It has been a little over two weeks since the last "weekly" recommendations post from me, but life got in the way to the point where I just wasn't really capable of watching things for a while, I just moved to Tbilisi and moved into an apartment, and everything was so fast and chaotic that I just did not have the time to sit down and enjoy films and television shows, but now that I'm a bit more settled in, I have been watching a few more things here and there, and having quite a lot of fun with it! One of the great things in the past week is that I actually managed to visit the cinema for the first time in months. Experiencing on of the films to be mentioned in this post on a bigger screen. I definitely want to get more into the habit of doing this, and encouraging people to get back into those cinema seats to view films that are made for that sort of experience.
When was the last time you went to the cinema? Have you noticed you've taken to just watching things from the comfort of your home? Or does the big screen still manage to pull you in from time to time?
Anyway, here are my recommendations for this week!
1. The Boy and the Heron
Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki returns to animation with his not-last-last animated film The Boy and the Heron! A beautiful film for its art as well as its narrative that glides over the reality of life and death. The ways in which we suffer, and the reasons for which we accept that suffering. Would you change the world and attempt to make it perfect, or would you understand that its flaws are what display the important things in life? I found The Boy and the Heron to be an absolute joy to watch, and this is the film I fortunately, and finally, managed to view in the cinema. Definitely recommend the same experience if possible, and if not it should be now distributed among certain streaming services. Either way, this is a film you can't miss, especially if you enjoy art.
2. Curb Your Enthusiasm
This comedy series is one of my favourites for years, but it's only just recently that Larry David decided to finally curb Curb Your Enthusiasm and let it rest. Starting from the very early 2000s, the show is a hilarious experience as we witness the life of Larry David, a man incapable of caring about anything. Endless humour, and a wide range of silly characters, as each of them interact with the strange world that is Earth. Ultimately a show about people and the oddities of society. Pointing a mirror at how fragile and nonsensical a lot of our expectations and lifestyles can be. All while ensuring it's a good laugh! The only thing I would say, however, is that the show drastically loses its quality around the later seasons, and for the most part you could just skip them entirely given the show has no major narrative.
3. Asian Corridor in Heaven
I've really been enjoying the documentaries I've been stumbling across as of late, and if there's a genre of television that I feel needs more attention, especially in the community, it's this one. And Asian Corridor in Heaven is a recent discovery of mine that displays the struggles of people as they navigate through one of the world's oldest trade routes that connects Tibet to China. Shot in 2007, it's a beautiful glimpse into culture and tradition without an overly expensive production. Simple in its approach, and deeply fascinating and immersive in the process. Documentaries just aren't made like this anymore, and this is a perfect example of how much media, and society has shifted in the past decade. Check this out and learn of the more difficult, yet simple lifestyles to be found throughout the world. Experience adventure and witness the beauty of our natural world.
4. Major Grom: Plague Doctor
Now, I wasn't thinking of actually adding this one, but how many of you can say you've ever read a comic book from Russia? Even I can't say that still. Though I can say that I've seen a comic book adaptation, and this is it! There's a lot of odd assumptions about Russia, and perhaps even more so right now with all that's going on, but with these tragic events is the birth of a domestic cinema, leading to all kinds of unique stories being made, and with rather impressive budgets that match Hollywood. Major Grom is a bit like watching a Marvel film in some ways, but perhaps with a bit more humour and more of a comic book style to it. Very well made, and an interesting idea. Though it's certainly not for everyone. If you're wanting to see how other parts of the world handle blockbuster titles of their own, this would be a good example.
And that's it! This is the weekly recommendations post, and hopefully I'll be able to keep up and get the next one out in a week. If you end up checking any of these out, well, I'm sure I'll see them in the community. Happy watching!