Change Your Image
lotusflower_cam
Reviews
The New Look (2024)
Binoche shines as an anti-heroine but the rest dwindled
The first couple of episodes started promising but the series as a whole didn't measure up to expectation as the paralleling storylines of Christian Dior and Coco Chanel didn't quite go so well together. You're left feeling like the series are all over the place as you start wondering mid-way through, what is it trying to achieve? Is it a story of the darker, less known side of Chanel, or a story about the slow rise and success of modest and conscientious Dior, or is it also maybe about the redemption of Resistance fighters who survive the atrocities of Nazi regime in WWII?
I think if the series were narrowed down to one main protagonist, either Chanel or Dior and either of their surroundings, it would have done better as a whole.
It was worth watching for me still since I love Juliette Binoche and it's one of her rarest performances as an antihero when she's well-known for playing likeable, loving and softer characters. She is excellent in this and it just proves again her undeniable talent and presence on the screen.
Poor Things (2023)
Fantastically unique worth a watch but once may be enough
Emma Stone described this movie as a metaphor in interviews and it is indeed. It offers philosophical, thought-provoking, mind-challenging themes hidden throughout, in Bella's words and how the story unfolds. If you focus on the raunchy or grotesque scenes themselves that pervade the film, perhaps you could get offended, turned off, and miss the point of the film. I myself was shocked to see just how many such scenes there are in this movie and they're not very pleasant. But when you choose to not take them so seriously but see them as means to metaphorical expressions, it made sense and it didn't bother me too much. With that said I don't think this is a film I might want to see again, as it was pretty perverse, graphic, some scenes being really not so good for my stomach. But I'm happy I saw it once and I was inspired by its messages, delighted by the colorful cinematography, and impressed by strong performances by Emma Stone and also Willem Dafoe.
Little Women (2019)
What a pleasant surprise
The first film adaptation of "Little Women" I ever watched was the 1949 version starring June Allyson and Elizabeth Taylor, as a child. Being a fan of the novel already I saw the film when I was about 10 or 11 years old and it was a perfect picture to the images I had imagined from the novel, I just loved it. I was captivated by the lively performance of June Allyson, and delighted by the young, beautiful Elizabeth Taylor. The 1949 "Little Women" was my favorite of all the adaptations that I saw since then.
Convinced that a better or equally good adaptation would never be made, and also due to many of the recent film adaptations of old classic novels I grew up reading had felt too modern for my taste, when this 2019 version starring Saoirse Ronan came out, I didn't give it a chance despite good reviews and decided to skip it.
Four years later, recently in recovery from illness at home, as the Oscar season began I stumbled on a video on YouTube on past Oscar nominees including Saoirse Ronan. That reminded me of how much I liked her in Brooklyn, and somehow made me wonder if maybe I ought to give "Little Women" she star/ in, a try. Bed-ridden, not going anywhere, so why not? It's probably not going be as good or better than my favorite, but it's got a good rating on IMDB and good reviews, I thought, and decided to watch it.
The result? Wow and wow, what a surprise. The film was a masterpiece. It is so different from any of the more traditional Little Women films, and in a good, most unique and wonderful way. I didn't check to see who the director until I finished watching and once I learned it was Greta Gerwig who recently directed "Barbie", it made sense. Unconventional and original, yet relatable storyline and direction. I never thought that this kind of a version of "Little Women" was possible. So happy I gave it a chance.
Saoirse Ronan as the Joe in this "Little Women" is simply amazing. I fell in love with her portrayal. I love the more quiet assertion of an internally strong and independent girl that grows into a self-assured, confident woman. Yet the quieter expression of her character portrayal does not negate from the Joe portrayed in the novel. Didn't expect that. Also, Timothée Chalamet fits surprisingly well as Laurie. And Laura Dern as Marmee is great, helping bring a sense of stability in the story as she should as the mother to the four women who carry on with their distinctively unique and varied lives throughout the film.
I loved this film so much. It was so refreshing yet inspiring in the same old way that stories of four "Little Women" inspired me since I was a little girl. I can't say it's on par with my all-time favorite 1949 version yet having seen it only once so far, but I'll watch it again and maybe it will be.
Patch Adams (1998)
Worth the watch
Since I saw this film in the theater on its opening weekend in December 1998, saw it for the first time today, 25 years later. I've been rewatching the late Robin Williams' films lately, as, somehow, they come back to mind and I get in the mood for his genius combo of comedic and serious performances. Each film that I rewatch teaches me that he was an actor who truly brought joy and tears to people.
I didn't know that this movie was heavily panned and dissed by critics for its overly simplistic and exaggerated melodramatic storyline and characterization of the real-life Hunter Patch Adams, who also heavily criticized the film and Robin Williams at the time (but years later gave many positive comments citing the better aspect of this film and William's performance, especially after Williams' passing). Reading about their points of views, I can see why. With that said, after watching this film today, it makes sense why it was still such a popular blockbuster at the time and continues to be well-rated today by the public. This film, just like so many of our the other Robin Williams' movies, brings pure joy, makes the heart warm, makes you cry, and makes you remember the simple, basic, yet very important values in life that we so often forget in the busy complicated world that we live in. Laughter, kindness and compassion for another human being, sincerity, honesty, integrity, and courage to be one's true self - such values are compounded wonderfully here in "Patch Adams".
Robin Williams' performance here is genuine, caring, and touching as always. My other favorite actor who's also greatly missed, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, gives his memorable, impactful, strong performance even in the smaller-role, limited scenes. Bob Gunton as a villainous dean works great, it reminds you of his other similar (but more intense) role as the warden he played in "Shawshank Redemption". The rest of the cast are pretty fantastic, too.
This film also reminds of "Awakenings" (1990), in which Williams played another doctor but one that helps bring catatonic patients back to life, starring Robert De Niro as the lead. Sort of like in that film, Williams' turn as a doctor in Patch Adams is complex as simple as the performances, of kindness and hopefulness but also sadness and pain that are the result of unexpected events in the character's life. In it all, there's a wonderful display to viewers, of redemption and transformation of a wounded heart and spirit, like a caterpillar to a butterfly, a theme that is shown across many of the films Williams starred in.
Following such a story and experiencing both the highs and lows of human emotions with the characters, and learning or being reminded of important values or messages in life, is to me, what movies are about, what makes it worth the time and exploration.
I am so glad I took the time to rewatch this film after over two decades. I was touched then, and as a much older person today I was touched again, my heart refilled with hope and joy.
R. I. P. The great Robin Williams.
(Additionally - to any fan of Robin Williams who may still be mourning his untimely loss, recommended documentary on the last years of his life is "Robin's Wish" (2020). Some people still seem to be under a false impression that he died from long-standing depression, when he actually died from the effect of Lewys body dimenria. This documentary IMHO, does Williams justice.)
The Family Stallone (2023)
A better reality tv show starring a celebrity than all the others out there
I stumbled on this show when season one came out, and had zero expectation and was pleasantly surprised! What piqued my interest was it was none other than Sylvester Stallone and his family, the tough guy movie star who I actually didn't expect to do this kind of series. Growing up in the 80s and 90s when he established his stardom, I didn't care for his movies at all and I had an image of the guy as a typical self-absorbed Hollywood star who didn't have much of a character. Well, after seeing this series, I realized it was my ignorant stereotyping of the macho movie star that had always stuck with me but is now totally gone.
Yes, Mr Stallone is a typical male in many ways, and I can imagine the efforts Ms Jennifer Flavin had to make in their marriage, let alone the near-divorce that was featured in season one, but he seems to be a real stand-up, caring family man of good values. And he, and his family, are funny! You can see a lot of love and respect each of Stallone family member has for each other and it makes you happy seeing them together. This is a an uplifting reality tv series starring a celebrity. Most reality series starring famous people don't leave you feeling warm, but rather anxious and unsettled from all the drama or vanity. This show makes your heart warm and cheering for the Stallones.
The three daughters are typical California-raised rich girls who are living their lives in their twenties under the protection and guidance of two pretty cool parents who love them but also don't spoil them rotten. By the end of season two, I found myself cheering for each of them.
So far, this show has been a great breather and I have enjoyed it very much. I hope there's season three and if there is, I hope the producers will keep the show as genuine, light-hearted, and focused on the good and positive as season one and two.
The Firm (1993)
A film that is still entertaining after so many years
As I've gotten older, I realize that I tend to place a sentimental value to many of the films I watched for the first time as a young kid. Some are of top quality anyway and are praise-worthy regardless, while others may not be quite top-notch, however I still rate them high, due to an impact they had on me as a youngster. The Firm is one of those films that I watched when I was sixteen when it first came out. At the time it was a huge hit, everyone was going to see it, Tom Cruise was a rising megastar at the time and it was like you'd go see it just because he was in it. So I watched the Firm in the theater and loved it more than I expected. The first time I couldn't follow the entire plot still being a dumb kid but I still loved it, and I would come to understand it later when I'd see it on a video and cable again.
The story of the Firm is unique and fast-paced as is the typical of John Grisham novels, and it quickly pulls you in. It's got a stellar cast and wonderful performances by almost all the actors.
It's been thirty years since I first saw it and I still watch this movie every several years having liked it so much the first time, the second time, the third time, and so on and on. Tom Cruise's usual intense, periodically emotional performance works really well here, supported by the rest of the seasoned cast who shines. Gene Hackman, Ed Harris, David Strathaim, Gary Busey, and Holly Hunter really stand out. I became a fan of some of these actors because of this film. The late Paul Sorvino whose small uncredited part toward the end is also a treat. It's a rare funny scene of an actor who plays a different version of the tough cold-blooded gangster he often played in his long outstanding career.
The Firm is grappling, intriguing, thrilling, and throughly entertaining. I've watched all the films made based on John Grisham's novels, and this one is by far my favorite with the Pelican Brief second in line. It may not be entirely true to the original story but as a film itself, the late Sydney Pollack did excellent. I imagine his direction must be a large part of reason the cast gives such wonderful performances in this film.
When I see this movie again in a few years' time, I'm sure I'll enjoy it just as always. Yes it is a bit long for a thriller, but all the twists and suspense make up for it especially in the last half hour of the film.
There is also a positive message that it ends with, a reminder that basic honesty and integrity is important in living life and pursuing dreams, and it cannot be replaced for superficial success of wealth and status.
Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)
Childhood gem now a classic
I saw this film in theater when it first came out. I was 9. It was a date with my dad who I didn't get to spend much time with growing up, so I looked forward to it very much. But he was late as usual, and when he and I arrived at the theater it was already almost full and we had to sit on the very front row right in the middle. My neck hurt from looking up at the screen. But it had a different, wonderful effect on me as a result. With the huge screen right in front of me and no sight of the rest of audience, I was completely taken in. The scene of Santa Clause on the sleigh flying across the starry skies totally captivated me. I felt like I was flying, too. It was kind of similar to being on a fantasy ride at Disneyland.
I always loved Christmas and looked forward to the holiday season, Christmas presents, singing carols, and having Christmas dinners with family. This movie added something so special to Christmas for many years to come. Almost four decades later now, I still adore it and watch it almost every holiday season. After my dad passed away a few years ago, it also now brings back the fond memories of that special day I had with him that I will always remember.
The movie is full of warmth, heart, love, kindness, forgiveness, and hope of Christmas spirit. It's not a film that would be nominated for an award show, but I can't imagine anyone in the genuine mood of Christmas not enjoying it. I look forward to seeing it again this holiday season.
The Morning Show (2019)
Too much negativity
I rated season 1 8/10 and brought it down to 6/10 after season 2, and now nearing the end of season 3, I rate it 4/10. Not only has its quality gone down season after season, I realized that it's too angry and gloomy for my taste. There is zero joy in this show, nor does it make you think about life in any meaningful way. It's just constant strife, drama, fighting, arguments, f-words, and not a single second to redeem all the negativity and gloom with some sense of relief or hope. The plot is dramatic in a superficial manner and none of the storylines or character developments are original or inspiring in any way.
All the characters are self-centered, mostly power-hungry, egotistical, and cold. I see enough of such people in my daily life that I also don't want to have to see them on television, when I need a break from real life. I can watch actual news for that.
I like Jennifer Aniston, Billy Crudup, and Steve Carrell. Billy Crudup is very good in this show. But I can't like it enough to see it just for his acting. Maybe if times were different and there wasn't already so much chaos and pain in the world as nowadays, I would have watched this show as an escape from reality? I am not sure.
With limited time for entertainment in my busy life, I'd much rather watch Ted Lasso, a kind of show that reminds you of humanity in people, or White Lotus, which is funny despite its darkness and also thought-provoking. Another better show that comes to mind is Poker Face, a murder mystery that offers deeper insights into human psyche and relational dynamic.
And Just Like That...: Met Cute (2023)
Worse than season 1
The only good thing about the show if you want to spare 45 min of your day is cool outfits. The three main characters all of whom are in 50s in 2020s talk like they're still in their 30s in the 90s. They don't talk like real women do at all
When SATC was airing in 30-min time slots twenty+ years ago, the dialogues fit the times and they were sharper.
Michael Patrick King needs to retire. He, as a developer, producer, writer, AND director of the series, clearly has too much control of the narrative and writing, not to mention the rest. He's making all the women characters and other straight characters talk like young, single, pretentious gay men in their youth. Maybe that's how he and his circle talk, still today, even if the man is in his sixties.
I'm a straight woman who has many male gay friends. The way the dialogues go, remind me so much of young gay men's chats. That in itself is fine, the problem is MPK is turning the original SATC characters, that are not gay men, into himself or people like him. Egoism at its worst.
I feel sad that the actresses continue to sign up and act in these series. Are they totally blind to how there's no substance to their characters or storylines anymore, or are they doing it for the hype or the money?
Kim Cattrall was certainly smart to distance herself from these installments and keep her retuning appearance in this season to very minimum.
It's a totally lost show dragged on by a clearly very self-absorbed person that's perpetually projecting himself in the creative process that should never be so indulgent, supported by equally self-absorbed cast.
So. Very. Sad.
Eastern Promises (2007)
It's become a classic for me
I saw this film in theater when it first came out in 2007. 15~16 years later, I find myself seeing it repeatedly, like every couple of years. It's become a classic for me much like the Godfather series which I also love and have seen dozens of times.
Viggo Mortensen, who I'm a huge fan of, is amazing in this film. Still don't get why he didn't win the Oscar for his performance here, nor for the Green Book in 2019. Perhaps his acting is too understated for award shows compared to louder, more obviously dramatic works by other actors. He is an amazing actor who deserves more credit. In this film, his performance is perfection.
David Cronenberg's films are like acquired tastes, they are not for the faint of heart. Other films by him, for me seeing them once has been enough, even the ones starring Mortensen. But something about Eastern Promises, that makes me keep coming back to see it again and again. Each time I am still fascinated. The story, cast, acting, the very unique vibe centered around the Russian mafia family in London, and the romantic attraction between the two main characters portrayed so subtly, somehow it all works out so well. Besides Mortensen - Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel, and Armin Mueller-Stahl, are wonderful in this. The violent scenes are hard to watch but you pull through because they feel authentic, making you believe they are really a part of livelihoods of Russian mobs.
I only wish there was a sequel. Definitely worth a watch.
The Offer (2022)
Brilliant
As a lifelong fan of the Godfather movies, I was delighted when I learned this biographical drama was being made, starring some of my favorite actors - the ever-so-charming and talented Matthew Goode, fearless and beautiful, one-of-a-kind Juno Temple, and very likable and funny Dan Fogler of the Fantastic Beasts series - to name a few.
The series was a lot more than I had hoped for. A stellar cast, excellent script, superb acting and directing, great cinematography, a wonderful balance of drama and wits - it's got it all. I must say Matthew Goode is brilliant. He is sharp, funny, entertaining, still charming despite the character's edginess - he's better than ever. His performance has surpassed my expectations - I hope he wins an Emmy and a Golden Globe for this! Anthony Ippolito as Al Pacino is impressive. My favorite Juno Temple's sensitive but fierce presence and acting, as good as ever. Other cast are all terrific.
Got nothing bad to say about the series. Thank you, Paramount, for creating and producing it. Forget the critics' bad reviews. So what if not every scene is as it really happened because it's based on Ruddy's autobiography. It's a biopic, not docuseries, it doesn't all have to be true to the facts. And what if it's a little over the top. This is an incredibly well-made, fun and fascinating must-watch that's sure to make time fly. A pure entertainment as this, is a treasure, especially in this day and age.
And Just Like That... (2021)
Cringe
I, too, was a huge fan of the original series who became increasingly disappointed and frustrated with the worsening quality and storyline each time the sequel came out on the big screen. Even before these series reboot, it seemed to me like the writers and producers of the show were becoming more and more out of touch with how real people live in the real world. It's like a cliche but it does really happen far too often that when people become immensely successful, they become indulgent, start to lose their touch, perhaps feel entitled to put more of themselves into the works they create in lieu of the objectivity they lose. Still... I was cautiously optimistic the reboot would prove me wrong. I respected their attempt to bring to the small screen issues and challenges of women over a certain age, being in mid-40s myself. I gave it a try. I tried to stay objective and fair as I went though first several episodes. But I just couldn't bring myself to appreciate it. Each episode I saw, made me cringe more and more. Instead of seeing the characters, I saw the writers and producers who deformed them, making them speak words and follow storylines that had very little to do with the original characters. The show is now sad, it's so self-absorbed, out-of-touch, so over-indulgent, and shows those behind the series that sadly must not realize they're doing a disservice to the characters and the fans, as they seem to have let their egos take over this once used to be so good show that made so many women laugh, cry, and smile.
As for all the woke themes, as some reviewers have said already, too, I believe there would've been a way to include some of those current social topics in the story more subtly, instead of rubbing them into our faces. It's too obvious the creators of the show are trying to prove themselves after being criticized for being too white in the original. It comes off as almost desperate and that, too, is cringe-worthy and unfortunately self-serving. The show is definitely no longer as smart, sassy, or clever as it once was. It's almost ironic how this reboot that's supposedly trying to uplift and shift the image of and ideas about the livelihood of the aging group of women and men, ends up presenting characters that have aged badly, not physically but emotionally and otherwise, seemingly losing their touch with age, success, and most likely, inflated egos.
Sex and the City 2 (2010)
If you don't expect much, enjoyable enough
OK, I was the fan of the original SATC series. When I saw the first movie I had high expectations and was left extremely disappointed and appalled, at how spoiled and selfish the four women I had loved and looked up to in the original, came to be portrayed as. I felt betrayed and angry then. So by the time this second movie came out I knew better - not expect much at all. I watched it simply to enjoy seeing their colorful lives once more, and to satisfy my own curiosity for what more the writers had in mind for the continuing lives of these four girls.
That attitude worked for me, and I enjoyed it for what it was. I chose to ignore the elements of the movie that many people here are saying as offensive by not taking this movie seriously; it's not worth it. It's like when a movie is made out of a book, it's best to not compare the two but see them as two separate entities; the SATC movies and the original series on HBO... are two different things.
Expect this to be a movie to be watched purely for entertainment purpose, for passing time, and not something that will teach you valuable life tips or inspire, as the original series did. If you go into it with high hopes you'll most likely end up feeling betrayed. If you choose to see it not so much as a movie but as a silly two-hour long reality escape on a DVD, it is not so bad.
The movie does not have much of a storyline, but there were two things I appreciated: the plot on Carrie with her doubts about her happy-ever-after, and the exchange between Charlotte and Miranda about their motherhood. Carrie's acting out on her fears and her subsequent coming-clean to Big, was true to her character - fallible, and still lovable. The way Big handled their little crisis at the end, showed well in the short scene, that he had matured as a man from the once perpetual bachelor. Charlotte and Miranda sharing honestly with each other what they felt as their own flaws and shortcomings in their motherhood was touching, and true to their bravely honest characters from the originals. As for Samantha, well, unfortunately her over-sexed character lies flat and boring; her integrity and intelligence that was once well-deserving of respect in the originals, is forever lost in the two sequels.
Final verdict: if you can see past all the flaws in this movie, and choose to see it just for fun, it can be enjoyable enough. If you have a hard time detaching the sequels from the original series in your mind... it might be best if you skip this one (or the first one).