i picked this to watch on a whim, wanting to watch a taiwanese film and not turning on the subtitles so i can practice my mandarin. it turned out to be a great choice, as the film is ridiculous and campy, but a lot of fun to watch. i bust a lung laughing; the film's references to chinese horror film tropes/classics, comedic timing, and sense of humour was 100% up my alley.

however, as many others have pointed out, there…

"就算你不说实话，我们还是我们。"

god, this movie really broke me.

the camera work and transitions are gorgeous, lighting and set design are beautiful, and the script is humorous and witty and heart breaking all at once. song zhengyuan's ghost haunts the film, an absent presence structuring the film. his presence becomes even more palpable when you realise that both ah jie and sanlian fall in love with him on the same day, in a creamy romantic daze. at the same time, structurally, the…

this movie. THIS MOVIE. it was heartwarming and funny and adorable and nostalgic, i loved every second of it. the screen was always so busy in the best possible way, populated with pokemon and references to the extensive world the games have created over the years. and because it’s live-action, it magnified that feeling i got of stepping into a world i’ve only ever seen through the tiny screen of my game boy; everything felt so lived and so real.…