Director: Brad Peyton
Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Simu Liu, Sterling K Brown, Mark Strong
Streamer: Netflix

Atlas is centred on Jennifer Lopez’s character, Atlas Shepherd, an analyst with a deep distrust of artificial intelligence, stemming from her childhood experiences. The plot also introduces the world’s first AI terrorist, Harlan (Simu Liu), who leads an AI rebellion that aims to wrest power and control from humanity. The film reminds us of a time when sci-fi films with aliens and robots were dime a dozen. The premise too is as old as the hills.

Even Atlas’ main trauma from her past on account of an AI mishap isn’t necessarily original. This is a protagonist we have already seen in films like I, Robot where the central character suffers from similar trauma, and grows to resent sentient robots. We needed to see a lot more of Atlas’ melancholy beneath the veneer of determination and toughness. Jennifer Lopez’s performance too doesn’t necessarily embody the supposed complexity of this character.

A staff report

Title: The Eternal Sunrise
Director: James Whitman
Cast: Emma Stone, John David Washington, Saoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet
Genre: Drama/Romance
Runtime: 125 minutes
Release Date: May 30, 2024

James Whitman’s latest film, *The Eternal Sunrise*, is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the unyielding passage of time. With a star-studded cast including Emma Stone, John David Washington, Saoirse Ronan, and Timothée Chalamet, the movie promises to be a cinematic journey that resonates with audiences long after the credits roll.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Italian countryside, *The Eternal Sunrise* follows the intertwining lives of four characters over two decades. The story begins in the early 2000s with Sophie (Emma Stone) and Michael (John David Washington), two aspiring artists who fall in love during a summer art residency. Their passion for each other and their art seems unbreakable until a tragic accident forces them apart.

Years later, Sophie, now a renowned artist, meets Eliza (Saoirse Ronan), a young journalist assigned to write a feature on her. As they delve into Sophie’s past, Eliza uncovers a web of connections that lead back to Michael, who has become a reclusive writer. The narrative weaves between past and present, revealing the impact of their choices and the enduring nature of true love.

Emma Stone delivers a mesmerizing performance as Sophie, capturing the character’s vulnerability and resilience with grace. John David Washington’s portrayal of Michael is equally compelling, embodying the character’s struggle between his passion and his past. Saoirse Ronan brings a fresh energy to Eliza, while Timothée Chalamet’s cameo as a young artist adds a delightful touch to the ensemble.

James Whitman masterfully directs *The Eternal Sunrise*, balancing the film’s emotional depth with its visual beauty. The cinematography by Luca Romano is breathtaking, with sweeping shots of the Italian countryside and intimate close-ups that draw the audience into the characters’ inner worlds. The film’s score, composed by Max Richter, perfectly complements the narrative, enhancing the emotional weight of key scenes.

At its core, *The Eternal Sunrise* is a meditation on the passage of time and the enduring power of love. The film explores how our choices shape our lives and the lives of those around us, often in ways we cannot foresee. It also highlights the importance of art as a means of connection and expression, with each character finding solace and purpose through their creative pursuits.

The Eternal Sunrise is a beautifully crafted film that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved and lost. Its rich storytelling, stellar performances, and stunning visuals make it a must-watch for this week. James Whitman has once again proven his ability to create films that are both emotionally powerful and visually captivating.

Rating: ★★★★☆

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“This is too real. What kind of dream is this?

“Hong Kong in the Lens by Asian Directors” is a program supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, which includes a series of microfilms directed by renowned directors from Asia. “Hong Kong, Within Me” is one of those titles, directed by Kang Yoon-sung, whose credits include the four entries in “The Roundup” series.

The movie begins with a Korean woman in her pajamas descending the stairs in her house while counting backwards. When she reaches one, however, she wakes up and she seems to be in a place she does not recognize, which soon is revealed to be Hong Kong. Still in her pajamas and barefooted, she goes outside first asking two young women to loan her their phone, and then taking up a cab, of an expectedly suspicious driver. She eventually reaches her destination, where a man recognizes here as Hye-rim and she him as Chan-sung. It turns out he is an old acquaintance, although the surprise of her being there is mutual. As they are talking, she reveals that she has insomnia issues, and that she received hypnotherapy treatment. At the same time, she seems to think what she is experiencing is her dream.

Nevertheless, Chan-sung, who is the owner and cook in the specialty restaurant the two are in, prepares her a meal in order to hear her opinion. A bit later on, the whole thing takes an even weirder twist, as it seems the interaction of the two is being shot by a film crew and Chan-sung is actually an actor. A swooshing cut through night time Hong Kong brings the two in a pier, where they talk once more about whether this is a dream or a movie shoot. Or even a Groundhog Day situation.

The first thing one will notice in “Hong Kong, Within Me” is that the pace is frantic, which is actually what allows Kang Yoon-sung to shoot a meta, romantic movie which also includes a ‘will-they-won’t-they’ element and much comedy, in just 15 minutes. The result can be dizzying on occasion, one could say mirroring the rhythm of life in Hong Kong, but is definitely entertaining, with the quality of the production values definitely helping in that regard.

Kwon Hyeok-jun’s cinematography in particular, captures the different setting with a polished gusto that is quite pleasant to the eye. Furthermore, Hoo Sun-mi and Park Jong-min’s editing is responsible for the aforementioned frantic pace, in a style where the cuts are actually part of the narrative.

Woo Hye-rim plays Hye-rim with an excessiveness that goes a bit too far on occasion, but actually works in the economy of the short. Kang Yun-Sung as Chan-sung plays his part in more down-to-earth fashion, with the antithesis creating a very appealing chemistry.

“Hong Kong, Within Me” is well shot, well acted, well directed, looks particularly good, and is also a lesson on how to condense movies into the short format. Definitely a joy to watch.