Completed
I Give My First Love to You
52 people found this review helpful
by Yabbe
Dec 27, 2011
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
If you've read the manga you might be a little disappointed with this theatrical version. If you haven't read the manga (or read it and want to watch this anyway) then you definitely should watch it. The romance is so beautiful and their struggles are so difficult that you can't help but scream at them.
The acting is absolutely incredible, the story is heart wrenching, and above all the story is believable.
If you're not sure if this movie is for you watch the first 10 minutes. By the time the 10 minute mark rolls by I think you will realize how touching this movie will be. :)

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Completed
A Man and a Woman
79 people found this review helpful
Jul 18, 2016
Completed 2
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
Given the shady subject matter of the movie, there were only a few possibilities that the movie would have to progress. One would be to show how it is never too late to find true love which will eventually help you conquer all the obstacles in its path. The other would be a tale of secret rendezvous, perhaps an abusive husband/neglectful wife and eventual murder of either the problematic spouses or our protagonists.
What I got, however, was a very real story of broken individuals with difficult family lives who deal with very believable and relatable situations just trying to figure things out as best they can. There is no antagonist in this piece other than life itself.
In the first half of the movie, we see Jeon Do-Yeon playing a very stoic mother of a mentally handicapped boy who we later learn seems to be the glue that is holding her marriage together. Once she is back on home ground, however, we see her in a different light as she is successfully running her family fashion line and seems more confident that she was in Finland. The moral conflict caused by the affair is more apparent in her character and she portrays the hesitation very well.
Gong Yoo’s character is one that pleasantly surprised me here. Granted I am biased with all matters Yoo, however he lost points when choosing to depict an adulterous father of a depressed child and mentally unstable wife. This role portrayed by any other actor would have come across as sleazy and stalker-ish but with him there is an innocence and vulnerability that oddly makes you root for him and the couple.
Finland itself seems to be a character in the movie as it visually depicts the isolation felt by our protagonists as well as the lack of any warmth in their current relationships. I could go on about the symbolic significance of the sauna in the woods, the hotel suites where our couple has their trist or their train ride in the second half of the movie but that would take forever.
If you are looking for a bubbly romance or are watching with boxes of tissue ready at hand, then this may not be the one for you. If however, you want to see the world from an alternative point of view or just really feel something down to your soul, then I highly recommend this movie.

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Completed
Sweet & Sour
115 people found this review helpful
Jun 4, 2021
Completed 4
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

A realistic portrayal of modern day relationships

The last 10 minutes of the movie will leave you mind-blown. That's where the twist is, and you need to watch it again to get a complete grasp of the story. Thank goodness it's on Netflix! We can rewatch the scenes until we fully understand what's going on (lol). This is a well-executed film, with three equally talented stars at the forefront. It has a good balance of seriousness and humor as the characters matter-of-factly tell their story, a characterization of why relationships in this fast-paced world are short-lived. This is rated 13+ by Netflix, but it tackles a more mature topic apt for, perhaps, a more open-minded perspective on dating and relationships. If you are expecting a feel-good happily-ever-after romantic comedy sort of thing, this, without a doubt, will disappoint you. Watch something else.

Chae Soo Bin impressively portrayed her role as the lively and cheerful turned lonely and weary nurse, Da Eun. She's one of the younger stars whose acting prowess is commendable. The camera immaculately captures her sweetness. A real beauty who's a class act of her own. Jang Ki Young (Jang Hyuk), nailed his role as the struggling young professional climbing up the ladder. An imperfect guy with a perfect smile. Such a charming young man! I've watched him portray different roles in dramas, he never disappoints, always a pleasure to watch. His scenes with Krystal (Bo Young) were fun and light in contrast to the serious and heavy scenes with CSB (Da Eun), yet he wonderfully delivered. He's got good chemistry with both CSB and Krystal, too. Krystal as Bo Young was exceptional. She playfully and brilliantly brought the character to life.

I love this movie. I like how it ended. I let out a satisfying chuckle at the final scene yet, at the same time, heartbroken for the sweet romance that turned sour in the end. I was left with an afterthought of what could have happened if they had done things differently. The main leads are not bad, they're just young people who still have so much to learn--perfectly flawed humans who are newbies in the real world and still have a lot of growing up to do.

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Completed
Kim Ji Young: Born 1982
42 people found this review helpful
Dec 21, 2019
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 9.5
This review may contain spoilers
This is a feminist movie. What kind of image does it conjure up for you?
I can tell you that this isn't a story about a confident, "girl crush" woman. Rather, it follows the story of an ordinary woman and the gender based microaggressions she faces.

This movie isn't an easy watch precisely because it's so real (similar to Misaeng). You could only hope that all of those events don't happen to the same person in real life though.

I knew about the general plot before watching the movie but it still really hit me hard. At the start, I thought it was really fast-paced because it just threw you into the movie. But as the movie progressed, I got used to it and was able to connect with it more.

However, I think reading the book would help you understand the movie better. There was a few scenes that didn't feel resolved in the movie, but I think were explored in the book.
I was also confused if Kim Ji Young's behavior was supposed to be more metaphorical or literal. After reading some reviews of the book, I think I understand what it's trying to say. There was one review in particular that said she didn't have a voice in this society so she had to adopt other personas / mimic other people in her life to say something.


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Completed
The Great Passage
42 people found this review helpful
by Cheer
Jun 27, 2014
Completed 10
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 6.0
Being the major winner of the 86th Japanese Academy Awards with The best Film, best Director, best lead actor, best screenplay, best editing and best sound didn’t come from thin air. The Great Passage had a unique topic and messages to portray.

The film main point is making a dictionary titled “The Great Passage”, like the chief-editor stated: “A dictionary is a ship which crosses the sea of words and languages”. Being a lover of dictionaries and words in general, I am ashamed to admit that I was ignorant of the hardships and the overwhelming mission of making a dictionary that may take more than a decade to accomplish. Therefore, this film was such a penetrating telling of an intriguing theme.

While watching The Great Passage, you will be stroked by two things: the story’s process and the characters’ portrayals and interactions. The first part is a quite slow narration of events that may not sound impressive at first sight. However, with the film progressing; many parts start to connect and the plot becomes as solid as ever. Moreover, light moments were also used to add some entertainment such as the editors eavesdropping on young girls’ conversation to find out new words invented by the younger generations. Although, this film may not be to everyone’s liking because of the theme and the very slow events’ development but I believe that was the perfect way of making such a film.

The second part is what makes the film quite special too; this film’s characterization was carefully handled to not appear surreal or lacking. For instance, the male lead Majime (literally translated as “serious”) was a quiet man who finds trouble with expressing himself; he’s always surrounded by books and has zero friends and thus no social abilities. The only one who’s able to understand him a little is his landlady. When such a man gets the chance to make a dictionary, he was inspired and determined to make it his life goal. In the meantime, he falls in love and starts struggling to win his lady’s heart, despite his lack of self-expression, while continuing his dream of making the dictionary come to life.

On the other hand there are his co-workers at the dictionary department; his fellows in this enormous mission of defining, refining and editing thousands of words in a modern-day dictionary. All of his colleagues were quite endearing but the most captivating character must’ve been Nishioka; an entirely opposite character of Majime; talkative, social and very affectionate; he was Majime’s right hand because dictionaries can’t be made by bookworms alone.

The acting was powerful. Matsuda Ryuhei is a very talented and versatile actor; I’ve got the chance to see him in five different roles so far and I loved him in all of those but this must be where I become a great fan of his acting style: expressive, calm but turns intense in need. His portrayal of Majime’s was perfect; he involves you with his character at every facial expression. Other actors were also quite good in here especially Miyazaki Aoi and Odagiri Joe, one heck of an iconic Japanese actor.

The selected music for this film was very well synchronized with the film’s theme and developments. It adds a great taste to the watching experience. The cinematography was also pretty well conveyed considering the fact that this film contained many time jumps from the 1995 till 2010.

Watch if:
-You’re interested in different types of films.
-You like watching inspirational films.
-You like to learn more about dictionaries.
-You like watching high-profile acting.

Do not watch if:
-You can’t handle slow films.
-You’re looking for romance.
-You’re not interested in dictionaries or words.
-You find inspiring stories “boring”.

The Great Passage is a motivating film that handles a different topic. It’s certainly not for everyone but if you can handle it then it’s undoubtedly one of those hidden gems that leave you with a smile on your face.

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Completed
20th Century Girl
123 people found this review helpful
by Noam
Oct 22, 2022
Completed 3
Overall 9.0
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
This review may contain spoilers

My heart is so warm but broken after this .

It was the perfect romcom movie , the entire plot , the story was so adorable , and their scenes together that just made me scream because of how cute they’re ????? . but then everything suddenly was so sad ???????

All I can say is that I knew from the beginning that there’s a sad ending but still watched it and enjoyed it even if I cried my eyes out at the end , and I’m not regretting . It’s was a perfect love story and I LOVE IT before the ending that surprise me until the very end . I was speechless and my heart was broken into pieces .

I feel like if you’re hesitant to watch it or not because of the ending , I still think you should give it a try .

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Completed
Sunny
77 people found this review helpful
Mar 1, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
I laughed, I cried and in-between I smiled. This movie is really awesome.
It's about a friendship between seven really different teenage girls that survives throughout time. It's a story about love and loyalty and how sweet memories can taste so that you smile every time you think about them. Everyone of us has those memories.
So this movie is about the real life. About the best times of our lifes. After watching it your heart will feel full, I promise.
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Completed
Always
50 people found this review helpful
by db30
Feb 23, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 10
Beautiful movie!

I was surprised to see how amazing this movie was made to be. I mean, I expected to be good, especially since the main lead is one of my favorites but the story of the movie was a tear-jerker.

It made you cry and smile at the same time because of how creatively the plot was. The actors did an amazing job and I think I've re-watched it about 3 times now in the same month. I don't re-watch movies, especially foreign ones, but this one was worth every single time.

If you do happen to stumble upon this, WATCH it! I promise you will not regret it!
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Completed
Egoist
67 people found this review helpful
by Thyella Finger Heart Award1
Jun 26, 2023
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

NOT a BL but a proper queer movie

I find it important to make it clear that this is not a formulaic BL aimed at a (mostly) female audience, who enjoy watching pretty men get it on. Yes, men fall in love in this movie and yes, there are sex scenes, but this is where the similarities to BL end.

This movie explores gay relationships and gay life in today's Japan without being overly dramatic, but also without any of the "Love is Love and it'll all be good in the end"-sugar coating we see in most BLs.

During the Q&A session at a film festival, the director Matsunaga Daishi said that he deliberately cast queer (amateur) actors in some roles (eg. Kosuke's friend group) to further LGBTQ representation.

Suzuki Ryohei is simply stunning in his portrayal of Kosuke. He manages with sometimes minimalistic expressions or what should be mundane tasks, such as drawing in his eyebrows, to portray a man, who has learned to navigate a world which is hardly accepting of the LGBTQ community. A man, who has armored himself with success and a seemingly hard shell, but who shows vulnerability and his true self in places and among people he knows he is welcome.

The movie isn't perfect. There are aspects of Kosuke's and Ryuta's relationship I wish it had explored in more depth, but it is impactful and (as I said before) Suzuki Ryohei's performance alone makes it very much worth a watch.

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Completed
Train to Busan
101 people found this review helpful
Sep 13, 2016
Completed 3
Overall 9.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
If you want the story, the actors, magnificant screenplay and feel your heart skipping a beat? Don't miss this great movie!!

This is one of the best zombie movies in the world. Yes it all has the same old same story, its lighthearted. But not all movie directors can make it so perfectly like they did here. The actors were amazing, all of them. I said 'wtf' troughout the whole movie, I could feel my heart pumping, heck, I am even sweating!
The music added so much emotion and tumult in this movie. It has the loads of action, thrilling scenes, gory parts and hair-raising parts troughout this movie.

Why am I so ridiculously excited? The good pacing of this movie, you get sucked into it the minute you watch it. The actors whom all did an excellent job, they were convincing, Ma dong Seok is like always the freaking badass. Everyone had their time and story in this movie. The CGI was greatly made and the actors of the zombies felt so real, the nasty bone breaking scenes and blood everywhere. The music added so much tension in everyscene.

I would rewatch this movie any day and I do think this will be one of first Korean movies to be seen around the globe, because here in my home town, where they never heard of Kdrama land, now knows about this movie.

A 100% must watch!

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Completed
Tune in for Love
118 people found this review helpful
Nov 4, 2019
Completed 3
Overall 7.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 7.0
Watching this movie gave me butterflies. I was giddy the whole time. Kim Go Eun and Jung Hae In have such beautiful chemistry. I felt like I was falling in love with them as they fell in love with each other. The playlist is also AMAZING and befitting of the film's title.

That being said, the time gaps were poorly done. Conflict arises over situations that could easily be fixed. The breakups and reunions are very clumsily done. Definitely not a movie to watch for the story but more so for the feeling it leaves you with.
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Completed
Congrats My Ex!
40 people found this review helpful
Nov 18, 2023
Completed 3
Overall 7.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

Good but not memorable

Watching this movie was a pretty fun experience. There were many cringe moments but it was still enjoyable to witness the amalgamation of Thai-Indo culture.

Both leads had cute chemistry but the plot was not that great, very average. Their representation of Indian weddings was accurate, covering major functions like Mehendi, Sangeet, and the wedding (although Haldi was missed). I loved the Sangeet and wedding events.

Coming to drawbacks firstly, there were too many cringe moments. FL's friends were so cringe.

Secondly, the ex of FL, Arun, was still in love with FL and just a day before the wedding, he expressed confusion about his feelings. His bride listened and broke off their wedding but the leads somehow convinced her and in the end they got married. This was a very weak point in the storyline; I don't think this marriage will last longer than a year.

The comedy was good in some parts but in others it was so cringe.

Overall, it was a pretty fun experience to watch this movie.

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Completed
Shoot My Heart
57 people found this review helpful
by wavy3
Nov 9, 2015
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 10
Well, this is the first and probably only review I'll ever write because I just have to say: I adore this movie. It is my favorite movie ever. Where to even start?

This movie is not a comedy. Although there are some funny moments, it is a very deep, beautiful, and touching story. I don't think anyone but Yeo Jin-Goo could have so thoroughly brought Soo-Myung to life - his every expression is PERFECT and seriously this boy tells stories without ever opening his mouth. His character is the perfect foil for Lee Min-Ki's Seung-Min, and their bromantic chemistry is just amazing.

The way the two main characters interact and influence each other leads to perfectly executed character development. I'm trying to write a serious review here but all I want to do is gush endlessly. This is very much a character-driven movie, but the pacing is just right, and you certainly won't ever be bored!

I have a weakness for stories focusing on friendship and another weakness for anything psychology related. I think the way the film handles the topic of mental illness is appropriate - it shows you hardships but it also doesn't leave you feeling hopeless.

It doesn't get too into detail with the side characters and their problems, but instead focuses on Soo-Myung and Seung-Min's issues and growth, which I actually think is a good thing, because it allowed them to fully develop - which is not to say the supporting characters are flat, because they aren't, and they are able to shine in their own right without taking the spotlight away from the mains.

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Completed
The Handmaiden
108 people found this review helpful
Sep 5, 2016
Completed 1
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 7.0
This was a near-perfect movie. It's been highly talked about and so I was eager to watch it. I am glad I waited a bit to watch it with subtitles and didn't watch it raw because I wouldn't have understood it well. FYI it's a highly bilingual film and the characters use both Japanese and Korean heavily in it.

The story is excellent. You can see how much effort the writer and director put into it right from the first scene. While it gets dark and depressing, there is also a light tone to it during some parts. This is the first time I have watched a lesbian Korean movie and found myself highly loving it. While the two women serve as the main characters, Ha Jeong Woo also plays the male lead and has quite a presence throughout. During the entire course of the film, it will give you the feeling of reading a book than watching a film. It's poetic and literary in its narration and the atmosphere of the movie just amplifies all the best parts about the film.

There were a few erotic scenes but I felt like they were tastefully filmed. The girls have good chemistry with each other and Ha Jeong Woo was the perfect barrier between them. I was impressed by how well all three spoke Japanese in the movie (also the supporting cast). Plus the era the film is set in makes it a hundred times more interesting. It's intriguing to see Korea portrayed under the rule of Japan and you can see how much Korean culture was influenced by the Japanese during then. You could watch the movie just for the periodic setting and even then you could enjoy it for that solely as well.

What's cool about the movie is the plot- the conning, friendship, romance, perversion and obsession. There's also a slight revenge aspect to the story which was the main twist and made this movie way more likable. Also the costumes, sets and dialogues are what made it so fun. I swear I blushed during a few parts of the film because I never realized how erotic Japanese can sound with the right diction.

If you wanna know what sets this movie apart, it's the setting/era (undoubtedly) and also the ending. YES. The ending makes it all worth it. The entire 2+ hours will fly by and you will not even notice it. And the twist was so, so clever. Kudos to the writer.

Only watch it if you are over 18 or a mature teen. There are some scenes of torture and hints of BDSM and perversion. They are not too overbearing so do not worry. Just sit down and enjoy it- like me. The ending makes it the best thing ever. TRUST ME.

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Completed
The Classic
48 people found this review helpful
Feb 4, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10
I expected this to be a typical teen romance movie, but it stole my heart. The story tricked me until the very end. I loved every bit of it.

You get a double story in the end with her and her mother's love story. This certainly is the perfect mix of gushy romance with coming of age.

Much MUCH better than Romeo and Juliet by far. It's more satisfying than sad at the end and worth the watch! Perfect for a girl's night. My friends dread subtitles but they had nothing to complain about when it was over.

Although, I give the music a nine because I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to hear it.

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