phd_travel Reviews

Past Lives (2023)

Surprisingly held interest

[7/10 · 24 April 2024]

A Korean boy and a girl are friends but after she emigrates when they are 12 they lose touch till college when he finds her online. But they lose touch again and she marries a Jewish American writer. Later he visits her in NYC. They have some touching meetings and their feelings are interesting for the viewer to see. Love? One sided or not? There isn't tht much story but what is shown is involving.

They cast as the Korean actor who is taller and handsomer than the American husband so the viewer is wondering if she will leave her husband for him.

It's tense but not in bad way. The people are all nice. Just a bit sad but realistic.

Was the point of the story that emigres end up with a so so life and a hot asian girl ends up with an average white man thing?

Target (2023)

A lot of thriller for your buck

[7/10 · 4 April 2024]

You get a lot of bang for your buck in this thriller. Maybe too much. The ending would have been better if it had been simpler. Too murderous a villain and too resilient. The body count got a bit high for the amount of gain for the criminal.

SHS is quite good feisty then scared but still strong. She is a convincing lead actress now.

The story starts off quite relevant with lots of E commerce insights. Also modern day stalking is so easily done online. How dangerous it can be so this a good warning for users of online shopping. Now I know to never buy a second hand washing machine. Things like appliances have to be tested.

Road to Boston (2023)

The most moving running movie of all

[10/10 · 4 April 2024]

Thoroughly involving from start to finish this is the best movie about running I have ever seen.

This movie was more moving than Chariots of Fire. The race was more exciting. There were more obstacles to overcome than religion. Physical size, lack of training equipment, racism, politics bureaucracy and red tape. So many barriers. The win wasn't just for an individual but for a country that had been forcibly occupied by Japan for decades.

Im Si Wan is a totally convincing actor and he physically suits the role with his small size.

Ha Jung Woo is as always good in his role of 1936 Olympic gold medalist whose win was counted as for Japan instead of Korea because of the occupation at that time. Never managed to change the country.

Hope this movie gets to Netflix or Viki so more people can see it.

Ransomed (2023)

Exciting and believable

[10/10 · 2 April 2024]

What makes this thriller stand out is that it is a true story so you don't need to question the plot for being ridiculous. This story is engrossing in the way a true story is. A diplomat is kidnapped in Beirut and foreign service guy goes there to rescue him. He ha the help of a slightly shady Korean there.

It is more of a thriller than the Hyun Bin movie The Point Men about hostage negotiations. That one wasn't a thrill a minute.

The car chase is something else!

Ha Jung Woo of Narco Saints is always good in these Korean in trouble abroad movies. Ju ji Hoon is good too and who knew he could play funny. The terrible situation in Beirut during that time is vividly brought to life. Great cinematography and directing so that there is hardly a dull moment.

Abyss (2019)

Sloppy writing and too long but cute stars

[5/10 · 12 March 2024]

This series should have been 12 episodes or less. It felt so draggy towards the last third. Too bad because things start of quite exciting with body changes and a reincarnating ball. The ugly to handsome and beautiful to plain thing is quite funny.

The serial killer is a bit too successful at evading ane escaping. A few escapes less would have been better. Then the twist of the prosecutor felt tacked on and draggy. Should have ended after the main serial killer was caught. Too many kidnappings of the women who are always unprotected just right for kidnapping.

Kim Sa Rang is good too bad just 2 episodes of her.

The stars of this show have both done better things. AHS and Park Bo Young are quite fun together. Her cute talking character is cute for a while but that cannot sustain the length of this show. Fans of Han So Hee would probably like to check out her supporting role here before she became a lead actress. Her character here is irritating at times but she was tortured. This series just needed serious editing and shortening.

Doctor Slump (2024)

2 shining stars light up the screen

[8/10 · 10 March 2024]

It's been a while since we had A list stars in a rom com. So it's wonderful to have the 2 pretty Parks back from thriller genre to this type of series. And these 2 are in their element here. Sparkling chemistry that is always pleasant never painful. Romantic comedy with lots of comedy.

The story starts off involving with both their respective career crises. She with a nasty boss and he with a malpractice suit. Immediately they get our sympathies. Funny flashbacks of them as students. And luckily they are still young enough to play themselves as teens. Their also is her funny family that is always in their business headed by Jang Hye Jin of CLOY and Parasite. The humour is spontaneous and laugh out loud funny. And it is touching the way they help each other.

One faults is they seem to encourage drinking alcohol to feel better. Quite wrong for people on meds for psychiatric problems. Hope it wasn't product placement by the alcohol industry.

The issues with his friends are quite realistic.

Recently K rom coms have lacked either a really funny story or uniformly top notch casting. This is a welcome return back to the funny and well cast shows of the past. Good thing no silly love triangles and other done to death cliches. Its mostly enjoyable. The last few episodes ran out of steam. Should have ended earlier.

Twinkling Watermelon (2023– )

Back to the Future with emotion but lacking humor

[5/10 · 9 March 2024]

Anyone who has seen Back to the Future will recognize the concept and premise. A teen goes back to the time of his parents youth. The K drama element is that it is more emotional and that is where the drama shines. There are some really touching scenes with the son and father and mother. He sees his parents own difficulties growing up and sees things from their POV.

Also it's exciting to see if and how the future can be changed especially trying to avoid the accident that caused the father's deafness. Although irritatingly it seems too hard to stop the accident. Went on too long. The abusive teacher is a dramatic plot line. There have to be villains.

The cast is exuberant and acts well. Ryeoun is good and Choi Hyun Wook is enthusiastic. Seol in Ah isn't as pretty as the character suggests as the prettiest girl in school though.

The main faults are the length and the lack of funny moments. The drama should have been 12 episodes. There are lots of unnecessary and repeated scenes. And unnecessary dialogue. The first part is actually very confusing. There isn't that much story. Another fault is the comedy is often not funny. In fact it is just never funny. So it is like a musical drama but not a rom com. The writer just doesn't have a good sense of humor. Don't recall laughing at any joke. Did not like the ending that much. Rushed without a lot if explanation of the positive changes. Could have shortened the previous episodes to show more detailed explanation. He could not prevent his father's deafness and he had no memory of his better life. There is no way to explain time travel changes to everyone's satisfaction but in this show not enough of an effort was made.

The Time We Were Not in Love (2015)

Too long, repetitive and boring

[2/10 · 7 March 2024]

Only fans of Ha Ji Won or Lee Jin Wook could sit through this overly long show. The two leads of the show look good together. They were both at their prime for rom Coms and wear their fashions well.

This story could have been told in 6 episodes. They are best friends since school days. And live next door to each other. She is a shoe company exec and he is a steward. BTW in Korea a flight attendant is regarded as a more prestigious a profession than it is in the West. Her secondary romantic interests are more interesting than the main romance. Kim Myung Soo L is intriguing as a young intern and Yoon Kyun Sang as a rather strange pianist. More excitement with their characters. The main romance is so dull they really are like old friends.

There are so many unnecessary repetitive scenes. This would have been OK as s short series. Too bad they needed to fill 16 eps. Their main obstacles are indecision. There is no parental opposition, quite the contrary. And her other paramours were too young and too unattractive.

My Name Is Loh Kiwan (2024)

A defector's harrowing journey with good acting

[8/10 · 4 March 2024]

The movie starts off quite involving with Song Joong Ki looking like we don't usually see him all scruffy as a North Korean defector. He usually looks very clean cut with perfect complexion so this is a change. He acts convincingly, better than expected and it's good he could show his skills in a more challenging role. More varied facial expressions than in Reborn Rich and Vincenzo. It's quite harrowing to see his struggles as a migrant in China and then in Brussels and living the homeless life facing violence in the seedy underbelly of that disgusting city.

Along the way a romance is woven in with an emigree with a problem with drugs and more. Choi Sung Eun is quite a good actress here and has an attractive modern look too. Things aren't boring as the story moves through his struggles to stay in the country and her issues. The part that felt unconvincing was the big shoot out - it seemed far fetched and too much for the circumstances before.

Beaty queen Kim Sung Ryung looks unrecognizable as his mother. Quite a transformation.

At least there was a nice ending though a few unanswered questions remained about how they were going to live in the tropical destination.

Quite a good movie overall.

Queen In-hyun's Man (2012)

Funny and lots of chemistry

[7/10 · 3 March 2024]

Ji Hyun Woo and Yoo In Na fell in love in real life and they look so suited to each other. Their comical faces and cheeky personalities. That makes this show quite special.

The story is good. This time travel writer did Memories of Alhambra and 9 times Travel. This is the earliest and funniest of the three. The first two thirds are quite funny. The historical flashbacks are a bit too long but well integrated to the modern story. And there is a proper ending too. Unlike Alhambra. Like the on location filming in the palaces. It's hard to make time travel totally logical but for the most part it works. The happy ending is complete if a bit of an anti climax. Didn't like the manager best friend. But the ex boyfriend actor was funny.

Lies Hidden in My Garden (2023– )

Slow but some good twists

[4/10 · 2 March 2024]

The first half is slow. Then a very good twist takes place that explains everything and throws into disarray every thing you assumed before. People can be good and bad. The good become the bad and vice versa. From then you want to see it to the end. But the ending is a twist too many.

Kim Tae Hee has matured as an actress. Still beautiful but better facial expressions. Lim Ji Yeon looks diabolical like no other actress can.

The camera angles are interesting. The mood is mysterious. Parasite type house. This is not a must watch. It's too slow even though it's only 8 episodes. 6 would have done the job well enough.

Tell Me That You Love Me (2023– )

The pace is too slow

[4/10 · 26 February 2024]

This drama about a deaf artist falling in love with an actress simply cannot be recommended because the pace is just too slow and monotonous and there are too many repeated scenes every episode. The lead characters often seem lifeless and totally lacking in passion. Since it was about a deaf man it should have been done in a more exciting way.

Jung Woo Sung is a very subtle and refined actor and conveys pain well. But his character was just so morose for so much of the series. Shin Hyun Bin is a sensitive actress was a good match for him looks wise. But her character was often too laid back as well. Must commend them because they both had to learn so much sign language. The supporting characters provide a bit of relief. But their roles are undeveloped. Actually would have wouldn't have minded if the couple did not to end up together. They both could live quite well without each other. In some scenes thet were just so frustrating. If this show had been 8 episodes it might have been better. The whole story could have been condensed in to a movie actually. There was that little actual story.

This was a disappointing show.

The Gray Man (2022)

Nice locations weak story

[3/10 · 26 February 2024]

What a waste of Netflix money. Such beautiful on location filming in Europe particularly a spectacular chase scene through Prague. Unfortunately the movie fails where it counts.

The story is weak. Just too much senseless explosions and fighting. Couldn't care who was doing what to who after a while. Didn't get what was happening after a while. Maybe because the characters are so uninteresting.

Ryan Gosling looks too detached from the action. A but cold. Chris Evans has been playing baddies recently. Bit silly looking.

Netflix needs to spend money more wisely on good stories instead of just senseless action.

Ava (IV) (2020)

Jessica is watchable but the story is mediocre

[6/10 · 25 February 2024]

Jessica Chastain always is watchable because of her intelligent looking performances. It's strange she did this assassin style action movie. I like how she looked terrible in disguise and much better out of disguise with less makeup. Charlize and others have done the same type of action movies. A rite of passage for the maturing actress. But why? It's not quality film making.

The family story with the mom and sister is quite diverting. Haven't seen Geena for a while and it's great to see her again. But the whole assassin thing with John and Colin seemed half baked. As did the thing with Joan Chen. Not properly explained. Who what when where and why? The love triangle thing with sis was off putting too.

The ludicrous fight between a feeble looking John Malkovich and Colin Farrell was painful to watch.

The ending was rather an anti climax. Punch punch and more. Did not like the tiny loose end.

Bad story great actress.

Kate (I) (2021)

Tiresome

[4/10 · 24 February 2024]

This action movie seems to have gone backwards in terms of the story. Too much senseless killing through the night scapes of Japan. The violence is quite gross at times. It lacks the humor of Besson. Just a little human connection in the middle when she bonds with the kid.

Mary E Winstead's character lacked background and so the viewer cannot empathize with her. She also didn't have the glam transformation that can be funny, she was just grungy and glum looking the whole time. Too serious. Maybe it's the Japanese type story. She killed everyone then suddenly her humanity felt fake. Shallow. Luc Besson movies and Korean movies have better stories when it comes to this kind of action movie because they have central characters you feel for and some back story. Woody's character felt shallow too. Mary tried hard but her action sequences felt too unbelievable even for this type of show.

Don't bother with this unpleasant violent movie. There have been much better ones in the genre.

Painkiller (2023)

Important message but messy camera work

[7/10 · 24 February 2024]

There is an important message in this story how we were let down by big pharma, our doctors and the FDA. Don't trust them blindly. Who hasn't had oxy prescribed to them or a family member and it probably was just for mild pain. Think of their profit motives. Makes one think about other drugs besides just opioids that we are prescribed and even the pandemic.

Good attempt to make identifiable representative characters for the story. Taylor Kitsch as the working guy who gets addicted. Matthew as evil Sackler boss seems to lack menace. Too comical looking. But still good point showing that drug dealers can look like business executives and don't have to look like Pablo Escobar. Couple of glamorous purdue sales reps with unethical tactics. Udo as an Investigator going after Purdue. The story is quite illuminating for those who haven't followed the crisis and does cover the milestones from the beginnings of the pushing of the drug to the public then handling the FDA to the current situation. The settlement is quickly laid out at the end. Sad to see Rudy was involved on the wrong side.

I understand this is not a documentary so they need to make things exciting. But the directing feels too hectic. I didn't like the jerky camera work and quick changes from one scene to another. Confusing. This is the main fault of the show but it is outweighed by the vital message.

Everyone needs to be educated about the events in this series.

Pain Hustlers (2023)

Any one on meds would find this interesting

[7/10 · 23 February 2024]

Lots of news about the Sacklers and the opioid crisis. And that was made into a mini series. They weren't the only villains in this arena. There were others namely Indian born John Kapoor. For those who don't have patience for a mini series can watch this movie. This is another similar true story that is just as fascinating but less well known. Ever wonder about the prescription drugs you or family take? This is quite fascinating about the dangers of some meds. Also this movie reminds us that fentanyl is a painkiller for cancer patients. And we can see the beginnings of how it became a nationwide problem when abused.

Emily Blunt is likeable and totally watchable. She is too intelligent looking and sounding for the character's supposedly trashy origins. She stars as a struggling dropout who becomes a pharmaceutical rep selling drugs to doctors. It's fentanyl made for cancer patients. But they push the drug and pay doctors to prescribe them and later on for non cancer patients.

The villains are well played here. Evil pharma execs Andy Garcia and Chris Evans and evil doctor Brian darcy James.

The Woman in the Window (2021)

Unconvincing story

[4/10 · 22 February 2024]

This was a so so thriller. But the stars are good.

It's always nice to see Amy Adams. She gives this role her all with the disheveled frumpy look. Julianne Moore is under utilised. Gary Oldman should dye his hair he looks unrecognizable.

Rear Window showed things that happened next door quite clearly. But here the events next door are shown too quickly and not focussed on so it was hard to catch.

The story isn't that well written. Things aren't properly explained in the end. And the result on the other characters is glossed over. So the ending feels rushed and cliched.

Didn't buy the twist about her family being dead. Doesn't feel plausible she could have forgotten or put it out of her mind.

Won't miss much if did not see this movie.

Marry My Husband (2024)

Park Min Young rules - great cast feel good story

[7/10 · 21 February 2024]

I always like Park Min Young shows and her sweetness radiates here. She has always been good at looking sad too. But she lost too much weight for this role and it was not really necessary for the story to be that thin. It does make one sympathetic towards her sick character. She does showcase many lovely outfits. Fashion is quite a part of this show and both her and her tall co star Na In Woo have hair and wardrobe makeovers and lose their glasses. Superficial but lots of fun how they transform quite a lot from their ill fitting outfits to the latest dresses and sharp suits. The most interesting characters are the villainous couple Lee Yi Kyeong is the comic relief. Talented musical actor as well. Song Ha Yoon plays the toxic friend who is just so jealous and obsessive. Seems over the top but there are people like that in real life. Her character is quite realistic and subtle at first. She is a villain that will go down in K drama history as a memorably insane woman.

The story has a very similar premise to the recently series Perfect Marriage Revenge with the murder and going back in time. But this show is better. Things do move quite quickly from her murdered 2023 timeline to the 2013 second chance time. She then proceeds to fix things and it is fun to see her getting strong and the villainous couple getting their comeuppance. Ep9 and 10 are quite feel good. But there is some drag in the pace before they do. Then another murderous villain comes in played by BoA who is quite unpleasant to watch. Should have stuck to singing. They carefully plot to change their fate to the other couple and the director clearly differentiates what happened before and what is happening now. Still, if some plot digressions had been cut and the series was just 12 episodes instead of 16, this would have been a better show. The ending completely and thoroughly gives closure to all the characters with a nice big happy conclusion wedding babies and all. Not like some rushed ending series. So at least things ended well.

Brazen (2022)

Unintentional funny

[4/10 · 21 February 2024]

I am a loyal Alyssa Milano fan. This isn't a good movie. But her lighter hair doesn't suit her. Her sister who is a teacher by day and a online dominatrix by night. When she is murdered she and the cop next door investigate. Alyssa and her co star Sam Page have some chemistry. The story progresses through various suspects like her ex hubby to kids in her school.

Funny and I mean really ludicrous when she dresses up and acts as a dominatrix to lure the killer.

This movie is about just below average TV movie standard. Not as good as a better quality but Lifetime movie. I only watched it because of loyalty to Alyssa. Non fans may find this not worth it.

Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)

Impressive camera work with fire

[7/10 · 21 February 2024]

One unique and refreshing aspect about this thriller is that the action is not concentrated on one central character ie Angelina Jolie. She does not dominate the show. The shooting of the car off the road and the kid escaping from the assassins right after is exciting. The pregnant woman is also has a major part fighting them off. The climax with the fire engulfing Angelina and the boy is well filmed. The fire cinematography is quite impressive.

Danger from both bad humans and ferocious nature. The villains seem too determined to get the kid. What does it matter if he briefly saw them. Rather one dimensionally evil. Give up and escape already!

Reptile (2023)

Predictable but fairly watchable

[5/10 · 20 February 2024]

This is a somber crime drama about a cop who investigates a death of an estate agent. This leads to a cover up and a big conspiracy involving drugs and money laundering. It's rather obvious the shifty looking ones are the good guys and the decent looking folks are the criminals. It's quite watchable but the tone is monotonous and the ending predictable.

JT looks more mature but his voice is still youthful and he lacks enough intensity to be menacing.

Always liked Alicia Silverstone and she can do serious roles. Sometimes the young sweetness comes through.

There are some things that I did not get. Like why Benicio was hostile to the contractor.

The ending was rushed. Why not show what happened to JT properly? And how he killed Summer was glossed over too quickly. What happened to Eli?

Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Just not funny sometimes

[5/10 · 20 February 2024]

I wanted this to be funny but it was only sporadically amusing. There are a bunch of funny one liners delivered by both. Somehow the jokes felt predictable and some were unfunny and repetitive. The Keanu Reeves segment was strained. Painful almost. He does look larger than life. Randall Park didn't act naturally enough. Felt too contrived. Ali Wong should change her glasses and hairstyle. Too silly looking.

It's quite fun to have a celebrity chef as her job

One thing felt off watching this movie now. Trying to have trendy restaurants in SF is a contradiction in terms. It just isn't a happening city anymore. And it hasn't been since the decline of the city began and drugs and crime took over.

River Wild (2023)

Some exciting parts but too much in the dark.

[5/10 · 19 February 2024]

For fans of the OC and Gossip girl this movie features husband and wife duo Leighton Meester and Adam Brody. This thriller is set along a river during a rafting trip. After an injury they try to return but one of them is psycho and kills a ranger and them takes them hostage to cross the border. The river rafting cinematography is good. One major flaw must be mentioned from the outset. There are extended scenes in almost total darkness. Absurd. The fight later on is quite well filmed. And the escape on the river over falls is quite exciting. When it is not in the dark the scenery is quite attractive.

Leighton looks sufficiently grungy and disheveled to be convincing. Far from Blair Waldorf. She is good especially towards the last third. Can't buy Adam Brody as a bad guy. Even when dirtied up. Just not convincing. Silly he won't just escape instead of being obsessed with hostages.

Ok watch.

The Weekend Away (2022)

Not bad

[7/10 · 18 February 2024]

Thrillers about people getting caught up in murder mystery in Europe are quite fun. From Frantic to Taken. This clearly directed movie takes place in Split Croatia exotic enough to have a slight sinister air. Leighton Meester acts convincingly and is not afraid to look unglamorous. When she meets her friend in Split she tries to unravel the mystery. Even becomes the suspect. Lots of people feel suspicious but there is a thorough explanation for things in the end after all the twists. Maybe one too many.

The production values are ok but they don't show that many pretty parts of Croatia. The police are made out to be rather incompetent.