I was hoping you'd guess that I'd watched EoE in its theatrical re-release. But since then, I've also watched Ghostbuster: Frozen Empire.

Eternals (2021)

Seems like a mix between Terence Mallick and Puella Magi Madoka Magica. The plot is different from the original Jack Kirby version as well as the Neil Gaiman adaptation, and it has its own unique style, which makes it interesting to watch. What is confusing is that it tries to add its own mystical universe and backstory in the background of all the other Marvel universes, such as the concept of god-like beings in Thor, alien races in Guardians of the galaxy, and multiple dimensions in Dr Strange. At the end of the movie, it also tries to force more obscure Marvel superheroes in the run Harry styles shows up in post-credits as Thano's brother. Avengers was a good focal point for bringing together all the superheroes, but it seems Marvel is now diverging into different plotlines, which makes it hard to follow now and less relevant. For a standalone concept, it works but I am not sure about following its sequels.

The Menu (2022)

Glass Onion x Ratatouille x the Manson family. I was familiar with the plot before watching it but was surprised by how tense it became, and I enjoyed the psychological thriller aspect of the film. The dishes themselves were very symbolic and worked well as a narrative device to open up concepts on the relevance of food art and fine dining as well as maybe upper society's overindulgence of it. I also thought there were some other areas regarding Stockholm syndrome and hypocrisy, but the movie doesn’t cover enough ground for me to fully agree with the logic. It remains rather unbelievable when we learn more about the head chef, his reasons for inviting his guests to fine dine with him, and what led him to become disillusioned with his life.

Brokeback Mountain.

I know, I know - it's the gay cowboy movie. But it is so, so, so much more than that. I watched it last night thinking it was a usual Western film and I was left questioning my existence again, only this time in a more confusing homoerotic way. I suppose Eva has that element too but that's more of a depressing metaphorical coming-of-age self-reflection kind of thing. I felt tempted to turn it off since I thought it was the usual female-audience pandered fan service. Then the story started piecing together. This is one of the rare few examples of gay masculinity in mainstream media. What really makes a man? These are men so outwith the usual norms of gay culture within their rural American town and raised into the conservative lifestyle that they are devoid of any true authentic self-expression. Pretending to love their wives and denied basic dignities by their families like cutting a thanksgiving turkey or turning on the TV. They didn't want to risk running away to a ranch in case someone found out about their secret affair. Even in death, their family pretend as if that part of them never existed.

What made the film even better was the lack of flamboyant media-pandered stereotypes. It's a genuine love story with two masculine men, repressing their inner emotions to conform to a macho-society. No "fabuloussss!" flamer lispy Ru Paul crap. I grew up somewhat a mix of masculine and effeminate. Didn't enjoy any sports until later in life, video games were my method of escape from a harsh reality. I know how it feels to repress that side of you. Contrast that to now where the LGBTQI+ whatever movement is like a fashion trend almost with vague labels like "queer" that any college student can assign themselves. It feels so forced and political. In this film, it all acts naturally. Even if you aren't gay, I still highly recommend this film. This isn't the standard "and they all live happily ever after and everyone stops being a homophobe - da end". No, they're denied that dignity. They aren't allowed to be 'normal' and instead you're left with an ending open up to interpretation as to what happens to Jack. That's the reality of the situation.

Some people want an ordinary life. I know I do. We aren't for straight women to gawk at and fantasize (Seriously, why is there so much BL doujin??). I don't need a month ascribed to me. I don't want a flag for something that should be so insignificant to the countless other more important things about me. I don't want to go to some cringey support group with a bunch of dyed-haired weirdos trying to validate me. And I don't want some crazy ultra-Conservative to whinge about me either. I just want to BE. Is this so much to ask for? Is my sexuality a way for faceless corporations to make money then tell me to piss off the other months? Is it an excuse to scapegoat all of post-modern society's problems with masculinity? I hate drag. I hate makeup. I am a man and not a woman. I like other men too. That is it. I want a house, a family, a career. Will I ever get to experience that? Ennis and Jack didn't. I'm not preaching from the rooftops demanding 'muh rights'. I want to be left alone. I want to be me without that being some kind of controversial or banal statement or forced into a facade that alligns with their pre-concieved notions of how a man "should be". Tired of trying to assimilate into this mad world of labels. "Look at me, I'm so rebellious!" It's the 2020's version of being goth. Same sorts of people who would bully and shame you in the 2000s are now protesting outside campuses with every "current thing" because it's hip to be square. Virtue signalling wankers. I feel no "pride", I exist and that's enough.

You can hide and run from it all you want but you can never deny who you are. You will be left empty and disgusted at yourself no matter how hars you try. If only Shinji truly accepted that. If only I accepted that. Then I wouldn't be here on a Tibetan basket-weaving forum rambling about fictional gay romance film instead of getting my shit together and moving on from the past.

The Watched (2024)

Slender man x The Descent
The main takeaway from this movie was that it was directed by M Night Shyamalan’s daughter. The plot is about some people lost in the woods and hunted by some ugly Irish fairies. The plot twist kind of worked.

Longlegs (2024)

Cure (1997) x Annabelle
The plot revolves around a detective investigating a string of murder-suicides that seem like it was perpetrated by someone in the background making normal families kill each other. This is very similar to the 1997 Japanese movie Cure, which is more philosophical and nuanced, compared with the random scenes of Nicolas Cage (the killer) screaming heavy metal songs in Longlegs.

Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

Mad Max: Fury Road x Midnight Run
I think the best part of this movie is Emma Corrin as the bad guy. Deadpool has become so reliant on meta-comedy and random references that it verges upon being obnoxious so it was nice to see some fresh plot and characters.

For the longest time my list of favorite western animated movies never really changed. Plenty of 7, 8, and 9 out of 10 motion pictures but never the grand 10 itself, the closest in the last twelve years since I've seen Rise of The Guardians was the Dreamworks movie Mega Mind. Almost but no cigar. Today I finally add one to that short list: The Wild Robot. Wonderful art, music, pacing, animation, humor (however morbid), writing, and pacing. I remember seeing the trailer and thinking "that looks pretty, might give it a shot". I am very glad I did. It's one of those experiences that make you go "yeah, movies can still be magic". If any of you guys want to see this don't sleep on it in theaters, low chance of regrets. And it's amazing the only other 10/10 movie I gave this year was from Gundam Seed Kino Freedom; somehow Frozen Empire, New Empire, and Ridley Scott tries remaking Alien: Resurrection Romulus came so close.

Haven't seen Romulus yet but Ridley Scott didn't direct that...