tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67708069286141841652024-03-13T03:01:02.864-07:00TV KittyWhat's On Your TV?J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-9702019568218685562015-07-13T10:25:00.000-07:002015-07-17T11:39:46.116-07:00Advantageous, A Film To Make You Weep For Your Future<div class="graf--p" name="7aab">
It’s that rare film: instantly mesmerizing, a story of slow, sustained suspense, with a plot delivery that’s more horrifying than what was promised.</div>
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It’s that rare film: a science fiction film written, directed and produced by Asian Americans. Even starring!</div>
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It’s that rare film: an American indie production that isn’t twee and doesn’t feature cute, young, awkward girls/boys thinking sex is escape but ultimately makes you all grown up.</div>
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It’s that rare film: a sci fi story without a time machine or killer robots/computers/aliens/virtual reality. The violence is internal.</div>
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Watching it, I was amazed by the storytelling. How in the world was it keeping that level of suspense without falling into tedium? And then the next day, I couldn’t think — I just <em class="markup--em markup--p-em">felt</em> what the movie was about: an unemployed single mother willing to risk her life to make sure her daughter will have every advantage possible in a world where men have decided that women should be unemployed. It’s remarkable how director Jennifer Phang decided to choose a sober, surreal technique to infuse the movie with despair. Women’s despair. The despair is physical, like a tree in the way a homeless woman is melting into the urban landscape. It’s music, the weeping heard above an apartment, below, and then inside, the most acute listener a young girl, this world her inheritance. Our inheritance. Our reality. Only we’ve chosen not to hear the weeping.</div>
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For an indie film, the movie has a large, impressive cast with no weak links. And yes, it’s that rare film: Ken Jeong in a serious role! Jacqueline Kim, who’s also credited as a writer, is wonderful to watch as the mother, and Jennifer Ehle gives a surprising performance as the one female doing quite well in the corporate world, the one woman men will point to and say, “See! There’s no sexism!” She’s doing quite well because she’s brilliant, ruthless, creepy, manipulative, immoral. Those qualities in either man or woman will bring success! The truth is, even men are helpless, but their weeping contained bursts of anger. Thus Advantageous is a complete world. That rare film.</div>
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I saw the film on Netflix. Hope Netflix keeps it around for a long time.</div>
J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-8509965207325440572013-10-29T12:59:00.000-07:002013-10-29T12:59:22.226-07:00Super Fun Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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About two weeks ago, I stumbled across Rebel Wilson's <i>Super Fun Night</i> and found myself enjoying it. Which was a huge surprise. Because the promos were so shitty, I was sure it was going to be just one huge sitcom DOA.<br />
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Let's be clear though: the setup is pretty lame. Wilson is a lawyer named Kimmie. Why lawyer? Because Wilson has a law degree, according to IMDB. She's in love with a co-worker. It's not clear whether the likable guy is into Wilson's sweet, odd lawyer character. But they have a good rapport, so hey, at least that's something. That's the setup. Now let's get to the heart of the show, which is the tone: rather sweet. Plus, everyone is pretty fun to watch. Especially Kimmie's roommates Helen-Alice and Marika, played by Liza Lapira and Lauren Ash. Helen-Alice is mousey and nerdy, Marika freakily tough, physically and mentally. Together they're a nice Greek chorus for Wilson's Kimmie.<br />
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Liza Lapira is quite interesting. I mean, the woman is never without a job. Every season she's in a new series. To tell you the truth, I've never liked her work before. In <i>Traffic Light </i>she was a slightly bitchy wife. In <i>Don't Trust the B--- in Apartment 23</i> a nerdy psycho stalker. Helen-Alice kinda combines the two and really showcases Lapira's talents. Let's hope <i>Super Fun Night</i> lasts longer than the other two series. Now that I'm no longer having much fun with <i>New Girl</i> and starting to lose interest in The <i>Mindy Project</i>, <i>Super Fun Night </i>fills my need for quirky comedies.J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-87234037508982438052013-10-26T19:17:00.000-07:002013-10-29T12:41:49.377-07:00God of Study<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is such a fun K-drama. The premise is, of course, completely zany: an idealistic lawyer decides to turnaround one of the worst high schools in the country. But the writing is sharp and the actors, including all the kids, totally adorable. It's best not to think about the plot too much and just enjoy the ride as one hysterically weird teacher after another is introduced.<br />
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<i>God of Study</i> is also known as <i>Master of Study</i> and <i>Lord of Studying</i>. Yeah, the English translation of the Korean title doesn't really work.<br />
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Update: <a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2013/10/education-south-korea?fsrc=scn/tw/te/bl/classstruggle" target="_blank"><i>The Economist</i></a> has an interesting interview with Korea's Minister of Education Seo Nam Soo. It explains a lot of what's going on in <i>God of Study. </i>J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-50199074190179076732013-10-17T20:52:00.001-07:002013-10-17T20:52:36.257-07:00Last Tango in HalifaxI really enjoyed <i>Last Tango in Halifax</i>, purely because of Anne Reid and Derek Jacobi. They absolutely sparkle as long-lost lovers. In fact, I wish the show had been an hour-long TV drama with just the two instead of a 6-part series focusing mostly on their dysfunctional families.<br />
<br />J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-19540984870060008112013-10-07T18:39:00.000-07:002013-10-07T18:39:20.821-07:00Lunch ON!I don't know why but I'm totally into <a href="http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/tv/lunchon/" target="_blank">NHK's Lunch ON!</a> It's a half hour program that features nothing but interviews of ordinary Japanese people having their lunch. The narration is totally amateurish, but that only adds to the charm. Sadly, I couldn't find a video but check out the link!<br />
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<br />J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-84404138625852954382013-09-22T10:30:00.003-07:002013-09-22T10:48:12.727-07:00Rita, My New Fave TeacherThe fun thing about Netflix is that you can aimlessly browse. Who knows what you'll find? Like <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1973692/" target="_blank">Rita</a></i>, a Danish TV series about an outspoken, rebellious teacher with a lot of personal issues and family problems (would love to describe but then there will be spoilers). The show is fun, full of amiable people, witty and so incredibly likeable. I highly recommend it.<br />
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Sadly, I just found out that Bravo is doing an American version with Anna Gunn of <i>Breaking Bad</i> playing Rita. Skader. So before the launch of the Anna Gunn version, check out<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1738477/?ref_=tt_ov_st" target="_blank"> Mille Dinesen </a>as Rita, the Iconoclast.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_0hlVE-qB2I" width="420"></iframe>J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-10746975141941397832013-08-25T10:42:00.000-07:002013-08-25T12:32:18.641-07:00Why I Too Hate Skyler WhiteSorry I've been away for so long, but the truth is, there hasn't been much on TV that's inspired me to write. Of course, one problem is that I don't have cable. Way too expensive for mostly nonsense. But now I have Netflix and TVKitty lives on.<br />
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Of course, one show that everybody's been talking about is <i>Breaking Bad</i>, which is due to end this season. With Netflix, I've been busy catching up. Needless to say, this post will have spoilers, especially if you've never seen <i>Breaking Bad</i>. :)<br />
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There's so much to say about <i>Breaking Bad</i> which has some of the best writing I've ever seen on TV (<i>Friday Night Lights</i> comes close). But I'm really here to talk about Skyler. Skyler White. Walt's wife. The very troubling wife of Walt. I guess I'm not the only viewer upset by Skyler. Recently, Anna Gunn wrote a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/24/opinion/i-have-a-character-issue.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130824&_r=1&" target="_blank"><i>NYT</i> op-ed piece</a> about the shocking amount of hostility she faces playing the long-suffering Skyler. For her, it's an issue of sex. People want wives on TV to be weak, kind, understanding. Skyler isn't weak, kind, understanding. This provokes violent responses. Not just at Skyler but at Anna herself: "I was also astonished: how had disliking a character spiraled into homicidal rage at the actress playing her?" (I guess Anna's never been an evil character in a soap opera.)<br />
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I'm sure she's right. Women with balls seem to automatically trigger male homicidal tendencies. Or at least terrific fright. I was watching a report on dating and a guy says with terror and bewilderment, "I don't like self-confident women!" Poor, poor sap. But the thing is, I'm a woman and <i>I </i>don't like Skyler. It has nothing to do with my idea of what a wife should be and everything to do with Skyler being a holier-than-thou Lady Macbeth. Actually, that's not fair to Lady Macbeth as Lady Macbeth didn't tart herself up and practically skip to work so she can see the man she really has the hots for while keeping up the charade of perfectly martyred wife.<br />
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That's the thing about Skyler. She's worse than Walt. Well, maybe as bad since Walt has a lot of self-denial stuff going on too. Personally, I think her real problem with Walt has been that he's stolen the alpha position away from her. Before the cancer and the drugs, Skyler was the one in full control of the marriage and family. Walter hardly existed. His life was pathetic and he meekly submitted to all its banal horrors (wonder if Walter is an homage to James Thurber's Walter Mitty). It was the money crisis that reawakened and reinvented Walter. Sure, now he's a monster, but he's <i>alive</i>, he's <i>thinking</i>. Lo and behold, he's making decisions on his own and Skyler begins to unravel because she's not in control. And really, control is the true monster being dissected by the writers. Hank and Marie, in and out of control, Jesse, Jesse's parents, Gus. Control is fleeting and addictive and illusory.<br />
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The one time I had any feelings of sympathy for Skyler was that moment when Walt says, "Which phone?" as he's waiting for surgery, the drugs relaxing his mind. Anna Gunn is a fantastic actor. The look on her face, the slight tremble as if she's going to fall apart. Her life as she knew it is finally over. She tries to regain control by demanding a divorce, sleeping with her boss and throwing it in Walt's face. She doesn't start feeling in control again until that triumphant moment when she tells Marie that Walt's a gambler. Walt sits back, amazed at how Skyler takes over, controls and owns his story. Why couldn't she have been there for him all along?<br />
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But, of course, this is the moment that Skyler's lost control. The money is now in control (the money [drug] is always in control). And it's been coming, the way her toes scrunched the luxury bath mat at her boss's house, the way she gawked at Walt's new luxury condo. But like Walt, she needs the "good cause" to fully embrace that money. It's to help pay for Hank's recovery. And she underscores the "good cause" with cause and guilt by viciously reminding Walt that Hank would never have been injured if it hadn't been for Walt's involvement with drugs.<br />
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Now flashback to the moment that Skyler realizes Marie shoplifted the baby's gift. The lies Marie told. How unforgiving Skyler is. The ramifications of Skyler's lies are far more serious. The writing flows back and forth like this in the most beatific way, with each and every character from Badger to Hank so brilliantly and fully realized. Which is why I hate Skyler. She's so real. She's so us.<br />
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J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-85917988603519671002011-10-16T14:21:00.000-07:002011-10-17T10:04:48.038-07:00Food, That Glorious MetaphorIn Korean dramas, food is everywhere. Eating is just what Koreans do. Round-the-clock. Home after all-night clubbing, first thing a twentysomething does is make instant ramen and eat it right out of the pot, using the lid as a plate. Straight after school, kids hit the local dukkboki house. A guest makes a surprise visit and a plate of cut-up fruit instantly appears. In such a foodie culture, a heroine not being able to afford a roll of kimbap says <i>everything</i>. So what does it mean when someone eats with a fork and knife at every meal, preferring steak and pasta to kimchee and rice? This is a person who has lost their soul. This is a person who is no longer a real Korean.<br />
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I've seen food used symbolically like this over and over again. Food as a metaphor for cultural identity. In Korean dramas, real Korean families eat rice for breakfast, not bread. Real Korean families still eat sitting on the floor at low-lying tables, not at Western dining tables with chairs. If you're rich and a parasite, raping the economy with shady, underhanded deals, you go to fancy Western restaurants, drink French wines at home, have a designated dining room. All signs that you have lost your Korean identity. Which means you have lost your humanity.<br />
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In drama after drama, the first step in regaining your humanity is befriending someone poor (usually your future spouse). This poor person will eventually take you to a street market where they will make you eat fish cakes on a stick and dukkboki from a food stand. In <i>Couple or Trouble</i>, the Queen of Bitches loses her memory and regains her humanity by eating an insane amount of chajangmyon, the commoner's ultimate snack food.<br />
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Hollywood used to use food like this too. In movies from the 30s and 40s, the rich, depraved capitalists ate solemnly, silently, in exquisite dining rooms with chandeliers, napkins impeccably on their laps, hidden by French linen tablecloths, course after course of Frenchified food being served by a butler or maid. In contrast, true Americans ate noisily, at large tables surrounded by salt-of-the-earth kin, napkins tucked in their shirts, momma hollering, "Come and get it before it's all gone!" The food is stacked high on humongous platters: fried chicken and biscuits or roast beef and buttery rolls. No French wines—no alcohol at all. Just good, healthy American water and plenty of gravy. (Strangely, no vegetables either, except for tubfuls of mashed potatoes.) The message is clear: there's plenty of food—there's plenty of love—this is the life worth living.<br />
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Food isn't used like this anymore. Like in Korean dramas, U.S. dramas still share that fantasy of families eating together at a dining table. But the food is rarely the focus except on Thanksgiving shows. Even then you hardly see people eating at all. The dining table is just an excuse to sit and fight and show a family's inner demons. There's no joy in eating, no joy in food. I suppose it's the culture. These days, Americans are told food is evil—it makes you sick—it makes you fat. Not in Korea. Food is joy. Food is healing. At least if it's real Korean food.J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-68893828293134882262011-09-15T14:27:00.000-07:002011-09-15T14:27:09.108-07:00Up All NightThe new fall shows are finally starting to roll out. Can't say that I'm thrilled. If the shows live up to the promises of their promos, they should all royally suck. One ad that really drove me crazy was the one for <i>Up All Night</i>—the promos made the show seem stupid and really old hat. So when it premiered last night, I watched purely out of a sense of duty. Well, well, well. It didn't suck. Not that it was great. But maybe in three or four shows? Because it has a lot of promise.<br />
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<i>Up All Night</i> is a lot like <i>30 Rock</i>, which isn't surprising because it's written by Emily Spivey who wrote for SNL. It also stars Maya Rudolph, also a SNL alum. But while <i>30 Rock</i> makes fun of corporate TV, <i>Up All Night</i> makes fun of parenthood, and that's harder. I'm sure that within two shows they'll have run out of diaper jokes and the kid will disappear in the same way the kid pretty much disappeared in <i>Raising Hope.</i> And before we know it, the show will be about all the zany people at work, which would turn the show into <i>30 Rock And A Baby</i>.<br />
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Mom is played by Christina Applegate. Dad is played by Will Arnett. Christina was pretty predictable but Will was a surprise. It's nice to see him in a role where he isn't entirely stupid or venal.J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-20027629439890522622011-08-20T09:32:00.000-07:002013-10-29T23:34:08.243-07:00The Greatest Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Finding a fresh and lovely piece of drama is as hard as finding a piece of fresh and lovely fruit. When I do, I'm startled—almost too startled to enjoy it. I'm really enjoying <i>The</i> <i>Greatest Love</i>. Watching it, I'll burst out laughing (rare for me). Watching it, I'll get all teary-eyed (not so rare). It's just a love story, but told with wit and reflection.<br />
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Here's the story:<br />
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Ae Jung was once the leader of an all-girl Korean pop group that mysteriously broke up at the height of their popularity. Everyone, including the group's manager, blamed Ae Jung. Ten years goes by. Ae Jung has grown more and more unpopular, even reviled because of a love scandal. She's desperately trying to make a living appearing as a D-list celebrity in game shows that make her do horrible stuff like eat chajangmyun while on a rollercoaster ride. But she's game, smiling and eating. One day, at a gas station, she has a strange encounter with Dok Ko Jin, an A-list celebrity. Ko Jin is much loved by the public—he's a master of seeming angelic in public. But really, Ko Jin is an ass and treats Ae Jung like she's dirt. Of course, he begins slowly falling in love with Ae Jung's spunky goodness, because, after all, this is a love story. But all the while, there's a real nice journey of contrasts: Ae Jung trying to regain her public footing, Ko Jin discovering his awakening heart (part of his heart is artificial—it's a long story). I'm only on episode 7 so I don't know if the show will have a satisfying ending, but I hope so. I'd like to continue laughing and crying and rooting.J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-91237765242089850312011-06-12T19:43:00.000-07:002011-06-12T19:48:03.505-07:00Lala's Promotion<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bEaP-5hAzT8" width="480"></iframe> <br />
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A while back, ICN started promoting a Chinese drama called<i> Lala's Career Adventures</i>. At the time I had no idea what a total phenomenon <i>Lala's Career Adventures</i> is in China.<br />
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The series was originally a trilogy of books written by career girl Li Ke (the series of books is called <i>Du Lala's Promotion</i>). No wonder the depiction of corporate life is so real in the series! The heroine of both the series and trilogy is a plucky, stubborn and very intelligent girl (Lala). She gets a job at a US corporation in Shanghai and finds the biz world full of nasty-tempered saboteurs (including a psycho who thinks Lala has stolen her ex-husband). Initially Lala is a disaster at work. She's undiplomatic, clueless, insubordinate. But through sheer will and tremendous balls, she rises to the top, even charming her US bosses.<br />
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The series is a lot of fun. And very honest about the kinds of women who you'll meet in the corporate world. Some will do everything they can to screw you over if you threaten them. One or two will become your mentor. A career girl's life is stressful and hard. But if you're Du Lala, you'll do okay, even meeting the man of your dreams (well...he does come with a psycho ex).<br />
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Wish I could read the book. It's full of advice for handling yourself in the biz world like “forget relaxing if you want to be a manager”. Ain't that the truth! <a href="http://www.chinatoday.com.cn/ctenglish/se/txt/2010-10/14/content_303602.htm">There's a good article about the Du Lala phenomenon at China Today.</a>J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-48018502294925038902011-05-08T20:48:00.000-07:002011-05-08T20:48:39.683-07:00The World of CollectingOne of the most interesting game shows I've seen recently is a Chinese one called "The World of Collecting" (ICN). From what I can understand, you have these celebrities sitting on a panel, trying to judge whether an item is a real antique or not. These "antiques" are brought in by average joes. The joes talk up their antiques and try to get the celebrities to bid. Now comes the interesting part. After the bidding, the joes have a choice. It turns out that their "antiques" have been evaluated by experts. If their "antiques" have passed the test, they'll get a certificate of authentication. If the "antiques" have failed, the host will smash their "antiques" to pieces. The choice is this: do they want to go through this authentication process or do they want to walk away with no chance at earning money. Education and drama all in one!J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-78268552326762806772011-04-16T20:31:00.000-07:002011-04-16T20:31:01.151-07:00Friday Night Lights, Last SeasonOkay, how many of you thought <i>Friday Night Lights</i> had been cancelled for good? Yeah, me too. So I was really surprised to see a commercial two weeks ago announcing the final season! Of course, we fans know what "final season" only too often means: loose ends tied together in crappy ways that betray everything about the show (yes, <i>Lost</i>, I'm talking about you). But then, by the time the "final season" rolls around, most shows have already lost their way and "final season" just means one last round of paychecks.<br />
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<i>Friday Night Lights</i> has never lost its way though. So what would the "final season" mean? I was nervous and anxious and hopeful as the opening credits rolled for the premiere. And then I was surprised: I'd never imagined last night's episode would be so poignant, so elegant.<br />
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It's late summer in Dillon, with school about to start. One of the first scenes is of Tim Riggins and his bumbling brother Billy. Tim's still in prison, his guilt-ridden brother rambling during a visit. Prison has made Tim depressed, bitter, simmering in anger. A heartbreaking contrast to the last time we saw him, Tim the valiant, willing martyr. He doesn't say much but he does ask his brother not to visit him so often. It's the last time we see him. The rest of the show focuses on Julie Taylor and Landry Clarke; they're preparing to leave for college, saying their farewells to Dillon and childhood. These scenes are so real, I found myself thinking about that time in my own life, personal remembrances riding along the fictional. Again, I marvel at the excellent direction the actors receive, lines delivered naturally, in full context to individual lives.J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-46553149063219233902011-04-10T22:06:00.000-07:002011-04-11T11:54:49.843-07:00Upstairs Downstairs 2010I had misgivings when I heard they were doing a new <i>Upstairs Downstairs</i> series. In fact, I was fully prepared for disaster. Or at least boredom (I have to confess I was bored with <i>Downton Abbey</i>, which was so lifeless). But I'm watching the first episode now and I'm glad to say that I had nothing to worry about. The script is subtle and witty, the cast marvelous. And, thank god, no endless expositions about the house's history or about European history in general. The cast is quite good too. The most marvelous Keeley Hawes is the lady of the house. Jean Marsh has returned as Rose. And one of the series creators, Eileen Atkins, is now in front of the screen as the formidable Lady Holland. And to my surprise, Art Malik and Anne Reid are part of the series too! So wonderful.<br />
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I found the initial opening very poignant. I even got goosebumps hearing the theme music as the credits rolled. And seeing all the misty memories in Rose's eyes—oh, my. Eileen Atkins broke my heart too, her Lady Holland a kind of Auntie Mame antithesis. My only criticism is that some of the incidental music is just too reminiscent of <i>Midsommer Murders</i>. Anyway, it's wonderful to have something to look forward to on Sunday nights.J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-13759918789113182372011-04-06T22:08:00.000-07:002011-04-10T22:09:45.998-07:00Breaking InI'm right in the middle of watching <i>Breaking In</i> and I am <i>so</i> excited because I finally have a TV show I can write about! I'd been watching promos on Fox for the last few weeks and I wasn't having high hopes, but wow! Great writing, great cast!<br />
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So the setup: college student Cameron (played by Bret Harrison) gets coerced into working for a shady security firm. He's surrounded by crazies, naturally. My favorite crazy is Cash. He's played by Alphonso McAuley and he's brilliant. Bonus point: Alphonso has great chemistry with Bret (Bret played Sam in <i>Reaper</i>—I loved that show). The best dialog of the night was between Cash and Cameron and it went something like this:<br />
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Cash: I'm going to have sex with this candy bar. Give me some sugar, baby.<br />
Cameron (grimacing): That doesn't look consensual.<br />
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Wish I'd written that!<br />
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Bret also has great chemistry with Odette Annable, the girl who plays love interest Melanie. Surprising how many shows cast actors with no chemistry. Of course Melanie has a boyfriend, played by an outrageously funny Michael Rosenbaum (Lex in <i>Smallville</i>). I've always adored Michael Rosenbaum so I was surprised and thrilled to see him suddenly pop up.<br />
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Hope the show only gets better!J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-13266809693713928162011-02-10T12:25:00.000-08:002011-05-05T16:04:49.323-07:00Clichés in Korean DramasToday is my rant day. And today's victim is Korean dramas. So...<br />
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Must someone always throw themselves into a river to escape capture in every action/historical drama? And must royal babies always disappear only to reappear 20 years later?<br />
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Must the heel of a girl's shoe always break off at an important function in every modern romance?<br />
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Must each episode of a court drama act like a murder mystery?<br />
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Must a divorce couple always reconcile?<br />
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Must every <a href="http://wiki.galbijim.com/Ajumma">ajumma</a> with an adulterous husband become some kind of celebrity? (In <i>My Rosy Life</i>, the ajumma dies from cancer, which is just the other side of the coin since death by cancer turns an ajumma into a saint.)<br />
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Must <a href="http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Yoo_Tae_Joon">Ryu Tae-Jun</a> lose the girl every time? (He's totally hot. How can he lose the girl even once? OK. In <i>Hwang Jin Yi</i> he was a little evil, but...he's hot...and in period costume!)<br />
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Must Dong Chul get beaten up at the end of every episode of <i>East of Eden</i>? By episode 25, the guy should be suffering from some degenerative brain disease from all that trauma.<br />
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Must implausible coincidences always drive the plot?<br />
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Why are we always at the airport at the beginning of every last episode of a modern-day series? <br />
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And what's with the endings on these dramas? How come they suck so much? The only decent ending I can think of was in <i>Couple or Trouble</i>. <i>Stars Falling From the Skies, </i>too. Now that was a cute drama with a great beginning, middle and end. Of course there was that coincidence thing...J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-28225748270898922382011-01-31T10:47:00.000-08:002011-01-31T10:47:33.867-08:00Masterpiece TheatreLet me just begin by saying I grew up on <i>Masterpiece Theatre</i>. Some Americans think I speak with a slight British accent, and if I do, it might possibly be because I watched <i>so</i> much <i>Masterpiece Theatre</i>. And I still watch <i>Masterpiece Theatre</i>, but I really don't understand what's going on behind the scenes. I mean, it's not even called <i>Masterpiece Theatre</i> anymore. Instead it's either <i>Masterpiece Classic</i> or <i>Masterpiece Contemporary</i> or <i>Masterpiece Mystery</i> or some such nonsense, depending on what kind of show they're airing. And while they still do intros, they now have actors delivering information in the most snarky voice possible. What's with that? Do the producers think snarky means hip? More intelligent? More in keeping with British television? More modern? Or do they secretly despise the very shows they're airing? Personally, I just don't find contempt a very nice prelude to a show like <i>Downton Abbey</i>.J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-77657900630714523342011-01-22T12:05:00.000-08:002011-01-22T12:07:26.775-08:00Look At Flower In FogLately I've been watching <i>Look At Flower In Fog</i> on ICN. A Chinese drama, it takes place in modern China and it's all about the antique business. That alone is fascinating, the drama going into depth about all the fakery and fraud that goes on, like taking ancient jade and machine cutting it into a "rare" object or using laborious ancient techniques to manufacture exquisite pottery that are as good as the ones from famous eras. The plot itself is just as complex, no one knowing who's really who, who's conspiring with whom. But what really keeps me coming back is the excellence of the script, the directing and the acting. Every scene is filled with tension, even a simple breakfast scene where a father warns a daughter to eat slower. There was this one amazing scene: a man and a woman, co-workers, arguing in a corridor; she's in love with him; he's in trouble (a client has complained that he's conned her); the woman, in a fit of anger, declares that the client is a whore and she's going to slug her; for a moment, absolute silence as each absorbs the outburst; then the man smiles and says, "That's so nice of you." Absolutely wonderful.J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-11703150210037443182011-01-18T21:03:00.000-08:002011-01-18T21:04:59.219-08:00Pioneers of TelevisionI just spent the nicest hour watching <i>Pioneers of Television</i>. The episode was about the birth of science fiction, interviewing past stars of <i>Star Trek</i>, <i>Lost in Space</i>, etc. and you got to find out what fascinating people Gene Roddenberry and Irwin Allen were. But what was really a surprise was the attitude of the show, relaxed, good-spirited, fun. There wasn't anything snarky or muckraking, no "so and so were doing drugs" and "so and so were sleeping together". Nothing juvenile. I felt a little like I'd gone back in time, watching a tribute show from the 70s.J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-73867877911584347922010-11-06T18:15:00.000-07:002010-11-06T18:18:59.593-07:00Unisex Bud LightSo I'm watching this commercial and I'm thinking "typical sexist ad geared towards stupid guys" when my brain does a spin because the final punch line is for the gals. Now everyone knows how impossible it is to market to both guys and girls so I have to hand it to the Bud Light team for doing it so brilliantly. (Not that I'm switching to Bud Light or anything...)<br />
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<object height="305" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WDgxCa_iDxE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WDgxCa_iDxE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="305"></embed></object>J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-2670314056032474402010-10-25T21:30:00.000-07:002010-10-25T21:30:20.491-07:00SherlockThis network TV season has been so dismal, I'm flabbergasted. I'm talking about the new shows. There's almost nothing (<i>Raising Hope</i> is cute). Is there some kind of virus going around Hollywood that's exhausted all creativity? Even the new J.J. Abrams show <i>Undercovers</i> is like a lame rip-off of a J.J. Abrams show. What's going on? I was in complete despair until I accidentally tumbled upon <i>Sherlock</i>. Reading the promo, I didn't have high hopes, let me tell you. I mean, another retelling of the Sherlock Holmes tale? Come on! So imagine my shock when I'm finding myself having some serious fun.<br />
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<i>Sherlock</i> is not from Hollywood. It's a co-production of BBC Wales and WGBH for PBS's <i>Masterpiece Mystery</i>. The co-creators are two writers from the Russell T. Davies re-imagined <i>Doctor Who</i> series. And it's a little <i>Doctor Who</i>, a little graphic novel, a little Arthur Conan Doyle. At this point, I dread telling you the premise because it might turn you off: Sherlock is now a modern guy with a nicotine addiction instead of heroin and he's a sociopath; Watson is an ex-army doctor who saw action in Afghanistan. Now here's the fun stuff: smart dialog, rapid-fire delivery, great chemistry between Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) and Martin Freeman (Watson), a charming Rupert Graves as a hopeless detective, and a wonderfully batty Mrs. Hudson (Una Stubbs) who keeps singing, "Just this once, dear — I'm not your housekeeper!"<br />
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But see for yourself:<br />
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<object height="305" width="450"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cSQq_bC5kIw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cSQq_bC5kIw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="450" height="305"></embed></object>J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-77936193823183400002010-10-20T22:51:00.000-07:002010-10-20T22:51:13.207-07:00A Tale Of Two TV Shows<i>The Defenders</i> vs <i>Hawaii Five-O</i> (2010).<br />
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Both shows are mostly about guys doing guy things. Both shows try to be funny. Both shows have convoluted action. Both shows are boring. I keep thinking both shows should be good.<br />
<br />
<i>The Defenders</i> have great leads who have real chemistry together. But everything else is so boring.<br />
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Hawaii Five-O doesn't even have that. The two male leads have zero chemistry. And it's not like they're not trying. God, they're trying. Make them stop trying. The two supporting characters are great though. Played by Daniel Day Kim and Grace Park, they make me miss <i>Lost</i> and <i>Battlestar Galactica</i>.J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-29018260462143990692010-10-12T18:16:00.001-07:002010-10-12T18:22:46.478-07:00Yakult Loves Its InsidesThis Yakult ad with a digestive system puppet is the friggin' weirdest ad ever. Ever.<br />
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<object height="305" width="450"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kjffmG9Z7zE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kjffmG9Z7zE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="450" height="305"></embed></object>J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-53550082004393016902010-08-07T10:27:00.000-07:002010-08-07T10:37:17.871-07:00Friday Night Lights Season 4 End<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnHH5KY8NkyhGUg15D9uD5scoUIhNGB3vXI_6a4QZVBNMms36yATmJHn1koKAOWRPbx7dpeyStLobkd6eDg9RNmOaOPLAk2Ym6zlYOuYxx9UV0yS8XQ3LE8vGZTZXvjAx_uwL4wCDAek4/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-08-07+at+10.36.44+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnHH5KY8NkyhGUg15D9uD5scoUIhNGB3vXI_6a4QZVBNMms36yATmJHn1koKAOWRPbx7dpeyStLobkd6eDg9RNmOaOPLAk2Ym6zlYOuYxx9UV0yS8XQ3LE8vGZTZXvjAx_uwL4wCDAek4/s200/Screen+shot+2010-08-07+at+10.36.44+AM.png" width="200" /></a></div>Once again, the season end of <i>Friday Night Lights </i>has me all torn up. What a roller coaster ride, from the exhilarating football game to the unbelievable sacrifice that Tim makes. Again, the writing was so sophisticated, from the simple dialogue between Coach Taylor and an anxious, self-doubting Vince to the whole development of Tim's story — I mean, until the last five minutes, I was sure he was going to do a runner!<br />
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Boy, that football game was nail-biting! Would the writers let poor Landry make that kick? Would they let poor Coach Taylor have one moment of victory? Yes! It was so nice to see Coach Taylor smile! That's the great thing about <i>FNL</i> — you just never know what's going to happen. How like life!<br />
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And what a beautiful scene that was, before the game, when Vince tells Coach Taylor he can't make the Coach's dream come true. Does Coach give a rah-rah speech? No. He just asks Vince what he's doing for Thanksgiving dinner. Instead of rah-rah, Vince got heart. Now that's writing.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nbc.com/friday-night-lights/video/thanksgiving/1243010/">You can click here if you want to see the episode.</a>J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770806928614184165.post-38138804649431899912010-07-22T19:47:00.000-07:002010-07-23T19:32:20.977-07:00What Happened To The Queens?Anyone know what happened to <i>The Queens </i>on ICN? The grandson of the evil bitch is finally in power and now the shows disappears? Instead, I'm stuck watching <i>Go West</i> and not really liking it.J.A. Pakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500402517408692236noreply@blogger.com0