Sub-mediocre plot, almost ESH (except maybe the FL)
I feel the need to write this because the only reviews I read about this are all above 8, and I am sorry, but this was subpar for me. Sure, it can be argued I am not necessarily a fan of Filipino rom-coms (not there is any "com-" in this, except maybe the outtakes at the end), but there are so many mansplaining scenes, the FL has her boundaries broken so many times, told to not cry, and she still falls for the guy? I'm sorry, the only realistic thing about this is how when you're an immigrant, you go for low level jobs, despite the qualifications you have in your home country.The ML is very unlikable, very self righteous and it was very hard for me to empathize with his story, or understand the FL's infatuation with him after the first part of them being acquainted with each other (the summary puts it as "they struggle at first"). If anything, I liked her story arch and how, despite mistakes and fumbles, she managed to not just get to a better place herself and forge her own path, but also teach him a few lessons along the way.
For those who, like me, hope they can watch this to get a feel for Barcelona and some of its architecture, just pass this - the ratio is way too overwhelming on the side of the plot where I'm supposed to feel sympathy for the male lead and all I can do is white knuckle my way out of this.
Zero chances I might watch this again. If you want a much better love story, with a much better ending (and not skipping on the crying from the female lead or some traces of humour), go for Starting Over Again (2014).
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A Fairy Tale Murder Mystery That Casts a Magical Spell
"Once Upon a Crime" is a delightful comedy-mystery movie that keeps you entertained from start to finish with its quirky charm. This inventive twist on the classic Cinderella story elevates it from a simple fantasy tale to a captivating murder mystery.The film's narrative revolves around the familiar Cinderella, a young girl mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters. However, in this imaginative rendition, she encounters our protagonist, Little Red Riding Hood, who possesses a unique power of deduction. When Cinderella's carriage accidentally strikes the royal hairdresser, she, along with Red Riding Hood, conceals the body and continues on her way to the ball. At the royal event, where she catches the prince's eye, things take a dramatic turn when the dead body is discovered. This is where Red Riding Hood steps in as the detective to unravel the mystery behind the hairdresser's demise.
What truly sets this movie apart is its ingenious blend of a murder mystery with a beloved fairy tale. Amid the enchanting backdrop of Cinderella's story, we find another iconic fantasy character, Little Red Riding Hood, playing a Sherlock Holmes-like role. The seamless integration of the murder mystery into the well-known fairy tale is a commendable feat. It never detracts from the fantasy elements of Cinderella's world. The intricate plot surrounding the hairdresser's murder and the eventual revelation of the culprit are handled with finesse.
Hashimoto Kanna, portraying Little Red Riding Hood, steals the spotlight with her exceptional acting, while Araki Yuko, as Cinderella, breathes life into her character. Iwata Takanori, in the role of the Prince, delivers an outstanding performance, and Sato Jiro's presence never fails to entertain. I was surprised to see Inukai Atsuhiro as one of the guardsmen and was hoping he had more screentime.
In conclusion, "Once Upon a Crime" masterfully blends humor and mystery within the enchanting realms of fantasy and magic. This film offers a unique cinematic experience, where the age-old fairy tale takes an unexpected and thrilling turn. Whether you're a fan of mysteries or simply love imaginative storytelling, this movie is sure to cast a magical spell on you.
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What's wrong with these Asian screenwriters??
I started watching this movie while I was ironing clothes and I didn't have any particular expectation. Halfway through the film I grabbed the iron backwards and burbed my hand so much I was captured by the plot, I was enjoying the funny scenes and the acting..and then it happened again..Ok sending ML away and having him disappear at a certain point, it may happen, I can take it...but why did he have to die???
In Western films and series, the great problem would have been the reaction of the best friend when realizing that the boy she likes fell in love with FL and was reciprocated. Here she acts so mature (as they always do in kdramas) and friendship is saved, so why did it have to end like this???
I think I will watch this film over and over again, but alway stopping at the train station scene. A goodbye is always better than a farewell.
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One of the best GAY movies ever made!
I could write a book about the beauty of this movie. There is so much to unpack in what initially seems like a throw-away film that was originally released in 2022. Marketed as a comedy, it is indeed funny. Its premise is rather unorthodox for us who live in the West. We do not fully understand or grasp different religious beliefs or cultures especially centering around a deep connection to individuals who are deceased. But that does not take away from its impact. If anything, it adds to it. As stated, this is billed as a comedy, but its ending is so sad. Deeply sad. Full of regrets but with an opportunity to redeem those regrets. Perhaps that is its lasting message that we should be overcome with. Life is so fragile. Regrets are plentiful with perhaps the opportunities to redeem those regrets coming along so infrequently. Maybe it is best not to waste them.This is an astonishingly impactful movie that will make you laugh, cry, and allow you to ponder and take pause. The timing of its humor is seamless. The acting is impeccable. The story is inspirational as well as being a tear-jerker. In other words, it is memorable. To read my full review of this awesome film, go to BLBliss.com.
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Chamber play without any sense
Maybe I'm too old and experienced to much to understand the meaning behind this film.It's somehow far-fetched to pack so many questions of fate into this short vacation with a childhood friend (hand on heart, who remembers their friend from elementary school so much?!?) in New York.
A what if and what could have been play, that somehow doesn't make sense.
If the two of them had had something together, it would have been more realistic - but so???
Well, we can watch good actors and admire a little bit of New York in beautiful pictures. That also has something of its own. But I don't understand the hype surrounding this film.
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"Pleased to eat you!"
If you decide to watch The Meg because of the tagline, "Pleased to eat you!" you probably already know to check your brain at the door because you are about to be swamped with clichéd characters and plot and ridiculous pseudo-science. Most of the CGI and cinematography were quality which helped when the dialogue tried to drown the fun of a massive Megalodon or two set loose from the Mariana Trench!Starring Jason Statham, you know he's going to have to go mano y pectoral fin with the giant 90ft/27m shark at some point in time. Jonas is the lone diver who can attempt a rescue at over 11,000ft/3300m depth and he's off in Thailand drinking his sorrows away. He'd attempted a rescue five years earlier of a sub trapped in the Trench and had to abandon some of his men when the sub was attacked by a giant creature. Even though he saved numerous lives he was branded as having had a psychological breakdown for the story he told. When his ex-wife and crew become stranded at the bottom of the Trench, an old teammate comes calling to talk him into rescuing her.
The characters were stock characters, shallow with little personality. Li Bing Bing was weighed down in the Stereotypical Headstrong Female Scientist role who thought Statham's Jonas was crazy and treated him as such until she was rescued by him numerous times as he snatched her out of the jaws of death. She had a Wise Beyond Her Years Daughter who helped to lead the two divorced people to a romance. The rest of the crew included the Egotistical Billionaire, Tough Chick, Black Guy Who Can't Swim (really?!?), Scientist Bestie, Jerk Doctor, Dad With a Target On His Back, and a couple of other scientists. Honestly, with the exception of a couple of characters, none of them were developed enough to make me care whether they lived or became chum. One of the early deaths was actually emotional and done well, after that it was bring on the shark!
The science was particularly awful without any conception of the forces at work on submersibles and the people in them at the deepest depths of the ocean. And one scene that was supposed to be frightening had me laughing until I could barely breathe. Seriously, that little boat they used was tough if they could lasso a megalodon using it! Also, every time the script called for Statham to have to dive into the water to face the big fish to show his courage was hilarious.
If you watch this movie, you need to know that there aren't any award-winning performances, in fact, some are particularly bad. The science is dreadful. The dialogue can be cringe-worthy. When numerous people are threatened the stakes don't feel very high because we don't know anyone, even the people from the main crew who fall into the water every five minutes. If you can set all that aside, it is a fun movie with the ginormous sharks seeking to turn back the clock about 10 million years when they ruled the oceans.
9/13/23
Edit--I bumped the score up .5 because I enjoyed it more than the sequel although the sequel had better acting. This one had me laughing more.
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...
the production was good, I can't complain .I also say that the performance was incredible, it would be a sin if I complained.
I love the actors, I loved the characters.
Of course, not everything is perfect, I can't lie, but what a drama that doesn't have a single flaw.
So in conclusion, I recommend...
I say it's worth watching, maybe it's bad for some, but for me it was good.
This is just my opinion, you better watch it and have your own opinion.
I don't know what to say, because I think everyone has their own opinion.
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...
the production was good, I can't complain .I also say that the performance was incredible, it would be a sin if I complained.
I love the actors, I loved the characters.
Of course, not everything is perfect, I can't lie, but what a drama that doesn't have a single flaw.
So in conclusion, I recommend...
I say it's worth watching, maybe it's bad for some, but for me it was good.
This is just my opinion, you better watch it and have your own opinion.
I don't know what to say, because I think everyone has their own opinion.
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My opinion
the production was good, I can't complain .I also say that the performance was incredible, it would be a sin if I complained.
I love the actors, I loved the characters.
Of course, not everything is perfect, I can't lie, but what a drama that doesn't have a single flaw.
So in conclusion, I recommend...
I say it's worth watching, maybe it's bad for some, but for me it was good.
This is just my opinion, you better watch it and have your own opinion.
I don't know what to say, because I think everyone has their own opinion.
Was this review helpful to you?
my opinion
the production was good, I can't complain .I also say that the performance was incredible, it would be a sin if I complained.
I love the actors, I loved the characters.
Of course, not everything is perfect, I can't lie, but what a drama that doesn't have a single flaw.
So in conclusion, I recommend...
I say it's worth watching, maybe it's bad for some, but for me it was good.
This is just my opinion, you better watch it and have your own opinion.
I don't know what to say, because I think everyone has their own opinion.
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This Move is to see different side of our normal society
There was no plot JUST Showing the minority part of our society. Not everyone is perfect, Not everyone lives according to social norms, and Not everyone's love is the normal love we see in movies and dramas. This movie showed the story of those people who exist in our society but our society ignores them.I wanted the main characters to be more crazy. I see love but not the crazy passion of obsession of love for each other. which I was looking for. On crazy people's standards, this was so general and average character behavior.
The script writer did a great job of making the story as acceptable kind for normal society as a writer could.
Watch this move from a new perspective. This move is not for normal people who follow social norms.
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Homosexuality and "churches", a bitter darkness
A devout Christian, Yoo Han, feels a desire against the "Christian" `doctrine´ towards Joo Won, a newcomer at the congregation. And alone Won´s appearance got him against his homophobic indoctrination intrigued. Therefore he is eagerly praying to cover his nature and tries to deny the nature and sexual desire ... in vain! Han but can´t stop looking at Won."The story began with the question of how far human desire can be controlled under intense religious beliefs and what the believers could look like when dominated by a desire that is contrary to doctrine."
I will give some facts. as a historian.
The bible, the fairy book, started to be written by the Jees in their exile in Babylon, where they copy pasted oringinal Sumerian and Babylonian texts, not even religious ones and created the scripture we know as Thora - the Old Book. The Genesis alone is 95% such a copy paste. Adam and Eve and the paradise is the original Sumerian storytelling about the beginning of civilisation somewhere at a sunken coast on the Arabian Peninsular. The Great Flood and Abraham is the story of the dramatic changes with the end of the ice age and the melting of the massive iceshields. And the worst for devoted "christians" is the Gilgamesh Epos, which is as well integrated into the book Genesis. That story is f.e. including gay sex between Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu ... SHREEK! Later implemented anti gay passages are 1st some anti greek text passages after the conquering of Palestine by Alexander the Great. And then this totally misinterpreted and translated passage "a man should not lie by man like a woman" the original says "a man should not lie with a bioy like a woman" IT IS FORBIDDING CHILD ABUSE / SEX!
The English best in denying all nature and natural made it homophobic in the James Bibele translation ... despite James being gay as hell ... with several courtiers being his lovers.
With the English the Catholic into the same idiotic doctrine latest in 19th century when the English "culture" dominated the world from Asia around the world back into Europe.
This stance is based in the original development of Protestantism in the beginning age of Renaissance, where the Homo Sapiens was placed in the center and no öonger the god figure, like in Medieval times. They had been too ultra conservative and wanted to stay in the darkness of Merdieval times. Something we see again actually with the Evangicals who fight against Human Rights everywhere, here they have set their feet.
The congregation or "church" of Han is obviously such an Evangecal nature denying assembly ... These brainwashing assemblies push their victims into isolation and lonelyness to be 100% subjected to the hate doctrine they preach. Alone the homophobia these promote or that Human Rights violating Conversion "therapy". It´s plain breaking a mind and life threatening and mentalhealth- and bodyharming!
Han sits in his sterile house and reading in this fairybook seeking sence for his life ... and then desire strucks in form of Won. Near the end Han is dressed in black, indicating his "sinming" ... Oh my ... what an arrogance of anybody slaming/forbidding love. "Very `christian´". "I am the lord, who makes you holy" Han prays ... in vain, he allready had sinned. Prayer, prayer against his nature ... Han ends in an darkened "church" room prays for solace against his lonelyness which this imagined figure can´t give. Such terrorised figures like Han are the next suicidal vistims, despite their "strong beliefs".
The film tells what religion is is: in the last end a life threatening, deeply depend and insecure making cult which is denying everything connecting with nature and real love ... Holding up the companies brand name but not able to get the soulö into is a fake.
And before one "christian" may try to missiomnary me ... I am atheist and humanist and believe in science , not fairy tales and imagined boyfriends.
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A seldom staged age gap BL
I loved to watch one of the very few BLs with a age gap, 180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us got ridiculous negative critiques for the age gap ... would it have been a male female love story and the female was the younger ... no problem. Those critics showed just their Medieval mindset.The age gap between gay couples is often to be seen, similar often as within the heteros. It´s normal or standard.
The teachers lonelyness could be fealt, underlined by the music and how it was used. The student ... I fealt from the 1st view while watching what would happen and it did ... and satisfying enough they gor their happy end. Even one that was/is most realistic when 2 guys find themselves ... They want to unite ... and obviously they would do, while walking into the night.
The student attacked virtuous the walls of the professor which he had errected to protect himself ... but the young lad got a breach into and stormed the besieged fortress and was victorious ... He, that indicates the storyline and final talking, his prize ... a lucky uniting with the professor.
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Mathematical Courageous
"In Our Prime" is a delightful Korean movie that captures the essence of mathematics and the courage it takes to master it. As a math enthusiast, I found this film particularly appealing, as it delves into the world of numbers and equations, which have a unique way of always revealing the truth.The movie centers around a heartwarming story of a student who stumbles upon an unexpected mentor, a school security guard who secretly possesses genius-level mathematical skills. The concept of an unconventional teacher-student relationship adds depth to the plot, making it both brilliant and emotionally engaging.
The quote, "Mathematical courage: this is really tough. I will try again tomorrow," beautifully encapsulates the persistence required to conquer complex mathematical challenges. It highlights the perseverance and determination that are essential qualities for anyone pursuing math or any other demanding field.
The performances in "In Our Prime" are praiseworthy, with the senior actor portraying the math genius delivering a standout performance. His portrayal adds authenticity to the character and enhances the overall viewing experience.
Overall, "In Our Prime" is a must-watch for math enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates a heartwarming and well-executed story. It celebrates the power of mathematics while delivering a compelling narrative filled with memorable characters and exceptional performances.
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