Double Review: Daredevil Season 2 & 10 Cloverfield Lane

10 Cloverfield Lane

I came into this movie with no knowledge other than seeing online that it was a "scifi" while my friend said it was a thriller. Definitely trust what my friend says, this movie really is no way a scifi, it's just a suspenseful thriller. I felt like nothing really important happened in this movie, just a boring moment after the next. Of course, there were a few creepy scenes as one would suspect from a thriller, but... nothing happened! For a thriller, it does keep you on your toes, but ultimately I finished this movie unsatisfied. The scifi element was tame at best and still unexplained at all; it left a lot of questions without any answers!! (Like Megan, the "attack" on Earth, etc.) Overall, definitely overhyped!

Daredevil Season 2

I've been waiting for this for a long time and I binged this in 2 days! This season was definitely amazing, while not quite like the first season. This season lacked a definite villain (for better or for worse, you decide) & I ended up missing Wilson Fisk. The two characters introduced, the Punisher and Elektra, are equally engaging though and add a lot of darkness into this story and complicate Daredevil's path. There's much more violence and action this season which was a little tedious for me & I kind of missed Daredevil since it focused so much other characters. The plot is rapid and intense and does answer questions as well as pose questions not only about the story but about American society itself, especially the debate with the 2nd Amendment through the Punisher storyline. I didn't really like the dual romantic interests with Karen & Elektra; it did feel a little excessive. Like many say, the romance with Karen was a little forced.
Overall though, BRILLIANT acting, thought-provoking storyline and plot, and perfectly executed action scenes. I'm already waiting for a season 3... !

Hope you enjoyed these two reviews,
xx Jennifer

P.S. I should have a Heart of Betrayal review up soon!

Cheeky Review of Cruel City - Korean Drama

Cruel City

Summary: When her sister suffers a brutal fate while undercover in the crime underworld, Han Soo Min is driven to pick up where her sister left off. But in the shadows, there are no rules and no reason: Soo Min falls for the organization’s king pin, who also happens to be the prime suspect of her sister’s murder. (from MyDramaList)

This story is so lush. It's everything you would want from a crime/action drama. It reminds me a lot of James Bond. The fast pace of the storyline, intense action, moving acting- it was perfect. I became invested in everything including the relationships and bonds that developed. The romance was so very subtle which was nice. I love how the ending fit the theme of this drama.

Faults (spoiler): There were only like 4 major characters in the crime underworld; I'd like to see more. Nothing ever came out of the relationship between the Reporter and Ji Hyung Min. Also during action scenes, why was Soo Min wearing 4 inch heels and why didn't people just bring guns to the fight instead of metal beams haha.

Just finished the drama and I feel pretty empty inside... now to watch Daredevil Season 2.

xx Jennifer

Cheeky Review of Ouroboros - Japanese Drama

Ouroboros

Summary from Wiki: This series is about two men, one a detective and another a member of the yakuza, who seek to find the truth about a murder that happened twenty years ago which was clamped down by the police.

This was actually my very first jdrama and it was pretty good! I find the way it's filmed a little subpar compared to the kdramas I watched and there were some comedic aspects that I remember used in anime as well that was a little over-exaggerated (like Ikuo & his smell). 

The story/case is engaging but after watching Signal, this case definitely dragged on and on. There were so many freaking flashbacks when I just wanted it to concentrate on the story and end it swiftly. I appreciate the acting and I really think the ending fits the story. I only dislike the way Tacchan ends... (you'll see what I mean) It didn't fit his character. 

Overall pretty good but not amazing. It didn't really tug at my heartstrings which is a sign...

xx Jennifer

P.S. Will get a book review to you guys soon! 

Signal - Korean Drama Review

Signal

Summary: A current day detective, Park Hae Young, finds a walkie-talkie and suddenly can talk with a detective from the past. The two work together to solve cold cases and find that they are connected beyond the walkie-talkie. (Just made that up, haha)

Just finished the last episode of this drama and I immediately had to make a blog post. This drama is ineffable. It is the pinnacle of everything I expect from a drama, and it blew my expectations to tell you the truth. The genres coalesce in this drama, and I went through a literal catharsis watching episode 15 in particular. Now, I'm going to dissect this drama...

Genres: Crime & Mystery & Time Travel (& a little family, romance, and 80's)

Crime: The 3-4 cases this series is based on are REAL COLD CASES. These kidnappers, murderers, and rapists are on the loose to this day. It sickens me but I really like how they did those cases justice. There is so much commentary on current society about police and corruption. Our society, despite its progress, is still muddled with corruption and Lee Jae Han was definitely a shining beacon in this drama, demonstrating how our justice system should really be. Anyway, the writing for these cases was spot on.

Mystery: I find the cases well paced; they were timed with enough suspense but weren't stretched out. I initially thought this series would only focus on one case but I really appreciated that it was a mix of cases that in reality were all connected. This series was really unpredictable in how the cases would be solved & who would survive or die (as the past can change and those who died could still live and vice versa). I was on my toes dying to know what would happen til the very last minute of this drama.

Time-Travel: THIS WAS EXECUTED SO WELL. I love the complexity of the time-travel and how a subtle change in the past can amplify in the future; it was realistic for an unrealistic concept. The writers handled the shifts in the past and present so well & I couldn't even follow at points (which I think is a very good quality, if a drama can outsmart me haha). Definitely made this drama stand out! One thing I'd say is that if I was Hae Young on the walkie-talkie, I'd cram so much info in that minute they talked haha. The time-travel (if you can really call it that) was also perfect because you got a balance of present day and 80's dramas (which people desire like in Reply 1984. Reply 1988, etc.). You get very two very different vibes in the same drama which really caters to different interests. 

Romance: This is so subtle. Don't go into this drama expecting a romance because you really won't get anything. It's just a little heartwarming seeing scenes where the main female lead pines over Jae Han. You get to see the care they have for each other. This definitely made the drama a little lighter from its heavy subject matter but I still respect how the romance was put on the side. This drama really need to focus on the cases and the justice needed to be served.

Characters/Acting: I honestly have nothing but praise for the actors. Cha Soo Hyun in particular. This character was stunning; the complexity of the character arc and the contrast of her past self and present self were acted perfectly by Kim Hye Soo. Her acting as a victim was great as well. The main lead, Park Hae Young, I also really enjoyed. He's relatable and real, and he can act! I really appreciate how this drama wasn't about having a flower boy lead; I could really focus on the character! And Lee Jae Han stole my heart really. He's such a strong spirit with bright morals; he definitely shone in the drama and had really great, passionate monologues. Awesome acting from the main leads! And Kim Bum Joo... what a despicable character. Well done, I guess. And there's another character, Ahn Chi Soo, who has a really complex character arc throughout the series... I just appreciate the depth each character has... amazing job writers!

Plot/Writing: As I've alluded to before, this series is well paced. I find everything unpredictable and nothing dragged. Nothing was too confusing and the series had an appropriate amount of flashbacks. This drama didn't have any typical kdrama plot devices and the writers definitely aren't scared to wring your heartstrings a little... I cried 6 times in an episode! Everything in the story is so intricately woven, I can't help but wonder if they planned all of this since episode 1. No episode was sublime compared to the rest; each episode got better and better which is truly rare. I just can't get enough.

OST: Very subtle OST that fits the theme of this drama. It's very heartwarming and like one of a "family" drama I guess. It sounds like home to me.

Overall, I am so in love with this drama. The ending definitely was open-ended so I am desperate for a season 2. My only fear is that it might not live up to season 1. Give this drama a go, I promise it won't disappoint!

xx Jennifer

P.S. Don't waste your time on the drama Descendant of the Sun... not worth. More book reviews to come & a review about Ouroboros, a Japanese drama.