hiyangbo Reviews

The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)

Better than MI fallout

[8/10 · 4 August 2018]

Unlike the cliche on MI, this one is much more funny and unpredictable. It's interesting that the spotlight is on the two ladies while most actions and violences are from other support roles. The story itself is hilarious, which is part of the humor in the movie. It's again promoting feminism, which Holiwood has always been doing in recent years, However, It's not a awkward rigid copy of man hero, e.g. female boss is unbeatable and much stronger physically than men. This one is way more natrual and convincing. The ladies' friendship and courages under stress are really impressive. It's new and fresh on many aspects. I was sastified when I left theater.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)

predicable, same old trick

[6/10 · 3 August 2018]

I was expecting a lot more given the high ratings so far. When you know faces can be copied, you can pretty much predict every trick they try to surprise you. When you know Ethan will never die and will get the mission done anyway, you can be hardly involved in the danger and tension no matter how hard they try. So you pretty much know the ending and just sit there watching tedious car chasing and naive dialogues. The story writing could be much better.

Coco (I) (2017)

Gracias Pixar

[9/10 · 18 December 2017]

My wife was not a fan of cartoon which she thought is too naïve for an adult. This movie changed her mind. She cried in the theater and so did half of the audiences. It's great movie, promoting family bonds, fighting for dreams, and Mexican traditions. I am not Hispanic but I am a conservative guy who admire and respect traditions. Pixar is really good at storytelling. There was not even a single second that I was thinking something else but indulged all the time. The pictures are beautiful. The story is compelling with a few nice surprises. The ending is flawless.

Justice League (2017)

yet another fast food

[5/10 · 19 November 2017]

This is yet another fast food movie. You'll feel good but no nutrition there. There are so many characters that the director wants to demonstrate. It's bewildering as each gets a slice of time and with relatively independent stories.The whole story is not convincing because superman alone can defeat the big boss which makes the rest of the story unnecessary.

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

nothing other than entertaining

[5/10 · 11 November 2017]

If you would like to spend 2.5 hours only for a few laughs, go for it. It's nothing other than entertaining. I really cannot understand why Watchmen have a IMDb score of 7.6 which is way deeper than this and way more worthy, while this one gets a higher score 8.2. The story itself is very dull.

Only the Brave (2017)

a must see. everyone in the theater applauded in the end

[10/10 · 21 October 2017]

Very touching story. These people are real heroes. They are brave not only on fighting fires but also fighting drugs. It's amazing that Brendon picked up his life. That is responsibility! That is MAN! Keep up Brendon! I really appreciate that director Joseph have given everyone a chance to know those heroes.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

almost fell asleep in the theater, three times.

[5/10 · 7 October 2017]

I almost fell asleep in the theater, three times. The only thing that kept me awake was the awful music, which pretended that something compelling was happening. The tedium lasted for two hours, with boring dialogues, single dimension characters, unnecessary nudity. I would give it 1 star if it were not for the last twenty minutes. It did give me a surprise when it turned out that K was not real human. The cinematography was beautiful, which Denis is really good at, just like he did in Arrival. Other than that, I really cannot understand why both have a 8+ IMDb score.

American Made (2017)

Never trust the government

[6/10 · 29 September 2017]

Never trust the government. He rose. He fell. He rose again. He was killed. All thanks to the government. This movie tells us once again that never trust the government. Politician were and are really good at telling lies. Never let them pull your strings. The recent Obama care is yet another great example. Ridiculous story but true during that cold war. Not impressive but entertaining.

Dunkirk (2017)

Great writing. Great directing

[9/10 · 26 September 2017]

A good movie tells you something you don't know and inspires you to think in a different way. This movie is absolutely a good one. It reveals the other side of wars.

I am impressed by how Christopher Nolan once again present us so many characters while each so differently and so vividly . Patriots sail spontaneously to rescue trapped soldiers; desperate soldiers live like animals and their only goal is to live even at the cost of deaths of their buddies; pilots have sense of honor and duty, fighting till the last drop of fuel.

That's all human nature. Everyone can be any of them given the same experience. Remember how proud one was chosen to be pilot those days and how good education and training they took, and you won't be surprised how they fought in the war. If you live at a time that your hometown will be taken by enemies at any time, you will also do whatever you can to win the war without a hesitate. And if every day is flooded with death and despair, warriors can degenerate and turn into walking dead.

Great writing. Great directing. This is yet another masterpiece of Christopher Nolan.

American Assassin (2017)

The rating could be higher if it's someone else acting Irene Kennedy.

[5/10 · 26 September 2017]

Good story. The rating could be higher if it's someone else acting Irene Kennedy. Whenever it started to become compelling, she appeared and reminded me it's all fake. The actress just does not have that kind of quality to pretend working for government, not to mention a chief in CIA.

Brad's Status (2017)

so real. flawless performance

[10/10 · 25 September 2017]

So real. Flawless performance. One of the best movie this year so far. It's not a movie for everyone. I understand why some people could fall asleep while watching it. Its depth could be understood only if one have had several years fighting and climbing in the society and have a family and children to cherish and thankful for. I felt the echos in my soul and could foresee what I would look like in Brad's age. Everyone is relatively poor; the circle can be one percent, or one millionth or one billionth. And vice verse everyone is relatively happier and richer compared to the rest. And the "real pains" come from those meaningless comparisons and competitions that we impose on ourselves. Everyone have a choice of how to live their lives and how to plan and realize their futures. It's just a bunch of unique decisions that we have made and are making for ourselves. When you are jealous about someone's success in career or something, you don't know how much they sacrifice on their life balance or health or something else that you weigh way more over the former. There's no better or worse life. There is always shadow behind sunshine. It's just a matter whether you like it or not, grateful or regretful. And if you like your life and are grateful, you already win the competition if you really want such a comparison.

"Everyone is thinking about themselves. Nobody cares about you. The only person cares about you is me. So you should only care about my opinion."

I love the ending. There's no silver bullet to avoid so called midlife crisis. Can Brad have a sound sleep that night? Not sure. What I am certain is that we have to make every seconds in life count and always gives thanks to God, life and everyone in our life, to live a life which we will never regret.