Reviews

This was the slowest Kenshin movie. A lot less fighting (a lot), and more focused on a love story. I understand why it was more slow paced, but it didn’t make it any less enjoyable to watch. The acting, as with the other movies, was excellent. I felt it really summed it all up. It made all of the other Kenshin movies have more meaning, because you realize how he developed in to who he is in the future. Now that I’ve watched this, I’ll be watching the whole series over again. I think it will mean so much more to me now. I’m sure that everyone that has watched the other Kenshin movies will also watch this, and will understand what I mean.

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Domestic violence from a very Japanese POV....(?)

As the title of my review says, this movie is dealing with domestic violence and child abuse. The problem of this movie is that it does so from a very Japanese point of view and based on situations that either don't exist in reality or must be applicable only in Japan. In other words the weakest part of the movie is the plot. Spoilers ahead.

The mother of three adolescent children kills her extremely violent and abusive towards them husband ( and father of these children), knowing that she is going to go to jail, in order to save them and free them from his abuse. The brutality that the father has already shown to his own children, is what justifies literally and figuratively her action.

Fifteen years later she is released from jail in order to go back and find that not all of her children appreciated her sacrifice while the family's social circle is divided. Some justify the killing of the abusive husband and some others call her a murderess and have already ostracized the murderess' children.

The problem with this situation as it is presented on the film, is that the children are shown sooo brutally and so obviously abused in the first part of the film , that makes the viewers wonder why the police didn't interfere in the first place in order to arrest the father. The children are so badly beaten up and injured that I doubt that their case wouldn't have been recorded at the hospital, that provided medical help to these children. Which in its turn raises questions about why the mother was sentenced for so many years in prison, leaving as a consequence the children on their fate to grow up with a guardian blaming their mother for what happened to them.

The acting is great the music decent but the plot that deals with such a serious matter as domestic violence, exaggerates everything up to the point of not being believable.

Unless such situations do indeed happen this way in modern Japan. Do they?

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How to use your emotions constructively to change yourself and your life as a whole!

Oh boy! where should I start. The movie starts with a new aloof girl in class and foolish ,aimless, happy , tall dude who is curious about her AND ends with a girl who is warm understanding and confident and the guy matures to almost a living Sage!
I liked almost everything about this movie to the point that sometimes it gets too real to swallow to the level that if I had seen it 10 - 12 yrs ago I might have had suffered a real breakdown lol! I guess becoming adult changes things. That is why you see so contrasting ratings , anyone below 16 yr will generally give 5/6 rating and anyone above 25yr will give it 8+ rating , that is how it is!
If you haven't watch it yet , I wholeheartedly recommend it , although if you are young & emotional person and you have any exams close by then you should definitely put in on hold, till you have a whole free week to ponder!

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Story 1 > Story 2

I actually really enjoyed the first story in this movie — it was quirky but endearing and despite some questionable moments, there was a very subtle layer of comedy that actually made the characters seem like very real and relatable people.

The second story, however, just didn't click with me very much, whether it was the characters' personalities themselves or the kind of haphazard and illogical direction that the plot went in.

Overall there's still a nice nostalgic feeling to this movie, but I didn't found myself that invested in the plot developments.

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Heart warming, sweet & beautiful story

The only regret that I had was I didn't see this movie when it was showed in Singapore back in 2013. It had awesome review and I thought I didn't want to watch and cry because going to cinema is meant for fun. I was putting off to watch for long and today I watched it finally. It didn't fail me. This became one of my all time favorite movies.

The storyline is very different from any other movies as wrongly accused father and his daughter tried to meet each other again with the help of his cellmates and friends. You will just flow with this movie and forget about your surrounding. The acting is spot on and the tempo is perfect.

Highly recommend everyone to watch this and you won't regret spending 2hr of your life.

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devastating

this movie was not easy to watch , i had to pause in between scenes to stop myself from going manic. what makes me sick is that this movie is based off true events and right now i am still trying to process everything from finishing the movie less than 5 minutes ago. it was heartwrenching throughout the whole movie. it is definitely not for just anyone to watch as you need to be mentally prepared as the events are triggering.

im still super pissed at the verdict given to the culprit because what the fuck ?? only 12 years after damaging a kid physically AND mentally that is costing her her whole life yet he only gets... 12 years... of prison.. because he was intoxicated with alcohol... when he did it.. hearing the words he said during the trial made me sick to my stomach, knowing he did what he did but still claiming to be innocent MY GOD ! headache just thinking about it..

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Tissues for the Issues

Well if you're in the mood to cry and suffer emotional distress for 2 hours, LOOK NO FURTHER! I did well; I must say, I didn't cry as bad as I thought I would lmao
For starters I gotta warn that this movie is not for the faint heart. From personal experience as someone who got taken away from my family (even for just a short time) I'm fully aware of the trauma it causes at such a young age. You don't know who to trust, you begin to question why you trusted at all and everyone around you is using you as a pawn. As a child it's not so easy to comprehend. This movie is beautifully done and has all the emotions. Rage, Happiness, Fear etc. If you ever feel like you have bad luck, think again!
The ending had me feeling some type of way. It wasn't a bad ending... but wasn't a good ending either. Kind of an open ending but I'm personally dissatisfied. I'm NEVER in the mood to cry but something told me to watch this and I'm glad I did.
Enjoy...

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They Didn't Come Home for Dinner!

Bruce Lee made a big splash in Hong Kong with The Big Boss. Set in the contemporary time, bloody, more realistic, and of course centered around Bruce Lee, it was something bold and new.

The story had plot holes and was weak despite a good idea. Ice dealers were also drug dealers which put the honorable men working at the ice house and unknowingly for the syndicate in danger. They found out soon enough, as one or two at a time were called into the boss' office and disappeared. These guys were not the sharpest knives in the drawer when it came to figuring out the danger lurking behind the big boss' gated mansion complete with guard dogs and endless armed minions. The only clue friends and family had that something untoward might have happened was that they didn't come home for dinner.

Most of the fights were brawls rather than martial arts conflicts. Cheng Chiu On (Bruce Lee) had taken a vow to not fight, why we don't know, and watched most of the action until the halfway mark in the movie. When the bodies started stacking up he finally decided to enter the fray, though for many it was too little too late. Most of the extras were slow and lumbering compared to Bruce when he took center stage and showed everyone how it was done. There is no overestimating the skill, quickness, and precision he displayed. Han Ying Chieh, the Big Bad, who also choreographed the fights was at least an able opponent in the final conflict.

The fights were brutal and bloody. It was one of the few times I've seen Bruce fight with weapons, aside from nunchaku, as he did in this one. Oddly, director and writer Lo Wei, inserted weirdly comedic moments in scenes at least somewhat grounded in realism. Wuxia flying guard dogs are not to be missed! There was also more wire work than I would have expected, completely unnecessary when dealing with a fighter the caliber of Bruce Lee.

James Tien also gave a notable performance early on as Cheng's friend, Hsu Chien, who tried to stand up for the workers. He had a light and spark that was entertaining to watch. For the most part, the rest of the acting was typical of old kung fu movies, stilted and weak.

Like many kung fu movies, the story was imperfect. The early fight scenes were also flawed. Once the real Big Boss stepped up, the movie became worthwhile for me. Bruce Lee had a grace, magnetism, beauty, and fluidity that I've never seen matched. It was worth sitting through the more stagnant parts of the movie to be able to watch him work.

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I’ve been conned.

Okay, so I went in assuming that this is going to be a fun light hearted movie with lots of laughs and lighthearted aspects. Couldn’t have been more wrong. The movie does have its fair share of humour and the brothers share a beautiful relationship— one that isn’t perfect but they work on, and I absolutely loved their interactions and how they took care of each other later on— but there’s so much sadness as well. Did I spend the last half hour or so crying? Yes I did. Plot wise the movie is all right, but it’s the acting and the sibling bond they share that makes it unique. Towards the end I kept hoping for a miracle, but that doesn’t happen.

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Tried to imitate HUSH and SHINING but totally failed

It was one of the anticipated movie in my watch list but it's just such a mess.
It just left me questioning the whole situation.
1. Why are deaf people walking at 10 pm alone in the streets ? Isn't it dangerous?
2. The mother could have just made a noise or hinted out the things in his bag and it would have been done and dusted but no
she cannot even do that in a POLICE STATION.
3. There are literally no police officers in police station so anybody can fight over there. Even when mother and her deaf daughter inform them then they are not even reacting to that?? What king of police officers are they?
4. Do you want to be alone at home when you know that murderer is trying to kill you? She could have gone with her mother.
And the most stupid thing at that dangerous situation is to forget to lock the door. Seriously?
5. She can't really sense a person behind her really, you want us to buy that?
6. The brother character could have easily made a phone call to police while searching for his sister but no just leaves the deaf girl.
7. Most stupid thing is SHE IS SCARED AND BLEEDING. No matter what at least even one person would be suspicious of her condition and try to help her. Though this movie wanted to potray the way we treat handicapped people but this is far too fetched. Even army people just present her to him.
8. Lastly, when deaf girl was saying she wants to live more in sign language. Do you think serial killer will whole heartly understand that? As a viewer if there were not subtitles then couldn't have understood anything so how can he.

One positive I found is Wi Ha-joon's ( serial killer) acting other than nothing is good. Just wasted my time.

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First we kill them, then we dump them!

If Bolo hadn't been in this movie, I would have seriously considered dumping it.

What I liked:
•Refreshingly this movie was set near the ocean where workers loaded and unloaded cargo for boats at the pier.
•Did I mention Bolo was in this movie? He's a favorite of mine and it was fun to watch him fight and snarl at people.
•Fong Yau gave a charismatic performance as a sadistic syndicate man, far out charming any of the good guys.
•Bolo and Huang Chung Hsin, and also Huang Chung Hsin and Leung Tin had brutal fights. Finally fighters went after the parts of the body that will stop a person---the arms and knees.
•I liked that they tried to show the emotional aftermath of a person who thought he had killed someone with his bare hands.

What I didn't care for:

•Michael Chan's performance was weak for me. I thought he came across as whiney instead of conflicted. After thinking he'd killed his girlfriend's brother he ran away and vowed never to fight again. Of course, he ended up in a place where people's lives were in danger because of a tyrannical boss and cowered in the back or was beaten senseless.
•I didn't like Michael Chan's windmill style of fighting very well.
•His girlfriend gave him what had to be the worst pep talk in the entire history of cinema when he was hiding out after some of his buddies and his girl had fought, been wounded, or died in a big battle with Bolo.
• The music was loud and dreadful, as were the fighting sound effects.
• With the exception of the fights involving Huang Chung Hsin I didn't think any of the fights were particularly inspired.

If you are a Bolo fan, it's worth sitting through this movie to watch him, he was in fine form.

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ironically i watched this cause of a comment by Synchonicity - whose recommendation did wonders for this movie (it got me to waste my time) something the movie itself couldn't do - as this is Bad - like everything - acting - plot - editing.... is bad. watching this it felt like Andy Wang (whom i don't know from Adam) was throwing himself a party - rich spoilt dude thats being funded by his parents, who have spoilt him rotten and his new "toy" is not only acting, but making a movie - it was the 'Andy Wang show' from start to finish - he was the writer, director, maybe editor and of course staring - so little wonder we got what we got.

the plot wasn't that unique - tried and true rich kid that's got a gf, but in the closet or didn't even know he was gay, until the new kid comes along and entices him out - he ditches the gf for a bf and as the gf can't get over the loss, she starts plotting ways to break the couple apart and get back with the ML. of course need drama and a heartbreaking moment of conflict, so add the sick dying parent whos hell bent on grandkids, even though her kid is still studying ¯\_(ツ)_/¯¯

and it would've been another ok BL-movie if the acting was good - it wasn't(!) You Xi is a condensing ass from start to finish, he got one emotion going - looking down on EVERYONE as if he doing them a favor for gracing them with his presence. that's how he treats everyone, so if there were emotion's of attraction, interest conveyed by him i blinked and missed it - i guess. but all the other actors didn't do a better job either - heck donno who did the casting (guess Andy Wang) cause even the side and back ground character's didn't seem logical - its like there were kids - children and adults not only teens, that were all mixed up and nothing looked or felt logical - so a train wreak it was - the end scene was freakin hilarious and pretty sure it wasn't meant to be - but we had to get out the sprinklers, so all 3 moron's could stand in the "rain" and add to the water-works as they each be posing and crying Aish plz, i couldn't for the life of me take that serious

what's left to say - if ur bored and looking for a laugh - which will admit there aren't many (laughs) cause You Xi narcissistic attitude aint charming or fun to watch - heck the only other hilarious scene was when his ex-gf slapped him. the way he reacted, it felt like in his life he has never gotten slapped and it looked like he was seriously contemplating punching her (how dare a peasant touch him lol) , but remembered the cameras (¬‿¬)(¬_¬ )

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