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Reviews
The Creepy Line (2018)
Fearmongering non-technical folks
I was actually hoping that I might pick up on a couple of updated tech tips to avoid tracking but found a program focused on scaring viewers into thinking big tech is trying to turn the US into a totalitarian state. That is literally the focus closing argument. Each of the data collection issues they raised is easily avoided. A more organized edit with quick tips after each segment to show viewers how to delete their search history, phone tracking, browse and search anonymously, cultivate or delete their social media feeds etc... would have been much more interesting. Somehow they completely overlooked pixel tracking which is arguably more invasive than many of their other privacy concerns. Again could have been followed a segment that pixel tracking can be circumvented with a little effort.
A lot of bad or misleading information in this. Not sure you can call it a documentary when one of the interviewees repeatedly states that facts are irrelevant.
As what must be the result of poor editing, one of the primary interviewees appears to claim that he was censored for an act that was performed after the alleged censorship. To accomplish this seemingly impossible task google must have been using their precogs. This same person later admits to have actively engaged in small scale voter manipulation of an election in India in a misguided attempt to warn of the dangers of voter manipulation. Later as what I can only hope is another result of poor editing this person claims to have been taken offline completely based on not being able to access google.com. This is clearly not the case unless 100% of your online presence is hosted by google. Anyone that is not capable of circumventing this restriction and restoring full access to google services with a new account in less than 5 minutes should not be put forward as a technical expert. While complaining about bias a politician is allowed to claim something as scientific fact that is absolutely not a scientific fact with no opportunity for rebuttal or correction by an actual scientist. If only this interviewee realized he was meant to laugh at Archie Bunker not with him.
A couple of obvious key points are overlooked. Progressives are by definition trying to make progress, improve things, build the future etc. By the same definition conservatives should want slowed or controlled progress but contemporary stances have actually stated a desire to revert to a previous "again" time. The result of those positions is that there will never be equal representation of those views at tech companies trying to build the future. Difficult to compete as a conservative tech company using punch cards and vacuum tubes. The previous point has and will continue to naturally reinforce itself with a couple of rare exceptions for all of human existence. The second major point this program overlooks in its tech bias argument is that facts matter. If a search engine repeatedly serves its visitors with false, misleading or irrelevant results those visitors will learn not to rely on its service. Internet search is not the only source of information. Search results need to align with information that we receive from other sources. Yelp would go out of business pretty quickly if 100% of their results were 5 stars reviews of McDonalds.
Looking at his previous works, I imagine Schweitzer will keep pumping out his bias "anti-bias" propaganda. I challenge their production team to do so without the use of technologies invented by progressives. Good luck working with no computers or cameras. Not sure how you would distribute your project as clearly walking, crawling even slithering on the ground were all evolutionary efforts at making progress. I'd say have fun painting on the walls of your cave but even those people were likely thinking of a brighter future!
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
Really entertaining in MX4D... but probably terrible on TV
Many of the reviews seem to be from super fans hung up on comparisons to the first film, as if that was high art.
This film is a must see in MX4D as a proof of concept. Similar to IMAX documentary films in the 70's and 80's. They were very impressive on an IMAX screen but look silly on youtube.
The 3D effects are quite impressive and well synced to the music and sound effects. Once again easily outperforming similar effects that required special glasses only a few years ago.
As for the plot, the fish out of water theme is not quite as strong as the lead has somewhat adapted to his environment. This may be part of the disappointment for fans of the first film. There is plenty of over the top violence, some extended cameos and a quality sound track to keep things fun.
Overall rating 9 in MX4D and 5 in a standard theater so I'll call it a 7.
The Caller (2008)
The Conversation meets The Fall
The plot has many elements that are similar to The Conversation but they are much more direct. I believe this allowed the characters to be more compelling as the viewer's brain isn't constantly spinning in an effort to solve the puzzle. Like most of the characters you'll probably know how things are going to end early on. Usually I would be disappointed in a movie that I knew the outcome only minutes after it began but the strong performances allowed me to attach myself to theme of the finite nature of our existence. I would've liked to have seen Laura Harring's character introduced sooner and the relationship further developed but I understand that not being much to it was the point.
That is all pretty general but if you like these movies and or performances I think that you'll enjoy The Caller.
As previously stated The Conversation has many similar elements. Elliot Gould is every bit the equal of Gene Hackman, although I doubt any of the young male actors become Harrison Ford.
The Fall has a similarly age mismatched relationship with a precocious young girl struggling to come to terms with very adult issues.
Frank Langella's performance reminded me of a less menacing Laurence Olivier in Marathon Man. Maybe it was the WWII age character roaming around NYC?
I also found a connection between the mother and Yoda but I don't necessarily think this is for Star Wars fans. Curiously Helen Stenborg doesn't appear in the IMDb credits?
I throughly enjoyed each of those movies and feel that The Caller can easily be mentioned in the same breath with any of them.
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Absolutely predictable
Maybe this movie pushed the envelope when it was released but people who voted this movie into the top 100 need to watch more movies. I watched this movie tonight and anyone could predict the outcome (and each of the events that lead to it) for all four main characters in the first five minutes. The films only attempts at twists are in easily predicted fantasies and delusions. Aside from Sara I found it impossible to relate to or have any compassion for any of the remaining characters. I wished that the film makers would just hurry up and bring their story lines to their obvious conclusions. It's not that it's a horrible movie it's just ridiculously overrated ala Fight Club, Pulp Fiction etc... Not that it's a bad way to kill off a couple of hours but you won't strain any brain cells.
Brazil (1985)
Don't waste your time on this one
Powerful message? Since when are pointless actions and even more pointless imagined actions preformed by absurd and at the same time incredibly boring characters the devices of a powerful message? This movie is like a song that people interpret their own powerful message only to have the songwriter reveal that the song was about rolling down to the Cinnabon to get a cinnamon roll. There isn't really any point in poking holes in the plot as it contains nothing but holes and there isn't any way to apply logic or reason to the actions of any of the characters. I've watched and enjoyed almost all of the IMDb top 250 and the AFI top 100 and this film is easily one of the 20 worst films I have ever seen.