BULLET TO THE HEAD: a movie review

Now a days, due to much free time, watching a movie and writing my thoughts down in a blog post is easier than before. Here is another movie review I'm going to write which is about Bullet to The Head. It is convenient for me and for any beginner movie reviewer to write the review after watching the movie at least twice. Let's start with an overview of the movie.
Bullet to the Head was directed by Walter Hill who is widely known for his movies Red Heat, Undisputed and 48 hours. The movie stars Sylvester Stallone and Sung Kang as main characters and is based on a graphic novel Du Plomb Dans La Tête written by french writer Alexis Nolent. The screenplay was was written by italian screenwriter Alessandro Camon. Sylvester Stallone was nominated for the Razzie Award for worst acting in the movie. This is an action, thriller and crime fiction movie. Let's move to the summary of the story.

(This image is taken from Google.com.)

Plot Summary

The place is a U.S. city New Orleans where a corrupt policeman, Hank Greely is assassinated by Jimmy Bobo and his partner Louis Blanchard. These two people are partners and hired killers. Later, while waiting for the payment in a bar, Blanchard is killed by a man Keegan with a knife. Blanchard's partner, Bobo manages to stay alive when Keegan tries to kill him. Meanwhile, a detective, Taylor Kwon comes New Orleans and finds a witness of Greely's murder and dead bodies of Greely and Blanchard. He concludes that Bobo and Blanchard killed Greely. Kwon meets Bobo in a bar and asks him to work together. Bobo denies at that time. But they start to investigate the mystery together after Bobo saves Kwon's life when two corrupt policemen try to kill him. During investigation, they meet a guy Ronnie Earl who hired Bobo and Blanchard. Earl tells them about Nkomo Morel and Marcus Baptiste. Bobo kills Earl and then goes to Baptiste's house with Kwon. They kidnap him and bring him to Bobo's house. Baptiste tells them that Keegan is working with Morel. They obtain a flash drive from him which contains details about Morel's business and plan. Bobo kills Baptiste and suddenly, Keegan with his force, attacks and starts shooting. Bobo and Kwon succeed to stay alive and escape. Bobo detonates bombs which kill some of Keegan's men. Morel orders Keegan to kidnap Bobo's daughter. Bobo is required to give flash drive to Morel in order to save his daughter. He goes to meet Morel in a power plant and gets his daughter back. He gives Morel that flash drive. Keegan gets angry and kills Morel and his gang when Morel leaves Bobo's daughter. Bobo and Keegan fight in the same place and Keegan gets killed.

(This video is take from Youtube.com and uploaded by IGN)

Main Cast

(This image is take from Google.com.)

There was nothing special in the movie's cast and it was below ordinary. I enlisted some of the main cast of the movie below.
Sylvester Stallone as Jimmy Bobo, a hitman and main character of the movie.
Jon Seda as Louis Blanchard, partner of Bobo.
Holt McCallany as Hank Greely, corrupt police officer.
Sung Kang as Taylor Kwon, a detective from Washington D.C.
Jason Momoa as Keegan, main villain of the movie.
Brian Van Holt as Ronnie Earl, the intermediate guy between Bobo and Morel.
Christian Slater as Marcus Baptiste, lawyer of Morel.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Robert Nkomo Morel, a business man and criminal.
Weronika Rosati as Lola, daughter of Bobo.
Cast needed for the movie was small and didn't look right for there respective roles. Below is a detailed review of the movie.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone is manifested as an old but buffed guy who is a hitman. As the line "revenge never gets old" in the poster says, Sly seems curious to find the killer and get revenge of his partner's death. I remember him in The Expendables where he is a hired killer but not a hot headed angry old man. In this movie, Sly is an impetuous man who can kill anyone recklessly if it is right according to him. He was persistently giving a feeling that this is villain-admiring movie.

Worst Actor Award

Sylvester Stallone was nominated for Razzie Award for worst the worst acting. If you ask me, there is nothing wrong with the young-looking and experienced actor. The director could find best possible ways to fit the actor for each scene. Sly was not looking really good in the duet with Sang Kang. For Stallone's character, he didn't need a co actor and the story could run smoothly without Kang.

Unpredictable Plot

Sometimes, it's really advantageous for a movie when its plot's twists and climax can't be anticipated by the audience. This time, it is a disadvantage for the movie. The plot on which this movie is based on, is completely uncertain and contains unnecessary parts. Bullet to the Head seems to have a weak story which takes advantage of dull and vain twists to keep it stretching for one and half hours. It didn't focus on an straight forward story.

Family Movie

Don't get deceived by the heading. It's not illegal for a movie to be offensive and sexual while narrating foul language. The title itself states of offense in the movie. It will be completely unpleasant to watch Bullet to the Head while having your immature children around.
Except sexual content, it contains aggressive behaviors towards other characters. There are numerous scenes with needless killings by gunshot which don't take part in making its story. It has been limited to only mature audience by being rated as a R-rated movie. As always, the age rating is a best part.

Synopsis

Bullet to the Head is a movie which is little below than average. There is nothing notable to talk about its direction and cinematography as both of these deliver inconsiderable enjoyment to the viewers. The acting was not bad but the 90 minute duration is too long for a movie of this type.
4 out of 10 is the best score where this movie can stand.

CREED : a movie review

Hello people. Movie review blogs are always on top of my priority list when it comes to write a blog post. For me, they are easy and require less time than any other blog genre. Anyways, this post is review of another hit and mostly recommended movie. The movie which will be reviewed in this post is, Creed. Let's start with a preface of the movie.
Creed was released in 2015 and directed by Ryan Coogler, the director of award winning movie Fruitvale Station. The director has also won a best direction award for this movie. The story of this movie continues from Rocky film series and stars Michael Bakari Jordan as main actor. Sylvester Stallone is playing supporting role as Rocky Balboa. Stallone was nominated for Oscar award for best supporting actor in the movie and won several other awards for the same role. This movie packs drama and sports in action as its genres.

(This image is take from Google.com)

Story of The Movie

In the city of Los Angles, Adonis Creed, the son of a former boxer Apollo Creed, resigns from his job and moves to Philadelphia to achieve his ambition to become a professional boxer. In Philadelphia, he meets an old friend of his father, Rocky Balboa who is also a former boxer and heavyweight champion. Adonis expresses his desire to Rocky and requests him to become his trainer. Rocky seems unwilling to get back to boxing as he already quit his fighting career years ago. Later on, he accepts and starts training Adonis in a gym where he used to practice during his boxing days. Adonis gets a proposal to fight with the son of Rocky's old friend. Adonis accepts proposal and wins the fight. As he is the son of former boxer and being trained by Rocky Balboa, he gets attention of public thereupon. Rocky gets a phone call from the manager of world heavy weight champion who offers Adonis a match between the champion Ricky Conlan and him. Initially, he disagrees due to some reason but consents to fight after some time. In the mean time, Adonis falls in love with a club singer. One day, while training Adonis during a tough practice session, Rocky vomits and gets unconscious. He stays some time in the hospital while Adonis trains with Rocky's old friends. Rocky gets his test reports and comes to know that he has cancer. Doctor exhorts him to undergo the treatment but he denies. Adonis learns about Rocky's disease and asks him to get treatment. They go to Liverpool where the boxing match is held. The fight ends when Conlan gets up on his feet after getting a punch from Adonis. Conlan wins the fight while Adonis gets honor.

Watch the trailer of Creed below.

(This video is taken from Youtube.com and uploaded by Warner Bros. Pictures)

Cast of The Movie

(This image is taken from Google.com.)

This movie casts many actors who won awards for their acting in the movie. Below is written the cast of the movie with their characters' biographic details.
Michael Bakari Jordan as Adonis Creed, son of Apollo Creed and a light weight boxer who boxer.
Phylicia Rashad as Marry Anne, widow of Apollo Creed and Adonis' adoptive mother.
Tessa Thompson as Bianca, a songwriter and singer.
Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, an erstwhile boxer and a heavyweight championship winner.
Gabriel Rosado as Leo Sporino, a professional boxer.
Ritchie Coster as Pete Sporino, father of Leo Sporino.
Tony Bellew as Ricky Conlan, a professional British boxer and light heavyweight champion.
Graham McTavish as Tommy Holiday, trainer of Conlan.
Creed contains a big cast; some are not mentioned here as they were not present in significant scenes. A comprehensive review of the movie is posted below.

Michael B. Jordan

Here is a talented actor from Fruitvale Station who is now in Creed and has secured awards for best acting in both movies. A life in his character could easily be seen because of his splendid performance and a body which made me feel I am watching a real professional boxer. He played as illicit son of an esteemed professional boxer who is keen to earn his own legacy. The role was seeming highly challenging but the actor accomplished to bring it in a practical way which was far beyond my expectations.

Best Comrade

Sylvester Stallone is rarely seen in a supporting role in any of his movies. I always liked him in most of his characters, and in Creed, he was wonderful. While watching him in the movie, it was clearly spotted that the acting as a supporting actor that he delivered was an award worthy. One of my favorite scenes was when Adonis says, "The picture is already in the cloud" and Sly gets a glimpse of sky with inquiring face and replies, "What cloud", "What cloud".

Stallone appeared to be right in his place in the movie. We can say that he was more pragmatic and true to life this time. He had No guns, no bad dudes and nothing that could show him dragged back towards his unwrinkled days. The Rocky Balboa character in this movie is a flash back from old Rocky series where Sly was coached by Burgess Meredith. It is simply the best of his movies in which we can see him as a guy who is affected by time.

An Emotional Story

The story is straightly connected with the previous Rocky franchise. One of the foremost features about the story was its simplicity which doesn't leave the audience questioned. It showcases a young man whose enthusiasm to become a boxer like his late father is extreme enough to persuade him to leave all he has and struggle to find his dream. The humanly acts from both of the main characters touched the heart. A simple moral of the story can be,

The figure which defines your manhood is based on your strength and will to protect all you dreamed.

Abridgement

The director and writer, Ryan Coogler looked passionate to make a story and put it into a movie. He has given audience an emotional hit and left them with some morals. Actors were standing right on their characters. I liked Jordan and Sly in the movie. Together, they make strong duet but Sylvester Stallone still manages to steal the screen from Jordan.
I rate Creed 9 out of 10.

 

Movie Review: Secret (2007)

~ The Secret That Can't be Told ~

 























Although the romance is never became my top-five genre, however this movie manage to maintain its position in my must-watch list movie. Capture the theme of school-romance, this movie portrays the love story between two student from art school who accidentally meet and over time the seeds of love grows between them. However, unlike the typical of school-romance movie, which is generally preceded by a meeting between the protagonist and a happily ever after ending, this one offers shocking twist in the midst of it and provoke your curiosity that would raise bunch of question about the meaning behind every situation.

It’s called "Secret", a Taiwan Movie which is released on July 2007 staring Jay Cho and Guey Lun-Mei as the lead-role. The movie which is also recognized under the title "The Secret That Can’t be Told" was successfully combine romance and fantasy theme by adding elements of science-fiction and mystery in it. While watching it the first time, I even had time to think whether this film is a horror movie. Furthermore, since the film portrays of life at the school of music, then you will witness variety of flawless and fascinate piano performances throughout the movie.

~ The Story line ~

This movie portrays the story of Ye Xianglun / Jay (played by Jay Cho), a transfer student at Tan Jiang High School. On his first day, Jay toured the school accompanied by his classmate, Qing Yi / Sky (played by Alice Tzeng), and finally they reached the oldest buildings in the school, which is 100 years old Piano Room. Sky informs Jay that the building will be demolished after their graduation day and will be replaced with the new building.

As music student majoring in piano, Jay curious to look into the building and when he was around he heard the sound of the piano. Jay approached the sound and recognize the source of the sound from the room with an old piano in the middle of it. When he opened the door, Jay surprised by a girl, Lu Xiaoyu / Rain (Guey Lun-Mei), who standing on the ladder bookcase smiled at him. After the first meeting, Jay realizes that Rain is his classmate when he saw her asked permission to enter the classroom when the lesson has started.

Both of them star a sweet relationship from riding bicycle until play the piano together, however Jay has admit that his new girlfriend is full of mystery and secret. Jay realized that Rain is seldom attended the class and she didn’t allowed him to meet her parents. Although Jay was curious and wondered about this matters, however Rain always managed to divert his curiosity with her cute and innocent demeanor.

 

As time goes by, Jay extraordinary piano skills attract Sky attention and she also falls in love with him. And one day, while Jay playing piano in Piano Room where he usually meet Rain , Sky kissing Jay and Rain happens to see it and she misinterprets the situation and Jay never see Rain came to school again.
After five months later, Rain finally show up when Jay playing the piano on the graduation days. He promise to meet her again after the graduation ceremony, however when he asked around about Rain , nobody ever saw her….

 

~ The Character ~

 █ Jay Chou as Ye Xianglun / Jay

 














Jay is a new transferred student who also the son of Tian Jang High School’s teacher. Jay actually a piano prodigy who has be able to play the piano notes after he heard it even though he hear the notes for the first time. Jay’s skill attract his school mate’s attention after he beat up Yun Ho - who has been title as King of Piano, on a piano battle. Jay fall in love with Rain who he meet at Piano Room on his first day at school.

I could say that Jay Chou nailed this movie. Beside his piano skill which is unquestionable, Jay Chou able to portray the romantic and slightly flirty guys who fall in love with a mysterious girls and pursue anything that he could do to know the truth. In addition, I acknowledged Jay Chou outstanding talent due to his triple role in this movie, as writer, director, and lead-male actors. Also, Jay Chou wrote all of the song for the soundtrack

Image Source: Google

 

█ Guey Lun Mei as Lu Xiaoyu / Rain

Rain is the mysterious girls that make Jay fall in love for the first time he lay eyes on her. Rain is also majoring on piano like Jay and they usually spent their time on piano room. Guey Lun-Mei manages to picture a cute girl yet brought some curiosity almost completely and makes the chemistry between her and Jay Chou seem lovely.

 

 

 

█ Alice Tzeng as Qing Yi / Sky

Sky is the first girl who appeared in this movie and help Jay to know the school as new transferred student. Since the beginning we could sense her attraction towards Jay and her feeling developed after she saw Jay's piano performance.

█ Anthony Wong as Jay's Father

Jay's father and also the discipline teacher at his school. In the beginning you may assume his character is a dressing for the story, however in the middle of the movie you'll realized Antony's role is one characters who played crucial part on the movie.

█ Devon Song as Ah Bang & Huang Junlang as Ah Lang

Jay's friend and member of the rugby team of Tian Jang High School.

█ Yuhao Zhan as Yu Hao

Jay's opponent on Piano Battle, he is a music student and talented piano player nicknamed "Prince of the piano".

~ My Review ~

In addition to the lovely dialog and story-line, "Secret" succeed mesmerize me with its setting and camera angle. Jay Chou really did an awesome job to visualize the beauty of its story to the viewer. Tian Jiang High School is where Jay Chou actually finished his college live and earned his degree in music, where the filming location for that campus is astonishing exquisite. The combination between nature and old building forge a fresh ambiance yet cozy. This movie will indulge the viewer with remarkable architecture, warm ambiance through its vintage interior design and marvelous furnishing.

With his piano skill, Jay Chou really doesn't refrain from showing us how much of a grand virtuoso he is. Although in piano battle we should admit that Jay piano skills are truly astonishing, however anyone in the film seems nailed this musical instrument. Beside Yuhao Zan who had piano battle with Jay Chou, Guey Lun-Mei also shows her talent when she play duet with him. Even Anthony Wong, who played as Jay’s father in here also demonstrates a bit of his piano skill in a small scene.


However for music, it’s just undeniable that the soundtrack is remarkable. The fan of classical music may absorb with the majority of piano notes while the music lover will also spot that the soundtrack is admirable. Of course this captivating soundtrack can’t exist without Jay’s intervention as he’s the arranger for all of Secret’s soundtrack.

Personally I rate this movie 9 out of 10. For a romantic movie, its offers some unexpected plot which is quite different for a mainstream movie with romantic genre. Throughout the film, we are presented with a flawless view, wrapping with classical music as the soundtrack.

Korean Drama Review: Kill Me Heal Me (2015)

Image Source: Google

I’m a hardcore fans of psychology and my interest in psychology genre on movie or drama is something that I can’t help – maybe due to I’m not a typical of normal person either. What encourage me watch this Korean drama beside the main story line who portrays the live of a man who diagnosed with Multiple Personality Disorder was the popularity of this drama. Many viewer appreciated this drama as a must-watch list and I though it won’t be too painful if I tried this one – even though it’s classified as romance genre which not my favorite.

The drama which I’ll to share entitled “Kill Me Heal Me”. With the theme that covering about Multiple Personality Disorder which also known as Dissociative Identity Disorder (D.I.D), this drama manages to be one of the most popular Korean drama in 2015, even this MBC’s drama has managed to get five nominations at the 51st Baeksang Arts Award. With a total of 20 episodes, this drama combines elements of romance, comedy,medical, and mysteries in a fascinating spectacle.

About "Kill Me Heal Me"

"Kill Me Heal Me" tells the story of Cha Do Hyun (Ji Sung) who is the grandson of the owner of well-known companies, Seungjin Group. Do Hyun seems normal and fine from the outside, however in truth he suffered from a mental disorder known as D.I.D (Dissociative Identity Disorder). His illness quite severe since he has 7 personalities including his true self.

Do Hyun lived in the United States to hide his illness however he is forced to return to South Korea to become the deputy director of his cousin, Cha Ki Joon (Oh Min Seok). In order to keep conceal his illness, Do Hyun was quietly searching for a private psychiatrist with the assistance of his private secretary, Ahn (Choi Woon Young).

They found Dr. Seok (Go Chang Suk), a great psychiatrist who has managed to hold a variety of psychology cases. Unfortunately Dr. Seok refused the offer and instead he advised his students, Dr. Oh Jin Ri (Hwang Jung Eum) to become Do Hyun personal psychiatrist. This is because he believes Ri Jin was able to connect and control all seven personalities of Do Hyun. The proof is when Ri Jin met with the most difficult personality of Do Hyun in the nightclub and she managed to conquer him and make that personality calm.

Shin Sae Gi - Do Hyun's alter ego who always use violence can control by Oh Ri JinImage Source: Google - Edited by me

Ri Jin herself was a girl who tends quick-tempered and clumsy but always strive to heal their patients and become the best psychiatrist. Ri Jin has a twin brother named Oh Ri On (Park Seo-Joon), which from the outside act like unemployment while in fact Ri On is a famous novelist under the pseudonym "Omega".

Initially Ri Jin refused to become Do Hyun’s private psychiatrist because she was always involved in danger every time she was dealing with another personality of Do Hyun. However after a discussion with Dr. Seok and listened to the life story of Do Hyun who always rectify the mess situation that caused by the others six personalities, eventually leading to the sincere intention of Ri Jin to cure Do Hyun’s illness.

Is Ri Jin able to become good therapist for Do Hyun when they began to be attracted to each other? Whether she will succeed to unite all six personalities of Do Hyun, when one of them refused to fused back as Do Hyun because he also fell in love with Ri Jin, even challenged Do Hyun to compete to be the personality who is the sole owner of Do Hyun’s body?

The Characters

❶	Cha Do Hyun played by Ji Sung He is a good-looking man with a friendly personality. However, he is often exploited by others and he never fight back because he was worried about his other personalities would come out and create a mess. Do Hyun has a dark past but he could not remember anything and believed that his childhood trauma is what makes him suffer the D.I.D.
Oh Ri Jin played by Hwang Jung-Eum She may look elegant at first, in fact she is a clumsy girl. She always suspected as “Omega”, the mysterious author of the famous novel when she's just a psychiatrist. She always had an awful dream but don’t know what the meaning behind those dream and always be afraid of fire and the basement however she can’t recall the reason.		❷
❸	Oh Ri On played by Park Seo-Joon Ri Jin’s twin brother who is the cause Ri Jin often mistaken as Omega while he is the real “Omega”. From the outside Ri On portrays silly and friendly person. However, otherwise conceal himself as the author of famous novel, Ri On secretly investigate Seungjin Group especially Do Hyun.
Cha Ki Joon played by Oh Min-Seok The director of Seungjin Group who also Do Hyun’s cousin. He is ambitious for anything in particular to own Seungjin Group entirety and dismantle Do Hyun’s secret. Ki Joon has a fiancé but he was always cold and only care to her at certain moments.		❹
❺	Han Chae Yeon played by Kim Yoo-Ri She is a childhood friend and Do Hyun’s first-love but now she is Ki Joon’s fiancée. She was engaged to Ki Joon due to company and business matters. She was cynical to any woman who close with Do Hyun especially Ri Jin.

Rather than "Kill Me" ask "Heal Me"
In addition to the idea of an interesting story, the key to the success of this drama was the acting of Ji-Sung who played Cha Do Hyun. He truly marvelous! Not only plays seven different characters in one drama, he also managed to visualize the character of each personality possessed by Cha Do Hyun. Where all seven personalities are entirely opposite to each other ranging from feature, accent, body language, and their eyesight, even two of the personality were girl. Let me introduce you to the other personality of Cha Do Hyun:

1. Sin Sae Gi
Se Gi has a mischievous personality, wild, bold and always fight without mercy. Se Gi is a personality that often appear among the others, especially when he was in pain or distress. Se Gi is the only personality who recall the past of Do Hyun and loved Oh Ri Jin since their meeting at a nightclub.

Sae Gi meet Oh Ri Jin for the First Time

2. Ferry Park
Ferry Park will appear when Do Hyun confusion to resolve the problem. Ferry Park is a male aged 40 years and speaks using Jeolla dialect. If Ferry Park appears, then he will make a lot of bombs and blow it up in place that becomes a problem for Do Hyun. Ferry Park love fishing and get drunk.
3. Ahn Yoseob
Ahn Yo Seob is a 17 years old boy who is genius in various fields especially art. However he has one desire which is to suicide although he never succeeded. Yo Seob will appear when Do Hyun surrender and tired of his life.

Oh Ri Jin replaced Yoseob's message "KILL ME" with "HEAL ME"

Image Source : Google

4. Ahn Yona
Ahn Na Yo is Yoseob's twin sister, a17 years old teenage girl. She was very lively and jovial - maybe she is arguably the most dangerous personality exceed Shin Se Gi, due to her addiction to boy-band and  Ri Jin's twin brother. Yo Na can create a big mess because of her attitude and she will appear when Do Hyun moderate to severe stress.

Her lip tint in this drama made Ji Sung as the first male actor to sell out female cosmetics ^_^

Image Source: Google

When Yona appeared and trying to Kiss Oh Ri On

Source: Youtube

5. Nana
Nana is a 7 years old girl who has a teddy bear reads "I'm Nana '. Nana's personality is arguably special because Nana can make Do Hyun remember his past.
6. Mr X
Mr. X is the personality of Do Hyun who came at the end of the episode. His appearance similar with a magician with hat, black cloak and wand. Mr. X is a mysterious personality where the final decision about Do Hyun's life is on his hand.

Another thing that boost the positive scores of this drama is the establishment of the characters. The author managed to portray all the characters in this drama in understandable way. The audience will get the explanation why the character A is a grumpy figure or the reasons behind the evil nature of the character B. Even the characters of Do Hyun’s multiple personality also has a typical of personal alter ego fragments which are often uneven or too extreme and only focus on something. The incidents that stimulate their emergence was able to make me dumbfounded because it was unexpected. For this, the author is quite detailed in describing the history of each of the characters. Two-thumbs up for the author!!

Additional things that I should mark is the way this drama mix the heavy-topic such psychology by adding element of comedy and romance in it. In my judgment by adding the element of comedy in this drama establish the heavy topics into a spectacle that can be enjoyed by more people. With a touch of comedy and romance, the drama which has a core of a complicated story may seem mild without compromising the quality of the core story itself.

Oh Ri On tried to stop his twin sister from blowing up his cover as "Omega"

Image Source: my own screen-cap from the drama

My point for this drama is 9.5 out of 10. Things that is lacking in my opinion was the cinematography effects. On several early scenes, there are some effects which I think is unnatural and exaggerated. However for story ideas, plot, storyline, and especially the acting of Ji Sung (Lead Male Actor) were undeniable exceptional.

I highly recommend this drama especially for lovers of psychology. This drama is both entertaining and touching plus it can provide an overview for common people regarding child trauma and D.I.D.

 

 

Movie Review: Sherlock: The Abominable Bride (2016)

Sherlock: The Abominable Bride

Image Source: Google

As an eternal fan of Sherlock Holmes, the launch of special movie "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride" at the beginning of 2016, such as a lake that appear in the middle of the desert. Because the advanced season of British television program "Sherlock", which was originally scheduled to be aired in 2016 turned out to be postponed to 2017 due to the busyness of the cast.
Trailer Sherlock: The Abominable Bride

 Video Source: Youtube

 

After watching the trailer for the first time, "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride" managed to bring my curiosity because of the time-line that is set in the 19th century. This time setting in accordance with the original time setting of the work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. My first question is what is the relationship between special movie "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride" with the British television program “Sherlock”, which were broadcast on BBC One?

Directed by Written by Produced by Featured music Cinematography by Editing by Original air date Running time Douglas Mackinnon Mark Gatiss Steven Moffat Sue Vertue David Arnold Michael Price Suzie Lavelle Andrew McClelland 1 January 2016 89 minutes "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride" offers an alternative timeline and used the Victorian London setting of the original stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. The title is based on Sherlock’s quotes on "The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual", which refers to a case that mentioned by him "Ricoletti of the club foot and his abominable wife".

The Abominable Bride

In London late 1980s, Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman) meet with a strange and puzzling case. Emelia Ricoletti (Natasha O'Keeffe), a crazy bride, committed suicide by firing a pistol to her mouth. But strangely, she re-emerged and try to kill her husband before disappearing into the mist. Sherlock and Dr. Watson also found five men who died with similar patterns in different locations. Who is the figure behind those crimes? Is it true that Emilia rose from the grave and kill those victims, where the woman who committed suicide is had been positively identified as Emelia Ricoletti?

Emilia Ricoletty, The Crazy Bride

Image Source: Google

Nothing Made Me Watson, I Made Me

Last series of British television program “Sherlock” greet the audience at the beginning of 2014 ago, and with the potential for the release of the 4th season in early 2017 then automatically British television program “Sherlock” will be sidelined for three years. Is "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride" becomes a prequel that attempts to cure the disappointment of the audience due to the length of absences series British television program “Sherlock”? Yes, I had a similar assessment at first, but after watching this film it actually raises a slightly different view. Simply put, it is an attempt of Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat to try something that might be a little risky if it is injected into the series. Where Sherlock and Dr. Watson are dealing with something far beyond logic that is grappling with ghosts as the object of investigation.

Image Source: Google

Cases that relating to mystical matters is not the first time appeared in the series "Sherlock". One of the episode from “Sherlock Season 2” titled "The Sign of Three" had been slightly touched the mystical element. However, what is done by "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride" is much deeper. Even if you try to stay firm on the assessment that the cases of murder that happened in the movie "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride" is a criminal act committed by human beings, the mystical element of crazy bride ghost was very sharp in making the audience shaky. Do Emelia Ricoletti really a ghost? Is it true perpetrators of all crimes that are ghosts? The questions never went away until the end. These have also led to the procedural story carried by Sherlock and Dr. Watson became feels slightly different. More fresh, that is the impression created by the film"Sherlock: The Abominable Bride". Especially with a groove that feels wild with a mixture of comedy, mystery, crime, thriller, and horror caused plot moves very pleasant.

Mrs Hudson, the landlady of 221B Baker Street

Image Source: Google.com

So many genres as used here may cause some fans of the series "Sherlock", looked at the film "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride" is a bit off in terms of "the sense of Sherlock". Rather than focus on the common image of Sherlock, a high-functioning sociopath with brilliant brain and famous by his deduction technique, instead "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride" emphasizes the moment when Sherlock successfully cornered by cases that beyond of his logic. Even in"Sherlock: The Abominable Bride", Sherlock was “forced” to surpass the maximum limit of his own “mind palace” technique which is almost cost his life. It’s like one of Dr. Watson’s quotes at the beginning of the film who said “But in all our many adventure together, no case pushed my friend to such mental and physical extremes as that of The Abominable Bride”. Although "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride" may looks more like an experimental effort to bring something beyond the standard concept of the series "Sherlock", but the mystery offered by this movie successfully gripped the audience until the end of the story.

Watson Meet with the Crazy Bride Ghost

Video Source: Youtube

But the effort to try a little off-track of what they've done over the last three seasons, "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride" reached their main targets. The mystery that quizzical successfully bind the fascination of the audience from beginning to end. The combination of many genres makes Sherlock: The Abominable Bride feels a bit "naughty", ranging from stories, visualization, to the acting of the cast. Benedict Cumberbatch even managed to give the funniest performances as Sherlock so far. And it's hard not to be fascinated by the collaboration between himself and Martin Freeman – both of them success in order to visualize the love-hate relationship between Sherlock and Dr. Watson.

Mr Holmes and Dr. Watson, The Perfect Combo

Image Source: Google

Since the beginning "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride" is intended for fans of Sherlock, which will show the impression of "not important" for general audiences. However, for fans of Sherlock, the film is a special edition that feels lovable. In addition, by bringing alternative timeline managed to make the audience get precise visualization of the original setting of the story of Sherlock Holmes. It would be something remarkable for the fans of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work. Obviously, my score is 10 out of 10!!

 

Korean Drama Review: School 2015 - Who Are You? (2015)

 “School 2015: Who Are You?”

Image Source: Google - edited by me

If you have read several of my blog about movie or drama review, you may recognize that I’m not a fan of romantic genre. However, my little brother insist me to watch one of popular Korean Drama in 2015 which classified as school-romance genre. Yup the one that persuade me to watch it was my little brother. As far as I know, he’s not typical of sweet boy and really objected any kind of romance movie. Wondering why he keeps recommended this drama then I gave it a try, and this one is worth to watch.

For Korean World fans (my finger point to @LookUp ^^), maybe already able to guess which drama that I’ll covering about. This drama titled “School 2015: Who Are You?” Which is the latest drama of KBS' "School" series which have started running since the 90s. A little info, one of the biggest Korean TV station KBS2, has been releasing school-themed drama series since 1999. Usually the beginning of the title contains the word "School" and followed with alternative titles. The story of each drama generally discuss about life of a teenager in school at the time the drama was released. However, the flow of the plot for each drama so far are quite varied. One of this drama series that quite popular is “School 2013” which released in 2013.

In the drama series “School 2015: Who Are You?”, we met with the South Korean’s teen stars whose on the rise, such as Kim So-Hyun, Yook Sung-Jae (member of BtoB) and Nam Joo-Hyuk, whose their acting skills begin to attract the appreciation of the audience. There was also Jo Soo-Hyang, a new teen artist who acted very well in this drama even though she was only played a second-lead character.

Teaser School 2015: Who Are You?

Video Source: Youtube

With the theme of the school, romance, friendship and suspense, this drama is quite okay, although there were a little senseless plot and the love story that is less than satisfactory for viewers. However, this drama successfully inculcate moral message and highlight the case of bullying which is still rife in school life. The author is also able to convey society's issue, which unwittingly still embedded in the minds of the public, especially teenagers. Bullying itself not only in Korea, but also in other countries.

About “School 2015: Who Are You?”

Eun-Byul and Eun-Bi (both played by Kim So-Hyun) is a twin sister. They were orphans and had been treated until toddler at the same orphanage in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang. However fate separated them. Eun-Byul was adopted by a wealthy family and moved to Seoul, while Eun-Bi remain in the same orphanage through adolescence. Eun-Byul's memory is more powerful, so she's only one who remembered that she had a twin sister in Tongyeong. While Eun-Bi had forgotten that she still has family. Both of them never communicate directly with each other since the split.

Go Eun Byul, The Lucky Twins

Image Source: Google

Eun-Byul lived well in Seoul. The parents who adopt her loved her, gave her a life that is more than enough. Eun-Byul studied at a private school, smart, confident, and popular among her friends. From the outside she looks like a girl who was cold and arrogant, but especially good to his friend Han Yi-Ahn (Nam Joo-Hyuk). She was never lacking of anything, except her heart which often still think of her twin sister who lived far away in Tongyeong. Eun-Byul secretly still watching Eun-Bi, finding out the news of his sister, however Eun-Byul never dared to meet or talk with Eun-Bi directly.

Lee Eun Bi, The Unlucky Twins

Image Source: Google

While in Tongyeong, Eun-Bi lived with propriety. She only knew that she was all alone, doesn't remember that she still had a sister. Eun Bi attended the local public school, learning and helping take care of the orphanage where she lived and grew up. Her school performance is mediocre, nothing special. Sadly, Eun-Bi has long been a target of bullying from her friends, particularly by her classmate named So-Young (Jo Soo-Hyang). She was experiencing mental distress for many things.

One day, Eun-Bi had an accident and lost her memory. When conscious, a woman who she didn’t recognize called her Eun-Byul and take her to Seoul. Due to her memory loss, Eun-Bi really thought that Seoul, the private school, her popular friends, beautiful clothes, and a kind-hearted mother is her life before the amnesia. However over time, Eun-Bi, (who is becoming Eun-Byul) began to smell a peculiarity in the identity that she has now.

If she (Eun-Bi) is not Eun-Byul, who is the figure that she has replaced? What is her relationship with Eun-Byul, even her family and her friends believed that she was the real Eun-Byul? And where did the real Eun-Byul disappear?

The Characters of “School 2015: Who Are You?”

Image Source: Google

 

❶	Kim So Hyun (김소현) as Lee Eun Bi (이은비) & Go Eun Byul (고은별) Lee Eun Bi is a girl who lived in the orphanage "Love House" and take care of the children in there with a vengeance. However, at the school she has always been the subject of bullying and nobody was willing to help her. This situation makes her stressed that she was thinking about suicide. Meanwhile, Go Eun Byul, is Eun Bi’s twin sister who adopted. She is a haughty, cold but popular girl, who secretly always watching Eun Bi and she’s the only one who knows their relationship. Eun Byul is actually a very good person however because of an incident, she changed her attitude to cover her fear.
Nam Joo Hyuk (남주혁) as Han Yi Ahn (한이안) Han Yi Ah, is a successful professional swimmer who also a student in Segang High School and be friend with Eun Byul for almost 10 years. Since childhood, Yi Ahn already has love interest with Eun Byul however he never able to melt this girl heart.		❷
❸	Yook Sung Jae (육성재) as Gong Tae Kwang (공태광) Gong Tae Kwang, is Eun Byul’s classmates who naughty and not close to his friends. Tae Kwang always considered Eun Byul as an evil person until he meets with Eun Bi, who he thought was Eun Byul. Tae Kwang fascinated by the differences of Eun Byul attitude since Eun Bi has replaced her. Then, he always approached Eun Bi and wanted to get close with her due to his dark past and feel lonely.
Jo Soo Hyang (조수향) as Kang So Young (강소영) Kang So Young, is Eun Bi’s classmate in Tongyeong who always makes Eun Bi as the object of bullying. When the news broke that Eun Bi died, So Young was transferred to Segang High School and met with Eun Bi, who now known as Go Eun Byul. So Young is trying to reveal Eun Bi’s real identity and search for evidence to support her theory.		❹

A Person Who Calls You by Your Real Name

The first aspect that attracted me to this drama is the way the author preserves my curiosity along the episode. Two thumbs up for the author. This drama manages to maintain its suspense genre on the beginning of story. It keeps make me wondering, questioning, guessing, and can’t handle myself to continue watching the next episode. The drama is successfully churning my curiosity. All mysteries are answered slowly, one by one, while injecting a bit by bit clue in every episode which may guide you to a wild imagination.

Eun Bi being bullied as Soo Hyang's Birth Day Present

Image Source: Google

Another aspect of the added value of this drama is the story itself that covers about the social issues that are still common, which is bullying. Forms of bullying itself is not limited to the direct action such as extortion or abusive behavior against a person. However, indifference and being silent when witnessing bullying acts is also included in bullying behavior, albeit in a more refined version. Similar with what happened with Eun Bi, where many parties are silent though they realized that she’s being bullied. Unconsciously, the ignorant attitude of the people around Eun Bi has also come to be perpetrators of bullying acts indirectly.

Eun-Bi Life as The Victim of Bullying (Reset - OST School 2015: Who Are You)

Video Source: Youtube

Unfortunately, this clever story ideas wasn’t coupled by the development of the characters. Here, Eun Bi, who is victims of bullying in the end still can’t fight for herself but instead her problem is solved by her twin sister, Eun Byul. I think it would be better if Eun Bi has become a person who is strong and able to fight against those who commit acts of bullying on her. I think this message will be able to motivate the victims of bullying that the pressure they receive will be eliminated if they dare to fend for themselves. Although, Eun Byul action by take care and confronting people who has doing bullying to Eun Bi could be good example on what community should do when they witness the act of bullying.

Eun Byul Confronted Soo Hyang for What She had Done

Image Source: Google

While for the love story, it's quite common in a drama with two male and one female characters that the female will choose one of the man. However, her decision quite out of my prediction. I'm kinda wondering why the writer choose to end up those two person being together.

Who will Eun Bi Choose? Tae Kwang or Yi Ahn?

Image Source: Google

Well, bottom line, this drama is quite worth watching. Personally, I give it 8 out of 10. The story quite deep. It recount that the rough characters on teenagers not just show up, there must be a trigger for it. Often, because of unhealthy situation at home make your children find an outlet for their stress outside the home. This situation sometimes led to bullying. In the end, the participation of teachers, parents and friends can help solve this problem. However the question is, “are you willing to help?”