There is nothing really crazy, fanciful or dreamy about “Crazy Romance”, as compared to similar genre theme movies like “My Sassy Girl”.

The only crazy element here is what the leads would do when they get drunk.

It is very much about the ordinary love lives of people in their mid or late 30s, that you may see a little of yourself or your peers in the characters.

Gone is the warm, fuzzy feeling with butterflies flying in your stomach when you reach that age. No more fantasies, but it doesn’t mean less drama in our lives. We ought to be able to deal with breakups better due to our life experiences.

Is that the case when it comes to matters of the heart?

As we would typically term “age is just a number”, but it doesn’t equate to increasing maturity as we age, when it comes to dealing with things that our hearts cannot cope with.

The storyline is a little bland, because it is a portrayal of the lives of ordinary people. There is literally no climax, but there are scenes or incidents which we can relate to.

Kim Rae Won and Gong Hyo Jin are not your typical good-looking Korean celebs, but we can’t deny how they have captivated our hearts with their acting all these years. They make it work again with their on-screen camaraderie and acting abilities.

The protagonists are in their mid 30s, who have had their fair shares of bad breakups and are the complete opposite of each other.

Sun Young believes that once a relationship is over and done with, it is over, while Jae Hoon believes that there may still be a tinge of hope for rekindling the relationship for it is never easy to start or end one.

There are a couple of things that this movie is trying to address, about cyber bullying, shaming others, the toxicity at work environment when the gossipmongers enjoy spreading rumours and also how the current generation relies on instant messaging apps like Whatsapp or KakaoTalk to communicate more than talking to one another.

You would rather type message to one another even if you are just a few metres away in actual physical proximity.

It also addresses the following topics with regards to the use of social media:
– Toxic spreading of rumours/gossips via social media, including an ex posting fake news and your particulars on internet
– Replying to the wrong group chats
– Texting an ex nonstop to rant about his/her misgivings

We have heard and seen a fair share of Korean celebrities ending up in suicides due to the relentless bashing of netizens. It is an unforgiving universe in the cyber world, where everyone just hides behind their keyboards and type all they want irresponsibly. It is an avenue for them to release their stress but also to unleash their evil side, to talk bad about others openly.

While freedom of speech is important, we need to be more mindful of not just our opinions, but how it would affect the receiving party.

We often hear about others’ doings, be it right or wrong, from the mouths of other people. But how often do we seek to verify the truth or think twice before we disseminate this information to a third party?

Gong Hyo Jin is conferred the “Queen of Rom-Coms”, while many ladies would envy her for all the charming male leads she has as partners. There’s a very likable vibe about her and you would feel happy and comfortable to watch her act. Kim Rae Won has not taken on a “comedic” genre drama or movie for the longest time. It has been 22 years but he gets more charismatic as he ages. I literally can’t say No to any of his works.

While it is an open ending, for there is no guarantee that two heartbroken souls would find solace in each other and live happily ever after.

Isn’t that the same in real life?

We fumble and stumble along the way, we fall and break, but we try to pick ourselves up and be a better me.

We forge on, even if venturing into the unknown future.

what the director wishes to convey through this movie is for people who have been hurt before, to learn to be brave and continue to believe in love.

Love is not just about the lovey-dovey moments and sweet nothings, but it is also about seeing through the hard times together as we learn more about our partner and ourselves through this process.

So here’s one for those who have been hurt and hope that they could believe in love again, and also for those who are in love, to continue to love in their most 真切 ways.

The most ordinary love may not sound as “exciting” than short-lived 轰轰烈烈 romances, but they are worth a lifetime to upkeep that marathon.
Read More →

这部台湾版的”比悲伤更悲伤的故事”,是翻拍自2009年韩国电影”最悲伤的故事” (由权相佑和李宝英主演)。刘以豪也因为和宋芸樺主演的”带我去月球”而在韩国大受欢迎。这次又翻拍了韩国人最爱的”虐心”题材的电影,瞬间人气和声势都水涨船高。刘以豪在戏里的表现可圈可点,但戏里表现最佳的是感情收放自如的陈意涵。

K和Cream同居10几年,两人相依为命,像家人般互相依靠,拥有朋友间的默契,也似情侣。但因K患上了绝症,而想为她找个好男人,当幸福的依靠。

这类故事似乎是在”秋天的童话”之后,堪少出现的撒狗血剧情。原以为故事就这么平淡, 但到了末端才发现隐藏了好大的一颗洋葱,成为戏里的转捩点。 只因导演也加入了从女主角的角度看待一切的剧情。这突如其来的一笔,真是让人泪流不止。结局顿时令人想起了”对不起,我爱你”。

奉劝所有想去观赏电影的大家,准备好纸巾吧。前半端会听到欢笑声,但后势强劲到能听到擤鼻涕和拿纸巾的声音。

这部电影会让你思考以下课题:

– 爱情是成全,牺牲,还是陪伴?
– 所谓”好男人”的定义?
– 爱情就一定要有个结婚的仪式和形式吗?
– 我们往往认为为对方做的一切都是为了他们好, 但我们又何曾问过他们到底想要的是什么?

电影的前半段剧情没有很能让我深切理解他们的深厚情义。不过从陪试穿婚纱那一幕开始,洋葱就不断来袭。简的来说,故事就是要你们珍惜眼前人。除了自以为的为他们着想,也要试着问问他们究竟要的是什么。

爱一个人,就要勇敢的说出来。

其实cream好几次试探,也直接问了。。但k 就是不肯说。 他害怕的不是Commitment, 而是他根本无法 Commit.

他们的爱情,用彼此的幸福当作为生命的基础 。他们懂得爱对方,却不懂得爱自己,更别说对自己诚实。或许我们都曾有过撕心裂肺的爱情,它不需要多惊天动地。我们都曾经失去过深爱的家人,爱人或朋友。要面临生离死别是最为痛苦和悲伤的事情。

以他们的立场来说,他们只能自私地尽量满足对方的需求,根本无法再考虑到他人的感受。所以,佑贤成了电影中最悲伤的人物。被未婚妻Cindy 劈腿,和不爱自己的 Cream结婚,结果 Cream 也离他而去。

这也证明了真正的爱情是不能建立在物质上。即便佑贤就是大家心目中理想的”好男人”。因为他有份正当的职业,有好的经济基础,没不良嗜好,为人善良,身体健康,也爱 Cream。。

如果爱情可以那么的理性和理智,它也不叫做爱情了吧?

这也显现了爱情是自私的。我们都无力为任何局外人着想,只会为自己最爱的人付出一切。

两人这样相处了10几年,却没升华成情侣。以常人的逻辑来说,这根本不合理。但是爱情原本就是两个人的相处模式,外人又能了解多少呢? 他们其实不必对任何人解释,也解释不了,却又想合理化这一切,所以才会有”K跟Cream都是「k」的发音,你不觉得这样听起来,就很像真正的一家人吗?”

事后想了想,其实 K 从很早以前就知道自己的病随时会爆发,所以一直都不敢表白。就算是和 Cream 坦白说自己喜欢她,而 Cream 也要求他娶她,可是他却以自己不是个好男人为由而婉拒。

两人的背景相似,兴趣和喜欢吃的东西也很类同,所以一拍即合。

可这么多年来,谁也说不出那三个字。

她要的不是可以保护她的人,而是可以陪伴她一起冒险的人。

若是他们有次机会和对方敞开心扉的话,或许就不需要绕那么大圈的路。

最催泪的这几句:

“我和自己做了一个约定,如果他回头,我会拥抱他,结束这一切,可是他始终没有回头,我也无能为力。”

“每个人都选择了只属于自己的爱的方式,既然不能陪你走完余生,那么让我亲手把你交给幸福。”

他以为这是对Cream 最好的选择,但其实是自私到不行的自以为是。我们往往都会为对方设想,但我们是否问过他们到底想要的是什么呢? 而 Cream认为顺着哲凯的愿望就是对他最好的。你可以说他们很伟大,却也愚蠢到极致。

这是引人深思的课题。结婚不过是法律上的程序,也是所谓能理直气壮地在对方身边的认证。但如果像 K 和 Cream 一样,其实这些仪式也是多余的。

其实从 Cream 偶尔问 K的一些问题如下辈子想当什么,有没有话想说但还没对她说的,都可以看出点端倪,以为接下来的剧情埋下伏笔。尤其是在她拜托 K 录制”有一种悲伤”的 Demo 时,约定下辈子的愿望已经道尽在歌词里。这算是他们的定情信物和真正爱过的足迹吧?

其实 Cream 有好几次想冲上前拥抱 K或向他坦白,但因为顾及到他的感受和用心,所以迟迟无法说出口。这也是两人隔得那么近,却又那么远的距离。这也是我们常说的造化弄人。

至少如果两人都坦白,也不至于空留遗憾。虽然到最后,他们两人拍了最后一张合照,但还是说是彼此的家人。。那一幕真的很令人肝肠寸断。

到最后都没听到对方说一句”我爱你”。

虽然”爱”已从他们的行动上证明,而无需言语, 但那也是种遗憾。他们两人不只是一种习惯,而是生命的共同体,再也分不开。

真正悲伤的不是相爱时间的长短,而是明明相爱却又不说,不敢狠狠的爱一次。

生命有限,即便难免会留下遗憾,但对于自己最珍贵的,还是要勇敢,任性地狠狠把握一次,至少不愧对自己和爱的人。

重点还是要珍惜眼前人,因为时光不等人。

给你们爱的人大大的拥抱吧。Read More →

Riding on the waves of zombie apocalypse movies, “Rampant” attempts to set itself apart by zooming into an era way before our time, set in the Joseon Dynasty 500 to 600 years ago.

Apart from the massive scale of zombies running rampage in colourful Joseon costumes across palaces, the majestic action scenes and swords play, a major draw to watch “Rampant” is definitely to see how this “fatally charismatic” duo, Jang Dong Gun & Hyun Bin, who are best friends in real life, take on confrontational roles in the movie. Their chemistry is impeccable.

Like many audiences, I have mixed reviews of this movie. If you have been a fan of zombie flicks, it would satisfy you to a certain extent with some of the most thrilling and exciting action scenes. However, if you are looking for character development and emotional engagement like “Train in Busan”, it may leave you dismayed.

If all else fails, we can always count upon JDG & Hyun Bin to save the day.

The brilliant cinematography and choreography of the action scenes, CGI effects topped with brilliant music pieces by the London Music Symphony, is what we call a “Sensory Feast”. It’s a refreshing fusion when you see western zombies mixed with Korean zombies set in the Joseon era.

From the landscape view of thousands of zombies aka “night demons” attacking their victims in the palace to the close ups was a sight to behold. We could see close ups of how the victims turned into zombies, with veins forming on their faces and limbs with white, gluey eyes as they began twisting and warping during the transformation.

The tracks by London Music Symphony are so 浩瀚澎湃 that it elevated the “Sensory gratification” it was supposed to deliver on a colossal scale at the gorgeously built Joseon sets.

Excitement kicked in full force towards the later part of the movie. Audiences can expect to be glued to their seats while hoping the leads could make it safely out of danger.

My most favourite scene was during the hoards of zombies breaking into the dungeons trying to have a bite on the “only humans” left. It was such a 惊险 and thrilling scene that it would have your hearts thumping at your throats. You would also enjoy the scenes when Lee Chung fought the so many zombies single-handed in the main hall and the swordplay sparring between the 2 opposing leads. You’d be pleased with how both actors weird their swords like a pro.

What we were curious to find out was really to see how well the chemistry between the 2 real life best friends would turn out. Both shone in their respective ways, yet not stealing the limelight from each other since they complement well with each other and all other cast members.

This movie is about duty and responsibilities, political tensions, human greed and ambitions which would lead to an impending downfall.

It is the King who serves the people, not the King who owns the empire. Without the citizens, there will not be a king.

究竟是效忠还是愚忠? 我觉得张东健在戏里无非也提出了值得思考的一点。

想要做统领并非易事。On top of being a good leader, you need someone who has the abilities and willingness to assume these heavy responsibilities.

Whether you choose to be “good” or “bad”, it all boils down to options and choices in life. There’s always a consequence and price that we have to pay for making such choices.

Minister Kim’s下场 is a good portrayal of how when you have too great ambitions, it turns into personal greed, which will eventually lead to your downfall, or ultimately self-destruction.

The 1st hour was dreadfully slow and there wasn’t much character development or emotional engagement. Most characters are pretty one-dimensional and the plot is pretty predictable.

The reason why “Train to Busan” was a huge success was because it was in a league of its own, paying much details and attention to their character and emotional development that most zombie flicks lack.

There was more screen time for Hyun Bin to have gradual character development as the story progressed, from a 吊儿郎当 Joseon prince who had no interest to ascend the throne, to the hero who saved the day. In a way, you can feel how 迫切 Minister Kim yearns to rule the empire no matter what it takes, including self-sacrifice, but you can’t feel that willingness of Prince Lee Chung to even want to fight the zombies, not to mention protecting his people.

It was a little abrupt, for the switch towards the final showdowns.

Hyun Bin could do better, but with a script that weak on character development, that’s likely the best that he could make of.

He fared well in the intricate moments during emotional scenes whereby you could feel the pain and angst Lee Chung experienced when he lost his loved ones

Hyun Bin had more notable action scenes fighting against zombies, showcasing amazing swordplay skills. It must been very strenuous and physically exhausting for him under harsh weather conditions during winter.

Jang Dong Gun is the scene stealer. Minister Kim’s vast ambition & greed was portrayed subtly initially but it intensified when JDG unleashed his power towards the ending scenes.

He brings playing a villain to another level. It isn’t just a flat one-dimensional character. He stayed true to his words about putting efforts into adding depth and layers to his villain role. He was able to showcase not just his scheming antics, immense ambitions to rule the Joseon Empire, but also the devastation when it came to his downfall. Be it playing the good or bad guy, he’s always ready to assimilate the role and we can say his acting is of “Master” level in “Rampant”.

不管是穿着龙袍登基的那一幕,犀利的眼神。。还有惊警觉自己被咬到后嚎啕哀,嚎崩溃的模样。。决一死战的最后几幕,都令人为之动容。

演奸角的厉害之处,不是单方面地让观众对你咬牙切齿,恨之入骨,而是能让观众也感受到你内心深处的出发点。他的歇斯底里,已传达到观众的心里。那已经绝望到底,也要捍战到底的毅力,的确会让你为他感到稍微的心疼。这就是我们所谓的 “内心戏”。

The only thing he could have done better was the reciting of the Chinese poem. Some lines were pronounced very accurately and beautifully recited though.

Some of the notable supporting roles were Jeong Man Sik’s portrayal of Hak Soo, Lee Chung’s servant, who added much humour to the horror genre movie. Kim Eui Sung who acted in “Train to Busan” acts as King Lee Jon in “Rampant”. There was also Seo Ji Hye’s cameo as Concubine Jo whose transformation was an excruciatingly painful but impactful one. It was key to the development of the story line. Jo Woo Jin’s role as the head of rebel, Park Eul Ryoung, was one that may evoke a little of your emotions towards the ending.

It’s a pity that Lee Sun Bin’s role as Deok Hee, was nothing more than a potential love interest for Prince Lee Chung and a skilled archer, but failed to create much impact as a heroine in this male-dominated movie.

The above reasons would give you good enough gauge as to whether you would want to watch this movie at the cinema.

If you want to watch a zombie flick with a refreshing time setting back in the Joseon Dynasty, or have been either a JDG or Hyun Bin fan, or fan of both, it is definitely one blockbuster not to be missed.Read More →

Mission Impossible 6: Fallout, is undeniably the “Best of the Franchise” (they say), and Tom cruises on steadily. This is a total blown away, much more than a visual treat.

It’s so insanely heart palpitating, eyes popping & jaw drooping exciting that leaves you no chance for boredom throughout the intensely packed 2 hour 28 min movie, weaving through land, water and air with out-of-this-world action scenes.

Christopher McQuarrie & Tom Cruise lapped the MI series yet to another, higher level. The intensity built up scene after scene, left you gasping for more, yet it left you wondering if they could even take it further than the previous intense scene.

The scenes seemed so outrageously REAL that I had no doubt there were NO stunt doubles.

All death defying stunts were performed by the actors, especially Tom Cruise whom we have no doubt is a perfectionist, but he’s got this perfectionist streak with a suicidal instinct.

From doing a HALO jump from the plane 100 times just to perfect that scene, breaking his ankle while he was trying to jump across the building, the motorcycle chase scenes in Paris and London where he was weaving through the narrow streets, the helicopter chase scene and mountain scaling scenes in Kashmir, Cruise shows that he’s giving all that he’s got, not even holding back 1%.

You can’t help but to applaud his professionalism, perfectionism plus pure insanity as an actor, entertainer and stuntman.

Best known for his roles in “Top Gun”, “Interview with the Vampire” and definitely his role as Ethan Hunt in the Mission Impossible series, Tom Cruise has re-written the word “Impossible” to POSSIBLE. He would go to great lengths to bring such remarkable cinematic experience for the movie goers.

Bounds of possibilities and surprises await the audience, as they are in for a sumptuous movie treat. It’s been 2 decades since the 56-year old Tom Cruise took on the role of IMF Agent, Ethan Hunt, but it seems, he’s not gonna slow it down anytime soon.

Just how can anyone be still so alluringly charismatic at the age of 56?

Not many people in their 20s or 30s may be able to hold out such physical exhaustion, let alone someone in his mid 50s. His mental strength and perseverance is something we need to look up to.

Most would think that MI6 should act as the finale for Tom Cruise’s journey as Ethan Hunt after a long 22 years. For one, we couldn’t imagine how else they can break through the high standards set by MI6. BUT I’m sure we are all hoping that he will return with something bigger and better than this.

Because we can tell, he has no intention to call it quits yet.

And truly, only he could make all this possible.

Without such insane dedication and pride in his work, topped up with that perfectionist streak of suicidal instinct, he couldn’t have made such a great action movie.

I especially loved the helicopter chase scenes through the fluffy clouds & snowy mountains in Norway. It was absolutely breathtaking.

There was time for us to marvel at the awesome treats that Mother Nature brings us while keeping glued to our seats.

The hanging-by-a-thread mountain scaling attempts would probably leave your palms in cold sweat as you watched Ethan Hunt and August Walker fight it out.

It might be cliché, but all ladies love “bad boys”, to a certain extent. What greater pleasure is it than Henry Cavill, who’s better known as Superman, the Man of Steel as the villain in MI6. He holds such a big role that MI6 would be less interesting if he wasn’t cast. He adds so much spice, excitement and visual pleasure to the movie.

Be it fighting alongside Ethan Hunt in the “toilet fight” scene, the motorcycle chase scenes or fighting against Ethan Hunt in the “Helicopter” chase scene, August Walker captured much attention as the antagonist, who wanted to blow up the world with Lane.

Rebecca Ferguson, who reprises her role as the kick-ass, Ilsa Faust, does bring a more refreshing mood to the male-dominated movie. She’s a female lead who’s capable of not just saving her own ass, but also more than capable to save Ethan Hunt from harm.

There’s still a pretty much mysterious aura about her, where you would wonder if she was a friend or a foe in reality.

Vanessa Kirby’s role as the White Widow was alluring, with some slick action scenes and that “Poison Ivy” appeal, but she didn’t get to showcase much with limited screen time.

Compassion for his friends is his biggest weakness but while Ethan risks his life to save millions, he never loses sight of any individual/ team mates.
And only such a personality would be able to save mankind.

While most action movies would leave very little time for emotional scenes or love lines, we do get quite a bit of earnest acting from Tom.

The emotional trauma and turmoil he still has to go through after so many years of fighting and killing is illustrated so aptly; whereby he wakes from his nightmares with the complicated mix of fear, trauma, anxiety, guilt, remorse and feelings of loss, written so explicitly over his face.

The one woman who is always on his mind is his ex-wife, Julia Meade.

He was able to set himself free because of what Julia said. “I’m here where I should be, and so are you”.

It’s a realization that she is happy at where she should be, the same goes for Ethan.

You would definitely walk out of the cinema gushing over the adrenaline contentment and looking forward to the next sequel.

No one else can portray the role of Ethan Hunt better than Tom Cruise.

There’s a reason why he’s still one of the most popular actors in Hollywood.

We are already looking forward to MI7.Read More →

If you were a 80s or 90s kid, your favourite dinosaur movie has got to be JURASSIC PARK. The one very distinctive scene that you would remember vividly, would be the one where you watch how that vibrating cup of water in the car instilled fear in the main characters, when the T-Rex was seeking them out.

We have never forgotten how Jurassic Park used to thrill us. Decades passed and we had the Jurassic World back in 2015.

It’s good to see Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallads Howard reprising their roles in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. I was hoping to see a little more on their love line since they parted ways where Jurassic World ended. However, there wasn’t really much development.

They would brave dangers together once again in this seemingly “darker” theme “Fallen Kingdom”.

It was akin to a Kingdom, or a very majestic zoo/safari, back in the 1st part of this trilogy. Now, all we see are ruins and chaos as all the surviving dinosaurs fending for themselves on a deserted island.

This sequel is a little “darker” not just in its literal terms that the dinosaurs were jailed in dungeons, how the park looks like after being abandoned and how the dinosaurs had to die or to be sold before the volcano erupt, but also how it made you feel.

Most importantly, it’s about the co-existence between human beings and dinosaurs.

Humans seem to be the “monsters” as compared to these once-extinct creatures, with their evil agendas.

– Was it the fault of these natural predators that such irreversible impact was caused?
– Or the mankind who tried to revive them, by cloning them and genetically altering them?
– Now that they have caused harm to mankind, should we leave them to die or have them protected in a sanctuary?
– Is there a way to co-exist or the best way is for human beings to just leave them alone?
– Who are the real “monsters”?

These are some questions that the director, script writers might wish you would ponder about.

It’s sad to see these magnificent and majestic creatures that roam the earth way before mankind, to be locked up in cages, shackled, wounded, removed of their teeth, etc, just like endangered animals that poachers hunt down.

Nonetheless, the attempt to move things out of the theme park and now you see dinosaurs ramping in the dungeons and corridors of Lockwood’s castle-like home, is a daring move and good effort, though the attempt had somewhat caused a little downside for this movie.

You can’t but help applaud Bayona for instilling the fear factor and super intense moments of suspense and horror at the same time. You probably would recall the breath-taking moments when Indoraptor was tapping its claw, which seeking out the hiding of its victims.

The more heart-warming treat of this deal is, the special bond between Owen and “Blue”. Blue is a velociraptor which would tear her prey up, except that she recognises Owen, her trainer and would save him in times of danger and protect him.

It reminds us of the bonding that most pet owners would have with their pets. They would turn ferocious to protect their masters but would be like a little “kid” when they wanted to seek some affection. If a cold-dinosaur could be more empathetic and feeling than human beings, what does it make us out to be?

Even in the world of dinosaurs, there is segregation by “classes” – those that are worth more would be saved, while the rest would be left to die on their own.
Isn’t it so apt to this term that we always hear about “Survival of the Fittest”?

This pretty much resonates with how animal poachers kill or sell endangered animals for their body parts that are consistently in pretty high demand in a “black market”.

Here, we are talking about “ Dinosaurs Trafficking”. You would be an instant millionaire, if not, Billionaire.

Was it out of human greed, monetary gains, fame, or the fact that mankind wishes to revive a group of creatures that existed long before our time?

The world of dinosaurs may just be far-fetched fantasy, but what the director and scriptwriters are trying to send across to us, is way more in-depth.

Are audience prepared to be set thinking about the deeper implications that such acts would ensue, or are they more likely to engage in a visually enjoyable and intense “dinosaur” chasing movie?

This 2nd part of the trilogy, already sets its pave to what might come in the 3rd franchise.

There was much direction thrown towards the moral implications of genetic cloning.

It sets you thinking, though mankind is responsible for cloning them, does it give you a right to take away their lives?

It seems that the fools of this movie, is still mankind afterall.

Human beings are intelligent enough to bring these extinct dinosaurs back to life, harness their potential due to their greed, yet is still nothing but a helpless prey when left face to face with the dinosaurs.

While there are several issues that may set you thinking, the generic fear factor that we have for these majestic creatures are still instilled with us, in all the very intense, terrifying and seat-gripping, heart-pounding scenes, something just seems to be lacking in a manner.

Perhaps, we can have lesser of the sinister “agenda” behind all these genetic engineering, but to have a more functional way that we all enjoy of the “Jurassic Park” instalments that we used to love.

It’s good to move with the times, and also try to take a twist away from the functional state of such movies, but it probably needs to consider more about how to keep the audience leaving the cinema, with some very iconic or heartfelt scenes, that we would remember, for a longer time.

If you always have been a Jurassic series fan, yes of course, you should watch this. If you aren’t but are gamed for some excitement, it is still thrilling in its ways, just don’t keep up too many hopes on it bringing you many out of the extra-ordinary moments.Read More →