18 Comments
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Binsey Haugr's avatar

The movie was too cloying for me, but I share many of your sentiments about the direction of films and books.

Patti Petersen's avatar

We are living in dystopian, anti-hero, and cynical times - why and how on earth is this even entertaining? I love crowd-pleaser entertainment. My husband could never understand why I was so discerning about what I chose for entertainment, he would give almost anything a try.

Let's hope the tide turns and you are floating downstream with success. You're a great writer and at this point, who knows? You may be in Position A, the perfect place to be. Best to you. And happy you're in the U.S. for next six months. It'll be interesting to see your shares boots on the ground. I now loathe the arm chair ex-pats who are blathering about living here from another country. I may not always agree with your opinion but I so respect you and yours.

Brent Hartinger's avatar

Aw, thank you, that is extremely kind of you to say (all of it).

I really don't get the dystopian, anti-hero, or cynical thing. Never got it really, but REALLY don't get it now...

Claire Polders's avatar

I’m an optimist, too! Congrats on being halfway with another novel. I am stuck on edits but it’s going in the right direction.

Brent Hartinger's avatar

Onward and upward!

Fred A's avatar

Wow, optimism sounds good on you! I really enjoyed "Project Hail Mary" as well and am really happy for its success. I wanted to see at at the IMAX at the Pacific Science Center here in Seattle, but it was sold out (quite a feat in 2026!), so went to SIFF Downtown (formerly known as a Cinerama) instead. Still a great place to see a movie!

Brent Hartinger's avatar

Yeah, I wish I'd gone to the Imax too. But the Cinerama is just as good! I need to go back there...

Molly Ringle's avatar

I’m so with you! I’ve been over dystopia for many years now. I need humor, heart, quirkiness, love, hope, and yes, FUN.

Laughed at your caption that it’s impossible not to like Some Like It Hot. I fully agree—but one time I brought back that DVD from the library, when my folks-in-law were visiting, thinking it’d make a good movie night for us all. They like musicals, and they’d never seen it. Safe bet, right? Well, my mother-in-law read the back of the DVD case and declared NOPE, she’s not watching it.

And not for homophobic reasons! No, it was because, and I quote: “I don’t do gangsters.”

So. That has become family history. (No, they never watched it.)

Brent Hartinger's avatar

Yup! I'm really done with it two. Saw the 28 Years Later sequels, and I'm, like, NOPE! NO WAY!

Hilarious about Some Like it Hot. It's soooo not Scorsese. hehehe

Matt McMann's avatar

I love your insight into "the other side of the coin" on books and movies in these crazy and often dark times. You make some great points and, as a fellow author, I hope you're right!

Brent Hartinger's avatar

Thank you. Yes, finger's crossed.

This Three Pound Universe's avatar

I enjoyed reading your post, hearing your POV, as usual. (But, like, dude, you know, like you are gonna be proven so totally rong. ;-)

Brent Hartinger's avatar

Hehehehe. We shall see.

This Three Pound Universe's avatar

Even as I hope you're right...

Lisa McMann's avatar

When my favorite doom and gloomer turns optimistic, I pay attention. I very much hope you are right, Brent!

Brent Hartinger's avatar

Haha thank you! Enjoy my optimism while it lasts!

Lisa McMann's avatar

I enjoy your friendship all ways!