Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments || Review

Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments

Release Year: 2016

Genre: Action, Fantasy, Romance

3 Seasons (55 Episodes)

Counrty: USA

Language: English

Firstly, I have no idea if i should make this review as a person who read the Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices book series. It is because i don't prefer to criticize adaptation movies or TV series by comparing them with books. Since everyone have their imagination and taste, finding actors to make those characters real is impossible. [Even though i found most of these actors snapped into place like a clockwork.] Thus, this review will be kind of separate from the book.

Now be prepared all downworlders, mundies and shadowhunters...

Here we go!

As personally, i like Dominic Sherwood (Jace Wayland/Morgenstern/Herondale/Lightwood) and his acting but still i think that he wasn't ideal Jace for me. The same problem goes for Katherine McNamahara (Clary Fairchild/Fray/Morgenstern) too. I don't know why but during all the 3 seasons, I've couldn't get used to their roles. It is so hard to make me satisfied guys, sorry.

Also i expected Valentine to be... Younger. I mean this was a disappointment but i guess he saved this by playing of his role.

However, if we speak about how awesome was Alec&Isabelle Lightwood, Magnus Bane, Simon Lewis and the others...  I can't hold myself. Especially MAGNUS BANE.

( O h. M y. A n g e l s. )
( Look at his gesture uwaaah. This is exactly how Magnus Bane gotta be.)

To be honest, i got a special thing for Magnus Bane. Maybe because i've fallen for him when i first met him in Internal Devices. [Btw, yes i've read that trilogy before Mortal Instruments.] So, the thing what i've most appreciate was casting him.

(He's using his hands so aesthetically, you'll understand better if you watch.)

As we spoke about him, the effects, scenes and camera angles were really well thought for me. I mean not going too fake is a tough work in these kinda fantasy movies. Warlocks' fashion, vampires' with werewolves' stuff, pixies' habitats... It goes funny if you too exaggerate. They must be close to reality for giving the audiences that 'supernatural' feeling. Thus these are hard to manage while putting them in a show.

And here, all of them were genuine.

For example, Claire is drawing runes.

For example, Shadowhunters' runes.

(This was the scene where Magnus comes to the institute. Ahem. Of course, probably Alec didn't start doing shirtless workout intentionally just because it. Right? It supposed to be every time Alec who dress as priests do. Just like i didn't choose especially Alec to give example for runes. Ahem.)

For example... Simon Lewis. Can we appreciate this pure pop-cultured vampire boy too, please?

(The girl was a werewolf by the way, that's why she behave like that.)

AND NOW PLEASE LET ME TALK ABOUT MALEC.

Hahaha. Believe me, this ship is actually more canon than Clace (Clary&Jace) does.

The best point was that it wasn't a silly or lovey-dovey romance from the beginning. Well, okay as a matter of fact they weren't taking the things very slow but they had an nice affection. I mean, how can you imagine a love affair between a Warlock (800 years old?) and a young shadowhunter (18?) please explain. Now, you actually don't need to explain because they nailed it.

This pure virgin shadowhunter smile...
Against a flirtatious good-looking Warlock who even slept in Casanova's castle.

(The first meet, first gaze and everything first. They all have an unique meaning and miraculous power that you will not be able to experience twice.)

Beside everything, these actors were well played indeed. They were completing each other and when you watch it, it was impossible not to be a fan. Their ways of looking and acting, improvising were amazing.

Oh no, probably i should stop now. Otherwise, i can literally write a special post just for Malec. 

After watching the first episode, my inner self was like:

''Why the hell i haven't watched this series before?!''

And also me to myself:

For the ones who read the book and other stuff, the series is easy to understand and follow etc. It gives some beautiful reminiscences for us. And surprisingly, the series is also understandable for the ones who don't know anything about shadowhunters, downworlders, runes and other stuff. What i mean is don't worry, you can't get bored of stuff so easily. 

By the way, the cast is really dorky. Just watching the behind scenes are enough to make you laugh for days and like them. Especially be careful about these funny couples:

Alberto Rosende (Siwon Lewis) & Dominic Sherwood (Jace)

Mathew Daddario (Alexander Lightwood) & Henry Shum Jr. (Magnus Bane)

At least but not the last, i loved soundtracks of the series. Beside every soundtrack [p.s: War of Hearts] directly reminds you the exact scenes.

My favorite and strongly recommended ones are:

1. Ruelle - War of Hearts

2. Alberto Rosende - Fragile World

3. Ruelle - Secrets and Lies

Please. You are even loosing time while reading this is you haven't watched this series.

My view: 3.5/5

The Kissing Booth || Review

The Kissing Booth

Release Year: 2018

Genre: Romance, Comedy, 

Duration: 105 mins

Country: UK

Language: English

It's again a book adaptation movie that i haven't read its book... The first time i see this movie on a random instagram channel and it attracted my attention. Those rule stuff is a cliché which brings funny events all the time. Since the protagonist girl was not like a classic romance girl in the movies, i started watching it.

Second year of highschool... I don't know that's the power of that year but 10th grade is a 'turning point' for teenagers in general. Everything happens that year and you just... Let it happen, lol.

To be honest, there were somethings bother me a little bit like using too much clichés, sexist behaviors and those misbehaved teenager acts... Breaking rules all the time, being flirtatious and dating with everyone or buggering around etc. Basically which i found nonsense and dislike. Movies like that influence badly on young audiences. Highschool is a period which you should do whatever you can because you'll not be able to do them same again. However, not like this way please.

Probably i am just tired of these teenage drama things and now seeing them everywhere is boring me.  And most of the time, teenage rom-coms are consist of these actions. Unfortunately, there are a few examples for them which doesn't and well written.

Beside these unpleasant criticisms above, movie was funny and the lead roles were shipable* though. If you ask me, Noah Flynn wasn't behaving her like trash as classic f-boys do. He was more like... Trying not to fall for her but couldn't help it though. I am still thinking about their relationship because i couldn't understand it well while watching. Also, since i didn't read the book i wasn't able to understand how they exactly feel. This was a negative point for the movie from me.

(They are trying to hide from Brandon.)

Probably the only thing i've really liked about it was the relationship between Brandon Flynn and Elle Evans. It was cool and funny for me. I've seen and experienced familiar relationships before so i really felt their true friendship. Of course, the thing between Noah and Elle was about to ruin it but- Oh, no spoiler.

(They are truly having fun.)

So, in the end i can say that it is a movie that you can watch it when you need to have some fun and have plenty of free time.

My rating: 3/5

To All the Boys I've Loved Before || Review

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Release Year: 2018

Genre: Romance, Dram

Duration: 99 mins

Country: USA

Language: English

''All letters are out.''

This movie was pretty fun to watch though. To be honest, i didn't laugh too much and cannot say ''Oh, it was hella amazing!'' but worth to watch because of its fiction. It was pretty creative and original idea. I mean you are writing letters to all the boys you've loved before and one day, they are all gone to those boys. What happens then?

As long as i know, it was a movie adaptation from a book, right? I didn't read it because i don't usually read 'teenager romance and slice-of-life' kinds of stuff but since i liked the idea, it must be good.

I had no idea about the cast of the movie. Only some of them were familiar to me from some TV series that i've watched before 2013 lol. Also there was a viner guy. So, i wouldn't have any prejudge or fangirl feelings for any of them which makes my review more accurate.

(Best starters for relationships, rule 1. 'Run your car over him.')

The first part where i found funny was that how [I am not gonna use his name since it is spoiler] tall guy reacted. That silly boy thought himself so special from the beginning and actually i found him kinda right because of an old event between him and her.

''Hold on. Stop, stop. I am not the only guy that got a letter?'' says the tall guy with broken-ego.

''Wow, you are really think that you're special, than you find out she wrote love letters to two guys.'' says the tall guy with broken-ago. Well actually it is 5 guys, buddy.

After that confrontation, he comes up with a brilliant (!) opinion. 

Well, you'll see it when you watch it though.

(This was a good move for me by the way and cute.)

Also this scene below was funny to me because he had some points that she doesn't have and she had some points that he doesn't have. So, finding those things and making each other experience them was a nice thought. 

Maybe the only thing i didn't like was... The main girl character was uhm... naive. That's one of the romance stuff clichés which i dislike. Except this thing, i've like most of the side characters. Their relationships between protagonist were satisfying enough. Not like the side characters come in a time then gone forever.

Oh, and there's one more negative point from me. Many of events and situations were expected. If you are guru-like thing in these issues, you can easily guess rest of the movie from the beginning. This might be kinda unpleasant for some of audiences. 

To sum up, the movie has some dramatic issues, teenage chaos and sister affairs in general but not in a boring level. Whenever you have free time, you can watch this movie.

My rating: 3/5

Now You See Me: Second Act || Review

Now You See Me: Second Act

Release Date: 2016 

Genre: Action, Thriller, Mystery, Comedy

Duration:165 Minutes

Director: Jon M. Chu

Country: USA

Language: English

''It's so great to be back.''

Just an adjective, guys... F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!

I'm giving it 5 in TOTAL. IN EVERY ASPECTS. Ah, lemme explain it as always.

First of all, you have to watch the first movie [Now You See Me, 2013] to enjoy this movie thoroughly. If you ask why, you cannot understand anything but again I'm saying, anything in the movie. You'll be losing plenty of inside jokes and the things going on between the characters etc. It is important. Also the first movie was pretty good. The movie is all about illusions, both made by illusionist and also the illusions which we made by our own. Like, misunderstandings in our daily life or our believes...

Just like in the first movie, there were many -even more than the first- unpredictable twists, mysteries and illusions. Actually, you feel like you are always missing something from the beginning of the movie to the end. [And probably, yes. You are.] It has so much fun for this kind of a smart movie, so it surprises me all the time.

Ahhh... Look at this poster... Beautifully designed.

I usually keep my interest and expectations for the sequels, but for this time, I started having high expectations for it. Also even much more expectations after seeing the cool trailer. What do you think has happened in the end?

It has satisfied them all, even gave me more than them.

At the beginning of the movie, I was kind of disappointed that Henley'i (Isla Fisher) wasn't in the cast, but when I have met Lula (Lizzy Caplan), she throw my disappointment right away. 

Pretty? Yes, she is.

Funny? Yes, she is.

Magician? Oh. Hell yea, she is.

I loved the chemistry between her and Daniel (Jesse Eisenberg) [I like this man. Ah.] which made me burst into laugh. Also, I support the romantic relationship raising between her and Jack (Dave Franco), so fun to watch. Especially, in the wallet stealing mini-challenges. Ehehe.

Ah, if you haven't seen or heard of it... There's an epic 'hidden card' scene which caused the movie's that part go viral in YouTube and other media sources. A must to watch scene at least if you wanna try to learn if you are interested for this movie.

That's it, guys... That's how you nail a good, nice, freaking aesthetic scene.

I'll be honest. I didn't like Dylan'ı (Mark Ruffalo). Not at all. However, he got me in this movie. I was like ''Wait, I didn't like you-'' to ''Oh, no. My sweet baby. Let's protect you forever.'' so... I think you've understood what I mean. 

Eventually, I was fond of the conflict going on between him and Thaddeus (Morgan Freeman) because even though it wasn't quite clear in the first movie, I think the scenarists well done the boundaries in their relationship. There were small, nice references as they were meaningful things going on in their common memories. Firstly, you'll experience the confusion at most but then you'll get your emotions mixed up at the end of the movie.

I didn't see something's coming. I would never thought seeing Daniel Radcliffe and a character like he is acting. Dude, it is literally Kinder Surprise. Saying ''Ta-da!!!'' in a cute while appearing all of a sudden... Unexpected stuffs as it is expected.
Therefore, if you haven't watched this movie yet... Why are you still reading this instead of going to watch it???

This is exactly explaining the whole thing going on the movie.

Extra info:
I was pleasant by seeing that a part of the movie is actually taken in Macau, which is Las Vegas of China. People who especially watch k-dramas or We Got Married (Korean reality variety show) can directly recognise this country just by seeing it. I mean, it is a top chosen honeymoon place for many Asians. The night view might mesmerise you in a glance.

Thus, I decided to end my post with there beautiful pictures from Macau.

My rating: 5