Great production and acting. A sad story with poor plot.
Overall, the production was impeccable. The "Bai Sri" is very beautiful and creative. Beautiful scenery and camera shots.Too little details about the characters and their background. It is essential for a good movie to make the viewer empathize with the characters and create a deeper connection between them. It truly makes me sad that it was so well produced but failed on such a vital part.
Could give more character background otherwise it should be shorter. No need to have a movie 90mins long when it never really gives any details at all.
Even with a lacking story, the acting was still powerful with some memorable scenes. The emotions that the actors are trying to portray are succefully delivered.
The ending is a bit gross and sad. It's also left kinda open ended which is ok.
Also the name of the main characters was mentioned very few times and it never stuck to me...
I loved the BL parts. They were strong... But it could've been better if the characters were developed more...
Would rewatch only for the good production, the powerful acting and the few but very strong BL parts. Character development and story plot needs more work.
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"What does family taste like?"
Final Recipe was like a serving of Grandma's favorite dish. There was nothing unexpected, it was cozy, familiar, and comforting. No matter who in the family makes her recipe, it brings back memories and binds people through those flavors and stories.Final Recipe was a South Korean production with a multi-cultural cast, set in both Singapore and Shanghai. Henry Lau (Canadian fluent in Mandarin and Korean) as Mark, is a high school student in Singapore who dreams of becoming a chef. His grandfather, Chang Tseng (born in China, emigrated to Canada in 1994) refuses to let him enter the family restaurant business insisting that he go to college and become an engineer. Lori Tan Chinn (American) as Mrs. Wang plays referee between the two. When it's clear the restaurant will have to close, Mark decides to secretly take part in a famous cooking contest in Shanghai called Final Recipe to help his grandfather. Run by Michelle Yeoh's Julia (Malaysian) and her husband Master Chef David Chan (Ng Han Chin-Singapore), the contest is open to people from around the world. With the film's emphasis on family, it's no surprise that family secrets will bubble to the surface of this multi-generational stew.
Henry Lau was effervescent as Mark and a real bright spot in the movie as he dealt with his beloved grandfather and also when he sought unusual paths to making recipes work. Michelle Yeoh ended up being the bridge between generations, correcting mistakes made in the past. Mrs. Wang saw beyond the moment and dealt with the little family with humor and wisdom. Chin Han was more of the straight man in his role as the master chef as was Chang Tseng's stubborn grandfather. Both characters would have to deal with their decisions from the past. The team Mark worked with during the contest brought some nice conflict and comedy among the comrades in flames.
The story in this film was not particularly unique and had huge plot holes. What it did have was heart and warmth that poured out in every scene. The film showed how food and heritage can bind people even when distance has kept them apart. It also showed how families can become locked into rigid cycles. A parent wanting a child to follow in their footsteps or not wanting that for the younger generation, desperately desiring something better for them. Ultimately, the older generation had to realize that the children and grandchildren must choose their own paths which may take them on the road to be more successful or cause them to make mistakes as well. Though their paths may diverge, food and family are still intricately bound together.
Final Recipe's recipes were a true joy to visually experience. The delectable dishes bordered on food porn at times and were treats for the eyes. This is not a film to watch on an empty stomach, be sure to have a snack nearby.
I wish the story had been stronger, yet even with the plot flaws, the characters caused me to flow right along with them on their improbable journey. The healing and reconciliations while over-simplified still brought a smile to this viewer. In the end, Final Recipe was a charming and heartwarming film about family and the food that ties them together that left me gently satisfied.
4/19/23
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Yeah you can watch it. It's a Rom-com type movie with a slice of life story. I really enjoyed it. It has different story line from other movie. I like both females cast. They both have their own reason for liking and loving.
In short, this movie is about define the true love. In life, we are often struggle understanding between LOVE vs LIKE.
By seeing this you are gonna make your conclusion between these two confusing term. And hope you are not going to be a tube light like our Hero.
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Fluffy romance movie with some teen angst
Very lively and upbeat, easy to watch. Not much to the story, but if you like fluffy romances with only a pretense of drama, then this might be for you.Key points worth mentioning (may include spoilers):
- This feels like a movie for/about teenagers, but I believe they are actually in their early 20s.
- I didn't like the main characters, but they weren't too obnoxious. I didn't feel emotionally invested in them, but they did seem to have realistic chemistry with one another.
- There is a character with Autism, which is referred to as ASD (at least in the subtitles). This is the correct modern diagnostic term, but not everyone is familiar with this.
- Contains depictions of multiple types of abusive relationships.
- The story does involve a rich guy harassing a working-class girl while she's at work even after she rejects him. (The problem with hitting on someone while they're at work is that they're cornered - they can't escape you and because you're a customer they can't be rude to you.).. This can be acceptable in fantasy, but I'm sick of seeing it portrayed as cute and romantic.
- Despite being made in 2022, it is a straight snapshot of early 2000s fashion and style choices, including those strand fringes that were so popular with teens. If the eyebrows were pencil-thin and the eye shadow was more over the top, I would think this was set in 2002 not 2022.
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Thank goodness it wasn't longer than it was
Wow, apparently a lot has changed in 10 years. The clothing, the hairstyles, etc. To me, this movie seemed very outdated. To be honest, maybe I would have liked it more if I'd been in a different frame of mind, but I just didn't enjoy it. The FL was portrayed as a loser in life, not very bright, which bothered me. I didn't feel the chemistry between the leads.I will say, if you just want something campy, over-the-top, light and silly, you might enjoy this. Turn your brain off, sit back and enjoy.
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If you feel guilty for enjoying this movie, you are in good company.
Extreme Spoilers ahead...........I had skipped over this movie for months because it sounded...meh...but I was told that if I were rooting for Pete and Vegas by the end of KinnPorshe, I would probably like this one. I spent the first 30 minutes not knowing what to think or feel about the storyline and the characters because the story was dark and drenched in emotional trauma, sexual and psychological torture, suicide, and hopelessness.
It starts with a naked man bound on a bed in a stereotypical psychological thriller-style room. His kidnapper walks in as he tries to figure out what is going on and how he got there. The following 30 minutes are spent with him being raped using various sexual devices by the man holding him there. It's pretty confusing, and you will probably be wondering why you are still watching it (it's because the acting really draws you in), but then all the pieces start coming together during the last half hour.
Both men are entirely broken were committing suicide. The one held captive by jumping off the top of a building, and the captor by overdosing on fentanyl. It turns out that the captive lost his parent in a car accident and blames himself because he sent them on their trip and was busy having sex with the girl who later left him when he was supposed to pick his parents back up from the airport. They took a taxi and were both killed on the way home. The captor is a surgeon who is very happy with his life, where he is usually able to save the lives of so many. Still, he doesn't notice that his boyfriend is becoming more broken by the day as he works in a hospice and is constantly surrounded by deaths he can do nothing about. The captor's bf ends up committing suicide by overdosing on fentanyl, and this destroys the captor, who is constantly being haunted by visions of his lost love.
When he sees the man he kidnaps going up to the roof to jump, he has encountered him twice, first outside the morgue and again in the cemetery. Seeing him the third time and knowing what he is about to do (what they are both about to do), he decides that fate has sent them to save each other through suffering and torment as a way to want to live again. Stockholm syndrome ensues, and the captive becomes attached to his captor emotionally and mentally despite having just been raped by the man while he was having a psychotic break, complete with visions of his dead bf. The next day he lets his prisoner go, leaving clothes for him, removing his shackles, and leaving all of the doors unlocked.
He's been in the basement of the hospital the whole time. When he spots the kidnapper in the hospital, he seems a bit shaken to realize the man is a doctor, and he can't understand why he has been released. By now, he is attached enough to feel like he is being abandoned by the only reason he still has to live, the doctor. The doctor heads up to the roof, and the now-free man follows. The doctor takes him to eat and then to the cemetery to visit his parent's graves. During this time, the doctor explains everything that has happened and tells him he is free. They part ways, and the doctor stops at a lonely beach made more depressing by the overcast day and darkness of the water. He is about to take the fentanyl when he sees his boyfriend's ghost standing out in the water. He runs into the waves and tries to reach him, but, of course, the bf is never there, and he becomes even more hopeless...if you want to know the rest, you should really watch it.
Overall, as I said, I felt guilty for liking it so much, but the guilt didn't stop me from watching it two more times...and I'm sure I'll watch it again. I am drawn to fictional tragedies like a moth to a flame. I can't even remember how many times I've watched KinnPorsche. So, if graphic abusive sexual content doesn't bother you and you also found yourself rooting for Pete and Vegas, you'll probably like this too, and it's totally okay to enjoy Dangerous Drugs of Sex.
At this point the only complaints I have are:
1) that others get really judgy if you tell them you liked it and not only finished it but watched it more than once
2) that neither main character has been the main character in much of anything else. Their acting was absolutely phenomenal, especially considering the storyline.
:) Happy Viewing!
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Clever use of time travel
This is a beautiful and sad love story.The ML puts his love ahead of his own future.
Through a magical watch he is given the chance to change the future to help the FL fulfill her destiny.
In the times they are together as a couple their love shines out.
The time travel has unexpected consequences and he continues to love and support her from a distance. His rapid ageing is done really well.
I kept wanting a fairy tale ending and we are offered this but it is not the truth. At the end there is a sad redemption and throughout the story we are given glimpses via the diary he keeps.
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Satisfied my need for cliché and dramatic rom-coms
The whole premise of this movie is cliché and predictable. If I think about it again, it’s 17 Again and Christmas Carol combined. I love love love dramatic rom-coms and the fact that it is set on Christmas makes it a whole lot better!Lee Min Jung is so preeeetty?! I actually planned on watching this movie months ago after seeing that Park Soyi and Kim Joon would act together! Kwon Sang Woo and Oh Jung Se is a unpredictably perfect pair!
Overall, it was a very nice watch seeing that I was able to finish it in 2 hours on my plane ride to Sydney! I would definitely rewatch this comfort movie 💗
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Finding someone to love you when you don't even know yourself
Momose was the best thing to happen to Yashiro. This movie shows how difficult it is to accept when we are different from others and how important it is to have someone eho understands and accept you before you accept yourself. Momo showed Yashiro that he is not wierd or wrong to choose be something other than what society tells him to be. It doesn't matter when he dresses as a guy or a girl, Momo likes him in both his avatar. But he encourages Yashiro to accept himself the way he likes to be and not worry about what others thinks.Now, yes Momo can be a bit aggressive, but he is a teen who never had a relationship before and doesn't know how to express his love and devotion for Yashiro. He is learning. He even asks Y to tell him how to behave because he doesn't know what is expected oglf him as a boyfriend. He is not a horny teen just looking for a fun time. He is actually attracted to Yashiro as a person. And wants to express his love to him. He comes to strong because On one side he has already accepted that version of Y and Y is still trying to accept both - him dressing as a girl and a guy liking him. Its a lot and needs time to adjust. But if Momo was not strong willed he would not have been able to break down all the insecurities of Yashiro
As some have pointed out that Momo tried to force himself on Y, but He stopped his aggressive behaviour when he saw that Y didn't want it. He was under the impression that it was both sided because Y invited him over. So no I don't think he had any intention of imposing himself on Y. He only thought that he needed to work more to make Y understand his feelings.
This is a very sweet story that shows how important it is to have someone who loves you and acceps you before you even accept yourself and make you fall in love with yourself. Y not only fell in love with Momo but was able to accept his sexuality and lifestyle because he was so naturally and non judgementally loved by Momo.
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Entertaining
LIKED- It is based on a true story but the events were dramatized nicely
- The lead actors performances are decent
- The screenplay is fast-paced, and gripping until the end. The mixture of betrayals and partnership was thrilling.
- The action sequences have been shot and executed quite well.
- The film's end is quite an unexpected turn.
DISLIKED
- most of the action sequence happens during the night, which gives crime a dark thriller, but the fight in dark is not my type.
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REWATCH: Low, cause am not a fan of action crime
The Gangster, the Cop, and the Devil is an entertaining and decently made crime action film that is worth and learn to be safe and alert at all times.
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Oh My God!
what's happening in the film industry in South Korea?? First '20th Century Girl' and now 'Soulmate'. guys prepare to be heartbroken againThe story, the acting, everything was perfect
Kim Da-Mi killed it. She is one of the best actress ever. When she told the guys to go away or she'll break the bottle and scar them made me think of Goo Ja-Yoon, her character from 'The Witch Part 1: The Subversion', the psycho.
This type of storyline fits Byeon Woo-Seok so well. His figure as a school boy seem so realistic
100000% Recommend
Just Wow
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Nice but once a watch
I have watched a few movies with the same concept, finding an old letter and trying to search for its recipient or sender, eventually uncovering something extraordinary about them. And the people who search get motivated by how they truly old generation loved.I do like the concept of the movie, but the editing of the movie just ruins everything. While Jin-tian is talking to Ze-Yang the scene jumps to old times, but everything looked the same whether past or present so I got confused. The old couple story jumps in between without any screen cut or context, they don’t even mention the year. The back and forth between past and present is like spilled coffee all over the place
I felt that the old couple's story had more impact cause they had a more emotional connection.
Present-day JinTian and ZeYang's story was bland and forced with so many emotional traumas as if they were some sinners. if one of them could have acted maturely and adult it would have changed the impact of the movie. They had chemistry but their visuals are too nice that it covered their flawed acting, they could have done better.
The actors who played Lanxin and Joseph Novak were amazing, others were very mediocre honestly maybe because they are newbies.
The scene where Novak and JinTian see each other was very fine and chilling. The ending is satisfying though.
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An entertaining movie
Jeon Do-Yeon is really the gem of Korean industry and back with an all-action role! The special effects and swift fighting 😎😎The storyline is abit far fetched but the cinematography is interesting, the CGI are done nicely and they tried to mimic western Kill Bill environment with the office building, lifts etc. Quite refreshing to find the similarities.
The mother and daughter relationship is suppressed, as a Netflix film there's no hesitation in displaying LGBT topics in K scene nowadays and it's definitely forward-thinking as the world evolves. If you are looking for cool dark action movie, Kill Bok Soon is for you.
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At first I quite enjoying this movie, but toward the end, for me, it's like unfinished story. They close the curtain at very half-hearted story. The movie tell 2 story. (1) Chuck & Ashley story, where they join the competition. (2) story about Ashley's family & the mysterious red shoes. Unfortunately for us, they only finished 1 story, which about Ashley's family. While the Chuck, Ashley & competition story remain unfinished. More over about chuck's family business, it's like forgotten story, which they don't even bothered again in the end.
Quite happy about Ashley's family. But at the same time every thing happen too fast & unclear. Like the competition itself, we don't know how long the preparation time, rehearsal & the competition day itself, kinda don't make sense how long they give space between rehearsal & competition day, usually only 1 day before the D-day is rehearsal day., but no here. And also the problem between Celine & their dad. Earlier we can see how mad Celine to their dad, but overnight she seems forget about it & just casually talk to their dad. Yeah yeah I know, all for the sake of Ashley can get her happy ending. But it doesn't make sense how fast every thing happen in the end.
This could be one good movie, if only they complete all the story & have more logic timeline.
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I've listened to 有一种悲伤 by A-Lin (A kind of sorrow) many times before I've watched the actual movie and it has became one of my favorite song of all times. I knew there was tragedy in this movie, and emotions would be swirled, and at the start of this movie I wasn't feeling it because I felt like the plot felt inconsistent or at a weird pace. Towards to the end of the movie, the saying "下辈子“ (next life) hit me so hard and listening to the song doesn't feel the same. I haven't felt so paralyzed by emotions by a movie, and listening to the song, that I don't think I can listen and sing to the songs again. This of course without saying the first time I've cried to a show in a long time. I would rewatch it if only it didn't bring me so much emotion, maybe the next time when I'm ready to cry I'll watch it again Was this review helpful to you?
