And after all...
All that Toni Rakkaen needs to do is just LOOK at his person.
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Very heartbreaking, a really sad teenage movie, but highly recommended!
I watched this because I really liked Gingle Wang, I watched the 2004 version and the plot was too long and annoying, But the movie version, the plot is really concise, highly recommended, very shocking and the acting is amazing, I can't believe this will be the first acting of a new actor. It's really amazing!!Story: Under the strict education of her professor father, Pei Yuyan was a good student at school, practiced the violin at home, and followed her parents' wishes, living quietly like a canary in a cage. What made her smile was the Occasionally secretly played banned pop songs. She thought that everything would follow the path arranged by her father. After graduating from high school, she went abroad, studied music, and played classical piano...until she met Yu Hao, the gangster who was fighting on the street, who rushed into the classroom to thank her students, that The boy who stopped the bus and handed over the love letter! Yu Hao, whose parents died, under the care of Uncle Hui, a police officer, made a thrilling move towards the day of graduating from high school. He and Shanzi and Archie, who grew up with him since childhood, are always in a relationship no matter how good or bad, walking in the school is windy, and fighting outside the school. Yu Hao remembered that day, every move of Pei Yuyan who took the first step towards the injured him. Although the two worlds were far apart, he couldn't help but grasp the love that made his heart flutter. Taking Yanzi's speed and seeing Yanzi smiling happily, Yu Hao decided to use all his power to protect the girl who broke into his youth
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Cute short movie featuring spicy chicken obsession
Overall: a 15 minute short movie about two friends who start living together. Bought/watched on Vimeo.Content Warnings: none
What I Liked
- the obsession with eating chicken was kind of funny
- the sweet moments including the subverted wipe mouth trope
- I appreciated the good continuity, a character said it was late and the clock was 10:10pm
Room For Improvement
- this really needed another minute or two at the end, it ended so abruptly. If the one guy had just passed out, but then they had a conversation in the morning when non-drunk, that would have been great.
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This review may contain spoilers
Quirky Vampire Short Movie
Overall: this 14 minute short movie has an artsy film vibe. It's about 4 vampires, one of whom wants to die and the other three agree to help. I wouldn't categorize it as BL, but adjacent with two of the vampires (we aren't super clear as to their relationship in the past/present). Purchased on Vimeo, also on Gagaoolala(minor spoilers)
Content Warning: discussion of death, attempted murder/suicide
What I Liked
- the color scheme and production value (costuming was done well too)
- the juxtaposition of a serious topic and humor
Room For Improvement
- wish this was a whole series that delved more into their dynamics, we need a m/m vampire romance that doesn't end tragically, pretty please????
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This review may contain spoilers
I picked up this movie because I realized that Yoshizawa Ryo played my favorite character from the manga/anime, Ishida Uryu. And must say I wasn't disappointed because he was awesome, though I wish he played a bigger part. But the CGI of his bow was simply marvelous! Yes, I have a soft spot for archers.But also for swordsmen and Fukushi Sota was just as fantastic as Kurosaki Ichigo! I think I found yet another J-actor to follow. Great. His character was the perfect combination of funny and ballsy. And he played the part wonderfully! I could really understand why all the others would feel drawn to him.
Also, I didn't realize that Sugisaka Hana (Evergreen Love) was in this. Or Eguchi Yosuke (Rurouni Kenshin)! He was so awesome as Ichigo's dad. He's a great actor so you could really feel his undying love for his dead wife and for his kids, the delinquent Ichigo in particular. I loved the scene at the grave, when he asked his dead wife, "Could you tell Ichigo that it wasn't his fault?" Gosh...
And though we only caught a glimpse of the Soul Society, again, the CGI was breathtaking! I didn't expect it to look like that!
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Having a good dream should I smile or cry, if I know it will not come true?
This was highly recommended by a favorite Korean movie channel of mine, great cast, and acclaimed director therefore I had high expectations though I did not get disappointed but I do have complaintsStory: we follow a hitman who succeeds in everything with ease gaining the trust of his boss, he was ordered to eliminate the boss's girlfriend if caught cheating but when he decides to let the girl off, this is where everything goes wrong and a irreversible war with the gang begins. Everything mentioned is exactly what happens in the film, personally it was a bit slow for my taste but i did expect that considering it was directed by Kim Jee Won. What was lacking was that adrenaline factor, in tale of two sister we got a surprising plot twist and in i saw the devil we had so much violence, therefore i think it was underwhelming for me. Though do think it it did things good in some factors for example is missile the human side of our protagonist even when he is a hitman it shows that you can also love and not the cold person we see throughout.
Acting: our task consists of a list superstars main protagonist is lee byung-hun and our main antagonist kim yong-cheol we also add a stunning supporting cast of shin min ah, oh dalsu, and hwang Jung min. Leave your hand was as always amazing. He show us the nuances of the hitman Kim Sun Woo not even in cold demeanor you felt love for someone. Veteran Kim yong cheol was also great as always but I did hope Shin Min ah more screentime.
Music: the music in me the suite life was amazing the high pumping music during the action sequences that leveled up from the original
Rewatch Value: i gave a rewatch value there wasn't anything to rewatch it was a movie that is straight to the point and will understand in 1 watch. However it still an okay rewatch to see the transformation of our protagonist and the amazing action sequences
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This review may contain spoilers
I feel robbed of my time.
I've seen this movie pop up from time to time but never actually looked into it (smart). Until today when I was like "eh why not" (dumb). Saw Kim Bum was in it and instantly thought "Fuck yes! Horror AND Kim Bum, Why haven't I watched this sooner!?"*spoilers*
I felt zero connections to any of the characters. None. I mean the actors did great jobs and all, but I couldn't tell you anyone's names. I couldn't tell you shit about them other than, the females screamed. Non. Fucking. Stop. and the guys ran away.... a lot.
I didn't understand why they made it like Saw yet not. Because at least Jigsaw gave his victims time to actually save themselves or each other. This was completely pointless because as soon they were given a question to save their friend, the friend was killed. I don't understand.
I also don't understand why kill them. Even at the end, you find out they didn't have anything to do with it. but to punish(?) the parents? Are you fucking serious? And for what? They weren't even the problem.
When it showed her flashback, I feel like I was supposed to have sympathy? I didn't. I had sympathy for none of them to be honest. Except Kim Bum. Lol
No. for real, does this man ever get a happy ending? I'm officially about to be on the hunt for his happy ending in anything. X_X
I regret watching this, but hey, at least I got to see one of my favorite actors.
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TEM QUE ASSISTI ATÉ O FINAL PARA ENTENDER
A história é simples, mas é bem contada nas três histórias que estão ali sendo mostrada!Lutar pelos seus direitos é dificil!
Pois sempre temos muitos obstáculos na frente do nosso caminho, principalmente alguém para nós amar e respeitar, sem pensar nas opiniões dos outros!
Muitos tem aquele pensamento que mulher é o que já nasce com o órgão feminino!
Mas os homens em geral tem que abri a mente!!
Claro que me deixou de coração partido com esse final!!
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This review may contain spoilers
The Korean peninsula hangs in the balance when a volcano on the Chinese border threatens to blow everything sky high! Luckily, for both Koreas, Ha Jung Woo and Lee Byung Hun are on the job!Ashfall is an entertaining disaster and spy thriller flick that doesn't try to take itself too seriously. It has all the characters one would expect in a catastrophic volcano movie. Ha Jung Woo plays The Hero who is supposed to be retiring from his EOD squad (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), instead he's leading a group into North Korea to steal a nuclear bomb to stop the volcano from making rubble out of Korea. Along the way, he has to pick up a North Korean agent/double agent/triple agent?, the always cagey Lee Byung Hun, as The Anti-Hero, who has been jailed in a NK prison. Easy peasy, right? Back home giving them support is, Ma Dong Seok, going against type as The Scientist Who Warned Them All and Jeon Hye Jin as the Politico Who Gets It. Bae Suzy also throws in with the scientist as The Hero's Resourceful Pregnant Wife.
Ashfall actually feels more like a spy thriller film with a cranky volcano in the background. Our plucky band has to deal with betrayals and comes under fire from various political powers that don't want them getting their hands on a nuclear bomb for ANY reason and disturbing the power balances regardless of the fact that both North and South Korea are about to be wiped off the map.
The action is non-stop, almost from the first frame and never lets up whether it's fire from the sky or fire fights. As with most disaster movies, you have to let go of reality and just enjoy the ride as nearly everything that happens is implausible.
The heart of the movie is the bromance that develops between The Hero and The Anti-Hero. Lee Byung Hun's character development and the friendship he grudgingly develops with Ha Jung Woo's character brings out the humanity this movie needed as everyone is moving at breakneck speed.
If you are expecting a rational approach to a cataclysmic tragedy in the making, not only for the Korean Peninsula but having an effect worldwide with scientists and world leaders joining hands and acting altruistically and quickly, you're going to be disappointed. If you are expecting vehicles, people, and the starring volcano to obey the rules of nature, you might want to skip this. This is an entertaining, if at times ridiculous, thriller disaster movie set on high drive with a little bit of heart to make it not instantly forgettable.
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Great casts and story but I think Run Off is better than this
I have seen Run Off before watching this and that's actually a sequel movie although the storylines are completely irrelevant from each other. The similarity though is the fact that both stories are about forming a national team on a new sports and their journey before competing.This is a 2 and a half hour movie which is quite long. I felt like there were lots of scenes that can be omitted to make it shorter without losing it's main concept/message. However, it's good to see them growing and learning together.
I love that this movie also made me cheer for them because of the efforts they made. It's actually a feel good movie so you can watch this over the weekend. It helped me realize how beautiful the process is more than the result itself.
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1Where's the Ghost?
As a scary urban legend story goes it was done very well and has a decent plot twist that isn't evident right away. If you like scary movies (not psychological or Gory but pure jump scares) this one is going to be in my top recommends.Plot is the same for most Teen/University student horror stories and acting is mostly screaming but the camera tricks and looking for the ghost was how my time was occupied. When some one got hurt, they stayed hurt and decently portrayed getting around with the injury.
There are 2 after credit scenes.
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Skip the movie but watch Noble Aspirations (drama) instead
Completed - 1/8/2022I watched "Noble Aspirations" 1 & 2 about four months ago, so I still remember the drama well enough. I noticed a movie adaptation and was interested in it. Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, it's really difficult to pack all that happened in the novel and the dramas into a short movie. If you haven't read the book or watch the dramas, you might be confused. The scene changes often from one plot to another. There is just not enough time to develop the characters and their relationships in this drama. Because it's so short, if feel like everything is done half-haphazardly.
The saving grace might be Xiao Zhan's acting. He did well portraying an innocent boy to a vengeful villain. The other actors did fine as well. I am a fan of Li Qin and I like her portrayal of Lu Xue Qi here, and more so than Yang Zi's drama version.
This is Jade Dynasty 1, does it mean there's a Jade Dynasty 2? But since it's been a few years and we haven't seen one yet, it's very likely a new movie will not happen.
I would only recommend you watch this if you are a fan of Xiao Zhan, and you have nothing else to watch. I actually quite enjoy Noble Aspirations and would recommend you watch the drama instead. Here's my review: https://mydramalist.com/profile/voicelesslove/review/171507
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Such an intriguing story
This was really an amazing movie. It was off to what felt like a disheveled start and there was maybe too much narration by the son in the beginning, but the story really starts coming together beautifully. The acting was magnificent and how they conveyed the depth of every character was really intriguing. You go into it with so many presumptions about the different characters, as they all seem like awful people, but when as the story unravels, I began to gain so much sympathy for them. There was a particular scene with the mother speaking to the therapist that was so well delivered and from that point on I felt as though I was living in through the whole situation with them. My heart clenched up and a lump developed in my throat.Admittedly, I was a bit put off by the idea of the story. A family is ruined by a queer relationship. Its a touchy subject and one that if done wrong can come off crude and homophobic, but the writer did an excellent job finding humanity in each and every character. It was strange at times and other times I just couldn’t figure out why someone would behave in such a way — but at no point did I think it didn’t feel real. I definitely recommend for anyone looking for an ostensibly comedic but realistically tragic and ultimately heartwarming film.
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How ‘ Ring’ Inspired A Phenomenon…
Gore Verbinski’s American remake ‘The Ring’ (2002) has arguably left a lasting impression on those who have initially seen the Hollywood movie of iconic ghosts with long hair crawling out of TVs and creating a moderately-successful horror movie with a quick formula. However the original 1998 Japanese version of the movie, Hideo Nakata’s ‘ Ring’ arguably outshines its American successor by remaining a flawed yet hidden classic that truly kicked off the wave of J-Horror onscreen.
The film focuses upon Reiko (Nanako Matsushima); a workaholic TV reporter and single mother to son Asakawa Yoichi ( Rikiya Otaka). Reiko comes across a a disturbing urban legend story about a VHS tape that has creepy occult images and puts a death-curse on the viewer. After it is finished, the viewer will receive a phone call, and within a week, will die. When Reiko watches it for herself and alongside leading man Takayama Ryuuji ( Sanada Hiroyuki) is determined to get to the bottom of the ominous tape.
Interestingly the origins of ‘ Ring’ were certainly different form expectations. Hideo Nakata and screenwriter Takahashi Hiroshi sourced the material from Koji Suzuki’s novel ‘ Ring’; a storyline that downplayed the supernatural for pseudo-science fictions and metaphors. However instead of taking Suzuki’s concept word for word, Nakata notably placed the storyline in the tradition of Japanese Yōkai and Yūrei stories with evident inspirations taken from horror classics such ‘ Poltergeist’ and ‘ Videodrome’ interweaving their way into the movie.
The executed storyline of ‘ Ring’ admittedly had its highs and lows. Indeed the movie is disturbing and well-composed cinematic shocks truly delve into the horrifying vision of Nakata’s ghost story. However with confusing narrative coils as the storyline progresses, it could sometimes make plot-progression tedious.
None so could this be so apparent with main female lead Reiko; an intriguing character, who as the main protagonist, had so much potential to be well-explored and learn to mature from her experiences. Instead Nakata could sometimes create an agonising experience of Reiko constantly flittering mood without rhyme or reason before suddenly taking the back bench for most of the events of the movie in order to make way for the unlikely swashbuckling hero of the hour Takayama.
It isn’t necessarily out of the question for the movie to highlight Reiko’s quest for help and clarity during her search for answers. However considering the relevance of Reiko as a main and quintessential character throughout the events of the series it seemed odd we rarely had opportunities to see Reiko become a more well-defined character as well as importantly, delve deeper into her initially estranged to “ loving” relationship with her son, Yoichi.
Nevertheless it is intriguing to note that whilst the plot did have many loose ends which were never truly clarified during the events of the movie, Nakata had a surprisingly artistic eye to small details throughout scenes. Lacking obtrusive shots created an immersive experience with viewers ( despite the low-budget) and helped to present focus upon evident metaphors throughout the film. Most strikingly this appeared in later events through a captivating shot on static of the well; a metaphor for the parallel isolation and alienation of its main female lead. Dark lighting or vertical structures further emphasised the kind of estrangement. Reiko and her son’s living quarters are filled with a shadow of melancholia; isolated from one another in a microcosm world devoid of warmth.
Even the soundtrack composed by Kawai Kenji captivated the ambience of the movie; sparse and rarely used until acting as a warning bell towards the few spooky atmospheric cues at tense moments thrown into the mix.
‘ The Ring’ is not a perfect film with a lot of bamboozlement and division towards the final cut. Nevertheless whilst it has arguably remained dated on its presented roles of characters and technology, there’s something ineffably timeless about the ideology of fear and suspense transcending generations in ‘ Ring’ with masterful execution by Hideo Nakata presenting one of the well-deserved classic primogenitures to the J-Horror movement.
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