LOVE IT!
better than Shakespeare, lol.
i watched it with my friend, we were literally stunned at the end of the first movie and probably talked about different theories for a good 30 minutes, (most of them were wrong..) As someone with good taste in art, this movie is perfect. almost started crying
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"Do you know what the rich want?...To get richer"
If you watched the first three Roundup films then you know what to expect from The Roundup: Punishment. Our wrecking ball ahjussi hitter takes on cyber crime this time around with his team and comic relief criminal sidekick.Detective Ma makes a promise to a grieving mother that he will find the criminals responsible for her son’s death. The investigation takes him and his team into the world of cyber gambling and sundry crimes. What he’s not initially aware of is he’s dealing with The I.T. Genius and his vicious, knife-wielding enforcer. Ma will have to call in help from the police department’s own I. T. crowd and also the shady Jang I Su.
There is something about Ma Dong Seok I find compelling to watch, even if he’s just throwing hands at bad guys and little else. I thought Ma “no cartilage” Dong Seok moved smoother in this film which was probably due to better choreography and shorter scenes. His punches and ducking were swifter and of course with a little movie magic, always highly effective. The bad guys, led by Kim Mu Yeol’s Baek Chang Gi used knives which I’m not a huge fan of and didn’t think the knife fight choreography was particularly creative. I was only invested when Ma and his meaty fists entered the room.
The film which bounced between the Philippines and RoK lost focus a few times, which may have been more to translation issues. Ultimately, when the big hearted, pounding hitter wasn’t on screen, the story’s momentum faltered. I enjoyed Roundup Punishment for what it was, and in that I wasn’t disappointed. If you’ve watched the other entries in this franchise this is one to give a try. The Big Guy with No Cartilage rarely disappoints.
10 April 2026
Ma has quipped that he has “no cartilage” in interviews before. Glad he’s still able to make the movies he wants for now!
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No plot just vibes
Okay so I loved the first half of the film- beautiful visuals , cherry blossom, bookstore , feeling lonely in a new environment, shy/awkward to communicate, fear of stranger danger , lingering here and there on a bicycle, watching movies in cinema but fearing dark theater, desperate to find connection like home and female lead's dressing especially.Until it was revealed WHY she moved there , Pfft that was a turn off
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Not As Thrilling As I Expected
To be honest, I watched this movie a long time ago, so I don’t remember every detail—but I still remember how it made me feel.I’d rate this movie a 5/10. It’s not completely bad, but it just didn’t feel enjoyable to me.
What stood out at first was how similar the opening felt to a webtoon I had read before. The early scenes were almost identical, so I actually thought it was a webtoon adaptation—but turns out, it’s not. That part kind of threw me off.
As the story went on, I just didn’t find it that exciting. For a zombie movie, it lacked the tension and thrill I was expecting. Instead of feeling hooked, I ended up feeling bored at some parts.
Overall, it’s not the worst movie, but it’s also not something I’d rewatch. It just didn’t leave a strong impression on me.
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Another Trauma but so worth it!
Just another Japanese drama, and for some reason, as usua Nana Komatsu plays another traumatic characters, and she is simply brilliant. When I started this movie, I knew I was going to regret it; in fact, I was just sobbing the whole time.The movie has brilliant story, but it’s sooooo SAD!!!!!. However, apart from being sad, the movie highlights important message which is; how most people treat life so lightly, never appreciating the blessing of being alive and healthy while others have their days numbered. It’s incredibly moving, and as only a Japanese film can, it’s extremely sad but at the same time a brilliant piece of work. I think you should dive into this blindly without watching any trailers or reading anything about it. I would definitely add this to my list of must-watch all-time best Japanese movies because its just brilliant.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Very Thin Line of Good and Bad
I placed a spoiler alert at the end of this review.This was a very riveting movie. Don’t let the running time scary you because this is very fast paced. It never felt like it dragged on.
The positive: The script did a very good job luring your attention in the beginning, setting up the story details, and introducing the main characters. It also did a great job connecting multiple elements and characters together. The entire cast did an incredible job with their roles. The production team did an outstanding job with the cinematography, special effects, and FX make-up.
The negative: The script could have spent a little more time with the group’s relationship development. It also randomly introduced characters with now explanation. There is also a few side storyline that you don’t get much information about.
The in-between: Some people may find the ending unsatisfactory. It has a few loose ends and lacks some logic with a few events.
******Potential Spoiler Alert******
This does not necessarily have a happy ending because it is ambiguous and bittersweet. For me, it was not terrible and may indicate the price one pays for revenge.
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This review may contain spoilers
Trigger Warning
**Trigger Warning:** If you can't handle gore, horror, or survival movies with graphic scenes, do not watch this film. It starts immediately with someone head busting, a class full of dead body and loads of blood and extremily graphic scenes, and is definitely gore from the first second to the last.This movie is heavily influenced by "Battle Royale," but it is much more graphic, especially considering it was made in 2014 using CGI and advanced technology compared toBattle Royale . The scenes are incredibly detailed. While I wouldn't have minded if they'd left some details out, it's definitely a film meant for a certain type of viewer. If you’ve watched "Battle Royale" or "Signal 100," this movie falls in the same category (arguably even more graphic). Additionally, the games played in this movie appear to have inspired "Squid Game," as "As God's Will" was filmed in 2014.
Spoilers ahead ***
Let me provide a bit of background to give you some context if you plan to watch this movie.
First game :The students in the movie must play several games in order to survive. The first game is called "Daruma-san ga Koronda," which is similar to the traditional "Red Light, Green Light." In Japan, one person (the "oni" literally demon) says, “Da-ru-ma-san-ga-ko-ron-da,” while the other players move closer to them. In this movie, the oni is represented by a Daruma doll. (A Daruma doll is a traditional Japanese round doll modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, acting as a talisman for good luck, perseverance, and goal-setting.)
The Daruma doll turns slowly while chanting “Daruma-san ga…”. When it says “Koronda!”, it turns around to face the entire classroom. If anyone moves within its sight, it opens its mouth and causes that person's head to explode.
The second game: "Maneki Neko," which features a popular figurine believed to bring good luck. In this game, the students wear mouse costumes and must fit a basketball-sized bell through the hoop on the cat's collar to win.
The third game is "Kagome Kagome," a popular children's game. One player is chosen as the oni and sits blindfolded. The other children join hands and walk in circles around the oni while chanting a song. When the song stops, the oni tries to name the person standing directly behind them.
The fourth game is "Shirou Kuma," where students must answer the white bear's questions politely. If they lie, they get killed.
The final game is "Matryoshka," which forces the remaining students to play a lethal version of "Kick the Can." One player is chosen as the "oni" and must capture the others by seeing their faces and calling their names.
The story was a bit confusing at the beginning since I hadn’t read the manga, but the film clarifies things as it progresses. It also made changes to the original games in the manga, so if you're interested, you should check that out as well. The movie plays heavily on surprise elements, starting with extremely graphic scenes, which certainly grabs your interest. While the film itself is great, it ends in a cryptic way, almost suggesting a continuation, and f you have not read the manga i felt like i missed lot of clarity, and felt like there were lot of plot holes. However this might also be due to how the movie tried to include as many game as possible. Overall it was great movie if you like supernatural horror gore movies.
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This review may contain spoilers
The Medium is a visually intriguing but ultimately uneven horror film. I enjoyed the documentary style of it as it seemed realistic and about Shamanism which is quite intriguing, the casting for me was also on point since their appearance and acting fits the role perfectly. However, the story could use some improvement because the story progression is kinda slow.
Though the main story itself seemed interesting enough, it still doesn't justify the long introduction. Not only is the story progression slow the ending also doesn’t justify the film’s length because, for a 2-hour movie, I expected a more proper ending, like in "Exhuma", or even a better resolution that fits a documentary style, perhaps with a text block of some sort, because it felt hanging and incomplete.
The ending was quite confusing and anticlimactic. Although I find some movies and series where the main character dies interesting, this ending left me questioning some things rather than enjoying it.
It didn’t give me chills, only a few jump scares. It also had more explicit scenes than it needed, which took me by surprise, so I skipped some parts because they felt excessive.
However, despite all of this, I still enjoyed the film, maybe because I like documentaries. Was it worth the 2 hours? No. Is it enjoyable? To some extent, yes, if you like exploring Asian shamanism and folk horror.
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Great acting but story is predictable
The Movie starts off with very high hopes as we step into the lives of characters but midway story shows lack of writing and giving clear idea of what is happening to the viewers. The backstory of one of the main characters that is the shaman is missing and we do not see his motives to help our main couple .Overall its a mid if you really like horror movies revolving around haunted objects and rituals.
The acting was great but story was quite predictable and this movie did not offer anything new or different.
I still feel the concept of the story had so much potential but did not get churned out very well.
If you are a horror lover this might not exite you but it is surely its a one time watch.
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More than just drinking.
At first glance, you might think the movie is just about drinking and the joviality that goes along with it. However, as the story unfolds, it reveals a much deeper exploration into human emotion and pain. "Sometimes it's easier to open up to a stranger because there is no judgment nor any relationship ruined." - This sentence is pretty much summing up the whole film. What transpires next is an emotional ride - laughter mixes with tears, joy intertwines with sorrow, and the line between happiness and pain blurs. It's like a subtle reminder of the power of shared experiences and how we, as society, often take empathy for granted.One of the highlights of this film is its ensemble cast, which includes seasoned veterans and promising young talents. This diverse mix of actors brings a multitude of perspectives on life to the forefront, allowing viewers to see the world through different lenses. They really hold the film together, not just with their steady performances but also by adding spontaneity to their characters that look like they're not even acting. But with five main characters, each with their own storyline, the imbalance in the story arcs is pretty noticeable. Yet, it comes together nicely in the end. It's like a plain layer cake with different flavors, but the blend is surprisingly tasty.
While the film may not be perfect, it's those very flaws that make it so relatable. There’s no complex or highly choreographed cinematography, but it sets the mood and tone effectively and adds to the realism. By focusing on human narrative rather than visual storytelling, it effectively delivers a good punch and brings a profound realization in life. Those who are not religious might find this film a bit cringy or dull, but somehow the subtle injection of faith is simply mirrored Filipino society. My favorite moment is when Tere, the oldest of the bunch, shares her story. It struck a chord with me, and I ended up crying. And I cried hard. It's one of those rare moments in a fictional story where you see your own life reflected back at you, told in a way that makes you feel seen and understood.
Overall, "The Last BeerGin" is a film that knows how to create a "safe space" to experience the mix of feelings as the truths uncover. It's not just about the unexpected connection but also about being vulnerable and remembering one's own humanity and value.
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TRASH AVOID AT ALL COST
This was so bad and it’s literally a pedofile drama. she was a minor and he was a full grown adult, the writer really think having him in a school uniform will try to cover it up. Bruh anyone rating this a 10s star must be out of their mind. He was literally grooming her, preventing her speaking to other boys like #whatdatmean ? why does the grown adults around them too not feel weirded out by this. him asking her for a kiss 😃randomly hugging and her and both of them falling on each other. what made it worst is that the drama was not even funny. i’m also disappointed with the end because lowkey i want to see what her Father opinions on their relationship, bet he will agree cause the movie tried to convince us this was a normal relationship. the only good thing about the drama is the actress she was really pretty and the man was just there being boring. STOP TRYING TO JUSTIFY GROOMING. waste of time don’t bother watchingWas this review helpful to you?
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
Everyone comes up with good reasons to do bad things. Until all the bad energy boomerangs! Good movie, this one is. Awesome storytelling. Direction was on point. Great acting from the entire cast, but Earnearn Fatima Dechawaleekul as KHEM stands out! She is as brilliant here as she was as ANNE in Flat Girls.Was this review helpful to you?
A Simple Story That Gently Breaks Your Heart
I started 18th Rose on Netflix out of boredom, honestly expecting a light and forgettable teen romance. But this film surprised me in the best way—it has more depth and emotional weight than it initially lets on.Set around a Filipino debut, the story follows Rose, played by Xyriel Manabat, a bright and determined teenager preparing for her 18th birthday. She meets Jordan, portrayed by Kyle Echarri, an American-Filipino struggling to adjust to life in the province. Their journey starts off light and playful, but as their bond deepens, the story reveals more emotional layers.
Xyriel delivers a graceful and heartfelt performance, portraying Rose with strength, warmth, and quiet resilience. Kyle Echarri, however, is the standout here. His portrayal of Jordan shows growth, depth, and emotional intensity—it’s easily his most impressive role to date.
The film starts with a soft, giddy vibe, but gradually becomes heavier, tackling themes of identity, self-worth, and the bittersweet transition into adulthood. It also touches on how young people navigate expectations versus reality, especially in a simpler, early-2000s setting.
What makes this film special is its sincerity. There’s no forced drama between the leads, and their relationship feels natural and supportive, which makes the emotional moments even more impactful.
While the story itself isn’t entirely new, the execution is polished and heartfelt. It’s the kind of film that quietly grows on you—and stays with you.
Definitely worth watching, especially if you enjoy emotional coming-of-age stories.
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the story moved so beautifully
I don't have a background history of the happenings portrayed here but it was so beautifully done, you're first thrown in confused and skeptical, and when you think you finally understand what happening and the suspense starts to feel weak then bam! you're thrown into more confusion, left to rewind and look back at certain details you thought 'not important' but were clues leading you somewhere. the movie keeps you on you toes and has you making inferences only to break it down to create another, what I loved the most was the pacing, and the story telling was sooo good. the acting was exceptional and the fight scenes well choreographed, I watched this for Wang Yibo but stayed for the whole performance, I highly recommend this, it's been a while since a thriller suspense has me on the edge.Was this review helpful to you?
how much does our definition of love matters?
the story throws you into confusion at the beginning, then you feel bad for the FL and want to comfort her, somewhere in between is Tan song Yuns character showing up and making you uncomfortable, because somewhere in her cheerful nature and carefree personality is a discomfort you can quite put your finger on. then the meeting between the FL and ML happens and then you see the doom on its way. I could tell the FL was distraught and confused but her love for the other girl was just not strong enough for her to steer clear from ML. finally you understand the second FL character and her need for fairytale like romance and finally her undying love for the FL, but this isn't a complicated cheating story per say it is more of a complicated love triangle with extremes.Was this review helpful to you?
