Altered Carbon: Season 1 - Thoughts

It's been a while since I've seen a show as intriguing and gripping as Altered Carbon. From the promo material I got the sense that it was worth checking out, as I usually enjoy sci-fi. From the get go it grabbed my attention, and at the end of the first episode left me longing for more. The premise of the future is interesting, while not completely new. The city, its dark moods, neon lights, and pace, somewhat reminded me of Blade Runner, while the interrogation constructs felt more like The Matrix. Some elements of the sci-fi world were new, like the Stack and Sleeve concept; but I'll leave that for you to watch and figure that out.

What differentiates Altered Carbon from several of the other sci-fi action shows is that its ongoing plot is really quite intricate, and requires some serious following. It's not necessarily something you can casually multi-task and watch. While I won't put it at the complexity of say True Detective, its somewhat there in its plot depth. The individual episodes all work towards creating the bigger picture, while not really being mini sub-plots like some other shows.  As the show kicks off, there are several backstory aspects that feel like they're missing; but rest assured that over the course of the season, everything gets covered decisively.

Most actors are new, and surprisingly pretty decent. The characters develop well with the plot, with the performances doing apt justice. Even the AI character was likeable. While there is an expected attraction, leading to a romance between the lead characters, it doesn’t come across as corny, and serves as an otherwise expected component.

For a sci-fi fan, what Altered Carbon delivers is a well thought out, intricate plot, that manages to stay mysterious, interesting and entertaining through its 10-episode length. With a satisfying number of gadgets and tech, coupled with good action, and supporting visual / sound effects, it makes for a great sci-fi watch; easily the best on TV right now.

My Recommendation: Kick Ass (Futuristic sci-fi at its very best)

Coco - Snapshot

Released late in 2017, Coco made most of the 'top movies of year' lists. Having been blown away by Inside Out, I waited for the Bluray release of Coco, and got my hands on a high bitrate 1080p HD rip, with a 7.1 channel, DTS HD Master Audio soundtrack. 

It's fair to say that expectations were high, and as with movies before it, Pixar didn’t fail to impress. Coco is themed around the Day of The Dead culture in Mexico, and at the core is about family. The narrative also touches upon aspects of aspirations, choices, and ties it all together with music. The presentation is lively, colorful, and the 3D animation is beautiful. The characters are very likable, and the story is really heartwarming. Some of the closing moments were really emotional, and I can see why many reviewers have said that they were in tears. The DTS soundtrack was absolutely amazing, and on a good surround home-theatre comes alive; making for a high-energy setting, with noticeable use of surround, and crisp sound effects. 

While I won't put it in the same league as Inside Out, because that took creativity to another level, Coco makes for great family entertainment. Kids will love it, and adults should find it light and entertaining. No surprises as to why it won the Oscar for best animated feature of 2017.

My Recommendation: Watch It + (Mexico, Music, and all that good stuff)

Children of Men - Snapshot

An interesting take on the future, questioning perhaps what we all take for granted… What if child birth indeed becomes impossible?

Set in the UK, the movie has an appropriately British feel to it. At its heart it’s a drama, thriller; so expect for several slower conversational and inter-personal drama elements, while navigating the bigger world-crisis plot. Though just a few, the intensity and reality of the action scenes are great, the bike chase and crash scene being a good example. Rather than going with a traditional build-up, and entertainment focused action, opting for a 'plunged into crisis' sorta perspective. The life in the warzone later in the movie is also phenomenal; creating for a setting that feels literally chaotic, with gritty in your face explosions. Performances from the leads characters played by Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, and Michael Caine are good, helping keep the slower deeper aspects of the narrative tight. If you're into post-apocalyptic themes, which aren't purely action packed, Children of Men is worth the watch.

My Recommendation: Watch It (A post-apocalyptic thriller with a twist)