Reviews

Good Enough

Korean Music Movie "The Box" has some interesting music choices to offer. The songs vary from rock vibes to classics, so yes, this film has it all. The performances are great and each song is presented in an interesting way, like they wanted to visualize the sound. In that way, the movie did well. The actors and actresses did also their best and all the performances were enjoyable.

As for the story, is pretty simple, realistic in a way because it portrayed real emotions, but it lacked in many ways. So, if you want to watch it for the story, you'll probably be disappointed, as the plot leaves a lot out and it edits most of the action in short rolls, and just when things pick up, the movie ends. However, if you watch it for the music, you'll have fun.

Read More

Loved this! Is it the best movie ever? Absolutely not, but it definitely adds to the genre of slightly campy spy movies. It just looked like the leads had fun.

Kamenashi got to show off some of his mad athletic skills and speak some English (something I've never really heard him speak before other than a few words, never whole sentences), and he got to spend a little bit of time making out with Kyoko Fukada. I wonder which was made first, "Joker Game" or "Second Love?" I hope it was fun for them to work on two different projects together.

The costume designer for Kamenashi was brilliant. I can now die a happy woman after seeing him in 1940s suits and fedoras. Such a handsome man anyway, made even more so in classic Hollywood clothing.

The overall story is extremely simple. A black notebook with schematics for a bomb has gone missing and Kamenashi, as a spy for Japan, has been tasked to find it and beat out everybody else, including the Americans and the British. It's not a difficult plot to follow which isn't always the case with spy stories. I've never read the comic that this is based on so I have no idea how accurate it is, but I do know that the larger-than-life escapades and action scenes were definitely filmed anime style, which was fine. Not to the point of distraction, but the anime-inspired style is definitely there.

"Joker Game" is just a fun romp. It doesn't take itself too seriously, like, at all, and is super pretty to watch. Having been a long-standing fan of "Mission Impossible" and some "James Bond," this one was right up my alley. I just wish they'd made more. It would have been the perfect venue for Kamenashi to do a film trilogy!

Read More

Why feel good when you can feel mad

This story brings a very interesting angle towards both custody battles, homophobia (both internalized and from society) and parenthood as whole. It starts out pretty slow and to be honest a tad boring. But with time it gets more and more sweet and interesting.

The child in the movie does a great jobb and is defiantly the star of the show. She is smart, kind, funny and versatile.

The biological mother shows great character growth and does an amazing jobb portraying the side of the typical dad, twisting genderrolles around and shedding light on societies dubbels standards in the most realistic way.

The biological father shows great character growth but also made me kind of mad, he needs to learn how to respect other peoples boundaries as well as find better ways of communication. However the love of his life was the sweetest guy ever, shy but kind and I could not help but fall for him. and then there was this old guy who almost stole the show as much as the kid.

All in all this is definitely worth a watch, it will make you cringe, angry and happy so I guess its a good feel mad movie.

Read More

a series talking about the hard yet, beautiful, stuff

Hi friends! This was my first time watching this movie, and let me tell you, I loved it! Sad, but really really well made. (btw, found it on Netflix if you're going to watch it.)

STORY
I love-hate this film. The story is important, horrible, and beautiful all at the same time.
It's not your typical sweet romance BL series that makes you laugh and go 'aww' each scene. Instead, it's very heartfelt, crying-worthy and important.
Okay so, some background. The year was 1987. The story is about two boys (Birdy and Jia Han) and their growing love for each other while they're at a Christian High School in Tiwan. Of course, no one is 'kind' to homosexuals and those who catch staring at a guy in the showers get beaten up by their peers (so watch out for that if you're sensitive). Basically, t's not a school where you can openly love your lover if you're queer.
Their way of telling the story with different perspectives and flashbacks is so well done and beautiful that I had to pause at some of them just to think about the quality of the film and how cool that they came up with it. You really get to SEE Jia Han's point of view and how he slowly gives in for his love for Birdy and gets proud and protective of it although it's viewed as wrong by those around him.
One of my favorite things about the movie was that the dialogues were such masterpieces and they said so much with so few amount of words. It brought such emotions through the actors and into me. It has unexpected turns everywhere and I'm in shock that they were able to come up with all of them.
I LOVED THE ENDING. I was really worried that I would hate it and that it would be really sad, but jokes on me. It was such a good closure of the story and heartfelt. Kudos to the director for coming up with that one! After all that young forbidden love it was really nice to see them having to grow up and still remembering that time of their life and their first love. And when they meet again - that we get a backstory and explanation of their love and actions. And how they still can be friends and now are almost fine with their sexualities.
Final words of this part; The movie does a good job showing people how some humans, in real life, had these types of problems and fights just because they couldn't love the person they wanted to - and the fact that it's still like this in most of society is crazy and really upsetting. I'm so surprised to see that the directors choose to not include the typical stereotype "I'm not gay, I'm just in love with *name*" That was so amazing at it made the story much more mature in my eyes.
Also; I saw that someone said that this wasn't a happy ending movie, but yes it was. Maybe not that they lived together as lovers forever but they continued being friends and have a lot of memories to share.

ACTING/CAST
I'm in love with all the actor's performances and bravery portraying a different love from their society's mainstream, how well they play their characters and says with such emotions their part of the story. Would love to watch more of their work in the future. The one who plays Father Oliver, Fabio Grangeon, his acting was *chef kiss*. Also Birdys, Tseng Jhin Hua, acting.
There's great chemistry between the two main characters and you can really see and sense their love and deep attraction to one another even if it's not something their allowed to act on.
Although, LET ME TELL YOU, Edward Chen (portraying Jia Han, the main character). That man! His acting skills in this movie were gorgeous and really really impressive. I've seen one of his works before this one but they cannot compare. He has grown so much as an actor and wow, I'm looking forward to seeing him in the future. Hm crying, laughing and loving on the screen gave chills all over my body. Jian Han is clearly so in love with Birdy that it's almost as you feel the love too. Just with his eyes, you can hear all the words he can't explain or say out loud bc of the world and society he lives in.
Also, they're were well-written characters with believable stories and actions that resonate with me as a viewer. and they are always talking not direct about their feelings but you see that they both understand the other one's intentions.

MUSIC
This. This part of the movie - I was so so amazed at the way they had chosen to put it in. It's so subtle that you almost not even aware of it, but still brings that well-needed mood to the scene and overall story.

REWATCH VALUE
10/10, I'm certainly going to rewatch this with all of my friends at least one or two times.

SOME LAST WORDS
The summary: WATCH! If you skip this movie, well then you've skipped a good part of history that's worth knowing. You're not going to be disappointed, and if you are well them I don't know what earth you're from.
And keep in mind that I'm asexual so literally the only reason the story part got 9.5 is because of me feeling a bit uncomfy at some scenes. So to my fellow asexuals out there, keep in mind that you might want to skip one or two scenes - if you're like me.
BUT the rest of the scenes are really important, so don't skip all of it!

- samuel <3

Read More

There's just something inspirational for me about sports movies. They're usually about perseverance through adversity, about developing and honing discipline, about harnassing whatever demons might drive you.

Ashita no Joe has joined my favorites list of sports movies, ranking up there with We Are Marshall, Invincible, Glory Road, Cinderella Man, Your Eyes Tell, and Buzzer Beat. The haters can say what they will about Tomohisa Yamashita, but he gave a pretty outstanding performance, the way he always does. He will never be a hugely emotive actor. Subtlety is how he performs and it works for him, just like it did here. But I think the performer who really stood out is Iseya Yusuke as Rikiishi. I connected with his character on a deep level. To go that extra mile of crazy to participate in a fight, to lose that much weight, to train that much and for so long for that one fight with that one guy, that's the dedication that only athletes can understand on an intimate level. I didn't want either of them to lose in that fight, that's how invested I was in both of them. Hats off to Tomo and Yusuke for whatever amazing training they underwent for this film. It paid off, in spades.

As far as the characters are concerned, Joe's interesting in that I didn't always like him. He felt like a one-trick pony with his counter-punch. It felt like a cheap gimmick done only for show. Which considering Joe's arrogant nature, it probably was. But he finally manned up at the end and fought what felt like a real fight, finally becoming a true boxer, or at least starting down the road to becoming one. Whereas once I got to know Rikiishi better, once he started training in earnest, I really liked him. He just seemed like an all-around good guy, and a much more well-balanced man emotionally than Joe who was all hyper with bitterness and angst.

If you love serious sports dramas, particularly boxing dramas, then you'll probably enjoy Ashita no Joe. Romance had no place in this movie and I'm glad because it would have seriously detracted from the story. In the end, in spite of my being a huge Tomohisa Yamashita fan, anyone could have played Joe and I still would have loved the movie. It's awesome that he's in it, but that's how much I loved the story, that it didn't hinge on a certain actor playing the lead role.

Read More

Bamboozled

So, I think the scenes and shots of this movie were carefully produced. It didn't seem like a film, it seemed real, and I think it's a hard concept to pull off; I passed the entire time trying to carefully avaliate the scenes and the setting, and actually. I think this is very well edited.
There's some parts in which the movie lacked somethings: The acting of some of the characters were kinda obvious and not so realistic. But they are the support roles, so I think it's less bad. The plot twist was kinda obvious, lol. But the ending surprised me a lot.
As the movie passed, I really thought how the plot was amazing; Even having an idea of the plot twist, it was so good and addicting to watch; I liked even the few jumpscares. Loved the atmosphere and the idea. I think it was well put.
I'm kinda still bamboozled with the ending though - I think that when a movie moves you, it shows how good it is.
Definitely recommend.

Read More

Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Tea Ceremony (aka The Omotesenke way of tea)

This was not a movie with much of a plot or things happening, except for one major incidence near the end. Still, one did not watch this movie for such mundane things as a storyline.

The moments leading up to, and scenes of the practice of preparing a bowl of tea (Matcha, in this context) were the sum and whole of the story.

A story about a young woman adrift in the world, looking for her purpose in life.

This movie was not about her finding her meaning in life, but about how her constant companion, the practice of Sado, gave her important lessons about living life, in the moment, one whisk of tea at a time,

True to its title, it was a visual meditation on some Zen Buddhist philosophy as practiced within the framework of Sado ( 茶道, Way of Tea Ceremony), specifically the practice founded by Sen Rikyu a few hundred years ago. This movie perhaps more accurately depicted the teachings, style and aesthetics of the Omotesenke School (as evidenced by the wooden plaque at the gate of the Sensei’s house).

If one is a tea and pottery - or the Wabi Sabi aesthetic - enthusiast, this movie will be a feast for the eyes, heart and mind. Each frame and scene was beautifully captured to immerse one in the rusticity and simplicity of the Sado and Wabi aesthetics of a tea room. And through the glass bottom half of the sliding door, one was ensured arresting glimpses of an exquisite Japanese garden which emphasized the flow of, and the beauty of the changing seasons.
(I was also gawking at the beauty of the tea utensils throughout).

A comforting, slow and wonderfully calming movie with lovely performances.

If one is in the right frame of mind to be imparted some nuggets of wisdom about how to make “everyday a good day”, this would be a good movie.

Read More

Heartwarming and nostalgic

This movie was SO GOOD. Just the analysis of a couple of why they have broken up, how you don't have to stop at what you see on the surface. I normally enjoy watching this type of stories maybe feeling a little bit sad or nostalgic BUT THIS ONE made me cry like I was the heartbroken one. The continous shift from present to past show how the two leads have grown and moved on, still keeping their affection towards eachother.
I can say that this last part is so difficult, I would not have the strenght to still keep close to my heart someone who broke it before.
All I can say is that it's definitely worth it, the scenery is amazing, the music is amazing and the actors did such a good job. It is heartwarming and nostalgic at the same time, I recommend eating lots of ice cream while watching it ;)
Definitely a 10/10 for me!

Read More

Tears were out of my control

I was really drawn from the very start to Liu Ye's character. His character was that of an incredibly simple, honest, grounded, and heart-warming man with the best intentions so I felt very comfortable supporting his story through the majority of the movie. I'm also a sucker for simple romances of everyday people with the "indie" camera work that can be found in a lot of Asian movies so I was rolling with it. Around 3/4 of it, I started to get tired of the minor plot holes and the Peiru because honestly I don't think that woman was up to the rare diamond of a man Fang Zhendong was, BUT. Their exchange where she told him he'd blessed her with an angel, his utter shock that "she'd want his child from someone like him" and her THANKING HIM for being in her life hit me like a truck. I'm tearing up writing this and thinking of that scene now. I didn't even expect that brick load of tears but I was sobbing and kept crying over new scenes every 5 minutes after that. My nose was stuffy and I was roaring with tears especially for the last 5 minutes as well. I did not expect or prepare myself for this movie even though I should have known it was emotional since that's why it's so famous.
One thing that stood out to me and triggered more sobs was the thought of Peiru's (possible) regrets? She used this angel of a man and honestly did not appreciate him for long enough when he was still healthy and able to express his love for her as much as HE wanted and they almost parted on an argument??? I would probably never be able to get over that regret or forgive myself. It seemed like such an everlasting burden to be honest but the portrayal of their love was fantastic.
Overall, I was VERY unprepared for all these unexpected emotions.

Read More

A splendid way to spend your time!

Wuliang is a movie I watched knowing nothing about what it was going to be like. I didn't read the blurb and kind of expected it to be like the actors' and director's previous work - Painted Skin.

Though the aesthetics of both the movies were slightly similar, the story and cinematography of Wuliang much exceeded my expectations that were set by Painted Skin.

Let's start off praising the acting. Both the leads have proved to be amazing actors through this short movie because of how emotionally taxing it is to the watchers. To be able to have the viewers of the movie connect to the characters in such a short time frame is not an easy task and the actors were amazing in that aspect. The chemistry they portrayed, their smiles, their caution, their decisions, and their actions... everything proved their worthiness of playing the roles they did and I am so glad it was THEM and not someone else.

The story itself seems a bit basic, but it couldn't have been more concise and wonderful! It wasn't hard to understand and it keeps one engaged and pulls them into the plot. Not knowing what a character would do next or why they were acting the way they were would obviously have the audience waiting to know more. I can't say much for the script because I feel like the translation I have read isn't too accurate, but I can decipher the intensity of it through the actions of the characters. The music and production, the fights, all of them fit the story so well and I can't stress upon this fact enough!

The pacing was just fine. It wasn't slow nor was it rushed. The only aspect of the movie that could have been better (not that it's very necessary) is that we could have gotten at least a few more mins to explain Feng Ren's (one of the main leads) back story a bit more... maybe not in words but in the form of flashbacks. Apart from that, I don't think this is a plot that can have any plot holes, and it was near perfect!

A must watch! At least give it a try... it is very short and most won't regret watching it.

Read More

Wth was this movie???

Okay, I know it is a musical. I know the actors selected for this were amazing (C'mon, Kento Yamazaki and Takumi Saito in the same movie is just divine) and wow, I loved the singing from Takahata Mitsuki! But really, what happened???

I took too long to watch this movie bcz I was not that excited from the moment I noticed it became a musical. But maybe I could have just never watched it and let myself curious. It's really disppointing. Where is that funny story we found on manga? The adaptation for anime was so nice! I had no fun with this movie (except for that scene where Kento Yamazaki makes a dork face haha) and I didn't like the way Kabakura and Hanako were put aside in this movie, I mean, they are also the fun element of the thing!!! And OH MY GOSH there were so many unnecessary scenes like those where Narumi's boss show up. He made everything look forced and there was no humor coming from him at all.

As I said, it's sad we can't 'unsee' things, but at least I finally completed one more movie from my long list.

Read More

What a truly symbolic musical journey

I like when movies surprise me far better than my expectations, gladly The Box did so in many ways. Some might consider it plain in terms of cinematography, - I found it creative, - it went on a pace as it would if well it was an actual tour. Time awaits for no one and they had 10 gigs to do, the fact that in mostly every few stops they showed the gastronomy of the place and the way its filmed was an aesthetic move to impact the culture and touristic value, as well as the sightseeing thanks to the shots.

However, what truly get to us is how this movie has a plethora of deep meanings with it's hidden message.
It's purpose is to teach us all a lesson that despite carrying our fears and traumas with us and to have them become our safety blanket or in this case our BOX, we do not need to overcome them but perhaps embrace them, accept out flaws and limitations and explore our options. As long as we are willing to work and better ourselves we can achieve anything. Cliché right?

Well, I believe both our main characters are either someone with whom we can relate, or someone we do know in our lives.
MinSoo was once successful, but over the years and reckless decisions made him a man with debt, and a failure to the music industry, left behind to fend for himself. While JiHoon is a young man who carries a deep stage fight, harboring several insecurities from childhood traumas that he never got himself to surpass. Both of them meet in a point of their lives, where they were lost without knowing and needing a guidance to the right path. I find that they balance each other nicely, and have a great development throughout the storyline.

MinSoo made a contract probably thinking he would make the other into a star and yet when he learns that JiHoon is facing a trauma, he does not give up on him but finds a solution, they can go on a tour if they have a box. He therefore creates the safe space JiHoon needs to show off his talent. And for a while that works, until they try to break the habit. It's hard to face our deepest dark fears, and while to some this might sound pathetic, hiding inside a box to avoid being in the spotlight while dreaming of becoming a musician, to many out there it's a big deal and a problem that needs to be acknowledge.
The Box is an analogy as they mention in dialogue, it's JiHoon's safety pin against the world, without it he is bare and without confidence, he panics become of the fear in the back of his mind. But at the same time the Box represents him, just like MinSoo says the debt is a part of him, because everyone who does know him, does know that he has those problems to face.

They way they show the highs and lows, and facing the difficulties along the road, and also the happy times was well executed.
I also liked how JiHoon gave up his all believing MinSoo when no one else would, and I also liked how MinSoo did not gave up on JiHoon in the end, because he saw the broken young man but he also saw the potential in him , to fight for, and so he boosted him up and made him acknowledge the problem by himself, and albeit it seemed like a forced test, it was by letting the younger be at his breaking point and facing himself that he got over his own fear and saw the bright world ahead of him.

It has hidden meaningful and almost poetic messages through the dialogues and scenes. Like the one with NaNa the blind singer at the bar, she had him see a world from a different perspective. It was a insight for us all, if we do close our eyes and listen then we might just see the music but most of all we can FEEL the music.

This is all about breaking our box, throwing away our insecurities, being bold.
Living in fear will makes us dwell on lost possibilities, and regret might just be the most painful feeling we get by that.

It was a journey, a country tour, and a healing ride to see in this movie. From busking in the streets, to join a local festival contest, to even sing for loving couples and the cherry on top on all of this, the Gypsy camp where music is FREE.
Free of labels, freedom of the mind and soul, that it was enough to heal JiHoon on his own personal stage, from his scream of freedom to the powerful chords of his guitar, the frustration of his self-doubts turn into pure enjoyment. As he takes that sole moment to reborn and become a star. It's one step into his self-healing process and te path of musical redemption.

Burning the fragments of the once intact box, means that he is letting go of his trauma and also he does not need that safety pin because music will be it from now on. He will rely on himself, and his talent and not hide away from the world. Burning the past that taught him a valuable lesson of resistance and chasing his dreams.

And when they do travel to their final stop, and he sings in Busan beach, it's where he finally let's go of that veil of insecurity, by taking the dark sunglasses that NaNa had give him to use, and facing the crowd head on. He opens up his range and the possibilities, and that scene where he is playing drums, it's him taking control of his life and future and aiming for the stars.
That smile he gave as he stared into the camera, finally seizing the audience (us from the screen probably) it's the perfect ending, JiHoon finaly embrace his fear and spread his wings and he is ready to soar.

Do keep in mind that ChanYeol is not a vocalist nor is a soloist per se, he is known as the main rapper from EXO, however his charismatic and unique voice for singing makes him perfect for the role of a young striving musician whose talent comes not only from within but also from the pure effort he makes. Both him and DalHwan did a remarkable job with their roles here.

The OST is okay, having ChanYeol singing in English is not quite perfect but it is indeed okay. I mean it is hard singing in English mainly when it's not our own language and the diction tends to be hard to grasp, I think he does manage it and he gets better the more he practices. I do like his Korean songs though, and well what can we say about the main song and quite going along with the title of the movie. Those lyrics speak for itself, of everything that I have mentioned and much more that I lacked to say.

♪"How long has it been?
Maybe I got used to it
Like my old clothes
It's pitch dark around me

I open my eyes to nothing
I take yet another step
I know it won't be easy

But I reach for the faint light
Until I reach the sky
With my wings wide open

Break your box, break away
Break the pressure, burn it away"♪

It's a symbolic movie, it was nicely shot and the actors did their part. The ending credits where they are at the studio and we see JiHoon happy playing and recording, I myself could see also ChanYeol and not only his character there. Really awesome.
For this all, I give this movie a high score. It made me smile, and I can relate to the message they tried to sent. It has a variety of musical genders to appease the general audience, an unique tour pace to go alonge with the ride. I highly recommend this movie.

And either you're a fan of EXO or not, don't be biased by your opinion your lack of it, it's entirely your choice.
But considering what this movie has to offer, it's a loss not pressing the play button and enjoy each and every stage.

Read More

It is what is sounds like

So I saw this while looking for another drama that had girlfriend in it and I read the title and was like dang this is about to be a mom who is a monster to the son inlaw. Turns out she was a monster but wait it gets better.
I saw the one star rating no comments
I read the sypnosis and I was Hella wrong.
It doesn't list where to watch so I typed it in Google and yup this is a wack porn movie with a mother who is not to be a called one.
But it's porn what you expect? Porn has all these wack story lines but the thing is situations like these really happen in real life.

Anyways I gave this thing no star it wasn't what I signed up for? on top of that it was wack wack wack

Read More

hella wild

my first impression of this was that there'll be a wholesome movie about two guys exploring the unknown. the more you delve deeper, it becomes an interesting view on how one can be intensely obsessed in uncovering inexplicable events and the afterlife.

this is not entirely an extraordinary movie but i like how we're left at the edge of our seats every minute. the thriller aspect was nicely done and blends well with how unpredictable the main characters were. with the unpredictability, there was a sense of humour that sparked because you ask yourself, "is he gonna do it??? lmaoo no way". i felt that sometimes the expressions of gla was a bit over-exaggerated but he definitely made up for it as the movie progressed.

overall, this was a fairly entertaining thriller that explores obsession and grief in a unique way.

Read More