I haven't watched very many dramas, let alone completed most of them, so I wanted to write a review on A Love So Beautiful after having finished it (and recently rewatched it since I saw it in 2018) and this show is for me still remains one of my favorites! The story follows teenager Chen Xiaoxi and her crush on classmate Jiang Chen, who lives in the same building but nonetheless acts cool and pretty much indifferent towards her. Typically, I'm not a fan of the Cold-Hearted Guy trope, but here it's done so well I found myself empathizing with Chen Xiaoxi's feelings about Jiang Chen, and his aloofness isn't ignored by the other characters, but genuinely adds a dimension to the story and poses challenges. Which is one of the strongest points of this show: the characterization. Each character has motives and flaws, but most of all, their personality and actions seem to genuinely affect the course of events or other characters, without feeling overly dramatic or soapy. This is in part due to a decent script along with some great actors, who all do a great job. The romance is sweet and cute; if you're a fan of cheesy romance dramas this show will definitely deliver, while also being surprisingly real in some of its later plot points (I won't spoil it but all I'll say is I actually really enjoyed how this show also portrayed growing up and how it affects your relationships/friendships as well). And even though a lot of its tropes or dynamics have been done in other forms of media, I think the actors and show itself really come together and make it feel actually fresh, and I was mostly just happy to see likable characters that I could empathize with. The only downside is the show does start off a little slow in that I don't think the earliest episodes compare to the strength of the later half, but once you get past the first four episodes (which mainly just build on character and tell smaller stories) I think it is definitely worth it. Especially since it's on Netflix! Don't miss out if you have the chance.
Reviews
3 Reviews
Supernatural
(2005–2020)
A True Guilty Pleasure
8 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
OK, this is a kind of a mashed-up review of the "old" Supernatural, from about 2005-10, and the "newer" Supernatural, from 2010-current, because my opinions on the two are considerably different.
First off, if you are new to the show and are planning on watching the series from the beginning or the earliest seasons, I do recommend it as a pretty enjoyable watch. The premise is simple, as many fans of the show love to imitate in their best deep Dean Winchester voice: "Dad's on a hunting trip...and he hasn't been home in a few days." This leads to the somewhat obvious direction of the show: Brothers Sam and Dean traversing the country hunting the paranormal menace while searching for their father. The first two seasons are perhaps actually most true to this statement, as it becomes more clear there's a "bigger" story in the works.
The show plays on the typical dark ambiance of horror and supernatural genre, all the while maintaining the subtle yet unsettling circumstance of the dad's disappearance. There are all the usual "monsters-of-the-week", like vampires, ghosts, and demons. The actors are actually pretty phenomenal, with many also very connected and passionate about the show, and even while it was obvious this was a low-budget spooky show, it was still pretty fun to watch.
However, I'd say Supernatural really kicked off at Season Three, which takes place AFTER the main story arc for the first two seasons. It is here that the plot becomes more of an actual story, and characters begin to develop. While Sam and Dean certainly develop through their back-story as we learn about their childhood difficulties, only when the brothers are confronted with not a worldly problem but a personal one is when we see the multi-faceted personalities break through; suddenly, each one has an opinion, a view on hope, despair, or patience. To me, the show became much more intriguing, inviting genuine closeness to the protagonists instead of mere mild interest. Dean's internal struggles to accept or fight his hell-bound fate and Sam's helplessness both created a really powerful and relatable story, supernatural aside.
It was also in this season that Supernatural found its, erm, style. While the show certainly continued to recycle monster lore and other horror clichés, Supernatural steered towards drama, adventure, even its own weird comedy. One of the strangest things certainly is how close the show actually has ties with its fandom, as it certainly acknowledges its existence in several episodes. While you don't have to be that "avid fan" to enjoy those, Supernatural takes time to poke fun at itself, acknowledging everything from its drama clichés between Sam and Dean to noting how hardcore fans of the show write fan fiction pairing different characters as couples.
However, as with all good things, they must--in some shape or form--come to an end. While Supernatural certainly became an intriguing and interesting show, especially with newly added lore from various religions and a sort of "final showdown" situation emerged between factions of angels and literally Satan, the series ended at the season finale of Season Five. Or at least...it should have. In a sense, it was obvious. Many strings were tied, with each character plucked and placed in the right time and place, and it seemed like the perfect ending...because it was meant to be. However, despite this very nice ending to a enjoyable show, Supernatural was renewed for a new season.
This era, which I dubbed "New Supernatural", has a considerably different opinion than does the old one, although I won't say much on this. I should first mention that I actually DO still watch the show, even in its ELEVENTH season coming soon. After 2010, Supernatural writers of course had to scramble to find something else to write about, even though the story was supposed to end at season five. With each new season, the writers are forced to invent a new storyline, a new "big bad", and of course, when this happens, loose ends appear. Characters get separated or written wrong, the plot sort of flips around as holes appear or are hastily covered up. This is how Supernatural actually became my "guilty pleasure", because while it's enough to watch this show for its somewhat sappy or cheesy premise, it becomes another factor when the show itself has devolved in quality. But because it's a guilty pleasure, I just can't stop watching. So bravo, Supernatural. I guess I still can't escape your snare.
Overall, this show is quite good, and if you have the time to plow through all (or most) of the episodes, you should.
First off, if you are new to the show and are planning on watching the series from the beginning or the earliest seasons, I do recommend it as a pretty enjoyable watch. The premise is simple, as many fans of the show love to imitate in their best deep Dean Winchester voice: "Dad's on a hunting trip...and he hasn't been home in a few days." This leads to the somewhat obvious direction of the show: Brothers Sam and Dean traversing the country hunting the paranormal menace while searching for their father. The first two seasons are perhaps actually most true to this statement, as it becomes more clear there's a "bigger" story in the works.
The show plays on the typical dark ambiance of horror and supernatural genre, all the while maintaining the subtle yet unsettling circumstance of the dad's disappearance. There are all the usual "monsters-of-the-week", like vampires, ghosts, and demons. The actors are actually pretty phenomenal, with many also very connected and passionate about the show, and even while it was obvious this was a low-budget spooky show, it was still pretty fun to watch.
However, I'd say Supernatural really kicked off at Season Three, which takes place AFTER the main story arc for the first two seasons. It is here that the plot becomes more of an actual story, and characters begin to develop. While Sam and Dean certainly develop through their back-story as we learn about their childhood difficulties, only when the brothers are confronted with not a worldly problem but a personal one is when we see the multi-faceted personalities break through; suddenly, each one has an opinion, a view on hope, despair, or patience. To me, the show became much more intriguing, inviting genuine closeness to the protagonists instead of mere mild interest. Dean's internal struggles to accept or fight his hell-bound fate and Sam's helplessness both created a really powerful and relatable story, supernatural aside.
It was also in this season that Supernatural found its, erm, style. While the show certainly continued to recycle monster lore and other horror clichés, Supernatural steered towards drama, adventure, even its own weird comedy. One of the strangest things certainly is how close the show actually has ties with its fandom, as it certainly acknowledges its existence in several episodes. While you don't have to be that "avid fan" to enjoy those, Supernatural takes time to poke fun at itself, acknowledging everything from its drama clichés between Sam and Dean to noting how hardcore fans of the show write fan fiction pairing different characters as couples.
However, as with all good things, they must--in some shape or form--come to an end. While Supernatural certainly became an intriguing and interesting show, especially with newly added lore from various religions and a sort of "final showdown" situation emerged between factions of angels and literally Satan, the series ended at the season finale of Season Five. Or at least...it should have. In a sense, it was obvious. Many strings were tied, with each character plucked and placed in the right time and place, and it seemed like the perfect ending...because it was meant to be. However, despite this very nice ending to a enjoyable show, Supernatural was renewed for a new season.
This era, which I dubbed "New Supernatural", has a considerably different opinion than does the old one, although I won't say much on this. I should first mention that I actually DO still watch the show, even in its ELEVENTH season coming soon. After 2010, Supernatural writers of course had to scramble to find something else to write about, even though the story was supposed to end at season five. With each new season, the writers are forced to invent a new storyline, a new "big bad", and of course, when this happens, loose ends appear. Characters get separated or written wrong, the plot sort of flips around as holes appear or are hastily covered up. This is how Supernatural actually became my "guilty pleasure", because while it's enough to watch this show for its somewhat sappy or cheesy premise, it becomes another factor when the show itself has devolved in quality. But because it's a guilty pleasure, I just can't stop watching. So bravo, Supernatural. I guess I still can't escape your snare.
Overall, this show is quite good, and if you have the time to plow through all (or most) of the episodes, you should.
Parks and Recreation
(2009–2015)
Fantastic, A Classic In My Book
8 July 2015
There are always a few television shows that seem to "define" a genre every decade or so, and considering Parks and Recreation finished its final run several months ago, I feel it important to revisit the show and the impact it left. Many times it was spurned as "The Office Rip-Off" in its starting days, despite it being more of a brainchild of the writers than anything. It seems safe to say, that after more than seven years on the air, Parks and Recreation has carved its own spot amongst the quirky and well-loved comedies that are hard to come across today.
The show stars hard-working public servant Leslie Knope (played by the amazing Amy Poehler) and a cast of humorous and memorable characters that navigate through bureaucracy and red tape in the local city government to complete projects. The most notable--and perhaps most powerful--asset of this show is its lovable and unforgettable characters, some that will leave you rolling your eyes and chuckling while others will simply make you smile in the most joyous kind of way. The cast has obvious chemistry amongst one another, and this certainly breaks through into the characters in ways that will make a viewer grow more attached to them.
The humor of the show itself also sets Parks and Rec apart from other television shows. While it's apparent the first season struggled to differentiate itself from The Office's "awkward humor", Parks found its stride in the simple "cute humor", the kind that is so innocuous and dumb and simply "cute" that it becomes hard not to laugh at the bumbling antics of the Parks and Recreation branch of the city of Pawnee. The episodes are mixed with the right amount of comedy, wit, and actual drama and storytelling; each character is crafted with the perfect amount of depth, that really separates from other comedy shows that rely on cardboard characters with running jokes to spew the funny. Even in its heartfelt moments, there is always room for laughs, but it never pushes aside the rest of the characters or their development. If you find yourself immersed in Parks and Recreation, it is almost certain you will find yourself immersed with one, more, or maybe all characters.
The simple genius, the style and passion this show was borne of, really marks it as a one-of-a-kind show, one that may not have had all the high ratings or prime-time slots or huge important newspaper reviews, but it became its own, and that's really what mattered in the end. After struggling in the shadow of The Office, and finding its stride in later seasons, Parks and Recreation became its own kind of wonderful recipe, one that delivered its own style of warmth and humor not found in many television shows. It may even define the style of comedy itself; after all, both Parks and The Office made famous the "mockumentary", "talking heads" sort of humor that others are sure to try and replicate. What gave Parks and Recreation a "name" per say, is the fact that the characters were so much larger-than-life, the stories so innocuous and believable, that the avid viewer can begin to believe them too, and find that this show is as heartfelt, funny, and enjoyable as I found it. 10/10
The show stars hard-working public servant Leslie Knope (played by the amazing Amy Poehler) and a cast of humorous and memorable characters that navigate through bureaucracy and red tape in the local city government to complete projects. The most notable--and perhaps most powerful--asset of this show is its lovable and unforgettable characters, some that will leave you rolling your eyes and chuckling while others will simply make you smile in the most joyous kind of way. The cast has obvious chemistry amongst one another, and this certainly breaks through into the characters in ways that will make a viewer grow more attached to them.
The humor of the show itself also sets Parks and Rec apart from other television shows. While it's apparent the first season struggled to differentiate itself from The Office's "awkward humor", Parks found its stride in the simple "cute humor", the kind that is so innocuous and dumb and simply "cute" that it becomes hard not to laugh at the bumbling antics of the Parks and Recreation branch of the city of Pawnee. The episodes are mixed with the right amount of comedy, wit, and actual drama and storytelling; each character is crafted with the perfect amount of depth, that really separates from other comedy shows that rely on cardboard characters with running jokes to spew the funny. Even in its heartfelt moments, there is always room for laughs, but it never pushes aside the rest of the characters or their development. If you find yourself immersed in Parks and Recreation, it is almost certain you will find yourself immersed with one, more, or maybe all characters.
The simple genius, the style and passion this show was borne of, really marks it as a one-of-a-kind show, one that may not have had all the high ratings or prime-time slots or huge important newspaper reviews, but it became its own, and that's really what mattered in the end. After struggling in the shadow of The Office, and finding its stride in later seasons, Parks and Recreation became its own kind of wonderful recipe, one that delivered its own style of warmth and humor not found in many television shows. It may even define the style of comedy itself; after all, both Parks and The Office made famous the "mockumentary", "talking heads" sort of humor that others are sure to try and replicate. What gave Parks and Recreation a "name" per say, is the fact that the characters were so much larger-than-life, the stories so innocuous and believable, that the avid viewer can begin to believe them too, and find that this show is as heartfelt, funny, and enjoyable as I found it. 10/10
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