A fast-paced, plot-driven political crime thriller with corrupted officials, organized crime, city redevelopment plans, and every possible political machination one could think of. Top level acting from Jo Jin Woong and Lee Sung Min, tight writing and direction, well-built revenge and betrayal plot-twists in an intense and very engaging story.
Auteur's Wong Kar Wai debut film isn't exactly a masterpiece, but flashes of his talent depicting superbly his characters, full of loneliness, longing, and desperation, and his well-known neon cinematography style with his distinctive melancholic vibes are already evident in this violent gangster/melo romance film. With outstanding performances from Andy Lau and Maggie Cheung as the main leads, this story of love and friendship is a rewarding watch for Wong Kar Wai's fans.
Heartwarming and cute family dramedy about alternative universe, second chances in life and character development. Though its story is predictable, with nothing new to add in this genre, it still is an enjoyable, relaxing watch thanks to the great cast and especially the kid actors, Park So- Yi and Kim Jun, with their vivid and natural performances. Time well-spent.
A great performance from Kuroki Haru and Matsu Takako in a slow-paced character driven story, full of subtle emotions and gestures, and a poignant, nostalgic depiction of pre- and post-war life in Tokyo.
I must admit that Woo Do Hwan and his charms were the only reason why I kept watching this below average drama. Though very weak on the romance and lukewarm on the revenge part, and with some awkward and untimely comic scenes, it did have some good points, especially during the first episodes where the focus was on the legal cases. But, the most engaging parts were WDH's interactions and bromance with his best friend Dong Chi, his rivalry and collaboration with Ji Sun and his friendship with the most likeable King I've seen in a sageuk lately.
Heavy on the dialogues, with a weak and rather unbalanced script spiced with black humor and gangster violence, this unusual road-trip movie owes most of its brownie points to veteran actor Michael Hui and Chung Mong Hong's cinematography.
A touching, tender story of love and deep bonding between two childhood friends, as well as their coming of age journey to maturity through hardships and misunderstandings. Beautifully filmed and edited, with complimentary bgm and soft colouring, its most beautiful part was definitely Zhou Dong Yu and Ma Si Chun's performances and chemistry.
Raw pain, palpable misery, horrifying madness and a deep dive into the abyss of desperation in this highly insightful study of a mother's devastation, grief, anger, loneliness and solace when struck by an unbearable tragedy. Slow-paced and long but very captivating, with a superb performance from Jeon Do Yeon depicting in the most painfully realistic way the immeasurable depths of her character's pain, this is one more great movie by auteur Lee Chang Dong. Watch at your own risk.
A romantic coming of age story from two twin directors about two identical twin sisters, “You” and “Me” namely, back in the year 1999. Nostalgic, bittersweet and sometimes cheerful and very cute, it depicts how the special bonding of their sisterhood, family and first love feelings are tested as these two teens step into adolescence.
Based on true events, with Okada Junichi as the main lead and dressed with the wonderful music of Joe Hisaishi, this was a unique historical story about samurais and calendar making. Though long, with a not-so-thrilling subject and heavy on politics and scheming, this was an interesting look into many cultural aspects of Edo period.
Deeply moving and affectionate, full of nostalgia and mellow colours, this is a wonderful coming of age story of friendship, love and longing. Told in flashbacks, it depicts the relationship and deep bonding between two mismatched girls, as well as their personal journeys and challenges from childhood to adulthood. Impressive performances and chemistry between Kim Da Mi and Jeon So Nee in a delicate but emotionally intense outcome.
Brutally honest and painfully real, this is the sad, infuriating story of an underage mother trying to survive and raise her child in the midst of her harsh reality of poverty, violence, abuse and sexual exploitation, at the ugly side of modern Okinawa. A difficult, heartbreaking watch.
An utterly sad and intriguingly thought-provoking time loop story about revenge, remorse, desperation and forgiveness. Re-telling the story from the different POVs of the protagonists, revealing new information about their motives, as well as their morally and ethically grey-ish perceptions with each time-loop, it delivers a unique and engaging mystery thriller. With a stellar cast, a fast-paced editing, an absorbing storytelling and some intense confrontations, this is an interesting new perspective on the Groundhog Day concept.
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Top level acting from Jo Jin Woong and Lee Sung Min, tight writing and direction, well-built revenge and betrayal plot-twists in an intense and very engaging story.
With outstanding performances from Andy Lau and Maggie Cheung as the main leads, this story of love and friendship is a rewarding watch for Wong Kar Wai's fans.
Though its story is predictable, with nothing new to add in this genre, it still is an enjoyable, relaxing watch thanks to the great cast and especially the kid actors, Park So- Yi and Kim Jun, with their vivid and natural performances.
Time well-spent.
Though very weak on the romance and lukewarm on the revenge part, and with some awkward and untimely comic scenes, it did have some good points, especially during the first episodes where the focus was on the legal cases. But, the most engaging parts were WDH's interactions and bromance with his best friend Dong Chi, his rivalry and collaboration with Ji Sun and his friendship with the most likeable King I've seen in a sageuk lately.
Beautifully filmed and edited, with complimentary bgm and soft colouring, its most beautiful part was definitely Zhou Dong Yu and Ma Si Chun's performances and chemistry.
Slow-paced and long but very captivating, with a superb performance from Jeon Do Yeon depicting in the most painfully realistic way the immeasurable depths of her character's pain, this is one more great movie by auteur Lee Chang Dong.
Watch at your own risk.
"Quartet" and "Wakamono Tachi" are also very good.
Nostalgic, bittersweet and sometimes cheerful and very cute, it depicts how the special bonding of their sisterhood, family and first love feelings are tested as these two teens step into adolescence.
Though long, with a not-so-thrilling subject and heavy on politics and scheming, this was an interesting look into many cultural aspects of Edo period.
Told in flashbacks, it depicts the relationship and deep bonding between two mismatched girls, as well as their personal journeys and challenges from childhood to adulthood.
Impressive performances and chemistry between Kim Da Mi and Jeon So Nee in a delicate but emotionally intense outcome.
A difficult, heartbreaking watch.
Re-telling the story from the different POVs of the protagonists, revealing new information about their motives, as well as their morally and ethically grey-ish perceptions with each time-loop, it delivers a unique and engaging mystery thriller.
With a stellar cast, a fast-paced editing, an absorbing storytelling and some intense confrontations, this is an interesting new perspective on the Groundhog Day concept.