ashishagupta

A single grain of rice can tip the scales - Chinese proverb. This often arises when considering the vast scale of the galaxy and our seemingly insignificant place within it. That, in many ways, is the core challenge in storytelling when the canvas is the size of the galaxy. Does anything matter, do I matter, does anything I do matter?

The Andor series is a masterpiece in storytelling for adults with some real life experiences behind them. Andor, like any other worthwhile piece of art, is more about the references, allusions, and metaphors it makes than its literal content.

The creators of this brilliant show have intentionally placed character development and their conversations above plot development. It is a prequel; we all already know where things are headed. Plot, therefore, is irrelevant, but what is very much relevant to us viewers is how we see ourselves in the characters on screen. Andor does a great job at this. The show makes a strong emotional impact; it's undeniable. For male fans of the Sci-Fi genre, this is a rare treat: a show that pulls on your emotional heartstrings in a gritty way. You never feel more like a man than when you have to make imperfect choices that burden your soul, regardless of the outcome. The world you live in is extremely flawed, and no one gets to win, not if you knew the truth. Andor succeeds in creating a world where this feels real and relatable.

The acting is great across the board, and there are some standout performances.

Please create more shows like this for the Millennials and Gen X folks of this world!

The show overall is gripping and relatively well done. It is not perfect, but I am willing to overlook that because the writers have chosen to place critical emphasis on character development over plot development. It is this choice that makes this show different from a cookie-cutter thriller.

The writers have chosen contrast and expectation inversion as their primary colors in their palette. The lead characters are the Jackal, played by Redmayne and MI-6 agent Bianca, played by Lynch. Both are depicted on the series' poster.

Here is an example of expectation inversion, the Jackal is probably a military man who dresses like a secret agent, whereas Bianca is a secret agent who dresses like a military man in full tactical gear most of the time. Fashion and ferocity collide and intermix both in the minds of the lead characters, as well as on the screen.

Unlike stereotypical American distinction between Good Guys and Bad Guys, the lines are incredibly blurred here.

Not since Breaking Bad, has a series, made me to morally conflicted within myself. I don't know who to like or hate. Everybody is morally compromised. On the rare occasions when a character initiates a chain of events with the best of intentions, the execution and outcome are disasters.

Bianca is not suave. At multiple points, I felt I was watching a female terminator relentlessly hunting the Jackal. You'll love to hate her, but she has an unpolished charm about her.

Not in a million years could I have ever guessed how much I'd hate an overzealous government employee. Bianca has single handedly made me like red tape.

There are many themes that are explored in this series. I applaud the writers for not pulling punches on criticizing unbridled corporate greed that addles our society.

In summary, if you watched and liked Breaking Bad, you will like this series, just don't expect a polished product. Jackal is equal parts suave and gritty.

I might be biased as a fan of Josh Hartnett. That said, this film was surprisingly good on its own merits.

While it borrows on tropes we have seen before and mashes them together, the end product is nevertheless delicious.

I decided to watch this movie with no trailer or review, except the knowledge that it has Hartnett and that it is of the action comedy genre.

There are some interesting plot twists here, so without revealing anything, I would say to fellow fans of Hartnett, if you liked Lucky Number Slevin, then you won't be disappointed by this movie.

The writing could have been a little tighter. I suspect the editor here could have done a better job. It feels like the movie could have benefitted from another 15 minutes of run-time to account for a few of the plot holes.

Believe it or not, there is also a layer of film noir subgenre embedded in this movie, though it is hard to spot when our jaded protagonist is wearing a Hawaiian shirt.

I hope you enjoy this movie, and always remember, especially when you are in the middle seat on a 15-hour flight, it's all about the journey and not the destination!