Almost blew me away!
This was a tense and fast-paced ride where train conductor Takaichi, the passengers and railway staff must work together to prevent the catastrophe.The tension truly kicks in once the passengers find out what is happening. The way panic spreads felt way too believable. It also says a lot about how quickly things can turn ugly in a crisis. People start pointing fingers, paranoia sets in and suddenly it's a full-on witch hunt.
The way politics is shown during the crisis is... painfully realistic. Instead of stepping up, it feels like some people in power are more focused on saving face or pushing their own agendas. You really get that sense of decisions being delayed, emotions being brushed off and the situation being treated more like a PR problem than an actual emergency. It's a frustrating reminder of how, in real life too, how politics can sometimes end up milking a situation instead of solving it.
Visually, the production is top-notch considering Netflix backed it. The cinematography with those wide-angle shots of the train and its surroundings is simply stunning. Everything from the train interiors to the city backdrops was shot beautifully. You can tell a lot of effort went into making it visually engaging.
Acting was easily one of the strongest parts. Everyone brought their A-game and I genuinely couldnโt spot a weak link. If anything, the performances made up for where the story felt a bit thin. Especially when the motive behind the bombing felt a bit weak and under-explained. It didnโt ruin the film for me, but it did soften the impact a bit.
Overall, if you are in the mood for a high-stakes thriller with solid tension and top-tier acting, this one is definitely worth checking out!
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Mixture of emotions
they made me smile laugh cry everything in the end.I loved the progress of the plot with their relationship and how the father expressed his love for his son.
the last few mins they made me cry a lot , such an amazing plot
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Lifeโs journey from birth to death.
**Worth watching? ๐ฏ If you are a fan of slice-of-life films, then this is a double must-watch for you.**Surprisingly, there's only one review of this masterpiece. I donโt often write reviews, which might explain my inexperienced writing. However, Iโm here to share my thoughts.
This movie is a profound life experience. It begins with a wedding and ends with death, symbolizing the journey from the start of life to its inevitable end. It captures the journey from childhood innocence to youthful naivety and ultimately to the regrets of adulthood. This movie connected the unconnected individual in one knot. Highlights the various stages of life, each with its own existential crises, struggles, and perspectives from different characters. The film powerfully articulates the sense of isolation or disconnection that can linger, even in the company of many. The film teaches acceptance and helps us confront our own truths that we often ignore or fear to acknowledge.
From a storytelling viewpoint, as well as an aesthetic one, this film is a visual treat. The cinematography and camera work are exceptionally well-crafted.
Letโs end this review with one of my fav quote sections from the movie :
- "๐๐๐๐ ๐๐จ ๐ ๐ข๐๐ญ๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐ ๐ค๐ ๐จ๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐จ. ๐๐ค๐ซ๐๐๐จ ๐๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ค ๐ก๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐, ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฉ'๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐ฎ ๐ฌ๐ ๐ก๐ค๐ซ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ข. ๐๐ฎ ๐ช๐ฃ๐๐ก๐ ๐จ๐๐ฎ๐จ - '๐ฌ๐ ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ข๐๐จ ๐๐จ ๐ก๐ค๐ฃ๐ ๐จ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐ฃ ๐๐ฃ๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ข๐ค๐ซ๐๐๐จ'"
- "๐๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ค๐ข๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ฃ๐ฆ?"
- "๐๐ฉ ๐ข๐๐๐ฃ๐จ ๐ข๐ค๐ซ๐๐๐จ ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐ช๐จ ๐ฉ๐ฌ๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฉ ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ง๐ค๐ข ๐๐๐๐ก๐ฎ ๐ก๐๐๐โ
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I don't write reviews very often, but I feel like this movie deserves one. Yes it is a normal romance, very predictable from beginning to end, HOWEVER, I don't think I have seen anything like this before.
Somehow it is an original story, something that we don't often see in romance doramas.
I feel like the movie transmits the character's feelings and growth in a very natural way. Nothing feels forced, nothing feels rushed.
If someone is looking for a movie that will give you butterflies, I hope that this review can help to give it a try.
PD: I gave it a 7 on the rewatch value because it overwhelmed me with feelings, I will not rewatch it any time soon, but probably in the future on a day when I am emotionally underwhelmed, I will come for this again. This is how strong it is.
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"I've lived my entire life looking up"
The Starting Point is a Korean snowy crime drama directed by Lee Man Hee. Crime, murder, prostitution, and dancing by a campfire, this film covered all the noir bases. Lol. If you watch any Korean dramas or films you know better than to be suckered into those happy moments for too long.Seok Gu (though never actually called by name in the film) breaks into a building to steal files from a safe. Hunted by a determined security man, the two fight to the death with Seok losing the briefcase of files. Boss Choi is none too happy and feels that somehow Seok is a threat to the gangโs Seven Year Secret. Choi sends Seok off to Mt Sorak with a prostitute named Seon (whose name is never mentioned in the film) to act as newlyweds. The newlyweds are in a group with other singles and couples, one of whom is a shady gynecologist who treats prostitutes and recognizes Seon.
We never know why Seok thinks heโs been sent to the mountain. Seon was supposed to be sexually available to Seok, but was their a more sinister order at play? We also never learn what the Seven Year Secret plan is. An assassin was sent to the mountain to partake in the fireside festivities as well. And later more bad guys showed up. It seemed like there could have been a much simpler, less convoluted plan to kill Seok. Watching the characters climb, scramble, and fall off the mountain did make use of the gorgeous scenery even if it was shot in black and white. The middle section of the film gave the two main characters a chance to fall in love as they participated in the lodge activities and for some humor to be injected, but as a whole it left that section flabby compared to the thrilling opening and ending segments.
The opening espionage scene was exciting and disconcertingly quiet. Ten minutes passed before a brief word was spoken. The final act with chases up and down the snowy mountain had to have been rigorous and exhausting for the actors. Shin Sung Il and Moon Hee had strong chemistry as two withdrawn people who trusted no one and with good reason. They were also stunningly beautiful to gaze upon. Seon talked Seok into making the difficult climb to the mountaintop. Her whole life she had been looked down upon, just once she wanted to be able to look down instead of up.
Despite concerns I had with the script, The Starting Point was entertaining and only a couple of steps from being very good. If nothing else it was quite aesthetically pleasing and benefited from being restored in 2023. Seon wanted someone to see her and get to know her, โHe didnโt hate me,โ was as close as she got to true love. In a life filled with pain and shame, maybe it was enough.
7 June 2025
Note: YouTube issues all sorts of warnings about age appropriateness and not for all audiences. There was no nudity. No sexual scenes. No gratuitous violence or gore. There was a notice about the birth control pill being available. People did seem to be concerned about a population boom, but other than that, Iโm not sure what the warning was for. The women all clutched their pearls upon finding out Seon was a prostitute, so maybe whoever posted the film was concerned about a prostitute being a main character. I honestly I have no idea what the problem was.
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For fans of action thrillers, Thai cinema and stories that expose the dark layers of a big city, this film is a good choice. Prepare yourself for an intense and relentless journey through an urban hell where danger is always lurking.
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For fans of darker, more thoughtful crime dramas that explore the complexities of morality and the harsh realities of life on the margins of society, โOutsideโ is a solid choice. Itโs a reminder that even for those who seek a second chance, the road to redemption can be brutal and fraught with obstacles.
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While it may have some dramatic elements that lean toward melodrama (common in productions based on real events), the execution is so engaging and the performances so sincere that these moments are easily overshadowed by the raw emotion of the story. It is a film that captivates the audience from start to finish, leaving the viewer with a sense of admiration for human resilience and capacity in times of extreme adversity. Recommended for fans of disaster films, dramas based on true events, and anyone who enjoys stories of heroism.
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If youโre looking for two hours of impressive fight scenes, an expansion of the John Wick lore, and a lethal new protagonist, โBallerinaโ is a first-class ticket to an adrenaline-pumping ride. Itโs a worthy addition to the universe, one that reinvigorates the franchise with new blood and promises a bright future for Eve Macarro.
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Visually strinking thriller, with a good production value & solid writing while mostly predictable
This chilling thriller features an aspiring mangaka who accidentaly found a serial killer crime scene. This impacts him drastically, allowing him to elevate his art skills and his career, as he draws inspiration from this encounter for his debut series. I predicted quite a few twists and still I liked a lot how the movie ended. The main character was really ambivalent : a very grey, pitiful hero, which I truly enjoyed.The acting was pretty good overall, a bit less on the side of the villain : he was frightenaning but it could have been even stronger. The Art was so strong that the actor playing the serial killer could not really measure up against its fictional manga counterpart.
The production value was very good. The sketches, fictionnal manga drawings were all very well made and participated a lot to the angsty and dark atmosphere of the central story. I liked how the production showcased the Art, making it a clear mirror of the real life crimes. It was chilling how close it was, which was the point. The OST had a nice ending song but nothing really noticeable during the movie.
I would recommend this to people looking for a gripping thriller. If you like stories featuring artists as well as the creation process, I think this will for sure be an interesting watch as it takes you on the journey of an assistant mangaka drawing inspiration from real life crimes to start a career and the dramatic consequences of doing so. Be mindful of the triggers if you any as there is quite a bit of gore and blood due to the nature of the film itself.
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This review may contain spoilers
Funny...Not funny
The acting was wonderful. The story was tight until the end of the movie. Then the plot plummeted.The context of the movie leaves room for conversation and reflection. If nothing else it portrayed the brain washing of abused children who followed blindly the authorities who used them.
This movie had humor, love of family and the sense of community that is the real heart of why anyone would protect and serve. The ending offered no path to redemption. I thought the ending sucked large!
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"My ear works better than your nose"
Conduct Report on Professor Ishinaka was not what I expected. The titular Ishinaka showed up in all three independent love stories to give his own brand of wisdom to characters in need.Buried Gasoline
Kawai mentions that late in the war he was part of a group that buried over 400 drums of gasoline on the property of orchard owner Yamazaki. Writer Ishinaka, villager Nakamura, and Kawai dig with permission on Yamazakiโs land dreaming of what they will do with their new found wealth. It doesnโt take long before the men realize Kawai is far more interested in Yamazakiโs daughter than he is the buried gas.
An Argument
Mariko and Shuichi are embarrassed when they find out their fathers have gone to a burlesque show. They decide to shame them and maybe get some new clothes out of the deal as well. The tables turn when each child takes their fatherโs side in the argument tearing the lovebirds apart.
A Carriage of Hay
Yoshiko makes the long walk to town to visit her sister in the hospital. At the hospital a fortune teller says sheโll meet her future husband within the next day. After a long visit Yoshiko begins the walk home. A neighbor lets her hitch a ride in his hay wagon. They stop for a quick break and food. When itโs time to leave Yoshiko accidentally climbs up on the wrong hay wagon and falls fast asleep. Itโs dark when she wakes up in a strange place. Shy farmer Teisaku and his family take her in for the night.
Each story featured gentle humor and young romance. Kawai used subterfuge in order to see pretty Moyoko. Mariko and Shuichiโs relationship and love were tested as they picked sides in their fathersโ fight. Yoshiko found the nearly mute Teisaku endearing as they spent an evening together.
The story was not Naruseโs but men were still shown falling back on their baser natures, especially in the second story where all the respectable men in town were eager to see the naked women dance even as they derided the show. During the third story, Teisakuโs mother summoned a constable to write up a letter stating that the mother had protected Yoshikoโs virginity and that she left intact. I suppose anyone seeing that sexy beast Mifune Toshiro would be given cause to wonder. Yet it was still a distasteful leftover of a rigid patriarchal system. Ishinaka appeared in each story to give the loversโ romances a little push in the right direction, like a middle-aged Cupid. Happily, this movie was in very good shape, so many of Naruseโs older ones have been degraded with time. Elements of the stories were heavily dated, but overall the stories were charming and uncharacteristically romantic.
6 June 2025
Little note: Shimura Takashi made a tiny cameo as one of the high ranking burlesque show customers
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