TV/Movie
Showing posts with label TV/Movie. Show all posts
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Pachinko: This Book/Drama Is One of the Best Korean Content I Have Came Across In Soooo Long

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

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I have had my own fair share of Korean drama... a little too much of it though I rarely watched in in the last eight years. I think I just had an overdose and after a few dramas, it all just looked and feel the same to me so I stopped the marathons. I did watch The Glory and as great as it was, I forgot it way too fast than I expected.


Buuuuuut...I may have just found a really great one after so long.


Book


I read the book before I found out that there was a Kdrama for it so allow me to go through this first. The book was written by Min Jin Lee and was first published in 2017. This book is a story of our main character Sunja through three generations: her childhood and young adulthood, her marriage and family up to her grandchildren during the time of Japanese occupation in Korea and the lives of Koreans in Japan.


Pachinko is sort of a pinball machine originating in Japan and it is a metaphor to the gamble that is the lives of the characters in the book, also of life itself in general. Pachinko is also an industry that Sunja's sons got into eventually.


Sunja is a daughter of impoverished parents who manage a boarding house. Even with their limitations and her father's disability, Sunja was doted on and loved. In her teenage years, Sunja fell in love with an older fish broker named Koh Hansu whom she had secret relations with until she got pregnant. On the verge of shame, Baek Isak, a pastor who just came by was her salvation. Isak married her and took her to Osaka where she was given a second chance, but even then, her life was all but a smooth sailing.


The story is set off in a Japanese occupied Korea way back before the country was divided. The storytelling may not be very poetic, but it does give a good enough nuance for us readers to imagine and emphatise with the struggles of the Korean people in their homeland and even if they travel to Japan for hopes of a better future.


This does not have varied intensities, it is just the way it is: a chronological telling of a family's struggles all throughout. I have to admit that even I often found the pace was very slow and I was getting rather sleepy reading this. This does take patience to get through and may not be a very friendly book for newbies, but it's worth the read.


As good as this was, I could only give this 4 out of 5 stars because it did lack some emotional punch - and that is not only because it does not have an intense plot. Books like The Light Through the Leaves or The Great Alone did not have very intense moments, but damn the emotional effect those book left me with were just unforgettable.


Series


The series is exclusive on Apple TV. If you're wondering if it's worth subscribing to Apple TV just for this one drama, I think that it's worth it actually.


There are slight differences between the book and the series, which is completely normal for adaptations. However, unlike other adaptations, the series fills what I think were the teeny tiny plotholes in the book and brought to life the environments that were a bit difficult to imagine when reading. The casting in this series also deserves recognition because they're too perfect for their characters. It makes empathising to the characters and their lives almost too easy, even for those who are not too familiar with this period of Korean history.


Another important thing to know is the book tells the story in chronolical order while the series alternates between different time periods.


For example, I especially like how they gave Koh Hansu a backstory in the series - but I think it's only to give Lee Min Ho more screen time because he's one of their top actors. Whatever the reason is, the backstory did give some humanity to Hansu and gave some warmth to his otherwise very cold exterior.


Last (but definitely not the least) thing that I should give kudos to is Kim Min-Ha's portrayal of the younger Sunja. Maybe it's her expressive eyes, her demeanor, or maybe everything that she gave to that role made Sunja much more memorable.


This season ends with the part where Sunja started selling kimchi in the market which is roughly half the book. There's still much to expect and I am excited for what they have for season two.


Book or Series?


I will say this time and time again for book to series/movie adaptations...but the right choice between a book and its adaptation is really personal preference. If you're not a big reader, go for any motion picture. If you like to read and are also a fan of movies/series and you got the time, by all means, go for both. It wouldn't not matter much if people will say you're missing out because the book is good or the movie is better, etc - even if either one is better, if you're not a fan of one medium, it's not gonna work out.


Getting that out of the way, I did not regret taking the time to read the book and watch the series as well. As I mentioned, the book was great but the series made it so much better. I don't know much about the Japanese occupation in Korea and it was kinda hard for me to visualise some scenes in the book so the series did help a lot with that.


If you like to read and watch motion pictures, it is worth it. However, if you like one or the other, you'd still be able to enjoy this great work as it is.

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Must-Watch Movies Based on Novels Pt.2: From The Classics

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

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Just a little while back I wrote about some must-watch movie adaptations of novels and I realised I did leave out a few more ones that I absolutely love and would absolutely recommend to anyone. 


This is a list of four movies adapted from classic books so, if you're looking for some quality movie to watch next time, here are a few suggestions if you haven't seen these already (or something to rewatch if you have!):


The Phantom of the Opera (2004)


The Phantom of the Opera is my absolute favourite musical of all time. I have read the book, watched the musical (on Youtube just yet) and have rewatched the movie countless times but it still blows my mind each time. The storyline, although strange, is very beautiful and oddly romantic. Christine is not a literary character that I actually like but I think this just proves how well Gaston Leroux created her to be. The movie stars Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum whom in my opinion, definitely did not fall short.

This movie starts with an auction of the items at the opera house. It then transitions and goes back in time to the glory days of the opera where they believe the "Phantom" as a ghost but is truly a disfigured musical genius who has remarkable contributions to the opera house. He then helps Christine's rise to stardom.  Christine is his protégé who was also someone he is obsessed with. She struggled with separating reality and her fantasy as she falls deeper into the Phantom's traps.


Click here to buy/rent this movie on Amazon Prime Video.


Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)


I have seen the movie before but it wasn't until I read the book recently that I remembered to include it in this list. I wrote a review on the book which I will link here in case you're interested. Among all the movies in this list, this is probably the one based on the "more recent" novel (published in 1997) but I believe would cement its classic status if it hasn't already. Although the movie is like a trimmed down version of the novel, this still holds so much value and highlights the most important parts of Nitta Sayuri's life. The cinematography is just phenomenal, it's truly a work of art.


This movie is about Nitta Sayuri,  one of the mot celebrated geishas of her time. Beyond the makeup, the beauty and the arts, she was once Chiyo from a small fishing village who was sold to a geisha house. She didn't know any better, she didn't have a purpose and she has lost all hope until she met the Chairman at a young age who, in a random act of kindness, shone a light into a dream she never even knew she had. Sayuri then strives to be a geisha defying all odds and unfavourable circumstances.


Click here to buy/rent this movie on Amazon Prime Video.


The Great Gatsby


If you haven't heard of the man who threw hundreds of parties to be noticed by the woman he loves, then you haven't met Jay Gatsby. If you think that's quite foolish, then I highly recommend you watch the movie. Just like the Phantom's love for Christine, I think this also counts as one of the oddly romantic love stories in the world of classic literature. I should admit that Gatsby's love interest, Daisy Buchanan is one literary character that I find extremely annoying but again that's really part of the beauty of Fitzgerald's writing. As for the movie, it is undeniably beautiful - the storyline, the costumes, the acting, among many others. They did not fail to bring one of the most famous classic novels to life.


This is a story of a grandeous love of Jay Gatsby to a married woman named Daisy Buchanan as told by his next-door neighbour, Nick who is also an aspiring writer. He befriends Jay Gatsby and takes us through how the tale of all of those parties led to the rollercoaster of emotions, deceit and an eventual tragedy.


Click here to buy/rent this movie in Youtube or click here for Amazon Prime Video.


The Man in The Iron Mask



The Man In the Iron Mask the days of France ruled by an evil ruler named King Louis XIV. The three musketeers seek vengeance for the death of a loved one and liberated a prisoner who was actually King Louis' identical twin brother who wore an iron mask. When they were born, their father decided to hide the other twin in order to avoid conflict between the two of them in the future. Not knowing his identity and even his royalty, the twin brother lived all his life in a dark cell wearing his mask. When he was liberated, the musketeers replaced him with the king and made the king wear the iron mask. In the extreme switch of roles, the twin brother tried to live his new life while King Louis experiences what his brother has been living all those years.

This historical fiction movie is quite an oldie, but still undoubtedly a goodie. Leonardo de Caprio was still very young when he played the role of both King Louis XIV and his twin brother - still, he did a great job for both roles. This movie is beautiful and if you are into historical fiction works, this is something you should watch at least once. There's not a dull moment in the film and every moment that unfolds, you'll find yourself looking forward to the next.



Enjoy!



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"Mild" Thriller Movie Recommendations for the Faint of Heart

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

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We all know thriller movies are an inch closer to horror movies but are very less likely to give nightmares for nights after watching them. I personally do not watch any horror movie because I honestly do not see the point of scaring myself just for the thrill of it - I'd rather go online shopping if I want the same scare.

However, I am a fan of mild thriller movies - those that have moments that scare me just the tiniest bit but not really to the point where it traumatises me. That's only as far as my courage takes me so without further ado, here are some of my movie recommendations for those (like me) who want a little thrill without the nightmares:

Panic Room


This is one of the thrillers that you should watch at least once in your lifetime. Jodie Foster and Kirsten Stewart are true gems in this movie. In my opinion, their acting here is just phenomenal.

Panic Room is a story of a newly divorced mother and her daughter who recently moved in to a new house that had a panic room - a sort of sealed safe haven of a room that they can run to in case of danger. They were captivated by the idea but didn't expect they'd actually put it to use when three intruders looking for a huge amount of money broke into their house one night.

This gives you a bit of scare in a lot of scenes but only enough to make you want to keep going.

Available on Netflix or you can also buy it on Youtube for Php 540.


The Purge


If you haven't seen this yet because you are freaked out by the masks in the poster, I would say take a pause and give this a chance.

The Purge is a movie about this one night in America where residents have the absolute freedom to do anything they want without any legal risks. This includes all crimes. The first movie revolves around this rich family who, beyond all their security system, are breached after a series of foolish mistakes. 

It amazes me how this story is centered on the most basic unit of society which is a family but it still reflects so much societal issues. The Purge may not be a thing of the present, but the issues it represents are much to relatable. Issues like the disparity between the rich and poor, the privilege of being in power and being a regular citizen and if violence is innate in humans.

Available on Netflix or you can also buy it in Youtube for Php 390 or rent for Php 210.


Secret Obsession


Before anything else, this may not be the best movie in the list and there's more plot loopholes than one would like, but I think this is still worth watching if you just want a movie to kick back and chill. This is basically the epitome of a non-scary thriller - whether that is a good or a bad thing is entirely up to you.

In Secret Obsession, a wife suffering from short term amnesia after an accident comes home to a husband who is a stranger to her. Little did she know, the man she came home with is really a stranger obsessed with her and wanted her all for himself. 

This movie is exclusively available on Netflix.


Fractured


If you can tolerate a truly disturbing thriller, one that will leave you saying "What the heck just happened" after watching it, this is a really great one to watch.

Fractured follows a man who claims that the hospital has taken his wife and child after he took him in because of a child's injury in stop during their road trip. The hospital claims that he never took them in and they cannot find any evidence that he did. He reached out to the police but the events just kept getting twisted and confusing.

This movie has an ending that you'll never see coming and you'll never be prepared for no matter how much you try to guess it out.

This movie is exclusively available on Netflix.



Read blog disclaimer here

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“Stepmom” Is a Very Powerful Film To Watch

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

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We all know how much it takes to keep a family whole but not everyone understands how much more it takes to heal if it breaks.


Stepmom is a story of a family divided by the parents' divorced. The dad has now moved on with a new, younger partner who struggles to win his children's approval while at the same time dealing with the ex-wife. 


The film looks at so many angles of a family who is going through this transition. It shows that difficult as it is already, what makes the situation more challenging is when the adults don't act like their age and forgetting the children who are overwhelmed and lost in the entire ordeal.



A broken family


The stepmom, Isabel, is a photographer in New York and just like a lot of women her age, she is carefree and passionate. She does not know what it takes to be a mom but she did everything she could. All her efforts always seem to go down the drain because of her boyfriend's ex-wife who constantly make her feel that she will never be enough. You know those kind of mothers who feel like they're far and above everyone else just becasuse they are mothers - I mean I do understand motherhood is the most challenging and rewarding thing, but I don't think it gives anyone the right to invalidate other people just because they are not.


It also does not help Isabel much when the children repels her. However, this I do understand where they're coming from. They're only children and they could only grasp as much as they can and that is that they wanted a perfect family but the situation ruined it for them. They could not understand that it was not necessarily Isabel's fault because their parents' marriage was already falling apart. There was even a time when the younger child hears his birth mother talks about Isabel in a bad light and all he said was,


"Mom, if you want me to hate her, I will"


Even that stunned Jackie but she did not say anything to correct it which could have been a good learning experience. At that time though, her heart was heavy and she couldn't bear to do the right thing.



A change of heart


It was kind of like a domino effect of things not going in Isabel's favour but that changed because of a diagnosis.


This diagnosis (I will not say to whom) changed every single one of their lives and how they perceived each other. This changes the dynamics of their relationship in a way that they slowly begin to understand that beneath all the brokenness and hatred, lies the most important thing which is family.



In conclusion...

Families, as varied as they are, each hold a complexity. Each family has a story and this (although fictional) is a very powerful one and is definitely worth the watch. The character development contained in just a little over two hours is so powerful and so beautifully done. It is emotionally gripping even if you are like me who are not in the same situation as they are. 


Stepmom is now available to stream on Netflix or you can also buy it in Youtube.

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Must-Watch Movies Based on Novels

Monday, May 23, 2022

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Much has been debated about the movie versions of books and while I do not have any experience in screenplay writing and the movie industry, my best guess is that whoever is involved in the process did what needs to be done. They had to make certain adjustments in order to fit a different medium, different audiences. Let's face the fact that not everyone who reads watches movies and not everyone who watches movies read - so it's just fair that we judge either medium differently and not just trash the movie just because you think the book is better (vice versa).


Keeping that in mind, I do enjoy both watching movies and reading the novels and here are some of my recommendations for movies that are based on novels:



Gone Girl


If you have not watched this movie yet - why?! Gone Girl is based on a novel written by Gillian Flynn and is a story of a couple living what seemed to be the perfect suburban married life when the wife, Amy, goes missing on their fifth wedding anniversary. Her husband Nick became the prime suspect for her possible murder and we are taken through the moments when they first met to the day that led to the day Amy went missing. 


Both the movie and the book are beautifully cynical. The characterisation is so exquisite and the events are so well-written you'd almost think that the story is real. 


If you're looking for a psychological thriller that is both chilling and logical, then do not miss out on this one.


Gone Girl is currently on Netflix and available on Youtube  to rent for Php 150 or buy it for Php 490. 



The Godfather (Trilogy)


The Godfather (written by Mario Puzo - all hail Mario Puzo) is about the Corleone Family, an American mafia. When the father (Don Vito Corleone) got shot, it awaken a rage inside his youngest son Michael Corleone who has tried so hard over the years to stay out of the family business. He became entangled in a cycle of violence and betrayal. Once he got in, he realised he was in deep and there was no turning back.

This is by far the best book to movie transition that I have ever seen...ever. There is only one The Godfather book but the movie has three parts. It's almost a mirrored version of the book. Everything about this is perfect. It may not be everyone's cup of coffee but it surely is something worth the watch.

The Godfather is available on Youtube to rent for Php 210 and to buy for Php 680.  The Godfather II and The Godfather III are also available to rent/buy in Youtube.


Little Women


Based from the popular classic novel by Jane Austen, Little Women is a semi-autobiographical style that tells the story of sisters Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy as they come of age and navigate their lives, their separate callings through poverty. It is also a great depiction of feminity in 1860s Massachusetts.

Considering this is a classic and does not have high levels of plot intensity, I suggest you take a little patience of it and watch the movie for the value of the characterisation and events. I must admit I have yet to read the book but the movie (especially the latest remake) on its own really holds high value and I highly recommend it to anyone. This is the kind of movie that I would want my future children to watch. Although this is about women, I think this would speak to all genders.

The 1994 remake of the Little Women is currently on Netflix and the 2019 remake as seen on the trailer above available on Youtube to rent for Php 210 or buy for Php 780.


The Devil Wears Prada


The Devil Wears Prada is based on a novel written by Lauren Weisberger that is about an ambitious young woman named Andy who wanted to be a part of the high fashion world. She lands a job at a prestigious fashion magazine as assistant to a "tiger boss" and finds herself rapidly changing to fit in and survive. The job of her lifetime affects not only her self esteem but also her relationships. 

I must admit I have not read the book, but I think the movie is one of the modern classics that you just cannot miss. It does not fall short of great acting and storyline and is very entertaining all throughout. Though not everyone is meant for the fashion world, I think this is still very relatable for a lot of people.

The Devil Wears Prada is available on Youtube to rent for Php 150 or buy it for Php 490. 



I hope this list help give an idea of what you can watch next. And if you are looking for books to read as well, the novels that these movies are based on are also must-reads.

Have you seen or read any of the titles on this list? Share your experience below!
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Feel-Good Chic Movies To Get You Through a Rough Day

Thursday, April 14, 2022

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It's a Friday and it has not been a tough week at work or life in general. We all look forward to a movie or any relaxing activity when we get home.


If watching movies is on your list for tonight, here are some feel-good chic movies that are guaranteed to make you feel good.


So, sit back, relax and enjoy!



Sisterhood of Traveling Pants


This movie is about a group of friends who magically finds jeans that fit all of them. They share the pair of pants with each other equally as they spend their summer vacation miles apart. The movie tells the story of four separate summer vacations and a time when their friendship goes through a significant test.

The movie has a relaxed, but still a very interesting plot. It will take you through a number of emotions but still keep a light smile in your heart. If you'd like to imagine yourself as a young teenager again, then I would highly recommend this. It is available on Youtube to rent for Php 150.


Wild Child


Wild Child is a story of Poppy Moore, a carefree American teen who got sent to a boarding school in the UK after a rebellious act back home. Her father told her that he did not recognise her any more and that she needed to be sent away. Poppy's mother passed away when she was a little younger and she has not been the same since. The boarding school is the total opposite of the environment that she was used to and Poppy worked to get expelled but instead found herself drawn towards the school even deeper.

Now, this might be a little bit of a more typical teen chic film but hear me out - it's still very much entertaining as it is. The characters are all very likeable and they develop well throughout the film. There's not much relatable lesson in this movie though, just pure good fun.

You can catch this film on Netflix.


The Perfect Man


Sometimes teenagers and young adults think too highly of themselves that they think they're adult enough to manipulate situations - but they're actually not (surprise, surprise). This is what happened in The Perfect Man. Holly Hamilton grew tired of having to move each time her mother breaks up with a guy and she got tired of how she kept choosing the wrong man. So, she took it upon herself to pretend to be the perfect man. This got too entangled as her mom's bond with this fake ideal man grew bigger and she got stuck in all the twists.

If you're looking for a feel-good movie but still with a little bit of drama, then look no further. The Perfect Man (in my opinion) is a lot more realistic in a way that this presents the point of view of a child of a broken family who tried to play the adult in the family just because the adult in her life is definitely not acting like one. 

It's a good family movie and it is a great one to watch. You can still catch this on Netflix as well.


Confessions of a Shopaholic


I saved the best for last. This movie never fails to pick up my mood. It is funny and entertaining all throughout. 

Confessions of a Shopaholic is the story of a shopaholic named Rebecca Bloomwood who found herself under a mountain of debt, (initially) unemployed and being chased around by a debt collector. Rebecca found a new job ironically at a finance magazine and writing articles about how to save money. She got charmed by her editor. 

If you're looking to pick up your mood and a little touch of romance, then this movie should be at the top of your list tonight. It's sure to take all the stress away.

You can rent this on Youtube for Php 180.
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Our Favourite TV Shows as a Couple | 2022

Thursday, February 10, 2022

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Being in a long distance relationship for most of the time, my boyfriend and I bond over watching TV series and movies online. This has been a really great way for us to spend our time together whether we're together or miles apart. 


If you're looking for your next big series to watch, you might also love our top three so far and the reasons why we're obsessed with them!



F.R.I.E.N.D.S.


This was the first show that we watched together and our absolute favourite as a couple. The show, if you haven't seen it yet, is about a group of friends in New York City trying to figure out adult dilemmas like money, dating, children, family, among others. 


Some people say that Friends is a bit too much and the characters are exaggerated but...aren't all fictional characters exaggerated in their own ways? We actually think that one of the things that made the show very interesting is how the characters' quirks and their situations are exaggerated. This show made us laugh in almost every episode - except for the Rachel-Joey situation. 


Our favourite characters would be Chandler and Monica. Chandler used to be that one guy who could never commit but it turned out, he was just chasing the wrong people after all. He changed and was able to commit more than any of the other characters in the show when he finally fell in love with the woman he was meant to be with.


Friends is the kind of show that you might not like at the beginning but give a few more episodes a chance and just like us, you'll fall head over heels in love with it! The show in most countries is available to watch on Netflix and in Canada, you can catch in on Crave.



Modern Family


Now, this is the show that I found through Tiktok. This is guaranteed to make you laugh from the very first episode. It is about three families in three different modern set-ups: a typical large American family, a family of an immigrant and her much older husband and a family of two gay dads who adopted an Asian baby.

 

Not only does this show made us laugh, the characters are depicted in a much more realistic way that my boyfriend and I actually found ourselves relating some situations we come across to the characters in the show.


We both love Phil and Claire's family most especially Phil Dunphy. He might be a very quirky and weird at times, but he is definitely a very good father and husband. His character always bring fun and light to any situation that the family face. He's equally positive and realistic and extremely funny which makes his character very likeable and never annoying.


Modern Family is currently on Netflix.



Wanda Vision


My boyfriend has this goal not to miss storylines related to Dr Strange's Multiverse of Madness before its release on the big screen so he's watching tons of Marvel series on Disney+. Out of all the ones he dragged me to watch, this is the series that we both enjoyed a lot.


Wanda Vision is about a community that Wanda has "created" or isolated from the world and turned into an old school television show setting. In that world, Vision is alive and they are married. They tried to live their normal lives as a married couple but soon enough, the world catches up as Wanda loses control of everything.


At first, I found the setting a little dull but I eventually got so hooked up in it. If you're a Marvel geek like my boyfriend, I'm pretty sure you'd love this show from the very beginning. We both give this series a two thumbs up so if you're looking forward to Dr Strange Multiverse of Madness, be sure to catch this one on Disney+!



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