KPOP DEMON HUNTERS (2025)

Directed By: Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang

Story By: Maggie Kang 

Written By: Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang, Danya Jimenez and Hannah McMechan

Head Of Cinematography Layout: Gary H. Lee

Editor: Nathan Schauf 

Featuring the voices of… Arden Cho, May Hong, Ji-Young Yoo, Ken Jeong, Daniel Dae Kim, Ahn Hyo-Seop, Yunjin Kim, Lee Byung-Hun,Liza Koshy, Joel Kim Booster

When they aren’t selling out stadiums, Kpop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey use their secret identities as badass demon hunters to protect their fans from an ever-present supernatural threat. Together, they must face their biggest enemy yet – an irresistible rival boy band of demons in disguise.

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Trust me, this film came totally as a surprise to me as the title pretty much says it all and I didn’t at first have too much interest in it but heard so many glowing reviews and word-of-mouth that I decided to check it out and I’m glad I did 

As this animated film was truly a marvel to experience and caught me totally off guard. It’s dramatic. It’s funny. It’s silly has supernatural elements, but is also a satire of K-pop music and the whole industry or phenomenon around it well also exposing the heart of it and how meaningful the music can be to not only the artist, but especially the audience

It also works as a full-blown musical with not only the stage performances of the songs, but also in their singing their emotions after certain dramatic scenes

This is also a film that could only be told truly an animated form as to make a live action version of this film. You couldn’t exactly get the angles and the budget would have to be super inflated, and it just wouldn’t lend itself to the silliness at certain times.

Now the film has action sequences, but it’s not heavily an action film. It seems to care more about emotions and humor as well as being an outcast.

This one just has an energy and excitement that feels contagious and you’re willing to follow the film wherever it goes. 

It’s quite enjoyable and I have to say so far one of the better films that I have seen this year I can say it certainly not for everybody but if you ever just wanna have fun and get lost in a film with a pretty good soundtrack to boot or just a fan of musicals you should definitely give this film a try

Grade: B

JOY RIDE (2023)

Directed By: Adele Kim

Written By: Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsaio 

Story By: Adele Kim, Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsaio 

Cinematography: Paul Yee

Editor: Nena Erb

Cast: Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Sabrina Wu, Stephanie Hsu, Timothy Simons, Ronny Chaing, Lori Tan Chinn, Annie Mumolo, David Denman, Desmond Chiam, Meredith Hagner, Daniel Dae Kim

Follows four Chinese-American friends as they bond and discover the truth of what it means to know and love who you are, while they travel through China in search of one of their birth mothers.


The film does feel like the same kind of humor as the television show BROAD CITY only abroad in the east. Instead of two roads, it’s four though there is a main contingent of two in the middle. 

It seems like it strives to be like the movie GIRL’S TRIP to a degree. It has that same type of energy but has way more set-ups for there to be madness. 

Just Like that film though everyone seems to get their moments and is on Equal footing as there is no real star and while in that film Tiffany Haddish became the standout. Here there isn’t one really as again they all have their moments and especially more on the shocking Side. As the film is raunchy. 

It’s Nice to see it break the wall if it is a female-driven comedy and an Asian American leading ladies. Who break the mood of the stereotypical roles they usually are portrayed or cast. Going at it with full gusto.

While it makes its points about culture and points out some issues. It also is more about entertainment. 

It’s A Nice follow-up for actress Stephanie Tsu coming off her recent Academy Award best-supporting actress Nomination with another memorable noteworthy role. Though Not for its dramatics 

It feels a bit like the first AMERICAN PIE for that summer shocking comedy for a specific audience that grows bigger than Its demographic. That seems to come from nowhere. Yet charms and excites the audience. Even when at times you can see where it is going.

Grade: B

HELLBOY (2019)

Directed By: Neil Marshall
Written by: Andrew Cosby 
Based on the dark horse comic book “HELLBOY” created by: Mike Mignola
Cinematography: Lorenzo Senatore
Editor: Martin Bernfield

Cast: David Harbour, Sasha Lane, Milla Jovovich, Daniel Dae Kim, Ian McShane, Sophie Okonedo, Kristina Klebe, Thomas Haden Church

Based on the graphic novels by Mike Mignola, Hellboy, caught between the worlds of the supernatural and human, battles an ancient sorceress bent on revenge.


This feels like a dumbed-down version of the story. Though might be more In tune with the original comics.

I am not a fan of the first original HELLBOY movie but can say it was more artistic and beautiful then this film. Even if at the time it played as typical as far as the story went. HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY was better nearly a masterpiece in my eyes.

I at least respected it as it felt lacking a strong villain and instead offered an introduction of characters. 

One of the nice things I can say about this film Is at least it’s Violent and it feels more epic than the original that might end because it actually has more Locations then the original. It also jams in so many creatures that it feels stuffed and cross-referenced many times. Though at least while the Guillermo Del toro version of the first film was more mystical and beautiful even if it lacked a compelling story. This one is more Action oriented and full of story and mythology.

Like many would have preferred a sequel with the original filmmakers but the studio decided to try to modernize it instead and reboot it. Unfortunately with the departure of Ron Perlman in the title role and the director/writer Guillermo Del Toro this comes Off as a desperate copy that is never sharp.

Ron Perlman’s portrayal of the title character felt more lived-in and impressive. David Harbour’s performance seems more laid back.

The reason I eventually watched this was to see Sasha Lane’s interpretation of Alice. She adds to the culture and atmosphere of the film

The film definitely feels otherworldly and is best to watch on a big screen.

This film makes you appreciate the original and it’s more practical special effects. As this is CGI overload that does feel more like a comic book. Though without the texture and depth. So that this comes off more commercial.

Director Neil Marshall supposedly had a hard time making the film and the producers took it over after his initial cut. You can tell as the story gets short-sighted for more Action and effects. Leading to it at times being hard to follow or distracted itself.

The film has a strong mystical fantasy story with a bunch of exposition. That makes it feel overstuffed and too long with stretches of little to no excitement.

The performances throughout are spotty. Considering all the people involved in this movie expected it to be a bit better.

I enjoy Milla jovovich as an actress but with her casting, this feels more like another disposable special effect fantasy horror film

She usually appears in and frankly not as inventive. Though she gives one of the better performances. 

This film already had an audience against it as the original al is so memorable and iconic and this reboot coming so soon that it feels like a dumbe down version and even when it was released

it wasn’t heavily advertised as much as movies like this usually are more In theater advertisements then public ones. I didn’t even know it’s Release date until the week before it actually came out 

Though based on original material this feels like an amalgam Of many fantasy tales and movies out there though al the action, special effects, and horror. It still manages to be boring.

It feels like an animated film come to life or amusement park inspired meant to impress a younger audience. But too harsh for them. 

Grade: C-

MIRAI (2018)

mirai

Written & Directed By: Mamoru Hosoda
Editor: Shigeru Nishiyama 

Cast: Voice Actors: Rebecca Hall, Daniel Dae Kim, John Cho, Crispin Freeman, Koji Yakusho, Jaden Waldman, Victoria Grace, Kumiko Aso, Masaharu Fukuyama 

The movie follows a 4-year old boy who is struggling to cope with the arrival of a little sister in the family, until things turn magical. A mysterious garden in the backyard of the boy’s home becomes a gateway allowing the child to travel back in time and encounter his mother as a little girl and his great-grandfather as a young man. These fantasy-filled adventures allow the child to change his perspective and help him become the big brother he was meant to be.

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ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE (2019)

Always Be My Maybe Ali Wong, Randall Park Credit: Ed Araquel/Netflix

Directed By: Nahnatchka Khan
Written By: Ali Wong, Randall Park & Michael Golamco
Cinematography: Tim Suhrstedt
Editor: Lee Haxall 


Cast: Ali Wong, Randall Park, Keanu Reeves, Michelle Buteau, Susan Park, Vivian Bang, Charlene Yi, Daniel Dae Kim, Casey Wilson, Karan Soni, James Saito, Lyrics Born 


A pair of childhood friends end up falling for each other when they grow up.

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