A mediocre gangster movie.

Pattaya Heat is a movie that revolves around Thailand’s criminal underworld with the concept of a cat-and-mouse game. It has all the elements a gangster movie should have - drug lord, corrupt police officer, illegal business, revenge plotting, sex, profanity, betrayal, violence and a lot of blood - but somehow it lacks better storylines to make it captivating. The plots seem to have no proper structure. One moment it seems like a heist movie, then it becomes a revenge movie.

Although the theme is nothing new and the story/plot is somewhat messy, the action and acting save this movie from being an absolute disaster. Like Hollywood ensemble movies, those big shots on screen together managed to deliver good acting, but no character really shines out. Most of the characters lack depth to make them interesting or memorable. However, Christine Gulasatree is the one who impressed me the most. Even though this is her debut film, she did a good job of capturing the essence of a cunning seductress.

Overall, it's a crime-action movie with the recipe of Tarantino's or Guy Ritchie’s movies, but the result is not even on par. It's just another mediocre gangster-heist movie we’ve seen before. A bit ambitious, but not quite there yet. Well, it's not bad, but not good either.

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A raunchy comedy about finding true love.

‘Love Lesson 010’ is a raunchy-filled comedy about finding love that also touches on male impotence.

Slapstick jokes are a staple of Thai comedy, but this one gets a bonus point for being a little different. This drama is funnier and more entertaining than I had thought. The sexual jokes could be a little too vulgar for one's liking, but they were well-placed. The plot moved along nicely, with some drama and romance.

This drama has a good cast lineup, which managed to bring the laughter and drama it intended. Bright Norraphat nailed his character as a promiscuous man, discovering what true love is. I personally like Pat Chayanit’s character, Kate. She's a no-nonsense girl that you’ll love in an instant.

Overall, this drama is enjoyable, despite a few weak plots that make it lose its grip on the story toward the end. It’s something to watch for the laugh, its simple story, and its non-complicated romance.

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A decent dramedy.

The story revolves around four best friends as they set out on the dream trip they planned as teenagers. The long-overdue trip finally happened after their friend’s death, as they rekindled old bonds to pay their last respects to their late friend.

The premise of a group of friends going on a road trip does seem entertaining, especially when it involves the big names of leading ladies. When it comes to a movie with many leads, it’s essential to establish the characters, personalities and backstories. Throughout the movie, viewers will discover their individual personalities and backstories, but somehow the character development is pretty weak. I personally think that the only thing that saves this movie is the four leads and their natural dialogue delivery. However, there are sequences that tend to be stressful because there’s a lot of arguments and fights along the way.

The movie starts out okay, but as the story progresses, there are quite a few noticeable faults here and there, to the point where it gets lost somewhere. The flow could've been a lot better if some crucial parts of the story were tackled and handled well. Even so, it isn't all that bad.

Overall, this road trip movie is something to enjoy for its performance. It seems like there’s no acting in this movie, as all of them just had to be themselves and show how friends should really treat each other.

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It's watchable. but nothing special.

I never watched the original or any of the remakes, but I learned that ‘Mon Rak Luk Tung’ was a classic hit in Thailand. Set in the present time, Mon Rak Luk Tung 2567 is a love story between Khlao, a young poor farmer, and Thongkwao, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy man in the village. Their relationship is prevented by their parents, not only because of their differences in status but also because of the parents’ past issues with each other.

Like other versions, this drama is meant to be a sweet romantic comedy. However, the sweet romance is somehow lacking in terms of emotional building. The ‘rich girl, poor boy’ storyline is executed pretty typically; there is nothing compelling about it. The conflicts are also not well explored, making the tension feel flat. Although I’m not really into musicals, the musical portion of this drama is acceptable and not cringy.

Every character is decently played, but no character really stands out. Mew and Charlotte show strong chemistry, but their story development is rather weak. Charlotte’s character, Thongkwao, suits her personality, but as the story progresses, there's nothing interesting about her character other than a basic girl - she’s pretty, she’s smart, she’s from a rich family, and that pretty much it. Although her acting is not outstanding, it has improved from her previous series. Saijai, played by Kwan Pinthip, is a very stereotypical depiction of a promiscuous woman. She’s the villain you won’t pay much attention to.

This drama offers beautiful scenery and nice visuals. The countryside location is just amazing. ‘Falling in Love / Mon Rak Luk Tung 2567’ has a decent premise and a good line-up of actors, but the execution is pretty weak. It may not be a well-crafted remake that balances escapism with realism, but it’s an okay drama to watch for its light dramatic plots.

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A lighthearted yet bad comedy movie.

The adventure begins when Riam’s mother and sister get taken hostage by a group of bandits for the reason that the bandit leader is searching for a virgin who was born on a certain date and year in order to gain immortality, which happened to be Riam. So Riam and her goofball friends begin a journey to rescue her sister and mother. As silly as it might sound, that’s the story this movie is highlighting.

While this movie has a decent premise and a good lineup of actors, the execution is pretty bad in many ways. The plots are underwhelming, and the fun adventure this movie is intended to be is pretty messy. Not to mention the bad CGIs that make the whole thing look so outlandish. When it comes to jokes, it’s understandable that everyone has different senses of humor, so we interpret the comedy differently. To me, there are some funny moments, but they are predictable. I’m fine with slapstick jokes (which I know it’s popular in Thailand), but if they were supported with clever punchlines, it would make the jokes laughable. Unfortunately, some punchlines are missed, making the comedy look silly and contrived. I was cringing more than I was laughing.

Bella Ranee Campen is famous for her humorous and natural acting style, so Riam is not even a challenging character for her to carry. Riam is carefree, mischievous, and beautiful all in one, but the character doesn’t have the wow factor that makes it stand out or even make it better than other characters Bella had played before. Other supporting characters do their parts nicely to help advance the story with Riam.

I learned that this movie hit millions at the box office, so I reasoned that would be a good enough reason to watch it. But I found it hard to digest this movie as a whole. Overall, 'E-Riam Sing' is a lighthearted watch with good and positive messages, but it’s not a smart comedy. It’s just not my cup of tea.

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A group of women outsmarting corrupt men.

Smugglers is like Ocean’s 8 minus the grand heist. This female-powered action adventure is not really about smugglers but more about how ordinary people found ways to make and share the profit from the illegal activities. It also realistically shows a number of smuggling-related aspects, such as repackaging and corrupt customs officials.

The film is not without flaws, but good character development brings so much more to the table. Kim Hye Soo never disappoints, no matter what character she plays, and pairing up with Yum Jung-ah elevated this movie into something more than simply an action drama. It draws stronger feelings of sisterhood and emotion. Zo In-sung gives his best as a corrupt police officer that you love to hate. In my opinion, the star of this movie is Go Min-Si. Despite being a supporting role, her character really stood out in helping carry the story.

The plots are not very complicated. With one or two twists that are constructed around allegiances and betrayal, they manage to make the audience gasp and anticipate more. The story develops well, with a good balance between comedy, drama, and action. I like that the comedy was well placed and not overdone, and the switch in tone doesn’t make the story look too weird. Kudos to the props team for recreating the unique 70s vibe. The attention to detail never failed to impress me.

All in all, it’s an entertaining movie, and it's always nice to see women outsmarting corrupt men.

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A well-written, well-acted and well-executed movie.

Tackling the social issue of homelessness and drifters, this movie carries out the concept efficiently and brilliantly without pointing fingers at the welfare system or society for the issue that arises. It also deals with a broader theme of humanity, inequality, and morality, subtly touching on issues such as child safety, pregnancy care, health, and mental issues. This is one of the movies where social issues are shown and handled without bias.

The movie doesn’t solely focus on homelessness; it shows the process of two families with different wounds meeting and becoming one, somehow finding happiness in their intertwined fates. The storylines and conflict are well developed, although there are some indistinct plots. But it doesn’t affect the story as a whole. The well-paced story development gives the movie a good balance. I love how this movie does not simply use a homeless family as a dramatic setup but instead tells a story of growth and improvement around it.

In terms of acting, each actor carried their respective characters successfully. Jung Il-woo nailed the character. Ra Miran gives another awesome performance. But foremost, hats off to Kim Seulgi for her wonderfully unconventional performance. Although the character doesn't seem so heavy physically, Jisook is a character with a lot of inner struggle and emotional responsibility.

All in all, Highway Family is not only a well-executed movie; it’s also a movie weighted with reality struggles and driven by outstanding performances from all the cast.

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Feel the thrill of every spike.

Sports movies always resonate with audiences, especially with the theme of striving to be the best and the story of the underdog. This movie does exactly that without any major flaws.

Instead of making this movie entirely about the volleyball legend Lang Ping, it gives more space that highlights the players during the training and the sports events that the team competes in. The shots and the editing are so impactful, making your attention glued to the screen from the moment it started until the end. The intensity increases steadily.

What amazes me the most about this movie is that the players are playing themselves. Even the young Lang Ping is played by her daughter, who’s also a volleyball player. Without a professional acting background, each player carried out their own story successfully. You can see and feel the honest emotion and reaction in every hardship they have gone through during training and every match they are playing. What’s even more amazing is the fact that players from the USA, Thailand, Japan, and Brazil teams appear in this movie rather than having actors portray them. This is a good approach in sports movies because when a professional athlete plays, the technique and style are more accurate and convincing than an actor who embodies someone’s character. I'm just stating the obvious.

The matches are well executed, as if the movie were a historical re-enactment itself. I can feel the adrenaline rush, as if I’m watching a real match instead of a movie. It makes this movie one of the best sports movies I have ever seen. This is a perfect-10 sports movie.

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Visually stunning, but 'tragic' at its heart.

First of all, I want to say that if you happen to suffer from or deal with mental issues, this movie could be concerning since it lacks trigger warnings and has inconsistent handling of very sensitive material.

If you think this is a strangers-to-lovers romance movie that was filmed in a foreign country, technically, you are not wrong. But the core concept of this movie is far from the typical romantic movie you’ve seen. The idea is somewhat tragic: the FL is suffering depression and flew to Switzerland seeking assisted voluntary death (AVD), a morbid activity that’s legal there, and by chance, she meets another Pinoy, and strangely enough, they bond over the mutual understanding of AVD.

Visually, this movie offers the best views of the picturesque natural beauty of Switzerland. During the 1 hour 48 min running time, it almost feels like I’m watching a travelogue rather than a movie. Ironically, while this movie provides your eyes with breathtaking scenery and shows a few experiences you can add to your bucket list, the essence of it is disheartening. The dialogues could’ve been done in a better way, especially when the mental health issue is the midpoint of the movie’s narrative. Even as someone who doesn’t deal with serious mental issues, I found it depressing, especially the often juxtaposed scenes of emotional disarray of two people strolling across beautiful Swiss landscapes like it’s a sweet romcom. 

Mental health is a sensitive topic to discuss in any medium, especially when it touches on the idea of ending one's life. While this movie attempted to encourage conversation about this topic, with some reminders of self-love, it wasn't being handled with the right amount of sensitivity. Just when I thought there would be a light at the end of the tunnel, the ending turned out to be gloomier than I expected. Tons of beauty shots couldn't save this movie. The way it romanticizes suicide is a bit problematic. It’s frustrating to see the lack of basic research by the filmmakers on the right approach to a sensitive subject.

In terms of acting, Kylie Padilla handles her character and scenes efficiently. Playing a character with such a significant psychological and existential burden is not easy. Gerald Anderson, on the other hand, isn’t really noteworthy. He has his charms, but they fail to impress beyond that. While Kylie and Gerald show a decent chemistry, their intended romantic dialogues sound contrived.

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A watchable, light drama, but could've been better.

This drama is like Hotel de Luna meets the American dramas Miracle Workers and The Good Place, with a slightly different setting. Even if you haven’t watched the parent story, you can still get the whole idea of this spinoff. The premise is not something relatively new – people stuck in purgatory while waiting to be sent to either heaven or hell – this spinoff tells the story in an almost familiar setting we’ve seen before. The only thing that caught my interest is how they portray Hell, which looks like a paradise and is interpreted as a paradise for all the crime and illegal things.

The plots are quite predictable, with not many subplots that will give you surprise and suspense. There isn't much to be impressed with or complain about in terms of character as well. Most characters have their own backstory, but it doesn’t have much depth to make you feel related to the character. FL and ML have good chemistry, which earns this drama a little extra point. Given the hanging finale, I suppose there will be a second season. So far, I enjoyed this drama, but it could've been better.

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Should you give this movie a chance?

If you have seen 'One More Chance', you might want to watch this movie. But don't expect it to be the upgraded version because it might not be what you expect. Popoy and Basha’s flawed relationship in the prequel survived, and this movie takes an observant look at their married life with a subtle focus on the ‘seven-year marriage itch’.

The storyline progressed in phases: from the wedding, then fast-forward to the present day. It gives an understanding of what is going to happen next, which is the challenges they are facing of being married. It’s understandable that so much could change their dynamic as a couple after almost 12 years together (they dated for 5 years in One More Chance and married for 7 years in this movie). I’d say that the conflict doubles down on the movie’s realness and is reasonably exaggerated for melodrama’s sake.

Bea and John Lloyd, as usual, deliver a good performance. They are who they should be, as they just perform naturally while giving sincerity to their roles. Their chemistry is undeniable. There are moments that made me smile, sad, frustrated and even made me go “aww!”

Like the prequel, A Second Chance is not lacking in sweet romance, some corny lines, dramatic conflicts and arguments, supportive friends, and a predictable ending – a standard romance-drama formula. The emotional rollercoaster is there, but not enough to leave a lingering feeling or a lasting impact. There are a few things that I think could’ve been done better, but overall, the movie is not bad.

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"Life is nothing but tragedy."

'Redlife' centers on two storylines that later on intersect in a tragic twist. The idea is not groundbreaking, but this film doesn't shy away from portraying the harsh realities of poverty and slum life. There’s a cleverly woven underlying theme of street gang, crime, drug use, girls' love, and prostitution, making it an intriguing watch for those seeking a glimpse into the gritty side of Bangkok.

Although the actors’ performances and the character arcs are commendable, the main plot falls a bit flat. The story of Ter and Som seems unpolished, with some noticeable plot holes that hinder its impact. Though it feels more like a melodrama, it lacks those poignant moments and depth that challenge you to reflect deeply on the hardship the characters are going through. The ending is rather confusing. Despite the flaws, this film has decent cinematography, depicting the sympathetic insight into the lives of the less fortunate in good visual detail.

If you're up for a mildly thrilling cinematic experience with some tragic stories, this film might be your cup of tea. For me, it's a one-time watch. I like the bleak/dark concept, but this film fails to deliver it well and make it impressive.

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A well-structured, controversial dark romance.

This is one of the dark-concept GL movies I found interesting. It reminds me of Black Swan and Thelma. The epilogue is rather bizarre, but it managed to pull the audience's attention right away. The moment it started, you knew that it was going to be full of angst, so brace yourself.

The main characters, Phoenix and Jade, are two women from different backgrounds. Phoenix is an openly gay artist who lives a free-spirited life, while Jade is a prosecutor and a Catholic fundamentalist. While Phoenix is keen to pursue a relationship with Jade, it’s not exactly possible. Then there’s Meng Ye, an androgynous man. Though this movie centers on the love triangle between them, there is no romance whatsoever in this movie. Only desire and pain.

This movie has an extensive theme that ranges from jealousy, possessiveness, sexual acceptance, one’s insecurity, and unhealthy conceptions of power and sex. It also explores the analogy between sex and gender. While the theme and the storylines are quite controversial and provocative, the director handles them brilliantly and conveys them through skillful cinematography.

In my opinion, ‘Wrath of Desire’ is not a perfect movie, and it may not be everyone’s cup of tea due to the taboo and dark elements it touches on, like BDSM, self-harm, cheating, grooming, and sex abuse, but it's a well-structured movie. It's a nice blending of reality, fantasy, emotions, and desire into a tragedy-packed story. If you like dark romance or something melodramatic, and if you can handle the triggers mentioned, it’s something to watch.

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Lacking in some areas, but not a bad remake.

'Flower of Evil’ is one of the best thriller K-dramas ever produced, so when I found out it was going to be adapted, I was a bit skeptical. But I was intrigued by how the adaptation was going to be, so I gave it a try. 

While the original is weighty with all sorts of emotions shared between each character and has more suspense elements, this Filipino adaptation, on the other hand, is not as heavy. It added more subplots with more interaction between the characters, which gives more space for drama and character growth. Although there are some scenes that, in my opinion, are unnecessary, it’s expected to be a bit draggy considering that the drama is 32 episodes, 45 to 50 minutes long.

FL (Lovi Poe) and ML (Piolo Pascual) play the roles of a married couple more convincingly. The two have more natural skinships, kisses, and tender gestures, making the romance, and conflict even better. I’d say that Iris and Daniel give off a more domestic vibe than Jiwon and Hyun Soo.

My biggest problem with this adaptation is the villains (Jacob, Jacob's father, and the thug leader). They are not evil enough to make me despise them. Jacob is probably the worst of all. Despite being a talented actor, Paulo Avelino failed to portray the psychopath character in a more believable way. He seemed like he was trying so hard to be a violent maniac, he came off as a Joker impostor. Wrong cast, I think.

Overall, this is an okay remake, but not up to par. The drama, the suspense, the pain, the betrayal, the romance, and the happy moments are there, but it didn’t have the same emotional rollercoaster. It’s still a good watch though.

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Talking and communicating are two different things.

This movie is not about the deaf culture; it’s a story of a mute-deaf couple. They are two people who are different in many ways, yet they fell in love and got married. Two people with different perspectives on life, struggling to keep their marriage. The premise of this movie is ironically showcased that there’s a huge difference between talking and communicating by showing people who are mute and with hearing impairments suffer from a lack of communication in their marriage, just like any normal couple would. In other words, poor communication is a problem between people, and it has nothing to do with one’s disability.

Janine Gutierrez and JC de Vera succeed in showing the emotional struggle and tension of two people in a troubled marriage. The facial expression, their gestures, and the way they express every emotion are good, showing the beauty, pain, and chaos of love where no spoken words exist. However, ML and FL do not appear to be as fluent in sign language as those who are deaf and mute and who have ‘spoken’ with sign language their entire lives. It’s understandable that they are actors who learn sign language for the movie, but if you're going to portray a character with a certain condition, at least make it convincing. Even the child actors playing as their children signed more fluently. So, ML and FL succeed in one part and lack in the other. I feel like if they had actually cast PWD actors in lead roles, it would have made this movie better.

This movie has good plots, but the storytelling pace is inconsistent. The present day and the flashback are vaguely moving back and forth without much change in appearance to distinguish the different timelines. There are some loose-end plotlines as well, making the flow go flat toward the end.

Above all, I praise this movie for its ingenuity and authenticity while presenting the complexity and conflict that we often see in everyday life without really focusing on the disability. It’s one of the rare depictions we’ve seen on the big screen. However, the execution is rather flawed, and the good concept alone is not enough to make it a great movie.

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