Reviews

Great movie despite critics

In my opinion as a black individual, people are overreacting about the blackface. The character did it as a disguise blend into a tree background, watch it carefully you'll see. It blew my mind to also see real black people in there, unless their blackface was hella realistic which i highly doubt. Otherwise great movie, its comedy but its not like break your ribs funny. It has its moments; the actions pretty good, the acting is superb and the storyline is very satisfying which deserves a great rating in my book. I'm very new to this "sageuk" genre and see myself getting more into it.

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Avid thriller/ horror fan approved!!!

I support rights and wrongs! The plot of a little sister figuring out what happened to her older sister and getting revenge, so satisfying! After the first hour, it was boring for me, but I had whiplash for those last 42 minutes. Plot twist after plot twist, it was like watching the dominos put in place and finally watching in anticipation as it falls over. I won't lie I felt some scenes were unnecessary or too long. I would listen to some songs from the movie on my own ( especially the jazz ones). The leading actress did an excellent job of selling this role and everyone else on the cast as well. Putting it into 3 "Chapters" made sense and added to the movie. I don't want to give too much more away but as an avid horror fan, I enjoyed watching this. If you liked the girl from Nowhere you will definitely like this movie.

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Would I be able to see the person behind the crime?

It took me 3 days to finish this movie, it simply made me uncomfortable - not because of the content presented, but rather my thoughts, ideas and values. It made me think about a lot of issues and reexamine some of my opinions.

Many of us like to pretend the rehabilitation of the criminals is the goal, that the justice system should strive to make sure they can reenter society and live normal lives. At the same time, we don’t really treat said people in the way that would support what we think. The punishment for their crimes does not really end with their release from prison - they only face obstacles after obstacles even after regaining even partial freedom. How can they start living like humans, when they are not treated as such?

And that’s what the movie focuses on. What is more important - punishment or rehabilitation? How long should criminals pay for their crimes? Agawa Kayo tries to see the best in people, she believes people deserve 2nd chances and that they need support to live an honest life. And that’s what she strives to do working as a probation officer - be that one person support system. We observe her interaction with different parolees, how these interactions change both her and the people around her.

Arimura Kasumi and Morita Go delivered amazing performances that could break one's heart. The amount of pain, fear, but also hope - all so natural and clearly visible through their acting.

Overall, it’s not an easy watch if you watch it while reflecting on your ideas and values.

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a football team who strives to work hard for their dream to make a change ❤️‍?

An inspiring story of a football team involving their background of their lives, pursuing to change their lifestyle through being a football player. And a coach who was with them throughout their journey together fighting for a change ♡

Been waiting for a few months to be released and available to watch on HiTv, and suprisingly this was a good one and worth the wait ?. And its actually based on a true story!! I love how teamwork is portrayed from this drama, especially the korea team players also has their background story, which is more of an inspiring story of them as a team. Even if they don't win, their purpose is there within them :) Also, I love how chaotic Park Seo Jun and IU in this movie haha


Park Seo Jun and IU never dissapoints with their drama :)) Overall, this was actually a good watch :)

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If only...

This could be incredible but the execution was off. Especially the first half of the movie was a bit meh. The CGI was just not it. The directing lacked a hooking point.

But I have to admit that once it entered the flashback of the mother, it started to get interesting. For some reason I wanted to see the end of the story. I keep thinking that it has a big potential. It could be a tear jerking and an inspirational movie had it beautifully written and directed.

It wasn't that bad. It's just wasting its great potential.

Still recommended if you want to watch something light and family related movie.

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Tragedy of daughters that want to please their mothers

It's a character study of two characters' - mother and daughter, both of them try to please their mothers, disregarding their own feelings. This movie shines in the character department, all of them feel real and flawed. The soundtrack and cinematography create a picturesque atmosphere, which contrasts with the unhealthy dynamics of our main characters.

If you enjoy psychological character studies and generational tragedies - this one is for you.

The story has three segments:

First one: Memories of mother (we see how she meets her husband and her interactions with her mother, she displays people-pleasing tendencies and urges to always agree with her mother), none of her choice was because she wanted it. Marrying or having a daughter, she did it all because it would make her mother happy. She wanted to be a good daughter. This character showcases how dreadful lives of people pleasers become and how their attitude to please everyone (especially authority figures like mother) brings pain to everyone around them.

Second segment: Memories of a daughter (how she is living with mother that doesn't love her and from young days notices that mother loves grandma more than her). The tragedy is, the grandmother provides unconditional love to her grand-daughter and that makes her mother upset. Through daughter's eyes we see how unhealthily attatched to grandmother is her mother.

This movie brought many emotions out of me - disgust, anger and sadeness. I couldn't help but show middle finger to the screen when some characters would come in. They were insufafrable, because I knew some women like that in my life.

Acting was good, it relayed unsaid emotions pretty well and it created suspense, because actors relied well, when characters' were unstable and holding in their emotions.

Soundtrack: Orchestral string music that creates a fairytale like atmosphere. I have a soft-spot for such music, thus it's always A+ when movie utilizes it well. I was a bit surprised that movie ended on "hopefully-happy" musical track, as if trying to sooth the viewer

Would I watch it again? Well- I skipped first 7 minutes accidently and started to watch from them on. After I completed a movie I returned to the beginning and was happy that I did not treat movie like a murder mystery. Because first seven minutes showcases daughter hanging from tree and audience is faced with question if mother loved her or not. So I would suggest also starting from 7th minute.

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Can definitely be watched multiple times, preferably on a big screen

This was so good. China should be very proud of this movie. The cast, direction, editing, music, cinematography was on point. The movie had great pace from the very beginning. I wish I had watched it on the big screen, what great visuals it had.
I could totally see how well they used their budget.

I love that Yibo is making great choices for his projects. He could have easily kept on doing the same kind of roles in dramas and earn a good living but he chose to take on challenges and work with good actors and directors to hone his craft. It's no secret that I watched this movie coz of him and he did not let me down.
If Yibo was a Hollywood actor, all our media would be telling us how a young actor is so talented and has done such a variety of work...There's no need to write how good Hu Jun is, he is a veteran. But, I've never seen Yu Shi before, he was good.

Lei Yu is scared of dogs. Those who know will know :P
Zhang making Lei eject but choosing to stay back is not fictional. There have been many pilots who made sure their plane wouldn't crash on a residential area, they sacrificed their life to protect innocent civilians. I knew he would not make it the moment they showed his family but damn it hurt. The first time Lei ejected was so funny but this one was heartbreaking.
Lei's mother told us how risky this career is by just 1 dialog, you can't fix the plane while it's in the clouds.

One can't pretend that there's no propaganda in the movie. In real world, China intrudes into the air spaces of another country while the movie tells us how they get worried when someone else does the same. Movies from other countries do propaganda as well. So let's not pretend a Chinese movie is doing something new. We ignore or pretend when movies of our countries do it so give leeway to another as well.
Everyone knows what China has done in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and other smaller countries. I'd like to see someone brave enough to make a movie or drama in China that shows the ugly truth. But we know it's not possible in a country that decides what its adult population should watch.

The movie is about test pilots, what they do, their lifestyle and the massive risks they take. The movie successfully shows it to the viewer. If such a story doesn't interest you then don't go complaining about it. The movie delivers what it promised.
Comedy was at the right time and in the right amount. The CGI was incredible. I didn't care about romance coz I was engrossed in the story of test pilots, thankfully the movie didn't make romance as the core.
There aren't many women test pilots in the real world so I was hoping the movie would have gone a different route. It would have been interesting to watch them make changes to the planes to suit women. Maybe another movie which shows the struggles women test pilots face.
I'll definitely watch the movie again. It was totally worth the wait.

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"How many deaths are enough?"

The Lost Bladesman followed part of Guan Yun's epic journey from being Chancellor Cao Cao's prisoner to making his way back to Liu Bei while taking down numerous generals and assassins. I can't judge the film on historical or legendary correctness, only on its entertainment value. The film looked amazing, had several creative and well-choreographed fight scenes featuring Donnie Yen and included Jiang Wen's nuanced portrayal of the inscrutable Cao Cao. Those things were more than enough to keep my attention throughout the film.

The film opens with Guan Yun being held prisoner and aiding his injured men. Cao Cao admires Guan's military prowess and seeks to convert him to his side. A man of immense integrity, compassion, and loyalty, Guan Yun largely refused. Guan's only goal was to return Liu Bei's concubine to him who was being held hostage and support his sworn brother. Cao Cao releases him, but his men call upon just about every swordsman in the land to execute Guan on sight. The movie really gets going at this point.

The story was not terribly complex, but a cursory glance at history did help explain a few things that were glossed over for an audience familiar with the tale and characters. I've heard complaints that Donnie Yen didn't look the part. Guan Yun's legend stated that he wielded a 49kg/108lb Green Dragon Crescent Blade, that's like swinging a large child holding an enormous broadsword in battle, not sure who they were going to find who would fit that description. I'm certainly not in the place to judge how a revered legendary character stood up to cultural expectations. I can only offer my opinion how the movie came across as entertainment in my neck of the woods. As the movie played out with numerous fight scenes, Yen did what he does best---fight. His Guan was compassionate and benevolent but he kept being drawn back into bloodshed as he reluctantly faced down the six generals ordered to kill him. Jiang Wen did what he does best---bring a complex character who was thinly written to life. His Cao Cao was the mesmerizing power behind the throne who tried to appear benevolent though many of his actions would say otherwise. Yen and Jiang had great chemistry in their politely adversarial relationship. A half-hearted love story thrown in did not enhance the narrative. The cinematography was nicely done as well as the sets and costumes giving a feeling of authenticity.

If you are looking for historical and mythical accuracy, this may not be the film for you. If you are looking for an entertaining martial arts film with some good performances and a little history added to the mix, this might be for you. I enjoyed The Lost Bladesman more for the fight choreography than for the story. There were several scenes including one in an alley with a reluctant Guan not wanting to kill anyone off the battlefield that were quite exciting. The film did a fairly good job of portraying the man who was a lamb in wolf's clothes and another man who would rather be wrong than be wronged. Both wanted peace, but took different paths to try and reach that unreachable destination. "How many deaths are enough?" History would tell us way too many.

6/16/23

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Cute ?!?!?

If this were a straight romance, the comments would be: so boring, seen so many times, looks like a high school project. But since it is a lgbtqabcdefg whatever, it is necessarily amazing, great, cute, brave. Shouldn't be saying anything critical about it, it is not right to do so!

But, I was so bored by a 15min film. I multitasked while watching so.....

The actresses have no talent or chemistry. They are so awkward with each other. And I know: it is their first meeting so it is natural to be uncomfortable but these two seemed to be in two different movies. The overuse of social media is tiring. Today, before getting to know anyone, you have to ask your social media followers for their opinion...we do live in crazy times!

The sets are cold and empty, the music is non existent. I wish it were longer and better developed. The story is not original but it does not mean it has to be boring! I know it was probably made with a very little money but. Still that is not an excuse! I mean just look at Confidential Coffee Break: two people talking in an empty set: gripping!

Could have and should have been better!

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Nice surprise, cute moment

I liked this way more than what I thought I would. Here's why.

First, the things I didn't like:
The camera work was very annoying.
They do very wide shots during important discussions instead of showing the actors's face...
They could have filmed from bird eye view it would have been the same effect...
This is really not the best to be able to be immersed in the character's emotions and the story.
It's like we see everything from very far (from accross the street) and that this is just two strangers having a conversation

But I liked Kento's portrayal very much. He really is a great actor and although his character is pretty classic among manga stories, he did a really good job. And this role suits him very well

Even tho this is a summary of the story, and reading the manga would be better to get the full picture and have the whole impact of their relationship, the final scene was very beautiful and very efficient.

I kinda of recommend it if you want a cute story that feels real but is still a light watch.

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Lighthearted yet hard-punching comedy

This is a nice and simple romantic comedy. It’s lighthearted and funny (even a bit silly at times). I liked the angle of the fathers setting up their kids so they could meet naturally and not by forcing a marriage onto them (which is actually the aim). That was refreshing.
Character wise:
FL is a smart and intelligent woman who grew up knowing her father would have liked her to be a boy. She is the sole heir of the family business.
ML is a smart, rough and temperamental young man who is the son of the current CEO in the family business but not the sole heir.
Acting wise this is pretty good and the main actors do a good job even if the story has a more comical aspect that doesn’t leave them that much room to shine.
Anyway, if you are into something light, funny and a little romantic, this is a nice watch.

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