Reviews

Indeed, it's a miracle store!

It is a little slow and can be quite heavy to watch at some part, but because of its storyline, it makes me want to watch it and i'm glad i finish it. It's worth it.

It's surprisingly easy to follow. Sometimes, fantasy show, especially one that involves "time slip" tends to get confusing, but not this one. It really is well executed and I really love each letter and its reply.

My favorite scene is when Namiya get to receive the letter from future. That's really touching that he gets to know he has lived a full, rich and meaningful life.

It's amazing how everything is inter-connected and how it ends in full circle. That last letter really wraps it up! Gist, it's SO good!!!

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Weird & funny!

The synopsis says it all. I just wondered about the LGBT tag: apparently the two women living together are a couple? I think?

The story is told from the point of view of the fan: immobile(just swivelling its fan regularly from let to right and back again) and silent witness to the goings-on in the flat.

An original idea of putting a camera on the fan combines with the actors' perfect timing makes for a funny and a smart watch. The characters are all coolly (blasé) reacting to surprising presences: nobody shouts or jumps. It is more of a vaudeville show with people hiding in closets and behind coat-hangers!

It is a comedy, there is really no deeper meaning or message. A child's voice recites lines from Veda which is supposed to be about the fan, who, Godlike, bestows its silent presence onto the inhabitants of that flat.

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Excellent family psychological drama

Twenty-one minutes are enough for South Korean screenwriter and film director Jang Young Seon to present and develop the conflicts of this family psychological drama that revolves around a dysfunctional family that has been trying for more than a decade to compensate for the loss of a child by adopting young people to replace it.
With an intriguing plot, well-developed characters, music consistent with the conflicts raised, and a dark color palette, the short film 'My Eleventh Brother' (형이 돌아왔다), from 2016, begins when the family of high school student An Sung Woo (Kim Myung Kyu) arrives with the newly adopted An Sung Kyu (Lim Ji Hoon), a young man who also comes from a broken world, having spent his life in foster homes.
While Sung Kyu, who recognizes himself as a "nobody", searches for the family he longs for, Sung Woo searches for his place in the world. Both young people have a secret that they have preferred to hide from others: they are homosexuals.
The first thing that catches my attention is that the title of the short film refers not to the eleventh child of the family, but to the eleventh brother of the main protagonist. This tells us that what is intended to be highlighted is more than the relationship of the adopted young person with the family, it is the relationship of the newcomer with the son of the family, that is, with his brother.
The film tells how Sung Woo rejects Sung Kyu, as he surely could have despised others before him, until he discovers, in the midst of a premature antagonism, that between the two there are more reasons that unite them than those that can separate them.
This is how they eventually end up finding refuge in each other. But not only that, Sung Kyu will also manage to bring peace to the family, especially to the mother (Jung Soo Young). The scene of the mother and adopted son sharing games and laughter, which shows a change in the woman's depressive and sad personality, also demonstrates that Sung Kuy is the ideal missing member of the home.
Premiered at the Seoul Pride Film Festival 2016, 'My Eleventh Brother' is a short film with moving scenes, clear development and growth of the characters, which addresses themes such as coming of age, the search for love and happiness, psychological traumas and family relationships.
Despite its disturbing, at times suffocating atmosphere, 'My Eleventh Brother' leaves me with that momentum that makes you want more and more of the show. It's not boring at all, and every scene is suspenseful and will keep you on edge worrying about what will happen next to keep you completely pleased.

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"Lost in Perfection" (2023) starts with promise but ultimately disappoints, failing to fulfil its potential as a compelling thriller. Rushing through its plot without building suspense or developing characters, the film leaves viewers feeling underwhelmed and disconnected. Despite an intriguing premise surrounding a "Poisonous Widow" and a web of deceit, the execution falls flat, lacking the expected depth and tension. Even the central antagonist, Lan, fails to evoke the sinister aura required of her character. As the narrative progresses, anticipated twists fail to materialize, resulting in a lackluster climax and unresolved plotlines. While the film does boast visually appealing moments and a charismatic performance by Rhydian Vaughan as the prosecutor, these elements are overshadowed by its overall shortcomings. "Lost in Perfection" may offer surface-level entertainment, but it fails to deliver the gripping thriller experience viewers anticipated.

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Still, very still

Still + Life, very still life a moment in time captured on film that gives it the feeling of watching a Documentary without the narrating voice that often follows + some fantasy shots here and there to make sure we know it is a movie and not a Documentary.

About 50% of the film is a bunch of half naked working men, eating noodles and singing... concrete surrounded by beautiful views, more concreete and demolishen work spraying even more concrete around.

Not a lot of dialog, not really sure what actually happened as it was really boring... and though there are some powerful scenes here and there they are clouded by the dust from all the demolition work...

The quality of the filming has a nostaligic feel to it that had me thinking it was shot in the 70s and not end of the 1990s-2006...

But it is indeed a still life film

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Just a simple but beautiful love story

This is a simple, beautiful love story between two mature adults. When the final credits come on-screen, it leaves me with a warm, cosy feeling in my heart.

The pace of the film is good – the awkward initial meetings, growing closer, and the build-up to the twist at 2/3 mark of the film. This leaves the audience with a short period of uncertainty on the direction that the story will take, before the unravelling of the puzzle. Even after that, audience is kept wondering on how the love story will end until the last 15 minutes of the film.

I particularly like the camera work. Many scenes look v picturesque and well-composed. With beautiful background soundtracks, the whole film feels arty but without any pretentious vibes.

The acting is good. Both MC and ML characters shine through without feeling forced.

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Ma Dong Seok is a big giant, i sooo love him.

I super love this action crime film it gives me a Hollywood vibes type of film. Ma Dong Seok never disappoint me he really nailed being the leader of the gangster he gave us his hoodlum and action star look. He really possess the action vibes in the action scenes, his very gullible his like a human teady bear. Partnered wilh oppa Kim Mu Yeal is the perfect combination, one over confident gangster paired wit a hot tampered cop is a perfect mixture to capture the serial killer. Although they have different motives in capturing him they still helo each other just to arrest the suspect .
Although oppa Kim Mu Yeol looks dirty in this movie he is still hot ?.
This movie has satisfying ending, you will never get bored because you will enjoy watching its jam packed action scenes. It has the Hollywood action vibes level. You will see how the gangster and the cop help each other to capture the suspect.

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The American Dream but not really...

A decent chinese movie about family connections of two siblings from different mothers that takes place in the US.

The movie portrayed the multicultural identity of the States and the majority of the actors did a decent job, despite the fact that the sctipt was mainly in English, which wasn't their native language.

The character of the female lead was very well written and realistic, something that was also true for her little brother that acted exactly like kids do (annoying me at times).

The story had some emotional moments and touching elements and it did try to be realistic, however many times it failed, with things happening out of nowhere and people acting in a quite improbable way. Even the main reason why the little kid went to the US felt a bit far-fetched. Lastly, at times, it was like the movie was glamorizing -at least to a certain extent- the life in the States.

All in all, it is a decent film that is very easy to watch and it does have its moments.

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Growing pains

Teen years are probably the sweetest and the most difficult years in anyone's life. If you are an arts student, looking into your own memories should be enough to find inspiration. I would not be surprised to discover that it is the case here: this being an university project!

The story about burgeoning feelings between two teen boys is told with sensitivity and beauty by someone who knows what he's talking about! Two boys' friendship and certainly more, is ruined by the lack of courage and the fear of how other people perceive them.

The actors skilfully conveyed the feelings of loss, love, desperation and disappointment: their eyes seriously tugged at my heartstrings. The cinematography is lovely and the sets tell a lot about the boys feelings of confusion, loneliness and yearning for happiness, understanding and love. Unfortunately, the society, the misconceptions, the lack of acceptance, scare one of the boys who ends up running away from the promise of a different but right kind of happiness for him.

I wish this were longer and that the ending did not give us a forshadowing of not nice things to come for one of the boys. As the title puts it, one boy managed to ground the other one, stop him from flying away. But now that he is scared, he abandons the other boy not grounding him, holding him down anymore....Sad and tragic? Or hopeful that he will find the strength to go on?

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oh the love of a mother...

the story focuses on the life of carmen and her family after the death of her ex husband.

it's a story about how far a mother is willing to go to fight for her kids and how big a mother's love can be.

the pace of the film was ok. the actors/actresses did well with their respective roles. especially ms. snooki! she was perfect as carmen.

there's not much i can say i disliked about "in the name of the mother" except maybe the ending was kinda predictable but i do have to say i was still a bit shocked as the events leading up to that moment was good at keeping me at the edge of my seat wondering if its gonna end the way i thought it would

but overall, the predictability of the ending was rather underwhelming and wished it had taken a different route. however, i do understand why it had to end like that.

all in all,

in the name of the mother is a relatable story for many moms out there. it was definitely a tear jerker and a rollercoaster of emotions.

please show some love to your mom while you still can ? and if you can't here's a reminder that you are eternally loved ?

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I dig it

In this captivating film, Win Metawin's performance is a revelation, showcasing a depth of emotion that I had not previously seen from him. His portrayal is both raw and nuanced, drawing the audience into the character's inner turmoil with remarkable skill.

One of the most impressive aspects of the film is the seamless way in which both Janella and Win switch between languages. From English to Thai, Filipino, and even some Cantonese, their linguistic dexterity adds a layer of authenticity to their characters, making them feel all the more real and relatable.

Moreover, the film offers a fresh perspective on Hong Kong, showcasing lesser-known spots that highlight the city's unique charm and beauty. As someone who thought they knew Hong Kong well, I was pleasantly surprised by the new discoveries the film had to offer.

The dialogue in the film is another standout element, with well-crafted lines that are both metaphoric and deeply reflective. These moments of contemplation add a profound depth to the film, elevating it beyond a mere narrative and into the realm of existential exploration.

Overall, this film is a triumph on multiple levels. From Win Metawin's captivating performance to the film's rich tapestry of languages and its thoughtful dialogue, every aspect of the film comes together to create a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.

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Downright Depressing

"Kalel, 15" - A Thought-Provoking Journey into the Depths of Youth and Stigma

At just fifteen years old, Kalel finds himself grappling with a reality that most teenagers never have to face. As the son of a priest and HIV positive, he navigates life amidst a sea of tensions, secrets, and societal stigmas. "Kalel, 15" is a poignant exploration of the multifaceted issues surrounding HIV, Filipino youth, dysfunctional families, and the complexities of Christian morality.

From the outset, the film captivates with its brilliant storytelling, acting, and cinematography. Within the first five minutes, viewers are drawn into Kalel's world, which feels refreshingly unique and authentic. The decision to film in stark black and white adds a layer of grittiness and darkness that perfectly complements the film's themes.

Yet, amidst the film's visual and narrative prowess lies a stark truth: the lack of dialogue surrounding HIV in the Philippines. Kalel's journey serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of societal silence and stigma. In a Catholic nation where discussions about sex are often taboo, HIV is treated as a dirty secret rather than the urgent epidemic it truly is. The film unapologetically exposes the hypocrisy and shortcomings of a society unwilling to confront uncomfortable truths.

The cinematography further underscores Kalel's isolation and despair. As the film progresses, the frame gradually shrinks, symbolizing the suffocating pressure and confinement of his circumstances. Despite his attempts to find hope in a world devoid of color, Kalel is continuously let down by those around him.

However, amidst the film's palpable anger lies a deeper sense of insight and urgency. "Kalel, 15" channels its rage into a powerful examination of societal neglect and the dire consequences it inflicts upon vulnerable individuals like Kalel. Through his experiences, the film forces viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about sex, stigma, and the failure of empathy.

In its entirety, "Kalel, 15" is a mind-blowing and thought-provoking cinematic experience. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of open dialogue, empathy, and action in addressing issues like HIV and youth sexuality. This film is not just important; it is essential viewing for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of stigma and the resilience of the human spirit.

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