Favorite films

Recent reviews

• 

  The Breaking Ice 2023

  ★★★★½ Watched 28 Jan 2025

  Three reasons why this film can elucidate your loneliness:

  - You’re Frozen

  The main metaphor employed by the film is that of ice and water. Haofeng, Nana, Xiao, are all crystallised in their circumstances. They are hardened by their ennui, made brittle by disappointment. They ask whether it is all there is to life – Haofeng harbours suicidal thoughts and constantly chews on ice even in the middle of winter, as if to feel a vicarious satisfaction of his knots…

• 

  Anora 2024

  ★★★★½ Watched 30 Nov 2024

  Three things making Anora a film that haunts:

  - An army of lotus-eaters

  Anora starts off with the titular character’s descent towards unbridled debauchery. Yes, she works as a prostitute and enjoys the occasional perks she receives. She is sane and fully understands what she is doing as a job. She is guarded to a certain extent. It was is when Ivan enters her life and shows her that gilded picture of a life of excess that things start going…

Popular reviews

• 

  Eternal Summer 2006

  ★★★ Watched 09 Mar 2020

  Three reasons this movie gets me hot and bothered:

  - Joseph Chang on a motorcycle
  - Joseph Chang playing basketball
  - shirtless Joseph Chang in bed

  Nuff said

• 

  Perfect Days 2023

  ★★★★★ Watched 21 Oct 2023

  Three reasons this film encapsulates what living is:

  - The enjoyment of small things

  The film starts with Hirayama’s typical perfect day. A routine of waking up without an alarm clock but to the sound of the neighbour’s sweeping the fallen leaves. Then he brushes his teeth, waters his collection of maple bonsai, prepares his work tools. As he opens his door, he greets the day by gazing at the skies, as if thankful for whatever weather is given on…