soulas-86129 Reviews

Willow (2022–2023)

Heroine's Journey

[7/10 · 29 January 2023]

I had low expectations for this tv show at the beginning. However, tv series turned out to be a very high-quality movie with many elegant references to the original film, stunning landscapes of magical Wales, well-staged action scenes, a variety of creatures that vividly resemble the classic film, an excellent soundtrack, and professional playing of young actors against the backdrop of the stars of the 1988 cult film.

And the most important thing is that the film's plot is actually an adaptation of the Heroine's Journey model by Maureen Murdock (the last picture in the post). This model is different from the classic model of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, which we know so well from Star Wars, another creation of George Lucas. As in the model of the Heroine's Journey, Elora Danan, one of the main characters in "Willow," leaves her foster mother and goes on a journey to find her feminine and masculine energy, face the shadow, and gain faith in herself for healing the pain of the past.

In parallel, her companions go through various transformations of growing up, discovering queer sexuality, resolving conflict with their parents, or even doing post-heroic debunking of the hero myth, as Willow himself does.

Also, I loved how the tv show perfectly depicts the lesbian teenage love between two young women. This LGBTQ line is a big step for Disney with its heteronormative films of yesteryear.

Of course, the film has its downsides. As I watched, I felt like I was watching a series created specifically for teenagers and young people (some clichés from teen films). But overall, I can say that Willow has been the best product from Disney in the last few years.

Bros (I) (2022)

Irony and Romcom

[9/10 · 9 October 2022]

It is the hilarious rom-com movie with a bunch of jokes on gay and American queer culture with different queer icons. I liked how the writing is so sharp and honest on Grinder and gay dating, open-relationship, movies on gay people, and so on. It was a lot of fun

As an intersex person and activist, the only thing I didn't like was that they used the acronym lgbtq+ everywhere, leaving me feeling like I was erased. Intersex activists have been trying for so many years to be visible, at least in LGBTQI, that for me ignoring such a small detail leaves a bitter aftertaste.

However, this does not spoil the overall good relationship from the picture of two white gay cisgender men :) I recommend to watch it for all who wants to know what the gay life is :)).

Enchanted (2007)

Magic of Anima

[8/10 · 12 February 2022]

Hilarious comedy and a beautiful metaphor about how our rational daily life meets with lost sparkles of joy and intuitive Inner breathe. It's just a funny and sometimes very ridiculous fairy tale. However, it's a good reminder of how not to forget to see the magic around us, how to be connected with ourselves in searching for the true kiss of love for yourself.

The Matrix Resurrections (I) (2021)

What's real?

[6/10 · 23 December 2021]

After screening the movie Matrix Resurrection (4), I have mixed feelings.

On the one hand, I really liked the new core of ideas that such relevant to our not optimistic time. Like this one: the system changes heroes. If heroes resurrect, they are not interested in resistance and sentimentality; they want to become new System Architects.

On the other hand, the action in the film was a mess of battles, as if the movie director said, yes, you need entertainment, so get it and leave me alone. I felt tired by many unnecessary episodes and some crumpled plot lines.

In general, I would recommend watching the movie if you want to get some answers to the classic Matrix trilogy, but don't expect this movie to be some super extraordinary spectacle.

The Wheel of Time: The Flame of Tar Valon (2021) Season 1, Episode 6

Your choice

[9/10 · 13 December 2021]

Wow, I didn't expect that TheWheelOfTime can be so inclusive and queer. And yes it's still a good adaptation of Robert Jordan's book, saving the story's spirit and making It is more entertaining. I reread all 14th books. Yes, there are a lot of changes. But please, even movie adaptation of War and Peace is not perfect. Anyway, I look forward to watching new episodes.

Metamorphosis (VI) (2019)

Beauty

[10/10 · 20 November 2021]

As intersex myself, I liked this movie. I like how it is distinguished by a leisurely manner of storytelling, conveying all uniqueness and dramatic life through dialogues and metaphors.

And the name "Adam" is the metaphor of the name of the first person who was created in the image of God in the Christian tradition.

However, this story is not about myths; it's about the life challenges of a real intersex boy. In a short time, he is forced to face incredible transformations of his own body, with the desire of his father-pastor to fix his body into a female form, with the bullying of his classmates.

At some point, I envied Adam because, as an intersex person, I was not as lucky with the understanding form loved ones as he was. I had to be alone and isolated for a long time as an intersex queer. And like him, I was saved by love and acceptance, support, and understanding that I am not alone.

Also, as an intersex person, I was a little strained by the moment in the film when the director fixes the camera on the naked body of Adam, namely on his genitals. I understand that Jose Enrique Tiglao wants to normalize the beauty of the intersex body. At the same time, this moment is a traumatic trigger for me. It reminds me of the constant medical check-ups and stigmatization of my body.

Anyway, I would recommend watching this movie to anyone who wants to learn more about intersex people and how to help them.

The Last Duel (2021)

Mirror of all us

[9/10 · 29 October 2021]

Great movie I watched this film about an actual historical event 600 years ago. I thought with horror that in many countries of the world, there are still no laws against domestic violence (including Russia). The anti-abortion legislation in Texas is actually the same medieval notions about the female body as the silent property of the man/state/church.

Director Ridley Scott combines his signature style of the historical film drama with Akira Kurosawa's "Rashomon Effect," where the same event is shown from the point of view of different characters.

And we see three stories: a noble husband, a courtly knight, and Margarita, a victim of violence. But there is also a fourth narrator - the frightened eyes of other women in the film (a servant or the Queen of France or someone else), their understanding glances, sympathy, fear, and the inability to say even words of support. Chained by one chain.

The Place of No Words (2019)

Free Spirit

[10/10 · 28 April 2019]

It is a beautiful deep philosophical movie about the acceptance of the death by child imagination. It's a simple fairy tale about internal adventure behind our fears through love