Reviews

Only the best ninjas may use the Garfield Telephone™. Of all the relentlessly released cut-and-paste ninjamatics to emerge during the 80s, Ninja Terminator is seemingly the most popular of the bunch. The gateway drug to a realm where reason and logic are merely a suggestion, biting you from the moment you set foot in its domain, one that makes for hilariously mangled viewing filled with incomprehensible absurdity, and the film I've ultimately decided to pop my Godfrey Ho cherry with. Amidst all the unrelated fight scenes and nonsensical dubbing lies a plot that should be relatively straightforward but is instead told in the most ridiculous form possible by going off on a dozen loopy tangents; even with its use of shamelessly pilfered soundtracks which I'm sure someone will recognise but the one that stood out to me was the inclusion of Tangerine Dream's score to Thief of all things, the film filled to the brim with incoherence and ineptitude to the point where Richard Harrison clearly doesn't have the faintest idea what’s going on. There's espionage, double-crossing, triple-crossing and secret meetings, as well as a little casual torture and a lot of ninjutsu. That additional ninja footage can be genuinely entertaining, even when the film is battling itself in gaudy, dayglo getups for control of this messy, uneven, and downright demented venture, where the joins are always painfully apparent, the action is more than worthy of its own Golden Ninja Warrior statue, it's not by any means good but the sheer energy of the stunt team is to be applauded. Thanks to Ninja Terminator's sheer entertainment value, it's hard not to be impressed with the audacity of its existence, which I can only put down to the purest ninja magic.

Read More

Found family trope done well

I quite enjoyed this movie, between the found family dynamics and the well executed visuals of ice sculpting, it was a nice watch.

The show starts off in a juvenile detention centre where one of the instructors Chom, is dissatisfied with her job and wishes to go visit her father in Japan, the person she looks up to most. But the way to get there is through an ice sculpting competition for which she recruits four boys in the centre - Jab, Toom, Win and Jo - who along with another instructor, Boy, all try to gain a scholarship and fund to travel to Sapporo and participate in the competition.

Through the movie we get to see the group grow closer, and move forward from their pasts while training for and participating in the competition. It's got all the tropes you would expect of a found family story, and perhaps that's why it didn't make as much of an impact on me as I had hoped it would.

But I really enjoyed the bond between the six of them, it was light hearted yet deep, and despite stemming from a place of enmity or spite or selfishness, it grew into something incredibly beautiful.

It was a nice movie overall, a good one time watch.

Read More

Spectacular Performances That Hit You Straight in the Heart

I truly need to thank the casting director and GDH for trusting these rookie actors — Engfa, Jeff, and Keng — with such heavy roles. Their acting is spectacular, and I was genuinely impressed by how fully they embodied their characters.

The movie hits hard with its portrayal of how greed can destroy people, regardless of age. It’s heartbreaking to watch a family fall apart over inheritance and wills, but it’s also painfully real. The film captures this reality and its consequences so well, and I honestly think it’s a fantastic representation of what happens in so many families.

Read More

Days of Being Wild Contains Multitudes

Does life matter? If so, how should life matter? Should life be treated seriously, or as a carefree joke? If yes to the latter, how will you treat it as a joke? Will you treat your own life as a joke, or others' as well? If life is a joke, do your actions and repercussions of said actions matter? If not, then does anything matter? Do the people around you matter? Is life simply a train that goes from station to station?

This movie hit me hard from multiple perspectives. Firstly, Wong Kar Wai never ceases to astound me with his ability to pick actors that fit their roles so well. Leslie Chung, Andy Lau, Maggie Chung, and Carina Lau all make up a star-studded cast, all of which have vastly improved their acting skills since their last outings. Secondly, WKW is a master storyteller, as each of his films either center around one major lesson or several interconnected lessons, with Days of Being Wild belonging in the latter category. Lastly, the cinematography of WKW's films is always mesmerizing. Christopher Doyle's first outing with WKW leaves a lasting impression. The dark emerald-green hue adds a dreamy filter to the film's dark color palette. The music, as ever in WKW movies, is a mix between east/west, casting an extra layer of sophistication to the film's setting.

Yuddy (Leslie Chung) is a carefree toyboy who is a troubled narcissist. Yuddy has a bit of a troubled past, as he was an 'unwanted' child, his real mother leaving him to his stepmom, Poon Tik Wa (Rebecca Pan). Yuddy uses this unfortunate fact about his mother to extrapolate his dislike for other women. If his mom didn't want him, then other women should not have the "privilege" of having him either. This leads to Yuddy manipulating both Li Zhen (Maggie Chung) and Mimi (Carina Lau) into believing that he has feelings for them, when really the only thing he wants from them is sex. When he finally "captures" his prey, he discards them like a bucket of meat. The contrast is quite jarring, as Yuddy is full of suavity and wittiness when seducing women, but as soon as he gets what he wants, he pretends like he doesn't even know them. Yuddy does not care how his actions affect others; Yuddy believes that he is the main protagonist of his own story, and all other people around him are simply side-characters—a means to an end.

Tide (Andy Lau), on the other hand, is in a way a foil to Yuddy's character. We don't know much about Tide other than that he grew up poor and had aspirations to be a sailor but had to put those plans to the side due to his ailing mother. Tide becomes a cop to pay the bills in the meantime. Tide gets assigned as 'night-time' patrol at the apartment Yuddy lives in. Tide develops a friendly relationship with Li Zhen as he becomes her confidant, as she is still reeling from Yuddy's emotional manipulation. With their interactions, we also learn about Tide's ability to empathize (another contract from Yuddy.) While Yuddy pretends to have these qualities by reciting vapid poetry and metaphors, Tide demonstrates an excellent capacity for listening and observation. As an example of this, Tide provides riveting commentary to Li Zhen when she compares the life of her cousin, who married a rich man, to herself, who is simply a ticket concession stand worker at a stadium who got stood up by Yuddy. Tide has an incredible response to this, and is one of my favorite lines from any movie:

"Not everyone can be that lucky; don't compare yourself with other people. I didn't feel poor until I started school. All the other guys got new uniforms every year, but I had to wear the same one every year. That's when I realized I was poor."

This is the turning point for Li Zhen, as she realizes she needs to move on. Tide promises that if she ever needs someone to talk to, she can talk to him by calling the phone right by where he patrols every evening. She appreciates this gesture, but realizes the lesson Tide taught her, and never calls back.

All in all, things end tragically for Yuddy, as he eventually finds his real mother, but she doesn't want him. He also ends up getting killed at the end due to him shafting a criminal gang who specializes in forged passports. He almost gets Tide killed because he lumps him in along with the action, once again, showing he has no regard for how actions affect other people.

Ultimately, the movie ends up with everyone moving on with their lives. Li Zhen never calls back Tide (except at the very end, but he has already moved on), Tide goes on to become a sailor, Mimi gets over her breakup with Yuddy, Poon Tik Wa marries her American suitor and lives a happy life. Yuddy, on the other hand, becomes a forgotten character—just an empty space in history.

A powerful movie that teaches us all that (1) if you treat life like a joke, life will treat you back like a joke; (2) your actions affect others whether you like it or not, and how you treat others ultimately will cement your legacy in others' mind, if they even remember you at all; and (3) you are not the protagonist of an 'overarching' story in life. Everybody has their own life to live; nobody is a protagonist, and nobody is a side-character. The world will simply move on with or without you. The world has no protagonists; it is simply a medium in which we live our lives. The world doesn't owe you anything and you don't owe it anything back. What you decide to do with the incredible opportunity called "life" is up to you; but, whatever you do, you will face the consequences of your actions one way or another.

Read More

Good story, poor execution

A story about the relationship between Takashi and Azusa, and how they navigate the complicated predicament brought upon Azusa. A heartbreaking plot, but beautiful cinematography. Halfway through the movie, I was looking for more. Not answers, but simply a hook, a crutch to support where the story is going. It was slow yet fast-paced at the same time, which added to my frustration of wanting something to grasp upon. Luckily, I stuck through it until the final quarter of the movie, where the crutch I was looking for appeared. The final scenes left me shocked, hurt, cursing, yearning, yet amazed at how the story all led to those final moments in the movie.

I am unsure how closely the story was depicted from the novel, but I would assume it had a similar ending. I would say I am not a fan of the ending, hence the overall score of 7.5. Although the ending gave answers, it still left with an open ending, one that needed one or two more answers for it not to leave a sour taste in the audience's mouth. By the end, the frustration lingered longer than I wanted, but I think it's just me who thought I'd finally have the happy ending I was looking for from Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight.

Overall, the actors did well, especially towards the end, and the plot of the story is great, although I wouldn't mind it being longer just to get a few more answers. Also, there were prolonged scenes that could've been cut by a few seconds so that the emotions wouldn't get washed away while the scene is still happening.

じゃあね

Read More

Plot is actually decent

The ratings really don’t do this movie justice because the plot is actually decent and quite original. Then again, only a handful of people have rated it so far.

I genuinely enjoyed this movie. It’s a great way to pass the time when you’re not doing anything and just want to chill—yes, I know, I chill by watching thriller/horror films! That’s just me. I can even binge-watch true crime documentaries all day without getting tired.

What I liked most is that the cast is small, so it’s easy to follow the story. The plot twist also isn’t predictable, which made it more engaging. I love how they mixed supernatural elements with a full-on crazy psychopath. The ending, however, is a cliffhanger. Is there a part 2? I don’t get why some movies or series end like this. Maybe it’s meant to excite viewers, but I wasn’t happy at all—it actually made me worry about what will happen to that nurse.

Production-wise, it’s clearly a limited-budget film, which you can see in the small cast and the few locations (basically two houses and one rooftop). But despite that, the acting was impressive. Both actors delivered excellent performances, and Candy Pangilinan was great as well.

Overall, I highly recommend this movie.

Read More

A good horror movie

The plot was actually a bit funny, but was really engaging. i really loved the fact that the ghost was really social friendly. wished i had a ghost to disrupt my exams like that. even kudos to the coach for his acting at the court (if you watched it you know what i mean). i would reccomend to watch this if you have some humor and can watch gruesome stuff. i also realised this busbasa or whatever she is really like eyes. oh I was really surprised how strong Jin was, she would really dare kill someone but only if needed. Guys be like Jin if a creep follows you.

[spoiler]

I really wished it was Jin who died and came to take revenge cause wtf this means, she bullied them while she was living and then even after she died, thats like really unfair she died by mistake and really unfair for those three who died and even Jin. I would've given this a 10 if it happened that way. I know Bussaba is a pityful character and I would have taken her side at the day she died if those four killed her even after she begged she'd stop everything but that girl bought it upon herself.

Read More

A Good Story That Gets A Bit Confusing

After reading some reviews, I went into this expecting something really good. It is good, but I wouldn’t call it a masterpiece. I’m writing this after my first watch, so I might come back and edit this some once I take it in more.

The slow infiltration of each family member into the rich home is well done and I liked how sneaky they were about it. I feel that once the old housekeeper came back, things started to get somewhat confusing.

Metaphorically speaking, I think this film is really good. The constant slip of trying to get more money and be the best. The chaotic nature of the second half of the film sort of encapsulates that feeling of despair. I think it’s interesting that throughout the movie, we aren’t given any characters to truly root for. It shows that none of them are fully good or fully bad.

The social commentary was good and I like the connection of parasites to the system of capitalism that’s been set up. I found myself being empathetic for both sides, which sometimes shocked me, because usually we’re pit against each other in a sense. Well, actually, I disliked the poor family. Once they started giving the housekeeper health problems, it irked me.

I think this is a decent film and I recommend it to anyone interested, but don’t have your expectations set too high.

The ending scene was great, I clapped once the credits started rolling.

Read More

Disappointment

I was really hype because of the story , i am very being fan of the manhwa . i was really excited and thats why i watched the sole episode of omniscient reader point of view. i wish i never have watched it . they butchered the story line and they missed everything the manhwa was live up to. where is the Constellation monolog? do they even tried to make a good movie? this is by far the worst adaption and worst flow of dialogue .. jongshuk died in battle? fire dragon ? come on man.. it was the 3rd regression of him and there was so much story if they could have adapted it correctly panel by panel it would have broke the internet unfornate a miss opportunity. They didnt event show main character real power the Omniscient reader LMAO.. I pray to god they suffer whose pityful idea was it

Read More

Would You Want To Grow Up?

"What's your world like? Are all the children happy there?"

I broke... hearing that question.

This story is a wound wearing a smile. A lullaby wrought from a requiem. A beautiful illusion where fairies dance, and rainbows bury the jagged remains of reality. It's a world where fantasy becomes real, and everyone loves such worlds, although no one ever asks what it cost the creator to imagine them into existence.

It's excruciating to watch dusk paint itself as dawn... to see light where only shadows belong.

Like any breathing soul, those little ones just wanted a happy ending. A world safer than the nightmares waiting behind their eyelids. Their chants are simple rules:
Don't ask if it's realistic.
Don't ask how breaking it is.
Just feel it. Please--just feel it.

For some children, imagination isn't a luxury; it's survival. A lifeline. For them, the kindest grown-up becomes a miracle to cling to. Because not all angels have wings. Some had theirs ripped to shreds. They still look up quietly, hoping someone will say, "You can fly too."

But deep down, they want truth, not just comfort.
And it's tragic: to long for sweet words while knowing your own truth is just another lie, deliberately curated.

What could ever be salvation to a mind like that? Not just kindness. Sometimes, kindness is the shove that finally sends them off the edge... wings or none.

Then, this line: "The snow keeps falling... on my desperate hope."
Again.I paused and breathed deeply.

Hope. Such a soft word for those who are drowning. For the broken, hope becomes creation, because reality... is already cold.

And these children... if the beginning of your life is written in scars, why would you ever want to grow up? Why become what once dented your memory?

They didn't want to.
They never did.

Read More

A Human. Frightening & Beautiful.

Haah~
Being human doesn't automatically make one a human.
A human becomes real when the vessel holds something more than just flesh and bone: a quiet, shimmering thing called humanity.
To possess it is a blessing.
Yet...how rare it is.

This body... this skin... this vessel,
It can cradle kindness,
or become a home to monsters.

People, when united, can move mountains forged from steel.
Yet the same people, when they stray, can turn blue oceans red.

It's so beautiful, this idea of a human.
And it's so frightening... what a human can become; how it can consume its own kind.

Just loved this. It broke me in silence and rebuilt me in hope.
It reminded me that even if we can't always see it--somewhere in time, somewhere in a memory, somewhere in a crowd, somewhere in the silence, in someone you pass by-- there are still humans...made of humanity.

There are still hearts walking around in human shape.

Read More

Faith Bleeds.

This was a Sonata of a profound and terrifying truth: we are all victims of our own trauma, wounded by others and by ourselves, until that pain is stitched deep into our bones, becoming our defining feature—our "truest" self.

Its characters are trapped. Some are prisoners in their own heads; others are locked in a reality entirely of their mind's making. For them, the line between truth and delusion is as thin as a flip of a coin. The relentless truth is, you can never run from yourself. What's "real" isn't a fact, but what has shaped you, scarred you, and twisted your reflection.

Haah~ How poetically and tragically beautiful that ending was... it pierced right through me.
We watch a man desperately scrubbing at a wall,trying to wipe away the madness, the visions, the patterns as his very faith begins to bleed. It is the ultimate revelation: that erasing what you see doesn't change the air you breathe, the reality that crawls into your skin, gnawing at your very core, ruling over you until you succumb to it. Your internal reality remains, and the effort to destroy it only reveals deeper, more severe layers of torment.

It takes a journey through hell and back to truly accept that our perceived reality is just a reflection in a mirror warped by a tangle of pain, suffering, guilt, and the self.

So in the end, all you can do is smile while you cry, a puppet to your own mind. You scrub away at your memories and identity, but you're not cleaning anything. You're just breaking. Fading, piece by piece, by your own hand.

Read More