Sherlock

The 2010 rendition of the original by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as reinterpreted by Steven Moffat (Doctor Who), Mark Gatiss (The League of Gentlemen) and Steve Thompson (Whipping It Up) is an absolutely fantastic retelling of the original classic into a contemporary context. Fabulously reintroducing Holmes and Dr. Watson in a modern context but by no means forgetting the original spirit of their Victorian counterparts. Before I proceed any further, I do have to remind anyone reading this that there might be some spoilers ahead. I try to conceal certain things such as series plots but sometimes things do slip. So proceed with caution, I suggest.

Now, something that I truly enjoy in the mini series is the use of bokeh (or focusing on only the essential part of the visual, or something similar to tilt-shift photography I suppose) to produce a very different way of introducing parts of London, it definitely differs from the ones I'm used to, namely the use of zooming and panning from one part of the location to the other. To add, the visualisation of a very grimy and gloomy London gives a gritty aesthetic to the series and it also adds mystery to the already puzzling crimes Holmes and Watson have to face. There's also one other visual aid that I truly enjoy in this movie that is the addition of appearing types when a character is sent a message to their mobile devices or the trail of thoughts by particular characters or the notes and messages the characters are reading, instead of using cuts to the actual paper or devices. It somewhat reminds me of Stranger than Fiction's use of types and infographics to aid the viewers. Truly enjoyable.

Anyway, besides that rambling what I truly enjoy is how the stories were reinterpreted, they differ but certain elements stayed true to the original. Having said that, for those who are not very familiar with Sherlock Holmes' original adventures shouldn't worry because the story will most probably not deter you from enjoying Sherlock's antics and Dr. John Watson's perplexity at his roommate's behaviours and strange occupation. And on another side note, I truly enjoy the lack of technological scientific gizmos that seems to encompass most of today's TV series. The series doesn't rely heavily on technology under most of the circumstances but rather on Holmes' amazing amount of resources and knowledge stored in his mind. It was truly enjoyable to watch how Holmes arrive at his conclusions mostly in terms of how he deducted certain characters'/ victims'/villains' personalities and character traits. It might be perplexing at first but suddenly it all made a lot of sense. As is always the case when you read the novels.

Now let's move on to the actors, Benedict Cumberbatch is excellent as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman is exceptional as Dr. John Watson. And they managed to portray the characters so well in terms of adjusting these fictional classics and transfer them into a modern era. Perhaps what intrigued me a lot was the way Freeman interpreted Watson, in the novels I always thought of Watson as a reserved person who gives occasional warnings to Sherlock but for the most part becomes a quiet observer and student of Holmes, in this series he is still as reserved but perhaps shows a lot more human character compared to how Doyle seems to portray Watson in the books. I actually prefer how Freeman portrayed Watson in the series, truly truly adore him. Cumberbatch is compelling as Holmes, the way he walked, talked and acted is perfectly in tune with how I always pictured Holmes. Perhaps I also think that is partly why I didn't extensively take much notice of Holmes, because he is just the way he is. I'm not sure whether that was a critique or a compliment but all in all excellent actors have to be saluted.

The story is fast paced and have quite quick in-between transitions but otherwise it is nicely structured. It gives enough glimpses for us to understand without feeling being left behind nor overwhelmed. Of course, perhaps I am just singing it praises but for someone who truly loves the original books I would definitely recommend this to anyone who love detective, crime stories and intriguing mysteries (perhaps you may already well aware of who the culprits are because some of them do indeed stay true to the original so it might not be much of a surprise). Now, to look forward to Gareth David-Lloyd as Dr. John Watson in the US production of Sherlock Holmes TV series. I am very much looking forward to it. *tips hat*

Personal Taste

I initially didn't want to write anything about this drama since I hardly have been writing reviews for quite a long while. And to be quite honest I haven't been watching a lot of drama for the last couple of years. Mostly because they tend to not be very entertaining and full of cliches, which for the most part is right for most dramas these days. Admittedly, I have a very short attention span so for the most part I may start something and never finish them having no curiosity whatsoever about a particular series' ending.

This drama I have to say really falls into the category of dramas where I can easily watch but perhaps won't pick up again anytime too soon (unless I am utterly desperate). And this is also the most recent drama that Lee Min Ho starred in after Boys Before Flowers.

And so thus, this is my (initial) review of Personal Taste (개인의 취향).

Synopsis: (I wanted to just copy and paste the Wiki version here but really the plot was a little inaccurate) Jeon Jin Ho is the head architect of a small architectural firm who constantly has to fight against the Mirae Corporation whose boss is attributed towards Jin Ho's father's death. Park Gae In, meanwhile, is a furniture designer who is every cliched girl character you could ever dreamed of of Korean TV series, beautiful but hiding behind overlarge comfortable clothes and donning geeky Superman glasses type of girl, ditzy, clumsy and just about a hopeless (romantic too).

Through several events Jin Ho and Gae In met in unforeseen circumstances and through a misunderstanding Gae In makes the assumption that Jin Ho is gay even though he is actually straight. Meanwhile, Gae In desperately needs a roommate to cover the debt she found herself in and coincidentally Jin Ho needs to see the inside of Sang Go Jae (Gae In's house that was built by her renowned architect father but was never open for public viewing) and so the two began to cohabitate. Can Gae In the perpetual mess and Jin Ho the perfectionist ever be able to overcome their differences (and misunderstandings) in order to live together?

Casts: Lee Min Ho as Jeon Jin Ho, Seon Ye Jin as Park Gae In, Kim Ji Suk as Han Chang Ryul, Wang Ji Hye as Kim In Hee.

Review: I have only viewed until episode 4 and cannot believe how much of a stereotypically cliched clutzy dimwitted girl Park Gae In is, to the point of annoyance every time I watch it. And there were just too many improbable misunderstandings in this series that are utterly infuriating at times, though I suppose are quite fitting, but for the most part had me tearing my hair out trying to understand why can't they just straighten things out by being honest. But alas, if the characters do that I suppose the series would end too soon given that it has 16 episodes altogether.

But having said that, I can understand why Jin Ho didn't really want to straighten (hah!) the misunderstanding Gae In has regarding his sexuality. After all Gae In accepted Jin Ho into the house due to the presumption that there will be no attraction between the two given that Jin Ho is 'gay', and Jin Ho, on the other hand, desperately needed to see the interior of Sang Go Jae (Gae In's house) for a project he was working on.

And I cannot believe how inexcusably ignorant Kim In Hee is for... oh well. I suppose I shouldn't really spoil it for the people who wanted to watch it but either way it doesn't matter because it is pretty much obvious from the get go that Kim In Hee and Han Chang Ryul were going to wed and In Hee is really Gae In's childhood friend and Chang Ryul was Gae In's ex and so on and so forth. Also, this is actually the acting debut of Im Seul Ong, one of the members of 2AM, a Korean singing group (or should I call it a band) and I kind of wished the character he played wasn't portrayed that way but I suppose you can't help it. I have to say Lee Min Ho in this is so static and pokerfaced but given the personality of the character he is playing seems quite fitting.

Though, I have to say the only character who I truly loved out of what I have watched so far is Han Chang Ryul. I somewhat feel that Kim Ji Suk nailed the character perfectly.

Well, enough about the characters as for the plot and series itself the pacing is actually quite sensible with not too much being revealed too slowly and the plot itself is pretty interesting, I somehow just feel if they have changed the characters and not make it so... typical of dramas it would've been a lot more interesting. But again, this is really just my own selfish wish that next time they make a drama they better not be using the same cliched girl because I am thoroughly tired of having to shake my head at how ridiculously stupid some of these characters are (and I can confidently say it is not entirely the fault of the actors, I totally blame the scriptwriters for concocting such characters in the first place). I just hope I never have to befriend such a character in real life and I shall be fine. Oh wait... a little too late isn't it? *sighs*

Overall, it was interesting but I wouldn't say very original. The only thing that caught my attention (and prompted me to watch it) was perhaps the 'supposedly' gay character in the synopsis when I first came across the series. But alas, in the end it is still not original enough but I suppose I should keep watching since I have started already.

Ratings: 3/5 stars

Boys Before Flowers

I have always been crazy about those corny love stories around and most people would probably recognise the Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango's crazy plot of four rich and ridiculously handsome guys, a poor girl, a hateful witch and the girl's hilarious family companions. Not surprised that most girls would probably scorn at the idea being able to transcend into reality, but a girl can always dream, right? ;)

Initially I wasn't aware of the Japanese manga, the first existence of something from this manga was the Taiwanese version of Boys Before Flowers re-named as Meteor Garden. Yes, I admit the guys were tall and some was quite handsome (the lead was too masculine for my taste) and that was probably the first time I was ever exposed to mainstream Asian dramas. Quite a sad reality. But I enjoyed watching it nonetheless until I encountered other Asian dramas and realised how badly the actors in Meteor Garden acted! I never really like the Japanese drama version of Hana Yori Dango since it wasn't my exact kind of eye candy ;P and realising that the storyline is still the same as the two seasoned Meteor Garden I didn't give it a chance to entertain me.

So I was slightly skeptical when Boys Before Flowers Korean version was announced late (or mid) 2008, but after looking through the cast I was anticipating it! I mean, for goodness' sake! Look at all the eye candies in it!!! But I was still skeptical nonetheless since I remembered Meteor Garden actually went for about 40 or so episodes just to get to the end of the bloody story. I was hoping that the Korean version would be slightly or even more less than that. Not to mention I already know the storyline which makes it much worse for the director and script writers knowing that most people would've been aware of the original manga and thus the storyline... But it appears that I have gotten my wish! Well, I'm not too entirely sure about it myself but it will only go for around 20 or so episodes, which is a relief given the duration of each episode is around one hour and having to go through 40 episodes worth one hour each will definitely consume too much of my time.

Truthfully, even though there are 10 episodes available for viewing now I have hardly watch beyond the second episode, which is a shame because I really enjoyed the first two. The only complaint I really have is that the main actress really does look older than the guys, not much of a surprise given the actress actually is older than the guys. But either way I grew fond of her in the role of Geum Jan Di (or Tsukasa in the original manga). As for the main actor, I never knew a guy could don a carefully styled perm to such elegance! No I was not being sarcastic, I admit I like it and it also suits him as well. Oh! Before I forget also another complaint is that Kim Hyun Joong the real name of the 'other' guy (yes, as you may have noted by this point I clearly can't remember names) really lacks in the acting department. Maybe it's notably because it's his first debut as an actor (he is one of the member of a Korean boyband SS501) so he appeared nervous and quite awkward at times with the other characters. According to a friend of mine, who has viewed more episodes than me, his acting skill developed with each episode and became better as a part of it. I hope so. I don't want to be disappointed all over again that's for sure.

My Little Bride

My Little Bride (어린 신부 eorin sinbu) revolves around the arranged marriage between a college playboy and a 15-year-old highschooler.

Synopsis: I really can't be bothered in writing up a synopsis on this I'll post Wiki's version of it.

"Boeun (Moon Geun young) is an ordinary high school girl who worries about grades and has a crush on her school's baseball team ace, named Jungwoo. One day, Boeun's grandfather orders her to marry Sangmin (Kim Rae Won). When they were young, during the Korean War, Boeun's and Sangmin's grandfathers had promised that they would become in-laws. Despite the grandchildren's opposition, they are forced to marry because of the strong influence of Boeun's grandfather. Boeun's undercover married life begins: She pretends that she doesn't have a husband and starts dating Jungwoo. Boeun believes that she can manage both men and live a double life. Everything goes smoothly until Sangmin visits Boeun's school as a student teacher."

Casts: Moon Geun Young as Suh Boeun, Kim Rae Won as Park Sang Min

Review: Easily said, it's not the best movie on arranged marriage that I have seen. Although there's potential into making this even better. For starters the last part of the movie is utterly rushed and uncohesive and the characters' relationships aren't explained properly. I really really think the script has a potential as a drama series rather than a 2-hour movie. Other than that the leading casts are great and the story, again, has a great feel and potential it just wasn't executed properly.

Ratings: 2.5/5 stars

The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince

커피프린스 1호점 or The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince (2007). I cannot thank you enough to my friend for introducing this drama to me :D

Synopsis: 24-year-old Go Eun Chan is a girl with no streak of femininity in her appearance or behaviour and often mistaken for a boy. Her family has been doing it hard ever since her father died and Eun Chan quits schooling in order to feed her family by doing odd-jobs here and there. One day through a misunderstanding she meets Choi Han Kyul, a 29-year-old affluent man who just came home from the States. Han Kyul thinking Eun Chan is a boy hired her to become his lover hoping he can still live life to his content by avoiding arranged meetings for potential wife organised by Han Kyul's grandmother by pretending to be gay. Eun Chan in desperate need of money reluctantly agreed.

Han Kyul's grandmother tired of Han Kyul's recklessness gives him an ultimatum. Manage a broken-down coffee shop of her acquaintance for three months and if by that time he is able to gain three times the current profit he is able to do what he wishes. Although reluctant Han Kyul finally gives in and through this chance encounter the co-manager of the coffee shop is also a close acquaintance of Eun Chan, though knowing that they only hire male waiters Eun Chan applied and got the job by pretending to be male.

Through several events Eun Chan develops feelings for Han Kyul and Han Kyul for Eun Chan. But the dilemma is as followed, Han Kyul still thinks that Eun Chan is a male! Even though Han Kyul truly has feelings for this 'man' can he ever love this 'man'? Can Han Kyul overcome his sexuality and love this person?

Casts: Yoon Eun Hye as Go Eun Chan, Gong Yoo as Choi Han Kyul, Lee Sun Gyun as Choi Han Sung, Chae Jung Ahn as Han Yoo Joo

Review: THE BEST DRAMA OF THE YEAR!!! *pops champagne* I am absolutely in love with this drama. There is not a moment where I feel that I was cheated out of my time nor did I even realise that time slowly (or quickly, I cannot be sure) run by. I realised that I was very much transfixed into the complexity of the drama when I realised I was watching episode 10 without realising how far I have watched.

It is a truly remarkable drama with complex character relationships especially between Eun Chan and Han Kyul but it has to be noted that the other main couple, Choi Han Sung and Han Yoo Joo, within this drama is also of importance since it reflects so much the real-life experiences of couples in general. Each actors play their characters beautifully with Yoon Eun Hye leading as my favourite main actor. Closely behind I have to say is Kim Chang Wan as the grossly behavioured co-manager, ex-president of Coffee Prince, Mr. Hong.

Although I have to say I was slightly disappointed with the little amount of screening time of the other stories that involves the extended characters' love relationships. Personally I think they should be studied more than they did in the drama. Often I find these extended stories too rushed and not explained properly leaving me clueless and wondering.

But overall the drama was very satisfactory and I would recommend it to anyone! :D

Ratings: 4.5/5 stars (just because of that damn extended little stories)

Post Script: All the guys are absolute cuteness! And also I did not realise that Eun Chan was a girl for a couple of minutes until it suddenly clicked in to me "OMG! That's the girl from Goong!" compared to all the other dramas of girls pretending to be guys (in particular both versions of Hana Kimi) don't look like guys no matter how guy-ishly they act but Eun Hye definitely nailed this. Poor her for being able to beat the guys in x-man she had to carry all those guys in the drama :D

Soulmate

소울메이트 or Soulmate is a story of 3 couples finding their missing half through destiny. This was recommended by a friend and like always I somehow find the 'time' to watch it even during uni days. :P

Synopsis: What if one day you walk down the street and catch a glimpse of the person who is the missing half of your soul? Without knowing who they are, where the come from? Would you believe it? This drama revolves around the love life of 3 (or it can also be said 4) couples, the difficulty in describing this drama is evident when you start to realise the complexity behind each couple's problems and ultimately relationship, in how they overcome a certain obstacle or how they ultimately realise that their true love really isn't their missing half.

Casts: Shin Dong Wook as Dong-woo, Lee Soo Kyung as Soo-kyung, Choi Phillip as Phillip, Sa Gang as Yu-jin, Otani Ryohei as Ryo Hei, Jang Min Ae as Min-ae, Jung Hwan as Jung Hwan, Kim Mi Jin as Mi-jin

Review: What is evidently interesting from the list of cast is that the character names are indeed the actors' real names (except Sa Gang). I personally am not sure why the directors, screenwriters or anyone who is involved in decision-making have used this but I think this technique is very successful in analysing the different ways we love since it reflects how we do love in real life, to some extent. I said to some extent because there is a degree of absolute absurdity being used in attracting the opposite sex such as how Min Ae first attracted the absolutely adorable Ryo Hei, you have to see it to believe it. Moving on...

The different kinds of early relationships of young couples are discussed here ranging from the 'player' to the 'destined' ones. Regardless of how many couples in the story the drama often focuses on two people who are 'destined' for each other, Soo Kyung and Dong Wook. The stories were often told according to the two main leads and how their paths always intertwined towards the end of their story or I should say little relationship episodes. I like the different way they managed to tell the story without it being too non-linear and not understandable. The drama generally has certain holes that I wish was filled in so we the audience can empathise with the characters a bit more... Some of the characters were a bit of an annoyance maybe that just reflects my preference *smile*.

Nonetheless there were significant moments in the drama that makes your heart squirm as each characters go through their individual ordeals and I have to say I love Yu Jin's naive, cutesy girly character the best. The actor nailed the character so well that I often find Yu Jin's actions and selfishness too cute. Anyway, the drama is personally not a favourite but I have to give it credit for being original in its story-telling.

Rating: 3/5 stars

Post Script: Btw there's plenty of eye-candy in this drama especially during their gym sessions ;)

visual dna

flashvars="i1=http://dna.imagini.net/i/RESIZE_-78BCAFD1.jpeg&c1=appealing&i2=http://dna.imagini.net/i/RESIZE_1D1068AF.jpeg&c2=relaxing&i3=http://dna.imagini.net/i/RESIZE_6E5372F4.jpeg&c3=comforting&i4=http://dna.imagini.net/i/RESIZE_23F0F190.jpeg&c4=leaping&i5=http://dna.imagini.net/i/RESIZE_-536C6BFB.jpeg&c5=just%20don%26%23039%3Bt%20like%20it&i6=http://dna.imagini.net/i/RESIZE_60BD8C5F.jpeg&c6=romanticising&i7=http://dna.imagini.net/i/RESIZE_-795C1F3D.jpeg&c7=indifferent&i8=http://dna.imagini.net/i/RESIZE_-F45A94E.jpeg&c8=blank%20canvas&i9=http://dna.imagini.net/i/RESIZE_761F2B14.jpeg&c9=unknowing&i10=http://dna.imagini.net/i/RESIZE_-45A19707.jpeg&c10=exploring&i11=http://dna.imagini.net/i/RESIZE_368EAF3E.jpeg&c11=stopping&i12=http://dna.imagini.net/i/RESIZE_-5562BF4.jpeg&c12=caffeinating&i13=http://dna.imagini.net/i/RESIZE_5499BBDC.jpeg&c13=imagining&bgcolor=##000000&habitslabel=JUNKIE%20MONKEY&moodlabel=DREAMER&funlabel=CONQUEROR&lovelabel=LOVE%20BUG&userhome=http://friends.imagini.net/@1566017-f959" >

Read my VisualDNA™     Get your own VisualDNA™