Reviews

The film that a movie lover like me will likely love.

"The Blue Hour" is one of the movie that I put on the same category as "Atonement" (2007). It has become one of some of my favorite movies. I don't know about you guys but foe me, I already know after the first watch about the mystery that evolve around Tam. And then, for the second watch, I start collecting and understanding the information hidden from the scenes in the movie (the mold, the dumpster, the drowning scene, the dust flying in the sky) and I realize that the producer and writer of this movie is indeed a genius.

A superb acting from Gun and Oab. I always admire these two acting skills. They can do any genre like for real.

------Spoiler Alert -------
Read it only if you don't get what the movie is about after watching it.



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Phum is not real and the movie is about Tam, his psychotic episodes and the wrong deeds that Tam did without being 100% conscious about it.

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Not for me

Looks like it was filmed in good spirits but I unfortunately couldn't get passed the age gap. She was portrayed to be 16!!! and he 20 something. I just couldn't get into it.
From the time it started, I figured I should give it a chance hoping she would at least be eighteen or that she would graduate high school and that they could continue their story in college. or that maybe they would be a few (like 3) years older.
Please don't get me wrong, the age gap may not have been an issue for me had she been at least 20 something where at least I could come to terms that she is mentally old enough to make these decisions. It doesn't really matter how big the age gap it is, as long as both partners are physically and mentally prepared. which by the way she initially expresses, she is not ready to get in to such a commitment at such an age.
I kept watching, but still could not get over that fact. whenever the male character did something even remotely affectionate, I felt a certain kind of way.


The acting
Completely separate from the story line. I felt the acting was truly spot on. I rather enjoyed both the MCs as they properly displayed their characters' intentions throughout the movie.

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The Brother is trash

chut did not have a redemption arc, was consistently a bad brother through out the movie and did not have to grovel at all cause the sister jane forgave him as soon as he finally showed up and was always ready to forgive him for all the awful things he did to her and to moji as well.
he literally did not even do one nice thing since childhood for his sister and made her life super difficult and always without fail disappointed her so much that I wanted to scold her for still having hopes on him.
she was always there for him but he was NEVER ONCE there for her. like after a series of disappointments from him jane's ONE request was just not get drunk off his ass and show up for her wedding where after she was going to give a speech about how much he means to her but nooooo he can't even do that because he finds out that his sister secretly helped him get a job after he was fired from his previous job which by the was was completely his fault cause he was super unprofessional and lost a major client for his company(he insulted the client company a lot cause they didn't like his pitch, then when he got caught by moji who is one of the people incharge there he blackmails him to keep his mouth shut or else he is going to make his sister break up with him but gets caught anyway which leads to moji's transfer back to japan and him getting taken off the the pitch) and was secretly drinking in the office.so he kept feeling sorry for himself and got drunk and missed it.
I was waiting for flashbacks or something to show us that he was secretly helping and protecting her but that never came and instead we got more flashbacks of how the sister was always supporting and protecting him when he thought she was making his life difficult, which just cemented the fact that the chut has a massive inferiority complex.
her life would have been sooooo much easier and better if he wasn't there.
the only reason to watch this movie would be for jane and moji cause love story was cute and he was the perfect boyfriend and does not deserve a brother in law like chut he never even apologized to him for treating him like shit but then again he never even apologized to his sister properly so want can i expect , jane she did not deserve a brother like him. keep in mind that the stuff i mentioned here are not even half the awful stuff he did to them.
if it wasn't for the brother i probably would've given it a 8 or a 9

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Is it a zombie movie - is it a political satire?

This movie was loud, weird, bloody, funny, gory, clichée and still a tad bit political.

First of all, despite the low production quality, I quite enjoyed the color scheme and overall design that made me think of 70s movies. The attire especially of the "bad guys" in their funny suits was clearly on purpose to stress the overly comicality of their behaviour.
The music was quite loud, while the dialogues and speech parts were too soft, sometimes almost inaudible.
Well I am not sure if that is the movie's fault or they couldn't get a better version on the streaming website.

While the comedy was quite blunt and the overall story typical for a zombie apocalypse survival plot, I did enjoy the portayal of the characters and think the cast did a pretty good job.

In the end I could still take away a message from this. Knowaing that in Taiwanese parliament the MPs really do end up physically fighting each other, it's bringing light to how ridiculous the political situation is. Seeing it came out in 2020 I also view it as a critical remark on dealing with a pandemic and ways to prevent/treat it.

Wouldn't rewatch and only recommend if you enjoy zombie comedies with a lot of blood.
It's no 'Shaun of the dead' but a good watch for a rainy afternoon/evening.

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The Pirates and The Bandits

I watched first fifteen minutes of this movie a while ago and it's not that I didn't like it, I just wasn't in the mood for it so I dropped it.
Fast forward few weeks later, I'm bored, in pain because my stomach hurts and I need something to distract me and I remember this movie.
It definitely distracted me and made me feel better.
It's a fun movie.

The story
It's ridiculously fun. The whale eats the royal seal and now everyone chases it. It's a mess, they are going left and right but it's never boring.
The villains are evil, the good guys are not completely good (but they are more good than evil).

The female lead (Captain) has her own story and a villain to fight which I appreciated a lot. No one needed to save her because she was capable of saving herself.
The male lead (Chief) is funny most of the time but really badass when he fights. That scene where he runs through burning ships was hot (literally and figuratively).

And the best part, their chemistry. They are awesome together.

The villains weren't really that interesting, basic reasons, basic ending for them but that's okay.

The pirate crew and the bandits are funny when they are together just as their leaders.

This movie is not really something that will make you think deeply but it's entertaining. It made me laugh more than once.

I recommend it to people who like comedy and weird movies.

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Subtle movie on sensitive topic of bullying

I had watched a lot of school bullying movies but this one is totally different. Many of the viewers might have watched The Penthouse, where one student dies and all the main characters are viewed as the probable suspects Because they did something horrible to her.
Here in the movie, ELEGANT LIES shows an introverted girl who dies without any last words. So the probable suspects include her friends who turn out to be bullies. The movie had a sensitive topic yet it's subtle and not horrifying. It shows that communication with the kids is very important. Also how much friends are important too, because we tend to lean on them other than family but are all the friends worth keeping?
I wish she really could have made a true friend!!!

As in the poster, Cheon Ji (Kim Hyang-Gi ) is knitting a red scarf, its actually very deep meaning. The red scarf is a symbolic item and it is knitted well showing that the title ELEGANT LIES is indeed pretty but when the lies are unfolded and the truth is revealed showing the thread which is simple. when the girl asked to buy yarn from her mother. Maybe she had hope in those threads which comforted her. the notes in the ball of red yarn can be interpreted as she wanted someone to help her but also wasn't able to say the pain in her feelings
I really liked the mature approach of the sister Man Ji, towards the end. She really played a tough character easily and gave a new insight that what's right and wrong. Although she couldn’t save her sister, she saved another person.
Mother really had a hard time, as she was unable to read her kid's minds, and the situation also brought her into a tight spot where she also cannot have time to keep morning for her lost child because only two members are left to rely on each other.
Acting is really superb by everyone. I admired Hyang Gi and was astonished by Yoo Ah In. He is an actor who just come and goes of the screen but marks his presence. He cannot be ignored even if in a supporting role.

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Just as good as the first one!

I was kinda nervous about this one because some films got ruined by their sequel. But don’t worry it’s just as good as the first one maybe even better.
It give me many range of emotion. Laugh, thrill, excitement, anger. Even though it’s thriller film it got some funny moments (whole audience laughed the entire time).
All characters are smart. So you won’t feel frustrated watching it (in this genre cops are dumb. They catch the bad guy by luck because they are main leads). but our main lead is strong but WITTY AND INTELLIGENT!
Of course every Ma Dong Seok movie had super satisfying kick ass moment. It was so good that everyone clapped at the end.
Just watch it guys!

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Park Seo Joon never dissapoints

I have seen this film multiple times. It's a great night film to watch when you are bored and tired and want a story to laugh along with that won't make you think too much. It has everything you'd want from an action-comedy and even more!

Park Seo Joon's and Kang Ha Neul's chemistry was insane. Their portrayal of two best friends was absolutely perfect, and their on-screen relationship felt authentic. There were also a lot of action scenes in the film which in my opinion felt realistic - which is often unusual for Korean productions. I definitely recommend trying it. You won't be bored, the film will really entertain.

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Are you ready to fly to Hawaii?

This is really perfection from the story to the execution to the characters' chemistry. It's started with a bang and it just keeps getting better until the very end. It's a perfect feel good family movie on a weekend. I love the balance of comedy, action and drama altogether. The story didn't focus much on the technicalities of 'secret agent operations' but much more on the character's life and emotion which made the movie very relatable. I love the twists of the movies as well. There's a lot of unexpected twists so you should watch out for it.

I also love the casts. I know them mostly from other shows but I love seeing them together on this wholesome film. Uhm JungHwa really made Magnolia come to life. The chemistry among the other characters like the flight attendants is also very smooth. I really love the part where all of them became one team having one goal of saving the plane. Also the husband. I cannot. The revelation. I don't want to spoil anything but I'll give a clue. It's all because of the husband's 'grand' plan. Minor flaw though is the scenario about the plane. After everything that happened, it's impossible to land a plane that calmly after losing a door. I watched too many Air Disaster episodes that I cannot overlook that fact. It's just a minor detail though that didn't affect the overall greatness of this film.

Shoutout to Kim NamGil who slept throughout the movie. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I understood it right, he was supposed to be the NIS agent.

Overall, this is highly recommended. It was so underrated and more people should watch this movie. It's perfection.

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This movie was ok for me
The story had a great message behind
But the writer didn't handle the story well in some aspects
Like,
There were no need at all for the sexual scenes and the nudity in it
And I dislike the last scene the most
As if the writer added them on purpose just to raise watching
Although they didn't serve the story at all


I liked how they figured out how loneliness can break you down and change you 180°
And how when your partner keep himself away from you and refused to hear you how that can break secure between them and change their attitude towards eachother


But inspite of that I felt the story was slow pace , trivial and a little shallow
It wasn't solid enough and boring too

For me it's rare to like a Korean movie
Because their movies is much worse than the epilogues of their KD's

This movie just to watch once
But as I said it had a very important message
For couples

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Four fun loving friends have to learn how to navigate their bonds when they are faced with tragedy, hardship and love. Where Now Are the Dreams of Youth is an entertaining silent film about friendship and what it takes to maintain it through life's challenges.

Horino, Saeki, Kumada and Shimazaki were buddies at university with Saeki being the most serious minded as he had his mother he wanted to care for. Horino was the bold leader, always up for a good time. Oshige, the local waitress at a bakery was sweet on Horino even if he didn't seem to return her feelings. Horino was forced to quit school when his dad died suddenly throwing him into a role for which he was not immediately equipped at his father's company. The three other boys finished school and after being turned away from most of the places in town came to their buddy to help them. Cheating just as they did in college, Horino gave them the answers to the entrance exam so that they would be hired. The three hired friends slowly began to distance themselves from brash Horino. Saeki and Horino found themselves on a collision course when Horino decided to date Oshige not knowing she was already involved with Saeki.

This film had some humorous moments in the first half without resorting to slapstick humor which can plague some older silent films. The friends seemed to genuinely care for each other, even Horino who could be obtuse at times. Though the friendship was the focus of the film, the spotlight came down squarely on Horino and his experience as being both the leader and the one left out. The three friends who were hired during the economic crisis were afraid to do anything that might get them fired and began to distance themselves from Horino who was now their boss which left him in the dark and increasingly isolated.

There were also some affectionately playful moments between Horino and his dad, especially when the uncle sent over a modern girl he wanted Horino to date. Takeda Harurô was delightful as Horino's father who, like his son, enjoyed the moment. Egawa Ureo as Horino could come across too strong at times but he could still convey the softer side of his character as well. Though much hinged on the character of Saeki, neither the writing nor the acting was able to fill out the important role. I couldn't find a credit for the actress who played Oshige, though a traditional female role, she did manage to tell Horino truths he needed to hear and the actress played the limited part well. The two other friends were never directly called by their names, and only the heavier set actor was given any lines or scenes with any import.

Where Now Are the Dreams of Youth poignantly portrayed the pitfalls of friendship and the necessity for candor and communication. It also highlighted the problem of maintaining a friendship when there is both economic and social inequality. And finally, especially during a dire economic time, it showed the difference between youthful frivolity and hopeful dreams and the harsh economic reality that awaited the young men outside of school. I found the film entertaining with lessons that carry over to modern times, the lesson that every beloved school friendship must face when the days of school are past, whether they will either thrive or fade in the unknown challenges waiting beyond.

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“The crime would not have occurred if there was no demand for it.”

It’s not an easy watch. Even the reenactment of how the perpetrators usually trap their victims that was shown as the opening sequence just sets you on an anger trip. It’s impossible not the feel both the pain, frustration, fear and anger of these young girls who ended up in these situations.

Honestly speaking, I wanted to cry even before the intro with credits started. One of the most terrifying things about it was the number of perpetrators involved in it. We all know bad people exist, but we rarely truly understand how prevalent some actions are in society.

It also had a glimpse of hope? It was good to know there were people, even just university students, who risked a lot to expose and investigate these issues - otherwise it would be still buried and no one would know. It is reassuring to know that where there are bad people, there are also good ones. It was a rather detailed narration about the investigation process done by both the police and the journalists. The biggest heroes of the stories were the victims who stepped forward and helped the investigation to happen in the first place.

The commentary done while the credit rolled at the end was a perfect conclusion to the documentary. It’s not the victims’ fault. Anyone can become a victim. The way the society judges and blamed the victims makes it more probable for them to then do what perpetrators tell them to do, as they don’t feel like society will support them if they come forward and report the crime.

That said, one thing that bothered me was how they tried really hard to make it movie-like visually pleasing. At times it did not feel like I’m watching a documentary, but a drama. Just the style of filming the reenactment did not sit right with me. It was beautiful, but I honestly don’t think I should be getting distracted by the visual storytelling and pretty frames in a documentary about topics like that.

Another thing is the fact the documentary switches its focus from victims to the investigation process. I wish we got to see a bit more about the effects this horror hard on people involved and how strong and brave were the people who got through it and helped with the investigation.

On a personal note, exposing myself right now, but the topic is serious enough I think it’s worth it.

How big of a problem sexual exploitation and scams are in Korea? Me being a polish girl, got an email in Korean stating they have a video of me masturbating and if I won’t pay them, they will distribute it on the internet. Luckily, I knew a video like that cannot exist so I just ignored the email, but I know there would be many people who would fall for that scam.

Another personal story: one day before I started high school I was also threatened on the phone by a group of guys that they know where I live and they will have fun with me - it’s easy to understand what they meant. They told me which school I will start the next day. I assumed they were somehow related to a group of students that bullied me in middle school, but getting that phone call almost 2 years after the bullying happened was truly a terrifying experience. It ended on that one phone call and nothing happened - I was lucky. But being a victim of an incident like that myself, even though it was far less severe than anything described in the documentary, made it that much harder to watch it.

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Light-hearted action-comedy 'secret agent' movie

This film officially enters my favorite Korean movie list. I love the overall plot of the story wherein along the way a misunderstanding happen but both main leads overcome it together. I wasn't expecting the twists that are presented throughout the movie and you should watch out for them too. There were subtle clues about it from the start but I didn't think much about it until it surprise me. I don't want to spoil anything so you should watch to know.

I watched it mainly because of Lee SunBin but then I am surprised that Kim YoungKwang is the main lead here so I got a one plus one bonus. Their chemistry is honestly good (I'm sorry KwangSoo but for a moment I thought YoungKwang and SunBin looks good together too.) Their bickering doesn't feel off at all. It was so natural that I feel like they've been working together for years. That's some real partnership in there. Specially this is like 'secret agent' / 'spy' movie so the smooth chemistry of the main lead made the movie better overall.

One of the selling point of this movie for me is the overall flow of the story, even though it's below 2hrs they were able to add depth on the story which makes it more interesting to watch. We've seen a bit of the male lead's life so if there will be a sequel, I hope that we get to know more about the female lead. The comedic relief on the movie is also subtle but still a big factor in setting the tone of the movie to being light-hearted contrary to the too serious issue at hand which is the firearm smuggling.

I really recommend it for a weekend/rest day watch. It's light-hearted, funny, cute and intense at the same time. I hope you emjoy this movie as much as I did.

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