Not recommended
The concept seemed promising: exorcism, mysticism, demons, mixed martial arts – it all sounded intriguing. However, instead of an engaging story with a deep atmosphere, I got a dragged-out drama with a weak plot and intrusive religious propaganda.The film runs for two hours, but most of that time is spent not on developing the plot or characters but on the protagonist’s inner struggles. Yong-hu constantly wrestles with his past and his faith, but his character development feels disjointed. He spends almost the entire film rejecting the existence of God, only to suddenly embrace his new role without any deep explanation or motivation.
Another major issue is the antagonist. His story is barely explored. We never learn what drove him to worship a demon or seek immortality. He had the potential to be an interesting character, yet he was given so little screen time that he feels secondary.
On the positive side, some scenes are visually impressive, and the fight choreography is well-executed. However, that alone is not enough to save the film from feeling hollow. It leaves an impression of incompleteness and wasted potential.
Was this review helpful to you?
Vastly disappointing
I'll never understand how this movie has such a high rating. They didn't have a compelling first love story at all. There was no real reason for them to be hung up on one another. They were classmates that went on one play date with their moms before she immigrates, the end. They weren't even old enough to have each other's first kiss. So many future time jumps that left the story feeling stilted with generally unlikeable characters. I've seen so many dramas that created a much better connection between the characters than this movie did, the fact that this movie couldn't do that is baffling. I'm truly at a loss for words, it was so disappointing. I really hated it.Was this review helpful to you?
This story engraved in my heart...
This movie really engraved deeply in my heart like a tattoo, that no matter how many more years or how many more BL i watch, there's nothing can compared to it. Call it a BL is not justify it genre, instead of BL, i would call it a genius piece of Queer media, since it doesn't just talk about love between two boys, rather its show us the reality of how difficult and heartbreaking society make queer people go through just because we want to live as the way we are. People that brave enough to express who they are get push to the ground and those that hid themself among normal people ended up hurting everyone around them and get to lived their life with regret.I still ended up crying every time hearing the OST, its such a beautiful song, 10/10.
And also the movie seems like its manifested on the actor themself since after the promotion period ended they are not keep in touch for a few years already, i don't know what going on with them but as a fans i really hope there will be a day that i see these two people together again. TAT
Was this review helpful to you?
Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!: The Movie
1 people found this review helpful
Perfect Sequel!
Perfect Sequel with all Lovey dovey moments, ups n downs in their dating era.Me not cursing the lift doors closing so quickly (the Iconic KuroAda Elevator scene)😂
but yeah, We don't always need an exclusive "ssiK" scene for a smooth closure of a beautiful Happy ending :)
That's the Magic of Cherry Magic (JDrama version) ! ✨ :)
Don't miss the Anime and Thai version too.
Whatever this has not covered from KuroAda's magical story, above two adaptations covered.
Currently reading the Ongoing Manga, found that this JD live action drama, Anime and Thai version TOGETHER covered everything from the manga.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
why this was not a kdrama !
this drama was so intimidating .. i literally felt something after watching it .. I don't have this type of feeling before .. like that was damn damn good .. the hero .. the heroin .. the roles they assigned to both of them .. why that was only 2 hours movie ?? why that was not a drama of atleast eight episodes .. i want more like this .. anyone can suggest me something similar to this ?............................................................................................................
Was this review helpful to you?
The cast’s acting is impressive but the plot is such a shame
Not a good movie to be honest, but the acting from the cast is phenomenal, especially Park So Dam. Kang Dong Won is the reason I knew about this movie in the first place and he also nailed the role. His appearance makes my viewing experience more enjoyable.Unfortunately, the plot is a such waste of the actors’ talent. I find it boring and dragging, especially in the first half. The second half is better, but also mainly because of the cast’s acting. This is supposed to be a horror movie but the scary parts are too few and mild.
Kim Yun-seok’s character is also very annoying with his rude behavior. He plays a Priest and keeps insulting his deacon, Kang Dong Won’s character. Do they really think that would make him a cool or funny guy? Because I don’t find that cool or funny at all. That’s bullying.
Not to mention that they sacrifice the piglet. Poor little creature! And that’s the deal breaker for me.
5.5 out of 10 for the cast’s efforts.
Was this review helpful to you?
Don't put any expectations
I love JO1. Basically, I watched this movie because there are JO1 members in it. But honestly, the movie was meh for me. The characters kept making dumb decisions. I don't even know tho the main lead was, like I think it's just one person. well I get that they had their target audience but this movie just wasn't for me. I'm really sorry but I didn't get anything out of it (the fun, just nothing) I even read the reviews beforehand longgggg ago so I really had no expectations. but yeah it is what it is.Was this review helpful to you?
It's okay
I never expected a movie to be made about this incident, but I was so happy to find this.That doesn't mean this is a great movie, though. Rather than a polish, in my opinion, it needs a whole structural change from the start. The story is told as if you're reading a passage from a history book, especially in the first act. Which sucks, because this would have worked really well had it been written more character-driven with such a tragic event.
The reincarnation trope was unnecessary though. Also lighting in the dark scenes were atrocious, I could barely see anything even when I turned on the brightness. Please stop, y'all.
Was this review helpful to you?
An Intense, Heartfelt Remake: A Cinematic Journey of Secret: Untold Melody
The Korean remake of Secret: Untold Melody offers a refreshing take on the original version, with a more detailed & emotionally layered ending. The remake strikes a perfect balance between humor & poignant moments, making it both heartwarming & engaging. Kyungsoo's ability to convey deep emotion through subtle eye expressions & his body language while playing the piano is nothing short of mesmerizing. The chemistry between the leass is undeniable. It's a beautiful tribute to the original, while also giving the remake its own unique visual identity that compliments the heartfelt & intense performance. I would give this film a repeat!Was this review helpful to you?
So predictable.
This is one of the worst movies I've seen. It is so predictable and completely impossible to believe. That was 2 hours of my life that I will never get back. Sorry, but this was just garbage! The stunts were very amateurish, the plot was full of holes too simplistic. The acting was over the top and hard to believe that they are professional actors.Was this review helpful to you?
"People can't be worse than wolves"
A World Without Thieves starring Andy Lau, Rene Liu, and Ge You had packs of thieves on a train all stalking a naïve young temple carpenter unwisely carrying his life savings. The cast alone made this film worth watching for me.Wang Bo and Wang Li are thieves looking to fence a BMW in the Gansu province. Li is ready to retire and live a normal life, something Bo has no interest in. When they stop at a temple for Li to pray, Bo makes use of the time pickpocketing the other worshippers. The two agree to part ways when Li insists she’s turning over a new leaf. At the train station, Li befriends a young man who doesn’t believe there are any thieves and announces to the crowd that he is carrying 60,000 yuan ($8000 USD). Li is determined to protect him and his funds while Bo strategizes how to steal them, all while fending off the other thieves he has identified. Before long, it appears that there are more wolves than people on the train all seeking to fleece the innocent lamb.
Lau and Liu had great chemistry as the bickering couple. Lau’s job of being taken seriously was undermined by one of filmdom’s worst wigs ever. Spoiler alert, the wig was murdered later in the movie which all but made me stand up and cheer! Ge You wasn’t outshone as the leader of a gang of thieves. A master of disguise that didn’t fool many people he was the perfect foil for the lovers. An egg peeling duel between Bo and Uncle Li was fascinating. Li Bing Bing played Uncle Li’s very limber #1.
The cinematography, especially in the first part of the movie was stunning. The open vistas and mountains tried to steal focus from the photogenic actors. Once on the train, the feeling became more claustrophobic with thieves circling each other and the hapless and clueless carpenter. There were several fights in tight spaces that were shot super close and more balletic than realistic. And apparently, several of the characters had ride on top of a train in their bucket list.
A World Without Thieves was a comedic thriller for much of the running time. This being a Chinese film, don’t put too much trust in the almost campy thief competitions of one-upmanship. It’s all fun and games until the blood starts flowing. The story of redemption and just deserts was wobbly in places, but like gifted pickpockets, the strong cast were successful in drawing attention away from the film’s weaknesses…most of the time.
“Even ghosts will work for money.”
19 February 2025
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Missing the ...Happy
I loved it until the end -- I'm not sure how he could have moved on so quickly .... at the expense of his own happiness once again perhaps? Their connection and love was too strong -- he chose her before and then at the end he marries someone so quickly? Nah.I loved watching them be happy together and so all the fun things and the support they gave each other -- that's what love is about. Why do the Mothers have to be against anything that makes their child happy??? I just don't get that. Even if I didn't agree with my children's life mate choices (except for something BAD) I only want to see them happy and would support them because their happiness is what's important. Would not rewatch because of the sad ending .. and all of us Korean and Chinese drama fans know how heart breaking these are to us. I'll save that for real life ... and choose not to watch the sad ones. IMHO!
Was this review helpful to you?
Not that good as it seems
I had too many high expectations for this, I guess. I generally enjoy Yakuza settings when it's challenged with comedy, and while this storyline isn't something unordinary, it still checked the boxes I usually look for, so I gave it a chance.Unfortunately, my expectations were met with disappointment. I dropped this one because the comedy just didn't hit me right. It felt too try hardy with many of the "humor" stemming from shock imagery or just mundane absurdity. The actors do well with what they're given though, Ikuta Toma was nice to see after many years (for me).
Was this review helpful to you?
Love, wedding, tragedy and curse
At just 8 minutes, 'From Now On To The Past' constitutes one of the great milestones in audience and critical reception on the screen of the People's Republic of China in the last decade.In this exponent of cinema that shows pure love with a gay theme, a magician predicts that there will be blood at the wedding. But it will still be celebrated, because fear and imprecation will not prevent Sang (Hu Ling Meng) from speeding up the marriage plans with Tian (Pei Zi Tian), although carrying out the betrothal is something that should not have even been thought of. Apparently, a kind of ancestral curse haunts true lovers.
In addition to the young couple, Da (Wang Keda), their good mutual friend who will serve as best man, will join the terrifying wedding. Full of complex and real emotional entanglements, which eventually lead to tragedy, the three prepare to wait for the dark day. Everything ready now for the unimaginable…
Directed by Chinese filmmaker Yang Yongchun, and released on November 11, 2015, the film shows an impressive and deep scene of intimacy between two men. Filmed in Thailand, 'From Now On To The Past' explores that love means giving unconditionally for the person you love, even the most precious thing one can have: one's own life.
Produced by Beijing Pansy Pictures Co., Ltd., the viewer can see how the relationship between Tian and Da has undergone subtle changes over time. Da suffers in silence, as his feelings for Tian have turned into same-sex love, and the two can only hide this love in silence. They both break the friendship of the brothers who grew up together, and even break the shackles of love on the rainy night before the wedding.
The film works, mostly, by appreciating the way in which the technical resources contribute to the scenario of growing sexual tension between the two men, the restlessness and fear generated by the curse; as well as the articulation of climates that range from celebration to the dark, very well conceived and managed.
With natural and attractive performances, the audience comes to understand that the three characters are full of entanglement and pain.
Note that while the magician's prophecy was coming true, Sang comes to remember the second half of the prediction, hidden from the public until that moment: "the person he loves the most will die".
The craft of the Chinese school is manifested here, in this sense, through photography and the work of the team of artistic directors. The music also contributes to the above, and in this section the weight falls on the interpretation of the actress and singer Hu Ling Meng to the closing song, which is titled "From Now On To The Past." The conjunction of the three fronts determines the impressive visual and sound display of the film.
Two other indicators of value of 'From Now On To The Past' are linked to the management of its cast, populated by famous local figures from cinema and series, and to the way of interweaving the story – wrapped in the cloaks of drama, fantasy, romance and melodrama – with the indigenous weight of superstitions and wedding celebrations.
As the film confirms, such procedures are still decisive in the culture of a country whose technological, scientific and industrial rise does not prevent the permanence of atavistic practices based on the convergence of beliefs from diverse origins.
If you ask me why this film has such a tragic ending, I would answer that the writer and director want to tell us that homosexual relationships can end in tragedy; that is to say, it is easy to get together and break up, without the support of family, friends...
The sad ending also better sublimates the theme of the entire film, such as telling people that members of the LGBT+ community should receive more support in our societies.
Was this review helpful to you?
