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Film reviews

Project Hail Mary Review

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A breathtaking space adventure that will blow the audience’s minds. An audacious book adaptation that feels like a new world of spectacular elements. Project Hail Mary is glorious with vibrant motions and beautiful colors. The experience is best had in IMAX. Based on the novel written by Andy Weir, the film is directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. They put theirminds together and succeeded in making space look captivating. There are many themes that are hard to dismiss in Project Hail Mary. Especially given the focus on astronauts, the world in space is clearly different than the world below. In the end, the film comes down to science and persistence.

Project Hail Mary is aimed at a science teacher named Ryland Grace, played by Ryan Gosling. He wakes up in a space shuttle many miles away from home after being in a coma for years.His mission is to find a substance that is a threat to the sun. The threat is also a danger to the earth. Throughout the spacecraft he utilizes every inch of scientific resources. His life as a teacher is one of solitude filled with diverse challenges.

For Ryland, going home will take time. The direction of Project Hail Mary creates the sense that the space shuttle is the central environment. The cinematography and lighting have angles that make the atmosphere seem real. This film has the brightest and most shining space artistry that I have seen in a long time. The story and the subject of disconnect blended with science reinforces the realism of the film. The primary message in Project Hail Mary is to never lose hope. Faith does emerge in the adventures experienced in the story.

With scientific issues and other complex aspects being thrown into the mix, there is an unexpected element of surprise. Ryland befriends an alien-type creature who he gives the name Rocky. Actor Jamie Ortiz gives voice to Rocky. Ryland and Rocky work together to get home.  Their special friendship sold me. Finding a friend in space to travel with over many miles while creating memories was heart-warming. The confidence to make it home showcases the power of a wonderful friendship in Project Hail Mary.

Gosling is the king of space in this movie. He has a dramatic acting style which enables him to  play someone unprepared who is able to execute what looks to be impossible. Failure is not an option for Ryland in Project Hail Mary as he struggles through extreme hardships. Overall, this movie is a winner in terms of writing, science, and technology. The way it is presented makes the experience feel real. It is an incredibly audacious and vivid film that made me feel like I was floating into a new world of voyeurism. The IMAX experience enhanced the scenes in space and transported me to new world where I forgot everything else, but what was happening on the big screen. The vivid landscape was simply out of this world. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Project Hail Mary.

 

Film reviews

Mercy Review

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This is a suspense flick where technology and AI surround the premises throughout the entire hour and forty minutes. While the story remains on track, the predictability is high. This is Mercy directed by Timur Bekmambetov. In this movie, laws and lies are put to the technological test. Probability, stats, and tracking are the keys to saving one’s life, while at the same time, these same tools are being employed to clear one’s name. 

The film’s main character is Chris Raven (Chriss Pratt). He wakes up locked into a chair, and the person he is speaking to is an electronic judge, Judge Maddox (Rebecca Ferguson). Chris is accused of murdering his wife. The system is called “Mercy.” This means that he is given ninety minutes to prove his innocence. Because Chris is locked in a chair, he must deal with the complications of contacting those to help him find the missing pieces to prove his innocence while continually handling the frustration and stressors caused by Judge Maddox. Since she is an AI character, she resets a lot. When time is of the essence, technological glitches only add to the risk that Chris will look guilty of this crime.

The film highlights innovation through technological innovations which aid in connecting the dots and performing tracking simulations. The visuals are a rollercoaster of amusing graphics, especially when Chris contacts his assistant Jacqueline (Kali Reis). She is the officer who goes through the streets to find the missing pieces for Chris. However, the probability of proving Chris innocent remains low. The challenge is heightened because those who plotted against him knew the facts and were able to tamper with the evidence which causes him to look guilty. The retracing of steps utilizing technology makes Mercy mesmerizing.

Time is of the essence, yet the film feels drags at times. There is a timer that audiences see repeatedly next to the performance of Ferguson. This gives audiences an idea of how long they will either get to enjoy or not enjoy this thriller. Some will and others won’t. I fell into the neutral category, partly because I’m a firm believer in fairness. Putting the facts and logistics together throughout the film made Mercy have some compelling scenes. The dynamic between the characters played by Pratt and Reiswas strong. Both are experienced playing roles that do not take no for answer.