“Interior Chinatown” (2024) ~ A Hilarious Hulu Original Series Starrng Jimmy O. Yang

Interior Chinatown is a hilarious Hulu Original series, with 10 episodes, adapted from a 2020 award-winning novel by Charles Yu; released November 19, 2024.

"Feel like I'm a background character in someone else's story." - Willis Wu

This series pokes fun at Hollywood's stereotypes of Asians while making you laugh and also get involved with the main character, Willis Wu, who has always thought that nothing significant or important ever happens in his life. Then a female detective asks for his help in solving a crime and in the process, he learns things about his own family that he never knew.

If you liked Jimmy O. Yang as a stand-up comedian, you'll probably be happy that he got the opportunity to spread his wings. Getting the lead role in “Interior Chinatown” is definitely something significant and important in his life. In an interview with The Wrap, Yang indicated the his character was very much like him in that he had similar experiences early in his career where he felt invisible or not represented. (Interior Chinatown: Jimmy O. Yang Talks Stepping Into Lead Role |The Wrap)

The reviews on this Hulu Original series are mixed. It figures. Asian-Americans rarely speak out about the racism and discrimination they experience. So when a TV show gets released pointing it out and poking fun at the unfairness and inequality, and it's very IN YOUR FACE, that might strike a nerve with some people. Me? I like Jimmy O. Yang and am happy for this major step he has taken with his career. All of the actors in “Interior Chinatown” were an impressive cast.

CAST: Jimmy O. Yang, Ronny Chieng, Chloe Bennet

GENRE: Comedy, Crime, Murder Mystery, Police Procedural

FILMING LOCATIONS: Filmed mainly in Los Angeles, California (on-location shoots and studio spaces, including the Fox Studio Lot and Universal Studios Lot). Certain scenes were in the actual Chinatown neighborhood in Los Angeles.

• Rajasini. “Where Was Hulu’s Interior Chinatown Filmed? All Filming Location Explored.” Sportskeeda, 21 Nov. 2024, https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/shows/where-hulu-s-interior-chinatown-filmed-all-filming-location-explored.

Viewership and Rating:

• IMDb: 7.1 out of 10 stars

Watch “Interior Chinatown” (2024) | Hulu/Disney+

LINKS OF INTEREST:

JimmyO. Yang Shines in Excellent "Interior Chinatown" |TV/Streaming | Roger Ebert

‘Interior Chinatown’ Struggles to Turn an Allegorical Novel Into a Show: TV Review | Variety

TheHollywood Reporter | 'Interior Chinatown': Jimmy O. Yang in CharlesYu's Meta Hulu Mystery

InteriorChinatown review – ambitious, yet tiring, adaptation of CharlesYu’s novel | Television | The Guardian

Hulu's'Interior Chinatown' impresses viewers and critics with bold satire |YAHOO! Entertainment

Review:‘Interior Chinatown’ is too weird and ambitious for its own good| Datebook

(Original Source)

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Tomorrow With You ~ Can a Time Traveler Change the Future?

“Tomorrow With You” is a 2017 drama series, with 16 episodes, and can be categorized as Time Travel, Romance, Comedy (Rom-Com) and Fantasy or Supernatural.

• SUMMARY: Suppose you meet someone on one day and that chance meeting saved your life. Then on another day you see your lifeless body being a carried away and the lifeless body of the woman who saved your life is also being carried away. Since you have the ability to time travel, maybe you can go back and sever the relationship you have with her. That should be fix everything. Right? That might work IF ... the ability to travel through time also gives you the ability to change the future. But if it doesn't ...

Image credit

♦ Life is Shorter Than You Think

Yoo So-joon is a handsome, young and wealthy CEO. You could say he has it all. What more could he ask for? Love? Well, that's obvious. But what else? How about the ability to travel through time? That wasn't exactly something that Yoo So-joon had on his wish list. But one day while riding the subway train, he felt a terrible pain in his head. The next thing he knew he was in a different time period. As soon as he got off the train he met another time traveler. The time traveler told him he'll have to get used to going back and forth between past, present, and future. But the most important rule is to never be in the same time period with yourself. He can't be with his present self and his future self at the same time. That's bad!

OK! Important safety tip! But guess what happened? Yoo So-joon saw his dead body being carried away on a stretcher. There was also a woman who had died and her name was Song Ma-Rin. Yoo So-joon wondered if it was possible to change the outcome of this tragic event. He time traveled again and it turns out he and Song Ma-Rin were married. In another time period, he and Song Ma-Rin were both on the same train. They got into an argument with each other and got off the train. While they were still arguing, the train blew up! Yoo So-joon had intended to stay on the train that day. If he had, he would have died.

Somehow the timelines of their lives were intertwined. In one period, she saved his life. In another, they both died together.

Song Ma-Rin is unaware that Yoo So-joon has already seen her future. She is barely managing to live in the present because her past keeps getting in the way. Song Ma-Rin used to be a child star but when she grew up she did not pursue an acting career. The problem is reporters keep writing articles about how she has not accomplished anything since her fame as a child actress and this gets in the way of her moving forward. When she met Yoo So-Joon he gave her this advice: "Life is shorter than you think. You shouldn't be hung up on the past.” He could say that, since Yoo So-joon already knew her future.

Yoo So-joon decided to traveled back in time to see if he could break their connection. If he could somehow sever their relationship, they wouldn't be together, they wouldn't fall in love and get married, and they probably would not die in a terrible accident. But does having the ability to time-travel also give you the ability to change your future?

Main Characters:

• Song Ma-Rin (played by Shin Min-A**)

• Yoo So-Joon (played by Lee Je-Hoon, “Chief Inspector 1958”, “Taxi Driver 1 and 2”, “Move to Heaven”, “My Paparotti”, “Time to Hunt”)

** Shin Min-A is a Korean actress who popped up on my radar in “Arang and the Magistrate ”. She stars in several Korean dramas that are still on my watch list: “Diva”, “Chief of Staff 1 and 2”, “Oh My Venus” (award-winning), and “Hometown Cha Cha Cha”. Have you watched any of these?

• Where to Watch: The Roku Channel and Tubi TV

Viewership and Ratings:

• IMDb Rating: 7.4 out of 10 stars

• My Drama List: 8 out of 10 stars

• Dramabeans: 8.3 out of 10 stars

• Letterboxd: 3.6 out of 5 stars

• Google users public rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars

My personal rating is the same as My Drama List.

This Kdrama series had mixed reviews. Some did not give high marks for the acting or the script. Others said it was underrated and thought the chemistry between the couple was great.

I am always interested in how a scriptwriter will spin a time travel fantasy / love story. In “Tomorrow With You”:

• The female lead had a difficult time trying to get away from her past, so that she could live productively in the present.

• The male lead was trying to get away from his grim future that had her in it.

He felt should she could easily fix her problem if she just wasn't hung up on her past. Whereas the best way to fix his problem was to get her out of his life, because she is the problem!

I had to see how this was going to work out.

LINKS OF INTEREST:

Tomorrow With You | Korean Drama Review (“A beautiful, languidly romantic time traveling story,...”)

Twelve (12) of the Best Time Travel K Dramas And Where To Watch Them | TODAY

Lee Je Hoon: An Actor Review | Drama Homebody

Tomorrow With You ~ Can a Time Traveler Change the Future? https://t.co/qMhn9txwm3 #kdramas #Koreandrama #allthingshallyu #entertainment #popcornworthy #fantasy

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) August 10, 2024

WATCH TRAILER:

Ani-Hongo. “TOMORROW, with YOU (2017) - TRAILER.” YouTube Video. YouTube, March 28, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=824cd8uXz8Y.

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Café Minamdang | Comedy Korean Drama Netflix Series

Café Minamdang is a K-drama series based on the web novel titled Minamdang: Case Note, written by Jung Jae-ha. This series is 18 episodes, released in 2022, and currently streaming on Netflix.

Nam Han-joon (played by Seo In-guk) worked in law enforcement as a criminal profiler but was framed for a crime he did not commit. After being released from prison since he could not return to his old job, he decides to become a shaman.  

• Nam Hye-joon (played by Kang Mi-na) - Nam Han-joon's sister, who is a former NIS ace (NIS=National Intelligence Service). When it comes to electronic technology, she knows everything!

• Gong Soo-cheol (played by Kwak Si-yang) works as a barista during the day at Café Minamdang and at night he's a homicide detective. He is also is Nam Han-joon's best friend.

• Jo Na-Dan (played by Baek Seo-Hoo) is a part-time employee and every once in a while he gets recruited to work with the shaman on “special jobs”.

• Lieutenant Han Jae-hui (played by Oh Yeon-seo) aka “Han the Ghost”, is a homicide detective assigned to the Major Crimes Investigation Division Seven as the Team Leader.

In addition to performing her duties, Han Jae-hui is quietly investigating the death of her brother who served as a prosecutor. She suspects Nam Han-joon of being involved in criminal activities. What she does not realize is that the people responsible for her brother's murder are also the ones who framed Nam Han-joon.

Initially, she thinks Nam Han-joon's shamanic shenanigans are interfering with her investigative work. But actually, both of them have crime-fighting goals. Eventually, they agree to coordinate and work together on an investigative effort.

Café Minamdang is 18 episodes, released in 2022, and currently streaming exclusively on Netflix. The IMDb Rating is 7.4 out of 10 stars. I agree.

Netflix Original: Korean Dramedy TV Series: My Only Love Song (2017)

Rewatched “My Only Love Song” (2017). It's a Korean drama, a Netflix Original Series. It's silly, cute, adorable, and totally unbelievable! And yes, I did say “rewatched”. I watched it a few years back and wanted to watch something that wasn't really serious, so I watched it again.

It's one of those time-travel series. An actress who was starring in a fictional historical Korean drama, gets into a van named “Boong Boong” and the van sets the GPS destination and takes her through the time portal where she ends up in a real life historical Korean drama

What I like about the main character, On Dal (played by Lee Jong-hyun), is that he looks like Johnny Depp from Pirates of the Caribbean when he puts on his fake moustache. LOL.

I also like the two guys who are support actors.

(1) Byun Sam-yong (played by Lee Jae-jin) who looks like such a sweet baby boy. You want everything to work out for him in the end.

(2) Moo-myung (played by Ahn Bo-hyun). He is the humble and loyal bodyguard for the princess but he is also in love with her. He never talks, yet everybody knows what he's saying. LOL. To best decribe him, I borrowed a line from Byun Sam-yong: “He looks cool without even trying.”

The leading ladies and the support female cast? Song Soo-jung (played by Gong Seung-yeon) and Princess Pyunggang (played by Jin Ye-ju). Eh! They were OK. But it's the guys who actually carried the series through from start to finish.

It's 20 episodes and lots of fun!

Original source

Disney Animated Classic: The Aristocats (1970)

Growing up during the 50s and the 60s was the best of the times! We did not have cable TV or online streaming back then, but most of the local stations always showed cartoons on Saturday from early morning until around noon. My siblings and I would watch them together. My youngest daughter is an adult now but when she was little, we often watched animated movies on Saturday mornings. It was “our time”. I would go to the local library and check out videos. They had a great collection of animated videos for kids.

One Saturday morning I was really tired. I went into her bedroom, popped the tape into the VCR, laid down on her bed, and fell back to sleep! When I woke back up my daughter was singing “Everybody … everybody … everybody wants to be a cat!” LOL. That movie had her full attention. She did not even notice that I had fallen asleep. Later on, I watched the movie by myself. I was curious because my baby girl clearly enjoyed it. After I watched it I knew why.

A one-word description for this Walt Disney film? Adorable!

Also, it's a great movie for jazz music lovers!

• "Scat Cat: Everybody wants to be a cat / Because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at. 

Image credit:  * Happy 50th Anniversary, The Aristocats! by RichTheVoiceTrumpet: deviantart.com

The voice actors were well-known entertainers from my generation that I have always loved; such as Eva Gabor (“Duchess”), Scatman Crothers (“Scat Cat”), and especially Sterling Holloway (“Roquefort the Mouse”). I would recognize his voice anywhere! His voice was used in the “Wizard of Oz”, “Winnie the Pooh” and so many other animated films I watched as a child. His voice is memorable!

PLOT: The butler did it! A wealthy retired opera singer leaves her money to her cats. But the woman's butler drugs the cats and abandons them in the countryside so that he can inherit the fortune himself. The pampered cats meet up with a street smart easygoing alley cat who decides, with the help of his other cat friends, to help them return to their rightful home in Paris.

If you want to watch a delightful animated film with your child or children, I highly recommend The Aristocats (1970).

* * *

Related Links:

The Aristocats (1970) - IMDb

'The Aristocats' Live-Action Remake in the Works at Disney

The Aristocats | Disney Wiki | Fandom

Everybody Wants To Be A Cat (from The Aristocats) – YouTube

Original source

Great family classic movies to watch on @disneyplus
The Aristocats (1970) ~ https://t.co/JemdKC7gqB #familyfun #animatedfilms #classic #entertainment #forkids and for #jazzlovers @goshoppingbees pic.twitter.com/Ktj4jn04V1

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) January 22, 2022

Movie Review : Kung Fu Yoga (2017)

It was a slow night and I was ready to doze off but couldn't quite get to sleep.  I wanted to be entertained but not burdened with the sorrow of a tragedy or excited by the suspenseful intensity of a mystery or a thriller. I just needed something to watch and fall asleep afterward. Found a Jackie Chan movie that did the trick. Kung Fu Yoga (2017).  I didn't fall asleep on it though.  I watched it all the way to the end.

Per The Hollywood Reporter*, this India-China co-production project received negative reviews for perpetuating stereotypes. I think that criticism is valid. However, if you just want to not take life too seriously, kick back, chill out, and be entertained, add this movie to your watch list. They should at least get an A+ for figuring out how to work martial arts action scenes into it and for the fact that the movie was somewhat educational as well as entertaining. It addressed the links between the histories of ancient China and ancient India. 

If you're already a Jackie Chan fan you know to expect some lighthearted comedy. However, if the critics were expecting something different, then I can understand their disappointment. *REF: Jackie Chan's 'Kung-Fu Yoga' Slammed by Indian Critics for Perpetuating Stereotypes by Nyay Bhushan; 2/5/2017 : hollywoodreporter.com/news/jackie-chans-kung-fu-yoga-slammed-by-indian-critics-perpetuating-stereotypes-972335

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Well!  Everyone is entitled to their opinions.  I used to watch a cartoon series with one of my kids and as far as giving out ratings for “adorable cuteness” this cartoon has maintained the Number One spot on my list for years. However, "Kung Fu Yoga" bumped it from its spot. 

I gave this film gets 5 out of 5 stars for adorable cuteness. 

Why? The final scene. Don't want to spoil it if you haven't seen the movie, but that last scene in the movie booted "Kung Fu Yoga" straight to the top of my Adorable Cuteness Entertainment List.

Jackie Chan Movies on Amazon

A Woody Allen Classic Clip: Being Jewish Among Gentiles (Reblog)

This movie won an Oscar but I've never heard of heard of it. That's because I am not really a Woody Allen fan. I know that there are many many people who praise him for is comedic genius, but I was just never into him. However, after reading this movie review, I have added it to my watch list. I'm going to save this for a day when it's rainy or cold and I've comfy under a warm blanket with a bucket of popcorn. Or? Maybe I shouldn't have any popcorn because according to the movie reviewer I'm going to be laughing a lot!  I don't want to choke and cough all through the movie. ☺☺

"It's been 36 years since the release of Annie Hall, the Woody Allen film that won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director (Allen) and Best Actress (Diane Keaton.) But still the movie attracts viewers and stirs funny memories wherever it's shown. ..."

Con't reading:

A Woody Allen Classic Clip: Being Jewish Among Gentiles

This blog has archived posts which date all the way back to 2009.  They publish daily.  Enjoy more recent content from this blog:

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Comedy, Oscar-Winning (Sorted by Year Ascending) - IMDb

10 Best Films Of Woody Allen

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Woody Allen - Prime Video: Movies & TV - Amazon.com

A Quick Movie Review: Don't Look Up! (2021)

I kind of feel bad adding this movie as my random movie pick. If somebody were to ask me should they watch the movie "Don't Look Up", I would be tempted to say DON'T LOOK AT IT!!

But since I know I'm old school, I would just say watch it and judge for yourself.  It has been described or labeled as a "Social Issue Drama", even though it is a comedy. ll a very bad comedy.  It was ridiculously funny but it didn't really make me laugh.

27th Annual Critics Choice NomineeI 

The movie is on Netflix. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and Meryl Streep.

You would think that with an all-star cast like this that the movie would be FREAKING AWESOME!

Instead ... the movie was ... kind of stupid! Although ... I GET IT!

I get that the movie was saying that human beings are STUPID!!

The film made fun of American politics, and of social media and of other foolish things that are so prevalent and important in 1st world countries like memes and celebrity couple break-ups. The plot was old and boring. As always there's a scientist or scientists who have the science to prove that a major disaster is headed our way ... in this case it's a "planet killer" ... but the priority of the idiot politicians is whether or not they will get enough votes to win the next election.

WHO CARES IF THE WORLD WILL END??

The funniest part of the movie to me was "the ship". If you have not watched the movie I don't want to tell you what that is because it will spoil it for you.

Movie: Bollywood: What's Your Raashee? (2009)

You really only need two words would be sufficient to review this movie.  Adorable cuteness!

Do you like movies that are cute and adorable, have a fabulous leading actress, and a terrific soundtrack?  Guess which movie you should watch?  

What's Your Raashee? (2009)

What makes it cute and adorable?  
This young guy needs to find a wife and find one fast before he loses his inheritance so he goes looking for one.  How does he choose?  Uuhhh ... according to the zodiac?  Why not?  What's Your Raashee? means What's Your Sign?

Who is the fabulous leading actress?  
Priyanka Chopra-Jonas who plays the part of each female marriage candidate.  That's right!  12 different zodiac signs which means she plays 12 different personalities.

Why is the soundtrack terrific?  
Just listen and you'll know WHY.  (Music video below.)

Image credit: What's Your Rashee? (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Sohail Sen

Search for #Bollywood movies on #AmazonPrimeVideo ~ https://t.co/A47IuCwJGZ @amazon @PrimeVideo #Entertainment #watchlists #watchparty #bingewatch pic.twitter.com/g1duxbV649

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) September 7, 2021

POPULAR BOLLYWOOD MOVIES ON NETFLIX
~ https://t.co/hvzqekN1H3 #watchlists #watchparty #Entertainment #horror #suspense #romance #comedies #truestories pic.twitter.com/or4YCpouBi

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) September 7, 2021