This review may contain spoilers
Brilliant Yuto Nakajima Carries This Enjoyable One-Man Show
Story:The concept of survival a la 127 hours, Buried Alive, etc is nothing new but this movie manages to stay fresh with the incorporation of social media element as well as doing away with some cliches. The pace is good too as within the first 5 mins, the protagonist Shunsuke is already down the manhole and so many things happen that it doesn't feel draggy. It is written in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable but full of anticipation at what is going to happen next as Shunsuke tries to get himself out. It's not too gory but there are parts that makes you want to turn your eyes away or wince in your seat. There is a nice twist that you do not see happening even if you read other reviews of this movie and consider yourself somewhat spoiled.
Acting/Cast:
Yuto Nakajima carries the movie as he fills the screen 90% of the time and he absolutely delivers. You can see his transformation from being the victim just trying to get out in time for his wedding, to feeling despair, and even unhinged. It is not an easy task to carry a movie alone while confined to the tiny space that is a manhole but he delivers. The ludicrous twist at the end works mainly because of his solid portrayal. Nao doesnt physically appear in the movie but has a large presence herself as the ex gf willing to help track Shunsuke. She did great for a voice acting appearance.
Overall: 9/10 . Solid acting performance, good storyline and pacing, that twist at the end.
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BWH&H 3: Worth Waiting For
This is considered by many to be the best entry in the whole series. It certainly has more going on than the others, and the new characters really add a lot to the story progression. The only disappointing aspect is that this one and the fourth movie serve a sort of one-two punch, almost like they are one complete film that's been cut in two. That means there's a sort of empty feeling at the end of it where you stop and go , "That's it?". You have to watch the fourth to really have everything sorted out.If you liked the first two movies but weren't completely sold, I would say you should still give this one a watch. It's the most intricate, the most intense, and the most interestingly plotted this series gets. It's also the first entry that didn't follow the true stories that the first two were based off of, so this is when the project became entirely that of the director's.
I enjoyed this one just as much on a second watch, and perhaps even moreso (it's easier to follow who is who once you've already seen it once).
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Now this is how you do a disaster movie!
The headline says it all. One of the best disaster movies in the entire game!Emergency Declaration is an outstanding film that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. With a gripping storyline and exceptional performances by the cast, it's a must-see for any fan of suspenseful thrillers.It is well acted , well produced, screenplay to die for and pacing that is heartracingly sublime! I was a total sweating mess watching this and thats exactly what a disaster thriller should do!
On top of the thrills- it delves into complex moral dilemmas and the human psyche under extreme pressure. The movie does commentary and thought provocation searingly well and that is so amazing to pack in the high stakes of everything.
The visuals are striking, and the use of sound adds an extra layer of intensity to the viewing experience.The cast delivers outstanding performances across the board. Everyone is phenomenal and all convey the desperation,determination or greed of their characters brilliantly.
Overall - its a must watch. Truly a top contender in the disaster movie game because of its ability to create a palpable sense of urgency and emotional connection with the characters.
I can see this being a future cult classic of the genre.
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A Heartfelt Journey: 'One And Only' Delivers
In "One And Only", Wang Yibo offers a compelling portrayal that showcases his acting prowess. He steps into the shoes of Chen Shuo, a character who embodies naivety and pure-heartedness, delivering a convincing performance that allows viewers to immerse themselves in Chen Shuo's world.From the very beginning, Wang Yibo's portrayal captures the essence of Chen Shuo. His expressive face and bright eyes effectively convey the character's innocence and unwavering belief in his dreams. Wang Yibo's ability to convey complex emotions through subtle expressions adds depth to Chen Shuo's character and makes his journey relatable.
What sets "One And Only" apart is the chemistry between Wang Yibo's Chen Shuo and the other characters. His interactions with Coach Ding Lei, his e-mark teammates, and Li Ming Zhu are well-executed, contributing to the authenticity of their relationships. These connections enhance the overall narrative and make it more engaging.
Wang Yibo's performance in "One And Only" is a testament to his dedication to his craft. His ability to fully inhabit the character of Chen Shuo elevates the film and showcases his acting talent. This film not only serves as a platform for Wang Yibo but also offers a heartwarming and inspiring story about dreams and friendship.
"One And Only" is a film worth watching for its heartfelt narrative and the chemistry among its characters. Wang Yibo's performance is a highlight, and it's evident that he has put considerable effort into bringing Chen Shuo to life on screen.
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beautiful story and a lesbian treat!
i don’t particularly indulge myself in romance content. i prefer action and thriller. however, i can tell a good movie when i see one.this movie was absolutely beautiful. it brought about a pure love story that defies all obstacles. although the love between the main characters was pure, their circumstances was far from it. personally i felt a deep sympathy towards lady hideko and pride. for sook-hee it was adoration and admiration.
their love story was something unexpected in their lives. they appeared in each other’s lives at the perfect time. they both needed each other.
the plot twists were amazing and unexpected. after the first plot twist, i let out a huge gasp in surprise. i was tricked into thinking the movie was over until saw the duration and realised otherwise. the second plot twist was emotional and a pleasant surprise.
i was cheering them and their love on. it was just like the first cherry blossoms of spring.
the acting was nothing less than phenomenal! kim min-hee and kim tae-ri did a spectacular job portraying their roles. their chemistry together was off the charts. i could see the gayness literally overflowing. i have to point out that tae-ri’s abs and minhee in kimonos and suits was my favourite thing ever in the movie. this movie made me love tae-ri more than i already do and i didn’t think it was possible. she should take on many more queer roles!
it’s definitely for adult audiences (17+ish). however the nudity and sex scenes added to the story and were placed very timely.
i have to give special honour to the last scene. it was beautiful. it tied everything together well. it has small details/symbols that were talked about earlier in the movie. the scene will be much more impactful if you pick up on the small nuances. the bells ringing at the end were perfection and they mirrored wedding bells so perfectly.
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A must watch movie to value life
Very great movie, a bit similar to 12 angry men and among us . it shows us the true value of life.It shows in the end while that all later voted against. and gives us motivation to fight hardships and never let depression destroy us and never give up.
In the end it did made me cry, because it is very actual topic in 21st centuary.
it did was intense at the moments of thinking of who might be the murderer what if , they just hid the body and etc.
overall, the happy ending shows us that that life is precious
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"A promise is a promise"
wow. this film is short but very fruitful. there were so many layers of angst and beauty in this 37 minute piece. i don't think i've ever seen a short film done this well.po xiao and feng ren had a relationship so precious that it can't be put into words. the cute but almost silent bantering, the worry of losing the other and the absolute willingness to risk it all for the sake of the other. the fact that i got attached to these characters so fast was unbelievably real.
i have so much appreciation to everyone involved in this production because damn, the visuals and aesthetics were STUNNING. the cast truly killed it in the best way and the chemistry was off the roof. i can find myself writing fanfics about the characters because of how good the acting was. the music was really good and fitting whether it be a suspenseful or emotional scene. ALSO ohmy, the fighting scenes.
one thing i like about this movie was how the story was not overly complex. there were no side plots. the focus was centered around po xiao and feng ren which made the writing for their characters feel more natural. the conversations between the leads were all important to tell their story.
overall, a very well done short film that gets you riled up with so much emotions. prepare to cry. the tears are worth it. i promise.
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Even "After Sundown" ....... Saeng Rawee is there for Phloeng
Even though the duration of this movie is only about 100 minutes they tried to cover each and every aspect. If only they could have increased the runtime and showed us some character development, then it would have felt way more content while watching the movie.Even though the story is something common - Arranged marriage to drive away misfortune, leads already met when they are kids, and the horror part is also something kind of similar plot which we are already familiar with(I don't want to spoil it). Everything was extremely supernatural and way beyond science(Well what else can we expect when the story was set in 1960s hahaha). Like I said they could have made the whole plot in a more detailed manner(Not saying it is not detailed enough LOL).
Acting wise, the actors did a really good job. The music is also pleasing and suited the movie and the situation really well. Like we already know NuNew is a great singer right!! My only complaints are regarding the story elaboration, other than that it's a good movie.
[Ahem...the headline is a hint regarding climax]
P.S. - I have not read the novel. But the movie's a solid one time watch. Go Watch it!!
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a must watch for action lovers and those looking for strong female leads!
I am someone who loves actions and thriller genres. i also have an undying love for strong women in movies/shows. i always look for new content that have women that are unapologetically strong and don’t end up needing a man to keep her going. this movie is exactly up my lane.the protagonist is an independent and strong woman. she has had her fair share of trauma and hardships. however she always triumphed through them. she was feminine yet brutal. she never held back but never hurt someone that didn’t deserve it. she seemed cold on the outside but she was desperate for love, a family, and stability. although she got them, they only lasted a sweet moment.
the last scene was probably my favourite. the fl technically said the title without saying the title. it felt like we had just gotten a prequel to the main movie. it felt like her story only just started. the end left me yearning for me. the one thing this movie desperately lacks is a second movie! the ending left room for more of the protagonist’s story.
the acting was phenomenal. Kim Ok-Bin, Shin Ha-Kyun, Kim Seo-Hyung, and Bang Sung-Joon; they were all just amazing in portraying their respective characters. Ok-Bin really proved that she deserved to be the protagonist. She played her role so well!
Kim Seo-Hyung always manages to make everything gay. I fall in love with her ever second. She’s so attractive and complete pleasure every time she appears on screen.
I’d highly recommend this movie for anyone who loves intense action scenes and thrillers. everyone should be aware it’s an amazing ending that connects everything and makes it all make sense but it isn’t a happy ending. if you hate tragedies, beware!
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This review may contain spoilers
Set in the early 1900's, The Bloody Fists starred Chen Sing and Chen Kuan Tai. Yuen Woo Ping choreographed the fights which meant at least they would be interesting. It was a good thing, because the story wasn't.With a plague descending upon the country the invading Japanese wanted the precious dragon herb grown locally for their own people and to let the Chinese suffer the devastating effects of the illness without their remedy. The villagers in charge of farming and storing it refuse to sell it to the Japanese. A mask wearing Chen Kuan Tai in a terrible wig brings his men to intimidate the village into handing over the dragon herb. Three brothers manage to hold his men off initially. In a kung fu film if there are three brothers, two of them are extraneous and most likely won't see the ending credits. Along with the Yu brothers, Jiang Wu Ke, a notorious robber wanted by the law shows up in town while he's on the run. He falls ill with the plague and is treated with the dragon herb by a mute and his grandfather. By the time he recovers the villagers are either dead or being held hostage by the Japanese. The bad guys didn't quite grasp the whole hostage concept as they kept killing them off or killing the people who knew where the herb was hidden. Offended by the bad guys' violence Jiang decides to take matters into his own hands.
Chen Sing played the good guy in this movie, going against his usual villain type. He did make for a more complex hero than the bland Yu brothers. Chen Kuan Tai didn't come across as a very sinister baddie, but it could have been due to the hilarious wig he was sporting. Evil sidekick San Kaui had owl-like eyebrows while Pak Sha Lik looked like his mustache was made out of electrical tape. Mama Hung and Hao Li Jen who had nearly 600 acting credits between them made their usual supporting appearances.
The story's simple plot coupled with terrible pacing caused the movie to drag terribly. The sets weren't special and the Chinese costumes were standard for kung fu movies regardless of the era they were supposed to take place in. The Japanese costumes were as bad as Kuan Tai's wig. There was an awful rape scene that was gratuitous and completely unnecessary which downgraded the movie for me. Yuen Woo Ping's fight choreography wasn't as polished as it would become but it was entertaining, especially the final fights by the ocean beach. Chen Sing and Chen Kuan Tai had enough charisma to sell it. There was one fight in the dark that was almost impossible to make out much of the action. Trampolines and sped up camera work were both employed throughout.
As bland as the story and characters were, I did enjoy seeing Chen Sing play the good guy. He made his character compelling to watch, a rare feat next to the lackluster cast. The Bloody Fists wasn't an awful 1970's kung fu film, but it wasn't bloody marvelous either.
9/10/23
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i'm obsessed & in love
it's the first time i'm writing a review here, it just shows a little of the amount of emotions i felt when watching this gem.i can't really express how much i'm in love with this movie. it's been days since i watched it and i can't stop thinking about everything that happened. the song that plays in the end is amazing as well. i've loved this movie since the beginning, it's now one of my favorites for sure. i couldn't stop noticing the peace they clearly felt in the moments they were together. the tranquility of just being in silence, looking at each other... it was an incredible and beautiful experience watching this movie. i loved every second of it and i'll definitely watch it again in the future.
"if you leave something behind, you gain something too."
"what if this is a past life, who do you think we are to each other in the next?"
"will we meet again in the light?"
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Solid weekend movie
Hitman Agent Jun is a solid weekend blockbuster with action , wit and a whole lot of comedy!The story is your typical usual agent trope of the retired agent with a family being forced back in to the fold by circumstances out of his control etc. Hitman Agent Jun plays on the trope quite well with sincerity and familial bonds galore.
The movie plays as very tongue in cheek which adds to the charm of the whole effort overall.
Maybe some weak parts in the middle but overall, a jolly watch that is really good for those weekend afternoons or nights.
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leave you pondering the complexities of life
In "The Highway Family," Jung Il Woo delivers an outstanding portrayal that resonates deeply with the audience. This Korean film offers a thought-provoking exploration of the timeless dilemma between living a life of happiness with nothing, not even meeting basic needs, and living a modest existence while struggling to achieve unity as a family.The movie revolves around a family's turbulent life on a remote highway, with Jung Il Woo's character serving as the emotional anchor. His performance is a tour de force, skillfully conveying the inner conflicts and external challenges faced by his character.
"The Highway Family" doesn't provide easy answers; instead, it delves into the intricacies of human desires and priorities. The film's conclusion is satisfying, yet it leaves viewers with lingering contemplation about the choices made by the characters and, by extension, their own lives.
This cinematic masterpiece is a poignant reminder that true happiness and family bonds cannot be defined by material wealth alone. "The Highway Family" invites us to reflect on our own life decisions, making it a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
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Gripping drama about thieves who steal your heart.
That blood is not thicker than water is at the center of Hirokazu Koreeda's family drama Shoplifters. A beautiful film that offers both uplifting humanism and some unexpected twists.It is clear that Koreeda has family as his most important subject when making films. Or rather the lack of family. In previous films such as Nobody Knows or Like Father, Like Son (both prize winners at Cannes) he explores how to create your own community even if you are not born into it. That theme is most clearly repeated in Shoplifters.
Here, in the beginning, we meet Osamu (Franky Lily) and a boy who smoothly picks up goods in a store without paying. But on their way home, they suddenly see a freezing little girl who seems to have run away from her destructive parents. They decide that she can accompany them to their house, where 3 women, one of whom is a grandmother, also live. At first, the girl is waiting, but the slightly messy and loud gathering in the family means that she will soon be living there indefinitely.
At first glance, it is nothing more than that. We get to follow the lives of the various family members and see how they try to cope with everyday life with little money. And really that would have been enough. Koreeda is a master at portraying everyday situations that don't really have much to say, but are completely fascinating to us moviegoers.
But Shoplifters also have other sides. With about a third of the film remaining, Koreeda reshuffles the cards and takes the story to unexpected lands. It works surprisingly well and is a good move purely dramaturgically.
The actors are all excellent, not least the 2 children, and the film is tight, but beautifully shot in all its everydayness. As usual, Koreeda does not go for the sentimental, but mainly spices up the story with a humanism that is really felt right down to the heart.
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