KFilm to Watch: A Barefoot Dream (2010)

A Barefoot Dream (2010)

Former Korean soccer player Kim Won-kang ends up in East Timor to make a living. He attempts to open a sporting goods store in the impoverished, newly free nation but soon finds there is something more important to him than earning money. He ends up coaching the local children – all around 11 years old – after supplying them with goods from his own store, and he lands the chance for them to play in an international tournament. Will the inexperienced team be victorious, or will death grudges tear them apart, much like their country?

*This was based on a true story, or “actual events,” so that always makes a movie more interesting. It's a classic tale of inspiration, heartwarming and thought-provoking. PG-13 for one F-bomb. I might watch this again.*

InFilm to Watch: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

Baldev is an Indian man living in London, England, and receives a letter from his long-time friend back in India, requesting that they fulfill their promise to each other and have their children wed. Simran, Baldev's eldest daughter, asks for permission to travel around Europe with her friends for a month in exchange for going through with the arranged marriage. Baldev agrees, and Simran meets Raj, a roguish character that teases her endlessly, but also manages to capture her heart. The trip around Europe ends and they go their separate ways, finally realizing they are both in love with each other. Raj tracks down Simran in India, and tells her to pretend she doesn't know him as he charms his way into the good graces of both families – he won't steal her away to elope. When Baldev discovers the affair, will he force Simran to go through with the arranged marriage, or will he let Raj take his daughter?

*This movie was over 3 hours long, and while it is nearly 20 years old, it was still very entertaining, with a good pace and good music. Raj's character is quite charming as well. I'd probably watch this again.*

Spanish Film to Miss: Instructions Not Included (2013)

Spanish Film: Instructions Not Included (2013) 

Sleazebag Valentin Bravo spends his entire life sleeping around with women, not even bothering to learn the tourists' names who visit Acapulco. Then one day one of them returns, a baby in tow. Julie hands Valentin the baby, telling him she just needs to pay the cab fare, but she never returns. Valentin takes the baby Maggie to California in an attempt to locate the baby's mother. Maggie crawls into a pool while Valentin is asking around for Julie, and he jumps 10 stories down to rescue the baby. A movie director just happens to watch the jump, and Valentin is hired as a stuntman. Fast-forward six years, and Valentin is a devoted, doting father, spoiling his daughter with every pleasure possible. Suddenly the birth mother Julie shows up, wanting to meet and subsequently fight for custody of Maggie. Who will end up with Maggie?

*I didn't like this film, especially the beginning when it shows just how gross this man is sleeping around so much. I understand it was to help illustrate just how much Maggie changed him, but I don't think his change was evident enough. I also HATED the ending, but some people like sad endings, so there you go. I will NOT watch this again.*

KDrama to Miss: Dr. Jin (2012)

Dr. Jin (2012)

Grade: C

22 Episodes

Surgeon Jin Hyuk is a successful doctor dating a pretty and gentle doctor Yoo Min-ah. He is planning on proposing when they have an argument and Min-ah storms off. She gets in a terrible car accident, and as Jin is operating, he has sudden flashes of intense pain. He manages to finish the operation, but then sees a patient on the roof – a man he had operated on earlier that day. He confronts the man and falls off the roof and into the Joseon era. While there, he meets a noblewoman who looks just like his Min-ah, as well as historical figures like the Prince Regent Lee Ha-eung (a man who, according to history, set his son on the throne and helped bring young Korea into a golden age). Jin keeps interfering, however, saving people's lives who turn out to be a threat to the Prince Regent's ability to gain the throne, as well as introducing modern medical techniques before their time. Will Dr. Jin figure out how to get home before he completely rewrites history?

*I've realized I am not a fan of the historical Korean dramas. It probably has to do with the fact it's not my own country's history, so I don't have any sense of pride or connection when watching it. This drama was also highly political (as in strategies and plotting), and while some of the medical practices were interesting to learn about, it wasn't very romantic (NO KISSING). And the means whereby the doctor can travel through time wasn't believable. The plot had interesting turns about every other episode, so it was well-written for keeping a viewer's interest, but I just didn't like the characters. I probably wouldn't watch this again.*

CHFilm to Watch: What Women Want (2011)

What Women Want (2011) 

(Chinese Film) 

Ad executive Sun Zigang is expecting a promotion at work when his boss brings in an outsider to be the new executive over advertisement: Li Yilong. She provides the team with a box of female consumer products, and while Sun is playing around with the makeup, feminine hygiene products and high heels, he falls into a tub full of water and is accidentally electrocuted. The next morning he wakes to find he can hear the thoughts of every woman around him. Will his new power drive him mad or drive him to the top of his company?

*This is EXACTLY like the 2000 American film of the same title, except I liked this version better! From what I remember, there are fewer innuendos and better music than the American version. I'd probably watch this again.*

KDrama to Miss: I Need Romance/In Need of Romance (2011)

In Need of Romance/I Need Romance (2011) 

Grade: F

16 episodes

Three girlfriends in their early thirties are still navigating the different aspects of romance and love. In-young is a hotel concierge and has a boyfriend of ten years; Hyun-joo is a lawyer, engaged to be married and still a virgin; and Seo-yeon is a model and fashion designer who never stays with a man more than 4 months and has slept with countless others. When a young actress enters the picture as In-young's boyfriend starts to make it big as a movie director, will they stay together?

*This series had only 40 minute long episodes, much like the show 12 Signs of Love, and it had the same level of promiscuity and sex scenes. It's as if they are attempting to make their programs like many American shows. I did not enjoy this at all. None of the characters showed any real development, and their views of love and relationships are so convoluted and skewed it was ridiculous. I would not watch this again, and I definitely don't recommend it.*

KDrama to Watch: Rooftop Prince (2012)

Rooftop Prince (2012)

Grade: B+

20 Episodes

Joseon Crown Prince Lee Gak wakes one morning to discover his princess drowned in the pond outside their sleeping quarters. He calls his three men to aid him in discovering the truth behind her death, and as they are fleeing from an ambush one night, the four of them are transported 300 years into the future. They land in Park-ha's apartment, and after they spend a night in jail after trying to navigate the mysteries of the 21^st century, she helps them adjust to their new life. The prince sees what appears to be his Crown Princess, who is Bak Ha's step-sister Se-na, and realizes that this reincarnation has something to do with helping him solve the murder of his princess. Meanwhile, Se-na's boss Chairwoman Yeo thinks the prince is her lost grandson Tae-yong (they look exactly alike; the prince figures Tae-yong was his reincarnation). Se-na's boyfriend and Tae-yong's cousin Tae-moo had actually left Tae-yong for dead in New York two years prior. Will the prince figure out who murdered his princess before he has to return to his own time and before Tae-moo silences him?

*Although this series was a bit more dramatic than I prefer, it had an excellently woven story and plenty of mystery. At times the music was more intense than the scene called for, but overall I enjoyed the soundtrack. I'm still not sure if I liked the ending; not all the characters who deserve a happy ending actually get one in my opinion. Tentative top 5 rating. I might watch this again.*