The Beginnings of an Auteur
Its very weird watching As Tears Go By after seeing Wong Kar Wai's later works. His directorial style is very much in its infancy here: saturated colours, slow motion fight and chase scenes, shooting in the dark -- contrasted against more orthodox forms of camerawork.The story itself is much more traditional. Being in the mind of the characters' takes a backseat to a formulaic plot about street gangsters. The ending is clear before we've even hit the halfway mark. But its set apart from the others because of its atmospheric love story.
What shines most here is the romantic atmosphere that Wong creates. And I don't mean between Andy Lau and Maggie Cheung (who are playing first cousins, ick). Its the passionate devotion between Andy Lau's Wah and Jacky Cheung's Fly that's the heart and soul of this film. Both men want the other to live a good life. To be safe, happy, and thrive. Their push and pull is painful to watch. They're like magnets and it makes sense that one cannot truly live without the other.
I absolutely adore Maggie Cheung - she's talented, gorgeous, and commands the screen. But she has very little to work with and is probably the thinnest of the characters in this film. Ngor suffers from being nothing but a love interest. Forgotten by the plot and her man, unless its convenient, and ultimately one of the most forgettable of Wong's female characters. If I had watched this film first, instead of In The Mood for Love, I might never have continued with Wong's filmography as I would have thought he's just terrible at writing women.
I'm glad I watched this -- even if it was just to see where Wong started and how he evolved for the better.
*copy and pasted from my Letterboxd review*
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Nice twist
Don't expect all to find here a revolutionary movie, but does have a nice twist toward the end. You need to become a devil to catch a devil, although things never go as planned and you get burned and as well you make collateral victims.Plenty of gore for those who like blood and violent movies and the main characters deliver their characters well.
I must say I do feel sorry for one of the characters, but it seems one of the mc's never learned his lesson from the past and revenge and catching the killers did blind sided him thinking he has an upper hand overlooking an important thing.
Others might not enjoy it, but this one is on my plate so yeah,
If to rewatch? Don't know, because for me this is one time movie because once you know the twist already loses its value for me.
It is the same type as forgotten. You see once and it is great.
Overall enjoyable, at least for me.
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I WAS BAWLING BY THE END.
The headline says it all. I thought thia movie was amazing. Although it did have some questionable details, it was still good. The ML fell in love with FL. And ofc FL ends up falling in love with ML. What I liked about it though was the fact that he knew he wasnt good for her. He still wanted to be with her, but he wanted to change for her. Cliche... maybe. But I think its cute. I also felt really bad for ML. His life became shitty because of his brothers business mistakes, and he decided to take on the burden. While doing so he remained as positive as possible while doing what he needed to do to protect his family. I think its adorable how even in the end he made sure that his family was taken care of and the ML too.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Fists and Guts was a frustrating combination of inane comedy and entertaining, well-choreographed fights. How much you enjoy this film may depend on your ability to tolerate slapstick and haphazard storytelling. Gordon Liu in a terrible wig worked with two inept conmen to try and recover family heirlooms stolen by a treacherous housekeeper. The conmen were played by the director Lau Kar Wing and usually bad guy Lee Hoi Sang. The story wandered around even going so low as to have the conmen travel to a leper colony. The story itself was redundant as they searched for the “housekeeper” who could disguise himself, with Team Inept choosing the wrong people or being led astray by the real thief. Most of the pointless endeavors were designed to highlight the comedy which fell flat for me.
Just past the halfway mark the fights kicked into gear, if not the story. You had to slog through a gross poop scenario to get that far though. Gordon Liu and Lai Kim Hung had an inventive silent fight as they both tried to steal a jade Buddha from a general’s well-guarded home. They stifled cries and prevented vases and furniture from crashing to the ground as they engaged in a desperate fight. Later, Gordon had to teach the two conmen moves that would help them beat the booby-trapped system in the “housekeeper’s” secret lair. This was one of the few times the fools came in handy. The highlight of the film was the life-or-death fight between Gordon and Lo Lieh. By this time the real identities of both men and their motivations were revealed and the ridiculous wigs were removed. This was one of Lo’s best fights I’ve seen, Gordon and the Laus brought out the best in him. The moral of the tale wasn't as righteous as they might have thought it was.
The story was aggravatingly circular and the comedy could be irritating, albeit those who love old kung fu comedies may be enraptured by the comedy in this film. Regardless of your threshold for slapstick, if you enjoy kung fu movies from this era, the second half of the film shone through with at least two worthy fights to watch.
6 Dec 2023
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IDC WHAT YALL SAY. THIS WAS AMAZING.
Like my title says. This was amazing, no matter what yall say. It was real and vulnerable. Lu Qin Yang loves Ling Yi Yao with all of his heart and is willing to do anything and everything for her. He tries to live up to what he wants to provide for her all while dealing with her mom who thinks he isnt worth it. Ling Yi Yao loves Lu Qin Yang despite what her mom thinks and what Qin Yang believes of himself. It was truly beautiful. They both love each other so much they are willing to "suffer" to be with each other.Was this review helpful to you?
More of what made the first one so damn special
Always Sunset on Third Street 2 offers more of what made the first one so damn wholesome, at times much more bittersweet, it retains the goodwill and warmth of its predecessor. Still just as unabashedly nostalgic and touching, Always 2 is exceptionally self-indulgent, very saccharine and perhaps a bit overlong, but it's also an excellent example of an emotionally satisfying drama with likeable characters and a wonderful sense of place and time. One that doesn't fail to get the tears welling, making for a feel-good film with loads of laughs. Extremely refreshing and just the tonic in these austere and pessimistic times. It shines bright. Although you just know every Godzilla fan has seen the opening 2-minutes of this and then nothing further, a huge injustice if there ever was one. However, you can certainly see why Yamazaki was chosen to helm the latest outing for the Big G with this sequence... I can't wait.Was this review helpful to you?
Just enjoy the movie, don't have any expectations
This movie is truly one-of-a-kind, and I found it quite enjoyable. The storyline follows the typical pattern of cheesy and light romantic comedies from the early 2000s, offering a delightful escape without delving into intense conflictsWhile my understanding of Indian culture might not be extensive, I think the movie does a commendable job presenting it. The cultural elements portrayed in the film seem authentic enough to provide a glimpse into the richness of Indian traditions
If you're in the mood for a film that's easygoing and entertaining, this one is worth a watch. Moreover, the added bonus of witnessing Bright's dance sequences in the vibrant Indian setting adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the overall viewing experience
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Bridget Jones + King Kong + Post-its and a Toad
This is probably what you get if you take Bridget Jones diary meets King Kong and add a toad + start her off by getting dumped in Hong Kong + a bunch of other stuff. As out female lead is fun bubbly, and seems to be attracted to playboys and men who believe that there are two types of men they type who cheat and the type who want to cheat. Making me feel bad for the men of the world as the expectations towards them seem to be so low, so low so low...But then enters the third kind, the slightly obsessed type who will not only wait for the right person then may just may build a building in their honour... Even though they do not know their name.
But who will she choose the slightly obsessed man she has a crush on even though he seems to not be able to stop desiring other women or the other obsessed guy she put in the friend-zone but who only has eyes for her?
And what about the toad? the star of this movie who gets the toad? what will happen with this toad? and can you handle a movie where the star of the show is indeed a toad?
A fun watch, the quality may not be perfect, and some of the acting/screens are kind of meeh but the characters are interesting, the lines fun and the way they use post its is inspiring. So if you are in the mood for a Hong Kong drama.
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The way the character of the younger brother behaved, I found it less likeable at first, and as an older brother I would have slapped him. But I respect the story. Otherwise, everything else was ok, even slightly funny at the end.
Jak se chovala postava mladšího bratra, tak to mi bylo zezačátku takové méně sympatické a jako starší brácha bych mu nafackoval. Ale respektuji příběh. Jinak vše ostatní bylo ok, na závěr i mírně vtipné
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Jakmile začala první velká covidová vlna, byly poslány z Emirátů domů tisíce a tisíce asijských námezdních otroků, kteří tam pracovali především na stavbách. Mezi nimi i hlavní postava tohoto filmu, 27mi letý Danilo Asunción (herec Paolo Gumabao, 23). Doma zjišťuje, že otec je vážně nemocný a potřebuje finanční prostředky na léčbu a pobyt v nemocnici. Vše ostatní se divák dozví z filmu. Bylo to drama jako bič, současné, hodně syrové (chudoba, nahota, sex), covidové, mělo to spád, hodně napětí, těsně před koncem mírně ujeté, ale na Filipínách to tak snad i může být. Paolo to zvládl, vystihl dobře postavu Danny-ho, který touží se postarat o otce a donuceného okolnostmi dělat věci, které se mu příčí. Nečekal jsem, že by mě nízkorozpočtový snímek až tolik zaujal ...
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Film o dvou mladých mužích, kteří se rozhodli před dvěma lety bydlet a sdílet lože spolu a vypadající svými vyzáblými postavami jako náctiletí. Příběh jednoduchý, ale cením si toho, že bez násilí, odsouzení, intrik. Láska, přátelství, ŽÁRLIVOST, vše příjemné a japonsky roztomilé (až na ty Tachibanovy zuby). Škoda jen nekvalitní kopie, kdy človek nemá tak intenzivní celkový prožitek.
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Díval jsem se na tento krátký film ze zvědavosti, jestli mě upoutá natolik, abych se vrátil "v čase" a zhlédl i seriál Pornographer z r. 2018-9. Příběh je na oko jednoduchý, ale co mě nejvíce zaujalo bylo to, že herci, ač oba hetero a vypadající velmi mladistvě na to, kolik je už jim ve skutečnosti let (35+41), dokázali tak dokonale ztvárnit "obyčejný" polibek. Prostě nestydí se zahrát scénu tak, aby byla přesvědčivá, uvěřitelmá, pravdivá. Toto jsem zažil pouze u Japonců z celé Asie v některých jejich filmech, jež tady také máme. Jinak jsou to v Asii mezi "heteráky", kteří hrají BL projekty či gay vztahy vesměs jen rybí pusinky, chladné, bezcitné přitištění rtů. Ne, není to tím, že bych byl nějaký maniak, ale toto mě asi nejvíce zaujalo. Do seriálu se určitě pustím ...
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"Love is the same regardless of gender". This is the main theme of this Chinese movie. Such a subject can never be denied for most of us. It all fit together just right.
"Láska je stejná bez ohledu na pohlaví". To je hlavní téma tohoto čínského filmu. Takový námět nemůže být pro většinu z nás ohraný nikdy. Všechno to do sebe zapadlo tak akorát.
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This review may contain spoilers
Night in Paradise was a dark place
This one came highly recommended by my brother who hardly goes out of his way to watch Korean shows/films so I said why not? I have loved Tagoo since Inspiring Generation anyway and Cha Seungwon has always been a favorite. Glad I watched it, it didn't disappoint.This movie was dark, graphic, and violent, yet artistic and a great watch. The action and dark humor were right up my alley and a great reflection of the movie's overall atmosphere. I presume everyone who's seen this film knew or had a clue that Yang was behind the accident that killed Taegoo's sister and niece; however, I didn't expect the main characters' deaths. It was a nice twist as it made it different and realistic. The ending was satisfying and one of those rare moments where the cycle of revenge has come to a complete stop as all parties involved are deceased.
I loved the cast and characters. They were all different and distinctive in their own ways. Taegoo seemed like a fun, considerate, and kind boss, only wished there was more of him and his gang. Jaeyeon is an intriguing and badass character. At first, I thought she was the cliche Korean heroine type who sees herself as an equal to men but in truth, she adapted quickly and realistically and simply didn't give a flip because she was dying. I mean, with her gun skills, I'm surprised she's not more arrogant. I only wish we knew what she was dying of. I like Taegoo and Jaeyeon together, I think they would have made great friends if not an understanding and passionate power couple. In the short amount of time that they've known each other, they cared and put their lives at risk for each other. Since Jaeyeon was destined to die shortly anyway, Taegoo could have saved himself and skipped town but he went to her anyway because she once told him she didn't want to be alone. And Jaeyeon brought all of Taegoo's villains to justice before ending her own life. She could have ended her life sooner but she endured her pain just a bit longer to fully avenge Taegoo.
The action was great and the angle they were shot in was perfect. I genuinely felt every knife wound Taegoo got. When he struggled to free himself out of the car, that was an intense and satisfying scene.
If you like mafia, gang, action, and crime films then this one is a must-watch.
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Láska, oddanost, žárlivost. Tento film volně navazuje na Ai No Kotodama, ale jen námětem, nejedná se o druhý díl. Dle mého názoru je ještě povedenější, než první. Kdo se může přepnout na japonský "styl", vyloupne se na něj dílko velmi roztomilé, podpořené nesmírně dobře (a japonsky strojeně) zahranou mírně potrhlou postavou Hiromufi-ho. Vlastně to, co některé jedince vytáčí do nepříčetnosti, zaslouží obdiv, jak to bylo nádherně a stylově natočeno. I druhá postava nebyla špatná (Tamura Shinji) a kouzelně to dokreslila "ušatá" Sawako. Hudba výborná, především ke konci. Krásný zážitek podpořily sk titulky od ZuzanQy.
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