Orangevine

If you mean the special, it's not that interesting. We do get the confirmation that Secretary Kaibara is a sadist, though.

This movie has two aspects that deceive people.

Firstly, despite the marketing, it is not a detective mystery in the least. There is murder but it's very much not the point.

Secondly, again, despite the marketing, the movie is heavily problematic. Expect to be horrified by several scenes and to be disappointed by the usual toxic tropes.

This is a legendary show. It's a serious family drama, though, so the entertainment level was too low for me, a simple mystery lover.

While one can't imagine a project more suitable for Yamada Takayuki, I heard that the real life porn actress who is a character in this show was against being used in this way. It tells you all you need to know about the level of sexism in this show. Some western critics also commented on it.

All this rumours make me reluctant to watch the show, though, of course, the rumours may be inaccurate.

I really tried but I couldn't finish it. The cringe overcame me. The premise is great but the central arc foreshadowing destroyed my suspension of disbelief. Sorry, Sakurai Cho!

I diligently watched the first 3 seasons but Ryoma's promised journey never materialised.

6/10

I am traumatised by this movie. I'd definitely recommend you to steer clear of it. There are lots of less extreme movies and dramas that showcase the unique 'Han' aspect this movie is famous for while being a lot more palatable.

This is an ultimate 'Han' action movie. Unforgettable experience.

10/10

This is a charming action movie. I must admit I prefer Yojimbo-Sanjuro movies to Seven Samurais.

The legendary movie that kick-started spagetti-western.

Yes, this is definitely a drama about fake law with romance at its centre. But. The writing is on another level. You'd be hard-pressed to find more brilliantly written show. I'd go as far as to say that this writing is on par with Sherlock. The grip and the dramatic tension will leave you reeling for weeks.

This is a kind of writing that you'd expect from the country of 'Han' that produced Signal.

10/10

So Ji Sub is too hot. Gong Hyo Jin is too great.

I couldn't finish it because the torture/gore scenes were really getting to me. Spoilers put the final nail in that coffin so I'd recommend to avoid them at all cost.

I also think that this drama is not for a literal-minded viewer.

Woah, so much 'Han'! There are also in turn funny and scary zombies and charismatic characters. I watched it in the cinema and avoided bullet-trains for a while after that.

I was deceived by the comments and the reviews here. I thought Stranger was the second best South Korean detective drama after Signal. And Stranger is, indeed, a stellar drama. What I got wrong was the genre.

Stranger is not your typical detective drama at all. The viewer can mistake it for one especially during the first few episodes. But it is, first and foremost, a drama about prosecutors, and it has its main focus on politics and corruption. Once the viewer leaves all the crime genre expectations behind, there is plenty to be enjoyed.

In fact, I enjoyed the drama so much I was severely disappointed by one of the plot turns. The finale and occasional fluffy shenanigans clashed with my mystery genre expectations. Other than that, though, the drama was truly captivating and amazing. It also helps that I do not mind dry story-telling.

The drama is also light on 'Han' so don't expect to be crushed by the soul-wrenching agony a helplessness against injustice makes you feel. Which is a plus in my book. I'm still reeling after Signal.

8.5/10

My only gripe is gender violence (and occasional sexism). I was really put off by it. Otherwise, this is one of the best tv show I've ever seen in my life.

10/10

BTW I have this whole theory that Suda is not great with chemistry because he is too good of an actor.

He got so accustomed to be head above everyone else, he didn't learn a skill of playing off of each other which is crucial for building chemistry. The actors of the same caliber as him (who could inspire him to try that 'playing off') are usually much older so they are unlikely to be cast as his love interests. He does have great (friendship) chemistry with the veteran actors in Archimede, for example.

Do you mean that Suda deliberately doesn't build romantic chemistry with his costars because he wants to avoid idol following?

I totally agree that Suda doesn't want to be an idol or to 'please' the public. But the actors who get that idol status attain it through being 'dreamy' and having roles where they can do a lot of fanservice while looking like 'perfect boyfriends'. These actors don't necessary have outstanding chemistry with the female leads. Not to point any fingers, but there are plenty of ikemen actors who fail to have chemistry in their every project.

I do think that actors need the idol status to be able to get the main roles in the big blockbuster movies. But you are right that Suda may very well not want that.

Nevertheless, there are many serious roles in the art house cinema and in the indie dramas that require romantic chemistry. Having it by itself doesn't make one into idol. Ayano Gou and Ikematsu Sousuke are both masters of chemistry and their careers in the art house cinema survived.

I'm not a big fun of art house, I'd rather watch a mystery drama. Unfortunately, Suda rarely stars in those and when he does his chemistry is really lacking.

Gintama is a casting miracle. It boggles the mind to see how starstudded the movie is.

Wow, what a way to dismiss half of the mainstream.

Call me 9 year old but I'd really like to see Suda pull off some electrifying banter with his costar in some trendy detective drama. Or drama about lawyers.