Happily, Ever After (Japan)

"A hopeless woman and a hopeless man.
A woman that loves the man whatever happens, and a man that can't exactly express his feelings and just turns over the table - out of irritation, short temper, and sometimes love. Would being together become a nightmare, or a love that will sustain them to live with happiness and hope for a better tomorrow? "

A really funny romantic comedy, though it does get bizarre at some points in the film. There really isn't that much depth, they tried but the seriousness of some of the events didn't have quite a punch because they were laced with comedy. It's not a film to take to seriously though it does have some good moments, I don't think I'll watch it again. But to me it was way better than any other romantic comedy I've seen from Japan.


2/5

Day 43 - L Change the World (Japan)

This is the third film that I've seen that is the live adaption of a manga. It was pretty good, I like Kenichi Matsuyama he is amazing as L. I have read the manga so I know what happens to all the character's especially Kira and L. I actually like L, it saddens me about his demise.  (so did Kira's but he doesn't appear in this film). Maki and Near seem to be smart and provide L with something he didn't have. It was quite funny to see L's character being acted out by a live person in a film.
Truly cool if you liked the manga or anime and want to see more of L.


2.9/5

Day 42 - Thor: The Dark World (American)

"Eons ago, Bor, the father of Odin, clashes with the Dark Elf Malekith, who seeks to destroy the universe using a weapon known as the Aether. After conquering Malekith's forces, including enhanced warriors called the Kursed, on their home world of Svartalfheim, Bor safeguards the Aether within a stone column. Unbeknownst to Bor, Malekith, his lieutenant Algrim, and a handful of Dark Elves escape into suspended animation.In present-day Asgard, Loki stands imprisoned for his war crimes on Earth. Meanwhile, Thor, alongside warriors Fandral, Volstagg and Sif repel marauders on Vanaheim, home of their comrade Hogun; it is the final battle in a war to pacify the Nine Realms following the reconstruction of Bifröst, the "Rainbow Bridge" between realms, which had been destroyed two years earlier. The Asgardians soon learn that the Convergence, a rare alignment of the Nine Realms, is imminent; as the event approaches, portals linking the worlds appear at random."

Way better than the original Thor movie, this isn't a soap opera like the last one. The best part about actors playing the same character in more than one movie is that they should be able to make their character and acting believable. Hats off to Tom Hiddleston, he is wonderful as Loki and can't wait to see what else the character will do.
Its rare to say this but there are some moments to the film that might have been better if there were dialogue like when the three our in the enemies ship. Besides that nice job with the script, there's action, romance, comedy from both Darcy and Loki. Though I wish there was more banter between Loki and Thor but I was glad with how many screen time Lioki got

2.9/5

Day 41 - Sunflower (South Korea)

"Years ago, Tae-Sik (Kim Rae-Won) was a feared henchmen for the mob, but after spending 10 years in prison Tae-Sik now only wants to live a normal life. He returns to a place he thinks of as home and to the woman (Kim Hae-Sook) who has looked after him like a mother. Trouble then finds Tae-Sik again, when gangsters want to build a nightclub over the land that Tae-Sik's mother occupies.
Once the gangsters attack Tae-Sik's "adopted" family, Tae-Sik goes after the gangsters with pure vengeance. "


A truly awesome film, I consider it one of the best films I've seen out of Korea. It did not disappoint, it was actually the opposite it was better than I ever thought. Kim Rae-Won was so good in this film, he was believable and interesting the whole movie. It was stellar to his performance throughout of the film. I've so excited after watching this film, I haven't been like this since I saw IP Man 2.
The action sequence at the end was so good, who ever designed it deserves an award and big pat on the back. If you have ever seen The Man From Nowhere, you will most likely enjoy this film.

Can't express how much this made me feel, I felt I was ready to kickass at the end of the film. Kang Seok-Beom did a great job with this film, the script, and the characters especially Tae-Sik were great.
Kim Rae-Won earned my respect with this film, I can't wait to see more of his roles.

3.5/5

Cast
Kim Rae-Won as Tae-Sik (Also starred in Mr. Socrates, My Little Bride)

 

 

 



Day 40 - My Gangster Like Lover (South Korea)

"University graduate Han Se-jin (Jung Yoo-mi) leaves her hometown, where her conservative father (Min Kyeong-jin) is the local stationmaster, for Seoul, where she has been offered a job in an IT company. Some time later, however, the company goes bankrupt and she's forced to move into a cheap basement flat while job-hunting. Her new neighbor is middle-aged Oh Dong-chul (Park Joong-hoon), a small-time gangster who works for boss Kim (Jeong Woo-hyeok) collecting loans. Se-jin is initially uncomfortable living next door to a gangster but later forms a wary friendship with him after he helps her out a couple of times. Depressed by her inability to get a job because of the economic recession, Se-jin ends up drinking with Dong-chul one evening and having a one-night stand with him. She later asks him to pose as her wealthy boyfriend on a trip home to visit her anxious father — though that doesn't quite go as planned, and Se-jin ends up staying on with her father. Meanwhile, Dong-chul, who has almost started a gang war back in Seoul by beating up some hapkido athletes in revenge, is told by boss Kim to formally apologize to the athletes' boss, former police detective Park (Jeong In-gi). Dong-cheol reluctantly agrees, but that same day Se-jin is due in Seoul for an important job interview."-Wikipedia

It was somewhat worth the watch, it didn't really do a lot with the time it had. I wished that the romance was a little more heavier, there's not a real spark. It could have helped the story to have more depth. I really did like characters, but the lack of direction really dragged this film down.
The ending could have been better as well, it didn't have a lot of impact but it did managed to spark a little emotion from me but it could have been much better.
I love the interactions between the two main characters, they are hilarious at times. Though not enough to make this film one of my favorites or anywhere near my favorite romantic comedies.

2.6/5

Cast

Jung Yoo-mi as Han Se-Jin (Like You Know it All, A Bittersweet Life)

Park Joong-hoon as Oh Dong-chul (Nowhere to hide)

day 39 - Friend(South Korea)

"At a time when students had to fasten their collars and crease their slacks till they're razor sharp, these four friends strutted around in their own custom-fashioned uniforms. They walked the streets with their heads held high, shoulders straight, and chests out, fearing nothing when they were together. Joon-suk, a son of a vigilant gang boss; Dong-su, the only son of an undertaker; Sang-taek, a diligent student; Joong-ho, who never keeps his mouth shut. Those are the gang of friends who share their fantasies about naked woman on the porn magazine and their awe at Bruce Lee's Kungfu. Each of their lives takes different turns as they grow up and their paths cross in conflict with each other's. Joon-suk becomes the leading henchman of his father's crime ring and Dong-su is serving for Joon-suk's rival gangs. Sang-taek and Joong-ho find themselves helplessly watching their two best friends wield knives at each other... "

Not bad, its really not as good as I heard. I really didn't like the actor who played Sang-Taek. Though Jang Dong-Gun and Yu Oh-Seung had some good acting moments. It wasn't powerful enough, the emotion or bonds between the friends didn't actually seem that strong. Though it is a good film if you like friendship films. I feel like the script wasn't strong enough and that the fat friend wasn't needed.
It's nice to see a friendship film that didn't center around women or male friends fighting for the same woman so it has that going for.


2.8/5

cast

Jang Dong-Gun as Dong-Soo (Also starred in My Way and the drama Gentleman's Dignity)

Yu Oh-Seung as Joon-Seok (Also starred in Friend 2, Attack the Gas Station!)

Day 38 - My Wife is A Gangster 3 (China and South Korea)

"A-ryong, a daughter of a giant Mafia group in Hong Kong, is wrongfully accused for killing the boss of Black Dragon, the biggest rival and is threatened to leave the country. Missing her mother, who had to leave the family for some reason, so deadly, she insists going to Korea, where her mother might be now, until things get settled. Arriving Korea, she is guided by Gi-chul, who is given a mission to protect her by his boss, but it’s not easy for them to get harmonized. Meanwhile, an assassin named Yang-be, is sent to Korea to kill A-ryong and there seems to be no choice for Gi-chul but to take her to his hometown disguising that he’s got a wife. What will happen to this Chinese gangster wife? " -Aw

A really good film that has nothing to do with the last two entries in the series. Though I prefer it that way since I haven't seen one or two. but you don't need to watch them to get this movie. The interaction between Aryong through the translator to Gi-Chul is hilarious almost all of the time.
There's action, romance, mixed with comedy that actually works and can be quite interesting to international audiences.
I am somewhat a fan of Lee Beom-Soo, I have seen several of his movies and his dramas. He is perfect for the role of Gi-Chul. But the real star Shu Qi, is so beautiful I've had a crush on her since I saw her in the Transporter film. Not only is she beautiful she can actually act, she is perfect at more mature roles playing damaged women but she is awesome at playing a badass girl. It is the first time I've seen her in something not so serious, I think she did a great job.

3/5

Cast

Shu Qi as Aryong (Also starred in A Beautiful Life, Transporter)

Lee Beom Soo as Gi-Chul (Also starred in Project Makeover, 200 Pound Beauty)