Reviews

Disappointing

I’m disappointed, putting it simply. Neither because of the bittersweet ending nor because of all the violence this movie contains. The movie itself was carried out very disappointingly.

First of all, it seemed so UNREALISTIC for a gangster who’s been loyal to his boss for over seven years to give it all up for a girl he hasn’t known for even ten days. This narrative would still be a little comprehensible if Hee Soo and Sun Woo had even a little chemistry. Nonetheless, they didn’t. Or, AT LEAST, if the girl somewhat showed interest in Sun Woo from her side. She didn’t. Till the end it felt like she couldn’t care less about him.

I mean, obviously, she was not entitled to which is exactly why I believe that it was unnecessary for Sun Woo to take it this far just because of a girl. Many would argue that he went this far because he felt it was unfair for his boss, who he has been loyal to for seven years, to torture him like that over a small mistake.

Yes, I agree. That contributed to his lash out. However, till the end, the only thing in his mind was Hee Soo, proving his boss’s words that, at the end of the day, he was doing all of this for a girl.
Simultaneously, I was very disappointed in Hee Soo’s character as well. She was leading a gang boss on while actively seeing some other guy. It was very insensitive of her to not realize that she was putting not only her’s but her lover’s life in danger as well.

Maybe she didn’t choose to lead him on? Maybe she was scared of Mr. Kang? Maybe. And that very fear should’ve prevented her from being this careless.

And what infuriated me even more was how even after Sun Woo saved her life, she did not seem thankful, whatsoever. What he saw in her, I’m definitely not able to see.

The ending was decent. Since if the ending were different and Sun Woo somehow ended up Hee Soo, I personally would find that very disappointing.

Ultimately, I would conclude that it’s an amazing movie with enjoyable action, thrill, and violence along with great acting. It hooks you even if some things might tick you off.

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Gay West Side Story

If you are familiar with the classic movie, “WEST SIDE STORY”, or even its updated remake, then the current result, I like to describe, is the gay Japanese version of that classic without of course the musical/dancing scores. I may be reading too much into this production, but the film appears to pay homage to that archetype through its many parallels in its theme, setting, design, and overall atmosphere. And as the title implied, it really is a story of love. More central is the message that fighting, aggression, and rebellious behaviors do not resolve conflicts; they only magnify them and lead to further destruction and pain. While the title might seem oxymoronic, its meaning will be understood clearly and precisely by the end of the movie. Unquestionably, while this movie is highly captivating, it conveys a deep moral message presented with entertaining undertones. While there is gang violence, this movie makes significant arguments against that way-of-life. It advances and embraces detente not in a Pollyanna way, but in a straightforward, honest way to resolve aggression with SOMEONE courageous enough to lead the way with another person on the other side with equal courage to reciprocate. You can read the full review at BLBliss.com.

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This movie was...well, in my personal opinion it was great. Kim Hyeyoon's acting once again blew my mind!! she is amazing really. the pure, unadulterated rage in the fl is so satisfying. I mean, it's quite hard to find such fls. A well written character for a movie this short. The ending was unexpected. left a bad taste in my mouth yet it was realistic. i loved gu hye-young's character a lot. her father too. There was only once scene i didn't like, where she was careless enough to show that evidence to that choi young-hwan but then again, posting it online wouldn't have helped much either. well, the movie made me cry at least. i would definitely rewatch it!!

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disgusting!! one word is enough. it was nothing less than porn. sorry to sayyy i was ashamed. the performan was not that great. to show a women empowerment story they could have shown this another wayy. disgusting!!kim taeri r u serious?? what have u done?? this was not acting!! it was being horny! The characters are difficult to connect with emotionally. While the film tries to present them as complex and layered, their motivations often feel inconsistent and unconvincing. As a result, I struggled to care about what happened to them. The pacing is another major issue. Many scenes drag on for far too long, making the movie feel much longer than it actually is.

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Am I crazy or was this actually good?

I am a huge RAMPAGE fan, but I generally don't go into the members' acting projects expecting ~actual cinema~ because the majority of the time they aren't. Similarly, I went into this fully anticipating to turn my brain off and just marvel at the novelty of having Kazuma, Riku, and Hokuto in one project together, so imagine my surprise when I actually got invested in each of the stories, brain on and all!

Maybe I was predisposed to like this because I enjoy a good omnibus, but I found the atmosphere of this movie super immersive and I appreciated how there wasn't too much set-up or exposition - we're kind of tossed in the middle of everything and the characters are just able to exist and reveal parts of themselves in natural ways. It was a little grungy and cinematic, but in a way that wasn't overly pretentious. And while I watched this for my boys and their performances were great, it was the actresses who really brought things together. It's honestly hard to choose which of the three segments was my favorite, but I'm a bit partial to the one with Kazuma because of my mother Sakai Maki featuring in it!!

It's not doing anything particularly new or deep, but it still resonated with me and stands as proof that even projects full of idols in their cast can hold their own sometimes. Highly recommend if you're a RAMPAGE fan like me and even if you aren't!

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Elite bromance that carries a silly but fun plot

Midnight Runners is the definition of pure entertainment. If you are here for the main actors, you will not be disappointed. The absolute highlight of this movie is the incredible dynamic between Park Seo-joon and Kang Ha-neul. Their bromance, natural banter, and comedy timing are elite, and they easily carry the entire film.Plot-wise, you have to turn off your brain a little bit. Some moments are quite silly, unrealistic, and the tone shifts between dark crime and goofy comedy rather quickly. However, if you don't take it too seriously, it's an incredibly fun ride.It's not a deep masterpiece, but the charm of the cast makes it totally worth watching. A very fair 7/10 for the amazing vibes and laughs!

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A masterpiece of action and pure emotion that will make you cry

Story:"The Man from Nowhere" is a flawless cinematic masterpiece. On the surface, it looks like a gritty, badass action thriller, but at its core, it is a deeply emotional story about love, protection, and redemption. The dynamic between the mysterious main character and the innocent little girl is the heart of the entire film. Watching his brutal, relentless journey to save her is both thrilling and heartbreaking. The ending is so incredibly beautiful that it will definitely leave you in tears.Acting/Cast:The acting is perfection. Won Bin gave a legendary performance—he managed to look terrifyingly lethal in action scenes, yet so deeply sorrowful and protective with just a glance. The child actress was also phenomenal and incredibly adorable, making you care about her safety from the very first minute. Their chemistry was magical.Music/Rewatch Value:The soundtrack is beautiful and heightens every single emotional and action-packed beat of the movie. The rewatch value is incredibly high. Even though it is a real tear-jerker, it is a film you will want to experience over and over again.Conclusion:This is a mandatory watch for anyone who loves high-quality cinema. It blends top-tier, brutal fight choreography with a beautiful, emotional soul. Prepare some tissues, because this movie will touch your heart deeply. A perfect 10/10.

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So bad it's hilariously funny

Story:Coming from South Korea, a country known for top-tier zombie masterpieces, "Gangnam Zombie" is a massive letdown. The plot is incredibly weak, generic, and filled with ridiculous logic. However, because everything is written and directed so poorly, it becomes strangely entertaining as a comedy. It’s hard to take anything seriously when the script makes no sense.Acting/Cast:The acting is the funniest part of the entire experience. The main leads tried their best, but the extras playing the infected were hilarious. Their "scary" expressions and zombie acting looked like a high school theater project. Instead of feeling terrified, I was just laughing at how awkward they looked.Music/Rewatch Value:The technical side of the movie, including the music and visual effects, feels very cheap and low-budget. The rewatch value is low, unless you want to put it on in the background with friends just to make fun of it together.Conclusion:Overall, it is a very weak film that deserves a 3/10. It completely fails as a horror movie, but succeeds as an unintentional comedy. Watch it only if you enjoy cheesy, poorly-made B-movies that are so bad they become funny.

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Incredibly heavy and deeply disturbing, but powerful

Story:"Silenced" is a movie that leaves you completely speechless. It deals with extremely dark, heavy, and frustrating topics, and the fact that it is based on a true story makes it even more devastating to watch. The plot is gripping but highly uncomfortable. It's the kind of film that makes you feel furious and sad at the same time, to the point where it's hard to even know what to think after the credits roll.Acting/Cast:The acting is phenomenal, which actually makes the movie even harder to watch. Gong Yoo and Jung Yu-mi gave incredible performances, but the child actors completely stole the show. They portrayed the pain and trauma so realistically that it felt painfully genuine.Music/Rewatch Value:The sound design and music do a great job of building the tense, suffocating atmosphere. However, the rewatch value is extremely low. This is definitely a one-time watch because of how heavy and upsetting the subject matter is.Conclusion:It is an excellent, high-quality film, but it requires a very strong stomach. If you are looking for something light or entertaining, skip this. But if you want a powerful social drama that stays with you for a long time, it is worth a watch.

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Beautiful but heavily slow-paced and sad

Story:The premise of "Taste and Tears" is very poetic and emotional, dealing with loneliness, promises, and long-lost connections. However, the plot moves way too slowly. While the emotional weight is definitely there, it often felt draggy and a bit boring. It is a very sad and heavy movie, so you have to be in the right mood to watch it.Acting/Cast:The actors did a great job portraying the deep loneliness and longing of their characters. The emotions felt raw and genuine.Music/Rewatch Value:The soundtrack fits the melancholic vibe perfectly. However, because it's so slow and depressing, I don’t think I would watch it a second time.Conclusion:If you appreciate beautiful cinematography and bittersweet, slow-paced stories, you will enjoy this. It's a nice, pretty movie, but it requires a lot of patience.

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I could watch them in any and every universe

Please skip this if you're looking 4 an actual review. This isn't quite that. It's largely just me gushing about my love for this show.

Hagiwara Riku and Yagi Yusei make me wish that Japan did official ships like Thailand does (and that their TV BL industry was just as big). Ever since I stumbled upon the series about 3 years ago, I have made time to rewatch it at least once a year.

I'm not a show rewatcher like that. 9.9 times out of 10, I fill in the rewatch value rating coz MDL demands it; otherwise, I cannot publish my little drama reviews. So, yes, this story holds a very special place in my heart. No matter how many times I watch it, and know what will happen next, I still find myself craving a rewatch and end up glued to my screen.

Not only are the two actors phenomenal, but their chemistry... Holy Jesus🔥🔥. I like how complex the characters in this story are. What you think is at first, isn't, and the more you peel off the layers of these people, the more you uncover their flaws, their vulnerabilities, and start to fall in love with their complicated love story.

Now on to my thoughts about this Special Edit Version:

💓I think it's edited rather well to fit the movie's length. Some scenes were cut while others were added, likely to make the story flow better. Some of those extended parts (scenes and extra narrations) also allowed you to get a better glimpse of what these characters are thinking. I believe this helps you understand them and their motivations better than in the series

💓The cinematography and subtitles - I think this is what I enjoyed most about this version. Both were a lot better, actually leagues above those of the 1st seaon of the drama.

If you do not have the time to spend on the series, I say you can just watch this version, and you will understand the story just as well. However, if you have the time, watch both. Start with the 6 episodes of the 1st season, then come watch this.

Now, allow me to go daydream, yet again, about the magic that Hagiwara Riku and Yagi Yusei would weave together if they were an official pair and were handed some good scripts with beautifully complex characters

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