Reviews

Love transcends all boundaries in this heartfelt South Korean drama.

Tagline: Love transcends all boundaries in this heartfelt South Korean drama.

........................................| Pros |........................................
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Brilliant Acting: The performances by the lead actors, Son Ye-jin as Su-jin and Jung Woo-sung as Chul-soo, are outstanding. They effortlessly portray the complex emotions of their characters, making their love story truly believable and engaging.
Emotional Depth: "A Moment to Remember" delves deep into the emotional aspects of the characters' lives, particularly in dealing with Alzheimer's disease. It portrays the gradual deterioration of Su-jin's memory and its impact on their relationship poignantly and realistically.
Cinematography: The film is visually stunning, with beautiful cinematography capturing the essence of various settings, from the idyllic countryside to bustling cityscapes. The use of colours and lighting effectively enhances the mood and emotions of the scenes.
Engaging Storytelling: The screenplay skillfully blends romance, drama, and a touch of mystery, keeping the audience engaged throughout. The pacing is well-balanced, allowing the story to unfold naturally, and the narrative twists keep you guessing until the end.
Thought-Provoking Themes: "A Moment to Remember" raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of love, memory, and the resilience of the human spirit. It prompts viewers to reflect on the importance of cherishing every moment and appreciating the people we hold dear.
........................................| Cons |........................................
✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘
Slow Pace: Some viewers may find the film's deliberate pace slow, especially during the initial setup. However, this leisurely approach contributes to the film's emotional depth and character development.
Familiar Themes: The movie explores themes touched upon in other romance dramas, such as the power of love against all odds. While it executes these themes effectively, it may not offer a wholly unique experience for those well-versed in the genre.
........................................| Character and Story Discussion |........................................
The central characters, Su-jin and Chul-soo, are well-developed and relatable. Su-jin's journey as she grapples with Alzheimer's disease is heart-wrenching, and the film sensitively portrays the impact on her and those around her. Chul-soo's unwavering love and dedication are equally moving, showcasing the depth of their connection.

The story expertly weaves together elements of romance, tragedy, and personal growth. It explores the complexities of relationships and the sacrifices one is willing to make for love. As the film progresses, it skillfully reveals surprising twists and turns that keep the audience invested in the outcome.

........................................ | Conclusion |........................................
"A Moment to Remember" is a profoundly emotional and visually stunning film that explores the power of love and the challenges posed by a couple in the face of hurdles. With brilliant performances, thought-provoking themes, and engaging storytelling, it stands as a testament to the enduring nature of love, even in the face of adversity. Although it may follow familiar romantic tropes, the film's execution and powerful performances make it a memorable and worthwhile viewing experience.

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Drôle et frais, une petite parenthèse plus que bienvenue!

Il y a du bon parfois de scroller, souvent par ennui, les shorts sur FB. Vous savez ces petites vidéos qui sont majoritairement inutiles. Parfois. Ici, ce fut le cas. L'extrait de la chanson du film, interprétée par plusieurs chanteuses dans leur langue, a su me faire sourire et me donner envie de jeter un coup d'oeil au film.
On ne niera pas que le thème est du déjà vu et la fin fortement prévisible.
Pourtant, j'ai adoré.
- Le format d'un film a l'avantage de ne pas s'étaler sur plusieurs épisodes et donc nous épargner certains défauts récurrents aux dramas (les romances secondaires inutiles, les personnages secondaires inutiles, les incohérences de scénario etc...), ici l'histoire se focalise essentiellement sur nos deux tourtereaux et leur états-d'âmes (disons plutôt les états d'âmes du protagoniste).
- Un duo efficace et dont l'alchimie pétille à l'écran comme des bulles de champagnes. Les dialogues fusent sans pratiquement de pause et dont les répliques ont le bonheur de nous faire sourire si ce n'est nous faire éclater de rire.
- Une protagoniste adorable, jolie comme un coeur et dont l'impertinence m'aura plus d'une fois arraché un rire sain.
- Une chute certes classique et prévisible mais qui a eu le mérite de faire sourire.

Il n'en reste pas moins quelques faiblesses :
- Le format du film a des inconvénients comme le développement de la romance et des protagonistes.
- La romance est sympa mais n'aura jamais réussi à faire battre mon coeur ( je viens de finir pour la seconde fois "shining for one thing" et j'en suis encore, pour la deuxième fois toute émue).
- Le point de vue nous est donné par la narration de Palm. Le résultat est un peu mitigé. Le spectateur ne voit que les actions de Palm, son amour et ses pensées. Quelques indices sont certes données pour Gink et son ressenti, mais pas assez pour nous émouvoir, ses sentiments semblent sincères pour Ted et j'ai eu du mal à comprendre son changement d'opinion....

Malgré ces défauts, le film se laisse regarder avec un plaisir évident, et je l'avoue, rien que pour Gink, cela en vaut largement la peine (j'ai eu gros coups de coeur pour le jeu de l'actrice et son personnage exubérant).

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Story: It was confusing at first until it became even more confusing. I wasn’t sure whether I was seeing flashbacks of a person’s past or watching two separate lives of people on parallel universes, until I realize later that I was watching a combination of both. Old man Xue Ping reminisces about his past love Ding, who happens to be student A Hong’s doppelganger. So old man follows young man around town, not aware he is coming across as a creepy stalker.

Acting/Cast: I’ve seen Chin Shih Chieh and Ray Chang around in other works, and they are decent, working with what they could of a sub-par script.

Music: Nothing to right home about.

Rewatch Value: No thanks.

Overall: The story of the old man’s past is more interesting than that of the student, which really doesn’t serve any purpose except for reminding Xue Ping that his lover is not coming back from the dead.

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Story: Seems simple enough. Ex-lovers reunite in this short film. One has a family and the other getting married. Both men who I presume were torn apart due familial or societal expectations or maybe some other reason we will never know.

Acting/Cast: Surprisingly not bad, but not great either.

Music: White noise.

Rewatch Value: You get the moral lesson of the story, is that you cannot regret or reverse the decisions that you made in the past and you have to live with that said decision.

Overall: This short film is trying its best to be poignant but falls a lot short from the goal. My only question is why would you invite your ex-lover to eat with your family, when you are so clearly afraid that your wife may find out what you were to each other before?

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Story: Plot is nowhere to be found, just a sea of bodies in tighty whities.

Acting/Cast: I did not even realize that Chris Wu is in this short film, until I saw the credits. What a waste of talent but I guess everybody has to start somewhere.

Music: Head-achy, the same as the strobing lights filtering throughout the short film.

Rewatch Value: Once is enough.

Overall: This short is trying to pass as film noir by interspersing the dialogue with the lines of two poems, but it came across more as a low-budget porn film that does not even satisfy. Please give me back 13 minutes of my time.

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How far will a father go to save his child?

That Night's Wife was an early Ozu crime film that still managed to focus on a family as many of his later films would. The three main characters all found themselves facing moral dilemmas and acting out of character, at least briefly, all for the sake of sick child.

Shuji is a father driven to desperation one night because his child is dangerously sick and he needs money for her treatment. He robs an office and is at once chased by the police. Thinking he has found safety in a taxi, unbeknownst to Shuji, it turns out the driver is an undercover police officer named Detective Kagawa. Once home, Shuji explains what he's done to his wife, Mayumi, who is not pleased. Kagawa comes knocking at the door, not taking no for an answer. Shuji helplessly hides behind a curtain, as Kagawa begins to search the small apartment. Mayumi pulls the gun used in the robbery on Kagawa and tells him that no one is going anywhere until her daughter is better. During an uncomfortable night, the detective sees their poverty and utter devotion to their daughter. The next morning, the doctor arrives and declares little Michiko on the mend. Kagawa feigns sleep and Shuji seems to be making an escape, but when Kagawa opens the door, the sober headed father has returned. Shuji wants to serve his time as he should so that he can be a father his daughter would be proud of.

Ozu wasn't afraid to be critical of the societal structure that left many without and parents faced with dire decisions to safeguard their children. As other authors would ask, should a person go to jail for stealing bread to feed his child? What lengths would a person go to, to save his child when society deemed her unworthy of saving? Shuji, the devoted, loving father, acted out of character by robbing people at gun point. Mayumi, the traditional, gentle wife, acted out of character by pulling a gun and basically holding Kagawa hostage. Kagawa, the hard-boiled by the book cop, acted out of character by agreeing to stay until Michiko improved and by pretending to be asleep in order for Shuji to escape. In the end, Kagawa walked arm in arm with Shuji to the police station giving the viewer hope that the father's sentence would be a compassionate one. Wh

The apartment where much of the story took place was very un-Ozu-like. Instead of the precisely ordered and decorated spaces he was known for, this apartment was cluttered with American movie posters hanging on the walls, paint cans piled up, laundry looped over a line in the living room, and everything pretty much askew. There were some classic noir shots, silhouettes against a glass door, close-ups of a gun, and shadowy, heart pounding chases through darkened streets with only the white police gloves or shiny sabers breaking the inky night. Instead of just the head and shoulders shown of the characters, often he showed the full length of the bodies as they moved naturally about. As opposed to the later slow orderly action of characters, Shuji hid and ran precariously through the streets, even crouching down in a phone booth to call the doctor, nervous and sweating. I found it honest and refreshing.

Something else I found refreshing was that this time it was the father who did something amoral to protect his child. In much of these 1930's films, women paid a terrible price by committing acts of prostitution to save their children. Mayumi was now alone and vulnerable, with few options for making money, hopefully, this character found her way to survive until her husband returned home. The film may not have looked like an Ozu film, but even in a crime noir, the heart of the story was the relationship of a husband and wife and their love for their daughter. Each of the characters had to weigh their moral decisions against the weight of an unsympathetic society, surprising themselves at times, but ultimately remaining true to their honorable selves. Not a must-see silent film, but an entertaining one that reflected Ozu's view of his world.

6/29/23

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Wish it was a show

I would have liked this to be more stretched out with a show, everything happened so fast! I did find it dark, gritty and I could feel for our lead. I just wish we could have seen more of everyone, it would make us feel even more for them.

I can't get over one thing, did he really have to go and do THAT?! Like, the man has lost enough thank you very much!

Although I enjoyed the show I really think it went to fast, so much information jammed into a short movie. I know there is a second movie that I will watch, but it could have easily filled a 12 episode show in my opinion.

This isn't for the faint of heart. I wish we would have gotten more of the dark and gritty side of selling oneself.

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not me ugly crying. OMG - half way through & it's goes from sad to sadder in a loop & as sad / heartbreaking / heart-rending as this is, it is also Beautiful(!) & i aint talking about the leads (who r really good looking) or the acting, which is stellar on all accounts. the story is just wow. the way this plot unfolds, touches ur soul. even if u haven't experienced loss or love, u know what it means in both cases, watching this movie.

both leads (recognized for other movies & drama's, so) i knew they can act - they had banging chemistry & the plot just takes this to the next level. i am jaded, so my mind went to different places when taking into account their age difference; one being jaded not believing in love. while the other being an innocent all pure & trusting, read to fall at a drop... but this has layers & every scene we see more about both leads, seeing that the jaded one might be more trusting & innocent, while the younger more innocent one is really jaded. so however i thought this gonna unfold, as the plot progressed, so did my conclusions change about where this will go. but from the get go, had a bad feeling one will die, and yet that wasn't the end of the others suffering.

find the title of this movie ironic, as neither leads (or any of the character's for that matter) can be characterized as egotistical. yeah when Kosuke got his mask on, he is the epitome of an Egoist - but that is nothing more then a mask, that hides a pure heart that has suffered so much pain OMG but my heart broke for this dude by the end - really beautifully poignant

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Love and Friendship

such a beautiful movie. the movie makes you glued to the screen and i would like to thank the director for that, so many beautiful scenes and the color gradient so good. i’m not really the type to cry over movies but this one hit the spot. reminded me of my own past friendships and the hardships we faced together. i also wish had done things differently but the past is the past.
also definitely one of kim dami’s best performances. jeon sonee was also good but in some moments her acting seemed a bit off and Wooseok also looked kinda weird in some parts. but really good movie overall

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1st off the subs aint good, sadly that makes it hard (like, got the gist. but am sure there minute details that went over my head). regardless, must say enjoyed this as much as i did "The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion". which comes as a surprise, not just cause of all the negative feedback this has gotten. but cause been put off watching this, as wanted the 2nd part, to pick up where the 1st left off (as is this took 4yrs in the making) & seeing how the 2nd part was described, cooled my curiosity - thus not rushing to watch when it came out, but am glad finally checked it out.

this a slow burn for sure, think 30 mins in there almost no dialogue & what little there is, isn't enough to clue u in on what the heck is going on. for 1 didn't get who was against whom & why. get Dr. Baek & her twin where the main scientist, but who were they working for and why where they killing people left right & center even their experiment's?!? needed clarification on that, & who let Mi Young go at the start, who raised her?!? even if she got a tracker on her, how can they know she's pregnant & it's time to "collect" her? maybe this & more will get answered in the next part - for now these "hole's" r frustrating.

weird or not the one i really loved was Tom, dude a breath of fresh air - every one else was walking around like the freakin grim reaper (which, get considering their power, let lone how they were brought-up) but that still a downer to watch. also ironically enjoyed Yong Doo (he totally deserved how he died) but while he was alive, he was a fun character - especially when he was scared sh*tless lol.

would've loved if Kyung Hee & her brother survived (like the couple who saved Ko Ja Yun in the 1st part). but then (i doubt) Ko Ja Yun's twin would've willingly gone with her & doubt Ko Ja Yun has reached out / searched for her, cause they family. bet it's cause unlike Ko Ja Yun, her sister doesn't need to get medicated on the monthly for her brain not to combust. like i said, a lot of plot-holes not explained / left open, so i unlike others am looking forward to the next part, just to get answers.

like mentioned above this a slow burn, but it's well acted & when the action came it was remarkable, heck IMHO even better then the 1st part - showing that the twin was stronger then her sister. so i for one think this was great & will happily recommend + can't wait for the next part.

side note: everyone going on & on about Lee Jong Suk, he almost didn't have any screen time. maybe in part 3?!?....

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Very addicting suspense and powerful surprise

The cinematography is extremely brilliant in this one, the suspense and thrill is heavily packed right from the start, pacing is just perfect as it keeps getting more and more addicting while the truth uncovers one over another. The storyline is really well arranged even though it's quite a simple one, but the surprise factor is very strong towards the end, while glossing it with some comedy to keep it stylish. Although this is the first feature film that Kim Seonho acted as the main lead, his performance is so breathtaking, he's charismatic in action and his humor simply steals the show. Everyone else's characters were also thoughtfully designed, the fight is so intense for some very ironic reasons, while the characters strike out with the best they've got.

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An inspiring story about leaving a memory

The trailer is pretty deceiving. You'd think it's a sports comedy but it's not the core of the story. This movie is an emotional journey about South Korea's team at the Homeless World Cup in 2010, and how they won with a memory.

The movie follows our lead, Yoon Hongdae with a rebellious attitude--the same one he carried ever since he decided to pursue football as a child. That attitude gets him in trouble. As discipline, he had to become a coach for this team. Throughout the movie, we witness a lot of his character development alongside all 6 of the team members. They all had their own reason for being in the team, whether it be for their family, loved one, or for their own passion. This championship was a final chance to redeem their future.

But it's not just about winning and leaving a record. Rather than a record, they wish to leave a memory. They succeeded at that, and after the movie I even searched about the real events that happened. I also cried more than I expected..... it's the motivational-touchy type of feeling. The games immerse you and make it feel like you were there, cheering too.

To be honest, the plot doesn't have a very special formula, but there was enough time to explore each character. Just enough to get attached to everyone and start rooting for them as loudly as the crowd. Solid 8/10!! Really loved the OSTs too! :)

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"In a mad world, only the mad are sane"

One of the meanings for Ran in Japanese is "chaos". You know when you are about to watch a film by Kurosawa based on Shakespeare's "King Lear" you are going to experience a theatrical marvel, chaos, and a boat load of pain. Kurosawa used all of his skills to bring to life the story of a king driven mad by his traitorous children. At 75, his directorial skills were far from obsolete. He made a stunningly beautiful and heartbreaking tragic epic in a manner only he could do.

Hidetora who had unified his region through fire and the sword and an utter lack of mercy announces that he is ready to retire. Taro, his eldest son, flatters him feigning humility when Hidetora bequeaths the title to him. He gives the two other sons, Jiro and Saburo their own castles, confident that his actions will bring lasting peace to the valley. Far from a sycophantic speech to his father, Saburo, the only son who loves him, tells him the plan will never work as does the court jester. Saburo and Hidetora's loyal retainer, Tango, are both banished for speaking the truth. It doesn't take long for Hidetora to realize his youngest son was right. Taro, at the bequest of his wife, Lady Kaede, humiliates his father by forcing him to sign a pledge of loyalty and into handing over the title Hidetora had sought to retain. Hidetora travels to Jiro's castle but finds no welcome from his middle son. Upon hearing the third castle is empty he and his entourage seek shelter there only to fall into a trap. Taro and Jiro join hands to destroy their father. After every last man and woman loyal to Hidetora is killed trying to protect their lord, Taro is "accidentally" killed, and his father is allowed to walk out of the burning keep, his mind completely broken. For all of the victories in his life, he could not see the evil his sons had harbored in their hearts and that evil would bring all he'd fought for and attained to naught.

***Warning! 417 year old spoiler ahead in the next paragraph!!!***

As Hidetora wanders aimlessly, his jester and Tango find him and care for him. Lady Kaede seduces Jiro and orders him to have his gentle wife, Sue, murdered. When Saburo comes to find his father, Lady Kaede incites Jiro to attack Saburo's men after agreeing to a truce. Saburo finds his disturbed father in a rocky "grave". Saburo's forgiveness clears Hidetora's mind and they dream of telling tales and living together. Jiro's man kills Saburo and Hidetora loses all hope and dies next to him. Like in King Lear, the family was extinguished. Saburo's men and allies triumphantly kill Jiro and his men laying waste to the last of Hidetora's family.

Much like King Lear, Ran ended with the tragic and inevitable loss of life based on a father's bloody past, pride, and blindness to the truth. Hidetora was haunted by all those he'd killed, including the families of his daughters-in-law. Unable to escape the ghosts of his cruel actions, Hidetora and his jester were forced to take refuge among the rubble of the keep he'd burned, at one time spending the night in the hut of a man he'd blinded. His jester ever speaking the truth and folly of his actions. There were no heroes in this film. Hidetora had blood on his hands. Jiro and Taro were murderous and duplicitous. Although Lady Kaede was widely hated, her vengeful actions, with the exception of her hatred of the Lady Sue, were understandable. Only Saburo who spoke the truth perhaps had a vision for a better tomorrow and he ended up paying for his father's sins.

At times, Kurosawa showed the chaos of battle in a beautiful manner with soldiers racing across fields and in castle keeps, silently except for the haunting music. Just as quickly the exquisitely orchestrated military dances devolved into the brutality of war with bodies filled with arrows, severed limbs, and crimson blood dripping ceilings. Fire and smoke choked out all sanity and peace. At one point, Hidetora wondered if he was in hell. He was in hell, a hell of his own making carved out by the carnage he had wrought during his life, the example his sons had learned from, pitting them against him and each other.

The opening scenery was gorgeous, vibrantly alive with verdant green hills. Kurosawa was truly a master of filling the screen with interesting movement and use of color. After the dye was set and the father gave his sons their inheritance, the windblown landscapes became dry and vast. As always, Kurosawa's fateful wind blew across the screen, tinged with either dust or smoke. Emi Wada won an Oscar for best costume design and it showed. The lifeless beige and gray backgrounds were the perfect contrast for her intricately and brilliantly hued costumes. The only detractor in this film for me was Nakadai's makeup. Much like the aging makeup on Mifune Toshiro in "I Want to Live", it was overly theatrical. The white and purple makeup obscured Nakadai's face and thus his unhinged performance.

Whether order was restored out of the familial chaos, is unknown. The film showed that confusion and disorder are always at the ready when truth is abandoned for what people pridefully want to hear. Children learn from what their parents do, not what they say, especially when their parent has been burning villages and castles to the ground in his desire to gain more. Hidetora made the classic mistake of thinking upon his retirement he had any say over what the next generation would do. Their desire for power was just as ravenous as his own had been-maybe more.

The message is timeless, whether in Shakespeare's day, Kurosawa's, or our own. As long as chaos bids us take what is not ours, view others as less than and disposable, we are bound to repeat the actions that bring sorrow instead of joy. The last character standing, blind atop a precipice, his painting of the Amida Buddha fallen and out of reach, reflected much of the mood of the film. The lust for power blinds men, their only hope for peace lost, ultimately leaving everything in ruins.

"It is the gods who weep. They see us killing each other over and over since time began…They can't save us from ourselves."

Ran was a gorgeous and enthralling film to watch and a cautionary tale as well.

6/28/23

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