So bad
It was so bad I fast forwarded almost 45 minutes of the movie.Story
The story doesn’t make any sense, it started well but then they chose shortcuts after shortcuts and it just doesn’t-make-sense, after 1 hour of non sense I decided to fast forward many scenes that were painful to watch
For instance, once you’re in a hospital, then you’re in a shop, then you’re in a house, without explanation what’s so ever why you’re in a place then the other then another
It’s extremely not well edited
Characters
The relationship between characters doesn’t make any sense and one relationship is creepy
Decisions taken from the main character don’t make sense as well, she keeps on blaming people around her for a decision she actually took herself
Acting
The main guys are good, Xu Kai delivers as usual and is great and basically the only thing good in this movie
The main actress is alright
Everybody else performance was poor especially one of the mother but maybe not their fault, it was not well scripted, as they spend their time crying
Overall
It’s terrible
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A Look Into Anti-Imperialism in Japan
This is probably one of the most interesting documentaries I have ever had the pleasure of watching. How Okuzaki Kenzo goes about his crusade is very unrestrained and outward enough to make this film something of a spectacle. Unlike other documentaries with this kind of entertainment value, all of this is 100% real with the filmmakers giving all the freedom to Kenzo himself. Some of the stuff that happens in this film almost feel unbelievable enough to feel like its satire but its not, the filmmaker is on the side of Kenzo hence why he just let him go wild, I really like that about this film. The stance the film takes with how Kenzo is portrayed creates an open interpretation on how we see him. It's like meeting the real thing beyond his death. Kenzo passed in 2005 and this film is a highlight of his very odd life.Was this review helpful to you?
A crude depiction of what being different is in our society
A society that still has to evolve, that must learn to respect who is different and doomed to be outside the social canons. The story of a Transgender who tries to affirm his own identity in a society that does not even consider her human. The reality of those who live every day the nightmare of not belonging to "normality" as if "normality" could really exist. This film shows us how transphobia and the stigma (social disapproval) of being a transgender can cause non only physical and sexual violence but also various forms of economic, professional, educational, even medical and institutional forms of discrimination. This film depicts many aspects of these constant discriminations by describing the daily of the life of a transgender woman who tries to assert her identity in a world that does everything to deny her existence.Was this review helpful to you?
The biggest problem here is the script is just not good. I have a feeling it could have been something good with better writing and direction. A lot of it came across as cheesy when it was going for dramatic, which wasn't the actors's faults.
This was one of JCW's not-so-good roles for me. He was amazing with what he was given, but he wasn't allowed the chance to shine. If the production doesn't give the actor good editing and direction choices then how the actor's performance comes across after production is affected.
Anyway, this movie was mediocre at best. Not recommended unless you're looking for a thriller with an average script or have some extra time on your hands.
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My heart beat too fast watching this
The actors themselves are amazing itself, adding such a great plot of story. The effort of the production to make such a realistic movie, I really respect that! Well, the starting maybe a bit slow, but please watch till the end, as for me, the plot twist is so great, I definitely didn't expect that..! The thriller level is high! If you love thriller, should give this a try! Feel like everyone need to watch this now! This deserve to be played at all cinemas in my opinion! The ending are so suspicious, it make it like it have another sequel but at the same time it not, like it leave to the watcher to decide what will happen next. What are you waiting for, watch it and think what will happen next!Was this review helpful to you?
Geography 101
I was wondering why Father Oliver talks about his past in Montréal because the actor is French (he says a few french words and his accent gives him away). It finally made sense to me in the credits : the film is dedicated to the memory of "Father Père Robert Massé" (since Père means Father, it's like saying "Father Padre Gonzales" for a Spanish priest). This French-Canadian priest, born in 1941, belonged to the Clerics of Saint Viator congregation and spent many years in Taiwan where he taught music (many other Viatorians taught music). He was born in Saint-Barthélémy, a small city 80 km from Montréal. He did go back to Canada later in life but probably not to live with his lover since he was active as a priest until his death in 2013. You can see a picture of him at https://viateurs.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/messe-commemorative-robert-masse.pdf(Other linguistic detail : as a French-speaking Canadian, the priest's name would be Olivier instead of Oliver. )
I smiled at some details from the Québec sequence at the end of the movie. Chang Jia-han visits a gay bar in Québec City during daytime, then visits the Niagara Falls and is back at the gay bar in the evening (OK, probably not the same evening because he's not wearing the same shirt). He must own a supersonic jet because the Niagara Falls are 900 km away from Québec City. We also see two lesbians who seem to spend all their time at that bar because we see them in both sequences. And why does the manager ask Chang Jia-han to leave because he's about to close, while other customers are still at the bar ? The last scenes were filmed at the Place Royale in Old Québec where a short scene from Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can was also shot (though it is supposed to depict Montrichard in France).
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This review may contain spoilers
Another Gem of a Movie
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It's a wonderful story about a flower shop owner who is just good to everyone. The title "Mellow" really does say it all. This was a very comforting watch.Lead actor, Tanaka Kei is great as is the rest of the cast including the young actress, Shiratori Tamaki who plays the main character, Natsume's precocious niece, Saho. There are some great scenes between them including a moment when they are delivering flowers and Natsume says, "It sucks to be a grownup. Just inconvenient." and Saho says to him "but it can't be helped, can it?"; just brilliant.
********Spoiler Alert*********** I'm sorry but I have to write about this scene b/c it was WILD!!
Natsume delivers flowers to a regular customer who falls in, love with him. She tells her husband she wants a divorce b/c she loves Natsume; not knowing Natsume's feelings at all. The wife and the husband confront Natsume with this information and his face was my face when they proceed to tell him this. Natsume is shooketh and (who wouldn't be) says it's weird that they told him this together and honestly even told him at all. When he tells the wife he doesn't have any feelings for her the husband gets upset and puts him out of their house... WHAT??? it's actually a great and humorous scene.
Anyway, watch for a great, mellow, heartwarming movie full of love and understanding.
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A promising plot abandoned
The movie starts with a narration and it immediately takes me out of it. Show don't tell. But soon it jumps into the main storyline where the ML now works as a host and has loads of debt to pay. No answers are provided how he came to work as a host after his graduation but here we are.The narrations now takes a very different turn and the movie turns into a soft core porn. The ML is shown jumping from one sex scene to another with bizzare back stories of his clients making you wonder if those were necessary. They could have spent more time building the MLs character instead of showing kisses (tongue involved) and sex scenes with every character in the movie.
We don't come to know how the ML feels with these turn of events in his life. Is he sad or indifferent? Is money the only thing that he cares about? Too many questions that remains unanswered. Instead the movie goes for shock value.
It must not have been easy shooting all those scenes but the ML was convincing. The basic plot seemed strong and the movie could have worked hard in developing those characters and the chemistry between the professor and the ML. The cinematography was impressive and the music was good.
In conclusion, the movie had a good plot that was abandoned for sex scenes that did not help progressing it forward. There are 2 sequels to this and hopefully I might watch them at a later time.
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rooting for Ja young!
I truly enjoyed the movie. I could feel Ja young's drained energy. I could feel the exhaustion that was her life. Both the Ja Young and Hyun Joo are complex creatures - as are most human beings. I loved the part where they talk about wanting to have sex. That conversation was so out of the blue and carried on in a matter of fact way.I think I can see how viewers would find movies like this boring. One needs to be in a similar place in life or have gone through this phase in life to appreciate this kind of story/movie, I believe.
I also saw people discussing how this movie has lesbian undertones. While that could be true to some extent, i saw it as Ja Young seeing Hyun Joo as some sort of a fascinating, aspirational person. However, it is interesting to view the movie as Ja Young tentatively exploring a new side to life and sexuality.
I hope she has a good life. That she is happy.
Life is tough. Society has certain rules that we all seem bound to cling to. I think there is a tremendous freedom in breaking away from what is expected and just doing whatever the heck we want.
Also, I love that this has so much running. I want to want to run. lol.
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The Pirates 2: The Last Royal Treasure
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Should've been a series instead.
Honestly, this wasn't that bad but it definitely left me wanting more. I believe that if this was made into an actual series instead of a movie, it'd make more sense. It was an interesting story but the whole thing felt rushed. Tbh, I was never really a fan of movies where everything happened in one day. But it shouldn't be completely written off bc, like I said, the story could've had so much more depth if it was played out over multiple episodes of a show. I don't really recommend this movie because a lot of things are just never explained. But if you're bored, get it a shot.Also, there wasn't really any music that stood out so that's why the score is 1.
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This review may contain spoilers
A sapphic, bittersweet coming of age romance
A bittersweet coming of age film created by high school students. While it is a bit clumsy at times, the film perfectly captures the fear and elation and adrenaline and peace and sting of falling for someone you shouldn't and having to let them go. The romance between the two leads is equal parts tender and heartbreaking and the ending, while painful, does feel very authentic and earned. One of the best aspects of the film (besides the acting of the two leads, which is incredible!) is the ways in which the director has used Chinese poetry to add emotional and thematic depth to the film. As for the cinematography and editing, it is clumsy at times, but it really shines at the most tender moments of the film. The opening sequence that shows the quick cut montage is a great example of this.Was this review helpful to you?
This movie proves that Dramalist ratings are never to be trusted!
This was one of the most beautiful and raw movies I've ever watched. It was steamy, well paced and I legit never once felt there was a filler scene. There was character growth, as well as smooth story progression. By the end I was convinced this is on my top 5 for best chemistry between two leads. This is a bit of a side bar, but they didn't sleep on their female characters at all! They were phenomenal actresses and each one unique, as well as gorgeous. I would be more sad that I missed this until now because of the low rating, but it's honestly not easily accessible to watch. It gave me such a positive outlook for going through DL to watch all the shows/movies I wanted to, but put off do to ratings.The rating of 7.4 has to be solely on the fact that it has an open ending, one that I think we can all agree we know where it'll go. For me it was one of the healthiest open endings and I was actually really satisfied, you'd have to watch till the end to understand. It makes me seriously sometimes wonder if 80% of the BL fans on here are stuck on SOTUS or something fluffy, refusing to never look forward. Demanding in most comments for something realistic, then getting it and refusing to embrace it for what it is.
The Japanese are still the tops for me on angst and gritty romance, this movie can't be missed!
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Sad, Happy, Emotional
Not for those who like comic relief. I gelt very emotional watching this.The characters are really into each other, the storyline is sad, but very well done, with a good ending.
Although it is short, nothing was lacking and there was nothing to distract from the story.
Not something to watch if you have ever been abused, this is a very serious movie. The scenes are poignant and sometimes very sensual, the reason it is rated 18+.
I am pretty sure I will rewatch again sometime in the future.
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The Flaming History of the Dela Cruz Family
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This review may contain spoilers
An important and beautiful short film starring Elijah Canlas and Rex Lantano
To make this clear from the start - ”Ang Nagliliyab na Kasaysayan ng Pamilya Dela Cruz” ("The Blazing Hisrory of the de la Cruz Family" )is no Boyslove film, but it stars two of the most famous and best Pinoy BL actors. Elijah Canlas rose to international fame for his amazing acting in the movie ”Kalel, 15”, where he plays an HIV-infected boy, and for setting new standards in the history of BL series and movies with Kokoy de Santos in ”Gameboys the series” and ”Gameboys the movie”. Rex Lantano is well known for his outstanding performances and his readiness to risk something new in various short films like "Siphayo" and the series ”Daddy Love”, ”Meet my Angel Season 2”, as well as for co-producing and acting in ”Love at the End of the World” and the upcoming series ”Papa, what is love?”.This short film depicts the fight of peasants in the Philippines against landowners who usually live in the big cities, using the De la Cruz family as an example. With stylistic elements of a documentary as well as fictional scenes, it shows the hard life of poor villagers, and the brutal methods of land-owners who try to steal their land by force.
Rex Lantano plays Jun, the son of a family who has joined the non-violent peasant movement in Central Luzon after his elder brother José was killed in a fight against the landowners' minions. He tries to persuade Tonio, the son of the de la Cruz family, played by Elijah Canlas, to join the movement. Tonio is reluctant, because his father doesn't want the family to be involved in the movement.
Things change when Tonio's mother eye-witnesses the killing of a neighbour. In a moving speech, she calls upon her husband to join the peasants' fight for the good of their son Tonio. The father, who was crippled by gunmen when Tonio was very young, is still reluctant, because he is afraid Tonio may face a similar fate as himself, and he has no hope that the peasants' movement can ever be successful against the minions of the landowners.
Tonio, however, agrees with his mother. During their discussion, the village is attacked by gunmen, huts are set afire, and Tonio is hit by a bullet. He dies, so this movie does not have a happy ending, just as the fight of the Filipino peasants has not come to a happy ending, but is still going on today, and with the return of the Marcos family to power, there is no hope it will come to a positive end any time soon.
The short film follows the tradition of Filipino movies that display the social conditions in the country, and it is remarkable that actors like Elijah Canlas and Rex Lantano have the courage to speak out against the inequality and injustice in their country, which is definitely dangerous in the Philippines, when they could lead the easy life of young celebrities.
The short film is very similar to the BL-series ”Padayon” (or rather the other way round, because this short film was released two years before ”Padayon”) which I reviewed earlier, and which I would recommend to everyone who is not only interested in the BL genre, but also in social and political conditions in the countries where most of the BL-series are set.
Elijah and Rex have proven their talent and skills in many other projects, and they do so here once again. Angeli Bayani and Angelo Hulip are also convincing in their respective roles as Tonio's parents, and Elijah's younger brother JM has a short cameo as Tonio's younger self.
To sum up, writer and director Miguel Louie de Guzman has created an important, realistic, in parts brutal, but still beautiful short film that has deservedly earned lots of prizes. It can be found on Miguel Louie's youtube channel.
Country: Philippines (2019)
Duration: 20 mins.
Director: Miguel Louie de Guzman
Cast: Angeli Bayani, Angelo Hulip, Elijah Canlas, JM Canlas (as young Tonio), and Rex Lantano
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