Freddy's Cine It

Plot Summary: After a traumatic experience with her father, a young girl named Nanhe drifts into a fantastical underwater world. There she meets Shenxiu, the chef of a floating restaurant, and embarks on a dreamlike adventure filled with bizarre creatures and surreal landscapes, ultimately revealing deeper truths about loss, acceptance, and healing. Director: Tian Xiaopeng Screenplay: Tian Xiaopeng Producers: Qiao Yi Cinematography: Mazhiyuan Cheng Music: Mao Buyi, Tang Hanxiao, MIUMIU Starring: Tingwen Wang as Shenxiu Xin Su as Nanhe Kuixing Teng as Dafu Ting Yang as A Hua Jing Ji as Mama   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Forget 'Spirited Away' Keeping up with my Chinese movie journey, I stumbled upon a film that, oddly enough, none of my friends on Red Note recommended. They must be missing out, because Deep Sea by director Tian Xia...

Plot Summary: In 1980s NYC, a lonely dog buys a robot for companionship. After an accident separates them, both embark on journeys of longing, growth, and self-discovery, leading to an emotional conclusion. Director: Pablo Berger Producer: Arcadia Motion Pictures, Noodles Production, Les Films du Worso Screenplay: Pablo Berger (based on the graphic novel by Sara Varon) Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Robot, A Dog, and a Lot of Feelings Another Sunday, another animated movie—this time, the critically acclaimed Robot Dreams, an adaptation of the book by Sara Varon. Right off the bat, this animation stands out with its slick flat-color style and complete lack of dialogue. It creates a beautifully detailed world where there’s always something to miss on the first watch. Set in a vibrant 1980s New York City populated by hundreds of ...

Plot Summary: The film revolves around Beth, a novelist, whose marriage takes an unexpected turn when she overhears her husband, Don, sharing his candid, less-than-enthusiastic opinion about her latest book. This revelation puts their relationship under strain, offering a humorous and poignant look at honesty, love, and creative ambition. Direction and Story: Nicole Holofcener Starring: Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Beth Tobias Menzies as Don Michaela Watkins as Sarah Arian Moayed as Mark Jeannie Berlin as Georgia   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Long-Awaited Movie Night Hello, dear reader! After months away from the world of cinema (my last venture was a Kazakhstan-themed director week), the wife and I finally sat down to watch a movie together last Friday—and stayed awake through it! We chose You Hurt My Feelings (2023), a film about two couples in their late forties, (maybe earl...

Director: Luc Besson Producers: Luc Besson, Virginie Besson-Silla Screenplay: Luc Besson Starring: Caleb Landry Jones as Douglas "Doug" Munny Jojo T. Gibbs as Detective Munny Marisa Berenson as Marie Munny Clemens Schick as Emile Grace Palma as Young Doug Music: Éric Serra Cinematography: Colin Wanders Editing: Julien Rey Release Date: September 1, 2023 (Venice), October 6, 2023 (France) Running Time: 123 minutes Language: English   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Dogman: Luc Besson's Latest Misfire Let's start with a quick mention of Anna, which I decided to skip because I had already seen it on TV and it sucked. It felt like a rehash of Nikita set in Russia with bad accents. Helen Mirren’s performance was a particular disappointment. And finally, w...