Reviews

from the beginning i already like the cinematography and the setting. it wasn't anything fancy, but good enough. also, the fighting scenes were nicely done too

the poster making it look like harem. but the romance wasn't shown much.

the pacing were a bit too fast. which resulted in poor character development, plot holes, and makes it a bit difficult for me to keep up. but when i finished the whole movie, it's all connected.

I'm not familiar with any of the actors, but they portray their roles nicely

if you want to watch it, don't think too much and just go with the flow

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emotionally moving performance from a fine actor ,Kamio Fuju

I saw this film in London on 28 05 2022. Introduced on screen by the director Shogo Kusano.
His intro was interesting , comparing audiences to Japan and UK and wondered himself, given the cultural differences , how
UK would view this.
Firstly, I have to congratulate Shogo Kusano on an excellent film , which I could relate to and your choice in casting
Kamio Fuju as Jun was perfect. His serious acting can be quite powerful and believable .
I have to say, despite the obvious culture difference you would expect, I found a lot of similar traits when I was in Japan to an old England i used to know. I could list them but would be digressing from this review. ( so maybe not so different in many ways) There is a hospital scene that i found very moving in which Jun summarises his young life............
I have thought about it a long time since watching the film.
i hope young audiences watch this and empathise with the struggles of young gay life as well as enjoying an entertaining
and thought provoking subject matter.
I think Audiences who don,t mind sub titles here in Uk , would appreciate this excellent film.
(sorry but I dont remember any music for rating )

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A Beautiful Melancholic Film

I watched this movie because I watched first the TV Show version of this. I was enamored by how beautiful, thought provoking and heartbreaking this movie was, seeing two characters sharing the pain of thinking if their love would last was just heartbreaking yet also captivating. The two main protagonists were just well layered, sympathetic and you can easily connect with their characters. Yi Soo, was just fantastically portrayed by Han Hyo Joo, I love that they delved deeper into her character, seeing her trying her outmost best to understand Woo Jin even though it might cause her mental health deteriorating was sad yet touching. I also felt bad for Woo Jin throughout the movie, I could not imagine being in his shoes and he was also trying best not getting lost in the world of love because he was afraid it might affect his lover negatively. This movie was beautifully shot, beautifully portrayed and I was just in awe, crying and smiling all throughout. I also love the underlying message of Pansexuality, especially in the end of the film. Yi Soo did not care about the gender of Woo Jin, because she is attracted/fell in love with Woo Jin's personality which was uplifting to see. All of the A-list actors/actresses that portrayed Woo Jin were also good and I love that they ended the movie in a beautiful scenery in Czech Republic. Overall, a touching movie with great performances from the ensemble cast and a unique concept.

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The comments made me watch this! DX

Ever heard curiosity killed the cat? Well this time curiosity killed my psyche! The comments on this made me so curious to watch it i regret my decision. What TF did i just watch O__O This movie was kind of traumatizing. I dont know how the actors did it i wouldnt ever be able to kiss the way they did.... they looked like cows every kissing scene XP. Just overall disturbing! Not for the faint of heart. If you are on the fence about watching this........just........dont! I promise its not worth the psychological damage. Softcore porn with a side of abuse is what your ordering if you decide to watch.

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Meh

Plot: First half had me guessing, like what actually happened and it had some mystery and horror aura but then felt flat on the last 30 minutes of the movie. Many unanswered questions that will make you confuse as to why was the ending like that, especially to the victim. Didn’t make sense to me, honestly. He was supposed to have this strong personality plus he had to go through all the trouble just to find out the truth but then ‘bam’. Would have been nice if they added something to the ending apart from their ‘supposed’ destiny. It was supposed to be the icing on the cake but turned out to be a styrofoam.

Acting: All did great and convincing.

Music: Pretty appropriate and creepy especially on the first half of the movie.

Rewatch value: I don’t think there’s something to rewatch.

Overall: 5 for acting and great suspense of first half. They didn’t maintain the momentum and ended up with a disappointing ending despite the so-called ‘twist’. It wasn’t predictable but it didn’t have the ‘wow’ factor too. I guess I watched and read too many psychological/mystery dramas and movies already.

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Human greed is the root cause of destruction

Based on true events, the legal battle in the movie against a company misconduct on a widely used household product is highly intriguing, which in real life has even caused fatality and permanent damage to its users over a decade. The narrative has really good pacing and well arranged details, it comes with a serious tone and even has a hint of espionage flavor in it that gives a pleasant surprise for viewers. In the end, it's all about the greed of human beings especially those who are at the top of the food chain, and those government officials neglecting their responsibilities, at last the ones who pay the price are common people like us.

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Excellent Contribution to the Temple

Yes…the monks of Shaolin would be proud of this contribution to the legend of Shaolin. Of course, like a lot of Chineses martial arts movies based on the past, there is a small kernel of truth to this. The monks often resisted occupying forces with their legendary prowess. In this entry, you have a great cast which you will easily recognize. Jackie Chan is in this, but he’s not the star. The story revolves around the early republic period and the our star loses his family when he is double-crossed during a double cross. He then goes to the temple and finds peace and justice. Now…as for the fight choreography… it is stellar. I had forgotten how good it was. You get every type of battle you could imagine as well as some great forms done by a bunch of talented and skilled kids. Of course, their part is the BEST part as it should be. Considering how long this is (it’s a healthy two hours) I was surprised that I was not bored at all. Even with the typical cliches and tropes it’s still watchable and rewatchable. 9/10

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Had Potential but Got Ruined by a Flimsy Script

I have a love hate relationship with Goo Hye Young, I do like that she's persevering and doesn't give any two shits what other people think but sometimes she acts too rashly, I just want to go inside the movie and tell her character to think thoroughly about the things she's about to do, especially in the restaurant scene confronting a Chairman and giving the only evidence you have away I was just dumbfounded, What did she fucking expect? She could've made another copy of the recording but oh well. Throughout the whole movie, I want some sort of clarity with her character, thankfully she showed some of vulnerability in the last act of the film, and I did like the bulldozing scene. How the movie presented itself was quite messy and because of that some scenes were boring and the pacing was just off thankfully Kim Hye Yoon yet again did amazing acting wise, she never fails to impress me. The movie had so much potential to give a realistic approach about how people deal with debt and such but it was just messy and hard to follow with unlikable characters sprinkled in the mix.

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A origin perseverance film with alot of HEART

I went in with this movie because of Wi Ha Joon, he is one of my favorite actors and I have a huge crush on him. I had expectations that his movie will be a gritty story about prison and school violence based on the posters and I didn't read any spoilers as well but I was pleasantly surprised to see that this movie was more heartwarming and inspiring. The whole message of the movie is quite simple, "Do not give up, fight harder day by day." and they clearly sent that message across. The plot was nothing new nor fresh but it was enjoyable. The main character, Cha Woo Sol played magnificently by Kim Min Seok was a believable sympathetic character and his character growth was great. Wi Ha Joon as Jung Do Hyun, was a great mentor he didn't appear as much as I hope would've been but he was the main heart of this film especially to the main protagonist. The antagonist Seok Chan was played greatly by Jung Won Chang, even though his whole character arc was just ok, I needed more layers to his character. The other side characters, Sang Yeop (The mature captain) and Ahn Hyun Min were likable but I needed more of them though. The action sequences were well choreographed and the pacing was fast and exciting. I felt like this was an origin film, and based on the comments I red down below there is an upcoming TV series sequel to this, if it ever happens this movie is a great introductory to the characters and story so that the TV series could expand more. Also, the ending cracked me up.

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I'm supposedly watching this movie while I'm typing this review. That should say something about how this movie is.

It's based purely on cinematography. The colors and locations are beautiful.

They give a synopsis of what the movie will be about but it doesn't seem like they stick to the plot. Mainly because of all the long pauses, ambient sounds and little to no dialogue. At some points I thought the movie froze because of the long pauses.

I'm not sure why they even called this movie The Assassin because there's hardly no fighting scenes! I mean a woman assassin and this is all we get??

Alas I digress. I couldn't take this movie anymore.

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" I'm Sorry; I Tried But I Cannot Do Any Better. I Thought That I Was Stronger Than This."

Literal translation of title: 'That Bizarre Girl'

Part of the "My Sassy Girl Trilogy" by Kwak Jae Yong

This is the first movie of the "My Sassy Girl Trilogy" by director/screenwriter Kwak Jae Young.

The second is the film "Windstruck (2004)".

The third is the Japanese film "Cyborg She (2008)".

They are unrelated except for having a 'sassy girl' theme

Kwak Jae Yong served as screenwriter & director for all three above films.


Windstruck (2004) also stars Jun Ji Hyun, with a guest appearance by Cha Tae Hyun (this film's Gyun Woo).


I usually don't read other people's reviews, but I saw several 'low' scores here, so I thought I would address them; also, I was trying to get away from giving you an overview of the movie, but I have to do it this time in order to explain the young "Girl's" actions!

This movie is not about the "Sassy Girl"! It is about a young man, Gyon Woo, finally finding 'someone' to him to care enough about that he gets his crap together - and matures into a man!

Gyun Woo (Cha Tae Hyun) says that he was 'raised' by his mother as a girl"; this, I feel, has an effect on his dating girls in high school and now in college, where he is when this movie starts. He is having his picture taken in the second scene, but he really is stalling so that he won't have to go visit his aunt, who has a beautiful girl to introduce him to!

(He will meet her finally, but only at the end of the movie!)

He meets a young girl, (who I realized about the third time I watched this movie that the director gave no name to her, just 'The Girl', played by Jun Ji Hyun) on a subway in a large Korean city. First, he saves her from being hit by the subway and then took care of her as he was mistaken to be her boyfriend after she passes out drunk on the subway.

What most people FORGET, although it is mentioned later in the movie, she is celebrating the 1-year 'Death Day' of her late boyfriend, he dies the same day one year earlier before she meets Gyon Woo on the subway! Her ex-boyfriend who is still inside her and his memory keeps her from trying to date other men.

They also met on the subway as well, the way The Girl and Gyon Woo did.

Most of what happens revolves around this unseen boyfriend of The Girl that you never see, except his hand: The Girl is desperately trying to see her late boyfriend in Gyon Woo; however, she is slowly but surely falling in love with him!

That is why:

* She gets drunk because her late boyfriend is still in her mind and she cannot forget him
* She won't let Gyon Woo order soda when together, because that is what her late boyfriend used to order
* She pushes Gyon Woo into the lake, then jumps in to save him [a scene with the mother of her dead boyfriend (Yang Geum
Suk) and her are shown on the banks of a body of water; many feel her son/The Girl's late boyfriend drowned] The Girl is
actually 'saving' her boyfriend in her mind, warped by his death!
* Gyon Woo gives her his handkerchief to wipe her nose; her dead boyfriend had a handkerchief of the same design
* She wants to be with him, but she cannot shake her dead boyfriend's memory
* She keeps putting off seeing her old boyfriend's mother, who wants to introduce her to a new guy she thinks The Girl might
like
* She keeps telling him, "Wanna Die", when she wants him to do something with her and he gives a wrong answer.
* She beats him up when he does wrong: her late boyfriend would not approve!
* She can only 'let go' of her late boyfriend, after she thinks that Gyon Woo replanted the Wish Tree where they buried the
time capsule near the end: she finally realizes how much they care for each other!
* After 'letting go' The Girl finally throws the necklace the late boyfriend gave to her into a body of water, representing that
she finally released him (again, many think he drowned) and his memory!
* She goes to Europe for a year and a half since she couldn't find Gyon Woo again.
* Gyon Woo's mother actually thinks that she went to Europe to forget her late son, not Gyon Woo!

In case you haven't figured it out yet, The Girl's late boyfriend's mother (played by Yang Geum Suk) is Gyon Woo's aunt, and she tried for SEVERAL YEARS to introduce the two of them to no avail! The aunt has no idea that The Girl has been seeing her nephew, Gyon Woo, over the years since her son died.

On her first 'blind' date after her father told Gyon Woo not to see his daughter again, The Girl calls Gyon Woo; Gyon Woo
then gives this advice to the blind date (played by actor Im Ho) and then leaves...

Don't ask her to be feminine...
Don't let her drink over 3 glasses of soju...she'll beat someone.
At a café, instead of coke or juice, order a coffee...
If she hits you, act like it hurts...if it hurts, act like it doesn't.
Surprise her with a rose on the 100th day anniversary...in class.
Make sure you learn Kendo and Squash,..
Be prepared to go to jail sometimes...
Is she says she'll kill you, don't take it likely...
If her feet hurt, exchange shoes (with her)...
She likes to write (screenplays), encourage her.

Eggs: This movie is loaded with EGGS, fortunately not the kind that turn bad!

The man who The Girl throws up on in the subway in the beginning of the film is the man underneath the tree when The Girl goes to find Gyon Woo.

I love this movie! It was one of the first movies that I saw and became a huge Asian movie fan!

I love the main cast members who I had seen in other movies before this one. I came across Jun Ji Hyun in White Valentine (1999) in an English version and then saw her in Il Mare (2000), both excellent movies!

I saw Cha Tae Hyun in Sad Movie (2005) and the classic, Lover's Concerto (2002) before seeing him here. He also does an excellent job in the sad movie BABO (2008)!

They both gave excellent performances here and their chemistry was amazing!

The support cast also did an excellent job here; with a special kudos to The Girl's father (Han Jin Hee) and the hilarious performance in his scenes, and Gyun Woo's mother (Song Ok Sook), and her hilarious performance as well!

Just between us, there is going to be a remake, and we will find out that Gyun Woo and The Girl were switched at birth; the Girl has the genes of Gyun Woo's mother in her! (Just kidding!)

The music and cinematography were excellent and deserving of this movie being rated as high as it is!

After this movie came out, EVERY Korean girl wanted to be "The Girl', according to my friends in Korea. It has been copied in several countries but this one is still the best!

Many who gave this movie a bad rating did not take the time to see WHY The Girl acted the way she did!

The New Sassy Girl (2016) was attempted, but it only starred Cha Tae Hyun but not Jun Ji Hyun: need to say, it flopped!

Be the way, the UFO is from timepoint 1:15:57 to 1:16:02; blink and you will miss it!

RE-WATCH VALUE: All the time!

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Time-slip, Time-jump, Time-travel, etc are the elements that unbound the creator's imagination and open up various possibilities. The movie "Junihitoe wo Kita Akuma" took one of these elements and made us dive into the classic "Tale of Genji". with our main character Ito Rai. Knowing the original Genji Monogatari isn't mandatory to watch this movie but it'll certainly make you appreciate it because the movie unfolds the classic tales from a different point of view.

Rai in his timeline lived like a side character under the shadow of his talented younger sibling. The frustration from his incompetence was eating away Rai until he teleported into the Heian Era or more specifically in the story of Genji. A not so uncommon build-up, true. But the filmmaker took the opportunity here to throw us into the Genji tale from a different side. Rai starts living in this time period as Raimei, a seer for Kokiden Nyogo, the first wife of emperor Kiritsubo. In Genji Monogatari, Kokiden is portrayed as a villainous woman, who plots against Genji to ensure his own son Suzaku gets the throne. With our main character Raimei by her side, the movie shows a different side of Kokiden. A mother and a woman with strong conviction and love for her son. Her characteristics rub off on Rai and we see some character development. It's alright to be not the chosen one but possible to This is what impressed me most about the movie.

I don't have much to say about the acting of the casts because I can't tell the difference between bad or good acting unless they are too obvious.

For whatever reason, the comedy tag is in this movie. there wasn't much comedy and one shouldn't expect one since the original Genji Monogatari is rather dark, full of complex love, hate, taboo relationship, and tragedy. There are a couple of Genji Monogatari movies, and my suggestion will be to watch one first.

*btw, the song Raimei was singing to Rinko at 65 minutes, is "Cherry(チェリー)" by Spitz's(スピッツ). Just saying, because they're my favorite band.

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