Reviews

Please tell us something about yourself in 1 minute.

A frustrating watch to be honest. Not because of the movie itself. More so the themes behind the movie are so true and harsh.

The theme of this movie seems to be about how we are just expected to be someone as soon as we enter the job market in society. In Japan, it is a big deal to land a good job and if you do it must be with a company. Those jobs pretty much mean you are there for life. It's generally looked down upon taking up jobs that aren't with giant companies and leaving such jobs is also a very big faux pas. Therefor work culture in Japan can sometimes be toxic and leave many people in disarray during the job hunt.

We come across 5 individuals all looking for that release. When they will find the job that will make them a productive member of society. Each one has a goal in mind to find the job but they are extremely reluctant to do so. Many of them end up having to compromise in order not to feel failure. Failure is a large component of this movie. In fact the main Protagonist Takuto somewhat revels in it. And this is where the movie becomes extremely frustrating.

Takuto is always analyzing his peers and making his judgements on their decisions. His character is majorly flawed in that he has totally been crushed by the world and doesn't take responsibility for his own downfalls. This creates a large vacuum of despair within himself. It's as if his self loathing is projected onto his friends. We learn at the end about what he's really been thinking the entire movie and it's awful. As someone who has had issues in the past comparing themselves to others, I can understand where he's coming from. We attack because we lack awareness of our own vulnerabilities. It's one of the reasons it's hard to watch this for me. We know he knows that he isn't amounting to anything but he can't express it himself anymore.
A largely trapped feeling that dwells on past stories.

The other characters are parallels of this journey. Mizuki who has to grow up in order to protect her parents who she feels she owes. Kotaro the drive less musician who has to move on in order to survive. Despite this he continues to head toward a goal that seems almost implausible. Rica who wants to do good in the world and does everything she can to make herself heard. And finally Takayoshi who has already decided that the world is beneath him and he doesn't want to live in such a world that breaks someone's individuality. All of these characters represent many repressed feelings of youth who are growing up in such a society that values you more as a number then a person. The main cast all present themselves in a way that represents a role in Takuto's mind play. People who hide their insecurities and sadness behind walls. They are all equally disgraceful in his eyes. But we watch on as entertainment. So then the question the movie asks is how can we be so blind to these feelings?

Visually the film is well shot and there's some really good tight shots and the stage play shots are really inventive. A lot of the film focuses on subtle little cues. Like the shuffling of a phone or the eyes of Takuto making his analysis of his friends.Body language is also very telling in this story. There's a major difference in how let's say Kotaro, Takayoshi and Takuto present themselves. Takeru Satoh has this innate ability to portray a devilish quality behind his acting. It's kinda like that swarmy evil underbelly of someone . In this movie it makes him pretty unlikable as a character. Kasumi once again steals the show with her distant emotional breaks. I think she had the best scenes in the movie.

I would say this movie is ok to watch when you just maybe feel a little sad. It's mood is definitely subdued with it's warm intense lighting. It uses a lot of techniques that stage plays use I thought. So it has a lot of spotlights and colored lighting to convey tones.

Finally the film expresses the one true thing we all know. Twitter is a dumpster fire.

Read More

Father's exorcism

We have one Father - a Priest and we have another father - a doctor who's daughter is possessed. Both fathers are ready to do all it takes to save the girl in danger. Even though the priest is more educated and knows what he is doing, the father who doesn't know anything is still trying. But how to save a girl that has already died? This is a minor spoiler but is already in the synopsis of the movie so I don't need to hide it here. I liked the new approach to the exorcism theme and the invention of a new theological myth about demons.

There are some scary moments and some cheap jump scares. I would say that the movie does scene cuts pretty well and helps us understand the situations through flashbacks. The actors were good but the characters they play didn't really behave consistently. There are a few side characters that just appear and experience something big but the movie forgets them instantly. What I liked the most is the atmosphere and the Latin prayers. (Vade retro satana!)

PS. This is actually the fourth Korean movie in a row about Demons and exorcism that I saw and i didn't even plan that. The good thing is that each movie is unique and doesn't hurt the enjoyment of others and I would recommend them all.
Dark Nuns - a mystical fantasy with Nuns taking the role of Priest.
Revelations - psychological thriller about personal demons .
Handsome Guys - dark comedy with shocking moments and some gore.
Devils Stay - standard horror with many supernatural elements but still grounded and most realistic among these four.

Read More

Strawberry Night's Movie-Sequel, "Invisible Rain" Requires The Preceding Series and 2010 Special.

While I love Strawberry Night as a whole, I think this film is the weakest portion of the story; it is a decent bookend to the narrative, but it's missing some of the key emotional cruxes of the series.

I think this film should have been much more fleshed out in terms of character interactions; particularily, more scenes between Himekawa and Isao (the anti-hero guest character for the movie) would've heightened the quality of the story. As it is, the case presented in "Invisible Rain" is probably the weakest out of all the investigations the Strawberry Night characters have participated in. There's less of a focus on the motivation of the killers or upon Himekawa's personal feelings on the crimes she's investigating. The whole plot comes off as unintentionally dull. On the plus side, this film is as I said earlier: a bookend. It completes Himekawa's story arc that starts in that 2010 special.

Throughout the series, Himekawa is reprimanded by her fellow division commanders in various ways and by the end of this film you can see small spurts of real growth in her character. There are very subtle moments where Himekawa directly admits that she has been too headstrong and isolated in past investigations. This film needed way, way, way more subtle moments in that manner. The investigation process that Himekawa takes part in is the real attraction of this series. Specifically, the workman-like fashion in which this police procedural series is written emphasizes meetings, planning and interviews. It is, strangely, less concerned with aestheticising clues, evidence or perplexing mysteries. If you don't want to see people walking the streets asking questions, you're probably watching the wrong show! These small conversations are the strongest reason for watching the TV show, specials and this movie (even though the film is lacking in this conversational aspect compared to the previous entries). Yes, there are criminal cases being investigated by Himekawa's team, but the intricacies of maneuvering around her colleagues, her superiors and her own investigation team are always what drives the narrative to interesting places.

All that said, the key thing this film is missing is a climactic interrogation scene where Himekawa confronts the suspect in an emotional manner; I think the climactic scene we were given for this film is quite the cop-out in this respect. No pun intended, it just came to my mind!

Without spoiling too much, the main takeaway from this movie is that people who share deep, emotional trauma can sense and "see without seeing" that trauma in each other. That is why it is called "Invisible Rain"; I think the concept was adequately done, but this film's thematic content is nowhere near the superb closer to the television series "Soul Cage" or the pivotal flashback sequences in the 2010 special. If you don't want to watch the entire series (or if you've accurately sensed that I'm NOT RECOMMENDING you watch this movie as a blind watch), I'd highly recommend watching the 2010 special and then perhaps the last three episodes of the television series (Episodes 9, 10 and 11).

This movie may disappoint you; the television series will not.

Read More

this is the actual meaning of " soulmate"

This movie is emotionally rich that paints a heartfelt portrait of friendship as something deeper than love—an invisible thread that binds souls beyond time and distance. It follows the lives of two girls, Mi-so and Ha-eun, whose bond begins in their youth and blossoms into a profound connection that transcends words.

The film beautifully captures the essence of friendship as a safe haven—where laughter echoes freely, silences speak volumes, and even pain is shared without fear. Their journey is filled with moments of joy, misunderstanding, longing, and reunion, illustrating how true friendship isn’t about always being together, but about always belonging to each other.

Visually poetic and emotionally stirring, Soulmate shows that some people come into your life not just to walk with you, but to shape who you become. Their souls are mirrors, and through each other, they discover the truest parts of themselves. It’s a love letter to the kind of friendship that stays in your heart forever.

The ending of Soulmate is quietly devastating yet profoundly beautiful—a culmination of love, longing, and the irreplaceable bond of friendship.

After years of separation, misunderstandings, and missed connections, Ha-eun discovers the depth of Mi-so’s love and sacrifice too late. Through Mi-so’s paintings—filled with vivid colors and intimate moments only they shared—Ha-eun begins to truly understand the silent ways Mi-so expressed her feelings. The art becomes Mi-so’s voice, revealing emotions she could never speak aloud.

It’s an ending that doesn’t offer easy closure, but instead leaves you with a lingering ache—the kind that only comes from loving someone so deeply, they become a part of your soul. Soulmate reminds us that even if someone is gone, the bond you shared continues to shape your world, quietly and eternally.

Read More

Bit weird // Kinda funny?

If you can ignore the horrendous age gap then this is actually an enjoyable movie. I found myself laughing audibly several times!

I know it's based on a manga (which I have read) and unfortunately in the world of Japanese mangas it is almost encouraged to explore the taboo. Isaku and Keiya have a 10 year age gap which isn't a bad thing except that she is 16 and he has quite literally raised her. I found the romantic scenes were a bit awkward to watch and I found it hard justifying why a 26 year old FULLY GROWN MAN is interested in a teenager. To give Keiya some credit, for the bulk of the film he does say he doesn't quite know what these feelings are that he's experiencing. I dunno, it's still feels weird to me.

Very reminiscent of "18-sai Niizuma, Furin Shimasu" so if you could handle that then this would be maybe the PG version.

It was refreshing to see Jesse in a serious but gives-me- butterflies role (although he does briefly break character and honestly I loved it). The pierced ears and dark hair really suit him. Fukumoto Riko's acting isn't amazing but it's a big improvement on some of her previous performances I've seen. Bonus points for cast because they had Sugimoto Tetta and Sasaki Nozomi. And Kanon & Matsui Haruna played their roles as Isaku's friends perfectly! So cute.

Music... I am heavily biased as a fan of SixTONES, but I do think "Barrier" is truly a great and catchy song. It matches the tone of the film well and it got me through the last little bits.

Read More

Truly one of the most cinematic pieces of media

I will never stop praising this film, I've watched it at least 10 time and without doubt each time I watch it I will always be taken aback by the emotional connection the actors are able to transfer through the characters. This is everything I was looking for when it came to representation of religion and the struggles internally of being lgbtq, honestly this is one of the best pieces of media to exist ever. On top of this, despite not necessarily liking time jumps I think the way in which this was done at the ending was really special and was very important in portraying the message throughout.

Read More

Excellent

Watching thi movie is an occasion to see what the actors really can: acting. A bad written story can ruin a movie, but a good written story alone cannot make a good movie. Also the theme itselft will not make it a success. The way this movie is directed, the delicacy of each scene and the story itself gives the actors the chance to act. There is nothing of the standard boring romance drama that you can see it everywhere; here the actors can focus on expressing the feelings with they mimic and gestures, with their smile , face and body. The theme of the movie is also a good one and there is so much art and caution inside, that I forgive the few inherent inconsequences.

This movie is 100% worth its watching time.

Read More

404 LALITA IS COMING, RUN RUN! haha

Funny Horror Comedy!
May not be a super hilarious one but a VERY GOOD WATCH to pass the time .

A Good Mix of Love story + Horror + Comedy.

Cinematography, Direction, Pacing are Good.
Simple Plot n is well executed.
Acting by everyone is right to the point.
The comedy part is funny n good, like usual Thai comedies.

Good to see known actors like Daou, Naphat and Phuak in this horror comedy.
Actor Phuak, though a guest role, is very funny, as usual.

***** STORY:
The Story is about a female ghost n the ML fighting for the ownership of a Hillside Hotel, previously owned by her n now owned by him.

ML while renovating it, along with his team (Daou, a father n his son) faces troubles with the ghost in that haunted hotel.

And them bringing shamans from different faiths n religions like a Buddhist Monk, an Exorcist (?) n one more Spiritual Master, to ward off the ghost, is VERY FUNNY.

All these generate lovely comedy.

Them: "THIS GHOST IS LIKE CHUCKY!" 😂
(References to Chucky movie n some other famous movies n celebrities, are Very Funny )

***** ENDING:
Ending gave me mixed feelings, Sad n Happy .
Anyways, Everyone got what they want in the end!

*** HEAVY SPOILER (**SKIP, if U are planning to watch):
(Don't want to write about this part of the story but I wanted to share how happy I felt with the Happy Part mentioned below)

Both the Love stories of ghost n her husband and ML n his girlfriend ended up sad :(

Expected a different ending for ML n his gal
But hmm, sometimes in life, have to accept the hard decisions too.
Letting our loved one go n Waiting for our loved one, both are PAINFUL.
Can't really take anyone's side in this decision of them.

Anyways, the HAPPY PART is:
The ghost stayed happily in her hotel, with International ghosts as her guests :)
And ML n his team got rid of their financial troubles :)

*****
My RATING is 8.5 /10
(I don't find anything, to give a lower rating)

Overall, It's ENTERTAINING!

Read More

Time and time again

Honestly it's hard to really say much about this movie.

At first it's ok and intriguing. Then as the movie progresses it just starts getting silly.
The acting by the young actors are great. The older adults come across as phoning in the roles honestly.

I didn't like Satoru's depth at all. His acting didn't seem believable and I just couldn't get behind how he was reacting to situations. Like when his mom was killed what sort of reaction was that?? Katagiri was also just kinda there and the ending had no impact due to their undefined relationship. There was not enough build to make it matter. They all felt too mellow in their scenes and it made the movie feel like nothing significant was happening.

I also don't understand how situations played out. We have an adult in a kid's body, yet his logic during key scenes was like not to speak up or defend himself. The acting of Kayo's parents also seemed to be so dissonant from the scenes. I don't know how to explain it. They weren't acting at the other actors, they were just playing out the scene if that makes sense.

The pacing and plot were ok for the most part but as everyone else said the last 20 mins is just absurd. Let's just go to a super high roof alone with the killer.

Read More

A Quiet Duel of Legacy and Pride

*The Match* is a compelling drama film based on the real-life relationship between two of South Korea’s most iconic Go players: Cho Hun-hyun and his protégé-turned-rival, Lee Chang-ho. Set in the early 1990s, the film traces their journey from a bond of deep respect and trust to a dramatic confrontation on the board that reshapes both their lives.

The performances are the heart of this film. Lee Byung-hun is remarkable as Cho Hun-hyun, portraying a man torn between pride in his student and fear of being replaced. Yoo Ah-in brings a quiet intensity to Lee Chang-ho, expressing his character’s transformation from an obedient disciple into a confident and self-assured challenger. Their dynamic carries the film, grounding its emotional weight in realism and restraint.

The direction is subtle and patient. The film avoids melodrama, opting instead for a slow build of tension through deliberate pacing. The cinematography treats the Go board like a battlefield, using close-ups and careful lighting to give weight to every move.

One of the film’s strengths lies in its dialogue, which is thoughtful and philosophical. Lines like “A teacher is not someone who gives answers, but someone who opens the way” resonate far beyond the context of the game. The screenplay explores the loneliness of mastery, the burden of legacy, and the moment when every student must eventually step out of their teacher’s shadow.

There is also warmth and humor throughout the film, which balances the more intense moments. These touches humanize the characters and make their emotional journey all the more relatable.

It is a meditation on ambition, mentorship, and the bittersweet nature of growth. It’s a film that lingers because of the quiet, personal truths it reveals in the spaces between each move.

Read More

Nothing but cheap fantasy disguised as a story

Love Lesson was honestly a waste of potential. It tried to look deep and emotional, but it was just shallow wish-fulfillment with no real substance. The chemistry between the leads felt forced and awkward from start to finish.

Every scene that was supposed to feel sexy or emotional just came off uncomfortable and empty. There was zero character development, zero believable connection — just a bunch of surface-level encounters pretending to be romance. It was clear the movie cared more about showing "forbidden" moments than actually telling a story that meant anything.

Felt more like a dragged-out fantasy than an actual movie.

Read More