Reviews

lol its a 'dont drink and drive' propaganda movie

AGAIN, this is NOT a comedy. It is a movie about learning morals, kind of like a meaningful life's message story. It does have its tiny giggles here and there but it is more ,,, philosophical in a way?

The story revisits six key figures that all have something to do with late night driving and their own specific struggles. Li bo who is the one uniting factor somehow crosses paths with them and helps them gain the post-nut clarity conscience to continue with their life and change their course of life to steer away from regrets. This story I would recommend those who relate to moody late night drives, as their is a tale for you in each scenario.

All stories and characters hold interesting arcs, which help reveals to us bit by bit his character, background and all which ties the story together in a neat way. And it does so with a specific cinematic sequence and sound to resonate the beginning of a new story.

Leia Mais

The Snake, the Tiger, the Crane and the Flamingo?

Despite the title of the movie, Emperor of Shaolin Kung Fu, this was Nancy Yen’s movie as the 3rd Princess and sole royal survivor when rebels overthrew the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Wang Hsieh played the usurper, Li Tzu Cheng, and the target of the princess’ ire and revenge.

As Li Tzu Cheng and his army storm the palace, the emperor orders his family to kill themselves. His 3rd daughter argues that her father needs to live to fight another day. In response to her plea, he swipes his sword at her cutting her arm off in the process. 3rd Princess escapes to a Buddhist temple where she heals and regroups. She sets out to bring Li down, finding warriors loyal to the monarchy and traitors along the way.

Nancy Yen was believable as the one-armed princess seeking the death of Li Tzu Cheng (Li Zi Cheng). Unfortunately, 3rd Princess tended to take on Li and his fighters with only one fighter each time she attacked which was always doomed to failure. There was a rather lengthy section of her either acting or having gone mad which dragged on too long. The rebels finally had their chance when Wu Sangui and his army drove Li out. The princess and those loyal to the monarchy confronted the vicious Li Tzu Cheng but only at great cost.

Lo Lieh made an appearance as a wandering warrior who joined her. I’m of the belief Lo makes everything he’s in better, even in a sparkly blue costume. Dean Shek showed up as a deadly scholar. And finally, Carter Wong arrived in the last 30 minutes, as a butcher and fighter devoted to his mother. The fights were okay. Most were sword fights, until Carter’s last fight where he used a variety of styles. Each style had a quick glimpse of the animal the style mimicked. The crane looked suspiciously like a pink flamingo which was hilarious. Wang Hsieh in another of the truly awful wigs he was known for wearing once again played the villain with his typical glee. The sides were badly cropped in the print I saw which cut out much of the action.

Emperor of Shaolin Kung Fu aka The Snake, The Tiger, The Crane aka Lord Chuang, Li Tzu Cheng wasn’t great but was watchable due to the actors involved. Nancy Yen made a fierce, vengeful princess who would ultimately become the legendary One-Armed Nun. She was joined by familiar faces with enough action to keep it from becoming too boring. If you enjoy old kung fu films and don’t mind one that has degraded some, this 1980 Taiwanese flick might be one to try.

23 May 2024

Leia Mais

campy and wonderful up until the very end

This movie treats you to a cliche but very enjoyable time with lovable characters and mostly very good acting---up until the last 8 minutes, when with no warning at all the movie punches you in the face and breaks your nose, and then steals your wallet. It wouldn't be so brutal or shocking if the movie hadn't done such a great job of making you care, so that's one point in its favor... but personally, being punched in the face makes it hard for me to appreciate the good stuff that happened earlier.

Watch #2 made it clearer to me that:
1. this is kind of a Bad Movie. Pick at most 3 genres, or at least do a better job of cycling between them instead of doing a linear speedrun? The confusing political side of the plot is revealed by rewatching as just very thin and absurd. I don't mind dumb action movies as long as they've got heart, characters, and good acting, and this one does, so we'll call it a draw.
2. this delivers very concentrated gay vibes and [what reads to westerners as] innuendo --- even for a Korean drama
3. ....I just really liked it, ok!!!!!!
4. I still don't rec watching the last 8 minutes (even the last 30, once they get up on the roof, is all pretty samey), but do listen to the voiceover at the very end (see #2).

Can't comment on the music because I didn't notice it. Can comment on the fact that they love breaking car windshields, but then (every single time!) there's a continuity error where the window is immediately whole again. This happened at least 3-4 separate times and made me feel a bit crazy. Also, the point of pointing a gun at someone is to shoot them if they attempt to do something you don't want them to do, but in the back half of this movie it's used more like punctuation marks on what the characters are saying and is never prevents any character from doing exactly what they want regardless. Why bother!!

In short: if they wanted this to be a serious movie, they had to try harder at being serious. I don't feel bad about mentally cutting it up for parts!

Leia Mais

Film version of 'In a Relationship'

After airing the 17 episodes of 'In a Relationship', between June 10 and July 24, 2022, its 17 episodes (the first fifteen of approximately three to five minutes each, and the last two, lasting between twelve and fourteen minutes), are taken, with the same title, to a film version in an 87-minute format.
This is the result.
Review:
With the speed of survival we have insisted on forgetting the pandemic, focused on the new challenges that life imposes, day by day.
And there is the art to bear witness to how Covid-19 changed the world as we knew it until then, and among these changes stands out the way in which human beings manage to communicate and establish diverse relationships, including romantic ones, amid limitations of not being able to interact face to face with others.
'In a Relationship', the romantic series with an LGBTIQ+ theme, directed and produced by Napat Worakitpunya, allows us to appreciate the emergence of a love relationship between two teenagers, against the backdrop of social networks and the period of incidence of the pandemic in our lives.
This is one of the BL series produced by Jinloe Media Work, the studio that has also made 'Hit Bite Love' (2023), 'What the Duck' (2018) and its sequel 'What the Duck 2: Final Call' (2019 ).
Starring Nine Trin Summasub, as Tono, and Pea Pearanut Athicomnanta, in the role of Boss, the 2022 Thai drama takes us into characters whose existences are affected by the circumstances of a pandemic that disrupts everything in its path. However, in an indistinct manner, but at the same time in close union, each of them manages to recognize in the sad event the possibility of loving each other, growing as people, the power of forgiveness and second chances.
With a script by Chim Sedthawut Inboon, Tono, a teenager with a growing reputation among online video game players, is presented as the central axis of the plot. One day, while he is live streaming and recording one of his videos, a user he later identifies as Boss criticizes his gaming skills in a chat room. Annoyed, Tono confronts him and they both agree to participate in a video game competition to see who is the best.
After losing the game, Tono must fulfill the winner's three demands: The last request is that Tono become her boyfriend! Reluctant to comply with this demand, Tono will be forced to listen to the constant flirting of the person who claims to have been in love with him for some time.
Will Boss manage to change his social media status to "in a relationship"? Will love arise between these two teenagers? Will they manage to nurture a loving bond beyond any screen? Will they be aware that the true essence of a relationship lies in the mutual understanding, support and love that is built day by day, surpassing virtual scenarios?
The truth is that this is how Boss and Tono begin a relationship, friendly first, romantic later, thanks to cultivating meaningful conversations every day, like those of any teenager of our days, building memories and strengthening emotional bonds.
Boss is a well-defined character. For some time now he has been aware of his sexual identity, and he finds himself caught between the desire to be honest with himself and with the boy he loves, as he fears suffering a new love rejection for having his face marked by youthful acne. That is why he has communicated through a filter and hides his true identity from Tono.
But despite this dark side, the character created by Pea Pearanut Athicomnanta turns out to be more than the simple playboy he can seem every time he flirts. He understands when Tono needs space and backs away, but he still shows his love and sends constant signals of support to the teenager in difficult times, such as during Tono's illness, or when he is upset because his friend Jade has decided not to play with him.
Knowing and loving Tono will make him grow as a person and trust in himself.
For his part, Tono is a boy without major conflicts in his life. Busy with video games and virtual classes due to the pandemic, he has only suffered from his parents' divorce. His character goes through several very different moments throughout the series. She experiences intense feelings when Boss confesses his love for her, and emotional stress when she suspects that the young man she loves has been playing with her feelings.
Tono shows maturity when he forgives Boss and by encouraging him to be himself and grow as a person. Through her relationship with Boss, Tono will discover not only her sexual identity, but also her true feelings and first love.
At first, I find his performance a little uncomfortable, but as the episodes progress, we can see an actor who takes on the role of a typical teenager of our days, giving it his own interpretation and meaning, as he focuses on his goal and fight for what he wants.
Isolated from everything and everyone, even his family members, who are never shown on screen nor are there any references to them, Tono navigates between doubts and insecurities, while trying to understand his own feelings. Can a boy fall in love with another boy?
Although sometimes a certain lack of rhythm is felt in the progression, the best moments of 'In a Relationship' are reserved for the final episodes, when the story gains in maturity and complexity by deepening the plot in the themes addressed, managing to enrich the dynamics of the love relationship and add a fascinating growing tension between the characters.
Intimately and emotionally, 'In a Relationship' addresses universal themes such as the search for authenticity, discovery, personal acceptance, second chances, identity, friendship and love, with a refreshing and sensitive narrative. Along the way, both young people discover much more about themselves and what love and friendship really mean.
The two boys will begin a journey that will change their lives forever. During it, Boss and Tono develop an unexpected and deep connection as they share their personal stories, fears, preferences and dreams.
The music of TheMoonwillalwaysbewithme, Foam and Boxx Music Team helps capture the beauty of first love and self-discovery in adolescence, with totally recognizable boys, but at the same time with the pain of lying.
With evocative cinematography limited by the pandemic scenario, the series immerses us in a crucial moment in the lives of its protagonists where emotions are on the surface.
The series explores many of the challenges that we can encounter every day on social networks and messaging applications, such as the possibility of someone lying or hiding their true identity because they feel ashamed of their own life or body, the prospect of closing distances with people who are far from us; the way to understand, approach and expose our personal life and our relationships, or suffer from the FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) syndrome caused by dependence on social networks.
Likewise, 'In a Relationship' portrays other of the daily challenges faced by people on social networks, who may feel that they are constantly in contact, but the quality and depth of their conversations may decrease. Or what is related to the emotional tone, which is often misinterpreted in texts and messages, which can generate unnecessary conflicts, due to the lack of eye contact and body language, essential for effective communication.
That is the reason why Tono frequently demands the need to complement digital communication through real, in-person connection. That is, being able to see yourself outside of virtual spaces, to be able to openly communicate your feelings, concerns, doubts and insecurities... in short, give free rein to love.
For this reason, I applaud that final scene in which the empty chairs that have always been occupied by our two protagonists prevail, because finally both, after the dangers of the pandemic have disappeared, have met outside the screens of their digital devices.
The review of the series published in MDL can be found at: https://mydramalist.com/731171-in-a-relationship/reviews

Leia Mais

Review of 'As Long as We Both Live' also known as 'My Happy Marriage' / わたしの幸せな結婚

I first watched this in October of 2003. Later I watched the anime, then I read the first two light novel volumes covering the events of the anime and the movie, and then watched the OVA, which covers the final chapter of the second light novel. Finally, I rewatched this movie. I can tell you that it's a lovely story.

I wrote the following in my thread in X last year after watching both movie and anime:

'@akm_ag先生の「わたしの幸せな結婚」がとても好きです。

Both the movie and anime are one of the best things I've watched this year. It's basically patterned after Cinderella, but what I like about it is discovering midway that it's also an Ugly Duckling story. ....'

see https://x.com/patkarunungan/status/1741487343046119869 for more)

It is a very emotional story. It is touching how she later discovered her gift and became the beautiful swan that she is instead of the ugly duckling the people around her thought her to be.

I believe many people have already written on the merits of the movie itself. I will just list some of the differences between the mediums.

*If you first watch the movie, which was the case in Japan — the movie was released before the anime — you might get confused about what's really happening, but it's good enough as an intro.

On a rewatch, you will appreciate some of the details that you missed on your first watch, but you will inevitably get annoyed at some of the omitted material.

*Whilst the voice actors of the anime did well, the chemistry between this movie's couple is better. It's worth watching just for that alone.

*The ending of the movie is cinematic and in my opinion better than what actually happened in the anime. Both the anime (first season and OVA) and movie covered the events of the first two light novels. I reckon that the producers of this film made this as a stand-alone and that no sequel will be made, which is probably why they made such changes in the film.

*Since the movie had to delete certain scenes and did not elaborate, I recommend that anyone who loves this movie and wants some more start over at the beginning of the anime and/or the light novels.

Leia Mais

definitely deserves a watch

this movie is a 10/10 for those who already know cultural elements related to shamanism and all about Korea and also the war history between Japan trying to colonise Korea and society during ww2 .
but this is gonna confuse the heck Outta ppl who don't hv interest in folklores and traditional values of any culture.
For me it was 10/10.. the careful merging of a families grief with an element of horror but more with the feels of those similar war stories I used to hear from my dad when I was small. Overall the whole movie kinda absorbs u in leaving you feel enchanted in some ways.

Leia Mais

Whether it is love or greed, in the end there is still grief

Family oriented genre will always close to audience, combine with death trope and that's it. You got the perfect formula to make a studio full of people cry by the end of the movie. Of course, you have to blend the formula in the right way and this movie sure know how to stir people emotion.

I read from someone who has chinese ancestry how certain scene at the end become their breaking point because it's hit close to their own tradition. I don't have that relation, however i lived with my grandparents until they passed away. So instead of certain scene, the whole part from the moment M decide to scheme his way to Amah's house just hit too close to home. About old people smell, weekly visit, the quite day after holiday, basically all those things you only learned if you live under the same roof with elderly.

I also think this movie show a human realistic side of being caregiver for elderly, especially as family member. Not in depth, but enough to show how it is like on general.

Of course the children dynamic also interesting, not only Amah's children but also Agong's (Mui and M grandpa) children from Mui's POV and Amah with her brother to their parents. Daughter in asian household should raise a toast lol. It's not always the "bad" side of being a daughter tho, i think M's mother show the complexity of mother-daughter relationship in a good way, beside she's a good child if we compare her to her siblings.

In conclusion, this movie success in gathering the formula and blend it perfectly to stir people emotion. Solid plot combine with good chemistry and good acting is already a feast. Cinematography and music just become cherry on top at this point. Really, it is that good.

Leia Mais

I would not rewatch

Typically I dont mind the darker kdramas. personally i enjoy them. this one isn’t necessarily dark but it does deal with some dark themes. for instance there a two scenes of prostitution and one of them leads to a rape. there is bullying both physical and verbal. I was sort of confused as to the plot like why the bf didnt want the mc and girl to hangout. the ending was also sorta obscure. Idk i didnt love it. i personally was quite disturbed which i was surprised because i have watched the glory, requiem for a dream, stangers from hell, Better Days, and Young adult matters and i found somw of those sorta tough to watch. but this one,
man probably never again.

Leia Mais

Quick, low budget trip to Paris

Two actresses, a director, and a member of a film crew all converge in Paris, France for the lighthearted film, Cine Café in Paris. This was a low budget film with Kim Changgyun wearing the hats of actor, director, writer, producer, director of photography, and editor. Whew! It felt like a family affair as everyone in the small cast with the exception of one was a Kim. This was a nice travelogue of Paris and also an “inside baseball” look at filming abroad.

Hara and Eun Su are two actress friends vacationing in the City of Lights. Hara is getting over a failed relationship and audition. The two women take in the sights and discuss boyfriends and life. All is going well until Hara accidentally loses Eun Su’s beloved camera. About that time Director Shin and Mr. Lee make their acquaintance and the four seem to run into each other continually in the quaint little town of Paris where throngs of crowds are unknown. Lol

Hara and Eun Su approach the tourist sights differently. Eun Su takes pictures of art and the buildings around her, while Hara focuses on selfies. Both are dedicated to being actresses though they don’t seem to have much success yet. Shin and Lee discuss the difficulties of filming abroad as they scout locations for his next film. When Shin tells Lee that the production company has to field all of the complaints of the crew and cast, even about the food that’s served, Lee responds Mr. Kim handles all that. A nod of course to the director of this film.

There were times this movie felt like it was filmed with a cell phone, and with a low budget, it might have been. There were only a few scenes where music was inserted and it came across like old silent films because there was no dialogue when the music played. There were also placards introducing each new chapter with the setup for that part of the story, much like silent films as well.

If you want to see the main sights of Paris, this film touched briefly on them. The Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame (pre-fire), Montmartre, a cruise down the Seine, and other familiar places were shown. The director commented in the movie that filming near these tourist attractions required permission and that there wasn’t much one could do about the large crowds, so it appeared they tried to work around those limitations in real life.

Cine Café in Paris wasn’t a great film, and it did start out too slow and self-conscious for me, but as the women worked through their problems and the men joined in with the discussions it became more engaging. Director Shin actually answered some of the questions I had about filming in Paris during his conversations with Lee. At around an hour, it didn’t require a huge time commitment to pop over to Paris and enjoy some of the sights and see how the four people overcame their personal and professional challenges.

22 May 2024

Leia Mais

it’samazing i’m a blink i love it

i love it it was amazing i 100 percent recommend for everyone theye are amazing the music is incredible i love blackpink and i could go on forever………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Leia Mais

Beautiful

Cinematography was impeccable, like really really gorgeously done. it was so beautiful the film used, transitions, and the acting was superb. This ´ohie was so heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. it’s a must watch in my opinion, I was bawling so hard, and love the whole cast, it was perfect even down to her dad, mom, and sister there was so much warmth and love.

I hope you try to watch this, this was beautifully executed. there were no dragging parts, and the Male lead is so beautiful and pleasing on the eyesX and their acting was excellent I felt every scene

Leia Mais

The Road Least Taken

In the 1936 Summer Olympic Games held in Germany, most Americans know about the Track and Field specialist Jesse Owens, a Black athlete. He won four Gold Medals in Track and Field in front of Hitler. Some say that Hitler protested and refused to greet Jesse Owens and others say that he did not. Nonetheless, Koreans know about another controversy at these Summer Olympic Games held in Germany in 1936. This controversy involved Korean Marathon Gold Metal Winner Sohn Kee-chung, who ran under the Japanese name Son Kitei. Although Korean, Sohn Kee-chung’s country of origin was recognized as Japan, because Korea was occupied by Japan at that time. (Japan lost occupation over Korea during World War II in August 1945, ending 35 years of rule over Korea).

A True Story

The Korean movie ‘Road to Boston’ is about Marathon runner Sohn Kee-chung and his fight to get a Korean representative in the Marathon in the next Summer Olympic Games after War II. The road to that goal had to go through Boston, Massachusetts, USA. This is a true story. The movie is an emotional story, with great storytelling involving the political fight necessary to accomplish this goal. The movie has great acting and a great music score. The backstory is very moving, as it highlights one of the Marathoners coached by Sohn Kee-chung for the Boston Marathon in 1947, Suh Yun-bok.

Quote: “What is the most important quality a marathoner needs to have?”, Sohn Kee-chung Nam

“Endurance”, said a Marathoner.

“The most important quality a Marathoner needs is talent.” , said Sohn Kee-chung Nam.
To get to the 1948 Summer Olympics to be held in London, Korea had to establish a record of wins in International competition. Korea had no record since its wins in the 1936 Olympics were accredited to Japan. In order to compete in the 1948 Summer Olympic Games, Korean needed an International win of some sort. 1947 Road to Boston is about this struggle.

My dad was a Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Track coach, plus a Math Teacher. He taught me the Xs and Os of these Sports. I appreciate great runners. For an actor, Im Siwan is a lovely runner and I can see why he was picked for the part of Suh Yun-bok in the movie ‘Road to Boston’ and for the TV drama ‘Run On’. Look at him run alongside world class athlete Suh Yun-bok. One of the most beautiful things to watch with runners is when they achieve flight. Both feet leave the ground. Runners say that this is the closes thing to feeling like flying. In the movie, Im Siwan runs and in periods both feet are totally off the ground. When I look at movies and dramas, I do look at how the actors run. Some get is right or come very close (Kang Ki Yong from Atypical Family, Byeon Woo-Seok from Lovely Runner). Im Siwan is the best.

Leia Mais

Just wow

i didnt go into this expecting much so it's nice to say i was pleasently suprised by how well done this was and how engaging it is. from the acting to the plot to all the suprises and twists, it kept my attention the whole 2 hours (hard to do). i loved every part of it. definitely reccommend
저는 이 영화에서 큰 기대를 하지 않았기 때문에 기분 좋게 놀랐다고 말할 수 있어서 좋습니다. 매우 훌륭하고 매력적입니다. 연기부터 줄거리, 모든 놀라움과 반전에 이르기까지 모든 것이 훌륭했습니다. 2시간 내내 저의 주의를 끌었습니다(하기 힘든 일). 저는 모든 부분이 마음에 들었습니다. 저는 이 영화를 꼭 추천합니다

Leia Mais