This review may contain spoilers
def worth a watch but missing a lot of details
First of all, I was SO scared to watch this film as I HATE watching anything that has to do with SA, especially when involving a child and then to know how it's based on a true case made it worse, but I AM happy I watched it now! I am not going to judge the storyline as this is someone's life but knowing details that weren't involved in the film, I am glad about the way they did it in movie, they included enough real-life details to get the point across without including some of the other heartbreaking details of this case. I felt iffy about this honestly as this is a movie about someone else and i thought maybe they were just doing it to do it but either way it gives the case more attention and it def deserves more attention because of now, the monster is now released from prison even after multiple protests and petitions with other 600.000 signatures. The acting was top notch, I feel the actors did an amazing job making me feel the emotions they were supposed to act out. Such a heartbreaking movie and story. you should DEF give it a watchWas this review helpful to you?
Excellent Filmography & Action Sequences
The movie has an interesting premise and I was excited to give it a try. From the beginning, the story was executed very smoothly and with great mirror/reflection sequences to show what the main character currently looked like. It was really cool to see those reflections used so creatively without any problems. As you watch through the movie, you will slowly piece together the entire story at what I thought was a relatively good pace. However, there were some moments where it felt a bit slow and some unclear parts about the plot that were left unanswered. Also, there are many great fight sequences in the movie which were fun to watch. The cast was also amazing, especially Yoon Kyesang, who pulled off the action scenes and body switches really well. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a great action movie.Was this review helpful to you?
Along With the Gods 2: The Last 49 Days
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PROS:
+ There are some great elements to the complex and imaginative story that form a strong connection between the main characters and the viewer
+ A lot of the "afterlife" scenes are beautiful and interesting to look at; at times looking like "frameable" artwork pieces
+ Don Lee is loveable and cool (the Uncle role suits him well)
+ This film has some issues, but boredom isn't one of them
CONS:
- There are too many layers to the story (and far too many characters) to keep track of within the run-time
- This movie is quite lengthy, yet it seems to have missing details which can make it confusing
- The plot relies HEAVILY upon the first movie [you will need to remember everything or you will be even more confused]
This movie is a beautiful mess. Everything about it is awkward and hard to follow, but it looks so cool that you don't want to turn it off.
At times it feels like three different movies [they eventually do connect]. One of these stories is the highlight of the whole franchise!
If you enjoy the fantasy concepts of afterlife and trials to reincarnation, then these are worth watching.
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PROS:
+ The multi-genre presentation is surprisingly well done and diverse, ranging from a war drama to a stylish gun-savvy action flick
+ While the film is long, it never really drags or loses momentum
+ The drama elements are touching and add a delicate, personal touch to the characters and their momentous tale
+ Jacky Cheung is a star and nails his role perfectly [even during the moral lapse moments, you will always cheer him on!]
+ There are actually a few profound life lessons to be learned from the themes of Bullet in the Head [this is the reason it outclasses most action movies]
+ There are PLENTY of explosions, gunfights, and "slow-motion" shots to easily identify John Woo's signature style
CONS:
- The musical score is awful, unfitting, and cheesy; it makes it feel like a low-budget made-for-TV experience at times
- Some of the thematic moments of contrast are not as well executed (example - jarring jumps in tone from hopeful/cheery to drab/doomed)
- There are a few editing transitions that look unprofessional [almost like Power Point fades and sweeps]
Well, this is not an easy film to digest. BUT, it is an easy one to enjoy and appreciate!
The heavy themes, long run-time, and Vietnam war scenes make this a hard watch. I recommend taking a break to process and jumping back in. This movie is great, even with the shortcomings!
Seriously though, I felt a lot while watching this movie. That is a rare statement when talking about action movies.
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PROS:
+ The character and plot development is handled expertly and connects the viewer with a strong, empathetic bond
+ None of the emotions conveyed ever feel cheap or ingenuine
+ The visual presentation is strong with impressive camera shots in the dilapidated urban setting
CONS:
- Some of the decisions made by the main character are frustrating, but simulate circumstances well enough
- The incredible, in-depth tale comes at a price: a very long movie with slower pacing [good luck if you're sleepy]
I enjoyed Better Days as much as I'd hope I would.
It's hard to find great development and strong writing in a lot of modern dramas. This fills that void perfectly.
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PROS:
+ Totally impressive storytelling method that tricks the viewer by starting out as a mundane, follow-along and transforms into an intelligent and unique dramatic thriller
+ There is a powerful point to the film that reflects upon society's often apathetic views on mental health
+ Once the movie rears its thriller head, the atmosphere is chilling and tense
+ Unlike many other thrillers, there is a perspective element that reveals exactly HOW one mentally ill person could become a _______
CONS:
- The first half of the movie ranges from being (tonally) silly to becoming dialogue-heavy and sleep-inducing
- The weakest link in the film is the lack of appropriate understanding of the main characters' motives/beliefs; a lot of these aspects are assumed until some revelations near the end
I'm speechless. While this movie requires some personal analysis/ponderings to properly reflect on the substances, it became a totally unexpectedly precious experience.
Prepare for some tears. Prepare to reflect upon your own life legacy.
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PROS:
+ A fun and silly tone that consists of slapstick comedy and impressive kung-fu fights
+ Great cast of interesting, memorable main characters that have equally good chemistry
+ A couple of memorable scenes feature some awesome stunts
CONS:
- Disjointed and messy plot that seems random many times
- Most of the movie is just a comedy film, rather than a marital arts film
- There are only a few scenes that feature Jackie Chan
- Some of the humor carries on for too long (Example: setting up pranks takes several minutes for a single laugh)
This was surprising, because I was going in anticipating another funny and cool kung-fu film starring Jackie Chan. This is none of that. However, it is still a great time!
I laughed a lot and got even more excited when I saw the (seldom) more action-packed parts that I initially anticipated to be the majority of the film.
Side note: There is literally a car chase scene where Jackie Chan pursues thieves while on roller skates. If that doesn't sound amazing, this movie is NOT for you.
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PROS:
+ Pretty much everything that made Winners & Sinners good is present here, just in MUCH smaller amounts
+ There is actually more action present [if you can make it past the first half]
+ A couple of the comedic elements are actually quite funny
CONS:
- The overall pacing is EXTREMELY slow for this kind of movie
- There are also many issues with the plot as it is boring and confusing a lot of the time
- At least one of the jokes is uncomfortable to be seen around family members [dealing with r***]
- Ironically, even though most of the cast is the same, the new characters are less likeable (even Jackie)
I actually wanted to fast forward through most of this movie... I enjoyed parts of it, but I can't wholly recommend this.
The payoff for all of the boredom was mediocre at best.
6.5/10
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PROS:
+ Decently well casted action film with a likeable protagonist (Chow Yun-Fat)
+ LOTS of crazy gun fights and explosions, especially the during finale
+ (Mostly) cheesy tone that has its charming qualities [full of attitude and quippy rhetoric]
+ 90s hyper-violence galore
CONS:
- There is a lot of room for improvement in the editing department [some cuts/transitions even give off a SEGA CD "full motion video" game attribute]
- While the plot is simple enough to figure out once it gets started, it can be a mess to follow in the beginning
FINAL THOUGHTS - Well, there isn't a ton to say about Hard Boiled besides it is a John Woo movie that ticks most of the boxes.
What Hard Boiled lacks is the finesse that normally accompanies Woo's signature style. The one positive aspect to take away from this fact is that the movie is chaotic and less predictable.
This will be best enjoyed by 90s action fans who want to see the early legacies of action pillars, John Woo and Chow Yun-Fat.
7/10
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PROS:
+ The dense, dark, unusual tone adds lots of intrigue to the film
+ Some of the obsession themes are very well done and actually disturbing
+ There is some extremely graphic imagery that is utilized well to create shock and fear of the mysterious obsession taking over the town
+ Cool and unorthodox camera shots that spin in spiral motions to mimic the plot device
CONS:
- The mystery is quite interesting, but has quite a few issues
- Many details in the plot are sorely missed
- Most of the acting is stoic and unexpressive
I have a soft spot for early 00s era J-horror movies. Uzumaki really makes me want more though. I guess I will just read the Junji Ito manga of which the film was adapted from.
The overall mood is absolutely amazing to experience! It reminds me of the live action sections of James and the Giant Peach, because it's almost dream-like.
Even though some aspects are disappointing, I really think this is still a good time.
7/10
(Now, I will never look at the Sega Dreamcast logo the same...)
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PROS:
+ Outstanding 2000s, moody tone that pairs nicely with the story
+ Interesting story/concept
+ While the pacing is slow, it never gets boring
+ Deep amount of details to the main characters
CONS:
- Despite dishing out plenty of action, GANTZ is more of a mystery/drama
- Some scenes are unsettlingly silent and absent of notable background music
I'm glad I finally got around to watching GANTZ! There are several aspects of other movies present here. Surprisingly, it handles everything in a cohesive, mature, and interesting manner.
I've never watched the anime, so I don't know how this compares. This film is strange and cool enough for me to recommend regardless!
8/10
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PROS:
+ Deeper explanation of the mystery presented in the first film
+ The plot is still pretty interesting with multiple layers to ponder
+ Cool characters return
CONS:
- The run-time feels too long
- The pacing is extremely slow, even after the action starts
If you liked the first one, check this out! There are a lot of things keeping this from being as cool as the first one, but it is still entertaining.
7/10
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PROS:
+ Even the cheesy camera shots and music are tastefully and artistically executed
+ The cool, and stylish aesthetic is incredibly strong and almost self-aware
+ Each and every gunshot and explosion is incredibly satisfying and fascinating to witness due to the unrivaled film choreo/direction
+ There is a sense of tragic humor, irony, and justice present in the overall tone that few films have attempted
+ Purely awesome characters that are as memorable as they are cool
CONS:
- Lots and lots of violence and over-the-top scenarios will turn some away
- Many action moments aren't quite believable (this could also be a positive aspect)
I'm glad to say that I'm a big fan of John Woo's style!
This has many parts from Woo's other older films and executes an action drama that may be his strongest classic film.
9/10
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PROS
+ Well-paced story that has everything you'd expect plus a little bit of emotion
+ Clear character motives and a very likeable protagonist
+ While there aren't a ton of fight scenes, the ones shown are very satisfying
+ Nice balance of comedic relief and serious moments keep the plot interesting
CONS
- Although the runtime is 2 hours, it seems short
- The movie feels very comfortable, but lacks anything completely new or unique
- - - - -
This is a good intro to Korean movies, since it feels pretty familiar to some American action thrillers.
Don Lee is too cool to be missed.
8/10
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PROS
+ Cool and stylish neo film noire structure and atmosphere
+ Incredibly interesting plot (with some issues in execution)
+ Some nice acting performances that remind me of the silent era with the exaggerated motions and expressions
CONS
- The first half is well done, however the second act unravels a bit with its pacing
- All of the action is presented in an uninteresting way with slow movements, knife fights, floor grabbing/stabbings, etc. (not much kinetic action to be seen)
- A lot of scenes are slow, silent, and have sub context to be pondered which makes the direction feel like a straight up drama rather than a satisfying thriller
- - - - -
Honestly, this wasn't really what I wanted or expected, but I'm glad I watch it! Soo makes up for its short-comings with a lot of interesting ideas in its plot, tone, and strangely haunting final fight.
If you watch Soo, pay attention and soak in the aesthetics and you'll surely enjoy something about it like I did!
6.5/10
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