Reviews

Flaming hot. Real fire on set and in a young CSW.

Libera Me is a 20+ year old blockbuster film that’s surprisingly still watchable, I can hear it’s thumping background score days later.

The story is straightforward but compelling, it really made me think of the dangers firefighters face everyday. The director (same one as 2009’s IRIS) didn’t take any shortcuts and used real buildings and real fire all throughout. I really wish I could have seen this in crisp HD.

Admittedly, I checked this out initially for Cha Seung Won but ended up liking it enough to rewatch a second time.

And if you’ve only seen CSW in his more “recent” dramas (Hwayugi, The Greatest Love), Libera Me is a treat. He’s way younger here but just as fascinating. In certain scenes he’s clearly dangerous and unhinged, in others he could pass off as innocent and make you hope that he can still be redeemed.

Choi Min Soo’s role as protagonist didn’t require much nuanced acting but he’s riveting just the same. I’m glad these two got to act in one movie.

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No animals were killed in the making of this movie.

Advertised as a psychological drama, where the absurdity of the male lead's kidnapping of the dog sets an uneasy dark comedic stage for the audience. There is more to this film than just that misleading tag and description. It's no wonder this film finds fans, or criticism. Rarely, anything in between. Watching it can be unsettling. The reality being, it is more of a low key and subtle horror film.

The director & screen writer Bong Joon Ho has set the watcher up for a deeper experience than presumed. Every conversation and visual in this film is not wasted. Each moment is calculated to take the characters and audience one step closer to heaven, or hell. The ending is poignant, proving the karma earned was real. Do I recommend it? Yes. Be advised - Watch it with the horror tag in mind, it could help in your enjoyment of this film.

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hmmm why did it just stop like that? that was a weird (unfinished) way to end this movie - but have to say, really enjoyed this - i laughed hard at a lot of parts that i'm sure weren't always supposed to be funny and that great-grand-mother is a hoot - yeah bigoted, tightfisted, grumpy and mean but also hilarious - the only time she smiled was when she was getting the red-envelops. what a character this woman is - really hard to dislike her even though i for sure couldn't get along with someone like this in real life -

the main character i loved here was Ai Chao, i loved her interaction with her son - she really is the embodiment of motherhood - loved how cause of her lack of education her trying to better herself with her son's help - how close she is to him and how loving and caring she is in general - her children really r lucky to have a mother like her. so seeing her getting blindsided by her daughter infuriated me - on a couple of levels.

first of she was unapologetic - and get angry at me if u will, but she deserved to be slapped hard at the way she dropped the bomb on her mother "surprise" my ass - and for anyone not getting it - its not on the mother's (grand-mother) behalf i'm incensed but that child's - why was she put in that situation?!? did that stupid woman who knew only how to act tough and talk big - not know what she was doing?!? she hid her child for how long? like a dirty little secret - if she was So!!!! proud of her decision to bring a child out of wedlock - why wait until she decided to come back home to revel the secret?!? like plz with the holier than thou b.s she was spouting always comparing herself to her mother marring an older man - she know how brutal it is to be the only person of color in a country where white is revered, and anything darker is treated like dirt?!? this woman is a stupid ass and living proof that not everyone should be given the right to have kids. but rant over cause there is not logic just spur of the moment decisions that someone else has to pay the consequence's for - i.e that kid - sad.

gonna backtrack the mother knows her son is gay - sad as the son has decided not to come-out cause of his mother. that's why this feels unfinished cause she is capable of accepting - and fighting for her kids even if they don't deserve it (like in her daughters case) but she softened cause of her grandbaby. considering with her son its not a matter of choice, she should be able to welcome his sexual orientation - he just needs to find the strength to have the talk... but the what if's r endless as this unfinished 🤷‍♀️ and that's why i can't give it a higher rating cause i think this deserves more of a closer on the son plot-line.

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Definitely worthy to watch

A TAXI DRIVER, without a second thought, is the best South Korean film We've seen till date. From narration to execution to performances to presentation: it's perfect in each and every aspect. The change in the tone of the film has been brought up extremely well, thanks to its director Jang Hoon. The screenplay is never disappointing throughout, and the film comes out as both a refreshing as well as a memorable experience.
The film's editing is top notch as it doesn't take much of time to introduce and set up the characters as well as the storyline. As the film progresses, you find yourself connected to the characters, especially the ones of Song Kang-ho and Thomas Kretschmann. Both actors have delivered extremely excellent performances, and rather so excellent that I ended up rooting for them completely. When they smiled, we smiled. When they cried, we cried too. Rest of the supporting cast, especially Ryu Jun-yeol and Yu Hae-jin deserve a lot of praise.
There are plenty of emotional sequences which make the film a totally unforgettable experience. Watch the film and you won't find it difficult to guess which scenes we're talking about. Various emotional, thrilling as well as action packed sequences have been elevated by the brilliant music.

A TAXI DRIVER is a hard-hitting film which must be seen not just for its overall excellence but also for the message it delivers to its viewers. It's hard and almost impossible to forget the film, as you're left highly emotional & impressed by the time the credits start to roll. In short, a perfect masterpiece from South Korea

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to start off i hated Tien - especially after u get, Fan has come for closure - heck the dude is still in-love and reeling, as he doesn't get what he did wrong and why they broke-up (the fact that he is putting the blame on himself) the fact that he just needs answers (is heart breaking to me - cause he looks hurt and lost, most of this movie) and yet Tien (who even before he goes out to take that the call from his "new" man) its so freakin obvious(!) he has Moved On!!! he there (like he openly - shamelessly admits) to retrieve his passport "otherwise Why would he have come?!?..." so he can't even be bothered to answer Fan and just ignores him - like every other attempt at a serious conversation that Tan starts, he acts like he's deaf, cause he doesn't need the headache of explaining himself - this is the past and that's where he wants it - making me wonder who is really to blame.

but the more u watch, it's so obvious that Fan isn't just "still" infatuated - seems like in their relationship he was the giver, the one that worried and spoilt Tien, taking care and loving him more - and of course Tien fits the partner that takes everything for granted. won't say his conscious didn't get to him - that's why after he comes back from the call, he removes all the green onion from Fan's dish - that's why he hugs him at the end and takes a sec while Fan walks away.. but that's doesn't redeem him in my eyes - if he really cared, he would've had an honest conversation that would at least mean he cared and could offer Fan the closure he deserved, after everything he put in their relationship.

for a short film this was really well acted and directed, cause u could read every feeling and nuance between the ex's, the guilt, hurt, pain and love... and have to say i wanted to hug Fan so many times and teard up at the end scene when he stops at the bridge. this got under my skin - really enjoyed it - well done!

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I could see they tried, but they failed.

This movie attempts to give us various plot twists based on the non-linear storytelling, character development of the female lead, who learns her ways when she experiences the treatment she served others, commentary about the clickbait culture and cheap journalism, and then fails them all. The only thing worth complimenting are a few scenery shots.

Here’s the thing, you cannot make the female lead a trash human being and then try to make me care about her, while also not giving her any real, well written character development. The circumstances were there, she just did not react to anything with any sense of responsibility till the end of the movie. At first they introduce her as someone who values true journalism and tries to write about important topics, even if they are not popular in the clickbait social media. It does not take her even 3 minutes to completely change her attitude, trespassing on the accident site, moving around bodies to take pictures and stealing a necklace from the victim. And I was like... when exactly that change in her happened? Because it was never shown on screen. I honestly just wanted to see her dead.

The movie would also do better without any police involvement. That was a new level of idiocy, and I saw a fair share of dumb cops in dramas and movies. This tops it all.

U-Turn does not even try to build any type of atmosphere, there is literally no build up. They drop the ghost stalking the girl in the first few minutes, and then the whole movie is just copy-paste similar sequences.

As I said at the beginning, the only redeeming qualities were a few aesthetically pleasing scenes. The acting was good, but what’s the point of decent acting when the writing is worse than the grades I had in math in high school? And believe me, I had hit rock bottom then.

Overall, I would honestly not recommend it. It is not worth spending 1 hour and 30 minutes on it.

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I have been you, I have learned and I have grown

This short film tells a story that many bi-racial children have experienced in a world where difference is often not tolerated and accepted.
This film teaches us that we should not wait for others to accept us for who we are before we accept ourselves.
Learning self-esteem starts at home from a young age, because we know that everyone's experiences are different depending on where they come from, what they have experienced and how much access they have to information. This film also teaches us that in a pool of people whose ignorance makes them fearful and mean, there is always a glimmer of hope, a human who simply sees us as another human being.
Nelson Mandela once said:
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

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Fantastic sequel

Along With the Gods: Last 49 Days (2018)

The theme is about forgiveness. This time it's Kim Su Hong's turn to go through the trial. Just like Suhong i felt like the trial was just a convenient excuse to go through the final judgment and reveal all the twists which were a lot.

In the first movie Gangrim was in Seoul and the other 2 were with Jahong. Now it's the other way around. The 2 were in Seoul in Sungju trying to find out what happened to them while Gangrim was obsessed with winning Suhong's case.

Suhong's character was annoying so I didnt really care much about his case. Although I already predicted halfway through the story it was still shocking to find out how the 3 guardians were related to each other and why they ended up being guardians. Ha Jung Woo again was amazing, Ju Ji Hoon was funny and Kim Hyang Gi was precious.

The final reveal about Gangrim's father was the last twist I didnt expect!! If only Gangrim knew all along.
"Did the thousand years of regret feel like hell?"
"No. The fact that I cannot beg for his forgiveness and that I cannot be forgiven. That has been my worst hell."

I enjoyed both movies. Not sure if they will ever make part 3, because they wrapped up everyone's story, but I wouldnt mind seeing the 3 guardians again!

Rating: 8.5/10

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The idea it's great, as well the atmosphere. The acting was also amazing. However there's so many little stupid mistakes.

1. Like when she was screaming to call him (to save the other girl), how did no one heard her? There were so many houses near by.
2. The last fight in the alley, how did no one saw it?? There were so many noise and so many people!!!
3. The police officer didn't deserve that happy ending, sorry, I get it that you are worried about your sister, but you didn't need him to find her, the deaf girl knew where she was, you could just search that area, since this is all in one night, the killer couldn't move. (and it was also inhuman). Also why didn't he ask for backup?
4. The mother could have done better in the police station, like push the suitcase to make noise and show the tools (but well she was too shocked to do something, what is understandable) , but how tf there's no cameras there?? And the police just saw a fight and let everyone go home??? bruh
5. And yeah lets let two people (covered in blood) running by the road.

But I'm not going to say, that I hated it. I love this fast thrillers movies. So I enjoy it for it.

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Understated

I had no idea just how many films Akira Kurosawa directed until I stumbled upon this film. I have only seen two, Rashomon and Yojimbo, so far. These two films and his other well known films all seem to be historical dramas or samurai epics. So No Regrets for Our Youth really stuck out to me. It is set during the pre-war period up to the end of the war (1933-1945). Since it was released in 1946, this could almost be considered contemporary.

The film is mostly told through the point-of-view of Yukie Yagihara (played by Setsuko Hara). She is the daughter of college professor ousted from his position due to his views on fascism, sparking anti-militarist student protests. A lot of Hara's acting is subtle, such as her falling for one of the protestors, Noge. She never states her feelings; you can tell from her facial expressions and actions. Hara is one of those actresses that always amazes me. Sometimes I don't understand why she did this or that, but at the end of the film it always clicks.

All in all, No Regrets for Our Youth is a wonderfully slow-paced film. Its portrayal of the anti-war efforts of Japanese people was something I never thought of. Kurosawa's decision to make this film so soon after the war is also interesting to me as it shows his convictions. It's too bad that this film isn't more well known, but I understand. It isn't a samurai epic or anything genre changing. However, it's an honest, understated picture about what feels like real people amidst political turmoil and war. And Hara is an amazing heroine from beginning to end.

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One Time Watch

●FIRST IMPRESSION
The movie is fast-paced and although I don't like ally fighting still I found the actions intriguing.

●STORY
Park Young Ho is a new transfer student in school. He quickly becomes the target of top bullies of school because he stands up against them to protect a student from getting bullied.

●PLOT VIEW
The synopsis read the movie is about real bullies, I really couldn’t get that because there is no reason for a student to become a bully. They are wicked minds in the school uniform.
The concept of bullying and the bullied getting back to them is well written. But I felt the movie to be like a bunch of thugs in the roadside ally fighting, smoking, drinking, and girls. Even their uniform also couldn’t give the high school vibe except when they were actually in the school. The growth of friendship between Park Young Ho, Jinsu, Choi Sang Hoon, and Kang Hak Soo, forming a group to help themselves and others was entertaining to see. Park Young Ho family situation and his determination to protect them don't really match his expression. The action scene is good, well-choreographed, and pleasant to watch.

●ACTING/CAST
The acting was mediocre. none of the cast looked like a high schooler. After checking out the actor's profile I found that the main cast is in their 30’s. why did the producers and directors pick 30plus men to act in this cant understand?

●MUSIC
This movie barely has music but a natural tone of the atmospheric sound.

●REWATCH
I don’t want to rewatch this but rather complete the series by watching the next two movies of the series. it is once a watch movie for me.

●AFTERTHOUGHT
sometimes you really need to fight back than give in. enduring them doesn't make you weak but you are a human too you have the right to live peacefully.

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Brilliant movie!

I didn't expect this movie to be so good! The story was a great idea, not unique though.
What I liked the most was how the past main lead was refered to as a gangster, but in reality he was so nice, thoughtful, pure-hearted and cute. He was a nice guy. Female lead from the past was a hidden gem really. She was so kind-hearted, cute and loving. Both of them were amazing. They were so perfect for each other. I loved watching them together! I was really happy when what I expected happened; the pretend couple became a real one. But then came the cheesy weird break up. I don't understand it. Three people became not so happy in their life after that. I don't say that this isn't happening in real life, but this selflessness which makes people unhappy for years is just stupid.
Now, what I have to say about the present couple is that I liked the whole idea of getting to know each other through exploring an old love story. I liked how they came closer. They were cute too. Male lead was a little like his father, who seemed like a "gangster" but he was not. We didn't have the chance to know them better, however I don't think this was bad, because the story focused on the past couple.
The ending was good in my opinion. The past couple did what they wanted the most ; to say goodbye to each other properly, so they closed the circle of their relationship and the present couple opened their own circle focusing on themselves rather than their family members.
The only thing that really bothers me with the movie was the constant change from filipino to english language, even in the same sentence!
Overall, you should definitely watch this movie! It worths your time!

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