Though a bit slow in the beginning, it soon became an engaging and entertaining action story about haenyeos, smuggling, scheming, betrayal, revenge and a great, badass sismance. With some great 70s vibes, aesthetics and settings, as well as some wonderful underwater and fighting scenes, the film's biggest advantage was the cast and their teamwork.
A delicate and considerate depiction of neurodivergent people, their struggles to fit in their working environment, social relationships and friendships while trying to be real to themselves and follow their dreams and aspirations. Though sometimes too convenient and simplified, the story does have many life lessons, some great friendship goals and a few very powerful emotional moments.
A post-apocalyptic action movie, with beautifully choreographed fight scenes, lots of blood, gore and brutality, in a familiar setting and a predictable outcome. But even if the story isn't much, watching Ma Dong Seok do his stuff, smashing villains here and there, is always a pure enjoyment! P.S. It seems that Ahn Ji Hye is a powerful and very promising addition to the action genre, with some wonderful fight stunts.
A wholesome found family story, with a wonderful bonding and some bittersweet life lessons. Kawahara Eito as Kotaro was the cutest bundle of joy, the brightest ray of sunshine, and a catalyst that led to a significant character growth for all the people around him. Highly recommended!
Bakarhythm never fails to deliver unexpected and very entertaining stories. Witty and quirky black comedy with brilliant matter-of factly dialogues, a well-matched cast and some clever plot-twists that no one could see coming. Highly recommended!
With unconventional filming, using vibrant colouring and stylish setting, and different timelines that eventually intertwine, this is a women-centered story about love, desire, traumas, dreams and meaningful connections.
Quirky storytelling, snappy filming and a cute couple -played by Sekimizu Nagisa and Takasugi Mahiro- in a peculiar story of second chances, acceptance and compassion, family bonding and healing. Though it may seem peculiar and zany, I ended up liking this oddball of a family a lot.
Lighthearted romcom with some laugh-out-loud moments and some touching ones. A simple and predictable story in a rather unbalanced outcome, but overall enjoyable thanks to its great, talented cast and cameos.
An adorable time-travelling story with large doses of comedy and romance seasoning. Fast-paced, inventive and never boring, even though its endless 2 minutes repetitions, this refreshingly unique concept is one more little gem from Yamaguchi Junta and Ueda Makoto duo. Wholeheartedly recommended high-level entertainment on a low-budget project!
An awkward and heavy watch about loss and grief caused by an unbearable tragedy, and the alienation, lack of communication, selfishness, prejudices, lying and dysfunctional relationships revealed during its aftermath. Intentionally quiet, reserved, mundane and slow-paced, this is not an easy watch and definitely not for everyone.
A historical romcom fusion story with some far-fetched inconsistencies and more cringe and melodrama than necessary, but overall enjoyable thanks to the charming and charismatic main leads, as well as the beautiful scenery, settings and hanboks.
A business drama spiced with friendship, character development and some hints of romance. Though it had some heartwarming and inspiring moments, it felt bland and predictable, with some unrealistic, too convenient and bubbly situations. Not bad, but not to be taken too seriously. Worth watching for its three charming and talented main leads.
Watch it unprepared and it will hunt you forever...
Wonderful storytelling from auteur Sakamoto Yuji: simple, just how life is, but presented in a complex and multilayered way, just how we all live this life of ours. Exemplary visualization and staging from auteur Koreeda Hirokazu: clever use of building the tension and emotional impact by re-telling the same story through different perspectives of the characters involved, masterful use of light, darkness and colours, profound use of the actors' talent and strength. Painfully beautiful music score from late auteur's Sakamoto Ryuichi last work, which complimented and enhanced the depth and significance of every powerful moment. Superb acting from veteran actors and, most importantly, from child-actors Kurokawa Souya and Hiiragi Hinata, who owned the screen, the story and our emotions.
Subtle but deeply affectionate, full of compassion, humanity and understanding of the monster some people hide behind their appearance and perceptions, this is a must-watch and one of the best works of its cast and crew.
"If only some people can have it, that's not happiness. That's just nonsense. Happiness is something anyone can have."
An intriguing concept of true love and support among lying, fake family members! A bittersweet and very touching story of a found family, with a nuanced nostalgic vibe, engaging characters and many strong, heartfelt moments. Beautifully written, filmed and acted, with well-balanced comic and dramatic moments, this little gem is highly recommended for those who love family and found family tales.
A teacher/students inspirational story, with some cute child actors that make up for the simple, underdeveloped story. Nothing memorable but an okay one-time watch.
65 
197 
14 
1 
1 
1 
1 
3 
2 
With some great 70s vibes, aesthetics and settings, as well as some wonderful underwater and fighting scenes, the film's biggest advantage was the cast and their teamwork.
Though sometimes too convenient and simplified, the story does have many life lessons, some great friendship goals and a few very powerful emotional moments.
But even if the story isn't much, watching Ma Dong Seok do his stuff, smashing villains here and there, is always a pure enjoyment!
P.S. It seems that Ahn Ji Hye is a powerful and very promising addition to the action genre, with some wonderful fight stunts.
Kawahara Eito as Kotaro was the cutest bundle of joy, the brightest ray of sunshine, and a catalyst that led to a significant character growth for all the people around him.
Highly recommended!
Witty and quirky black comedy with brilliant matter-of factly dialogues, a well-matched cast and some clever plot-twists that no one could see coming.
Highly recommended!
Though it may seem peculiar and zany, I ended up liking this oddball of a family a lot.
Nothing extraordinary, but good for a leisure weekend watch.
A simple and predictable story in a rather unbalanced outcome, but overall enjoyable thanks to its great, talented cast and cameos.
Fast-paced, inventive and never boring, even though its endless 2 minutes repetitions, this refreshingly unique concept is one more little gem from Yamaguchi Junta and Ueda Makoto duo.
Wholeheartedly recommended high-level entertainment on a low-budget project!
Intentionally quiet, reserved, mundane and slow-paced, this is not an easy watch and definitely not for everyone.
Though it had some heartwarming and inspiring moments, it felt bland and predictable, with some unrealistic, too convenient and bubbly situations.
Not bad, but not to be taken too seriously.
Worth watching for its three charming and talented main leads.
Wonderful storytelling from auteur Sakamoto Yuji: simple, just how life is, but presented in a complex and multilayered way, just how we all live this life of ours.
Exemplary visualization and staging from auteur Koreeda Hirokazu: clever use of building the tension and emotional impact by re-telling the same story through different perspectives of the characters involved, masterful use of light, darkness and colours, profound use of the actors' talent and strength.
Painfully beautiful music score from late auteur's Sakamoto Ryuichi last work, which complimented and enhanced the depth and significance of every powerful moment.
Superb acting from veteran actors and, most importantly, from child-actors Kurokawa Souya and Hiiragi Hinata, who owned the screen, the story and our emotions.
Subtle but deeply affectionate, full of compassion, humanity and understanding of the monster some people hide behind their appearance and perceptions, this is a must-watch and one of the best works of its cast and crew.
"If only some people can have it, that's not happiness. That's just nonsense. Happiness is something anyone can have."
A bittersweet and very touching story of a found family, with a nuanced nostalgic vibe, engaging characters and many strong, heartfelt moments.
Beautifully written, filmed and acted, with well-balanced comic and dramatic moments, this little gem is highly recommended for those who love family and found family tales.