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Reviews
Donggam (2022)
Bittersweet
At first this movie seems like it has been done before because it has. Plus there was a drama series recently with this premise about radio communicating with another person from 20 years ago through a HAM radio. They start off discussing their love lives then the guy in the past suddenly realizes the girl in the future is the daughter of his girlfriend and his best friend. Quite dramatic and poignant as he backs off. It's a self fulfilling prophecy. It's quite sad the hero you are rooting for doesn't get the girl. The future girl is quite upset too and wants to see what became of him. Luckily he's turned out okay and it seems quite happy. So it doesn't leave you with a unsettled feeling like some time travel movies can.
Didn't see the 2002 version of this movie. But I guess it could have done with an update with the current likeable cast including the excellent actor Yeo Jin Goo, current it girl Kim Hye Yoon and the too tall Na In woo.
Worth one watch.
A Stoning in Fulham County (1988)
A shocking crime in Amish country
Amish true story crime - what's not to like? Some punks throw rocks at an Amish buggy for fun and kill a baby. But the Amish want to forgive and not testify against them. Frustrating. And the community brushes off the crime. After all the struggle to bring them to justice, they are give suspended sentences. What a shame.
The cast is well chosen. The Amish father played by Ron is unique looking. Young Brad Pitt has a small role as one of the punks. Ken Olin is full of righteous indignation as the prosecutor. Wasted part of an underutilized Jill Eikenberry as his wife.
Glad Netflix has some of these true story movies.
Nightmare in Columbia County (1991)
Straightforward telling of a terrible crime
A deliberately paced true life murder story about a Miss South Carolina Dawn Smith who had her sister kidnapped by some man obsessed with her. The man calls the family and eventually the body is found. After a second kidnapping he is discovered. How primitive tracking was in those days. The events are laid out step by step without too much dramatics and some restrained emotion. Even when the beauty queen has to talk to the kidnapper on the phone. The story is fascinating enough for one watch. It could have been done in a more
thriller like fashion but it is good that they kept it almost docu drama style.
Unspeakable Acts (1990)
True story told matter of factly
Surprised to find this old Lifetime true story movie on Netflix in 2024 about the childcare center abuses in the 80s in Florida.
Always found their true crime movies a good way to get the picture since the news articles are always so piecemeal. No acts are shown but the young child actors tell what happened to them explicitly. The child psychologists are played by Jill Clayburgh and Brad Davis and their POV is shown.
Some familiar faces as the parents of abused kids. Reading up about what happened the guys is still in prison but expounds doubts about the case against him.
Interesting docudrama style.
Killer Heat (2024)
Unconvincing story and cast - amateurish
Apart from some attractive on location filming, this murder mystery feels firstly cliched with one dimensional characters evil rich people, then there is a predictable twist of twin swap. The shooting is absurd and ridiculous. It's like bits and pieces of different film noirs combined. Shaliene Woodley has been acting in some period movies lately and was quite good in them. But here she looks and sounds so unsuited to the part of femme fatale. Joseph Gordon Levitt tries to look broody and damaged but his slim stature makes him unconvincing. The boyishness just makes him seem like a high school kid playing an older character in a play.
Don't bother even if you like the stars. This is a weak movie.
Creating Destiny (2009)
Winsome leads
This 31 episode family drama is one of the better ones.
The good points of this show are the winsome cast and the 2 main romances / love triangles are engaging. Firstly there is the main couple played by Ki Tae Young a doctor in Seoul and Eugene who fell in love in real life and got married. She is super sweet and displays her English language skills playing an emigree who is match made back to Korea. At first they dislike each other when forced together by their parents but end up falling in love. The second main plot is the older sister who is a single mother torn between her younger guy friend and her baby daddy. Quite interesting. Liked the supporting cast including Clara Lee.
There are a few flaws. Some scenes were repetitive, firstly with the secondary leads who won't take no for an answer, Then with the parental disapproval. A couple of hours could have been shaved off like in most family dramas.
Old Dads (2023)
Not too scathing satire
I am not familiar with the stand up comedy of the star Bill Burr. But the subject matter sounded interesting. There is potential in this old common sense and values vs new woke millennial crap that has been taking over everyone's lives. So when they do the contrast between the generations it is funny. The loony principal and the new boss are all quite nicely caricatured. Parenting skills also put on display here. Could have had more bite
and follow up. Unfortunately sometimes it can't go into overly political subject matter or risk offending audiences. Some of the one liners go by really quickly. The cast wasn't very familiar apart from Bobby Canavale.
Worth a watch.
On the Line (2022)
Talky but different
The idea is interesting taking a radio show host's family hostage while on the line. There is a lot of dialogue in this thriller. But tiresome to keep track and pay attention. Mel Gibson looks too grizzly. Should have dyed his hair and covered up some of those wrinkles. Hard to watch his face.
Did not guess it but it was all a big prank. It seemed like a conventional thriller then the twist. Prank on top of prank. Second prank is predictable. Okay for one watch. Feels silly after it is over though too much trouble for a prank. Who listens to the radio any more? Direction is a bit rushed in parts.
Like Father (2018)
Not much in this movie
Wasted talent. There is not much to this movie. Do not feel for daughter or father. No connection to the characters. Five years old when he left? Too much of a gap. Weak reason not to see his child. And the fiance dumping her for such a reason seems unlikely. As if he did not know what she was like.
The cruise ship looks claustrophobic and reminds me why cruises are a no no with all the viruses and nonsense activities. The other guests are not interesting.
Kristen Bell is not likeable here. Kelsey Grammer's excuses don't make much sense. So their reconnection means nothing.
Don't bother with this half baked movie. It is just nothing whatsoever.
Queenpins (2021)
Amusing quirky movie
The tone of this movie is tongue in cheek funny with some good one liners and lots of light satire. Kristen Bell's soothing voice and persona make this watchable. A pair of women sell discount shopping coupons. They are excess from the manufacturer of the coupons in Mexico. Later they are pursued by an FBI and a coupon checker. Interesting thing I might start using coupons I get instead of throwing them away. There is a relatable back story and her struggles with expensive IVF are quite touching. The true story is a little different if you care to look up later on. Quite relevant in recent years with the terrible inflation we are experiencing now.
Fair Play (2023)
Unrealistic and sometimes ludicrous
The story features a man and woman who are analysts in a hedge fund whomare secretly dating. Later she gets promoted and he does not leading to his jealousy. It is a fact that there are fewer women in this industry compared to men. So a female perspective is interesting. In order to make a finance thriller the dialogue and behavior of the characters exaggerated and unrealistic. Of course some drama is expected.
But here things are just so exaggerated and sometimes vulgar.
First of all there are nasty bosses in that industry but if employees are so unhappy they change jobs instead of acting so desperate for their job. So Luke's desperation is unreal.
Plus most of the people in finance are just normal family people not such crazy monsters as portrayed.
The characters are one dimensionally written and generally unlikable. So it is not a balanced view of such people.
Unpleasant movie that provides few insights.
The Tutor (2023)
Lifetime Thriller type movie with a twist
If not for the unexpected twist at the end this thriller isn't one of the better ones.
The point of view is of the tutor who seems to be stalked by an obsessive student.
But it turns out the student is just trying to expose the tutor for killing his mother.
So the point of view is the twist here.
Garret Hedlund looks too
scruffy here. The student looks creepy to throw the viewer in off.
It's okay if you just want some Lifetime style relaxing movie. Somehow this movie feels half baked. Maybe the ending could have gone back and shown thinga from the student's point of view to balance thinga out a bitZ.
Neoui Moksoriga Deulryeo (2013)
Romance murder compassion - a lot in a series
One of the better series from the last decade. The story moves along with humor and suspense while intertwining court cases that are not boring like some legal dramas but instead involving and part of the plot. The way he can read minds is well used in the story. Revenge and murder provide lots of suspense. The dialogue is well written and the writer has written what you want the characters to say.
The lead actors and the characters they play all are likeable. Lee Bo Young is charming and pretty and very watchable. Lee Jong Suk is goofy looking at times but caring. Yoon Sang Hyun is sweet and compassionate. Lee Da Hee is tall and beautiful and a good antagonist.
One lesson from this show is to look at both sides of the story. Maybe a bit too much compassion for the main villain.
Good series.
Last Seen Alive (2022)
Not worth watching
This movie has a wife kidnapped at a gas station. Her husband doesn't get much help from law enforcement then goes after the abductors himself.
This Taken formula is lacking a few key ingredients. Not enough of the couple before the kidnapping so you don't feel for the characters. Also why does he have this set of skills? Must have missed it. Seems to take things into his own hands rather abruptly.
Gerard Butler has an over angry look. Jamie Alexander looks rather unsympathetic. The criminals all seem to merge into each other.
Oh for Luc Besson. Why bother with making a movie like this? Nothing new.
Lou (2022)
Unique story but a rather horrid idea
Rather uniquely you have a middle aged woman as the action hero in this movie. Alison Janney
is the Liam Neeson of this show as an ex CIA agent with a set of skills who helps her tenant find her abducted kid snatched by the baby daddy. Some of the action is too dimly lit. Maybe to camouflage the stunt doubles work.
There is a twist that is quite unexpected but involving in that she is the mother of the abductor. It is an awful idea having mother and son fight to the death. More on their background story would have been better to create more poignancy.
Alison Janney is quite impressive. Although sometimes it feels laughable. At least it keeps you watching.
Perfect Family (2024)
Just can't help some people
Do not give up on this series if it seems to move too slowly during the first half. Stick around it's worth it. If this show had been sped up and the repeats left out it would really have been an excellent mystery thriller. 8 episodes would have been enough. There are these long repeated scenes with classical music played loudly sometimes inappropriately. Clair de lune was the wrong music at the wrong times. The Japanese movie director has captured some beautiful images and angles that lend a gothic cinematic quality to the scenes. But the languid tone often just breaks up the momentum.
The story itself is well constructed. Almost every thing fits together perfectly and even parts that seem impossible to rationalize are explained properly. All plot holes are filled except why the heroine didn't call for an ambulance after the stabbing. When things come together around episode 10 or so it really turns into a mesmerizing dramatic tragedy. Things slow down again during the last episode. Casting the older lead actors against type was a brilliant move. The evil looking one is good and the nice looking one is bad. Teaches you not to jump to conclusions and judge on appearances. There is some violence but it isn't gratuitous. Shocking to see younger male leads killed off. There is a good lesson here about being kind and helping people in trouble. Some people you just can't help.
Top notch performances from the beautiful Yoon Se Ah as a lovely wife and mother. Kudos to Yoon Sang Hyun the smiley looking actor who really gives an unforgettable performance of a father from hell. Choi Ye Bin of Penthouse impresses with the monstrous character she plays. Park Ju Hyun as the central character does a tough role well enough and the little girl who plays her younger self is quite amazing for her age.
Highly recommended class act.
Romance Town (2011)
Satirical comedy, if only it had been shorter
What a shame this show wasn't just half the length. This is a 2011 series and they must have had to fill the time slot of 20 Episodes. Too many draggy unnecessary scenes. The good aspects are insights into human nature and money. The writer did a good job letting us see how rich and poor think of money. In fact there is a scene that the movie Parasite may have even got inspiration from in the beginning set in the semi basement and with insect fogging. Also there is a unique point of view of domestic help that is quite sympathetic and not often shown. The farcical satire regarding the lottery ticket is quite arty for a series. Laughed out loud at some scenes. It is unrealistic how romances bloom between employer and maid. But that is the story.
Sung Yuri is sweet and she has chemistry with her co star Jung Gyu Won. The supporting cast are good too including Park Ji Young.
Worth a watch but be prepared for the slow parts.
The Bricklayer (2023)
Aaron is incomprehensible
Why on earth did Aaron speak with such a raspy low tone. Couldn't make out what he was saying. Ridiculous that the director overlooked such a flaw.
Apart from that this thriller has a few good points. Firstly Nina Dobrev makes a watchable attractive and yet believable agent. Looks like she can do this type of role now she is more mature. It's refreshing they made her character not too heroic or unrealistically accomplished so she was sympathetic and real enough.
The current themes featured in this movie are bitcoin and anti US sentiment in Europe as the CIA is framed from murders by a disgruntled former agent.
There are some faintly ridiculous fights and explosions. Bit overdone. The ending twist seems unnecessary.
Watch this if you are a Nina fan.
Lift (2024)
The scenery is the best thing
Enjoyed the on location filming in Trieste Italy which served as the villa and in Venice. But beyond that the show felt deja vu.
The story itself was formula and forgettable. Heist with layers. A rather mismatched bunch.
Sam Worthington is incomprehensible with his Australian accent. Gugu has no chemistry with Kevin Hart. It isn't just the height difference. The airplane showdown feels fake and ridiculous.
If you have nothing better to watch fine. Otherwise won't miss much. This genre of international heist movies is saturated. And this one doesn't even boast an A list cast to make it more watchable.
Uglies (2024)
Too woke for it's own good
The message of this movie is that it is okay to be your natural self, looks don't matter. But the message comes across as pretentious and unrealistic. In almost every society people are judged by their looks rightly or wrongly. Why didn't they show her attracted to a real ugly guy in to hammer the message home?
Funny how the people don't look much better after the plastic surgery just look like they put on make up and got their hair done. Joey King is Joey King even with some filters. After all that the unresolved ending was a cop out. At least there could have been resolution. No patience for a sequel for this kind of movie. Don't bother.
Mudosilmugwan (2024)
Fighting the good fight - hats off to Kim Woo Bin
All the elements of a good crime action comedy are here. A likeable hero, a clear well paced story, an interesting original perspective and a non irritating story. For fans of action movies there are some superbly choreographed fight scenes that are genuine looking and aren't confusing. From the title you can expect martial arts to beat weapons and size and numbers in fights.
Kim Woo Bin shines in his best leading role in a movie so far. He looks convincing for the part as he was never one of the pretty boys. And the character he plays is refreshingly altruistic. The recent movies from Hollywood have a woke slant of having law enforcement the bad guys like in Rebel Ridge and so it's a refreshing to see a story where law enforcement, here parole officers and their martial arts backups are fighting the good fight against clear criminals, here sexual predators. Nowadays with so many criminals let out on parole early and committing heinous crimes especially in New York and San Francisco it's actually a highly relevant story. Wish we had Kim Woo Bin in NY and SF to save people from random crimes in the subway or on the streets.
Finally kudos to Kim Woo Bin who's come back from cancer is miraculous and inspirational. Seeing his action scenes was worrying even though it's just acting. Interesting how he turns down alcohol in one scene a rare exception in Korean cinema that usually features alcohol consumption due to product placement pressure. Let's hope more actors and movies will follow his good example. Everyone knows that alcohol increases the risk of cancer and it's brave of him to lead by example.
Rebel Ridge (2024)
First half is better
I enjoyed the first half of this movie. The second part got too convoluted and the lighting was too dark. The dialogue was whispered and I lost track of the story.
The early part although not explicitly mentioned shows a racially charged event with evil white cops and an innocent black man arrested. Quite tense. Then things progress to an increasingly complicated small town corruption web.
The lead actor does a good intense acting job. Anna Sophia Robb is the leading lady who helps him. But her accent was exaggerated so I had trouble making out the hillbilly accent. Don Johnson is sufficiently menacing.
Too bad the movie got too complicated for its own good.
Atlas (2024)
Miscast movie
Jennifer Lopez is usually watchable in almost everything she does but she is not suited to this genre. Despite her tears and angst. Her way of talking doesn't convince. Oh for the times of Linda Hamilton and Sigourney Weaver.
The story seems formula. First part. Save the world from an unconvincing villain. Some cartoon like fight scenes. Then she seems trapped in the cockpit of her machine and there is a long bonding session with her artificial intelligence friend. Tears and angst. Then explosions and robot fighting. The villain is not really explained. Her brother? Strange casting.
Anyway this movie is just a waste of CGI and Netflix space.
Tall Girl 2 (2022)
Unnecessary
Of course you cannot expect much from a movie like this but even for a sequel this has little to offer. Once the novelty of the first show wore off, there isn't much left for this show. The plot is totally predictable with no laughs and no twists. The same cast members with their so so acting. A contrived break up and forgiveness. A few musical numbers thrown in.
The first one had a message about judging people by their physical appearance. But that has been handled already.
Anyway there are tall boys in every school but she has to be paired with the short ones for laughs.
You can let this one run in the background if you are doing housework or something like that.
Cinderella's Sister (2010)
First half is brilliant. The second half drags.
The first half of this series is so good and I know of a very similar rich widower and second wife situation so it felt very insightful and realistic. Kudos to Lee Mi Sook as the wicked stepmother what a performance. Her scenes were the best even when the show started to get bad.
But the second half was draggy and too full of tears angst and self sacrifice. The same problem repeated itself over and over.
The older sister was so unlovable and only showed some affection towards the very end. The younger sister overacted and had such over the top expressions. The contrast of their good and bad points was quite realistic though. People skills. Funny early role for Ok Taecyeon though he looks goofy.
The romance was was frustrating with such a sullen wench as heroine. Had to finish the show because of the good start. But be warned it really gets draggy later on with the endless business problems.
So the first half is 10/10 and the second is 1/10.