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Dangshini Jamdeun Saie (2017)
Pay It Forward
This story has so many twists and turns, it'll make your head spin; but if you keep steady, you'll get a fantastic tale. The idea of "pay it forward" is subtle but constant throughout. Karma and life lessons are also important ideas for both the characters and the varying subplots. The primary plot doesn't involve only the main characters though. Every named character seems to have some influence over the entire storyline.
I drew a chart to show how each character introduced was associated to another character either more or less significant. The chart has lines and arrows all over the place. :)
The OST used fits each scene well. The scene editing is slightly confusing, but is often explained later on. There are many "Ohhh, that's what that was about" moments. The acting is good. You can see which actors are more seasoned, but the younger actors hold up well also.
I gave this 9.5 stars in MDL. Technically, I'd say it's a 9.45.
Ai shang ge men (2015)
Awkward Happiness Is Still Happiness
This starts as a cosmic comedy, playing on the stereotype of Eastern astrology being used as a life guide. Resulting in a life lived otherwise, and learning to cherish rather than envy.
The ridiculous is well avoided as Destiny plays out. The relationship between the main characters is well founded and accepted. Reasoning is solid and avoids farce to make its point.
The secondary couple is sweet and has an interesting twist in the story which ties additional supporting characters together. The third couple is the comic relief from start to finish. They're by far the most fun pairing.
The villain character is weak though and seems more filler than purposeful. The real villain (for me) is time and in a way astrology. The main characters also seem to be their own worst enemies. Although the fight scenes are entertaining.
The outdoor settings are amazing and gorgeous. The interiors represents more spacious style of Chinese design but attractive all the same. The music is fitting and amplified the moods of scenes well. I find the music by Bii is perfect, but am especially partial to how amazing he looks all the time.
The story drags in more than a few places, and the chemistry between the main characters barely burbles during the first half of the show. It gets better happily, so one must stick with it for the awkward happy endings.
Royal Pains: Open Invitation (2013)
This One Pissed Me Off
If the girl hadn't run away without telling anyone, they wouldn't have gone after her. She wouldn't have fallen through the floor requiring medical care; causing her pain and crying about the pain. Hank said the Morphine he had was too strong, so he gave her a prescribed hydrocodone at her father's behest. It wasn't an overdose. If she hadn't unbuckled her seatbelt and interrupted the driver, they wouldn't have driven off the road. Then her Dad wouldn't have had a cardiac incident, or whatever it was, which landed him in the ICU.
Honestly not the least be worried about her anymore. She's simply annoying at this point.
Raising Dion (2019)
RIVETING STORY. WELL DEVELOPED CHARACTERS.
I caught myself yelling at the people on the TV more than a few times. Finally just stopped stopping myself. My cats are accustomed to my crazy. The story is a little back and forth but not excessively. The character development is well-rounded. The science is interesting without being dull, but I don't know how sound it is.
Wainwright was cute in Shadowhunters but nails the over protective mother bit here. She's growing a solid pair of acting chops. Young is adorable and a surprisingly strong actor. Together, there is nothing the two can't do. Haney is a solid little actress with unwavering moxie. Everyone needs a BFF like her, at least when they're a kid. She is the glue and supporting wall of a group.
I found Munn's Jonathan the most interesting though. He starts out as one dimensional with little merit. Even the acting is simple; nothing special, regular mean kid in school. An unrelated incident later, and we get to see more of Jonathan, including his positive potential. I'd like to see what happens to him, if the series continues.
The villain tries to be interesting, but is sadly generic for most of the season. It has an opportunity to be interesting next season though. I like how it doesn't rely on fancy CGI gimmicks every time it does its thing.
If you enjoy a clean, sci-fi "who dun'it" with more story than action, then you might enjoy this show as much as I did. I look forward to at least one more season; more if possible.
Madam Secretary: Left of the Boom (2016)
Odo He Didn't!
Rene Auberjonois is the best thing about this episode. He's subtly arrogant and beautifully snarky in all the best ways.
What seems like a dull episode with a subplot they try to shove down your proverbial moral throat, turns into a decent race against the clock.
Beyond Skyline (2017)
Fun To Watch
This film delivers on action; continuity is weird, but flashbacks and flying are naturally that way. There are a few gorier than necessary scenes, which I figure caters to a certain demographic; and are story appropriate for the most part. The acting isn't going to win any award nominations; not even a little bit. My favorite part was the end credits with the outtakes. You can't just skip to them though, because they won't be as funny.
I liked Skyline as a suspenseful alien attack movie. I like Beyond Skyline for its attention to what happens after abduction and the human resistance.
Exposed (2016)
Pay Attention to the Details
For something that starts out as a run of the mill "whodunnit" movie, this really messed with my head a third of the way through. The"supernatural" element is a mental lightning storm. Once you figure it out, you'll wonder why you didn't see it earlier. The story is a fantastic, intricate tangle of events.
Keanu Reeves is a supporting character at best. He pushes the story along. His relationship with his dead partner's wife is fluff. Although, Mira Sorvino did a good job in her role. His character's backstory is confetti. His cop hangs onto one sliver of evidence found that might connect to the female lead, Isabel.
Played by Ana de Amas, she is the main character of the movie. You need to pay attention to what happens to her. Every other character (not the police characters) supports her story in some way. She gives an otherwise mousey character depth and strength.
Stargate SG-1: Lifeboat (2003)
What happens to them?!
This is a great episode for Michael Shanks to shine. His scenes as the little boy gets me in the Feels.
However, what in the universe happens to the rest of them? Did they all survive the wakening? Did the "souls" of the people in Jackson and the officer get put back into bodies? Where did they go? Did they figure out which planet they had intended to settle?
I need a part two.