Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 155

Good Night Room Nine – Book Review

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

The mere mention of Slovenia is likely to conjure a beautiful image of the dreamy Julian Alps, the deep blue Adriatic Sea, and charming old city streets. However, the supernatural thriller novel “Good Night Room Nine” by Cody Ray George takes readers to an ominous bed-and-breakfast in the Slovenian wilderness, which transforms into a foggy playground for occult practices and human sacrifices during the night.

Jenny Novak, a full-stack coder, is introduced as the protagonist of this 120-page novella. She is visiting Slovenia to re-connect with her grandfather but decides to start by unwinding at a hotel on her first day, rather than diving headlong into an emotional family reunion. With zero knowledge of Slovenian words, Jenny doesn’t feel very welcome at her bed-and-breakfast, a decaying old building which used to be a boarding house for dogs and is filled with creepy portraits of mastiffs and hounds. Author Cody Ray George vividly describes Jenny’s temporary new stay, which is the primary focus of the story.

The BnB, with its shady history, a staple of local occult legends, and oddly decorated rooms, morphs into a foggy hell-hole for Jenny and its other guests, as the exit stairs vanish, rooms shift, and a potential serial killer lurks in the corridors. While the Slovenian supernatural hotel premise is fantastic, what proves to be a disruptively disappointing twist in the tale is the sudden change of protagonists mid-way through the novel. Just as readers begin to warm up to Jenny’s point of view, watching her scramble to ensure safety for herself and others, an older guest at the BnB takes the forefront of “Good Night Room Nine”. Readers are also presented with war flashbacks of this new protagonist, and depending on the reader, these flashbacks will either feel like annoying breaks from the current tension in the tale or intriguing additions to the character’s backstory.

The banter between all the characters stuck in the strange hotel is amusing, with everybody wary of each other, while some are surprisingly more trusting. Given that most guests are foreigners who don’t know Slovenian, there are plenty of subtle comedic moments due to the language barrier. Since they are all trapped in the same floor, with no means of communication, it almost feels like they are the last people around. Their situation was reminiscent of the dystopian novel ‘The Last’ by Hanna Jameson, where a group of people try to survive the end-of-the-world in a remote hotel.

While the writing in the first half of the novel is crisp, descriptive, and vivid, some of the descriptions in the second half aren’t as straightforward, making it a bit of a struggle to imagine the bizarre proceedings clearly. While the antagonist initially appears as a young human, the story does introduce a supernatural deity-like villain; however, unfortunately, their appearance is too brief, leaving one wanting more. To compensate for the drastic change in protagonist, the author makes amends with readers towards the end. The climax feels like a nightmare finally coming to a close; it’s open-ended and interesting enough to leave readers with their own conclusions.

“Good Night Room Nine” is available on Kindle Unlimited. Click here for GoodReads link.

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Also Read: The Madman’s Library – Book Review (audio version below)

Meow or Never – Short Film Review

“Pucha the cat, who is also an astronaut, explores various planets in her quest for the meaning of life. Will she find the answers she’s seeking? “Meow or Never” is a short stop-animation film directed by Neeraja Raj, who co-wrote the script with Vanessa Rose.

The creators of the film blend traditional stop-motion animation with retro arcade-style special effects, delivering an adorable story about a cat’s thrilling space journey. “Meow or Never” begins with Pucha excitedly singing a song about her quest, but her excitement is abruptly interrupted by an alien creature when she lands on a new planet. While hostile at first, Pucha strikes a friendship with the creature that resembles a puppy and the two explore the planet together.

With a 9-minute runtime, the short initially appears to target children, yet quickly transforms into an introspective musical exploring themes of existentialism and even takes some jabs at the concepts of religion, worship, and mob mentality.” So, while the first few minutes were vibrant in tone, the second half is imbued with darker shades, reflecting the more serious themes that Pucha ponders upon. Sheila Atim lends her beautiful singing voice to Pucha, while Jayne Wisener provides contrasting youthful vocals for the puppy.

Does our protagonist find what she is looking for on the new planet in the end? Sort of. Is “Meow or Never” worth a watch? Yes!

The film is now available to watch on YouTube. It’s also embedded below.

Be My Favorite Review – Enjoyable Time-Travel Rollercoaster

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram) | Click here for a shorter audio version

A romantic comedy with a time-travel twist? Bring it on. The 2023 Thai series “Be My Favorite” stars Krist Perawat Sangpotirat as protagonist Botkawi, who is stuck in a boring subtitling job and is heartbroken when he receives a wedding invite from Prae Mai (Aye Sarunchana Apisamaimongkol), a friend he has been in love with since college but loses her to campus hottie Pisaeng (Fluke Gawin Caskey). In an unimaginable stroke of luck, Botkawi gets his hand on a crystal ball which takes him back in time and gives him a chance to turn things around. However, “fixing” the past isn’t as easy as it seems, and instead of making Prae Mai fall in love with him, Botkawi attracts the affections of his love rival, Pisaeng.

Directed by Waa Waasuthep Ketpetch, “Be My Favorite” consists of 12 episodes and features a charming pilot episode that will immediately captivate romantic comedy fans. The original soundtrack, particularly the catchy and lively opening number titled “Redo” (sung by Krist), plays a significant role in establishing a breezy and engaging mood for the series. A lot of the background music is reminiscent of GMMTV’s other hit show “Bad Buddy”. The cinematography adopts an autumn theme, incorporating numerous peachy shades and pleasant blue/green tones, adding a youthful charm to the proceedings.

Krist Perawat Sangpotirat is animatedly funny as the sulky Kawi, who decides to have the time of his life when he thinks he is in a dream, the first time he uses the crystal ball. However, when he realizes he really is back in time, he freaks out. Kawi makes you smile, cry, laugh, and coo over him, all within a span of a few minutes. As the plot progresses, Gawin Caskey’s portrayal of Pisaeng emerges as the standout character of the show – an exceedingly sweet and sensitive guy who grapples with coming to terms with his sexuality, yet remains remarkably patient and kind to those around him. After having played smaller roles in series like “Enchante” and the political-themed college thriller “Not Me,” where he appeared a bit miscast as an honest cop, he definitively proves his lead role potential with his layered portrayal of Pisaeng in “Be My Favorite.”

Both Pisaeng and Aye Sarunchana Apisamaimongkol as Prae Mai are warm and likable, with their characters displaying loyalty and maturity in dealing with negative people around them, despite being college kids from affluent families. Aou Thanaboon Kiatniran plays Botkawee’s friend Max, who is out and proud, and isn’t afraid of giving his friends a reality check when they get ahead of themselves. Kawi’s character, on the other hand, is goofier and immature, as he naively believes he can somehow solve everybody’s problems. He becomes a bit of a busybody, poking his nose into everybody’s business. The “rivals to lovers” trope is executed smoothly, with Pisaeng’s love for Kawi being genuine from the get-go, and his persistence, patience, straightforwardness and unconditional loyalty prove to be his lasting traits. A turning point in the series is the acoustic track “Unable,” which Pisaeng plays for Kawi in episode seven, and the lyrics are perfectly tailored to encapsulate Pisaeng’s emotions and love.

The time-travel adds a lot of entertaining drama to the story, demonstrating how small actions can create significant ripple effects and alter the entire course of a person’s life. Since the story is not chronological, there’s of a lot of back-and-forth between different timelines, and the creators utilize its comic potential, peppering episodes with a lot of funny and light moments. Even though “Be My Favorite” starts as a story about a miraculous second chance at life, the writers emphasize the importance of living the best version of oneself with the single opportunity you have. Each time Kawi turns his crystal ball, he ends up making things worse for himself, although each change teaches him lasting lessons. The rules of time-travel are kept simple, unlike the confusing and messy series “609 Bedtime Story.” In “Be My Favorite,” once Kawi spins the crystal ball to go back in time, he cannot go back further than his last rewind. For example, if Kawi went back to August 13th, 2022, and spent ten days in the past changing things, leading to disastrous results when he returns to his present in 2032, he cannot undo the damage and can only travel back to August 23rd, 2022.

While the primary focus of the series remains on Kawi’s adventures with time-travel and romance, some of the other characters also receive ample screen time, but they are eventually forgotten as the episodes unfold. For example, Prae Mai is given a generic happy ending, and some viewers may feel robbed for not getting to know what really happens to her, especially after the makers familiarize viewers with Prae Mai’s family and her struggles with relationships. The last two episodes weren’t as exciting, comedic, or entertaining as the rest of the show, but they provide primary protagonists Pisaeng and Kawi with a stable and wholesome climax.

Overall, “Be My Favorite” has a lot of fun elements and is a fun watch for the weekend. You can stream the series on GMMTV’s YouTube channel.

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Embedded Below is a shorter audio version of the “Be My Favorite” Series Review

The Elevator – Short Horror Film Review

Trust the horror genre to turn any ordinary thing into a sinister character! “The Elevator,” a short horror film by Dark Fun Pictures, starts with a deceptively bright shot of a young woman in red sneakers, a red top, and a floral scarf, impatiently chewing pink bubble gum as she waits for the elevator to arrive.

As soon as the woman enters the lift, a pleasant professional voice echoes through its walls, narrating the building’s brief history, hinting at hidden secrets. The announcement abruptly stops when the young woman inadvertently does something to offend the speaker, setting the stage for a twisted horror story!

With a runtime of just six minutes, the film effectively captures the malevolent elevator’s vindictiveness, ensnaring the woman within its confines. Mona Hasanzaade plays the nameless protagonist, terrorized by the voice of the lift. She smoothly transitions from an arrogant, impatient young woman without a care in the world to a helpless victim of an unexplained force. The cinematography is simple, relying mainly on lighting and ambient sounds to propel the narrative, and the decision to forego dramatic background music complements the script.

You can watch the film on YouTube, it’s also embedded below.

‘Heart of Stone’ Review – Flat Plot Has Little Pulse

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

The sole mildly fun moment in the 2023 spy-action-thriller “Heart of Stone” occurs when a spirited African woman offers a lift to two characters in the second-half and a completely random song with the lyrics “Zombie, oh Zombie” plays in the vehicle.

Directed by Tom Harper, the Netflix film “Heart of Stone” feels like a “Mission Impossible” wannabe, boasting a decent budget and intriguing actors. However, the writing by Greg Rucka and Allison Schroeder falls completely flat. It’s just passable enough for viewers to watch the entire film with a straight face, simply to see where things go. Gal Gadot plays titular protagonist Rachel Stone, an intelligence operative who works for an organization called “Charter,” whose existence is like a modern myth, and her mission is to help stop rogue elements from stealing a dangerous weapon with the power to disrupt the world. Sounds a lot like the 2023 spy series “Citadel,” right? Yep! The two stories are so similar in their plot, themes, and exaggerations that those who’ve seen “Citadel” might just want to sleep through “Heart of Stone.”

Surprisingly, the cinematography was one of the weaker links in the film, with many crucial action scenes unfolding either at night or in dimly lit surroundings, which immediately diminished the visual appeal of the fights. Given the far-fetched script about a one-woman army being able to take out an entire gang when even two top MI6 agents couldn’t do it, why bother with realism in the settings and not simply provide viewers with adequately lit shots? The second half of “Heart of Stone” does feature some stunning daylight shots of the snowy, scenic landscapes of Iceland; but the fight scenes are set indoors. The background music helps sustain the viewer’s attention, with the same beats repeating for significant portions of the runtime, creating a sense of suspense and thrill, even if the corresponding scene isn’t as gripping.

Jamie Dornan plays another operative called Parker in the film, and despite a substantial grey role, he simply appears worn out and disinterested, failing to evoke any emotion in the viewer, except for perhaps slight boredom. In fact, with a different actor in his role, “Heart of Stone” could have been injected with more energy than the lifeless vibe it gives off. Matthias Schweigofer plays Charter’s tech genius Jack of Hearts, he is Stone’s eyes on the ground and is constantly swiping fancy screens in the air. You should watch him the heist film “Army of Thieves”, also a Netflix offering which is far more entertaining. Alia Bhatt portrays Keya Dhawan, the tech genius of the villains, who turns out to be nothing but a naive, misguided kid with a troubled past. It’s a significant role, not one of those “blink and miss” cameos some stars do just to have a Hollywood title on their filmography. And even though Alia delivers her role with conviction, too bad that the movie is overwhelmingly mediocre. A slew of other actors also play top operatives, but they are made to bow to the sidelines for Gal’s Stone.

If you had to pick a fatal flaw for “Heart of Stone”, it would the poor choice of antagonist, it’s a half-baked character with an interesting back-story, but still not convincing enough to feel much about his villainy. Ironically, the climactic scene, literally the last one minute of the film featuring Gal Gadot, Matthias Schweighöfer, and Alia Bhatt, was fun and entertaining. You can’t say that about the rest of the story.

Stream the film on Netflix if you are a Gal Gadot fan.

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Red, White & Royal Blue – Royal Fantasy Meets Modern Mush

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Let’s get this straight: the 2023 movie “Red, White & Royal Blue” is not your typical romantic flick; rather, it’s a fluffy fantasy love story. Fantasy… because America has a woman President, and there’s a grand romance afoot between America’s first son and a British Prince who is second in line to the throne. So the unsaid expectation from viewers is to suspend practical notions about the plot.

Based on the novel of the same name by Casey McQuiston, “Red, White & Royal Blue” stars Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez as British Prince Henry and U.S. President’s son Alex Claremont-Diaz, respectively. The film opens with lavish wedding celebrations at Buckingham Palace, where Henry and Alex openly express disdain for each other, leading to a mishap when they accidentally crash into the gigantic wedding cake, making global headlines. To rectify the situation, the two are compelled to make public appearances together, pretending to be best buddies. As the two get to know each other, a possible romance brews. But it’s obviously not going to be easy sailing for two public personalities who are constantly in the limelight, and Alex needs to be extra cautious as his mother’s (Uma Thurman) re-election campaign is ongoing.

Nicholas Galitzine is no stranger to portraying royalty, having played Prince Charming in the 2021 Cinderella movie, and he is pitch perfect as Prince Henry in “Red, White & Royal Blue.” He masterfully captures the charm and sensitivity of the character, adding substantial depth to the film with his nuanced performance. On the other hand, Taylor Zakhar Perez’s portrayal of Alex falls somewhat short, possibly due to the character’s generic American stereotypical nature in the writing. Definitely out of a mushy romance novel written for young readers.

Taylor Zakhar Perez and Uma Thurman in “Red, White & Royal Blue” (Source: Prime Video)

Since the leads are dashingly handsome, and the cinematography glitzy, bright and beautiful, it will easily blind most viewers into not noticing a lot of the cheesy dialogues that made me stop and pause and go “realllyyyy?!!!”. The leads are meant to be highly educated young men in their twenties, with one of them trained from birth to excel in eloquent verbal deliveries. However, the dialogues come across as immature and superficial, not reflecting the sophistication expected of their characters. And yes, the plot is unrealistic itself, but better written exchanges would’ve elevated this production to an entire different level. It’s hard not to compare “Red, White & Royal Blue” to the Netflix series “Young Royals”, which deals with similar themes, but the dialogues are more authentic.

Uma Thurman is engaging as U.S President Ellen Clarement, a loud political Texan who loves her son unconditionally. Her scenes with Alex is filled with warmth, and the duo deliver some memorable mother-son moments. Rachel Hilson has a small-sweet cameo as Alex’s best-friend Nora Holleran, and even though she wasn’t immediately recognizable due to a gorgeous new hairdo, as soon as she begins to speak a little, viewers will remember her as the compassionate Mia Brooks from “Love, Victor”. With an almost 2-hour runtime, most supporting characters don’t get much space to shine; it is, after all, Henry and Alex’s story. This is great for those of us who enjoy romances with razor-sharp focus on the lead pair. However, after an engrossing first half, the script becomes predictable, and the dialogues start to lose their sheen. Fortunately, a well-written speech by Alex’s character saves the day, and we are treated to a joyously big happy ending!

Will you get misty-eyed? Perhaps. It’s an extravagantly sumptuous romantic flick and definitely worth watching.

Rating: 7 on 10. Stream “Red, White & Royal Blue” on Prime Video.

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Also Read: The Madman’s Library – Book Review (audio version below)

Hack My Home Review – Nifty Cool

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Who likes to watch home makeovers? Go watch “Hack My Home” on Netflix if you said “yes!” to yourself. That would be the short version of this review. You are welcome. And now, we will begin to ruminate further on what makes this series worth a watch for some.

Eight episodes long, each lasting about 30 minutes, “Hack My Home” is a reality show starring Mikel Welch, Brooks Atwood, Ati Williams, and Jessica Banks as themselves. They assist individuals in transforming their homes. Each episode showcases a different family with its own unique set of challenges in their current living situation. The show’s four experts visit the family’s house to comprehend their needs before devising a plan to hack their homes. It’s a lot like “Tiny House Nation”, but with much bigger homes.

All episodes featured genuinely wonderful families, or, well, they certainly put their best foot forward for the show. However, what you’ll appreciate most about the series is how each family has a unique set of problems and needs in their current living circumstances. For instance, in episode one – “Secret Office Space Reveal” – a couple struggled with limited space due to their four children. In episode two, there was an endearing couple living in an old-fashioned home with a poorly designed and cramped kitchen, leading them to resort to takeout despite both being chefs!

Episode three was my favorite edition, both because of the lovely family featured in and also the complete overhaul by the designers of the show to tailor to their needs. The episode focused on an interesting dome-shaped house, shared by an aging couple who are raising their four grand-daughters, but only had one big room for them to share. Mikel Welch, Brooks Atwood, Ati Williams, and Jessica Banks renovate the home in way that each girl gets privacy and has an amazing space to retreat to.

Episodes 4, 5, & 7 were slightly similar as they featured families facing the same space issues as that of the couple in the first episode, although they all get extremely different “hacked” products at the end. In episode 5, titled “Toddler vs. Teenager,” things took on a low-key humorous tone. The family simply needed a better kitchen, and they were grappling with their two kids whose rooms were connected by a malfunctioning door that wouldn’t lock, leading the younger child to constantly bother his older sister, leaving her with zero privacy.

“Hack My Home” is definitely enjoyable for home innovation enthusiasts, although each episode could have been more concise, ranging from 20 to 22 minutes rather than the current 30 to 32-minute duration. Also, some of the home solution were rather “fancy”, making one wonder how much the upkeep could cost! Each edition starts with the experts engaging in casual chatter, often during a restaurant meal or some other group activity. This banter segment could have been omitted, as each of them gets ample opportunity to showcase their expertise and shine while discussing home improvements throughout the rest of the show’s runtime. Regardless, Mikel Welch, Brooks Atwood, Ati Williams, and Jessica Banks have bright personalities and it’s hard not to like them as the show progresses.

Rating: 7/10. You can watch the series on Netflix.

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Marry My Dead Body – Quirky Comedy with a Ghostly Queer Twist

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Karma is quite real in the 2022 Taiwanese movie “Marry My Dead Body” (Original title: Guan yu wo han gui bian cheng jia ren de na jian shi), where a homophobic cop is haunted by a gay ghost and forced two learn a lesson or two about the queer community! The film starts with a deceptively saucy scene at a gym and hilariously introduces the cop protagonist to viewers.

Directed by Wei-Hao Cheng, who co-wrote the film with Lai Chih-liang and Sharon Wu, the crime comedy stars Greg Han Hsu as the ambitious policeman Wu Ming-han. He harbors a crush on his attractive lady colleague, Lin Tzu-Ching (Gingle Wang), but instead finds himself in a forced ghost marriage with a guy named Mao Mao (Po-Hung Lin). The only way for the cop to get rid of his ghost husband is to find and fulfill his dying wishes. And thus unfolds a crime comedy of errors as Wu and Mao go on a hilarious adventure to solve Mao’s hit-and-run death and catch a drug lord to help Wu get a promotion.

The cinematography and screenplay in “Marry My Dead Body” are colorful and engaging. However, the ghost marriage ceremony is uniquely shot in a red palette, setting it apart from the rest of the movie and giving it a very pulpy and spooky vibe. Po-Hung Lin largely appears in his human form as the spirit Mao; however, there are a few scenes in which he chooses to look like a grotesque ghoul to scare Wu Ming-han. The make-up and CGI on the ghastly ghost Mao seem deliberately sub-par, likely intended to draw laughs. Well, it really was quite comical to watch.

Actors Greg Han Hsu and Man-Chiao Wang in a still from “Marry My Dead Body” (Source: Netflix)

Mao’s grandmother will instantly become everybody’s favorite character in “Marry My Dead Body.” She is endearingly portrayed by Man-Chiao Wang. Not bound by notions of archaic gender roles, Mao’s granny attended pride parades with him and supported his dream of getting married, especially since Taiwan passed the law supporting gay marriage in the country, becoming the first Asian country to do so. Tsung-Hua Tou, who portrays Pang-Yu’s father, has a much more complex relationship with his son. The story poignantly, albeit briefly, explores how a lack of communication often leads to estrangement between fathers and sons.

The intentions of “Marry My Dead Body” are in the right place; it’s supposed to be a fun comedy with a supernatural twist, aimed at teaching a prejudiced cop a lesson in recognizing that queer individuals deserve a life of dignity and happiness too. The enemies-to-friends progression between the macho Wu Ming-han and the flamboyant Mao Mao was slightly abrupt but sweet, and both men learn to be more accepting of each other. However, the writers also pander to stereotypes, portraying gay men as promiscuous floozies who are overly theatrical and obsessed with superficial aspects of life.

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With a runtime of 2 hour 10 minutes, “Marry My Dead Body” manages to keep viewers entertaining throughout the runtime with its twin sub-plots, while one focuses on the leads efforts to solve Mao’s death, the other on Wu Ming-han’s endeavors to help nab a notorious drug lord and get a promotion at work. Gingle Wang as Lin Tzu-Ching, who is Wu Ming-han’s partner at work and is frustrated with the men not taking her seriously because she is pretty, has to work doubly hard on the case to prove her worth. While her role has a predictable arc, she is sassy and entertaining in her part.

Greg Han Hsu and Po-Hung Lin deliver riotous performances with impeccable comic timing as the lead duo. Extra stars to Greg Han Hsu for a ridiculously funny possession scene, where he streaks through his locality with the flair of a queen, courtesy of Mao’s presence in the cop’s body. After establishing himself as the ultra-masculine and cocky cop, he gracefully showcases delightful duality in moments requiring a more feminine touch.

Packed with hilarious scenes, comical twists, and an unexpectedly emotional climax, “Marry My Dead Body” (Guan yu wo han gui bian cheng jia ren de na jian shi) presents an intriguing blend of genres that keeps you engaged until the end, even though it occasionally verges on becoming excessively clichéd.

Stream the film on Netflix. Rating: 7.5/10

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Tokyo in April Is… Review – Nostalgically Bittersweet

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Takizawa Kazuma returns to Japan after spending years in America and runs into his school best-friend Ishihara Ren on the very first day of his new job. Surprised and happy at the incredible co-incidence, the two reignite their friendship, but the circumstances in which the two parted ways as teens continues to be a mystery and Ren seems to be hiding secrets.

Adapted from the manga series titled “4gatsu no Tokyo wa” (４月の東京は…) by Haru, the eight episode series is directed by Ishibashi Yuho, who was also behind the lens for the slowburn food themed romance “Our Dining Table” (original title – Bokura no Shokutaku). Sakurai Yuki plays the introverted Kazuma, while Takamatsu Aloha plays the more outgoing and confident Ren, but as the series progresses, it becomes apparent that men’s personalities run deeper than they let on. How these two different men rekindle their relationship and face new challenges together forms the bulk of the story.

While “Tokyo in April Is…” gives off the impression of being a nostalgic summer love story, it isn’t a typical breezy romance, but dwells into issues of workplace harassment, sexual abuse and childhood trauma. Unfortunately, the series isn’t able to do justice to all the themes it tries to explore, so the writers should’ve either tweaked the script to keep the focus limited to the lead pair’s romantic struggles or added a few more episodes to make the sub-plots stronger.

Teen actors Takeno Sena and Mitsunobu Jiyo, who portray the younger versions of Kazuma and Ren, deliver remarkably poignant performances as two students who swiftly develop a profound friendship, only to be thrust into an unfortunate situation that sends their world spiraling out of control. Mitsunobu Jiyo bears an uncanny resemblance to Takamatsu Aloha, and this casting choice significantly deepens Ren’s character. His evolution from a once cheerful teenage boy to a disillusioned adult, weary of romantic entanglements, becomes much more believable. Mahiro Tamaki shines in her brief cameo as Kazuma’s fiercely protective mother; she doesn’t hesitate to intimidate those who might pose a threat to her son.

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“Tokyo in April Is…” relies on the classic concept of “love conquers all” and doesn’t delve deeply into the dynamic between Kazuma and Ren, instead expecting viewers to rely on a few fleeting intimate moments and flashbacks to convince themselves that the leads are genuinely, deeply, and madly in love, deserving of the world. Takamatsu Aloha and Sakurai Yuki do have some sparks flying as the leading pair, but a few more concrete interactions would have helped establish their chemistry more effectively. After an interesting build-up, the last few episodes leave you feeling underwhelmed. Perhaps old school romance fans with a soft spot for melodrama might be a lot more happy with this series.

All that said, “Tokyo in April Is…” is gripping enough for a one-time watch.

Rating: 6.5/10

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Mary Shelley: The Eternal Dream Book Review

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Every literary enthusiast knows Mary Shelley as the author of the gothic fiction classic “Frankenstein,” and how she started writing the story when she was 18 years old as part of a writing contest between her, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Lord Byron’s physician, John Polidori. The same contest also led to the creation of Polidori’s horror short story “The Vampyr,” which is now considered one of the foundational works in the popular vampire genre.

The graphic novel “Mary Shelley: The Eternal Dream” by Alessandro Di Virgilio, Manuela Santoni, and Giulia Gabrielli is an attempt to explore the author’s life and her brief marriage to the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, which ended due to his tragic early death at sea. Unfortunately, for those who already know a little about Mary’s life, the book has very little to offer in terms of content. Ironically, Mary’s Wikipedia page contains a lot more details than this novel that spans about 135 pages. Therefore, the focus obviously becomes the artwork, since it’s a graphic novel.

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Illustrated mostly in black and white, the artwork is stark in style, with strokes made to resemble a hurried sketchbook style that lends a raw effect to the panels and also creates a dark gothic ambiance due to the two-toned color scheme. This ambiance is sometimes disturbed by small amounts of red, drawn to resemble thorns or blood splatters.

Mary comes off as a naive young woman swept up in a whirlwind romance by the romantic and frivolous poet Percy, which was quite true to her circumstances; she was only 16 when she eloped with Percy. Just as the reader begins to get acquainted with the author, “Mary Shelley: The Eternal Dream” comes to an abrupt end. The creators only chart her life until the conception of her most famous work, “Frankenstein,” a culmination of her own turbulent life, fears, and mental monsters. Despite some beautifully drawn illustrations, you are left with a sense of disappointment by the end.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

This graphic novel is worth exploring if you have the “Kindle Unlimited” subscription.

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