Reviews

From Anime to Live

I really enjoyed watching the anime series when I finally pressed play to watch it (I saved it on my playlist since it appeared on stream, but never took the time to look at it until now)… and was pleasantly delighted when I found out there was a live version of it, but as a movie instead!! I love the choice of actors for the main characters pairing of Miyo and Kiyoka, and enjoyed it just as much as the anime. Miyo’s half-sister Kaya was pretty hilarious too. Too bad she didn’t have the light colored hair like she did in the anime, it seemed to match her personality haha. Both the anime show and the live movie get ten stars across the board.

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Beyond all expectations. WAY beyond.

The Hollywood trash that is, Godzilla 2: King of Monsters, was on TV the other night, playing to itself before I remembered it being pretty bad and turned it off. My point is that it reminded me this film was out, so I thought I'd give it a go.

To be honest, after Shin Godzilla absolutely shattered the mould of what a giant monster film should be, I couldn't possibly imagine this being able to compare to it - Shin was just incredibly inventive, insanely fast-paced and packed a punch. If Shin had a weak spot though, it was that it was - even for a lifelong viewer of subtitled films like myself - stupidly difficult to try to keep up with all the text and follow what was happening on screen!
Well, that and the fact that, by effectively reinventing the genre, it was hit-and-miss with audiences.
I'd also really, really enjoyed the animated films years ago when they came out, so I didn't expect this to be much good - I mean: we'd had pretty much the ultimate sci-fi in the cartoons and wonderful innovation in Shin... in this, we moved back in time to post World War 2. Gotcha.

SURPRISE! This was BRILLIANT!

I just finished the film and I still can't believe what I saw - this is writing at its finest with the cast to pull it all off. Survivor-guilt, desolation, people trying to pick up their lives after all the destruction, and then along comes a freaking KAIJU!
This one hits all the feelings.

So, not much of a review - there are plenty of those here already, so, like Shin, I went for a different approach - but I will definitely advise you to watch this.

I did consider knocking off a point for the predictable ending but... nah! After all these people had gone through, the message of hope was plain nice.

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Both versions are good in their own way.

I placed spoilers at the end of this review.

The movie/series: For a low budget production, it was an enjoyable and cute series. It had a great story concept, but the execution was not the greatest at times. It had a good script, but it was a little disorganized and had some inconsistencies. Although it had one of the most annoying story elements to me, it was used in the correct way and had a purpose to the story. Because this was a low budget production, it had some audio and camera issues. The majority of the actors did a great job with their characters. There are a few big differences between the series and movie version involving the editing. I noted these in my spoiler alert section.

The series: I watched the series on Viki. My main criticism is the series wasted a lot of screentime in many of the episodes by using too many flashback scenes. There were also a few flashback scenes with a flashback scene which was not needed. Another miss use of screentime was many of the episodes started with reshowing the previous scene from the last episode which added up to 4 minutes of wasted time. The episodes on Viki are actually around 35 minutes long and the last episode is only 28 Minutes long. After the closing credits of each episode, they show you behind the scenes footage and actor interviews. They also did not edit out the in between credits.

The movie: I watched the movie on Ultimate Troop’s YouTube channel. Overall, they did a good job editing this into a very cohesive movie. Even the parts that were edited out within the same scene was not choppy and had a smooth transition. It was able to weed out one unneeded side storyline from the series. There were a few scenes that were deleted that I wished they kept, but I understand they had to take time into consideration. However, the material they edited out had no negative impact on the movie.

Random Notes:

The series on Viki had better English subtitles, but the movie on Ultimate Troop’s YouTube channel had better sound quality.

You will get a great experience with either version you decide to watch. I will stick with the series version when I rewatch this. I just like the scenes that were edited out for the movie version. I also know what parts I can fast forward, lol.

******Spoiler Alert******

The differences between the series and movie:

They cut all of the scenes involving Prem Warut Chawalitrujiwong’s character (Puen) which was not a big deal for me. He’s a great actor, but this was an unnecessary storyline that was used to fill screen time for the series.

They also cut out most of the scenes with Nut’s brother Note (Tonnam Piamchon) and boyfriend Tar (Get Sorawut). I understand they had to do this due to timing, but I enjoyed their scenes, Note’s interactions with Nut, and the additional info the scenes provided.

There is no 1-year time jump at the end in the movie version.

The series ended with a small cliffhanger involving the side BL couple (Note and Tar). Maybe they were planning on doing another series involving them as the main couple, but I’m guessing that fell through.

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Started this with many questions. Is it a fantastic movie? Will she be turning 17 after eating something or smelling something?

It began with Liang, leading a “perfect” life. She wakes up before her boyfriend to look beautiful, weighs herself to check if she's in shape, and prepares breakfast—all narrated by her, emphasizing how she’s been doing this for 3656 days. But today was different because she thought her boyfriend would propose. It was a misunderstanding, though, so in rebellion, she pulls out the snacks and starts eating while watching TV.

That's when she sees the advertisement for The Lifetime chocolate...

When she eats the chocolate, her mind reverts to her 17-year-old self. She discovers she's been in a relationship for 10 years and never painted or studied in France as she once dreamed. So, she starts doing whatever she wants for 5 hours, then returns to being 28-year-old Liang, with her best friend watching over her.

The plot was surprisingly not that bad. The dynamic between her present self and her 17-year-old self was entertaining—they bicker because they're opposites but learn to compromise and help each other. However, they can't both live: each loves a different man, one enjoys her youth and the thrill of life, while the other struggles with a 10-year relationship. One paints with passion, the other struggles to find that passion again. It's as if her 17-year-old self came to wake her up, saying, "This is not what we wanted. We are the same person. We have to change, we have to thrive. It's never too late."

Even though I guessed the ending, I couldn’t stop watching. It couldn’t have ended any other way.

So yeah! Because I enjoyed the movie, it was funny, light, and the surprise of finding Darren Wang was a treat. I’m giving it an 8.5/10.

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Misleading synopsis, messy visual effects.

Yes, unfortunately you read that correctly. I spent the first 15 minutes wondering if I’d somehow stumbled into the wrong historical piece, to which the answer was unfortunately, no, I had not.

The bloom and lighting in this film is so intense I had to look away from brightness hurting my eyes periodically, combined with some immersion-breaking visual effects and background choices. The bloom was more intense than that in most video games, so be aware if you’re sensitive to bright lights.

In regards to the synopsis, it is not false words, but more that it gives the misleading impression that this is a film of revenge and calculated action - the reality being that it was largely slow, meandering, and seldom had action.

Why isn’t my rating lower? The short answer would be casting and supporting characters. The main character’s daughter, his underlings, the rather scary lady who ran a local establishment, all provided engagement. Overall, the acting and casting were solid, if not much else in this film.

It was a funny moment upon realising Kiyohara Kaya was also in this film, being as only two weeks before I was watching her in 18x2 Beyond Youthful Days. She must have been busy.

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Love surrended because of another's fate

This has been on my watchlist for so long because of Kim Hyeyoon but I didn't want to watch it thinking it's about cheaters based on the comments and reviews I've read. Turned out it wasn't.

I like this well enough but I wouldn't rewatch. It's about two people who became friends despite living 20 years apart because of a HAM radio. Where the friend from the past learned that his friend from the future will not exist if his lovelife succeeded. And so, he chose to be a non-toxic person, sacrificing his love and allowing fate to do what it will to the three people who became close to him.

Right after watching this, I also watched the Kang Hanuel 2000 version which is basically the same story with genders reversed. Though I liked this movie more (the plot twist at the end made me cry) the pacing of the 2000 version was better, with the MC's love story and decision being more fleshed out. The people in the past were well acted. Thanks to Kim Hyeyoon's nuanced acting, I was able to see the Hansol's expectation and interest for Yong (Yeo Jingoo) but there should have been more scenes where she was showed her love after they became official. For the people in the future, they might need a little bit more improvement. Choi Yihyun as Munee and other MC could have been more vibrant as her counterpart in the 2000 version was, played by Yoo Jitae. Frankly, I was a little bored whenever future scenes were shown.

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Will Twitter users save manhole-man?

A man after party falls accidently into the manhole in the middle of the night. His phone battery is alive, yet his friends are sleeping , police thinks he is faking it, and the time is running out, because he is wounded.

As last resort he creates a twitter account to ask for help. But will keyboard-enthusiasts save him in time or will he meet his demise for sake of their amusement?

The main lead carries this whole movie with his performance. As audience we are stuck with him and his phone. Not only it is entertaining to see how events unfold, but it also mirrors how internet-help is two-edged sword in real life.

There were few twists in the end, so your enjoyment of the movie, will be dictated how much you enjoyed those reveals.

BUT overall it is good experience, surprisingly well paced, and has a commentary on internet culture.

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Fascinating and thrilling

I find this movie quite interesting. Yang Mi's acting here is way much better than some of the series that she has acted in. I actually like the tough Yang Mi compared to a few previous shows I watched of hers that is like a weak female. She also doesn't sound that high pitch and softie in this movie either. If you are looking for some action and mystery and thrilling + excitement and you find the synopsis to your interest, then this would be an interesting first watch. There are a variety of action, suspense and not to mention sad moments.

I was definitely watching with gripping "omg what will happen after this" moments but I will say that I bawled my eyes out seeing how the guide dog died. That was heart jerking and my extremely in need of alot of tissues moment. But other than that, it definitely is a recommended movie for people who love action and thrillers.

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Between the living and the dead

Exhuma is an explosive mixture of south korean folklore and mythicism. It effectively evokes the universal dread and mystery regarding the afterlife.

Our group of leading characters are the perfect bridge between the spiritual and supernatural, never quite here or there, always between the two worlds. Great atmosphere, never looses the steam, with memorable moments.

But then it reaches the mid point of the film. This is a strong story, but the uneasiness and tension goes away, and never quite reaches the same high as the first half.

This film is ambitious and creative. The cinematography outstanding and visually delivering the eerie emotions you are supposed to feel in every scene. It helps that the effects are mostly practical as well, which it's marvelous to watch nowadays.

Horror film fans will be satisfied but this story is more of a mix of genres. There are no traditional jump scares but very well crafted world building and character development that will immerse you in the film experience.

I do recommend watching this film without knowing anything about the story or the characters for a bigger impact.

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Bloody, Lonely, Cold, Foreigner, Sad, Hungry…

For the first hour of the movie, I was completely absorbed, watching Loh Kiwan navigate life as a North Korean immigrant in Belgium. Eyes wide open, I tried to catch any information that would explain why he escaped China. I went in blind, avoiding the synopsis because they tend to spoil my fun or mess with my expectations. All I knew was that Song Joong Ki played the role of a broken man trying to survive—survive his sadness, his loss, and the harshness of life.

Then she appeared—the main lead—a little thief who stole his wallet, the last memento from his mother. The plot was “good,” though sometimes slow. It tackled the significant subject of immigration and the lengths people go to for a better life, as well as the individual stories behind each immigrant.

However, the female lead's story overshadowed this focus. More attention should have been on Loh Kiwan's journey. Their love story felt rushed, as if key moments between them were missing. They couldn’t have fallen in love over just a silent meal.

Song Joong Ki did a fantastic job, portraying every emotion convincingly and being sweetly kind. However, the representation of the locals was poor, possibly to emphasize Loh Kiwan’s suffering, but still lacking.

In conclusion, it could have been much better. The ending is open to discussion, so I’m rating it an 8/10.

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Eternal Love

What started as a bleak and sad movie became something I wasn't expecting. Some of the attempts he made were shown and it was so sad to watch. I'm not gonna lie: I cried at the end...even though it's actually a comedy!

As the film progressed, the male lead blossomed. He tried things he would never have tried (you will have to watch it to see why) and slowly became someone he wasn't expecting or thought he could become. I can't emphasise how sweet it was and how much I wanted it to work out well.

Overall, I saw it as a confirmation that (a) we don't know or understand everything that is working in our lives and (b) life changes can hang on one thing that you have done.

What I liked: the acting and transformation of the male lead was just brilliant. He went from a nerdy, desperately sad guy to a more confident, interesting guy.
It was really funny - the other characters in the lead's life were sometimes hilarious.
The pacing of the movie was right.

What I didn't like: the male lead sometimes made me cringe with his lethargy and negativity.....but it's understandable given the beginning of the movie.

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I've seen this movie 100 times already

After Sundown is so cookie-cutter with many, many, MANY played out BL tropes. From forbidden gay love between master and servant to childhood friends who have only met once and yet fell in love. Since it's only an hour and forty minute film, I don't mind the sudden shift between enemies to lovers. What I do mind is that it is addressed ONCE in the film with a necklace and a single flashback. A personal pet peeve of mind in BL, since I find the trope of childhood friends who met once in their lifetimes lazy and a cop out for why our male leads fall in love with one another. Same goes for the forbidden love between master and servant, I love Never Let Me Go but I didn't even really care for it in their Our Sky 2 episodes either.

The only semi-interesting plot point about this film is the dead grandmother's ghost cursing Rawi (NuNew). Since she was jealous of the gay love of her husband who was forced to marry her. Again, a lazy boring trope that brings nothing to the table. The half assed side couple was also embarrassing to watch, they actually only got a single scene and were completely pushed to the side after. Like? Okay? I understand we're supposed to assume that they end up together cause BL Side Couple Law says so. But still, kind of hard to care about characters that the movie doesn't even bother with for more than a couple minutes of screentime.

The only compliment I can give this movie is production and scene quality, and of course ZeeNuNew, (The reason I watched this in the first place). Despite not particularly liking the setting I could appreciate the work and detail put into it. Both the scenery and clothing were appealing to look at and ZeeNuNew's chemistry kept me somewhat interested in the film.

But unless you're a big fan of ZeeNuNew and don't mind a very safe and boring film, I cannot recommend this movie.

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‘Mr Vampire’ in Korean version

This is a Korean take on Exorcism…some nostalgia familiarity to the good old Hong Kong movie, Mr Vampire. Watched this because of reviews.
I grew up watching Hong Kong horror drama involving exorcism, spirit and zombie. So I was pleasantly surprised by this movie which is based on Korean culture also has some similar elements such as rituals, calling spirit, Feng Shui, ancestors’ grave shifting, exorcism etc. It even had a darker urban legend as the back story about what Japanese Yin-Yang master done to Korean Feng Shui by breaking Korea into two countries. And there was a subtle theme of how a country and people survived this ordeal (war), trauma stays with them.
Brief plot without reviewing much, is about one veteran (a Feng Shui master), a funeral director and two new practitioners (a Sharman and her disciple), these four came together because of their client’s ancestor grave mystery and uncovered a darker past. Facing life danger situation, they will have to use their expertise to fight the unknown.
Brilliant writing, good pacing, good acting.
If you like this type of drama, this is definitely worth the watch.

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No tomb-digging, just literally an expanded storyline about the downfalls of the mc

ISTG THIS IS THE PREQUEL TO CITT IM REQUESTING AN EDIT TF NOWWWW
So i randomly search the grave robbing tag and came across this movie released in 2024? I can not find info about it being part of Candle in the tomb from iQiyi, and other irrelevant websites. BUT I KID YOU NOT

1:24:47 provides the famous phrase that unites each Candle in the Tomb story "鬼吹灯“, 6:17 mentions his grandson is Hu bayi, along with his best friend Wag kaixuan 6:27.

So i'm taking it upon myself to add the related titles.

STORY
honestly this story was confusing at time, started out with a horror set out of rats coexisting as humanoids but like never explained that storyline apart from oh there is a precious smart rat passed down generations that watches over you like a guardian angel....? The story remincines over Hu Bayi's grandpa in his younger years, where he is framed, cheated, and basically experiences supernatural horrors that lead him towards death's hands.

Basically the story synopsis on MDL gives you the entire plot of the movie.

The frustrating thing is. the movie literally gives you 5 mins about the MC character development... what? exactly, its not really a worth film to watch. there is some superstitions that are played with buts that what 4/5 of the story is. Yea the story dives into/sets up a little romance storyline but is quickly extinguished and moves back to all the bad misfortunes the mc deals with lol

The only good thing would prolly be the ending where the legacy passes onto Hubayi through the famous phrase "Ghost blows candles".

ACTING/MUSIC
Okay i guess, not super wow thats life changing acting but also not super super poor. The music is dramatic when it needs to be.

Its a subpar story nothing really special, kind of a waste of time, nothing valuable really attracts me. The mini horror supernatural phenomemons are somewhat interesting but are all undermined as they never really tie into a major storyline that gives them important meaning + plus they were all hallucinations.

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