Reviews

Daring, original and crazy South Korean horror.

Na Hongjin continues to establish herself as one of the most exciting creative voices in South Korean cinema. With The Wailing he is more ambitious, original and delightfully crazy than ever before.

"Not everything that moves, breathes and talks is alive"

The film's original title is Gokseung, which is the name of the sleepy little South Korean mountain village where the story takes place. The residents live simple lives, everyone knows everyone and the police force has nothing meaningful to do. All this changes when a mysterious Japanese man (Jun Kunimura) settles in the village. Right after his arrival, horrors begin to happen when some villagers seem to suffer from some kind of physical and mental illness. First, they lose their minds completely and go on a violent rampage against themselves and others, followed by an inevitable and painful death.

Primarily, we get to view the course of events through the perspective of police officer Jong-Goo (Kwak Dowon), as the uncontrollable chaos moves closer and closer to his personal sphere. Like the other villagers, he struggles with increasing paranoia and an increasingly important question: Do the events just have something to do with hallucinatory mushrooms in the forest, or has the devil himself come to Gokseung?

You're never quite sure of the answer, but the events get steadily weirder and the plot more complex as the game progresses. When the film's credits roll, you have at least as many questions as answers, which I love. It will take a number of rewatches for me to really grasp everything that is happening in the film, get total clarity on the character dynamics and such, but that does not mean that this first experience is weaker.

The atmosphere and aesthetic that director and screenwriter Na Hongjin builds up is incredibly immersive and enchanting and even if I don't always have a full grasp of exactly what is going on, I lose myself in the film completely. Some scenes in the second half - Such as those involving the shaman Il-Gwang (Hwang Jungmin) - Are so wildly crazy and unforgiving that some of the audience will give up. It's a shame, because if you go along for the ride and surrender to the fun and originality, it really pays off in the end.

Despite the fact that the film is almost 160 minutes long, it in no way feels drawn out or tough, but the tension is constantly sky high and in large parts of the film you really sit on pins and needles waiting for the next development. Visually, it does not disappoint either. Cinematographer Hong Kyungpyo has previously shot gorgeous films such as Sea Fog, Mother and Snowpiercer and here goes all in with the rainy, foggy and ghostly mountain environments. It's an endlessly eerie place, but you don't want to leave.

The constantly fascinating characters probably also contribute a lot to that. Kwak's police officer is further proof that South Koreans have an extremely unsympathetic image of the country's police officers, but despite being clumsy and slightly incompetent, he never becomes some sort of simplistic caricature or parody. The acting he delivers is truly impressive and the portrayal of the growing desperation is flawless. Kunimura and Hwang also give really strong performances, but the sharpest is Chun Woohee in a role that you should know as little as possible about.

In terms of horror, I think the film is very reminiscent of Robert Egger's masterful The Witch in how it slowly and confidently builds pure terror that crawls under one's skin, but the few times the violence completely explodes, nothing is held back. That arrangement makes The Wailing hit very deep and hard, and I have a feeling it will be a long time before it completely lets go of me. A fantastic film, simply.

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So corny!

Whoever wrote the dialogue for this film, didn't ever hear humans talk to each other! Haha! The dialogue is just so corny and cringe and unnatural. It's probably the biggest issue of this film.
As for the rest, it works well enough. But I have to say, I thought the main couple's relationship didn't have the necessary build-up to inspire loyalty from viewers.
What do I mean? I mean, the reason why they should be in love is so vague and underdeveloped. We see the aftermath of the obsessive love but the love's existence in the first place is not explained well-enough. And I don't mean exposition or info dump. I mean, nothing is shown in the beginning that makes me believe this is a genuine mutual love. Why should I care or even believe that this is love when these characters have barely had any interactions and what little interaction they had is fraught with conflict and rejection? However, a well-written conversation would've solved this issue. Unfortunately, the dialogue was too shabby so it didn't help matters.
That said, if you suspend your skepticism and accept that sure! They are in love, whatever! Then, you can enjoy the bizarre and tumultuous second half of the film.
The acting is good. Kim Nam Gil is in this and I think this is my first time watching him. He's pretty! Lee Young Hoon is very good too and now I'm wondering why he isn't active anymore.
The film is almost old, so I don't know what to say about the production. It's okay I think. The editing is a bit choppy but I think that is intentional. This has a very indie movie vibe.
And the final act is so exhilarating and shocking.
No regrets about watching this. I recommend it. And no...it's not THAT explicit! Grow up! Stuff right now are so much worse. That said, it's still an Adults Only film. So minors stay away. Seriously!!!!

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Story:
The story was new to me, as this was the first movie about a guide dog that I’d ever watched. Before I even started, I knew I’d end up crying, and it did not disappoint, lol. There were parts of the movie that I liked and parts that I didn’t.

Let’s start with what I didn’t like. I almost stopped watching after the scene where the dog was left outside in the rain. At that moment, I really wanted to smack the character's head. I also wondered if there were no other people around after they assigned the dog to him. In reality, there should be at least a week of supervision for both the dog and the human. Maybe because it was a movie and they had to fit everything into two hours, but there was no discussion about how to feed Little Q or when to let him out for pee or poop time. It was like the blind man was blindly taking care of his unwanted guide dog! That part felt very unrealistic since these are basic things a trainer must explain to the person taking care of the dog. This was a significant flaw in the portrayal of guide dog training and care.

Now, onto what I did like. I absolutely loved Little Q. He was such a good boy and his acting was spot on, lol! Every scene with Little Q was my favorite, except for the one where he was under a car on a rainy night looking up at his new owner’s window. That was so sad; I’m tearing up just thinking about it.

Acting/cast:
As I mentioned, Little Q's acting was spot on. He was simply great. The main character’s performance was also excellent. There were many times in the first part of the movie when I really wanted to smack him because his acting was so convincing. As they say, you know you’ve done a good job as a villain if the audience hates you for what you did, and I certainly did at first. But when he started to care for Little Q, I also started to like him. He was so relatable when it comes to dogs. He spoils Little Q just like I spoil my dogs.

The rest of the cast also did a good job, especially the little girl. I liked her; she loved Little Q.

Music:
The music was also good. It didn't particularly stand out, but it complemented the scenes well. It enhanced the emotions without being distracting, which is exactly what a good soundtrack should do.

Rewatch Value:
I don’t need to rewatch this movie because its story and some of its scenes will always stay with me. Having just lost a dog, I know that if I rewatch it in the next two or three years, I'll be an emotional wreck.

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This Cast

PROS:
○Acting
○This Cast
○ Uhm Tae Goo
○Based of true history (not sure how historically accurate the film stayed. Need to research it)
○ The themes
○ The pacing
○The writing

CONS:
○Some shaky camera at times
○The CGI wasn't always great
○Some of the wigs weren't great

Overall glad I watched it.


⚠️TRIGGER WARNINGS⚠️
This is a war movie so these topics are through out the film.
◇Death?
◇Violence
◇Suicide
◇Blood?
◇Some Language
◇Talk of sexual assault (not on screen)

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From time to time you can see movies with real and controversial themes with gay characters

Homophobia, which can be expressed both manifestly and subtly, has been brought to film from various approaches and cinematography. One of the films that addresses this issue, even from its symbolic and recurring title, is 'Human Too', by Thai director and producer Supannasa Sirikuptapasan.
The premiere of the LGBTIQ+ themed romantic drama took place on February 28, 2024 and is based on a script written by the filmmaker himself. With a duration of 44 minutes, Supannasa Sirikuptapasan turns the fear, rejection and hatred towards homosexual people into a film.
Nueng is a gay teenager who is the victim of bullying. The son of absent parents, he faces verbal and physical violence every day from his classmates. Likewise, the teachers and school directors, as part of a patriarchal society, deny him the necessary protection.
The story reaches its climax once Nueng is led, by the circumstances in which he lives, to consider taking his own life, with which we immerse ourselves with him in a true endless nightmare, a tunnel in which there seems to be no exit. The physical and psychological torture to which Nueng is subjected hurts us in our own flesh.
Supannasa Sirikuptapasan takes the risks and dares to show us through his film one of the cruelest and most regrettable truths of Thai reality and also, why not, universal: the homophobia that exists in a conservative country with strong patriarchal and heteronormative traditions. The film constitutes a shocking social denunciation against the discrimination and harassment that homosexuals around the world have suffered and continue to suffer at some point.
Patiphan Namsamut's performance is convincing. With his appearance, the actor gives life to a tormented boy. Key, as he likes to call himself, was very clear that he was the key for the public to perceive homophobia and the physical and mental damage it causes in those who suffer from it. His role stands out for providing humanity to the adolescent trapped between hatred, shame and misunderstanding.
For his part, Win Witthawidth Kittitheeranon, his best friend, platonic love and the only person who always protects him, plays a worthy co-star role, among other things because this young man, whom we could see in the short film 'Names', from 2023 , makes Key's work even greater, an eloquent example of support between two artists in front of the camera.
After causing her harm, Tong admits to himself his love for Nueng and without hesitation comes out to his mother. Other flights also correspond to its role, such as showing the dehumanization of those who promote homophobia.
The dramatic charge reaches a high level in each scene, especially in the moments of harassment and on the roof of the building where the also protagonist of the love triangle in the film 'Limerence', from 2023, intends to jump into the void.
Portraying sexual assault, physical and verbal violence, mental and cyberbullying, on the one hand, and the support and accompaniment that the protagonist receives from Tong and the father's acceptance of his son's homosexuality, on the other, magnifies the film, taking it beyond the coordinates of cinema of social denunciation to become a medium-length film of discovery, acceptance, coming of age, personal transformation and maturation.
The photography by Jirayu Khositwansakul, Tanayut Sawarut and Sirichai Chaisirimit contribute to narrating in detail each of the tribulations of its protagonist, from the scenes of harassment and discrimination to those of receiving the long-awaited declaration of love, from the violent initial scenes in a depressed and gray high school to the bucolic and bright of Nueng hugging Tong after defying death.

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"Oh how lovely, oh how sweet"

Pieces of Memories was a whimsical and touching look at how memories shape our perception of life. Ku Hye Sun perhaps best known for playing Jan Di in Boys Over Flowers wrote and directed this short film. I read she also wrote the music for the haunting song that played throughout the film.

The film begins with an older man lamenting that his future is uncertain. He has tried to conduct his life, but found that not everything could be controlled. As he sits down at the piano, a portrait comes to life to direct the music and memories displayed. Time rewinds and his life is shown through his years at the keyboard.

What comforts us in difficult times and as our life draws to a close are the cherished memories of loved ones. While we cannot control much of what happens in life, we can control how we frame those thoughts. Love lives on and the sweetness of it enriches the moments that pass and heals the losses we suffer.

Ku’s music was both melancholy and uplifting, much like this short film. It reminded us that even when we haven’t visited our memories for some time, they are still waiting on us like old friends. This short film was an inspiration to live life to the fullest and to take every opportunity to make sweet memories.

“Our moments together
Days we share together
Now melt down in my teary eyes
Hurting, dampening, distancing
O how lovely, O how sweet
My immortal love that you are”

19 June 2024

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Creative writing with a twist!

I was looking for female directors and came across this tantalizing short film. At the age of 21, Go Min Si wrote, directed, and starred in Parallel Novel.

This film reminded me of the SpongeBob episode when the pencil with magical powers came into his possession. I wish this film had been longer to develop the elements we were teased with in this fleeting story. In 3 minutes Go Min Si created two worlds, filmed beautifully. With no spoken dialogue the emotions were played out perfectly with body language and aided by the tense musical background. There was more suspense in 90 seconds than some movies accomplish in 2 hours.

What I loved the most about this concise and well paced film was that the female character stood up for herself against a terrible male writer who had subjected her to some of the worst tropes aimed at women. I only wished she had taught him a better lesson!

Go Min Si showed great promise with this short film. I'm disappointed that 8 years later she hasn't had any more screenwriting or directing credits. I'd really like to see what she could do with a bigger budget and full length format. If you have 3 minutes to spare, I could easily recommend Parallel Novel.

19 June 2024

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FLAWLESS

I recently completed Teng Cong Cong's TO THE WONDER, a six hour movie pretending to be a TV series. It has two minor story flaws but is otherwise a masterpiece.

SEND ME TO THE CLOUDS is flawless. Another masterwork. Some directors take 8 tries to achieve this fascinating yet simple take on love, life, and death. TCC nails it on her first try. WOW.

I'm not going to say much more because it will oversell it.

I will warn viewers this is Arthouse, and all that entails. Arthouse films sometimes have no budgets and so they up the shock value at certain moments to keep you awake. A classic Arthouse trick is to have one shocking 'sexy' scene, if you will, which China seems to avoid at all costs. The scene here isn't gratuitous but I do feel it was an arthose trope more than a story need.

I will say I've never seen our lead actress in anything but will now seek her out the way I did Zhou Xun. I'm also a nutjob for Yuan Hong. who looks bland in his MDL photo but was a DELIGHT in REBEL PRINCESS. He needs to be very popular yesterday.

That's it. It's only 98 minutes. Somber tones, tough subject matter, handled with genius.

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Short mini serie

Sometimes felt strange, long or short drama no matter how long there are can be disappointed.
Here not the case, it's well written despite being short, chemestry between two female lead is good, I like the plot.
Moreover it's happy endind.

The flashback when we see her taking care of her friend, then back to the present when we learned, she doing it because it was for her more than a friend. Love the message too, like there is not always a way to know if someone like men, woman.

The fact they actually like each other without both not knowing it was. mutual.
I was cute, fun, sweet story without drama.

fun fact poor macaron

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Good visuals but lame story

If acting and visuals weren't so good I would have given a lower rating. The whole story depressed and annoyed me, because there were some unanswered puzzles and the main character was meh. I know I should have pitied her, but she got good looks and brains on her side, and to allow that whole shenanigans with bosses and drunkard mother to cripple her when she should have embraced the world awaiting her, it's beyond annoying. The last scene was especially infuriating. Now when she could get something wholesome, she made such a dumb and ultimately selfish move. And don't even mention the kiss on the ledge. As if the writer was a teen girl, not a regular human who would otherwise put them both to the safety first, although they weren't supposed to be there at all, but there was no logic in the whole movie anyway.

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Bittersweet coming of age film

In Between Days was a low budget, independent film that brilliantly portrayed a teenage girl’s awkward friendship with a boy and difficulty in assimilating to her new life in Canada. Loosely based on director Kim So Young’s own experience moving from Busan, Korea to California, USA at the age of 12 and the difficulties she faced trying to fit in. The budget for the film was $60,000 so there were few sets and much of the teens’ conversations took place in the icy winter outdoors, apartments, or buses in Toronto.

Aimie and Tran are best friends, but Aimie has developed a serious crush on her buddy. Tran says he just wants to be friends, but by that he seems to mean, friends with benefits. Aimie isn’t comfortable with the sexual experimentation but is also curious about it. Unable to voice their true feelings and wants to each other, they alternately withdraw and show attention to others which only causes more problems for them.

Aimie’s mother works long hours and is emotionally remote from her. The mom has no idea what Aimie is doing or how she is feeling. Aimie’s father left them, and she misses him terribly while also being upset with him. She also misses her extended family, made worse by her mother not being available most of the time as well.

Most of the conversations between Aimie and Tran were in Korean. Whether in English or Korean, Aimie and Tran had trouble communicating with each other and often used jealousy to get the other’s attention or to hurt the other. Teenage years can be awkward and isolating for anyone, but transplanting to a new world only intensified those feelings. Both Aimie and Tran struggled with their emotions, so much was new and they were unsure of how to handle the uncomfortable spaces between them. When she and Tran spent less time together, the frozen winter felt especially cold and lonely.

Director Kim kept the camera tight on Aimie and Tran’s faces, never letting the audience escape the painful, embarrassing, and disconcerting moments. Like most teens grappling and fumbling with unfamiliar emotions and biological urges, they were afraid of being rejected. Both had a sense of needing to belong, made worse by a limited community. Aimie and Tran didn’t want to lose what they had but also maybe wanted something more. This film was the first job for both actors and their performances were natural. Jiseon Kim was able to convey complex emotions quite well. Andy Kang acted like a typical teenage boy unwilling to show his emotions for fear of giving too much away.

In Between Days was a bittersweet coming of age film with all of the euphoria, bumbling efforts, and heartache that entails. Like so many films in this genre, there was no true ending, just a step toward another chapter for a girl seeking to find her place in the world and coming to terms with her own feelings and desires.

19 June 2024

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So much fun!

Another biased review from me to you.

I hadn't heard of this movie before, but when I saw an article about a possible sequel I thought it looked interesting and I decided to check it out and damn, I am so glad I did! This movie has a bit of everything: sweet family dynamics, action, comedy, and super badass FL, a dorky yet badass ML, an adorable feisty daughter (sumo wrestler, lol), and a whole bunch of other characters that are just hysterical! I loved every character and didn't think there was a single misstep in the actors chosen. If they do a sequel I hope they find a way of bringing everyone back. Would it be their trip to Disneyland? ? Anyhow, if you want some laughs, some action, some sweet moments, watch this. I think you'll like it.

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Very good fighting scenes!

The action was easily the best part and it was so good, some of the fighting scenes were so creative and there weren't too many cuts and they felt mostly grounded to reality.
The cinematography felt really cheap to me, lot's of drone and handheld gimbal shots so they looked a bit janky to me whenever the camera was following something. Scene change continuity broke a few times but it wasn't that jarring and some of the scene locations looked like they were chosen for ease.

I think the acting was very generic japanese acting so nothing really amazing but the flashback scenes in comparison were really well done. Also the CGI and VFX were really good and the animals were convincing even though they would have to have been CGI.

Some of the costumes weren't the best quality, especially a certain wig that you can see a close up of a few times, but the clothing looked fine to me and the injuries and stuff looked really convincing as well.

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there are flaws but this movie brought out a lot of emotions in me

the first half felt kinda slow to me. the cast really made me feel frustrated, downhearted, and angry. i was so mad with shinji's boss (?) because he's clearly manipulating shinji and ruining his career. it also made me feel sad thinking about how many mangakas out there had to go through this kind of horrible situation in real life. shinji's assistant had me going on a roller coaster of emotions because i felt like she's gonna betray shinji or that she likes him so she might hurt hibiki but then at some point it felt like she was harmless, she's a very confusing character. the second male lead was very very VERY annoying. im the kind of person who is not good with sympathizing to people who are in a situation that i havent experienced but araki yuko and yamashita tomohisa's acting really made me feel like i was there and i was being subjected to the struggles that they are going through. tho i must say i was kind of weirded out with the way hibiki found shinji's address. you know, it felt like stalking and i didnt really understand why would she track him down when they dont really know each other but in the end im still happy that she did because in that way she found shinji and saved him and even if things are still hard at least they have each other to hold onto now. im a sucker for love stories where they save each other and find their purpose or reason for living because of that special someone. in my opinion, this movie would have been perfect with a sad ending. the way they presented shinji's disease, when he went away from hibiki, and the way hibiki found him in that park felt final so i didnt really like the way they ended this movie but still, worth the watch.

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