nuttymeow Reviews

Tell Me Who I Am (2019)

This documentary will change you and let you have glimpse into what trauma is really about from the inside out

[9/10 · 4 March 2023]

This is a great documentary about a twins, Marcus and Alex, now in their 50s. Alex had a motorcycle accident at 18. This led him to a coma. He forgot everything about himself when he woke up. The only one he recognized was Marcus. He had complete trust over Marcus and depended on him to re-learn about the world and his own past. But Marcus created a new past for him, which left out all the traumatic memories of the childhood sexual abuse by their mother and strangers that two of them had suffered until the age of 14.

Sexual abuse in childhood is a very traumatic and horrible experience. The tremendous pain and the shame can easily drown a person and leaves scars that are very very difficult to heal. Absolute admiration and applause for the immense courage of the twins. It is never easy to talk about one's own trauma, let alone in front of a TV camera. This documentary is shot in a very humane way, with three chapters 1. Alex 2. Marcus 3. Marcus and Alex that draws us into the inner worlds of Marcus and Alex and at the end see how they come together as a twins not only in DNA, but in spirit as well.

Marcus is the big brother who has to bear the painful secret all by himself in all these years. The incident was way beyond his capacities to cope and he had no choice but to bury it deep down and try to live as if nothing has happened. The secret, he said is a lie to both himself and to Alex so that they can live up a fantasy that they had a happy and normal childhood. But at 32, when questioned by Alex face to face and having to acknowledge the painful truth to him, Marcus knew that the fantasy of escaping from his horrible past no longer held up. On the other hand, Alex is relentless to know about his real past. He was not satisfied by a simple "yes" as the answer to the question of whether he was abused by his mother. He has to know the truth and who he really is in order to move on, even he senses that there is something dark and evil lurking beneath it.

As an audience, I can sense the struggles and the fear that the twins have to go through when the past is put on the table again. Yet, I am so moved by the choice they made at the end, which is courage, love and trust. I broke into tears when the two hugged each other after the revelation by Marcus and Alex said, " I have your back with me".

The recovery journey is never easy. But after taking this very bold step after so many years, the twins now have each other's back. For sure, they will face it together and the road will never be the same again.

Jerry and Marge Go Large (2022)

A lovely movie to watch

[7/10 · 4 March 2023]

This movie is based on a true story of Jerry (Bryan Cranston) and Marge Selbee (Annette Bening), who is a long-married couple living a very ordinary life in Evart, Michigan. The town they live is no longer in its prime days and so as Jerry and Marge. Due to the dooming economy, Jerry has to retire from the cornflake factory which he has worked for 42 years as a line manager. Being lost and bored after retirement, Jerry, who is a mathematics genius, found a loophole in the WinFall lottery in Michigan then in Massachusetts and won money they had never dreamed of. Instead of using the lottery money for themselves, the couple decided to use it to revitalize the town.

This is an easy-to-watch, heart-warming movie. Almost all of the characters are nice and kind, with only one villain trying to sabotage Jerry and Marge's plan. But of course, this villain had his consequences. The main story plot of this film is about connecting with people, using your talent. The winning of the lottery is more than just money won. It is a way to help Jerry, who never figures out a formula for human connection, to re-connect with the people around him, especially his family. To use his talent to do good for people. A happy ending for everyone in the end of the film indeed. The town goes vibrant with a jazz festival up and running again. Shops reopen. Neighbours and friends found purposes again. And Jerry mended his relationship with his son by being able to show his love and care in a more human way.

Sounds too good to be true, right? It is somehow a bit hard for me to believe that this is all based on a true story. Amazed that there are still good-natured people in this planet who do not get corrupted or greedy by such a big sum of money.

Of course, needless to say, both Brain Cranston's and Annette Bening's acting makes this film very enjoyable. A good movie to watch over the weekend while cuddling with your beloved on the couch!

Tár (2022)

It is ony for Cate Blanchett that I kept on watching

[7/10 · 2 March 2023]

I held high expectations before watching the movie. Who can resist Cate Blanchett, right??? And this movie is tailored for her to pick an Oscar. No reason not to watch it! But after the first 30 minutes, I already wanted to turn the TV off. I stayed only for Ms. Blanchett's impeccable acting, nothing else. The whole 3 hours were arduous indeed.

Cate Blanchett played the character of Lydia Tar, who is a very talented conductor in the classical music field. Confident, knowledgeable, aggressive and abusive as it later turned out. The first half of the movie spent too much time detailing how talented Tar is. But when it came to the point that the evil side of hers started to emerge, the movie just rushed through towards the end like a flood, a mudslide, or a diarrhea! Such imbalance in the story telling left audience sleepy in the first half, puzzled and confused in the other. Character development is such a major flaw in this movie. I am sure for such a narcissistic character of Lydia Tar, the set back must have stirred up lots of mixed emotions. But the movie described very little, if not none, of it.

In my humble opinion, best movie for Oscar? Maybe not. Best actress, YES!!!

The Innocent (2021)

I love the way how the onion is peeled

[9/10 · 30 March 2022]

I have watched several adaptations from Harlan Coben's novels in Netflix (e.g. Sage, The Stranger). Most of them (I won't say all) are addictive and get you hooked easily with its unexpected twists.

Among those adaptations I have watched, The Innocent, is my favourite. When you think you know what's going on, there it comes a new twist. Then another, another........

The plot itself is very intriguing. And the way the story is told is also of top-notch. It tells you bits and pieces of the story by the narration of the different characters that are involved. This gives you different perspectives to see the story from a higher point of view. Yet, the narration always leaves behind some critical part of the story that keeps you on the couch and eager to know about how everything goes.

A very enjoyable watch!! Strongly recommend it!!!

I deliberately leave out all the details about the plot as I do not want to give out any spoilers! Trust me, just go and watch it! You won't regret it!!!!

Nightmare Alley (2021)

Sorry, this is not my cup of tea

[5/10 · 2 March 2022]

I am attracted by the talented cast, which happen to be some of my favourite performers in Hollywood. Ended up, this is the only thing that drags me through the 2.5 hours.

I only came to realize that this is a remake of an old 1947 movie when I read the reviews. So at the time when I watched this movie, I knew nothing about its plot, its story or anything. The first hour was already dreadful. Slow, no focus, and I have a really hard time trying to guess where this story is going. It got slightly better when Bradley Copper and Rooney Mara left the circus and Cate Blanchett appeared as the mysterious psychiatrist with an untold past. But the plot till the end can be easily guessed. It makes you feel like that all the film-noir style of cinematology , the settings etc are just there to distract you from the boring and weak script. And at the end, I still don't quite understand the intentions of Cate Blanchett's character or anything about her. Maybe I am just too distracted while watching and have missed quite a lot of the details......I dunno

I realized that there are quite a lot of positive reviews. It is good that many of the viewers enjoyed the movie as this is nonetheless a Hollywood movie with A-list artists.

But sorry, I have to agree to disagree. This movie is simply not my cup of tea.

Ghosts (2019–2023)

I truly enjoyed the show!

[8/10 · 2 March 2022]

In the midst of the pandemic, we all need something light, funny and yet touching and warm to lift up our spirits. And Ghosts managed to give you all that!

Ghosts caught my eyes with its ensemble cast from the "Horrible Histories". I have always found HH amusing in a decent and proper way and have been a big fan of it. This is what got me into watching Ghosts.

The story plot of Ghosts is quite simple and definitely nothing new. The story began with Allison and Mike, who are apartment-searching with a limited budget, suddenly inherited a mansion from a distant relative on Allison's paternal side. They move into the mansion and after an induced -accident, Allison is able to see and communicate with ghosts. It comes to her realization that mansion is haunted with a bunch of ghosts, who have died on its ground from different periods of time. As time passes by, the couple and the ghosts become more of a family, who supported each other in challenges and crises.

Ghosts does not dissapoint at all. What makes this show amazing is definitely the characters. The performances are good (justt as good as in HH!) And I found each and every of the characters lovable and very human with their very distinctive personalities, especially after you learn about their very own personal stories that eventually led them to their death. I guess, humanity does not change across time. No matter which eras you are from, we are all humans after all. We made mistakes. We have secrets. We have fears that we tend to avoid and hide from. This is what gets us all together because this is what we all have been through.

A very nice show to watch in this challenging period of time. The jokes are clever, to-the-point and funny!! Just as HH, this show is nicely and properly produced with British-styled humor that amuse us all without any profanity or improper jokes. Make you laugh and at the same time make you think about what life is.

I love the show!!!!

CODA (2021)

Love cannot be stopped by disability.

[9/10 · 10 February 2022]

Ruby Rossi is the only hearing person in her deaf family. As the only "normal" person, she has to be a baller in taking up responsibilities to protect her family in all ways she can, even though she is the youngest. However, as adolescence approaches, a period when one begins to have his/her own dreams, fantasies and love pursuits, Ruby has to make difficult choices of either being true to herself or loyal to her family. This sounds like a very hard decision to make. Yet, with an understanding and supportive family, where communication goes way beyond words, there is always a way out which does nothing but only strengthens the familial bond.

CODA is a beautiful and touching story. Many of the scenes are the Rossi family communicating in sign language. But you don't feel a gap or any problems of understanding what they are conveying. No doubt this is all about the impeccable writing and acting.

In the movie, you can feel how hard the Rossi family find it to fit in the community. How hard it is to make ends meet when the fishing business is going downhill. And the fear that they would fail, as a parent and as a child. But with sincere and genuine conversations, the Rossis talk ( in sign language), they listen and they choose love. Quite a lot of touching conversations in the movie that you have to watch for yourself. I can't help but broke into tears as we all know this is not easy to come by in real life. And it is chilling to feel this genuine kind of love in the big screen once in a while.

In the midst of pandemic, I would strongly suggest you watch this movie to remind you that there is still something worth fighting for.

Le grand jour (2015)

Will anything stop you from pursuing your dream??

[7/10 · 15 May 2021]

Would impoverished circumstances stop you from pursuing your dream?

The answer is NO by the four main characters in this documentary. They are from different parts of the world. And one thing they have in common: they all have Big dreams.

Nidhi from India works her way up to get admitted to the Polytechnic through her talents in mathematics. Albert from Cuba wants to be a boxing champion. In Mongolia, Deegli trains very hard to be a contortionist. And Tom from Uganda, has great love for nature and gives his heart to be a ranger to protect the land and animals he loves. The documentary follows these children from their preparations up to that critical Big Day which their dreams might come true and becomes a turning point in their lives.

These children grow up in places where resources are scarce. But the circumstance does not stop them from having big dreams. Even though their families are struggling, they are all very supportive and encouraging to these children.

This documentary illustrates a bright side of the world, where dreams can be pursued with hard work and supportive family, even in impoverished countries. This does give us a dose of hope to the future and to the world indeed. Because we all know deep in our heart that in the harsh and brutal reality, the chance of success is so very very slim in these circumstances.

We all need a big jab of hope to our heart once in a while to keep us going in this world of ours. This documentary does exactly that, even though you might think this is too good to be true. I myself have been to India and Africa and I have felt such a great pity and shame that massive talents in these places have gone wasted simply because of the inequalities in our world. Can you imagine how much better our world would be if all these talents can be realized to their fullest???? I truly hope that many many more stories like those in this documentary would keep coming in these places and make our world a much much better place to live and our civilization more humane.

Greed (I) (2019)

Not a loss if you have not watched this movie

[5/10 · 25 April 2021]

One single message this movie wants to convey: In the fashion industry, how the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer in the system of capitalism.

I appreciate that the movie takes on this serious topic but the portrayal of it was shallow and superficial. Very weak story. I fell asleep a couple of times during the movie. But I don't think I have missed anything important or crucial for me to understand what is going on.

I have nothing much to say about this movie as it leaves nothing much in my mind after watching it.

Nomadland (2020)

A movie about a journey of self re-discovery

[9/10 · 19 April 2021]

Who are you? What defines you? What makes you who you are?

Is it your job? Your marriage? The place where you have spent the last 20 years living?

Who are you now if all these have gone away just like that?

This is a movie about grief and searching. Grief over loss of husband, loss of job, loss of residence and loss of self-identity as you have no idea who you are anymore without all these defining elements in your life.

In this process of grief, you slowly search / find / develop a new life story of yourself. In the movie, the main character did so by hoping onto a RV and traveling across the American West. In the journey, she takes on part-time jobs to sustain basic needs. She meets people from all walks of life, who have also experienced setbacks and are trying to figure out what life is in their own way.. This might seem insecure or unstable to many people's eyes. But sometimes, this is what we need in times of change. With new experiences, and with reflections and having a talk with the little voice in your heart, you begin to look at life from a different angle of view. The new you begins to emerge.

This is what this movie is about. Not a sad story that makes you feel life is terrible or unbearable, amidst losses of all kinds. It describes the loss and find process in a tranquilizing, peaceful and calming way that makes you think, "yes, this is what life is all about". Creating your new self over and over again.

That's why we are never alone. No matter what our own story was, is and will be, we are all travelers of life that continuously seek the meaning of who we really are. If we are willing to open our hearts, we will always meet people who are willing to share, to embrace and to accept us as we are and gives us that little candle of light that keeps us going in our very own journey.

Soul (2020)

I have been expecting the best from PIXAR, but still this is better than what I have expected!!!!

[10/10 · 19 April 2021]

Pixar never disappoints. There is not a Pixar movie that does not move me to tears. Tears of joy. Tears of being touched in the heart. This movie "Soul" is no exception.

This is a movie for all ages. I am sure adults would find it relating to themselves. This movie touches on a serious topic, the meaning of life. This topic can be vast and difficult to understand. But this movie brings out one very important and yet simple concept of life. It is to live in the present moment -- Enjoy the here and now.

I am a psychotherapist and I have been bringing mindfulness concepts to my clients at times. But when I watched this movie, I am amazed of how Pixar can bring all these concepts so seamlessly into a movie that are suitable for people of all ages and of all walks in life. I will suggest some of my clients to watch this movie as homework assignment!!!

Living a mindful life is really about embracing each moment of your life. Maybe it is smelling a rose, dipping you feet into a bowl of cool water, spending time with your friends or family whole heartedly, listening to birds chirping..... It is when you are really into the things you are doing, you are truly in heaven and you are truly living you life. Yes, really it is as simple as that but most of us are always buried in irrelevant issues that we think are relevant.........

What a reminder this movie has given to all of us! Strongly recommend to watch it with you whole family!

Better Call Saul (2015–2022)

What else can you ask for???

[10/10 · 19 April 2021]

Everything is perfect in this TV series. From season 1 to 5. Music, cinematography, character development, acting, plot....... I just can't think of one thing that needs to be improved / changed / or can be complained about.

To me, character development is the key to a successful story telling. The advantage of a TV series over a movie is that it gives so much more space for a character to develop over the course of time. In "Better Call Sual", as you go along with the series, you are growing with each of the character. It is like unpeeling the layers of onions slowly in front of you. You truly understand why the characters are behaving they way they are. And all these are implicit. You have to make the guess. But all the details are all laid out there for you to understand.

If you enjoy being a witness of how a person develops into someone who he/she is today, this TV series is for you. You witness the inter- , intra-psychic of the characters. And when they are put in a certain circumstance, you understand why they are behaving the way they did.

So there are no real villains in the movies. We are all humans.

And needless to say, the plot, the story itself is top-notch. Very entertaining. With twists and turns to keep you watching. I binged watch all 5 seasons in two weeks. Eyes draining afterward but this TV series definitely worths a 10 in all aspects.

A Private War (2018)

A brief touch on everything on a complex topic

[7/10 · 16 March 2020]

The movie is about Marie Colvin's career as a war correspondent. There are lots of materials in this subject but the movie chooses to glide over this vast surface of the ocean of information that ended up not leaving any significant trace on viewer's memory.

The portrait on Marie Colvin's psychological profile that how she got so addicted / obssesed with reporting wars, her struggles, her pain, and everything else inside Marie is all lack with details. The film just briefly illustrates that she had PTSD and nothing more on the intra-psychic. The one-night stands in the film? What do the one-night-stands want to tell us about Marie?? I have no idea. This serious lack of details in the portrait creates a great distance betweent the audience, the story and the character, Marie Colvin, that the film tries to get its audiences to know and understand. After watching the movie, I just know that Marie is obessed with her work. But why? I dont know.

This should be a movie that can move us all, that can get us ponder about what wars acutally are and how we can all contribute in bringing peace to this world. This is what Marie's reporting work is all about!!! But this film has failed to stimulate its audience to such level of reflection. It fails to honour Marie's contribution to the world.

Messiah (2020)

Can't stop watching

[9/10 · 13 January 2020]

Messiah is one of the great series that Netflix produced. it is not biased in terms of religion. It actually provokes you in a spiritual sense and stirs up lots of reflections and contemplations. It keeps you wondering "is he the real thing?" " Is it really the second coming of the Messaih?" "Are these mircales or hoaxes?"

Have humans evolved after all these years? Are we destined to repeat the same pattern again and again or have we grown wisdom from our history and learn to love, trust and have faith? And what is faith anyways? It is difficult to tell the differences between truth and anything else as there are too many camoouflages and disguishes out there. Many people with hidden agendas, own desires and distorted purposes use religion as a way to get what they want by sacrificing the innocent others.

"Messiah" has a great plot with a great story idea behind. Movie is suspensful enough to keep you watching and wondering what all these would lead to . It makes you question your own faith and belief. We all have pain and sufferings that blind us from seeing the truth, that make us too quick or too scared to believe. What would you do if you were one of those that witnessed all these happen in your real eyes? WIll you follow, believe or be suspicous and cynical? This movie is needed in our times of chaos and confusion. Hope we can all gain a little more insight after watching this series.

Before Midnight (2013)

The trilogy is an all time favourite for me!

[9/10 · 13 January 2020]

Have always been a great fan for the Before-trilogy. can't have enough of the naturalistc performances, great writings, Eupropean scenaries, and the most facinating of all, conversations of insight and depth all along in the movie.

Before Midnight shows what a real relationship looks like when reality kicks in. Life, even with your soul mates, does not guarantee worry-free or problem-free. There are still lots of sacrifices that need to be made. There are bound to be dissapointments, blaming and betrayal. Despite of all of these, as you grow old and mature, you understand no relationship is perfect. You yourself and your partner is no perfect either. It is the committment to the relationship and to the family, the embracing and acceptance of the other's flaws and shortcomings that sustains the relationship in the midst of all temaptations, and changes.

At the end of the movie, Jesse said, "This is not perfect. but this real". The Before-trilogy shows us the true picture of the evolution of a relationship. It may start with a strong chemistry and connection that puts out heads in the clouds. But at the end, it is our own hard effort that keeps it alive.

This is why I love the Before-trilog. I can truly relate to evey bit of it.

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

Shut off you logical side of your brain to enjoy this movie

[6/10 · 2 January 2020]

A movie about whether you have free will or not. Whether you are simply a follower to the big plan devised by the Almighty (or the "BOSS" in the movie). Whether love can conquer everything. Whether the BOSS is all powerful or he/she can be taken over by chance or can make mistakes and needs an adjustment team to intervene??

You need to shut off you logical / philosophical side of your brain in order to enjoy this movie. The more you dwell on the above questions and attempt to get an answer from the movie, the more confused,and honestly, frustrating, you would become .

Simply enjoy the brilliant acting of Matt Daemon and Emily Blunt. They are excellent choices for the roles. Immerse yourself in the romance. This is how you can get yourself enjoying watching this movie. If you still have a fantasy for true love/ soul mate/ there is a ONE out there waiting for you, you will love this movie and believe even more so after watching it.

But sorry, not for watchers like me, who need the movie to make sense and be logical to get me into believing something and anything.

Ready or Not (I) (2019)

Fun and quite exciting to watch

[7/10 · 1 January 2020]

If you love gore and violence, this is a move to watch. Yet, it is more than just gore. It has some plot in it that keeps you wondering how this is all going to end. This is a survival game for the lead female character. The way that she keeps herself alive is kind of exhilarating. It has a sense of feminism in it that young generations of female should fight for themselves and stand up against traditions, especially those non-sensical ones. This is a strong comparison to the other older females in the movie who just buy in to traditions.

The ending is quite out of the expecatations though and made quite a laugh (at least to me).

If you want to get thrilled, you won't be dissapointed. You will have a enjoyable 1.5 hour