Reviews
Tonhon Chonlatee (2020)
Entertaining
I think this series is very entertaining and has a fun variety of viewpoints. I love chon's mother's advice about love i.e. To truly love someone means you can't have any expectations of that person. One should want what is best for that person, even if it means they don't choose you! That is great advice! Acting and chemistry between the leads is very good.
The Tasty Florida (2021)
Tasty
Wonderful short series. A pastiche of young love about a college freshman Hae Won moving to Seoul and starting part time work at a trendy restaurant. The actor who plays Hae Won is wonderful. He has an intriguing and delicate beauty and manner. My only criticism is it could have done with more transitional and extended scenes which would have improved the impact of the ones they left in. I wanted more!
To My Star (2021)
Brilliant
The casting is perfect. The actors are charming, the supporting cast are all spot on. The writing is very good. I was impressed. The development of the central relationship is especially believable. Nothing about their relationship is pretentious or shallow like in so many other rom-coms. It's all explained and makes sense. Loved it.
To My Star 2 deals with relationship insecurities, but it is still a cut above everything else in this genre. The relationship continues to develop and the actors are so intense, complex and believable. A wonderful achievement. I hope beyond hope there is a 3rd season.
The Planets (2019)
Wonderful, but...did I miss it?
Seems to have left out the Cassini-Huygens data/discoveries regarding the Titan probe. Very disappointing.
Before the Fall (2016)
After I saw
Before the fall
I really enjoyed this film. I am a big fan of the books of Jane Austen. I've read Pride and Prejudice many times. Also, I'm gay, so this film's use of the plot of P&P was very interesting to me.
Frankly, many low budget gay films seem egotistical, pretentious ventures to me. This film is not like that. It pays tribute to what has to be one of the greatest romantic plots in all of literature. The casting and the carefully constructed scenes are proof. I feel if the director had had more money/time to shoot some of the scenes over, the film may have been even better. There are a few problems, but I actually like some of the awkwardness. The way Ben is so nervous and awkward when he is alone with Lee, just like Mr Darcy is with Elizabeth. You never see that in gay films! The only thing...I would like to have seen a stronger, more dramatic rejection of Ben by Lee. Elizabeth's rejection of Darcy in the book is so fabulous. Perhaps Ben's declaration of love could have been earlier & more pompous? But I'm being picky. I think the film is good just as it is.
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Not good
The casting is wrong for Elizabeth and Darcy. Keira Knightly oozes sex and looks like a model. I can't believe she would be cast in this role. She is all about her looks and nothing else which is not right for Elizabeth. The actor who plays Darcy must be truly arrogant in real life because that's all he projects.
Clash of the Titans (2010)
Marine cut
Sorry, Perseus with a burr haircut? I don't think so. Worthington's haircut is so off putting, it makes the entire movie hard to watch.
Snowden (2016)
Music score
I liked the movie. However, I would like to comment on an omission in the music credits in this film. The film's composer neglected to give credit to Hubert Parry for his song "Jerusalem". The score features the theme to Parry's song prominently, but gives him no credit. Not only is the melody featured prominently, but the rest of the score uses variations of the melody and harmonics of Parry's music. I waited to see the end credits. Everyone is given credit down to the caterers, but there is no mention Parry. Just thought I should point this out.