"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!
An eccentric, wild ride between fantasy and reality, unspoken desires and compromises, with some acidic remarks on the movie industry and struggling artists, some cleverly embedded comic-sarcastic scenes and a few caustic philosophical questions. Revolving around the insecurities, as well as the need of inspiration and affirmation caused by a writer's block, and presented in a dark, bold and unorthodox way, this might not be for everyone, but it surely is a wacky, surreal experience.
Set in a one night's time frame and filmed with intoxicating lighting and colouring of the busy streets of nocturnal Taipei, with an absurd, unpredictable plot and a quirky mosaic portrait of various characters that are misfits and petty criminals (quite usual for Chung Mong Hong's works) but most of all trapped, unhappy people, even if it doesn't really have a clear storyline or belong in a specific genre, it definitely is an interesting experience, like a free-verse modern poem rich in images and emotions.
An absorbing documentary about the restoration of ancient artworks in the museum of Forbidden City, the techniques used, the restorers' personal backgrounds, secrets of their craftsmanship, their master-apprentice relationship and, of course, some wonderful cultural relics. The picturesque scenery, the utmost perseverance and care of the those skillful technicians during the long, careful restoration process, as well as how they enjoy this quiet lifestyle were engaging and soothing to watch.
An absorbing documentary about the restoration of ancient artworks in the museum of Forbidden City, the techniques used, the restorers' personal backgrounds, secrets of their craftsmanship, their master-apprentice relationship and, of course, some wonderful cultural relics. The picturesque scenery, the utmost perseverance and care of the those skillful technicians during the long, careful restoration process, as well as how they enjoy this quiet lifestyle were engaging and soothing to watch.
An entertaining historical drama, more focused on mystery and hidden identities rather than romance. For those who are looking for a romcom in a historical setting it might be slow-paced and disappointing, but I really liked the leads' camaraderie, bantering, support and teamwork. Nothing memorable, but a decent one-time watch.
An introspective coming of age story of a quiet but quick-witted boy’s lonely emotional quest to find his place in an unwelcoming bleak world, full of misfits and petty criminals. Though flawed, over-quirky, with some pacing issues, it still is a worthy watch, mainly due to the nuanced performances -especially from talented child actor Xiao Hai Bi-, the subtle but sharp social commentaries on some heavy issues, the captivating cinematography with carefully selected lighting and colors, the wonderful landscape shots and the well-fitting musical arrangements.
A slow-burn fave, with down-to-earth characters and one of the most precious bromance ever! No romance or legal cases could surpass this strong, vibrant friendship among those three men who may be the polar opposites but support, comfort and be there for each other like a warm hug through thick and thin. So realistic, natural and wholesome as if they weren't acting but really living and enjoying their scenes. Time well spent.
A based on a true story and very predictable tearjerker, more beautified than necessary and not very strong on the emotional scenes. A decent watch but nothing memorable or new. But, watching young Nagayama Eita and Eikura Nana, and realizing how graceful they matured and how their acting improved was quite rewarding.
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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!
Revolving around the insecurities, as well as the need of inspiration and affirmation caused by a writer's block, and presented in a dark, bold and unorthodox way, this might not be for everyone, but it surely is a wacky, surreal experience.
The picturesque scenery, the utmost perseverance and care of the those skillful technicians during the long, careful restoration process, as well as how they enjoy this quiet lifestyle were engaging and soothing to watch.
The picturesque scenery, the utmost perseverance and care of the those skillful technicians during the long, careful restoration process, as well as how they enjoy this quiet lifestyle were engaging and soothing to watch.
For those who are looking for a romcom in a historical setting it might be slow-paced and disappointing, but I really liked the leads' camaraderie, bantering, support and teamwork.
Nothing memorable, but a decent one-time watch.
Though flawed, over-quirky, with some pacing issues, it still is a worthy watch, mainly due to the nuanced performances -especially from talented child actor Xiao Hai Bi-, the subtle but sharp social commentaries on some heavy issues, the captivating cinematography with carefully selected lighting and colors, the wonderful landscape shots and the well-fitting musical arrangements.
No romance or legal cases could surpass this strong, vibrant friendship among those three men who may be the polar opposites but support, comfort and be there for each other like a warm hug through thick and thin. So realistic, natural and wholesome as if they weren't acting but really living and enjoying their scenes.
Time well spent.
But, watching young Nagayama Eita and Eikura Nana, and realizing how graceful they matured and how their acting improved was quite rewarding.