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The Game Changers (2018)
A plant based diet is better in many ways
Choosing a plant-based diet is much easier these days compared to five or ten years ago. However, it is still not mainstream, where you can grab whatever is available in the supermarket or restaurant and get plant-based and healthy foods. We still have to be careful and diligent in looking for proper foods.
That's why we need this video once in a while to remind us how bad an animal-based diet can be, health-wise, physically, environmentally, and ethically.
My only major disagreement about the film is that it promotes meat-like plant-based products too much, which sometimes have too many unhealthy additives that we definitely want to avoid.
Inside Out 2 (2024)
Learn emotions and deal with them in a better way
Mental fitness has been a popular issue in recent years in Taiwan, where I live, and in many other developed countries. Some movies have touched on this issue and demonstrated the process and situation of being frustrated and anxious, so-called negative emotions, and how people eventually resolved them.
However, Inside Out 2, despite being an adolescent story, explains emotions. What are they? How does each emotion interact with the others? How do we deal with these emotions? It's not a thorough lesson in brain and neuroscience, so expecting to watch this and figure out one's mental issues is not realistic, but we can all start from here to know our emotions better and become better understood and stronger individuals.
Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones (2023)
More than staying physically health
I started watching this just for some tips on being healthy. I did learn some tips, like eating whole foods from Okinawa. I also had the chance to virtually travel to countries and places all over the world and see how they lived, how they handled each and every day, and most importantly, what philosophy they had for life.
I began to realize this video was not only about staying healthy. It was about how to live more happily, including being fit, mentally strong, spiritually satisfied, and socially prosperous.
Perhaps it's too much to say this way and it's not guaranteed, but it can be a life-changing video.
Single's Inferno (2021)
More than we could expect. Worth thinking about romanic relationship
Season 3: Witnessing six men and six women authentically meeting each other, communicating, living, dating, competing, sharing experiences, building relationships, making decisions - it's not just entertaining but also a valuable learning experience. We learn not to do stupid actions in a relationship, learn how to connect with people on a deeper level, learn to instill trust and confidence in those around you.
This reality dating show is not just a feast for the eyes but a profound learning journey. By observing the characters, you discern actions you'd rather avoid and acquire skills on forming meaningful connections. Discovering how to delve into someone's inner world and becoming a person others can trust is a key theme. It's not just about becoming a person you truly like, but also someone others can entrust with their feelings. This reality dating show is definitely worth savoring.
Shingeki no Kyojin (2013)
An anime for adult
Attack on Titan is an intricately crafted anime with a well-developed world setting. The anime traces back to the Titans' birth and the upcoming wars with igniting conflicts, rivalries, and hatred among different races, nations, and human beings. Each nation possesses a unique worldview, social structure, and physical environment to safeguard themselves. The hometown of the protagonist Eren is a classic example, with three daunting walls and the exhilarating three military branches to maintain the country. With the world setting, numerous main and supporting characters embark on difficult journeys, seek the meaning of life and exploring their true selves.
Despite the abundance of characters, almost every major role is depicted with profound depth and uniqueness. Even those who are not the main characters possess astonishing character development. The richness and subtlety of these characters do make the anime quite lengthy, but they also make the fictional world real.
The inter-human warfare is the main setting, but the anime delves into deeper themes, such as human vulnerability, fear, selfishness, and growth. Some of the questions that I particularly appreciate are: Why do humans keep repeating a history of war? Is killing justified for the sake of loved ones? How can world peace be achieved? What is the root cause of the world's lack of harmony? As individuals, what should we care about? Do all individuals harbor fears and end up closing themselves within walls, brainwashing themselves to distort the outside world beyond those walls?
It is a fantastic anime that excels in world-building, character development, thematic reflections, and narrative storytelling. However, being an epic-length animation, it is destined not to be flawless. The lengthy and dragging plotlines, abrupt shifts in the protagonist's motivations, imperfect back-and-forth timeline transitions, overly deliberate facial expressions, monotonously gloomy art style, overwhelmingly crafted sense of fear, all of these could lead to some discomfort during the viewing process.
Elemental (2023)
A conventional story packged in a fantasy setting.
Compared to Zootopia, the character images depicted in Elemental are more dreamlike and more endearing. The element setting is also represented in personality differences and living environments. In terms of creating a fantasy world, Elemental is stunning.
The arrangement and portrayal of the characters are also well done. With five main characters, each has different personalities and appearances, and are portrayed vividly and naturally. However, the depth of the characters is far from sufficient. Character motivation and character development are lacking, with which it's difficult to evoke deeper emotions from the audience.
The storyline is quite conventional and not groundbreaking at all, which is okay if the movie handles it well. In Elemental, here are some major storyline or issues, hardships of leaving hometown, the regret of not receiving recognition from elders, the burden of inheriting a family business, the struggle to find oneself, and the sparks of romance across factions, etc. However, Elemental handles these plotlines and issues somewhat roughly, even haphazardly.
Take inheriting the family business and the pursuit of self-discovery for example. The protagonist was eager to inherit the family business in the first place, but suddenly, without any obvious reason, she felt the need to fulfill her talent and pursue her own path. Such rough arrangements make the already weak plot more fragile.
Overall, it is a film where the audio and visual effects outshine the character portrayals, storyline and issue discussion.
Jen hsuan chih jen tsao lang che (2023)
an unmissable choice for those seeking to understand Taiwanese politics
Upon encountering a Taiwanese television drama respecting elections and domestic politics, I harbored concerns that it might excessively rely on melodrama and deviate from the realities of political operations. Therefore, my expectations for this series were not particularly high, and I intended to sample just one episod.
However, from the very first episode, I could sense the dedication of the production team. They didn't resort to sensationalism or distortions to create a nonexistent political situation. Instead, they approached the topic steadily and authentically by portraying various political maneuvers and events that occur in real political operations, allowing the audience to get closer to the reality of domestic politics.
Furthermore, the team delicately handled many crucial issues in political work, such as the pursuit of ideals and the compromises faced with the realities of power, as well as the conflicts between different political ideologies and styles within political dynasties. They also addressed the issue of maintaining a work-life balance in the face of high workloads during election campaigns or unforeseen political events. These significant issues were not merely touched upon but rather explored and well discussed throughout the entire series.
Finally, the drama also delves into contemporary issues such as workplace harassment, infidelity, and voyeuristic victimization, making it a more comprehensive and more appealing to watch for a wider audience.
This is an unmissable choice for those seeking to understand Taiwanese politics through a television drama.
Suzume no Tojimari (2022)
Packed with meanings, not well stated
The latest trilogy of natural disasters from Macoto. This time it's a story about one of the biggest earthquakes, 2011 Tohoku earthquake.
Th film touches bunch of issues, mental trauma, human-nature relationship, child-parent relationship, modern communication, after-life space, human-god relationship, power of love and care, and much more. Also, we are allowed to see so many places in Japan as Suzume travels from southeast to northwest Japan.
What I don't appreciate is that the film doesn't illustrate the motivation and implication of characters well and clearly enough. Some important insights are able to find out if you watched the film several times or in slow motion, which I don't think is a good film should be. Also the image is sometimes too scary and too unwell to watch.
Untold: Breaking Point (2021)
Reall Stuff Inside a Great Tennis Player
Cannot not be excited to see what a great pro tennis player is dealing with in and out of the court. Was talented enough to perfrom very well in juniors and be a companion to a American tennis superstar Andy Roddick. Was determined and worked hard to finally be the top American tennis pro player around 2011. Failed to handle the pressure, broke down and finally came back mentally stronger. The film is true Mardy Fish's insight. It is reall stuff about a great tennis player, yet as how life is exciting with highs and lows, the film itself is not boring as well.
Naomi Osaka's film is good, but Mardy Fish's is even better. A must-see if you are a tennis player or tennis related participants.
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Suitable to watch individually and think
Likes - Perhaps a contrast to the badness of how people live in the island. But the scenery is just breathtaking to watch.
Focusing on specific characters and the interactions between them, the character building is solid and profound.
It should help us revisit how important the background is around us and how we should get out of it to give us a chance to be individually satisfied. I am also rethinking how I dealt with some relationships which didn't go well in the past.
Dislikes - The movie is spiced up with some humorous lines, but the overall tone is gloomy and sarcastic. It's a way to create some kinds of emotion to moviegoers, but gloominess is perhaps not the only solution.
Summary - Not for entertainment but for someone who gives himself a chance to reflect his relationship and living environment.
Babylon (2022)
Fragmented but inspiring
It's a movie that check many boxes of a good movie.
It presents many socially and individually important issues, like dream chasing, love relationship management, the purpose of the movie, life meaning, evolution of an industry, the multifaceted essence of an object and so on so forth. I enjoy what the movie trys to initiate and inspire, as much as the sumptuousness of the visual presentation.
To support an issue dense movie, the characters are well elaborated as well. There are three main charaters and many other supporting but still important characters. What happens to each and every of the characters is well presented. I find it lengthy since there are too many characters to deal with and story lines. However, I appreciate the time and mind I put in when realizing I witness a relatively complete society in a three hour movie.
Last but not the least, the movie is socially important. We look back the history of how the sound film was born. We are also about to witness how virtual films are going to be popular.
The movie feels long and fragmented, but bear with it if we can. It is visually incredible and thought provoking.
The First Slam Dunk (2022)
Far behind from the modern production standard
I like the film making Ryoto as the main character and open the plot with his family losing background and his self forgiving journey. Self development issue is always welcome. However, there are three problems which make the story not touching and interesting to watch.
Rhythm and tempo are strange. In many places, the movie dramatically slows down the time and mute the volume, trying to magnify some moments. I find most of them unnecessary, since these moments don't carry enough meaning and importance. I believe the film time should be compressed into half, which makes the film more dense and better.
The motivation is confusing. Did Ryoto aspire to be the family leader? Did he manage to forgive himself abandoning his brother? Did he aspire to fulfill the dream of his older brother? I see him wandering, but without clear cause. I don't see how the spiritual injury turned into the growth motivation.
The image quality is far behind industry standard. Very comic book like, without details like shades and motion. Backgrounds are shabby and the materials are not even animated. Moreover, the music is off. It should be much more lifting.
Perhaps the movie budget is not sufficient, but the quality certainly doesn't meet modern standard.
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Not worth the reputation
Decent but not great visual performance. Images are still too fake to be real, 3D effects are bothering most of the time. But I still enjoy the ocean scene quite a lot. Probably the most beautiful ocean scene in animated movies. It's still the reason and the only reason to walk into the theater.
Apart from that, role building is very weak in so many characters. In the first place, they surely have huge potential to develop into impressive stories, but none of them meet my expectation. Issue building is weak too. The only issue being developed is family bonds, which in the standard nowadays are far from enough to make a great film. What a disappointment for a long waited sequence.
Bisang seoneon (2021)
Excellent acting, mediocore plots
An extremely unsurprising, unreal, cliche plot. Fortunately, awesome acting from the villain and some main characters elevate the film. Can't love more the acting from the villain.
Oegye+in 1bu (2022)
Easy to watch, but difficult to enjoy
Good animation, nice combination with martial arts and meta-universe, easy-to-watch atmosphere. However, music is distracting, aliens are not comfortable, lines are not funny enough.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Everything you can desire from a movie
Everything you can desire from a movie, accomplished with super high standards. Realistic and exciting air combats, direct and meaningful character conflicts, strong romance part with touching mutual understanding, music that arouses just right emotions, concise and humorous lines, clear and vivid character building. A good movie worthy of visiting a good cinema.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Fancy exterior, touching interior
Fantasy, sci-fi, action, Chinese on the surface. Immigration, generation gap, family reconciliation, relationships, life philosophy underneath.
As if the crazy front part has nothing to do with the realIty part, but they connect somehow. Be patient for the plot to get clear.
Sanae matseon (2022)
Much more than an idol comedy
It's an idol comedy, but more than that. Animation, moderate love elements, character building, actor performance, plot progress, music selection are all well managed.
Juvenile Justice (2022)
It's not only about justice system. It's about every of us.
Very few tv series are able to illustrate and interpret social, humanity issues as thoroughly and deeply as Jevenile Juistice. Some of the most important should be "It takes the whole village to raise a person" and "Everyone could be the victim."
The Batman (2022)
Good idea, bad execution, far from Nolan's trilogy
Production is not shabby, the idea is good, but there are too many flaws in execution, making it far away from a masterpiece or even a good piece of movie. I wouldn't recommend watching it at all. Nolan trilogy is definitely more watch worthy.
Flaws include: deliberate but superficial lines, actors over-acting but not representing inner feeling, seemingly break-through but actually not necessary black atmosphere, and what I think is the most serious, lack of complete and thorough motives of the batman.
Verdens verste menneske (2021)
About self establishing and about normal people
It's about a general situation where young people are still establishing themselves and keep having conflict with their friends, boy friends or even themselves.
I like the film because self establishing is a real issue for normal people which movies usually neglect. Glad that this is a movie about a normal person. What I also like is that the film shows only the process and some possibilities without giving you the arbitrary answers. It gives the audience inspiration and the exact answers.
What I don't like is that this process varies culture to culture. The film may communicate well in western countries but is less touching for Asian audiences.
Doraibu mai kâ (2021)
Forget the unfriendly dialogues and enjoy the rest
Not sure drama workers talk in this manner, but definitely not a big fan of the unrealness of literaturistic dialogues.
Besides that, I enjoy the film quite a lot. Pace are coherently slow and smooth. Music is used moderately and appropriately. Excitement of plots last from head to toe. Each role shows abundant inner self. The overall issue is clear and consistent. Actors are well performing. So little to complain, so much to like.
Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (2014)
Always a pleasure to see one more solution
It's primarily about saving the earth and the creatures living within. It's also about protecting ourselves from a unwanted living crisis. Idealisiticly or realisticly, we should be agreeing to the same conclusion, giving a try on vegan diet.
Ojing-eo geim (2021)
Not perfectly crafted, seemingly inspiring
The idea is phenomonal, to create some fun for those who have every social and material satisfation within normal human societies and to offer an opportunity for those who are nothing and have nothing within normal human societies. Inspiring extreme setting, but we should be careful that it cannot represent the whole society.
Naomi Osaka (2021)
Her real self
This is a window for anyone to see what Naomi Osaka really thinks about herself and how she is struggling and doing to find her self. She was living under the shadow of expectations, but I believe in her and will be very happy to see her live, play and interact the way she really likes.