This review may contain spoilers
A masterpiece for the Ages
This is really a masterpiece for the Ages. It's not my first japanese movie, far from it. But it's one that strongly reignited my interest in Japanese entertainment and it brought me to Minami Hamabe, one of my favourite actress.It's hard to imagine how such young main leads, Minami Hamabe and Takumi Kitamura are able to carry a movie on such a tough subject to perfection, but they did and boy did they do it with aplomb.. Yes, terminal illness movies are plentiful. However this is so very different from the typical run in a mill terminal illness shows.
There's no heart-wrenching sorrowful sad tale, at least not until the very end. It's actually a pretty cheerful movie up until the major twist at the very end.
My favourite quote in the movie was that every meeting between people is not due to fate or coincidence, but is solely due to the choices we make. This is so very true in our everyday life. Your own choices determine the outcome of your life.
I have watched the film, the anime and read the book. All the adaptations are so well-done. However I do advice that you watch the anime after you watch this film, because it will perhaps make you feel abit better, like it did to me.
As I said, a masterpiece for the Ages.
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A short worth watching...
I watched this on a whim. Not knowing the subject and diving head first is alas a first for me. Sometimes we encounter breathtaking gems when we least expect to and this short Japanese film is a shining example.Summary:
A story of a trans woman gently but firmly taking the first step towards her past. The movie is based on a poem from Fujiki Yumi and stars a trans actress in the lead role for the first time. I think it is somewhat of a rarity to have a movie based on this subject matter and having transgender people voice their side in their own stories must surely be a rarity, in not only Japan but throughout Asia.
Story:
I appreciated the paucity of dialogue here. While its a common attribute for most Japanese films, this form of filmmaking really lends to the sensitive subject matter.
Acting:
Identifying with a particular gender, there are so many things that we take for granted and at times I had to pause and think, to realize her pain and discomfort. I can understand her struggle when the client asks ‘are you a man cause your hands are big?’ There's a pause as the camera pans to her and she replies. Good acting!
Overall:
In real life, one doesn’t really stare that hard at people. At the same time, there can be curiosity among a lot of people from the older generations. While some times it’s really just harmless curiosity, specially if it’s not common in your country, the cluelessness of people can be hurtful as well. And I think that is what this short tries to tell us.
Good for watching once but you need to concentrate to appreciate the nuances in the filmmaking. 7.5/10 for me.
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A tribute to film-making in this time period and Japan in the 70s
It was my turn to furnish a movie for a group's Saturday night showing; and it went really well with the group!BACKGROUND: Japan is on a destructive plate boundary, where the Philippine Sea Plate subducts the Eurasian Plate. It is a triple junction and three subduction zones are involved. The movie has historical significance both in the far past and more recent; in 2011, in 2011, the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, towns like Ishinomaki subsided. 'Subsidence' is a general term for downward vertical movement of the Earth's surface, which can be caused by both natural processes and human activities. Subsidence involves very little horizontal movement, which distinguishes it from slope (horizontal) movement.
For its time period, the cinematography is very good, plus what I like is the Japanese use of "model' terrain and cities, which were prevalent in the 1960s/70s as a standard way of showing mass destruction of cities, towns, countryside fires and tsunami damage (as most films of this era did). It brings back memories of my childhood seeing these models being used in era pictures going back as far as the 50s. If you want a look at movie-making in this time period, try this movie!
What I also liked about this film is that I knew absolutely no one starring in it, which made it seen so much more real; this makes the movie more believable on one level. While some would criticize this, it makes the movie more believable to e and other who were watching.
Everyone was sitting on the edge of their seats, anticipating what would happen next, and surprised when things happened "earlier" than they would anticipate them.
I also read about it before I showed the movie, and it is a good representation of Japanese culture at the time.
Other pluses: the few women in the movie kept their clothes on, and no one was cheating on their Significant Others as well!
Take a chance and see a great film about Japan and see what movies looked like in the late 50s to mmid-70s....
RE-WATCH VALUE: Definitely, especially for a group of different aged people who want to watch the same movie!
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Extreme Violence.
Filmed in black and white "Limbo" is one of most insane darkest thrillers I've seen in a while. It starts out with a new officer and veteran detective looking into a series of serial murders. With this basic premise as a beginning, the film begins to ramp up the suspense minute by minute. Violent, abusive, aggressive and inhumane the investigation and detectives loose control. While watchers speed toward an ending that spits them out hard at the end. Gritty visuals and graphic violence add to the dark subject matter. Watch accordingly. Recommended.Was this review helpful to you?
As good of a A Masterpiece from Japan as Azumi (2003)!
This movie is available in several languages, including English...Another Masterpiece from Japan, actually better than Azumi (2003)!
This movie is available in several languages, including English...
The cinematography is as GREAT in this film as the original! You feel that you are back in the days when the movie took place ...
kudos to the wardrobe people again!
In the first movie, Azumi (Japanese actress Ueto Aya) is an orphan who is found by the master training assassins, who goal is to kill the main warlords who continue killing, raping and plundering the innocent people of the time period. Nagara (Ishigaki Yuma) is the only other survivor from the first movie, and he joins her in attempting to complete their mission: assassinating three powerful warlords in order to bring peace to the poor, suffering masses who bear the brunt of the warlords' pillaging.
This one was slightly better than the first, with the remaining team members beginning to show empathy and emotion aorund the ceaseless killing they are involved in.
However, a "thorn" appears in the guise of a friend and hurts the team's ability to complete their mission. You will see what happens when you watch the movie!
It is pure action from end to end, with tidbits of emotional moments in between.
Again, the sword fight scenes are well-choreographed and dd to the overall effect of the movie!
Likewise all of the support staff , new and old, effectively played their parts and backed Ueto Aya's performance, giving this second edition a "thumbs up"from me.
RE-WATCH - you bet!
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A Masterpiece from Japan!
This movie is available in several languages, including English...First of all, the cinematography is GREAT in this film! They found geography to make it seem you are back in the days when the movie took place and their wardrobe dept effectively captured the era's common people's attire..
Azumi is an orphan who is found by the master training assassins, who goal is to kill the main warlords who continue killing, raping and plundering the innocent people of the time period. Azumi joins the tough training regime and excels in it.
The only reason I only gave it a 9.5 was when he 'reduced' his assassin team in half and also, their reaction to what was happening in the first village they came upon. Neither were necessary.
The team 's goal is to complete the mission no matter what, and to kill or be killed in its completion.
Tragedy takes two of its members, but the rest continue their mission. Later, two more members and the Master die, leaving Azumi and Nagara (Ishigaki Yuma).
It is pure action from end to end, with tidbits of emotional touches in between.
The choreographer for this movie's swordplay must have worked overtime and deserves his own award for his or her work, as well as the cast, who must have spent hundreds of hours perfecting the fight scenes! A special note of appreciation to the psychotic white-clad assassin, who was released from jail to deal with the assassin squad team formed which was trained to kill the warlords.
I have never seen a movie with Ueto Aya in it before, who played Azumi, but I will definitely look for more of her movies; likewise all of the support staff effectively played their parts and backed Ueto Aya's performance here.
RE-WATCH - you bet!
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Phantasmagorical Film !!!
A adventure film on phantasmagoria, where humans are trapped in a parallel universe, in the full reverie of an alternate barbaric realm of phantasms, dreams and the real world. This modern film in sequence has utilized changing successions or combinations of fantastic, bizarre, or imagined and dream types imagery of slavery, serfdom in a Herculean Quest to fight, battle, hurdle and slay lurking destructive gargantuan monsters, cyclopean ghouls, in a parallel universe of warriors in transformative supernatural elements among mortals and gods. The real world in parallel is a father Gua Ning (possessing an innate ability to throw stones with accuracy and precision on any target) in an unrelenting crusade search of his missing daughter meeting “the search and rescue dealer” is the CIO (Chief of Information) of Aladdin Corp. portrayed by the Bombshell Superstar Yang Mi (Tu Ling) forced to task Gua Ning to kill Kong Wen Lu, in exchange of the inevitable of finding and reuniting with his daughter. Dong Zijian (Kong Wen Lu) is the novelist and Sisyphean Fighter, who holds the key to the beginning to the end of this fantasy adventure film. Gua Ning and Kong Wen Lu meets, unites and become the invincible characters as the creative moving forces in this fantasy adventure quest in both the worlds of phantasmic realm and the real world. A quest which evolve into this riveting and exciting to witness on-screen a Herculean and Sisyphean Fantasy Adventure Journey in both realms …Was this review helpful to you?
its a magical love story
●FIRST IMPRESSIONSo I was really confused with the synopsis, I mean how can a person return back after a year just because of a promise. It's impossible and seems illogical so I tried to avoid this.
But today I gave this movie a try because of Son Ye Jin, and I have to say it didn’t disappoint a bit.
●PLOT VIEW
I enjoyed every bit of the movie. The opening cartoon scene with the narration of SYJ was the sweet starter to the heartwarming tale. There was even a mind-boggling closure to that confusing synopsis, which held me to my feet.
●ACTING/CAST
So Ji Sub, I saw him for the first time and he aced the character of Jung Woo Jin. All the other characters the kid, uncle, swimming instructor were also were entertaining and without them, this would not have been as good as it is. They are very good supporting characters. Park Seo Joon cameo is too cute.
●MUSIC
The music is subtle and minimal.
●REWATCH
I think I need to rewatch this with my love. It is such a pure love that I want him to see the essence.
●RECOMMENDATION
Highly recommend to people who want to watch a slice of a love story, because this will make you believe in love. I was amazed and thankful for this beautiful story.
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Such a raw and amazingly done movie
I'm going to keep this short. When i first heard the story of this movie, I was already hooked. Cha Woo Sol's backstory was so raw and well acted, It felt like this wan't just a movie. I also liked everyone's acting because I could feel every emotion the characters were feeling. The hatred i felt for Bae Seok Chan was too much to describe. I am really impressed on how well he did to portray this character. Jung Do Hyun was seen as his cold, rude person that most people feared. Only later on did he ease up to Cha Woo Sol. This shows that he was always a good person. Anyways, if you are wondering if you should watch it or not, you definitely should. But be careful because there are quite some seems that may trigger some people.Was this review helpful to you?
Amazing plot twist!
Wow. Really good movie, this is truly what I expect when it is said that there’s a plot twist in a movie.Actually, I was expecting just a simple thriller film about kidnapping and it completely blew my mind and broke my heart.
It was great, at first intriguing but then the plot twits into a tragic and devastating story, I was heart-touched; I wanted to cry about 4 times.
I even felt terrible for the main character and what he had been through during all the movie.
Also the acting was excellent, I totally recommend this movie!
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The story begins with a man who had lost his wife revisiting places she loved with her ashes. Throughout the movie as he met people, he told them about different parts of their relationship in sweeping flashback. There was nothing extraordinary about this devoted couple, but it was their devotion to each other through the years that made it meaningful.
Both characters, originally from Beijing, met in New Zealand and worked to find their way in their new country. They assimilated fairly easily, making good friends and starting their own business. However, Luo Yun, the wife, quietly struggled with their idyllic life in a remote town where they ran a small restaurant. Sui Dong Feng, the husband, was the practical sort who found the best in whatever situation he was in. Yang Cai Yu and Huang Xuan had a gentle chemistry that made something magical out of their characters' ordinary existence.
New Zealand should have been listed as a character as there were many shots of its gorgeous scenery, whether green bucolic fields, panoramic mountains, the Southern Lights or oceanic whale watching shots.
The OST was also saccharinely emotional, but fit the mood perfectly. The cinematography bestowed lush, warm shots, nestling us into the embrace of Yun and Dong Feng's life. I could almost feel the director pushing me toward tears, something I usually fight off. Instead of rolling my eyes, I found myself reaching for a tissue at several key moments. If the story was predictable, it also felt sincere in the lavish telling of this couple's love story.
Though dealing with the death of a loved one, Only Cloud Knows avoided melodrama and became a celebration of life and love instead.
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Confusing
Take Point (2018) aka PMC: The BunkerI had to pause this movie after watching for 10 minutes because I didnt understand what was happening. So i had to search google for the plot. (I watched this mainly because Ha Jung Woo looked hot with this haircut lol)
So this movie is about a group of illegals hired by US to fake kidnap the King so that the current president will gain sympathy and the votes in the upcoming elections (or so i thought haha the plot was so confusing!). But the kidnapping failed when there was another group who set the trap and almost killed the King. Now US wants to abort and bury the mission by leaving Ahab's team to fend on their own.
With a bad leg, Ahab had to manage the whole operation in a room, instructing his team on what to do, fighting off the hostiles, while trying to revive the King. Good thing he was able to work with the NK doctor and try to get out of the place.
This action thriller felt too long, with so many things happening - elections, kidnapping, north korea, china, illegals, betrayal, manipulation etc. I was mostly curious how he will get out alive. Ahab is brave and decisive, even when it's a matter of life and death, he chose to save his team up to the last minute. Didnt expect that his parachute story will happen again in the third act, but it was impressive for Ahab to save himself, and two other people while falling down from the plane! (Just like Mission Impossible). Also liked the bromance between Ahab and the NK doctor.
The camera was shaky and made me dizzy at times, but I think it was meant as if we were there inside the room, so it wasnt such a big deal to me.
Rating: 7.5/10
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A warm and fuzzy coming out to mother short film
Been long since I watched a film regarding coming out to parents so I was really interested in watching it.Quite a basic coming out story that contains typical elements like uncertainty of how the parent would feel, hesitation during the confession etc. Although typical, it's very well executed via the acting and the filming style.
Coming from an Asian country myself and also speaking Mandarin and Hokkien in my daily life, it really gave the "at home" feeling throughout the whole film and the conversation of the son with his mom touched me at some point in the short film.
A slight criticism I have will probably be the confession part, which was a bit abrupt and then it did not exactly showcased the mother's reaction as a result of the indirect confession. Found it slightly awkward at that part but otherwise, this film like I said in the post title, gives me a fuzzy feeling maybe because of the way they film it and familiarity of the languages.
Interesting to note that the actress for the mother has also appeared in other BL films like Your Name Engraved Herein and Be Loved (drama). The married daughter also appeared in We Best Love as Shu Yi's female crush. Happy to see familiar faces in the Taiwan BL industry :)
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This movie is one hall of a scary movie. The plot and acting was so great. Almost everyone made a sacrifice just so the other person can survive. Those scenes were really heart touching and heartbreaking. The last scene where the pregnant woman and the kid were passing through a tunnal was 😭. The little kid was singing and damn i broke down into tears. Even now that im dropping my review, im near tears.
This movie is 10/10. REALLY GREAT!!
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This review may contain spoilers
who is dumber ?
well, I watched this just because there is Song Wei Long .. but yet he played a typically character he used to play ..maybe I hoped too much. I also don't know who is the real dumb here, the Female Lead or Dumb Gu ..
but I guess FL, ML and DG are dumb ..
I don't recommend this anyway, don't waste your time but if you just wanna watch Song Wei Long or Jiang Chao then it's fine ..
I didn't know why I waste my time, hahaa ..
why the review should be at least 500 characters ? I have no more to say about this movie :D
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