[Weekly Update] First day back to work

This half month long break has been wonderful.

Thanks to shows like Three-Body (good influence) and Junji Ito Maniac (bad influence), I find myself begin writing fiction again. I'm currently writing a short story which is in the process of snowballing into a novella.

I've forgotten how much I enjoy writing. Last year was too hectic. I hope this year I'll find my passion again.

CHANNEL UPDATE

Today is my first day back to work. It's been a while since I feel excited to write for the channel. During the break, I didn't have to write and edit. Without deadlines looming above me, I found myself much more engaged in the process of writing and developing ideas. Hopefully, my excitement for these video topics will come through, and makes for more interesting and less routine videos.

That said, I'm already behind schedule. Work for our next video has just begun, and there's no way I'm making the deadline of this week. I'll be rolling back up to speed gradually. Bare with me for the inconsistency for the moment!

No changes were made to our video schedule otherwise. Although I don't really want to start watching all the non-Donnie Ip Man movies...

Oh, I can smell the stink already.

MEDIA TALK

Thanks for Puss in Boots 2 for making me realize I still can judge a movie objectively. Well, as objective as possible, anyway.

Let me get this out of the way: Puss 2 is great. It has an emotionally driven story, funny gags, extremely well done fight scenes, and generally inventive visuals. It's a good movie all around, and it'll be a film I'd gladly reply for my kid, if I have one. I think my hypothetical children will love it.

But that's the thing. Puss 2 is largely made as a family film, a film which mainly aims to entertain children, while also give parents a few chuckles here and there. 

Note that I said family film and not children's movie. Sonic 1 is a children's movie, it aims almost exclusively at children. Sonic 2 and Puss 2 are family movies, though adult audience may be secondary targets, they are targets nonetheless.

Of course, that distinction is largely subjective. In any case, as a lone adult with no children who are also depressed, it's very difficult for me to sit down and be moved by Puss 2. By every measure, the story of Goldie should've been very touching. But I was just in my seat with minimal reaction...

For a while now, I've been wondering if I've become what people considered to be a snob, someone who can't have dumb fun. A recent example is Black Adam. I watched that movie and was... whelmed? I wasn't bored. But I expected a bit more, especially from the Rock.

I had a similar feeling towards Encanto, too. When its soundtrack goes viral, I was sitting at home wondering if the film is just not for me, or am I just depressed and can't enjoy music.

But then, I watched Puss in Boots 2, and find myself impressed by it. I wasn't particularly entertained or moved. And it's pretty clear to me that this film isn't made for me. But in this instance, I'm still charmed by its technical aspects, the stylistic choices. I love the actions are animated in twos; The wolf's design is pretty freaking sick; Even the doggo, which I do not like as a character, is nevertheless well written.

So, I think that' where I'm at right now. In short, yes, I have become a snob, kinda. Because of the way I watch movies, I put a lot more focus on technical achievements than an average mainstream film goer. So, when a film didn't impress me in those area, I appear to be a snob to people who simply don't care about technical stuffs.

But now that I recognize my own bias. I wonder where it'll lead me to next.

Anyway, I should get back to work. Hopefully I'll see you with a new video soon!