Well, that was convenient

I swear I could feel my body mass decrease as I lost a considerable quantity of braincells while watching this dumpster fire. Everything was going pretty fine till episode 8—handsome guy bumps into handsome guy, saves aforementioned h.g. from goons, who eventually turns out to be the second son and leader of the "major family" that assumingly has a major hand in all the corruption and backdoor dealings in Thailand. Hot handsome guy wants funny handsome guy to be his bodyguard, due to certain mysterious orders from his father, but at some point banging became more fun.

Up till the halfway mark I wasn't really questioning things, I took everything they gave: the funny moments, the cute moments and the (generously sprinkled) sexy moments. I mean we got such a cute date too! And we got another brooding handsome guy, the elder son and head of the minor family, to stand by as the love triangle and contrived jealousy moments which eventually lead to some more banging.

But then Kinnporsche did its ultimate mistake. If it had only continued the next six episodes as it had in the first eight, I would've given it a 7 (+0.5 for Tankhun), labelled it "boring, but sexy" and called it a day. BUT NO! Kinnporsche had to bring in a plot!

Big mistake.

We now get to see all sorts of mysterious "Russians" and "yakuzas" and "deals" getting mentioned. We have the sudden *whisper* weakening of the major family. A conspiracy of the minor family! Surely not! And this is where it falls apart, because it becomes markedly more pronounced that this story isn't going anywhere.

To be fair, I like Kinn and Porsche’s relationship. We don't really have to deal with the notoriety of the mafia except that Kinn has never in his life been on a date with a cute boy and with Porsche he can be himself, the guy he wants to be, not what he is forced to be. They tried to play the "I don't trust you but I still do" card multiple times, but all grievances are resolved early, mostly leading upto more sexy fanservice.

Despite the lack of chemistry between Kim and Chay, I like their dynamic: the dangerous, loomy third son and his innocent head-over-heels-in-love fan. (Ruined by Chay though, there's a difference in being childish and innocent, too bad writers still can't distinguish it. Even worse that I can't deal with cringey romances).

They should've brought in Vegas and Pete earlier. They brought a lot of steam to an otherwise mundane show, and while Build (Pete) simply cannot cry, they were an entertaining pair to watch. And honestly, in this entire show, these two were the most believable ones. Didn't like the final scene though, Pete was meant to be his "pet" because that's how their dynamic was; they are not a vanilla couple but I guess we have to care for the audience too.

The best part about this story was Porsche and Chay. But somehow the show maker managed to ruin that too because the entirety of episode 13 and final revolved around this blatantly contrived, stupid plot surrounding their mother's death. I can list ten unanswered questions and ten plotholes here (but les not spoil).

Separately taken, the romance, the comedy, and the darker parts of the plot are entertaining, but when put together it's this huge clusterfuck which has been running for fourteen episodes when it could've been condensed to ten. For a story which features at least five sons and two heads of the mafia, it is quite disconnected from the grind. We have massive houses and personally owned sky scrapers and a luxurious lifestyle, but there isn't anything to set it apart from a rich male lead romance except that we do see them pull out the guns once in a while but for the major part, Kinn and his father are both kept very, very clean. If you're afraid to stan a hero with questionable morals then don't be, because the only one getting his hands really dirty is Vegas.

I didn't expect Kinnporsche to go all godfather on me, but what sucks is that it shamelessly borrows from mafia themes to spice up the story. There isn't much violence except when they whip out their guns once in a while and in the VegasPete storyline. In the very last episode there's a sudden burst of bloodshed like a poorly done slasher.

I get that we have to give screentime to Miles and Apo’s abs but some in on the mafia side wouldn't have hurt. In the penultimate episode, all sorts of bizarre plotlines are brought in. The behaviour of the characters, especially Vegas are very inconsistent. The existing storylines were resolved poorly. What KP does get right however is the acting. The actors have done awesome for the most of it especially the mains.

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A slowly growing madness that engulfs you—

“A Page of Madness” is an artistic endeavor of 1926. Staying true to it’s title, it really is a page of madness.

The story takes place inside an asylum. At first it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, and everyone is just acting mad, but then you realise that slowly everyone is getting sucked into this madness. By the time realised that I was engrossed in the moving shades, the movie had almost come to a close and there was the final twist which established the fact that they were all quite mad.

I didn’t quite understand what they were trying to do but they were pushing something that was unconventional in the time that this was filmed. The movie was exceptionally artistically horrifying, it really plays with your mind sometimes. I was lost in the beautiful hypnotic dance that didn’t seem to belong to any sane realm.

If you’re wondering whether you should watch this movie then let me just say that it is quite a gift to be able to watch a creation from 1926 in this year (2021 for me), at 1080p resolution. So just go for it! It is more of a psychological horror and looks like something out of a painting.

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About dreams and warm things.

“A dream is such a wonderful thing to have.”

Nishiogikubo Mitsuboshi Youshudou is the story of three friends and the bar they run. The “Three Star Bar” in Tokyo’s Nishi Ogikubo District, is unassuming appearance. With its vintage exterior and warm interior, it becomes a home for lost souls, even if it is just for a few hours.

“It is a bar where anybody can come.”

Kobayashi Naoki is a failed novel writer the owner of the bar. He inherited it from his grandfather. One of the many unconventional charms of the bar is that it serves canned food. Amamiya Ryoichiro is an high-school friend of Kobyashi, who stumbled upon the bar when he was at an emotionally low moment in his life. He becomes the bartender and has been working there for a month. Nakauchi Satoru is a chef who decides to retire. He was a perfectionist but in his effort to be perfect he loses his passion which is conveyed as a loss of sensation in his taste buds.

Each episode follows the lives of the customers who stumble upon the bar when they are unhappy or dejected. The viewers get to follow the live stories of these ordinary men as they converse with Amamiya and when these men and women leave the bar, they leave happier and livelier than before.

But the bar must be closed when Kobyashi’s grandfather’s cans run out.

“The cooked food inside the can bides its time until the lid is opened. For for years, and years.”

If I need one word to describe Nishiogikubo Mitsuboshi Youshudou then it would be “cosy.” With warm pleasing aesthetics, this is an excellent story on life and dreams, compromise and balance, friendship and love and perfectly conveys the message, “Live in the moment.” Sometimes all you need to do is to flip over a painting and look at it from a different angle. :)

“Don't hide your wounds. Those wounds make you who you are today. Even if you fail, don't hide it. Don't be afraid of getting hurt, and move on with dignity. That's what my grandfather used to say to many customers who came here.”

–Kobayashi Naoki, Nishiogikubo Mitsuboshi Youshudou

This show could have easily become a 9.0 except there was to to ask for on how they handled the stories of the main characters. There growth was there but I felt a little bummed out about how little they showed on our three mains.

Nishiogikubo Mitsuboshi Youshudou also delivers perfectly on the “food” tag. Check out this feed post to get an idea :)
https://mydramalist.com/profile/Nada_SouSou/feeds/km6PACJ

A warm pleasant story with a perfect ending and awesome actors who brought the characters to life. 8.5/10 » awesome drama which impressed me (my rating scale is on my profile ;)

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melodramatic overkill

I've kept this review absolutely spoiler free because this is a movie which would completely lose any charm it has if the viewer is spoiled. Although, I personally found the poster of the movie and the arrangement of main roles in the cast itself to be a very huge spoiler.

The movie focusses on five girls at a literature club meeting, who take the podium one by one to read a short story presenting their view on the death of Shiraishi Itsumi, the queen bee of Seibo Maria Girls School. In each story the girls tell us how the kind Shiraishi Itsumi invited them to the elusive literature club, and each blames a different member for her death–mind you, this one i found quite interesting, how neither of the four think Itsumi suicided.

This a three tier story, the first being the account by the girls. Next is a message from the dead Shiraishi Itsumi herself and it reveals certain surprising details. By the end of it, we wonder is Itsumi really dead? That's where the last part of the movie comes in.

The real crimes and motivations of the girls are unexpected and quite dark considering the character we've been presented earlier–mind you, presented by they themselves. Darker is the story of Itsumi, who hides a viciousness behind that beatific smile. Darkest and craziest is the character who has been absolutely blameless. Although I could fairly predict which direction this was headed and who was lying, it would be wrong to call “Girls in the Dark” predictable.

For a thriller, it is not exactly gripping, but you somehow want to see how it ends you know? It is completely a psychological story which utilises the unreliable narration and the story will elude you till the very end, not because it's a particularly good plot twist, but because they drag it till the end. Instead of four girls, they should've kept to three because the story of the third girl Diane is just so out of place (maybe they just needed her to plant the lily flowers from France?) and makes it drag even more.

The motivations of the characters were not entertaining at all, and Itsumi herself was the most confusing one. There was no explanation for why she did what she did when she would've been much better off otherwise. The exposition of the villain is particularly ineffective, the ending was dull (and yes, after watching ten japanese productions, it's really not that hard to predict what was in that soup). Final takeaway: inconsistent storytelling which tried too hard.

Trigger warnings are potential spoilers and have been included comment below the review

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Chaotically fun

Ridiculously funny slapstick humor in a rather intriguing premise where a quick-witted magician and a rather daft physicist repeatedly find themselves embroiled in the most absurd situations, the only thing urging them forward is their vehemence to prove that the supernatural is fake. Lots of fake magic busting.

“No matter how mysterious it may seem, there is always a reason for it.”

Trick follows the story of Yamada Naoko, a magician whose father (also a magician) debunked and exposed people who claimed to have real spiritual powers. Naoko herself firmly believes that every miracle is actually a trick; the solution lies in an excessively simple idea, a sleight of hand or commonplace mirrors.

Ueda Jirou is one of the most famous physicists in Japan. He challenges the idea of supernatural powers and offers a reward. Having unpaid several months of her rent, Naoko accepts the offer and this begins this journey.

I have no idea why I laughed everytime they made a boob or knob joke or the wig was about to fall off, absolutely ridiculous but the characters somehow managed to grow on me. Big-Dick Ueda and Flat-Breast Naoko were an awesome duo, the series also continuously teased their romance and it was fun to see how they skirted around it.

“This is a simple trick. Even if it is repeated 10 or 500 times, all of you will not see through it. It is not because you people are stupid. This trick is simpler than any you have imagined.”

The build up of the events and exposition of the fake supernatural were quite interesting to watch, and honestly the tricks were actually so stupid. That I think is the most impressive aspect of this series, how such seemingly magnificent occurrences can be explained so simply. Moreover, Naoko’s firm denial of anything supernatural and her strong will to find the root was great.

Overall this was a really fun watch with a suitable ending that left me aghast and also rolling on the floor. 8.5/10. TRICK is a show that I would rewatch.

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A descent into madness.

No spoilers, proceed safely.

“You don’t understand. The sad part isn’t dying alone. It's when you've died alone and nobody notices.”

Zekkyou follows the story of Suzuki Yoko, a victim of parental negligence, not in terms of physical needs but a rather emotional form of negligence, which manifests in her as a dark cloud. As her mother sings praises of her brother and egregiously ridicules her for not being as capable as her brother, Yoko becomes lonelier and lonelier, like a goldfish in a tank.

Her half-eaten corpse is discovered in a lonely apartment and is investigated by Okunuki Ayano, who is also a lonely female detective, finds a similarity between her story and Yoko’s, and buries herself into finding Yoko's true story.

“The truth is, I've been waiting to be found.”

The story has two aspects to it. As a detective mystery, Zekkyou is quite bland. There are no intriguing investigative procedures involving forensic investigators and ballistic technicians. The core aspect of Zekkyou is not its investigative method but the development of its protagonist Suzuki Yoko.

A major part of this show seems to have been done for the shock value and seems totally unnecessary and unrealistic but somehow despite all that, Zekkyou was a very engaging watch; particularly the development of Yoko, a "Kimin", a person who has been abandoned. Yoko is quite a despicable yet dynamic character.

Suzuki Yoko is one of the most despicable characters that I have met. She is cruel and her decisions are stupid at best and unpardonable at worst. And yet, she is a “kimin,” a person abandoned by society.

“The morning is dyed violet. The sky of my new self.”

The emotional build up is intense, akin to a scream of rage and despair that has been been bottled up since childhood, spiralling into madness and culminating in an inevitable breakdown where Yoko lets out her emotions, her zekkyou, her scream.

The best part about this show was the brilliant acting from Ono Machiko. This was one of those moments when I said to myself, “this actress was born to play this role.” The side characters were quite okay but Ono Machiko just stole the screen, she could have carried this show on her own shoulders. :)

Also contributing to Zekkyou’s brilliance is its well-paced execution and cinematic prowess. I just love how they used the goldfish metaphor for her. Sharing my favorite shot from the show, I love how they showed her as a goldfish in episode 3. In previous shots they cut from her to a lone goldfish in a tank but here, when she is at the lowest and most powerless point of her life, they cut to a reflection of herself in the water.
See this MDL post by me: https://mydramalist.com/profile/Nada_SouSou/feeds/QQzOPI8

8.0/10. Another great Wowow thriller with potential to grow with some more episodes. Whatever the story lacked, was made up for by powerful acting, a well-paced script and the brilliant execution. Suzuki Yoko is a character who will stay with me for a while.

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An excellent adaptation.

No spoilers. Proceed safely. :)

Karamazov no Kyodai is the Japanese live drama adaptation of one of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s greatest novels, “The Brothers Karamazov.” I was highly intrigued yet sceptical about watching this show but I'm highly impressed.

Like the novel, Karamazov no Kyodai revolves around the murder mystery of one of the most loathsome characters that I have seen as of yet, Kurosawa Bunzo, the owner of the Kurosawa Estate. He is openly acknowledged as one of the most hated men in his residential city. His three sons—the eldest, Kurosawa Mitsuru, is a slave to his emotions and often acts foolishly in a fit of passion; the middle brother Kurosawa Isao is analytical in nature and channels his hatred for Kurosawa Bunzo into writing a novel; the youngest is Kurosawa Ryo, he is the kindest of the three and is considered to have the best temperament—they are taken into custody to investigate Kurosawa Bunzo’s murder.

What starts out as a seemingly simple murder mystery, takes us through the emotional and physical torture of the three brothers as children and as adults. The story also stresses how even though the three brothers have been subjected to the same environment, grow up as vastly different characters but still have faith in one another.

Karamazov no Kyodai is a suspenseful plot that combines “the absurd, the surreal and mundane.” It uses grotesque and dramatic but brilliant cinematography to create the imagery that it desires in the minds of its viewers. Characters are always only as good as the actors and thankfully Karamazov no Kyodai has some awe-spiring acting from both its antagonists and protagonists.

With careful usage of dark imagery, soundtrack and strong script, Karamazov no Kyodai throws its convoluted and incidentally mad characters into a convoluted storyline and traces the thin line between hatred that drives one to sin and acting on it; a very thin line which no matter how alluring and seemingly fair, should not be crossed. Brilliant in its execution, Karamazov no Kyodai has managed to convert Dostoyevsky’s novel of more than 800 pages into a compact but impactful drama which holds something new for viewers who have and haven't read the original novel.

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The first Taiwanese lesbian series brought to you by the director of the HIStory series

❛Dear Uranus❜ has been produced and scripted by a Taiwanese lesbian couple, ‘Rabbit and Wolf’ and directed by Mi Chieh Tsai who has previously directed HIStory: Stay Away From Me, HIStory2: Crossing the Line and HIStory3: Make Our Days Count (need I elaborate more on how much I love this director).

═ ∘♡༉∘ ════════Spoiler studded review✏

Being a mini series with a total runtime of approximately 30 minutes, ‘Dear Uranus’ doesn't cover much ground but that doesn't imply that it isn't enjoyable. The story is relatively simple. We meet our first two protagonists when Zhang Ruo Ning saves Wang Yi Qing from a popular school student (this bratty student is actually played by Huang Ring Ye aka Rabbit, the show’s producer ;)

It becomes obvious that Yi Qing has a huge crush on Ruo Ning (who wouldn't, have you SEEN her tattoos?). The third protagonist is Lin Jing Chen. She constantly has flashbacks of her ex-girlfriend when she's around Ruo Ning and slowly she too becomes infatuated with Ruo Ning.

Meanwhile Jing Chen’s best friend, Lin Man, looks on in sadness as her friend falls for another girl while being oblivious to her feelings. (Lin Man is Xue Yi Jie aka Wolf, the show’s scriptwriter).

The drama ends on an open ending which made me feel like I was reading ‘My Lady's Choosing’. Ruo Ning asks the audience who she should choose, the cutesy Yi Qing who is infatuated with her or the charismatic Jing Chen who makes bold advances on her (their kisses have already been giffed of course).

Despite the short duration, Dear Uranus covers a lot of topics.

1. Ruo Ning is a taekwondo athlete who is obviously under some pressure from her parents to become an athlete which is not her dream.

2. The most interesting storyline was probably that of Jing Chen and her ex-girlfriend. Jing Chen keeps having flashbacks of her ex-girlfriend who seems to have been cheating on her. Jing Chen’s sadness is palpable (thanks to the marvellous actor) and it seems there's much more to the storyline than has been revealed.

3. When Ruo Ning turns down Jing Chen’s advances, telling her to take permission before kissing someone, it conveys the importance of consent. Even seemingly ‘minor’ actions like kissing should require consent.

4. Lin Man's affections for Jing Chen are so obvious and it was so painful seeing how she looked on as Jing Chen flirted with Ruo Ning. Yet she's a supportive friend who doesn't hesitate to assist Jing Chen in her plans.


Second season?
There have been so many unexplained threads and so much unresolved conflict in the drama (especially with that ending), it seems that we may be blessed my a second season soon (or it may be because the director is actually be at doing endings. See History3: MODC to understand what I mean. I said what I said).

Personally I'm all for team Jing Chen and Ruo Ning. I would love to see Jing Chen's character development as she gets over her ex and finds solace in the present.

Ruo Ning’s affection for Yi Qing always seemed a bit 'sisterly' to me (although it's obvious that Yi Qing is looked for anything platonic). Everytime she thumps Yi Qing’s forehead I just die that much more on the inside. Ruo Ning also saves Yi Qing quite a few times but I found a lack of tension, the kind of tension which stems from 'liking someone'. For example when the woke up together in Ep.3, Ruo Ning didn't even wait to study Yi Qing’s face or jawline or whatever, just poked her to get ready for school.

Jing Chen might have misplaced feelings now but it would be a much more exciting premise to see her and Ruo Ning. But I'm pretty sure that's not what we're getting set up for. I foresee Jing Chen and Lin Man getting together (my second favorite ship here) and Ruo Ning with Yi Qing.

Nevertheless I'm pumped up for this currently non-existent season 2.

As far as the characters are concerned, I loved Jing Chen's complexity (yes I am obsessed with Jing Chen). I felt bad for Lin Man but I could relate to her on so many levels.

Unpopular opinion, I disliked Ruo Ning and Yi Qing. Yi Qing needs a lot of character development, as in A LOT. Everyone treats her like a doormat and I disliked how she was set up as a damsel who needs saving. So her sudden confession to Ruo Ning felt a bit out of character. Her 'cuteness' seemed really over-the-top and forced (the actress did a good job though).

As for Ruo Ning, I know it's pretty easy in the game but she has to let go of one girl. She isn't oblivious to Yi Qing's feelings but she's also full-blown flirting with Jing Chen. Yes Jing Chen did move in to kiss her but it's not like she was forcing Ruo Ning. Just abandoning someone like that, someone you've been flirting with for the last two hours, right after they've gifted you a black rose...not cool.

Does this have a haphazard story? Yes. Occasionally bad lighting? Yes. Weird filters? Sometimes, yes. Should you watch it? Yes. Watch it for Ruo Ning's tattoo, Jing Chen's killer smile, Lin Man's taekwondo moves and the blessed lgbt visibility.

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