The Action Movie Made in China, not as Hong Kong Action Movie
It was hard to get this movie when you’re living outside mainland china! I need intense browsing whishing someone upload it before I found it few weeks ago.First, if you love something romantic, sentimental, good looking ML & FL, rich with all modern things china have nowadays, then I’m sure this movie it isn’t for you. On the contrary, if you like realistic, real life, daily routine ordinary peoples with all of their struggle live, so this movie worth watching.
Second, you must change your view and have in mind, the movie happened in the developing country China around 90’s, when there was no handphone, internet connection, private luxurious car and all modern things as nowadays. As normally communism countries before 2000, not too open, bit close from outside world, bit slow in the industrial development and etc, so did China. That is why I like this movie because it also contain bit of historical things.
The story told about a young policeman Bi Zhengming (Wang Anyu) whom become policeman coz his experience in his youth when he saw the pickpocket occupied daily train in china that almost cost his life, how they operating to steal and avoid got catch by policeman. Later he become obsessed to liquidate the pickpocket gangster, no matter it have cost his leg. With his chief mentor in the police department, he did undercover and join in the small pickpocket gang which the chief girl named Da Baitao (Zhang Tian Ai), to learn their trick and skill. Bi Zhengming did everything to create steady and safety public area and transport, especially in the train. It cost a lot of effort, money and also life.
The director successfully transferred the real operation of pickpocket in developing countries at 90’s into a movie. Collaboration, structural, managerial such a corporate organization. Each bunch having their own chief, their own area territory that cant be trespassing by others, their own operation method that could be harsh and cruel for the victim, but also each bunch must respect each others. In 70’s – 90’s era, it was the era of big gangster occupied country such as Mafia in Italy, Yakuza in Japan, Triad in Hong Kong, Kartel in Mexico/Brazil and so on. As normally a gangster, they have godfather, the mighty highest leader that chosen by each chief of bunch. So did what also in this story, even just bunch of pickpocket, they also have a godfather.
This movie was rich of characters development, Bi Zhengming with his chief mentor whom always support him, his opposed mother whom prefer him to be a cloth seller than a policeman (especially after it cost his leg), Da Baitao pickpocket girl who has felling for him (that of course will never happen coz in in the real life, it bit impossible that a policeman married ex pickpocket girl – realistic). She also have her own issue with her biological mother whom also ex part of pickpocket, and how she beg Bi Zhengming to give chance a better life for her best friend (the deafmute pickpocket) after he serve his punishment, in where Bi Zhengming fully agreed. The cruel pickpocket whom obsessed to be a godfather and did everything to make it come true, base also on his youth experience. How one bunch tried to be a biggest and superior one that normal happen in the gangster world. The differences and similarity performance and enforcement between police department and gangster club. I would say, must give big appreciation to the director to do such a rich story for just a 2hrs movie, and especially coz it is a low – moderate budget movie.
I like Wang Anyu in this movie, he didn’t care at all his visual, very contrary as normally see him deadly handsome, clean, attractive, charming prince and so on. I’m sure he can do more (come on Anyu, don’t hold your talent!). Zhang Tian Ai did good job, witty, cheerful, smart ass pickpocket girl. The antagonist ambitious pickpocket, enemy of Bi Zhengming also did good job, he damn cold blooded, cruel one without emotion.
The cinematography is quite good, old fashioned train, crowded, not clean enough station and road (normal in the developing countries in 90’s era), pager and public phone (instead of handphone), and other 90’s look like. Even I doubt that it was look like that exactly coz it seems in the movie look bit modern than reality, some scene miss there and here (not much), but is ok anyway. Need bigger budget to do exactly as reality
What I don’t like most in this movie is the title, OMG why oh why always have name there? It is a movie, should be something more mean, like “Railroad Journey” or “The Bunch” for example. The opening would be more interesting if begun with bullet train journey then slowly year by year back to the 90’s train. In the end, I do like that kind of movie, realistic life, emotion of each character, very realistic romance, and Wang Any in different character and outlook!
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For a debut project it's okay
While watching this film, the story was great but the portrayal was lacking a bit and I found the acting to be lacking. However, I really liked the color grading, which had a bluish and gloomy tone, probably because I love blue hues. The background music was good as well. Congratulations to everyone involved, both in front of and behind the camera, for this project.Was this review helpful to you?
Made me cry
I really enjoyed and it actually made me cry a lot, despite the story not really doing anything new when you really boil down the plot points.Some of the humor doesn't quite land (especially towards the beginning where it's focused on the villagers) and I wish we got more steady, slower development between the king and the warden, but ultimately I think the actors gave great performances and sold the emotions.
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simple but cute romance story
I really enjoyed watching it. The plot felt outstandingly unique, which makes sense since it’s a short film. The moments were really cute and wholesome, and it was just a fun experience overall. I’m really glad I watched it, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something sweet and different!!Was this review helpful to you?
My March Recommendation movie
Watched this for my Recommendation Challenge from 𝑮𝒓𝒖𝒎𝒑𝒚 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉. Let’s talk movie…Jin-seok moves into a new home with his family, including his idolized older brother, Yoo-seok. One rainy night, Jin-seok witnesses Yoo-seok being kidnapped by a group of men. After 19 days of silence, Yoo-seok suddenly returns home, but he has no memory of the abduction.
As the days pass, Jin-seok begins to notice strange inconsistencies in his brother’s behavior. The once-kind and perfect Yoo-seok now seems like a different person entirely. At the same time, Jin-seok starts hearing mysterious scratching sounds coming from a locked room in their new house—a room the previous owner warned them never to enter.
Plagued by auditory hallucinations and mounting paranoia, Jin-seok begins to shadow his brother, only to uncover a dark truth that challenges his own sanity and the reality of his family.
From this moment on, the story spirals into a series of psychological twists, revealing that the kidnapping and the "new" house are all part of a much larger, tragic mystery involving a forgotten past.
That's pretty much the story without giving anymore spoilers.
Overall this movie really is not to my taste. At first I thought this was a horror movie, and if not for the challenge's sake, I already dropped it from the first 10-15 minutes.
Later it also bothered me with the plot twist & the ending. I really hope for something better for the ending.
But apart from all of that… This movie is a really good one. It got all the right vibe for thriller, the good acting from all the important actor/ess
If you're a fan of plot twists & a good thriller movie, you can try this…
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Blades, Brotherhood, and Haunted Loyalties
I really loved this. The premise and the action scenes—of which there were many—were especially compelling. The story follows three palace assassins who are constantly engaged in battle. So if you're into sword-fighting and footwork, this might be a win for you. At the same time, the storyline's tone is both human and haunting, as it explores themes of regret, conflicting loyalties, and parallel lives. It also delves into a deep sense of brotherhood between the men, whose bond is stronger than themselves.Was this review helpful to you?
A School Project
Seen it but we cannot rate and update.Unfortunately it’s a very bad, amateurish production. The story is simple : the new school girl felt for a classmate that is came back as the same time and they discovered they have been pen pals for years.
So many issues in all departments.
The Cinematography was bad. The colours were very strange, grayish and uneven we could see in one scene the switch of camera as they hadn’t the same quality. It was unstable and warbling. The angles weren’t all justified and some choices felt cheesy. Random close-ups, uncentered captures…
The editing didn’t really make sense. Some sequences felt like a music video clip. And time felt also like very conceptual. Some sequences literally look like PowerPoint animations.
Sound wasn’t great. The sound team didn’t think of micing the poor girl when she stand up on the front so her mic was visible.
The young woman cannot act. She needs to learn to control her facial muscles, she had some involuntary contractions on
the upper lips that made so many
emotions not genuine (nasal and
procerus muscles). But normally those contractions come when we are displeased so it didn’t make sense. She had some pronunciation
issues, surely due to an un-warmed mouth and her voices when she was
supposed to be mad was out of control
too. I cannot believe she wasn’t ask to do it again or why they picked up that take as that scene was
very bad. We can’t hear when a vocalist cannot hit the note with acting it’s the same, out of pitch is audible.
Brandon seemed to have opted for downplaying the emotions…I am central-European so I have a bias we are more comfortable with downplaying than overplaying. But he still lacked a bit of
energy. He wasn’t fully in control of his
body, sometimes the way he stood felt awkward (body wasn’t oriented to the girl when he was speaking and looking at her in the classroom towards the end, his feet were pointing at to the door…usually it means don’t care what you are saying, cannot wait to be out of that situation)
The biggest problem was with the writer the storyline was bad and cliché. It felt forced as if it was needed to put so many over-used storylines. Poor woman forced to be a star to save her family. The school contest. Poor girl who cannot afford lunch…The way they become friends doesn’t feel organic. The way she discovered the letter totally unrealistic. Do you start looking in stuff when you are at someone’s else place? No. The undressing scene came out of nowhere. Do you suddenly undressed when you are 16-18 when there is a guest from the opposite sex in your home? No. But mostly the dialogues felt ridiculous, long, unrealistic and not sincere. They felt off. Teenagers don’t speak like that.
I was surprised that it’s fully in English and no Korean version available. That production felt American trying to imitate kdrama. Is it really an Asian production? Does this
project really belong to MDL?
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This review may contain spoilers
Characters and Romance Fell Flat for Me
My rating 7.5/10That Kind of Love** (2024) is a light-hearted Filipino romantic comedy that delivers the classic rom-com formula, adversarial at first, slow warming, then growing feelings. It stars Barbie Forteza and David Licauco (the reputed popular "BarDa" pairing) in their first film together. The premise— a dating coach helping a skeptical, high-standards guy find love—sets up plenty of banter, growth, and opportunity for heartwarming moments. There are beautiful visuals, some humor, and a focus on an imperfect people learning about relationships.
It's entertaining and the couple had potential but the characters felt a little flat to me. The chemistry is there, but the relationship dynamics sometimes came off as lukewarm, especially in the middle when the attraction is obvious yet the push toward other matches drags on a bit and gets repetitive. It still works as a solid, easy-watch rom-com, especially if you love the leads, but it didn't quite hit the emotional highs I wanted for a truly captivating love story.
Spoilers
This par is supposed to be an exciting rom com match up but I just didn't feel it. Mila comes across as overly rigid and too quick to step back or sacrifice her own feelings, which made it harder to fully invest in the romance. Adam seems too open to other options at times, and their emotional stakes didn't always feel intense—there were moments of separation where the heartbreak felt muted rather than gut-wrenching.
The film's emotional core revolves around Mila (Milagros "Mila" Maharlika) falling for Adam while she's supposed to be matchmaking him, but her rigid professionalism and self-sacrificing nature lead her to keep pushing him toward Sofia (often called Sophie in casual talk), even as her feelings grow obvious. She sheds a few tears and shows quiet hurt during their temporary separations, but neither she nor Adam appears truly heartbroken or devastated when apart—Adam pursues Sofia seriously enough that it feels like he could have settled there, and Mila is too willing to let him go without a big fight for what she wants. This makes the romance feel lukewarm and less passionate than it could be; the "will-they-won't-they" stretches too long with her still coaching him toward others despite clear mutual attraction. In the end, they realize their feelings and come together for a happy resolution, but the lack of deeper emotional intensity (like more raw heartbreak or urgency) left me wanting more fire in their connection.
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When survival is the only thing that matters
Better Days hit me much harder than I expected. What starts as a story about school bullying slowly becomes something much heavier — a look at how lonely and brutal adolescence can be when the system around you only cares about results.Chen Nian and Xiao Bei feel incredibly real as characters. Neither of them are perfect, but that’s exactly what makes their bond so powerful. They’re just two kids trying to survive in a world that has already given up on them.
The film is quiet, intense, and emotionally exhausting in the best way. By the end I didn’t just feel sad — I felt like I had witnessed something painfully honest about growing up.
Definitely one of the most moving films I’ve watched in a long time.
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Not what I expected, but in the best way possible. Kokuho is truly stunning.
I went into Kokuho thinking it might feel similar to Farewell My Concubine, but it actually turned out to be a completely different experience.While both stories revolve around traditional performance arts and the lives of performers, Kokuho has its own unique tone and emotional depth. Instead of trying to imitate that classic film, it focuses more on the dedication, discipline, and quiet struggles behind the stage. The world it portrays feels intimate and intense at the same time.
What impressed me the most was how powerful and beautifully crafted the film is. The performances, the atmosphere, and the storytelling all come together to create something truly captivating. It’s the kind of movie that pulls you into its world and makes you appreciate the artistry behind every moment on stage.
I expected something similar to Farewell My Concubine, but Kokuho surprised me in the best possible way. It’s absolutely brilliant and definitely worth watching.
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most beautiful lead pairing
The chemistry is off the charts and the direction is stunning. Every frame of the cinematography feels like a portrait, and the plot hits perfectly. Every fight scene? Chef’s kiss. They are truly meant to be; the emotional depth is so raw I was crying right along with her. This puts every "bad boy x good girl" trope to shame. It’s officially my favorite film ever. Seriously, stop what you’re doing and JUST WATCH IT! You won’t regret witnessing this absolute masterpiece. SERIOUSLY!!!Andy lau did his big one with that tux scene oh my gwashhhhhhhhh!
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The Plot
The film tells the story of Shenba, a young woman from a small village in Tamil Nadu (India) who is obsessed with K-dramas. She finally manages to travel to Seoul with her boyfriend, but things go wrong and she ends up alone, penniless, and unable to understand the language. The film focuses on her journey of survival and self-discovery.
Positive Points
Priyanka Mohan's Performance: She delivers a sincere performance, avoiding the stereotype of the "crazy fan" and showing the real vulnerability of being lost abroad.
Cultural Connection: The film delicately explores the linguistic and cultural similarities between the Tamil and Korean people.
Visuals: Seoul is filmed in a cozy way, focusing on alleyways and local restaurants instead of just tourist spots.
Negative Points
Predictable Plot: The structure is very reminiscent of the Indian film Queen (2014). Some solutions to the protagonist's problems seem too easy.
Pacting: The second half of the film rushes a bit with the development of the Korean secondary characters.
Verdict: A feel-good, sweet, and visually beautiful film, but one that doesn't take many risks.
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broke my heart
i did not expect the plot twist. i did knew it was a sad movie, but not THIS sad. was practically drowning with tears by the end of the show so be warned. i don't think i'll ever move on from how heartbreaking it is. both the ml and fl is so dear to me i love how soft they are together. three gerberas. I can't remember much of the story because my brain has blocked it because of the sadness lol.. What i do remember, It is a hauntingly beautiful and devastating love story. I wish they had more moments together...Was this review helpful to you?
It's shocking that it's based on a true story...
The film was so good, but also so shocking. I was in tears so often. I only recommend this film if you can handle disturbing content like sexual abuse. The acting and casting were incredibly good. The film is also very realistic, as it shows what a shitty, unfair world we live in. I think films like these are really important. I heard that the police reopened the real case because of this film, and that more people became aware of it.Great film, but not for the faint of heart.Gong Yoo's films/series never disappoint. 10/10
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Rewatched after nine years !
I first watched Detective Chinatown nine years ago, and recently decided to rewatch it. Even after all this time, it’s still the most memorable film in the Detective Chinatown series for me.Personally, I still feel like the sequels never quite lived up to the first movie. In fact, I can barely remember the storylines or even the antagonists from the later films anymore. But the first movie? I still remember it clearly.
One of the reasons is the main antagonist. The performance by Zhang Zifeng really left an impression on me. Her role added a chilling layer to the story that made the ending especially memorable.
Of course, the film isn’t perfect. There are quite a few cringe moments throughout the movie, especially in some of the comedy scenes. But despite that, it remains a very entertaining film within the crime genre.
Overall, Detective Chinatown is still a fun and engaging crime movie that sticks in your memory, even years after watching it.
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