Reviews

Para-special Relationship

If you're a fan of any male idol group, then tap into your delulu selves to get the full experience from this movie!!

First off, this was heavy on the fanservice, especially with the idealized portrayal of our beloved idol boys. The only thing lacking is giving more emphasis on each of the members's characters. In the movie, we only got to know about Kota and Kanato's personalities. If they were trying to sell this "idol all-star" boy group, then they should have given some spotlight to the other members as well. But I have to say, the You Are Special song was good. It flowed along with the movie.

About the movie itself, I thought the first half was fast-paced. Around 20min in and our main girl, who swore was never going to fall in love again, already admitted to herself that she's gone in too deep and has already drafted her 10-year roadmap to getting together with our main idol boy.

Also, it has a lot of the classic shoujo mune kyun moments, which could never be taken away given that this was made for the fangirls. This might not be for those who've grown out of their cheesy corny romance era. But if you still do enjoy these type of moments in shoujo movies, then you'll be glad.

I do like the last quarter of the movie though, especially with the mild angst that I kinda wished it didn't have a happy ending. Instead, I would've preferred it if Sahoko and Kota went on to live their separate lives while cheering for each other from a distance. Or maybe even have them reunite in the sequel series instead.

Speaking of the sequel series that is currently airing, I hope they focus more on some of the stuff lacking from the movie like: the other members, Emika & Kanato's relationship, and that thing about their rival band.

Overall a fun movie. May not the most extraordinary one out there but I would still recommend this to those who are interested in watching it. And I'm looking forward to the sequel series.

Read More

Hidden Strike

I watched Hidden Strike because I saw that Gong Jun was part of the cast, and I honestly wish I had just fast-forwarded to his scenes and skipped the rest of the film. Although I managed to watch until the end, I still felt that I could have used my time more productively. I didn’t have high expectations in the first place, so I was not necessarily disappointed but it doesn’t mean the film couldn't have tried to be better. 

Luo Feng and Mei’s relationship was probably the best that the film had to offer. They had a difficult relationship, because Mei blamed her father for abandoning the family when her mother fell ill. In the film, Luo Feng gained back her trust by protecting and helping her. Even so, this aspect of the relationship was underdeveloped because the story decided to focus more on the interactions between Luo Feng and Chris. However, even they were pretty flat: the characters worked towards a common goal, but I had yet to see a true friendship form. 

Some of the jokes were chuckle-worthy but others felt awkward either because of the pacing or the poor delivery. The film put its focus on action and CGI and forgot to give time to character development. When Luo Feng and Mei were first discussing her mother's last moments, the only thing the audience sees is Luo Feng’s eyes getting a little misty. And when Chris’ brother dies and he finds his body, the scene gives him thirty seconds to grieve before it reminds the viewer that this is just another brainless action film and shooting begins. 

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend Hidden Strike unless you are really into Jackie Chan or John Cena. The film wasn’t the worst I have seen but I had a lot to improve. If they had only removed Chris’ character altogether and focused more on the father-daughter relationship, I think I would have been way more satisfied with the results. All in all, I give the film two stars out of five. 

Read More

Most Realest GL Movie I've Ever Watched.

I usually don't write reviews on movies, mainly short films.

I liked this I think its very underrated, why do I think this? Well... I feel like this is the most realistic gl movie I have watched. As a person who has gotten bullied for being a lesbian it is hard and it sucks... the feeling absolutely suck because all you're trying to do is love. I think this is as real as it could be. My heart broke at seeing Cin and May getting bullied and I would love to say I was more like May but no, I wasn't, I was more like Cin and just keeping a low profile and not saying anything does not work and it definitely gave me trauma, but yes, this short film was one of the greatest short films I have ever watched and maybe it's because I relate to it. I also loved the characters, May trying to protect Cin is literally so wholesome and sad at the same exact time. 9/10 says a lot for me, I usually don't rate stuff this high.

Read More

Reminded me when I still believe in dreams

Once you are #Forever28 everything changes. You learn contentment. You discover that happiness lies with simply being alive. You stop believing in dreams. You just live and enjoy whatever comes to you.

But when you're a teenager, the world is a mystery. You have very colourful and grand dreams. You have the drive to achieve those dreams. To fight for it no matter what.

That was what IRe's character represented. A teenager whose dreams were almost destroyed after the universe threw forced her to become an adult early. She learned to be happy with what life throws at her. She learned that being alive is itself more than enough.

But her close encounter with her mentor put a stop to it. She encouraged her to fulfill her dreams. To fight for it. And her mentor was right. Once you embrace adulthood, things will change. Dreams will no longer matter.

If it doesn't work, the important thing is you tried instead of giving up because life wants you to become an adult already. No regrets.

IRe's character is that person. No regrets. She almost embraced adulthood but she was protected by an adult who cares.

I hope, like me, you saw these things as well, dear reader. If you're #Forever28 too, it also reminds us that we should help protect teenagers from facing adulthood earlier than they should.

We all know how once we're adults, we will no longer be able to come back to the days when we were teenagers filled with dreams.

Dreams. They are precious. It defines the rest of our mortal life. Protect it.

Read More

"We're all alone in life"

Plan 75 took a calculated approach to culling the herd so to speak. As Japan faced a shrinking younger population and growing older population, Plan 75 was implemented. Anyone 75 or older could chose to be euthanized and receive $1000 and funeral expenses. But is it really voluntary if the poor elderly are financially ostracized leaving them with few choices?

Michi is 78-years-old and working as a cleaning maid with other elderly women. She has no family and her apartment is scheduled to be demolished. When she loses her job, she is left with few options. No one will hire her, no one will rent an apartment to her without a substantial deposit, and the welfare office is “closed.” Michi meets with Plan 75 agent Hiromu and signs up. Hiromu’s estranged uncle also signs up causing him to look into the program more closely.

My first thought was that this felt like a re-working of Kinoshita’s The Ballad of Narayama (1958). In TBoN when a person reached 70 in an impoverished village a family member carried them up the mountain where they were left to die of starvation and exposure. The opening sequence of Plan 75 featured a mass killing of people in an assisted living facility reminiscent of a real-life mass murder in Japan in 2016. The film killing and other hate crimes against older folks spurred the creation of Plan 75.

The first thing that hits you is that all of these people were near the poverty line if not below it. They either had no family or their families had largely abandoned them. None of the people who agreed to be euthanized as good citizens were wealthy. Shocking, I know. It’s briefly implied that businesses were profiting off the human loss of life driving the application age downward. However, there was no real discussion of the glaring pitfalls of such a program and the de-humanization of the elderly. Who has the right to decide if a life is of value and when that life should end? Were the wealthy and powerful held to such a standard? Who will be called on next to make sacrifices? Homeless people or the poor? The handicapped, the sick, the infertile? The LGBTQ+ community? People who aren’t living up to society’s expectations? And when does it stop being encouraged and start being enforced? The lack of a deep dive into the potential for corruption was disappointing.

Plan 75 showed the sad truth that many elderly live alone and on limited funds. When they die, they often die alone. In this film, Hiromu discovered that his uncle had helped build Japan’s transportation infrastructure. Michi had worked her whole life---Basho Chieko gave a quietly inspired performance in this role. Now they were considered a drain on society. Instead of cherishing them, providing for them, and recognizing the value of their lives and contributions they had become disposable. When one group of people is dehumanized, it’s not long before another one will be. Only the poor and powerless were called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice. Characters came to realize that life is precious and death should be handled with dignity. Not everyone is ready to leave this mortal coil at 75, there might be one more glorious sunset to bathe in.

“In the shade of the old apple tree,
Tomorrow let’s meet once again
When the red setting sun sinks in the west.”

18 September 2025

Read More

The Sweetest High School Romance I Didn’t Know I Needed

Love Untangled Had Me Crying, Smiling, and Falling in Love Too. Like this movie is the best, I just love it. Recently, I watched 20th Century Girl and the ending had me crying, but then this movie showed up. I hesitated a bit but later when I cheked the reviews I decided to try. And when I watched it I was litrelly shedding tears of happiness. It's such a sweet romance, not much drama, just high school love, just what I needed.
And don't get me started about the cast, the female lead is super cute and gullible, I like how she confessed everything infront of Hyun(the second lead and the popular guy of the school) and chose Yoon-seok over him. Now about the male lead, he is soo cute and shyy!! Like they both have very different personalities, but they still end up together (Though I really loved when he got jealous of Hyun). Last but not the least, Se-ri's friends, like they are so supportive for her, not like those jealous bishes, it's actual friendship. I mean they helped Se-ri so much with both the ML and 2nd ML. And when those proposals didn't work, they even comforted her. I just love'em all!
The story is top-notch, like it's such a sweet story about two youngsters who fell in love, it is a little similar to 20th Century Girl (not the storyline but the vibe), but a sweeter version of it. Not to forget, THE MUSIC, wahhhhhh!! It was so good like they were so indie and so me, whoever the singer and songwriters were, I Respect You!

I must recommend this movie to all those who want a sweet high school romance and not much drama. I mean we've seriously got everything in here! we've got good music, excellent acting, perfect storyline and a happy ending in just a 2-hour movie! If I were to describe this whole movie in one word then it would be - SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS!!

Read More

Direct storyline, easy to follow.

As an enjoyable movie to relax with, this is spot on. The story is straight forward and familiar. The pace kept me fully engaged. I also found the heroes' development seamless. I had vested interest in the heroes and the support cast. A complex cast of heroes out to fight the ultimate evil. But, contrary to many such movies, no one theme dominates how the movie presents. Drama is developed, applied when it is value added; not a distraction. Humor is smart and perfectly placed to keep your spirits up. Martial arts is a very important aspect for the development of the heroes. It gives the origin and cause of the journey of our heroes. The fight scenes sell the importance of success and perils of failure. Chorography throughout the movie, fights and other stunts (part of the humor), is masterful. This is a friendly movie. No gore. Innocuous fight scenes with an occasional blood sighting from the corner of the mouth. (And the typical spit blood after getting creamed in the stomach with a kick or unseen forces.) A few cut scenes are all value added, giving balance to the heroes' main story line. I think the cast is marvelous. The writing, directing, and production all come together to hit a home run. I recommend this movie for that heartfelt storyline, yet auspicious settings. I would also add, the soundtrack is perfectly married to motivation of the scene. (Humor, drama, fights, and calm nurturing scenes).

Read More

It was fun , emotional and I enjoyed it

OH MY SHAYLA !!! MOON YANG 🥀
Pretty Crazy is fun, lighthearted, and worth checking out ...
-Daytime Seon Ji and Nighttime Seon Ji felt like two completely different people (which they are lol)
-The focus wasn’t heavy on romance; it was more about the fun moments and the unique emotional connection with the demon side of Seon Ji.
-I felt he has a crush on seon ji but I don't think they really had many conversation that would lead to deep feelings,, It was more of an admiration towards each other
-If you’re expecting a deep romance, you won’t really find it here .. the story leans more on chaos and comedy.( emotional depth is also there )
- I did feel bad for the demon inside her,, she was so innocent ..
-Nevertheless That said, it isn’t flawless... Also, while I really enjoyed the first watch, I don’t think the rewatch value is very high once you know the secret and the ending, the charm doesn’t hit as hard ( but ofc people can have diff likings )

Read More

A clear message?

I am struggling to see the point of this extremely short film. It portrays the struggle with reconciling your sexuality with your religion. While we are not unfamiliar with this topic, we rarely see this is an islamic context. Not that there's any difference, intolerance looks the same in any religion. The ML is apparently the son of the imam and needs but one sentence from his father to break things off with the boy he likes. They have just started to be more than just friends and are both really sad about this. There's no real struggle, no arguments, no discussion. Just compliance, I am left wondering what exactly is the message here? Be compliant to your God/religion? It's hard being a gay muslim? Listen to your parents? I have no idea what the point is. Acting is ok, especially since these are very young actors. Music is just muslim chants. Story is hardly there.

Read More

This was WILD

I got a rec from Gaga to watch this and I had no ideas what I was walking into. The date says 2008 but I’m unsure and it could actually be more late 90s pushing 2000. The cinematography reminds me of an old VHS recording of home movies or even of safety videos from work back in the 90s.
Overall this is essentially porn with a story. it’s blurred (very Japan) but you’re getting dick, balls, and ass. There are several sex scenes that the “plot” revolves around, but it kinda just starts like cheesy porn would.
Really enjoyed seeing a flashback of a 40-50 year old man playing himself as 15.
Also they kissed like porn, the tongues were OUT.
Have a go yall. it’s wild but I mean hey it’s art.

Read More

"Happiness is not a story, misfortune is"

Young love is a heady experience that eventually has to give way to maturity and communication or else the relationship is doomed to failure. Us and Them showed how love blossomed and faded, but never scattered away.

Jian Qing and Fang Xiao Xiao meet on a train headed to their hometown for Lunar New Year celebrations. The two hit it off and become friends. Both are struggling to make their dreams come true in Beijing. Xiao Xiao dates men older than her who are established because she wants to live in a nice house. After Jian Qing graduates from college, he works odd jobs selling games and porn. His dream is to create a video game but struggles with a lack of time and resources. After a second broken heart, Xiao Xiao moves into Qing’s cramped accommodations and the two eventually become lovers. Financial struggles begin to take a toll on the two as they attempt to make a living in Beijing.

By presenting the couple in the present (in black and white) and the past (in color) we learn how their expectations changed over time. Xiao Xiao went from wanting to live in a nice house to being content to live in a veritable dungeon with Qing. Qing doesn’t get that message and the pressure in his mind to measure up begins to build. Even as their fortunes change, Qing doesn’t comprehend what Xiao Xiao truly wanted. The older versions are able to look back on their younger selves and see the missteps and inevitabilities along the way.

The most heartbreaking element of the film for me, was Qing’s relationship with his father. His black and white problem-solving brain missed what his father tried to tell him. He diminished the sacrifices his father made for him, only realizing how his words cut when it was too late. Sometimes it is too late to say, “I’m sorry.”

Rene Liu created a gorgeous film with stunning snowy vistas, beautiful autumn walks, and claustrophobic living spaces. Jing Bo Ran and Zhou Dong Yu had a believable chemistry as young lovers and older, maybe wiser adults. Tian Zhuang Zhuang gave a touching performance as Qing’s dedicated father.

Us and Them conveyed through the obstacles Qing and Xiao Xiao faced that love isn’t always enough. Communication, trust, perseverance, and understanding are required to hang in for the long haul. All of these things are made even more difficult in poverty and when always on the move for shelter. The dumbest movie advice ever came from 1970’s Love Story, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” It’s just the opposite, love whether romantic or familial means saying you’re sorry and always working to do better. Or I suppose as this film declared, “If you see Kelly, tell her I’m sorry.” Us and Them was a bittersweet tale of love, heartache, and healing well worth giving a try.

17 September 2025

Patti Smyth may have said it best:


There’s a danger in loving somebody too much
And it’s sad when you know it’s your heart you can’t trust
There’s a reason why people don’t stay where they are
Baby, sometimes love just ain’t enough


Final note:
Don't skip the credits with real people giving ex-lovers messages. My fave..."Don't come back!" lol It also had a short epilogue.

Read More

Painted Skin (2008) offers a haunting exploration of identity, desire, and the human heart—an intricate tapestry woven from themes of love, sacrifice, and the price of transformation. Beneath the surface of what might seem like a supernatural thriller, Painted Skin dives into the most vulnerable and complicated aspects of the human condition, asking timeless questions about who we are and what we are willing to give up to become something else.

At its core, Painted Skin is a meditation on the fragility of identity and the destructive nature of longing. The film’s central characters are not defined by their external appearances but by the emotional scars they carry within them. It is a story of transformation, but not in the conventional sense. The transformations here are not merely physical—they are psychological and emotional, as the characters grapple with the masks they wear, both literally and figuratively.

The film’s central character, the fox spirit, embodies the deep conflict between what one desires and what one must sacrifice to achieve it. The psychological complexity of the fox spirit’s journey is not that of an evil creature, but of a being tormented by an insatiable hunger—for love, for acceptance, for connection. Her struggle is a poignant reminder of the danger in seeking fulfillment at the expense of one's own humanity. Her desire for human love transcends mere attraction—it becomes an existential craving that pushes her toward destruction, and yet, her vulnerability invites empathy. She is both predator and prey, trapped in the web of her own desires.

This duality—between desire and sacrifice, between love and destruction—is reflected in the human characters as well. The warrior, torn between duty and love, and the princess, caught between loyalty and her own yearning for something deeper than mere obligation, both embody the tension between social roles and personal truth. They are complex, multi-layered individuals whose emotional journeys unfold with heartbreaking authenticity. Their internal struggles are portrayed not as melodramatic outbursts, but as subtle, almost imperceptible shifts—quiet moments of recognition that speak volumes about the intricacies of human longing.

The film’s pacing, deliberate and contemplative, allows these emotional complexities to settle and breathe. It is not a fast-moving narrative driven by spectacle, but a slow, deliberate unfolding that invites the audience to reflect on the characters’ innermost motivations. Every moment of hesitation, every quiet glance between characters, speaks volumes about the deep emotional currents flowing beneath the surface. These moments are not merely dramatic devices; they are the emotional heart of the film.

What makes Painted Skin so emotionally resonant is its exploration of the masks we wear to protect ourselves from vulnerability. The supernatural elements of the story—the fox spirit’s ability to shed her human skin—become a powerful metaphor for the way people hide their true selves. Each character is trapped in a form of self-deception, afraid to confront their true desires or fears. The cost of this deception is not just personal, but relational, as it leads to heartbreaking misunderstandings and betrayals. In this way, Painted Skin reveals that the most terrifying thing is not the otherworldly monster, but the fragile human heart, susceptible to fear, doubt, and unacknowledged pain.

The performances in Painted Skin are quietly extraordinary in their emotional depth. The fox spirit’s portrayal is particularly notable for its nuanced balance between strength and fragility. There is an otherworldly beauty in her presence, but beneath it lies an aching loneliness that makes her tragic fate all the more poignant. The human characters, too, are portrayed with a remarkable subtlety, each actor capturing the complexity of their emotional landscapes. It is not just the external conflicts that drive them, but the internal battles—the fear of being unworthy of love, the fear of losing oneself in the process of loving another.

The philosophical depth of Painted Skin lies in its exploration of what it means to be human. The film asks difficult questions about the nature of love and desire—how we chase after that which we think will complete us, only to find that the price of that completion may be too high. It also delves into the idea of identity as something fluid, something that can be shaped and reshaped by our experiences, desires, and the people we love. In this way, the film subtly critiques the notion of a "fixed" self, suggesting that identity is not something we find, but something we must continuously negotiate and redefine.

At its most philosophical, Painted Skin is a film about transformation, not just in a supernatural sense, but in a deeply human one. It explores the idea that the masks we wear—whether to protect ourselves or to hide our darkest desires—can lead to profound consequences. The film suggests that true freedom comes not from becoming someone else, but from embracing the complexity of who we already are.

For all its otherworldly elements, Painted Skin is a deeply human film—a reflection on love, loss, and the masks we wear to protect ourselves from the world and from each other. It asks us to look beyond the surface, beyond the external beauty, and to confront the raw, unspoken truths that lie beneath. It is a film that lingers with you, not just because of its striking visuals or its supernatural intrigue, but because it dares to ask the hardest questions about the human heart and the nature of love.

Read More

If you are here for Cheng Lei - you will enjoy it!

This was funny and cute, and touching and ridiculous all rolled into 40 minutes of light comedy. The idea of a modern woman getting into a dating game set in ancient times where she is to accomplish certain tasks as directed by the "viewers" while trying to become the Empress. Unfortunately, the Princess Royal poisons the FL with the promise of an antidote as soon as FL kills the Emperor, her brother. The best part is: the Emperor, NPC, is indestructible so even though they conspire to fool the princess royal they are hilariously trying to kill him many different ways, which is pretty fun to watch given their seriousness with such a silly premise, and in the process fall in love.
I enjoyed the FL as spunky and clever character (unfortunately she plays leads in really bad dramas, too bad because she is both very pretty and good in her role) and of course the at ease ML who can be at times sarcastic and at times shy like a little boy - adorable like he was as Jin'An in Shadow Love.
The chemistry is there and because of the length of the story this was really easy to watch.

Read More