I have a folder in my notes app called “reviews”, where I throw in notes that I’ve put together about stuff I’ve watched, played, etc. I figured it might be fun to turn this folder into a substack essay, or series of essays.
The Greatest Showman (2017 film).
“Start big and show possibility. What is your dream? Who believes in you? How do you betray them?”
This was on my list for a long time, because I’ve always been curious about PT Barnum. Also I’ve really liked Hugh Jackman in several movies – Logan (also 2017!), Real Steel (2011). I might say “You know, I’m a bit of a showman myself.” I don’t know what exactly I was expecting, but turns out this is a musical theatre sort of movie, maybe kind of like Hamilton.
I can imagine some people finding this movie cringe for being really heavy-handed and on-the-nose with what you might call “theatre tropes” – our boy PT has a dream, is inspired, faces setbacks, persists through it, succeeds, suffers from success. If the on-the-noseness bothers you, don’t watch it. Personally I enjoyed it. I cried. I’m a sucker for classics tropes. It’s probably not actually a useful movie to study and learn from Barnum. (Storytelling notes: we get a glimpse of Barnum’s circus right at the start. This is very effective storytelling, because it gives the viewer a sense of what the rest of it is going to build up to.)
Cyberpunk Edgerunner (2022 anime).
“Mom dies. Everything gets worse. Pay to live, yet no law-and-order.”
I played Cyberpunk 2077 and really enjoyed it despite all the initial hiccups.
Legally Blonde
“Cashier thinks she’s dumb, tries to sell her crap, she sees through it. The skill of seeing, knowing what you’re looking at – very compelling.”
“A rejection/heartbreak is a strong opener. Now we’re invested: how will she handle it?”
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
replaying Mass Effect really makes it click why ME: Andromeda was so underwhelming. Some individual side-quests in ME1 have better writing than the entire main story of ME:A. Major Kyle, who cares for his people. The soldier that got experimented on, who is tormented. The slave girl on the citadel, who barely feels human anymore.
In The Office, a part of why Jim and Pam’s chemistry seems so compelling might be that it’s a “forbidden romance” – she starts out engaged to Roy, and so it seems like a no-go, particularly since it seems like neither of them are the kind to be okay with infidelity. Jim notices that Pam likes mixed berries – and it makes me think about Legally Blonde.
Hunchback of Notre Dame
“Why is the captain a good man?” He’s a hero who returned from war. Some parallels with Michael Corleone in The Goodfather. He’s untainted by the muck of business-as-usual.”
The Godfather 2 opens with a funeral. Funerals are times of change. Drunken disorderly men are an embarrassment to behold. Fredo yelling “I’m smart and I want respect!” – bro, if you’re actually smart, you’ll figure out how to get the respect.
Futurama has one of the best opening scenes I’ve ever seen.
I have a one-sentence note for Endgame: “Darker than I expected”
I was very disappointed with Borderlands 3 during my playthrough. I wondered if it was colored by my frustration with the poor performance on split-screen co-op play, so I rewatched someone else playing the story on YouTube, and I found myself disappointed all over again. The early game is needlessly slow and tedious. I actually believe BL3 could’ve been a lot better story-wise with some minor tweaks. And no I don’t think “nobody could’ve followed Handsome Jack” (the villain of BL2 that made it really good.)
Antman – “I was trying to protect you. I lost your mother, I didn’t mean to lose you too.” Hmm, things often point to family drama because family is the most universal experience, the parent/child relationship is the most universal relationship. Reminded of Campbell
Lion King: It’s very neatly broken into 3 acts. The first act ends with Mufasa’s death. Act 2 is Simba learning to be independent – no rules, no responsibilities, no worries – hakuna matata. But he can’t be a layabout forever, he ultimately must return to his responsibilities. “Scar was killed by hyenas, disloyal mercenary types.” This is the eternal cost of “the dark side”, transactional relationships.
Moana: Your father couldn’t save him (his childhood friend), he’s hoping he can save you. Maui: “I am nothing without my hook” – very moving
Arcane: “I’ll show you who you really are” – Villain