Reviews

This is a story of two couples who switch partners after university. And then, 18 years later, they switch partners again, divorcing and remarrying immediately. And then, on top of that, they all move into one big house together, the four of them and their two teenage kids, Miki, the main heroine, and Yuu, the Marmalade Boy. The teens start off on the wrong foot but after some time, they become good friends and then they fall in love. But then the real bombshell comes when it seems that Miki and Yuu are actually half-siblings, that they're blood related. But are they really?

Sakurai Hinako as Miki and Yoshizawa Ryo as Yuu were absolutely fabulous! I loved how different they were, Miki and Yuu. Miki was so brash, always saying out loud what she didn't like and not budging. Yuu, on the other hand, kept it all in, all his hurt and everything else, because all he wanted was for their parents to be happy - despite their questionable life choices! - for everyone to be happy.

It's a story about the consequences of miscommunication, really. Because Miki and Yuu were simply trying to navigate the mess that their parents unwittingly created by keeping vital info from them. What I did love, though, was that not for a single moment did the kids think that they were not loved. They knew they were, deeply. Even Yuu, thinking that his dad was not his real father, didn't feel bitterness towards his parents, no, he was grateful that his mom didn't simply abort him and that his dad brought him up as his own child and he loved them for it. It was honestly wonderful.

I loved it a lot. What a weird and not at all normal family, true, but also so full of love!

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Hou Hsiao Hsien takes a look at a 1980's family living on the edge of Taipei's neon nights. At turns, frustrating, sympathetic, maddening, and understandable this fractured family is largely held together by the eldest daughter, Lin Hsiao Yang.

Lin Hsiao Yang (Yang Lin) has a short temper, works at Kentucky Fried Chicken during the day and takes classes at night school. When she's not busy making money and trying to better her life, she hangs out with her friends and tries to steer her older brother and younger sister away from stealing. Their father pops in and out, usually when he needs help. A lottery playing grandpa drops by occasionally to deliver food from a squawky daughter-in-law and quirky bon mots.

Lin Hsiao Fang (Jack Kao), the only surviving brother, and his gang try to carve out their own territory by opening a shady restaurant. Unfortunately, one of his crew draws the wrong kind of attention from violent and vengeful men.

Daughter of the Nile's characters are never fully delved into with the possible exception of Hsiao Yang. The cast is large and at times unwieldy. Hou plops the audience down in a strange slice of life drama without explaining or showing us much of what the characters are feeling or thinking. Even when tragedy hits, it's kept at a distance, as are the characters' responses.

I can see and understand the craft that went into the making of Daughter of the Nile, but in the end, I found it largely impersonal and the performances flat. Yang Lin's portrayal of our only dim window into this world came across as shallow when it felt like there should have been more depth to this character caught in almost unswimmable currents. She dutifully empties her bank account to any man in need, without a thought to her own precarious situation. Most characters have few, if any lines, wandering in front of the camera to give some movement to a stagnant and untenable lifestyle.

Daughter of the Nile is an interesting social commentary of the plight of those living on the fringe in the mid-1980's. I only wish Hou had let us into his characters' motivations and feelings so that a real emotional connection could be made to help us understand their lives better.

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A heartbreaking piece

This is one of those movies that keeps you thinking about them for days after watching. I went in expecting a coming of age LGBT story and was met with something unlike anything I had seen before.

Well, the first half of the film is beautiful, visually and plot wise. Ohm and Nont did an amazing job portraying the innocent blooming love between Dew and Phop, in a way that it's impossible not to get attached to the characters. So, even when you know things are about to go downhill, you still hope for them to run away together and find their happy ending, only to be met with the harsh reality of things.

The second half almost lost me, not gonna lie. I felt like the change in tone was too abrupt and I was too heartbroken to continue, but I'm glad I ended up giving it a chance! Even though the age gap was uncomfortable, once I realized Phop never showed any sexual or romantic interest in Liu and only saw her as Dew, I could enjoy the magic of Phop and Dew's reunion. Does that mean I think this part was perfect?? No, absolutely not. The message that love goes beyond time and everything could have been conveyed in a different manner. But, working with what we got, watching them finally see each other again not as Liu and adult Phop, but as the two boys that fell in love in their teenage years made my heartache.

About the ending, I still can't decided whether it was sad or happy. All I know is that Dew and Phop deserved better. And that by the time the credits started rolling, I was left in a state of shock, crying buckets.

Since I'm a sucker for drama and romance, I did enjoy this film and would recommend it to someone considering to give it a try. I also plan to rewatch it someday, if the sole memory of Dew and Phop ever stops giving me the urge to cry.

In general, the actors definitely deserve recognition for their brilliant performances, specially Ohm and Nont. I hope to see them together again in another project one day!

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Beautiful and Tragic; two words I use to describe this film.

What starts as a writer trying to uncover the truth about an incident turns into something much more.

I found the use of light and sound quite important. It was a tool to make us -the audience- focus on certain things characters have said in order to foreshadow what will happen in the future and what will be revealed about the past. It is similar with eye contact and characters watching interactions between other characters. Watching this, you won't realise how complex the story is until the last third. Then, you understand the construction of the story and the choices the characters make.

The acting was also incredible. For Iwata Takanori, it was a step up from his portrayal as Cobra in the HiGH&LOW series and other exile-related works. He really shined in this film. His character was also interesting. He walks with intention and a purpose; he speaks with intention and purpose, making him a more compelling character. I'm not kidding when I say he walks as if he is on a mission (which he totally is). Heck, even his stares are intentional. Saitoh Takumi also outperformed as usual and brought so much to his character as a photographer.

Even though I already loved it after my first watch, I really appreciated the construction of it this time around. It is a film I plan to watch a third, maybe fourth time. But I also wish I could experience watching it for the first time. It is one of a kind.

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❤君の瞳(め)が問いかけている❤

君の瞳(め)が問いかけている is about Kaori a pretty girl who lost her eye sight after an accident. She is trying to enjoy the small things in her life, but Kaori struggles to live happily.Kaori mistakes Rui for someone else and begins to talk to him...Rui is one of the most handsome guys, in the past he had made many mistakes which caused him depression and couldn't talk properly to people around him. Kaori's smile brings out a change in Rui, the two people begin to have feelings for each other, but Rui learns about Kaori's past accident. He goes to the church and prays for her and everything he did in the past. Kaori then decides to take an eye surgery, the two people meet after long time and they become a couple again ❤
This movie was so sad but heartwarming, I cried so much but I loved this love story❤❤❤

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IDK

200 Pound Beauty was amazing but not what I expected. Like others, I really did enjoy this drama. But, like many others, I had a lot of criticsm. 200 Pound Beauty promotes such a negative message especially to younger girls that may be experiencing these same feelings Hanna had. This entire "Get Surgery, be skinny and pretty and no fat and ugly" is such a bad thing to promote. Don't get me wrong, getting surgery for YOU is completely different from getting surgery to solely fit into what society deems as acceptable. I would not be having this criticism if Hanna got surgery for HER and not in order to fit into a standard and to get a guy to like her (a guy who obviously liked her before she had the surgery). However, I did enjoy how this drama shed light on the rampant fatphobia that is prevalent within most societies and how simple 'teasing; could cause someone to hate themselves to the point they would want to undergo such drastic changes.

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I only just finished it and I already want to rewatch it!!

This was honestly really fun to watch. I made predictions at the start about what I thought would happen so I was on the edge of my seat for the majority of the film.

Suda Masaki's character (Yamashiro Keigo) just want to succeed with his art and manga. And once he finally does, things go south. Despite him drawing upon a murder he witnessed, the murderer decides to follow the murders in the manga. It's a bit of a full circle moment, especially during the climax. It's relatively slow for the most part but the director did an amazing job at building up the tension. Especially when Morozumi started appearing in Keigo's life. I was worried for all the other characters but also excited to see and know more.

The acting was phenomenal. The fact that Fukase Satoshi who played the serial killer - Morozumi Shuichi - only just had his acting debut with this film is insane because of how good he was. I did wish we knew more information about his character and how he used another person (Henmi) with his killings, but I'm still satisfied. Suda Masaki was great as usual. I expect nothing less from him. He really captures different emotions well - from joy and happiness to anxiety and frustration. I also love Seida-san. Seeing Oguri Shun act is always so enjoyable. He wasn't just a detective. He also had interests. And of them happened to be reading manga, specifically Keigo's manga. The other actors also took on their role well.

I really do recommend this film. If you love any of the actors in the film (especially Suda Masaki and Oguri Shun), and psychological thrillers with serial killers, and manga, this film is for you.

PS. Sorry if this review is all over the place, I might go back and edit this. I'm also glad that I am the first review for this amazing film!!

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love makes you do stupid things

i was thinking "he screwed up" like every 20 min, but also love, you know?

the bad:
some of the details make this movie so cringey (her name, for one). i know it's supposed to be a romance movie, but the male lead makes several questionable decisions: giving up the swim championship match was just... maybe it's just because i can't think about this movie from a truly romance perspective and am too realistic, but isn't this movie supposed to be realistic? also, who invites their ex who they have a very deep history with to their wedding? i know it sets up for the end, but it feels weird. zhang ruonan's acting also feels a bit lacking; i don't think she's horrible, just average, but when acting across from greg han, the difference is more evident.

the good:
as a romance movie, cute scenes are a must, and there are plenty. my personal favorites include the fireworks scene, the fireworks scene, and the fireworks scene. but this movie is surprisingly deep. it's about how fate sometimes seems to just not be in your favor and how you can't control everything; it's about letting go of things, love and otherwise; it's about learning how there are two sides to everything and how feelings aren't games you can win or lose. i liked how the characters really did mature over time. the wedding scene at the end was beautiful. not having watched the Korean version, i was still able to predict that the ending would not result in them getting together; however, i could not predict how touching his speech was at the end. sometimes you just need to let go.

i think it'd be really interesting to see the movie from you young ci's POV - i can only dream about that.

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Hmm

This is the kind of movie/plot that would make you say "hmmm, I think I read this before" but in actuality you haven't watched this particular movie but you'd watched hundreds of movies with the same plot. It's the typical jerk falls for school girl.
Besides it being comedic it wasn't that much of an enjoyable watch. No one can convince me that the main characters actually fell in love. Everything seemed forced and fast paced.

I would 100% recommend watching it and forming your own opinions on this but this is mine.

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Korea… Still stuck in the 80’s in 2018?

Never mind the ridiculously shallow plot and embarrassingly awful CGI. But the subject matter, itself… was it for real? Are they really forcibly evicting business owners so the areas could be redeveloped? I’m sure stuff like that happened all over the place in the 80’s and 90’s but in 2018? Or are they trying to tell us that Korea is still a violent third world country?

I mentioned this in my other reviews but but the way Koreans portray themselves in these shows are really terrible. After so many shows, I’m thinking maybe they’re actually telling us the truth.

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I can't believe I actually cried watching this

This has got to be the strangest movie I have ever seen PERIOD. I'm such a sucker for anything psychological so this movie intrigued me right away. Even though I got kind of bored and watched most of it at 2x speed, I had an absolute blast, especially towards the ending. Like other reviewers mentioned, this movie's characters feel oddly alive, despite the overall strangeness of their personalities and plot. They are all a tiny bit (scratch that, VERY) crazy and are extremely flawed, but there's something so real and so raw about their emotions that just makes them feel like they are actual, real-life people. Everyone's motivations, no matter how weird or messed up, seemed to make sense, and even the insta-lovey, extremely flawed and extremely toxic Romeo and Juliet romance felt really fitting and honestly super endearing in this movie. This might be hormones, but (spoiler alert) the weirdest, least-explained, and extremely illegal reunion of the couple in the last 5 minutes of the drama made me shed a tear, and the ending was just as romantic as it was absolutely f***ed up, unrealistic, and kind of scary. Overall, kudos to the entire team behind this drama. I might revisit this weird nightmare a few years down the line, and I'll enjoy every second of it when I do. Would recommend.

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The support cast (gangs) made this movie!

This is an over-the-hill, feel good movie that everyone should enjoy...as long as you are not looking for nudity or gore!

For romancers, there is not only a three-way love story, but a four-way love story.

But instead of talking about the love story, the two gangs and their slap-stick, over-the-hill escapades during most of the movie: both gangs exhibit the old-fashioned Marx Brothers "get blown up but not really hurt" scenarios that some of you may be old enough to remember. If not, search for the The Three Stooges and watch some of their clips to see what I mean.

One of the other reviewers stats that this was from a manga (didn't know that) but I might find it and read it sometime if my schedule permits.

Two of the Beehives' gang, bodyguards [for Kirisaki Chitoge (Nakajo Ayami), mafia girl from NYC], Claude (played by single-named Daigo) and Tsugumi Seishiro (played by Aono Kaede). provided the impetus most of the tongue-in-cheek slap-stick violence of the film, producing laughs and loud explosions throughout the movie!

Most of the tongue-in-cheek violence was directed toward Ichijo Raku (Nakajima Kento), but don't worry, only thing hurt was his pride!

P.S. If you don't want to laugh, don't watch it!

RE-WATCH VALUE: Definitely!

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☆ Colorless ☆

This movie is about this girl called yuka who likes modelling and wants to be an actress too.
A new photographer who shoots her named koyamada,they meet and fall in love but its a bittersweet love between them. koyamada gets attached to her,and asks her to date but she has a deep secret working as a night massager too. Koyamada works with Yuka by having her as his subject on every photo. They join and win a photography contest held in Sarugakucho enabling them to be recognized by many for their skills.
One day koyamada finds out yuka's big secret about being a massager and yuka gets angry, so koyamada left the apartment. This movie was so amazing, and koyama chan is soo handsome too! Recommend to watch it 100% ☆☆☆☆☆

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Writer/Director Vivian Qu delivers a caustic commentary of the treatment of women and young girls in China. Shown primarily from a female perspective she lays bare the inequality of the sexes by a society still focused on a girl's virginity as a primary virtue. And also casts a dark lens on the men who exploit that limited virtue for themselves.

Two twelve-year-old girls are lured to a hotel by a powerful middle-aged man and raped. Mia, a young runaway working at the motel sees him break into the girls' room. Director Qu takes a risk in not having one protagonist, but two. One of the twelve-year-olds, Wen, was already suffering at school as a child of divorced parents. Qu largely focused on her experience as well as Mia's quandary of not wanting to help for fear of losing her job. Mia comes across as self-serving and hyper focused on her own survival, always one step away from homelessness. Wen must not only deal with her own experience but also her mother's response and the adults who should be protecting her but don't. The only two people seeking justice are Wen's father and her lawyer.

Warning! What follows may have spoilers...

The performances are spare but powerful. There are no histrionics, no sobbing uncontrollably and screaming. The girls and the lawyer know they are fighting a battle that will likely not be won, but keep moving forward, keep enduring, keep fighting.

Set against the backdrop of an ocean vacation town, with a giant statue of Marilyn Monroe, the seedy happenings were not done in the dark corners but in plain sight making it even more disturbing. It feels like Qu was able to shine a light without the censors cracking down because she might have been alluding to the Western influences of the objectification of women in the statue and possibly in all of the brides dressed in Western wedding gowns having their pictures taken on the beach as a source of the problems. But Western influences did not cause a powerful middle-aged man to rape two children. Or cause the corrupted police force and medical community to cover it up. Or cause a mother to blame her daughter for what happened. Or cause other parents to profit off of their daughter. Or leave a runaway without a safety net. Or cause an older girl to risk her health, fertility, and life to have a fake hymen implanted. Or cause a teacher to treat Wen as less than because her parents were divorced. These are societal failures for women and girls and Qu did not shy away from showing the toll they take.

Angels Wear White is a difficult movie to watch with no easy answers. It may cause despair and anger on the part of the viewer. But perhaps in giving an unflinching and unsentimental view it knocks down one more brick in the wall separating women and children (regardless of gender) from justice, justice lacking not just in China, but worldwide.

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Gentle movie about biological and found family (minor spoilers)

Overall: this reminds me of God's Own Country with its countryside setting and sparse dialogue. Things are subtle (maybe a bit too subtle at times); I wish I could hear a director's commentary as I'm sure I missed many things. Watched on Amazon Prime Video, also on Gagaoolala in some regions.

Content Warnings: homophobia, side character death

What I Liked
- the foreshadowing, double meanings, subtle hints, for example when the grandma was mixing and said to watch it and wait it out, and also that pregnant sheep
- the countryside setting
- production value was good overall
- realistic flawed characters who made mistakes and apologized/tried to change

Room For Improvement
- maybe a few things were a bit too subtle and we could have used a little more dialogue to tell the audience what the characters were thinking
- it was odd when that female friend was yelling around the house that the guys wouldn't have woken up

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