"Aren't we pretty?"
The first impression after watching the short film is that I was facing another story about bullying, gender discrimination, bullying, the lack of social acceptance... I needed to watch it one more time to understand it.In my opinion, 'Lipstick' ('Libseutig' in Korean) is not about any of this, much less about imaginary friends.
This raw and emotional Korean film explores the pain of acceptance in a very hostile environment.
The person who asks the question that gives the review its title is not a mysterious girl or an imaginary friend named Chan Mi with whom the male protagonist meets in a laundromat while drying his clothes. NO.
The story revolves around a young transgender woman named Chan Mi (played by debut actress Cho Ha Eun), who comes to accept herself while waging an internal struggle about transitioning. Finally, the girl comes to feel comfortable with herself and learns that her own perception of herself is okay after the gender change, also known as gender change, through a vision in which she discusses her present and future with her alter ego under the name of Jin Joon Won, while dreaming after a suicide attempt.
In other words, the female and male characters are the same person before and after the transition.
The main male character is played by an actor known in the BL world for being the protagonist of the two seasons of 'Color Rush' (2021) and in the two films derived from them, as well as in South Korean queer cinema for participating in the drama, action and crime genre film 'High Heel' ('Haiheel, 2014).
The girl is no stranger to Joon Won. "I was always here, you fool," she tells him.
For the audience to take into account the lipstick that falls from the male protagonist's hand on two occasions and rolls on the floor, the female clothing that both the boy and the girl (that is, the same person) fight over shouting "this is mine"; the mirror in which both look at each other to recognize that they feel good and better about themselves just as they want to be in body, mind and relationships.
The light at the end of the tunnel, the sea, the horizon, infinity, doubt, decision...
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We are connected.
It's been a while since the last time that I bawled my eyes out. This is wonderfully portrayed. A story of two friends that shows a true bond despite the different lives they live in.We have different paths to choose. But at the end of the day, I hope our paths cross.
Such a wonderful and beautiful drama that is worth watching,
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Underdeveloped and unmemorable as a watch in 2025
I mean, for the time in which it came out (2014) it probably has its place, but I cannot see that it had a point except a show of a relationship. It was too short to give characters any substance, so they have none. Shima's concerns seem underdeveloped. Togawa's intentions abandoned. Way too short for a viewer to make any sense of anything.I liked Togawa, he was so himself..a bit quirky and kind of no nonsense type of a guy.
Overall, it did not give much, if anything to me. But it is not offensive or annoying in any way.
Therefore, I do not think it warrants a recommend from me.
Thank you for reading.
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This review may contain spoilers
For my Ding Yuxi's fans.
Yes, theres no eng sub. I know a tiny bit of mandarin so i watched it. If i felt that some lines might be crucial, i translated them.The plot isnt that original but I enjoyed it- dangerous games, greed and true love are cool motives to put in a movie.
I really liked the little details that were carefully put into certain moments. The plot twists weren't that predictible.
The acting was okay- not bad but sometimes it reminded me that they are just acting (i mean sometimes their acting was a bit fakish and bad). Ding Yuxi's portrayal of a mad person was very good- he really made sure to make the movie an actual thriller.
I like how the movie was gradually becoming less and less silly. The game's master acting felt a bit too theatreish (yes, the character was a bit eccentric but i think he still overdid some moments).
At the bottom I did a vast analysis of some events. A movie that is said to be very low quality wouldnt be worth it.
Although the camera work and overall quality isnt the best, the plot and psychology behind each characters's actions is is good!!
So yes, i reccomend seeing this movie.
(posted the exact same review on letterbox)
THE REST OF THE REVIEW CONTAINS SERIOUS SPOILERS!!!
(i know me mentioning being a mandarin learner all the time is annoying, but i just want to highlight i definitly DIDNT fully grasp the movie, i mightve got some aspects wrong and i want you to remember that so yall wont fully rely on my review)
when it comes tu yuxi's acting i really liked the scene when he took a bit of shit- his acting made characters's disgust even more real for the watcher, it looked really natural. As i mentioned before the psychology was great. On the short videos they filmed as a second task it feels like the girl's love is deeper. Im willing to deny that. Cha Jian loved her more- he just couldnt word it that well and was an impulsive person (we see that very vividly at the end of the movie.) She didnt want to TALK to him after realizing the bag was fake (thats what i understood as a beginnner mandarin learner). It still was a gift that was supposed to make her happy. Her sulkyness made us realize she never cherished the bag because it was a gift from her boyfriend but because it seemed to be luxurious stuff. Rember that moment when she slept with a celebrity only after money was offered to her? If Cha Jian didnt care about her at all (only cared about money as it seems to be) he wouldn't care about the fact that she cheated because they gained money after all. Zhou YiYi was also very eager to kill him- she didnt even hesitate. The boyfriend hestitated a lot- he didnt want to take the "poison" at first.
Watch it and try making an analysis for yourself. Im not a psychology major after all, just using some clues, common sense and broken mandarin so i might be wrong!
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A story about the transience of love
The lack of family support, the consequences of discrimination in conservative, heteronormative and patriarchal societies, the lack of friends, the nonexistence of a romantic partner, etc., can influence reinforcing a certain feeling of emptiness or loneliness that is often attempted wrongly satisfy with the fleeting and sporadic physical contact of casual sex, which sometimes has a price tag.The LGBT+ themed short film reminds us that sex is not the solution to fill that void or that feeling of loneliness.
Distributed by Matchbox, the South Korean film released in 2021 explores the complexities of love, the human need to be free and human relationships, through an intimate approach and a visually poetic narrative.
Through the story of Soo Hyuk, a young man who silently cries out for help and works for a dating service run by a manager whose only interest is money, we will experience how the protagonist will experience the emotional ups and downs of an ephemeral love, when a The client hires him to spend the afternoon with him, but it may not end as they both expect, because while one hopes to find the dreaded violent sex, the other is looking for something more than a simple carnal relationship.
The meeting between prostitute and client, two heartbroken men seeking human warmth, will become a turning point in the lives of both young people, probably generating a radical change in their lives.
The director of the film (I would like to have references from the cast and crew) portrays two disturbed characters in an alienating environment, who will begin a brief emotional relationship, sharing their feelings and emotions, seeking the warmth of human company.
The story can convey a great feeling of melancholy. It may be the successful musicalization, or it may even be the story, with which it is difficult not to feel identified in a certain way:
- How not to feel identified with the client, a writer who needs much more than sex, and is looking for company to eat and talk while writing a novel... an anonymous client who uses the gay dating service for the first time and from the first moment feels worried seeing the newcomer sad, hurt, bewildered, stressed?
- How not to feel identified with a prostitute with a heart of gold who perceives himself as a sexual object for those who call the gay dating service looking for casual sex to hide the loneliness and pain in their lives. What does the cover photo want to tell us, if not the image of two men not behind a large window from where you can see the outside, but rather the bars of a prison from outside where you can see the sadness, the melancholy of their lives?
• How not to feel identified with the story of these two young people, which reminds us that there are people who are not here to stay with us, but who have a purpose in our lives. How can you not feel identified with the story of these two young people who forged a brief connection that helped them get to know themselves?
• How can you not feel identified with the end of the short, which sends us a message of hope, that everything will be fine if we take a sudden turn in our lives when they lead us to a dark and sad dead end?
In short, a tender erotic short film about the most prolific topic in gay cinema. What is old is new again. Transactional sex pales in comparison to a meaningful kiss.
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UNDERRATED
I don't understand why the rating is bad, while the movie is sick a masterpiece for me! Especially the plot was so twisted that I always love every second of it, how it's always changing the MC character to woman, then man, woman and man again in different people of MC with different plot of horror.Many of the plot actually helping me with a story that I always ty to find for my OC game character, and this plot horror is so fresh and creative with the design and story.
If you're lazy to watch this, then you will never ever feel the thrilled that I've feel when watching this movie! How horror it is and how creative this one, wish I can marry to this movie tbh.
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Just enough laughs to keep you watching
Too Cool To Kill was a pleasant surprise. I'm not normally a comedy watcher but I was just flicking through SBS for something easy to watch to wind down after work and decided to put this on. The set up in the beginning is a little slow and it takes a while for things to warm up. However, after almost giving up in the first 30mins, I'm glad I stuck around.It's all hats off to Wei Xiang. He's certainly the star of this show and plays a character who's an amateur actor, fooled by a director and his actor sister to pretend to be a hitman. One layer of the comedy is that he, unwittingly, is in life and death situations with gang members. And giving his all to the bit. (Or, at least, as best he can with his rather absurd acting abilities).
The movie has just enough slightly unexpected punchlines to keep you watching. I think the story overall could've done with some serious tightening to make it more snappy. But I respect that, even for a comedy, Too Cool To Kill is deeply unserious.
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Predictable...
Overall 7/10🌟🌟🌟⭐
It's a sad movie as one would expect. However, it just didn't really get to me as much as I was hoping it would. I watched Drawing Closer hoping it would make me cry a lot but it was not as sad as I had hoped. Everything that happened was expected and I didn't like the trope they added at the very end with the friend. I would have enjoyed the movie a bit more without it. I'd recommend watching the movie without any expectations in order to enjoy it more. Overall it was really good, it just didn't live up to the expectations I had in mind hence the lower rating.
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This review may contain spoilers
Life is Irreversible
This short South Korean film hits hard, especially for those who understand being homosexual in a place where everything (family, society, etc) is against you and you feel you have no choice but to follow along.It’s a simple film, yes. Two lovers meet face to face after almost a decade apart. One is living his life with his wife and child, hiding who he was and being a shadow of himself. The other maintained his life and stayed steadfast, now seeking closure to move on & marry his new lover.
Many things are nuanced in this. Jihun’s daughter immediately takes to Taeil. Afterall, this is her father’s “best friend”. A meal is shared and while Jihun looks a bit uncomfortable, his wife and daughter have no issues chatting up Taeil. It’s good, Taeil sees the good life Jihun has chosen. But with Jihun, regret is clear (regret leaving, marrying) and the curiosity of what ifs lingers. You can feel that their ended was unplanned and abrupt. That almost a decade went by and while one lover gets married and has a kid, the other waited in vain for his return. You get this hinted at during the wedding invitation scene where Taeil mentions that he can count on his soon-to-be husband. The pain on Jihun’s face is clear. This is a man filled with remorse and longing. Wanting to reach out. Wanting to go back. Imagining if he stayed. But he made his choice. And that is irreversible.
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Pointless violence, unless that is the point. And suprisingly...memorable
Action movie outside its box. After watching this one I feel so unsettled. What was the point tell me? I am hurt, all over.Then the chemistry between Jae Ho and Hyun Soo was impeccable. I did not care that everyone else was average, how well they sold their roles. I did not feel such strong emotion from a cast in such a long long time. Jae Ho filled a role for Hyun Soo that he did not have, and then Hyun Soo did the same for him. It seemed like a perfect toxic relationship of chosen a son and a father. Visual impact was 10/10 -- Cinematography and costume design.
Merciless is the perfect title for this movie.
Acting from both leads Kyung Gu and Si Wan was just phenomenal. I wish we had some closure, not just being okay with pointless violence. Unless that was the point. But this kind of seemed like a movie without point.
Then to break down acting -- Si Wan just trumps all of complex roles. He is such a gem of an actor, and is slowly climbing to be my fave.
If you like this genre, fast-action packed, pulp-fiction type. And some good acting, you should go for it. It is an action movie that goes out of its genre. Emotionally moves you and then leaves you. Hm, kinda manipulative if you ask me :D.
Watch it. Thanks for reading.
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I Enjoyed Being Fooled
It's been a while since I watched a kdrama movie and it was a nice respite from the 16-20 hour time investment for a series. Without even realizing who the FL lead was, other than "she looks familiar, hmm", I thought "what a pleasant, attractive character." Imagine my surprise when figuring out that she was the FL in When The Phone Rings, a series where she had basically two facial expressions, neither of which was smiling. Her nurse character, especially as she interacts and develops a relationship with her jaundiced patient (ML), made for a positive, good vibe. He certainly seemed out of her league and the fact that their relationship bloomed just added to the depth of her character. She saw something in him that maybe others had missed.He was so inspired by his good fortune to be in a relationship with her that he decided to lose the weight, becoming more attractive and interesting in the process. That he was being depicted by a different actor at this point was just one of those things one comes to expect. He starts working long hours and still has feelings for the FL, but the relationship is challenged when she finds out she is pregnant.
At this point in the movie I felt that the SML (second actor playing the fit male lead) was sincere about wanting to stay in the relationship, but torn because he wanted to succeed in his demanding job. His attractive co-worker (SFL) was more interested in him than he was in her and in a moment of weariness he made what I took to be an honest mistake and called the FL by the SFL's name. FL wasn't too happy and was fully aware of how difficult it had become for SML to commute to visit with her and pressed the issue, to which the SML admitted that he felt sorry for her, indicating that there was some "duty" involved as his motivation for staying in the relationship. She gives him an out and he does something dumb and more or less succumbs to the advances of the SFL. I believed that he still had feelings, albeit confused, for the FL and the SFL was merely a rebound relationship. He finally realizes that he wants to try to mend things with the FL and dashes off to the airport to join her on a trip they had planned to Jeju.
MAJOR SPOILER FOLLOWS!!
Which is when the gotcha occurs. I was totally suckered in by the illusion that the ML had worked hard enough to transition into great shape as portrayed by the SML. In that moment of realization that in fact the SML wasn't the same character as the ML, merely shared a name and occupation, and as it turned out had a similar hospital experience where FL was the nurse, only on a different timeline, I had a great appreciation for a twist well done. The rewind segment helped fill in the blanks and also explained the strange "Sneakers" segments. That the SML tried to comfort his bruised ego by returning to pursue the SFL was a bit pathetic, although that relationship likely had a better chance of succeeding that the one with the FL and the ML. The look on the FL's face in the last scene seemed to me to say that she still had feelings for the SML and that the ML was just a convenient temporary substitution. Not a bad deal under the circumstances for the ML but I doubt their relationship would last very long. Too much water under the bridge for the original duo (FL/SML) to return to their relationship, but the FL's looks and personality were so attractive that I doubt she would have any problem finding other men who are interested in her.
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A nailbiter from beginning to end.
Fasten your seat beats and return all trays to their upright position. You're in for a wild ride. A bioterrorist releases a deadly virus on a flight from Seoul to Honolulu with 150 passengers/crew aboard, including the wife of the detective leading the ground investigation and a psychologically scarred, former ace pilot traveling with his daughter. Will any of the countries on the doomed plane's flight path allow them to land considering that the virus heretofore had no cure? This film is a nailbiter from beginning to end and raises moral & ethical questions that have been argued in classrooms throughout modern history. A must see.Was this review helpful to you?
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Interesting court case
Ended up watching this film about a husband who got murdered and the wife who was found guilty. Or was she not guilty? There is the sister in law who wants to take the niece, who also deals with narcotics, or was it the person who she met in the car park.Quite enjoying, with a very good defence and storyline.
Rewatchable, for sure .
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Kinda amazed Fukasaku didn't do more straight comedies.
A darkly comedic heist thriller exploding with pulp sensibilities, Gambling Den Heist sees Kinji Fukasaku try his hand at something a bit more light-hearted than the yakuza dramas he was more widely known for. It retains his characteristic cynicism and violence but has a degree of fun with the material to balance things out, showcasing the criminals of Japan as both hilariously incompetent and brutally effective. When friendship and loyalty become manipulative tools for our bosses, we inevitably wind up feeling lonely, disillusioned, and looking out only for ourselves. It's a briskly paced story, never getting bogged down in the details or too convoluted with character motivations. It has some hilarious scenes that thankfully never veer too far into madcap. All of Fukasaku's directional trademarks are here and out in full force, the cast is fantastic with a highly energetic Kinya Kitaoji in the leading role and the musical score by Toshiaki Tsushima is as upbeat and funky as you could want from a film like this. Gambling Den Heist is easily one of Kinji Fukasaku's more underrated films of his impressive filmography, the dude could direct a film like this in his sleep and it would still be fantastic, yes it's more lightweight than some of his more heavy hitters, but damn if this isn't just incredible fun.Was this review helpful to you?
1This review may contain spoilers
PLEASE give "Silent Sparks" a chance, despite the low rating.
This was an excellent, slow-burn, slice-of-life short film.It's not a BL in the usual BL sense. More of a LGBT film, but.....not exactly that, either. It slightly reminded me of the multi-award-winning movie, Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985).
I think in its short screen time (~1 hr 15 mins), "Silent Sparks" squeezed in a lot of character development, and the short plot - while not containing much "action" - was exactly as long as it needed to be.
The two main actors were very good. They had a real connection, and both did a great job portraying two small-time criminals with some unexpressed feelings between them, but hopeless futures.
Although at the end.....in a weird, twisted way, perhaps there was hope for them after all?
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I've read a lot of the comments from others on here, and it seems like a lot of people say it was "boring" or "lacking in development because it was too short."
But I have watched quite a few gritty Asian films, both full length and short, and IMO some of the most interesting ones were much more spare than other films, and almost completely devoid of what some would call "charm." The casts are always very small in number, and the actors spend the length of the movie showing us their seedy lives, with only a few - if any - moments of humanity and "just-out-of-reach" potential for happiness.
That, to me, is what "Silent Sparks" is - a brief interlude in the main leads' lives that ends up leaving the viewer feeling forlorn and frustrated, because the characters are stuck in a never ending cycle with no real opportunities to step away from that and take a different path. It's not meant to be full of action, and it's not constructed in such a way that we get a deep dive and well-rounded picture of what happened in the past, and what might happen in the future. We only get to see the present moments, and the actors' superb character portrayal.
I really enjoyed "Silent Sparks," and I hope others will give it a chance.
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