Erica Chung

I didn't expect to like it so much! It's such a cute rom com! When done well, a good rom com can be so satisfying. I love the unique premise of writing back to each other in a dare book. The characters got to know each other without preconceived notions. I loved watching their relationship unfold and the fun dares and situations they put each other in. Such a treat to watch and one to rewatch every holiday to come!

Clickbait kept me interested enough to watch it all the way through. Compelling and interesting premise that doesn't stick the landing. I did enjoy that each episode showcased a different character's perspective. I thought the performance was mostly good especially Pia Brewer as the relentless sister. Sophie Brewer's character was strange because she was eerily calm about everything going on. I'm not sure if it was suppose to be misleading or just misaligned. SPOILER: My main complaint is how misleading this show is. It tries to throw these shocking twists and turns and while I appreciate the effort, it doesn't land for me. It is so misleading to show scenes of Nick & Emma with the "gotcha!" it was all in Emma's head after all. Then Dawn being the catfisher felt like it was out of left field. She was hardly in any of the episodes. Plus the fact that Nick runs to her house instead of home or to the police is a plot point that irritates me. Also the fact that Dawn's husband just kills him with no remorse feels so odd as well. I was drawn enough to make it to the end but felt unsatisfied and irritated with how everything unfolded.

Sam Levinson is masterful at creating beautiful cinematography with complex dialogue that is complex, thought provoking, and so relatable. He strips away distractions. It's one set with two characters, filmed in black and white with all the focus on their powerful and passionate exchange. The writing has to be spectacular to make it work. I watched Malcolm & Marie because I loved Euphoria. My favorite episode was the special with Rue and Ali. That single episode was so moving because of the same formula. One set, two characters, and just powerful dialogue between Rue and Ali. Marie gave me future alternate Rue vibes. It's a story of two people who love each other deeply but carry so much history that there's clearly a lot of wounds there that the both aren't afraid to weaponize. The performances were incredible with each monologue compelling me to their side. The scene where Marie goes on about all the "Thank Yous" she wants from Malcolm just hit me so hard as someone who can relate to feeling unappreciated in their relationship. Definitely worth watching!

I finished this series in 2 days! It keeps you on the edge of your seat with all the twists and turns that you can't stop watching!! One complaint I have of shows that try too hard to be shocking is that sometimes it feels misleading and like the reveal comes from left field (*cough* clickbait *cough*) but Squid Game manages to pull off twists that are believable and makes you want to rewatch again with the new perspective. The acting and character development is so good, you really feel for the characters which makes their demise that much more devastating. This show is a MUST WATCH! SPOILERS AHEAD: I enjoyed that they dropped enough hints that you are shocked but aren't surprised. It was smart to include the Joon-Ho (police officer) infiltrating the staff to show the inner workings of the games. The subplot with the doctor selling the organs shows that the soldiers aren't all the mindless, perfectly coordinated minions they seem to be. The doctor's demise adds clues to who the frontman could be. Joon-Ho is looking for his brother and it seems like he may have been killed in red light, green light. Then I suspected he was perhaps a solider, but the twist that he was actually the 2015 winner and then the FRONTMAN was crazy! It also made the scene where he was so furious ,not about the selling of the organs, but about giving a player an unfair edge to the point of making a statement with their bodies and even apologizing to the players. It was the hint to his attachment to the games and the principle of "equal opportunity within these walls." Ironic for someone who has no problem killing someone point blank. His attachment so strong that he is willing to kill his own brother that he once gave his own kidney to. Oh Il-Nam. The finale revealing the creator of the game as the old man - GAH this was so good and made everything make so much sense! He wanted to recreate the joy of his childhood with a sinister edge so that he could finally feel something. The first episode with Gi-Hun at the horse track, the rush and thrill of betting on horses foreshadowed his own stint as a rich man's "race horse". Spectating the games wasn't enough for him and when Il-Nam was diagnosed with a brain tumor he really had nothing else to lose so he posed as a player to get that last rush and thrill. His joy in Red Light, Green Light now hits different than initially thinking he's just some crazy old man. He's a psychopath fulfilling his last wish to finally feel something. I really hope they make a season 2!