Showing posts with label Top Rated (20-15). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Top Rated (20-15). Show all posts

Cheese in the Trap (2016 TV Series)

Friday, June 11, 2021 | Posted by The Entertainment Geek

 A cute, twisted little uni drama! 


“Hong Seol: Others might not know, but I know... the truly scary face hidden behind that fake smile.”


The Rundown

Behind the name: Based on the Webtoon: 치즈 인 더 트랩 

Country: South Korea, 2016

Genre: Rom-Com

Production: Lee Yoon-Jung

Network: tvN

Director: Lee Yoon-jung

Cast:   Kim Go-Eun (as Hong Seol), Park Hae-Jin (as Yoo Jung), Seo Kang-Joon (as Baek In-Ho), Lee Sung-Kyung (as Baek In-Ha) Nam Joo-Hyuk (as Kwon Eun-Taek), Park Min-Ji (as Jang Bo-ra)

Compare to: Boys Over Flowers

Hate it or Love it?  Enjoy it


Synopsis in a Sentence: A manipulative ‘angel’ makes life a living hell for those around him... undercover, so what happens when you get to be the cheese in his trap?



On Writing: The Plot

Oh, where to start. The writing is quite remarkable for capturing the nuances of complex characters, the double layers behind their motives, and the insecurities that fuel their actions. That’s the first thing. 

The second thing is that… it is sooooo cute! From a female perspective. Both cute and toxic at the same time. But layered and nuanced and at some levels, absolutely astounding! 

Great writing, great plot, not-so-great impact? 

(4/5)




On Acting: The Cast 

A very well cast crew! 

All hail Park Hae-Jin, the handsome heartthrob who is stoic, dangerous and angelic at the same time. We’re really talking about his character. That’s how good he is as an actor. 

Kim Go-Eun is female lead and of course good! She plays the innocent, childlike university girl well, of course, so great work on the acting. As a petition to the writers, can we please get a real, well rounded female lead? Not an emotionally stunted 15-year old masked as a 20-something year old woman? Little rant here, but this character, as portrayed, is so extremely cliche in the Manhwa/K-drama space! 

Seo Kang-Joon is Beak In Ho and quite the hooligan! A job well done as we haven’t quite seen him in this role before. 

Beak In-ha is such a character! And she plays her effortlessly, believably and wonderfully! Fabulous acting from the larger-than-life Lee Sung-Kyung!  

And honourable mention goes to Nam Joo-Hyuk, who plays friend to our female lead along side Park Min-Ji and honourable mentions to the full cast of “college kids” that come together to make this a binge-worthy guilty pleasure! 

A very well cast team! Great characters, glorious portrayals! 

 (4.5/5) 


On Production: The Creativity

The creativity is perhaps mostly on the plot and character side, but production does not let us down. Good work overall, and a great addition to portraying and relaying the story.

(4/5)                                              


On Resolution: The Conclusion

The ending is quite unlike what we’ve seen before. The resolution? Deserved a re-watch, but for the innovation that springs past the expected K-Drama ending, the conclusion deserves some props!  

(4/5)


The Verdict: An absolutely cute, lovey dovey portrayal of a toxic relationship, with a twist of an ending that perhaps redeems the story… a bit...  


Overall Score = 16.5/20







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Review - Memorist (2020 TV Series)

Sunday, March 21, 2021 | Posted by The Entertainment Geek

 I went in blind and unsure about the plotline, but was pleasantly surprised! 


“Choi Kang-Sue: When you get mad, it’s anger, but when I get mad, it’s an inferiority complex?”


The Rundown

Behind the name: Memory scanner  

Country: South Korea, 2020

Genre: Thriller, Crime, Fantasy, Mystery 

Production: Studio Dragon

Network: tvN

Directors: Kim Whee, Oh Seung-Yeol, So Jae-Hyun

Cast: Yoo Seung-ho (as Dong Baek), Lee Se-young (as Han Sun-mi), Jo Sung-ha (as Lee Shin-woong), Ko Chang-seok (as Gu Kyung-tan), Jun Hyo-seong (as Kang Ji-eun), Yoon Ji-on (as Oh Se-hoon), Kim Yoon-hee (as Jung Mi-ja)

Compare to: Signal

Hate it or Love it?  Love it


Synopsis in a Sentence: Celebrity detective has the supernatural ability to read minds by power of touch, but soon gets thwarted by his match—a villain on the other side of the law! 


On Writing: The Plot

It’s an action-packed detective/psycho thriller with depth and excitement and some good old bad-guy hunting! It captures society-wide issues from institutional corruption, to individual evil, and really does it with heart and reason in good measure, despite the “supernatural” bits! Great plotlines, good character developments, and an all-round good story! 

Too many times good stories are riddled with an obligatory “romance,” but thank goodness, this series knows its identity and doesn't bother with any such ill-developed plot lines! 

A job well done; and a bold move! Hats off to the writers! 

(4.5/5)


On Acting: The Cast 

The cast is really well suited! 


Yoo Seung-ho is supernatural celebrity detective, Dong Baek, and like his character in I am not a Robot—in which he’s probably being type-cast—he delivers a credible, convincing and charming performance with psychological depth! 

Lee Se-young plays genius profiler Han Sun-mi, and it’s refreshing to see an excellent, intense, effective female lead not mired in a trite romance! And of course, Lee plays this role to the T! 

Ko Chang-seok is lovable supervisor, Gu Kyung-tan, and he’s a joy to watch! A legitimately charming performance! 

And former k-pop star (from the girl group, Secret), Jun Hyo-seong plays Kang Ji-eun and she’s a great addition to the cast! 

Overall, a very well played cast, and very well delivered acting and action! 

 (4.5/5) 


On Production: The Creativity

Production is intriguing, dark and mysterious! 

It takes the detective plot line into different layers that capture the darkest, warmest, and sickest parts of our society, and does well to balance the supernatural elements of the story. 

Transitions are electric, scenes are hair-raising, and camera work is creative genius. A fabulous job to the very competent production team!  

        (4.5/5)   

                                           

On Resolution: The Conclusion

It ends so well, we’re wondering if there’s a season 2, and we hope there is, but even if there isn’t, it’s a realistic resolution, and it’s very well done. 

(4/5)


The Verdict: An enlightening, thorough, nuanced, and gritty rendition of society!  


Overall Score = 17.5/20





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Review - Hotel del Luna (TV Series, 2019)

Saturday, April 11, 2020 | Posted by The Entertainment Geek

It looked like a fantasy and was the 10th highest rated Korean TV series in cable TV history, and, importantly, I wanted to see some of the actors in action! 


“Narrator: Feeling sad and disappointed is only natural when witnessing disappearances. When a flower withers away, just like it dreams of a new blossom, you’ll live, meet, and love again.”
The Rundown
Behind the name: Previously, "Guest House of the Moon"
Country: South Korea, 2019
Genre: Fantasy, Drama 
Network: tvN
Director: Oh Choong-hwan
Cast:   IU (as Jang Man Wol), Yeo Jin Goo (as Goo Chang Sung), Shin Jung Geun (as scholar Kim Shi Ik), Bae Hae Sun (as Choi Seo Hee), P.O (as Ji Hyun Joong), Kang Mi Na (as Kim Yoo Na, the high school student), Lee Do Hyun (as Ko Chung Myung), Lee Tae Sun (as Yun Woo/Detective Park), Young Soo (Park Yoo Na as Princess Song Hwa), Kim Kyu Ri (as child Man Wol), Kim Kang Hoon (as child Chang Sung)
Compare to: Hotel Blue Moon
Hate it or Love it?  Enjoy it!

Synopsis in a Sentence: A young and promising hotel manager is forced to take his first job out of college working for a paranormal hotel — a hotel for ghosts and spirits in transition to the afterlife — where he meets characters that make him solve cases between the physical and spiritual worlds. 
On Writing: The Plot
It’s a story about death, and the afterlife, and overall, the purpose of life, love and the lessons we learn along the way.
It’s a series of short stories from different perspectives; young and old, rich and poor, and in between. Perhaps the best feature of the plot is that it is nuanced and quite deep, yet entertaining. It neatly and perhaps expertly wraps up drama, comedy, fantasy, issues like good versus evil, right versus wrong, life versus death in a way that is magically un-didactic and un-preachy. And this alone is a massive feat!
But the plot goes beyond these overall themes to tell stories of sacrifice, suicide and spirituality that are very well written and executed, enabling us to think of a greater purpose, of life and death and everything in between! All wrapped up, of course, in a couple of love stories. Overall, a plot well done!
(4.5/5)


On Acting: The Cast 
The characters the actors portray are round characters-- good and bad, layered and yet sometimes predictable--but the execution of these fairly complex characters tells of the great talent of the men and women and children that give these fictional people life. And the award, really, should go to the entire cast! But to mention a few…
IU proves she’s quite the talented actress through these series, as she portrays the (somewhat) threatening yet soft sureness of hotelier, Jang Man Wol in this series. She conjures up believable tears as well as laughter, transitioning seamlessly in the same scene, and really relays a believable character. Guess Korea’s little sister has quite grown into the actress!
Yeo Jin Goo plays Goo Chang Sung, the male lead, and is quite the lead everyone expects. Perhaps his character may be the most one-dimensional of all, but that’s alright, people also like predictability and his character gives the characters a sense of stability.
Really, the entire cast is a great collection of people to watch. And special shout out to the child actors that bring the past to life! A great cast! (4/5)



On Production: The Creativity
The production is a fantasy! It might be the star of the whole thing! Despite the layered plot and the talented cast… well perhaps. But really, the creativity of the production is evident throughout the story, for where the plot may seem to drag out, the gorgeous production comes in to save the day, with marvelous hues and dreamy scenes that transport you back into the fairytale.
Since the series tells different stories, you get to experience the greed, danger, hatred, yet hope, joy, and mystery of life, and that’s all thanks to the marvelous production!
(4.5/5)     
                                        
On Resolution: The Conclusion
With a plot so well written and a cast so convincingly skilled, and the production so riveting, can the conclusion measure up? Well, yes, really. It wraps the entire story up with no loose ends, and in quite a perfect way, that with all the mystery the world gives us, in life and death and everything in between, it offers us solace in sorrow, assurance in adversity, and gladness in the grief that life can offer us. A job well done!
And then we get a hint at a sequel! With a famous actor! Hoot!
(4/5)


The Verdict: A collection of fairy-tale-like stories that offers analysis and entertainment and hope that is deeper than we think. 
Overall Score = 17/20








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Review- Parasite (2019 Film)

Thursday, January 16, 2020 | Posted by The Entertainment Geek
I consume so much media; TV, music, books and film, that I’m not very easily wowed, even by  great productions. However, once in a few years, maybe even a few decades, I find a brilliant jewel in a myriad of gems and rocks. And this past decade, I found this film. 
This movie is something else; of another grade; an actual piece of art, in film form, that is entertainment, and education, and elucidation, and commentary and beauty. A true, true masterpiece. 
Oscar pick for Picture of the Year and Best Director! An Amazing, amazing piece of art! 

The Rundown
Behind the name: (Korean: 기생충; Hanja: 寄生蟲; RR: Gisaengchung) 
Country: South Korea, 2019
Genre: Dark Comedy, Thriller (Tragi-Comedy)
Production Company: Barunson E&A
Director: Bong Joon-Ho
Cast: Song Kang-Ho (as Kim Ki-Taek), Lee Sun-Kyun (as Park Dong-Ik), Cho Yeo-Jeong (as Park Yeon-kyo), Choi Woo-Shik (as Kim Ki-Woo ), Park So-Dam (as Kim Ki-Jung), Lee Jung-Eun (as Moon-gwang), Chang Hyae-Jin (as Kim Chung-sook)
Compare to: Itself
Hate it or Love it? Absolutely love it! Devour it, Mull over it! Cherish it! 

Synopsis in a Sentence: Two families’ lives intertwine; one rich, one poor and then comedy, drama, thriller, and all round parasitism ensue. 

On Writing: The Plot
This plot is absolutely remarkable. The base of the story is quite simple, but yet beautifully layered, and nuanced and rich. The story starts with an exposition that gives us the background into our eyes of the film—the poor family who lives in a basement apartment, and everything unravels from there. 
The writing takes us through rising action that leads us to experience the pretense, hustle, greed, and fear that life can bring, and we are left with a climax that explodes only to reveal the beauty of its falling action, and a resolution that leaves us thinking through all the layers of real life implications in society.
The writing is so good that it lands on you, transports you, engulfs you into the plot of the story so that when it ends, you’ll need a minute(or two) to deconstruct the staggeringly phenomenal artistry you’ve just been privileged to witness & experience! Wondrous writing! 
(5/5)


On Acting: The Cast 
Not sure what courage it took for a cast to take this on, because all elements of the film are so perfect that bad acting would stick out like a sore thumb; but of course, the cast matches the plot and production and direction seamlessly, bringing the film to life. 
Let’s walk through the cast’s work through the film. There is a scene where veteran actor, Song Kang-Hok, who plays the father of the poor family, Kim Ki-Tae, is coached in acting by his son, Kim Ki-Woo (who is played by actor, Choi Woo-Shik). This is quite a ridiculous scene to watch given that, as one commenter put it; “It’s like watching Tom Holland (Spider Man) give acting lessons to Robert Downey Junior (Iron Man).” In any case, it’s a testament to the cast’s seamless relay throughout the film. 
Similarly, we see Park So-Dam and Cho Yeo-Jeong bounce off each other in a scene where they are introduced; Park as a fake “expert” art teacher, and Cho as her employer, the rich mother. We believe them, and though we’ve seen them in many other roles, we believe they are and always will be these characters. 
Then there is Lee Sun-Kyun, famous actor, who we see embody his role, and Jeong Hyun-Jun, who does so as well; there are so many people to praise, and they all work symbiotically to produce this great work!
And fun fact, editor Yang Jin-Mo cut this masterpiece of a movie on a no-longer supported, outdated version of Final Cut Pro. 
Now, dare we end the praise of the cast without the director, who is arguably the superstar of the whole thing? No. We do not dare. We must...
We have to give a special feature to director Bong Joon-ho, who certainly deserves the best director award and every accolade because. Because. What a mind, what artistry, what expertise to possess to envision and execute such a beguiling art piece. Truly, truly beyond oscar worthy work! 
A striking cast! 
 (5/5) 


On Production: The Creativity
It would—could—have been so easy to mess up such a wondrous piece of a work that is the story at the production stage because the nuance is so fine, so delicate, yet the juxtaposition between extremes is so jarring, so stark that it runs the risk of insulting its audience with it’s mundane initiation, yet lambasting the same audience with its sardonic commentary on society. Yet, paradoxically, it does none of that. 
The timing & pacing is art, rhythm is art; picture production and sound engineering is science. And synthesised all together, production is genius. The delivery of creativity in its best form. Simple genius. 
(5/5)                                              


On Resolution: The Conclusion
Never has an ending been so pretty, so poetic, so perfect. The plot of the movie lands so sardonically sublimely that it is a beauty. 
It is hard to deconstruct and determine the exact piece that makes this film a masterpiece, but if mandated, the resolution might be the ace of the whole thing. Remember the exposition? And the climax? And the cast, and the rhythm of the production? Well, the resolution melds them all to become art—literature, music, photography, production and acting—all at their finest. Film at its finest. Pulchritudinous perfection! 
(5/5)

The Verdict: An absolute masterpiece, a stunningly, remarkable, actually consumable piece of art. Virtual perfection! 

Overall Score = 20/20





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