What a Masterpiece!
This movie is a hidden gem, but if you were waiting your typical happy, cute, melodramatic drama well... this is clearly not for you.This movie tells the story of Se-Jin, a 17 years old teen, that gets pregnant and with the help of her new companion (Joo Young, a runaway 17 years old) they do everything possible (and also the impossible compared to other K-Movies) to get her an abortion. But, in the process, this movies shows the society's underworld, rarely shown in this kind of movies. Taboo symbols are common, although the two main leads are minors, this includes: alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, hallucinogens or sedatives, sex, abortion, theft, minors working, bullying, and the list goes on! All this is used to make a critic to society about the hardships faced by teens without somebody to guide them but, clearly, in a very particular way.
The plot is really good and the storyline is easy to follow, though there may be some plot holes. It's is not a particularly fast movie, but it's pace would clearly not get you bored. Nevertheless, in the last 25 minutes the plot line changes a bit, it gets a bit slower and maybe, if we were too excited because of previous events it may get a bit boring, but nothing too serious.
The acting of the two main leads is spectacular. It's amazing how they could portray such personalities in such a natural way. The rest of the cast's acting is good but nothing too remarkable.
Overall, this is a really particular movie, clearly +18. One should start watching the movie knowing this things so to not get disappointed. My personal recommendation is to give it a chance because, almost certainly, you will end enjoying it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Great movie but it lacks in some aspects
For all the fans of South Korea vs North Korea movies, I’m sad to tell you that this is not the movie you are waiting for. Don’t get the wrong idea, the movie is pretty good but you would not see the NK vs SK fight you have seen on the first movie. In fact, this movie has nothing to do with the first one.Here you will see a strange relationship between the leaders of NK, SK & USA which pull apart their differences for their common benefit. This means that the main theme of the movie is not the rivalry between the Koreas (although it takes an important part on the story), but the chase for supremacy on the East Sea (China & Japan get also involved).
The movie itself is good and entertaining, but let me tell you that the first hour and maybe a bit more is somehow boring. The first 30 minutes are only used to set the theme and the complicated relations between the rivals, which for my point of view, is something that can be done on a drama and not on a military / thriller movie. Nevertheless the movie gets really good at the final part which makes it worth to watch.
Actors, everyone played the role well, there is no discussion on that I would only talk about the characters they represent. The US president is used to bring some fun to the movie (old trick, many K-Movies have already used it and mocked the US). I would have preferred to have a more balanced character that let me laugh to some point but then play an important role in the movie.
DPRK “Chairmain”, it was well played, it was not shown as a jerk, but as a pragmatic leader that is able to construct bridges. The only critic is that he was a slim & fit guy (played by Yoo Yeon Seok), so c’mon! Make him at least slightly chubby! The leader was fat on the first, make him somehow similar on the second movie! (This is not against the actor, but agains the writer / director)
Finally the ROK president. Really good interpretation, the only thing is that he always appeared after the other two and I would have loved seeing him as someone that takes the lead from the first minute of the movie (this only happens in the end). Maybe the writer wanted to show something through the character, as a foreigner IDK.
Overall, if you are able to go through the first half without dropping, you will see that the effort is worth it. The movie will not disappoint you. If, again, you came here only looking for a sequel of the first movie, well, this is not for you.
Hope you all enjoy it!
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The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea
3 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
Shocking story of Korea's first serial killer
This documentary shows in different perspectives the motives behind Korea's first serial killer. Many police officers, profilers, detectives and the victim's family members take part in describing the motives and the methods behind the most important murders but also the pain suffered by the families and the new investigative methods that the police learned after this case.The documentary makes a good job in describing the psychology of the murderer and the lack of remorse he had after being apprehended.
What's really nice is how they simulate or act the different scenes told by the people involved, it really helps to see the extent and atrocities made by this criminal.
Nevertheless, this documentary could have one more episode showing how the police investigated the other cases and what have they worked out to catch him. It left the impression that the police was just lucky in catching him the first (and even the second) time.
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Entertaining movie but it could be better
The movie is really great and keeps you at the edge of your seat. Nevertheless the story has some plot holes on the first half. The story feels a bit forced and there are some scenes that don’t seem plausible, viewers should watch the movie with this in mind and just accepting what they are shown. Having said that, the movie is entertaining and it’s worth the time.The acting is incredibly good and realistic, no exceptions. All of them seem realistic, having in mind the change of roles that the actors have to go through.
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