EF published his very first montage exactly 10 years ago! An amateur trailer for The Light Between Oceans, then a new release, featuring “On the Sea” by dream-pop duo, Beach House. I had never planned to video-edit. Now it’s a full-time hobby.
Now, let’s juxtapose this life-affirming endeavor with a post-apocalyptic dystopian review, shall we? Smash cut to 2026— Wha-PUSH! It’s Ridley Scott’s, The Dog Stars.
EF: 11.03 — The Dog Stars (Aug. 28, 2026)
Director: Ridley Scott
Writers: Peter Heller (2012 novel) and Mark L. Smith (screenplay)
Starring: Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, and Margaret Qualley
Rated: R
“Well, Hig, you’re a consistent dumb fuck, I’ll give ya that.”
Josh Brolin delights as a Mormon-loathing, salty survivor in Ridley Scott’s post-apocalyptic western. He plays buddy to Hig (Jacob Elordi), a pilot and mechanic still grieving his late wife, who died from a mysterious respiratory virus that killed 99% of the population.
Now Brolin, Elordi, and his trusty German Shepherd guard their remote airfield deep in the Rocky Mountains, fending off bands of psycho intruders who, conveniently, always have guns but no bullets, despite living in the U.S.
A little suspension of disbelief goes a long way with movies. I should know, since I’m currently re-editing Independence Day, where a Kardashev Type II civilization is brought to its knees by a Windows ’95 malware attack. Scott presses our credulity here, charging through the second half with ludicrous 1-vs.-100 zombie-survival battle scenes— which, I actually welcomed, somewhat.
The Dog Stars (2026) is loyal to its genre, paying homage to zombie-survival media of the 21st century. The Walking Dead, 28 Days Later, Call of Duty, and Fallout are prominent influences. The performances are sparse but consistent, appropriate. The set design is excellent, authentic, but the picturesque mountainous setting is sometimes cut off at the knees by aggressive editing. The rustic musical score is a saving grace… My most salient impression is that the story definitely feels like it’s from 2012, not today. I was hoping for a story more instructive to our immediate survival. But watch it if you’re in the mood for an apolitical, Paulsen-esque gritty survival story…AND zombies.
The Inside Out: Sadness (20), Fear (13) Disgust (12), Anger (10), Joy (5)
EF
Congratulations on a decade!
For some reason, that first shot has me recalling “A Boy and His Dog”.
Despite the tendency toward “reality checking”, I think the occasional invitation to a suspension of disbelief is one of the fundamental attractions of film. Nothing wrong with that… so long as it doesn’t follow one outside of the theater.
Yes, probably another influence— Jeff Bridges would fit right in here.