recent movies and series

East of Eden - a novel adaptation. Took it up due to Florence Pugh (liked a few of her movies - We Live in Time, A Good Person, Oppenheimer) and maybe she being a good actress, succeeded in making one dislike the character, who is evil personified. It is an exploration of the deep hatred that makes people lose all faith in people and the innocent bystanders who get caught up in it getting destroyed. Good acting, few good characters that give the contrast between angels and demons. 

Diplomat - continuing to go strong. High diplomacy at the top of US and UK governments. Extremely well written, well acted. I suppose if someone were to make a documentary film about current administrations, it would be stranger than fiction. This level of communication nuance and playing a 3D chess like strategy game makes one wonder, is it all so calculated in reality? Or is it even more complicated that this? 

Bethlehem Kudumba Unit (Malayalam) - after some time, watched two films of Nivin Pauly in theatre - Sarvam Maya, followed by this. It was fun, all came together, backed by a good script. I think Malayalam movies have lost the way of late - especially after the highs of "Maheshinte Prathikaaram", "Vellimoonga", "Bheeshma Parvam", "Puzhu", "Kaathal: The Core", "Nanpakal nerathu mayakkam", "Angamaly Diaries" and few others. 

Modha Raathiri (Tamil) - unusual story, with quirky characters, in a village setting. If the movie was cut down by atleast half hour, it would have been even better. But I would rather watch such indie type movies than the ultra violent, dark Tamil movies of late. Last one before this was Meyyazhagan. Looking forward to Dorothy next. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures - I might not have picked this up, if I had read the plot with Octopus and all, but glad I did. A sunshine of a film and the Octopus didn't disappoint. But even more than that - this could be a genre in itself - a quaint, green town on the banks of water, bright colors, lovely characters and heartwarming story. After a series of dark movies, this was much needed. 

I think turning to the older classics and rewatching is more satisfying now. Like Godfather (English). Came across the thunderbolt again, even though it ends tragically in the movie. I checked if the thunderbolt reference is common across Italian and found another book with a quote as well.  

"You can't hide the thunderbolt. When it hits you, everybody can see it. Christ, man, don't be ashamed of it, some men pray for the thunderbolt. You're a very lucky fellow."

- Godfather, Mario Puzo 

 

“Colpo di fulmine. The thunderbolt, as Italians call it. When love strikes someone like lightning, so powerful and intense it can’t be denied. It’s beautiful and messy, cracking a chest open and spilling their soul out for the world to see. It turns a person inside out, and there’s no going back from it. Once the thunderbolt hits, your life is irrevocably changed.”

- J.M. Darhower, Sempre