Alpha: What Worked for Me?

Alpha is a historical drama action film about how one boy survives after an unlikely companionship with a wolf. In doing so, it hopes to tell the story of the first dog. I had low expectations for it, but came out of it quite impressed. There was a lot of thought put into this movie; it was stylistically consistent, had great acting, and they created a fully immersive world.

I was shocked to find the film is not in spoken English. All the actors speak a completely made up language, and they've all bought into it: their actions match what they are apparently saying. They're able to emote through the gibberish of what they say. This made the film quite immersive.

Source: Sony Pictures

The action was very intense and the stakes were high throughout the movie, even though the ending was not a surprise (SPOILER: humans today live with dogs). The ending itself was a bit of a twist, and it made you feel good. I left the theatre feeling like I wanted a dog, and that the world was amazing and everything is great. It's been a while since a film made me feel something like that.

The sets were stunning, whether real or matte painted. The mountains, forests, deserts, and water all seemed like from a different planet, and yet it was also completely familiar, including the extreme weather they faced. This familiarity was abandoned when you explore the relationships humans have with the animals. The animals approach humans curiously or in a predatory way, and  they seem fearless. The first scene, which was a battle scene between a human tribe and bison, was depicted in an epic, fantasy-battle way. It was an interesting choice for the tone, and it worked for me. A great action packed opening like that hooked me right in.

Source: Sony Pictures

Keda, and his wolf Alpha had a great, inspiring friendship and bond in the film. Keda speaks to the wolf as if it can understand him, and it seems to do just that. However, Keda has no idea that it  actually doesn't. This dynamic between them seems almost spiritual; an innocent, ignorant human, reaching out to one not like itself, and forming an unbreakable bond. It was beautiful to watch.

Source: Sony Pictures

There were some cute scenes, too, which came as origin stories to some of the human and dog quirks we have today, such as fetching sticks and responding to whistling. The humour created was subtle, probably because the concept of a joke as we know it today wasn't quite developed in Keda's time.

I liked the score too and I can't wait to give it a listen once it's out. It was all tonally connected to the film, taking all the right cues. I wish I had more to say, but I haven't had the opportunity to listen to it thoroughly. All I remember was the intensity it brought to each scene.

The extreme weather experienced by Keda and how he needed Alpha to survive it all, in the absence of his fellow humans is the main conflict here in the film. I think it's trying to frame how an alliance with nature is what we need right now facing our climate crisis. It's not unheard of that historical fiction uses the past to reflect our current issues. What do you think?

Alpha was an excellent film and I recommend it to all dog fans and fans of historical fiction. It may be based on a flawed premise (there are, after all, no such thing as Alpha wolves), but it's still a good story and worth the watch.

LIFE: A Night with Lights #MMSxLIGHTS

Lights did a special, free show sponsored by the new minty M&Ms on August 28. It was my third time watching her perform this year.

The lineup to get into the venue for door's open was a long one filled mostly with restless youths and some parents. I met my girlfriend in line with a bag of A&W and luckily she was standing fairly close up front. This meant that we were entitled to a standing space close to the stage once we were permitted to enter [because that's how General Admission tickets work, Toronto. Right? RIGHT? /s]

At 8 PM, DCF took the stage. With a band! A drummer and a guitarist joined him, and he played the songs I was familiar with from the last two Lights' concerts I went to. It was certainly different to hear him play with an actual band instead of a background track. The music still had its pop and hip-pop sensibilities, with drum loops playing alongside the live drummer along with some delicate electric guitar work. However, I still don't much care for his voice. He just doesn't have a passion and timbre in his vocals comparable with some of his contemporaries. I want to hear him belt out like Tyler Carter, but instead he sounds like a talented karaoke singer. Use your diaphragm, man.

Leave your mans

Our girl Lights was next and her presence, voice, band, and music was what it was all about. The venue was the smallest one I've seen her play at, and it managed to be a different experience because of it, even though I've seen this setlist twice already. This time, there wasn't much flashiness on stage; she didn't change her outfit once, the lighting was basic, and she just seemed happy to be there despite the humidity. It felt like I was watching any of my favourite "emo" bands playing, since there was a focus on the music and performance of it all. Her standout performances were "Up We Go" and "Moonshine," with the latter getting an emotional moment from her since it wasn't a single on her new album and we all knew the words.

She's powerful

I enjoyed this concert, especially since it was free, but it was a pleasure seeing her again as always.