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smj-92022
Reviews
Star Trek: Picard (2020)
Season 3 is REALLY good - don't bother with 1 and 2
Honestly - just skip seasons 1 and 2 and go straight to 3 which is what I would call "real" trek - in fact probably the first real Trek we've seen since Enterprise.
I have no clue how they possibly screwed up, season 1 and 2 so badly but came back so strong with season 3.
Season 3 has everything you want - genuine characters, strong actors, a few genuinely funny moments thrown in here and there, decent morals but with none of the totally over the top, surface deep corny Disney style politically correct waffle that Discovery has.
The pacing seems a lot better than all other modern Star Trek as well.
TLDR - watch season 3!
Thin Watermelon (2010)
Nathan Fielder's short film "The Watermelon" is a masterclass in minimalistic visual storytelling.
Nathan Fielder's short film "The Watermelon" is a masterclass in minimalistic visual storytelling.
Through the use of a single prop, a watermelon slice, Fielder manages to convey a profound sense of ambiguity and introspection.
The camera work is deliberate and measured, slowly revealing the slice to be paper thin, as if to suggest a fragility and transience to the human experience.
This evocative imagery invites the viewer to contemplate the fleeting nature of life and the ephemeral quality of existence.
The simplicity of the film's concept belies the complexity of its emotional impact, making "The Watermelon" a triumph of artistic expression.
Moonhaven (2022)
Solid sci-fi, original ideas, well written - why are others hating on this show?
I'm not sure why there's some really negative reviews of this show, it has original ideas, a decent script, solid actors, and it's well produced.
Although not super high budget the special effects are absolutely good enough to not be distracting - importantly they're a bit different from the norm as well.
It has a similar production vibe to Brave New World crossed with the expanse.
The only thing (and I mean only!) that annoyed me about the first episode was Amara Kara's fake American accent, I'm not American but it just sounded weird, they should have kept her as British.
Really interesting show, will be good to see where it goes.
The Book of Boba Fett: Chapter 7: In the Name of Honor (2022)
Good action, weak script, terrible teen cyberpunk characters
Good action in this episode, flows nicely and is good fun.
I don't see any value in the corny teen cyberpunk style "gang", pretty cheesy and feels like a gimmick from Disney to give them fall back as older actors retire.
Star Trek: Discovery: Stormy Weather (2021)
Feels like it was written by children for children
It's so poorly written that the episode is almost unwatchable, nothing about the episode is even slightly interesting and the cheesy childish nature of the characters is just plain embarrassing.
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
Good to have a new Matrix, even if it is a bit less gritty
No spoilers, critical review -
There are bits of the new matrix that feel a little too light / not dark or gritty enough in places. There were a few very corny friendly robots but overall I had fun watching the film despite it not feeling as deep as the first one.
Visually it was filmed with excellent CGI that wasn't distracting or overly gimmicky. I liked that it kind of broke the fourth wall a bit at the start.
The side characters were mostly decent (other than just one or maybe two that could have been darker / grittier).
There's definitely a LOT of messaging from the sisters around gender, identity and transformation which is more on the the nose / accessible than in the first films.
There was a disappointing cover of a great track from the first film which harshed my vibe a bit it didn't have the same effect.
The first half of the film felt a bit deeper than the second half.
It felt in general it's probably on par with the second film in a different way. It was fun, it didn't move me like the first film did but I'm glad they made it.
Overall I think I'd call it 6.8/10.
The Handmaid's Tale: Pigs (2021)
A different show, feels unfinished and muddled
This episode seems so completely different from all previous, it's as if it hasn't been properly edited or produced. Scenes that run on too long or finish too soon, seemingly unfinished digital effects and actors that only seem mildly invested.
American Utopia (2020)
More important than I can describe
I am just one person, this is movement of jazz, empathy and caring about ideas that matter and how the mind works.
Truly brilliantly executed.
I'm lost for words.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Chimera (1999)
A personally important episode exploring societies
A well considered exploration of societies, the boundaries of personal existence, speciesism and the judgement of individuals.
Star Trek Beyond (2016)
Fun but not Star Trek
Good fun action from a sci-fi angle, but it's not true Star Trek.
It doesn't respect all that came before.
Aquaman (2018)
Corny, predictable, boring, cgi dependant rubbish
I expected a lot more from this film, but it was truly terrible, almost every line was a clichè that you just wouldn't expect in 2019, complete lack of depth or excitement - a complete waste of time.
Stunt Science (2018)
Why does the narrator yell or scream at you the whole tome
Seriously - what's up with that?
It's not just annoying - it's distracting from the content.