MOVIES

A page for all the crap I've been watching over the years. If you like rotting in front of a screen too, then this one's for you.

MICKEY 17

"Our entire life is a punishment."

I really enjoyed Mickey-17. Usually I don't like many trashy sci-fi flicks, which on first glance is what I assumed this movie to be. But I was totally wrong! Mickey 17 is funny, heartfelt, and satirical while keeping the watcher wondering what will happen next.

I think that the character development between Mickey 17 and 18 was an interesting metaphor for self acceptance. And unique, too! Their dynamic was honestly a highlight of the movie (PS: I'm never forgiving Marshall for killing my goat. RIP 18).

I have sort of mixed feelings on Nasha? At first I thought she really only saw the Mickey doubles as an opportunity for sex, but in the end I guess not. You can tell she really does care about both of them so that makes a difference. Still that part was lowk weird.

Anyways, some additional stuff; Got to see Steven Yeun, hell yeah. I liked the alien critters, they reminded me of the demigorgons from Stranger Things.

And I guess I could also write about how the whole movie is a parody of the politics in America, but I'd say that's pretty obvious. Great film, would watch it again.

- This review was written 11/6/25 -

OCTOBER SKY

"A rocket won't fly unless somebody lights the fuse."

Man, it's been a while since I've written one of these. Guess I haven't really felt motivated to make one. But since that season has finally rolled around, I figured why not give October Sky the time it deserves. So with out of the way, here are some of my thoughts.

Now sure, it wasn't the best movie I've ever watched. October Sky follows the stereotypical coming of age premise, of which I'm sure you're already familiar and a summary would only be superfluous. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it a lot.

Jake Gyllanhaal enacts the role of Homer Hickam, a boy desperate to escape his small mining town and make something out of his life. Problem is, it's the 1950s and he's from West Virginia. His only shot? To win the school science fair, and follow his dreams to space.

What really stood out to me was the nuance of Homer's position. Nothing is black and white with this movie, it feels raw and and every character is fleshed out just enough to feel real. Take Homer, who hates mining and his father yet would take up a pickaxe the moment his family needs him. How quickly he should abandon his dreams when the future is so uncertain, and in order to do so must abandon everything he's ever known. It's realistic, and in this protagonist I found a bit of myself as well.

Or take Homer's father, a man so set in his ways that it ultimately would be his undoing. He disguises his pride as dedication towards his family, but it quickly becomes obvious this is not the case. Does that make him a horrible person? Maybe. Yet in the end he would throw all of that away, perhaps out of shame for his actions or something more. We'll never know, but it's clear that John Hickam is not the clear antagonist many other films would have made him out to be.

Add onto all of that the classic fifties charm, and October Sky goes from a good movie to a great one, at least in my eyes. So if you haven't seen it yet, go check it out! It's quaint, heartfelt, and I promise you wont regret it. ;)

- This review was written 2/10/25 -