Reviews

A great adaptation

This was recommended to me and I am glad to say that I enjoyed this one a lot. It also inspired me to read the manga & I have to say that is honestly a really good adaptation. One of the best I've seen. There were scenes and dialogue taken directly from the source material. It is brilliantly done.

I love that the misunderstanding & their awkwardness were understandable. It was not just a weird plot device, it was a well written plot point. It was written in such a way that you actually understood where they were both coming from & it made sense.

Also for some reason it looks like it was shot in the 1980s and not 2015/16😭

Anyways, it was really good and I recommend it.

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Aggravating and a bit confusing

This movie is one of those who made me feel a lot of anger and frustration partly because society sucks, partly because of the way they chose to show that society sucks... While they did a great job showing the obstacles set by society as well as internalised homophobia and kids can be ***. I found part of the story telling glitchey and a bit lacking. This could be intentional or could be due to budget or issues with the editing causing this very important movie to loose a few points and not live up to its full potential. As I felt that there was just so much left unsaid. While other scenes just felt unnecessary.

That said I do think this is a story that needs to be told, as they do bring up a lot of angles that rarely get space in media about the complexity of issues regarding rule of law, vs rule of society. For example they talk about the how gaining the right to wed will on the one hand give same sex couples the same lawful rights as hetero couples, however registering that marriage will make way to new problems such as having ones kid. stamped as part of a gay family forever... Is it okay to let ones kid stand in the frontline in a not so inclusive society?

So while I do appreciate the issues seen, I am not 100% sure about how they went about showing them... making me settle for an 8 star rating, so yes watch it but beware it is not perfect and will probably aggravate you for more than one reason.

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Missing an actual plot...

What made the The Witch Part 1 good is because it had an actual plot AND some fantastic fight scenes.

I actually felt like watching an ActionMovie with Part 1.

This one though... the storytelling was too messy that you couldn't really tell what's the point of watching till the end. Moreover, the action scenes went overboard that it looked cringey instead of cool like its predecessor's.

the only thing that saved this movie for me is the fact that Kim Da Mi is still in it.

Basically,
Bad cinematography
Below Average Acting
Cringey Fight Choreos
Overall Special Effects looked cheap
Soundtrack doesn't even fit the mood

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well done realistic movie

Overall: two realistically flawed characters and friends work to figure out what they want in their lives. Watched on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/3082/made-on-rooftop-2020

Content Warnings: hit with a broom, grief

What I Liked
- character growth from the two main characters
- Sunja was awesome, favorite lines "get your shit together" and "you are pretty but you need to do more than just talk"
- how Min Ho was direct and sought to communicate (though didn't appreciate some of his comments in the Live)
- their friendship felt realistic, they both got annoyed with and supported each other
- cute moments
- funny moments (I snorted at the beans)
- production value
- the symbolism of the plants on the rooftop

Room For Improvement
- the beginning was unnecessarily confusing because of showing the present, flashback and then present again without clear time jumps
- he didn't know the password? but maybe that shows how their communication/relationship wasn't the best
- wanted a little more communication around what Bong Shik revealed, it didn't need to be preachy but many people are mis or uninformed and I think it was a missed opportunity (i.e. he could explain what he was taking and what the risks would be)
- I needed a bit more closure/less open ending with 1 couple

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Well done. Confusing message.

This is a powerful movie, but could be triggering for those who have experienced intense trauma.

The acting is generally great, good cinematography, pacing is generally perfect. The story is a bit problematic.

Major spoilers below. If you haven't seen the movie, STOP READING THIS NOW! Come back and re-read afterwards if you are confused or want to get a different opinion.

I had trouble figuring out what the purpose of this movie was. The plot is clear, the problem is the message. There are small messages along the way that are true enough:

People still treat each other badly
People assume the worst about others motivations and actions
Some people are nicer than others
Misunderstandings are a big source of psychological pain
People suffer due to their inability to communicate

But the overall point seems to say that union with your soulmate is more important than life itself. To achieve this they create a sort of "forbidden love" situation. While there is some implication the couple will reincarnated together in a future life, giving into desire/longing is not something Buddhism encourages. A couple committing suicide are not necessarily going to be reincarnated as a couple, or even in the same realm.

It just seems like a couple of foolish lovers running away together to commit suicide because of societal judgement: "Forbidden but noble love". Some problems
(1) The "forbidden love" theme seems to be pedophilia. Setting up a parallel between gay sex and pedophilia is completely wrong. Because both behaviors are shunned by society doesn't mean they are equivalent. The issue with sex between adults and minors is an issue of consent and understanding. Sexual behavior between adults is an entirely different situation. And, BTW, Liu is actually 15 or 16. It is still too young to understand and make an informed decision, but not technically pedophilia.
(2) The couple could simply wait 2-3 years. Pob could have gotten a divorce in the meantime. In relationship timelines, this is nothing.
(3) If Liu is truly Dew, why end it at all? Because Dew is now a female? Because of the age difference (25? years).
The two could go on existing together in the current life. So maybe if they die together, they'll get reborn as a gay couple and solve the age difference at the same time?

For me, the "forbidden but noble love" theme doesn't work at all.

I'd like to see the same first arc, but a totally different second arc where Pob is processing his grief and sense of loss, especially together with Orn. Loss is a universal human experience and life is often complicated.

Finally, if you have any personal experience with suicide, you'll know nothing about it is romantic, heroic or noble.

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A great zombie movie!

First of all, I will start to say that '#alive' is easily one of my favourite movies of 2020. (My high rating probably implies that already, huh?)

While this movie might not be as thrilling (or creepy) as other zombie movies but that is what makes it way more enjoyable for me. Despite the topic being a zombie outbreak, the overall atmosphere is pretty calm since the viewer follows the daily life of the protagonist who's locked up in his own apartment because of... well, the zombies. In my opinion, the soundtrack is just great and a great fit for the movie (but I guess, that shouldn't be the most important part of a movie, right?).

If you expect a thrilling story with a lot of action, this movie will probably dissappoint you. If you want a story focusing on the feelings and thoughts of someone while trying to survive this living hell, then you should absolutely watch it!

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Not bad

Since this one came out straight from the author's studio, it's closer to what the author wants to convey, still a bit OOC though. Not a shipper of this duo but this movie is probably better the previous one, vfx and acting wise. The movie also expressed the bromance better than the novel, mainly because of the OOC parts on each character, maybe the staff have to change it to get the results they want.

For the ending teaser on "Flower Night" you can go read the novel and be surprised how Black Glasses is even colder and more ruthless. It doesn't have as much bromance because more than half of it was Black Glasses's solo mission but the story is very good.

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Please watch this movie its genuinely so good >>>

One night It was about 12 am and I couldn't sleep. I opened my viki and page and there the movie was expecting nothing from this movie it truly gave me EVERYTHING not only was it well written it took so many creative choices I never thought it would. Genuinely such a funny movie had me laughing out LOUD, and 30 minutes after me crying out loud. I really don't want to spoil anything but the plot twist genuinely I would've never expected and it had me glued to my seat and after watching I couldn't sleep the entire night thinking about the movie.
ps:Bong Tae Gu who is the male lead of the movie has such nice hair and nice teeth throughout the movie he's supposed to be like this nerdy outcast but I think he's pretty average looking in a good way in an I'm the same way average and this is my number *call me*

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Seriously, find something else to pass the time

This is a strange movie. The storyline is quite straightforward and easy to follow but there are so many things being told instead of shown - and the unrealistic love story strikes like lightning from a clear sky.
Character wise: FL is way too childish, ridiculously stubborn, dumb as a doornail and dressed more for a party than work (except when she is at the bar of course). ML is fierce and dominating but intelligent.
Acting wise this is not even near the top shelf but it isn’t bad either.
I saw this review on YouTube that was spot on, “So this whole drama is about 2 idiots that should have stayed home and would not have died .. Causing all this grief.. And the other 2 falling in love is so ridiculously absurd that…well it passed the time..”
So, if you have an hour or so to waste, this is ok - but seriously, find something else to pass the time.

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Honestly, Better than I expected??

Going into this I had seen multiple clips of the girl singing on my tiktok so I sought out to watch it. Leaving the underlining of the plot that circles the girl's weight... which is the whole movie.. and ignoring the significance of eating disorders in Korea...
this was a weirdly fun watch?? with good music performance scenes overall this taught me I should try to give everything a chance even if I think I will definitely not like it
In the end, I think that it tried its best to say what is beautiful on the inside
and I'm not a film expert so whether this had a huge budget or a super small one I liked that the characters felt somewhat real and relatable-ish
Now I do want to condemn the plastic surgery thing I don't want to dive into it too much so that the movie is unenjoyable but I'm pretty sure everyone knows it occurs
The fact that she is only seen as beautiful when she gets plastic surgery was a little uncomfortable for me even making me sad at how beauty standards weigh on women ...
even women in the movies
even women across the world
but maybe that's my self-righteousness speaking LOLLLL

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Perfect - A must watch

This movie was worth the time I spent watching it. Despite maintaining the innocence of the characters, their development seemed natural. The lack of teen drama in this teen drama was sooooo refreshing, taking me on a ride I didn't know I needed. The cinematography wasn't epic, but it did set the scenes extreme well. The candle light scene being my favourite, and even though there were many moments where I thought they were going to ruin it with a useless sex scene, it never came. Just playful banter between the two male leads and silly antics from the supporting friends, and when I say supporting friends, I mean, SUPPORTING friends. You will know what I mean when the scene comes on, because no matter what happens, they are still friends and even if he has no one else, it is something he can depend on. The progression was well done and I appreciated seeing the characters grow into love, without realising it.

The casts' acting was on point throughout and while their were no major scene for truly top of the line acting to be showcased, the entire cast did very well. Their chemistry lead me to believe that these were a real group of friends. The laughs, the foolery, the concern, the love, ain't nothing better than the wholesome relationships that existed here.

One more thing... They (his friends) shouldn't have been trying so hard to push them together or get him to admit something that he wasn't ready to admit. The wrong thing done for the correct reason is still the wrong thing, but I will give them credit for not pushing to hard.

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The tragedy of being "too late"

Even though this movie seemed like a general rom-com, the more I think about it, the more it's the kind of movie that grows on you. It really reminded me about having to be responsible towards your own life, filled me with a lot of hope, and finally made me think: Remember that life is short.

What does it mean to be in a time loop? It means having unlimited time, getting unlimited chances to make the right decision, to right the path you are on, to prevent regrets. Say Yes Again on the surface is saying all these, which is not too different from other time loop movies.

The two leads acted decently and I really felt the excitement of their honeymoon period while also noticing the differences in their characters: One was more realistic and practical, and the other was more carefree and easy-going. From the ML's perspective, this was his coming-of-age story and it was a little silly but also very relatable.

But it was the last 10 minutes that really flipped everything upside down. Though it was a little rushed, I really enjoyed the premise and intent behind it, and it not only tugged at the heartstrings but made me think twice about my attitude toward life.

I often think to myself that one of the most tragic phrases in the world is "it's too late," and at its core that was the meaning behind this movie.

雖然這部電影看起來只像浪漫喜劇，但我越來越覺得它耐看。它提醒了我要對生活負責任，也讓我充滿了希望，又好像跟我說：記著，生命短暫。

時間循環有什麼意思？就是給你無限的時間，給你無限的機會做最好的決定，把軌道修正，避免後悔。【再說一次我願意】在表面上就在說這個，跟別的時間循環片一樣。

兩個主角演得還不錯，讓我感受到蜜月期的興奮可是也讓我看得出來兩個人的性格差距：一個人比較腳踏實地，另一個比較瀟灑。從男方的角度著就是他的成年故事，有點搞笑可是也很有相關性。

可是電影最後那十分鍾把世界完全顛倒轉。雖然是寫得有點太匆忙，但真意我還是很喜歡，不但能動人心弦也造成我對自己生活的態度再次思考。

我經常自己想，世界上最悲傷的一句話就是「來不及了」。【再說一次我願意】的內涵意義也就是這個。

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Some films only Japan can make

I've just rewatched this and I came to up my score and even write a review.

I'm a Kdrama fan for all sorts of reasons - the production, the accessibility, the slightly more acceptable misogyny, the lack of reliance on sex. Yet there are some amazing dramas out there that only Japan can do! You find them slipped in between the slightly brutal, sexist, infantilised main stream fare but shining with a gritty, oh so strange yet oh so normal light.

This is one of those, not because of the subject matter but because of the way it is handled. Without the glam slick entertainment of Kdramas or the censorship and lightness of Cdrama or the terribly preachy brutality of a US drama this manages to put across it's message with a heartrendingly understated realism.

The story is well told, the casting and acting is superb, the music supports but never overpowers the emotion.

Kakihara Rinka deserves the honours but Ikuta Toma deserves your attention.

I thoroughly recommend it.

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Kind Of Felt Like Thai Dairy Industry Propaganda, But Cute

This movie is actually four overlapping stories. They all take place in and around a dairy farm in Chiang Mai. I know some Thai, but was really scratching my head through most of this movie because of the Isaan dialect. Thankfully pretty much all Thai movies in theaters have English subtitles and Thai subtitles for the Thais who don't understand Isaan.

The movie was pretty cute. The way it all tied together at the end kind of made me wonder if the movie was being funded by dairy industry lobbyists or something. The movie is basically four stories, milk --> cheese --> delivery of cheese --> cheesecake, and then has this corny ending monologue about all the love that goes into the process of producing the final cheesecake. It was a fun time and had a very indie vibe to it. It's also super gay.

First story: Two girls play music to make cows happy so they'll produce more milk (friendship... or maybe more?).

Second story: A hostel owner also runs cheese making classes and uses the milk from the cows in the first story to make cheese with a stressed out Bangkok office worker (suspiciously non-hetero).

Third story: A delivery girl getting into drama with a high school ex looking to hitch a ride to the train station while delivering the cheese from the second story (pretty gay, but sad).

Fourth story: A small cake shop owner starts teaching her annoying neighbour how to bake (very, very gay).

If you're in Thailand, I would definitely recommend seeing it. It's a very cute, feel-good movie and very few other people seem to be watching it, so there's a good chance you can get the theater all to yourself. I paid for deluxe, but sat in VIP hehehe.

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