Waiting in the Dark - Japan

          Director:  Daisuke Tengan
          Year:  2006
          Plot:  "Michiru has recently lost her eyesight.  To make matters worse, her father dies shortly afterwards.  She is now all alone and spends most of her day isolated in her home.  Akihiro is a Chinese-Japanese immigrant, that has had to deal with racism all throughout his life.  He is now tormented at work by one of his older co-workers named Toshio.  One day at a train station in front of Michiru's house, Toshio is thrown into the path of an oncoming train.  The only person seen at the train stop was Akihiro.  Akihiro frantically flees from the scene and manages to enter Michiru's house without her knowledge.  After a few days, Michiru starts to sense the presence of another person in her home."


          First off, I have to say that this movie is going in my "Want" list as I will be planning on getting it when I have the money to.  At first, this movie may have seemed a little slow as it goes through the life of Michiru before her visitor comes.  The thing is though it is still kind of interesting to see how she lives.  I really thought what her father did with the card was sweet, working on it at night and all.  The movie gets to the point when Michiru hears her doorbell and no one answers her, yet the person sneaks in.
          The story then switches to that of Akihiro.  I was quite upset with seeing the way he was treated.  It definitely wouldn't be hard to understand why he might have pushed Toshio.  It just isn't right to make the guy go through all of that.  
          His time though with Michiru is rather touching.  No words are said and she doesn't even know he is there.  Little things though clue her in.  When she almost hurts her self trying to reach something, Akihiro mistakenly announces himself without saying a word.  After this, there relationship is quite nice.  Michiru easily accepts his presence, much to the bewilderment of many reviewers.  I though could understand the reasoning.  He had been in her house for quite awhile and never did anything to her.
          I have to say that the outcome of the little mystery was something I hadn't really expected.  I loved how they kept it quite shrouded and alluded to a different outcome.  I usually love hints to the ending, but I was quite happy with the opposite in this one.  Yes, when you think back there are a few things that explain what was really going on, but with other information you really couldn't have guessed it.


          I am not sure why I decided to give this only 4 stars.  The main reason I guess would be that parts were kind of slow.  This doesn't mean I didn't love this movie.  I highly suggest this, but I probably wouldn't watch it when you want something fast paced and exciting.  n.n

Midnight FM - Korea

          Director:  Sang-Man Kim
          Year:  2010
          Plot:  "Popular TV anchorwoman & late night radio host Sun-Young prepares to work her final radio program. After this program she will prepare to take her ill daughter to America the following morning. During the radio show Ko Sun-Young receives a startling text message."

          Yes, I found this movie to be quite entertaining.  The best point and rightfully so was the ending.  This definitely wasn't one of those movies that build up to a climax just to come up short and leave a bad taste in the mouths of the audience.  This movie came to a very well done and great ending.  It is definitely one that I was completely happy with.
          I don't really understand the one bad review that I found for this movie.  The person said that this movie was predictable and annoying as well as not having one thrilling scene in the movie.  I serious have a problem with that.  There was many scenes that had my heart going and me very worried.  It was the little kids mainly.  I just can't help but worry for cute little kids, especially with the movie being well done.
          There isn't really all that much that I can see as being wrong with this movie.  About all I can see is that the movie starts off a bit slow, but that seems to be purposeful.  The movie starts off will rather boring coworker chatter and all, but that is just a set up.  Once the movie starts its buildup, the pace starts increasing quite nicely.

          I definitely suggest this movie.  It is a great thriller.  I really did enjoy watching this movie and I believe many others will as well.  The only reviews up on IMDb for this movie at the moment highly praise this movie, and as I have said, it is for good reason.

I Give my First Love to You - Japan

          Director:  Takehiko Shinjo
          Year:  2009
          Plot:  "As a child Takuma is diagnosed with a heart condition that requires care from a cardiologist.  He soon becomes friends with his doctors young daughter Mayu while being treated at the hospital.  One day Mayu overhears her father saying that Takumas condition is serious enough that he most likely wont live beyond the age of 20.  Takuma at 8-years-old he makes a promise to marry Mayu when grow up.  Later in life, Takuma becomes aware that he wont be able to keep this promise and he begins distancing himself from Mayu in hopes of protecting her."


          I first have to say that I can't believe I put this movie off since I came across it in May.  After seeing it, it just seems so wrong that I waited so long to watch this.  So this movie is based off a manga of the same name by Kotomi Aoki which I have not read.  I have to say this so those who have read it know that I am simply talking about this movie and not how it stuck to the manga.
          I really enjoyed this one, though I am sure that is evident based on the rating I gave it.  n.n  But really, this is a very sweet touching story, not to mention quite sad in parts.  I just loved the fact that the main characters have been together since they were kids.  You can't beat a first love like these two had.  Usually a first love is just a simple crush, but this is so much more than that, it is a rather amazing little love story.
          I didn't really see anything in this movie that I could say was bad or disappointing.  Of the reviews from others I have seen, it seems all they think was wrong was that it was 'cliche' or boring.  The main point they said was 'cliche' was the fact that two guys fall for the same girl.  I don't feel this is very cliche because for one it is only a small part of the movie, and for another, it is resolved on a rather quiet note.
          As for the point of being boring, I didn't get this at all.  I was really into the characters and the story, so it seemed like the time was used very well.  Time doesn't seem like a big deal when you can feel for the characters.


          I really can't say anything more about this movie, or I might give away everything.  All I can say is that I highly recommend this movie.  It is a really great story and very touching.  I am sure there will be some like the few that I found that didn't like this movie, but you cannot know unless you give it a try.  You might just be surprised and fall completely in love with this movie.

Dasepo Naughty Girls - Korea

          Director:  Je-yong Lee
          Year:  2006
          Plot:  "Based on the popular Internet novel, "Multi-Cell Girl", the film takes place in "No-Use High School", a school renowned for its sexual aberrations.  The student body is comprised of sexually ambiguous teenagers.  But amidst this environment, there are some that just can't adapt.  Among them: "Poor Girl", a student who earns money for her family by sleeping with older men; "Anthony", a luxurious pretty-boy from Switzerland; and "One-Eye", the school's sole virgin."

          When the movie first started, I kept asking myself why I was watching this movie.  I mean the opening scene with all the students excusing themselves seemed a little out there.  I mean really every single person (Except One-Eye) was connected and had to leave.  This of course then leads to a very strange musical number.  Though I thought the girls dancing through the different religions was kind of cool.  The fact is though that this movie starts off really strange.
          The interesting thing is though that this movie turned out to be rather good.  I did skip most of the little musical numbers after I figured out what it was about.  The rest of the story line was quite good.  You see the lives of some interesting characters, but it mainly revolves around the life of Poor Girl.
          I also have to say that some parts were really funny.  I absolutely loved the scene with the guy chatting with a girl on the computer.  It was hard to keep from laughing and waking up those who were sleeping.  The only thing that was more ridiculous than funny was the way they were trying to defeat the rather strange being.

          This movie is one I would say I would definitely suggest.  It is a rather funny movie, though it also has its serious points.  It is one that should only be watched if you are in the mood for a comedy.  If you want something serious, you should probably stay away.

The Princess Blade - Japan

          Director:  Shinsuke Sato
          Year:  2001
          Plot:  "In the near future, Japan is ruled once more by a monarchy.  But, rebels opposed to this rule seek to overthrow the government.  The House of Takemikazuchi, a band of assassins is hired by the government to suppress the rebels.  As a conspiracy from within signals the shadowy organization's impending demise, Yuki, the last of the Takemikazuchi bloodline befriends one of the rebels and seeks revenge against the group's leader."


          This movie really was quite disappointing.  It is just that I really wasn't very happy with this movie at all.  I started watching it because I wanted to see a movie with a strong female character.  Though this movie has that, it lacks much else.  The fight scenes weren't very thrilling, but that could also have to do with the fact that I watched it on YouTube, but some things just seemed wrong.  Parts of the fights were just edited too fast to be very entertaining.  It really seems sad from what I seen to know that Donnie Yen choreographed the fights.  It just didn't seem to do much justice, there were a few scenes though that were actually pretty good.
          The characters of this movie were quite dull.  I don't think it was the actor's faults, but the story line itself.  The story line didn't leave enough room for much development of any of the characters, even that of the main characters.  Sure there was a little, but the bare minimum.
          I don't really know much else to say about this movie.  Oh I know.  I want to point out that that one sword gimmick looked completely horrible.  If a sword goes through someone and sticks out their back, how is it perfectly clean and shiny.  Usually I don't notice stupid stuff like that, but that kind of irritated me.  >.<


          This is not a movie I would necessarily suggest to anyone.  It was really quite disappointing.  If you are going to give this movie a shot, please don't expect a masterpiece.  That is the only way you might be at most satisfied with this movie.

Postman to Heaven - Korea

          Director:  Lee Hyeong-Min
          Year:  2009
          Plot:  "Jaejoon, isn't your ordinary postman, he delivers letters to Heaven from those missing there loved one.  Ha-Na is one such person, and together they try to ease the grief of the letter senders."

          Okay before I start, I do of course have to admit that I watched this simply because I am a Jaejoong fan (which add to the fact that I wasn't happy that IMDb didn't even have him listed as the star of this movie, Han Hyo-joo either).  Anyway, the thing is though I am not sure if that had anything to do with how I rated this movie.  You see, this was a really well done movie.
          The idea of this movie was really cute.  I think it is nice that the grieving people would have a place to send there thoughts, and that somebody actually comes and takes them.  The thing is though not all of them want to send warm messages.  Some of them messages show that there is something keeping them from moving on with their life.  The really sweet part is that this is where the movie really focuses on.
           I really thought it was great how the main characters would come up with ways to ease the people's heartache.  It really is very sweet, but also leads to a bit of trouble down the road.  It is hard to see who was in the right, the one lying to make someone feel better, or the one who felt it was wrong.  This rather philosophical is handled quiet well within the movie and I quite enjoyed it.
          There are endings that you just want to see happen and then there are those that are played out in a really cheesy manner.  Thankfully this movie's ending was of the former rather than the latter.  They handled it well when it could have easily turned out to be very cheesy.  This one was rather sweet.  n.n

          This is one I would definitely suggest, and not just to Jaejoong fans.  This is one I would sure like to have in my collection (I have a list going, man I need to get my financial aid refund soon >.<).

My Sassy Girl - Korea

          Director:  Jae-young Kwak
          Year:  2001
          Plot:  "Based on a series of true stories posted by Ho-sik Kim on the Internet describing his relationship with his girlfriend.  These were later transformed into a best-selling book and the movie follows the book closely.  It describes the meeting of Kyun-woo and an unnamed girl.  Kyun-woo is shamed into assisting the girl because the other passengers mistakenly think she is his girlfriend.  Once he helps her, Kyun-woo develops a deep sense of responsibility for her which enables him to tolerate (somehow) the girls abuse."

          So this was another movie that has been sitting in my 'to watch' list for awhile and I just finally decided to watch this movie.  I am kind of glad I did.  I found this to be a rather nice movie.  It wasn't as great as many had lead me to believe it would, but it was still a rather good movie.
          I loved the comedy of this movie.  My favorite parts had to be the high heels and the squash ball.  Those two parts had me laughing the hardest.  I did find how she bullied Kyun-woo to be rather funny.  The part on the subway with the soldiers was quite good.  I mean this guy has terrible luck it seems, but it is cute that things do work themselves out.
          This movie has kind of a little twist if you weren't paying attention.  If you were paying attention, you would have seen it coming, as there was quite a few hints.  Still though when it finally came about I was actually quite happy with it.  Instead of having the feeling that well I figured that out ages ago thanks for catching up, I found it sweet.  It is interesting to see the idea of fate in this movie.
          I can't really say that there was anything wrong with this movie.  It was a little lengthy, but I wasn't really bored during the movie.  I felt that is was quite well done.  It simply just didn't live entirely up to what people had been saying about this movie.  Still, I felt that this was quite good and entertaining to watch.

          I plan on suggesting this movie, but I wouldn't advise people to go into this movie with such high expectations.  It was a great movie, but because I had been expecting nearly perfection, this movie wasn't that.  I think this movie might have gotten a higher rating from me if I hadn't heard what people had been saying about it.

Yes or No - Thailand

          Director:  Sarasawadee Wongsompetch

          Year:  2010

          Plot:  "Pie is a sweet girl who moves into a new college dorm room where she finds out that her new roommate Kim, is a tomboy who looks and dress like a boy.  As their friendship develops, Pie and Kim begin to wonder if the feeling they feel for one another is just an ordinary friendship or true love."

          I am not sure why, but I felt in the mood for a romance movie.  I searched through a bunch of movies trying to find one to watch, and stumbled upon this one.  I decided I had to watch it from the plot summary alone.  I swear, I didn't even read any comments on this one before deciding it was a must see for me.

          It seems my instincts on this one were entirely correct.  A lot of times, I have a hard time watching some Lesbian themed movies.  It isn't because I have a problem with the subject, as I am bisexual, it is actually because of how they handle the matter.  This movie though did so well with the subject matter.  This movie was more about the emotion and feeling than an actual physical relationship (it doesn't lack PDA, but uses it sparingly when it is needed and not just to sell the movie).

          I absolutely loved how this movie progressed.  The two start of on kind of a sour not due to Pie, it is quite funny in the movie.  I absolutely love her painting herself into a corner so to speak, well not painting, more taping.  Anyway, this movie really progressed the relationship between them quite well.  It is easy to see the attraction between the two, but also the hard time they are having excepting it, at least on one side of the relationship.

          The two girls have to work hard to be close in this one, what with Jane, P'Van and Pie's mother.  The thing is though that there is also those who are on their side.  I love Kim's Aunt.  She is really a caring person in this movie and only wants to help out her niece.

           I really can't say anymore about this movie except that I loved it and it made me cry more than once.  This really is a touching love story with some rather funny moments.  Yes or No is definitely on I suggest everyone not opposed to a Lesbian relationship watch.

Sunflower - Korea

          Director:  Seok-beom Kang
          Year:  2006
          Plot:  "Released from prison, Taesik goes to live with an adopted mother. He takes a job and tries to live a quiet life with his new family. His efforts are threatened when a politician seeks to knock the family restaurant down to build a mall."


          This story is of course on that has been done before.  There are many stories of a recently released prisoner that returns home and redeems themselves by saving the town or what not.  (That's not exactly how this one happens, but pretty close to the same thing.)
          This movie was rather a surprise to me.  Sure, it isn't hard to see some things coming because this is a rather common story line.  The reason this one surprised me is because it was really well done.  It isn't too often that I stay interested in a movie that is kind of slow, especially when I had been expecting some action (there is some, but mainly just at the end).
          Despite the fact that the movie was a little slow, it easily kept my interest.  The best point of this movie was our main character Taesik.  I loved that at first he seemed all quiet and a bit innocent like.  When his past is revealed, you understand that this is because of his bad history and wanting to now be a good person.  He really is a good person it seems.  The notebook he carries around is really a nice addition to the story.  I love that instead of having things he needs to do to put things right, he has things that he needs to do to either be a good person or that he never got to do, like a picnic.
          Now about the fight scenes.  These were quite lacking in the movie.  They really only existed for like the last five minutes, if that.  There was more scenes of people beating on the hero, but it isn't really a fight scene if it isn't two sided.  There was one scene though of this that I absolutely loved.  In this specific scene, instead of worrying about himself, he only worried about another person.  This really showed how far he had come.
          The ending was kind of sad, but I guess it worked.  Though I didn't really care for how they ended the scene with Taesik, I absolutely loved how they ended it with the sister.  That part was really nice and it really ended this movie in a really nice way.

          I will be suggesting this one as well as owning it soon.  The only reason I wouldn't suggest this movie is if you are looking for high paced action.  This one definitely isn't that, but it wasn't too slow or even boring for me.  I felt that this was a really nice version of a rather common story line.

Clash - Vietnam

          Director:  Le Thanh Son
          Year:  2009
          Plot:  "Trinh, a mercenary, must complete a series of organized crime jobs for her boss in order to win the release of her kidnapped daughter.  She hires several mercenaries to help, including Quan, who she becomes attracted to.  Trinh and Quan's relationship becomes complicated as it becomes evident that their motivations are not the same."


          This was a really good movie.  The ideas in this movie are rather common within this type of movie.  I can't really talk specifics or it would ruin the movie.  Even though the ideas in this movie are quite common, I felt that this movie handled them in a very nice way.
          Even though the topic is sometimes over done, the characters really kept this movie going.  I really loved Trinh's character.  She is a really tough cookie.  The thing is though, she is a great character because she isn't all that strong.  She has her weaknesses, and that is a good thing for her character.  She cares for people.  I do love the fact though that she can take care of herself, sure she is saved quite a few times, but most of it seems like the one doing the saving just wants to save her, instead of her needing it.
          I was really happy with the fight scenes in this.  I was a little disappointed when they took a little time out for a gun fight, but they soon returned to some rather brutal fighting.  I loved seeing Trinh beat on the guys.  That was definitely a big highlight of this movie.
          I really don't know what else I can say about this movie.  It isn't that I don't have much more to say, it is that fact that I might give away a little too much of this movie.


          This was a really well done movie.  The characters were great.  The story line though having been done before, to a degree, was still quite good.  I also have to say that the fight scenes were rather great to watch.