ahung Reviews

Follow Me, Boys! (1966)

As a Chinese immigrant Canadian child in the 80s, loved this movie!

[9/10 · 6 January 2024]

Still one of my favorite movies, probably due to Kurt Russell's extraordinary acting (imo) especially for a child actor. I watched this in the 80s as a child, growing up in Canada. Fun family film and it touched me. I can love the old Disney movies that usually took place in America, even if my culture isn't represented in it. There should be nothing wrong with people like me (female Chinese), loving feel good movies like this. I also loved The Parent Trap and Swiss Family Robinson, for example. Story is simple and a bit predictable, but still works. And the "Follow Me, Boys!" march song written by The Sherman Brothers is so catchy. I should add that the line where Whitey says: "you're wrong, I'm wrong, everybody's wrong!" is one of the first memories of me wanting to be an actor because Kurt said that line in such a vulnerable way.

Red Rooms (2023)

Favorite movie at CIFF

[9/10 · 13 October 2023]

I saw 23 films at CIFF & this was my top pick. So thoroughly detailed, from the beginning (seemingly) 1-shot take, to how the story and characters are developed, to the 2 lead actresses (Juliette Gariépy, Laurie Babin) and the entire cast being so believable in their roles. I loved that instead of showing horrific gruesome scenes, you already know and hear the scenes just by seeing the 2 actresses act with their eyes and faces. The depiction of the dark web & related online conversations seems incredibly real. I'm not on the dark web but have been actively engaged since the mid-90s with how people speak online especially using anonymous usernames. The ending did cause intense excited conversations between my friends & I, as to exactly the personality and motives of the main character. As a side note, my friends & I met the director Pascal Plante at CIFF & he was so friendly & humble. I've noticed that the films we enjoyed the most were by the directors who were incredibly humble about their work. Anyhow, this film kept us engaged with every single second.

Lee (2023)

We see the atrocities through Lee Miller's (Kate Winslet) eyes

[9/10 · 13 September 2023]

"Lee" accomplishes its vision: To tell the truth of Lee Miller, and thus tell the truth of the life, pain, joy, & death, embedded in her photographs. The way the audience gets to see everything through Kate Winslet's eyes as she uses every single eye movement, mouth/lip wrinkle, breath, more. Love that the film doesn't have to show the already-known shocking scenes, but WE CAN SEE THEM just by looking at them through Kate's gaze. This makes the film so powerful. Lee is not about the war. It's about a beautiful woman who is also intelligent, genuine, and daring (thus Kate is perfectly cast as Lee Miller). The IMMEASURABLE challenges she faced to seek the truth, then tell the truth by recording these images.

The well-known bathtub scene is magical. The careful anticipatory build-up to one of the most iconic images is worth the price alone. The film manages to include some conviviality, as if giving the audience a needed brief respite during this historical moment. Brilliant.

The effectiveness of 2 door slams. There is also some funny "drunk acting" that brings some levity to some of the most horrific circumstances from WWII.

I've seen this film 4 times at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival): 2 public screenings and 2 press & industry screenings, from 4 different spots in the theatre, on purpose. Discovered new important details & distinctions each time.

I Am...: I Am Ruth (2022) Season 3, Episode 1

Watch it

[10/10 · 12 December 2022]

""bleep" me", says Ruth (single mother played by Kate Winslet), as she sits on a toilet after a pivotal realization in "I Am Ruth". And ""bleep" me" is exactly what I muttered throughout this entire captivating drama. I had very high expectations going in, to the point where I was ready to be a little let down. Wasn't at all. Completely blown away. Mesmerized by every single moment, word, mutter, glare, agonizing silence. Every dialog exchange was unscripted. Worked here because I felt I was watching a hidden camera following these real characters around. Raw, painful to watch at times, & even humorous when very real & relatable moments were presented. I'm not a mum (don't want to be), but I am a daughter, and I remember similar conversations with my mom even before social media. We know how to push each other's buttons.

Thank you Kate Winslet, MiaThreapleton, and the entire cast for making such a relevant, authentic, and frankly, perfectly cast film. I'd praise the acting, but it was so real, it was like it wasn't even acting, which is the best type of "acting" there is. This will win awards if the selection committees are wise.

If there was anything else I wanted, I would have wanted a bit more at the end, it ended abruptly for me. But perhaps the purpose was to have the viewer reflect on the possibilities going forward.

Mare of Easttown (2021)

Subbed to Crave/HBO just to watch this and Kate Winslet

[10/10 · 27 April 2021]

I'm enjoying this series so far. A lot of characters. I subbed to Crave/HBO just to watch this show from an actor's / acting perspective. It's amazing how actors such as Kate are able to completely be someone else in every way. I look forward to seeing the remaining 5 episodes.

Punk'd (2003–2015)

does he do phone pranks on ordinary people?

[6 July 2006]

Because 2 nights ago I got a call from a long-distance line and the guy was asking/making some obscene jokes, my last name is "Hung" and he was using the word in an obscene way. I played along, thinking it was a friend of mine, but then at the end, he said "this is Ashton Kutcher and you've been punk'd". He then called back 5 minutes later joking around with me. I guess it did sound like him but hard to tell on the phone. He also made some jokes about his cock or something like that (if I wanted it, if it was big, etc). I wasn't freaked out by the call because I could tell it was a joke, and by someone pretty "clued up". And my name is in the public phone book so maybe he found it that way? Don't know.

Huckleberry Finn and His Friends (1979–1980)

Loved this show.

[10/10 · 16 April 2004]

I loved this TV series, it made me a fan of both books "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". Because of this show, I read the books for the very first time in my life and enjoyed them too. I thought Ian Tracey's acting in it was SUPERB, he played a likeable older version of Huckleberry.

The theme song will always be in my mind as well.

Makes me wanna go back to those days and re-live them.

Cool that it was filmed in Canada (where I'm from as well).

Hope this review helps.