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  • Last Online: Apr 8, 2024
  • Gender: Female
  • Location: City of Dis
  • Contribution Points: 27 LV1
  • Birthday: June 19
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  • Join Date: May 17, 2011
  • Awards Received: Finger Heart Award1 Flower Award1

vaberella

City of Dis

vaberella

City of Dis
Completed
Baby Alone
1 people found this review helpful
Aug 11, 2016
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 9.0
Genre (s) (a bizarre mix): very light Rom-Com, Comedy, Violence (everything you want in a drama)

I really liked this film. It has a mixture of things you wouldn't really put in such a film. I mean the things they add seem to be a bit extreme for something that can basically be called a comedy. But it balances out really well.

I first wanted to see it for no real reason. I was going through the selection of films I want to add to bookmark so I can watch later on and then because I had already seen the film Baby and Me I figured I'd watch this one. I like seeing babies in films so I figured this would be fun.

Well I had a few surprises in store. There's a lot of violence, with knifing, gang beatings and killings, while on the other side there's a really light romance and tons of comedy to go around. So it took me a bit of time to just go with the flow because there was a lot I was expecting in the script but I really ended up liking even if I never expected them together. It was like City of Violence meets Baby and Me.

I found the drama to ultimately be worthwhile. It had a lot of action---I know another shocker. The Tae Kwon Do was very impressive and what makes it even more so, is the fact the guys seem a bit overweight and not really in shape to be doing the sort of action packed fighting they were doing. But they were just amazing.

As for the baby. She is a doll. I mean that baby is absolutely beautiful and I loved seeing her sleeping with the guys---so cute.

The female, and really the main female---if you can call her that was very cute. And unlike the worthless girl in Baby and Me, this girl actually did something. Like fight. She was just awesome. She really got into it and even though she was barely there, you didn't forget her presence----nor did she take away from the story.

Overall a really fun film for a leisure time. It's something that will make your smirk, maybe giggle and just relax too. It's not too dark, but dark enough to wonder. It's definitely light enough but too dark for the kids. And overall just a nice fun time. I definitely recommend this for anyone who wants a giggle and likes nice fight scenes. You just have to wait towards the end to get the nice bits.

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Completed
Hard Boiled
1 people found this review helpful
Aug 11, 2016
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0
Genre: Suspense, Action, Violence

Rewatch value: I don't neccesarily rewatch action flicks. But I'll rewatch this one.

This was just a great action flick. The biggest mistake John Woo ever made was to come to America to make movies. His movies lacked storyline and substance here. Even the action is mundane with all the CGI effects and watery blood. It's when you see films like this do you understand why the American Hollywood community courted him in the first place. But when you compare any and I mean absolutely ANY of his Chinese flicks to his American ones, you'll understand true art and storyline when you see the Chinese films.

First off, it's easy to over use and get tired of the triad fiasco, even though the idea of a dirty cop, undercover cop, cop goes on a rampage when partner dies because of a triad member or leader---you can't help to bring yourself to watch the films because you know you'll be introduced to super cool guys. Almost superhuman. They're like the East Asian version of Batman without all the toys but awesome gun or martial arts fighting. You'll still get the rich storyline even if it's over used. Because despite all the action and honest to goodness gore/bloodletting---you are getting a worthwhile use of your 2 hours.

This film has it all. The acting is great----not even... phenomenal acting. Now, I'm a massive Tony Leung fan. But seriously...after watching ALL his films with Wong Kar Wai---I have to say that I never pictured him the action kind of guy. It's not my first time watching this film...thanks Cinemax...but every time I see clean cut and soft spoken/all around nice guy and perpetually EMO Tony Leung in an action film, my mind is blown. Why? Because he does it so damned well!!

In this he's Emo--Check, he's clean cut--Check (as far as appearance--hardly seeming disillusioned), nice guy--Check. He managed to still bring this sort of naivete, sensitivity, and alluring danger to an action packed film where he's doing a nice set of blood letting. It's very interesting to see this seemingly quandary of performance played out--because it's done so well.

Chow Yun Fat---I mean really. Are there any words? He's the king of action and just like John Woo, he should have stayed in China to do it. That's why I liked Jet Li. Jet Li realized when he got to the US he was just making stupid films. They were pawning him off like a Jackie Chan clown. Don't get me wrong....Romeo Must Die was great, but the subsequent films were crap. He went back home. Chow Yun Fat experienced the same stereotyping unfortunately. However, they recognized their status and who they are turning into a caricature they go back to China and these guys are once again making powerful films.

This oldie but goody, shows you the real skill of the Chinese actor to portrayal a dramatic role and do it well even when a film is action. Because in China they don't stereotype on skill, unlike the US. Thanks for this John Woo. Thanks for this Chow Yun Fat and Tony Leung, because I loved it.

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Completed
HIStory: Obsessed
1 people found this review helpful
Mar 26, 2018
4 of 4 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
Seriously, this is the first HIStory I would give a perfect score. I won't give anything away and I can't speak much about it. This is a story I was angry it was only 17 minutes per episode and there was only 4 episodes; but if it was longer it would taint and drag the story into a direction it didn't have to go.

There were other characters---and we didn't need their backstories. There is a time travel/time skip/waking dream sort of feel to the drama that could turn this into a Korean hot mess. <---I've had enough of those to last me a life time.

Much in the Chinese style [this is Taiwanese] they kept dry, like fine whiskey. This was simply focusing on the lead characters and that was all. No variables, none of the other mix-ups. We will bring up a few shifts just to make you think---but the focus is on the leads...and how.

Jesus...the leads.

Ren Teddy as [Shao Yi Chen] is new to the scene but damn can he hold a scene. That man can deliver. Deliver a scene like no other. I wonder if he's gay in real life. I only ask because I want to marry him. Those lips...the way he kisses...wow. Just wow. Shao Yi Chen is in love with He Bernard [Jiang Jin Teng]. It is apparent from the get go. It is that weird unhealthy love.

Early on, SYC is clearly the one obsessed to the point he is moving away from it and breaking those bonds that time him to JJT --however he's bound to him and vice versa ---their bound as you would see in an ouroboros.

The love scenes are so intense and powerful...wow. Just wow. Very arousing. It's just a good romantic story; it resonates. It's a great BL story, the make out scenes are wow, it is something to watch.

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Completed
Ugly Duckling Series: Perfect Match
1 people found this review helpful
Jan 30, 2018
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
Based on my rating of all the aspects of the film: yes the story is average, the acting is seriously average (Push is the most solid and good acting; sweetheart's acting needs improvement but it looked like her first gig).  I liked the music because I kept hearing it.  That song just grew on you.  You couldn't help but like it.  Despite all this average --- the rewatch value is EPIC.  I have rewatched this drama 5 or 6 times already.  It is the only Ugly Duckling story I have survived.  I hate all the others.  It is the only one that has a storyline I can stick with in the sense that I get the characters and what their looking for.  

The overall premise is searching for a love and friendship that isn't skin deep.  Although you would think this should be the concept for all the Ugly Duckling stories, it is more so fitting this story, the starter, than any of the others. Since you have wealth and beauty as attractions.

It's a deep concept that's presented in a weak way but executed by attractive actors who are average at best and exhausting at worst.  It's the comedic relief and attractive actors and to be honest the chemistry between the leads that make the story interesting and engaging.

As I said, I find it utterly addictive.  I'll rewatch this to doomsday. My review may seem dismal, but again, it's worth the watch and rewatch, and rewatch, and rewatch, and rewatcch.

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Completed
My Brother Loves Me Too Much
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 25, 2018
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
Not that memorable of a story.  

A story about two kids raised to believe their siblings but fatal attraction ensues in a "hilarious" platform.  <---I don't even know if that should be funny.  However, when it comes to Japanese films, jdoramas, mangas, and animes---you always give them a pass.  I gave them a pass.

There are several variations of stories like this, most of them have ended very, very, very, very bad and I'm sure there are recommendations on them and if they aren't there.  I'll be sure to recommend them.  I guess blood relation would make a big difference though.  

In any event.  It sports hilarity, pretty poor acting (actually---really bad acting in a major motion picture) <---some of the hilarity is from the bad acting.  It's just the guys being so over the top.  I'm like none of you are Yamapi...by the way not to spoil to much but for real---that's actually some of the great scenes.

The movie stole scenes from other famous manga to live action films---look for the Easter Eggs.  I sort of spoiled one---but there are like 4-5 others.  Hence, the other points of hilarity.  I think if you didn't see these other films you wouldn't get it.

Anyway...It's not a film I would rewatch again...I'd only aim for certain scenes---like the bath scene and permission to date scene.  Then I'd call it quits.  Nothing else is memorable and the movie is rather forgettable.

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Completed
Rich Man, Poor Woman Episode Zero
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 9, 2018
1 of 1 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This is a start up episode into the drama.  It builds the key element which is truly the bromance and "woman" key players that are fundamental to the story.  That includes all the males and the REAL "hoe" (woman) that creates the rift between the bros. It's definitely not a breathing element in our sense of the word.  I don't think this is truly important to enjoy the story, since it wasn't provided before the drama aired, I still think it's something worthwhile.  

You also get to see the initial pebbles leading to the transformation of the characters from "closed off geeks" to domineering and perfectionist men.  It's a good lead-in and understand, in hindsight, why TPTB would produce this for the drama. Unfortunately, they would only have known to produce the zero, had they known the drama would have been the success it became.  And it was a massive success. One of the greatest romantic dramas ever!

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Completed
Bad Boys J The Movie
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 9, 2017
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 5.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This is my disclaimer/springboard for this storyline in every review: I'm going to keep this review based on every category to give everyone an idea because the hilarity of the movie and series speaks for itself.  You watch it when you're bored.  If you're above the age of 25 you look forward to either having these brats as your children or wanting to slap them upside the head for missing school.  Between the ages of 18-25, you're debating of whether to date them long-term b/c their hot (minus bad acting) or if they attend school and have a major.  If you're under that age group, you just think their cute and know your parents would NEVER let you near them.

Story:  Same as all the other Bad Boys story, one of Bromances.  I like this one a bit more because it does speak on, just like another bad boys film- how being in a gang is not all sweetness and flowers.  There are consequences for their actions.  I think a lot of the times when you see this film and some of the other violent "Yankee" movies - there is this glorification w/o payback.  However, there is a risk of going to prison.  Gangs are not easy to get out of with your life in tact  there are gangs that eat up other gangs.  Within the comedy, you can tell the writers were trying to add some depth.

Acting/Cast:  The entire cast needs acting lessons.  The boys however get a pass because they're adorable.  Note I said "adorable", I'm on the older side, 37, and they remind me of my students.  Violent little punks sometimes, but overall good kids.   Hence, I get their roles even if they are MEN playing the roles.  As for the girls...ugh the lead female. I called her FANG - Face.  Ugh, I just couldn't.  Her teach were killing me.

Music:  Not relevant enough for me to care.  The slow motion was cool.

Rewatch:  I would rewatch this once every 6 months or when I'm sick.  If you're sick, this is an ultimate pick-me up.  Just a nice, feel good film---then I'd watch the series.

Overall: Just a good movie followed with a good series.  I really enjoyed both. Give it a chance.

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Completed
An Inspector Calls
0 people found this review helpful
Jul 27, 2017
Completed 0
Overall 3.0
Story 3.5
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 1.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
Quick background- I've seen the movie 1982 and 2015 BBC films and listened to the radio recording of the play. It is an extremely serious story that has high relevance on social issues, human responsibility, and common decency; not to mention the selfishness that lives in all people based on jealousy despite wealth, greed, rape, and abuse. Therefore, for me it was an extremely uncomfortable feeling to watch a film that holds such gravitas turn into a comedy; it's awkward.

There was nothing comedic about the original story and the way the story was depicted here, even if it was trying to be comedic, seemed forced, trite, OTT, slap-stick, and just childish. It's a pathetic film that's a slap in the face to the intentional message of the original story. It's lost in this nonsense.

The acting---I can't say anything about the acting. I mean, it's on point. If we're looking at being slap-stick and stupid, yeah they had it down pat. Donnie Yen was great at it...ridiculous and CGI'd. Han Zhang was a surprise. Everyone else was OTT as they should be. No one was on too serious. They were as a ridiculous comedy should be.

Donnie Yen's song was great but out of place--maybe that was the point. It was creepy and kind of gave me a feeling of Twin Peaks there. I just didn't get it's purpose; I figure again it's for comedic effect. I gave it a 1 just for that.

I would never rewatch this film nor recommend it.

Overall, averaging all of the above components (they made me add a 1, but it's still counted as a zero) this adds up to a pathetic 3, just a waste of time. I'd watch the BBC originals in English over and over and over again. The two television versions and the radio version. They're just great film; short and breathtaking. I cried.

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Completed
The Wedding Game
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 11, 2016
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
Genre: Rom-Com

Rewatch: I have to rewatch it. I rarely rewatch movies...but I'll do it in this case. Main reason I don't rewatch because once is good enough. It's not a fave like that.

**As a note, if the Rewatch Value was not included this would be a much much higher score.

I have to say I really enjoyed this. Which is what I was expecting since they're pretty well known and famous for their collaborations. I have known of Fann Wong and Christopher Lee's relationship and work for years (although this is the first time I'm actually seeing them on screen together). <---I have a few friends obsessed with them. And their chemistry is still alive and well post marriage (in real life). They play off each other very well. The movie has comedy, romance, and cuteness to laugh a last time.

It's better than any American romantic comedy I've seen in a while. It has a clear storyline and delivers it.

Basically the story is big actors join forces for own personal reasons---actually quite commendable reasons. But unfortunately they lie to their fans and the paparazzi about their relationships. Allowing their fans to believe they are really together. Along the way the story becomes a fact.

As a fan we've been lied to by celebrities regularly. It can be scandalous but at this point, it's so familiar that it's normal. So the story addresses that in a funny way.

A point I want to mention I love about this film. The mixture of languages. Wow....it's great to see. I enjoyed that. Anyway...it's worth the watch.

I don't have much to say because this is a simple romantic comedy. It's nothing like The Longest Night in Shanghai which has an unbeatable, incomparable, and profound storyline. This is more simple and light but definitely entertaining and worth the watch.

On an aside...Christopher Lee looks freakishly similar to Joe Cheng when Joe Cheng was on ISWAK: TKA 2 with the short hair cut. I can see Joe Cheng growing to look like him.

By the way, they delivered some of the best On-screen kisses I have seen in an Asian Drama or movie. It's sweet but marks a strong bond. It's not too sloppy, it's not uncomfortable, it's not rough, or too small. It's just right. Very cute! The ending was THE BEST

**** I also loved the secondary couple the film provided. Very cute.

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Completed
The Mysteries of Love
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 11, 2016
25 of 25 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 6.5
Genre: Quirky Mysteries, Action, Fun, Romance, Red String of Fate (this is where lives seem to be intertwined in some way shape or form.

Rewatch Value: I've rewatched it several times, but I fast forward to my favorite parts.

Wow....well I truly enjoyed this drama. I thought it was really good and I was surprised by how much I liked it. It's not my more crazy reviews where I give 10 by 5----you have to be extraordinarily great in order to get that. And it wasn't a satisfying 5 by 5---for several reasons which I will start off with.

Before I begin on the pros and cons. I will say that this drama is an extended version of the jdorama Galileo. There is absolutely no doubt about it. The writers did a great job in making it their own. Jdorama's are not really known for their romance. They may include romance but they're not as dramatically romantic as kdrama's or ridiculously romantic w/ slaps and kisses for effect like lakorns. However, they usually give a casual nod to romance.

Galileo for all intents and purposes was not a romance. However, they did touch on a bit of attraction, even if loosely. This Candrama is as though they took Galileo and focused on the romance and extended family with some twists and turns. They have a cop girl, who's beautiful but yet utterly a tomboy and lives by her emotions. They have a physicist professor at a very upper class university who is the genius of all genius' and who likes wearing three piece suits without the third piece---meaning his blazer. He also happens to drink a ridiculous amount of coffee and is a ladies man as in Galileo. We have the cop friend who plays liaison between cop girl and physicist. He's also a ladies man and knows how to do his job.

At he bare bones it's the same story, actually even not so shallowly it's the same story in effect. I think this is really the reason why I liked the show. Much the reasons behind why I loved the cop girl in Galileo (yes I know their names, but it's better to go by superficial titles for those who don't know), such as her cuteness, her strength and devotion and her smarts. Is the same reasons I love this cop girl. Actually, this cop girl was magnificent. I think people, if you want to test the waters watch like 18 minutes into ep 18 and around the same for ep 25. Her acting was spot on. I cry with her and she loves powerfully.

I like the doctors in both this drama and Galileo but I will say they're personalities are totally different. This scientist is not removed from others, he feels deeply. The jdorma scientists was more detached, cold and analytical. This one was analytical but he had emotion and I loved them equally.

This drama is definitely entertaining. The mysteries are cute and not as scientific as I would like, but it was a story about love, companionship, family and romance. It's not really about the mysteries.

Aspects that really annoyed me. Wow...there are a few and this is why it got grounded a point. Basically the lead actors hair cut. OMG!! Sad! They all had the exact same haircut. It was irritating. At times I couldn't tell the difference between the physicist and the cop friend. They looked so similar. I would have to take in attire and tone to see the difference. There were so many male characters and they all had the same hair cut. Even the baddies and another cop guy who was a minor character but regular---all had this side pixie cut---very emo-chic to them. Ugh. I couldn't stand it.

Other issues...I hated when I heard them say "Mamie, Daddie..." I'm a grown woman, but it's always okay for girls to say it. Yeah, I know it's my own double standard and this is more of a cultural norm...so I shouldn't be peeved. But it was irritating hearing that come out of the mouths of the male leads.

As far as characters. The cop friend was great. A total player, all his scenes were mainly him having sex to R&B songs. It was great. He's a player and I actually was feeling him with the cop girl---I just found him more attractive. But I think it was due to his style which was easy going, charismatic and serious. He plays works very hard so he could play very hard. So I was all over that.

The lead girl/cop girl---she was sweet. Her cuteness was so endearing. The actress has a funny face. Her nose features are comical at times, with a weird (large nose) and funny lips. But put together she's really pretty and it makes her crazy cute. I adored her. LOL

Lead guy/physicist---very attractive. Austere but he was one of the other problems I had on the show. I wanted him to do three things. He needed to get from under his parents control. He's a grown ass man, he should be living in his own space if he loves the girl. He should be more protective of his girl. I recognized that Asian men tend to follow the laws of the parents, but really now. He's in his 30s, if he cares he can stand up for her a bit. He didn't lift a finger...but followed orders. His ridiculous behavior when he ran off. He's a physicist and has responsibilities he needs to stand his ground and fight. Basically I found him weak and as much of a snob as his family. It was irritating. I loved cop girls adamant response to protect herself and reject him.

But she was weakened by love... It's too be expected I guess. Anyway...I do recommend this. It may be 25 long eps, but their entertaining and funny. I watched it straight through and that is rare for me---I'm known for being picky. So if I could do this show and enjoy it, I think others can. I discovered as well that Cantonese is not as irritating as I always thought it was.

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Completed
Brother Beat
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 11, 2016
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 10
Okay I did the overall average based off the Story, Acting/Cast, Music, & Rewatch Value.

Genre (s): Family, Human, Slice of Life, & Romance

** As a note there is a lot of physical fighting between the brothers. That's the whole point. I can honestly see brothers going at each other that way.

I'll start of with the Rewatch Value---I know that would be the most important for me if I were to read a review. I'm a person who loves family shows. It's what I would define as a human drama and family drama. What I mean by human drama is that it relates to aspects of our own life. Our relationships with our parents and siblings and our work place. Most human dramas are definitely more tragic, but this is far more upbeat with a bit of bittersweetness. As far as family drama. It is one of the best. Originally this was my favorite family drama that has now been beat out by Tokyo Bandwagon, which I will review later.

I find myself rewatching this drama normally when I'm sad and depressed or I need something else. The two older brothers are ridiculously handsome. The mother seems to have become more so the little sister or child in the house than a mother. While the younger brother has taken the lead. This leads to hilarious moments between the immediate family. It gets far more ridiculous as the boys develop relationships. My favorite is the Older brother's relationship---absolutely adorable. It makes me come back, time and again.

The story really portrays the inner struggles of all of the characters after the passing of their father. The three brothers end becoming the men of the house (in different ways). They are the supportive mechanism not only to each other but to their mother which has caused a level of resentment between all parties invovled but also a high level of codependency.

Sakurai Tatsuya (Tamayama Tetsuji) is the older brother. He's the way classically expected older brothers should be. The most conservative, the most reliable, the most defensive and protective. This brother hell yes is all of the above. But he's also very stubborn and bullheaded. When he has his mind set on something that's it. It takes basically the pushing of his family members to help him in love and living.

Love Interest: Tamura Chisato (Kuninaka Ryoko), as a note this girl became one of my favorite actresses after watching this drama. She's adorable, but she's also someone who feels obliged to follow her parents but also feels pressured by this burden. That being said, she falls in love with a man who is actually very similar to her father in many respects. You'll see her struggle with that, but her push back on her love interest and how that changes him and her.

Sakurai Riku (Hayami Mokomichi): The second brother is irresponsible, undependable, seems to feel insecure, doesn't have a full time job, very flirtatious. I mean he has the classic middle child syndrome. He can't be the little one to have some attention and focus, and he can't be the oldest because in his eyes...he's the hero. So he's not the hero or the baby. What is?! This complex travels with him until the end of the series. You'll see his behaviour and semi-growth.

Sakurai Junpei (Nakao Akiyoshi): The third child, most innocent of them and quite honestly the most "normal" of the bunch. He has aspirations, he is highly dependable in the household. Very caring and very sweet. He's protective of all his brothers but wants love as he has a whole lot to give. He impresses me the most I guess you could say.

**The two younger brothers have love interests but their story is not really built on it as it is with the older brother. Where his significant other plays a massive role to the story as it grows.

Sakurai Harue (Tanaka Misako): The mother is intersting. I think in the initial scene you see aspects of the personality she has with her adult sons later on. At first I found the change to be ridiculously 180, but the more and more I watch the show. I realize that even if her husband was around she would have behaved in a very similar manner. It's just who she is.

I think that's why the story gets me actually. I'm the oldest that really acts like the middle child in my family while my sister the youngest (two child household) is much more like the oldest and my mother (after the death of my father) is not much different from Harue. So I see aspects of my life in some of these people and I like how they work through their obstacles and shame to find healing through love and family. It's a beautiful drama for me. But you have to be into that sort ofo drama.

The acting is on point and I will be honest, I have seen very little Jdoramas with poor acting.

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Completed
Falling in Love with a Rival
0 people found this review helpful
Apr 3, 2018
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 3.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 2.0
This just wasn't my type of BL. What kind of BL is it? Adult, rom-com, with a touch of revenge, and a guy who just fell in love not with with a title but with a person who was just a man. It has slapstick situations and a doctor with a cowlick <-- only saving grace. Oh and this glass of water with a lemon in it. <--- don't ask but I really liked that glass of water and it made me thirsty.

Was it that it was an adult BL? I have been on this kick of teen BL admittedly. It all started with Love Sick. Not just teen to be honest, but also college (Sotus, comes to mind). After seeing Love Sick I think I keep looking for that sort of depth in a story line. The first story I ever had before Love Sick and I took a long hiatus since then was Addicted---I saw Addicted when it first came out (RAW).

I can watch adult dramas, it's clear the adult ones aren't a problem since I have watch HIStory ones that I will be reviewing that I love. I saw Advance Bravely and loved that one. I think the guys here are great. I think the men were stunning. I think the story was horribly written. I just think it was a really bad story and it made no sense.

The interaction of the characters made no sense. The Co-Pilot (doctor BF) role made no sense and his relationship with the other rich made no sense and I wasn't sure if maybe that was to wait for a second season. But I felt to always cover your base to have it in S1. I mean it was just sloppy writing and sloppy editing. Oy...mental reasoning to steal the guy made no sense and the Co-Pilot's advice made no sense. Lord have mercy.

The acting was on point for the trash they were given though. I have no idea how they managed that.

Was it Rom-Com that bothered me? <-- This might be the closest issue. I feel so far that I'm not so keen on Rom-Com BL's. Love Sick is not a Rom-Com BL. I know I dislike Make It Right <---Because it is definitely a Rom-Com and I can't stand it. I think I like it when boys seriously questioning their sexuality as something serious and not as a joke or the scenario as a joke. Don't get me wrong MIR does have it's moments of seriousness---but they do make light of it more than take it seriously. While Love Sick had it as serious, the issues of love man woman, man to man, and how that affects your relationship with other people. It's the same thing with Addicted, ditto with HIStory: Obsessed, A Round Trip to Love...and on and on and on and on...

Was it the revenge? <--- Yeah this too....stupid and pathetic. Let me get the boyfriend of my ex to fall in love with me even though I'm not gay but he might be. What?! Does that make sense? I'm poor and he's rich, but I'll work it out...WTF?! Yeah, when I say stupid. Just stupid. I mean I guess that means something.

I went to watch this by all the acclamaitions everyone put out there for this drama. I regret doing this to myself. Just horrible decision. The story didn't even have anything hot. Even the uncut scenes were lackluster. HIStory Season 1: Obsessed was hot; even Love Sick was hotter than this; definitely Together With Me was crazy hotter than this.

Was it the adult make questioning his sexuality? <--- Nada. I don't care if you're adult or youth. Questioning the title of straight or gay is always a plus in my book since I don't subscribe that one can be born gay, or straight for that matter. Nor do I believe that someone is gay, nor that someone is straight for that matter. You think you're one thing for a long time and then bam..you see this one person and you're like crap...I'm not. That happened to my Mayor's wife in NYC. She is an African American. During the 70s she wrote about being a proud African American LESBIAN feminist. She was an advocate for Lesbian rights and wrote several articles and on and on. Then she met our Mayor, DiBlasio (a man of course). Married him and gave him two kids <--- never looked back. She went from thinking she was born being a lesbian to being a person.

I would have liked this aspect of the storyline explored more...maybe an S2 might have given us that. However, that wasn't the premise of the story---so it was white noise and would never have been a focus. This was one of the kickers of disinterest and lowering the quality of the story for me.

I won't be rewatching this drama. The only sexual scenes are on the uncut scenes and to be honest I didn't care for them. There was nothing hot there. It again, wasn't like I was watching Addicted or Obsessed or A Round Trip to Love (they didn't show me anything the noise and shadow was enough). All I did was roll my eyes. This was utter crap.

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Completed
Haganai: I Don't Have Many Friends
0 people found this review helpful
Dec 29, 2016
Completed 0
Overall 2.0
Story 3.0
Acting/Cast 2.5
Music 3.5
Rewatch Value 1.0
One of the worst movies out there. If this was based on a manga (which I didn't read---normally I would have read a manga before the film) it's atrocious. The acting is lackluster to say the least----everyone in the main cast is super attractive but they need growth to be interesting.

The premise of the story is these kids get together because they're rejected by all other social groups in their school. The main character is because he's half-Japanese/Half-White---so he has "blonde" hair. The others are rejected for some other factor, one has big tits, another likes science and is horny. I don't know. Just a poorly executed storyline without any dimensional characterization.

As I said the acting is not helpful. I think for men this could be a great film or even women if you're into the superficial and extreme T&A (Tits & Ass). I mean all of those teases are all over the place and extreme. I was actually impressed by the boys self-control, which made me think he might be gay. That could be an over the top statement, but that's not even a nice guy attitude.

Anyway, not impressive.

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Completed
DTC: Yukemuri Junjo Hen from High&Low
0 people found this review helpful
Dec 14, 2020
Completed 0
Overall 3.0
Story 1.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 4.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

Can you have a mid-life crisis in your 20s?

There are very TINY spoilers. Some that will make you laugh.
I couldn't believe what I was watching. There are expectations when watching a High & Low film.
1. Fighting.
2. A lot of detail to the inner friendships inside the gangs.
3. The relationships and friendships between the gangs.
4. They affect and are affected by society.
5. The extreme distinctive detail to what makes them different.
***
What was the ONLY thing they SORT of kept in the film? No. 5. What was the rest of it?
Mid to Late 20-year-old men going through a mid-life crisis is what I saw in the movie. Yeah, it was boring. It felt pretty forced and it had nothing to do w/ anything that could be called High & Low. I could barely recognize the guys based on their "original" character that's how OTT they were. You didn't hear them when they came on screen for the literally 5 sec screen time they had. When they brought in the other "gangs" [in quotes] b/c they were walk-on lackeys -they were just fodder. They didn't even show up w/ their respective soundtracks like they usually do.

This segues into another problem w/ the soundtrack. The new gang that arose from the defunct Cobra - created this sort of cabaret band that makes the most awful cheesy music. UGH. Horrible soundtrack music. Just shoot me now.

As I said when I came to watch the movie I came to watch 1-5, I won't deny 1 was on my list (w/ everyone on board). However, 2-5 dominating. However, what I watched was a cross-country bromance of boys figuring the meaning of life & themselves. Then they were on their way back home rejuvenated w/ a To Be Continued.

If it continues like this they can keep it.

**As a note I normally high grade the acting b/c it's supposed to be slightly OTT. However, due to the poor storyline, the actors just couldn't manage what was on screen. It was just all over the place & a mess.

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Completed
Falling in Love with a Rival Special
0 people found this review helpful
Apr 3, 2018
1 of 1 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 3.0
Story 2.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 2.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
This was an 11 minute long product placement commercial for a MEITU phone (now if only I was into selfies like that). Bloody hell---I have to say they were successful in making me want to get one--problem is, if the writers wanted me to appreciate the story and I think that's actually what the writers wanted me to do---they failed epically and hence the reason they scored the above.

If you saw my review for the drama itself---you would know it's not my cup of tea...this was just as bad. I would consider it higher on my list. However, more and more and more I think about it; I get more annoyed.

The two leads have now become a pair considering their living together. I never understood the whole snake storyline thing so whatever to that nonsense---however, I note that the snake is the first thing we see in front of their lovey-dovey picture. I feel that's symbolism for something---maybe leading into a S2. Yet, we'd never know, since that might not happen.

The childish behaviour apparently is considered cute and some people find it funny. I don't. I hate seeing growing men act like 5 year olds on screen. This is made worse when it's related to sex acts. Ahh, I finally hear the connotation of "semes" vs. "ukes". The only thing was the double entendre I liked from the "semes" when he said you were on TOP---and took out a phone---but he just implied "you were riding me" as his on "TOP" claim. That was the only time I had a smirk and it went up 1 point.

Other than that...Ugh...annoyed. Nothing else in the short made sense.

Don't waste your time. Please. TOO HYPED!

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