Reviews

Story of Growth and Choosing your Home

Please watch the Hello Love Goodbye first. There are a LOT of references which you will miss if you didn’t watch the first movie.

STORY: Just like the first movie, this one also portrayed the struggles of working overseas. They have also incorporated the global pandemic into the plot. We saw Joy and Ethan in their ups and downs, in their best and worst moments. I loved how this showed us how human and realistic they felt during all that they went through together.

CAST/ACTING: Both phenomenal actors. Kathryn and Alden are powerhouses in this. They also have really great dynamics on screen. I felt like the most raw moments were the moments that only have them both on screen acting their heart out. I would love to see a new movie with them as main leads once again.

MUSIC: I loved it! There’s music from the first movie that still brings back all the feels. The new soundtrack [“Palagi” ~ directly translates as “Always”] is so fitting in their story.

REWATCH: I want to rewatch this immediately after I finished watching in the cinema.

Definitely will recommend people to watch this! All the feels, great story flow, oozing chemistry and amazing performance from the actors.

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Just feel good and Nothing complicated of sorts

Okay first of all this story was one of those amazing stories that will leave no residue in your mind ..I mean you just watch it .. feel peace in your mind and that's all , you go back to your normal self ..not like those frustrating plots that keep going in loops in your brain for hours after watching it.
The plot has incredible momentum as a lot of things happening (plus past incident/forgotten relationship is also revisited) but nothing seems overwhelming of the sorts as entire thing was in perfect harmony.
The leads actors were amazing they really did great with playing the exchange soul thing. Though there wasn't much romance but the thrilling comedy filled the gaps . Ending sound track was lovely .. overall a good pick for your weekend evening.

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Memorable

This a great casual watch with a unique take in the historical genre with a focus on how clothing impacts the palace dynamics. It's likely deserving of a higher score but unfortunately it's a story that really requires far more than movie-length time to blossom. This is the only reason for the lower score.

It's definitely one I'd recommend for those who enjoy this genre as the acting was great, the plot was straightforward but also not predictable, and of course, the costumes were gorgeous. It hits all the spots for minimal investment and I do hope they one day decide to create a series with a similar feel around royal tailors.

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leesong heeil the director that you are

Esse é o segundo filme do leesong que eu vejo e ficou claro pra mim a necessidade dele de mostrar as dificuldades de se ser gay em determinados ambientes. É um sentimento misto de admiração e tristeza em relação a obra dele. Admiração por uma arte transgressora que respinga não só no contexto do país de origem mas em outros também, e tristeza por uma retratação tão cruel de algumas vivências mesmo em uma obra de ficção.

Aqui se tem a demonstração de como o ambiente escolar consegue ser um espaço totalmente doentio e traumatizante. Não existe um motivo claro que explica a repulsa dos bullys com as vítimas, o que torna tudo pior. A ideia de uma pessoa ser diferente de você e por isso ela deve ser punida é tão bizarra. É triste ver o yong ju tentando buscar por alguma mudança enquanto lida com os sentimentos conflitantes dele, como ele demora tanto pra ter alguma reação mesmo cultivando um afeto por anos. Assim como ver o gi woong enfrentando diferentes dilemas e evitando de sentir qualquer resquício de sentimento que não seja raiva. Os altos e baixos da relação dos dois traz muitos sentimentos conflitantes ao ponto de você não saber como quer que os dois termine.

Mais uma vez nos minutos finais de um filme do leesong eu perdi toda minha sanidade, talvez seja o modus operandi dele (não aguento mais um assim)

P.S. a cena final da escola me lembrou mto a de weak hero class em que o sieun quebra tudo, fiquei pensando se eles não se inspiraram no filme.

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The most selfish bitch gets the most loyal guy

The most obnoxious FL I've ever seen. I have nothing against the old "sparks rekindle" phenomenon, but I hate boys/girls who abuse their partner’s kindness just to check if he/she is still into them. A little spoiler here, just so I can curse her to hell. Thank you!

The ML was a stupid one-woman man. I’m calling him stupid because he chose the worst woman to be one with. This girl dated him briefly during their school days but left him because of her own domestic issues. They meet again in college, but she’s with another guy who doesn’t seem too serious about her (I must say, the rugby captain treated her the best she deserved). Alright, she prioritizes her new, popular boyfriend, and the ML receives a flat rejection.

Years later, they meet again. This time, she’s single, and the ML has a sweet girlfriend. This b*tch messes with his head again, which results in his breakup and a serious injury that impacts his career badly. Anyhow, they start dating, and the ML faces a lot of job rejections—he’s going through a rough patch. At this point, a normal partner would support his mood swings. Why? Because that’s what partners are for—especially if someone has acted like a human shield for you. There’s no way I’d leave a man like that alone in his hardships. But this piece-of-crap FL tells him she's been offered a job in Belgium. And if that wasn’t enough, she picks the first misunderstanding to dump him and grab the job offer. Selfish pro max. She could have asked him to wait, but no.

I mean, okay, he let his frustration get the best of him and said some nonsense, but there was absolutely no need for her to react in such a bizarre way. She even compared him to her shthole dad. Sorry, btch! You’re the one who's like your dad—the same shitty DNA. Years later, she’s back with her wedding invite (RIP to the poor guy she’s marrying—she might just leave him for the next job offer in LA, who knows).

Anyways I am glad the poor ML didn't end up with this horrible woman .. thank you !! script writer.

PS: My frustration is just for the character; no hate to Park Bo Young (I love her to the moon and back).

Kim Young Kwang was amazing—his smile kept spreading warmth throughout the movie; otherwise, I wouldn’t have watched this crap at all.

The chemistry was pathetic, but that’s because it was written that way. It’s not the actors’ fault; it was just how the plot demanded it.

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this movie. There’s already enough chaos in people’s relationships; why watch something that further weakens your faith in true love?

Drop it. Don’t watch it.

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Intense monster scenes elevate a damn good looking package.

With stunning cinematography, hearty music and intense action scenes, the latest film in the Godzilla series delivers delights for almost all the senses.

Godzilla Minus One is film number 37 in the franchise, and the 5th film since the reboot. Does that mean you have to have seen a bunch of Godzilla movies to keep up with this? I don't think so. My own experience with the series is limited and I stuck with it. Necessary information still emerges, either in dialogue or by simply witnessing Godzilla's progress on the white screen.

It is a period film that takes place during and after the Second World War, and works in harmony with the very first Godzilla from 1954. Which certainly makes it easier.

It also helps that the monster itself isn't the focus of the film. He's there, absolutely, and of course it's Godzilla's rampage that drives the story. But the focus is very much on the people. Above all on the kamikaze pilot Kōichi Shikishima.

Or the supposed kamikaze pilot. For Shikishima (Kōichi Shikishima) has second thoughts and fakes technical problems with his plane. Not long after he lands on an island, and the giant, God-like, monster attacks and the pilot is one of the few survivors. When he returns to Tokyo, it is with real feelings of guilt over what happened.

It is feelings of guilt that haunt Shikishima for a long time. They set it up in the relationship with Noriko Ōishi (Minami Hamabe), a young woman he meets and wants to help. They make themselves known in the relationship with the colleagues and later friends he meets in his new job. They guide his actions when Godzilla reappears and attacks Tokyo.

Kōichi Shikishima and his relationships are of course the heart and soul of the film. It elevates Godzilla Minus One to something more than just a monster movie, it gives the movie value beyond just seeing a cool monster destroy cities and boats. It also becomes a bit too much.

I struggled with the rating for this movie. Because at times the people's stories are drawn out for too long. The story is losing momentum and I'm starting to lose interest. Godzilla Minus One has the characteristics of melodrama, a genre that I personally have a hard time with. It was in these moments that I considered a low rating.

But then the monster makes an entrance again. The action scenes, Godzilla's attacks and the humans' fight against him, are genuinely exciting and at times gripping. The energy is back.

Also (and almost more importantly) this is a damn good looking movie. The photography is beautiful, the scenography places itself believably and perceptibly in the current period, and the special effects work. Godzilla himself is computer-animated, and looks good, but at the same time in a way that I couldn't help but wonder if there could still be a dude in a very well-made suit in there.

Not to mention the music. Composer Naoki Satō may well be the film's strongest card. Conveyor of emotions, underpinning of action sequences. It is an experience.

And thus I still end up in a reasonably strong 4 Star. Despite its flaws (and certainly not everyone will agree that melodramatics are a bad thing), Godzilla Minus One is an incredibly well-made film, an impressive piece of craftsmanship that doesn't always, but at least often enough, offer cinematic thrills.

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Flavors of Bangkok

My headline sounds a bit weird but I don't know how can I describe this super long "movie", it's more a compilation, an anthology with different stories and it was an interesting watch. I'm trying to give short impressions for each stories.

Maha Nakhon; « Coming to the city to the city »
It reflects a social issue with rural people who are coming to the city, they are lovely people, they only have some hope and dream but the reality hit them hard. It’s a bittersweet feeling after finishing this.

Tussana; "Visually"
It was somehow weirdly good giving some kind of hope but at the end I still feel bitter. It’s quite sad but at the same time it has a dark humor in it. It’s funny yet, it left us with some reflexion.

Krungthep Mahasane; "Charming Bangkok"
It shows the different social aspect in the city, giving a documentary vibes with some humor in it and it also feel like a comemrcial. Sometimes it can be unserious, kind of a satire of the society. I liked it.

Long Tae Mai Luam; "Lost but not forgotten"
It’s a beautiful short story, at first I was a bit lost but then it’s a heartwarming and nostalgic story after all. It’s simple yet it gives a chilling vibes with memories. I’ve never traveled to Thailand but it still kind of relatable. When you are outside and you’ve decided to hang out around without planning anything or just, you ended up lost, you can’t help but some memories are back again or you suddenly feel nostalgic.

Silence
That was really touching and it left some strong impression ! It was short but the message was clear and well conveyed. However I must say, she was really lucky to meet such a good guy at night. I really liked the twist because we could think at first, she could be in danger or something.. Moral of the story : don’t judge people for their appearance or don’t quickly jump to the conclusion ! But for sure, you have to be careful sometimes.

Bangkok Blues
A really nice short story, simple but kind of relatable and heartwarming. I really liked it, especially the touch of the English speaking moment and the switch in thai. For bilingual, it’s kind of relatable. The meeting and the small talk between Ananda and the woman was also nice to see. It could be a bit longer to change it into maybe a love story but at the same time, it’s perfect as it is.

Krungthep teeruk ; « Bangkok my love »
Probably one of my favorite out there ! It was really interesting to get to know different people with their opinion and some of their personal experiences of Krungthep. I feel like it was such heartfelt interview, heartwarming, so real and even touching. It makes me smile and one more reason of why I should go to Thailand for once. It’s a huge pity they didn’t add english subtitles because I really wish more people see this lovely short film (it’s more a documentary / interview than an actual movie / fiction).

Phi - Nong ; "Sisters"
Despite being the slightly longest movie out of these 9, I feel like I didn’t get enough closure or maybe I’m nitpicky ? However, it was a nice and good story between sisters. Simple, cute, heartwarming but I’m still confused if the guy really like her sister or not lol
It would be quite alarming if he’s into the younger one but I hope I’m wrong. Anyway, I liked the relationship between the sisters and with her friend.

Phi Makam ; "Tamarind ghost"
I was confused and didn’t know about the meaning behind the title and how it was linked to the story. I don’t want to give some spoilers but, I was just taken aback from the turn of the event. Maybe one of the best short movie but not sure if it’s my favorite, I don’t know why. I just know it was very well done.

Conclusion:
This anthology was interesting and I got to know a different inside of Bangkok through different directors with their style. Of course, I have some stories that I've loved more or touched me more. However, every stories has its own charm.

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Minimum dialogue maximum feeling

Song joong ki and park bo young two extremely amazing artists ..but we have to keep in mind this movie released in 2012 when they were not the prominent names in the korean industry. I am not very impressed with the over all story telling but the performance delivered by the artists was so refined that for a moment I forgot about its lame plot. Werewolf turning human and vice-versa, nothing ne about it right?? But song joong ki's character of werewolf had no dialogues either .. now imagine a psychological love story with ML as werewolf with no dialogues, yeah you got my point. He has to deliver human emotions through wolf body language while making no sound ( no dialogue). His expression his movements were so impactful. the movie has no kissing scenes still it was so damn romantic. There were few twists which added more depth and substance to the story ..like the researcher explaining the werewolf/wolfs have single mating partner for the lifetime emphasising at what extend he is attached to FL ..secondly his turning to a beast to protect the FL ... Lastly the scene when FL returns after 40-45 years and finds him waiting for her in the same room just because she asked him to wait .. honestly I cried like a river worth of tears while watching that scene. YOU KNOW IT'S EASY TO HANDLE BETRAYALS WITH SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS RAGE AND ANGER BUT WHEN WE RECIEVE OVERWHELMING LOVE AND LOYALTY WE OFTEN LEFT WITH A QUESTION " WHAT DID I EVER DO SO GOOD TO DESERVE SOMEONE LIKE HIM/HER"?
Park bo young's character is timid to 'i can speak ever now and then. Both have a very good chemistry.

The cinematography has horrible .. I don't know if they hired a light man in the crew .. everything looked so dull. Background music was just so so ..


Take my advice watch it for the actors and their performance.

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deft, realistic love story

How is it possible to tell a true love story in only 4 eps of 30mins ea.? So often BL is limited to this size. Let Ninomiya Takashi show you how: deftly, economically, realistically, beautifully, with two supertalented actors and one hell of a screenwriter. Watch, watch this.

Only one caveat and a stupid one because so much has to be intimated and inferred in such a short piece; I cannot think of any portion of this I would like to excise in order for Itou to truly seek forgiveness at a certain point, but for Nishi's sake I wish I could.

First posted on Viki May 29th 2024

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Utterly charming even with all the overacting and pathetic print

This was a 2004 release, and watching this movie felt like taking a glimpse into South Korean society in the past—when it was less about plastic surgeries and designer brands, and more about their reserved culture. The makeup was abysmal, with all that chalky, single-tone foundation and dusty bubblegum-pink blushes. I’m certain there were no such things as acting classes back then, judging by their overacting. Yet, still... still, there's something about the love stories from that era that makes our hearts skip a beat every now and then. The leads don’t kiss readily, they don’t smooch, but viewers will get goosebumps just at the sight of them holding hands—if you know what I mean.

Moving on, the plot wasn’t something you haven’t already seen; it’s quite overused by today’s standards. The story was cute, revolving around a high school girl and a handsome college guy. The love story began with fights, frustration, irritation, and those classic "wait till I kill you" vibes, which soon blossomed into a sweet friendship and eventually into love.

Background music was BOMB

The plot was silly, the acting was atrocious, but for some reason, I enjoyed it immensely. I found myself laughing at their absurd chases and feeling butterflies whenever they came close. Honestly, what more could you ask for?
Recommended ❤️

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As entertaining as they come

You know your film is off to a strong start when you aren't even 5 minutes in and it's already staging its own lightsaber fights, albeit with fluorescent bulbs. Marking the end of Sammo Hung's greatest period as both star and director with a mighty bang, Pedicab Driver exemplifies the type of cinema that Hong Kong loved during the 80s. What that means is it's a mismatched series of bizarre comedy, heightened emotions, sudden tragedy and yes, incredible fight scenes. The extended fight between Sammo and Lau Kar-Leung in the gambling den stands as one of the film's most memorable moments, despite its complete irrelevance to the plot. Although it seems a little overambitious at times in its storytelling, with several seemingly unrelated threads running parallel, the film does manage to hold it all together in a way that only Hong Kong cinema can. While the story threads are certainly only diversions from the main spectacle, they do enhance the film somewhat, thanks largely to the cast's terrific performances and great music. It all starts happy-go-lucky but by the end, revenge is the name of the game and it is one Sammo delivers tenfold with some fantastic direction. For its uneven mishmash of genres and tones, Pedicab Driver succeeds wholeheartedly thanks to its easily empathetic and loveable characters and their plights, it's as entertaining as they come and features something for everyone. While not quite a masterpiece it is well worth seeing.

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