Nezha

This had been floating on the Netflix recommendations and looked oddly familiar, even though it's been 20 years since I read anything remotely connected to Chinese mythology.

The animation isn't bad, the story is very heartwarming, the humor and the action are very refreshing. But this thing bothered the hell out of me throughout the week-end so I did some digging - instead of digging for a PhD topic- and FINALLY found something pretty old and deeply buried in my head, on purpose I think.

One of the first VHS I borrowed during my first year of having a library subscription was this animation movie : Prince Nezha's Triumph Against Dragon King

That was a time where I was still fooled by the animation style, and the assumptions over the medium's thematic. And I remember this now as the first traumatic experience watching animation. The story was heartbreaking and the way it was tackled and the sort of events it depicted were nothing I had ever read or watched before. This adaptation is different from the latest one, and the others that are available. There are different takes on the story but the character and the mythology stay the same.

I could never borrow that VHS again, and tried to forget it. It's not so bad right now though. In fact, Chinese animation stands on its own and is its own league, much like its pioneering directors and humor. There is no translating such stories to Western audiences, not as far as I see and in the shape and substance they are.

Even though the Netflix adaptation is much more mellow, it's still pretty heavy and is only here due to its established status in Asia. Still, I am happy that Netflix would bring such narratives to other countries.

And perhaps through this mellowed medium, people would be interested enough in approaching other works.

I really should focus on the dissertation scouring >.<

On Racism in America,
This needs to be assimilated, every goddamn line.

Been Craving Msemen

Why am I craving Msemen right now? Why did I wait until the end of Ramadan to crave this stuff?

I summoned the guts to contact the local Moroccan restaurant and ask that they make them to go.

It turns out if you are willing to pay and know what you are getting, anything is possible really.

Best Crossover this year

This is niche, fire and combines two things I like very very much

In the meantime, over 1000 books were about to be thrown

Bruh.
I am sorting through them to give some and store some and donate most.
But bruh.
To throw all this away lest someone takes them off.
Wow wow wow, people be tripping.
This is a fucking fortune to a Moroccan, any Moroccan really.
Meanwhile here, no one wants children's books in great condition
Bru. Amurica

Catching up on "don't think too much" time

And the TBW list is coming through

Swallow

That was an unpredictable one, fresh air with a twist

Lovebirds

Simple movie with little chuckles. It's all about that Kumail/Issa chemistry!

The killing of a sacred deer

Was about time to catch with this one, given my appreciation of the director

Maquia

Same thing: I like Okada's stuff and this was a great change of narrative, got me thinking on different levels

Insecure Season 4

FINALLY! I was eagerly waiting for this one and I haven't been disappointed so far. The growth and the female friendships are finally getting to that realistic standpoint and it is unraveling nicely. I really hope it will keep up the great writing, the amazing venues and wardrobe. Issa is just an inspiration and is slowly becoming a favorite of mine