I expected more from this movie with its star-studded cast and the promising premise. Not that it wasn't entertaining, it was - especially for IU and Park Seo Joon fans-, but it wasn't something special or memorable. The story was rather predictable, the pacing quite unbalanced, the comic and emotional scenes felt like being too much and trying too hard. Not bad, just a light watch.
An intimate, affectionate and bittersweet love story, based on an autobiographical novel. Beautifully filmed and acted, with a unique and thoughtful approach of grief, loss and family bonding, and a wonderfully layered performance from Suzuki Ryohei, this is a powerful, emotional and hauntingly absorbing journey of a heartbreaking love.
A bizarre and unbalanced multi-genre drama about a love story between a vampire and a human, mixed with a police investigation concerning a series of murders. Unfortunately, and in spite of the great cast involved, the lack of character depth, the sloppy writing and the rough switch between fluffy, comic and intense scenes resulted in a lukewarm, subpar outcome. Sometimes the talented cast and the great chemistry between them aren't enough to overcome a mediocre storytelling...
Atmospheric, dark, tense and gripping from start to finish. Eerie cinematography and music, laconic storytelling, intriguing plot-twists and a combination of great directing and acting quality that made me feel drawn to all characters' stories, even though I found every single one of them dislikable. There might be some mishaps here and there but, overall, a surprisingly entertaining thai drama.
An underrated family drama about loss, reconciling, forgiving, comforting, as well as bonding with and taking care of our loved ones. With a delicate approach of some heavy issues, full of emotions, affection and warmth, and a wonderful performance from Yamapi, this was an engaging, rewarding watch.
With a unique theme and approach, this is a soothing, feel-good short drama about daily train trips of an otaku train enthusiast enjoying beautiful rural scenery and wonderful photography. Though it's slow-paced, with minimal dialogue and encounters, not much of a plot, not much character depth and an awkward introduction theme, every episode feels like a healing experience full of picturesque countryside places around secluded or abandoned train stations, with vivid forest, sea and train sounds, delicious food, and interesting information about new and old train models, routes and destinations. Great for a relaxing weekend watch.
A historical epic about the life, rise and fall of warlord Oda Nobunaga, heavily focused on his marriage and love story with lady Nohime. Lavish costumes, rich settings, impressive music and cinematography, and an undeniable chemistry between Kimura Takuya and Ayase Haruka in a not-so-accurate story based on one of the most recognizable historical figures of Japan. With characters that could have been fleshed out better, a romance that could have been less subtle, and sequences showing the whys and hows of Oda’s transformation that could have been more informative and less disjoined, it was a movie with a unique approach worth watching.
Intriguing time travel/crime investigation premise, which soon started focusing more on the family bonding, making amends and healing side of the story - and that wasn't bad at all. It had some really strong moments, some well-embeded plot twists, and though there were some pacing problems and weak plot elements that could have been handled better, overall it was an enjoyable watch.
Fluffy and cute romcom jdrama, with all the typical cliches, tropes & angst of a marriage of convenience/contract relationship story, and some really annoying subplots that could have been omitted. But, the chemistry and interactions between Hashimoto Kana, Yamada Ryuosuke and their lovable dog were enough to make this an enjoyable, bingeable watch. And it seems that Yamada Ryuosuke is here to stay, as he is getting better with every project he gets.
Youthful, cute and fulfilling, this is an omnibus of high school slice of life stories of romance, awkward misunderstandings and bittersweet everyday school life, mixed with some mystery and bonding. An easy, enjoyable watch, perfect for a weekend binge.
A unique, extremely intriguing concept and a great pairing of partners. Though there were some plotline and pacing issues after the first half, their teamwork, chemistry and support made it a smooth and very enjoyable watch.
Good job! Beautifully written article, with a great selection of aesthetic/stunning visuals cinematography. I've watched most of them and I agree with your descriptions and comments - and I did add some more titles in my PTW list!
A study on motherhood, from both the mother's and the daughter's point of view and narration, delving into mother complexes, dysfunctional relationships and probably some mental issues along the way. Nagano Mei is always a pleasure to watch and most of this melodrama brownie points are definitely hers.
Even after 3 seasons, this is still an intriguing, satisfying story and one of the best medical dramas. I'd gladly watch Kim sabu and his Doldam team for many more seasons!
Promising cast, intriguing concept, underwhelming outcome. With an eerie and dark cinematography, an imposing music and some interesting performances -especially from Yokohama Ryusei- this slow-paced and unfocused story tried hard to blend many subplots, such as some social critique about environment and tradition, modernization, depopulation, bullying, trauma, and a love story in the midst of all these, but the weak writing, the messy editing and the lack of any character depth resulted in a dull and frustrating watch.
Based on true events, this is a heartbreaking story of childhood innocence shattered by a highly dysfunctional family trying to survive in post-war Japan. A scathing social commentary on the traumas caused by severe domestic violence and emotional abuse, a tragic but absorbing confrontation about human condition. With a brilliant use of colour versus black & white filming, as a means to depict the Boy's mental and emotional state, and a straightforward, genuine performance from Tetsuo Abe, this is definitely a difficult and thought-provoking watch.
Much better than its prequel, which is something rare. Still Kim Bum as Lee Rang is the best and cutest part of the story, but also Kim So Yeon as the quirky, bad*ss Ryu Hong Joo is definitely on par, if not better!
An old-fashioned, simple but very cute office romance with two adorably awkward leads in an angst-free character development/love story. Yamada Ryosuke's smile was a ray of sunshine, addicting and uplifting, perfect for a stress-free watch after a long & tiring working day.
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Not that it wasn't entertaining, it was - especially for IU and Park Seo Joon fans-, but it wasn't something special or memorable.
The story was rather predictable, the pacing quite unbalanced, the comic and emotional scenes felt like being too much and trying too hard. Not bad, just a light watch.
Beautifully filmed and acted, with a unique and thoughtful approach of grief, loss and family bonding, and a wonderfully layered performance from Suzuki Ryohei, this is a powerful, emotional and hauntingly absorbing journey of a heartbreaking love.
Unfortunately, and in spite of the great cast involved, the lack of character depth, the sloppy writing and the rough switch between fluffy, comic and intense scenes resulted in a lukewarm, subpar outcome.
Sometimes the talented cast and the great chemistry between them aren't enough to overcome a mediocre storytelling...
Eerie cinematography and music, laconic storytelling, intriguing plot-twists and a combination of great directing and acting quality that made me feel drawn to all characters' stories, even though I found every single one of them dislikable.
There might be some mishaps here and there but, overall, a surprisingly entertaining thai drama.
With a delicate approach of some heavy issues, full of emotions, affection and warmth, and a wonderful performance from Yamapi, this was an engaging, rewarding watch.
Though it's slow-paced, with minimal dialogue and encounters, not much of a plot, not much character depth and an awkward introduction theme, every episode feels like a healing experience full of picturesque countryside places around secluded or abandoned train stations, with vivid forest, sea and train sounds, delicious food, and interesting information about new and old train models, routes and destinations.
Great for a relaxing weekend watch.
Lavish costumes, rich settings, impressive music and cinematography, and an undeniable chemistry between Kimura Takuya and Ayase Haruka in a not-so-accurate story based on one of the most recognizable historical figures of Japan.
With characters that could have been fleshed out better, a romance that could have been less subtle, and sequences showing the whys and hows of Oda’s transformation that could have been more informative and less disjoined, it was a movie with a unique approach worth watching.
It had some really strong moments, some well-embeded plot twists, and though there were some pacing problems and weak plot elements that could have been handled better, overall it was an enjoyable watch.
But, the chemistry and interactions between Hashimoto Kana, Yamada Ryuosuke and their lovable dog were enough to make this an enjoyable, bingeable watch.
And it seems that Yamada Ryuosuke is here to stay, as he is getting better with every project he gets.
An easy, enjoyable watch, perfect for a weekend binge.
Though there were some plotline and pacing issues after the first half, their teamwork, chemistry and support made it a smooth and very enjoyable watch.
Beautifully written article, with a great selection of aesthetic/stunning visuals cinematography.
I've watched most of them and I agree with your descriptions and comments - and I did add some more titles in my PTW list!
Nagano Mei is always a pleasure to watch and most of this melodrama brownie points are definitely hers.
I'd gladly watch Kim sabu and his Doldam team for many more seasons!
With an eerie and dark cinematography, an imposing music and some interesting performances -especially from Yokohama Ryusei- this slow-paced and unfocused story tried hard to blend many subplots, such as some social critique about environment and tradition, modernization, depopulation, bullying, trauma, and a love story in the midst of all these, but the weak writing, the messy editing and the lack of any character depth resulted in a dull and frustrating watch.
A scathing social commentary on the traumas caused by severe domestic violence and emotional abuse, a tragic but absorbing confrontation about human condition.
With a brilliant use of colour versus black & white filming, as a means to depict the Boy's mental and emotional state, and a straightforward, genuine performance from Tetsuo Abe, this is definitely a difficult and thought-provoking watch.
Still Kim Bum as Lee Rang is the best and cutest part of the story, but also Kim So Yeon as the quirky, bad*ss Ryu Hong Joo is definitely on par, if not better!
Yamada Ryosuke's smile was a ray of sunshine, addicting and uplifting, perfect for a stress-free watch after a long & tiring working day.