Mainly cinematography
Beautiful cinematography, though I'm not sure the time travel aspect really worked for me. It's a trope I typically like, but it felt kind of misplaced here. Everything does fall into place at the end but ultimately I think I needed either a little more exploration of the fantasy mechanism itself if it was going to be used.Was this review helpful to you?
A beautiful inner experience.
For me, it's not a movie called Balloon Landing, but it will always be Bay of the Vanishing Whales, and when I watched it for the first time, only the second half of the film made everything clear, and then when I watch the project for the second time, I perceive everything from a different angle. The Japanese film Dangerous Drugs of Sex, where there are explicit sex scenes, is completely different, like this fantasy film with only one random kiss, where everything is on the level of the inner character and the viewer, but still both films have something in common ... first they save each other, so that in the end the second one saves the first one. For some viewers, and they write about it on world servers, it's not BL just because they don't fuck and there are no bed scenes, for me and many others it's a deep and inner film about two wounded beings and hidden homosexuality (I don't see it only as a bromance), because love has many forms and it's practically on the same wavelength as the Taiwanese project The On1y One, where there's also no physical contact. Excellent acting, beautiful scenery of southern Taiwan and modern Hong Kong, a handkerchief at the end and I will return to the film... and an amazing fresh spark in the form of actor Fandy Fan and a great performance by Hong Konger Terrance Lau. A beautiful inner experience.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Structurally doomed
I could feel it.Right about midway the writer was getting boxed into a tragic ending, then, was forced to make it a good ending. Solution; Tack on an alternative timeline!
Ruined what could have been something truly special. If they wanted to go that way, they should have done so from the beginning.
Odd scenes like; The car breaks down. Next scene they're back to hotel. Next day they're back out in the now working car, which promptly breaks down again? 😂 Huh? This goes beyond a mistake, suggesting general stupidity. If this was an alternative timeline, it was a really stupid one.
Just organize the scene intentions properly; Where are the characters at emotionally? What is believable and will drive the story forward? Get rid of everything else. Of course this only works if you HAVE a story.
And, I don't care if it's "BL". I care if time is taken to get the story right for the cast and crew who put so much effort into it. As it is, the barely first draft mode story failed a great cast, soundtrack and cinema photography trying to dress it up.
In an alternative timeline, I wrote a glowing review, while admitting I understood almost nothing.
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Speak your love to the universe, and it will hear you
I had put off watching this film because something about the way it was advertised on Netflix made me realize it wasn't going to be lovey and sweet, and although I was correct, it was a beautiful tale that left me crying. This is a very subtle romance story, touching on the sanctity of life, and destiny. Fate is a strange thing, and this movie explores the possibilities of life trying every way it possible can to keep us happy and alive. Bittersweet.Was this review helpful to you?
vanishing whales will reach the bay
this move is more than reality it's beyond the universe at first I was wondering why the name is not vanishing whales bay but after that I found that a balloon's landing says more about the story development and where the story reaches ; in order to reach the heaven along the whales they finally found the peace they needed through their tangled up story, for me that has a lot of things to say and meaning over words . it was definitely a complete journey followed by different shades of emotions , at first it was a simple story but the more it goes, the more things you feel like you wanted to cry but you don't know why till you get the hole thing and after it tears you up you see why somehow the euphoria therns to sorrow but the characters keep going and the hope goes to peace at the end which felt like more than just the ending.there are a lot of things to add specially about concept of love it carries well people should think twice about their values. nevertheless I just finish my words by saying I just sow on this move true happiness of life.
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This review may contain spoilers
This is a particularly intricate and well-acted movie. Its cinematography is exceptional. Sometimes, using muted and pastel tones to reflect the mood of the scenes. The screenplay is also sophisticated, which allowed the actors to become immersed in their roles to the point that the audience could relate and feel what they were experiencing. Since so much of it was subtle, that took real acting challenges to pull off. The first half of the movie is intensely character driven while the second half, unfortunately, becomes an esoteric mess.The story itself is part reality with a heaping scoop of fantasy thrown in that is both mystifying, illogical, and ended with a perplexing outcome. One I respected but also did not like. While I love fantasy and certainly wish for happy outcomes, not all conclusions in life are so. Or should be.
Read the complete article here-
https://theblxpress.wordpress.com/2024/12/10/a-balloons-landing-movie-review/
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Subtle "Magical Realism" Masterpiece
Important to note:There are two key factors I see missing from commentaries and I would like to call attention to them.
First, it is crucial to consider the mindset of Tian Yu to truly follow the narration and flow of the story. He is a writer, sensitive, artistic, and yearns.
Second, an important element of the film is the intertwining of some old Taiwanese folk beliefs and modern perspective that places it into a subtle magical realism category.
When viewed in this context, the film shines brilliantly.
This is a quality film that feels authentic and sincere. It was well written and across the board well executed. I love the inclusion of past and present elements Taiwanese culture as well as including the good/bad/inbetween, happiness/despair, and even tragedy. It's beauty omits unnecessary powdered sugar and glitter and I wholeheartedly appreciate that. I highly rate and recommend. Kudos to everyone involved.
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This review may contain spoilers
An experience
Its a great movie. Love the cinematography, made me check whether the isle of Whales is a thing in Taiwan.The timeline is abit wonky, and the scriptwriters' reasons as to why certain things happen the way they are weird, but the general gist of the story is good. Sometimes, the one who saved you is also saved by you, in an ouroboros loop of blessings.
I hope that people watched till the end of the story and do not close the screen near to the last part. That's where the happy ending is.
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Heart-warming and tearful T^T
I went into this with zero expectations and even didn't pay much attention to dialogue in the beginning/reading the subtitles. But I can say that right now I am rewatching the film's opening before having even finished the film.This piece is so unexpectedly heart-wrenching and beautiful. It's not just a romance, in fact it's hardly that and more about rediscovering life's joys in the little moments, and journeying intimately alongside the 2 main characters and their blossoming relationship, between two 'strangers' into something deep and meaningful. It's so well-acted and flows naturally it genuinely makes you want to see them interacting more, and experiencing more together.
The acting is superb especially from 'A-Xiang' (the happy boy who always smiles and laughs) and the interactions overall are really wholesome and genuine-feeling if that makes sense.
Although some of the cuts were a bit choppy and the timing felt off at times, the cinematography was gorgeous and carried a nostalgic feeling that made you feel like you've experienced something similar, even if eg. you've never travelled to these places or gone on a road trip before as the characters did.
There was a lot of nuanced expressions and subtle gestures which progressed the story rather than throwing the plot progression into your face, and you can fully believe why the characters are now behaving the way they are, etc.
The flashbacks for the most part were not repetitive scenes but fresh new ones, which really left you wanting to see more of their little moments together :') Really really beautiful piece of film.
Highly recommend!
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Beautiful
What a beautiful parallel drama. I loved the story, you don't see many storylines like this one.It was very wel executed, and the actors all did a great job. The chemistry between the mains was great!
It had beautiful visuals and the music was very beautiful too.
A real must watch! I will watch this again in the future.
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All the Time Travel Feels
I'm a fan of well done time travel stories, and this one is just lovely. Though it is scripted more as a bromance--there's no declarations of love either in speech or action--the actors have undeniable chemistry, and the speaking looks between them....well, they speak a lot. Uhm. like sizzle-speak? Add compassion, empathy, and undefined love to that sizzle-speak and, as I said, you have one fine time traveling movie.Was this review helpful to you?
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Sweet
The plot is sweet and all but I gotta admit it was a bit confusing. I wanted more tbh from them,more romance is what I wanted to say. They were just about to start the romance then boom he died. I am ashamed to say this but I was kinda waiting for an R-rated scenes the entire movie. Both the actors were so hot,so I expected that there will be one but alas. I wanted them to have a romantic relationship first. Not like the relationship they had before was not romantic but i wanted more, starting deeply in love in someone's eyes,date scenes,awkward silences. I feel like this would have been better as a series cause there is so much interesting plot to be given here. A movie just doesn't do it justice. But I still liked it. It's cute but I was expecting a little bit more.Was this review helpful to you?
