Change Your Image
CollinsAlexis
Reviews
The Last of Us (2023)
Interesting view of Fungi into the Narrative
"The Last of Us" zombie series review. I'm not a fungal expert but I took Biology classes
But let's get real. Cordyceps can not infect humans.
But all organisms must eat. There are animals that are predatory. There are plants that are predatory. There are fungi that are predatory. We are all part of a giant food web where we are sustained by each other. This is fiction weaved into a theme speckled with mycology and exploiting Mycophobia: the fear of fungi. It is natural for humans to fear that which is powerful but mysterious and misunderstood.
1. The zombies are fungal infections, cool.
2. People can only be infected with a bite, I think the spores should be able to infect you through inhalation, fungal sinus, and lung infections are a real thing.
3. I don't think bullets in the brain would work for a fungal infection. If the fungus produces some sort of neural net in the cabeza I would think the redundant networks would make bullets ineffective, decapitation might work. But the show lets them kill zombies with bullets.
3. The ground and underground fungal network give a clue on how to eliminate it. According to the show, the fungal network notifies other zombies immediately about where you are if you squish them. This makes sense and is a tool. In the real world, underground fungal networks can span entire forests. Spraying herbicides and chemicals along roadsides devastates underground fungal networks that support forests as the chemicals are spread through that fungal network. Thus, an antifungal applied to a small area theoretically could take out large zombie infestations.
4. Today's mycologists should know that in the show, but haven't figured that out 20 years into the zombie world.
Ambulance (2022)
Great movie
Like I don't seriously get why all the bad reviews, like come on it was just a movie, you all don't Know what it takes to come up with something like this.
This one a lot older than the phone only movie that was released last year. Therefor I couldn't remember much of the original, but it didn't actually matter .
This turns it up to 11 to say the least the action part. There is even a Heat like shootout - not as good as the one Michael Mann did, but close enough. There are many action and stunt scenes then ... but also a lot more comedy it feels like ... at least the "bad" brother seems way more relatable than I remember him being in the original. Doesn't mean he is without flaws ... and craziness ... but Jake plays him with such charisma that you can't help but root for him too.
It's all fun and games then ... well until the last third of the movie. And it reminded me a bit of the switch Bad Boys 2 took ... it was such a fun movie ... and then it went ... I think ballistic is the right term to use. Anyway it got way too serious .. and same is true here. It is really a shame ... morals and cliches and all ... not sure how one was supposed to end this .. but the added elements and characters would have given some opportunities for different approaches and turns ... anyway, it is what it is ... and while I was almost going to give it an 8 (if it remained "fun" - as in the term Popcorn movie was invented just for this), but was also thinking going as low as 6 ... guess a 7 is ok, even if purists may dislike I gave it the same rating that I did the original. Be aware of what you are watching and suspend your disbelief ... or if you are not a fan of Bay do not watch.
King of Thieves (2022)
Worth the watch
King of Thieves is said to be inspired by Yoruba mythology, but the epic is more or less a retelling as opposed to an accurate portrayal of folklore. The screenplay, written by Yinka Laoye from a story by Femi Adebayo, wields its creative licence with wisdom, weaving a story that is identifiable and believable, while avoiding unnecessary grandness and complexities. The result is a direct and coherent tale that impresses without trying too hard.
Where the screenplay suffers is in its inability to use its characters collectively to further the purpose of the story. Characters in King of Thieves are often easily disposable or created for the purpose of executing some errand, after which they all but disappear. Oba Adegbite appears onscreen from time to time usually for the sole purpose of expressing worry or pain, but he rarely gets involved in handling crucial matters of state, like dealing with the band of robbers that have plunged his kingdom into chaos. Oguntade's father shows up as a messenger to send his son on a mission but is nowhere to be seen for the rest of the movie, not even when the mission leads to dire consequences. Even a prince appears midway into the film just so that he can be used as a plot device.
But while the characters may be underutilised, the actors are not. Femi Adebayo leads a mostly strong and starry cast with an energetic portrayal of Agesinkole, the man and the myth. His character does not say much, neither do his missing eyeballs, but Adebayo carries the character with staunchness. When he does speak, sound effects are often added to imbue his voice with some power. But those effects are barely needed; without them, Adebayo's voice still commands. Most of the time, however, he speaks through his right-hand man, played by Ibrahim Yekini who portrays his character's wickedness with finesse and subtlety.
The king might not play as much of a role as he deserves, but Odunlade Adekola delivers on the available worry and pain with sufficient nuance. Toyin Abraham, playing Mobonuola, the wife of the Oba, never goes out of character even when the supporting actors around her forget that cameras are trained on them as well, and not just on Agesinkole. And whenever Adedimeji Lateef appears onscreen as Abegunde, the famed Lafongido masquerade (just saying the name "Lafongido" makes me want to break out into his praise song), it is as difficult to not take him seriously as it is to not laugh.
King of Thieves is the movie Amina tried but failed to be. It's not that Adebayo's movie is perfect. It's not. The visual effects, especially, leave a lot to be desired. But if this is the minimum standard for the coming big-budget epic movies from Anthill Studios and Euphoria 360, and even from other filmmakers in the country, it is probably safe to say that we are in for a breezy ride.
892 (2022)
I want to be heard by everyone "BBC, CNN, EVERYONE"
Breaking is a great movie made with a general interesting performance from the actors. There are a lot of plot holes in the movie but who cares it's just a movie. The problem seems to be one mostly of structure and pacing. It was just about an ex Veterans
Who wanted to be heard because the VA refused to pay him his money. The tension builds in key moments, but doesn't sustain itself throughout the film. The elements are there, but the filmmakers don't quite have a handle on how to incorporate them into the film. The limited use of locations is very effective. Unless you're really interested in the subject matter or are fans of John Boyega or other members of the cast, it's perhaps best to wait until it reaches the small screen.