u/Fluffhead91192

Let’s go boys.

My first movie review. Go easy.

I didn’t have a problem with many things people are complaining about.

The casting was okay - a few changes here and there might have helped, but otherwise okay.

The visuals were clearly stunning. I would have preferred some longer landscape shots just to catch my breath and take in the fact that this is a 20 year journey, but otherwise it was a beautiful film.

I had issues hearing some dialogue, but I gather that’s a theater issue.

The movie was intense in the most Nolan fashion ever, and that’s what I loved most about it.

But what left me walking away from this movie feeling like it was “good, not great” was that I didn’t know what it was trying to say.

I get that it was about not breaking Zeus’s law, and Odysseus’s guilt for violating that law. I think. However, there are a few reasons why that message didn’t come through very strongly to me:

1. All of these grand scenes showing his return (Cyclops, Laestrygonians, Circe, Scilla, Hades) didn’t seem to be furthering the core message of the movie. They were just grand spectacles, but seemed disjointed from Odysseus’s inner journey.

2. Nolan’s jumping timeline approach made it hard to connect with Odysseus’s journey. It’s hard to follow the character arc when he appears in several different points in the story. Maybe a rewatch would help?

3. Besides following Zeus’s law, a number of other themes and storylines distracted from the main message: His duty to his men. Agamemnon’s return home. The Sinon and Antinous storyline.

4. The return home, including Odysseus’s fight with the suitors, didn’t really hit anything home. So what he learned when he got home was that he should kill everyone?

I’m no expert and happy to be wrong, but I just felt like I didn’t know what the message was. If anyone can help me out, I’d love to change my mind on another viewing.

Sincerely, a Mammoth fan.

Full disclosure: I deal with disappointment by looking for the positives. If that's not you, then feel free to scroll on.

I've read so much negativity after the last two games. "We're not a serious team." "Fire the coach." "We always choke." "We're an embarrassment." Fill in the blank. It's natural to be mad after two disappointing losses, but I see these as a gross overreaction. We are a few puck bounces away from entering the second round, and I bet I wouldn't hear all this negativity then. We'd be singing the team's praises. With all that in mind, here are the positives I see from this season, regardless of how Friday goes:

(1) Our team has grown. Compared to last year or the first half of this season, we've learned to buckle down when we're behind or when it is a one point game. We've learned to stay level headed and stay on our game. Perfectly? No. Huge improvement? Yes.

(2) Our goal this season was the playoffs. We made the playoffs. Not bad for our second year (yes, I'm aware of the Coyotes) considering the position we were in at the end of November.

(3) These playoffs are a stepping stone, not the end goal. Let's face it, we're not winning the Cup this year. This year. But our boys (and coaches) are getting invaluable experience playing in high pressure situations and tight games. I think they bounced back really well after Game 4 and played a hell of a Game 5, despite the outcome. That mental fortitude is what is going to propel them in future seasons. Adversity and disappointment and yes, losing, is all part of the process of becoming a playoff contending team.

(4) We've seen huge growth from some of our core players. Off the top of my head, I'm thinking Guenther, Schmaltz, Crouse, and Cooley. And of course, Vejmelka. I can't wait to see what these guys do next year.

(5) It's been a hell of a ride. Hockey is supposed to be fun, and it's been so fun. I'm so happy to have this team here. For all the disappointments, there have been just as many ecstatic moments. Some OT winners, shutouts, the Philly home game, the comeback against the Penguins, hat tricks, you tell me your best moment.

I got my first hockey puck a couple of days ago. I put it on the desk in my office, but I can't get over the rubber smell. I don't like it, but I feel bad getting rid of it. Does the rubber smell ever go away or subside?

*Please respond before the mods take this down.

Crouse had two goals last night. He’s a big body down low and provides predictability to Keller and Schmaltz. He’s physical. Great shot. He’s a top PKer. From what I gather, he’s level headed and a great leader. I really hope we can resign him in a couple years.

What am I missing?