[T-Movie] Bad Girls (2012)

Taiwanese Movie - 1 hour, 35 minutes

Released: April 2012

Romantic Comedy

Starring: Ella Chen and Mike He

This was such a wacky movie, but I enjoyed it! You have this trio, called the Bad Girls Trio who go around kicking the butts of boys and men who bully girls. The female lead, Ah Dan (played by Ella Chen) is the leader of this trio and the main butt kicker. An up-and-coming star, Justin arrives at their school to film a movie. After the female lead is put out of commission, Justin decides that Ah Dan should play the female role in the movie about two sports students falling in love as they run together everyday. -___- Thank god that the plot of Bad Girls was a lot better than the that of the movie within the movie. Drama-ception

Anyway, Ah Dan and Justin gradually fall in love, though to the viewers, it's very sudden. This is the downside of asian movies versus dramas. Dramas allow you to watch the romance unfold at a much slower rate making it more moving and poignant. In movies, however, things seem to happen too quickly. 

Despite all of that, this was a pretty good movie. The plot was a little strange and the female lead was unique. I laughed at the many shenanigans and cried when things got a little angsty. The ending was really freaking adorable and completely satisfying. I love it when they give you a glimpse of what happens after they finally get together. 

While this won't join my fave list, it's a new member of the "glad I watched it and it wasn't a waste of my time" list. 

Also, hellllo, did I mention Mike He? He is a GOD. I love him so much and I'll watch any Taiwanese movie or drama with my hubby in it. I also enjoyed Ella Chen quite a bit in Down with Love, so I'm not surprised that I enjoyed this drama.

Go give it a try yourself over at viki. Also, check out the following starring Mike He while you're at it: Bullfighting, Devil Beside You, Love Contract, Love Keeps Going, and Why Why Love. Love Contract, Love Keeps Going, and Why Why Love are my faves.

Until next time, 

Tuma

Looney Express 

Crazy Reviews

[T-MOVIE] Lovesick (2011)

Also known as Love Phobia

Starring Ariel Lin and Wilson Chen

Taiwanese Movie - 2011

Romantic Comedy

Review: 

In Lovesick, you have Ariel Lin playing Ariel Lin (which a little odd, but let's go with it), a young woman who was burned by her high school sweetheart. Joining a group of divorced aunties, Ariel Lin learns the three rules that will govern her future love life: 1) To barricade herself from men forever, 2) Be your own hero, and 3) There is no true love. Everything is going swimmingly until she meets the good and handsome doctor, Dr. Lu Zhe Han. Doubtful at first about how perfect he seems, she strives to reveal his true inner wickedness. Any man that handsome has to be a sleazebag, right? But wait there's more! Color Ariel Lin surprised when she realizes that not only is Zhe Han one of the rare (but not actually so rare) nice guys, but she's also falling for him!

Hilarity, silliness, and wackiness ensues! The lead couple was a refreshing mix of clumsy-cuteness. The storyline was a bit silly, but part of what I like about Taiwanese cinema is the wacky exaggerations. It's a bit outlandish and not what most Americans are used, but I like it and find it amusing. The characters were all fun (sometimes even ridiculous). In addition to the lead couple, I especially liked the Divorced Aunties Trio and the random taxi-driver. 

Lovesick had a lot of great and amusing scenes. Also, what I really enjoyed was that it gave a traditional scene, like the-chasing-to-the-airport-to-express-your-feelings scene a  wacky twist. The scene began traditionally, but then I was surprised when it didn't end the way I expected and even more surprised when a fist and TV cameras became involved!

There were also some great lines. Two of my favorites are: "This taxi is like a jet engine" and "At what point is she better than me? My heart. She has my heart." Ahhh, *melts* I loved it! 

Overall, this is a cute one to watch and is pretty enjoyable. It starts a little slow and you're not sure what to expect, but you soon find yourself giggling and shaking your damn head at some of the shenanigans. But, don't take my word for it. Go watch it for yourself: VIKI.

[KMovie] Petty Romance

Korean Movie

Romantic Comedy/ Rated 18+

118 Minutes/ 2010

Synopsis:

An adult cartoon contest is announced offering a W130 million prize.
Da-Rim (Choi Gang-Hee) does translation work for an adult magazine. Da-Rim wants to become a writer. Due to her creativity, Da-Rim is always making mistakes and gets fired by company. Talented cartoonist Jung-Bae (Lee Sun-Kyun) is constantly turned down by publishing companies because of his poor story lines. The two, who seemed perfectly matched, team up for the adult cartoon contest. Trouble is set to brew.

Click here to read my thoughts about Petty Romance!

[Cmovie] Drink Drank Drunk

Chinese/Hong Kong

Romantic Comedy

100 minutes/ 2005

Synopsis: 

Siu Man (Miriam Yeung) is a sassy, cheerful bargirl who never gets drunk. One night she meets Mike (Daniel Wu), a restaurant owner who is dead drunk as he is depressed over his restaurant’s imminent closing. Siu Man takes pity on him and eventually finds herself charmed by Mike’s good nature and how easily he gets drunk. She decides to help Mike out with his restaurant as a friend… 

[KMovie] Mr. Wacky

Korean Movie

90 minutes

Romantic Comedy/ School

Synopsis:

Woo Ju Ho likes to spend his days – and his money – on good drinks, fun clubs and loose women. Hoping to build his character, Ju Ho’s grandfather threatens to disown him unless he agrees to teach high school for two years. At first Ju Ho approaches teaching much like he did his previous playboy life – lackadaisically. Fellow teacher Yun So Ju finally gets fed up and decides to take it upon herself to set Ju Ho straight. But can a playboy teacher be reformed? 

Click to read my thoughts about the movie!

[KMovie] 200 Pound Beauty

Korean Movie

120 minutes

Romantic Comedy

Synopsis:

Korea’s all-time box office (#8 overall) comedy leader and winner for Best Film, Director, and Actress in Korea’s Grand Bell (their Oscar equivalent), is the story of a singer that resorts to drastic “head-to-toe” plastic surgery in order to become a huge star.

Review:

I have been meaning to watch this movie for long time. I first discovered it and mentally added it to my "To-Watch" list maybe two or three years ago! I'm not really sure why I waited so long before watching. Just kept being distracted by other dramas, I guess.

Anyway on to what I thought of it. Overall, I enjoyed. It's not worthy of becoming a new addition to "My-Absolute-Faves" list, but it wasn't too bad either. It was just a movie. The plot was original, at least to me. This is the first Korean movie or drama I've watched that portrayed plastic surgery so directly. I think the reason why I couldn't love the movie was because it was all so shallow to me in the end. And things didn't quite add up.

Spoilers below! PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

[Anime] You and Me 2

Spring 2012 - 13 Episodes

Slice of Life/ High School

Synopsis: 

"No matter how many years go by, I'm sure we'll still be laughing together." "Twins Yuta and Yuki, Kaname, and Shun have been childhood friends since kindergarten. When transfer student Chizuru joins them, their five man school life becomes all the more lively. Through the changing seasons, the boys will find laughter, surprises, love, and new encounters waiting for them." "The second season of the boys growing a little every day of their invaluable daily lives is about to begin!"

Review:

You and Me 2 continues where the first season leaves off. The five-some is just as fun, lovable, and crazy as usual. There isn't too much to say about season 2, as it's simply more of the first season. We experience some of the issues that the boys go through (love, fights, deciding their future etc). The things that typical highschoolers go through. That's what makes this series enjoyable and a nice slice of life. It's comforting and calming. However, it did feel a little repetitive, but the boys have such distinct personalities that you don't mind. I couldn't help but fall in love with all of them, especially Chizuru. If you enjoyed season 1, I definitely recommend Season 2 as well.

[Anime] Kids on the Slope

Slice of Life/ Music

12 Episodes - Summer 2012

Synopsis:  

The story of Kids on the Slope really starts rolling when the classical piano-trained Kaoru encounters Sentaro and falls head-over-heels in love with jazz. One thing to look out for is the performance scene of an excellent jazz piece in every episode. Up-and-coming young jazz musicians are employed here, with Takashi Matsunaga (Kaoru) on piano and Shun Ishiwaka (Sentaro) on drums. Yoko Kanno produces the sessions, which are then used directly for the anime. Jazz standards like “Moanin’”, “My Favorite Things”, and “Someday My Prince Will Come” are played along with improvisational performances that reflect the mood of the characters at the time, whether they’re in high spirits, or feel lonely, confused, angry, and so on. How these occasional performances and feelings are portrayed and directed is one more highlight of the show. Director Watanabe’s “sessions” are a mix of images and music, so innovative and exciting visual expressions should be expected.

Click below for my review. May contain spoilers, so proceed with caution.

[Kmovie] Spellbound (Chilling Romance)

Korean Movie - 2011

Horror Romantic Comedy

114 minutes

Synopsis:

“I see dead people” is a common phrase used in parody, but if it were true, as it is for the leading lady in “Spellbound,” it would be a shockingly terrifying trait to hold.
Ever since she was young, Yeo-ri (Son Ye-jin), has had the unnatural ability to see ghosts, and when they do appear, usually when she has company, unexpected things occur to the people around her. Yeo-ri chooses to isolate herself from the outside world but is approached by a street magician named Jo-goo (Lee Min-ki), who offers her a job in his show.

One year passes, and Yeo-ri ends up playing a part in the magician’s horror-themed act, in which she plays a ghost in a closet. Every day, Jo-goo’s staff successfully close the show and invite Yeo-ri for drinks, but she always rejects their offer. She is fully aware what will happen if she gets close to people.
When eventually Yeo-ri opens up to Jo-goo about her tragic and lonely life, things start to change for the both of them. Can Jo-Goo help her find a way out? Or will he be chased away by the ghosts like all of the other people in Yeo-ri’s life?

Click below to read my review. May contain spoilers. So be aware. =)

[Anime] Kuroko's Basketball

25 Episodes

Fall 2012

Sports, Shonen

Synopsis: (from Chrunchyroll)

Kuroko's Basketball The Teiko Middle School Basketball Team. The class that produced three perfect seasons in a row, with five once-in-a generation players, called "The miracle generation". There was another player who all of them respected... A legendary 6th player. An up-and-coming power player, Taiga Kagami, is just back from America. When he comes to Seirin High School, he meets the super-ordinary boy, Tetsuya Kuroko. Kagami is shocked to find that Kuroko isn't good at basketball, in fact, he's bad! And he's so plain that he's impossible to see. But Kuroko's plainness lets him pass the ball around without the other team noticing him, and he's none other than the sixth member of the Miracle Generation. Kuroko makes a pact with Kagami to defeat the other members of the Miracle Generation, who have all played basketball at other schools. A battle of light (Kagami) and shadow (Kuroko) begins!

Click below for my review!

[Anime] Say "I Love You"

Say "I Love You"

Shojo, Romance

13 Episodes, Fall 2012

Synopsis:

Tachibana Mei has had no boyfriend and couldn't even make friends. One day she injures Kurosawa Yamato, the most popular boy in school, and for some reason Yamato takes interest in her...

Click below for review. May contain spoilers.

Slight Changes to Blog

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that I've decided to reserve this blog to only foreign dramas/movies (mostly Asian) and anime reviews. Anything regarding books will be posted on my new blog: Book Rants. Anything creative, such as my writing and photgraphy will be posted at FH Photographs and Writing.

Thank you!

Best,
Fatuma
Looney Express

[Kdrama] I Do, I Do (2012)

I Do, I Do

Korean - 2012

Romantic Comedy

16 Episodes

 

Viki Synopsis:

Hwang Ji An is the top shoe designer in a major shoe company. She is in her 30s, successful and single. One night, she makes a horrible mistake and sleeps with Park Tae Gang, a good-looking new employee in her company, and she finds out she is pregnant. Ji An’s hard-earned career and her stylish lifestyle threatens to implode as a result of her one-night-stand mistake. Will Ji An be forced to give up everything and live with the consequences of her mistake?

Click below to read my review. May contain minor spoilers. Sorry!