by Tine, August 9, 2021
48


Hey, friends! Get your popcorn and join me!

This time I want to introduce some of my favourite movies to you. You'll get exclusive insight into my movie taste.~ If you are in a drama slump or don't have much time in your hands, then movies are the best. If you need something to watch in between dramas or maybe you just feel like it. If you've watched these movies already, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. If you haven't watched them yet, then choose one and give it a try. ;)

Lights off! Then let's start:

 PUPPET PRINCE 1+2

 Country:    China
 Duration:   2 x 75 min.

 Story:  
Yan Shi Shi's (He Nan) senior created a puppet (Jeffery Ji) with the ten functional human abilities, which gets kidnapped and replaces the governor. One day they encounter each other and try to find her senior together while being confronted with some mysteries.

 My Opinion:  

I personally really like unique love stories like that. The movie has 2 parts, which I both liked a lot. I'm a big fan of fantasy, you see.^^

 Choose this one if you like:  
● Fantasy
Romance 
Puppets (it's not horror, lol)

 INSANITY

 Country:    Hong Kong
 Duration:   99 min.

 Story:  
Fan Kwok Sang (Lau Ching Wan) kills his wife, but because he suffers from schizophrenia, instead of being sent to prison, he gets treated in a mental institution by psychiatrist Chow Ming Kit (Huang Xiao Ming). After his release, another murder happens and he is the suspect once more. Chow Ming Kit wonders if it was the right decision to release him that early and wants to take the matter into his own hands. But things are not as they seem.

 My Opinion:  

I chose this movie for my watch challenge this year, and I enjoyed it a lot. It quickly became one of my favourite movies. Next to fantasy, I also enjoy psychological from time to time - only without horror though. ^^

 Choose this one if you like:  
● Psychological
Mental health topic
Suspense

MY LONG-AWAITED LOVE STORY

 Country:    Japan
 Duration:   91 min.
 Notes:   This is a Christmas special called "Watashi ni Unmei ni Koi nante Arienaitte Omotteta".

 Story:  
Riko (Tabe Mikako) starts working at a company which develops love-simulation games. But the CEO  Kurokawa (Takahashi Issei) doesn't understand women at all. He has a crush on one of his subordinates and asks Riko to teach him about love.

 My Opinion:  

It's a very sweet and fun movie starring Takahashi Issei. :) I enjoyed the friends to lovers trope here very much. It was also fun how she tried to teach him certain cliché flirt behaviours based on love simulation games, as it's her only source of experience. XD

 Choose this one if you like:  
● Friends to lovers
Comedy
Cheesy/fluffy romance

FOR LOVE, WE CAN

 Country:    Hong Kong
 Duration:   48 min.
 Notes:   18+ age restriction (slightly sexual content, HIV)

 Story:  
Jun's (Neo Jau) coming out wasn't accepted by his family, and even now, he and his mother aren't on good terms despite living together. Jun, who is reckless, is dating Michael (Carlos Chan), who is the exact opposite of him: kind and patient. Through him, the relationship between Jun and his mother starts to change.

 My Opinion:  

The characters are the most interesting in this movie. I wish it was longer and would include the past and everything. Jun is pretty impulsive and reckless, which is the reason why he and his mom have difficulties communicating - which is the cause of his mom having problems understanding and accepting him -  which makes Jun even more ignorant and reckless. It's a circle, and is painful for everyone involved. I loved the character development a lot. Communication and education is everything, guys.

 Choose this one if you like:  
● Romance (LGBTQ+)
Realistic - dramatic topics
Character development

HOW LONG WILL I LOVE U

 Country:    China
 Duration:   101 min.

 Story:  
Xiao Jiao (Tong Li Ya) and Lu Ming  (Lei Jia Yin) live in the same apartment - but 20 years apart. One day their timelines merge in this apartment, and they are able to time travel to each other's time through the door. They try to change their lives at this opportunity, but fate is not in their hands.

 My Opinion:  

Again, I love fantasy and time travel.^^ The characters and storyline were kinda unique, I think, which got me to like this movie a lot.

 Choose this one if you like:  
● Romance
Time Travel

DOUBLE MINTS

 Country:    Japan
 Duration:   100 min.
 Notes:   18+ age restriction (violence, crime)

 Story:  Ichikawa Mitsuo (Tanaka Shunsuke) and Ichikawa Mitsuo (Fuchikami Yasushi), who share the same name, had a master-slave relationship during high school. Now they reunite as accomplices, and their relationship changes to something more.

 My Opinion:  

This movie might not be for everyone. I recommend you check all the tags beforehand because there might be triggering content. As for me, I liked it a lot because it was interesting! But it is also painful in some parts.

 Choose this one if you are ok with:  
● Romance (LGBTQ+)
Darker storyline
Unhealthy relationship

BEYOND THE DREAM

 Country:    Hong Kong
 Duration:   120 min.

 Story:  
Lok (Terrance Lau) is a recovering schizophrenic who encounters a woman he falls in love with. He has a relapse though and becomes delusional. Turns out the woman (Cecilia Choi) is a psychological counselor with a hidden agenda. Their relationship becomes complicated.

 My Opinion:  

This movie was very interesting too, especially the mental health topic and the two broken characters who need to face their difficulties. Sometimes you don't know right away if what's happening is real or a delusion - which pulls the viewer right into the main topic.

 Choose this one if you like:  
● Psychological
Mental health topic

Romance & Drama

PETTY ROMANCE

 Country:    South Korea
 Duration:   118 min.
 Notes:   18+ age restriction (sexual content)

 Story:  
Jung Bae (Lee Sun Kyun), who needs money, takes part in an adult manga competition. He is good at drawing but weak at storytelling which leads him to hire Da Him (Choi Kang Hee), who actually has no experience with adult content. This causes them some funny struggles.

 My Opinion:  

This movie gives off some old-movie vibes. XD I actually like the slightly older Korean movies better than the recent ones. They have their own charm, I enjoy.^^ Ignoring the silly humor, I really like their love story, haha.

 Choose this one if you like:  
Silly humor
Romance

CONCERTO OF THE BULLY

 Country:    Hong Kong
 Duration:   97 min.

 Story:  
Chow (Cherry Ngan) gets kidnapped by a street punk who is in need of money. He brings her to his friend Yung's (Ronald Cheng) fish raft, who helps to hold her hostage. Turns out they get along quite well and share a love for music. And some hidden talents are discovered too.

 My Opinion:  

The location and cinematography are insanely beautiful (in my opinion). The portrayal of the music topic was interesting, and the main song was dazzling too. It was also fun, and I didn't expect to enjoy it this much! :)

 Choose this one if you like:  
● Romance & Comedy
Music

Beautiful locations and cinematography

Availability: It's been a while since I watched some of these movies. I recommend you to check out the specific MDL pages and/or the comment section of those. Click on the titles to reach the page.



That's it for now. Don't forget your snacks.

~ Happy Watching! ~


© Credits: I don't own any pictures. They are screenshots of the actual movies. Credits to the respective owners.


Edited by: YW (1st editor) Nymphadora (2nd editor)

asian movies