Tag: Sci-Fi

Black Mirror: Season 3 (Netflix)

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NOTE: This review contains MILD spoilers.

FYI: The term “black mirror” is a reference to the effect of a TV or computer screen when switched off, giving a dark reflection of the onlooker. (You can read my previous review of Seasons 1 & 2 here.)  If you have a LOT on your current watch list, then check out the two eps below! 

Episode 1: Nosedive

blkmirror_s3e1_cell

This was my fave ep, besides E4 (see below); it was directed by Joe Wright (Atonement; Pride and Prejudice).  The scenarios depicted are NOT too far from what’s going on in our (current) society, which makes the story funny, relatable, and a BIT scary!  Every interaction (incl. brief chats, purchases, accidental run-ins, heartfelt convos, etc.) is rated by each individual living in this fictional world.  

BlkMirror_S3E1_rating.jpg

So in terms of quality, you could use a punch up right there. Ideally, that’s up votes from quality people.  -Hansen

Quality people? -Lacie asks

High fours. Impress those up-scale folks, you’ll gain velocity on your arc and there’s your boost. -Hansen explains

It stars VERY likeable American actress- Bryce Dallas Howard (Lacie), Brit James Norton- star of Grantchester (Ryan), another young Brit- Alice Eve (Naomie), and respected American theater veteran- Cherry Jones (Truck Driver).  Lacie, who has a positive/go-getter personality, is working hard to boost her rating, so that she can move into an exclusive housing community.  Her younger/slacker brother, Ryan, thinks that this is a stupid idea (BUT he has a mediocre rating).  Lacie constantly compares her rating and posts to others in her social circle, esp. Naomie (a conventionally pretty childhood friend).

Episode 4: San Junipero

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Black Mirror has been a great show from the start; for me, it’s main draw is the human stories it focuses on in the midst of some mind- blowing technological what-ifs. Although in other episodes, it has focused on the darker side of technology, this one focuses on how technology could connect people instead.  -Excerpt from IMDB review

I consider this episode to be a movie. It felt like one. The lighting, music, choreography and acting gave it a vivid tone which truly involves the viewer. It felt like more than an hour run but didn’t drag on one bit. -Excerpt from another IMDB review

This is THE ep for those of you who love romance, time travel (I’m a big fan of Quantum Leap), &/or the 80s- fashion, hair, & music (here is full list of songs).  There is a fun fashion montage that is influenced by Robert Parker’s song Addicted to Love (I learned that from a pop culture podcast, though it did look familiar when I saw it).  The lead characters are shy/socially awkward Yorkie (Canadian MacKenzie Davis) and vivacious/outgoing Kelly (British-Nigerian Gugu Mbatha-Raw, most recently in Free State of Jones).  BOTH actresses did great in their roles, BUT I’m a big fan of Mbatha-Raw (her character has more of the emotional heavy lifting to do in this story).  This is a character-driven story and it takes time to get to know what exactly is going on.  Nothing is spoon-fed to the viewer!   

 

The Most Epic Blanket Fort and the Nerdy Love Story That Made It So

Emma2 Comments

Love, InshAllah's avatarLove, InshAllah

Ali Nhu An Ali & Nhu-An’s engagement photo

This fall, Nhu-An and I are getting married.

We’ve been together since November 18, 2000, back when we were seniors in high school. Despite a lot of obstacles like living on opposite sides of the country for much of our relationship and the glacial pace at which I completed grad school, we’ve stayed together and continue to be in love. To celebrate our engagement, we made this epic blanket fort.

Here’s the nerdy story that made all of this possible.

A nerdy love story

Nhu-An and I were very different people when we met. She worked hard, wanted to make a big difference in the world, and kept thinking about the next big thing. I only cared about enjoying the present moment with my friends and family. That’s why our senior class voted me “most likely to be out of class” while Nhu-An was “most…

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Before Midnight, Man of Steel, & ST: Into Darkness

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Before Midnight

Jesse (Ethan Hawke) & Celine (Julie Delpy)
Jesse (Ethan Hawke) & Celine (Julie Delpy)

It’s almost impossible to talk about this film w/o giving things away, but I highly recommend it (as w/ the previous 2 films)!  Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) are now a middle-aged (WOW!) couple raising 2 adorable young daughters (twins) in Paris.  This film takes place in Greece, where they’ve been vacationing.  Jesse is feeling bad after his son from his marriage, Hank, leaves to go back to Chicago.  

It takes three: Richard Linklater, Delpy, & Hawke at 2013 Tribeca Film Festival
It takes three: Richard Linklater, Delpy, & Hawke at 2013 Tribeca Film Festival

There are other actors (playing their friends/acquaintances) here, too, who are pitch perfect in their roles.  “They got serious!”  The young lady sitting beside my friend commented.   This is a film about grown-up life and real situations, and it’s refreshing to see (for a change). 

Man of Steel

Jor-El (Russell Crowe) with his baby son Kal-El
Jor-El (Russell Crowe) with his baby son Kal-El

First of all, this film is much better than Superman Returns (a debacle of a film I saw while visiting some cousins).  I don’t remember much that happened.  Secondly, that’s not high praise.  This film is about 75% action/special effects and 25% acting/dialogue.  Russell Crowe (an actor I usually love watching) does as well as he can w/ what he’s given. 

SVU fans (like me) were pleased to see Chris Meloni
SVU fans (like me) were pleased to see Chris Meloni

I also felt bad for Kevin Costner and Diane Lane, who’ve been out of the spotlight for several years now.  They barely have anything to do in this film- what a waste of talent.  Hey, Hollywood, if you want viewers to care about characters (esp. iconic ones), you need to put in more development.  We’re not all 12 y.o. old boys! 

Jonathan (Kevin Costner) & Martha Kent (Diane Lane)
Jonathan (Kevin Costner) & Martha Kent (Diane Lane)

Star Trek: Into Darkness

Spock (Zachary Quinto)
Spock (Zachary Quinto)

There’s something about Zachary Quinto (and it’s not just his large, expressive eyes)!  I noticed him first in Margin Call (a movie about Wall St. that I didn’t fully understand) a few months back.  He created a very well-rounded character- a young analyst (w/ a science background) who was bright, ambitious, yet honest.  I haven’t seen the first ST reboot film, but hope to in the near future.      

Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch

I was VERY excited to see Benedict Cumberbatch (one of my fave Brit actors) on the big screen again.  (He was in Atonement, playing another sort of villain, but that wasn’t a meaty role.)  This film was pretty good (exceeded my expectations).  Cumberbatch has some great dialogue, and just makes you feel for him/his people.  (Our “enemies” are NOT one-dimensional, after all.)  As for the action stuff, I esp. liked the scene where they navigate the asteroid field.  Check this film out.   

A critical piece on the casting of Cumberbatch