Jessicat66 Reviews

Space Sweepers (2021)

Very enjoyable

[9/10 · 29 March 2021]

I as a big fan of South Korean film and TV watched this with my partner who is not. We both equally enjoyed it. The costumes, CGI and world design were very well done especially for a first south korean sci fi and the acting by the main cast was well done also. I would liken this film to guardians of the galaxy in that it is a film about a group of misfits with troubled pasts who find family in each other. Which may be cliche as I have seen others complain in reviews however I think this is part of what makes the film enjoyable rather than being a weakness. Though cliche themes I think that the story still felt unique to me in the way executed. And also the characters which I loved particularly the bad ass captain. Time wise this is a long film but it didn't feel like it was and it managed to keep my attention the whole way through. My only complaint which may seem strange to say as a british person, was the English (and other non korean languages) it felt unnatural and distracting to me. However I understand this was to make it more realistic. The ending did seem to set up for a sequel which I would definitely watch if one was made.

Naesungjukin Boseu (2017)

Mixed feelings

[6/10 · 28 March 2021]

As someone who is introverted and is socially anxious it was really great to see this represented and I think this is what this drama did well in the way it is written and in the actors portrayal. The main male lead is very relateable to me and the development of his character is enjoyable to watch. However there are some problems with this show that really ruin that plot and the premise of the series. For one, there are some very problematic behaviours from many of the other characters in the show that really don't get challenged or addressed properly which did make some parts very difficult to watch. Also, towards the end of the series it feels like more and more drama and 'twists' are being added for drama sake or to drag it out for a few more episodes. It makes some of the events leading up to this just feel like a waste of time and also leaves a few confusing gaps in the plot that could have been resolved without needless extra drama. There are themes around mental health- suicide and self harm but I feel that these were not handled well at all in this drama- not well represented and kind of skimmed over. At parts the drama switches very quickly from dark and serious plot points and themes to overly lighthearted romance/ comedy which can make it difficult to be invested in the story when this happens. This series could have been much better of the focus had stuck with the main character and his development instead of drawing away from this with a storyline and characters that are muddled, problematic and not well enough explored. I know it's a drama but I would have liked to have seen a little less drama.

Kkondae Intern (2020)

Addictive

[8/10 · 25 January 2021]

The ending was really rushed, it really took me by surprise when I realised I was on the last episode. However, other than that I thoroughly enjoyed this kdrama and pretty much binge watched it. There was something really great about watching characters doing something every day that we all do- go to work. I also really liked that none of the characters are created to be 'perfect' or aspirational and are all very flawed. This is what makes them so human and this is what makes the story work as this drama is much more about character development than anything else. Characters who might have been a typical villain in another show we get to know and learn that behind the mask and unlikeable behaviours they are just so very human. The show explains how all of these very different and 'dysfunctional' characters share something in common: they just want to work hard to succeed in their job and take care of their families. Really great sense of humour, just don't expect a love story!

Private Lives (2020)

Could have been so much better

[5/10 · 25 January 2021]

I will start with the positives: the acting is superb unsurprisingly from the cast, and the acting is why my score is actually quite generous based on the negatives which I will get onto. The chemistry between the two leads is incredible however their romance storyline is only a subplot and this is not a romance drama. Not as I mind this I have watched and enjoyed many good non-romance kdramas. But this is not one of them and is one of the few kdramas I have actually given up on part way through- I got to episode 13 and decided I couldn't watch anymore. In other kdramas that have dragged a bit plot wise at this point in the series I would probably still get through the last few episodes so I could have closure on the story but by ep 13 of this series I had already been struggling through for several episodes. The first couple of episodes showed real promise but the plot soon became a very confusing mess. I felt very lost watching and it quickly became unenjoyable as I was spending too much time trying to work out what was even going on. With the premise of the story and the cast this drama could have been really good but it really missed the mark for me.

Arrival (II) (2016)

This will make you think

[10/10 · 25 January 2021]

If you are looking for a typical alien/ sci fi movie this is not it. This film is not action packed in fact not a lot happens but the journey of what we as the audience and also the protagonist learns, as the storyline develops, is so powerful. It's been a while since I watched this film but I find myself thinking about it far more often than I have ever thought about any other film. I had knowledge of the linguistic research the story is inspired by before watching and I don't know if that makes a difference to how this film is received. However I really would recommend this.

The Uncanny Counter (2020–2023)

Great from start to finish

[10/10 · 25 January 2021]

Cannot fault this series honestly. I watch a lot of kdrama and some take a few episodes to get good, some are really promising at first and then just get repetitive, others have a few episodes in the middle that start to drag or there's those that are good all the way up until a disappointing end. This drama doesn't fit into any of those categories because it stays consistently amazing all the way through. The storyline is gripping and develops well as everything begins to tie in together. Acting is on point. There is the perfect combination of humour, action and emotional scenes. The characters compliment each other well and it is great to see their characters develop and relationships with each other build. I love that the ending left it open for a season 2 which I would most definitely watch.

Your Name. (2016)

Beautiful

[10/10 · 26 June 2020]

I haven't watched an anime show/ film in a long time and this was definitely the perfect one to reintroduce me back. The art style and scenery, the soundtrack and the story are so very beautiful. I feel like this film transported me on such a wonderful but emotional journey. If you are considering giving it a watch then do It, you won't be disappointed.

The Edge of Seventeen (2016)

An emotional rollercoaster for loners of any age

[9/10 · 28 June 2018]

Though this film fits the coming of age genre the struggles that Nadine, the main character, is going through are not purely 'teen problems', As a 20 something year old this film deeply resonated with me and though similar to Nadine I was a socially awkward, defensive and pessimistic teenager it wasn't just the teenage me who could find the character relatable. I've noticed in the low rated comments one of the main reasons people didn't like the film is because the main character isn't likeable. And though I loved the film, I would agree; she isn't likeable. And the film is more realistic and better off for it. In real life we aren't always likeable people ourselves and the film almost acts as a tool to allow us to step back and really look at our current or teenage selves. Nadine does realise and understand towards the end and throughout the film her erratic and selfish behaviour is a result of her self loathing because she knows she doesn't want to continue being that way but she's stuck in this endless cycle and doesn't know how to get out. The valuable lesson from the film and her journey within it is that we often bring misfortune and unhappiness on ourselves in the way we handle and respond to bad things in our lives.

I think this film will speak to anyone who has felt alone in the world, lost without purpose or anywhere to fit in. If you like films about people rather than action and you watch a film to be taken on a journey (albeit an emotional one) rather than to have an enjoyable couple of hours then this may be the film for you. It helps that is has an excellent cast, each actor fitting their roles well and bringing them to life.

Another positive note I took away from the film is the way it handles and represents mental illness/ distress as it does so without labels and in a subtle way without needing to bring it to the forefront.