[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.

Down With Love (2010) - Taiwanese Drama

Down with Love

2010 - Taiwanese

16 episodes

Synopsis:

Shiang Yu Ping, a divorce and inheritance lawyer, is seen by others as cold, selfish, and ruthless. He had taken in his brother's orphans and was in need of a nanny. But after he exhausted his supply of nannies, he still couldn't find one who doesn't fall in love with him or gets scared off by the kids. Fed up, Yu Ping asks his secretary, Yang Duo, to find a nanny that meets his requirements. She recommends her younger sister, Yang Guo, for the job; assuring Yu Ping that her tomboyish sister will not fall in love with him by lying that she does not like men at all.

Review:

What I loved most about this drama was the lead couple! Yang Guo and Yu Ping were the one of the cutest couples I've seen. I loved watching the two of them together. I also loved the side characters, especially Yang Guo's family , her sister and father. This drama would have gotten a "very good" rating if not for the dang ending! It was HORRIBLY done, essentially false advertising (you'll know what I mean after watching, but keep the image above in mind)! The rest of the series was so well done and then to botch it up so much at the very very end was kind of unforgivable! :/ 

**Did you love Yang Gui and Yu Ping as much as I did?! Do your gushing in the comments! I'll join you! xD

Love Keeps Going (2011) - Taiwanese Drama

Love Keeps Going

Taiwanese Drama

2011 - 13 Episodes

Synopsis: 

A story of an egotistic guy meeting a girl who aimed to please. A casual comment from her boyfriend on wishing to open a bakery store of their own caused Mei Le to immediately abandon her lucrative job in fiance to pursuit a career in baking bread. But, her boyfriend still dumped her for someone else anyway. Her breakup directly impacted Han Yi Lie. First, her cheating boyfriend was his brother. Second, he worked better after eating her bread and couldn't function when she stopped baking it. So he decided to help her get over the unfortunate event.   

Review:

Ahh..Mike He..How I looves you! lol I haven't watched T-dramas in a while, but after watching "Drunken to Love You", I started missing Mike He something fierce as it was weird seeing Rainie and Kingone, but no Mike! So I went hunting for some newer series starring Mike He and lo and behold, I found "Love Keeps Going".

I really enjoyed this one. To begin with, the love between Mike He and Cyndi Wang is so authentic. This isn't the funny, fluffy, playful love stories you usually see in romantic comedies. Instead, it is a real love strengthened by adversity and near tragedy.

Speaking of adversities and tragedies, the plot was very well scripted and totally sucks you in. The characters are all well-developed and are "real" people on screen--some you love (like Yi Fe and Yu Cheng), some you hate (like Mother Han and the manager) and the really special ones that you at first hate, but then come to love (Xuan Xuan).

The soundtrack was okay, nothing spectacular (not like City Hunter's. God, I loved the soundtrack for that!), but it wasn't horrid.

The only small downside that I can think of is the very ending. I think things were wrapped up a little too neatly, too quickly. One more episode would have probably been perfect. Also, I hate the fact that the series ended without showing Mike's face! I won't say any more and risk giving spoilers, but it was just a bit upsetting! lol

Overall, Love Keeps Going  is a definite must watch. Worth 13 hours of your precious life! SO, what are you waiting for? GO WATCH IT! Look, I'm even making it easy and providing a link.

Clicky, Clicky!

Until next time,

Tuma

P.S. Already watched "Love Keeps Going" or want to recommend a drama I totally need to watch? Leave a comment!

P.P.S. Expect a ton load of reviews in the near future. Two weeks left in semester. Just need to survive..and make it to summer break, then I'm home free to BINGE on dramas! I have a LOOONG "To Watch" list! ^____^

Drunken to Love You (T-Drama 2011)

Drunken to Love You

Taiwanese Drama

18 Episodes - 2011

Synopsis: 

Two strangers, both proposed marriage to their respective girl/boyfriend, were rejected on the same day. They decided that the best way to deal with the rejection was to get drunk, real drunk. During the 24 hours of their crazy drunkenness, these two stranger became fast friends and got married... to each other. When they finally sobered up, they embarked on a mission to undo every crazy thing they did while they were drunk and prayed that their girl/boyfriend wouldn't find out. However, it turns out that Jie Xiu's girlfriend, Ai Wei, doesn't want a scandal affecting her movie so she asks him to stay married to Xiao Ru for three months.

My Review:  

This one is somewhere between average and good. The series was about 6 episodes too long and filled with absolutely silly plot points, which shifts the rating closer to 'average'. BUT, Rainie and Joseph!! They had amazing chemistry and their couple scenes were so damn cute, I could die! There was also a lot of really funny scenes. Rainie and Joseph are the only thing that kept me watching til the end, though I fast forwarded through so much of it (watching all 18 eps in just about 24 hours). A Must Watch simply for the cutest couple of Taiwanese Drama History!!!! LOL

Black and White (2009)–Taiwanese Drama

It’s been way too long I know. I have such a long list of dramas to write reviews for, but I’ll get to them eventually. Today, let’s talk about my new two favorite buddies—Pi Zi, the Ruffian and Ying Xiong, the Hero.


Title: 痞子英雄 / Pi Tzu Ying Hsiung (Pi Zi Ying Xiong)
English title: Black & White
Genre: Police, action
Episodes: 24
Broadcast period: 2009-Apr-11 to 2009-Jun-27
Download: http://myac.asia/tw-drama-black-and-white-2009/
 
Synopsis: Pi Zi and Ying Xiong are two cops who are as different as day and night. One does nothing except for drinking coffee and living a luxurious lifestyle while waiting for information from dubious sources to crack his cases. Another believes law and justice are the pillars of society and is constantly on the street catching criminals… a little overzealously for his superior’s liking. When a case brought these two top crime solvers together, sparks flied and a little light peeked into this dark city where the nation’s President is on friendly terms with the local triad and twins kill people while drinking milkshake.

My Review: This. Drama. Was. Amazing! Black and White has been on my To Watch list for so damn long and I’ve been kicking my own butt for waiting so long to finally get around to watching it. I’ve been putting it off because it’s not like my typical Romantic Comedy, but boy am I glad I took the plunge and watched this. Black and White isn’t your typical crime drama. From episode one, it grabs you tightly by the collar and doesn’t let you go as you, with the help of Pi Zi and Ying Xiong, struggle to solve a crime that it a lot bigger than it looks and to survive.

The Characters in this drama are diverse and all equally captivating. The relationship between the three leads is very powerful to the overall storyline, but the supporting characters are also just as important. Each one plays such a vital part that the drama would definitely not be what it is without them. I especially love how much Pi Zi and Ying Xiong need and balance one another, despite their vast differences.

The Plot is the best one I’ve seen in any Asian drama that I’ve watched. What I liked best about this drama is the lack of dramatic irony (technique in which audience knows something that the characters do not). I felt a stronger emotional connection while watching this drama because of the fact that the clues were revealed to me as they were revealed to the characters. I felt that I was also cast into the role of a fellow officer and helping to solve the crime. The countless twists and turns in the plot were masterfully placed to keep viewers hooked (like a 2 dollar hoe on crack). Just as I thought I knew what was going on and who was responsible, I get slapped in the face with a “That’s what you think! This story isn’t finished yet”. Another great thing about the drama was the build-up and suspense. They managed to provide the perfect amount, not too much in which you begin to lose interest, but just enough to have you holding your breathe from beginning to end, just enough to have your hand tremble just a bit as you move to click on to the next episode, just enough for you to cry and smile bittersweet smiles because it’s not all over quite yet.

The Soundtrack wasn’t anything special but then again I don’t think a good soundtrack is very necessary in an action drama like this one.

Overall, Black and White deserves to be number uno on your Must Watch list. Don’t put off watching this one like I did…. What are you waiting for? Get to it!

P.S. For those of you who have already watched it, what did you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments! :)

See you again soon,
Tuma

Sweet Relationship

Hey World!

It's been a long time. I've been busy, busy, busy and just a bit too lazy to blog. Also, I was sucked into an anime and drama binge lately. I finished three dramas recently and thought I'd post about 'em. Here's the first one:

Sweet Relationship

Synopsis: Bai Hui has a refined palate that allows her to enjoy every wonderful texture and taste different cuisines have to offer. Ever since little, food has been the center of her world. It celebrated her college graduation and consoled her when her beloved father passed away. Her love for eating ignites passion in the heart of a genius chef, Zi Tian, who never found joy in food.

My comments: God! I hate these synopsis that you find online sometimes. They never do the drama justice! This is a Taiwanese drama starring Vic Zhou. He is the reason I decided to watch this one! ^___^ So his character Zi Tian is a cold one. He's had a tough childhood and though he is an amazing cook, he doesn't find joy in food. His love interest (though, it takes him FOREVER to admit it to himself) is just the opposite. Food has always been a central and happy part of Ba Hui's life. She decides to become a cook as a way to get closer to Zi Tian. The rest of the dramas is all drama, of course, filled with love rectangles, pain and tears, but also laughs and love. It's a really sweet drama and Ba Hui is such a sweetheart. However, the other female love interest of Zi Tian drove me NUTS throughout the whole thing. You'll see what I'm talking about as you watch. Other than her, the other characters are easily lovable and you'll find yourself enjoying this drama because of them. Give it a try.

Looney Express awards Sweet Relationship with a 3.5/5.

So I'm not Handsome (Taiwanese Drama Review)

Hello world,

It's been a while I know. I've been busy with school and life in general. Being a 17 year old is alot tougher than it should be!

Today I'm reviewing So I'm not Handsome, a 13 episode Taiwanese drama translated by DOREMI. The story revolves around a goofy trio of friends and their respective love lives. These three are seriously the NUTTIEST guys I've ever seen in theatre. This drama was the funniest I've ever watched. The comedy was clearly emphasized in this romantic comedy. IT IS A MUST WATCH!! Definetely being added to my faves list.

So I'm not Handsome receives a 5/5 from Looney Express Reviews!

Why Why Love (Taiwanese)

Hey Guys,

I'm back again for another drama review. Today's drama is a 15 episode long Taiwanese drama called WHY WHY LOVE. Rainie, Kingone and Mike He from DEVIL BESIDE YOU make another appearance in a heartwrentching tale of love, death, hardship and friendship.

Here's the summary from mysoju.com:
Tong Jia Di needs a life besides work, paying down family debt, and more work. So her best friend Jiang Xiao Nan sneaks in a “Love” coupon in Jia Di’s raffle box praying that the lucky guy who draws it will sweep Jia Di off her feet. As it so happens, Huo Yan, the compassionate manager Jia Di has secret crush on, is the lucky guy. But, tho' the prince can exchange the coupon for Cinderella’s love, it doesn’t mean he will, especially when his devilish younger brother is determined to exchange his “Master/Angel” coupon for her servitude.

The summary DOESNOT do the drama justice. This series will make you laugh and cry and sometimes both. It's also highly addicting. I watched all 15 episodes in three days!!! It's captivating from episode # 1!!!

Looney Express gives Why Why Love a 5/5!!! It's another FAVORITE!

Love Contract (Taiwanese)

Hey Guys, It's time for a Drama Review.

I've just finished watching Love Contract, a taiwanese drama starring Mike He and Ariel Lin. It is the one of the most beautiful romance dramas i've watched from start to finish. It's soo touching that you can't hold back tears. Each character has his/her own conflicts that makes you feel for them.

Outwardly, Xiao Feng (Ariel Lin) is a stubborn tomboy and the captain of the Kendo Club at her college. In her group of friends, she is the leader with her demanding nature and abrupt ways. Inwardly however, Xiao Feng is a girl scarred by her past and searching for what she wants most, love. Her friends, Ah Kai (Zhang Rui Jia), Xiao Bai (Lai Zhi Wei ), Mu Tou (Lin Yi Hong), Xin Lei (Zhong Xin Yu, and, Xiao Xiao (Yang Pei Ting) don't know about that part of her past but they are all loyal friends to Xiao Feng; that is, until Xiao Bai and Ah Kai leave the Kendo Club for the Swim Team. Xiao Bai and Ah Kai are immediately regretful when the captain of the Swim Team, Ah Ken, turns out to be a captain as grueling as Xiao Feng. When one night Xiao Feng announces to her friends she wants love the most, Xiao Bai and Ah Ken devise a prank called the love contract. In exchange for finding swim team members to recruit, Ah Ken must court Xiao Feng.

~Summary from mysoju.com

This summary doesn't do the drama justice. It's not your typical happy love story. In addition to true love, this one is filled with angst, lost, sadness and acceptance. It brings out the romantic in us all. It's well worth the watch, guys. I guarantee that you wont be dissapointed.

This drama gets a rare score of 5/5 from Looney Express Reviews=D

Romantic Princess (Taiwanese Drama)

Hello Folks,
It's that time again! And NO, it's not my period. HARDY HARRHAR!
It's DRAMA REVIEW TIME!

I've recently watched the 13 episode long Taiwanese drama, Romantic Princess. It's spins the tale of the long lost grand daughter of the richest man in Asia. Raised in the middle class family, Xiao Mai is shocked and upset to find a limo in front of her house and being forced to live in a mansion with four very handsome guys(kyaa!). It gets even worst, as the sole hier to her grandfather corporation, she must marry his chosen successor Jin, who happens to be a jerk. What'll happen next you ask? What the drama, DUH!

Here's the summary from mysoju.com (where I get my drama fix):
Adopted by middle classed parents, Mai has always had a dream to be an heiress. Who knew that one day this dream would come true. Mai's biological grandfather is the head of a prestigous aristocratic family and after many years of searching, he finally finds his long lost granddaughter. As she starts her life as an heiress, everyday is filled with excitement, however, everything seems a bit different from what she had imagined them to be.

Even though, it was a great drama, the ending wasn't anything like what I expected. It was sort of boring compared to the rest of the drama, which was highly exciting!

Looney Express hereby gives Romantic Princess a 3.5/5.

Drama Review: Fated to love You

Hello Folks,
Todays's drama is Fated to Love you, which was one of the 20 recommended drama series on my soju.com (where i watch all my drama).

I've just finished watching the season finale and It was beautiful. This drama is totally going down on my fave list. The characters were completely loveable and easy to relate to. It was a truly beautiful story with an even more beautiful ending.

Here's the summary from mysoju.com:
A really unfashionable working class girl Chen Xin Yi has the desire to tie down her handsome boyfriend to be with her. Due to certain reasons, her boyfriend gets her to go on a love cruise and she started to ponder on how to lose her virginity and tie down her boyfriend. Xin Yi ended up getting drunk and went into Ji Cun Xi's room. Cun Xi is the sole male heir to his family's company and has been in love with his girlfriend, Anna, for a long time. He planned to propose to Anna on the boat but she didn't turn up on the cruise. An island owner added drugs into Cun Xi's drink and Cun Xi became disorientated and returned to his own room. Xin Yi and Cun Xi end up having a one night stand. Xin Yi later finds out that she's pregnant and Cun Xi's grandmother forces them to get married. Will a couple forced to marry for the sake of their unborn child find love with each other?

This summary only tells how it all begins. The drama is much more emotionally exciting.

This drama gets a 5/5 from Looney Express Review. Watch it here (http://www.mysoju.com/fated-to-love-you/), I guarantee you'll love it as much as I do! *CHEESE*