Reviews

Mahjong? more like Nahhh-jong

This is an odd film. The story centres around the competition between two family members vying to inherit a Mahjong house.

At least I think that was the plot? Honestly, it was pretty boring so I had it on in the background while I was doing work. I'd say the first and last 20 minutes were the only vaguely interesting parts of the film.

The pacing is slow, the stakes don't really seem that high, there's little intrigue, the characters feel flat, and the eccentric humour is...well....eccentric.

Personal highlight was Betty's hair, makeup, and costuming; it gave the aesthetic a touch of retro cool.

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If a film from Japan is 60 minutes long and has an 18+ rating, then there's a good chance that it is a pink film -- with all that entails about crass sex scenes, random nudity, production quality and sometimes questionable plot.
For more info, I recommend RandomUsagi's introduction to their list of gay pink films (https://mydramalist.com/list/1xrm2893) and a comment of theirs about the distinction between BL and gay pink films (https://mydramalist.com/list/1xrm2893#comment-19083260).

I haven't seen a lot of gay pink films yet, but what I appreciate about some of those I've watched is the way they use soft porn to tell stories about the universal human experience -- love, loss and gentle heartbreak.
This is one of those.

The main character (Takeshi) is torn between familial obligations and wanting to live his own life -- this resonated deeply with me, and maybe other people who are or have been in the same place in life.
Love and loss play a big part in this story: His boyfriend Kazuyoshi, who left Takeshi to pursue his own career while Takeshi remained to care for his elderly and disabled father, returns, but only for a short while. His sister leaves the house to get married. The gift from the ocean, the man without history, Akira, might have been a temporary person in Takeshi's life.

What is not said is at times more important in this film than what the characters tell us. I liked the use of silence and the chosen soundtrack.

I am impressed by how the director managed to give the obligatory sex scenes some meaning -- the first, before the break up, is loving, on the dry part of the beach, warmed by a nearby fire -- the second, the reunion, is harsher, on the wet sand -- the third in the liminal space between land and sea, doused in cold ocean water, bodies smeared with black sand -- and the in last scene at the beach which, in contrast, is not even a sex scene, both men are overwhelmed by their emotions and, in accordance, by the waves crashing over them.

The acting was not bad, I've seen worse in other modern gay pink films, and the plot holes are not that bad, considering the film is only 60 minutes long -- it's not about the plot anyway but either about the sex or the emotions (whichever the viewer prefers).
If you don't mind the way sex scenes are done in pink films, and are willing to look beyond the plot holes, it's a not-bad way to spend an hour.

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Heavy tearjerker

When I first watched this it was fairly new and I was going thru a tough patch in life I just wanted to cry out but Every single drama failed to do it this was that movie that hit very deep and I cried I cried uncontrollably I couldn't imagine how every scene was so cruel. The fact that none of them (akito, haruna and ayaka) could see each other for the last time was tragic. My heart goes to akito and haruna tho they were simply meant for each other but cursed with a limited time in life and in that limited time they had enough love for each other that people that live lifetime would never experience. I have grown up watching tragedies where either the female lead dies or the male lead but what hits me the most is where both of them pass out it's like a closure that makes me hope that, yes they found each other in after like. I have never gone back and watched any tragedies ever simply cause the initial depth it lost ( and yes I feel scared ) when you know it's inevitable but this I couldn't stop myself and trust me I cried all of the times I went back to it.it crushed my heart again and again but I don't regret it I love this I will cry every single time I'll watch this

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A short slice of life look at the staff of the Wish Hotel in Taiwan. Every day is much the same at the hotel that rents rooms for overnights or for “naps” during the day until a new night clerk is hired who notices things he shouldn’t.

The two female day clerks man the desk dutifully standing as guests enter the hotel and leave. One talks constantly about horror movies she’s seen as the other passively listens. Kai Lin, the quiet maid, follows her daily routine cleaning the rooms and general areas. The boss introduces Da Guan who will be handling the desk at night and tells him to familiarize himself with the hotel. When Da Guan is wandering around he notices Kai Lin doing one of her routines that is not quite normal.

The Wish Hotel is quite busy at lunch time when customers rent rooms for “romantic” meetings. The meetings keep Kai Lin busy and also reveal her proclivities to Da Guan. The maid doesn’t like change, but also doesn’t like her life. Only the “travels” of the guests perk her interest as do her actions for Da Guan.

Nothing overtly exciting happens in Wish Hotel, yet short films often reveal subtle rhythms and changes in the lives of those peered at. The daily routines run from the mundane to slightly out of the normal range, yet judgements aren’t made on the workers who cater to the customers who use the hotel for rest and recreation.

11 November 2024
Trigger Warnings: References to sexual activity but nothing shown.

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Amazing story with a little problem

This movie was great, the acting, the cinematography, the music, the subtle pacing, i know it has been accused of queerbating but actually i don't see it that way, to me it's the start of a cute relationship between the leads, they have feelings for each other and it's obvious even if it's not classified as a BL, people are just bitter because they assumed it was gonna be a love story from beginning to end and it was not, it's necessary to admire the art beyond the kisses and all that comes along with that. The problem i noticed is with the timeline changes in the story, like, how could he save him but still no having change his own experience at all?, the butterfly effect jus didn't affect him and logically speaking, it should have, but overall amazing movie, very cute.

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heartbreaking yet beautiful

This is the most heartbreking movie i've ever seen. I needed a few days to recover from this film. My heart breaks every time I think of the story of these 2 boys, innocent yet such a tough life. I just can't understand the concept of homophobia and bullying. I hope from the bottom of my heart that they are together and live a happy life, but I still had different feelings at the end. the fact that he is exactly lying dead in the bathtub makes me rather think that he died and when he finds him in the bathtub, can't accept it and imagines a story about their happy ending and then he eventually dies too. I also want to note how wonderfully the boys portrayed the characters. This was incredible for such a young age. you could feel all their emotions and experience their pain with them.

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Heroes never die, they live forever

Just as much a tribute to the heroic bloodshed films of yesteryear as it is a brilliantly stylised entry in its own right, A Hero Never Dies is a pure exercise in genre film despite being so hard-boiled that it almost becomes a comedy. Taking a fundamentally tried, tested and clichéd story in a world where the violence is more sudden and the atmosphere much darker and upending nearly every element of the films he's paying homage to, shows the power of Johnnie To's filmmaking ability. To's direction is fantastic with plenty of sweeping camera movements and tremendous use of colour, all coupled with Cheng Siu-keung's outstanding photography make the film a feast for the eyes. The incredible sense of loyalty and honour these characters display ultimately makes them “heroes", the themes are often hammered home so relentlessly that the film nearly enters the realm of parody. Only in a gangland fantasy would characters enjoy a friendship but have no qualms about killing one another later. The performances from its central cast are phenomenal, Leon Lai and Sean Lau especially, both playing fundamentally different archetypes of the same profession to immense effect, all the while Raymond Wong's hauntingly powerful score dominates the sound mix, even if he does repeat a few too many cues from his work on Running Out of Time. A Hero Never Dies ultimately just solidifies to me that Johnnie To is one of, if not the best post-handover filmmaker in the industry. Heroes may die, but their actions live forever.

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Sweet

The plot is sweet and all but I gotta admit it was a bit confusing. I wanted more tbh from them,more romance is what I wanted to say. They were just about to start the romance then boom he died. I am ashamed to say this but I was kinda waiting for an R-rated scenes the entire movie. Both the actors were so hot,so I expected that there will be one but alas. I wanted them to have a romantic relationship first. Not like the relationship they had before was not romantic but i wanted more, starting deeply in love in someone's eyes,date scenes,awkward silences. I feel like this would have been better as a series cause there is so much interesting plot to be given here. A movie just doesn't do it justice. But I still liked it. It's cute but I was expecting a little bit more.

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Good watch!

Recently, I was introduced to the world of anime by a friend. Her favorite one is Nana, so naturally, that's what I watched as my first anime. I finished the anime of Nana today, and it left me a little sad, so I couldn't help but want to watch the movie immediately.

Wow! I was not disappointed! I loved it! Firstly, this came out in 2005, and I just wanted to note that I liked the nostalgic feel. I think most of the cast were perfect for their roles. And I think that the story played out nicely, like the anime. I think this is a really well-done adaptation. The acting was good, as was the pacing. Overall, it was a really good watch.

I have confidence that someone who hasn't even heard of the anime would like this movie. It's a nice story. I just found out right now that there is a number two, so I will be watching that as well.

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From soft nice guy to deadly person

This movie is definitely a must watch because it covers certain gaps of the Untamed series. It also greatly explains why someone with a loving soft nature like Nie HuaiSang became someone who is so great in planning, cruelty and hell bent on revenge and was the person who brought Jin GuangYao to his downfall in The Untamed series. Amongst so many of the clans in the Untamed series, I would say the Nie Clan was - in my own personal opinion - the only one that wasn't into this power struggle.

Other than filling an immensely big gap of understanding, this movie is also showing the difference and explaining the difference of the Nie Clan that uses Knives instead of real swords like the other clans. It also explains a little of the Clan's history, for those who are interested in knowing. But, to me, this is an eye opener to a number of questions I had after watching The Untamed. I would say it would definitely be a great watch, for a first time and also a re-watch if you are interested after that.

I love the song that was for the Nie brothers. Absolutely beautiful.

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A Haunting Exploration of Modern Isolation

Pulse (2001) is a masterful film that delves deep into the existential fears of the digital age. Often misinterpreted as a simple ghost story, this film is, in fact, a profound commentary on the isolating effects of modern technology.

Set in an era when the internet was just beginning to weave its web around our lives, Pulse portrays a chilling reality where technology, intended to connect us, instead amplifies our deepest loneliness. The "ghosts" that haunt the characters are not traditional supernatural beings but metaphors for the overwhelming isolation brought about by the digital world.

The film follows two interwoven storylines: Michi, a young woman dealing with the mysterious suicide of her friend, and Kawashima, a university student who becomes obsessed with a disturbing website. As their lives intersect, they uncover the haunting truth: the internet is not just a tool but a trap, drawing people into an abyss of despair.

The use of red tape to seal off certain rooms is a powerful symbol in the film. It represents the characters' desperate attempts to contain the emotional and psychological harm caused by their digital interactions. These taped doors are warnings, marking spaces where the boundary between the living and the dead—or, more accurately, between connected and isolated—has been irreversibly breached.

One of the most poignant elements of Pulse is the haunting shadows left behind by those who vanish. These shadows symbolize the lingering despair and the unfulfilled cries for help from those who succumb to the isolation. They are not just remnants of the departed but stark reminders of the emotional void that technology can create.

The message is clear: the internet, while promising connection, often leaves us feeling more alone than ever. The film's characters, overwhelmed by loneliness, are driven to desperate acts, highlighting the devastating impact of a world where true human interaction is increasingly scarce.

Pulse is a hauntingly beautiful film that resonates deeply with the challenges of our time. It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of genuine human connections and the emotional dangers lurking within our digital dependencies. For anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the psychological impacts of technology, Pulse is a must-watch.

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Brilliant fun

A bizarre concoction of comedy, martial arts, and spaghetti western action, The Stranger and The Gunfighter is hard to fault in terms of sheer entertainment value, one that works because, unlike other Shaw Brothers collaborations, ergo Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires, it doesn't take itself too seriously. Most of the comedy is daft, but there are a few inspired jokes littered throughout, even with the rather repetitive script the film never wastes too much time in one spot, leading the two heroes from one fantastic set piece to another with an admirable pace. The film makes the best of the opposition between the polite, dutiful Easterner and the selfish, roguish Westerner, but without making any serious socio-cultural statements. It helps enormously that both Lo Lieh and Lee Van Cleef are the leads, Cleef is especially funny in the film which makes a nice change from his roles as the villains and stoic characters in his earlier spaghetti westerns while Lieh is just as awesome as he always is. Antonio Margheriti's direction is pretty great but the unfortunate grotty transfers this film has been confined to do his work a major injustice at points as his photography of the Almeria locations gives the film a paramount look which works exceptionally well with Carlo Savina's fun score. A well-balanced mix of exploitation comedy, The Stranger and The Gunfighter is well worth a look for aficionados of either genre.

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