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ulrho
Reviews
Neo-neun Pet (2011)
Vastly inferior
I'll admit that it's somewhat unfair to compare a movie to a TV show, since there is simply no way to fit the same amount of material into so much less time. However, if you strip away all content, you're left with something pointless, which is what I feel has happened in this adaptation.
This movie lacks completely the depth and interest of the Japanese TV show Kimi Wa Petto, instead making this a shallow and frankly dull romantic comedy - without much romance or comedy. The characters lack definition and drive, and the story is simply *pretty boy + pretty girl inevitably leads to pretty love*, without anything to make it interesting.
The original source, and the excellent Japanese TV adaptation, is a very different type of story. They speak of loneliness, outsidership, compromise and partnership, and do it well.
You Pet appears to have nothing to say, and writing this I realize it has left me in much the same predicament. The movie is boring, the characters empty, and there is no story to speak of. Do yourselves a favor and watch Kimi Wa Petto instead!
The Finder (2012)
Expected lighthearted nonsense, got offensive trash.
The Finder seemed like it might be something fun and relaxing to watch. Silly and stupid, sure, but as long as a show doesn't take itself too seriously I don't mind if it occasionally asks me to accept nonsense.
The cast is so-so, but the location is very nice and helps set the mood for silly shenanigans (Walter lying down on an air strip to "find" a missing plane works much better in bright sun and jungle pattern shirts, than it would in snow and business suits).
However, I simply cannot get past the frankly offensive character of Willa. Now, having a juvenile delinquent who happens to be Romani/gypsy, isn't necessarily a problem. You could do a lot with that kind of stereotype if you're willing to challenge it and show something new. But when you have characters state such "facts" as: - Gypsies steal. They con. They don't beat people with baseball bats.
that is just a level of offensive I have no interest in watching. Is Romani prejudice somehow acceptable as entertainment? Substitute "gypsies" and "steal" with any other group and prejudice, and it would never have gotten past the first script draft...
I didn't have any high expectations for this show, I just thought it could be fun and charming to watch when I had nothing better to do or wanted something silly to take my mind off things. Unfortunately it has managed to be the exact opposite, and has left a bad taste in my mouth. I stuck it out for three episodes, but now I wish I hadn't.
Jambok-geunmu (2005)
Okay to watch, but not a first choice...
This movie seems more like a pilot episode for a TV-show than a regular film, although I don't know weather or not this is actually the case. The story is not that complicated and the telling of it offers no surprises. The actors generally do a good job, but the only one who stands out is Kong Yu as Kang No-Young who was thankfully given a more understated roll than the leading actress Kim Seon-a (as Chun Jae-in). Perhaps it is simply the contrast of his character against the rest of the film, but something about him caught attention (and I'm not talking about his good looks, although there certainly is no lack of that either) and held it in every scene. Given the chance I would definitely watch him in another movie.
This is a movie to watch when you are in the mood for something light and easily chewed, and you really, really don't feel too analytical or criticizing... It does have some darker sides to it, but nothing that will spoil the general cheerfulness. If this came on TV (fat chance... *SIGH*) I'd watch it again, but I wouldn't spend money on it - nor would I recommend anyone else to do so.