Reviews

ANOTHER MASTER WORK!

This is another incredible example of Gong Yoo's capacity to fearlessly tackle and beautifully portray more complexity in characters and stories than most actors out there. His other is the amazing new drama The Trunk.
For me, and many I am sure, he truly stands out in the world of Korean actors.
A Man And A Woman tackles a lot of complex and sensitive issues so well, without bogging us down with extraneous fillers. It is almost shocking in it's raw presentation of the essential story...giving one no where to hide from the intense feelings and emotional rollercoaster this drama is.
This is really an amazing work...one NOT to miss...and already added to my collection of DVDs!

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Good But Could've Been Great

The core idea of this story was a moral one, like it or not. The main character, the doctor Mariko Washiya, clung to a childish, delusional belief that pure, unqualified kindness could "cure" the worst possible criminals of their criminal tendencies. And by "worst" I mean literal pedophiles. This is, I guess, a nice idea, but it is also wildly, dangerously delusional. It stood at the center of all the other host of moral questions posed by this movie. A lot of them, such as the morality of Ikuta Toma's actions throughout his life, presented genuinely interesting examinations of nature versus nurture. In addition, of course, there was the question of the morality or immorality of using extralegal means to stop the truly horrific criminals that escape police and judicial justice. That's one of the oldest moral debates in modern civilization, but it's still worth having and this movie contributed something of value to that.

Where it failed, however, was in its treatment of the doctor's immensely delusional approach to rehabilitation. There is a subset of law-abiding citizens of every nation and culture who find it fundamentally impossible to accept that some people are just bad. Perhaps something could have prevented that outcome, but nothing can change that state one it's reached. Her aim was to prove her hypothesis -- that kindness could cure criminality -- by using the worst possible type of criminal (a pedophile and murderer) as her glittering test case. In the course of the story this "reformed" pedophile was shown to have not been reformed in the slightest, so much so that after being free for less than one week he had already kidnapped another young victim. However, she still maintained her delusion, using her kindness towards Ikuta Toma (which ostensibly but not really caused him to "change") to prove herself right. Overlooking the main fact that Ikuta Toma was never a bad person. Anyone with eyes could see that he was not a deranged, immoral criminal, but rather a vigilante, of sorts, with a firm moral code. However she continued to be "kind" to him even before she realized this. And then, when she started to realize that he was always behaving morally, she took credit for that. This was never called out by the story, this incredible delusional tendency of hers.

A argument could be made that his sense of morality was actually stronger than hers. His shift, however slight and however impermanent, was to allow for the law to occasionally handle some of the criminals who crossed his path, as a way of supporting his efforts, rather than refusing to trust the legal system at all.

The question of pure sociopathy being equivalent to base criminality is an old, tired one made popular by absurd Hollywood representations of wildly brilliant, cunning, interesting serial killer sociopaths, when the reality is that the majority of them are just brainless scum. Pure sociopathy is never seen, in medical or scientific fields, to be a guarantee of criminality or a red flag or a sign of any kind. It's rare enough that it's basically not seen as anything at all but an anomaly. Such a question is so ridiculous that treating it like a deep moral conundrum is beyond boring.

That said, contrasting his sociopathy with that of the two teenage killers made for a very interesting look at nature versus nurture. And it asked some very uncomfortable questions about the nature side more than anything else. That is to say, arguably Ikuta Toma's upbringing was worse than theirs, harder, harsher, crueler. The two girls even, to whatever deranged extent, knew love while he never had. Yet he still had a hard moral core. Could it be, then, that some people are just bad?

I think that's what they were trying to do with this movie, but a few things got left on the editing room floor, I think. All in all, though, very solid. I found the scenes with the female killers almost unwatchably uncomfortable so I doubt I'll ever watch this again. But I'm glad I watched it the one time.

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"Retribution takes its own sweet time"

Infernal Affairs II was a prequel to the successful Infernal Affairs, this time without Tony Leung and Andy Lau. Anthony Wong and Francis Ng carried much of the movie on their veteran shoulders. There were few surprises and less suspense given that after watching IA we already know the fates of all of the primary characters.

Chan Wing Yan is shown on his path to becoming a mole in the triads while Lau Kin Ming straddles making his work life balance with answering to the triad and his police boss. Yan must deal with illicit family ties and Ming courts death with his crush on the wife of his dangerous triad supervisor. Their stories often linger in the background. Officer Wong Chi Shing takes center stage as a cop who plays outside the rules in his efforts to bring the triads under control. When Ngai Wing Hau’s father is assassinated, he takes over the reins of the crime family. Smooth and soft spoken, his distinguished exterior belies his ruthless interior. Hon Sam is merely a flunky whose wife is the brains behind his actions.

Much as Infernal Affairs forced the main characters to answer the question, “Who am I?”, Wong’s actions propelled him head long into criminal activities for the greater good. At some point his conscience began to question those actions. Hau had no such qualms. He had anyone who stood in his way or betrayed him brutally eliminated. Hon Sam used whoever was around him to stay alive and move up the deadly ladder until one fateful decision causes him to burn the ladder down.

IA2 had the same high production values as IA. The acting was more mixed in this one relying on weaker actors and characters. Wong and Ng anchored the film with strong performances, though Wong was hampered by one over-zealous scene. The story was interesting but didn’t neatly align with its predecessor. The first film was so well made it was hard to take a step back to see how minor and supporting characters found their places in the scheme of things. I can see the allure of wanting to further flesh out the characters and make more money off the original, it just didn’t add anything to my enjoyment overall of Yan and Ming’s destructive journeys.

16 February 2025

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Dark tale, with stellar acting, cinematography, and lots of unresolved angst...only if....

This is one beautiful movie....but if you are planning to watch this, be warned that the story will not let you sit easy even for a moment and there is very little in way of redemption, if at all....its dark, painful and bleak all through...if that's not your thing, don't start on it...Do I recommend it? YES

BL-needle score: Not applicable. This is not really a BL, even though gay men are some of the main protagonists.

Even though the storytelling could feel a tad overtly dramatic in places, it rings true on so many levels about the dark and stark reality of same-sex love and relationships....the insecurities given no social or legal sanctions, how easy it is to cheat and betray and yet, get away to live just as you wish, the lurking fear that the person never loved you at all, and was just after what you had to 'supply' to them, the trauma and helplessness when law helps greed and hatred win, the feeling that there is no justice ever, and you just need to suck it up and go on...or give up and perish.....the dreaded and numbing insecurities and triggers of a queer life....it has it ALL....

It made me feel livid, clench my fists and want to punch almost all of the characters ...yes, including even Thongkam at times, but leaving out Jingna, who seemed like about the only saving grace in all this madness......it was a difficult feat to sit through the manipulative and intensely infuriating behaviour of these hyper real characters...made me fret, fume and curse constantly.... and during rare occasions, desperately hope that may be, just may be.....only to end up feeling devastated and drained.....in the end, it hurt like hell....but could relate to a lot of it....in other words, just my thing

It has some really stellar performances, particularly by the actors who play Mo and Saeng (Sek's mother)...Jeff and Keng are good too, but the women plain steal the show....the direction, screenplay and cinematography are stellar too...and that song by Jeff - Rain Wedding...it's plain mesmerising....do check it out on YT!!

But even though all the darkness sits right with me, I wish they would have left some glimmer of hope, maybe at least let Jingna live ....so that Thongkam and Jingna could leave the orchard together for whatever the future had in store for them.....only if.......

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Movie for kids

Don’t expect anything grandiose from this movie; it primarily focuses on the nuanced relationship between a father and his son. The narrative revolves around the father, a man who has prioritized his duties to others over the needs of his own family. However, he comes to a poignant realization: his family truly holds the most significant place in his life.

Interestingly, the role of the son is portrayed by a young girl, which raises questions about the casting choices. It’s unclear whether the production team struggled to find young male talent or if there was a misunderstanding in the translation of the script, leading to the confusion of the term “son” instead of “daughter.” The audience comments largely suggest that they expected the character to be a boy, indicating a mismatch in expectations.

While the performances are commendable, the film caters primarily to a family audience and may not captivate adult viewers. Its themes are deeply rooted in family dynamics, especially the aspects of filial obligation but also the father obligation and the redemptive journey of realizing the value of family relationships.

As an adult, I found the pacing dull and the plot predictable, but I believe the film serves as a valuable lesson for children and young teenagers. It effectively conveys the importance of family bonds, making it a thoughtful choice for young audiences to reflect upon the significance of prioritizing family in their lives.

My hypothesis is that the script was crafted as a form of propaganda aimed at teaching children an important lesson about gratitude and familial responsibility. In a cultural context like China, which still embraces strong paternalistic values, the narrative likely emphasizes that if a father is absent from home, it is not due to neglect but rather because he is toiling diligently to provide for his family’s wellbeing. This portrayal serves to instill a sense of appreciation in children, encouraging them to recognize the sacrifices their fathers make and to foster a mindset that values selflessness over selfish desires.

Yeah. Right…

Even though it may not be a cinematic masterpiece, the movie remains enjoyable..

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The Ending!??

A Normal Family starts as a compelling Korean drama, delving into the complexities of family loyalty, morality, and difficult decisions. Based on The Dinner, the film sets up an intriguing story about two brothers and their families grappling with the fallout of a morally ambiguous incident.

While the buildup is strong, the ending feels like a letdown. After investing in the characters and their struggles, the final act feels rushed and lacks the emotional payoff the story deserves. Instead of delivering a thought-provoking or satisfying conclusion, it opts for a resolution that feels overly simplistic and out of sync with the tension that had been building.

It left me feeling frustrated and disappointed, as though the story had so much potential but didn’t quite know how to land. For all its strengths in the first half, A Normal Family stumbles in its final moments, making the journey feel less impactful in retrospect.

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It Will Leave You on Chokehold

The Time of Fever is a story between Hotae and Donghee. The story started with Hotae playing the soccer ball with the children, while wearing mourning clothes. He came back to his hometown because of his father's death. Donghee is his friend since they were kids. Since Donghee came-out, his father kicked him out of their house. Because of this, he needed to stay in Hotae's house. The story revolves around the two of them; Donghee's resistance to his feelings toward Hotae & Hotae finding his feelings getting closer towards Donghee.

There are two listed The Time of Fever in the website of My Drama List, but it is just the same. The movie is just a compiled episodes of the series. The parent drama of The Time of Fever is the Unintentional Love Story. It came-out first and Hotae and Donghee is the side couple of that drama.

In terms of actings and casts, Won Taemin (Hotae) and Do Woo (Donghee) really did amazing on this movie/series. Their chemistry together is really beyond expection. They did really well on their respective roles and their scenes together were spectacular. Korea is known for having such a mellow down NC Scenes, so you will only see kissing scenes in this series. Regardless, the tension between the two and their kissing scenes were really done well, no inch of uncomfortableness was seen on the both of them.

In terms of the technicalities, the film was really edited well, the sequence are well put together, and the way the scenes were filmed was really good. I want to highlight how the color grading of each scene was well done and how it fit just right on the emotions the scenes wants to give.

The ending is really not that great, as it remains open ended to the viewers perceptions. Regardless, it was a really great Boys Love film and deserves a high rating. It deserves a special episode or much better, a season 2. Watch The Time of Fever because you will fall in love with it.

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So underatted, open ending, realistic.

This short film is so underatted the actors did great, and I quite enjoyed the ending even though others didn't.
The cinematography was nice and beautiful.

The open ending made sense to me, especially because they were kinda like experiencing new feelings.

If you watched closley you can see the other boy already had feeling for the one in the khaki hoodie (i forgot their names ?) when he kept asking for his type the boy discribed his type as tall and short hair.

The film is quite realistic and if you ask me sorta emotional. You can tell they cared for eachother dearly and didn't wanna ruin the friendships.

Also the necklace vape was kinda cool, I need it. The fact that theres no edits on tiktok about this film kills me, i only found 1 video!!

My personal ratings !
Recommend 8/10
Would watch again 6/10
Acting 7/10
Story 9.5/10
Overall 8/10

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Sweet family ever in horror story

Some people maybe felt confused in the part 1 movie, why wasn't the ghost woman died? Well, the answer is here. Yak appears again as our superhero, the big brother that seeks justice for his deceased sister Yam. He risked everything to kill the Puang (the ghost woman). There are some unexpected helps came thru Yak's way (and i recommend you to watch it yourself!)

Ever since the first movie (and this one also), what I love the most is the family's chemistry. They've been wanting to fight Puang for so long, even the father kept his eye wide open if she ever come back again. The plot is good. Fine movie you would enjoy (i mean... Nadech... how would you ignore the diva). If u ask me does it scare you... I'd say not really. I'm an average horror enjoyer so you can't ask me if this made me scared or not bc my standard might be different from yours. But overall, if u watched the first movie, you won't regret watching this one. I still think this needs the third movie, tho. That's it!

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"You choose your own destiny"

Infernal Affairs was a gripping case of cat and mouse accentuated by both main characters having existential crises over their paths in life. Starring Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Andy Lau in their prime, they took a tight cerebral script and made it shine.

Chan Wing Yan and Lau Kin Ming are both cadets at the police academy. Yan is kicked out and seemingly turns to a life of crime. Ming seemingly becomes an upright police officer. Turns out both stories are false. Yan goes deep undercover for 10 years fighting his way into Hon Sam’s triad while Ming under orders from the crime boss climbs the ladder becoming an Internal Affairs officer. Each seeks to sabotage their employers until it becomes abundantly clear to both organizations that they have a mole amongst their midst. The men are assigned to discover the mole, knowing they are the mole their bosses are looking for, and also discovering the opposing mole. Yan and Ming circle ever closer and closer to the identity of their cunning counterpart.

Infernal Affairs would have been a fine cops and robbers film as it was. What set it apart were the motivations and yearnings of the main characters. Yan was tired of being seen by society as a bad guy regardless of the suffering he endured to help the police and that same society. He wanted out, but events blew up making that dream unlikely. Ming seemed to have no such qualms for much of the film about his dirty dealings until confronted with who he truly was, and secretly desiring to be the good guy he portrayed to others. The honorable cop was disguised as a bad guy while the bad guy was disguised as an honorable cop. The emotional and mental gymnastics each went through attempting to determine who they truly were set both men on a collision course not only with each other but also their true selves.

The writing, cinematography, music, and sets were all stellar. Tony Leung and Andy Lau had great chemistry with each other and their co-stars. Even though there were internal conflicts, that didn’t mean there was no violence or gun play. The thrilling hide and seek was balanced with action and life or death consequences. Too many gangster films overly rely on revenge, double-crosses and gruesome body counts. Infernal Affairs excelled in bringing two compelling characters to life who struggled to stay alive and keep their identities secret while never letting the story drag. Each man became entrenched in his own hell with very little hope of escaping. Infernal Affairs delivered from beginning to gut punching end.

15 February 2025

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Kind of what I was expecting but really not bad

The plot isn't bad. Go to isolated island, find the miracle plant, go home.

But wait! We have giant snakes, flying carnivorous fish, explosive tree fruit, Audrey 2, MORE giant snakes, and women with machetes.

I turned this on thinking it would be a ridiculous B movie and not finish it but I'm kinda glad I gave it a go.

The acting isn't half bad, the CGI is pretty good on the snakes, and I will definitely be watching the next 3 in line just to see if they get better or worse.

(I found the sub version on YouTube of all places. Everywhere else was an English dub.)

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The law’s got a face... but It’s hiding!

Faceless / Shotai is a suspenseful crime drama that highlights just how flawed and corrupted the justice system can be and how it affects the innocent.

It's a story of Kaburagi who is wrongly accused of murder and has escaped prison, becoming a fugitive. Throughout his journey he meets several people, each with a new identity,  to find answers on his own when the system fails him, earning the trust from all of them.

Faceless was an appropriate english title for this. The disguises he adopts definitely serves the practical purpose in hiding his identity, but they also symbolize the psychological pressure to forced to exist as anyone but himself.
There is an eerie tension surrounding everyone, whether it’s the suspect or those investigating them.
The background score was really on point, adding a lot to the suspense without being too extra. It totally helped build the vibe and kept things tense in the best way.

The only issue for me was the pacing. The first half felt extremely slow compared to the climatic second half. They were trying to paint a picture in the first half, but it could be expedited a bit. And maybe they could have provided more context about Kaburagi and his background to help connect more with him as a character.

The acting across the board looked solid with everyone fitting perfectly into their roles. No one seemed out of place or unsynchronized. Yokohama Ryusei particularly stood out in the emotional scenes.

Overall, this was a good movie that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end, questioning some serious flaws on how law works and serious consequences of turning a blind eye.

Note: I have neither read the novel nor seen the series, so this review is based solely on the movie, without any prior background.

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Love in the Big City – A Journey of Growth and Acceptance

While Love in the Big City revolves around both leads, my attention was drawn more toward the female lead (FL) and her personal journey. She is an optimistic, easy-going person who falls in love easily but also gets hurt multiple times throughout the movie. Her biggest flaw is her poor taste in men—she tends to attract and fall for the wrong people. Yet, step by step, she learns and improves, becoming more honest with herself and her emotions.

In her first relationship, she liked a man simply because he liked her, showing how easily flattered and naïve she was. She isn’t calculative, which makes her an easy target for men who take advantage of her innocent nature. However, the film beautifully portrays how love isn’t about adjusting to others but about being accepted for who you truly are.

By her third attempt at love, she starts dating a co-worker who genuinely understands and accepts her. Unlike her second boyfriend, the lawyer, who was possessive and obsessive, her new partner trusted her and her friendship with the male lead (ML). The lawyer’s reaction, while aggressive and wrong, was somewhat understandable—he discovered his girlfriend was living with another man and was only later told that ML was gay. His trust issues were expected, though his violent behavior was inexcusable.

Her first boyfriend, however, was truly awful—someone who used her due to the image she had in college. The film highlights how both leads struggle to fit into societal norms—ML hiding his sexuality and FL being judged for her free-spirited, carefree attitude. Their unconventional living arrangement only fuels the judgment they face.

What makes Love in the Big City brilliant is its realistic portrayal of relationships, personal growth, and societal expectations. KIM GO EUN delivers an exceptional performance, bringing depth and authenticity to her character. She makes FL’s journey of self-discovery and emotional maturity incredibly compelling to watch.

A must-watch for those who appreciate character-driven storytelling and heartfelt performances!

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an indie production with representation

Overall: I gave this 40 minute movie an indie and a representation bump. Aired on Wayufilm's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJuzPtHUKMs&vl=en-US (membership has access to steamy scenes).

Content Warnings: past death

What I Liked
- representation of a character in a wheelchair as a romantic lead and also a character with a neurological issue
- caring moments

Room For Improvement
- slow pacing but then the romance needed more development
- odd that a character was smiling/laughing as he talked about how his dad died
- I'm not an expert but I found it odd how he could use the bathroom on his own at night but not get into the bed

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