This movie blew me away. I'm too used to the usual tripe version: too much dwelling on the sick nature of what happened in gory details to shock the viewer rather than focusing on the characters, and usually the movie ends the second they escape, off to an instant happy ending. This movie is refreshingly different and focuses on the personal experiences of the boy in particular and his mother, with almost half the movie dedicated to what happens after the escape. Because of this it's very effective at making you feel for the characters and connect with each rise and fall. Not an instant happy ever after that people swaddle themselves with, but a true raw connection with the human difficulties and consequences of a horrible ordeal. It's celebrating how people adapt and dust themselves off that is inspiring, not a whitewashed instant gratification. Well worth the watch, best movie I've seen in some time.
Reviews
13 Reviews
Star Trek Continues
(2013–2017)
Lovingly made - watch the whole episode!
25 October 2013
What a treat for fans of the original series. Obviously the trekkies that joined us at the start of the last two movies will be scratching their heads, they have some back watching to do! At first it was very jarring to see the new actors, I thought they were terrible. But when I reached the end everything gelled, the "shock" of the new people had passed, and the feel of the episode was very genuine to watching the original series. Definitely watch to the end before reserving judgement as you will most likely come around.
About the actors - I was very pleased by most of the actors, they fit really well together. I feel very much that they are emulating the old show to continue the mission without mocking or exaggerating. Anyone can do a passable Shatner impression so I'm glad we were spared this. I thought the Spock actor was very much playing Quinto but it still worked and there was a lot of humor in it, he held himself well. Grant Imahara as Sulu is awesome! I just know with him in the show there must be some interesting robots/technology in the future, plus it's safe in his nerdy hands. Scottys son was great also, although he did stray from Scottish into an Irish accent at times but hey, his fathers accent was just as put on back then.
Production value - I feel like people are confused with the amazing productions we have today that it looks so low budget, but honestly it looks true to the original and I love it for that. There would not be a point to make the series without doing that. Having the same radio and com bleeps just takes you right back.
General message - I was ready to laugh at this, thought it might be someones fan fic / wet dream where Kirk dies and Bob nobody becomes the captain. So I was prepared for the worst, and seeing the new actors was hard and I poked fun at slip ups, but I was completely won over by the end. It felt exactly like an episode of the original series, even with the new characters, and the attention to detail was amazing.
So watch it, laugh at how weird it is seeing Grant as Sulu or Spock being far too Quinto, but do watch until the end, because if you are a fan of the original series this will definitely win a place in your heart. Of course it can never touch the original, but unfortunately many of those great actors have passed, so this is a great way to see how that original 5 year mission ends, in the way that the original team would have done it.
And remember old fans! If you are remembering things with rosy goggles of perfect acting, rewatch Spocks Brain!
About the actors - I was very pleased by most of the actors, they fit really well together. I feel very much that they are emulating the old show to continue the mission without mocking or exaggerating. Anyone can do a passable Shatner impression so I'm glad we were spared this. I thought the Spock actor was very much playing Quinto but it still worked and there was a lot of humor in it, he held himself well. Grant Imahara as Sulu is awesome! I just know with him in the show there must be some interesting robots/technology in the future, plus it's safe in his nerdy hands. Scottys son was great also, although he did stray from Scottish into an Irish accent at times but hey, his fathers accent was just as put on back then.
Production value - I feel like people are confused with the amazing productions we have today that it looks so low budget, but honestly it looks true to the original and I love it for that. There would not be a point to make the series without doing that. Having the same radio and com bleeps just takes you right back.
General message - I was ready to laugh at this, thought it might be someones fan fic / wet dream where Kirk dies and Bob nobody becomes the captain. So I was prepared for the worst, and seeing the new actors was hard and I poked fun at slip ups, but I was completely won over by the end. It felt exactly like an episode of the original series, even with the new characters, and the attention to detail was amazing.
So watch it, laugh at how weird it is seeing Grant as Sulu or Spock being far too Quinto, but do watch until the end, because if you are a fan of the original series this will definitely win a place in your heart. Of course it can never touch the original, but unfortunately many of those great actors have passed, so this is a great way to see how that original 5 year mission ends, in the way that the original team would have done it.
And remember old fans! If you are remembering things with rosy goggles of perfect acting, rewatch Spocks Brain!
Big School
(2013–2014)
Terrible
20 September 2013
Never have I seen a show with so many of my favorite people in it be so terrible. I mean Walliams and Tate have a long history of fantastic comedy but I found myself not even cracking a smile. Very disappointed, every joke is executed painfully and badly. After watching the first episode I never wanted to see it again, but I made myself watch the second to be fair, as pilots/first episodes can sometimes be terrible. But no, after watching the second episode I don't think I'll be watching this again, I have no idea how anyone can find this funny in the slightest. It's not even a "so bad it's good" type of thing either. I have no clue how comedy masterminds came up with something so bad.
The Hunger Games
(2012)
Doesn't stand alone from the book.
4 August 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I hadn't read any of the books when I watched the movie, then around 6months later I read the books and rewatched the movie. I have to say that the adaptation was pretty mediocre. For a film to reach a wide audience it's important that they make sure to add in relevant material from the books so that people know what's going on. The first time I saw the movie I was a bit lost, I liked the characters but there wasn't a whole lot of backstory and I didn't understand some of the motivations properly. I'll break down the main differences from book to movie.
-Checking in to the reaping with a blood test. Completely unnecessary, wasn't in the book, didn't add much to the story aside from taking up a minute that could have been put towards explaining something else.
-Tertiary? I think it was called in the books. They didn't properly explain how horrific it was that her sister was called out, because every year kids can put their names in multiple times for more food the following year. Prim only had the 1 ticket. Gale who didn't get picked, had his name in there over 40 times.
-Mockingjay pin. The character that was lost didn't add too much, so that was an acceptable cut. But I think by not explaining the origin of the mockingjay bird and how it's mocking the empire, takes away a small bit of the defiance that she's showing by wearing it, and how much it inspires people and later becomes a symbol of the resistance. Perhaps this will be in the next movie.
-Katniss's internalizations. The entire first book is carried by Katniss's thoughts and experiences. It's very hard without having her voice-over her thoughts, to portray this in a movie, and so we missed a lot of story and her motivations at different times. This is my main issue with the movie and the reason it doesn't stand alone to someone that didn't read the story first.
-Peeta teaming up with the careers. Katniss never even asks him why he was with them, they never discuss it. In fact in the movie he is telling them where she was going because he tracked her snares. This is the opposite of the book, where he does it to mislead them and keep her safe, downplaying what her skills are. He doesn't lead them to her on purpose.
-A lot of people complain that you don't know most of the other tributes names. This is somewhat better explained in the book because you are following Katniss and she is just keeping a low profile during training, and doesn't talk to anyone or show what she can do. She doesn't learn their names because it makes them harder to kill.
-One thing you definitely don't realize if you watch it first - Katniss is internally preparing to kill Peeta the second they get on the train. She doesn't want to talk to him or get to know him in anyway whatsoever. In the movies it looks like she does slowly return his love and the end looks promising for them. But in reality, what makes her such a strong character in the books is that she literally has no second of time to think about Gale or Peeta or dresses or who she likes. She's 100% geared towards survival and getting food to her family. She breaks Peetas heart at the end of the first book by telling him she just went along with it to win, and she damn well means it at that time.
-The district riot did not make a lot of sense to me after I watched the books. When Rue dies, district 11 gathers money and buys her a loaf of bread to send into the games as a thank you. It's much much later in book 2 when she is actually visiting district 11 that a riot starts there. A district riot does start after the games in the first book, but it wasn't in district 11.
Overall to recap, I thought it was pretty mediocre the first time I saw it. The books held my interest a bit better, and I found myself liking the movie a lot more the second time after reading it, but only because I finally had all those gaps filled in. To make a movie impossible to understand for someone that didn't read the book is simply inexcusable.
-Checking in to the reaping with a blood test. Completely unnecessary, wasn't in the book, didn't add much to the story aside from taking up a minute that could have been put towards explaining something else.
-Tertiary? I think it was called in the books. They didn't properly explain how horrific it was that her sister was called out, because every year kids can put their names in multiple times for more food the following year. Prim only had the 1 ticket. Gale who didn't get picked, had his name in there over 40 times.
-Mockingjay pin. The character that was lost didn't add too much, so that was an acceptable cut. But I think by not explaining the origin of the mockingjay bird and how it's mocking the empire, takes away a small bit of the defiance that she's showing by wearing it, and how much it inspires people and later becomes a symbol of the resistance. Perhaps this will be in the next movie.
-Katniss's internalizations. The entire first book is carried by Katniss's thoughts and experiences. It's very hard without having her voice-over her thoughts, to portray this in a movie, and so we missed a lot of story and her motivations at different times. This is my main issue with the movie and the reason it doesn't stand alone to someone that didn't read the story first.
-Peeta teaming up with the careers. Katniss never even asks him why he was with them, they never discuss it. In fact in the movie he is telling them where she was going because he tracked her snares. This is the opposite of the book, where he does it to mislead them and keep her safe, downplaying what her skills are. He doesn't lead them to her on purpose.
-A lot of people complain that you don't know most of the other tributes names. This is somewhat better explained in the book because you are following Katniss and she is just keeping a low profile during training, and doesn't talk to anyone or show what she can do. She doesn't learn their names because it makes them harder to kill.
-One thing you definitely don't realize if you watch it first - Katniss is internally preparing to kill Peeta the second they get on the train. She doesn't want to talk to him or get to know him in anyway whatsoever. In the movies it looks like she does slowly return his love and the end looks promising for them. But in reality, what makes her such a strong character in the books is that she literally has no second of time to think about Gale or Peeta or dresses or who she likes. She's 100% geared towards survival and getting food to her family. She breaks Peetas heart at the end of the first book by telling him she just went along with it to win, and she damn well means it at that time.
-The district riot did not make a lot of sense to me after I watched the books. When Rue dies, district 11 gathers money and buys her a loaf of bread to send into the games as a thank you. It's much much later in book 2 when she is actually visiting district 11 that a riot starts there. A district riot does start after the games in the first book, but it wasn't in district 11.
Overall to recap, I thought it was pretty mediocre the first time I saw it. The books held my interest a bit better, and I found myself liking the movie a lot more the second time after reading it, but only because I finally had all those gaps filled in. To make a movie impossible to understand for someone that didn't read the book is simply inexcusable.
Warm Bodies
(2013)
Expected the worst
8 July 2013
So I heard going in to watch this movie is that it was "zombie twilight" and I thought to myself, "dear god how are they going to try to make rotting corpses into teenage sex symbols". The movie doesn't take itself too seriously and as long as you aren't looking for seriousness, it's a very funny and interesting movie to watch. Sure the "power of love" and all that jazz is overdone, but it didn't go over the top with the romance, it was just quick paced and humorous. And hey, John Malcovitch is great in any movie, so it's worth checking out just for that. The music really makes this film and sets the tone. If the music had been super serious twilight stuff I would have just laughed at the ridiculousness of every scene where romance was involved, but there were a lot of funny song choices. Which made me laugh WITH the movie and not AT the movie. And I was genuinely surprised to see that they did actually make zombies sexy at a point, that's a pretty strange achievement.
The Fosters
(2013–2018)
Great family drama
19 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I'm fast becoming a fan of ABCs drama shows, they always have a normal enough setting with such a deep undercurrent you just have to tune in to find out the secrets that everyone possesses. The show revolves around a lesbian couple that foster children, they have twins who want to spend time with their birth mother, a boy from one of the mothers previous relationships, and when the show begins they take on a girl who just got out of juvenile detention.
The kids are good actors and have good chemistry together, they have the usual teenage problems, pushing the boundaries with their parents, trying to find out who they are etc. The story about Callie, the new girl from juvenile detention is very interesting. At first some people judge her as being a violent young offender but we start to see that she comes from a very troubled home life and just wants to fit in and be loved.
The chemistry between the two mothers is fantastic, it's not camp or overdone, it's a normal representation of a couple struggling to raise kids who just happen to be women. They embrace, they argue and apart from the mild surprise at the start, it feels like watching any other parent duo. In particular I have to praise scenes that take place between the two moms and the ex husband and father of one of the boys. They all have equal rights to the raising of their children and they are trying to figure out how that works with three people, something that happens frequently for any divorced parent with a child that remarries.
Overall I would say it's a very interesting show, it's not an over the top teen drama where they all get pregnant, it's kids dealing with a lot of normal problems and also trying to gel with so many people under one roof from different backgrounds and walks of life.
The kids are good actors and have good chemistry together, they have the usual teenage problems, pushing the boundaries with their parents, trying to find out who they are etc. The story about Callie, the new girl from juvenile detention is very interesting. At first some people judge her as being a violent young offender but we start to see that she comes from a very troubled home life and just wants to fit in and be loved.
The chemistry between the two mothers is fantastic, it's not camp or overdone, it's a normal representation of a couple struggling to raise kids who just happen to be women. They embrace, they argue and apart from the mild surprise at the start, it feels like watching any other parent duo. In particular I have to praise scenes that take place between the two moms and the ex husband and father of one of the boys. They all have equal rights to the raising of their children and they are trying to figure out how that works with three people, something that happens frequently for any divorced parent with a child that remarries.
Overall I would say it's a very interesting show, it's not an over the top teen drama where they all get pregnant, it's kids dealing with a lot of normal problems and also trying to gel with so many people under one roof from different backgrounds and walks of life.
Switched at Birth
(2011–2017)
A great peek into the world of the deaf.
19 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
A great family drama about two families that get extremely close fast, after finding out their two daughters were switched at birth. There are so many themes happening and being played out well. Being switched at birth, how each person feels. The daughters want to get to know the new mothers and see how they could have grown up, the parents want to scope each other out, blame each other and themselves. The first two series mainly focus on the switch and the identity crises that this causes the two girls. I began watching for this but I stayed for the deaf scenes.
It really is amazing how little knew about deaf people. In terms of, some can lip read but you need to be facing them at all times and not speak super fast. So in the show when a heated argument happens sometimes they forget to face Daphne and she gets left out. Or the bond that forms from a parent learning sign language to talk to their children, Daphne and her mother have a tight bond because of this, and Daphne warms and loves her other family around the same speed that they begin to learn sign language as well.
Later in the series there is a boy who's parents refuse to learn any sign language and this impacts him so greatly, you feel very bad for his character because he doesn't feel wanted or loved at all because of it.
Another thing that is so interesting is that some sign language is literally a picture of what they are describing, so in some ways it's an even more expressive way of talking than speaking. It's great to see that they actually used deaf actors as well, as you can really see the differences between them and how well they can communicate with people.
Daphne's speech is incredible, it's very rare that she sounds even remotely like a deaf person so many people in the show assume that she can hear normally. In one episode she gets a job in a kitchen and installs mirrors to see what is behind her as she could easily turn and bump into someone without it.
The absolute highlight of the show so far and a crowning achievement, is how they handled the storyline of a deaf school getting funds to have hearing children attend there and learn sign language, how that impacted the deaf children, and how the school was threatened to close down. In the midst of this there was an episode done entirely from the point of view of a deaf person, no noise whatsoever. It was strange how eerily quiet it was without even mood music behind the episode.
In conclusion the show does a fantastic job of highlighting that deaf people have real struggles that need to be addressed, but at the same time it's not something that needs pity, they are strong content people and many would not change their hearing even if they could because the culture and friends that replaced their hearing loss was much greater. I only hope that everyone continues to have as much support as most of the children in this show and that parents of deaf children take the time to learn to communicate with them on their level.
It really is amazing how little knew about deaf people. In terms of, some can lip read but you need to be facing them at all times and not speak super fast. So in the show when a heated argument happens sometimes they forget to face Daphne and she gets left out. Or the bond that forms from a parent learning sign language to talk to their children, Daphne and her mother have a tight bond because of this, and Daphne warms and loves her other family around the same speed that they begin to learn sign language as well.
Later in the series there is a boy who's parents refuse to learn any sign language and this impacts him so greatly, you feel very bad for his character because he doesn't feel wanted or loved at all because of it.
Another thing that is so interesting is that some sign language is literally a picture of what they are describing, so in some ways it's an even more expressive way of talking than speaking. It's great to see that they actually used deaf actors as well, as you can really see the differences between them and how well they can communicate with people.
Daphne's speech is incredible, it's very rare that she sounds even remotely like a deaf person so many people in the show assume that she can hear normally. In one episode she gets a job in a kitchen and installs mirrors to see what is behind her as she could easily turn and bump into someone without it.
The absolute highlight of the show so far and a crowning achievement, is how they handled the storyline of a deaf school getting funds to have hearing children attend there and learn sign language, how that impacted the deaf children, and how the school was threatened to close down. In the midst of this there was an episode done entirely from the point of view of a deaf person, no noise whatsoever. It was strange how eerily quiet it was without even mood music behind the episode.
In conclusion the show does a fantastic job of highlighting that deaf people have real struggles that need to be addressed, but at the same time it's not something that needs pity, they are strong content people and many would not change their hearing even if they could because the culture and friends that replaced their hearing loss was much greater. I only hope that everyone continues to have as much support as most of the children in this show and that parents of deaf children take the time to learn to communicate with them on their level.
The Impossible
(2012)
A tear-jerking tale but I would have preferred to see more.
25 February 2013
Warning: Spoilers
First off, I would like to say that Ewan Mcgregor, Naomi Watts and the child actors in particular, were fantastic in this movie. The original Spanish mother chose Naomi Watts to play her in her tale, so this explains how a darker Spanish family becomes blonde and blue-eyed in this retelling. What it does not explain is the focus on only this family and white people in the background. I feel like the media is constantly pandering to us by assuming that we can only feel emotion for people of our own race, or from our own country.
I live in Ireland, and when 9/11 happened, the newspapers here went with headlines about how 11 Irish people had died in the tragedy. It was a horrific event that killed thousands, and I felt for every one of them, regardless of nationality or race. I dislike Hollywood's "dumbing down" of cinema for it's viewers, remaking fantastic foreign films like The Girl with the dragon tattoo for American viewers.
They assume that Americans and perhaps all English speaking Caucasians cannot feel for other races, connect with their story, or be bothered reading subtitles. Perhaps this is true of a small minority, but by continuing to pander like this, it breeds even more people to close off their minds. I enjoy the story of the human struggle in any language portrayed by any race, I'm perfectly capable of crying when a non-Caucasian experiences pain, and I would be willing to guess that most people would be the same as myself. Hollywood gives it's viewers no credit and treats them like dummies.
As I stated before, the original mother of this story picked Naomi Watts herself to play her in this movie. They all do a fantastic job of portraying one families struggle to find one another and to survive. However I would have preferred maybe a dual story, one following these unfortunate holiday makers, and one following a native. I think this would have given a much well rounded story of the event as it happened, and impress a greater impact on the audience.
It was quite unsettling that few natives were even involved in the story at all. You see them as the white family drive past to the hospital, and as they are going towards the plane at the end. They are crying and huddling around lost pictures of their loved ones. I found it hard to fully commit to being relieved for the one family that escaped when they are walking past so many that are suffering, who's stories are not over.
I live in Ireland, and when 9/11 happened, the newspapers here went with headlines about how 11 Irish people had died in the tragedy. It was a horrific event that killed thousands, and I felt for every one of them, regardless of nationality or race. I dislike Hollywood's "dumbing down" of cinema for it's viewers, remaking fantastic foreign films like The Girl with the dragon tattoo for American viewers.
They assume that Americans and perhaps all English speaking Caucasians cannot feel for other races, connect with their story, or be bothered reading subtitles. Perhaps this is true of a small minority, but by continuing to pander like this, it breeds even more people to close off their minds. I enjoy the story of the human struggle in any language portrayed by any race, I'm perfectly capable of crying when a non-Caucasian experiences pain, and I would be willing to guess that most people would be the same as myself. Hollywood gives it's viewers no credit and treats them like dummies.
As I stated before, the original mother of this story picked Naomi Watts herself to play her in this movie. They all do a fantastic job of portraying one families struggle to find one another and to survive. However I would have preferred maybe a dual story, one following these unfortunate holiday makers, and one following a native. I think this would have given a much well rounded story of the event as it happened, and impress a greater impact on the audience.
It was quite unsettling that few natives were even involved in the story at all. You see them as the white family drive past to the hospital, and as they are going towards the plane at the end. They are crying and huddling around lost pictures of their loved ones. I found it hard to fully commit to being relieved for the one family that escaped when they are walking past so many that are suffering, who's stories are not over.
Revolution
(2012–2014)
Plothole ridden garbage
3 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I seriously have no idea how this managed to get a 6. I'll admit that I am still watching it, because it's only on the 3rd episode and I'm trying to give it a chance to redeem itself or to explain the plot holes, but so far nothing. There is a difference between fiction and science fiction. Fiction doesn't can be any old crap that doesn't really have to back itself up. Science fiction, like say Star Trek, is usually based on theoretical science, they have set rules and boundaries. If we were to be able to travel into space at warp 8, the thought process as to how that would be possible is very accurate. Here's a list of everything that bothers me so far:
-Everything died at once, including batteries, why? -They're on farmland, why don't they just make potato batteries? -If they can't make potato batteries and nothing holds a charge, why doesn't the human heart stop beating? -If bullets are so precious and rare, why shoot a guy they had in custody after a long speech about said rarity of bullets? -In the very next scene, why do they pepper the crap out of the rebel base with bullets if they are so damn rare?? -Why don't they use mountain bikes? -Why are their clothes so perfect after 15 years? They don't look hand sewn at all.
This show is OK at best, really reaching for it, if it's just a show. As a science fiction show? It's just beyond idiocy. It may as well just say that the electricity went off due to magic. A wizard did it. Because there is 0 science involved in any of this, and the glaring errors are just too distracting for anyone with half a brain to enjoy this show.
-Everything died at once, including batteries, why? -They're on farmland, why don't they just make potato batteries? -If they can't make potato batteries and nothing holds a charge, why doesn't the human heart stop beating? -If bullets are so precious and rare, why shoot a guy they had in custody after a long speech about said rarity of bullets? -In the very next scene, why do they pepper the crap out of the rebel base with bullets if they are so damn rare?? -Why don't they use mountain bikes? -Why are their clothes so perfect after 15 years? They don't look hand sewn at all.
This show is OK at best, really reaching for it, if it's just a show. As a science fiction show? It's just beyond idiocy. It may as well just say that the electricity went off due to magic. A wizard did it. Because there is 0 science involved in any of this, and the glaring errors are just too distracting for anyone with half a brain to enjoy this show.
Kumaré
(2011)
A lot better than the score here.
20 July 2012
Warning: Spoilers
It's getting low rated because of the ethics of the situation, people don't like how the group was misled even if it was for their own benefit as well. But I really urge you to watch this movie for yourself and make up your own mind, it's really worth it.
In the beginning, he sets out to expose many gurus as frauds, that pray on people seeking answers, for money, fame and even sex. He dons a beard and an AWESOME walking stick, and begins defining his teachings and seeking pupils.
When he actually gets followers, he is shocked how fast they tell him their life stories, considering he says very little at all. Some critics were appalled at this part and think it exploitative, but I would point out these people already signed a waver to be filmed, so they knew their outpourings of emotions were not just going to be heard by him but whoever saw the documentary. He didn't manipulate them into talking about themselves, they were fine with the whole world seeing it.
What's surprising in this movie is how many times he tells them as frank as you can get that he is a fraud, and they still don't believe him. It really makes you think about how other religions got started. In the bible, Jesus is frequently asked if he is the son of god, to which he always replied he was the son of man. Parallel here? It's easy to see how these things get started.
What he tells them as teachings are not morally wrong either. He tells them that they are normal, beautiful people. They don't deserve to dwell on their mistakes and be miserable, and they have the power to do it themselves. People turn to religion because it's much harder to turn to yourself and say, "I'm okay, I'm a good person, I'm a strong person", we seek validation by other people and deities to back up this thought. It's hard for most people to be selfish, even for their own good.
The documentary maker changed a lot himself during this process. He goes from wanting to expose gurus, to understanding why people seek them out. He genuinely cares about his followers and chickens out of revealing himself a few times.
Even after the reveal, some followers insisted he had physic powers, and that says it all. Some people were still not strong enough to believe that a teaching can come from a normal, everyday person, or themselves, and had to believe it came from someone with supernatural powers.
All in all, a very interesting look at religion, morality and faith. What he does and the way people react can easily be held up as a mirror to any of the major religions. It makes for some very interesting inner questions and topics of discussion for friends.
In the beginning, he sets out to expose many gurus as frauds, that pray on people seeking answers, for money, fame and even sex. He dons a beard and an AWESOME walking stick, and begins defining his teachings and seeking pupils.
When he actually gets followers, he is shocked how fast they tell him their life stories, considering he says very little at all. Some critics were appalled at this part and think it exploitative, but I would point out these people already signed a waver to be filmed, so they knew their outpourings of emotions were not just going to be heard by him but whoever saw the documentary. He didn't manipulate them into talking about themselves, they were fine with the whole world seeing it.
What's surprising in this movie is how many times he tells them as frank as you can get that he is a fraud, and they still don't believe him. It really makes you think about how other religions got started. In the bible, Jesus is frequently asked if he is the son of god, to which he always replied he was the son of man. Parallel here? It's easy to see how these things get started.
What he tells them as teachings are not morally wrong either. He tells them that they are normal, beautiful people. They don't deserve to dwell on their mistakes and be miserable, and they have the power to do it themselves. People turn to religion because it's much harder to turn to yourself and say, "I'm okay, I'm a good person, I'm a strong person", we seek validation by other people and deities to back up this thought. It's hard for most people to be selfish, even for their own good.
The documentary maker changed a lot himself during this process. He goes from wanting to expose gurus, to understanding why people seek them out. He genuinely cares about his followers and chickens out of revealing himself a few times.
Even after the reveal, some followers insisted he had physic powers, and that says it all. Some people were still not strong enough to believe that a teaching can come from a normal, everyday person, or themselves, and had to believe it came from someone with supernatural powers.
All in all, a very interesting look at religion, morality and faith. What he does and the way people react can easily be held up as a mirror to any of the major religions. It makes for some very interesting inner questions and topics of discussion for friends.
Wanderlust
(2012)
Not terrible
19 July 2012
I don't like Jennifer Aniston movies, and the whole hippy commune thing has been overdone a little in films, but that being said, I did really enjoy the movie. The main plot was a little predictable but you never really knew how the characters were going to act, so that provided a lot of humor. There were one or two scenes that did the "family guy" thing, ie, going on far too long and just being uncomfortable. The mirror scene I laughed at the first minute, cringed the next, and felt sick towards the end lol... Although because of this set up I found the credits out-take scene of this hilarious. I wouldn't have recommended seeing this in the cinema, but it's funny enough in places with a heartwarming end.
The Legend of Korra
(2012–2014)
Fantastic female role model
9 July 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I watched about half of the first avatar series, watched the first series of Korra and it's made me go back to re-watch all of the first series again.
There are some plot holes, but seeing as there is a second season coming, I won't be too hard on it because they might explain a lot of things then. (Like why exactly a scar that actually puckered the side of the mouth washed off, and why a blood-bender has avatar bender-removal powers) These things don't really detract from the enjoyment of the story at all, it would have just been nice to get the answers.
I have massive praise for Korra herself. She's pretty, and powerful, but she isn't a barbie doll character or unrealistic. She gets genuinely scared and has the same faults as a normal teenage girl, I think it would have been all too easy to make a "boobs mc-gee" character and I really appreciate that they made an extremely well rounded character.
The supporting cast is great, I love seeing all the old characters children or grown up versions. Tenzin is pretty funny when he breaks his cool unexpectedly. I know there is a season to go but I'm thankful they didn't take the route I thought they would with Asami. I thought for sure that watching her boyfriend fall for Korra would turn Asami into a bad character but they showed decent growth with her. She is a truly separate character from her father and seems to be forging her own path.
A great show that shows that peace between very different people isn't easy, and has to be handled carefully to prevent resentment both sides. Fantastic for kids and adults alike, though my childish side did have to giggle at the way they said bender sometimes...
There are some plot holes, but seeing as there is a second season coming, I won't be too hard on it because they might explain a lot of things then. (Like why exactly a scar that actually puckered the side of the mouth washed off, and why a blood-bender has avatar bender-removal powers) These things don't really detract from the enjoyment of the story at all, it would have just been nice to get the answers.
I have massive praise for Korra herself. She's pretty, and powerful, but she isn't a barbie doll character or unrealistic. She gets genuinely scared and has the same faults as a normal teenage girl, I think it would have been all too easy to make a "boobs mc-gee" character and I really appreciate that they made an extremely well rounded character.
The supporting cast is great, I love seeing all the old characters children or grown up versions. Tenzin is pretty funny when he breaks his cool unexpectedly. I know there is a season to go but I'm thankful they didn't take the route I thought they would with Asami. I thought for sure that watching her boyfriend fall for Korra would turn Asami into a bad character but they showed decent growth with her. She is a truly separate character from her father and seems to be forging her own path.
A great show that shows that peace between very different people isn't easy, and has to be handled carefully to prevent resentment both sides. Fantastic for kids and adults alike, though my childish side did have to giggle at the way they said bender sometimes...
Adventure Time
(2010–2018)
Awesome for child and parent.
9 July 2012
Warning: Spoilers
My husband and I love this show, and we don't have any kids to share it with yet. It's absolutely fantastic. It has endless comedic elements for both kids and adults, and some very interesting sub themes going on. The story is set in a post apocalyptic world, when the magic is returning to the land. They reference the "great mushroom war" in several episodes, an indication of a nuclear war. In a few episodes there are some shots of earth from space, where you can see that the entirety on north America is nothing but a hole in the ground. (My husband did point out that this is impossible as the hole would refill with water, but it's a cool representation of the war that happened.) Throughout many episodes there are bits of our world scattered about, ancient helicopter landing pads, sunken cars in the water etc. In one episode we see the vampire girl as a child in the ruins of a burning city. Seeing the hidden darker side to the show is fascinating for older viewers.
The two main characters work fantastically together. Finn is pretty much pure as gold, whereas his magical dog Jake will often offer a darker solution to a problem. (A horse's stare wouldn't let them sleep and Jake suggested "let's kill it" to Finns surprise) The main villain is the Ice King, a lonely old man who tries to kidnap princesses and marry them. In one episode he captures Finn and Jake and reads them a fan-fiction he wrote where they are all female. It makes for a pretty awesome episode.
The most interesting character is Susan Strong, a cat-hooded female that Finn finds living among a bunch of possible humans in a sewer. It's interesting to watch their interaction and how he reacts to possibly finding another of his kind.
Often the comedy comes from the unexpected turn that the show takes in every direction. A lot of episodes are surprisingly influenced by movies and games, and a treat to watch.
I would highly recommend this to anyone with a good sense of humor. If you regularly enjoy shows aimed at children but with the wit to enthrall adults, you will love this.
The two main characters work fantastically together. Finn is pretty much pure as gold, whereas his magical dog Jake will often offer a darker solution to a problem. (A horse's stare wouldn't let them sleep and Jake suggested "let's kill it" to Finns surprise) The main villain is the Ice King, a lonely old man who tries to kidnap princesses and marry them. In one episode he captures Finn and Jake and reads them a fan-fiction he wrote where they are all female. It makes for a pretty awesome episode.
The most interesting character is Susan Strong, a cat-hooded female that Finn finds living among a bunch of possible humans in a sewer. It's interesting to watch their interaction and how he reacts to possibly finding another of his kind.
Often the comedy comes from the unexpected turn that the show takes in every direction. A lot of episodes are surprisingly influenced by movies and games, and a treat to watch.
I would highly recommend this to anyone with a good sense of humor. If you regularly enjoy shows aimed at children but with the wit to enthrall adults, you will love this.
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