Reviews

Is it Love? or is it just an addiction?

So this is a story about the extremely impulsive chef, who pretty much forgets all decency to cling on to the object of his obsession and the person, who forgot about herself and became that object... until she finally realised being that object is not really good for her.

However as addcitions go, once tempted it is a little bit to easy to relapse...

Either that or it is a story about true love, second chances, holding on no matter what.... Love will find a way... What once was broken can be fixed.

Or maybe it is both?

A thing this movie does pretty well is show that love is not always enough, and that there is indeed a love that brings both down when it should be making you stronger and better.

I am not relally sure if they ever get to showing love at all or if we just get to witness a bunch of people with obsession... But somehow these people seem to call it love.

That said, it kept my attention, leads and friends in this are mostly charming, the kisses are decent and the food and scenery is lovely.

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The questions that were never asked, the answers that were never heard.

As humans we have an awful tendency to fill the blanks with things that fit our own perception. We are both egocentric thinking our view is the correct one, but also think we are insignificant and our actions don’t have much impact. And we are wrong.

I went into this movie knowing close to nothing and it was a perfect choice. Rather than just watching a movie, I felt like I was learning important life lessons, forced to face my own shortcomings and reflect on my own biases. I felt the whole range of emotions and I don’t think I’ll stop feeling them any time soon.

It’s a movie that will confuse you, touch you, teach you and most likely humble you. The movie is divided into clear chapters that uncover layers of perspectives and depth.

The performances were phenomenal. There are no words to describe how well all the characters were presented. Extreme props to the youngest cast who in my eyes carried the heart and soul of the whole movie.

Directing? Perfection. The way the message of the movie became so clear with every minute, even if initially I was so confused. The way it highlights the importance of the context. The way everything mattered.

I’m one to write essay-long reviews, but I’m honestly still wrapping my head around what I just finished watching and I think I will be in that state for some time. This movie calls for a discussion and brainstorming of the ideas, opinions and perspectives. It’s a story with a huge impact if you pay attention. It’s a movie on human nature, our flaws and mistakes. Strangely, I also think it’s a movie about cognitive laziness and how it affects us and people around us.

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simple yet emotional: a heartwarming story

I found "Love Child" by chance and decided to give it a try - and I'm glad I did!

The story is simple: a young couple trying to navigate life with their autistic child.
The characters don't really have a deep personality (but they honestly don't have to); Ayla was a model student and dreams of becoming a lawyer while Paolo wants to be a filmmaker. Still, the characters are easily likable and the watcher can relate to their actions. The movie mostly follows the daily life of the family and the troubles they face - so don't expect much drama.

Despite the simple story and characters, it manages to connect the story of Ayla's and Paolo's relationship and the story between Kali and his parents nicely. The story progresses in a good pace, never leaving me feel bored while watching. Furthermore, the acting and the visuals (e.g. the coloring) capture the feelings this movie wants to portray perfectly.

Do I recommend this movie? Obviously yes - if you're in for a simple but emotional story!

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has its cute moments, but offers nothing new

I haven't watched the original film they based this on, but it seems to have a very simple plot. I feel like stories like these would have been more charming in the early 2000s, but all of it now is predictable. It didn't have anything particularly unexpected that set it apart from other romance films already put out. What could have made it better for me was if they showed more of the characters' nuances and thoughts.. and fleshed out their relationships. What made the ML truly care about the FL so much? What connection did they build from those surface level interactions? I like the actors in this film, but I couldn't really root for their characters because we're not given a chance to understand their intentions.. they didn't even know much about each other?

Visually, this film is so pretty! I wanted to take a screenshot of every scene.. it is all so pleasing to the eye.. god knows I WIIIISH the story was a bit better 😭

Final verdict: It is a cute little lighthearted film to watch on a slow day. It offers nothing much else though.

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"Do you remember my hand?"

The film Eros contained three short films, the first of which was, The Hand by Wong Kar Wai. Wong Kar Wai is one of those mood directors like Zhang Yi Mou. I don’t always connect emotionally with Wong’s films while still appreciating his unique style. I’m always happy when one clicks with me, and this short erotic film starring Gong Li and Chang Chen did just that.

Xiao Zhang is a tailor apprentice whose first customer is the beautiful prostitute, Miss Hua. He hears her at work while he waits in the sitting room. Miss Hua recognizes that he’s never touched a woman before. Much as the title implies, she touches him, launching his career and an obsession. He begins to take her measurements by hand, literally, memorizing every line of her body. Zhang creates beautiful works of art for her to wear even as her source of income begins to wane.

WKW used many of his techniques-dim lighting, rain, reflections, and close-ups of his gorgeous actors. Gong Li as always was mesmerizing to watch. Chang Chen as the tailor in love with a woman he could never have was stunning. It was a WKW film so I was already braced for a heartbreaking story of unrequited love. And he didn’t fail to bring the angst and the pain. He also brought the erotica without showing much skin. Gong Li and Chang Chen turned up the heat to scorching merely being in proximity to each other.

The Hand was a feast for the eyes and senses. Short, with a shot straight to the heart, wrapped in WKW’s usual style, dripping with barely concealed longing and desire. If you are a fan of WKW’s work and don’t mind erotica, this is definitely a film to try.

11 January 2025

Trigger warnings: The introduction by sexual act with a hand, is the most graphic scene, though not overly so. There is a bare bottom. Sex was often alluded to, with sound effects for those who are sensitive to such things.

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Tender, moving and poetic story about a father and son trying to reconcile their separated lives

Xiao Rui (Ray), a tall, thin and handsome teenager, returns home, after having grown up with his grandfather, to live with his father (a character played by Wei-Ming Wang, an actor known for his role in 'Han chan xiao ying' (2014), 'Da yue zai dong ji' (2019) and the 1991 film 'A Summer Day'), a businessman from whom he is physically and emotionally distanced. The local art school has opened its doors for him, and the time has come to return to his father's home.
The character of Ray is played by Junrui Wang, an actor known for his role in 'Wo ruhua si yu de erzi' (2005).
During the years of estrangement, Ray spent much of his childhood and adolescence rebelling against his father's hard-line, middle-class lifestyle.
At school, Ray becomes romantically involved in a relationship with an unnamed boyfriend, played by Guifeng Wang. The two boys are followed by an equally unnamed mutual friend, played by actor Ziqiang Li.
But when his father discovers the young lovers naked in bed, after the initial surprise, he must begin to understand his own feelings towards homosexuality.
'My Fair Son' makes a slow, uneventful study of a tense relationship between father and son, in which the two must tentatively begin to reconcile their many differences, including Ray's revelation that he is gay, something his father it is difficult for him to accept.
Lacking strong emotions and even music until the end, the film, written and directed by the innovative Chinese filmmaker, film scholar, screenwriter, novelist, activist and gay academic Cui Zi En, known internationally for his films 'Zhi tongzhi' (2009 ), 'Jiu yue' (2001), 'Feeding Boys, Ayaya' (2003), 'Chou jue deng chang' ('Enter the Clowns'), from 2001, 'Nannan nünü - Nan Nan Nü Nü' ('Men and Women'), 1999, 'Queer China, Comrade China' (2008), among others, gives us a tender, moving and poetic story about a father and a son trying to reconcile their separate lives.
The family ties between father and son will continue to be tested when Ray falls in love with the apparently heterosexual Xiao Bo (played by Bo Yu, a Chinese actor known for 'Zhui qiu xing fu de ri zi' (2014), 'Shao nian ge xing' (2022) and 'Xingxing xiangxi xi' (2004), one of his father's best employees But Bo is committed and, by getting involved in a homosexual relationship, he not only risks his position in the company. the company, but also the persecution in his personal life.
When Bo confesses that he is in love with Ray, the father fires him and lies to his son, telling him that he resigned of his own free will. Ray doesn't accept his father's argument. The film ends with the main character wandering around a terrace with floating transparent images of his childhood photographs.
But despite having broken the thread that united him to the person he loved, Ray has not stopped believing in love.
And at this point it is worth thinking positively and saying with Miguel Hernandez that "only those who love fly." Although later he asks himself: "Love... But who loves? Fly... But who flies?". As in "His flight", the title of the poem by the Orihuela shepherd from which the cited verses come, the protagonist of the film has wings in love.
But Cui Zi En's film also reminds me of that flutter that has reached many, such as the Spanish poet Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, who in his famous "Rhyme". And in that atmosphere where "the sky dissolves in rays of gold / [and] the earth trembles with joy", the Sevillian asks: "Is it love that passes?" Surely, taking our pedestrian condition to the top to give us the volatile, airy, unstable and changeable life of lovers.
I like the brilliant filming of this art film that shows gay life in China, the everyday wonder, the poetry and the complicated existence of life itself.
He achieves this through many deliberate slow scenes, for example, instead of the actors moving at a regular pace, their movements to move are slow, parsimonious. In this way, the director seeks to slow down the actions so that the viewer can feel the tenderness and intimate thoughts of the characters, especially those of Ray, giving us the opportunity to understand and feel what is in the microcosm of their lives and feelings actions.
With beautiful naked torsos of the handsome and sensual young men, 'My Fair Son' is a lyrical, reflective, silent, melancholic, beautiful, poetic and calm film.
What is striking are the scenes of nudity combined with images of the sky, the horizon, the infinite... referring, with a lot of symbolism, to love, thoughts and feelings, too complex and paradoxical to be expressed in words (or the lack of articulation of the characters involved, the love).
Although the film does not inspire me with joy and action, it does manage to make me reflect on beauty, poetry, and the value of life in all its tenderness and sadness.
The sensuality of the film is worth highlighting. The feel of the cinematography drives it a little more than the plot.
Likewise, I enjoyed the long shots, which let you feel the characters' behaviors. The viewer must be attentive, because at times it seems that what we are seeing has little to do with the action on screen. In my case, this puts me in the sensory, dreamlike mindset that Ray seemed to have.
Another element to take into account is how, on several occasions, the camera focuses interest on more traditional elements of the plot. In my opinion, the director wants the viewer to perceive how the secondary characters see things as they are expected to be and not as they are through Ray's eyes.
For example, when scenes involving father and son appear, there are long shots focused on what we expected to see, but then the images stop, allowing the scenes to develop more than we could expect, in total silence, ensuring that the viewer obtains the necessary information to understand what is happening, but really feeling the atmosphere of the actions at the moment, whether internal to the characters and external to the scene.
With all these elements, Cui Zi En creates a film that feels like a more complete, true understanding of what happens between a young dreamer with his head constantly gravitating around his world, his father with things clear, and the rest of the people who surround the lives of these two characters as they care, connect and interact with them.

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Has the potential to be made into a drama/show

After watching the movie, it felt like I wanted more. Some scenes can be expanded, so much more posibilities to the story can be made. Something about Ubukata and Banjaku (though her name wasn't mentioned much) needs to be developed. I was suspicious about Banjaku knowing about Ubukata's fiance and her habit of installing a tracking app on her boyfriend, there needs to be a character development on her part. Ubukata also needs character development in some ways such as being more human by the end, I'd like to see more about the story in general as there's so much stories to be told from each characters

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Well worth seeking out

in 1998, mining waste contaminated with lead spilled into the Klity River in Kanchanaburi, western Thailand.

This documentary is about the consequences for the people of a rural village 15 years on from the contamination. They are Karen, an ethnic minority, and depend on the river for food, water and their livelihoods. The river is their only source of water. We see their lives, their children, their land. It's shown in a gentle, beautifully filmed slice of life manner which makes it quietly powerful.

There have been clean-up efforts but news reports indicate that the river is still contaminated.

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A light-hearted romance and touching sibling bond

The romance started a little too fast, especially with the love at first sight concept, but I guess that is expected given that the entire plot needed to be filled in 01 hour and 49 minutes. I was a little surprised when I found out that they were playing the roles of 26-year-olds because the overall concept of the drama felt like a teenage love story, but all in all the movie was a cute and romantic movie to watch.

I have to say that the acting of the three main leads was phenomenal. Hong Kyung did an amazing job playing the role of Yong Jun. The way he expressed every emotion through his expressions and his body language as the shy guy falling for a girl, at first sight, was exceptional. He effortlessly managed to bring the character of Yong Jun to life and managed to stay consistent to his personality throughout the movie.

Roh Yoon Seo as Yeo Reum was a commendable choice. With little to no words throughout the movie, she managed to convey every single one of her emotions with just her expressions. She and Kim Min Ju, had great chemistry as sisters in the movie and I loved every single scene of them together. Their scenes made me so emotional and I couldn't help but bawl my eyes out, watching the love, care and support they have for each other. Watching Yeo Reum, live just for her sister's dream, and Ga Eul working hard to achieve her dream so that her sister would be proud, was so heartwarming to watch.

As an elder sister myself, watching how Yeo Reum lived her life to support her sister and parents was very relatable. When her mom asked her to start living her life for herself, I couldn't stop my tears from falling out because those were words that many of us elder siblings needed to hear.

I did hope to see a little bit more development on Yong Jun's and Yeo Rum's careers and life but unfortunately, there wasn't really much focus given to that. I guess it was kind of expected since the movie's main focus was on the romance of the main leads, but it would have given a good closure if they had touched on that aspect.

I would give this drama a good rating because it was a really homey and cute romance drama. The cast did a really great job with their roles as well. The love between the sisters was really moving and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light-hearted drama to watch.

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Love you to let you go.

The movie captures the delicate shift from the purity of puppy love to the harsh realities of adult turmoil. As Juancho and Zy, portrayed by Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto, navigate their evolving lives, they face some challenges to retain their relationship. The early stages of love, filled with magic and intensity, often give way to the pressures of adult responsibilities; shifting dreams, evolving aspirations, and the distances that grow between people sometimes make it hard to get back to its previous shape. These challenges strained their most profound connection; once-vibrant feelings faded over time.

The character Juancho is childish, extremely intense, and passionate about everything he does—to that extent where he forgets about everything else, even himself. On the other hand, Zy is calm, collected, and rational with her feelings. She had goals to achieve but didn't have the supportive hand to fight with her. They both loved each other, but their hearts were not ready to settle.

>What I liked:

~This film holds many flaws, but that's where it holds its beauty. There's something about Filipino movies that makes me feel emotions like no other. They're painfully raw and vibrant with all kinds of emotions enough to make me feel alive.

~The characters were comforting in their own way. Juancho's charming retriever energy was infectious; it's emotionally impossible to not love a character like this. For Zy, I could see what she meant about "man up" ,and the frustration of defying your own feelings felt a bit selfish, but it's what she chose for herself.

~If you think, why should I watch realistic things when I know reality is shitty? I believe that watching those dreamy k-dramas can cloud our brains with false hopes and unrealistic expectations, but watching these types of things makes you realise, even if reality is overwhelming, it holds its meaning in every lesson we get from those shitty situations.

~I wonder what they actually felt about working together as exs when they were once together.
It's like perfect ex story doesn't exist, they said hold my Bicolano chilli🌶️!

>Room for improvement:

~ Even though both of the characters were flawed, that doesn't justify cheating. No one deserves to be cheated on. They handled that situation better. But I'm happy with how they wrap up the ending.

Overall, a warm, overwhelming weekend watch. Nothing over the top, nothing underwhelming, just the right amount of realistic portrayal of people and their uncontrollable situations.

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So realistic

I'm watching this movie for the third time and still amazed me... this is one of the most realistic LGBTQ+ story, acting I've ever seen.....💙💙💙
This is more than worth watching..........

The actors also conveying their emotions, suppression, just wow... I feel like I can feel what are they feeling.
This kind of love, suppression, this happened in most of the gay people... Even now not all family or friends accept this thing openly which is why this movie is realistic and relate to most of the failed love.
sorry english isn't my first language and this is my first time writing review here ~
ENJOY ~

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10/10

Honestly, I didn't have big expectations going into it - having only seen the trailer. I will say I was pleasantly suprised with this film. It was an excellent mix of seriousness, realism, and comedy. I especially loved the main couple - no disasterous drama between them, just pure love and silliness. They were adorable and it was so refreshing to see a realistic, albeit goofy, couple without toxicity or differentiated power dynamics. One of my top comedy films. The acceptance of North Koreans and the reunification sentiment was so sweet and a nice, appreciated touch. 10/10 film, would definitely reccomend.

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What an enjoyable 2 hrs in the cinema! China's much wittier feminist film than Barbie

I believe my headline says it all. I was surrounded in the cinema by many Chinese women and we were all laughing out loud together because this is by far the best Chinese feminist film I have seen. Lots of feminist films stop at the awakening stage but this film deals with the post-awakening phase of feminism; what happens after you become this capable independent woman who's also a mother and who is a divorcee and you don't miss being married, what does this woman's life look like? It deals with themes of various styles of parenting, past trauma weighing on psychological and emotional wellbeing and behaviour, and the current dilemmas of current stage feminism and gender relations and its discourse on its effects on both men and women.

The trailer doesn't make much sense so this is the synopsis without spoilers: This is a 3 female leads "slice-of-life" film who are each a half generation apart and the tangled web of relationships between each other and the various men in their lives including ex-husbands, new lovers and friends.

I so thoroughly enjoyed it that I'm watching it for a second time this coming week. The question I have is - Did I enjoy it so much because it was in language and culture I understand and will some of those jokes that seem so culturally specific translate into jokes for others who do not speak the language nor have some understanding of the culture? If you notice, there's always somewhat of a discrepancy between the douban scores (china-based) and mydramalist (diaspora) scores with few exceptions.

In short, go watch this film! For any reason you can think of - for cultural study, for laughs, for fun, for language learning, for the witty dialogue, to support female writer-directors.

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We will wait for you, no matter how long the world takes

WATCH THE DELETED SCENES TOO

-https://youtu.be/1E-qugSxZLA?si=gmkXzQLGepjTap5T

If you like sweet and cute romantic love-stories, you must definitely give it a try.. It has a few emotional scenes too, but the main thing is that it has a lovely happy ending.. It is a story about two classmates who met in high school and fell in love, however, some circumstances drifted them apart, but nevertheless they loved each other truly and at the end they reunite. One important thing to note is that if you choose to watch it on youtube, you need to watch the ending separately as some videos don't have the actual one.

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