Change Your Image
shihching_c
Reviews
Chenxiang ru xie · Chenxiang zhong hua (2022)
More than just love
I was waiting for this drama to air since its filming was complete. I looked forward to this series because of the story. I also trust that Yang Zi and Cheng Yi could do justice to their characters. As expected, they didn't disappoint. Whenever they are in the same scenes, they tell the story of two fated lovers' sweetness and sorrow. They are able to draw the audience into their characters.
Even though the series is based on Taoist and Buddhist religious framework (e.g. People or objects achieve deity status through cultivation), the overarching theme is to love and care for the world, an essential teaching of Confucianism. The latter dictates the main characters' behaviors and decisions. For example, Ying Yuan's name literally means "answer to the deep (the world down below)." As a deity of high rank, Ying Yuan is not aloof but very into the well-being of the world.
The ending of the story came as a surprise to me because it was unlike the other series of Xianxia genre (a combination of Chinese martial arts and folklores or classical stories). As I thought more about the character of Ying Yuan, his choice for the love of the world than his own was reasonable. Yan Dan grew to know his heart and understand his cause. At the end, she forgave him and supported him. Her decision to follow Ying Yuan was understandable. The ending is actually very uplifting. All Ying Yuan's life, he thinks that he didn't deserve to be alive because he was born of a sinful father. However, his very own existence became the salvation of the world. He answered this world with his love even though he had to give up his own.
I love how Yangzi and Cheng Yu portrayed their characters in this drama. I earnestly hope that they can collaborate again.
Beowulf & Grendel (2005)
Much deeper than it appeared
After watching Beowulf with much disappointment, I watched this version of Beowulf & Grendel with low expectation. I thought it is about how a hero slew a beast in a beautiful landscape of far, far away land. But it surprised me totally.
Yes, the landscape is incredibly breath-taking. I love it and think it is truly worth the pain for the production in Iceland. The rugged terrains indicate the scarcity of the resource in a harsh living environment. Therefore, the conflict of human and beast/nature begins. I am also glad that no CGI is used. It gave viewers the realistic touch on the film.
The director has portrayed the epic story with a touch of modern flavor. On the surface, it is about a hero's quest to help his king by killing Grendel. On my first viewing, I enjoyed everything is portrayed. The tragedy of revenge seems the main theme of the movie. When Beowulf tried to find out the motive of Grendel's action, it added more layers to the story and gave depth to the character of both Beowulf and Grendel.
On my second viewing, I realized this is a movie about how human conflict has been solved by violence while the violence itself is the problem. Being a collaborative force of Geatland, Beowulf and his warriors came to Dane for the rescue of the land. The way to achieve the peace in Dane is to kill the single, individual force, Grendel, a non-human specie, who solely wanted to revenge for his family. How many times we see that happen in current international affairs? When the outside force tries to solve the internal conflict within a country, the violence creates the complications. The lack of understanding of both parties or the unwillingness of knowing the others' perspective allows violence to take the center stage during the conflicts.
Beside the clear direction and rich script, the cast is great. I am amazed how Ingvar E. Sigurdsson brought out the love and despair of the "beast." Gerard Butler was able to portray a hero who struggled with the ambivalence toward violence and his justification of using it.
I think this film is deeper than it appeared.