Tag: analysis

Hollywood Films

Raya and the Last Dragon (2021): Disney’s Step toward the Right Direction

As an aspiring Vietnamese-American film critic, the production of a Walt Disney film centering around a Southeast Asian princess made me have very, very, very high expectations. What cultural elements are they going to put into it? How will this story resonate with me emotionally? Will this story be personally intimate enough to me while delivering a universal message? Boy, did Walt Disney deliver! Raya … Continue reading Raya and the Last Dragon (2021): Disney’s Step toward the Right Direction

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#Foreign Film, Anime/Manga

Understanding Humanity’s Beauty from Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

Throughout my winter break, I have had the luxury of exploring the world of Hayao Miyazaki for the first time! Based on the movies that I have watched so far (which were Spirited Away (2001), Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), Princess Mononoke (1997), and Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)), I definitely enjoy the themes and tonal atmosphere that he brings to his audiences.  And, out of all … Continue reading Understanding Humanity’s Beauty from Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

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Hollywood Films, Indie Film

Paper Tiger (2020) and Over the Moon (2020): Unveiling the Unheard Voices of the Asian American Community

Growing up as a first generation Vietnamese American, I have always felt unseen everytime I turned on the TV and/or went to the movies. Most of the time, whenever there was a chance to see any Vietnamese character or a featured narrative about Vietnam, it had always centered around the Vietnam War and was always exclusively written in the lens of the American struggle–the only … Continue reading Paper Tiger (2020) and Over the Moon (2020): Unveiling the Unheard Voices of the Asian American Community

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#Foreign Film

Los Ojos de Julia (2010): The Art of Seeing (And Not!)

Halloween is just around the corner and I have a wonderful recommendation for the occasion! Shout out to my friend ST for suggesting the film! If you want to watch a horror movie that doesn’t have too much gore but will keep you at the edge of your seat, then Los Ojos de Julia (2010) is definitely for you! My Quick Summary Alternatively titled as … Continue reading Los Ojos de Julia (2010): The Art of Seeing (And Not!)

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#Foreign Film, Indie Film

Trouble in Town (2020): Reflection of the Times

“In a decaying society, art, if it is truthful, must also reflect decay. And unless it wants to break faith with its social function, art must show the world as changeable. And help to change it.” – Ernst Fischer, The Necessity of Art, (1959) On November 22nd, 2019, Coldplay released its eighth album Everyday Life which inventively stretches across multiple musical genres while providing vocal … Continue reading Trouble in Town (2020): Reflection of the Times

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Hollywood Films

Dear Basketball (2017): In Honor of Kobe Bean Bryant

Fierce. Determined. Motivated. Disciplined. Focused. Resilient. Persevering. Formidable. Admirable. Inspirational. Hard-working. Passionate. Optimistic. Positive Energy. Confident. Humble. Charismatic. Finesse.  The qualities required to be the Face of Basketball. A Prodigy. A Dreamer. An Athlete. A Trend-setter. A Go-getter. A Leader. A Team player. A Perfectionist. A Champion–on and off the court. A Cultural and Global Icon. A Hero. A Beast. A Black Mamba. A Golden … Continue reading Dear Basketball (2017): In Honor of Kobe Bean Bryant

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Indie Film

Dollhouse: The Eradication of Female Subjectivity in American Popular Culture (2018) – Enough Said

“Even though this film accurately depicts the actual, crazy shit that people do to women, the characters represented in the film, including those based on real persons, are fiction.” — Nicole Brending, the director of Dollhouse: The Eradication of Female Subjectivity in American Popular Culture (2018) As this quote appears in the end credits after an uncomfortably woke, rollercoaster experience from a shy-of-over-an-hour indie film, … Continue reading Dollhouse: The Eradication of Female Subjectivity in American Popular Culture (2018) – Enough Said

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