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Reviews
Isanghan byeonhosa Woo Young-woo (2022)
After avoiding this series for months...
I was stunned at its overall excellence and hated for it to end. My original assumption was that this would be another gimmicky, cutesy take on someone challenged by a disability. But I was so wrong.
Many Kdramas take several episodes to "bloom" (for lack of a better description), then slump around Episode 12 where they sometime seem to repeat, flashback and mark time until the finale. Not so with this series. If you are not hooked by the end of the first episode, then this truly may not be for you, which is okay.
Is SK where all good writing has migrated? Not to mention the outstanding cast, led by Park Eun-bin. Kang Tae-oh was a revelation as Jun-ho. I really enjoyed Kang Ki-young in What's Wrong with Secretary Kim and he delivers a nuanced performance here as Attorney Jung. However, the entire cast was praiseworthy.
And then there are the whales. Such a lovely touch of whimsy, but also relevant to the story.
If there is a second season, as reported, then I am there for it.
Noble, My Love (2015)
If lip-curling, pouting and acting "cute"...
Is your idea of acting, then you will love this female lead.
Sung Hoon always brings the eye-candy and his role did not require much beyond scowling and intimidation. Kim Jae-kyung is very pretty but, omg, her acting is barely high-school level. The lip-curling, the 'cute' snarling and the flouncing is really tiresome. Maybe that is what the script (such as it was) and the director required. However, on the plus side, the non-human, animal actors were great, lol.
Why even the most churlish human being would abuse the person who saved his life is never explained.
Hate to diss any kdrama but this could have been so much better.
Ilta seukaendeul (2023)
For a story heavily featuring the study of math...
This one has some major problems with casting. Although the FL is definitely a decent, award-winning actress, she cannot "act" away the real-life age difference (20 years) between herself and the ML. Although I have nothing against a May-October romantic storyline featuring an older woman/younger man, it would be nice if the audience understood that was going on as it should at least be addressed in the script. However, according to the script both of the leads would have been around college-age at their first encounter. Also according to the script, the second encounter happens about 12 years later, placing them both in their 30s. Trying to pretend the FL was even in her 40s (despite being in good physical shape) was impossible, especially opposite the almost baby-faced and fragile-looking ML. The contrast and lack of chemistry between them was jarring.
As others have mentioned there are WAY too many storylines going on including a possible serial killer on the loose.
In other news, I did think tying the uncle/brother's interest in Tigers was an interesting nod to the "Tiger Mom" Asian stereotype, even if it was not subtle and possibly insulting. The remaining cast members were very good. I was impressed with the ML's portrayal of a math instructor as he made his grasp of complicated mathematical theories believable to the average viewer. While the script was cheesy in some places and interesting in others, it was mildly entertaining overall.
Sseul-sseul-ha-go cha-ran-ha-sin-do-ggae-bi (2016)
The lead actress ruined it for me
The male leads, Gong Yoo and Lee Dong-wook, are mesmerizing. But the over-acting of the female lead, Kim Go-eun, is truly annoying. Does she really equate bouncing through her scenes with some kind of sprite-like, youthful charm? If so, she is mistaken and grossly overrates her own allure.
Although not usually a fan of the fantasy genre, I was intrigued by this fairytale about a long-ago hero, betrayed and turned into a (good-looking) goblin doomed to walk the earth for centuries. The photography and locations are lovely, and the minimal special effects are original and amusing.
Even with the slow pace and repetitiveness, I would have rated this higher but, as previously state, the female lead ruined it for me.
King Deo Raendeu (2023)
The Gold Standard for K-drama/romantic comedy series
Having just discovered the richness and variety of Korean drama and romantic comedy, how lucky am I to have found this right out of the box!
The story is a charming, contemporary fairy-tale that is uplifting and positive, despite the roadblocks the hero and heroine stumble across along the way. The entire cast is talented and competently handles some fine, laugh-out-loud comedic turns as well a few teary moments. The writing is excellent all the way through, and nothing seems to have been spared in the way of production values as the sets and settings are splendid.
Trying to analyze what make this series stand out from the many others, I believe it is the finely calibrated balance of romance, comedy and the redemptive power of love combined with very attractive leads (Lee Junho and Lim Yoona are not conventionally "pretty" but definitely charismatic) and a strong supporting cast. Plus the soundtrack is mesmerizing.
I hated for it to end and have watched the entire series several times now. Hopefully, the creators are busy creating something equally as wonderful and will gift us soon.
Don't want to be greedy but...more, please!
Dear Edward (2023)
Better for binge-watching?
The first four episodes held my interest because I was able to watch them all four of them within a day or two. But then I had to wait a week for the fifth episode to drop, only to find yet another character was referenced. At that point I switched off in the middle because I could not figure who they were talking about. Was it someone already introduced? Or was it new?
Maybe I will go back once all of the episodes have dropped and start over, but this series would have been better served by either dropping all ten (?) episodes at once or releasing it as a film.
So far, the acting is decent although the young actor playing Edward has some adult mannerisms that are slightly jarring.
Bäckström (2020)
Can't wait for the 2nd Season!
What a breath of fresh air. Layered character development and outstanding performances PLUS a great mystery to unravel. The dialogue is mostly in Swedish and German but I became so engrossed in the story that I did notice the sub-titles after the first few minutes.
The title character, Backstrom (sorry cannot manage the umlauts), is introduced as somewhat of a genius, a celebrity/detective specializing in murders and starring in a television show in which he discusses his cases. He is a little rude and rubs many the wrong way.
I watched it on Acorn but see it can also be viewed in the US on Amazon Prime.
Definitely worth watching.
The Gilded Age (2022)
Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey, a cast of 1000s ... plus the kitchen sink
Two episodes so early days yet but...
There have been entirely too many characters introduced at this point and I expect more to come. Love the casting of Christine Baranski (always watchable), Cynthia Nixon (excellent), Denee' Benton (talented and charismatic) and Harry Richardson (relatively unknown to US audiences but very appealing in this role). Also, the costumes and architecture, the introduction of such historical figures as Stanford White, the Astors, etc. Are refreshing.
However, the mediocre performance of a very pretty young actress in a key role was so jarring, it led me to look up her previous (very light) experience. Now I like an iconic and gifted actor as much or more than the next person but that the gift has been passed down to the next generation is is not yet evident in this case. But it does explain the casting decision.
Will be happy to update if additional episodes prove me wrong.
Penelope Keith's Hidden Villages (2014)
SOUNDTRACK is awful or I would have rated it a 10
I loved the series except, as others have mentioned, there are huge problems with the music drowning out the excellent narration in Seasons 2 and 3. The photography and Penelope Keith are so wonderful that it is painful to see a great series ruined by such amateurish sound-mixing.
I do not suppose anyone would consider going back and correcting it but I so wish someone would - for reasons of professional pride if for no other reason. If nothing else, remove the music entirely except for the opening/closing credits. It would not be missed.
The Moguls (2005)
Love it!
If you like quirky human comedies, you will love this. Great cast and great writing.
The Daughter (2015)
So what was the point?
I would have given it one star except for the quality of the actors themselves. The story is pretentious and boring. Why, why, why was so much money and talent wasted on a script this pitiful?
Music and Lyrics (2007)
If you do not enjoy this movie...
Then charming romantic comedies are just not your thing. The opening music video send-off of 80s boy bands is worth the price of admission. Hugh Grant seems to have no problem poking fun at himself. And coming from a family of professional musicians, I love the inside joke about the grand piano. (People come into his apartment and want to off-load their baggage on top of it , a no-no.) The entire cast - who doesn't love Drew Barrymore? - and the whole movie stands up to repeat viewings.
A Star Is Born (1954)
So over-rated
Thanks to dear TCM I finally was able to see this much ballyhooed movie in its entirety - or as much of it that remains after the famous lost cuts - see details elsewhere on this page. I loved Judy Garland in Wizard, the Andrew Hardy series and Meet Me in St Louis. As far as I can tell, she managed to ruin her voice before this "come-back" movie was made. All of those forced notes grate on my ears - sorry. How sad that so many people turned themselves inside-out to give her this opportunity. Even sadder that so few people seem to recognize the poor quality of her voice in this movie. The film is beautifully photographed and James Mason is fine but, please - do not try to tell me Judy Garland even came close to earning a nomination for this movie.
War Horse (2011)
A rare Spielberg miss
After reading the rave reviews of this movie, we put it at the top of our holiday must-see movie list. And I do not remember when I have been more disappointed. By mid-movie, I just wanted to leave but stayed until the bitter end, hoping for some redeeming story-telling.
If you have already seen/read Black Beauty or Lassie Come Home, you know this story. Yes, Spielberg delivers some fantastic production values but the story is pure schlock. Did he forget to hire a quality screenwriter? Surely he can afford the best.
Although I am willing to believe that no animals suffered physical injury, I do not think you can explain to a horse "actor" (who is not really a willing participant) that it is not in actual danger.
The development of the human characters is almost non-existent. I read that Spielberg was so enthralled with this project that it was purchased, produced and distributed all in 12 months. Maybe next time he should take time to fully develop his story and characters.
The Proposition (1998)
Only if you REALLY love Harlequin Romances...
but it might be best to watch this stinker for laughs. After seeing the distinguished cast list, I was prepared for something much better. Five minutes into the "drama", I was wondering if this was actually a Christopher Guest satiric interpretation of a romantic movie. What a hoot!
No expense was apparently spared on the photography, costumes, locations and scenery - all are beautiful.
Hate to be cynical but I can only surmise that some Hollywood pay-off was involved here, along the lines of if you will direct/appear in/produce this for my girlfriend/boyfriend/niece/nephew/whatever, I will do the same for you.