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Reviews
Li Xiao Long chuan qi (2008)
Stays with you.
I didn't know this existed, just finished watching it this year 2024. I recently got into Bruce Lee after coming across a YouTube short that highlighted a past interview where he demonstrated his ungodly fast punches. Followed the rabbit hole to this gem on Netflix.
From episode 1 I was hooked. It is on a budget but it's homey and emotional and comforting like a favorite bowl of soup. Yellow Brat, even though he was an artistic liberty for the fiction bio, impacted me so much as a character. Turns out he specializes in martial arts and also acts in many movies (Li Bingyuan). I have a lot to say about him but for length I will save it. Feel free to ask me my thoughts....
Danny Chen was superb as Bruce. He was casted perfectly. I felt Bruce's presence watching him. The rest of the Asian cast was good and the non-Asian cast, mostly Blair and Ms. Ingrid. Linda I feel held back a lot and didn't match Bruce's chemistry as well as she could have.
Mostly their chemistry was cute and nice, like when he lies her head in her lap or when they playfight, and I just think Linda as a character could have done just a bit more to make their chemistry a degree more believable. Danny was perfect at it though. I replayed their date scene many times. It was very heartfelt.
Emotional parts for me: When Blair left. Sometimes friends can just up and go out of your life for reasons not understood or just unsolvable differences. The funeral scene of Ip Man was really a heavy moment for the series. The traditional funeral I know is meant to be realistic but the white garbs the brothers wear add an eerieness to the scene that was really well done. Like Bruce Lee walked into a dream to pay his respects to Ip Man. Visually striking and everything else in the scene hit all the right notes, down to the unexpected comment.
I am forgiving of the sometimes spotty dialogue, cheesy songs, pointless shots, lazy costume/extras/background work that sometimes ignores the time period completely. The reason that is because they only had 7 million, and they did very well for a comprehensive series about Bruce's life. It's 2024 and they haven't tried again so this is the best out there right now.
I feel like episodes 40-50 could have been better, like the rest of the series. But I don't know exactly how. I found myself skipping a lot because I knew what was going to be said, it would just take 10 minutes to say it. The final fight with Yellow Brat was tastefully done and smart.
Fight scenes are superb, they hold up until the end. Very realistic and honest portrayal of Bruce's life with a healthy dose of cultural taste and references. I wouldn't watch Li Xiaolong Long Chuan Qi all the way through again because it's so much and it pains my heart to know the opening characters' fates. But I will always remember it. Always.
Chevalier (2022)
Excellent, and missing something.
I loved watching this movie last night, it was very inspiring and I liked how it portrayed de Saint George being sort of "stuck" in this world between rubbing shoulders with Marie Antoinette and discovering his African heritage. The mother had only a few lines but to me was a very standout character because of her expressions and special relationship with her long-lost son. It did feel like something was missing; I wish more time was spent on his childhood years at the swordman academy or in his final years as a French Revolution leader. Really great movie though. I think I would watch it again.
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Worth the wait.
I saw this movie Christmas day in 3-D, after thirteen years of rewatching Avatar, daydreaming of the sequel, binge reading Avatar fanfiction, and coming up with theories. It was everything I could ever ask for. Cute kids, BEAUTIFUL visuals, and emotional scenes, one from Zoe Saldana that gave me goosebumps. I admit the script could be stronger, and the villain could be different, and the humans and Na'vi could be fleshed a tad bit more, but I came away from the theater feeling satisfied, like I just got off of a really good rollercoaster. I still think about the movie maybe hours after watching it, just contemplating how simple it is for humans to have their own Pandora on Earth, we have everything here. We are just polluting everything and mining poor Mother Earth to death. Chills from the Weekend's song on the credits and Neytiri's song. It's just as great as Leona Lewis' sendoff of the history making first film. It's worth the wait. Have an open mind and immerse yourself in the experience, learn the way of water. (:
Tarzan and Jane (2017)
Solid animation, clean humor, enjoyable.
I enjoyed the creative spin on Tarzan's story. I liked the diversity and the great voice acting. Though the show was at some times predictable, I think all shows are to a degree. It was really interesting to see how teen Tarzan adjusted to modern life in England. Most people who have reviewed probably did not finish Season 1. I thought it was a great season. The show puts you in a good mood. The grandfather and Tarzan are my favorite characters.
All Hail King Julien (2014)
Entertaining, clean humor, heartwarming end.
I thought this show was hilarious. At times it does get wacky but that's part of the fun. Some shows are just meant for you to laugh. It touched on modern issues like gun control, safe spaces, helicopter parents, social media and others, but instead of taking stances on the issue, the show just showed how the issues could play out for better or worse. The characters were interesting and the writing was very creative. Great show to lift your mood. There are subtle adult jokes, but I don't think kids will understand them enough to notice. Overall the humor was clean. There's some toilet humor, but I didn't mind it too much. Entertaining and funny show. My favorite character was Ted. In fact, I liked mostly all of the characters. The voice actors did great.
Black Mirror: Hang the DJ (2017)
Beautiful, FUNNY, thought-provoking!
I watched this right after finishing another extremely deep episod eof Black Mirror, the one where the guy takes a Smithereen employee hostage. This was a surprise for me, because I didn't expect to laugh so much while watching, but the jokes that Frank cracked at the beginning really got me rolling. The couple's chemistry was truly infectious. I hope to find a love like that one day. I think all the scenes showing or implying sex was REALLY unecessary (don't get your hopes up, sickos, nothing much is showed, just sounds and heavy implications). It wasn't needed, but I guess they have to throw something in to keep people watching. Besides that junk, this story is something to watch, and I recommend to anyone (over 18 of course).
The Andy Griffith Show: Cyrano Andy (1961)
Funny and enjoyable! Great to see Barney in this!
I loved it. I loved when Barney made his moves. It's sweet to see he and Thelma Lou together.