FILM REVIEW: Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds (신과함께-죄와 벌)

When Along With the Gods' trailer was released, there was a lot of hype in the social media because it looks promising.  A lot anticipated it and really waited the film to be released especially the film is directed by  Kim Yong-hwa, popular for his masterpiece 200 Pounds Beauty way back in 2006.  Added to the hype is the cast line up leading Cha Tae-Hyun, who recently ventured in producing his own drama,  Ha Jung-woo, one of the highest grossing actor in South Korea, with Ju Ji-hoon and Kim Hyang-gi.

The movie talks about what happens after a person dies. In the movie, it is said that the person's spirit will face the 7 stages of hell and he will be judged based on his sins whether it is punishable or not. Once he pass through all the seven trials, he will be given a chance for reincarnation or to visit their loved ones in dreams.

This movie is actually different than the other movies' plot and story line, it is similar to the popular book by  Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy which I learned way back my High School days. 

Along With the Gods' cinematography were also exceptional, it might just be mostly the work of green screen and post-production, but it was a well prepared and well-thought film.  Camera angles, color grading, and even framing elements in cinematography is shown.

With the star-studded cast and even supporting cast, acting is no longer a question in this film.  Casts are known to be the best in their field, so no wonder this film was a great success.

One good thing about the movie is that it doesn't only leave you with the expensive set and star studded cast, the story gives morals that everyone can relate on.  Of course, prepare for tissues because you know, most of Korean movies ends with you shedding tears at the end.

FILM REVIEW: Twenty (스물)

Twenty is a movie that talks about three friend's struggle in facing their adult stage as they are already in the age of twenty, fighting whether to continue doing stupid shits or focus on building their future.

It starred Kim Wo Bin, Lee Jun Ho, and Kang Ha Neul as the three friends meeting during their high school days because of a girl.  Ever since the 3 had been inseparable.

The story of the movie cannot be taken literally as it is not suitable for minors, in order to grasp the message, viewers should understand deeply the message of the film.  There are a lot of vulgar words in the movie, though it aims to be funny, but it doesn't serve its purpose well.

The script of the movie can be viewed as a good one, but the production wasn't able to sustain the goodness of the script, with sound scoring screwing up the good scenes.

It can also be seen that there are a lot of usage of handheld cameras and long takes at the beginning of the movie but was not able to be sustained, thus making the cinematography and takes inconsistent.

However, actors are good in portraying their role in the movie, knowing that these names are already known to be good in the industry.

If you are bored, this movie should be one of your lists.

FILM REVIEW: Hush (2016)

Hush is a 2016 American psychological horror film directed by Mike Flanagan from a screenplay by Flanagan and Kate Siegel. The film stars John Gallagher Jr., Michael Trucco, Samantha Sloyan, and Siegel.

The film talks about a deaf writer who retreated into the woods to live a solitary life when one night a masked killer appears at her window trying to kill her.

The movie involves only 2 main characters, the killer, and the deaf woman with the supporting role of her friend and its boyfriend.

It started when Maddie was visited by her friend Sarah for the latter to return the book she borrowed. When Sarah was about to return home, she stumbles upon a man who wears a masked.  Sarah hurriedly went to Maddie's house, but it was locked.  She keeps knocking on Maddie's door, but because Maddie is a deaf mute, she wasn't able to notice her friend.  The man, realizing Maddie is a deaf mute, stabbed Sarah in front of Maddie's door and this is where the story really begins.

The story itself is already interesting for the people who really wanted to watch a horror movie without the presence of the ghosts and supernatural being.  This is one of the must watch thriller movie for this year.

The character's role as a deaf-mute greatly added to the suspense that the audience experience upon watching the film.  Several shots were used in the film that expresses greatly with the characters emotion.  POV was also used in the film to add more suspense to the viewers.

Go watch it now if you're bored and want to hype up.



REFERENCES:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5022702/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hush_(2016_film)

FILM REVIIEW: The Shallows

Okay! After a long time, I'm back with my blog doing some short film reviews.  Again, I will not call myself an expert, this is just a review from a simple and plain movie watcher.  You guys need to chill!

Let us start with the plot of the movie dealing about a shark.  Of course! Shark movies will gonna sell after the all time favorite shark movie Jaws by Spielberg, but is this shark movie, The Shallows really worth it?  Let us see.

The movie talks about a medical student Nancy Adams (Blake Lively) Still reeling from the loss of her mother, travels to a secluded beach for some much-needed solace. Despite the danger of surfing alone, Nancy decides to soak up the sun and hit the waves. Suddenly, a great white shark attacks, forcing her to swim to a giant rock for safety. Left injured and stranded 200 yards from shore, the frightened young woman must fight for her life as the deadly predator circles her in its feeding ground.

The movie's first part is a boring part for those who wants to see an action real quick, just like my mother, but it plays a significant role along the way.  The next parts, until the last were the most thrilled and breathtaking part of the movie, making you to scream and be worried for the character.

The setting is only in a certain island, and the production people don't need to get a lot of actors for this movie.  There are only a few actors that can be seen in the entire film, and Blake Lively as the main actor.

This movie is highly recommended for those who wants to get rid of boredom.  Though this is just another shark movie, but it has a very different approach compared to the other shark movies I've seen so far.





Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shallows_(film)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4052882/

FILM REVIEW: Pleasure or Pain: A time wasting movie

Pleasure or Pain is the last movie directed by an erotic director Zalman King before he died.  It talks about a wealthy real estate developer, Jack, taking a young woman, Victoria, with him.  They later on get married without Victoria knowing all the things behind Jack's mysterious life.  She will be able to learn more about Jack, without knowing she will learn more about her.

Aside from the movie being erotic, it doesn't give you any spice to like this movie.  It has a lousy acting, making the every dialogue less emotional, and it just gives you an overly sexy voice telling the story of a woman and a man having sex.

This movies features the real porn stars, so it is no wonder why the acting are not really good.  It is more on porn side, rather than showing really what the story is all about.  I know that this film is erotic, but it should have at least a story that can make people be engage to, rather than people only being engage in sex acts where usually all just girls to girls fucking.

This movie doesn't really give you any good in wasting your time.  You should have watch the porn videos of these lovely stars, rather than wasting your time in this movie.

Don't watch this if you are minor, you will not learn something.  This movie is a must not watch movie,

FILM REVIEW: Kung Fu Panda: Chapter 3

theatrical poster release (c) Wikipedia

Kung Fu Panda 3 is the third sequel of the famous animated film Kung Fu Panda.  It stared a dragon warrior panda named Po that needs to save the other dragon warriors and their chi that was stolen by the evil Kai.  In order to defeat Kai, Po should learn all about his inner self first, but while he was busy learning who he really is, it's already too late to save his master, and his friends from evil Kai's hands.

As expected, Kung Fu Panda is a much awaited comedy animated film, and it is considered as one of the highest grossing films for 2016.  It garnered positive reviews, especially to Chinese audiences.  Hollywood has been trying to reach Chinese audiences these past few years, and Kung Fu Panda series might be one of the most successful.

The movie started when Kai is fighting with Master Oogway to get his chi, but before Kai can get Master Oogway's chi, he was told about the dragon warrior Po, who will defeat him.

The movie then continue to Master Shifu passing his position to Po as a Kung Fu teacher, but later on, Po realizes that it was not an easy job to teach Kung Fu, then gave up.  He then found his father and decided to learn who he really is, and try to defeat Kai.

The characters in the movie hasn't change since the previous two movie released. It is still expected that Po will bring the fun in the film.  The film would definitely bring joy to the viewers as it does not focus on the little audiences only, but it is for the whole family.

Kung Fu Panda: Chapter 3 movie brings you the lesson about how important unity is when it comes to defeating the darkness.

FILM REVIEW: The Forest

The Forest movie talks about the story of Japan's suicide forest in Yamanashi prefecture.  It s believed that people who visits there never go out alive once they will leave the path.

The story revolves around a woman trying to find her twin sister in the forest after it was gone for how many days.  He then met a stranger and will soon help her in finding her lost sister.  But everything is not quite good as the forest will betray her and use her sadness,

The film's trailer was very good that it can really make you interested in watching the movie.  the cinematography of the film is a big factor in making this a one of sought after movie.  But the movie just simply revolves around finding the woman's long lost sister.  It doesn't give you anything.  Basically, what you see in the trailer, that's already the story and all you need to have next is on how she will do anything for her sister. 

This is another kind of based-on-true-events movies that will never give justice to that label.  I don't find this film appealing to watch, though it has a lot of twists, but it will really leave you hanging.

The film is full of jump scares, but doesn't really work.  So if you're not really into how the film was made, and just simply by having entertainment, you can watch this film, and find out on your own what happened until the end.