Tag: week in review

Week in Review (Oct 24- 30, 2021)

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What have I been doing this week? I’m glad you asked! Here’s what’s been on my watchlist this week:

*Note: My reviews usually contain spoilers. You have been warned. Proceed at your own risk.*

Movies

The Last Duel (2021)

Happy Halloween! What’s scarier than the systematic oppression and abuse of women? According to The Last Duel, very little. This film was supposed to be featured alongside Dune last week as the second in my double feature viewing. However, the country I live in has strong censorship laws, and I was only able to get a full copy of this to watch recently, hence the late review.

The split timeline of events leading up to the trial of one Jacques le Gris (Adam Driver) for the rape of Marguerite de Carrouges (Jodie Comer), and the duel that takes place as a result of the trial between le Gris and Marguerite’s husband, Sir Jean (Matt Damon). The film explores the events from each of the three’s point of view –  with the not so subtle implication that Marguerite’s version of events is the truth.

Both men are, of course, delusional in their thinking, one with a higher degree than the other. Carrouges believes that he and his wife are madly in love, missing the misery that she feels in his company and in his bed. He is also completely under the impression that every single bad thing that has happened to him over the course of his life is as a direct result of le Gris. Le Gris believes that Marguerite is flirting with him despite being a married woman, and barges into her home when she is alone and sexually assaults her. Surprisingly, le Gris is the honest with himself of the two, but is convinced by Pierre d’Alençon (Ben Affleck), his benefactor, that what he did could be absolved with prayer and penance in the Church.

The remainder of the film hinges on Carrouges perceived insult to himself and his property, namely his wife, and he visits the king (played brilliantly by the incredible Alex Lawther) to allow him to fight a duel to the death against le Gris. Not only does the trial disregard and opinion that Marguerite may have on the matter, but it also calls into question whether or not she derived any pleasure from the act since that was thought to be the only way that she could have gotten pregnant. The winner of the duel, of course, would only win because he is telling the truth as judged by God himself, and should Carrouges lose, his wife will be put to death with him, leaving her child an orphan as soon as it is born.

While the film has a lot to say, it never truly has any followthrough on any specific ideology. I think I might be in the minority as one of the few people that didn’t enjoy Damon and Affleck’s last foray into writing, Good Will Hunting, which had similar issues of grand ideas with a lack of clear message. Comer and Driver’s performances were great, but I came out of the film unsatisfied with the lack of resolution by the end. Was Marguerite free of her husband? Did she like the life she ended up leading? How was her social status affected by the public nature of the trial and did she care about it? How did her son fare during his life? Overall, the film left me with more questions than answers, and I think that took a lot away from my enjoyment of it.

Week in Review (Oct 17- 23, 2021)

~ colourfulgranny ~ 1 Comment

What have I been doing this week? I’m glad you asked! Here’s what’s been on my watchlist this week:

*Note: My reviews usually contain spoilers. You have been warned. Proceed at your own risk.*

Movies

Dune (2021)

It was an interesting start to my first ever double feature viewing experience with Dune. I was a bit apprehensive going into the film having not been a big fan of Denis Villeneuve’s last directing venture, Blade Runner 2049. My expectations were low for the plot, but I knew that he would deliver on the visuals. However, I came out pleasantly surprised at having thoroughly enjoyed the film.

In general, I enjoy high concept sci-fi. Dark City is possibly one of my favourites, and Dune shared a lot of elements with that film in its extensive world building and building mystery. While the dialogue was very expositional, with Timothée Chalamet having to do a lot of the heavy lifting, knowing that this was the first in a series of films excuses a portion of that. If they get most of the wordy explanations out of the way early, then they can get on with the story in future films.

The film also has a wonderfully eclectic costume and set design, which, while futuristic, clearly has roots in real societies that exist. Vast deserts, pyramidal architecture and Islamic-inspired robes are very reminiscent of the Middle East and North African region, but on a scale that most people would rarely get to see living in current society.

The cast of the film was also particularly impressive. Chalamet had a naturalness to him that made him fascinating to watch, and he paired well with both his parents. The Duke (Oscar Isaac) was shown as a firm but kind leader, and was respected by his people. Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) had an air of mystery to her as a wise women, but as the mother-son duo faced more hardships, we saw just how sharp and capable she could be. It is of course no wonder that their son is lauded as some messiah figure, combining the best of both of them.

While I have issues with how they portrayed the casual colonization of planets in the film, I do hope that any subsequent films will show more of the resistance and co-existence that can occur between two culture when they depend on one another, rather than idolizing Paul and holding him up to standards he couldn’t possibly live up to

I thoroughly enjoyed the universe that this film set up and am looking forward to see how it progresses.

Week in Review (Oct 10 – 16, 2021)

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What have I been doing this week? I’m glad you asked! Here’s what’s been on my watchlist this week:

*Note: My reviews usually contain spoilers. You have been warned. Proceed at your own risk.*

Unfortunately life got in the way this week, and so my weekly review is on break till the 23rd of October. I’ll be back with some exciting reviews for Dune, The Last Duel and many more starting next week.

Week in Review (Oct 3 – 9, 2021)

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What have I been doing this week? I’m glad you asked! Here’s what’s been on my watchlist this week:

*Note: My reviews usually contain spoilers. You have been warned. Proceed at your own risk.*

TV

Squid Game (2021)

One of my absolute favourite genres in film and television is survival competitions. Hunger Games, Battle Royale and about a hundred other titles fit into this, but this was my first time seeing such a high concept show that was based around such simple games. The stark contrast between the children’s playground games and the life-and-death elimination added a layer of tension that was absolutely gripping.

I liked the main intent behind the game-maker’s choice of contestants. People down on their luck, desperate beyond belief and with nowhere else to turn are all treated as equals within the arena of the games, and anyone found disobeying is swiftly and brutally taken care of. Despite its bloody means, there is a fairness to the games that these people were not granted in the outside world, and the reason that so many chose it, not once but twice!

The visual style and directing of the show is something I have never seen executed quite on this level. The Escher-esque labyrinth, the stadium style bunk beds and the incinerators for the gift wrapped coffins each gave a distinct style and mood to each part of the show, bringing a sense of order to the otherwise chaotic world of the contestants. The sets are peppered with little things to capture the eye, and make you wish you could see everything up close

While the story itself had predictable elements for anyone paying attention, it was the characters that made the narrative work for me. Lee Jung-jae managed to make Gi-hun both tragically pathetic and yet relatable. Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo) may seem like the ideal friend, but his holier-than-thou attitude, and his cold and logical thinking make him unendearing as the show progresses. And then there are the infinite cast of characters that populate this universe, be it the players, the host and VIPs or the masked worker ants in the colony making sure everything is running smoothly.

By far my favourite scene, however was Gong Yoo’s cameo as the man offering money to unsuspecting subway riders. Watching his exchange with Gi-hun was made me laugh till I had tears in my eyes despite the tragedy of it all, and I strongly believe he just had a good time slapping Lee about a hundred times.

Squid Game is definitely a phenomenon, gaining an unprecedented amount of popularity. While there are arguably better Korean TV shows out there, this one feels the most palatable to foreign audiences, which probably accounts for its fame. That’s not to say that the show isn’t good, but I just feel that despite being extremely enjoyable, I wish that there were a few more Korean dramas getting the recognition they deserve. Hopefully, Squid Game will help pave the way for future projects, in much the same way the Parasite did for it.

Week in Review (Sep 26 – Oct 2, 2021)

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What have I been doing this week? I’m glad you asked! Here’s what’s been on my watchlist this week:

*Note: My reviews usually contain spoilers. You have been warned. Proceed at your own risk.*

Movies

No Time To Die (2021)

In Daniel Craig’s final contribution to the series, he reprises his role as James Bond. The film starts off with a look at Madeline Swann (Léa Seydoux) and her childhood as well as introducing us to the villain, Safin (Rami Malek). From there we see Bond and Swann leading their idyllic lives before we see their separation and the events that finally lead to Bond’s retirement. While life in Jamaica might suit Bond, it doesn’t take much to pull him back into the world of espionage once he realizes SPECTRE is still a threat, and that there is a biological weapon in the hands of the wrong people.

As fitting as the film seem to the current times, and as ripe as it is for both action and emotionally packed scenes, something about the pacing felt slow in the film. At a nearly 3-hour runtime, there were a fair few scenes that felt gratuitous, and could have done with some trimming. I also found Bond and Swann’s reconciliation far too easy and forced. Ultimately, I didn’t understand his willingness to sacrifice his life for the sake of two people who he could very easily avoid.

I was very happy with the cameos from Jeffery Wright, Ana de Armas, Billy Magnussen and Christoph Waltz – although it was rather disappointing that 3 out of 4 of those ended in deaths. De Armas’s Paloma in particular was a breath of fresh air, and she played well against Craig as the rookie agent.

While the film did have it’s good moments, I didn’t find the film to be very cohesive. It felt like several elements were just thrown together, and while they might have worked individually, the sum felt lesser than its parts. In a way, it was fitting for Bond to die to make room for a reset to the universe, at the same time, Craig deserved a better send-off to his 15-year long tenure as the iconic character.

Week in Review (Sep 19 – 25, 2021)

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What have I been doing this week? I’m glad you asked! Here’s what’s been on my watchlist this week:

*Note: My reviews usually contain spoilers. You have been warned. Proceed at your own risk.*

TV

D.P. (2021)

Netflix has been putting out some incredible content when it comes to their Korean mini-series so far. Move to Heaven has become one of my favourite shows of the year, and D.P. follows close behind. While both deal with deeply personal topics, they are incomparable in all other aspects.

D.P. opens with a rather brutal look at Private Ahn Jun-ho (Jung Hae-in) being mistreated by his superior officer. It’s a very jarring scene, and is difficult to watch but it definitely sets the tone for the remainder of the six episodes. We get a small glimpse into Jun-ho’s life just before he enlisted, and learn of his general emotional detachment and lack of significant relationships. However, behind that cold demeanor is a brilliant mind, and the fates work in his favour landing him a position in the elite D.P. unit – even if no one knows what the hell it stands for – headed by the surly but well-meaning Park Beom-gu (Kim Sung-kyun).

Aside from getting to grow out their hair and leave the military base in civilian clothing, they are responsible for tracking down soldiers who have deserted and bring them back. It’s fitting that the show opens with Jun-ho being bullied, because that it the crux of why his first target deserted in the first place. Partnered up with a senior D.P. soldier (cameo by Ko Kyung-pyo), Jun-ho is ordered around to drink and party rather than spend his time looking for the deserter. In a cruel twist of fate, Jun-ho lends the deserter the very means to commit suicide, the only solution he sees to escape his trauma.

Jun-ho reaches a breaking point when his partner on the case seems to show little remorse, but in a rather poignant scene, we realize that Jun-ho blames himself as much as he does his partner. This ultimately gives him the conviction he needs and when he’s finally paired up with the more upstanding (but infinitely stranger) Han Ho-yeol (Goo Gyo-hwan) he’s determined to do his best.

The show deals with a few more varieties of deserter before the final two episodes, which is when we really get into the rampant bullying that seems almost systematic at this point. One of Jun-ho’s closest friends deserts and as we unpack the reasoning behind it, we find more and more reasons for despising the horrifying acts and the people committing them.

While Suk-bong’s (Cho Hyun-chul) kidnapping and torture of his bully is unforgivable, it is also understandable considering the torture he underwent. It was unfortunate that he felt that his own death was the only thing that would change the circumstances, but even in that D.P. gives little hope. We are shown another base where the same conditions still exist and while Suk-bong chose not to commit murder, others weren’t as forgiving in their actions towards their perpetrators.

Overall, D.P. leaves you with a rather bleak outlook. While there are good people, there seem to be so many more that are horrible, and others that merely stand-by and do nothing so as not to make themselves targets as well. However, I was hooked on every minute of the show, and was captivated by the universe that we were thrust into. It’s not often that we get to see the gritty underbelly in Korean media, and D.P. feels like just the change of pace I was looking for.

Rick and Morty (2013) – Season 5

I finally got around to finishing this season and it has been a strange ride. After thoroughly disliking Season 4, I found myself once again enjoying the show this season (aside from the completely unnecessary sperm episode). It felt like the show had gone back to its original high-concept themes and was less focused on mocking its viewers’ intelligence.

Rick (Justin Roiland) had a particularly contradictory arc this season, actively distancing himself from his family while yearning for a deeper emotional connection. The loss of his wife, Birdperson (Dan Harmon) and anyone who used to be significant to him from when he was young seem to have taken their toll on him. But rather than deal with it in a healthy manner, Rick deals with it in the only way he seems to know how: Being petty and rude to those around him and trying to resurrect fragments of his past rather than looking to his future.

The season left off at quite the cliffhanger, and it’s anyone’s guess where the show might pick up. Rick is now surrounded by several versions of the one person he can’t stand and yet is always on his side: Morty. Beth, Summer and Jerry (Sarah Chalke, Spencer Grammer and Chris Parnell respectively) all had their moments this season, but ultimately it’s their pairing that truly matters, and with more Mortys than Ricks in the mix, I wonder if the power balance will fall in the Mortys’ favour in the future

Week in Review (Sep 12 – 18, 2021)

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What have I been doing this week? I’m glad you asked! Here’s what’s been on my watchlist this week:

*Note: My reviews usually contain spoilers. You have been warned. Proceed at your own risk.*

TV

Schmigadoon! (2021)

I’ve been waiting for a musical show since ABC’s 2015 production Galavant, and finally the heavens (and Apple TV) have blessed us with Schmigadoon! The cast reads like a who’s who of the musical theater scene, from Kristin Chenoweth and Jane Krakowski to Aaron Tveit.

The conceit of the show, and what makes it so appealing, is that at its center is a couple who are fully aware that they are in a musical, but can’t do a thing about it. Lucky for Melissa (Cecily Strong) she has an entire database of musicals stored in her brain for easy reference. The townspeople on the other hand are completely unaware that they are archetypes from famous stage productions, and they merely follow their cues as they get them.

It was such a delight watching the show and seeing such veteran actors take on parodies of beloved roles. Chenoweth was by far my favourite, embodying the evilness of her character and clearly having fun with it. She’s a scene-stealer like no other, and it’s no wonder she’s a Broadway legend. Jamie Camil’s brief but impactful performance also left an impression on me, and I wish he could have been the one to get the girl in the end (even if said girl may not have been entirely worthy of the greatness that is Jamie Camil). And, of course Tviet going against type by playing the town rapscallion, his beautiful voice on full display along with his incredible dancing.

By comparison our main couple felt lacking, Keegan-Michael Key in particular. Perhaps because Josh was so opposed to being in the world that he was thrust into, Key’s performance felt forced, and I couldn’t buy him as the lead when there were so many more interesting suitors out there.

But the overall experience that was Schmigadoon! was fun filled and exciting and just the kind of thing I love. It was lovely seeing some of the performers I grew up on singing and dancing and having a good time, and I would move to Schmigadoon any day.

Hospital Playlist 2 (2021) – Ep 7-8

I stopped watching this show for a few weeks, because I found myself quoting Marie Kondo: “Does this spark joy?” And I found the answer to sadly be ‘no’ at the end of Episode 6. So I decided to give it a break for a couple of months, and revisit it once it had finished airing.

The nearly 2-hour episode runtimes definitely makes it tougher to watch the show at my usual pace, but I’m happy to take it slow and see the show out. There are things that I genuinely enjoy about the show, like the core 5 spending time with each other (although there wasn’t much of that these past two episodes) and seeing the care and patience with which they deal with both their patients and the doctors working under them. The shows humour still gets me, Jun-wan and Ik joon’s (Jung Kyoung-ho and Jo Jung-seok respectively) bickering being some of my favourite scenes.

The show also built up incredible tension with Rosa (Kim Hae-sook) the last few episodes, and seeing her silent struggles just about killed me. To see that tension finally released, and her voicing her fears to her best friend and her son, as well as getting the treatment she needed felt like a breath of fresh air. It gives me hope for the show to continue in a positive direction for the rest of the season, and going back to being character driven rather than what currently feels like self indulgence.

Perhaps a more ruthless editor could have done wonders with their heavy-handed messages this season, but overall I’m watching the show just for the sake of completionism at this point. Change my mind, I beg you HosPlay crew!

Week in Review (Sep 5 – 11, 2021)

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What have I been doing this week? I’m glad you asked! Here’s what’s been on my watchlist this week:

*Note: My reviews usually contain spoilers. You have been warned. Proceed at your own risk.*

TV

The Ingenuity of the Househusband (2021)

In what was a relatively light week, I turned to a relatively light show. The vignette style episodes of this little gem take less time to watch than it does to type out the show’s title, but it tells the surprisingly engaging story of a househusband (Kenjiro Tsuda). I was hooked from the opening images of him trying to tackle lettuce with a dull knife. His tough-guy appearance is in direct contrast to the tasks that he’s usually depicted doing, from sorting laundry to polishing the bathroom mirror, and his gravelly, often serious, voiceovers make them all the more hilarious to watch. His ever-present cat gives him some much needed company, and I’m curious to see if his wife ever shows up. But even if she doesn’t, it seems like this is one househusband who is perfectly content with his own company.

Week in Review (Aug 29 – Sep 4, 2021)

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What have I been doing this week? I’m glad you asked! Here’s what’s been on my watchlist this week:

*Note: My reviews usually contain spoilers. You have been warned. Proceed at your own risk.*

Movies

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

We’re finally starting to see more diversity in the Marvel universe, as Shang-Chi kicks off the introduction to East Asian culture (yes, there was Wakanda before this film, but it is was a fictional country). Approximately the first 20 minutes of the film were entirely in Mandarin, something that I found an interesting choice for Marvel Studios, since they usually tend to avoid large chunks of subtitling.

By far my favourite performance in the film was delivered by Tony Leung, who brought a much needed realism and emotional heart to the film. While the other characters can all fit into neat boxes, Leung’s Wenwu was a layered and nuanced character, and he was engaging to watch throughout the film. By contrast, Shang-chi (Simu Liu) felt a bit flat, and was much harder to connect with, perhaps because he himself was a bit aimless.

Although the film does have a tendency to sensationalize Chinese culture to some degree, I liked that the film didn’t rely too heavily on showing highly advanced civilizations using futuristic technology in Ta Lo, but rather had them incorporate the available resources into their clothing and weaponry. The dragon in particular was a cool addition to the MCU as it opens up more avenues for magic to co-exist with science.

The directing of the film was a good balance to the style of the film, and I particularly liked the way the fight sequences on the bus and in Macau. They felt reminiscent of the martial arts films that come out of China, where the camera is set up, and the actors are allowed to show off their skills without the need for multiple cuts and edits. The visual style of the film was overall very fitting.

That being said, this film does feel very different from the other MCU films, and I’m not sure that there is much potential for Shang-Chi to fit into the bigger picture. While the film did hint at the rings having greater significance, I’m not sure what this entails for the character other than merely being a vehicle for other superheroes’ plot progression. I’m hoping they can tie him in well, but I’m not holding my breath, and am happy with this film just being a standalone entity.

Week in Review (Aug 22 – 28, 2021)

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What have I been doing this week? I’m glad you asked! Here’s what’s been on my watchlist this week:

*Note: My reviews usually contain spoilers. You have been warned. Proceed at your own risk.*

Movies

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)

The last time I watched a Bollywood film was around this time last year, and this film has been on my watchlist since it came out nearly a decade ago. As a general rule, I tend to avoid melodramatic Indian cinema (the irony of course being that I almost exclusively watch musicals and k-dramas). However, this film had always been recommended to me as one of those movies that breaks the typical mold of Bollywood blockbusters, so I had high expectations.

Perhaps because the film was released in 2011, I found the character types quite conventional. ZNMD deals largely with people who don’t do what makes them happy, but rather only do what is expected of them. Arjun (Hrithik Roshan) is stuck in to his work life to the extent that he doesn’t know how to enjoy the lifestyle he’s earned as a result. Kabir (Abhay Deol) is so caught up in how others perceive him that he’s afraid to speak his mind. Finally, Imraan (Farhan Akhtar) doesn’t know when a joke stops being a joke and even hurts his own friend when he takes his free-spirit attitude too far.

None of them were particularly sympathetic in my eyes for a large part of the film, and I found myself questioning why I should care enough to keep watching. Although they did develop them over the course of the film, it felt rather artificial, almost as though the writer were given a template for character growth and followed the steps in that order.

The visuals of the film, on the other hand, were breathtaking. This is where the film shines, and Zoya Akhtar clearly took full advantage of the landscapes she had to work with. With the current limitations in travel, it felt like I got to take a trip, living vicariously through the film. The films lighting and coloring in particular really set the tone and the mood of the film, lending an air of warmth to the scenery.

While I know what the film was trying to achieve in showing that it’s okay to live life to the fullest for yourself, and not for others, it was in the execution that found the film lacking. Akhtar’s more recent films are definitely more subtle and natural in their messaging, but perhaps this is just from having more experience over the years. The climax of the film fell flat for me, despite the grand epiphanies of the main characters.

Maybe my expectations were too high, maybe it’s been too long since the release for ZNMD to feel relatable anymore, but I found that I didn’t enjoy the film as much as I should have. I might revisit it in the future to see if my opinion has changed, but unfortunately it didn’t live up to the hype.