Reviews

Keizō Murase's final gift to the world

A charming, if somewhat ramshackle love letter to classic tokusatsu and Keizō Murase's final gift to the world, Brush of the God is clearly a film made out of love, a love for the humble kaiju, a love for practical effects, and love for a tradition of filmmaking that is rapidly disappearing. A handmade gift from one generation of monster-makers to the next offering up an old-fashioned children's adventure, complete with magical objects, eccentric characters and enormous monsters. There's something genuinely endearing about its straightforwardness and while there are moments when you wish the script were as imaginative as the monsters, it's difficult to be too harsh on Brush of the God. The story and acting leave something to be desired, but the wonderfully tactile monsters and the deeply personal sense of artistic legacy make Murase's first and only directorial effort at the age of 88 that make it positively infectious.

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Under Construction

I'd say the last 15 minutes of the movie were okay. Up until that point it felt somehow strange and confusing to me. This movie can work as a mystery because I wasn't able to piece together what was happening until near the end, but it definitely doesn't work as a horror. The plot takes place underground in a dark space where work used to be done for the expansion of the subway (metro), but you can still hear the workers even though the construction site is abandoned. Still, not a single scene delivers that tense feeling or even a jump scare typical of horror movies. Instead we get a fragmented story with a lot of incoherent elements, which only gives some answers at the end. I watched the movie in Korean without subtitles, so some details might have escaped me, but it seemed like I understood what was being told. Still, I felt lost while watching, so if you like being confused while watching a movie, then this could be the movie for you.

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Reflection on What Gives Life Meaning

There have been a number of reviews of this wonderful film by Pema Tseden. Some reviewers note the fact that it has a kind of road trip movie feel to it. Two of the characters are named “Jinpa” — one, a truck driver — lives a life that recalls the Myth of Sisyphus. He drives back and forth across the Kekexili Plateau in Tibet. It also reflects the cyclic nature of life — his, the truck driver’s life — but also the cyclic nature of existence itself. We can infer from images in the cab of the truck various things about his life. He has a daughter, there is a lama he respects. He also likes “O Sole Mio”. He carries the meaning of his life with him as he travels.

The truck driver picks up a hitchhiker, also “Jinpa” who is on a quest. Jinpa the hitchhiker is searching for his father’s murderer in order to exact revenge. It is given that he must do so since tradition demands revenge. But the film explores what it means to break away from the scripts we are given by tradition. We find significance and meaning through our own free choices.

This is a very moving film with a number of absurdist touches, such as Jinpa the truck driver feeling guilty for accidentally killing a sheep and then later buying part of a butchered sheep for meat. Philosophically very interesting. I highly recommend.

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I Was Not Ready For This

I DID NOT EXPECT THIS TO HURT THIS MUCH

I randomly watched this because Netflix recommended it to me, and honestly, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I thought I’d just watch a movie and move on with my life… nope. I ended up crying my heart out. 😭

This movie is so heartbreaking, but in a really quiet way. It’s not just about romance. It’s about memories, love, promises, losing someone, letting go, and how some people can leave such a big mark on your life even when things don’t go the way you want them to.

And the actors??? They did SO well. 😭 I really felt their emotions, especially during the sad scenes. Nothing felt overly dramatic or forced. Their expressions and the way they played their characters made everything feel so much more real. I got so attached to them, which obviously made everything hurt even more. 💔

There were literally so many moments where I had to stop because I was crying too much. Like… PLEASE, I am trying to watch the movie. 😭

And that ending??? Yeah… no. I was NOT okay.

One line that really stayed with me was:

"Scars don't disappear. But the pain doesn't last forever."

I don't know why, but that line really got me. And honestly, I think it fits the whole movie so well.

I also really liked how the movie shows that love isn't always about being able to stay with someone forever. Sometimes it's about the memories you make with them and how those memories stay with you, even after everything changes.

I haven't cried this much over a movie since Love You Teacher. I'm literally still crying while writing this, so clearly I'm not over it yet.

Anyway… I loved it. It was beautiful, sad, and definitely one of those movies that I'm going to keep thinking about for a while.

9.5/10

My heart: 💔
My tears: ??????
My emotional stability: nonexistent
Would I watch it again? Probably, but I need to recover first. 😭

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Saw that Daou would be in this. Its honestly my main motivator for watching it. I love him his acting is great. This is most definitely out of his comfort zone by a far but he does an amazing job portraying Po. So, since he was the main motivator I am also biased here. However, I think that the action was surprisingly good, it genuinely felt like thrilling to watch, You can really see the budget there.

Nadech was probably the biggest surprise for me, since I dont know him that well. He gave his character so much energy and made the fights actually feel painful and physical, rather than the hero being invincible all the time. Yea his character is supposed to be this all mighty fighter but you can really feel that he struggles a lot as well. I will be checking out more of his things he has acted in.

Overall, it's worth watching if you like gritty action. Don't expect a brilliant or complicated story, its very simple plot for a revenge type story but the action felt good. Come for the fights or one of the main actors performance, and you'll probably have a good time.

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A Heartbreaking Reflection on Beauty and Cruelty

Kwon Hae-hyo's performance is astonishing. He portrays Im Yeong-gyu, a blind master seal engraver, with such depth and precision that you forget you're watching an actor at all. It's his first time playing a blind character, and he makes it feel utterly authentic. Park Jung-min is equally compelling as Im Dong-hwan, the son who never knew his mother's face and sets out to uncover the truth of her death forty years later.

The film slowly peels back the layers of Dong-hwan's mother, Jeong Yeong-hui. We learn what her life was like, how she and Yeong-gyu came together, and what drove them apart. The final act—especially the last scene—makes you question everything you thought you understood. The revelation of why she died is devastating, and it lingers long after the credits roll.

What makes it even more heartbreaking is Yeong-gyu's story. He was blind from birth, bullied his whole life, and constantly put down for no reason. His life never got better. You begin to understand how society and its standards can push people over the edge. The film forces you to confront the impossible expectations placed on beauty—how people become sheep, following the same cruel opinions without question.

Hearing what happened to Jeong Yeong-hui was terrible. Hearing that people laughed about it was worse. That is the society we live in, and The Ugly holds up a mirror to it without flinching.

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A Solid Vigilante Thriller, But Not Mind-Blowing

It's a great story, even if you can guess the plot twist from the beginning. It's a great take on the vigilante genre—the idea of ordinary people taking justice into their own hands when the system fails is compelling, and the film executes that concept well enough to keep you engaged.

I sat through the entire movie because it was interesting, but it wasn't mind-blowing. The pacing holds up, the performances are solid, and the moral dilemmas are thought-provoking. But it never quite reaches the heights it could have. It's a decent watch—just don't go in expecting something unforgettable.

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Yoo Ah-in is extraordinary!!! A Masterpiece film!!!

I honestly don’t know what words could do justice to The Throne.❤️

The music is magnificent, the production is beautiful, and the direction, cinematography, makeup and writing are all outstanding. Every element works together perfectly to create something powerful, beautiful and deeply moving.

But above all, the male ledin actor, Yoo Ah-in is a legend of acting!

I cannot imagine a better actor for the role of Crown Prince Sado. What he does here is incredibly difficult. He doesn’t simply portray madness or emotional breakdown through dramatic outbursts. You can see his character’s psychological state changing in his eyes, his breathing, his posture, the way he moves and speaks, even in the moments when he barely does anything at all.

He doesn’t just play a man who is losing himself. He shows the process of a person gradually losing himself. And that requires extraordinary control. If he had gone too far, the character could have become exaggerated or theatrical. If he had held back too much, the tragedy would have lost its power. Instead, Yoo Ah-in finds that incredibly difficult balance and lets the transformation unfold through his entire face and body.

This is also what makes the film itself so powerful.

The Throne is not simply interested in portraying Sado as a historical “monster” or in focusing on his terrible actions. Instead, it is much more interested in how he came to become this person. It shows the path that leads to his destruction and invites us to look at the human being behind the historical figure.

The film explores what can happen when a person desperately needs love, acceptance and understanding but instead encounters rejection, fear, impossible expectations and harshness.

There is something deeply tragic in the relationship between father and son: Sado needs a father, while Yeongjo continually sees the Crown Prince. Perhaps kings, cannot always be the fathers, their children need...

And this is where the film becomes much more than a historical story. It speaks about human behaviour, parenthood, love, rejection and the devastating consequences of cruelty. Bad parenting and harshness can destroy people and spread nothing but toxicity and sorrow.

What I especially appreciate is that the film does not need to explain all of this to us. It tells us through the performances, the direction, the images, the music and the relationship between these characters. It simply lets us watch the tragedy unfold.

Song Kang-ho is also outstanding as King Yeongjo, and the performances of the two together are phenomenal!

Beautifully directed, beautifully shot and exceptionally performed, The Throne left me completely overwhelmed!

Yoo Ah-in is extraordinary! The film is extraordinary

10+/10 — A MASTERPIECE!!!! 👏🏻❤️

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What a well executed, beautifully sad story!

What a well executed, beautifully sad story!

The love between Heung Do and Dan Jong was mutual, beautiful, and full of trust.

Yoo Hai Jin was remarkably real. With the excellent support of the entire cast, he made you believe he was Warden Um Heung Do, Village Chief. I loved him from the very beginning of this film. His emotional range was nothing short of perfect. I could feel his anguish as he was forced into impossible situations many times over. I shared his anger when he scolded the king. I shared in his desperation over his son’s life. I laughed at his repeated comments of how he caught the snails for the king’s soup that morning.

Park Ji Hoon turned down the role of King Dan Jong 3 times before agreeing to do it, at which point he lost in excess of 20 pounds to achieve the look of a gaunt, wasting away young, overthrown king waiting for his death. Like YHJ, he made you feel what he felt, enjoy those few select moments with him, and discover, along with him, true meaning to his life. His eyes told much of King Dan Jong’s story. Whst a powerful actor you are!

Many thanks to you both for portraying these two important figures from Korea’s history with heartfelt care and honesty.

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"Stop calling me a hero. I just yell."

A Descendant of Urashima Taro was a strange departure for Naruse Mikio who was not known for his politically charged films. Given that it was 1946 and he had both Japanese and Allied censors over his shoulder and a populace reeling economically, socially, emotionally, and politically from WWII, I’m willing to cut him some slack on the overt propaganda. It was supposedly inspired by Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, a 1939 Frank Capra film. There was also a passing correlation to the fairytale of Urashima Taro.*

Reporter Tatsuta Akako hears a radio program interview of a repatriated soldier who had been stranded on an uncharted island for a year and a half. He learned a yell the islanders used when they were sad. Over the airwaves he cries for Japan, desiring a democratic rebirth where all people have a say and stake in the country. Akako figures out how to market the hermit Urashima Goro’s huge beard and iconic yell in order for her to have stories to write. The Japan Happiness Party also sees Urashima as a money maker and puppet for their party. Though they bill themselves as democratic they are just another configuration of the old system run by the zaibatsu-powerful financial conglomerates.

ADoUT starred Fujita Susumu as Urashima, an actor I was introduced to through Kurosawa Akira films like Sanshiro Sugata (1943) and kaiju flicks like Dogora (1964), but due to his large unkempt beard and the blurriness of the film I couldn’t recognize him. Takamine Hideko was the intrepid reporter who created and then had to destroy Urashima. Again, the blurriness of the film obscured her beautiful face, but her distinctive voice rang true. Reliable character actress, Sugimura Haruko, played Akako’s savvy boss.

The film was needlessly repetitive and if I never hear that Tarzan falling off a cliff yell again it will be too soon. I’m all for democracy but the rhetoric was laid on thick and often. There was a legitimate call for people to take part in the political process and to be aware of fake parties attempting to lead them back to the past. Urashima desired for Japan to be reborn. “Hope should be as big as the sun.” The performances were fine for the film but this wasn’t exactly a showcase for the actors’ abilities. The only hint I saw of Naruse was that women played prominent roles in the film both as creators and destroyers. Worth a view for a look into that moment in Japanese history and if you are a Naruse completionist.

18 September 2026

Title note: aka The Descendants of Taro Urashima. I went with the singular Descendant title as it at least had the name in the correct order.

*Urashima Taro-Urashima Goro mentioned that he made up the bit about being a descendant as the original Urashima had no offspring. Urashima Taro was a fisherman who rescued a sea turtle being tortured by children and was rewarded with a trip to the underwater Dragon Palace where he met the princess he’d saved. After a few days he asked to go home. The princess gifted him a box that would protect him but he must never open it. When he returned to his village, 300 years had gone by. In despair he opened the box and instantly became an old man, as the box had contained his old age.

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You were almost the greatest

It's a film that I'd passionately give a 10/10 if it weren't for the stupid AI generated shots. Just bloody get stock footage like the old days, you assholes.
Trust me when I say this, the initial description will NOT give you an accurate read on this movie, but that's also a very good highlight. Going in completely oblivious about the events and characters involved, other than knowing Beethoven was a really good musician, will enhance the experience tenfold, and you get to see an absolutely wonderful character piece that just keeps on adding layers. It's an exceptional wild ride to experience.
It's also a passionate meta commentary, and it's god damn brilliant at it. Shots, directing, all of it (most of the time) are fantastic, and I seriously cannot recommend this enough. You can look past some bad green-screening when you're sucked into the moment. However, I can't say I endorse all of it, as the AI generation was just so sloppy and annoying. Seriously, they couldn't spare a couple hundred to get rights to just get stock footage or 3D models?
I highly recommend watching this, it's just that good, but I would recommend getting a copy from a friend or going about it by ""other means"". Paying money to watch would be giving them the idea that AI generation in film is okay. It's not.

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Horrendous premise to start with

I should read the novel, because I can't believe it was intended for us to see how low humankind can stoop to save their own unworthy asses, destroying everything else in the process. I can't believe no one didn't think how horrendous that idea was, notwithstanding the sheer scientific nonsense and utterly unlikable characters. The world we saw with the choices they made in the movie deserved to be disintegrated.
P.S. Independence Day was likewise stupid in the scientific sense and visually stunning too. But its heroics were carrying the movie and made my heart rooting for all of them despite of the silliness of the whole enterprise. Here whatever they did annoyed the hell out of me.
P.S.S. With all that technological advancement, why didn't they opt for spaceships instead? Much simpler and less hassle. Well. As I said, I should read the book, I refuse to believe the story is that unconvincingly stupid too.

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My Sept Recommendation Movie

Watch this because recommendation challenge from 𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒖. Let’s discuss movie…

The story follows Akito Hayasaka, a talented 17-year-old artist with a passion for painting. Akito's world is shattered when he receives a terminal diagnosis: a tumor in his heart leaves him with only one year left to live. Devastated and unable to find purpose or joy in his remaining time, he falls into a state of deep despair and begins contemplating suicide.

Everything changes when Akito meets Haruna Sakurai on the roof of the hospital. Haruna, a girl his age, is facing an even grimmer reality—she has only six months to live due to a terminal illness of her own. Unlike Akito, who retreats into despair, Haruna approaches her remaining days with courage, warmth, and quiet acceptance. Akito chooses to hide the severity of his own condition because he does not want to burden Haruna or shatter the hopeful future she imagines for him.

As Akito begins visiting Haruna regularly, their shared passion for art becomes a vital bridge between them. Haruna’s resilience inspires Akito to find a new sense of purpose, shifting his focus from his own impending death to making Haruna’s final months as happy and meaningful as possible.

As their bond deepens into love, Akito rediscovers his artistic passion, using his canvas to capture Haruna’s beauty and the bright moments they share. Haruna’s presence teaches him to live fully in the present rather than fear the future, even as the stark reality of their conditions continues to loom over them.

So, how will their journey finally end? Will a miracle happen, allowing both of them to overcome their illnesses and live a healthy, happy life together? Or will they remain unable to escape the fate that has been waiting for them from the beginning?

That's pretty much the story without giving anymore spoilers.

What I like:
+ Unlike most stories where a looming death sentence makes everything feel heavy from the beginning, this film beautifully holds onto hope for a brighter ending.
+ The actors did their parts beautifully. I really like how they portrayed their respective characters, making their emotions feel natural and believable. Their performances made it easy to connect with both Akito and Haruna and feel the weight of everything they were going through.

What I don’t too like:
- Sometimes, watching a movie like this leaves me with a very specific, bittersweet feeling. It makes me reflect on life, love, and how precious our time with the people we care about really is.

Overall, this is a good movie about the beauty of fleeting moments and finding hope in the darkest of times.

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