Reviews

that was way more intense than what I expected

it was filmed beautifully and realistically... aww something about this movie was so special to me I dont think I can ever forget this one , it was just what i needed but probably not everyone's cup of tea. but the way you know whats gonna happen but it still makes you feel the sad and heartbroken , it still hits hard.

my overall rating for it is 9 I think and its only because we dont get to see masaki okada much, the performances were spectecular,it was a calm movie but it didnt fail to make me sad or nervous... idk I really loved this one , i wouldnt call it a tearjerker but I would call it heartbreaking. YOU JUST CANT SWALLOW AT SOME POINT SINCE IT FEELS TOO HARSH? thats my really honest short opinions for now ?

it honestly really made me feel so heartbroken please , that one spesific moment of the movie was just painful to watch. PURE PAIN. yet I was there for it so i loved it so much

Leia Mais

extremely funny

I super like this movie i never expect that it would be this extremely funny . The movie is super good and action packed scenes you will never get bored by it. Great casting, i also never expected that gwenchana guy is here (Lee Yi Kyung) he is also funny here but more on serious type, action star level era hehehe. Watching this is like watching animation film and live-action film in one frame . I would recommend this if you are looking for funny with action packed movie. This is the best!!!
I super like this movie i never expect that it would be this extremely funny . The movie is super good and action packed scenes you will never get bored by it. Great casting, i also never expected that gwenchana guy is here (Lee Yi Kyung) he is also funny here but more on serious type, action star level era hehehe. Watching this is like watching animation film and live-action film in one frame . I would recommend this if you are looking for funny with action packed movie. This is the best!!!

Leia Mais

Tugs at the heartstrings

The basic premise is a misunderstanding, which-- I know, I know-- everyone seems to be tired of "these kinds of stories." But the acting in this (especially the ML) was SOOOO well done. This is a perfect example of a tired premise done perfectly, proving that nothing is ever really old/boring if it's done right.

The FML took me some getting used to, but I warmed up to her once I understood her social anxiety better. Poor kid. Anyway, this was ADORABLE and so good and gave me lots of butterflies. Loved it.

Shoutout to her best friend and the positive representation of female relationships.

Leia Mais

"Why do we always look up and glorify without questions?"

Goyo: The Boy General picked up soon after General Luna was assassinated in the prior film “Heneral Luna”. General Gregorio del Pilar and President Aguinaldo faced another colonizer when the Spanish ceded The Philippines to the Americans. Much of the story took place in Pangasinan during the five months in 1899 when Goyo was stationed there until the fateful battle in the Tirad Pass. I’m always leery of writing a review about another country’s history and revered leaders so this will only be my opinion on the artistic merits of the film.

“And what did the Republic do during those five months when its doom was being plotted?”
Over an hour of the film took place when the American forces were quiet and Goyo and his men were hanging out in Pangasinan. Instead of strategizing or training, Goyo spent most of his time trying to romance the lovely and distant Remedios. It scarcely felt like war was looming as there were parades, plays, feasting, and dancing going on much of the time. The people hailed Goyo as a hero due to his past successes against the Spanish. Not everyone loved him for there were those who blamed him and Emilio Aguinaldo for the death of General Luna. Other generals resented his arrogant attitude and Aguinaldo’s favoritism.

“Why are we blindly dependent on heroes?”
The movie didn’t set up any hero worship of Goyo. Using artistic interpretation, The Eagle as he was also known, occasionally had bloody visions from the past and blood-soaked fears for the future along with trembling hands. His military abilities were also sorely tested against the new foe. In one short skirmish with the Americans, sharpshooters picked off his men at an alarming rate causing him to retreat. He was shown on two separate occasions not recognizing gun or cannon fire leaving his people vulnerable. And much of the movie focused on his womanizing. The half of the movie with skinny dipping, women fighting over him, and hero worshipping began to wear thin.

“We don’t need heroes, we need soldiers”
The narration from historical letters showed how ill-prepared they were for war. Most of the soldiers were farmers or laborers. When the Americans advanced, they did so speedily, catching Goyo flat-footed. Lacking in supplies the military and Aguinaldo’s family traveled with little to eat or drink with the Americans hot on their trail. At Tirad Pass, Goyo and his men held the high ground but were unable to capitalize on it for long. Vastly outmanned and outgunned they were quickly overrun yet still able to give President Aguinaldo and the rest of the army time to escape.

The cinematography captured the time and beauty of the country even during the midst of war. The soundtrack elevated the emotional mood of each scene. Actors varied in strength and ability. One thing that stood out was for both countries, many of the soldiers were quite young. The sound could fade in certain scenes making dialogue garbled. But overall, the production values were quite high. The battle at Tirad Pass was especially well shot and choreographed. It’s one of the better Filipino films I’ve watched.

“Self-preservation is the law of God”
The message of the film could be blurred. Much of the film was devoted to Goyo attempting to romance the reluctant Remedio even when his ex-lover strolled into town. It didn’t help his cause that his briefcase was filled with love letters from pining women he’d abandoned. Was it a tragic romance or simply a criticism of the young general? Though the people loved their country and wanted autonomy, the military and Goyo were rarely shown in a positive light. There was no shortage of criticism for del Pilar, Aguinaldo, divisive generals, soldiers who ran away in fear, villagers who refused to help, and those who profited off the Americans. Aguinaldo was especially the target of much ire. Numerous bloody visions hinted that Goyo might not have been emotionally stable. Guilt or simply PTSD for a young man who had seen too much and carried a great burden on his shoulders?

“I’m beginning to believe they are right to call us children”
The narration frequently mentioned that the Filipinos were like children. Lack of solidarity and supplies, military leaders unskilled in strategic thinking, and political self-interest doomed the revolutionaries from the start. Their fight for independence soon became a fight for dignity. Despite the often negative portrayal of the military leaders, many courageous revolutionaries were prepared to die fighting for love of their country and did. It would take another 45 years for their dreams and sacrifices to blossom.

23 January 2024

Leia Mais

Can't seem to grasp the storyline

I watched this because I noticed Zhao LuSi was part of the cast and it would be my first movie of Zhao LuSi. The synopsis was written that made it sound really interesting. However, I am sadden to say that this movie.... not very good. The storyline has alot of holes and seemed - like some of the reviews here wrote - very choppy and sometimes out of place. The way the movie jumped from one scene to another, sometimes without any link to each other is very annoying and disruptive also. The casts, despite the choppy"ness" of the script / storyline, all did a good job on this.

I would say that if you read the synopsis provided and it caught your interest, yea sure then go watch it. As for a rewatch... for me personally, not really worth the 2nd watch. Too much nonsensical areas and gaps.

Leia Mais

A Quiet Film That Speaks in Silences

Note: this is a queer film, not a BL. if you’re looking for a BL this isn’t for you. If you are confused what I mean by it being a queer film: this story deals with the realities of being queer, including homophobic strangers with loud opinions and having to decide how to face your families. It also delves into the complexity of sexuality, love and attraction as we have a gay man and a straight man in a relationship.

If you’re expecting a plethora of love scenes and kisses and put a high value on those you may be looking for a BL, not queer media.

I’ve seen criticism of the sex scenes and, to be honest, they feel awkward and uncoordinated. On the other hand, there is a sincerity in how very unpretty it is. No one is having Hollywood pretty sex in real life. There’s an urgency and desperation when these two are together as if they are desperate for air and this is the only way to get it.

A lot is left unsaid between Kohei and Yuta. Yuta is emotional and reacts in a way that causes protective distance. Kohei is often unclear about his own feelings because his affection for another man is new to him. When given the opportunity they both do what so many people do in real life: hesitate, hold back and remain silent.

I’m still not sure Yuta loved Kohei, if I’m honest. I think he clearly cared for him but I think he wanted to be loved and accepted by someone more than anything. Kohei wound up stepping up into that role, though he faltered and made mistakes along the way. In the end, I think Yuta was too wounded to give any more of himself than he did.

Kohei was so interesting to watch evolve. In many ways he simply let their relationship evolve and become whatever it wanted to be without giving it a lot of thought. There was no hesitation in becoming part of Yuta’s life and accepting what he offered. There was no hesitation when Yuta decided to cross the line to evolve that relationship into something sexual, and by extension eventually romantic, between them. Kohei only stopped to think about things when Yuta was gone, but he never really stops trying to figure things out. He doesn’t just give up on Yuta, even though he is sometimes too lost to know what to do.

The main actors convey so much with their physical performances. This isn’t a dialogue heavy story and it doesn’t need to be. Yuta is complicated enough that this could easily be unsatisfying for some viewers but it wasn’t for me.

I also want to include a HUGE shout out to Priscilla’s bar and the community Kohei finds there. The regulars all seem to know about him and Yuta but still don’t presume anything about his orientation or press a narrative about what their relationship means for the label he should wear. It is an accepting and comforting place to be with people you can be yourself with. As a queer person, this was one of my favorite things in the film.

This film isn’t perfect. The writing and storytelling isn’t flawless. The emotion and impact, however, is fantastic. This may be a little too “real life” for some, but I really appreciated the depth and complexity this film managed in such a short time.

Leia Mais

Quick watch

What I liked:

Yoo Ah In and Park Shin Hye were both good in this. I especially liked Yoo Ah In in his solitude at the beginning. Here is a young man that appears to live vicariously through the games on his computer. When everything goes south, he has no idea what to do. The scenes between the two of them were good, especially when they were talking to each other on the walkie talkies.

What I didn't care for:

I don't think this needed to be a series, but I didn't feel we got enough back story of the two main characters, especially her. What's her story?
I really have difficulty with the idea of zombies being smart and fast. Maybe it's from my days of watching The Walking Dead, but this movie gave so much credit to the zombies, like they were smarter than those that weren't infected (maybe that was their intent?).
She made a big deal out of being afraid of heights, but then that went out the window, literally.
What was with the other survivor who helped them? That whole, brief storyline was useless.

If you have a couple of free hours and you like zombie shows, give this one a try. It has more questions than answers, but it's an easy watch.

Leia Mais

"If only some people can have it, that's not happiness. That's just nonsense."

How could a movie went from basic and boring mystery, into a heartwarming yet gut-wrenching coming-of-age story? ?

As bits by bits of the mystery gets unfolded through the lens of others, nothing is even more surprising than the third reenactment of the story, where we can finally get to know the truth, the full truth of all the mystery. The last few scenes were unapologetically gut-wrenching and saddening, and also was a typical "up to your interpretations" thing, but this film just made the perfect ending that let me crying at the final scene.

Let me be clear: some people on the internet have complained and trying to reclaim this is a friendship story, rather than a queer coming-of-age story. But I see it differently, your queer friends will see it differently, and thankfully a lot of you–cinephiles–see it differently. Maybe you should check your (queer) friends and I hope they will buy some time to tell you something different that I'd bet you never have to endure. It takes Monster to let us think again who's the true monster of it all.

P.s.: musical composition by Ryuichi Sakamoto feels like his final gift to us, rest in love.

Best Screenplay at 76th Cannes Film Festival (2023)

Leia Mais

Not a romance but more of a survival movie

I've watched many zombie movies and series but this movie stays on my top 5 list.
Honestly speaking if you're into zombie movies where they try to find the cause of the virus or shows the bad impact of it on the world or something like that , then you may not like it.
This movie is purely a survival movie. Where a guy tries to survive the zombie apocalypse and finds a girl on the opposite building trying to do same and they fight the zombies to be rescued.
There's no romance so if you're looking for one, don't watch it .
I liked the action and plot and would love to watch more movies like this.

Leia Mais

Surprised with its plot twists and endearing characters.

"Daytime Shooting Star" is like a rollercoaster ride through the wonderland of love and friendship, and let me tell you, I hopped on without a clue about the manga! This Japanese movie is a delightful joyride that left me grinning like a cat with a lifetime supply of cream.

**Characters: Suzume, My New BFF!**
Let's talk about our girl Suzume, the country girl turned big city dreamer. Nagano Mei deserves a round of applause for bringing Suzume to life with her infectious charm. Suzume is not your run-of-the-mill FL; she's a mix of sweetness, spunk, and just the right amount of awkwardness. Leave behind the cliché – Suzume's got her own GPS, and it's set to find love!

And don't even get me started on the rest of the cast! Mamura, Shishio, and the gang – they're like the best squad you wish you had in high school. Mamura is officially the king of adorableness, and Shishio? Well, let's just say, the man's got style, and he's not afraid to use it.

**Plot Twists: Forget Predictable, This is Rom-Com Unleashed!**
So, you think you've got the plot all figured out? Think again! "Daytime Shooting Star" had more twists than my grandma's pretzel recipe. Just when you're cozy with your popcorn, BAM! Unexpected turns, surprising confessions, and a romantic revelation that had me doing a double take. Bravo to the writers for keeping me on my rom-com toes!

**Music: Not Grammy-Worthy, But Hey, It Works!**
Now, let's talk tunes. The music might not be winning Grammys, but it's like that trusty sidekick – always there to set the mood.

**Production: A Visual Feast for the Rom-Com Enthusiast!**
Whoever handled the cinematography did a very good job. "Daytime Shooting Star" is a visual treat. The colors, the scenery, the way they captured the essence of first love – it's like watching a rom-com through rose-colored glasses. Kudos to the crew for making Tokyo look like the city of love!

**Overall: Rom-Com Bliss with a Side of Nostalgia**
In the grand scheme of rom-coms, "Daytime Shooting Star" is like that old-school mixtape you find in your attic – nostalgic, heartwarming, and oh-so-good. It's a perfect blend of romance, and a sprinkle of the unexpected.

"Daytime Shooting Star" is not just a movie; it's a feel-good adventure that'll leave you smiling and maybe even wishing for your own high school romance. Watch it, love it, and then watch it again – because, trust me, it's worth it!

Leia Mais

Fluffy and cute

Jan. 22, 2024

Another Jmovie, I have finished.

And Yet, You Are So Sweet is a Japanese movie that you definitely do not want to miss, if you love diabetes fluffy type of rom-com. The plot is very basic, the prognosis of the plot is decent. There are misunderstanding that other viewers might find frustrating to watch. However, it wasn't that bothersome to me. I did feel like the run-time is quite long but short at the same time. The ending could have been better, but I guess that is a common theme with all movies, is the fact that they all have abrupt and weirdly knotted conclusions.

Regardless, this fluffy Japanese movie, is definitely a go to rom-com to watch on those days where you don't wanna use your brain to think and just relax.

Leia Mais

I didn't quite understand why the film was in black and white. Two friends, when for a certain part of their lives they are destined to share one small apartment of the artistically gifted Tod. Rošťák Hao almost bewitched me, and the message of the film, especially at the end, is clear, even though I had doubts the whole time, which I won't reveal. Again, something a little different from what we are used to in Taiwan.


Moc jsem nepochopil, proč je ten film černobílý. Dva přátelé, kdy určitý výsek života je jim souzen sdílet jeden malý byt umělecky nadaného Toda. Rošťák Hao mě téměř učaroval a sdělení snímku, především v závěru, je jasné, i když jsem celou dobu byl na pochybách, které neprozradím. Zase trošku něco jiného, než jsme na Taiwan zvyklí.

Leia Mais

It is unfortunate for all couples in the world to live together like lovebirds from the beginning until death. Tasuki and Yudai are the couple who made it and the other's doomsday has arrived. The film is very human, different, in its own way beautiful even cute in its happy memories and sad at the same time on the day of death. I have nothing more to add...

Nepoštěstí se všem párům na světě spolu žít ve vztahu jako holubičky od začátku až do smrti. Tasuki a Yudai jsou párem, kterým se to podařilo a nastal soudný den pro toho druhého. Film hodně lidský, jiný, svým způsobem krásný až roztomilý ve svých šťastných vzpomínkách i dnem smrti smutný zároveň. Nemám víc, co bych dodal ...

Leia Mais