Posts from @dwixer

[Movie] Review-Mickey 17: Twice the trouble, one survival

dwixer — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 23:19:03 GMT

The movie Mickey 17 is an ambitious, and visually memorable sci-fi satire. While it may not hit the heights of the movie "Parasite" also directed by Bong joon-ho due to its uneven pacing and wild tonal shifts, Robert Pattinson's lead performance and the clever premise make it a worthwhile watch for fans of dark, high-concept science fiction. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, who fuses corporate absurdity, clone ethics, and comedy.

The trailer

https://youtu.be/osYpGSz_0i4?si=RoENOWL9iJWFRRgl

The setting of this movie takes place on a frozen, unforgiving exoplanet called Nifflheim. The environment here is icy and harsh and is inhabited by aliens called creepers. Humans here live in isolation and are governed by bureaucratic zealots. Human lives are made cheap through a program known as "expendable." An expendable is sent on a suicidal mission, and when they die, they're replaced with a new body with their memories printed into it.

The plot of the movie goes like this: To escape a debt collector on Earth, Mickey and his friend signed up for the colonization expedition to Nifflheim. Mickey, who was ignorant, signed up as the colony's expendable. Over the course of his expendable service, Mickey dies 16 times in dangerous and sometimes comical ways. When Mickey 17 falls into an ice crevasse, he is presumed dead, and the base prints Mickey 18.

However, Mickey 17 survived and crawls back to the base only to discover that Mickey 18 was already occupying his room. Under colony law, multiple clones are an abomination and must be exterminated immediately. To avoid incineration, Mickey 17 and Mickey 18, who possess different personalities despite sharing the same memory history, must keep each other a secret while navigating the colony leader's politics.

Mickey 17 in this movie delivers a brilliant lead performance. He plays the character as weary, meek, and exhausted by death, while portraying Mickey 18 as volatile, aggressive, and unpredictable. The film treats human life as a literal subscription service and a disposable corporate asset, skewering extreme bureaucracy and workplace exploitation.

The movie also falls short in certain ways despite its appeal. The director tried to balance comedy, sci-fi, and horror, making the tonal shifts feel cartoonish. Again, at over 2 hours and 15 minutes, the second act drags as it tries to juggle the "multiples" comedy alongside political subplots and creature diplomacy. Also, because the protagonist can continually print new bodies, death initially carries little emotional weight.

What makes the movie great is its unique take on the sci-fi identity crisis and Bong Joon-ho's signature unpredictability.

Mickey 17 is worth a watch because it takes a heavily used sci-fi trope: cloning and human reproduction—and turns it on its head through dark comedy and eccentric acting.

Rating: 70/100

Originally posted through scrobble.life/movies.

[Music] My take on Tupac's Song "Letter to my unborn child"

dwixer — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 22:57:24 GMT

The Song

https://youtu.be/SPmNQmmMZ84?si=G0qLvI9TG6lquEAK

I wasn't a fan of Tupac, I didn't listen to his music that much but a friend of mine who was a true fan of his introduced one of his favorite songs from Tupac's album titled, " Letter to my unborn child" to me. The concept of the song being a letter was the attraction and it didn't fail in delivery a messae and it became the only song I listened to deeply from Tupac's album.

The song was recorded during his prolific late 1990s era and was produced by Johnny J. Alongside taskmaster. It was a loving, protective, and cautious letter written to a future child Tupac worries he might never live to raise.

In his song, Tupac reflected on his own mortality, he addressed his potential absence directly. Just like Coolie, he acknowledged the danger of his lifestyle, warning his child about the harsh reality of life and offered advise on how to navigate the snakes and fakes. Across the verses, he traces his own life, from being raised by his black panther mother to dropping out from School, making mistakes , dealing with legal struggles , and surviving violence. Instead of praising his path, he presented his journey as a cautionary tale.

Unlike Tupac with his tracks mostly aggressive. This one was warm, conversational, and deeply vulnerable, balancing fatherly love with realistic street wisdom. His ability to ride a fast beat with deep narrative storytelling creates a natural rhythm that can draw one in for a first bar and that's one of the things that makes the song catchy, it's hard not to nod your head while listening.

Beyond a personal message, the song function as a broader piece of wisdom for the next generation coming up in a tough condition, and that's if they care to listen. Here he emphasized on resilience, self-reliance and spiritual faith.

Rating: 60/100

Originally posted through scrobble.life/music.

Student Loans: A Trap Most People Don't See

emreal — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 18:59:42 GMT

Src

“Take the risk,” is what people are usually told, when they have no options left. We all know that taking certain risks gives birth to positive results but several times we have seen it give terrible results too.

Taking a loan is not a bad deal but not to everyone. There are people who can take loans and profit from it, there are people who will take loans and that would be the genesis of their tribulation in life.

If the government wants to help its citizens, it should do so without trying to profit from them in return.

I have many reasons why It doesn't usually sit well with me when people are given money instead of being taught how to make it for themselves.

That money they receive, not everyone knows how to multiply it; within a short time, some will blow it off and you won't blame them because people are facing a lot of difficulties, as soon as money comes in, they are already thinking of how to use it to settle those bills on their necks.

Talking about student loans, I think that's a set up from the government to make students slaves.

For instance, in a country like Nigeria, where job opportunities are scarce and there is high competition in the entrepreneur sector, it's most likely for people to graduate and have no job.

For an individual in this situation, how do you expect him or her to pay off those loans?

We all know how time flies so fast, before one knows it, the loan is due, and being unable to pay, you would be left with accumulating interest that can pose a serious threat to your finances.

Even for those who eventually get jobs, paying loans is painful; it usually feels like giving your money out for nothing.

Problems are always confronting people, imagine that instead of thinking of how to build your finances after school, you are stuck paying loans. Think of how it will stagnant you, and your growth.

Most of the things our government calls “help” are often a set up, the government doesn't give anything without gaining something in return.

Instead of giving loans, why not provide a system for students to work for the government and earn?

Instead of giving them loans that would become a barrier to them after school, why not empower them with something that would make finance available for them as they study?

Student loans can be helpful and I am not discrediting the idea, but frankly speaking that's not what students need.

Most students are only struggling, they are just trying to survive. I know of certain students who take night jobs to be able to settle their bills in school.

Giving these people loans is not mercy but a burden, many might be excited and see it like a savior but the problem is will the student be able to pay back after studies? What if the person doesn't get a job?

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Well I don't know how flexible student loans are, but if you seek my opinion, I will tell everyone to stay away from taking loans that are not going to be used to generate more income.

It's good to take risks, but not all risks are worth taking. We don't always have to learn life's lesson the hard way.

Thanks For Reading

What is it like to have a pet?

dwixer — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:01:15 GMT

I've never had a pet, but at one point I experienced the joy that comes with seeing a little cute thing with those innocent eyes clinging to me. It was my neighbor's dog, a certain breed that had much fur, and she did a great job ensuring it stayed clean at all times. Watching it run with its little tongue out and wiggling its tail inflicts a certain feeling of love. For some reason I wanted that dog to remain that little, at least it could still maintain that innocence that first attracted me to it. When it barks, it suddenly wiggles its tail in friendship.

I believed the owner was a lover of pets. She makes it look more attractive when she carries it around and allows it to pant smoothly as it fixes its gaze on anyone or anything that passes by. For a moment I felt like having a pet, but I hate those moments when the innocence is gone and I'm left with the wilder version of a pet that once cared about nothing else except its food and rest. However, my short experience with the little dog gave me an insight into how it's like to have a pet, especially one that still has its innocence.

Photo source

A little pet like a puppy acts like the last born of the house. As long as it has a cookie to eat, everyone is its friend. It trusts easily and often acts in funny ways that keep memories. The innocence in its eyes, its playful nature, and its size all make up moments that one wishes to see over and over again. Puppies understand they are pets and they quickly jump into one's body to be petted. They live in a rent-free world and they know it, and they only give the owner a show to be grateful they exist.

Pets are like friends who believe you're responsible for their well-being. Puppies know they only need to stare at the owner or sit very close at dinner to signify they need some food, and some may be intelligent enough to drag their plates when they're hungry. If you ever need a clingy friend, then go for a pet. In them you get a friend who's trustworthy, playful, and loyal.

Taking care of them does not require a heavy task. They adapt to eating what humans eat and only need a small quantity to be full. If one is a lover of pets, then feeding becomes easier.

Posted Using INLEO

[Movie] My Take On The Substance

dwixer — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 22:08:51 GMT

The trailer

https://youtu.be/LNlrGhBpYjc?si=q3xEGv_XXl3hGj0s

The substance was directed by Coralie Fargeat, and it's a feminist body horror satire. The movie tells the story of an aging Hollywood star who takes a mysterious black market cellular replicating drug. This drug creates a younger ideal version of herself. The only challenge is that these two entities must share time and vital resources.

Elizabeth Sparkle, in the movie, is an academy award-winning actress whose fame has waned, leaving her hosting a long running TV show. On her 50th birthday, her studio executive fires her because of her age, seeking a younger face to drive network ratings. Elizabeth Sparkle, who was devastated and desperate to remain relevant, received a tip about the substance, a serum that causes her body to divide, which births a younger and vibrant alter ego named Sue. This procedure came with three strict, non-negotiable rules: the two bodies must switch consciousness after every seven days; while one body is active, the other would be resting. Secondly, the bodies aren't two different people, but are one mind experiencing both lives, and finally, the balance must be respected.

Sue, the other body, quickly lands Elizabeth's former TV slot, achieving meteoric stardom. Soon Sue, drunk on adoration, began siphoning additional spinal fluid from the dormant Elizabeth Sparkle to extend her active days past the seven-day limit. Soon the consequences came, with each extra day, Sue inflicting rapid, accelerating aging and decay on Elizabeth's original body. As self-hatred, resentment, and vanity drive a wedge between the two halves of the same persona, their feud escalates into horrific physical mutilation and a wild, blood-soaked climax.

The film takes place in a stylized, hypersaturated version of Los Angeles and Hollywood that feels timeless yet artificial, and one of the strengths of the movie is its fearless performance, where both characters deliver great performances based on their roles. The movie also has masterful practical effects, making the physical horror feel tangible.

However, there are always critics of every movie, and in this one, some reviewers noted that its core message which is; how society cannibalizes women as they age is incredibly blunt rather than subtle, making the film feel repetitive before its explosive finale.

What makes the movie a must watch is the ultimate audience experience. The final 30 minutes take the horror, gore, and dark comedy to extreme levels rarely seen in mainstream cinema, leaving a visual impression that lingers long after the credits roll.

Rating: 80/100

Originally posted through scrobble.life/movies.

Indiaunited new contest and last contest results

indiaunited — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 05:17:30 GMT

![pets.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/indiaunited/23ywyUWK4jLEyEZXtimcWVtf1g4h3whokJczUvymuEghbdsYR2huomMjEGSsx27TbAvcz.png)

Source

Namaste everyone!

We have decided to host a weekly contest aimed at becoming a community with better engagement and having more presence on Hive. These contests will be organized each week to boost creativity among members of the community, help new and budding writers to show more creativity, help increase their personal growth on the platform and build better connections along with getting some good prizes in turn.

We encourage everyone to step forward and contribute to this. You can help by either taking parts in these contests, giving feedback and constructive criticism to the entries, supporting the entries or by sponsoring these contest. Drop your feedback/suggestions in the comments below or join our Discord Server and connect with us there.

Theme-:"What Is It Like to Have a Pet?"

Do you currently have a pet, or would you like to have one in the future?

Which animal would you choose, and what do you love most about having a pet? What do you think is the hardest part of taking care of one?

Share your experience and thoughts! 🐶🐱

There are some rules which everyone should keep in mind and read carefully as some of them can be changed in the subsequent contests.

Publish your post in IndiaUnited Community.
Use the #iucontest as your main tag, failing to do will invalidate your entry.
No use of AI tools like ChatGPT for writing your posts. We want to hear your thoughts not AI's.
Make sure to properly source you images and don't use copyrighted images.
The post should have at least 350 original words per language (in case you decide to make a dual language post, be more specific don't make it lengthy).
Add this contest's post link in your post so others can find us easily.
Leave a link to your entry as a comment to this post.
One entry post per account/user.
Low reputation users will not be expected (not upvotes), So If you have Reputation less Than 55 Please don't participate thanks.
Open to all not just the Indian citizens.
Re-blog, upvote and share this contest post with others to spread the word. (Optional)

***Failing to comply with the above rules will disqualify you from the contest.***

Deadline:

The deadline for submitting your entries will be five days (next Saturday )after publishing this post.

Upvotes from @indiaunited (maybe you get a few votes from other curation account)for each valid entry.
Total 1000 Ecency Points, Sponsored by @bhattg
The Winner = 1^st Runner UP = 500 Ecency Points, 2^nd= 300 Ecency Points, and Runner UP = 200 Ecency Points and 5 hive (divide into winner according to the post).
Curations from few other accounts but not guaranteed.

We are looking for more sponsors, if anyone wants to sponsor some rewards for the winners. Let us know in the comments or talk to us in IndiaUnited Discord Server.

Participants and entries:

Participants:

@rkploy786, @nainaztengra, @les90, @isaacmartiubeda, @cagolistic, @peckypeace, @ijebest, @intishar, @jishan5, @afrikens, @newbreed, @emreal, @tehilah, @sunshine29, @rayhanhiveman, @jenifers, @abhay2695, @kingsleyy, @mega13, @nsigo1, @dwixer, @nursejoe, @cindynancy, @danielade, @offia66, @yalloveme, @dearemem, @wiseagent, @vickoly, @samolaj, @favour20045, @mmam, @daviduman, @caparadiso, @betheloji12, @marsdave, @nkemakonam89, @leemah1, @twicejoy, @hillah, and @avataraang1

Entries-

Read the full post

[Book] How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie

dwixer — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 22:47:36 GMT

Dale Carnegie in this book believes there's a system that works when it comes to winning friends and influencing people. While a lot of people may believe success has to do with technical knowledge, Dale argues in this book that personal and financial success is heavily driven by a man's personality, communication skills, and leadership. His fundamentals rest on a psychological insight that humans are creatures of emotions, pride, and vanity rather than logic. The core principles in this book hinge on moving away from self-centeredness and learning to view circumstances from other people's perspective.

The book is broken down into principles, all with lessons on how to handle people. One of the fundamental techniques provided by Dale in handling people is avoiding criticism and condemnation. He believes criticism puts people on the defensive, wounds their pride, and brings resentment. Another way he provided in handling people is by providing honest and sincere appreciation, and this is because humans possess a craving within them to feel important and valued. Talking about what they want and providing ways to achieve it could go a long way in handling people in a positive way.

In the second part of the book, he provided six ways to make people like you. One of them is to become genuinely interested in other people. Dale believes people only get connected when one shows genuine concern about them and not self. The second is smiling and remembering names; a lot of people may fail when it comes to remembering names, especially people like me. According to Dale, this is one way to make people like you. The others are: being a good listener, talking on the other person's interests, and making the other person feel important.

In winning people over, Dale outlines the following: avoid arguments, show respect for others, admit mistakes quickly, and as a leader, praise small achievements and ask questions instead of giving orders. If one has to say one thing about Dale Carnegie's book, it would be "making others feel important while giving little interest in yourself." Even though it works, a lot of people might assume this advice only encourages low self-esteem.

One thing that works in this book is the timeless psychology, focusing on human ego, appreciation, and empathy, which remain unchanged across eras, and the book gives engaging narratives. However, the criticism falls on the rise of surface-level application. If applied mechanically, techniques like heavy complimenting or eager listening can come across as manipulative or transactional. Carnegie explicitly warns against insincerity, but the line between genuine interest and strategic charm requires self-awareness.

How to Win Friends and Influence People is a foundational masterclass in emotional intelligence and active empathy. Rather than teaching manipulative tactics, its true power lies in encouraging a shift from self-absorbed thinking to active appreciation of the human needs in others.

Rating: 67/100

Originally posted through scrobble.life/books.

[Movie] My Take On The Transporter

dwixer — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 21:43:21 GMT

The Transporter is a thriller directed by Louis Leterrier and Cory Yuen. I watched this movie a long time ago, and it was the movie that stirred my love for Jason Statham.

The Trailer

https://youtu.be/7FnbLyv2oio?si=UZlOZ55D2xDUe-kL

In the movie, Frank, who is Jason Statham, is a highly skilled ex-special forces operative who is living a quiet life. He operates as a mercenary, known as the Transporter, moving high-risk black market packages in his custom car. Frank in this movie adheres to three strict rules in his business: one, never change the deal; two, no names; and three, never look in the package.

This rule dynamic creates an engaging hook in the movie, making it fun to watch him try and fail to stay out of trouble when his moral compass takes over. Exactly that happened when he met an American criminal named "Wall Street," who hired him to deliver a bulky truck. On his way, Frank noticed the bag moving. Breaking his cardinal rule, he opened the package to find a bound and gagged young lady in it.

Even though the package was delivered, Frank escaped an assassination attempt unnoticed, Wall Street had planted a bomb in the car. Frank reacted by blowing up Wall Street's base, stealing his car, and taking the girl with him. Along the way, Frank learned that the girl is the daughter of a human trafficking leader who smuggles immigrants in containers. Now Frank took it upon himself to destroy the trafficking ring and free the hostages as he abandoned his strict code.

One of the movie's strengths is that it does not rely purely on gunfights; the action relies heavily on physical improvisation and devising ways to conceal and escape enemies. Another strength is Frank's stunt work. In the movie, he did the majority of the driving and fighting, which gave the physical combat a believable weight and impact. Personally, I noticed great character chemistry, especially between Frank and the inspector.

The criticism of this movie is centered on its light character depth and thin plot, which shows the great work the directors put in making the movie stand out in other areas.

In conclusion, the movie is a great watch because of the following: the pure nostalgic fun. This works for fans of 2000s stunts, driving sequence craftsmanship, and martial arts. Also, the zero pretense in the movie, the director knew what he wanted and finally, the rules dynamic, which I mentioned earlier. Every viewer loves a movie where the protagonist sets rules, then they sit back and watch the protagonist struggle to maintain them.

Originally posted through scrobble.life/movies.

[Music] My take on Gangsta's paradise by Coolio

dwixer — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 22:16:45 GMT

The song was released in August 1995. I was still very young at that time, but I listened to this song when I was in college from a roommate who was a fan of hip-hop rap. Following the lyrics carefully, I fell deeply for it. Below is the song's video from YouTube.

https://youtu.be/fPO76Jlnz6c?si=E9HX_kPARuhnIHKC

In this song, Coolio addresses the cycle of urban violence, poverty, and institutional neglect. The word "paradise" looks more like a trap instead of a haven. The first opening verse,

"as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I take a look at my life and realized nothing is left, cause I've been blasting and laughing so long"

shows that Coolio didn't frame the place as where God protects him, but as a wasteland where death is an ever present shadow. He acknowledged that surviving in that place requires an aggressive personality, especially when disconnected from his loved ones. He admitted to using guns and seeking respect through intimidation while also knowing this lifestyle offers no long-term future, only premature death.

In the second verse, Coolio shifts from personal reflection to a broader critique of the society and environment that shape young people in urban communities, attributing this to lack of mentorship and expecting youth to succeed without giving them tools or knowledge. This makes street life become their default teacher. The final verse dissects the deception of money, power, and status in street culture, calling it a blind trap and warning that material gain is volatile, leading to the tragic end where the cycle continues.

One might perceive this song to be a street song, but it tells truths that most music doesn't reveal. When people criticize it as a song that merely praises social substance, I see it as a song that tells truth to those who listen deeply. Paradoxically, removing explicit language made the lyrics more potent. Coolio had to rely on vivid imagery, raw emotion, and moral clarity rather than posturing.

Most songs either glorify the outlaw lifestyle or preach against it in a heavyhanded way. "Gangsta's Paradise" succeeds because it sits right in the middle. Coolio expresses remorse for his lifestyle yet admits he feels powerless to escape it. That honesty resonates with listeners regardless of their background.

Rating: 71/100

Originally posted through scrobble.life/music.

[Book] Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus by John Gray

dwixer — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:59:15 GMT

While we talk about money and success, it's also important that we talk about love. Because among them all, marriage with a woman becomes a lifetime institution and once you fail in it, the misery lasts for a long time. This book Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus was written by John Gray and operates on a simple, powerful metaphor stating that men and women originate from two different planets. Which means they both have their distinct culture, communication style, values, and emotional needs. Gray asserts in his book that misunderstanding and falling out of love stems from forgetting the fact that men and women naturally think, process stress, and react differently.

According to Gray, rather than trying to change one's partner into a carbon copy of himself, he believes it's important to always remember the fact that the two genders are different and that's what makes a healthy relationship.

In the chapters, Gray breaks down several responses men and women have in different situations. For example, during stress, men may choose to handle stress by withdrawing, solving problems silently, or probably distracting themselves with news, games, or sports, but women handle their stress by talking through all their feelings to feel understood and supported. If anyone tries to handle stress the opposite way, misunderstanding may likely arise.

Men and women are motivated differently. While men feel motivated when they are needed, trusted, and appreciated, women feel motivated when they are cared for, cherished, and supported. The book contains several examples that show how men who are from Mars differ in handling and responding to situations from women who come from Venus.

What makes the book catchy is, first, the metaphor, taking complex psychological concepts and turning them into an immediately recognizable cultural framework. This book also helps reduce guilt and self blame, making everything fall back to the fact that they exist from a different planet. In the book, there's a deep empathy and equal framing by highlighting good intentions behind every flawed behavior, and finally, Gray shares a lot of personal stories in his book, making it relatable and easy to grasp.

However, the book, judging from its excuse for every behavior, may turn out to be an excuse for poor behavior without making an effort to change, and a part of the book shows a reinforcement of rigid gender stereotypes.

If you want to understand how different genders react, respond, and manage in different scenarios, then this book is for you.

Rating: 70/100

Originally posted through scrobble.life/books.