Part of an anthology of sci fi stories, this short film was technically beautiful and its premise interesting, but the outcome was lukewarm and the romance underdeveloped. Not that bad, just a missed opportunity for something memorable.
Part of an anthology of sci fi stories, this short film had a fast-paced, engaging story with a great human and AI pairing, compelling fighting scenes and a badass FL full of charisma. I wish there were more cases for this duo to solve!
Part of an anthology of sci fi stories, this short film is a sharp commentary on social discrimination but, most of all, a heartbreakingly beautiful love story - that one scene was more powerful, intimate and heart-fluttering than any romantic scene most dramas have ever given us.
A soothing, feel-good, healing and heartwarming slice of life story with an engaging slow-burn romance, great friendship bonding, character development and self-growth through many interesting side-stories. With wonderful rural scenery and emphasis to tradition and originality, even though sometimes it was too slow-paced, beautified and 'politically correct', this was a pleasant surprise and a breath of fresh air among the typical angsty dramas.
Part of an anthology of sci fi stories, this short film focuses on society's addiction to mobiles, as well as people's need to knew their future, find something to believe in and depend on, even if it is a questionable AI fortune-telling application.
It could easily be mistaken as one of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp collaborations! Ji Sung as a sexy, empathetic vampire in a bizarre story with a heavy, tragic background...
Part of an anthology of sci fi stories, this short film imposed some thought-provoking questions about androids, their decision making and 'human emotions' ability, as well as some ethical dilemmas enriched with religion and filial piety elements. Strong start, but a bit too much of an ending.
"I saw this body was empty, so I moved in". "Soul" is a slow-paced art house psychological thriller, as well as a character driven family drama. Balancing between demonic possession, mental breakdown and psychosis, it unravels the twisted bond between a father and son haunted by their past, and explores the lengths of paternal love, dedication and sacrifice. The masterful claustrophobic cinematography of the misty, rural mountain and orchid setting combined with the ambient subtle music create an eerie and unearthly vibe, while the unsettling horror and grotesque elements build a palpable tension enhanced with artistic metaphors and symbolisms which convey the unspoken and unexpressed feelings of father and son. This is definitely an uneasy, provoking and sometimes disturbing watch, but also a unique, absorbing experience.
"What makes a life worth living?" A laconic, thought-provoking and deeply moving study of life and death, young and old, low birth rate and aging population. Set in a dystopian near future, it deals delicately and respectfully with some heavy subjects, such as elderly noble sacrifices, abandonment and social exclusion, euthanasia and suicide. Though a bit disjoint and dry, it still is an interesting and engaging watch.
An anthology of five interconnected stories about five good deals/transactions, the story behind them, as well as realising one's dreams and the pursuit of a better life. An interesting attempt for a first feature-length film.
Such a wasted potential of the stellar cast in this absurd, incoherent splatter-fest plot... In fact, the almost non-existent story is just the excuse for a tribute to extreme but meaningless violence, gore and adrenaline-high choreographed fighting scenes. Only for fans of this genre.
A riveting, brutally honest family melodrama revealing the multiple layers of a family's tribulations, as well as its hierarchy dynamics shifts, when faced with tragic events, moral dilemmas and a circle of bad decisions. With a simple but gritty script that provokes our life perceptions, integrity and ethics, witty dialogues and some wisely embedded humor, subtle but powerful acting, aesthetically masterful cinematography and superb character building, this is a heartbreaking but unexpectedly healing story of a struggling dysfunctional family. 'Nothing is as fair as the sun, because throughout the year it gives each location on earth the exact same amount of sunlight' says one of the protagonists. But actually, the sun burns itself to give its warmth and, as long as there is sunshine, there must be a shadow. This duality of sunlight & shade, right & wrong, and the different perspective this symbolism induces is the core of this underrated hidden gem, which turned out to be a difficult but rewarding cinematic experience.
Watching young and charming Chen Kun and Zhou Xun and their undeniable chemistry in beautiful West Lake and Hangzhou locations made up for the messy writing and editing of this bittersweet romcom.
A realistic, genuine, intimate love story from start to finish, presented through a wonderful talented couple, Arimura Kasumi and Suda Masaki, and their nuanced performances. With all the warmth, the yearning, the mental and physical attraction (yes, it really exists!), the similarities, the differences, the growing distance, the falling out of love. Just because love usually isn't forever, it doesn't mean it isn't worth being swept up and living it to the fullest while it lasts.
Six short stories interconnected in an ingenious and thought-provoking way, full of metaphors, profound dilemmas, impactful messages and discerning social commentaries. Highly recommended.
A slow-paced, slow-burn melodrama, full of loneliness, sadness, angst, anger and regrets, but also flooded with love, compassion, respect, forgiveness and healing. Beautifully written, meticulously filmed and exemplary acted -though sometimes it felt like trying too hard to be mellow and poetic- this was a refreshingly non cliché story and a heavy but rewarding emotional ride.
Not as engaging as the 1st season (mainly because of the long, far-fetched story with Oh Ha Joon and Bishop), but still enjoyable. I wish they could spend more screen-time on the taxi crew characters and their teamwork, as well as new shorter cases, rather than those two villains and their lukewarm scheming. But, I really loved Lee Je Hoon's new transformations and personas a lot!
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I wish there were more cases for this duo to solve!
With wonderful rural scenery and emphasis to tradition and originality, even though sometimes it was too slow-paced, beautified and 'politically correct', this was a pleasant surprise and a breath of fresh air among the typical angsty dramas.
Ji Sung as a sexy, empathetic vampire in a bizarre story with a heavy, tragic background...
Strong start, but a bit too much of an ending.
"Soul" is a slow-paced art house psychological thriller, as well as a character driven family drama. Balancing between demonic possession, mental breakdown and psychosis, it unravels the twisted bond between a father and son haunted by their past, and explores the lengths of paternal love, dedication and sacrifice.
The masterful claustrophobic cinematography of the misty, rural mountain and orchid setting combined with the ambient subtle music create an eerie and unearthly vibe, while the unsettling horror and grotesque elements build a palpable tension enhanced with artistic metaphors and symbolisms which convey the unspoken and unexpressed feelings of father and son.
This is definitely an uneasy, provoking and sometimes disturbing watch, but also a unique, absorbing experience.
A laconic, thought-provoking and deeply moving study of life and death, young and old, low birth rate and aging population.
Set in a dystopian near future, it deals delicately and respectfully with some heavy subjects, such as elderly noble sacrifices, abandonment and social exclusion, euthanasia and suicide.
Though a bit disjoint and dry, it still is an interesting and engaging watch.
An interesting attempt for a first feature-length film.
In fact, the almost non-existent story is just the excuse for a tribute to extreme but meaningless violence, gore and adrenaline-high choreographed fighting scenes.
Only for fans of this genre.
With a simple but gritty script that provokes our life perceptions, integrity and ethics, witty dialogues and some wisely embedded humor, subtle but powerful acting, aesthetically masterful cinematography and superb character building, this is a heartbreaking but unexpectedly healing story of a struggling dysfunctional family.
'Nothing is as fair as the sun, because throughout the year it gives each location on earth the exact same amount of sunlight' says one of the protagonists. But actually, the sun burns itself to give its warmth and, as long as there is sunshine, there must be a shadow. This duality of sunlight & shade, right & wrong, and the different perspective this symbolism induces is the core of this underrated hidden gem, which turned out to be a difficult but rewarding cinematic experience.
With all the warmth, the yearning, the mental and physical attraction (yes, it really exists!), the similarities, the differences, the growing distance, the falling out of love.
Just because love usually isn't forever, it doesn't mean it isn't worth being swept up and living it to the fullest while it lasts.
Highly recommended.
Beautifully written, meticulously filmed and exemplary acted -though sometimes it felt like trying too hard to be mellow and poetic- this was a refreshingly non cliché story and a heavy but rewarding emotional ride.
I wish they could spend more screen-time on the taxi crew characters and their teamwork, as well as new shorter cases, rather than those two villains and their lukewarm scheming.
But, I really loved Lee Je Hoon's new transformations and personas a lot!