Reviews

August was a documentary bike ride to Lhasa, Tibet taken and directed by Zhang Zhe Han. The short film was part scenic trip and part journal revelations.

After being publicly canceled in August of 2021 and dragged through the mud by netizens, Zhang was afraid to leave his house and be seen in public. (Having read the complaints, it seemed like the punishment did not fit the crime at least from this outsider’s perspective.) Music helped restore the embattled actor and he found new ways to express himself, find work, and begin healing his wounds. This documentary was one of the ways he let people know that words can hurt and that he was choosing to focus on the positive.

There were times the set-ups felt overly staged as he played with children, helped a restaurant owner cook and serve, learned from river raft guides about their business and relationship, or interviewed a Tibetan musician. Having said that, I enjoyed the bits and his chats with the different people who opened their lives to him. The scenery, as expected, was stunning. Mountain vistas, glaciers, rivers, green fields with nomadic herds, all were soothing as Zhang experienced them.

If you are a Zhang Zhe Han fan, I could highly recommend “August” as he bared his heart and discussed his life without going into the “scandal” that nearly broke him. If you don’t know who he is, the documentary is still a sweet ride through the Tibetan mountains with brief glimpses into the people who live and work there.

4 May 2026

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The meaning of Life in Death.

One of those movies, I want to keep a personal copy of because it's so deep and profound at its exploration of the meaning of life and death, grief and all about being a human being. It uses its characters, setting and props to tell a deep story. (broken phones, tombstone, remains, space, garden, dumpster).

"The fact that he sold his most expensive tombstone for a pet, while people couldn't afford it and that there was a whole department of uncollected human remains people with no name in the end.

I personally think being a human being is a ridiculous burden that a few people feel.

It was both funny and profound, the way you just didn't have personal space reminded me of what all humans need.

The movie explores life and grief and what it means for different people. How do you get closure, how do you mourn for people you loved and people you hated.

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The movie just hits the spot....

I know I’m ridiculously late for this, and honestly it probably feels pointless with thousands of reviews already out there… but after watching this masterpiece, I just couldn’t stop myself from putting my feelings somewhere.

This one feels like home. I’m actually a little disappointed in myself for not watching it sooner, because now that I have, it’s settled itself so deeply in my heart. I already know that whenever I feel low, this is what I’ll come back to for comfort.

Outstanding story, and truly outstanding performances by Steve Noh and Kim Go-eun. What they portrayed together was so raw and beautiful that I’m genuinely at a loss for words.

What I really loved is how it stayed grounded in reality. It didn’t sugarcoat anything, especially the struggles faced by a gay man or a free spirited woman like jae hee...It felt honest, real, and quietly powerful.

This wasn’t just something to watch… it was something to feel. ❤️

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My biggest mistake was watching this and having absolutely no idea what it was about.

My eyes still sting as I write this. This is my first Taiwanese film, and I was incredibly careless in not reading anything before watching it. I wasn't familiar with the actors, but they did a fantastic job. I thought it was just a sweet story set in an unfamiliar time period because I was trying out a new environment, so I finally gave it a try.

A-Cheng's behavior really bothered me at first, but the feelings he showed were so pure and sincere that I gradually grew to like him. It even made me wonder for a moment if anyone would ever like me like this in real life? What would I do then?

The ending made me cry, feeling like I was the one who lost someone close to me, especially seeing everyone around him lost in their thoughts when he die. I was completely unprepared for the ending.

For this first Taiwanese film I've ever seen, I want to leave a review as a core memory. The first impression it left was truly memorable. I probably won't rewatch it unless I feel like crying my eyes out again.

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Being scammed may be not the worst that could happen when buying 2nd-hand items...

I’ve been seeing Shin Hye Sun everywhere lately, and at this point, I just trust her to deliver no matter the role. So even if Target felt a bit vague plot-wise at first, I was already in. I went in with zero expectations and honestly, that made the experience even better because I had no idea what direction it would take me.

From the start, it was intense. Every scene felt like it was closing in on me, like I was the one being targeted. I was literally holding my breath half the time. It’s the kind of thriller that doesn’t give you space to relax, and I don’t want to say too much to avoid spoilers, but if you enjoy that constant edge-of-your-seat feeling, this one delivers.

What really got me was the pacing. I kept checking the runtime because it felt like so much had already happened in such a short time. That 101 minutes honestly felt like a full K-drama experience. It’s fast, overwhelming in a good way, and definitely something I’d recommend if you’re in the mood for a suspense ride that doesn’t slow down.

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"They are my family, no reason is needed"

Yakuza and the Family aka A Family showed the changing world of the yakuza in three acts through the eyes of Yamamoto Kenji. A fatherless child lashing out at the world, he found a place to be with Shibasaki’s yakuza family. He was to learn that a family born of violence would teach him the meaning of suffering and loss.

Yamamoto Kenji spirals out of control after the death of his father that was drug related. His subsequent actions lead him to the door of his own demise when a slip of paper offers him a chance at survival and a new home. Shibasaki gifts him a new father and a place to belong. As the world changes so does Kenji’s fate.

When the film started, we’re watching the classic, cool guys, sunglasses at night yakuza with their pomp and circumstance. As Kenji moved up the ranks he walked openly down the middle of the street and straightened out problems with his fists. Even then, change was in the wings as their turf was scheduled for new development and the police and government were looking to sweep the yakuza away. A further jump in time and the traditional yakuza families were dying from attrition as society had deemed them unworthy. Leaving the yakuza offered no comfort as the men were faced with societal and economic ostracism. Where once Kenji had a found family, now any ties he had were unraveling.

The film was cyclical in its familial, especially fatherly, interactions. As father figures came and went, new ones took their places. Kenji went from having a drug addicted father to a criminal replacement. The viewer had to fill in the shortcuts implying Shibasaki’s paternal feelings for Kenji and vice versa. Violent, loyal men were now Kenji’s family and role models. I’m not sure if it was the director’s goal but it ended up feeling like a nostalgic and sentimental retrospect of the criminal organizations using the family motif.

Kenji’s utter lack of polite social skills became more apparent as he attempted to find a girlfriend. “Get in the car!” is not exactly the line most women are hoping to hear from a potential suitor. The romance was the real weak point in this film and I found it incredibly difficult to buy into. Kenji was capable of showing emotions, but often when he did, the audience was left out of their true depth. His first loss as a yakuza, one he grieved and whose death turned his life upside down, was a character who had few lines. Again, the audience was required to do the writer’s work.

A Family wasn’t just one unit, it was a dysfunctional extended family entangled with other families and loved ones spanning generations. Kenji’s made family was complicated and fraught with danger and slowly disappearing. He fought for them, suffered for them, and even killed for them, only on rare occasions allowing himself to show the personal costs to himself. Kenji might have secretly wished for a normal existence, but a yakuza’s path rarely proceeded peacefully as he discovered. All he could do was what seemed right though it might not be right, to avenge or help the people he cared about despite the price he would have to pay. I’m not sure if it was the director’s goal but it ended up feeling like a nostalgic and sentimental retrospect of the criminal organizations.

3 May 2026
Trigger warnings: Sexual assault, smoking, bare butts.

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Different take on Zombies

Honestly, when I started watching this it was questionable, yet I wanted to keep watching. It was such a different take on zombie movies and I loved it. It was comedic and also a heartwarming watch! I loved it and would definitely watch it again!! I am happy to suggest this to others. I had so many questions during the whole movie. Questions that were answered! The music is also now stuck in my head too, I really liked the OST, especially at the ending! So if you're looking for a zombie movie but don't want to be too scared and want to have a laugh, I highly suggest!!!

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Excellent Storyline

As Long As We Both Shall Live (My Happy Marriage, 2023) was such a beautifully painful movie. Set in a world of arranged marriage, family cruelty, and hidden supernatural power, it gave far more emotion than I expected. Miyo Saimori, treated like nothing by her own family, is sent to marry Kiyoka Kudou, a man feared for his cold and ruthless reputation. What starts as fear slowly becomes one of the softest and most healing love stories.

What made this movie stand out for me was how quiet the love was. Kiyoka did not love Miyo with grand speeches, but with protection, patience, and respect—things she had never been given before. Watching Miyo slowly learn that she deserved kindness was honestly the most touching part. Their chemistry felt gentle and real, and both Ren Meguro and Mio Imada brought so much emotion to their roles.

The cinematography was stunning, with that soft historical fantasy atmosphere that made every scene feel like a painting. The mix of romance, pain, and supernatural family politics made the story even richer. Sometimes the final conflict felt a little rushed, but the emotional heart of the film never got lost. Reviewers also noted how the story blends abuse, manipulation, military intrigue, and slow-burn romance in a Meiji-era-inspired setting ().

This was not just a romance—it was a story about healing, dignity, and finally being loved the way you should have been all along. Sad, beautiful, and unforgettable.

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Desgarradora. Cruel. Como el ser humano.

Lo mejor de esta película es el control del ritmo, del momentum de la narrativa. No tanto la cara constante de Billkin con la boca medio abierta, pero sí su soberbia actuación. Hubo momentos en los que me habría encantado golpearle… a él y cada hombre de esa familia.

Hay varias escenas que me atormentarán durante mucho tiempo. Amah pidiendo a sus ancestros que se la lleven para no sufrir más. Amah diciendo que ya no le queda nada. Amah en la cama de esa residencia de mayores comunitaria. Amah sola, con su móvil y sus filtros.

Dios, esta película me ha roto un dique por dentro.

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Two Hits and a Miss

The large gap in quality between the segments makes it hard to provide an accurate overall rating for this anthology.

1. Interior Design (Michel Gondry): 4/5
Even though I had no clue where this story was headed, I felt like I was in good hands and I enjoyed the ride. It featured Gondry’s signature surrealist take on themes of alienation and personal purpose, and sparked an introspection that stuck with me after the segment was finished.

2. Merde (Leos Carax): 1/5
The "art" of this one probably went over my head. Between the unbearable main character and a plot that refused to make sense, the narrative was so unappealing that finishing this segment felt like a chore.

3. Shaking Tokyo (Bong Joon Ho): 4/5
Bong Joon Ho has dipped his toes into almost every genre, so I was excited to see his take on romance. As someone who isn't usually a fan of the genre, I appreciated how added a fantasy twist in this exploration of social isolation. The plot was engaging and the visuals were beautiful (some of which felt like visual ASMR designed specifically for A-type brains like mine). Much like Gondry’s piece, it left me reflecting on its themes even after it was over.

Overall: 3/5
Quality: 3/5
Enjoyment: 3/5

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A cathartic experience

A Gentle Breeze in the Village is a cathartic movie. I had no idea what this movie was about and walked into it blindly, but the moment I started, all the pent-up emotional stress just exhaled from my body. It was like a spiritual experience I go through with these types of Japanese movies, where my whole nervous system gets reset.

Plot**
The story revolves around a small group of students in a tiny coastal village where there are only six students in the entire school, ranging from first grade to eighth grade. Everything changes when a new student from Tokyo, named Soyo, joins the eighth grade.

The movie itself is not overly dramatic. The main focus is on the students, their lives, and the little hurdles they face while growing up. The film is divided into small chapters, each centered around a specific time, such as summer, school trips, and New Year festivals. It beautifully portrays their growth, the changes they experience, their adventures in finding love, and rediscovering the world outside, including their affection for their home, all while evoking feelings of nostalgia and the slow passage of time.

The pacing of the movie strikes a perfect balance; it’s not too slow but also not too fast. It encourages viewers to sit back and enjoy the beauty of everyday life in Japan.
The cinematography was stunning, capturing that sense of nostalgia, and evoking that desire to escape to rural Japan to embrace this simple living. The visuals are stunning, with great attention to nature; the greens and blues of the landscape, and a spacious composition around the subjects that allows for an appreciation of the setting. The houses, roads, and buildings blend so harmoniously that at times they resemble a beautiful painting. The editing is also very realistic with no use of heavy filters, maintains strong realistic feel, making you feel as if you are truly in the village, experiencing the warmth of the sun.

Throughout the film, I found myself completely relaxed and fully immersed in the experience. It was a beautiful reminder to appreciate a slower pace of life, free from the distractions of the modern world. The scenes are peaceful, without anything overly stimulating. Even when certain scenes are set in Tokyo, the camera primarily focuses on the characters, minimizing the chaotic background of the bustling city. This contrast is particularly evident when Soyo first arrives in Tokyo and finds herself in a crowded station, surrounded by people moving at a frantic pace, like a swarm of bees. That was the moment when I truly noticed the how incredbly peaceful the pace of the movie been and the contrast between the two settings..

Overall, **A Gentle Breeze in the Village** is an exquisite piece of art. If you enjoy watching slice-of-life stories set in Japan and seek a soulful experience, this movie is definitely for you.

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Actor is hot. Main idea is good. Subplot is boring.

Gotta admit I come here for the ML after watching "Perfect Crown". He’s still hot in this one, but in "Perfect Crown", he's hotter with that restrained, mysterious vibe.

The FL is good too. But honestly, neither of their roles is that demanding in terms of performance, so there isn’t much for them to really show. That also makes things less interesting. So it’s up to the story to be interesting, but...

Let me first say that I can see what the main plot is trying to do. It’s aiming at gender issues in Korea - things like homophobia and patriarchy - which are serious topics. So I do give them credit for that. There are also some moment that lands well at the right time, like the ML’s dance scene which I actually enjoy.

But the subplots, which probably take up around 75% of the movie, feel mundane, repetitive and nothing new. It’s just another retelling of familiar stories that once you’ve consumed enough media, it starts to feel dull. And it leads you to the point that you'd rather detach from it all rather than sit through it again.

So yeah, to sum it up: good actors, extra points for a hot ML and a meaningful intention behind the story. But overall, still quite boring. Definitely not something I’d want to spend money on or sit through for two hours in a theater.

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Note 1 :
If the full score is 10 - it's 5.5 from me.
But when the full score is 5 - it's 2.5 from me.
There's still much room for this movie.

Note 2 :
Someone on Douban said they liked the drama version more, so I gave it a try. But for me, the movie version is more engaging and easier to sit with.

𓂃 ✦ 𓂃

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