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Ima Ai Ni Yukimasu / Be With You (2004)
Starring: Yuko Takeuchi, Shido Nakamura, Akashi Takei
OST: Hana by Orange Range
Rating:****
 Top: Yuko Takeuchi and Shido Nakamura in Ima Ai Ni Yukimasu/Be With You (2004)Bottom: Ewan McGregor in Big Fish (2003)
Seriously, using the rain in movies is such a cheat. I had no doubts that I would like this movie, as other than the fact that it used one of the nicest songs of one of my favorite bands as its official soundtrack, it's about the rainy season.
It's a love story, of course, but there aren't too many grand events, except for, yet again, the time travel thing (which is also such a cheat), so it's really pretty simple, except, the rain makes it all so magical.
Magical. I think that's my word for this movie. It was just so cool how they carried out the time traveling thing. I think it's the first time I saw a movie wherein the character first traveled through time, and then chose not to change anything. You usually hear questions like, "If you could turn back time, what would you change?" or something, and then cliche answers would be "I wouldn't change a thing," and stuff like that, but it's only in this film that I saw the 'demonstration' of such an act.
Well, I don't want to spoil too much here, but suffice it to say that it was all brilliantly executed. Even the love story was great, how both parties thought their love was unrequited, when in fact it wasn't, it's just that they wouldn't tell each other how they feel. The whole "He said, She said" part of the movie was great, how all the events intertwined, and how there were no different versions of anything, just different viewpoints. And of course, the famous (I think it's famous because it's always the picture I see when this movie's being talked about) scene with the sunflowers, is just way cool. Reminds me of that scene in Big Fish (Ewan McGregor), which is just so beautiful to look at.
Anyway, there's a lot more to this film than I mentioned because it's really great, not just aesthetically, but the story, and the musical scoring totally rocks. Special thanks to my friend Katrina, for sharing with me her DVD and the soundtrack as well. I think the music of this film is one of the most inspiring I've ever heard. I highly recommend this one, and am so glad that it's yet another Japanese film that did not disappoint. XD
Posted at 04:07 pm by miriyammqx
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But the Tears Aren't Flowing
 Il Mare (2000)
Starring: Jeon Ji-hyun, Lee Jung-jae
Rating: ***+
I didn't cry when I saw Il Mare. And that's weird. Because it's a really good film. I mean, the time thing was such a cheat--of course I would like any movie that has something to do with time travel and magical/mysterious objects like the mailbox. And the story was really good, too. Corresponding through letters is also one of my favorites in romances. So how come I didn't cry? I really have no idea.
Maybe the timing just wasn't right. As in, I saw it during the time that I wasn't in the mood to cry. Or maybe, it just wasn't emotional enough. I can only speculate, because I really can't put my finger on what was wrong with this film. It's very likely that nothing is, as although the main plot is a bit like that movie Love Letter in the Hallmark Channel, the time difference wasn't too far (just 2 years), so the whole, "he falls in love with her descendant" thing doesn't apply. And though I hate thinking about the inconsistencies when time travel is involved, because it's too confusing, I think I prefer when things go the way they did in Terminator where you can't really trace at what point they changed the future, because that's just how things happened.
Still, technicalities aside, it's a really sweet movie that says a thing or two about love--getting over one, and finding something new. I recommend everyone to see it, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that it'll make you cry. 
Posted at 09:04 am by miriyammqx
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And Here I Thought I Wasn't Going to Cry The Classic (2003)
Starring: Son Ye-Jin, Jo In-Seung, Cho Seung-Woo, Lee Ki-Woo
Director: Kwak Jae-yong (My Sassy Girl)
Rating: ****
Maybe it was because it had the flashback element, which I'm usually fond of, and that's why I liked it a lot. Or it could be all the scenes shot in the countryside, which although is somewhat of a cheat setup, is still very romantic. Or perhaps it was just all that rain, and the whole umbrella thing, but honestly, I very very much liked this movie.
I'm not comparing it to My Sassy Girl or other Korean romantic comedies though, because this was most definitely not a comedy. Although a few parts were funny, I'm sure this falls more under the genre of drama. And for a drama, it was very good. It was in fact, dare I say it, one of the best I've seen.
Sure, the whole fate thing at the end was a little predictable and kind of corny, but it's easy to accept because it at least resolves the somewhat open-ended issues the characters had in the past. Though honestly, I don't think I would've bought it as much as I did, if I hadn't seen that episode of Lost where Sayid read the message left to him by the girl he loved?If you don't find me in this life, you will in the next one." And I also probably wouldn't have gotten why the writers had to separate the  young lovers because of (Cho Seung-Woo) Joon-Ha's handicap if I hadn't known about the pride thing that was the issue of the girl in An Affair to Remember. But what I liked best about this movie though was how simple it was. And maybe its simplicity can be misconstrued as the situations being too clich? but for some reason, it doesn't seem as cheesy as most other romantic movies I've seen.
Maybe it's because it paints such a beautiful picture of young love and how the ordinary factors of everyday life, i.e. parents who keep arranging their kids' marriages, liking the same person your best friend does, etc. can complicate it. I think what I liked best about this film was how there were no really big scenes of love declaration or having to fight for love and all that over-sensationalized stuff that for some reason filmmakers keep trying to implant in teenager's heads and tell them that that's how love should be. Anyway, the next best thing about it is how the characters believed in fate, but still didn't leave everything up to it. Like how (Jo In Sung) Oh Sang-Min bought 2 presents, and just fervently hoped that (Son Ye-Jin) Ji-Hye would pick the one with the card in it. I guess it shows that to some level he left things up to fate, but then later on, when the girl was stuck in the rain, he took control of things and deliberately left his umbrella in the coffee shop so he and she could walk in the rain together. I guess what I got from those two instances is how it's really important to balance your belief in fate, and in yourself and how you act on things. The part with the umbrella by the way, or at least the part where Ji-Hye returns it to Sang-Min was the part wherein I cried. It could be all that rain, or the fact that she got wet by it, but I think it could also be how the umbrella suddenly became useless, despite the pouring rain, that's why it brought me to tears. (Note: I like umbrellas a lot. I'd collect them if I had the space.)
Anyway, this was one of the best Korean movies, and romantic dramas I've seen. The only thing I didn't like about it was the somewhat weak acting of Jo In Sung, but hey, maybe I just have to get used to his face. I knew I should've seen Memories of Bali when it was playing in local TV. Darn it.
Special thanks to my friend Roby for giving me the copy of this one. Sharing movies with your friends is one of the best things to do in the world, really. 
Posted at 08:25 pm by miriyammqx
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 Starring:
Jimmy Lin, Kok Siu Man, Sik Siu Lung, Vivian Hsu, Hillary Tsui Rating: **
This is one of those cases where it's probably better to just leave the whole "fantasy" element out of the picture, and just concentrate on the teeny bopper stuff. Or, just have the fantasy stuff but intertwine it with a plot deeper than some teeny bopper romance. Because really, it just did not mix. I mean, sure, Jimmy Lin was adorable and the kid who played his brother (Kok Siu Man) was just as cute, though in a different way, but other than that, there was nothing really noteworthy about either their acting or their characters. Though I guess I shouldn't really blame them because it's really the plot that was weak. And the kung-fu stuff wasn't so cool that it could pull the movie off as a good one.
So I guess the only ones who'd enjoy this movie would be kids who are too young to care about the plot, girls who have a huge crush on Jimmy Lin, and guys who have a thing for Vivian Hsu--and she's not even that pretty here, if you ask me. Still, it was fun trying to figure out who she was throughout the film though, because I didn't recognize her at first, just knew that she looked familiar.
I'm giving it 2 and 1/2 stars by the way because although the plot was weak, it at least made sense, or not really, but it's more coherent than some other movies out there.
Posted at 02:17 am by miriyammqx
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I actually wanted my first review in this blog to be the first Asian film that I've seen, but since I can't remember which one that is, I'll just start with the last one. I've already written an intro anyway, so I'll just post reviews depending on which one I remember the most clear at the time. And because this was the latest that my friend Katrina lent me, I'm reviewing
The Twins Effect (2003)
Starring:
Gillian Cheung, Charlene Choi, Edison Chen, Ekin Cheng, Anthony Wong
Special participation: Jackie Chan and Karen Mok
Rating: **
I actually wrote the names of the cast there for a good reason. Because you'll have to be really big fans of at least one (but preferably all) of them, in order to endure this movie. Seriously. Because if you're not, then you might consider watching it as a big waste of your time.
You know the usual impression people have of Chinese movies? You know, with the flying people, trying-hard comedy and bad special effects? Yeah, this would fall under that.
So as not to sound too harsh, I'd put it this way--this film had potential. Unfortunately, it was never realized. See, the story could've been nice--the last member of the vampire royal family runs away to protect the royal treasure (and himself) from renegade vampires who want to rule the world, only to fall in love with a mortal who just happens to be the sister of the greatest vampire hunter in the world.
Well, it certainly sounds interesting. But the execution is a completely different story.
I seriously think that Jackie Chan only agreed to make an appearance to generate more profit because he felt sorry for the crew of this film for the fact that they seemed to have wasted their time, effort and money.
To sum it up, don't watch this movie if you're looking for:
1) good special effects
2) normally brilliant (or at least entertaining) Jackie-Chan-choreographed action scenes
3) profound lessons / philosophical dialogue
4) interesting mystrious plot unfolding
But do watch it if you're after:
1) Charlene Choi - Gillian Cheung catfight
2) giddy Edison Chen
3) Edison Chen speaking English
Just my personal opinion--I think girls would enjoy this film more than guys because the action isn't anything special, but all the Edison scenes were. Then again, aren't they always? *wink*
Posted at 09:47 pm by miriyammqx
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The Nocturnal Screen is On It didn't seem unfair at first for my Asian movie reviews to be just a part of the side section of my movie review blog. But then I started watching more movies, and thought of more stuff to say, so, yet another blog comes about in the form of the **nocturnal screen.
Why Nocturnal Screen?
Because I usually get to watch these Asian films very very late at night, or rather, very very early in the morning. So it's as if the TV is nocturnal, and it can only work at that time.
Okay, it's not so profound and it's kinda corny when you get right down to it. I'll probably change it when I think of a better title. But for now, let's turn this screen on.
This blog will contain mostly reviews (and other info, if I find any) about the movies I've seen (old and new), and the interesting actors/actresses involved in them. The main difference from ...between trailers... will be that these movies are the ones from Asia, and though some may also have been released as Hollywood productions, most will probably be just those you can borrow from your ever-generous friends from Chinatown, and those with DSL internet. ;)
Anime?
Maybe I'll mention some animes here and there, since I watch those at the same time of the day too, and they are also Asian, but perhaps the stuff about anime series will be placed in my main blog, and the ones here will be the ones about the movies (like Hayao Miyazaki's creations).
That being said, I'd just like to remind everyone that the reviews here, although I'll try to be objective, will still be from the point of view of a semi-sappy girl who's partial to sci-fi, fantasy, romantic comedy or really, any movie with a cute guy in it. Ahehe. But I still hope you enjoy my reviews, and this blog.
Thanks for reading the intro!
Posted at 11:25 pm by miriyammqx
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