Reviews

Meandering and Pointless

This is a very strange movie. While there is a ghost, he doesn't do anything ghosty at all, to the point that there's no real reason to have had him be one. When it's revealed, there's not even a fun reaction, like the other guy running screaming into the night. He just acts bratty and petulant.

This brings up another problem with the story. The non-ghost character is so unappealing that it's just impossible that two almost supernaturally attractive people would be that into him. He's nondescript and has a horrible personality, and nothing really to recommend him. The ghost is so hot that my heart rate was dangerously elevated all the way through the film, but he also has an unappealing personality that I can forgive for the tight black t-shirt he wears all the way through the film.

It feels like the author just inserted herself into the story as the uke and had hot men falling all over him for no apparent reason and no real plot in mind, so she shrugged and made the seme dead just to be sort of different. The secondary couple are angels of death that have 30 seconds of screen time and no real context for their relationship, other than adhering to the theme of showing love solely through bullying and being psychotically controlling.

Worst of all, it's just boring. There is really not point to watching this, other than the ghost's muscled body, handsome face and oozing sex appeal. But you could just go to the actor's IG instead.

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Well, that happened.

I saw the uncut version on GagaOOLala.

I really wanted to like this - and at first I did. The selfie scene at the beginning is profoundly funny, and the OTT campy action early on is really entertaining. But then it just bogged down and became dull. For some reason, Asian BLs can't help themselves - they all have to revolve around women, in this case a pair of vampire hunters who serve as mannequin villains, who take up way too much screen time. They could have been completely eliminated from the story and the struggle centered on rival vampire clans. I presume there was a producer somewhere who read the script and said "too gay. Put in hot chicks" as if crowds of straight men are going to watch this.

It is definitely BL, and it's not read-between-the-lines-of-bromance - it's explicitly BL. But it's not prominent. If you're planning to watch it for that, I would pass.

This was disappointing. Maybe it's worth watching the first 20 minutes or so for the campy fun, but after that there's not a lot of reward for your time. It needed to cut loose and go seriously OTT. It feels a little like that was the plan, and for some reason th brakes were hit. It's too bad this wasn't Japanese.

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Watch and enjoy

, or its Korean title, , is a crime film revolving around voice phishing scams, and I’m not sure as to why they decided to have a different English title from the Korean, as the Korean title is also in English… Nevertheless, both fit the movie and its narrative well, but I’ll refer to the film as , as that’s the official English title.

》The Good《

Right off the bat, Kim Mu Yeol was absolutely incredible. He fit his role so well, and made it really believable that he was a con artist. I can’t say that all roles were good fits, or that all actors gave their best performances, but I can for sure say that Kim Mu Yeol was extraordinary. He’s an astounding actor and his performance in this was the best I’ve seen of his in recent years.

Stepping back a little and looking at the film on a more macro sense, is about an ex-cop taking revenge. Does that sound familiar? , , and all have a similar overall theme. Of course, there are numerous differences and identifying details that make each movie what it is, but they all fall under the umbrella of ex-authority going after evil and getting revenge.

And zooming in on a micro sense, this is a small detail but the opening title sequence left a noteworthy impression on me. It was like an American crime drama series opening, with its text, music, and transitions. Moreover, there were a few chuckle-worthy points in the film, but overall the movie didn’t have much humor.

And most importantly, does an incredible job showcasing in a very realistic way how voice phishing scams take advantage of vulnerable people during unstable states. It’s extremely cruel. There’s a quote in the film that goes something like “Let’s show them a taste of hell,” and this is quite literally the case, as the scammers display a short glimpse of happiness and joy to the victims, but it’s actually cold-blooded evil in disguise. Extremely cruel and gruesome, and makes you wonder how a human being can do such wicked acts to another human. The scary thing is, this is all true and happening in real life. There are victims every day of these scams every day.

》The Bad《

With about 30 minutes left, the movie kind of goes south all of a sudden. It felt like they rushed to conclude, which is quite unfortunate because I feel like what they were able to accomplish prior was quite good. Nevertheless, I will also say that the overall progression was on the faster side. A sequence, after a sequence, after a sequence, without much deeper engagement. So I guess that’s why it felt like the movie rushed to finish even more, since the overall momentum of the film was on the quicker side.

Furthermore, it’s sad to say, but the ending was pretty unlikely, or very unlikely. However, with a movie like this, a hopeful ending and conclusion is almost kind of necessary. It’s just that it’s probably really unlikely in real life that victims will get their money back in whole.

There were also other parts that didn’t make sense. Minus small details, there were also parts that had me questioning some parts, like how Korean cops are taking the lead, especially when entering the call center building, when they’re in China. Shouldn’t the Chinese authorities be in charge?

And lastly, I said Kim Mu Yeol was incredible, but I can’t say that all casting were good. Most notably, Park Myung Hoon. Park Myung Hoon had his breakout performance in , who played the man that lived in the basement of the Park family’s home. He has a freaky look in his eyes, which shined in , and he had it partially in this as well, but it wasn’t half as notable. Personally, I think it was a missed casting call with him, as we weren’t able to see him at his full potential. He didn’t leave a big impression in this, and was like a comedic/parody character from .

》Verdict《

Good action, thrill, an intriguing storyline, and suspenseful moments were all found in . Movies like these are needed to raise awareness. The more aware people are, the less victims there will be falling for voice phishing scams. If the movie helped prevent even one more person from falling victim to these scams, one less victim, then I say job well done. If you are a fan of crime actions, or the main leads Byun Yo Han and especially Kim Mu Yeol, I recommend giving this a go. (○_<)

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A real world view that is an important watch

I liked this movie. Loved the way it was shot. The actors / cast gave great performances. Its a quiet indie but with a great sound/camera/ overall production budget. This happens ALL THE TIME more often than not. If you did not know it then you do not know enough lgbt people who have had to spend their lives in pain and in the closet. The women who love and control them for various reasons etc.. I hope other people, when they are relaxed, watch this film. Its important film to watch to help train society on what really happens.

May South Korean continue to make LGBT content. They have become the worlds best provider of it.

Bravo

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So bad it is funny

This short film has so bad quality it is almost impossible to see who is actually in it, it has no subs that I know of but if you have seen enough K-dramas you will not need them.

It is hard to know if it the sound or the acting that make the lines badly delivered, but the music is fun, you will probably recognise Lee Jong Suks voice more than his appearance (that is how bad the quality of this is). But in less then 15 minutes you will get too se a portrayal of the lonely life of a teen living alone with a depressed, possibly alcoholic and possibly unemployed father who does not really seem to cara much about his son but is served hangover soup...

The music here is fun and is the perfect contrast to the depressing life of this lonely teen.

And that is about it, I gave it 8 stars for the so bad it is fun to watch as well as what those 15 minutes actually include, as you may guess not for the high quality, but I do think this may be a must watch for any fan of Lee Jong Suk... or maybe not if you want to stay his fan... your choice I guess...

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Half a movie

I felt like the entire mood and atmosphere of this movie was really great — I loved the quiet darkness of the town, the tension and scariness of the school setting, and this overall anticipation that was building up from beginning to end of the movie.

With that being said, I felt like this movie focused on the wrong main character; starting out following the ML and learning about the FL's reputation through his eyes was great (and really different from what I've usually seen) but it started to become clear that the FL's story was more interesting, especially as we saw her character develop.

Furthermore, I feel like this movie ended right when I thought it was hitting the climax, or its most important moments. I understand that since we're following the ML's perspective, an open and unresolved ending just makes sense, but this is when I really wished the story could have switched its point of view and continued forwards.

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Harrowing and heartwrenching

This was a really really heavy watch, but in the best way; I really felt emotionally invested in the main characters — both the adults who were doing the right thing against all odds, and for the children who we were watching learn to trust people again and actually act (and laugh) like kids should — and in the outcome of the legal process. In the end, it was a really bittersweet and realistic sort of ending, but it was the best I hoped for and I thought it was perfect.

The acting was so good for all the characters, but especially the three kids. I could feel their fear, their pain, and their hope in every single one of their scenes.

There were some parts of the story — more side aspects of complacency — that I wanted to see more of because of the moral greyness, but I understand why it wasn't the focus of the movie and I think the movie did just fine without it.

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Excellent Short

DON'T read the synopsis on GagaOOlala - it spoils the story.

This was really good - it's beautifully shot and edited, with fantastic color grading. The acting is good - the bigger guy is a stronger actor, but the cute one holds his own.

This is very narratively tight - the meaning of the strange opening scene becomes starkly apparent at the end - it's quite powerful. There is one plot hole which will almost certainly come to mind, which is "do people not ask each other what they do for a living?" I think this is somewhat plausible given how they meet and immediately launch into a fairly physical relationship, but the story appears to span at least be a few days so it's a bit odd, although I will say that I dated a guy for 2 years and he had no idea what I actually did - just that I had an office job.

Anyway, it doesn't really matter - this film isn't trying to be realistic, it's about perspectives.

This is NSFW - it's not graphic, but there's a lot of love going on. A lot of hot, sweaty love.

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An under-rated movie for all lovers to watch together!

I agree with Cambear about this being a great movie!

I saw this online several years ago but couldn't remember its name when I joined MDL; a movie recap by an Asian girl helped me find the movie's name again. Thank you, miss!

I do love movies like Wedding Dress (2010), More Than Blue ( 2009), Bw With Me (2010), The Gangster's Daughter (2017), or the worst of all, Come To Me Like A Star (2013)...but they tell the story of what usually happens in situation between lovers...especially if selfishness is present on one or both of them.

Occasionally, we want a happy endiing, such as Timeless Romance (2019), Jenny & Juno (2005) or Marbling (2004)! Now we can add Fall In Love Like A Star (2015) to the list of times when romance works out the way it should!

Su Xing Yu (Li Yi Feng) and Tian Xin (Yang Mi) are both working for the same band and one loses their job defending the other against a chauvinist band member, messing with the girl..

They split and end up in a long-distance relationship over the phone. The KEY to this movie, and to most good relationships, is S-A-C-R-I-F-I-C-E of one part of a couple to help the other out.

This sets off the love/hate/love hate see-saw that this movie projects; the key is that BOTH sacrifice to make the other look good or to protect the other one somehow throughout the movie.

In " A lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn (2003)" the eldlerly farmer, jolted out of his dementia by his returning daughter, sells his farm so that his daughter-in-law will seek out another man with which to be the rest of her life. Before the return of his daughter and sanity, the elderly man and his dead son's wife comfort each other daily trying to survive the rural Chinese farm on which they both reside.

In "Sex is Zero (2002) the male lead sacrifices his time helping the woman he loves, who started out loving someone else, go through the pain of an abortion and saves her life later as she starts bleeding profusely from overexerting herself after that abortion. She realizes that he was the better choice for a mate.

In Timeless Romance (2019), a girl realizes the different needs of her personas and makes a choice between different boyfriends to suit her different personas; and many loved her choice in that movie!

I mighit add that Mei Jie (played by veteran actress Chen Shu) was the perfect jilted former agent of Su Xing Yu, and did a superb job of being the villianess in this movie; the other support cast members worked very well together helping make the main couple look good and supporting the storyline - kudos to them all!

I love that fact that this movie portrayed how 'sacrifice' in a relationship sometimes is necessary and how the 'self' must die in order for most relationships to survive and work. Tian Xin's 'sacrifice' or what is known by good parents as "tough love" sometimes is needed for the other partner to survive, thrive and obtain their dreams in life...a lesson many parents know how to use and many selfish partners today should learn...

Quit trying over-analyze this movie and just enjoy a good movie with a happy ending...for BOTH main stars!

The cinematography was excellent and the music (which I paid more attention this time) was superb. I didn't get the joke about the cosplay costunes at the end until i found out that they both starred in a costumed historical series together; it made the ending scenes much funnier this time around!

My main criticism is that I would have shot some scenes from the balloon and pacaed them strategically within the movie.

I also loved the fast-paced action in the movie, which was necessary to tell the story of the movie that happened over several years apart for the couple.

RE-WATCH VALUE: Yes, when couples want to see how sacrifice saves marriages and relationships!

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Kara Hui, Lau Kar Leung, Johnny Wang (as the villain of course!), and Hsiao Hou battle it out for a will with fists, swords, song, and dance!

The synopsis does not do Kara's character justice. Cheng Tai Nan married an elderly man and second brother in the Yu clan who had taken good care of her and her father. He had made the special request so that she could see to it that his will and property deed went to his brother Yu Jing Chuen (the amazing Lau Kar Leung) and not to his nefarious brother Yu Yun Wei (Johnny Wang). Her husband died soon after their marriage and Tai Nan took the deed to Jing Chuen and was prepared to help him defend this inheritance. Tai Nan had incredible martial arts skills and did not suffer fools lightly, always ready to put the beat down on disrespectful rascals-including her new grandnephew! She represented the old ways as she bumped heads with Hsiao Hou's character and the encroaching modern (cars in a Shaw Brothers movie!) elements and Western influences.

Kara Hui was the gem in this goofy kung fu comedy. Her skills and beauty took center stage until she was sidelined for the final fight. She also won the first ever Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress for this role!

Lau Kar Leung wrote, directed, and choreographed this film. It's no secret he's one of my favorites. His fights are always quick and creative. I could almost forgive him for keeping Kara out of the final fight because it meant a showdown between him and Johnny Wang.

Hsiao Hou's performance as Charlie Yu Tao, Jing Chuen's reckless and immature son could be wearing. While an acrobatic martial artist, his acting is usually over the top and devoid of any nuance.

Johnny Wang played the role he's played so many times before, and yet always does a good job. Gordon Liu in a wig showed up as one of Charlie's friends. A long list of supporting and bit characters played by martial artists made my fangirl heart sing.

The sets were the best I've ever seen in a Shaw Brother's movie, none of the obviously cheaply made walls and windows for people to be thrown out of. People were thrown around, just on a higher class set.

For me, the movie ran about 30 minutes too long. There simply wasn't enough story to tell and some of the dance numbers/fights dragged on. Having a very young, great auntie and elder of the clan was a nice gimmick even if it was run into the ground at times.

My Young Auntie is a kung fu classic even if parts of it haven't held up well. For fans of Kara Hui or Lau Kar Leung it's worth watching.

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Heartwarming but...

I felt like the first half was a lot better — it was a lot of the main leads getting to trust each other, one of them being so used to be alone and the other thrown into a situation that just made no logical sense. Their dynamic was really cute and interesting, and this did stay balanced throughout the entire movie; I really loved that there were no stupid misunderstandings and that any issues they had with each other were discussed. I loved the acting for all the Woo-jins, and the cinematography was unique and worked really well.

With that being said, however, the ending just felt like a cop-out; it felt like it was very much created for the hopeless romantic, the one who believes that love triumphs above all. But for a movie I loved for its practicality, it was disappointing. All those times the movie brought up things that made me go "Whoa, I hadn't thought about that" and suddenly it was like they couldn't think of an answer and decided to just drop the subject altogether.

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