Magically Dramatical Mistakes

Friday, June 29, 2012

Space Battleship Yamato

Space Battleship Yamato/ Uchu senkan Yamato ** (Japanese)
Movie 138mins

Takuya Kimura as Susumu Kodai

Not a bad story really. The movie had several *super-villian-timestop-for-explanation* moments, most of which I managed to gloss over in favor of watching the movie action. So, really, there was only one scene which stopped me near in my tracks and left me grumbling and glancing at my watch, wondering just when they were going to restart the desperate moment they were in just before having a long tearful goodbye. Tragedy by the bunches to be found here. Fav scene(s): woo! acting captain gets a little action in warp before the action of arrival.

Earth has a problem, invading aliens have radiated the entire surface of the planet, leaving the people no-where else to go but underground while the military is quickly losing ground in the near space. After Kodai comes across an alian com device, they quickly put the finishing touches to the yamoto and take on crew in a last ditch effort to find a long-shot miracle for the planet before time runs out for the remaining human population. Kodai quickly reinlists and takes on the gamble to see them all the way to the alien planet and back again.

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Frivolous Wife

Frivolous Wife/ The Taming of the Shrew/ Frivolous Wife/ 날나리 종부전/ Nallari Jongbujeon ** (S.Korean)
Movie 110 min

Park Jin-Woo as Jeong-doo Lee

Amusing story of the only daughter of a mob boss, seducing the eldest grandson of a traditional family. She gets pregs and has to run for her hubby-to-be's family. At first her father is determined to retrieve her and have her marry someone else 'more worthy'.. because, as it turns out, he put everything he had under her name. But then he gets to know the family a bit better. She also has it rather rough at first, learning how to be the eldest granddaughter, then proves to be an asset in asking her father to help them concerning land issues. When things get too rough for her dad and another gang, he also seeks refuge with this large traditional family and they act to protect him and themselves against the coming assault.

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Friday, June 22, 2012

A Ghost of a Chance

A Ghost of a Chance/ Once in a Blue Moon/ ステキな金縛り/ Suteki na Kanashibari (Japanese)
Movie 142 mins

Eri Fukatsu as Emi Hosho

Comedy and no romance. Somehow this film manages not to get totally bogged down in sad depression, perhaps due to its time restrictions. There is tragedy involved, but nearly completely glossed over when emi uses her boss's death as a means to deliver a note to the 'ever after' for her. I just didn't get how that would work. fav character(s): Emi's Boss, the tap-dancing candy feind, and the many times great grandson.

A somewhat failing lawyer is on her last chance to live up to her famous father's name. The case is unusual though. A wife died and the husband, claiming innocence, insists he had a alibi. He claims he was in the mountains, at an old hotel there. But the only one who can prove the alibi is the ghost who sat on top of him that whole night long. But the lawyer is determined, so she goes to the inn and stays the night in the room of the ringing ear to meet the wandering ghost. Emi then asks him to go to court in defense of the innocent husband.

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Monday, June 18, 2012

Queen In Hyun's Man

Queen In Hyun's Man/ 인현왕후의 남자/ Inhyeon Wanghu-ui Namja/ Queen and I ***\ (Korean)
16 episodes

Yoo In Na as Choi Hee Jin

I really loved this drama. Surprisingly better then some. It started a tiny bit slow, but gained interest like it did the passage of years for the fleet-footed scholar and the ending was the best! Tragedy is involved. Fav scene(s): A lofty squirt of water, caught in the shower, and a talisman of a different sort.

A scholar, in mortal danger from an subversive, is given a special talisman for protection by a concerned prostitute... someone close to him. When his life was on the brink of being lost for good, the talisman slipped him sideways in time some 300+ years to the present day. There he meets an actress, playing the part of the queen for a film... they fall in love. The scholar quickly learns he can go back and forth through his time and hers with a near death on one side, and a recitation on the other, and he uses the talisman to achieve success in bringing the usurper to the king's justice and regaining the rightful queen's seat for her... but nothing comes without some sort of cost...what will it be?

"I'm Coming to See You"
by Deok Hwan

Is it a blank spot? Click to listen & then
mouseover to see player controls.

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Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Windstruck

Windstruck/ 내 여자친구를 소개합니다/ Nae yeojachingureul sogae habnida *\ (Korean)
Movie 123 mins

For being listed as a romantic comedy, I didn't find it particularly funny. Rather, I found it a little tiring and very sad. Tragedy is involved. Fav scene(s):Sleeping in handcuffs and trading off for the morning/evening rituals.

Kyung-Jin is a rather overachiever police officer, and even though she's off duty, she wasn't about to miss the chance to collar a purse-snatcher. Unfortunately, she pounces on the wrong guy, and tows the good Samaritan to headquarters. Still, Myung-Woo's good memory and artistry skills come in handy and the boss is impressed. Before long, the hapless teacher and Kyung-Jin have been teamed up to walk a teen beat. Trouble is bound to follow though, and they see quite a share of it. Perhaps that's the very reason that mutual attraction springs up between them

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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Iljimae

Iljimae/ 일지매/ Il-Ji-Mae: The Phantom Thief ***\ (Korean)
29 episodes

Lee Jun Ki as Iljimae

This drama's storyline is jam-packed with adventure, intrigue and well-rounded characters. and Yongee was such an adorably handsome fast-talker. It was also easy to see just how much his adopted father cared for him... and by what he was willing to give up too. Tragedy involved. Fav character(s): Yongee and Slick

A young noble boy, is given a night of terror in watching his father assassinated through the keyhole of a locked cabinet. When he comes too, his has lost his memory of that time, and is adopted by the thief who rescued him from the cabinet. growing up within a poor village household. he learns how to manipulate people and dodge the guards. and then on evening, in a pulverizing moment, he suddenly remembers... and from there, he is determined to find his father's killer.

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Saturday, May 26, 2012

He Was Cool

He Was Cool/ 그 놈은 멋있었다/ Geunomeun ** (Korean)
Movie 113 mins

Jeong Da-Bin as Han Ye-Won
Song Seung-Heon as Ji Eun-Seong

He was a rough bully sort with a couple of unresolved past issues, good with his wits and fists. She was something of a typical school kid who caught his attention one day. Rather intimidated by his rep and arrogance, she tried to stay away from him... leapt over a wall with a friend of hers, and collided with him on the other side... stealing a first kiss in the process. He insisted she be responsible for the kiss and marry him. So began their relationship.

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Friday, May 25, 2012

Rooftop Prince

Rooftop Prince/ 옥탑방 왕세자/ Oktabbang Wangseja/ Attic Prince *** (Korean)
20 episodes

Han Ji Min as Park Ha/Bu Yong

A Wonderful Romance-Comedy story, full of intrigue and mishaps. Has a tragedy and several very near tragedies, but still worth the watch. Fav scene(s): sketching a postcard butterfly, beaned with a fruit, and total amazement by 4 guys out-of-place and time.

A Prince, living in ancient time period, awakens very early one morning to find his princess face-down in the palace pond. He quickly gathers 3 others with specialties that would help him make some sense of the death. Then they discover they are being pursued by assassins, so flee on horseback, jumping over a ravine as the moon goes into eclipse. they are awoken sitting in the living room in the rooftop house of Park Ha in modern day.. 300 years in their own future.

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The King 2 Hearts +

The King 2 Hearts/ 더킹 투하츠 *** (Korean)
20 episodes

Lee Yoon Ji as Lee Jae Shin

Good guys were great in their perseverance and the bad guys were awesome in their connections. There is some really sad tragedy involved.. Bong Goo, as a "Freakingly Scary Bad-guy" rather made me think of Batman's Joker, with his malicious tricks, traps, and giggles. I really felt for the guardsman, he had been given such a sorry deal, and yet, kept firm in his loyalty and care he felt throughout. Fav scene(s): Acupuncture panty thief, a royal 'oops' realization. and "I ..guess I'd better go into hiding now."

South Korea, in a modern monarchy, the King attempts to talk little his brother, first, into joining a Olympics training with north Korea, then, to marry the female north Korean soldier he met in that training. This all in a method to unify both countries in a peaceful manner. The young prince though, thought to reject the idea, even knowing he'd get scolded. Then a new rival, intent on revenge for a perceived slight shows up, and the younger prince suddenly finds himself in something of a hot-seat, as his older brother's dream threatens to unravel, tossing the whole of the two countries into conflict.

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Gokusen

Gokusen/ ごくせん ** (Japanese)
12 episodes + Special, 2, 3, 3sp, and movie

Nakama Yukie as Yamaguchi Kumiko

The new teacher (an heir to a yakuza group leadership in disguise) Gets assigned to the worst class of the lot, 3-d. Although the class tries all sorts of methods to drive this "Yankumi" away, she stands firmly beside them, eventually causing their respect.

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Musical

The Musical/ 더 뮤지컬 **\ (Korean)
15 episodes

Park Ki Woong as Yoo Jin
Koo Hye Sun as Go Eun Bi
Choi Daniel as Hong Jae Yi

Was a pretty good storyline... even as I wasn't all that fond of Eun Bi. I can understand shyness but seriously, I couldn't understand whatever her reasons were for joining her rival as understudy on a different production. And as good as Jae Yi's kisses were, she was just.. too clumsy, uncomfortable, and resistant. Still, both of their shy smiles and laughter had good chemistry. Also dunno what to say about the music. from what little I heard of each piece, it sounded lovely.. do wish there was a bit more of each one in the drama, instead of being cut-off so abruptly to go to the next song and scene. Fav scene(s): Jae Yi's confession and willingness to give her her dream come true as well as to wait for her to give him what it was he wanted.

A med student, charmed by the thought of being in a musical production, meets one of Korea's best composers, who unfortunately, is claimed by one of Korea's leading stage actresses, as well as someone she greatly admires. It's but a one way love on the actress's part though, as the song-writer has fallen for Eun Bi! This leads to quite a bit of trouble, not only for the 2, but also for the production Jae Yi is wanting her to be a lead in.

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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Innocent Steps

Innocent Steps/ 댄서의 순정/ Daenseo-ui sunjeong ** (Korean)
Movie 112 mins

Moon Geun-Young as Jang Chae-rin
Park Geon-Hyeong as Na Young-sae

A mild romance but the dancing was good and the firefly room was a nice touch for their reunion. Fav scene(s): showing her real partner how she finally got the dance move gracefully right. Still, did she go back home or stay in "fake" wedlock?

A male dancer was out to try for a comeback, and sent to China for a dancer partner. When she arrived, in efforts to keep her in the country, they filed marriage papers. It was after this, that he learned the girl had fooled him. it was her older sister that was the dancer. But she was engaged and couldn't come to Korea. He angrily had her sent away, but eventually got over it and carried her back again. From there it was an effort to make a dancing star out of this nobody within 3 months. Then, just as she was showing promise, his horrible rival showed up in a encore to steal his thunder and leave him frustrated and disabled once more.

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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Scandal Makers

Scandal Makers/ Speedy Scandal/ 과속스캔들 / Gwasok Seukaendeul ** (Korean)
Movie 108 mins

Wang Seok-Hyeon as Hwang Ki-Dong

An entertainer a bit past his prime is host to a radio show. on this show he often speaks with listeners, giving advice here and there. one day, after giving a bit counsel and encouragement to a single mother looking for her father, he heads home to prepare for a special friend's arrival, but at the door, is the single mother and her son, claiming he is her father and therefor grandfather to her son.

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Saturday, May 12, 2012

Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi

Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi/ 鹿男あをによし/ The Fantastic Deer-Man ** (Japanese)
10 episodes

Caught!

What a fun and adventuresome drama! light romance, light comedy. Fav scene(s): the deer "oops's" and talks back to the 'just a human'.

An unfortunate fellow is ousted from his lab research job and finds himself taking on a temporary teaching job in a slower paced area. There, he meets several colorful characters, including a rebel student with a talent in kendo who gives him trouble on his first day. Then, one day, he meets a talking deer, who tells him he has been chosen to receive a package from the fox, which will prevent the giant underworld catfish from shaking up mount Fuji and causing them all a lot of serious grief. Unfortunately, he messes up the task and in punishment, the deer gives him a 'mark' to remind him of the mission's importance. Looking in the mirror the next morning shows him just what that mark did. It gave him, to his pov anyway, the head of a deer. He simply -has- to find out where the rat hid the triangle before time runs out if he cares to ever see his own face again!

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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Love So Divine

Love So Divine/ 신부수업 / 부 수업/ Shinbu sueob **\ (Korean)
Movie 110 mins

Kwon Sang-Woo as Kim 'Peter' Gyu-shik

A little slow, a little melancholy.. but a worthy story imo as well as a number of fun and thoughtful scenes. Fav scene(s): the inadvertent drunken kiss and confronting the sun-bather.

Two friends, a month away from their fly-up ceremony to become priests in the catholic church, get into a bit of late trouble and are sent to a small village to help the priest out there. The priest's neice arrives unannounced from America saying she was going to marry. but such plans quickly fall through, so she hires herself to her uncle as a maid to pay her way back to the states. In repentance for the accidental meeting smooch, the shy priest-to-be is given the task to try getting her baptized within the month's time.

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Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Lavender

Lavender/ 薰衣草 (Fan yi cho) ** (Hong Kong)
Movie 111 mins

Takeshi Kaneshiro as Angel
Kelly Chen as Athena

A rather melancholy story, still it managed to end well for the girl. Fav scene(s): Facing the bull.

A girl, having lost her precious love to death, lives the life of a numb ghost.. just going through the rote of continued existence.. until one evening when an angel crashes onto her balcony. As there isn't a choice, she lets him stay until his wing is healed. Since he 'feeds' on love, and she doesn't give any, he meets the neighbor and through him, he gets a job at a strip joint, where love is given in plenty. Still, he resolves to try helping her before he has to leave.

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Monday, May 7, 2012

The Romantic President

The Romantic President/ Piano Playing President/ 피아노 치는 대통령/ Piano Chineun Daetongryeong ** (Korean)
Movie 95 mins

Ahn Sung-Kee as President Min-Wook
Choi Ji-Woo as Eun-Joo

The video I watched of this movie seemed a bit disjointed.. not sure if it was the fault of the vid, or of the movie itself... but all in all, it was a sweet tale. The actor behind the president character has what has to be the -longest- list of movie involvement I have ever seen.
Fav scene(s): A tucked away moment, mischievously hiding from the guard.

A new teacher, peeved by the rebel reaction of one of her students, calls her father in for a talk, and discovers it is none other then the president. nevertheless, she demands he take on the student's punishment, writing a poem 100 times in Chinese characters.

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Project Makeover

Project Makeover/ Go Go Sister/ Eonni-ga ganda ** (Korean)
Movie 112 mins

Lee Beom-Soo as Oh Tae-Hoon

Good idea for a plot, seems somehow a little bittersweet though. I was a little surprised that even while she was concentrating on her own issues/wishes, she gave no consideration to what astronomical changes she could possibly be doing to others' futures. fav scene(s): an eye-opener peck.

A young woman, still agonizing over the crash and burn of her first relationship, receives an opportunity to go back in time in an attempt to make her dreams come true. By pretending to be a relative in order to be close to her younger self, she maneuvers situations in efforts to help direct her down a different path.

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Friday, May 4, 2012

Prosecutor Princess

Prosecutor Princess/ Geomsa Princess ** (Korean)
16 episodes

Park Shi Hoo as Seo In Woo

A little too much conjecture for me, lots going on in gathering past evidence etc. But I did like the princess/lawyer chemistry... even if he was using her for a hidden agenda. I'm not too sure what it was, but I wasn't terribly fond of the prosecutor love triangle. fav scene(s): Waking up to the new talking alarm clock.

A highly-intelligent ditz/new prosecutor from a well-to-do family, first alienates then endears her new working companions while getting a bit of 'lawyerly' help in pursuing her love interest. All while being prompted to reopen a 15 year old murder case that involves her own father.

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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Hateful But Once Again

Hateful But Once Again/ Again My Love/ Miwodo Dasi Hanbeon ** (Korean)
24 episodes

Park Sang Won as Lee Jeong Hoon

This drama could have passed the criteria for a long-lasting American soap. So many entangled and twisted parts that it makes the head spin just to watch. The ending was a little confusing but manged to somehow straighten itself out into parallel lines before everything was done. All thanks to grandma n grandpa it was a multi-generational mess. Tragedy involved.

A hard-nosed business woman, trying to bring her errant son to heel, has in mind to gain the help of a successful news anchorwoman. After having her career and plans for the future destroyed and her pride stomped on, the anchorwoman finally gives in, signs a contract, and makes the attempt to guide the rebellious playboy heir toward the goals of his mother. They fall in love. Mom though, has more then a few of her own heart issues. In love for some 30 years past with a man she believed dead, and in a loveless marriage with a man who has a family of his own... The girlfriend of which, happens to be a famous actress willing to do just about anything to free the father of her child at last.

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