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Chocolate (2019)
Ridiculous Premise
This "miniseries" was stretched out by 15 and a half episodes. As in previous reviews, There were trope after trope of lifetime moments. The series could have (and if true life example was followed) A simple conversation starting with "haven't we met?" The "ridiculousness" would have ended and you could have had a more natural relationship developing over the episodes. The main characters' acting was a little wooden. That could have been the director's fault, idk. Many K dramas start off slowly so, I stock it out waiting, but it was a slow moving at the beginning as it was at the end. On a positive note, I loved the cooking and the eating and I learned so much about Korean cuisine. Everything (the food and scenery) was so beautiful.
Deck the Heart (2021)
Ho Ho Hum
This movie is mediocre at best. It is paved with good intentions. What caused me to actually write a review was the music. Song after song was an assault on my ears. I thought it was just the first song and then the second one arrived sung by a different artist and lo and behold the third one arrived like a strike-out. I saw this on YouTube listed as a Hallmark movie, but it didn't meet the standard by a long shot. But, as I said, the intentions were there. But the script was wooden, the actors didn't have a chance to shine. I don't know if they would or not, but it was dead in the water.
Btw, with the earlier review, the author mentioned that girls don't get Bar Mitzvah'ed but this was clearly identified as a Bat Mitzvah, which is for girls at 12.
Naui ajusshi (2018)
Transition and Growth
I loved this series. However, I was on the cusp of giving up in the first episode. What I can say is that although I loved the overall story, there wera lot of really sad characters. Dong Hoon has a wife and child, but you'd never know it. There is a palpable lack of intimacy in this household. For some reason, they felt the need to park their son on the other side of the earth. This is really convenient because then you don't have to focus on raising him. This frees up his wife to have an affair with one of the few people on the planet that irritate her husband. BTW, I've had more intimacy with roommates over the years. Heck, I've had more intimacy with co-workers than this married couple have. The extent of conversations range from "have you eaten?" to "Do you want me to bring anything home?" I don't think I've seen anything like that. So, I understand why she would have an affair, I can certainly blame both of them for not caring enough to even try making it work. Almost all of the principal characters drink too much. There were almost no repercussions.
Each character started out in their own desperation. Dong Hoon was "sleepwalking" through life. His claim to fame to his family was that he used his degree and is employed, as opposed to his brothers. He likes his work but has very little ambition to move closer to management.
Ji An is just making it through the end of each day as a temp worker in the office during the day and a dishwasher at night. At some point, her grandmother loses her slot at the nursing home and Ji An must bring her home and take care of her. Ji An is strong beyond words. She takes on each task with fortitude. She has no friends or family to help support her emotionally or any other way. And then the intrigue starts.
Dong Hoon's brothers are absolutely delightful! Park Sang Hoon is the eldest. He is no longer working the Company he worked for 22 years. He doesn't feel he has anything to show for it and his wife is angry with him. Through the course of the series, you learn that Sang Hoon wants to do something memorable for his family. He talks about grand funerals and or taking his brothers on a midlife celebration. When the opportunity comes up, he is so happy to foot the bill for another's funeral, understanding that he has a supportive family and Ji An is alone and could benefit from his help. So he pays for the funeral with money that he's been "hiding" that everyone already knows about.
Park Gi Hoon is the youngest brother. He is a director by trade but has not worked on a film in 20 years. He failed and has been unable to try again. He is a "hot head" and extremely passionate but still, feels discouraged and originally blames everyone else for his failure. During the course of the series, we find out exactly what the problem is. Although he has not resolved his problems by the end of the series, he is a lot closer to understanding himself and living his life with a lot more peace.
I want to acknowledge the actor that portrayed the young bad guy: Lee Gwang Il. He played the heck out of that role. By the 15th episode, I was reminded of Shakespeare's Iago. What I was pleasantly surprised with Ji An's history with this character. Showing that every single character grew from the 1st episode to the last.
The only two exceptions I see were CEO Do Joon Yeong and Director Yoon Sang Tae.
That being said, the performances were stellar! I look forward to watching it again in the future.
Noel (2004)
If you already suffer from SAD, skip this movie. CONTAINS SPOILERS
CONTAINS SPOILERS
I just couldn't believe ALL THAT TALENT and not one emotion stirred, except puzzlement and discomfort. Not so much by what's going on in the movie, but what made these great talents agree to this. Chazz must be a wonderful human being for all of these wonderful actors to agree to be in his movie and give him an opportunity to direct them. I don't blame Chazz at all, it's visually appropriate. I don't think it's the direction, I think it's the original premise. It's so - almost - moving.
Susan's "anti-testimonial" was really interesting because I've been a non-professional speaker who was able to tell a compelling story to friends and then bomb when telling the same story to a large group using a microphone. Susan nailed it. Another scene I thought was interesting was the violent nature of the cop. Really true to life. Violence is very quick, not visually dramatic, but can have life-altering consequences. Cops have a higher incidence of domestic violence than other professions. (not a verified scientific fact, but something near and dear to my heart). If I were Penelope, I probably wouldn't have been that thrilled about bringing a baby into this relationship without a few rounds of life changing therapy. I'm going there because at the end, that's what immediately came to mind.
The cop's partner was also an unnecessary distraction -- why such a stereotypical jerk?
The hand breaker's story was just plain weird. (a headscratcher) I missed the very beginning, so it wasn't until reading the first post did I understand why. Very strange and no further comment about that.
Okay, now that I have pondered the movie, I do like it better than I did when I began this review. There were subtleties throughout. So, my recommendation is to see the movie, BUT not at Christmastime.
D.O.A. (1988)
I'm so underwhelmed!
POSSIBLE SPOILERS --
I love Dennis Quaid and I like Meg Ryan. I was looking forward to seeing them together, being married and all, I wanted to see their on-screen chemistry. Okay, that being said, I guess the fact that they are actors, their off-screen relationship didn't have to permeate their performances, especially with this script.
How stupid can a professor be to glue himself to anyone. I don't remember the original, but I can only assume that O'Brien probably was handcuffed to his leading lady, probably in a more inevitable way. If I were "bonded" to someone I'd be pretty angry. The crush I would have would definitely have dissipated quickly. Meg showed not even a little annoyance only slight surprise. Dennis would have to take me kicking and screaming. That whole section of the movie was so horrible -- especially Meg having to go to the bathroom (#2) between dumpsters in the dark at night. Ewww. No f****ing way!
What's with Dennis socking every single suspect in the movie. Sock first ask questions later. Not once, not twice but too many times -- I could have kept count if I were so inclined.
The most interesting part of the movie was Nick and his family drama. Too bad that couldn't have become more of the plot. The assumed off-screen drama leading up to this tragedy. I think it could have been written in without distracting from Dex' quest.
My blame lies with the writer of this screenplay. Unless the director and others doctored it up so much that it's unrecognizable.
I won't even get into the real reason poor Dex was murdered. How ludicrous is that. Even when Dex confronted the real killer and the reason was explained, (a true "film noir" moment) everyone on screen seemed bored. Oh, _____ happened. Oh. (yawn) "Dex even says this is a silly reason for a triple murder. Oh the tension, you could cut it with a spoon.
If anyone but Dennis had been in this movie, I'd have to give it 1/2 star (only because I really have seen worse), but in this case 1 1/2 stars.
For Dennis and Meg stars, see ANYTHING ELSE.