Posts by northerncrane4

Joshua Smith19 said:Minari actually beat out Another Round at the Golden Globes last night! Does this mean another Oscar is headed toward the Korean filmmakers? 👏

No.

I’m not buying the hype. The core issue here is this midlife, infantile protagonist—it’s clear the studios aren't even pretending to make feature animation for kids anymore; they've pivoted entirely toward catering to hordes of infantilized 30-somethings. It isn't that a child can't grasp the concept of "Soul"—my ten-year-old daughter understood it perfectly, down to the detail that you actually have to pay for taxi rides (a point even the filmmakers seem to miss)—but rather, there's simply no meaningful... I haven't seen any posts from storytellinga yet.Because it simply doesn't exist. The story—if you can even call it that—is lacking depth. It feels rushed—almost hollow—and lacks any real emotional weight.*Soul* feels more like a glorified self-help manual than an actual story—it lacks any real sense of cause and effect. While the whole concept of the Great Before might seem charming at first, the execution is completely half-baked and narratively arbitrary. Because of the protagonist’s midlife crisis energy, we don't even get that sweet, simplified child-like perspective found in *Inside Out*—and thanks to the thin plotting, there isn't enough substance here to deliver any real emotional payoff. impactom Much like "Coco," it shares a similar theme—but after "Onward," that makes two disappointing Pixar films in a row.

A truly great film. Everything is said just enough—the rest is conveyed through action and performance. My only gripe? Those chapter subheadings were unnecessary. Jesse Thomas7 nailed it:

Jesse Thomas7 said:Yeah, sure, but a Queen is a Queen. When you talk about actual power—the ability to indulge every random whim, make the calls, change her mind on a dime, or just shut down whatever she feels like—she’s in the exact same spot at the beginning and the end. Despite being physically and mentally a wreck, her position hasn't budged. She doesn't even have to lift a finger if she doesn't want to.
She could flip the whole script tomorrow if she felt like it, and everyone else would just have to deal with it.

Abina's game is over. The tool has been used up. She’s effectively stripped herself of the one last thing—maybe the most vital thing—that she held onto even when she was at her absolute lowest point in terms of practical standing: hope.
Hope, the ghost of any idea, any plan, any desire or ambition that might actually improve her situation. She knows it's done. This is what she fought for. That’s why I think that closing scene is masterfully handled. Instead of some heavy-handed dialogue where they spell everything out three times over to make sure you get the point, they cement the entire theme through one long shot of Abina’s defeated face. You can practically feel the hopelessness, that trapped sensation, and the hint of apathy that’s going to be her permanent state of being moving forward.

And honestly, it's not just the final scene. Even with all those specific little plots, games, and twists that some people write off as the movie's "bad side" or just a bunch of nonsense, there are a few moments—like that one part about the different games the two of them are actually playing—where a single question or one seemingly throwaway sentence forces you to rewind in your head. You find yourself connecting the dots yourself, drawing conclusions based on what *wasn't* said.

When a movie pulls that off, especially with that kind of finesse, there's no way it can be total garbage.

I don't know much about cinematography. You're saying wide-angle? 🤣

I mean, I know it when it looks good. 🥳

I'm not sure if I'm missing something deeper because of the specific way he chose to frame the shots, but I'm hoping he did it specifically so that even someone like me, who doesn't grasp technical stuff, can still pull the intended meaning out of it. 🙂

feralpilot0 said:It’s entertaining enough.
I have zero complaints about Chrystal—she was far too good for this movie.
A brilliant critique of that mindless, spoon-fed aggression—the kind where you don't even grasp the purpose behind the rage. That dialogue between Chrystal and Athena was top-tier, especially when Athena starts acting like everything is somehow Chrystal's fault. 🤣
Though, I will say, once those two finally face off, the film devolves into some sugary nonsense about who’s more important.

For me, the standout moment? That exchange between Chrystal and the National Guard commando. Absolute perfection.

The correct term would be "narrower."

Sandler is actually great when he wants to be—but we already knew that from Punch-Drunk Love and Funny People—though I’m not even sure if this role was written for him. Based on the vibe, it feels like they wanted Turturra, and when that fell through, they just pivoted to Sandler.

Anyway, he’s good, and the movie just barely clears that "solid" threshold above being a total flop. It’s incredibly underdirected and messy—not in a "good" way that mirrors the protagonist's internal chaos, but just plain random at times, shifting focus to characters and subplots that are frankly forgettable. If it did that with intention, it might work; as it stands, it's just aimless. As for the score, I didn't get what they were doing with it during the watch or even now—not that I’m some music critic, so maybe I missed the point. The ending hits hard, though it drags on a bit too long after the actual punch.

Still, Sandler delivers, so he makes it worth the watch, even if my final takeaway is that I feel like I've seen this exact thing many times before, just done better—even if I can't point to specific examples.

briskbison55 said:American taxpayers are seeing the best economy in seventy years—unbeatable unemployment rates and stellar economic indicators set for the next decade.

Sure—and every single summer season here in the States keeps breaking previous records too.
🙀 🎶 Memory, all alone in the moonlight I can dream of the old days, life was beautiful then... 🎶

bluecyclist64 said:Yeah, let's be real—cats actually meow, and this CGI stuff just ruins that reality.

Bryan Rogers87 said:And what kind of reality check would Cats even need? 🤣

Are you two seriously messing with me? It's actually hard to believe—honestly, a little unbelievable—that you haven't grasped a single thing I wrote. You're trolling, just admit it!

bluecyclist64 said:I don't see why you'd bother watching it either—but I also don't see why you're trashing something you haven't even seen.

And I wrote that too—not that anyone asked.

bluecyclist64 said:Just imagine the frustration for American taxpayers—those people actually footing the bill out of their own pockets—to be funding all this absolute garbage of a movie industry...🥳

American taxpayers are stuck with a completely broken Senate and the most incompetent president in our history—all because the public has been lobotomized by the media. It’s a two-pronged assault: one side peddles hyperactive war propaganda to humanize the military-industrial complex, while the other pushes a brand of extreme, hyper-sexualized "individualism" as if it's the pinnacle of human existence.

bluecyclist64 said:On a personal level, I can't stand those idiots who spend all their time preaching about Lazić and Kožul.
I read half of their debut novel and watched two episodes of Law—it’s an absolute disaster.

Who are Lazić and Kožul—and what exactly do they have to do with this debate?
Look, if I’m reading you right—and it seems like I am—you’ve got a problem with that typical Marvel superhero formula. So, I honestly don't get how you can't see the complete rhetorical emptiness in this upcoming garbage, too.

Steven Newman50 said:I couldn't care less about 80% of the new movies hitting theaters—yet they keep churning them out. It’s not like you're forced to watch them, right? ☕

I actually want to watch SOMETHING—but honestly, there’s practically nothing being made worth my time—for God's sake. There is an endless supply of CGI-obsessed idiots and shallow, melodramatic garbage out there.

Mark Cruz15 said:He's under pressure—has a five-year-old daughter to think about.

Nine years old. I couldn't care less about her—or anyone else involved.

Steven Newman50 said:Honestly. If they hadn't blown through such an insane amount of cash, maybe it wouldn't look like some low-budget horror flick about a werewolf from the movie "Mor"😬

But why on earth should I care about realistic human-cat mutants singing about lost love in rainy alleys? It’s genuinely offensive to me.--quite personally, too.

bluecyclist64 said:What's the issue, ladies and gentlemen—you all just love to spit, don't you?🤷

We’re living through a decade of escapist decadence—just endless CGI extravaganzas churned out under the guise of "visual realism" while lacking any actual soul. I don't see a single reason to sit through this stuff, and frankly, the sheer amount of money being flushed down the drain on these projects is infuriating.

Congratulations to Donald Trump on his second term. 🙂

James Williams10 said:It dropped today—anyone hit the theater yet? Thoughts?

It’s decent—but since TS3 wasn't exactly essential, this one isn't quite enough to be necessary.

Morgan Rodriguez57 said:It seems like there might be a slight language barrier here, honestly.

"For sheep are stupid, and have to be driven. But goats are intelligent, and need to be led."

In plain English:

"Because sheep are mindless and need to be herded, whereas goats are smart and just need some guidance."

They need to be driven and led—to be precise. And what’s confusing you here? The New Testament is far more interested in those who need to be herded into the pen than those who stand alone. And those independent types? They just happen to be the personification of Satan.

Jesse Thomas7 said:Honestly, I wasn't expecting to actually enjoy this. I just kind of clicked on it without any real enthusiasm or drive, mostly because I'm so utterly exhausted by American politics and all the endless stream of content—serious or otherwise—that tries to tackle it. It usually starts putting me to sleep within minutes once they start circling the same old drain. Like, for the thousandth time.

But damn if I was wrong, it was actually pretty good. I loved those few "holy crap" moments—you know, those intense shots like that interceptor sequence during the credits? And that dead heart on the table.

How exactly is it portrayed as "cold-hearted"? Because from that scene, I walked away feeling like, "Hey, at least he's being a decent dad by supporting the second daughter after having already supported the first." Is it considered heartless just because she's crying and throwing a fit?

It seems like the scene was intentionally crafted so that everyone walks away with their own take on that decision. I didn't feel like the film was trying to shove a specific opinion down my throat. And even if it was trying, it failed.

Also, I have to give props to the ending. That little, all-encompassing sequence at the end was almost genius. Right after all those montage shots, just when you think the credits are about to roll out...

That whole bit where Republicans and Democrats argue over their takes on the film, paired with what the younger generation thinks (God, I can't wait for the next Fast and Furious 🙏), was such a perfect way to drive the point home. 🙏

The future. Same old story. Check. 🤣

Not quite—it’s about the parallel editing with the dead heart. The intention seems to be suggesting that his decision effectively drained whatever little heart he had left. 🤷

kaya714 said:I have to give credit to the ending, though. That short, all-encompassing sequence was actually a brilliant move—especially those shots right after you thought the credits were about to roll.

Whatwhatwhat? I wasn't even waiting around for the end credits. 😵

Morgan Rodriguez57 said:It’s practically an art form to create such a stillborn movie with a lead character who is just... totally hollow.

No clue at all. Sheep just follow along, whereas you really have to manhandle goats to get them moving—it's just how it works. Actually, the whole symbolism of the New Testament is built right on top of that little bit of rural logic...

That’s exactly what he meant—you’re just being a bit slow on the uptake.

quietdriver3 said:That metaphor isn't really fair, I suppose. A mob is actually stronger than its hypothetical rapist.

Yeah, I mean, if the movie ended right where the credits first roll, maybe that would be true. But it doesn't. There's more left.

I think it's pretty obvious that wasn't the intention. Mary is like the symbol of the final downfall. She can't just be some Iraqi civilian that Dick never cared about. Once he sacrificed his own family, he lost that last little bit of humanity.

Not if they're being forced into it by the idea itself.

quietdriver3 said:If the movie had actually wrapped up right when those first credits rolled—then sure, you'd be right. But it didn't. You've still got more to deal with.

That’s exactly my point regarding McKay's manufactured drama. It’s all just trivial—the way he sells Ford and Kissinger on the idea of fooling around on the White House lawn, or how he and the lady play Shakespeare while the maître d' offers them ways to bypass the Constitution. That isn't drama; it's just antics. Real drama within the opportunistic existence of Dick Cheney was either non-existent or tied up in legalities, so he settles for gags instead. We never actually witness Cheney's transformation from a certain kind of white trash turtle into a political mastermind—it happens entirely in the ellipses. Even those two meetings with Bush are, frankly, a total mess from a dramaturgical standpoint.

quietdriver3 said:It’s obvious that wasn't the intention. Mary represents the ultimate downfall—it can't just be some civilian from Iraq that Dick never cared about in the first place. Once he sacrificed his own family, he lost whatever sliver of humanity he had left.

But that’s exactly what I asked—how exactly did he sacrifice his family by supporting one daughter while leaving the other practically untouched?

quietdriver3 said:But man, this whole idea about dumbing down the crowd is starting to feel like an urban legend.

First off, the masses are always going to be uninformed—that’s kind of just the deal.
Second, if they let themselves get played, well, maybe they deserved it? I don't know, why should anyone feel responsible for the intelligence of the general public? Maybe they should just look out for themselves, otherwise, they shouldn't expect much respect from the people running the show.
Third, the Orange guy isn't actually any stupider than the Vice President, or some B-list actor from the 30s. He’s just more raw material, I guess. It’s all basically the same level of mental capacity.

Well, maybe because a hypothetical movie about her wouldn't have any drama. She already hit all her goals, she’s doing great. Leaked the books, got the respect, held the power... what else is there to give?

Actually, the older one enjoys it too, and she’s even deeper in the mud. I don't really see why only the younger one has to carry the weight of her father's bloody hands. Why was the older one supposed to be rewarded? Or is it just expected that the resident scapegoat always has to hang for society's sins? 🤔

Not necessarily. It’s only an issue if you treat them like a mob—once you start treating them like a real team, the stupidity disappears.

quietdriver3 said:Second—if people choose to be fools, they deserve the consequences—why should the intelligence of the masses be anyone else's responsibility?
If that mob doesn't start looking out for its own interests—otherwise, they haven't earned a shred of respect from those running the show.

Look, if a woman can't defend herself, then she basically asked for it—why should the perpetrator carry any of the responsibility?

quietdriver3 said:Thirdly—Orange isn't any less dim-witted than Double V, or that B-movie actor from the 30s. He’s just more raw material—which is really just a different way of saying he's equally incompetent. They're all cut from the same cloth.

He’s even more foolish because he actually believes he’s the smartest guy in the room. Besides—the market will ultimately decide just how dim he really is—especially since both Ford and the cowboy have already served two terms.

quietdriver3 said:Because a hypothetical movie about her would be completely devoid of drama. She hit all her marks—she achieved her goals, her life is a success story. She published the books, earned everyone's respect, held actual power—what else is there to give her?

Honestly, the movie about him is pretty straightforward—the drama was mostly manufactured by McKay. Cheney is just a pragmatist; he made that big decision in both the film and real life, but I don't see how it would have actually changed anything for her. The only real drama in the whole thing is Donald Rumsfeld's story, which they handled with way too much authority.

quietdriver3 said:The older one is enjoying herself—and honestly, she’s even deeper in the mud than the rest. I don't get why it’s only the younger one who has to pay for her father's sins. Why should the older one be rewarded? Or is it just expected that the resident deviant always hangs around to shoulder society's mistakes? 🤔

Spinach. It’s not about being soft—it’s about the hypocrisy. Especially coming from McKay—who treats Mary and some random Iraqi dad sitting under a kitchen table as if they’re all on the exact same level of victimhood. Which, as I’ve said before, is even more bullshit.

quietdriver3 said:

northerncrane4 I guess... maybe I should mention what was said...
I guess it’ll get to the point where nobody—not even the old man who originally wrote that line about how sheep are just mindless followers that need driving, while goats actually have some brains and just need a bit of direction—will even remember where it came from. Maybe.

It’s like one of those old folk riddles, you know? Just super simple. I guess there isn't much of a difference between that little riddle and those preachy, didactic jokes they throw into this movie—they're both just way too simplified. And honestly, life... man, reality just doesn't work like that.

northerncrane4 I guess what they're saying is...
I guess I'm not entirely sure if things actually work that way on a macro level. I mean, the USA is still way more prosperous than Afghanistan. And at the end of the day, it's not like Cheney took office in a way that made him the most powerful guy in Congress when it comes to pulling strings.

I guess... I wonder if Cheney really got inside everyone's heads, you know? And then there’s the guy sitting right above him—what exactly is his deal? Maybe he's just as much of a presence as the other one. I don't know, it's hard to say.

I guess she really managed to reap all those perks that come with being in such a powerful position... without having to, you know, sacrifice her own heart health just to get there. Maybe she just played it smart, I don't know. It seems like she got everything she wanted without the physical toll most people would take. 😉

I mean, if that isn't just deep-seated homophobia, then I honestly don't know what is. Are we really saying that public statements don't carry any weight at all if you're just doing the exact opposite behind closed doors when nobody's looking? I guess it's hard to say, maybe... but it feels off.

People just do what they want, I guess. Like that really wise old guy once said:

"God has given you but one heart
You are not a home for the hearts of your brothers"

And even in a grand American translation, the movie isn't called "woman in the shadows"—it's "Man in the Shadows."

Quote:>

quietdriver3 says: [I]Whoa, if that isn't deep-seated homophobia, I don't know what is. Are you suggesting public words carry no weight if someone acts differently in private? It’s not about being alone in private—it’s about holding a public office that those very words helped you secure. The older sister made her move, which pissed off the younger one, even though the younger one is the one reaping the benefits of her daddy's many specific and shady maneuvers. Quote:> quietdriver3 says: [I]Everyone scratches where they itch. How convenient that it itches there, but it doesn't itch for his father's 600,000 dead in Iraq (if the movie's figure is accurate).

quietdriver3 said:People just don't get it, I guess. It’s kind of the usual way things go. Everywhere I look, it seems like the quality of life is way higher for the folks who just jump straight into power, rather than the ones who spent their entire lives actually building up their brains and working hard. Maybe that's just how it works, though.

I mean, she’s definitely checked off a huge chunk of her goals. She’s actually achieved more than 99.9% of people on this planet ever will, I guess. But obviously, you can't just grab everything. Nobody really can—so why would she be any different?

I guess I feel the same way about Dick.

And I guess there's also the older daughter, who seems to be carving out her own path as a career politician.

I guess, at the end of the day, it just feels like the younger generation was tossed onto the altar just so those three people at the top could bump their own achievements up by a tiny fraction of a percent... and honestly, I don't think the price for that kind of success is really okay.

It seems even the author of "For sheep are stupid, and have to be driven. But goats are intelligent, and need to be led" wouldn't have a clue either.

quietdriver3 said:Wherever I look, the standard of living is much higher for those who just ride the wave of power than for those who spent their lives building brains.

I'm not sure things work quite like that on a macro level. The USA is still more prosperous than Afghanistan. Besides, even Cheney didn't take his position just to be the most powerful man in Congress when it came to pulling strings.

quietdriver3 said:The lady fulfilled a good portion of her ambitions—more than 99.9 percent of people on this planet ever will. Of course, she can't have everything. No one can—so why should she?

Whoa, look at that deep-seated male chauvinism surfacing! So, the lady fulfilled her ambitions by being the wife of a successful politician?!

quietdriver3 said:And then there's the older daughter with a career as a career politician.

And then there's the younger daughter—since nobody in the family questioned her sexual orientation at all. Including her sister. Who, having reached a position her mother's generation could only dream of—specifically, a woman in the Senate—voted exactly how the electorate demanded. I haven't seen any follow-up moves regarding gay marriage since she entered the Senate, so I assume she isn't pushing any anti-same-sex-marriage agendas.

quietdriver3 said:At the end of the day, the younger one was sacrificed on the altar just so those three above could boost their achievements by a fraction of a percent—and frankly, the price of that success isn't okay.

Yeah, yeah, "sacrificed" is a bit strong. It's fine for the younger one to deal with a Middle Eastern butcher uncle, but apparently, she can't get past disrespecting the gay marriage community—baa baa.

quietdriver3 said:But then again, looking at how things work, if the wrong side is out there preaching while the right side stays subtle, I guess the loud ones end up winning in the end.

It’s just... well, maybe it's just how we're wired, thanks to evolutionary biology or whatever. It's not the subtle types that get ahead, it's the loud ones.

But I wonder, why should the wife be the only one who gets to chase after everything she ever wanted?

People don't say "Might makes right" for nothing, right?

quietdriver3 said:But why should the wife be the only one allowed to chase her ambitions?

The wife didn't get to fulfill her own ambitions, though. She had to mold this idiot into a man just so she could live vicariously through him. Now, the daughter is in a position to do what her mother couldn't—so it’s perfectly fine if Cheney supports her, just like he supported the other daughter's lifestyle. The movie frames it as being heartless toward the second daughter, which is total bullshit.