Reviews

Realistic story of 2 souls who face Acceptance, Honesty and life…

[ STORY ]

The movie starts with a simple scene where Zheng Yuxing(ML) is live on tik tok and Chen Chen (FL) can be seen at the back. They share with everyone that they will be going for a spontaneous trip and following that we went up to a long flashback of 1 hour of how they reached this moment……

As the story forwards, almost all things go predictable but still good enough to keep us engaged till the end… 2 lost souls who have there own issue come together not coincidentally but due to a planned lie of the female protagonist.

What can this movie give you? Changing emotions, how complicated it is for a child to face their parent's separation, how a lonely boy seeks light in the world of electronic music and loving a Girl who is actually very far from him and much more…… Moving on and acceptance is another issue portrayed here….

…Please don't look for logics here cause the movie is full of emotionally taken rash decisions…

[2 worthy statements that I found very realistic and relatable —
★ "When it comes to others, everything seems simple but what if it's about ourselves?"
★ "A lot of times we understand we're childish but we just can't help ourselves."]


[ CAST ]
•Leo Wu (role. Zheng Yuxing)— finally saw him in a more free and soulful role rather than the hugely responsible person. He's young and his personality suits this role also. Looking at the BTS from the making, he enjoyed himself while acting and that shows how he could easily portray this carefree role.

•Wendy Zhang(Chen Chen) — look at her cute face. She was perfect for this role. Playing the lost girl who has the ability but ends up taking rash decisions and faces reality at the end. Wendy did well acting up here as the confused little girl who just turned 18.

•Hao Lei (Chen Chen's mother) — Oops. She had a tough role here. This is the character that had the most no. of mood swings lol. Crying, irritated, angry, tensed, faking smiles she had to do them all. Poor her xD

……Except the crowd in background, there were a total of 7 characters who actually had to say anything in the movie (including main leads). Such a small cast list haha. Well, others weren't needed in the story either. They kept it simple with the cast….


[ MUSIC ]
Music was a major part as it represented the ML's field of interest… then all those club scenes can't be done without music…
Theme songs ~~
♪Upcoming Summer♪ — Mayday
♪Eternal summer♪ — resung by Wendy Zhang & Leo Wu (originally by Mayday)


[ REWATCH VALUE ]
Has a 40% chance of rewatch as it's a movie first so short… but going through the confused relationships again is a trouble for me lol. I can watch it someday just to see Leo Wu again lol


[ CONCLUSION ]
Give it a go if you're looking for a more realistic version of relationships. It's not the usual fairytale fluffy version that's common for high-school romance dramas. It's unique and more of a practical, friend-zoned movie. Acceptance and Being brave to reflect and be honest with yourself is the moral of the story.

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A great introduction to Chinese movies

First chinese movie to be watched ever, and actually had some expectations since it is critically-acclaimed and is considered by many to be a classic.

The premise of the story was rather simple, yet it was interesting to know how the romance plot of shu lien and li mu bai would uncover and i thought it would really focus here but was wrong (and for good reasons, plot wise, but i also really couldn't connect with them immediately since they were not presented well enough to really root for them). The martial art scenes especially at the beginning was really thrilling, exciting to watch, and refreshing (since i was exposed more on the korean action story-telling before this movie). The pacing was rather good and it was moving as quick as i anticipated it to be, with the green destiny sword always being lost and then recovered and then lost again, to li mu-bai's plan to avenge his master's death by killing jade fox, and jian long/jen's romance with xiao hu (which i actually wanted more but the backstory was already good and gave ample background for their connectiom with each other). The highlight here would really the spontaneous yet gripping martial art scenes especially the "flying" transitions since it was executed really well and the bamboo fight scene between li mu bai and jian long, add to that the realistic and well-shot settings (just loved the scenery of xinjiang and the desert).

Aside from that, jian long/jen's character was notable in here. She really was the embodiment of a crouching tiger since she doesn't want to conform on her obligations as an aristocrat's daughter to be a simple and abiding wife to a "pompous aristocrat" (verbatim from her) and a hidden dragon with her skills as a swordsman and a martial artist. I really liked how her character (as bratty as she was) was developed. Also props on the emphasis of the movie itself in having strong women characters and the less dependence on men on having to save them, and how consistent their characters from start to finish.

One thing that i would've wanted the film to showcase more would be the reason why jade fox became the antagonist as she was, since li mu bai's master's death may have been justified by here, but the undercover police's death wasn't and i didn't heard anymore from his daughter after her father's death. Also, the ending, as realistic and sad as it was (was really hoping that jian-long did not die and xiaohu's story would also apply to her), but was less impactful as i would've anticipated it to be.

Nevertheless, a great watch for the most part, it is actually a great movie, but to be considered a classic is still something i personally couldn't agree, for now. However, this movie is an eye-opener for me to watch more chinese movies.

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BATTLE OF THE STRONGEST OL

..the fighting of fists and heels..
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..first the line of casts is the number one reason why I watched this movie (Mai - on her long before before the series with Erika Toda, Alice, and even Eiko - and at the same time to see for some casts that worth to search their other films (like Nanao hihi) - and the 4 gays on the films haha that I used to watch them from films..
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..yeah no minutes waste, it's a lot of fun and I found this on the fighting scenes - all worth it, not boring, so cool..
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..I'm not expecting a lot on the visual effects it's just right yet amazing, even the music used - and that LiSA..
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..(naahhh) - I try to let myself not to spoil but the part I like are the awakening of Nao's true identity, Ran's training (here I learned that one's real strength is based on your work's performance for the company), and especially the ending kinda but in the end still fun to tell..
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..great and first movie I've watched this year..

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I don't even know what I've just watched

I want to start this review by saying that I am not really a fan of horror/demon slaying movie or drama. I do watch few whenever I need something different from my usual genres. What I say in this is purely my opinion.

First of all, I do get the logic about the legend of the eyes but that's all about it. I didn't understand what's the story even trying to say.
Why are there police? Why is the archaeologist obsessed about the legend? There were lots of things that doesn't makes sense. Don't get me wrong though because I am not sure whether it's because it's not really a genre I am used to watching. People who loves horror and thriller might like this, I am not so sure.

The only good thing I see on this movie are the familiar faces and the sound effects that were decent enough to make an eerie vibes throughout the movie. I just literally pushed myself to finish it just because I started it anyway and a slight hope that the ending will somehow give justice to the movie. Unfortunately, that's not the case. If you want to watch it then you can and if you find this movie enjoyable, please leave a comment or start a thread to let us know which part you enjoyed as we might have missed it along the movie.

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Please her (Von the Movie)

Story- Well for me this was a very narrative story it shows everyone's point of view. All though the plot is quite simple and common. This just shows a normal life of collage students and their affairs'. I don't have much to say about the story but a lot to say about the characters.

Character Analysis
Nene - From the very beginning of the movie her love interest Bew . And i believe if she would have said it to Deaw most of the misinterpretation wouldn't have even happened. But of course She didn't. When she started going out with Ohm, she fell in love again and he messed up. I know it about personal choses but i was quite pissed when she aborted the child, Nevertheless i realized that she didn't and that was what i found interesting about her.

Bew - When the movie started i felt that Bew was more of a side character that the main cause he didn't show much important other than supporting his friend Deaw. Later it was clear that he did catch feelings for Nene but after finding out that his best friend was in love she decided to give her up. During most of the fights with Ohm he was the one who throw most of the punch's showing that hew still felt for her. Bew believe that what he was doing is best for his friend but he was the one hurting everyone in the entire plot. The most surprising and kinda not surprising part was when he told Deaw that he was also in love with him , that was just a complete cliffhanger

Ohm - Ohm always gave me mixed feelings about his he seemed like he was trust worthy but at time he was a complete ******* . When he started going out with Nene he showed that he was ready to change for her but the just because his girlfriend is not ready to get intimate, he cant just go have sex with other women. He was the typical Bad Boy in every movie. When he found out that Nene aborted his child i believe that boke him. And maybe that led him to be a better person .

Deaw - He seemed like the main man in the story but he was just the one that everyone uses to get to the girl. Honestly felt sad About him he was just being a love sick adult for most of the story who was scared to own up to the truth.

Music
Well when the movie released which was like along time ago i was addicted to the OSTs. It was quite a skillful Tune .

Re watch ?
I don't think i will re watch it anytime soon. well maybe i will but it wont be for the plot or the story but for saint (I AM A HUGE FAN LMAO).

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This movie was so stinkin cute!!
Also so damn confusing,

It started out great but kinda fell off around the middle .. I mean to the point I almost wanted to cut it off because it was just all over the place and I had NO IDEA what was even going on half the time. Had so many questions and not even a hint of answers. But, I'm glad I stuck around because it did get better. Can't say I got answers really... but.. it did get better. Lol

The relationships in this movie was ... really really weird. and questionable. I know through this whole thing we are told Wao is in love with Gen's sister (who is 10 years older) and she loves him too. (um excuse me, ew. Sorry but 17 and 27? Hello jailbait.)
BUT you can't tell me that Wao wasn't in love with Shima. You can't. The way he looked and acted with her? Yeah no. That is more than friends. That is more than step-bro. That is "I have deep feelings for you but I'm pushing them down into a deep part of me" -- which if that was it, could be explained by the whole "step-sibling" thing... maybe he was weirded about that? I have no idea.

And you can't tell me Gen wasn't in love with Wao... and I don't mean in the "bromance" way either.... I'm amazed he saw Shima at all at any time during the movie, he was so into tunnel vision with Wao. Lol
HONESTLY all three of them together seemed like they could have just been in a poly relationship. Because that is the vibe I was getting and then when they were in his room talking about her leaving, hands down it screamed they all loved each other in ways of more than friends. That is just how I feel about it.

In this case, this is probably the first time I have ever seen main characters as side characters and the FL ends up with the SML. It's all new to me and I feel like I've entered a different universe. Lol The storyline was pretty basic but the relationships, man. Twisty as FUCK! I got questions! So many questions!

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Not an ordinary love triangle ... or square

[STORY]
I like the premise of the movie that everyone is the main character in their own life. The plot actually is quite simple, but how the story was told by each character's point of view made it more interesting. Every characters have flaws and the movie showed that there is a consequence for every decision we made. Comments for each story are below, I'll try to not give too many spoilers:

Deaw (Mean): a classic friend-zoned case. Deaw is a typical good boy that will always be there for u but somehow never qualified as a boyfriend lmao. He is only good friend for Nene but not for others imo. The way he blame Ohm for everything without even trying to understand the whole situation was lame. Weren't they friend way b4 he met Nene.

Ohm (Saint): a walking red flag, but surprisingly best boy at heart lol. it's pity that Ohm's family background weren't well explored, I feel like that's an important key to understand on what make Ohm the way he is.

Bew (Peak): the most annoying character. He treated Nene like an object, but act as a goody two-shoes. It's funny that he was so mad at Ohm (even angrier than Deaw) when he was also a jerk.

Nene (Fah): I understand her decision, me too would prioritise my own future. But her decision may not be fair for Ohm, at some point she should tell him.

[ACTING]
The acting department is quite good. Not exceptional, but there were no uncomfortable acting that ruin the scene. Special shout out for Saint, he was so damn HOT as Ohm. Didn't expect he can pull off acting as a bod boy.

[MUSIC}
The OSTs r so good, I especially addicted to a song by MEYOU.

[REWATCH VALUE]
May rewatch soon to catch up more details.

[OVERALL]
Overall, I enjoyed watching it. The movie might be confusing as the timeline was going back and forth for every character's story. So you have to pay attention closely to understand the whole situation. I also feel there were many filler scenes that should be cut down, especially in Deaw's story.

STOP READING IF U DON'T WANT A BIG SPOILER!!!

Here is the timeline of the events, as it can be very confusing. The trick is to observe Nene's highlighted hair

Freshmen orientation - Nene had orange highlighted hair - Nene getting closer to Deaw and Bew - Nene slept with Bew - Nene change hair color to blue - Bew realised he loved Deaw more than Nene - Deaw confessed to Bew that he loved Nene - 2nd semester started (buddy arrangement) - celebration of sophomore year, Nene met Ohm - Bew rejected Nene - Nene and Ohm dating - Nene found Ohm cheating - Nene & Deaw went to a concert, Ohm asking forgiveness to Nene - Nene change hair color to red - Nene got offer to come to Italy for study - Nene told Ohm she was pregnant - Nene in hospital for abortion, but decided to cancel it - Nene told Ohm she'll go to Italy - Ohm and Fern dating

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**Note: I'm writing this review as I watch the movie to keep up with thoughts that are plaguing me.**

I am going to go out on a limb here and assume this was written by a 12-year-old on wattpad.

There was no storyline.... whatsoever. The flatline of this movie was FL likes ML who likes someone else. So what does she do? Pines. When that doesn't work picks a fight with the other girl... who isn't mean at all. She's actually a sweet girl. Did I like her? No. Lol because (OF COURSE) she is with some other guy that is "terrible" and so she keeps Mino on a string knowing he likes her, so any time she has troubles, she knows she can run to him. "but what if she really needed him" people may ask.... if she wasn't dangling him, she would have been more active in his life and wouldn't have cut out so quick after Rika slapped her.
Which by the way, was fucking stupid. Like you're really going to attack her because Mino doesn't like you? That is some hella childish shit right there and is exactly why he would be better off without either. Can just imagine someone glancing at him in a market, next day news would say the woman is dead and missing her eyeballs because Rika got triggered or something.
que up "I WON'T BE IGNORED, DAN!" (Fatal Attraction, if anyone is curious about that line) lol or worse... she would tie him to the bed and break his ankles like in Misery.
You get what I mean though. If she is going all this not long after just meeting him, that is some messed up shit.

And can we just talk about when she was "drunk" (honestly, I still don't know how that happened. I rewatched that part over and over and must have kept blinking at the part I needed to see) anyway, Mino tells Rika that Aoi rejected him.... AND SHE CHEERS!! Bro, are you freaking serious right now? After all that cheering she says for him to date her. O____O I felt like my head was going to explode.

Ah yes, because someone who has been in love with someone for YEARS can just stop instantly and date someone else. *dramatic eye roll* THAT'S NOT HOW THAT WORKS, YOU PSYCHOPATH!!!! I really really REALLY don't get how this girl is almost an adult. Everything she says, does, acts -- is a 12 year old. Not college age. And I will never understand what is the point of dating someone if you're going to keep bringing up the person they like(d) or their exs? I don't get it. If they are with you (finally) -- why are YOU stuck in the past? shouldn't this time be happy and about y'all?

In all honesty, I get it sucks ass when you like someone and they don't like you back, we have all been there before, I'm sure. But when you push and push and push and beg and beg and beg for them to date you, when they finally do, don't be shocked when the person they do(did) like comes around and their eyes light up. You should never have to pressure someone into dating you.

Fast forward to the ending, that was cute. Not gonna lie. I'm happy they made it out that way but I'm still not a fan of this movie. I wanted to cut it off so many times. I gotta learn it's okay to cut things off. lol. But yeah, this just wasn't it for me. I'm not into the the no plot theme. Not into characters having to beg to be in a relationship with someone then getting mad at a whole ass different character that the one they like doesn't like them. It was a mess. This movie was a mess.

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What a gem - great chemistry with an established m/m couple

Overall: I gave this a 9.5/10 because it's from 2009 and it still holds up well twelve years later. Watched on gagaoolala.

Content Warnings: none

What I Liked (very minor spoilers)
- features an established couple
- the kissing/intimate scene was on fire, everyone else needs to take notes - none of this dead fish lip stuff
- that Min Soo doesn't apologize for who he is or who he loves, but is apologizing for the way it was communicated
- there is no ghosting or forced separation due to what a parent wants
- shows a bit about military service which I rarely see in Korean rom coms
- (neutral) the intro song and song towards the end were fine

Room For Improvement
- the discussion with the mom and her chest was weird
- I didn't really understand a scene with Seok Yi waiting outside towards the end, I didn't think Min Soo's mom and him lived in the same city..
- dry crying during the the drinking scene

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Timeline is a bit confusing, but an overall sweet short film

Overall: This 15 minute short film from Malaysia explores a major challenge to an established m/m relationship. Watched on gagaoolala.

Content Warnings: homophobia

What I Liked
- starts with an established couple
- that they communicate about what they are going to do instead of 1 person just ghosting the other
- cute scenes like at the beach
- the mom's growth

Room For Improvement
- the frequent time skips backwards and forwards made it difficult to know the sequence of events and made it feel disjointed. When the subtitles said Tokyo, Japan they could have also said X weeks, months or years later
- quite a lot of background road noise in a scene towards the end

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A treasure hunt story with zero adventure

Overall: I was expecting either a Lord of the Flies situation or a bunch of guys going at it but didn't really get either. If you want a Lord of the Flies darker vibe maybe try Dangerous Drugs of Sex, The Shortest Distance trilogy or Double Mints. And if you want steamy scenes, look somewhere else like: My Rosy Life - His Rosy Passion, Sweet Curse, The Day Began Yesterday...

Content Warnings: 1 fight, 1 instance of blackmail/manipulation, a couple of very brief full frontal shots mostly dimly lit, mention of something that happened off screen

What I Liked
- ummmm, a bunch of shirtless guys on a beach with some nice tattoos
- the base idea of finding treasure is fun (but this is definitely not The Goonies)
- I actually liked the note at the beginning that said all the actors were over the age of 18 and participated voluntarily

Room For Improvement
- it was odd that they started the story with the group of five. They should have started off with Archie telling the story. When it flashed to his boyfriend in the present, I had no idea what was going on.
- many instances of things that make no sense/are unrealistic. Why does a group going on an adventure bring five plates, spoons, a guitar but no water/little food? How on earth would they have built that structure - with what tools/rope? Archie saying he got them food and they were starving when a previous scene showed them happily eating cooked fish is another example.
- they also shared 1 brain cell. Burning your shirt to do something that you can just wait to do in the morning makes no sense.
- the subtitle towards the end should have been "off" not "on" and that seems really extreme. Also odd that they didn't show that part, Archie just stated it.

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Retro Horror

Mother and Daughter running away from domestic violence and trying to restart their life meet new and dubious neighbors as she finds a cheap leasing apartment from a nice real state agent, but why the leasing is cheap?

I don't know where they record the drama but it feels like an old, low budget, New York horror movie. The plot was full of possibilities, specially in the supernatural side, when they change content by the end of the drama it would be really surprising if they have done a better job in set the mood (and if you haven't watched that many horror movies).

The photography and directing was the main source of the lacking, sometimes the camera focus was hard to deal with, how they set the scenes with the "scary" parts was a joke, for example. The acting was also lacking for the main actress(Barbie), the child acting was just okay, Hu Ge was probably the second character with most lines, but we barely see his face expressions, once again I say, the directing and photography was awful during the movie. The makeup is bad too. The OST was doable. I don't think I should recommend anyone to watch this, feel free to choose to do or not. You can find the subs on opensubtitles . org page and translate them online for you favorite language.

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Since I loved the directing in "Better Days" I checked this out. Same actress too. Beautiful cinematography, great acting, but horrible script. To make it short: I was annoyed by this movie throughout. I hated it for many reasons, mostly because the women were so weak and dependent on the men, while at the same time it seemed like they were in love with each other. They had a very intimate and complicated friendship. But then again, if you think about it, the male lead, who was bland, boring and unappealing was somehow the cause of it all. Who was loving who? They were hurting each other and themselves constantly for no good reason. Depressing, really. Good news though: The movie redeemed itself at the end, mostly because they put the male lead aside, and didn't go for a cheesy happy end. 8/10 to be fair. My enjoyment was maybe 4/10. Rewatch value ZERO. But despite me being annoyed by the movie: the director is crazy talented. There was not one boring moment. It was pure art.

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