If you are looking for hard facts and by-the-book reporting, Stacey Dooley probably isn't for you. However, if you are looking for something with heart, give her a go. Stacey may not always be the most knowledgeable and gets things wrong but her strength is her ability to empathise and connect deeply with those she interviews. I liked that she wasn't always trying to be the most objective or neutral person which can sometimes dehumanise real issues.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Annihilation
(I) (2018)
Both unnerving and soothing.
20 February 2019
I almost didn't watch this film but I am glad I did. I am not usually into sci-fi but it appeared under the horror category on Netflix and I've always liked Natalie Portman so I figured I'd give it a go.
Within the first ten minutes I suspected it might end with it all being 'just a dream' or all some grand metaphor for Portman's mental state and I'm not sure I was entirely wrong to assume that. I'm also not sure if I am just stupid and don't understand the true artistic depth of the film or if I am thinking way too deeply into it. However, I think it is one of those movies that everyone looks up an explanation for after they leave and are left to come to their own conclusions.
I did like how the source of scariness came from the unknown, the beauty of nature and the mundane. I also found it interesting how classic horror tropes such as the 'final girl', 'clones' and 'found footage' are appropriated and reinvented. Similarly, the merging of genres including psych-thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, romance and drama are combined to tear the viewer between a false sense of security and an underlying sense of suspense. I think this also emphasises the importance of paradox and balance throughout the film.
This is an enjoyable film with an interesting concept only let down by its ambiguousness and questionable science.
Within the first ten minutes I suspected it might end with it all being 'just a dream' or all some grand metaphor for Portman's mental state and I'm not sure I was entirely wrong to assume that. I'm also not sure if I am just stupid and don't understand the true artistic depth of the film or if I am thinking way too deeply into it. However, I think it is one of those movies that everyone looks up an explanation for after they leave and are left to come to their own conclusions.
I did like how the source of scariness came from the unknown, the beauty of nature and the mundane. I also found it interesting how classic horror tropes such as the 'final girl', 'clones' and 'found footage' are appropriated and reinvented. Similarly, the merging of genres including psych-thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, romance and drama are combined to tear the viewer between a false sense of security and an underlying sense of suspense. I think this also emphasises the importance of paradox and balance throughout the film.
This is an enjoyable film with an interesting concept only let down by its ambiguousness and questionable science.
Dark Tourist
(2018)
An enjoyable, sometimes disturbing docuseries with a charmingly awkward host.
20 February 2019
I binge watched this series in two days shortly before Christmas and have rewatched the entire series twice more since then. I found it to be very interesting and raised many moral questions for me as horror-enthusiast myself. I hope a second season will be released with more episodes.
I looked forward to seeing David Farrier once again after watching him in "Tickled" (2016) and I was not disappointed. While others aren't fond of this gangly, sweet yet sometimes blunt New Zealander, I find his investigative style really engaging. I appreciate that his interviews are more like a conversation than an interrogation. While Farrier is more than willing to listen to the reasoning and of whatever or whoever he is experiencing I like that he doesn't take everything at it's word and is happy to share how his views differ based on his personal context and engage in a respectful way. For example, I was impressed with his attitude in the South-East Asia episode. While he was obviously not used to the very intimate relationship the people have with their deceased relatives, I found it admirable that he still paid his respects with money and gifts.
I also enjoyed the mix of expected and unexpected dark tourism sites. I did expect places such as Aokigahara and New Orleans. However, it was the more unexpected such as the Horror house and the Suidlanders that really shook me.
I definitely recommend this for those interested in the macabre and for those looking for something slightly less intense to watch between true crime documentaries.
I looked forward to seeing David Farrier once again after watching him in "Tickled" (2016) and I was not disappointed. While others aren't fond of this gangly, sweet yet sometimes blunt New Zealander, I find his investigative style really engaging. I appreciate that his interviews are more like a conversation than an interrogation. While Farrier is more than willing to listen to the reasoning and of whatever or whoever he is experiencing I like that he doesn't take everything at it's word and is happy to share how his views differ based on his personal context and engage in a respectful way. For example, I was impressed with his attitude in the South-East Asia episode. While he was obviously not used to the very intimate relationship the people have with their deceased relatives, I found it admirable that he still paid his respects with money and gifts.
I also enjoyed the mix of expected and unexpected dark tourism sites. I did expect places such as Aokigahara and New Orleans. However, it was the more unexpected such as the Horror house and the Suidlanders that really shook me.
I definitely recommend this for those interested in the macabre and for those looking for something slightly less intense to watch between true crime documentaries.
Expedition Happiness
(2017)
A challenging emotional and physical journey for the viewer, the couple and their dog.
20 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I think the most endearing thing about this documentary is it' s rawness. While others have critiqued the camera work for shakiness, vlog-esque style and dirt specks on the lens, I think this is a relatively minor minor issue. Furthermore, I found the supposedly sub-par footage exquisite. The whole point of this documentary is to pursue happiness, rendering the actual process of filming as secondary thus contributing to the organic-quality that makes the film so appealing.
The beautiful music composed and performed by Selima/Mogli really elevated this documentary for me. Though many of her songs share a similar ethereal acoustics and lush vocals the viewer gets a unique grasps of the changing emotions throughout their adventure. Following this documentary I have continued to listen to her.
I do agree that Felix and Selima were unprepared and naive about many aspects of their journey including the nature of boarder-crossing and the potential health risks to their dog. However, the viewer must consider the couple's cultural context. They are from a predominately landlocked country and the boarder control in Europe is a lot different to that of America. In regards to their dog, you can clearly see how much love they hold for Rudi. Yes, it was unwise of them to bring their dog into the desert or to continue the journey despite Rudi's condition but you must also acknowledge that he may become more distressed or his condition also could've worsened during the roughly 9 hour flight back to Germany. Rudi's battle with illness and arthritis was a very stressful part of the documentary and I must admit that I looked up whether or not he survived the trip while watching it. However, I imagine my stress was incomparable to that of his owners as evident through Selima's distress upon Rudi's treatment at on of the boarders.
Overall, this documentary is quite an interesting exploration of happiness, minimalism and family through they eyes of two disillusioned young adults from Germany against the backdrop of Alaska through to Argentina. Despite the prominence of negative reviews I found this to be a pleasant documentary.
The beautiful music composed and performed by Selima/Mogli really elevated this documentary for me. Though many of her songs share a similar ethereal acoustics and lush vocals the viewer gets a unique grasps of the changing emotions throughout their adventure. Following this documentary I have continued to listen to her.
I do agree that Felix and Selima were unprepared and naive about many aspects of their journey including the nature of boarder-crossing and the potential health risks to their dog. However, the viewer must consider the couple's cultural context. They are from a predominately landlocked country and the boarder control in Europe is a lot different to that of America. In regards to their dog, you can clearly see how much love they hold for Rudi. Yes, it was unwise of them to bring their dog into the desert or to continue the journey despite Rudi's condition but you must also acknowledge that he may become more distressed or his condition also could've worsened during the roughly 9 hour flight back to Germany. Rudi's battle with illness and arthritis was a very stressful part of the documentary and I must admit that I looked up whether or not he survived the trip while watching it. However, I imagine my stress was incomparable to that of his owners as evident through Selima's distress upon Rudi's treatment at on of the boarders.
Overall, this documentary is quite an interesting exploration of happiness, minimalism and family through they eyes of two disillusioned young adults from Germany against the backdrop of Alaska through to Argentina. Despite the prominence of negative reviews I found this to be a pleasant documentary.
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