Category: Reviews

Finished Who Rules the World

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO200
 “Who Rules the World” Cedar Park, 2026

Finally finished Who Rules the World – all 40 episodes. 📺 Took me a while to get through it, but totally worth it. There were some slow patches in the middle, mostly political intrigue stuff, but the action scenes kept things moving. Around episode 30 it really hit its stride and didn’t let up.

The costumes were great (though not quite Story of Pearl Girl level, just my opinion), and the battle armor near the end was especially cool. The ending surprised me – the whole story went somewhere I didn’t expect, particularly with Zhao Lusi’s character. Really well done.

Not ready to jump into another long one just yet. A little breather first. 😌

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO100
 “Who Rules the World” Cedar Park, 2026

The Apartment (1960)

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/90 sec, ISO125
 “The Apartment” Austin, 2025

Bay and I went to the theater today to see The Apartment. Neither of us had seen this 1960 classic before, but we knew it was considered essential viewing for movie buffs, so we were excited to experience it on the big screen.

I found it very entertaining and also fascinating as a glimpse into what life might have been like back then. Of course, it is a movie, so who knows how closely it reflects reality, but it felt believable enough. Some moments were genuinely shocking, like the doctor slapping Fran multiple times to keep her from falling asleep, and the wild office party with drinking, dancing, and making out right there at work. The casual attitude toward cheating on spouses was also surprising.

Aside from those eyebrow raising moments, I thought the movie was excellent. I especially enjoyed seeing actors I recognized from other films all together here, and in their much younger years.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/50 sec, ISO400
 “The Leap” Austin, 2025

Tonight I went out to see The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and wow, what a fantastic movie! It had a little bit of everything – action, comedy, a touch of sci-fi, and just the right amount of romance. The story kept me hooked the whole time, and the animation was gorgeous. I found myself grinning, laughing, and maybe even tearing up a little. It’s one of those movies that makes you wish you could time travel too… or at least relive the joy of watching it for the first time again!

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO640
 “The Girl Who Leapt Through TIme” Austin, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/45 sec, ISO500
 “The Girl Who Leapt Through TIme” Austin, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/45 sec, ISO250
 “The Girl Who Leapt Through TIme” Austin, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/45 sec, ISO125
 “Makoto” Austin, 2025

Finished The Story of Pearl Girl

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO160
 “Pearl Girl” Cedar Park, 2025

I just finished watching The Story of Pearl Girl, a 2024 Chinese drama, and wanted to share a few thoughts.

The first thing that stood out to me was the costumes and jewelry. They were stunning and added so much beauty to the show. The story itself was only okay, but I really enjoyed the characters. Zhao Lu Si, who played the title role, completely won me over, and I’ll definitely be looking out for more of her work.

The ending, however, left me a little unsatisfied. The final episode felt awkward and a bit rushed, which was disappointing after investing so much time into the series. Still, it wasn’t terrible. I’d give the drama a 7 out of 10 overall. One highlight I can’t forget is the title and ending sequences. They were stylish, full of energy, and paired with fantastic music.

Even with its flaws, I’m glad I watched it, and now I’m excited to dive into my next C-Drama adventure!

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO80
 “Pearl Girl” Cedar Park, 2025

The Hot Spot

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO64
 “The Hot Spot” Cedar Park, 2025

I just wrapped up the 10-episode Japanese drama The Hot Spot and I loved every minute of it. The humor was subtle and understated, which worked perfectly thanks to the excellent acting. I caught myself laughing out loud so many times!

After posting about it on Threads, I even got a few more recommendations, so I’m excited to dive into those next. If you’re looking for something fun to watch, give The Hot Spot on Netflix a try – I think you’ll really enjoy it!