All Forms of Art

  South of the Border, West of the Sun  was not at all one of my favorites.  After reading so many glowing reviews, I must confess I was genuinely disappointed.  That said, I didn’t stop reading. Not even once. And that, in itself, says a lot about Haruki Murakami as a writer. I didn’t enjoy the book until very close to the end, but Murakami’s prose kept pulling me forward. He has that rare ability to make you continue reading even when you feel, deep down, that the story might be going nowhere. Beautiful Writing, Distant Characters Murakami writes beautifully—there’s no denying that. His sentences flow effortlessly, scenes are carefully composed, and everything feels precise and intentional. But I felt no empathy for Hajime, the main character. I couldn’t identify with him, nor did I particularly care about what happened to him. And it’s hard to love a story when you don’t care about the people living inside it. This emotional distance reminded me, at times, of ...

  It Ends With Us is, unfortunately, not a good movie. The execution is weak, the pacing uneven, and the emotional payoff often missing.  While the story aims high, the film never fully reaches the depth it needs. What could have been a gripping, emotionally complex drama ends up feeling shallow and, at times, unintentionally artificial. Flat Characters and Weak Relationships One of the film’s biggest problems lies in its characters. They are not particularly interesting, charismatic, or well-developed. Ryle (Justin Baldoni) is a major flaw.  As a character, he is emotionally flat and offers very little to explain why Lily (Blake Lively) would be so drawn to him. There is no real chemistry or depth to justify such intense involvement. Blake Lively delivers a committed performance and does what she can with the material she’s given. She brings sincerity and vulnerability to Lily, but even her performance isn’t enough to carry the film.  The emotional reactions...

  Tobias Menzies is a British actor known for his intelligence, restraint, and remarkable emotional range. Born on March 7, 1974, in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art ( RADA ), one of the UK’s most prestigious drama schools.  Early in his career, Menzies built a strong foundation in theatre before steadily becoming a familiar face in film and television, particularly in historical dramas and psychologically complex roles. Main Works That Defined His Career Rome (2005–2007) Menzies first gained international recognition as Marcus Junius Brutus in HBO’s Rome .  His portrayal captured Brutus’s moral conflict and quiet intensity, setting the tone for the kinds of layered characters he would become known for. Outlander (2014–2018) Perhaps his most talked-about role, Menzies played both Frank Randall and Jonathan “Black Jack” Randall in Outlander — two vastly different characters connected by blood.  The dual performance showcased his ability to ...

  Cinderella? Really? That reveal almost completely pulled me out of the story. It felt tired, predictable, and honestly unnecessary. For a moment, I genuinely thought I might lose interest altogether. And yet… they somehow manage to keep you watching. Still, the frustration is real . Benedict (Luke Thompson) looks at every other woman and instantly knows, nope, not her . But the woman he talks to every spare minute, the one he’s clearly drawn to— that doesn’t ring any bells? It’s ridiculous. The secrecy isn’t romantic, it’s annoying. Borderline infuriating. At this point, Sophie (Yerin Ha) not telling him who she is isn’t cute or mysterious—it’s just exhausting. Please. Just tell him already. Queen Charlotte: Fragility, Loneliness, and Letting Go The most quietly heartbreaking thread so far is the Queen (Golda Rosheuvel). Her fragility is painfully visible. The way she desperately searches for something— anything —remotely interesting to distract herself from everything...

  When Caitriona Balfe first stepped onto the international modeling scene, she turned heads on the runways of Paris, Milan, and New York. But it was clear early on that her ambitions stretched beyond haute couture.  With a fearless leap into acting, Balfe transformed from supermodel to one of the most compelling actresses of her generation, captivating audiences with her depth, intelligence, and on-screen presence. Main Works Outlander (2014–2023)   Balfe’s breakthrough role as Claire Fraser in this time-travel historical drama earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.  Her portrayal of Claire—a woman navigating love, war, and centuries of change—highlighted her ability to blend emotional depth with resilience and charisma. Ford v Ferrari (2019)   In this high-octane racing drama, Balfe held her own alongside Hollywood heavyweights Matt Damon and Christian Bale, proving her versatility in major motion pictures. Money Monster (2016)   Actin...

  Migration is a sweet, easy-to-watch animated movie that works best as a family experience.  It’s the kind of film that invites everyone to sit together on the couch, relax, and enjoy a lighthearted adventure. There’s nothing too heavy here, but there is heart — and that’s where the movie shines. Taking Risks Without Losing Yourself At its core, Migration is an empowering story about taking risks and overcoming fear. The movie explores the idea that growth doesn’t happen without stepping outside your comfort zone, while also gently reminding us that risk-taking needs balance. Safety, caution, and responsibility still matter. This theme feels familiar — much like Finding Nemo , where fear of danger clashes with the need for independence, or Up , where adventure only begins once the main character dares to let go of routine. Migration fits comfortably into that tradition, delivering its message in a way that’s accessible for kids while still meaningful for adults. Freed...