lehlioman-1 Reviews

1000Stars (2021)

Electrifying Chemistry in a Heartfelt Drama

[9/10 · 29 May 2023]

If I really want to be critical, there are quite a lot of flaws to pick on, like the occasionally cartoonish sound effects, the blatant product placements, the poorly written villains, the many continuity errors and the cliched romance drama tropes.

But at some point after the first few episodes, I realised I am watching something that is so exquisite that I can switch off my typically critical brain and look past all the so called 'flaws'. The plot is pretty straightforward and predictable for a romance / fish out of water type of drama series, but it is well executed with much warmth and love that it draws the viewers in.

Kudos to the 2 lead actors. They have an electrifying and authentic chemistry on screen. They elevate the cheesiest lines with little gestures and glances. I can watch them flirt with each other all day. Although the payoff takes painfully long for a romance drama, the actors are able to make everyone (characters in the show and viewers watching) root for them all the way.

Credit must also be given to Mix. It was his first lead role ever and the story revolves around his character Tian. The success of the show depends on his ability to makes everyone believes in his character's journey and he certainly succeeded. He really held his own against his more experienced costars.

1000stars sets the bar for a gay romance drama series. It has a richer story, a picturesque backdrop and unbeatable chemistry between the 2 leads and really all cast members. It is heartfelt, sweet and thoughtful. Go check it out.

Someday or One Day (2022)

Should have left the drama series alone

[5/10 · 29 January 2023]

Xiang Jian Ni was one of my favourite drama series in recent years. I was excited and intrigued when the movie was announced. I assumed that the leads signing on to the project meant some form of quality assurance.

In the end I was let down. The writers could not decide whether to write this for fans of the drama series or for new fans, and they settled for some kind of in between. It involves the same characters, same mechanism for time travel and same mystery involving someone falling off a building, but otherwise it is sort of a new story not connected with the original story.

A few glaring plot holes aside, I vaguely get this new-ish story, but it wasn't well executed. While I was rooting for the main couple to succeed in the series, here they just exist to service the plot lines. The script felt rushed, some explanations were left out, and one who have never watched the series would probably be quite lost midway with the jumping timelines and the multiple characters played by the same actors.

What saved the day would probably the actors, who are still charming to watch and really made the best out of this script that probably needed a few more drafts. Ultimately they should have just left the drama series alone.

West Side Story (2021)

No subtitles for Spanish dialogue

[7/10 · 9 January 2022]

If u like the original movie, u will prob find a lot to like about Steven's competent remake. The dance sequences are awesome and the inclusion of Rita Moreno and non binary actor Iris Menas are thoughtful touches. What brought the movie down was..

1. Ansel Elgort. As fine an actor as he was, he lacks the screen presence to lead this huge movie. In many scenes he's overshadowed by the other actors.

2. No subtitles for Spanish dialogue. This is deliberately decided by Steven Spielberg, as he supposedly want to respect the Spanish speakers. An odd decision, as there is a lot of Spanish dialogue in this movie. His decision alienates the Puerto Rican characters from the many non Spanish speaking viewers in the world. I hope the subtitles are added when this movie hits streaming services.

Till We Meet Again (2021)

Bait and Switch

[1/10 · 4 December 2021]

Despite the title (a.k.a God of Love). Trailer, theme song and synopsis trying to depict this as a romantic movie, IT IS NOT!

There is a parallel plotline about some demon from hell trying to seek revenge. This plotline plays out like a loud, horror movie with a lot of special effects and takes up HALF of the screen time.

Because of this jarring mix of genres, nothing is particularly believable, and many scenes and dialogues felt tacked on. When I got to the point of the movie where a character tries to have sex with an exhaust pipe of a motorcycle (yes it really did happen), I stop caring about how the rest of the story will unfold.

I felt cheated. This is my worst movie of 2021.

Minamata (2020)

Pretty dull

[5/10 · 22 May 2021]

It is an important story to tell but it could have been told in a more engaging manner. Johnny's character is grouchy and disinterested most of the time. The two leads have little chemistry and no one could have guessed that the characters are actually married to each other. A wasted opportunity on the whole.

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

Really dumb story...

[3/10 · 21 December 2020]

I am shocked how well received this movie was on IMDB and RT. Wonder Woman was a well made, well written and well acted movie, but WW84 is really dumb. It would be fine if it is "entertaining mindless fun" type of dumb, but it is the "I don't care what happens on screen anymore" type of dumb.

Dialogue made me cringe many times, many of the character arcs, connections and emotions are not believable. Everything felt forced and fake, where the characters uttered implausible lines only because they are on the script. The actors gave their best to made the clunky story work. It feels like the director was more keen to create an expensive spectacle this time, instead of tell a good story about the character.