Reviews

Absolutely not what I expected

I didn't know what to expect going into this movie but I was still pleasantly surprised. Not only is the approach to the topic of bdsm a really interesting one but also the cast fit their roles super well, in my opinion.
First of all, I generally love Lee Joonyoung as an actor, he's brilliant in so many different roles. Second, Seohyun did an amazing job portraying her character and the development of it.

I've watched this movie so many times just because I really enjoy it and I won't ever get bored of it.

For anyone who cares, here's what I wrote on letterboxd about it last year:

I've actually watched this a few times already and I really like it. I went in with super low expectations because how well can a Korean movie cover the topic of bdsm? Well, it can do a lot better then I thought. It showed a side of bdsm and kink outside of the sexual realm, which is a nice breath of fresh air. Of course, it was still somewhat "family-friendly" but that isn't surprising. I did appreciate the more subtle nature of some of the scenes and some were definitely more overt with their coverage of the topic at hand.

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"A decade, is that a long time or no time at all?"

Going into The Last 10 Years there was no denying what type of movie I would be watching-a story about a young woman with a terminal illness based on a true story. But as with any genre, it’s how the story is implemented as to whether it touches you or not. The moment the director cues the violins and tries to manipulate my feelings, I tend to dig in and become resentful. This film was quite the opposite. While the music was emotional and lovely, the story slowly unfolded allowing the characters to make their way through decisions about life, death, relationships, and whatever the future means.

When Matsuri is in the hospital she is given a camcorder by a dying mother and admonished to, “Live every minute to the fullest.” That advice is hard to follow after she returns home and boredom overtakes her. Diagnosed with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension her list of restrictions and medications is quite long. She goes to a middle school class reunion where no one knows about her illness and reconnects with old friends. The standard questions arise about marriage, children, and work. Kazuto, a boy she doesn’t remember, attempts to reach out to her. Kazuto has his own issues with life and death and before long, he, his friend Takeru, Matsuri and her editor friend, Sanae, begin to hang out. In the dark about her illness, Kazuto is clearly smitten but Matsuri has her daily grind with avoiding death to deal with as well as her loving but concerned family.

Matsuri and Kazuto both had their issues with life’s disappointments and whether death would be a tragedy or a gift. As they grew closer, both began to embrace life more. For Kazuto, the future held promise and an unknown amount of time. For Matsuri, tomorrow was always in question knowing her time was imminently finite. No one gets out of this life alive, but for Matsuri, that harsh reality faced her every day. I was happy there was no countdown clock as if the 10 years prognosis was ironclad. The median life expectancy for someone with PAH is 5 years. Each crisis she faced could have been her last. The film didn’t throw roadblocks into her relationship with Kazuto just for the standard effect. Matsuri not only had to take Kazuto’s feelings into consideration but her own as well. She did what she needed to do to be strong enough to face death.

Komatsu Nana gave a beautifully nuanced performance as Matsuri. Layers of emotions peeled forward and back as she portrayed Matsuri dealing with her day-to-day struggles with Death hanging over her shoulder. Ever aware of her parents’ pain, she put a mask on for them most of the time and for her friends. When the dam finally broke and her fears and disappointments rolled over her, Komatsu’s performance was raw and real. Ever cautious with Kazuto so as not to get too close, but staying close enough to bask in his warmth, you could feel the walls she kept carefully erected. And finally, as Matsuri’s body began to collapse, the slow acknowledgement of a clock ticking down.

Far from being maudlin, The Last 10 Years was an exercise in living well and making the most of life regardless of circumstances. Whatever Matsuri gained-a relationship, a job, a friendship, she was always aware how close she was to losing them. Yet she still found the strength to try. She was searching for meaning and just the simple experiences of living. I was here. I lived. I loved. And in her strength, she gave Kazuto a love for life as well.

“My life might look like just another boring existence but you’ll always be with me.”

16 May 2024

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I recorded this movie in my heart.

This movie is made in such a way that if it has not even happened to you or you have not been wronged, you will notice the damage that has been done to this girl and you will feel it. At one point, an officer said that maybe it is not like this for us, but they are teenagers, and yes, it means Everything is honest and loyal, a huge love has been shown in the boy's face, he wanted the girl to experience things or dreams that he didn't have, even his heart wanted to die and let her live, and it would be nice to have such people in our lives now. They don't exist or they are few. I wish movies weren't just for watching and forgetting, and we could change our behavior. I recorded this movie in my heart.

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Unless there’s a sequel, Don’t Watch

First off I would like to say something VERY IMPORTANT:
To those who have experienced sexual assault, even if you are now in a better place and think you’ve healed enough, don’t risk your mental health by watching this.
If there’s one thing that was well made in this movie was the SA scene. From a victim: it felt like I was reliving my own assault even if the details aren’t even slightly the same, it was just so well acted and scripted that my body reacted instantly.
Spare yourself, go watch something else, stay safe and love yourself.



Those who watched the other 2 series associated with this (these are side characters of Unforgotten Night and the characters of Love Syndrome III) will be severely disappointed unless there’s a sequel.
This movie alone explains absolutely NOTHING, so if you are just now being introduced to the characters you will absolutely lost.

TW:
- Rape (repeatedly)
- Non-con recording
- Severe beatings and torture
- Abusive behavior
- Abduction and drugging

There’s nothing enjoyable about this.
Spoilers (but not really):
After Gear records a sexual encounter with Night after a bet with his friends, Day (Night’s brother) is out for revenge. He sets up Itt, the friend that made bet, getting him to go back to his house on the pretense of paying for damaging his car. Itt is then drugged, beaten unconscious and raped while being recorded, all by Day who wants revenge by his younger brother. This lasts over a few days, meanwhile Gear and Night are happily together going on dates after having made up.
When Night shows up with Gear, Day promptly freaks out and that night Gear comes and takes Night on a romantic getaway.
Ofc, as expected, when Day finds out he beats the living shit out of Itt who’s been trying desperately to contact Gear to no avail.

It ends on a cliffhanger with Itt finally getting a hold of Gear and telling him Day has found where he his and is coming to beat him up.

There is ZERO romance, even between Gear and Night it’s more portrayed as some sort of Stockholm Syndrome like “you where my first and only one, I still love and forgive you even though you literally recorded us having sex and showed it to your friends”.
I already HATED the backstory of Day and Itt when I first heard it in Love Syndrome III but this took it to a whole new level.
I loved Itt and Day in Unforgotten Night, hated them in Love Syndrome III and now I’m just plain DISGUSTED at this “couple”.
A sequel here would have to have a redemption arc so incredible for Day that I don’t know it’s even possible.
So far, there’s absolutely no hope. It’s a disgusting story about someone getting raped and beaten, nothing else.

I give props to the actors of Itt and Day though, they did a fantastic job, I hope they had a good team behind them making sure they were okay because scenes like that can take a toll on a person even if it’s just an act.

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Love it and enjoyed it, amazing acting

Watched it in the cinema with friends on the first release day in Hong Kong and it was a pleasant experience. I love how good the actor's acting are when it comes to expressing all the detailed emotion. Especially when i had enough of BL drama full of sexual scenes, this movie certainly gave me a refreshing break. If you are hoping for some crazy hot and spicy love story, sorry but this is not one of those. But you are looking for beautiful scenery, music, people and subtle emotions, this is certainly a must watch. The lyrics in the theme song pretty much stated out the whole story line.

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He Would Kill For Her

Thats right, he would kill for her. This amazing man puts her first and only her. He would even kill her family if they hurt her. I love how he really did an excellent job and her, she is exactly the same as in the anime/manga.

I enjoyed this drama, and i love how they did not drag the “cold person” personality too much. He was very loving towards her and open up to her bit by bit. We could also see changes in her and thats what i really like about it. I truly did enjoyed this and would rewatch this again when i have the time.

I do recommend this, do give this a watch. Its an amazing drama.

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what a sad lovestory

This a remake from 2014 Korean film with the same title. A story of a gangster who is a debt collector who happens to collect money from a girl who has a sick father but she accidentally fell for her. She is willing to do anything just to please the lady to get her attention. Then one day as her father pass away the girl sees the effort of the guy to console her, a person that is willing to make her happy in her darkest moment. The girl was touched by the mana gesture and she developed feelings for him. They then begun a couple, they are happy and planning to make it better. The guy decided to change his proffesion, his willing to change for he wanted to be a change man for her. One day as he ask permission to his boss he wanted to change he,asked for a different kind of a clean job. His willing to give him but he needs to do one last dirty job without him knowing that his boss is planning something foul. He fell into the trap that make her relationship also got ruin he blames himself without telling the girl the whole truth. He spent many years in jail.
When he has freedom the first thing she did was to take revenge to the person who ever done wrong to him, so that he can explain himself to the girl. But through his range he was prisoned again for many years. He was released then trying to be a changed man. He came back really sick without telling then that he suffers from Aneurysm.The girl knew it ang willing to take care of him but it still to late, the guy then dies that's makes the story sad. He has last wish, that his father must treat her as her own.

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A poignantly beautiful tale that keeps us pondering over

As many review here, I find it hard to write about the movie without spoiling the viewer and fail to describe how beautifully the movie is done.
It is best to not read any review at all before watching the movie to let your mind work the miracle.
In essence, the movie is about a tale of self-discovery of 2boys growing up being told in different perspectives of people closest to them. With each perspective being told, more details are provided for the viewers to conjugate the real story of what actually happens.
As other Koreeda's work, the movie would leave you in daze and linger for some time as viewers cant help but keep contemplating and pondering over the ending, the characters and the message of the movie.
Koreeda is truly a master of story telling and building emotion through a seemingly uneventful narration and seemingly “normal” characters. Still, one can always feel his effort in avoiding to force a conclusive ending and closing of the story, as if to maintain his neutral stand and to respect viewers’ interpretation of the tale. That is another thing I admire of Koreeda as it is incredibly hard for a director to avoid forcing his own view of the story without making it illogical and incomprehensible. One also feels his love for human as he refrains from condemning any character in the story.
By unveiling the story through different perspectives here, perhaps Koreeda wants to remind us again that there is always 2 sides of the story; and we should not jump to conclusion with our own prejudice and limited experience in this modern era where everyone is ready to attack others through the use of sns without properly contemplating over the event. How our interpretation of a story can go very wrong with misleading fabrication and gossips. And how we might have hurt others by our own prejudices and judgment built by societal norms of “normal”.
Who is the monster here but us human, flawed and frightened, traumatized by our own societal norms and interpretation.

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"This is personal" Well, of course it is...

Triple Threat had an embarrassment of martial artists riches and also embarrassingly bad dialogue, even for an action movie. The martial arts were also short shrifted in lieu of guns and things that go boom far too often.

Payu and Long Fei have been hired to help with a “humanitarian” mission that turns out to be anything but. Local security for the site, Jaka, loses his wife in the deadly firefight that erupts when the mercenaries enter the village to release Collins, a notorious terrorist. Payu, Long Fei, and Jaka develop a tenuous partnership to bring down the mercs and end up protecting a Chinese heiress/local philanthropist along the way.

The firefights were often over the top as the bad guys mowed down people throughout the small country of Maha Jaya. Things were always more interesting when the guns were down and the fists and kicks were up. Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, and Tiger Chen all have experience with fighting on screen and choreography. The weakest of the three was Tiger as his fights often looked slow and uninspired. Tony and Iko were far more entertaining as they defied gravity with their flexibility, quickness, and strength. Bad guy, Scott Adkins, was able to keep up with the kicks as was Michael Jai White. Jeeja Yanin had what amounted to a glorified guest role and didn’t have many chances to show her skills.

The action came fast and furious with the fighters and heiress on the run. Unfortunately, some of the acting and much of the dialogue was painfully cringeworthy. Not much effort was made to create a cohesive story either. As a check your brain at the door, let’s watch Tony Jaa fly and flip, it was rudimentary martial arts action entertainment.

15 May 2024

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I didn't recognize the actor Wei Lie Jin at all, who plays one of the main roles in the tender series DNA Says Love You, which we have here translated into Czech. In this short, he plays a boy who falls in love with a lifeguard and has to deal with his feelings. I also see a Taiwanese aborigine (lifeguard Da Han) in the film for the first time. However, the sexual awakening is without romance in this short, as the lifeguard is straight and the story revolves mainly around the main character and his self-discovery of his own orientation, falling in love and how to cope with all of this under the supervision of his strict father, with whom he runs a Chinese medicine and acupuncture practice. In addition, the film ends without salt, without fat for the audience who will expect a fairy tale ending, but the very end, when Yun Wu swims away from the place where he was drowning at the beginning, symbolically meant for me that he realized his self, began to respect himself and continues strengthened into his next young life, and that's what I appreciate about the film, even if the project doesn't have a top ten rating.

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This movie is not a romance.

Although the story is engaging and the acting is decent, it is not a romance and should be categorized in a different genre. I enjoyed the male lead Johnny Huang he is an outstanding and sexy actor. Especially when he plays a bad ass with a heart. Johnny Huang is the reason I picked this to watch. He has never disappoints especially when he is a bad ass.However, this movie was listed as a romance. It gave off a much different vibe. I would recommend just not the movie if you want to chill because it pulls at your humanity at times and has you jumping from fear or excitement not at all relaxing 😌.

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