Inventorless Invention Beat: Netflix Choose For Me

By Sarah Hughes

Every once in awhile divine inspiration falls, but sometimes it is wildly disappointing as sometimes ideas exceed the dreamers ability to realize them.

Like da Vinci’s flying contraptions, here are some ideas that are before their time. Perhaps somewhere someone out there has the ability, talent and resources to make them a reality. Hopefully sooner than later – having some of these things like the Netflix Pick For Me Wheel would make life easier right now – mostly by enabling the ability to do nothing.

Drawing of plane wing
Leonardo da Vinci’s designs for a flying machine. Public domain from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_and_inventions_of_Leonardo_da_Vinci#/media/File:Leonardo_Design_for_a_Flying_Machine,_c._1488.jpg

Do you also have a great idea that will never be? Put it in the ether — er — internet so maybe someone, somewhere will get inspired to make it for you and take all your credit. Though a paycheck or a dedication would be nice. Reply in the comments or send an article to publish to honeyitsthursday@gmail.com!

Netflix Choose For Me

Have you ever been sitting in front of the TV staring at Netflix trying to pick a movie getting frustrated that you have no idea what to watch? Maybe you’re trying to pick a movie with someone and you can’t decide what to watch together.

If you’re tired of debating over mindless entertainment, this invention will get you to the watching part faster, though you and Netflix will probably have to try to figure out how to get it to work.

There would be an icon that looks something like a game show wheel, which you would click and it would pick a movie for you, presumably at random with some sort of algorithm…bleh math word. All you would have to do is enter an audience rating, a number of stars other Netflix users have given it, a language preference, and/ or a genre. The genres could be based on the more specific sub genres Netflix generates, or the more basic ones like Drama or Horror. You could mix them for absolute ridiculousness. Perhaps you would be able to have it choose based on similarity to a movie you’ve watched recently. Each option could be toggled on and off.

Like the idea of a recommendation, the wheel would be customized to you, except it would pull up one movie based on some specifications. It would then either play immediately, or give you a chance to veto it, depending on what you indicate in the settings menu that’s under either “Your Account” or the Choose For Me Wheel. You would never be stuck wasting time trying to find something to watch on Netflix again.

Netflix envelope ballots
Netflix’s DVD program is holding a contest. Just answer the inside of their envelope and follow the instructions to compete for a prize and vote for your favorite DVD, or actors. Photo by Sarah Hughes. All rights reserved.

Maybe you would end up seeing more movies now that your indecisiveness is removed, hypothetically allowing you to give a well-versed opinion on Netflix’s on-going contest that allows you to vote for favorites.

Turbo Kid: Updating the end of the world

 

by Sarah Hughes

Turbo Kid (2015) presents a cheesy skater-disco patina-ed version of an apocalyptic wasteland – and it’s a delight.

Set in 1997, protagonist “the Kid” (Munro Chambers) aspires to be as tough as a hero in a leftover comic book – Turbo Man. He makes friends as he learns to be brave when scared. The film has won 8 awards and 3 nominations according to IMDb. Turbo-kid.com reports it an Official Selection at Sundance 2015.

(Spoiler alert:) All the major problems that plague the apocalyptic hero are relevant in directors François Simard, Anouk Whissell and Yoann-Karl Whissell’s world. The inhabitants in this rough landscape struggle to scavenge for sundry items, water and personal safety. There are merchant traders trying to rip people off. Aspiring overlord Zeus (Michael Ironside) forms a gang controlling the area with resources and violence. Yet the setting is a reconsidered, modern wasteland.

For a moment, it seems the Kid’s biggest challenge yet is dealing with (gasp) girls! It’s probably hard to trust someone who puts a tracking-device slap-bracelet on you, even if she does seem like she wants to be best friends. But in reimagined ’97, other themes quickly arise, such as what makes a soul, the nature of friendship, good vs. evil and fears of a robot uprising.

Girls face
Laurence Leboeuf as Apple in Turbo Kid.

Apple, played by Laurence Leboeuf, performs with quirky intensity in a role that’s part exuberant adventurer, part chaos elemental and all heart-warmingly tweaky. Her love for a gnome-stick weapon, combined with a style that seems reminiscent of Roller Baby dolls of the 1990s gives the film its particular flavor. The newly considered angle of setting might make for some interesting costume inspiration for any apocalyptic imagine-er. Right alongside this more material aesthetic is a deeper philosophical question; does it matter that the Kid’s friendship is with a robot in terms of it being less valuable and meaningful to him? Is Apple real or not? Does that matter in context of how she causes him to grow? How vigilantly is one to measure the depth and truthfulness of other’s relationships with themselves, when the feelings caused by that relationship are personal and felt alone?

The story fits together nicely, while giving its nod to other media – Apple’s name is cutely telling, as she’s a gadget herself. Zeus fits more into the mold of Chinatown’s (1974) Hollis Mulwray than Mad Max: Fury Road’s (2015) Immortan Joe. The Kid’s parents were murdered violently like many other heroes, but the comic book quest for greatness and a boy’s coming of age story serve the nostalgia angle well. Yet there is some gore and sadism.

According to whats-on-netflix.com (an “Unofficial Netflix Fansite”) and digitaltrends.com this title does not look to be leaving Netflix Streaming in March 2016, but it is worth checking out sooner rather than later.

4 out of 5 bottle-caps