Reviews

"The path of the sword is the path of hell"

Samurai Reincarnation was a campy, creepy samurai revenge film set after the annihilation of Christians during the Tokugawa Shogunate. Historical figures were tempted to reincarnate by naming their grudges or regrets.

After 37,000 Christians are killed, Christian Amakusa Shiro renounces his god and makes a deal with the devil. He sets out and recruits the dead and the dying turning them into “devils”: Lady Hosokawa, Miyamoto Musashi, Iga no Kirimaru, and Hozoin Inshun. They immediately begin carving out their path of vengeful deaths and destruction. All that stands between them and burning Japan to the ground is the dying Yagyū Tajimanokami Munenori and his son Jubei.

The first forty minutes were a chore to get through as Shiro set about convincing different characters to join his devilish clan. Then Big Daddy Yagyu enters (53 minutes), played by "Lone Wolf and Cub" and "Zatoichi’s" Wakayama Tomisaburo, changing the balance and the stakes. Sonny Chiba’s Jubei finally fully joined the film after an hour. At that point, the story became more exciting and engaging with someone to stand against the devils. He certainly looked like a devilish manga character with his wild ponytail, blocky eyepatch, and shiny black costume. All he needed was a ghost killing sword---which sent him to another historical character. Sanada Hiroyuki’s ninja who maintained his humanity had a side story that like Star Trek’s famous hallway signs went nowhere and did nothing. I was really hoping for more from this character.

There were several nice fights, one was reminiscent of Mifune Toshiro’s beach battle in "Duel at Ganryu Island". Kirimaru’s attic fight was quick and exciting. But the most memorable took place in the burning palace between father and son, quite a spectacle for 1981.

Samurai Reincarnation was a bizarre vengeful horror film featuring historical figures led astray by their regrets and grudges. The rapist monk, seriously, this was a terrible time with sexploitation, was the vilest of all of the villains. Two of the recently deceased wanted to live again, even sign on with hell just for the chance to duel their rivals. They came across as terribly prideful and shallow. The one devil whose motivation I could understand was Shiro’s. He was determined to burn the Shogunate to the ground and bring on the chaos for the Christians killed and his anger at God and the nobility. Given the nobility’s corrupt and predatory practices aimed at the peasants, it was hard to root against him. But it’s always the peasants who pay whenever people in power decide it’s time to destroy whoever stands in their way. Did Jubei’s actions make life better for them? Maybe not, but he was entertaining.

14 March 2026
Triggers: Sexual assault, sexual situations, and nudity (mostly breasts and female derrieres). Heads split open. Numerous heads on spikes. Crucifixions.

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General Thoughts

I'm not going to lie, I have seen the cover of this show so many times on Netflix and just skipped over it because I saw it was a movie. I literally said in my head, how can a 2hr long movie capture emotional depth, humor, and romance in the way that dramas do? Well, today, I decided to sit down and just watch it. Boy, let me tell you, was I impressed. Now, was this the best thing I've ever watched? No. But was it good enough that it left an impact and I'm glad I watched it, yes.

Because it's 2 hours long, there are not many big comments I have, but first off, I just love the male lead. He is such a green flag and always supported the female lead from the first day that they met. I love how relatable this movie is regarding our childhood and youth. There are going to be ups and downs with school, family, and friends. This movie encompasses many struggles that we may go through, but also the good times that we all go through as well. I loved how the symbol of her hair being something that restricted her freedom and beauty turned into a symbol of her personality, boldness, and character. That is all due to the ML. He never once made her feel uncomfortable or feel like she has to change her hair for him. That is the best part about him, he just makes her feel at ease. A lot of the times, we romanticize relationships into being something so exciting and heartthrobbing. Now, don't get me wrong, it can be, however it can also be something so simple. This is exactly how Love Untangled portrayed relationships and I loved it. There was no miscommunication, just simple navigation through the early stages of a first love.

Side note, another symbol that I resonated with a lot was the paper cranes. At first, the FL made them for someone else she liked and the ML helped her with that. However, once the big confession came, the ML ended up making a whole jar for the FL herself. That kind of exchange truly shows the understanding and comfort that they bring each other. Also, I'm a little bit impartial because I love making paper stars, so hey, maybe one day.

No, but the only critique that I have to add is that the ending did feel a little rushed. I wished we would've got to see more depth into the struggles with the ML and his family. Then, all the time that he was gone, we got none of those scenes. Only when he came back, did we understand that they ended up together.

Last side note, I realized that like all youth dramas will have some type of beach scene with some type of friend group. Is this like a common symbol or setting used in all dramas or is it just one big coincidence? And for some reason, the beach scene usually happens to be in the winter which is kind of counterintuitive.

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Dark Subject Matter but Well Played

I give this movie a 9/10 not because it has any flaw that detracts but mainly, for me, I am not as big of fan of movies that portray the darker aspects of life. It's technically very well-made and does an excellent job portraying the harsh realities of someone forced to flee their country and live illegally in another—especially in an extreme case like a North Korean defector's. Refugees, before they have legal status, inevitably end up dealing with the most undesirable elements of society because of the undocumented status, and the film captures that grim truth without sugarcoating it. It's dark and a little depressing, but that's the reality—there are some very dark and depressing things in this world.

I enjoyed watching it. Would recommend to those that like dramas that expose a harsh reality in life with a romantic element. I wouldn't say it is a romance per se, the focus i not on that for a large portion of the movie, but more a slice of a really difficult lens of life.

Spoilers

The acting is strong across the board; everyone plays their roles convincingly. I was pleasantly surprised by the actors that played the locals in Brussels—the European actors in Asian productions are often B-grade or worse, but these felt like solid, capable performers.

The story really sticks with you. Things such as when Marie was looking at Loh Kiwan's scars and he said he got some of them from carrying razor blades because the place they left was so bad they would rather die than return was haunting and powerful. They do not need to show you what their life was like in North Korea to understand it was extremely bad.

Her life isn't much better. Somewhat of her own making just having extreme grief from the horrible way she lost her mother. So, she is also dwelling in the underground, crime ridden, layer of society. And that is how they meet. She is dealing with her life by being reckless and almost inviting something bad to happen. Through it all, Loh Kiwan and Marie stay good people at their core. She wasn't necessarily doing the best things when he met her, but he sort of brought her back to herself. Although he met her when she stole his wallet, he could see that goodness in her still and it was very heartwarming. The film showed, in many aspects, this realistic range of how people handle such difficulties—for example, the lady with kids (Seon-ju) who stole the meat. Loh Kiwan lectures her at first but then understands her desperation. And he even sees her point, that they aren't getting paid enough to even buy food, so it is survival. It's disappointing when she lies and says he isn't North Korean, but given the circumstances, it makes sense—and she truly redeems herself by finding proof about his mother.

I loved how Marie's dad comes to see that Loh Kiwan is really a great guy. I just wish we'd had a bit more time with their reunion. The romance is beautifully done; I really wanted the best for these two after the incredibly hard lives they'd both led.

I was a little disappointed in the end just because it was brief, and hard to determine where they were. It's not entirely clear what country they're in during the final scenes or exactly how it allows him to come and go freely (it might be the USA based on some interpretations, but the film keeps it ambiguous—likely a place where his refugee status enables more mobility).

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Challenge of the Masters was Gordon Liu’s first take on the famous Wong Fei Hung. This time WFH was an obnoxious young man whose father refused to train him to fight. He made trouble all over town until a stranger helped facilitate a teacher for him.

Wong Fei Hung’s friends all train with Master Lin. His father refuses to let him train because his temper is too uncontrolled. During the yearly firecracker contest, Master Pang’s students cheat and fight dirty to defeat Lin’s students. Officer Chuan Wing is hunting a thief and murderer who uses a lethal kick. During one of WFH’s many skirmishes around town he thinks he met the thief who resides at the Pang school. Chuan Wing convinces Master Lu Ah Tsai who had trained WFH’s dad to train the son as well. The cocky new student and teacher travel north to train for two years.

This version of WFH was insufferable. I kept hoping the arrogant toddler would get his butt handed to him over and over. Even with his new sifu he was hot headed and ready to fight at the drop of a hat. Maybe that would have been okay if the fights were good. There were really only two fights. Lau Kar Leung vs Lau Kar Wing and later Lau Kar Leung vs. Gordon Liu. Sadly, both fights were rather short. The two free for alls in the firework contests were just school yard brawls. Even the training sequences with Gordon vs a fortune in dishware were lackluster.

There was no mistaking who the troublemakers were going to be when Chiang Tao and Fung Hak On walked on screen. This WFH was just as bad as those characters at the start until he miraculously, and off screen, turned into a saint that could confer transformation with a look later in the film. Ugh.

Watching Wong Fei Hung throwing hissyfits was not entertaining for me. Watching the Lau brothers fight was. Quick and talented, I needed more of that and less of negative impulse driven characters swaggering around. The complete 180 of WFH and the Pang crew and murderer was unearned and irritatingly bad writing. Rated on a curve.

14 March 2026

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Mother's Duty

The movie has a strange title, and I didn't feel like sugar plays that big a role in the movie, but it makes sense at the end. I am a person who likes sugar maybe a little too much, so that I even avoid all the products that are sugar-free. It was very touching, even stressful, to watch a child diagnosed with type 1 diabetes struggling with the prohibition of sugar and the constant fight with the disease. From the people I met, I know that this illness is very severe, medically and psychologically, on the entire family. In this movie, the central character is the mother who cares for her ill child while also trying her best to balance her personal and professional life.

I would say that this movie is documentary-like, message-heavy, and emotional, but all that in a positive way. The events are shown in a realistic way, and knowing that the movie is based on a true story, at moments it feels like watching the news. There are many important messages in the movie, and I am glad that the supporting roles also had something to say. So the movie is multi-layered. The highlight was a police officer at customs for imported goods with one, if not the only, comedic moment in the movie. And the emotions... The third act of the movie really delivered with emotions. Some of them were exaggerated, but all in all, they completed the story nicely for a movie that I would recommend watching with a family.

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When Love Meets Reality

Once We Were Us follows two former lovers who unexpectedly reunite on a flight to Korea ten years after their breakup. Through flashbacks, the film reconstructs the evolution of their relationship—from youthful university romance to the moment reality finally caught up with them.

The story itself is fairly conventional, but the film finds its real strength in the performances of Moon Ga-young and Koo Kyo-hwan. Their chemistry feels natural and grounded, not only emotionally but physically as well. Small gestures of intimacy—hugs, touches, casual closeness—help the relationship feel believable in a way many romantic dramas struggle to achieve.

Interestingly, the film also reveals something about Moon Ga-young as an actress. For years she has often appeared somewhat restrained in K-dramas, but here it becomes clear that the rigidity may have come more from the format than from her abilities. In this film she feels noticeably freer and more natural.

What ultimately sets the story apart is the reason behind the breakup. There is no dramatic betrayal or tragic event. Instead, the relationship slowly collapses under something far more common: financial instability and the emotional toll it brings.

Because of that, Once We Were Us ends up feeling less like a classic romance and more like a reflection on how time, pressure, and economic reality can reshape even the strongest relationships.

Sometimes love is real.
But life can still weigh more.

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When Tears Meet Laughter - Love, Hope, and Resilience Together

From the very first seconds, I felt completely drawn into the story, as if I were living the characters' lives myself. That immediate sense of immersion, where the emotions of the characters feel real and personal, is what makes a movie truly exceptional. When a film can make you forget the distance between screen and life, it has already succeeded in connecting with the viewer on the deepest level.

The story is heartbreaking and uplifting, raw and tender. In the first minutes, I found myself tearing up, then laughing from the belly, then tense, then relaxed, then crying again, only to laugh again and, at moments, cry and laugh at the same time. Every emotion is palpable: fear, joy, pain, suffering, and unexpected delight coexist naturally, just as they do in life. The male lead shines with humor, positivity, and humanity, showing that laughter can be a form of resistance, a way to survive hardship without losing hope. Knowing that the story is inspired by real-life events makes every moment even more poignant, emphasizing the fragility and beauty of human life.

“Let’s rock the sun together.” This line captures the warmth, humor, and companionship at the heart of the film. Yet Viva La Vida is more than optimism: it is a meditation on life’s fragility, its unpredictability, and the unexpected moments that can completely change our path. It teaches that hope is a choice, and faith in life, in its surprises and tiny miracles, can sustain us even in the darkest times. Life’s value is not measured by its ease or duration, but by how fully we live and how deeply we connect. It celebrates resilience, humor, compassion, and the courage to continue when the future is uncertain.

The filming, editing, writing, and acting are superb. Not a single frame or word is wasted. Despite its heavy themes, the movie remains sweet, funny, and deeply human. Pain and laughter, despair and hope, are interwoven seamlessly. It is a celebration of life in all its complexity, a reminder to cherish every fragile, fleeting moment.
Viva La Vida is not just a story about illness or survival, it is a story about living, loving, and embracing the unpredictable, beautiful miracle of life. A truly moving, inspiring, and unforgettable film.

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A little boring but not inherently bad

I knew what I was getting myself into when starting this. It seemed like one of those indie type filmed movies, where there’s plenty aesthetic shots, minimal dialogue, lots of symbolism and silent messages passed through every little move and interaction.

But, it was very boring in the beginning. 1 hour into the movie and it feels like nothing has happened. Strangely enough, it wasn’t the type of boring where you didn’t want to continue the movie but just like, anticipation type of boring if that makes sense. They’ve already set up what the story is about and you’re excitedly waiting for the big reunion to happen between the two main characters just like the daughter. But the beginning and first 1 hour of the movie was so extremely slow, I didn’t know what to wait for anymore lol.

Overall though, it was a cute little movie. The relationship between the mother and everyone else in the movie was very well put together. Although everything starts from the daughters point of view, when you think back on the movie, it really was the mothers POV instead.

Bittersweet, not dramatic at all, very quiet and emotional movie. Felt like I was watching real people on my screen, maybe that’s why it was a bit boring as well lol. That doesn’t inherently mean its bad but if you’re looking for an exciting wlw movie, this would probably bore you. Regardless, I liked it. The two separated yearners barely had screentime although the movie was supposed to be about them but now when I think about it, maybe it wasn’t about them at all. Rather, it was about the mother finally finding some peace within herself to start living the life she had been denying herself for so long. Its a pretty deep movie. If you’re into that type of genre, then you’ll probably like it!

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Mad Monkey Kung Fu’s script and tone were as erratic as a monkey mind. Yet Lau Kar Leung’s fight choreography and Hsiao Hou’s amazing acrobatics saved it in the end.

Uncle Chan and his sister own and perform in their stage show. The local gangster and patron, Duan Shiang Yuan offers them a dinner celebration on their last night. Tsuei Hung begs her brother to not drink too much which he of course ignores when his kung fu is called into question. A series of bad decisions later and Chan is accused of assaulting Duan’s wife. Tsuei Hung agrees to be Duan’s mistress in exchange for her brother’s life which Duan magnanimously agrees to…after he’s crippled Chan’s hands. Chan becomes a street performer and makes the acquaintance of a small-time thief. Both run afoul of the extortion gang with Chan eventually agreeing to teach “Little Monkey” Monkey style kung fu.

First my biggest complaint. Why does the woman have to pay for the man’s idiotic behavior? And why does everyone get over that sacrifice so easily? Okay, my other complaint, the movie was too darn long for a kung fu flick. There wasn’t enough story for 110 minutes, it dragged in places.

Now, for what did work. Lau Kar Leung is my favorite old school martial arts director and I loved that he was allowed to star in this film. He started out honing his craft in Kwan Tak Hing’s Wong Fei Hung films going back to 1953. At 41, he stayed up with the 19-year-old Hsiao Hou. His choreography for this film was exciting. Hsiao was extraordinarily acrobatic, limber, and fast making him the perfect Monkey style artist. Lo Lieh, as the villain, snarled and sneered his way through providing more than enough menace for two. A grand Shaw Brothers’ set for the extravagant brothel where most of the big fights took place gave plenty of stairs to fight up and down and balconies to fall off of. A teenage Kara Hui had the small, but important role, of Chan’s sister. Scriptwriter Ni Kuang did her wrong but at least she had a good fight against Lo to give her character a smidge of meaning and heroics, even if the student squandered her sacrifice much like his mentor.

If you enjoy Monkey style kung fu and not one, but two training montages, this is a film to check out. There was a great deal of acrobatic “no wires on me!” kung fu displaying a wide range of agility, strength, and quickness. I would have preferred several scenes to have been either cut or shortened, as the movie ran long for me. The final fights were entertaining, though sometimes with monkeys, they take the long way to get there. Rated on a curve.

13 March 2026

Housekeeping note: 400th entry in my Everybody's Kung Fu Fighting List!
https://kisskh.at/list/LOPBNbe3

Trigger warnings: While there was a lot of fighting there were only two deaths and they weren’t too gruesome. If smoking bothers you there was quite a bit of that and drinking.

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Fascinating !

This movie really positively surprised me, it was quite popular in Japan and the hype is deserved. It is apparently the adaptation of a video game, which I did not play, but after watching it, I can definitely picture how good (and angst inducing) such a game could be.

In addition to having a great production full of details, the minimal cast does a great job providing an immersive experience to the viewers. The story might feel repetitive to some but that's the point of the movie, making its characters and the viewers as well going painfully into a loop. The ending is very smart in leaving room to interpretation.

I truly recommend watching this movie blind as it relies a lot on a surprise effect. The movie is very angsty, purposeful and with a great cinematography. If you are looking for a very good brain scratch, this is definitely the watch for you.

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