Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Cool takeaways from Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom:

The story takes Global Heating seriously with the hopes of convincing nations around the world to do the same. It actually employs an even more destructive way to heat up the planet, in order to remind us that our current industrial endeavours lack sustainable foresight, the reckless burning of an ancient ore which is extremely toxic and highly volatile, it's actually burned to speed up Global Heating, and melt Antarctica to free an ancient king (it's Antarctica week!).

Cool to see action/adventure films taking environmental issues seriously. I think we can clean up contemporary industry. Not overnight but in the foreseeable future.

Interesting to see ye olde Antarctica feature heavily in another narrative. It would be so much fun to explore. The ancient secrets of an archaeological lifetime (I don't want the planet to heat to the point where it melts, but it will probably melt naturally someday, perhaps millions of years from now, and it would be cool to be there then).

The Sahara is also featured near the beginning when Aquaman has to break his brother out of prison, the jail residing beneath the enormous desert, a forbidding place for people of the sea.

Reminding us that it used to once be an imposing ocean, it collegially harmonizes with atemporal infinities, thereby highlighting the present's transitory nature, which makes it all the more enticing.

I've heard that in many countries around the world people like to eat bugs, and it's something I'd like to try, even though my initial reaction may be somewhat shocking, assuming they're healthy, hey, why not? Aquaman takes a comic look at the phenomenon perhaps to usher in new culinary trends. They do seem like a limitless food source. But how do they work with vegetarianism? 

Aquaman loves his family which I thought was cool to see, he isn't too busy running his kingdom to spend time with his newborn child. He wants to be there and genuinely cares which made me think of dad when I was growing up. Things don't always work out but it's no doubt cool when they effectively do.

At one point flares are shot into the air to light up the sombre surroundings, and they almost look like constellations when they explode. I thought it would have been cool if they had been Australasian constellations indeed to pyrotechnically salute Antarctica etc., that would be cool if artists could do that with actual fireworks as well.

I understand Aquaman's frustrations with just trying to quickly get 'er done. It's so much easier to work on your own and make your own decisions as they suit your circumstances. But councils and parliaments do provide lucid oversight that prevents tyrants from recklessly governing. One emperor may be wise and just like Augustus Caesar/Aquaman. But who knows when you'll wind up with Caligula/Orm?

And I was worried that dynamic whale-kind had been overlooked in the versatile script, since they didn't show up for freakin' ever and much of the story takes place underwater. Just wait for it, even if you don't like fantasy films, if you like whales I'm sure you'll love the scene. It actually relates to the ways in which the noise from human technology is disturbing marine life around the globe. Giving such life an opportunity to fight back!

Solid whale representation!

Plus, amazing octopus representation (ban octopus farming!).

A fun film to watch. 

Jason Momoa puts on a good show.

Godzilla vs. Kong

The idea that Antarctica is home to vast enticing treasures has spellbindingly appealed to me for many a year, the thought that it was once inhabited millions of years ago makes me envious of those who will see it thaw.

Godzilla vs. Kong speeds things up a bit to archaeologically respond to an emboldened theory, which maintains that the Earth is hollow and that an ancient civilization dwells within.

It's theorized that both King Kong and the mighty Godzilla resided there in their youth, and somehow broke free to disputatiously arise upon the newfound realms above.

King Kong settling on his cherished island where he made the fertile land his home, Godzilla residing beneath the waves at times emerging through bellicose intrigue.

Why must Godzilla attack when he consciously knows of King Kong's bearings, why can't they both make peace and congenially bask in apex acupuncture? 

I didn't even know there was a new Kong/Godzilla film when I wrote my Gojira tai Mekagojira review in early winter, I was just reviewing random Godzilla films because that's what appealed to me at the time.

But my Highlander Godzilla scenario certainly applies to 'Zilla and Kong.

And lo and behold Mechagodzilla as well!

I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. 

I hope people don't fight wars over Antarctica as it thaws, such endeavours would seem rather costly considering the inhospitable environs. 

Unfortunately, economic wealth does appeal to many but so does anthropology!, and if it significantly thaws during the wrong financial crisis competing nations may clash for its wealth.

Don't overlook the integral import of Indiana Jones films in the fantasy sector, they challenge plutocratic impeti and encourage intergenerational cultural growth (not resource exploitation).

Kong and Godzilla seem to come to terms after battling Mechagodzilla in Godzilla vs. Kong, as it seemed the United States and the Soviet Union resiliently would after defeating Nazi Germany.

Perhaps the next versatile film won't see the emergence of a cold war (I think it was just released), an archaeological investigation of the Hollow Earth would be apt perhaps featuring ye olde Dr. Jones.

In terms of constant improbable ridiculousness multivariably motivating competing interests, within a fast-paced imaginary plot where so many things could possibly go wrong, Godzilla vs. Kong doesn't disappoint and was a lot of fun to sit back and watch, multilayered and inherently uncanny, indeed what lies deep within the Earth?

It's at least as appealing as outer space! 

Maybe not that appealing. 

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

A family struggles financially and is forced to suddenly relocate, an estranged relative having recently passed but not without having left them his eccentric land.

They make the chaotic move and soon must adjust to small town life, the teenagers somewhat grouchy at first until serendipity inspires motivation.

Curiosity inquisitively roams and there's an abundance of toys on the farm, some of them socioculturally familiar in terms of old school narrative phenoms. 

Mom soon finds herself amorously pursued by her daughter's lackadaisical comic teacher, while her son looks for work at a diner with the happenstance hopes of dating the waitress.

Meanwhile, ye olde particle-accelerator is awkwardly discovered in a secret chamber, and ghosts are spotted nearby who require electronic sequesterization. 

They take the old ghostbuster mobile for a reanimated spin around the sleepy town, leaving quite the mischievous mess as they chase the frenzied febrile phantom.

They have a certain knack for ghostbusting even if trouble ensues enthusiastically however.

Being Egon Spengler's grandchildren!

Without having lost the archaic touch.

I have to admit, this style of filmmaking seemed endearingly familiar, and I found myself wanting to watch the film in one go instead of splitting it up into 2 nights.

It was like that old Ghostbusters magic had been rediscovered by the next generation, and although I don't really recommend making sequels decades later, this one worked well, intergenerationally speaking (still hoping for another with the all female cast). 

Of course ghostbusting can't stray from the horrors of cynical dismissive trajectories, the public school an unfortunate gong show, with no genuine leadership, it was tough to watch (they have good public schools in Canada and Québec [higher taxes]).

And dispiriting, I know it's just a comedy film that makes light of serious realities, and that systemic critiques are wincingly welcome to avoid too much hyper-reactive self-obsession, but teaching is an incredibly difficult job as I've mentioned before several times, another layer of obtuse scrutiny only adds to the associated difficulties (YouTube is making it impossible to get through to some kids). 

I like to watch both comedies and dramas so the uptight cynicism never sets in, instead the tragedy associated with progressive endeavours becomes much more sublime and worthwhile correspondingly.

I think for a lot of people it's generally one or the other however.

Don't sell yourself short, take the well-rounded approach.

Take another look around at what we've achieved. 

Thor: Love & Thunder

I must admit to reflexively preferring Star Trek's classification of the Gods, in the age old episode of The Original Series where the Enterprise's crew encounters Apollo.

He had to leave Earth long ago and set out to the Heavens in search of worshippers, along with his Greek and Roman brethren, eventually settling on an isolated planet.

Upon encountering the crew of the Enterprise, he seeks to coerce their admiration, but the imaginative space-faring ill-disposed citizens soon find a way to outmanoeuvre him.

Thor is rather chill for a God preferring to sleep in and engage in horseplay, when the people need him he courageously responds but otherwise disdains regal pomp and pageantry. 

Thus, he fits in well with laidback demonstrative interstellar particularities, and is much easier to actively root for than someone demanding obedience and loyalty.

I thought it was cool that Marvel included the less widely known Norse Gods in its narratives, because it was fun to learn more about them while watching the athletically staged theatrics.

But Love & Thunder introduces every God the all and sundry you can possibly imagine (even Q: The Wingéd Serpent), it's out of touch with the creative genius that led to the X-Men and the Avengers.

The abundant Gods no longer seek worship but rather inhabit a far off realm, where they lounge about and entertain as decorum permits with unheralded alacrity. 

Thor fittingly disrupts their balanced order keeping in tune with contemporary shenanigans, functioning in a similar way to Captain Kirk in that Star Trek episode from long ago.

Marvel and D.C's creative brilliance has no doubt been proven time and again, but as their films continue to exponentially multiply has Star Trek's multivariable imagination been overlooked?

Gods no doubt exist within the diverse multilayered Trekkian sagas, but the emphasis is usually on how human ingenuity can resourcefully outwit them.

Star Trek isn't as reliant on superhuman strength or exceptional idiosyncrasy, to find a logical working solution to the crafty predicaments it faces week after week.

Rather it champions science and the ingenious solutions expediently found, by a group of curious travellers who search the universe to expand their minds.

Marvel and D.C etc certainly deserve a place in the forefront. They've dynamically carved multiple scenarios overflowing with daring and remarkable teamwork.

But something's lost if Star Trek's focus on the human factor loses its cinematic edge.

Not just human, alien as well.

Interactively engaged in inclusive environments (where you'd also find Thor). 

The Adults

A close family constructively enjoys a creative childhood dynamically engaged, during which characters and acts and plays are imaginatively shared with receptive audiences. 

The two older siblings have an unspoken rivalry but the youngest generously co-exists, angelically posturing with unselfish sincerity she forges a bridge between the feuding duo. 

As time moves on, and their parents pass, the brother packs his things and leaves one day, their tightened bonds tritely cast aside as he travels the country playing poker and working.

Unable to process his hard-pounding grief he stays away for many a year, hardly calling and showing little interest in the resourceful sisters who made up his home.

But one remorseful soul-searching day he decides to return with undetermined intention, certainly to play poker with ye old school friends, still genuinely curious about his family's goings on.

The older sister who had to embrace responsibility after their mother's passing to save the house, isn't exactly pleased to see him when he suddenly shows up having never lent a hand.

To make things worse he strictly divides his precious free time between family and poker, heading out to intense games in the evenings, sleeping late, and vouchsafing afternoons. 

A habitually logical man attempting to abide by rational guidelines, who once embraced artistic endeavours, must consciously manifest spirit. 

Or suffer cataclysmic austere dissonance.

The Adults perhaps adding a hands-on French touch.

It seems to respect Band à part anyways with random inspired improvised dancing, not sure if that was just a coincidence or an intertextual shout out to independent hommage. 

The film excels at patiently observing the unpleasant difficulties associated with maturity, and the inherent frustrating cold calculated reckoning attributed to derivatives and distant dividends. 

As he slowly comes to realize he's somewhat of an artist playing real world at times, the film warms up and becomes more cute and cuddly, not without pressure and argument and confrontation.

Brought together through soulful reminiscence times creatively conjuring collective cohesion.

Adulthood having presented a lasting challenge.

Stronger united.

To non-traditionally age. 

Blue Beetle

I was seriously impressed with D.C's Blue Beetle.

And I had no idea what to expect.

Awkwardly, I had never heard of the Blue Beetle and didn't know where he or she fit into the D.C Universe, it's actually a bit more fun watching sci-fi-action-adventure when you have no idea who the characters are, notably when Grandma takes cues from T2, and the story deals with crippling student debt. 

According to Instagram, Biden and Harris have taken great strides to ease American student debt burdens, which is impressive, they've actually done something about it, like I said before, it's like Michael Moore's Presidency.

Blue Beetle works with a struggling family who worked hard to put one of its children through college, who returns home after completing his undergraduate degree, to find his family facing eviction.

The landlord tripled the rent and it was just way too freakin' much, after years of reliable solvency, such rent increases should be illegal (partout).

But Reyes is still happy to see his family who are just as enthused to see him, and he fortunately hooks up with the heir to a massive corporation, whom may prove rather handy in the upcoming sequel.

"The Scarab Beetle" chooses him as well and he becomes an unwitting superhero, his genuine honesty motivating the alien's choice, his acclimatization chill with improvisation.

Respect for Latino-America and the integral families that stick together, and extended communities that lend helping hands, it must be a cool network to be a part of.

It's similar with the French they genuinely care about one another, they may feud and bicker and disagree but at the end of the day it's a bona fide community.

With all my elevations of family values I may be giving the wrong impression, I don't actually want to have a family, that ship sailed a long time ago (too crazy for relationships).

A lot of the posts I see on social media and within films and series plus books, do seem to focus on family however, and it does seem to be a universal factor (respect for people who deal with the responsibility [hence often writing about them]).

There are still millions of single people out there for whom this model simply doesn't fit, or fits for a time, and then later doesn't, I do feel more at home with them.

I really loved Blue Beetle it honestly and sincerely cares about people, it's not the millionaires or all-powerful aliens, it's a remarkable family that's easier to relate to.

Hopefully robot police aren't seriously being considered around the world.

That needs to be collectively fought.

Even by ye olde policepersons.

Note: I really need to get into Mexican TV. 

It looks amazing!

I'm putting Blue Beetle up there with Captain America: Civil War (Politics) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Animals). 

For its intense focus on Social Justice. 

And cool story.

And amazing Dad.

The Flash

If I could travel through time I know precisely where I'd go. I'd find the name of the Captain who found the secret ocean hideaway of the eels, and discover a way to steer his ship off course, before the fateful day when he ecstatically fractured.

Before then, eels had a great thing going on, who would have guessed anyone would ever find them, far off in the middle of the ocean, their realm safe for thousands of millennia (it's technically more like salmon if I remember correctly, they return to a spot in the Atlantic every year where they breed, and then head out once again). 

However, the Flash discovers he can travel through time in a recent film bearing his name, and after he voyages to the past to save his mom, the world he once knew is changed forever.

Not technically changed forever, he can continue to travel through time to fix it, but it's kind of like the Kurtwood Smith two part episode of Star Trek: Voyager, Year of Hell, you can constantly alter time, but never find a perfect match for what you once knew (it's a cool episode).

It's also kind of like Marvel's Spider-Man: No Way Home where the different franchises merge as one, as the Flash enters an alternate reality where Michael Keaton still plays Batman.

For those of us who are rather annoyed when studios find new actors to play familiar characters, rather than sticking with the favourites their fans know and love, this mélange is quite intriguing, or at least it is to me anyways. 

Perhaps in an alternate timeline eels themselves have superpowers, and are capable of breathing on land, a defensive armada sinking any ship which approaches their lair!

With the Flash D.C takes on the Multiverse as well in death-defying multilateral fashion, as they also did in Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Star Trek: The Next Generation's Parallels.

I've started to wonder about stray thoughts about the bizarro contemplations that occur from time to time, it's okay because they're just random thoughts right?, but what if they exist in another dimension!?

Contemporary science seems a long ways off from definitively answering that question, although I have stumbled upon another cool book idea, without ever having meant to do so.

Are coincidences like The Flash's special moments which occur regardless in every single timeline, a point that doesn't make much sense when logically scrutinized, especially considering intuitive mutation.

The multiverse makes for compelling fiction nevertheless disputed points harnessing its synthetic prowess.

To narrativize exponentially.

Without losing limitless oceanic sights.  

*I actually had two coincidences on a walk today. I was thinking about how it was nice to see a fisher last year, but how I would have rather seen chipmunks and red squirrels regularly (they were absent from the forest for much of the year). Then I suddenly saw a red squirrel, which was cool. Around here I don't see them that often. Then I was thinking about making a smoothie and my thoughts strayed to ye olde Booster Juice. After which I immediately saw a Booster Juice bottle on the path. I was surprised, arrived home, made a smoothie.

Black Adam

D.C's Black Adam takes a turn for the ruthless as opposing extremists seek absolute victory, the feuding opponents having been unable to forgive for thousands of acrimonious rage-fuelled years.

The lack of concern for human life malevolently maintained by characters within, sets a maniacal distressing precedent not often seen in fantasy-adventures.

Of course they're countered by caring individuals definitively dedicated to preserving life, who don't calculate with vicious reckoning absolutely composed through righteous might.

When both sides in an age old conflict that sees no prospect of ending soon, view their adversaries with reckless contempt there's no way out of the malignant cycle.

Without leadership willing to withstand the bitter force of paralyzing prejudice, on both sides, the peaceful populace just trying to live has no laidback recourse to cultural stability.

Most people that I've met aren't irate belligerent militaristic madmen, they'd rather live a productive life in prosperous peace with their friends and families.

A stable economy, routine work, a dependable living to support domestic endeavours, aren't these things much more valuable than obsessed hatred and compulsive chaos?

You only have to momentarily consider something as wholesome as a community park, and the far-sighted caring commendable people who preferred such an idea to sequestered solace. 

Is the park not freely available to everyone, regardless of race or religion?

It would be cool if far-sighted knowledgeable politicians kept track of radical war mongers, the people advocating for the spread of war, using words like "natural" and "inevitable".

They could keep a list of these people and should a horrendous day come when war actually broke out, ensure that they're sent to the front lines for the entire conflict, where they'd be given plenty of opportunity to prove their mettle. 

Life's the most valuable asset we have after the choice is made to have a family, and real men and women opposed to wars and conflicts know the value of peace and stability.

They know it's a much more divine conception of honour to peacefully and compassionately love friends and family, to uphold traditions and seek continuity within playful reason generation after generation.

The love of good food, a glass of wine, the reliable networks that cultivate consistency.

Why listen to politicians who would challenge that?

To profit people who have nothing but contempt for you?

Superman shows up during the credits so there may be hope for the sequel.

But the Rock is too influential a star.

And I didn't like his character's contempt for life.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Pink Floyd was in a bind after their leading member became incapacitated. But they regrouped and dug in deep and years later wrote Dark Side of the Moon (and Atom Heart Mother and Meddle).

I can't think of another band that held it together after their leading person sort of passed, and even went on to improve upon his work, not that I still don't love listening to Piper.

In a similar way, but under much different circumstances, Marvel's Black Panther lost Chadwick Boseman, and likely had to make considerable adjustments to keep things real to narratively excel.

And I couldn't believe it.

Flabbergasted, if I'm not mistaken, is the word.

Wakanda Forever is like limitless joy radiating infinite happiness in a never-ending ocean of strength, illuminatingly upheld with fluidic fortunes nascently enabling elaborate forum. 

A major takeaway for anyone whose ever been pissed off about what happened to Indigenous South and Central America.

I try not to think about it because it's so uniformly frustrating that it obscures clear thought, and opens doors to distressing depression especially when you see it happening again.

Nothing can be done about it, but fiction doesn't play by the same mortal rules, and in Marvel's Wakanda Forever, Indigenous South Americans are a potent factor.

They survived thanks to a special flower the existence of which was revealed to them by their god, which transformed them into vibrant merpeople, who then made their home far beneath the open sea.

Not just a home, there's so much respect, like the respect given to African Americans through the creation of Wakanda, the extant versatile Mayas and Incas having built a formidable civilization under the sea.

They also ride whales and admire turtles Wakanda Forever totally jamming with Whale Rider, not only by introducing integral whales but also by championing prominent female characters.

It's like a monumental Indigenous/Feminist/African inherent feat of incredibility, with total respect given within, in terms of equality, ingenuity, and innovation.

Nature isn't forgotten as well the miraculous existence of any given species, is venerably compared to Wakandan and Talokonil technology, the cultures prospering through cultural symbioses. 

Like Pink Floyd, Marvel held it together and created another action packed inspiring phenom. 

The ocean is undeniably vast. 

Who knows what lies underneath?

*If Namor wants to buy Black Panther Shuri a present, I recommend picking up a really cool bike.

**Wrote this on Friday night after having a swim. 

***I know humpback and orcas get the most press because watching them jump is amazing, but don't forget about all the other whale (and turtle) species out there. They need representation too!

****There are a lot of bad things happening in the ocean, considering the infamous garbage patch and the intense underwater sound disturbances. The Talokonil (and the Metkayina) could tackle some of those issues in these films. I can't believe how much I love them.