[Chinese BG novel] 反派亲妈的佛系日常 / Daily life of a villain's mom

This was so boring and so disappointing.

I got tired of it pretty soon tbh and since there's a lot of cuteness/daily stuff and cookies like that, I basically started to skim through entire story. It wasn't written to my liking, although it is not brain-dead and there's nothing horrible to be completely baffled, but some events were something I couldn't comprehend and couldn't agree with and the focus of events or scandals also left me with questions.

Oh yeah and also naming rl brands. Now I understand why ppl try not to use those. Not to mention the copyright, but basically who knows if the reputation might stink. Like for example there's Cartier mentioned in the story and they've been through contraversy because of the necklace (more to say precious stones used in that necklace).

The whole 'villain mom' in the title only concerns the kid, who in the future is supposed to be a really high IQ criminal and he had a pretty tragic childhood. And here was my first question, why at this point his childhood should be tragic. The previous owner might have been a bit indifferent to the child since she was tricked, but in general she provided the kid with everything he needed, hence she was responsible to having a nanny from day he was born. This part really passed through me.

The female lead - Ye Fan - comes from another world. She switches from music to acing, since it's the original owner's main wish, but also takes care of the child. She is part of a pretty dramatic plot of her own. She should be a daughter of a big family but was swapped after birth. She also acts as a stand-in for the fake daughter. Sure thing villain daughter is a pretencious vulgar young woman who relies on her big family and also knows her experience and targets original owner everywhere.

Anyway, arrival of Ye Fan changes things, she acts as a stunt person and gets a chance to have a small role. And here I have a problem with movie/TV descriptions. With passing roles it is always said that it's a small role, description is even more scarce, like one or two scenes are described, but everyone is amazed to the point of ecstacy. It is also weird according to subsequent show where they chose an actress. So her popularity grew rapidly and it started with uncovering the whole stand-in scandal.

In general Ye Fan started a new journey and was actually helped by an actor playing against her - He Han. About him I must say, I was weirded out by the "foreshadowing" of the author that kept saying - oh she feels so familiar. But you don't get an explanation until way later and you understand how duplicious it was, since you might believe he felt close because original owner and He Han although were tricked together to bed, but still had a relationship. Yet no, it's completely different and has something to do with previous world. Since she was helped she had a brighter journey with new role, although it's not realy a main, variety show which also helped her to get through and she could be said to climb step-by-step, yet we're interrupted and almost half of the novel (as I perceive it) was spent on a big show where several actresses competed for a role, which would go international. This part was also beyond me. I can understand making several rounds of auditioning, making tapes and slowly checking ppl who fit. But no, we have a full-length show which lasted for quite some time. In general some parts of it were prominent (NOTE: very important to know that the personality about who this movie is all about should be a superstar, someone who achieved great success in movies and music, she's a legendary figure, so keep that in mind), since it's a biopic I could understand that they somehow would go through things that would suit experiencing what it's like to be like such a legendary person, BUT! half through it they added people, not only that, they added the show effect adding a girl who wanted to ride the tail and rubbed the heat of Ye Fan at that moment, which to me shouldn't happen in such drama, it sounded so disrespectful creating these "highlights" in audition for a movie about a legendary person. It all was weird. And also one of them (fake daughter) actually passes, though there was so much reluctance in adding her when I was reading like wth. Biggest part of the book is that show, which really bothered me, in the end Ye Fan won. During the recording and other times they and He Han prgressed slowly, from finding that her son is also his son, but also developing feelings. There was a moment which left me a bit questioning. Although you could hear like hundred time how good her son is, how she brought him up, but I saw him as a very dependent child, to me Ye Fan developed it too and was dependent herself. She is always portrayed as cool and collected if it's not for her child. That's why during the shooting she got such a big reaction when she found that her son had fever and went to hospital. I can understand nervousness and her idea of dropping everything and going to her son (though it's only a fever). But the way she doesn't think things through when she's the first in line who wants to protect her child is really.. questionable. Because in that scene she taked a car from the host (He Han's friend), of course paparazzi follow what would you expect. And they were almost caught but it also was later used to uncover the identity of their child. In general I would have liked to see her struggle that love is strong and although she's in the spotlight she would find a way to come. Anyway it's just a tool anyway, she's a loving mother with her son as a center. Developing the feelings between the two also left me with question. To make the pair "fateful" it's not only Ye Fan who crossed, but He Han too. So we're back to why he thought she was so familiar. In previous world (this story is picked up in later half of the novel btw) she lost her parents and was devastated, He Han was also an actor in that world and helped her since he knew her previously and enjoyed her genius. Later he came into this world and stayed, but found Ye Fan having familiar traits, which led him to uncover the truth. Ye Fan also started having her doubts and for some reason were convinced by not what he said, but by the collection of vynil records, which any person could have really. In general they recognize each other, he liked her and she loved him too and it was her regret never seeing the person who helped her, so all the feeling progressed.

The last thing that killed me was actually scandal about their child. Maybe I'm too west-oriented, though I really find it stupid screaming at someone to stop filming just because they gave birth, but actually reading countless novels brought me the idea that it shouldn't be such a big deal for an actor, not an idol or traffic star, to have family or children. So this crusade sounded so weird, like everyne called them liars. Excuse me, why they should expose this, especially when someone wants to protect the kid. Ye Fan never had really big scandlas prior to this, she took an actor's path, she gave birth way before becoming popular, what was the big deal. So this part I really couldn't coprehand. In general the way they also did not explain or include the protection of teh child as a reason, the way they never mentioned suing those who exposed their private matter, anyway there was a lot in this part I could not agree with.

The ending was boring (well, entire novel was). Nothing can be complete without mentioning of Oscars. Tbh I thought it would be just fine getting some for biopic. But later we see another work, which wasn't as discussed and had no connotation, but it is this film that was praised, though it sounded like blockbuster, it won the award and she did win too. Yet you can't care and the comparison how she acted even better was also like stepping on previous role.

In generl it's all boredom with load of cuteness and cookies. But I really could not agree with many situations, decisions and dialogues to represent this or that aspect of the story, thus the disappointment. Not recommended. RATE: 2/5

[Movie] Angelique series

Intro

Angelique, the beauty that can make the kingdoms fall.

And boy did they manage to find that beauty. Mercier who played Angelique to me always was an unfathomable beauty, she had this completely perfect features with no dead end, absolutely gorgeous face, beautiful brows, lovely nose and unique shape of her lips. The camera and lighting gave her body a beautiful powdery effect. Let's not avoid the fact that this movie openly had nudity, but not the Holywood typ of show it all, those are smart shots from the back or side shots, but you can't see anything. She had things in place, because her thinnest waist was real, yet she had enough volume in places that needed it. She had that look that could bend you into a mosquito coil. Her gorgeous face and gorgeous figure truly could show what a "beauty that could defeat any man" means. To me she in this movie is the embodiment of a female leading character in a historical romance novel. Though it doesn't mean you won't have questions about some of her actions, I had a ton.

It's actually an interesting experience to watch movies after a decade or more after the first viewing, not only you as a person might have changed throughout this time, but everything around you changed as well. For a modern person it might not look impressive, but for 1964 and decades later it became a romantic classic.

Now. Who is Angelique to me? I see her as a sort of femme fatale, since her beauty that is unparalleled is her blessing, but also her own curse, because of her beauty she found her real happiness in the face of her first husband - Jeoffrey de Peyrac (I personally call them Beauty and the Beast)). And it was also her beauty that made her target of many men who fell in love with her at first sight when she was left alone. Tbh I see the following lovers of Angelique as men for comparison, they were different, most of them were handsome and healthy, unlike Jeoffrey, but only he gave her true happiness, was the kindest, which made her always keep that love in her heart and seek justice for him in ways she found possible.

Funnily the stereotypes that were portrayed in the movies were the ones that were quite popular. But some of them we'd call toxic in our days. Angelique herself could be said to be a stereotyped herione of a historical romance novel. She's a beauty, although she has her own character, but she's not without her own fragility. She's also full of emotion.

There is one thing that is unfortunate about the timeline and montage. Since there's no mentioning of ages or even showing dates sometimes it's really hard to tell how many years passed. I think only by judging the age of her kids it may be a little clearer, but in general this jumping from here to here is like glazing over things, which made many parts a bit shallow. I must say I mostly supplemented the story with my own thoughts when time changed. As a result it often felt like "beauty defeats it all" when it came the first meeting between Angelique and different men who fell for her instantly, but only those who had more screen time felt like more complete characters.

I personally haven't read the novels themselves, but judging by number of them I can say that a lot of it was cut out, since it was impossible to implement everything, what they did was quite a lot for me already. Oh yeah and also for the story it was unnecessary I think, not to mention the source was not over yet.

Before I start about my notes on these movies I'd like to point out one thing - production. It can't be compared to the modern production, since back then everything was done with hands and all people you see are real and not generated. Plus let's not forget the work of extras, which sometimes was outright dangerous. Several parts in these movies were empressive, like the fire in the tavern with collapsing roof, like the caravan consisting of hundreds of camels, I don't say that in many scenes there was a ton of extras who worked at the same time. There were scenes in the sea, like stunt men fell from heights that were dangerous. In short, it is impressive.

Now onto few thoughts of mine.

Movie 1. Angélique, marquise des anges

To me the first movie has a strong sense of 'Beauty and the Beast' type of story. Joeffrey as the husbund of Angelique was rumored to be old and scarred sorcerer, which left her terrified about her own future. She despised her new fate and new house despite the riches that Joeffrey could give her. Only with time she started to open up and stopped her prejudice, which in the end let her realize that her husband is actually kind and wants to give her the world. His personality isn't eccentric, he's a pure adcenturer and scientist, the world gave him knowledge and he was ahead of times, which surely brought him rumors and he was feared.

Honestly, her face is simply amazing. And also if you watch all the movies together you'll realize how many beauty shots she got, not to mention the 'lying down on smth' ones.

Their happiness lasted for several years, presumably, since in the background she gave birth to a child and we had seen him walk for the first time. And the fall came suddenly due to convenience of the plot actually. And many ppl say that modern literature uses it, it's all convenience and everywhere. Anyway, in her early years she eavesdropped on a plan to kill the king, she was lucky to steal the chest containing poison and the list of traitors, funnily she hid it less than 20 meters away from where she stole it, in the space below the window. She talked about it to Joeffrey and was heard, so to make her weak and vulnerable they started from her husband. With faked process and chargess he was sentenced, Angelique was left with nothing (honestly, never say such things openly, who would do that). Luckily finding her old good friend Nicolas they thought they'd be able to save Joeffrey (but thing aren't that easy in novels, so no). Things were changed and they were late, all they could see were flames, so Angelique believed that her husband died in flames. Left with nothing, including the riches and houses and her title, she became part of the Paris bandits led by Nicolas.

The notable character that will follow through the next movies but changing his status would be François Desgrez, he protected Joeffrey in court, but was powerless in the end, later changed careers to police.

Movie 2. Merveilleuse Angélique

After witnessing the execution of her husband, with the help of Nicolas Angelique now searches for her children. Nicolas has a dream to leave to the new world one day, for this purpose they rob many rich people every day, to share with others in the gang, but leave enough to leave and live a good life. Nicolas, as one who had a close relationship with her, becomes her first man after her husband. I must say, it is not said, but due to the age of her found children (yeah, she was pregnant when everything happened) we can judge that enough time passed. I basically see it as her wanting to seek comfort, because parting with her husband hurt her so much. Enough said that before when she was still between nobles she was eyes by many of them, including the king himself. It was glazed over, but the first movie flinches over an accident that happened to Angelique (when she was violated when trying to flee from murderers, seeking help from those who wear noble clothes and are suppose to be gentlemen, but got violence in return).

Unfortunately, during a gang fight that broke out, Nicolas was shot and died (the counter of her dead lovers was opened). Their entire gang broke up, Angelique instead managed to get out and save her children. She seeks shelter in a tavern, which was almost dilapitated. With her wit she revived the place and basically turned to business. It was her first step outside of poverty and free life. At least I think that now Angelique realized that some things should be done by herself, instead of waiting for a man. She also meets a poet, with whom she had a fleeting relationship.

Their tavern was targeted and the nobles who came around crashed and bashed everything. The sad event was a cruel murder of the boy Angelique brought with her when she saved her children from kidnappers. Only one person from the nobles tried to stop everything, but the one who killed the child was a brother to the king. This also has the fire scene, which I found quite impressive. The poet Angelique was acquainted started to reveal the list of nobles one by one, but was caught and hanged before the final reveal. Angelique could have finished the job, but chose the compromise, receiving her property back, money and a patent for chocolate. The fight against nobility seemed powerless. Angelique was down too, all these men died for her and she was hollowed out, only Desgrez helped her get her spirit back, despite changing his own status he always stayed a good friend.

Angelique picked herself up and became a business woman. Here again I have a question, since I have no idea how long passes, but it felt like she opened shops in many provinces, she also was rich enough to get a ship.

Here, she was still followed by a shadow of revenge. She chose her cousine Philippe de Plessis-Bellières as her future husband. I see this as reaching her goal, to get a high enough status to stand against those she couldn't touch before. 

Philippe and her also had a long story, he always acted as a playboy, had a lavish lifestyle, played and lost money, and although he had debts he still played, because that's the style. He was also quite toxic, since he was quite chovinistic at times. Especially repulsed when she bought his house back. She had money, he had title, yet he still was hanging on his noble pride. Tbh they're kinda in this love-hate relationship. He refused her at first, but was caught up in the old story about the chest with poison. Angelique was hurt that when he finally came after her it wasn't for her, she refused, but later agreed if they get married and she gets what she wants. During the process of reading the agreement she simply returns the chest without finishing and leaves, she's repulsed by everything. Destroying the chest Philippe sees Angelique leaving as she promised. Wanting to get things back Philippe sends flowers and jewellery, but nothing works, in the end he arranges for her to come to Versailles and asks for marriage in front of the king, which he allows. Although Angelique changed her name, the king still recognizes her. Angelique accepts Philippe and although she still has part of her heart that belongs to Joeffrey, she steps out of that shadow. In the books, summary of which I skimmed through, if I'm not wrong they also had children. But the movies didn't add it and I can understand why, kids actually rarely appeared on screen.

Movie 3. Angélique et le Roy

I'll confess, out of all movies this is my favorite, the wild palace intrigue is up my alley. And I always feel bad that like other movies the plot was squeezed. But oh well.

When we talk about squeezing the plot the death of Philippe on he battlefield and Angelique's widowhood come in scenes one after another. Honestly, I feel like in those years ppl didn't beat around the bush about the story progress. And just after that she receives an invitation from the king. And we all know, invitation is just a polite form of "order". It was delievered by our old friend Desgrez, he also insisted that if Angelique wanted a better future for her children she might consider the diplomatic mission.

Knowing she had no other choice she followed. 

Funnily, the authors play with real historical figure and at this time the famous case from those time surfaced in the plot of this movie. In the bedroom of the king we see a beautiful woman, she is Marquise of Montespan. The oen who had relationship with the king, but later was involved in a case of poisons and witchcraft and honestly, the fully exploited it for the story.

After meeting the king Angelique was offered to contact ambassodor of Persia, diplomatic talks about agreement between two countries was a stale mode, so the king offered her to achieve things where men failed, but also offered a good deal, the castle that belonged to her husband and where she moved right away. In the castle she actually finds someone who knew Joeffrey and was occupying castle at this time, but she also found what gave her a little hope - Joeffrey's shirt he wore on the day of execution. But the man dispelled her hope.

The Persia ambassador plot is actually can be called the routine where a man is masmerized by the beauty of Angelique. This unexplained passionate love at first sight is everywhere in the movies. But since he comes from a different background they obviously clash in their views. She is after all a noble woman of France, not someone who could be gifted at will or someone who will obey willingly. She was actually saved from her lock up and luckily left.

Since this was the case, ambassador decided to leave, but was not ready to see Angelique again, so in my impression it was something like - come to Versailles, you can see me there, since you're here please act a bit like us and don't abduct people. So it really felt like he agreed because of her. What a "beauty trap". Yet he wanted to take her a reward, but to save the day and also to take this chance, Angelique was announced to be the king's favorite. The king eyed her from the first time he saw her, but she was always out of his reach. For her reward she has taken some liquid that could be seen only in Persia (that presumably acted like explosives actually). Here Angelique had a little fling with the guy who saved her previously. Honestly, in modern times you'd call it "little wolf dog", since he's a bit far from milk dog, but he's young and handsome. But he got into troubles because he saved her and he was on the run. As a person who saved her she couldn't turn her back and she covered for him, but was summoned because of this. Here, I can actually understand the king's anger, as a man he wanted her for a long time, but in this others were mor successful than him and it felt like she easily gave other men what she never gave him, he also has his own political game, which may not be liked by others and there is a good part in the movie where he explains that he is a king of this country first, so he can't fully be like a normal person and act as he wants, there is too many compromises to make when ruling. Which is quite true. Angelique asks him not to press on her, since to be a lover to a king has its' own consequences, although she plays it like she's tempted, but in a later scene we find out that she came to the king only for Joeffrey and for a showdown.

Before visiting the king at night Desgrez comes with a body of the dog, which was poisoned by the food that originally was prepared for Angelique. As her friend Desgrez tested it for her and also insisted on her leaving Versailles, but yet she refused. Then cmes the confrontation scene where the speach of the king about his ruling comes. Basically to me they're truly people of two different beliefs, they might belong to one world and Angelique is part of teh nobility, but she doesn't chase the king like others for what he can offer, she cares about human lives and kindness, to her the treacherous accusations of her husband were dishonest, yet to him kingdom is everything. Although if we talk about interests and feelings I have a hunch that it wasn't entirely king fearing the influence of her husband, but also because it was convenient... yet indeed, if Joeffrey did not support the king in his deeds and was only a rich man within the country, then I can understand the whole layout. He also uncovered the truth, he saved life of Joeffrey, but it was said that when he jumped into the river to escape the current was too strong and his body was found later (the body thing was a lie though). This truth was something that made Angelique leave, she wished to find teh truth, it seemed that her guess that her husband is alive after seeing his shirt happened to be truth. She asks to leave.

Back in Paris in her mansion when she was about to sleep her maid took out a poisoned night shirt. If it wasn't for a dropped leaf with obvious signs she wouldn't notice. This is the scene that amazed me when I first watched, first of all the whole dress was poisoned (thus I say they exploited affair of poisons and Montespan), next is the sfx of chemical burns that appeared when Angelique used same dress to slap the maid, her hands were covered in blisters and rotting flesh. They found it was someone who was close to Montespan who ordered it. It's interesting how they never say what happens to dead ppl, but next day they're on he river, swimming))) But before Angelique undressed, honestly, just look at her impeccable dress and her hair when it is done looks like art

Ah~ so pretty.

It was also a place where she noticed a birthmark on Montespan's hip. It's funny how they confronted each other. But in the end the way Angelique walked out in her undergarments and shocked the king was really bold. It's also here she finds out the connection between the one who ordered her poisonous night gown and Montespan, she asked her friend to follow them. It was because of this following they found a strange thing that this woman entered a remote place and later the famous child trafficker was also noticed with a newborn. Angelique couldn't put two and two together. And here comes the second exploitation of Montespan. Witchcraft. They used a black messa with sacrifices to highlight it, because of that birthmark Angelique found it was Montespan on the altar who was masked. Her biggest wish was to get a longlasting friendship with the king and bear king's children. Angelique interrupts the process, she can't see an innocent child be sacrificed and escapes, but her friend unfortunately was shot.

She wantd to uncover this truth, but is stopped by Desgrez, he wants to uncover a case of poisons and knew everything about dark dealings of Montespan. And also to not let Angelique, who now completely believes that Joeffrey is dead, become future king's lover. He insists that her husband is alive and it's the only way to keep her is to tell her the truth what Desgrez discovered when investigating. It was also at night when Angelique was about to be assasinated when Joeffrey (coneniently) came to visit her at night. The confrontation woke her up and she finally saw him, but no matter how she pleaded he still went away. She gets his letter that asks her to live and forget him, now he's confronting the king and has his own mission, returning is impossible, but Angelique refuses to let go and decided to chase. They leave Paris.

Movie 4. Indomptable Angélique + Movie 5. Angélique et le Sultan

Tbh, by the 4th movie and especially 5th movie I got tired (I guess unlike the first time I watched), I had questions, some parts I outrightly didn't like and in general it had played the same repetitive things. Although the most can be said about water scenes and fights. Extras/stuntmen did their work really well.

My question was - how in the world she agreed to travel on a ship with unknown men, she was basically a weak woman among tenths of men and it was like a big trouble. She actually was almost violated, but was lucky. Their ship was actually sunk by Joeffrey who is now a notorious person. He had no idea she was on the ship and Angelique nearly escaped but was unlucky to be picked up by pirates. Now she was a captive who was going to be sold. It also has a pretty unnecessary scenes like tw r*** and also the leader of pirates threw her to prisoners where again she was almost violated, she was rescued by one of the crew, even though his rescue had an aim for her to be alive and kicking, because the were going to trade her. It's funny when they showed Joeffrey he went to a secert cave where you could see several women, but they acted like a small harem. Who knows if there was something, or they were just freed women were sold. Anyway the whole movie is mostly travel, then landing and finally the auction time. She was sold for a huge amount of money, no one saved her and she was basically left to fate, little did she know that the one who bought her was actually Joeffrey, they finally met again.

Maybe it's all romantic, but I question her responsibility, she was too reckless to leave, she left her children, agreed to swin with unknown people, this is a true meaning when someone asks for troubles. If Joeffrey wasn't there, what would she do. 

It's also funny how even though they met he couldn't believe his wife was lover to the king and it was strange how he didn't believe her. Wasn't it enough that she was safe, she went through so much. If it wasn't the redemption in the last movie I'd question him and I do. After all she believed that he was dead and he never gave a sign, she had more relationships than he might think, but king wasn't among them. To him his new life was quite important, since he bore it like a mission. It's funny how emotionally he stayed on the ship, but when he went ashore the ships was on fire. Again the way they show a bunch of ppl who were on the ship but as if no one noticed and Joeffrey didn't feel it was suspicious, but actually agrred to Angelique who told him go and save the ship, never left ppl to protect her..convenience of the plot. Basically here was the end of movie 4, Angelique was kidnapped to become part of sultan's harem. I remember I once read a historical romance where a woman also had similar wild history of romances, but she actually was part of the harem for some time too, but Angelique of course was protesting, she believed it's better to die than to become one of those women. So 5th movie is again travel, landing in the desert and time before she went to harem, but not the official one, she lived with those who were discarded, used goods. She didn't want to reveal herself, but due to her wish to save a man she came across sultan for the first time. Seeing new beauty sultan was infatuated, but Angelieque thought it was better to die, she was whipped, but she refused to give in. In the meantime she was healing the man she saved wanted to escape and he also helped her along the way. Women in the harem also helped them, since they didn't want a strong rival to stay. Three people traveled desert for a long time, but at the last moment they were stopped. Joeffrey smartly arranged for a dumb person to appear and reveal gold, a load of gold, sultan was led to meet him and they both made an agreement, Joeffrey explains his biggest secret, how he produces gold, but in return he wants his wife back. Thus, unfortunately they man who escaped with Angelique was shot, but she was saved. She woke up on the ship in Joeffrey's embrace and they finally could go home. Thus the happy ending.

Tbh I find the 4th and 5th movies a bit unnecessary. Mostly the 5th. 4th is okay since she found him, but there was too much violence. there was also this scene with slaves where Mercier flashed her chest for the only time in the whole series (at other time I know she used mean to cover herself, when she did some naked backview scenes), but honestly even if that scene where someone could easily take advantage, but she was truly professional. The whole 5th movie had nothing new, since we only meet new character like sultan, we don't care about him at all. There's not enough confrontation in the harem too, very few scenes. The whole - I better die than give in - was already played enough. Angelique was too reckless to even start this adventure without enough preparation. Tbh if Joeffrey just decided to appear in the 3rd movie and they talked and she was taken away and disappeared with him, I'm pretty sure she would agree and it'd be a happy ending without violence and such disturbing scenes. Angelique already suffered such shame once, I think that time was enough. So many time I wished that she at least would carry a dagger around.

Of course with how things were it wasn't really possible to shoot the way it'd be shot like right now. The technical means changed. But if to compare, it must be that now because of technical means we can do the close ups, multi-shots, angles etc. which could expand the emotional line, because otherwise many things that are going on are too much on the surface and you need your own brain supplement to fill the gap. It's not that emotional scenes are not enough, there's still enough dialogue and nicely put scenes that convey love and care, after all Angelique was ready to leave anything for him and he as well gave a lot for her. It was a really successful series of movies back then. And that adventurous spirit of Angelique stayed in hearts of many.

Fin.

[Chinese BG novel] 女配是大佬[快穿] /The female match is a big shot

As adviced by author themselves I skipped arc 1 when I started reading. Because they said that logic was dead. Later surprisingly, I was really brought into this novel and found that I appreciate the writing and the style of it.

This book has only a female lead (meaning no 1vs1 with a ML), we're concentrating on our female lead - Heng Yu, who travels the worlds (and since I skipped on 1st arc and, as it happened, even the first novel about Heng Yu I couldget only glimpse of her introduction being a traverser of many worlds and very experienced, of course after figuring the style and my liking for this type of story I put other novels with Heng Yu on my agenda). The thing is, when you read at least 2 arcs you realize the style of this author building up their story and I found their route quite unusual in the abundance of copy-paste plots and routines, and here are the reasons why I think so:

• Exposition of the story plot. Usually with world hopping genre, if we're not specifically kept away from the plot, we get to know the backstory of this world and the plot and also the reason why our main character is here. As per usual MCs are used to quelch the avenge type of story of unsettled and wronged soul, which is consequently is filled with face-slapping, revenge etc., we get to hear some heart-wrenching plots, filled with many injustices, which puts this plot and what will happen in this plot as a central piece author will play around with. Meaning - we're not going anywhere from the plot itself and characters that are involved in this plot will always appear in our range. On the contrary here author actually deviates a lot from this line of routine writing, we partially may know the future plot (most of the time we don't), but the story plays around with the world where the plot takes place. To express things how they are it's easier to give an actual example. (w/spoilers) In arc 4 'Crime profiler' Heng Yu travels to the world years prior to the plot that happened in the story, she indeed doesn't change her path, if she has one, which was settled in the original story, but the way she achieved results was different. Instead of going to a domestic university she went abroad, later she went back and was hired immediately without being an intern and started solving cases right away, which changed her image which now differed from original host, so her reputation grew bigger before the original plot should happen, so basically she followed the path, yet greatly deviated from it at the same time. Next is the piece I like the most, during the investigation they picked on a big group to which male lead of originally-supposed-to-happen plot belongs to, in the end he entered the game. Now, the mportant thing - he was arrested NOT because he was a ML of the original story and Heng Yu aimed for this justice, he wasn't even the main target of the operation and appeared probably in two scenes, but because of the overall investigation which started not even anticipating it to be connected with ML. As a result original ML entered the game. This is why I say author plays with the world more and creates stories that are quite interesting, while anything that concerns original ML+FL of the plot happens in the background and doesn't come as a confrontation of two sides. So these characters are still brought to some ending, good or bad, but it's not in the central focus of the story. Often times we actually don't even have such stories and plots, we may know the premise of the world and overall situation in which Heng Yu and most of the time her family take place.
• No deep dive, yet enough said. This is another part that I liked about the writing style. Sometimes authors get too poetic about their writing, especially when it comes to blowing rainbow farts complimenting their main characters or describing how they look. Unfortunately, it also has a tendency to become repetitive. Author of this novel is prone to short descriptions, yet these descriptions were enough for me to catch up with what author was saying. At least if they say something, it won't be an exaggeration in parts that are unnecessary. Like 5 lines about how beautiful the character is and 1 line of perfunctory plot. This is what I'm talking about. While reading I had enough info to build the image of the world and be touched by some things that happened in these worlds or some topics that were brought up.
• Nothing is done in 5 minutes. What I sometimes find too exaggerated is how in many plots we hear things being done too fast. Found too fast, built too fast, acquired too fast. It doesn't mean some of it can't happen, but in many cases it's just too unrealistic and catches my attention. I was surprised to find that in what I read I haven't seen such bs here. Like criminal cases that were big were not done in a day or two, or cultivation didn't take just little time, though it's a usual case, the war that was going on took years. Anyway, in many stories the only thing that doesn't last 5 minutes are usually MLs, but we don't have one here, so.
• Family affection. Where possible Heng Yu actually happens to be part of a very good family. Even if they're not blood relatives. Like in criminal profiler arc she lives in the family of her grandfather's comrade-in-arms, since she became an orphan, but was treated like a relative. In ancient times arc she had a deep relationship with her older brother, without any drop of indecency. The arc about republic of China we have even bigger family that cares about one another. In general these are very touching family or friendly relationships that are truly great. I was amazed by this abundance of love, because so many times the plots are build about complicated family situations (sometimes where ppl don't act reasonably at all too). This was a fresh stroke and I found that I appreciate a lot. Yet I'd like to note, having a family affection was never translated into being over-protective, it was only guiding or helping, but in general never obstructing or how we often see completely covering everything up.
• "Main characters" can exit early. This is partly why I say that original plots happen in the background. In some arcs it's actually not clear where original story should be and what it was about. In other arcs we do have plots and also "main characters" of these plots, but the funny thing is, they might become a background board or even exit early. The most impressive to me was the arc about god of light and darkness, the world had a traverser, originally a succubus, who overturned this world upside down and caused great casualties along the way, but when Heng Yu came around, here I was really surprised by the scene where Heng Yu killed this traverser and it wasn't even half the arc yet. This was fresh. I sometimes get really frustrated when some "plots" are forced on your main characters, especially the ones where you have to go through the plot, like why, what's the fun in that, not to mention sometimes stories have those one-domensional characters that you'd like to shove aside asap.
• Reaching pinnacle of life in her own way. Many times when we have strong female characters they might end up in a very favorable position, but usually it's on top of a business chain. In one novel that I liked the female lead knew that if she reached a certain height in this world, she'll be able to have a voice that could not be ignored and thus she could help in different fields where she could. Other characters I've seen may do things for society as their main purpose in the world they stay. Most of the time ppl just do business or there's nothing so pompous. What makes Heng Yu be herself and have her own place? From what I've read I got the feeling that Heng Yu's position is doing things she can now, if they're crucial. But she doesn't really chases the top and she might not reach the top, but she's the type that if she did something great, her legacy will live. (w/spoilers) For example, in the arc where she changed her brother as a heir and ruler, she could have not done that, but since the situation was dire it was either she takes it and wins, or everyone she cares about will perish. Thus she became the founding Empress. In other arc about gods of light and darkness Heng Yu overturned the rotten society and build things anew that united people of light and darkness. In the republic of China arc Heng Yu spent her years trying to change the fate of her country, but since she had a sickly constitution in this world she was a behind the scenes master whose story was uncovered only decades later. What is interesting, if the world is peaceful and she doesn't need to do these things, she just either chooses the path of original story or chooses her own and does it and reaches her own height.

So far, I was really impressed by this story, it might not be as high-paced at times, it may not contain all the beloved face-slapping, but it's a sincere story. I'm far from reaching the end, all I know if this story keeps up with such level then I can give it 5/5. Later I might finish 1st and 3rd novels about Heng Yu, I really wasn't expecting such outcome, but I don't regret it.

[Chinese BL novel] 快穿之打脸上天

Because I was in the process of work, so I read this in-between and I finished it, but not because I liked it, it just happened like that when I was done, I had not much of it left and this novel has pretty short chapters, which makes the reading process much faster. MTL experience is horrendous btw.

Summary: Su Wei travels through worlds and his task is to fulfill the original hosts wishes. Along the way he meets a man, this man starts to passing in other worlds with him. Su Wei finds out that the world consciousness noticed this man and tried to play tricks on both, so either of them would fail to recognize and be together, which will lead to emotional collapse of the other. Sounds beautiful, but the execution is simply bad. Not to mention you start to feel hurt from the stupid.

w/spoilers

MC - Su Wei. Tbh, he was most hurtful. Within the genre of world hopping I do believe that it's logical for the mind to expand and be smarter than other people, because it's basically a tempered soul. So MC starts off quite a smart person, though this smartness to me is questionable. Many things are written with the feeling of convenience, for example something is written just to make an impression, but if you think a bit more and not follow the high-paced rhythm of this novel, you'll realize that many things exist just for convenience. Even the stupidity of MC in last arcs is the same sudden convenience. Why I mention smartness in the first place is because of this. When we start MC more or less uses some strategy and also he's good at reading people, considers himself experienced, when he and his lover travel you start to understand that they were not given any means to recognize each other, only that ML has a mark on his body (location may change). The worlds they travel to has what is called 'world consciousness' and because it considers ML an invader it also tries means to shuffle. With MC's smartness the first time he realized that things are done to miss each other he should have the same cautious attitude in next worlds. Or so you might think. Although he knows his man's behavior in consequent arcs he almost missed the point, but did it quite stupidly, as if forgetting what world consciousness is capable of doing (for example, there is an arc where original host's brother shares a story that one of the princes had a dream that he was waiting for someone and that he has a mark, the trap was so obvious that it was hurtful, but before MC met this prince to see for himself, he really was misled and the man that was obviously his lover had to wait for this clutz to finally realize things, though I find this part stupid too. For example, if MC knows his man, he just needs a bit of information collection to find out that this prince is just a douchbag and changes lovers like gloves, he also should have guessed they were betrayed when things went wrong in their plan, but he still felt that the story about the mark was true). The change between smartness and a clutz happened even in the final arc before real world, where we have western fantasy world and two gods of light and darkness, here is no brainer to think that either one of them is the man or the two of them. But that's not the point, author decided to make a twist, MC received a dagger which can kill godhood, he actually stabbed ML, since the story so far portratyed MC believing that the one close to him was always God of Light, but actually was the Dark Lord, so he was always hanging on God of Light making Dark Lord jealous, he acted so obvious, yet MC stabbed him. But later author pulled up a twist when MC stabbed villain of this arc in the heart and it was a world consciousness in his skin, and later MC says stuff like - I always knew it the two of them were one, I had to wrong him, so I can get the dagger and stab you, something like that. Thus he killed the world consciousness. But honestly even if it might sound not bad, but the way it was delievered was bad, this sudden twist came out of nowhere. There was absolutely no indication that exactly in this arc we'll see wc and there was no sign that it will materialize like this. At other times MC is not portrayed with anything special, he's always beautiful, his soul makes the body more beautiful and also quite domineering. He just does the task, hooks up with his man and watched villains struggle and be punished. Pretty fast-pace face-slapping. 

ML. He has no name that is a main name, but MC uses name of 1st world as main. I think his portrayal is outdated to times when domineering and posessive presidents were popular, though they might still be popular, but mostly we label such characters a bit toxic. Sometimes their actions felt blatantly irresponsible. It also feels strange how they are hooked in every world, sometimes it's inexplicable, maybe from attraction it works like that, but not from the story logic. Though these stories have no logic. So we scratch that and change it - they don't work from human logic and behavior side. It's already beyond the love at first sight, ML can find MC anywhere witout a hinch. Well, at least he loves MC madly and helps him out greatly.

System and golden fingers. Except for strength we don't really see much diversity with golden fingers. One is completely ridiculous (maybe MTL is wrong), but spinning 360 in air is really... it was used in entertainment arc and in other arc is was mentioned briefly, but many skills author shelved when forgetting about them. I have a feeling that 1 was never used even. Most of GFs MC just burned to get money, it was to show that he can do anything himself, but honestly those GFs were a waste too. System is used just in transits, at first it "upgrades" and doesn't appear, later since ML became apparent, it doesn't enter the world not to be refused by the world, since they're intruders, so system is just like that, except for tranferring MC does nothing much.

Villains. All the foes are one-dimensional like main characters. They even speak and act the same, same hate, jealousy, mindless attack on MC (and original host), almost every villain had a scene of smashing glass or vases, really funny deja vu. But they also ended up same tragic way too. So in the end it was all the same villain every arc.

Plots. Are really shallow, unfortunately. Not to mention exaggeration is rampant to the point of being embarrassing. Most of the stories we've seen or heard hundred times before. They are also written in a very strange way, like descriptions are short, scenes may change rapidly with no apparent reason. Sometimes it's weird how settings feel mixed according to randomizer and not something that is truly interesting. The world-building is done very shallowly, it's really hard to be invested, many of these worlds and stories we've met a lot, sometimes the sketch-like writing really makes you pay attention to some misses or think - how did you put these together? For example, in the arc of supermodels they had to dress and make a small show, but the strange thing is the limited time given to contestants, but the execution sounded like something that should have been prepared in a long time and not 30 minutes or technologies that couldn't be pulled out. It happened many times, real life doesn't work this fast. But author at times just inserts of "btw, in this world something like this and this is common", which is one of the conveniences mentioned before. Anyway some things made me think of that card game with question and answer where you pick cards randomly, so is this story, randomized from different things. For example, they made sentinel and guide story into a gourmet story where ML had trouble eating. Also MC had cooking pack what a convenience. Anyway there were many such inexplicable things throughout the whole story. 

Conclusion. Completely disappointed and would never recommend it to others, because it's really hard to read. The fast-paced rhythm and short chapters try to hide the incompetence. It's written for fun and for face-slaps, but the choppy events and just basically everything is like that starts to be too obvious quite soon. Funny thing, I just finished it, but because I was so distracted by MC's stupidity in last arcs I basically forgot prior arcs, they did not impress me much, unfortunately. At least with its' short style it was capable of one thing, because it was short, I read quickly and just didn't want to leave it on the finishing line.

RATE: 1/5.

[Movie] The First wives club

    One of the few movies that I can re-watch over and over again✨.

   For me it falls into category of movies that manage through quite humorous situations and witty dialogues to actually (in other words - comedy) deliver not so festive topics, but you still manage to digest them even if they're not shoved right into your face, which would have happened if this movie was shot in a complete dramatic way.

    Honestly, I love movies back from '90s, the scripts were simple but wonderful, the dialogues and passing jokes here are still making you laugh, though they're not obvious jokes.

   The opening scene is very contrasting and probably one of very few tragic events, when we see four young women graduating, but full of hope for the future and switch to now mature Cynthia, who was always most proactive between the four (we don't see it, but it's delievered in the dialogue), yet now she's completely shaken by the betrayal of her husband (again the dialogue which is short and concise allows us to know the situation), who was supported by his wife, but separated from her believing that now he has success he doesn't need his current wife and can find love with a younger woman. Thus being completely drunk and heart-broken Cynthia commits suicide. In such a short scene we see her sending letters to her past girlfriends, through her gifting of a necklace we know maybe she wanted to pass it on, she also doesn't look devasted like any housewife, she wears expensive clothes and comes out in a fur coat, but it's as if all these things are not compared to the unhappiness and loneliness. So I think the movie does a really good job in such small details through out the whole film to set characters.

    The following three short scenes give us a short glance and the basic knowledge about our three mains characters: Annie, Brenda and Elise. Annie is considered a doormat by her own daughter, since she wants to save her marriage, despite the attitude of her husband, Elise wants to get lip injections to make herself younger and is not reconciled with her own aging as an actress, Brenda confirmed a band for her son's graduation and asked him to learn Hebrew and through her short phrase of that this is the only thing his father was ready to pay for. And each one of them through news and papers find out what Cynthia did.

    The sad event, which is Cynthia's funeral, brings now separated by life the three women. They obviously had absolutely different careers and paths in lives, but this day they rekindled their friendship. It's interesting to see how at the beginning no one said bad things about their lives or shared what happened to them before few drinks. This dialogue also demonstrates the three personalities. Brenda is the outspoken one and doesn't shy from asking questions, currently divorced from her husband who found a younger lover for himself, her situation is closer to Cynthia, since she helped her husband when starting the business, but she was basically brushed off and never shared the happiness of it. Elise became a movie star, through dialogue we know she enjoys her status, loves compliments and does not recognize her aging, but she is one who is going through a divorce, similar situation of having raised a husband who had a nerve to even ask for alimony, but also similarly to Brenda's husband found a new younger lover. Annie is least offensive, never wanting to hurt anybody, as we find is not yet divorced, but they live separately from her husband and she goes to a therapist to fix her own problems, the two have a (gay) daughter. And Annie is the only one shown with her parent. As we later find out her husband is actually together with her therapist. These truths surfaced after few drinks and wanting to share their troubles to others who they feel are going through the same unhappiness.

    What happens in the next scenes is what really rubs the salt. Brenda meets her ex-husband who shops with his new lover, while convincing her that he has no money, especially to pay alimony, but at the same time can spend all the money on his current woman. What makes Brenda most hurt is the spat from the lover that she should buy in bigger sizes, while it's obvious that Brenda cares that she aged and her figure is not as good as before, years changed her. With Elise she meets the lawyer and finds out about her husband's plan to divide property and demand for alimony, she wanted to try for a role, but what hit her most is that director wanted her to play the mother of the heroine, this led to her getting drunk in the bar and being unhappy, though it also brought one of the funniest quotes.

Sean Connery is Monique's mother. No-no-no I take that back, Sean Connery is Monique's boyfriend. He's three hundred years old, but he's still a stud.

    Annie on the other hand receives a call from her husband, she thinks that he finally is ready to resume their relationship, they have lovely evening and even make love, but after all this with his happy and intoxicated face he asks for a divorce. We also find out that the therapist she's been visiting is now with her husband. Which totally breaks her.

    What absolutely brings them together was actually a letter from Cynthia that arrived and it's most important line.

Most of all I wish I still had our friendship. Perhaps he's not the problem, perhaps the loneliness is.

    Their conversation let them pour out a lot of dissatisfaction from the spent years, letting men they cared about walk a smoother path, but being cast aside when not needed, which sparked the three to search for something that would bring the three men to justice. This started the operation. Annie hired her daughter who readily agreed to spy on her father in the company. Elise got rid off entire stuff collected throughout the marriage according to the lawyers demand and literally pulled the rug under his feet. Brenda's uncle gave them info that her husband's stuff in first year were not clean goods.

    Honestly, the following events can be called hysterical, they're simply fun with how Elise suggested the idea of how they can use the decorator to get into their apartment and actually find the documents they need, even borrowing the help of their friend Gunilla Garson-Goldberg (played by wonderful Maggie Smith, any movie she looks the same). 

    What is adorable is how the two get back earlier and our three girls had to get out somehow so they choose the extreme way, but anyway it was shot nicely and even if the events are exciting it manages to be full of humor.

    Tbh I adore the way the plot was put together, it really managed organically bring the things together with how Elise sold the stuff to Annie for a "resonable price" (ahaha a dollar), Annie needed funds for an agency to go against her husband, they swindled most money out of Shelly (Brenda husband's lover), which also considerably hollowed pockets.

    Unfortunately, here came the crack in the established relationship. Due to inability to find anything on Elise's husband, Elise was very upset and was loaded and said some hurtful things, which started the conflict and got out of control and let all three say bad things about each other. After a figth the three broke up unhappily.

    While Annie thought that things fell apart and nothing will help get things together, Elise was thinking over things and accusations of being a drunk (she actually is shown to get loaded or having a drink whenever) and the last thing Brenda said to her about Cynthia being drunk before her dive on Park Ave. She also came to Brenda for a close talk and asking for help. Which made them overview their previous goals, which were no better and they should make men not only regret, but pay, yet pay for a better cause and that is - helping to build a center where women could get a consultation and help. They managed to find things that helped to grab all three men by the balls.

    I find this movie truly amazing. It's a story of three women who were bitter by their personal relationships, bitter because of their age, but managed to get together, help each other out, pull each other out and by this experience started to help others too.

    As a result Brenda got back together with her ex-husband, who was completely disappointed with his younger lover, while the difference became too obvious. Elise was dating a younger actor. Annie's husband wanted to get back together, but she told him to drop dead. And life is still good.

~ ~ ~

You don't own me

I'm not just one of your many toys

You don't own me

Don't say I can't go with other boys

And don't tell me what to do

Don't tell me what to say

And please, when I go out with you

Don't put me on display 'cause

You don't own me

Don't try to change me in any way

You don't own me

Don't tie me down 'cause I'd never stay

I don't tell you what to say

I don't tell you what to do

So just let me be myself

That's all I ask of you

I'm young and I love to be young

I'm free and I love to be free

To live my life the way I want

To say and do whatever I please

And don't tell me what to do

Oh, don't tell me what to say

And please, when I go out with you

Don't put me on display

I don't tell you what to say

Oh, don't tell you what to do

So just let me be myself

That's all I ask of you

I'm young and I love to be young

I'm free and I love to be free

[Chinese BG novel] 戏精女配[快穿] / Female supporting actress

Novel back from 2018, authored by 池陌 is a world hopping type of novel. Although the novel has a lot of routines and, as I call them, almost obligatory plots/worlds, but since it's light-hearted it is easy to digest.

We start with our female lead who plays supporting roles in different worlds, her objective is to bring satisfaction to the wisher and fullfill their regrets. Yuanyuan is supported by a Melon-eating system that strives not only completion, but entertainment. It also provides one golden finger per world, which is very convenient, but Yuanyuan herself learns a lot of skills in every world. That's why I call these routines, because many authors practically wrote down such settings, other settings that are quite wide-spread are face-slapping plots, reaching pinnacle of success in the related chosen field, but also the "bad" guys end up pretty badly, but not only badly, it's really the miserable with all the getting in jail, being sick, impoverished etc.

About worlds. The good part is that most plots are moderns plots, but some plots I'd say I find weird and not up to my taste at all (e.g. like the ABO one, I rarely like these type of stories) or I don't agree with the chosen theme (I very much dislike when part of the plot is about non blood-related siblings, who basically grew up together, but then we find out that they're not related and it's all good but he's the target). Good thing such plots are in single digits. It doesn't mean that plots are bad, if we're talking about educated youth story in the '80s or entertainment themes etc. The plots and everything is put together quite nicely, sometimes I can really appreciate the fantasy of author to rule the plot out or use of some interesting plot points or situations. Every world Yuanyuan has some occupation that is either required, already exists or is chosen by her to reach success, for convenience etc. of course she is pretty good. But honestly it's pretty logical when it come to world hopping, you basically lived longer and have more wisdom and experience in many things, not to mention if you know the direction of the plot it also helps to deal with incoming disasters/villains.

One of the best parts, personally, is that unlike many world hopping novels I've read, almost every world has kids and it's always a big and happy family. I like such settings, I don't mind that some female leads in novels choose to not get kids or they have fun in life, but most of the time I see other FLs as scumbags with such settings, since they perfectly know the feelings of others, but they still leave, because they want to, so it makes their love or feelings sound cheap. Most f the time world hopping novels also don't have a ML. I kind of prefer novels with one instead. In this novel we get 1vs1, one male lead is same in every world, btw he is also her target in every world, and last few chapters uncover what and why (like who is Yuanyuan and why she traveled).

Basically, it's a leisure read for those who like the above-mentioned things. RATE: 3.5/5. Shaved for things I do not agree with, the rest of it was pretty fine to me.

PS: Now, I wanted to mention the settings that left me most interested by its idea. And that is (spoiler alert) The girl in the book. The settings kind of impressed me the most by the idea, supernatural vibes and that is the original host was actually put in the book, you can say that her soul was enclosed in the book and she basically was put on the shelf. The ones who did this were her current husband (who married her for convenience), her father's little three (who is a witch) and the daughter of this little three (the one who occupied her body and was in love with her husband since long ago). Father knew about these dealings too. Isn't it interesting? I find it so. Original host lived a protected life, she was aquainted with her husband soon and thought she'd be happy, who knew that her "perfect" father was raising a side-house all these years, but the daughter of little three was frail and was about to die, to get her a new body they set up this plan to occupy original host. I personally liked this arc, I've never seen something similar to this, so it felt fresh :)