The Princess Bride

It still stands alone among giants. 

5 stars (out of 5)

My Name (serial)

Oh Hyejin is a mob affiliated young woman embedded in the police as a drug enforcement detective. Her primary goal is to find the police officer who killed her father. I like these types of plots since it is clear that not everyone tells the truth. As the characters begin to realize that their initial circle of trust is broken, they must learn again who to trust. And with any good story, the machinations and lies pile up in ways to make even the viewer wonder who to trust. In many ways, a classic police v gangster series with a super badass protagonist. 

4 stars (out of 5)

Lawless Lawyer (serial)

This K-drama hits the right balance between story and action. A gang affiliate lawyer returns to his hometown to exact revenge on the powerful and corrupt officials who murdered his mother 18 years ago. He enlists another local lawyer (cue romance) and some low level gangsters (for comedic interludes). The "Lawless Law" firm uses the law to punish the lawless... which means that this becomes a battle of planning and coercion instead of street fights. I like how the story plays out, with twists and setbacks. But you never doubt who is the good guy and who is the bad guy. 

4 stars (out of 5)

School of Chocolate (serial)

A fun reality show where the contestants are professional chefs going to "school" with a world renown pastry chef and chocolatier. The challenges each week start with chef teaching a new technique and then that needs to be used. Also, the chef will help during the challenge with ideas and hints about technique. So while it is a contest, it is more collaborative and "let's get better at our craft" than just about winning.

4 stars (out of 5)

Hanna (serial)

Season 3

This season may be the conclusion of the series Season 1, Season 2. Hanna is working with her handler Marissa to take down the organization. There are relational issues (Hanna's new target/boyfriend, Marissa's father) but overall, the plot stays tight, the action appropriate and the struggle real. Not sure where it would go, but I would watch a 4th season.

4 stars (out of 5)

King Richard

A biopic origin story for Venus and Serena Williams and their journey to tennis GOAT-ness. I am presuming that some creative license was taken with the family history and the struggles, but overall this is quite an uplifting and inspiring story. There are lots of little things that niggled at me about how people are portrayed, or assumptions that are made about characters, or decisions about who to emphasize in the telling of the story, all of which just touch on being tone deaf in a highly sensitive diversity/equity world. That said, I am not sure that it matters if they niggled at me when it is not my story to tell. So go see this and enjoy the greatness that is the Williams sisters.

4 stars (out of 5)

Red Notice

Action, heist, con-artist extravaganza with big names (Johnson, Reynolds, Gadot). The three traipse around the world, looking to find and steal the three eggs of Cleopatra. Who is good, who is bad doesn't really matter as allegiances change from scene to scene. The characters seem to be written specifically with these actors in mind, and unfortunately, with these three actors caricature personalities in mind. So we get exactly what we have gotten before with nothing new for these to show us. In the end, that leaves the entire plot flat because I just couldn't really get interested. 

2 stars (out of 5)