Sticking to the not-so-subtle format, we also get a Musk/Bezos-type billionaire who is incredibly creepy and sociopathic-and he’s one of my favorite characters to be featured on the silver screen this year. “One of the main exports of America is well-thought-out fraud,” he said, remarking on how he believes the toppling of democracy in countries such as Hungary and Turkey follow America’s descent into corruption. These attacks are again not subtle, but McKay still doesn’t care. Whether it’s the chief of staff being President Orlean’s son, the president of NASA being a super-donor to Orlean’s campaign or the White House only acknowledging the comet when it helps with votes, we are constantly dragged through explicit attacks which are clearly directed. Such comedy is prominently used in scenes involving the government, where McKay takes a swing at the corruption inherent in American politics. ![]() This kind of humor is exactly what pulled me into this movie, which I similarly enjoyed in “The Big Short.” While “Don’t Look Up” unfortunately didn’t feature Margot Robbie in a bathtub breaking the fourth wall, we still got our fair share of absurd scenarios. ![]() I, unfortunately, have to agree though I also likey hunky Star Man Leo. Me likey hunky Star Man” and “AILF (astronomer I’d like to f*ck)” come up on our characters’ feeds. Mindy and Kate’s announcement of the world-ending comet is instantly memed per Twitter fashion and masterpieces such as “Meoow. But this trend is evidently not the case here. Normally, mainstream movies weirdly can’t recreate the chaos and randomness of social media. The internet’s role in this comet frenzy is, of course, not forgotten and is portrayed in a way you usually don’t see in Hollywood movies: successfully. Mindy in “Don’t Look Up.” (Netflix/Don’t Look Up) The media covers the latest breakup between two pop stars, played by Ariana Grande and Kid Cudi of all people, or turns the issue into a joke, such as a talk show host asking whether the comet would hit his ex’s house in New Jersey. Mindy spend a considerable amount of the runtime trying to convince the world that the comet is indeed real and about the wipe out the human race, but America is focused on other things instead. The world McKay skillfully creates is filled with parallels to modern America to such an extent that I wouldn’t be surprised if the country actually reacted to an incoming comet the way he envisioned it. Now you know which extreme I’m talking about, and I hope you find it funny when said hosts cry out about Marxists spreading science, or when some obviously well-informed gentlemen claim the government is using the comet to take away their guns-cuz I sure did. While there were a few pokes toward one side of the spectrum, what stood out were the obvious jabs at the conspiracy lunatics and the Fox News-esque talk show hosts that almost always sit on the other end. The movie is also not subtle at all with its political disses, which McKay claims were equally aimed at all political leanings. “ is a Clark Kent-level disguise of the climate crisis,” McKay said, making it clear that he did not aim for subtlety whatsoever in this project. ![]() Amy Mainzer, McKay happily acknowledged that the message of the movie is much more spoon-fed than previous satirical efforts. In a recent roundtable that I attended with McKay and scientific advisor to the film Dr. What perhaps justifies the movie being straightforward instead of a more layered piece of satire is the self-awareness behind it. They fight to make their case as time slowly runs out, but no one seems to care. We watch as they face many roadblocks such as corrupt government officials, uninterested talk show hosts, conspiracy theorists and greedy billionaires. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) have to convince the world that the threat is serious. student Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence) discovers a comet headed toward Earth, she and her Ph.D. McKay, who previously directed movies such as the ever-so-clever “The Big Short” and the incredibly dumb “Step Brothers,” draws more from the former than the latter in this star-studded political satire. If the jokes land and the criticism is valid and deserved, I will gobble that up with pleasure, which is exactly what I did. ![]() Critics (and by critics I mean two reviews I read from normal people) say it’s too blunt and not nuanced enough to be satire, but you know what? I’m not complaining. Or rather, don’t look up!Īdam McKay pulls no punches in his latest satire, seamlessly fusing hard-hitting criticism of modern American society and politics with dabs of dark, dry humor. Do you ever want a movie that blends comedy, apocalyptic dread, capitalist corruption and Leo DiCaprio? Don’t look further.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |