Reviews
Phoenix (2014)
The perfect mic ending I've watched for a while
A fruitful of subtle gestures on
delivering the story and perfectly portrayed
characters with little words spoken but
abundance of haunting expressions for me to
fully immersed and got mystified throughout
the film that makes me grasped everything in
the last 5 minutes with so much admirations on
how everything was played out for the perfect
ending.
Scarface (1983)
iconic
After finishing this film, the only thing that crossed my mind was 'how can Tony Montana didn't get his oscar?'. Al Pacino always bring the best to the screen and this one is no exception. Michelle Pfieffer as Elvira Hancock didn't go unnoticed like some additional woman figure adorned the man of the show, she shines on her own way. The end was absolute tragic, ironic, but masterpiece. The allegory of greed can change people and ruin them in the blink of an eye. Straightforward film and beautifully executed, I am immensely in love with this except that the fact sometimes it feels too slow at some part for me. Nevertheless, this is still one of the best man film ever made.
Juvenile Justice (2022)
a great series with more depth into it
"The law can't protect all victims." The bitter truth, no matter how much I think unfair it is, but it happens in our reality and this series just depicts the tip of the iceberg on how truly intricate the law is. From the officials to everyone involved in that. Juvenile justice is just so brilliant series that unlike any other legal series, it has that depth of their characters and also talks about young offenders in a way that not only entertain us but also give us some understanding how vulnerable children are that our actions, whether it's good or bad, would affect them greatly.
Scent of a Woman (1992)
Al Pacino made me finish this
Scent of a Woman is no way an easy ride for me, as the pace is too much longer than I enjoy. Some scenes for me were skip worthy, and it doesn't even make me clueless in the subsequent scenes. While the story is about two men's growth as a person, one was to regain his sense of living and another was to come of his age, I feel like Charlie wasn't necessarily significant nor became as interesting as Frank. Surely, that most likely on Al Pacino's acting that drawn me into his character more than everything in this film. He always has this magnetic charm, easily radiates through his demeanor and way of expressing lines.
This story might not be hitting hard as his other roles, but I understand why he got the Oscar for this. Though still questioning why he didn't get for Tony, but it's for another time.
The ending was definitely predictable, in a way that it's well conveyed that you're relieved it's done that way. The speech is certainly the culmination of the 2 hours long introduction and unsurprisingly the turning point of the main characters.
It's just simply heart-warming and wholesome, predictable and yet not forgettable. The antics of Frank and the innocence of Charlie were quite fascinating scenes to witness. Only if it took less time to develop and probably less whoo-ahh from Frank, undoubtedly would be a perfect film to watch over and over again.
The Silent Sea (2021)
what is it?
It's definitely a fresh start for the Korean drama industry. The idea is certainly intriguing, and it keeps me watching it in one sitting. But things could never be perfect, as it has so many things I dislike. I can't point all of them, but I just hate the way it unfolds the Luna water story, and don't get me started on the weird and abrupt ending it has. Some scenes are unnecessary to put it into the big picture considering not even we got the closure of the woman main character's sister that her whereabouts still remains a mystery. Not to forget about the unnecessary drama of deaths that eventually makes me bored because it could've done otherwise. The ending is obviously the most hilarious part in which the main problem of rescuing Sample became a meh situation because they don't give us any closure on how they will act forth after that. They don't even unravel the behind of the survival of one, its survivor as if they don't know how to elaborate more into that matter when it's actually the main topic of this whole journey to the moon. And instead, they gave us a way too open ending that ends abruptly while they had given 8 episodes to explain. The cinematography was quite enjoyable after the first episode and the suspense was also nice and not too long that could make it too boring for me. The acting was excellent considering the cast are all top actors, and I've seen them a lot in a better story. But that's it I guess. I need Korean dramas from Netflix original doesn't always need to have an open ending to hint us for another season, sometimes some stories can only be resolved within a season, and you can make up another issue after that for the next season if only making another season is plausible.
The Raincoat Killer: Chasing a Predator in Korea (2021)
could've been better
Frustrated. So many things could've done better. The story only focus on the useless and incompetent police officers which I don't understand why this become the main view while the story could focusing more on the perpetrator himself. How he ended up being like that and such. And the reenactment scenes also doesn't make it sounds or seems thrilling to watch. This can be squashed up into one episode rather than stretching it out too much into three parts. Slow paced with no guarantee of clear closure for the viewers is risky.
The Fifth Estate (2013)
What is true?
Is it coming based on the true narrative of both parties or only one of them to make as propaganda? Well, the last maybe 15 minutes of the film will tell you what everything was about then you can make your assumption.
Sherlock: The Final Problem (2017)
Should've just end in the previous episode with no twist at the end.
Just how... can... they... ruin... it... like... this.
I don't understand how the previous episode 'The Lying Detective' was sooooo good and so impeccable, but for the ending so many plot holes and unnecessary emotional torture and manipulation. We knew that Eurus is alive and so we want to know how it kept hidden all these years and why Sherlock can't remember her, and yes, checked. But what's become the cause of my headaches are the impossibility and absurdity of the woman that supposed to be locked in highly secured facility and isolated and I observed, no telly, could manage to know it all? Like no matter smart and incandescent she was, she doesn't have eyes outside the wall, how could she know all of that? About twitter? Even requesting Moriarty to visit her? Is this a joke? "She observed in five minutes on twitter" doesn't do justice on how ridiculous it was to had her adjusted to all of it after maybe 10+ years like she was an alien or superhuman. I almost mistaken her as a mutant and maybe Holmes parents are actually aliens. See how absurd it was.
And I can't seem to grasp on how Sherlock, the genius, master of deduction, weren't aware of how the plane was on the sky for so long that they could took multiple escape game on the asylum? "Will crash until they run out of the fuel". I don't know whose idea was that, but that's deserves my punch on the face. Moreover when she moved John and Sherlock to Holmes's old house which they said it took hours for them two to wake up. How many chance are there to a plane still up there without crashing already for hours? At least if it's possible, share us how it works. But it didn't and make everything looks so a child play. Maybe Sherlock's soul was on a vacation the moment he knocked out.
Despite the absurdity, at least we'd been treated to see how blood really thicker than anything. Mycroft being soft and Sherlock acknowledged it was already a big character development for them each. And the relationship between him and Eurus also rather heartwarming in the end when they were playing violin together. And Mary, the woman whose heart and brain are mine to adore. Love her till the end.
Sherlock: The Lying Detective (2017)
Utterly inexplicable experience of roller coaster ride
I can dare to say this is the best episode of the entire series. Even for me who's not an active reviewer nor do I have capabilities to observe things like most people do. This episode truly is their peak. I love the camera works, the cinematography, the lines, the details (but I always loves the details anyway), and the punch they gave it to you towards the end.
At first, I can already sense what's going on with Sherlock after Mary died and how this'd talk about his relationship with John afterwards and yet I didn't expect so much tension, hints, and thrill along the series. I thought I almost caught it, but nah. This is way more complicated both in the deductions and the emotional range. I call this as an emotional abuse for myself.
Everything was so well-written and taken care of. And we can't forget to applaud the acting of the actors. Sherlock and John's relationship has been there but never truly being explored as this deep as in emotionally term. Though we had already served by John's side when Sherlock faking his death. But it's never been a mutual overview. And Sherlock was still being the cocky person he was. Not until Mary died and this particular episode, it's all finally answered.
The build-ups are there since the first episode but this is the moment. This is the moment after their years of relationship, of compassion, of caring to each other seen to the viewer. Their character development is always there but in this, it jumps high to the point those blurry emotion and sentiments that Sherlock tried to ignore and John's not-so-perfectly-good-and-understanding human being as people (Mary) thought about him burst. And it's real, it felt so real. You were watching their journeys from the start and to see how much they've grown to each other, to become the human they are is so fascinating.
Realising I'm rambling too much on this but I still can't get over this, honestly. Hats off to anyone on and behind the screen. I utterly left with no words and I'm so happy for it.
Chung Hing sam lam (1994)
Everything served simply a masterpiece
From the way it tells its story about two men falling in love with two kind of personality and two different lifestyles, one darker more than the other to its mindblowing cinematic view directed by Wong Kar-Wai. And by these years I witnessed the influence of his direction through this movie. I love this. It's nothing called ordinary. It makes you think at the same time it makes you enjoy everything.
Back to the Future Part II (1989)
A sequel but as good as the original
It gives you twist and turn, roller coaster ride about what time were you in. Either it's on the past, present, or the future, you got it all in one movie.
Back to the Future (1985)
I understand why this was a hit
In retrospect of 80s, with a light convey and future themed movie, this one was understandable to became a hit at that time. The story is intriguing right after the few first minutes and it keeps going until the last minutes. It gave me short of curiosity of what would happen next as if I was in the middle of the scene. Even after watching it more than 30 years after it released, it still amazed me on how this idea coming from 80s. I simply just love this.
Seutateueob (2020)
If only they did stick to the Start-Up theme
It's not that bad. Actors, music, cinematography, even the pilot episodes were nice and great. But the unnecessary romance trope didn't do it justice. Almost made me drop the series but I stayed for its hinted scenes where maybe things could go differently and more tech aspects coming up to be discussed. And yet, maybe I should've not expect too much as it became like a teenage romance series where everything based on fate or any short of the things. It brought start-up theme which weren't a lot used in series and how it did introducing it with such an elegancy made me hooked up for it. But oh well, those awful fortunate things and dreamy life of the start-up team came into surface, and that's all my hope scattered into a stardust. I don't know if it's supposed to be a romance series from the start, but I wish it'd be focused on more things besides that. Lots of potential but wasted upon the tragic and terrible few last episodes.
Kanojo (2021)
It's okay but it's too naive
The two main characters aren't some teenage girls being in puppy love. Somewhat some scenes reach to some extent where they were nonsensical to be done by those who are 29 years old women. The contradictive of what they know supposed to be done or what they want can't make me sympathize that much. I understand the raw and the vulnerability of being lesbians and the victim of domestic abuse they were trying to conveyed throughout the whole movie. But somehow it lacks the suspension I thought would be there. Regardless, I love the music and some casts acting.
Memento (2000)
Wondering why there's people who can't realize what a good movie is
Even after the crazy 20 years, fast-pacing movie industry, thousands of new movies comes after, but there's nothing as akin to this.
Memento is such a clever, intelligent, confusing, mind provoking movies that went beyond expectation. It doesn't need a grandeur CGI or costive settings. It's good for the way it is. With a good story-line that makes you immersed into every single details on this movie. The non-linear style this movie has put you in Leonard Shelby's shoes, to feel his perplexity, anguish, anger and desperation for living with short-term memory loss.
It's a great and beautiful movie that you can't watch it for only once. It attracts you to keep watching it even after years passed. And it's never come close to disappoint you every time you watch it. Only it make things even clearer and you'll understand more about what the story was about.
I can't stop telling everyone that they can't pass through this. They need to know and I want to discuss things with them. So, it's a highly recommend movie for those who just simply curious or wants to see one of the best Nolan's works of all time. Watch it carefully and capture every details so you'll understand it lot better than only watching it casually.
I Care a Lot (2020)
Good actors can't save bad storyline
I expected too much but all throughout the movie I can only think on how absurd everything was. From how annoyingly the guardianship be taken care at court and how easily two ordinary women tackled down Russian mafia. Ridiculous at its best. Maybe it was supposed to be as good as Gone Girl that they mislead people expectations by casting Rosamund Pike and moreover casting Peter Dinklage may bait some people to watch and bear with this nonsensical movie. But will all honesty, this is just a plain bad movie.
Jangsa-ri 9.15 (2019)
Still enjoyable despite the flaws it had
It's not the out of this world, the best movie war-themed ever. But clearly, it has more sentimental aspect that conveyed better than some movies with this kind. Not many battle or shoot killing scenes that you may have expected and rather it focus on the narrative of the protagonists which for me it's quite enough to gained my empathy towards them. It's cinematography was far from good whereas some scenes appeared so artificial and some scenes like where George and Megan had conversations were totally unnecessary. but I can still enjoy the whole experience watching this. Not forget to mention how the actors were well acted and conveyed their emotion well that I immersed into them instantly. And the story showed how the system is merciless towards the weak and the sacrifice of the soldiers are worth to remember.