Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 142

Spy x Family Season 2 Episode 2 Review

Is Bond-san the cutest anime dog or what?!

Spy x Family Season 2 Episode 2, titled “Bond’s Strategy to Stay Alive/Damian’s Field Research Trip,” is split into two parts. The first half focuses on Bond’s fears that Yor would poison him with bad food, while the second half follows Damian Desmond as he goes on a little outing with two of his friends and a teacher. So, there’s no progress on ‘Operation Strix’, protagonist Loid Forger’s mission to get close to political leader Donovan Desmond, so that he can help maintain peace between Ostania and Westalis.

Read: Spy x Family Episode 1 Review for plot overview

Honestly, there’s not much to break down about this episode; it was a lighthearted, fun filler episode. Yor’s infamous cooking skills are mercilessly mocked, and it’s hilarious how even the family pet dog refuses to eat anything prepared by her. Bond runs off to find Loid Forger to assist him with whatever spy mission he is on, all in the hopes of getting some edible, yummy food on his plate.

Bond’s adventure is both hilarious and contributes to his character development. It marks the first time he actively seeks out his spy parent, Loid, and assists him on a covert mission, demonstrating that he could become a valuable asset to the Forger family in the future. It also solidifies Loid’s trust in his canine friend. Even Damian’s trip doesn’t significantly impact the plot, but it does establish that he’s more than just a snooty rich brat; he’s a dedicated young boy who earnestly seeks to earn his politician father’s approval.

This episode of Spy X Family was essentially a fun little break for fans and I had fun watching it. However, the Damien half wasn’t too interesting and most fans would’ve probably preferred Anya being up to no good or hanging out with her friends. Maybe the next few episodes would be more exciting.

You can stream the anime on Netflix.

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Love In Translation – Daou, Offroad Charm in This Simple Romance

This Thai series exists in its own little world, where finding a business partner is like walking into a shop and buying pastry and falling in love is more difficult than running a mini-mart. Most of the show is powered by the infectious smile of the lead actor, Offroad Kantapon Jindataweephol, which transforms him into a human-sized cat, dog, or whichever cuddly animal you prefer.

Directed by Lit Phadung Samajarn and Toh Worawut Thanamatchaicharoen, “Love in Translation” spans eight episodes and follows the journey of a Thai man who seeks to pursue a Chinese online celebrity, and a Chinese man who aspires to establish a Thai business. Through an unexpected twist of fate, these two individuals become business partners and embark on the venture of running a small new supermarket, which comes with its own challenges. The very first hurdle however is the fact that they cannot stand stand each other.

Offroad portrays the excitable Phumjai, who spends his days watching videos of Tammy (Jam Charuttha Imraporn), a Chinese ‘influencer’ he is infatuated with. To get closer to his dream girl, Phumjai decides to learn Chinese, embarking on a quest that leads him to Yang Feng (Daou Pittaya Saechua), who is in desperate need of a Thai partner to kickstart his new business. Initially starting off on the wrong foot and disliking each other, the two eventually forge a close bond as they work together in running a mini-mart and constantly brainstorm to attract more customers. Soon, Phumjai’s dream of winning over Tammy also appears to be a likely possibility. However, things become complicated when he starts to develop feelings for Yang as well, and these sentiments are reciprocated. Jam Charuttha Imraporn’s portrayal of Tammy was an intriguing addition to the love triangle. She is a confident young woman who knows what she wants, and while she is a bit of a player, she doesn’t fall into the stereotypical role of an antagonistic third wheel.

Offroad Kantapon Jindataweephol and Daou Pittaya Saechua are absolutely adorable as the lead pair; both of them possess a charming, cat-like cuteness and Yang even compares Phumjai to a cat in one of the later episodes. The cinematography is bright and appealing, and given the plot’s focus on a small supermarket, the writers seamlessly incorporate a multitude of sponsored items without making it appear awkward. There’s also a sub-plot involving Phumjai’s older brother Phojai (Ngern Anupart Luangsodsai) being in a secret relationship with Phumjai’s best-friend Tag (Ohm Chetnipat Lohagarog), however, his reasons for being overtly discreet about their love wasn’t very convincing. But Ngern Anupart is amusing and likable as Phojai, a character who is both overtly critical of his younger brother and, at the same time, very overprotective. For instance, Phojai convinces Tag to work at the new store so that he can keep an eye on his brother.

The first four episodes make “Love In Translation” looked like a cutesy fluffy romance, however things get surprisingly tense and serious half-way. While it was quite refreshing to see Yang being upfront and honest about his feelings for Phumjai, his subsequent “retraction” of his love confession caused a lot of hurt to Phumjai. I feel like the writers could have explored alternative ways to introduce conflict between the protagonists instead of having Yang confess his love only to backtrack within a day. Since the show consists of only eight episodes, at least the creators don’t unnecessarily prolong the story. However, they do introduce a couple of other unnecessary twists, such as having Yang kidnapped by debtors, only to conveniently resolve all the issues, leading to a happy ending.

Perhaps the show would have been a lot more entertaining if they had opted for a simple and sweet story about a group of people running a small store together and facing their daily challenges of managing a business. Regardless, Offroad and Daou make the series work due to their charming chemistry. “Love In Translation” is a decent pick if you are in the mood for watching a no-brainer romance with good looking leads. Rating: 6 on 10.

The Fall of the House of Usher Review – Ode to Poe

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Netflix’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” has filled my horror/death-obsessed heart with so much joy! Based on Allan Edgar Poe’s famous gothic short story, the 2023 series created by Mike Flanagan should be a hit with those who loved his previous works, particularly ‘The Haunting of Hill House’.

The eight-episode series starts with a somber funeral in a grand church, with only a handful of people sitting in the pews despite three coffins on display. The opulence of the church contrasts with the meager attendance at the service, setting the tone for this tragic horror story about the billionaire Usher family, led by twins Roderick (Bruce Greenwood) and Madeline (Mary McDonnell). They lose their entire second generation—six siblings—within a matter of a few days. And the deaths strike amidst an ongoing lawsuit against their medical empire called Fortunato for grossly fraudulent practices. The central theme of “The Fall of the House of Usher” is thus how excessive greed and ambition can entirely corrupt an individual.

Titled “A Midnight Dreary,” after the opening line of Poe’s poem “The Raven,” episode one lays the foundation for the horror-thriller, as Roderick agrees to confess to U.S Attorney Auguste Dupin (Carl Lumbly), the man leading the case against the Ushers. In fact, Roderick even claims he is responsible for all six of his children’s deaths. Bruce Greenwood as Roderick serves as an excellent narrator for the series. He begins his story in the 1950s, gradually revealing how he and his sister Madeline went from rags to extraordinary riches and why his descendants began to perish one by one. The next six episodes serve as separate chapters for each of the Usher siblings’ unfortunate ends, while episode eight wraps up the series with a chilling conclusion that mirrors the original short story.

Visually, “The Fall of the House of Usher” is Mike Flanagan’s most diverse looking work yet, since the timeline ranges from the 1950s to 2023, giving the creative team decades of aesthetics to work with. While the series is rife with gothic elements like crumbling old homes, ghastly specters, gory deaths, mutilated animals and ominous symbolism like ravens, crows and black cats, it also has plenty of brightly lit lively scenes and modern motifs. However, for the most part, the cinematography is warm, with a lot of orange hues pervading the screen, which is typical of many horror movies and thrillers.

The ensemble cast, which includes many faces from Mike Flanagan’s previous works like “Midnight Mass”, “The Midnight Club” and “The Haunting of Bly Manor”, comes together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Each one fittingly settles into their roles, regardless of the length or significance. Carla Gugino is sinister and mysterious as the often masked woman who haunts Roderick and stalks the Usher family like death herself. Bruce Greenwood as the tormented Fortunato CEO with several dirty secrets up his sleeves keeps you hooked to every word he says. Meanwhile, Mary McDonnell is intriguing in her role as the shrewd, calculating twin, Madeline. However, Willa Fitzgerald, who plays the younger Madeline, delivers a more powerful portrayal of the mastermind behind Roderick’s phenomenal success. The most imposing supporting character in the series is Arthur Pym (Mark Hamill), the one-man legal powerhouse of the Ushers, who is always cleaning up their mess and meticulously orchestrating their moves.

There’s a lot of competitive rivalry among the six Usher siblings, each eager to impress their father Roderick and the world, giving viewers an amusing look at how large wealthy families function. Henry Thomas plays the eldest sibling, Frederick Usher, who simply mimics his dad, lacks an independent mind, and is derisively referred to by the rest as ‘Froderick’. Samantha Sloyan is Tamerlane, second in line, married to a fitness influencer and keen on launching her own health business. I wasn’t particularly impressed by Sloyan’s performance; however, her character was intriguing – a neurotic woman with intimacy issues who is desperate to emerge from her family’s shadow. Frederick and Tamerlane are the only children born to Roderick’s first wife, while the other four are their half-siblings, each from a different woman. The eldest two thus mockingly refer to their half-sibling as “the bastards”. T’Nia Miller plays the next Usher, Victorine, who is working on a unique heart device with her partner. This device is still in the animal trial phase, but Frederick puts her on an impossible deadline to move it to human trials. Victorine’s gruesome death was the most cleverly done scene in the show, it’s horrifying, morbid and just gratifyingly symbolic.

Rahul Kohli was fun as Leo Usher, who “makes games” and is always high on drugs; he is the Usher family’s go-to man for a quick mood fix. Daniel Chae Jun, as his cat-loving partner Julius, is exceptionally understanding of Leo’s ways, and it’s too bad he is never formally inducted into the crazy rich family. Kate Siegel is the smartest and flashiest of the Usher siblings, she portrays Camille L’Espanaye, who manages all of Fortunato’s media and PR. With stark silver hair, a killer attitude, and two minions always by her side, Kate reminded me of the vampire Alucard from “Castlevania” due to a particular scene, but I am not going to say what it was; you’ll know what I mean when you watch the series, and, well, if you’ve seen Castlevania. Sauriyan Sapkota portrays Perry Usher, the youngest of ‘the bastards,’ who aspires to start a chain of exclusive nightclubs but doesn’t get his father’s approval. Sauriyan’s portrayal of Perry is silly and forgettable, which aligns with his character’s role as the youngest and least astute of the siblings. Ruth Cod is memorably eccentric in her small cameo as Juno, Frederick’s much younger second wife, who is constantly taking the dubious pills manufactured by Fortunato and is often ridiculed as “junkie” or “child-bride” by the step-kids.

The pace of this series is consistently steady, with each episode giving viewers mild chills and major deaths. What really thrilled me as a horror fan is how Mike Flanagan consistently peppers the runtime with tributes to Allan Edgar Poe, from naming each episode after Poe’s work, to constantly alluding to his horror stories, “The Fall of the House of Usher” is a befitting tribute to the gothic writer. For example, Frederick’s wife is called Annabel Lee, which is also the title of Poe’s most famous poem. In-fact, Frederick recites lines off the poem a bunch of times. I have to admit I was really thrilled that this series alluded to one of my favorite horror short stories, “The Cask of Amontillado.”

The final episode, titled “The Raven”, neatly ties up this horror-thriller, with viewers finally getting concrete answers to how Roderick and Madeline made their fortune and just why everybody in their family is dying. And even though the final closing moments of the story won’t be a surprise to those who’ve read “The Fall of the House of Usher,” it’s a theatrically satisfying ending. It’s hard to recall a horror film or series whose conclusion made me applaud at the climax. It’s a must-watch for horror fans.

Rating: 9 on 10. Stream ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ on Netflix.

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Sharper Movie Review

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

“Sharper” has the kind of opening scene that will immediately reel in bibliophiles. It’s set in a cosy book shop that sells “old & rare” editions, and the young man running the place asks a beautiful PhD student out on a date. The two meet, drink and discuss their favorite classics, with the girl revealing she is an orphan who fell in love with books after reading Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre”. And despite the dreamy “meet cute” that would perfectly fit in the romance genre, “Sharper” is no love story, but a tale of an elaborate American con.

Written by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka, “Sharper” has been directed by Benjamin Caron who is known for his work on “The Crown” and “Sherlock”. Divided into distinct chapters, each named after a character, viewers are first introduced to Tom (Justice Smith), a wealthy trust-fund kid who runs a book-shop and falls in love with the troubled Sandra (Briana Middleton). Sandra isn’t who she claims to be and flashbacks reveal she has a criminal history and works for con artist Max (Sebastian Stan). So the second chapter focuses on Sandra, the third on Max and the plot progresses like an interesting tag game, with lots of lies, deception, cheating and backstabbing thrown in the mix. Writing about any more plot details would serve as major plot spoilers, so let’s just say “Sharper” is all about duping people loaded with money.

Julianne Moore plays a crucial character called Madeline, but doesn’t appear in the movie until nearly half the runtime is over, so viewers are kept guessing where does she fit in the bigger picture. But like some of the promotional posters suggest – she is crucial to the plot. Madeline is a curious character, and revealing anything about her would be a spoiler, so all I’ll say is that Moore sure knows how to pick meaty roles. The cinematography employs numerous warm, dimly lit shots to cultivate a palpable ‘thriller’ ambiance. The majority of the story unfolds within indoor settings such as homes, office spaces, or hotel rooms. This deliberate choice subtly evokes a sense of claustrophobia throughout the runtime, or perhaps, I may have been overanalyzing things.

What I appreciated about “Sharper” is how everything is subtly foreshadowed before the actual twists occur. So, while most viewers might initially consider the plot predictable, it turns out not to be. I can’t help but feel that this might have been better suited as a series to allow the characters more room to develop and connect with the audience. With a two-hour runtime and four protagonists, everyone gets significant screen time, but it’s challenging to root for anybody. The climax was a little too staged, but there’s a sense of justice by the end, which came as quite the surprise.

Overall, “Sharper” is an interesting con movie, but it falls a little flat when it comes to establishing an emotional connection with viewers.

Rating: 7 on 10. You can stream “Sharper” on Apple TV.

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Margaux Review – Where AI is a Murderous Mean Girl

Rating: 2 out of 5.

A group of friends book a ‘smart house’ for the weekend to have fun, but their trip goes awfully wrong as the AI running the place starts to harm them one by one. That’s pretty much the plot of 2022 horror movie “Margaux”, which sounds interesting at first, but consistently gets more dreary by the minute.

Directed by Steven C. Miller, “Margaux” begins with a bloody scene of couple being murdered by their smart home, the story then switches to computer genius Hannah (Madison Pettis), who is sitting in the library and coding, while hoping to land a job with Google. Hannah joins her friends Drew (Jedidiah Goodacre), Devon (Jordan Buhat), Kayla (Phoebe Miu) and Clay (Richard Harmon) for a weekend reunion trip. Drew’s annoying ‘influencer’ girlfriend Lexi (Vanessa Morgan) decides to join them last minute, so their car ride begins with an overdose of selfies for social media.

When the friends arrives at their smart house for the weekend, they are pretty impressed by its artificial intelligence and incredibly (unrealistic) abilities. “If you need anything, holla at your girl,” the AI greets the youngsters when they arrive at the property. “Margaux” is the kind of technological-horror movie that should’ve been a horror comedy instead of being a serious thriller, because the script is just not intelligent enough for its “artificial intelligence turns serial killer” plot. Besides, stories without the human element of vendetta or pain, just don’t work well emotionally on the viewers. I just kept fighting one yawn after the other as Hannah’s group of friends got brutally bumped off one after the other.

What unintentionally added a touch of humor and silliness to ‘Margaux’ was the machine’s ability to communicate like a nosy teenager with the college friends it was hosting. For instance, the AI tries to prod two characters into confessing their feelings for each other. In another scene, the AI becomes visibly annoyed that the only thing one character wanted to complain about was her boyfriend’s inability to take good pictures. It’s as if the writers decided to give the AI the personality of a mean girl with murderous intentions. I use ‘girl’ here because Margaux has a woman’s voice.

I only stuck around until the end of this film because I was curious about how it would conclude, and unfortunately, it didn’t prove to be very interesting. Thrillers like ‘Red Rose’ and ‘M3GAN’ are far more entertaining in the techno-thriller genre than ‘Margaux’. If you enjoy watching serial killer movies and don’t mind a weak plot as long as there’s a body count, ‘Margaux’ could be a reasonable choice, especially if you’re looking for something that doesn’t demand too much of your attention.

Rating: 4 on 10. You can stream the film on Netflix.

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My Personal Weatherman – Taikan Yoho Review

“On that day, the weather was unusually warm and I was overdressed, which made my mind hazy. That’s why I couldn’t really understand what he was saying.”

Mashiko Atsuki portrays Yo Tanada, the spacey, silly, cute, dense protagonist in the 2023 Japanese series “My Personal Weatherman” (Original title – Taikan Yohou), which is adapted from a manga with the same title. Yo is a struggling manga artist who claims he is the contractual slave of Segasaki Mizuki (Higuchi Kouhei), a popular weather anchor. Yo lives rent-free with Segasaki in exchange for taking care of all the housework, allowing him to pursue his passion for manga. However, it’s evident that they are in love with each other, but neither of them ever vocalizes their feelings, resulting in a great deal of heartache, confusion, frustration, and misunderstandings between them. How will this ‘contract’ end?

Directed by Kato Ayaka, who last directed the whimsical romantic-comedy Zenra Meshi, “My Personal Weatherman” is spread over eight episodes and exhibits a distinctly manga-like treatment. You don’t even need to have read the original comics to recognize that it’s likely a fairly faithful adaptation, minus the explicit content. If you want to enjoy this show, it’s best not to expect a realistic portrayal of how relationships work because the show is about two people who are completely clueless about their feelings, despite living and sleeping together under the same roof for three years. Both Yo and Segasaki are ridiculously uncommunicative, each doing most of the talking in their own heads, which forms the basic conflict of the plot and also offers comical moments through the runtime.

The cinematography is very domestic in nature, making you feel like you are peeping into the lives of a couple, since most of the story unfolds in the cozy little flat shared by Yo and Segasaki. While most romance shows based on manga are slow-burn, featuring characters who either undergo an ‘enemies to lovers’ arc or take their time getting to know each other before finally dating, ‘My Personal Weatherman’ starts in reverse. The leads are already in what Yo believes is a no-strings-attached physical relationship and episode one quickly establishes this. Over the next few episodes, Yo struggles with both his drawing career and his confounding bond with Segasaki. For example, he doesn’t understand why Segasaki wants to embrace him only on sunny days.

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The series mostly takes place chronologically but includes some brief flashbacks to the lead couple’s college days, which helps explain how the leads became acquainted in the first place. The chemistry between leads Mashiko Atsuki and Higuchi Kouhei as Yo and Segasaki is quite saucy and they look at ease around each other. At first, Higuchi Kouhei didn’t appear to fit the role of a handsome anchor who captures the hearts of both men and women, but as the plot progresses, he portrays the confidence, arrogance, and dominant nature of Segasaki really well. The character however is a bit problematic because Segasaki keeps Yo under his thumb, never explicitly revealing his true feelings yet exhibiting a controlling nature, even going as far as planting a tracking device in Yo’s bag to stalk him in one of the later episodes.

Yo’s fellow manga artist friend, Manju (Matsumura Sayuri), is the most entertaining character in the show and is always cheering for Yo. She’s outspoken and a total otaku (an obsessive fan of manga/anime), and she has a sweet, supportive husband (Mizuishi Atomu) who is a successful manga artist. It would have been enjoyable to see more screen time dedicated to Manju and her husband. The couple plays an instrumental role in making Yo and Segasaki confront their feelings for each other toward the end, yet the two still don’t make a proper confession. Perhaps the creators are aiming for a second season of “My Personal Weatherman” to explore their relationship.

I thought this series was a fun one-time watch, and Mashiko Atsuki’s chemistry with Higuchi Kouhei would definitely have me tuning in for a second season if one comes out.

Rating: 7 on 10. You can stream this series on Viu.

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Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions Episode 2 Review

It’s the first time I’ve noticed that the building protagonist Ron Kamonohashi lives in is called “Kamonohashi,” so not only is he a genius detective but probably very wealthy too. Actually, that was a given anyway, since he has been living the life of an unemployed recluse ever since his detective license was revoked.

For a plot overview, read “Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions Episode 1 Review“

Episode two of the Japanese anime series “Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions” starts with a brief flashback to Ron’s brilliance as a crime-solving student at BLUE, where everybody was stunned by his ability to solve even the older unsolved cold cases. And according to Ron, BLUE is the world’s top detective training school. Episode one already revealed to viewers that every time Ron solved a murder mystery, the suspect would die, casting doubts on his credibility leading to him being barred from doing any detective work. Which is why he is happy to team up with rookie cop Totomaru Isshiki and help him solve cases.

In what appears to be a nod to “A Study in Pink”, the first episode of the popular British series “Sherlock” starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Ron and Totomaru’s second case involves a giant pink suitcase. Since Ron is not taken seriously by his senior colleagues at work, he is assigned a silly case about a piggy bank, but the two end up solving something bigger! The mystery is overly straightforward, or at least Ron’s approach makes everything appear effortless. Therefore, the anime series’ main attraction lies in the comical banter between the two leads and Ron’s unsettling antics. For example, Ron clearly likes to lie down beside corpses and talk to them like they are living beings.

Episode two was fast-paced, lighthearted, and entertaining. Towards the end, there’s also an intriguing twist: an inquiry is being initiated against Ron for all the deaths that occurred while he was actively solving cases. So, the next few episodes will likely introduce new characters and another sub-plot, in addition to the comical partnership of Totomaru and the brilliant Ron solving crimes together.

You can stream Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions on Netflix.

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Insidious: The Red Door Movie Review

Rating: 3 out of 5.

I remember watching the first Insidious (2010) film with my parents all those years ago and being fascinated by the concept of ‘astral projection’ in the story, it was something we hadn’t seen in any other horror movies before. And even though I haven’t seen any of the two other Insidious films that came out after 2013, the plot is still pretty fresh in my mind.

Directed by Patrick Wilson and written by Leigh Whannel and Scott Teems, the 2023 horror film “Insidious: The Red Door” revisits the Lambert family, who are attending the funeral of their matriarch. Patrick Wilson and Ty Simpkins reprise their original roles of father-son duo Josh Lambert and Dalton Lambert, who’ve inherited the ability to travel to another dark realm when they fall asleep. It’s a realm inhabited by demons and spirits that seek to possess their bodies and the family nearly died due to the sinister entities. It has been nine years since Josh and Dalton were hypnotized to erase the traumatic events. As a result, the duo not only doesn’t remember anything, but they are also estranged, with Josh having divorced his wife Renai (Rose Byrne). So, this sequel follows how the father tries to reconnect with his son, who is off to college, and things only get complicated as their suppressed memories begin to resurface, opening a door to the spirits that haunted them.

I liked how art plays a significant role in “Insidious: The Red Door.” Dalton is studying art in college, and it’s through his canvas that his demons attempt to crawl back into his life. Although there isn’t a lot of new material or twists in the story, Patrick Wilson and his team deliver some effective jump scares through the runtime. I watched this movie alone after dinner, while I was home alone, and one scene that completely startled me. The background music contributes significantly to building dread and creepiness in the story. However, the make-up for the supporting actors who portray the ghosts in the other realm was overdone, and they looked more like they were dressed for Halloween, than actual demons.

Patrick Wilson and Ty Simpkins deliver convincing performances as Josh and Dalton, portraying the tense relationship within a family, making the film a metaphor for generational trauma. There’s a scene in the second half, where Renai tells Josh how he’d get possessed try to hurt his own kids, and even though it wasn’t him, for the kids, ultimately it was their father who was putting them in danger. While there is much to unpack in terms of family relationships, these aspects are swiftly and conveniently resolved. Unfortunately, a significant amount of time is devoted to Dalton’s college experiences and friendships, leaving insufficient room for a well-crafted horror experience. So the climax feels underwhelming and the primary conflict is resolved in a jiffy.

Regardless, “Insidious: The Red Door” is a pretty good pick for horror fans.

You can stream the film on Netflix.

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Gen V Episode 5 Review

So, Gen V episode 4 ended on a pretty ‘WTF’ note. All the superhero kids are close to solving the mystery behind ‘The Woods,’ a secret facility that nobody is supposed to know about. However, during a key confrontational moment, the scene suddenly switches to them all waking up somewhere else. Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair) is with Jordan Li (London Thor/Derek Luh); Andre (Chance Perdomo) is sleeping with Cate (Maddie Phillips), and a giant Emma (Lizze Broadway) seems to have passed out in a swimming pool , and none of them remembers Golden Boy’s brother, Sam (Asa Germann), who was rescued from the underground facility where superheroes are experimented upon.

Read – Gen V Episodes 1, 2, 3 Review for plot overview

Titled “Welcome to the Monster Club,” Gen V episode 5 is a well-spun, fast-paced, ‘solve the mystery of our forgotten memories’ edition where all the primary protagonists wake up after a night of crazy partying. As they talk to each other, they all realize that someone has evidently wiped their memories, as nobody remembers large chunks of what had happened to them in the last few days. The primary suspect is Rufus (Alexander Calvert), whom Marie had mutilated after he tried to make a move on her in Gen V Episode 4. But there’s obviously a larger conspiracy afoot on their college campus.

This was probably the most fun edition so far, with lots of confusing things happening on campus and the primary characters losing their memory more than once! A pretty sneaky twist upsets the new bonds being forged on the show. The cinematography and camera play were pretty gripping, except for the small pool scene, where the special effects for the giant Emma weren’t up to the mark. Nevertheless, the episode features a brilliantly executed, absurdly gory sequence filled with puppets mercilessly hacking one another, all within Max’s disturbed mind. However, the lines between his imagination and reality quickly blur, leaving even viewers bewildered over what is really happening with him.

While “Gen V” revolves around super-flawed superheroes, evil corporations, ruthless killers, and sexual predators, the younger protagonists have a lot more on their minds than just ‘vengeance.’ This is what sets it apart from its parent show, “The Boys.” While I had mixed feelings about Jaz Sinclair as Marie Moreau, I am beginning to like her a lot more than before and perhaps it’s just the kind of character that takes a while to grow on the viewer. The potential romance between Marie and the gender-fluid Jordan is becoming an exciting sub-plot. Emma’s curiosity about what’s happening between the two of them mirrors the anticipation of fans who are also invested in their story-line. Shelley Con, portraying the character of the evil Dean Indira Shetty, isn’t quite convincing as the series antagonist for me. However, considering that she’s merely an employee at Vought and has a lot at stake if “The Woods” is exposed, perhaps her character isn’t meant to be prominent.

So, “Gen V” episode 5 is a smoothly executed installment, featuring numerous subtle twists, the usual dose of gore and blood, and an unexpected touch of awkward romance between two key characters. Rather than ending with a cliffhanger, the episode concludes with the young superheroes facing a significant disappointment caused by a betrayal from a friend. Whether the group can solve the mystery of “The Woods” remains to be seen.

You can stream ‘Gen V’ on Amazon Prime Video.

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Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 12 Review

Hope you are here after Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 episode 11. Minor spoilers ahead.

A quick recap of the story so far: Satoru Gojo, the most powerful Jujutsu sorcerer, has been sealed at Shibuya as part of an elaborate conspiracy devised by a team of special grade cursed spirits and curse users. The fate of Japan hangs in the balance, and the remaining sorcerers must defeat the cursed spirits and users before they can harm more humans. But a special curtain cast over the region prevents sorcerers from getting anywhere close to Gojo.

Towards the end of Episode 11 Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro manage to wrest the cursed object holding up the curtain over Shibuya from Jiro Awasaka. So it’s time to shift focus to what the other Jujutsu sorcerers are up to. Episode 12 kicks off with an engaging scene as Mei Mei and Ui Ui confront a cursed user on the Toshin Metro line. Mei Mei confidently strides toward her adversary, accompanied by a dramatic piano piece in the background, explaining that while her powers may not be the strongest, she is certainly not an easy adversary.

Simultaneously, Nobara Kugisaki crosses paths with the bratty curse-user Haruta Shigemo, who has already brutally murdered several non-sorcerer staff members of the Jujutsu academy. Although a minor villain, Shigemo shares the same casually sadistic demeanor as Mahito, although he is not as intimidatingly insane. Kugisaki and Shigemo engage in a tense sequence of events, with each of them confident in their abilities. However, the former is ultimately outmaneuvered. The runtime is split with quick updates about all the major sorcerers, so it’s a tightly paced and engrossing episode.

The highlight of this episode was when a furious Kento Nanami came to Kugisaki’s rescue just in the nick of time. Usually recognized for his composure, Nanami unleashes his wrath against the cursed user as his patience wears thin amidst the chaos and death in Shibuya. “So this is a Grade 1 Sorcerer,” Kugisaki exclaims, her jaw dropping as she witnesses her senior, Nanami, in action. We get some intense close-ups of the angry Nanami and the visibly shaken Shigemo, whose arrogance quickly evaporates when faced with a formidable opponent. Studio MAPPA once again delivers an engagingly choreographed episode, dark, blood-soaked, and brimming with unexpected twists. The time-stamps throughout the runtime help create a sense of urgency, since the sorcerers are literally in a race against time to save Gojo and other innocent civilians.

In the final minute, the focus shifts back to Yuji, who rushes toward the Shibuya metro station in hopes of reaching Gojo but encounters an unexpected face. Remember the bet between Mahito and Jogo over Yuji Itadori’s fate in episode 10? It doesn’t matter if you don’t, but this episode ends with a cliffhanger that promises to reveal the outcome of that interaction.

You can stream Jujutsu Kaisen on Netflix or CrunchyRoll.

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