Niji no Hebi leader Amakusa Shirou Tokisada has taken over Konjou Company and captured Rentarou’s sister Iroha. Unfortunately, Rentarou has used up all his shinobi power trying to force his way into the castle to save her.
The Zenkaigers and Donbrothers take on familiar faces while also trying to remember the bonds they’ve formed.
Wonderful nostalgia, a sweet coming of age slice of life, sincere friendships; that’s what Ditto (동감) is all about. The 2022 Korean film, a remake of a 2000 film of the same name, captures the many conflicting emotions that come with college life through a magical premise that helps to enhance the film’s relatable and engaging story.
Netflix’s Black Knight (택배기사) has an interesting premise and a strong cast. Breathtaking dystopian visuals pair with familiar present-day themes. But even if it comes to a satisfying conclusion, it at times feels as if the six episode series struggles between wanting to be a feature length film or a longer, more in-depth character drama.
Jeon Do Yeon is absolutely captivating as she kicks ass on Netflix’s Kill Boksoon (길복순). The film is an emotional character piece masked as a pulpy, gritty thriller. Unrelenting action gives way to relatable family drama for an overall engaging story.
Right off the bat, if you’re wondering which of these two connected anime films to watch first, here’s what I think based on my experience. I decided to watch the “blue” movie (color based on poster) first. That is To Every You I’ve Loved Before. Then watched “To Me, The One Who Loved You” (the “red” movie) second. And it was fine. But if you are looking for a more chronological and perhaps easier-on-the-brain experience, definitely go with To Me, The One… first. Ether way, you’ll still get the same conflicted, bittersweet climax for our main characters.
And yet, I decided to watch Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always on the day of release anyway. And to my shock, I actually quite enjoyed it. In fact, I think it’s probably the best (live action) thing to come out of the franchise in a decade. At least, it’s my favorite thing.
Revice Forward: Kamen Rider Live & Evil & Demons is the perfect encapsulation of the season as a whole. The first V-Cinext film of Kamen Rider Revice features shades of the season’s highest highs, but many of the season’s lowest lows as well. It’s still fun to visit with old friends. But how you may eventually take this film will depend on how you view Revice itself. If you loved the season, you may just love this movie. If you didn’t, then you’ll find plenty to nitpick at.
Netflix’s latest Korean film Unlocked (스마트폰을 떨어뜨렸을 뿐인데/I Just Dropped My Smartphone) has a lot of good ideas and a solid cast. The themes surrounding technology meshing together with the familiar trappings of the psychological thriller are an interesting idea. But its story and premise feel far more suited for a longer format.
When it is a film that can illicit such contrasting feelings by so many people, it’s hard not to want to find out what all the fuss is about. That’s certainly the case for Viva Films and Darryl Yap’s Maid in Malacañang. Now, as a Filipino-American, I’m coming into this film knowing the basics of Philippine history, yet not having the personal experience to drive my feelings in any which way. So my thoughts in this review are of the film itself. And I think it’s important for anyone with an open mind to be able to watch things they agree with and don’t agree with. That interaction may even help to support your existing feelings of a topic.