< Notes...

Just finished watching “Left-Handed Girl” (★★★★★) , a Taiwanese drama. It felt real. It is sad, with touches of happiness. I lived the struggle with the mum, her daughter, and the granddaughter. I felt their sadness, and enjoyed their happy moments. It is the perfect movie to end the weekend with.

We saw so many movies, and series, during the holidays that I would be dropping notes for a while, should I remembered them all. I better wait until I see them the second time.

Yesternight was “The Family Plan 2” (★★★☆☆) , and half of “The Family Plan” (★★★☆☆) , weirdly in that order, night. They were entertaining, and a good way to end an otherwise stressful day. Tonight we will finish watching the second—which was the first. Some might find that weird, I know, but it’s just business as usual around here.

This week’s end was a Marvel’s weekend with “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” (★★★☆☆) , and “Thunderbolts *” (★★★☆☆) on our watched list. They were quite entertaining, as I was expecting them to be. But “🎶 now, the end is near and so I face the final curtain”, and fun is over. Working week starts tomorrow. Yay! 🤭

The Horsie and I watched “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (★★★★★) last night. This is the—wow, had to pause to think here—sixth time I have seeing this movie, but the very first, and probably last, with the Horsie. She was rather lost, because she hasn’t seeing the preceding movie on the trilogy, nor any other based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings.

Call me weird, but I don’t tire of seeing them.

Last Sunday the kid and I watched “The Mask” (★★★★☆) , which I have seeing numerous times before, but it was the first time for the kid. See, he doesn’t like comedies. He has a fairly strict taste when it comes to genre while me, on the other hand, give a chance to almost anything. Anyway, back to “The Mask”, he liked it! If only he would give other movies a chance…

This weekend we have watched two movies, so far. “Joy Ride” (★★★★☆) , a comedy, was fun to watch. With never a dull moment, and surprising—often shocking—hilarious outcomes, it kept us laughing in between WTFs. If you are into comedies, with a girl’s twist, you will like this one.

“Wonka” (★★★★☆) was a joy to watch. Not quite a musical, I would say, even though it is, it was entertaining and well done. It was a new twist to Willy Wonka, seemingly the precursor of the Wonka movies we have seeing before—you know, before he builds his factory.

Watching “Call me Chihiro” (★★★★★) for the third time felt like watching it the first time. I like that movie so much! It is sad but, at least to me, also hopeful, heartfull, sweet, and real. I strongly believe we all need a Chihiro in our lives.

Following what it can be considered a trend around here now, Horsie and I watched “Jason Bourne” (★★★★★) last Saturday night. Sad to say good bye to Matt Damon. We think he is, and will always be, the Jason Bourne.

Horsie and I watched “The Treacherous” (★★★★☆) last night. Same king as the one on “Bon Appétit, Your Majesty”, different twist. First Korean movie I see that’s sexually explicit; it truly suprised me. Worth watching, it’s a good movie.

“There are legends of people… born with the gift of making music so true, it can pierce the veil between life and death. Conjuring spirits from the past… and the future.”

“Sinners” (★★★★☆) was the movie of choice last night with the kid. Even thought I am not a huge fan of the genre, it was a good movie to see, and a welcomed theme change from the movies we have watched previously.

Last night was movies night with Kim. We saw “About My Father” (★★★★☆) first. It is a comedy, so we enjoyed it quite a bit. Good cast, light, but entertaining plot. I would recommend. The second movie we saw was “Ice Road: Vengeance” (★☆☆☆☆) , which was a total, and absolute flop. The only reason we finished watching it was because of the time we had already invested on it. Avoid at all cost; trust me on this one.

Last night was “The Bourne Ultimatum” (★★★★★) night. There is no doubt, in my opinion, that this is the best movie of the original trilogy. That’s not to say the previous two were bad—after all, I rated the three the same—but this last one takes the first prize.

Even thought I went to bed late because of it, watching the movie wasn’t the reason for my 83 sleep score. Allegedly I woke up 7 times during the night, which is pretty disastrous.

Last night we re-wathed “The Bourne Supremacy” (★★★★★) which, needless is to say, because it was a re-watch, we liked very much. Kid reminded me that we “own” all of the movies; I had forgotten about that. Next, “The Bourne Ultimatum”, but that’s a note for another day.

I watched “The Bourne Identity” (★★★★★) for the, well, I forgot how many times I have watched it, with the kid last night. It never gets old. It is entertaining while having “substance”, and keeping you engaged all throughout. The Bourne film franchise “series” is one of the few that, in my opinion, doesn’t get worse as new films come out. If you haven’t watched it, do. You will be in for a great treat!

Finished watching “The Brutalist” (★★★★★) last night—had to split it in two nights, because it is a 3 hours plus film—which I liked. I found it to be a rather unique drama, not only because of the plot, but the way it is laid out (three parts). László Tóth, the main character, never existed in real life, but the film leads you to believe he did. Saying no more, watch it!

Child and I saw “The Amateur” (★★★★☆) last night. I am a fan of the genre, and Rami Malek, hence my rating. Do I recommend it? You bet!

Watched “Superman” (★★★★☆) last night. It was entertaining, it was alright, though I am glad I didn’t catch it at the theatres.

Watched “The Piano Teacher” (★★★☆☆) because Muan wrote is was good. I didn’t like it. Ten minutes into it I knew I didn’t like it, but I watched it all. Maybe I will watch it again; it might be an acquired taste.

Saw the movie “Black Bag” (★★★★★) the other day, and I liked it very much. Both main casts, Cate Blanchett, and Michael Fassbender are favourite of mine. Recommended!

Saw “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” (★★★★★) , finally (I once started to watch it, but didn’t go past the first minute or two, can’t remember why), and I loved it. Now I must read the book.

Saw “Project Almanac” (★★★☆☆) with the kid last night. I wasn’t expecting anything good but, oh dear, it was worse than expected. I am being generous on my rating though, of course, your rating might differ from mine. IMDB gives it 3 stars, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 2. Yeah.

Was just watching “The Penguin Lessons” (★★★★☆) , which I am rating even though I havent finished it—because The Horse urgently needed to know on what I spent some money almost a year ago, and I had to stop watching to search for receipts on my computer, because searching on the pocket (iPhone) one wasn’t rendering any results.

Update: 02 Oct 2025 @ 07:30:05

I just finished watching the movie, and I am revising my rating to 4 stars instead. It is a good movie, based on real events.

Last Friday I saw “Limitless” (★★★★☆) with the kid. It is a relatively old movie (2011), starring Bradley Cooper, and Robert De Niro. First time I saw it, I can watch it again. Imagine been mentally limitless!

Just finished watching “The Notebook” (★★★★☆) with the kid. It is the third time I watch it, I believe. The second time I watch it with him. It gets me a knot in my throat every time.

Saw “Past Lives” (★★★★☆) this weekend, which got me with a knot in the throat a few times. Just what I needed after a relatively full-of-game-playing weekend.

“There is a word in Korean: In-Yun. It means “providence” or “fate”. But it’s specifically about relationships between people. I think it comes from Buddhism and reincarnation. It’s an In-Yun if two strangers even walk by each other in the street and their clothes accidentally brush. Because it means there must have been something between them in their past lives. If two people get married, they say it’s because there have been 8,000 layers of In-Yun over 8,000 lifetimes.”

Watched “The Conclave” (★★★★★) last night, as I hadn’t watched it, and I though it was the suitable thing to do, considering current events. I liked it very much.

“Don’t put it in your pocket, sir. Don’t put it in your pocket. It’s your lucky quarter. Where do you want me to put it? Anywhere not in your pocket. Where it’ll get mixed in with the others and become just a coin. Which it is.”

Today, for no reason at all, memories of the many times the kid and I saw “Monsters, Inc.” (★★★★★) when he was growing up came to mind. It was one of our favourite movies, one on which we bonded together. Good times!

From the original (and well-received) “Blade Runner” (★★★★★) film, the now famous Roy Batty’s (leader of the replicants) monologue:

“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe… Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion… I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain… Time to die.”

There is wisdom, even in animated movies. Especially in animated movies.

“Your story may not have such a happy beginning, but that does not make you who you are. It is the rest of your story, who you choose to be.”
— Soothsayer, Kung Fu Panda.

From “No Country for Old Men”:

Anton Chigurh: Don’t put it in your pocket, sir. Don’t put it in your pocket. It’s your lucky quarter.
Gas Station Proprietor: Where do you want me to put it?
Anton Chigurh: Anywhere not in your pocket. Where it’ll get mixed in with the others and become just a coin. Which it is.

Watched “Love Actually” (★★★★★) because, you know, it is that time of the year. Call me silly, but I will probably watch it once more before 2023 is over.

Watched “The Farewell” (★★★★★) again, because it is one of those movies that keep you kind of down all throughout, but makes you feel happy, and shed some tears, at the end. I recommend you see it.

“I’m tired, boss. Tired of being on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. I’m tired of never having me a buddy to be with to tell me where we’s going to, coming from, or why. Mostly, I’m tired of people being ugly to each other. I’m tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world… every day. There’s too much of it. It’s like pieces of glass in my head… all the time. Can you understand?”

Watched both “Dune” movies last night. The one from 1984 (★★★☆☆) , because it is leaving Netflix, and the one from 2021 (★★★★★) . I can’t wait for part 2 (second movie), scheduled to be released sometime on 2024.

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Watched the first episode of “Foundation” (★★★★☆) last night, on Apple TV+, and regardless the public reviews that has gotten I liked it very, very much. It gets almost five stars from me so far. If that changes, I will come, and amend.

I also re-watched “Interstellar” (★★★☆☆) which I have always found too slow, and not enough “science fictiony”, for my liking. But kid wanted to watch it, and I am a good buddy, so… yeah.

Kid and I watched “Jujutsu Kaisen” (★★★★★), the series (and the movie), and this song from the series’ last episode stuck.

Catchy, ain’t it? If you haven’t watched the series, even if you are not into manga, I highly recommend it!

Just watched “The Hunt” (★★★★☆) . Though good, that was one upsetting movie—to the point that if it weren’t because I was watching it with the kid, I would have stopped seeing it. Was he believed, and fully accepted back? Think twice.

Charles Chaplin’s movie “The Great Dictator” (★★★★☆) final speech is uplifting, and remains as relevant today (for better or worse), as it was then. That makes me feel sad, but time is on our side.

To those who can hear me, I say: do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed—the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish…

The entire transcript is available at his website. I think it’s worth reading.