Paracosm of Lilies
"A detailed imaginary world created inside one's mind..."
Monday, 5 April 2021
101 in 1001: 039. Complete the Exploring Japanese Avant-garde Art Through Butoh Dance free course.
Thursday, 25 March 2021
009:Draw 20 fanarts. Part 2
This is the second fanart I've done (I finished it a few days the Manner of Death series ended). It's the actors Tul Pakorn & Max Nattapol as the characters Tan & Bunn. The lily, chili and cactus are all things from the show and the Thai text it a line from the Manner of Death end theme (it means "I love you"). There's so much I'm not happy with in it, but I think it at least vaguely looks like them. Unsurprisingly, next fanart I do will probably be from The Untamed.
Tuesday, 23 March 2021
101 in 1001: 003. Watch/finish 20 foreign language films/shows. The Untamed
7. The Untamed
Year: 2019
No. of Seasons: 1
No. of Episodes: 50
Cert: 12
Genre: Xianxia, Fantasy, Period, Action Adventure
Language: Chinese (Mandarin)
Director: Zheng Weiwen & Chen Jialin
Starring: Xiao Zhan, Wang Yibo, Wang Zhuocheng
Tuesday, 2 March 2021
003. Watch/finish 20 foreign language films/shows. Manner of Death/พฤติการณ์ที่ตาย -6
Title: Manner of Death (พฤติการณ์ที่ตาย)
Year: 2020-2021
No. of Seasons: 1
No. of Episodes: 14
Cert: 18
Genre: Suspense, romance, crime
Language: Thai
Director: Ma-Deaw Chookiat Sakveerakul
Starring: Tul Pakorn Thanasrivanitchai, Max Nattapol Diloknawarit, Great Sapol Assawamunkong, Meiko Chonnikan Netjui
Synopsis:
I really loved this series! The plot was intriguing, the acting was solid, the soundtrack was pleasant (though sometimes a tad overdramatic in some scenes), the cinematography and setting were gorgeous and the two lead actors had amazing chemistry. Although it was a serious show, with some very dark themes, there were also funny and sweet moments mixed in as, which created a nice balance.
Best bits: Tan's insane and inappropriate flirting/idea of romance, Jane being the bravest person in the whole town, the way the story unfolded and was pieced together episode by episode, the chemistry between Tan and Bunn, no homophobia at all, cactus & chili, the focus being on the murder/crime plot rather than just the romance.
Watch it if you like: Interesting characters in a well thought-out story, stories involving police corruption, strong female characters, the BL genre in a more serious & grown-up setting, murder mysteries, crime dramas, adrenaline junkies, action, romance, love expressed in unusual ways.
Sunday, 21 February 2021
007. Finish 3 games - Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2
Tuesday, 16 February 2021
009. Draw 20 fanarts.
011. Make 10 meals from recipes you've never tried before
1. Green Curry
Sunday, 14 February 2021
006. Listen to 20 new bands/band you haven't heard before: Cold Cave & Anilah
Genre: Ambient/Dark Ambient
Thursday, 11 February 2021
003: Watch/finish 20 foreign language films/shows - Part 2 (4 - 5)
Today I watched 2 more films for number 3 on my 101/1001 list: Watch/finish 20 foreign language films/shows. 5 down, 5 to go!
Name: Shadow (影)
Language: Mandarin
Year: 2018
Rating: 15
Genre: Period, Action, Royal Court Politics
Director: Yimou Zhang
Starring: Chao Deng, Li Sun, Ryan Zheng
Synopsis: The story of a man in ancient China who, taken from his homeland as a child, becomes a pawn in the political games of the Pei royal family.
Thoughts: When beginning to watch Shadow, my first thought was 'this film is absolutely stunning visually!'. The whole film is very stylised, but not overdone. All of the costumes, sets and cinematography are absolutely beautiful and I particularly liked the use of black and white theme in the Pei palace. Not only is it a stark contrast to the other scenes in the film, showing that things inside and outside of the court aren't the same, but also the black and white signifies the balance of yin and yang, which is a big theme in the film. I also enjoy media in which parasols are featured as weapons, so I liked that too.
Visuals aside, Chao Deng plays the role of, Jing/the Commander, a man struggling for his freedom through obedience and patience well, while Ryan Zheng plays the King of Pei's ridiculous facade and cunning charmingly well. Li Sun also plays her role as the Commander's role well, though I preferred the storyline of the king's sister (played by Xiaotong Guan) much more.
Overall Shadow was an enjoyable watch with a well thought out plot, strong performances from the actors and gorgeous aesthetics. If you love Chinese period films, which I do, then this is one to check out.
Name: Freaks: You're One of Us (Freaks: Du bist eine von uns)
Language: German
Year: 2020
Rating: 15
Genre: Action, Superhero, Fantasy
Director: Felix Binder
Starring: Cornelia Gröschel, Tim Oliver Schultz, Wotan Wilke Möhring
Synopsis: Tipped by a mysterious tramp, a meek fry cook discovers she has superpowers and uncovers an unsavory, vast conspiracy.
Thoughts: This film could have and should have been a good film. When Wendy, the very likeable main character, first realises she has superpowers (super strength), it's fun to see her confidence growing at the same time, making her able to stand up to the 'bad people' in her life.
But when the film tries to inject a more serious message into the plot (ie: just because people are different to other people, doesn't make them dangerous), it just didn't work. The two groups of people who came to mind whilst watching were LGBTQ+ people and the mentally ill (there were subtle references to both groups). But, as I mentioned, it just didn't work, mainly because they showed that both Wendy and Elmar - Elmar in particular - used their powers to hurt people and enjoyed it, on several occasions and therefore could legitimately be considered dangerous.
While Dr Stern was obviously one of the antagonists, she genuinely thought she was doing the right thing and trying to help them, and was portrayed quite sympathetically. This also didn't really help the message that was behind the film either.
Freaks was an okay film, but if you're looking for a superhero film that isn't really about superheros, then, in my opinion, the Spanish film Unknown Origins would be a better choice.
019. Read 20 books: Manner of Death - 1
Title: Manner of Death (พฤติการณ์ที่ตาย)
Author: Sammon
Original Release Date (Thai): March 2017
English Release: 2020
Genre: Suspense, Romance, Crime
Length: 439 pages
Plot: Dr. Bunnakit Songsakdina Bunn) is a medical examiner from Bangkok, who begins working at a provincial hospital in North Thailand. When he's called to the scene of a recently deceased woman, Janejira, who has apparently committed suicide he starts to have suspicions that she was murdered. At first he suspects that her boyfriend, a teacher and part-time gangster called Tann, had something to do with it, and it soon becomes clear that meeting this man will change the course of Bunn's life forever.
Thoughts: Manner of Death - a novel by Thai author, Sammon, which was released in 2017 - is essentially a BL novel, but one with a complex plot that generally centres around the crimes not the romance. The version I read was the English translated version. I actually only heard of the book because I am watching a Thai drama show of the same name, based on the book, that started airing last year. It's a little bit different than the novel, but I'll write about it more in another post.
In the book, chapters consist of bits and pieces of Bunn and Tann's respective timelines (not always in chronological order), but it's easy to follow and it's interesting to have earlier parts of the story be given more significance once you have another view of them. I suppose it's a little like an investigation or a puzzle, which is a great storytelling device for the subject of the book.
In addition, the main characters are likeable and always have a reason for doing the things they do, even if it's something irrational, fueled by emotions. Their relationship develops throughout the plot; going from strangers who don't trust each other at all, to having to rely on each other in life or death situations. Also, during the course of the book the two of them eventually develop romantic feelings for each other, but it's done very naturally and makes sense. As does Bunn's unwillingness to accept his feelings.
Overall it was an enjoyable read and I recommend it.
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