Season 3, Episode 1: Enter the Phoenix Wow. What a season opener! I was thinking of writing something after each episode, but don’t want to make it too long either, so here’s where I landed. My goal will be to post some hopefully-weekly quick thoughts about what stands out, no more than 2-3 days after each … Continue reading Into the Badlands S3E1 – Some Quick Thoughts
Tag: film
A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to See LADY BIRD
So I went to see Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird in theaters the other day, and my trip to the movie coincided with what feels like a significant moment in my movie-watching / media-consuming decision-making process. But first, a bit of background… I teach high school media studies classes. One of the classes I’ve envisioned, and … Continue reading A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to See LADY BIRD
Netflix’s Iron Fist and the Failed Expectations of Chinese Martial Arts Cinema
So I’m finally getting around to Iron Fist (I’m only 6 episodes in at the time of this writing) and I think I’ve come to certain realizations. Episode 6, in particular, helped crystallize a lot of the thoughts that were bubbling and percolating in my head throughout the first five episodes. Let’s start with the … Continue reading Netflix’s Iron Fist and the Failed Expectations of Chinese Martial Arts Cinema
A Few Thoughts on Storytelling in Chinese Cinema
Just a quick post to briefly share/develop some thoughts on the current state of entertainment cinema in the People’s Republic of China. This is a result of my own ongoing research interests in the mainstream film industry of Mainland China as well as what I’ve read in some articles recently. One of the things … Continue reading A Few Thoughts on Storytelling in Chinese Cinema
Why I No Longer Watch Movie Trailers
I used to love watching movie trailers. I was the guy who would make sure to be at the theater at least 30 minutes in advance, because I absolutely COULD NOT miss the trailers. When the internets came around, I spent hours upon hours watching trailers and teasers of the latest movies to be coming … Continue reading Why I No Longer Watch Movie Trailers
China’s Homegrown Hit Films Don’t Need to Come Overseas
My sister shared this article with me today titled “China’s Homegrown Hit Films Getting Lost Overseas” and it made me want to offer somewhat of a response. Not because I think it’s wrong, but because I think there are other variables that continue to be ignored in these kinds of articles. So really, this response … Continue reading China’s Homegrown Hit Films Don’t Need to Come Overseas
M. Night Shyamalan: The Rise and Fall of a Career in Posters
Do you remember M. Night Shyamalan? I saw the teaser for his new film with Will and Jaden Smith, After Earth, a while back and noticed something strange: it never once mentioned his name. This is M. Night Shyamalan we’re talking about here. The guy who blew everyone’s minds with The Sixth Sense, and then … Continue reading M. Night Shyamalan: The Rise and Fall of a Career in Posters
One-Sheet Quick-Takes: Round 1
I wrote briefly in a previous post about how much I love movie posters. I’ve been wanting to write more about them but had a hard time coming up with the best way to approach it, until now. I come across a lot of posters that I immediately have problems with, can’t believe the low … Continue reading One-Sheet Quick-Takes: Round 1
My Armie Hammer Conundrum
[Full Disclosure: I have only seen one movie with Armie Hammer: Mirror Mirror.] Am I the only one who experienced an Armie Hammer Conundrum? Let me explain. As I referenced briefly in an earlier entry about the film geek, I tend to have a pretty good recollection of actors’ names and faces. However, every now … Continue reading My Armie Hammer Conundrum
BACK TO 1942 or: FLOWERS OF WAR 2
I recently read a film review, which I’ll discuss more below, and wanted to jot down some thoughts that I’ll probably return to and expand later. A lot of this connects back to issues I've discussed before. Do you know about Feng Xiaogang? He’s widely referred to as the PRC’s “Box Office King,” with almost … Continue reading BACK TO 1942 or: FLOWERS OF WAR 2