Curse of the golden flower is a Chinese historical drama film directed by Zhang Yimou. The film is set in 10th-century China during the Tang dynasty and follows the story of a royal family torn apart by betrayal, power struggles, and hidden secrets. The main idea of the film revolves around the theme of power and the corrupting influence it can have on individuals and their relationships. The golden flower, which symbolizes power, becomes a curse that engulfs the royal family and leads to their downfall. The film showcases the lavish and opulent lifestyle of the royal court, with beautiful costumes, intricate set designs, and visually stunning cinematography. These elements add to the overall grandeur and intensity of the story.
As it stands, you’re better off with an owl as your familiar – at least they can fly.
It seems the intent here is that only players fully immersed in a Strixhaven campaign will benefit from these feats, but they should really be more accessible. The Strixhaven Mascot feat allows you to summon a school-specific familiar that s generally more impressive than most normal options for the Find Familiar spell.
These elements add to the overall grandeur and intensity of the story. The characters in the film are complex and multidimensional, each with their own motivations, desires, and secrets. The relationships between the characters are filled with tension and emotional conflict, as they navigate through a web of deceit and betrayal.
the new Fractal Mascot familiar from Strixhaven looks like a riot on a chainlock
For those who haven't seen the leaks, Strixhaven: Curriculum of Chaos added two new feats. One is basically just magic initiate, and the other (which requires the first feat) grants you one of five special familiars that you can summon with find familiar. The actual options aren't exactly worth two feats, but I immediately took a shining to the Living Fractal, both because I like fractals and it has some abilities just begging for shenanigans
- you can swap places with it with a 2nd level spell slot (1 free use per long rest)
- it can phase through objects and creatures
- it can resize itself as a bonus action, though it maxes out at huge
Being a familiar rather than something more generic, the fractal can do everything a familiar can do, and is also compatible with other options like Investment of the Chain Master or Flock of Familiars. So, what can you do with it? Here's what I've thought of so far
- The phasing makes the familiar an expert scout for behind locked doors
- Combined with the teleportation, it can also be an easy way in and out
- Need to get into a locked chest? Just have it slip in, grab the contents and then dismiss it back to its pocket universe, then resummon it with the loot on the other side
- Want to make a killer Jojo reference that only people who've read the manga will get? Have this familiar from another universe phase through a creature's body and expand, making them explode in a gory shower of fractals (Back in 3.5 this used to be called Arseplomancy)
- While large or huge, the fractal can easily serve as a mount, and if you have Investment of the Chain Master, it can be a flying mount capable of carrying the whole party
- Of course, if you have a melee heavy party there's still a combat use. The ginormous flying fractal can just as easily go prone in mid air and land on creatures, doing falling damage. (Note: ask your DM if Investment applies to the DC 15 Dex save to avoid a falling creature, you might be able to bump that with the save DC)
- Does your DM allow Flock of Familiars? Now you can drop 3 at a time from 200 feet up for up to 30d6 bludgeoning damage. Your DM will beat your ass to death, but you will go down dying like a legend
The intention is that these creatures reflect the spells you receive from the Strixhaven Initiate feat, further solidifying who you are as a student of this magical University.
The performances in Curse of the golden flower are exceptional, with the cast delivering powerful and captivating portrayals of their characters. Gong Li stands out in her role as the Empress, capturing her character's strength and vulnerability. The film also uses symbolism and visual motifs to enhance its storytelling. The color yellow, representing the imperial family, is prevalent throughout the film, emphasizing their wealth and power. The intricate and symbolic golden chrysanthemum pattern on the emperor's robes represents his authority and the curse that ultimately unravels their family. Curse of the golden flower is a visually stunning and emotionally charged film that explores the themes of power, betrayal, and the consequences of obsession. It serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of greed and the lengths some will go to maintain their position of power..
Reviews for "Decoding the Hidden Messages in "Curse of the Golden Flower"
1. John - 2/5 Stars - I found "Curse of the Golden Flower" to be a disappointing film. The visuals were stunning, as expected from director Zhang Yimou, but the storyline lacked depth and failed to engage me. The plot felt convoluted and focused too much on the extravagant sets and costumes, neglecting character development and emotional depth. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, while the film had its moments, it failed to deliver a compelling story, leaving me disappointed.
2. Sarah - 3/5 Stars - Although "Curse of the Golden Flower" boasted impressive visuals and a talented cast, I found the storyline to be confusing and hard to follow. The film was filled with political intrigue and family drama, but it failed to strike a balance between the two. As a result, I felt disconnected from the characters and their motivations. Furthermore, the excessive use of CGI and elaborate set design became overwhelming at times, overshadowing the storytelling. While there were elements to appreciate, I ultimately left the theater feeling underwhelmed and wanting more substance.
3. Mark - 2/5 Stars - "Curse of the Golden Flower" tried to dazzle its audience with opulent visuals and elaborate fight sequences, but in doing so, it neglected to create a compelling story or memorable characters. The film felt like a shallow spectacle, more concerned with the aesthetics than with narrative depth. The excessive use of slow-motion shots and vibrant colors only served to distract from the lack of substance. While there were moments of excitement, the overall viewing experience left me unimpressed and wishing for a more engaging storyline.