Reviews

The best street fighter movie

I'm not overly familiar with Tsukasa Hojo's original manga, but I have seen the original anime a long time ago. As adaptations of the source material go, Wong Jing's City Hunter isn't really the most faithful, it tones down a lot of Ryō's antics to fit with Jackie's style of humour and image but offers in its place a genuinely great movie that doesn't repeat a lot of the mistakes of American anime adaptations by trying to make it gritty, it's bat shit insane in the best way possible. It's also the best adaptation of Street Fighter this side of Future Cops, who doesn't wanna see Jackie Chan dressed as Chun-Li?

Read More

Behind-the-scenes, get to know BTS better!

Here, in 2023, looking for any content I can find on BTS, this was a treat. I watched it on YouTube. It didn't show me anything I didn't already know, but I think that anyone new to BTS would get a better understanding of who they are by watching this. Each era of BTS has landmarks for them, but this movie shows them during their Wings tour (2017) - when they were just beginning to be recognized by other countries. They were huge already in terms of fandom, as evidenced by sold out concerts everywhere they went, but this was the era that brought them recognition in terms of awards, and this is when they first appeared on US tv.

This is not a movie to showcase their music, but to show how hard they work on a daily basis to be the best and to bring the best to their fans. The amount of work they do preparing for concerts is amazing, even reworking/discussing choreography up to the last minute before going on stage. When they come off stage, drenched in sweat, literally, and have to be helped into dry clothes, you can see that they have given their all on the stage. Their energy is spent, but they've only got time for a few deep breaths before going back out and giving even more of themselves.

I continue to marvel at their bond with one another. Their love for each other, their respect for each other, and their support of each other can be seen here. They work hard, but they love hanging out with one another, just having a good time. You might expect this to be a natural consequence of living together as trainees and after they debuted, but I have not found another group that has this kind of connection. They are extremely humble (so many others could definitely benefit by learning this!) and strive to continue to give more and better performances.

Read More

I would have preferred the series, I think

I haven't watched a lot of Thai movies, let alone one that is a fantasy. This movie seemed to have been made on a very low budget. It seemed to be a much older film, production quality-wise. I struggled with the overacting of most of the side characters, and the bad make-up. I think this is what made me not love the movie.

I will say that the ML and FL were lovely, both in visuals and in their story line. There was such a calm warmth about both of them (I don't know if that makes any sense). They were very sweet together. The story was somewhat confusing to me, but I love the idea of love that transcends time.

Read More

Before they were famous....

I would not call it a knee slapping comedy but it is a nice simple movie to watch especially if you want to see the huge stars of today in one of their first roles, when they were young and innocent! LOL

The story follows three high school best friends as they navigate the sensitive time between adolescence and adulthood doing every silly thing boys that age do as they mature. Talking about girls, trying to get laid, choosing a profession, gaining independence from family...

The actors are all exceptional, the banter and their chemistry is worth the watch. The girl gravitating around them is a welcome addition with her deadpan expression and no nonsense attitude.

And of course, the cherry on the cake is the slow motion fistfight with the loan sharks. That was really funny! The film is worth the watch for this scene! But not only, rest assured!

Read More

Stunningly Acted and Shot Film

Egoist is in one word, heart-wrenching. It will pull at your heart strings and really reminds you how harsh reality can be but at the same time, it shows us how beautiful love can pull us from the depths of darkness. The acting from both Hio Miyazawa and Ryohei Suzuki is truly commendable. They gave their heart and soul into portraying these characters. Hio especially shone in this role, he was radiant, charming and beautifully vulnerable (definitely deserved those awards). The subtle gestures, tone of voice and the eyes really make their relationship believable and so poignant. Everything is said through action, not just words. The chemistry is also very palpable and incredibly shown on screen, especially in those love making scenes. But in the end, does Ryohei’s character stop being an egoist, is he purely motivated by self interest or something else? (That’s the real underlying question) Even after the man he loved passed. It’s showcasing the need to be needed, to push your ideals onto an individual to perhaps make yourself feel wanted or to feel better. So are his actions truly altruistic? Overall, a thoughtfully melancholic and moving film about loss, acceptance and the human condition.

Read More

The movie subverts your expectations

This movie masterfully transcends multiple genres, offering a fresh and unique take on horror, gore, and mystery. What begins as a chilling tale evolves into a compelling exploration of friendship and camaraderie, subverting expectations along the way.

The story revolves around six high school students from diverse backgrounds, unwittingly thrust into a sinister game. Their macabre objective? To reassemble the dismembered body of an 8-year-old girl, all while relentlessly pursued by a malevolent entity cloaked in red. Each time the day ends with the demise of the six students, they find themselves trapped in an eerie time loop, compelled to relive the nightmarish game until all the body parts are discovered.

What sets this apart is its remarkable transformation from a supernatural horror survival into a thrilling treasure hunt infused with moments of camaraderie and levity. As the morning dawns, the students unite, planning their next moves and offering mutual aid in their quest for survival. Amidst the fear and pain, the power of friendship shines through, making the mid-point of the film a heartwarming testament to the human spirit. However, the movie intelligently raises the stakes, shifting gears as the game intensifies, demanding a more serious approach from its characters.

The majority of the movie unfolds within the school setting, skillfully utilizing its surroundings to enhance the suspense and atmosphere. Creative death sequences provide both shock and awe, only to be met with renewed determination and cheer-worthy resilience as the characters face the game's challenges head-on.

In conclusion, this movie is a must-watch for its daring departure from traditional horror tropes and its exceptional ensemble cast. The film leaves a lasting impression, leaving viewers intrigued by the thoughtfully crafted end-credit scene and the hints artfully scattered throughout the story. Prepare to be enthralled as you embark on this gripping journey that defies genre boundaries and reveals the true power of human connection.

Read More

Wow just wow!

I watched the film as I was a little hesitant to watch the 30-episode series and it was just fantastic! This is the first review of mine and I just had to share how much fun I had watching this! It was fluffy, fun, hilarious and gooey and I loved it! NGL the kiss scene was a bit disappointing but you know I guess there had to be an issue somewhere! Side characters were fun too and there were some real points in the story where I was so invested I cringed and felt some serious second-hand embarrassment lol Love the game and the plot was so interesting and fun. Let's be honest though IRL people who play games like that do not look as good lol.

All in all a fun watch will defo watch it again and I am going to watch the series next now

Read More

Great but not as good as the drama

.
.
.
Some spoilers ahead:
.
.
.
I loved the drama so much, so I was so excited for the movie and re watched the whole drama to watch the movie, but I wasn''t as satisfied as I thought I'd be :(
I guess I was hoping for an evident continuation, and this wasn't that.
Loved that they ended up together (even if I didn't really understand if that has a meaning or it was just another time line) but I would've loved to see them remembering their past story line at least, Felt the movie was literally the same storyline that was shown in the drama just in another setting.
I was still impressed by the actor's portrayal in the different characters and ages. And the chemistry between the leads is always on point.

Read More

Possible spoilers

I ll start off by saying i rarely write reviews so for me to sit here and write about this movie means a lot.

I wont say its bad. What i will say tho its that its one of the most confusing movies i ve ever watched. They changed the scene every 20 mins with barely any backstory. You dont often see a movie with possibly every sensitive topic but this ? They ve put everything in it, from r*pe to attempting su*cide, mostly everything. And then, they tried to incorporate the romantic aspect. After everything i saw in this movie, i was supposed to be all "aw how cute, they re hugging" ? I wont lie, i started nervously laughing when i saw they were trying to show an actual love relationship. I dont judge or discriminate peoples kinks, everyone is entitled to like what they want, but if you re not into sado-maso stuff, i suggest you dont watch it because you wont really understand it since you cant relate to them.

Read More

One of my favourite movies of 2023!

I usually don't write reviews, but for this one, I couldn't resist!

I went to watch this at the Japanese film festival in Toronto a couple of weeks ago, and I was very pleasantly surprised! As a fan of Snow Man and Meguro Ren, my expectations were honestly pretty high. Because of this, I was preparing myself to be a bit let down, but somehow, he's done it again!

STORY:

As soon as the movie was announced, I immediately went to read the manga. Seeing as the manga isn't completed yet, the movie did a great job with pacing and making sure the ending was both satisfying, yet ambiguous. They had to cut out a couple of details, such as Kaya's husband having feelings for Miyo and vice versa, but it didn't really hinder the story much, so I don't really mind it.

Throughout the movie, Kiyoka and Miyo have some really cute moments with each other, with patient Kiyoka slowly encouraging Miyo to come out of her shell, and Miyo learning to express herself. One of the best scenes in the movie is when Miyo was kidnapped and being tortured to give up Kiyoka; refusing to do so, and Kiyoka literally BURNING DOWN THE ENTIRE ESTATE TO FIND HER. It really shows how much their relationship developed. And although there wasn't a dramatic "I love you" confession scene, or a kiss, this is one of the rare times that I thought it wasn't necessary. While you could tell that the main genre wasn't romance, the movie did a good job balancing it with the action and historical elements.

If I had to have one "complaint", I would have enjoyed this as a drama! There is so much lore and questions left unanswered that a 12-16 episode drama would definitely have me hooked.

ACTING/CAST:

Since fantasy was a first for Meme, I was curious as to how he'd do. The result? Honestly, pretty good! He seemed to have completely immersed himself in the role, and he managed to play the cold but secretly warm-hearted Kiyoka pretty well! Seeing that the manga version of Kiyoka had more delicate and soft features, I was worried that the movie version would not provide that big of a "gap moe". Again, I was thankfully proven very wrong.

I was familiar with Imada Mio from Hana Nochi Hare, but that's about it. She definitely had a BIG transformation in both character and style from that drama to this, and it definitely shows her range as an actress. She looked really cute in the traditional clothing, and I found myself really believing she was Miyo, rather than an actress playing her.

MUSIC: (may be biased)

Having listened to Tapestry by Snow Man beforehand, I thought it was a great match for the overall "feel" of the movie. Unfortunately, it only played at the very end of the movie, but I was still very excited to hear Snow Man playing at an actual theatre in Canada for the first time. The other soundtracks for the movie were all fine for me; no complaints here.

REWATCH VALUE:

Yes. Just a yes. If a sequel does come out, you'll definitely catch me watching this again in preparation for it. Here's to hoping more Japanese films play internationally!

OVERALL: 9.8/10

TL;DR: Whether you know of Imada Mio and/or Meguro Ren or not, I whole-heartedly recommend you check this out. You won't regret it.

Read More

“It’s a deal. You protect the world. I’ll protect you”

What can I say, except that this movie is a pure masterpiece. I don’t know if I remember seeing a clip of this on Instagram or Tik Tok, but I had put it in my watchlist along with my many other dramas. Lately I’ve been putting shows on hold, or dropping them altogether, or not even have a chance to start it. Seeing as this is a movie, I thought “why not”. At least I’ll know I’ll finish it in one go. And I’m glad I did. The topic of bullying is a touchy subject for some, and although I was teased as a kid by mean classmates, it never got physical. I tried putting myself in the main character’s shoes, and honestly, although it was a movie, things like this happen all the time, but the director and cast did a great job in portraying it. They didn’t gloss over the violence and actually showed the bullies the consequences of their actions. I think although most of us see this in movies and shows, it’s different than what we perceive. The way that even though the main characters got dealt a bad hand, they still found solace and comfort in each other. They wanted to better themselves and I love how they brought it out in each other.

Okay, so the cast is relatively new to me, but can I say how Oscar worthy their performances were? It almost felt real and raw and that they weren’t really acting. Props to Zhou Dongyu and Jackson Yee for telling this story. I was in shock when I read that Dongyu was almost 30 years old when this came out and Jackson wasn’t even 20. It felt like I was watching real kids in high school and almost forgot that she was almost a decade older than him. They really had my head scratching, because I really thought he was older than her in the movie.

And as for the ending, it leaves it up to the viewers interpretation. Did she know he was out of jail and following her, or was he silently watching over her? I would like to think that she knew he was there and that they built a new life together. By the way, when you start to see the end credits, don’t assume it’s over. There’s dialogue and the actual end where I’m talking about him following her. Although I would like a sequel to show how their life is now as they’re adults, I’m very satisfied with the ending.

I watched this on Amazon Prime as I am a Prime member, but I see that you could watch it on Freevee with ads if you don’t have Prime, Hulu, or AppleTV. I highly recommend this movie. Just have Kleenex on hand as you will get emotional. 10/10 would recommend.

Read More