Le bleu du caftan (2022)

Incredible!

Everything introduced throughout the film builds towards the end. The pace is measured and the scenes are subtle, but oh so poignant!

One of the strongest female characters I've seen in film.

Strong direction, performances, soundtrack, visuals and all.
 

Joyland (2022)

Somehow, I didn't enjoy this as much as I hoped I would. IMHO, the character of Mumtaz is the one I gravitated towards the most.
 

Sisu (2023)

What a visually arresting film with a glorious soundtrack! Evil Nazis spouting accented English. Our glorious hero going without a single dialogue for almost the whole film. The shot of the women with guns! Or the Nazis who dropped their weapons. I can imagine the main hero being like an older Bruce Wayne in a world without costumed heroes.
 

Return to Seoul (2022)

Erm... I did doze off a bit in the front just before the first period in Freddie's life ended (cos I think I was tired).  That said, I thought the storytelling was very deliberate. I wasn't sure if I liked it after I left the cinema, but it's definitely a film with substance, IMHO.

Great performance by Park Ji-Min. Direction was subtle and compelling, but this type of film may not be for everyone as it seems to be more focused on the emotional truth of a character than trying to make the character sympathetic.

One of the characters described Freddie as a very sad person. 

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

Bad guys get dispatched without much considerations. In other words, if you think too much like I do now, which is to notice how accepting it is in modern pop culture for violence to happen to characters in films, as long as they are bad guys.

GOTG3 does have its entertaining bits. But I realized I didn't really care much for Star Lord in this one. I like Adam Warlock! But the characters, fun as some of them like Drax and Nebula are, didn't make me feel for them as much in this "plot is thin" adventure.   

Generally still liked it tho.


 

Riceboy Sleeps (2022)

"Feelings" driven drama about a mom and son, that also touched on family roots and issues that immigrants to a new country face.

It was okay, but the focus was a little soft.

Marry My Dead Body《關於我和鬼變成家人的那件事》(2023)

This "fairy tale" is pretty entertaining. Plot is thin but the characters endearing. Even some of the supporting, who only made few appearances, like the granny and the fat gay colleague.