silent_whispers
Dramaland
For a reincarnation of Hana-Kimi I have to admit I was worried about pacing. The manga was too long winded for me and I actually never bothered reading the final two or three volumes because I knew how it would end and I found the whole thing tiring. Ironically when I started To the Beautiful You I didn't even realize that it was Hana-Kimi. Which is a good thing because at 16 episodes it is the longest version of the tale yet! Immediately I was drawn into the story and by the time I realized what I was watching, I didn't care. Nope, I was having fun. And in the end the pacing worked out perfectly. Giving every storyline it's time to develop and not turning valuable viewing time into an endless repeat.
To the Beautiful You is for the most part a feel good rom-com. It's not deep. Again, for the most part. This is easy viewing that simply makes you smile. Mission accomplished! That said the writers truly delivered on Cha Eun Gyeol. The instant I met him, it was love! As the story progressed and he becomes conflicted over his love for Goo Jae Hee, my heart went crazy. And maybe melted in a few poignant moments. Actor Lee Hyun Woo was amazing, and made me a loyal fan. Especially the moment when he decides love concurs all, even the boundaries on what society–and himself–might still find as a forbidden love. These are the kind of romances I live for.
Viewers will either love this or dislike. If you can separate this as a new take on a "classic", you'll do fine. If not, you know you'll be angry because this is not faithful. There's plenty of fan service moments for Shinee fans as Choi Min Ho really separates himself as good eye candy away from the band. If nothing else watch this show for the most epic paint ball fight! Assassin Choi Min Ho anyone? The show is plenty of laughs and I'll probably be visiting it just for good times, and when I need to reexperience the epicness of Goo Jae Hee. (Goo Jae Hee, the other reason this show needs to be watched. Let's be honest.)
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This series no matter if it's this original live action adaptation of the anime Itazura na Kiss (AKA Mischievous Kiss), the Korean or Japanese. This story is well loved. As an anime fan it's outrageous popularity normally would have forced my hand into watching it. However, I read the synopsis and some of the gushing comments about it and I knew I would loath it. After many drama fans told me that I would adore the Taiwanese live action and that it was the "version to make any grumpy viewer like it" I went for it. Which is the only reason I pushed myself past episode 1. 5 episodes in was pushing it.
The main character Xiang Qin is everything I hate to see in a lead, especially when it all piles up. She's stupid, pretty much begs the jerk of a lead to keep abusing her, clumsy, is laughed and put down by everyone who knows her, and she's down right stupid. (Yeah, I know I said stupid already but it really needs to be said.) She's like this sad little puppy who keeps getting abused but still loves it master. The male lead is the worst of the awful and disdainfully rude male leads that over populate the Asian media market. If anyone has ever read Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling books, he is basically a Psy. But unlike those books he doesn't redeem himself. The problem is this is the series that Jiang Zhi Shu--the male lead--is more humanized! The relationship is mentally and verbally abusive.
On the positive side Xiang Qin is a good example of how you stick out, you'll get what you want in the end. The actors all do a pretty decent job in their roles. Even if I thought the story should have been about Xiang Qin smartening up and finding a wonderful guy--NOT THE MALE LEAD--and finding herself worth. I had hoped that it would happen in the 10 episodes that I forced myself to watch(the self worth part). But it never happens on a high enough degree to make up for this horrible story. I know I'm going to get a lot of boos from fans on this review. But I'm tired of how rude-jerky men and stupid female leads are being encouraged and glorified. Yes, I've enjoyed this type of story and plot before. Guilty. Usually those stories have great writing to over come it. The issue is both the leads are unrelatable. The lead is basically a robot. This is a lesson for me about going with your gut and quitting before you start bashing your head in.
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So the main character ground on my nerves every now and then, but Choi Kang Hee as Rim just can't be hateable. Plus, I thought she was a perfect match for Jung Bae. Because despite Rim's pushy annoying character, he stands up for himself. Instead he let's her get away with things because he honestly likes her. Despite the characters' ages this is a growing up story. Bae learning to love someone in front of him, instead of an idea. Rim . . . well she has a lot of growing up to do and maybe not all of it is a achieved her.
The idea behind the plot is genuinely unique, but it's approached like many other rom coms. The cast of side characters, especially Rim's best friend and brother, really liven up the story! The best parts are during the credits when quite a few inside jokes from the movie are used. DON'T MISS THE CREDITS! This is a mature movie with sexual humor, naughty animated scenes, and one of the funniest attempts at trying to turn someone on I have ever seen! Bravo! If I could have loved Rim more and the plot didn't seem like it went through a bunch of check boxes, I could have loved it more.
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My main issues with a lot of Rom Coms they tend to over do the nudity and sexual humor to a point where it's almost painful to watch. For those worried there's only two brief "breast shots" and that's the entirety of the nudity. This movie is definitely for mature audiences. I love the realistic take on Phone Sex, and why it can be so hot! To a bunch of friends just hanging around talking about sex and random things. What I love more is how Hyun Seung and Yoon Jung come to a point where they're so comfortable with each other they can truthfully talk about sex as well as personal things beyond that. Especially the long running question of Yoon Jung's panties!
A wrong number for a PS call made me thing this movie would be cute, but not much else. What can I say I'm a judgemental movie viewer. (Plus none of the synopsis do this movie justice!) Not only was that PS call sexy as heck, and funny, The resulting chemistry was amazing. Hyun Seung and Yoon Jung go from being angry at each other to being life lines. Hyun Seung finds help to move on past his breakup and realizes that no one is really at fault. There are good and bad times that lead up to the "end". In life you keep growing, sometimes you grow apart. Yoon Jung starts to become herself again. Realizing that she's been putting herself down, Hyun Seung helps her to love herself again. Friendship turning into an honest love. What I love the most is that it takes them a while to get to each point. Love isn't straight forward. It's hard to move on and get past your own fears.
Me likey a sexy movie that still makes me laugh! The humor is exactly how I like my sexual humor, meaning I don't want to poke my own ears and eyes out by the absurdity. Kim Ah Joong has been a fave for me after seeing her in 200 Pound Beauty, this girl is so fun to watch and I love her being in a more adult show. This is my first time watching Ji Sung, but he is an amazing actor and I look forward to drinking him up in other works. My PS Partner is easily one of my new fave Rom Com shows. In fact, this is probably a great movie to start a non-drama fan on.
Now if you'll excuse me, "Tell me about your panties!
Show me your panties.
Show me the color."
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The synopsis made this sound awesome! Mafia matchmaker. Yet as I watched it I felt like I was watching any number of mafia romantic comedies. Don't get me wrong I genuinely liked the couple--cute. With the help of the match making bullies they fall in love, again cute. But I actually found myself liking secondary characters more. The eldest brother of the mafia clan and his wife were a hoot! Especially the wife as she goes all Mission Impossible gangster all over a woman her husband is trying to seduce. In fact, if the next movie was about her I'd be all over that!
The worst part is the big romantic speech is skipped! You know that part in all romantic films we wait for. The speech. The one that comes after the couple seems like there going to split after some big misunderstanding. Let's be honest even non-romantic comedy fans look forward to this. What clever and moving, sometimes funny, words are they going to say to each other that seals the deal? Nope the leading man is driving frantically after his woman to let her know that he's really in this . . . and then they're getting married. I kept telling myself they'd flash back to it. You know she's walking down the isle and they show that missing speech at intervals until they "I do". Nope. There is a flashback, the one that shows us what really happened with the "one night stand". But I feel robbed.
In general this a great average addition to the mafia comedic romances. The matching making mafia bros where awesome! And loads of secondary characters help to hold up the average romance. But I think that missing romantic speech could have added depth to the love interests, because they had no chemistry and things were just too . . . passionless. It was basically watching two pushovers fall in love, though every once a while they finally got some spirit. The ending wedding and flashback almost make up for it. But I still feel robbed . . . even the comedic gags have all been done before, and they just smacked them down in this movie hoping viewers wouldn't have seen it else where. A solid average movie all around.
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Jin-Su suffers from mental illness, borderline personalities to be exact. After she has a mental break and is committed to a mental institute the true story begins. She checks herself out of the institute and then some years later she runs into her shrink Seok-Won. Seok-Won seems like a pretty normal guy. As the story unfolds more information about each character is revealed. At times Jin-Su seems like the normal one. Her husband clearly has some issues. Yet it is Seok-Won, the very man who is supposed to help people, that ends up being the "sick" one.
This movie deals in the gray areas of the moral codes. It even brings into question the type of people who help those who suffer from mental illness. It also airs out some hard truths about mental abuse. Hypnotized shows that those labeled with mental issues may not be the ones that you need to worry about. That there are many forms of mental instability as well.
If you want to be kept on your toes, this is the film for you. It's a tale of betrayal, revenge, control, abuse, lust, and what I like to call irony. In the end Hypnotized even has a twist of horror and the supernatural. Oh, and this is down right sexy. The take on mental illness is very different and I'm sure will cause many heated debates.
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Il Mare is not a romantic comedy. In fact, I don't think I cracked a smile the whole movie. No parts were humorous--though I'm sure some might laugh at one or two of them. Which is probably what contributes to why the movie feels slow. The movie feels monotone. Monochromatic. Mono . . . well you get it. It's got one speed and feeling throughout the whole thing. (The US version had many flavors and is probably the only reason I like it just a tad more.)
This is a classic romantic film. It's sweet, and the time travel aspect is handled beautifully. Some might find it strange that the time travel is never really figured out, or that the characters don't truly question it. Probably that wonderment and belief is what makes these two such wonderful characters, and why they're love can happen.
In the end I think Il Mare is a one of a kind love story. Time travel romances have always been one of my favorites, and Il Mare's story easily stands on its own. Keep in mind you're going to want to watch this when you have patience. This is for a cold winter, or rainy, night that you're just planning to have a glass of wine and stay warm on the inside and out.
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This was an excellent crime thriller! Probably one of the better titles I've seen in a while. In fact, I'm going to be bold enough to say that this is what I've been waiting for to come out of Hollywood. Sure it was a bit of a slow begining, but it ended up being a really smart and slick korean version of The Italian Job--completely stands on its own. Really enjoyable and I got into it and loved all the sub plots.
All the actors are enjoyable to watch and it was hard realizing that The Thieves wasn't afraid to kill them off. This is an adrenaline rush of revenge, redemption, laughs, and cool thieving. Truly-totally-awesome fun movie!
If you're any type of foreign film fan, you've got to try this! There's some romantic elements, but for the most part it's all about the mystery, dazzle, and--poof--the heist. There are many layers to The Thieves and you're going to want to pay attention. Because when you think it's all over, it's not.
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This movie is classy and very moving. It takes a rare movie to make me think that the movie opened beautifully. That the story and vision behind the script is majestic. The acting superb. That every plot twist was some kind of heart wrenching . . . thing. By the time those credits rolled my mind simply went blank. All I could thing was "holy *beep*!".
The acting in Daisy is impressive and many times I was torn between the two leading men. I knew who I wanted to win the fair maidens hand, but it was so hard at times when both of the actors vying for her so emotionally. Jun Ji Hyun especially surprised me. Up until this point I had only seen her as a comedic actress. Now I'm a fan, this woman can truly act.
Daisy is a title that despite all the positive feedback viewers--well maybe just me--can't really take seriously. This makes my list that any drama newbie, or veteran, should watch. Everything about this movie is top shelf! One of the best films I have ever seen for tragic romances. If I think about it I can't even think of any other tragic romances that can top this one. At the end I felt like bawling. Well done. Well. Done.
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However, within the first episode I realized the lead was not what I had been sold on. She was dumb. And despite the description of the show saying how smart she was, I didn't think so. Maybe test smarts, but not the stuff that counts. As in worldly and can actually care about something outside of her own appearance. Towards the end of the show she definitely started showing some of the "smarts" that I wish could have flavored the show right from the beginning. For the majority of the show she's obsessed with her looks, and others, and is basically an air head. She was beyond annoying. It only added to my frustration as more and more characters saying how smart she is.
Now for the interesting plot. Oh, it was . . . in fact things got really . . . crazy. Which I loved! It's this crazy first love, new love, coming of age, fat to skinny, revenge, and mystery drama all rolled into one! The coming of age part is what took me by surprise since I had thought the leading lady was supposed to be older . . . and again more worldly. It was this craziness that kept me glued to my seat long after I realized I wanted to strangle the lead.
There were a number of aspects of Prosecutor Princess that I loved! However, the main character annoyed me for too long. She doesn't become real enough until the end of the show, and I know I could never-ever-ever rewatch this drama. It's one I wouldn't go out of my way to tell others to watch either. The positives are it made me laugh, gave me a few ahhhhh moments, and when it was good I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
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Now a street magician tracking down a woman who gives off the "presence of a ghost" didn't thrill me at first. Yet, watching Lee Min Ki in just those first few moments had me hooked. This was my first time viewing anything featuring him and I loved him in the roll of the main lead, Ma Jo Goo. Thankfully the writers didn't make a standard rich brat as the male lead--though he is indeed rich and a wee bit of a brat--and Min Ki's acting is great enough to make the character even more dynamic. Of course I'm not forgetting about the other cast members. Min Ki and Ye Jin have wonderful chemistry. The romance was hilarous and quite a few times I was laughing too hard I couldn't breath! What I love the most is that Yoo Ri and Jo Goo have a pretty decent relationship and the kisses aren't awkward! Thank you for real kissing.
The remaining cast really makes this movie even more. What I love is that everyone just accepts that Yoo Ri is being haunted. Yoo Ri's girlfriends are my favorite supporting characters. The advice they give to Yoo Ri is priceless! They both think they know so much, but . . . well of course they don't!
The story kept me entertained and I never felt the annoyance about being able to predict the plot. The reason behind Yoo Ri's haunting is really interesting and as a bit of the mystery is revealed I was captivated. It was nice jumping out of my seat from being spooked, while laughing at the antics. The perfect genre blend that any K-drama viewer will love.
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A story of first love, moving on from old loves, loss, and responsibility. Yes responsibility. That last one is something movie viewers probably find the least bit interesting, and I appreciate it when a movie says, "Hey, you made a life altering mistake. You can't just shrug that kind of thing off. Take responsibility." The different kinds of love portrayed in Love 911 are complex and so real. From the devotions of friendship and comradeship to unrequited love, love lost and creating new love. It's a lot of love, and I enjoyed it.
You can tell that the cast had a great time filming this and it came into the movie so beautifully. This story isn't just about a lead man and woman and their love story. It's about the people around them and how their lives touch and shape others. To me an enjoyable story includes side characters that you can care about. Speaking of the lead man and woman, they have great characters with back story that makes both of them so believable. (Don't worry about it bogging down the story it's all paced well enough.)
However, like I said this is a comedy so you'll get plenty of laughs! It's a wonderful combination of humor, life lessons, and a great romance. Any romantic comedy fan is going to have a blast with this movie. That's not to say there aren't some plot flaws. (One questionable plot "twist" that is left open ended. Which I assume the writers a assumed the viewers would fill in the blank.) There are some predictable plot twists here, but there's enough originality to forgive all that. Plus, come on Firemen? How can you say no to that.
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There are some fatal flaws. Especially with the mythology. Meaning there really is no hardcore mythology behind it. In fact, I'm not even sure if the vampires know anything. It's very muddled. There are so many unanswered questions as to why Min has his powers. Are they vampire standard or unique to each one, and so on. Despite all that there's a reason it is the most talked about 2012 K-drama.
Every actor did a wonderful job and I was completely caught up in their performances. Lee Won Jong is always a pleasure to watch and I love the way he portrays Detective Hwang.
For me the selling point of VP is not that there are vampires here. (And yes I'm a huge vampire nut!) This is an excellent prosecutor show and I loved the episode cases and the overall arc mystery of the show. Well done.
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All of the plot twists are glaringly obvious, the humor is practically tap dancing out there on the sleeve, and well . . . . it's a fun little romp. The plot has a lot of holes in it. The female police officer is nothing buy a comedy gag, and if I hadn't been laughing so much I probably would have been more disappointed then I found myself.
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That said Windstruck is totally beautiful, I actually bawled. The raw power of loss and love really swept me away. The hope that more can come after, that those we love never truly leave us. That they will always love and want your happiness is a wonderful message.
There are a few elements that viewers might find sticky such as revenge and suicide, but I thought all of the elements were introduced amazingly. Every actor(tress) did an amazing job and no one should miss this title.
A friend who couldn't get through My Sassy Girl wanted to know if you had to watch it to get Windstruck. No. You don't have to. However, watching My Sassy Girl before makes the ending really deep.
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