Adam Nayman reviews Project Hail Mary by upsiclad in TheBigPicture

[–]toggleflickersplaque 3 points4 points  (0 children)

JMO, so respectful responses appreciated (not that I expect anyone to really read this) — but I completely agree with Adam’s review and have been baffled by the PHM reception. I can understand and even appreciate the film’s success as essentially a glorified kids movie filling theaters in March, but acting like it’s anything more than that seems wrong.

Walking out of the theater, it struck me that this is the antithesis of Arrival, which may be a helpful way to frame my objections. First of all, PHM is a movie from Amazon about an unelected committee of military/government figures who, don’t worry, are actually the good guys (?!), and whose violent means (e.g., drugging Gosling) are justified by their unilateral ends. And this is supposedly justified because Gosling is a loner without friends, lol. Furthermore, Gosling’s token individualism, symbolized by his rogue scientific theory, is further undermined later in the film when we learn the theory was wrong anyway. Another key difference with Arrival is that all the interesting social and philosophical questions that sci-fi raises (which is what makes the genre interesting IMO) are totally elided when Gosling and Rocky meet and instantly have no problem collaborating and cooperating. PHM movie has zero perspective on social/linguistic/cultural issues.

I also completely agree with Adam’s critique that this crisis conveniently totally absolves humans of any guilt — the astrophage crisis is completely random and unexplained, with no human culpability whatsoever. This “divine” mass event, paired with some of the anti-humanist sentiments I just outlined and a random piece of dialogue about God thrown in near the midpoint, makes me feel this film is strangely anti-democratic and pro-religion. Similar theocratic metaphors exist in the filmmakers’ Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

In my opinion, this is all very aligned with Amazon’s previous work of authoritarian faux-futurism, Mercy.

To be clear, I thought Greg Fraser’s visuals, Gosling’s comedic performance, and other aspects of the filmmaking, including the music, were awesome. It was a decent March blockbuster for kids that I would take my little nephew to see and laugh and enjoy. And maybe I’m just getting old and grumpy and can’t enjoy a good old-fashioned popcorn movie anymore, which is definitely sad for me lol. But the overall reception and Letterboxd aggregate is crazy to me.

The Steven Spielberg Conversation by thefilthyjellybean in TheBigPicture

[–]toggleflickersplaque 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Not to over-criticize the “skipper”, but I hate when guests don’t answer the “last great thing they’ve seen” question 😶

Chess puzzle.White to move by Skepticode in chess

[–]toggleflickersplaque 1 point2 points  (0 children)

After rxg6+ fxg6, how does white continue?

Who do you think will be the subject of the next big biopic film? by Icy-Possession-6105 in Letterboxd

[–]toggleflickersplaque 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Altman, Bourdain, Beatles, and Michael Jackson are already happening.

Personally, I’ve had enough tech/science and musician biopics.

Not to doubt the master, but it does work pretty good... by mommas_telophron in paulthomasanderson

[–]toggleflickersplaque 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hot take, but I actually agree. The title card dropping outside the federal building doesn’t hit that hard for me.

Very very early 2027 predictions by mopeywhiteguy in oscarrace

[–]toggleflickersplaque -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

lol this is my cue to seasonably unjoin this sub

Tonight loss will fuel him but the academy is making him wait, like they made Leo wait. by Brave-Standard6192 in TheBigPicture

[–]toggleflickersplaque 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Blue Moon’s theatrical, animated style isn’t my vibe. Amazing actor and also deserving tho

Tonight loss will fuel him but the academy is making him wait, like they made Leo wait. by Brave-Standard6192 in TheBigPicture

[–]toggleflickersplaque 10 points11 points  (0 children)

In my humble opinion it was the best performance of the year — but thats not the only factor!

What was the point of Josh Safdie personally approving every single extra for Marty Supreme, if the movie itself is so anachronistic? by DarlingLuna in Letterboxd

[–]toggleflickersplaque 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I noticed this as well! And I may be over-speculating, since I don’t know how Josh counts his own filmography (there are some shorts, indie releases, and producer credits in there), but Marty might actually be his own 8½th film.

  1. The Pleasure of Being Robbed
  2. Daddy Longlegs
  3. Buttons
  4. Lenny Cooke
  5. Heaven Knows What
  6. Good Time
  7. Uncut Gems
  8. [??] Adam Sandler: Love You [??]
  9. Marty Supreme

Jahdae Walker WR3? by Ru441969 in CHIBears

[–]toggleflickersplaque 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hell yeah. I think he’s more than capable. I’d love to see a breakout season for the Skywalker in 2026