could of been nothing but an ordinary innocent romance film. What was this film. The way that I sat there and thought… „the man’s needed to grow some“ yet at the same time was bound to this wonderfully tragic romance. The films placating to the sensation of how we can avoid are problems for the sake of others left me with a thought process this is deep to my core and resonates to actions of my own stupid self. How the romance left between the two mains kept me just completely engulfed in thought of sorrow, and love, and frustration. The story while maybe feeling a bit crammed in the beginning will make you feel like and idiot for not truly understanding what it’s setting up. I would sincerely recommend for crying after a late night or hard loss and will keep for later sorrowful nights in my life.

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Powerful acting and a story full of meaningful metaphor

I've been holding off to watch this movie and I am so glad that I finally did. I am also flabbergasted that I like this movie.

The best part that I love is the powerful acting for the both leads. They had that charm that you want to keep watching them. Specially, the iconic argument scene. I literally held my breath during that scene. Most serious scene on dramas usually have that tense vibe that feels scripted like a movie. Like it's a scene happening just on dramas but the exchange of lines on this movie, it felt real. I can imagine it happening in real life. Props to the scriptwriter for choosing the right words. (Sorry for non-native Filipino because the English subtitle won't be able to translate the tension and full of emotion of the lines.)

This would be a bit debatable but for me, it wrapped up the movie really well. It is indeed confusing and open-ended however if you analyze like the little clues here and there, you'd be able to realize that it's a very appropriate ending.

Overall, I really really love this movie.

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Predictable plot with almost no character development

Just saw this randomly on Netflix and thought I can give this a try and oh boy was I disappointed. This was really hyped up when it was screening at the cinema (which is not surprising because Marian and DingDong is like 'The Real Life Couple' that can be considered as success and also they are really known as King and Queen of Filipino series)

Plot wise, I just find it really predictable. It's just as I imagined when I watched the trailer. The plot summary basically says it all. I was really preparing myself to cry but no need. I laughed hard instead. From what I know this is heartwarming or a touching story which it is by the way, it's just not impactful as I imagined. The best scene I like from the movie is the scene with Lodz which is not the main point of this movie at all. I also didn't see any character development from the leads, specially the male lead. I thought I'd be super sad and will think that they deserve better but honestly when I saw it I just thought, 'Yup, best outcome indeed. Nothing to cry for, it's just them living their best life.' I can't see any good outcome of the male lead to live continuously, everyone's just better without him.

Anyway, I still think that everyone acted well. Not the best that I've seen but not an eyesore either. Great OST choice 'Sa Susunod Na Habang Buhay', I loved this song since it was released and I think it fit perfectly on the theme of the movie.

Overall, not the kind of movie I'd recommend.

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Comfort movie ??

The movie is surely a familiar melodramatic stuff reminiscent of similar films such as “Iris” (2001) and “Still Alice” (2015), but director/writer Jeong Jae-eun handles his story and characters with care and consideration. At one point, the movie makes a little fun of Ryoko’s most famous work which was incidentally inspired by her crumbling relationship with her ex-husband, but it respects her artistic passion and dedication nonetheless, and that is why it is often poignant to watch her struggle to write through whatever is still left inside her mind. Although her relationship with Chan-hae initially looks clichéd, both of them are presented as human characters we can care about, and it is engaging to watch how their relationship is developed along the story.

The lead performers of the movie support the movie well with their good performance. Miho Nakayama, a Japanese actress who has been fondly remembered by many audiences in Japan and South Korea for her charming performance in “Love Letter” (1995), deftly handles a number of obligatory melodramatic moments in the film, and she is fabulous whenever she is required to express a lot of things via her beautiful face. On the opposite, Kim Jae-wook, a South Korean actor who has mainly worked in several South Korean TV dramas, is solid in his understated acting which effectively functions as the solid ground for his co-performer’s showier performance, and, as far as I heard from others, he did a fairly nice job of speaking Japanese with some necessary awkwardness as required.

Although it is not so different from many other neat Japanese melodrama films during recent years, “Butterfly Sleep” distinguishes itself to some degree via its interesting setting and sincere storytelling, and its overall result is both entertaining and touching enough for recommendation. It may be predictable, but this is a well-made movie packed with genuine feelings, and it certainly earns its tears in the end.

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Not meant as a stand-alone movie

Before watching this, you should watch the prequel mini-series to make sense of it. It's really cute, kind of an F4/Boys Over Flowers thing. I watched this first before the prequel and I kept on wishing that the movie would show the reason behind the leads' actions. The movie did show some glimpse of what happened in the prequel but it's not enough. And it's not the film's fault because this is meant to be watched after the series and not as a stand-alone movie.

The actors acted on point and it's really cute and funny once you get the to know the whole story (mini-series + movie). The movie in itself also portrays the brotherly love of 2 friends who had grew up together.

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It was better than I expected

I won't lie. It was better than I thought, in fact I don't trust korean movies they're always randome, but this one , this one surprise me, it was a good slice of life movie with a beautiful plot twist, I truly enjoy it.

In fact, I was going to get mad, but the ending made me relax. For me, I find these kinds of movies useful for daily life. People should be more rational in relationships.

People should stop reading reviews before watching anything. They will definitely affect you no matter what, so make sure to watch first, then see what other people think.

I will absolutely recommend this movie.

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