Two Takes

Tony Stark, known as Iron Man throughout the world, is a man who revels in his achievements and the adoring fans that follow. But we all know is that when this attention is firmly fixed on someone who proclaims themselves a hero, there is more than just the good times that present a man who is faltering and fixing who he is and those around him. A mechanic can only do so much, but for Tony, he went far beyond any of us could ever imagine. And his story arc is the epitome of a man who learns more about selflessness, how fiercely someone can protect those he loves, and about self sacrifice so others can live on.

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Being the best of friends from a young age until adulthood can sometimes be a hard thing to master, but Steve and Bucky eclipse this by their easy going friendship that lasts decades, overcoming hardships and truths that bond them together for a lifetime. Or in our case, two lifetimes.

And if you think about it, with their stories merging on the MCU timeline, with the one we follow being Steve's, has us believe that both Bucky and Steve had the same starting points, that veered off into completely different directions and fates. Almost as if to present the theory that Bucky, being best friends with Steve, was representing an alternative series of events that Steve did not get to witness or have to be subjected to. Unfortunately Bucky had to endure the hardships and brainwashing until further notice. But we must remember, as Steve's story begins to close, Bucky's is only just beginning.

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Captain America has perhaps become the most symbolic character of standing one's ground and to follow the righteous path of truth and honour. And, for the overall character arc, that might be true. But what about the man underneath the American banner?

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It seems there was always going to be a choice in what we can do; left or right, blue or red, play or not to play.

So why would a game like this be any different? Dive into the sensational Netflix series and explore what we do under pressure, what true emotions come out under desperation. There are so many different aspects of humanity shown, that overall, each character has a reason for being there. 

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We can understand that being under the influence of something can enlighten you, can make you seem more open, and perhaps, in these cases, more susceptible to the suggestions of others; especially in an overwhelming environment.

In both Midsommar and Fifteen Million Merits, there is a small connection when it boils down to some important scenes.

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We all know that Dani, the main protagonist, is pre-destined to be the May Queen because of the tapestries shown at the beginning of the film. It presents the noticeability of this, as well as the horror format of newcomers coming to celebrate a unique festival in a cult-like setting; its obvious, people are going to die. And, they do. Which is fair enough. Because we were told this at the beginning.

But what is the reasoning behind this significant day in the Harga's history? Why every 90 years?And why Dani? Let's take a look.

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We don't see ourselves, the audience, actually questioning anything the characters do out loud; we seem to sit staring, waiting for the next situation or the next reaction, because we can never predict it. We are glued to something we are finding almost uninteresting because the characters are finding it to be normal. And so, we find ourselves detached. But, I bet you didn't know that was the whole point of High Rise.

Dive in as we analyse the High Rise. 

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In an earlier episode in my 'One Shot' Series, I have talked about The Lighthouse in depth, merging its mythological undertakings of sea faring folklore and how, in my theory, their existence is a purging of one man essentially making the same mistakes in a purgatory existence. But what I haven't explored in depth, is the Lighthouse itself.

What I have come to find is that in both the Lighthouse and in Annihilation, the lighthouse can be seen as something symbolic, presenting an almost end result to the story the characters see themselves in, as well as being it's own presiding presence in both films as the characters find themselves swallowed up in the happenings within and around this striking building.

From Joe Hill's book of the same name, Horns, explores the devilish undertones of what can happen when you have the devil on your side to exact your vengeance. But surely there is more than that? Ig Perrish slowly learns the truth of his girlfriend's killer as well as the darkest recesses of his family and friend's desires. Being given the supernatural gifts of a demon, surely Ig can do some good in this reality? Everything seems to be shrouded in mystery, with many people and things from the present and Ig's past having double meanings.

In the first 13 minutes or so of the film, there is no dialogue. And from that moment onwards, the silence becomes non existent, replaced with conversation and music, emphasising that the more people that are introduced within the film, the louder it becomes. The apocalyptic landscape offers nothing more than what the people abandoned there can find and make do with. And so, since there is nothing else, it becomes a psychological exploration of human nature, on many different spectrums, alone or otherwise. We follow Del to begin with, alone but not lonely, and then Grace, who is lonely but not alone; they both collide then forge a compelling friendship, understanding the need for companionship but also solitude in this drama/sci fi film.