Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 127

A Good Day to be a Dog Episode 11 Review

Plot overview: The protagonist, Han Hae-na (Park Gyuyoung), accidentally kisses her colleague Jin Seo-won (Cha Eun-Woo), triggering a curse that transforms her into a dog from 12 am to 6 am every day. The only way to break the curse is for the same person to kiss her while she’s in her dog form. And while Han Hae-na embarks on a mission to end her curse, the mysterious history teacher Lee Bo-kyeom (Lee Hyun-Woo) has some other plans for the pair.

Yet another tense cliffhanger is defused pretty soon – episode 10 of “A Good Day to be a Dog” ended with Lee Bo-Kyeom going to the pet clinic and doing something to Han Hae-na’s uncle, who is a dog, and viewers know the outcome of his act pretty early on in episode 11. Titled “The Reason They Were Cursed”, the episode begins with Lee Bo-kyeom finally revealing to Han Hae-na that he is the mountain deity that cast a curse on her family. The much-awaited origin story of the curse and the exact moment when Bo-kyeom doomed entire generations of Hae-na’s family to live with the burden of being transformed into dogs when they are kissed is also depicted. Meanwhile, the shamanic Min Ji Ah (Kim Yi Kyung), who is a reincarnation of the woman Bo-kyeom wants to avenge, attempts to reach out to him, but he remains distant and cold.

This episode sees a significant advancement of plot, but the creators also unnecessarily repeat some scenes from the previous episode, including the romance between Seo-won and Hae-na in their past lives. After shifting the focus to the curse, sweet scenes predating the tragic events that led to it hold little appeal, and the makers should have included them in earlier episodes. It would’ve been preferable to add more cozy interactions between the couple in the current timeline to strengthen their romantic bond. Because at the moment, even though the writers wants us to believe that them being torn apart is heart-breaking, it’s still too early in their dating phase to hit as hard. A small sub-plot featuring Han Hae-na’s sister Han Yoo-na (Ryu Abel) and her friend Song Woo Taek (Cho Jin Se) having fun was entertaining and provided comic-relief in an otherwise serious edition.

While music has been a crucial element in elevating this series’ mood and fantastical plots so far, the background score stands out exceptionally in episode 11. The dramatic, moody music pieces that run through the story makes everything seem a lot more intense and serious than it would otherwise. For example, Lee Bo-kyeom reveals how he was instrumental in getting Jin Seo-won and Han Hae-na together, (a fact which was already obvious to viewers) the makers play tense music over the cute flashback scenes of the lead pair meeting at a pastry shop, as if it was something terrible. With the truth out in the open, Lee has strained confrontations with both Hae-na and See-won.

Lee Hyun-Woo continues to dominate the show with his ‘vengeful deity’ act despite his limited screen time. It’s as if this series is no longer about a young, beautiful but cursed teacher trying to find solutions to her problem, but about a heartbroken God seeking retribution for the betrayal that led to his human lover’s death. He now has a proposition for Han Hae-na, a bargain that basically asks her to choose between the devil and the deep sea. It remains to be seen how Hae-na’s love story with the handsome charming Jin Seo-won turns out. The preview for episode 12 promises a fun twist in the tale.

You can stream A Good Day to be a Dog on Viki.

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Percy Jackson and the Olympians Episodes 1-2 Review

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Flying horses, scheming Gods, raging monsters, childish bullies, and a camp full of half-Gods playing heroes for glory – “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” packs in quite a bit in its first two episodes, complete with some stunning outdoor backdrops and, well, slightly hard-to-discern special effects (the heavier fantasy scenes take in dimly lit scenes). I haven’t read the books, so it’s impossible to make a “book versus live action adaptation” comparison in this review, but if the first two episode are anything to go by – “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is a pretty solid children’s fantasy action series.

Created by Rick Riordan and Jonathan E. Steinberg, Disney’s fantasy series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” stars Walker Scobell as young Percy. In the first episode, Percy is introduced as an asocial student who experiences otherworldly phenomena and is frequently bullied at school. Walker Scobell is immediately likable as the lost and confused kid who often sees supernatural beings, and is left thinking he’s either hallucinating or dealing with serious mental health issues. Charming and relatable, Walker’s portrayal of Percy might evoke thoughts of a pre-teen, blonde version of Timothée Chalamet. Percy’s only friend is Grover Underwood (Aryan Simhadri), who serves as both his best friend and guide.

Comically titled “I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher,” the first episode is fast-paced and swiftly establishes the core premise of the series. Percy’s encounters with supernatural beings become more dangerous, and his mother finally reveals to him that he is the son of a Greek God. Virginia Kull portrays Percy’s mom, Sally Jackson, and she was the only character who didn’t completely slip into her role. When she makes the shocking revelation to Percy about being a half-god, it felt like the actor was holding back laughter. Even though there’s no hint of a smile on her face, it looked like the actor was struggling to believe her lines, not a mother divulging an uncomfortable truth to her young son. The pilot episode is thoroughly entertaining and even includes an unexpected “monster vs Percy” fight. However, it falls short in establishing a poignant mother-son bond.

The cinematography and screenplay shine in episode two, titled “I Become Supreme Lord of the Bathroom,” where the story shifts to Percy’s training with other demi-Gods at a secret camp hidden in a beautiful wild forest. A whole bunch of new characters are introduced, including other young demi-Gods who go on to become either new rivals or allies for Percy. The most promising new characters are Luke (Charlie Bushnell), the son of Hermes and a kind older boy who helps Percy navigate camp politics, and then there’s Annabeth Chase (Leah Jeffries), who is extremely curious about Percy’s potential.

Considering the hilarious episode titles, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” isn’t as humorous, but it does have a fair share of funny moments. Besides, as far as the action-fantasy theme is concerned, Percy gets to see a lot of violent action within days of his joining the “Half-Blood” camp. The kids at camp actually wear T-shirts labeling them ‘half-blood’, which was a funny little detail.

Episode 2 ends with a major truth bomb for Percy – he finally learns the identity of his father and is thrust into a dangerous quest to prevent an impending war among the Olympians. If you are an action-fantasy fan who also enjoys series and titled aimed at a younger audience, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” promises to be worth your time.

You can stream the series on Disney Hotstar.

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Sesham Mike-il Fathima Review – Fun, Then Gets Farcical

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Fathima Noorjahan is a biochemistry college student and a football fanatic who loves to talk non-stop and is known in her town as the resident chatterbox. She won’t even shut-up while watching TV alone and constantly comments on everything unfolding on the screen, from “Tom & Jerry” episodes to Marvel movies. So when her older brother requests her to provide commentary for a football event in town because the play-by-play announcer backed out at the last minute, Fathima wakes up to a new career path.

Directed by Manu C. Kumar, who has co-written the script with Suhail Koya, the 2023 movie “Sesham Mike-il Fathima” stars the energetic chirpy Kalyani Priyadarshan as the titular protagonist – Fathima. The story follows her journey to becoming a popular local commentator and struggling to make it big, all while facing resistance from her father and nosy relatives who just want her to get married.

The first half of the movie is sheer fun, with a “feel-good” mood throughout as the story steadily builds up the dynamics in Fathima’s house. Aneesh G. Menon plays Fathima’s older brother Asif, and the two have a typical love-hate sibling relationship. It’s Asif who first encourages Fathima’s potential talent as a football commentator. Actor Sudheesh plays their father Muneer, who own a small vehicle repair shop, dotes on his kids, but doesn’t have much faith in their dreams. Fathima’s relationship with her mother (Priya Sreejith) is endearing. There’s one scene that sweetly captures their bond: after reprimanding Fathima for trying to practice whistling in the house, her mother sends her husband out for an errand and teaches her daughter how to whistle herself.

“Sesham Mike-il Fathima,” however, begins to lose its grip on the story in the second half. While still mildly entertaining, the plot twists and drama culminate in a farcical ending, which is a far cry from the sweet and simple movie it started out as. Fathima moves to Kochi for an internship at a clinical lab and then enlists the help of her journalist friend Ramya (Femina George) to connect with influential figures in the state football scene (including the state’s sports minister), so it could help her land a commentary role for a significant match. Fathima practically bulldozes her way to her dreams, and while the makers try to portray her journey as a “struggle,” Fathima actually faces unrealistically few obstacles. The only redeeming aspect of the second half was the friendship between Fathima and Ramya.

Kalyani Priyadarshan infuses the lead character with chirpy energy, and is joyful to watch as the dreamy-eyed chatty Fathima. Although, at times, the character comes off as too entitled – she seems to think that just because one possesses talent, things will be handed to them on a platter. Only in movies. So, the climax is clichéd, far-fetched, and Fathima deserved a more realistic trajectory, which could have still led to a “happy ending.” If you don’t let the exaggerations and drama get to you, “Sesham Mike-il Fathima” is an entertaining film about a woman trying to pursue her dream career.

Rating: 6 on 10. Stream the film on Netflix.

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Migi to Dali Episode 12 Review

Story so far – Based on a manga by Nami Sano, this mystery-thriller series follows orphaned identical twins, Migi and Dali, who pretend to be one child called Hitori to their adoptive parents Sonoyama Osamu and Sonoyama Youko. Migi and Dali take turns to play Sonoyama Hitori, while they try to find out their biological mother’s murderer in Origon village. The twins decide Eiji Ichijo is the culprit but invite more danger into their lives by meddling with the Ichijo family.

That was a heck of a cliffhanger in episode 11 of “Migi to Dali” – Eiji Ichijo fatally stabs his mother Reiko in the last few seconds, leaving viewers wondering if the primary antagonist of the story is really dead. Meanwhile, Migi and Dali are trapped in a room with the Eiji’s father, sister, and Maruta.

Titled “Our Revenge,” episode 12 of “Migi to Dali” is filled with tension as things take a turn for the worse after Eiji sets the Ichijo mansion on fire following post the attack on his mother. The twins and others are still imprisoned in the room that Reiko had locked them in, so they make desperate attempts to save themselves. “We are going to burn to our deaths,” Eiji’s little sister Karen exclaims with such a straight emotionless face that it’s unintentionally (or perhaps deliberately) hilarious.

While half the episode focuses on the boys’ efforts to break open their door, there’s a significant focus on the twisted relationship between Eiji and his mother, Reiko. Viewers also get nostalgic flashbacks of a younger Eiji, dedicating all his efforts to being the ‘perfect’ son. Despite its exaggerations and comically creepy bits, “Migi to Dali” interestingly delves into how parents wield a dangerous influence on their kids. While Reiko is an extremely domineering, taskmaster mother, her husband is on the other end of the spectrum – a busy doctor who has no clue what is happening in his own house with his children.

In a completely unexpected surprise (at least for those who haven’t read the original manga by Nami Sano), “Our Revenge” also includes a tiny sprinkling of supernatural elements. Or maybe it’s just the characters hallucinating due to the smoke and fire around them. Migi and Dali struggle to come to terms with the revelations regarding Eiji and the episode ends with yet another twist that might make things easier for the twins.

You can watch “Migi to Dali” on Crunchyroll.

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Yu Yu Hakusho Review – Short and Spunky

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

17-year-old Yusuke Urameshi is a rebellious kid who often cuts classes, gets into fights, and dies while saving a kid from a rampaging vehicle. His last act of kindness confuses even the spirit world, so Koenma, the entity in charge of assigning who goes to hell and heaven, offers Yusuke his life back, in return for becoming a spirit detective for him and investigating supernatural anomalies in the human world.

Based on a manga series of the same name by Yoshihiro Togashi, the live adaptation of “Yu Yu Hakusho” spans over five episodes, directed by Shô Tsukikawa and stars Kitamura Takumi as the protagonist, Yusuke Urameshi. The first episode is fast-paced and fantastic in terms of setting up the primary premise and introducing key characters. It opens with the faithful recreation of the original manga, where a confused and pissed-off Yusuke realizes he is dead and watches his body being whisked away in an ambulance. For those who haven’t read the manga or seen the anime, it’s a super fun beginning to the fantasy-action series. The plot follows Yusuke’s efforts to supernatural malevolent beings from unleashing chaos on earth.

Kitamura Takumi captures the arrogant body language of Yusuke Urameshi perfectly; he looks and acts like a teenager in his rebellious phase. However, Uesugi Shuhei, who plays Kazuma Kuwabara, a small-time goon who loves getting into fights with Yusuke, overshadows Kitamura with his comic-book style portrayal of the character. While Hongo Kanata and Shison Jun, who play demons Hiei and Kurama respectively, let their costumes overpower their personalities, Uesugi Shuhei stands out as the goofy-silly Kazuma, who is determined to become stronger than Yusuke. One can easily imagine him play pivotal characters in other live-action adaptations of manga series, ranging from popular titles like “One Piece” to more offbeat stuff like “Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan“. Furukawa Kotone is adorable as Botan, the guide to the Spirit World, who leads Yusuke through his new journey as a spirit detective. Furukawa’s portrayal of Botan has a Tinker Bell-like charm to it; she feels more like a fairy than a spiritual guide, but regardless, she brings a fun element to the character. Keita Machida plays the pacifier-sporting Koenma, who manages to make the otherwise cartoon-ish character look like a dignified deity, making it believable that Yusuke Urameshi managed to hold in his laughter when they first met. Meiko Kaji has a badass cameo as Genkai, a strict aging fighter who trains both Yusuke and Kazuma in martial arts.

The cinematography was slightly chaotic, but it aptly complemented the crazy plot of “Yu Yu Hakusho” and the action choreography was entertaining to watch for most parts. Depending on the scene, the special effects ranged from excellent to outdated. Like a sequence where a bulky demon who feeds on children’s soul fights Yusuke, looked like a rehashed version of the hulk (the older one with Eric Bana), with slow movements that made the fight sequence look like it was out of the early 2000s. The background score was edgy and groovy, with the makers incorporating the anime version’s theme song “Hohoemi no Bakudan” (which is upbeat/cheery) in a scene, instead of using it as an opening track.

The antagonists in the series weren’t as exciting, and some of the minor villains were a lot more entertaining to watch than Toguro, who serves as the ultimate evil demon that Yusuke and squad must defeat if they want to save Japan from destruction. The fifth episode, which is the season finale, felt like the longest edition in the series, even though it’s actually shorter by a few seconds versus the first episode. It felt like an extended mess, was too long-drawn and had some emotional moments that didn’t really hit a chord. Toguro’s back-story is condensed to a forgettable length and perhaps some more space to the secondary characters would’ve helped built up more anticipation for the end fight. Although, the special effects on Toguro’s transformed personality looked weird as hell.

Overall, director Shô Tsukikawa and team have delivered a fun live-action adaptation of the beloved manga series, but considering the condensed length and inconsistencies in the special-effects, loyal fans of the anime/manga might not be as impressed. I really enjoyed the show and am looking forward to a season two!

Rating: 7 on 10. Stream “Yu Yu Hakusho” on Netflix.

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Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions Episode 12 Review

The purple haired Spitz Feier is back. First introduced in the Benizome Hot Spring Murder case, which was spread over episode 3 & 4 of “Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions,” Spitz is shown to stalk Toto because he wants Ron to find his missing brother. The genius detective agrees to help Spitz on one condition: he must retrieve the file involving the incident that got Ron banned from detective work.

Plot overview – Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions Episode 1 Review

Titled “Snake God Murder Case -Part 1”, the episode is a great visual break from the city scene, as Ron and Toto head to a remote village called Yada in Japan, where Spitz Feier’s older brother was last seen. The men have to hike significantly to get to the village, which is surrounded by dense forests and seems to be inhabited by fervent followers of a snake deity. There’s significant tension in Yada as locals protest the government’s decision to build a dam in their village, claiming it would invoke the ire of their deity. The next day, somebody is found dead, and Ron and Toto have yet another mysterious murder case on their hands, which seems to be the handiwork of a God, if the locals are to be believed.

All the outstation trip cases in “Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions” have been the most entertaining editions in the anime series, and the same goes for this episode too. There’s a lot of folklore, superstition, and a “indigenous people versus outsiders” theme in the case, and part 1 gets over in the blink of an eye. The creators effectively build tension through visuals and ambient sounds, portraying the villagers’ aggression towards the newcomers—Ron, Toto, and Fitz.

The trio is fun to watch, and Ron surprisingly gets along well with the cheery Spitz Feier. The two even bond over Ron’s weird food habits. So, there’s a good balance of both comedic and serious scenes in the episode. However, viewers will have to watch part II to see the final outcome of the mysterious murder case and if it’s somehow connected to the disappearance of Feier’s brother.

You can stream the series (Kamonohashi Ron no Kindan Suiri) on Netflix.

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Venus in the Sky Review – Like A Store/Home Reel

A few weeks ago, I saw a tweet about 2023 Thai series “Venus in the Sky” that said something on the lines of – “great series, watch it after episode six,” and it totally cracked me up because the show is only ten episodes long. But hey, whatever makes people happy. If some think only the last four episodes of this series are worth watching (probably because the lead couple finally gets close and share a lot of steamy scenes), so be it.

“Venus in the Sky” is a romantic comedy about a doctor relentlessly pursuing his former friend but unfolds more like a random long ad for a 7-Eleven store, since a of the scenes unfold at the convenience store. Cheque Wacharawee Kaewpoolsri plays Venus, a young man who recently quit his job and begins assisting at a 7-Eleven store run by his older brother until he can figure out what to do next. Venus’ former crush, Sky (Tod Panapong Khaisang), who is a doctor, lives close by and begins to romantically pursue Venus despite being ghosted for turning him down in college. Time and distance made Sky realize his feelings, but Venus isn’t ready to open his heart again.

The creators should’ve just condensed this show into 5 or 6 episodes, because a sub-plot involving Venus’ best-friend dating a doctor looked like it belonged to another show and was executed in the most half-hearted manner. Viewers get no background on how the couple met or anything about them really, except that they fight sometimes and then make up. Venus’ brother Janus (Tontae Tinnakorn Puwasakdiwong) was one of the most fun characters in the series, although sometimes his behaviour bordered on being creepy. For example, in the very first episode, Venus walks in on his brother having sex, but Janus is completely unfazed about it. The scene was supposed to be funny, but, c’mon, that’s just disturbing for a family member. Anyway, Janus has a steady-sweet relationship with boyfriend Bom (Aungpao Chananyu Sinprasit), is busy running his store, although, underneath his cheery personality is also a stressed entrepreneur struggling to run a profitable business. In their efforts to stuff in three different love stories, “Venus in Sky” doesn’t do justice to any of them and often feels like a parody of sorts.

Visually, “Venus in the Sky” is aesthetically shot, with the 7-Eleven store becoming a vibrant and colorful character in the story. Many scenes take place in Venus’ home, which is drenched in pleasant, soft pastel tones that are easy on the eyes. The character were also always in shades of white, pink, peach or colors that are pleasing to look at and well, lead pair Cheque and Tod do look good together too. But the background music was inconsistent, with moments where it complemented the scenes, and other times, it felt like random stock audio pieces commonly heard in YouTube vlogs.

Cheque Wacharawee Kaewpoolsri goes hot and cold in his performance as Venus, and at one point it becomes hard to understand if it’s because of the sketchily written character or his beginner acting abilities (“Venus in the Sky” is his first series, so well, not bad for a first time actor). He reminded me of Best Vittawin Veeravidhayanant from the Thai series “Check Out”, which is produced by the same production house, but only as far as their looks go. Tod Panapong Khaisang, on the other hand, exudes a sort of charm as Sky, the doctor, but his character’s persistent efforts to woo Venus become a bit tiring. However, given that Venus makes it quite obvious that he is only playing hard to get, Sky’s determination to pursue the person he likes, despite being exhausted from working at a hospital, is kind of commendable and somewhat sad. While there are some cute moments between the lead couple, but “Venus in the Sky” drags on for far too long and isn’t as funny or interesting as it tries to be. Watch the series if you are looking for a silly romance with cute-ish actors.

Rating: 4 on 10. You can stream the series on iQIYI.

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I’m Glad It’s Christmas Review – Spiritless Romance

Rating: 1.5 out of 5.

Be glad that this film is only 90 minutes long. So, if you end up not liking it, at least you can take comfort in the fact that the runtime was short. Directed by Ernie Barbarash, “I’m Glad It’s Christmas” is a Hallmark style holiday film which is as bland and uninteresting as cold clear soup on a winter’s day.

Chloe Bose (Jessica Lowndes) aspires to become a big Broadway singer/actor but struggles to balance her job at a gift shop with her numerous auditions. Love comes Chloe’s way in the form of a handsome divorced man called Jason Murphy (Paul Greene) who writes jingles and has a daughter. An old lady decides to play cupid for the two for no good reason – Gladys Knight plays Cora Lawson, a wealthy women who owns a bunch of building and wants to revive the Christmas spirit in her community, but her character makes you wonder if she is supposed to be some sort of fairy Godmother with a soft spot for bumbling wannabe singers.

Jessica Lowndes is like a pretty-looking robot, she is good-looking, but her acting is subpar. However, her singing voice is quite nice, but she doesn’t have a diva-like presence. You know, like JLO made the romantic-comedy “Marry Me” a fun watch despite the extremely predictable plot, which, by the way, is about a singer falling for a guy with a kid. Besides, there’s very little chemistry between Jessic Lowndes and Paul Greene. The plot about Chloe potentially having to put her childhood dream on the back burner for a guy she just met doesn’t help make the story any better.

It was challenging for me to maintain my interest in “I’m Glad It’s Christmas” despite its short runtime (the reason why I streamed it in the first place). Forty-five minutes in, I was bored out of my mind. Even though the sets are pretty and in sync with the Christmas spirit, the emotions and warmth of the festive season are completely missing from the tale. The actors look like they are in an off-off-off-Broadway play, with a decent budget for props.

Rating: 3 on 10. It’s available to stream on Netflix.

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Totally Killer Review: Back To The Future x Scream

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

“The 80s were wild!” – Jamie Hughes

Sixteen-year-old Jamie accidentally travels back in time while being chased by a serial killer, and now has the chance to stop him before he commits his first murder in 1987. However, comically, apart from finding the killer’s identity, Jamie’s bigger challenge is to navigate the unhinged behavior of everybody in the 80s.

Directed by Nahnatchka Khan, written by David Matalon, Sasha Perl-Raver and Jen D’Angelo, the 2023 movie “Totally Killer” is a pretty fun horror-slasher about a masked killer that starts off in the 2020s and then plunges both the protagonist and viewers to a colorful comedic throwback to the 1980s. Think “Stranger Things”, but a lot less intense, a lot more bright and silly, complete with the retro upbeat soundtrack. The killing begins in the very first few minutes, so the story feels like a mashup between the “Scream” films and the sci-fi time-travel trilogy “Back to the Future.”

The story opens on Halloween night, where teen Jamie Hughes (Kiernan Shipka) is warned by her over-protective mom Pam (Julie Bowen) to be extra careful because 35 years ago, a serial killer brutally murdered three of her classmates during Halloween. Jamie is disrespectfully dismissive of her mother’s fears, but Pam’s paranoia turns out to be true when the “sweet sixteen” killer strikes in their sleepy town again and goes after Jamie. Luckily for Jamie, she is saved just in time by a time-machine booth and must investigate and apprehend the killer before he begins a life of crime.

While the writing doesn’t exploit the comic potential of its plot to the fullest, “Totally Killer” is totally engaging until the end. Kiernan Shipka as Jamie stands out like a sore thumb (in a good way) in the 80s timeline, where everybody else is sporting signature hairstyles of the era, and the three teens who were killed (but are still alive at the time of Jamie’s arrival in the past) look like they are straight out of “Heathers,” a 1988 crime-comedy film centered on a snooty clique of mean girls. In-fact, in perhaps a direct ode to the flick, one of the murder victims is called Heather (played by Anna Diaz). While the girl gang has no leader per se, Olivia Holt was wickedly charming as a teen Pam, who goes on become Jamie’s sweet mom in the future, but is quite the snobbish bully in high school.

For a serial killer-themed story, “Totally Killer” isn’t gorily violent but does pack in a decent amount of blood and kills. Jamie is too woke and sometimes comes across as pretty stupid; for example, she simply goes up to the cops in the 80s and tells them she is from the future and a murder is going to take place, so they should stop it. Dumb kid. Yes. But Jamie’s character interactions and reactions are fun to watch, especially with Olivia Holt’s Pam. In a clever decision, the creators keep showing how Jamie’s time-travel adventure alters the future. And let’s just say, Jamie makes quite a mess in the past, despite her good noble intentions! Overall, this is an entertaining flick that doesn’t take itself too seriously and makes for a good weekend watch.

Rating: 7 on 10. Stream the film on Prime Video.

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Spy x Family Season 2 Episode 11 Review

The cruise vacation is finally behind the Forger family, and they are back to their regular daily lives. In yet another filler edition, Spy x Family Season 2 Episode 11 follows the hilarious delusion of Becky, who has a huge crush on her friend Anya’s father, AKA Loid Forger. The dashing secret spy protagonist, who is married to the secret assassin Yor Forger, has little clue about the kind of influence TV shows wield on children.

Read: Spy x Family Episode 1 Review for plot overview

Titled “Berlint in Love/Nightfall’s Daily Life,” episode 11 of “Spy x Family” opens with wide-eyed Becky watching her favorite show, where a woman confesses her love for a man who already has a partner. Inspired, Becky decides to ask Loid out and turns up at the Forger household with the excuse of a play-date with Anya. But mind-reader Anya sees through Becky’s intentions and has the funniest reaction to the whole thing. The last few minutes of the episode focused on Loid’s other fan – the spy Nightfall, who is quite madly in love with her colleague and also wants to replace Yor. So, this was essentially a “Loid Forger appreciation” segment.

The animation in this episode changed to hand-drawn styled illustrations to depict Becky’s imagination, which looks like dreamy-cute watercolors mixed with crayons. Despite the focus on the little girl’s attempt to ape adults through repeating what she saw on television, the episode also manages to put the spotlight on Yor’s childish-sweet personality. On the other hand, the otherwise highly perceptive Loid seems to be dense when it comes to the feelings of girls and women around him.

While fans looking for concrete advancement in the primary plot about Agent Twilight’s (Loid Forger) mission to get close to Donovan Desmond for war-related intel might be disappointed with this episode, overall, it was a comical edition with lots of funny moments.

You can stream Spy x Family on Netflix.

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