Author: Vincent
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“2001: A Space Odyssey” and the Future of Humanity: Reflections on Consciousness, AI, and Global Unity
Read more: “2001: A Space Odyssey” and the Future of Humanity: Reflections on Consciousness, AI, and Global UnityI recently watched 2001: A Space Odyssey by Stanley Kubrick during a flight to Paris to visit my father. Despite its iconic status, I had never seen it before. My only prior knowledge was the use of Richard Strauss’s famous classical piece, “Also Sprach Zarathustra.” Watching this masterpiece for the first time, I was struck…
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Chihayafuru: A Tale of Friendship, Growth, and Brain-Boosting Lessons
Read more: Chihayafuru: A Tale of Friendship, Growth, and Brain-Boosting LessonsWe recently watched the live-action movie series Chihayafuru (a trilogy) with my wife. She asked me if I had heard of Carta before seeing it. Surprisingly, I hadn’t even come across the name. Carta is a Japanese game where two participants duel on a tatami floor, aiming to be faster than their opponent in finding…
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Resident Evil 5: A Controversial Journey and a Call for Unity
Read more: Resident Evil 5: A Controversial Journey and a Call for UnityReleased in 2009, Resident Evil 5 stands as a significant entry in the iconic horror series that first captivated audiences in 1993. Known for its gripping storylines and terrifying gameplay, the series has become a classic in the zombie-horror genre. This installment, however, sparked heated debates due to its setting and cultural implications. Set in…
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“Wish” on Disney+: A Reflection on Society and Dreams
Read more: “Wish” on Disney+: A Reflection on Society and DreamsWe watched “Wish” on Disney+ yesterday. My wife had already seen it once with her sister last year when it was released in theaters, but it was my first time. During karaoke with my in-laws, I had heard some songs, particularly one I assumed was sung by the villain of the movie. My wife wasn’t…
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Ranma ½: A Nostalgic Dive into Identity and Society’s Evolving Norms
Read more: Ranma ½: A Nostalgic Dive into Identity and Society’s Evolving NormsI recently discovered that Netflix has released a new version of the anime Ranma ½, created by Rumiko Takahashi. It brought back memories of watching the original series on French TV through the iconic program “Club Dorothée.” France was ahead of its time in importing and broadcasting Japanese animation, giving us the privilege of experiencing…
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Oshakashama by Radwimps: A Reflection on Hypocrisy and Society
Read more: Oshakashama by Radwimps: A Reflection on Hypocrisy and SocietyI was introduced to the song “Oshakashama” by Radwimps by yet another drummer friend. As a bass player, I have often sympathized quickly with drummers—the rhythm section of a band needing to play in sync to create the foundation on which the other instruments and vocals can work freely. The better the foundation, the better…
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Rediscovering Life Through Lost in Translation and the Power of Reflection
Read more: Rediscovering Life Through Lost in Translation and the Power of ReflectionI’ve watched Lost in Translation several times. The first time I saw it, I was told about a movie set in Japan starring Bill Murray. At the time, I was still learning Japanese at university. Watching it again after living in Japan for a while, my perception of the film had naturally shifted; living in…
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Lessons from Kimba the White Lion: A Call for Mutual Understanding and Global Citizenship
Read more: Lessons from Kimba the White Lion: A Call for Mutual Understanding and Global CitizenshipI watched the anime version of Kimba the White Lion on French TV as a child. The manga, written by Osamu Tezuka, the creator of Astro Boy and Black Jack, dates back to the early 1950s. Though Disney has never officially confirmed it, many striking similarities exist between Kimba the White Lion and their iconic…
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Uplift Spice’s “Justice”: A Dark Reflection on Society and Inequality
Read more: Uplift Spice’s “Justice”: A Dark Reflection on Society and InequalityI first discovered Uplift Spice through their song Kanojo, introduced by the now-defunct French television channel, NoLife TV. Despite not being as famous as the major hits dominating the Japanese music scene, their music left a lasting impression. I was surprised when a drummer friend of mine turned out to be a big fan of…
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Green Book and the Power of Cultural Understanding
Read more: Green Book and the Power of Cultural UnderstandingWhen I watched Green Book for the first time, I was shocked by how Viggo Mortensen transformed himself for the role. While I hadn’t seen many of his movies before, his portrayal of Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings still holds a special place in my memory. The 2018 film, directed by Peter Farrelly,…