Reviews

"In the end, all must die"

Jigoku aka The Sinners of Hell was one trippy, surreal tale of the afterlife. Even stranger were the events that caused people to be thrown into the Eight Hells of Fire and the Eight Hells of Ice.

Late one night Tamura and Shiro are driving home when a drunken pedestrian steps out in front of them. Tamura refuses to go back and check on the man believing no one has seen them. He would be wrong. Two women plot their murderous vengeance in the shadows. Shiro’s conscience gets the best of him and he decides to turn himself in. This decision leads to more deaths and a boatload of people forced to cross the River Styx or in this case, the River Sanzu. Enma, the King of Hell, was far from benevolent.

I thought during the first half of this film that Shiro was already in The Bad Place because the number of murders grew hilariously exponentially. I tried writing the names down of the dearly departed and realized it was a futile effort. The writer seemed to be showing the many ways people are complicit with murder without actually driving a knife through someone’s heart. The perpetrators just all happened to converge at the same place and time. The clues about Tamura led in the wrong direction without ever making sense. For me, the first half was frustratingly bad.

The second half of the film delved into the excruciating and vile punishments inflicted on humans who had not been kind or who had committed murder. Or who had apparently been physically adjacent or knew of the actions. Too many of the damned didn’t make sense to me. Babies being tortured or family members who didn’t commit the egregious action. And why does being in a car crash make you responsible for another passenger’s death when you weren’t the driver or dying in the car crash is enough to send you south? The trials made The Good Place’s “bees with teeth” and “penis flatteners” seem tame. Modern horror fans may laugh at the simple techniques, but I still found different tortures stomach churning.

Jigoku took a pessimistic view of humankind and all the ways people’s selfish actions lead to the deaths of others. And also, the inventive ways those same people were tortured for their transgressions. A highly stylized film, it was artistically interesting to watch. As far as enjoyment, it could be painful and as memorable as a swim in a pool of gurgling filth.

30 October 2025
Trigger warnings: Impalements, dismemberments, fire, snakes, and an assortment of other tortures.

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"Don't blame me---I have to kill someone!

Every once in a while a low budget, terrible CGI movie can surprise you. Monster was not a great movie, but for its little film niche it performed surprisingly well.

A bus full of people wake up to find that they are in the middle of a desert with no memories of who they are. Nearly everyone panics and runs away only to be obliterated by a literal monster sand storm. Five men and one little girl survive on the bus. The desert reveals other horrors when the motley crew is attacked by roaming sand demon dogs. The little girl calls all the men daddy, naming them after characters from the Monkey King. Who were they before this happened and can they find the way home?

Little Daddy quoted Buddhist proverbs, one of which was, “Good people are always protected by the Buddha.” That saying will be tested and provided clues to the men’s backgrounds. Where the survivors were and how they got there was fairly logical given the writers’ world building. The characters could behave stupidly as often happens in these films but less so than in others. The film also brought up the question of how people would behave if they had no memory. Would they be selfless or self-serving? The acting was actually pretty good, I’m used to actors practically sounding out the words off cue cards in some of these low budget creature features. The child actor could be too much at times, but overall, she gave the men a reason to bond together.

The desert was desolate enough to throw fear into anyone. The CGI critters, sandstorms, and other special effects won’t win any awards yet they helped fulfill the Buddhist punishments of wind, water, and fire effectively enough. Not sure how man-eating monsters fit into that philosophy. Much of the film dealt with how people react and act during a crisis and whether they are willing to protect the most vulnerable. To be sure, redemption played a strong role in the story, my own personal butterflynip.

Monster is not a film for everyone. It won’t be terrifying for those looking for jump scares nor quality enough for the majority of movie viewers. If like me, you are the type to wander aimlessly through film sites and randomly pick films to watch, this one might not burn you like others. Truly damning it with faint praise, I know, but I set my bar of expectations low, very low, and came away adequately entertained.

30 October 2025
Trigger warnings: Dismemberment, and creatures attacking and feasting on humans.

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Thrill Ride

This movie kept me hooked from start to finish, and every time I thought I knew what was happening? Nah it took another turn.
I watched it in theatres in Korea, having seen a 30 second intro clip, intermediate Korean skills, and barely knowing what I bought a ticket for. But I had so much fun I'll probably rewatch once its on streaming

The plot kept me guessing, and if you pay close attention things will connect, but while watching I had no idea what was coming next. Although it could be jarring, almost everything connected. Plus, the timing was fast and comedic, almost never catching a break, it kept the movie upbeat and us on our toes.

The cast's chemistry was amazing, the friendship of the characters was so funny, and the theatre kept laughing as they ran into disaster after disaster. Their acting plus the music really added to the atmosphere, and even the funniest ending scene, but damn could they pull a gut-wrenching sob.

I won't reveal direct spoilers, but throughout its runtime, The First Ride slowly starts to piece together a heart-wrenching movie about friendship, mental health, and the bittersweet idea of "다음" ("Next time"). In Korea, it's normal to say "next time" and pushing it to later - but really never. Although keeping it light, there are moments I had to sit and reflect on that idea. "When is next time? What if next time never comes?"

Overall, the movie was a lot of fun, though sometimes it felt a bit all over the place, the action matched the energy of the characters. I'd really recommend checking out this movie, it's such a ride.
p.s. Although definitely a lead, Cha Eunwoo doesn't appear as much in the movie as the others. //And his doll is absolutely hilarious, legit every scene killed me//

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So Happy that the Tears come out

This is a simple yet very nice romantic drama about a girl and a boy who grow in affection for each other. We used to have many movies like this before, but now they come rarely, so they feel all the more emotional and inspiring. As in every love story, there is always a challenge — and here it is a rare medical condition of a girl, Mi-sol, who is sensitive to sunlight, so she can meet her boy only at night. But love always finds a way. Midnight Sun is truly a heartwarming movie for all the innocent souls out there. It reminds us of the importance of family and the beauty and strength of love.

There are a few cute comedic moments, but the movie makes us smile mostly with its goodness. I felt a lot of joy, but with a constant tear in my eye while watching this movie, sometimes out of pure happiness and sometimes out of sadness. Mi-sol is not only sick and in love, but she is also a singer-songwriter, and the songs we hear in the movie are all great and worthy of repeat listening. They have a nice indie melody and meaningful lyrics. So I will revisit this movie for sure — especially for the songs.

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shifting comedy

I'm still trying to work out how to describe this. It begins as a coming of age centred around high school problems taken very seriously by those involved in them. Too seriously as it shifts into stylised exaggeration (let's call it 'dry melodrama'), a bit tongue in cheek. Before it ends there's overtly comedic exaggeration countered by earnest high school students up against all odds.

A lot is told rather than shown, it feels like a close adaptation of a novel. The acting suits the moods of the various strands, creating an engaging mix of flavours. It will help if you're willing to just go with the flow as it shifts. I wasn't sure at the beginning but by the end I really enjoyed it.

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for Road to empress

Road to Empress isn’t just a game—it’s a cinematic journey into the heart of Tang Dynasty power struggles that left me completely hooked. As someone who loves narrative-driven experiences, this title exceeds all expectations with its meticulous craftsmanship and gripping storytelling.​
The 4K ultra-HD visuals are nothing short of breathtaking. From the intricate embroidery on imperial robes to the elegant lacquerware and grand palace halls, every detail vividly brings 东方 aesthetics to life, creating a "breathing Tang Dynasty" that feels tangible. Paired with a perfectly curated soundtrack, the audio-visual experience is truly immersive.​
What elevates this game is its branching narrative with over 100 story paths. Every choice carries weight—one misstep and you’ll face unexpected consequences, making it a thrilling "survival simulator" where wit matters more than luck. The live-action performances are stellar too; actors convey subtle emotions that make characters feel authentic, even if you don’t understand Chinese.​
With hidden easter eggs and multiple endings, replay value is exceptional. For anyone who appreciates historical depth, strategic storytelling, or simply beautiful game design, Road to Empress is worth every penny. It’s easily my favorite game of the year.​

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Awesome!

This is my first FMV. I’ve always been really interested in imperial China, and when this popped up on my YT recs , I wanted to play it myself

Overall, it’s pretty good, the story is pretty good and kept me interested the whole time. I also enjoyed learning about the characters through the little bonus videos on their character pages. One thing I can really praise is the set and props. Sure, there are moments when they feel a bit cheap or unrealistic, but overall, I was impressed by how beautiful everything looks.

Of course, there are things that took me out of the story, like some unconvincing acting or, as I mentioned before, props that look a bit fake. But overall, I’m satisfied and feel like I got my money’s worth.

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Visually stunning, with superb acting and an enchanting soundtrack, this game is easily worth five pounds—and honestly, I’d pay more because the creators truly deserve it. It’s like a movie blended with a Choose Your Own Adventure experience.

You begin as a young nobody, striving to make a name for yourself while navigating the vipers’ nest that is the Imperial Palace, climbing one precarious rung at a time up the social ladder. But danger lurks everywhere—many are eager to pull you back down. Every graceful lady greets you with a smile while hiding a knife behind her back, and the men are just as cunning.

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The game’s true brilliance, though, lies in its high-stakes choice-driven narrative. As Wu Yuanzhao, a new palace entrant, you’re not just picking dialogue options—you’re gambling with your life. A seemingly harmless choice to mention a hairpin’s owner can trigger a sudden poisoning; aligning with the wrong noble might land you in the cold palace . With over 300 story branches and 22 distinct endings (from regency to exile), every decision carries weight, turning “just one more playthrough” into hours of strategic trial and error. What makes this addictive, not frustrating, is the “death echo” system—even fatal mistakes unlock hidden NPC commentary, turning failures into clues for your next attempt .

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Road to Empress is an astonishingly good FMV that sets a new standard for the genre. Despite being priced much lower than most other FMV titles, it delivers exceptional quality across the board — from the impressive acting and diverse cast to the beautifully designed film sets that bring its world to life.

What really surprised me, though, is the English translation — it’s by far the best I’ve seen in any Chinese FMV on Steam. The dialogue feels natural and immersive, allowing the emotional weight of the story to shine through without the usual awkward phrasing you often find in translations.

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Honestly a fantastic story for the price. I have a few afk hours in this game but still it would probably take you around 12 hours to navigate through the entire story which honestly is a lot of live action footage if you consider this game to be like season 1 of a new tv show. Not to mention all the art and bonus footage you get as you progress through the game too. Definitely not a game for you if you're the type to skip all the cutscenes or hate quick time events. Chinese devs deserve a place in the gaming space imo and considering how popular this game is in China I hope more Americans give this game a chance. Truly worth the price and its refreshing to see devs try to modernize and put their own spin on one of the oldest gaming genres.

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Road to Empress: Immerse Yourself in the Intrigue and Emotions of the Imperial Court

"Road to Empress" is an unparalleled palace strategy game, where the exquisite visuals and intricate storyline transport you to the ancient imperial court. Each character has a unique personality and fate, and players are not only involved in the palace power struggles but also experience the rich cultural heritage and deep emotional conflicts. The strategic planning and decision-making in the game are challenging and thought-provoking at every step, making it truly immersive and hard to put down. Whether it's the visuals, the storyline, or the gameplay, everything about it is flawless—a must-try for every player who loves strategy and history!

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