Wow, i didn't expect this. The story is a little bit incoherent however it doesn't really matter. The movie looks more like a 90 mins video clip to a great soundtrack by Nile Rodgers. Only after watching the movie I discovered that the director was mostly known for directing videos in the 80's and you can get that feeling all the time when watching Alphabet City. For most of the time the movie reminded me of the video to Kenny Loggins 'I'm free Heaven Helps the Man'. Maybe because most of the action takes place in the darkness of the night as the story line evolves around one night in the city. Vincent Spano is good a leading character and has all that early 80's charisma. His presence connects the music and the scenes although sometimes I was lost where all of this is going. The night club scene and the running through the streets are the best.
Reviews
28 Reviews
The Beauty Inside
(2015)
What's the beauty?
21 December 2018
First of all I understand some negative reviews. Indeed many possibilities are disregarded but this is not the message of this film. The movie primarily focus on a relationship or a possible relationship with someone who every day physically is a different person. Is it possible? Is the way we look so important to us? I like how by the end the movie shifts perspective. This is very typical to Korean cinema so I wasn't that surprised. There are always at least two versions of the same story and we get a chance to see them both.
It is also one of the very few movies where adding the voice over/narrator makes a perfect sense. Simply because we get used to the sound of his voice so we get at least one chance to be familiar with the protagonist. Something that the main heroine will never get.
Perfect Proposal
(2015)
On the Dark Side
20 December 2018
I like the way Koreans make the simplest plot an interesting adventure. As it is the movie seems to have a very straightforward plot. A guy hires a girl to look after his elderly stepfather. A cliche you would say, yes it is, and for the most of the time it seems to follow the typical story. However remember it was made in Korea so not everything is what it seems.
I was impressed with Yeon-Seok Yoo playing the stepson. It was so easy to fall under his charm. Who wouldn't do it?
The Classified File
(2015)
Two great Korean actors
20 December 2018
I'm not a big fan of Yoon-Seok Kim and to my surprise he is very good here. I think sometimes is characters are too washed up so you stop caring for them. Sometimes it makes a perfect sense like in 'Hwayi: A Monster Boy' but sometimes like in 'Sea Fog' you just get irritated. Here the balance is right and I really enjoyed watching him.
On the other hand Hae-jin Yoo is as good as it gets. I have a great sentiment to this actor who is like a good wine.
Chronicles of Evil
(2015)
Close to the top
20 December 2018
I love the twists in Korean movies. They are obvious once you know them, but the whole trick is that you would have never guessed that this is the way it is going to happen. Here we are given many clues and still it isn't until the very end when everything becomes clear.
I was positively surprised by Hyeon-ju Son playing the main character. I watched him at the same time in The Phone (2015) and thought here his role was much better. The movie is a nice introduction to Seo-Joon Park, who is recently becoming quite popular. If you liked him go and check 'Midnight Runners'.
Coin Locker Girl
(2015)
Korean cinema at its best
20 December 2018
This was on of these movies that convinced me to go through Korean cinema again. A very interesting and original plot where nothing leads as you would have expected and many bodies will fall until you reach the end of this personal crusade. I needed few minutes to calm myself down after I finished watching the movie. I thought they can't surprise me anymore and here you go. Personal is an important word here. Whenever I watch Hollywood made movie I can never get that feeling, i can rarely relate to characters so much that by the end I feel like a character in the movie.
Empire of Lust
(2015)
Let's hope for the best
20 December 2018
I'm huge fan of Ha-kyun Shin since I saw him in Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. I've seen most of his work and this wouldn't be the best part of it. Especially that usually Koreans know how to make an exciting historical drama. Although I'm not a big fan of this genre quite a few times I was really impressed with the way they approach history.
Ha-kyun Shin is a sold actor but he doesn't seem to get much support from anyone else. Overall it is still worth seeing as at times it get pretty interesting when you realize how difficult it was to survive at the court with everyone around you playing their own games.
Fatal Intuition
(2015)
Solid piece of Korean thriller
20 December 2018
It's a good introduction to Hae-jin Yoo career. Somehow from this moment his career suddenly took a steep way up. He is the best part of the movie. I also liked quite an interesting combination of fantasy elements with thriller. Overall a very solid movie although Korean can do better.
Wonderful Nightmare
(2015)
Korean cinema at its best
20 December 2018
Honestly I didn't expect much from this movie. Sometimes it works the best if you have a very low expectations and this came out to be a light romantic comedy at the height of Korean film industry. The first good thing about it was Jeong-hwa Eom playing the main character. Once Seung-heon Song joined her it got even better. Of course the story ends in a stereotypical way but it is a very pleasant watch all through the movie.
Glory Day
(2015)
Troubled Youth
12 December 2018
It's one of these movies that it is very hard to watch. I was welded to the chair after the first 10 minutes and I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. You feel so much sympathy for the youngsters and share their helplessness. I was essentially driven to tears a couple of times. You want to scream at everyone and take the events into your own hands that's how good the helplessness of the characters is shared with the viewer. And most of all a great acting. I'm always struck how good are young Korean actors. How mature is their performance.
In Between Seasons
(2016)
Under pressure
12 December 2018
Another little gem coming from the Korean film industry. Unlike most of gay related dramas it focuses on how the grown ups deal with their children homosexuality. We can see that it isn't just parents' own prejudice that holds them back from accepting the differences. The pressure comes from many directions. The gay story itself is quite simple but has its merit as well. it was nice to see Won-geun Lee whom i remembered distinctly from 'The Net' (2016).
Magic
12 December 2018
A beautifully shot movie with an unusual sci-fi plot, highly recommended to all fans of the genre. It starts slowly but once fantasy elements kick in it is really worth seeing. Much better than 'Will you be there?' that came up the same year. A few original ideas not only around perception of time but let's not forget the cryptic alphabet between the 2 protagonists. I thought the acting could be better that's why only 9/10.
Remember You
(2016)
Remember to remember
11 December 2018
At the beginning I thought it is pretty average as for a Korean movie however the last twist is mind blowing. Perfectly concludes the beginning and adds a really unusual spell to the denouement. I have an impression that the other reviewer didn't understand the twist at all.
Love, Lies
(2016)
Love in the war time
10 December 2018
I watched it mainly to see Yeon-Seok Yoo however i must say i got totally enchanted by the historical set up of the movie. It reveals a Korean struggle in the music industry under Japanese occupation. I thought this is a very original idea to add some light to these unusual historical facts. Also the singing was so very exotic and beautiful. Overall it was unexpectedly a very enjoyable experience. Though the love story wasn't that exceptional it was greatly compensated by the set up.
Mood of the Day
(2016)
Fun to watch
10 December 2018
I'm not a big fan of romantic comedies but this light weighted Korean comedy is quite entertaining. There is a good chemistry between the two main characters and it is real fun to watch them. I thought especially Yeon-Seok Yoo perfectly fit his character. I remembered him from playing a king in 'The Royal Tailor' and a perfect villain in 'Perfect Proposal' so I was impressed with a change. Actually a romantic comedy suits him really well. He's got the look for it.
Phantom Detective
(2016)
Start Action Play
10 December 2018
At the beginning I was reluctant to watch it. As I love Korean cinema I thought watching this won't be the most enjoyable experience however you are enchanted by the unusual setting and likable characters very quickly. I thought that especially the main character was cast perfectly and planning to see other movies with him. His interaction with the 2 girls is perfectly played through and made me wait to see the final conclusion impatiently. The drama is synced very well with a constant action visually creating unforgettable experience.
Unforgettable
(2016)
The water is wide
10 December 2018
I can't cross over... how beautifully Karla Bonoff's song fits this little gem. It's a coming of age story of five friends tested how strong is their friendship. The action takes place by the sea side therefore water is wide both literally and metaphorically. Their idyllic holiday time slowly shows cracks as they are unable to speak openly with each other being too young and too insecure. Especially that one of them who permanently lives in the seaside town is physically impaired. However I loved the way the cracks are revealed, how slowly they build up so you feel like a part of the movie. And what a wonderful acting by the young actors, you share their innocence and painful growing up hoping for the best. With an Unforgettable kiss scene covered with water being the height. You just wish coming of age could be easier.
A Man and a Woman
(2016)
A man and a woman
10 December 2018
It is a perfect title for this movie. A man and a woman meet sending their kids to a school camp. They are both Koreans so from a start they feel a connection while staying in Europe. That's how the story begins and more or less follow for the next 2 hours. We can we see them meeting, passing by, hesitating, having ordinary conversations, but not really saying very much as both of them admit. There is so little action maybe apart from the last 10 minutes that I understand anyone who won't get it. For me however this was one of the most exciting 2 hours spent watching a movie. Everything seemed so real, i could relate to every scene, every unspoken word and every gesture because in real world we don't talk that much. We think, we hesitate, we follow an impulse to regret it so we think it over. That's what the movie is about. of course there is a suspense of how the story is going to be solved but overall it isn't that important. More important is what the 2 main characters feel and how much are they able to express and say to each other... equally important is how much they are not able to say or express... it would really take me a long time to remember another movie that i could relate to both characters so well. So well to connect to what they feel or think and at the same time unable to express the complexity of their inner selves. That's how the real life goes. It is a true art to make you feel like being a part of the movie and going over and over not only through the events on the screen but through events of your own life.
Two Princes
27 April 2018
Or should I say, isn't it ironic? Kai Parker was the funniest part of the season 6 so it was nice to see him back on the track. A very short lived come back lived up to my expectations. I'm glad the producers didn't try to make him a better person. His charm lies in his lack of empathy and at least he has a clear direction while the other characters just meandering from episode to episode from season to season. And the scene with Spin Doctors song, yeah, a great farewell to the best villain in 'Vampire Dairies'.
Containment part 2.
27 April 2018
Clearly setting up plots for Containment part 2. that has never happened unfortunately :/ There is nothing wrong with it but somehow the episode lacks the impact of the former 2 chapters. Overall I was very happy to see how Jake has grown up through the series. Chris Wood did a very good job and to some extend his Mon-El from Supergirl reminds me slightly of Jake although the transformation here is deeper and more likable. Otherwise we get loads of conspiracy theory and I was glad to see who was the final person to be blamed for the outbreak. I researched a little bit about the original Belgian series 'Cordon' and it seems the events were similar but not exactly the same. Usually i'm very disappointed with American remakes but in case of 'Containment' i feel satisfied with the final outcome.
Clear blue water, high tide came and brought you in
27 April 2018
Heartbreaking with the first sounds of Ryan Adams covering Taylor Swift's 'This Love'. The absolute highlight of the series, very well directed episode showing 2 stages of truthful love, from the perspective of the young love and the old love. Somehow by the end of the episode nothing else matters. I admit i watched the full series for a second time 2 or 3 weeks after seeing it initially. Watching the last scenes for the second time my impression was even stronger, because you don't expect to get so emotional. That's why when you hit by your inner self it is so hard to control it as you remember what's coming next. It's like living it again. Glad moving pictures have been invented so we can live through the moments like this one over and over again.
Catching Up
26 April 2018
Great title of the episode. It reflects the inside story well. I just love the way the relationship between Mon-El and Kara is handled in this season. They got it very right. It's subtle, believable and engaging. Hoping to see some happy moments in this matter. Somehow i see a great improvement in all the subplots... maybe because I've just caught up with all the episodes and it is different when you watch every episode as a separate event.
Culmination
25 April 2018
This episode is the highlight of the series. This is where all the hopes reach the highest high. This is where we get to know all the characters at their best. The development of the romance between Katie and Jake is well executed. This is the moment when everything still could happen before the attempt for conclusion.
Kai-Ries
20 April 2018
I must admit i only watched Season 6 to see Chris Wood and in that respect it was worth it. His impersonation of Kai is the most interesting part of the whole season. I have no clue what happened before and I after watching this season I don't really care. Apart from the villains so Kai, Enzo & Lily none of the characters seem to bring any joy to the series. Especially Caroline & Stefan are totally blunt and lifeless. It kept me guessing how can they survived for so long but you know... they are vampires so this could be the only reason. Bonnie's character beat even them. You just sit wondering how can you root for someone like her. Funny enough without the backdrop of earlier episodes you couldn't care less for her. I'm inclined to support the villains and Season 6 proved me right.
Catching up with Supergirl
16 April 2018
I watched Season 2 & Season 3 over the weekend and overall have mixed reviews but i really enjoyed this episode. 'Purity' was a good introduction and a few other new topics seem to float to the surface. I wish they could make stop Alex moaning about the past relationship or get Maggie back. As a big fan of Mon-El happy to see him getting more screentime and cheering up a little bit as well. It is difficult to find a balance with so many characters but this time they got it right.
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