Reviews

Fell Flat

They tried, but it honestly fell quite flat for me. Got me a small chuckle here and there as well, but by the end I was kinda zoning out, just waiting for it to end. Thankfully it was short, so I made it to the end, though I feel it could've been a tad shorter and it might've fared better with some scenes being cut or at least shortened.

The production value also felt quite early 2000s, so seeing (2025) surprises me, though they did have a drone in the budget at least, as was seen in a certain shot with the drone being visible in one of the shadows.

My biggest gripe was probably the audio mixing/mastering. 2/10 for that. Certain scenes were barely audible with their whispers, only to suddenly be shocked by them speaking at a normal volume, and then suddenly the music blaring at an even higher volume. It's as if they completely neglected it, or only recorded audio from one source, so in e.g. one scene they're standing with the back to the camera while talking quietly and you can barely hear it, as am I guessing the camera location was maybe the microphone location as well, and recording someone speaking softly and quietly with their back turned away from you, from a small distance on top isn't exactly gonna make for great audio.
This is definitely one of the few times where dynamic range compression (DRC) would actually improve the audio experience instead of destroy it, lol.

4/10, with 5 being average and just "OK".

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FIGHT FOR HIS CAREER

I love the plot of he actually want his career back but he did something unexpected and weird. Jeongwoo act as a woman are so good, even though people should notice he's a man in the first glance from his body figure and voice🤣but maybe they doesn't want to judge quickly

Jeongwoo story is sad, since his own life disappear after one news then he lost everything.
(Spoiler)
I glad that that girl doesn't become his love interest after he knew she's the one that spread the story of him.
People should confront other face to face if they really unsatisfied with their action instead of share in social media, social media are so scary about spreading hate

Overall, this is good, balance humor with Captain Seo that looks like an idiot hahahahah. Recommend to watch :)

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This isn’t just romance with butterflies — it’s also love that aches and falls apart.

"Love is not forever, but it's true while it lasts."

This film paints a raw and relatable picture of modern love. It strips away the fairytale sheen of love and shows it for what it often is: messy, complicated, and fragile. It’s a story of two people who love fiercely, but never at the same time, never in the same way. What makes this story unforgettable is how close it cuts to real life. You don’t just watch it, you feel it.

Like the young Luna, in love, we may have experienced insecurities, which somehow broke parts of ourselves. We get lost. We become toxic. We lose ourselves and turn into someone that we don't want or hate to be.

There are also moments in life when ambition burns so brightly that it blinds us, not to the world, but to the people standing right beside us.

The female lead, with her eyes fixed firmly on her dreams, unknowingly begins to drift away from the man who once grounded her. The male lead, consumed by doubts and insecurities, struggles to hold on as distance and constant arguments tear them apart. It is quite a reminder that love alone cannot carry the weight of misaligned priorities.

And when it's no longer healthy, when we find ourselves shrinking instead of growing, it's better to let go. Because love isn't about holding on until it hurts. The greatest act of love is choosing to walk away, even if it means breaking your own heart just so the both of you can finally breathe again.

The beauty of this film lies in its honesty. It doesn’t glorify love, it questions it. It leaves you wondering if love enough when two people are no longer walking in step?

Kudos to DIREK JPL for daring to tell love this way— unvarnished, unapologetic, and brutally honest. A story so raw it tears right through you. For anyone who’s ever loved someone but couldn’t make it work, this is a must-see.

With this film, ASHTINE OLVIGA really has cemented her place as VIVA'S NEXT SUPERSTAR. Her natural radiance draws people in warmly and captures hearts. This shined throughout the whole movie. AT ANG GANDA GANDA NIYANG UMIYAK! Nakakadala lahat ng scenes niya, and the way she delivers her lines... there's so much emotion and so much truth that every word feels alive. Her eyes carry depths that words alone cannot capture, her tone shifts with precision to mirror every unspoken sentiment, and her pauses echo louder than noise. I just can't wait for this girl to have more projects in the future because she is truly a one-of-kind gem.

As for ANDRES MUHLACH, he is promising, but there's still plenty of space for growth. With more workshops and experience, he can surely develop a stronger presence on screen. But I must applaud him roon sa confrontation scene with Luna sa may parking lot. Although he needs to work on his enunciation and not mumble his words when speaking in Tagalog, that scene was HIS SCENE. HE OWNED IT! With the right training and gradual build-up through more acting roles, he has the potential to grow into a more convincing and versatile leading man.

Also, his charm and appeal are qualities that can't be ignored. I can't even count the number of times I cursed kasi sobrang gwapo lang niya and very eye candy sa screen.

As for their chemistry, WALA AKONG MASABI. Sobrang natural, hindi pilit. Yung para silang couple na domesticated na. Exhibit A yung scenes nila sa condo ni Luna. Parang sa sobrang natural nila sa barely-intimate scenes, mapapaisip ka nalang talaga if may bahid na ng katotohanan ang mga nakikita sa screen eh. Sa sobrang kilig ko, bugbog ang abot ng casual viewer kong friend.

ASHDRES is really one of the most promising love teams, as well as one of the most promising actors and actresses in today's generation. With proper guidance, promotion, and projects, they could achieve— or even mahigitan-the accomplishments of past iconic and legendary love teams ever known.

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Just .... Discusting .

if you are a straight person, religious, support the clean cenima , don't like to watch in movies the Nude sences , lisbians or Gays , dirty perverted men or you don't like to see your favorite actress (or it was) naked and do it with another woman in front of Camira and director so you will see how is that move is a pure piece of shit like I saw it ... this movie is not for you or for me ... Just RUN ...RUN ...

BUT ... if your are form LGBTQ+ community , love erotic movies and love seeing naked women all the time on TV or the narcissistic prevent sotries , congratulations .. you found the best (almost porn) movie in the world ...

I watched this movie by incident just because I found Kim Tae Ri's name on it and I never noticed that tages and R Rate before watch it ... Man I want to lose my memory to forget this crap I watched... I was so disgusted and revolted even i didn't finish the movie ... If I want to watch porn or GL or BL we have many sites that provide it so why do that industry force us to watch it in Movies !! just why !? ...

FUK you Netflix ... you started all of that ...

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Real and Raw

I'm currently finishing the Kdrama Bon Appétit, Your Majesty and began exploring the story of King Yeonsangun of Josean. This led me to the movie The Treacherous. As a foreigner embracing entertainment that is coming out of South Korea, I have realized much of it is the sanitized Kpop and Kdrama version of Korea. When I find a more realistic story, I find I'm drawn to it. Much like Bon Appétit, this movie is also a fictionalized version of the tyrant king. However, it did not try to cover the tyranny with the fiction. Every country has its shameful history and South Korea is no different. In modern times this king would have been diagnosed and treated for a mental illness where perhaps he would have lived a fairly decent and fulfilling life with medication. In ancient times, his illness was the terror and death of many thousands in his country. The portrayal of this has been superbly captured in the storyline, the acting, and the production of this film. It is a hard watch at times, but the actors portrayal of these characters caught in the grips of tyranny without much support or resources is powerful. It is raw, especially in the portrayal of the sexual appetite of the king. The film did not shy away from the realness of this. It is definitely different from the usual Kdramas I've seen and the unrealistic innocence portrayed, but it has also captured a sense of reality that others have not, and for that, I really liked it. I also appreciate the hard work it took for the actors to do some of these scenes. The madness, the sense of powerlessness, the portrayal of being forced to do something you wouldn't do is very real in the characters portrayed by the actors. I have much respect for those who worked on this film.

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"The day will turn into night"

The Funeral was Itami Juzo’s directorial debut in 1984. In this instance, the film is exactly as described in the title. For three days a family gathers to mourn the death of the father, bringing together a peculiar yet largely relatable group of people.

When Amamiya Shinkichi dies suddenly of a heart attack his son-in-law, Wabisuke Inoue is put in charge of the funeral. His mother-in-law, Kikue, wants the funeral to be held at the house near the Kamome Hot Springs. Inoue and his wife Chizuko know nothing about funerals and make a mad scramble to find help in figuring out all the customs and procedures. Everyone has an opinion on the various rituals, including which way the head should be facing and which way is north!

Itami showed many of the common funeral experiences regardless of customs--children unfamiliar with death playing in the background, laughter and tears as people process their complicated emotions, telling stories, arguing over procedures, and the financial costs. Then there were customs I was unfamiliar with—watching the loved one be cremated, salt being thrown on those returning from the crematorium, and the various Buddhist rituals. It was delightfully human that the relatives unused to kneeling for so long had cramping feet and knees. The funniest bit to me was when funeral novices Inoue and Chizuko consulted a video which might as well have been titled “Funeral Etiquette for Dummies.”

This appeared to be the first main film role for Miyamoto Nobuko, Itami’s wife. I found her face lovely and expressive. Ozu favorite, Ryu Chishu, played the ever-chanting priest with a fine eye for cars and expensive tile. Where the film lagged for me was a main married character dealing with his crazy mistress in the woods which included a fairly graphic sex scene. And she was cray-cray. The deceased was a serial philanderer that everyone accepted matter-of-factly.

The Funeral was a slow story with mostly gentle humor, showing both the reverence and irreverence that accompanies death and mourning. A far more pragmatic than sentimental experience-- because even at a wake, people need to know when to leave, how much money to donate, and how to tell a mistress to pull her weeping self off the casket.

27 September 2025
Triggers: Partial nudity and sex scene.

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Young Love in Full Bloom

I had the chance to catch one of the many block screenings of Minamahal: 100 Bulaklak Para Kay Luna, Viva Films’ latest romantic drama written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana. The film stars Andres Muhlach as Raffy and Ashtine Olviga as Luna—two fresh faces given the challenge of carrying a love story that spans youthful infatuation, growing pains, and the bittersweet truths of adulthood.

What struck me first was the sincerity of the film. It isn’t flashy or overly manufactured; instead, it leans on honesty, heart, and grounded storytelling. While chemistry often serves as a film’s main attraction, here it’s not just a highlight—it’s the foundation. The connection between Andres and Ashtine feels lived-in, and Laxamana builds a story around them that resonates long after the credits roll.

Beneath its youthful surface, Minamahal has surprising depth. It’s not only for teenagers navigating their first romances but also for adults who can still recall the ache and beauty of those years. Personally, Raffy’s quiet struggles with his siblings hit close to home—his hesitation to voice his needs, fearing he’s a burden, mirrors how many of us carry ourselves in our own families and friendships. It’s a rare thing for a love story to echo so strongly across age groups.

The film may appear simple at first glance—two students stumbling through love, ambition, and compromise—but it has a way of tugging you back to your younger self. That innocent stage of love, where every glance feels monumental and every goodbye feels permanent, is captured with striking authenticity. There’s nostalgia here, but it never feels forced.

Ashtine Olviga shines as Luna. She approaches the role with both strength and vulnerability, creating a character that feels real and memorable. Yes, there are echoes of her previous work—her Luna at times reminded me of her turn as Jay-jay in Ang Mutya ng Section E—but that familiarity doesn’t detract. If anything, she digs deeper here, showing a maturity in her craft. She breathes life into Luna in ways that linger well beyond the film.

Andres Muhlach, meanwhile, carries the weight of being a Muhlach with surprising grace. True, there are moments where you catch glimpses of his father Aga in his delivery, and his Tagalog accent isn’t always perfect. But what he lacks in polish, he makes up for in raw sincerity. He reminded me a lot of Sam Milby during his early years—green around the edges, but brimming with potential. There were scenes that begged for deeper emotion, maybe even tears he couldn’t quite deliver, yet his honesty shone through. Watching him grow into Raffy felt like watching a young actor slowly claim his own space in the industry. He’s not leaning on his family name; he’s proving he has his own story to tell.

Is the film perfect? Not at all. There are uneven beats and moments that betray the inexperience of its two leads. But oddly enough, that’s where much of its charm comes from. The rawness of the film—the fact that it doesn’t try to be overly polished—gives it an honesty that feels refreshing in local cinema. For a debut outing, it’s a brave and beautiful step forward.

Together, Andres and Ashtine bring a natural energy that makes the film sing. Their sweet, sassy, and giddy moments aren’t forced; they’re heartfelt, even in their flaws. You find yourself rooting for them—not just as Raffy and Luna, but as actors finding their place on screen.

Minamahal may not tick every box for a flawless romance, but it doesn’t need to. It’s nostalgic, heartwarming, and relatable, a film that brings you back to the sweetness of young love while reminding you of the tougher lessons life demands. More than that, it showcases two rising stars who are just beginning to bloom.

And the ending? It resists pure fan service, choosing instead to land on something more meaningful, leaving us with lessons to carry forward. That choice elevates the film, making it more than just a love story—it’s a reflection on growth, courage, and the beauty of simply being honest in love.

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A Recycling of Korean Villain Clichés

Mantis is supposed to be a spin-off of Kill Boksoon, but instead of expanding that universe, it reduces it to a parody of itself.

The “recipe” of clichés is complete: villains cast only for their “evil face,” slow-motion walks, heads tilted back, lazy one-liners before killing, and of course, the eternal knife fights. Instead of building tension, they provoke laughter.

The opening airport scene says it all: what should be a tense introduction turns into a catwalk of arrogance. Later, when the protagonist’s company “goes bankrupt,” he’s surrounded by people offering him jobs as if he were a K-pop idol at a fan meeting. It’s impossible to take that seriously.

The pacing is slow, the acting mediocre, and what is meant to be stylish ends up as pure posturing. In the end, Mantis is not a thriller about assassins — it’s a catalog of recycled Korean clichés, where real tension is replaced with scenes so ridiculous they feel like a sketch.

It will only work for teenage fangirls who don’t care about the story as long as their oppa is on screen. For everyone else, this borders on trash.

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Je ne veux pas croire à cette suite

J'ai presque du mal à croire que c'est la suite de Kill Bok-Soon. C'était tellement décevant. J'ai adoré le première film, il était bourré de bonnes idées. C'était visuellement magnifique, chaque plans était réfléchit, avec les bonnes couleurs et les scènes d'action était superbe. Même l'histoire, malgré qu'elle reste simple dans sa construction. Ça abordé des sujets moderne et vraiment intéressant. Son seul défaut c'est que malgré ses 2h20, on en voulait plus.
Là ce que je viens de voir avec Mantis ? olalah ça a perdu tout son charme. Aucun plan mémorable, les scènes d'action était plus aussi élaboré. La storyline ??? J'en parle même pas. Pour moi si ce film n'a pas était fait que pour une question de business je comprends pas. Vraiment décevant. J'aurai préféré une suite sur la fille de l'héroïne du premier film. Bien plus de potentiel.

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“If you want to protect something, then you just do it.”

i went into this film unaware that it was a sequel but i think that was for the best because i would’ve been far more disappointed with this, and i already am.

mantis tries to be a lot of things at once—a comedy movie, an action flick filled with gore, a heartfelt emotional film that focuses on its characters—and it fails at doing most of this considering its less than two hour runtime. i was excited for this because the casting was literally insane and their performances definitely carried the film, but that was the extent of this movies greatness. i absolutely loved park gyu young’s performance and i think her character was the most fleshed out, with jae-yi’s inferiority complex and struggles clearly being her driving motive and acting as the main conflict of the movie as she makes her decisions based on these emotions she’s experiencing. i also thoroughly enjoyed choi hyunwook’s performance as benjamin because he does such a good job playing these bratty and manipulative characters, similar to his character in taxi driver whom i also loved even though he was a little shit. yim si wan’s character han-ul was a very basic character who didn’t have a lot of depth but it was his acting that made him stand out when he wasn’t in an action scene. speaking of those scenes, they were enjoyable for the most part but the best one was honestly the opening scene. the final fight was also slightly memorable but mainly because of a singular shot of yim si wan’s heartfelt and anguished facial expression.

other than the points mentioned above, the rest of the movie is honestly boring. the entire movie is rushed which makes the pacing really off seeing as before i knew it an entire year had somehow passed in the span of like five minutes, there are funky shots in both the good and bad sense as some of them were fun but a lot of them looked ridiculous, and the plot tries to do a lot at once with the sort of love plot between han-ul and jae-yi, the betrayal plot, the group break up, overthrowing and recreating the killer for hire system… it’s just a mess and it’s only mildly entertaining at best.

i definitely won’t rewatch this and i wouldn’t really recommend it, but if you really want to give it a shot i’m sure you’ll at least enjoy the performances done by the really incredible actors in this.

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Awesome action! Do prep the tissues.....

I read that this movie is somewhat tied to the real life story that happened in the Xingang port oil spill.

Irregardless of whether it is a real life story or a fiction, this movie is awesome. If you love firefighters and treasure / value their work, this is indeed a good movie to watch. There is a lot of fire fighting action and also a lot of tear jerking moments. This movie brings you to various different levels of griefs when the biggest disaster occurs and it requires help from every state nearby. It also brings a highlight to many people that being a firefighter is not an easy peasy job. Many people take advantage and assume that police, firefighters etc are just simple jobs with no risks. I feel that movies like these brings a reminder that we should appreciate all that is done by these marvelous people.

It is definitely worth a first watch.

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A satisfactory spin-off for returning audiences

I strongly encourage people to watch the first movie, Kill Boksoon, first. They're both great, memorable films to me.

Mantis isn't just another all-action movie, but displays the humanity that still exists behind these killing machines, these assassins. It follows the same tone as Kill Boksoon, exploring the dynamics and the emotions that exist between the characters. The action is great, but is not the main genre fueling the progression of the movie. I recommend this more for people who want a focus on the characters and their backstory---the reasons for coming into this killer world behind their grand name.

Mantis focused on the hidden jealousy, the hidden feelings, the narcissism of Mantis and the inferiority complex of Jaeyi that led to the inevitable rivalry between our two leads. HOWEVER, I love that this was only the surface level characterizations. Deep down, Mantis genuinely cares and wants Jaeyi to shine, and Jaeyi knows her skills and never once believed she was under someone else.

I still found flaws in this sequel like I did in Kill Boksoon, which was the lack of exploration of the other characters besides just our 2-3 main leads. They exist, but only to propel the story of the main cast. In Mantis, I definitely wanted to learn more about Sumin, how she got caught in this business, and where she learned her skills (and why she's so loyal to Mantis).

That's why...I wish this was a series instead, but I'm always looking forward to learning more about this universe---it feels like a breath of fresh air from your typical Hollywood action movie.

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