Mandaris

How dare you make me feel something! I thought that this was going to be some small show that I'd only have to watch because of TV Family Time, but it really kept me engaged throughout the run.

What was interesting to me was the fact that the author of the book it is based on, Emily Jenkins, used Scrivener to help with managing the flashback scenes. It’s the same tool that I used for writing my thesis to graduate college. I’ve also got a draft of novel that will never see the light of the internet.

But back to the show, it’s kind of sad in so many ways and really hits you at the end with a twist that some could guess at but I wasn’t prepared for.

Overview

One year after a mysterious accident left her with amnesia, 17-year-old Cadence returns to Beechwood, an island off Martha's Vineyard, seeking answers. As three generations of the distinguished Sinclair family gather at their private summer utopia, no one will talk about the accident – neither her childhood friends "The Liars" nor her first love Gat, forcing her to uncover the truth herself.

I have grown tired of most superhero movies at this point. It's mostly because I don't want to see anymore gritty or realistic viewpoints about people gifted with powers beyond our imagination. It's been done. I feel that this movie is actually an answer to that. This group of people have seen what happens when that gift is squandered. They know that it's an ugly world and they rise to the occasion... eventually.

The characters in this film are well acted and I don’t remember there being a moment where I felt that something was dragged on too long. If anything, I feel it would have been welcoming to spend more time with the characters, but it’s probably for the better as we’ve had too many films and shows that try to explain everything and then lose the interest of the viewer (a.k.a. me).

The action sequences are pretty much what you would expect from this kind of film, but done well with a couple really nice cameos. This leads into the biggest flaw with the movie being that certain things just happen… because… plot?

I’m not going to say that this movie miraculously changed my feelings towards superhero movies, but it certainly has given me hope that we can see something with a little more hope in it.

Ultimately, I’m hoping for more.

Overview

After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, seven disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.

• ✨ Wins: What good or great things happened this week?

  • I got good news from a friend that I haven’t heard from in a while
  • Finished most of my work tasks

• 📌 Progress Check: How did things go with your goals from Monday?

  1. I did 10 out of the 50 pushups
  2. I stressed out about having “the right” journal
  3. I’m going to set up the same goals for next week

• 🤔 Challenges: What obstacles did you encounter, and what can you learn from them?

  • I need to post the goals somewhere so that I don’t forget and this.

• 🔄 Adjustments: Anything you’ll do differently next week? Set reminders on my phone in the hopes of keeping myself accountable.