Reviews

Thank you for being born

I don't think there is anything more valuable for a person than to hear that someone else is thankful for their existence.
Life can be pretty rough at times, feelings of insecurity may fill our hearts more often than not. I would dare say that every human being on this planet has gone through a rough time, full of disappointments, failures, losses and has also believed that life can just be too hard. That no one can 100% understand them.

The problem is that people don't really tend to listen to themselves, a simple "you did good" doesn't have the same impact when someone tells it to oneself. So I don't think there is a more valuable thing someone can hear from another human than a a simple thank you; ''thank you for being born, for being here''.

I think this movie is just about that. The complexity of humans and that no matter how different we may be, there is an internal need of a person listening that someone is there for them, that someone truly cares, that there is a reason that they are here and that they are loved.
Even if they feel helpless, trivial or even if they are fully satisfied with their lives, listening to such emotionally impactful words can really bring tears to everyone's eyes or at least an emotional reaction.

Koreeda, once again, deals with the theme of a found family, while also commenting on important and quite devastating social issues like human trafficking, abuse of underage children, adoptions, birth and of course with the Baby Box itself, an actual box that people abandon their children in for a variety of reasons.

This film is not perfect and I would dare say that it feels more like it has been inspired by Koreeda rather than being filmed by him, but nonetheless it is worth the watch. It is slow paced, character driven, symbolism heavy and as you have understood not for everyone, but I think it is worth a chance just for that one scene that was devastatingly beautiful.

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If I hear Groundhog Day in the same sentence as a film or a drama, I am certain I am going to watch it. And so when I saw a review for this movie, I had to watch it. Yesterday With You is a good film: it ticked all the necessary boxes for it to be a convincing time travel story!

It was a story about childhood friends who meet as adults reconnect and fall in love. But life keeps throwing them lemons until an accident happens. With the help of magic birthday candles they try to fix what went wrong!

The first 10 min is a whole romcom movie: how they meet and fall in love and fight and make up and just love each other. The montage of significant scenes from a relationship is expertly done and we do not need more in order to know what is important here.

Then the tragedy strikes in the form of a white truck of doom (what else?). I was impressed by the creative use of the said truck: he actually pulled a scaffolding down on the victim. After this accident, the time travel groundhog day style starts using some candles. The cinematography changes a bit and from warm brownish tones we get a lot of greys and cold colours as the main characters rush around trying to change the future. There was an impressive scene with a car driving through a forest of huge grey pillars (must be a highway exchange) but it conveyed well the feelings of being lost and distraught.

The film was full of usual drama tropes: the already mentioned truck, stopping in the middle of the road to think, disapproving and abusive parents, quirky best friends. The actors, completely unknown to me, were really good and had decent chemistry.
This was actually a perfect format for this story avoiding thus all the downsides of a drama like length, filler stories and chinese propaganda (see Reset).

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Film pendek yang bagus

Seperti judulnya "heart, not a reason" yang berarti : hati, bukan alasan, sangat menjelaskan latar belakang cerita pendek ini. Series ini tersedia di platform YouTube dengan subtitle bahasa Inggris sehingga bisa diterjemahkan secara mudah dengan Live CC Youtube ke banyak bahasa, benar-benar menggambarkan maksud bahwa "hati, itu seperti tanpa alasan" ; kita bisa mencintai siapapun, bahkan terkadang jika ditanya "apa alasannya" kita akan selalu bertanya-tanya mengenai jawaban yang pasti dan itu berakhir dengan "tanpa alasan". Film pendek ini sangat menggambarkan keadaan itu, walaupun filmnya punya durasi yang pendek, namun film ini bisa menyajikan scene-scene yang pas dan scematik sehingga membuat ceritanya menjadi jelas, singkat, padat, namun berkesan. Walaupun pendek namun detailnya cukup bagus, pengemasannya juga epic menurutku, dengan durasi yang pendek, film ini bisa menghadirkan cerita yang bagus.

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I Felt More Angry Than Scared

Ning owns a condominium that she rents out for extra income while her husband, Kawin, serves as the family's sole breadwinner. When their real estate agent suggests that they move into the condo and rent out their house instead, the proposal promises a much larger return. Kawin is strongly against the idea at first, but after Ning pleads with him, he reluctantly agrees to show the property to a retired doctor and her daughter.

What surprised me—and Ning as well—was how quickly Kawin changed his mind. When the prospective tenants asked when they could move in, he immediately answered, "next month." That moment felt odd and instantly raised some red flags.

As time passes, Ning becomes increasingly suspicious of the new tenants. A video sent by her former neighbor only deepens her concerns. To make matters worse, Kawin begins acting strangely as well. Determined to uncover the truth, Ning investigates with the help of a friend and soon discovers that the retired doctor is far from the harmless woman she pretends to be.

I went into this movie knowing absolutely nothing about it. I wasn't familiar with the cast, the plot, or even the genre beyond the title. Because of that, I ended up a little disappointed. Based on the title *Home for Rent*, I expected the story to focus more on the house itself or perhaps a haunted-home scenario. Instead, the film is less about the property and more about the obsession of the people connected to it.

That being said, the mystery kept me engaged, and I genuinely felt angry on Ning's behalf. She and her daughter become collateral damage in a situation that they never asked to be part of. Watching them suffer because of someone else's obsession was both frustrating and heartbreaking.

Overall, *Home for Rent* may not have been the story I expected, but it still delivered a tense mystery with enough twists to keep me watching. While the horror elements worked, it was the characters' unhealthy obsession and the impact it had on innocent people that left the strongest impression on me.

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Great acting for a simple story abt marriage breaking down

Just chanced upon this short clip…was looking for something to past time.

This isn’t something exceptionally written script but the acting by both main leads were good, especially ML being a veteran together with FL they’re able to have great emotions transitions from deliriously happy to sudden skeptical of each other to anger and then return to emotionally in love. This emotion rollercoaster ride was unexpected as all taken place within just 30mins…as their stories and characters being revealed layers by layers…and at first I thot it’s one of the funniest thing (thief in their hse) didn’t appear to be funny in the end…guess the thief felt bad of causing havoc and wreaked their already-fragile-marriage…

I do feel the msg is quite good…tht in a marriage sometimes can be quite fragile and needs to handle with care, needs to continuously (probably at the beginning of the relationship something was built but along the years, with busyness of life, may have forgotten to maintain it!) build a stronger foundation of emotional supporting each other in order to withstand whatever that may come by unexpectedly such as this story…to some this story cld be exaggerating the outcome but thankfully that means it doesn’t happen within your household, but sadly this cld be happening in other people’s household for all we know marriage is a fragile thing after all!

Here goes for whoever who might wanna feel this emotionally rollercoaster for just 30mins+ to experience what’s it like:
https://youtu.be/fQ4i-a6lCmM

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"Patience is all" but might not be enough to help you enjoy this movie

The Iron Fisted Monk was Sammo Hung's first directorial endeavor. He also wrote the script with the help of Wong Fung and served as the martial arts director. I'll chalk this shaky movie up to a first-time effort.

Sammo played Hawker/Husker/Luk (depending on the version you watch), a man studying at the Shaolin temple to become skilled enough to enact his revenge. His uncle, the ever-present Hao Li Jen, was killed by a bunch of Manchus looking for trouble at his food stand. Chen Sing as San Te/Tak, the Iron Fisted Monk, sent Hawker to be trained so that he could help the common Han folk. James Tien made a brief appearance as Hawker's instructor before Hawker left on his revenge quest.

Hawker met up with Lo Hoi Pang as Ah Niu/Liang after the dye worker's sister had been raped by Fung Hak On, the Big Bad Manchu. Hawker trains the dye workers in kung fu so that they can defend themselves. Wang Hsieh later shows up as a baddie wearing what looks like a hermit's wig and beard and wielding a kung fu metal yo-yo. When Wang Hsieh and Fung Hak On make a bid to take over the dye factory it becomes apparent just how ineffectual Sammo's training was. At that point Sammo and Chen Sing decide it's time to do some tag team action on the baddies.

Truthfully, the story wasn't any more convoluted than most kung fu movie plots. What I had a problem with was the gratuitous nudity and not one, but two rape scenes. The first was one was appallingly long and graphic. Sammo wasn't known for nudity in the films he directed, maybe he needed to get it out of his system, but the scenes were not warranted in a movie that also had quite a bit of slapstick comedy.

What worked for me in this film were the fights. Sammo and Chen Sing were fun to watch fight together. Chen Sing rarely played the good guy. I almost didn't recognize him at the start of the film without his mustache. Plus, as a monk, he had his shirt on, Chen always found an opportune moment to take it off during his movies. Spoiler alert—by the final credits the shirt had come off! He also smiled and not with the "I just burned down an orphanage" smile he usually had as a baddie.

Chen Sing was still quick and performed a nice splits stunt in the final fight. Sammo showed off his acrobatic skills in an early fight, flipping and somersaulting. The fights were fairly quick and creative, Sammo is always entertaining in a throw down. Several kung fu styles were used including, mantis, snake, and tiger. There were a couple of gory scenes in the fights for those who are sensitive. The movie was populated with stuntmen and actors who would go on to star in their own movies later. Hsiao Ho played at least three different roles---in a beard or sans beard he could be seen in the background often even after one of his characters had previously been killed.

The Iron Fisted Monk was an uncomfortably uneven film. The comedy felt out of place with the numerous deaths and sexual assaults dominating the screen. The character whose sister was brutally raped and committed suicide afterwards was frolicking about with Sammo in a brothel not long after as if nothing had happened. A character would be ready for a revenge rampage and then like a dog when someone yells "Squirrel!" would become distracted and then it was all fun and games. There was little continuity of mood and action. It's too bad because the combination of Sammo and Chen was entertaining. Unless you are just really in the mood for a Sammo Hung movie you haven't watched you might be better off watching one of the others in his long list of credits.

6/3/23

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There's depth. This ain't your shallow, fluffy shoujo.

Ever grew up closely with someone in your childhood, only to drift apart once you grow older? I feel we've all had that happen.

The beginning half is rather slow and rocky. It starts off episodic, introducing the cold dynamic between Minato and Toru. But once you keep watching, it becomes a lot better. Minato basically ends up dressing as her high school self, "Mina," and bumps into Toru on the street. And from there, Toru asks her out because she looks like his first love.

The story becomes a lot deeper than your basic shoujo/josei. It's supposed to be cringey because Minato is pretending to be someone else. Once Mintato accidentally dates Toru, she learns there's more to Toru and she starts examining what she's been missing out on their relationship. They're step siblings that basically don't get along. While she's with him as Mina, she starts grieving over what she could have had with him: he could have actually been in her life instead of her pushing him away. At the beginning, she even tells Toru to not talk to her while they're attending the same college. As the story progresses, you learn that Toru is the reason why she's a germaphobe and why she incessantly cleans.

I found that to be a lot more interesting. She met Toru as a child but once they grew up, they drifted apart. She basically thinks that Toru doesn't like her, not even as a person. I can feel the deep longing Toru had for Minato. It came across as purer. My heart did skip a beat. The ending felt a lot more romantic; I was so turned off by the way the manga handled the ending.

The manga is funnier than the movie, but I'm glad the story was streamlined, without taking anything away. It takes volumes for Toru to find out she's pretending to be Minato, whereas in the movie, Toru has a brain. The love triangle didn't drag out as long as it did in the manga. And I'm glad that Minato put down a lot of boundaries while she was dating Toru as Mina. The manga was a lot more graphic in the romance scenes, and I found that to be too much to handle. Whereas the manga didn't sell me on their relationship, the movie did.

I wished there was your classic love confession. I get that Minato's been wanting to know what Toru really thinks of her. They basically apologize to one other, explaining their feelings: how they both thought they had hated each other, which makes sense. But where was the love confession? We get it on Toru's end, that he's been in love with her since they met. But we didn't really get that on Minato's end. Because that is kinda a big bomb to drop, when she's assumed he's hated her all this time! Toru assuming that she's ok with it. But what if she wasn't ok with that???

Toru's the better love rival than her "so called male friend" who forced her to go to a hotel with him.

My verdict: skip the manga and stick to the movie. The manga did better in the beginning chapters, but the movie made the story a lot more concise and tolerable.

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Poor Agatha Christie Imitation

If you have read Agatha Christie's famous work, Murder on the Orient Express, then you may have an idea what this movie is about. If you haven't, then I suggest you read it anyway before watching this disappointing imitation of one of the most well-known murder mysteries in fiction.

The main complaint I have with this movie is the lack of actual investigation involved in solving the crime. We were shown that the detective in charge, Choi examining all the possible suspects by using questionable old-school interrogation like accuse he person of committing the crime straight up and then watch their reaction. This technique was repeated for all the suspects involved. Choi also solicited the help from unconventional sources in order to progress his investigation, which earned the ire of his direct superior. His subordinate was not pleased with him either. The entire film was dictated through a meeting room where Choi was questioned for his behavioural conduct during his handling of the case.

We were shown what really happened in the suspects' lives, some suspects have more screen time than others, and again, no actual investigation was actually made. There was no detailed forensic analysis, even though for a murder case that is at least 8 years old, it would require some form of advanced technology to solve. There was no verification of the testimonies provided by witnesses or suspects. Choi dismissed most of them as "straight-up liars" without providing a deeper rationale to his assumption.

This could have been a good movie, but it took a famous work and made a clown out of it. I have no other analogy for this otherwise.

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Gentle reminder to cherish your love

"Yesterday, Once More" is a film that treads familiar ground, exploring a story that has been done many times before. However, the outstanding performances and storytelling of the leads make it a movie that leaves a lasting impact.

Chen Fei Yu and Zhou Ye shine in their roles, delivering amazing acting that brings their characters to life. Their ability to convey emotions is exceptional, and throughout the film, they take the audience on an emotional journey. Their performances will move you, immersing you in the story and making you truly care about their characters' experiences.

One of the highlights of "Yesterday, Once More" is the depiction of the protagonists' evolving relationship. Chen Fei Yu and Zhou Ye excel at showcasing the cute and heartwarming moments of their characters' romance. Their chemistry is palpable, and their on-screen connection feels genuine. As the story progresses, you can't help but be invested in the growth and development of their relationship.

While the storyline may not break new ground, the strength of "Yesterday, Once More" lies in the exceptional performances and the skillful storytelling. Chen Fei Yu and Zhou Ye's talent and commitment to their characters make the film stand out, despite its familiar premise. Their performances demonstrate that even in a well-worn narrative, the right combination of acting and storytelling can have a significant impact on the audience.

In conclusion, "Yesterday, Once More" may not offer a groundbreaking story, but the exceptional acting and heartfelt storytelling of the leads make it a movie worth watching. Chen Fei Yu and Zhou Ye's performances bring depth and emotion to the characters, and their portrayal of the evolving relationship is both endearing and captivating. If you're a fan of touching romantic films, this one will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.

Note: This review is written by me, edited by ChatGPT for readability.

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I’m not sure how I feel about this movie. First half could be easily taken as an audiobook - you don’t have to watch the movie, just listen. Even if you decide to actually commit to the viewing experience, you will not see much - small, dark, close space and constant close ups to characters faces hidden in the shadows. It was still fairly interesting, but just listening to it might actually give you a better experience, as you will have to imagine the place yourself, and it would make it easier to immerse yourself into the situation.

It’s a rather slow take on how regret and guilt can really mess you up and lead to unfortunate decisions… you will end up regretting yet again. The ending ties it all up quite well, explaining many details presented along the way.

The performances were great in terms of line delivery, but because of the set up, it was not always as easy to judge anything beyond that - I just simply could not see much.

And that’s the flaw of the production. I understand that the set up was intentional and the dark claustrophobic small space was part of the storytelling, yet I cannot stop myself from being disappointed with the result.

Overall, a decent watch. I feel like the ending might seem a bit confusing at first, but by the time credits roll in, it’s not hard to put the puzzles together.

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While the first and second half of the movie did not exactly fit in themes, both had quite good ways to create suspense and scare the audience - be it with visuals or the story itself.

Personally I enjoyed the first half far more - the mystery of all the supernatural events, the small details in the background that you need to pay attention to. The directing truly made me focus on what was happening on screen, since I did not want to miss any one of the bizarre moments - all thanks to some small detailed images.

And then the story started to get explained and for me it lost a bit of its charm. The scares shifted from unexplained supernatural to human’s evil deeds - it made me more uncomfortable than scared. There is value in exploring such themes, but it was not something I was looking for in this specific title.

The acting was decent. Nothing too outstanding, but good enough not to get distracting. Koki did a good job with the duality of her performance.

Overall, kept my interest till the end, even if the second half was slightly disappointing.

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To find beauty in horror

When you watch this movie, the first thing that you will realise is that it has a completely different feel to it as compared to many other recent horror movies. Although most of the movie is shot in a single building, there isn’t a dearth of creative ways to use that to their advantage. Right from the get-go you feel a sense of foreboding and that continues till the end.

The movie is about four students in an isolated school that are part of a study group of Grand Guignol. This school of troubled youths get two new entries. Homura Itsuki a new student and a mysterious new teacher. As soon as Homura joins the school it starts a series of deaths by a strange figure that is targeting the school students and faculty. With no way out of the island and the only escape is via a boat the next day, the residents of the school are forced into a desperate struggle to survive the horrific night and capture the killer.

Considering it’s a slasher movie, the horror should stem from creative death scenes. However, the movie keeps you entertained with gallons of blood spraying out of victims during every kill and the final rolling of heads post decapitation. There is a lot of shaky cam to create an atmosphere of dread but in some scenes it feels overdone. There is a hint of mystery to find the real killer but it fails to capitalize on that story instead investing in making the audiences wonder whether all the kills are staged or is it real and the movie ends beautifully leaving you with your own interpretation and theories.

The movie has a line-up of some great actors and they do not disappoint. There are times when they ham it up and you cheer their performance. Although the movie is tagged as a BL, it certainly isn’t the main plot. It’s a mystery wherein the audiences get to decide what is true.

In conclusion, give this one a watch with an open mind. As its name suggests, the movie pays homage to the style of horror plays made popular in the Grand Guignol Theater which typically depicted gore and explored the human psyche when faced with insanity, panic or hypnosis.

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first half is so much better, u should close b4 the end. (Bad Grammar)

This movie could have been one of my favoritos, but i just think the end breaks it. She just HAD tô end up w the guy she just couldnt get over bc she is uncapable of forgeting him. Ik real life dont work life, "oh this one is better, so im gonna fala in love with him instead of that shtty one", trust me, i really do; but its also not just one love for her whole life fr. It really seems like she liked the other guy and it would be a really good ending, with the consequences of not giving vale to the person who is with you now, and just caring for them when you lose then. And real life aspects, like losing people bc of lies and etc, getting over someone, shopping that it IS possible (as someone who like a person for year i would really like this ending, but all personal opiniões here)
+, if the ML wasnt kento i would despise him lol.

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