Park Min Young babygirl you will always be famous! Finally a role that fully showcases all her acting chops. Need a tragic, miserable character that's going through the worst time of their life? Do you want to then see said character fight back and grow and figure out how to be happy in her own terms? Wanna see a slow burning love story with all the kdrama romance magic? Well then this is the drama for you! I absolutely loved it, even the makjang-esque parts of the plot. The secondary characters were also incredibly well written and were lovely in their own way getting their own full thought out stories. I'm giving it a 9 only because I think the story could have been balanced differently and also I didn't love the male leads acting. I think with a different lead next to Park Min Young this would be even better. But besides that it's great!
Reviews
43 Reviews
Kate & Leopold
(2001)
Wolverine Romcoms Need You!
31 January 2024
Yes, I know it's been 23 years since Mr. Jackman has done a romantic comedy but can I still hold out hope? Well, sorta kinda. Was it probably more of a calculated early career anomaly meant to torture me years later? Well, yes and. This man has more romantic lead charm, charisma, sentiment, jenny sank quan in his one year double feature run (Someone Like You & Kate & Leopold) than Tom, Hugh, and dare I say Colin (sorry Mr. Darcy, not you, never you) have in their entire individual oeuvres put together. We deserved Hugh Jackman to be the Hugh synonymous with romantic comedies. Kate & Leopold has no right to be this good and this underrated! Y'all will be the same people saying mid af When Harry Met Sally or You've Got Mail is your favorite romcom, but here you have a flawless film, with loads of chemistry, interesting stuff happening, actual comedy, lovable characters and suddenly everyone turns into some MIT physicists talking about time travel loopholes because some little timey wimey liberties were taken. Honey, The Doctor travels in a blue police box from who knows when like please let's not judge others. This is the first time I like Meg Ryan tbh, her B L O U S E S alone deserve a whole essay, I need to look into the costume designer more because F L A W L E S S clothing truly. Overall, what a fun, whimsical movie, with actual romance not just meanish banter banter banter! I can't believe it took me this long to watch it lol. Next up in my romcom rewatch is a Someone Like You and Kate & Leopold double feature! Let's Get Hugh Doing Romcoms Again!!
French Kiss
(1995)
To Catch Meg Ryan (in Her Prime)
31 January 2024
M E G R Y A N! Now THIS is the Meg I've heard all the rage about! I'm sorry, not sorry, but the Meg and Tom Hanks ship has fully sailed for me after rewatching You've Got Mail. I see no chemistry of note between them, except for the slight amusement between friends that met not too long ago and can laugh at each others jokes. Now Meg with Kevin Kline!? Come on! I felt like I was watching Cary Grant and Grace Kelly on the French Riviera but make it the 90's and add more baggy linen. So does Kevin speak French or...? He was magnifiqué nevertheless, very much my French roommate in study abroad coded, if only he knew this is how I saw him. LOL. Now seriously, when did they sleep and when did Luc shower because he barely changed clothes! I keep track of these sort of things and that's about the only fault I couldn't get past. Now, watching for the first time 30 years later are there some VERY problematic things said? Well, oui, of course, half the dialogue was insane and the ending is even zanier. Did I enjoy it thoroughly, and would I like to own this dvd? Oui oui, I would absolutely pay 2.99 if I ever run into a copy at a thrift store. Overall a great time, doesn't pass my 10 star rating rule (do I love it?) but it's in the upper 9s for sure.
Emma.
(2020)
Aww Dylan Missed You
29 January 2024
*whispers* I haven't actually read Emma so I have no clue how true to the book this movie adaptation is, but I loved seeing Dylan from Lovesick acting all "I can't tell my bestfriend I'm in love with her" again hehe. The Wes Anderson-esque campiness was really fun, and added to the ridiculous characters that Austen builds. I feel like I'm in my reading Austen era so we shall see how I feel about this movie after. As a romcom, I think it worked well, Emma and Mr. Knightley's chemistry was pretty obvious from the start and I was invested in them ending up together. For me, Emma is not my favorite sort of Austen Multiverse character. She was portrayed rather like one of Bingley's sisters, entitled to a point that I could not laugh at but found very disagreeable. I guess it's a classic example of a female antihero.
Austenland
(2013)
Austen Would Love it
23 January 2024
Listen, watching Felicity go on yet another one of her starry-eyed trips fueled by her obsessive romantic delusions over a man (I'm looking at you Ben) was only enjoyable because it's all doused in Jane Austen tropes. Otherwise I'd be pulling out my hair trying to figure out how to knock some sense onto this white girl who will never listen. I hated it when I watched Felicity lie her way to NYC for a MAN, and I still hated it a bit now except that maybe I would do the same to meet a Mr. Darcy. I mean, which one of us doesn't want to meet a quiet type that hates your family like you do but also cherishes them as you chose to? The over-the-top premise and comedic tinge to what was meant to be oh so serious made this movie a nine for me. I think everyone was acting circles around Keri, and she was really just reacting but that's the sort of charm she possesses after all. You want her to notice you, and that's how all the characters played it. The actor that played Darcy is coming for you Matthew Macfadyen so watch out because this rendition was not half bad. And as always Jennifer Coolidge you will always be famous!
The Decoy Bride
(2011)
Kelly Macdonald! That's it! And more of The Doctor Doing Romance
20 January 2024
Oh how I love to watch David Tennant doing romance! Now, I kind of hated his character for the most part lol until like the second half of the film did he pick up. But Kelly Macdonald!! Oh my god is she great!! So charming, awkward, quirky, self-deprecating in a hilarious way, yet infinitely hopeful for love-she's the perfect 2010s leading lady. Her yearning for him is what makes the film great for the parts where he's awful, or I should say simply a mediocre man. He plays the bumbling fool wonderfully, reminding me of Colin Firth, but then his character was more of a loser who couldn't make his mind up and that annoys me to no end. Maybe if we would've gotten slightly more insight into his feelings and thoughts in addition to the longing looks that could've helped. Still, this is a gem of a romcom that I will put on my rewatch rotation.
You've Got Mail
(1998)
They've Got So Little Romantic Chemistry
20 January 2024
I don't know what it is about Tom Hanks that he just does not convince me as a romantic lead, at all. And Meg Ryan is just so uninteresting to watch, I also don't enjoy her acting here. Just two very mild acting actors acting like they are attracted to each other and failing. These seven stars are really for the vibes, the way the city is filmed, the drama surrounding the bookstore, and the nostalgia of the early days of the internet. I love the sound of that loading dial up machine thing. The side characters are fun too. But for this to be the classic romantic comedy that it's made to be, it falls so short. So many more interesting 1998 films to watch. So many other more romantic and more comedic ones too. Sigh.
Maid in Manhattan
(2002)
Not As Unbearable As I Thought!
15 January 2024
So it took me all my life to get through this movie in 2024. I don't know, it just didn't interest me at all even though it's always brought up in the romantic comedy/romance film chatter. Kind of like Two Weeks Notice, I'd see it was on tv, probably on a Saturday afternoon on TBS or USA Network or something, I'd try to watch it for 10 minutes, hated it, and gave up (and probably went to rewatch The Holiday). But 2024 is the year I fill in romcom gaps so I decided to see it and guys I gotta say for a non-Italian JLo role, it's not half bad lol. I like her Italian roles more, namely The Wedding Planner, as she's fittingly playing herself instead of some characatured "brown" woman. Look up Juliet Hooker. Anyway, back to the film, politically it didn't age well, like at all, AT ALL, but romanceically it actually hit?? Like their chemistry was really believable and palpable. The eye acting alone was really lovely lol and there was spicy banter which is so romance novel!! Of course, Teen Wolf baby boy was 50 percent of the charm of the movie and also all the side characters. Like Stanley Tucci's dry humor alone was more interesting than anything Voldemort's ass had to say. Overall a nice time, and a classic. It's such a great time capsule of the early aughts.
Intolerable Cruelty
(2003)
George Has Never Been Funnier
15 January 2024
And I thought I had seen all the early aughts romcoms! This was delightful, from George's unexpected hilarity to Catherine's captivating femme fatale persona. And their chemistry! ! The enemies to lovers trope was executed marvelously! ! I only wish there was M O R E romance, more of them together just spending time doing whatever. The end felt like a bit of a rush job, nevertheless it was as entertaining as any Cary Grant romantic comedy of its time. It kind of reminded me of Serendipity, which I believe came out before. But George's character gets so much more to do, and it makes sense why he's acting the way he is, because this woman has shook him!! Definitely more intense than Serendipity, more twists, but similar in that the characters are together probably only half the length of the film. The rest is shenanigans everyone gets into separately, very hilarious, but not Romance. Overall great great great and I'll probably rewatch often now!
A Dalek Episode That's Actually A Hit
11 January 2024
Personally, I don't love Dalek episodes. They're not my kind of adversary, just a bit boring and predictable, the stakes are always too high since they're unbeatable and solving that problem just isn't great. But this first Dalek episode of the reboot was really good on the Dalek side of things. Everything else, the other side characters and stories not that interesting, but the Doctor seeing himself in this other creature that's the last of its kind is another reminder of just how lonely his existence is, and maybe why he acts the way he does. I'm not gonna lie, I also think this is the most savage this doctor can be, he's almost unhinged and cruel and doesn't really reel it in much. Idk I kind of like that, the future doctors just become these big immovable moral creatures.
This Story Didn't Need To Be Dragged Out for Two Episodes
7 January 2024
I really don't see why this particular story was two whole episodes. They could've cut it all down to one and saved me the pain of sitting through more of the Slitheen. Harriet also isn't all that likeable to me, she's too one dimensional and idealistic in a very annoying did high school model UN way. Yet again, the only good parts are Mickey and Rose's mom teaming up to defend themselves and help Rose. They carried the entire episode's emotional appeal on their backs and made the whole storyline more interesting (even though it wasn't still). Them standing there showing how hard the Doctor's travels are on them is a really important beginning of showing the consequences of being a companion. I think there's more interesting episodes like these, that involve the entire world, in future seasons that are done really well. If I remember correctly, Matt Smith has several of those.
First Super Corny Storyline but Love the Family Development
7 January 2024
I hate this alien mystery storyline, it's definitely the worst so far and maybe the worst of the series' episodes centered in London. But this has to be some of the best character development episodes for Rose and her mom, Mickey, and even the Doctor. Her mom is doing such great acting and really solidifying her bond with Rose which hasn't been all that clear. And we get to see Mickey show off his hacker skills which shows a whole new side to him aside from boyfriend. And the whole Bad Wolf foreshadowing is good too. The easter eggs are being planted, and hopefully by the time I get there the story will pay off.
No Sleep 'Til Christmas
(2018 TV Movie)
Freeform You Will Pay For Your Crimes of Not Making More Films!
28 December 2023
No seriously, what happened Freeform!! You were doing so good in the 2010s releasing some of the best Christmas/Holiday films of the season. And even before that, I always tuned into ABC Family to watch a good holiday romcom. Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas alone is a reason to not give up guys!! This film had all the beats of my favorite 2000s big romcoms. There was a very 27 Dresses singing in a bar while pining at each other scene that I would call an ode to that film. The female lead and her bff are very much in the style of Judy Greer and any of her main lead bestfriends, like same style of sarcastic banter with an underlying loving friendship to last the test of time. The conflict of the film reminded me of Leap Year, sort of enemies to lovers but maybe more victim turned mutually beneficial relationship to lovers lol. Another very rewatchable holiday film, romcoms aren't dead but they are very much at the bottom of the streaming site's symbolic $5 dvd barrel!
Where Are You, Christmas?
(2023 TV Movie)
Kostas Did What He Always Does!
28 December 2023
And that is be a great, dreamy eyed, pining king! I thoroughly enjoyed the ridiculous yet careful color editing bringing this story to life. I mean, this has to be the most special effects (can I call it that?) that a Hallmark film has ever had. From the corny colorblind white liberal lines à la "I'd love you no matter what color you are" to the surprisingly touching story that was at the center of why the big conflict happens this film fully committed to its over-the-topness. And Jerry, Garry, Larry, Terry turned out to be such a touching father figure it had me tearing up. All and all, this could have gone really bad but shockingly I would put this on in front of my holiday movie haterading friends for the laughs and the tender moments!
A Biltmore Christmas
(2023 TV Movie)
Wish I Could See In Theaters!
28 December 2023
I know the romantic comedy is dead, and well that's doubly true for the holiday romcom. When was the last time I saw a Christmas movie in theaters? Maybe not since "Last Christmas" with Henry Golding and Daenerys?? And spoilers, that was NOT a romance whatsoever. This particular 2023 holiday movie season has cemented my want for a return to the holiday movie release on the big screen. There's so many excellent stories being limited by a streaming release, I really felt watching this just how great it would have been to watch this in theaters, of course with just some tinkering to elevate it, but this is a solid and enjoyable romance holiday movie!! It did not have to be this good, and I'll definitely be rewatching for holidays to come.
Scentsational Christmas
(2022 TV Movie)
Smells Like A Good Movie
27 December 2023
Quite good in like a took me by surprise I was absolutely not expecting this to be good at all way. I just put it on before my Hoopla check out expired and was immediately captured. When do we get flashbacks of centuries in the past in made for tv Christmas movies?? Not since The Spirit of Christmas, and that traumatizing gem is not rewatchable, unless I wanna be drowning in tears and fear. Anyway, loved the father-daughter dynamic, they were super cute. And the chemistry between the main leads was really great and exciting to follow. Now I want a candle tbh like what even is berberry or whatever plant they talked about.
Christmas Comes Twice
(2020 TV Movie)
Teaching Gives You Time????
23 December 2023
You know I love unhinged Christmas stories as much as the next sentient being, but this movie had one single line that has TrUlY had me spiraling for the last 20 minutes since it ended. It had to do with someone claiming they got into teaching full time because it gave them time to do some pretty significant and time consuming thing. Umm tell me you have no idea what teachers do or how they live without telling me!!!! Especially if you're a good one like this character is suppose to! Just a very wild thing to say and I won't get over it period lmaooo. Other than that, Tamera is adorable and the plot is very cute and easy.
Now We're Talking!
19 December 2023
Upon rewatch, this is definitely the first iteration of the type of Doctor Who episode I've found to be the best and most enjoyable (yes, there's only three so far but walk with me here). It has all the build up and intrigue of a proper Steven Moffat episode. I want ten minutes of background story of the characters the Doctor and Rose will meet, I think that makes the story more engaging and creepy because the situations always seem impossible until the Doctor shows up right. And once he does show up, it's fun to watch them catch up to what we the audience already know. All in all, if I had to sit down and play an episode for someone who's never seen the show, I think this one would be a great intro into the madness.
This Doctor is Real Cheeky LOL
16 December 2023
Rewatching and I gotta say I was surprised by the flirty undercurrents in this whole episode, like wow the recent seasons have really veered way off that Doctor trait! Maybe that was replaced by unrequited pinning lol I liked that finally we see some emotional depth from The Doctor, that it's revealed that he is mourning or at least deeply sad for reasons that are slightly revealed and that's why he's so closed off. It's intriguing, it builds anticipation for the storyline for the rest of the season. I also thought for Rose's first time in space, this was a great story to how it'll be. All the weird technology, odd characters, and building of suspense for something bad to come. Plus the very real near death experiences she's gonna keep having! It's crazy to be a companion! And the Britney Spears reference is so iconic 20 years later. But Justice for Jade getting killed off 🙄 And that Michael Jackson joke really didn't age well 🙄
On Rewatch An Excellent 2000s Time Capsule
16 December 2023
So I'm starting a complete rewatch and I sorta forgot how much I love this first season, a standalone gem from the rest of the series! From the mid-2000s of it all, it made me so nostalgic even though I'm not British lmaooo 😭 The storyline for me perfectly toes the line of scary but not to scary, action-y but with heaps of sci-fi to balance it out, and all the characters from Rose, Mickey, Rose's mom were all immediately people I wanted to follow and see how their story turns out. The Doctor...I have yet to decide what I feel about him, but I think for him being in mourning as we find out in the next episode, his aloofness makes a lot of sense. He reminded me a lot of the Twelfth Doctor, both of them are not my faves just compared to Matt and David. But we shall see! Oh and the music is so good, all of it! The cinematography is just not the same in the new seasons! Or the scoring, all the ethereal "ooooohs ooooohs" in the background make this possibly best ost. One other thing, I think this antagonist at the beginning of the series lacked what some of the later seasons do best, which is give the antagonist a storyline, background, some emotional tethering to make us care about The Doctor winning.
The Good Bad Mother
(2023– )
10 stars Despite Episode 14
28 November 2023
Honestly the 10 stars are for the mother content, I watched this with my mommy and it had me tearing up thinking about her the whole time. When they focused on her character and how she cared for her son, and all the messed up aspects of that situation, that's when the show shined the most for me. Everything else was mid, all the suspense and thriller aspects I just did not care for. The revenge theme unfortunately fell apart completely. Now, the last episode of a k-drama is always a hit or a miss-there's no in between. Either we get a cute epilogue of happily ever after or the writers are trying to tie up too many loose ends and just make a tangled mess of it. And that's exactly what happened here, that last episode was bizarre and corny to levels I've not seen before (and this is k-drama, a corny genre at its core). I still think it's worth the watch though!
Designing Christmas
(2022 TV Movie)
Kinda Obsessed
28 November 2023
Kinda obsessed not gonna lie! I don't understand the low ratings, this movie was too good for its own good!! I'm gonna need a sequel, call it Designing Christmas Wedding and follow it up with Designing A Christmas Baby lolll It was like 80% watching a Parks & Rec style mockumentary of a home improvement show, which I wanna say I would watch! Hulu get on it! Just use the same exact cast, but bring in some comedy writers and turn it into a much needed ode to Parks & Rec. There's natural drama from each home renovation, plus the stuff between the main characters. I loved this movie, the cinematography, YES, the cinematography was even good!! I'll be rewatching for sure :)
Smile Again
(2010–2011)
Ji Chang Wook Acting His A Off
17 October 2023
Idk, I finished this over a week ago and I just think watching this 159 episode series was one of the best decisions I made this year. I truly paid full attention to most episodes (skipped around a bit) and was never board or tired of the storylines. It's soapy to the soapiest degree, and I love that! I needed camp! I needed ridiculous scenarios were the evil people succeed so much you almost give up, big finally, eventually the good ones win. I'm watching everything Ji Chang Wook cause I'm a huge fan, and this didn't let me down! Enjoy yourself, make a drinking game out of it, yell at the screen! Have fun, cause this is a very fun show!
See You in My 19th Life
(2023)
Wish it was Longer!
8 August 2023
12 episodes Netflix!?! Really?? Like how did anyone read this script and not think Mmmh maybe we shouldn't try to end 4 or more storylines in one episode because it's impossible! The story would have been so much richer and developed strongly if it was a classic 16 episode k-drama. The ending was so rushed, so many open ended stories had to be resolved and it just turned out sloppy. Still, I really enjoyed this, reminded me of Goblin somewhat. And of course the main actress is wonderful, she continues in Mr. Queen fashion to make her character super lovable. Now the main actor, we'll idk this is a better performance than Yuma's Cells so I guess that's some improvement lol Overall really sweet and heartfelt, just wish it was longer!
My Best Friend's Bouquet
(2020 TV Movie)
Friends To Lovers Wins Again! Praying for Athena!
2 January 2023
The "women and men can't be friends" brigade is really winning with this one unfortunately lmaooo. I think they did a good job with not making the bestie pinning after his friend creepy (which I think this trope can easily fall into). He came off more like someone who didn't want to ruin things and not a creep lurking. I really loved the leading couple's chemistry and I especially liked the FL charm; there was something very Lorelei Gilmore about her, everything she said was very tongue in cheek, it was like she was having her own fun no matter the situation she was in. The storyline including the side characters was good though I wasn't sure why I knew so much about someone else's story aside from the leads. Also Athena girl RUN!!!
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