Admittedly, it starts off on a cheesy comedic tone but when it settles in, it's a wonderful story that isn't just the romance but about that, the working class and the power dynamic of bosses and companies with their employees, friendships, healing and growth. The relationship between Won and Sa-rang is 100% believable and we see how Won becomes smitten with one of best people on the planet. There are also compelling and interesting stories involving the leads' friends that could have had their own show, they are that solid. I have watched a lot of Korean entertainment lately and this is one of the best. Lee Jun-ho is a phenomenal leading man, walking that walk of a confident man. I dare say, he might be a better leading man than fellow 2pm member Taecyeon. Sorry, Taec.
Reviews
39 Reviews
Haunted Mansion
(2023)
It's fine
27 August 2023
It's nothing special but it's not terrible, either. It has some chuckles, some outright laughs but nothing that really makes you bust out or tears run down your cheeks. There was one line that made me crack up. The acting is professional with Stanfield nailing the leading man part well. His backstory was quite moving. It's predictable with one plot twist easily figured out so it really isn't surprising when it's revealed. The special effects were good, thank goodness because with an average script, they needed to be. I suspect as the years go by, The Haunted Mansion will build a following much like Hocus Pocus did. It's definitely better than the Murphy version, in my opinion. A good one for Halloween viewing.
Undercover Holiday
(2022 TV Movie)
For reals?
13 July 2023
Now, this movie likely started in a California writers room so they should really know the Hispanic Navidad experience. I cannot believe how ridiculous and pandering this was. Lots of accents but my ears heard more than Chicano y Chicana inflections. The lead actress is supposed to be a pop star but her singing is completely flat. How could a guy who was in the military be so unfamiliar with any Hispanic Christmas tradition? There are thousands of Hispanics in the military!! Who doesn't know tamales are a traditional Christmas food? I know that and I am not Hispanic. Why are tamales only at Christmas? Because it takes freaking days to make them! Yeah, if you marry a Hispanic, you might have to learn how to make them. That 100 tamales, at least, was right. My Chicano husband laughed outloud at this film. He said if they want to show a real American Hispanic Christmas, they should film in the Barrio on Christmas morning with kids crying because Santa Claus didn't show up. A more realistic Hispanic Christmas experience is an episode of Lopez vs. Lopez.
She Said
(2022)
Shocking but ...
24 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Boorish, criminal behavior is exposed by two diligent reporters and it's fascinating to watch them pursue and hunt and basically beg people to go on record. Gwyneth Paltrow actually provided her own voice and Ashley Judd portrays herself, recalling their encounters with Weinstein. Paltrow even calls one of the reporters when Harvey crashes a party at her home, looking to intimidate her (Paltrow.) It's riveting, it's angering and so satisfying when the women bravely have had enough. Why do I not rate it as ten stars? Because the NY Times knew as far back as 2004 what Weinstein was doing and they kept quiet. Why? Access to Miramax stars is the belief.
Lockwood & Co.
(2023)
Fantastic fight choreography
8 February 2023
I am quickly binging just about everything on netflix lately and this popped up after finishing Wednesday. Wow, I might like it more then Wednesday. It was so disappointing when all the episodes were over that I re-watched the whole season. Sharp writing, amazing sets and strong performances all around. The fight scenes are intricate and the camera does not cut away to fake movement but stays directly on the actors. Hopefully, this show will have enough views to get a second season because nothing production wise was spared. It would be a shame if viewership weren't high enough to warrant the cost of another season.
Shotgun Wedding
(2022)
Imperfect but decent attempt at screwball comedy
28 January 2023
It has a slow start but gets better once it's the actual wedding day. Some jokes land with a thunk. Some are like a breeze on the beach in that you might miss them because they're so light. A few elicited outloud laughter. Marin and Coolidge are super solid and always a treat. I like the sister but she didn't look like Lopez, Marin or Braga. Her acting was just fine. She just didn't look like a sister. Cousin, maybe. Here's another thing, Lopez, is a beautiful, mature woman. She's way too old to be in this kind of role. Better looking than me? YES! But she is almost my age and I am also over 50 with 4 grandchildren. Lopez needs to play older roles.
Emily in Paris
(2020– )
Like marzipan, nice but don't eat it too often.
25 January 2023
I like this show which completely surprises me as I found SATC inane. Lily Collins, Ashley Park - a tour de force in her own right, the scenery, the humor, the clothe...wait, the wardrobe is a problem. Really, how much clothing can someone own? A coat for every occasion? Every time? Also, much, all right, nearly all that Emily wears to the office is unprofessional. Plus, they just don't work. Polka dots and plaid? Mon dieu! But it's pleasant, has made me laugh out loud and occupied my time now that Monday and Thursday don't have any football games on. It's not The West Wing but it isn't trying to be.
The Man from Toronto
(2022)
Meh, not really worth the time
19 January 2023
Kevin Hart is definitely getting typecast with these likeable loser roles. At least in Central Intelligence his character was educated and had a good, stable job. Harrelson's efforts are wasted with a much more worthy character. It was better than the movie Hart did with Wahlberg in that I was able to finish this one. The wife was darn cute, wish she had more to do in it. Cuoco is barely in it. Perhaps a lot ended up on the cutting room floor. This pretty much sums it up but I see I need more characters. Hmm, better buddy movies - Lilo & Stich, Bonnie and Clyde, Mean Girls, Baps, Hustlers, Fox and the Hound. Something for everyone.
Red Snow
(I) (2021)
It has sumpin, sumpin
7 December 2022
It's cute and quirky. The acting ranges from decent to not but the production value, primarily the cabin and christmas decorations, add to the better than average rating. Is it Shakespeare? No. Frankly, it isn't even at a Lifetime channel movie level but the female has an endearing charm and handles the comedic aspect well. There is some gore, enough that I took a preventative eye closing just in case guts went a flyin'. Would I watch it again? Yeah, sure, maybe once more but not more than that. Kudos to the writers for that clever ending. And now a random sentence for the required characters.
The Next 365 Days
(2022)
Better than this day but no 365 Days
6 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
My disappointment was so high after the second film that I was reluctant to watch this one. But, but how will I know how it ends?! The filmmakers said they wouldn't necessarily follow the books. Well, I am glad they didn't. I am team Massimo, 100% but he really needed to understand why Laura didn't say anything. Given his line of work, yes, Laura was correct in staying mum about the baby. However, I cannot get past the fact that Laura thinks Nacho is a possibility. Girl, he heavily participated in the plan to deceive you about your husband, lied to you for weeks? Months? Not sure how much time went by with Nacho. But worst of all, this little plan of Anna, Adriano and Nacho resulted in you being shot! How can you be confused about your feelings for him. Especially given your husband is a hot AF Italian man. Okay, rant over. There is lots of Sox, of course but, finally, some much needed conversations are had. Actual discussions and fights like real people. Well, sorta.
365 Days: This Day
(2022)
It's everything critics said the first one was
6 December 2022
So, so disappointed. Massimo and Laura have a relationship based mostly on delusion, obsession and lust but seriously, there is so little dialog in this film, I wonder if the actors even had to learn lines. How can this film just gloss over the cliffhanger of the first film? Barely a mention. While the two leads are on fire with their chemistry, scene after scene after scene of Sox and more Sox gets really boring. Another thing that bugged me is how much of a beech Laura was. Snapping at Massimo for arranging a nice weekend away for you with your best friend? Telling Massimo at a party, in front of family and business associates, that you are done and demand to leave? He's a proud Italian mafioso. Very disrespectful to speak to him like that and also unwise. I've watched the first one easily 365 times, ha. See what I did there? But I've hardly watched this one. Maybe 15 times.
The people we loathe at the wedding
6 December 2022
The half-siblings are selfish, self-centered and self-absorbed. But on the plus side, they are also thoughtless, crude, rude and crass. Immoral behavior at work by both Platt and Bell, acting like it's no big deal. Treating their English half-sister terribly merely because she's rich. Making idiots of themselves, being "ugly Americans" was embarrassing and angering. Fine. You hate your own choices. Don't be jerks. Poor behavior can be funny, even hysterical but it wasn't here. I don't think I laughed once. Always Sunny in Philadelphia is funny. It's laugh and groan inducing. This just left me angry.
A Boy Called Christmas
(2021)
Beautiful looking and enjoyable but lacking.
28 November 2021
It looks fantastic with the sets and scenery. Enough that I could imagine being cold. But the plot isn't developed enough and, at times, doesn't seem well thought out. Why do toys need to made? How is it that this will solve the despair in the boy's village? Most of the acting is top notch so, coupled with the look of the film, made for an interesting watch. The areas lacking are the aforementioned plot gaps and this hurts to say, the main character. The young actor isn't enigmatic enough to carry the role on his shoulders. This and that annoying mouse take away so much from what could be a Christmas classic in years to come, much like Monster House by the same director is every Halloween. For me, a story is always brought down if that all-important sidekick isn't perfect. Wrong voice, wrong dialogue. The voice actor is fine, just miscast and given poor lines.
Aftermath
(IV) (2021)
Attention all screenwriters: You Need to Do Better.
14 August 2021
Predictably bad, acting and plot wise. Decent acting from a few, terrible from a few more. What kind of police station has absolutely no sound? No phones, no typing, no conversations? Nope. No concern over the missing sister? Nope. It was very Lifetime in the production quality.
Good afternoon killer
9 August 2021
Sex/Life
(2021–2023)
Lifetime/Cinemax collaboration?
20 July 2021
Is it from a new network, Cinetime? Bored, thoughtless, self-centered housewife is willing to hurt her beautiful family just so she can get some from her hot but jerky former lover. Hey, the show even has what I refer to as an SBF - sassy black friend. Usually, I wonder why they didn't have the friend in the main role but here, it's a relief. There should be more films with minority leads but egads, not in something like this. One thing I did find accurate is the trying to have sex when football is on. This has happened in my home many a time. My hubby should know better than to interrupt the Packers/Niners game. I'm all for erotic escapism but have actors with chemistry. See 365 Days. That film isn't a triumph of cinematic achievement but the actors are hot, the settings and locations are beautiful and it gives you a pleasant escape from reality right now.
Darkness Falls
(2020)
Lifetime movie for men
9 June 2021
It helps that I have watched a lot of terrible movies over the last month. Most of them have had Bruce Willis, oddly enough. This film gets good performances from from Ashmore, a solid Cole and the ever reliable Shae but wow, is the story short shrift. It's cheap, in execution and plot. A family man police detective driving a Z car? No person, in big brother state of life, has Ring at their home? In California? Fail.
Hillbilly Elegy
(2020)
Hillbilly accuracy
23 May 2021
As a privileged Caucasian woman who lives in a very swanky, la de da suburb, I can say that this is a very true representation of country folk. My parents and both sets of grandparents are hillbillies. So, yes, Glenn Close is very reminiscent of my granny while Adams has some of the irrational, manic depressive behavior that my mother displayed. It's a difficult life to get out of and JD Vance should be respected for doing so. Unfortunately, though, Vance has recently shown his true colors and turned his back on truth, morals and decency.
Second Act
(2018)
Awesome Christmas soundtrack
10 May 2021
Three of these stars are easily for the dynamite Christmas songs chosen - Solomon Burke, Louis Armstrong. I'm a sucker for carols. The movie was fine, above average for this kind of run of the mill fish out of water/Walter Mitty hybrid. However, another storyline is thrown in, unnecessarily I believe. It's unneeded and too heavy for a lightweight comedy. Vanessa Hudgins was good to see, in more of an adult role. Remini stole every scene she was in. Williams is still a good looking man.
Unhinged
(I) (2020)
Unrealistic
10 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This was so absurd. Bad, reckless driver encounters deranged psycho Crowe and the ridiculous farce begins! All of this takes place in broad daylight, in the middle of LA in front of dozens and dozens of people. Does the harassed woman drive to a police station...ever? Crowe can even get shot, steal a minivan and kill and maim several citizens all while maintaining phone calls with the woman. He also full fisted punches a slight female and tween without them suffering broken jaws???? Ridiculous.
Thunder Force
(2021)
It serves its' purpose
13 April 2021
It isn't Shakespeare nor is it trying to be. McCarthy is funny and seems a little more restrained than usual with an eye on representing a true Chicagoan in mind. Spencer plays the straight role well as a counter to McCarthy. And the casting of their younger selves is on point. Bateman is fun playing against type as a mancrab when he's usually a scallop. A little seafood humor there. A villain is super easy to guess but hey - I'm not solving an Agatha Christie story here. Look, this is silly and it's fun. Watch it when your brain needs a break. One character is also the name of one of my daughters which is kind of an odd feeling.
Derry Girls
(2018–2022)
Flipping hilarious
21 March 2021
As an American, I can't get all the references and sometimes, the Irish brogue is hard to understand so I watched with subtitles. This being said, this is so hysterically funny, I binged watched all the episodes and can't wait for me. How funny? My husband is a large sized, metal music loving, Harley riding Chicano (American Hispanic) man and he laughed out loud several times. He said the families could easily be from Albuquerque and named Garcia, Lopez and Gonzales. Yeah, the grandpa vato can relate to Irish teenaged girls. It doesn't get ten stars as I am aghast at the treatment of Jerry and the wee English lad. They are the two most decent characters but Granda and several people aren't very kind to them.
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