Reviews

Life is but a dream sweetheart

In Space was a short film written and directed by Visra Vichit-Vadakan. Pai lives with his grandparents. His grandmother wants him to become a Buddhist monk, but Pai isn’t sure what he wants to do with his life. When tragedy strikes, Pai takes up the cloth and beads at least for a time while he tries to meet up with his loved one in space, the in-between space between dreams and reality, a meditation of connection.

This was a beautiful love letter to grandparents who cherish and raise their grandchildren when called upon. And also the connection between loving spouses. I’m hoping I interpreted the film in the way Visra intended, otherwise, the ending would have been a bit disturbing.

8 April 2025

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A clumsy dystopian rehash

Crap. From the get-go Mickey isn't likeable and his fake Southern accent is grating. The rest is a formality, without a protagonist it can't succeed: Thought is speech - not in this movie. It's just speech, no thought. No subtlety at all, as blunt as a wooden spoon. Okja meets Snowpiercer meets The Hunger Games, all in the style of the great Terry Gilliam*. Toni Collette plays Tilda Swinton. Ruffalo injects a bit of Trump - TDS personified, about as witty as a SNL skit. And the voice over? No, we don't need a running commentary, neither did Blade Runner. The dialogue becomes increasingly profane and childish (it's never at an adult level at any stage) similar to how stand up comedians fill their set with expletives when the audience isn't laughing along. Finally, Bong's dystopian vision is tedious; a much smarter dystopia is portrayed in films like Children of Men, which examine humanity without the need for clumsy theatrics.

(* Yes, a science fiction vision from the 1980s, like Brazil with a cast full of Python-esque art deco caricatures, doesn't sit well when reproduced in 2025.)

TDS: Trump Derangement Syndrome
SNL: Saturday Night Live
Brazil: 1985 film by Terry Gilliam
Children of Men: best dystopian sci-fi film ever made, prophetic.

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"That person doesn't exist who is as foolish and misunderstood as myself"

Eight student Cleaners have their stories told in a surreal manner that straddled reality and animation as if in a memory round robin. What is dirty? What is clean? And does it really matter?

I. Intro

II. Nutrition Month
Stephanie, who has OCD, comes face to face with her worst dirty nightmare. It will either cure her OCD or traumatize her for life.

III. National Language Month
Angeli, the class president, is stuck with three skateboard slackers (Eman, Arnold, & Lester) for a folk-dance contest. Can the three “dirty” boys find a way to clean up and make the dance work?

IV. Prom
The class “dirty” girl, Britney, is slapped down by the patriarchal view of chastity for girls but not for boys. Francis takes drastic measures for his dirty hooded problem.

V. Youth Council
Junjun’s dad, who is the mayor, has political ambitions for his son that go beyond the student council. The parents are willing to get their hands filthy to help him win. JJ finds that dirty politics can be like a bridge to nowhere.

VI. Last Day
The cleaners cleanse themselves in a primal song of rage.

Cleaners played out like a darker Breakfast Club. The film style looked like staticky memories in a year book come to life and decorated with bright highlighters. Most of the stories had a ring of truth to them even if at least three scenes were gross to observe. Life is messy and these kids found ways to enjoy themselves even if they got dirty doing it.

17 April 2025
Trigger warnings: Long poop sequence, self-mutilation, vomiting, penis scene and penis "art"

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The forefront of experimental cinema

Korean cinema is always the one that dares to take the leap and stays at the forefront of experimental cinema of the bleeding edge, the entire movie was done in the lens of live streaming POVs, and yet it was brilliantly executed in favor of that sense of internet surrealism and algorithm war. The plot is really hefty and well planned, the mocking of those sensational live streamers that could do anything for fame and monetization, while pulling effective plot twists in crime thriller fashion, the direction is just smart as hell. Meanwhile Kang Ha Neul who is the man of focus, his blazing presence as the whole spotlight shines through with his absolutely insane acting performances, this movie will definitely remain as one of his most remarkable works for years.

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Disappointment

I had high expectations from the movie. It was said to be a highly praised production. However, when I watched it; despite the familiar subject and a few TV series and movies that had been made, it was handled very poorly and could not go beyond being an ordinary movie. It gave that impression. There were supposedly good actors. The costumes were good. The action scenes were good. But that was it. The way it was handled was very simple, superficial. There was no proper love. There was no emphasis on brotherhood. It was an empty copy. I gave points for effort. It was a disappointment for me.

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A fun action movie to watch

It’s nothing special nor boring, it’s perfectly in the middle.

Korean action/morale movies always revolve around women and their mistreatment and how a man is only then realising how women have it hard and then they save them yadda yadda, like I said- seen it many times. They don’t cover anything special or never seen before in the movie. What’s a bit surprising is that Seojoon who’s known for making misogynistic remarks about women is in a movie about saving women from human trafficking and against misogyny…granted his comments were from 2014 but that movie is only 3 years away from those comments.

Won’t nitpick about that further, the movie was funny and had a good balance of funny and serious. It’s one of those movies that are funnier to watch with someone rather than alone.
Overall, it was a pretty good movie and it was interesting and funny.

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Tbh he might’ve been rude, and self centered in his life but honestly ppl like the other pilot were worse against women

Flirting with women who obv aren’t interested, saying “you flirted first” just cuz she looked at him is so much worse than saying the flight attendants are like flowers

it wasn't as deep as it might've been, he didn't even learn a lesson cuz to him, he wasn't a woman so non of the degrading comments were directed at "him"

and his wife talking about how distant and self centered he was while he was already moving on to another woman, so I'm atleast glad it didn't give the romance actual thought

the elements were funny, like him mom knowing it right away and teasing him, his wife being able to move on and the other pilot not getting traumatized
like imagine, your bff is a man in disguise lying to you falling in love and thinking you owe him the love back xD

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Si Wan was the best part of this

I loved the concept, but the movie fell short of its potential for me.

Si Wan was the only amazing part of this really. I was left disappointed since much of the thriller, maniac vibes that could have been included with a deeper background story of his character simply werent there. There should have been more time spent on him, and less on his victim, since it wasn't necessary.

Also more action instead of an incredible build up for a predictable ending would have been nice.

Still a cool concept, but if you're looking for a message relating to technology and its impact on our lives, which i expected, it's not there either.

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a Christmas carol and the way it is written

I overal like this movie and believe it deserves the praise it got, the problem that I had with it is it's way of the direction of the disabled brother In him being the victim, also I feel like some aspects in the story weren't fully fleshed out and there where definitely scene that weren't needed and was just there to be there. the story was compelling in why our main character wanted to get his revenge and his mindset and perspective but leaving out key view from other characters that showed have been more prevalent to the story and where it was going. I wished they had more focus on how the Sa of the twin and other student at the school had affected them and how it affected the relationships around them. I know not every thing can be put into a 2 hour movie but I feel like if we the viewers are to find out about the characters misfortune we should get more insight on them even if it's from themsin character it's still possible by using the the MC lack of understanding ofwhat was going on to his brother as an advantage of portraying the twin. It's fine if people don't agree with me, this is just my view. so don't take it so seriously.

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