Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 175
April 11, 2023
Jack O’Frost Review – Cozy Romantic Drama
The basic premise of the 2023 Japanese series “Jack O’Frost” is somewhat far-fetched: it’s about an artist who partially loses his memory after an accident, but the only thing he cannot remember is his boyfriend. However, if you’re willing to overlook that, the six-episode series directed by Yasukawa Yuka and Takahashi Natsuki is a heartwarming romantic drama that explores what it’s like to start over with a loved one.
Kyoya Honda plays the protagonist Okusawa Ritsu, an artist who is in a live-in relationship with Ikegami Fumiya (played by Suzuki Kosuke), a salesman. The show starts with the couple celebrating Ritsu’s birthday; they are deeply in love with each other, but the night ends in an ugly fight that leads them to break up. Ritsu storms out of the house, meets with an accident, and loses his memory. Fumiya sees it as an opportunity to start anew with his lover, but how long can he keep up the charade of being a platonic flatmate?
I saw Suzuki Kosuke last in the forgettable high-school romance “Takara-Kun to Amagi-Kun”, where he played the rather memorable role of Katori, the protagonist’s best-friend. But unlike the wise, calm and mature Katori, Suzuki’s Fumiya is a lot more emotional. Both lead actors have a cozy endearing chemistry and the warm toned cinematography makes the series easy on the eyes.
Funnily, I wasn’t keen on watching “Jack O’Frost”, because the title and synopsis made it sound like a rather flimsy drama. But the creators slowly unravel an intimate story about two lovers trying to find their way back to each other. Except for the far-fetched memory loss bit, most of the plot is driven by realism and the leads make it worth your time.
It’s a 7 on 10.
April 10, 2023
Astonishing Times Issue #3 & #4 Review
Issue #3 of “Astonishing Times” by Frank J. Barbiere, Arris Quinones and Ruaire Coleman finally introduces a Superman like character, the superhero of superheroes. Aptly named Infinity to highlight his invincibility, readers meet the new character when protagonist Noah Sans crash lands into a different planet with Kokin.
While the artwork is colorful and fantastic, the plot doesn’t get exciting, instead it feels familiar and underwhelming. And the cover of issue #4 features a new cool looking superhero, however, she barely makes any sort of impression on the readers.
Since “Astonishing Times” is supposed to be a five issue series, I was hoping for a lot more plot twists in these two issues. There’s the same old “bad guy wants to rule humanity” trope, with a dash of betrayal and misunderstandings. It’s the splashy illustrations that are keeping me invested in this comic book series.
It’s a 3 on 5 from me.
April 9, 2023
Oh Belinda – Quick Review
Famous actor Dilara finds herself in one long nightmare when she is transported to an alternate world where she is Belinda, a character she had reluctantly agreed to portray for a shampoo ad. Torn away from her glamorous life, can Dilara find a way back to her own timeline or will she just have to resign into being an unknown common married woman with a bank job, two kids and a rather creepy husband?
Directed by Deniz Yorulmazer, the 2023 Netflix movie “Oh Belinda” stars Neslihan Atagul as the arrogant Dilara, who is forced into the shoes of an ordinary woman. While the basic premise of a rich famous person waking up as a married commoner is interesting, the writers waste the script’s potential and deliver a rather pointless bland drama.
Necip Memili plays Belida’s husband Necati, a character who is supposed to provide comedic relief. Trying to force your wife into sex isn’t funny. Necati’s behaviour is creepy and he stops short of committing marital rape. The other characters were pretty forgettable.
The resplendent Neslihan Atagul is the only thing worth watching in “Oh Belinda”, too bad she isn’t backed up by an interesting story.
It’s a 5 on 10 from me.
Astonishing Times Issue #2 Review
Okay, it feels like nothing happens in issue #2 of “Astonishing Times” by Frank J. Barbiere, Arris Quinones and Ruaire Coleman. The first edition ended with a little twist and protagonist Noah Sans is now leading a covert investigation into a mystery murder that seems to a part of a devious conspiracy.
Read: Astonishing Times Issue #1 Review
The issue begins with a colorful retro flashback to Kokin’s past, the former superhero who Noah teams up with; however the rest just follows Noah’s efforts to retrieve some confidential documents that belonged to his late journalist father. Since the cover has Kokin on it, I expected a little more back-story, but all we know is that he was once a famous superhero who now lives anonymously.
All the events were a little rushed and too conveniently timed, it felt more like a forgettable filler. However, the creators close the chapter with a big twist, so it definitely leaves you wanting to find out more.
It’s a 3 on 5 from me.
April 8, 2023
Beef Review – Deliciously Deranged!
By Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
You know that perfectly hurtful punchline that pops up in your head while you’re having an argument with a friend, family member, or loved one? That one thing you don’t say out loud and keep to yourself, because once those words are out, there’s no knowing how irreparably they could damage your relationship? We all have those moments. So who better to take your unhinged hatred out on than perfect strangers? That’s why you’ll always see even the sweetest and most soft-spoken people swear like gangsters for the first time while they’re driving, cursing their head off at random people for badly maneuvering on the road. And the makers of the 2023 Netflix series, “Beef,” perfectly channel road rage anger in a 10-episode dramedy.
Directed by Lee Sung Jin, the series stars Ali Wong as the successful small business owner Amy Lau, who gets into a road-rage row with a contractor called Danny Cho (Steven Yeun). The incident marks the beginning off a twisted rivalry between the two Asian-Americans who come from very different worlds but have eerily similar personalities.
The first four episodes of “Beef” are braised to perfection, it’s so comically entertaining, you begin to wonder how they are going to sustain the same pitch and pace for 10 wholes episodes. While I love Ali Wong’s stand-up comedy stuff, her acting debut in the Netflix romantic-comedy “Always Be My Maybe” was a bit off a dud. So, I had doubts about “Beef.” However, the show seems to be exclusively written for Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, who devour the screen with their riveting portrayals of chaotic characters. Fans who know Steven Yeun from “The Walking Dead” or the more critically acclaimed “Minari” would be thrilled to see the actor take on a role which is a far cry from the “nice guy” roles he is used to playing. Danny is a selfish little passive-aggressive prick and Amy Lau is an excessively repressed bitch with parental baggage that’s common to almost every Asian/Indian kid. They both suffer from childhood insecurities, personal frustrations and an existential crisis they just cannot seem to piece together. Since the lead duo is unpredictably unstable individuals, it helps make all the sudden surprising twists and turns in the script seem believable, even when some of their actions are absolutely insane.
Rather than the usual “rich versus poor” class clash between Amy and Danny, Lee Sung Jin adds more layers to differentiate and accentuate their lives. First, you have the struggling working-class Danny attempting to buy a house for his Korean parents. Then, you have the upper-middle-class Amy Lau hoping to sell off her business to become a multi-millionaire. Finally, there’s the billionaire Jordan (Maria Bello), whom smaller fish like Amy must pander to. So a lot of the episodes have some brilliantly satirical scenes that mock the lives of the super rich and the ‘arsty’ intellectuals. Joseph Lee is hilariously likable as Amy’s handsome home-maker husband George Nakai, who spews motivational non-sense and makes bizarre pottery in his free-time. The most interesting relationship in the show however was of Danny’s relationship with his younger brother Paul Cho (played by Young Mazino). Paul is taller, hunkier and a lot more relaxed, he sits at home playing games all day long and unwittingly gets drawn into the vengeance drama between Danny and Amy.
The mix of interesting supporting characters adds to the overall intrigue, making the series engaging until the very end. In-fact, “Beef” shifts gears completely in the last two episodes. Episode 9 reminded me of the climax of Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood,” not because of any similarities in the story, but due to the sudden shift in tone, tenor, and the burst of violent excitement. Episode 10 gets very philosophical, slow and comes off as a little tame in comparison to the rest of the series’ runtime but ends on a melancholic note. Lee Sung Jin and team have really hit the ball out of the park with this delectable dark series. Stream it on Netflix.
It’s a 9 on 10 from me.
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April 7, 2023
Astonishing Times Issue #1 Review
I am a little confused about whether to give issue #1 of “Astonishing Times” 4 or 3 stars. The story is just a little over 30 pages long, and it is difficult to discern where it is heading. However, the 5-issue series has fantastic splashy artwork reminiscent of X-Men and Marvel/DC comics that keeps the reader engaged.
The setting is somewhat similar to “The Boys,” set in a world where superheroes are a common phenomenon. But no one cares about them anymore. Protagonist Noah Sans is a young journalist following in his late father’s footsteps, writing about superheroes in a column titled “Astonishing Times.” With declining reader interest in his column, Noah must find something explosive to win over his editor, and a timely suspicious murder might just be his ticket to fame.
Written by Frank J. Barbiere and Arris Quinones, both the plot and artwork (by Ruaire Coleman) will remind comic book readers of dozens of other famous works. And like the creators claim in the blurb, “Astonishing Times” does seem like a love letter to superhero comics. Just the first issue made me think of X-Men, Batman, Superman, Watchmen, Boys and what not! Noah Sans is an energetic, enthusiastic fanboy, and while his reporting skills are yet to be displayed, he is certainly no Lois Lane or even Peter Parker. His character design makes him look like a 70s romantic hero with boyish charm.
Issue one sets ample ground for an intriguing tale, and it looks like Noah Sans will be working with a mystery man to investigate the murder of a superhero.
It’s a 4 on 5 from me.
Chupa Review – Cutesy Kids Film
The Chupacabra is a mythical vampiric creature believed to feed on the blood of livestock. Last time I saw it on television was when Netflix released “The Imperfects”, where actor Iñaki Godoy played protagonist Juan, who turns into a flesh-eating Chupacabra whenever he is aggravated. While Juan transforms into a werewolf like scary monster, the 2023 Netflix movie “Chupa” gives a viewers a cutesy version of the famed beast.
Directed by Jonás Cuarón, the film follows schoolboy Alex (Evan Whitten), who is visiting Mexico from America to spend time with his grandfather and cousins. The vacation turns into an adventure of a lifetime when the kids find a baby Chupacabra lurking on their property, and they decide to keep it safe from greedy researchers. The film wastes no time giving away the first glimpse of its titular hero, an adorable kitten-like creature with wings, who is first sighted by a group working for a firm looking to monetize the Chupacabra’s magical healing powers
“Chupa” follows a lot of textbook clichés and has “be proud of your roots” as one of its core themes. Evan Whitten’s Alex is bullied back in America for being Mexican; for example, he is mocked for the food his mom packs him. He gets to learn a lot about his family in Mexico, like the fact that his grandfather (Tony Rivetti Jr.) was a famous Lucha libre (Latin American term for professional wrestlers) until an injury ended his career. The movie is most entertaining when the kids are just having fun or interacting with the Chupacabra, whom they name Chupa, by the way. Nicholas Verdugo was adorable as Alex’s younger energetic cousin, who aspires to be a Lucha libre and keeps running around fighting.
The special effects for the Chupacabra seemed a little unpolished, making it look quite unreal. So at least I wasn’t able to warm up to it a lot. Perhaps pre-teen viewers would love the fantastical animal who wins over the kids in the story too. I’m not sure if an older audience will be able to keep up their interest in the generic plot, which has a pretty predictable climax.
It’s a 6 on 10 from me.
April 6, 2023
Scott Pilgrim Volume 2 Review
Scott Pilgrim’s world is one filled with chaos, and Bryan Lee O’Malley certainly knows how to bring on the laughs in volume two of this comic book series. If there’s one reason I am glad about reading the comic book series too late, it is the fact that I get to read the fun as hell color edition, since the original series was published in black-and-while panels.
Volume two takes us back to Scott’s high school days, where he got into fights and started a band to up his cool factor. The scenes are rushed and hilarious, making you feel like you’re in a dream. But let’s be real, Scott’s reality is way crazier than any dream. Plus, there’s the small matter of the evil ex-boyfriends he must fight if he wants to date Ramona Flowers.
A lot of new characters and settings also make their way in this edition, including a few of Scott’s own exes! Thankfully, he finally mans up and breaks things off with the underage Knives Chau, saving readers from second-hand embarrassment over the 23-year-old protagonist dating a 17-year-old teen. But in a weird ironic twist, Chau isn’t happy with the development at all and wants revenge. With so much going on, it’s hard for anyone to stand out in this edition. All the flashbacks, fights, break-ups, and silly conversations make for a fun read.
It’s a 4 on 5 from me.
War Sailor Review – A Tale of Hope & Despair at Sea
By Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
The 2022 movie “War Sailor” (original title: Krigsseileren) is now available on Netflix as a three-part mini-series. It follows the trials of two Norwegian friends who set out to sail to make money but are trapped in the ocean life for several years due to World War II.
Directed and written by Gunnar Vikene, the show is a riveting look at the lives of lower-income men who chose sailing to support their families but are instead swept up in the grand, brutal world politics of war and death. Kristoffer Jonar plays the protagonist Alfred, a married man with three little children, who does odd jobs to make ends meet. His best friend Sigbjørn (Pål Sverre Hagen) convinces Kristoffer to work with ships for steady money, and the two of them find themselves on a life-changing, traumatic journey.
“War Sailor” is rife with scenes that tragically juxtapose the gloom and doom of war against the efforts of civilians to establish some sort of normalcy while bombs, blood, and death bells surround them. There’s a scene where a group of sailors are huddled in a bunker, taking shelter from bombings when they realize the youngest in their crew has turned 16. Despite their desperate circumstances, they start to sing “Happy Birthday” to him in English, slowly uplifting the desolate mood. But before they can finish their song, a loud explosion jolts them. That scene, of a blast ripping through a sweet moment, made my heart jump to my throat!
The first two episodes are gripping. Kristoffer Jonar and Pål Sverre Hagen win your heart as friends who stay by each other’s side through thick and thin. Child actor Henrikke Lund Olsen stands out in her small cameo as Alfred’s eldest daughter Magdeli, especially in a scene where she wails and raises hell against her father’s decision to go sailing because she thinks the family will never see him again.
The finale was slightly disjointed from the first half, and the pace also slows down, with the themes drastically shifting. From starting off as a war film shedding light on the power of human bonds, it suddenly becomes a little domestic and finally ends with a climax that tries to express the irreparable psychological toll of war. In one scene, Alfred screams, “I am alive! I am alive,” not out of joy but out of complete wretchedness because, despite surviving bullets, bombs, torpedoes, and nearly drowning, it feels like he is dead.
It’s a 8 on 10 from me.
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April 5, 2023
“Migration” First Look – Pretty Fly!
Illumination Studios gave the world Gru, minions and fans can never get enough the goofy yellow beings. So everytime they drop a new trailer or announcement, they make sure to remind viewers they were behind “Despicable Me”, because it’s enough to get a lot of people curious about what they have to offer next. And now the studio has unveiled their next creation titled “Migration”, which is about a cute bunch of feathered creatures migrating during the winter, but meeting with a couple of hiccups on the way.
Scheduled for a Christmas release, “Migration” is set in the beautiful outdoors and looks a world apart from the other Illumination titles. We couldn’t help but notice how the bass music in the background sounds similar to the timeless classic “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone. You know the one that goes, “Birds flyin’ high, you know how I feel. Sun in the sky, you know how I feel. Breeze driftin’ on by, you know how I feel.”
The first look gives very little away, but it does promise do be a fun family-friendly entertainer.
