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First impressions, the CGI looks unfinished. I'm assuming it'll get better by the actual release in 3 months but right now, the She-Hulk scenes look cartoonish.

With that out of the way, the premise actually looks promising. Sitcom-esq, but in a good way. Like something that could stretch into multiple seasons. More like Hawkeye than WandaVision or Loki that were basically extensions of the MCU movies.

Also feels like something targeted at a younger audience. Again, like Hawkeye. Perhaps that's what Disney is going for these days. Tone down the TV shows for a younger audience while making the blockbuster movies more... intense.

Either way, August will be here soon enough. So far, She-Hulk feels like a low-stakes light-hearted fun romp. Plus we get to see a number of familiar faces. Who doesn't just love to hang with Professor Hulk?

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Matrix IV - My pitch

Matrix IV: My Pitch

What if instead of this monstrosity called Matrix Resurrections, Warner Bros had simply gone for a prequel TV series showing how The Matrix came to be? Allow me to elaborate.

Instead of trying to continue a story that (for all intents and purposes) had successfully wrapped up two decades earlier, it would have been more interesting to look at what came before the first movie, a Matrix Origins if you will.

Give me the origin story for each of The Nebuchadnezzar’s crew members. Let’s follow each individual’s journey to discover the Matrix and watch them eventually meet Morpheus by the end of the first season. Sort of like Lost. Or Gotham. Or (and I’m just spitballing here), The Matrix.

We’d get to meet a much younger Trinity and Morpheus; watch them discover The Oracle and learn about the prophecy of “The One”. We’d see Morpheus begin his search for The One and make mistakes along the way. We could have him pick a wrong candidate (Neo was definitely not his first) and have his faith shaken, then subsequently restored. That wrong candidate could later become Cypher.

That’s a story I’d love to see.

This also gives Warner Brothers the opportunity to play fan favourites with younger actors and revive the franchise without hurting the original trilogy. It’s also a chance to connect a younger audience to the larger Matrix franchise (Animatrix, Matrix Online, etc.) The possibilities are truly endless.

Unfortunately they decided to go with this mishmash of incomplete ideas and simply ruin the memory of what was for fans, while further distancing anyone who never really got on the train in the past 20 years.

Anyway, I’m just going to stay in the reality where the Matrix trilogy remains a trilogy. Resurrections is dead to me.

[moviegist]

"What have you done today... to earn your place in this crowded world?"

- Dr. Kevin Christie, Utopia Season 1 (2020)

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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Was a Better Matrix 4 Than The Matrix Resurrections

The Matrix was always a love story. That scene from the original movie where Trinity revives Neo (or even where he resurrects her in Reloaded) still gives me chills till this day.

Even “The Architect” clearly points out that what made Neo's version of "The One" so unique was that his attachment to humanity was via a specific experience of love. 

One of my favourite scenes from The Matrix Reloaded by the way.

So I might have forgiven a less action-styled exploration of that relationship. Afterall Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind managed to incorporate sci-fi, romance and philosophy into an engaging story with its own plot twists and unexpected reveals.

Matrix 4 could have simply focused on Neo finding his way back to Trinity in the new Matrix. If they scrapped the perfunctory fight scenes and played up the sci-fi, philosophy and the feels, the story would have worked. Eternal Sunshine did.

Anyway, whatever they were going for didn't quite stick the landing. Not with those awful action scenes. 

Urgh.

[moviegist]

Mr. Robot

What if someone made a TV series based off the premise of Fight Club... but this time it's hackers?

Complete with the mental hijinks, random philosophical outbursts, shadow groups trying to take down the global financial structure, led by an unassuming everyman with "deep seated problems for which [he seeks] professional help"

Plus my mind almost literally exploded when they started playing The Pixies "Where Is My Mind?" in one of the final episodes of the 1st season... same song from the closing scene of Fight Club. Same song from lots of other excellent psychological thrillers.

So while Mr. Robot reminds me of Jack's immortal words, it's still a great watch. I wonder what other movie/series will attempt yet another fresh take on this plot?

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Don’t Breathe

This was a brilliant thriller.

I haven't watched a horror movie that made me afraid to look at the screen in a long time. No monsters, zombies, vampires, or ghosts. Just plain genius.

The only thing I found annoying was them trying to make the criminals in the story relatable. Nah men. You broke into a blind man's house with the full intention of drugging and robbing him AT GUN POINT if necessary. You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes.

Let's just conclude that there were no "heroes" in this story. Still, a must watch. I just hope the sequel lives up to the thrill of the original...

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Mortal Glitch

Discovered this series on YouTube Originals recently. Was quite fun to watch! 

A hero[ine]'s journey you’ll enjoy.

[moviegist]

Truth is truth, even when told by a liar

William Wallace, Braveheart (1995)

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FATMAN

a.k.a. Santa goes rogue. I simply love the premise behind this movie. This is the Christmas movie most befitting of a year as dark as 2020. Just imagine the taglines, 

“The Fatman says, ‘Merry Christmas’” (right before pulling the trigger on his Walker Colt)

And who else but Mel Gibson can pull off a greyed out Santa defending his dying business? This looks like it’s gonna be fun!

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Chaos is the great hope of those in the shadows.

Sophie Longerbane, Carnival Row - Season 1, Episode 7

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Hercules (1997) Zero to Hero

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With the Wonder Woman 1984 coming soon, I decided to revisit the 2017 debut of this amazing amazon on the big screen and why the movie was truly one of a kind.

Wonder Woman was more than a superhero flick. The protagonist was much more than just a strong feminist icon, unlike some other female superhero we won’t be discussing today (cough, Captain Marvel, cough). 

The best thing about Wonder Woman was that, despite being a confident, intelligent and powerful goddess, she retains and displays every cool thing about being a woman. She loves ice cream, coos over a baby, shows compassion where others have given up and literally walks into danger to protect the weak while the men are busy talking about the problem. 

Plus she's a hell of a great kisser 😊. She's basically a wonder-ful woman. While it might seem she's portrayed as every man's fantasy woman. I believe she’s every gal's dream woman as well.

[moviegist]

GhostBusters 3: AfterLife 

This is the Ghost Busters sequel we deserve. Not a quirky remake/rehash of the 80s classic. This is a proper continuation of the story, much like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was.

Let’s just say 2020 is gonna be lit!

[moviegist]

This might just be the best Disney live-action remake yet, considering the plot lends itself to live action. No dancing genies or talking animals. Just a great story. 

Plus Mulan remains my favourite Disney story ever.

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Am I evil? Worse, you're smart.

Rick Sanchez, Rick and Morty Season 3, Episode 9

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Malika - Warrior Queen Animated Pilot/Film [FULL]

[moviegist]

I love this show!