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Can't Get You Out of My Head (2021)
This is what happens when Authority becomes a bad word
I am an avid fan of Adam Curtis and have watched most of his work. This one is another fine specimen, done in the usual style with the familiar editing, soundtrack use and commentary.
This series could be construed as a summary and update on his perhaps most popular three productions (Century of the Self, The Power of Nightmares and The Trap) - it puts together a number of concurrent narratives:
- The shift from collective to individual;
- The changing nature of political power and governments;
- The shift of power from governments to commercial parties;
- The increasing distrust of ideologies and those who promote them.
Ultimately, however, the way I see it, this is really another Curtis documentary that deals with just two things: Unintended Consequences and the disappearance of Authority. These are the main themes which come back time and again in every narrative presented. Though he may not have every detail correct, and no doubt has made a mistake of two ascribing or inferring the importance/relevance of some aspect or another - the main point I think he is trying to get across is that history is shaped more by "chance" events than by designs, and that nobody can claim to truly be the author of the events as they unfold, certainly not in the grand scheme of things.
The Happening (2008)
Ludicrously bad
OK this movie is, well, really, really bad. Bad acting, bad story, no real coherent message that you can deduct, and most of all, an utter disappointment if you're looking for something along the lines of 28 Days or I Am Legend etc - no, this movie is the odd one out, nothing to see, nothing to enjoy.
I honestly could not understand this movie. To me it seems almost inconceivable any team of producers/editors would come out of an editing room with the final cut of "The Happening" and thinking they made something worth while watching for anyone.
It just drags on, sort of starts off well but even the scenes that are supposed to be important kind of are dimmed by the ominous music, slowed down to a point where you just cant possibly become excited or interested in what is going to happen next. Really, this is one serious uninteresting story line.
Rambo (2008)
The one true action movie of this year
I loved it. This movie is exactly what it should be. No complicated plot, no refined top-class acting - just a decent violent story where you have obvious bad guys and obvious good guys that take each other on in some of the most gruesome fighting scenes I have ever seen.
Make no mistake about it - this movie is seriously sick when it comes to the detail of the violence going on, I think perhaps the most "realistic" movie made so far. I could only detect one scene where it is clear computer rendering is going on, the rest looks very, very real. Guts flying about, limbs, loose heads - you better have a solid stomach for this one because this is not your usual gore. This is a serious piece of work, the only thing missing is the smell.
And while Rambo will forever be known as that movie where one guy with a machine gun somehow manages to destroy a whole army within 15 minutes, this one is a fair bit more doable (although still pushing it, but then hey, it is a movie after all!) and is certain to not only leave you with a feeling you've just seen an awesome action movie, but also knowing you have experienced a new step in war-movie realism.