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Quad (2020)
Just what I needed
A hidden treasure! I have recently suffered a minor but significant injury, and this film was just what I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself. My favorite character is Yevgeniya; she is so real, so magical. Adam is your typical I-can-have-my-cake-and-eat-it-too kind of guy, but his resolve is shaken, and he has to come to terms with what he cannot do, before he can discover that there is a whole wide world waiting for him. I would recommend this film to everyone who is going through or struggling with life-altering changes.
Le peuple migrateur (2001)
A promise kept
Le peuple migrateur is one of the best wildlife documentaries I have ever seen. It reminds me that life does not begin (or end) with Homo sapiens. Other species are, by definition, the Other. They have their own stories, histories, and destinies. Do humans really want to take responsibility for the continued existence, or irreversible destruction, of the beauty, strength and endurance that transcend them? On a different note, Nick Cave's song To Be by Your Side brings to mind another song about longing: Love Will Be Restored from the Chinese television drama Ice Fantasy. Both songs are perfect for those who want to hope for better things, but are afraid to do so. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned from the migrating birds: with or without hope, life goes on.
Colossal (2016)
Not everyone's cup of tea
Would you like to see a movie about Godzilla-sized monsters in Seul? Or a story about a woman with extraordinary powers? How about a heroic tale of sacrifice? If your answer is yes, this movie is not for you. It is, nonetheless, a great movie. Anne Hathaway's performance is outstanding. She makes her character gloriously real. Jason Sudeikis succeeds wonderfully in bringing about Oscar's monstrous transformation. I was happy to see Dan Stevens, even if in a minor role. But the monster? Well, the monster is not really an issue. In the end, I cannot help but feel that this is a movie about alcoholism, abusive relationships, and feminism. And I am disappointed that a woman has to possess the physical strength of a monster to be able to stand up to a male abuser. That is, for me, the most fantastical part of the plot. To sum up: two schoolmates, two toys, two places, one time, one mysterious force that sets the wheels in motion, self-hate, the fear of being unimportant, toxic friends, bullying, and mind control. You know, the usual.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Madness galore
Indeed, the Multiverse is mad. Its laws are mysterious and illogical. It is full of improbable coincidences, showing us that most things do not matter, not all people are meant to be together, and the only ones who take life seriously are the dead. There is more horror, colors and failure than anyone thought possible, not to mention powerful and dangerous books, read only by villains. "Don't trust what you read, kid, trust yourself." That is the message, and I am not sure that I like it. Other than that, it is a fantastic movie and I enjoyed every second of it, especially the scary parts. As it turns out, reason and mercy are in direct correlation with power and desire. The more you want something, the less reasonable you become. The more powerful you are, the more your mercy starts to resemble cruelty. Thank you, Scarlet Witch.
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)
Wonderful!
I have just seen Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. I have eight things to say. Spoilers ahead! One. A Niffler is basically a weapon of mass decoration, and you can always count on Teddy to keep his priorities straight. Two. There is no such thing as a maximum security prison when it comes to Pickett, and that is why he is my favourite Bowtruckle. Three. A Qilin is like a Hippogriff: both species are very polite and know exactly who they are dealing with. Four. Mads Mikkelsen is wonderful, but isn't he always? I can see exactly why, when they were both young and reckless, Albus Dumbledore fell in love with Gellert Grindelwald. Five. Dumbledore is, more than anything, lonely. It is this loneliness that defines him more than his brilliance, love or guilt. I knew Jude Law was good, but he portrays Dumbledore perfectly. Six. I thought the Qilin was going to choose Newt Scamander or, better yet, Jacob Kowalski. Wouldn't that be fun? Seven. I was hoping that at the end, Newt would announce that his next project was to free the Manticore guarding the Erkstag. Can you imagine what that poor creature must be going through? Cramped living conditions, no sunlight, improper nutrition. It goes against everything Newt stands for. Eight. When Jacob started looking for his ring, I was sure that Teddy had something to do with it. Luckily, I was wrong. All in all, an amazing film about magic in all its forms.
Zhen hun (2018)
The best surprise ever
Guardian is without a doubt the most uplifting, inspiring story of friendship and love I have ever seen. When I started watching the series, I thought it was going to be fun, but I had no expectations beyond that. The first thing that caught my attention was the soundtrack: subtle and powerful, perfectly suited for the plot and the characters. I am sad to say that other technical aspects of the production do not match up. The dubbing is not what it should be, and the computer animation is substandard. But all that is as nothing compared to the amazing work of Bai Yu and Zhu Yilong. In my mind, Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are immortal, just like James T. Kirk and Spock, or Old Shatterhand and Winnetou, or John Watson and Sherlock Holmes. If I happen to become a fictional character in my next life, I will make sure to thank them with all my heart.
The Starry Night, the Starry Sea (2017)
Simply the best
The Starry Night, the Starry Sea is my favourite Chinese drama. The cast is great, the acting is superb, the visuals are stunning, and the soundtrack is beautiful. The first season, set in modern times, is light-hearted and full of humour, adorable and silly all at the same time. The second season is actually a prequel, set in ancient times. It is dark by comparison, with more tension, passion and violence. It also includes the best choreographed fight scene I have ever seen. At the end, you will want to go back to the beginning. You will wish with all your heart for the third season. You will never again look at the ocean and see only water.