Perseverance
Movie/Show Reviews
Welcome to where I share my thoughts on movies or shows I have watched. I plan to note how these movies/shows stood out to me here. I hope you can find a review of what you want to watch or find something interesting to watch from here. The list below is in the order of my most recent watch to not most recent watch.
p.s. I linked the trailers to the images so you can check them out if interested.
The Substance
Drama/Horror
It was a mix of emotional thriller and sci-fi to me, and I thought that was a very creative way of expressing an important topic while balancing the emotional toll it could make the audience feel. A big kudos to the production team and the cast. It was about the standard beauty women need to keep up with constantly in our society, and I find the message quite powerful. How we are so sexualised in many aspects of our lives that it could be very stressful. How we beat ourselves up because we don't look like the models or social media influencers. How it is so hard to love ourselves, even though we are already so beautiful as we are.
I would highly recommend this movie.
Inside Out 2
Comedy/educational
This was a great movie to watch! I got to reflect a bit on how our emotions change as we age, that emotions are great and important in different situations, and that it is important to learn about them and how to manage them well so that we can be/become the best version of ourselves. Most importantly, it is normal and okay if we feel a lot of emotions, and that we are not defined by just one emotion. It was both a light-weight movie and it also was refreshing for me to be reminded to not be too hard on myself.
Players
Comedy/Romance
This was so fun to watch! I really enjoy the plot of the movie and how the storyline goes. I appreciate being reminded to not forget who I am and what I want in life, and it was so fun to see them working on things together as friends. It's chill to watch, and I'd recommend it if you want something light and funny, yet gives you something to reflect on.
Mother of the Bride
Comedy/Romance
It was an entertaining movie to watch, with some good life lessons to take from, especially regarding how society could drive us the other way and make us forget about what really matters in life.
It was simple but very well done, and I like the actors. I laughed a bit. The movie brought me joy, and I'd recommend it to you too, if you are looking for a chill movie to watch.
Amélie
Comedy/Romance
I have a mixed feeling after watching this. One side of me finds it very empowering, in that it encouraged me to continue staying curious and that it's okay to notice the little things. Another side of me found the movie a bit to the extreme regarding the extent she went through to help others, but it could be because I'm currently taking a step back in assisting others if they don't ask for it.
I recommend you watch it, and I'm curious to hear your thoughts too. It was still a very interesting movie to watch, as I got to reflect a lot out of it.
Suffragette
Thriller/Drama
So much to process after watching this. My initial thought is that the movie is well made - kudos to everyone in the movie who did a great job delivering the emotions of this important historical event. This movie made me think about how there have been so many sacrifices to achieve "equal" rights for women to men since a very long time ago, and there is still so much to do to get to where women are treated equally as men. There has been much improvement in some countries around the world in that regard, but I believe that there are still some traditional beliefs and practices that are barriers for women to reach their fullest potential without having to lower our self-worth and self-respect. I recommend this movie. I also came across this article that provides some helpful information on the historical reference that the movie made (link here).
Soul
Fantasy/Comedy
I watched it for the 2nd time after my friend, Sam, recently shared that it reminds him to appreciate life and not take things for granted. This movie did just that for me as well - it reminds me to appreciate the life I have. I appreciate how the movie helps me feel that maybe that is what life is all about - to enjoy every minute of it. This came in perfect timing for the new year. I hope I remember that for myself. Sometimes, we let the little things in life get so much out of us. One more part that I want to remember from the movie was when the character shared something along the lines of: sometimes, when we want something, we feel that it is so grand and special; and when we finally get it, it feels quite normal. So that got me to think that it is the ordinary that is the superordinary. It is the little things that make life beautiful. I'll live for the little things.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Action/Adventure
This was another great movie that I'd highly recommend!
My brother said that more than 1,000 illustrators were doing the work for this, as it shows several dimensions/eras of the Spider-verse. I didn't get to see the first one, and I plan to do so because this one has such a great story. I also especially love that the characters are vulnerable with each other, showing examples of trust and support from others, and most importantly, from ourselves to achieve things when we put our minds to it. 2 hours and a half went by very quickly. I highly recommend this movie.
Aftersun
Drama
I thought it was a good movie to watch in general.
This movie was about the daughter's reflection on a holiday with her dad, who was still young and still figuring out his thoughts and life in general. There were some flashbacks of memories showing, which could be confusing at times, but overall, the content and the message from the movie are important to show how one's exposure to things could leave a lasting effect on how we process and walk our lives. It also reminds me that my parents, and maybe many parents, might not always know the answer to all the questions either, as they are also learning. So it's important to be kind to them as well, rather than expecting them to be perfect. This was recommended by a colleague and I would recommend it too.
Guardians of the Galaxy (Vol. 3)
Sci-fi/Action
I don't remember much about the previous movies in this trilogy, but I greatly enjoy this movie. The story flows very well, time flew pretty fast when I watched it, and I feel that most of the characters got to have their spotlights. It was pretty emotional and gave me a few things to think about, mostly related to how selfish one could be AND how choosing love/friendships/helping each other is usually the way to go about life. I also really like the humour side of the characters. Very playful, very human.
I highly recommend this movie. :)
The Worst Person In The World
Romance/Drama
This movie follows a lady in her late 20s/early 30s finding what she is interested in (academics or passion or love). I think it is well-made, as it was able to convey the complexity of one's mind very closely, and I appreciate it, as I could see a bit of that complexity in my own life as well.
I'm not sure why this movie is titled "the worst person in the world" when the actress explores her life to find what makes sense to her and her life. I think it is pretty normal to feel lost. I understand that sometimes we make stupid mistakes, so maybe maturity and other things help us with that with time and experience, but that shouldn't make the person the best or worst. Some of us might know what one wants or can live with what one has, while others continue to be curious about life, and that's okay. I learned about this movie from a close friend, who shared his takeaway lesson with me was that sometimes, we need to pick one thing and stick with it, referring to life decisions. I partially agree and want to add that sometimes it is not easy to choose as we haven't found what is satisfying enough yet. I'd recommend this movie, especially if you are looking for something to relate to while you figure out your life.
ទេពហត្ថា/The Perfect Motion
Documentary
A well-made documentary about the Cambodian Royal Ballet's history. I highly appreciate learning about this used-to-be exclusive dance. Many thanks to the movie team for all their work in gathering all these videos and interviews.
After watching a few documentaries about the art and culture in Cambodia, they make me want to learn more about these, maybe as a way to preserve it, and I also couldn't help imagining a bit about how Cambodia would have been if these were not disrupted during the Khmer Rouge regime.
ប៊ូឌីញ ស/White Building
Drama
This movie did a great job capturing the reality of the power in development and real estate and the state of homelessness in Phnom Penh in the famous building near the Royal Palace area. It was emotional to watch, and I cannot imagine the stress/worries/concern/hopelessness the residents were feeling when this happened.
Context: people were kicked out of their homes, where they lived for many years, because "they" claimed this was in the development area. "They" offered to pay "something" to the residents, but it is not enough for them to settle elsewhere. This situation has happened in a few other neighbourhoods as well.
កុំស្មានបងភ្លេច/Don't think I've forgotten
Documentary
In case you are curious to learn a bit about the history of Cambodia's rock and roll age before the Khmer Rouge, this would be a great movie to watch. I appreciate everyone involved in this creation to ensure we have something for the younger generations to watch to get to know about what our ancestors created, what was lost, and what could may be recreated to preserve our own culture.
The IT Crowd
Sitcom
This was quite fun to watch. I enjoy their humour and how chill it makes me feel when I watch it. They are great actors. :) This is similar to the show "Miranda" I listed below because it shows the awkward side of life, making it even more normal and funny to have those moments.
Love & other drugs
Romance/Comedy
I thought it was a great movie. I cried watching it. Maybe because there was something I could relate to in the movie, and I hope this movie gives you hope about love too.
The movie also shows a bit about what the medicine manufacturer business is like. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but it's something to think about.
Avatar: The Way of Water
Sci-fi/Action
The movie was about 3 hours long, but I didn't feel that it was that long at all. It went by so quickly. The movie was very well-made, has beautiful graphics, and has a great message about community and family love, which I feel that the world lacks at the moment. Another point that captivated me as well as how some people would go to lengths to meet their "quota" or maximize their profits without thinking at all about other people's livelihoods. It was heartbreaking. I also love how the characters encourage, support, and help calm each other in times of conflict and fear. I hope to put some of that into practice in my own life.
I hope you get to watch it. It is very worth it, in my opinion.
Marriage story
Drama/Romance
The movie made me cry a bit. The actors are all amazing! I appreciate how it shows how complicated love could be, and sometimes the feeling of love is not enough. What I like about the movie is that they did a great job at capturing the emotions and complexities that go into the divorce process, and also how one needs to stand strong in pursuing what one wants and deserves in life to not settle for anything less.
The end of the f**king world
Drama
I thought it would be some average dark romcom, but I find this series very captivating, dark, and a bit thrilling, and they did a great job at showing the complexity of what we think, plan, and act. It was addicting to watch to me. I think I binged watched all the episodes at once. :)
Normal People
Drama series/Romance
I love this series because it manages to show the raw emotions of navigating life, family, friends, and love as we transition into adulthood. I could relate the communications and power issues from the series to my life. Great acting as well. And a bunch of intimate scenes (heads-up).
I care a lot
Comedy/Thriller
I have yet to discuss this with an American person to see how correct this is regarding the senior's legal guardian situation. The movie made me question the system and businesses, especially healthcare and assisted living. I thought the film was well done.
Miranda
Comedy
This show brought me joy and laughter, and I'm so grateful I found it when I did. The series follows Miranda as she goes about her life, exploring love, career, and life. It is so funny because it is so real. She made me feel like it is normal to be awkward, that I got to own it, keep on finding joy in life, and that things will be alright.
Longmire
Drama/Crime
This series was quite addicting to watch. The stories follows Walt Longmire, the sheriff, as he and his team solve various violent crimes on both his county and the Cheyenne reservation. What captivated me was how there were both the legal way and shortcut/complex way to solve crimes, while the latter might be more dangerous, but could lead to the answer.
Battlestar Galactica
Sci-fi
It was hard to not binge-watch this show. It was very interesting to watch. I like how the storyline was developed, and there were lots of technical issues, and also drama, to made me wonder what would happen next. This show was about how they navigated being on a battleship after they were attached by Cylons to find a new planet to live on.