Squid Game, blockbuster sensation | Netflix
The newest sensation to hit the Netflix pandora box is the Korean Show “Squid Game”.
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8 Anime Shows About Insecurity And Personal Growth
Each and every individual is insecure about themselves. Either they are insecure about their looks or their personality and no matter how much we read books about loving ourselves, it just sometimes becomes impossible not to drown ourselves in the negative feelings that accompany insecurities.
This is a guest post submitted by: Rachel Torgerson from Nofilleranime.com
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Under the Black Moonlight | Netflix Review
This article was submitted by Andrea F.
Under the Black Moonlight is a 2016 Netflix thriller from the champions in horror entertainment, Korea, starring Nam Tae Hyun and Kim Soo Yeon.
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Sir | Movie Review (Netflix)
[Submission by A.F.]
From the country of India, Netflix brings you a thought-provoking drama called Sir.
Alice in Borderland (2020) review | Netflix
In early December, this highly binge-able Netflix show Alice In Borderland premiered. It is an 8 episode Japanese drama based on the manga of the same name by Haro Aso.
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Wonder Woman 1984 | I wonder where the action is (review)
Wonder Woman 1984 is the highly anticipated sequel to (2017) Wonder Woman and the third film in the DC Comic franchise for the Israeli actress Gal Gadot.
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The Hook Up Plan (Netflix) | Series Review
[This review was contributed by (AF).]
Paris, France gets a piece of the Netflix streaming action with its comedy-drama The Hook Up Plan. With a mixed cast of newcomers and award-winning talent, the audience won’t mind reading the subtitles for this french entertainment.
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Is JEXI an encouragement or a warning? (review)
[This review was contributed by (AF).]
Coming from Lionsgate and CBS films is the 2019 romantic comedy, Jexi. Adam DeVine stars as Phil, a late 20’s millennial working in the social media industry. He spends every waking moment on his phone. In exchange for human relationships, he escapes into the digital world of streaming media, online ordering and Facebook updates with just one voice command. However, all that changes when Phil meets Cate (Alexandra Shipp) and his phone meets the pavement.
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Is ‘Fall Inn Love’ the perfect romantic movie? (Netflix)
[This review was contributed by (AF).]
Triple entertainment threat Christina Milian taps into her acting skills as she joins more celebrities going the streaming route with Netflix’s romantic comedy Falling Inn Love.
Gabriela Diaz (Christian Milian) is on the verge of pitching her dream Eco-friendly renovation and cementing her relationship with her boyfriend Dean (Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman). Things suddenly take a turn for the worst.
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Dolemite Is My Name (review)
[This review was contributed by (AF).]
Eddie Murphy stars in the origin story for the 1975 blaxploitation (or blacksploitation) movie called Dolemite. After several failed attempts to break into the entertainment industry, record store manager Rudy Ray Moore (Eddie Murphy) tries comedy but faces more rejection from his boss and friends.
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Late Night and workplace diversity (Amazon Prime Video)
[This review was contributed by (AF).]
Produced by Film Nation Entertainment and theatrically released in June 2019, Amazon Prime acquired and streams the comedy-drama, Late Night. The premise initially deals with legendary host Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson) being forced to revitalize her dying talk show or be replaced with younger relevant talent.
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Furie (2019) – Hai Phuong (Review)
[This review was contributed by (AF).]
Furie is a powerful, emotional and action-packed film that is nominated for Best International Picture for the 92nd Academy Awards. It features Vovinam (a Vietnam style of martial arts) and highlights the growing epidemic of human and child trafficking set in Vietnam.
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Sextuplets: Satire & Stereotypes (Netflix)
[This review was contributed by (AF).]
From the director of The Haunted House franchise, Fifty Shades of Black and most recently Naked, Michael Tiddes teams up with Marlon Waynes again for the Netflix comedy, Sextuplets.
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Abyss: Murder Mystery and Love (Netflix)
[This review was contributed by (AF).]
I am ready to tackle the Koren Drama called Abyss starring the extremely popular Park Bo-Young playing Go Se-Yeon and handsome Ahn Hyo-Seop as Cha Min. Abyss is about two people brought back to life but in different bodies by a strange alien object. Together they embark on a journey to uncover an elusive killer wreaking havoc in Seoul and of course finding love on the way. Wish me luck as I do a drama deep-sea dive and give my recommendation.
In terms of originality and storyline, I would give this an A for effort. Korean dramas, though recycled, reinvent the premise around the typical love triangle with new elements of history, fantasy or politics. This drama does a good job of combining several genres.
Sometimes the drama gets awkward in terms of musical cues that don’t add to the moments. Also, there are forced product placements that take away from the story. It ended up being distracting and making me frustrated.
Plus, the mysterious alien object called Abyss towards the end was explained away horribly. It was like the writers were trying to be too mysterious or set up a season two and do a big reveal later.
The supporting actors do deserve an award for their performance. They helped move the story forward. Lee Si-eon, who previously was in the drama W, played the police detective and he was unforgettable. He had moments with fellow co-stars Song Sang-Eun, who played his ex-girlfriend. They had chemistry and served their purpose.
But a relative newcomer with less than 5 drama’s released named, Han So-Hee had the best performance. She played Cha Min’s missing in action fiancée and quickly outgrew her role, capturing the screen when she had to deliver. Alas towards episode 13, her storyline was cut off and she was tossed in the proverbial character trash bin. She needed more time.
Ahn Hyo-Seop plays the younger hot version of Cha Min after he is brought back to life early in episode one. Infatuated with his new looks and motivated to win his fiance back, he takes advantage of his new life by partnering with Go Se-Yeon on a murder mystery. He was the typical
hot guy persona. There were no distinct personality or character traits. But, he didn’t have a lot of chances to extend his range of performance and a lot of times I was distracted by the sometimes confusing storyline.
Park Bo-Young plays the younger average or “ugly” version of Go Se-Yeon when she is murdered, but she is revived by Cha Min. Having rejected Cha Min for over 30 years, she finally admits her love him and they team up to find her killer. Park Bo-Young was a game-changer in the industry and a great addition to the project.
After watching Abyss, I would recommend it. I admit to binging a few episodes in a row, but it showcases the originality of Korean Dramas as America continues to consume its entertainment. We all love to be sucked into a fantasy with good looking people in unrealistic
situations and Abyss accomplishes that. So K-drama lovers, this can scratch your drama fix for now.
I Am (a disappointed) Mother (Netflix)
[This review was contributed by (AF).]
As I prepared for another binge-worthy journey into Netflix, I AM MOTHER flashed across my screen as an advertisement. I watched it without going for the skip button. So, reasonably optimistic and armed with a bowl of popcorn, I pressed play.
Story
The story is set in a hopefully uber distant future centered around an Android raising a child within a well-supplied iron fortress. As the child grows up, she becomes curious about the outside world and questions why her mother (the android) keeps her inside.
Enter Hillary Swank’s character known in the credits as woman. She is the catalyst for the young girl’s rebellion. The first act set up the movie with minimal exposition. It’s geared towards a timeline showing the child and machine’s relationship. Fast forward into adolescence and the Daughter presses the red button into action.
Now, I was ok with Clara Rugaard (the daughter) and her acting, but I thought the Swank factor would give me better quality. I was genuinely interested in the second act.
It had me saying “Really?” a couple of times.
But ultimately, Rugaard and Swank didn’t have chemistry or maybe Swank was not happy with her Netflix movie. Either way, it showed in her performance.
Meanwhile, by the third act, the story was going down a weird path. It seemed like the directors realized they made a mistake and then tried to change directions. They added some smoke, dramatic lighting and slow walking to work in a twist try and save the movie.
Mind you, I was impressed with the computer graphics and constantly wondered, “How’d they do that?”
If you watch this movie, you are either going to be surprised or you’re going to roll your eyes at the forced surprise created by the directors. The end wasn’t executed cleanly. I didn’t accept certain character reactions and the story line pay off wasn’t enough for me, but I maintained my resolve to finish the movie.
False Artificial Intelligence
While watching this movie, I wondered if forming an attachment to a machine without a heartbeat could make one feel loved. I love my car. I gave it a name and I talk to it like it’s my baby. I repair it, take care of it and in some weird way, I feel satisfied that beyond the Sell By Date, she still works.
Our human need for companionship and familiarity, at the risk of being hurt, is based on our emotional motivation to acquire a genuine connection. Are we taking for granted that living things are the only entities that desire a connection?
Movies constantly portray the evolution of artificial intelligence as a killing enigma with a growing consciousness and essential affection for a special human. For example, The Terminator, Ex Machina, Her, I Robot and now this movie.
Yes, we always, in the end, are unable to coexist. It’s scary that we keep telling a story about trying to form a connection with a heartless machine.
I AM MOTHER isn’t the next Birdbox, so better luck next time Netflix.