How can an interesting concept become so boring
BoringWhen I saw the trailer, I thought it was going to be some adrenaline rush Train to Busan kind of movie, but it turned out to be nothing like that.
The concept and premise was nice-mall, hive mindset, group of strangers, the generic cliche with something new, however, the director and the writer totally bombed the story in the worst possible way.
They killed the ex husband in the first half an hour which was so expected, like why. I didn't even felt bad because we couldn't even make connections to him. His family's reaction, wife and ex wife was also so lukewarm.
The characters were stupid. I think if you are making zombie movie in 2026, the characters should know what they should do since in their world also many zombie movies have come. They frozen in the worst spot, took the most stupid route and died.
I really felt this was going to be like the strangers group who work together like a team. Do we have make them stupid and narcissist in order for them to die and make scenes interesting. Like in Train to Busan, the og group were loyal to each other and still died and it felt more saddening because it was like they did everything they could but didn't won. Here it felt like, they wanted to die anyway. Their acting was bad too. The dialogues, god who wrote them. I not sure if it was translation issue or bad writing, but the dialogues were so... Unheavy? Light. Like it had no emotions.
Ugggghhh
So stupid.
Let's hope, HOPE does better than this because this sucks.
If you want to watch something zombie related that doesn't boil your blood because of stupidity, watch Happiness or Train to Busan.
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Great, grounded action
I really liked this one, honestly. If you're looking for some solid, down-to-earth action, this is a great pick. It feels super real because, unlike a lot of other stuff out there, the main character actually gets tired and you can really see the toll the fights take on him—none of that 'invincible hero' nonsense where they never get a scratch. It’s a raw revenge story that feels pretty gritty and rough around the edges, but it's just so entertaining to watch. Nadech Kugimiya pulls off the physical exhaustion so well, which makes everything feel way more intense. Sure, the pacing is a bit bumpy in a few spots, but the fight scenes are so visceral and well-done that it's easy to just enjoy the ride. If you're into movies where the hits actually carry weight and you prefer a more human, grounded approach to action, you should definitely give this a shotWas this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
My July Recommendation movie
Watch this because recommendation challenge from 𝑵𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆. Let’s discuss movie…The story follows Soichiro Takakura, a brilliant young robotics engineer who is perfecting groundbreaking plasma battery technology and autonomous humanoid robots. Devastated by the early loss of his parents, Soichiro relies on his close bonds with his beloved pet cat, Pete, and Riko, the daughter of his late adoptive mentor. Outside of his lab work, Soichiro leaves business management to his partner Kazuhito and his girlfriend, Rin.
Soichiro's world falls apart when Kazuhito and Rin betray him & take over his company. After stealing his shares and cutting-edge research, Rin drugs Soichiro and forces him into "Cold Sleep"—a cryogenic hibernation state intended to freeze him for 30 years.
When Soichiro awakens in 2025, he finds himself in a world completely transformed by advanced technology, where humanoid robots built upon his stolen research are now commonplace.
Penniless and heartbroken, he discovers that his past company collapsed, his stolen inventions were repatented under another banner, and Riko tragically lost her life in a mysterious explosion decades prior. Accompanied by PETE-13, a humorously loyal chaperone android modeled after his own prototype, Soichiro investigates what really took place after he was frozen.
That's pretty much the story without giving anymore spoilers.
What I like:
+ This movie has a unique concept that plays with dangerous of paradoxes of time.
+ How PETE-13 steals every scene with his own uniqueness.
What could be better:
- The relationship between Soichiro & Riko somehow lacks emotional key point…
- The time paradoxes don't really make the story more interesting or unified
Overall this quite interesting concept of story. But to be truth, I’ll gonna forget about this later on…
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Finding Jane
This movie got me! The story, the actors, the music, the production — everything was great. There are a few details that keep me from giving it a clear 10, but the magic of Korean drama worked really well. I fell in love with the characters, and it was very emotional to follow their story with such a rich and layered connection. Thinking about it, the director really connected the dots perfectly. At the one-hour mark I thought to myself, “What a nice story — it would be super if this was the end.” But the movie had so much more to show us, taking us on a rollercoaster of emotions. Compliments to everyone who worked on this feature.The actors were very believable as their younger selves. Usually it bothers me when older actors play student roles, but here they really seemed the proper age. Their story is both magical and realistic, and I found a bittersweet beauty in that portrayal.
The guy, Eun-ho, develops a story-driven video game about Eric and Jane. When they are separated, the screen turns black and white, so the purpose of the game is to find the lost girl Jane and bring the colours back into the world. This correlates not only with the real characters in the movie, but also with the real world. The world indeed shines with new colours once you find your Jane.
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Confessing Love
A romantic film told from a male perspective that probably wouldn't be received well if it were released in 2026. There are female characters, of course, but the film reduces them to supporting roles, while the emotions and actions of the men—especially the two brothers—take centre stage.The film also starts by focusing on one character but ends with another, making it feel as though it shifts its focus halfway through and jumps from one story to another.
Many of the jokes could be described as sexist, and they are not particularly funny. Instead, they seem to exist only to lighten the gloomy atmosphere that hangs over the film, despite it being marketed as a romantic comedy.
Both of the two main male characters have a flawed approach to women: one is overly shy and withdrawn, while the other is far too aggressive. Yet neither of them knows how to express or admit his love. So, while the central theme is solid, I found the film's tone somewhat controversial, and the ending doesn't provide a truly satisfying payoff.
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Societal jail made "interesting" by erotic packaging
@Nelly recommended that this review be called JAILBIRDS as the drama is about three societal jailbirds - two powerless people, essentially slaves, and their slave master, all limited by societal jail. This is just a political move from the start - a powerful person (king) picks a boy toy and forces him to serve as a s.x slave, and forces an essentially enslaved woman to comply as a s.x slave.,
and then King and Queen just used s.x to produce kids to help them get ahead in the power ranks, And this boy toy slave had to do his slave job, and the woman had to do her slave job, and the two also tried to have some fun while they were free for 10 mins to be free and themselves. That is all
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The sentimentality happens when jailbirds Quieen and BoyToySlave start having fantasies of actually living their little free-of-jail time as their life. They are JAILED and there is no escape. The society is essentially JAILING AND TORTURING ppl of "lesser status" e.g. women and poor. The evil elite king and his kind are just using BoyToy and the Queen as inseminating bull and cow.
PATHETIC SOCIETAL JAIL packaged as "interesting" by shocking and/or erotic scenes
The main thing to think about is - why do elites still exist and essentially enslave people, and why slaves CONSENT to live under the elite ruling - in this case, Queen and BoyToy were enticed to live a luxury life at the expense of selling their soul
So I aint' wasting time to watch this pathetic jail bs,
=====
this is just a political move from the start - a powerful person (king) picks a boy toy and forces him to serve as a slave, including being a s.x slave - everything for the King as the center of the universe - that by definition is JAIL,
and then King and Queen just used s.x to produce kids to help them get ahead in the power ranks, And this boy toy slave had to do his slave job, and he and the Queen also tried to have some fun while they were free for 10 mins to be themselves, AS IF there was no jail. That is all..
The sentimentality happens when Quieen and BoyToySlave start having fantasies of actually living their little free-of-jail time as their life. But they are JAILED by social norms and there is no escape. Someone - the male power King - is just using them as inseminating bull and cow, and they are consenting bc in that society there are nothing more than just SLAVES, they are handled in the same way as domestic animals. .
So I aint' wasting time to watch this pathetic jail bs, This drama makes me salute to 21st century and personal freedom and independence of women and all people to choose paths in life they want, and the blessings we have that these dictator Kings are not AS prevalent as before. They are still there, the psychopaths, the power hungry, the takers. Sure they are. Luckily it is not as bad as back then - well for some of us. For some, this movie is still a reality
So,,,, enough high ranking power sexual predators and psychopaths who use ppl as slaves, and any little act of disobedience is met with rage, hatred, and retaliation
This story is ... meaningless.... the same old egoistical bs, there is nothing learned here, just a shocking bloody power struggle real life story .
THE KING NEVER LOVED THIS DUDE AND WAS NOT EVEN HIS FRIEND, if he really cared for him as a friend and/or lover, he would let him go and be happy. First of all he would not force him into being gay lovers. THe dude didnt like that.
And THE DUDE NEVER LOVED THE KING - he wa just a low slave servant to a powerful man.
The king was maybe a fun and imposing, flattering company - wow he picked me out of all ppl to share all this wealth and fun - BUT THAT IS NOT LOVE .
So with the king - a flattering life of luxury and seeming "friendship" of a powerful man, and no lust and with the woman, no deeper connection, only lust? on his side - and love on hers? - but - if they COULD spend real time together, ... would that love grow bigger and more real, beyond lust? We dont know since the King rained on that party.
THE KING IS NOT A MAN IN LOVE, HE IS AN EGOISTICAL TYRANT AND MURDERER
AND THE DUDE IS A MAN IN LOVE WITH THAT WOMAN
The essence of this story is not about being gay, or "a man can have true love only with a woman"/ The essence of this story is that there are lovers A and B, and then B falls for C, and A hatefully retaliates.
By definition, when we love someone, we do NOT retaliate and hurt them.
By definition, when we are in a real relationship. we are free to say NO, to leave, etc and our loved one has to take it.
The King never left space for his lover, never gave him equal treatment and freedom, so really, King never had any real love.
And the dude never had any real love. He was just following orders
Was his love for the Queen "real love"? We do not know until we see them in some deeper scenes. I would say he loved her since he was happy she escaped to safety
So really this drama is all about what love is NOT.
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Education is key
- “You don’t have to be perfect. Just do your best.”- “I’m scared to get scolded when I make a mistake.”
- “If that happens, I’ll be scolded with you. I’ll hold your hand.”
“I believe in you. Know that.”
I believe discipline is necessary for everyone’s growth and development, if it is done right. It might seem strict at first, but eventually it would lead us to freedom. I think these teachers are amazing. They teach the kids about discipline by asking them reasonable questions and reasons, while also keep encouraging them to believe in themselves and be more confident. I think they treat their students equally with full respect and I really appreciate it.
As someone who grew up with typical Asian parenting, who got beaten and scolded unreasonably without any explanations or encouragement, I didn't wish to be completely spoiled by my parents and teachers. Instead, I would love to be disciplined as a child with reasonable explanations and encouragement like the kids in this short documentary film.
“We’re each a piece of a heart. If everyone is together, this is our shape. (A full heart)
If one of us is unbalanced, then the shape is broken. It’s no longer a heart.”
Kids are really the smartest and kindest humans, if they are treated equally with respect.
I’m really impressed by these words. It deserses a perfect score from me.
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A tense zombie thriller that stays surprisingly human, even if it doesn’t reinvent the genre.
i went into #Alive expecting just another zombie movie, but it ended up being way more engaging than i thought. it’s not trying to reinvent the zombie genre, and i think that’s where some people get disappointed. if you’re expecting something on the scale of Train to Busan, you’ll probably come out thinking it’s just “good.” but if you judge it for what it is, it does a really solid job.the biggest strength is how grounded it feels. spending so much time with one isolated character could’ve gotten boring really fast, but it actually made the loneliness and panic feel believable. i liked that the movie focused more on survival and the mental side of being trapped instead of throwing nonstop action at you every five minutes.
Yoo Ah-in absolutely carries the first half. his performance makes the fear, frustration, and desperation feel real without being overdramatic. Park Shin-hye comes in later and gives the movie the energy boost it needs. i honestly wish we got even more scenes between them because they had good chemistry despite the limited screen time together.
the zombies themselves are fast, aggressive, and genuinely stressful to watch. there are a few scenes that had me holding my breath, and the pacing rarely drags. that said, the movie definitely has moments where you have to suspend your disbelief. a couple of decisions the characters make feel a little convenient, and the ending wraps things up a bit quicker than i would’ve liked.
i’ve also seen people call this movie “generic,” and i kind of get why. it follows a lot of familiar zombie movie beats. but honestly? not every film has to completely reinvent the genre to be entertaining. sometimes a well-executed survival story is enough, and i think #Alive succeeds because it keeps things simple and does them well.
overall, it’s a tense, emotional, and easy-to-watch zombie film with strong performances and enough suspense to keep you invested from beginning to end. maybe not an all-time classic, but definitely one i’d recommend to anyone looking for a solid survival thriller.
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Marvellous
I was trying to watch this movie since its release in Cannes and as the saying goes, "When there's a will, there's a way". I finally made it, and it totally surpassed my wildest expectations.I'm in awe. Conceptual, innovative, visually stunning, complex, with multi-layered narratives and three subjects very close to me: Cinema, Chinese history in the 20th century, and Buddhism. Also, an ode to art and cinema as a collective dream, as a form of exploration in a society that worships technology and pure rationality. On top of all that, there's the sheer mastery of the film's technical language. I honestly have no words.
The dream/illusion is obviously the main theme, no matter from what perspective you approach it. One of the things that, in my opinion, makes this movie truly a masterpiece is that, besides its compelling cinematic language, it has several layers and multiple meanings that allow you to enjoy it regardless of whether you grasp one, two, or more of them, or of the interpretations you give them. To talk about it would be endless, and it would indeed require a discussion. I'm still processing everything I've seen.
This is the second time I've come across an audiovisual project structured around Buddhism while simultaneously exploring other, similar narratives or related themes. Coincidentally, or perhaps not, both were Chinese and released in 2025.
To watch and rewatch many times, for whatever reason you choose. ..if you like/are familiar or interested in at least one of the subjects mentioned above.
Wow, simply Wow.
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Very confusing and messed up!!
Please note that it's EXTREMELY s*xually explicit. I was shocked at the opening scene.***** [ minor spoilers only ] *****
This movie left me very confused, i didn't get anything out of it, what's the message delivered? even the story itself wasn't clear at all, it almost felt like there was no story to even start with. Also the movie got boring from mid to the end. It was mostly yong joon trying to find a job, jae sung chasing him, and straight up p*rn.
Some of the stuff that confused me was: why was yong joon that mad at jae sung? ( at first i thought it was bec jae sung got married but by his reaction when tae kyu mentioned that, it seemed like it was made up by yong joon to hide the fact that they were together and he just went along with it), who the hell were the abusive father and the one eyed kid? And if the father was abusive why would the kid do what he did at the end? Aside from all these confusions and flaws in the story, the characters weren't okay, both jae sung and tae kyu obsessing over yong joon, tae kyu literally threatening to hurt himself if yong joon doesn't choose him like wtf?! Tae kyu character in general was werid, at first i thought he was yong joon's younger brother or something, he is needy, selfish, childish and possessive., jae sung character was also weird but not as messed up as tae kyu, he followed yong joon everywhere like a stalker and didn't have a full normal human conversation with him although he had many opportunities to do so? And the last scene was really werid like why is he still staying at that house? And oh boy let's not talk about that terrible messed up ending.
Yeah that movie didn't make any sense honestly, although it got me at first and made me think it had potentials. Overall, i don't recommend anyone to waste their time watching this unless you wanna watch some hot uncensored s*x scenes.
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What surprised me most, however, wasn't the horror. In a genre that often sidelines female characters, Colony gives them the emotional core of the story. Jun Ji-hyun delivers a commanding performance as Se-jeong, portraying a heroine who is intelligent, resourceful, and resilient without ever feeling invincible. She's joined by equally memorable female characters who each contribute to the group's survival in meaningful ways. Rather than existing as damsels in distress or supporting figures, the women are problem-solvers, protectors, and emotional anchors whose decisions genuinely shape the narrative.
The film isn't perfect. Some supporting characters could have benefited from more development, and the emphasis on relentless action occasionally comes at the expense of deeper emotional moments. Still, the suspense is consistently gripping, the set pieces are inventive, and Yeon Sang-ho once again demonstrates why he's one of the most exciting filmmakers working in the zombie genre today.
If you're looking for a zombie thriller with creative ideas, pulse-pounding action, and female protagonists who stand out through their intelligence, courage, and determination, Colony is an easy recommendation. It doesn't try to be another Train to Busan, it evolves into something uniquely its own.
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Cho’s descent begins in a subway restroom practicing his sales pitch for instant glue with men lined up at the urinals behind him. When luck turns against him, he makes fateful choices in order to eat. Joined by a woman as desperate as he is they feed off each other as their robbery spree escalates.
I wondered what the title Influenza meant and I’m still not sure, but as you watch this film, you’ll see people assaulting each other behind Cho. Like Kurosawa’s layered filming technique, there were layers of lawbreaking and cruelty from the forefront to the back. It was as if a violent, criminal virus was spreading. Even Cho’s one act of altruism likely aided another criminal. It was not all gloom and doom, there were humorous bits. Ahjummas do not give up their money so easily!
Bong’s use of CCTV as the only means of storytelling with a smidge of sound was an interesting one. The ever-vigilant surveillance never slowed the crime pandemic seeping over the city. Only when the nefarious couple took their brutal bender too far did civilization step in and draw a line. Once again in a Bong Joon Ho film, society failed both the victims and people driven to perpetrate their crimes, this time silently witnessed by Big Brother’s omnipresent eye.
28 July 2026
Ratings note: I was torn deciding on the ratings and gave it a slight bump for creativity.
Indelicate note: There were numerous men at urinals if that is upsetting.
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This review may contain spoilers
what a family truly is. Is it the blood connection? Or is it the bond built?
Like Father, Like Son is yet another example of why Japanese storytelling and cinema should be studied. Japan never shied away from taking on hard topics and delivering them beautifully.Spoilers****
So the story is hard! We have two families with completely different backgrounds and styles of life who find out their son is not their biological son, and due to the malicious work of a nurse, they have been switched at birth. Now, after 6 years, they have to decide whether to switch or not. This is like the biggest tragedy if you think about it. It might sound easy, like, "Let's just take the biological kid back," but there is another child you have loved until the last minutes and one you took care of since birth, loved, and cherished, who suddenly becomes a stranger. It’s not that simple. No matter what decision you take, you are losing someone important.
Ryota Nonomiya is described as a man who has always excelled at everything he did, and he expects the same from his son. We can see his frustration when his son is not delivering what he expects, and at times he is also very harsh with the kid. So finding out his son is not his biological child culminates in him with this idea that the perfect son he wanted couldn’t deliver because it was not his. Almost like all he could think in that moment was why it all made sense. His wife, on the other hand, is shattered, caught between the guilt of not being able to notice earlier and having to decide to let go of the son she loved so dearly for the last 6 years.
On the other hand, the Saiki family is also going through shock and pain, but it seems like their whole focus is on how much money they can get as compensation from the hospital. As a viewer, it’s almost like while the Nonomiya family is destroyed by the news, the Saiki family takes on it in a more positive aspect, and that’s where we really see the difference between the two families. Although the Saikis are not as wealthy and seem like they have so much on their plate, their kids love them dearly, and they are the happiest.
This is where the brilliance of the storytelling takes us: two completely different backgrounds and family dynamics. One is cold and strict, enveloped in shades of black and grey, while the other one is bright, like a summer day, surrounded by the noise of kids playing.
But this movie is not just about finding out what blood bonds mean; more about what truly a family stands for. Ryota, who grew up with the strong idea that blood ties are important and that having a successor was the pinnacle of his life as a man, is challenged for the first time with a choice: let go of the child he raised as his own or make space for his biological son, blood of his blood. This is where things get painfully relatable, and Ryota comes to terms with the understanding that what truly matters is not the blood, but who raised you. An example is when the two families meet, and Ryota notices his biological son and the father (Saiki) who raised him both have the habit of biting their drink straws;an important detail that foreshadows how little blood ties matter.
To sum up, this movie was a brilliant piece of work, and it will make you reflect on what a family truly is. Is it the blood connection? Or is it the bond built? This movie left me pondering what I would do if I found myself in this situation and left a sad lingering feeling. Honestly, I could go on and on about this, but I truly think this movie is so worth watching.
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That's the way to handle it!
A good movie about how to take revenge on bully's. Don't go down to their level, but get a confession.Well produced, good visuals and good music.
The actors did a good job.
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Unbelievable
Unbelievable. The story of the film is like something out of a picture book — it looks cool on paper, but unrealistic and unconvincing in reality, and in this case, in the movie adaptation. The movie actually mixes a fictional story about a shadow with a family drama about the loss of a child/sister, but the connection between reality and fiction isn’t successful. The beginning was even promising, but as it went on, it became harder and harder to keep the interest. The plot moves slowly, and I wouldn’t say the characters earned that pace by their performances, nor did the film manage to convey real emotion like some better-quality slow-burn movies do. There are elements that contribute to the mystery, but the finale wraps everything up suddenly and strangely without any sense that something meaningful was achieved. Also the CGI elements weren't implemented very good. Maybe the whole fantasy is actually a metaphor for human emotions or something, but I couldn’t figure it out. I’d say: an interesting attempt, but it didn’t work.I watched the film in the cinema with one Korean soldier. We were the only two people in the theater, and at the end of the movie we just looked at each other and commented: “What is this movie?”
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