Uncategorized 3:11 am
My Nhan Ngu 35 DVD retail remux
Loi Dien Than Cong 20 DVD retail
Thien Long Bat Bo 1982 12 DVD retail remux
Dai Gia Dinh 60 DVD retail remux
Song Dien Giai Nhan 8 DVD VHS-ripped
Song Bac Phong Van 18 dvd retail remux (disc 3,16,17 expired)
Loan The Tinh Thu 35 DVD retail
Than Co Dieu Toan Luu Ba On 27 DVD vhs-ripped
Han So Trong Tranh 25 DVD retail remux
Cau Vong Trong Dem 11 DVD retail remux
Marriage of Inconvenience 2:20 pm
Originally I planned to skip “Marriage” after reading the synopsis because the idea of a man loving two women at the same time is unacceptable under any given circumstances. But I gave in because some people actually say they enjoy it so in the midst of summer with no school work, I decided to give it a try. I didn’t even care at the time that I’ve never like Angela Tong as an actress or the fact that I didn’t even know who Toby Leung is. I started out with positive views about “Marriage” but eventually I get disappointed because “Marriage” doesn’t have that core plot that pull the audience into the show, it was just downright boring. I skipped several episodes but didn’t feel like I miss anything because the plot is really weak. Bobby and Angela coupling is ok at first but after the 3rd episode, I already got sick of them. I really regret having watch “Marriage” and this is something I will never watch again.
Bobby and Angela relationship is just weird in my opinion. I can see Angela was in love with Raymond in the beginning and they actually have better chemistry together than Angela with Bobby. I thought Angela and Bobby got together too fast and it seems like their relationship is based on superficial needs than real love. Their marriage seem so forced and too good to be true that when they depart, I feel nothing for them. All the flashbacks throughout the shows remind us of how much they loved each other are annoying and pointless. And seriously, all the things they’ve done to each other after they have separated, IMO, is where they should draw the point of no return. It’s easy to forgive each other because of misunderstandings but how can they act like nothing had happen once they back together. Doesn’t it creep them when each other appearances remind them that they can be really cruel to each other, even if the cruelness rooted from anger, misunderstandings, or stupidity. I mean, the extend each one of them can do to annoy each other is beyond enemies. But I mean, if they can overlook those times when they are hating each other to love each other again, they can live like nothing had happen, but that is really hard. Their fightings over the house is really unnecessary. I understand that that’s Angela’s dream house but the fact that she slept with Raymond there irks me when she and Bobby move in together. It really bother me that she has the nerve to receive half of what Bobby earns. Maybe that’s because I hate that stupid law in general, where the lower earning income spouse can receive half of the other. No wonder so many people want to marry rich and a good explanation to how the divorce rate sky rocketed.
Truthfully I passed forward through most of the episodes that I don’t remember much had happened. I remembered the ending where they get together again but by then I could really careless if they do get together or not. I really like Raymond and I really like Bobby as actors and this series didn’t do them justice at all. I usually like light hearted series and I thought I could tolerate any series but unfortunately I can’t even tolerate this one.
Catch Me Now TVB 4:55 am
Before I begin writing this review, I have to a confession to make – that is I have not finish “Catch” because I am still waiting for episodes 16-20. The reason I decided to start off this review is because the long waiting had driven me crazy and so I need to direct all of what is in my mind out before I will forget what had happened. It’s funny how I didn’t like anybody from the cast list and the soul thing that driven me to watch “Catch” is the pairing of Fala and Joe. I did not see them together before this and have yet to thoroughly know Fala as an actress but from previous knowledge of their appearances in other productions, I do believe they have great chemistry. So when I read many good reviews about “Catch” regarding its interesting plot it was an additional bonus to watch this and so I started on it yesterday. Unlike D.I.E which is captivating because of its crime solving process, “Catch” is intriguing because you want to know the result of their actions. While D.I.E is a chillaxing type of drama where the audience simply just sit back and enjoy whatever is presented to them, “Catch” is breathtaking, seat gripping adventure that pull the audience into the plot without them knowing. “Catch” is simply an extraordinary and fascinating drama I have watch this year and I am proud to announce that it will probably be the best this year.
The plot is simple: it’s a dog chasing cat chasing mouse chasing cheese drama. Am I speaking too vaguely? The dog, an analogy to the cops, going after the cat, which is alluded to the thieves, trying to capture the mouse, representing a group of rotten individuals, whom is attempting to get the cheese, in this case it could be money or diamond. Notice that all the nouns are plural which indicates that there are more than one in each group of noun. Each team consist crucially of one leader to command all the actions so the team members can carry out. The leader of the cops is obviously Joe Ma, Damian Yau for the thieves, and Evergreen Mak for the other thieves. Together they form the general theme of robinhood.
The chemistry of all the characters in here is just simply great. If the characters have at least a few scenes with one another, you can feel their relationship, whether it is good or bad, as if you are in it yourself. The main focus in “Catch” however, is the relationship of Damian’s team. I believe TVB did extremely well in demonstrating the closeness between the team members as if they’re one part of the family. They interact so freely and comfortably but very professionally when it comes to working together. They understand each other so well without the other party haven’t need to say much and sometimes just a nod of acknowledgment would have you say aww because you can feel how much they know each other. These people were once strangers, come together under one cause – that is to carry out justice that sometimes the law neglected and they do it with a passion that when the good guys – that is the cops start talking about principles and rules, you ask yourself what good is your principles and sense of justice when murderers and rapists are walking the street and you can’t do anything about it except to wait and wait till they strike again. They have so much love for each other and care so much for each other and some might think the friendship is unrealistic but if anyone takes a moment to think about what they’re all in for, no one can deny why they’re so intact. The reason I believe hold them together is their common goal – to serve justice to those who have been neglected. Even if they are to disband, one dies, or two die, or even if only one is left, they will still much better than the cops because they have a goal, a direction, and a hope that the consequences ultimately will be good. They never once question why they chose the path that they did or regret any of their decisions that’s why they remain strong and standing when the cops, especially Joe Ma going through an internal debate. The cops are bound by rules and regulations that when they’re face with moral issues that require their judgment, they start question their beliefs and principles. One difference between the cops and the thieves is that the cops take it personal when it comes to bring out justice while the thieves take it as a duty which is ironic if you think about it. Joe takes it personal to catch Damien because of what he thought Damien did to his mentor just like how he also takes it personal with Evergreen because he thought Evergreen is having an affair with Fala. Dickson in an early episodes take it personal on Damian’s team at the bar and the rapist later in the show. The cops make it beyond their duty as a justice officer to catch these “criminals” because they place their emotions into their work so their minds are cloud with subjectivity instead of being objective and fair like they should have been. Damian and his team is different in that they make it their objective to do good and finish the job. No matter what happened along the road they’re still standing firm behind their original intentions because they believe their mission will result in good deed. They understand what’s right and wrong because they’re living in the reality of real world whereas the cops create an ideal world where everything is either black or white.
Truthfully speaking, I do not like Damian and Idy’s coupling at all. They have no chemistry whatsoever and their storyline is hella boring. I’m sorry to say but Idy’s character is one example of the kind of person I hate in real life. One key word is ignorant. I hold this strong belief that no matter how protective you are and how others showered you with love, you need to be self aware and understand what’s going on around you because at the end of the day, you are the one who truly care and love you beyond anyone else. It’s downright deserving when her husband wants a divorce. Imagine having to live with a walking zombie. A good wife supposes to be understanding, knowledgeable, supportive, and most importantly opinionated. She obviously lacks many of those characteristics because she depends on her husband for everything. And she supposes to be a middle aged woman in here? My gosh, how can you go through 40 something odd years of your life being so ignorant to everything. You would think she has grown up after the divorce but no, she is getting worst. Think about it, she found a place to live because Damian and his cousin allow her a place above their restaurant, she found a job because Damian asks Fala, She got the job and the only reason she didn’t lose it is because of Fala’s help. She is such a burden to all of those around her especially Damian and Fala since they are the two people that she’s close with. If anything I think she chose to be oblivious because why care when others will for you. Sometimes I don’t understand why Fala and Damian would do the things they’ve done to her because it is obvious that they give her substantially more than what she gives back to them. But of course, friendship and love do not measure by quantity but isn’t true friendship or love a two ways street. It can’t just be one person do all the giving and the other do all the taking. Overall, I pass forward all the scenes because her appearance aggravates me even more later on. I have no problem with Idy, the actress since I love her in Return of the Condor Heroes 83 (even though I hate that story) and the Grand Canal. I think TVB didn’t give her a strong comeback because her character serves no purpose whatsoever. Plus, her voice really bother me, is she always sounded like this?
Beside the plot, the most discuss topic in “Catch” is the love story between Johnson Lee, Sharon Chan, and Koni Lui. I think most people who watch this is rarely neutral in Johnson’s love interest because they either like him with Sharon or want him with Koni. I think I am one of those who could careless who he ended up since I started watching it. I thought Johnson is so easily falls in love with Sharon because if I remember correctly, he starts pursuing her already after their 3rd encounter. I thought Sharon and Johnson relationship is unbalance since it is obvious that Johnson’s love for Sharon is way heavier than Sharon’s love for him. He is head over heel for her and could even die for her if she asks him to but I really doubt she would do the same for him. Beside from the hospital scene before Johnson passes away, I really didn’t know that she even cares for Johnson at all. Plus she gets over him rather quickly but that I understand because they didn’t really spend that much time together so her love for him is not that deep yet. As for Koni, many people are hoping that Johnson would confess to having love her all these time before he dies. But I thought that would be unrealistic if he does so because it is apparent that throughout the show, he only treats her as a colleague, a teammate, or a sister. One might takes his occasionally flirting as a hint that he likes her but I thought it is just his nature to play around regardless. I really didn’t think Koni’s love for him is that deep either because in the beginning they seem to be fine and then suddenly when Johnson starts wooing Sharon, Koni comes out confessing that she likes Johnson. Maybe it is obvious in the beginning and I didn’t know. I think in Johnson’s heart, there is no space for Koni because he is in love with Sharon. But what I don’t understand is what he’s talking about in the car before he arrives at the hospital. He wants to have kids with Koni or is he hallucinating and thought he’s talking to Sharon? It’s sad how he didn’t even get to say his last word with Sharon. In terms of personality, I think he matches with Sharon since they both collects “doll” and they both experienced in the field of computers. In term of looks, I think he is compatible with Koni.
It seems like no one is talking about Joe and Fala relationship since most people find them boring. However, I think the reason I enjoy the middle so much is because of them. Yes it’s annoying to watch them misunderstood each other because their lack of communication but I thought their chemistry is great. Joe does look a lot older than Fala but their height and their appearance make them look good when they’re together. I enjoy watching them much more than watching Idy and Damian. I thought the way they resolve their misunderstanding is a little too fast because their misunderstanding is not simply the lack of communication and understanding for one another but it is Joe who doesn’t trust his wife. I think trust is always a key to any relationship and while I do not believe in blindly trusting your spouse but at least give them a reason of doubt. Joe obviously jumps to conclusion every time because he dislikes Evergreen’s character. Fala forgives him too easy and give in to him too many times. I can’t believe Joe has the nerve to ask her to quit her job. All these time he’s talking about principle and justice yet because of his insecurity, he asks his wife to quit her job. If Fala were to suspect him having an affair with a policewoman in his team, would he quit his job if she asks him to? I don’t think so. I agree with Fala that she has no reason to quit because she doesn’t do anything wrong. If she does quit, it is obvious that she is giving in to Joe and admit that whatever Joe accuses her of doing are all the truth. Joe is lucky in that he always has people to share his problems with, like his teammates. Unlike him, Fala really has no one. She can’t talk to Sharon because that’s Joe younger sister and it seems like Idy is no where to be found when Fala is in trouble, which by the way is another reason why I hate Idy’s character. I am glad they have a good ending because they deserve it and hopefully they’ll live happily ever after with their baby.
I thought the original ending is excellent and I rather not watch the alternative ending. Johnson’s death made me cry, not so much because he’s dying but the team’s reaction to his death. I can really feel that they’re devastated and are hurting internally. Damian for example looks really hurt although he tries not to show it to other people. It’s really sad seeing the team missing Johnson because the laughter just isn’t there anymore. Even if Jack is alive, I don’t think they can ever return to normal again without Johnson. I guess his death is necessary to trigger Damian’s decision in killing Evergreen but I don’t think Damian’s death is necessary. I hate it when TVB does it, killing off main character because they wanted a memorable ending. But I think TVB has other intention – that is to show that robbers or killers are predestined to have a bad ending. This is one thing why I think TVB is really narrow-minded and I hate it every time they do it. They always portray the theme that good always prevail and that going through loop hole or take shortcuts are forbidden. I mean, yes it’s true everyone wants to see the law serve the good all the time but it is obviously not the case in real life. They show lawyers who defend the bad guy as though they are criminals themselves and always give them bad ending. Think of Sammul’s character in Survivor’s Law and other characters in TVB series. Why can TVB open their mind to other possibilities such as their main characters don’t have to be good people ALL the time and they can be bad people too. The cops and the lawyers in all TVB shows always play by the book and if anyone do otherwise will be shown as extremely evil. I guess TVB kills off Damian’s character for the same reason too. They don’t tolerate semi good people, they want to show the audience that doing bad for good intention is a bad thing that consequence in a bad ending.
Rating:
9.5/10
Playboy Cops HK Movie 6:23 pm
Casts:
Shawn Yue Man Lok
Linda Chung Ka Yan
Aloys Chen
Eric Tsang Chi Wai
Wong You Nam
Summary:
Aloys Chen is an ex-cop from China who comes over to HK to investigate the murder of his wealthy brother. He encounters Shawn Yue, a wealthy cop, who is on probation for using unnecessary means to capture his criminals. Linda Chung stars as Shawn’s love interest who he’s constantly trying to get back to but Linda refuses to give him another chance due to his immaturity. Shawn decides to give Aloys a hand in finding out the murder but Shawn’s other intention is to prevent Aloys from pursuing Linda.
As they step further into the investigation, they find out that Aloys is having some health problems result from the fact that a bullet is still stuck in his head due to an incident 3 years ago. It turns out that Linda dates Aloys at the time but because Aloys is injured, he breaks up with her. It is then that Shawn realizes he’s the third party in their relationship as Linda confesses her love to Aloys.
The evidence that they found seems to lead them in a circle but eventually they figure out the murderer is Aloys’ brother’s assistant. He had a hatred for rich people, especially Aloys’ brother, whom treated him badly and even raped his girlfriend. He captures Linda behind bars and forces Shawn and Aloys to fight against each other. They successfully break in to save Linda and both were fighting against the murderer. Shawn and Aloys are badly injured and Shawn in the verge of dying ask Linda if she ever love him to which she replies no. Shawn dies wishing them much luck together.
Comments:
The first time when I saw the trailer of this movie, I knew I wanted to watch it. As a matter of fact, I was hunting around waiting for its released. I actually saw this movie sometimes ago but didn’t want to write a review for it because the ending is disappointing that I wished I never watched this movie in the first place. After a while, I learned to let go of what happened and my previous presumption to appreciate it a little more. I initially wanted to watch this because of Aloys but due to the fact that I saw Invisible Target before this, I ended up rooting for Shawn. The trailer makes it seem that Linda and Shawn is a couple which is a false advertisement to which I took as for real so I had a fixed assumption that they will be together but unfortunately that’s not how the movie is. I was devastated to find out that Linda had feelings for Aloys all these time. It seems like Aloys had the best of both world – the love of the girl and wealth. Shawn loses everything, his wealth because his dad declares bankruptcy, and Linda, who he cares and loves a lot. I feel unjust for Shawn and even till the end when he is almost dying, Linda couldn’t even lie. He always uses his money to capture criminals such as using his own helicopter to pursue them, or using his own money as bait to capture robbers. His first time not using money in solving crime resulted in this death. I feel his character is a tragedy as he confesses to Aloys at the end that he never had any friends and the people around him only go for his money. His dad showered him with money but is never there for him so he never knew what is love before. Compare to Shawn, Aloys is a very fortunate guy minus his brother got murdered part.
I enjoyed this movie a lot in the beginning but the end really disappointed me. I can’t believe Shawn’s character is so tragic that ruins my mood after I finished it. But after I finish it, I think back to Aloys’ character and I realized it’s unfair to him that I blame him for everything happens to Shawn. I went from the state of hating Aloys to finally accepting him. But Shawn and Aloys looked really hot in here and Linda is very pretty too. This movie is filled with all good looking people.
Summer Heat TVB 4:23 am
Name:
Summer Heat
Genre:
Modern/mystery, suspense
Released:
2004
Episodes:
20
Casts: Watch this a long time ago and don’t remember any of the characters’ name so I will use their real name in this review.
Joyce Tang
Joe Ma
Mark Kwok
Victoria Jolly
Margaret Chung
Mok Ka Yiu
Raymond Cho
Sharon Chan
Law Lan (superstitious lady)
Kwok Fung
Law Kwoon Lan
Cheung Chung Chi
Natalie Wong
Ching Hor Wei
Ursule Wong (sister)
Low Man Kit
Plot:
Joyce’s dad, Kwok Fung, always wanted her to return to the village to introduce her to someone. But Joyce being a career centered woman never had the time to return to the village with her dad and when she finally did after talking to him on the phone, she witnessed her dad’s boat blown up. She thought this is not an accident but a scheme from someone from the village who wanted to kill her dad because she had too suffered numerous coincident “accident”. They found Margaret unconscious next to the crime scene but when she wakes up, she forget everything that happen that day. Together with her boyfriend, Mark Kwok, which is a policeman, they began to investigate her father’s death by digging through the history of all the people in the village. Joe Ma is the head of the village who Joyce truly believe is the bad guy because he’s constantly stand in her way of investigating. But each time when she finds some new clue leading her closer to her father’s death, it always turn out to be a fluke. Victoria Jolly acted as Joyce’s cousin coming back from overseas for the summer. As the series progress, each villager reveal to hold some kind of grudges against Kwok Fung. Who is the murderer among these villagers and what causes he/she to do such thing? What was the meaning behind Joyce’s constant nightmare? And what really happened that night of Kwok Fung’s accident?
Joe’s plot:
Joyce happens to saw Joe pushes her dad before the accident and when she knows that he is the head of the village, she accuses him of trying to cheat her dad. When Sharon Chan’s calls Joyce to her lawyer office for some legal issues after the incident, Sharon and her father told Joyce that a week before Kwok Fung’s death, he came to the lawyer office to change the contract of a piece of land in the village that he currently rented out to Joe for $1 a month. As a financial consultant she thought this is too good of a deal to be true. She also found out that before her dad died, he withdrew $200,000 from his bank account but what he did with the money is a mystery. When Joyce overheard Joe wrote a check to Margaret for $200,000, she accused him of bribing her for losing her memory. But it was reveal that the money is his and she needed the money to save her son.
Margaret Chung and son’s plot:
Joyce discovers that her bras went missing and complains to Joe for not doing anything to prevent a pervert from entering the village. When Victoria went to the changing room after a volleyball game, she notices someone took her bra and when she screams for help, everyone arrive to find Margaret’s son holding the bra. They suspect that he was the pervert but Joe Ma and Margaret stand firm that Margaret’s son is not that type of person. Victoria decided to lure the pervert out by dressing very revealing while Margaret’s son help her record any suspect around. They successfully caught the pervert and Margaret’s son returned the video back to Victoria. When Mark Kwok and Joyce Tang curiously turned on the video, they discover that after the Victoria’s video, is a video of Kwok Fung being follow. They went asking around and discover that Margaret’s son hold grudges against Kwok Fung because Kwok Fung caught him stalking girls and drew graffiti onto public walls. They also found out that on the day of the accident, he purchased 2 big containers of gasoline. When Mark and Joyce went around looking for him, Margaret and Joe protect him by sending him away but Mark and Joyce caught up to him. When they questioned him, he confessed that he did stalk Kwok Fung but didn’t do anything harmful. He just wanted to find faults in Kwok Fung’s character. He admits that he did buy the gasoline container but he only use it to store urine to throw onto Kwok Fung’s boat. At the time of the accident, he was caught by the police for fighting so he have the prove of not being present at the crime scene.
Law Lan’s plot:
When Joyce asks her to do one of those religious thing for her dad’s soul and upon hearing Kwok Fung was Joyce’s dad, she quickly rejected saying her birthdates and his does not match and therefore couldn’t perform the “ceremony” for Joyce. But as the series progress, she keeps seeing Kwok Fung following her and frighting that he will harm her and her family. When her grandson was sent to the hospital, she asks Joyce for forgiveness but when her grandson was fine, she quickly excuse herself. Joyce and Mark found it weird that Law Lan asks Joyce for forgiveness and decided to investigate further. They found that she secretly confess that it’s because of her that Kwok Fung died and before they got hold of her, she ran away. In her saving box, they found a piece of cloth containing lots of blood and $200,000 cash, they quickly jump to conclusion that she might be involved in Kwok Fung’s death. But when they found Law Lan, it was only a misunderstanding. Law Lan thought she killed Kwok Fung because she performs one of these vodoo thing on Kwok Fung’s using his birthdates. Joyce thought this is a ridiculous superstition thing and told Law Lan that the birthdate wasn’t her dad to make Law Lan feel better.
Mok Ka Yiu’s plot:
People in the village discover something is strange with Law Lan and it turns out that she is “possess” by Kwok Fung. When Joyce accompany her one night, Kwok Fung “possess” Law Lan again and drew a picture for Joyce. The picture contains a bird cage, with little pills on the floor as bird foods. Joyce and Mark went to the bird cage and discover a bag of viagra that have the market value of almost 1 million. At the beach, Joyce saw a stranger pull Mok Ka Yiu to the side and thought it looks suspicious so she follows them. She overheard the stranger asking Mok Ka Yiu for $200,000 for losing the bag of pills worth 1 million dollars. Victoria found the bag of viagra in the kitchen and Joyce had no choice but to tell her about it. Victoria took the picture to the villagers and told them that Joyce found the viagras. It was actually a bait created by Victoria and Joyce to lure the owner of the pills to come to the house to get the viagras back. When Mok Ka Yiu went to the house, he got caught on the spot by Joyce and Victoria. When he ran away, Joe went back into the house to steal the viagra, while they ended up in the middle of a shoot out between the police and the smugglers. Mok Ka Yiu got taken back to the police station for further questions. He had no proves that he wasn’t at the crime scene but was released on bail. Victoria & Ursule ran into Mok Ka Yiu’s ex girlfriend and from her they found out that he was with her on the night of the accident.
Raymond Cho’s plot:
The “possess” Law Lan told Joyce to look over all the important papers like the insurance and the mortgage that Kwok Fung left in the desk. When Joyce look through the paper, she realizes the house insurance went sky rocket high after paying for an accident. She went to the cleaning lady, you receive the insurance money for being injured, and the cleaning lady told Joyce that she fell in front of the house one time but being poor she couldn’t afford the medical bills so Raymond Cho supposedly a lawyer, told her to lie that she fells in the house so she can receive the insurance money. Joyce told Joe who then confronted Raymond who then told Joe that he’s no longer a lawyer because he’s on probation for violating the rule. From Sharon, Joyce found out that her father knew of Raymond’s fraud and told him to tell everyone in the village that he’s not a lawyer or else he will tell everyone himself. Joyce believes that it could be this reason that Raymond might want to kill her father. However, he confesses to Joe that on the night of the accident, he was having a one night stand with a woman that he is too scared to reveal because of his reputation.
Natalie Wong’s plot:
I don’t remember much except that Joyce recognizes the ring Natalie is wearing belongs to her father so Joyce thought that Natalie is the person her father was trying to introduce her to. But it wasn’t it and it turns out to be Joe’s mother whom Kwok Fung is trying to have Joyce meets with.
The ending:
By this time, you must really want to find out what happen to Kwok Fung and who killed him. Well the moment you’ve been waiting for finally arrive, yup, Kwok Fung is still alive all these time. He didn’t die in the boat or went missing or stranded on some island. He was totally fine and better yet, he was the one giving Joyce’s clues throughout the series to find out who wanted to kill him. He was knock unconscious on his boat but fortunately woke up in time before he discovers the boat is going to blown up and quickly jump into the water. But who is the murderer? No one could have guess, well maybe you can. Let’s do the process of elimination. It wasn’t anyone of the villagers because they have proves for not being there, it can’t be Joe because that would be too obvious, couldn’t be his mother because she loves him dearly, so the only person left is Joe’s aunt. Yup, it was her who went around causing disaster. And her reason so doing so? Out of hate. She hates Kwok Fung for not loving her but her sister, she hates him for marrying someone else, and after so many years away, he came back and still want to be with her sister and not her. She lied about having married and a daughter who are all died in a car accident. In reality, she was at times stayed in the mental hospital and was only discharge recently. Is she connected to Joyce’s nightmare? Of course, she’s the one who pushed Joyce into the water. What else did she do? Well, a lot, like stalking Joyce in the beginning, messing with her car brakes, pouring slime onto the parking lot to make Joyce’s loses the wheel balance, killing all the pigeons at Joyce’s house, and many many more but the major thing she did is of course trying to kill Kwok Fung.
Comments:
I personally find this series interesting and good in its own way. I didn’t expect much when I rented it, I didn’t even care if it was Joyce and Joe who were the main characters. I was basically bored in the midst of summer doing nothing at home with nothing to watch. I didn’t know it was suppose to be suspenseful or a detective show, therefore I’d no hope in how this series is going to turn out. Many complain that the title is misleading and the series was advertised as a mystery series but the show is nothing like it. I guess I didn’t have any high expectation so the series turn out good to me. I was surprised that Joe Ma and Joyce Tang were leading because they’ve never lead before but I found their performance above average. I admit that this series tried too hard to have the mysterious and thriller feel to it but it doesn’t come out the way it intended to.
Performances/Characters:
Joyce Tang – I think Joyce carried out the strong willed and career centered woman very well and she looks gorgeous being the character. Her appearance gave contrasting views to the characters in the village, almost like urban vs. suburban. I find her character is believable when she starts to accuse everybody for having kill her father, wanting to kill her father, or hating on her father. She always devote her time in her work and barely have any time to spend with her father. When she finally have the chance, it was a little too late. It is apparent that she wants to find out who did this to her father as a way of repaying for the time she’s not there. Even if it’s an accident, she cannot accept that it is, so cognitively she wants to blame someone for it. And when she discovers bits by bits of information related to her father, she starts investigating hoping she will find the murderer. But even till almost the end, she still doesn’t believe her dad had died, because clearly there is no reasons for her to believe so. Everyone in the village hated her for causing havoc among themselves and for continuously accusing people. I found the reason for their differences is not Kwok Fung but the social differences. Joyce couldn’t accept the primitive lives these people are living and they couldn’t take her prejudice views of them. When Joyce spends more time in the village, she began to adapt to their lifestyles and learn to accept them. Joyce performs this character well, being sadden by her father death, annoying for going around causing destructions, and become likable toward the end.
Joe Ma – I hesitated after knowing that Joe Ma is also leading this series because this is a big step for Joe since he had never given such big role. I think he’s a miscast for this series because he looks nothing like a villager who spent all his lives living in the village, growing crops and raising livestock. He appears to be like a surfer coming to the village for a summer vacation. As a village chief, I saw he did nothing for the village and most of the time, he appears to be jobless and so carefree. I do wonder how or where he get money to support himself. Even though his acting is ok most of the time, I think his character is unnecessary and irrelevant to the whole story. This is the first series that I actually think the main actress shouldn’t be with the main actor. I actually hated him for coming into Joyce’s relationship with Mark. Till the end, I was wishing that somehow Joyce will return back to Mark but of course that never happened because this is a typical TVB stuff where you have to be the lead to get the woman.
Mark Kwok – I really pity this character and the actor who played this character, I really do. He had never given a decent role where he acts as a gentleman. He always acted as the bastard boyfriend or a horrible man (except Time Off) and the audience usually link him as a bad guy whenever they see him on television. But Mark’s character is nothing like a jerk or better yet, I think he’s the best boyfriend Joyce could ever have. Being as unreasonable and hot temper that she is in the beginning, how can any men tolerate her? She changes for the better when she’s with Joe but it was Mark who like her for who she really is. He’s trying to be the perfect boyfriend anyone ever wanted. The man came right to the crime scene after getting off the plane when he heard Kwok Fung’s accident. He spent days and nights accompanying her and do really unnecessary things that he could have done so much with his free time instead of going around accusing people for no apparent reasons. There was a scene when he drove Joyce home and waited for Joyce to ask him to come in but Joyce simply disregard him because she was tired. When he was still downstairs, he saw her worrily drove by and decided to follow her to see if he can help her. It turns out there was an illegal immigrant intrude into Joyce’s house in the village and try to harm Victoria. Joyce came seeing a man on top of Victoria thinking he’s a rapist so she knocks him unconscious. It turns out to be Joe helping Victoria and at this time the real suspect try to attack them with a knife and guess who was there to save the day, Mark. And at this time, he wasn’t her boyfriend and yet he cares so much and do so much for a girl that neglect his feelings all these times. It is ironic how Joyce honoring Joe for saving her so many times yet she blindly ignore all the things Mark did.
Victoria Jolly – Her scenes time are limited but whenever she appears, she looks very wooden and stiff, or to make any of her fans feel better, a barbie. The how time I was watching Summer Heat, I really try to find out if her character is even necessary or she just got the role because she’s some miss HK. Then when I saw scenes where she’s in her bikini playing volleyball on the beach while Joyce just sit there fully clothes and watch, I realize why she’s there.
Margaret Chung – The only other series I saw her was Detective Investigation Files 3 where she plays semi main role. Compare to this one, her role is rather small. I think she fits the role of a young mother working hard to give the guy a good life who never appreciate her presence because she’s not his birth mother. I feel Joe should be with Margaret because they matches better, personality wise, and because she’s a really sad character. She did her role justice and one of my favorite scene involve her yelling at her son for being an ass his whole life. Very well done by this actress.
Complaints:
The inconsistence in Joyce’s character. One moment you see her strong willed and aggressive attitude, the next you’ll see her crying her balls out. She supposes to be the modern girl growing up in the city with broad mind about everything, yet when it comes to wearing bikini at the beach, she accuses Victoria for dressing so revealing. One moment she calls Joe her prince charming for coming to her rescue so many times, but the person who really do so much is Mark, yet he never receives any credits. The first few episodes she is all into let’s find my father’s body, he’s still alive yet later on she suddenly doesn’t pay much attention to finding her dad.
The best scene:
On Kwok Fung’s birthdates, Joyce took Joe to the playground where her father took her there after work when she was little. Then she tells him her mother passed away when she was very little so the relationship between her and her father are very closed. But when she grows up and started working, they grow apart because she is so busy with work. Only after his death did she began to learn about her father. It is this scene that her character become vulnerable and demonstrate that she is capable of having feelings.
The worst scenes:
None that I can think of.
Should you rent this serial?
Yes, sure why not. If you looking for an interesting storyline with average acting, then sure, you might enjoy it. If you’re looking for something like DIF1-4 then no, you’ll be disappointed. If you’re a Joyce’s fan, then I would say you should, Joe’s fan? Maybe.
Rating:
6.5/10
Hana Yori Dango 1 JDrama 4:20 am
Casts:
Inoue Mao as Makino Tsukushi
Matsumoto Jun as Doumyouji Tsukasa
Oguri Shun as Hanazawa Rui
Matsuda Shota as Nishikado Soujiroh
Abe Tsuyoshi as Mimasaka Akira
Sato Megumi as Sanjou Sakurako
Nishihara Aki as Matsuoka Yuki
Seto Saki as Asai Yuriko
Fukada Aki as Ayuhara Erika
Matsuoka Emiko as Yamano Minako
Synopsis:
Makino Tsukushi is the only poor student at Eitoku Gakuen, the school of the ridiculously rich and privileged that is ruled by Flower 4 or F4, a group of four boys who come from extremely powerful families: Domyoji Tsukasa, the leader and heir of the Domyoji World Finance Group; Hanazawa Rui, the introverted son of a large company; Nishikado Sojiro, a player who is the heir of a tea ceremony school; and Mimasaka Akira, a madam killer with ties to the underground. If a student gets on the F4’s bad side, he/she gets a red notice and is bullied and driven out of school.
Makino hopes to pass her days quietly– without drawing any attention to herself– but one day, she stands up to Domyoji in defense of her friend. The next day, Makino gets the dreaded red notice. Even though she is harassed, Makino decides to keep going to school because she is a “tough weed”. She declares war right back on the F4. Her resolve gets the attention of her crush Hanazawa Rui and oddly enough, rouses romantic feelings in her worst enemy, Domyoji Tsukasa.
The series is based on the Japanese shoujo manga “Hana Yori Dango” (Boys Before Flowers) by Kamio Yoko.
This is honestly the first Japanese drama I’ve ever watched in my life (not counting A Million Falling Stars b/c I never finish it). This drama is also the reason why I am so into Japanese drama right now. I admit even though it is a little late for entering the world of Japanese drama, I really don’t mind the catching up since I will have lots of drama to watch. My friend told me a lot about this Japanese version of Meteor Garden but I never pay any mind to it because honestly speaking, I don’t really like Meteor Garden. Being a typical teenager that I was when it first came out, I admit I was really hype about it but then when I really take time to think about it, I realize how crappy Meteor Garden is. I wonder how F4 gets so famous after the released of Meteor Garden since they’re not even “hot”. But that’s not the point, the point is, I found this version 10x better than Meteor Garden minus the chemistry of F4 in Meteor Garden.
Inoue Mao as Makino Tsukushi
I’m not really sure why but I was never a fan of Barbie Hsu regardless of which character she plays so when I saw Inoue Mao playing the same role, there is no doubt I would think Inoue is better. On the physical appearance, I think Inoue fits the character more because Barbie is too short compare to F4 whereas Inoue has a lesser difference in height. Barbie always show this irritating and annoying look on her face whilst Inoue has this adorable and innocent look. I know it’s not fair to compare them since i’m pretty sure there is difference in the script description of their character but I can’t help to enjoy watching Inoue’s acting.
Matsumoto Jun as Doumyouji Tsukasa
When he first appeared I couldn’t hold onto to my laughter because my first impression of him is “how gay.” His curly hair makes him look gayer too and worst when he smiles. It took me quite sometimes to get used to his face and his acting but because his character is likable, I didn’t dislike him for long. beside from better acting, I think Jerry fits better with this role. But if I have to pick, I would pick good acting over good looking any day.
Oguri Shun as Hanazawa Rui
As much as I like how Oguri Shun portrayed Rui, I have to admit Vic Chou is hotter and way cooler when he doesn’t talk. They both have a special personality that if I were to pay the main girl, I would too fall for them. In the beginning, I really hope Makino would end up with Doumyouji but after how badly Doumyouji treated her and how Rui is so caring I was hoping she would develop feeling for Rui instead. But that’s beside the point since it occurs frequently in season 2 than it is in season 1. This character doesn’t require much acting so I think Vic would be best to play this role.
Other characters:
Maybe it’s just me that the F4 in the Taiwanese version have better chemistry than the F4 in this version. When I watched Meteor Garden, I actually feel their friendship as if they knew each other for sometimes but when I watch this version, I don’t feel anything. it seems to me that Tsukasa beats the other F3 whenever he feels like it whereas I don’t remember when Jerry hits the other F3. A drama will grow on me when the characters are interacting with each other and by the end of this drama, I saw that the relationship between the characters develop a little bit.
I like the fact that this drama is a lot shorter than Meteor Garden because if I remember correctly, Meteor Garden is a little bit lengthy. I like how this drama doesn’t waste any time and go straight to the main storyline. There are several minor differences between the dramas but not a drastic change that will deviate the main plot.
Also known as: Hana Kimi
Cast:
Horikita Maki as Ashiya Mizuki
Oguri Shun as Sano Izumi
Ikuta Toma as Nakatsu Shuichi
Ishigaki Yuma as Tennoji Megumi
Mizushima Hiro as Nanba Minami
Yamamoto Yusuke as Karashima Taiki
Kimura Ryo as Senri Nakao
Kyo Nobuo as Himejima Masao
Iwasa Mayuko as Hanayashiki Hibari
Matsuda Madoka as Kishizato Juri
Kiritani Mirei as Amagasaki Kanna
Kurose Manami as Imaike Komari
Taira Airi as Abeno Erika
Plotline:
Ashiya admired high jumper Sano ever since she first saw him on television and determined to help him jump again after his injury trying to save her in the States. She returned to Japan and enrolled herself in Osaka’s High School for boys to help motivate Sano to jump again despite her parents opposition. Her admiration slowly grow into affection for Sano whilst Nakatsu, also began to develop feelings for her. At the same time, she entangled herself with many events occurred within this school particularly in many competitions between the 3 dorms.
Personal Opinion:
I am consider myself very difficult in choosing what I want to watch and what I will finish. I haven’t watch a drama in the longest time that I actually watch till the end and at the same time enjoying it. This drama is considered my favorite drama of the year surpassing Romantic Princess and Hana Yori Dango 1 which I recently watched. I have yet to finish the Taiwanese version of the same title because it simply wasn’t as captivating as this drama to get me to finish it. I admit I started Hana Kimi – the Taiwanese version that is with great expectation since I heard many good words about the drama but I quickly felt disappointed when I began watching it. I had no choice but to stop watching it altogether because 1. I was busy with school work and so I want to devote whatever free time I have no something worthwhile and 2. Ella isn’t the most beautiful girl there is to be compatible with the adorable Wu Chun. I agree it was a little shallow on my part but I really expect chemistry between the actors before I can get myself to like them. Anyway, so during the week of finals, I started surfing the net because god know studying would be the last thing I wanted to do, and I came across this. I hesitated at first but then I gave in because I saw Oguri Shun name in the cast list and after watching Hana Yori Dango 2, I felt in love with his character as Rui so I thought I wanted to see more of him. Let just say I ended up finishing this drama for none of the reasons I started watching it. I felt in love with the casts, every single one of them, and more importantly, I am in love with Nakatsu’s character. I also like the fact that this drama is only 12 episodes because it goes straight to the main point without having any boring details attached. As of the moment I’m writing this, I rewatch this drama 2 times already and will watch more when I have more time.
Characters:
Ikuta Toma as Nakatsu Shuichi
There are so many characters in this version that I absolutely love but the one I truly love is Nakatsu. I’m not sure if it’s the actor that play the role or the character in the general that make the character Nakatsu lovable. From the moment he appeared till the end of the show, I want to know what happened to him. I think his character is the most developed one of them all, more than Sano and Ashiya. He went from being mean to Ashiya, to care, and finally to love. His character is charming, funny, and cute. I can’t think back to any scenes that he appeared that he is not funny. He simply dominate the screen whenever he appeared and this is one of those drama where I wish that the main girl do not end up with the main guy and for once let the 2nd guy have the girl. The reason I finished watching this drama is because of him.
Oguri Shun as Sano Izumi
Honestly, I don’t know what I was thinking when I thought he was cute. This realization help me understand that a character in a show can influence the way someone view an actor. This was indeed misleading since I felt in love with his character as Rui in Hana Yori Dango and thought that he would be as handsome and as good as he was but wow, am I wrong. After watching this drama, I don’t think I want to watch anymore of his drama. Honestly, he’s not cute at all, and his character is really boring to watch. Every time he appears, he ruins the mood of everybody. This character acts as if the world owes him something, like he’s the only one suffering but in fact it is his own decision to quit high jumping. I have no idea why Ashiya would fall for someone like him. Is it because he is “cute”? Or because he saved her? Love is blind i’m telling you.
Horikita Maki as Ashiya Mizuki
I admit she is better looking than Ella but besides that, I think Ella makes a better character than she is. This girl didn’t know what she wants from beginning till end. She claims that she comes to help Sano jumps again with no other intentions but after he jumps, she decides to stay. It is clear that she is in love with him since the beginning but she didn’t realize so until the end. I do want to know what she sees in him. It is clear that every time she face any problems either emotional or social, Nakatsu comes to her rescue yet at the end, it’s Sano that she likes. I have no problem with her liking Sano’s character either, except this version portrays his character is a cocky, proud, cool character whereas everyone else in the show is down to earth and friendly.
Other Characters:
Like I said above, beside from Nakatsu, I also watch it for everybody else excluding Sano. I love the 3 dorm leaders and they have their fair share of good parts. For example, the dorm leader #1 is very good with handling girls and everyone recognizes him as the player type and every time he appears, everyone asks him for his opinions regarding girls. Dorm leader 2 and 3 are very funny in their special way. Every time they appear, the whole serious atmosphere from Sano disappear and everything turns into a comedy. They are unique in their own way and when they work together to defeat their enemy, they’re invincible. Their summer vacation working at the beach where they compete with other high school is really fun to watch.
Then there is Yamamoto Yusuke acting as Kayashima Taiki. Even though his character is weird sometimes, as I continue to watch, I realize his character is perfectly normal. He just talk really less but every time he says something, it really start me laughing. I like the whole “I can see the aura” thing that come out of his mouth. Love his chemistry of Nakatsu too, especially the scene where Nakatsu is in the midst of debating whether or not he’s homo, he asked his roommate, Kayashima “What happen if you find out i’m a homosexual?” Kayashima have this blank stare like he usually does then reply “I would ask to transfer out of the room.” Then Nakatsu gave him a nod like he would done the same too. Such great chemistry that I love every time they interact.
There is of course the doctor who is there for Ayashi every time she is in trouble or face a problem within the school. I find that their relationship is realistic and the doctor growing from a women phobic to finally learn how to accept woman. He himself didn’t realize this transformation until the end when Ayashi leave. She slowly change him without he knows that he is changing.
Let just say I miss the cast more than I miss Ayashi and Sano.
Fathers & Sons TVB 4:11 am
Casts:
Bobby Au Yeung
Wong Hei
Yoyo Mung
Tavia Yeung
Halina Tam
Anne Heung
Ha Yu
Fung So Po
Lee Kwok Lun
Lee Seng Cheung
Chow Chong
Evergreen Mak
Mary Hon
Lai Lok Yi
June Chan
Oscar Leung
I told myself never to watch any of Yoyo Mung’s series after her character in The Ultimate Crime Fighters but then I can’t resist not watching this serie. I have to admit that I am not a fan of either of the main casts. As a matter of fact, I’m not even fond of Tavia. But I was in the midst of Winter Break with nothing better to do with my free time but to watch series, I ended up watching Father & Son. I didn’t have any expectation for this serie, I was just hoping it turns out to be average so I can at least make my time worth watching it. However, as soon as I started watching it, I can’t help but to continue to watch it until I finish it in 2 days. If you ask me what is so special about Father & Son, I honestly can’t answer you. It wasn’t so much of the cast and the acting but it is the relationship between the characters that got me into finishing it.
I am a sucker when it comes to relationship between family members such as father & son, mother & daughter and so on. I love to see how their relationship developed and strengthened. It bores me when a serie or movie portrayed a happy family with no problems, no fightings, no arguments, and etc… I believe such relationship do not exist in the real world and if it does exist, it probably won’t last long. I think it is through argument and fighting will the members of the family realize their difference and only then will forgiveness kicks in to make their relationship stronger.
There are many relationships between parents and children in Father & Son and I guess this is also why I like this serie so much. Ha Yu’s love for his children, Bobby and Wong He is what I called unconditional love. He is willing to give all he has and what is best for his children. He tries every ways he knows best to make his children happy and satisfy them. Of course there is some exaggeration in Ha Yu’s deeds but I believe every parents is capable of doing the things Ha Yu did for their children given the same opportunity under the same circumstance. Some children can have the heart to abandon their parents but I truly believe the parents won’t give up their children.
Then there is the relationship between Bobby and his real father. I’m really glad Bobby forgives him and finally accepts him as his father again. His dying scene is very sad in my opinion because even though he has all those children, only Bobby comes at last to see him. Evergreen is the most horrible person of all because he’s willing to give up the last chance to see his father alive. I really wanted to see him regret it but apparently TVB gave him a better ending than I thought he deserves.
Beside from parents and children relationships, there is love relationship. I like Yoyo and Bobby’s character together. I saw how they went from being just friends, to being really close friends, and finally to lovers. I enjoy every moment they on screen together and i’m glad they have a good ending. But their relationship is kind of weird taking that Yoyo almost marry and was pregnant with Evergreen who is happened to be Bobby’s brother. I thought Bobby’s character was horrible in the beginning because I generalize that any men who doesn’t like kids are not husband material. Of course everything changes when he knows he’s a father.
Honestly, Wong He’s relationship with his wife and daughter bored me. He is too calm when he found out his wife is cheating on him and too nice to let her go. Is such guy exist now? I call such guys in real life, coward. And what’s up with his wife returns back to get the daughter. What a b****? Seriously, how cruel can you be? She just bluntly told him that the daughter is not his. No show of remorse? guilt? And how dare her to give up the daughter to a guy she knows is not the father and then come back to claim the daughter with the reason that the daughter is not his. If she never met with an accident and her new husband didn’t die, would she ever come back? My goodness, if I were Wong He, I would have slap her many times let alone live with her at the end. And for what reason, for the daughter that is not even his? Fine, is not about the daughter being his or not, but still? Can he really tolerate his wife, forgive her that easy, forget about Tavia, accepts the daughter, and satisfy with his life abroad? Too many questions with no answers. I feel unjust for Tavia and i’m glad she didn’t end up with him. She deserves a better man, who truly loves her and who is actually a man.
Lastly, I enjoy watching every Tavia scenes either alone or when she is with her mother. She is the independent type that I wish I can be. Her character is strong and determine. She knows what she wants and how to cope with her feelings. She is too good for Wong He and I wish she find a better man but unfortunately the serie didn’t show who she ended up with. Honestly, she is too good to be with Lai Lok Yi too. This guy is a spoil brat who really didn’t grow up much even at the end. When I thought he is changing, he said something like “I want to do this to prove that my brother is wrong. How can he look down on his own brother?” So he’s not doing it for his father but only to prove that his brother is wrong about him? Without Bobby’s help, his brother would be right, he is afterall a kid who wants to show that he is capable of doing adult stuff.
Rating:
8/10
Name:
Life Art
Genre:
Modern; drama
Released:
2007
Episodes:
20
Cast:
Kevin Cheng
Gigi Lai
Astrid Chan
Paul Chun
Ben Wong
Natalie Tong
Queenie Chu
Yvonne Lam
Kathy Yuen
Josephine Shum
Vinci Wong
Sam Ho Yan
This is a lighthearted family drama from tvb this year and since I don’t really follow up to what genre tvb releases are, I have no clue how many of this type of drama are out this year but I can tell you that i am a fan of lighthearted family drama. I am also a fan of Gigi Lai and Kevin Cheng so there is no way in the world I would miss this drama not even if the drama itself is plotless (which all lighthearted dramas usually are). From the synopsis, I learned not to expect much from Life Art because I just can’t find anything interesting about calligraphy, painting, or art in general. But since it is lighthearted it really doesn’t hurt to watch.
The synopsis do give this drama justice because there is really no overall plot. There are plots, not big but little plots throughout the drama, just not big enough to cover the whole 20 episodes.
The Kevin & Gigi’s plot:
Kevin misjudges Gigi for being ruthless when she doesn’t help his mom when his mom falls but he soon realizes that her right arm is disabled due to an injury caused by her father years ago. After they become friends, he encourages her to seek doctor’s help for her arm, helps her gain back confidence in her drawings, and recommends a comic drawing position to her. Gigi steadily falls in love with Kevin but she doesn’t find the courage to tell him because he’s in a long distance relationship with his girlfriend. But after his girlfriend breaks up with him, he realizes that Gigi is always there for him and unknowingly discovers that he has feelings for her too. Thus they get together at the end and since their relationship is fully established in the beginning, the appearance of Kevin’s ex-girlfriend at the end did not break them apart.
Kevin and the company’s plot:
In the beginning, Kevin is a workaholic, who would spent day and night at the company trying to write or fix computer programs for customers. His hard work never pay off, despite the fact that he gets compliment from times to times from his boss, because he never receive credits for his work. The big boss always praises Kevin for his good work but ended up taking all his credits in front of the bigger boss. Ben Wong in the other hand is a very lazy person but because he is the brother in law of the boss, he shares some credential from Kevin. Not only that but in front of everybody, the boss shows disappointment and disapproval of Ben’s work but behind the closed curtain, they secretly laugh at everybody else’s stupidity. When Kevin discovers the truth about their relationships, the boss fired him. But at this same time, the company going through some ownership changes and it turns out the new boss, Astrid, not only like Kevin and willing to let him stay, but she disapproves of the way the company run. Ben and his brother in law lost their power within the company and thus Ben comes up with a “genius” plan to save their asses by courting Astrid. Ben goes through many unsuccessful attempts to please her which only ended up in favoring on Kevin’s part. However, the new software program is stolen and someone have to be responsible for the loss. Kevin decides he doesn’t want to work under such hostile work environment any longer so he leaves and starts his own company. Astrid is demoted for her inability to run the company so the company is going back to Ben’s brother in law. After what Ben thought was all good and better now, he suddenly gets fired by his brother in law. It turns out the brother in law is the bad guy who stole and sold the programs to the black market, frame Kevin for doing so, snitched on Astrid to the biggest boss, and now sacrifice Ben to save his position.
Natalie and Kevin’s colleague’s plot:
There isn’t really anything interesting about this couple but since it is one of the subplot, there shouldn’t be a reason not to mention it. Natalie is Kevin’s younger sister who is one of those immature, young adult, who just grow up and doesn’t know what is life and what is respect and who unintentionally toy with other feelings. She uses Kevin’s colleague shamelessly to the point of breaking his heart. She basically treats him like a slave, call him when she pleases, and ignore him when she doesn’t need him. He soon realizes this and confront her to which she childishly apologize but I still see she treats him the same but of course he’s willing to be treated that way now because they’re officially together.
Evergreen & Yvonne’s plot:
This is probably the most developed plot of all the other plots because it has the past, the present, and the consequence. Evergreen and Yvonne supposed to marry years ago but on their wedding day, they argue over some saving amount of money that Evergreen let his friend borrow which have yet to return and thus cause the wedding to fall apart because Yvonne cannot tolerate Evergreen to trust his friend over her. So fast forward to the beginning of the story, he have to paid her off her share of the money by selling his art work to her store. They disgusted with each other’s site but deep down inside, they still love each other very much. When the friend reappeared and say he couldn’t return the money because he’s poor and what not, Evergreen padded him on the shoulder and say it is all good. But Yvonne knows better that this friend is a faker, who pretended to be poor so he won’t have to pay the money back. This cause Evergreen and Yvonne to have another argument and Evergreen slaps Yvonne while she vows to never put her mouth into his business again. Paul Chun however, believe in what Yvonne said so he pulls Evergreen out to stalk the friend. It turns out the friend is making a lot of money now, but he refuses to pay because Evergreen is so gullible and easy to deceive. Disappointed and apologetic, he wants to seek Yvonne to say sorry but it is a little too late because she left to China with another man. However, they reconcile and become a happy ever after couple.
Complaint:
I seriously thought this whole drama is about the process of one person (possibly Gigi) who gifted with drawing and painting talents to go further in her life with them like making a difference in her art. I was disappointed that none of it was in there. While the title state Life Art, there is so little art in here that make this whole Life Art title as a false advertisement. Yes true Paul and Yvonne own an art shop, Evergreen paints for a living, Gigi used to draw, and many people learning calligraphy but what is lacking is the process of drawing itself. I know I can’t expect these actors and actresses to be professional artist over the course of filming for this serial but at least found a real artist who drew for the viewers. I expect it to have lots of exhibits of the art or going into the history of drawing and painting but there are none of that. As a matter of fact, I learned more about art from When Rules Turn Loose from Ha Yu than I can acquire from this entire serial. One scene really disappointed me was the scene at Yvonne’s shop where a guy walk in looking at the paintings and I thought they will introduce a little about the painting but instead Yvonne just recommends him a random painting and the scene is over. When Evergreen declare that is Mona Lisa is better than the original because he drew the position of her eyes differently, I was hoping he would explain why and what’s so spectacular about it but he ended up didn’t. The one scene that I actually enjoy is when Paul took Gigi to the mountain where he sat and slowly drew the scenery. Although it doesn’t reveal the step by step process, Paul’s explanation to Gigi about people’s ignorance of art is pretty interesting.
Most hated character:
You would think the boss who frame Kevin because he’s the only one who really did some evil in here or you would guess the lady who starts rumor about Paul and Kevin’s mom being a couple. Yeah they’ve done wrong things but I can tolerate their behaviors but the one person I can tolerate is Natalie’s character. What a spoil brat? In the first episode where Kevin and their mom were teasing her about the way she talks, I thought she would stop, but the girl still think she’s a child or something, continues to speak in that annoying way. There was a part where she was frustrated at something and when her mom ask her to take the thread out of some dress and sew together something because her mom is busy with some other important things. She didn’t want to but I guess she did it anyway to irritate her mom so she ended up messing all the tasks her mom ask her to like sew the legs from the pant together. The mom had to go buy new cloths to redo the dress for the customer. If I were the mom, I would’ve beaten this girl so badly or at least give her a good slap. How hard it is for her mom to raise 2 kids all by herself by sewing days and nights to support them financially and now when her mom need a favor from her and this is how a good daughter suppose to act? It doesn’t matter if you mad at the world, but the mom had done nothing to you let alone to do that to her. Maybe I am exaggerating because messing up the dress is something small and not as trivial but the way she did it annoys me. When her mom shows her the mess up part that she sew together, she just give that annoying face like yeah i told you i don’t know how to do it so don’t tell me to do it again. Then of course the way she treated Kevin’s colleague, i won’t go into details as I already did under their subplot. I really hope she would grow up but unfortunately I see she remains the same till the end.
Most annoying character:
Once again, Natalie’s character is also one annoying b****. I recalls several occasion when she calls herself beautiful and no she didn’t do it in a playing tone or at least that’s what I perceive. Are you serious about thinking you’re pretty? Like when she is debating whether or not to go out with Kevin’s colleague, she was talking to herself saying how can such a beautiful young girl like her go out with him. PSH!
Most pitiful character:
I would say Kevin’s ex-girlfriend and Kevin’s colleague, the one dating Natalie. I didn’t understand why she broke up with Kevin in the first place. I mean, I saw how she just say she’s going to marry that guy from the webcam, but then when she returns, she says it was all fake. I was confused but then I pity her for losing the one guy that she thought would be hers. I mean they dated for 7 years, that’s a long time, and suddenly this one person, Gigi, come in and steal his heart away in 1 month, or months.
Favorite character:
Kevin? Gigi? Nope. I actually enjoy Ben’s character the most. Although I know he and his brother in law used Kevin in the beginning, I never see Ben as an evil guy. There are many times he tries to get rid of Kevin but I think he does it simply to save his job. I never see him as a comedian earlier but he makes such a fool out of himself in here that I cannot resist laughing. Afterall, he’s a good guy at heart, especially at the end when the truth is reveal. Everyone thought he was the traitor who stole the program but he never did it. He clarifies to his brother in law that no matter how much he hates and wants Kevin out of the company, he would never use dirty tactics and illegal ways to get his mean. That’s what I call a person with character.
Favorite scene:
The scene when the company hold a ball and everyone is invited. Ben after digging through Astrid’s profile read that she loves this one song because it reminds her of her first love, Ben paid the guy to pay the song while he will ask Astrid to dance with him. His plan work out great until he went to the bathroom and accidentally locks himself in there while the song played outside. When he climbs his way out, rips his pant and break his neck in the process, he saw Kevin and Astrid were dancing with each other. The next day at work, he shows up having casks on his neck and hand, his foot is broken while his other hand hold a bouquet of flowers and slowly walk up to Astrid to give her the flowers. The scene was hilarious. The best I have seen this year.
Rate:
6/10
Do watch it if you’re a fan of Kevin and Gigi. They look so good with each other and Gigi seems so young. She’s gorgeous in her outfit to the ball with Kevin.
I think this recent released series from TVB need no introduction as everyone should already know about it due to its popularity in Hong Kong as well as overseas. I must admit the only reason I decided to watch it in the first place is because of many good reviews I read about it. But then of course I am a fan when it comes to mysterious, detective, cop solving, type of drama so there is no way I would miss it and besides, no one that would get on my nerve is in here. The last series I saw of Roger Kwok is, I don’t know, To Get Unstuck in Time and the last of Sonjia Kwok is, The Conquest but then I didn’t really watch it so it doesn’t count. Regardless, the message I’m trying to get across is I missed them, I really do. I think this is their first time collaborating together too? Correct me if i’m wrong since my knowledge is limited when it comes to remembering which actors or actresses pair with one another. But it doesn’t matter because I see lots of chemistry between them which is the reason why I feel their love story is too short and deserve much more devotion than just a few episodes. Anyway, I won’t get into that much farther until of course, when it is time to talk about it. Let’s talk about the storyline first.
I was hook into watching this majority due to the cases presented in here. I admit that sometimes the cases are dull and obvious but what i’m concern most is not the killer but how the characters come about to solve the crime. I think Roger’s vision of the death is really irrelevant to the whole storyline, if anything, those visions are usually misleading and cover Roger’s true ability as a good detective. I believe Roger would do just fine without his special ability in solving crimes because most of the time his visions are unnecessary. I also believe that Roger’s ability to analyze crime scenes and deduct information given is superior to that of Kenneth’s so if Kenneth can solve the crimes without any specialty, I believe roger can do the same. Honestly, those visions cause more harm than good especially since he can’t tell anyone about it. After a while those visions and him passing out every time he has it doesn’t get on my nerve anymore. But what I really find absurd is the story of the ghost. Like seriously, as if the writer/writers didn’t think having random image of the dead by touching their photos aren’t unrealistic enough, they have to add the story of the ghost. It’s the most absurd thing I have seen on television. What’s the purpose of this? And don’t tell me the reason is to warn Roger about his fate with Sonjia because honestly, that isn’t necessary. Is it suppose to be some kind of foreshadow of their fate? If it is I rather they didn’t do so because I don’t want to look forward to seeing the downfall of the two main leads.
Well, besides from what I have mentioned, everything else is realistic to a certain extend. Some of the cases are original in my opinion especially the one where one man withdraw 2/3 of his blood by taking a little of his blood everyday until one day pretend that he got kidnap and eventually feign his death. I would never thought of ever doing that to fake my own death. That’s just too painful and too much work but I guess it does work since everybody thought he can’t survive with 2/3 of his blood drained. I felt that the last focus of the story is a little draggy. Well, I didn’t really count but I felt like they spent that last half of the series focusing on the story of that rich family and the rich guy. Like come on, give him a little break, just because he’s a playboy and wealthy doesn’t mean he goes around killing people all the time. He was innocent until of course, he chose to kill but then I really think it’s due to the fact that the cops are all up on his ass. If I were him, I would’ve file harassment since seriously, every little clue they found, they direct it against him whether he did it or not. If anything, I think TVB has something against playboy with wealthy background. It is as if like they’re on a killing spree or something. I felt so sorry for the boy that by the time he did kill people, I was just hoping that he didn’t do so just to prove the cops’ prejudice against his him is wrong. Then when of course he actually did kill all those people and the cops know about it, I wish they could nail him but obviously that didn’t happen either. Next thing you know, he’s part of his brother’s killing spree. Like wtf, they’ve wasted all these time trying to build up a climax then boom, he died. What an easy way out?
I like Roger’s relationship with his sister even though I think sometimes they do give me a feeling that their relationship surpass that of a brother and a sister. Especially in the beginning when they pretended to be a couple and then Roger behaves so protective of his sister when his aunt is trying to introduce some guys to his sister. It was just weird. However, i’m glad from then on, they didn’t really show too much of them especially since they each found someone they love.
I like Kenneth’s storyline more than that of Roger. Beside from the two timing part, Kenneth is an ideal man. He is very serious when it comes to work and yet so very caring when it comes to his girlfriend. I knew TVB would do something to separate them but is his cheating a trait that this kind of character would do? Honestly, I think it’s it out of character of Kenneth to two time his girlfriend. He is in love with Sonjia and there isn’t any doubt about it because after all she is whom he wants to marry. But why is it that he has a sudden change of heart? Maybe because of responsibility since he did sleep with the other girl whereas I don’t think he did with Sonjia. He’s being a jerk when he declares that he wants to be with the other girl because she needs him more than Sonjia does and it wouldn’t be fair if he just marry Sonjia. I would smack him for that’s the dumbest excuse I ever heard. I hate cheater so much I wouldn’t forgive him the first time when he comes to confess. But regardless of what he did and who he chose to be with, I think deep deep down inside, he still loves Sonjia probably not as a lover but perhaps a friend or a family member. I just can’t believe this kind of character would do such a thing.
I don’t think this series in Sonjia’s breakthrough because honestly, her acting is only average. It doesn’t require much acting as well as emotion, except maybe the part when she found out that kenneth cheated on her. I don’t know if the writer didn’t make it dramatic enough or it’s because of Sonjia’s poor acting that I don’t feel anything for either party. It was actually annoying watching them since I thought it was stupid of Sonjia to give Kenneth’s another opportunity. But anyways, her role is likable in here so I can’t really complain but just because I like Sonjia as an actress and like her role in this series, it doesn’t mean that she did an awesome job.
Why is it that Roger always take part in a detective, mystery, and sci-fi sort of thing? I mean Greed Mask (is that the right title, the one with him and Christine Ng?), The Get Unstuck in Time, and now this. But one thing is different is that his character in DIE is very goofy and funny in contrast with his other characters where he always play the serious and cool detective. He’s more down to earth which is the main factor why I really like him in here.
Let’s not forget about Stephen Huynh even though his scenes are very limited. But let just say I started drooling every time he appears, ok I didn’t really do that, but I do think he’s handsome. His character is very likable although he appears probably less than a total of 20 scenes. He is hilarious in the first scene he appears, “I have to go, I need a lift back to the station” and Roger’s character said “He’s so westernized, always want to ride in the same car with the dead body.” LOL. He looks very professional in his white coat and suits and his appearance reminds me of Frankie Lam except with more charisma. I do look forward to see him in more TVB dramas in the near future.
Overall, this is a great series. This is the first time in the longest time that i can actually say I enjoy every single episodes of the series and cannot stop watching it. I love everything about it and I was looking forward to the cases after one another. If it’s not the ridiculously weird ending, this would have been one of my favorite. I heard there will be a sequel, or just another series with the same casts but either way, I am looking forward to seeing it and hopefully this time around they will right the wrong.
9.0/10
