Reviews

Fascinating and thrilling

I find this movie quite interesting. Yang Mi's acting here is way much better than some of the series that she has acted in. I actually like the tough Yang Mi compared to a few previous shows I watched of hers that is like a weak female. She also doesn't sound that high pitch and softie in this movie either. If you are looking for some action and mystery and thrilling + excitement and you find the synopsis to your interest, then this would be an interesting first watch. There are a variety of action, suspense and not to mention sad moments.

I was definitely watching with gripping "omg what will happen after this" moments but I will say that I bawled my eyes out seeing how the guide dog died. That was heart jerking and my extremely in need of alot of tissues moment. But other than that, it definitely is a recommended movie for people who love action and thrillers.

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Between the living and the dead

Exhuma is an explosive mixture of south korean folklore and mythicism. It effectively evokes the universal dread and mystery regarding the afterlife.

Our group of leading characters are the perfect bridge between the spiritual and supernatural, never quite here or there, always between the two worlds. Great atmosphere, never looses the steam, with memorable moments.

But then it reaches the mid point of the film. This is a strong story, but the uneasiness and tension goes away, and never quite reaches the same high as the first half.

This film is ambitious and creative. The cinematography outstanding and visually delivering the eerie emotions you are supposed to feel in every scene. It helps that the effects are mostly practical as well, which it's marvelous to watch nowadays.

Horror film fans will be satisfied but this story is more of a mix of genres. There are no traditional jump scares but very well crafted world building and character development that will immerse you in the film experience.

I do recommend watching this film without knowing anything about the story or the characters for a bigger impact.

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Bloody, Lonely, Cold, Foreigner, Sad, Hungry…

For the first hour of the movie, I was completely absorbed, watching Loh Kiwan navigate life as a North Korean immigrant in Belgium. Eyes wide open, I tried to catch any information that would explain why he escaped China. I went in blind, avoiding the synopsis because they tend to spoil my fun or mess with my expectations. All I knew was that Song Joong Ki played the role of a broken man trying to survive—survive his sadness, his loss, and the harshness of life.

Then she appeared—the main lead—a little thief who stole his wallet, the last memento from his mother. The plot was “good,” though sometimes slow. It tackled the significant subject of immigration and the lengths people go to for a better life, as well as the individual stories behind each immigrant.

However, the female lead's story overshadowed this focus. More attention should have been on Loh Kiwan's journey. Their love story felt rushed, as if key moments between them were missing. They couldn’t have fallen in love over just a silent meal.

Song Joong Ki did a fantastic job, portraying every emotion convincingly and being sweetly kind. However, the representation of the locals was poor, possibly to emphasize Loh Kiwan’s suffering, but still lacking.

In conclusion, it could have been much better. The ending is open to discussion, so I’m rating it an 8/10.

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Eternal Love

What started as a bleak and sad movie became something I wasn't expecting. Some of the attempts he made were shown and it was so sad to watch. I'm not gonna lie: I cried at the end...even though it's actually a comedy!

As the film progressed, the male lead blossomed. He tried things he would never have tried (you will have to watch it to see why) and slowly became someone he wasn't expecting or thought he could become. I can't emphasise how sweet it was and how much I wanted it to work out well.

Overall, I saw it as a confirmation that (a) we don't know or understand everything that is working in our lives and (b) life changes can hang on one thing that you have done.

What I liked: the acting and transformation of the male lead was just brilliant. He went from a nerdy, desperately sad guy to a more confident, interesting guy.
It was really funny - the other characters in the lead's life were sometimes hilarious.
The pacing of the movie was right.

What I didn't like: the male lead sometimes made me cringe with his lethargy and negativity.....but it's understandable given the beginning of the movie.

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I've seen this movie 100 times already

After Sundown is so cookie-cutter with many, many, MANY played out BL tropes. From forbidden gay love between master and servant to childhood friends who have only met once and yet fell in love. Since it's only an hour and forty minute film, I don't mind the sudden shift between enemies to lovers. What I do mind is that it is addressed ONCE in the film with a necklace and a single flashback. A personal pet peeve of mind in BL, since I find the trope of childhood friends who met once in their lifetimes lazy and a cop out for why our male leads fall in love with one another. Same goes for the forbidden love between master and servant, I love Never Let Me Go but I didn't even really care for it in their Our Sky 2 episodes either.

The only semi-interesting plot point about this film is the dead grandmother's ghost cursing Rawi (NuNew). Since she was jealous of the gay love of her husband who was forced to marry her. Again, a lazy boring trope that brings nothing to the table. The half assed side couple was also embarrassing to watch, they actually only got a single scene and were completely pushed to the side after. Like? Okay? I understand we're supposed to assume that they end up together cause BL Side Couple Law says so. But still, kind of hard to care about characters that the movie doesn't even bother with for more than a couple minutes of screentime.

The only compliment I can give this movie is production and scene quality, and of course ZeeNuNew, (The reason I watched this in the first place). Despite not particularly liking the setting I could appreciate the work and detail put into it. Both the scenery and clothing were appealing to look at and ZeeNuNew's chemistry kept me somewhat interested in the film.

But unless you're a big fan of ZeeNuNew and don't mind a very safe and boring film, I cannot recommend this movie.

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‘Mr Vampire’ in Korean version

This is a Korean take on Exorcism…some nostalgia familiarity to the good old Hong Kong movie, Mr Vampire. Watched this because of reviews.
I grew up watching Hong Kong horror drama involving exorcism, spirit and zombie. So I was pleasantly surprised by this movie which is based on Korean culture also has some similar elements such as rituals, calling spirit, Feng Shui, ancestors’ grave shifting, exorcism etc. It even had a darker urban legend as the back story about what Japanese Yin-Yang master done to Korean Feng Shui by breaking Korea into two countries. And there was a subtle theme of how a country and people survived this ordeal (war), trauma stays with them.
Brief plot without reviewing much, is about one veteran (a Feng Shui master), a funeral director and two new practitioners (a Sharman and her disciple), these four came together because of their client’s ancestor grave mystery and uncovered a darker past. Facing life danger situation, they will have to use their expertise to fight the unknown.
Brilliant writing, good pacing, good acting.
If you like this type of drama, this is definitely worth the watch.

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No tomb-digging, just literally an expanded storyline about the downfalls of the mc

ISTG THIS IS THE PREQUEL TO CITT IM REQUESTING AN EDIT TF NOWWWW
So i randomly search the grave robbing tag and came across this movie released in 2024? I can not find info about it being part of Candle in the tomb from iQiyi, and other irrelevant websites. BUT I KID YOU NOT

1:24:47 provides the famous phrase that unites each Candle in the Tomb story "鬼吹灯“, 6:17 mentions his grandson is Hu bayi, along with his best friend Wag kaixuan 6:27.

So i'm taking it upon myself to add the related titles.

STORY
honestly this story was confusing at time, started out with a horror set out of rats coexisting as humanoids but like never explained that storyline apart from oh there is a precious smart rat passed down generations that watches over you like a guardian angel....? The story remincines over Hu Bayi's grandpa in his younger years, where he is framed, cheated, and basically experiences supernatural horrors that lead him towards death's hands.

Basically the story synopsis on MDL gives you the entire plot of the movie.

The frustrating thing is. the movie literally gives you 5 mins about the MC character development... what? exactly, its not really a worth film to watch. there is some superstitions that are played with buts that what 4/5 of the story is. Yea the story dives into/sets up a little romance storyline but is quickly extinguished and moves back to all the bad misfortunes the mc deals with lol

The only good thing would prolly be the ending where the legacy passes onto Hubayi through the famous phrase "Ghost blows candles".

ACTING/MUSIC
Okay i guess, not super wow thats life changing acting but also not super super poor. The music is dramatic when it needs to be.

Its a subpar story nothing really special, kind of a waste of time, nothing valuable really attracts me. The mini horror supernatural phenomemons are somewhat interesting but are all undermined as they never really tie into a major storyline that gives them important meaning + plus they were all hallucinations.

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Everyone should watch this and have to feel it.

I heard the story based on reallife event. I don't know it's true or not. But, similar cases are happened in my country. It's really painful. There are so many things to learn from the movie. This movie shows the reality of the society and the law.
The part when reporters curious about the girl and her parents, but not showing the rapists face. The way they interrogate the victim. And in the end Judge not even try to understand situation or future outcomes from emotional viewpoint. The way the man trying to play victim is just inhumane. but, these all happens in our society too. that majed me more sad.

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lol its a 'dont drink and drive' propaganda movie

AGAIN, this is NOT a comedy. It is a movie about learning morals, kind of like a meaningful life's message story. It does have its tiny giggles here and there but it is more ,,, philosophical in a way?

The story revisits six key figures that all have something to do with late night driving and their own specific struggles. Li bo who is the one uniting factor somehow crosses paths with them and helps them gain the post-nut clarity conscience to continue with their life and change their course of life to steer away from regrets. This story I would recommend those who relate to moody late night drives, as their is a tale for you in each scenario.

All stories and characters hold interesting arcs, which help reveals to us bit by bit his character, background and all which ties the story together in a neat way. And it does so with a specific cinematic sequence and sound to resonate the beginning of a new story.

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The Snake, the Tiger, the Crane and the Flamingo?

Despite the title of the movie, Emperor of Shaolin Kung Fu, this was Nancy Yen’s movie as the 3rd Princess and sole royal survivor when rebels overthrew the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Wang Hsieh played the usurper, Li Tzu Cheng, and the target of the princess’ ire and revenge.

As Li Tzu Cheng and his army storm the palace, the emperor orders his family to kill themselves. His 3rd daughter argues that her father needs to live to fight another day. In response to her plea, he swipes his sword at her cutting her arm off in the process. 3rd Princess escapes to a Buddhist temple where she heals and regroups. She sets out to bring Li down, finding warriors loyal to the monarchy and traitors along the way.

Nancy Yen was believable as the one-armed princess seeking the death of Li Tzu Cheng (Li Zi Cheng). Unfortunately, 3rd Princess tended to take on Li and his fighters with only one fighter each time she attacked which was always doomed to failure. There was a rather lengthy section of her either acting or having gone mad which dragged on too long. The rebels finally had their chance when Wu Sangui and his army drove Li out. The princess and those loyal to the monarchy confronted the vicious Li Tzu Cheng but only at great cost.

Lo Lieh made an appearance as a wandering warrior who joined her. I’m of the belief Lo makes everything he’s in better, even in a sparkly blue costume. Dean Shek showed up as a deadly scholar. And finally, Carter Wong arrived in the last 30 minutes, as a butcher and fighter devoted to his mother. The fights were okay. Most were sword fights, until Carter’s last fight where he used a variety of styles. Each style had a quick glimpse of the animal the style mimicked. The crane looked suspiciously like a pink flamingo which was hilarious. Wang Hsieh in another of the truly awful wigs he was known for wearing once again played the villain with his typical glee. The sides were badly cropped in the print I saw which cut out much of the action.

Emperor of Shaolin Kung Fu aka The Snake, The Tiger, The Crane aka Lord Chuang, Li Tzu Cheng wasn’t great but was watchable due to the actors involved. Nancy Yen made a fierce, vengeful princess who would ultimately become the legendary One-Armed Nun. She was joined by familiar faces with enough action to keep it from becoming too boring. If you enjoy old kung fu films and don’t mind one that has degraded some, this 1980 Taiwanese flick might be one to try.

23 May 2024

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campy and wonderful up until the very end

This movie treats you to a cliche but very enjoyable time with lovable characters and mostly very good acting---up until the last 8 minutes, when with no warning at all the movie punches you in the face and breaks your nose, and then steals your wallet. It wouldn't be so brutal or shocking if the movie hadn't done such a great job of making you care, so that's one point in its favor... but personally, being punched in the face makes it hard for me to appreciate the good stuff that happened earlier.

Watch #2 made it clearer to me that:
1. this is kind of a Bad Movie. Pick at most 3 genres, or at least do a better job of cycling between them instead of doing a linear speedrun? The confusing political side of the plot is revealed by rewatching as just very thin and absurd. I don't mind dumb action movies as long as they've got heart, characters, and good acting, and this one does, so we'll call it a draw.
2. this delivers very concentrated gay vibes and [what reads to westerners as] innuendo --- even for a Korean drama
3. ....I just really liked it, ok!!!!!!
4. I still don't rec watching the last 8 minutes (even the last 30, once they get up on the roof, is all pretty samey), but do listen to the voiceover at the very end (see #2).

Can't comment on the music because I didn't notice it. Can comment on the fact that they love breaking car windshields, but then (every single time!) there's a continuity error where the window is immediately whole again. This happened at least 3-4 separate times and made me feel a bit crazy. Also, the point of pointing a gun at someone is to shoot them if they attempt to do something you don't want them to do, but in the back half of this movie it's used more like punctuation marks on what the characters are saying and is never prevents any character from doing exactly what they want regardless. Why bother!!

In short: if they wanted this to be a serious movie, they had to try harder at being serious. I don't feel bad about mentally cutting it up for parts!

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Film version of 'In a Relationship'

After airing the 17 episodes of 'In a Relationship', between June 10 and July 24, 2022, its 17 episodes (the first fifteen of approximately three to five minutes each, and the last two, lasting between twelve and fourteen minutes), are taken, with the same title, to a film version in an 87-minute format.
This is the result.
Review:
With the speed of survival we have insisted on forgetting the pandemic, focused on the new challenges that life imposes, day by day.
And there is the art to bear witness to how Covid-19 changed the world as we knew it until then, and among these changes stands out the way in which human beings manage to communicate and establish diverse relationships, including romantic ones, amid limitations of not being able to interact face to face with others.
'In a Relationship', the romantic series with an LGBTIQ+ theme, directed and produced by Napat Worakitpunya, allows us to appreciate the emergence of a love relationship between two teenagers, against the backdrop of social networks and the period of incidence of the pandemic in our lives.
This is one of the BL series produced by Jinloe Media Work, the studio that has also made 'Hit Bite Love' (2023), 'What the Duck' (2018) and its sequel 'What the Duck 2: Final Call' (2019 ).
Starring Nine Trin Summasub, as Tono, and Pea Pearanut Athicomnanta, in the role of Boss, the 2022 Thai drama takes us into characters whose existences are affected by the circumstances of a pandemic that disrupts everything in its path. However, in an indistinct manner, but at the same time in close union, each of them manages to recognize in the sad event the possibility of loving each other, growing as people, the power of forgiveness and second chances.
With a script by Chim Sedthawut Inboon, Tono, a teenager with a growing reputation among online video game players, is presented as the central axis of the plot. One day, while he is live streaming and recording one of his videos, a user he later identifies as Boss criticizes his gaming skills in a chat room. Annoyed, Tono confronts him and they both agree to participate in a video game competition to see who is the best.
After losing the game, Tono must fulfill the winner's three demands: The last request is that Tono become her boyfriend! Reluctant to comply with this demand, Tono will be forced to listen to the constant flirting of the person who claims to have been in love with him for some time.
Will Boss manage to change his social media status to "in a relationship"? Will love arise between these two teenagers? Will they manage to nurture a loving bond beyond any screen? Will they be aware that the true essence of a relationship lies in the mutual understanding, support and love that is built day by day, surpassing virtual scenarios?
The truth is that this is how Boss and Tono begin a relationship, friendly first, romantic later, thanks to cultivating meaningful conversations every day, like those of any teenager of our days, building memories and strengthening emotional bonds.
Boss is a well-defined character. For some time now he has been aware of his sexual identity, and he finds himself caught between the desire to be honest with himself and with the boy he loves, as he fears suffering a new love rejection for having his face marked by youthful acne. That is why he has communicated through a filter and hides his true identity from Tono.
But despite this dark side, the character created by Pea Pearanut Athicomnanta turns out to be more than the simple playboy he can seem every time he flirts. He understands when Tono needs space and backs away, but he still shows his love and sends constant signals of support to the teenager in difficult times, such as during Tono's illness, or when he is upset because his friend Jade has decided not to play with him.
Knowing and loving Tono will make him grow as a person and trust in himself.
For his part, Tono is a boy without major conflicts in his life. Busy with video games and virtual classes due to the pandemic, he has only suffered from his parents' divorce. His character goes through several very different moments throughout the series. She experiences intense feelings when Boss confesses his love for her, and emotional stress when she suspects that the young man she loves has been playing with her feelings.
Tono shows maturity when he forgives Boss and by encouraging him to be himself and grow as a person. Through her relationship with Boss, Tono will discover not only her sexual identity, but also her true feelings and first love.
At first, I find his performance a little uncomfortable, but as the episodes progress, we can see an actor who takes on the role of a typical teenager of our days, giving it his own interpretation and meaning, as he focuses on his goal and fight for what he wants.
Isolated from everything and everyone, even his family members, who are never shown on screen nor are there any references to them, Tono navigates between doubts and insecurities, while trying to understand his own feelings. Can a boy fall in love with another boy?
Although sometimes a certain lack of rhythm is felt in the progression, the best moments of 'In a Relationship' are reserved for the final episodes, when the story gains in maturity and complexity by deepening the plot in the themes addressed, managing to enrich the dynamics of the love relationship and add a fascinating growing tension between the characters.
Intimately and emotionally, 'In a Relationship' addresses universal themes such as the search for authenticity, discovery, personal acceptance, second chances, identity, friendship and love, with a refreshing and sensitive narrative. Along the way, both young people discover much more about themselves and what love and friendship really mean.
The two boys will begin a journey that will change their lives forever. During it, Boss and Tono develop an unexpected and deep connection as they share their personal stories, fears, preferences and dreams.
The music of TheMoonwillalwaysbewithme, Foam and Boxx Music Team helps capture the beauty of first love and self-discovery in adolescence, with totally recognizable boys, but at the same time with the pain of lying.
With evocative cinematography limited by the pandemic scenario, the series immerses us in a crucial moment in the lives of its protagonists where emotions are on the surface.
The series explores many of the challenges that we can encounter every day on social networks and messaging applications, such as the possibility of someone lying or hiding their true identity because they feel ashamed of their own life or body, the prospect of closing distances with people who are far from us; the way to understand, approach and expose our personal life and our relationships, or suffer from the FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) syndrome caused by dependence on social networks.
Likewise, 'In a Relationship' portrays other of the daily challenges faced by people on social networks, who may feel that they are constantly in contact, but the quality and depth of their conversations may decrease. Or what is related to the emotional tone, which is often misinterpreted in texts and messages, which can generate unnecessary conflicts, due to the lack of eye contact and body language, essential for effective communication.
That is the reason why Tono frequently demands the need to complement digital communication through real, in-person connection. That is, being able to see yourself outside of virtual spaces, to be able to openly communicate your feelings, concerns, doubts and insecurities... in short, give free rein to love.
For this reason, I applaud that final scene in which the empty chairs that have always been occupied by our two protagonists prevail, because finally both, after the dangers of the pandemic have disappeared, have met outside the screens of their digital devices.
The review of the series published in MDL can be found at: https://mydramalist.com/731171-in-a-relationship/reviews

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Review of 'As Long as We Both Live' also known as 'My Happy Marriage' / わたしの幸せな結婚

I first watched this in October of 2003. Later I watched the anime, then I read the first two light novel volumes covering the events of the anime and the movie, and then watched the OVA, which covers the final chapter of the second light novel. Finally, I rewatched this movie. I can tell you that it's a lovely story.

I wrote the following in my thread in X last year after watching both movie and anime:

'@akm_ag先生の「わたしの幸せな結婚」がとても好きです。

Both the movie and anime are one of the best things I've watched this year. It's basically patterned after Cinderella, but what I like about it is discovering midway that it's also an Ugly Duckling story. ....'

see https://x.com/patkarunungan/status/1741487343046119869 for more)

It is a very emotional story. It is touching how she later discovered her gift and became the beautiful swan that she is instead of the ugly duckling the people around her thought her to be.

I believe many people have already written on the merits of the movie itself. I will just list some of the differences between the mediums.

*If you first watch the movie, which was the case in Japan — the movie was released before the anime — you might get confused about what's really happening, but it's good enough as an intro.

On a rewatch, you will appreciate some of the details that you missed on your first watch, but you will inevitably get annoyed at some of the omitted material.

*Whilst the voice actors of the anime did well, the chemistry between this movie's couple is better. It's worth watching just for that alone.

*The ending of the movie is cinematic and in my opinion better than what actually happened in the anime. Both the anime (first season and OVA) and movie covered the events of the first two light novels. I reckon that the producers of this film made this as a stand-alone and that no sequel will be made, which is probably why they made such changes in the film.

*Since the movie had to delete certain scenes and did not elaborate, I recommend that anyone who loves this movie and wants some more start over at the beginning of the anime and/or the light novels.

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