it was amazing
omg i cried so muchit was amazing, the story, production, acting
i love all of that
this movie touched upon the topic of bullying, so if you're sensitive on this topic, i dont recommend you watching
"better days" is really brilliant, i hope that lots of people will watch it, because it can open people's eyes for the problem of bullying in the school, like its all among us, its not fictional problem
lets go back to the acting now: Zhou Dong Yu and Jackson Yee are amazing - as i said before
when one of them was crying i was crying too lmao
their facial expressions seemed so realistic, their acting skills are on high level‼️
about the story: the idea of this plot is really good like, all details are very polished and overall is pleasant to watch
I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND ‼️
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Always Remember Who you want to be
Stumble upon this base on real person true story movie. Really good and enjoyable movie. It is 2004 movie, image not very clear, but the message was clearly delivered. One can learn life lesson and reminder from watching this movie. I have learn Thai Kickboxing and had been to Thailand many times. Knowing that kickboxing is huge in Thailand. You can watch kickboxing ring on the street. Children learned kickboxing at young age. The male lead did a really good job portrait his role. If you are not aware, many family sent their boys to the monastery at the age of 5 to learn Buddhism, I believe for 2 years they stay in the monastery. To me, Thailand has been one step ahead of many modern countries in term of accepting transgender and transvestite person.I thought this is a very heartwarming movie. The fight was pretty real, good technique etc. People should try to understand how much struggle the transgender /transvestite person is. Lots of internal struggle, society pressure, prejudice, etc.
This movie remind us of many life development, such as at the end she told the young fighter yo fight with his heart. Also, when you are lost, or puzzling, “Always remember who you want to be”. Don’t forget your family. Ask for their blessing.
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Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!: The Movie
9 people found this review helpful
Love Conquers All!
WOW!!! The wait is finally over and we can now watch the film to our hearts content. There was so much anticipation built up over this film being released and a lot of opinions thrown around (mainly surrounding the topic of their kiss scenes). Upon having viewed the filmed a few times now (I am not ashamed to admit it either lmao), I think Cherry Magic: The Movie was truly worth the wait!(Disclaimer: there are spoilers ahead so read at your own discretion)
What stood out to me about the film was the numerous depiction’s of Kurosawa and Adachi’s pure and unwavering true love for one another. When they were together, you could feel the love they had for one another and when they were separated from one another for a period, you could tell it truly killed them to be apart from each other. They have that type of love that I wish everyone to have. A love full of care, companionship, passion, and understanding.
But, what stood out to me even more, was the topics and issues raised as it pertained to being in a gay relationship in Japan. Adachi talked with Kurosawa about wanting to tell those closest and most dear to him about their relationship especially since if anything were to happen to them in the future, they could be notified of it and not get left out of receiving important news. Also, the process of telling your loved ones that you are gay and in a relationship can be a truly nerve wracking experience for those involved. All of these questions come to your mind like Will they accept me or not? How will telling them affect the family or friendship dynamic? Will I be shunned from the family? Will this change how they feel about me? Will they not love me anymore? The worry is truly there— but Kurosawa and Adachi showed great bravery in telling their parents about their relationship. They also showed great bravery when they held hands out in public as well for all to see at the end of the film. They knew that they wanted to spend their lives together with each other. That commitment they had to one another was paramount over everything else around them. They wanted to be honest and make sure that people knew about them despite any consequences that may occur and I truly admire them for that. It’s films like this that really push the needle forward for gay representation, especially in Asian countries.
Don’t even get me started on the proposal and them getting married. The proposal on the beach was such a simple, beautiful, and intimate scene. And my gosh, the wedding scene was filled with happiness and joy!!! Loved seeing the original cast of supporting characters and both of their families there to support them. And might I add, they looked so dapper in their suits as well.
Speaking of the supporting characters, I was honestly fine with them not being included much at all since the stories main focus was on Kurosawa and Adachi. But, it was nice to get some scenes with them and their characters felt true to form which I appreciated.
I loved all of the references to the series that were included as well. The crew that worked on this film made sure to add those important touches that elevated the film’s value and impression.
If you were wondering whether you should watch this film or not, I urge you to go run and watch it now. It’s a wonderful conclusion to their story (unless they want to do another film that depicts them when they are older and looking back on their lives— but that’s just a dream of mine lmao). Definitely highly recommend this!!!
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Perfect for a light-hearted family movie night. But too predictable for a deeper impact.
It was an adorable family movie where we got a look at the bonds between a grandmother, mother, and daughter as the tension that has been building up for 15 years finally "explodes" (as one of the characters puts it). They were all extremely well acted, and I found myself really wanting to cry right along with Han Chae Young (the mother), and even some scenes with Jin Ji Hee (the daughter).The problem though, is that none of this felt new per se. It was incredibly predictable, and the stage was all set from the very beginning. Nothing really came as a surprise plot-wise. Same with the characters. Even while editing tags, there wasn't really anything that could be considered a spoiler, because we know it all from the beginning. And the ending felt either uninspired or with insufficient lead-up. And this wasn't a "funny, ha ha" type of comedy, but rather comedic attempts that kept the film from feeling too heavy. Or perhaps it's the simple type of comedy that appeals to kids.
That all being said, I greatly enjoyed the transition from a sister-like bickering to "nagging" mom mode that the film goes through. The teenager - moody, annoying, and a bit brainless - was very realistically written (I say coming from someone with a younger sister), while still remaining sympathizable. And the overall message of the film was wholesome and touching. A great film for a light-hearted watch with the family.
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Love: the core of us
Why do we watch films? What kind of films do we watch? Our rational logical mind can come up with a lot of points/reasons, of that we can be sure, but sometimes, just sometimes we come across a small piece of work that just touches our heart, makes us immobile for maybe about two hours. This film, is all heart.How innocent love can be and the power love has over an individual in the purest sense, is captured languidly in this movie. There is nothing more I can add to it by a review. (but as i have to fit the minimum 500 word count, let me just say that if you're dwindling, worried if this is your cup of tea? the answer is yes. This movie is one of those rare ones which transcends all genres, all chalk-marked boxes and compels you to suspend all your intellectualism and forces you to just 'feel')
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This review may contain spoilers
Father + daughter challenged in the face of presenile Alzheimer
Cassiopeia has already won the Korean Association of Film Critics Awards 2022.I would recommend it, too.
The KMovie Cassiopeia tackles an unpleasent subject: presenile Alzheimer's dementia. In an increasingly aging society, dementia will become more and more present and more common within the personal environment of all of us. Most cases occur at ages 65+. However, a small percentage is also affected at a younger age. This can even occur very early due to hereditary factors - as documented sensitively and unforgettable in the KMovie "A Moment to Remember". But this can also have many other causes. Dementia is a shocking diagnosis at any age, because with your eyes wide open, your own life inevitably slips away... faster than you imagine, you will no longer be able to recognize your own children, partners, friends or parents, while also the bodily functions will do their own thing.
"Cassiopeia" is about a woman in her 40s who is overwhelmed by presenile Alzheimer's dementia. However, the narration is slightly different than in "A Moment to Remember". "A Moment to Remember" captures the strong emotionality of the mental degeneration process practically from within - in touching scenes and sensitive relationship dynamics and tells the story of how memories in her head are erased as a painful loss for everyone involved. In "Cassiopeia", on the other hand, the audience follows the accumulating social moments in a comparatively objective manner, in which the exponentially progressing decay of the nerve cells is expressed - simply stating, so to speak. (Just as the protagonist initially presents herself as an objective, sober and rather sever person.) Emotionality is not dramaturgically staged in this KMovie, but results from the sum of soberly observed situations of individual loss of control and Su-jin's familiar world broken in two - one in which clarity still reigns and one in which everyone, even she herself is a stranger. From the emotionality thus involved - fear of failure, helplessness, shame, being at the mercy of others and much more - one cannot withdraw oneself. Rather, this emotionality develops an increasingly peculiar driving force (just as the protagonist's psychological/physical development process picks up speed). Eventually, the KMovie goes straight to the heart and makes people think.
In "A Moment to Remember" the focus was on the relationship dynamics with the beloved husband, here it is the portrait between daughter and father. In this case, the father tries to do better in old age what he could not do when he was younger, as he was not around.
In "A Moment to Remember" the protagonist is still at the very beginning of her young, promising life. In "Cassiopeia" Su-jin has achieved quite a lot: she is a mother, a successful lawyer, and also divorced. The daughter is about to move to her father in the USA. Significantly, the life of the protagonist, as it was up to now, ends in several respects with the departure of her daughter. It becomes difficult even for the star constellation Cassiopeia to give life perspective and orientation...
(By the way: the KMovie builds on a nice analogy between Cassiopeia and family. Both the star constellation pointing to the North Star and one's own family cannot help you, finding your path and your own way with life. Yet, we can rely on them if we got lost along the way: as some place to look out for/reach out for, regarding perspective/support).
Emotive. Especially by those often deliberatly soberly, calmly captured situations in which both the orderly and deformed worlds meet and finally merge. The helplessness and coldness of the social environment enfolds in all its unvarnished harshness - by its objective narrative style and camera perspective it is subtly thrown back at us. We are emotionally drawn into what is happening in two respects: regarding our empathy with Su-jin, which we cannot escape in the progress of the story, as well as regarding our identification with people/strangers Su-jin meets along the way - because that is what we are, too. How do WE actually deal with people who have obviously lost control of their lives or are about to lose it? Can WE stand this? Can WE lend a helping hand with this? Be of support? Even (or especially) if it's just a casual encounter on the street, an acquaintance in the neighborhood, or a colleague at work?
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Burn the wicked rich with 95% vodka, literally
This film takes we, the audience on a journey to witness something grotesquely beautiful.It goes from one train wreck to another train wreck and a couple more incoming.
This film spares no one, not even the kids.
Kiritani was a man who abided the law and bounded by societal expectations.
A man who had a stable job, a normal marriage, a lost ambition and few other secrets kept from his spouse.
He became a man who was once fear of his vulnerability - then shines the most when he weaponised his fear and vulnerability.
Through the eyes of Kiritani who was a victim, survivor, then offender - was his act of revenge justifiable?
This is up to the audience to think.
A dead man can no longer think; well at least someone had a good time in the woods. Heh.
The story plot, cinematography, actors’ performances made this film feel both disgustingly raw and beautifully organic.
Rap scenes and film soundtracks are mesmerising and worth to rewatch.
As an audience, I felt as involved as a bystander.
A bystander who is waiting for everything to collapse, observing a person self-destruct and a madness ensures.
That is how this psychologically complex film felt.
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It’s good
The first time I watched it looked quite boring but as time went on I really enjoyed it and didn't feel like I had watched it to the end. I like their acting, what's more, Nanase Nisino here adds a plus from all aspects. Maybe you can say I enjoy watching because there is Nanase Nisino too, the male character plays a clumsy character because he never gets affection from his parents, but overall according to I think this movie is a good movie and has a good ending. I highly recommend this movie if you are looking for a movie to watch in your spare time. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do :) .Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The best movie
I rarely watch K movies but this one piqued my interest, so I watched it and it was amazing. The story is old yet new and the cast is also good. The movie will make you laugh at one time and then cry the other. The story of waiting for the person to come without knowing when that wait will come to an end, is a touching scene. It also shows how friendship is what people may do to keep that friend. The time of youth and the style of potrating the craziness one does at school is upto point. Though the ending is sad but it is a must movie.Was this review helpful to you?
Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!: The Movie
2 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
Wholesome and brave: focuses on their future, which is SO important
I'm no expert, but I think this is a great addition to Asian queer cinema, especially when you think about how same-sex marriages isn't even legal in Japan (as of June of 2022). This movie gave a sincere and wholesome story to a gay relationship and, most importantly, let them have a future of happiness. I think it's a brave movie.This review will have vague/brief comments and then will have more detailed-specific spoilers.
Vague spoilers:
From the trailers, it seemed like the entire plot of the movie was going to be about their separation due to work and how they were going to struggle with communication and not being together. Which, I think, would've been fine too but it would've been a lot of strain and angst for a new budding relationship. Instead, the movie pivots halfway and adds another layer: it's about them, after figuring out what they truly want, moving forward together. It's a coming out story to the people they love. And it is handled so carefully, so beautifully. And the supporting cast makes their appearances, which was a delight, but this story is really about Adachi and Kurosawa's future. And I cried, laughed, and my heart was full. I'm so so happy for them. There is a tiny thread about the second couple that I felt could've been better, but I still enjoyed seeing them again on my screen.
The pacing may not be to the liking of those who wants something more fast-paced and exciting. This movie (and this drama) has never been about that. It's always been a gradual reveal and gradual understanding. It's tender. The quietness of the film amplifies the importance of their expressions, actions, and words. Truly well done.
Please go watch this movie (after watching the drama). You won't regret it.
Now, here is where I gotta be more specific and spoil the movie because I need to address a main complaint that I keep seeing from viewers.
STOP HERE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ SPECIFIC DETAILS ABOUT THE MOVIE.
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I'm just going to say it: we do not get an explicit, lip-to-lip kiss. There. So if you're here to see that, you won't get that. They do kiss but, with the camera angle, you are not shown the lips touching.
People complaining about not seeing a kiss in the movie is a valid opinion, but a lot of people seems to fetishized it more than anything. They just want to see two cute/hot men kiss. That's, well, problematic. Especially when it's coupled with wrong reasonings like claiming that the movie "queerbaited" the audience. Please, stop throwing that word around like that. Please, look up the definition of "queerbait." You are wrong if you think that this movie (or the drama) queerbaited. Oh my goodness. Also, please stop assuming the actors' sexualities and stop assuming that they have complete control over how the movie is made. They're actors. They're not the producers, directors, editors, or stakeholders. Unless the actors have said it themselves that they don't want to kiss same-sex actors, please stop claiming that it's the actors who are "too straight" to do a gay kiss. I beg you.
Personally, I think a kiss could've been cool but I have no issue either way. I think this movie could've championed LGBTQ rights even more than it already does by showing an explicit kiss, thus breaking the taboo of seeing same-sex people kiss. But it didn't do that. Fine. I can understand in some ways considering Japanese's current trend of BL dramas and how Japan literally still don't recognize same-sex marriages.
The movie still delivered a beautiful story that focused on the main characters' growth, especially Adachi, and focused on choosing to be together publicly. It's well done. Adachi in the drama and at the start of the movie has often relied on his power to understand people and to gather the courage to communicate to others. Sometimes, he relies on it TOO much and so the movie focuses on getting Adachi to move away from that. Once they truly settle into one another, they think about their future together--and they do want that: to be together for as long as they live. And they don't want to be hold back by laws and society. So the movie gently shows the anxiety and difficulty in coming out to the people you care about but the necessity in doing so and the importance of it.
I love this movie, this drama, and these characters. It never fails to make me feel a whirlwind of emotions. Also, the fact that they get married--when Japan again literally does not recognize same-sex marriages at this time--is SO important. The lack of explicit lip-to-lip kissing truly doesn't undermine anything in this movie.
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Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!: The Movie
7 people found this review helpful
Kurodachi taught me to love the simple things in life.
Cherry magic has always had a special place in my heart, it's by far one of my favorite japanese dramas so, having their content after months of wait is such a rewarding thing, it saved my week...for sure.The film is a very simple little cliche but with a lot of tenderness and love. It's definitely made for those who LIKED the drama,
the characters' motivations, insecurities and personality traits remain the same. And now we see all of that interacting with new characters.
I think the moral of the story is very much about embracing and loving the simple side of life, Honestly, I learned a lot from Adachi in his self-esteem improvement process and I learned a lot from Kurosawa in his personal validation process.
At the end of the day, It doesn't matter if the production is 10 10 10 across the board in all tecnical categories, or a simple tale of love, if the story makes me think and motivates me to think about my life, I will always praise.
Thank you so far Kurodachi, I will miss you guys so much. May you be very happy now and always. <3
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a countryside slice of life
Overall: this is a nice slice of life story set in the countryside. Now available on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/2623/restart-after-coming-back-home-2020Content Warnings: non con kiss (sleeping)
What I Liked
- the countryside setting
- felt realistic, people trying to figure things out
- I generally don't like a carefree happy golucky personality with a reserved/sullen one but there is character growth and more than what first meets the eye
Room For Improvement
- it did feel a bit slow in places
- the non con kiss
- lack of communication (though they did have some good conversations at the end)
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This review may contain spoilers
Please don’t watch it if you have a weak heart like me!!!
I cried my heart out and it was something that I never expected. The description should contain some information regarding it turning to a sad movie.. this can’t be a romcom!! They changed everything for me and it was something I didn’t wanted .. I am so upset with the ending.It could have been a happy ending and I was soooo hoping for it, if not then please give us some hints in the description so that people like me can avoid watching it.
The actors were so good .. their chemistry and acting was top notch no doubt in that.
All togethet if we leave the ending the movie was fantastic but still sad at many points.
If the writers wanted to give a sad ending then they should’ve atleast given us a reason for his death. It was so unfair for the watchers.
I so regret watching it because it made me sad without a warning at a time I didn’t wanted to be moreover I really wanted to watch these actors more and happy..feels like they wasted such a good opportunity :”(
Nevermind we can’t change it now.
So watch it at your own risk please!
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Love it!
Ji Chen alias Mr Blind Man. Ever since the Tomb of the Sea series, he is my favourite character.I've seen the Reunion: Sound of the providence and the Ultimate Note series as well and out of all these Glasses characters, Ji Chen's is my favourite.
I was so happy when I found the Reunion: Escape from the Monstrous Snake, that is an excellent movie. After that I was so much waiting for another film with him and ta-da here comes this one, yeahhh!
I loved this movie. He is so cool. I had to watch it twice. First, I actually read the subtitles. Second time I was just staring at him all the time!
He is so damn hot! I wouldn't mind more films with him. I want more, more, more, more :) Sorry, but seriously he is my ultimate favourite!
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Beyond appareances lies sin
This film was not on my radar and probably without Fatema's post about it on the feed, I wouldn't have even been tempted to watch it.First of all, it's important to know that the red flags mentioned in the tag are mostly implied, however, even so it's still super heavy because of the atmosphere conveyed by the film's narrative.
This film turned my head upside down as I saw, on the surface, a seemingly mundane story of the murder of a happy couple and their daughter, an emotionally unstable young woman and an investigative journalist in search of the truth. But the truth is hidden elsewhere, the truth isn't so bright, it's even dirty, and in retrospect we find that monsters aren't always as we imagine them.
Unlike many viewers, I like the hyper-slow aspect of the story. We have time to settle down and follow Mitsuko's thoughts, the intensity of her feelings which differs from the coldness of her actions. As for Tanaka, the character makes us uncomfortable, wanting to know everything, there is really this "too much" side to his behaviour which does not bode well.
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