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WaKanga
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Reviews
Downsizing (2017)
The first 30minutes were amazing. In hindsight I should have stopped there.
Downsizing initially drew me in with its groundbreaking concept of miniaturizing humans to combat overpopulation and environmental issues. The first 30 minutes were truly captivating, introducing us to this intriguing world, and Matt Damon's performance was engaging.
However, the film took an unfortunate turn in the second half. It seemed to lose its direction and veer off into an unconvincing social commentary and environmental message. The potential for exploring thought-provoking themes was there, but it was squandered with heavy-handed storytelling and a lackluster script.
The character development fell flat, and I found it difficult to connect with the protagonists as they embarked on their downsized journey. The narrative became muddled, and it felt like the filmmakers were unsure of what message they wanted to convey.
Visually, the film was impressive, with its intricate details of the downsized world, but even the stunning visuals couldn't salvage the disappointingly weak second half. The humor, which was promising at the start, became sparse and uninspiring, leaving a void where it could have added depth to the characters and the story.
In hindsight, I regret not heeding the warning signs in the second half and halting my viewing experience after the initial 30 minutes. Downsizing had the potential to be a thought-provoking and original film, but it ultimately failed to deliver on that promise.
Love, Guaranteed (2020)
Had to watch it with my wife
My wife likes these types of films. I do not.
But this was not painful.
The acting was ok. The lines were just cheesy enough not to be frustrating. The sentiment was bland but never tried to over accomplish. And the theme song is fun.
My wife loved it.
The Midnight Sky (2020)
A quick list of some scientific inaccuracies AND I think I have found out the purpose of the movie
The scientific inaccuracies that were the most cringeworthy (and ultimately ruined the film for me):
-Hypothermic shock does not exist in this world
-Radio-frequency communications from Earth to almost-Jupiter is near instantaneous as opposed to +-43light minutes
-The asteroid/icey debris hitting the ENTIRE Aether ship seems to travel at a baseball-esque pace as opposed to the usual 18'000 MILES PER HOUR and somehow does not rip them to shreds
-Also very "shocking" that a second asteroid attack pops by during the space walk. Speaking of space walks:
-A pregnancy in space would surely lead to an inevitable miscarriage due to the high latent radiation levels (and even if negligible, YOU SHOULD NOT DO A SPACEWALK WHEN PREGNANT)
-The communications tower was ridiculously easy to repair
-The shelter coincidentally sinks through a sheet of ice on the first rest there
-Let me go back two bullet points, I need to get this off my chest: Why on earth are educated astronauts having unprotected sex on a space mission! Pregnancy is such a high risk state in remote locations!
-How are wolves surviving the radiation but the birds writhing around outside Augustine's door aren't ?
A less science-based observation is that I think this movie is an attempt to close the loop on similar (some great works of art, some less so) Sci-Fi space films:
-Interstellar is about daddy issues (.....Murrrph!)
-Ad astra is about daddy issues
-Guardians of the galaxy 2: Daddy issues
-The Midnight Sky is about... daughter issues!
How refreshing.
Fynskrif (Fine Print) (2018)
Surpassing all of my expectations
I usually am a media snob i.e. limiting myself to Duplass brothers / Coen Brothers / Tarantino / Wes Anderson.
BUT NOW
I will be adding gentlemen Louis Pretorius & Albert Snyman to that list.
This series is such a journey with beautiful character-development and quirks around every corner.
Thank you for this.