My highest rated movies

A criminally underrated gem!
Touching, emotionally heavy subject derived from a real life story, presented in a realistic, positive, heart-warming way.
The relationship between Cho Won and his mother is painfully captivating, while Cho Won's interactions with his family and surroundings are equally humorous and heart-wrenching.
Jo Seung Woo's acting is out of this world!!! One of the most talented actors in a superb, magical performance... What makes his portrayal so convincing is that he never tries to be in the spotlight or wants to be the star of the movie: he is just who he is in a subtle and authentic, as humanly possible, way.
Don't miss it!

Rie Miyazawa, as Futaba, gave one of the most heart-wrenching performances I've ever watched! She depicted motherly love, selfishness, inner strength, courage and determination almost effortlessly... Sugisaki Hana and Ito Aoi were equally superb and shining in their roles!
A tearjerker with a few small doses of gentle humour, but also a warm and uplifting experience.
A definite must-watch!

Rightfully acclaimed masterpiece, with extremely familiar & up-to-date situations though ~70 years old!!
Ozu Yasujiro was way ahead of his time!

What a beautiful, heartwarming, funny, sentimental, touching little gem!
I couldn't stop smiling, laughing, tearing and crying while watching this wonderful grandma traveling through 90 years of her lifetime in one day.
Meeting a series of her past-selves from childhood, adolescence, maturity and the moment she first met her husband, all in just one day.
The most precious and delicious tangerines for the most special day of their life together.

Funny, cute, touching and very relatable xD
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I had this movie in my PTW list for ages but I couldn't bring myself to watch it.
Was I right? Yes. Do I regret watching it? Definitely not.
One of the most intense, devastating, heart-wrenching films I've ever watched...
Unbelievable performances, especially from wonderful child actress Lee Re, and a story that gives hard punches in the gut with the cruelty and injustice of these real life events it describes.

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"I can't afford to hate people.
I haven't got that kind of time".

A genuinely heartfelt sad movie, a spot on social commentary -even 70 years later-, superb in every aspect.
Kurosawa Akira and Shimura Takashi at their best!

One of the most touching, elegant and heart-wrenching family stories I've ever watched!
Based on the best-selling, autobiographical book of the same name by Lily Franky, it tells the simple, ordinary story of a mother and son’s love for each other, with an endearing and nuanced depiction of their bonding through laughter, joy, sacrifice, sorrow and loss.
With the right balance between lightness and darkness, without any overplaying or forced feelings manipulations, with great performances from all cast members and beautifully complementing cinematography and music, this film was definitely a unique watching experience.
And what can I say about late Kiri Kirin's magnificent performance, especially knowing her personal health struggles?

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Full of existential symbolisms and allegories, provocatively erotic, hauntingly claustrophobic, absorbingly hypnotic. A unique cinematic experience, worthy of every praise!

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A painfully beautiful story, so heartfelt, touching and delicate.
Desperately sad but also inspiring, showing a great bonding of a found family and an amazing character development.
Jung Seo Yeon gifted us with one of the most astonishing performances I've ever come across - so so emotional and convincing, more mature than most adult actors, almost natural...
A 10/10 in my book, if only for this amazing child-actress!

It broke my heart into a million little pieces...
Shockingly raw, minimal and authentic, but so heartfelt and delicate.
Poignantly filmed and acted, this masterpiece is a piercing social commentary but, most of all, a devastatingly beautiful and absorbing story of love, caring and devotion.

A black & white, silent film, with only orchestral music playing during its screentime.
Does it sound boring and monotonous? 'cause it's definitely not!
This is a real gem, that is really worth watching.
A captivating story of motherly love, sacrifice and dignity, a timely social commentary on many issues valid till today, and a riveting performance -only with gestures and micro-expressions and without uttering a single word- from a talented, beautiful and tragic actress who left us too early.
A must watch!
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Watch it unprepared and it will hunt you forever...

Wonderful storytelling from auteur Sakamoto Yuji: simple, just how life is, but presented in a complex and multilayered way, just how we all live this life of ours.
Exemplary visualization and staging from auteur Koreeda Hirokazu: clever use of building the tension and emotional impact by re-telling the same story through different perspectives of the characters involved, masterful use of light, darkness and colours, profound use of the actors' talent and strength.
Painfully beautiful music score from late auteur's Sakamoto Ryuichi last work, which complimented and enhanced the depth and significance of every powerful moment.
Superb acting from veteran actors and, most importantly, from child-actors Kurokawa Souya and Hiiragi Hinata, who owned the screen, the story and our emotions.

Subtle but deeply affectionate, full of compassion, humanity and understanding of the monster some people hide behind their appearance and perceptions, this is a must-watch and one of the best works of its cast and crew.

"If only some people can have it, that's not happiness. That's just nonsense. Happiness is something anyone can have."
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A wonderful short film full of heart, pride, determination, perseverance and inspiration.
Don't miss it!
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A unique, deep, tragic love story with amazing acting, writing and cinematography.
No wonder why this is one of the all time classic romance k-movies.

A unique action story, with stunning cinematography and effects, seamless editing -even in the brilliant use of subtitles and credits- and a perfectly-fitted electronic score.
Zany and ironic, an acidic social comment on social isolation thoroughly enjoyable!

Probably the best performance of Cha Tae Hyun, this was a touching and very emotional story, where the heartwarming moments, the sadness and tears weren't forced but genuinely felt.
A great movie choice if you want a good cry.

Compelling story, electrifying performances, gritty cinematography and a fantastic outcome.
A must-watch!

There's a reason why this movie is so successful and has so many remakes: it tells a wonderful, heart-wretching story in a unique, compelling way.
Be prepared to have your heart broken in million little pieces...

Funny, sexy, juicy and very enjoyable rom-com, with a great pairing and a cute romance.

"Just like there is a right place for everything around me, there must be the right place for me somewhere in this world".
A brilliant short film with a quirky lead, excellent cinematography, sound and music - and beautiful symmetrical shots!

A unique, memorable movie, with excellent cast and production!
Do Kyung Soo is phenomenal! Such a charismatic, multi-talented performer!

A sad romantic love story, beautifully told and acted that aged graciously and became a real classic! 

One of the most successful movie adaptations I've watched, about the wonderful world of mathematics and an unusual friendship, based on Ogawa Yoko's great novel 'The Housekeeper and the Professor'.
Fantastic cast, cinematography and music, and a quiet, poetic, heartwarming, simplistic and minimalistic story-telling, without any unnecessary manipulative, forced emotional burden.
A great watch for math lovers or not xD

What a wonderful movie, what a wonderful grandma! This old lady, who wasn't even an actress, gave a really amazing performance!
Her stoic reactions towards the spoiled brat grandchild of hers, whose moods were constantly followed by temper tantrums, were so on point - like a veteran actress would have done! Her silent, unconditional love finally softened his hard heart, giving a very touching and memorable separation scene... A definite must-watch :)

Such a little diamond!
Only 30 minutes, but it was a powerful story which had all the emotions one can feel...
From pain, despair, fear, anger to relief, friendship, warmth, joy, hope, love!
A must see...

Aww! So sweet and touching!
Made me miss my grandma so much...

One of the most beautiful, heartfelt and utterly humane documentaries I've ever watched.
A real life story filmed in breathtaking landscapes by the protagonists themselves, thus making it more impactful and touching...
That wonderful creature, Green, with his actions, maturity and devotion, can be a role model for so many humans.
Highly recommended!

Cruel and raw and absolutely justifiable!

Devastating, but so beautiful and heartwarming!

This based on a true story film is a gripping, utterly sad and psychologically challenging watching experience.
Superbly filmed and acted, with an eerie, hauntingly dark atmosphere and some piercing social commentaries and satire on the police prejudice, arrogance and incompetence, it describes the unsuccessful and lacking procedurals of catching a serial killer in an inventive fascinating way, without exploiting the crimes and the victims.
 Worth every minute of it.
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A wonderful character study through a 'road-trip' around Tokyo's public toilets.
As contradicting as it may sound, this serene slice-of-life story of an ascetic, lonely man living an analog, laconic and humble life surrounded by books, cassettes, photos and plants, dreaming in black and white, repeating the same routine every day, enjoying his quiet simple life to the fullest even though the shadows of a well-hidden pain of his past life resurfaces from time to time, was indeed a unique watching experience.
Slow-paced, minimalistic in dialogues and narration but lavish in scenery, colours, sounds and emotions, with wonderful nostalgic songs and vibes, and a fantastic Yakusho Koji, who delivers a nuanced performance as Hirayama, this little gem was the epitome of less is more.
P.S. The last scene with Hirayama driving while listening to Nina Simone: heart-breakingly beautiful and a pure acting and filming perfection!
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A bittersweet, poignant slice of life story and an exquisite character study of women in Japan of the 60s, through the life of a bar hostess, her struggles to find happiness and financial stability among her demanding family, her unreliable colleagues and the men/clients that try to take advantage of her in every occasion.
Takamine Hideko, with her elegance and charisma filling the entire screen, gave a superb as well devastating performance as young widow Keiko, who lives her hard life with dignity and patience.
A classic and a masterpiece.
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A bittersweet story of a found family, full of heart, warmth and strong emotions.
A heartfelt journey of grieving, healing, making amends, character development and second chances in life.
Fantastic acting from child actress Yang En You and Zhu Yi Long, with an incredible bonding and chemistry.
Highly recommended!
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