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Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 168
May 26, 2023
The Promise Review – Loses The Plot Quick
It’s not always easy to identify “red flags” in a potential partner, but sometimes the problematic signs are just too obvious. For instance, imagine your best friend ghosting you for ten years, then suddenly reappearing as if nothing happened, only to confess their love for you because they fear someone else might take you away. Is it really wise to pursue a relationship with someone who caused you significant mental distress for a decade? The writers of 2023 Thai series “The Promise” seem to think it’s a great idea.
Directed by Kongkiat Khomsiri (who is one of the directors for “KinnPorsche”), the ten-episode-long show follows the story of childhood best friends Phupha and Nanfah, played by Kittikun Tansuhas and Wattikorn Permsubhirun, respectively. They stick together through thick and thin until they graduate from college, after which Phupha vanishes, never to be heard from again for ten years. Will Nanfah ever find his friend again and will they address their more than platonic feelings for each other?
The first few episodes of “The Promise” are nice enough, in large parts due to the beautiful cinematography. A lot of scenes take place in the rural region where the protagonists grew up as school boys, so there are lots of pretty countryside shots that capture Thailand’s natural beauty. Even the city scenes are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. But the story keeps getting weaker and weaker. Besides, there isn’t much chemistry between the leads and Kittikun Tansuhas seemed mostly uncomfortable throughout the runtime. Boss Thawatchanin Darayon who plays Nanfah’s colleague and close friend was a lot more likable and engaging.
Considering the leads are from the same village, it’s ridiculous how Nanfah never finds out Phupha’s whereabouts despite his best efforts. The guy even flies to Australia to find his bestie. The plot would’ve made more sense only if the timeline was set in the 1980s. Besides even the character development of the leads is pretty terrible. Phupha is portrayed as a sensitive shy soul, but his disappearing act is completely irrational and in a scene that’s completely contradictory to his personality, he pours his heart out at a public place. That was very awkward to watch. Another thing that made no sense in the show is the fact that different men keep falling for Nanfah, even though nobody even knows what his actual sexual preference is. Why not just ask?
Anyway, “The Promise” becomes increasingly overbearing to watch from episode six onward, and the finale is the most randomly directed episode of them all. At one point, I even questioned whether I had watched the previous episode because episode ten was just bizarre, featuring unnecessary comedy and an abruptly jarring climax.
It’s a 4 on 10 from me.
May 25, 2023
Virupaksha Review – Horror Dwarfed By Heroics
It’s the year 1979 when a frenzied village mob rampages through the house of an occult practitioner, burning him and a woman to their deaths. The opening scene of the 2023 movie “Virupaksha” immediately intrigues viewers with its intense and disturbing start. As the title intro appears on the screen, the story swiftly shifts to 1991…
Directed by Karthik Varma Dandu, “Virupaksha” stars Sai Dharam Tej as protagonist Surya, whose visit to his mother’s ancestral village leads to both romance and horror. Surya finds himself enamored by the beautiful Nandini (Samyuktha Menon), but their love is threatened by a sinister curse connected to the occultist that brings death upon the villagers. When Nandini becomes the next target of the malevolent force, the hero must stop curse from engulfing the entire village and save his beloved.
“Virupaksha” initially establishes high expectations for horror enthusiasts with its gripping opening scene, but then takes a detour, resembling a typical romantic-action film for the next half hour. Despite having an interesting occult-themed story, the creators disrupt the film’s pacing with a pointless song and unnecessary fight/confrontation sequences where Surya assumes the role of the “hero.” For example, there’s one scene where he appears out of nowhere and kicks a villager who tries to lay a hand on Nandini. Another unrelated and comical scene that lacks coherence comes to mind —a character is casually chatting with a woman before being unexpectedly run over by a train. A more supernatural and eerie element would have been more believable than an inexplicably silent express train materializing out of thin air.
The cinematography captures the essence of a rural village life quite well, and it’s commendable that the filmmakers refrain from the new trend of relying on excessively dark scenes that make it hard to understand what’s happening on the screen. Nobody delivers a stand-out performance, although, Samyuktha Menon could’ve used more screen-time than Sai Dharam Tej. The climax comes with a good twist, although the special effects employed weren’t up to the mark.
Those who enjoy mass entertainer elements in their films will find “Virupaksha” pleasing, but those seeking a tightly woven plot dedicated to the horror-thriller genre may feel somewhat let down.
It’s a 6 on 10 from me. You can stream the film on Netflix.
Turtle Bread Review – Generic
I didn’t hesitate to download the graphic novel “Turtle Bread” since it was available for free in my Kindle Unlimited subscription. The bright, glossy, and cute cover caught my attention, and the length seemed manageable. However, I was slightly surprised by the black-and-white retro style manga artwork inside, which wasn’t particularly captivating.
“Turtle Bread” is the debut graphic novel by British baking star Kim-Joy (whom I had no knowledge of until the end of the book), with illustrations by Alti Firmansyah. The story revolves around 23-year-old Yan, who is navigating the job market while dealing with anxiety. Her life takes a positive turn when she joins a baking club and encounters a group of sweet and confident individuals, each of whom has their own set of challenges.
Unfortunately, Kim-Joy gives us no context as to why Yan is such a kill-joy. Yan constantly worries about what others think of her and struggles to appreciate the support she receives. The secondary characters in the book are very generic and there’s a very cliched climactic twist which just wasn’t necessary for a baking-focused book like this.
While there are a few cute moments in “Turtle Bread”, the storytelling feels disjointed, abrupt, and lacks a smooth flow. Moreover, the artwork didn’t resonate with me, leaving me less than enthralled. I wouldn’t recommend it, but you can get a copy if you have a kindle unlimited subscription if it sounds like your cup of tea.
May 24, 2023
American Born Chinese Series Review – Action, RepresentAsian
By Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Anyone with a soft spot for classic Chinese action, featuring characters gracefully soaring through trees while engaging in epic battles, will be instantly captivated by the opening moments of the 2023 Disney original series “American Born Chinese”. While the series opens in the realms of Gods, it quickly transitions to the rather mundane world of humans, where a teen boy is shopping for clothes with his mother. This shift perfectly encapsulates the essence of the series, as it constantly alternates between the fantastical and the ordinary. To be more specific, between heaven and high-school (a good enough synonym for hell).
It’s going to be really hard for fans of the graphic novel “American Born Chinese” to avoid comparing the live-action adaptation with Gene Luen Yang’s original source material. The series consists of eight episodes and is led by Ben Wang, who portrays Jin Wang, one of the primary protagonists. Jin is an ordinary high school student whose life takes a chaotic turn when Wei-Chan (played by Jimmy Liu), a new Chinese student, starts shadowing him at school and claims to be on a quest to quell an uprising against the Jade Emperor in heaven. Wei-Chan finds himself sought after by both his father, the Monkey King (Daniel Wu), and the malevolent Bull Demon (Leonard Wu), due to his possession of a powerful stolen staff.
While the cinematography in the series is vibrant, it falls slightly short of the breathtaking visuals one would expect from a fantasy-fiction story of this nature. The special effects also leave something to be desired, as do the costumes and makeup. In particular, the most anticipated scenes in the series, such as the party thrown in heaven for deities, lacked the spectacle and excitement they could have had. It looked like a comic-con after party for cosplayers, in-fact, comic-con usually has better dressed participants.
The cast of “American Born Chinese” is one of its biggest highlights, it reunites the actors who played beloved Wang family from the epic movie “Everything Everywhere All At Once”, all of them playing different unrelated characters, obviously. Michelle Yeoh portrays Goddess Guanyin, who serves as the guiding force for the young Wei-Chan in his quest. Stephanie Hsu makes a delightful cameo as Shiji, a banished deity from heaven who sells jewelry on earth. Ke Huy Quan takes on a rather intriguing role as a character featured in a racist 90s sitcom, with his significance becoming clear only towards the conclusion of the series. The parents of Jin Wang are given a significant subplot, showcasing their daily lives, conversations, and the challenges they face. Yann Yann Yeon and Chin Han plays the Wangs, and their portrayal offers an intriguing representation of the Asian-American experience.
Ironically, primary protagonist Jin Wang turned out to be the most unlikable character, the series creators make him a lot more selfish and self-centered than he was in the graphic novel. Jimmy Liu’s Wei-Chan is much more grounded, despite being a confident rebel son of a deity. There’s no faulting both the actors as they just do what the script demands of them, but more screen-time for Jimmy Liu would’ve been appreciated as the actor perfectly executed his action scenes. While some of the action sequences were absolutely thrilling, the climactic face-off was surprisingly lack-luster! But there was a decent amount of humor infused towards the end to make it fun.
All that being said, the series successfully maintains several key themes from the book, emphasizing the importance of family, friendship, conflicts, and self-discovery. “American Born Asian” manages to be a pretty entertaining series and ends with a little twist that leaves ample scope for a season two.
It’s a 7 on 10 from me. Stream the series on Disney Hotstar.
May 23, 2023
Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village Arc – Ep 7 Review
Hero Tanjiro relentlessly pursues the elusive Hantengu, determined to sever his head. However, an unexpected and sinister new entity suddenly emerges out of nowhere, stunning the demon slayers. The seventh episode of the “Swordsmith Village Arc” aptly named “Awful Villain” continues to follow Tanjiro and team’s endeavors to vanquish the two formidable demons that have infiltrated the tranquil village where weapons for the Demon Slayer Corps are crafted.
Also Read: Demon Slayer Entertainment District Arc Review
Although the initial moments of “Awful Villain” are filled with tension, the pace quickly diminishes as the focus shifts from Tanjiro’s intense confrontation with the new demon to Muichiro’s futile attempts to free himself from the repulsive water bubble that entraps him. The scenes involving Muichiro are slow-paced and may test the patience of viewers. They lack the blood, gore, and action that made the previous episodes pass by in a flash. The only exhilarating moment in this episode was the unexpected unveiling of Haganezuka’s face, the short-tempered yet dedicated swordsmith responsible for crafting Tanjiro’s blades.
It’s peculiar that the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, hasn’t made an appearance in the last two episodes. Considering her lightning-fast speed, she should have been in the thick of things by now. We already know she is present in the village, as she effortlessly annihilated Gyokko’s demonic “creations” within seconds. So why hasn’t she come to the aid of either Muichiro or Tanjiro? Including a few scenes with her would have injected some excitement into the story-line. Overall, episode seven was a disappointing “filler” edition and I hope we get more action in the next one.
You can stream the series on Netflix.
Tunnels Review – Family Feuds, Ancient Enigmas
Ever since I read the graphic novel “Exit Wounds” by Rutu Modan, I’ve been wanting to explore more titles by the author and illustrator. “Tunnels” seemed like a great pick and woah.. what a fun gripping graphic novel it turned out to be!
The plot follows amateur archaeologist and single-mom Nili Broshi, who embarks on a quest to acquire an ancient tablet that holds clues to the whereabouts of the legendary “Ark of the Covenant.” In case you’re unfamiliar, Rutu Modan provides a brief historical explanation of the Ark—an artifact from Biblical times believed to have been built by Moses. It takes the form of a wooden chest covered in gold. However, Nili is not the only one searching for the Ark, and she must race against time to unearth Israel’s most sacred relic. And to add to her adventures, she takes her pre-teen son Doctor everywhere, even if it means missing school.
Rutu Modan’s artwork in “Tunnels” is vibrant, colorful, and imbued with a slightly retro feel. The pages often bring to mind the revamped Tintin comics by Hergé. Nevertheless, Modan doesn’t adhere to a consistent color scheme throughout the pages. Certain sections deviate from the rest with a distinct palette. For instance, the initial pages are predominantly black, white, and grey, save for the blue light emanating from Nili’s laptop and phone. This monochromatic scene, set at night, reflects both the time of the setting and the lack of excitement in Nili’s current life. However, as soon as the promise of adventure arises in the story, the pages become brighter and more colorful. I loved this contrast in pages and storytelling through the artwork and its shades. Rutu’s use of bright tones cast Israel in a completely new light for international readers.
While the story unfolds in a realistic manner, “Tunnels” has a distinct cartoonish look, which may or may not resonate with all readers. Rutu Modan employs a comical cast of characters to propel the narrative forward. Nili’s excavation is financed by an eccentric millionaire with a penchant for collecting historical artifacts. Meanwhile, her own brother, Broshi, poses a potential threat as he works for a megalomaniacal archaeologist who had betrayed their father. Additionally, there is an assortment of quirky secondary characters who assist Nili at the dig site, led by the elderly Gedanken, who has a penchant for speaking in circles and frequently quotes religious verses.
From family feuds to professional rivalries and even military politics, “Tunnels” encompasses a wide range of themes that will particularly captivate historical enthusiasts. Rutu Modan delves into subjects that will be intriguing to readers who haven’t extensively explored these topics before. I loved this graphic novel!
It’s a 5 on 5 from me.
Happy Merry Ending – Should’ve Been A Music Video
Some makers think putting together two good looking protagonists together is all it takes to make a series hit. Unfortunately, the formula does work for a lot of shows – if the actors are shiny enough, nobody cares if there’s no script. The 2023 Korean romance “Happy Merry Ending” kind of relies on the same formula.
Directed by Min Chae Yeon, the eight-episode-long show stars Lee Dong Won as the shy and reclusive wedding singer, Lee Seung Jun, who is pursued by pianist Song Jae Hyun (Byun Sung Tae). Since both actors are singers in real life, the songs and singing in the show were praiseworthy. However, aside from the music, “Happy Merry Ending” was painfully generic and forgettable. Even the cinematography, though visually pleasing, was a little too perfect and superficial to leave a lasting impression.
Lee Seung Jun suffers from anxiety and panic attacks, which lead him to avoid social interaction and romantic relationships as much as possible. His fragile mental state is a result of the terrible treatment he received from his previous partner. Song Jae Hyun is straightforward about his feelings for Lee Seung Jun, but their interactions feel fleeting, and the chemistry between them feels forced. Out of nowhere, Lee Seung Jun’s ex-partner reappears, leading to a senseless drama. Given the seriousness of Lee Seung Jun’s mental health struggles, the writers resolve his problems with a seemingly magical solution.
Let’s discuss the secondary characters. Shin Myung Sung portrays Lee’s best friend and housemate, Lim Ho Yeon. It’s evident that Lim is in love with Lee, but he never expresses his feelings. Given his unwavering support during Lee’s struggles, many viewers would find themselves rooting for the friend rather than the pianist. Kim Kyu Jong portrays the character of the evil ex, Kim Joo Won, who holds a prominent position in the music industry and serves as a complete villain without any clear motivation. He appears as a random antagonist, seemingly added to the series solely for the purpose of having a “bad person” in the storyline.
The creator should’ve probably made a music video (MV) out of the barely-there plot. If you enjoy mindless series filled with good-looking actors, then “Happy Merry Ending” might be worth watching.
It’s a 4 on 10 from me.
May 22, 2023
Kathal Review – Fruity Whodunit with a Twist
By Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Small-town cop Mahima Basor is fresh from the triumph of catching a most-wanted criminal, but her senior is quick to take credit for it in front of the media. Mahima doesn’t mind the snub but is stumped when she is forced to lead an absurd investigation into the case of two missing “kathal” (jackfruit). They were stolen from the garden of a powerful politician who wants them back at any cost.
Directed by Yashowardhan Mishra, who co-wrote the script with Ashok Mishra, the 2023 Netflix film “Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery” stars Sanya Malhotra as protagonist Mahima Basor. She faces the challenge of navigating through a lackadaisical political and police system to focus on real issues instead of chasing a jackfruit thief. She is joined in the comical case by her junior cop boyfriend Saurabh Dwivedi (Anant Joshi), constable Kunti Parihar (Neha Saraf), and the lazy, corrupt constable Badri Prasad Mishra.
The film begins with a fun chase sequence where Mahima successfully honey-traps and captures a criminal. Vijay Raaz perfectly portrays the corrupt caricature of MLA Munnalal Pateria, who puts the entire police force in his region on a mission to find his precious kathal. Sanya Malhotra shines in her subtle and likable portrayal of honest cop Mahima, who is quick on her feet and refuses to bend for the powerful. Rajpal Yadav plays local journalist Anuj Sanghvi whose constant curiosity to get ‘scoops’ leads to their own set of problems and twists.
As Mahima and her team start investigating the scene of the crime, the kathal tree, with complete earnestness, treating it no less than a murder case, the plot promises to deliver a hilarious comedy romp. However, the daunting runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes seems too ambitious as the jokes aren’t riotous, so the relaxed slow pace threatens to become tiresome. However, the story takes an unexpected turn as the minutes tick by, and “Kathal” evolves into a social satire that attempts to explore caste barriers, class divides, and patriarchal systems that perpetuate the mistreatment of women as second-class citizens. But the writers continue to keep the movie’s mood relaxed and surprisingly don’t venture into dramatic speeches or an overtly emotional climax.
A talented cast keeps you invested in the story, and they are buoyed by the simple yet vibrant cinematography that beautifully complements the predominantly light-hearted tone of the tale.
It’s a 7 on 10 from me. Stream on Netflix.
May 21, 2023
When Everything Turned Blue – Book Review
By Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
“I popped my head out of the water. And suddenly I wanted to cry”
The graphic novel “When Everything Turned Blue” by Alessandro Baronciani follows the protagonist Chiara, a young woman who battles with crippling anxiety and panic attacks. Having lost a dear friend to a terminal illness, Chiara finds herself facing the illness of a colleague at work, who has chosen to accept their biological shortcomings in a way that only exacerbates Chiara’s own feelings of inadequacy. I couldn’t have picked a weirder time to read this book, because… let’s just say there has been plenty of hospital hopping, stress, anxiety and tears at home these past few weeks.
If the author didn’t have a distinctly male name, I might have assumed this graphic novel was autobiographical. It consists of a series of blue-drenched pages, with minimal dialogue but instead features simple and concise monologues reflecting the protagonist’s personal experiences. It feels like a personal journal, a means of coping with depression. The story possesses a certain intimacy, as if it were written solely for friends and family or even just for the creator’s own eyes, as a way of expressing emotions and alleviating their mental burdens. This kind of storytelling has its pros and cons. On one hand, it adds a personal depth to the fictional experiences, but on the other hand, it can alienate the reader from the main character. The reader knows very little about them, and all they get to read about are their problems and challenges.
The artwork is simple, stark and a lot of pages don’t even have any text bubbles, but manage to convey what the creator is trying to say. For example, there’s a page where Chiara is sitting alone, her face crestfallen and as a reader you know she is going through a hard time, she doesn’t have to say anything. The artwork does it for her. The book ends on a simplified philosophical notes, which might seem satisfactory to some and a little too abrupt for others.
It’s a 3.5 on 5 from me.
Citadel Season 1, Episode 5 Review
Character X: And why would I do that?
Villain: Because I have your wife and kids
Character Y: Why would I do that?
Villain: Because I have your ex-wife and child
Character Z: Why would I do that?
Villain: Your girlfriend is not dead, and I know where she is
The “family bargaining chip” trope is becoming tiresome in the spy-thriller series Citadel. Titled “Time Renders Us Enemies”, episode five is just as mediocre as the previous edition. I am actually beginning to miss the pretty locations, like the gorgeous snowy mountains from episode three and the fancy Italian train from episode one.
Protagonists Mason Kane (Richard Madden) and Nadia Sinh (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) finally reveal the secrets they had been hiding from each other. With all the buildup around Nadia’s character possibly being a “double agent” in the show, many of us were expecting a diabolical twist. Unfortunately, the surprise turns out to be overly emotional and melodramatic for the genre. Tsk Tsk.
Leslie Manville’s antagonist act as Manticore agent Dahlia Archer was impressive in earlier episodes, but even her shenanigans are getting boring now. Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Stanley Tucci as Bernard Orlick are the only ones who have a firm grip on their roles as top Citadel agents. Richard Madden unfortunately looks like he is missing facial muscles when he has to do emotional scenes and is overshadowed by Priyanka during intense sequences.
The story is beginning to lose the plot, but there are still a lot of questions left unanswered, so viewers will have reasons to watch the rest of the show. Hopefully things will bounce back to being exciting.
Stream the series on Amazon Prime Video.
