Reviews

Although this is not horror, I saw this film during a horror festival. Their idea was to introduce "horror" that was more related to crime/violence, rather than real horror. Was it a success? Yes. I usually lack words to describe what I like about films, especially when I really like them. I wanted this film to be good but I thought it would end up being a normal film - I was wrong. The acting was really good (from main to secondary characters), the crudeness of a life of crime was very clear, the confusion of the main character when facing a clarity that wasn't there before was heartbreaking and your heart will shrink and shrink an shrink as the story goes on. This is not a pretty story and it's not embellished. This is about a girl who was brought to a life of crime, dealing with lack of love and working to survive. It's a film about a human being that is trying to find her spot in this world of horror - horror done simply by people who are just evil.

As a last note, I would also like to add, since this is a Korean film, I was worried my friends wouldn't enjoy it (since a lot of times cultural differences are plastered in the films but unless you understand those differences you won't be truly able to appreciate the work before you), but they actually did. If you want to introduce yourself to Korean films (and if you like action and violence), this is a really good film. If you know something about Korean culture it won't hurt, but if you don't you won't find yourself lost in translation. Totally recommend watching this.

I saw this film at a Portuguese horror film festival (MOTELx) about a week ago. I didn't really know what to expect, since there weren't many reviews online, and we were prepared for the possibility of a bad film. Now, was the film really BAD? Not exactly. It wasn't the worst thing I've ever seen - although some parts weren't creepy enough or the acting wasn't on point. However, if you have seen horror films this is just a film with all the horror stories you've already seen. There isn't anything new, the situations aren't unexpected, the story is repeated, the ending is cliché and pretty much everything about this film has been done before. If you aren't an avid/casual horror film fan, or if you're starting horror films now, it might scare you, since you probably won't be used to the usual plot lines. But for someone like me (a casual viewer) or my friend (an avid horror film fan) it was just a pretty normal film, cliché and, to be honest, after a day or two we kind of forgot everything about it (well, not literally, but you get the point). The only thing that stuck with me for good reasons were the main actress' screams during a few particular scenes, which I thought were pretty on point. But, in general, even her acting was just okay. It's not a film I would recommend - even if it's not the worst thing I've seen.

Here is the thing about BURLESQUE: it's a film with entertainment purposes that delivers just that without reaching some sort of superior level in the cinematography industry. At the end of the day, BURLESQUE is a film about a girl who has nothing in life but dancing and singing amazingly without any type of training who might or not get to succeed in life at a club she ends up loving. It's not bad: the songs are funny, Christina Aguilera's voice is amazing, Cher does her job as well, Stanley Tucci is funny and there is some romance and drama during the whole thing to make you interested. But it lacks some depth. Even though it's enjoyable and funny and cute, it's not exactly new - somewhere someone watched something already that resembles this. Also, I thought some things were happening too fast - I would prefer to have less plots. Instead, we had several characters that interacted, with several different plots that worked just fine but would work better if given the time - which was not given.

Basically, it is something people can watch and enjoy and some songs might make you want to dance or sing, but it's not something to be taken way too seriously. The idea is to entertain and that is completely delivered.

This was the second film from Hayao Miyazaki I watched (being the first "Howl's Moving Castle"). I have to say I didn't love this film as much as the first one (that's way I gave a 9 and not a 10): the end doesn't quite satisfy me and I didn't find the story as surprising as in HMC. However, I could I give less than 9 when the graphics are so beautiful and the creatures he creates are awesome and the characters are stunning? How could I ignore the metaphors he's always doing? Well, I couldn't, so I gave it a 9.

For those who are wondering if this is worth it: just watch it. I mean, right now. You will certainly like it and it will make you remember your childhood, your dreams and fantasies. I just wished someone had showed me this before.

...but this TV series is bad. No, I do not like Miley Cyrus but still I do not think that interferes with my judgment on Hannah Montana. The fact is: even before I realized how famous she and show were, I didn't find this funny at all. Actually, I used to say that everyone in the Hannah Montana Show is funny except for Hannah Montana itself. Well, that is not quite true: I only think two characters are funny and none of them is the main character.

So, I guess little kids would eventually enjoy this, but I simply can't. And, again, it is not because I don't like her; I like The Wizards of Waverly Place and I don't like Selena Gomez either...