2025 Movie Marathon

Director: Kim Hyun Seok; Screenwriter: Yoo Seung Hee 

Comment: (Spoiler) Actual biggest plottwist I've seen in a while; I've  been almost lead to believe it was an ordinary feel-good slice-of-life movie. But in a way I think it's the point; the war crimes victims and SA victims continue to live and others might not suspect that someone around them could have experienced it. In the past and today too we find it uncomfortable to talk about it and when the victims speak out, they will be accused of lying for attention and those in fault will be pardoned after a half-assed apology ; it is still common, although we are moving in the right direction. More than anything this movie encourages to speak, to continue speaking, screaming if you need, until you are heard. (Completed: 08/01)

Screenwriter & Director: Bang Eun Jin; Screenwriter: Min Ye Ji

Comment: Despite my initial "head tilt" reaction to this movie, I still think about it sometimes. Mostly thanks to very pleasant OST, especially the main track "Method", which captures overall feel of the movie pretty nicely. It'd be easy to say that the actual "method" acting started only after the press conference, but the movie blurs the lines just enough to leave doubt in me -- so when did it start? The theatre aspect of it, unclear relationship that the main characters experience, along with the soundtrack left a lasting impession. Might rewatch it in future. (Completed: 12/01)

Screenwriter & Director: Otomo Keishi; Screenwriter: Fujii Kiyomi

Comment: Action is not my jam, but it was fun. (Completed: 13/01)

Screenwriter & Director: Iwai Shunji 

Comment: I'm a fan of movies described as "just a short glimpse into someone's life". Even without subtitles I was able to understand it; overall this film leaves a pleasant feeling, as if seeing someone's memories due to beautiful, almost dreamlike cinematography. I've heard of Iwai and decided to start my acquaintance with him with this movie. (Completed: 17/01)

Screenwriter & Director: Mag Hsu; Screenwriter: Lu Shih Yuan

Comment: Watching this movie made me realise what I like best: dynamic, melancolic and cinematic films. Dear Ex beats all these chriteria; with unique perspective from all central characters, pleasant cinematography, good music and full of color that mixes with complicated feelings about love, marriage, acceptance, loss, and "who's at fault", it leaves a unique aftertaste. Definitely sets the standart of a "Good Movie" for me.  (Completed: 17/01)

Screenwriter & Director: Jang Jae Hyun 

Comment: I'm not a regular viewer of horror / supernatural genre, so for me this shaman horror was a solid introduction; it presents a layered mysterious narrative, however I wasn't exactly at the edge of my seat while watching. Cinematography itself is okay, but almost the whole movie was so dark, I didn't even know what to be scared of. The shamanistic / geomancy elements were very interesting and, as I expected, it was the most worthwhile aspect of the movie. (Completed: 18/01)

Director: Min Mi-Hong

Comment: For a short film it made me feel way more than I expected, quite a ride. Somehow feels relatable. (Completed: 18/01)

Director: Ishikawa Kitaji; Screenwriter: Suzuki Osamu

Comment: Pure nostalgia with classic Japanese comedic overacting. (Completed: 19/01)

Director: Lee Joon Ik 

Comment: As one of the critics described, the movie feels like a Shakeasperean tragedy (or Greek, for that matter); happiness seems to be just one step away, but the fall was fated. Tyrant, who gets so carried away by violence in response to his past, who almost got someone's sympathy but shattered it so quickly. The jesters, like ying and yang meant to be together until the end: one who denies and then embraces the impending doom of the narrative and the other, who desperately tries to hold onto the good that slips away from his hands. Prior to watching, I was worried that the relationship between main characters were strained, thankfully it wasn't the case. 8.7 gay clowns out of 10. Curtain! (Completed: 19/01)

Screenwriter & Director: Oshima Nagisa 

Comment: Beautiful and young gay samurai-psychopath appears among the militia -- what happens next will shock you! (murder) Direct follow up to the previous film, this one has completely different atmosphere. In the tradition of the Japanese cinema, no matter how fucked up the plot is, the rain will fall very aesthetically. Film never gives you answers and keeps you guessing just like Hijikata does (easily best character). Don't think I've ever seen troubles of gay samurai on screen before and with pleasant cinematography. It is quite peculiar film though, not for everyone. (Completed: 19/01)

Not yet available

Screenwriter & Director: Wong Kar Wai 

Screenwriter & Director: Wong Kar Wai 

Screenwriter & Director: Wong Kar Wai 

Screenwriter & Director: Wong Kar Wai 

Screenwriter & Director: Iwai Shunji 

Screenwriter & Director: Iwai Shunji 

Screenwriter & Director: Park Chan Wook 

Screenwriter & Director: Park Chan Wook 

Screenwriter & Director: Park Chan Wook 

Screenwriter & Director: Edward Yang; Screenwriter: Alex Yang

Screenwriter & Director: Edward Yang 

Screenwriter & Director: Edward Yang; Screenwriter: Hou Hsiao Hsien, Chu Tien Wen

Director: Hou Hsiao Hsien; Screenwriter: Chu Tien Wen, Wu Nien Chen

Screenwriter & Director: Ang Lee 

Screenwriter & Director: Bong Joon Ho; Screenwriter: Shim Sung Bo

Screenwriter & Director: Nakashima Tetsuya 

Director: Koreeda Hirokazu; Screenwriter: Sakamoto Yuji

Screenwriter & Director: Koreeda Hirokazu 

Screenwriter & Director: Han Shuai 

Director: Rene Liu; Screenwriter: Yuan Yuan