Reviews

Sweet, Sweet, Sweet!

So short, yet so amazing. I love this one with all my heart. Though it's only about 8 minutes long, that didn’t stop me from falling in love with it. Yeon Ho and Jae Min are both adorable characters, you could feel and see immediately that they like each other but are too insecure to confess (a problem many teens have when experiencing their first love). The moment they finally kiss is heartfelt and absolutely adorable.
The height and body differences are what I liked most since it's something different. As a chubby person myself, I enjoyed seeing this change. :)
I wish it was an entire series, it surely deserves it!

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“It’s easy to find someone you love. But it’s hard to find someone who loves you.”

I truly enjoyed this movie. At first I thought it was going to be outright nonsense. A laugh here, a laugh there. Male lead is goofy with no real substance, and the FL with no backstory and just there to look pretty and dumb. But that’s what they want to fool you into thinking.

Also, there’s nothing forbidden or illicit (in terms of a relationship) between the ML and FL that makes them dislikable to the audience. They actually fit each other well, and the actors He Jiong and Vivian Hsu make a good team as they seem comfortable and at ease with each other. Vivian Hsu plays off of He Jiong’s humor perfectly.

Now back to the premise.

Tiffany and Huo Ke meet when he breaks into her house and tells her he’s kidnapped her husband. If she doesn’t give into Huo Ke’s demands, her husband is dead meat.

But the arrangement is still innocent enough, and Huo Ke doesn’t take this opportunity to take advantage of Tiffany. Rather it's to just be a husband to a decent woman who cooks and cleans for him. Meanwhile, Tiffany is thinking about the danger her husband may be in, and gets out her Sherlock Holmes’ cap, and goes sleuthing when she has the chance to escape unnoticed. Eventually she figures out that her husband isn’t locked up in Huo Ke’s bathroom, getting ready to be fried in the bathtub… Tiffany is confused.

Regardless, she still plays wife to Huo Ke, and later finds out that their meeting wasn’t as strangers…rather, she and Huo Ke are old friends…

I could spoil more. But I don’t want to. Just know that the movie is heartwarming, and maybe you’ll have to rewatch in order to see what you didn’t notice the first time. Take for example, when they’re sitting on the couch and she’s telling him about “Amour Island”, they’re sitting so casually on the couch together, his head resting on her shoulder (mimicking the movie poster). It’s only when they notice this that they scoot away from each other. Or when Tiffany walks out to greet Huo Ke’s friends (while the song “Yumeji’s Theme” plays) to serve them drinks, and how Huo Ke smiles at her with admiration and a knowing glint in his eye (as though he knows a secret he’s only told himself). Another thing to pay attention to is at the beginning, right when the narration begins.

The supporting cast is good too. The nosy neighbor and son are hilarious, and the annoying police officer who just wants that promotion is pretty great. Wang Xumo Bing plays a great conniving, evil, manipulative, and some-what charming husband to Tiffany/Vivian Hsu (and he gets what he deserves in the end). Also, a young KUN is so sweet to see here. He was so young in this movie.

In the end, with enough patience and curiosity, you’ll realize that the watch was worth it. When looking at other reviews online about “Lock Me Up…” a reviewer on WordPress mentioned that one of the lessons in the movie is about “knowing when it’s right to lie”. And Huo Ke had that right. Tiffany’s husband didn’t.

Recommend 10/10.

It’s stayed on my movie shelf forever ever sense. I watch it a couple times a year when I’m feeling sad.

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this is a queer film made by a queer filmmaker

I liked the story it told, and I got the point it was trying to tell. I have a short attention span, especially if it doesn't catch my attention straight away, so I will most likely not watch it again. Also, I would like to mention that this short film isn't made to be all rainbows and sunshine like usual Taiwan queer stories show to the world; it's supposed to show how in some cases, this is someone's reality. The reality is that toxic masculinity is very much present in the society that everybody lives in and influences how people act in everyday life. In order to fit in, he acts and does things in the same way that his friends do, and although the main character is drawn to the victim, the only way he knows how to get closer to him is what he sees in everyday life. He does, however, try to lessen the punishments in ways others can't see. It's not like other queer stories that are portrayed in which the main characters are madly in love, but it still very much is one, whether you'll agree or not.
(I can't remember if there was music and what it sounded like if there was, so I gave it a 5.)

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Easy Watch for a Believe In Yourself Sports Movie

LIKES:
Cinematography, production, choice of cast, colour palate, scene locations, were all well done.
MUSIC for the Japanese cheer team was decent, but nothing memorable.
STORY: Based on a true story, which was nice because I didn’t know prior to watching this that Japan had any form of cheer competitions.
COSTUMES: I liked the Japanese cheer costumes, especially for the JETS.
CONCEPT: Youth sports and dancing, high school pressures, friendships, were all well delivered.

DISLIKES:
MUSIC: They used Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) song to depict the American cheer championships. So many other songs could’ve done the same.
DIRECTING & EDITING: a lot of moments too drawn out, pacing became an issue. Some parts were really choppy.
STORY: They didn’t need the boy crush angle between Mackenyu’s character and Suzu’s character or Ayami and Kentaro. Also it wasn’t a comedy, although there were some light hearted moments. Based on a true story, but even with 2 hours it mostly focused on training and not really the competition, so the end wasn’t as impactful. There was no adult version conclusion for some of the supporting, first string girls like Taeko or Yui, they only showed the future selves of Hikari and Ayano. That was frustrating because they did give some back story of Taeko.

OVERALL:
Easy and light watch, even though it was 2 hrs. I did tear up near the end. I would recommend watching it, however there’s nothing so appealing that I would want or need to watch it again.

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This movie is like a very long MV...

This movie is like a very long MV and I love it. The music was great and everything was perfectly suited to it. I had never heard Eve's songs or covers before, and I decided to watch this movie to get to know him. It certainly didn't disappoint me.

"Adam by Eve: A Live in Animation" consists of fragments that look like MV when the music blasts out interspersed with peaceful scenes without music, when we follow the story of Aki and Taki. Everything is combined into a coherent whole thanks to very good visualizations and animations. Some fragments also contain elements of horror.

Overall, the movie and music appealed to my taste.

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as expected exo

still can't believe SM could milk a 3 days 2 nights show from exo
exo is exo for a reason
I really love how exo having so much fun just being themselves, never over the top yet still so funny
their humor senses just click with me
Mischievous Sehun, Chatterbox Jongin, Fast learner Kyungsoo, and reliable Junmyeon and Minseok
my favorite parts were: nonsense word chain game, dalmuti game, kind kyungsoo who bought drink for staffs (and he always being like that) and Sehun randomly getting the right answer twice
also love how exo members practically ignoring the rule to not share their foods if they win games
I really hope one day there would be an ot9 version of eksase

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Better than the original

Greg Hsu, I love you! He and his smile totally made this more watchable and more poignant than the original Korean movie 'On your wedding day'.

I have watched the original movie liked it enough for depicting a realistic failed romance but it not make me cry like 'My Love' did. This adaptation retained the spirit of the original but removed the things I did not particularly like, resulting to a more impactful story. Pretty Rounan acted well enough but it was weak compared with Greg Hsu who carried this movie for me. He was a believable rowdy HS student, naughty university student, aspiring then failed athlete, strict HS swimming coach. His monologue near the end will make you wish they were still endgame but makes you accept that he's content that she's happy. The fact that they have let go of their regrets made me feel they truly have closure and can each move on to a better future.

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The Other Side Of A Rom Com

I went into watching the movie knowing what to expect…Or at least I thought so. I’m a huge fan of Hong Kong movies, and I’m used to their humor and zaniness. But there was actually none of that…really; it only ended like one. Which was okay, I’m glad when the plot is taken seriously, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a fan of Cantonese humor and it’s tendency to be made from contrived plots and unsophisticated humorous flair. Yet, in the “The Other Side of Gentlemen” I wished things had been fleshed out more. It was all very robotic and a huge let down.

The only character who truly showcased growth was Alan Ng. Therefore, I believe that’s why his character came off the most pathetic but you felt empathy for him; he actually deserved better, even someone better than JoJo. So, I expected Alan Ng to have the chance to shine at one point in the story. He could have unexpectedly left everyone speechless in the party scene, and showed off his knack for language, soft skills, and salesmanship; he could’ve painted himself as a true businessman. He could’ve made all those engineers, accountants, scientists, doctors, and professors lose face while impressing JoJo. But that didn’t happen. He could have even had the opportunity to showcase his Japanese speaking abilities more, or get promoted at his job. But that didn’t happen. He could have went on a date with another woman to make JoJo jealous and make her question whether or not she chose the wrong man. But that didn’t happen. JoJo could have met Alan’s sister and seen his more sweet side when she saw him interacting with his sister. That didn’t happen.

There were so many missed opportunities the director didn’t pursue. So, the story fell flat.

None of the college students, scholars, and others were really likable except for Alan’s friends and his little sister. The priest was even decent. But other than that, I think Alan’s behavior towards the end was justifiable. The experimenters needed to realize what they created, and it be used against them. But that brings up another point, JoJo should have broken up with her fiancé. Not because I thought she was better fit for Alan Ng (because I don’t believe she deserved him), but because her fiancé was willing to put her in a situation that was dangerous. She became his puppet like Alan, but he was able to still get the girl. It was all about power and manipulation on his end. For psychologist, they were truly fickle people. All the college students and educated folks were negative.

So, the story missed its mark. It had so much potential to be better than it was. I wish the audience could have gotten a better glimpse of JoJo’s home life (and maybe even some backstory), same with Alan but in terms of his past (why did he drop out of college? Maybe his past heartbreak made him the person he was before he met JoJo…who knows…Maybe it’s up to the audience’s interpretation). We only got a couple cute moments between the leads, so, there could’ve been more romance. We could have gotten a better answer to why and how the leads fell for each other. I can only assume Alan brought out the easy going and happy sides of JoJo, gave her a zest for life and what youth is all about. And JoJo gave Alan the reason to grow and pursue a lot of the potential he had; to become a better person. But the audience didn’t get any of that because the director didn’t touch upon that part like he should have. JoJo and Alan’s relationship could have been showcased as something more deep than it was. JoJo should have had more girlfriends to seek advice from. She was always surrounded by bland individuals and men. I wished Alan and JoJo could’ve met each other’s parents too. I think that she went through with the wedding because she felt like she didn’t deserve Alan’s love, and maybe so…but they were both insane, so they deserved each other. He was an obsessed stalker, and she was a beautiful manipulator with the tenacity to build up and breakdown a man while looking him in the face.

The best part that made up for it- just a little bit-was the ending. Alan’s speech and proclamation of love when interrupting the wedding( Alan Tam actually looked pretty good in the suit with the purple flower), and JoJo’s goofiness (playing dead, and hopping on his motorcycle). I believe Brigette and Alan had chemistry, but it was overlooked by the material they were given.

Give the movie a watch if you’re a fan of Alan Tam and his songs, or want to see a young Brigette Lin in a role that was a far cry from the ones she would become famous for playing. In a way, this was one of the brighter and refreshing (happy and rom com-ish) movies on her filmography.

6/10. But I’m being generous. The ending kept me from rating it a tentative 5. Also, despite what others think, I actually liked the characters’ outfits. PVC jackets, and knock-off vans are quite fitting. The fashion was modern, camp, and colorful. Kind of reminded me of late 2000s and early 2010s (2007 - 2012).

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Know the rules of The Road

Warriors of Heaven and Earth is an unconventional action and buddy film. Filmed in the Gobi desert with a haunting OST and good performances, this film had almost everything needed to be epic. Almost.

Unlike many films with numerous plots and turns, Warriors of Heaven and Earth was more like the Silk Road going through the desert. A rough path with even rougher people traversing it, but fairly straightforward. The film starts with Lai Xi, a Japanese man, who came to China 15 years before to study war craft. All he wants to do now is go home and see his mother. The emperor, whom he is loyal to, has resisted letting him leave. The Tang emperor tasks him with eliminating fugitives in the Western region. Once he fulfills this task, he can finally return home to Japan. Lai's final obstacle is hunting down "Butcher" Li, a general charged with mutiny because he refused to slaughter captive women and children.

Lieutenant Li has been wandering the desert making a living when he is caught up in a sandstorm and nearly dies. He is rescued by the sole military survivor of a caravan carrying Buddhist texts and a precious artifact. One young monk protecting the artifact survived the storm as well. Li takes control of the caravan and promises to lead it to the capital. Along the way he ends up picking up a fighter who had seen too many winters, Old Diehard, and a young man who had seen too few, Salamander, as well as some of his old cohorts. Lai Xi also finds him and after a fight that ends in a draw agrees to allow Li to finish the caravan mission before killing him. For some reason, Lai is escorting the daughter of a killed general to the capital and she becomes part of the caravan as well.

No movie focusing on the Silk Road would be complete without gangs of bandits. This film focuses on Master An, the leader of a gang determined to steal the artifact. Another group, followers of a Khan, also want the artifact. They are relentless and seemingly willing to sacrifice anything to get their hands on the item in the monk's care.

Li and Lai have an almost comfortable relationship as two men who see each other as equals, and honorable, though they know at least one of them will not reach the capital. The small band of men, almost akin to The Seven Samurai, must use every bit of their wits and experience to fight through the bandits in inhospitable territory. Outnumbered and bearing the heavy burden of traveling with numerous camels and cargo, the fugitives are determined to carry out their mission. Once the artifact is revealed, the film ventures into Indiana Jones territory (think Buddhist Ark of the Covenant) which in one scene is intriguing and in another eye-rolling.

The fights and battles are all quite brutal and well choreographed. There is some wire-fu and CGI enhancement, but most of it is bone crunching and bloody hacking between seasoned soldiers and fighters.

What I enjoyed the most about the film was the beautiful desert scenery, shot with a loving eye. Desert towns looked authentic and the overhead geometric shots were fascinating. One scene where large jars of oil were used to create an impressive ringed fire at night was a great shot. The OST was unobtrusive and seductively wove the scenes and emotions together.

The cast was older than many recent movies which gave gravitas to the battle hardened men facing each other over swords or bonding together as brothers. Nikai Kiichi and Jiang Wen both played quiet heroes, yet still found ways to make their characters interesting beyond their ability to swing a sword. This is the first Chinese film I've seen where a Japanese character was shown as honorable and a skilled warrior, all in a positive light. Li and Lai made for a decent adversarial bromance. Vicki Zhao, was stuck in a token female role with little to do. Wang Xue Qi as the vile but intelligent Master An was acceptable as the bandit leader only going over the top on occasion.

What didn't work as well, was the very slow build-up to the story and the magical ending. I honestly was going to score this an 8 before the final scenes.

Warriors of Heaven and Earth was a surprisingly enjoyable film. Though a familiar sword fighting action narrative, it trod slightly different ground. It was strongest when focusing on the two men who each just wanted to be able to go home, thwarted by the emperor. When it veered from a more realistic survival epic into supernatural territory, it lost its way. I could still recommend this film with caveats. 7.75 for me.



9/13/22

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Continuing story

The most interesting character from Untamed from me is Wen Ning (WN). That's why I decided to watch this movie.

The story is much more make sense than the untamed for me. But the ending quite disappointed for me. Why when Xiao Yi (XY) already got 'forgiveness' from Xiao Qing, must Lan Si Zhui (SZ) slam him again, that makes WN give him such punishment. The punishment itself maybe quite make sense, I just don't like the way SZ put XY down like that....

Quite like to see the interaction between Wen Ning & Lan Si Zhui, feel they kinda grow up from the untamed time, not so childish or naive again... But however we still can see they still our beloved character form the untamed

Overall this just another adventure for Wen Ning & Lan Si Zhui

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A Hidden Gem with Hidden Secrets

Negotiator (2003) is best seen by going in completely blind, and not knowing too much about the story (or twists). Thankfully, that is how I came across the film while searching up free Japanese movies on Youtube. The film starts like a typical crime thriller like Die Hard (1988) and ends with twists and turns seen in another Japanese movie called Confessions (2010). The story left me guessing, and that I think is worth a rewatch alone. As for the acting, it was efficient. No one stood out too much, (other Ishida and his hairstyle) and the actors did their job appropriately. If anyone is interested in a crime thriller, Negotiator (2003) provides an engaging ride.

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Boring watch only for cast or have nothing to watch

I don't know why it's rated so good in mydramalist but the movie was total disappointment for me. I had very great expectations as the cast is so so good /great.but the story line didn't justice to their work it would have been better how they presented all things but still it was so slow I had to watch it in 1.5x speed. Too much skipping. I don't really understand why so famous in Korea I also came from a Korean drama which had reference of this movie that's why I watch it but not really good.. also I think it was referanced in hospital playlist too ... Only if you are a fan of the cast you can watch it or if you don't have anything like anything to watch then watch it... Fan of the cast but disappointed at the story.

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So at first when this movie came out I couldn’t find where to watch it, so that was the only big issue and. Ow I’m writing this review like a year late. So basically the movie was great, good cast, and costuming. They could have done b enter with setting, and backgrounds.

Honestly really impressed by Dylan Sprouse, I believe he actually spoke Chinese the entire movie, which might have took him some time to learn, really appreciate that, again Guan Xiaotong did an amazing job as usual on acting, really liked her cold icy version of the princess, and would like to state that when she was the “evil” princess, her makeup was something I’ve honestly seen on Guan Xiaotong for the first time, so a big change.

Other than that, good plot, and story was pretty good. Here’s the link to watch it:
https://www.dandanzan.com/dianying/92181.html

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Time Waits For No One

Take Me To The Moon (2017) is a time-traveling story of childhood regrets, and growing up. The story itself is similar to another film staring Vivian Sung called Our Times. (2015) Both films deal with two different types of childhood regrets, and each story is filled with nostalgia. Although I personally prefer Our Times, I still enjoyed the performances of Jasper Liu as the main lead, and Vivian Sung as the love interest. They are both very believable, and I ended up rooting for them both by the end of the story. As for the OST, it was okay. I was a little disappointed, since the film is suppose to be about music, but it is made up by lovable characters and their stories. If you enjoyed this film, definitely check out Our Times!! This could easily be a double-feature.

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