Demi God Semi Devil

Rating: ***.5

Genre: Wuxia, Fantasy, Adventure
Episodes: 40
Cast: Liu Yi Fei, Gao Hu, Hu Jun, Jimmy Lin, Liu Tao

"Tian Long Ba Bu is an adaption of a Jin Yong novel of the same name. The epic centers around the Beggar Leader Qiao Feng, the Dali Prince Duan Yu and the Shaolin Monk Xu Zhu. Each of their stories are interweaved throughout the show and finally clash and join at the climax of the story. Qiao Feng's story is his quest to find his real identity and the mystery surrounding an event that occured 30 years prior that left him as an orphan. Duan Yu's story covers his meetings with many of his half sisters that he did not know he had (thanks to his adventurous dad during his young days) and the battle with Duan Yuan Qing as the rightful ruler of Dali. Xu Zhu is a lowly Shaolin Monk who gets caught in the middle of an internal struggle of the Care Free Sect, one of the most powerful and secretative sects around. Their stories take place during the Northern Song Dynasty and across warring kingdoms of Song, Liao, Dali, and Western Xia."

I liked this drama, I really did.  However, I did not enjoy the beginning and end very much.  I have to agree that the beginning and end were a bit rushed.  Then again, I guess it's because in the original novel the story is also rushed.  In all honesty, I didn't really like Qiao Feng's story at all.  I loved Duan Yu and Xu Zhu's stories as they were funny and enjoyable, but Qiao Feng's story was just kind of annoying.  If it weren't for the two other main characters, I wouldn't have even watched it.

I kind of like the fact that they just switch actors when the characters are supposed to be in disguise.  It made it kind of funny and I bet it was a lot easier for the make up artists then to have to create a disguise for the actors.  As far as the acting goes, I didn't pay too much attention to it.  I'm kind of a sucker for Jimmy Lin just because he makes me laugh.  There are certain actors that can make people laugh just by their expressions, and Jimmy is one of them.

Funny Note: Guy gets hit in the face with a twig on Episode 11 around 12:23

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

(Not reviewed. See reasons below)

MOVIE

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer

"Balthazar Blake is a sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan fighting against the forces of evil, in particular his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath, while searching for the person who will inherit powers. This turns out to be Dave Stutler , a physics student at New York University, whom Balthazar takes as a reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling apprentice a crash course in the art and science of magic and sorcery, in order to stop Horvath and Morgana le Fay from destroying the world."

I really wanted to review a movie this week, as I haven't reviewed a movie in months. However, I watched about twenty-seven minutes of this movie and I had enough. According to some people's opinions of this movie, the reason this movie isn't very interesting is because of the action. However, that's not why I couldn't watch it. I'm fine with non-stop action when it's considered an action movie. However, with so many inconsistencies in the first half hour of the movie, I couldn't bare to watch. In my opinion, the script was horrible. The characters aren't rounded, the beginning is way too quick, the dialogue is dry, and the plot was kind of, well, "Disney-like". From the get-go, the script was barely working, and was hidden by the special effects and fight scenes. Truthfully, if it wasn't for the special effects I would have stopped watching it at ten minutes. The acting wasn't that impressive either.

In conclusion, if I were able to finish the movie without gaining a concussion by repeatedly banging my head against my wall and if the movie didn't get any better, I would have rated it one star. However, since I could only get through 1/4th of the movie, I don't feel it's right to put any rating at all. So if you want to watch The Sorcerer's Apprentice, be prepared to turn off your television.

Hong Gil Dong

Rating: ****

Genre: Action, Adventure, Period Drama, Historical
Episodes: 24
Cast: Kang Ji Hwan, Sung Yu Ri, Jang Geun Suk, Kim Ri Na

"Based on a fictional book about a Robin Hood in Korea, Hong Gildong, this drama is very loosely based off of that book and the time it was set in.

Hong Gil Dong was the illegitimate son of a high ranked minister. A local monk took him under his wing and taught him martial arts. Hong Gil Dong was inspired to fight for the injustice in this society that divided people into nobles and ordinary citizens whereby the former enjoyed all the privileges due solely to their birth.

The heroine, Heo Yi Nok, had just returned to Korea from China with her grandfather. They made their living by putting on shows and selling their special brand of medicine in the marketplace.

Lee Chang Hwi had been told since he was young that he was the rightful heir to the throne which had been usurped by his half brother. He had also returned from his exile in China and was plotting to overthrow the emperor.

The three got entangled in love, hate, loyalty and betrayal and only one side can win."

This particular drama got one star removed because of the way it was produced. The script was wonderful. It is funny, has some modern puns, great dialogue, and wonderful character evolution. The acting was good too. The two main men (Kang Ji Hwan and Jang Geun Suk) were absolutely fantastic in their roles. The only problem was that it was made a little too unrealistic at times. The dancing sequences were way too modern and some of the fighting scenes weren't all that great. Other than that, though, I give this drama a big thumbs up. This is definitely a drama that made my jaw hurt from laughing so much and I loved the overall storyline. Kim Ri Na also did quite well in her role. She really made me despise her character haha...

Chuno

Rating: ****

Genre: Action, Adventure, Romance, Period Drama, Historical
Episodes: 24
Cast: Jang Hyuk, Lee Da Hae, Lee Jong Hyuk, Oh Ji Ho, Gong Hyung Jin

"Set during the Joseon Dynasty, "Chuno" revolves around the world of slave hunters (known as "Chuno Ggun") and slaves (known as "Nobi"). The slaves were sometimes born into the system of servitude and other times became slaves as a punishment for a crime. In the drama series "Chuno," a slave hunter (played by Jang Hyuk) attempts to track down one such runaway slave (playd by Oh Ji-Ho). The runaway slave became a nobi after being falsely accused of a crime he did not commit. While the slave hunter tracks down the runaway slave, he also seeks out the woman he loves (played by Lee Da-Hae)."

I personally really enjoyed this drama.. It is nonstop action with bits of comic relief that kept me coming back for more. I know some were disappointed at it's ending, but I liked it regardless. I won't spoil the drama for you, but I hope you'll give it a chance.. Who knows, you might enjoy it as much as I have.

The Return of Iljimae

Rating: ***.5

Genre: Historical, Romance, Action, Adventure
Episodes: 24
Cast: Jung Hye Young, Jung Il Woo, Kim Min Jong, Yoon Jin Seo, Sandara Park

"The story is about a man fighting against the selfish and corrupt government to save the ordinary peasants. Iljimae was abandoned by his birth father and adopted by a Chinese couple. He returns to Korea to find his birth family and realizes how unjust the world really is. He watched as his first love, Dal Yi, was wrongfully put to death. Iljimae then vows to help the commoners from the corrupt government officials. "

I very much enjoyed this series. The only problem I found was the first three episodes. Actually, it's mainly the first episode. If you skipped first episode you probably wouldn't have had any trouble watching the rest of the series. The first episode was boring and the narration just killed it. The drama wasn't interesting at all until the fourth episode. Even though I love the story, they didn't do a wonderful job in the beginning. I personally think they could have done a lot better. Still, it is definitely something you should check out.

Iljimae

Rating: ****

Genre: Action, Adventure, Historical, Period Drama
Episodes: 20
Cast: Han Hyo Joo, Kim Chang Wan, Lee Jun Ki, Lee Young Ah, Park Shi Hoo

"Set during the Joseon Dynasty, Yong acted as a hooligan in the marketplace by day but at night he was a thief who robbed corrupted government officials to give to the poor. After each robbery he left behind a painting depicting a plum tree branch to make his mark and was thus named Iljimae. His main purpose was not so much to rob but to search for the owner of a specially designed sword which he saw as a child was used to kill his father, a loyal subject of the emperor. Eun Chae is a government official's daughter who despite her upbringing has a lot of empathy towards the poor. She met Iljimae by chance and couldn't help admiring him for what he stood for even though she had never seen his face."

For the most part, I usually just stick to the heartfelt comedies. However, I somehow found myself watching this show and got hooked. Although the first episode isn't the most interesting thing in the world, the story really sucks you in. Lee Jun Ki did a wonderful job of playing the smexy Iljimae. Although I'm not completely sure about the ending, I completely and utterly loved this series and would gladly watch it again.