Reviews

So, in case you can't tell from the scores, I recommend this. If that's all you needed to know to watch this movie, do so... NOW. For the rest of you read the in depth and then go watch this.



I really enjoyed this story. When I read the synopsis, I sort of thought this was going to be one of those terrible over-the-top comedic asian dramas that I can't stand. DON'T LET THE SYNOPSIS SCARE YOU. This Punch Lady is literally going to fight her abusive husband and there is nothing funny about the turmoil she is going through. Not to say that there is no comedic relief, but the main character is a battered woman, not merely a disgruntled one.



The acting was good, no particularly huge stand out performances, but everything was watchable. I definitely felt what the characters were suppose to feel. I laughed, I cried, I liked it. However, don't look for total groundbreaking.



Music- did its job, nothing memorable to me but nothing obnoxious either.



Definitely would see this again with a friend who liked it or hasn't seen it. I might watch it on my own, but most likely not. But such an experience would not be unenjoyable XD



Overall, if you haven't seen it, watch it. It's not a 20 episode long drama, just a movie. You have no excuse.

Leia Mais

I'm not an expert on Korean movies but I'd say that this wasn't bad at all. Obviously, a two-hour movie cannot have the same depth of character development as a 16- or 20-hour drama series but since the main focus was on the main characters, I think you had enough time to get attached to them. I even shed a few tears at the end of the film (or then I'm just too soft... :P)

This movie isn't full of drama but it is not a light one either since it touches upon themes like violence, alcoholism and depression. However, all these themes are illustrated in a warm-hearted manner, not too realistically, and hope is definitely present all the time. This is certainly not too serious a movie, and that is largely because of the more or less twisted and dark humour that spices the story up and makes you laugh.

The overall plot goes onwards at a good pace and has some interesting twists that I was unable to predict, especially at the end. Shin Hyeon-Jun portraits in a very endearing way the professional killer Hyun-Jun who is a serious, warm hearted and troubled man questioning his profession and quietly looking for someone he could talk to. Kang Hye-Jeong's Jin-Young is a bit crazy, not an ordinary woman, but very adorable.

This movie has some very endearing and funny scenes and that is why I liked it so much. The main characters are very likeable as well. If you have two hours to spare, go and watch it, it isn't a waste of your time.

Leia Mais

I'm a huge fan of Wong Kar-Wai. He's not a simple story teller, but a director capable of using the cinematographic media to its fullest. His movies are estetically beautiful, their silences as poignant and thought-provoking as the often minimal lines.



Hong Kong Express is no exception. The acting is, not surprisingly, brilliant. Tony Leung in particular delivers his nonchalant, ironical and obsessed cop to perfection. To Kaneshiro the honour of the best line in the movie.

The director often uses a tecnique called step-framing, in which a character is frozen in time while the world around him or her moves at incredible speed. The viewer is therefore often deceived as to the real chronology of events.



So, this is a movie about love, but it's most of all a story of solitude, like those frozen characters, who are as lonely in a metropole as little ants in a moltitude of insects.



I gave it a 8 because I need to spare the 10 for "In the Mood for Love", possibly Kar-Wai's masterpiece so far.

Leia Mais

I usually am not a fan of musicals. There are a few instances, though, in which the story told is so beautiful and the acting so engrossing, I forget the genre and let myself be absorbed in the story told via music.



Perhaps love is one of those instances. The movie by Peter Chan has been compared to Baz Luhrmann's "Moulin Rouge" and indeed it shares with this last the same theatrical flavour, between reality and dream. One can't help be reminded of classical operas such as La Traviata or Tosca, with elements of melodrama and tragic mingled with grand musical pieces and modern settings.



With the help of the music, this movie could be watched without subtitles and still be understood by those who don't know Mandarin. This goes to the director and the actors credit.



The plot is simple and very classical, but the style is new and the music original. Not an everyday movie by all means, but one which will linger in your memory.

Leia Mais

The story is very, very unique and interesting. It ties together at the end so perfectly that it can't be put in words(Ok, well it can, but I don't want to!) Takeshi Kaneshiro and the rest of the cast performed brilliantly. The music was alright, nothing spectacular, but it did serve its purpose well. As for rewatch value, i'm not one to rewatch movies and dramas, and I wouldn't really rewatch this one either, unless it's been several years since I first watched it. Overall though, this is one of my favorite movies and I really believe that more people should watch it. So if you haven't seen it yet, go watch it now &_&

Leia Mais

This movie is 10 minutes of sweetness. I stumbled upon it while searching for something new to watch, and I was happily surprised. For being a movie where the actors don't say a word, I understood everything completely. The looks, the small movements and the light explains everything and I recall myself just sitting there squeaking. It is an incredible cute story and the actors are doing great. I have already watched it several times.

The only thing I dislike with this movie is the 3 minutes long song in the middle. It is dull, annoying and does not have anything to do with the story. Otherwise the soundtrack is as sweet as the story itself.

I highly recommend you watching this and I would, at the same time, like to mention that the director of "Boy meets boy" has made a 30 minutes long movie in the same spirit, "Just friends?". A movie just as delightful as this one.

Leia Mais

I began watching this movie because of Okada Masaki, an actor whom caught my attention by being brilliant in most of his roles (He has a minor role in this movie but still managed to get an acting nominee for best supporting role). What made me keep watching was the thrilling story, something I did not expect (I didn't even read the synopsis before I began watching), the dark feeling and the overall fantastic actors. One would not think that 37 middle school students can create such an atmosphere. The woman who played the main character, Takako Matsu, was amazing in her role. But, let me quote "let's not forget the amazing ensemble cast of young Japanese actors who ultimately steal the show from Matsu's cold as ice teacher with their riveting performances as existential youth gone wrong".

This masterpiece was completed by their use of Radiohead's Last Flowers.

All I can say is: "Watch and be amazed" because this will mess with you.

Leia Mais

At first I'll say: this is my first review and I'm not good at writing these...

I've watched this movie two times and I loved it on both times. It's my favorite movie. Well one of my favorite movies. Anyway first time watching this movie I laughed my ass off all the time starting from the first seconds. Same with second time.

This is a typical Japanese movie with a silly story and not-so-good-but-not-bad-either acting, but isn't that the reason why we love Japanese movies/dramas? For me it is.

The chemistry between two main actresses is good. Not the best but it's good. I love the cast. Fukada Kyoko is an amazing actress but her acting wasn't the best in this movie...

Okay I'm making no sense anymore...

But,
Watch the movie and see if you'll like it or not.

Leia Mais

I first watched the trailer of this movie, which made me really excited to watch it. Add to that, that it stars Jay Chou, who I really liked(as an actor) after watching the Green Hornet. Unfortunately, the movie didn't live up to my unreasonable hype. The story was alright, though it felt like they were trying to cram in too many things into it...including time travel. The acting was better. The music was relatively mediocre. As for rewatch value, im not a person who rewatches most things, but for this i'd say don't rewatch it. Overall, i'd give this a 6. I guess it's alright for a Saturday night where you have nothing better to do or if you're a fan of Jay Chou.

Leia Mais