Reviews

Life imitates art and art imitates life

I wasn't very impressed with this. I somehow expected more drama, intrigue, and obsession from this. I think for me this film falls short of executing what is otherwise a very interesting premise. It's partially due to the ambiguity of the narrative but it's not just that. There's also the fact that the film's intrigue is amped up too high because the actual film fails to deliver its meaning at certain points so it's both ambiguous and vague.

Plot: An idol rapper is (for some reason) doing a super moody theater production with a famous theater actor known for his method acting. This whole thing seems convoluted because theater is too prestigious for idol actors like...seriously! But whatever. After initial disinterest and rebellion, the young idol slowly becomes interested in acting as he watches the seasoned actor. He tries to imitate the method acting technique and soon, things get weird!
Btw, the idol coming from a group called "P2S" is so gauche...Korea, please do better. Seriously...

Plot: So I could not understand the narrative from watching the film. It was so vague, choppy, and scattered for me, that I ended up reading the plot summary on Wikipedia in order to figure out what was happening in the film. I have since read some interesting interpretations of this film which partially succeeded in redeeming some aspects for me but for the most part, I could not understand why characters went from one point to another. Basic details of the plot were so convoluted and unnatural that I also failed at suspending my disbelief and spent a good amount of the film distracted by technicalities that made me feel second-hand embarrassment. Like how are they getting away with making a racy theater production about a gay affair?! It's been seven years and Korea can barely accept a TV show with a gay character in it, in the year of 2024! And why is an idol actor doing theater to begin with?! And why is everyone so chill about the bizarre behavior of these men?
That said, it wasn't all bad. The plot has a cyclical nature and that's so interesting. We're thrust in the middle of a script reading with no context of the drama's plot. We slowly figure out that the drama is the final, bloody moments of an affair gone wrong but we have no idea how the characters got there. Then we see the actors going through a process of living as the drama's characters, becoming them in every way. It's a self-fullfilling prophecy. The actors' attempt to embody the characters sets into motion a series of events that eventually come to precede the events of the drama they are supposed to act in. Real life becomes the cause and history of the drama's events and the drama is the cause and catalyst that brings about the incidents happening in real life. It's actually brilliant! There's also a seriously interesting point made about sincerity and bravery and it's completely entangled with the queer representation in the story which makes this an exclusively queer narrative, impossible to recreate with any other type of dynamic and that's so amazing. I love that!
But I didn't really get all this from just watching the film. I only put these together with the help of other people's analysis and reading the summary! So while I think the idea is great, I think the execution of the plot was sloppy.

Acting: and that brings me to the second point. I don't think the acting was great. It was too much and too little in different scenes and only hit the mark occasionally. I know there's supposed to be ambiguity in the story and we're not supposed to be totally sure if the characters are being honest or pretending but for that to be shown, sincerity and insincerity need to be contrasted against each other. Here though, characters are unreliable and vague all the time! I could never grasp a normal behavior standard for them to measure their abnormal behavior against. So that led to more confusion.

Production: I think the main issue of this film is directing. A better director would have directed the actors better, established the world order better, chosen the best shots, and made sure the editing was immaculate. Then this movie could have been a 10. I really think a better direction would have fixed everything. And that's odd because I believe the director wrote the script too so they should have been the perfect candidate to make this. I wonder why it fell short a bit.

Rewatch: Not really. It wasn't that interesting though it wasn't awful. Once was enough.

Overall: If you're curious, just watch it. But it's not a personal recommendation, for me.

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Warning: Rant ahead. Cringe fest

Wotakoi was my first ever romance anime in 2018 and I love it till now to bits. I later read the manga too that too was fantastic. So, when I found out yesterday about this movie, I was really excited. However, within the first 15 minutes in, I was cringing hard. The song, lyrics, conceptualization, everything was off. Why musical!!! This is not Broadway. If the director wanted to still make it into a musical, please incorporate it into the story seamlessly not just throw it away somewhere randomly. Such choppy editing and direction. What a waste of the actress's talent! I had to drop to preserve my happy memory of anime. I needed to cleanse myself by binging the anime for 1000th time lol. And that is all I am thankful for. I wasted my 20 minutes trying to get into it. Then ran to MDL. As expected I was not the only one cringing hard. The disappointment is huge!!

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Check the tags!!!!!!

I think this was a recommendation from Anne. I've just finished watching it. I should have seen the tags beforehand though. It got really uncomfortable at several points. So, do check the tags before going in folks.

Now, let's come to the story, acting and direction part.
Story is ok, typical Sokor fighting crime movie. I liked as it somehow tried to spread some awareness but would have liked it more if they had delved a little deeper into the mission.
Acting is good, from everyone. The movie is a little short to actually go for some character depth, so it lacked in that department. But that's ok.
Direction is average. Saying this because I've seen better action choreography and Korean movies excells in it.
Overall, it's a 7.5 for me. This can't be placed into a 'light watch' nor 'heavy watch'. And that's the dilemma for me.

Now, I don't want to comment on Sokor law enforcement. If I start, I will probably lose track of time. But if a police-law-prison system can't break/rectify a criminal within sentenced period of prison time, that's just total failure. And there should be only one punishment for child sex offenders, hanged till death. I can't comprehend how such a heinous criminal gets 20 years of prison time and still comes out as such trash. Total failure of prison system.

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'You only live once, so don't leave any regrets'

This movie took me a while to watch as this movie is a sentimental movie that needs a certain mood.
All I can say to this movie is to enjoy life... live to the fullest and just go for it.
As a traveler myself, this truly hit me on the spot as I am someone who is struggling with whether to enjoy my 20s by traveling as much as possible or to go to back to school and get a career job.
In this world, most people want to earn as much money as possible and to travel the world.
That is still what I want but it's just so difficult as responsibilities build up as we get older.

I know that everyone has their clock... but were just overwhelmed and pressured within the society and by our family.
This drama made me cry and inspired me in a certain way... to follow your dreams...

Life is hard. But we should be grateful for what we have and what God has offered us...
I'm truly grateful for what I have as there are others out there who do not...

This drama truly inspired and motivated me yet made me think about life in a certain way.

Why does it have to end that way tho...😭😭😭😭

I feel numb.
Now I'm rewatching Twilight..
124am
92824

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Taboo or To be

Gay teen goes to a bar, mutual attraction occurs, later it turns out to be his homeroom teacher. No hook-up was implied, just eye contact. In the light of day, teacher Hoon sets boundaries but over a year, teen Woo sees every act of sparce kindness as Hoon's continued attraction for him. Woo stalks him. Hoon's job is to interview the parents at home of all the students. Finally, Woo forces the situation to come to a head by physically inserting himself in Hoon's care and doesn't leave. Woo wants an admission from Hoon. Does he remember their previous encounter? Will he admit that he is attracted to him? Will he give in and let Woo into his life? I should mention here, Hoon is 35 and his pursuer Woo is 18.

Before 2020, the legal age of consent in South Korea was 13. The film was made in 2012.

Hmmm, gray area or no?

Woo doesn't take no for an answer. He relentlessly pursues Hoon, blackmailing him into spending time with him with pictures he took of Hoon in the gay bar. Hoon is searching for another teaching position to escape as he recognizes that Woo will not give up. He knows that Woo is forbidden fruit. Woo knows himself. He is gay and he wants him. He understands the position well as his mother knows his orientation. Hoon viciously rebuffs him, and Woo hurt by his words, leaves the car in anger and cries. Finally, Hoon is free. He looks down, finds Woo's forgotten headset and carries it home. He sees Woo enter before him and on his steps he waits.

Gray area:
Though legal, what can an 18 year old teen bring to the table?
Should Hoon resist further as Woo is still in school?
Can 18 form a stable relationship?
2012 gay relationships were still no fully accepted, what would they endure as a couple, being gay, age difference and social status?
If Hoon gives in, how will his job be affected?

The film brings these thoughts to mind and only answers one. You will have to watch the entire film to get it. The actors did a commendable job with their roles. Hoon's frustration with himself and Woo is believable. Woo's dogmatic focused attitude towards the situation is dealt with an 18 year old fervor. I will recommend this film for the questions posed and the actors themselves. Though I liked it, more could have been done. Rewatch - maybe not. In 2024, this comes across more like a period piece from 2012.

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it wasn’t for me

Despite the promising plot this drama just didn’t do it for me, maybe I grew out of the aggressive and borderline possessive male lead trope. I feel like the relationship between the main leads had no development and was more of a sexual attachment than love, I will give it to the main actors who did have the chemistry but chemistry can only get you so far when the storyline is lacking. This may be other people’s cup of tea but it wasn’t mine, it’s like they were trying to do a high school version of 50 shades of grey but make it a bit more PG and failed miserably.

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Must Watch Jose Rizal Movie

Even though I already have a copy of the movie, I still decided to watch this on the cinema, taking advantage of MMFF50. The experience watching this on the cinema was well worth it.
While I don't think this movie is as creative as Bayaning Third World in demonstrating the life and legacy of Rizal, I still think it's creative in its own way. I love how the movie inserts Rizal's works Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo (especially their main character Crisostomo Ibarra/Simoun) to compare what's happening in those books to what's happening to Rizal and society. In it's own way, it also portrayed Rizal as someone who was daring two write two novels that portrays the ill of Filipino society at the time of the Spaniards but also as someone still resistant of a grand revolution rather than just reform.
I also appreciated how they portrayed Rizal as a normal kid, having his own struggles as a child before he was able to excel as a young student (I'm not about the complete truth, but my impression of Rizal based on most things I read about him was that he seems like someone who is brilliant at all things even as a kid). Plus I like the fact that not all Spaniards are portrayed as pure evil in this movie. I like Luis Taviel de Andrade, even as a Spaniard he has compassion towards Rizal and only wished him to be judged only via his actions (it's refreshing to see Jaime Fabregas in this role, I'm so used to seeing him as either evil Spanish priests or officers who only want harm to Filipinos).
The shots in the movie are made with effort, the sets and the costumes are beautiful. The acting is also magnificent. I really wish I could praise Cesar Montano (he's good here but him starring as a lead in a Marcos Apologist movie kind of taints his reputation for me). Joel Torre, having played Ibarra in a Noli Me Tangere series a few years prior to this one. is also really excellent. I love that they got some of the actors from the aforementioned TV series to be in this movie again (though some not playing the same characters they did in the TV series). I also enjoyed Gloria Diaz as Rizal's mother as well as Micky Ferriols, Chin Chin Gutierrez, and Monique Wilson (what a beautiful singing voice as Maria Clara) too. All of these elements (acting, shots, sets, costumes) really did help enhance the movie.
I only wish Philippines can make more historical dramas/movies in the future. And I'm praying Filipinos will pay attention to these more than Star Cinema movies, which are mostly made with little effort and are very low quality movies except for a very few (I watched a few of their romcoms only because I like the actors in them) in my opinion. I hope GMA's success with Maria Clara at Ibarra and Pulang Araw will translate to film.

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Truth exists,only lies are invented!

He Fei and his wife are on a trip celebrating their wedding anniversary,and mysteriously hid wife goes missing.But then,a woman claiming to be his wife shows up,but he does not accept and insists that she is not his wife.
Then he meets Cheng Mai,the lawyer who takes up his case and the rest of the story deals with the dark secrets that unfolds before you in a most bizarre way.
Well,the investigation process was good but a bit confusing.It could have been much better for the intense and suspenseful plot that it has.
The twists and turns were good,though the final one is not expected.
Zhu Yilong,Ni Ni and the rest actors were good in their roles.
Well,the movie once again brings to light the concept that,a truth can never be hidden and lies need to be remembered as one just makes them up.
A truth is always a truth.
A good one time watch.
You will not be disappointed for sure.
I suggest to watch it.

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greatest masterpiece I ever watched

If I call this masterpiece other things I called as masterpiece are just below average. I never felt that empty after I finish watching drama or a movie. Seeing all that naked man was frustrating. If i had a chance i would forget this movie over and over again to watch it over and over again. They vay japanese writers want to show even the greatest love can fail if you play your cards wrong is heartbreaking but real. I cried I swear I was happy I was sad and it remind me of my broken heart but there is one thing i believe i need to say if you love go say it if you love be more understanding if you love make sure you do everything to achieve it.

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Messed up... but too safe!

I had no expectations whatsoever about the movies, didn't even read the synopsis very well when I started watching but it caught my attention from the get go. Kitagawa looked so good in that bob she was glowing. But... that's not the point here!

The story starts so well, the progress is compelling and the backstory of Kanna makes you feel all kinds of sick and nauseated but what I am disappointed with the most is the backstory of Yuki (Kitagawa Keiko). The movie makes a big deal about her trauma and what not, plus Kitagawa acting the PTSD scenes was so heartbreaking and sad that when they reveal the backstory it just falls apart, and feels pretty flat. Maybe I am too used to messed up things but the whole shebang was played too safe.

One thing that was great about this movies is the atmosphere, although it's sick and twisted there's some nostalgic undertone to it, the flashbacks to the Yuki and Kasho's life along with the backtrack music was the highlight for me.

All in all, it's a good movie, although there were let downs it wasn't a totally bad.

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Save yourself from the closet

I don't usually write reviews, but this movie is so bad it deserves a warning. Its earned the extra .5 star from the 1 it deserves only because it left a lasting impression-- months later I'm still wondering how it could be so bad.
The description is more of a backstory that was barely shown. His time as a "magician" (actually escape artist) is over within the first 4 minutes, and his haunting past is reduced to one recurring memory of a closet in the middle of nowhere in a courtyard.
The "retreat" takes them to an eccentric mansion where they proceed to spend half of the rest of the movie in the cheapest set ever - a room filled with tarps. Tarps tied in weird shapes, but tarps none the less. They say it's creepy, but continue to hang out in this weird, uncomfortable room for no reason even though there are definitely other rooms in the house. Maybe they can't redecorate because they're renting the house, but after the FL throws away the yard ornaments it's clear that they're stuck in the tarp room because they're hoping it will make the movie creepy when it really isn't. It's a weird situation with the usual stupid misunderstandings from lack of communication, but it's not creepy. If anything, it's confusing. The reactions, the neighbors, the "ghost", the house's layout, the clueless FL... It's full of plot holes and every part that's supposed to be scary is dulled by the horrible acting, although even with the best acting the plot still would have been awful. They should've stuck to the plot about the ML being haunted by his past rather than involving weirdo neighbors and a "ghost" but instead both plots end up meaningless with a lame ending. It leaves you wondering why you wasted the time to watch it, if not for a test of endurance. (And I love lame horror movies!)
The movie was horrible, yes... But even worse, why did the subs call the ML Fred?! Everyone had a horrible English name, and it really took this movie from 90 to 100 on the awfulness scale.

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Painfully boring

Watching any form of modern Jackie Chan film comes with its fair share of challenges but A Legend hits a new low for the ageing martial arts star, in this so-called legacy sequel to The Myth. Sure, the film is lavishly produced, with plenty of sweeping landscapes, and suitably epic set pieces, however, it commits the cardinal sin of being unmistakenly boring and a slog to sit through thanks to some abysmally erratic pacing. The film tries to cram in way too much for its runtime and feels like two distinctly different movies crowbarred together, it's rather sad since I know Stanley Tong has been capable of so much better. The elephant in the room is of course the horrific de-ageing job done to Jackie Chan during the scenes set during the Han Dynasty, it looks like someone just got a picture of his face and slapped it on the body of a younger actor, it can be genuinely disturbing at times. If you're expecting Jackie to throw a few moves, then you'll have to wait till the last act before he finally gets down to business. Although it sadly stands as a consolation prize and comes too little too late. I will say however, I did like Nathan Wang's musical score despite the very cheesy and stereotypical soundscape. There’s a noticeable lack of adventure in A Legend, it falters with a largely self-serious tale of action fantasy and a central romance that feels more cringey than it does profound. I highly doubt Panda Plan is gonna be much better.

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