InFilm to Watch: Dear Zindagi (2016)

Dear Zindagi (2016)

Viewing Platform: Netflix

Kaira is a young, single working girl, busy trying to make a name for herself in cinematography. She has fun with her friends but seems unable to keep a man in her life – either from poor communication of her own feelings or from pushing them away. After the latest relationship failure, Kaira is kicked out of her apartment through no fault of her own besides being single and has to move back home to Goa. She treats her parents very rudely and is evidently unhappy with her life, but her biggest immediate problem is she can't seem to get a good night's sleep. When she accidentally overhears a mental health lecture at the local hotel while filming a small potatoes commercial for a family friend, Kaira decides to seek therapy for her insomnia. The talented, slightly unconventional psychologist Dr. Khan starts meeting with Kaira, and her past is revealed. How does Kaira's relationship with her parents now interfere with her love life? Will Dr. Khan be able to help Kaira be free from her fears and sorrows? And what will others in her life think about her therapy?

*Kaira is obnoxious in the beginning of the movie, but as the viewer sees more into her life and hears her story, it's easier to understand that all of the self-centered behavior and anger towards her parents were symptoms of her emotional pain. I also saw the film as an attempt to normalize therapy in a culture that still talks of counseling and meeting mental health needs as a “hush-hush” affair – an effort to give a glimpse into what actually goes on in a therapy session. I'm glad that they handled the affection Kaira develops for her therapist in a realistic manner, instead of having them run off together. Shah Rukh Khan did an excellent job in that role. Overall, it isn't the typical type of movie I watch, but it was pretty good, and I'd probably watch it again. Oh, and “zindagi” means “life” so she's saying “dear life” in the end, reflecting on everything she's learned.*

KWeb Drama to Watch: Momo Salon (2014)

Momo Salon (2014) Web Drama

Grade: B

6 Episodes, 9 minutes each
Viewing Platform: Netflix

Aspiring hair stylist Hye Ni has just opened her own salon in a sleepy little neighborhood. It takes time to establish a new business, eager as she is to make it on her own. She also wants to make a difference in the lives of those who can benefit from her services. How long before Hye Ni finds success? And what happens as she influences the lives of those who come to visit her shop?

* This was a cute little web drama. Simple and sweet, with just a touch of romance; it's so short I'll probably watch it again.*

KDrama to Miss: Color of Women (2012)

Color of Women (2012)

Grade: C-

20 Episodes
Viewing Platform: Netflix

Byun So-ra loses her job as a professor after attempting to rat out a higher ranking professor who is embezzling school funds, despite having all the evidence to prove his guilt. She then finds a job at a cosmetics company – the same one at which her friend Kang Chan-jin from college is employed. It doesn't seem like a good fit initially, since So-ra doesn't care about appearances and judges those who do, but with her background in marketing and her chemical know-how, she finds a job with the company. A few days later, she runs into her senior from college, Yoon Jun-su, only to find out that he is the cosmetic company's owner's son. So-ra had been unable to date anyone since he dumped her ten years ago. What happens when Jun-su finally explains the misunderstanding that prematurely ended their relationship a decade ago? How will Jun-su's relationship with So-ra's longtime friend Chan-jin influence So-ra? And what happens when an ambitious manager attempts to take the cosmetics company for herself with secrets and conspiracies?

*Despite my enticing description, this was one BORING drama! A lot of elements from successful kdramas were there, but it just wasn't written well. The characters were not engaging, there were lots of awkward pauses and weird camera actions, and it's a lot of sitting and talking. It has 20 episodes, which is typically a sign that a drama is doing well, but I had a hard time making myself watch it. It was definitely a lower-quality production. There was also this weird shop owner and son that hinted at having some sort of mystic powers, and they randomly showed up to comment on the characters' goings-on but were ultimately unhelpful. It's portrayed as a romantic-drama, but most of the drama focuses on the bromance between Jun-su and Chan-jin. It's not even very clear how the love triangle is dissolved; they're just suddenly okay with each other in the end. Overall, I'd say don't bother watching this drama.*

KDrama to Watch: Descendents of the Sun (2016)

Descendants of the Sun (2016)

Grade: B+

16 Episodes
Viewing Platform: Netflix

Yoo Si-jin is a special forces captain who has a run-in with a pretty doctor after stopping a motorcycle thief and breaking up a street fight, all on his off-duty time along with his best friend Seo Dae-young, a sergeant in the special forces unit with him. Despite the punk's thieving, Si-jin takes pity on the struggling young man who was just trying to leave behind the gang life. Dr. Kang Mo-yeon is suspicious of Si-jin's identity, thinking he's also a thug, but a mutual frenemy – who happens to be Dae-young's on-again, off-again girlfriend – confirms Si-jin is relatively harmless. It's difficult to accept Si-jin's career, however, and Mo-yeon decides to not see the captain anymore. Then, after Mo-yeon abruptly shuts down her hospital chairman's egotistical (and very inappropriate) advances, she is sent to a country in the Middle East for a month on a goodwill service mission. It just so happens that Si-jin and Dae-young are dispatched in the same area. What happens when a natural disaster strikes, trapping Korean workers in a half-finished, collapsed plant with the military and medical teams having to work together? Will Mo-yeon be able to accept what it takes to be in a relationship with a soldier, or will she continue to resist her feelings, opting for emotional certainty and safety?

*For a show about soldiers, it was not based on a central political conflict or war, which I found intriguing. However, it is mostly action and drama, with plenty of violence in the mix, and that combination doesn't hold my interest very well. There was some humor, but it was subtle and only sprinkled in for flavor, and while some characters struggled with romantic feelings, it was not central to the plot. This did lead to dynamic characters that go through some development over the course of the show, including those in supporting roles, which does make for good writing.There is a definite sense of patriotism in this drama as well, which I can appreciate. Then there is Si-jin, who positively drips with charisma (Song Joong-ki from “A Werewolf Boy,” [2012], “Penny Pinchers,” [2011], and “Sungkyunkwan Scandal,” [2010]). I did NOT like how one of the characters broke the 4^th wall at the end of the show, though; it didn't fit the serious, realistic feel of the rest of the drama. And I'm still not sure how the title relates to the show. Overall, it is a quality production, and I might watch it again.*

InFilm to Miss: Heropanti (2014)

Heropanti (2014)

Viewing Platform: Netflix

Dimpy's older sister elopes with a teacher's son, Rakesh, and their father goes on a rampage. Chaudhary's men capture anyone who knows Rakesh, beating them until they give information as to the eloped couple's whereabouts. One of the friends, rascally Bablu, decides to stay captured because he catches a glimpse of a mysterious beauty who previously stole his heart. Once he discovers his crush is none other than Chaudhary's younger daughter, Dimpy, Bablu sends the father on a wild goose chase to Delhi. He also manages to convince the father to take Dimpy along in case she runs off in his absence – ensuring Bablu has even more time alone with Dimpy. What happens when Dimpy starts to have feelings for Bablu? Will she break her father's heart the way her older sister did? How will Chaudhary react when he notices the two stealing glances at each other?

*This drama has lots of violence, and I did not like the overall feel emanating from this group of self-righteous albeit powerful men frightening and grabbing the women in the household. Chaudhary was a law unto himself – he even admits to murdering people early on in the story – and he wonders why his daughters want to leave him. It's frightening to consider there are men today who rule their estates like their own fiefdoms, deciding who to kill, beat, kidnap or disown according to their own laws. The explanation that he was doing it out of “love” for his daughter was inexcusable. The lead guy had some slick dance and fighting moves, but his face looks plastic, and I couldn't like his antics. This was a miss for me.*

InFilm to Miss: Total Siyapaa (2014)

Total Siyapaa (2014)

Viewing Platform: Netflix 

She's Indian. He's Pakistani. However, those differences are the least of this young couple's problems, as Asha brings Aman home to meet her parents for the first time. What happens when mishap after mishap threatens to destroy their burgeoning relationship?

*This flick has a “Meet the Parents” vibe, with every awkward situation imaginable for the characters to go through, but it isn't funny at all. They're all pretty bad people, too, so I didn't feel remotely sorry for them. An alcoholic, flirtatious sister that is hiding at her mom's house because she racked up charges on her husband's credit card bills (and laughs about it); a potentially cheating father and husband (that the movie never clarifies whether or not he's cheating because that's “what all men do”); a daughter who refuses to seek immediate medical attention for the man her fiance bludgeoned with frozen soup, just so he won't go to jail (even though it was an accident); and a grandmother who makes an obnoxious 5 year old girl cry with some harsh chastisement. Poorly written plot, badly written characters, lame music – I won't watch this again, and I recommend skipping it.*

InFilm to Watch: Happy New Year (2014)

Happy New Year (2014)

Viewing Platform: Netflix

Charlie concocts a plan to exact revenge on the man who ruined his family's good name and framed his father for an incredible theft. Charlie assembles a team to break into a safe and steal millions of dollars worth of diamonds from the two-faced, manipulative, greedy Grover. Unfortunately, it all hinges on Charlie's team gaining access to a certain room in a certain building: the hotel hosting the Worldwide Dance Competition. Will they be able to convince the bar dancer to help them, even though her only dream is to open a dance studio for children? What happens when Charlie starts to develop feelings for their instructor? Will it interfere with his plans to successfully avenge his father and bring honor to his nation?

*It's an odd combination of action, drama, comedy and romance, but when you have a 3 hour movie, it can all fit. I didn't care for the “bar dancer” scene when they go to recruit their instructor (there were half-naked women dancing on poles as men threw money at them), or the opening scene with the street fighting and gratuitous violence. The rest of the show was fun, with lots of vibrant colors and upbeat music. I find it interesting that most female lead characters in these Indian films start off as feisty and independent, which initially attracts the male lead, but through the course of the movie, they are shown to possess all the traditional qualities and habits of women that make a good wife. This could be anything from the way she smiles at children, serves the lead a cool beverage, bows respectfully to an elder, or burns incense and prays to a deity statue in her daily routine. That makes me think those things are important in Indian culture. I've also noticed that most of Shah Rukh Khan's films have lots of national pride woven into the stories and motivations for his characters; another important aspect of their culture. Overall, if you like heist movies and dance competition movies, you'll like this movie, too. I might watch it again.*