HuMan's MILLENNIAL REVIEW BLOG

I have previously reviewed How to train your dragon on this blog. The third part to be specific. And in that I said I wasn't particularly fond of it because it felt less like a sequel and more like an add on or spinoff. Well, since then I have come to appreciate the fact that at least HTTYD never became a knockoff of itself the way Ice Age did and lost its initial identity in the process. The sea beast however, does that for HTTYD.  The Sea Beast features most notably the voice of Karl Urban, someone I recognize from the TV show The Boys, which is just fantastic in its own way. Regardless, one can barely tell who Karl Urban plays in this movie as his voice is as generic as possible. He rocks an Australian accent in the Boys and I honestly don't know if that is his real accent but that was what I was expecting. Either way, weak voice acting aside, all of the characters seem to lack polish in their personalities. There is nuance here and there in the plot, but overall they aren...

Recently, I had a quick fleeting recommendation to peruse George Orwell's 1984. Its increasing relevance in today's time period as social media sites and technology aim to do precisely that which is described in this book contains more forethought than one would expect from a writer during the industrial revolution. So I picked it up, as in, I downloaded an epub file from the internet and employed my trustee Google Books app to create a simulation of the book on my phone and completed it in a mere 5 days. Without giving too much away, the base premise basically describes modern-day China. In that, every single person living is under a regime that is constantly watching them. 1984 has a slight bit of confusion though.  Before it can really embed itself upon me as genuinely being a good book, it first has to decide what kind of book it is. 1984 takes ample time and liberal descriptions to describe each and every contemplation of thought that goes on in our protagonist's mind ...

 Jug Jugg Jeeyo is a film about divorce. As dismal as it sounds the movie barely treats it with the emotional gravity that a separation should bring. Varun Dhawan and Kiara Advani do sport an engaging chemistry, which is why their separation makes us feel really bad for them. Still, then they get completely overshadowed when Varun's dad drops a bomb on him. If this movie had a stronger focus on separation it would be a significantly more meaningful movie with some really powerful scenes but instead it chooses to be an unexpected comedy of confusion in mind bending situations. It is as though if Marriage Story was shit. They could've done several things better, Manish Paul is misused as in many scenes he seems and sounds smart and then immediately disproves that in a later scene. The inconsistency in character is what bugs me. Anil Kapoor could've been a genuinely great role model on how compromising and maintaining relationships is integral to keeping any relationship but i...

  The most notable antagonist of Jaadugar is the protagonist themselves. Meenu's self destructiveness harms not only him but everyone he imposes his self-proclaimed 'true love' on. It is increasingly bothersome as the movie progresses because I personally grew to despise his decisions and need to achieve something with complete disregard for the people who care for him so unconditionally. He repeatedly uses them, ignores them, and shuns them except to benefit anyone but himself.  The performance of Jitendra Kumar as Meenu adds no flair to the character whatsoever. I guess I expected some kind of feigned emotional weight whenever he tries to deceive or inveigle someone. But it is so apparently obvious that he is faking it that even in the in universe characters catch it in one go. On top of that it is no joking matter whenever he attempts to manipulate someone. He consistently forces his love and how he perceives it and does everything in his way, which while reiterated seve...

  The south Indian film industry is one that is appreciated almost all over India. With its tacky action and unrealistic depictions of heroes, the films nonetheless succeed in presenting a competent entertainment experience. Personally, that was the case for Bahubali and now Vikram. The excessive use of CGI, prevailing of good over evil without any gray area or personal dilemma. Vikram even features a detective helping out a vigilante who is technically carrying out terrorist-like operations. As an ardent fan of Batman and the principles that he operates with, the confidence that this is all depicted in with respect to opposing a simple villain is too lightweight. Beating up anyone who opposes you, supremely vilifying someone who runs a drug ring, or to the downright slightly inappropriate treatment of women characters. There is a heartfelt scene when Kamal Haasan treats a prostitute with some kind form of affection but that is defaulted later on with the death of another female ch...

  The following appeared in a memo from a vice president of Quiot Manufacturing. "During the past year, Quiot Manufacturing had 30 percent more on-the-job accidents than at the nearby Panoply Industries plant, where the work shifts are one hour shorter than ours. Experts say that significant contributing factors in many on-the-job accidents are fatigue and sleep deprivation among workers. Therefore, to reduce the number of on-the-job accidents at Quiot and thereby increase productivity, we should shorten each of our three work shifts by one hour so that employees will get adequate amounts of sleep." Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on these assumptions and what the implications are for the argument if the assumptions prove unwarranted. The vice president of Quiot Manufacturing has received a fairly adequate evaluation of the grievances of the workers. The comparison betwee...

The best way to teach — whether as an educator, employer, or parent — is to praise positive actions and ignore negative ones. Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position. Mentorship is a foundational stepping stone for any development, be it in a student pursuing school education or an adult entering a new company as an intern ready to explore new horizons. How a person takes upon this responsibility to rear an individual’s skills to be culturally, and morally appropriate is entirely upto them. They are tasked with choosing several methodologies, two of which would be to weigh their disciples positives and negatives and reward them accordingly, and the other would be to ignore the negatives and focus on their positives and push them to keep improving those positive qualities. Dependin...

  The following appeared in a letter to the editor of Parson City's local newspaper. "In our region of Trillura, the majority of money spent on the schools that most students attend — the city-run public schools — comes from taxes that each city government collects. The region's cities differ, however, in the budgetary priority they give to public education. For example, both as a proportion of its overall tax revenues and in absolute terms, Parson City has recently spent almost twice as much per year as Blue City has for its public schools — even though both cities have about the same number of residents. Clearly, Parson City residents place a higher value on providing a good education in public schools than Blue City residents do." Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument. The letter has been presented to the editor of the Parson City’s local n...

  The surest indicator of a great nation is represented not by the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists, but by the general welfare of its peopWrite a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position. The advent of the Victorian era for the British colonial rule was a message to the entire world, to be subject to oppression by the British crown or to fight till they shall be overthrown. This depending on perspective of course, archaic or modern, may vary on whether such success during the 19th century was positive or not. But none can be mistaken that it was an achievement by the empire that cannot be misinterpreted in any other way than massively successful and lucrative for the British empire.. Ho...

  In any field of inquiry, the beginner is more likely than the expert to make important contributions. Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position. Can anyone ever definitively answer the question what was there in the beginning? Not specifically the beginning of something in particular, generally, in the beginning of anything. In some sense the inchoates of anything is a beginner. From objects like constituent components like gases forming massive planets, to the first innovator who built the wheel. Everything, both as a concept, and everyone, was at some point a beginner. Even a human being that starts of as an obnoxious inquisitive child involuntarily in search of their own passions. And it stand...

The following appeared as a recommendation by a committee planning a ten-year budget for the city of Calatrava. "The birthrate in our city is declining: in fact, last year's birthrate was only one-half that of five years ago. Thus the number of students enrolled in our public schools will soon decrease dramatically, and we can safely reduce the funds budgeted for education during the next decade. At the same time, we can reduce funding for athletic playing fields and other recreational facilities. As a result, we will have sufficient money to fund city facilities and programs used primarily by adults, since we can expect the adult population of the city to increase." Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument. The committee’s proposal to deduct funds from the educational sector comes with more than just a few holes. The proposal is based on bold risks ...

  The following appeared in a letter to the editor of a local newspaper. "Commuters complain that increased rush-hour traffic on Blue Highway between the suburbs and the city center has doubled their commuting time. The favored proposal of the motorists' lobby is to widen the highway, adding an additional lane of traffic. But last year's addition of a lane to the nearby Green Highway was followed by a worsening of traffic jams on it. A better alternative is to add a bicycle lane to Blue Highway. Many area residents are keen bicyclists. A bicycle lane would encourage them to use bicycles to commute, and so would reduce rush-hour traffic rather than fostering an increase." Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument. Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the recommendation and the arg...

  The luxuries and conveniences of contemporary life prevent people from developing into truly strong and independent individuals. Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position. It seems to be true, what someone once said about the cycle of influence of man upon their progeny. “Strong men bring good times, good times breed weak men, weak men make bad times, and bad times give birth to strong men”. Contemporary life brings with it the luxuries and conveniences that rear weak men. It hinders and makes unnecessary for any person to grow into a strong, independent, disciplined individual. Throughout history it has been observed,decades of decadence that damned whole empires and colonies. The Indian subcont...

 Boredom can give rise to a lot of things, for me lately, an addiction to writing has really gotten to my head. So here, just a little something I ended up typing to my friend Shruti in a matter of 30 mins when I thought she was offline (But somehow wasn't): Yknow, I want something, that which i cannot say, I want something, that which i cannot describe, I want something, that which i cannot ask for, I want something, something prehistoric, something atavistic, something uncultured, Remnants of a past hobby, Withered, but present, With influence so grand, so emminent, so irresistible One that engenders shivers, goosebumps, and naive exploitable excitement A grating decay of a plane, damp sounds of battering bones and swift stabs that atrophy Explosions that stupor, stories that inspire, and zombies that devour Not trite, not grindy, but one with an end Not limited, not unfathomable, but lovable Addicting, but not degrading Reviving not enervating One that tests skills, not temper a...

 Continuing with the next phase of my life, I am now nearing the end of my graduation after a 4 year engineering degree. I guess, there really isn't any harm in dreaming big because well, I am now going to try to move out, again. Growing up in Kuwait towards my 18th birthday I was really getting sick and bored of the comfort and that happened to be at the perfect time to start my engineering in MANIT Bhopal. Since then I have been fairly inactive on this blog, I've become mentally healthier, I have gained friends and learnt what it's like to be a good friend too. It's been a long ride, one that at some point I was ready to write a book on, since the last 2 years especially have been exhausting, with dengue, jaundice, multiple infections, it has been quite a ride.  Anyway, I am in full flow of preparing for my GRE exam now to pursue further studies in a master's program abroad, most probably the USA, but let us see. I am ready to keep my options open. This blog's...

  Doctor Strange back in 2016 was arguably one of the most visually bizarre cinematic experiences. That was until 2018's infinity war and afterward every MCU movie aimed only to one-up one another in terms of graphical spectacles. The focus, however, of that movie was very well balanced. It didn't linger on the scene with the butterfly in space. There was the whole arc of Dr. Stephen Strange going from arrogant surgeon to one who attains enlightenment as destiny to protect our universe as we know it.  The threat he faced was Dormammu, a multi-dimensional entity that devoured and enslaved civilizations (rang some bells very similar to Galactus from F4 back then). The doctor now faces a unique problem. A fellow avenger hell-bent on acquiring a power I will not describe to avoid spoilers. But, keep in mind, that watching WandaVision helps experience this movie from Wanda's point of view. Otherwise, it ends up looking like Dr. Strange stopping someone from doing wrong. The stro...

  At this point, it is either common knowledge or one of Henry Cavill's most attractive traits that he is a gamer. At least to me, it is. The guy was severely misused as Superman and according to recent news, he is humble and innocent enough that he sold the rights to his face to Netlfix (I honestly expected from Netflix). But anyway, putting aside the suspicious decisions being taken by Netlfix as of late I wanted to talk about seasons 1 and 2 of The Witcher. Season 3 will be coming soon, and so will The Boys but I ended up watching the first season during my exams to destress and the 2nd one on my train return trip from Mumbai.  I thought it was amazing! The extreme levels of sci-fi explored in the show were something if asked to me directly I'd make a face that emanates an emotion resembling the phrase "ew", but no. I think I felt that way because the show only focuses on its strong fictional ties to the books only to describe basic details but rarely do they dwell...

 Moon Knight has to be the first MCU show I actively procrastinated on. I was busy with college and exams and honestly, it seemed like a luxury time thing. And it was, I saw it soon after my exams, my Mumbai trip, once everything wrapped up I ordered a burger and a Belgian waffle and sat down for a 6 episode long binge with 0 interruptions.  All MCU shows seem to run this formulaic course of action, where the 4th episode is generally the mind-blowing containing element. It isn't different here however the 4th episode contains the key to what is actually going on. So the first 3 episodes I was very confused. It doesn't introduce any of the characters and doesn't establish any backgrounds. The first episode launches our protagonist into the clutches of the villain and we just keep drawing our conclusions as the episodes keep running. As much as it can be put off as clever writing it can be pretty off-putting especially since I need to know what I am watching. Epic fights and ...