Activity Calendar (Jan 1, 2022 - Dec 31, 2022)
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Seek flowers within ruins
Alice in Borderland Season 2
0★★★★★6.302022 / Japan / Action Sci-Fi Mystery Thriller Fantasy / Directed by Shinsuke Sato / Starring Kento Yamazaki, Tao Tsuchiya
Watched Dec 29, 2022|Poor★★★★★Couldn't even continue after the first episode. What on earth did they make? Exaggerated expressions at every turn, only the protagonist survives as everyone else dies randomly. The invincibility aura is on full blast, people flip cars, crawl out and walk away, with a savior complex popping up frequently alongside vacant flashbacks. Guys stuff hands in pockets even when running away, girls are in pristine tank tops and bikinis, with smooth skin and silky hair. While the ultimate question remains intriguing, the mystery is gone, the screenwriters became lazy with the details. The crew let loose, carelessly arranging scenes, blatantly showcasing elements of violence, sex, and sentimentality to harvest revenue.
Watched Dec 29, 2022|Poor★★★★★Couldn't even continue after the first episode. What on earth did they make? Exaggerated expressions at every turn, only the protagonist survives as everyone else dies randomly. The invincibility aura is on full blast, people flip cars, crawl out and walk away, with a savior complex popping up frequently alongside vacant flashbacks. Guys stuff hands in pockets even when running away, girls are in pristine tank tops and bikinis, with smooth skin and silky hair. While the ultimate question remains intriguing, the mystery is gone, the screenwriters became lazy with the details. The crew let loose, carelessly arranging scenes, blatantly showcasing elements of violence, sex, and sentimentality to harvest revenue.
Alice in Borderland Season 1
0★★★★★8.002020 / Japan / Action Sci-Fi Mystery Thriller Fantasy / Directed by Shinsuke Sato / Starring Kento Yamazaki, Tao Tsuchiya
Watched Dec 28, 2022|Good★★★★★The mystery is excellent, quite innovative, and the Japanese cute and clumsy style can be awkward yet still very captivating, compelling one to binge-watch. What is more absurd is the underlying motive of this game, revealing one after another sociopally twisted individual descending into murderous madness? Also, there is a massive live-action underground operations team, and they get completely wiped out? Nonetheless, this piece accurately knows its identity as an exhilarating drama. The male lead commandeers all the spotlight with scenes filled to the brim with flashy displays of the torso, hips, legs, and wanton killing, disregarding morality, law, and reason. This type of sensationalism centered entertainment is thrilling indeed, but uncomfortably so.
Watched Dec 28, 2022|Good★★★★★The mystery is excellent, quite innovative, and the Japanese cute and clumsy style can be awkward yet still very captivating, compelling one to binge-watch. What is more absurd is the underlying motive of this game, revealing one after another sociopally twisted individual descending into murderous madness? Also, there is a massive live-action underground operations team, and they get completely wiped out? Nonetheless, this piece accurately knows its identity as an exhilarating drama. The male lead commandeers all the spotlight with scenes filled to the brim with flashy displays of the torso, hips, legs, and wanton killing, disregarding morality, law, and reason. This type of sensationalism centered entertainment is thrilling indeed, but uncomfortably so.
The Heike Story
0★★★★★★8.802021 / Japan / Drama, Animation, Period / Naoko Yamada / Aoi Yūki, Takahiro Sakurai
Watched Dec 26, 2022Watched Dec 26, 2022Amélie
0★★★★★★8.702001 / France Germany / Drama Comedy Romance / Jean-Pierre Jeunet / Audrey Tautou Mathieu Kassovitz
Watched Dec 22, 2022|Average★★★★★Amélie has a sensitive inner world, breathing life into a rich fantasy realm filled with romanticism. A fortuitous event leads her to discover a box hidden for forty years at the base of a wall, sparking her wonderful spirit of benevolence and justice. The positive feedback she receives inspires her to continue her chivalrous deeds. She fantasizes about her beloved appearing just when she needs him the most, and sure enough, fate delivers him right to her doorstep. The fragile, precious, fragmented, and fortunate beauty that only exists in films is realized.
Watched Dec 22, 2022|Average★★★★★Amélie has a sensitive inner world, breathing life into a rich fantasy realm filled with romanticism. A fortuitous event leads her to discover a box hidden for forty years at the base of a wall, sparking her wonderful spirit of benevolence and justice. The positive feedback she receives inspires her to continue her chivalrous deeds. She fantasizes about her beloved appearing just when she needs him the most, and sure enough, fate delivers him right to her doorstep. The fragile, precious, fragmented, and fortunate beauty that only exists in films is realized.
The Piano
0★★★★★8.101993 / New Zealand Australia France / Drama Romance Music / Jane Campion / Holly Hunter Harvey Keitel
Watched Dec 21, 2022|Excellent★★★★★Ada, who doesn't conform to society, has built walls around her own world. The mother and daughter, both eccentric and aloof, are unpopular and forced to marry off far away. Ada marries Stewart, a stingy and tactless man, but then meets George, a burly, gentle, and understanding man. George's tenderness, his use of power to subdue women, and his moral torment lead Ada through a struggle between obedience and resistance, eventually breaking down her walls and accepting George. Her reminiscent attachment to the piano, her act of defiant betrayal, and declaration of love leave a lasting impression. When Stewart, in pursuit of a land deal, forces her to stay alone with another man, he loses by his own greed. Yet, in the end, he voluntarily gives up, making way for the couple. The complexity of human nature is fully displayed.
Watched Dec 21, 2022|Excellent★★★★★Ada, who doesn't conform to society, has built walls around her own world. The mother and daughter, both eccentric and aloof, are unpopular and forced to marry off far away. Ada marries Stewart, a stingy and tactless man, but then meets George, a burly, gentle, and understanding man. George's tenderness, his use of power to subdue women, and his moral torment lead Ada through a struggle between obedience and resistance, eventually breaking down her walls and accepting George. Her reminiscent attachment to the piano, her act of defiant betrayal, and declaration of love leave a lasting impression. When Stewart, in pursuit of a land deal, forces her to stay alone with another man, he loses by his own greed. Yet, in the end, he voluntarily gives up, making way for the couple. The complexity of human nature is fully displayed.
Sorry We Missed You
0★★★★★★8.502019 / UK France Belgium / Drama Family / Ken Loach / Kris Hitchen Debbie Honeywood
Watched Dec 20, 2022|Excellent★★★★★It's so distressing to watch that any language seems demeaning in the face of such merciless and miserable lives. Life and living here seem heavier than ever. Is there a way out? Where is it? Fortunately, the film cuts abruptly, sparing us the dread of imagining what comes next. But in reality, is there such a timely relief? The future looks bleak, undisciplined children adding to the trouble, manipulative, selfish bosses who say it's all for your good. Yet, we continue to get up and work. Life feels like a march towards the gallows. And before reaching the gallows, we comfort ourselves that everything will get better.
Watched Dec 20, 2022|Excellent★★★★★It's so distressing to watch that any language seems demeaning in the face of such merciless and miserable lives. Life and living here seem heavier than ever. Is there a way out? Where is it? Fortunately, the film cuts abruptly, sparing us the dread of imagining what comes next. But in reality, is there such a timely relief? The future looks bleak, undisciplined children adding to the trouble, manipulative, selfish bosses who say it's all for your good. Yet, we continue to get up and work. Life feels like a march towards the gallows. And before reaching the gallows, we comfort ourselves that everything will get better.
The Double Life of Veronique
0★★★★★8.401991 / France Poland Norway / Drama Romance Fantasy / Krzysztof Kieślowski / Irène Jacob Halina Gręgorzewska
Watched Dec 19, 2022|Poor★★★★★Dull, boring, and self-indulgent. As another version of myself became evident, it kicked off with whimsical fantasies. There's little logical causality, advancing the plot whimsically, creating fake romance and encounters. It attempts to stimulate the senses with some faded horror film colors, beautiful faces, exposed bodies, and unappealing sensuality, making it seem even cheaper.
Watched Dec 19, 2022|Poor★★★★★Dull, boring, and self-indulgent. As another version of myself became evident, it kicked off with whimsical fantasies. There's little logical causality, advancing the plot whimsically, creating fake romance and encounters. It attempts to stimulate the senses with some faded horror film colors, beautiful faces, exposed bodies, and unappealing sensuality, making it seem even cheaper.
Love in Prague
0★★★★★8.201988 / USA / Drama Romance / Philip Kaufman / Daniel Day-Lewis Juliette Binoche
Watched Dec 16, 2022|Excellent★★★★★An epic cinematic novel. Understanding of sexuality and changing social backgrounds form the basis of the characters' personalities and fates. Watching this movie made me understand the light and heavy in my eyes. The life of being loved and happy is beautiful, desirable, and worth it. Life unloved and unhappy is dark, meaningless, and not worth it. The protagonist's pain was almost suffocating in its despair, but gradually improved after moving to an estate in the countryside. At the ending, I really wished they kept driving or even ran out of the country, with the so-called death notice merely a distraction as part of a plan.
Watched Dec 16, 2022|Excellent★★★★★An epic cinematic novel. Understanding of sexuality and changing social backgrounds form the basis of the characters' personalities and fates. Watching this movie made me understand the light and heavy in my eyes. The life of being loved and happy is beautiful, desirable, and worth it. Life unloved and unhappy is dark, meaningless, and not worth it. The protagonist's pain was almost suffocating in its despair, but gradually improved after moving to an estate in the countryside. At the ending, I really wished they kept driving or even ran out of the country, with the so-called death notice merely a distraction as part of a plan.
Back to Back, Face to Face
0★★★★★★9.501994 / Mainland China, Hong Kong / Drama / Directed by Huang Jianxin, Yang Yazhou / Starring Niu Zhenhua, Lei Kesheng
Watched Dec 14, 2022|Excellent★★★★★An excellent portrayal of petty officialdom in China around the turn of the century. Characters leap vividly off the page. In a solemn courtyard beneath the cold city walls, there unfolds a continuous, smokeless battle of wits. The imposing eaves coldly watch the comings and goings, evoking the essence of iron camps with flowing troops. Power, like a wise servant with endless combat capability, is at the disposal of its master, wielded at will. People use it to gain everything they desire. The objects of this struggle, like power itself, seem intangible and unattainable; even once obtained, they are not held forever. Yet they are specific. Without it, there is only humiliation and destitution; with it, everything goes smoothly and as desired.
Watched Dec 14, 2022|Excellent★★★★★An excellent portrayal of petty officialdom in China around the turn of the century. Characters leap vividly off the page. In a solemn courtyard beneath the cold city walls, there unfolds a continuous, smokeless battle of wits. The imposing eaves coldly watch the comings and goings, evoking the essence of iron camps with flowing troops. Power, like a wise servant with endless combat capability, is at the disposal of its master, wielded at will. People use it to gain everything they desire. The objects of this struggle, like power itself, seem intangible and unattainable; even once obtained, they are not held forever. Yet they are specific. Without it, there is only humiliation and destitution; with it, everything goes smoothly and as desired.
Hey Handsome!!
0★★★★★★8.602022 / Japan / Comedy Family / Masatoshi Yamaguchi / Kōtarō Yoshida
Watched Dec 13, 2022|Good★★★★★A Japanese healing experience, filled with the delicacy and gender stereotypes typical of Japanese culture—lovable, snow-white females prominently displaying their bodies, being adorably clueless, or screaming sharply, listening and caring for home, yet never resorting to violence. What appears to be scenes of action are the most awkward in this movie. I wonder why such a peculiar sense of healing arises while watching it—it feels like a society that is very polite and gentle on the surface, not devoid of empathy. The strict rules, societal pressure, confinement in limited spaces, a beautiful but inescapable cage that inflicts trauma, thus seeking counsel and sympathy from those perceived higher in status. We need to keep living, following the path we've chosen. Keep pushing. Even if it's domestication, it genuinely wishes for your wellbeing—it's one of the elements that creates this unique sense of healing. Sadly, I sought healing from it and indeed found it. Whether it’s a distraction or something else, the tangled softness inside me eased a bit. Living a life that is painfully trapped, we can only cheerfully add some sunshine for ourselves. If not wanting to die, what else can we do? This is another contributing factor.
Watched Dec 13, 2022|Good★★★★★A Japanese healing experience, filled with the delicacy and gender stereotypes typical of Japanese culture—lovable, snow-white females prominently displaying their bodies, being adorably clueless, or screaming sharply, listening and caring for home, yet never resorting to violence. What appears to be scenes of action are the most awkward in this movie. I wonder why such a peculiar sense of healing arises while watching it—it feels like a society that is very polite and gentle on the surface, not devoid of empathy. The strict rules, societal pressure, confinement in limited spaces, a beautiful but inescapable cage that inflicts trauma, thus seeking counsel and sympathy from those perceived higher in status. We need to keep living, following the path we've chosen. Keep pushing. Even if it's domestication, it genuinely wishes for your wellbeing—it's one of the elements that creates this unique sense of healing. Sadly, I sought healing from it and indeed found it. Whether it’s a distraction or something else, the tangled softness inside me eased a bit. Living a life that is painfully trapped, we can only cheerfully add some sunshine for ourselves. If not wanting to die, what else can we do? This is another contributing factor.