Hilo Hattie

This film was often difficult to watch because we see the same tech addiction and its consequences all over our world. To see it in what we assume is the most pristine of global environs is heart wrenching! A young monk leaves his monastic routines of chanting sutras and lighting butter lamps to watch and play violent video games online, connect with women on WeChat and thus inspired, purchases plastic guns to play war and, to steal away to the big city to visit girls in bars. Such a waste of time because none of this activity is fulfilling.

We need more movies like this!

Too fast and loud. Constantly had to adjust the volume. Particularly at the beginning, one wanted to see each of the children who jumped by but, the pace of the filming didn’t allow this. Also, challenging was the British dialect. Even reading the subtitles didn’t always aide the comprehension. This was also related to the speed of the production. The predicaments and endangerments of the children were disturbing. Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Grettal’s dangers were too but, these were folktales, most often read, told or animated, not as realistic and vivid as in film!

Slow, too long. Special effects and ET’s very nice.

As late-comers, we’re binge watching Kim’s Convenience in 2022 because we just discovered it on Netflix and enjoy the immigrant experience played with believability and mostly kindness. It turns out analogous to our own immigrant experience, though different… imperfect English, misunderstood cultural norms, cross-cultural values, misinterpreted conclusions, patriarchal, authoritarian etc. The cast was wonderfully selected, playing, no doubt, standard types in Korean immigrant culture,,, whether the annoying Mrs. Park, the good-natured but lazy Kim Chi, the ambitious Janet, the sometimes embarrassed Jung, the authoritarian but ultimately loving Mr. Kim and the sweet Mrs. Kim. The environments rang true: the open 7 days store, living upstairs, the not to be bragged about job in a rental car agency which a high school drop out could get, the church culture that provided religious, social and cultural connections etc. How the show comes up with fresh themes that rang true each episode is rather amazing. Terrific accomplishment.