Honestly, what was wrong with these weird transitions between scenes? They showed a really well acted, emotional scene - a dialogue of a mother describing her pain of losing her child who went missing. But in the middle of it, they just cut to flashback of her looking for the child on the day she disappeared - all the emotional impact gone with this weird cut. And then they came back to the mother now describing what was shown… So why even show it? Usually I’m more of a show don’t tell, but here the tell was important, because the emotions the mother was feeling were the focus.
It would be a decent thriller if they did a better job in the post production and completely removed the laughable supernatural elements. It’s not like the plot could not happen without that aspect and it didn't even take that much screen time anyway. It was just another not well executed idea the writer and director had…
The detective was amazingly hot, so that’s a plus I guess.
Was this review helpful to you?
Master of something
The charismatic opening by the presentation of the ONE network by its also charismatic owner Jin Hyeon-pil, who is able to draw an overwhelming support by its "investors" which is eerily similar to a cult leader preaching to his crowd all while the same time, an investigation being carried out by Kim Jae-myeong is now starting to end this deception once and for all, was enough for me to be curious as to what would happen next.The next scenes, with Jang-gun now being prepared by the police to be the mole on this money-laundering corporation, for me was actually nerve-wracking, yet at the same time, I already guessed that there would be more being that he was already given the informant role early in the movie, some betrayal would occur later on, and I wasn't surprised already when that scene was shown. The build-up towards the entrapment operation was good, and culminating into a botched operation with Hyeon-pil getting away and Jang-gun being left to die seemed that the whole operation was a failure, but the fact that it occured at the middle of the film, made me thought that there would be more, most notably a revenge by Jae-myeong.
The 2nd half of the movie, which focuses on the Philippines, with the same ingredients of a scam being brewed by the same characters, was the more fleshed-out part, in terms of building up another entrapment operation to arrest Hyeon-pil. The one thing that I was confused was the yellow color grading for the Philippine scenes (which was understandable) yet was also present in some scenes in Korea. It wasn't uniform so that made me confused on some parts.
It could've been more impactful if it had focused more on the car chases and the gunfire, both of which were less plenty than I thought for an action movie. The emphasis on the money laundering scheme was the part I didn't liked and at times, were boring. After all, action movies should be full of action, and plotting said actions should be regarded as secondary, although still important. Had the scheming scenes were lessened, it could've made the plot tighter and the excitement for the inevitable reveal of the plot twists would be more sustained. Also, a recurring problem with the recent Korean movies I watched was still present here - the underdeveloped main character (I wanted to know more on the drive Jae-myeong has for this case) and the overdeveloped villain (Hyeon-pil's drive was simple, which is greed).
Overall, I felt that this was 2 movies smashed into one - 1st part focuses on the local, 2nd part on the international "scam" with the same plot, but different endings. I wanted more action, and was confused as to how the movie title connected to the movie itself, or maybe being a master of something.
Was this review helpful to you?
Could have seriously used some character development
This movie played like they had taken a long drama, cut out all the important parts, and then edited in a way that didn't make much sense. The couple goes from barely looking at each other to holding hands, and all of a sudden, they are a couple. I had to back it up a couple of times, thinking that I'd fallen asleep and missed something.We don't really know or learn anything about either of the main characters. He's a doctor, professional, non-emotional. She is studying physics? Why? Do we care? Does it have anything to do with the storyline? They really never talk to one another. She finds out he's leaving the country for six months from someone else.
Dubbing continues to be an issue for me in C-dramas. There HAS to be more than one woman in China that can do dubbing. Her voice is so high, childish, and irritating and I've heard it in so many shows. It really takes me out of the drama.
The storyline with the dad and him trying to marry her off was over the top and just irritating.
In general, I found the acting in this drama lacking. Wooden characters or over-acting, take your pick.
The high point? The fact that it was a movie and not a long drama so I can move on.
Was this review helpful to you?
One time watch for me ....
PROS:◇The acting
◇The chemistry
◇Music
◇The kingdoms
◇Did enjoy the foreshadowing
CONS:
◇The CGI was bad through out the whole film.
◇Certian choices made by characters 🙈
◇I was a little lost with the plot at times & felt rushed
The Folklore went over my head sense I am not familiar with it our The target audience. I will educate myself for future films, books & series.
Definitely will checkout more to understand the stories & will also look into more projects by these actors.
Was this review helpful to you?
2Are there limits to an emperor's power or simply limits to an emperor's love?
A black cat slithers sinisterly through the households of Changán's elite seeking out its favorite meal of fish eyeballs; a series of eerie inexplicable events in its wake. When it dares torment Emperor Xuanzong, palace official and aspiring poet Bai Letian (Bai Juyi) and visiting Japanese monk Kukai pair up to track down and exorcise the demon cat. These two historical figures must uncover the cause of the cat's resentment in this wildly speculative account of the inspiration behind the most renown Tang poem in history 長恨歌/Chang Hen Ge/The Song of Everlasting Regret or Sorrow.Yang Yuhuan (Yang Guifei or Precious Consort Yang) is a cultural legend that stirred the imaginations of artists, poets and writers for centuries. One of the Four Beauties of Ancient China, she was the femme fatale that distracted a great Tang emperor from affairs of state and sent the empire into decline. In this opulent blockbuster, Chen Kaige conjures the fantastical sensuous decadence of the Tang empire at its zenith and the subtle decay of its decline. While Sandrine Pinna hardly leaps to mind, she passes muster as this famous, captivating beauty that toppled an empire. I cannot rave enough about how masterfully this production evokes the famous poem, with its vivid, erotic imagery of an incomparable beauty, an intoxicating and toxic love story and the haunting intensity of eternal regret and sorrow. Are there limits to an emperor's power or simply limits to an emperor's love?
Where the movie falters is in the narration. Both the role of Bai Letian and that of Kukai are miscast and not well written. The movie dwells too much on Kukai's backstory, which is not interesting and peripheral to the plot. There is zero chemistry between Huang Xuan and Sometani Shota and neither actor conveys why their character is compelled to solve the mystery of this enigmatic and very spooky cat. In fact it is Liu Haoran and to a lesser extent Ou Hao's White Crane and Red Crane that resonate and absolutely steal the show. Liu Haoran's portrayal of youthful infatuation, betrayal, the terrible burden of holding a lasting grudge and the release of letting go leaves the strongest impression among all the performances. If the two lead roles were better written and articulated, I would easily rate this better than 9,0 instead of 8.5. Nonetheless this is one of the best ancient fantasy thriller mysteries I have watched in a long time.
Was this review helpful to you?
Confidential Assignment 2: International
3 people found this review helpful
Eye candy galore
I enjoyed watching it; great casting, with Daniel Henney (Jack) as an added character. The comedy timing was perfect and I find Yoona hilarious here.I loved the fight scenes, they were perfectly executed for me, that's why it was believable.
Story was cliche with drugs, revenge, chemical bombs and political inclination; but heck, it was an entertaining movie for me.
Hyun Bin is a well versed actor, and here you see that he knows his craft well, as he is very convincing with his actions scenes, they looked well executed and real.
YHJ as his SoKor detective partner is also as always a very good actor, he played his role perfectly.
So, definitely worth watching it. Their trio team, was a perfect combination.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
As much as I want to like this movie, I see so many shortcomings.
After watching this movie, I know that my expectations were too high. The story itself is emotional and moving, but this film lacks a lot.I understand that the creators wanted to arouse sadness and sympathy in the viewers, but the dramatic, inconsistent music in almost every scene were too much. Some scenes were also overly dramatic. This made the movie hard to watch. The story itself was engaging and it seems as if the creators wanted to evoke too many emotions at once, which resulted in the opposite.
The actors who played the roles of So Wa Wai did a good job, but the performances of the others were worse.
One more thing bothers me after watching this movie. Briefly mentioned plots of side characters have been forgotten. There was no development. Without them, nothing would have changed in this film. One example is when Wa Wai's brother sold his medals. After that, during an argument with his mother, he expressed his feelings about his parents' treatment. After he left slamming the door, there was no further reference to this situation later in the film. There are more examples like this.
As much as I want to like this movie, I see so many shortcomings.
Was this review helpful to you?
Action but with heart
Not a big Action fan, but if you love driving you will love this one, the driving scenes will keep you at the edge of your seat. Loved the anti racism education, very subtle from the side character. A little to bloody for me, so you might skip those scenes. But well thought out Leads and characters. All in all a good movie to watch, The end was a bit unrealistic but this is just my opinion. The boys character was played amazing. Laughing or crying, he did an amazing job. The main female lead was not only beautiful but cool and tough with a heart out of gold. Best actor for sure was chubby, the cat. Probs to that.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Worthy Premise, Good Execution, but Slightly Lacking Somehow (MIld Spoilers)
I eagerly awaited to see this film because THE GREAT CRAFTSMAN makes anybody a fan of Huang Yang Tian Tian. She is one of the young leads here and I was willing to forgive the TV movie budget just to see more of her.In CRAFTSMAN Tian Tian was a dynamic character that demanded your attention and fellowship. Here she's kinda wasted as one of two girls with physical ailments. Anyone could have played either of the female leads. I actually found the Dad and Mom giving the most nuanced performances.
Don't get me wrong. If the trailer entices you to try this movie, your instinct is correct. But I felt they got lost in some unnecessary subplots. The violent man in the hospital, the 'Carrie' apartment, and the helicopter sequence were all 'alarms' to keep the audience awake. The Mom's Dad was so unnecessary the story itself removed him midway.
I think the better story would have been to have the Dad pursue the Mom romantically, only to learn he had an additional motive. And everyone involved, including the audience, would wonder did he actually love her... and suspect 'yes'. In this way the four leads could have become this lovely accidental family and therefore make an important family 'decision' together rgarding the daughters.
I'm not saying the film doesn't drift towards that idea. I'm saying it would have been a much stronger movie if it had committed to that idea.
One last thing: this is the DEFINITION of a weepy cry cry flick. Oddly it didn't pull as many tears as the premise warranted. Maybe if the Doctors didn't seem so aloof.
Was this review helpful to you?
Cute, easy watch
There was nothing earthshaking here. The story was simple, the acting was okay, I don't even remember if there was music in it, and based on the fact that I have a "to watch" list a mile long, I won't watch this again. Having said that, it was a cute movie, taken from the young man's point of view. He's loved this girl forever and they run into each other again when he transfers schools (in this day and age of technology, how and why they lost track of each other is a mystery). There's the obligatory second ML, but not really much drama there, either.What I liked about this movie was everything he was willing to do for her to make her smile, to further her career, etc. He often found himself being swept WAY out of his comfort zone. That was fun to watch.
It was a low angst movie and enjoyable to watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Masterpiece
Absolutely hated the ending.But I cannot deny the fact that it’s a beautiful journey, with a very deep philosophical meaning if you sit and think about it.
For that I give it 10/10 …. Very reluctantly.
The comedy, drama, romance and every other aspect was woven together so nicely, I didn’t see the heartbreak coming till the very end.
I held hope , that the gods, nay, THAT THE UNIVERSE, won’t be so cruel until the moment he jumps to present time, and comes out the cave to see the two sisters happy with uncle tat.
I want to feel angry , but I cannot seeing them happy. I want to cry foul when I see zixia with the dude at the end, but I cannot , knowing they are happy.
The ending reminds me of the butterfly effect( the movie starring Ashton kutcher) . Spoiler alert for that movie.
.
.
At the end he realises that removing himself from the lives/timelines of others entirely made more people happier , than any of his attempts to deliberately make them happier. It’s a sad truth to face, just like monkey king sees, and walks away.
I hate it.
But deep inside, I appreciate it.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Respect the Audience
When you offer a love story about two really sweet people who take care of others and are devoted to one another, you do not then tack on a deliberately hurtful ending without explaining anything at all. Nothing. We don’t know why it happened. We don’t know why the writer did it almost immediately, and we don’t know why his beloved never tried to find him, ask about him. For so many years……Nothing. Yet the couple the writer and crew taught us to love never would have done that to one another, nor would a good writer have done it to the audience who loved them.Was this review helpful to you?
The atmosphere in the first part of the film was tense but mixed with some seemingly peaceful moments. The first part also focused on finding a way to determine who the family of the deceased is. The second part focused on presenting the solution to the argument. And the ending was an unexpected culmination of the whole film.
Park Chan-wook made sure that the viewer felt some discomfort while watching this film. It is provocative.
"Judgment" is a really good short film.
Was this review helpful to you?
love, lies (love die all everything)
it is the best best ever movie in my life I really like it enjoy it very very much honestly all character's acting so good I really like it I was little emotional when I was watched this movie brilliant movie enjoyable every scene so good. both heroin so beautiful story line so good I like movie name and honestly love die all the things and I enjoyed all songs Film creativity so good in this Film both heroin action beautiful in this Film heroin my favorite I loooooooooooooooove this movie 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗Was this review helpful to you?
Tissue Warning should have been issued
I was excited to see this as two of my favorite actors were in it: Cha Eun Woo and Lee Jung Suk. Both really flexed their acting muscles as this story was outside their normal genres.The story itself was incredible. I went into it expecting it to be like the US movie Speed; instead of going over 55 mph now the bombs were set to go off if they reached a predetermined Decibel level. While the last part was true, there was a very distinct reason and not just random, wanton destruction because someone is mad. The story moves along quickly, not a dull or slow moment. It is heartbreaking. This aspect I wasn't expecting so I warn others. Tissues are needed. Halfway through is when all the threads get pulled together. You gasp and then hold your breath as the realization dawns on you as to what is going on.
This movie was extremely well done. Nothing over the top as far as violence, stunts or special effects. They fit the scenes and what was needed. The music chosen worked, just didn't really catch my attention as far as OSTs go but wasn't horrible. This is one I will re-watch multiple times to catch the subtle clues that were dropped earlier that were missed due to subtitle reading.
Was this review helpful to you?
