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The Day of the Jackal (2024)
Ruined by miscasting the female lead
I love everything Eddie Redmayne is in. He has a vulnerability that just keeps me wanting to dig deeper into the characters. Here, as a cold assassin it's a stretch, IMHO, but it does make sense as one "hiding in plain sight." As others have already pointed out, the female lead simply ruined it for me. Neither her acting nor on-screen persona is worthy. Why does she keep getting female badass roles is a mystery to me. We have so many other talented actors to choose from. Didn't think much of her in Captain Marvel, liked her even less bearing 007's number, and now simply ruining the scenes each time she appears. Her character doesn't help her case either. I'll see the series to the end but ... so sad this series won't be a rewatch. Season 2 already renewed. Don't know yet how the story will play out but I hope the swap out the Bianca character somehow.
Mare of Easttown (2021)
As Good As It Gets
I'm blown away by this series and Kate Winslet! Going in I didn't think I'd enjoy it, but after the 2nd episode, I was hooked and felt quite emotionally connected to all the main characters. The acting all around was simply top-notch. A shout out must go out to Evan Peters who shone here so bright that I barely recognized him. As if coming out from under Ryan Murphy's wings he's finally free to fly, and soar he did. And what more can I add to the praises for Kate Winslet's performance?! Simply divine. That scene in the finale, where she walked slowly (camera slow-mo) toward the house, with a ton of dread weighing on her shoulders knowing well what awaited her inside the house, yet she soldiered on to do her job...her expression, her tentative yet firm stride--all of it somehow got to me and surprised the heck out of me when my throat tightened and tears started streaming down my cheeks. Oh my...dear me!
This show is so much more than a police procedural murder mystery. Just watch it, and who knows what emotion(s) it may elicit from your bowels.
Shadow and Bone (2021)
Hope it gets better
I was so looking forward to this fantasy drama, cuz I just love this genre, but alas! It was a disappointment. I didn't read the books so there were no preconceived notions going in. Loved the Crow gang (turns out these are main characters from another book that got intertwined here which I now understand the need for them) who all lit up the screen with their presence and I'd perk up whenever they're on screen. I especially adored Jesper. I loved Nina and Matthias, whose chemistry together is oozing out of my tv screen and I almost cried when...sigh. I loved General Darkling, portrayed perfectly by the brilliant Ben Barnes who seemed to be made for this role-mysterious, handsome, alluring and, of course, dark!!! Unfortunately, the main leads Alina and Mal came up short. Their back story (which by the way was shown over and over) was just uninteresting, and their supposed romantic arc was too cliched and forced. The two characters were soooo boring and unbelievably stupid that I had to many times refrain from punching my screen, ugh! If there's a 2nd season I do hope the main leads improve.
No way this will be the next Game of Thrones. Far from it. Not even a fraction of the sophistication GOT embodied.
The Nevers (2021)
Clever, Innovative, Engaging and Fun
What a treat to see this fun, action fantasy drama featuring strong female characters!! It won't be the next GOT, but it has action, humor, heart and a crisp dialogue that keeps the momentum at an engaging speed. Some of the fight sequences are fresh takes on old maneuvers, beautifully choreographed!! Hope there'll be more seasons to flesh out the main characters and each of their stories.
Thunder Force (2021)
Bad, Just Bad
With two of my favorite actresses I was so looking forward to seeing this movie... alas!
Cringy...
Humorless...
Pointless...
What a waste!!
Shan he ling (2021)
Mesmerizing
Didn't think another drama could surpass "The Untamed," but this one surely is on par with if not even one notch higher. With some of the most breathtaking cinematography and camera angles, a clever script--poetic, subtle, and crisp yet never draggy--combined with excellent main leads who literally bring the characters to live before the viewer's eyes, and a superb supporting cast, beautifully choreographed martial arts moves...WOW! I'm again blown away by this wonderful drama. No one is perfect here. It's a love story, a story of atonement and redemption, it is so many things neatly wrapped up in scenes that take us into their world and hearts. We feel their pains, their joy, their triumphs. The two main leads who carry the weight of portraying the BL arc are simply eye candy and exuded such charisma and chemistry that I'm completely swooned by them, and I'm not even gay. I'm only on episode 12 and can hardly wait for the next episode to air. Fingers-crossed that they will have a happy ending. Please don't leave it open to interpretation. I'm watching it in its original language and hope the translations will do this wonderful production justice.
Naui Nara (2019)
WOW, my poor heart
OMG, what a gut-wrenching drama! Kudos to all the people involved in bringing this drama to life! Going in I did not know Jang Hyuk was starring in it, so when he appeared on screen I literally had a euphoric moment...LOL. I became a huge fan of his after watching The Slave Hunters and have enjoyed every one of his performances ever since. He's such a well seasoned actor who embodies his roles. His portrayal of Bang-won was exceptional. I could feel his character's pains and torment--his tortured relationship with his father/family, his disappointments, his forbearance through all those years, his dogged determination, his loneliness and final bittersweet triumph--and as he said, " the sacrifices and sins are his alone to bear" on the path to the throne and creation of a "new country." The building of nations have always required bloodshed and sacrifices. This one was no exception. However, I honestly couldn't resolve why he had to kill Hwi or why he had framed/killed Hwi's father in the first place years ago. I watched it over and over and still am perplexed. "Out of fear" for his sword teacher was too simplified. There's got to be another conflict severe enough to warrant death. Bang-won's betrayal of Hwi was truly hard to stomach and I was so angry and wanted to hate him, but I suppose it was another sacrifice and pain for Bang-won to bear. Other than Jang Hyuk, I especially enjoyed the performance of the actor who played Sun-ho, whose myriad of conflicted emotions were portrayed with aplomb. In fact, I didn't recognize any of the other actors except a handful of them in supporting roles. The actor who portrayed Hwi was undoubtedly a fan-fave or popular, however, (IMHO) his acting was a tad one dimensional wherein his facial expressions were quite limiting. I think Sun-ho and Bang-won carried most of the weight. Still, the entire cast deserves applause.
Binsenjo (2021)
Patience thru First 2 Episodes, then WOW
Definitely hooked! Was a little disappointed in Episode 1, but it gets better and better with each episode! And in episode 4, the big baddie's big reveal! OMG, I'd never have guessed it was ____!! The cat-and-mouse chase is starting. Let the games begin. I can hardly wait for the next episode to air.
Great acting all around. Yes, some stereotyping of mafia, but everything I learned about them was through tv and movie portrayals, so oh well, just go with it. I love Song Joong-Ki. His acting is maturing and gets more seasoned in each progressive show. Dunno how he's got such flawless skin, but definitely a joy to watch. This type of show may not be for everyone, but there's enough humor, warmth, intrigue and edge-of-your-seat thrill to entertain many fans of K-drama.
Qing Ya Ji (2020)
A Visual Spectacle, Gorgeous, Fantastic
Wow! A mystical fantasy joyride and eye candy galore throughout. I wish I had seen this in a theater--the CGI, sets, scenes, costumes are epic. The male leads are two of China's best. Deng Lun and Mark Chao are amongst the top actors of our time. The actor Wang Dou who played He Shouyui was great as well. But the princess, IMHO, was a little weak.
Unfortunately, the English subtitles can't convey the deep essence of the culture and how love is viewed, so many viewers may not grasp the fine details in this fantasy drama. I rematched it with Chinese subtitles and got more out of it. Still, one can simply enjoy the mystical story and be treated to stunning visuals. Oh, the beautiful song in the final scenes and end credits was sung by Deng Lun. My only gripe is that what is a "Yin Yang Master" was not fully explained. Hope there will a sequel!
Painting with John (2021)
Waste of time
I was so excited when I heard about this show, but episode 1 left much to be desired. If anyone expects this to be a lesson on painting or demonstration of a technique, don't bother. If you are a fan of John Lurie or simply want to kill some time, go ahead and watch it. Throughout episode 1 he's just rambling, often in the guise of musings, and then in between shots of him talking, there are snippets of water color strokes on some painting without much of any narrative. The premise of the show just seems to be a video of his meditation on and free association of his surroundings and thoughts. Sorry, not my cup of tea.
And let's agree to disagree, he claims "Bob Ross was wrong...not everyone can paint." Fact is everyone CAN paint. And Bob Ross inspires people to paint while this show is a doozy of a downer.
One star for its "creative" aspirations; one star for its efforts; one star for painting with water color for environment's sake.
Jin yi zhi xia (2019)
A Worthy Watch
I almost passed up another good one cuz the title wasn't that interesting. I don't know who comes up with the English titles for Chinese shows/movies, but they need to work on creating better ones. This one turned out to be another binge-worthy series filled with comedy, romance, revenge, brotherhood friendship, family ties, camaraderie, power struggle, cat-and-mouse games, betrayals and double-crosses, mysteries and cases to solve, well choreographed fight scenes, and a ghost ship, to boot. Boasting a wonderful cast who had perfect chemistry with each other, there were no eyesores, even the villain is quite handsome. And the ending, though rushed, was very satisfying.
I took away a star for:
1) the typical unnecessary long drawn out scenes,
2) stupid acts by supposedly very smart people, aka female lead who winds up being a damsel in distress situations simply due to her impulsiveness,
3) repetitive dialogue ( I hate lazy script writing), and
4) the excessive use of closeup shot of eyes to convey emotions...throughout 55 episodes, it really got tiresome and annoying.
I've found another star to love! Ren Jialun, aka Allen Ren, whose portrayal of Lu Yi was simply divine! I can't wait for "Autumn Cicada" to be available. I enjoyed the performance of the female lead, too, but for some reason she didn't seem to embody much star power (although I'm sure she has a huge legion of fans). I just watched her in "Go Ahead" and felt the same. Perhaps, it's the fault of the script writers who made her out to be that way. She's quite effective in these cutsie impish roles, but I hope she'll get opportunities to showcase some more well-rounded acting.
Qiu chan (2020)
Had So Much Potential
I love spy thrillers, espionage and anything that deals with undercover secret agents (check out "Sparrow" and "The Disguiser"). And with Ren Jialun (Allen Ren) in the male lead role as Ye Chong, I could hardly calm myself when it became available to watch. Unfortunately, even with his star power, good looks and acting prowess, along with a strong ensemble cast, this roller coaster ride fell rather flat.
Set in Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation from 1941 to Japan's surrender in 1945, this drama fictionalized a group of communist resistance fighters going up against the occupying enemy. The rebels managed to recruit a high ranking Japanese military officer of Chinese descent, who would become their mole, code name Autumn Cicada, working deep undercover. Double the trouble was that both his handler and key Hong Kong contact were both killed at the onset, so the mole was now cut off from all known contacts of his clandestine group, with a cryptic assignment to foil some big operation by the Japanese. No surprises here as to who Autumn Cicada was; the big reveal wasn't intended for the audience but, rather, for the bungling fools around him. (One must suspend disbelief throughout the show for the numerous improbable, if not impossible, feats and situations in order to enjoy it fully.)
The script did not provide much for Ren Jialun to work with. A majority of scenes involved him being frustrated with deep furrowed brows and clenched fists or a stoic face that wouldn't let his true feelings show, but his closeups were a bonus treat for avid fans. His character was supposedly brilliant, yet he couldn't tell people were actually communist party comrades when the many situations within and actions by these folks couldn't have painted a clearer picture. Also, in the final showdown, he was too careless and acted out of character for having been such a cool as a cucumber character throughout. Why didn't he at least try to grab the antidote?
As for the female lead, Li Man who portrayed He Ying, a college student who tried to assassinate Ye Chong, a Lieutenant Commander in the Japanese Imperial Army (aka Autumn Cicada), because he killed her brother, and he in turn saved her from execution, then she got turned by him to become his communist spy assistant, was the most improbable arc, and her character even more useless. Her story arc was wasted with no character development. And the romantic subplot was so forced, simply unconvincing...zero chemistry between her and Ye Chong. Writers tried to paint her as a strong woman, but she annoyed me to no end. I've never seen this actress before, but sorry, I'm not a fan.
A big shoutout goes to Liu Huan's Chi Cheng who nearly stole the show. His portrayal of a communist comrade behind the facade of a suave businessman was exceptional. His selfless acts to save the citizens of HK should go down in history as to what makes a hero. Also, his interactions with his often infuriating yet flamboyant wife Jin Xiang (He Dejuan) were at once endearing, heartwarming and fun to watch. I'm so glad the writers allowed this couple to have a happy ending.
Another shoutout goes to Miyamoto, the antagonist, handsome and deadly, presumably the smartest and most intelligent character, who hunted his prey with animalistic instincts. He deduced early on that Ye Chong was Autumn Cicada and he was also onto Chi Cheng and the other spies very early on, but everyone else was just too dumb or too scared to believe him. Li Ting Zhe's portrayal was spot on. He crippled me with fear every time he appeared on screen, LOL. Oh! How I loved and hated him?!
Then we have the handsome Liu Xue Yi as Lin Xiao Zhuang, Ye Chong's older adopted brother, who helped Ye Chong in so many ways. Their brotherly love was one to envy. Regrettably, writers didn't bother to provide a backstory for him--how they forged such a strong brotherly bond, or how he was recruited into the communist party. Flashbacks only showed their adopted father treating him harshly while favoring Ye Chong.
Too bad. So many missed opportunities to make this drama great. Too many loose ends, unanswered questions, and muddy backstories... Why couldn't the two smart heroes recognize each other as comrades earlier, perhaps to collaborate on something grand instead of dance around each other? What was Ye Chong's adoptive father's (Japanese General Kiyoizumi) relationship with his birth mother? What happened to Chi Chong's brother-in-law Tang Feng who had been actively engaged in operations? And whatever happened to Blue Panther? I hated this character at first but grew to like him--his love for Xue Ping, a soldier/spy for Hong Kong's military station, was quite touching. Then there's the whole plot about, but never explained, how Autumn Cicada's code name got compromised or who leaked it in the first place.
I finished all 49 episodes and mostly enjoyed the drama, but many answers were no where to be found. I did appreciate that some of the dialogue was spoken/dubbed in Japanese which elevated its authenticity. And the main title sequence and end credits featured black and white frames with vertical lines giving it an era appropriate feel.
Da Tang rong yao (2017)
Wonderful Historical Period Drama
This long drama was really divided into 2 seasons--60 and 32 episodes, respectively. During a tumultuous time in the Tang Dynasty (although it seems Chinese history has always been tumultuous), palace/court power struggles, usurpation, filicides, fratricides, and self preservation and survival all took center stage. Wrapped around all of that was the love story between Prince Li Chu, who later ascends to the throne as Emperor Daizong, and his beloved concubine, Consort Shen, and voila! you have a thrilling and intriguing drama carried upon the shoulders of a talented large ensemble cast.
I love Ren Jialun, so whatever role he's in would seem perfect to me. However, I was less impressed with Jing Tian as his love interest, and her character Shen Zhen Zhu. Her character was supposed to be very intelligent, yet, time and time again, she seemed to be outsmarted by her own cleverness and created so much angst and frustration for the people around her, including me the viewer. There were times I'd be screaming at the screen for her to speak up, or don't do it! She also looked much more mature/older than Ren Jialun so I couldn't buy into any chemistry between them. And this is purely my conjecture, but her disproportionately large eyes and deep heavy double eyelids just didn't look natural as if due to plastic-surgery-gone-wrong which bothered me to no end during her closeups.
As a side arc and probably for upping entertainment value, the fictional love story between Li Chu's brother Li Tan and Shen Zhen Zhu's BFF, was at once beautiful and heart wrenching. The actors who portrayed them were superb. Be forewarned--have tissues ready!
Some humor was speckled here and there to lighten up the somber overtone of this drama given its place in history. It also attempted to provide an explanation for the inexplicable disappearance of Consort Shen in history books. Needless to say, at 90+ episodes, there were too many drawn out scenes that could have been curbed. Still, highly recommended for the history buff and those who appreciate beautiful costumes and sets.
San sheng san shi shi li tao hua (2017)
Could've Been, Should've Been Great
Lavish sets and costumes plus eye-popping CGI animation showed so much promise of an A-plus movie, but the script was just awful! Even the heavy star power of the two main leads couldn't save this disastrous attempt at bringing the eternal love story to life, let alone draw in the audience and make us care. The dialogue was stilted, scenes jumped from one to another with flashbacks that didn't seem to connect, the clumsy direction was horrible making romantic scenes seemed cartoonish, lines delivered were either too wooden or too exaggerated...the list goes on. In spite of the gorgeous costumes, the designer couldn't decide whether to showcase the beauty of ancient styles or appeal to the modern mode. The female lead's hair and attire were modernized while everyone else around her was in historical costumes. This caused more confusion to an already chaotic narrative. The ending was the worst part of the movie. I cringed instead of feeling enamored. WTF was that?! Heavy sigh, I was filled with high anticipation and had waited for a very long time to be able to watch it for free...and I'm so glad it was FREE. I would've been more upset if I had to pay. Instead, if you can find episodes free on YouTube, watch the "Eternal Love" TV series starring Mark Chao and Yang Mi.
Da Tang nü fa yi (2020)
Ancient CSI Meets Palace Court Intrigue
This drama started out very strong, but for some reason, episodes toward the end fizzled. Perhaps, some things got lost in the editing room so scenes were kind of choppy moving from one to the next. There were also plot holes and questions that never got answered. Still, I stuck with it to find out "who did it." And I enjoyed the show's portrayal of a strong, smart and independent female lead as a coroner/forensic specialist, and of course, the cat-and-mouse between baddies and the good guys. Throw in a love triangle and voila! we have a drama. The fight choreographed sequences were okay and served their purposes. However, some parts seemed to be thrown in out of convenience to move the plot along, such as how many times can the female lead get abducted? Boring.
Without giving away spoilers, the ultimate reveal of the mastermind was definitely a surprise (couldn't have guessed in a million years) though. I also really enjoyed the performances of the 3 main leads--the sacrifices both males suffered due to their love for the female lead simply made my heart swoon. I started on team Su Fu but eventually moved to team Xiao Yu. So, if you ignore some plot holes and suppress your inner critic, you'll enjoy this show for the smart solving of murder cases. There were some humor speckled in here and there to lighten up the mood as well. As I said, I really enjoyed this drama, but unfortunately, the last few episodes and ending was a bit anticlimactic for me. BTW, the final scene seemed to hint of a season 2, so I look forward to seeing what happens next.
Don-kkot (2017)
A Satisfying Thrill Ride...Jang Hyuk rocks!!
If you've never seen a Jang Hyuk movie, you're missing out. I've grown to admire and love this actor more and more. Ever since Chuno, which is still available on Prime, I've been seeking out his works. Initially Money Flower was not attractive given its wonky title. But I was running out of available Jang Hyuk movies/series to watch so I gave it a try and was definitely not disappointed. Wow, this guy has so much range and depth in his acting who gives it all in every performance. Here in Money Flower, stylishly dressed and coifed, he's never looked so dashing and debonair while portraying a man with a poker face where all of his pain, anger, grief, and need for vengeance are conveyed through with his eyes, tight jaw or pursed lips. The scene where he was at the temple paying tribute to his deceased younger brother's memorial plaque just ripped my heart and tears out. What a performance?! Every actor, leading or supporting, gave superb nuanced performances as well. My only minor gripe may be toward the female lead/love interest who was a tad wooden in her portrayals and some scenes lingered too long. When juxtaposed with Jang Hyuk, you've got to bring your A-game. While I can nitpick the flaws, I won't because I enjoyed this so much. The script is also unlike typical suspense thrillers where audiences are kept in the dark until the final reveal and the protagonist is typically the underdog. Here, the "anti-hero" out for revenge at all costs is the master puppeteer, manipulating and cajoling at every turn and always one step ahead of his opponents. To me, that was extremely satisfying.
El guardián invisible (2017)
Watchable, but too many loose ends...
Atmospheric scenes were well employed, with constant rain amplifying the dire murders and the mysterious mythical "invisible guardian" of the forest. (It did rain a lot when I visited the Basque region of Spain, LOL, and I dared not walk the streets late at night.) The actors performed their roles well in most cases, and in the flash-backs of the protagonist's childhood traumas was performed with aplomb by the child actor. However, there were too many unanswered questions at the end that left me terribly unsatisfied. I do realize that this is part 1 of a trilogy, but it still should stand on its own. Why did Amaia's mother hate her so much? Why didn't her sisters know about the abuses Amaia suffered under their mother? What happened to the father? Why did Victor connect with her mother? What happened to Flora such that she's not in the final family gathering scene? Perhaps these details got explained in the book, but these should still have been answered by movie's end. Anyhow, onto watching The Legacy of the Bones now...perhaps I'll find some answers here.
Hunter Killer (2018)
A Thrilling, Entertaining Ride
Just finished watching this movie and felt compelled to write a review for it. What a thrilling edge-of-your-seat ride that also warmed the heart. If you enjoy movies such as "The Enemy Below" and/or "Run Silent, Run Deep," you've got to give this one a go! It wasn't perfect, but it was as good as it gets for this type of film. Well done! Gerard Butler played the role of the submarine captain with gusto and suave. Actually, the entire cast did a fine job in their respective roles. My only complaint is for Gary Oldman, who was under utilized in his role. While it was predictable, no surprises, no twist and turns, and had situations in which required your suspension of disbelief, it was completely entertaining, had my heart pounding and still left me with a sense of hope. It's movies such as this one that reignites my profound respect and appreciation for the brave military men and women on both sides who risk their lives to keep the whole world safe.
Lang ya bang (2015)
Excellent!
I have watched so many TV series that keeping count is nearly impossible, but few have grabbed my interest and heart at this level. I watched the entire series in 5 days, using up much of my data plan, for crying out loud. While other reviewers have already done an excellent job of covering the superb plot, acting, and pacing, I won't go into it here. For me, there is just enough fight scenes to keep the action lively, but the heart in this series is in the dialogue. Each line, word, may carry multiple hidden meanings to decipher. There are no real surprises here, but I can feel each character's (protagonists and villains alike) pain, suffering and joy. I only wish it provided more back story on the main lead and his young body guard Fei Liu (my favorite character), how they met and developed such a strong bond, or fill in the 12 years of Lin Shu becoming Mei Changsu...a prequel series, perhaps.
Anyhow, this was a 2015 production/release, and as of this review, the difficulty was in finding all the episode videos as the series is no longer available on Amazon prime or other streaming services. I had to scour Youtube for bits and pieces to get all 54 episodes.
Chen qing ling (2019)
Slow to catch on, but now I'm so hooked
At first, I almost gave up after the first few episodes, but I'm so glad I gave this series a chance. Fifty episodes later, I'm still obsessing over not only the two lead characters but also the actors who embodied them. I haven't read the novel nor seen the anime version, so there were no expectations going in. I won't go into the story as so many others have already done so. I'll just provide my opinion only.
The various plot lines held no big secrets--predictable and routine for a xianxia story with often long drawn scenes which didn't make sense nor push the plot through. The CGI was under par but did the job. What held it together and won me over was the ever so strong chemistry between the two leads, supported by a very talented supporting cast. The BL arc didn't hit me until I did my research. I initially interpreted it simply as brotherhood love, strong friendship and bonding between soulmates (not in the romantic sense) that has been written in so many wuxia novels that came before this one. Then after reading reviews and other info, I had to go back and rewatch episodes to pick up on what really was happening. The longing gazes, the tortured internal conflicts, the array of emotions unspoken but seen through the slightest smile or nod or simple act...these little crumbs spoke volumes if you understand what's going on. Rematching and looking for these clues were Eureka! moments for me. I actually really appreciated the fact that, due to censorship or not, the production portrayed this aspect of BL so subtlety and poetically, unlike the in-your-face presentations that would leave nothing to the imagination. Bravo! The actor who portrayed the "ultimate villain and mastermind" behind the plot deserved his own shout-out...his acting was at once convincing yet heartrending! The emotions in which his portrayal evoked literally gave me a vertigo spin.
Here's wishing much success to the two leads in their professional and private lives!! I can't get enough of seeing them together. Don't let the haters win.
The Catcher Was a Spy (2018)
Not Great, But Very Very Good
Never knew/heard of Moe Berg before, and this movie introduces us to an unsung American hero, part of a breed of brave men doing dangerous jobs for sake of country. With a decorated cast, who made each role come alive on screen, this thriller kept me wanting more. And I'm starting to like Paul Rudd more and more as an actor.
For action seekers, this movie is not for you. For those who like a slow-burn, perhaps this one's for you, and all the more enjoyable if you like more realistic spy thrillers. Yes, one can poke holes here and there, but these minor flaws feel small compared to the overall unveiling of this enigmatic man and his story. I only wish it had included his other missions to complete the picture.
Aseudal Yeondaegi (2019)
Captivating and Enthralling--can hardly wait for the next episode!
Love this show! With stunning cinematography and brutally raw storytelling, this innovative fantasy fiction surrounding how a K-centric society and kingdom originated is so addicting. The 4 main leads are such talented actors who bring their respective roles to life. I am currently having withdrawals because there's a 2 month wait till the next episode...oh! so difficult to endure. Reason I removed 1 star is simply because "Mr. Sunshine" is still the one to beat so far.
I also have to give a shout-out that this is not GOT and did not copy GOT--watch some seriously great Asian drama series shows (that came way before GOT) in the martial arts genre and/or depictions of historical royal courts and you'll see where GOT shared some of its plots and themes. Just because GOT reached a wider audience, human's power struggle, manipulation, back-stabbing, betrayal have been happening since the beginning of recorded history. No one copied anyone.
Lucifer (2016)
Thank you,Netflix! Onto Season 5 and Beyond, please...
It's the best show on tv these days! With a smart and crisp script, innovative and imaginative story, wonderful actors, filled with heart, humor, humility and hellish fun (no pun intended), a show doesn't get any better than this. Just finished season 4 and am eternally grateful to Netflix for picking it up after dumb FOX cancelled it. This season is bolder and better in so many ways. If you've never heard of "Lucifer," just watch all seasons and enjoy the fun ride! ...especially since all seasons are available to binge on.
Just heard Season 5 is a go but will be its final season. If that's the case, please make it a great wrap up--unlike so many other hyped series that ended in a fizzle (cough, cough...Winter was here but turned into dust). As much as I want Lucifer to continue forever, I understand that even a great show needs to end before the story meanders into oblivion. So, let's talk spin-off: Mazikeen please! She's the most interesting character next to Luci. Love love love her!!
Shazam! (2019)
Amazing on so many levels!
What an incredible joy ride with thrills to complete the package?! I don't think I've laughed so much, aah'd so much, and cheered out loud so much throughout a movie. That, in of itself, is worthy of this 10-star review. Brilliant directing, acting--especially by Zachary Levi, as the titular character--and all the child actors...Kudos all around! There is so much heart in the movie that it kept the light and dark elements in check. (So, I'm sure it disappointed some viewers who wanted it to go to the extremes in CGI, action, evilness, etc.) But the film stands solidly on a crisp dialogue, depiction of friendship, family love, and the journey of a child learning to become a hero, while maintaining a child-like innocence throughout. This will become a classic and is great for the whole family! Fans of "This is Us" and "Fresh off the Boat" will see some familiar faces.
Lastly, sorry to hear some people did't like this movie, but everyone is entitled to their opinions. Don't go expecting to see the typical flashy, over-the-top superhero movie. This is a fun, heart-warming spectacle that leaves you feeling good long after.
After Life (2019)
Highly recommended
What a beautiful series?! Smartly written, directed, and acted. Kudos to all! Leave it to Ricky Gervais to take you into a surreal world about death and coping with death that's brimming with crushing reality. There were scenes/dialogue which were almost painful to watch because they were so brutally honest. But there were also tender moments that just melt your heart and fill it up with delight. Without giving away the plot, I highly recommend this, especially if you've lost a loved one as I have. You may cringe at the biting remarks, become angry at the absurdity of the main character's actions, feel pain, even, for the emotional core of the story, and yet, you may laugh your heart out at scenes that only Ricky Gervais can conjure up. There is a message of beauty and hope in there. Brilliant!