Reviews

it cant get better than this

everything about Last twilight is perfect. the story, acting, characters, cinematography, just about everything. this is the first (and probably last) review i’m writing, because honestly nothing can beat this. its the best show i’ve ever seen. i was in tears almost every episode especially towards the end. its such a warm story with beautiful characters and the romance isnt cheesy or cringe (which is pretty hard to achieve).

if you’re on the fence about watching it JUST DO IT you wont regret it!!! i have no more words to describe how much i love it so just go watch

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The projector turns on. The big screen lights up. The images roll. The movie within the movie begins. The latter is a kind of Filipino-style surrealism that will soon envelop us. “For adults only” can be read on a curtain after crossing the porch. Meeting point for hustlers and scammers. Prostitutes and homosexuals offer sexual services sitting in their seats or in the main lobby. Transvestites and bisexuals kiss or have oral sex with anyone in the dark while the unsurprising gaze of a child on a bicycle. The room remains in darkness with the smell of overflowing semen. There is no celebration of flavors with popcorn, candy or hotdogs. A labyrinthine space with more than one surprise in every corner.
Service (Serbis, in Filipino) is a 2008 independent drama film directed by Brillante Mendoza, leader of a generation of new Filipino filmmakers who leaves a trail of wonder wherever he goes. With this, his seventh film, Mendoza was the first filmmaker from his country invited to compete for the Palme d'Or in the official section of the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. It is also the first Filipino film to compete in that important international film event since Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim, by Lino Brocka, in 1984.
The script, written by Armando Lao and Boots Agbayani Pastor, shows us thieves fleeing from the police roaming the hallways of the theater. Mothers with infants looking for another child, also a minor, who may have entered the dark room to meet with gays. Sellers of flowers or watermelon seeds walking through what was once a prestigious establishment that became a dilapidated movie theater dedicated to presenting double programs of erotic and pornographic films from the 70s, to advertise their products for sale. People going up and down stairs in an endless maelstrom of sound, noise and movement.
Transvestites and prostitutes showing their bodies to the moans of the movie lovers in the background as if they were being exhibited on a catwalk. Homosexual couples at the entrance to the bathroom waiting their turn to let off steam, but not the urge to urinate but the sexual appetite.
Family problems aired in everyone's ear. Sewer water that floods the bathrooms and nooks and filters down the stairs to the ground floor. Between the stench and the squalor, we will soon learn about the various family plots that will become intertwined with the comings and goings of the public and clients.
Claire Villareal's montage allows us to appreciate the graffiti on the walls of the bathrooms or hallways that display penises or vaginas with the names of their owners along with the telephone number and the price to be paid by the potential client. Layers of paint with a broad brush to hide graffiti. Posters of gay and erotic films hanging on the walls. Lazy people are the only ones who do not have entry permission, as can be read on another sign at the entrance. A runaway goat pacing in front of the projection screen after entering through a hole in the wall. Lights that turn on. The luminosity invades the stalls. Pants that are pulled up in a hurry, zippers that close in an enigmatic frenzy, shirts that hide nakedness are placed again on the unsheltered bodies. The lovers run in terror due to the terror of being surprised. The four-legged animal on the run and in pursuit a herd of two-legged animals that bleat as much as that one.
Two cinemas closed due to the economic crisis and this one, the only one open, does not generate enough income to feed everyone. Rolled films pad the walls before rolling across the floor to the Philippine Rabbit Line bus that links Angeles City to Manila. The city, doors outside, like another spectator of the film that rolls inside the building. People on the streets coming and going and fixing their gaze on the posters to discover that it is not the one showing the film they expect to see.
If viewers have their party at the Family cinema, the Pineda family, a matriarchy around which children, grandchildren, cousins ​​and nephews swarm, also has its treat. Together they run an old, baroque, grimy, decadent and labyrinthine cinema, which in turn serves as the home of the family clan, a kind of microcosm in which women, especially the two mothers, play a central leadership role in all the events. senses, moral authority and control of the property and custody of its members.
Nanay Flor, the matriarch, her daughter Nayda, her stepson Lando and her adopted daughter Jewel are in charge of selling tickets, meals and candy. His nephews, Alan and Ronald, are respectively the painter and the projectionist. While the family members go up and down the stairs in their daily chores, what happens in the living room and the more than populated hallways is foreign to them.
Bigamy, unwanted pregnancy, hasty commitment to silence what others will say, possible incest and boils on the skin are part of the daily challenges faced by this troubled family. And there, before them all, the true “star” of the show: a huge, dilapidated movie theater that serves as a family business and living space.
The exploration of family dynamics, particularly the relationship of Nanay Flor, played brilliantly by Gina Pareño, and her daughter Nayda (Jaclyn Jose), adds depth and emotional resonance to the story. The cast also includes Coco Martín, Dan Alvaro, Mercedes Cabral, Julio Diaz and Kristofer King.
As the film progresses, the plot becomes increasingly absorbing, drawing viewers into the journey of what happens in each space of the film establishment. Gian Gianan's music helps with this. Photographed by Odissey Flores, the raw, arid images, infused with a moving intimacy, enhance the emotional resonance of the story, while subtle touches of ironic humor serve to increase the tenderness aroused by the members of this surprising fallen gang. .
Mama Flor under the clock that relentlessly rings, with her best clothes, waiting for the curtains to come down. The cinema is silent. People go out. Among them Alan, backpack on his shoulders, fleeing from responsibility.
The tape burns. The projector turns off. The big screen goes dark. Images die until the next day. The movie within the movie ends.

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A good start for the year

This was such a good watch as the first show of the year. A sweet, hopeful, and cozy watch, with adorable and sympathetic characters you enjoy watching and rooting for. It is a very balanced story with proper mystery elements, dramatic buildup, and emotional stakes, as well as, sweet moments and appropriate humor to keep viewers entertained. Nothing was overdone here. No over-the-top emotional meltdowns or exaggerated humor (which is my main point of dread while watching Jdramas). The plot is not complicated but it works and while there were certain plotholes, they didn't harm the story nor negatively impact the flow so it would be a bit nitpicky to point them out when they were so insignificant.

Summary: A man is stabbed in an alley and left for dead but miraculously recovers after seeing an angel. When he returns home, he finds the angel to be very real and still very much there, crankily asking for food and informing him that he has amnesia and nowhere to go. The humanitarian move would be to give the poor angel a place to stay and so Koukisan does just that!

Plot: As I already explained, it's a cute story that mainly leaves you with warm and fuzzy feelings. It's balanced, not too long nor too short, and every important question of the plot is answered by the end. A lot of aspects are resolved off-screen however as the plot is very character-driven and only focuses on the dynamic between Kouki-sad and the angel which...can be interpreted differently based on the viewer's preferences I guess. For me, it was just a sweet dynamic and I enjoyed their easy banter and development throughout.

Acting: The only real actors of this are the two main characters. While others appear briefly, they are not very significant so I am mostly ignoring them. But the main two actors were both great with Nishimura Takuya having the best deadpan delivery of jokes and just generally looking so angelic and disgruntled at the same time. He comes across as innocent and pure and simple and it was so good. Uesugi Shuhei was also great for his part as he showed the character's development and changes both with on-point expressions and body language. His emotional acting was also very touching and clawed at my heart which I thought was impressive to achieve with only 6, 25-minute long episodes.

Music and production: Tbh, I didn't even notice the music, sorry. Production... it was perhaps cheap? There wasn't much to it as it was mainly the inside of the eponymous "one room" of the title. That said, it doesn't *look* cheap. It looks just well enough for the show. Some flashback scenes to Kouki-san's past felt a bit under-budgeted but since they were not relevant to the present plot, I can forgive the vague setting. In the end, any shortage was covered by good directing choices.

Rewatch: I never rewatch but I can see the value in rewatching this for others. It's short enough.

Overall: Loved it! Recommended. I'm glad to start the year with a good show.

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Surprisingly Gentle ML

Nie Yu Sheng was an enigma here, while he may come off as a green flag for the most of the show, in the first few episodes he tried his best to hurt the FL knowing she was struggling to collect money for her child. Usually with stories' where the MLs find out that their past lover kept a child from them, they rave and rant about it. Yu Sheng, however, accepted it without holding any grudges.

The worst thing Tan Jing did was to keep it from him, the child would have lived a much better life had they sorted out their differences in the beginning.

Maybe the wouldn't have ended up together but the child would have had all medical attention he needed. As a mother, it was her responsibility at the time to find the best path for her child, but she was blinded by her father's accident and could only think how Mr Nie was culpable. She made the wrong choice, does she deserve to be hated for it? I don't think so. If she had so much pride she wouldn't have begged others for the money.

While I feel sad for is Sun Zhi Jun [Tan Jing's husband], he often wasn't there for his child, always falling for schemes and not being stable enough. He brought so much trouble for their family when he should have been a rock holding them together. He wasn't really a bad person just not stable enough.

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Too emotionally impactful

After waiting at the end of weekday, the series has finally came to an end on 12/1/24. To be honest, this was the best drama, no.., best show I've ever watched. It really brought out my inner feelings and made me cry. The acting of the main characters and their conflicts made me feel it in my own heart. Like how Lin Xin, the boy lead, had to resolve his and Hailey's long term conflict after his discontent with her since her whole personality changed, the part where he realized all his girlfriend has done for him was purely to help me. The scene where he was running back made me cry.
Inevitably, the show met its end on a cliffhanger. I dont think I can move on anymore after watching this, its one of the best shows I've ever watched. Its the only one that could make me cry. It also helped me with my spoken chinese understanding as I am a Hong Konger who mainly uses English knowledge.
If anyone can find a show close to this, please let me know.

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A series I did not expect the way it turned out the way it did. I went in blind, not knowing anything about the show but I am beyond surprised by how amazing it is.

Interesting story and plot lines..... I was a bit lost but still intrigued
Did I understand the story? No really.
Did I like the show? Very much so!

The VFX, art direction, editing, acting, writing, wardrobe... everything was great!!
This show was like a pathway for all the GMMTV actors to show their range . and let me tell you.... mamma they ATE!

Also, one more thing that I want to add.... Her name is Bam.

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What a disturbingly normal story.

In the first 10 episodes the FL is barely lifts her head to meet the ML eyes. Instead of feeling any chemistry between the two, I felt worried about her. Everything including their past and present relationship till episode 18 seems like the ML has the upper hand and FL just follows whatever he wants blindly. And so many questionable things happens.

The ML clearly broke up with her, told her he didn't want to see her again. Yes, the FL should have at least asked him why he wanted to, she for first time during their relationship decided to hold back. Her father forced her to move abroad and she had no way to contact ML since he refused to give her his contact details. Its 7 years later, the ML blames her saying that she just left and it felt like she broke up with him. And she apologizes.

Next, when she tells him she is divorced, he lashes out and says what makes her think that he could accept a divorced woman. He then shows up next day asks her to get married. The FL, no questions asked accepts again blindly.

Does the groom seem happy to be married? No!
Does he tell everyone that he is married? No!
His family comes to town and does he invite her to meet them? No!
She has to ask him why they are sneaking around when they are married.

What's more, she seems to have successful career, however he doesn't seem to praise her or even be proud to be her husband.

That's not even the worse:
An incident where the ML forcefully kisses her after he drinks a little, he comes back the next day apologizes for it and the heroine just shrugs its off as if its not a big concern and its acceptable. (And this is not a one off, another incident where he falls on her in jealous rage but stops himself)
Another incident with her fake marriage, another guy who got drunk and almost tried to force his attentions on her.

When the FL's ex-husband shows up threatening their marriage, he then suddenly does a 180 and becomes an husband who's actually interested in his wife. Then he realizes their marriage wasn't a real one and he wants to make it one. The ending was so bizarre because this guy was non-communicative and controlling.

Apart from the story, what was wrong with the show's stylist, I remember only 1 outfit that FL looked great in, it was when she showed up for a meeting with her ex husband. They went out of their way to make the FL look crappy at all turns. That woman was so gorgeous that she managed to make rock the botched pixie cut.

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I wish it was shorter

I can't believe that I'm saying this for a 12 episode drama but the amount of replayed scenes was just too much for me.

Halfway through the drama, I would have rated this as 10. The concept was interesting, the actors were good especially the one playing Sa Wol, there's chemistry between the leads and the storyline was tight. That jealousy dinner scene was truly hilarious. But from there, replayed scenes kept increasing which made me very thankful to the fast forward button. Still, this is a nice story that you would want to watch if you're in the mood for something romantic.

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No questions, just a nice happy ending

This had great concept. Because of a family curse, a woman will turn into a dog at midnight if ever she kisses anyone. At 6am she will return to normal but the transformation will repeat itself every night until she, as a dog, kisses the same person. She will only have 100 days to kiss the same person again or else she will remain as a dog. But what if she kisses someone who's afraid of dogs? What can be done to lift the family curse?

Some are saying that Cha Eun woo can't act but I still think he was an appropriate choice for this drama. His awkwardness somehow felt believable for the ML's character, and boy oh boy can he kiss. I think I can forgive him anything just for his kiss scenes.

Park Gyuyoung as the FL, despite good acting, was somewhat lacking for me. I somehow can't buy into her acting bubbly, maybe because I can't separate her from her Celebrity character yet.

This is my first time to see Ryu Abel who played the FL's sister and she looks so much like the actor Heo Jung Min from Go Back Couple that it was all I can think about whenever she's onscreen.

Yoon Hyun Soo as the FL's student was my favorite character of all. When he was advised the ML and FL on their new relationship was the most hilarious part of the drama for me.

For the music, there was a particular ominous bgm they use too much that it became distracting. Silence would have made ominous scenes more impactful.

Despite many replayed scenes which I think should have been cut to lessen the episodes, I think the drama was able to tell its story from Ep1-13 and used Ep 14 to just wrap everything so nicely that you can't help but feel satisfied, especially with the outro song they have used. I might not rewatch it anytime soon but it will definitely put it on the list of rewatchable dramas.

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A good revenge story without being reborn.

We have and had so many revenge stories about revenge when people go back in time or get reborn in the past. But I like it better when the character change for revenge by becoming stronger, without becoming a monster.
Here, a cheated woman learn the truth about her husband death and wanted revenge. However, love is in the way.
Could disappointment toward her husband and the love that was crushed kept her away from love and only be about revenge? Of course not.
Park Hoon and Lee Hyun Wook are great actor as second role, because the woman in this drama are amazing. Kim Hee Sun as the main character who plays the evolution of her character with grace, Jung Eugene who plays the vilain convincingly, and the most strategic woman in this drama Cha Ji Yeon, who we don't really know who she really is: Good or bad???
Really good drama !!!

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Boring.....

As a huge fan of xianxia and zhao lusi I have been waiting for this drama for such a long time but all of my expectations got nothing in return as I am watching episodes and now I can't really continue anymore..
There is my second time I start watching this after holding for such a long time because on the comments are really encouraging but a story is really really boring after 20 episodes I really wants my time back which I spend on this drama ...
I think they should have spent some more time on post production because CGI is really bad 👎👎..
In terms of background music this is drama has nothing special I have very high fiction record in ancient Love poetry the music is the thing I love the most. . .
I will say you should not waste your time on this one.. unless you have very much time or you are a die hard fan of zhao lusi...

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Totally worth watching!

I would really recommend this drama. Each episode was worth watching.

For me, the OSTs were definitely a 10! I watched it when it was being aired and i was enjoying each and every episode till the very end. Every relationship had its own enjoyments. The boss and his secretary were more like friends most of times. I don't get it why people are giving negative feedbacks but this drama is incredibly awesome! The sophistication, the optimism this drama had was really satisfying. The friendships, the romantic entanglements of the main leads and supporting leads, the other family relationships were amazing. Sometimes there were emotional roller coasters too which led to further curiosity. If you like k-dramas like A Business Proposal or What's Wrong with Secretary Kim, then you would definitely like this drama. Go ahead and give it a try!

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Stockholm syndrome

Overall, worth watching: excellent and good looking cast, fantastic chemistry between the leads, lots of mysteries and twists in the story and great backdrop.

However, be ready that the ending is open-ended. Would be nice if there is a sequel to tie everything up - but don't bet on it. I have not seen any Chinese drama sequel successfully released so far, and most of those released did not measure up to its predecessors.

Yun WeiShan was sent to the Gong clan as a spy by the WuFeng gang, disguised as a candidate for a bride. WuFeng was a notorious group which had dominated the martial art world and forced many clans to submit to them. However, the Gong clan rejected their demands and was about the last not to submit. And as the drama progressed, you would find there were other spies beside WeiShan. WeiShan found that she not only had to hide her identity from the Gongs, she had to deal with other scheming spies ready to betray her if necessary to protect their own identities and their mission.

The young handsome Gong ZiYu was thrown into the position of the clan leader when his father and eldest brother was assassinated, presumably by WuFeng's spies. While selecting his bride, ZiYu fell in love with WeiShan. Relationship between the spy and the new leader became complicated and it looked like she was a liability which might bring down ZiYu from the leadership position.

Highlights about this drama:

1. The story was very interesting. There was always new discoveries; nothing and no one was what they seemed to be.

2. There were good humour as portrayed by the character Gong ZiShang. Although her behaviour was funny in many scenes and helped lightened up the dark and serious drama, some were quite snapstick.

3. Zhang Ling He was as usual outstanding in this drama. He was the second lead in the drama Love between Devil and Fairy and was perhaps overlooked or overshadowed. But his subsequent performance in this and the Story of Kunning Palace along with Bai Lu was nothing short of outstanding.

4. The other main leads were equally good. Ryan Cheng played the cold faced Gong ShangJue who actually had a soft side. Yu Shu Xin hailed from the drama Love between Devil and Fairy - I am not quite convinced about her acting - she played the cool and calm spy - a character which was mostly quite boring - saved mainly by her chemistry with Zhang Ling He. By comparison, the scheming Shangquan Qian (Lu Yu Xiao) was more interesting and earned our disgust.

5. Everything was good except the last episode. Everyone was unhappy - a sharp contrast to the Story of Kunning Palace. I wish they could do a better job with the ending. I suggest with such lousy endings, come up with your own ending.

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