MeadtheMan Reviews

Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut (2024)

Interesting Ideas & Studies Presented in a... Poopy Way

[4/10 · 29 April 2024]

The understanding of our gut health, as mentioned in the documentary, is gaining traction. So it's great to see ideas and studies being presented as they started rolling in.

However, these experts have to be wary that, since their goal is to inform and convince people of the facts that they've learned, they have to be very, very mindful about the boundaries between what are: i) facts (proven many times over), ii) likely scenarios (as shown by many promising correlations and results, but there are still many questions yet to be answered, and iii) personal hypotheses waiting to be put to test.

For example, when they're talking about bacteria giving us signals - what we should consume or not. I think that belongs to category ii) or iii) - more studies needed? It's terribly confusing, so should we give in to the signals? Nay (like the guy who says he doesn't want to because bread will make him gain weight) or yay (Enders or the guy who eats differently in China, not sure if he thinks it's entirely good or bad though). And speaking of the latter, I happened to live in East Asia and North America, alternatively, for a few years, the exact opposite happened? When I was in one region, I craved for things I couldn't get but was prevalent in another? So, perhaps it's psychological as well? What's the story here, don't throw things around like junk science when you've spent so many years making serious efforts. Some of the experts just spill things out like they're ironclad facts without any caveats (esp. Gilbert). It's self-sabotaging, really.

Then, there's the nutrition angle. I guess most of the experts here are not in this field, and diets are highly contextual... but haven't we established that red meat isn't that good? So for the woman who'd like to try a variety of foods, that's great, but why encouraged her to try pork/potato chip? If the goal is to "live life a little," then that should be said in a different way.

And as other commenters pointed out, it helps, tremendously, to put things in simple terms for the public. But that doesn't mean dumbing ideas down. You can present the general ideas, then go slightly deeper - without relying on inane illustrations - sometimes, most of us can handle the challenge, trust me.

"Hack" is an aggressive term, and it's not just irrelevant here, it may suggest something else entirely (think about hacking bros). So why used it? To make it more click-baity? Also, what happened to these people? Not even a short-term follow-up if they're doing/feeling better/worse? While it's great to have people with a variety of concerns here, but their concerns seem very disparate from one another? Yes yes, I know our gut is connected to our whole body and mind is the message being put forth here, but without a cohesive approach, it seems like they're just a bunch of people who have problems with food, and microbiome shouldn't necessarily be the main entryway for some of them, at least initially.

Lastly, we get it, we shouldn't treat poop as a kind of taboo... but honey, give us some time to get used to that idea? Why show such a long montage of the couple preparing poop? Goodness, we'll get the idea with just a short clip, it doesn't need to be SO literal.

Ripley (2024)

Fine Acting: Scott and the Italian Cast

[8/10 · 9 April 2024]

Every single scene and thing serves a purpose here. You may argue that sometimes it feels too deliberate, but compared to many other films which simply put things together, thoughtlessly, this deliberateness is a plus.

For some reason, the English-speaking characters, apart from Ripley - the real Greenleaf, Marge and Freddie - are less savory compared to the Italian ones? I'm not sure why (passivity - sensing Ripley is crooked but not doing anything? Hypocrisy? Nepo babies?), maybe it's intended that way, maybe it's the aura of self-importance.

And the Italian cast, like Inspector Ravini (Maurizio Lombardi) left as big an imprint, if not more, as characters like the real Greenleaf, so in my opinion they should be given equal credit and accolades... even though, historically speaking, I know only the anglophones will be properly mentioned and remembered.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008)

Great Overall. Very Disappointing Ending.

[7/10 · 21 March 2024]

Overall, this is a great animation. There are great messages of courage, trusting oneself, and the value of friendship (the relationships, while important to be portrayed to the audience, mainly teenagers, can be less all-permeating), all conveyed in a highly entertaining and humorous way. There's a showcase of a great variety of influences from other cultures and even other animations, mostly done in a non-problematic way (even though some 'borrowings' can perhaps be shown in a less careless way).

All the aforementioned positives are overshadowed by the ending, which lasts less than 5 minutes, that's how atrocious I think it is.

First, the chemistry between those two characters involved in the ending... it's been portrayed in a different light throughout all the episodes. Then, it kind of dims the message that relationship, albeit important (especially to teenagers who are exploring it for the first time), is not everything. There's friendship. There's learning. There's so much more. And Aang hails from this culture, which preaches a certain kind of universal love.

Second, the sensitivity the animation has shown throughout towards all other cultures all gets thrown out in the final scene. A monk, depicted and dressed in a way reminiscent of a certain Asian culture, is shown in an action that will not happen in that culture. It's absolutely jarring.

So why did it? Because American animations/movies can never veer away from a cheesy feel-good ending? Because no matter what mainstream songs are about, ultimately it's about the three words?

Puzzling.

Lastly, what makes someone (especially a woman) attractive as well as someone's orientation... can be more diverse (I know this show was created more than 15 years ago).

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

A director who insists upon himself

[5/10 · 17 March 2024]

This is a great production. Note that I say production, not film or a piece of art, because essentially it's just a production. A very polished product created by a well-oiled machine - Hollywood. But it feels hollow somehow, despite the serious subject matter, great acting, and well-crafted elements. Why? There could be several reasons, but ultimately the reason is just that Nolan is a producer, not an artist.

First, the production, it's full of clichés, from the swelling but predictable music, the jam-in-as-much-as-we-can pacing (especially the first third of the movie), the stylized colored/black-and-white scenes (to denote different eras, of course), over-the-top close-ups, etc. And then there are illogical scenes, which discount all the scientific research homework that it's done. For example, Oppenheimer walks into a conference then starts to fire questions right away; then the scene where Einstein looks at a complicated set of calculations, then understands/agrees with it immediately. Even Einstein needs time, buddy...

As for Nolan himself, he seems like an ultra serious kid that we all have met back in high school. That kid is obsessed about an art form, reads up on it, practices it, dresses as that kind of artist to a T. He will look down upon anyone who tries to veer away from the conventions. What he believes to be the classics. Later on, due to his diligence and the seriousness that he gives off, he will start winning prizes and gaining power. He wants to be taken seriously, just because he claims to be a serious guy. But at the end of the day, he is still not a true artist, just someone who insists upon himself.

Dinner Time Live with David Chang (2024– )

A Not Very Alive Live Show

[5/10 · 29 January 2024]

Man, it's such an awkward show.

First off, maybe it needs some music or live band (there's a reason why talk shows employ them). I do understand that calls for huge fees. Even the cooking is missing some sizzling, smokes... sounds and pizzazz to make live shows interesting.

Or maybe it can use some funny animation effects to liven things up. Or stage this in a private area in a real restaurant so that we can still see the buzz in the background. I understand that Netflix might want to minimize any unexpected incidents.

Never been so thankful for a relatively funny extra guest - Chris Ying - to show up midway to provide comedic relief with close-ups of mistakes and commentary.

And David Chang seems a bit nervous. It's the first attempt in pioneering something, I get it. But since the premise is already being casual and entertaining and not being worried about screwing things up, why not just... be more relaxed. He doesn't even have to take the guests' questions seriously (even though I know he has a reputation as a famous chef to keep). On top of that, to spell out how difficult it is to do something that's meant to be entertaining? Maybe get a sous chef? Or at least a buffoon archetype?

It's just so, so dry as it is. Even a decent mukbang featuring no one well-known is more watchable. Thankfully Steven Yeun and Rashida Jones are easygoing guests. Will things get better? Hope so.

American Nightmare (2019)

More like American FRUSTRATIONS

[8/10 · 20 January 2024]

The victims are strong, smart, privileged (in some ways), lucky, and have gone through multiple SA until they're finally granted some sort of closure, can you imagine how MANY more victims out there who aren't as fortunate and fell victim the second.. third... fourth time to the corrupt ecosystem? And this is the 21st century where we have a lot of advancements in forensic science and we take SA more seriously than in the past.

This is one of the most frustrating things to watch. What's the corrupt ecosystem made of?

• corrupt law enforcement
• media too eager to just sell stories
• women not being taken seriously
• toxic and mediocre men (pigs) at the helms
• capitalistic and mindless goals and pressures that contribute to the worsening of all the above

Ugh.

Kudos to the producers for letting people speak, in full sentences, without being constantly interjected by inane effects, sound bites, external commentaries, irrelevant montage or visuals like in some other documentaries.

Leave the World Behind (2023)

A Little Too Safe

[6/10 · 9 December 2023]

It feels like the film started off by having the temerity to do things differently, but midway through, it got dampened by what I call the "expectations of many converge on mediocrity" - when you try to please everyone, you often have to settle for the safe path.

Take the cinematography, for example, it's a little disorientating when there are slightly unconventional close-ups and angles - they are often just slightly cut off at the sides or corners. You either go all the way, be bold, or stay with conventional angles, otherwise it feels like a mistake.

Then, there are many promising suspenseful moments that could even be stretched further with nothingness to make them even more suspenseful. But they're always cut short, as if fearing that it'll be too much for the "normal" audience if they're not continually entertained.

The soundtrack is decent, but it relies on too many familiar horror-movie tropes - extended techniques on the strings (e.g. Col legno battuto, sul ponticello etc), mysterious percussive thumps... it could be more effective if the orchestration is murkier sometimes or just pure silence.

The well known brands featured in the movie, they can conjure up many scenarios in our minds because they're so well known - their backstories and problems etc - so it feels a little like lazy filmmaking.

As for the script, it deftly touches on economic inequality, colonialism, imperialism, over-reliance on technology and entertainment... but what can I say, it could be better flushed out. It could go deeper.

Cyberbunker: The Criminal Underworld (2023)

Tech bros need a hug

[7/10 · 12 November 2023]

These bunker boys may be very intelligent in certain fields, like programming and building things, but oh boy, they're severely deficient in many fields of thinking, such as philosophy, social studies, humanities etc... or maybe just a hug. So, so many holes in their thoughts (whether or not they actually believe them is a separate issue).

Example: Sven's counterargument, comparing pictures of armed robbery with another crime, is so absurd that you fail to understand how someone so smart - he was capable of bringing at least part of the internet network to a halt - could exhibit such a lack in reasoning skills. Pictures of the former couldn't do more harm to the robbed while those of the latter could continually wreak a trail of devastating havoc, for one...

And freedom? Honey, sorry to disappoint you but pure freedom is a myth. You don't have to look far for that, just look at that bunker of yours, could you do anything that Xennt fundamentally disagrees with without facing any repercussions? No.

This kind of toxic libertarian thinking has unfortunately infiltrated most parts of the tech world, and unless we get to the root cause - giving kids a comprehensive education, attention, and placing more emphasis on things that on the surface do not show much monetary or practical value etc - we will have another Xennt, another Musk, another SBF. Nobody is born a tech bro, they're men conditioned to believe that they're saving the world even when they're not.

The Morning Show: It's Like the Flu (2021) Season 2, Episode 2

There's No World Beyond the USA

[5/10 · 27 October 2023]

It's a small part of this otherwise okay episode, but dear U. S. A., why every time it's about something beyond your borders, the ignorance and carelessness just shine through? You could spend so much budget shooting scenes in Italy, and you couldn't make the easier parts bearable? First of all, the stereotype of an Italian woman who would even retaliate by singing about Mussolini? Is there anything else from that country besides Mussolini and gelato? Then her use of the word "scofflaw," which is not only a highly unusual word to be used even in the States, but it's also an informal North American term? Why in the world would an Italian ever use that word? There's absolutely no reason.

The script, albeit generally well-written, also suffers from a lack of flow. It feels like it's been overly workshopped.

Also there's no flight as long as 23 hours (let alone direct flight to Wuhan). The current longest flight is NYC-Singapore at 18 hours 40 mins.

Do better, The Morning Show. You've got the production budget that anyone could ever dream of. Be better than people showcased in Youtube videos who could never name anything beyond the borders of the country. Put in some, any, efforts in trying to learn how others think and behave. Don't just use a country as a nice backdrop and their countrymen's accents as quirky pops of colors when it's convenient.

Past Lives (2023)

Exquisite but perhaps a little textbook

[7/10 · 11 September 2023]

This is an exquisitely poignant film. It can serve as a masterclass on expounding on a single concept - "in-yun" in this case (so much so that the critique perhaps could be that it sometimes feels too much like an exercise on a concept). It's also a masterclass on "nothingness" tension - the absence of any obvious action only heightens the tension in a room. Inaction in action.

Acting is excellent across the board, especially Teo Yoo (Hae Sung) - every facial line of his tells a story.

The narrative doesn't veer far from realism, but perhaps so much on the nose it feels like a textbook example. From expected New York landmarks to couples kissing in the background (more Paris than NYC?) to the "ni hao ma" banter to the mirror shots, it's too expectedly realistic or cliché setting of a scene. I'd argue that in reality, there are often small, very unexpected exchanges and turns, even among the most "normal" folks. And while the script is beautifully written, I have a feeling that it feels more natural read than spoken - the flow could be smoother.

Interstellar (2014)

Hackneyed Storytelling. Improbable Scenes Despite Kip Thorne

[4/10 · 8 September 2023]

I've always been fascinated films about the space and quantum physics, so I was shocked to be very underwhelmed by this when I saw it, even though it got high praises from some reviewers. Years later, after gaining much better understanding on those two subjects, I still find this painfully underwhelming. It's not horrible, it's just... despite the intensity all the elements of the film try to conjure up, it feels like hitting on a beautiful grand piano but the resulting sound is a dull thud on a wooden block.

First of all, the plot. I know most, if not all, mainstream films touching on big concepts such as the black holes, will be immensely cringey. But when I learned that Kip Thorne was a consultant and producer, I knew it wouldn't be all ridiculous. Sadly, that's only partially true. The visuals of the black hole is simply amazing, mind you this came out before the first real imaging was published. And the space travel is at least probable due to wormhole - low probability of one existing but at least it's not completely improbable. Then come many fairly ridiculous scenes - traveling through the wormhole, seriously, why does it look like just a very intense ride at Disneyland? And the journey through the black hole? What? Is is... is that what happens after spaghettification and being bombarded by x-rays and gamma rays? Looking impeccable like Matthew McConaughey back from a swim in Hawaii? Then of course (!) the answer is love. What started so promising just becomes The Fifth Element and Terminator. At least the focus of the Fifth Element isn't on sound physics concepts but camp and fun and style and action. And within a few decades, we went from not fully grasping gravity to.... building five-dimensional hipster library?

So many other elements of the film are also immensely predictable. The betrayal? Completely saw it coming, and it's not even presented in a surprising way. Soundtrack? Swelling and fine, but absolutely nothing groundbreaking. The budding relationship between the astronauts, even the most cliche rom-com might try to avoid being so obvious. The worst of all is the ending. Sugarcoating, stereotypically happy kumbaya Hollywood ending. So cringey I was literally wincing.

And the script, who wrote these lines? They sound like people constantly reading overused quotes from a listicle.

The film unfolds in an intense, Nolan fashion. It's not a good kind of intensity. It's not born out of creativity, great subject matter presented in a lucid way, or mesmerizing audio/visual tricks. It's like a guy who walks in a room and demands to be taken seriously simply because he proclaims "I'm a serious guy."

The Lady of Silence: The Mataviejitas Murders (2023)

Farcical, Disrespectful Handling of Materials

[3/10 · 28 July 2023]

It's definitely a string of serious and captivating cases.

But there are elements in this documentary that just take away from its seriousness. First of all, some of the officers, seriously, "no serial killer in this country before this (since 1940's)?" Give me an effing break, most countries do, let alone Mexico, the problem is just the failures of many police officers in connecting the dots. It's not the fault of the producers that such inane comments were made, but no pushbacks?

Then the soundtrack, what's up with that? Strange application of a theme. I get it, it could instil a sense of irony and suspense, but there's a balance to strike here. The soundtrack at hand is just stupidly, comically farcical, as if being intentionally disrespectful to the victims. It's real life, not Dick Tracy. It can be funny when mocking politicians and police officers, not when victims are being shown. Also, it's perfectly ok to not have extraneous music for a few moments, the incessantly running music shows a lack of discipline and vision.

Then the pictures of victims being strangled being shown like some kind of visual technique. And a myriad of other visual techniques, they're not just distracting, but take away from the gravitas of the situation.

"Oh she has a robe... must be a healthcare personnel" (is dressing up impossible in the country?). Also this happened between 1999 and 2004, there's no more concrete method to verify DNA or whatnots before each suspect is being showcased in a glass cage like some kind of zoo animal? And the cute lock solution? As if that's going to stop a determined killer? "A man crossdresses as a woman," only for one of the officers to go "oh a homosexual" *face melts away emoji*. "Serial killers don't act near where they live or near their workplaces," says one officer (the same officer who claims it's the first time this is happening in the country, yet he has no qualms dispensing generalizations like a master). Seriously? Says who, which study? Because I can easily name some cases that contradict his assertion. What should a professional conduct be like, you ask? I know, getting the serial killer's signature as a sign of fan-girling.

So. Much. Stupidity.

Missing: The Lucie Blackman Case (2023)

Tragic Case. Less-than-Ideal Initial Behavior.

[6/10 · 26 July 2023]

This is obviously a tragic case, the anguish and desperation are perfectly understandable.

However, the attitude? Why do British nationals so often behave like this in an international setting? From British journalists throwing stereotypical comments about another culture, to Tim Blackman's initial disrespect and antagonistic attitude to random Japanese people/cops who are just trying to go about their lives. Again, it's a serious case, and it's understandable that certain standard behavior is out-of-the-window here, but trying to stick your posters anywhere then giving an officer a hard time for nicely telling him not to?

Imagine a foreigner who made a scene in London after their hostess daughter went missing. They then tried to stick posters everywhere downtown, then their entourage of journalists/friends throw stereotypical comments like "oh you know the Brits, they may seem reserved, but there's a dark side under the belly," sneering at the police instead of trying to engage with them first... they might be tackled to the ground forthwith, let alone being given big platforms to present their case to the media and being allowed to do whatever they want (including setting up a hotline, which the Tokyo Met claims might interfere with investigation), all the while with many locals offering assistance.

Look, not suggesting that the Tokyo Met is beyond reproach here, all police forces are flawed, including the Scotland Yard, and their actions deserve scrutiny. Just saying that a sense of self-entitlement isn't going to help anything.

Five Star Chef (2023– )

The Cheugy Dubai-Influencer Chef Show

[2/10 · 15 July 2023]

It first had me at "there must be a hidden gem somewhere"... only to completely lose me immediately after that.

"epitome of luxury five-star hotel", "start their empire and be worth millions", "the most expensive thing I'll ever make", "they need to make money".

Five star five star five star blah blah blah (I know it's in the title), concept concept concept, money money money blah blah blah. It's the most infuriatingly cheugy thing I've seen for a while. It's like the Dubai-influencer kind of a show. Yes, I know restaurants are businesses, and fine-dining is expensive but guys... come on, have a wee bit of class? You can be bougie all you want, but not cringey and cheugy at this level? And I know it's a competition reality show, but you can't go shark tank all the way? After all, cooking still needs some artistry, authenticity, soul and personality, not just bling.

It's extra troubling to learn about the report of Roux paying kitchen staff below minimum wage. Just imagine that in your head, in 2023, when economic inequality is horrendous, some employees are scraping by just to have something to eat, while someone is gorging on caviar for the "five-star" lifestyle at the expense of the said employees.

The only saving grace is the cheftestants who seem like genuine people striving to meet the "five star" - whatever that means - brief.

The King Who Never Was (2023)

Chilling Nonchalance

[7/10 · 5 July 2023]

Even if you put aside his confessions, circumstantial evidence, improbable alternative theory... there's a chilling nonchalance about his demeanour - smirking or making inappropriately trivial comments at the wrong time - which is either a consequence of his unbridled privileges or psychopathy, or both.

This whole series of events can serve as a good case study for history (monarchy, Europe), psychology, judiciary system, criminology (including corruptions), geography, anthropology and linguistic.

Hope the Hammer family will continue to find peace after such a tragedy.

This documentary succeeds in being compact and concise. With all the events unfolding, other docus might have dragged on for many more episodes.

House of Gucci (2021)

Hard to get Past the Clichés & Affectations

[4/10 · 24 March 2023]

Anglo filmmakers: why do you think it's a good idea to subject your actors to an accent of another culture? It doesn't make sense at all. It sounds like mocking their culture even if they're doing a phenomenal job at their accents. And what's the artistic reason behind this? Gucci is a well-known name, the settings are unmistakably Italian, the names of everything are in Italian, you don't need a fake accent to remind people, *gasps*, this is a story that happened in Italy. Plus, everyone speaks English in the film, so why bother with the accent and inane interjections in Italian? On top of that, even if the actors are doing an excellent job, sometimes it's hard to tell if it's great acting or just affectations.

And not just Italian stereotypes, but also Japanese...

Other aspects of the film - scene setting, script, cinematography, dramaturgy, soundtrack - are so predictable it's like reading an instruction manual.

You People (2023)

Great Premise. Overly Simplistic Hollywood Treatments.

[3/10 · 31 January 2023]

The premise of the movie is very promising - to reflect on serious tension through comedy.

However, let's start with the ending, because that's the biggest disappointment. There's this American capitalistic, black-and-white idea that there's a silver bullet to all issues, that a superhero will ultimately save the day. With money, everything will be solved, neatly. Everything must be kumbaya otherwise it's not worth it - feigned positivity at all costs. Unfortunately, that's not the real world - which is hard, with many gray areas, and can never be defined in a clean-cut manner. The movie is fraught with cliches, yes, but they can be useful in conjuring up tension that can lead to meaningful confrontations and thoughtful discussions. Instead, all parties just want to avoid everything like an embarrassed teenager. And I think the movie would be even better if they don't end up together at the end, at least not instantly. Better if they're reunited as great friends - hurt but wiser - start being honest with each other (gosh Ezra is sweet but so dishonest), then only see how things will develop. They just came out of a difficult situation, momentarily reunited then.... immediately walked into a wedding??

And what's the materialistic aspect of this movie? Product placements or you need stuff to connect with people? A misleading assurance for, at the time the movie's released, still occasionally problematic self-driving technology?

Bling Empire: New York (2023)

Why Are You Here if Not for Petty Rich People Drama?

[23 January 2023]

Richard: "she's mixed of this and that... I want her to see the world the way I see it."

Nobody will blame you if you thought he's talking about a dog breed and not his girlfriend. His narcissism and masculine aggression can easily be wrapped up in his opening lines.

Dorothy may have a typical mean, demanding rich girl's attitude, but she does have valid points sometimes. But if she doesn't want to be confined to her wealth, and don't trust most people, maybe just maybe, hang out with people who are less $$$-minded? But she's too deeply ingrained in that bling I think.

Jett: "are you gay"? Snowflake... masculine. Gosh, how many more conservative boomer stereotypes can be jammed into one person?

Tina: perhaps the most relatable person for people who don't belong to bling. She's the type that, while halfway through ridiculous rich people debauchery realizes that something bad has gone down and flags it

Blake: sigh, find better friends

Lynn: yea, your kid's grown up, spread your wings like you've always wanted. Don't let your jealous spouse clip your wings.

Nam: no comments

Hungs: wax museum characters... came to life? But like not actually alive...

Eating Our Way to Extinction (2021)

Important Messages. Kitschy Execution. Greenwashing.

[5/10 · 9 January 2023]

The messages here being conveyed here are important - we need more reminders to drill it into people's consciousness that what we eat is one of the major causes of climate change and the loss of biodiversity. Industrial meat production, in particular, is horrible for the environment, our health, animals' well-being, and the distribution of wealth.

The ways the messages are being conveyed, however, are unimaginative, kitschy, and worse, might defeat its original purpose. It's a pastiche of alarmist images, sound effects, that cheapen the contents, making it look like a piece of cheap misinformation propaganda. The organization is also all over the place, one minute it's about tree planting, then marine life, then abuse of antibiotics etc. I had known much of the info presented here before watching it, so I could kind of see the connections, but people being exposed to them for the first time might just see a jamboree of visuals and sounds. There needs to be a focus here. And the statistics are dire enough that you don't need that many distracting bells and whistles to sound the alarm. For example, >60% animals have been wiped out since the 1970s, let that sink in, put it in another perspective, >60% loss in 50 years, what are some of the immediate consequences.

Then let the experts present the hard facts themselves, again, they'll be so staggering you don't need to embellish them much.

Speaking of experts... why is Richard Branson one of the main features here? Just why? Is this some kind of greenwashing? He's not only known for an extremely lavish lifestyle - hence antithetical to the spirit of this documentary - a significant portion of his wealth was built on an airline and space tourism, some of the most planet-damaging endeavors ffs.

FIFA Uncovered (2022)

Psychopathic Blabbering Blatter

[8/10 · 15 November 2022]

You know you're dealing with a psychopath Blatter when he could smirk at every horrible event/deed - even if he's not personally involved in it, the nonchalance is chilling. And if he isn't, and he wasn't aware of any wrongdoings, the fact that things were happening right under his nose and he's ignorant of them all makes you question what kind of a leader he was.

And "I like the question" + smirk when asked about abuses and deaths of foreign workers in Qatar. Goodness. ICYMI, this is the same guy who's reported to have ambitions to win the Nobel Peace Prize via FIFA.

Perhaps what needs more probing is our unquestioning psyche. There are many corrupted and immoral institutions in the world, FIFA is hardly the only one, yet most of us keep letting it recur, turn a blind eye as long as we could consume something nice. Worse, once we sense that we could benefit from a corruption, we will potentially turn to the dark side in the blink of an eye. But I think as long as money is regarded as the only thing of true value in most societies, I'm not optimistic anything will ever change.

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities: Graveyard Rats (2022) Season 1, Episode 2

Just a Regular Fear Scaled Up

[4/10 · 29 October 2022]

Quite frankly, it's a little boring. They're just commonplace fears - of cemeteries, rats, the Black Death etc - that are blown up. I think what could be scarier is those that we've hardly thought of - like some shown in the Black Mirrors - or those that preside in all of us, in one way or another - like some of Haneke's. What's punishable? Greed. Why is that man greedy? He's poor and desperate for money.

The writing could be more imaginative too. It is all a string of predictable and familiar scenes. And 'Malaysia'? That country didn't even exist until 1963... what's the period set in this episode again?

And don't get me started on the CGI...

A Trip to Infinity (2022)

Materials are thin but not inane

[7/10 · 27 September 2022]

This documentary avoids some of the mistakes that physics documentaries usually make. The visuals take a lot of artistic license but they're mostly not inane and actually help us visualize certain concepts, the experts give a lot of one-liners but they don't feel too much like trolling us or just bantering (for the most part), the subject is open-ended but there's a focus to ponder over just that.

However, I wish the questions and cues were a little less of a shtick so that the experts could expound on the subject a little more, in their own ways - there are actually many of us who like to be intellectually challenged (those who are seeking for entertainment wouldn't even give this a shot anyway).

For example, when the experts are given a glass globe in their hands and asked about holding infinity, it's cute but a little cringey. In fact, Levin already points out that's not how infinity works, if it's truly infinity, we won't be having a comfortable bird's-eye view of it, it's just a very human-centric approach. Moments like these attempt to lure profound statements over something that's already very profound on its own. Instead, what may work better is that, with each example that the experts give, they could go a little deeper, discussing things like how they may try to prove it mathematically/experimentally, what are the limits, paradoxes, different theories on it, etc.

Lords of Scam (2021)

Who Wants to be Screamed at for Nearly 2 Hours?

[4/10 · 18 August 2022]

I'm a documentary junkie... but I couldn't handle it any longer after 20min of this. Mardoche Mouly is so obnoxious I would literally pay some money to not hear him talk.

In terms of production, it's the same problem that plagues many docus - style over substance. Sleek neons and captivating montages, but no real attempts to explain how the VAT was defrauded, it's just mindless repetitions of how they siphoned it off. How? Why there's such a loophole? Why has it managed to be exploited in various forms over the years? What's the point of having experts appear on the show if their value is just entertainment?

Nocturnal Animals (2016)

Ford's Vanity Project

[3/10 · 7 August 2022]

This film is nothing but a 2 hour-long perfume ad. Style over very little substance, a lot of 2D posturing, but nothing goes beyond what meets the eye. It's just like Ford's fashion, pretty but not innovative, commercially provocative but very conservative, featuring pretty people (usually non-diverse in terms of background, size, etc). The intention of the opening scenes of obese people seems to be provocative, but really... you'll get a sense that's how Ford thinks - rich, pretty people making other people/things work like a piece of chess - obesity, violence, sexuality.. are all nothing but props for a perfume ad.

Ford's remarks on the 2022 met gala are very revealing, that the event had "turned into a costume party." An event that's become more daringly diverse, political, provocative... is no longer a fun cocktail party for him.

Stranger Things (2016–2025)

Great But Too Derivative

[7/10 · 3 July 2022]

To start off, due to the settings of the series, many imageries and sounds were already borrowed from existing 80's arts, cultures and clichés.

Then, the endless stream of influences could be a tad too obvious at times - the Terminator, Exorcist, Hellbound, Harry Potter, zombie movies, Twin Peaks, Alien, Koyaanisqatsi (music), Akira, ET, etc. With a better sleight of hand, these influences could be better hidden or transformed so that they're less distracting and everything could be more coherent with a singular theme. Otherwise, it could be perceived as a mélange of the "80s greatest hits", and not something sui generis.