Bonus Post : You best believe it!

 Season 2 of A Shop for Killers is coming out Today! I will keep this brief. If you didn't see season 1 yet, you might want to do that.

As always, feel free to leave me a message below. I'm going to be busy watching this so, bye.

A Belated Tenth Anniversary

     

Thursday, February 25 2016 @ 10:19 am was the date and time of my very first post. I never imagined that I would have been posting here this long. So much has happened since then.

It was a huge leap of faith to publish that first post. I remember be scared that I'd messed up somewhere that I kept checking it. Once I realized that I had not messed up, I still kept checking it because I couldn't believe that I had put my words out there. To be honest, I was somewhat giddy.

Through all these years, as I faced personal ups and downs, writing here has been one of the anchors in my day to day life. Talking to you all has been fun. Even though very, very, very, very few has messaged me back. I enjoy posting.

 

I hope we can hit new milestones together as we continue on as writer and reader. Here's to the future!

As always, feel free to leave me a message below.

Perfect Crown A review

 

As I mentioned before, I like to watch series that have already finished. I am not the best at waiting patiently when it comes to books and shows. I can be patient about everything else but that. So why, why I ask you, did I break my own rule and start Perfect Crown when only the first two episodes were out? Let me tell you.

First, the OST. A good soundtrack is one of the necessities of a successful show. The opening song here was a catchy pop song that had so much swag, I was held captivated until it finished. You know the type of song I'm talking about. It's that song you'd want playing in the background as you Lady boss your way through an ultra, mega makeover for that dream date you've had in mind since forever ago. And that was just the first song.

Second, the Cast. Our leading lady is the stunning and charismatic IU. Byeon Woo Seok is our handsome and charming male lead. They have an incredible chemistry on screen. Neither one of them outshines the other. And when you're that stunning, it says something. Their acting is as natural as breathing.

Lastly, the plot and directing. Good writing and directing is essential in a show. So far, it has taken a trope (arranged marriage with royalty) and made it new and fresh and modern. It has Intrigue, Comedy, Romance, and Drama. It is delivering on many different fronts. The visual shots were absolutely fantastic, dare I say cinematic. The pacing fast but not overly so. It left a craving for the next episodes. So, I was struck with the fact that I watched this as it aired as opposed to usual.

I want to applaud the screenwriter(s) and director(s) on a job well done. Part of the reason I've drifted to K-Dramas is the fact that the writing seems better than what I have seen so far in America. I mean, let's be honest, an American studio would've botched it. Also, I can't think of an American director who could make a show that feels like a K-Drama. If I am wrong here, you can let me know below. But so far, I've yet to see it. I think I said this before. All in all, I will definitely re-watch at some point.

As always, feel free to leave me a message below.

The Practical Guide to Love A Review

  

Right after I finished Siren's Kiss, I started The Practical Guide to Love. I was looking for something less intense that was sweet and funny. Thankfully I found it on my first pick.

It was 12 episodes but I honestly would've been fine with 16. While not as cinematic as SK, it was still beautifully shot. The storyline was a perfect blend of quirky humor and every day drama.The Practical Guide to Love was a joy to watch. My mouth was quirked up in a smile for most of the show.

I am just going to give you all the nouns that came to mind as I watched: funny, quirky, sweet, healing, heartwarming, comforting, and cute. It gave more than the name let on. Definitely putting this show in my favorites.

I may never find myself in a love triangle but I do understand letting oneself get sucked into the rut of the daily grind,that endless loop of work that never seems to end. Letting things fall by the wayside as you single-mindly focus on the work before you is something I think the majority of all of us can relate to. Watching a character struggle with this is so relatable.

As always, feel free to leave me a message below.

Happy 250th, America!

  

To celebrate our country hitting this huge milestone, I compiled a list of movies and shows that took place during that year. I am just going to give you the trailers as I don't think I can do them all justice. You can thank me later. Hope you all enjoy!

1776

 

Yes, I know it's a musical. It's still very good and I am picky when it comes to my musicals. My dad introduced me to this one.

The Patriot

 

LB1 loved this movie when he was younger. He watched this movie so much my parents and I started to think it was short. It's not.

Johnny Tremaine

 

This one is based of off a book. I saw bits and pieces. It is on my list of movies to watch from beginning to end or read the book.

Hamilton

 

I will not bore you. You all should know this one.

John Adams

 

This miniseries following our 2nd President covers those pre-Revolution years of his life as well as all he did during those pivotal years. Another show I watched bits and pieces of.

Turn

 

This one is about America's first spy ring. The Culper Ring was instrumental to the founding of our nation. We don't really talk about these men and women but they deserve it.

Liberty's Kids

 

As a kid I loved watching this show. Can you imagine how excited I was to find all the episodes up on YouTube? I introduced all my younger siblings to it. I thought they would like it. It wasn't because I wanted to see it myself.😊

As always, feel free to leave me a message below.

The Count of Monte Cristo A Review

  

Mild spoilers and Mini Rant ahead!

Many years ago, I bought a condensed copy of the Count of Monte Cristo. It is one of my treasured volumes. Later, my siblings gathered to listen to the audiobook. When I heard that PBS was airing a miniseries adaptation, you can pretty much expect how excited our household was. We were a bit late and had to catch up on the previous episodes. I was told by my siblings that under no circumstances was I to watch ahead of them. Their faces told me that I shouldn't push my luck unless I was craving a riot.

 

 

My siblings are exactly like me when a story they love gets turned into a show or movie. They want it to stick as close to the storyline as possible. They can understand minor characters disappearing and other slight changes but all major points should remain the same. This series hit somewhere in between.

 

I won't go into too much detail on the tale as you can pretty much look up the book synopsis on Wikipedia. The story flows pretty much how it should.Whoever scouted the locations, props to you. Also, the costumes were beautifully chosen and period correct. The casting director chose the perfect actors for all the roles. Sam Caflin is a superb Edmond Dantes. Jeremy Irons as the Abbe Faria was pure genius. I was intrigued by their choice to focus on Edmond's personal struggles as he embarked on his path of vengeance. Most make a passing mention in a scene we don't dwell on long. But here it was constantly, yet subtly, shown that those 15 years left scars on his soul. I personally liked that direction.

The ever present pining for Mercedes is still there. All I can say here is that we at least get closure on this dead relationship. Most revive it. I only know of one that cut it. I am okay with Edmond and Mercedes never getting back together. They don't in the book so please let us not waste our creative licence reviving a dead horse.

Do you know what we should spend our creative licence on? Haydee. We should spend it on her. This series did have her. But she only comes in on episode 5 out of 8 and plays such a tiny role I wanted to scream in frustration. Only one other version, to my knowledge, has Haydee in it. It too gave her an underwhelming amount of attention. That old version had her rage. This new version had both her strength and determination. Sadly both didn't carry her character to the end she is supposed to have. She and Edmond are supposed to be a couple at the end. Why is it so hard for people to get that memo? Like Edmond can move on, you know. Probably the healthiest thing for him. If the screenwriters of the future say that there isn't enough source material to build a new relationship, remember that creative licence I mentioned. Maybe use it. Harping on and on over your ex is exhausting. The Count was never so. Also, don't think that since Haydee got Edmond in the book, we should give him to Mercedes on the screen. It has been done enough. Learn to let go. Edmond did. Is everyone too scared to tackle the complex emotions that were swirling around? Or do you feel like the daughter of Ali Pasha is unworthy of The Count of Monte Cristo? Someone do Haydee justice! I am one step away from starting a petition.

Aside from that, I wished we saw more of Lt. Morrel and Valentine. Their storyline was the one that had the most impact on Edmond. Prior to the climax of their tale he didn't really heed anyone's advice or care about the casualties left in the wake of his vengeance. They were his wake up call. Not having it felt like the story lacked the proper amount of tension. Also characters that should have died, didn't. Certain connections were never made. Just little things here and there that get to you when you stop and think about it.

LB3 and I both agree that is was both satisfying and unsatisfying at the same time. I know that makes little sense but what can I say? We are something like purists when it comes to adaptations. As always, feel free to leave me a message below.

Maybe I Shouldn't Have Asked

 Sometime last year, the younger Siblings discovered One Tree Hill and The O.C. together. They didn't know that those two shows were my ultimate favorites as a teenager. I watched the reruns daily.

I had watched The O.C. three or four times and I stopped watching One Tree Hill in the early half of season 5. Our Digital Converter box refused to pick up the channel so I sadly let it go. 

Fast forward several years, LB3 and LS2 managed to get the two Series. When I found out I was like "Yes! Now I can finally finish it!" So I asked them to let me know when they started Season 5 of One Tree Hill (so I could pick up where I left off) and Season 4 of The O.C. (Yes, it's the last season. It is also my favorite. Sue me).

I let them watch peacefully. I didn't bombard them with questions about where they were. Sometimes I' d ask what they thought of a character but that was it. I didn't even give spoilers unless they cornered me and pressed for it. And what do I get in return?

They finished The O.C. without me and I have absolutely zero clue about what season of One Tree Hill they are presently on. All I know is it's not 5. 

I should have saved my breath. As always, feel free to leave me a message below.