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  • Activities You Can Do With Friends To Mix Up Your Social Events

    Activities You Can Do With Friends To Mix Up Your Social Events

    Activities You Can Do With Friends to Mix Up Your Social Events: Spending time with friends is the ultimate joy that keeps many people looking forward to their weekends. The thought of social interaction can keep you motivated throughout more difficult aspects of your week, and the time spent with your friends and family can often make you feel as though all the worries of your usual routine are just melting away.

    However, as people get a bit older and seeing their friends becomes something they can only do less frequently, they might start to fall into the same old habits when they see their friends, which can lead to these social interactions feeling less novel.

    One of the biggest examples here is how a lot of people will regularly just spend their time with their friends going to bars or drinking at home, which is something that you can have a lot of fun with but can also be quite unimaginative as far as hang-outs go. The last thing that you want to risk doing is becoming bored of these events and risk drifting away from people due to fatigue that you misplace as being focused on each other’s company instead of the activity. So it’s good to have some alternatives in the back pocket.

    Introduce Game Nights

    Some of the energy between you and your friends while you have fun and drink can be replicated with a competitive game night. If this is a concept that’s fresh to your friend group, you might be looking for a good place to start. While certain board games that will remain nameless are quite effective at tearing you and your friends apart from each other, other games can stoke the friendly fires of competition. A good example of such games are classic card games such as blackjack. This is because it’s a game that’s easy to learn and get to grips with while offering further possible merit, such as teaching you more about business. So if you are a budding entrepreneur, there is a lot to learn from this game. 

    Think of the Activities Around the Drinking

    Often, when you’re out drinking with your friends, you might find that while the drinks are potentially the ‘main’ activity, there are a lot of other activities that carry you from place to place, acting as the backdrop for the event. For example, if it’s a clear and warm day, you might take to having a barbecue outside. This is something that you can still very much participate in and enjoy even without the drinks. While you might be asking how that’s going to lead to any different outcome in the long-term, you might focus more on each other’s company and not have the hangover be the lasting impression you have of the event.

    Go for a Meal Out 

    Alternatively, if you spend a lot of time with your friends drinking in bars or restaurants, you might well find that these venues have a lot to offer you on a sober night. Having a memorable meal out with your friends can be a great source of stories and anecdotes, as well as a way for you to become familiar with some eateries that could become lifelong favorites. 

  • Treasure City: Review

    Treasure City: Review

    “Treasure City” or “Békeidõ” is a Hungarian film directed and written by Szabolcs Hajdu. Mainly known for his films “Bibliotheque Pascal” and “Fehér Tenyér”, (White Palms in English), which have been nominated in many festivals around the world. White Palms was nominated at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival for the C.I.C.A.E. Award, which aims to support and promote arts cinema.

    “Treasure City” will be available in the UK on June 18.

    The film invites us into the intimate conversations of several characters, who, as the film progresses, turn out to be more or less related to each other. Through this film, we witness social and relational problems of everyday life.

    The main strength of the film lies in the fact that we are going to attend a moment of life of these characters, diving entirely into their problems, their doubts, their fear or their claim. In only an hour and a half, we go through several subjects and several themes such as education, conflicts in a couple, political claims, attempts of abuse and psychological domination, lies and conflict between humans in a more global way. So, most of the time, we witness the darkest sides of the human soul, full of doubts and conflicts and prey to the different social tensions that they undergo every day. 

    Szabolcs Hajdu depicts a very dark and hopeless aspect of Hungarian society, similar to Michael Haneke’s work on the Austrian society in his film “The seventh continent” (1989).

    But this strength of the film of realism and accuracy would not be one without a good writing from Szabolcs Hadju coupled with an excellent performance of the entire cast (Orsolya Török-Illyés, Szabolcs Hadju, Lilla Sárosdi, Domokos Szabó, Nóra Földeáki, Magdó Pálfi, Lujza Hajdu … to name a few).

    The film also benefits from a very neat and well worked photography. We find many night shots in cars, which works very well and make us enjoy the night lights of the city of Cluj-Napoca. This creates a special atmosphere that is very effective.

    This film deals with many social issues, in a very aesthetic way and with a very good rhythm between the different stories. But without directing the viewer to a particular direction. It leaves a reflection completely open to the spectator. 

  • Infinite: The BRWC Review

    Infinite: The BRWC Review

    Infinite Synopsis: Evan (Mark Wahlberg) is haunted by memories of two past lives stumbles upon the centuries-old secret society of similar individuals and dares to join their ranks. They must work together to stop a world-ending plot from the wicked Ted (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a former acquaintance of Evan’s from a past life. Based on The Reincarnationist Papers by D. Eric Maikranz.

    COVID-19 has caused some big-budget releases to lose themselves amidst the anvils of time. A picturesque case comes with the high-concept Mark Wahlberg actioner Infinite, which was pegged in its development as a “Wanted meets The Matrix” franchise-starter. Somewhere along the way, those intentions began to fade as the film’s delayed theatrical release was straight-up canceled by Paramount (it was originally going to debut on Memorial Day before a delay to September).

    Now debuting on Paramount+, Infinite possesses the credibility of a promising first attempt at movie magic for the overlooked streamer. Fashioned from the fabric of a commonplace blockbuster, Infinite has the look and feel of an event movie, but this sleep-walking effort rarely engages with its intriguing premise.

    Like several sci-fi blockbusters before it, Infinite seems deathly afraid of its strongest asset. A narrative about reincarnation and our meaningful spiritual connections should have dramatic viability (Cloud Atlas morphed a similar premise into a masterful showcase), but Ian Shorr’s wayward screenplay embraces a hollow shell of studio filmmaking. Every narrative beat registers like an empty paint job of action movie mechanics, with Shorr never integrating the premise’s inventive connotations into the dull formula. The seldom attempts at mythological world-building are about as flat and thankless as it gets (some bizarre religious angles are introduced and never explored).

    Infinite’s star-studded cast can’t keep the film’s tired veneer afloat. Mark Wahlberg’s machismo bravado makes a poor choice for Evan’s vulnerable persona. As usual, the actor doesn’t stray away from his all-too-familiar comfort zone, droning away with blank line readings while rarely imbuing humanity into the character. Part of acting is…acting, so I don’t know why Wahlberg continues to settle with these roles (when he’s taken chances with Pain and Gain and The Other Guy’s, it’s been a breath of fresh air). Chiwetel Ejiofor finds himself stuck as a thankless villain despite his abundance of energy, while co-stars Dylan O’Brien, Sophie Cookson, and Jason Mantzoukas have little to do in their barebones roles.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI2qbr99H64

    The whole experience would be a disaster without director Antoine Fuqua’s assured capabilities. Fuqua bolsters the film with a level of competent professionalism, crafting several surprisingly effective setpieces during the breezy runtime. Whether it’s a high-wire car chase or an implausibly campy motorcycle stunt, the director has a knack for accelerating sequences to exciting new heights. It’s just too bad the director’s trust in the material isn’t paid off in the film itself.

    Infinite never escapes the tiredness of its by-the-numbers mechanics. The film performs a major disservice to its intriguing source material while rarely offering a reason for audiences to invest in its universe.

    Infinite arrives June 10th on Paramount+.

  • Gully: The BRWC Review

    Gully: The BRWC Review

    Gully Synopsis: Three friends from a rough Los Angeles neighborhood (Kelvin Harrison Jr., Charlie Plummer, and Jacob Latimore) embark on a wild night of out-of-control partying, but when the rampage stops, the retribution begins.

    With a unique Boyz n’ the Hood meets Clockwork Orange premise, marquee music video director Nabil Elderkin’s long-delayed narrative debut, Gully (it was initially filmed in 2018), analyzes improvised communities complex intersection between wistful, good-natured people and their oppressively dire conditions. Elderkin and screenwriter Marcus J. Guillory confront fascinating and ambitious social dynamics, but their abrasive film never matches its raw bravado with enough substantive reflection.

    Violent video games, mental illness, domestic abuse, sexual grooming, and untamed PTSD are amongst the busy array of intense subject matter Guillory attempts to unearth. Jam-packed into a breathless 81-minute runtime, Gully lands like a bloated concoction of zeitgeist ideals. The script combats audiences with a plethora of disturbing connotations, but without meaningful shading, these sequences only stand out for their empty vulgarity.

    Guillory’s laborsome diatribes and played-out narrative detours only work to stand in place of insular developments (Terrance Howard revives the “wise homeless man” cliche with painfully overworked results). Far too often, the film feels like it’s screaming towards the audience without ever fleshing out the overarching thesis. It’s a screenplay bristling with great intentions, yet Guillory’s sprawling tendencies end up becoming his biggest downfall.

    Elderkin’s direction is similarly over-indulgent. He and cinematographer Adriano Goldman integrate a few technically promising techniques, including an intriguing blurring of the boys’ violent crimes with video game HUD displays. However, the filmmaking’s clumsy visuals and blunt heavy-handedness consistently hold Gully back. Whether it’s budgetary restrictions or simply inexperience, the film’s busy imagery lacks the poise to convey more meaningful conceits. Films with similarly weighty ideas present proper balance (Sundance’s On the Count of Three shares a similar nihilistic streak), often finding ways to marry their overwhelming dread with a silver lining of humanity. Elderkin and Guillory get too caught up in the noise to really uncover their supposed heart.

    Gully’s lopsided delivery still finds genuine sparks. Elderkin and company couldn’t have asked for a better set of young actors to portray their wayward protagonists. Kelvin Harrison Jr., Charlie Plummer, and Jacob Latimore imbue volatile personas with empathy and sincerity at every turn. Harrison Jr.’s cold gaze relays untamed pain from his nonverbal persona, while Plummer and Latimore’s brash energy never masks their inherent struggles. The trio develops a bond smelted through the fires of anger and torment, with the actor’s convincing rapport emotionally connecting to the character’s unshakeable solidarity.

    I love what Gully represents on paper. More movies need a sense of raw vitriol to match the underlying feelings of their subject matter. That being said, this is a largely unkempt and ineffective attempt to ruminate on disenfranchised youths and the myriad of factors driving them to their breaking point.

    Gully is now playing in select theaters and VOD platforms.

  • Surreal Apocalyptic Films On Amazon Prime

    Surreal Apocalyptic Films On Amazon Prime

    5 Surreal Apocalyptic Films to Watch on Amazon Prime

    A lot has happened in the past year. From a surreal global pandemic forcing everyone to stay in their homes to climate change continuing to rear its ugly head, many are wondering if the most challenging days are just ahead of us.

    It can be hard to keep a positive attitude amongst these circumstances, but you know what makes everyone feel better? Seeing how good you have it by watching movies centered around the apocalypse! And the best streaming service to do that is Amazon Prime Video.

    Amazon Prime allows users to stream and rent movies and TV shows, and there just so happens to be tons of apocalyptic movies on the services. And with an Amazon Firestick, it’s easier than ever!

    One warning: some of these movies may be blocked in your region, but you can easily bypass this restriction by using a firestick VPN.

    With that being said, let’s go over our top 5 Apocalyptic films you can watch on Amazon Prime.

    1. A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

    Global warming is a major threat to civilization, and plenty of movies explore the consequences through various lenses. Steven Spielberg explored climate change through the eyes of an android in his 2001 film A.I Artificial Intelligence.

    A.I. tells the story of David, a “Mecha” child that can experience human emotion—most notably, love. Throughout the movie, viewers will see David explore the climate change-affected world through the lenses of a robot searching for love.

    With big names like Haley Joel Osment and Jude Law, the movie gained a large cult following at release and is considered to be one of Spielberg’s best, depending on who you ask.

    If you love surreal post-apocalyptic movies but wish you could watch a drama instead, then A.I. Artificial Intelligence is for you.

    2. A Quiet Place (2018)

    Unlike A.I., which focuses on telling an emotional story about what it means to be human, A Quiet Place—released in 2018—focuses on telling a story about family bonds and what a father would do for his children in a world where the slightest misstep could mean the end of your life.

    In A Quiet Place, John Krasinski takes the role of Lee Abbot, a father looking out for his kids Regan, Marcus, and Beau, along with his wife, Evelyn. The movie focuses on their survival in a world where creatures with super-hearing are always lurking, a world where silence is the key to survival.

    A Quiet Place is one of the most highly-rated movies to release in the past decade, and with its sequel recently released, now is an excellent time to see what all the hype is about! So, horror fans, strap on in!

    3. The Blackout (2019)

    Released to the public in 2019, The Blackout is an apocalyptic movie centered around one outpost in the middle of Eastern Europe. The cause of the apocalypse is unclear, but one thing is for sure: that outpost is the only source of human life left on Earth. Every other human outside the outpost? They’re dead.

    The Blackout is a gripping story about a group of brave protagonists searching for the cause of the sudden apocalypse and how they can survive all by themselves.

    The Blackout is a bit more action-oriented than most other apocalyptic movies. Action fans will love it!

    4. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

    In 1979, George Miller directed what is now considered an apocalyptic classic: Mad Max. Mad Max took place in a dystopian Australia, where droughts are the new norm and Australia is nothing but vast swaths of desert.

    What made Mad Max unique was its focus on cars, psychopathic antagonists, and car chases. So it’s only natural that the 2015 entry into the series Mad Max: Fury Road focuses on the same things.

    In Fury Road, drifter Max helps a woman and a group of escaped female prisoners to fight back against their tyrannical leader. It’s an incredible surreal thrill all-around, and car lovers will love this movie!

    5. Snowpiercer (2013)

    Snowpiercer was released in 2013 to critical acclaim. How good is it? Well, it’s so good that it now has an entire show based around the concept!

    Snowpiercer centers around the last remnants of humanity living in a train due to an unforeseen ice age—a train where the elite live in the front and the poor live in the back.

    The movie focuses on two things: the effects of the ice age on humanity and the social segregation present on the train. If you like your apocalyptic movies with a side of political commentary, Snowpiercer is the perfect movie for you.

    Conclusion

    Amazon Prime has one of the largest streaming catalogs on the Internet. So whether you’re looking for a good surreal movie to rent for the weekend or want to find something to stream so you can get some use out of your Prime membership, there is no shortage of content available to you.

    5 Surreal Apocalyptic Films To Watch On Amazon Prime