The last few episodes of this season did a pleasing job at taking the genre to a new place. Psychological and sociological dynamics have always been the forte of the show but plot always led. With episodes like this I was pleased with the slow burn. Straying from high stakes, high action, high suspense. Settling in deep listening exchanged by beloved characters, getting to know each other in new light. Lingering more with the struggles that occur in safe times, the mundane, the sitting with one's self. After a decade of living with these characters, I'm so glad the writers took the risk at a much needed new kind of storytelling that is grounding, and integrative of the environment, other beings such as herbs, mushrooms, water, dog, rat playing active roles in the story.
Reviews
20 Reviews
Male vulnerability beautifully tackled
18 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This episode does a terrific job at tackling the psychology of loss, and healthy processing of pain.
It dives into it without escapism, without "time heals" rhetorics. Instead offers a more integrative, spiritual way of thinking about tragedy with its full acceptance. I'm not familiar with the source material of this show and how much of this philosophy is engraved in the books. But I appreciate the TV writers taking risks with slow-burn episodes like this.
You don't see male vulnerability on display with such force often on television. And not only one man crying alone but a whole pack of them joining him in ritual. The episode takes its time to connect each character with Stepin's state of mind. Failing to appease his pain, and losing him too, the community gather in a ceremony. In contrast to the burial of the Aes Sedai earlier in the episode, this one is much more loaded with expressed emotions. The men slowly gather, begin to chant, then beat their chest. This ritual escalates all the way up to goosebump raising cries of Lan.
I truly appreciate how much screen time this closing scene took to show how pain sits in the body, in the heart and chest, not in the mind, and that it's not something that can intellectually be removed.
In a subtle and successful way, this final scene also becomes a tool to build upon the romantic tension gorgeously sustained between Nynaeve and Lan. Applaud to Rosamund Pike, Zoe Robins, and Daniel Henney, for their performances. They keep me glued to the screen.
It dives into it without escapism, without "time heals" rhetorics. Instead offers a more integrative, spiritual way of thinking about tragedy with its full acceptance. I'm not familiar with the source material of this show and how much of this philosophy is engraved in the books. But I appreciate the TV writers taking risks with slow-burn episodes like this.
You don't see male vulnerability on display with such force often on television. And not only one man crying alone but a whole pack of them joining him in ritual. The episode takes its time to connect each character with Stepin's state of mind. Failing to appease his pain, and losing him too, the community gather in a ceremony. In contrast to the burial of the Aes Sedai earlier in the episode, this one is much more loaded with expressed emotions. The men slowly gather, begin to chant, then beat their chest. This ritual escalates all the way up to goosebump raising cries of Lan.
I truly appreciate how much screen time this closing scene took to show how pain sits in the body, in the heart and chest, not in the mind, and that it's not something that can intellectually be removed.
In a subtle and successful way, this final scene also becomes a tool to build upon the romantic tension gorgeously sustained between Nynaeve and Lan. Applaud to Rosamund Pike, Zoe Robins, and Daniel Henney, for their performances. They keep me glued to the screen.
Delicious opening sequence
18 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The episode opens with a third person player, Assassin's Creed style tracking shot from behind. The action that follows is perfectly paced and reveals a full-term pregnant woman taking the lead. Guest star Magdalena Sittova truly gets under your skin, delivering an impeccable performance of a woman managing her contractions as well as attackers. In a way this is one of the best birthing scenes I've ever seen, a true testament to how labor could field like battlefield.
I've been admiring how this show does color so well. In this opening sequence, the white of Tigraine Mantear's costume against the white of the snowy landscape establishes whose side we are on, via color. Just the opposite works for the white cloaks in previous episodes, glaring deathfully in the liveliness and warmth of the forest.
After the fight is over, the baby is born, the Mother has passed, the yellow cape of a dead soldier becomes the baby's swaddle, indicating that the battle doesn't matter anymore. Both sides are on the same side. What matters is this baby.
I've been admiring how this show does color so well. In this opening sequence, the white of Tigraine Mantear's costume against the white of the snowy landscape establishes whose side we are on, via color. Just the opposite works for the white cloaks in previous episodes, glaring deathfully in the liveliness and warmth of the forest.
After the fight is over, the baby is born, the Mother has passed, the yellow cape of a dead soldier becomes the baby's swaddle, indicating that the battle doesn't matter anymore. Both sides are on the same side. What matters is this baby.
Foundation on TV is doing what Dune wishes it did in cinema.
23 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This episode truly captivated me both with its stylistic choices and the layers of philosophical questions it is packed with.
Brother Day / Empire naturally alludes to the many big systems, too big to fail institutions, as well as individual success figures that seemingly run the world today. This episode is his / its confrontation with an even higher power - cue in religion. But because religion itself bears the same vulnerabilities of any organized system he's able to play its game, trick it and win at it.
Nothing surprising here. As Brother Day reaches no big revelation, no true humbling, no stripping off of his arrogance at the end of this journey, but he does take a blow from his closest ally. And this dynamic lands at an even bigger twist of events in the season finale.
I like that the series has been scratching that "can A. I. have a soul?" question throughout the season. And this is the perfect question to explore upon Demerzel, Foundation's only A. I. character, in fact the only A. I. that still lives in the story universe, who also embodies mother, sister, wife power dynamics in subtle ways.
Lastly, I love the episode for a memorable, picturesque performance by Lee Pace who curls and drags his body across the landscape, hovering, almost tipping over, like a character from a painting.
Good show. Probably underrated, because people expect to see laser guns, and stuff exploding in sci-fi genre.
Brother Day / Empire naturally alludes to the many big systems, too big to fail institutions, as well as individual success figures that seemingly run the world today. This episode is his / its confrontation with an even higher power - cue in religion. But because religion itself bears the same vulnerabilities of any organized system he's able to play its game, trick it and win at it.
Nothing surprising here. As Brother Day reaches no big revelation, no true humbling, no stripping off of his arrogance at the end of this journey, but he does take a blow from his closest ally. And this dynamic lands at an even bigger twist of events in the season finale.
I like that the series has been scratching that "can A. I. have a soul?" question throughout the season. And this is the perfect question to explore upon Demerzel, Foundation's only A. I. character, in fact the only A. I. that still lives in the story universe, who also embodies mother, sister, wife power dynamics in subtle ways.
Lastly, I love the episode for a memorable, picturesque performance by Lee Pace who curls and drags his body across the landscape, hovering, almost tipping over, like a character from a painting.
Good show. Probably underrated, because people expect to see laser guns, and stuff exploding in sci-fi genre.
It's not just about crying in space
8 September 2020
"Away" imagines how female leadership would allow for healthy processing of emotions, as opposed to a pathological suppression of them, a worn-out stereotype of the male driven frontier story.
The show immediately breaks down genre norms in moments of tension, resolution of conflict through non-violence, emotional maturity, transparency and open conversation. More lifelike, a better way for new generations to watch a sci-fi and aspire to become like these new heroes that tap better into their female energy.
The show immediately breaks down genre norms in moments of tension, resolution of conflict through non-violence, emotional maturity, transparency and open conversation. More lifelike, a better way for new generations to watch a sci-fi and aspire to become like these new heroes that tap better into their female energy.
Wendy
(2020)
As wild as the Beasts
24 May 2020
This rethinking of the Peter Pan tale must be appreciated for its stylistic choices and social commentary.
The children are not ripped from their wealthy, white privileged three-story houses but from humble circumstances and hard working families, from lives that don't seem to leave much room to adults for dreaming. In Peter's world, instead of polished palms, the magic of flight, there's mud, dirt, and rust that ground the story world in somewhat of a realistic background. The same magic of natural nature that Ben Zeitlin captured in The Beasts of the Southern While, in the hurricane devastated New Orleans.
What really captivates me are layers and layers of deep commentaries on race in Peter's character, on climate change and human impact exposed through the plastic covered beach, the rusty old "over-fishing" boat, and the Mother, a creature made of Earth's core and the dying coral reef.
Ben Zeitlin's effort achieves to capture the soul of the Pan's story better than any Hollywood studio production. Perhaps this is not the cup of tea of audiences who expect to see an action-packed flick where we can easily point to the villain, root for the hero, dream of flying, and believe in magical creatures. I'm proud of Zeitlin for taking the hard route in weaving complex dynamics, and grounding the story's metaphors down with the contemporary dilemmas of our time.
A timeless piece of art that would be studied in film classes. Bravo!
The children are not ripped from their wealthy, white privileged three-story houses but from humble circumstances and hard working families, from lives that don't seem to leave much room to adults for dreaming. In Peter's world, instead of polished palms, the magic of flight, there's mud, dirt, and rust that ground the story world in somewhat of a realistic background. The same magic of natural nature that Ben Zeitlin captured in The Beasts of the Southern While, in the hurricane devastated New Orleans.
What really captivates me are layers and layers of deep commentaries on race in Peter's character, on climate change and human impact exposed through the plastic covered beach, the rusty old "over-fishing" boat, and the Mother, a creature made of Earth's core and the dying coral reef.
Ben Zeitlin's effort achieves to capture the soul of the Pan's story better than any Hollywood studio production. Perhaps this is not the cup of tea of audiences who expect to see an action-packed flick where we can easily point to the villain, root for the hero, dream of flying, and believe in magical creatures. I'm proud of Zeitlin for taking the hard route in weaving complex dynamics, and grounding the story's metaphors down with the contemporary dilemmas of our time.
A timeless piece of art that would be studied in film classes. Bravo!
"If you're going to have a voice, be careful what it says."
18 February 2020
This season of the show has begun to touch some critical cords in American history.
Abe's storyline has been building up a commentary on America's paranoid episode against communism, which robbed some great writers and thinkers off their jobs during the Black List event. Now, it's always pleasant to watch an anti-stereotype, which Abe displays with his idealist, socialist values despite the affluent lifestyle he was able to sustain for many years. It's not surprising that his old values rise back up in him upon the loss of his material comforts.
On the other hand, Abe is not a hypocrite. His advice to Miriam, "use your voice wisely," is a universal warning about how the advertising industry will change the course of society. These are the times talented people began to yield their voice to the service of brands whether they tell the truth or not, for a paycheck, without a full sense of the impact they have on general public's minds. The rise of the American Mad Men marks a turning point that we know today to have colossal consequences. Abe, having witnessed both ends of the spectrum, the talent losing their voice along with their income vs the talent being rewarded for using it, for any monetary opportunity that comes up, has the wise advice for his daughter.
Abe's storyline has been building up a commentary on America's paranoid episode against communism, which robbed some great writers and thinkers off their jobs during the Black List event. Now, it's always pleasant to watch an anti-stereotype, which Abe displays with his idealist, socialist values despite the affluent lifestyle he was able to sustain for many years. It's not surprising that his old values rise back up in him upon the loss of his material comforts.
On the other hand, Abe is not a hypocrite. His advice to Miriam, "use your voice wisely," is a universal warning about how the advertising industry will change the course of society. These are the times talented people began to yield their voice to the service of brands whether they tell the truth or not, for a paycheck, without a full sense of the impact they have on general public's minds. The rise of the American Mad Men marks a turning point that we know today to have colossal consequences. Abe, having witnessed both ends of the spectrum, the talent losing their voice along with their income vs the talent being rewarded for using it, for any monetary opportunity that comes up, has the wise advice for his daughter.
"You ok mammi?"
15 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
A striking catharsis when Ruiz observes the crow that got hit by a stone. We watch her immediate empathy with the bird: once free, now broken. The moment she approaches the crow is pregnant with allusions to freedom and peace, as birds often symbolize in storytelling. She asks "you ok mammi?" as if she could get an answer, as if she could do anything to care for the bird in the max.
But a quick answer comes, when the crow takes flight, wing unbroken, free as ever. This is an answer to the questions she had been asking herself. Will she ever be ok again? Will she heal and take flight?
The bird delivers the message. Ruiz's actions that follow, inspired by this muse change the course of the day from carnage to joy. Ruiz applies what Alex states to Piper in her vows: making up for her unforgivable mistake "in small, quiet ways." And that makes the whole difference.
So the collective unconscious of the women play in sync.
But a quick answer comes, when the crow takes flight, wing unbroken, free as ever. This is an answer to the questions she had been asking herself. Will she ever be ok again? Will she heal and take flight?
The bird delivers the message. Ruiz's actions that follow, inspired by this muse change the course of the day from carnage to joy. Ruiz applies what Alex states to Piper in her vows: making up for her unforgivable mistake "in small, quiet ways." And that makes the whole difference.
So the collective unconscious of the women play in sync.
Paçi: Av Sanati
(2017)
Coming of age in a lost art
19 November 2019
A gorgeous essay on an endangered indigenous tradition from the Turkish Black Sea region. The film mostly casts non-actors led by a grandfather, granddaughter duo. They play themselves in a semi-scripted plot. The young girl's "sparrowhawking" apprenticeship is introduced as an obedience to the only male authority figure she's ever had in her life. But we see hints of teenage boredom and isolation from the bigger, outside world.
The rhythm of the film is what makes it incredibly effective. The girl's coming of age as an apprentice, learning the subtleties of a tradition mostly dominated by men, is told patiently. Very patiently. Along with the audience, a fascination and an unbreakable bond with nature develops in the girl. By waiting, listening, watching and waiting.
Animal actors, including the dog are wonderful to watch. The film leaves with a beautiful philosophical note spoken out of the mouth of the most unlikely character: the sole handsome young boy of the town.
The rhythm of the film is what makes it incredibly effective. The girl's coming of age as an apprentice, learning the subtleties of a tradition mostly dominated by men, is told patiently. Very patiently. Along with the audience, a fascination and an unbreakable bond with nature develops in the girl. By waiting, listening, watching and waiting.
Animal actors, including the dog are wonderful to watch. The film leaves with a beautiful philosophical note spoken out of the mouth of the most unlikely character: the sole handsome young boy of the town.
A Simple Favor
(2018)
Magnetic actors
18 November 2019
Without the magnetism of the actors, this would be an over the top, strange female motivation gone wrong plot, full of the usual twists and turns. Well-executed screenplay, a fresh tone. I could have lived without the "where are they now" exposition in the end.
Healing process
12 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This final episode achieves a convincing possibility of forgiveness of self and others. The show arrives at this point through very complex layers of events and reasoning entering Cora's mind. What's great is that the show avoids villainizing Cora's perpetrators cartoonishly. Instead each character is studied in a psychoanalytical perspective. Each violent or malevolent action holds a valid reason, and some amount of internal righteousness which lets characters justify their choices. They are vulnerable to their circumstances, and lose a sense of making the right choice.
Secondly the show achieves a clear link between Harry and Cora's distinct characters. They are related by trauma inflicted by others, resulting in behavior that relentlessly blames self. As the season progresses we witness Harry, trying hard. We watch him work with discipline and creativity at his job. Although he is the hardest worker, he is also the least confident at and celebratory of his achievements. He does not simply want to get the job done and close the paperwork. He wants real resolution. Finding relief for Cora is meaningful for finding relief for his own neurosis. It proves hope for him.
Secondly the show achieves a clear link between Harry and Cora's distinct characters. They are related by trauma inflicted by others, resulting in behavior that relentlessly blames self. As the season progresses we witness Harry, trying hard. We watch him work with discipline and creativity at his job. Although he is the hardest worker, he is also the least confident at and celebratory of his achievements. He does not simply want to get the job done and close the paperwork. He wants real resolution. Finding relief for Cora is meaningful for finding relief for his own neurosis. It proves hope for him.
Hold the Dark
(2018)
A commentary on an environmental mistery
9 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The full intention of this film is delivered in this one piece of dialogue:
The writer is the only one who can attempt to make sense out of the darkness that falls into the hearts of secluded residents of an Alaskan town. The force that comes from the nature and drives wolves into madness works just the same on humans, no matter the rationalist denial, the mechanisms of our vulnerable civilization embodied in the police force. The film wraps up the purpose of the writer perfectly in a bow. He becomes a witness and the translator between those that can't tell and those that don't understand.
- "I'm not sure if the answers exist."
- "They do. Whether or not they fit in our experience is another matter."
The writer is the only one who can attempt to make sense out of the darkness that falls into the hearts of secluded residents of an Alaskan town. The force that comes from the nature and drives wolves into madness works just the same on humans, no matter the rationalist denial, the mechanisms of our vulnerable civilization embodied in the police force. The film wraps up the purpose of the writer perfectly in a bow. He becomes a witness and the translator between those that can't tell and those that don't understand.
Parasite
(2019)
On pure innocence
1 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Set against an urban background bathing in pollution, floods, and the North-South tension as an ever-present echo in people's psyches, Bong Joon-Ho achieves a revelation of pure innocence of simple humans that are puppets of their circumstances. The relentless positivity of each studied family, even the little basement couple's, their love and dedication to each other keeps the audience in all the way through. It's hard to point the finger at any of the characters as the victim or the perpetrator, except the outside forces or the cutouts posted in the hiding place of the Housekeeper's husband. A Korean tradition by now, masterfully applied in the Wailing and The Chaser, there is an effective tonal play coating the baseline with humor which intensifies the suspense.
The Ritual
(I) (2017)
Broken compass
6 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
A film about a few good friends lost in the forest, naturally features a broken compass. An essential tool stops working, rendering men dependent on their own inner compass, which also becomes lost, due either to the enchanted forest, or the demons haunting their friendship's past.
Baskin
(2015)
Subtle tonal play between comedy and horror
5 August 2019
While the gore is abundantly nauseating for those that have a taste for it, I found the plot twists and the psychological tension achieved through character development more effective in Baskin. The film does not simply rely on the shock factor but attempts successfully at religious symbolism.
Baskin builds upon the fundamental fears, homophobia and sexual suppressions of Turkish men. It also presents subtle social commentary about the police force, and the establishment embodied in the character's naming.
What may be getting lost in translation is the strongest quality of this film: the tonal play with comedy which is a great tool in horror when applied gracefully. We are shown a night in the life of small town male policemen. They crack jokes that are hard to digest. Their vulnerability and trigger points are wide open in their closed circle. This is a side that is not typically seen on cop shows.
The cowardly attributes of the officers remind me quite a bit of Hong-Jin Na's work in The Wailing. Humorous tone grounded in culture specific realism precede skin crawling horror sequences, in a similar way. While Can Evrenol doesn't match Na's craftsmanship in nail-biting suspense yet, he seems to be a contender to master the genre.
Baskin builds upon the fundamental fears, homophobia and sexual suppressions of Turkish men. It also presents subtle social commentary about the police force, and the establishment embodied in the character's naming.
What may be getting lost in translation is the strongest quality of this film: the tonal play with comedy which is a great tool in horror when applied gracefully. We are shown a night in the life of small town male policemen. They crack jokes that are hard to digest. Their vulnerability and trigger points are wide open in their closed circle. This is a side that is not typically seen on cop shows.
The cowardly attributes of the officers remind me quite a bit of Hong-Jin Na's work in The Wailing. Humorous tone grounded in culture specific realism precede skin crawling horror sequences, in a similar way. While Can Evrenol doesn't match Na's craftsmanship in nail-biting suspense yet, he seems to be a contender to master the genre.
Shéhérazade
(2018)
All worth watching for the ending
3 August 2019
It was hard to get into it this world right off the bat. I had moments I wanted to wander off. Very specific, tough lives. But the realism and the natural magnetism of the actors kept me in.
The one motorcycle sequence which shot in a single movement is more effective than many action movies I've seen lately. The courtroom sequence flows with a matter-of-fact rhythm and holds a lot of great tension. This is the denoument of the social commentary. The characters, especially Sheherazade grew on me quite a bit in the end.
The one motorcycle sequence which shot in a single movement is more effective than many action movies I've seen lately. The courtroom sequence flows with a matter-of-fact rhythm and holds a lot of great tension. This is the denoument of the social commentary. The characters, especially Sheherazade grew on me quite a bit in the end.
"You get all of the art, Billy. All of it."
2 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Remarkable episode where art plays a big role underneath it all.
First, the relationship that Serena has with her writing marks a clear turning point in her decision making process.
Then, June negotiates her deal, pitching art "all of it" to the bartender.
In the fateful self-defense scene, June uses a pen, quick quick quick stabs into the Commander's heart, quick quick quick surprisingly insistent stabs that pull the breath out him.
The statue, becomes the weapon that delivers the final blow.
Deniz Gamze Erguven has a special touch when it comes to the topic of art, which she also masterfully handled in the episodes she directed for "The First." She's becoming a remarkable director for truly challenging, complex dynamics.
First, the relationship that Serena has with her writing marks a clear turning point in her decision making process.
Then, June negotiates her deal, pitching art "all of it" to the bartender.
In the fateful self-defense scene, June uses a pen, quick quick quick stabs into the Commander's heart, quick quick quick surprisingly insistent stabs that pull the breath out him.
The statue, becomes the weapon that delivers the final blow.
Deniz Gamze Erguven has a special touch when it comes to the topic of art, which she also masterfully handled in the episodes she directed for "The First." She's becoming a remarkable director for truly challenging, complex dynamics.
Rigged games?
2 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
(Spoiler)
About Dr. Alexei's fate. "You can do it Mister!" cheered by children, he gets to experience the innocence, the essence of the fun, of the true American spirit. Only to be punished by his own countryman, a Terminator type.
This season had a lot of complex socio-political dynamics overall and kept pushing my PC buttons more than usual. I kept asking myself, "would I want my kids to watch this, these messages, are they reinforcing unhealthy narratives of the American identity in relation to others?"
Amidst the thread of a nothing-new Russian enemy narrative, this sequence of Dr. Alexei's fun at the festival stood out for me.
- A reactionary note to self. Written for research purposes.
About Dr. Alexei's fate. "You can do it Mister!" cheered by children, he gets to experience the innocence, the essence of the fun, of the true American spirit. Only to be punished by his own countryman, a Terminator type.
This season had a lot of complex socio-political dynamics overall and kept pushing my PC buttons more than usual. I kept asking myself, "would I want my kids to watch this, these messages, are they reinforcing unhealthy narratives of the American identity in relation to others?"
Amidst the thread of a nothing-new Russian enemy narrative, this sequence of Dr. Alexei's fun at the festival stood out for me.
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