This review may contain spoilers
A Very Thin Line of Good and Bad
I placed a spoiler alert at the end of this review.This was a very riveting movie. Don’t let the running time scary you because this is very fast paced. It never felt like it dragged on.
The positive: The script did a very good job luring your attention in the beginning, setting up the story details, and introducing the main characters. It also did a great job connecting multiple elements and characters together. The entire cast did an incredible job with their roles. The production team did an outstanding job with the cinematography, special effects, and FX make-up.
The negative: The script could have spent a little more time with the group’s relationship development. It also randomly introduced characters with now explanation. There is also a few side storyline that you don’t get much information about.
The in-between: Some people may find the ending unsatisfactory. It has a few loose ends and lacks some logic with a few events.
******Potential Spoiler Alert******
This does not necessarily have a happy ending because it is ambiguous and bittersweet. For me, it was not terrible and may indicate the price one pays for revenge.
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This review may contain spoilers
Trigger Warning
**Trigger Warning:** If you can't handle gore, horror, or survival movies with graphic scenes, do not watch this film. It starts immediately with someone head busting, a class full of dead body and loads of blood and extremily graphic scenes, and is definitely gore from the first second to the last.This movie is heavily influenced by "Battle Royale," but it is much more graphic, especially considering it was made in 2014 using CGI and advanced technology compared toBattle Royale . The scenes are incredibly detailed. While I wouldn't have minded if they'd left some details out, it's definitely a film meant for a certain type of viewer. If you’ve watched "Battle Royale" or "Signal 100," this movie falls in the same category (arguably even more graphic). Additionally, the games played in this movie appear to have inspired "Squid Game," as "As God's Will" was filmed in 2014.
Spoilers ahead ***
Let me provide a bit of background to give you some context if you plan to watch this movie.
First game :The students in the movie must play several games in order to survive. The first game is called "Daruma-san ga Koronda," which is similar to the traditional "Red Light, Green Light." In Japan, one person (the "oni" literally demon) says, “Da-ru-ma-san-ga-ko-ron-da,” while the other players move closer to them. In this movie, the oni is represented by a Daruma doll. (A Daruma doll is a traditional Japanese round doll modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, acting as a talisman for good luck, perseverance, and goal-setting.)
The Daruma doll turns slowly while chanting “Daruma-san ga…”. When it says “Koronda!”, it turns around to face the entire classroom. If anyone moves within its sight, it opens its mouth and causes that person's head to explode.
The second game: "Maneki Neko," which features a popular figurine believed to bring good luck. In this game, the students wear mouse costumes and must fit a basketball-sized bell through the hoop on the cat's collar to win.
The third game is "Kagome Kagome," a popular children's game. One player is chosen as the oni and sits blindfolded. The other children join hands and walk in circles around the oni while chanting a song. When the song stops, the oni tries to name the person standing directly behind them.
The fourth game is "Shirou Kuma," where students must answer the white bear's questions politely. If they lie, they get killed.
The final game is "Matryoshka," which forces the remaining students to play a lethal version of "Kick the Can." One player is chosen as the "oni" and must capture the others by seeing their faces and calling their names.
The story was a bit confusing at the beginning since I hadn’t read the manga, but the film clarifies things as it progresses. It also made changes to the original games in the manga, so if you're interested, you should check that out as well. The movie plays heavily on surprise elements, starting with extremely graphic scenes, which certainly grabs your interest. While the film itself is great, it ends in a cryptic way, almost suggesting a continuation, and f you have not read the manga i felt like i missed lot of clarity, and felt like there were lot of plot holes. However this might also be due to how the movie tried to include as many game as possible. Overall it was great movie if you like supernatural horror gore movies.
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This review may contain spoilers
The Medium is a visually intriguing but ultimately uneven horror film. I enjoyed the documentary style of it as it seemed realistic and about Shamanism which is quite intriguing, the casting for me was also on point since their appearance and acting fits the role perfectly. However, the story could use some improvement because the story progression is kinda slow.
Though the main story itself seemed interesting enough, it still doesn't justify the long introduction. Not only is the story progression slow the ending also doesn’t justify the film’s length because, for a 2-hour movie, I expected a more proper ending, like in "Exhuma", or even a better resolution that fits a documentary style, perhaps with a text block of some sort, because it felt hanging and incomplete.
The ending was quite confusing and anticlimactic. Although I find some movies and series where the main character dies interesting, this ending left me questioning some things rather than enjoying it.
It didn’t give me chills, only a few jump scares. It also had more explicit scenes than it needed, which took me by surprise, so I skipped some parts because they felt excessive.
However, despite all of this, I still enjoyed the film, maybe because I like documentaries. Was it worth the 2 hours? No. Is it enjoyable? To some extent, yes, if you like exploring Asian shamanism and folk horror.
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Great acting but story is predictable
The Movie starts off with very high hopes as we step into the lives of characters but midway story shows lack of writing and giving clear idea of what is happening to the viewers. The backstory of one of the main characters that is the shaman is missing and we do not see his motives to help our main couple .Overall its a mid if you really like horror movies revolving around haunted objects and rituals.
The acting was great but story was quite predictable and this movie did not offer anything new or different.
I still feel the concept of the story had so much potential but did not get churned out very well.
If you are a horror lover this might not exite you but it is surely its a one time watch.
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More than just drinking.
At first glance, you might think the movie is just about drinking and the joviality that goes along with it. However, as the story unfolds, it reveals a much deeper exploration into human emotion and pain. "Sometimes it's easier to open up to a stranger because there is no judgment nor any relationship ruined." - This sentence is pretty much summing up the whole film. What transpires next is an emotional ride - laughter mixes with tears, joy intertwines with sorrow, and the line between happiness and pain blurs. It's like a subtle reminder of the power of shared experiences and how we, as society, often take empathy for granted.One of the highlights of this film is its ensemble cast, which includes seasoned veterans and promising young talents. This diverse mix of actors brings a multitude of perspectives on life to the forefront, allowing viewers to see the world through different lenses. They really hold the film together, not just with their steady performances but also by adding spontaneity to their characters that look like they're not even acting. But with five main characters, each with their own storyline, the imbalance in the story arcs is pretty noticeable. Yet, it comes together nicely in the end. It's like a plain layer cake with different flavors, but the blend is surprisingly tasty.
While the film may not be perfect, it's those very flaws that make it so relatable. There’s no complex or highly choreographed cinematography, but it sets the mood and tone effectively and adds to the realism. By focusing on human narrative rather than visual storytelling, it effectively delivers a good punch and brings a profound realization in life. Those who are not religious might find this film a bit cringy or dull, but somehow the subtle injection of faith is simply mirrored Filipino society. My favorite moment is when Tere, the oldest of the bunch, shares her story. It struck a chord with me, and I ended up crying. And I cried hard. It's one of those rare moments in a fictional story where you see your own life reflected back at you, told in a way that makes you feel seen and understood.
Overall, "The Last BeerGin" is a film that knows how to create a "safe space" to experience the mix of feelings as the truths uncover. It's not just about the unexpected connection but also about being vulnerable and remembering one's own humanity and value.
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TRASH AVOID AT ALL COST
This was so bad and it’s literally a pedofile drama. she was a minor and he was a full grown adult, the writer really think having him in a school uniform will try to cover it up. Bruh anyone rating this a 10s star must be out of their mind. He was literally grooming her, preventing her speaking to other boys like #whatdatmean ? why does the grown adults around them too not feel weirded out by this. him asking her for a kiss 😃randomly hugging and her and both of them falling on each other. what made it worst is that the drama was not even funny. i’m also disappointed with the end because lowkey i want to see what her Father opinions on their relationship, bet he will agree cause the movie tried to convince us this was a normal relationship. the only good thing about the drama is the actress she was really pretty and the man was just there being boring. STOP TRYING TO JUSTIFY GROOMING. waste of time don’t bother watchingWas this review helpful to you?
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
Everyone comes up with good reasons to do bad things. Until all the bad energy boomerangs! Good movie, this one is. Awesome storytelling. Direction was on point. Great acting from the entire cast, but Earnearn Fatima Dechawaleekul as KHEM stands out! She is as brilliant here as she was as ANNE in Flat Girls.Was this review helpful to you?
A Simple Story That Gently Breaks Your Heart
I started 18th Rose on Netflix out of boredom, honestly expecting a light and forgettable teen romance. But this film surprised me in the best way—it has more depth and emotional weight than it initially lets on.Set around a Filipino debut, the story follows Rose, played by Xyriel Manabat, a bright and determined teenager preparing for her 18th birthday. She meets Jordan, portrayed by Kyle Echarri, an American-Filipino struggling to adjust to life in the province. Their journey starts off light and playful, but as their bond deepens, the story reveals more emotional layers.
Xyriel delivers a graceful and heartfelt performance, portraying Rose with strength, warmth, and quiet resilience. Kyle Echarri, however, is the standout here. His portrayal of Jordan shows growth, depth, and emotional intensity—it’s easily his most impressive role to date.
The film starts with a soft, giddy vibe, but gradually becomes heavier, tackling themes of identity, self-worth, and the bittersweet transition into adulthood. It also touches on how young people navigate expectations versus reality, especially in a simpler, early-2000s setting.
What makes this film special is its sincerity. There’s no forced drama between the leads, and their relationship feels natural and supportive, which makes the emotional moments even more impactful.
While the story itself isn’t entirely new, the execution is polished and heartfelt. It’s the kind of film that quietly grows on you—and stays with you.
Definitely worth watching, especially if you enjoy emotional coming-of-age stories.
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the story moved so beautifully
I don't have a background history of the happenings portrayed here but it was so beautifully done, you're first thrown in confused and skeptical, and when you think you finally understand what happening and the suspense starts to feel weak then bam! you're thrown into more confusion, left to rewind and look back at certain details you thought 'not important' but were clues leading you somewhere. the movie keeps you on you toes and has you making inferences only to break it down to create another, what I loved the most was the pacing, and the story telling was sooo good. the acting was exceptional and the fight scenes well choreographed, I watched this for Wang Yibo but stayed for the whole performance, I highly recommend this, it's been a while since a thriller suspense has me on the edge.Was this review helpful to you?
how much does our definition of love matters?
the story throws you into confusion at the beginning, then you feel bad for the FL and want to comfort her, somewhere in between is Tan song Yuns character showing up and making you uncomfortable, because somewhere in her cheerful nature and carefree personality is a discomfort you can quite put your finger on. then the meeting between the FL and ML happens and then you see the doom on its way. I could tell the FL was distraught and confused but her love for the other girl was just not strong enough for her to steer clear from ML. finally you understand the second FL character and her need for fairytale like romance and finally her undying love for the FL, but this isn't a complicated cheating story per say it is more of a complicated love triangle with extremes.Was this review helpful to you?
Understands the cost of violence and isn't afraid to sit with it
Filled with an ominous mixture of brotherhood and pessimism, The Avenging Eagle treats guilt and identity not as passing motivations, but as burdens that shape every decision we make. The well-worn narrative hooks of a killer seeking redemption are treated in a compact and free-spirited way, with a persistent sense of inevitability, almost fatalistic, hanging over the proceedings, but equally jumping from the present to the past with an energetic free spirit. Sun Chung is a director fully in control of the action, with a beauty in his scale and framing. It's definitely one of the prettiest Shaw Brothers productions around, thanks to its exquisite colour palette and extensive use of actual locations, rather than the more studio-bound productions. The action is certainly sharp and purposeful, never feeling gratuitous, with some relatively impressive flow and choreography. However, it can be exceptionally gimmicky with its overuse of choppy slow-motion and unintentionally hilarious freeze frames to emphasise moments of tension. However, this can be easily overlooked thanks to the dynamic performances of the three main cast members, Ti Lung and Alexander Fu Sheng command the screen as consummate warriors united in tragedy, while Ku Feng provides a suitably wicked foe for the pair; they certainly give the lyrical script a lease of life. Offering a careful balance of melancholic, reflective and occasionally bleak storytelling, The Avenging Eagle understands the cost of violence and isn't afraid to sit with it, a lean, mean story of vengeance and redemption that offers a dark and punchy treat.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
underrated short from the prospective of the one with the unrequited love.
first review, kinda nervous.i saw that only 2 people watched this so i had to...
only if shorts like these got bigger opportunities.
i really think with a bigger budget and a longer run time this could've been more. but since it's so short, it feels like i'm being left on a cliffhanger.
i wanna know what happens to their relationship after the rejection. will they be able to be friends like before or will they end it there?
will yujin be okay? will she move on?
i really liked the acting, it made me feel for yujin and minseo at the same time.
yujin dealing with her feelings for her friends while also having to deal with internalized homophobia. hating the way she is so much that she hurts herself. it made me want to hug her and tell her it's okay to like someone and that there's nothing wrong with how she is. T_T
minseo cannot return her feelings, so she ponders telling her the truth in fear of ruining their friendship, yujin being hurt or hurting herself again.
this genuinely needs to be watched more! it's so underrated. and thought yeah... it's short and we don't really get a conclusion, i think it's really worth a watch!
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Super cute high school romance
This movie is absolutely adorable and is definitely a great choice if you're in the mood for a high school romance. I've really enjoyed watching Sakurada Hiyori and Takahashi Fumiya; they are both so young and talented, and seeing them grow is movie is always a pleasure.The plot is not heavy rather charming, filled with misunderstandings, and the actors are so convincing that they truly seem like high school students. It's a mix of teenage romance, confusion, and a cute storyline really worth checking it out!
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Painfully predictable
The movie starts cute, but the flow quickly became predictable. The story is based on popular manga, so it has those manga elements that are so unnatural when they are translated into live action. Also, the story is very repetitive to many other similar plots, so it was not very interesting. I think this could be a good movie for a younger audience, preteen and teen, as more younger audience would find this romantic.Was this review helpful to you?
Not sure what to think.
Very hard to decide a rating for this. Somewhat slow and boring, but also very captivating and haunting. The film definitely left an impression and left me thinking about the ending after finishing the film.Cinematography and editing was phenomenal and beats most films I've watched in that aspect. The film was full of creative shots and scene transitions.
I think the dialogue and writing has a very poetic quality to it and is full of symbolisms that would work better if I knew korean better. In some films you truly lose a lot of the original meaning with a translation, and this film definitely seems to be one of those.
Not among Park Chan-Wook's best but still very high quality, with great acting, cinematography and editing. I enjoyed the film, but the overly slow and somber style of the film is something I'm not a huge fan of (in general, not just this film).
Edit after a few days: Rating lowered to 6,5, the film was just too dark, slow and disturbing to me unfortunately.
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