Reviews

I understand what they were going for but the execution was poor

Poor execution, but I get what story the writer was trying to tell.....at least I think I do.

The acting, lack of chemistry, poor writing (specifically characterization), editing or directing or whatever production work needed to be done just did not do the subtext plot justice, imo. But to be fair, they probably didn’t have much of a budget which would explain why this film was a mess.

This was just a bit short of a 90minute film, yet it feels like we did not get as much information as we were supposed to for the amount of run time. I couldn't really understand Shima and how exactly his attraction for Togawa formed. I couldn't understand his character exactly, because what do you mean your gay office romance gets outed in the most ridiculous way possible, you quit that job, find a new job and then decide to get into another office relationship with a man whose sexuality you're not even sure of??? Like, it was giving zero self love/ lack of self preservation on Shima's character. But again, I feel like if only Shima's feelings or head space was better conveyed, his decisions would have been better received by the viewers, or at least me. It would have been so much better if we were shown more of what Shima felt, he came across as so stilted and just plain strange.

Honestly, my issues with this film seem like a hallmark of the Japanese filmaking/watching experience. Idk if that makes sense, but watching this film gave me similar feelings of confusion, strangeness and discomfort in the way that only Japanese films do. It's the reason I don't watch much J-drama, so maybe it's just a personal thing and the Japanese filmaking style doesn't match with me. Though this is not my universal experience with J-media. I have enjoyed many a series, movies etc. Its just most of them are misses like this one, but it probably comes down to a low budget reason.

Anyway, I cannot recommend this if you're looking for something romantic to watch. It's more like a slice of life movie with a 'learning to love again after heartbreak' kind of theme but even that sounds more optimistic than this film made me feel. Give it a shot, if you want, but don't expect much.

P.S-So I see this was a 2014 movie which explains things more. My review still stands but is probably too harsh considering the time this came out, the BL space didn't have much quality to go off of. So yeah, *with my 2025 lens,* it wasnt a great film, but I understand what the story was trying to tell.

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"A wise man never endangers himself"

Stanley Kwan’s Lan Yu told the story of a decade long up and down love story of two men in Beijing starting in the late 1980s. Based on an internet book by an anonymous author, Lan Yu won Golden Horse awards for Best Leading Actor, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Film Editing, and Audience Choice Award.

Chen Han Dong intercepts a college student, Lan Yu, who was intended as a paid date for someone else. The night ends up being kismet for the two men. The older Han Dong may want to keep everything transactional, but Lan Yu has lost his heart. As always, the road to true love never runs smoothly. Through the years, Han Dong makes decisions based on fear of commitment and a desire for a life that is more normal in appearance, all to protect his heart which always ends up breaking Lan Yu’s.

Kwan resisted using outside influences as impediments to the men’s relationship. Family, co-workers, and friends seemed to have no problem with Han Dong and Lan Yu being together. While the two didn’t flaunt their relationship, neither did they carry it on in the dark. Han Dong’s own insecurities and selfishness caused the crises between them.

The film was beautifully shot and framed. You do have to make note of the small comments and changing seasons to determine when the story has shifted forward in time. Kwan kept the script spare, focusing on the high and low points. I wouldn’t have minded more development of the characters, but the director preferred the relationship lean and mean. Liu Ye and Hu Jun had a lovely chemistry with the characters often doing what couples do---talking, eating, or hanging out with friends and family. There was sex as well, but nothing gratuitous, with the exception of early in the movie casually showing full frontal nudity as the two talked. The ending was disappointingly common for the time.

The older and more financially established Han Dong ended up being the character needing the most growth. He could be maddeningly obtuse and unaware of his own feelings frequently expressing himself with his check book. The film wasn’t perfect and the title character could have used more depth, but overall, I enjoyed Lan Yu. Not all relationships work out perfectly, nor are all lovers perfect, even when destiny calls.

20 April 2025
Trigger warnings: Full frontal nudity (only in an early scene) as well as derrieres

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"Our lives are the very definition of disaster"

Often the only way out is through, but in Exit, the only way out is---up! Two underachievers help save a birthday party from a toxic death by using their extracurricular skills. (Warning! a few climbing puns tumbled out while writing this)

Yong Nam spends every morning hanging out on the monkey bars at the park strengthening his climbing skills. Unable to find a job, he’s a disappointment to himself and his family. He schedules his mother’s 70th birthday party nearly 2 hours away because the girl he had a crush on in college works there. Eui Joo may have a job but she carries most of the weight while also fending off her boss’ advances. The two ex-friends meet at the party during a rocky moment. Soon they will both put their climbing skills to the test when toxic gas is released in the city and they have to find a route to lead the people in the building to the roof.

Exit was entertaining if you didn’t look at the science of it too closely. There were crevasses in the narrative logic that hurt the story’s balance. I was afraid it would fall into a slapstick comedy but fortunately, most of the “comedy” took place in the early part of the movie. Jo Jung Suk and Im Yoon Ah worked well together, elevating the material. The climbing element gave a different twist to the urban disaster genre. At one point Yong Nam said he was going to be boulder and only interview in the tall buildings because they were rescued first, yet it was when he and Eui Joo harnessed their skills that they helped save many lives, including their own. Suffering from a harsh economic job landscape, the two proved that their lives were hardly useless and their rock-solid abilities came in handy. They also inspired a community of basement dwelling underachievers to use their unconventional hobby to light the way as the duo raced along the rooftops. Exit may not have scaled new heights, but there are moments when it will keep you on edge.

20 April 2025

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"I may be the last friend you'll make in this life"

Director Park Hoon Jung’s The Childe played out like a live action version of a Looney Tune’s chase scene, albeit with more realistic gore and blood. Some place buried under the bodies might have been a cautionary tale about the haves and have nots, but you’d have to dig pretty deep.

Marco fights in illegal boxing matches in the Philippines. His Filipino mother is sick and needs an expensive operation leading Marco to hunt for his Korean father. One of many children abandoned after their Korean fathers went home, Marco’s search has done nothing but cost him money he doesn’t have. One day out of the blue, a Korean lawyer appears with all the papers Marco will need to travel to Korea. His wealthy father is ill and he must go there now. Dear papa has been searching for him! Yeah, because life is just that fair. On the flight over, a strange man offers his friendship and warns him that all is not as it seems. Oh, if only Marco knew the half of it. The young boxer is traded off from one killer to the next until a final battle that will sort out the intricacies of the dysfunctional family and killers.

The Childe was entertaining but hardly suspenseful. The story and character development were painfully thin propped up by numerous car chases on empty highways and streets and foot chases that led to nowhere. Marco seemed to have a homing beacon that caused him to run straight into the arms or car of the enemy. In a country with strict gun laws, everyone seemed to have one, including a school child. There was the overt gore showing that chaebols can get away with literally murder and killers can walk down the street armed with no one noticing. Most of the humor came at Kim Seon Ho’s Nobleman’s expense. A proud “professional”, he suffered numerous humiliations at the hand of the man he’d named a “friend”.

The Childe was superficially entertaining in a maladjusted world with a family no sane person would want to be a member of and a professional killer that didn’t seem quite sane. Marco found that a nebulous brotherhood might be more valuable to him than being a wealthy half-brother.

20 April 2025

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Must Watch

Viva La Vida boasts a compelling storyline that effortlessly keeps you hooked from start to finish, blending heartfelt drama with moments of humor and hope. The film’s portrayal of two young individuals battling serious illnesses is both authentic and deeply moving, highlighting themes of resilience, love, and the human spirit’s capacity to find connection in the face of adversity. The chemistry between the lead actors, Peng Yuchang and Li Gengxi, is palpable and natural, bringing their characters’ evolving relationship to life with sincerity and nuance. Their performances are outstanding, capturing the vulnerability and strength of their roles without ever feeling forced. Supported by a strong cast and thoughtful direction, the movie balances emotional depth with lighthearted moments, making it an engaging and memorable experience that resonates long after the credits roll.

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In my own personal opinion....

In my own personal opinion i will give this a full 10. Now there is a reason for that. While films like these would not suit people who are use to more action, more story or even more dialogue, that is because there isn't much of any of that in this movie. However for people with mindsets like my own that find the joys in just sitting back, observing and seeing how people live their lives this movie is their cup of tea. The light dialogue forces you to pay more attention to their faces, their emotions, the thoughts going on in their heads and trying to figure out the characters next thought vs the next move they will make. But that is were the double edge sword hits. You become so focused on the emotions displayed that you kind of lose track of the signs that are giving you the clear giveaways to what is really happening and you miss it completely until BAM... it hits you like a truck.
Now for spoiler reasons i wont elaborate to much on what i mean there but i will say that if you going into watching this film expecting to see much talking, don't cause you will be sorely disappointed. However if you are looking for a film that has a strong sense of both obvious but hidden emotional moment with a really good cast and an ending that is sure to knock the wind out your lungs in half a second, Its one i highly recommend it.
It's a film that is hard to write a review on without giving away to much of the emotional aspect if i elaborate to much on what is happening so i will be keeping this nice and simple, just explaining where i think the public appeal would fall under in terms of who would be more likely to watch it and who might be more disappointed with it.

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Heartwarming Story of a Girl and Her Annoying Brother

Rated on movie standards:
Used to be: 8.75
Now: 8.5

I didn't expect to enjoy this. I even cried a bit (I don't cry often, so that means something). I watched this with my kid brother, so this is definitely a family movie. (there are some immature and funny parts in the beginning)

Story:
-surprisingly well developed characters
-funny sibling shenanigans
-dysfunctional parents
-cute school setting
-fantastical elements (be careful what you wish for)
-meaningful themes (sometimes the people who really care about you aren't the people you'd expect)

-This movie made me wonder, as an older sibling, that does my younger brother think I'm crazy? Probably. But I hope that when I'm being bossy about somethings and laidback about others, it's because I care, in my weird older sister way. But to him, at the end of the day, I'm still crazy 😂

Ending: Bittersweet. Last 10-20ish minutes, my eyes were tearing up. Wish we got one more scene of them together

-although this drama was pretty good, it didn't have that "it" factor. It was missing something deeper, but I couldn't figure out what.

Acting/Cast:
-ages are not too bad. Female lead, Zhang Zi Feng, was 16 at the time it was filming. Her older brother, played by Peng Yu Chang, was 23. Her best friend, played by Zhao Jin Mai, was 15. Even one of the guess appearances which I didn't expect, Zhou Yi Ran, was 17.
-I was so surprised when I saw Zhao Jin Mai and Zhou Yi Ran. I didn't even believe it at first 😂
-everyone acted well enough (but nothing extraordiary)
-the sibling chemistry between Zhang Zi Feng and Peng Yu Chang is very good

-the styling of everyone was very slice of life. No white-white skin or blinding filters. Very realistic looking

Music:
-doesn't seem to have an ost
-background sounds were good

Rewatch:
-I would. Very cute movie

Overall:
I'd recommend if you want
-cute siblings
-youth drama
-simple story (nothing is overcomplicated)
-meaningful story
-family
-important themes
Then watch!

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Typical enjoyable heist film

This is the kind of film you expect when you choose to watch a heist movie, and if you like this genre you know that's a compliment.

Light categorization-type spoilers below:

Characters: smart and eccentric main characters
Friendships: A couple strong relationships
Redemption Arc: Yup
Silliness: Only a sliver
Mysteries: How will they pull it off and resolve things?
Psychological horror/dark thriller: Nope
Jump Scares: None
Nihilism/Celebrated Grey Morals: As much as is intrinsic to a heist, but cops are not treated as buffoons by the plot

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Faith Bleeds.

All were victims. Wounded by others. Wounded by themselves. And somewhere along the way… they are condemned to live within a twisted reality, where traumas etched deep into their bones becomes the very thing that defines them; their truest self.


Some remain locked inside their heads. Some, locked within the version of reality their mind forged for them: those we call the self-aware.


But no matter how far you run, you can’t look away from yourself. Because ‘who you are’ isn’t what’s real. What’s real… is what defines you. What’s real is what shaped you. What scarred you. What twisted your reflection.

Haah~ How poetically and tragically beautiful that ending was… it pierced right through. A man, desperately wiping away the madness, the visions, the patterns; scrubbing at the wall as his faith begins to bleed.

And we see the truth too, that is, even if you erase what you see… it doesn’t change your reality. It only reveals deeper, more severe layers of revelation and torment beneath.

It takes a soul to hell and back to truly accept that the reality we perceive is but a reflection shown to us through a mind that acts as a mirror. It’s a tangle. Of pain. Of suffering. Of guilt. Of the self.

So all you could do is smile. While your tears fall. While your mind plays you like a puppet. You scrub harder. Desperately. Wiping away memories, emotions, identity; your very self. But what you’re really doing.… is breaking. In slow motion. With your own hands.

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Redemption with a Smile: Samahan ng mga Makasalanan Delivers Heart and Humour

I’ll admit—walking into Samahan ng mga Makasalanan, I wasn’t expecting much. A satirical comedy with a title like that? I braced myself for slapstick. But to my surprise and delight, what I got was a thoughtfully crafted, warmly delivered tale about grace, change, and the power of second chances—with just the right dash of wit.

Directed by Benedict Mique and written in collaboration with Aya Anunciacion, this 2025 Filipino film is set in the fictional town of Sto. Kristo, a place plagued by vice and moral decline. Enter Deacon Sam (David Licauco), a well-meaning young clergyman determined to make a difference. As he forms the “Samahan ng mga Makasalanan” or Sinners' Club, we’re drawn into a world where humour and heart go hand in hand.

What makes this film shine is how earnestly it carries its message: that no one is beyond redemption, and everyone has something good to offer. Through Deacon Sam’s belief in the outcasts of society, the story reminds us that compassion, not condemnation, is what steers true change.

Licauco proves he’s not just another pretty face. His portrayal of Deacon Sam is grounded, empathetic, and deeply human. He holds his own alongside a stellar ensemble that includes the always-excellent Joel Torre as Fr. Danny, Sanya Lopez, Buboy Villar, David Minemoto, and Soliman Cruz—each bringing charm and weight to their roles.

There’s also a powerful moment where Fr. Danny confides in Sam, saying, “We make sacrifices, and we love all instead of one.” That line struck a chord—it’s a poignant reminder of the loneliness, strength, and humanity in the life of clergy.

More than a feel-good flick, Samahan ng mga Makasalanan is a warm-hearted tale that balances satire with soul. It invites laughter while asking us to reflect on our own capacity for change, and the importance of those who believe in us—even when we don’t believe in ourselves.

It’s not perfect, but it’s sincere. And sometimes, sincerity is the most powerful thing a film can offer. I walked out with a smile, and a little more hope in humanity. That’s worth the ticket, don’t you think?

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"You think anyone ever wins at life?"

Black Coal, Thin Ice is one of those films I find hard to rate. Technically it was beautifully shot, with a dark, bleak, noir mood. Character-wise, I disliked nearly everyone, especially the male lead. The characters were either amoral, murderous, or stupid. I can’t say that I enjoyed the film, but it was artistically made.

When an arm shows up in a coal processing plant, with other pieces scattered about, you know someone is up to no good. Fear not, for Detective Zhang is on the case! Unfortunately, the case goes hay-wire because the police know nothing about proper police procedure. Fast forward five years and Zhang is a drunk working as a security guard. As fate would have it, he stumbles across his old partner and a case that closely resembles the one that sent Zhang down a bad path. Zhang is determined to not let the culprit escape this time.

I’ll get my peeves out of the way first. #1-Zhang attempted to rape his ex-wife at a train station in the early minutes of the film. Strike 3, he’s out and I’m hoping his body parts end up at the coal mine. He uses his position of authority to compel another woman to have sex later in the movie, so yeah, I don’t care if he saved the country, he’s an animal. Peeve #2, the police were inept at best. Not once, but twice, disasters happened because they didn’t understand how to properly detain a perp. The cops turned over possible evidence to a suspect and then asked for it back. They also had to rely on an ex-cop to solve their case. Peeve #3-the femme fatale was uninspired and underwhelming. Her primary purpose was to be groped by awful men.

The atmosphere and cinematography were stunning. In a land nearly always shrouded in nightfall and covered in ice, you could almost feel the cold and desolation seep through the screen. Where Wong Kar Wai’s shadows enhanced with green, yellow, and red provided for an erotic and melancholy atmosphere, Diao Yi Nan’s colors evoked death, violence, and criminal intent.

While I really wanted to like this film, I loathed the dogged detective, found the femme fatale banal, and the police deadly incompetent. The film was artistically pleasing to look at and if you don’t mind an entire cast of unlikeable characters, you might find this more entertaining than I did. For me the “hero” had a heart that was Black Coal and the story skated on Thin Ice.

18 April 2025

Trigger warnings: At least one attempted rape. Dismembered body parts. Bare male butts in a bath scene.

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Less Sad, Less Annoying, But Less Emotionally Satisfying Version of 'Your Lie in April'

This is the live-action movie version of a beloved anime — loved by many but overrated to some.

Basically, it's the story of Kousei, a piano genius, who quit playing the piano due to an incident involving her mother. He vowed never to return playing the piano until he met Kaori.

I don't think this movie can replace the anime. It understandably omitted some of the interesting episodes, but at a shorter run time, it may be good idea for revisiting the story without going through the 24 episodes of the anime, which is equivalent to 12 hours.

The movie has removed some of the things that others find annoying in the anime. For example, Kaori wasn't much of a tsundere compared to the anime, but whenever we see some signs of her being abusive, it doesn't translate well on screen. But we forgive her because the actress playing Kaori is cute.

The downside is that the movie does not reach the emotional peak of the anime. The crucial scene near the end doesn't have the same emotional impact, although it's quiet and beautiful.

It's a good film. I recommend watching it at least once. But whether to watch it or the anime every April to start a tradition, I am not sure.

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Heart-warming and tearful T^T

I went into this with zero expectations and even didn't pay much attention to dialogue in the beginning/reading the subtitles. But I can say that right now I am rewatching the film's opening before having even finished the film.

This piece is so unexpectedly heart-wrenching and beautiful. It's not just a romance, in fact it's hardly that and more about rediscovering life's joys in the little moments, and journeying intimately alongside the 2 main characters and their blossoming relationship, between two 'strangers' into something deep and meaningful. It's so well-acted and flows naturally it genuinely makes you want to see them interacting more, and experiencing more together.

The acting is superb especially from 'A-Xiang' (the happy boy who always smiles and laughs) and the interactions overall are really wholesome and genuine-feeling if that makes sense.
Although some of the cuts were a bit choppy and the timing felt off at times, the cinematography was gorgeous and carried a nostalgic feeling that made you feel like you've experienced something similar, even if eg. you've never travelled to these places or gone on a road trip before as the characters did.

There was a lot of nuanced expressions and subtle gestures which progressed the story rather than throwing the plot progression into your face, and you can fully believe why the characters are now behaving the way they are, etc.
The flashbacks for the most part were not repetitive scenes but fresh new ones, which really left you wanting to see more of their little moments together :') Really really beautiful piece of film.

Highly recommend!

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