leaving a review bcs the other ones rated this sooooo low
I don't know how to start this but it's soo worth Ur time.The story itself is really well written.
The FL and ML had really good chemistry (even though I thought they wouldn't).Kinda felt bad for our second lead.
I personally think it's a really god example of a slow burn ,but maybe it's different for u.
The fl friends r really supportive , in a way that I never thought of.
Oh and we don't get story about her twin or of them together, but overall its really refreshing.
Hope this helped!
(first time writing a review don't be mean plz)
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This review may contain spoilers
A Commoner’s Heart Behind the King’s Mask”
*Masquerade* is an elegant and emotionally rich historical film that blends royal intrigue, humor, and heartfelt drama with remarkable finesse.The story follows a humble commoner who bears an uncanny resemblance to the king. When the real monarch falls ill after a poisoning attempt, the double is secretly brought in to take his place — setting off a fascinating journey of identity, power, and conscience.
Lee Byung-hun gives an incredible dual performance. He captures both the paranoia and coldness of the real king, and the warmth and sincerity of the double who unexpectedly becomes a more compassionate ruler. His transformation feels genuine and deeply moving.
The cinematography is stunning — rich in candlelight and intricate palace details — giving every scene a regal, immersive quality. The direction and pacing keep the story engaging from start to finish, with just the right balance of humor and tension.
If there’s one small drawback, it’s that some secondary characters could have been explored a little more. Still, the emotional core and moral message shine through beautifully.
Overall, ***Masquerade*** is a powerful and human take on leadership and empathy — visually pleasing and performed with heart.
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Beethoven but Japanese; Not flawless but a VERY good time
Okay, this is a very blown up/exaggerated rating, but I fear I cannot stay neutral here since I’m a huge Yamada Yuki fan. #yukicultIt was amazing being able to catch the international premiere of this movie, especially in the city it’s mostly set in. The film follows Schindler, Beethoven’s extremely devoted secretary, who works tirelessly to preserve Beethoven's image while idolizing him to the extreme.
The premise itself is quite fascinating: an entirely Japanese cast playing Europeans in a "fake 19th century Europe" built on LED screens which were definitely noticeable at times, sometimes more than others. Of course, I constantly found myself wondering which parts of Vienna they were trying to capture in those bird's-eye shots.
The actors really gave it their all despite the strange setup and story. Yamada Yuki carried for sure! I love him in slightly unhinged roles and this was no exception. I even caught myself rooting for his (delusional?) character, though maybe that’s just my bias.
It’s also interesting how about 90% of the film is told through voiceover rather than dialogue. With its 115-minute runtime it’s certainly not particularly long but I feel it could’ve been tighter and more engaging if cut down to around 90 minutes. Some of the monologues felt like they went on for a bit too long and kept going in circles.
My friend pointed out some historical inaccuracies in the costumes, apparently mixing styles from different eras. I can’t really comment on that but I feel like if I knew anything about it, it wouldn’t bother me that much. The film isn’t concerned with strict historical accuracy — on the contrary, it’s exactly focused on the tension between myth and reality. How much truth are we willing to ignore to keep enjoying the fantasy?
Overall, I had a really good time. The audience was laughing a lot, the atmosphere was great and it just felt special to experience this film on the big screen. I hope I will be able to rewatch it as soon as possible.
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A fast-paced blend of mystery, politics, and comedy set in Joseon’s royal court.
*The King’s Case Note* is an unexpectedly fun mix of mystery, humor, and royal politics — a refreshing twist on the historical genre.The story follows a young and curious king who secretly investigates cases within his palace and across the kingdom, joined by a clumsy but good-hearted scholar. Together, they uncover secrets, conspiracies, and plenty of comic situations. What makes this film special is its tone — it’s light and witty, yet layered with clever political intrigue and emotional moments.
Lee Sun-kyun shines as the intelligent, mischievous king — he’s charming, unpredictable, and full of charisma. Ahn Jae-hong brings great comedic timing as his loyal assistant, and their chemistry makes the movie a joy to watch. The cinematography is colorful and dynamic, matching the film’s playful energy, while the pacing keeps the story engaging from start to finish.
The film balances mystery and humor so well that even serious moments feel entertaining rather than heavy. It’s not your typical sageuk — it’s brighter, faster, and more modern in feel.
Overall, ***The King’s Case Note*** is a smart, funny, and visually rich film that proves history can be full of surprises.
*If you enjoy clever kings, witty dialogue, and light mystery, this one’s for you!*
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So sad!
What a sad movie about how hard it is on people just because they love someone of the same gender. Why can't people accept love in the different forms there are. Love is such a beautifull thing but it gets destroyed by small minded people.The visuals and musc were ok.
The acting and kisses good.
One time watching is enough for me, but i do recommend watching if you haven't yet!
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Great movie!
I’m speaking from the perspective of someone who doesn’t watch action movies a lot. To be honest, I watched this for Jun and I know how much screen time he has. But I still enjoyed the whole movie because the story was intriguing and I liked the characters, even the villains. In fact, I was rooting for them. Haha. Yes, they were a very good looking set of villains but their characters were also lovable.I know Jackie Chan and Tony Leung are veteran actors but I want to shout out that Ci Sha is really amazing in this one! The way he portrayed two characters so differently, I didn’t even realize they’re the same actor. Haha. And I’m really proud of Jun too. 🥹🫶🏻
I know this movie did so well in China and it’s well deserved.
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Weird
This was just so weird, what was happening? I have no clue....The visuals were good.
There was hardly any music, the little music i heard was ok.
The acting and kisses were good.
I won't watch this agin, because it just didn't make sence.
Just watc it if you are curious, because it's only 11 minutes.
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Along with the Gods 2: The Last 49 Days
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49 Days of Flashbacks
This sequel filled in important narrative gaps by finally answering the lingering questions about the main characters' origins. This made their journey more compelling for the audience and contributed to the overall intrigue of the film.However, the numerous flashbacks disrupted the narrative flow. The fragmented plot and inconsistent pacing prevented this film from being as engaging as the first installment in the series.
While not as endlessly rewatchable as the original, the sequel still offers impressive special effects and a great balance of action and comedic scenes, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of the first film.
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This review may contain spoilers
Here's what I think (i loved it)
I really liked the movie. What I appreciated the most is that they treated it as an adaptation rather than a remake, perfectly preserving the original storyline.I especially enjoyed how it was adapted to Thai culture, particularly through the use of comedy, which is a distinctive element of Thai entertainment. It felt stronger here than in the original Taiwanese version, but it still remained coherent within the story. It lightened the overall tone (don’t be mistaken, it is not mainly a comedy movie) while reflecting Thai culture beautifully. Menn is a bit goofy, and the film as a whole balances humor and cultural depth really well.
The choice to replace the original Taiwanese KTV Club with a Boxing Club is another cultural statement. It shows how deeply this version is rooted in local culture. This movie was clearly made first and foremost for the Thai audience, and only secondarily for international viewers, something also reflected in the guerrilla marketing campaign held in Bangkok.
The way the film tackles issues of identity, sexuality, and the concept of ladyboys (themes deeply felt and lived in Thailand) was, in my opinion, magnificent. From Titi’s character, with his construction and PP’s performance, to his ex-boyfriend, his father, certain moments of Menn’s journey, and several side characters, these topics were explored from multiple perspectives. The result is a portrayal that gives the audience a more complete and less stereotypical understanding of how these issues are perceived in Thailand. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, alongside acceptance, diversity, and freedom there’s also hate, intolerance, and prejudice. Facing those things isn’t easy. Sometimes you just put on a mask of indifference and keep going, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay.
I’m used to seeing BK and PP in other kinds of works or in concerts, but I truly appreciated the director’s vision here. I could sense the male gaze (the director is a man), and there were only two specific frames I didn’t fully enjoy because, to me, they disrupted that sense of “realism”, the immersion that the storytelling builds. Still, I understand how they tie back to Thai culture.
The color palette is stunning, meticulously planned and, together with the styling, it creates a whole universe of its own. I laughed a lot at the shirt-changing scenes, especially at the beginning when one of the shirts had “Brescia” written on it, cause as an Italian that was unexpected and very amusing. I watched the movie together with my best friend and I sort of glitched for a moment as I said “wait a minute… Amo, does that shirt say Brescia or am I seeing things?” and we had a good laugh.
The locations are also remarkable, combining the essence of Thai culture with subtle Chinese influences in a seamless way.
The only moments that felt noticeably different to me, probably due to my emotional attachment to the original scene, were some small details in the final hospital scene, where Menn talks with his father, and of course, the change from the KTV Club to the Boxing Club we mentioned earlier.
I really appreciated the post-credit wedding scene as it gives you hope for another life. A little bit of sugar for the viewer, although I can’t say if it was related to the whole fancon/marketing or to the movie itself. The bittersweet feeling at the end still lingers, but if you already knew the story, you probably expected it. Before the film’s release, there were talks about the possibility of a different ending, which brings me back to my earlier point about adaptation VS remake. I truly appreciate the fact we weren’t given a happy ending just because.
I also love how Chinese culture keeps showing up in their works, it being related to the fact that both of them are of Chinese descent and part of the Chinese-thai community in Thailand. I appreciate its constant presence, kind of like an Easter egg for fans. For those who follow the actors, like I do, it creates a deeper bond not just with the characters, but with the actors themselves.
I've seen people debating about the whole 'unrealistic' aspect of ghost-weddings, but it might just be because it's not a storytelling too common outside of asian culture. You should always try to watch something with a perspective related to the culture it comes from.
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I like the way it shone✨
To be completely honest, I personally love this movie. Despite all the criticisms it received right after releasing the trailer. The CGI is very well constructed, such as the monsters, the backdrops, and when they use their skills. I may feel this way because I haven't read the novel or the webtoon, but even if I had, I wouldn't say this adaptation is any worse. Certain points include how much effort the crew has put into this project.For such a fantasy-packed, well-written source material to turn into something visually believable isn't an easy feat. The whole time watching ORV, I felt like I was literally drawn into their world as a bystander, watching everything unfold; how they tear each other apart due to greed, how people became the actual 'monsters' in the world when faced with life-and-death situations, and how there's still hope in humanity as long as we change...one after another. The CGIs and the ensemble cast's brilliant acting made this all happen.
Talking about acting, I would give my utmost praise to all the cast members, especially our adorable Lee Gil Young and the steadfast Jung Hui Won. Oh, and not to forget our soldier guy, Lee Hyeon Seong~ Na Na did an exceptionally great job here! Her action choreography is top-notch! Additionally, our little Gil Young is so cute whenever he does that pose to call forth the insects~ XD
Another unpopular opinion of mine would be about Pil, the Goblin. He's a cute chap in my point of view. He's the "cute, but can k!ll" type of existence. His 'cooperation' (kind of) with Kim Dok Ja was interesting, and I love him getting confused whenever Dok Ja mentions something that the new 'players' aren't supposed to know. He could become a good partner lol XD
My only dissatisfaction is that there were so many unanswered questions for this movie, and although it wrapped well, I hope there will be a continuation. The open ending has hinted at new possibilities, which could take an intriguing turn (hopefully) in the future. However, I doubt there will be one with how the reactions were.. :'D It's quite sad though...
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Too Gross To Be Funny
**This is just my opinion. I appreciate all of the hard work that went into the making of this movie. Thank you.**Most of us have laughed at the crude/rude humor of Homer Simpson, South Park, Seth Rogen, Adam Sandler, etc. I'm no exception. I thought this movie would be like a Korean version of that kind of humor. It's not my go-to thing to watch but I was looking for something different. I wasn't expecting it to be that gross though. How gross you ask? Well... There are some things you just shouldn't do. Or aren't funny I should say, because they made me sick just watching it. In one scene alone, a guy um, "finishes" into a skillet, cooks it and then makes it into a sandwich and feeds it to someone. You should not ever feed some unsuspecting person your bodily fluids. It's just so gross. I'm ranting, I know. I couldn't stand it and dropped it. If you're into that kind of thing, then more power to you. Have fun. Either way, consider yourselves warned.
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The Acting Was Incredible, The Story Not So Much
**This is just my opinion. I truly appreciate all of the hard work that went into the making of this movie. Thank you.**Honestly, I nearly stopped watching a few minutes in because I thought it was going to be really bad due to how dated and strange the hair and costumes looked compared to what I'm used to seeing in historical dramas. They weren't horrible. They were just very, very different. I'm glad that I kept watching though, because the acting was superb. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable.
I didn't like the story because it was about a powerful older man---the King---who "groomed" (****** grooming is the action or behavior used to establish an emotional connection with a vulnerable person with the goal of ****** abuse ) Hong Rim from the time he was just a child to be his "partner". Hong Rim never really had a choice in the matter or the ability to say no. His relationship with the King started when he was so young that he just thought he was gay as well. Later, the King, unable to consummate his marriage with his Queen and produce an heir, forced Hong Rim to that for him as well. Both Hong Rim and the Queen are being violated in this scenario. Fortunately Hong Rim is kind and gentle and what could have been another horrible experience turned into a pleasurable one for them both. Unfortunately, when they developed feelings for each other, the King immediately tried to put an end to it. I won't go into more detail than that.
In summary, this movie is well worth the watch if you are over 18 and aren't squeamish. There are a lot of violent scenes and the adult scenes are very, very graphic. You can see everything but the front lower bikini area. I was shocked by how much it showed. I can't say how shocked, lol. They are done very tastefully and extremely well though.
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A letdown
Calling this a sequel to Gil Boksoon is disappointing and an utter insult. I wanna call this assassin's romance. Most of the action scenes were skipped until the match at the climax. What is this? The genre listing for this movie should definitely be changed. This was a waste of my time. Part of my disappointment definitely came from the casting, specifically Im Siwan, whom I knew I could rely on for action stuff. LOL. The problem with this movie has nothing to do with the casting and everything to do with the plot. I was bored in the first 30min and I should've just stopped right there. For a movie that's supposedly action, thriller, mystery and crime I think it doesn't even satisfy half the genres.Was this review helpful to you?
"Love is the strongest weapon of all"
Love is a twisted path when one person is a fraidy cat scholar and the other is a tantalizing ghost. 1987’s A Chinese Ghost Story set the bar for Hong Kong haunted offerings that would follow.Newly anointed tax collector, Ling Choi San, travels in tattered shoes with no money for food or shelter. The town he enters refuses to put him up for the night and sends him to the Orchid Temple. What Ling doesn’t know is that the monks there are no longer living and other creepy creatures have set up housekeeping, along with a virtuous Taoist swordsman. At the temple he meets a beautiful young woman who hides a deadly darkness.
Leslie Cheung made a great bumbling scholar who inadvertently saved himself and others through his clumsiness. The schtick only caused me to want his character to be eaten a couple of times with the rest of his screen time resulting in a more endearing response. Joey Wong’s ethereal Lip Siu Sin was believable as both the seductive and vulnerable ghost. Wu Ma stole the show with his bearded ghost hunting swordsman. Always confident and under control he looked out for the good-hearted, if not very bright, tax collector.
Tony Ching Siu Tung both directed the film and worked as one of the martial arts directors (there were five). Much of the martial arts was sword work (often magical) and/or wire-fu with Wu Ma carrying the load on the fights.
A Chinese Ghost Story offered ghosts, zombies, a powerful life-sucking tree demon, and the lord of the Black Mountain with his underworld army. Nothing an old swordsman, an inept hero, and a lovely ghost couldn’t handle. The special effects and storytelling may have been dated but the film certainly had its charms. As always, I rate older films in these niche genres on a curve.
4 October 2025
Trigger warnings: Snake, a tree with an enormous tongue, implied wolf killings, zombies, decapitations, and a brief sexual encounter.
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Routine as the Main Character
The film follows Hirayama (Kōji Yakusho, winner of the Best Actor Award at Cannes), a middle-aged man who works as a cleaner in upscale public restrooms in Tokyo.
His life is marked by a daily, rigidly structured ritual: he wakes up, tends to his plants, drives his van listening to cassette tapes of rock and folk classics (The Velvet Underground, Patti Smith, Nina Simone), cleans the restrooms with almost ritualistic dedication, and, at the end of the day, dedicates himself to his passions: reading and photographing trees.
Wenders transforms this repetition into poetry, showing that happiness resides in the intention and presence dedicated to each moment. Hirayama's routine is not a prison, but a choice that allows him peace.
Themes and Style
The Beauty of Simple: The film is a powerful reminder that true joy often lies in small acts and genuine human connections. It is seen as "motivational" without being forced, teaching through the protagonist's silent example.
Mystery and the Past: Unexpected encounters—such as the arrival of Hirayama's niece or sister—slowly disrupt his routine, forcing him to reconnect with a past he has clearly left behind. The film is subtle and doesn't provide definitive answers as to why he abandoned a seemingly more affluent life, leaving the interpretation to the viewer.
Dialogue with Ozu: Wenders's work is widely praised for its reverence for Japanese cinematic masters, especially Yasujirō Ozu, in the way he observes and appreciates Japanese daily life with tenderness and precision.
Acting and Silence: Kōji Yakusho's performance is the film's driving force. His performance is full of subtlety and depth, conveying a serenity that conceals mysteries. He uses bodywork and expressiveness to provide answers in the absence of words.
Critic's Conclusion
Perfect Days is considered by most critics to be a masterpiece and one of the most unforgettable films of the year. It's a "zen" film that invites audiences to shift their perspective on work, loneliness, and the search for meaning in modern life, showing that "simple solves everything." The ending, in particular, is often cited as one of the most moving and beautiful moments of the season.
It's a film that celebrates the "now" and the ability to find beauty even in the cleanliness of a public restroom.
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