Miracle in Cell No.7

Miracle in Cell No.7 is a movie about how a mentally challenged father (Yong Gu) is being accused of a heinous crime and gets separated from his young, adorable daughter (Ye Sung) to be sent to cell no.7, a room of people who are bursting with heart and warmth (though their facades show otherwise). As ridiculously easy as it sounds, they help transport the daughter into their cell for a reunion with the father. The inmates are determined to help prepare Yong Gu for his trial. But eventually, Yong Gu heartbreakingly admits to crimes that he didn't commit in order to protect his one and only beloved daughter.

Well, I expected it to be full-on comedy and humour, so the tearjerking scenes and the dark, twisted politics in the movie are pleasant surprises, in every heartbreaking way. I've been catching up on many movies nowadays but none of them elicit as much emotions as how this one did to me. I can't even remember which particular part especially triggered me. Maybe the part where Yong Gu struggled with himself and admitted to the crimes while we get a flashback of how he was beaten up and forced to do so. Or the last meal everyone had together in the cell while suppressing their emotions? Ah, it was really touching too when the grown-up version of Ye Sung, who became a lawyer, finally won the case for her father's innocence. ): Ugh oh well, I can only recall crying a river the entire ride. Shiok.

Rate: 4.9/5 because every film has room for improvement, albeit how great (if you're not blinded by bias, that is *stares at my rating for Matilda*)

Rise of the Guardians

Kicked off the sunday morning with the movie: RISE OF THE GUARDIANS. Maybe it's my age but I don't really watch animated films recently already. But this one was decent. Not very impressionable, yes, but gotta give it credit for the rather well-paced plot. So important in a movie.

In a nutshell, Pitch Dark (the ultimate antagonist) has enough of being not believed in by the people, since there are always the guardians (from left to right: Sandy, Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy) to bring optimism, and thus, decided on a revolt to replace the guardians by making the children lose trust in them. To prevent this disaster, the man in the moon recruits Jack Frost to join the guardians, amidst disagreements since Frost is infamous for his seemingly apathetic ways (which we later know to be only his mean of expression to be believed in). 

Pitch Dark utilises this budding distrust, as well as his inate insecurity about being not believed in, to struck discord between Frost and the others. But because they are guardians, of 'cos the conflict is quickly dissipated and the mission to defeat Pitch Dark takes central stage. Turns out that the act of believing really is half a battle won. Not the guardians, but the children who choose to believe in them, save the day.

I can't say that I had thoroughly enjoy the movie 'cos it doesn't really stir me. I like it when movies impact me a lot with huge waves of emotions, be it extreme happiness, sadness or enlightenment, but this doesn't move me. Okay, maybe too much to expect for a movie designed for kiddos but at least it should be funny, no? I didn't get to laugh, or even smile, a lot so clearly showing how flat the movie is (or how hardened I am). One thing I really like about the movie though, is the notion that it consistently runs on throughout. The notion of believing. How empowering it is to believe in something. How one's fears can be easily defeated when one chooses not to believe in them. Plus point.

Rate: 2.5/5

A Werewolf Boy

I have been wanting to catch A Werewolf Boy since it first got released in Korea since there were such rave reviews about it. And for the super adorable duo - Song Joong Ki and Park Bo Young - of course. Unlike the previous entries that are just short commentaries about the movies, this post will be a full-on recap. Omgosh, the first and probably the last time doing this. Too much work, and I feel like i'm spoiling the movie experience by pausing it so frequently to type out my thoughts.

The movie started out in a rather creepy fashion. An old lady hustling around in a dimly-lit house, settling down in front of a mirror and examining how ugly she has become. Which I don't agree with anyway. She must have some fairy looks when she was younger.

I thought we would be in for some direct impact when she received a phone call from Korea (she and her family were situated overseas) and had this aghast expression on. Like perhaps a call telling her that her grand daughter is missing/ killed/turned into a werewolf for her love etc. Haha, okay it's just me I guess. It was a wrong assumption anyway; just an old house in Korea that she had to attend to.

So enters the bubbly, cute, and warm Park Bo Young to fetch her granny at the airport. I like her already. They arrive at a really old house which our female lead claims it creepy looking and I was like whereeee. Haha, in all honesty it looks pretty decent and comfortable to me. It turns out that there's a reason for that line 'cos it links to a flashback to 47 years ago..

In the same house with an eerie atmosphere with all the lightning storms and barking dogs, a man that we don't see (but whereby I can rather safely assume it to be our male lead Song Joong Ki) trudging in with heavy foot steps. He shouts at the dogs to be quiet and they did. Coooooool. His body couldn't take it anymore from some weariness that we don't know too and fell backwards. End of flashback, or rather a back story, since it is neither the memories of the granny or the grand daughter.

Ohhhhhhhhhhh false assumption on my part again. Turns out that the granny looks exactly like Park Bo Young in her earlier days (that explains her earlier lament) and this is gonna be her story in her earlier days. Okay not that it's a big deal or something but why do people in the same family always get portrayed to be exact replicas of each other. Like seriouslyyyyyy, you need this to solidfy their identity as family members or.......what? Haiyoh.

Back to the main point, the granny, or rather Suni, is significantly different from her grand daughter albeit having the same face. She is much more depressed and sad, like the type that you will just feel like sighing when you watch her. But gooood, less confusing for me with the distinct character traits.

Her family explains why she is such a sad figure shortly after to the newly-made friendly neighbours. Suni does not go to school because she has some lungs problem, resulting in her having no friends as well. Even the decision to move into the big house at the countryside (for the fresh air I supposed) is for the betterment of Suni. We also get introduced to this brat of a man (the son of Suni's father's business partner) who got the house for the family. Not sure whether to judge this man or not, at this point of time. I shall wait.

The family quickly settled in and I really find Suni's momma one big endearing figure seeing how she attends to Suni to sleep before retreating to her own room. Suni woke up immediately after her mom is gone though to write in her diary. To be startled by crashing sounds outside. She shakes her younger sibiling up in a frenzy to be snapped at instead. Whutttt. Suni decided against waking up her mom and ventures out alone with a stick, even going into the inner depths alone. At this point of time, I would have commented something about this impossible guts to have but no this, no story so yeah, go ahead go ahead.

Suni got slightly injured by a shadowy figure, which I believe it to be unintentional. By that's all to it. Still no introduction of our wolf boy.

And 'cos the producer can read the disappointment of the viewers way ahead of time, Song Joong Ki made an abrupt first appearance the next morning when Suni pointed out to her mother about a shady corner. I was floored when the wolf boy literally bounced out. That guy can act realllllly well. The handsome human face but such wolf-like mannerisms. OTL *kowtows*

I said it was abrupt because I thought this would be sort of a secret affair between the wolf-boy and Suni but nopeeeeeee I guess. It looks like the whole village is gonna be aware of him.

Suni's mother took him under her wings temporarily until the inefficient county makes other arrangements for him. Please take as long as you want, heh. Anyway i'm starting to be relieved that the family knows of the wolf boy's presence (okay they probably know him as a human) 'cos their interactions are toooooooooo cute. The mother good-naturedly slapping his back and telling him to quit growling. And telling him that at least he has the decency to hold on to his pants while scrubbing his back for him. Awww like a family already.

Surprisingly (or not), Suni is the one most who is most against having a wolf-boy in the house. Her disgust is understandable seeing how the guy literally wolfs down everything on the dinner table, creating a mess all over. Suni storms off and wolf-boy gives her a lingering look...for 3 seconds and retreated back to his yums. Hahaha. The mother sent wolf-boy to his room to rest for the night, but wolf boy feels trapped and keeps pacing about not knowing what to do with himself. Until he sees the moon from the window and like any legit werewolf , he howls. As if this is not funny enough, the mother comes in and slaps his back "Stop making weird sounds!" HAHAHA, that was really dense but also insanely hilarious. I can watch their interactions all day.

Suni is still cautious about wolf-boy (UGH how about giving him a name) and only drops some of her wariness towards him when he fended off the tenant's lecher ways (anyway, he looks absolutely like a guard dog there and then xD). In fact, she decided to reciprocate the help by training him. With a manual for training dogs. GENIUS LOL. How very apt.

Oh yay, mommy has named wolf boy Cheol-Su, like what they would have named their son if they had one. How very sweet. Suni's younger sibling Sunja has brought Cheol-Su out to play with her other friends and his out of the world strength is not very appreciated while playing ball with the kiddos. Heh. Suni goes to find them with a mission on hand - training Cheol-Su. She hands him a potato and in true dog-training fashion, makes him wait for instructions before eating it. It was tough and Suni even incurred a small abrasion from the innately aggressive Cheol-Su but yeah man, he's acting more humane gradually.

Suni sits confidently at the dinner table while the rest of the family guard their own food like their lives depended on it before 'releasing' Cheol-Su out from his room (I almost said cage). The rest watches in awe when Cheol-Su abides to Suni's every word. Just a side note, how sweet is it that the family still insist on eating together with Cheol-Su even when they are aware of how aggressive he can be when it comes to eating? They could have saved the angst by making him eating in his room separately but nooooooo. This family is bursting with tender loving warmth. <3

Riding on her success, Suni proceeds to teaching Cheol Su other necessities like brushing teeth, folding his blankets, tying his shoelaces etc. Awwwww he is liking the pats on his head that Suni gives him after he accomplishes a task and even inches his head forward and asks for it when she forgot to. Hahaha and she does it so whatever-ly.

Suni cuts his bush of a hair for him and i'm amazed that the new look doesn't make her go oooooh and aaaah. Or does it? Hahhaha. The family is going to the market place to run some errands and Suni brings Cheol Su along 'cos she can't resist his puppy eyes. Heh, who can? The excited duo is cuteeeeeeeee.

Turns out that bringing Cheol Su along is a goooood decision 'cos he easily shielded Suni and Sunja from a heavy metal piece that fell from the bridge. The horror from the rest is so cutely contrasted against Cheol Su's nonchalance whereby he goes back to eating his pancake. Heh.

Mommy brings Cheol Su to the traditional doctor and after taking his pulse (or not managing to), he ominously suggests them to take him to the hospital. Hmmmmmmm not good.

The kids, Suni and Cheol Su headed out to play again. I find the feeding goats with paper part darn hilarious, HAHAHA. It's just something really random but so weirdly funny ;D Oh, the topic of Cheol Su going to an orphanage comes up and Suni is evidently sad.

The rich guy (I still don't know his name but I believe I can judge him now, brat he is) drives under the alcohol influence and crashed into the poor goats. Uh, why are you there Cheol Su? Ohmygosh. He tenderly holds up a goat and watches as the idiot drove off without a care since harmless Cheol Su neither speaks nor write. Really blurring the definitions between beast and human man, these two.

Suni tries to teach Cheol Su how to write and speak but he is distracted by the guitar. Suni picks it up and strums to her own song, leaving the boy entranced and mesmerised. A phone call breaks the moment. Suni is dejected to hear from the county telling her about Cheol Su's arrangement and hang up on him.

Suni makes Cheol Su wears a hanbok and draws on both of their faces. Her fun is short-lived 'cos her family comes tumbling back home one by one, and because she has to retain her quiet and sophisticated demeanour (or facade 'cos she's obviously a goofball at heart), she drags Cheol Su to go into hiding with her.  But then..Cheol Su spots the rest eating sweet potatoes so naturally, game over. Hahaha Suni, nice try attempting to walk away looking dignified though. ;)

At night, the irritating guy (you should know who already, there's only one in the movie thank goodness) comes crashing into Suni's house again, asking for her company but this time, he brings along other guys. Ugh jerk. Cheol Su watches at a side, fuming, fuming, fuming, and when Suni got knocked down, his anger peaked and omgossssssssh, he transforms (too kiddish a term?) into a werewolf. Like seriously, I have forgotten about this at all man. Wolf boy pounces on the baddies and was about to tear into the irritating leader when Suni makes a command for him to stop. Or a plead. Thank goodness for that. I don't care a thing about irritating guy but it will definitely do Cheol Su no good hurting people. He transforms back.

Police came upon the commotion and while irritating guy (Ji Tae) hollers about being attacked, Suni plays dumb to it and insists on her stance that Ji Tae was the one harassing her. Ji Tae threatens the family to either throw Cheol Su out of the house or get evicted themselves and this leads to an outburst from Suni, simultaneously informing us that Ji Tae's family was the one who joined her father's business but stole it when he passed away. Owww, no wonder she looked so sad initially. All the pent up frustration she had to keep inside. ):

Bad people get marked for life, and that for once is good in the movie 'cos the police officer doesn't believe a thing Ji Tae and his hooligan friends say. But Cheol Su is locked up in the house shed for safety precaution. Suni sneaks in to see him and Cheol Su shows her a shabby stick drawing that he had drawn of her. Aw cute. Suni releases Cheol Su to go out together with her, to his delight. Meanwhile, Ji Tae finds a suspicious letter in the Suni's house (most probably something about the origin of Cheol Su?) and is off to no good.

She asked for a race with him, whereby the winner gets a favour from the other. Ahhhhhhhh I forgot Suni has lung problems so obviously running does her no good. She faints and a panicky Cheol Su piggybacks her all around to seek help, but to no avail. As a last resort, he brings her into the forest..

Suni's family and the villagers head into the forest to seek for the missing duo. Them and other officials who we know to be people to shoot Cheol Su with the anaesthetic gun shortly. The officials explain to the family that Cheol Su is an experimental being used with the intention as soldiers for war and had to be put down as a last resort. And like what family does, Mommy and Sunju defend Cheol Su fiercely. (';

The restraints on Cheol Su just worsen each time and he now has a metal leash on his neck. Ugh that's cruel even for animals. Suni sends his meals to him before she heads to the hospital and Cheol Su, seeing her leave gets into a state of agitation and almost broke the metal restraints. But like we all know, Suni restrains him better than any torturous devices and a simple 'Wait' calms our poor guy down and he slowly retreats back.

Although check ups indicate that Cheol Su has abnormal characteristics, the officials decided to be mum about it since it is also apparent that he is gentle by nature and is willing to learn. "And he is handsome too", well said by Sunju. Heh.

This pisses off Ji Tae and a mental light bulb lits up. "He killed the goats. I saw it."

WHAT THE.

Okay I was actually waiting for the impact of the goats-crashing incident to happen and to be used against Cheol Su but I was not prepared to feel THIS UNJUSTIFIED.

No one is really on Ji Tae's side and that makes me feel a little better. Later that night, the ahjusshi who owns the goats headed out for Ji Tae and tells him that he has evidence of him being the culprit of the goats crashing. Eh...You're not gonna use it to your favour and distort the truths are you?

YAY apparently not, im righttttttt there's only one big baddie in the movie. :D Kind ahjusshi warns Ji Tae to stay away from them if he does not wanna get exposed for his crime. Ah this ahjusshi is kind and naive. See the blow from Ji Tae coming the moment ahjusshi turns to leave. Sigh.

Ji Tae is on a roll. He cut off the power and hit the guards unconscious to sneak into Cheol Su's room. He instigates him to get Suni's guitar from the goat ahjusshi, so that Suni can get better. What nonsense. But innocent Cheol Su is innocent and does what he says. The rest belatedly realise that Cheol Su has left his room and rushed off to goat ahjusshi's place after getting a really helpful tip off from Ji Tae.

Cheol Su searches for the guitar like a maniac, to no avail of course. Goat ahjusshi's family tries to suppress him but got pushed aside. And since he has elephant strength, it was like a HADOUKEN force which resulted in the girl breaking the walls and flew out of the house..to a spectator of people. Ugh, always like that one.

Guns are pointing towards Cheol Su now. Suni asks for them to restrain firing and that she will talk to him as she slowly walks towards him. And then, who has to create havoc but Ji Tae as he snatches the gun and maniacally fires, missing Cheol Su by mere centimetres. Suni exasperatedly tries to coax him into stopping his nonsense (poor girl, so busy) but when she fell to the ground near him, Ji Tae (probably gone mad already) starts treating her like a punching bag, venting his anger on her, blaming her for not reciprocating his love for her. Okay I shouldn't but i'm a teeny weeny sympathetic towards people who don't get loved back.

This obviously sparked off Cheol Su's anger radar and he (I was hoping he didn't) transformed into a werewolf in front of everyone else. Undeniable now. He made a super high leap and pounced upon Ji Tae like a savager. Ugh so hard to watch. Aside from the grotesque of it all and the teeny weeny sympathy that I had just grown for Ji Tae, it's also because it is clear as daylight now the outcome our Cheol Su will be facing.

Cheol Su panics, carries Suni and takes off running into the woods. "Even if you're a freak, it's okay" Suni says that and faints from the fatigue. Cheol Su embraces her to sleep.

The next morning, Suni hears her seekers and for the benefit of Cheol Su, tries to chase him away. Ugh another hard to watch scene 'cos it's so heartbreaking. Both actors really play out their roles to a tee. The agonising and contradictory emotions of Suni is expressed out so well. She hits him to firmly bring across the message that she wants him to escape but yet her heart breaks over the act of hurting him. UGH ANGST. Cheol Su speaks for the first time "Don't go", and this shatters Suni all over again. I can watch this scene over and over again.

Suni and family left the village and we returned to the present. Granny Suni proposes to stay for the night.

While reminisciencing about the past good ol' days, she saw some paper thingy peeping out underneath the sofa cushion. It's the caramel candy that Cheol Su had saved for Suni last time. It stirs her to head towards the place where she first saw him. She paces and hesitates but eventually does push the door open and lo and behold - Cheol Su. Not the least bit aged.

Okay i'm not a romantic maybe but I was so afraid that the two would kiss whenever they come close. Will be so. Awkward. Call me close-minded but yeah, my barrier.

Anyway, Cheol Su speaks now. He told her that he had missed her and had been waiting for her. She laments that she's all old and aged now but Cheol Su thinks otherwise, "Your hands, eyes, nose, mouth are still the same. You are still beautiful.". Timeless love? Suni sleeps to Cheol Su's bedtime story.

The movie closes with Suni deciding against selling the house and Cheol Su looking afar at the going car.

I can't believe I spent over 6 hours on this. It's so insane. But also cool 'cos I broke my own personal record of writing the longest blog entry ever. Heh. And it has been really long since I have inserted so much thoughts about a thing. Since the day where I do not have to write essays anymore. Hahaha. Okay shall give my eyes a deserving rest now. Ciao.

Ratings: 4/5

PS: Photo credits to the respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.