Broadbean Reviews

Sweet & Sour (2021)

Real relationships enhanced by great storytelling

[7/10 · 23 February 2023]

First off, Chae Soo-Bin was made to smile, which there's not enough of in this movie.

At the heart of it is mainly the exploration of the relationship between nurse Da-eun (Chae) and civil engineer Jang-hyuk (Jang Ki-Yong). Two young, good looking people finding each other, trying to make things work despite long hours in the office and travel for Jang-hyuk. What sorts of sacrifice must they endure, and can love solve all problems?

With storytelling, context is everything. What may have been a head scratcher at times will likely be explained at the end. Regardless of the clever story crafting, this is no fairy tale, rather real life in its glorious ups and downs - sweet, and sour.

I'm Not a Robot (2017–2018)

Roller coaster ride of emotion

[9/10 · 19 February 2023]

At times funny - (literally) comical even, this beautifully crafted K-Drama rewards you with a seemingly endless roller coaster ride of euphoria and heartbreak if you could get past some unlikely scenarios. There's plenty of tears too from the well cast main leads.

The main story centres around a chance relationship between a brilliant young and rich recluse growing up alone due to a potentially fatal allergy, with a struggling entrepreneur - beautiful both inside and out, standing in for an AI robot made in her image.

It explores friendships, family, second chances, self doubt, and self examination. It also highlights so many things are fake, from the main premise of the story, to the transaction-like societal relationships. Sometimes a lie is for someone's protection, sometimes it's for gain. Could knowing the truth earlier been better?

Many twists and turns to keep you interested. The less you know the better.

If you like a mushy storyline and soppy soundtrack, this TV series is well worth your time. I would've missed this had it not been for a recap video on YouTube. I loved it. Re-watched it many times.

You Again (2010)

All round good fun

[7/10 · 14 April 2022]

It's nice to have a reasonably good, clean comedy that the whole family can enjoy. Don't stretch your grey cells, don't look for nor expect plot twists. Just turn off your brain and settle in for some light fluff.

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

An entertaining 80s homage to a comic book demi-god

[9/10 · 18 February 2022]

I get why some dislike this film, but I found it thoroughly entertaining.

All the talk about stereotypes and attitudes, it's meant to be 1984 after all!!

Don't forget Diana is a demi-god, and watch this as a comic book.

As with these sorts of movies and storylines, skip the logic and plot holes, and you'll enjoy it as I did.

Wonder Woman (2017)

A good re-imagination of the legend

[8/10 · 11 February 2022]

It is visually stunning, with a story that at times is baffling yet aptly comical, not in a sense that it's funny, but true to a comic (graphic novel) origin.

Many things don't make sense, but here we have a superhero / superheroine who finds her way and stays true to her purpose.

As usual, I suspect the less you are familiar with Wonder Woman the comic book and TV series over the decades, the more you'll enjoy this adaptation.

Piranha 3DD (2012)

Good for a laugh, familiar faces

[7/10 · 10 June 2012]

This was more enjoyable than I thought. The acting was not as bad as some of the reviewers say, and for a film that doesn't take itself seriously, neither should you. I actually didn't mind the movie being short, after all it was always hard to stretch the storyline more than an hour.

The whole movie was more like a spoof, and somehow I felt Christopher Lloyd, Ving Rhames and of course The Hoff all added to the fun. The Hoff in particular was great. His role really suited him. He also had a bit more screen time than I would've thought.

I didn't see this in 3D, and I'm not sure if that would've changed my rating. There was a fair bit of gratuitous nudity, but I suppose the gratuitous gore balances that out.

So if you find gratuitous blood, body parts and boobs (and screaming) hilarious, this movie is worth a look over a beer and popcorn. And if you don't like it, it will be over before you know it.

The Path to 9/11 (2006)

Fact or fiction, does it really matter?

[8/10 · 11 September 2006]

Being in Australia, we probably saw this before our US cousins. Setting aside any question about the accuracy of this telemovie, the production quality was certainly first class. The acting was great and the manner in which it was presented in a pseudo documentary way (without direct narration) was very well done.

Even if you feel it's not as accurate as it could be, one feels the presentation of the time line of events to be at least factual. Just like watching movies about the Crucifixion, you know how this story ends. I haven't really watched much of the original vision since 2001, but seeing it now five years later on a widescreen plasma really brought back some memories and sadness of loss.

Is this your cup of tea? I suspect everyone who watches this will get something different out of it. Even allowing for supposedly inaccuracies or fictitious conjecture, it doesn't change the fact the key moments did occur regardless of how they got there. Definitely worth a look.