Reviews

Director's Cut

With Tsui Hark's first two movies supposedly bombing at the box office, he decided to lay it all bare and go for broke with Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind, one of the angriest and seriously fucked-up coming-of-age teenage dramas you will ever see, one that never has a happy moment. An unforgettably disturbing piece, that's dark and nihilistic to the utmost extreme, with scenes that will undoubtedly make your skin crawl even if you are the most seasoned of gorehounds. The scenes of on-camera animal cruelty aren't even the worst parts which really tells you how fucked-up the movie truly is. There's a great use of music here, although most of has been stolen because I highly doubt Hark managed to get the rights to Oxygene, Jerry Goldsmith's score to the first Star Trek movie or Dawn of the Dead. Dangerous Encounters of the First Kind is one of the most uncomfortable viewing experiences you could ever watch with seemingly no characters to like but with an abundance to think about, this is a movie that takes balls to view but even bigger ones to make.

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Truly mad

Picking up shortly from where the first film left off, A Chinese Ghost Story II is a very entertaining sequel, one that amps up the horror, comedy and special effects wizardry. Providing the same type of action and romance that made the first film so popular, this sequel has its faults because it can't match the first film's originality or ability to surprise. Still, as Tsui Hark's thinly disguised response to Tiananmen Square, the film works wonders, criticising authorities and reflecting on the meaning of hope. This is a film made to go all out to please and thrill an audience. All stops are ignored in this wild rollercoaster, one with stunning colour and photography, wild changes of pace and characters suddenly and unexpectedly changing form all over the place. Surrealistic scenes, gorgeous music, suspenseful situations and imaginative production designs accompany the great performances by the cast. Although A Chinese Ghost Story II is very good, it doesn't quite compete with the amazing beauty of the original, regardless, this is still very worth checking out for something a little bit more mad.

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"Behold I will make a havoc in the Heavenly Palace!"

Rescue the Earth aka Earth Rescue Day took the old trope of aliens taking over the Earth and combined it with a little Monkey King magic. The mischievous god never made an appearance but devotee Mo Fei managed to embody some of the simian’s better qualities.

The Earth has been devastated and overtaken by an alien called Giant Kun who orbits the sky. Smaller spider-like creatures called Kunzis scavenge the land and anyone who dares to come above ground. Humanity has made their homes safely below ground in modern cities. Mo Fei is a Flyman in his 20’s who goes to the surface to find objects of worth to sell below. He owes his friend, Sha Sha, money. She tags along when he tries to sell items to Boss Zhu who is not happy to see him. Mo Fei and Sha Sha end up on the run from Boss Zhu above ground in their flying vehicles when both are attacked by the Kunzis. Mo Fei rescues Boss Zhu and the civilians find themselves in turn rescued from a herd of Kunzis by the Black Falcon Squad. The squad and Flymen end up on a dangerous mission through Kunzi infested land in order to arm a weapon that might destroy Giant Kun before she reproduces and ends humanity for all time.

Rescue the Earth had some really good creatures. Although Giant Kun looked suspiciously like the Harbulary battery eating Abilisk from Guardians of the Galaxy 2. If spiders make you squeamish the hordes of arachnid inspired Kunzis with long spiky tongues may not be for you. While the creatures were properly creepy, the flying car chases came across as very low quality CGI.

Liu Jian Yu as the Wukong inspired Mo Fei had an impish smile and Monkey King hairdo. There was a nice bit to tie it all together at the end. Wang Zi Jia as his gal pal Sha Sha was the mechanic who had to run around on the snow-covered ground in her Daisy Dukes cut-off jean shorts. The writers worked hard to make the four brave soldiers have their own personalities. Capt. Li had a secret related to Mo Fei that tied him to the young man. Different characters had to make the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good and while it didn’t bring tears, they weren’t complete strangers.

Rescue the Earth had some clunky dialogue and even clunkier science but it did have an interesting premise and characters. The film was thankfully short and kept the action going non-stop. The final solution didn’t make any sense but it was done in Wukong style which made it worthwhile for me. If you can handle cheesy dialogue and don’t mind absurd science it’s a diverting 90 minutes of action and creepy crawlers.

21 October 2024
Triggers-Spiderish creatures

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5 stages of grief

I went through 5 stages of grief watching this movie.

Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance.

There is something so relatable about the plot even though it is set in a village. The complications of relationships, the repercussions of Sek's indecisiveness which caused Mo and Thongkam coming head-to-head with each other. I have seen it happened in real life and I have had the experience of being the receiving end of people's indecisiveness that I totally understand the reasons behind Mo and Thongkam actions. The characters grieving in the own ways, trying to make sense and making their own path in life.

Jeff & Engfa deserves awards for their acting. The subtleness of their emotions plays across their faces clearly and I could instantly understand the pain behind it.

Considering that this is Keng Harit's first acting job (based off his MDL profile), I'm really impressed that he is very natural and engaging in front of the camera and love his chemistry with Jeff.

I was honestly hoping for a happy ending in some form but the ending is exactly how reality is. That's how life is. No matter how much you fight for, most of the time, things are just as it is. Everyone wants their happy endings but how many actually get their happy endings.

Truth be told, I'm not sure what I feel about this movie. I love it but I hate that it is the reality of countless people around the world.

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Ambitiously messy

Hong Kong adaptations of Japanese manga tend to hit differently, The Peacock King is no exception, always moving at a frantic pace. There's plenty of ambition sprinkled throughout the film, be it the incredible set design, insane practical effects or the stunning claymation work, the film certainly earns its keep. The problem that ultimately holds this film back from being an all-time classic of its industry is that unfortunately, the story is so unbelievably messy with the most minor of things derailing the experience, having six credited writers certainly gives you that impression. Regardless of that, director Lam Ngai Kai more than delivers plenty of his signature style even including a sequence where Yuen Biao battles a reanimated dinosaur, yes that happens, it just all feels a bit more on the cheaper side with its budget having been spent on its effects more than anything else. Backed by a great cast, including a sadly underused Gordon Liu, and a decent musical score, The Peacock King manages to keep an enjoyable tone despite the cheapness of the proceedings. I'll get to the sequel at some point.

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"What ghost would dare hate us?"

“Strange things happen in a war-torn land.” Do they ever in Kuroneko's ghostly story of revenge. The problem with revenge is that it’s a double-edged sword that can wound both ways.

Yone and Shige are home alone having dinner when a group of 16 samurai come upon their hut. The samurai lay claim to everything in it. When they are done, the women are dead, and their hut goes up in flames. A black cat lingers over the bodies in the smoldering ruins. Not long after, samurai traveling through the Rajomon Gate at night are lured to their deaths by a beautiful woman. Tragedy is at hand when Yone’s son and Shige’s husband returns from the war a successful samurai and the women’s vows must be kept.

“Who cares about peasants or even considers them human?”
This was a strange story about the consequences of revenge. The vengeful ghosts had plenty to be resentful of regarding the world the warring men had created. Hachi loved his mother and his wife, but would he be immune to the rancorous entitlement vented by so many? It also showed the utter disregard for the lives of the peasants, the people hit the hardest by war. The lazy samurai leader Raiko couldn't understand anyone hating the samurai believing they were beloved by all. The suffering peasants' feelings didn't count as they weren't really human. A samurai lured into the women’s house said, “Fighting allows us to eat our fill and have whatever we want.” Not the words one should say to ghosts who had everything stolen by samurai including their lives. The offending samurai faces bore the greed and lust of crazed animals, fitting irony that they died in similar fashion.

The 1960’s special effects were rudimentary, created with darkness and light, fog and shadows. Makeup and hairy cat limbs gave the illusion of feline ghosts. A few wires and even their shadows slipped through the editing process. The greater fear in this film resulted from the ghosts required to fulfill their vows and Hachi who had his own vows to fulfill which put the loved ones on a hellish collision course. I gave this old horror film a small rating’s bump due to its age, but despite that it was a well made film about the costs of war and revenge.

20 October 2024

Triggers: Sexual assault and some nudity

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Captures the Transience of Love with Grace and Emotion"

Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight directed by Takahiro Miki, based on the novel by Misaki Ichijo. The film centers on the heart-wrenching yet beautiful love story between two high school students, Toru Kamiya and Maori Hino. Toru, after a prank confession, unexpectedly starts a genuine relationship with Maori, who suffers from a memory disorder, causing her to forget everything about her daily life every night.

The film explores themes of love, memory, and the impermanence of human connections, presenting a poignant narrative that feels both tender and fragile. The chemistry between the lead actors and the emotional depth they bring to their roles make the story compelling and touching. As viewers watch Toru’s determination to maintain their love against Maori’s memory loss, the film reminds us of the power of love and the pain of inevitable loss.

What stands out is the film’s delicate direction, capturing moments of joy and melancholy through beautifully framed scenes. The emotional resonance, especially in the final moments, lingers long after the movie ends, offering a bittersweet yet hopeful message about cherishing love, even if it’s fleeting.

Overall, the movie is an emotional journey that showcases the beauty of love even in the face of adversity, leaving a lasting impression on viewers. If you appreciate heartfelt dramas, Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight is worth watching for its emotional depth and visual beauty.

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It's soo good!

I honestly don’t even know where to start. "His" completely took me by surprise and really hit me in ways I wasn’t expecting. It’s not just good—it’s one of those movies that stays with you long after you’re done watching.

The acting? Amazing. The actors made everything feel so real like you were right there with them. Shun’s quiet loneliness and Nagisa’s struggle between the past and present were so genuine. Even the little girl was adorable and added so much to the story. You could just feel the emotions between Shun and Nagisa like there was all this history and unspoken love that neither of them knew how to handle.

The plot is simple, but that’s what makes it work. It’s about two people trying to reconnect after years apart, but it’s also about self-acceptance and what it means to love, especially when life has changed so much. Watching them figure out their feelings for each other while dealing with the weight of their past was equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking.

What really got me, though, were the small moments. There aren’t any big dramatic scenes—it’s all in the quiet glances, the hesitant touches, and the things they don’t say. That’s what made it feel so real. And the way they dealt with being LGBTQ+ in a society that’s not always accepting felt really honest. It wasn’t overdone or cliché, just a real reflection of their struggles.

By the end, I was feeling a mix of emotions—sad but also hopeful. His is the kind of movie that hits you right in the heart. It’s not flashy or overly dramatic, but that’s what makes it so powerful. If you want something that’s raw and real, this is definitely worth watching.

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It is a good movie!

I had been putting off watching Your Name Engraved Herein for way too long. I’d seen some spoilers on TikTok a couple of years ago, so I was kind of hesitant to watch it because I knew it would be emotional and heartbreaking. And yeah, it totally lived up to that. But honestly, I’m really glad I finally gave it a chance.

The plot itself is pretty straightforward, but it’s the way the story unfolds that really gets you. It’s set in Taiwan during the late ’80s when being openly gay was still super taboo, and it follows two high school boys, Jia-han and Birdy, as they try to figure out their feelings for each other. The whole time, they’re battling their own fears and the pressure from society around them, and you can just feel how heavy that weight is.

The acting was hands-down one of the best parts. Edward Chen and Tseng Jing-hua really nailed their roles. They brought so much depth to their characters, and even though the movie is only about an hour and a half long, I felt really connected to them. They made the emotions feel real, especially during the more intense scenes.

Speaking of which, the shower scene and the beach scene? Wow. Both were beautifully shot, and you could feel how desperate and scared they both were. In the shower scene, the tension between them was so thick, and you could see how badly they wanted to reach out to each other but were terrified of what that would mean. Then, in the beach scene, it was like all those feelings were on full display — the love, the fear, the confusion. It was heart-wrenching but also really powerful.

That being said, there were a couple of things that didn’t quite work for me. The pacing felt a bit off in some parts. I wish they had spent more time diving into Jia-han’s family dynamics and Birdy’s struggles with dating a girl. These were touched on, but I feel like they could have added more layers to the story if they had been explored further.

One thing I have to mention is the music. The song “Your Name Engraved Herein” was absolutely perfect for the movie. It’s haunting and beautiful, and every time it came on, it added so much emotion to the scenes. It’s one of those songs that stays with you, just like the movie.

All in all, I really enjoyed Your Name Engraved Herein. Yes, it’s sad and heartbreaking, but it’s also so raw and honest. The ending is bittersweet, but it feels real like it fits with the journey the characters went through. If you’re in the mood for something emotional that will leave you thinking about it long after it’s over, this movie is definitely worth watching.

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Need to watch

story
it was really amazing. well written and worthy of your time. it tells a. story of friendship, love , and selflessness and society status. you get look at how people with low born stays felt during the josean era

acting
they could have not chosen a better cast. each and every actor/ actress did their big one and brought the story to life. it almost felt to really. all the emotions they displayed where just fire

overall
this movie is one for the books the emotions your are going to feel throughout this movie are just insane. you will get to sympathize with the characters and their thought process and some times just hate on them but I tell just take your time and press play you will never be the same again

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Ring the bell, the paranormal fight is ready to begin!

Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman was a light, entertaining shaman fantasy. It was more humorous than scary, goofier than ghoulish. Not an outright comedy but not a horror either. Kang Dong Won’s screen presence helped tie together the dark backstory with the action-packed present.

Dr. Cheon and his assistant Kang In Bae take on shamanic jobs across Korea. Because Kang is in charge of the special effects to sell their show, he believes Dr. Cheon is a fake. Cheon does fleece his wealthy clients and has become a YouTube celebrity. While Cheon makes a living exorcising “ghosts” and “demons” from people what he’s really doing is solving clients’ problems psychologically. At every job he tests his bell which will only ring if ghosts or the supernatural are nearby. He is on the hunt for a dangerous demonic force that destroyed his family. When a young woman hires him claiming she can see ghosts, the bell of fate is set to ring.

This film had numerous supernatural chase scenes which were creative. Kang Dong Won made for a compelling shaman as he searched for the source of the paranormal events. With his ghost revealing bell and sword of destiny he was prepared to face the forces of evil. I much preferred this film to his previous wizardly turn in Jeon Woo Chi: The Taoist Wizard. For the most part this was an entertaining story, it just felt like the characters were thinly drawn. The Big Bad’s motivations were hazy. Did he want to take over the world or destroy it? There were a few loose narrative ends tied up by a trip to the Celestial Maiden for an informational exposition dump.

Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman benefited from its short run time. While the characters weren’t fleshed out the film moved at a solid pace, never becoming boring. The CGI was adequate and for the most part didn’t distract from the story. It was a 90-minute fantasy romp that while forgettable was enjoyable.

20 October2024

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A journey to finding her own worth!

First of all, Hats off to the Female lead, Ling Jia, who's also the director of this movie. She showed her transformation like no one else. Her transformation inspired me so much. She gained weight and then lost it in a year, which shows really well in the movie. This movie isn't a Lalaland or delulu if someone didn't watch it. I like the ending where she wins in the end (ifykyk).

Character analysis: I don't understand the reason for her not finding a job for all those years but that doesn't matter. She didn't get a job and did nothing in her parent's house, she was lazy and she was people's pleasure too. Her younger sister also didn't get along. She lost her confidence, she didn't have the guts to kick her cheated bf and so-called best friend, I lost my mind when she attended their wedding as a bridesmaid🤦‍♀️

Theme: IDK why it is in the comedy category but I didn't find it funny? It should be in the drama category. She also falls for her relative act and makes a fool of herself in front of the whole world. If that wasn't humiliating enough she tried to finish herself and jump, now this was so interesting that the fat that she hated saved her from getting unalive.

Her coach who she thinks is her bf was using her, since she didn't have any confidence in herself she accepted anything the way he treated her, he live off of her, in her house eating at her place, using her to do his work and she did all of the things because she thinks that at least she has him but damn he was the biggest loser.

This was not only her physical journey but also emotional, she finally had a goal in her life at the age of 32, she lost 50 kgs. Here, the pain not only changes her physically but also mentally. During the match, she was dedicated, and the result was quite real. I like that the focus wasn't on winning the match but on winning in life, her sister was speechless, her parents were proud of her, she proved herself, she gained what she wanted, and lost her old personality. Her former coach has the audacity to ask her out, wtf but you can find a man like this irl too. Finally, she was able to stand up for herself and confidently reject that loser.

Conclusion: This hit hard, and she finally started taking a stand for herself, her life didn't change overnight, not after the match, but she was dedicated. When her father came to meet her she said that she would give both apples to her friend was her old self but then she said it depended on her mood now, yk here she had changed, she finally knew her worth.

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2000s core and grandma slay

Ah, where to begin... The beginning of the movie was really captivating. Unfortunately the best scenes are clumped together 20 minutes in, leaving the remaining 95 minutes a boring wait for something as great as the first scenes to develop (hint: it does not).

The stereotypes were stereotyping HARD: the men fight and take whatever they want. The women are passive but pretty standbyers. But it was made in 2004, so I get that it's a product of it's time. Albeit, an excessive one. But I love the nostalgic 2000s vibes the movie spoils us with.

What I felt the movie was lacking was the establishing of the characters and their development. The characters did not get a chance to settle down in their new roles and environments (I'm thinking of Han Kyung's move, becoming the new student etc.) before the drama kicked in. And while captivating, I did not feel for any of the characters during the entire movie simply because I did not know anything about them. There was so much left unsaid that I want answers to: Why do they like each other? Is there a reason why Hae Won specifically likes Han Kyung?

The movie is very fanfic-esque, which I usually enjoy but this one was over the top. When watching this I kept questioning why people still make fun of Twilight when this movie exists. Perhaps this is Korea's counterpart to Twilight?

And it must be said; the grandma from Australia slayed with her outfit. I was gagging the whole time. She was the moment. 10/10 for the furry diva vibes.

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Too many element

Well, this film aired 2 month after viral Exhuma film.
If you like a ritual like Exhuma, watching this one is worth your time. The dance, the momment, the horror, all is a good place until they make who is dead become zombie ?

C'mon. Its feel like not a evil, not a horror and I almost think this is a zombie film but that is not ?
Too much element with unclear ending, even they have a after credit scene, its just a past momment and make us want more for sequel.

Maybe,, just maybe..
If they not put in the part when people wake up from dead and become zombie, this film will be more interested.

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