I'm not a cry baby. Nope, I'm not. I laugh at people crying at tv shows and movies. So, tell me why I was ready to turn on the water works in episode 17? I loved..no LOVED.. Live. It was excellent. One of the best if not the best ensemble casts I've seen in a Korean drama. They could hold their own against any cast from any nation.

Live depicts the lives of rookie cops and their mentors and how their work and family life intermingle. The writing was excellent. I did not know what to expect when I started watching it. When I first heard of Live, it was listed as a comedy. It is not. If I had to catergorize it, I'd put it under slice of life. Drama. Comedy. Action. Romance. It's all in there. It has many scenes that will make you smile, but it also has several that will make you sad and even anger you. The writers did a great job at balancing the emotions and climate of each episode. Was it 100% perfect? No, I'd be lying if I said it was because nothing is perfect. However, the story is well told.

The story is also well acted. Wonderfully acted as a matter of fact! The male leads were played by Lee Kwang Soo and Bae Sung Woo. Now, I will confess that I watch everything Lee Kwang Soo because I think he's an excellent actor and not respected enough. He has never failed to entertain me. I've only seen one other drama Bae Sung Woo has been in and I don't even remember him. Trust me when I say, I will remember him now. Lee plays rookie to Bae's seasoned vet. The 2 clash from the beginning but their relationship develops into one of mutual respect and friendship. The female leads (Jung Yoo Mi and Bae Jun Ok) are also Korean officers, which is uncommon in Korean drama. They're both strong willed and determined women who don't back down. There's a marvelous scene of Bae Jun Ok confronting the all male hierarchy in the police. It was beautifully brillant! The rest of the cast is peppered with seasoned scene stealing vets like Sung Dong Il, Jang Hyun Sung, Lee Soon Jae as well as some and up and comers to keep an eye on.

Usually, I hate how music is used in most dramas. I have to admit TVN music editors do a pretty good job. I did get tired of hearing the same songs, but they weren't played for what seemed like 3 minutes at a time while we re-watched scenes we just saw. I was surprised the main song(s) weren't by Korean artists, but they fit with the characters and the atmosphere. Thus, I believe, they were good choices.

I'm also not a big re-watch fan, but I am honestly ready to marathon Live again right now. I hope they do a sequel and not make the mistake of hiring a brand new cast. * fingers crossed *

There are some dramas that end perfectly with about 18 episodes; some that you wish did end with 18 episodes; and some you wish had a few more episodes. Live is the latter. If you like cop shows that delve into what happens in the precinct and the private lives of the officers, then you should be watching Live.

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Starts With A Bang Then Fizzles

Ashfall is aptly named. There's plenty of fallen ash to spare. Everything is carpeted in ash. It doesn't take this movie 5 minutes before we're off and racing against time to stop an earthquake that will be cataclysmic. Don Lee (Ma Dong Suk.. one day I'll get used to his Korean name...maybe) plays Professor Robert Kang or Kang Bong Rae who had been warning the powers that be for 3 years that a devastating series of earthquakes were coming and that they would initiate the eruption of the dormant Mt. Baekdu. Of course no one listened until after the fact and enlists the doctor to come up with a plan to stop them, which, of course, he already had. The problem is it has a small rate of success. Even so, Captain Jo In Chang (Ha Jung Woo) and his team are sent to obtain the nuclear bombs from North Korea. Their biggest obstacle is the man they have to enlist to help them. Lee Byung Hun plays Lee Jun Pyeong, the obstacle.

The story sounds interesting enough, but it wasn't. There was very little tension, especially in the scenes where there should have been suspense. In very many scenes Capt. Jo seemed like comic relief as opposed to the hero. As the brains behind the operation , Dr. Kang should have had more dramatic scenes or at least more interesting ones. The action scenes were good, but they were a dime a dozen. Nothing new. Just when you think something big was about the happen, they skip to another scene. Basically, you see the beginning of an action and the aftermath, but not the actual action itself. There's also some blaring continuity issues. I feel the need to explain myself so here is a Spoiler: Suzy, who plays Capt. Jo's wife, is stuck in a car on a bridge when a tidal wave hits. The next scene you see her floating in the river. Huh? When did the car get knocked into the river? How did she get out of the car? What happened to all the people who were running? Next thing you know Suzy's bone dry hailing a bus. Her purse and paperwork are pristine. That's some kind of paper and ink! Oh, did I mention her character is in her last trimester of pregnancy? So, yeah, we have a VERY pregnant woman, stuck in a car that was apparently knocked into the Han River where she escapes and I guess swims ashore. She then somehow makes it on time to the road where she hails a bus with paperwork that's not wet. Yup. End Spoiler The pacing of the movie is off. Too fast at some points and too slow at others.

The acting was good. The actors did their best with what they were given. I think many scenes or character interactions were supposed to be funny or at least humorous, but they weren't. It's a really good cast with a fairly poor script.

I don't think the music was good. The music in an action movie is to aid in the suspense and anticipation. The music in Ashfall did none of that. I may not be big on re-watching dramas, but I'll re-watch a good movie over and over. I have no need to ever re-watch this movie.

I wouldn't recommend Ashfall to anyone. Great cast. Great EFx. Good premise. Poor script and direction.

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And the award fore weirdest out of left field ending goes to.....
Missing 9 is one addictive drama at least episodes 1-15 are. Episode 16, not so much. They could have made episode 15 about 25 minutes longer to tie up the story and end it. The final episode had too much obvious filler and not enough tension. And the last scene came from outer space. It's like a new director took over for a quick second. But I digress. The story is quite good. It's nothing like I thought it would be. Early comparisons to Lost were far off base. There's a plane crash and that's where the similarities end. Missing 9's characters all mostly know each other for better or for worse. They all belong to/work for the same Entertainment Agency. The writer(s) did a good job in character development and setting up a well layered mystery even where there didn't seem to be one. The characters had camaraderie and there were a number of humorous scenes. The cast as a whole did a marvelous job and they had great chemistry. They seemed to work well together. The incidental music did a great job of supporting the story and helping move it along. The songs were ok. I really didn't pay much attention to the main song that played throughout the drama probably because I found it uninteresting. I really did enjoy Missing 9, but I don't see a reason to re-watch it. To be honest though, it's rare that I ever want to re-watch any drama.. Overall, it's a solid well done drama and very much worth watching even with the weird, obvious add-on scene at the end.

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More than a review this is a testimony about how laughter is the truly the best medicine. I've been watching Running Man since episode 90. I just happened upon it. At the time I was in a deep depression and didn't know it. My self esteem was rock bottom. I had been injured in my neck and foot and couldn't move without pain. As a person that loved to walk and hike I was devasted that I couldn't take 2 steps without needing to sit. I gained so much weight I didn't recognize myself. The horrible thing is I didn't realize how bad off I was. Episode 90 was entertaining enough to make me watch 91 and found myself laughing within minutes. I laughed so hard tears were in my eyes. That's when I heard it. My laugh. At first I didn't recognize it because it had been that long since I truly laughed (not fake laughed in front of people). It was just me and my computer and I was holding my sides. I found a site to watch all of the episodes and I did. Slowly, I started to feel more like myself and happier. Honestly, I accredit what I call the core cast: Yoo Jae Suk, Lee Kwang Soo (the only cast member I recognized), Ji Suk Jin, Kim Jong Kook, Kang Gary, HaHa, and Song Ji Hyo with saving my life. I don't think I'd be here if it weren't for their antics. Truly, I don't.

Actually, I call the core 7, My 7 Little Pabos. They made/make complete fools out of themselves weekly and I thank them for it. They are truly brillant. Lead by the Nation's MC, YJS, the RM cast is a well oiled and often zany machine. When their personalities clash, it's usually hilarious. Unlike other Korean variety shows I've seen, RM is a work out. They play games and do missions. After 10 seasons I'm always shocked when guests come on and are surprised that the title is literal. Watching RM makes you want to join in on the fun. I know I can't anymore (not unless they have Limping Man), but I wish that I could.

They promote the music of the cast as well as any musical guests. Aside from their personal themes, the music played during the episodes is always current. It's a great production and the writers do a very good job.

The bottom line is this: Running Man is fun. They look like they're having fun and you have fun just watching them. If you could get a job, running around playing games all day and laughing, wouldn't you? I know I would. Since that's virtually impossible for most of us, watching RM is the next best thing.

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Thoroughly Entertaining!

I had a great time watching Mystery to IuNakare. It's a fun ride. I absolutely adored Kounou Toutonou! Japan has done several takes on Sherlock Holmes. Some hits. Some misses. I'm not saying Toutonou is young Sherlock Holmes, but it he reminds me of him. Honestly, to me he's a combo of Holmes and Tom Baker's Doctor Who (the 4th doctor.. look him up). Kounou Toutonou is a college student (as he says many times) with beyond exceptional deductive reasoning and observational skills. His antisocial behavior and personality led him to become the prime suspect in the murder of a former high school classmate. I was hooked from the first few minutes in episode one (finished the entire series in less than a day). Any time a suspect is taken in for questioning and winds up questioning the police, I'm in. Of course he shows off his skills, thereby setting up the rest of the series.

The story is great. Yes, the murders may be somewhat common, but the solving of them is not. I mentioned Kounou reminds me of Sherlock Holmes. He has his own Moriarity. Someone who is brilliant, but pushed to the edge due to circumstances and winds up on the wrong side of the law. There's also a common thread throughout the episodes that does not become readily apparent until the end. The writing was done very well as was the production. This is not a gritty crime detective story. Although, somewhat lighthearted in many ways, it's not a comedy either. I'd categorize it as a dramedy.

The cast is great. Suda Masaki is fantastic as our curly haired protagonist. The characters including guests were all well cast. I enjoyed their performances. It took almost an entire episode for me to recognize Eita. When he shaves and covers his ears, he's unrecognizable. LOL

The music was pretty good. I really didn't take much notice of it which means it supported the scenes instead of overwhelming them. Re-watch is medium as I rarely re-watch, but I may, especially if there's too much time between seasons. Hopefully, there will be a season 2 as season 1 ends with a cliffhanger. Plus, there's too much about Kounou-kun that is unknown.

Overall, this is a fantastic binge worthy drama. I highly recommend it.

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A Societal Snapshot

It maybe titled Joke, but it's not funny. On the surface t's a psychological race between a celebrity,Sawai (Iplayed by kuta Toma) trying to regain his popularity via streaming and a fan. Beneath the surface Joke is an interesting take on tech, especially A,I. tech, and the control we give it in our daily lives . In short Joke is a sad commentary on what we are all becoming due to Covid.

The writing is creative and clear. The director did a good job. The 45 minute special primarily takes place in 1 room. The production quality is fairly high overall? Some may think It too short, but I think it's the perfect length. If you've ever watched an anthology, the length won't bother you. It's like an episode of the Twilight Zone. It's basically a one man show. Toma does a great as Sawai, especially as he began to piece things together.

Music? There was music? I seriously don't remember. The re-watch is 50% maybe a little less. I am interested to know if there are missed clues.

Overall, I liked Joke. Is it ground breaking? No., but it is entertaining and thought provoking.

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Everyone knows there's a curse on sequels. Most times they're not good or anywhere as good as the first. Suishou no Kodou really doesn't break the curse it just lessens it a bit. It was still suspenseful and the murder mystery interesting, it's just something was missing. Or, perhaps it was that I found the lead character, Kisragi Toko, a little too much to take in some scenes. I really did want to shake and slap her a few times.

Since this is the 2nd drama in the series, I'm opting to write a full review when I finish all 3 series and the side story. By the way, you don't need to have seen Ishi no Mayu to enjoy Suishou no Kodou, but it helps explain the relationship between certain characters and Kisaragi's behavior.

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I binged watched Hana Nochi Hare: HanaDan Next Season in a 24 hour period. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect. I love HYD to the point that I have seen (completed most) all versions of the story from every country that I was able to find including the truly awful Mainland Chinese version from 2009. So, I do understand why some people were upset while watching HanaDan. I do. Thing is, it's not Hana Yori. It tells you from the start that it's not. The streaming sites are doing a disservice by calling it BOF Season 2. That is misleading. Firstly, a translation of the title, Hana Nochi Hare, would be something like Flowers After the Sun. For Westerners the Next Season part should probably have been Next Generation, perhaps then people wouldn't have been overly expectant.

The story revolves around Haruto Kaguragi, who idolizes F4, and wants to bring Eitoku-koko back to the glory it once was; Oto Edogawa, who is trying her best to get along until she can graduate; and Tenma Hase, the leader of Eitoku's rival school and Edogawa's oldest friend & fiance. Kaguragi's C5 aren't your typical HS bullies like F4 were originally. They're separatists. A rich kid school for rich kids. Peasants be gone! As such, C5 does peasant/commoner hunting and strongly suggest students who are not paying donations put in transfer papers. This is done in front of the student body at anytime/any place. Edogawa started school as a rich kid, but her family's business went under. I think you can see the clash. The storyline parallels HYD too much I believe. They made slight changes, but at it's core it was the same. A few more changes would have made it much more interesting.

They didn't skimp on the production. The sets were well appointed. I was happy to see the old Eitoku cafeteria. While the writing was unoriginal, but good for what it was, the direction, filming, and editing were expert. My guess is the screenwriter, Yoshida Erika, who is quite young, was given an outline or guide to follow. The one thing I found truly irritating was how Edogawa was so used to her poor life. The family business had only gone under 6 months earlier. One would expect her to still be trying to adjust.

The acting was really quite good. I'd never seen any of the actors that played the students before (I don't believe). Sugisaki Hana was fantastic as Edogawa. Her leading men, Hirano Sho (Kaguragi), and Nakagawa Taishi (Hase) were also quite good. FUN FACT for anyone who watches anime: Episode 10 has some serious Bleach vibes, Ichigo vs. Uryu. The rest of the cast rounds out nicely. Three of F4 make guest appearances. I only knew of 1 so I was pleasantly surprised. OK, I went all fan girl! It was just great to see them slip back into these rolls as "adults."

The OST (instrumental) is fitting. As for the themes, Utada's "First Love" is hauntingly beautiful. It gives you all the feels and goes wonderfully with the story. The title theme by King & Prince is fun, but not memorable.

I don't feel a need to rewatch this, but I don't feel the need to rewatch 99.9% of the dramas I watch. I would, however, welcome a season 2 of this next season.

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Surprisingly, Chief of Staff 2 manages to outpace and maneuver season 1. One of the reviewers called Chief of Staff the perfect adult drama. So, too, then is Chief of Staff 2. Sequels usually fall short, but not this one. It starts with a "WTF?!", continues to "Holy S&*%!", and ends with "Yup, I knew it!" I marathoned the 10 episodes on Netflix. I was completely vested in the characters and the story. I was all in, perhaps too much as my family kept saying, "You know they can't hear you," or "Do you know you're talking to/yelling at the tv?" I'm really thinking of spending the weekend rewatching both seasons.

The plot, the writing, the directing and editing, the entire production is fantastic. They doubled down on the backstabbing and scheming. The political intrigue wasn't as upfront as was the investigation. They prosecutors are a big part of Season 2.

The acting is superb. I mentioned in my Chief of Staff review that Shin Min Ah was so far removed from her usual type of role that I forgot it was her. I did in season 2 as well. They got a shot of those dimples and it hit me who she was. Kim Gab Soo was as mesmerizing in this as he was in season 1. He only lost in his scene stealing to Jung Woon In. Lee Jung Jae embodied his character. This was the first time I've seen him in a drama. He is wonderful.

Chief of Staff, the full series, is fantastic. Season 2 brings everything from both seasons to a satisfying close. However, they leave you hoping you may see some of the characters again. It's like a great book that you couldn't put down for a while even after you've finished.

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FINALLY Leads With Chemistry!

Let me be straight right up front. King The Land's plot, or lack thereof, is nothing new. The character personality types are ones we've all seen time and time again. I only started watching it because of the hotel setting. I'm a sucker for some settings and luxury hotels is one. In my opinion the story would have been better had it concentrated more on the inner workings of the hotel. With that being said what KTL has the almost every romcom (and every drama with a needless romance) doesn't have is chemistry between the the leads.

It's painful watching a drama where the supports carry every episode because the leads suck. Trust me. I've seen way too many of them from several countries. Luckily, KTL's Lee Jun Ho and Im Yoon Ah had chemistry to spare. In fact the entire cast worked well together and the character bonds leapt from the screen. Animosity and hate also jumped the screen. I have to give a special 'well done m'am' to Go Won Hee. Damn did I hate her. She played one of the biggest witches that ever witched. Her character, Oh Pyung Hwa, was a nasty spiteful piece of work. Go did a damn good job portraying her. The girlfriend chemistry was wonderful and I enjoyed the every 6 sibling scene.

The dialogue is good but there's no substance. The editing is excellent. The end of the episodes had you guessing what was next (usually incorrectly) making watching the next episode a must see. The star behind the scenes is the costumer and whoever picked Lee's 3 piece suits. *drool* That man looked good. Honestly, all the men were keenly dressed. The work uniforms were well fit as well. The only failures were the suits worn by Go. All, but 1 were ill-fitting.

Typically, I pay no attention to the music, but a couple of songs in KTL caught my ear. It has no re-watch value for me unless I just want to watch some well dressed men. ZZ Top did not lie.

King The Land is fluff. Plain and simple. It's an easy watch that you don't have to invest much in. You can turn your brain off and just watch it. No need to figure out a mystery or guess what someone is thinking. It's obvious. I'm not saying that's bad. We all need some fluff sometimes. I needed a break from my murder mysteries, supernaturals, and thrillers. King the Land provided that break. All in all, I enjoyed it. If you need a break, give it a shot and enjoy it for it's simplicity.

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Oh, this was fun. I love action movies and really good chase scenes. Fabricated City has several to spare. FC is nothing like I thought it might be from reading the description. It is a lot more grittier and realistic than I expected. If Ji Chang Wook, was trying to rid himself of the pretty boy image in order to move into meatier roles, he certainly found the right vehicle. I found the prison scenes especially surprising.

In a nutshell, Freeter/NEET (whatever you want to call him) Kwon Yoo finds himself beautifully set up for a murder. Like most NEETs he spends most of his day playing online MMOs. He is the chief or leader of a raid party in what appears to be his favorite MMO. There is a fantastic scene that takes place in the game. Honestly, I thought this would be on the level of certain animes that have people possibly stuck in their games like BTOOM! or even Log Horizon. It's not. The production team did a very good job introducing the game and the real world. They make it clear this is no fantasy. His team come from behind their computers to help prove his innocence. Because of that I found the story somewhat original.

The cast is great. JCW did a very good job as Kwon Yoo, especially once he realized he needed to toughen up and protect himself to survive. The cast has some of my favorite Korean character/supporting actors like Oh Jung Se (recently in Missing 9), Kim Sang Ho (Missing 9, TEN), and Kim Won Hae (currently seen in Strong Woman DBS). Woo Hyun also has a small weird role that fit him perfectly. The cast did a fine job. They had chemistry, whether be it friendly or hatred. The connections were there.

The music was good. It helped at excitement and tension at the right places. I don't remember any actual songs, but, to be honest, one would have been out of place.

I would definitely watch this again. I hope that Netflix gets it soon so there can be actual subs timed correctly. That's right I watched a version lacking subs and what subs there were were poorly timed AND I still recommend it!

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Heartwarming. Funny. Emotional.  Well written. Great cast!  Fantastic production!
OK I'm done.  That's my review right there.  Honestly, I should hit submit and then edit because this is my 2nd review.  I accidentally loss the first one right at the end.  It was good, too. * sigh *  ANYWHO... Prison Playbook is an excellent black comedy.  It literally became one my favorite Korean dramas while I was watching it.  I can't recommend watching it enough.  It's the first Korean drama I've seen that bromance  is the main part of the story and isn't being used a beard for some sappy romance stories.  The 2 or 3 romances are side stories and not really part of or the crux of the story.  You can basically remove them without issue.

Prison Playbook's story is one that is well written, excellently portrayed, and masterfully presented. The writing/directing team of Jung Bo Hoon and Shin Won Ho made something special here.  In this prison set where women are not allowed except as visitors, they created a testosterone heavy atmosphere that isn't quite what you might think it would be (aside from the cussing perhaps). The 2 also paired for the Replay dramas of which I've watched nada, but think maybe I should. This pair along with the editing made watching Prison Playbook fun.  For the most part flashbacks are used to tell the story and move it along, not to sell whatever song is being played.

I got the impression that the staff had fun watching PP being filmed.  That's solely because of it's fantastic cast. The cast led by Park Hae Soo as Kim Je Hyuk, a hard working professional baseball player that winds up in jail due to his rage issues, and Jung Kyung Ho as Lee Joon Ho, a correctional officer and ex-baseball player who has known Je Hyuk since grade school. Together these 2 corral an entourage of zany characters with befitting nicknames like Looney ( <3 ) and Headache.  Watching the relationships develop and in some cases abruptly end is what made PP worthwhile. In the beginning you may think Je Hyuk is a simpleton, but you realize he's just a simple man.  Things are as they are with him.  I've got to say this is the first time I've ever seen someone look like a Romulan  or Vulcan and not be on Star Trek. His blank stares are precious. In the beginning you think he's thinking 'wtf have I done' then you think he's thinking of how he's gonna get his way.  That or he's thinking of using a Vulcan neck pinch. Je Hyuk spends most of his time with the cell members of 2-6: Min Chul, the lovable gangster and cell boss; KAIST, the con-man that thinks showering is optional and has a killer kick; Looney, "that bastard druggie" that says and does pretty much anything he choses and becomes the beneficiary of KAIST's kicks daily; the petition writing Dr. Ko that knows the regs of correctional facilities better than the employees; Capt. Yoo who may be an innocent man; and Crony a gangster that's best as a lackey.  There are other inmates, of course, like Jailbird and the aforementioned Headache, who screams for hours on end. There's also the other correctional facility employees that impact Je Hyuk, most especially Lt. Paeng played by the incomparable Jung Woong In.  I wasn't sure if he really wasn't Lt. Paeng in real life.  He completely embodied the role.  I adored every single last one of the crazy characters save 1. I did not like Ji Ho.  If you watch anime or dramas based on animes/mangas, you have undoubtedly run into the girl next door/best friend type that never tells him how she feels and doesn't really know how badly she's screwed up until she loses out to the big boobied alien girl with superpowers. Ji Ho is the best friend. There was never an alien girl.  Ji Ho won. Now, I now why the girl next door should never win.  Why?  Because she's annoying af.  Ji Ho alone screen time equaled fast forward for me.  

The music is pretty good.   I RARELY like the music.  PP ranges in it's music from Frank Sinatra standards to hip hop.  That kept my eyes from rolling. The opening them called OK by Bewhy (produced by Gray) sets the tone for the entire show.  I also adore The Door by Kang Seung Yoon (who plays Jean Val Jean in the show) and Mino is produced by Zico and is a great song.  Of course there's the overly used little love song.  It's not bad, but the Soul and Hip Hop songs kept it alive for me.

I usually preface this part by saying I rarely re-watch a drama because I don't have the time.  I already rewatched an episode of Prison Playbook.  I was going through withdrawal too fast.  I needed a Looney fix.

Is Prison Playbook the best drama I've ever watched? No, but it's one of them.  Is it the most entertaining? Right, now I'm going to have to say, it sure the hell is.  My biggest issue is that they left us hanging.  I'm sure we all understand that prisoners don't usually have long lasting relationships. They come and go, but when your made to fall in love with some of these guys you have the right to expect some kind of finale.  Even a brief synopsis on each of them at the end would have been sufficient.  Other than that Prison Playbook is utterly enjoyable.  You'll love it unless you're some giant emo melo fan that can't deal with laughter, men being men without women, and a few tears every now and again.

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Very Entertaining

The concept of Apartment 404, while limiting if you take the title at face value, takes large scale crimes that happened in apartment buildings/complexes from different time periods is SK and has the cast solve them. It made me wonder what exactly goes on in large complexes as I've never lived in one. They dropped a fact about how many apartment buildings there are in SK. I don't remember exactly, but they're one of the top in the world. That's a lot of damn apartments! I think the producers realized they didn't have enough source material and expanded their reach as seen in episodes 7 and 8. This actually gave me hope for a season 2.

I truly enjoyed every episode. It's like Busted! mixed with a bit of Village the 8 (had it lived up to it's potential). It was fun trying to figure out clues and guess which one (if any) of the endearing cast lead by King of the Variety Show, You Jae Suk. I will watch at least one episode of any show Yoo does. Of the shows available to me in the last 12-14 years there's only been 2 that I wasn't fond of. I was familiar with everyone in the cast but grew to love was Lee Jung Ha. You would think he'd get swallowed up by the over top personalities of the rest of the cast, but held his own and got better with each episode.

Rarely to I re-watch dramas but I tend to re-watch variety so I can laugh. In the case of Apt 404 it's more of case of trying to find clues that I missed. I would recommend this as a de-stresser to anyone, especially if they like things that are light hearted with a bit of mystery.

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Literally Sat On the Edge of My Chair

I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed Joker Game. I was glued to my seat. I tried to get up and wound up sitting on the edge of my seat, riveted. D Company, an organization under the purview of the Japanese Military but acts separately for the most part, is assigned a mission to recover secret documents, the Black Note, from what appears to be Hong Kong (the name is never mentioned). The movie follows a spy called Kato (played by Kazuya Kamenashi) as he attempts to acquire the Black Note and send it to Japan. It's one of several attempts by Japanese writers to put another spin on WWII. Unlike in most of the other stories, they are not against the German or Germanesque villains, this time they are up against the Brits, who are quite villainous. If a fanciful retelling or a different view point of history bothers you, then don't watch it. They're spies from the 1930s/40s attempting to avoid WWII would be idiotic.

I've always been of the mind that the Japanese were master storytellers, but aside from a few outstanding exceptions (like Kurosawa and Miike), poor movie makers. If they ever got it into their minds to actually allot the amount of money into production costs that's needed, their movies would be more popular. Their movies almost always look sepia toned or dull, which is ridiculous when you think of the technology in Japan. That being said it looks like they put more money toward JG. Although the coloring was a bit drab and dull it fit the surrounding and story. The director's use of shadow in many scenes really stood out and made some scenes beautiful. One in particular tricks you into thinking you're watching black & white. When I think back on it, I keep seeing Kamenashi in b & w which he wasn't. I have never read the novel nor watched the anime (just added it to my list) on which the movie is based, but I'm ok with that. I liked it regardless.

The cast led by Kazuya Kamenashi were entertaining. It was odd seeing Yusuke Iseya in such a small role. Colonel Yuki is a pivotal character and Iseya was very good. I would have liked to have seen more interaction between Yuki and Kaminaga (his secretary??) played by Yukiyoshi Ozawa. They seemed to have a budding bromance. Kamenashi, Keisuke Koide, Hiroshi Yamamoto, and 1 other, did fine jobs as the spies on the mission. I wish we had seen more of them as a team. Kamenashi was well suited for the soft hearted Kato. Unfortunately, we barely get to know the other spies. Mores the pity. They were fun to watch in the few scenes they were in.

The music was really good (not counting the ED which was out of place). It was a big component in making scenes exciting. They missed their mark with the ED by using a KAT-TUN song instead of jazz or something that promoted feelings of the time.

I love mysteries. I love thrillers. This was both. However, I doubt I would re-watch it unless they did a part 2 (it needs a part 2). Don't get me wrong. It's a good movie, but it's not spectacular. It's not flawless. I think if I rewatched it, I'd only pick it apart and not enjoy it the way I just did. I rarely rewatch anything so I never consider this value in my factoring my overall score.

Again, Joker Game was enjoyable. It was almost 2 hours, but you wouldn't know it. The time flies by. Rarely do movies fully tell the source material the way a reader wants. I've learned to separate the 2 and judge a movie adaptation on it's own merits. What matters to me is if it's a good movie, and in my opinion Joker Game is a good movie. If you're looking for an in depth character study and/or character development that you can sink your teeth into, then click on by, this is not your movie. However, if you're looking for a bit of "actiony" fun with spies and big boys with guns, then click play.

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