Reviews

Honestly, when I first saw this as a trailer, I thought it was going to be a total dud. In the end, I decided to give it a chance because of the great cast and I don't regret it. It was kind of an emotional roller coaster, where I got angry, laughed and cried. I never thought that this particular movie would win my heart and I'm so glad I watched it, because it's going to be one of my favorite movies at the moment!! The description, trailer and title alone don't tell us as much as the beginning of the movie, which is priceless. I rate it 10/10, as does the love triangle and the great ending that made me cry with joy. So, even if it doesn't look very appealing, give it a chance, it's worth it!

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Fool's gold

*sigh* this movie had potential. I'm pretty over the Sacrificial Young Maiden trope by now – especially after having watched Damsel (the big Hollywood production with Millie Bobby Brown) earlier in the year, and now the The Bride. It's such a tired cliché, so if you're going to do it, you better do it perfectly. The Bride does not.

The story as a whole is a struggle. The mystery in the plotline isn't really a mystery. The twist in the middle is predictable. And the ending feels flat. Yet there were instances, particularly after the little plot twist, where I saw gleams of curious concepts at play.

For example, there were moments where the relationship between the protagonist and the spiritual world seemed interesting and complex. But each time it looked like there might be something more to unravel, the story immediately plateaued. And the moments were, well, merely moments.

The Bride does get brownie points for costume design. But otherwise, the VFX wavered between impressive and laughable, the acting was oftentimes wooden, and the narrative structure was erratic. This is one to torrent, don't pay to see this in the cinema like I did.

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A refreshing take on teenage insecurities....

"Love Untangled" isn't just another teen rom-com; it's a vibrant exploration of self-acceptance. The film centers on a teenager grappling with insecurities about her naturally curly hair, embarking on a quest for the "perfect" look to win over her crush. However, this journey transcends a simple confession; it's a poignant exploration of embracing imperfections. The film beautifully illustrates the struggle to overcome insecurities and recognize that what we perceive as flaws can be our most beautiful attributes.

The movie's strength lies in its relatable portrayal of teenage anxieties, offering a heartwarming narrative of growth and self-discovery. The protagonist's evolution, set against a backdrop of strong friendships, resonates deeply.

Shin Eunsoo shines in the lead role, her energetic and bubbly personality perfectly capturing the character's journey.

"Love Untangled" skillfully blends nostalgia with a modern perspective, offering a delightful watch that celebrates individuality. It's a testament to the power of self-love and the beauty of embracing one's true self. This film is a must-see for anyone who has ever questioned their worth.

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Who rules the world ? CURLS !!

The movie captures how the little things feel so big when you are a teenager...from fighting with frizzy curly hair to building up the courage to confess to your crush.

The movie is about Park Seri's journey to confess her crush with her ride or die friends and new transfer student Han yun seok. It's endearing, humorous, chaotic at times but surprisingly a touching story about first love and insecurities.

It was all warm sunshine and rainbows. That is how I felt watching this. It somehow
brought back all the memories of having a teenage crush. The butterflies...the messy confusing feelings that comes with it...the anticipation and the occasional tears too. I also appreciated how the insecurities were subtly depicted and how it was worked through. Nothing felt forced or too over dramatic.

That said, my only gripe was Yun Seok’s mother’s storyline. It felt like it came from nowhere and felt a bit underdeveloped for the impact it had on the movie. More like shock than substance.

Acting wise, Shin Eun Soo was spot on. She was bright, awkward and very teenager-y (if that's a word). Gong Myung did well too, though it was a stretch to see him as a teenager sometimes. Cha woon min in short supportive role was charming as always.

Overall, this was a feel good movie with the message of self acceptance in the most subtle and teenage way! It is nothing out of the box but a comforting watch!
I would definitely recommend it!

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"Fine dust is hard to see, we forget about it, though it's everywhere"

Fair warning, Dust-Man is the type of film I enjoy--independent, centered around art, and involved redemption. The filming, music, and acting were not polished, but somewhere it just hit that sweet spot of theatrical enjoyment for me.

Tae San is homeless and looks out for Mr. Kim, an older man, and Do Joon who is in his 30s like Tae San. One night Tae San observes a young woman painting a mural in a small tunnel. When he returns the next night, the city has painted the walls white. Mo Ah passes by and tells him it’s okay, she does these murals to force the city to clean up these spaces. Tae San shows her how to create art on the fine dust collected on cars and other surfaces. The two develop a friendship over art that is only held back by the darkness of Tae San’s past.

I enjoyed the impermanent art created by the two, art that would eventually be blown, wiped, or washed away. The two understood that art didn’t have to be permanent to be meaningful. Their images showed what was, what is, and what could be, hampered only by their imagination. Though Tae San’s art was unbounded, his life was a cage created by his memory. Until he found the key to unlock the door he was stuck on an “endless journey.”

Homelessness was portrayed as a life choice with the three men shown which was not very accurate. Most homelessness is caused by unaffordable housing, unsustainable wages and poverty, substance abuse, health issues, and mental illness. For women, abusive relationships can drive them out to the streets with children. Despite the white washed version, the director did try to show that homelessness, like fine dust, was everywhere, but often invisible. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. And like personal problems and pain, it needed to be faced. Tae San’s art and friendship with Mo Ah revealed the key he had hidden under mounds of dust and ash. Dust-Man was gritty and unpolished but showed that dreams could be carried by the dust in the wind*.

28 August 2025
*Apologies to Kansas/Dust in the Wind for applying the same term

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Concert for Dogs and Cats

Let me say, the cat on the poster for this movie is a perfect representation of the documentary, which shows the care for stray cats and dogs in Baeksa, a mountain village. Both humans and their pets struggle to survive in this place, but the animals suffer even more when their owners abandon them. So, one guy came up with the idea of making a concert for the animals?!

In my opinion, it is silly to prepare a concert for dogs and cats—the concert is for people. But if the concert raises awareness about treating animals better, then you could say it is also for them. The movie did that for me: it made me reflect on stray cats and dogs—or rather, wandering cats and dogs. It teaches us not to be afraid of them and to help them, which gives the movie a noble purpose. Still, I struggle to accept the idea that animals are equal to humans, as the film seems to suggest. They are, after all, still pets. If they ever made a concert for us, then I might reconsider.

As for the concert itself—it was nice, and the documentary allowed us as viewers to enjoy it. The film also includes some cute short animations and beautiful live video portraits of animals. This is where the movie works best: portraits of cats and dogs accompanied by beautiful music in the background.

Still, I can’t understand why people put clothes on animals. My dogs would never accept wearing anything, since they always look for a way to cool down.

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A Nightmare

Whatever the worst thing you can imagine, this movie adaptation manages to sink even lower, it's a catastrophe beyond your darkest nightmares.

1/10 Stars - A Complete Betrayal of the Source Material

"Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy" - How to Butcher a Masterpiece in 120 Minutes

As someone who devoured all 551 chapters of the original web novel, I walked into this adaptation with cautious optimism. I walked out feeling personally insulted by what the filmmakers did to sing shong's brilliant work.

Where do I even begin with this disaster?

First, they completely gutted Kim Dokja's character. In the novel, Dokja is a complex, morally gray protagonist whose obsession with "Three Ways to Survive the Apocalypse" stems from genuine loneliness and escapism. The movie turns him into a generic "chosen one" hero who's inexplicably confident from scene one. Gone is his self-deprecating humor, his strategic mind, and most importantly, his role as a "reader" who understands the story's mechanics. Instead, we get Hollywood Hero #47 who just happens to know things.

The worldbuilding? What worldbuilding?

The intricate constellation system that makes ORV so unique? Reduced to glowing tattoos that appear when convenient. The complex sponsor relationships? Streamlined into a basic "gods give power" system you'd find in any generic fantasy film. The scenarios that were carefully crafted psychological and physical challenges? Turned into mindless action sequences with terrible CGI.

Don't get me started on Yoo Joonghyuk.

They cast him as a brooding pretty boy and stripped away everything that made him compelling. His 1863 regressions, his trauma, his complicated relationship with Dokja - all gone. He's now just the "rival who becomes ally" with zero depth. The movie completely misses that Joonghyuk isn't just strong; he's broken, desperate, and clinging to hope through repetition.

The supporting cast might as well not exist.

Han Sooyoung gets maybe 10 minutes of screen time and is reduced to "sassy female character." Lee Hyunsung, Jung Heewon, Lee Gilyoung - all the bonds Dokja forms that make his journey meaningful are rushed through montages. The found family aspect that's central to the novel's heart? Completely absent.

But the worst sin? They fundamentally misunderstood the story's themes.

ORV isn't about being special or chosen. It's about finding meaning through stories, about how fiction can save us, about the relationship between reader and protagonist. The movie turns it into a standard "save the world" plot where Dokja is special because... he just is. The meta-narrative elements that make the novel brilliant? Completely ignored.

The ending is particularly insulting - they clearly set up for sequels while completely missing the point of the novel's conclusion about stories, sacrifice, and what it means to be remembered.

Technical aspects? Also terrible.

The pacing is breakneck, cramming multiple scenarios into poorly edited action scenes. The dialogue is exposition-heavy because they have to explain a complex world they didn't properly establish. The special effects look like a mid-budget video game from 2015.

This movie exists solely to capitalize on ORV's popularity without understanding what made it special. It's the cinematic equivalent of someone reading a plot summary and thinking they understood the story.

Do yourself a favor: skip this cash grab and read the novel instead. Or better yet, read it again to cleanse your palate if you've already seen this abomination.

Bottom line: This isn't an adaptation; it's fan fiction written by someone who skimmed the wiki page.

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A FLAWED BUT ENTERTAINING RIDE

This movie begins a strong exposition that immediately hooks the audience. Gil Bok Soon embodies a fierce, badass character, while her mentor Min Gyu projects an intimidating aura that makes the opening act interesting.

The pacing however kind of fell of in the middle. Some of the energy and tension established early doesn’t fully carry through, which weakens the momentum of the story. That said, the action more than makes up for it. The fight sequence are top notch, and the dynamic score elevates them into highly entertaining, rewatchable moments.

The story shows plenty of potential but falls short in places, with plot holes and a lack of emotional depth particuarly in the relationship between Bok Soon and her daughter, which feels underexplored.

Fortunately, the third act brings the movie back on track. Its payoff ensures the film remains worth watching, offering an ending that leaves a solid impression despite its shortcomings.

Plot 8/10
Acting and Characters 7/10
Cinematography 8/10
Writing 7/10
Pacing 7/10
OST/Score 9/10

Overall 7.5/10

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