Hello everyone, and welcome to my blog, this is my first post in this community.

After hearing about Ne Zha for months, I finally got to see it and boy the hype is true. I already knew it was one of the largest films of all time , when it came out it had already been highly acclaimed on that level before I even hit play on it, and sometimes when they hype up something like this ,it turns out that it's not as good as people expected, but that wasn't the case here at all. This movie, from its early minutes, can be seen to have been well cared for and well ambitious.

_{Image credit}

The Story So Far

I would actually suggest watching Ne Zha 1 before this, as this does not take the time to go back and explain things from the beginning. It starts just as Ne Zha and his friend Ao Bing are hit by lightning and the body is essentially ruined. They have survived, their souls yes, but their bodies are no more, and it is a wild idea for a sequel to begin this way. Thereafter the entire film is a quest to somehow restore them to their former lives by way of this magical seven-color lotus that, in order to use, the master, Taiyi Zhenren, must sacrifice alot. A rather weighty premise for a lot of people who think this is simply a kid's animation and it's certainly not lacking in weight.

The Animation

Alright, let's discuss the graphics, they are pretty cool, next level cool. I'm not sure I was ready for the actual amount of detail and flow in the animation, not only are they fast for the sake of being fast, the action scenes have good meaning behind every move. You feel it when characters butt heads or when the world falls apart around them. It is the kind of animation that you are able to see that they're not just trying to look pretty, they're trying to look alive.

_{image Credit}

Ne Zha's Growth

I feel like the most interesting thing about Ne Zha in this one is that He has evolved so much since the first one. He still has that rebellious element that he had, that he won't take anything on the chin, but he has a calmness in him now as well. He's not just angry at the world for fearing him anymore, but he is also fighting for something, for those who care for him, for a second chance at life that was denied him, it can be noticed in the way this movie goes, Less chaos for the sake of chaos, more purpose behind every choice he makes.

Ao Bing and Their Bond

Honestly, the relationship between Ne Zha and Ao Bing is one of the best in this whole story, They were enemies in the first part, if I remember correctly, but now they're pretty much tied up in a body and it seems like it would have been a gimmick, but it is not because the movie actually develops their friendship in a good way. Their bickering, mutual aid, and eventual full trust of one another give the movie a genuine emotional heart that many action packed films lack.

The Villains and the Stakes

The antagonists in this movie are not just there only for the purpose of being defeated for the sake of a big final battle, but also to serve their own cause. Some of the reasons for their actions are actually rather well explained, and the politics of the dragon clans and the celestial forces are not rushed through, It is patient as it slowly develops tension to the point that you see how everyone is fighting for what they feel is right, even when it puts them directly against Ne Zha and Ao Bing, It makes the final confrontations feel earned instead of just being spectacle for spectacle's sake.

A Few Criticisms

Well, if to be frank and truly honest, it was at times a bit slow around some point, where the mythology and politics get explained, If you are not already familiar with the world or the first movie, some of it might feel like a lot to take in at once. It's not a huge issue, but it's something I noticed, especially with how long the movie runs overall.

_{Image Credit}

So My Final Thoughts Here...

But, seriously, it does not detract from the fact that Ne Zha 2 is impressive as a whole, Why this movie is a huge hit in China and the world can be easily explained, It's got heart, it's got insane visuals and it actually respects its characters enough to give them a chance to develop as characters instead of just repeating what worked in the first movie. Even if you don't have interest in Chinese animation or simply want to find out what it's all been buzzing about, this is an absolute must watch.

_{First Image Designed On ChatGpt}

You probably have watched some movies and found yourself questioning the characters; why they made some decisions, why they went ahead to do some things that clearly had elements of concern or danger. In those kinds of moments, you lose a little of the reality that it's a movie, it was scripted and acted. You'll agree this happens more with movies in the horror genre. I mean, the characters do funny and stupid things. Haha.

You might think that way with the movie “Truth or Dare,” a supernatural horror movie that follows six youthful friends and the consequences of their decisions. I don't know why horror movies that have to do with youth usually have that element of partying and having fun, and them ending up in serious trouble, costing some their lives. “Truth or Dare” isn't far from this.

The six friends, Olivia, Markie, Lucas, Penelope, Tyson and Brad travelled to Rosarito, Mexico for spring break, partying and having fun. Perhaps, one of the plights of youthful curiosity is that it can be extreme and tends to have no positive bearing, mostly leading to wrong places and things. The party wasn't enough, they agreed to follow a stranger, Carter to an old and abandoned convent; a creepy place to be, most importantly not at night.

The friends wanted more fun so they had no problem being there to play a game which Carter revealed as Truth or Dare. If only it was just a game. Carter didn't just invite them to play a game. He lured them there to become part of a curse he and his friends ignited some time back in their seemingly reckless adventure for fun which had cost the others their lives. Why did he do that? The more players in the game, the more time it took to go round and back to a player. He was buying time.

Weird things as expected began to happen when they returned home. The game followed them home. They get compelled by hallucinations through people, and other mediums to pick a truth or dare and do as instructed. Here's the problem, when a player refuses to do as instructed or fails, they meet their demise. Well, you would think more would be done with the story except that the demon only used them to play the game on one another; revealing secrets, hidden desires, intentions, and using their weaknesses and likes against them.

It was interesting in its own way; how they did and revealed many things they wouldn't normally. Like Olivia having to expose the truth about her best friend, Markie’s infidelity to her boyfriend Lucas, Penelope dared to walk from one end of the roof to the other while drinking alcohol because she liked drinking, Markie dared to break Olivia’s hand as she was angry with her, and other truth and dare instructions the friends had to play to.

They didn't really use cheap jump scares. But there was probably more that would have been done with the story. Another thing was the face used when the demon possessed a person or was compelling a player to play their round. It was this messed-up Snapchat filter face, with CGI adjustments, which might have been better off as a normal but weird smile. I guess it was their way of trying to communicate the demon’s presence and horror in a way that was not just fearful but also funny. The CGI seemed much though.

The movie had some of the friends lose their lives due to the game. Something to take from it is being mindful of the choices we make and where our curiosities lead us. It won't be like the case of the six friends but even as older people and youth, our curiosities and endless and mindless desire for pleasure can come with dire consequences that we're not ready for. The movie is a fairly good watch, maybe not what horror fans will find really appealing. As a low-budget movie, you wouldn't really expect more.

Image Credits.

Thank you for reading!

En ocasiones no nos damos cuenta que la edad no nos limita, es solo eso, años de experiencia, de vida y vivencias pero no está en discusión que el tiempo no pasa en vano por supuesto que vamos perdiendo algo, juventud. Eso puedo ocurrir tanto como personalmente como cuando hablamos de un artista o banda musical. Es un hecho que el tiempo suele marchitar la intensidad de muchas bandas buscando otras raíces quizás buscando algún sonido más nuevo y cómodo para sus nuevas capacidades y eso no está mal, es totalmente aceptable lo increíble es ver bandas que aun después de 30 años sigan aportando energía, calidad y buena música al espectáculo mundial.

Sometimes we don’t realize that age doesn’t limit us—it’s just that: years of experience, of life, and of experiences. But there’s no question that time doesn’t pass in vain; of course, we lose something our youth. That can happen both on a personal level and when we’re talking about an artist or a band. It’s a fact that time tends to diminish the intensity of many bands as they explore other influences perhaps seeking a newer, more comfortable sound that suits their evolving abilities and there’s nothing wrong with that; it’s perfectly acceptable. What’s truly incredible is seeing bands that, even after 30 years, continue to bring energy, quality, and great music to the global music scene.

Sherlock Holmes’ style of action adventures are some of my favourites and recently, I've taken the time to watch the series focused on his younger sister. Who knew the Victorian-era detective had a sister? I've seen Enola Holmes and Enola Holmes 2 and really enjoyed them. So when the third movie was released, I had to watch and write my review on it.

If you have not seen these movies, the first one, Enola Holmes, follows the lead character as a school girl whose mother goes missing. She steps out into the world to find her but meets a stray boy and instead helps him to solve the mystery of those trying to kill him while proving to her brothers that the mystery-solving gene runs in her veins too.

The second film, Enola Holmes 2, shows she's becoming an adult and tries to prove herself worthy of the Holmes name by establishing her own detective agency under Sherlock's guidance. These movies may be seen independently but it smoothens the watching experience when you start from the first film.

The third film in the series, Enola Holmes 3 (2026), stars Millie Bobby Brown as the lead character alongside Henry Cavill, Louis Partridge, Helena Bonham Carter, Himesh Patel and other cast members.

Written by Jack Thorne and directed by Philip Barantini, this third movie reveals Enola is all grown up and ready for the next step—marriage.

The opening scene is mysterious and hooks viewers when a man in a suit promises a shackled prisoner freedom so they can handle an issue by the name “Tewkesbury”.

Next, there are guests waiting in a church on a hot afternoon while the groom stands at the altar awaiting his bride. Enola is the bride, still at her residence but having doubts about the wedding and whether it would take away her independence. When she makes up her mind and her carriage hurries along the dusty road, a masked horse rider pursues them. She takes out a shotgun to shoot the rider only to discover that her brother, Sherlock Holmes, has been kidnapped. Who would do that to a famed detective and why?

My Review And Rating

Unlike the previous two movies, Enola Holmes 3 is more fun and less complicated. The previous movies threw the audience into a maze of mysteries filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I expected the same vibe in this third movie but it did not turn out that way and this is not bad.

The plot of this movie is straightforward and gripping—I mean, who would dare to kidnap the Sherlock Holmes and why? My curiosity and interest were piqued from the opening scene. The filmmakers didn't make it hard on the viewers. The clues were easy to notice and before the final reveal at the end of the movie, I'd already figured out who the kidnapper was and why they had done it. Well, for some cinephiles, this might be a letdown or a deal-breaker but I didn't mind.

Also, this series has always mixed in some fun with serious mysteries and I think it's because of the titular character's age. The action sequences in the form of chases through Maltese markets and fights, shootings and explosions were exciting to watch. The story became more interesting with the stake of looted treasure by the British during their invasion and colonisation of Malta. So beyond the fiction, the filmmakers delved into a bit of history.

The characters are uncomplicated and likeable. Millie Bobby Brown remained passionate and fearless as Enola while her love interest, Louis Partridge was endearing as her partner in crime. They exuded good chemistry and their romantic performances were beautiful.

Though Henry Cavill reprised his role as Sherlock Holmes he didn't have much screen time in this movie. It was great to see Helena Bonham Carter back as Enola's mother shake things up in this movie.

The cinematography is seamless. The visuals and camera angles put us in the story with the characters. Their costumes took us back in time to the Victorian era.

All images above are screenshots from the movie

Poster image source

Thank you for visiting and supporting my blog 🤗

I found another old gem with a pure story of love, loss, family and drama. I was looking for a movie with a good love story, I didn't expect to watch one love die and another begins in one storyline. To be fair, the first didn't die by feelings, it died a physical death. A lady lose her husband to death.

It's an old movie released in 2003 directed by one of the writers, Michael Landon Jr. in the genre of family and romance drama. I had a good time rewatching this movie, yeah, I actually had to see it again before making this review. It made the review come from recent and unbiased thoughts.

"Love Comes Softly" is starred by Katherine Heigl as Marty Claridge and Dale Midkiff as Clark Davis. A story that explores the lives of a widow and a widower who have to live together for a set time before the widow leaves to her hometown. They have to navigate a through a new feeling.

The story begins with a beautiful couple exploring a new life in the 1800s but suddenly loses her husband and becomes a widow. To survive the winter season before the wagon that will take her back to her land comes, she has to marry and live with a widower and his daughter. Marty, the widow didn't get along well with Missie, the daughter of the widower at first but slowly, they begin to open their hearts towards each other and Clark Davis who falls in love too.

The sweetest part of this story is the transformation of the main characters, from heartbroken to finding love in the most unusual ways... Slowly. I think the title of story fits it so well because of how the love in the story was expressed especially between the widow and the widower, who confirmed their love after a note.

It's an old movie but I love the cinematography, because it was shot at a beautiful scenery. I enjoyed my time watching Marty and little Missie bickering over everything until the transformation began. Although, I wasn't settled with how Clark Davis held back his love until he saw her note.

_{Images used are from Imdb.}

Rating: 85/100

This film received excellent reviews upon its release. I saw a flood of praise from prominent critics. That kept me intrigued and eager to see it. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that I finally watched it, and I must say I was captivated by the way the director tells the story. But I think the film's magic lies in the protagonists, Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, who are as physically opposite in real life as they are in the fictional world where they play Ray and Colin.

Ray is a biker with a physique that drives any woman (in this case, any man) wild; he's the epitome of ideal male beauty for many. Colin, on the other hand, is the typical unlucky-in-love, somewhat nerdy, and shy guy. The story explores the relationship that develops between these two characters, a homosexual relationship. Some critics say it's a great love story, but I see it differently. Pillion is undoubtedly a bold work, where both actors, without reservation, film some quite intense scenes. I appreciate that aspect; perhaps that's why it's been so well-received, because this story needed to be told this way, without prudishness. It's an adaptation of the novel by British writer Adam Mars-Jones, titled Box Hill. I haven't read the novel, but I did some research and I think it has a darker and more somber tone, and there are also significant changes compared to the original material: the time period, the characters' ages, the ending, etc. Many things have been modified.

The director in charge of this adaptation is Harry Lighton, and it's also his feature film debut. After having only made short films, he embarked on this feature, which has been a great success, as it premiered at Cannes and, as I mentioned at the beginning, received very favorable reviews. After finishing the film, I felt good, I liked it, although I was left thinking for a while, and that's when I started asking myself some questions that made me question certain things the film raises.

The first thing that made me wonder was what would have happened if this story weren't about homosexuals. I wondered what would have happened if the protagonists were a man and a woman, or if they were in a heterosexual relationship. And that's when the alarm bells started ringing. I'm almost certain the film wouldn't have even secured funding, nor would it have premiered at Cannes, and even if it had, the avalanche of negative reviews would have been immense, destroying the filmmaker's career and even the careers of the actors who made the film possible with the changes that caught my attention.

It's a film where emotional dependence, submission, sadomasochistic, and humiliating relationships are part of the dynamic. Tay is a perfect alpha male who, because of all the attributes he possesses, is superior to Colin. He takes advantage of that attraction, of the power he wields over the other, to drag him down to the lowest point. A relationship where one of the parties is practically a slave who submits to the whims of their master. Of course, they're adults, and every woman is free to sleep with whomever she wants and be humiliated, if there's consent; I don't dispute that, especially knowing how messed up society is these days. But what if Colin's character were a woman? What would the reaction have been?

I'm sick of listening to podcasts, debates, social media posts, etc., where radical feminists say that men take advantage of women. That men in positions of power (of any kind) exploit their position to have sex, etc. Well, that's exactly what I saw in this film. Oh, but since it's about a homosexual relationship, the same progressive and feminist film critics praise it. This is where I see the moral hypocrisy in all of this, and of course I liked the film, but many praise it because it follows the dominant ideological narrative.

Colin's character is quite troubling. A person with very low self-esteem. He lacks love, he has a sad life. What he calls love could be a distortion of his reality. There's probably a term coined by psychiatrists for this kind of thing; I don't know it right now, and I'm not going to look it up. I wish someone would have the courage to make a similar story, but worse, one where the relationship is between a dominant man and a submissive woman, so I could see all those progressive critics crying and trying to demonize whoever does it.

Anyway, it's a film I liked enough to recommend. You can draw your own conclusions and tell me your opinion about that relationship and, especially, about Colin's character. I think it's an ideal film for a psychology student or professional to watch.

If you see it, please tell me your opinion.

Esta película recibió muy buenas críticas tras su estreno. Vi un aluvión de importantes críticos que la elogiaban. Eso me mantuvo intrigado y con muchas ganas de verla. No fue hasta hace unas semanas que finalmente la vi, y debo decir que me cautivó la forma en que el director narra la historia. Pero creo que la magia de la película reside en los protagonistas, Alexander Skarsgård y Harry Melling, tan opuestos físicamente en la vida real como en el mundo ficticio donde interpretan a Ray y Colin.

Ray es un motero con un físico que vuelve loca a cualquier mujer (en este caso, a cualquier hombre); es el prototipo de la belleza masculina ideal para muchos. Colin, por otro lado, es el típico chico con poca suerte en el amor y en el sexo, con cara de tonto, algo nerd y tímido. La historia explora la relación que se forma entre estos dos personajes, una relación homosexual. Algunos críticos dicen que es una gran historia de amor, pero yo la veo de otra manera. Pillion es, sin duda, una obra audaz, donde ambos actores, sin reservas, filman escenas bastante intensas. Aprecio ese aspecto; quizás por eso ha gustado tanto, porque esta historia debía contarse así, sin mojigatería. Es una adaptación de la novela del escritor británico Adam Mars-Jones, titulada Box Hill. No he leído la novela, pero investigué un poco y creo que tiene un tono más oscuro y sombrío, y también hay cambios significativos con respecto al material original: época, edades de los personajes, final, etc. Se han modificado muchas cosas.

El director a cargo de esta adaptación es Harry Lighton, y también es su debut en largometrajes. Después de haber realizado solo cortometrajes, se embarcó en este largometraje, que ha sido un gran éxito, ya que se estrenó en Cannes y, como mencioné al principio, recibió críticas muy favorables. Al terminar de ver la película, me sentí bien, me gustó, aunque me quedé pensando un rato y fue entonces cuando empecé a hacerme algunas preguntas que me hicieron cuestionar ciertas cosas que la película plantea.

Lo primero que me hizo preguntarme fue qué habría pasado si esta historia no tratara sobre homosexuales. Me pregunté qué habría pasado si los protagonistas fueran un hombre y una mujer, o si estuvieran en una relación heterosexual. Y ahí fue cuando saltó la alarma. Estoy casi seguro de que la película ni siquiera habría conseguido financiación, ni se habría estrenado en Cannes, e incluso si lo hubiera hecho, la avalancha de críticas negativas habría sido inmensa, además de destruir la carrera del cineasta e incluso la de los actores que habían hecho posible esa obra con los cambios que me llamaron la atención.

Es una película donde la dependencia emocional, la sumisión, las relaciones sadomasoquistas y humillantes forman parte de esta dinámica. Tay es perfectamente un macho alfa, quien, debido a todos los atributos que posee, es superior a Colin. Se aprovecha de esa atracción, del poder que ejerce sobre el otro, para hundirlo en lo más bajo. Una relación donde una de las partes es casi una esclava que se somete a los caprichos de su amo. Claro, son adultos, y toda mujer es libre de acostarse con quien quiera y ser humillada, si hay consentimiento; no lo discuto, sobre todo sabiendo lo mal que está la sociedad hoy en día. ¿Y si el personaje de Colin fuera mujer? ¿Cuál habría sido la reacción?

Estoy harta de escuchar podcasts, debates, opiniones en redes sociales, etc., donde feministas radicales dicen que los hombres se aprovechan de las mujeres. Que los hombres con poder (de cualquier tipo) se aprovechan de su posición para tener sexo, etc. Pues bien, eso es exactamente lo que vi en esta película. Ah, pero como se trata de una relación homosexual, los mismos críticos de cine progresistas y feministas la alaban. Aquí es donde veo la hipocresía moral en todo esto, y claro que me gustó la película, pero muchos la alaban porque sigue la narrativa ideológica dominante.

El personaje de Colin es bastante preocupante. Un ser con muy baja autoestima. Carece de amor, tiene una vida triste. Lo que él llama amor podría ser una distorsión de su realidad. Seguramente existe un término acuñado por los psiquiatras para estas cosas; ahora mismo no lo sé, y no voy a buscarlo. Ojalá alguien tuviera el valor de hacer una historia similar, pero peor, una donde la relación fuera entre un hombre dominante y una mujer sumisa, para ver a todos esos críticos progresistas llorando y queriendo demonizar a quien lo haga.

En fin, es una película que me gustó lo suficiente como para recomendarla. Pueden sacar sus propias conclusiones y decirme su opinión sobre esa relación y, en especial, sobre el personaje de Colin. Creo que es una película ideal para que la vea un estudiante o un profesional de la psicología.

Si lo ves, por favor dime tu opinión.