~top nine movies tag game~
tagged by @neonun-au (ty mads!)
l-r, top to bottom: spirited away (miyazaki), eternal sunshine of the spotless mind (gondry), marie antoinette (sofia coppola), ratatouille (bird), pride and prejudice (wright), the muppet movie (frawley), scream (craven), midsommar (aster), the cranes are flying (kalatozov)
random thoughts about each film and two ~honorable mentions~ behind the cut because i wouldn’t be a failed film studies major if i didn’t talk about all the dumb things i love about movies
spirited away: my dad took me to see this as a surprise when it had a limited release and was playing at the arthouse theater an hour away (the same one i go to today, albeit its a ~5 min drive now) i know its cliche, but this movie changed my life. there are many little habits in my life that stem from watching the dvd on repeat as a child, teen, and now an adult. i love most ghibli works, but nothing will beat spirited away.
eternal sunshine: i have a love/hate relationship with manic pixie dream girls and the trope in general, but fuck do i love kate winslet as clem in this. probably my least watched film on this list (bc it hurts each time), but a forever fav.
marie antoinette: the soundtrack. the aesthetics. a visual and audio dream. parts of it are silly and absurd, but i can overlook those for all the beautiful shots of versailles. kiki dunst for life.
ratatouille: in a former life i was a big pixar nut with dreams of working there one day in the marketing dept (lol). i have deep rooted and controversial pixar takes, but i stanned ratatouille looooong before tiktok turned it into a musical and a meme.
pride and prejudice: do i need to explain my love for this one bc lord knows i reblog mads regency au!taeil fic enough for my love of p&p 05 to be known lmfao
the muppet movie: rainbow connection makes me cry every time lol. but also just a feel good movie.
scream: the first horror movie i could stomach in my early 20′s lol. will forever have a crush on sidney prescott.
midsommar: the second horror movie i could stomach (and only bc i read the script in advance so i knew what was coming lol) i even made my own may queen halloween costume that year and wore it to work at ikea lmfao. ~skål~
the cranes are flying: i had to watch this film twice in college (womens studies course on feminism in post WW2 russia and again for films of the USSR) and i can’t explain why i love this movie, but i do? the cinematography is excellent, but the plot slumps in the second half. soviet cinema has some real interesting stuff, but this was ultimately my favorite of anything i had to watch for class.
plus two honorable mentions not pictured: the handmaiden and little forest, both starring kim tae-ri. every other film on this list is a tried and true favorite of mine for at least a couple of years/repeat viewings, and these two films were just watched for the first time in 2022. little forest particularly has stuck with me, as someone with weird eating issues. the whole idea of a film where the protagonist is hungry both in the literal and figurative sense. i am too, as of late. its free to watch on viki and under 2 hours in length. highly recommend if you need ‘healing’ content (a word i haaate to use, but in this case certainly fits)
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Blog Post #5
A Movie Review of 'The Handmaiden'
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The aesthetically magnificent and intense movie "The Handmaiden," directed by Park Chan-wook, spins a complex web of deceit, desire, and their liberation. This genre-defying film, which is based on the Sarah Waters novel "Fingersmith," combines aspects of romance, historical drama, and psychological thriller. "The Handmaiden" is a remarkable piece of art attributable to its meticulous dedication to detail, excellent acting, and suspenseful storyline. "The Handmaiden" is set in 1930s Korea during the Japanese occupation and tells the tale of Sook-Hee (Kim Tae-ri), a beautiful young woman who is working as a handmaiden to the affluent Japanese heiress Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee). But as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Sook-Hee is a component of a complex plan run by the charming con artist Count Fujiwara (Ha Jung-woo). The protagonists must make their way through a perilous world where nothing is what it seems as they deal with love, treachery, and power struggles.
The central concerns of "The Handmaiden" are sexuality, identity, and liberation. The movie explores the complexity of desire while bringing to light the oppressive societal conventions of the day. The movie questions conventional ideas of love and the limits of sexual and emotional freedom via the development of Sook-Hee and Lady Hideko's relationship. As the mysterious Count Fujiwara, Ha Jung-woo excels, radiating charm and deception with each deft move. The audience is kept guessing until the very end by his presence, which creates a sense of tension and unpredictability. The film's narrative tapestry is further enhanced by the outstanding performances of the supporting ensemble, which includes Cho Jin-woong as the spooky butler Uncle Kouzuki.
Park Chan-wook's visual prowess is on full show in "The Handmaiden," from the luxurious mansion interiors to the lush natural surroundings, each frame is painstakingly constructed and breath-takingly stunning. The cinematography of the movie, along with its vivid color scheme, creates an atmosphere that immerses the audience in a bygone age. Each graphic component has a specific function that furthers the narrative and captures the essence of the characters' emotional journeys. The acting in "The Handmaiden" is nothing short of superb. As Sook-Hee, Kim Tae-ri turns in a standout performance, presenting a complicated figure who changes from innocence to crafty intelligence. Her chemistry with Kim Min-hee, who gives Lady Hideko a subtle sensitivity, is palpable, and their nuanced performances give their characters' relationships more complexity.
With a three-act framework that presents several viewpoints on the events going place, "The Handmaiden" is expertly written and structured. Each act adds fresh details to the plot, changing how the spectator perceives the characters and their intentions. Viewers are in awe of the film's complexity and the sheer brilliance of its storytelling as a result of the well performed, expertly timed plot surprises. Shocked by the story because it was something no one had ever seen before. The seamless changes between the stories and points of view blew my mind and captured my heart. The movie's meaning was further enhanced by the strong suspense and the character's cleverly planned actions, as well as by the difficult situations that may have tricked you into anticipating further.
In addition to its compelling story, "The Handmaiden" quietly explores the power relationships between men and women while criticizing the patriarchal society of the period. The storyline also skillfully depicted the sexualization and mistreatment of men throughout the time, as well as the manipulation of men into women's roles. It draws attention to the challenges that women confront in a world that is dominated by men and uses their experiences to reveal underlying oppression and societal norms. Feminist overtones in the movie uplift the female characters by showing them on a path to self-awareness and independence. Not only did the women's intelligence in the film set them free, but their close bond also created a solid foundation of power, love, and bravery between them. All in all, the film is well worth seeing; it covers a wide range of topics, and it comes highly recommended if you're seeking for an excellent period film that will introduce you to the wonders of feminism, freedom, and love.
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