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Reviews
American Born Chinese (2023)
Like Xiao Long Bao Perfection
3rd culture.
I first heard this term, strolling down a city in California, on my way to a trending dessert shop. Admittedly, I was fascinated by the name itself.
"What could that have meant?"
I got the Asian part. The American too. But what could be the "3rd"?
Asian-American.
I was dumbfounded how simple the answer was. I anticipated a more complex or clever meaning behind it, I never expected it be be the combination of the two.
And that's when it hit me.
I always looked at my Asian-American heritage as just that, two separate identities melded forcibly together.
I never saw it as a fusion of something entirely new--coexisting as a separate harmonius identity.
Why bring this up, you might say?
Well, this so called "3rd culture" is the very driving force behind the show, American Born Chinese.
Now, there is a lot going on in this show. So much so, that it teeters on the edge of chaos. It juggles so many other themes and side stories around, that a small misstep could tear the whole thing a part. Like a good Xiao Long Bao. Delicate, but delicious. Risky hot soup, but rewarding flavor.
All in just 8 episodes!?
Truly a masterpiece that is worth the effort and time.
At the end of the day, it's not going to be for everyone. Asian or not.
And to that I say, more XLB for the rest of us!
Enola Holmes 2 (2022)
The game is...ambitious, but still fun
It's a sequel folks. Where "more" is key.
More romance.
More wittyness.
More explosions.
And I'm sure somewhere in the movie, Vin Diesel is spiraling mid-air in his car. "Yeah baby".
While you get more of what you might love, that's also a bit of the movie's weak point.
I was really looking forward in watching Enola grow as a character this time around, but everyone else around seemed to level up instead.
That's not to say there aren't moments of growth, but where's the hard lesson learned? Moments of deep reflection?
Not to mention that any of Enola's shortcomings are really just strengths disguised as weaknesses.
All of this, seemingly done better in the first movie.
So while it was a fun ride,
In the words of the mighty racing God, Mr. Diesel:
"You almost had me? You never had me. You never had your car."
*Side note: I feel like this entry would do really well as a stage production?
Baburu (2022)
Hardcore Parkour!
An entertaining modern take on a classic fairytale, filled to the brim with typical anime tropes and archetypes. You either love it or hate it.
Elements of the narrative are told so well, without the need for extensive explanation, defining the meaning of magic and wonder.
Yet certain plot/character points came off shallow, because it needed further development--and would have worked better omitted.
Animation is top-tier from start to finish, and certain moments feel like they were taken straight from a Makoto Shinkai film.
A few thematic choices made me scratch my head, but can be forgivable.
Verdict: Go watch it.
And go watch the unrelated "Words Bubble up Like Soda Pop".
PARKOUR!
Cider no yô ni kotoba ga wakiagaru (2020)
Shimmering night sky, Summer feelings ebb and flow, Timid hearts set free
A charming tale of finding courage among fear and insecurity.
This is a character driven story.
It's about personal growth, and the challenges to get there. So, don't expect an intricate plot with twists and turns.
It's simple, like apple pie. And I love me some apple pie.
There are examples of masterclass level animation, from an exciting chase scene to the way someone puts on a facemask.
This is a movie I would happily add to my collection.
Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)
Space Jam!? More like Space Spam...
Or or or....like,
A Waste of.... SPACE.
Don Cheadle is fun though.
The writers do try with a slightly deeper plot than the original.
LeBron. If the dude can't act, give him fewer lines and spotlight the Tunes instead.
But the King must have his way. Tyranny I say.
Reminiscence (2021)
Whew, tough crowd...
Detective fiction is my jam, and this movie has that noir-genre feel to it.
Reminded me of my first playthrough of Max Payne.
Unpopular opinion, I wish it was slightly longer--so it could play with pacing and development more.
Like honestly, I would love it if it was a book.
Movie is a talkie though, so if you're expecting spectacle on the level of adamantium claws or circus singing & dancing, better brace yourself.
Underwater (2020)
One where you root for the villian.
I'll be honest.
I don't like Kristen Stewart, or anything that she's done.
That aside.
I can't help but feel the science is...off.
I know pressure is a real danger in diving--but people literally explode as if they had C4 strapped to their suits--their 140lb deep diving suit literally disintegrates.
Well, wouldn't be a real action(?) movie without an explosion or two.
Also, half the movie looks like it was shot using a selfie stick.
Should've just made it a Riddick movie.
Into the Badlands (2015)
Writing plateaued but still worth your time!
The first 16 episodes are spectacular. 10/10
Marton Csokas (Quinn) plays a captivating antagonist that hooks you in, as the world and other characters take their time to develop.
A great contrast to Daniel Wu's (Sunny) cool and stoic main.
Hong Kong cinema level choreography performed with amazing athleticism, complete with wirework and gravity defying feats.
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The next 16 episodes, however, starts to show signs of fatigue and redundancy--hammering the theme of corruption and power in our heads for the millionth time.
World/plot rules set forth are broken without exploration creating inconsistencies and rushed developments.
Worst of all, the series' finale leaves us with a feeling that mirrors the ridiculousness of Dragon Ball Z.
Everything doesn't need to be explained and it isn't, and the over-the-top fantasy is great when utilized well.
But if there was a 4th season, I wouldn't be surprised if characters started flying around, shooting lasers from their fingers. Gotta stop somewhere, can't always up the ante.
And uh, yo...MK.
Writers must hate him for some reason.
The Forest (2016)
Long loooooong man!
Sudden craving for Sakeru Gummy...
What kind of movie was this supposed to be?
-I found the forest to be actually quite beautiful, aside from the sad reputation it has.
So even 'creepy' shots just look like some nature documentary.
-The yurei are zombies for some reason *shrug
-Culturally ignorant American scoffs at superstition, but brags about psychic connection with sister? Oookay~
-Protagonist goes to a SUSHI restaurant and asks for cooked food. (Granted not all sushi is raw, but honestly...what are you expecting)
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Movie gets 2 stars.
1 for the nature.
1 for Yukiyoshi Ozawa.
Final Fantasy XV (2016)
Brilliant game, cheated potential
This game has such a rich, complex story, and fair character development to boot.
Unfortunately, not all of it is in the base game.
It's why so many feel the game is incomplete.
As a fan, I love extra content that adds to an already amazing experience. FFXV is not an example of that.
A few issues I had with the game:
1.) Sidequests need a reason to exist, even if it's shaky. Like the chocobo ranch or armiger quests. Otherwise, why would the protagonist postpone saving the world?
2.) Instead of a "slideshow", events of "Kingsglaive" should have been a side quest/story chapter.
3.) Cast needs more in-game development. Anime is great, novels too--but game should reference that.
It's a solid game, but you really have to invest some time in and out of it.
The game starts in the middle of the entire FFXV narrative.
So at a bare minimum, I recommend watching the anime OVAs and Kingsglaive movie before playing the game.