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Film reviews

How To Blow Up a Pipeline Review

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Eco terrorism is the compelling and lethal theme in How to Blow Up a Pipeline, a film where environmental activists break the law for their convictions. How to Blow Up a Pipeline spoke to me because I grew up with family and friends who worked around chemicals. The film delivers revelations that are harrowing, and a foundation that is even more disturbing.

How to Blow Up a Pipeline is about young activists who come together to sabotage an oil pipeline. The cast includes: Xochitl and Shawn (played by Ariela Barer and Marcus Scribner), who become activists because they feel oil production has negatively affected their lives; Michael (played by Forrest Goodluck), a disgruntled oil field worker who has been living in poverty; Dwayne (played by Jake Weary), whose family and property have been impacted by pipelines; Theo (played by Sasha Lane), who has leukemia from being around oil production; Logan and Rowan (played by Lukas Gage and Kristine Forseth), a couple who have been involved in numerous criminal enterprises; and Alisha (played by Jayme Lawson), who is along to support the effort.

Everyone in this film has the same perception that the world around them doesn’t care about how the pipeline affects people, and this is why they all come together to destroy the pipeline. But how far will they go while risking their lives?

As the film progresses it transitions back to each of the characters’ backstories, and it’s clear that their pasts fueled the political and economic conflicts associated with their mission. The film is set around Texas oil fields, the epicenter for the the eco terrorists’ pipeline operation. It is also the place where the political vibe proves strong for Xochitl, Shawn, Michael, Dwayne, Theo, Alisha, Logan, and Rowan. The vast dry lands can handle all kinds of damage, but the pipeline is the target to be destroyed. How to Blow Up a Pipeline becomes more politically chilling as it goes along. The group feels that the government just never cared about them. The pipeline destruction is like a protest, but times ten with the damage it can cause.

The environment is certainly a factor in the group’s decision to destroy the pipeline, but it’s more about how the oil operations has had a physical and economic impact on them. How to Blow Up a Pipeline soars with scientific destructions and suspense parallel to real-life problems. It is a ride that is unforgettable, dark, and lethally enticing.

How to Blow Up a Pipeline is a grandeur of science and environmental causes that has a voice of its own. It is a ride that goes in all kinds of dark directions. Its shocking and the outcome is inevitable. How far will the young activists go to prove their environmental and political point? What will the repercussions be? Will their reasons be validated? Will their dangerous task prove any positive point? There are many questions that holds the key to the mission of the film. Find out the outcomes in How to Blow Up a Pipeline. Four stars.

Film reviews

Tetris Review

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The backstory and the faithfulness to the world of video gaming and licensing is the epitome of an espionage tale that is a true story. Tetris is directed by Jon S. Baird. The conflicts that arise in this industry stir the plot of suspense in Tetris and make it thought-provoking and daring. Taron Egerton who we know from playing Elton John in Rocketman (2019) is Henk Rogers. Egerton takes on the role of the Businessman to bring the game of Tetris around the world which results in an inevitable ride.

Tetris is a biographical film full of suspense. The business side of making Tetris a bigger success had some dangerous and political loopholes. With the help of Tetris’ inventor Alexey Pajitnov (played by Nikita Efremov), Rogers takes chances to make Tetris a global phenomenon. The problems arise due to media proprietor Robert Maxwell (played by Roger Allam) and his son Kevin Maxwell (played by Anthony Boyle). While Rogers is supposedly on their side, they are not faithful to the deals and contracts they have signed which is why the rights to Tetris keep hitting plateaus which backtrack to Rogers. When he is in Russia trying to get copyrights signed over to help Tetris get more attention around the world, he finds himself in danger. With the political tensions and different Russia laws, Rogers is already at risk, but cannot afford to lose what he could accomplish. With one of the loyal creators Robert Stein (played by Toby Jones), it becomes clear that the dangerous misunderstandings link to the errors of Robert and his son Kevin. However, that does not mean that Tetris can’t still be a success.

The entrepreneurial mindsets are classy. There are times when the Maxwells have egotistical moments and are dismissive of the problems they have created for Rogers. That does not impact Rogers because knowing there are errors pushes him to succeed with getting the legit copyrights for Tetris. The vibe is for its hero to take what he can get in Tetris. Rogers and Pajitnov do what they can to prove what went wrong with the copyrights, but also how they can make it right.

The history of gaming makes the true story of Tetris an espionage experience. The movie features a number of discussions on the early days of computers, consoles, and even the mention of Gameboys. Tetris will blow your mind with all the innovations and steps involved in turning a profit in gaming. The political affiliations are where the film really strikes a realistic chord.

The political complications create enemies among the partnerships in Tetris. Rogers shows up in Russia, and a lot is misconstrued. There are also limited resources to help him with the language barriers and restricted access to ELORG (the company he must speak to in terms of contracts). The obstacles that surround Tetris are overwhelming. At times, the audience starts to resent the Maxwell family, because it becomes obvious that the lack of communication is because of them only caring about their own success. Clearly, they do not want to share their profits with others, but rather keep what they have to themselves. Rogers is a brainiac and knows that he is dealing with shady players. Tetris proves that taking risks is sometimes necessary to make a situation go smoothly, especially when it involves global profits with many marginal benefits.

Tetris will make viewers feel a bit hysterical because of the licensing conflicts being so messed up. The writing of the film is in-depth and includes very stressful frustrations that surround Rogers and Pajitnov. Rogers remains the bigger target since he is not a native. He lies and says he is a tourist, which is against the law. Pajitnov lives in Russia, but always wants Rogers’ presence to be limited. Tetris puts everyone on the line, both the good and the bad. How far will Rogers have to go to truly make ends meet for an amazing innovation?

What makes Tetris an experience of instigation is due to its continuity. The film is displayed in a motion of events with graphics, so its viewers feel as if they are playing a video game like ones from an Atari or an SNES Classic console. I felt the leveling up of Tetris was in video game mode due to the patterns of frustration for Rogers. In the film it is said Tetris is, “The perfect game.” I did not expect so much espionage and betrayal in the story. Although the presentation might not have been perfect, it was astounding, vibrant, and bonkers. Three and a half stars for Tetris.

Film reviews

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

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When I learned of the film Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, I first thought about fairytale storytelling. I reflected upon fantasy and how a video game, a TV series, or a movie is written. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is like a setup of the HBO series Game Thrones (which ran from 2011 to 2019). While the writing and continuity are along the same lines as Game Thrones there is a difference in that this movie gears on a medieval fairytale with comical storytelling. Upon reflection, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves could be described as Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) on acid. The ride is different, but also invigorating due to clever filmmaking.

In Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, the film focuses on a thief, Edgin, (played by Chris Pine). Edgin is a nice guy who is on a mission to retrieve a lost relic. The journey is anadventurous and joyful ride. However, Edgin is not alone, but has a group of others to join him on his adventure. There is Holga (played by Michelle Rodriguez), Xenk (played by Rege-Jean Page), Simon (played by Justice Smith), and Doric (played by Sophia Lillis). The antagonist would be Forge (played by Hugh Grant.) A fairytale journey involving a wild and smart bunch of adventurers, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves stays on-point while also being humorous and not a bore.

The main reason why Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is close to a masterpiece is because its creativity is “euphoric.” It contains magical moments which are mixed withfanciful scenes galore. There are spells, there are twists, and there is misdirection. When there is a fairytale film with Pine, Grant, and Rodriguez, it is sure to be a joyride where the humor will drive the film’s awesomeness. The success is due to having a great cast in a film that is different from what we are used to seeing them in.

Humor and magic are quite enticing, but the key factor in this film is how each adventurer has their own backstory. That is the element that really pulls together the joyful magic throughout Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Each character having their own story gives the audience insights into how some of the missions or twists could turn out for everyone. I love how the movie is set up to feel so interactive. The hints regarding who has trials and errors helps to enhance the fairytale jam of the film.

The film also seems scientific because of how its magical realizations are portrayed. It is like an “algorithm”—mission, journey, magical backstories, new realizations, and more to explore. Moving through these algorithms is enthralling in Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. There is a new gem hidden in many different corners of the film.

The magical moments are numerous within the film’s dynamic, its gems, and its backstories. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is different and enchanting. I was rather entertained by this adventure of a film since there truly is creativity in this medieval fairytale. Three and a half stars.