Reviews

A few words that describes this story: Breathtaking, Mind-blowing, Plot-twist, and Psychological.

STORY:
I think the title of this review says it all. This story is a Rollercoaster, so please make sure to wear your seat belt before you start the ride. I really enjoy historical and psychological movie, so I knew that I was going to enjoy the story from the start. It starts a bit slow, but it gets more and more interesting the more you watch. So, please don't drop it because of that! Give it a chance! I believe is worth it. The cinematography is beautiful. It is expected since it is a historical genre, and most of those have good cinematography. That is why I'm fond of them. You will see a lot of plot-twists in this story, so please do pay close attention and do NOT skip anything or else you will be left very confused. The plot-twists are mind-blowing to me cause I was not expecting them at all lol. It is also psychological, so do expect to see things that can be triggering, like blood, violence, sexual harassment, manipulation, and other similar things. Also, do keep in mind that this has mature content and that you will see bed scenes. I'm just warning you all ahead so that it's not too shocking lol. Anyways, the story is a bit slow, but it feels just right at the same time. And it has a happy ending! Yay! Overall, I will give the plot 8 out of 10.

CONS:
Some things I personally didn't like about the movie is how disgusting the men were, and how the mature themes were portrayed. I mean, let's be real, there are many many many men out there that are like that and it's not just fiction. This is reality. I'm not saying all men are like this of course, but let's say that a big percentage is, so this is not something unusual or rare, but it's still unlikable to me and disgusting to watch. Of course, that doesn't make it a bad movie though. As for the mature themes, what I didn't like about them is that it felt a bit unrealistic. They portrayed lesbian love scenes in a way that it felt like it was meant to be for the male view and not for the audience as a whole. It was a bit unpleasant, but not too bad to the point that you will hate it. I just think that they could have done it a bit more romantic, instead of it just being sex. This is just my personal opinion, of course. Since this is a lesbian story, the production team should have made it more romantic to portray the love between the two girls better.

ACTING / CASTING:
The casting is perfect for me. The two female leads are very beautiful and I love the chemistry between them. The acting is also amazing. They portrayed every emotion well, to the point that I even cried twice lol. The cast and acting was great, so I will give it a 9 out of 10.

MUSIC / REWATCH VALUE:
The music and soundtrack of this movie is a masterpiece. I mean, what else can I say? It is a historical movie, so it is expected to be this good. I really love it. I even found a Playlist on YouTube with the soundtracks and I couldn't help but to listen to it again because of how beautiful it is. Definitely a 8.5 out of 10 for the music. As for the rewatch value, I will give it a 7.5 out of 10. This is actually my second time watching this movie. The reason why I did it is because the first time I skipped a lot of scenes because it was slow. But after rewatching it for the second time (without skipping anything), I regret doing that. It is not worth to skip anything! If you do, you will miss out a lot of the plot. So, don't do the same mistake I did, please! I would rewatch this again to be honest, but at the same time, I believe that watching it once or twice is enough, unless you miss the story too much, haha!

Overall, I really enjoyed it. It is definitely worth to watch. I recommend it. It is a 8.5 out of 10 for me. If I'm not wrong, this movie has been dubbed in different languages too. I saw an English and a Spanish Dub. So, if you are not a big fan of reading subtitles (Not me lol!), then you can try watching the dubs that are available. Thank you for reading! <3

Leia Mais

Walmart version of Unlocked

This movie was straight up ass.

Not one likeable character in there, everyone was so annoying, ESPECIALLY the main character. Holy shit I’ve never been more frustrated in my life while watching a movie???!! not even when I watched the call.

Half of the shit she did was just so stupid and the polices reaction to her literally being doxxed and broken into is hilarious bruh. They noticed it getting serious and still allowed her to stay at home??? What the hell bruh…

Also wtf happened to the manager and why did they just skip over the fact that he was found dead in her apartment like wtaf???

The only sorta likeable character was the detective and the younger detective who ended up dying.
I feel like most of the shit that happened in this movie was for shock value and none of it even made sense at all, they just tried to make some kinda smart/scary hacker movie but this was just plain stupid.

From the beginning the main girl pissed me off, constantly whining and the choices she made was just so…like girl please be fr. Once the stalking and harassing started, she legit did nothing but whine some more and do nothing like atleast move away??

Also the girl who came as a witness (literally the most direct victim of the killer), why was her story so dismissed??? She came on to testify and then……nothing???????

How did the younger detective figure out to check the files that were apparently stacked under a bunch of older cases files and found matches ??????? ? Just so many plotholes its so stupid.

Also how did she never question why they suddenly installed a cctv camera outside of her apartment. Sure she might’ve assumed its for her own safety but like, you know you’re dealing with a hacker whos stalking you, this shit is literally their forte and she never even bothers to ask about it? Like yeah she just fuckin accepts it.

I won’t even nitpick on the fact that she never noticed her ENTIRE apartment being covered with cctv cameras, like sure maybe you don’t look up at your ceilings often but surely you wouldve noticed the 10 new big ass fire detector looking things drilled into your walls …?????

Also what the fuck is wrong with the police there? Why are they leaving the site just because she left her apartment when they KNOW the killer still has access to her house and mainly enters it when shes not home. And they barely even tried to be unsuspecting bruh, were they thinking they’re gonna catch him?? A whole ass police car with white and blue colours and sirens on top, are they stupid? Also after they left in that one scene they NEVER showed up again?

Also if the killer is mainly on websites luring victims in then why is the police group that got the case, not even trying to catch him through that? Especially when that stupid ass idiot keeps having the same EXACT bio text. “selling this because im immigrating” , HOW IS THE POLICE NOT EVEN BATTING AN EYE ON THIS? Also after the killer escaped they just allowed her to be alone again?

When she fell unconscious, they just left her to go home alone? Unsupervised?

When the killer called her mom and she never checked up on her mom and asked her about it??????? Like what the fuck is this movie.

The only mildly entertaining scene was the car chase but even that was fucking hilarious because what the hell was she even trying to do half drugged in the backseat? Shes reaching for him as if she could even do anything?? The younger detective was the only one i truly liked honestly, he tried his best but how the hell did his car flip so fucking much when both of the cars were hit in one place i would’ve thought it was just hit in one go and there would be a huge dent on the side of it but not a fucking 10 time flip while the other car with her and the killer rolled once and the dude made it out fine but everyone else was on verge of death?

I’m pretty sure the cctv footage could’ve even caught the guy when he casually fuckin walked away from the scene, literally untouched? And why did none of the people who were around the car crash react to a dude getting out of the car and walking away like its a normal tuesday night?

Just plain stupid. And the friend should’ve been more persuasive about her staying at hers. She was so half assed about it. “Nooo come here im worried about u” like girl just come and get her bruh. Also why did she keep refusing to get away from that fuckass apartment and then getting shocked each time the killer found her??? Shes so stupid, this entire movie ruined my day. ASS ?

Leia Mais

Japan's School of Rock

Japanese films of the 90s and early 2000s are very underrated, at least in my choices, as I keep jumping back and forth between the 50s and... 2010. While the classics are directed by the well-known and acclaimed Kurosawa, Ozu or Kobayashi, whose stories focus on the human condition in countless ways, at the end of the 90s a few names like Iwai, Nakashima or Sono began to appear. These filmmakers created new ‘experimental’ stories, drawing on the many influences imported from the West and others born in Japan itself, such as kawaii culture, animanga and video games. For a certain group of people, these films became cult classics. There was constant feedback of influences and interests between Japan and the West noticeable on the Japanese films from this period.

One of these films, Swing Girls, has become not only my favourite Japanese film, but one of my favourite films ever.

During the summer holidays, while a group of girls are wasting their time in tutored classes, Tomoko, one of these girls, watches through the window as the high school band goes to support the baseball team (perhaps for Koshien?). But just as they leave, the caterer arrives. Tomoko, who wants skip classes, suggests to the teacher that the rest of the class join her in taking lunch to them. After a rather eventful train journey, they deliver the food, which they had previously soiled and exposed to the heat of the Japanese summer. The whole group is food poisoned, and the only member who doesn't get sick because he hadn't eaten, blames them and forces them to take the place of his classmates. Tomoko and the girls take advantage of the situation to continue avoiding lessons, but gradually the music finds its way into their rebellious little hearts.

Swing Girls is literally a live-action adaptation of a school slice-of-life anime, but it's not as cringe-worthy as other films. It is a story of how students with no future, ostracized by their peers and teachers, prove that all it takes to succeed is a goal and enough confidence to achieve it. Moreover, these school stories emphasise living in the moment, because the last years of school life are also the last days of childhood. Entering university means the beginning of adulthood and, as we know, by Japanese standards this means absolute devotion to work and family.

The students stumble upon their passion in unexpected ways, and in almost two hours of footage we follow these girls as they go from teasing their classmates to devoting themselves entirely to music, ending up with a jazz orchestra that Damian Shazeru would have wanted for Wipurasshu. The film is always entertaining and fun, with a cheesy and cheeky humour. I loved this innocence and kindness that subtly surrounds the plot and the characters.

Swing Girls is simple, unassuming, and watching it makes me happy and puts a smile on my face from ear to ear.

Leia Mais

A violent encounter between two cultures, two sexes, two Chinas, two generations.

Wai Tung (Winston Chao) is a Taiwanese-American man who is happily settled in New York with Simon (Mitchell Lichtenstein), his American boyfriend. Already close to 30 years old, Wai-Tung has not yet married, and his Taiwanese parents are impatient with the fact that they want to see him married and have children.
But what shines is not the golden and cheerful champagne, but a sad and sordid story. Wai-Tung has not dared to confess his homosexuality because his father has recently recovered from a heart attack, in addition to coming from a conservative family and he fears that they will not accept that he is a gay man.
Wai's parents, unaware of the situation, have found him a girlfriend from Taiwan and gotten him engaged; and they plan to travel to the United States to introduce the girl and celebrate the nuptials. From there, the crazy dizzying entanglement: While Wai must announce that he already has a girlfriend, Simon proposes celebrating a wedding of convenience with his Chinese roommate Wei-Wei (May Chin), a young immigrant who needs a green immigration card. to remain in the United States.
With its Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, a Golden Globe nomination in the same section, and six nominations for the Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Film, all in 1993, 'Xi yan' ('The Wedding Banquet ') won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, shared with the Chinese film '"Woman Sesame Oil Maker'
With a lot of ingenuity and a good dose of humor and drama, the success of the film is guaranteed by the truthfulness of the story and the way in which the creators do not seek melodrama and basic humor, but rather do justice to the characters. .
In this well-conceived, bittersweet, funny and very entertaining film, which never stumbles, it tells us how Simon's strategy, which seemed to be safe, causes even more problems when Mrs. Gao (Gui Ya Lei) and her husband, Mr. Gao (Lung Sihung), Wai-Tung's parents, arrive in New York to celebrate a big wedding with Wei Wei. As a result, all kinds of emotional conflicts and human relationships happen behind the Chinese-style wedding banquet.
Friendly and surprising film of cultural shocks that launched Lee to universal recognition, the multi-award-winning director demonstrates a certain creative maturity as an author. Halfway between comedy and social melodrama, he bases his story on the critical-testimonial subtlety of situations and dialogues, which range from hilarity to touching sentiment, managing to overcome cultural barriers and achieve, in this way, international recognition. . As a curious fact, Lee participates as an extra among the guests at the wedding banquet.
With sequences as successful as the wedding banquet - following Chinese traditions - that titles the film, the humor comes from both the characters and the situations, giving rise to a funny and emotional unusual comedy.
'The Wedding Banquet' offers a sharp study of mentalities and points out the problems of Chinese emigrants in the United States, in search of an identity and that "American dream" that most of the time will not be realized.
With a low budget, so it was filmed with natural light, and dialogues in English and Chinese, the film talks about the confusion of identities, traditional family values ​​and their clash with modern life. Not in vain did the Taiwanese director say in this regard: "It is a violent encounter between two cultures, two sexes, two Chinas, two generations. Also, in some way, a clash between Eastern and Western society."
With this very skillful and entertaining social comedy, turned satire on the middle class with more heart than bite, Lee seems to have the objective of breaking spears in defense of homosexuality, with his dialogues and erotic situations very explicit in this sense.
Hence Lee recognized: "it is an important aspect in this film, because American cinema has traditionally treated homosexuals and also the Chinese badly. I would like them to be respected more. (…) in America it is seen as something comical, but in Taiwan it would be a drama. I wrote it based on my own experience, because it was also an act of rebellion for me not to get married, and in real close situations," referring to the fact that he was inspired to write the story by a couple of his friends.
Due to its emotional charge, with this film, the Taiwanese director, screenwriter and producer continues, as he did in previous films, such as 'Pushing Hands' and 'Eat Drink Man Woman', his exploration of the relationships and conflicts between tradition and modernity. , eastern and western. Lee also deals with repressed and hidden emotions in many of his films, including 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' 'The Ice Storm,' 'Hulk,' and 'Brokeback Mountain.'

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Brilliant semi-historical movie about ethical questions

Important film about the ethical dilemma of modern times whether any unjust methods can be justified to achieve one’s goal if the person believes it is desirable. If so, where would be the permissible range?

Set in the 1960s-70s, “Kingmaker” revolves around an opposition party politician who dreams of becoming president and his excellent strategist. It was motivated by mysterious election strategist Eom Chang-rok, who worked for former President Kim Dae-jung, who became president in 1998 in the culmination of a decadeslong political career. As far as I understood it is the lead actor Sol Kyung Gu responsible for the change of names - because of the pressure in portraying an actual famous person and its habits he proposed to the director to use imagined names instead of true personalities. Of course, the synopsis is based on real life events but the portrayal and its characteristics are based on the interpretation of the actors. Personally I liked the small details that gave away hints for KDJ again and again. The injured leg should be the most obvious one.

Let’s talk about the movie:
I really enjoyed the whole ride into partially true history. When you’re in Korea and ask the people for their favorite President it’s mostly either Park Chung Hee or Kim Dae Jung (from my personal experience). It all depends where your political compass is headed. Because I also vibe with KDJ I was eager to watch the movie and had high expectations, especially when I got to know the whole crew. I wasn’t disappointed because the acting is extraordinary brilliant - fitting to the senior actors Stils. They captivated me all along and made the time travel a unique experience. However, I also enjoyed the creative intermissions like “aged black/white tv reports” or two masqueraded political cabaretist which gave you a time stamp within the story. The intrigues, mind games and versatile tricks to win elections are impressive and scary at the same time. So my fascination really pulled the strings and left me in awe with the story. Not really good but also not really bad characters - the truth is in the middle. But the overall question about what’s right or wrong to reach your goals build on your ideals can only be answered by the viewer and it’s quiet noticeable how modern is this philosophical question. Overall, I’m impressed and had fun with the movie. I’d wish we would get more movie portrayals about the Three Kim Era instead of the republican anti-heroes.

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An Okay Movie

Almost all the CNY movies are popcorn movies are it's a time for families to go out and spend time together. hence the box office for CNY movies are usually really good and it's a great time for comedies and sadly, mediocre movies.

This is one of the better movies among the mediocre movies and as usual with most CN media, brings a positive vibe throughout the entire movie. Not surprising, This movie topped the charts as it was a safe and good choice for families during CNY.

My only complaint is that the racing wasn't done well, and you were left with a cliffhanger at the end, altho the sequel cleared it all up. (The sequel just came out in 2024 CNY and just like this movie, topped the charts being in the top3).

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I love Zee and NuNew so it pains me to say what I'm about to say.

I just thought this was pretty bad. I love them, both their individial acting and oh mygoodness the chemsitry is gorgeous. This story though? Even some award deserving kisses could not save it.

I found the story to be quite boring up until just over the halfway point and while things did get interesting, oh geez, the acting. Please don't as Nu to act like that again, that was hilarious and cringy to watch, especially as a fan and knowing how talented he really is.

I didnt care for his character in this movie. He was so simpering and meek and everything his Cutie Pie character is not and I found it frustratng to watch. As an actor I felt he deserved better than that in a role he was being asked to portray.

Zee's character, well there was nothing new there. This is his signature role and it can not possibly be any sort of stretch for him. In fact their interactions just felt so choreographed. The exact looks, the exact facial expressions, the exact head movement, it's exactly as I have seen from them before and it just felt a little like I could practically hear the director saying "okay aaaaaand cut!"

With that said, come on, you know they can do no wrong whatsoever in the kissing department. They could teach a masterclass.

For me this movie started out so slow and boring and then went so far in the other direction so quickly that it was jarring and that all might have been okay, maybe, had the acting been better and more believable. I'm sorry NuNew, I love you, I do, but it was just so impossible not to laugh and shake my head.

Now, what I did like about this story was the cute side couple. There was only a little glimpse of a potential story there that I would loved to have seen explored. The interactions between those two started out honest feeling to me but then of course, I guess for times sake, it morphed to the usual scene like a box that was checked.

How do you go to what appears to be work attire the whole time then suddenly no shirt and a pair of white shorts? I mean he was watering the property flowers right LOL? That was just hilarious and out of left field for me.

Did I hate this movie? No but given the bigger named actors, I was expecting so very much more and I thought the actors deserved better.

Leia Mais

Hello, Love!

Remember, when reading reviews...
That review is only good for the person who wrote it.
Please do not skip a series/movie simply because you saw a negative review.
That said, Hello Stranger: The Movie, is the BL quality I enjoy.
I binged watch the series and movie all in one evening without interruption.
And I'm happy I did. This was a beautiful story of Mico & Xavier.
Mico, adorable as adorable gets. His tears, you felt. His words, you heard!
He gave of himself to this role - as did co-star, Xavier. The acting was phenomenal.
JunJun/Seph...what great friends and support. JunJun, more than anyone was the rock.
JunJun was beyond necessary with his bits of logic & just sheer common sense.
It subtracts sex, lust, the need to be physical, love triangles, & confusion.
It simply addresses real life emotions & events. Tugs at the heart.
A story told...hmm...coherently. Actors with chemistry who were passionate.
This movie should be included in the every BL list as a mainstay.
We should rewatch/revisit this title often as a reminder....

Leia Mais

Opposites attract and create very deep love stories

Strange strength is that of love that transcends the barrier of distance and time, mocks prejudices of all kinds and also manages to perpetuate itself in art as an inspiring paradigm for future generations.
But there are loves that break, in addition to social and temporal molds, those of carnality and logic. How, why, for what, are just the first questions in the face of the inevitable evidence of these powerful attractions.
We don't know if it's because of something in physics or chemistry, but it's no lie that opposites attract and create very deep love stories. Perhaps it is these differences that make them feel a strong attraction towards each other and, what's more, if they complement each other healthily, they will be able to have an almost perfect relationship for life.
However, patiently overcoming obstacles to get to that point will not be an easy task!
When a film becomes a mass phenomenon, regardless of whether or not it has its cinematographic values, it is because it touches some intimate fiber of that public that goes to the cinemas to enjoy it. 'To My Star The Movies', from 2021, proves the axiom.
Because? Its theme, which was evidently the driving force behind its success: the differences between the two characters, one of them a famous celebrity and the other an ordinary chef, in addition to telling about a homosexual relationship. Their lives will be shaken when one of them, who flees from the press and his followers after being involved in a media scandal, is forced to leave his comfort zone and will cross paths with someone who does not want to leave it.
The film, a compilation of the Korean BL drama of the same name, with some scenes added and others deleted or moved in the new editing, revolves around Kang Seo Joon (Son Woo Hyun), a famous free-spirited film and television celebrity who hides after being implicated in a public scandal. At his hideout he meets Han Ji Woo (Kim Kang Min), his new roommate, an introverted and conservative man who leads a modest and unpretentious life.
Forced into an uncomfortable situation, they begin to share their personal stories, fears, and dreams. Despite his fall from grace and not having started the relationship on the right foot, Seo Joon believes that his luck changes when he meets and falls in love with the boy who represents his antithesis. While they spend time together, between the actor and the chef, who move in two very different social spheres, a romance arises,
Seo Joon is not only famous at the peak of his career, playing the leads in hit dramas and television variety shows, as well as high-profile advertisements, he is also outgoing, extravagant and very charismatic. Accustomed to being the center of attention, his personality is pure magnetism that attracts other people to his presence; while Ji Woo, who always tries to go unnoticed and not experience any upheavals in his life, represents the humility and simplicity of a down-to-earth boy who prefers a quiet lifestyle with simple pleasures, such as cooking or hiking.
And against everything predictable, one falls in love with the other and what is worse... it is reciprocated.
The film, by director Hwang Da Seul, who took her time to weave the story, with the meticulousness that characterizes her, worked like a craftsman in her eagerness to recreate every detail on a topic that she is passionate about: boy love, as he did with two dramas: 'Where Your Eyes Linger' (2020) and 'Blueming' (2022), and the short film 'Inner Me'.
With a simple, but captivating and visually emotional plot, the novice filmmaker, recognized for her creative abilities, shows that it was no coincidence that she won the Award of Excellence at the V Catholic Film Festival for her 2018 short film 'Spring That Summer' .
To do so, it was based on Park Young's script about a romantic relationship between two initially heterosexual boys. The film exposes prejudices about homosexuality in Korean society and, above all, in the world of arts and culture, reflected by Jeon Jae Yeong (Kim Pil Hyun), Seo Joon's crisis and talent manager. , upon discovering the budding romance between the two protagonists, but later he will become an accomplice of the two lovers. The series also reflects the role of the media and social networks in the public's perception of youth idols.
Emotionally charged, 'To My Star The Movie' captures the essence of intimacy, vulnerability and unconditional solidarity within the queer community, with two young people navigating their gender identity and cultural background as its narrative heroes. Through an under-researched focus on BL storytelling and powerful performances, the series explores the complexities of human connection and challenges conventional notions of love and intimacy.
The chemistry between the actors is palpable, allowing the depth of their relationship to shine on screen. As the story unfolds, their interactions are conveyed through silence, abstract soundscapes, and textured cuts, creating a captivating visual experience that immerses the audience in their emotional journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
With good intentions, successful gags and sharp dialogues, the film immerses us in the relationship between two young people that, due to misunderstandings, does not start well, but as they live in the same apartment and enjoy cozy and intimate moments together, they will open their hearts.
Since Freud we know that sexuality develops together with subjectivity. It has to do with the pleasure that can be experienced in the body from the bonds built with another.
This reality does not escape the director. While they got to know each other, See Joon and Ji Woo began to learn to enjoy themselves and each other, that experience that shapes our relationship with pleasure, that of each one of them and that which we share.
Soon Woo-Hyun, the actor who plays See Joon, and who worked with the director in the short 'You Ghosted Me for a Week', from 2021, is usually worried about work and the mess in which he finds himself involved, But he tries his best to spend time with Ji Woo.
This, despite the seriousness of his character and overwhelmed by the presence of a being as overwhelming as his roommate, is the first to fall in love. The way he initially puts up a wall of protection around himself in front of the other, the glances he steals from Seo Joon, the intonation of his voice and the strange blink when he doesn't quite know how to act when Seo Joon moves next to him. around him, his facial expressions, his gestures, his entire body, express that he likes it. However, he is cautious, as he suffers from disappointment in love in the past and does not want to be hurt again.
Kim Kang Min, the actor who plays the character of Ji Woo, and whom we know from his debut in 2019 with the SBS series 'Stove League', unlike the famous Seo Joon, lives with his back to the world of celebrities. Employed in his friend's cafe, he is actually a talented chef, but his culinary skills are not shown to the public of large hotels and luxury restaurants.
Pretending to get along with the roommate, Seo Joon insists on befriending Ji Woo and spending time together. Those beings with two very different personalities will little by little get to know each other and enjoy each other's company.
As the days go by, the camera captures the moments of the two boys getting closer. Through silence, abstract soundscapes and textured cuts, the intimacy between Seo Joon and Ji Woo is conveyed in a visually striking way, resulting in genuine and authentic performances that resonate with audiences.
Although it does nothing new or innovative with the premise, the diversity of conflicts they face, their psychological complexities, and the emotional evolution of the characters, add layers to the narrative and weave an intriguing web that keeps viewers in suspense.
'To My Star' explores the idea that true intimacy can be found in the simplicity of sleeping next to someone, in sharing those small moments and spaces of everyday life, transcending the physical act of sex, even if it is artistically fine. recreated, shown.
The film challenges social norms and invites the viewer to question their own perceptions of intimacy and love, while presenting a snapshot of the complexity, tenderness and vulnerability that people experience in unconventional circumstances, such as living together and the relationship between people from two different worlds.
The direction and cinematography contribute to its artistic and visually appealing quality. The deliberate use of images and narrative style create an atmosphere that demands the viewer's attention and encourages introspection and invites reflection.
With a fairy tale ending and a clear resolution for its characters, 'To My Star' successfully captures the beauty and power of love, and serves as a reminder that true intimacy can be found in unexpected places and that love transcends social expectations.
With the final credits, I was able to conclude that I was looking at an audiovisual full of conceptual proposals related to gender identity, personal and social psychology, and the configuration of individual and collective destinies, in a country where today LGBT+ people continue to be discriminated against, and whose paths today, in the 21st century, cannot end up united in a marital alliance, as the refusal to legalize marriage between people of the same sex by a conservative society persists.
In this sense, the series contributes to the struggle of the members of that community in the defense of their trampled rights.

Note: The review of the series of the same name can be found, in MDL, on the page dedicated to the series on the platform.

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"You'll see me in your dreams tonight"

Days of Being Wild showed what lengths broken people would go to in order to find the object of their desire. Time, whether it hastened by too quickly or dragged like a cement block, tethered the characters to their obsessions. Everyone had a myopic gaze of life and much of it revolved around a self-obsessed rebel.

Yuddy had a habit of seducing women and then breaking their hearts. Raised by a sex worker, he desperately wanted to know who his biological mother was. Rebecca had told him his mother was a Filipino noblewoman who had paid her to raise him. Mom really put a lot of thought into that one, didn’t she? Yuddy seduced Su Li Zhen who ran a snack stand and box office by having her look at his watch for a minute. One minute before 3:00 was to be burned in their minds on that date. Their relationship flared and flamed out when Li Zhen realized he would never marry her. Before he could change the sheets on his bed, he’d seduced exotic dancer Mimi.

Women were obsessed with Yuddy---Li Zhen, Mimi, and even his adoptive mother Rebecca. And I never could figure out why. He thought only about himself and constantly told them what they could and couldn’t say. He must have been one hell of a lover to make them lose their dignity and hearts over him. Young love is often messy and impulsive with heavy doses of heartache and drama but it was hard to understand why these women found him so irresistible. How desperate for love, sex, and/or companionship they must have been. Loneliness can be a harsh mistress.

Yuddy often compared himself to a bird with no legs who had to keep flying when in reality the bird had been dead all along. The story lost steam when he left Hong Kong to find his mother in the Philippines. Without the women he seemed even more like a loser with no job, no family, and on a headlong journey to disaster.

Much of the background noise was the chiming and ticking of clocks. “I used to think a minute could pass so quickly, but actually, it can take forever,” Li Zhen told the young policeman named Tide. Later Yuddy would tell Tide, “Life really isn’t that long.” For the heartbroken, the nights took forever to pass. For a young man who made a reckless decision, it passed all too quickly and that minute would be seared in his memory.

The cast was stellar. Leslie Cheung gave Yuddy a primal movement that even the corny pickup line of, “You’ll see me in your dreams tonight” made women thirsty for him. Maggie was gorgeous but other than standing or walking around looking anguished with her hair in her eyes had little to do. Carina Lau as Mimi chewed up the scenery as the brash cabaret dancer in love with Yuddy. Andy Lau, like Maggie, was underused until the final chapter. The dark, subdued lighting and greens and golds were reminiscent of In the Mood for Love, as well as the final character revealed.

Perhaps because the actors seemed too old to be so foolhardy, I found the characters difficult to connect with and care about. The despondent mood was as dreary as the rain soaked streets the characters wandered through. Days of Being Wild was beautifully shot, lit, and composed and while mesmerizing to look at, it left me feeling empty afterward.

28 February 2024

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Masterpieces that enchant and amaze.

Class differences and deep obsession take center stage in Lee Chang-dong's dense Burning. One of 2018's masterpieces that is both shocking and fascinating.

"Everything is very uncertain and that is exactly what is so reassuring". That's what the character Tootiki said in the book Moomins and the Winter Wonderland, one of the most well-known Moomin books. And that phrase can absolutely be applied to Lee Chang-dong's film Burning with the slight change that it is not soothing but rather "magical".

When the Korean director returns to the big screen for the first time in 8 years after the fantastic Poetry, he has based the story on Haruki Murakami's short story Elephant Vanishes, but the film stands entirely on its own in the surprising plot.

In the beginning, we get to meet Jong-soo (Yoo Ah-in), a young man with a violent father who has to take care of their farm. Jong-soo himself is more interested in writing, but is hindered by his economic worker background. One day he runs into his childhood friend Hae-mi (Jun Jong-seo). They start hanging out and Jong-soo quickly falls in love with her, but when she goes to Africa for two weeks, things change.

When Hae-mi comes home, she has met Ben (Steven Yeun from The Walking Dead), a rich and well-to-do young man who lives in a lavish apartment and drives an expensive car. The trio begins to hang out, but after a long evening outside Jong-soo's house, unexpected and fiery desires are revealed and the plot suddenly takes a completely unexpected turn that makes Burning a fascinating mystery.

Lee works as usual with long takes, a 10-minute dance at a sunset is one of the closest visual poetry you can get, and portrays the contrasts in Jong-soo's and Ben's lives through both subtle and clear scenes. The film requires you to accept that it takes a while to get into Lee's naturalistic grasp, but once you do, you can't take your eyes off the screen.

The second part of the film, which becomes a kind of existential riddle, is absolutely fantastic. You have no idea how it will end, but the feeling of discomfort and uncertainty is palpable. What actually happened? Was the cat that Hae-mi wanted Jong-soo to take care of really exist? Who is Ben? When will his cravings strike next? The questions are many and not all will necessarily be answered, but Lee relies on the audience's intelligence to be swept up in the plot more than to analyze it.

The actors are excellent in their roles, the film is technically well-made with well-chosen music and the sound contributes to the tight atmosphere. Burning is simply fantastic on every level. A film that, like life itself, happens before your eyes and then refuses to let go when it's over. Like a passionate burn that never leaves your skin.

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A TRUE MASTERPIECE

Rating: 10000000+/10

I'm just going to start with the characters first. Every single actor in this movie has been incredible. Top tier acting.

Khem - He is freaking beautiful. He is so majestic when he dances. You can see the passion he has towards his craft. He is such a strong character, doesn't take shit from anyone, and despite everything he went through, he is so kind to those around him. I was absolutely shattered when I saw him crying in front of the mirror. Just wanted to reach out and hold him. Also, I absolutely love the way he was so happy and free with Chat. Small kindness was enough to earn his trust and loyalty. Apo, as always, is an outstanding actor. He uses his whole body to act, and it is beautiful to watch.

Chatra - I thought he would be serious, but he was so funny and lovable, and also so kind, and the way he subtly threatens people is so hot. He was so powerful and smart, but the way he broke down when he learned about his father was heartbreaking as hell. He is such an interesting character. The way he was ready to give up everything so Khem could get his freedom, too. So romantic. In the end, when he puts on his noble outfit, he is so freaking handsome. Khun Chatra, my gosh. Mile did an incredible job at portraying Chatra. The way he acts through his eyes is magnificent.

Wan - this character seems so naive but holds so much pain in him. He has a dark past, and the constant ears rubbing and ptsd he goes through just make me want to jump into the screen and hug him. The ending surprised me, but he went through so much. I could see how that affected him. Bas is a superb actor! I was stunned by his portrayal of Wan.

Hong - he was a surprising character for me. I thought he was just a rich son getting ready to take over but naive and clueless. But my god, I loved his character. He is so smart and intuitive. I absolutely loved the little twist they had for his character. Tong killed it! Amazing acting.

All the other characters were so interesting and had a story to tell. The villains were very much villaining. Got the creeps from most of them. Actors did an amazing job at portraying them.

The plot was quite engaging. It had the appropriate balance of comedy, mystery, drama, and light romance. I literally held my breath the entire time. I just wanted to know what would happen next.

The cinematography is top tier! With stunning lighting, gorgeous imagery, and beautiful aesthetics, it really took us to the world of ManSuang.

I am definitely going to watch it a bunch of times to absorb all the details I missed. But this was such a beautiful movie, and you can clearly see the hard work and passion that went into creating this masterpiece ?

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What makes a father?

New York Film Festival 2013 - Beautiful and fragile about a family in the midst of an enormous tragedy, from Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda - Previously, among other things, Guldbag-nominated in 2006 for Nobody Knows.

What makes a man a father? Is it the biological bond with one's children or is it the time he spends with them, the games, the laughter, the comfort? It was this question that Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda wanted to explore when he wrote the screenplay and then made the movie Like Father, Like Son. Partly because the sense of parenthood did not come as naturally to himself as it seemed to do to his wife.

It is, of course, extremely unusual, but it has certainly happened that children have been confused at birth and the parents come home with the wrong baby. At least in the days when children's names were written on their feet with a marker, as one of the doctors says in the film. But what happens if it is discovered through a blood test that the child has already reached 6 years old.

This affects the career man Ryota and his wife Midorino. The son Keita turns out to be biologically someone else's and their biological son has instead grown up with Yukari and Yudai. Crisis - Of course! I don't know if there is a certain cultural difference between our approach and the Japanese or if cinematic liberties have been taken to move the plot forward, but according to the hospital, almost all parents who were previously affected have chosen to switch children.

The only one of the parents who seems convinced that it's the right way is Ryota. Success is important to him and Keita hasn't quite shown the progress he was hoping for. Maybe it's because the two don't share the same DNA? Ryota has also worked a lot during his son's upbringing and has not spent the time required to form the strong father-son bond that his wife has. At least he thinks so.

Despite the hint of science fiction over the story, there is nothing artificial in the way it is presented. The tone is downright serious and the emotions displayed are naked and fragile, without the slightest hint of exaggeration. The actors portray a family in the midst of a tragedy where none of the choices they can make turn out to be right. And it is above all Ryota who gets the opportunity to develop and discover what kind of father he wants to be.

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