reviews
Carol Saves LGBT Cinema Because it isn’t LGBT Cinema
Despite a dismal lack of recognition overall in Oscar nominations this year, Carol, starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, doesn’t need the superfluous nod thanks to its confident filmmaking and strong leads.
Despite a dismal lack of recognition overall in Oscar nominations this year, Carol, starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, doesn’t need the superfluous nod thanks to its confident filmmaking and strong leads. The same-sex romance at the center of the film isn’t so unique, there is over a decade of LGBT films at this point, some more prolific than others. Films such as Blue is the Warmest Color (2013), Milk (2008), and Brokeback Mountain (2005) immediately come to mind. The latter is probably the most widely recognized, and stars two very popular male Hollywood leads, Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger. In this way, it’s kind of a spiritual predecessor to Carol, with the character’s sexual identities resting mainly on subtext and mood. These characters never explicitly say they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, what have you (in the case of Brokeback Mountain, they actually state the opposite). What’s more, these films achieve what so many LGBT films fail at: they don’t rely on their same-sex romances to carry the dramatic weight for them.
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara deliver two of the most understated performances in recent memory. Blanchett as the older mentor/lover does what she does best, projecting an air of ethereal mystery and elegance that mystifies her younger paramour. She is as otherworldly as her turn in LOTR as Galadriel, a bright spark in Mara’s dreary world. Mara herself comes alive as the doe-eyed Therese. She plays Therese’s innocence believably, and it’s the subtle changes in her face that occur when she first sees Carol in the department store that sets the wheels in motion. The film opens from Therese’s perspective because it charts her journey of discovery and excitement in the face of new possibilities. This theme is even clearer when Carol’s young daughter is introduced, sporting a similar hairstyle and wardrobe as Therese, further evidencing the latter’s youth and inexperience.
Carol charts the course of a real relationship, and it does so brilliantly. The butterflies, the unspoken sexual tension when infatuated with someone new, the revelation that the person you’re smitten with is a human being with troubles and a history of their own. This comes up at multiple points in Carol. Therese spends Christmas as Carol’s home after they’ve spent a little bit of time together. Carol’s ex-husband arrives shortly, demanding that Carol and her daughter spend the holiday with him. And Therese realizes that Carol’s world is not so charmed as she had imagined.
Carol’s husband, Harge (Kyle Chandler), is as complex as the film’s two leads. Not only has his wife left him, she has left him in the wake of a prior same-sex affair with a family friend, Abby (Sarah Paulson). And this is where Carol differs from most other films of its kind. Harge isn’t simply against his wife because of her same-sex attraction alone, it’s also an attack on his view of himself, an image of masculinity called into question because he can’t give his wife what she needs. This is implied in all of the interactions with men in the film, such as with Therese’s boyfriend, whose mystification at Therese’s unrequited feelings toward him is hilarious and even a little pitiful. It’s as much an examination of the shortcomings of masculinity as a mode of being that hasn’t been successfully done yet, to my mind. It also highlights the disconnect in communication between what men think women want, and how often men shortchange women and underestimate their emotional maturity and intelligence. In that way it differs from Brokeback Mountain, which shows the flip side: performative masculinity actually keeps the two main characters from being fully open about their feelings for each other.
Carol is a smart film. It’s more than just an LGBT film, and that’s a good thing. As LGBT stories become a part of the conversation more and more, it’s a sign of progress that it’s same-sex romance isn’t the main selling point, but the strength of the storytelling and the sympathetic characters. Now, if only a film like Tangerine (2015) could get more recognition, we would be well on our way.
AuKing Mini Projector Key Details
The Auking is a 1080p Mini Projector with built-in speakers that is compatible with Smartphones and laptops.* (Notice the asterisk) The ports are HDMI, USB, VGA, AV, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It’s $99.99, but you can usually catch it on sale for cheaper.
This projector is pretty popular online. There are tons of glowing reviews for it on Amazon, but I’m assuming if you’re reading this, you care about what I think. And what I think is that this projector is kinda bad.
Also, keep in mind I believe that this projector is being sold on amazon with different branding and shells, but essentially, they’re all the same projector.
These are just some I’ve found.
ALVAR 8000 Lumens Mini Portable Projector
TMY Projector 7500
Projector with WiFi, 2022 Upgrade 8500L
Mini Projector, Aokang 7500 Lumens HD Portable Projector
These all pretty much the same projector with different housing and branding
It is most certainly not for everyone, and it’s not for everyone who loves projectors. The projector has some issues with only a few positives.
Android smartphones are compatible, but only certain Androids, which they don’t tell you before purchasing.
List of Phones compatible with the projector
I’m guessing it’s “compatible” with all iPhones, but oddly enough, they don’t mention it. But I think it’s a safe bet to say that it is. Because saying the Aukling is compatible with smart devices and mac books is technically true, and it’s somewhat misleading.
It has no built-in features to make it compatible with other devices, just an HDMI input. This, combined with poor image and audio quality, means you’d be better off saving your money and buying something a little more expensive.
AuKing Mini Projector Full Break Down
The Auking has an HDMI port, which means it’s compatible with any device that can output through HDMI. But unfortunately, it doesn’t have any ports or software that would intrinsically allow smartphones to project video.
To get your iPhone or Android phone to connect to the projector, you have to do it through HDMI. So, you’ll need a USB-C to HDMI adapter for android and Mac Book or a lightning port to HDMI if you’re using an iPhone. The instructions also recommend a wireless dongle so you can connect your laptop or smart device via BlueTooth (more on that later)
Now here’s the thing, the projector only comes with a regular HDMI cord, so you would have to buy the other cords separately. They don’t mention that before you buy it, so it feels very misleading. Regarding the wireless adapter they recommend, you must connect to it via Bluetooth. Unfortunately, most streaming services have copyright features that won’t allow you to stream content via BlueTooth.
You could connect a chrome cast, Apple TV, or a Roku and mirror or cast your phone to that, but if you don’t have those devices on hand, you’re out of luck.
This means the easiest way to use this device would be with your windows laptop unless you have one of the cords they recommend.
But how does it perform once you get it set up and running? It’s ok.
We have to set our expectations for this price range. The project shows saturated color palettes well but struggles with darker colors.
Darker scenes come out looking grainy and blurry.
While brighter colors look ok.
But all things considered, the video quality will be worse than whatever you have connected to the HDMI. To its credit, however, the projector is bright enough to watch it outside with minimal light pollution.
The audio can be pretty loud, but loud doesn’t necessarily mean good. It does sound like it comes from out of a tin can, but it’s clear enough to hear what’s going on in a movie, so you don’t have to only rely on headphones.
Despite its small size, the Auking’s fans can be pretty loud when it’s on. (Imagine starting up your first-gen PS4 and trying to play Cyberpunk).
This projector isn’t for everyone. I wouldn’t recommend it to most people. However, if you’re a person who wants a bigger screen, you can buy a cheap 22′ monitor and connect you your phone or laptop to it, and the image quality would be better.
Verdict
In most cases, I suggest you save money and get something more expensive, like the ANKER Nebula capsule.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need a projector immediately, this will be ok. For instance, a backyard BBQ where it’s more about the people you’re around than what you’re watching or a party where you want to keep the kids distracted while the adults use the TV (shame on you).
Other than that, it’s worth saving your money.
FAQ
How do I connect my phone to my mini AuKing projector?
Through USB-C to HDMI cord or lighting to HDMI cord
Does AuKing projector support Bluetooth?
Rest in peace, watermelon.
The latest episodes in ‘Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid’ were very interesting to watch.
One was definitely a fanservice episode, and heck, even the producers know that! Episode 7’s title contains the phrase ‘The Fanservice Episode, Obviously’, so that cracked me up.
Episode 7 focuses on the elements of anime that will appeal to any nerd out there. By that, of course I mean bathing suits and comic conventions! Cue the beach episode!
Tohru and company decide to go swimming for the day. Kanna’s adorable as always, while Lucoa doesn’t realize just how sexual she is toward a small boy.
Like, really? You think wearing a very sexy swimsuit in front of a lot of kids on a beach is okay? And why do you insist on torturing Shouta with your breasts? It’s obvious that he’s tempted, but stop trying to seduce small children.
Of course, they’re dragons, so hilarious antics ensue. Tohru and Kanna get carried away in a swimming race, making water splash up everywhere. Also, a crab and watermelon are murdered. RIP.
However, one aspect that I thought was a nice touch was the backstory we got for Tohru. It wasn’t much, but Tohru and Kobayashi have a deep and meaningful conversation about their family’s lives, as well as how humans and dragons are different from one another. Fanservice episodes usually focus on that alone, but fortunately that’s not the case here.
The second half of Episode 7 focuses on Comiket. Tohru and Kobayashi help Takiya run a booth, and we learn that Fafnir is also participating by attempting to sell powerful curses. Wow, didn’t see thaaaaat coming at all.
Tohru notices otherworldly creatures in their true forms at Comiket, as they reveal that this is a great way to show their true forms. With Kobayashi’s permission, Tohru exposes her wings and tail, appearing to others as if she’s cosplaying as, well, a dragon maid.
Episode 7 was very nice because there were many heartfelt and adorable moments.
Meanwhile, Episode 8 FINALLY introduced the dragon that I keep on mentioning in my reviews. Her name’s Elma, a dragon who is a rival of Tohru’s. Elma accuses Tohru of disrupting the human’s ways and tries to force her to return to the dragon world. This doesn’t succeed, however, as Tohru sends her to an open field and leaves her there.
Unable to get back home, Elma stays in the human world and begins working at Kobayashi’s company. Kobayashi teaches Elma how to use computers and technology so that she can keep her job. Of course, this prompts Tohru to become jealous, smelling the scent of another dragon off Kobayashi like a dog does with a human. I won’t reveal how the episode ends, but it ends in a positive manner for Tohru.
Overall, I really loved these two episodes because they made me feel warm and fuzzy. They appealed to the emotional senses through a heartfelt conversation between Kobayashi and Tohru. Elma is also an innocent sweetheart who only wants to bring harmony to the human and dragon worlds. And I can’t wait to see more of her in the upcoming episodes.
I feel like in these two episodes alone, we learned so much about Tohru and her feelings for Kobayashi. She really wants to understand the human world and will do anything to stay with Kobayashi.
I’ll up my rating to a 4.7. These episodes were both fun, and we finally got the new dragon! Bless.
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