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Reviews
Dojeok: Kalui Sori (2023)
Visceral Impact that has stayed with me
This series had a big impact on me. Much more than others lately. I got caught up in the story through the characters. The plot line is good but not outstanding. It was filmed well with good locations and cinematography. The direction was very good but not so much that it made an obvious impact, which is a good hallmark of good direction. Of course the good actors and good dialogue blend it all together. And mostly it just all seemed to be a cohesive mix that drew me in. I cared about the characters. Of, just like any production there are a few who over do it and don't seem to be as serious as the script requires.
What really made me realize how drawn in to the story and actors was that I had to step away several times when some very mean things were going to happen. And a big part of the story revolves around human cruelty to other humans. With utter disregard for the violence and cruelty. The Japanese occupation of Korea in this period was brutal. It was one culture, not just clashing, but trying to enslave the other invaded culture. A baked in belief of one culture/people as subhuman with no reason to give dignity or respect or kindness. And going so far as actively trying to demonstrate who is more evil than others, even if it means torturing family and wiping out whole communities with "notes taken" on those who don't participate.
One reason it affected me so much was how individual desires and basic emotional and physical needs had to be balanced with reasons to put those individual needs against the greater good of the groups. This played out too well by the main protagonists. Ir very Shakespearean in the tragedies of history. Good people are not always paid back with good fortune. Classic good versus evil. It felt too real so I had to pause at midway through several episodes and almost reluctantly come back. The overall story is optimistic with heroes winning in many ways yet losing in other ways in the middle and at the bittersweet ending.
Overall, for me, it was a way above average story, acting, direction, sets, consistency, with only one plot trick that seemed a bit far stretched. So I rated it much higher than most others movies/series I have seen lately.
Blue Eye Samurai (2023)
Wow!!! I'm not a regular reviewer nor a witty reviewer. I can say what I like though. I watch a lot of anime and Japanese movies and series.
This series blew me away in so many ways. I gave it a 10 and I'm going to gush about it. It is an odd anime. A mix of Japanese actors, creators, and I'm sure a mix of producers, writers, and all the other roles needed to make a series. They turned out a completely surprising and thoroughly well done, very, very, very adult composition. The story is a new mix of Japanese shogun era elements at the time the first foreigners brought guns to Edo trying to take control of the trade. It is a samurai story with revenge and good and evil. There were no obvious holes in the story. The characters were well developed and I cared about them or, at least, felt their motivation. It pulls no punches in depicting the utter brutality of the time with uncaring killing and sheer evil. With enough gore, blood, and general violence to equal most films known for this. It also has the love story lines. And the master-apprentice stories. There are many losers here. And heroes. And heroes you are not sure you like. The nudity (full frontal for males and females) and sex was graphic. But not pornography. It was a natural part of the story and not gratuitous.
I hate poor direction, and poor scripts, and poor continuity. This is a first rate example of what I want to see in a film. I was never lost with sudden shifts in the story. I totally enjoyed it. The animation was equally well done. Great drawings. Great color. Whether action or sets or landscapes. Very pleasing visually. It doesn't seem to lend itself to a season 2 as it does not leave a big hole at the end. It wraps up in a tidy manner so that I wasn't left cussing feeling like I was suckered into needing a sequel. I can't remember too many films which were even close to the best of the art of fine film. If only we could see more of this quality.
Copenhagen Cowboy (2022)
Slow slow slow but sucked me in
My introto NWR who must be notorious in the film universe, at least of a subset. It was slow. Too many rotating pan shots which were overly "arty". Overall, I liked it but was tempted to fast forward though several tedious scenes. It was a beautifully shot film though, with atmospheric lighting. I was pulled into a strange world where I absolutely could not tell where it going, like a mystery. The last two episodes were completely different and some of the underlying plot revealed, at a faster pace. I was upset at the end because it left so much hanging like a setup for Season 2.
I would like a second season. To carry on the plot. And actually have Miu speak more. She is silent most of the scenes. Just stares at the other characters. There is much horror from the total evilness of most of the main characters. Miu has some sort of mystical powers. You are left hanging as to what those are until they are shown a few places. They make you root for her though The origin of her powers is never revealed nor is how she gained amazing martial art kick ass prowess. Somewhere in her past, which is hinted at but never shown. When asked one time she gives an answer which is probably just an absurd one. It seemed out of character for what she said and how she said it. So the audience won't be satisfied with that answer. At the end a big scene is a mystery too and must be related to her previously life. This is never explained and it did not contribute to a planned piece in the puzzle of the scenes before.
And then it ends. Without giving any answers, or even hints to answers. I really wanted to know after investing so much time in the film. And, no hint as to a continuing season. The reviews above would not seem to support a need to produce another season. So it was an intro to NWR and not a happy or sad ending.
Cang Lan jue (2022)
A wonderful series and then it ended without an ending????
I really enjoyed this fantasy and it's characters. I agree with one reviewer that the lead actress had far too many pouty face scenes but I kept watching and she matured more later. On Netflix it had 24 episodes listed but the last episode did not wrap up ANY of the plot lines or characters. WTF.??? I literally had no idea how it would have ended. It just stopped. I went back to the listing to see if there was actually an Episode 2 but nothing. I am more than unhappy. Since none of the reviews mentioned this I am left wondering if I missed something or that it is just a technical error on Netflix. I should have rated it as a 1 but I decided to be a bit charitable. I am still shaking my head on this.
I just chatted with a Netflix rep. He claimed it is a licensing problem and all I can do is hope they will add the remaining episodes and then finish it. It is not listed as " new episodes every week" like others can be. Major mistake by Netflix in my opinion. I binge watched the 24 episodes. By the time, may be, the additional episodes are added I will have forgotten much of the plot. Shame on Netflix.
Update - Yesterday which was the day after my review part about Netflix - NF changed the listing noting 36 episodes with two additional episodes and saying new episodes coming. But 2 each update and finish on October 2nd. Much quicker, and very unusual. My complaint must have caused NF to fix the problem. So I watched episodes 25 and 26 with two more added today.