Reviews

An Okay Movie

Almost all the CNY movies are popcorn movies are it's a time for families to go out and spend time together. hence the box office for CNY movies are usually really good and it's a great time for comedies and sadly, mediocre movies.

This is one of the better movies among the mediocre movies and as usual with most CN media, brings a positive vibe throughout the entire movie. Not surprising, This movie topped the charts as it was a safe and good choice for families during CNY.

My only complaint is that the racing wasn't done well, and you were left with a cliffhanger at the end, altho the sequel cleared it all up. (The sequel just came out in 2024 CNY and just like this movie, topped the charts being in the top3).

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I love Zee and NuNew so it pains me to say what I'm about to say.

I just thought this was pretty bad. I love them, both their individial acting and oh mygoodness the chemsitry is gorgeous. This story though? Even some award deserving kisses could not save it.

I found the story to be quite boring up until just over the halfway point and while things did get interesting, oh geez, the acting. Please don't as Nu to act like that again, that was hilarious and cringy to watch, especially as a fan and knowing how talented he really is.

I didnt care for his character in this movie. He was so simpering and meek and everything his Cutie Pie character is not and I found it frustratng to watch. As an actor I felt he deserved better than that in a role he was being asked to portray.

Zee's character, well there was nothing new there. This is his signature role and it can not possibly be any sort of stretch for him. In fact their interactions just felt so choreographed. The exact looks, the exact facial expressions, the exact head movement, it's exactly as I have seen from them before and it just felt a little like I could practically hear the director saying "okay aaaaaand cut!"

With that said, come on, you know they can do no wrong whatsoever in the kissing department. They could teach a masterclass.

For me this movie started out so slow and boring and then went so far in the other direction so quickly that it was jarring and that all might have been okay, maybe, had the acting been better and more believable. I'm sorry NuNew, I love you, I do, but it was just so impossible not to laugh and shake my head.

Now, what I did like about this story was the cute side couple. There was only a little glimpse of a potential story there that I would loved to have seen explored. The interactions between those two started out honest feeling to me but then of course, I guess for times sake, it morphed to the usual scene like a box that was checked.

How do you go to what appears to be work attire the whole time then suddenly no shirt and a pair of white shorts? I mean he was watering the property flowers right LOL? That was just hilarious and out of left field for me.

Did I hate this movie? No but given the bigger named actors, I was expecting so very much more and I thought the actors deserved better.

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Hello, Love!

Remember, when reading reviews...
That review is only good for the person who wrote it.
Please do not skip a series/movie simply because you saw a negative review.
That said, Hello Stranger: The Movie, is the BL quality I enjoy.
I binged watch the series and movie all in one evening without interruption.
And I'm happy I did. This was a beautiful story of Mico & Xavier.
Mico, adorable as adorable gets. His tears, you felt. His words, you heard!
He gave of himself to this role - as did co-star, Xavier. The acting was phenomenal.
JunJun/Seph...what great friends and support. JunJun, more than anyone was the rock.
JunJun was beyond necessary with his bits of logic & just sheer common sense.
It subtracts sex, lust, the need to be physical, love triangles, & confusion.
It simply addresses real life emotions & events. Tugs at the heart.
A story told...hmm...coherently. Actors with chemistry who were passionate.
This movie should be included in the every BL list as a mainstay.
We should rewatch/revisit this title often as a reminder....

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Opposites attract and create very deep love stories

Strange strength is that of love that transcends the barrier of distance and time, mocks prejudices of all kinds and also manages to perpetuate itself in art as an inspiring paradigm for future generations.
But there are loves that break, in addition to social and temporal molds, those of carnality and logic. How, why, for what, are just the first questions in the face of the inevitable evidence of these powerful attractions.
We don't know if it's because of something in physics or chemistry, but it's no lie that opposites attract and create very deep love stories. Perhaps it is these differences that make them feel a strong attraction towards each other and, what's more, if they complement each other healthily, they will be able to have an almost perfect relationship for life.
However, patiently overcoming obstacles to get to that point will not be an easy task!
When a film becomes a mass phenomenon, regardless of whether or not it has its cinematographic values, it is because it touches some intimate fiber of that public that goes to the cinemas to enjoy it. 'To My Star The Movies', from 2021, proves the axiom.
Because? Its theme, which was evidently the driving force behind its success: the differences between the two characters, one of them a famous celebrity and the other an ordinary chef, in addition to telling about a homosexual relationship. Their lives will be shaken when one of them, who flees from the press and his followers after being involved in a media scandal, is forced to leave his comfort zone and will cross paths with someone who does not want to leave it.
The film, a compilation of the Korean BL drama of the same name, with some scenes added and others deleted or moved in the new editing, revolves around Kang Seo Joon (Son Woo Hyun), a famous free-spirited film and television celebrity who hides after being implicated in a public scandal. At his hideout he meets Han Ji Woo (Kim Kang Min), his new roommate, an introverted and conservative man who leads a modest and unpretentious life.
Forced into an uncomfortable situation, they begin to share their personal stories, fears, and dreams. Despite his fall from grace and not having started the relationship on the right foot, Seo Joon believes that his luck changes when he meets and falls in love with the boy who represents his antithesis. While they spend time together, between the actor and the chef, who move in two very different social spheres, a romance arises,
Seo Joon is not only famous at the peak of his career, playing the leads in hit dramas and television variety shows, as well as high-profile advertisements, he is also outgoing, extravagant and very charismatic. Accustomed to being the center of attention, his personality is pure magnetism that attracts other people to his presence; while Ji Woo, who always tries to go unnoticed and not experience any upheavals in his life, represents the humility and simplicity of a down-to-earth boy who prefers a quiet lifestyle with simple pleasures, such as cooking or hiking.
And against everything predictable, one falls in love with the other and what is worse... it is reciprocated.
The film, by director Hwang Da Seul, who took her time to weave the story, with the meticulousness that characterizes her, worked like a craftsman in her eagerness to recreate every detail on a topic that she is passionate about: boy love, as he did with two dramas: 'Where Your Eyes Linger' (2020) and 'Blueming' (2022), and the short film 'Inner Me'.
With a simple, but captivating and visually emotional plot, the novice filmmaker, recognized for her creative abilities, shows that it was no coincidence that she won the Award of Excellence at the V Catholic Film Festival for her 2018 short film 'Spring That Summer' .
To do so, it was based on Park Young's script about a romantic relationship between two initially heterosexual boys. The film exposes prejudices about homosexuality in Korean society and, above all, in the world of arts and culture, reflected by Jeon Jae Yeong (Kim Pil Hyun), Seo Joon's crisis and talent manager. , upon discovering the budding romance between the two protagonists, but later he will become an accomplice of the two lovers. The series also reflects the role of the media and social networks in the public's perception of youth idols.
Emotionally charged, 'To My Star The Movie' captures the essence of intimacy, vulnerability and unconditional solidarity within the queer community, with two young people navigating their gender identity and cultural background as its narrative heroes. Through an under-researched focus on BL storytelling and powerful performances, the series explores the complexities of human connection and challenges conventional notions of love and intimacy.
The chemistry between the actors is palpable, allowing the depth of their relationship to shine on screen. As the story unfolds, their interactions are conveyed through silence, abstract soundscapes, and textured cuts, creating a captivating visual experience that immerses the audience in their emotional journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
With good intentions, successful gags and sharp dialogues, the film immerses us in the relationship between two young people that, due to misunderstandings, does not start well, but as they live in the same apartment and enjoy cozy and intimate moments together, they will open their hearts.
Since Freud we know that sexuality develops together with subjectivity. It has to do with the pleasure that can be experienced in the body from the bonds built with another.
This reality does not escape the director. While they got to know each other, See Joon and Ji Woo began to learn to enjoy themselves and each other, that experience that shapes our relationship with pleasure, that of each one of them and that which we share.
Soon Woo-Hyun, the actor who plays See Joon, and who worked with the director in the short 'You Ghosted Me for a Week', from 2021, is usually worried about work and the mess in which he finds himself involved, But he tries his best to spend time with Ji Woo.
This, despite the seriousness of his character and overwhelmed by the presence of a being as overwhelming as his roommate, is the first to fall in love. The way he initially puts up a wall of protection around himself in front of the other, the glances he steals from Seo Joon, the intonation of his voice and the strange blink when he doesn't quite know how to act when Seo Joon moves next to him. around him, his facial expressions, his gestures, his entire body, express that he likes it. However, he is cautious, as he suffers from disappointment in love in the past and does not want to be hurt again.
Kim Kang Min, the actor who plays the character of Ji Woo, and whom we know from his debut in 2019 with the SBS series 'Stove League', unlike the famous Seo Joon, lives with his back to the world of celebrities. Employed in his friend's cafe, he is actually a talented chef, but his culinary skills are not shown to the public of large hotels and luxury restaurants.
Pretending to get along with the roommate, Seo Joon insists on befriending Ji Woo and spending time together. Those beings with two very different personalities will little by little get to know each other and enjoy each other's company.
As the days go by, the camera captures the moments of the two boys getting closer. Through silence, abstract soundscapes and textured cuts, the intimacy between Seo Joon and Ji Woo is conveyed in a visually striking way, resulting in genuine and authentic performances that resonate with audiences.
Although it does nothing new or innovative with the premise, the diversity of conflicts they face, their psychological complexities, and the emotional evolution of the characters, add layers to the narrative and weave an intriguing web that keeps viewers in suspense.
'To My Star' explores the idea that true intimacy can be found in the simplicity of sleeping next to someone, in sharing those small moments and spaces of everyday life, transcending the physical act of sex, even if it is artistically fine. recreated, shown.
The film challenges social norms and invites the viewer to question their own perceptions of intimacy and love, while presenting a snapshot of the complexity, tenderness and vulnerability that people experience in unconventional circumstances, such as living together and the relationship between people from two different worlds.
The direction and cinematography contribute to its artistic and visually appealing quality. The deliberate use of images and narrative style create an atmosphere that demands the viewer's attention and encourages introspection and invites reflection.
With a fairy tale ending and a clear resolution for its characters, 'To My Star' successfully captures the beauty and power of love, and serves as a reminder that true intimacy can be found in unexpected places and that love transcends social expectations.
With the final credits, I was able to conclude that I was looking at an audiovisual full of conceptual proposals related to gender identity, personal and social psychology, and the configuration of individual and collective destinies, in a country where today LGBT+ people continue to be discriminated against, and whose paths today, in the 21st century, cannot end up united in a marital alliance, as the refusal to legalize marriage between people of the same sex by a conservative society persists.
In this sense, the series contributes to the struggle of the members of that community in the defense of their trampled rights.

Note: The review of the series of the same name can be found, in MDL, on the page dedicated to the series on the platform.

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"You'll see me in your dreams tonight"

Days of Being Wild showed what lengths broken people would go to in order to find the object of their desire. Time, whether it hastened by too quickly or dragged like a cement block, tethered the characters to their obsessions. Everyone had a myopic gaze of life and much of it revolved around a self-obsessed rebel.

Yuddy had a habit of seducing women and then breaking their hearts. Raised by a sex worker, he desperately wanted to know who his biological mother was. Rebecca had told him his mother was a Filipino noblewoman who had paid her to raise him. Mom really put a lot of thought into that one, didn’t she? Yuddy seduced Su Li Zhen who ran a snack stand and box office by having her look at his watch for a minute. One minute before 3:00 was to be burned in their minds on that date. Their relationship flared and flamed out when Li Zhen realized he would never marry her. Before he could change the sheets on his bed, he’d seduced exotic dancer Mimi.

Women were obsessed with Yuddy---Li Zhen, Mimi, and even his adoptive mother Rebecca. And I never could figure out why. He thought only about himself and constantly told them what they could and couldn’t say. He must have been one hell of a lover to make them lose their dignity and hearts over him. Young love is often messy and impulsive with heavy doses of heartache and drama but it was hard to understand why these women found him so irresistible. How desperate for love, sex, and/or companionship they must have been. Loneliness can be a harsh mistress.

Yuddy often compared himself to a bird with no legs who had to keep flying when in reality the bird had been dead all along. The story lost steam when he left Hong Kong to find his mother in the Philippines. Without the women he seemed even more like a loser with no job, no family, and on a headlong journey to disaster.

Much of the background noise was the chiming and ticking of clocks. “I used to think a minute could pass so quickly, but actually, it can take forever,” Li Zhen told the young policeman named Tide. Later Yuddy would tell Tide, “Life really isn’t that long.” For the heartbroken, the nights took forever to pass. For a young man who made a reckless decision, it passed all too quickly and that minute would be seared in his memory.

The cast was stellar. Leslie Cheung gave Yuddy a primal movement that even the corny pickup line of, “You’ll see me in your dreams tonight” made women thirsty for him. Maggie was gorgeous but other than standing or walking around looking anguished with her hair in her eyes had little to do. Carina Lau as Mimi chewed up the scenery as the brash cabaret dancer in love with Yuddy. Andy Lau, like Maggie, was underused until the final chapter. The dark, subdued lighting and greens and golds were reminiscent of In the Mood for Love, as well as the final character revealed.

Perhaps because the actors seemed too old to be so foolhardy, I found the characters difficult to connect with and care about. The despondent mood was as dreary as the rain soaked streets the characters wandered through. Days of Being Wild was beautifully shot, lit, and composed and while mesmerizing to look at, it left me feeling empty afterward.

28 February 2024

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Masterpieces that enchant and amaze.

Class differences and deep obsession take center stage in Lee Chang-dong's dense Burning. One of 2018's masterpieces that is both shocking and fascinating.

"Everything is very uncertain and that is exactly what is so reassuring". That's what the character Tootiki said in the book Moomins and the Winter Wonderland, one of the most well-known Moomin books. And that phrase can absolutely be applied to Lee Chang-dong's film Burning with the slight change that it is not soothing but rather "magical".

When the Korean director returns to the big screen for the first time in 8 years after the fantastic Poetry, he has based the story on Haruki Murakami's short story Elephant Vanishes, but the film stands entirely on its own in the surprising plot.

In the beginning, we get to meet Jong-soo (Yoo Ah-in), a young man with a violent father who has to take care of their farm. Jong-soo himself is more interested in writing, but is hindered by his economic worker background. One day he runs into his childhood friend Hae-mi (Jun Jong-seo). They start hanging out and Jong-soo quickly falls in love with her, but when she goes to Africa for two weeks, things change.

When Hae-mi comes home, she has met Ben (Steven Yeun from The Walking Dead), a rich and well-to-do young man who lives in a lavish apartment and drives an expensive car. The trio begins to hang out, but after a long evening outside Jong-soo's house, unexpected and fiery desires are revealed and the plot suddenly takes a completely unexpected turn that makes Burning a fascinating mystery.

Lee works as usual with long takes, a 10-minute dance at a sunset is one of the closest visual poetry you can get, and portrays the contrasts in Jong-soo's and Ben's lives through both subtle and clear scenes. The film requires you to accept that it takes a while to get into Lee's naturalistic grasp, but once you do, you can't take your eyes off the screen.

The second part of the film, which becomes a kind of existential riddle, is absolutely fantastic. You have no idea how it will end, but the feeling of discomfort and uncertainty is palpable. What actually happened? Was the cat that Hae-mi wanted Jong-soo to take care of really exist? Who is Ben? When will his cravings strike next? The questions are many and not all will necessarily be answered, but Lee relies on the audience's intelligence to be swept up in the plot more than to analyze it.

The actors are excellent in their roles, the film is technically well-made with well-chosen music and the sound contributes to the tight atmosphere. Burning is simply fantastic on every level. A film that, like life itself, happens before your eyes and then refuses to let go when it's over. Like a passionate burn that never leaves your skin.

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A TRUE MASTERPIECE

Rating: 10000000+/10

I'm just going to start with the characters first. Every single actor in this movie has been incredible. Top tier acting.

Khem - He is freaking beautiful. He is so majestic when he dances. You can see the passion he has towards his craft. He is such a strong character, doesn't take shit from anyone, and despite everything he went through, he is so kind to those around him. I was absolutely shattered when I saw him crying in front of the mirror. Just wanted to reach out and hold him. Also, I absolutely love the way he was so happy and free with Chat. Small kindness was enough to earn his trust and loyalty. Apo, as always, is an outstanding actor. He uses his whole body to act, and it is beautiful to watch.

Chatra - I thought he would be serious, but he was so funny and lovable, and also so kind, and the way he subtly threatens people is so hot. He was so powerful and smart, but the way he broke down when he learned about his father was heartbreaking as hell. He is such an interesting character. The way he was ready to give up everything so Khem could get his freedom, too. So romantic. In the end, when he puts on his noble outfit, he is so freaking handsome. Khun Chatra, my gosh. Mile did an incredible job at portraying Chatra. The way he acts through his eyes is magnificent.

Wan - this character seems so naive but holds so much pain in him. He has a dark past, and the constant ears rubbing and ptsd he goes through just make me want to jump into the screen and hug him. The ending surprised me, but he went through so much. I could see how that affected him. Bas is a superb actor! I was stunned by his portrayal of Wan.

Hong - he was a surprising character for me. I thought he was just a rich son getting ready to take over but naive and clueless. But my god, I loved his character. He is so smart and intuitive. I absolutely loved the little twist they had for his character. Tong killed it! Amazing acting.

All the other characters were so interesting and had a story to tell. The villains were very much villaining. Got the creeps from most of them. Actors did an amazing job at portraying them.

The plot was quite engaging. It had the appropriate balance of comedy, mystery, drama, and light romance. I literally held my breath the entire time. I just wanted to know what would happen next.

The cinematography is top tier! With stunning lighting, gorgeous imagery, and beautiful aesthetics, it really took us to the world of ManSuang.

I am definitely going to watch it a bunch of times to absorb all the details I missed. But this was such a beautiful movie, and you can clearly see the hard work and passion that went into creating this masterpiece 👏

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What makes a father?

New York Film Festival 2013 - Beautiful and fragile about a family in the midst of an enormous tragedy, from Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda - Previously, among other things, Guldbag-nominated in 2006 for Nobody Knows.

What makes a man a father? Is it the biological bond with one's children or is it the time he spends with them, the games, the laughter, the comfort? It was this question that Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda wanted to explore when he wrote the screenplay and then made the movie Like Father, Like Son. Partly because the sense of parenthood did not come as naturally to himself as it seemed to do to his wife.

It is, of course, extremely unusual, but it has certainly happened that children have been confused at birth and the parents come home with the wrong baby. At least in the days when children's names were written on their feet with a marker, as one of the doctors says in the film. But what happens if it is discovered through a blood test that the child has already reached 6 years old.

This affects the career man Ryota and his wife Midorino. The son Keita turns out to be biologically someone else's and their biological son has instead grown up with Yukari and Yudai. Crisis - Of course! I don't know if there is a certain cultural difference between our approach and the Japanese or if cinematic liberties have been taken to move the plot forward, but according to the hospital, almost all parents who were previously affected have chosen to switch children.

The only one of the parents who seems convinced that it's the right way is Ryota. Success is important to him and Keita hasn't quite shown the progress he was hoping for. Maybe it's because the two don't share the same DNA? Ryota has also worked a lot during his son's upbringing and has not spent the time required to form the strong father-son bond that his wife has. At least he thinks so.

Despite the hint of science fiction over the story, there is nothing artificial in the way it is presented. The tone is downright serious and the emotions displayed are naked and fragile, without the slightest hint of exaggeration. The actors portray a family in the midst of a tragedy where none of the choices they can make turn out to be right. And it is above all Ryota who gets the opportunity to develop and discover what kind of father he wants to be.

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A story about a distant place, where you go to get away

It has a slow pace a quiet, somber undertone. I really liked it. Maybe because it felt all too relatable, living in a very small town in the countryside. Being queer. The cinematography was amazing, and no overbearing music. Like you really got to immerse yourself in the silence and the scene. If you are a person who needs action, this is probably not for you. This movie has long scenes with lots of silence. It feels very real, as if you're really there.

I like how the directors trust the audience to read between the lines. The movie is aimed towards an older audience not for it's explicit content, but for it's mature and collected framing of the story and dialogue. There is no excessive exposition or any unnatural sounding dialogue, where the characters state things simply for the audience to know - not because it's natural for them to say that.

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i love it

New plot and I love it!
At the beginning of the story, I was really surprised because the departure process of the rocket was so short, even until the scene when the other two astronauts were thrown into space, I was really surprised because this was not even half of the movie.

I saw this movie without reading any synopsis or trailers, and I didn't even know this movie existed. I was just scrolling through viu and found this movie. So I really didn't expect that the storyline would make D.O the only surviving astronaut.

The storyline is new or I don't know if there's a movie with a similar plot like this. But it was interesting because it was fast-paced with a lot of things happening so it wasn't boring.

It does lack depth in the end, which is a criticism for the movie, but at the end the movie was still good and made me cry.

I like the climax of the movie, every scene always brings hope and then conflict occurs again. So it's not at all predictable what will happen next. I liked the acting of all the actors, they played their roles very well.

For some things in the movie I didn't understand a bit, but I enjoyed the movie. Especially the ending which was so warm.

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a captivating journey of love, friendship, and the bitter taste of betrayal

"Love, Lies" intricately weaves a tale of love and betrayal against the backdrop of 1943 Seoul, delving into the complexities of friendship and the bitter sting of deception. Jeon Soo-yeon's (JSY) compelling performance draws empathy as her best friend, portrayed by Song Yeon-hee (SYH), not only steals the spotlight but also the man JSY introduced to her. As the narrative unfolds, we witness the emotional wreckage caused by Kim Yeon-woo (KYW), a man entangled in the web of deceit and commitment issues.

The movie brilliantly captures the essence of its title, portraying love as a delicate web of lies. The stellar cast delivers powerful performances, enhancing the emotional depth of the story. The OST, featuring both traditional and pop songs, adds a hauntingly beautiful dimension to the film. "Love, Lies" is a poignant exploration of love's illusions, leaving audiences reflective on the profound impact of lies, jealousy, and broken hearts in the intricate dance of relationships.

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