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quantumpeep
Reviews
Crop Circles: Quest for Truth (2002)
Beautiful pictures and dubious science
I was disappointed with this movie. Despite the tagline 'Quest for Truth,' William Gazecki focuses primarily on a number of 'author/researchers' (as many of the descriptions seem to say) who all very much believe they are supernatural or extraterrestrial without much discussion of them as possible hoaxes. The science was dubious at best, but unfortunately, many of the statements were framed as scientific. Discussion of geometry and magnetic anomalies sound convincing without saying too much. Patterns do appear in nature, but they are also based on physical law, and didn't I see some humanoid forms in these geometrical crop circles? In one frustrating example, a researcher shows a linear plot consistent with the Beer-Lambert law (which she does not state accurately) and says that the cause is therefore radiation. The plot, with its compressed y axis and fairly low R-squared value, is not clearly linear, and even if it were, no true scientist would then conclude that it *must* therefore be a radiation effect. There are many examples of jargon thrown around a little too loosely. Although the science is shaky, there are many beautiful crop circles shown amazing even as works of art -- and some interesting discussion about their origin. Unfortunately, it was discussion amongst people who essentially agree with each other.
13 Going on 30 (2004)
inconsistent story line and disappointing acting
I will be the first to admit that as a 31 yo male, I am not the target demo for this movie. However, I went with an open mind and the hopes that it would offer simple, playful truths about the world and live up to the comparison with Big. It doesn't.
Jennifer Garner had her moments, but didn't quite pull off either the playfulness of being trapped in an adult body or the very real fear of showing up to work not even knowing what your job is.
Perhaps my main criticism would be that the movie is not self-consistent. I am happy to believe in magic dust that transports us to the future and fulfills our wishes, but: (SPOILERS) Does nobody realize she can't do most of her job anymore? Would a room full of people know the choreography to Thriller? Would she hit on a 13 year old boy in public without remembering that, oh I don't know, she's trapped in the body of a 30 yo and hanging out with her peers? Would anyone sabotage their current employer and keep the proof in their office desk? Ok, maybe the last one.
Mark Ruffalo offered the one glimmer of positivity for me with a quality performance as the one believable character in the movie.
Again, I admit that I am not the target for this movie. It certainly had the cast and publicity to be the next Big, but in the end, it falls well short.