Reviews

An unsettling watch

This movie has a run time of almost 3 1/2 HOURS! Yup, you heard right. A movie this long better be a masterpiece to make up for it's length and A Tender Place is no masterpiece. I wasn't bored but I wasn't moved either.

To sum it up, the movie was filled with every possible scenario of what could have happened to FL's missing daughter. It became tedious real quick. And no answers are ever given. The story ends open ended and you never find out what happened to the missing girl. I hate when movies do this! It's just lazy writing.

Also, FL is a horrible mother and dare I say person. So it makes it hard to care for her grieving. She has an affair for 2 yrs with a client of her husband. And in the throws of passion, with her lover, she blurts out that she would leave her kids for him. Now this woman said this and was having sex while her husband, her lover's wife, and all of their kids are upstairs asleep. She said this knowing someone was lurking outside the door and could hear her. Like what??? Plus, later FL kept pressuring ML to sleep with her and inevitably forced ML to perform a sexual act to her while he was on his death bed and in severe pain from stomach cancer. In my country they'd call that sexual assault. I was disgusted. The only positive about this movie is the acting from the main leads. They were amazing in their roles.

I give this a generous 6.5/10

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SO WEIRD

NO BECAUSE 4 FOUUUURRR HOURS ... THIS IS A MASTERPIECE everything is so weird, its 4 hours that keep you hooked bc one thing happens after another in the strangest way and you just be there in front of the screen 😯😯😯😯 . Its been a while since i saw it, so the order of events may be messed up, but the wlw was 👏🏻 its cool the fact that the movie handles matters with comedy(but in a mature way yk?), the mix of genres, the characters.... one thing i love about asian movies is exactly that, all the unpredictable things that leave us speechless . this is cinema

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Beautiful Love Makes a Beautiful Life °7.4° °VG°

Alert!

Beautiful girl.

Alone.

DRUNK.

Black slinky dress and red platform shoes.

/Someone/ should look out for her.

She stumbles onto Fang, but another dude arrives to assist her, so Fang walks away. But Fang made an impression, so while he's walking home, she's ba-aack! And she jumps on /his/ back.

“I'll buy you coffee sometime,” was how the night ended. They soon run into eachother a couple more times. Yes, she remembers him; she wasn't /that/ drunk. She gives him her card and makes more promises about future coffee. Next, she sees him in the grocery store and /demands/ his help in making dumplings. He complies. When her sig-other comes home, however, she acts like Fang's the plumber.

Ouch.

She seems to think she's a cat that can sit on anyone's lap and be loved. Look at how cute she is, afterall! Due to the success of the dumplings, she's now in the habit of calling Fang for all kinds of help. We soon learn that her sig-other has a much /more significant/ other of his own. She's going to need lots of help.

ABL is a 2011 124-minute release that is rated 92 on AWiki. It is a beautiful story, and it is completely different from a typical Chinese modern-day feature. That's probably because it's a collaboration with Hong Kong. It feels like we're watching real people from a camera in the corner of the room.

Liu Ye (First Night Nerves) plays ML Fang Zhengdong. He lives with his brother, who has communication struggles and needs looking after. Fang seems to be a natural nurturer. Shu Qi (Good Autumn, Mommy) portrays FL Li Peiru. Everyone in her life is selfish. Once she meets Fang, she just keeps comin back round to him because he is something entirely strange and new. It's mutual. They are obviously drawn to eachother. Over time, a bond forms and continues to get stronger. In the beginning, it's him helping her, but she gets a chance to return the favor.

ABL is just lovely. It is a romance that would please more than romance-junkies. These are two lonely people, and as opposite personalities, they each handle loneliness in their own ways. As a policeman, Fang handles it in an orderly manner by keeping his head down and fulfilling responsibilities. Li acts out in a disorderly fashion. She's often drunk and disorderly. One cop took notice, and 2 lonely lives became one beautiful life together.


〰🖍 IMHO

📣7.6 📝7.4 🎭8 💓7 🦋5.5 🎨6.5 🎵/🔊7.2 🔚8 🤗8 ▪ 🌞6.5 ⚡3.5 😅2 😭4 😱2 😯3 🤢3.5 🤔4.5 💤0


Age 13+ adult situations and mild sexual content

Rated TV-PG-13: Parents Cautioned

Re-📺? Would

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"If obsession isn't love, then I have never loved before"

The film stars Kim Go eun as Jaehee, a bold and free-spirited woman, and Noh Sang hyun as Heungsoo, a young gay man struggling to accept his identity in conservative Seoul, navigating their unusual and unique friendship.

Jaehee, who often misunderstood and misjudged by others, finds comfort in Heung-soo's company, while Heungsoo learns to embrace himself with Jaehee's help. The film beautifully balances heavy themes with lighthearted moments, all thanks to the strong chemistry between the leads.

>>Comparing the movie to the series:
The series showcased ML's bold lifestyle in different stages of life and his journey towards love, heartbreak and acceptance, on the other hand the movie emphasized one of his important part of life i.e his friendship with the FL, we did see a bit part of her in the series. Both versions stayed true to the main storyline but differ in their execution.

Both Lee Soo Kyung/Nam Yoon Su and Kim Go Eun/Noh Sang Hyun are different genre of same kind. Please don't try differentiate between the series and movie as both has its own charm. I enjoyed both of them very much.

Overall, it is a touching tale of friendship, self-discovery, and acceptance, making it a must-watch for fans of heartfelt romances.

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one of the best

don't know about anyone , but i feel like one of the best movie i watched, sample story but love it

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A Rockin' Ride into the Blue Room

In Blue Room, Rebel Rebel—a progressive rock band of privileged teens—faces a tough choice when they’re arrested for drug possession and taken to the “Blue Room.” Directed by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagnalan, the film features an impressive cast, including Elijah Canlas, juan Karlos, Harvey Bautista, Nourijune, Keoni Jin, and Soliman Cruz.

This movie is a masterclass in filmmaking, with Asuncion-Dagnalan delivering sharp direction, a tight screenplay, and standout performances. It’s a powerful, thought-provoking dive into the consequences of our actions, with moments that are equal parts disturbing and deeply uncomfortable.

Going into the film, I had certain expectations based purely on the poster—no trailer for context—but the story turned out to be something entirely different and surprising. The opening act delves into the band’s dynamics and privileged lives, painting a picture of a group on the brink of something big. However, about 20 minutes in, a police checkpoint encounter flips the narrative on its head. The first act’s privilege-heavy tone gives way to a gripping exploration of corruption, as everything the band stood for is tested.

The second and third acts are where the movie truly shines. The tension is palpable, with the claustrophobic atmosphere, stirring performances, and a haunting score coming together to create an unforgettable experience. Elijah Canlas and Soliman Cruz deliver as expected, but Harvey Bautista and Nourijune are real standouts, leaving a strong impression.

The film doesn’t shy away from confronting police corruption, portraying it with unsettling honesty. From fabricated charges to blatant abuse of power, the injustices are laid bare. One particular moment, where Soliman Cruz’s character hides suspects in a secret room, had me cringing at the audacity of the lies and cruelty depicted. While it’s not a blanket condemnation of law enforcement, the story feels all too real, offering a chilling reflection of societal issues.

Everything in Blue Room feels meticulously crafted, from the tight pacing to the emotional weight of the performances and music. It’s an exquisite blend of storytelling and social commentary, delivering a thrilling and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

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Compared to the Drama, Lacks Distinct Flavors!

The movie version of Park Sang Young’s novel adaptation projects a strong message that subjugates most societal norms and outdated beliefs. There is a clear demarcation between the movie and drama version; so you might be slightly disappointed with the conjecture. For those who are unhappy because the movie gleams too much on the friendship aspect rather than tackling the issues concerning the queer community; we have an important reminder. The movie is based on the first few chapters of the novel where the main protagonist lives with his sassy best friend. The drama version follows up on the later chapters where he tackles personal issues and inevitably meets the “love of his life”. Some scenes in the movie seem to clash with the content in the drama series, but that’s bound to happen when there are directorial differences.

Read the complete article here-

https://theblxpress.wordpress.com/2024/12/19/love-in-the-big-city-movie-review/

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The Skyhawk starred long time portrayer of Wong Fei Hung, Kwan Tak Hing. Carter Wong and Sammo Hung played his disciples while everyone was traveling through Thailand. The Thai scenery and ruins were a nice change of pace from the usual sets and oft used scenery in the average Hong Kong kung fu flick.

Wong Fei Hung and his disciple Fei Fei are in Thailand to visit his friend Mr. Chu and also Fei Fei’s sister Yu Ying who owns a restaurant. On the way to Chu’s house, they meet Leo who has run afoul of the local martial arts school. Leo joins WFH on his travels. Mr. Chu has his own problems with Ku, a local Chinese businessman who is striving to take over the docks with his drug smuggling and human trafficking. Along for the ride is an evil kung fu master and his disciples who allied themselves with Ku.

What this film had going for it was the cast. Kwan was nearly 70 but still did many of his own fight moves. Sammo was at the beginning of his career and the guy who was the punchee as much as the puncher. He showed his stuntman skills by flipping and twirling when the receiver of fists and kicks. As the martial arts director, the choreography reflected his style-smash mouth, basher, hard hitting fists, and bodies hitting the ground even harder. The action kept the movie moving forward in a way the story wasn’t able to. Nora Miao had a high billing but very little to do except stand around occasionally and wring her hands.

The story wasn’t very original and had one of my least favorite tropes-the noble kung fu master who refuses to fight. WFH kept telling Sammo and Carter to be patient and tongue lashed them when they fought. Even when they were defending Fei Fei’s sister from being raped. Pretty sure WFH would have defended himself if the bad guys tried to sexually assault him. The popular master only allowed the good guys to fight after the bodies of friends and family started dropping.

Overall, The Skyhawk had its entertaining moments and several quality fights. It was fun to watch Kwan Tak Hing near the end of his career and Carter Wong and Sammo Hung at the beginning of theirs. Only for fans of old kung fu films and as usual rated on a curve.

18 December 2024

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MY OPINION!!

I like this movie, the connection with her brother was really sweet and I loved how she stood up for her self. To me I feel that it was complete and honestly I’m happy with the way it ended. Some people may get caught up over what she said at the end but the way I interpreted it was that the relationship she had with the guy was real, him taking money and maybe even cheating on her as well. The part where it was a “misunderstanding”because he only kept taking money from her so that she wouldn’t make the million yen and leave after that, plus where he went after her so things wouldn’t end like that was not real. I thought that was pretty obvious and so I’m a little confused as to how people are confused by that but I guess that is just my opinion. All in all it was a nice movie and I will rewatch it in the future!

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A heartfelt journey of love, acceptance and farewell

Hello, Love, Goodbye" is a poignant and emotionally charged, cinematic masterpiece that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster through the complexities of love, dreams, and life's difficult choices. The story revolves around two Filipinos working in Hong Kong, capturing the struggles of overseas workers while highlighting their dreams and aspirations.

The chemistry between the lead characters is palpable, making their journey relatable and heartfelt. Our charismatic leads, who portray their characters with such authenticity and depth that I felt I was right there beside them, experiencing their joys and heartbreaks. Unexpected situations got them closer to part again. They made me question, "if putting myself first called selfish then compromising myself for someone else's wish, wouldn't it be selfish too?" There's a scene where one of the main characters makes a difficult choice, and I felt a lump in my throat.

The cinematography is stunning, showcasing both the vibrant city and the intimate moments shared. In the heart of Hong Kong, where steel towers rise like grave markers, a haunting emptiness lurks beneath vibrant lights. The pulse of the city thrums with ambition, yet whispers of loneliness echo in crowded streets. Each step feels heavy, as dreams collide with concrete walls—an ironic testament to a city that never sleeps, yet seldom feels alive. Viewers appreciate the film's balance of romance and realism, leaving them with a sense of hope and reflection.

Again, I'm in awe of Kathryn Bernardo's acting. Her intricate expressions and realistic portrayal of a struggling domestic worker working in a cold heartless city like Hong Kong, touched my heart. I laughed & cried with her, for a moment I forgot I was watching a movie not a documentary.

Overall, it's a touching narrative that resonates deeply with audiences. It's refreshing, relatable, and beautifully crafted. If you're in the mood for a heartfelt movie night, grab some tissues and prepare for a memorable story that celebrates love and the reality of goodbyes. Highly recommended!

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Triggering!!! Depressing but Important Message

Please don't watch this movie if you are easily triggered because it will drive you crazy with it's trauma. It's violent, raw and heart-wrenching. It will make you cry, make you angry and wish for death on certain characters. It's just a sad movie.

The message and reality of SA is important, I also get that it's important to depict SA in a realistic way. But that doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt to look at and experience. I was even shocked to learn that they didn't use an intimacy coordinator for their sex scenes especially the violent ones.

It's hard to accept that the way they depicted her relationship with her student. Hurt people hurt other people I guess, but that was so messed up.

I was even angry at the way it ended.

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"I'm surrounded by enemies"

I recently watched The Throne, a film about King Young Jo and Crown Prince Sado’s unhealthy relationship. The Fatal Encounter told the story of Sado’s son, Jung Jo, who inherited the throne when Young Jo died. “I’m surrounded by enemies.” That was a gross understatement. Jung Jo suffered numerous assassination attempts, including the one this film covered.

King Jung Jo has only one person in the world that he trusts, his clerk Gap Soo. The Queen Dowager is seeking to kill him along with the Noron party and their many tentacles. His enemies have hired an assassin, #220/Eul Soo as well as enlisting the powerful military leader, General Goo Sun Bok. Over the period of a day, alliances are tested as Jung Jo is set up to be murdered. So much for the heavenly mandate and divine right to rule.

The film started at the end and then traveled back almost 21 hours in time. The power alliances were revealed as well as the shady group that imprisoned and trained children to be assassins. Several of the children had been imbedded within the palace as sleepers and informants.

Hyun Bin gave a strong performance as the entangled king seeking to find a way to stay alive and to protect his people. Jung Jae Young played eunuch and clerk Gap Soo in an understated manner befitting a king’s servant. Jo Jung Suk took a nuanced approach to his assassin #220. Eul Soo wanted to quit and run off with the woman he loved but the king of the assassins wasn’t ready to let him go. The other performances were all a pleasure to watch as well.

The sets and cinematography all helped to pull me into King Jung Jo’s world. The fight choreography was among the best I’ve seen in Korean cinema. Though the king needed to have better trained guards. Eul Soo cut through them like warm butter. Something I learned, it’s best to bring archers during a rainstorm, old style guns were all but useless. #2-Hyun Bin had some marvelous abs showcased in an early scene. Thank you director-nim.

The Fatal Encounter had flashbacks within flashbacks but was still easy to follow. The pacing kept the story moving, never slowing down or dragging. Starring some of the most famous Korean actors and actresses, the performances were a treat to watch. I enjoyed the deadly triangle, square, pentagon…let’s just say deadly polygon that played out over 135 minutes.

“Do your utmost in trivial things. From that you can attain sincerity…It is only those with complete sincerity who can transform everything.”

17 December 2024

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Stunning cinematography

This movie is absolutely gorgeous from the opening scene in Bolivia to the close-ups of fujishiro's face, every single shot is perfect.

However, the story is absolutely confusing, boring and depressing. I couldn't understand why Fujishiro and Yayoi were together, it just didn't make sense at all. And then the flashbacks with Haru, Did she always know she was sick? Or was it something she discovered while traveling? Maybe that's why the father was so creepy, I have many questions and a lot of confusion but, I am not curious enough to keep watching I completely lost interest in the story once Haru's and Yayoi's friendship was revealed and to be honest I only got that far because I got desperate and skipped a few scenes.

It's a shame because Satoh Takeru is good, but the two leading actresses were not at all convincing in their roles, maybe if they were better I would've stuck to the end.

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Truly a classic that I’ve been putting off for way too long. It’s like a very aesthetic piece of art from the cinematography, to the characters, the music and the subtle metaphors that are found in the movie. With a variety of genres spanning across the screen time, it ties into the plot so well. Absolutely loved the main female character’s development and backstory, her painfully beautiful and fragile fate as well as the way the character was played. Truly a masterpiece that I’ll think about from time to time when feeling the wind around me. Would also suggest this for a rewatch just because it’s that great.

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Really Entertaining!!

I really love it! It's entertaining right from the start till the end. It's lighthearted and fun with great comedy, yet it brings a story of redemption towards the end. very well done.

How the ML got fired might sound a bit exaggerating, because I was shocked myself, but I'm thinking there might be some subtitle or subtext lost in translation. More importantly, it's the message they try to bring across about message on how women should not be objectified. It also has other social issues being touched on really nicely.

Very well rounded show with great entertainment value and meaningful message!

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