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Photo by Ranelle Sertan

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The Forest Movie Review

IT’S NOT SOMETHING WORTH REMEMBERING

The Forest is a film directed by Jason Zada and written by Sarah Cornwell, Nick Antosca and Ben Ketai. Cast includes Natalie Dorner, Eoin Macken, Taylor Kinney, Yukiyoshi Ozawa, Noriko Sakura and Yuho Yamashita.

The movie was a bit disappointing especially with the story. It’s not that scary and the whole idea is in rumble. It makes the audience believe that it is completely hoax rather than dragging the viewers to believe in this kind of phenomenon. While I was watching the film, it’s boring. It’s all about talk, memories and the creepy forest.

It’s laughable when you watch the last scene of the film. On the other hand, Natalie Dorner shows a complex acting prowess because she has to play two different characters projecting diverse attitudes and behavior.

At first, The Forest will create curiousity about what’s in that forest but basically, it’s just full of creepy babble.

Rating: 1/5

Plot:

Against the backdrop of Japan's Aokigahara forest, where people go to end their lives, an American woman braves the mysterious, uncharted terrain to search for her missing sister.

Plot source: www.rottentomatoes.com

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Deer

by Ranelle Sertan

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Love that makes you cry Drama Review

A DRAMA THAT WILL SURELY MAKE YOU CRY

Love that makes you cry is 10-episode Japanese drama directed by Michiko Namiki, Yusuke Ishii and Mai Takano. The drama is written by Yuji Sakamoto. Cast includes Kasumi Arimura, Kengo Kora, Mitsuki Takahata, Takahiro Nishijima, Aoi Morikawa and Kentaro Sakaguchi.

The drama has simple elements that make it even more special. Its story is definitely real and it doesn’t go away with the situations happening to other people.  The story is touching which provides the audience a slice of life. The romance is not sugarcoated as compared to other dramas wherein the love between two characters has overshadowed the whole message of the drama. The drama itself teaches you how to dream for your future and believe that eventually you will find love along the way. Even though the drama is only 10 episodes, it can slowly bring the audience to see and feel what is life for people who are working as well as being in a relationship.

Love that makes you cry is must-watch drama. It is something that you will cherish because of its symbolic and humble themes it tries to present.

Rating: 4/5

Plot:

Story depicts the dreams, friendship and love of young people who move to Tokyo, but struggle to live there.

After Oto Sugihara’s (Kasumi Arimura) mother died, she was raised by her foster parents in a rural village in Hokkaido. Even though she is in a difficult situation with her foster parents pushing her to marry a wealthy older man, she lives brightly and diligently. She supports her foster parents by working at laundry.

Ren Soda (Kengo Kora) was raised by his grandfather in Fukushima. Hoping that someday he will be able to buyback his grandfather's land and they can work together, he moves to Tokyo and works hard at a moving service.

One morning, Ren finds a letter, which seems important, among his friend's stuff. His friend mentions that he stole it in Hokkaido. Ren is unable to ignore the letter, so he drives to Hokkaido to give the letter to the rightful owner. The owner of the letter is Oto Sugihara. Ren is aware she is being pushed to marry an older man and feels sorry for her. He gives her a ride to Tokyo.

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Pile of Green, White and Blue Colors

Photo by Ranelle Sertan

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AKMU: How their music change my world?

by Ranelle Sertan

It’s my first time to feature my favorite musicians. 

Akdong Musician (AKMU) are Korean brother-sister duo under the music label YG entertainment. The music label is known for Big Bang, 2ne1, Winner, Lee Hi, Psy and Ikon. 

I’m amazed to the songs produced by AKMU because it really soothes my heart. But, I am more surprised when I learned that the songs are all composed by Lee Chan Hyuk (eldest) of the group who is only 20 years old. Even the lyrics are witty and creative as if you get to feel the gist of reality and imaginary world. Lee Soo Hyun is the youngest of group and she is the main vocalist of the group. Well, her voice is very relaxing that makes me feel the whole message of the song. 

Of course, you have to listen to their songs to know what I’m trying to say. As of now, they have one full album and mini-album. Each song is relatively a refreshing perspective with unique innocent charms and message it wants to portray. 

I came to know about Akdong Musician when I am searching kpop music through the internet. It is timely that they are about to debut with their first album entitled “Play”. So, I tried researching about them and I learned that they are the winners of the second season of K-POP Star. I downloaded all the episodes of the show and I totally fell in love with AKMU. Because every challenge or showcase, they would present their own music. It makes me realize that at such a young age, they were able to create the music they want as well as share it with other people. 

Many people said that AKMU produces healing music to many people in various age groups and gender. For me, it is indeed true because they make music in a very relaxing atmosphere to the point that you will forget all your problems in life. 

Some of you may think that the lyrics are Korean and ask why how I am able to understand it. Well, I would research about the lyrics of the songs and think of it as a poem that gives lessons about people and the world. 

As of now, they have released a mini-album entitled, “Spring” which I think is perfect for the season. Once again, AKMU has never failed to amaze me as they showed their musical prowess in different genres. Check out their title tracks, Re-Bye and How People Move.

I guess you just have to listen to all their songs and watch their music videos. Then, try asking yourself which musicians have change your life.

Photo courtesy: yg-life.com

Fan Art: Ranelle Sertan

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Male Version of Mary Poppins

Photo by Ranelle Sertan

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The 5th Wave Movie Review

WHEN ALIEN INVASION CAN BE THIS CLICHÉ

The 5th Wave is a film based on a book written by Rick Yancey. It is directed by J Blakeson and screenplay by Susannah Grant, Akiva Goldsman and Jeff Pinkner. Cast includes Chloe Grace Moretz, Alex Roe, Nick Robinson, Live Schreiber, Maria Bello, Maika Monroe, Zachary Arthur and Maggie Siff.

Since it is a dystopian type of movie, I will literally love it but the movie somehow fails to hype up the expectations of the audience especially with the whole story. It is good but it serves again another same dish that people have already smelled, tasted and seen. It is quite disappointing but all-in-all you will still watch the film because of its survival theme and if you like a love triangle.

The story might be the downside of the film but the actors offer an impressive performance particularly Moretz. She is able to turn herself into Cassie Sullivan (main character) worth remembering just like Katniss Everdeen (Hunger Games) and Tris Prior (Divergent).

The 5th Wave may have a different take of what’s dystopian as it intends to look like THE HOST film starring Saoirse Ronan because of its love story but overall, it is commendable to teenagers who wanted to see Moretz in a very favorable role.

Rating: 3/5

Plot:

Four waves of increasingly deadly attacks have left most of Earth in ruin. Against a backdrop of fear and distrust, Cassie is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother. As she prepares for the inevitable and lethal fifth wave, Cassie teams up with a young man who may become her final hope - if she can only trust him.

Plot source: www.imdb.com

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Be One

Photo by Ranelle Sertan

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I've been thinking that the time we have to be single, is really the time we have to get  good at being alone. But how good at being alone do we really want to be? Isn't there a danger that you'll get so good at being single, so set in your ways that you'll miss out on the chance to be with somebody great? Some people take baby steps to settle down. Some people refuse to settle at all. Sometimes it's not statistics. It's just chemistry. And sometimes, just because it is over, doesn't mean the love ends. The thing about being single is you should cherish it. Because, in a week, or a lifetime, of being alone, you may only get one moment. One moment you're not tied up in a relationship with anyone. A parent, a pet, a sibling, a friend. One moment, when you stand on your own. Really, truly single. And then, it's gone.

Alice, How to be Single

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Get a Job Movie Review

HONEST AND FUNNY

Get a Job is a comedy film directed by Dylan Kidd and written by Kyle Pennekamp and Scott Turpel. Cast includes Miles Teller, Anna Kendrick, Bryan Cranston, Nicholas Braun, Brandon T. Jackson, Christopher Mitz Plasse and Marcia Gay Harden.

The film is really funny because of the immature characters within it. The situation displayed by the movie is true to students who just graduated college who are about to find a job. It is difficult and depressing but in the film, it is portrayed as something hopeful and comical. It was nice to watch a film that was made into a satire of corporate world which are not well-matched with the fresh graduates’ personality. In the end, the film fails to sustain the message it tries to bring to the viewers because it only focuses more on the crazy antics of the characters.

Get a Job can be your fresh graduate film in which you can watch when you still don’t have a job or unemployed.

Rating: 3/5

Plot:

Life after college graduation is not exactly going as planned for Will and Jillian who find themselves lost in a sea of increasingly strange jobs. But with help from their family, friends and coworkers they soon discover that the most important (and hilarious) adventures are the ones that we don't see coming.

Plot source: www.imdb.com

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How can a grass hurt you?

Photo by Ranelle Sertan

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Office Movie Review

Unexpected but Confusing

Office is a Korean thriller film directed by Hong Won Chan and screenplay by Choi Yoon Jin and Hong Won Chan. Cast includes Bae Sung Woo, Park Sung Woong, Ko Ah Sung, Kim Eui Sung, Ryoo Hyoun Kyoong, Lee Chae Eun, Son Soo Hyun, Park Jung Min and Oh Dae Hwan.

At the start of the film, it really did surprise me to the point it has given me chills and fear. It was kind of scary but it was bearable, just trust me. It is nice to watch the movie set in an office theme which is completely different from other thriller films. I did realize how the movie tries to tell you a message of how work life can greatly affect the lives of many people especially the struggling ones. It really did make me see that corporate world is indeed full of monsters that you cannot anymore realize that you can be also a monster.

But what only fails in the movie is the story itself. It somehow very surprising but in the end, it is quite simple and dry as compared to other thriller films. It is also puzzling because the story loses track of the whole conflict that clouds the conclusion.

Office can be something you can watch when you are definitely angry to the point it will scare the hell out of you.

Rating: 2/5

Plot:

Kim Byeong-Gook (Bae Sung-Woo) works as a section chief at a company. He is a family man and reliable with at his job, but, one day, he kills his entire family and disappears. Detective Jong-Hoon (Park Sung-Woong) investigates the murder case and talks with his Kim Byeong-Gook's co-workers at his office. His colleagues though are not very forthcoming with details. Besides, Lee Mi-Rye (Ko Ah-Sung), who was very close with Kim Byeong-Gook, they seem to be hiding something. Detective Jong-Hoon checks the CCTV system and observes Kim Byeong-Gook returning to work after the murders, but he can't locate when he left the office.

Meanwhile, the co-workers at the office become shaken with anxiety over Kim Byeong-Gook's whereabouts.

Plot source: www.asianwiki.com

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The first artwork depicts my love for flowers to point that I would take photos of flowers as I travel in different places. For the second artwork, I see myself as someone who wanted to be alone but in the end, I would need someone who would console on the challenges I faced. 

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Dead Poets’ Society Movie Review

Emotionally Driven and Inspirational Film both for young and adults

Dead Poets’ Society is a film directed by Peter Weir and screenplay by Tom Schulman. Cast includes Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles, Gale Hansen and Dylan Kussman.

Story. The film is definitely a must watch as it tackles true to life family situations particularly when child pursues the profession that the parents choose for him or her but the child doesn’t want to. Dead Poets’ Society is the most beautiful story I’ve ever encountered because the screenplay is so powerful. I was really amazed how each character drops a witty line which I think does makes sense. The movie also tackled how poetry can affect humanity and how it makes a difference compared to other fields. While I was watching the film, I have never felt boredom. It’s thought-provoking to watch that I even wanted to know what will happen next.

Cast. The performance of the young actors gave me a chilling and emotional effect that I even cried because I was able to relate to their situations and I think everyone does. It’s a good thing that Robin Williams is the teacher in the film because his role is truly perfect for him and I seriously wanted him to be my teacher because he is indeed incredible. I love how he provides wisdom to the students and I even waited for his part to appear on screen because I wanted more motivational lines from him.

Cinematography. The film is simple but powerful. Every scene provides this impending depressed atmosphere I think this is what makes the film quite different from other movies. I love the scene of young boy riding a bike with birds flying. It’s somehow provides this hopeful idea of youth to dream. I also love the camera angles and shots in the cave scenes as it provides this creepy yet youthful atmosphere. But the most emotional scene for me is the snow scene wherein the young boy cries because of the death of his friend. It’s indeed the most distressful part of the movie I’ve ever watched.

Dead Poets’ Society is the movie that will knock all your ambiguities when it comes to pursuing your passion.

Rating: 5/5

Plot:

Painfully shy Todd Anderson has been sent to the school where his popular older brother was valedictorian. His room-mate, Neil, although exceedingly bright and popular, is very much under the thumb of his overbearing father. The two, along with their other friends, meet Professor Keating, their new English teacher, who tells them of the Dead Poets Society, and encourages them to go against the status quo. Each, in their own way, does this, and are changed for life.

Plot source: www.imdb.com

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Comic Book Pop Art Cartoon Style

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Daddy Long Legs 1955 Movie Review

Acceptable but not Memorable

Daddy Long Legs is a 1955 film based on a novel with the same title written by Jean Webster. The movie was directed by Jean Negulesco and screenplay by Henry Ephron and Phoebe Ephron. Cast includes Fred Astaire, Leslie Caron, Terry Moore, Thelma Ritter, Fred Clark and Charlotte Austin.

Story. The film was indeed funny, lovely and musically attractive. Since the movie has inserted some music scenes, it is quite lively and not too melodramatic. At the first part of the film, it will really make you curious of how Julie and Jervis will really have this kind of wonderful connection. When that connection was proven, it continued until the end of the movie. I promise it’s not boring because it’s quite entertaining to watch. One factor that Daddy Long Legs wasn’t able to sustain is the music parts wherein it became too draggy especially the music scene at the last part of the movie which I think is too long.

Cast. Fred Astaire is truly a talented actor because he can dance, sing and act which I think is really wonderful. He was able to fully display the personality and behavior of his character. For Leslie Caron, she was able to show a delicate yet a loud character of a woman trying to make her dreams come true. I bet she is a perfect match for that character. Both two actors have this connection I cannot explain but I bet I really did fell in love with these two actors.

Daddy Long Legs can be your not-so-perfect musical rom-com film but it still has charms that make your eyes glued onto the screen.  

Rating: 3/5

Plot:

On a trip to France, millionaire Jervis Pendelton sees an 18 year old girl in an orphanage. Enchanted with her, but mindful of the difference in their ages, he sponsors her to college in New England. She writes him letters, which he doesn't read. After 3 years, he goes to visit her at a dance, not telling her that he is her benefactor. They fall in love, but the usual movie-type difficulties get in the way before they can get together at the end.

Plot source: www.imdb.com