Etherlady Reviews

Night Blooming Flower (2024)

Everything you want from a romantic costume periode comedy

[9/10 · 7 February 2024]

I love Korean historical romantic comedies, and this one just has it all. Lee Hanee's comedic timing is excellent, the costumes and set are beautiful while the story itself centers around a mysterious event some 15 years ago, when the former king died, Lee Hanee's character was widowed and someone orchestrated clandestine events. Since then Lee Hanee's character has lived as a widow at day, but thanks to her martial training she rights wrongs during the night. I also thoroughly enjoy how the female lead is an adult woman while the chemistry with the male lead is very enjoyable. I'm eight episodes in and can't wait for the next one.

The King's Affection (2021– )

Absolutely wonderful

[9/10 · 7 December 2022]

One of these historical Korean dramas that are just an absolute joy to watch. The aesthetics of the Joseon period is a delight, the acting is sublime and I haven't seen such onscreen chemistry since Shahrukh Khan and Kajol. And then the show also has an understated opinion about stereotypical gender roles I don't see elsewhere, and a take on loyalty and what love really is, that simply warms my heart. Park Eun-bin is amazing, she's a great actress and I hardly recognised her from Attorney Woo. And Rowoon? -happy sigh- It's a story that takes its time and dwells on its scenery and characters with an eye for details and grace. Highly recommend this for relaxation and pure enjoyment.

The Sandman (2022– )

Perfection in dreams

[10/10 · 6 August 2022]

I loved every minute of this. Its scope, cinematography, casting, the Endless and the theme of dreams. Dreams lost, dreams shattered, dreams found again. The power of hope and imagination.

The Matrix Resurrections (I) (2021)

Absolutely and unexpectedly awesome

[10/10 · 27 December 2021]

I was wary. How could anyone pick up this story and make a worthy fourth installment? They did. 20 min in, and I was utterly hooked. The meta-levels, the self-reflection and evolved philosophy blew my mind. But, yeah, you have to "get it", it's not served to you.

The Wheel of Time (2021– )

Well, no ... just ... no

[3/10 · 21 December 2021]

After 4,5 episodes I simply gave up. I wanted to like this, it's fantasy after all, but the failed mix of bad acting, peculiar costume choices and a cleanliness you only find if people have constant access to soap and hot water, coupled with no real story going on made me stop. I'm supposed to like these characters? Why? I'm supposed to care what happens? Why? The whole thing is not trying to be believable - it fails in creating suspension of disbelief. All I have, is disbelief.

The three stars are solely for the scenery which is quiet breath-taking.

Dune (2021)

Like reading the book on the screen

[10/10 · 16 September 2021]

Blown away. My mind still full of the imagery and the soundscape, doing the first half of the book the justice it deserves. 10/10 hands down.

Loki (2021–2023)

Absolutely wonderful

[10/10 · 11 June 2021]

If you've enjoyed Hiddleston's character of Loki, this is the tv-show for you. It emphasises everything that made the character so popular in the Avengers and Thor movies, will also developing the character. The setting and start-off of the series is quite interesting and shows promise. And Hiddleston still looks amazing :)

Jupiter's Legacy (2021)

A different take on the superhero genre

[8/10 · 18 May 2021]

After classic marvel and DC as well as the darker Umbrella Academy or The Boys, this show is a new way of telling superhero stories. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and the unpredictable storytelling.

Jupiter's Legacy (2021)

More than just another superhero show

[8/10 · 7 May 2021]

Watched the first four episodes and I'm hooked. It's more than it appears and goes off in many interesting and unpredictable directions. Not even quite sure what the main storyline is, but am so very entertained.

The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity (2020)

Visually stunning

[8/10 · 8 February 2021]

All you could want from classic wire-fu coupled with Chinese mythological fantasy. An absolute joy to watch.

AJ and the Queen (2020)

Touching and endearing

[8/10 · 11 January 2020]

As a great fan of Rupaul this show pays tribute to her drag majesty, while also showing vulnerability and with guest performances that will thrill fans of Drag Race. And she uses an ironic distance to own excellence which I find refreshing. The kid however is over-acting, but I will survive ...

Pennyworth (2019–2022)

Bloody brilliant

[8/10 · 31 July 2019]

With a darkish but not gothic London in the 60's backdrop this story had me hooked almost from the beginning. The DC tv shows just keep getting better.

Another Life (2019–2021)

No, doesn't work

[4/10 · 28 July 2019]

Can't say if it's the horrible acting, the lack of an interesting story or the director who's to blame. But as much as I like Katie, I gave up after 1,5 episodes.

Years and Years (2019)

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!

[10/10 · 2 July 2019]

Russel T. Davis did amazing work with Doctor Who and the first seasons of Torchwood, so I sat down with great anticipation - and was not disappointed, Parts Black Mirror, part just a story about a family covering the span of a decade, it crawled under my skin and had me on the edge of my seat. The way Davis managed to take everything that goes on in our world today and make it relevant is a stroke of genius.

NOS4A2 (2019–2020)

A novel take on the classics, but ...

[7/10 · 2 July 2019]

NOS4A2 starts out with a catching story and a whole new take on classic vampire and witches, which had me glued to the screen for the first couple of episodes. Aside from absolutely indifferent sex scenes that has no bearing on the story, I found the heroine sympathetic and I recognised a good coming-of-age story. And then ... the story kind of ground to a halt halfway through, but picks up again towards the end, only to decide to do something entirely unexpected at the end. First I was "What the ...?" then realised that it's actually a brilliant season finale if you want a second season.