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Leave No Trace (2018)
Selfishness and short sidedness at its core.
I watched this film with a lot of interest, after it had been recommended to me. While it was well made, good acting, well filmed etc, at the end I was left feeling frustrated and quite angry. I found the father portrayed in the film quite selfish. The option he chose to leave his daughter was unwarranted, reckless and showed lack of parental responsibility. He had many choices, I know this as I have worked with veterans for many years. This veteran had obviously been offered treatment, he was seen attending a Hospitsl for treatment, and then selling his meds. We're meant to believe that the facility had no treatment which is suitable for him, med based or otherwise, which is complete rubbish. There are a number of successful and evidence based treatments around. A combination of medication and treatment can be highly successful. This father was also offered a reasonable alternative to life in the forest. He was given a home in the country, on a farm, away from others and his daughter could attend school, whether or not he had the capacity for work or not. Even when they left here they eventually ended up in an even more remote location with a small group of very understanding people. They could've lived in this community too. The daughter would've had a home, the father could've gone out bush for weeks or months if he needed to, and still maintained contact with his daughter and watch her grow. She could've left food out by the tree like they had for another fella; the father could've continued treatment etc, I don't think going out bush, when you have PTSD, know you've left your beloved daughter alone and without anything, is really going to help your survival. Perhaps suicide was his final solution. A poor choice if your're a loving parent- what is your daughter to think about her abandonment?
I would've preferred to see the journey of a man who struggles with his demons following his return from duty, but who succeeds in recovering his life, not perfectly perhaps, but still with meaning. Give veterans and their families some hope.
Alien: Covenant (2017)
It's Alien Groundhog Day.
This movie was predictable at every turn, it was able to pick every surprise before it happened. Don't look into the mouth of an alien pod, don't breath the air on an uninhabited planet you've never been to before, and never trust the only guy you meet there. My list of complaints is limitless. Firstly who sends such a hysterical, unprepared, poorly trained and inexperienced group of mostly 20 year olds to outer space.? It was like watching a group of 16 year olds been given the key to the Ferrari. Chaotic and out of control. Secondly, no-one showed any real resilience when faced with significant stressors, no real soldiers or leaders here- and these are the people who are going to colonise a new planet? Give me a break! Glad I'm not going out there with them. Seems like space travellers never learn from decades of mistakes. Thirdly the only female who got into a position of leadership, and was the only one with the most resilience, came to power only after two other male leaders died So there is a glass ceiling even in outer space girls. Michael Fassbinser carried this film on his own, his dual role was the most interesting character/s and I would've loved to see the story built more around him. He is a good actor. However it was pretty predictable that David would have them all under his control from his first appearance on screen. Get a haircut, look like the other Sync, blend in for a while, kill off a few of the crew to minimise resistance, build trust with the rest and, then get yourself onboard the Covenant to complete your ultimate ulterior plan for a new colony. Great transparent lead for the next movie in the series. After 5 movies it is Groundhog Day, the aliens always win, we know ehat they look like and ET should phone home and warn us. Riddley.
Barracuda (2016)
Great work
I am not a fan of this writer, every time I start to read his books, I only get a third through. However it was a great production by the ABC and full credit to cast crew and writers. Loved the shots in the pool, and in particular Danny's mother who gave a wonderful and truly authentic portrayal of the European mum committed to family and life of her children. I'm not sure how much the miniseries deviates from book, but if end meaning is the same, then it was great. Not everyone is into sport, or can be a winner, and when a desire, passion, or dream ceases, it's not hopeless, but an opportunity to look at something else in life. I only hope more people will see that message. There's already too much loss of hope in the hearts of many in this world.