[Rearview Mirror 2020] Documentaries

 

In the series of 2020 reviews, first - documentaries. I have watched 83 documentaries, both standalone movies and several-part series. I count 6-part series as one documentary though. You can say I have watched 83 titles.

This is just in case someone wants to watch something.

 

BBC Autumnwatch 2020 Part 4

In this episode we learned about the imported grey squirrels pushing the red squirrels, native to Europe, from their habitsts (sadly it's happening everywhere) and natural methods of culling the greys' population. There was a whole, wonderful segment on the life of an oak. Also - how a spider's legs work.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 24: If you had to sum up your year 2020 with a picture from a scene from a drama you watched in 2020, what would it be?

Well, if we're talking about one pic...

 

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 23: Which drama had the best soundtrack?

Impossible to chose just one. Many dramas had one or two, or twelve pieces I liked, so I'll present just a sample. 

KBS Drama Special 2020: My Lilac

 

This is an homage to Super Junior's immortal choreo.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 22: Which actors would you like to see collaborate again in a new drama?

A little cheating never hurt... oh wait.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 21: Which secondary character stole the show from the protagonist?

I'm not sure if it's "stole" per se, or rather equally engaging.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 20: What scene have you watched several times?

I have to admit to my chagrin - way too many but I don't have them saved. Especially the funny moments in various series.

BBC Autumnwatch 2020 Part 3

Again, this is a highly talkative show that gives lots of information about the local environmental issues, but I managed to snap few pics.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 19: Which characters had the best womance?

As with the previous day, this one is problematic. I don't count Be Melodramatic here because we had siblings.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 18: Which characters had the best bromance?

 

It's weird, but this and Day 19 are really hard for me. Mostly because in the series I've seen there was a great mixed group dynamic, with less gender-specific relationships.

Or I forgot something. This could be the case.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 17: Which drama no one talked about did you love discovering?

Since I missed on the, apparently, eons in dramawatching history, this year I watched some shows that aired in the past and maybe then they garnered some buzz but it wasn't mine to witness. Especially the mini-series, which I will not count here.

Anyway, here it goes.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 16: Which character could you have fallen in love with?

Hmm, this is something to consider.

Saturday Poetry Corner 53: No Help For That

Today, a poem by Charles Bukowski

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 15: Which drama had the best directing?

As for me there was only one winner.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 14: Which character gave you chills?

There are some people.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 13: Which actor took the most risks in a role?

I'm not sure if that was a risk per se, but a significant departure from the usual suave emploi.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 12: For which character did you feel the most pain?

There are few characters.

BBC Autumnwatch 2020 Part 2

Not many screenshots from this episode as it was mostly talk and explaining, etc.

KBS Drama Special 2020: The Reason Not to Confess

This season of DS is slow and meditative and this episode can be summed up with: good things come to those who wait.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 11: Which actor was your revelation this year?

 

For some it's not going to be any surprise. There was one actor who came and swept me off in the role of a slightly deranged member of a weird cult.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 10: What drama made you laugh the most?

 

Most of the dramas I watched in 2020 were of the heavier caliber, and maybe I missed on some good comedies out there but here we are.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 9: What drama made you cry the most?

 

I usually don't cry while watching dramas (or movies), but some titles had me emotionally perturbed this year.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 8: Which antagonist did you prefer?

Yes, there is one. 

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 7: Which couple did you love?

 

Oh boy, again it was easy.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 6: Which drama was a disappointment?

 

Oh boy, this time it was easy.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 5: Which character had the best smile?

 

There were a lot of pretty smiles in 2020 to somehow make this year bearable. 

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 4: Which drama offered the most innovative scenario?

 

 Actually many dramas had something that could be classified as innovative, something that wasn't seen or used before.

 

BBC Autumnwatch 2020 Part 1

Autumnwatch 2020 takes us to 4 locations: southern tip of the island, the middle part, Scotland and Wales.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 3: Which pair of actors shared the most perfect chemistry?

So today I present you some of the best chemistry that graced my screen this past year. Just had to keep it clean and simple, so of course due to the process of the natural selection only few remained.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 2: If you could get a drama character’s wardrobe for free, which one would it be?

In my case the answer is pretty simple - a sageuk. Because otherwise I really don't pay any attention to fashion in dramas.

KBS Drama Special 2020: The Joys and Sorrows of Work

 

This was the short story in which nothing of any magnitude happened and yet so much happened.

[Advent Drama Calendar 2020] Day 1: Which drama was your favorite of the year?

 

Again this year I am participating in the wonderful project created by Luthien (big thank YOU for your questions). This is a great way to reflect back on the year of watched dramas.

 

Enchanted Forest (2020)

 

 I have to say, Doclights/ZDF documentaries quickly moved into my top 10 movies this year. It's not heavily sensationalized, overly dramatic or full of gimmicks like other companies (PBS, I'm looking at you). The narration is calm but explains everything that needs to be explain with a dash of humor.

KBS Drama Special 2020: To My Assailant/The Teacher

 

This was an uncomfortable watch, if I am to be honest, and knowing KBS DS, the ending could swing in any direction. I was so glad it went that way.

TV Series Opening 52: The Cursed (2020)

 

This time - an opening from the Korean horror/supernatural drama The Cursed. 

Saturday Poetry Corner 52: Kim Sowol's Poems

Daecheong Lake

Today, a handful of poems by Kim Sowol - one of the most beloved poets in Korea. 

KBS Drama Special 2020: Crevasse

 

This was a story about two people and their lives ruined by the past, cowardice and passion.

 

TV Series Opening 51: My Country

Some time ago it appeared as the trailer introduced here. This time - the amazing opening.

Album Cover Part 4

 

Today, albums featuring celestial bodies or space on the cover. No Holst's Planets.

TV Series Opening 50: Search (2020)

 

Since I couldn't find the official one, I cut it to make one.

Enjoy the creepy foghorn.

KBS Drama Special 2020: Modern Girl

And KBS Drama Special 2020 kicked off... after leaving us stranded with the previous season and unfinished episodes. However, it started with a strong message - that no one has the power to decide your own future but yourself.

 

Islands of Wonder 3/3: Hawaii (2020)

 

In this episode we witnessed the disappearance of the Hawaii archipelago, the oldest bird in the wild (a 67-yo female albatross named Wisdom), fish that can climb upwards the waterfall, and humpback whales that come to Hawaii for winter.

I'd love to do that as well.

New Taiwan Music 2020

A handful of songs that have caught my attention in 2020. Some were released earlier, but it's been a while I posted anything about Taiwanese music.

Saturday Poetry Corner 51: November poems

 

Today, three assorted poems describing November.

 

Album Cover Part 3

In this episode - album covers featuring nature. I know, there are lots of those, so I had to do a harsh selection. In addition to first post rules, this one also doesn't feature: humans, Deep Forest albums and SHINee. Why SHINee you may ask? Well, they ARE the natural marvel, so...

 

[Movie Review] The Odd Family - Zombie On Sale (2019)

 

This movie was sponsored by LSD. Which is actually quite beautiful.

Islands of Wonder 2/3: Borneo (2020)

 

In this episode we visited Borneo - and its inhabitants. Like gliding reptiles (over 20 species), pitcher plants that feed on insects or bat's guano, orangutans who know what and how to apply for arthritis, and a dwarf forest with dwarfed trees.

Islands of Wonder 1/3: Madagascar (2020)

 

If you thought Australia was weird - meet the Madagascar menagerie: a pelican spider that hunts other spiders (and looks like a pelican too), a tenrec that can produce a litter of 35, and in danger rubs spikes on their back to sound the alarm (the largest litter of all the mammals and the only one that does this kind of warning), a tiny chameleon that lives for 4 months only, aye-aye with one creepy finger from your worst nightmares...

Saturday Poetry Corner 50: A Litany for Survival

 

Originally I wanted to post a different poem but couldn't find the English translation. Which is too bad, because this poem evoked the Autumnal rain so perfectly.