TFilm to Watch: Secret (2007)

Secret (2007)  

(Taiwanese Film) 

Jay is a musical prodigy and starts attending the school where his father teaches when he meets an intriguing girl named Rain. The two start to fall for each other, until one day Rain stops coming to school. (She thinks Jay is interested in someone else.) The twist? Nobody has ever seen Rain except for Jay. Is the young prodigy hallucinating, or are some supernatural elements at play?

*This was an interesting movie. The first half was just really nice, quiet and pretty, with a really amazing “piano battle” scene. Then Rain's story is told, and it's a little sad. The ending seemed a little abrupt, with the father not knowing what happens to his son. I might watch this again, if for no other reason than to watch the cool piano scene.*

KFilm to Maybe Watch: Welcome to Dongmakgol (2005)

Welcome to Dongmakgol (2005)

Set in 1950s Korea during the Korean War, a United States Navy pilot, three North Korean soldiers, and two South Korean soldiers all stumble upon a forgotten, peaceful village high in the mountains. The villagers have no electricity, no running water, or any clue about the war ravaging the country. The outsiders have to find a way to get along, especially after accidentally blowing up the village storage shed during their initial standoff. What will happen to Dongmakgol when the U.S. Army finds out one of their men is lost in that region?

*The beginning was sad, the middle was funny and touching, and the ending was sad yet touching. I loved seeing the three different factions find their common ground as they worked together in the village, and then later to save the village. There was some noble sacrifice involved, but I would have wanted a happier ending. Also, LOTS of swearing, particularly from the white characters – at least half a dozen F-bombs throughout – and violent (it was a war movie, after all). It was an interesting watch, but I don't know that I'd view it again.*