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Reviews
Kus Uçusu (2022)
Sensational Series
I came into this series with high expectations, as I have a passion for quite a few Turkish movies and series. And I wasn't disappointed. I was really taken by the superb acting of Akalay, Celikkole and Sak and the excellent twists and turns in the complex script. The first season was good but the second season really set me on fire with the drama and passion. I really fell in love with the characters.
The series was most refreshing for me, breaking me out of my complacency in my retirement. And it set off in me a strong desire and experience Turkey and its wonderful and passionate people. I loved Celikkol and Akalay falling in love together.!
Sahmaran (2023)
Spectacular Turkish Series
Looking at the reviews on this series, there are lots of 1 ratings but also lots of 10s, indicating a complete disconnect for some but VERY high praise by others. I fall into the 10 category. It was so delightful for me to be enveloped by it.
I was totally captivated by this subtle but well-acted and well-produced series, and I will recommend it to my more discerning friends. I much enjoyed the acting, the music, the ancient story line, the setting in Turkey. But one must not come at the series with a Western bias. Approach it with openness and seeing it through the actors' eyes and a Turkish cultural perspective, not your own. Look at the Turkish people, study the intriguing storyline, revel in its creativeness.
If you can do so, maybe you'd give it a 10! But if you can's see it or do not wish to move yourself to see it, just drop it. Move on to what talks to yourself.
Biohackers (2020)
Excellent Suspense Drama from Germany!
I watched Season 1 and 2 of this enthralling drama without much more than breathing for 3 or 4 evenings. It was well-acted and full of suspense, in the same category as Dark, Babylon Berlin and Black Mirror..
The German people are overall very well-educated and open, so I was intrigued to learn more about their lifestyles and society, particularly of the young people; I wasn't disappointed. I loved seeing German cities and university life.
A lot of people in Germany get their Masters or a Phd so probably are more comfortable talking about science, genetics and CRISPER, but it might be pushing it in some other parts of the West. The level of sophistication also was high, but not much violence, guns, cops, serial killers of gratuitous sex scenes, which I really appreciated. Just really good, high-level drama and intrigue. I give it close to full marks.
Katla (2021)
Outstanding Icelandic Drama
This drama was a real surprise for me, so much that I watched it again after a year and liked it even more. It was a unique and somewhat deliciously strange (!) drama, wel-written and acted, amazing location and circumstance. I really enjoyed learning more about the Icelandic people and what they must have gone through in the extreme volcanic circumstances a few years ago.
It was like being there, witnessing the high plums of volcanic ash, everything being covered in ash, people changing air filters in cars, struggling to keep milk cows from developing toxic milk. So amazing that I was blessed by the experience of this movie. This and many other movies from around the world are why I love Netflix.
Qing Shi Huang Fei (2011)
Amazing Drama in Ancient China
I found this to be such a well-executed drama about love, concubines, emperors and princes that I had to view it two times. I think that in the West, many might not get the nuances that the Chinese actors convey or understand Chinese cultural aspects of the series, but I can guarantee that this series was be hugely popular all over China, Japan and Korea. People would cry all through it.
It lacked much sex, violence ,drugs and guns which seem to have such appeal in the West but was full of what many people in Asia yearn to see, such as a great love story (without explicit sex), deep emotional expression, people with integrity and learning, but also jealousy, pettiness and ruthless competition for social status. And people in Asia also have such a deep appreciation for their own history and tradition.
I have lived in Asia for 8 years and just LOVE dramas from this part of the world. One has to believe in China to be able to see it, and perhaps it is not possible for many in the West who can't understand such a different culture or are taught many false ideas about China.
Zone blanche (2017)
Very Compelling Drama
This French drama, going 2 seasons, is very well put together, pulling me into the story many times. It is an interesting glimpse into mysteries unraveling in a small town in France. I loved the characters, the setting in a forested area, an inside look into some of the ways the French handle life. Very refreshing travelling to another part of the world I have not visited and peeking inside.
And excellent voice-over. Netflix does a fantastic job dubbing into many languages so skillfully, which really sets it apart from everyone else. That's why I love Netflix so much, to be able to travel around the world and experience other societies.
Chang jin hu (2021)
Excellent Movie from Chinese Perspective
Although it must be disappointing from a US perspective seeing its own troops portrayed as the enemy, and getting routed by a supposedly much weaker force, it accurately depicts the battle from Chinese eyes. Each side views history from their own perspectives. The US is clearly not used to seeing itself as the villain!
El desorden que dejas (2020)
Marvellous Series
This is one of the typical well-acted and interesting mysteries that Netflix is known for. I hugely enjoyed the Spanish flavour, mood and actors. And the plot was masterfully put together. I particularly appreciated the well-written drama, great to follow as it twisted and turned. And it was not peppered by guns, drugs, crooked police as is so typical in the West. Just an honest portrayal of individuals' lives. And thanks, Netflix for a glimpse into life in Spain.
Equinox (2020)
Amazingly well-done series from Norway
This series is not for everyone. One must be open to foreign places, enjoy hearing the Norwegian language and tolerant of some aspects of spirituality. Very well-acted and a good suspense story. For some, it would be a disappointment as it is not just a slick movie, does not contain drugs, guns, violence or gratuitous sex. But it gives an amazing inside look at Norway and its people. Very enlightening and one of the reasons I subscribe to Netflix. Thanks for the experience.
Sarangeui bulsachak (2019)
My Friends and I Loved It
Wow, what a refreshing, clean, romantic and educational drama. I went to YouTube and watched the main actors interviewed over and over.
Beautiful love story, as many Korean dramas are, without having to rely on violence, corruption, drugs and so on. So fresh. I will watch it again in a year to develop a feeling of love consciousness.
Monarca (2019)
Refreshing, Delightful Series
This series has quite taken me by surprise, introducing high drama and professional production to match the best, with an enchanting Mexican flavour. It gives us a look at the modern and sophisticated Mexico and some of its schools, restaurants, families, corporations and so on. And it is such a delight to watch it in Spanish, presenting me with an opportunity to connect with some of the Spanish I have picked up over the years. Really fresh. Thanks Netflix to help us all to become more global citizens.
Mulan (2020)
Up There With the Very Best
I am baffled by some low ratings on this movie. In my opinion it is up there with Lord of the Rings. A really good cast, wonderful scenery, excellent plot. It is a really good melding of the West and the East. I expect it to do really well in China because it reflects so many Confucius Chinese values re loyalty, family, honour and so on, not easy to really get from a western perspective. A female heroine also is common in the East, as is mysticism. I watch many Chinese and Korean series on Netflix which have these special Asian flavours. Over time, many in the West will come to love them.
Kiss Me First (2018)
Surprisingly well-done, innovative!
In my wandering around Netflix, I often stumble across some great stuff, such as Black Mirror and Kiss Me First.
This is a series that my kids in their 20s would really totally relate to, but my elderly coffee friends would not comprehend at all. So I'd say a 9 for a lot of young people into computers, but a 3 for many who are not familiar with new concepts.
This was a great series! Innovative going back and forth into the virtual world, fun characters, interesting concepts. I am not into virtual reality but see it all around with the games young people are constantly playing. I give them full marks for challenging my reality and opening up new worlds. But if you don't like challenging, find something more predictable - maybe a cop show or a western.
Tian sheng chang ge (2018)
Totally Amazing Chinese Historical Drama
With 80 episodes, I thought I'd have to be crazy to watch it all, but I was totally drawn into it and enjoyed every moment. Incredible view of old Chinese society. Such a story of love and power, from a Chinese perspective. Wow is all I can say.
Manyeo Bogam (2016)
Amazing Korean Historical Drama
This historical drama is full of mysticism, with curses, spells and dark forces. It is a story of love and of good against evil, refelecting a lot about how Koreans appreciate mysterious forces and even chang form. I have travelled a lot in Korea and Japan and it taught me a lot about their approaches to viewing things. I have often wondered how Korean dramas have been so popular in Japan and China, and I can see the reason for such strong appeal. Having said that, I think westerners will have to open their minds to an eastern approach to really grasp this amazing drama series. I loved it.
Same Kind of Different as Me (2017)
Excellent Movie
This was a very well-done relevant and heart-warming movie. Thanks!
Sense8 (2015)
Best Series EVER!
This series pierced my heart. Wonderful feeling of love throughout. I loved all the characters, the telepathic connections, the moving between countries - everything. People of all types and from all walks of life loving each other. Truly a series on another plain.
I have watched it twice but will wait another year and will watch it again.
Thank you (insert deep bow).
The Secret (2006)
A slick production with a few useful nuggets
I found it kind of interesting - well-written, researched, acted and so on. It also had a few nuggets of good advice (think positively about life, use creative visualization to practice something, etc). Some company has done quite a good job developing a product that would sell well.
However, I felt that the overall production was similar to promoting a sugar pill to cure everything from liver damage to mongolism. No amount of positive thinking will cure most cancers or heart disease, or cause companies to stop sending bills or cause money to come into my account. I find that a positive attitude, lots of hard work, budgeting, good connections, a supportive family, luck and many other factors help a lot. So does eating a good diet, driving safely, purposefully pursuing goals step by step for many years, etc. And a strong immune system and antibiotics are a much safer bet in keeping infectious diseases away.
I found the movie to be just another slick attempt to make some money by appealing to what some people want to hear, even if they are old ideas and outrageous claims. It shows me that one can say almost anything and people will believe it. What a con.
On the positive side, a few comments in the movie did reinforce in me that turning negative complaining into positive support and searching can be very helpful, as is finding the wonder in everything you do. A good lesson for me which I will try to put more into practice.
Overall, a discerning audience would be much beter off reading books on the art of positive thinking. Or if you want to believe in miracle cures, find an organized religion that promotes them. At least they may speak with conviction, however misplaced it may be.