"Everyone is a jerk!"
What’s Up Connection was a bizarre film by Yamamoto Masashi that felt like it was made up as they went along. Set primarily in Hong Kong with a side trip to Tokyo, the film focused on a family of grifters and con artists attempting to save their homes from developers.Chi Gau Shin wins a trip for two to Japan. Coincidentally, his mother wins a trip to Bali and his dad a trip to Thailand. No one thinks anything is suspicious about this. Gau Shin’s lover refuses to go with him because he’d rather go to Disneyland than shopping. Upon arriving in Japan, he discovers that his guide is new, speaks only broken Cantonese, and works for a cut rate company. Very cut rate. After a disappointing trip, culminating in being robbed, Gau Shin finally makes it home, with his tour guide and robber in tow. Once home, he discovers that a big corporation is buying everyone out and his girlfriend is now sleeping with one of the developers. His family has to decide whether to take the deals offered or fight.
What’s Up Connection showed a view of Japan rarely seen. Yamamoto filmed real homeless encampments and people. In Hong Kong, the problem of real estate development on low-income people was attested to. Relations between Hong Kong and Japan were also mentioned. The rest of the film was a migraine of a mess. There was an abundance of random action, noises, and bright colors. Characters were ill-defined and for the most part not terribly likeable. It was a world with an 8-year-old hacker, a mother who became angry when her kids went to school, pirate costumes, a UFO, blow up sex dolls, and one character who was played by two different actors.
This type of chaotic film with random nonsense bolting across the screen for two hours was not something I could enjoy. It had some entertaining moments and the family’s solution to its problem was interesting but not enough for me to recommend unless Yamamoto’s creative outlook on the world is your jam. There are plenty of people who love his unconventional style, so if you are one, this film might be one to check out.
17 July 2025
Triggers: Bare butt and a masturbation scene.
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Overall, The Final Act is dramatic, intense, and still visually stunning, but whether it sticks the landing kind of depends on what you were hoping to get from it. It’s almost everything it needed to be… just not quite all the way there.
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Go in completely blind, let the narrative lead you, it's brilliant!
It's not possible to write a review for this film. Whatever I could say about the acting, about the camerawork, about the directing, about the script -- it would all be a spoiler.Instead, I'll share some of my notes I made during watching:
* Oh, "one cut" means "one take"!
* Just enjoying the ridiculousness of the C movie horror zombie film :)
* Wow. This zombie film was taken in one single take.
* Things are not what they seem
* The Japanese dedication to art is always impressive
* Ending credits: Two for the price of one!
* How did they *do* it? HOW?
If you can, please go into the film without prior knowledge and just follow along. If you love zombie movies, especially of B or C movie quality, you'll have a great time, I promise.
Was it good?
Yes, [redacted]!
Did I like it?
I loved every minute of it! As a C horror movie, as a comedy and as a [redacted].
Who would I recommend it to?
To everybody who enjoys a good spoof of C movies about zombies, who loves their layers, and who can watch the same movie several times.
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A Handbook of Fake Emotions for Confused Teenagers
A story that aims to be moving… but failsThe film follows the usual tropes of the romantic teen drama: two young protagonists slowly grow closer through small everyday moments, meaningful silences, and a shared diary meant to serve as an emotional catalyst. Sadly, the screenplay is far too formulaic and lacks originality, recycling every possible cliché from Japanese school dramas: the shy yet deep boy, the cheerful girl hiding emotional wounds, rain during dramatic moments, and love confessions written instead of spoken aloud.
The film desperately tries to be intense and poetic, but lacks both psychological depth and the narrative courage to explore real emotional complexity. The result is an atmosphere that wants to be artistic but ends up feeling artificial — almost like a parody of a “sensitive Japanese drama.”
Strengths: clean aesthetics and a delicate tone
To its credit, the cinematography is well-composed, with soft lighting, carefully framed shots, and an intimate, natural look. The soundtrack, subtle and well-matched, supports the scenes without overpowering them. The chemistry between the two leads, while not electric, has a quiet charm. Their performances aren't groundbreaking, but there’s an honest simplicity in their gestures and expressions. Overall, the film is never unpleasant, and might appeal to very young audiences or those looking for something light and inoffensive.
Weaknesses: weak plot, prefab emotions, flat pacing
The main issues lie in the inconsistent storyline and shallow, uninspired dialogue. Everything is treated with an overly serious tone that isn’t backed by real substance. It’s as if the film wants to be profound without actually having anything profound to say. The pacing is extremely slow, and instead of building tension or emotion, it often drags. Supporting characters are forgettable, and even the central romantic arc lacks natural progression or meaningful conflict.
When drama does appear, it feels forced, as if inserted out of obligation rather than growing organically from the characters. The ending offers a neat resolution but with no real emotional payoff ,it simply arrives, more out of narrative fatigue than climax.
Conclusion
"Our Secret Diary" tries hard to be moving and poetic, but gets lost in its own aesthetic ambitions and emotional shallowness. Rather than a secret diary, it feels more like a notebook filled with generic inspirational quotes. Pretty to look at, sometimes sweet, but ultimately forgettable and empty beneath the surface.
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Kingdom 4: Return of the Great General
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The Best One So Far
They did an excellent job developing Ouki’s character, even better than in the anime adaptations. The story was well structured, and Riboku’s introduction was solid (the actor really captured the character). The film’s production made sure no character felt left out of the narrative. The effects are top-notch, and the choreography pulled off the impossible: making Glaive fights look both real and exciting. I was genuinely impressed by this movie. I liked it just as much as the second one. Definitely a movie to watch with popcorn on a Saturday night.Was this review helpful to you?
I Liked the Previous One More
Nothing too different from what we saw in the first and second movies so far. The fight choreography is great, but the story might feel a bit slow for those who aren’t that familiar with the Kingdom universe (even I felt that way at times). I didn’t enjoy it as much as the previous one. Still, it gives a decent continuation to the story and, as much as possible, stays faithful to the original.Was this review helpful to you?
It's an exciting ride!
The cast was the best part of this space romp.The kids were adorable, and the story was entertaining.
There was no time to get bored since everything was happening all at once.
If anything, it was a little too fast paced for me, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Great cast, well acted, good story.
Recommended!
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Nice plot twist.
This was a nice short drama, with good visuals and acting.At first you'll get anoyed by the brother, but wait until the end, then it all makes sence.
It is a good drama about a well established relationship and how the solve problems in that relationship.
One time watching was enough for me.
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Perfect film
I recommend it only if you can watch heavy themes. It was executed perfectly, I watched Cry Me a Sad River not long after this and it's also a very great movie to watch. But you really felt how they felt, the unfairness, the hate, the anger, the betrayal and the love. Zhou Dongyu and Jackson Yee did really well and they matched the vibe of it all. I would watch again, there's only good things I can write about the film. It is perfect, I did cry quite a bit and I was glad to see the changes that happened in the overall issue of bullying in China. Nobody should have to be abused in any way.Was this review helpful to you?
…
"Does anyone know the difference between 'was' and 'used to be' ? 'was' means it has passed but the difference is that 'used to be' carries a sense of loss.”- Chen Nian
This Cdrama destroyed everything inside me. I first found it in 2023 and watched it straight through. I cried the whole evening because of this film. I love both actors, and this film has a beautiful background. Bullying can destroy people, and it does so deeply. Both were broken souls and wanted to die, and then they both met and pulled each other out of that black hole. Anyone who's thinking about watching this film should do it; it's worth it. Those two are real Soulmates. and they needed to find each other.
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Good watch for anyone feeling stuck in their 20s
This is my first ever review on here, and I've had this movie saved on my Instagram for years now. Frankly, I had a little higher expectations, but the story itself was still enjoyable and profound. The topics and overall uncertain nature of one's 20s were captured perfectly, and I found myself relating to the protagonist's experiences as a 20-something-year-old. I loved how Suzuko stayed true to herself, but we also see her grow up, and even acknowledge that some of her actions may not be the most reasonable ones towards the end of the film. On the whole, it was a solid watch for anyone feeling stuck in life and wanting to escape from the constricting and stressful surroundings of everyday reality.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
the genres are a bit misleading
i went into this thinking it was a romcom. the film includes those, yet theres so much more..the ending is abrupt and left me feeling empty. it was the last thing i wanted to happen. the FL went into the relationship with doubts but i had hope they would overcome it. i was disappointed when she just gave up so easily.
also, i dont know why a cafe owner would tell a random girl having relationship issues a story that ended with the man k**ing himself.
overall just a messy, tragic story.
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This review may contain spoilers
top favorite movies
SPOILER @2ND PARAGRAPHbest zombie movie ever
i've watched this more than 3 times already and still makes me emotional.
the acting was so good, and this movie is timeless. every time i watched it, it didn't feel old at all
SPOILER HERE
the scene with ma dongseok trying to close the door, and then the ending with suan always make me cry even though i know what will happen.
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wasn't for me
this wasn't a bad film, it's just not for me.i just continued watching bc of dahyun & jinyoung, in what kind of characters they were playing as. so i was interested in that part, but this genre just isn't for me. it's very slice of life kind of vibes. it didn't keep my interest for very long.
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Much Better Than the First One
I know that many hardcore fans like me, both of the manga and anime, usually don’t give live-action adaptations a chance. But I have to say, in this second movie I found the producers’ decisions much more on point. The narrative is rushed, but at least it’s not poorly done and stays true to the original material. The actor who plays General Ouki is really good — the rest of the cast is just okay (though I did like the actress who plays Kyoukai). The facial expressions the actor playing Shin makes are still annoying. The fight scenes and effects are very well done and nicely choreographed (could’ve used a bit more violence, but that’s fine). Overall, it’s a fun movie — perfect for a Saturday night with some buttery popcorn.Was this review helpful to you?
