Just watched Atlas on Netflix, and while Jennifer Lopez did her best with the material, the film fell short in several areas. The plot leans heavily on the outdated “AI as the enemy” trope, much like the old Cyberdyne Systems/Skynet narrative, without bringing anything new to the table.
One of my biggest issues was the cringeworthy interactions between J-Lo’s character, Atlas, and her AI companion, Smith. Instead of sophisticated mental exchanges that could illustrate a seamless human-AI integration, we got overly explanatory dialogue that detracted from the film’s potential.
Atlas’s character was also a bit off. For someone with a deep distrust of AI and a high level of intelligence, she was portrayed as overly emotional and sociable. A more reserved, introspective portrayal, similar to Antonia Scott from Juan Gómez-Jurado’s novels, would have made her character more believable and compelling.
The film missed a significant opportunity to explore deeper themes, like the ethical and existential implications of integrating AI into human biology. Instead, it settled for a straightforward plot without delving into the potential awe and fear that advanced AI brings to our current era.
Critics have pointed out that Atlas struggles under the weight of a script that feels artificially intelligent rather than genuinely clever. It fails to capture the complex and nuanced discussions about AI that are so relevant today. For a more thought-provoking take on AI, I recommend Sam Harris’s TED talk, “Can we build AI without losing control over it?” It offers insights that the film could have explored but didn’t.
In 2024, we need sci-fi films that trust their audience’s intelligence and show, rather than tell, the complexities of AI. Let’s hope future films rise to the challenge and bring the innovative storytelling this genre deserves.
Netflix has become a sort of refuge for animation styles that major studios no longer bring to theaters. They’ve given us gems like 'Apollo 10 1/2,' 'The Cat Burglar,' and 'Klaus.' But despite these hits, 'The Sea Beast' ends up being a letdown.
Visually, 'The Sea Beast' is stunning, with some of the year's most beautiful imagery. The monsters are charming, the ocean is gorgeously animated, and it captures a sense of wonder and adventure. It makes you want to join the characters on their journey. However, the story feels like a mix of 'Moby Dick' and 'How to Train Your Dragon,' making it predictable and slow at times.
The film excels in its action scenes, which are thrilling and reminiscent of 'Pirates of the Caribbean.' Director Chris Williams, known for 'Moana' and 'Big Hero 6,' skillfully balances action and visual appeal. But unlike what you might expect, this isn’t a comedy-driven adventure. It’s more serious, with characters dealing with trauma and loss.
Rather than rushing through a familiar story, the film takes its time to explore its world and characters. Most of the movie focuses on epic sea battles, government conspiracies, and a revenge plot. Although it borrows heavily from 'How to Train Your Dragon,' it manages to feel fresh by diving into the emotional journeys of its characters.
Interestingly, the film also touches on modern issues like fake news and propaganda, which is unusual for a children's movie. While it has plenty of cute monsters and fun moments, it sometimes feels torn between being a serious film about rebellion and growth and a lighthearted one designed to sell plush toys.
In the end, 'The Sea Beast' aims high but doesn’t fully deliver. It’s not a bad movie, and it looks incredible, but its derivative plot holds it back. Despite impressive battle scenes and well-developed characters, the overall story leaves much to be desired.
Just watched "No One Will Save You" and I've got to say, it's a mixed bag. The film attempts a minimalist, high-tension narrative with little dialogue—a bold choice that might have aimed for a deep, contemplative vibe, but ends up feeling underwhelming.
I would surely praise it for its visual and sound design, but it struggles to connect on an emotional level. The narrative starts in medias res and doesn't provide enough backstory or character development, which makes it hard to care about Brynn's plight. As the plot unfolds, the lack of context turns what could be a compelling story into a series of repetitive and tired cat-and-mouse chase sequences. This slow-burn thriller is supposed to keep you on edge, but instead, it's a frustrating watch that fails to maintain interest or momentum.
It's not just about leaving things to the audience's imagination; it's about making them care enough to want to piece things together. Unfortunately, "No One Will Save You" doesn't quite manage to build that investment, leaving many questions unanswered—not out of a deliberate narrative choice but seeming more from a lack of depth. While the film's approach to storytelling is undoubtedly ambitious, it feels more like a missed opportunity than a thought-provoking journey.
If you're into films that heavily rely on atmospherics and can forgive a sketchy plot, give it a shot. Otherwise, it might just leave you as bewildered and detached as it left me.
Just watched this "Road House" remake, and oh boy, where do I even start? The original with Patrick Swayze was an absolute gem, right? That mix of 80s grit, charm, and Swayze's undeniable cool made it iconic. But this 2024 version with Jake Gyllenhaal... I feel they missed what made the original so special.
Gyllenhaal tries his best, sure, but the whole thing feels like it's stuck in a weird limbo between wanting to pay homage and trying to be something new, and it just doesn't gel. The action scenes, which should be the highlight, feel like they've been zapped straight out of a video game with all that CGI. Remember the raw, in-your-face brawls from the original? This one's got none of that visceral punch.
And Conor McGregor as the villain... I mean, I like the guy, but acting might not be his calling. It's like watching a tiger trying to moonwalk - amusing but ultimately you wish it would stop. His character's like a cartoon villain but without the charm.And what’s with that walk? Cringey as F.
The whole thing just feels like a missed opportunity. They had the chance to build on the original's legacy but ended up with something that's more forgettable than memorable. There's a reason classics are classics, and some shoes are just too big to fill, I guess.
So, I caught "All of Us Strangers" over the weekend - Andrew Haigh's latest. And man, it's like everyone's been talking about this one. The whole vibe of the film, the way it looks and feels, it's just... there's something about it. And Andrew Scott, I mean, come on, the guy's a genius. From his days as Moriarty to now, he just nails it every time.
But, okay, here's the thing. The whole storyline with the protagonist's parents being gone from the get-go... it kind of just set this tone, you know? Like, you could see where it was headed, and it sort of took the wind out of the sails for me. Even when Paul Mescal's character took that dark turn, I wasn't shocked. It felt like the movie was laying it on thick with the whole trauma angle, without giving us that light at the end of the tunnel kind of vibe.
Now, don't get me wrong, the acting across the board was top-notch. Critics have been saying the same, pointing out how everyone in this film just brings their A-game, making these really intense emotions feel super real. And the whole thing about Adam trying to connect with his past, with his parents, I get that it's deep, it's moving. But for me, it was like, where's the hope, you know? After everything, you kind of want to see a glimmer of something good on the horizon.
So, yeah, it's a beautiful film, no doubt. The colors, the shots, the performances, especially Scott – it's all there. But by the end, I was left feeling a bit... I don't know, empty? Like we went through all these emotions, but for what?
Rating it? I'd say a solid 6 out of 10. It's worth watching for the performances alone, and there's definitely something haunting about it that sticks with you. But just be ready for that heavy vibe, without much to lift you up by the end.
2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024-12-31T23:59:59Z