Completed
Shaolin
5 people found this review helpful
Sep 19, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 10
To be honest, I watched this movie 'cause I mistook Nicholas Tse for Nicholas Teo from Smiling Pasta, silly me. The whole time I was watching this movie, I was waiting for Nicholas Teo to show up...but he never did. Nevertheless, I was not disappointed. AMAZING movie. The story was very touching, very heart warming. I bawled like a baby...I probably cried more watching this movie than 1 litre of Tears. Literally, I cried for 30 minutes straight. If you're looking for a happy ending, this movie isn't for you. But if you're looking for a heart warming story, amazing martial arts scenes, and a realistic ending, I totally recommend this movie. There's even comic relief during all seriousness when desperately needed, which makes it even funnier.
This movie would have gotten a 10...if Nicholas Teo actually did showed up...thought I was losing my mind looking at these bald men trying to find Nicholas Teo, instead I found Jackie Chan

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Secret
46 people found this review helpful
Sep 18, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
First thing I want to mention is its awesomeness in music department. This film’s music is composed by Terdsak Janpan & Jay Chou. Every track in the album is amazing and gripping. I love every track of album but I frequently listen to ‘Sunny Doll’, ‘Angel’, both themes of Xiaoyu and ‘The Flashback’. The music will grab you and blend you into the atmosphere. Use of Piano in this movie is effective, brilliant, breathtaking and touching. Piano performs crucial role in this movie, in characters’ feelings and emotions like when both leads are playing together and The Piano Battle.
Words of other reviewer, “It’s no exaggeration to say that its background music is another main character. Even if you hate soft music, once you try to listen to its music, it would begin to wear down your defenses. It won't let your ears close even for a minute.”

A reviewer said, “If you miss this movie, it would be one of the goofiest things you've done throughout your life as a movie-goer.” And I'm agree with him/her.
Before starting this movie I thought this movie is going to be average but surprisingly it was far beyond my expectations and now I placed this movie in my permanent favorites list including all Hollywood, Bollywood & all other non-Asian movies.
Don’t think that it’s a typical school romance with tearjerker moments, it’s more than that. I’d say it is beautiful, intelligent and a chiller thriller in a way. It is full of romance and mystery, blending of many genres like School, Youth, Melodrama, Comedy, Fantasy, Thriller, Mystery and Horror (Not horror but listen ‘The Flashback’ and you’ll know what I want to say).
And about ending; it’ll leave you thinking. Story needs some thinking to be able to understand it fully. You’ll probably think that there are many flaws in the story but there aren’t any because you’ve to think and most of things are logical in movie point of view. I know what happened in the end but whenever I watch it again it makes me confuse. I’m still confused about ending.

Visually it is more than satisfying. Its coloring is awesome and special effects are also good (Don’t expect effects like big budget Hollywood movies).

Lun Mei Kwai is beautiful and did brilliant job. She is lovely and charming.
And bow to “Singer/Songwriter/Composer/Actor/Producer/Director” Jay Chou. Before I thought he’s just another guy who looks cool and sings and because of obsessed fans he’s popular but now I take my words back. Now he is ahead of all those ‘SHOWCASE’ actors but still behind those ‘ACTOR’ actors. Now, I’m a fan of Jay (It’s surprising that he’s actually popular in India!).

Overall this movie is a must watch and after watching you’ll know that this movie will stay in your heart forever.

BTW Secret 2 is announced and currently in production. I hope Secret 2 will be as great as Secret and I also hope that it’ll be a sequel to Secret.

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A Beautiful Life
6 people found this review helpful
Sep 18, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
Asia has a unique flavor of romcom that includes stirring in the melodrama about halfway through. Don’t let that description scare you away though! This Chinese movie may contain some sadness but it isn't overwhelming. Plus the comedy in the beginning is well-written and the development of the onscreen romance is uber sweet. Both Qi Shu and Ye Liu do a great job with their characters and their chemistry is amazing. Although I’m not a huge fan of Qi Shu’s border-anorexic look in this movie, I love her acting in this and some other films. She commits to her character and manages to bring some spunk while still being vulnerable and relate-able.

(above originally from my blog review/article on the movie)

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Sweet Rain: Accuracy of Death
3 people found this review helpful
Sep 17, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 3.0
I rather enjoyed watching this movie, it had some nice twists and the male lead played a really interesting and likeable character!^^
The actors did a good job and I especially liked Kaneshiro's performance. He did a great job switching between this funny, absent-minded, music loving guy to a Shinigami who is unfazed by death and yearns to see a clear blue sky just once. The scenery with all that rain created a very fitting atmosphere! And the jokes were woven in beautifully - they didn't disturb the overall serious tone of the movie but served as a welcomed cheering up. There were some scenes which made me laugh so hard! XD What I espcially liked about this movie was the ending which I found rather emotional and deep - with hardly any words, the events and scenery pretty much speak for themselves! The main reason I gave it such a low rewatch value is because I hardly ever rewatch a movie. But I also think that the element of surprise plays an important part in this movie which is another reason why I most likely wouldn't rewatch it.

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Sweet Rain: Accuracy of Death
8 people found this review helpful
Sep 17, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This is a great story about life/death and what is important. The imagery is amazing. I love the sunflowers and the rain. The acting is also well done. I don't know much about Japanese actors, but I really enjoyed Kaneshiro Takeshi. I didn't realize that he was in House of Flying Daggers which I watched years ago. I think I will rewatch that movie. Anyway, he has a way of drawing you in that I love. This was recommended to me through Sky-N-Rain's new featured movie article and I'm so glad that I watched it. It has a very peaceful feeling to me. It is definitely a must watch movie!!!

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Paradise Kiss
24 people found this review helpful
Sep 17, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
Paradise Kiss had been in my to-watch list for quite some time and it was a good movie. I have not seen the anime or anything so just as a movie, it was a good watch. I have a thing for chick flicks and this movie is just that.

With quite a simple story and even simpler characters, it was delightful to watch. This is another no-brainer, but a nice one nonetheless. I am not fond of anime humour getting injected in every Japanese film or drama, so this one was good for a change in that aspect. The actors were good and I really liked the chemistry between the two leads. Also, this movie lives upto its name 'Paradise Kiss'. It has a couple of kissing scenes which were the best I have seen in anything Japanese so far.

The film primarily focuses on fashion, so the clothes were great in this one. While it drags out longer than required, it is a relaxing movie. Just grab a bowl of popcorn and watch it when you're bored. It will surely provide you with good humour and some cute romantic moments.

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Dear Friends
5 people found this review helpful
Sep 17, 2012
Completed 1
Overall 5.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 2.0
I watched this movie expecting a very good bonding session between two friends. However, it is the most depressing movie I have watched till date. From the starting to end, it is filled with the ultimate kind of tragedy. But the story and acting were both very good.

This movie touches upon very deep issues and the fact that it is based on real life events, it is even more touching. Both the girls in the story are suffering from illnesses and even then, they form true friendship and learn to care about each other. Most of all, it delivers the message about how important it is to have friends no matter in what state you are in life.

I only watched this movie out of curiosity and it didn't disappoint me apart from the fact that it leaves you so exhausted emotionally and mentally. I am well aware of the painful things cancer patients have to go through, but a particular scene after Rina's surgery was quite disturbing. In fact, this movie has a lot of painful and disturbing scenes. So, I would suggest that only if you can endure watching the harsh reality of sick people, then watch this film or skip it altogether.

The screenplay was beautiful and once again, here is a Japanese movie with doses of originality. Though terminal illness is a rather repetitive plot in movies, almost all other aspects of this film were original. The synopsis summarizes the best parts of the movie very well in one paragraph.

Anyway, because of so many reasons this movie cannot be rewatched by me and hence the overall low score.

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Zatoichi
2 people found this review helpful
Sep 16, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
Well, that movie had a 7.6 point in IMDB so if you watch this movie you probably get bored.

Takeshi Kitano is male actor, writer and director of this movie. His acting is ok probably cause he plays a blind person but between the some scenes on storyplay there was a huge gap.

I can't say fighting scene is not good but the movie was shot in 2003 so during the sword fight scenes blood splits are seems sloppy (sound like i have a hidden serial killer inside... :P )

Thats all. If you want to still see the movie i hope you enjoy...
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Completed
Too Old HIPHOP Kid
2 people found this review helpful
Sep 16, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0
Too Old Hip Hop Kid is a ‘hiphop documentary’ that the director made as he took the first step towards a new dream after having once dreamed of becoming a rapper. This is not simply a music documentary that records performance; its attribute is that it shows what ‘real hiphop’ is. The rhythm of the editing and the lines of the film contain the sense of hiphop, an art of ‘rhythm and poetry’(a chemical combination of hip hop and film). The film depicts the fluctuations and traces of 10 years in the lives of buddies who dreamed of hiphop 10 years ago(hiphop-a combination of film and life). So this film is a ‘youth film’ as well as a ‘coming-of-age film’ which portrays the image of a generation called ‘the anxiety generation’. The ‘hiphop kids’ in this film talk of the attractions of hiphop but therein lies diverse concerns, conflicts, and subtle differences in nuance. What is the true ‘hiphop spirit’ which is situated on the border between ‘hobby and work(or art)’, and ‘mainstream and underground’. The ‘Too Old Hip Hop Kid’ performance is moving in itself but the residual conflicts and concerns seem almost like romantic sutures. Could the sequel that the film promises be ‘old enough’ and not ‘too old’? It could just well may be.

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My Rainy Days
5 people found this review helpful
Sep 16, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0
I found this movie while looking for an over movie. But I don't regret watching it. The actors are great and I loved the music.

It feels like a cheerful movie most of the time, but this is a serious story. Of people living and spending time with each others while hiding their past.

So it's a really beautiful story and a good movie !!!!
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Completed
Little Black Dress
9 people found this review helpful
Sep 15, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
This movie is basically a chick flick. I am kind of surprised that I enjoyed watching this. There was zero originality in the story and it borrowed heavily from all big Hollywood movies, especially Sex and the City. The four girls were exactly like Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte. They even went as far as making the main character a writer just like Carrie and one of her friends exactly like Samantha- open and promiscuous. Their friendship had a Sisterhood of Traveling Pants touch to it and the glamour in this film reminded me of Gossip Girl. I am sorry for taking these names, but it was pretty much the same!

Now, as for the story- it is very simple. It focuses on the friendship between four friends and their daily lives. There was nothing out of the ordinary here except a bunch of feminine issues thrown together and made into a movie with good actresses and good fashion. This is mostly a movie to watch when you want to relax. There isn't anything that makes you mad but makes you feel lighter. But ONLY if you enjoy random chick flicks like I do.

Honestly, I am tired of watching movies where somebody gets cancer or they are physically handicapped. At least the writer tried something different for this. This movie is the corniest version of Hollywood chick flicks, but not for Korea. So in that sense, it can be deemed as 'different'.

There is nothing great about the screenplay or direction. It is a no-brainer movie for most part but the issues they brought up were real. Anybody in their 20s can relate to these females. Be it confidence issues, commitment issues or a pregnancy scare- this movie has it all. I suppose the writer wanted to write a relatable plot so he included everything females go through. That part was ridiculous, but at least it entertains you. The movie is boring in some parts but the rest of it is alright.

I'd say this is pretty good for a one-time watch. I don't know if I would watch it again or not, but I still liked it. It is definitely my favourite Korean chick flick. I don't know why so many people hated it but I would say it is not that bad and go ahead and watch it.

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Completed
Always
7 people found this review helpful
Sep 15, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
Only You is the kind of movie I would never pick had it not been my friend's strong recommendation. This falls into the kind of genre that I usually avoid, and even if do watch something similar I have had almost no instances where I ended up liking it. This can be among the ones that I didn't end up hating. So yes, this movie is good.

To be honest, this was simply another melodrama. But, in some aspects it was very different from what usually takes place in such movies. The blind girl was pretty self sufficient in it and I liked that a lot. She was neither a pushover nor dumb and the actress acted pretty well in it. I understand that playing blind characters is difficult and majority of the times, it seems fake while acting. But she did a good job of it. And the hero is the cliched tortured soul with a dark past and a dangerous life. I really don't know much about So Ji Sub but his acting was good in it. But I'd still go with the lead actress because her role was far more challenging than his.

It was pretty good when it started but it kind of fell apart about one third into the film. I was simply not interested in the boxing part nor the missions given to the hero. I also expected a few light moments but there weren't any. As I said, this is just not my genre. I cannot stay serious for too long while watching a film and a few random romantic parts don't help all that much since it is difficult to please me with just romance.

In spite of the flaws in the film, the best part of it was the cinematography. The effects used in editing were great. Mostly, it was the different kinds of lighting which were used so appropriately according to each scene that kept me hooked. Also, the outdoor locations were simply fabulous. A couple of places made me want to be there with them! I also liked the background score because it blended well with the situations.

The ending was very corny for my taste. The last 20 minutes could have been omitted and that would have been so much better. But thank goodness, it didn't end badly. The guy and the girl did love each other truly and I got that point. So far, this is the best Korean movie I have watched with pinches of originality with an attepmt to surpass the usual cliches. It is still worth a watch and a good way to spend time if you're in search for a romantic movie with a lot of sentiments.

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Duelist
4 people found this review helpful
Sep 15, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
frankly i jst knew one thing about this movie.it was Han Ji won and so i decided to give this a try.i was deeply enchanted and moved by the beautiful cinematography.the fight scenes are shot so beauifully that one even wonders can this happpen..Han Ji won continues to surprise me as her character Nam Sun is such a believable character.a woman surrounded by men on all sides assumes the same tone..the same manners.she's just so believable in her role.
Sad Eyes as a character is like the black knight in shining armour.though our mother says not to fall for such guys we always will.so that's what happens.the heroine falls for the wrong guy and i love this fact.he's a character with such depth that its hard to understand him.Kang Dong Won does a superb job playing 'sad eyes'.his eyes itself seem to speak to the viewer and im waiting for Dong Won to portray sch a character again

the chemistry between the leads is so amazing that its hard to understand how they can even breathe.the string pulled till taut with tension.their eyes speaking to such lenghts that the line between words nd visual blurs.they are like the two sides of a coin.near but still never together.the story shows this aspect accurately.

the music is so befetting to each scene that wthout the music one wouldn't even understnad the hurricane of emotions in the OTP's hearts..

after finishing this al i felt was did i just watch a ballad or an opera.in reality it doesnt even have many dialogues.the body language,the eyes and the actions do much of the talkng in here

this movie has many flaws too.like it doesnt have much of a story and how it gets draggy.the usual stuff but the good points more than overtake the bad ones.
all in all a wonderful piece of art

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Blind
3 people found this review helpful
Sep 15, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
i had no expectations from this movie because many kmovies had dissapointed me lately but after watching so much nonsense romance i finally sat down to watch this and i was pleasantly surprised

first of all Kim na huel is a good actress..i loved her in some previous works but here she does a fantastic job of portraying a blind woman.her acting could almost bring tears.that's how good she is.Seung ho is a young actor but he's got potential and does a good job in this one though i hated his hairstyle.keeps one away from noticing how handsome he is..:D

the story revolves around murder and is full of those suspence moments so as to keep you on edge.mind you you won't be able to leave your laptop for a second coz u'd be desperate to know wht's gonna happen..is someone gonna die or is someone goin to be murdered.this movie delivers it all to make it a worthwhile watch
it's one of those movies that will scare you a bit..but at the same time it'l make us remeber the never ending struggle of the human heart to strive for better.to acheive something that the world says one cant.

give this one a try.im sure you will end up liking it..:)

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Wushu
2 people found this review helpful
by niQx
Sep 15, 2012
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 10
I didn't know at first that this is actually a Hong Kong Movie.
I really really love this movie...
It has a really nice story!
and I think all their casts were fits for their role! :)
The music, sound effects and stunts were really cool!
since I watch lots of Martial Arts Movies,
It's a definitely a must watch movie! :D
I'm sure you'll love it...
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