Completed
Boys Love: The Movie
3 people found this review helpful
by larami
Feb 26, 2022
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

This is probably what being high feels like...

I wouldn't know but I really felt like I was either high on drugs or in those rom-com comas where the female lead dreams of falling in love with a hot guy. Except what I got was two hours of lucid nightmare full of violence, angst, and naked butts. There are at least 3 separate stories going on all at the same time that has somewhat of a connection but the writers have done a terrible job of making cohesive. I have a lot to say about this movie hence why I decided to write my first ever review for it.

If you expect a sweet, forbidden romance from the name and summary, you're in for a shock as I did. Do yourself a favor and look at the tag which I failed to do. Despite everything I said up to this point, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Not because it had spectacular acting, storyline, or cinematography. In fact, it is utter nonsense and very dramatic at certain points. But they were done right in a way that sticks with your mind. I give it a 8 out of 10 just for how entertaining it was and that is what a movie should do right? I guess the appropriate term would be so bad that it's good. The fact this was my first exposure to the BL genre... and I still want to watch "Forbidden Love" (which I guess is in the same series) says a lot about me as a person.

Trying to make sense of the characters and why they do what they do is like solving a puzzle and while it does gradually gets solved, I don't know what to feel about the end result. Usually, experiences like this really make me dislike a show or a movie bc I feel as if my time was wasted. The opposite was true with this. I felt accomplished and weirdly satisfied. Every once in a while I like to look at the comment section and the other members of this secret, a mess of a fan club because that's what it exactly feels like having watched this movie.

I don't really remember much about the music tbh, which probably means they weren't that great but they weren't that bad either. I'm guessing they fit well into the scenes somehow. The quotes in between were really nice though and helped somewhat explain the story. Rewatch value is pretty low just because the beauty of it lies in the shock factor so knowing what is going to happen beforehand kind of ruins the surprise. It would be fun to watch it with someone whose never seen it before and see their reaction.

The only complaint I have is there were not enough romantic moments between the two leads, whose forbidden relationship as student and teacher was the only reason I even checked this movie out. Most of the screen time is taken up by the annoying and delusional Ichiyo who I could careless about. He's not someone to be pitied. Because of his actions, a lot of people got hurt and no excuses should be made for him just because of what happened to him.

Most Japanese movies/dramas, in general, are a trip but they really do a good job of getting you to feel for the characters amidst the over-the-top plot. Overall, Boys Love was a rollercoaster, a very confusing and bumpy one. But like rollercoasters, you won't forget the trill you just experienced. Once in a while, it just randomly creeps into my mind. I will probably remember it for the rest of my days and for that I appreciate it. It shouldn't work but somehow it does: a true enigma.

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Call Boy
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 26, 2022
Completed 0
Overall 5.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 6.5
Music 5.5
Rewatch Value 4.5

Mature And Yet Not.

There is a lot of sex scenes, which give it the mature rating. However it seems almost childish how the director and production handled those graphic sex scenes. It was like watching a porno, but even a porn has better filming. The lighting was often terrible and the zooming in was unnecessary. This movie needed less graphic action of the actual intercourse. The kissing was gross; like a fish, eating your face. That's not sexy or seductive. I liked the concept of the story, but it wasn't well written either. For all the main characters, no one had any growth, which was disappointing. I don't really remember the music much, so it had no impact.

I did like how each character's story was revealed. The actors and actresses did the best they could with what they were given and told to do. The ending was okay too. If you're into kinky sex or watching rather than experiencing, this movie could be what you're looking for. I won't rewatch it.

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The Confidence Man JP: Romance
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 26, 2022
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

Fun, comedy, crime caper

Thanks to The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme & the University of Manchester I got to see this for free in the cinema.

I was not familiar with this series when going to watch it but I really enjoyed it. At first, I was a bit apprehensive knowing that it was based on a TV show, not having seen any of that thinking I may be a bit lost with the plot & character histories but it was easy to follow. Most of the characters are likeable or intriguing & the story was entertaining, funny & kept me interested through the whole runtime. Things started to go a bit wacky near the end but it was all good fun & I'd like to watch the show & the other movies now.

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The Touch
2 people found this review helpful
Feb 25, 2022
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
This review may contain spoilers
The Touch is a slightly above average Hong Kong adventure film starring Michelle Yeoh. It was the first film from her production company and was directed by Peter Pau, the cinematographer from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2002).

I'll start with the bad so that I can end on a positive note. The pacing was off and the editing was choppy at times. Some of the young actors weren't very believable, especially the actor playing Michelle's younger brother. The CGI was bad, early video games bad, and in one particular scene no one seemed to be following the normal laws of gravity and physics. The conflict also ended too early.

Now, onto the good, or at least the better. Michelle Yeoh played a splendid acrobatic Indiana Jones, capable of dispatching evil doers with her fists, kicks, and seemingly magic scarf. The fight choreography wasn't the strongest, but she managed to bring the fight charisma regardless. The Big Bad, Richard Roxburgh (Moulin Rouge!), played the villain without going completely over the top, which had to be difficult given the dialogue. Ben Chaplin did an adequate job as Michelle's ne're do well ex-lover who brought her the key to the holy missing relic she was in charge of. Dane Cook who played the Big Bad's useless brother gave some comic relief, which did seem out of place in a movie that more often than not played it straight. I'm back to sounding ambivalent again.

The scenery and sets were top notch and the OST fit beautifully. Overall, the look and sound of the film were quite good. It's unfortunate that the well-trod story wasn't pulled together better with consistency, coherency, better fight sequences, and better dialogue.

If you go into this movie with low expectations, you may find a diverting film. For me, a movie with Michelle Yeoh is never a waste of time.

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Samaritan Girl
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 25, 2022
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 9.0

Religious Theme All Th e Way Through This Kim Ki Duk Masterpiece here!

This is the tenth movie written and directed by Kim Ki Duk...known for his "way out" movies and plot twists all through his films.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Significance of the word "Samaritan":
A Samaritan in the Bible was a person from Samaria, a region north of Jerusalem. In Jesus’ day, the Jewish people of Galilee and Judea shunned the Samaritans, viewing them as a mixed race who practiced an impure, half-pagan, or in their eyes, "false" religion.

The historian Josephus and Jewish tradition trace the origin of the Samaritans to the captivity of the northern kingdom under Assyria in 721 BCE. Jews of the northern part of the old kingdom intermarried with Assyrians after their captivity and produced the half-Jewish, half-Gentile Samaritan race. When the Jews accused Jesus of being a “Samaritan” in John 8:48, they were rudely suggesting that He was a half-breed, born of an unfaithful mother.

The Jews of Jerusalem wanted NOTHING to do with them!

However, Jesus told a parable of a man in need, portraying the Samaritan as the hero in the story, the only one who would help the person in need. This story of the "Good Samaritan" shocked his audience of the other, stuck-up Jews. The Protestant Jesus showed that His love must transcend all human boundaries of race, religion, nationality, economic class, and educational status.

With this brief explanation, you can undertand the title of this movie better.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Girls Jae Young (Han Yeo Reum) and Yeo Jin (Kwak Ji Min) want to go to Europe; and without money, they must make it 'somehow'... therefore, Jae Young acts as a a "socail worker" and Yeo Jin schedules her "working" gigs with clients.

Everything is fine until Yeo Jin fails at her second half of her job (security) and Jae Young jumps from a hotel window to avoid arrest by the police.

Jae Young and Yeo Jin are very close, as in "kissing" and otherwise personal 'closeness', but Yeo Jin hates the businessmen whom 'work' with Jae Young; but she has to get the one business worker that Jae Young loved so much, (as she was dying in the hospital) she then is forced to take the plunge herself. Jae Young has said that she 'loved' the men she worked with, but I feel that she would never have left Yeo Jin for any of them, as she said to Yeo Jin earlier .

What follows is a kind of penance of Yeo Jin as she is returns all the money: however, I cannot decide if Yeo Jin is doing simple penance or simply regretting not helping in the "working" part of the business that they got themselves into. I am going to say a little of both!

I see so much in this movie that I have to watch it over and over, seeing more each time that I watch it. Kim Ki Duk combined so much in the three segments, especially in the first segment, setting up the relationship of the two friends and their differing opinion on the men they obtained money from.

Yeo Jin is thrown into turmoil over losing Jae Young, and she takes her notes and returns the money to the men who had paid Jae Young in the beginning. All of the men, if i remember right, have a catharsis of sorts after sleeping with Yeo Jin and having their money returned.

Another Ki Duk's movie plays on these same themes (maybe more, since I have not seen all of them yet!); Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter... and Spring (2003, where Ki Duk plays the old monk).

I am pretty sure that Yeo Jin felt remorseful in her failure to protect Jae Young, and I believe to a lesser extent, for her not 'working' as hard as Jae Young in making the money they needed for their trip.

In the process of returning the money, Yeo Jon's father Yeong Ki (Lee Eol) catches her, as he is working a case where another young girl, possibly a under-aged prostitute, loses her life. Her father is already distraught over losing his wife, and senses that his daughter, for whatever reason, is about to become a homicide victim as well.

He starts following his daughter around after class, watching her see different men (not knowing her and Jae Young's former relationship with each man encountered.

I look upon his relationship with his daughter as with the father and daughter(s) in 'Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)' or ''The Gangster's Daughter (2017)' or even 'The Closet (2020)' a father who loses the wife/mother too early and has problems talking to his daughter; had he been able to think rationally, he could have asked her what she was doing with the men and not have taken his own personal vengeance on them!

I also believe that he called his police friends and turned himself in, knowing the last trip to his wife's grave, with Yeo Jon, would be his last for quite awhile.

The film's ending, with Yeo Jin desperately trying to catch up with her father in his car but spinning out after only one driving lesson is perfect, although I didn't at first. Both of their futures were changed by unanticipated turns f events.

I hope some young, free-thinking director in the future gets the two main cast members together again, and have him tell us what happened after years of prison for the father and years of isolation of his daughter, Yeo Jin...or did she find someone to trust and live happily with while 'daddy' was in prison?

I also liked Yeo Jin's dream just before the driving lesson, another example of Yeo Jin seeking forgiveness for what she allowed happen to jae Young! Again, I see more and more religious motifs every time I watch this movie.

There are 'images' in the film that also appear to point toward this as well, with under-aged prostitution and her father's self-serving justice being only the dressing for the more important underlying themes of redemption and penance.

As a Religious Studies major, I feel that is the reason that I fell in love wit this movie, from the first time i saw it!

The imagery (cinematography) is somewhat jagged but this adds to the story rather than detracting from it, and the music was fine for the scenes in which it was used.

The main cast members, the two girls at first and then Yeo Jin and her father in the last segments, acted perfectly, making their pairing in the segments play very well, with you believing the relationships as being real.

The support cast all did their parts as well, with their acting adding to the main story lines and making the main casts' work all the more believable.

My major complaint is that I would like for father and daughter to have talked, and possibly coe to some other conclusion.

RE-WATCH VALUE: Definitely, and watch for all the religious iconography in the film from start to finish!

.






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Let's Write Love Story
5 people found this review helpful
Feb 25, 2022
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

WARNING: I WILL TALK ABOUT MAJOR SPOILERS

To call this movie great is an understatement this is a work of art the twist of the story, the leads acting was amazing Timmy Xu and Qiao Xin were amazing here and yes i am fans of these two actors but that doesnt mean im biased the fact that both of them were screenwriters for this movie just further shows how talented these actors really are.

Another thing i love about this movie is the pacing of the story it never felt rushed or slow and dont get me started on how they easily switch from comedy to romance and their chemistry is undeniably amazing. this movie was cut, fluffy, romantic and so much more

The production and cinematography is another thing this movie shines in the scene where the timmy xu's and qiao xin's character were imagining that they were in the same bed was beautiful not just how it was shot but how the characters acted how they touched eachother even tho they werent actually touching together was major commitment from the actors and another scene that was great was the one shot where they let us see how their relationship was overtime and when their relationship started to crack until the point where they unfortunately broke up but thankfully that wasn't the last of their story

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Death Bell 2: Bloody Camp
0 people found this review helpful
by oriii
Feb 25, 2022
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 4.0

peer pressure and alcohol

It's a shame, I really wanted to like this. I read the reviews and some were saying it's better than the 1st so I went thinking it will be great, what a letdown.

The whole film was a mess and felt like it was written by a child. Yoon Si Yoon was categorised as a lead but was barely shown throughout the show.

Also there were so much characters and scenes that had unnecessarily long screentime, when they weren't even that important. Considering they wanted to push too many things in, this problem gets worse when you find out the rising of the story only starts at around 28min mark, which is bad considering it is 1hr 20mins.

The film felt like it took forever even with it's short time span. Furthermore that ending judt ruined it for me, too many things that are unclosed and characters without a proper resolution.

To end in a good note, I think the CGI and cinematography for this film was much better, it also was directed pretty well and was able to deliver a roller coaster of emotions while presenting issues that may happen in our education system.

If you thought the first was average or bad, then don't even think of watching this, but if you're like me who loveeeeed the 1st and want some more school themed survival games then it's worth giving a shot, lower down your expectations though.

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Mystified
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 25, 2022
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
This review may contain spoilers

Power of four modern day witches

This is for those who misses the OG Encantadia Sangre. Its nice to see them together again, even if they're witches here instead of faeries.

Nice take on their origin of witches. I just wish there's more to the story. Sure they were powerful, almost immortal like and they fight evil. And they live like any other normal mortal, or as normal as they can be. But still, I felt its missing something or maybe its just too short.

Actors are OK, wardrobes good, fight scenes and effects also good.. So, its still entertaining for me.
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Kissable Lips (Movie)
7 people found this review helpful
by Zuoran
Feb 25, 2022
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

First time I've watched BL Drama, and it's just Beautiful.

I'm so cried by watched this Drama, first time I watched BL drama and I'm crying, so sadly for the ending. I need Season 2 for this Drama, please.

This drama is so simple, but so impressive.

The acting of Yoon Seo-bin hyung and Kim Ji-woong hyung are so nice, I'm CRIED HEAVILYYY.

This so Beautiful.
I'll never forget Junho-hyung.

Please season 2 with happy ending for this Drama.

Minhyun-hyung is very cute, the ending made me cried, ahhhh I don't know how to say it that I love this "Kissable Lips" so much.

Hope One Day, will ne other Movies or Drama that starring Kim Ji-Woong hyung and Yoon Seo-Bin hyung.

I'll never forget this drama.


#FirstReview

❤️.

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The Goddess
9 people found this review helpful
Feb 24, 2022
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers
The Goddess is a superb example of what storytelling can be through the medium of the silent picture.

Ruan Ling Yu who played the mother driven to prostitution to feed her child gave an emotionally compelling performance. It was one of the best performances I've seen from any era, and she does it without the audience hearing one sound from her. Her performance alone is a convincing reason for movie lovers to watch this story of love, shame, and prejudice.

The mother runs afoul of a gangster known as "The Boss" one evening and he lays claim to her as his property. She takes her child and runs but he finds her. She manages to hide enough money from him through the years to send her child to grade school. Her desire is that her child have a better chance to find his way out of poverty with an education. Not only does "The Boss" create problems for her but parents in the school have learned what she does for a living and are determined to have her child removed from the school so that he's not a bad influence on their kids. The school's principal sees her love for her son and tries to stand up for her, but his integrity goes unrewarded.

Depending on the version you watch, there may be no music, only piano, or orchestral music playing during the scenes. I saw the latter and thought the music fit perfectly.

The Goddess is a movie showing social realism. Subjects that are still relevant today like prejudice and tolerance were on full display. The story was timely when it was filmed. It is estimated because of the poverty and political conflicts in the country that up to 1 out of 13 women in Shanghai had committed prostitution during this turbulent period.

The story and performances were heartrending. My heart clenched when the little boy sang about a child working and his parents not knowing if they could buy food. I couldn't hear a word he sang but it was moving. This mother showed the most physical affection for her child that I've seen in any Asian movie, the love tactile and palpable. Ruan displayed a wide array of emotions without delving into sentimentality and overacting.

The Goddess requires a high level of attention to follow the silent story and to immerse yourself into the facial and body expressions of the actors. The reward is an engrossing story of a mother's love and sacrifice for her child and the need for tolerance and open-mindedness. I highly recommend it.







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Itomichi
9 people found this review helpful
Feb 24, 2022
Completed 5
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

Coming of Age

Itomichi is a fascinating and heartfelt coming-of-age story that revolves around highschool student Soma Ito. Awkward and shy due to the embarrassment of her unique Tsugaru dialect, she keeps to herself most of the time and doesn’t have any friends. She does happen to be an extremely talented Tsugaru-Shamisen musician, a skill inherited from her mother, but due to her introverted personality, she conceals her talent from outsiders. The film will showcase Soma Ito’s journey of growth to realising her potential both as a person and a budding traditional folk musician. The title Itomichi refers to the thread that is used on the finger when playing the shamisen.

Yokohama Satoko directed and wrote the screenplay for this film, which is an adaptation of the eponymous novel written by Osamu Koshigaya who specialises in youth themes. Itomichi is her second book to be adapted into a film. Takuma Watanabe (Aristocrats) serves as the composer. The theme song Eden no Shoujo comes from Mishiranu Sekai, the 10th album of Ningen Isu, a Japanese 3-piece rock band. Katsumi Yanagishima (Zatoichi, Battle Royale) is the cinematographer for this project.

Principal photography took place from September to October 2020 entirely in the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture and features scenes of Hirosaki City, Itayanagi Town, Kitatsugaru District, and Hirakawa City. Itomichi won the Best Picture Award and Audience Award at the 16th Osaka Asian Film Festival as well as numerous other awards at the 13th TAMA film Award, 34th Nikkan Sports Film Awards (New Face Award for Ren Komai) and 95th Kinema Junpo Best Ten Japanese Movies (9th placing).

What I Liked

First of all, the narrative and the storytelling approach. This is one of the most intriguing coming-of-age films I’ve seen. I have a preference for slow burn, emotive and inspiring stories when it comes to depictions of slice-of-life with realism and relatability. For me, Itomichi undoubtedly falls within this category, with a dose of Japanese sensibility. In fact, Japanese filmmakers are masters of this distinctive approach to the genre where all elements of the story blend beautifully with the cultural aspects and atmospherics of the setting. Case in point, the juxtaposition of traditional music and modern cosplay which represents the context of this film.

In addition to the direction, other production aspects are equally well executed, which further enhances the quality of the screenplay. The filming locale has a charming appeal that is exquisitely framed by the excellent cinematography. The stunning visuals not only showcase the beauty of the setting but also evoke a somewhat nostalgic mood to the storytelling. I certainly appreciated some of the quiet and delicate moments that conveyed the complexity and depth of emotions despite having minimal dialogue between the characters.

The music in this film constitutes the backdrop of the story and abundantly features the traditional folk themes of the Tsugaru-Shamisen that is native to the Tsugaru region. I’m a huge fan of traditional music and as far as Japanese folk music is concerned, the shamisen is an enchanting instrument that is a favourite of mine. It’s ever present in Japanese jidaigeki productions but rarely, if ever, in contemporary films so I’m utterly thrilled that the beautiful sounds of the shamisen is afforded the spotlight in this story.

Komai Ren impresses as the central character, Soma Ito. Her absorbing portrayal exudes an aura of mystique that gradually draws viewers in, as it did for me. I honestly do think she was the right choice for the female lead, having also been born in Aomori which is the setting of the narrative, and she speaks the Tsugaru dialect fluently. Fun fact: In preparation for her role, she had trained playing the Tsugaru-Shamisen for nine months.

Toyokawa Etsushi, the multiple Japan Academy Award winner and recipient of numerous acting honours, plays Soma Koichi. His experience truly shines even in a supporting role, through his subdued and nuanced interpretation of Soma Ito’s father. Kurokawa Mei portrays the charismatic Kasai Sachiko while Nakajima Ayumu cuts an enigmatic figure of Kudo Yuichiro, the manager of the maid coffee shop. Yokota Mayuu’s headstrong and manga-loving Fukushi Tomomi completes the team of maids.

The final aspect that I have enjoyed immensely is the perfectly executed and extremely befitting ending. There’s nothing more gratifying than a production that sticks the landing flawlessly, complete with a powerful stage performance of the Tsugaru Aiyabushi.

Final Thoughts

Do not be fooled by the poster (at the time of writing, in case it gets changed by MDL). The fluffy vibes are somewhat misleading and completely misrepresent the actual tone of the film. If you’re in the mood for a heartwarming and poignant film with realistic portrayals and enthralling music, then Itomichi would most certainly be worth checking out.

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A Diamond in the Rough
1 people found this review helpful
by Shiro
Feb 24, 2022
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 2.5

Kid's do not do stupid s***, also there will not be a Dimond, so do not look for it.

To be honest this started off a bit boring and is one of those movies that seems to spoil itself... it was not really that the pace was slow or anything wrong with the start it was just kind of cliche with the slight difference that the lead was not very lovable which I kind of liked...

"That boy is going to make something of himself" did however not age well unless death row is making something of ones self... which it kind of is, so maybe I will take this back and just say... pay attention to those words... and think about what they can do to a person...

However as the story goes on it does get more and more interesting and actually does manage to bring a tear or two to my eye, even if it has highly predictable twists, they are done pretty well. With quite a few touching scenes it also shows complicated family ties and the difference between the friendships that build you and those who destroy you...

I guess the lessons here are pretty ok...

The scenery is pretty, the acting is good the OST is just full of violins... and not much more.

However this feels real in a way many similar movies and dramas do not...

Definitely a movie worth watching if you just get passed that first not so mind-blowing half...

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Way of the Dragon
4 people found this review helpful
Feb 24, 2022
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 9.5
This review may contain spoilers
Bruce Lee wrote, directed and starred in Way of the Dragon, taking the crew to Rome to film among the Coliseum ruins.

Way of the Dragon begins as more of a comedic story with Bruce as the fish out of water in Rome trying to help with a family business. Nora Miao's restaurant is under attack from a developer who wants her to sell. Bruce's character plays the unstoppable force who can take on an entire army of bad guys. Ultimately, the Big Bad calls in Chuck Norris to rid him of the troublesome new guy.

I found the first half of the movie less than enthralling. Much of it was supposed to be funny but I didn't get the humor, especially a long running gag with Bruce having gastrointestinal distress.

The second half of the movie is pure martial arts magic. Some versions cut out a scene with Bruce taking on a group of thugs with not one set of, but two sets of nunchucks. It also shows why amateurs should not try those tricks at home, which was really funny. The climax of the movie with Bruce fighting Chuck Norris is a classic. Chuck was a legitimate and respected karate champion. Bruce wanted someone who could keep up with him and the fight was highly entertaining. Bruce asked Chuck to gain some weight to make him look more formidable and it would seem to not shave his back hair (chest hair was considered sexy in the 1970's). A cat watching the events played out some of the emotions of the two fighters and the audience.

Bruce Lee was artistry to watch, when he slowed down enough for us to catch even a fraction of his moves. Despite my disappointment with some elements of this film, no actor had a better "I'm through playing around now" look than Bruce had. His intensity was smoldering. The fights in the second half of the movie ran the gamut from fun to tense, to enthralling. If you enjoy martial arts movies, and haven't seen this one, you need to put it on your list. The classic fights in it are not to be missed.

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Method
3 people found this review helpful
Feb 23, 2022
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 7.0

method acting gone awry

This is actually a really intriguing movie about a method actor who doesn't know where to separate himself from the character. If the character he plays is in love, so is he, and that actually makes him a bad method actor. David Suchet (the British actor who played Poirot for 25 years) is also a method actor and a brilliant one. He became Poirot every time he put the mustache on. That was his triggering point to become the character that he played. The voice, the walk, the demeanor, the stature, everything else fell into place for him once that mustache was put on.

This guy does not have something that triggers him to become the character once the camera (a.k.a the play) is rolling. He just becomes the character permanently until the play is over and he doesn't have a use for the character anymore. This isn't about a guy suddenly discovering he's gay. It's about a guy who can't rein in his method-acting ability and give it a skeleton, a structure. It's really tragic, actually. I mean, his poor wife, suffering through this every time he's in a play? Yikes. This time seems to be worse though since he never filled out any of his method-acting notebooks for Unchain, which means he was even more unstable than usual with not even notebooks to ground him into Walter's motivations and personality traits.

I get people wanting to label this BL, but it's not. I mean, maybe Young Woo is gay or bi, possibly, but even more than that, he's pretty psychotic. The dude had scary vibes rolling off him in waves at the end. Everything they did was done as the characters of Walter and Singer. It's all fake, people. They're so into their characters of Walter and Singer that they're not themselves anymore. Which really means they shouldn't be actors.

It was good, and a really good look into the idea of method acting gone seriously awry. Maybe the original story was intended as BL (I honestly have no idea), but that is not the message I got.

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The Clue
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 23, 2022
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers
Was randomly looking up stuff to watch and thought that I might as well watch an old movie when Seungho was much younger. And since it's a murder mystery, that's another plus point.

I have to say that it's interesting to see Yoo Seungho, Kang Sora and few other familiar faces looking a lot younger than I usually see them. And it amused me to see Park Chulmin in this movie as well, acting as Junghoon's teacher.

Half of me wished that this movie could've been much longer, like there are some parts that I wished had been elaborated further but it served the purpose. The mystery of the true killer wasn't really too complicated yet still kept me guessing until the end. The movie really provide quite a suspense with the chases by a secondary suspect and later the actual killer as Dajung and Junghoon tried to escape with their lives.

Like I mentioned earlier, there was quite a few loose ends remained unresolved, in which it may feel like watching an incomplete story but overall still an entertaining thriller.

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