The Plastic Detox Documentary Review

Plastic is a ubiquitous part of our world. Whether we like it or not, it is everything we wear, eat, drink, etc.

The new Netflix documentary, The Plastic Detox, follows six couples as they deal with the pain of infertility. It also examines how we are (whether knowingly or unknowingly) destroying our planet and slowly killing all living creatures (ourselves included).

What bothers me most about the information provided is that the average person can only do so much. The government and the big corporations have to do their part. The problem is that for a litany of reasons, they arent.

Do I recommend it? Yes.

The Plastic Detox is available for streaming on Netflix.

Throwback Thursday: Extinct or Alive (2018-201)

Looking at Mother Nature, it is easy to wonder about the creatures that seem to only exist in myths.

Extinct or Alive aired on Animal Planet from 2018 to 2021. Host Forrest Galante traveled the globe, looking for animals that were previously believed to have long since left this Earth.

It’s an interesting program. For those of us who believe that preventing extreme climate change is necessary, it is a reminder that despite the damage we continue to inflict, the environment will always find a way to bounce back.

Do I recommend it? Yes.

Avatar: Fire and Ash Movie Review

In any IP, with every new chapter, the pressure from the audience grows.

Avatar: Fire and Ash is the third film in the Avatar franchise. It picks up soon after Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) ended. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) are facing a deeply personal tragedy that has the potential to tear their family and relationship apart.

As they grapple with their loss, enemies are on the horizon. Quaritch (Stephen Lang) would like nothing more than to finally take Sully down for good. The leader of another tribe, Varang (Oona Chaplin), is out for blood and discovers the power of human-made weapons.

As usual, the visuals are out of this world. The moral quandaries make the wheels turn, and the message about protecting the environment is as strong as ever. The problem is that the narrative is bloated. Director and writer James Cameron could have easily cut a good 45 minutes from the screenplay, and the movie would have been just fine.

The most interesting character is Varang. If Cameron does release numbers 4 and 5 at some point, I would be curious to see where he takes her.

At a total screen time of 3hours and 15 minutes, this one requires patience. If you are not so inclined to see it in theaters, I would wait for Avatar: Fire and Ash to be available on streaming and/or cable.

Do I recommend it? Sort of.

Avatar: Fire and Ash is currently in theaters.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Movie Review

When a movie sequel is announced, we hope that it succeeds. That hope sometimes springs eternal.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom came out in 2023. It is the follow-up to Aquaman (2018). The film takes place four years after the events of its predecessor. Aquaman/Arthur Reed (Jason Mamoa) has settled down to a life of tranquility while being the acknowledged ruler of Atlantis. He and Mera (Amber Heard) have a young son.

Their peace is shattered with the re-emergence of Black Manta/David Kane (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). The only way to stop him is to break his half-brother, Orm (Patrick Wilson), out of prison.

The bad reviews are not wrong. The screenplay gives lip service to climate change without truly addressing the problem. It is also by the book without the narrative elements that made Aquaman an enjoyable watch. Amber Heard and Nicole Kidman (as Mera and Atlanna, respectively) are mostly sidelined. Which is a shame, as they were integral to the first tale. I understand and respect the idea of a redemption arc for Orm, but that does not mean that Mera and Atlanna had to be pushed aside.

It was on cable last week. I only lasted for about 30 minutes before I had to change the channel.

Do I recommend it? No. Don’t waste your time.

RIP Jane Goodall

It takes a bold and determined person (specifically if they are female) to take a stand for what they believe in. Legendary conservationist and primatologist Jane Goodall passed away last week.

May her memory be a blessing. Z”l.

Is America Ready for a Second (and More Deadly) Hurricane Katrina-esque Storm?

Despite what some may claim, climate change is a real phenomenon. Scientists have advised that, although the number of hurricanes has not changed, their intensity and danger have increased significantly over the years.

As we all know, this past weekend was the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. After reliving the storm (via the Netflix documentary), I have to ask if this country is ready should another hurricane (or any natural disaster) with the same power occur? Is the government (at every level) ready to step up and protect both citizens and property? Are there resources to help those of limited means get out while they can?

The answer is that I don’t know that. With a normal government, leadership is prepared (as best as they can) for such an event. But we do not have a normal government.

Happy Monday.

P.S. POTUS has demanded more money from ABC after an interview with Donna Brazile over the weekend. Once you give in to a bully, they will always come back for more. I can only hope that the network will actually have a backbone this time instead of giving in.

I Have Lost Respect For Greta Thunberg

To create a better world, it only takes one person to speak up.

A few years ago, Greta Thunberg represented the best of Gen Z. She was unafraid to call out the adults who refused to admit that climate change is real and dangerous.

While I appreciate her work on climate change, I vehemently agree with her choice.

Like many intelligent and educated people these days, Thunberg has been turned into a useful idiot. She decided to sail to Gaza to “break the blockade”. Upon entering Israeli waters, she claimed that she was “taken hostage”.

Unlike the hostages that are still being held prisoner, she and the other passengers on their ship were treated as human beings. They were given fresh water and sandwiches and put on a plane back to Europe. They were not forced into underground tunnels, denied food, water, tortured and raped.

If this is the future of our world, I am more than concerned.

Happy Tuesday.

We FAFO’d: FEMA Denied to States Rebuilding From Natural Disasters

Anyone who lives in and/or is familiar with the Northeast of the United States knows of the seasonal weather. At some point in the year, we have to change from our summer clothes to our winter clothes and visa versa. What we are not used to are earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.

Recently, several states have been impacted by natural disasters. Any other President would step up to the plate and provide whatever resources are needed to the impacted communities, regardless of political persuasion.

He Who Shall Not Be Named decided to deny said necessities. The sad irony is that many of these locales are bright red.

If G-d forbid another Hurricane Sandy or Katrina should hit in the next 3 1/2 years, I dread what the response from the administration would be. We pay taxes to help our fellow citizens in need, not to fill the pockets of those at the very top.

We f*cked around and now we are finding out.

Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy Documentary Review

I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t think twice about replacing certain items. Is a piece of clothing torn or worn out? Just hop online and buy a new one? A device is outdated? Go to the store and get the latest edition.

Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy was recently released on Netflix. This documentary reveals how consumers are manipulated into constantly buying more stuff (even if they don’t really need it). It also talks about how we are greenwashed to believe that corporations are doing their part to prevent climate change.

What made me sit up and pay attention was not the interviews with experts, academics, and scientists. It was the way the narrative was presented. It was as if the proverbial lightbulb turned on.

These companies know exactly what they are doing. Their maneuvering is so well done that we are completely unaware of it. Which is why this film is so important.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely.

Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy is available for streaming on Netflix.

What Would You Take?

Like many Americans, my news-consuming habits have been affected by the wildfires that have engulfed Los Angeles.

I keep asking myself what I would take if I had to leave in a hurry? Would I have enough time to pack clothes, essential electronics, medicine, toiletries, and necessary government documents? Would I remember to take a priceless family heirloom or pictures of loved ones who are no longer with us? If I have children or a pet, what supplies could I grab? What would I regret leaving behind?

The answer is I don’t know. I can only imagine the emotional chaos of trying to take as much as I can before I have no choice but to leave my home.

My heart goes out to everyone affected. No one deserves this, regardless of income or social status. The only thing the rest of us can do is to give what we can and provide whatever support we can. Below is a list (via the Women’s Media Center, which is by no means extensive) of a handful of charities that are helping the victims. If you can give, please do. No amount is too small.

My prayer is that the survivors will be able to rebuild and that those who perished will forever be a blessing to their loved ones. Z”l.

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