Reviews

Under Disappointing Stars

Right after watching this film, I have it a rating and thought ‘wow that was disappointing, what a bad movie’. But after truly considering what I’ve just watched, I can admit to myself that I did enjoy some of this film.

I found myself genuinely smiling and laughing during the first half of this film but then it started to decline from there.

Firstly, I went into this film expecting them to be going on a journey together to find his mother. Maybe that’s a mistake on my part by misinterpreting the synopsis but once they found his mum 45 minutes in, I wondered what there was left to do in the rest of the 1hour 15 of the film.

There was some chemistry left to be desired between the leads. I love Win and enjoyed watching him act in this and show of his English skills but the chemistry was frankly lackluster and the kiss was giving dead fish on his part.

The ending also really rubbed me the wrong way. What the hell was that?! She saw what his mother leaving that way did to him and then did the exact same thing. I get that she wanted him to remember her as ‘strong’ and not sick but to be honest if I were him I would just remember her as a coward. If my partner ever lied to me about something as big as that, does the country, and refused to contact me, I would be absolutely fuming. No respect for him, his feelings, or their business whatsoever. And the sister going to visit him after to tell him the news and him kinda just sitting there looking sad was very weird. Especially as she gives him her number and then awkwardly stands up and leaves after.

Also side note but why did he look like the penny had dropped when Thea explained she was Iris’ sister? They look identical?! (Especially as they are played by the same actress lmao) Seriously

Sorry I didn’t realise I was so annoyed by the ending until I started writing this. It’s not all bad but the ending kind of ruined it for me. Rated 6.5 and would not rewatch

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Good story but failed to deliver its max potential

The overall feel of this story is really good. It has a strong start ..cast is also good .. there were interesting mini plots to keep the momentum of the plot ( bondage prank, riding to his interview scene , etc ) but still for various reasons even 1 hour 39 min felt too long ...
1) mini plots weren't arranged properly. For example you watch a scene, you think okay there is a development in their relationship but in the next scene she is literally beaten by his fans and he doesn't care. Then again after few minutes similar thing happens .. I was so confused like is this how feeling work ???

2) though it's not related to story ..but the subtitles suck ... This was actually the main reason why I could not enjoy it to the fullest.

3) fatigue : so many cliches and repeat jokes ... In the end no matter how good the sketch is ..if the painting it not colour enough you won't like it.

That's all. No hate to the movie but it just didn't work for me ..may be If i watch it again after sometime.. I might like it ..

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Disappointingly unfocused

Right out of the starting gate, it's hard not to be disappointed and perhaps even slightly insulted by A Moment of Romance II. It's horribly unfocused, sharing very little of the original film's excitement or romance along with contrived plotting that doesn't add up to more than manufactured pathos. While the first film at least had some thematic and dramatic justification for its tragic resolution, this one seems to follow a similar pattern to get a rise out of this audience. It doesn't work; you have to care about the characters first. Johnnie To certainly didn't ghost-direct this one... That being said, this is far from a poorly made film, Benny Chan does a more than decent job in the film's direction. The actors all do a decent job with the material given even if Aaron Kwok isn't a real replacement for Andy Lau, the real highlight is the typically slimy Anthony Wong, and the music by William Wu does evoke some form of emotional resonance. Sadly, A Moment in Romance II spreads itself too thin; one that doesn't work as a romance or a thriller, a tragic case of a film trying to be everything to everybody, and ending up as a bit of nothing to no one.

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Far more than a teenybopper romantic fantasy

One of the most imitated and popular Hong Kong productions of the 90s, A Moment of Romance sees a modern-day Romeo and Juliet-style tale under the veil of contemporary underground Triad warfare, far more than a teenybopper romantic fantasy. In many ways the film is responsible for many a cliché within its industry; a disaffected youth, the good girl romantic interest and a cartoonish villain, however, it's the way these clichés are all assembled within the film that makes it so memorable. "Director" Benny Chan has his way with the clichés and throws in enough slow motion, syrupy Cantopop music video montages and hyperemotional crescendos to tax even the weepiest audience member. The core emotions that the film mines are so innately compelling that they're not lost beneath bombastic montages or sudden flashes of gangland violence. It's often stated this was heavily ghost-directed by Johnnie To and it's not hard to see why, so much of the film carries many of his later stylings. The film works because it is a consciously chosen cinematic style and is used without fear with all available means with the superb cast all delivering perfect performances to compliment. Andy Lau brings righteous anger and hidden tenderness to an exceptional genre character. What's so compelling about the character and the performance is that Wah Dee acts and very rarely talks. His decisions have believable and compelling consequences with the affirmation of Dee's morality coming with a price, and only one outcome is truly possible. Put simply, A Moment of Romance has it all; fiery action, sweeping cinematography, an unforgettable love story and beautiful chemistry, quick-witted humour, a beautiful score and more. The film triumphs, not despite its genre excess, but perhaps because of it.

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Ugliest FL in history

Okay!! ladies and gentlemen we are up for a long review here, so brace yourselves good ...

Disclaimer : before you call me racist for using the word ugly ..let me tell you .. I don't care... I speak my mind out and try to support it with enough reason. Anyways I am not here for moral correctness ..

So let's begin

I have already read this manga and watched the anime numerous times as this is one of the most popular shoujo work out there. If I tell you about the plot .. of course movie adaptations are never as good as the real work . . Movie versions have lesser depth ..the substance is often missing and you have to compromise a big time of the overall spirit of the story .. and this is pretty much the deal in this case as well. The story itself is too inclined towards japanese culture extremes I mean I don't know what they get out of showcasing such lame Female lead characters.. most manga and anime have the same deal that is FL's world revolving around ML... SO BORING ...


Let's talk about the cast .. kento is good as ML I can't say this act has even half his real potential ..but what can he possibly do when his co actor is so pathetic . I mean seriously this is my first time watching an actress who has no looks and absolutely no acting talent at the same time she is playing lead... Wow!!! Firstly the character itself is so lame... Like Erika this 'I don't have fuck-to-do with life' high schooler has no future goals .. she needs to get a bf at any cost ASAP..why ?? Cause her friends talk about BDSM ... She is in high school but she has no exam worries ..she hardly opens her books .... her absolute focus in life is to become a bitch to this caramel hair coloured boy from another section .... DON'T KID ME she gets rejected by the boy (there wasn't any reason to accept her in the first place) and how she wins him back ... By crying .. yes . Crying with an ugly as F face .. I mean if crying can win me a decent man .. I would've cried an ocean to win Tom cruise.... Honestly I pity japanese people how come they tolerate such nonsense. My Korean fellas do way better than this.anyway Let's continue..
As if the character itself wasn't lustreless enough that they cast this horrible actress to play it .. seriously what's the deal with her???she has such flat as a cardboard 2D face, she looked ugly when she cried , uglier when she smiled. Even the climax was a disaster (go watch 1:48:00 to 1:50:00 and you will know) i was like somebody just take her face away from my screen please .....totally third class acting and fourth class dialogue delivery and unnecessary pauses and nodding ..... even the side actresses did a better job than this retard .. absolute crap ... Her limited talent is the reason why she can't establish a good chemistry with the ML. Such a shitty performance.

I don't know what else to say .. if you are a fan of this story better watch the anime or read the manga at least you will be provided with some story build up ...as far as this movie is concerned..sorry I can't recommend this crap ..

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Something that can't be put in a Movie format

This story had a lot of potential and so many viewers have already stated that it was good as in japanese drama and manga version, I totally agree with that though I haven't watched those version. As in the movie format, the entire plot looked a bit turbulent , rushed and unfinished, the dots are not connected properly, events seems missing and with all this chaos going,this movie left with no spirit.
I can't comment of Kimi wa petto as I never read or watched it .. but I know in drama format this plot is still workable ..but in movie format ..NOPE ...

Everything is so confusing that It actually made no much sense . Totally ridiculous

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Story of Growth and Choosing your Home

Please watch the Hello Love Goodbye first. There are a LOT of references which you will miss if you didn’t watch the first movie.

STORY: Just like the first movie, this one also portrayed the struggles of working overseas. They have also incorporated the global pandemic into the plot. We saw Joy and Ethan in their ups and downs, in their best and worst moments. I loved how this showed us how human and realistic they felt during all that they went through together.

CAST/ACTING: Both phenomenal actors. Kathryn and Alden are powerhouses in this. They also have really great dynamics on screen. I felt like the most raw moments were the moments that only have them both on screen acting their heart out. I would love to see a new movie with them as main leads once again.

MUSIC: I loved it! There’s music from the first movie that still brings back all the feels. The new soundtrack [“Palagi” ~ directly translates as “Always”] is so fitting in their story.

REWATCH: I want to rewatch this immediately after I finished watching in the cinema.

Definitely will recommend people to watch this! All the feels, great story flow, oozing chemistry and amazing performance from the actors.

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Just feel good and Nothing complicated of sorts

Okay first of all this story was one of those amazing stories that will leave no residue in your mind ..I mean you just watch it .. feel peace in your mind and that's all , you go back to your normal self ..not like those frustrating plots that keep going in loops in your brain for hours after watching it.
The plot has incredible momentum as a lot of things happening (plus past incident/forgotten relationship is also revisited) but nothing seems overwhelming of the sorts as entire thing was in perfect harmony.
The leads actors were amazing they really did great with playing the exchange soul thing. Though there wasn't much romance but the thrilling comedy filled the gaps . Ending sound track was lovely .. overall a good pick for your weekend evening.

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Memorable

This a great casual watch with a unique take in the historical genre with a focus on how clothing impacts the palace dynamics. It's likely deserving of a higher score but unfortunately it's a story that really requires far more than movie-length time to blossom. This is the only reason for the lower score.

It's definitely one I'd recommend for those who enjoy this genre as the acting was great, the plot was straightforward but also not predictable, and of course, the costumes were gorgeous. It hits all the spots for minimal investment and I do hope they one day decide to create a series with a similar feel around royal tailors.

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