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rjennifer
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Summer Strike (2022)
Light, fun, inspiring - but also really emotional
This was the first Korean series I've ever watched (I watched it with English subs). I got into it because Netflix posted a collage of a scene in the first ep when Yeo Reum is tired of her pointless life that is all about work. It really caught my attention. After the first episode, this series was totally not what I anticipated. It was much better. It felt like a summer breeze - the scenery, the music, the characters, the jokes, just Angok itself and the (seemingly) simple, quiet lives of people living there. I wouldn't say the series was perfect, actually I think the crime parts were not very well executed, but I do understand that the plot needed something like that at that point. However, all in all this was a lovely experience. 12 episodes was just enough, but I'm sad it's over.
Mesmer (1994)
Great movie for A.R. fans
Just adding my review because there aren't many, since this movie is not really known. Having seen at least half of everything that Alan Rickman has been in, he still managed to surprise me in this movie. I set this goal about 10 years ago that I wanted to watch all his movies, mini series, episodes, etc and I've returned to it now, as I'm reading his diaries. I'm just through the parts where he writes about Mesmer, so I think the info he provided adds to my experience (and this way I appreciate him as an actor even more). Obviously it's not a monumental movie, but it kept my attention, my curiosity, and I liked it overall. The negativities I think mainly come from the simple plot and low budget. The main actress, Amanda Ooms gives a great performance, and they had an interesting dynamic with Rickman, who is charming as ever. Being Hungarian, I also appreciated that the movie was partly shot in our country and several Hungarians took part in the production.
Would I recommend the movie? Not necessarily for everyone, but for fans of Alan Rickman definitely, and also for those who enjoy slower, less action-focused movies (like period dramas) with an interesting vibe.
The Witcher (2019)
So far not bad but I hope season 2 will be better
(I would rather give it a strong 7 but we've only seen season 1, and I do hope that the creators take the time to think about their mistakes.)
Everyone's talking about The Witcher and many compare it to Game of Thrones but I don't think that makes much sense. Is it because it's a fantasy medieval world with lots of killing and sex? Like these are the only series featuring such things. I guess they are just the best known series in this genre.
As opposed to Witcher, GoT focuses on a wide range of characters who are introduced thoroughly over a reasonable amount of time. There's character development (let's ignore the last seasons -- I've only watched about 5 seasons but of course I know how it all ended) and overall you learn a lot about the ambitions and the personalities of them. This is done in a pace that might be difficult to follow at first, especially without any background knowledge (I haven't read the GoT books), but you catch up after a while. I didn't have much knowledge about Witcher, only a few hours into the 3rd game. I felt excluded at times because of that. I had to ask my boyfriend about so many things that weren't explained in the series, especially how things happened in a chronological line. I think Netflix should have prepared for this hype -- if they want to target a huge audience, they need to give explanation for much more things. You cannot expect everyone to have read the books and/or played the games.
In season 1, I'd say I've learnt the most about Yennefer. But what about Geralt? Isn't he supposed to be the main character? Don't get me wrong, Yennefer is an interesting character and I enjoyed following her story. So much so that when her story was being told, I lost completely track of the parallel happenings with Geralt, in episode 2 and 3 I think. (Not parallel in time, though; timeline was a huge issue for me, btw.) Anyway, Yennefer is the archetype of the strong, individual woman who needs no one (except a baby -- we always suddenly want what we can't get, right?). Of course she has a terrible past as well. I think she was a very loveable character in her teenage/younger years, even if it felt like you just HAD TO feel sorry for her. But then she got a glow-up; not a significant one, compared to the fact that a sorceress should look perfect. And from a weak little girl with seemingly average or even below average powers, she somehow turned out to be one of the most powerful mages. Sure, she got confidence when she suddenly stood up for herself, but that doesn't make you so much more talented. I liked how her relationship with Tissaia got better over time because her being cruel to Yennefer seemed to be inspiring and made Yen tough, but I doubt that she could be such a powerful mage. At the last battle scene, I felt it was a mistake to put her in charge of basically everything. She cannot be that perfect.
About Geralt, I want to say what has been said by many: Henry Cavill is amazing. Right, he looks incredibly attractive but that's not all. I heard he's a fan and that shows, he's exactly the Geralt I imagined based on the game. I hope I get to learn more about his story and witchers in general in the following seasons because I feel like I don't know the main character well enough.
About casting. I read that Jaskier is supposed to be a womanizer and it is actually difficult to believe since he looks so young and at times clumsy. However, I loved his character, so kudos to his actor. I didn't find his conversations with Geralt awkward. I loved their scenes, their friendship and the challenges they faced. He's a great companion. However, I disliked Triss. Again, I don't know The Witcher universe too well but it's obvious that she looks very different from game Triss. Sure, she gives off a kind, calm, comforting vibe in general and she's somehow cute, but... far from the Triss I imagined. I know that the series doesn't really follow the timeline it's supposed to follow so probably Triss will have a more significant role only later on.
Sometimes I felt that the series wants to do so much that it overflows. As I've said, you can't pack a huge number of events in such a short time, especially if you use flashbacks so often (which aren't indicated either). I liked the humour in the series, which some people don't seem to like. Roach and the way Geralt talks to him is super adorable in my opinion. But it's right that you cannot take the story too seriously when Geralt makes an absurd joke. (I can't recall those scenes because I just laughed, but I hope you get what I mean.) I'm not an expert in fantasy and world building, but I can see that it's not done well. Nilfgaard is described as evil too often -- in my opinion, if you want to make a good story, not everything should be black and white. Let's take Calanthe, for example. I find her quite annoying but she does have good qualities: she is eventually caring and wants the best for her family. Anyway, some parts were written just so badly. I mean, seriously, why did Geralt and Yen have to kiss mid-fight? And how can Yen even fight up close, with a sword? Mages are mages. The episode with the dragon was also quite boring. Okay, I have to admit that the "death" of some of the characters was effective. (Not in episode 1, though. I had no idea what was going on at the time and I was watching the death of the characters with a straight face, I wasn't at all attached to them. Yet, a good point: I felt satisfied when all the events around the first battle, Ciri and the so-often-mentioned destiny finally got together in my mind.) I didn't quite get the storyline about the elves either. Again: give less events and characters but describe those very well.
Overall, I don't think that the series was bad at all. It was impressive to watch, I liked the atmosphere (and the music -- 'Toss a coin to the witcher' is very catchy) and some of the characters were interesting. I was positively surprised at times and the story held my attention most of the time. Yet, I cannot say this series is perfect, just because it's got so popular. I feel no emotional attachment. Maybe if I had been a fan, I would be intensely fangirling. (Maybe if there was a series that wrapped up, let's say, the happenings of the Dragon Age series, it could be terrible and I'd still watch it and love it, so no offense to the fans.) I'm curiously waiting for season 2 but I think I'll soon forget a lot about season 1.