Reviews

What on Earth have I just watched?

The English title "Ghost Ship' is a bit misleading, since the ghosts were more like zombies, but whatevs... The headline of my review expresses well how I felt when I reached the end of the movie, it gave me the exact same vibes as The Dawn of the Dead many years ago. It was too ridiculous to be scary, but I think it was deliberate (it's a horror comedy after all), at some points I felt like the movie parodized itself. I don't regret watching it, but I don't think I'd ever rewatch. (To be fair, horror is not my genre to begin with, every now and then I like to watch one, but then I can go for years without missing it, so... It's not that bad, just not my cup of tea.)

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What happens when everybody tries to to their very best at a wedding

A wedding should be a couple's best day of their life! This is what drives not only the bride and the groom, not only the wedding planner -- but everybody who is invited (and one who is not invited).

We get to see backstories of the couple and a few of the guests, who all want to make this day special, while they have their own aspirations. I love the aquatic theme that's going on while they tell their own stories -- even though it's never quite clear why it this theme, not another. (If you know, please tell me!)
The film also takes its "Chekhov's Gun" very seriously, but no need to pay extra attention, you'll see when it's used.

These sincere and genuinely nice characters do their all to make the wedding the best wedding of all time -- and overshoot their goal; this is where most of the humour comes from. I waited for things to go wrong horribly. But this is not the kind of comedy, and it works!

There was a bit of sexism in the beginning -- the long-suffering husband(-to-be) who wants to please his partner, and the "guy outing" (what are guys up to when they are alone, hehe... not that funny, all very innocent though) -- but the groom and the ex-boyfriend are so cute and nice that I can forgive them. There was also a story arc with a bit of "diarrhea-is-funny", I don't mind that kind of humour, other viewers might.
A bit disappointing is that the female characters are not only in the minority but also much less interesting then the men (with the exception of the wedding planner).

All of the actors made their characters come to life -- and I fell in love with all of them. Especially notable was the scene where the fathers and old schoolmates entertain the guests, what a choreography!
There are two storylines that happen simultaneously but are shown after one another; I wonder if they couldn't have been shown as they happened or if this would have been too much? I suppose it's the latter, because overall the pacing was excellent, fast scenes and slow scenes followed an easy rhythm, according to the story.

I wasn't bored for a second, I laughed a lot -- and there were a few heartwarming moments. The ensemble plot and the multiple points of view with their backstories show us a wedding that will be memorable for all of them, the couple, the guests, and the staff of the location.

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The leads have explosive chemistry

The chemistry between the leads is the saving grace for this movie. Had it been any other actors, i would have dropped it or might not even have considered watching it.

Were they an ordinary couple? Not really. This is an exaggeration of what ordinary couples are. Sure people fight & have on again off again relationship but these two didn't seem to care about each other. The only time they seem to care was when then weren't together. They were at least not ordinary to me. Both were so violent, making it worse for each other. Maybe this is ordinary to someone out there.

I was hoping they would each find someone to calm them down. But they end up repeating the cycle.

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Shocks as sharp as a knife

Keeping its secrets guarded and living off the shocks of its knife-edge turns, Chime sees Kiyoshi Kurosawa covering more than familiar ground with plenty of desolate moodscapes, recognisable for anyone with even a cursory knowledge of his past output. However, there is something particularly chilling about the oppressive mundanity here, a mundanity to which Kōichi Furuya's digital cinematography adds another layer of dread. It's a dreary madness that slowly begins seeping into the life of its character. Despite its skeletal form and brief runtime, the film ends on a fascinating rupture; the previously ambient evil becoming tangible shifts, terrifyingly, within the realm of possibility and the suggestion of this curse being made concrete becomes overbearing. Relishing in the awful psychological residues of violence while suggesting a lucid dream, the kind of fragmented nightmare you are grateful to wake up from but just as terrified to leave so unresolved.

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experience the charm of art

Zhang Zhehan's closeness to nature and his interactions with the local people create beautiful and harmonious scenes. Snow-capped mountains, glaciers, grasslands, herds of cattle and sheep, along with those ordinary yet sincere faces, all reflect his inner world. This blend of nature and culture brings me a sense of the diversity and beauty of life. In the documentary, the music harmonizes perfectly with the visuals, creating a serene and delightful atmosphere for the audience. Especially the song "The Eternal Flow of Rivers," sung by the protagonist's neighbor, not only portrays the social environment of the time but also hints at the grandeur of the era and the insignificance of the individual. This perfect combination of music and visuals allows me to experience the charm of art.

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Slow build-up dramatic tension in 56 minutes

The single 56 minute "series" is a highly entertaining and thought provoking experience. The concept is very interesting- being based on the word limerence. The ending may not be everyone's cup of tea but it is well-deserved. Overall, I think it's a very different "BL" if you can call it such.

Story: I loved the concept and that is why I rate the story so high. There are loopholes and some issues, but the execution is surprisingly great for a small production with less budget. The story has a crescendo of dramatic tensions; with each minute the story becomes more and more intense. There is a constant up and down of emotions, as we see characters doing things that may not be logical or clear- giving depth to the story. It's a dark but interesting watch.

Music: Nothing special it was appropriate for the mood.

Acting: The antagonist and protagonist of the story have excellent acting. I really liked their performance, and I would like to see more of them. This may not be the most romantic of stories but they were able to show case fear and tension nicely. Though I think the ending scene could have been better acted, as the acting was a little weak.

Rewatch Value: I like the story personally- there is something about attachment being shown in this way that makes me disturbed but intrigued. I feel like it's a story that I can revisit and it would still feel fresh- I guess it is a testament to the power of the original concept.

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Powerful and inspiring short film

Beautiful Run was a powerful and deeply touching short film. I have watched it twice and cried twice-something quite unusual for me. I’m not sure how realistic it would be, but I hope with all my heart it could be.

A young girl with a disabled leg who uses crutches cares for her bedridden father often missing school. Short on food and medication she applies for the most menial of jobs but is rudely turned down as people glance at her leg. She happens upon a flyer for a marathon with a cash reward and enters it. At first, she receives the same disdainful side-ways glances from the other runners, but during the arduous journey as she determinedly perseveres with one leg, her efforts begin to change the hearts of the other runners.

At less than seven minutes long the story is told with almost no dialogue. Only the careful editing and expressions on people’s faces tells the story. Near the end there is clarification through group messaging, but other than that everyone is silent. The music also nurtures the audience’s feelings. The nameless young woman never complains, never breaks down in tears, she just relentlessly keeps moving forward with her committed resolve.

This girl’s selfless persistence in a grueling physical act of love broke through people’s prejudices and began to bring out the best in others. The film stopped short of being patronizing. Beautiful Run made me believe that good does exist and people can open their minds and hearts to others. “Gratitude makes the impossible happen.” Let it be so.

10 June 2024

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