Extreme Stretch of Similarity

Ask yourself, what makes a series or movie worth the watch.

Is it well written, does it have compelling characters and plot, does it captivate you and invite you into their story?

Do you care?

Clearly there is more to it than one single recipe, we like spice we need change, we want to be surprised and so much more. Over all we wish to be entertained.

If you enjoy watching Movies, I recommend you try a T.V. series of similar taste. It is like pairing a precocious wine with a zingy cheese or sipping Frothy Beer with a juicy burger. They are just made for each other. Feel free to substitute a pizza to go with either beverage.

I don’t ask this lightly, do you consider yourself a person who likes to be adventurous and open minded, do you enjoy broadening your entertainment portfolio?

Then I have a treat for you.

Break out of the familiar shows you normally watch. Sit back relax and expand your visual library. I have recommendations that I hope you will enjoy.

Experience the extremes of similarities.

Sometimes its nice to try something different. I will explain as best I can without spoilers. Surprise is best revealed at the time of watching.

At the end I will explain a little more of why I chose the series .

First- The Movie.

If you like- Ready Player one

A unique spin of Ernest Cline’s sci fi novel adapted by Director Steven Spielberg. This movie gives us a vision of virtual reality multi player entertainment. Taking gaming to a level that in truth isn’t that far off.

By Playing the game, it offers rewards and riches for the common people, and a way to perhaps better their lives. When the developer dies and leaves a trail of clues or ‘Easter eggs’ for the players to find, offering one hell of a prize to the victor.

Of course, there is a nemesis, competing against our hero, you need that in any good thriller.

The movie does a good job blending animation with reality as a visual concept. It brings the viewer into the actual lives of the main character and shows us what he sees when he plays the game.

Yes, it has action, Avatars, heroes and villains. Fans of the book were not completely sold on the movie. But you cannot deny the entertainment and CGI value that was shown to the audiences. I think it was well done and as a viewer we were rewarded with a great story.

There is a rumor that a follow up book is in the works:

The Ready Player Two Novel Plot Is Revealed, But What About A Sequel?

Now- Extremes of Similarity

Therefore, if you liked that, then:

Watch - Memories of the Alhambra 2017 - 2 seasons

Created by Jinnie Choi and Lee Ayung-han

Courtesy - Netflix

This is a South Korean tv series with two seasons.

Yes, it has subtitles

*Before you stop scrolling, remember you said you are an adventurous and open minded individual

This is listed as a romance, in truth that isn’t the main plot at all. This is An Action fantasy thriller. that takes you on a mystery adventure.

The series has you quickly captivated with the theme and plot. The subtitles are so easily absorbed by your mind that you don’t even notice them after a short while.

The premise:

A company has created an AR (Augmented Reality) game, accessed by specialized contact lens that lets you play the game anywhere. Think 'Pokémon Go' on steroids. The Game, at the beginning of the story, has not yet launched, it has the capability to be played anywhere in the world and Avatars can pop up at any time. This game is so revolutionary that it is worth Billions, unfortunately there is a minor Glitch, well in truth a major glitch.

The action begins and mostly taking place in Spain- Alhambra, it does move to other parts of the world.

The young developer of the game goes missing, but not before making a very interesting phone call to an Investor. The investor flies to Alhambra to meet the young developer, but instead finds himself caught up in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Along with the developer's sister, they follow clues that will hopefully lead them to the young creator of the game. But there is more to this story than just finding a missing person, there are powerful people also hunting to find him and they will do anything for the money this new game will generate.

The only way for our hero to succeed is to play the game, once in can he get out?

This game, once activated, immerses the user into the AR world, anywhere you are is the screen. Imagine characters in video games popping up beside you while you stroll in the park, (W.O.W. fans would love this I'm sure)

A statue may come to life, you will need to battle and defeat it, along with other avatars. You could be in a restaurant when suddenly a Samurai Warrior shows up to challenge you. All the while, the patrons watch a seemingly crazy individual battle the air. Only the player views what is happening. So, be prepared to summon your weapon to defeat the foe.

This is how you level up to ultimately beat the game. But remember there is a deadly glitch.

On a side note, should this game ever become a reality; before you do battle in a restaurant, please pay your bill and be sure to tip your server.

There are holes in the story, that is almost always inevitable with a Sci fi / fantasy story. But most are answered in the end, and frankly isn’t that why we have imaginations.

Keep in mind this is a T.V. series, the effects and CGI, while good are not big screen production. I do like the chemistry between the actors, as well as the plot. I found this to be visually and emotionally rewarding.

There is a small degree of George R.R. Martin style (Game of Thrones), Lets just say, no character is safe.

If you enjoy Ready Player One and Memories of the Alhambra then:

First- The Movie:

If you like- Dead Zone – 1983

www.themoviedb.org

Based on the Stephen King Novel and Directed by David Cronenberg.

Starring: Christopher Walken (need I say more)

This beautifully written, acted and Directed movie is a must see for those of you with an interest in the paranormal.

Premise:

An Ordinary man, Johnny Smith, gets involved in a serious car accident causing him to fall into a coma, for over five years. When he finally awakens, he realizes his old life is gone. Everyone moved on, his girlfriend is married and has a family. They continued to live a normal existence, while he was alone in his coma, such is life.

However, Johnny also discovers that he has a psychic power, or curse, depending on your view. When he makes contact with certain people, he receives disturbing visions. He see's things that are life and death related. These supernatural, real world dilemma's cause conflicting moral thoughts on whether or not Johnny should act upon his visons. Can he change the future or the outcome of an event?

Truly one of the best adaptations of a Stephen King Novel

NOTE: there is also a Television series Dead Zone 2002-2007

Starring: Anthony Michael Hall

I have only seen three or four episodes so I cannot give an opinion on the series.

Now-Extremes of Similarity

Therefore, if you liked that, then:

Watch- Black 2017

Created by – I will Media, Studio Dragon

Courtesy - Netflix

Black | Netflix Official Site / Netflix .com

This too is a South Korean T.V. Series, only this is a darker story, more along the lines of a tale with the Grim Reaper walking among us:

Premise:

A man who deals with the dead, a woman who see’s death. They need each other to survive, but how can they when their worlds are different? Also, their paths were never meant to cross, at least not until the end of one's life.

A detective (Black) possessed by the Grim Reaper is forced to search for his fugitive ex-partner. Crossing the barrier of life and death to enter back into the world of the living. He teams up with a young woman (Ha-Ram) who has visions of how people will die when she meets them. (What a horrible super power). Throughout the search Black finds out who he was before he became the Grimm Reaper.

The story takes you on a time travel trip of a 20-year-old unsolved murder and crime. Where we see that many of the sins of the past are tied together, and it will only get worse if the two of them cannot work together to solve a riddle. They are also trying to save the souls of certain individuals who have broken the law of 'Heaven'.

There are different elements that intersect within the show, supernatural, romance, thriller and fantasy. One of the dilemmas is that because the Reaper/ Detective begins to fall in love he needs to break the rules and the code of his job, and yes, being the Grimm reaper is his job.

This series is well acted and has many plot twists, the music adds a beautiful touch and ambience to the scenes. The opening scenes sets the mood immediately.

Prologue:

Why am I recommending Korean shows?

- It is because they have conclusions. There is nothing worse than getting caught up in a series only to have it stop without any finalization, no closure. As the viewer, now you will see the end of a story, and not have it yanked out of your viewing capability due to cancellation.

Both these shows, ‘Memory of the Alhambra’ and ‘Black ' Left options for further series, but they did conclude the story line that was presented.

Both Shows, at this time of writing, are available on Netflix. In my mind a lifesaving streaming service in this time of lockdown and limited access to the outside world.

I hope you give these a chance, if you haven’t already.

Enjoy.