Everything Everywhere All At Once

 

I swear I was going to post about this movie before Michelle Yeoh won the Oscar for it today. I watched it a few weeks ago and was deeply struck by some of the messages. One of them is how we sometimes go through life regretting our choices and wishing for what could have been, that we forget to appreciate and cherish what we do have. In life and at work, we see this all the time. I have a horrible boss; my team is uncommitted; my company is too small and cannot attract talent; my brand is too weak to fight the established brands. Complaining won't help. Why not focus on building something out of what we have. Start here. That's what we have. Life is not a movie.

Bohemian Rhapsody

 

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018 film), for which Rami Malek won Best Actor at the Oscars, is the story of Freddie Mercury (1946-1991) and Queen, the iconic rock band of the 1980's. One element in the movie which deeply moved me was how the fierce loyalty of our friends help us get through the toughest times to achieve great things. We bicker. We fight. But we never forget we are on the same team. 

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

If you have not heard of this movie starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, watch it without reading or learning anything about it. It is a story well told. I watched it without any expectations and truly enjoyed it. I was horrified when I later watched the trailer, which revealed some important (to me) spoilers. I can understand why the marketing department decided to make the trailer this way, but had I watched it, it would have diminished the joy of discovering the story myself. This is a movie that makes you think about and appreciate your relationships. 

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Ben Stiller is in many silly comedies, but this one is something completely different. It is a movie that gives you a new perspective in life.  

Green Book

I watched Green Book without reading much about it. That's the best way to approach movies - don't watch trailers, go in without prior knowledge or expectations. Five minutes into the movie and what kept nagging at me in my mind was "this guy looks like a fat Aragorn". I had to pause the movie and look up Wikipedia. Gosh, it WAS Aragorn! (Viggo Mortensen). I truly appreciate it when actors play their characters and not themselves. The movie is simple, subtle and warm. 

Anita (the movie)

 

The movie Anita is a biopic of iconic Hong Kong superstar Anita Mui who passed away in 2003 at age 40. I used to listen to many of her songs when I was young. I watched the movie at the cinema the weekend it was released in Malaysia. This was the first time I went to a cinema since the pandemic started. 

The movie covers many themes, from Anita's relationship with her sister to her commitment to her craft and her loyalty to her friends. One particular message which stayed with me is how a veteran in an industry should always mentor and help those who are new. Pass on what you have learned to the next generation, so that they will fare better and the industry / community / society as a whole will become better. Truly great people are noble and selfless, and wish the best for others. They appreciate what they have gained, and are always ready to give back. 

Little Voice

 

Little Voice - This is a little known movie from 1998. You see beauty and innocence. You also see ugliness and greed. Most of all you see how human we all are.