July 2024 Quickie Reviews

july 2024 BREAKDOWN

• 16 films/series total (not including Hallmark films)
• 9 foreign films/series
• 2 re-watches
• 1 classic film
• 1 tv series

Biggest Disappointment: Mother of the Bride

Favorite Discovery: Ooh it’s a tough choice this month! I’m gonna go with Twinkling Watermelon.

Television Series

My Life is Murder Season 4 – It’s nice to see Alexa and Madison back at the crime solving game again and even more so to see the continued deepening of their friendship. They’ve settled into a nice rapport and routine. I’m very thankful the highlighter colors of last season have been toned down a bit this season, but continue to be perplexed by the wardrobes for their characters which often feel like a mishmash of colors and patterns.

Foreign films/series

Love is Sweet (2020) – Two childhood friends reconnect after ten years. He’s still secretly in love with her and she still thinks of him as a bully. The main reason to watch this romantic drama is for the main couple’s outstanding chemistry together. I could watch them bicker, tease and love each other forever. I just skipped most of the scenes extraneous to the lead couple who are just an absolute delight together.

Present, is Present (2024) – There’s not much substance to this dual-timeline romance in which a man in the future tries to save his girlfriend in the past. The dialogue is heavy on the exposition and trite lines, but the two leads somehow make the best of it and their onscreen chemistry.

The Double (2024) – This revenge tale is richly atmospheric with dark undercurrents and all kinds of fun scheming and evil plotting. I was surprised that many of the villains had sympathetic back stories which made them easier to relate to. This featured a physically restrained romance between the two leads, who first team up to achieve their individual goals and end up falling in love. Their interactions were more about what wasn’t said than what was.  Despite that, the two leads had combustible chemistry together. The hero downright smoldered every time he looked at the heroine and I liked the way he let little smiles sneak out around her.  Thankfully, this series presented a cleverly strategic and fearless female lead whose goal of revenge is motivated by justice for herself and the woman who saved her life.

What If (2024) – What a surprise! This series had unexpected depths. It’s a rather interesting modern Chinese romance drama that depicts the two possible life paths of its’ heroine based on her choice whether to stay with her small town long-term boyfriend or chase her career goals in Shanghai. The writers did a great job in realistically portraying the challenges and merits of each path without favoring one over the other. Personally I was more interested in the life path where she settled into a career in the city, because I felt she compromised herself less in that time line. I was also very annoyed by the boyfriend/husband’s meddling and manipulative mother in the time line where she stays home and gets married, even though her husband is very loving. That mother would be enough to make me leave! Both of the romances in the time lines were interesting and felt true to life. It was a bit heartbreaking to see the dissolution of her relationship with her home town boyfriend after she moves to the city, especially the way their breakup happens. They really loved each other, but the distance and time demands caused them to grow apart. It was hard to believe that they just completely cut off all contact, especially since they had been childhood friends and she practically grew up in his household. This is a very though provoking drama that is extremely relatable.

Everyone Loves Me (2024) – Another young adult romance set in the world of online games, this series was well made, but also didn’t do much to distinguish itself from all the other similar shows. The romance was sweet, and both of the lead actors were cute together, but I also felt their roles were very similar to previous ones I’ve seen and therefore not that interesting.

Hana Yori Dango (2005-2007) – This is the Japanese version of Boys Over Flowers. I do still find some characters and plot points problematic, but I definitely enjoyed this version better than the Korean one.  It is a little less polished and glossy, but the performances feel more sincere. I was glad to see some of the story lines that I didn’t like were kept shorter in this adaptation. Overall, it seems the two leads get better and more consistent character development, especially the hero who though still selfish, learns to manage his anger and consider others besides himself. Actually the main actor did a great job showing his transformation. On the downside the show abused the use of flashbacks and the actress who played the supporting role of the fiancee was too over the top in her portrayal.

Twinkling Watermelon (2023) -This time travel show tugged on all my heartstrings! It’s rare that I get this emotional over a story. The focus on the various relationships was so sincere and heart felt. There were two romantic story lines and I also really enjoyed the way the members of the band all interacted and eventually came together. But the one that stood out was the main character’s relationship with the teenage version of his father. I loved watching them bicker, protect and inspire each other.  They made me laugh and cry. The writers also did such a great job capturing the spirit of youth with the music, costumes and the lighting used. It made me sentimental over my teenage years. Despite my initial doubts, I now totally understand all the rave reviews for this series and it is definitely been added to my list of favorites.

Gaus Electronics (2022) – What a fun little work place farce! It has a screwball vibe thanks to crazy antics and a love/hate romance that develops between the two leads. I laughed the hardest at the secret blinking code the main couple starts using at work to keep others from finding out about them. I loved all the incompetent weirdos of Marketing Team 3.

My Sweet Mobster (2024) – Who would have thought a romance about a reformed gangster falling for a pure and innocent kids content creator would be so sweet and wholesome? This one gives me Snow White and the Seven Dwarves vibes especially after little Miss Sweetheart moves in with the male lead and his deerling friends. I love watching how her presence in their lives brings them joy and confidence. I don’t even mind some of the over the top theatrics, which just add to the overall charm of the series.

classic film

Mr Smith Goes to Washington (1939) – Although I’ve seen this one numerous times, it’s always a unique experience watching it on a theater screen. This is one of my all time favorites. I always find Jimmy Stewart inspiring as Jefferson Smith; from his speeches on freedom and democracy to his journey from innocent naivety to resolute determination after being betrayed and disillusioned. The excellent and experienced supporting cast enhances the sincerity of a film which could come across as hokey and idealistic.

Post 1980’s

Find Me Falling (2024) – The likable Harry Connick stars in this Netflix film about a washed up rocker who reconnects with an old love after moving to Cyprus during a career crisis. When it comes to the romance, this is a story that has been done before, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t handled well here. Although I wish the focus had been more on the people he helps who come to his home on the cliff to commit suicide. That could have been a much more meaningful film. However, it’s still a rather decent little film, enhanced by the pretty island visuals and some good original music.

Mother of the Bride (2024) – Sadly, I wasn’t very impressed with this rom-com starring starring Brooke Shields and Benjamin Bratt as two exes who run into each other again at the wedding of her daughter and his son. The comedy fell flat, Shield’s wardrobe scarred my eyes and their relationship was under developed and didn’t really interest me. And I hate to say it, but Shield’s performance felt over the top and insincere. The highlight of this film was Rachel Harris as Shield’s wise-cracking friend. It’s not a bad movie, it’s just not a great one.

The Long Game (2023) – It’s another underdog sports story based on real live events. This time the setting is mid-century South Texas and the segregated Mexican-American school starts up a golf team to compete against all the privileged white schools to earn respect and prove that golf is every man’s game. This one holds its’ own with similar types of stories, thanks to its’ unique setting, and largely unknown but talented cast. Watching stories like this always anger me, because the display of racism is so hateful and stupid.  It’s also a good reminder that those with privilege, can’t fully understand the hurdles and challenges that those without privilege face.

Overboard (1987) – I remembered almost nothing about this comedy starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. It turns out it is pretty ridiculous but also highly entertaining and funny. My mom even commented on how beautiful the young Goldie was. It kind of made me want to search out and rewatch some more of her earlier films.

Rewatch – An Ideal Husband

Hallmark; Signed, Sealed, Delivered A Tale of Three Letters, Falling Like Snowflakes, Home by Spring