[Chinese BL novel] 我换攻后他疯了[娱乐圈] by 不见仙踪 / After I changed attack, my ex-partner went crazy

(title is mtl'd)

Summary: Qing Shusang followed Qin Siyan for three years and dropped his career and freedom of going outside for love. But three years pass and Qin Siyan still has the White Moonlight in his heart and for him Shusang is dispensable. Shusang got tired of such life and broke up with Siyan. Just few days later he finds himself married to a man by agreement with whom he only wanted to have a one-night stand.

I had no idea the contents would be so tired. Although Mr.Jiang you know is someone who ran to Shusang at the first call of knowing that he was free from the previous relationship, but the paranoid ML is tired. Siyan as the male second in the story who suddenly wakes up to feelings of love, while treating Shusang like shit for the last three years and starts going crazy is also tired. I haven't seen anything new about this story and unfortunately nothing about this novel stood out to me, like story-wise, dialogue-wise, nothing seemed interesting. And I'm impressed that I see high ratings on JJ, while I don't consider this even a good read.

Maybe this novel is just unlucky that I suddenly sumblimated in my feeling of being tired of such characters, but it was published in '22 and forgive me if I say it's kinda outdated to write this amount of paranoia.

I don't mind emotional outbursts, but they should be balanced and not blatantly so one-sided.

The story is basically can be shortened to this plotline, Shusang breaks up with Siyan, finds Mr.Jiang (Mr.Jiang finds him to be precise), they get married, Shusang re-enters entertainment industry with other "outdated" group members, they have a bit of career mention, not much, later they all participate in the show. I skipped a bit after that because I got tired and read the edning where Siyan can't help but kidnap Shusang in broad daylight, is caught easily and it's a happy ending. I can guess in the skipped part we find that the one who saved Shusang from car accident and also the mentioned senior, school god of knowledge, is our Mr.Jiang. So they are so destined.

But the charecterization really suffers.

It may be almost a repeat, but Mr.Jiang's paranoia sometimes is set off by his actions of admitting mistakes, he's honestly pretty thick-skinned and acts like a green tea after he's done something too much, mainly it concerns their bed life, so he acts cute and talks a lot, just so Shusang will forgive him being too active. After all Mr.Jiang can go off the rails with jealousy (really tired from this one too). Also he allows Shusang do anything to him if Shusang is angry, so it also kind of offsets what he does, but still it feels so-so, if this happens again and again.

There's nothing in portrayal to glimpse why exactly Mr.Jiang is so crazy about Shusang, it's mostly like personal preference I suppose, while I find little depth to Shusang's character. I could care less about his career, because it is mentioned in passing and even if the author tries to impress readers with scenes like stage performances, but except for "handsome" and "sexy" there is nothing to impress. I also kind of felt sorry for him because sometimes in bed Mr.Jiang felt like training him, as if we're in SM relationship. Do this, say that. Tired.

Same tired for Qin Siyan, whose only role is to look ugly-faced, appear to try and reconcile with Shusang, but still manage to simply act crazy and repulsive, being forceful and as if Shusang is his dog that will return. It's so one-dimensional and doesn't change throughout the novel that I kind of feel sorry that a character was simply created to be dragged along entire novel and of course end up behind bars for something outrageous. Tired.

I honestly wait for more mature writings or moves, like a person who wants to return things, but his only role is not drown in sadness, jealousy and paranoia, but to walk out of it. In such description I see that two relationships wouldn't be equal, but also the person can give himself a second chance after a failed love, they were just too late for this one. I don't know why people think writing some crazy dude who re-appears to spout nonsense and destroy their lives for failed love should be exciting. Yeah, he's portrayed as a scumbag and he is, but these stereotypes are so old.

Basically, I didn't like it. Flat storyline, tired stereotypes, nothing new.

RATE: 2/5.

[Chinese BG novel] 虚情真爱 by 板栗子 / False love by Chestnut

(title is mtl'd)

Summary: Mr. Fu who just returned from abroad was met with unwanted marriage arrangement by his family to solidify his position in the company, but Fu Yishi did not want to enter loveless marriage and believed he can conquer the company without such moves, thus he found Yu Shi to act like his girlfriend, but suddenly Yu Shi disappears into the night and also blocks him on WeChat leaving message that she won't be using this account again and she is sorry for leaving suddenly. Fu Yishi went mad searching for his fake girlfriend, but heard from his mother that Yu Shi took money from her and did as promised - left him.

A year later Fu Yishi, now a formidable CEO of his company that many people fear came to the island as the development project. Islanders met the big CEO with drums and gongs and invited him to visit the best restaurant in their town, but what he didn't expect was to see Yu Shi as the boss of this small restaurant.

Well, I'll be honest from the beginning, I was disappointed.

To explain it properly I can't help but lay out all the cards this novel offers and it's not much to me. Because it feels like a daily life of work/having dinners/maybe other characters passing by you can't say there was some plot except meeting of two people after a year-long break-up.

It's again a calm and lovely story from Chestnut, nothing special or serious this time, except two point maybe, but to me they're underwhelming. First is the money issue. Even if the summary is intriguing the conflict over Yu Shi allegedly taking money is solved in early chapters (like ch.16 if I'm correct) and is concluded much later with mother Fu explaining her side why she did it.. even if to me it took a lot to hear her side, because otherwise she sounded like an evil mother-in-law till that moment (even if it felt impossible to see an evil mother-in-law in Chestnut's novel, they usually don't make things dramatic). The second is the reason why she and her mother left so suddenly and this reason was kept hidden for quire some time. And tbh with how long it took for reveal I felt the reason is something awesome, but it's not. The build-up and pay off don't much at all. About the reason later.

This story unfortunately fell flat for me. But why?

It's deeply subjective, but here are some of my reasons:

• The backstory work done. We meet our characters a year later, but we have several flashbacks interspersed into the story, but they are not enough for me to draw picture to be completely sure. Chestnut never dwells, but this is flatter than the surface. We know that Fu Yishi liked his fake girlfriend, but what I didn't get is how I should view the heroine. Like she has a crush on FYS, but she's not ready to trust him with the reason why she left, as if he'll go and betray her. Later when he arrives she acts like a tough-mouthed and shy at the same time, but also has moment of anticipation of Fu Yishi confessing when they took a step forward when resolving the conflict. It starts to feel annoying that FYS basically has to resolve to tactics and we're not talking about confessions of his feelings, which he did. Imagine reading where FYS has to take initiative to say to others - yes, we're in love. Then she asks - why did you say that? And he would answer - you did not deny it. because that's how hard it is to hear from her that she's ready to be in a relationship. We as readers know her mental journey that she's like a shoujo manga character, but from perspective of the novel it feels like he tugs her along, which doesn't sound nice. 
• Charecterization of Yu Shi sometimes felt chaotic. You can guess her natural reactions to being more shy when FYS release his charm, or returning to normal when she's more comfortable, but I'm not talking about these, it's just the overall feeling. I couldn't care less about her career though, entire novel passed and I don't know her major. She bought the restaurant accidentally, now she has big plans since the development of these islands will bring prospects to develop her business, not like it's her prominent business acumen tbh. But at least she's motivated and it's good.
• The reason behind them leaving is really weak. Also falls flat because it was never explained, but when you ear it I felt like asking "so what?". The reason was simple. Her mother actually witnessed failed marriage of her parents (explained in one sentence when YS's mom mentioned it, it wasn't portrayed), so she wanted kids but not a husband (pretty selfish if you ask me to simply use the man pat yourself on the butt and leave), when she met her first boyfriend they had a relationship, but she moved away, already pregnant with YS. They lived like this in another city, but one day 20 years later this man finds YS's mother, so she panicked, told YS to pack up and move... tbh don't understand this motivation, it's not like YS will be kidnapped, but we'll let it slide. Now a year later after running away, the father found them again. But honestly, your daughter is an adult, she thankfully finished her studies, otherwise it's unlikely you'd leave and what can a man do, it's like she doesn't trust the man she's dated lol but he didn't show hostility, just came to find mother and daughter, because for him YS's mother was his first love and even after marriage and death of his arranged partner he still held her in his heart. At least he wants YS to recognize him. It would have been good but later has few moments that I did not support, one - appearing in front of Fu parents without notifying YS, she did not recognize him yet but he introduced himself as her father, two - planned to collect info on other talents because he didn't like FYS..I mean, hold your horses dad, people did not recognize you officially yet ahaha. He's not a bad character, just proactive? At times like these YS feels going with the flow. I don't know. I have no problem with the idea of such backstory, but I do not agree with how the story was arranged, the timing of things when they were delivered.

Sometimes I feel that Chestnut is really too easy-going. I wish they'd add more depth to the story, after all depth is not anguish.

I feel like this was quite a random story. Two people meet after separating, they solve their argument quite early and one person due to deep love stays to finally for the two get together. Emotionally it's all okay, but the story feels quite random to me, most of it is like a daily life :)

Maybe I shouldn't get any expectations, I can't say I was hyped, but I know I was expecting. The only thing is that I felt there should be more for me to like it better. But as mentioned, it's all subjective :)

RATE: 3/5.

[Chinese BL novel] 白莲替身他人设崩了[穿书] by 风雪添酒/ Young master's stand-in for others collapsed

(title is mtl'd)

Summary: Lin Jianqiu traveled through time and became a stand-in for White Moonlight in a BL novel. What he knows about the character of original owner is that he angered the owner so much that he was thrown out in public and shamed and later refused to bow down and work for survival, so had a miserable ending.

Lin Jianqiu in his own world spent many years as a police consultant after unfortunate criminal case and later transformed into a mystery writer. 

Lin Jianqiu who only arrived had nothing on him excluding a phone, so he had basically nothing, no money, accounts are frozen and he is basically banned from the entertainment industry. Lin Jianqiu never cared for it and never planned to go back, he used his thick skin and broad heart to survive before he makes his way to the old profession.

It's a mystery type of novel, has nothing to do with entertainment, so Lin Jiangiu will be spending his days helping solving cases. He has photographic memory and is pretty smart, plus he has experience of his past life and accidental involvement with several cases.

But the novel is more story-oriented than romance, but the ML is quite good, though he has not as much time, but their connection is quite strong and it felt nice tbh. I'd say compared with MC our ML is actually quite cute.

The story.

Lin Jianqiu appears at the most embarrassing moment, when the original is thrown out without nothing. LJQ has no idol burden and survives as he can, he had an accidental meeting on the streets with a wondering singer, Uncle Beard, who later became more or less a friend to LJQ. Because of his great memory he recognized a wanted criminal from the poster and informed the police. At first he did it not for the glorious reason, but for a reward. yes it sounds bad, but he was riddled with debt left by original LJQ and also some of it belonged to his parents, during the stand-in time more people made his situation worse, so when he took on some jobs it was all because of money and LJQ acted too open-minded to care for malice or any other reason. Some say he'd do anything for money, but what he won't do is betray himself or his bottom lines. Here we meet Officer Gao who will often appear in different cases. Because LJQ had no job interviews or more he was simply banned, he could only take part-time jobs to support himself. He was not bothered by the online stampede against him and also did not decline offers to do jobs even if it came with malice (lots of human malice in the novel tbh). It was more like people who knew him better were angry for him, one of them is Wei Congbai, you can't call him a friend, he has a feud with Ye Linyun (original LJQ ex), but due to an accident LJQ helped him with his company crisis and also it allowed him to wake up from being a water brain and stop this childish enmity and concentrate on doing a good job with your career, he appears from time to time as a grumpy friend. LJQ and the Beard came to play corpses where they witnessed a murder case. Poisoned actor. Only after re-reading these parts I started to remember these details, because it's been a long time and my memory simply refused to recall anything, but now I finished it in few days without stopping. So LJQ takes part in the case and rescues mother and child who he knew from the film and television city. This mother and daughter will re-appear again too. Along with this loud case there was another case involving many lives. It was solved but a short while there was a copycat. This case brought another character in, a reporter Li Chengxi. She is a senior reporter, but also helped LJQ with getting his deeds after solving this case be known to public and reverse his image, he did not mind although he didn't it solve it for gains, but for his career as a writer he did not want to have a tarnished reputation too, especially when he didn't do many of those things he was blamed for, but fighting the Internet is like fighting Windmills = pointless. Li Chengxi herself was involved in a case, which involved her past she actually doesn't remember, but the perpetrator was the first-timer, so they made many mistakes and they failed to frame her. But she actually did not appear again after the case was solved.

The only thing that changed there were some sporadic details that pointed out that there will be something and is something going on in the background and it will surface later. 

Another case revolved around two sisters, older from the first marriage and second from the remarry. The older one has more prominent family background from her mother's side, unlike the younger one. But younger one was targeted instead. because LJQ was asked to act as a bodyguard, for money of course, he solved attempted kidnapping case of this sister.

/~SPOILERS~/

The rest of the story involves a "bigger case". Like closer to the end we start to hear about missing people, but author doesn't dwell into it, before much later LJQ and Qi Yueze (White Moonlight) got kidnapped. The kidnapper is someone both know. He is a child of parents who defrauded and murdered original LJQ parents, he was also someone with a criminal record, but he was too hung up on Qi Yueze as his source of morbid love and came to work for him. He wanted to frame LJQ and die with Qi Yueze together, since he found Yueze's current boyfriend - Ye Linyun - an eyesore. At the critical moment LJQ and Yueze subdued this perpetrator and thought the case was closed, but the next day both he and Ye Linyun went missing and we're back to the missing people link. Hearing the number of people and other clues to LJQ it becomes apparent that he is again involved and it flashbacks to his first novel he wrote in this world, manuscript of which he burned, but it seems due to someone who acquired access to the novel while it was among limited number of people and places, the content were known to the group of people with extreme personalities who were ready for action but needed a push, so they wanted to create a copy of the game like in the novel. But what I liked about throughout the entire novel is that it doesn't describe cases as perfectly executed. For example novices act like ones, i.e. their plans don't go as they planned, they can't adapt to changes etc. Other part is that even if they want to frame someone it's too obvious and there is evidence in forensic field that will prove it wrong.

Yes indeed there are enough loopholes and several parts of cases are similar to one another in entire novel (like several frame-ups or several terminally ill). As for the game point is even if the scale seemed big the actual execution of such game seemed quite rushed (and if you can believe in homemade explosives then I can't fathom how they got their hands on firearms), we don't even concentrate on the game itself, we have several scenes with main, like Ye Linyun's side, especially when they find assistant Tan who works in Ye's laboratory. And it becomes apparent that he's an insider. And those insiders just used the script and used LJQ as an excuse to do evil. And LJQ once again saves the day. The guy is smart enough and crazy enough, but compared with shaking mastermind who is nothing more than a desperate guy, he acts like usual very calm and collected and analyzes which path to take and executes it. So the game ended with police saving those who went missing, collecting those who did not survive and arresting perpetrators. One in LJQ's hands. Not to concentrate on LJQ, police downplayed his presence in the whole case when it came to announcing it to the public, while insiders knew what he did. Some irrational blamed him, while those who had brains knew that LJQ was nothing more but excuse, if there was someone similar they could use them too. But I still had some feeling of dissatisfaction at the end, probably because author is far away from being pro and they understand it themselves, but it is what it is and we get what we get. 

/~/

Romance. Is not prominent, but you still have a feeling of affection and trust, it's just not the main focus tbh. ML - Ye Huaishuang - met LJQ accidentally several times and also YHS himself, more like his laboratory, helped police, so he and LJQ met quite a few times and once when LJQ had a very bad day, their rented apartment burned down, YHS offered help and somehow they got a bit closer and in this case YHS was more proactive, because he understood he's interested in LJQ, as some said they're similar people in a sense, both are claimed geniuses and weirdos. From then on they met when they had time, because YHS is a researcher in his own company, and LJQ eventually gave hints that he's not opposed to their relationship. YHS always was worried for LJS's escapades, but he knew that he can't keep away him from trouble all the time and he only wants LJQ to come back alive when it comes to dangerous cases. After all LJQ was wounded not once. It's great that they manage to keep each other in place too. So although there was not enough of it in the story, but I still think ML is quite cute, because he's serious he doesn't dance around and things he says strike right into the heart. He may not have the romantic vibe about him, but he's still very caring and loving to his partner.

Some information about main characters of the novel:

• Lin Jianqiu - MC - intelligent, has photographic memory. In previous life helped police as advisor in solving cases due to one unfortunate case that involved a child he knew. Some claimed that he has a special physique so he always finds himself involved in cases. Basically because of his profession he was always afraid to involve other people and get them hurt, because his own mother became a victim and the criminal retaliated against his father who was a police officer. So he was always involved in cases when he came to this world, but was left with same phobias and nightmares. He can be likable, but still has a withdrawn feeling to him. Although he feels like he acts as a messenger of justice, but he's not partial at all, as he always said "killing is killing" and no matter what high-sounding motives you have, he will not budge.
• Ye Huaishuang - ML - many call him cold-blooded and stern. But actually he is a normal human being, he just doesn't expresses himself when he doesn't want to. He's not unaware of human affairs and is very smart and perceptive. When it comes to LJQ of course he's double standard and can talk a lot, but because he's attracted to LJQ. In other cases he's not talkative and more on a defense, even against his own family. His family is great actually, but because of his younger brother who was not born a genius like him they spent much more time with YLN, also because YHS was too sensible parents did not realize that they had vague connection with their eldest and he did not confide in them and was more independent. But because he was sensible it doesn't mean he didn't want those connections at some point.
• Ye Linyun - original protag gong - should have been collected and successful, but because his family eventually found out how he acted with LJQ he was fined and stayed at home. YLN for the longest time did not realize his blame and was always brooding, while his family was afraid of him going crooked ways actually. Only when YLN was involved in the case himself he realized his own mistakes.
• Qi Yueze - original protag shou - actually has little space in the text, but appears from time to time. But I'd say he has little influence on the story. Has a green tea flavor at the beginning, because he's not that against retaliation original LJQ got, but he's more adaptable and changed his perception because of new LJQ. Is not as soft as he shows, but actually truly likes YLN.
• Uncle Beard - travelling singer - he was like a tramp before LJQ tagge dhim along, then he settled down, quite cute masculine looking dude with a beard that is more afraid of things. Actually has a baby face. Because of working in film and television city he got acquainted with a woman he liked and decided to settle down. Has more appearance at the beginning, but less when he settled down and LJQ moved in with YHS too.
• Officer Gao - often appears in the story, but he's more a side-character. But he was first who discovered LJQ's talent and tried to use him, so later LJQ was involved with the police so often.
• Captain Liang - he's also YHS's friend. Often appears in the story and also proactively involved LJQ to use his help, because as it showed LJQ's intuition is almost unreal.
• Wei Congbai - arch-enemy with YLN, but when he woke up after resolving his company crisis, he concentrated on his own business. Became friends with LJQ, although was not mentioned in the story that often, but had several important scenes. Like he was the one who told the truth about YLN's actions against LJQ to YHS.

These appeared more often than the others from beginning to the end. I'd say others were more episodic, like being involved in a case and then not being mentioned when the case is closed.

And although I basically said the main course of the story and for those who don't like to know what happens it's detrimental, I could add there is enough left behind.

The writing isn't perfect, author has idea of repeating themselves in some convictions, but because of it some parts look like a copy and paste of each other, just different characters. But in general it was pretty fine.

RATE: 3,75/5.

[AMBIENCE] Crackling Campfire

 

[MOVIE] Glass Onion (2022)

There's so much to unravel. Haha a pun. Ahem.

I find Glass Onion a perfect continuation to Knives Out. It's such a miss that it is only supposed to be a trilogy, with David Craig who so charmingly plays Benoit Blanc I think deserves at least two more. Been a while when we got such a wonderful detective story that is interspersed with sort of black humor.

Hiding in plain sight

It can be said about many parts of this movie, concerning the story itself, the solution to the puzzle of who is the murderer, the decoration items. And the whole movie itself is constructed so well in the variety of small details that it's interesting to find new and more ideas about the meanings in this movie, maybe which weren't intended to be there and people just imagine it, but it's wonderful that the possibility to imagine is fair and applicable and makes the movie have more depth to it.

The story settings are known to all, the billionaire Miles Bron invites his "friends" over for a weekend trip to his private island to have.. a Murder Mystery weekend, where they solve his murder. Which supposed to be just role-playing, but at some point things turn unexpectedly. Which I find ironic as we find out the truth. But the parody on billionaires of real life is uncanny.

His "friends" consist of Duke (Twitch streamer), Whiskey (his girldfriend), Lionel (scientist working for Miles), Birdie (fashuon designer) and Claire (politician). Other two participants are Benoit Blanc, who was supposedly been invited along others and Andi, former business partner with Miles. Each person has distinct personality traits, but they have one thing in common, they now are in the same boat with Miles, especially after perjury against Andi over ownership to intellectual property of their company and that is the original idea behind it, which was scribbled on the napkin of "Glass Onion" bar. 

No need for introduction to Miles Bron himself, he is a billionaire with weirdest ideas and talks like marketing seminar or a spiritual trip guide all-together. From the beginning it was bothering me that among others he felt fake the most. Brilliantly played by Edward Norton. Miles' image is an open mockery. He guides other when others are meant to play along.

 It's like a faint king whose vassals will always compliment or do things for the king, otherwise they'll end up badly.

But because Benoit Blanc solves his mystery game in several minutes he wasted explaining the script of it to all present at the dinner, which ruins all the fun, Miles also shares the plans for the upcoming meeting of powerful figures. And that is his obsession as we find out, the new fuel. To Lionel's question of this fuel not being tested yet Miles confessed that the entire mansion runs on it. And we know from it that Miles doesn't care about scientific testing to be sure the thing is completely safe. We find about this fuel a bit later, but it plays a great role, I actually went back to be sure how the fuel changed hands and there was an accent on it. And that is Miles throws the fuel to Benoit, but never retrieved it, which sounds foolish.

The idea behind this fuel is similar to Miles' obsession - being able to leave a mark in history, same profound as Mona Lisa which is hanging in his living room.

Note about the living room: it's more like a big display museum with many artwork hanging around the walls and glass sculptures dispersed around. Including main display - Mona Lisa, which Miles claimed to buy during the pandemic Louvre crisis. Mona Lisa is turned with its' back against the window, it has a security system that allows the painting to be protected immediately at every possible danger, demonstrated by the lighter Miles lit. As we find out about Miles himself and the mansion and by the very end of the movie we look back and start question what was actually real and what was fake to support the ego of its' owner. But when you keep up with the details, especially after watching few vids on the artwork presented in the movie, you get a deeper understanding. I like the fact that through the artwork it showed Miles' character, hidden but in plain sight.

The gathering is disrupted by a sudden death of Duke. And we as viewers are led to think like people present at the scene, that Duke most certainly was poisoned, but he drank from the glass that belonged to Miles, so everyone at the scene becomes a suspect and suddenly Miles is portrayed as the victim.

What's next? Miles is panicked and informs everyone that to make things more fun there will be an automatic outage and the scene is shrouded in darkness. With the only illumination from the lighthouse.

Everyone disperses in panic, especially Miles. Benoit explores the mansion and he meets Andi, but he calls her Helen, when amidst their discussion Helen is shot. We also only see a hand and a gun depriving us from knowing if the hand belongs to a man or a woman.

While Helen's body lies on the steps, the power in the house runs again and Benoit asks everyone to gather again in the living room, everyone demanding an answer and here we have the flashback.

The cool detail with supposed-to-be Andi is that her scene at the beginning where everyone was solving Miles' puzzle box she appears with her head wrapped with towel, so we instantly assumed it's Andi even though we haven't seen her hair. But I think another cool detail pointing out it wasn't Andi was that she crashed the box with the hammer, instead of solving it, but it also works with justification that she was angry with Miles for his betrayal and almost open mockery.

Maybe it had such purpose in the beginning. After all the boxes took time to make, which leads us to think that Andi was initially invited anyway. But who knew things would develop like this. Only when the flashback start we find out that the one in the beginning is not Andi, but her twin-sister Helen. She came to Benoit from Alabama with her conviction that just few days ago her sister did not commit suicide, but instead was murdered and she wants the truth of "who did it". The truth behind it might be simlple. When the company started they worked together and Miles had a share, while others were tagged along, then Miles got a crazy idea about the fuel, but Andi was against it, since it was fatally dangerous. Then Miles and Andi were involved in a court case over intellectual property - who owned the original idea that was scribbled on the fateful napkin. All others who were originally her friends were involved with Miles and their perjury helped Andi lose the case. As Helen found later Andi, who thought her napkin was lost forever, incidentally finds it in a book. She sends the e-mail that mysteriously says "Found it", but this means that all four and Miles himself have a motive to murder Andi. But who did it exactly is unknown.

The task is not simple, not only the murderer must be caught, but for the better the original napkin should be retrieved. Benoit offers something unexpected, while the news will be concealed for a while, for Helen to pretend to be Andi and come along to the island and while Benoit's exploring and asking questions might meet caution, she might prove a better investigator. Snooping. As it happened Helen proved to be quite good at it. The island is big, the mansion is big and there are many places to stay unnotice while hearing others talk. But again everyone had the motive to protect Miles, since they depended on him and their careers will be in jeopardy actually if they agree to what Miles demands them to do. From friends they became his puppets who were afraid to go against the master. And they gladly playe along, since their careers depended on him.

But so far the list of suspects for them stayed at the number four, even if they found that Lionel sent the copy of Andi's e-mail to Miles' fax (the detail is that he used to write FYI with a sharpie, like they did in the first movie).

They believe that the envelope might still be there in one of the rooms. At least it's a beginning to find it. Benoit proposes to Helen stage a conflict to have a valid reason to leave the living rooms and use the time and search the rooms for the envelope and not be afraid to be obvious. Which she did, she staged the fight, left as if defeated and ran to the rooms, but the envelope just wasn't there. Then the blackout happened. Helen had no idea why it happened and meets Whiskey, for a second time she advises her to leave Duke who is an asshole, but she had no idea that Duke was lying dead and others thought it was "Andi" who killed him. Helen runs away and meets Benoit on the stairs (who now we understand wasn't randomly looking around, but was looking for Helen) and we are back with this flashback loop to the point where we left. Helen is shot, but she's not dead, she is saved by Andi's diary, yet Benoit finds it a perfect chance as a cover for her to search one and only room left - Glass Onion.

Chekhov's gun for real.

Benoit still holds the bottle of hot sauce he took from the table and they used it as fake blood

Haha cameo.

While Benoit asks other to follow him to the living room, Helen dashes towards the Glass Onion.

It's amazing how the phrase "hidden in plain sight" plays so well.

I mean the fake napkin that was put on display and that red square you could see, but didn't guess it's the envelope hides perfectly in plain sight. I scrolled back and found that it was still there when Miles talked with Benoit at their arrival, since that square is initially transparent. Such a great care for details.

After Helen appears with the envelope, while Benoit explains what was hidden in plain sight all the time and that bothered him all along.

Embreathiate

Blanc: I can peel back the layers, I can take it to a point, but what lies at the center, only one person can tell us who killed Cassandra Brand. I keep returning in my mind to the "glass onion." Something that seems densely layered, mysterious and inscrutable, but in fact the center is in plain sight. And that is why this case has confounded me like no other, why every complex layer peeled back has revealed another layer and another layer and come to naught. And that was the problem! You see, I expected complexity! I expected intelligence! I expected a puzzle, a game, but that is not what any of this is! It hides not behind complexity but behind mind numbing obvious clarity! Truth is, it does not hide at all! I was staring right at it! The killer nearly struck my Achilles heel. But thank high heaven, at the last moment, I realized what has teased my brain through this entire case! "Embreathiate" is not a word! Not a real word. Kinda sounds like one. But just entirely made up. "Reclamation" IS a word - but it is the wrong word! This entire day - a veritable minefield of malapropisms and factual errors! His dock doesn't float, his wonder fuel is a disaster, his grasp of disruption theory is remedial at best, he didn't design the puzzle boxes, he didn't write the mystery - and voila, it all adds up, the key to this entire case, and it was staring me right in the face. Like everyone in the world I assumed that Miles Bron was a complicated genius. But why? Look into the clear center of this glass onion: Miles Bron is an idiot!

— Glass Onion. Screenplay. 

And it becomes apparent, there was no other, but Miles all this time. And Duke paid with his life because he mentioned it right in front of others, in plain sight he talked about their near crash at Andi's house, he also shows him Andi's news, threatens Miles and offers being on Alpha News to pay off for silence. Miles uses what Blanc described, loaded gun and turning off the light. When Duke always had a gun on him Miles took it from him. While Duke had an allergy for pineapple juice, Miles used it to add to his own whiskey and gave the glass to Duke himself and the phone that Duke had was in Miles' pocket. If you pay attention you can actually see it when he runs around playing a panicked man.

But what seems to be the end of it and a devastating end, when Miles' crimes have been revealed and Helen were not careful at putting the original napkin in front of Miles, he took a chance and burned it with the lighter. Helen asks Benoit to do or think of anything at all, because otherwise the truth will be buried and others will not be responsible and tell the truth, they will act the same as they did in court against Andi, but Benoit for some reason gives another advice - And a reminder of why your sister walked away in the first place. 

Now, by this time I forgot about this episode, but we get back to it, because we didn't know what happened to Klear after miles gave it to Benoit. Nothing happened, it was still with him.

I must confess, because I forgot it bothered me what she held in her hand, but then it was so satisfying to watch her crushing all the displayed glass pieces, be they real or not, it felt like it had no purpose, but it had! After crashing all the glass she smashed the bar and all the bottles leaked of course. By this time even everyone except Miles had a piece or two smashed as a mean of protest to Milis bullying nature. She used his lighter, which we saw earlier, to light the fire and it got bigger and bigger, since she threw pillows and covers and even her own jacket. And oh my god with that fire growing higher and higher you must think what was the purpose, before Helen simply reveals that little piece of fuel and throws it into the fire.

There is a reverse reaction, don't know how to name it scientifically, but it allows all the fire being sucked into ventilation and we hear the big bada-boom.

I mean.. it looks spectacular, pretty bad that there's a lot of cgi at the scene, I miss the good old realism, but! Blowing the glass onion is like blowing what Miles has worked for so hard, it's not just a building, it's his idea, his "philosophy".

I love that Benoit is shown sitting in a chaise lounge or something and smokes it while looking at all hell breaking loose in front of him. I love him for this, he has his own justice. When he can't seek justice where it's impossible, he is smart enough to push forward what can be used for justice in abother way.

The scene is on fire and it seems all the art work and everything is lost, the baby blue Porsche falls through the roof. But there is just one thing that stays safe - Mona Lisa.

Realizing what she's going to do Miles tries to stop Helen from pressing the release button Miles did for himself, for his vain idea of looking into Mona Lisa's eyes without the glass cover. And oh boi she presses it hard. The last safety glass falls and Mona Lisa is engulfed in flames.

That slow-motions and Mona Lisa song though, had no idea such song existed. Although those who know would immediately realize that the Mona Lisa is fake, because what burned down was canvas and Mona Lisa is painted on wood. I think it's a finishing touch, really great finishing touch.

Outisde, choked from the smoke, the entire gang sits on the main stairs with Miles going wild and saying Helen achieved nothing with this, but Helen answered - Your fuel of the future just barbecued the world's most famous painting, dumbass. Congratulations on the public launch of Klear and the end of Miles Bron. Which is a perfect revenge in itself. No need to go through this the Miles' way, bu the rude and disruptive way.

So at this moment even the rest of the crowd rebels, saying they saw him burning the napkin and also taking the gun. While Helen already walked away.

I love the way Helen sits at the end, embracing the Mona Lisa-esque pose. Which she is, the one who left her mark in the story and in this movie.

Like someone pointed fairly that she often also has her hands crossed in a similar fashion throughout the movie.

Now, details (not all obviously, thre's so much, it's easier to watch a YT video about all Easter eggs)

• GLASS ONION. 
• I love that they brought it up as sort of mockery, I consider it such. It exists as a vain idea of a billionaire man who wants to give it meaning it doesn't have. Some of the modern art is like that, it looks like actual trash, but people give it so much credit though.
• The second part of the "onion" is about being complex yet being apparent at the same time. Like the role of Miles he covered himself with, he is the perfect PR manager of himself. He is fully fake, but now he has all the money to do anything no matter how foolish it sounds. He is vain, it shows in everything, starting from his mansion filled with artwork, to exclusive color of his Porsche and is portrayed by many details.
• ARTWORK. It shows like nothing else showcases how fake and foolish Miles is. For this you really need to watch a YT video that names the paintings that are hanging around the house. One painting even obviously hanging upside-down, but not knowing art you can't tell, but Miles presents himself as knowing it and appreciating it acts like a vain collector with too much money. After all he starts to showcase his mansion with the Glass Onion as its' center, hourly "DONG" should be composed by a famous composer, his murder mystery was written by a famous name (but he mispronounces it) etc.
• MONA LISA. As vain as Miles Bron can be he compared himself, what he tries to do in life to Mona Lisa. This idea travels throughout the movie and is Miles' philosophy in life. Though he has not enough brain to comprehend that his ideas might not end well. And if we think, he might have succeeded into talking people in. Miles' only great characteristic is that he knows how to talk and does it fast, but the result might be disastorous. And even if this company, his empire, serves him for some time, because of his foolishness it might collapse. And there will be no mark of his in history, everyone will remember his fuel though. Good thing Mona Lisa is fake, Louvre figured he's an idiot and giving him the original is dangerous.
• DISRUPTORS (a.k.a. Shitheads). The idea about disruptors is simple, you break the old idea that everyone got tired of, but no one dared to destroy before. Everyone from the team might have been called that before, but now they're simply dance along with Miles, they are now just shitheads. He might be a disruptor who faces the system. But I like how someone pointed out that the true disruptor is Helen, she went against the billionaire, because Miles is now the system, she disrupted his plans in selling the dangerous fuel and brought his life to collapse in the revenge for her sister. Wonderful finale :)

~ ~ ~

Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa

Men have named you

You are so like the lady with the mystic smile

Is it only cause you're lonely

They have blamed you

For that Mona Lisa strangeness in your smile

Do you smile to tempt a lover, Mona Lisa

Or is this your way to hide a broken heart

Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep

They just lie there, and they die there

Are you warm, are you real Mona Lisa

Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art

Do you smile to tempt a lover, Mona Lisa

Or is this your way to hide a broken heart

Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep

They just lie there, and they die there

Are you warm, are you real Mona Lisa

Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art

Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa

—By Nat "King" Cole

[MOVIE] Beauty and the Beast (2017)

As per usual Disney did not surprise me, they did everything like they're now used to, they have agenda and they must finish it. So I was not surprised seeing poc in France at prince's court at the opening scene and among the peasants later, something that was completely impossible, but we live in Hollywood France, it allows such incorrectness left and right. Second one is that LeFou is hinted to be gay. What's the point? And the scene of the final fight of peasants and castle residents with three guys being dressed in women's clothes and one obviously liking it accompanied by the phrase "be free" (they dance with LeFou at the final dance too). 

Ugh.. where do I begin? Let's skip the agenda, it is always present and it's nothing new, but the script is a completely different topic, because the overall movie was a big disappointment to say the least. They tried to copy the original and expand it, but made some critical changes, small, but I think they make the storyline into something completely different because of it.

To make things not as unbearable, let's start with something good, things I liked, because there's not much to mention:

• The Castle. The architecture of it is overbearingly extravagant, but it's beautiful. Also the fact that the castle collapses bit by bit because of every petal falling is also one of the few things I think can be liked. All the background and decorations are done beautifully.
• The "Be our guest" scene. Although it's quite hard to make animation characters as vivid in live adaptation, but at least they tried, although you can't really pay attention to Lumiere's facial expressions since the face is so tiny, the rest of it is fiery. 

The list of things I didn't like is longer. I think it's better to address them chronologically.

• Opening scene, Prince's ball. Nothing to say, they copied the intro of animation, but made it live action. BUT! They mention that all residents of the castle who were cursed along with Prince, their families live in the village Belle lives in, witch made those families forget that there are more members to their families. Which I think is astonishingly cruel.
• Belle scene and her song. They sing a lot btw, dialogues are rubbish, so they sing a lot. Nothing new here too, basically a copy, except for some reason her house is among others, instead of having this outcast feeling of being separate farm. I can compliment one thing here is that there are many extras and the picture feels full.
• Gaston scene. Why they chose Luke Evans as Gaston is beyond me, comparing Emma and him they look like father and daughter. Are there no actors who can sing, how about just choosing actors and dubbing them? Also they changed him into narcissus with an empty head, while animation Gaston was the brainier one, while LeFou acted like his name. And I think in the animation he was not as straightforward, which wasn't delicated too.
• Belle's father scene. AGAIN SINGING, like two previous scenes were all singing, but now he sings too. Again the same copying of original in its' essence, Belle's father rides away with his gadgets. There is an emphasis on Belle's mother (the expansion), we see her portrait and father works on a mechanic windmill with figurines of him and his wife holding the small Belle.
• Belle's scene. Washing and singing. Does anyone realize that she put her barrel invention into a public place? I'm sure that pool doesn't belong to her and people come and go, but she occupied it for her washing, it's cool she can invent, but did she ever ask if she can put it in there? I doubt it. So even if people acted vile, for the stupidest reason, but I stand by my word. Also I didn't get their reaction to teaching a girl. Another agenda, to show how women were oppressed. But actually boys and girls had schools, not in the classic sense, but they had. Even if most people were illiterate, but they weren't that bad. All in all this scene intended to be "don't let the girls read so they won't get any ideas", but it failed to be that to me. 
• But then Gaston finds Belle again, what a stalker, and she says once again that she won't marry him, she storms off and comes... quite far away actually, you can see the village quite far away from the mountain she chose to finish her song. So I imagined her hold on to that breathe and then continue when she reached the top ahahaha.
  
  
  
• Maurice scene. Him going through the woods, suddenly the lightning hits the tree and it falls, leaving only the path to the castle. Here I think they simply copied the French movie I mentioned, but in reverse, Beats's castle was shrouded in eternal winter.
  
  
  
  He come to the castle and what a gret architecture there is, it's stunning. And he takes the liberty to get warm and dine, before he's startled by the talking cup, Chip. He leaves, but sees the rose bush and remembers how he promised a rose and picks one. The beast becomes mad and imprisons him for it. On thing I noticed what was very different from the animation, I don't know if they noticed themselves. In animation the beast walks on all four at the beginning, before he starts walking like a human again, which visually indicates progress, unlike movie beast that always walks like a human, but acts like an ass. Philip storms off and finds way home, it all happens in a matter of seconds, so Bell asks him to show the way, what a smart horse. She finds her father and is baffled that he was imprisoned for a rose. HERE LIES THE SMALL BIG CHANGE. He doesn't make it sound small, he tells her he was cursed because of the rose, so it's a big deal for him (wtf). This is important, because it is important for the scene where Belle finds the rose in the west wing, keep it in mind. Belle changes with her father, who promises to get her out and she promises to escape. She's alone and is found by Lumiere, their purpose is very evident from the very beginning and they will mention it not once, they talk that the castle is cursed and to lift the curse the girl must fall in love with the beast (not in front of Belle though, she may know only about the curse) and they sound like their purpose is simply selfish. As if if she had no idea would be lying to her. In the animation it was kept from her, but she guessed it herself, but they didn't overdramatise the situation. The architecture:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Gaston's scene. The singing again. Attempt at copying the scene from animation. But then Maurice appears and talks about the beast. Gaston agrees to help, but loses his temper when they can't find the way and cruelly leaves Maurice tied to a tree in the woods (like wtf).
• Be our guest scene. Quite spectacular in general when they sing (which I liked), but there is a big difference when beast approaches her bedroom to offer to dine with him, movie beast sounds so flacid and a huge ass, it's as if he's forced to act good because they need to lift the curse. Many of the acting and dialogue scenes suck tbh. Unlike animation when beast roars.
  

  

  (what a huge contrast)
  The dialogues in the animation are way more delicate and logical, the Beast acknowledges that he was thinking she might lift the curse, but he's been a Beast for so long, so ugly and repulsive, which are shown through her reaction, he has such fiery temper too and it's hard to change even if someone by your side gives you advice, so he felt hopeless 
  
  Unlike the movie Beast who just walks off. And later continues to act like an arrogant ass. Where should love come from?
• Belle's scene in the west wing. She asks "why are you good to me", "master is not that awful".. he is, the way he was portrayed is awful, you want to slap him. But this is why I say this scene doesn't work. In the animation Belle is scared off by the beasts's roars since she had no idea what she had done wrong, she had no clue that the rose is THAT important. But because movie Belle KNOWS, the scene looks different. Overall it has no tension and she sees the rose right away
  
  and reaches out, but he finds her and she storms off. But if she's not deaf she should be aware that the rose matter a lot. It also matters that she did not lift the glass cover of the rose. But this is the replica of the scene with wolves.. Question: where did she get the horse, Maurice should have taken it, non? It's not shown, animation used a cursed carriage at least.
• Saving Belle from wolves. Another copy-paste but why every scene still lacks some emotional tension, it's been bothering me a lot. Not to mention another expansion of the character when Belle says that they did nothing bad but they were cursed along with him and Mrs Potts gives explanation or justification of Beast's character, that he was brought up into a waste by his father and all the servants didn't stop it. Like they shouldn't, they're servants and enchantment works different ways, may not need justification. Another singing. So much singing. But this is where their relationship should take a turn. He still acts like an ass. 
• The Library. Comes really random, because Belle redas by the sickbed and shares that she likes Romeo and Juliet and he acts like it's cringe that there are better ones, when she asks she takes her to the library, she is surprised, but it doesn't come as a touching scene that he wants to present her with a whole world, he does this in passing and then.. leaves her alone. I'm shook. Dialogues are trash here imo. So they continue to co-exist and the book is like a mascot of every scene. And of course she sings again. God, by this time I'm tired of their singing, but it's better then dialogues, but it comes so awkward. Here I don't understand why two items became three and he had a book which allowed him to travel anywhere. They come to the mill (she sings again) which was shown in miniature at the beginning, their first home and she finds out that her mother was sick so her father took her away. Unnecessary sappy information.
• Confrontation. Maurice, who was saved by Agathe, woman living in the woods, confronts Gaston for attempted murder, but Gaston couters and accuses Maurice by being mad, so suddenly there's a carriage from bedlam, which is surprisingly fast.
• Dance. The dance scene. Belle shares that she misses her father, after all it's impossible to be happy without freedom (you have a whole castle, no a cell though), so he allows her to see her father and finds he's in troubles and like in the cartoon he let's her go. She takes the mirror away.
• Confrontation, continuation. Belle's arrival doesn't really change that her father's being taken away, even though she shows the Beast. Honestly the mirror is so tiny, you need vision 100/100. Gaston uses it to frighten the villagers and again it lacks tension, like they are so scared all of a sudden, it's as if there is a switch that sprints them to immediate action of "kill the Beast". Belle is arrested with her father, though they don't leave and the guy responsible for their ride just.. walked around ahahaha With Gaston and villagers singing they take torches and storm to the Beast's castle... where the Beast is brooding and singing.
• The Fight. Underwhelming compared to the pure comedy of animation, but also weird. I'll repeat it, but part of the villagers are a family to those who work in the castle, like Mrs Potts recognized her husband, but he did not recognize her of course. LeFou is ditched by Gaston and changes sides haha Belle rushes to the castle after she and Maurice open the lock. Somehow the crowd is eventually easily scared and flees the scene. Except Gaston of course. He finds the Beast and.. shoots him. They fight, one or another has upper hand, but when beast finds Belle he has more will to survive. His confrontation with Gaston ends up him giving Gaston a chance to survive, but Gaston, as a trashbin he is, shoots Beast again.. and again. I like how Belle basically stood beside him. Gaston's fall is self-inflicted, he stood where the castle crumbled.
• The Finale. Well, the Beast finally acts human and says good-bye (like many other resident who feel the changes in the castle) when Belle confesses she's in love. And the only one who staid, Agathe, waves her hand and the Beast changes back to his human form. And they left that stupid scene "It's really you" where Belle acts uncertain if it's her Beast. As if they're collectively blind, dumb and deaf. Portraits of the Prince were way more handsome than he is. Everyone transform back and everyone acts wild and somehow villagers all come back, a full crowd. Sappy scene of recognition. Why the garden reminds me of Versailles beats me. Hugs and more hugs and they dance at the closing scene. Everyone looks more clean and presentable lol.
  
  And that's it. It's over.

What can I say at the end? It's that all live adaptations were a flop, but since Disney have so much money they'll continue to make these movies. The screenwriter made changes that were detrimental to the movie, so it became more crude. Maybe many were fascinated by it, I weren't. At least the animation did a much better job at handling the characters and the overall development. Sometimes I feel sorry for all the people who made the picture look so beautiful, everything was so vivid, but it can't take away from the impression that those changes to the script and scenes left a certain mark of incomprehension.