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jamesblevins
Reviews
3 Body Problem: Countdown (2024)
Excellent adaptation of the novel
In the Netflix series, the book's protagonist's actions are divided among several characters, which makes better use of the excellent actors in the ensemble cast. There is less exposition or interior monologues because the characters share information with one another. The plotting is now more focused and, I believe, more entertaining than the plodding 30-episode Chinese version (freely available with subtitles on YouTube, complete with Chinese advertisements for tomato soup and apparently a dating app).
The first episode of "The Three Body Problem" opens with "struggle session", humiliating an honest Chinese professor. This scene should be watched by those who think that there has been anything admirable about Maoism.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Impressionistic Hijinks (Spoilers)
"Thor: Love and Thunder" (2022) careens about thematically and tonally for most of the film. For example, Thor is inexplicably clownish and stupid, in reacting to the maiming and near killing of the Lady Sif and then to the kidnapping of Asgardian children.
Just when you are about to dismiss the film as the nihilistic and self-destructive, the characters, themes, and plot harmonize --- producing a satisfying ending.
Many fathers and daughters shall especially enjoy the film (like "Interstellar").
This film differs from previous MCU films in its brutal criticisms of theistic religions and their gods. Previously, Odin et alia proclaimed that they were not gods, in fact, likely to accommodate Biblical Christians.
Here, there is reference to a "Carpenter God" (e.g., Jesus). In the same scene, the assembled gods compete in a contest to have the most human souls sacrificed (with "Satan" being announced as the winner). Thor mentions child-sacrifice and --child-cannibalism as "shameful" past practices.
Perhaps "Thor: Love and Thunder" shall be recognized as the "Freddy Got Fingered" of the MCU?
We Can Be Heroes (2020)
A live-action superhero-film for children (age 8--12)
Superhero films have dominated the box-office and are popular on streaming-services, but they are too violent for young children. Children that have watched cartoons and who have watched their parents talking about superhero movies shall enjoy this film, which parents can tolerate.
Listen for David Bowie's "Heroes".
As for the artistic merits of the movie, I can say that it was better than spy kids.