11.22.63 (Stephen King) + other short reviews
One word: Awesome.
After seeing the trailer, I was hyped up to watch this Hulu series. The plot revisits the events surrounding JFK's assassination and James Franco plays the time traveler who goes back in time to stop it while disproving and verifying theories about the assassin. The setting and atmosphere were just right and it felt like I, the viewer, was back in time to watch everything unfold slowly. (I love and fangirl over the old days with their fashion and music; excluding the political bull, racism, and segregation that piss me off.) The first few minutes pulled at my heart strings because of "a story", which I immediately knew would become a subplot. Episode 1 ended at a cliffhanger and I'm hoping the series doesn't take a turn for the melodramatic and whimsy. I would be disappointed if the subplot drowns the brilliant main plot.
Can't wait for the 2nd episode next Monday!
I should mention that I already gave on Elementary because although I somewhat like its approach on the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novels (Lucy Lui plays "Joan Watson," an American surgeon, who is in fact not a man nor a soldier) and its thought-provoking cases, I find that I do not like Sherlock Holmes. Perhaps I am biased towards BBC's Sherlock, but Holmes is supposed to be a fascinating douche and addict I care about, and Elementary's portrayal isn't cutting it for me.
Quantico is laughable and its plot twists are silly. I feel like I'm watching a high school trying its hardest to be an FBI Academy.
I was captivated by How to Get Away with Murder at first, but I hit that exit button at Episode 12 in Season 1. No thanks. I am no longer curious or interested in the outcome.
I also gave up on Oh My Venus (Korean drama) when I only had 5 more episodes to go out of 16. I could not stop cringing at the characters' interactions and its sappy storyline.
I would, however, use this opportunity to recommend She Was Pretty since these two dramas fall under the same category: pretty-ducklings-into-ugly swans. It's not perfect nor did it blow me away, but it's one of the best cliches I've seen. Entertaining, fun, and sweet without going over-the-top. Although some cute scenes made me roll my eyes, this drama was well-done and its cast kept me engaged until the end. Honestly, I started this drama with doubts since the main couple also co-starred as siblings in Kill Me, Heal Me. Alas, their acting proved me wrong! And let's not forget Siwon's engrossing and hilarious character Kim Shin Hyuk, who came close to stealing the show.
I love the characters! Even Kim Hye Jin's best friend Min Ha Ri! Because despite the lies, the impersonation, and the secret outings, there was loyalty and honesty in her character. (And we have the actress to thank for it because she held nothing back and I felt like she gave it her all.) I don't know how to explain it. She was the odd woman out, but that didn't automatically make her a petty antagonist in my eyes, aka a device to make viewers see the main protagonist in better light because we all know how ready the world is to jump on the train and make an enemy out of the female rivals, yet we drool over the male rivals and call it "second lead syndrome." That's how I feel about most rivals in Asian dramas: these supposed-main characters come off as unimpressive supporting characters who lack depth and they blur together. Ha Ri's role stood out and she completed the package of friendship. She was selfish, she was selfless, she was likable, she was unlikable, she was an imperfect human. I didn't root for her, but hell, that doesn't mean I didn't care for her. Being the person I am, I wouldn't be able to trust her after what she did and I would hate her in real life, but I respect Hye Jin's decision not to throw away their friendship and I can sympathize. Min Ha Ri is, by far, one of the most memorable and empowering female characters I've had the pleasure of meeting when it comes to Kdrama. (Of course, Kim Hye Jin is included in this ist too.) I want more female characters who isn't just there to be an obstacle or pretty up the drama.
BONUS POINTS: The fact that they featured "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and one of my favorite movies of all times, Ten Things I Hate About You.
I'll end these mini-reviews by saying it's difficult for me to remain faithful to a TV series. I don't like to waste my time with mediocre substance.
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