Ex Machina

Ex Machina (Alex Garland, 2014)

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Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Science Fantasy, Philosophical, Future, Artificial Intelligence, Thriller

OK, this one creeped me out more than I was expecting...but definitely in a good way. Essentially, this is an adaptation of the French folktale "Bluebeard," where a wealthy, violent man murders all his wives and his current wife tries to escape this fate. Of course, in Ex Machina, Bluebeard is Nathan, the founder of a company called "Bluebook" and the wives are instead his AI models.

I found the story eerie and disconcerting, at least until the twist ending. Then I have mixed feelings. But the atmosphere, the colors and quietness, the lack of information is was all wonderful. It fits. The future of the human species is unknown, especially as we continue to create machines that are more and more powerful.

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The Boxtrolls

The Boxtrolls (Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi, 2014)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Animation, Comedy, Family, Adventure, Complex Relationships

With names like Archibald Snatcher, Mr. Pickles, Lord Portly-Rind, how could you not enjoy this family comedy? Cheese and silly retorts abound, fun animation sequences, and even disgusting moments of cheese-induced bodily reactions. This one is a fun escape, though it does also have some messages for children, told in not-at-all-preachy ways. Including: "Cheese, hats, boxes-they don't make you who you are. You make you."

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The Red Turtle

The Red Turtle (Michael Dudok de Wit, 2016)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Animation, Philosophical, Survival, Thought-provoking

The story of life and love with no words, just beautiful images and a thoughtful narrative. At different times of the story, I was on the edge of my seat, holding my head, laughing, and crying. Very moving.

The colors and simple drawings work incredibly well with the broad, timeless narrative. And the little hint of legend/magic was fun and spiritual.

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Stranger Things Season 2

Stranger Things Season 2 (Matt and Ross Duffer)

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Rating: DSQ=12, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=4, Scale E=3

Retro, 1980s, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller

I was impressed and astonished at how well-crafted and acted the first season of Stranger Things was so I had high expectations for the new season. Well, it did not disappoint. Amazing, fun, thrilling, hilarious, nostalgic, worth the wait. Each episode made sense (with moments in the 7th that were questionable) and developed the characters in all the right ways. I will be watching this one again, for sure.

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