Gay West Side Story
If you are familiar with the classic movie, “WEST SIDE STORY”, or even its updated remake, then the current result, I like to describe, is the gay Japanese version of that classic without of course the musical/dancing scores. I may be reading too much into this production, but the film appears to pay homage to that archetype through its many parallels in its theme, setting, design, and overall atmosphere. And as the title implied, it really is a story of love. More central is the message that fighting, aggression, and rebellious behaviors do not resolve conflicts; they only magnify them and lead to further destruction and pain. While the title might seem oxymoronic, its meaning will be understood clearly and precisely by the end of the movie. Unquestionably, while this movie is highly captivating, it conveys a deep moral message presented with entertaining undertones. While there is gang violence, this movie makes significant arguments against that way-of-life. It advances and embraces detente not in a Pollyanna way, but in a straightforward, honest way to resolve aggression with SOMEONE courageous enough to lead the way with another person on the other side with equal courage to reciprocate. You can read the full review at BLBliss.com.Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Am I crazy or was this actually good?
I am a huge RAMPAGE fan, but I generally don't go into the members' acting projects expecting ~actual cinema~ because the majority of the time they aren't. Similarly, I went into this fully anticipating to turn my brain off and just marvel at the novelty of having Kazuma, Riku, and Hokuto in one project together, so imagine my surprise when I actually got invested in each of the stories, brain on and all!Maybe I was predisposed to like this because I enjoy a good omnibus, but I found the atmosphere of this movie super immersive and I appreciated how there wasn't too much set-up or exposition - we're kind of tossed in the middle of everything and the characters are just able to exist and reveal parts of themselves in natural ways. It was a little grungy and cinematic, but in a way that wasn't overly pretentious. And while I watched this for my boys and their performances were great, it was the actresses who really brought things together. It's honestly hard to choose which of the three segments was my favorite, but I'm a bit partial to the one with Kazuma because of my mother Sakai Maki featuring in it!!
It's not doing anything particularly new or deep, but it still resonated with me and stands as proof that even projects full of idols in their cast can hold their own sometimes. Highly recommend if you're a RAMPAGE fan like me and even if you aren't!
Was this review helpful to you?
Elite bromance that carries a silly but fun plot
Midnight Runners is the definition of pure entertainment. If you are here for the main actors, you will not be disappointed. The absolute highlight of this movie is the incredible dynamic between Park Seo-joon and Kang Ha-neul. Their bromance, natural banter, and comedy timing are elite, and they easily carry the entire film.Plot-wise, you have to turn off your brain a little bit. Some moments are quite silly, unrealistic, and the tone shifts between dark crime and goofy comedy rather quickly. However, if you don't take it too seriously, it's an incredibly fun ride.It's not a deep masterpiece, but the charm of the cast makes it totally worth watching. A very fair 7/10 for the amazing vibes and laughs!Was this review helpful to you?
Sweet nothingburger
A very sweet watch, but even at a humble 1 hour and 7 minutes, I'm not sure the story in here justifies the runtime. Part of the comfort in this movies comes from the fact that there's very little drama and it's just a cozy film about an introvert frolicking around in bookstores and meadows, but at the same time it ultimately feels...mild.Was this review helpful to you?
A masterpiece of action and pure emotion that will make you cry
Story:"The Man from Nowhere" is a flawless cinematic masterpiece. On the surface, it looks like a gritty, badass action thriller, but at its core, it is a deeply emotional story about love, protection, and redemption. The dynamic between the mysterious main character and the innocent little girl is the heart of the entire film. Watching his brutal, relentless journey to save her is both thrilling and heartbreaking. The ending is so incredibly beautiful that it will definitely leave you in tears.Acting/Cast:The acting is perfection. Won Bin gave a legendary performance—he managed to look terrifyingly lethal in action scenes, yet so deeply sorrowful and protective with just a glance. The child actress was also phenomenal and incredibly adorable, making you care about her safety from the very first minute. Their chemistry was magical.Music/Rewatch Value:The soundtrack is beautiful and heightens every single emotional and action-packed beat of the movie. The rewatch value is incredibly high. Even though it is a real tear-jerker, it is a film you will want to experience over and over again.Conclusion:This is a mandatory watch for anyone who loves high-quality cinema. It blends top-tier, brutal fight choreography with a beautiful, emotional soul. Prepare some tissues, because this movie will touch your heart deeply. A perfect 10/10.Was this review helpful to you?
Funny Action Comedy Movie
I enjoyed this so much. Ma Do Jun is a crackhead 😂😂😂 and then the bickering between the trio is so funny.Not to mention Kim Yong Gang. They always make these gang leaders hilarious. Laughed so hard when the trio was being chased in the alley and Kim Yong Gang and his gang honked their car horn 😂 IYKYK.
Overall, it was fun to watch and I was wondering if we were getting a season 2 since Yoona made an appearance at the end
Was this review helpful to you?
So bad it's hilariously funny
Story:Coming from South Korea, a country known for top-tier zombie masterpieces, "Gangnam Zombie" is a massive letdown. The plot is incredibly weak, generic, and filled with ridiculous logic. However, because everything is written and directed so poorly, it becomes strangely entertaining as a comedy. It’s hard to take anything seriously when the script makes no sense.Acting/Cast:The acting is the funniest part of the entire experience. The main leads tried their best, but the extras playing the infected were hilarious. Their "scary" expressions and zombie acting looked like a high school theater project. Instead of feeling terrified, I was just laughing at how awkward they looked.Music/Rewatch Value:The technical side of the movie, including the music and visual effects, feels very cheap and low-budget. The rewatch value is low, unless you want to put it on in the background with friends just to make fun of it together.Conclusion:Overall, it is a very weak film that deserves a 3/10. It completely fails as a horror movie, but succeeds as an unintentional comedy. Watch it only if you enjoy cheesy, poorly-made B-movies that are so bad they become funny.Was this review helpful to you?
Incredibly heavy and deeply disturbing, but powerful
Story:"Silenced" is a movie that leaves you completely speechless. It deals with extremely dark, heavy, and frustrating topics, and the fact that it is based on a true story makes it even more devastating to watch. The plot is gripping but highly uncomfortable. It's the kind of film that makes you feel furious and sad at the same time, to the point where it's hard to even know what to think after the credits roll.Acting/Cast:The acting is phenomenal, which actually makes the movie even harder to watch. Gong Yoo and Jung Yu-mi gave incredible performances, but the child actors completely stole the show. They portrayed the pain and trauma so realistically that it felt painfully genuine.Music/Rewatch Value:The sound design and music do a great job of building the tense, suffocating atmosphere. However, the rewatch value is extremely low. This is definitely a one-time watch because of how heavy and upsetting the subject matter is.Conclusion:It is an excellent, high-quality film, but it requires a very strong stomach. If you are looking for something light or entertaining, skip this. But if you want a powerful social drama that stays with you for a long time, it is worth a watch.Was this review helpful to you?
Beautiful but heavily slow-paced and sad
Story:The premise of "Taste and Tears" is very poetic and emotional, dealing with loneliness, promises, and long-lost connections. However, the plot moves way too slowly. While the emotional weight is definitely there, it often felt draggy and a bit boring. It is a very sad and heavy movie, so you have to be in the right mood to watch it.Acting/Cast:The actors did a great job portraying the deep loneliness and longing of their characters. The emotions felt raw and genuine.Music/Rewatch Value:The soundtrack fits the melancholic vibe perfectly. However, because it's so slow and depressing, I don’t think I would watch it a second time.Conclusion:If you appreciate beautiful cinematography and bittersweet, slow-paced stories, you will enjoy this. It's a nice, pretty movie, but it requires a lot of patience.Was this review helpful to you?
I could watch them in any and every universe
Please skip this if you're looking 4 an actual review. This isn't quite that. It's largely just me gushing about my love for this show.Hagiwara Riku and Yagi Yusei make me wish that Japan did official ships like Thailand does (and that their TV BL industry was just as big). Ever since I stumbled upon the series about 3 years ago, I have made time to rewatch it at least once a year.
I'm not a show rewatcher like that. 9.9 times out of 10, I fill in the rewatch value rating coz MDL demands it; otherwise, I cannot publish my little drama reviews. So, yes, this story holds a very special place in my heart. No matter how many times I watch it, and know what will happen next, I still find myself craving a rewatch and end up glued to my screen.
Not only are the two actors phenomenal, but their chemistry... Holy Jesus🔥🔥. I like how complex the characters in this story are. What you think is at first, isn't, and the more you peel off the layers of these people, the more you uncover their flaws, their vulnerabilities, and start to fall in love with their complicated love story.
Now on to my thoughts about this Special Edit Version:
💓I think it's edited rather well to fit the movie's length. Some scenes were cut while others were added, likely to make the story flow better. Some of those extended parts (scenes and extra narrations) also allowed you to get a better glimpse of what these characters are thinking. I believe this helps you understand them and their motivations better than in the series
💓The cinematography and subtitles - I think this is what I enjoyed most about this version. Both were a lot better, actually leagues above those of the 1st seaon of the drama.
If you do not have the time to spend on the series, I say you can just watch this version, and you will understand the story just as well. However, if you have the time, watch both. Start with the 6 episodes of the 1st season, then come watch this.
Now, allow me to go daydream, yet again, about the magic that Hagiwara Riku and Yagi Yusei would weave together if they were an official pair and were handed some good scripts with beautifully complex characters
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
?
20th Century Girl is a very good movie. While I unfortunately found the first fourth of the movie boring, it got better and then I was hooked for the rest of the movie.Kim You Jung really is such a good actress, really enjoyed her acting and her character! It was sad that she didn't end up with the ML, but I expected that. I love the friendship between the female leads and the male leads too.
Baek Hyun Jin reminded me of Ie Chan from Twinkling Watermelon, he seemed so sweet and I would have wished better for him and Kim Yeon Du.
Was this review helpful to you?
We love you Weng Weng
Words cannot describe how much beautifully demented joy D'Wild Wild Weng brings me, an utterly deranged Kung-Fu Western featuring Tribal Dwarves, Mexican Banditos, and even a detachment of ninjas for Weng Weng to murder. It's just as gloriously chaotic as the two Bond parodies that make up the heart of his tragically limited filmography. Naturally, Weng is magnetic, spending the film up to his usual antics, employing his diminutive stature in ever more inventive ways before sliding across the floor and kicking a bad guy in the balls, but this time he gets to serenade a young lady too, and it's magical. Surprisingly, the most unusual thing is the comedy relief sidekick because he can't talk. There are obviously a number of conceptual problems associated with the character who can't talk; certainly, giving him most of the exposition was a mistake. The bigger issue is the potential for irritation, but on balance, it's seldom more annoying than it is fascinating, so I'm on board all the way, especially when things start to get weird. Sadly, it seems the holy grail of Weng Weng adventures is currently being withheld from us mere mortals, but for what it's worth, there isn't anything better than watching Weng mowing down enemies with a Gatling Gun.Was this review helpful to you?
An ode to artistry and perseverance
For a film which revolves around sex, Viva Erotica doesn't feel the least bit sleazy or grimy, instead offering an electrifying meta-filmic takedown of both the absurdity and sensationalism of the world around Category III filmmaking. It throws out the window any typical expectations you have, delivering a provocative satire that pokes fun at the film industry while celebrating the people who keep it running. It certainly helps that the film has a tremendous spirit of style with some wonderful direction and photography, plus a terrific sense of humour, with its tongue firmly in cheek, featuring witty dialogue, cheeky references, and guest cameos that ground the film in a slightly offbeat existence. The different styles reflecting different moments, within its realm of porn, there's a lot more colour and movement, but it slows down when it's brought back to reality. It dips into the classic retrospection of filmmakers, moving flawlessly from moment to memory and back again, while thriving on capturing the typical heart of low-budget indie cinema, just with extra nudity and sex thrown in. Leslie Cheung gives a great performance, tackling his role with abandon, embodying the turmoil an artist endures when his ideal must be compromised to meet the reality of the market. He's flawed, but in a very natural and relatable way, as people can't always make the right decision at every turn. All the while, Shu Qi is doing a parody of bad porn acting, resulting in cinematic gold. It helps that they're backed by a fantastic support team, a mix of different personalities who all have something to add, originally out digging into artistic integrity but evolving into becoming a family and together, trying to create something great. Although at times, Viva Erotica seems precisely like the soft-core sex flicks it's trying to skewer, starting with a literal bang with one of the most enthusiastic bonking scenes ever witnessed, yet it all comes together in a surprisingly heartfelt examination of filmmaking, artistic compromise and the struggle to survive in a commercial entertainment industry.Was this review helpful to you?
