Movie Review: The Thieves

Plot: A group of Korean and Chinese frauds/thieves work together to steal a diamond, Tear of the Sun, in Macau.

First Impression: I was actually attracted by this stunning cover, these 10 people walking together down the street. In reality, they are all criminals who are professionals at stealing treasures. Looking at the all star cast, I knew it was going to be an amazing movie.

The Movie:


In the beginning, we are introduced to the Korean crew first. They are stealing something at the very start, so we get to see some great action already. They all have funny nicknames too. Left to right: Pepsee (Kim Hye-soo), Popie, leader of the group (Lee Jung-jae), Enicall (Jun Ji-hyun), the ex-leader Macao Park (Kim Yoon-seok), Zampano (Kim Soo Hyun), Andrew (part of Chinese crew), and Chewing Gum (Kim Hae Sook).

Each member has a unique skill and purpose in the group. However after stealing something in Korea, the police are hot on their trails. So they decide to take Macao Park’s offer and leave for Hong Kong to steal the diamond.



Here’s the Chinese crew (right to left), Leader Chen (Simon Yam), Julie (Angelica Lee), Johnny (Derek Tsang), and Andrew (Oh Dal-soo).

They obviously can’t communicate well with the Koreans because of language. However Andrew is actually a Korean and he speaks both languages.



One of my favorite scenes in the movie, the Korean and Chinese crews meeting for the first time. They obviously don’t like or trust each other. They were actually ready to fight lol. Our handsome Kim Soo Hyun spoke Chinese here! I was so proud of him :’). Even though it was offensive language xD. At this point, the plan is officially starting.



In the movie Zampano has the BIGGEST crush on Enicall, even though she sees him more as a little brother. He looks really hot in the movie, and we get to see him topless KEKEKEKEKEKEKE. He actually has little screen time compared to the other members but he looks beautiful in every single one. There is a kiss scene between him and Enicall, I warned you fangirls.



Enicall is a sexy woman who specializes in wires, well climbing buildings basically lol. She uses her looks to get information from men, and she is one of my favorite characters.



Besides the stealing, there’s also some romance going on. Pepsee and Macao Park actually have a love history and that actually interferes with their plan. Also throughout the film, we are are warned to not trust Macao Park.



Love also blossoms between Chen and Chewing Gum. Short, sweet, and sad… Not going to spoil it.



Pepsee is a professional at picking locks and opening safes. This scene was actually super intense because it was timed. She had only 10 minutes to open this super thick and complicated safe. However nothing ever goes according to plan…

Conclusion: I tried not to reveal too much about the film because I recommend watching it. It’s 136 minutes long but I didn’t get bored at all. There was action at all times and the betrayals between them just makes the plot amazing. The fear of getting caught by the police adds so much intensity. Even though they are criminals I wanted the thieves to escape lol. Korean, Chinese, English, and Japanese were used in the movie so there are subtitles during parts of the film. The little romances in there are also a sweet touch. Writing this review makes me want to watch it again LOL. Don’t miss out, one of the best movies I ever watched.

-Yuanie-

Movie Review: Paradise Kiss

Japanese movie Paradise Kiss, based on a manga and anime. Starring Keigo Kitagawa and Osamu Mukai.

Plot (taken from AsianWiki): Yukari Hayasaka (Keiko Kitagawa) is a high school student who has become tired of her life of constant schooling. She then comes across a group of student fashion designers in need of a model for their "Paradise Kiss" clothing label. Yukari knows nothing about the fashion world and is taken back by the group's eccentric ways, but she soon comes to admire their free thinking ways and ability to pursue their dreams with a one track mind ...

This movie is actually meant to be a live action of the manga Paradise Kiss, but I watched it without knowing much about the manga itself. I didn't even know there was an anime. I just came across this Japanese movie and it was about fashion so I was instantly interested. This review will just be about the movie overall, I won't be comparing it between the manga or anime.

I am not familiar with any of the actors in here besides Aya Omasa (She was the main girl in Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge or Perfect Girl Evolution). This girl above is Keiko Kitagawa, she is the main character, plays high school girl Yukari that's obessed with studying and getting the perfect grades. I like her acting a lot, she wasn't over dramatic like some Japanese actresses and she played her role well. She was scouted by Arashi from the fashion group "Paradise Kiss" to be their model in their graduation fashion show. Then her whole life started to change, for the better :)

That is George Koizumi, played by Osamu Mukai. He is a genius fashion designer and sort of the leader of "Paradise Kiss". Romance blossoms between him and Yukari. At first, Yukari is scared of him, but I didn't find him scary at all. I don't know, I thought he was just cool but not scary. Anyways he does a great job acting too. I didn't like how he wore hats a lot, but he pulled it off and looked good. He also says lots of inspirational lines lol.

Those three, I love them. They are rest of the members in Paradise Kiss. From left to right: Miwako, Isabella, and Arashi. For me, they were most of the comedy in this film. Love all three characters, and it was weird for me to see Aya Omasa playing such a cutesy character lol.

Guy on left is actually Yukari's crush in the beginning of the movie. His name is Hiroyuki Tokumori and I felt bad for this guy. He didn't get his childhood love and Yukari ended up rejecting him. Poor thing, I'll take you in :)

Okay, the movie was fun for me. All the fashion, modeling, and hot guys was just like my dream world. I didn't like the relationship development between George and Yukari though. It was like suddenly they were deeply in love with each other, I wish there was more scenes or some sort of explanation. They do make a great couple though, and the kiss scenes were sooo cutee!!! Their fashion show was amazing, I remember being so excited when it was Yukari's turn. I was probably more nervous than she was xD Apparently the ending in the movie was changed too.
SPOILER. I WARNED YOU. Skip the next paragraph if you don't want to know.

In the manga, Yukari actually ends up marrying Hiroyuki because George left to Paris. However in the movie she rejects Hiroyuki and meets up with George in New York. I thought that was so sweet, we all want that ending lol. But in New York? Why can't you guys just meet in Japan? Also why didn't George contact you at all in 3 years? Anyways, I liked the ending so I won't complain too much.

Conclusion: I like the movie, it was worth watching. Even though some parts are totally unbelievable but it made me happy at the end. There are way more to the movie that I didn't reveal. The music in the movie was good too, I liked all the songs that were played.  If you are a fan of the manga you might be a little disappointed because the plot is altered and lots of it are probably missing. I do recommand watching it if you are in the mood for a cute movie.

-Yuanie-

Movie Review- Jackal is Coming

Jackal is Coming or Cokdename: Jackal, starring JYJ's Jaejoong and Song Ji-hyo.
Plot (taken from AsianWiki): A not so smart female killer (Song Ji-Hyo) is hired to kill a popular singer (Youngwoong Jaejoong). The killer then kidnaps the popular singer and tries to kill him in a bold manner which the customer requested, but the police arrive ...

I watched this movie because of Jaejoong, he was what attracted me. This movie was more comedy than romance, there's actually not a lovey dovey thing going on between the two main characters. Also Song Ji-hyo doesn't look as pretty as the poster throughout the whole movie, in fact I did not like her image at all. But it made sense at the end so I wasn't bothered with it.

Jaejoong played a popular singer named Choi Hyun. The typical sort of stuck-up guy and think he is all that and he was kidnapped by a newbie assassin at this horrible hotel.

The whole movie basicly took place at the hotel. The cops are trying to catch "Jackal", name of the assassin that was going to show up there. So we have these undercover cops camped there too.

They really add to the comedy, I love the cops, they were hilarious. Choi Hyun is obviously trying to escape from the newbie assassin, but everything goes wrong and he is just stuck in her hands. Turns out she was hired by his ex-gf, they dated before he debuted. Then they broke up after he shot into fame. Besides the assassin, there is also this crazy-psycho fan that is stalking Choi Hyun. She was just scary. Girl, you beloing in a mental hospital.
Also the reason Choi Hyun went to that crappy hotel was to meet up with his...lover.

Yush, that lady who is waaaaaay older than him. Yuck. There was a scene between them that completely grossed me out. Poor Jaejoong.

At the end, there is a huge twist in the story. I like the movie, not a super duper amazing one but worth watching. There's way more to the story than what I have mentioned and I hope I didn't spoil too much. Do watch it if you are a Jaejoong fan, his acting was really good in here. Have fun :)

-Yuanie-