Reviews

Fukuda does Fukasaku

Cut from the same cloth as the likes of Spielberg's Duel, 3,000 Kilometer Trap / Shadows of the Highway sprang from the golden age of Japanese automotive films, one that offers up a surprisingly sombre and low-key chase thriller across the Japanese landscape. It's directed exceptionally well by the usually ridiculous Jun Fukuda. There are few images quite as breathtaking as the black-striped, bright orange GTO floating over blankets of white. However, it does feel like Toho desired him to capture the same aesthetics and style you'd see in a Kinji Fukasaku thriller rather than his usual madcap direction. The acting all around is solid and the pacing is exceptionally nippy, breezing with the roar of an engine accompanied by a brilliant cheesy cool jazz score by Norio Maeda serving as the perfect companion for an epic cross-Japan road trip. Despite a couple of questionable sex scenes and having next to no internet presence, it is very worthwhile to seek out Shadows of the Highway, it's tense, moody and exhilarating in the way only the best car chases can be.

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I Didn't Expect a Filipino Film to be this Good

1. The movie was well-written, all elements on the film have their own part that contribute to the main story, no elements were used as fillers. At the start, you will have some questions like "who is the person who sent that thing?" and others. It will not feel at first that it will be answered later at the story. However, trust me. All your questions will be answered.
2. I like how the film progresses, from time to time you will feel that the film is nearing its end because there are many scenes that are worthy to be the ending. However, you will find out that the movie still continues.
3. It was filled with unexpected surprises and twists that will shock viewers. Take note that the revelations were scattered at the different parts of the movie. That's why every time you will feel that the movie is nearing its end, but before you know it, there will be another unexpected surprise.

Overall, I like this movie on how well-written this is. I like also the foreshadowing of the writer. You will be shocked at the story, but I advise that you pay attention to all of the elements displayed because those are the clues of what might happen. I will support the writer of this film; I hope that they will write for a short TV series with the same formula as this movie.

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it hurts

my first thought while watching the movie was that it was some kind of lesbian romance, what i didn’t expect was that their friendship and how they complemented each other would be deeper than romance itself, i feel that jinwoo could have contributed more; i find his character tasteless. however, haeun and miso did their job so well that i have nothing to complain about. in my mind, they are happy raising their daughter, although i think that if haeun had lived, she wouldn’t have given her the same name. i like to think the baby’s name would have been some kind of combination between miso and haeun

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Sampler bites of zombie survival personalities

The film certainly does feature action, but most of it are snapshots of how regular people would fare or do when suddenly trapped in a building during a zombie epidemic and a straightforward tale of survival. The pov character is a random guy Joon Woo who very unfortunately slacked off on getting the groceries at the worst time. No particular special skills, but very online. The one time where the penchant to post personal information online works out as it turns out to be extremely important to the outcome of his survival. Also helping is that he's very lucky to happen to be living across from an outdoorsy woman Yoo Bin who still has all her gear despite the trauma she suffered from a fall three years ago. That's pretty much all we get to know about her aside from seeing her cleverly save Joon Woo from suicide with a laser pointer and tenaciously barreling through the zombies to get to him. The third and final resident survivor is a desperate husband in denial stage Bae Soo who drugs and tries to feed Yoo Bin to his zombie wife. That's a huge blow to the two of them who consider euthanasia and suicide by gun before the helicopters really show up despite them thinking Bae Soo was just lying to them. The government broadcast implies that Joon Woo's social media posts was what saved them as it was how the rescue copters knew which roof tops to look for them. It's unwittingly about a balance of hobbies, the gamer guy and the hiker girl, working together to get to safety.

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The Time of Fever… its movie length 1hour 41 minutes) on Iqiyi (and it is the backstory to the second couple from Unintentional Love Story).
🥰The actors Won Tae Min and Do Woo are amazing 🥰

This Boys' Love is a masterclass in emotional storytelling, thanks to the incredible performances from the two lead actors. Their chemistry is palpable, making the tension and intimacy between them feel genuinely heartfelt.

The story, while beautifully told, is predictably heartbreaking. However, it's a must-watch for its thoughtful portrayal of first love, vulnerability, and the complexities of human emotions.

It's impressive to see how far Korean dramas have come in representing the LGBTQ+ community, and this project is a significant step in the right direction. By focusing on the intimate story without sensationalizing the characters, the film delivers a poignant and relatable viewing experience.

With both leads having multiple projects in the works, it's exciting to think about what's next for them. For now, this “drama” is a stunning showcase of their talent, and I highly recommend it to everyone.

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With a thirst for life.

A Catholic priest literally changes his lifestyle when he becomes a vampire through a blood transfusion. Old Boy director Park Chanwook updates the vampire genre in a sometimes bizarre way, which is always worth watching.

Asian horror can sometimes be a little difficult for us in the West to keep up with. Local myths, legends and general folk beliefs about ghosts, small whitewashed children or women looking out from under their wispy bangs can create shivers in the East, but shrugs in the West. It is therefore interesting when Park Chanwook transfers a typically Western genre like the vampire film to his South Korea. Here the story becomes more straightforward for all of us who know the vampire codes, while at the same time he creates something completely new with the theme.

Catholic priest Sanghyeon visits an area exposed to a deadly virus as a volunteer worker. He too is infected, declared dead on his sickbed, but is resurrected from the dead thanks to a blood transfusion. Unfortunately, his bag of blood was vampire blood and the priest soon finds himself on his feet, with a new thirst for life - Literally. His thirst is not limited to blood, but also for the flesh and he tortures himself to hold back his newfound sexual desires.

Sanghyeon becomes something of a miracle man, the only one to have survived the virus, and people make pilgrimages for the hope of a cure from the priest. He realizes his need for blood, but as a deeply religious man he cannot kill for his own survival. He cunningly takes on additional volunteer work at the hospital, where he can easily drop a comatose patient on the elixir of life. Life is complicated when Sanghyeon reconnects with a childhood friend, who has practically married his adoptive sister. He begins a secret relationship with Taeju, as the scorned wife is called. She is reminiscent of Eli in Let the Right One In, delicate but powerful, while at the same time enigmatic. Their relationship gradually takes them down a dark spiral of death and bloodshed.

Park Chanwook made the stylish and at times surreal Old Boy. Thirst involves a more straightforward story, but the style is just as sure and the story vital. He also does not shy away from the slightly bizarre, as in a scene where 2 vampires suck blood out of each other as in a hungry 69 position. He also has a good touch with effects that are portioned out in a nice way without taking over, they sneak in like warts that gradually disappear or veins that form contours under the skin. But above all, the director has a comic streak that comes to the fore in the everyday problems that Sanghyeon experiences as a newly-made vampire. Yes, the fact that he is a Catholic priest is of course a difficult contradiction.

Park Chanwook has taken a genre and updated it, just like in True Blood, Twilight and New Moon, but in a completely unique way. Here you have, excuse the expression, good bites, nice ideas and good acting. But, it gets a little too long. It doesn't get scary either, scary as in built-up tension. But it's still very watchable.

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A moving title with room for improvement in the editing department

I am left conflicted after watching this movie.

This is a universal story, a tale of forbidden love and the path to self-acceptance. Even being set mostly in the period right after Taiwan's martial law was lifted, the movie depicts the reality of many queer experiences around the world. If you are part of the community, the story of Jia-Han and Birdy will likely resonate with you at some level.

The cinematography was beautiful, and the story was intimate and realistic, with a message that moved me. However, I am not particularly fond of the forced/chopped transitions that were a bit confusing. The timeline jumps all over the place: there are several places in which the story jumps to a conversation Jia-Han has with the priest and back again. This conversation, although pivotal for the plot, interrupts the pacing of the movie. By the tail end of the film, we flash forward to 2020, but we jump back to the 80s and forward to 2020 again. Some scenes are a bit dragged out with silences that do not always manage to convey any emotions.

Overall, even if the editing didn't sit with me particularly, I would say that the story is worth a watch.

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School Days and Second Chances: My Take on My Teacher

My Teacher (2022), directed by Paul Soriano, stars Toni Gonzaga as Emma Bonifacio, a teacher navigating her way back to the profession after a wrongful dismissal, and Joey de Leon as Solomon Bienes, a 70-year-old student chasing his long-overdue high school diploma. This film, which premiered as part of the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival, has found a second life streaming for free on GMA Pictures' official YouTube channel. And let me tell you, it’s a mixed bag, but one worth unpacking.

Like many, I initially passed on this movie, thinking it wouldn’t be worth my time. However, after giving it a chance, I can say this: it’s not as bad as the critics suggest, though it doesn’t quite rise to the occasion either. The story has its heart in the right place, with themes of forgiveness, second chances, and unexpected connections that manage to resonate, albeit in a somewhat surface-level way.

Toni Gonzaga shines as Emma, portraying the dedication and sacrifices of educators with genuine warmth. Her journey from a teacher with unconventional methods to someone deeply inspired by her own student is the emotional core of the film. Joey de Leon as Solomon adds charm, offering a unique perspective on lifelong learning and the idea that education doesn’t have an expiration date.

The film’s strongest moments come when it highlights the humanity of teachers—both their nobility and their flaws. It reminds us that teachers are not just authority figures but also individuals navigating their own struggles. However, it misses opportunities to dive deeper into pressing issues, such as systemic problems in education or the deeper motivations behind Solomon’s late pursuit of his studies. These themes, while touched on, remain frustratingly underexplored.

My Teacher is a feel-good tribute to educators, painting a nostalgic picture of school life while delivering its share of emotional moments. Yet, it often falters when trying to be profound. Some scenes feel forced, overly philosophical, or simply unnecessary, which detracts from the film's overall impact. It’s pleasant enough, but it lacks the depth to leave a lasting impression.

On the positive side, the film’s message of hope and perseverance does hit home, especially for students and teachers alike. It’s a gentle reminder that learning is a lifelong process and that education is a powerful tool for change. The ending ties things up neatly, offering a satisfying resolution to Emma and Solomon’s intertwined journeys.

While My Teacher doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it does offer a heartfelt tribute to teachers and the lessons they impart—both in and out of the classroom. It’s not groundbreaking cinema, but it’s a decent watch if you’re in the mood for something light and inspirational. Will I rewatch it? Probably not. But for a one-time viewing, it’s a charming, albeit imperfect, slice of life.

And yes, learning truly doesn’t stop, no matter your age. That’s a lesson worth carrying.

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“you will be happy”

A timid teen and tsundere general are engaged by the family members in this heartwarming journey to find happiness in themselves and in others.

Strengths:

- Strong acting performance and well-executed storyline.
- Entertaining action sequences with power elements involved.
- Easy to watch.
- The setting of the movie was very natural and elegant.

Weakness:

- Couple relationship felt underdeveloped.
- Pacing issues; the plot would move from one scene to the next with little tension.

Overall, a very satisfying and heartwarming movie. I would recommend it if you are looking for something with fantasy elements and romance between a happily engaged couple.

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