For reference, the Philippines is a predominantly Christian/ Catholic country with the older generations being more traditional sided. This show, however, cleverly tackles issues within the gay community with the point of view of millennials so topics such as hookup apps, HIV scares, and much more are cleverly woven into each 12 minute episodes like vignettes to portray an overarching image of love, lust, and life.
Another strong point of the series are the two main characters. The chemistry brought by the actors and the contrast between the characters produce a personal romance that viewers can relate and identify with. Sometimes the show just shows them talking for the whole episode, but it’s scenes like these that develop the differing characters and gives the audience an idea on where each opposing side is coming from.
The music is great! It has a modern indie pop vibe that goes well with the setting and the mood of the show. My personal favorite is the closing track “twenty years from now” that plays like a dance number but has lyrics that reflect upon the situation between the two main characters! (Seriously, it’s catchy af and quite unfortunate that the shows version isn’t on Spotify :/ )
I didn’t really have a problem with the acting but most of the side characters are a bit underused so it’s kind of hard to see their full potential! For example, there’s a straight character that has no significance in the show. I would have really liked for the show to have expanded on the idea of a straight man with a group of gays a bit more.
Overall, this show isn’t your typical Lovey-Dovey BL cheese feast but instead puts LGBT issues to the forefront with the point of view of millennials within a country with an unconventional social environment.
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This review may contain spoilers
A different from routine drama!
A good start in new year for me!Story:
The story is about a man who had become an immortal because of an accident in the past and a woman who is going to die at a very young age. But it's not completely a fantasy / supernatural drama. This drama covers the sensitive aspects of organ donation, the mental condition of terminally ill patients and their family members, illegal research performed on humans.
What I liked:
Friendship: All the male leads friends are very good, especially William, he has a lively character.
The female lead's bestie is Miss. Cool and is the best of all the friends I have seen.
Cheng Qian annoyed me for a while, but his bickering with the female lead even at the critical moment in last episode is very funny.
Ending: I am happy that this drama did not continue the legacy of ruining the last episodes with stupid flashback.
No love triangles:┌(・。・)┘♪ There is no cunning second female lead and no annoying second male lead.
OST is good .
But I couldn't understand how the female lead is cured!
My verdict: Watch this if you want a light hearted romance drama with friendship as main genre .
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The concept of the movie is firstly the retrieval of the green destiny sword which then brings us to the Jade Fox; the villain of the movie.
ACTING: 9.5/10 – CHARACTERS: 10/10
Amazing acting abilities from Zhang Ziyi whom at the time of filming was just doing her second main role at the age of 20-21. The fight scene with Yeoh Michelle is so magnificent that I have to ask whether they use stunt doubles; and straight after she fights Chow Yun Fat. This fight provides the mastermind of the director’s (Ang Lee) ability to produce a worthy scene in weak looking trees.
MUSIC: 8.5/10
Such a calming ending song to a saddening conclusion.
LIKED: I loved the sceneries used and do wish to see them for myself in this lifetime (not so much the desert).
DISLIKED: The ending just because of its sadness
CONCLUSION:
You should watch this movie if you enjoy genres such as SUSPENCE – MARTIAL ARTS – AMAZING ACTING – LOVE – SACRIFICE – SWORDSMANSHIP – PATIENCE.
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The plot is basically centered on Misako Renbutsu's character, Michiko, who is in her 20s, works in a business company as a part-timer and doesn't really know where her life is going. Her boyfriend treats her poorly, her job is on the verge of disappearing and in comes Naho Toda's character, Akko-san, to change her life. Through food. Lots and lots of food (seriously, don't watch this when you're hungry). The story goes from that starting point to a lot of different places and Michiko meets a lot of different people whose realities and lives inspire her to change her own. It's a story about finding your worth and growing through empathy. With food and children lit, which for me is a plus.
The problem for me was that the story has quite a few fast forwards and tries to cover more time spans than they actually have to develop them. For a drama with 8 episodes and 30 minutes per episode, it doesn't manage the time the best it could. On the one hand, you could say Akko-san's inconsistent contexts have a lot to do with her personality, but on the other, it can get a bit confusing.
There's consistent development throughout (mostly of Michiko) but there isn't a clear start to finish path, which may turn some people off if they're expecting a grand finale with fanfares and passionate kisses. If you're expecting chills and thrills and a lot of tension, this is not your drama, but if you're tired from a day of work and want to watch something cute, interesting, which still tells a story (and shows good food), maybe give this one a go.
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The main plot line of the drama is dragged on for a few episodes and gets solved within two episodes with legit zero development. All other plots were not interesting and the characters involved were also very dull or just annoying to watch.
If you want to get bored, watch this. Only reason I didn't drop this was due to being in too deep already and not wanting to just quit. Otherwise, I regret watching it.
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Waaaay too short!!
I felt like i watched half a movie with these short episodes why did they end it on a sad note. Some of characters need more flushed out i mean who is the woman is she his caretaker? And where did the other vampire come from? Is he his Sire or former lover? We need explaintions plz!!Idk what else to say but i need 500 words for this review.
I did see the ml vampire in another vampire show man he was hot in that too!! I'd let him drink me lol ??
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The characters were good and funny. The plot was OK.
It's the kind of movie you'd watch if you had nothing to watch.
what is liked the least is the plot. It's an action movie so there supposed to be more action in it. But they were concentrating on the drama and the lives of the main characters.
The case in was easy to to solve so, most people wouldn't have that "what's gonna happen next?" moment or wonder "who did it?".
I don't strongly recommend watching it but it's worth watching.
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On the bright side that I can still watch until the end is Akk's characters who is so memorable. Another thing is the conflict that they brought up about Theo's family was quite different than any other Thai BL series. But the lack of ways to resolve it, makes this series even more disoriented.
At least, I can finish this series till the end. I remember how tiring I was when I was watching Bite Me. This feels different, a little bit.
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"Dura Lex, Sed Lex."
Cassandra Clare's books were the ones that introduced me to this term, popularly known as the Brocard Law, which when translated from Latin means "The Law is harsh, but it is the Law." Thankfully, she found a strong counterpart against this which is the family motto of the Blackthorns: "A bad law is no law."Not Me reminded me a lot about this. If you are looking for romance in particular, then this drama might not be for you as it deals more with politics and justice than with love.
It delves into the depth of the social injustice faced by humans in the hands of law and the higher officials. Personally, I did not find it as 'dark' as viewers had said. Moreover, it brought forth certain shady topics that one would not dare to openly do so in a country. I applaud the production team and the whole crew for their bravery in putting this forward.
Four university students who work part time in a motorcycle garage decide to push the limits of law and commit acts of delinquence in order to shine light on the illegal activities being done by the major influential personalities, with businessman and politician, Tawei as their main target. When Black, their ringleader gets beaten to the point of unconsciousness, he is replaced by his more capable and refined twin White, whose existence is hidden as a result of his parents divorce.
As he seeks too find the culprit who caused his brother's injuries with the help of their mutual friend Todd while on incognito mode, White slowly starts to realize that Black was not whom he had known many years ago.
First and foremost, Thai dramas are literally the only ones listed on MDL where I feel genuinely like a useless pile of snack wrappers while watching them. All the characters are students who are passionate about their studies and what they do —- may it be Political Science, Law, Art or even Dance.
They really work hard to study and knows very well the consequences of their actions, right upto the years they would be sentenced to, once they are caught. They are purposeful and know their cause, fight for their rights and want their voices to be heard.
Issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and the loopholes of the Law of Impunity are discussed in detail and for once, I sat down to actually listen instead of fastforwarding. I aspire to be even as half as brave as them.
The entire drama follows their chronicles. And they do it as a final resort since nobody would help them. They are not the bad guys, per se. I even rooted for them. I predicted the ending since the very beginning, so I was not let down by the final episode.
The cast was spectacular, particularly Gun Attaphan who played the dual role of Black and White. It was so well done that I'm convinced that these were two different individuals instead of the same person. Same goes for Sean and Yok. The actors practically made the characters alive. Minor supporting roles such as Eugene, Namo and Nuchi and their rapport with the main characters were interesting to watch. I did not feel that any character was added in as a 'waste'.
The OST was beyond amazing and captured the essence of the drama perfectly. The opening song is so beautiful even without understanding what was being sung. (Not Me by Kang Songks.)
This was an experimental, yet a didactic experience for me. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute and would not mind rewatching it again.
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This review may contain spoilers
Glad to finally get this off my PTW list
I did it! I actually did it! I have FINALLY watched all twelve episodes of 2 Brothers! I feel like I have accomplished the impossible! Wo! So glad that I'm done!Story-6.5/10
In all honesty the storyline started off interesting. However, I felt like everything was wrapped up too conveniently and quickly. Also, there were parts of the storyline that I just didn't like but somehow the family members seemed to get over it so quickly and easily. I mean the highlight for me in this WHOLE series was that Saint was the missing grandson and he showed up at the end, but only to Tony.
Acting/Cast- 7.5/10
Some parts of the acting was okay, while it can be seen in other parts that it wasn't.
Music-8/10
I was in shock to hear My Everything that grew on me from the BL series The Moment (which apparently was made after this), I know that thier music would be awesome. And it was!
Rewatch Valu-4/10
I actually do not want to watch this series again. One time is good enough for me, thanks.
Overall-6.5/10
Overall I am glad that I have finished this series. So I no longer have to wonder exactly what this series is about.
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Three coincidences equals Fate or lazy writing
Tough as Iron with Yoo Ah In was a film with an identity crisis. At its heart it was a movie that seemed inspired by Gilbert Grape right down to the opening scene. To make it more exciting they threw in gangsters and the Yakuza. Then for good measure they wedged in a love story. Sometimes too much is too much.According to the synopsis Gang Cheol was a legendary street fighter. Maybe it was Sesame Street? The fight scenes weren't very well choreographed and his most powerful skill was a killer stare. Cheol's life entailed a job working on the docks and caring for his mother. His mom often accompanied him so that she wouldn’t wander off, which she still managed to do quite often. Not only did she have dementia, she was a diabetic with kidney failure. Cheol went to great lengths trying to find a way for her to receive a transplant. Cheol’s buddy, Jong Soo, wanted to be somebody and get rich so he joined a gang with a sashimi loving boss with a hotheaded brother. Of course, the trouble magnet entangled Cheol with his criminal co-workers. In moments when he wasn’t dealing with his mother, his troublesome friend, working, trying to find 100,000 won for his mom's surgery, or dealing with the gangsters, Cheol ran into a pretty photographer visiting Busan which meant it had to be fate.
The gangster angle was weak and took away from the relevant story of Cheol and his mother. Maybe the writers felt that Gilbert Grape would have been more interesting if he’d gotten mixed up with gangsters instead of planning a birthday party. The romance in this film wasn’t a lifeline or an insight into a better life, it seemed more like vacant window dressing. Yoo Ah In and Kim Hae Sook had wonderful chemistry together. There was more than enough story to tell as they navigated the stage in life when the child becomes the parent with little time for himself. This story could have used a romantic involvement to show him what he was missing. But Tough As Iron’s incoherent gangster escapades pulled too much focus from the heart of the film leaving no room for a well-developed love story.
Tough as Iron had the potential to be a powerful and meaningful film, especially with the caliber of actors involved. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the interplay between Cheol and his mother, the good days, the bad days, the exhaustion, heartache, and love. I found their relationship much more fascinating than a maniacal killer who stuttered.
5 February 2024
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Still can't believe I didn't drop this!
I'll start with the things I didn't like so I can end this review on a good note. I'll start with... It literally took me 3 episodes to get hooked into the story. Why?Because I thought the series was over after only the first episode and was wandering what else was left. It's like knowing what's wrapped in a present before you even open it. After the first episode The only question left to answer was "how will Gun fall for Tinn?" cause it's already known and shown that Tinn is so whipped (I mean dude u have no idea). Honestly The only reason I went on was because I thought maybe there were more to the story than that (it's GMM after all)... but nope NOTHING!
The episodes felt soooo long and at the 6th or 7th I could swear there wasn't much left but the plot just kept on dragging some more. How did I get through?? Simple the things I liked...
THE CAST! The chemistry and acting of this cast is one of the best I've ever seen. And can I just give a round of applause to "the parents"? They were so good and I was so excited and looking forward to see them in every episode. I also really liked how healthy the relationship between TinnGun was. Fr had they not sold the main point right from the get go I would've been more invested in their couple. They were cute but that's it. They were cute in every single episode so not much there to feed on.
It wasn't all bad but I won't be watching this again.
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This review may contain spoilers
I usually do not like these types of films, but I have to say I was very pleased with it. I didn't for once thought of pausing to 'take a walk'. That was how I was glued. This film have everything from action to gruesomeness, suspense to thriller and even family love. No romance, unless you count jealousy as a form of romance.
The tale is about a 2yr boy who was kidnapped, his life 14 years later and then the results of what the kidnappers have sowed.
What I mostly like is how everything comes together in the end, the tale behind the tale - Jealousy.
How important it is to leave your past in the past and not allowing it to haunt you, as that monster may become you once it's no more visible.
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Healer is an entire package of awesomeness,it has the best combination of genres i always look for(Action,suspense,Mystery,romance and handsome oppa :P).The concept of night courier is entirely new to me.The first few episodes really amazed me as this was my first time watching something like that.The plot was well developed and i was hooked to the drama to see more of the male leads handsomeness.
Ji Chang Wook oppa is definitely a scene-stealer for me(I ended up watching other dramas of his).Whenever he is on screen i always wondered about how great of an actor he is.He delivered each emotion perfectly.He was innocent,cute,sweet,hot,athletic,emotional,chic,naive and a complete heartthrob.The female lead has a strong personality.As episodes went by i started liking her more and more for all the braveness her character showed. Both of their chemistry is beyond this world.They were sweet together and whenever they were together,they gave away couple goals.They were just meant to meet.
Doesn't matter if you are new to dramas or have some experience in drama watching,Healer should definitely be added to your must watch list and you won't regret it after marking a tick against the completed box .About re-watching this drama,you will eventually do it after watching the lead couples cute and sweet moments together.
Healer opened up the world of dramas to me .Hence,it will forever occupy a special place in my heart.
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This review may contain spoilers
..MUKASHI MUKASHI..
..the FL's story on her chosen profession continues...
..the flow of the story indeed the same on the season 1..
.
..here since Japanese have many legend stories about youkai as the title itself features different characters..
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..with some insert of songs add the entertainment of the show - it also tackles the stories of different youkai..
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..the funny scenes are still there though the air time got short, no wonder, a specific story ends with two or more episodes - yet the story still focus and teaches us how our own uniqueness must fit in our chosen career, beleiving in one's self and support of other people help us to appreciate ourself to be more productive and useful..
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..love the second season and it deserves a season three for me since its highlight are the youkai in Japanese legend - more characters to come..
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