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Reviews
Star Trek: Discovery: The Red Angel (2019)
What tha...
Having just viewed the episode and it fresh in my mind, I wanted to share a spoiler free sense of what I just saw.
If you were to be tasked with creating the most complicated, convoluted storyline imaginable, not only in the Star Trek universe, or science fiction universe, but the entire universe, you would be hard pressed to top this episode.
If you were to storyboard and flow chart the episode against perhaps the most complicated ToS episode, this one would be pages longer and levels deeper.
It is not simple, elegant storytelling as Star Trek is famous for. It is something else entirely, and entirely not good.
2050 (2018)
A great film or a terrible film depending on what you're looking for
When I saw that this had a 3.x rating I wasn't expecting much. I found it to be a deeply intellectual study of humanity, which is probably why people looking for hot robot sex feel disappointed. Some of the dialogue has shades of Woody Allenish insights about the struggles of relationships, desire, and fulfillment.
I think parts of it could have ended up on the cutting room for, and some of the explorations could have gone a bit deeper, but overall it was engaging. I wasn't sure where it was going to end, and it was a worthwhile journey getting there.
Also, it was largely free of talk of AI evolution and robot rights and instead probed if robots could want things and if they "feel" anything. It turned out to be some of the best moments when the humans are trying to project their lack of fulfillment onto the robots seeking a common struggle where none exists.
On the Beach (2000)
A powerful statement on the human condition
There have been enough comments on this wonderful film that I will make only a small point.
I saw on the beach this week and saw the original a few days later. Remake is a much better film, IMO.
Even though you know then end is near and people are showing symptoms that make it clear there isn't much time, the second to the last scene is one of the most powerful moments I have observed in film. Perhaps it is because I am the parent of a two year old daughter but that scene conveys a moment humanity has come to that should never be.
I didn't realize the film ran 3 hours because it was so enthralling and alternated so effectively between despair and hope. That is wondrous film making when it is done right.