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The Northman (2022)
Form over Substance
My guess is the high reviews are for the cinematography and costumes.
There are several jarring plot points that forced me to come up with alternative sequences for it to make sense. Some are minor but at least one such instance would take way too much re-plotting and became a distraction. I wish reviews here supported spoiler tags so I can list some examples and have them hidden but I would've wanted such warnings before watching it.
Afterwards, more of the seemed nonsensical. There are sequences inserted for no purpose other than to try to show off some choreography or CGI but it wasn't impressive. Other events that made me scratch my head are explained away by superstition or religion, which would be fine for more minor choices here and there but less so as major veins of the plot.
So it'll do if you take in the scenery as a tourist exploring Scandinavia. But it's not the epic that one might expect upon first glance.
History's Greatest Mysteries: The Death of Bruce Lee (2021)
Thoroughly Investigated
In addition to examining the details of Lee's death, this episode narrated a proper investigation by a veteran police detective. It was very interesting to follow the investigative process of gathering leads, ruling them out based on evidence and 3rd party expert opinions, and following the trail to the most credible theory given the amount of time that's passed.
It did get me to research further and my one nitpick is with the theory of excessive heat related to his collapse a couple months earlier. AC had been turned off that time in order to avoid noise in a dubbing session. The fatal collapse, on the other hand, occurred in a more social and most likely comfortable setting. These are just details that could've been mentioned to rule out heat stroke (a theory from a Lee biographer and not the detective) but it didn't detract from the thoughtful and deliberate job of the detective and the doctor.
Ad Astra (2019)
Should've read reviews instead of looking at just the rating
Space movies must get a pass from most voters; I watched this based on the 6+ rating, which usually is a good sign but this one was a sleep-inducing disappointment.
It's similar to 2001: Space Odyssey in that the plot seemed like an afterthought to, I was going to say scenery, but nothing much in particular. The setup to the search for the father was well enough done but the payoff was more like the gun in the cartoon that shoots out a sign instead of a bang. I'd have been better off watching an episode of BBC's The Universe.
Space movies are like games based on movies or movies based on games, bankable publicity that disappoints all too often.
Atlas Shrugged: Part I (2011)
how Rand would've done it
This will be somewhat of a rebuttal to major reviews. I read the major reviews for most movies I watch and I've never seen a bigger disconnect between critics and moviegoers.
Background: I consider myself apolitical. I care about individual issues but not 'isms. I did not finish reading the book but this movie has made me retrieve my paperback from my moving boxes.
To people who don't think trains are high tech, chew on this: More places are considering maglev trains, which levitate and make very little noise. I find that much sexier tech than the latest website to post random things, and I work in tech. California is in the process of building a high speed rail from SF to LA and that's just one of many similar projects under way or in planning around the world.
But that's not really important because:
- The book was written decades ago and for the purposes of storytelling, the train is more than sufficient. One powerful scene that reverberates in memory does so not by abusing special effects but by presenting the pure energy of a simple triumph.
- The metal and another technology you'll have to see for yourself is the actual breakthrough and not the train itself; I wonder if some of the critics actually saw the movie.
I think the movie did an excellent job of portraying Ayn Rand's style. Her characters are stiff, idealistic, unique. Selecting lesser known actors was absolutely the right choice. Seeing a famous actor from other roles would break the idealistic aura.
Bottom line: this movie is enjoyable on its own merit. Forget politics and philosophy.