Reviews

Eehhhhh

Look, it's a cute idea. But I think if you want to watch a good crime/fairytale blend, you're better off watching Hoodwinked (2005).

Once Upon a Crime is a whodunnit lazily mashed together with a Disney-esque Cinderella story (I'm referring the animated one, not the kickass Whitney Houston one). The characters have no depth, nor is the world-building overly creative. I don't mind a bit of oddball humour but it ended up being annoying.

It's a shame. I think if the creators had thought outside the box a bit, this could've been decent. I got bored and dropped it around 30min in.

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IG reels made me watched the movie BUT it's NOT worthy!

After Netflix released "One Piece" in 2023 Mackenyu aka Roronoa Zoro's popularity increased and my IG feed filled with his previous movie clips... As expected I searched for that movie everywhere and couldn't find it after a while found it & let me tell you so, you can decide whether to watch it or not.

If you expected Fast & Furious kinda of action or any romance you're going to be highly disappointed! Actually, there is not a strong story it's a blend... Yes, there is only one actor in the movie & you know who.... other actors didn't have much impact on the story... it is only about Hiyama Naozumi aka Mackenyu.

Here's the spoiler**

the story is about two brothers' bond, their childhood a lost friend & unsaid things that haven't been addressed until he fulfills his Dream which is to become the best in the World Rally Championship. FYI it's a sports-based movie where sport isn't the highlight just the brothers' quarrel.

IMO, it's a good thing that they didn't add any more love angle in the movie with the promoter cuz that would be unnecessary.

Overall it's a one-time watch movie but don't get your hopes high. I don't know why it gets a 7.5 rating in MDL?

BUT if you expecting the thrill of racing, romance, or passion... you might be wasting your time. I am given 5.5 only and ONLY for Mackenyu.

Guess I'll be watching his other movies which have below-average ratings on IMDB but who cares about rating when you like the actors!

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Would you like a side of class commentary with that?

The social criticism of this film is about as subtle as, well... plonking a massive rack of meat on a table and calling it a "sacrificial feast" for your wealthy onlookers.

On the one hand, Hunger bangs you over the head with a wok while screaming, "rich people are evil" (facts) and asks you to maybe go touch some grass. On the other hand, it undercuts its own attempts at class commentary by erasing nuance and thereby failing to really contribute anything insightful.

I think if you want to watch something that leans more into the power dynamics and social criticism but still centres on food, I'd recommend The Platform (2019, Spanish).

That said, the production quality of the Hunger is top tier. It's worth watching purely for some of the cinematographic moments. The soundtrack is strong as well. Though I would've liked more of those jazz elements from the opening scenes to have been used later in the film too.

It may look like a long run time but it goes fast. Terrific pacing means this one is an easy watch for a Friday or Saturday night. Best served with the cheapest cook-up or takeaway you can muster.

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Oh my the car chase

I got a whole new appreciation for Gong Yoo after watching Suspect. The car chases have to be the best I can remember ever watching. My whole body was tense. I had to take a break here and there during some of the scenes.

When I saw that Jo Sung Ha was portrayed Kim Suk Ho, I just knew he had to be a bad guy. Loved it when the formula was for growing buckwheat. Joke on him.

Appreciated the Captain (Jo Jae Yoon) who provided some light moments of laughter.

I just wanted to sob when Dong Chul found his daughter.

I usually don’t watch KMovies. I’m glad I watched this one.

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Excellent acting but slightly weak plot

I'm on holiday in Bangkok when I decided to catch the movie since I'm not sure if it will be shown in Singapore.

First thing to note - It's not a BL movie but the chemistry between Mile and Apo is still there.

As someone who is not Thai, it feels weird realising that the dialogue was not in the Thai language that I'm used to with my Thai friends. I think it's in one of the many Thai dialects but got used to it within 15 mins of the movie.

The production is seriously gorgeous. The costumes, the make-up, the backdrop was all so beautiful. It is a visually appealing movie in every way.

Apo's acting improved a lot compared to back in KinnPorsche. Bas was a little bit underuse but the scene between Apo, Mile, Tong & him - Bas completely stole the scene from everyone. I hope people in the industry notice more of his skills. Personal opinion - I feel that Mile's acting was the weakest among the 4 of them. I felt that the other 3 step up their game while Mile's acting was still the same back in KinnPorsche but still love him.

The plot was okay. I felt that something is missing from the storyline but I'm not sure what it is.

Overall, totally worth it for me to catch it at the cinema while on holiday!

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Lacks Focus & Skill

Tries to be too many things and fails at pretty much everything. This movie came off as a juvenile attempt at "indie art". It is INCREDIBLY BORING. I read that the director was inspired by Japanese pink films, as well as a few other things. This does seem like it fits that genre, it's just poorly done.

The only thing that kept me curious and watching was the character Playboy, acted by Steven Isarapong Furher (who is actually pretty good despite the crappy script). It's the first time I've seen a very masochistic character ALSO be such a dominant personality. I find that duality fascinating and wish that had been the focus of this film and explored further.

The directing, pacing, plot, script, cinematography, and music are all terrible. But I was able to finish it with some fast-forwarding and without feeling totally scarred by it so I'll rate it a 1.5.

When a character replies to another there is a pause the average of 3-5 seconds (sometimes longer!). It's ridiculously slow. Maybe the director really wanted the actors to fully feel the lines before speaking them but it completely dissipates any tension the incredibly vague and stupid plot tries to build up.

There's not a lot of background music/noise. When there is, it starts and stops abruptly and feels out of place. It always detracts instead of inhances. The simplistic drum beat during sex is awkward and distracting. The rap about rape is completely out of left field, bizarre, and disturbing. There's no cohesion.

If you want something extreme with a hopeful ending watch Dangerous Drugs of Sex instead (a 2020 Japanese film). That is very well done.

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Sad ending

I has decided to watch this movie because I wanted to know that what would happen to male lead actor ,Is he die or survive because in drama it had not shown . Tbe drama end with the no ending . I think the director don't want viewer to be upset . But after watching the movie ,I came to know that there is no hope . Yes ,the story has sad ending . If you hate sad ending then don't watch this . If the story was based on true story then it is ok but if it was not then why the writer has given such ending to the two characters.
I had literally cried after seeing both ,the drama and the movie.

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This movie felt like I was watching a cliff notes version of a story. It held no personalities for the characters, no real direction, no connection, and just moved you from point to point throughout time without context or understanding. The basic story is that they meet in high school, the rich popular boy falls for the defiant poor girl but she chooses not to return his affection because of her family situation. They separate and reunite after college. They build a love story for a few years then separate again. But none of the points are explained at all. You just jump to those points in time with no understanding of why the characters like each other, why he is so attached to her after years, why she is so closed off and quiet. There is no foundation for the relationship but also no character building for anyone so you don't understand personalities or what makes each one do the things they do. The ending is the most atrocious however as the real ending I guess was cut? You can find it by looking it up, not that it'll make much more sense than the rest of the film but at least you will be less frustrated.

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A Dark and Twisted Thriller by Takashi Miike

Takashi Miike, known for his bold and provocative filmmaking, delivers another unsettling masterpiece with "Lesson of the Evil." This psychological thriller takes you on a disturbing journey into the mind of a charismatic high school teacher, where the lines between good and evil blur in the most chilling ways imaginable. Not one to shy away from extreme violence and gore, Takashi Miike serves another great movie experience.

The film wastes no time in plunging viewers into the dark underbelly of a high school plagued by rampant cheating, bullying, and teachers who cross ethical boundaries. At the center of this chaos is Professor Hasumi, portrayed with chilling conviction by Ito Hideki. Hasumi initially appears as a beloved teacher, adored by his students. However, beneath the facade of a caring educator lies a remorseless killer who believes in solving students' issues through murder. What begins as a twisted form of vigilante justice spirals into a descent into madness, compelling Hasumi to take increasingly drastic measures to conceal his crimes.

Miike's direction shines as the film expertly navigates the duality of Hasumi's character. Through well-placed flashbacks and a relentless pace, viewers gain insight into the motivations behind his actions. As curiosity about his past threatens to expose him, Hasumi's transformation into a sadistic murderer is portrayed with unnerving precision. The supporting cast, though primarily serving as fodder for Hasumi's sadistic nature, adds to the film's unsettling atmosphere.

'Lesson of the Evil' excels in showcasing the gruesome consequences of Hasumi's actions, culminating in a crescendo of violence that leaves an indelible mark. From themes of bullying, harassment, and blackmail to moments of nudity and brutal deaths, the film spares no detail in its exploration of horror.

In conclusion, 'Lesson of the Evil' is not for the faint of heart. If you possess the stomach for extreme violence and gore, this movie offers a captivating and disturbing cinematic experience. Ito Hideki's remarkable performance, combined with Miike's unflinching direction, makes this film a standout entry in the director's challenging body of work. It's a 'magnificent' descent into darkness that lingers long after the credits roll.

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It break your heart into pieces only to put it all back together!

I cried so much in last 10 mins, it's such a beautiful ending. It's the best ending I've seen in BL- the way it's all wrapped up, tied together. Its so neat and beautiful

I got fed up at Akira at some point, but I'm glad it call came around well. It's just so inspiring, touching and beaautiful

I admire Yuki's spirit. He's really brave, honest and true to his heart. He reminds us to LIVE life fully and freely.

What an inspiring show! I'm glad I found this show.

While the ending is perfect, I wouldn't mind watching a part 2 where they just show the happy story of how they get married, etc etc. It'd be just so lovely to watch

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Friends, lovers, soulmates?

Finally a movie that tells the scamming 2nd female leads story, a bout the girl we know so well from mostly c-drams and have been taught to hate.

Here she is our female lead, as we get to see what made her that way, and a rare (okay ot so rare as this has been done before), window in to the mind of the obsessed girl who is about to loose the man she has gotten used to having around, and does pretty much what she needs to hold on... let go.. hold on again?

Something that we know from the start ended up making her loose the guy for 3 years, but what wil lhappen after that, what did she actually do that was so wrong that even she knows she was wrong (the intro to the movie), well I am not going to tell you that part as that would completely spoil the movie but I will say she does indeed do something really wrong, it compleatly spinnes out of control and it is portrayed rather well

If you are looking for fluff this is not the place to find it, but you will find some longing gazes, fun characters, second hand embarrassment (but not to much) a different perspective on the lines between soulmate, friends, lovers and what not .

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This is what life is for some people.

This was a raw view of a bad relationship. Getting together and staying for the wrong reasons. Unfortunately we are given very little information on the why’s that result in this. The end also has to be assumed. These unhealthy relationships happen and continue to this day. Regardless of the gender.The actors did a good job with what they had. The main couple was disfuncional and their vision towards life was hopeless. Our second North Korean on the other hand. Stayed the course. We can assume that even though the pain, made an effort to integrate himself to society.

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Just go watch Lost instead

Anatahan is a fictional retelling of the Japanese soldiers stranded on the Pacific island of Anatahan from 1944 to 1951. In both the real story and this one, they refused to believe the war was over.

This film features a Japanese cast and has dialogue all in Japanese, but the director (who also narrates the story in English) is a white dude who lathers the story with a heap of racist exotification and sexism. All in all, it's a pretty Western production.

As such, the story ends up as a crude Lord the Flies with the one woman on the island tossed around as part of the ongoing power struggle. The narrator and the other characters spend the entire film objectifying and harassing her (also content warning for domestic violence and rape, if you plan on watching this).

It's a shame because the premise of the story is an interesting one. Holding out on a stranded island for years on end has been the premise of many of a good piece of cinema. Yet this film flops. Badly.

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