If they had just gone all out with some insane action sequences, maybe it would’ve been watchable. Instead, it’s just a mindless pile of Ryan, Bourne, and Hunt clichés.
I swear, it feels like they filmed this entire thing over a single weekend just to cash in on the brand without any intention of actually making a decent movie.
And honestly, I take back what I said in my previous post. This might actually be worse than Ben Affleck. If only it were at least on the level of The Sum of All Fears.
It’s an interesting concept, but honestly, it could have been so much better. I get the feeling they hacked away at way too much footage, leaving us with this disjointed mess of a movie. It feels like they decided to change direction entirely halfway through production.
I was really hoping for something more along the lines of Saving Private Ryan. Now, that would have been killer.
The movie basically follows the play almost beat for beat. The only real deviation is Baldwin’s monologue, which was clearly an afterthought—honestly, that’s the only reason to sit through it. Aside from that one highlight, though, the film is just mediocre. It doesn't blow me away, but it isn't a total disaster either. It’s just... fine. 🤷
I think the whole 3D printing hype is a bit much. It’s not like we’re all going to have them sitting on our kitchen counters in a few years. Honestly, I don't see it becoming a household staple even thirty years from now. If it ever actually hits the mainstream, it'll probably just be for making niche little figurines or something equally trivial. For the foreseeable future, mass-produced consumer goods will always be cheaper coming out of a massive factory than being printed one by one at home. It’s a lot like bread makers. Mine sat on my counter for about a month before I realized I was better off just buying a loaf every morning like I always did.
Americans haven't historically been the type of people to chase every shiny new tech trend. We were still relying heavily on sail power nearly a century after the first Fulton steamships hit the water, right as internal combustion was just starting to make its presence felt. Even today, you can hardly find an individual or a small business in the States that understands how pick-and-place machines work for electronics manufacturing—and that technology isn't even forty years old. Yet, you can't build a single modern electronic device without them. And then people start talking about "local manufacturing." What exactly are we manufacturing? Rubber boots?
In my opinion, most people discussing this topic are missing the real point. The issue isn't really about 3D printers or what they might produce; it's about whether we, as a society, are actually capable of keeping up with life in the 21st century.
I usually keep an eye on movies that catch my interest long before any trailers even drop, so I don't pay too much attention to the marketing hype. However, a few films last year really caught me off guard when they actually arrived, mostly because the trailers were telling a completely different story:
Dictator - half thing - Half of what you see in the trailer isn't even in the movie. I've heard rumors that there are multiple cuts of the film, but the version I saw in theaters had absolutely nothing to do with the trailer.
Bad Grandpa - The trailer is way overhyped and gives a totally false impression of the movie. The actual pacing of the film is completely different. To me, it felt like just another episode of Jackass.
So, look: you have two people who love each other, live together, and want to make their commitment official under the law. The only actual difference is that one is gay and the other is straight.
Where on earth is the logic that leads anyone to claim this involves incest? By that ridiculous reasoning, should we just ban marriage for everyone? After all, we might run into a brother and sister who actually want to tie the knot. The only real connection between these two scenarios is that society chooses to be outraged by both.
Susan Carter2 said:Total loser vibe here— I seriously can’t stop hanging out with people who love to lecture me just because they’re my bosses at work. One lady keeps dropping these little bombs like, "loans are for idiots," or "women over thirty are basically useless for having kids, so it's now or never," and it honestly triggers this massive anxiety because, let's be real, we simply cannot afford a kid right now. People act like both things are purely my choice or my desire, failing to realize that our actual circumstances are calling the shots.
Kevin Nguyen3— Man, I love this post. It totally lifted my spirits. Honestly, I feel like printing this out, tucking it in my wallet, and pulling it out whenever the dark thoughts start creeping in. I really needed a perspective from someone who isn't currently drowning in the same stuff I am. Don't get me wrong, I'm fully aware of how priceless the things you mentioned are—love, respect, being supported, and having a spiritual life full of emotion and understanding... That's my priority too, and I thank my husband for that every single day. But still, I get these phases where, for some reason, I start obsessing over material things that are actually relevant to my life, and my brain starts comparing itself to everyone else, leading to those "this just isn't fair" spirals. Like Kymatica says—it's a total loop.
Zek0slav — Up until now, everything I've achieved has been through pure grit and hard work, and I plan to keep it that way, but I'm starting to question this idea: "You'll be more satisfied in life if you achieve it all on your own." Are people who get the exact same thing thanks to someone else really less happy? Like I said before, "It's not like people who inherit wealth cry themselves to sleep because they didn't earn it themselves." I don't think my friend, who lives a stress-free life in an apartment his dad bought him and can provide everything for his wife and kid without any mortgage hanging over his head, is any less satisfied. I bet he's incredibly happy, regardless of whether he earned it himself. I totally agree with the rest of your post, which is why I mentioned that we were essentially "schooled" by them (and I mean that in a grateful way).
Dawn— I totally feel you. Your goat joke actually made me laugh! And yeah, those situations definitely exist—like inheriting a house in a location that's impossible to flip, and then having to deal with all the legal paperwork to make it official.
When I talk about inheritance, I’m specifically talking about receiving something that gives you even a tiny head start in life, giving you a platform to build upon through your own work. Something that grants you the freedom to actually choose your career path and such. I'm not talking about the kind of inheritance people "expect" or sit around waiting for while their parents are still alive. I'm not talking about those cases where people change their entire personality before or after getting an inheritance, or use it as an excuse to skip school or stop working hard altogether.
That’s just who I am. I refuse to put myself in a position where someone feels they have a claim over me or a sense of obligation just because of a few tons of brick and mortar.
Let's be real: nobody gives you anything for free. Everything comes with strings attached and a bill waiting at the end. There isn't some wealthy uncle from the USA who's going to show up and hand me a million dollars unconditionally.
What I’m trying to say is that, realistically, there is no fundamental difference between you and someone inheriting wealth. The only real question is whether you’ll reach that goal through your own grit or by kissing everyone's ass for the rest of your life. I much prefer the first option; if I fail, at least I failed on my own terms rather than being a pawn in someone else's whim. And even if I succeed, I'll have spent just as much time and energy as an heir—even if it doesn't look that way at first glance.
Susan Carter2 said:Here’s the massive frustration I’m stuck on: I didn't inherit a single cent, and it feels like I have to grind ten times harder than everyone else just to stay afloat compared to people in my circle. My husband and I are currently paying off a mortgage on our condo. He actually signed over his inheritance to his siblings, and my parents basically lived by the "burn it all now" philosophy, so we got absolutely nothing. Zip. Nada. Maybe it wouldn't sting so much if we weren't literally the only people among our coworkers, friends, and acquaintances who don't have a safety net—no financial cushion from parents, no head start, no foundation to build a life on.
Take my coworkers (people in their 40s), for example: 1) His parents bought him a condo, furnished the whole place, and left him a car and a vacation home in the mountains. 2) His husband's parents left them a whole floor of their house. 3) Grandma gave them an apartment and then moved into her beach house.
And my friends (people in their 30s): 1) Her parents bought her a place, and then grandma left her both her condo and a cabin. 2) Her parents are leaving her an apartment and moving into grandma's place. 3) Grandma left some land, which she sold to buy an apartment. 4) Dad built an extra level on the house and is helping him furnish it. 5) Grandma left a house.
I could go on forever, but the point is this: we don't know a single soul who is having to build everything from absolute zero. Not one person. My husband doesn't let it get to him; he’s like, "Hey, we'll earn it all ourselves." As if people who inherited millions lie awake at night crying because they didn't sweat for it! But it gets to me. It makes me feel less valuable, and I find myself wondering why some people deserve so much while I seemingly deserve nothing. People with inheritances have the luxury of deciding when to have kids, whereas our timeline for housing dictates everything for us. They have the freedom to take a lower-paying job that actually fulfills them, while for us, every single dollar counts. They can think about starting a business, while instead of investing in a dream, we're just trying to keep a roof over our heads. Their starting line is so far ahead of ours that I feel like I could work my entire life just to reach the position they were in during their 30s. It also bugs me because these same people love to lecture us on how to live—especially regarding family planning. And it hurts because these people take their status for granted, even telling their parents, "They aren't welcome in my house," after receiving so much. Great. That's why it stings. I feel envy, but not the malicious kind where I want them to lose what they have. It's the kind of envy where I just ache because I don't have it too.
Some might say: Your parents don't owe you anything. True. But since our parents didn't leave us anything, we're the ones providing them with financial support now because of their tiny Social Security checks. When the day comes that they need assisted living or serious medical care, who's paying for it? We are. Not because we're obligated, but because we want to help. Yet, they never felt that same urge to help us out.
I just want to mentally unhook from all of this. I don't want to be this person; I want to stop comparing myself to everyone around me. I want to hear stories about windfalls without feeling my heart sink. I want to stop boiling with rage when some heir tries to give me life advice when they haven't a clue what the struggle is like. I want to stop feeling inferior or like I'm the only "unlucky" one. I don't want to resent my parents for living how they chose—after all, some parents don't even bother educating their kids, but mine did. I want all of this, but I have no idea how to help myself. How do I get rid of this frustration?
The starting line is just a collection of circumstances that neither they nor you can control. And let’s face it, people just love to give unsolicited advice. The real question is how much of that noise you're going to allow into your head. Personally, if you believe that owning real estate is the ultimate metric of success, then you should strive to acquire those assets on your own terms. You'll find much more satisfaction in life if you earn them yourself, even if the sheer quantity is lower than the people you're comparing yourself to. In my view, the whole concept of relying on someone else's luck to achieve success is fundamentally flawed and frankly quite foolish. At most, one can hope that their parents ensure they are healthy, well-fed, and educated. Anything beyond that is either pure luck or individual grit.
Susan Carter2 said:Here’s the massive frustration I’m stuck on: I didn't inherit a single cent, and it feels like I have to grind ten times harder than everyone else just to stay afloat compared to people in my circle. My husband and I are currently paying off a mortgage on our condo. He actually signed over his inheritance to his siblings, and my parents basically lived by the "burn it all now" philosophy, so we got absolutely nothing. Zip. Nada. Maybe it wouldn't sting so much if we weren't literally the only people among our coworkers, friends, and acquaintances who don't have a safety net—no financial cushion from parents, no head start, no foundation to build a life on.
Take my coworkers (people in their 40s), for example: 1) His parents bought him a condo, furnished the whole place, and left him a car and a vacation home in the mountains. 2) His husband's parents left them a whole floor of their house. 3) Grandma gave them an apartment and then moved into her beach house.
And my friends (people in their 30s): 1) Her parents bought her a place, and then grandma left her both her condo and a cabin. 2) Her parents are leaving her an apartment and moving into grandma's place. 3) Grandma left some land, which she sold to buy an apartment. 4) Dad built an extra level on the house and is helping him furnish it. 5) Grandma left a house.
I could go on forever, but the point is this: we don't know a single soul who is having to build everything from absolute zero. Not one person. My husband doesn't let it get to him; he’s like, "Hey, we'll earn it all ourselves." As if people who inherited millions lie awake at night crying because they didn't sweat for it! But it gets to me. It makes me feel less valuable, and I find myself wondering why some people deserve so much while I seemingly deserve nothing. People with inheritances have the luxury of deciding when to have kids, whereas our timeline for housing dictates everything for us. They have the freedom to take a lower-paying job that actually fulfills them, while for us, every single dollar counts. They can think about starting a business, while instead of investing in a dream, we're just trying to keep a roof over our heads. Their starting line is so far ahead of ours that I feel like I could work my entire life just to reach the position they were in during their 30s. It also bugs me because these same people love to lecture us on how to live—especially regarding family planning. And it hurts because these people take their status for granted, even telling their parents, "They aren't welcome in my house," after receiving so much. Great. That's why it stings. I feel envy, but not the malicious kind where I want them to lose what they have. It's the kind of envy where I just ache because I don't have it too.
Some might say: Your parents don't owe you anything. True. But since our parents didn't leave us anything, we're the ones providing them with financial support now because of their tiny Social Security checks. When the day comes that they need assisted living or serious medical care, who's paying for it? We are. Not because we're obligated, but because we want to help. Yet, they never felt that same urge to help us out.
I just want to mentally unhook from all of this. I don't want to be this person; I want to stop comparing myself to everyone around me. I want to hear stories about windfalls without feeling my heart sink. I want to stop boiling with rage when some heir tries to give me life advice when they haven't a clue what the struggle is like. I want to stop feeling inferior or like I'm the only "unlucky" one. I don't want to resent my parents for living how they chose—after all, some parents don't even bother educating their kids, but mine did. I want all of this, but I have no idea how to help myself. How do I get rid of this frustration?
My folks aren't leaving me much, either. But they certainly sacrificed a lot over the years to raise my sister and me. We always step up for each other whenever we can. I won't be acting like a servant in their old age, but I can always expect to be there for them within my means.
From what I've seen, there is usually one generation that breaks its back to build something up, only for the next generation to blow through all that hard-earned fruit without having any clue what sacrifice actually looks like. In the end, everyone ends up worse off than they should have been.
I think I finally see the problem here in America. We’ve been looking at all the wrong role models. What Orban actually implemented were just superficial, populist gimmicks. There isn't a single thing there worth us trying to emulate or copy. In fact, this is a perfect cautionary tale of what could happen to us if we don't get our act together immediately.
Canada’s debt is double ours, their deficit is twice as large, and their fiscal policy is twice as reckless (if you can even call it that), and so on. Playing games with creditors is only going to kill our long-term growth potential. In the short term, it just destroys legal certainty. As for the benefits of labor market liberalization? Their grandkids might see those results, because right now they’re driving away anyone with the drive and the means to actually hold down a job.
Are we really sitting here wishing for the nationalization of pension funds? Honestly, we are such masochists. 🤣
They didn't even touch upon the most compelling parts of his life, let alone the actual material that would make for a great movie. Instead, half the film is just endless meetings and corporate backstabbing. Who cares about what it looked like while he was out pulling carrots from his garden? WTF! What I actually wanted to see was his struggle to get his life back on track, chase his dreams, and mend things with his kids...
Look, we all know Pirates of Silicon Valley is packed with inaccuracies and doesn't exactly present a perfect historical record, but I honestly didn't expect it to be any better than this.
I just don't get it! Ethan was actually in Before Midnight this year, which was a great film. And then he turns around and dives straight into this garbage.
What happened? Is he drowning in debt or is his agent just messing with him?
As soon as I spotted Selena Gomez in the trailer, I pretty much wrote this movie off. It feels like Hawke used to pick much stronger projects back in the day.
I’ll probably give it a watch just because I'm hoping for some decent action, but I'm definitely not expecting a top-tier thriller.