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Brad Pitt Chases Stars in AD Astra – Review
Are there other life forms in space or is it just vast darkness? Space may never be fully discovered but the $80 million sci-fi epic, AD Astra, starring Brad Pitt took viewers on an expedition that attempts to answer the question that will continue to concern humankind for decades to come.
From this point onwards this article will contain spoilers for those who haven’t seen the movie. Proceed with caution! View the official trailer: Ad Astra, Trailer
Official trailer
Emotionally Impactful Performance
James Gray did an outstanding job of directing the film as well as Ethan Gross who wrote the film. However, I expected more from this movie. Perhaps newer aspects could have been added to the storyline which would make it stand out from other space related movies that often revolve around the same idea. But first, I will highlight the positive qualities of the movie.
The greatly talented actor Brad Pitt gave an emotionally impactful performance as he played the character of Roy McBride, who goes on an endeavor to travel across an unforgiving galaxy to divulge the veracity of his missing father, a character by the name of Clifford McBride played by the legend Tommy Lee Jones. The main themes of the movie are: mystery, drama, family turmoil, psychological issues and finally, action.
All of these themes are well met. The disappearance of Roy McBride’s father generated an atmosphere of complete mystery, leaving the viewers in their own thoughts as they think about all the possibilities behind the absence of Clifford McBride. An essential theme used in every single movie in history, “drama” is evident when Roy McBride finally reunites with his father. In this scene, an awkwardly dramatic tension engulfs the unhealthy air in the rocket ship as Roy’s dad refuses to come back home with his son. Denying any emotional attachments, dooming himself.
Next up we have family turmoil which is obviously displayed from the start of the film. Because the audience is informed that Roy’s dad left when he was a kid to go on an expedition, following the idea of life beyond our small planet within this blanket of oblivion.
Additionally, the audience learns that Roy may be facing some psychological issues. This is proved by the struggle the character conveys as he tries to restrain his mind from succumbing to darkness, undergoing small tests on a device that will determine if he is mentally fit enough to travel past the earth’s atmosphere.
Action and Baboons in Space
Action plays a big role in this movie as well. Viewers will be entranced by the movie as the action scene where a small chase from incoming hostiles was transpired in a series of shots with escorts and counterparts getting flinged here and there.
Another vehement action-filled moment took place when Roy attempted to help a rescue mission when he and the crew received a call for help from a nearby stationary rocket ship. Inside the rocket ship, Roy will come into contact with an environment infested with experimental rogue baboons that have taken over and killed the entire crew of that ship.
Moving onto effects, the realistic image of spacesuit-covered people riding motorized vehicles on the terrain of the moon appeared phenomenal, taking the audience on a journey as if the set has truly taken place on the moon itself.
Disappointing Finale
The movie all in all is monumental. However, the story of the movie could’ve been further embellished. As a movie lover, I was disappointed with the movie’s finale. Roy finally found his father, who at the time was on a mission to find proof of the existence of other life forms. But saying that he could never go home to his son as he would rather die in space foreshadows the events that materialize afterward.
It was implied that Clifford had found something, purposely shutting down the whole spaceship and killing off his entire crew members so he would not be forced to go back. Yet it was never fully elaborated on, leaving some of the audience as confused as I was.
I believe the director James Gray could have played more with the movie, adding more dramatic history and including possible other life forms. I found myself having a hard time trying to figure out whether this movie was intended to be something like Gravity. It seems though that they’ve tried to have a mix of both. Nonetheless, Ad Astra proved to be extraordinary.
The only disappointing feature is their hesitancy to weave more ideas into the plot. Even though the movie could’ve used more ideas on the mystery side, Brad Pitt’s acting made up for most of it as he captured every moment perfectly.
Ratings and Earnings
A top critic from Detroit News on Rottentomatoes said, “This is slow, obtuse filmmaking with little emotional connection,” which proves to be true throughout the film. The movie hit 339 on the Tomatometer, with 83% and 9,011 verified ratings earning it a total of 40% audience score.
Ad Astra was screened in 44 markets outside the US earning $26 million. It also made $19.2 million inside the US, bringing its total to $45.2 million in global box office receipts.
Lendo, a Saudi Arabia-based Shariah-compliant crowdlending marketplace, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with J.P. Morgan to improve access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
The MOU was signed during 24 Fintech, a premier fintech event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and investors in Riyadh.
J.P. Morgan and Lendo are working together on potential opportunities to support the SME sector in Saudi Arabia in growing and sustaining the remarkable demand in this market.
“This strategic collaboration with J.P. Morgan, a pioneer in the financial industry, marks a significant milestone for Lendo,” said Osama Alraee, CEO and co-founder of Lendo. “By combining our strengths, we’ll deliver cutting-edge financial solutions to SMEs, supporting their growth and contributing directly to the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”
The SME financing landscape in MENA presents a substantial market opportunity as limited financial access continues to restrict the growth of the region’s businesses, with commercial banks hesitant to issue loans to SMEs at scale, resulting in a high percentage of declined financing requests annually.
The total SME financing gap in developing countries is estimated to be approximately $5.2 trillion, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Lendo’s debt crowdfunding platform aims to bridge the financing gap for SMEs, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to significantly expand SME lending from 4% in 2018 to 20% by 2030.
According to the latest available report from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the total value of debt crowdfunding in Saudi Arabia surged from SAR 1.4 million in 2019 to SAR 771 million in 2022, marking a remarkable growth.
Lendo raised SAR 132 million ($35.2 million) in total funding from leading investors, including the most recent Series B led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly-owned company by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Since its inception in December 2019, Saudi fintech Lendo has processed over 5,000 financing transactions on its platform, providing over SAR 2 billion ($600 million) in financing to SMEs and generating SAR 280 million ($74 million) in returns for investors.
TA Telecom, a prominent player in the Middle East’s tech sector, has unveiled AnteThink, an AI-driven tool designed to enhance decision-making processes for individuals and businesses alike.
With a history of influencing the tech landscape through various initiatives, including advanced mobile solutions, high-volume payment platforms, and ventures in e-commerce, fintech, and analytics, TA Telecom has carved a niche for itself. Serving a vast user base of 40 million and processing an impressive 15 billion transactions across its platforms, TA Telecom has cemented its position as a tech industry leader, with some of its ventures achieving the status of Y Combinator companies.
Established in 2000, TA Telecom has emerged as a prominent player in the technology sector. With over 40 million users and processing 15 billion transactions annually, TA Telecom has made a notable impact. Recognized for its contributions by the Financial Times and featured on Deloitte’s list of fastest-growing tech companies in EMEA, TA Telecom is known for its adaptability and forward-thinking approach in the ever-evolving global tech landscape.
Sameh Ibrahim, CEO of TA Telecom, highlights the potential of AnteThink: “AnteThink reflects our commitment to leverage technology for practical impact. It aims to provide clarity and confidence in decision-making, whether in the professional or personal sphere. AnteThink is a tool that can empower startup founders, executives, and individuals to make more informed choices, alleviating the stress and uncertainty often associated with critical decision-making.”
Mostafa Ashour, CEO of Y Combinator-backed startup NowPay, shared his perspective on AnteThink: “AnteThink transformed our strategic planning, allowing us to explore various scenarios and prepare for different outcomes. It has strengthened our decision-making process, helping us navigate the complexities of the business landscape.”
AnteThink embodies TA Telecom’s commitment to innovation, focusing on supporting the startup ecosystem. The tool is tailored to help leaders and executives navigate the complexities of business management and strategic development by providing a clear picture of potential outcomes.
Key Features of AnteThink include:
1. Second Order Mode: Offering a comprehensive analysis of broader impacts, fostering a strategic mindset for long-term success.
2. Optionality Mode: Enabling detailed evaluation and comparison of different choices to ensure decisions align with strategic objectives and values.
3. Inversion Mode: Focusing on identifying and mitigating potential risks, thereby strengthening risk management strategies.
Credit: Antethink
AnteThink’s advanced AI technology aims to assist decision-makers with insightful analytics, offering guidance through the decision-making process.
Selina Bieber, the Senior Director of Global Markets at GoDaddy, has predicted a significant increase in Egypt’s e-commerce revenue. By 2028, it could reach $9.88 billion.
Godaddy is forming strategic partnerships and launching initiatives to help local entrepreneurs. These efforts align with Egypt’s digital transformation goals and its Vision 2030.
In an interview with the Arabic financial news “Amwal Al Ghad,” Bieber spoke about GoDaddy’s plans and how they match Egypt’s 2023 strategy. She highlighted the company’s aim to provide effective, easy-to-use digital tools and services. By 2024, GoDaddy wants to serve more customers in Egypt by making its digital tools more widespread.
The company is working closely with the Egyptian government, especially the Ministry of Planning. They are offering training programs to improve the digital skills of startups and existing businesses. GoDaddy’s services in Egypt include domain registration, web hosting, e-commerce solutions, and digital marketing tools.
Recent surveys support Bieber’s positive outlook for e-commerce in Egypt. They show a clear trend towards digital strategies among small businesses. Many are realizing the importance of having an online presence for their growth and success.
As GoDaddy continues its partnerships and supports government digital initiatives, its influence on Egypt’s digital landscape is growing. The company is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. It aims not just for business growth but also to contribute to a sustainable and thriving digital economy in Egypt.
The 2028 projection indicates a vast potential for e-commerce, with GoDaddy playing a key role in this digital evolution.
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