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PLEASE SUPPORT WHEN YOU CAN!
I was so lucky to be able to see this film in cinemas. I watched Marry My Dead Body right before this film so I had a good foundation. This remake gave a good Thai spin but I felt like it copied too much from the OG. I also wish think Titi’s boyfriend should not have been straight in this. Aside from that I feel like BKPP did great in this queer film and gave it new life and in some ways made it more queer. The entire OST was also amazing and I loved seeing so many Thai references. A MUST WATCH!Was this review helpful to you?
Good entry point movie for cis people
I watched this movie around 2 years ago, but I still think about it from time to time.There are a few things I think are slightly weird/strange within this movie, but it is just bound to happen as a white westerner watching non-western movies.
The decision to make Rinko, a trans woman, and Tomo, a neglected and hurt girl, meet each other, is what made the story worth watching.
While the story is rather sad on some points, it is also really sweet and depicts Rinko is a very good light, showing some of her struggles as a trans woman in a humane way. Tomo's role in the story allows Rinko to really shine, while also serving as an outlet for the cis viewers.
I think it is a good entry point if you wish to make your close ones watch a queer movie with a transfeminine character in it, without it being transmisogynistic.
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A Smart and Exciting Movie That Keeps You Guessing
All I can say is—what a movie! I love that it picks up right after Season 2, so nothing feels out of place or confusing. The pacing was well-executed, and the flashbacks were just enough to refresh your memory without dragging things out.The plot this time around is thick and well-written. We're introduced to The Village, an anti-gambling student organization led by Murasame, who surprisingly has a history with the student council president, Kirari—he even defeated her once, which definitely shocked everyone. Naturally, this piqued Yumeko’s interest, drawing her into the Village and its ideals.
But of course, not everything is what it seems. The student council launches a new election game where every student must participate, or face expulsion. The Village is forced to join, and two representatives—Arukibi and Inuhachi—step up, as Murasame refuses to play.
At first, it looks like the Village reps are doing their best to protect their cause. But then we learn Arukibi has her own agenda: she wants to destroy the Village from the inside by losing, knowing that if they fail, many of the students will fall into debt. She also has a history with Kirari and hopes to join her, but Kirari isn’t interested in her.
Arukibi and Inuhachi win games and reach the semi-finals. But then, Arukibi has Inuhachi kidnapped, forcing Murasame to step in as her new partner. Together, they face Mary and Kiwatari and win 4–0, gaining massive popularity and votes.
Then comes the final match: Yumeko and Suzui versus Arukibi and Murasame. Here’s where things get really interesting. Arukibi plans to throw the match, causing those who voted for her to lose—and fall into debt. Yumeko quickly gains 3 points, but what stood out was how she knew Arukibi’s plan from the start. She went along with it, staying one step ahead.
Even while being paired with Suzui, who genuinely wanted to win to avoid a 200 million yen debt, Yumeko remained in full control. Instead of finishing the match, she intentionally loses to mess with Arukibi’s plan. That reverse strategy was genius.
What I loved most was the unpredictability, the mind games, and Yumeko’s wit. She’s a master of strategy and poker face—like in the rock-paper-scissors game, where she calmly sipped tea the entire time and still pulled off a win with one card in hand.
Even though she “lost” the game, she made sure Suzui didn’t end up in debt by asking Mary to place a 200 million yen vote for Murasame—so when Murasame won, they won the bet.
This movie was exciting from start to finish. No dull moments, smart twists, and Yumeko once again proving she’s not just lucky—she’s brilliant.
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Watching plants
This is an interesting minimalistic indie drama with a lot of space for reflection. The main character is the owner of a Cafe Bar turned into Plant Shop, who works with plants and makes tea at the same time. His character is very distant and he speaks through narration because he is not very good in communication. The narration reveals his life story and how he came to appreciate plants but I had a lot of issues with his interaction with the customers. He serves them well (even though i didn't see him washing hands between working with dirt and making tea) but he keeps them at distance from himself. He doesn't show kindness or hospitality, in fact we don't see a lot of his emotions. I would expect more from a film that has "warmth" in its title. The various plants that we see during the film are more interesting to watch than the main character.Still, if you like plants this is a nice watch. If you have a plant in your life, you might also reflect on your friendship with it. And if you don't like plants, you should force yourself to watch this film or, even better, go into the nature and hug a tree.
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Don't bother
Ok, this is an easy one. Based on the synopsis, I was reluctant to watch it. And I had the "great" idea to check the reviews.Well, the movie is meh at best. Lots of plotholes. I can't say much 'cause I don't wanna spoil anything, but when the movie ends you will (or should) start asking questions as to why the events happened that way because, knowing what we know about her, she could've taken more easier and more logical moves.
Besides that, the acting is mostly meh, with some cringe moments when they are trying to portray "madness". Besides the "Bond villain" exposition dump, the script was barely ok (plus those plotholes, so maybe not that ok), and by that I mean not so broken as the usual k-drama. The pacing is ok, the slow pacing is needed to build stuff. Character development, no. You get the characters, they do stuff, thats it. Low/medium production value. Not that great vfx for the impact scenes, but the fighting ones are ok. The soundtrack is ok, I guess. It tries a couple of times to guide you in believing some scenes will happen, but mostly you won't be bothered by it. The cinematography is boring, nothing interesting.
Oh, don't believe the other reviewers. Unless you have a medical problem about seeing blood, its safe to watch. No gore involved, the bloody scenes look cheap. On this movie's page, between the "Cast" and the "Reviews" sections you can see the "Photos" one. The bloody shots appearing there? Thats what you'll get. The usual amount. So if you don't get sick from seeing a paper cut, you'll be fine.
It gets a 6 (barely) from me. Nothing special to hook you in. Definitely, no return value. Have a lovely evening.
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"Go the other way"
Samurai Wolf was directed by Gosha Hideo and starred Natsuyagi Isao in his first major film role as the titular character. Reminiscent of Kurosawa’s Yojimbo, a down on his luck ronin stumbles into a town populated by people willing to do anything to reach their nefarious goals.While paying off his dinner by doing manual labor for the owner, from a distance Kiba the Furious Wolf sees two escorts killed by three bandits. He brings the bodies to a small dusty village looking for the law and finding none. The employees at the relay post immediately recognize their deceased co-workers. Nizaemon, the official messenger for the shogunate is a corrupt official who wants to force Chise, the blind owner of the relay post, to have to close down so that he can take over. Kiba takes an immediate liking to Chise and agrees to help her men transport the next big shipment. Nizaemon sends his men to kill Kiba, but the inconspicuous ronin proves to be “the devil.” The evil messenger calls in a ringer by the name of Sanai Akizuki, the only man who can kill Kiba. Other than the deadly Sanai, Kiba had his hands full with the deceptive and greedy residents as they double and triple crossed each other to steal a shipment of gold.
Gosha used a similar Spaghetti Western setup and music, the town even had a tower much like in Yojimbo. He also judiciously used sound. Several fight scenes began silently to increase the suspense and then implemented sound and music to drive the action on.
Gosha kept the action coming in this tight film clocking in around 75 minutes. Kiba was a poor, but clever ronin who was highly skilled with a sword and a pair of scissors. Much like Yojimbo he knew how to play people off of each other and had a good heart. Despite the short run time, most of the main characters were fairly well fleshed out. Nearly everyone in town wanted Kiba or Sanai dead or both, making it difficult for the accomplished swordsmen to have their epic battle. Unusual for a film from this era there was a fair amount of spurting and spraying blood.
I found Natsuyagi Isao utterly charming as the down on his luck, but never down on himself ronin. It’s hard to believe this was his first role. Handsome, flirty, and fierce, he made this film entertaining, even when the story hit a few rough spots near the end. The body count was high yet the film didn’t take itself too seriously and injected moments of levity. If you like old samurai films, Samurai Wolf is one to try.
16 May 2025
Trigger warning: Spurting blood. There was also a monkey that hopefully was not injured or killed during the making of this film.
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When I First Met You
Before everything else, let me clarify some stuff. I know this is a remake, and I have not watched the original or any of the other remakes. I do not know why I decided to start with this one.I knew the entire plot before I even started the movie, not because it's predictable, but because I found out what the entire plot was a while ago, around the time the Thai remake came out. So again, I do not know why I decided to watch it.
But I watched it, and it was pretty sweet.
Though the love story left me unfulfilled, not the ending, their love story itself, more often than not there's a bittersweet tone to first love, full of unfulfilled promise and the longing look of yesteryear.
That's what this movie felt like, a nostalgic lens on your first love, which doesn't quite leave an impact as itself, but does make you look back fondly on your first love.
That's a win in its own way.
The actors did a good job, it's the first time I'm watching either of their works and I know Jin Young has acted before, and that it's Dahyun's debut, and they both did a very nice job.
There's not much else to say, it was a nice flashback disguised as movie and it wasn't half bad.
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When women are once again cast as villains.
This is a story of villainesses, reflecting a reality where society is ever-ready to paint women as the antagonists.The film’s plot isn’t overly complex, but its psychological weight is undeniable, brimming with intensity and sharp satire. It centers on a woman deemed ugly by society’s gaze, ostracized even by other women who see her as an "outsider," a villain who defies their preconceived norms. A death unveils the grotesque schemes of an individual—or perhaps the rotten foundations of society itself—stemming from a woman condemned in the court of public opinion, judged by strangers who’ve never seen her face. Women are expected to embody virtue, grace, eloquence, and propriety, and any woman who falls outside these societal standards is branded a villainess—a demon. Her femininity is rejected, and society increasingly views the expression of womanhood as something repulsive, promiscuous, or sinful. Tragically, even those who don’t stand in the courtroom, who don’t wield the knife that takes a life, are complicit. They are perpetrators through their ignorance, naivety, and susceptibility to the manipulations of those truly pulling the strings behind the scenes. They are both culprits and victims—victims of manipulation, control, and even love.
The film’s protagonist, driven by subjective emotions, ingrained biases about women and societal norms, and her own experience of love, destroys her family and, ultimately, herself. In doing so, she transforms into a true villainess. To say that women are often scapegoated as villains doesn’t mean men are always the perpetrators. Beyond gender, this is about society, prejudice, and public opinion—and the film seems to echo this. Without the one-sided biases that fuel these narratives, could the puppet masters behind the scenes have succeeded in their schemes? Betrayal doesn’t only wound those who are unloved; it also scars the betrayers themselves, who forsake a piece of their conscience (if they have any left at all).
Ultimately, the film is far from difficult to watch. Everything has its own story, though the pacing feels slightly off, and the characters lack depth. The film doesn’t quite break new ground, and it doesn’t demand intense focus—sometimes to its detriment. Still, the ending delivers a satisfying punch, leaving a lasting impression.
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My May 2025 recommendations challenge
Watch this for my May 2025 recommendations challenge by DaffodilDaze. As usual, it was quite a headache trying to read MDL’s summary, so let's start with the story…This is a story about family dynamics, self-discovery, and friendship.
The story about Tong and Mew, who meet when Mew moves into Tong’s grandma’s house and becomes his neighbor. Mew is a quiet boy who is often bullied by his classmates because they think he’s too feminine or "sissy." Their friendship begins when Tong saves Mew from bullies one day.
One day, Tong’s older sister goes missing during a hiking trip with her friends. Because of that tragedy, Tong and his family decide to move out of their old home. As a result, Tong and Mew grow apart and lose touch.
Years later, they meet again and begin reconnecting. This time, Mew is forming a band with his friends, where he serves as the lead singer and composer. When Mew reunites with Tong, he’s struggling to write a love song. Meanwhile, Tong is dealing with his own issues—he’s in the middle of questioning his sexuality, and there are problems at home due to his father turning to drinking after losing his daughter.
So, how does their story progress from here? Will rekindling their friendship help them face and overcome their personal struggles?
That's pretty much the story without giving the spoiler. Now what I like and don't.
What I liked:
- The story feels very close to reality.
- I really appreciate how Tong and Mew take their time to understand and admit their sexuality, instead of rushing into things like many typical teenage characters do.
What I don't like:
- The mystery involving June. I’m really curious about who she is.
- It’s a beautiful theatrical drama, but I don’t really like this kind of drama.
Overall, I’m happy that DaffodilDaze picked this for me. If I had waited to watch it on my own, it would’ve stayed at the bottom of my list
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Emotionally Exhausting.
This psychological thriller felt predictable to me when it comes to the plot, but its manner of execution combined with the taxing performances, particularly by Kang Ha Neul and Kim Mu Yeol is what makes it brilliant.I'm sure that I might forget the name Jin Seok somewhere in in the future, but in no way am I going to forget his face and the rollercoaster of emotions that I felt while watching this.
[Though, there was one pivotal scene which seemed quite illogical and poorly written, considering the circumstances.]
Kudos to each and everyone who worked on this movie.
Sometimes there are instances and feelings which are absolutely impossible to put into words. And this movie is a paradigm example of that.
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I loved it until...
I loved this until the ruined the ending.This needed to be a bit longer which is the Korean BL curse. The series had 8 episodes so things didnt get fleshed out as well as they should have mainly the ending which always feel rushed.
Loved this until the actual contest on for theses reasons ( and yes will be huge spoilers now):
1. The contest is still rugged absolutely nothing changed there.
2. Everyone congratulates Chef Choi after not really liking him and being so loyal to Chef Yoon.
3. Chef Yoon forgives Laura? Are you kidding me?! So no lesson was learned except it is ok to screw loyal people over for your own personal gain!
4. Why on earth did the 2 Chefs not open the restaurant together?
All of this needed to have some type of explanation so we arent all left scratching our heads as to why? So very frustrating because the rest was right on track to have this be 9's across the board!
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if you're a p1ece, sure
it is i, the niel.this review is inherently biased in favor of p1harmony. it was ambitious, but weird and incomplete. fnc dedicated actual money and resources to this, and i think everyone involved gave it their best shot. some of the members of the group delivered better performances than others, though none of them were glaringly bad. the actual actors in it did a good job. i did think that the story was interesting, and i wanted to see where it was going. unfortunately, it has an intentionally wide open ending to leave room for further lore development as the group releases stuff (though, the stuff they've released since hasn't answered any questions i've had since the completion of this film).
it was a very unique and interesting way to debut. i think it was an overall fun watch if you're okay with a non-ending. with that being said, i don't see any reason for anyone who's not already a fan of this group to watch this movie. i don't think it stands alone as a sci-fi film, but it's pretty fun if you like the group.
gawrsh!!!!
best,
the niel.
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predictable, but still fun!
I think since they show at the VERY BEGINING (like first scene)... who the killer was, it was really obvious what was going to happen throughout the movie, but it was still fun to watch!! I read that this was a sequel after I watched it, but I couldn't even tell, so it's perfectly fine to watch as a standalone. It might put into context some things the characters say, but I don't really know since I didn't watch Veteran (the first movie), and not knowing didn't take away from my experience.They do the action scenes very well, and it was cool to watch them, although sometimes it had me cringing in phantom pain,, I think that they reallyyyy hit the nail on the head for thriller (It's not scary at all, just creepy in case people think that might be a turn off), especially Jung Haein!! I loved his his acting in this sooo much, like the kind of acting that makes you wanna go back on their past work and watch all of it?? But I already watched all of his action dramas and movies so
I think when it comes to comedy, they didn't really harp on it that much throughout the movie, but it makes sense since it's a thriller. They still did a good job with sprinkling it in here and there despite the serious tone of the movie. I wouldn't suggest watching it if you're only here for the comedy though.
I think they also managed to play in social media without making it feel unrealistic or like an old person wrote the scenes, so that's even more kudos. When I'm watching shows, how they portray social media can make it soo hard for me to watch, but I had no problem with this movie!! I also loved the composition of the shots, the coloring, and how they made certain funny scenes feel creepy. Usually I side with the vigilante in shows/movies (i don't know why, I just do). But this movie made me route for the detectives, even from the (sort of) beginning.
But other than that, I think it's a good movie to watch when bored!! (that's what I did...) My rating honestly might be impaired cause I started watching this movie at like 10pm, and finished at 12am even though I woke up at 5:30am that day saurr idk... I really do think it's a good movie besides the predictability!!
They also tease a part 3, which I find exciting!! It was something I completely missed since I thought I checked for post credit scenes,, but it was 12am so... It had a slightly comedic aspect to it though, so I hope maybe the next movie will have more comedy to it, but I would understand if not.
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“Love, Fate, and a Dash of Magic: The Heartwarming Whirlwind of Windstruck”
Windstruck (2004) swept me away with its charming blend of romance, comedy, and bittersweet drama. Starring the effervescent Jun Ji-hyun as Officer Yeo-jin, the film follows her spirited journey through love and loss, marked by a quirky connection with a mysterious stranger. What felt like a simple romantic tale quickly turned into a heartfelt exploration of fate, grief, and the delicate dance between holding on and letting go. 💕🍃🌧️The movie’s lighthearted moments—packed with playful banter and quirky antics—balanced beautifully with its emotional depth. Jun Ji-hyun’s vibrant performance made Yeo-jin feel instantly relatable, full of warmth and vulnerability. Visually, the film sparkles with soft pastel tones and whimsical scenes that add a fairy-tale quality to the story. Though some twists tugged on my heartstrings hard, it’s that blend of hope and melancholy that made Windstruck linger with me long after the final frame. ✨🌬️💔
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Into the Mind’s Fog: How Cure Unsettled My Reality and Haunted My Thoughts
Score: 8/10Watching Cure (1997) was an unsettling journey that really got under my skin. Set in Tokyo, I followed detective Takabe as he delved into a string of bizarre murders where the victims all had the same eerie 'X' carved into them. What gripped me most was how Takabe’s obsession grew, and how the mysterious, amnesiac man Mamiya seemed to cast a hypnotic shadow over everything. It felt like slipping deeper into a foggy nightmare — confusing, haunting, and impossible to shake. 🌀🩸🧩
This film isn’t about cheap scares or loud shocks — it’s about the slow, creeping unraveling of the mind. The mood Kurosawa creates, with those long, silent shots and that pervasive feeling of detachment, made me question what was real and what was illusion. I found myself drawn into the eerie silence, feeling the tension build inside me. The horror was subtle but powerful, touching on ideas of control and madness in a way that felt deeply personal. Sometimes the pacing felt slow, but it only made the tension stronger. After watching Cure, I couldn’t stop thinking about identity, influence, and how fragile our minds really are. This film stayed with me long after the credits rolled. 🕯️🔍🧠
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