Reviews

Uninspiring Title. Nonetheless Solid Horror Flick

The act of a couple selling their home leads to strange and creepy circumstances that put their daughter in danger. It was obvious pretty early on that the husband had some role in the strange incidents happening around his and his wife’s daughter. The movie did a good job at incorporating some creepy and suspenseful moments. Having me waiver between the motive for the weird happenings being sinister or some ritual to protect the daughter from some unseen force, but with rotten food, black crows and a mysterious malevolent figure frequently appearing it became apparent that some evil plot was afoot. The nice twist was that this explored a similar theme as Annabelle Creation. Where in this case the husband had lost his 7 year old daughter, from a previous relationship, years earlier, to a horrible accident, and inconsolable with grief he made some terrible choices in an attempt to bring her spirit back to life.

Of course his attempt wasn’t as innocent as he was being led to believe and as a result he was duped into helping an evil priestess plot to regain a new body to possess. I felt for the father’s grief but I could not understand how he could essentially sacrifice the daughter he had with his new wife for the daughter who died. Moreover, it was unconscionable that he was asking a 7 year old to consent to her body being possessed by the spirit of her dead half sister.

The ending was confusing. It was clear that Ing’s body was taken over by Jaa. But it seemed for a second there that she’d become possessed by the evil entity as she appeared to have killed Ing’s mom. We later learn she survived, and killed Rattree whom we never see alive again after the attack. But last we see Ing/Jaa she appears to be a sweet little girl with no indication that evil resides within her. This was an entertaining horror movie with some nice twists. Definitely worth watching.

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"You've lost your elephant again!?!"

Tony Jaa had to rescue his elephant little brother once again in Tom Yum Goong 2. Just as in the original, the story was a thin construct, simply there to let Jaa shine. This time he stayed in Thailand when he faced the dastardly devils who stole his elephant.

Kham’s elephant is stolen (again!) by a bad guy who is working for a badder guy. When Kham arrives at his lair, the bad guy is dead and his two nieces skilled in martial arts think Kham did it. The cops have already been called to set him up so he has Sue Sue and Ping Ping (Jeeja Yanin) after him as well as the police force. Sgt. Mark, now working for Interpol, arrives on the scene. Kham ends up with what looks like the entire population of Bangkok chasing him on foot, motorcycle, and car! The Big Bad, LC, wants Kham to help him disrupt the peace process taking place in Bangkok for Kantana, a country divided. With his life and the life of his elephant on the line Kham has to find a way out or at least a way through the formidable fighters standing between him and his elephant.

The story, much like the first one, had plot holes galore. The acting was adequate. None of that was too important. Watching Tony Jaa and Jeeja Yanin fight was more than enough reason to hit play.

I’d read numerous complaints with people unhappy that Tony used wires and CGI in this film. While it was great he did amazing stunts without either in previous films, at 37, I didn’t understand what the big deal was. Jet Li, Donnie Yen, and Jackie Chan all used fighting enhancements, especially as they aged. It makes for more fantastical if not realistic fights. The wires and CGI didn’t bother me, what did was the almost indestructible nature of Kham, The Big Bad, and the #2 bad guy. In the original, Kham took people out in their vulnerable places and when people went down, they stayed down. Regardless of how they staged them there were several creative fights. The motorcycle battle and an electrically charged confrontation were quite creative. Jeeja Yanin took a backseat to Tony in the fights, but was still able to demonstrate what makes her an exciting fighter.

Tom Yum Goong 2 had a more polished look than the first film, but I missed the intense fight choreography. Unless the bad guys were zombies, I’m not sure how they kept getting up again and again. Apparently, Kham wasn’t hitting them very hard because even a hardened body is not indestructible. Kham also seemed made of impervious rubber. Having said that, I always enjoy watching Tony Jaa fight and this was no exception. Delephantly (couldn’t resist an elephant pun!) for Jaa and martial arts fans only.

3 March 2024

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Emotional movie that touches on life and death

If you've seen the trailer, you may think this is a mystery/horror movie but don't be fooled. There are two arcs in this: first half fools you into thinking its horror and the latter half is emotional and a real tearjerker.

Basic rundown of this story without spoilers: the female lead notices her neighbors being weird and tries to find out the reason. There is also a strange light shop down the street that she is suspicious of. She works with her boyfriend to discover the truth. The director does a good job using color to portray the mood of the scene- using dark contrast for the "horror" and warm tones for other scenes. Additionally, the metaphor of using lightbulbs to represent human life is the heart of this movie. Characters enter the light shop to get their lightbulb, others don't have one, and some choose to give up their lightbulb.

You can tell they had a good budget and spent a lot of effort and time to create this movie. The transition between scenes and flashbacks was so smooth, you get pulled into the story even more.

There were a lot of familiar faces in this: Zhang Ruo Nan, Bai Yu Fan, Zheng Kai (cameo), Sun Qian, and Liu Yi Jun. They really embraced their characters. Bai Yu Fan and Zhang Ruo Nan's emotional scenes especially broke me. I was bawling at the end of the movie.

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Completely crazy

I've never heard of the Tootsies, but it looked like it would be fun.

There were some over the top camp moments and some ridiculous moments. The first scene was awful - I don't like that sort of humour (I had to fast forward) but I hoped it would get better. It did!

They were some real laugh out loud moments. There were truly silly moments.

What I liked: despite having really silly moments, there were some real life issues in the film: pretending to like your partner's 'daughter', pretending not to notice something is slightly off with your partner, being desperate to have a child (for whatever reason!) and willing to do anything.

What I didn't like: stereotypical camp gay men. I accept there are lots of camp gay men, but at times it felt like too much. It didn't detract from the fun of the film though (because the campiness was part of the fun!)

It won't win any prizes but there was enough to keep me watching without being bored.

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Not an essential, more a nice side quest to 'The Untamed' series' lore

After watching the amazing series The Untamed, I was looking forward this movie set up in the same universe as I truly enjoyed the parent drama. Here, the film features a side quest led by two secondary characters of The Untamed that I like a lot: Ghost General Wen Ning and Lan Si Zhui.

Even though I like the universe and the characters, I must admit that this movie is not a "must watch" but rather a "nice to see". Indeed the story is very predictable, I guessed everything very easily. There are almost no characters growth / development and very few links / references to the parent series. The scenario, quite classic, felt very "shonen" / "video game" and the film is too short to get truly emotionally invested in what happens to the protagonists.

I still enjoyed it thanks to the production value. The budget seems higher than in the drama for the special effects and make-up. There is an elevated feel to the monster / fantasy elements which is very enjoyable, especially in the fight scenes. The soundtract was pretty nice, though not memorable but with some lovely tunes as well as a soothing ending song.

I would recommend this to people that are missing The Untamed series. If you watch it without any big expectation, it is an easy watch featuring lovable secondary characters from this amazing drama. It does not bring anything new to the universe and original story but it is a quite short and entertaining watch.

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Universal story

Can I say I was a bit disappointed in this film? I expected more or different, and I found things I've already seen elsewhere!

Let me explain myself!
The documentary tells the story of homosexuality in modern China (from 1949) through interviews with activists, professors, journalists and artists. And it tells a very familiar story, reminiscent of what the west went through. Homosexuality had been banned, outlawed, punished, people have been ostracized, beaten, pushed into hiding. Slowly the laws changed, society's perceptions changed, decriminalizing sodomy and eventually homosexuality at the end of 20th century. At the same time HIV/AIDS epidemic struck China with its full force and the government had to do something in order to slow it down: prevention, condoms etc. This made the LGBT people more visible. The economic growth opened China, the people were given a taste of liberty and they used it to put forward the idea that gay people (or tongzhi) are just humans like everyone else. Gays and lesbians organized themselves into clubs and then they opened bars and gained more and more tolerance. These clubs were also used to promote protection and prevention from AIDS. There were classes at the universities in social studies about homosexuality, film festivals were organized, art exhibitions as well. The backlash from authorities seems to have been minimal. The movie ends on a high note. By 2008, the acceptance of LGBT community in China was high and they were even fighting for equal marriage (even though the majority of people interviewed here were against it saying why should they mimic heterosexuals?!?!?).

I do not know much about China but I expected this to show us a different story. It didn't! Should it be a comfort to know that we in the west went through the same motions as they did? Maybe! This is just to show that no matter which country, they were all at one time intolerant of different sexuality.

This film is divided in 8 parts, each covering a subject connected with the LGBT history with poetic titles like "From Pitch Black To Light Grey", "From Parks to Grassroots" etc. explaining the evolution of chinese society's views on homosexuality. There are some interesting interviewees: a 70yr old gay man talking about his recent promiscuity or the youngish blogger spending time proudly outing people who do not want to be outed who were the extremes (just to show us they do exist) while the majority were university professors, lawyers and activist.

What happened next? I wager that the story is different today! I would love to see a documentary about the last 15 years in China!

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A must-watch film, and a compelling narrative, leaving a lasting emotional impact.

My Name is Loh Ki Wan" is a cinematic masterpiece that seamlessly blends drama, romance, and the complexities of identity. The film's portrayal of Loh Ki Wan's journey as a North Korean defector seeking refuge in Belgium is both poignant and riveting. The unexpected romance that unfolds with Marie adds a beautiful layer of emotion, making it a story that resonates deeply.

The performances are outstanding, with the cast delivering nuanced portrayals that breathe life into the characters. Song Joong-ki (SJK) delivers a compelling performance in "My Name is Loh Ki Wan," portraying the North Korean defector with depth and authenticity. His nuanced acting captures the emotional complexities of the character, adding a powerful layer to the film.


The cinematography captures the essence of both North Korea and Belgium, creating a visually captivating experience. The pacing keeps the audience engaged, and the screenplay skillfully balances moments of tension with heartwarming scenes.

At its core, "My Name is Loh Ki Wan" is a celebration of resilience, love, and the pursuit of a new beginning. It leaves a lasting impact, prompting reflection on the universal themes of human connection and the quest for belonging. This film is a must-watch, offering a rich tapestry of emotions that lingers in the viewer's mind long after the credits roll.

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A Cinematic Masterpiece

What can I say about this film? As someone who has seen more movies than I can count, it really takes something special to leave a lasting impression on me. And that's exactly what this movie did – it burrowed its way into my mind and heart, creating an experience that will stay with me for years to come.

The storytelling was masterful, weaving together multiple narratives into an intricate tapestry that kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters were richly drawn and multi-layered, each with their own struggles and triumphs that resonated deeply. I found myself invested in their journeys, laughing and crying alongside them as the plot unfolded.

But what truly set this movie apart was its visual artistry. The cinematography was nothing short of breathtaking, with every frame composed like a living painting. The use of color, lighting, and camera angles created an immersive atmosphere that transported me to different worlds with each scene. I was in awe of the attention to detail and the seamless blending of practical and visual effects.

Performances were also top-notch across the board, with the ensemble cast delivering nuanced and powerful portrayals that elevated the material. Each actor brought their A-game, and their chemistry was electric, making even the quietest moments crackle with intensity.

In a sea of forgettable, cookie-cutter films, this movie stands out as a true work of art. It's a testament to the power of cinema to challenge, inspire, and entertain on the highest level. I left the theater feeling enriched and invigorated, eager to discuss and dissect every aspect of this cinematic masterpiece.

In conclusion, this film is a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of cinema. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking an engaging and unforgettable cinematic experience. Ignore the naysayers – this is a must-watch masterpiece.

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Masterful Film

Amazing acting from everyone, great storyline, beautifully shot film, and fantastic costuming. It also taught me more about Thai culture, which was an absolute plus! Seeing the dancing, learning a little about social class and political climates of the time, witnesses customes and seeing traditional dress was all very interesting as someone with extremely limited knowledge on traditional Thai culture. Overall, wonderful film. The only reason I didn't give it a full rewatch score is because of the amount of twists in the movie and how a lot of my love comes from my reactions to the twists in the story. Experiencing it a second time wouldn't be the same or as intriguing because I know what the twists are - and they are awesome! But that's a "me thing" lol. A must-watch!!

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A Compelling Journey of Peril and Perseverance, Abandoned for a Ridiculous “Love” Story

Started off as a brutal look into the struggles in immigrating from North Korea. The journey was tough to watch as Loh lived off the grid with his mother in China while she worked to raise enough money for them to escape to some European safe haven. Things don’t go exactly as planned when they are discovered by the Chinese police and his mother is killed while they’re attempting to flee.

Loh makes it to Belgium but continues to encounter some very difficult hardships. Though his encounters with the locals always escalating to violence, on their part, was heavy handed and unrealistic, his struggles for work and warmth and a roof over his head were authentic.

The part where this story goes off the rails is with Marie. A woman whose rebellion against her father over the death of her mother involves doing drugs and being the pawn of a Belgium gangster. It’s not love at first sight with these two being that she steals his wallet, which has all he has left of his mother and what little money he earned from her death. But soon their lives become entangled when she promises to get his wallet back and gives him a tip which results in a job.

There’s nothing more to their love story except a shared meal over which they didn’t talk but spent the entire time stuffing their faces, but somehow they came out of that being deeply in love, with Loh willing to do everything from OD on drugs, face off with gangsters and risk his ability to gain citizenship to save Marie. It was utterly ridiculous.

The movie seemed to have spent more time on the “love” story and Marie’s drama than on what should’ve been the focus of the story, Loh’s journey to freedom. In the end he finally gets citizenship in Belgium and in a voiceover states that he faced “many storms to get there. It would’ve made for an excellent story if we’d actually seen it. Instead his story became about saving Marie, then giving up his citizenship to go be with her on some island in the South Pacific. Needless to say I was left a bit perturbed by this waste of two hours.

I will say the Korean actors were great in this, but the premise advertised is not what this turned out to be.

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I can feel their pain

It's a great story the movie itself tells the story of being accepted in the community that you loved to be belong to.
Song Joong Ki is not so glamorous in this film, his not the oppa material that we used to see him. She showcase his talent in acting wherein I can feel his pain. The story tells to faced the trials and pain to never give up. I can feel his pain in betrayal the person that you didn't expect to betray you is the most painful one.
The girl Marie is gorgeous they have resemblance with the actress Yeo Sea Ji they are the same as good actresses. I can also the pain of Marie when she loss her mother.
Together they embrace their pains and together they faced it. In the end they find the real happiness after all the pain they been through.

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"Who would have thought time was so important?"

Once Upon a Time in China 2 reunited Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, and director Tsui Hark. Max Mok joined the cast as Leung Foon. This time around Wong Fei Hung had the White Lotus Cult to deal with as well as a deadly Commander all while helping Dr. Sun Yat Sen and his rebellion. And there was a secret list in true traditional kung fu film style!

Whether it was led by Lo Lieh in a white wig or Xiong Xin Xin, the White Lotus Cult was always full of crazed and dangerous followers in Kung Fu Land. Based on a real sect, in this iteration, they wanted to rid China of anything remotely Western. You know they were evil because they even threw a Dalmatian dog on the bonfire for being too Western. Wong Fei Hung takes his first train ride to Canton along with 13th Aunt and Leung Foon arriving just in time for the burning and murdering. He also meets Dr. Sun Yat Sen at a medical symposium and befriends him. Along the way they rescue Chinese children who were taking foreign language classes and are on the cult’s hit list. Commander Lan appears to be all helpful and loyal but the audience knows better.

I enjoyed this film better than the first one. The story kept the action and conflict cranked but most importantly we were given two amazing fights between Jet Li and Donnie Yen. Yuen Woo Ping won the HKFA for best Fight Choreography and he earned it. He pushed Jet and Donnie and they excelled. There was wire work to be sure, but these two fast hitters were in their prime and sold every move with fists, kicks, poles, and wet towels. The fight with the cult leader relied too heavily on fantasy wire work, while entertaining, it wasn’t as good as the other two big fights.

The drawbacks for me with this film usually involved Leung Foon. His weird arousal every time he was near 13th Aunt was creepy and I didn’t find him amusing, mostly annoying. I also didn’t need to see three vomiting scenes. Because of the conflation of a cult attack, rebels with a secret list, 13th Aunt wanting WFH to notice her, a British embassy and children to protect as well as a murderous corrupt official to deal with, the story bounced around a lot and also dragged in places.

What drew me to this film and made it enjoyable were the fights between Jet Li and Donnie Yen. Without them the film would have been lackluster. It was fun to watch two kung fu movie legends go against each other in a no holds barred pole and wet towel fight.

2 March 2024

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