I finished Rings of Power S1. Taking a broad view, it was pretty good and I enjoyed it. But taking a more detailed view there were a lot of plotholes and things that made no sense. These are on a tiny detail level (like why did Galadriel give away her sword before going out on a 10 day ride – you might need it, you know?). I’m pretty sure you could choose any scene and come up with a long list of tiny interactions that don’t make sense. But they are also on a bigger level: Halbrand’s position is really important to the overall plot and his own scheming goals, but he seems to have ended up where he is only because he was very passive and let himself be pushed around by Galadriel. Also, I found it frustrating how much screen time was given to the Harfoots in the last episode and how little was given to the elves and Celebrimbor, which are far more interesting and important to later events. The writing is pretty terrible really, it just looks good and it’s well acted. Galadriel’s pronunciation of ‘Sauron’ and Elrond’s ‘Galadriel’ are highlights.

I’m also watching Andor. I found the first episode a bit slow and the second to be a likely cure for insomnia, but now I’m on epsiode 9 and it’s really, really good! It’s very different to all the other Star Wars media. I think the difference is that it’s written for adults. In other Star Wars, the evilness of the Empire is almost abstract; you never really see the real, personal effects of it. In Andor you see a lot more of the almost casual evil and callousness. The prison design really subverts expectations for prison episodes, and I found it very unsettling. Andor is very well made TV.

In other entertainment news… I seem to have ended up watching some Vietnam war films lately, because I watched one and then there were lots of recommendations…

Full Metal Jacket. This is a strange film because it’s split into three parts and, while they’re connected by following the same character, they feel quite disconnected. The first part, of his experience at boot camp, is unique due to the drill instructor. The second part follows him to Vietnam as he takes on a role of a military reporter, but keeps the war itself at a distance, and the third part has him take part in real battle with all the grim experience that comes with it. That’s the journey of the film. But it feels a little unsatisfying because the main character is never explored very deeply so the fact that he alone is what connects the first to the second two sections feels like there’s something missing. Some of the first section feels quite surreal with odd dialog and deliveries and stylistic choices, and some of the weird dialog and deliveries continue throughout. I wondered if this signified anything. After reading about it online, I think if there’s any more to it, then it was lost on everyone but the director. It’s a strange film.

The Deer Hunter is another strange film, but in a completely different way. It’s a long film (3h) with the first hour moving at a glacial pace. Most of the scenes feel far too long, and it also feels like there’s a lot missing in between scenes. There is an interesting story about maturity and trauma in here somewhere, but it’s very unfocused. It’s mostly carried by Robert De Niro. I wouldn’t recommend it, unless you really like both weddings and Russian roulette.

Platoon. Unlike the other films, Platoon is a straightforward war film. It feels like a modern film. In some ways, the details are strong. The combat scenes are disorientating and confusing and (except at the end) you rarely even see the enemy other than the odd flash of a silhouette, which I’d imagine is pretty on point for jungle warfare. The costumes are also really strong, with how the characters often look drenched in sweat and rain and the clothes stick to them. They look like they’re really living in a dense, humid jungle. It’s well made with convincing details. But on the negative side, the story is a bit weak. It’s not bad, there’s just not a lot to it.