[Weekly Update] February 20, 2022

Is anyone following the Oscar? I used to watch it with my filmmaking friends and make a drinking game out of it. I supposed we mostly enjoy it ironically. But then Covid happened and  we don't hang out much anymore.

Maybe I'll watch the Razzies this year. They have an entire category dedicated only to Bruce Willis.

CHANNEL UPDATE

• Hope you enjoy our latest video on a somewhat controversial topic. It was a last minute decision to swap video ideas around, so I had to whip up that video rather quickly. For that reason, the video feels a bit shallow and not as punctual. Nevertheless, I hope the idea of subjectivity is clear.
• The rest of the schedule remains unchanged. We're still working on a video about Malaysian cinema, a video about Leslie Cheung, and also prepping for the release of Turning Red.
• After a few years on YouTube, the Accented Cinema format has become somewhat stale to work on. And it's probably kinda stale to listen to for a lot of viewers. We are thinking of doing some format change. As to how we are changing it, I have no idea.
• One possibility is to swap to much longer, in-depth video format with a irregular upload schedule, similar to bigger essay channels like Folding Ideas. It'll allow me a lot more time to do research and come up with more interesting topics.
• However, our current sponsorship schedule means that change will at least have to wait till next year or so. Of course, we'll also change Patreon to a "per video" payment basis.
• If you have anything you'd like us to change, let us know.

MEDIA TALK

• In our last video, I said it is okay to like a film in spite of its questionable elements. I use Mulan as an example. With Mulan being such a good and inspiring film, it's pretty understandable that I and most people would love it.
• However, there are much more questionable films that falls under this category. They are the true guilty pleasures, movies that you probably should've love, but you love it anyway. Here is some of mine.
• Love Actually: I did a whole bonus video on this film, pointing out its problematic and often toxic portrayal of romantic relationships. Yet, somehow, the movie managed to make you feel good, even after you noticed all of its glaring problems. It's a testament to films' ability to manipulate your emotion over your logical mind. I probably shouldn't enjoy this dumb movie as much as should, but I can't stop myself.
• The Gods Must Be Crazy: This one I did a proper video on. I'm bad with words but I was even worse back then, so I wasn't able to make my message clear. The film definitely has a lot of questionable stereotypes, the film does appeal to have good intention. For one thing, the film never punches down. Rarely is there a scene for you to laugh at the main character. Most of the film, you actually laugh at modern society, through the eyes of a bushman. Can it be done better? Probably. But I still appreciate what the film managed to do.
• Mrs. Doubtfire: A father stalks his kids and wife by cross-dressing and pretending to be a rotund senior woman. That just sounds like a freaking disaster. But damn it, Robin Williams can make even this dumb and toxic premise endearing. There is something really charming about a film set in the real world but operates in cartoon logic. In today's cynical world, it's difficult for this type of film to even work. But as people began to crave sincerity once more, maybe we'll see films like this again.
• Miss Congeniality: Not sure if people remember this movie. It was one of the more famous "makeover" films of the 2000s. But unlike a lot of makeover films of the genre, it seems to missed the lesson about "inner beauty". At the end, it's pretty much just an action movie about a cop going undercover in a silly situations. I do like how the second film ditch the rather toxic romance of the first film, and give the main character a frienemy partner. That was kinda neat.
• Kingsman: I always have a love-hate relationship with Jane Goldman's script ideas. And that love-hate is at its strongest with the first Kingsman movie. It started off so good! Eggsy, a cockney British kid is given the chance to change his life around. A major part of his character is for him to protect his mom from her abusive misogynistic pig of a boyfriend. The film constantly questions and reinvents tired spy movie tropes. But then at the end, when Eggsy saves the world, the film unceremoniously throws him a princess as a reward, leaning way too far into the trope instead of reinventing it. It is such a frustrating watch for film that is brilliantly paced and full of smart ideas.

Of course there are also a bunch of silly and bad movies that I love, from The Room to Fateful Findings. But I'd argue I only enjoy those movies ironically... at least I hope. What are some of the movies you enjoyed, despite its issues and problems?

In any case, I'll see you next week!