Wednesday 27 January 2021

Code Name Shark by Sara Aisha

January 27, 2021 6 Comments
Assalamualaikum, good day dearest! Aku sebenarnya dah habis baca novel ni like, hm bulan November tahun lepas, agaknya. Review pun dah habis tulis tapi aku kan Suraya, so hm, harinilah baru nak post.


Tajuk : Code Name Shark
Penulis : Sara Aisha
Mukasurat : 706 pages
Penerbit : SA Publication
Terbitan : Julai 2020
ISBN : 9789671771419
Blurb : 

2020. BLUE OPERATION
Objektif: Menggagalkan rancangan gila Pharma Art  untuk menghasilkan senjata biologi paling berbahaya di dunia
Misi: Menjejaki dan melindungi orang yang menyimpan rahsia formulasi terakhir Blue Antharax
Sasaran: Dr. Indira Rao

Dia ialah wanita berbahaya. Dia ialah wanita yang dikatankan sudah mati. Namun, kemunculannya secara tiba-tiba di Kota Semporna telah menggegarkan segala-galanya. Pharma Art mahukan dia semula! The Shadow tidak akan biarkan itu berlaku!

"Kita kena sampai dulu kepada dia. Protect her and bring her back."

Arahan sudah diterima. Shark tidak akan teragak-agak untuk berbuat apa sahaja demi melaksanakan misinya. Bagi dia, wanita itu adalah satu-satunya kunci demi menamatkan segala kegilaan Pharma Art.

Namun...

Berdepan dengan seorang Indira Rao, bukanlah semudah yang dia jangka. Wanita itu keras dalam caranya tersendiri.

"Don't mess with The Shadow. Dr. Indira Rao."
"Kenapa? Kau nak seksa aku sampai aku buka mulut?"

Tidak cukup dengan itu, muncul pula lelaki itu. Yang tidak akan pernah berhenti, sehingga Indira jatuh ke dalam genggamannya.

"They have my woman. Dan itu adalah apa yang aku tak boleh maafkan."

Masa semakin suntuk. Shark semakin terdesak. Dia perlu membawa Indira pulang ke ibu pejabat secepat mungkin! Malangnya, dia tersilap perkiraan. Indira jatuh ke tangan lelaki itu. Kini, terpulang kepada dia unuk menyelamatkan Indira dan menakmatkan semuanya hingga ke kata noktah. Kerana sesungguhnya, seorang Shark ialah...

"Aku jenis lelaki yang aka korbankan nyawa aku untuk kau."
Second book for 'The Shadow Series' and kalini kita kembali dengan misi baru. Kalau dalam CNC kita ada Red Operation, kalini kita ada Blue Operation. Dan hero yang terlibat tak lain dan tak bukan ialah abang Shark kita! Bollywood all the way baby! Tapi, feel novel ni tak macam bollywood because it feels more of hollywood to me. Hmm, mungkin sebab kalini terselit konsep sci-fi sikit tu yang buatkan aku rasa macam tengah tengok filem omputeh nak cipta senjata biologi.

Macam biasa, kalau review novel cinta mesti la kita tengok hero-heroin, ye tak? So, untuk novel CNS ni, hero kita is brader Shark, si pencinta sejati Anjali. Ahh, I love how sis SA bentukkan watak Shark. I love his seriousness and his playfulness. Dapat aku bayangkan betapa machonya seorang Shark lagi-lagi masa dia nak selamatkan Indira. And Indira, I love how SA buat dia as a woman who needs protection. I mean, sebab CNC punya heroin hebat bertempur so macam hilang momen sweet hero nak selamatkan heroin. But this time around, heroin dia a bit lacking in that department but much better in others. 

Dari bab awal lagi, aku dah start rasa curious dengan plot novel ni. Yelah, dengan identiti lelaki misteri yang nakkan Indira, dengan eksperimen yang dijalankan atas monyet, dengan permulaan misi baru untuk The Shadow, semuanya lah. Momentum penceritaan mula meningkat bila Shark dah berjaya selamatkan Indira, for the first time but then lose her again. Eii, aku hagak dah memang akan jadi. And paling suka bila percubaan Shark untuk selamatkan Indira tak berhasil untuk pertama kali. Banyak betul halangan dia, lagi-lagi dengan kewujudan si lelaki misteri. Paling best bila ada selit kisah Cobra-Athena. Haih, dapatlah kita insight kisah diorang walaupun hanya seketika. 

As usual, penulisan Sara Aisha never disappoint. Aku suka how she carries the story through and how she changed from one scene to another. Flow cerita sangat-sangat smooth buatkan aku susah nak letak novel ni. Kalau ikutkan in one sitting je boleh habiskan tapi sebab aku ni jenis penyayang sampai nak habiskan novel pun terasa sayang tuntutan kerja-kerja lain terpaksa la stop in between chapters. 

And last ! Hm, Wolf punya aura kuat betul sampaikan aku terfokus lebih ke dia lagi-lagi time action scenes. Haih, penatlah nak tunggu cik SA keluarkan Wolf punya novel. Harap-harap awal tahun depan ada dah la. Tak larat kita nak tunggu lama-lama. And paling penting, that epilogue sis, tak chill langsung. I wonder who is the woman that got Wolf freeze up just by the sight of her. Guess, kena tunggu sampai dapat baca. Tapi aku still nak assume on the identity, hm, she might be a past lover ? An arch-enemy ? Rival (agent from another division) dalam the shadow? Tak pun a new addition to the team untuk tolong mereka in next mission. And again, jom kita tunggu =)

-thes

Monday 25 January 2021

The Cursed

January 25, 2021 4 Comments
Assalamualaikum, good day dearest! During my final week, I have like a big big gap (probably due to the fact that I only took four subjects) so I cross off another k-drama in my list. And now that I have begin my break, please look forward for my weekly k-drama reviews.



not mine; credited to the rightful owner

Title : The Cursed / Method
Episodes : 12
Genre : Thriller, Mystery, Horror
Director : Kim Yong Wan
Writer : Yong Sang Ho
Network : tvN
Cast : Uhm Ji Won, Jung Ji So, Song Dong Il, Jo Min Joo
Plot : 

Im Jin Hee is a reporter. She is keen in bringing down Forest, a big IT company in South Korea. While gathering information about Jin Jong Hyun, Chairman of Forest, Jin Hee met with Baek So Jin, a high school girl who possess an ability to kill someone through a spirit in her. So Jin claims that Jin Jong Hyun is possessed by an evil spirit and can be defeat only through spiritual ways. However, Jin Hee didn't trust her and leave. Due to argument with her manager, she felt vengeful and went to So Jin to 'kill' him. After realizing that her manager really died the way So Jin describe, they begin to find ways to take down Jin Jong Hyun who is helped by a woman shaman called Jinkyung.

SPOILER ALERT

Usually, I would avoid this kind of drama but I am not sure why this one is an exception (it's been on my to-be-watch list for a long time). Maybe because there's Sung Dong Il. Maybe not. Well, I am not sure weather to be glad that it is an exception or not. 

First off, I did enjoy this drama. It had a great story-line and actors. The first episode gave me a big impression that I could not not watch this drama. Every character was introduced in a great manner, even though it was quite a number of people. The backstory of So Jin was also told as why she hated Jin Jong Hyun so much that she wanted to kill him. And with that pace, I can easily find myself slip through the episodes.

The suspense was evident in every episode and I actually manage to finish this drama in just 2 days time. I usually took my time with watching drama but I was so curious what will happen next. I love the build up and the flow of this drama. It was slowly unravel on how that evil spirit can possess Jin Jong Hyun, what is  Jinkyung shaman planning to do with Forest, how deep So Jin and Jin Jong Hyun is related. And, that one scene where So Jin kill Jin Hee's manager, that was so gruesome. Glad it was only one scene because it was so detailed, and I couldn't help but felt like vomiting while watching.

Every actors was so great that I could find fault in them. What shocked me the most was how well Song Dong Il bring his character. I was so used with his silly, funny characters that I forgot that he is capable to act with this serious, cold character. Another character that I like is Jung Ji So's. I think I have never watch her acting before (checked her work and she acted in Parasite and many others that I may have watch but not remember her character) but she was really great as Baek So Jin. I love how cold she is while talking about murdering someone.  

The ending is a little disappointing for me. I was expecting things will really resolve and So Jin can live her life without worrying that the evil spirit will find his next victim but instead she had to take it all for herself. And it really annoyed me that they left us hanging! After everything ?! I am not sure to anticipate the next season or not because there's small possibility for this drama to be make as a series.

For more k-drama reviews, please visit 'K-drama review' on the menu tab !

-thes

Saturday 23 January 2021

Catch Me

January 23, 2021 4 Comments
Assalamualaikum, good day dearest! I had watch this movie for like, two or three months ago. Procrastinating brought me here. Anyway, here is the review!

not mine; credited to the rightful owner



Title : Catch Me / Steal My Heart
Runtime : 114 minutes
Genre : Romantic Comedy, Crime
Country / Language : South Korea / Korean
Released year : 2013
Director : Lee Hyun Jong
Writer : Yoo Young Ah, Lee Hyun Jong
Cast : Kim Ah Joong, Joo Won
Plot : 

Ho Tae is a hotshot criminal profiler. He is working for a serial killer case. During a stakeout to catch the suspect, the suspect was met with a hit and run case. Ho Tae then assures everyone that he will catch the driver. After locating the driver, Ho Tae went to arrest him but he didn't expect to meet his ex-lover, Yoon Jin Sook after 10 years. He also learnt that Jin Sook is a skilled thief that stole priceless artworks. She has been on the wanted list for a long time.

SPOILER ALERT

I am not sure if I ever said this but romantic comedy is my guilty pleasure. I mean, who doesn't love watching romantic drama/movie with a slap of comedy?! However, this movie is not really for me. It does have the vibe of the comedy and everything but I, somehow find it a little... cringy? And boring, which I am sure that I should not be bored while watching a rom-com, but I am!

First off, I think Ho Tae's character development is a little off. At first, he is a career-driven man who did everything to make sure that he got the promotion that he deserves. But then, when he met Jin Sook again, he suddenly throw away his career. It didn't help that he is immediately smitten with her as soon as he met her. He went as far as hiding a criminal because what? She didn't have license during the accident and he felt sorry for her? Work ethics out of the picture.

Next, Yoon Jin Sook's character is sigh. I personally did not like her character at all. Her character came a little too naive and dumb? I was really anticipate a plot twist where she had a little more impact apart from how skilled she is in burglary. Was so disappointing.

What I really really couldn't understand is why the hell Ho Tae helped Jin Sook to clear her charges and name. Just for love? Really? Ugh. Maybe it was me that hasn't watch much rom-com but I really couldn't understand his judgement on this one. Why can't he just arrest her and helped her reduce her sentence or something? Major disappointment.  

As for the comedy part, I think yeah, there was time when I really really laugh. But for the other comedy scenes, they just managed to get me to chuckle. And that's it. I don't think this movie fit my taste so I don't think I will re-watch this again. However, you guys may enjoy this movie more than I did, let me know if you are!



For more movie reviews, please visit 'Movie Reviews' on the menu tab !

-thes

Tuesday 12 January 2021

Innocent Witness

January 12, 2021 6 Comments
Assalamualaikum, good day dearest! So, I have like, few days gap in between my papers so I decided to have a little visit to my fellow bloggers, it's been so long since I last blogwalking and I'm missing it. Anyway, here is a little movie review update! I watched this movie like in November last year, lol.




Title : Innocent Witness, Witness
Runtime : 129 minutes
Genre : Drama, Crime
Country / Language : South Korea/Korean
Released year : 2019
Director : Lee Han
Writer : Moon Ji Won, Lee Han
Cast : Jung Woo Sung, Kim Hyang Gi
Plot : 

Soon Ho is a lawyer. Even though he is working for a big firm, he is not getting big pay. One day, his boss asked him to be a lawyer for a pro-bono case. A murder/suicide case where he need to defend his client, a woman in her 40s who worked as housemaid. The victim is a man in his 80s who is also the house owner where the woman work. The suspect argued that it was suicide case and she is only trying to help her master from committing suicide. Her statement, however, was contradicting with a witness, Ji Woo, a 15 years old autistic girl who lives across road. She claims that the housemaid is killing the old man and staged it as suicide. Soon Ho met Ji Woo for her statement and to prove his client is innocent.

SPOILER ALERT

I came to know of this movie when I watch the trailer on YouTube and I have been waiting since then. But me being me, I delayed watching and here we are, a year later! This movie is heart warming with a strong message and it is so close to our reality. Every person argued that they could not take Ji Woo's statement as she is still a child and not to mention an autistic, which they believe is mentally incapable. That mindset, stigma was so unnecessary in this society but it is still relevant to some. How sad.

Soon Ho was assigned to the case to improve their firm's reputation on the public and he also wanted to get a promotion after working as a lawyer for a long time. But, as he spent time with Ji Woo, he actually enjoyed her company and he begin to understand her world. That however, didn't stop him from believing that his client is innocent and Ji Woo is mistaken. He had Ji Woo to stand on the witness stand and had spoke some insensitive words to her after spending so much fun time together. 

I don't usually focus on the character development but I couldn't help to notice in this movie. During the time they spent together, Soon Ho became more understanding and he somehow, found his way back to his real intention becoming a lawyer. From a unhappy lawyer who struggle to care for his father and pay for his debt, he slowly become happier and more appreciating. Ji Woo had found courage to face people and begin to accept that she is special on her own way. The old Ji Woo would try to fit in the 'normal' way so that people can accept her more but after making the decision to stand on the trial again, she finally accept the way she is.

For me, this movie is in between light and heavy as it is. I am not overwhelming with so much drama but it was not a flowery road either. The fact that Ji Woo is a witness to a possible murder case itself is heavy but the road to justice was not so much. I think it balances out with one another. It however, plays with my emotion really well. I was so much sad when Soon Ho turned his back on Ji Woo during the first trial. I was also so confused on who is right because Ji Woo could be mistaken and the suspect was telling the truth. But then the suspect could lied, it was so confusing! 

I really really enjoyed this movie. It helps me to understand the world of other people a little deeper. We should always bear in mind that, we are all different and we are all special.


For more movie reviews, please visit 'Movie Reviews' on the menu tab !

-thes

Friday 8 January 2021

Two Ow Two One (2021)

January 08, 2021 6 Comments

 Assalamualaikum, good day everyone! I hope it's not too late to say a 'Happy New Year' to you! I've been so busy last few months, hence, little to no updates. However, I've tons of draft that need to be constructed, edited and published. I am starting my first ever online test next Monday. Wish me luck!

source: pinterest.com


I am constantly praying that this situation will calm down soon enough (with the Covid-19, flood and everything that happening right now). We are all in this together, don't ever lose hope and again, pray, pray and pray.

-thes