Completed
Project Wolf Hunting
0 people found this review helpful
by riricx
Jun 7, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

Intriguing, Gory, Violent, and Unexpected

it's just blood and guts everywhere, which i like, tbh it's so unexpecting to the point that you wont know who's gonna be dead, who's gonna survive, or who's even the main antagonist??but yeah it's chaotic, just the way i like. That seemingly main characters we see, even died at one point, i was even confused who's the mc here, 'cuz i would theorize that it's dayeon and she ended up dying minutes later, like bffr i hated how she died.😓I wish this can have a part 2 tho, we still have many reasons to have a sequel, many other opportunities for the plot, and i want it to be even gorier next time

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Completed
Spaceless
18 people found this review helpful
Jun 6, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Heartbreaking.

Bible has once again pulled out all the stops to reveal what a great actor he is! His performance was so moving, so beautifully enacted, so deliriously loaded with emotions, it really hit you right in the feels. Heartbreaking, yet so powerful; he just nailed it. Jes, whom I am less familiar with brought his A-game as well. You could see his experience and talent oozing out of every scene, and he was fantastic too. They could tell a super powerful love story, truly affecting, within 20 minutes of screen time for both.

To me, the story is all about the love between two people - one who loved too much and one who loved too little. It was a love for which Garn was ready to give everything; he poured his heart and soul into that love until his last breath. On the other hand, Tul chose to go by the expectations of society and so he went for a wife and child. He did not repent his choice, but somewhere in his heart, he felt sorry that his love for Garn was not strong enough to match Garn's feelings.

Seriously, they both did amazing! êš„

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Completed
The Invitation
6 people found this review helpful
Jun 6, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 6.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

Short But Gold!

Japan has done it again!

It's a known fact that Japan is known for their awesome horror movies that scare the living soul out of you, but it's also true, that they have been in decline for the past few years, with only small productions.

When I first saw that this movie has only thirteen minutes runtime, I was skeptical. I mean, who makes such short horror movies? It takes a lot of courage to bet everything on those thirteen minutes, because eventually it means, that you have to grab the viewer right at the first minute.

Was it successful in my case? Yes!

Let me say that I am big chicken and a masochist who for some unknown reason watches horror movies, when I am very scared of them. I haven't found the reason yet, so don't ask.

So, for someone who is scared of a lot of things, this was absolutely perfect and at the end I was close to changing my panties (for obvious reasons). I know that the story isn't so unique because it is ''another haunted house'' tale, but still, it had a nice twist to it! You also get those classic ''ghost in the back'' shots which are old-school, but still freaky and make you anxious.

The acting was on point, but music was hard to rate because overall...it had very minor standing in the plot.

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Completed
Exhuma
5 people found this review helpful
Jun 6, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 4.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 4.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers

I saw a lot of tiktoks that made the movie seem very good when it really isn't.

I saw a lot of tiktoks that made the movie seem very good when it really isn't.

It's a good movie but not exceptional, I really liked the performances although Lee Do Hyun doesn't have that much participation.

The special effects were average, the plot was interesting to me but I feel like they didn't know how to execute it.
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Completed
BL Metamorphosis
0 people found this review helpful
Jun 6, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.5

A heartwarming and realistic movie

A few years ago, I stumbled upon the first volume of the manga at a mall, it was so random but the cover got me intrigued and I checked it like this, alone, in public. That was interesting and lovely that I wanted to keep reading it (although I'm the type of person who consumed manga).

So when I've heard there's a movie / a live action adaptation, I was so happy and wanted to watch it! I don't know why I waited for so long but I'm happy that this year, there's a Japanese film festival online and thanks to this I was able to finally watch it.

I love the grandma, she was so adorable, so sweet, she makes me smile and Urara the high school girl she's so relatable.. I understand her that the way she behaves, it does make sense. I would like to befriend her.

How can anyone imagine that 2 different generations would build such a precious friendship thanks to a BL manga?! That was so sweet and heartfelt to watch.

I also like the friendship with her childhood friend also I wished for more but they decided to keep it simple.

This show makes it so natural and realistic, no shame and no "taboo", simply 2 persons who share the same passion, they have the right to like something that make them happy. It's just beautiful. There's a moment, It was emotional that I almost shed a tear. So yes, definitely a must-watch.

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Completed
Just Friends?
0 people found this review helpful
Jun 6, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10

surpreendente bom

estou fascinado na maneira que esse daqui se desenrolou. 30 minutos foram suficientes para se apegar ao casal principal e torcer para que tudo dĂȘ certo com eles. muito bonita a forma como o afeto entre os dois Ă© construĂ­da, com toques simbĂłlicos, olhares demorado e lindos (lindos) beijos.

queria muito entender o que aconteceu de 2009 pra cĂĄ que essa ferocidade praticamente se perdeu nos bls.

p.s. a parte das mĂșsicas me pegou total de surpresa, completamente aleatĂłrio mas mto funny
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Completed
Spaceless
8 people found this review helpful
by Rose
Jun 6, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.0

Beautiful & Emotional Short Bl

This movie made me cry ,this is such an emotional short
bl.........
Such a beautiful & emotional storyline
Everything about this movie is perfect..............
So excited to see Bible & Jes in "4 minutes" series .......
Thier chemistry is insanely amazing in "Spaceless" short bl .............
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Completed
Peek At The Fire
1 people found this review helpful
Jun 6, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 2.0
Story 1.0
Acting/Cast 5.0
Music 1.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

This Film Pissed Me Off

BIG ASS TRIGGER WARNING: There’s physical abuse, death threats, and rape in the film.

How do I even begin? I feel like (and know) there’s so much to say but I don’t want to talk about this film. God, there’s a reason I stay away from films like this and I forget why I even decided to give this one a shot. I think that the entire film is unnecessary because I don’t think the film was even trying to say anything worthwhile. Aside from the obscene amount of sex scenes and violence, yeah, I don’t think there’s anything much the film was trying to convey.

A lot of the time, it felt like the film didn’t have a direction it was following. It got a little boring at times. One thing I am certain of is that the film tried too hard to be edgy. Its elements, to me, are proof of that. The thing is, I would have been fine with the abuse, the rape, the violence if it all boiled down to something. At least, something. No. It didn’t. I’m lost. No, scratch that. I’m fucking blind. I can’t see what the film is trying to say. I sound like a broken record, don’t I?

In the middle of the film, I was just so enraged because everything seemed pointless. At that point, it was just a bunch of graphic sex scenes and abuse. I should’ve stopped watching but my completionist ass won’t let me. I didn’t even get anything fulfilling when I finished the damn film.

The only thing that deserves undisputed praise is the acting. Sid Lucero did good as an abusive twat that he evoked a good kind of reaction from me: fear. A lot of the time, I just ended up laughing at how ridiculous everything was getting or sighing or actually saying, “That’s disgusting” out loud. In his scenes, I found myself getting anxious and that’s the only good thing to ever come from me when it comes to this movie. Angeli Khang, sure, she did okay but her acting does sometimes fall flat. Paolo Gumabao, sure, he did good too. I don’t know what to say, really. Angeli Khang and Paolo Gumabao managed to hold their own in the presence of a great actor such as Sid but still, I can’t help but think that some performances pale in comparison.

I don’t want to talk about this film any more. It just makes me so angry and grossed out. Needless to say, I hated it. I wouldn’t recommend it but if you’re curious, then go ahead.

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Completed
The Lone Ume Tree
6 people found this review helpful
Jun 6, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Acceptance of difference and problems caused by those quick to judge

Cho-san has both learning disabilities and autism, needs his routines and works in a supported facility. He also has a great mum and difficult neighbours.

Every bit of this rings true with my experience working and volunteering with people with learning disabilities, including the complicated decisions aging parents make to ensure their sons and daughters are settled.

Please don't watch this to be heart-warmed. Please watch this to better understand a bit more of the extra difficulties so unnecessarily created by those who see difference and look for reasons to condemn.

(The tags currently include mental illness. There is no mental illness depicted in this film. The distress felt by Cho-san and some of the housemates when confronted by loud noises, angry neighbours or disruption to their routine is part of their learning disabilities, not mental illness. These are distinct things.)

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Completed
Let's Go Karaoke!
6 people found this review helpful
Jun 6, 2024
Completed 2
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 8.5

In friendship, age has no bar.

"If we only accept pretty things, then this whole town will be wiped out, won't it?"

Let's go karaoke is a random slice-of-life movie where you meet two bizarre yet perfect combination of characters in a questionable wholesome situation. A 40yr old yakuza Kyouji asks a 14yr old choir boy Satomi to teach him “how to sing”. After reading the synopsis you would expect a scary looking yakuza threatening a timid school boy to get what he wants. But in reality it's the opposite. How? That's for you to discover.

The movie is pretty much about the adolescent boy teaching him how to sing and founding himself in unusual situations with scary yakuza members. The absurdity of the whole plot is the juxtaposition of scary yakuza image and them taking karaoke singing competition so seriously like their life depends on it. Thanks to this film I found another banger “Kurenai” >.<
The bgm and hilarious singing adds up to it.
It's only possible for Japan to deliver this kind of unique plot. Throughout the film you watch two mismatched people come closer and forming a bond. Both the actors skillfully depicted the intricate emotions of their distinct characters.

I'm that type of person who reads the manga/webtoon first before diving into the series/movies. The mangaka, Yama Wayama has my heart and soul. Her art style is just my type. I read and watched “Captivated by you” long ago which I absolutely adored it but sadly was unaware of this manga. The way she combined and delivered all the essence of characters in panels is just phenomenal.

Definitely recommend them, both the one-shot manga and its lovely adaptation.

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Completed
Single8
0 people found this review helpful
Jun 6, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

Creativity, ingenuity and determination

Inspired by the then newly released Star Wars, a high school student is determined to make a film of his own and is focused solely on the special effects. Along the way, he and his friends use a lot of ingenuity and a bit of advice from their history teacher and a university film student to solve the problems needed to make their vision a reality and to give the story they tell meaning.

It's left me with a big smile :)
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Completed
20th Century Girl
1 people found this review helpful
Jun 6, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 6.0

A Heartwarming Journey Marred by an Unnecessary Ending

Honestly, I had no intention of watching this when it first came out. However, after seeing Byeon Woo Seok in "Lovely Runner," I couldn't resist his charm and decided to give it a go. This movie is a heartwarming coming-of-age romance, but inexplicably, the writer chose a sad ending. It felt unnecessary and out of sync with the film's overall tone and vibe.

Both Kim Yoo Jung and Byeon Woo Seok were perfect for their roles. Kim Yoo Jung's character is irresistibly lovable, embodying loyalty, charisma, and charm; she instantly wins your heart. Byeon Woo Seok’s character is equally captivating, portraying a loyal, observant, caring, and reliable friend. There is no doubt these two are perfect for each other. In contrast, their best friends are a bit more selfish, especially Roh Yoon Seo's character, but not in a negative way.

The movie will undoubtedly stir feelings of nostalgia, taking you back to your high school days. Who was your first boyfriend or girlfriend? Did you ever help your best friend approach their crush? And remember all that old technology, from pagers to VHS tapes? It's truly a walk down memory lane.

As mentioned earlier, the sad ending felt unnecessary. I don't understand why the writer chose this route. It doesn't make the movie more poetic or artistic; it only creates a sense of dissonance from the rest of the film's direction and tone. An avoidable disappointment.

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Completed
Nisekoi
0 people found this review helpful
Jun 6, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 6.5

A Satisfactory Introduction to the World of Nisekoi (Watch the Anime Next!)

Looking at the clips of the actors, this seems to be so-so, which is why I had to drag myself to watch this. Imagine my surprise when I liked what I saw.

I haven't seen the anime yet, so I have no prior knowledge of the story. I read somewhere that this live action movie was made for someone like me who hasn't seen the anime or read the manga. I was entertained so much. It's funny. It's a Yakuza comedy that reminds me of the anime 'Seto no Hanayome' / My Bride is a Mermaid.

But for people who have seen the anime first, this may seem like a cheap knockoff of the original. Keep this in mind as you may or may not like it depending on whether you've seen the anime or not.

Even if some details in this movie may annoy fans of the anime, it has adequately explained the basic plot, and based on the anime's trailer, it seems to be the same, but perhaps with some different execution of events. Also, it has adequately explained why this is called 'nisekoi' or 'false love.' This false love leads to hilarious events that I won't spoil you.

Suffice it to say that I am entertained enough by this movie that I am looking forward to watching the anime. Thus, it achieves its goal.

Some other remarks: As already mentioned, the main lead actors don't look that appealing as far as I'm concerned. (The third wheel was cute though.) If you feel the same way, don't let that deter you from watching it. It's worth watching.

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Completed
Call Boy
3 people found this review helpful
Jun 6, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.0

This is a lot more than just some trashy smut-film.

This is one of only a handful of movies I've ever watched where the sex scenes aren't gratuitous. Each one conveys something different, and when you add them all up, you have a very beautiful message, in which the director is trying to convey how for some people in some situations, sex and love aren't a straight line. Sometimes people, through complex situations, get wired differently in that area of life.

I see this movie as controversial because in a very distinct way, it romanticizes prostitution, and romanticizes dysfunctional sexuality. Yet the opposite side of that is that it humanizes sexual dysfunction, so that a person isn't defined by their kink, it's just another aspect of their personhood. Also in defense of the film, it is highly respectful of how it treats the topic of AIDS.

If you skip the dialogue and just watch for the smut factor, you miss the entire artistry of the movie. If you skip the smut and just watch for the dialogue, you also miss the artistry of the movie, because each sex scene has something to convey. In this sense, the movie is sort of genius. A very deliberate movie.

We have all seen shows that depict sex work as seedy, dirty, depressing, hopeless. This is the opposite side of that. I think it's relying on the concept that most of the viewers already have seen the sordid side of the sex industry and know what it entails, and this movie is almost like an apology to that. A serious attempt at an explanation for why people end up in the industry, why they stay, or why they support it.

I don't agree entirely with some of the viewpoints the film takes, but I respect that at least it wasn't at all just another piece of smut. There are very deep emotions running through this movie.

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Completed
Kiba: The Fangs of Fiction
3 people found this review helpful
by Saeng
Jun 6, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
Since the synopsis is rather non-descript, let me start by giving some more information:
After the owner of a Japanese publishing house has died, a power struggle ensues. Hayami is appointed as the managing editor of the magazine Trinity by one side -- and editor Takano is also caught up in this, even though she just wants to publish well-written and interesting serialized novels. Both will try to save Trinity in their own ways.

The writing is tight -- every dialogue has meaning, so this is not a casual watch. It took me a while to get who is who and who wants what, which is important because this is very much character-driven, I had to rewind some scenes in the first half hour.
The characters' motivations and ambitions are only revealed by what they say, or don't say; sometimes by their actions -- and a lot of it means you have to read between the lines. The movie's title -- 隙し甔た牙 -- Fang of Deception -- or, the official English title Fangs of Fiction -- hints that at least of these characters may be hiding secret motivations.
There are several plot twists in the end, one of which I did not anticipate at all, but, in hindsight, made a lot of sense.

Also, I want to point out that the office sets, like in many other Japanese productions, are excellent! For example, I love how cramped and busy the editors'room of Trinity is, the mountains of paperwork of every available surface. The space of the much revered Kunpu Reviews, in contrast, looks much more organized and still as realistically used.

Fangs of Fiction is both really funny and shows us the contemporary struggles (of the publishing industry) at the same time. Both the external struggle as a traditional company against the new online world, and the more internal struggle about traditional values and old styles of story-telling versus modern innovation and showing more diversity in stories (I loved the cameos of the disabled and the old model and of Ladybeard.)
It also subtly touches on issues of how women are treated in fiction: The main female editor is constantly trying to point out how outdated the depictions of female protagonists in the fictional novels are -- and is instantly shut down by her male companion. I am glad to see that the female protagonist in this movie is at least as important as the male main character -- and how she found her own successful way of dealing with the issues of the publishing world in these modern times.

Recommended! Maybe you'll find more subtle deceptions when you watch the movie, I'm sure I did not catch them all.

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