Robin Youngman
@robinyoungman.bsky.social
Avid film watcher. Obsessed with 1970s Hollywood, and the Japanese New Wave. Enjoys feel-bad art across genres and mediums. ESL teacher in Asia for nine years. Writing a novel about life and film in Taipei. Leftist, interested in democracy preservation.
In 7/11 on 7/11 at 7:11.
July 11, 2025 at 11:13 AM
In 7/11 on 7/11 at 7:11.
I just watched a fascinating documentary called Q (2023) about three generations of women impacted by a matriarchal sect of Islam. It's both highly personal, and a highly artistic expression within the non-fiction film form. It leaves Criterion Channel at the end of June - watch it!
June 27, 2025 at 5:21 AM
I just watched a fascinating documentary called Q (2023) about three generations of women impacted by a matriarchal sect of Islam. It's both highly personal, and a highly artistic expression within the non-fiction film form. It leaves Criterion Channel at the end of June - watch it!
Even if you didn't like it, if you felt it was heavy-handed or obvious, rewatch Triangle of Sadness. I can't think of another movie that was able to predict the moment we are in right now better.
We *were* on the boat.
Now we are on the island.
We *were* on the boat.
Now we are on the island.
April 7, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Even if you didn't like it, if you felt it was heavy-handed or obvious, rewatch Triangle of Sadness. I can't think of another movie that was able to predict the moment we are in right now better.
We *were* on the boat.
Now we are on the island.
We *were* on the boat.
Now we are on the island.
Has Katherine Heigl weighed in at all on Gérard Depardieu being on trial for sexual harassment?
March 28, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Has Katherine Heigl weighed in at all on Gérard Depardieu being on trial for sexual harassment?
Masahiro Shinoda died two days ago!? I only found this out because I saw a collection of his featured on The Criterion Channel. So many great Japanese film directors, but he might be my favorite. If you've never seen Pale Flower and you like your noir at its bleakest and most existential, watch it.
March 28, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Masahiro Shinoda died two days ago!? I only found this out because I saw a collection of his featured on The Criterion Channel. So many great Japanese film directors, but he might be my favorite. If you've never seen Pale Flower and you like your noir at its bleakest and most existential, watch it.
It's so awesome that nearly every Lee Chang-Dong film is available on @criterionchannel.bsky.social. SECRET SUNSHINE, BURNING, and POETRY are among the best films ever made, and he is the most important film artist to ever come from South Korea. He taps into something no other filmmaker has.
March 22, 2025 at 5:37 AM
It's so awesome that nearly every Lee Chang-Dong film is available on @criterionchannel.bsky.social. SECRET SUNSHINE, BURNING, and POETRY are among the best films ever made, and he is the most important film artist to ever come from South Korea. He taps into something no other filmmaker has.
I watched SECRET SUNSHINE again last night, and can confirm that it's the greatest film ever made.
Ok, so CHINATOWN, TWIN PEAKS: FWWM, DOGVILLE, , and ROBOCOP are *also* the greatest films ever made, but that's fine.
Instead of there being a single film at the top, why not have several?
Ok, so CHINATOWN, TWIN PEAKS: FWWM, DOGVILLE, , and ROBOCOP are *also* the greatest films ever made, but that's fine.
Instead of there being a single film at the top, why not have several?
March 22, 2025 at 5:33 AM
I watched SECRET SUNSHINE again last night, and can confirm that it's the greatest film ever made.
Ok, so CHINATOWN, TWIN PEAKS: FWWM, DOGVILLE, , and ROBOCOP are *also* the greatest films ever made, but that's fine.
Instead of there being a single film at the top, why not have several?
Ok, so CHINATOWN, TWIN PEAKS: FWWM, DOGVILLE, , and ROBOCOP are *also* the greatest films ever made, but that's fine.
Instead of there being a single film at the top, why not have several?
My dinner was chicken thigh poached in garlic, ginger, and Szechuan peppercorns, with a ginger Szechuan oil sauce. Homemade cucumbers and pineapple on the left and right sides. Extremely healthy and extremely delicious.
March 21, 2025 at 3:07 PM
My dinner was chicken thigh poached in garlic, ginger, and Szechuan peppercorns, with a ginger Szechuan oil sauce. Homemade cucumbers and pineapple on the left and right sides. Extremely healthy and extremely delicious.
You aren't ugly, you're hideous - you're the ugly duckling of hybrid vehicles. However, don't you worry your pretty AI head. With a little gasoline and a match, you shine like a fucking swan.
March 21, 2025 at 2:36 AM
You aren't ugly, you're hideous - you're the ugly duckling of hybrid vehicles. However, don't you worry your pretty AI head. With a little gasoline and a match, you shine like a fucking swan.
Every month I have a doctor's appointment, and every month I read a chapter of this book, Thinking Fast and Slow. I'm still not terribly far, but it's wonderful. The reactive mind, the thing that can be manipulated, it's so important to think about as normies have developed acquiescence to fascism.
March 20, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Every month I have a doctor's appointment, and every month I read a chapter of this book, Thinking Fast and Slow. I'm still not terribly far, but it's wonderful. The reactive mind, the thing that can be manipulated, it's so important to think about as normies have developed acquiescence to fascism.
Amazing dinner at Northern Chinese cuisine restaurant 老東北家鄉特色料理. It's really a gem of a restaurant, everything is so flavorful - it's similar to Sichuan food, but also distinct. The guobaorou was amazing, a must for fried food lovers.
March 16, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Amazing dinner at Northern Chinese cuisine restaurant 老東北家鄉特色料理. It's really a gem of a restaurant, everything is so flavorful - it's similar to Sichuan food, but also distinct. The guobaorou was amazing, a must for fried food lovers.
I finally watched RED ROOMS, and I'm pretty sure it'll be the rare movie to actually cause me to have bad dreams.
Five stars.
Five stars.
March 6, 2025 at 5:13 PM
I finally watched RED ROOMS, and I'm pretty sure it'll be the rare movie to actually cause me to have bad dreams.
Five stars.
Five stars.
The longer I've thought about it, the more I think that BEAU IS AFRAID is my single favorite American film this decade. It isn't the best film by any means, there's stuff I wish weren't in there, but it's stayed with me the most. I think there will be midnight shows of it in thirty years.
March 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
The longer I've thought about it, the more I think that BEAU IS AFRAID is my single favorite American film this decade. It isn't the best film by any means, there's stuff I wish weren't in there, but it's stayed with me the most. I think there will be midnight shows of it in thirty years.
I did my annual trip to the 2/28 Peace Park in Taipei on 2/28. Very sunny and warm day today. Security was even tighter than last year, and a lot of areas were blocked off. Not many people compared to the last three years. There was a woman shouting at the police when I came in, but that's all.
February 28, 2025 at 7:05 AM
I did my annual trip to the 2/28 Peace Park in Taipei on 2/28. Very sunny and warm day today. Security was even tighter than last year, and a lot of areas were blocked off. Not many people compared to the last three years. There was a woman shouting at the police when I came in, but that's all.
"Creation Lake" is a really engaging novel, my favorite of last year's Booker Nominees (so far) There are some really great passages making observations on European culture, as well as a lot of Guy Debord that I appreciated. I found it quite funny and dark - look forward to reading more by Kushner.
February 28, 2025 at 5:23 AM
"Creation Lake" is a really engaging novel, my favorite of last year's Booker Nominees (so far) There are some really great passages making observations on European culture, as well as a lot of Guy Debord that I appreciated. I found it quite funny and dark - look forward to reading more by Kushner.
Saturday selfie stroll
February 22, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Saturday selfie stroll
My doctor let me borrow the book "The Birth of Korean Cool" and even though it's a little bit old, it's a fantastic read. The education section is particularly interesting - great talking with my wife to compare her educational experience in Taiwan with what it used to be like in South Korea!
February 15, 2025 at 5:35 PM
My doctor let me borrow the book "The Birth of Korean Cool" and even though it's a little bit old, it's a fantastic read. The education section is particularly interesting - great talking with my wife to compare her educational experience in Taiwan with what it used to be like in South Korea!
The two movies I saw in theaters this week both had a character say: "SILENCIO!"
(Mulholland Drive and Captain America: Brave New World)
(Mulholland Drive and Captain America: Brave New World)
February 15, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The two movies I saw in theaters this week both had a character say: "SILENCIO!"
(Mulholland Drive and Captain America: Brave New World)
(Mulholland Drive and Captain America: Brave New World)
You've heard of pre-torn jeans? Well, these shorts are for when you're going for that "already peed my pants" look.
February 13, 2025 at 3:54 AM
You've heard of pre-torn jeans? Well, these shorts are for when you're going for that "already peed my pants" look.
I'm really glad I got to see a Lynch film on the big screen again! What a great film.
February 11, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I'm really glad I got to see a Lynch film on the big screen again! What a great film.
First time making picked jalapenos and they turned out awesome. I want to put them on everything.
February 9, 2025 at 12:34 PM
First time making picked jalapenos and they turned out awesome. I want to put them on everything.
Anime inspired misery for a psa
February 7, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Anime inspired misery for a psa
What would you do if someone approached you with this book as a gift?
February 5, 2025 at 2:22 PM
What would you do if someone approached you with this book as a gift?
Time to say goodbye to the Chinese New Year holiday. I'm not sure how much longer the lights display in Zhongshan will still be up, but here's a few pics from tonight.
February 2, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Time to say goodbye to the Chinese New Year holiday. I'm not sure how much longer the lights display in Zhongshan will still be up, but here's a few pics from tonight.