Reviews

keeps you on the edge of your seat as if you are waiting for football player score a winning goal!

Overall - 9/10

It was an extremely fun film to watch. It kept me on the edge of my seat praying that Kwon Yu would make it through his next obstacle. The plot has a lot of potential for a sequel, or trilogy, or even better - a drama. I am desperately hoping for a second film!

Cast - 9/10

The cast was the highlight of this film for me. Everyone played their parts very well. Ji Chang-Wook embodied the metamorphosis of his character. I could see Kwon Yu’s journey clearly from a unemployed gaming addict who became a powerless victim to a strategic fighter for revenge and justice. I enjoyed the age and personality diversity within the gamer team! Their team chemistry was great. Most importantly Ji Chang-Wook never disappoints especially in the action genre!

Story - 8.5/10

The story was enjoyable and easy to understand while keeping the tension strong. The gaming world touch to the film made it unique and added to the enjoyment. I would have enjoyed a little bit of context when it came to the criminal organisation and the main antagonist, especially since they played such an important role in the story. I felt that the even though the ending gave closure to story that was built, it also left somewhat of an opening ending with a lot of room for continuation. I’d love to see the sequel to this film soon! They have a lot more to explore and so much room to continue the plot. There were many stones left unturned in the first film which could be revealed in a sequel. In my opinion, the plot is highly suited for a drama. I can see myself getting hooked from start to finish if this film ever gets remade as drama.

Thanks for reading, hehe <3

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Heart Warming

I placed spoilers at the end of this review.

This was an excellent movie with an outstanding script. What is interesting is that the script had a mixture of many different things that somehow worked. The overall theme is the importance of friendship, but also has some slight romance. It also was a tribute to a famous Thai film actor, Mitr Chaibancha. See the spoiler alert at the end of this review if you want more information. This had an outstanding cast that did a great job with their characters. It also had beautiful cinematography and great music.

Random Notes:
I love watching moves/series that are set in a different generation. Although I don’t know how accurate it was, it was cool to see Thailand in the 1970’s.

I’ve only watched a few Thai movies, but this is the first one that had a solid script and great acting.





******Potential Spoiler Alert******

There was a love triangle that was resolved quickly. It was not overpowering and did not become the main focus of the movie.

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A Faithful Live-Action Adaptation of Anime Magic

In the depths of "As Long As We Both Shall Live," we're beckoned into the heart-wrenching life of Saimori Miyo. She's a girl born from the chilly, loveless grip of an arranged marriage, and her existence takes a cruel twist after her mother's passing. Her father's mistress and her daughter, Kaya, step into the scene, relegating Miyo to a life of servitude. In her family's eyes, she's the daughter with no merit, bereft of the psychic abilities that bless her stepsister.

Miyo's journey is one of pain, a painful marriage born from a painful upbringing. Her betrothal to Kudo Kiyoka, a military captain known for his rumored cruelty, seems like a sentence to torment. But here, expectations take a drastic turn. Miyo's new husband defies the grim rumors, revealing a heart brimming with kindness. What follows is a marriage drenched in joy and eternal bliss, defying the dire predictions.

"In As Long As We Both Shall Live," I discovered a transcendent live-action adaptation of the anime world that resides so deeply in my heart. It's a meticulous mirror, near perfectly reflecting the source material. As I ventured into this cinematic realm, it felt uncannily familiar. Lines and scenes from the anime echoed in my memory, etched as if with indelible ink.

The movie's pacing is an art form in itself. The anime's early episodes delve deeply into Miyo's life, her struggles, and her lack of psychic gifts. It carefully constructs her world and the emotional maelstrom that surrounds her, revealing supernatural aspects later on, around the fifth or sixth episode. The movie, however, unveils these wonders from the start, a clever dance that balances Miyo's quiet existence and her inner demons with the revelation of a gifted world.

Music is the movie's beating heart. It weaves seamlessly with pivotal action scenes, enhancing their emotional impact, and eases into gentle melodies during the blossoming romance between Saimori Miyo and Kudo Kiyoka. The score is more than a soundtrack; it's a guiding force, leading us into the depths of their evolving relationship.

The movie is a symphony of masterfully filmed scenes, each a visual masterpiece, leaving you entranced by their sheer beauty. Attention to detail is awe-inspiring, capturing the anime's essence and translating it into breathtaking cinematic art.

From the very first frame, the movie bewitches your senses. It's a mesmerizing dance of music and visuals, drawing you into its tender embrace. The scenes are meticulously chosen and sequenced, submerging you into the narrative's profound depths.

The storytelling in "As Long As We Both Shall Live" is a precision symphony. Action sequences, woven seamlessly into the gradual growth of a profound connection, add layers of depth to the characters. I'd love to delve into more detail, but spoilers are best left avoided.

The live-action adaptation leaves no room for doubt. The cast is impeccably chosen, embodying their characters to the core. The film's dedication to the anime is visible in every frame, transforming it into a cinematic journey that feels like a masterful recreation, in the best possible way.

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a well made Korean Noir film in current generation... Song Joong-ki's new side ⭐

-- Korean Neo Noir genre is one of the best genre in South Korea, it's proved again --

➠ Reminder :- Hopeless ( Hwaran) does not allow laughter or hope for a single moment. The dark and cruel scenery of the small town shown in " Hopeless" (Hwaran) and the shameful life of the human group make the audience will feel realistic story. Even the small possibility of the ending is good, so it is even more painful and refreshing.

➠ Theme :- Movies are noir in terms of genre, but the framework of the narrative is close to the story of growth.It is through irresponsible adults, young people who have become monsters themselves to escape danger, and the existence of helpers who cannot lead them to the full sun but sympathize with the pain.

➠ Intro :- " Hopeless" (Hwaran), leaves us deep afterimage in the hearts of the audience with its overwhelming immersion and stellar performance by actors, proved once again the intense ensemble of the two actors, Hong Sabin and Song Joong-ki. Hwaran", which proved to be the best movie in 2023, is a deep and intense noir drama that depicts the stories of characters living in a hopeless world in different ways with solid characterizations.

➠ the story analysis :-
" Hopeless " ( Hwaran), is a movie about shadows symbolizing darkness in art.When the light is strong, the shadow becomes longer behind it, so there is hurt in glory, sadness in joy, and pain in growth.It captures portraits of those born under shadows where light cannot be seen from birth, while at the same time implying that those living in the dark will go toward light and find their image.Rather than the grand meaning of salvation, the power of the two men who dream of rescue in a disaster-like reality is impressive...

➠ direction - cast :-
The powerful direction of the new dire"The film emphasizes that affection and loyalty between people can be the last bastion to overcome even the unbearable pain through characters living in a world without hope in different ways." the energy of the new Hong Sa-bin, who expressed it well, and Song Joong-ki's acting transformation come fresh. Attention is focusing on whether the film, which received great attention in Busan, will create a new wave in the theater district.

✰ Will SONG JOONG-KI got sucess with his transition from Protagonist to Antagonist ???
- Yes, Not all actors can effectively make the on-screen transition from hero to antagonist, so when they do,it’s truly a triumph to appreciate. Song Joong-ki who provide an intimidating, menacing, downright horrifying performance helped elevate Hwaran to the next level " Hopeless " (Hwaran)


brought by - Shinnosuk_Lee
( Personal Review )

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"There's more to life than ambition"

Gappa: The Triphibian Monster had a couple of unique things going for it but mostly it was a re-work of other, better Kaiju films. Humans had to re-learn the most basic lesson of nature---never approach or steal a baby animal as you will have to deal with the wrath of the mother.

A publishing CEO has decided to build Playmate Land (Hugh Hefner's use of that word has ruined it for me), a jungle paradise and experience with exotic animals. He sends a reporter, a news photographer, and a scientist to a remote island to see if there are any new species that could be brought to the attraction. The team is greeted by a primitive tribe, some unfortunately in black face. After a statue is destroyed during an earthquake a cave is revealed. Kurosaki and Koyangi discover a large egg that hatches. Tanooka, the researcher, along with Kurosaki decide to take the creature back to Japan even with the tribe begging them not to for it will make Gappa angry. No sooner have the men handed the creature over to the CEO than Big Daddy Gappa and Big Mama Gappa begin to wreak havoc in Japan searching for their offspring.

This was a lesson in the consequences of reckless ambition and greed. When Koyangi begs Kurosaki to return the baby Gappa to its parents he gives her the ‘men have to do what men have to do because we are men’ speech. She looks at him like he’s an idiot and wondering why she’d ever fancied him. Even after Kurosaki and Tanooka come to their senses the CEO refuses to accept his losses and to take responsibility for the epic disaster. While the men come to the conclusion that there is more to life than ambition and other people are important, too, Koyangi’s decision at the end to come to her senses and accept she’s an ordinary woman and needs to get married and wash diapers was eye-rollingly sexist.

The miniatures were about average for this timeframe. Despite the fact that the Gappas could fly, walk, and even breathe under water (where the Triphibian comes from) they were terribly static. They lethargically and quietly lumbered through the cities, unable to move their arms and bodies much. Other than Mothra when her besties were kidnapped and she went on a rampage to have them returned, the Gappas had the strongest motivation for destroying the humans. Even with that compelling motivation they came across as soulless. This is the first Kaiju film I’ve seen with a nuclear family and one that was anthropomorphic which should have felt more heartwarming. Small children might be more moved by it.

Gappa: The Triphibian Monster was actually a loving family of Gappas who weren’t afraid to tear down Japan to protect their own. If they’d had more mobile costumes and the film had better direction, this movie would have been raised to a higher tier in Monsterdom. As it was, Gappa didn’t lay an egg, but it didn’t soar either.

10/10/23

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Apprentice of Dee Renjie?

The story is similar to any Dee Renjie mystery film. Although the protagonists doesnt know any martial arts, he has a sidekick who accompanied him in all his investigations.
Low ranking official who received a letter from his mentor and upon visiting him, he found suspecting situation that caused him to investigate.
Although he has limited resorces and power, he persevered. He is witty and brave. He investigated scary places by himself and I was wondering how he will protect himself without knowing any martial arts.
The production is good. Scene sets were fitting, props were placed well and wardrobes were nicely chosen for each scene.
It is a recommended viewing for any period mystery fanatic. As to rewatch value, this is my second time watching this film. I still enjoyed it. Actually came across scenes I missed for some reason.
Enjoyed this film. Thank you to the producers.

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Ren Jie and Dragons

This is another good Dee Renjie film. Overall, production was great. Live the exquisite wardrobe selections and sets.
I guess if this was made into a series, the few plotholes wouldn't be there.
Theres no explanation for the child and the female on the bridge who was flirting with Renjie. What does the hallucinations with them have to do with the story?
Did Sima die? The other female fighter, who is she and why did she switch side the last minute?

I love any Di Renjie film and series. Although this is a much newer version with beautiful female casts and awesome props, the multiple plotholes made me think of the older series and films that has better story flow.

Still recommended for viewing, rewatch value is always high for me on any Dee Renjie films.

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A whole bunch of nothing...

The movie was basically like these "haunted lactation explorations" tv shows, where nothing happens for 40 minutes, but then they exaggerate the reaction for the smallest whisper or a creak. It starts well introducing the case and building the atmosphere, but then it plateaus till the end and gets more and more boring with every minute.

Have to say though, the directing truly made it seem like a realistic reportage. Appreciate how each footage they showed made sense, and I never questioned "who filmed it?" - these small things that completely ruin the immersive experience.

The acting was also good. Because of the intentional often low quality shots and shaky camera, we could not really grasp the full performance with all its detail, but it was good enough for what it wanted to present.

They way they presented the story itself was painfully basic.

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Fun Comedy Showing How the Yakuza Are Truly Just Thuggish Fools!

This was a very famous movie in Japan in 1992 because the Yakuza were so pissed about being portrayed as bullies and fools that a couple of them stabbed the director 3 days after the movie's release. He survived and wore his scars as a badge of honor. The idiot Yakuza thugs did not get that stabbing a director would inadvertently create media attention to make the movie 10x's more popular. In short, it became a hit! The stabbing also caused a public uproar that resulted in the law enforcement coming down harder on the Yakuza at the time.

As for the movie itself, it's a comedy, so the portrayal of the Yukuza's menace is handled lightly. But beneath that it's also an interesting expose on how the Yakuza truly were blackmailing and extorting regular citizens in the 90's because the law had cracked down on gambling, drugs and prostitution, leaving the Yakuza with few ways to earn other than by extorting regular people and their businesses.

The movie portrays this by showing how the Yakuza are extorting and blackmailing one particular hotel, and how one delightfully brave woman lawyer beats them. The actress playing the lawyer puts in a terrific performance as a smart, funny, sarcastic person who is, at the beginning, the only one brave enough to face down the Yakuza. The Yakuza are appalled that a "little lady" can dare be so fearless! Their sexism is hilarious.

She plays her role with a lot of charm, humor and wit and really makes the movie. The actors portraying the hotel staff also do a great job as bumbling men who are, at first, afraid of the Yakuza, but soon grow brave under the lawyer's tutelage. In all, it's a fun little comedy that also gives insight on how the Yakuza truly were behaving at the time.

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Sons of a tyrant.

Wuershan's Creation of Gods trilogy is the culmination of an eight year labor of love that is the most ambitious and grand scale adaptation of Chinese classic Investiture of Gods ever. This Homeric, often chaotic tale of gods, demons and men that blends speculative history with myth and legend is probably the most widely adapted ancient Chinese vernacular novel. This grandiouse, exhilarating, action packed, and painstakingly crafted production is a visual triumph and an immersive adventure that is best experienced on an IMAX screen.

Kingdom of Storms is the first instalment that focuses on the origin story of the King Zhou of Shang and how he incurred the wrath of the heavens to the extent the gods intervened. In a departure from canon, this adaptation does not lay the moral decay of King Zhou solely at the door of the hedonistic, fox jezebel Su Daji. This version holds King Zhou accountable, clearly asserting that his ambition and moral flexibility already put him on the dark path from the get go. This is a more layered and manipulative King Zhou, who adopts all of his noble hostages including Ji Fa as foster "sons". He ruthlessly indoctrinates his own son Yin Jiao as well as his hostage sons into choosing to be sons of a tyrant over their own fathers. All of the sons are pushed to decide whose son they really are and what kind of man they wish to become. This recurring theme of conflict between father and son and right and wrong adroitly weaves most of the sub-plots together.

Kris Phillips with his magnificent build and his imposing, quietly menacing , almost mesmeric screen aura is impeccably cast as King Zhou. He so much looks and breathes the part that it is easy to ignore his at times bizarre Mandarin and the occasionally stiff acting. Although the stunningly gorgeous Naran is bewitching as Daji, the role lacks complexity. She doesn't get to do much more than alternate between a sensuous seductress and a cunning and feral animal spirit when cornered. This debouched couple lights up the screen with their dark chemistry but I could have done with a bit less of their wanton cavorting that comes off as too unsubtle Hollywood. Beyond their honed physiques and stunning atheleticism, both Yu Shi's Ji Fa and Chen Muchi's Yin Jiao won my heart with their brotherhood and their portrayal of initially bewildered and disillusioned sons who grow up to become fearless and resolved men. They stand out among the dazzling number of up and coming young actors who managed to make an impression in this whirlwind production as does Ci Sha's not so hot headed Yang Jian. The deities don't feature as prominently in this first chapter but I much enjoyed this first glimpse of the diabolically mischevious Nezha.

For those unfamiliar with the chaotic original works, the storytelling may seem cluttered with vignettes at the cost of plot advancement as this largely sets the stage for what culminates in the battle of all battles between good and evil. Beyond an almost gratuitous amount of wildly, intense action scenes, the narrative pays homage to key features of the original works from Ji Chang's meat pies to Bi Gan's seven chamber heart. It culminates in Ji Fa's hair rising escape from the Shang capital Zhaoge. Keep watching after the credits roll as the following epilogue sets up the next instalment where hopefully we see a lot more plot movement. This is a very difficult and messy novel to adapt but so far, I am very impressed with how cogently and fittingly everything ties together. This promises to be the best adaptation by a long mile of this well loved novel, the first part of which warrants a highly enthusiastic 8.5/10.0 from me.

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MY HEART

I don't know whether to start sobbing or not. This movie was so heartbreaking and bittersweet. 😭

It being based on a true story/true events hit me even harder. My heart truly breaks for everyone in the closet and for everyone who never got to experience acceptance and change in their lifetime.

Times may have changed, but for some places and cultures this is still very much a reality. My heart simply hurts so much for every member of the LGBT+ community and the struggles faced.

Thankfully this movie's ending was so sweet and optimistic. This is a must see, but grab your tissues!

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"Life itself, shines down on its own"

Ghost Walk told the story of an unremarkable woman who became entangled in rather remarkable supernatural and natural events. The film was more of an exploration of Hye Jung’s existential dilemma than horror. Though there were high stakes for several characters involved, the movie played out like a gentle slice of life.

The story began on October 8th, Korean Thanksgiving. Hye Jung works at a textile factory and has cut all ties with her family hoping to make it on her own and be free of them. After work, a co-worker walks her home, gives her a birthday gift and declares himself. She tells him she's incapable of having a relationship and turns him down. In fact, she has no close relationships with anyone, including her roommates. Three days later she wakes up to find to find those roommates being questioned by the police and a large blood stain soaked into her bedroom carpet. From there her un-life will become entwined with a little girl, a loan shark, and her roommates. Each day she wakes up one day earlier than the previous day as she discovers how they are all linked.

Ghost Walk may have had a murder mystery to solve, but it seemed to focus more on the isolating nature of financial and familial social pressures. Hye Jung preferred being alone and suddenly she was well and truly alone. To her credit, the reserved young woman handled the supernatural events in her life with aplomb and without breaking down. The effects of gentrification also played a small role. Hye Jung’s connection to the world was Soo Yang, the daughter of the loan shark, with their destinies depending on one another. The music, like Han Hae In’s acting, was never overwhelming, never loud, only softly and mildly accenting the action in select places.

There were times the film attempted to be too clever and enigmatic, especially the film’s ending quotes. It's unhurried pace will not be for everyone. Ghost Walk didn’t break any new ground, this type of story has been told before but it was a quiet ghost story that helped an unremarkable woman gradually break out of her shell. Whether her actions would aid her or anyone else remained to be seen.

10/9/23

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