The spell of bridge hollow rationality refers to the phenomenon where individuals are caught up in a mindset that prioritizes logic and reason over emotional and intuitive understanding. This mindset can be seductive because it gives the illusion of control and certainty. However, it often leads to a narrow and limited perspective of the world. **The main idea of bridge hollow rationality is that it can lead to a loss of connection with our emotions and intuition, causing us to miss out on the richness and complexity of life.** In our modern society, there is a tendency to value rationality and analytical thinking above all else. We are often encouraged to rely on facts, figures, and concrete evidence to make decisions and solve problems.
Release Date: 10/7/22 (limited); 10/14/22 (Netflix)
The plot, obviously, has the two running around town, following clues and leads, and ending up at various places with different decorations to evade or fight. One probably could list a bunch of movies that use a similar premise and approach it with a similarly jokey tone Indeed, at least two were released within a month of this one.
We are often encouraged to rely on facts, figures, and concrete evidence to make decisions and solve problems. While this approach can be effective in certain situations, it can also be limiting and restrictive. It can make us blind to the wisdom that comes from our emotions and intuition.
The spell of bridge hollow rationality
THE CURSE OF BRIDGE HOLLOW
Director: Jeff Wadlow
Cast: Marlon Wayans, Priah Ferguson, Kelly Rowland, John Michael Higgins, Lauren Lapkus, Rob Riggle, Abi Monterey, Holly J. Barrett, Myles Vincent Perez, Nia Vardalos
MPAA Rating:
Running Time: 1:29
Release Date: 10/7/22 (limited); 10/14/22 (Netflix)
Review by Mark Dujsik | October 14, 2022
The Curse of Bridge Hollow is only trying to have some harmless, innocent fun. It's just not trying hard enough.
The central idea of this pre-teen-friendly horror-comedy is fine, even if it does feel as familiar as the results are routine. A small town that's obsessed with Halloween�and other holidays, apparently, as one character quickly notes to establish the possibility of a sequel or two�finds its many, many decorations coming to life, thanks to an evil spirit that once haunted the place and has been accidentally released from its otherworldly prison.
One probably could list a bunch of movies that use a similar premise and approach it with a similarly jokey tone (Indeed, at least two were released within a month of this one). What would be the point, though, beyond pointing out that one has watched or has awareness of a good number of movies? As always, a movie must be given the benefit of standing on its own, with its own virtues and faults, although there's always the conundrum when something as formulaic and predictable as this comes along. That formula and predictability don't exist in a vacuum.
To give director Jeff Wadlow's movie as much of that benefit as possible, though, the setup is somewhat clever, gets right to the point, and is supported by a cast that knows this is meant to be a comedy first and a horror tale by default. The story revolves around the Gordon family, husband Howard (Marlon Wayans), wife Emily (Kelly Rowland, who's sadly underutilized even though she clearly gets the joke as well as the rest of the cast of comedic actors), and their teenage daughter Sydney (Priah Ferguson). This family has just moved from Brooklyn to the small, fictional hamlet of Bridge Hollow somewhere in New England.
Sydney isn't happy about it, but Howard got a job offer to teach science at the local school. It's also supposedly the safest town in the entire country.
That title doesn't last, of course. While exploring the old house she now reluctantly calls home, Sydney discovers a chest hidden behind a wall in the attic. Inside it is a rather unappealing jack-o'-lantern made out of some aged, discolored gourd. Some local kids who formed a paranormal club at school already have told Sydney that her new house is supposedly haunted by the spirit of a witch (played by Nia Vardalos), who once summoned and then banished the demonic force known as Stingy Jack.
When the girl lights the candle inside the lantern, something from beyond is unleashed into the mortal realm. She wants to hunt it and stop it, but Howard, a man who doesn't believe in Halloween or anything supernatural, thinks there's a logical explanation for it all. The two go looking for the spirit or some rational explanation for why the town's Halloween decorations are coming to life.
The plot, obviously, has the two running around town, following clues and leads, and ending up at various places with different decorations to evade or fight. The effects here are competent, although the digital creations�such as tiny spiders or a giant one and some football gear-wearing skeletons�aren't nearly as convincing or effective as the practical ones�such as actors in zombie makeup or wearing killer-clown costumes. The screenplay, written by Todd Berger and Robert Rugan, does show a bit of imagination in coming up with a diverse collection of monsters, although every scene of them results in some kind of chase or brawl with whatever makeshift weapons might be lying around.
That feeling of a constant pattern hinders the action, the mildly scary bits (aimed at the movie's younger target audience, of course), and, unfortunately, the comedy. Wayans is much funnier in the skeptical mode of his character, desperately trying to figure out some scientific explanation for the supernatural occurrences happening right in front of him, but mostly, he's resigned here to running around and screaming a lot. Ferguson is an energetic presence, although Wadlow seems to have directed the young actor to take things a bit too seriously.
The supporting cast is made up of some funny people, although they're clearly limited by the characters they're playing and the jokes they're making. Rob Riggle plays the Gordons' Halloween-obsessed neighbor, who ends up in a brawl with the living models of the undead on his lawn. Lauren Lapkus plays the town's mayor, although the New England dialect seems to be main gag with her character. John Michael Higgins appears as the school principal who dabbles in the occult, and Nia Vardalos plays Madam Hawthorne, the spiritual medium who first released Stingy Jack a century ago, although her performance mainly amounts as a vocal cameo when the character's ghost possesses Howard.
In general, the tone of The Curse of Bridge Hollow is consistent and admirably light-hearted, and the cast, as restricted as the actors might be by the material, are clearly game for some fun. It's clear everyone's making an effort here, but the payoff is unfortunately underwhelming.
Copyright � 2022 by Mark Dujsik. All rights reserved.
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**By prioritizing rationality, we often miss out on valuable insights and perspectives that can only come from a holistic understanding of ourselves and the world around us.** Our emotions and intuition are powerful tools that can help us navigate the complexities of life. They provide us with a deep sense of knowing and understanding that goes beyond what can be explained by rational thought. **When we devalue these aspects of ourselves, we become disconnected and out of touch with our true selves.** This can lead to a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction, as we are constantly striving for something that is out of reach. **By embracing the spell of bridge hollow rationality, we can reconnect with our emotions and intuition, and tap into a deeper level of understanding and fulfillment in our lives.** This requires a shift in mindset, where we recognize the limitations of rationality and open ourselves up to the wisdom that comes from a balanced integration of logic and intuition. When we allow ourselves to embrace both sides of our nature, we can experience a more authentic and meaningful way of being in the world..
Reviews for "Exploring the role of pattern recognition in bridge hollow rationality"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "I really wanted to love 'The Spell of Bridge Hollow Rationality' but I found it incredibly difficult to get into. The plot was confusing and disjointed, and the characters lacked depth. Additionally, the writing style was overly pretentious and made it hard to follow along. Maybe this book just wasn't for me, but I was left feeling disappointed and bored."
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - "I couldn't even finish 'The Spell of Bridge Hollow Rationality' - that's how bad it was. The story was all over the place and the author seemed to be trying too hard to be profound. The characters were uninteresting and I couldn't find any motivation to care about what was happening to them. I kept waiting for something exciting or engaging to happen, but it never did. Save your time and skip this one."
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for 'The Spell of Bridge Hollow Rationality' as I enjoy fantasy novels, but I was sorely disappointed. The world-building was confusing and inconsistent, and I often found myself having to re-read passages to understand what was happening. The pacing was slow and the story lacked any real sense of urgency. Overall, it was a tedious read that failed to capture my interest."
4. Jason - 2/5 stars - "I struggled to connect with the characters in 'The Spell of Bridge Hollow Rationality'. They felt flat and one-dimensional, and I didn't feel invested in their journeys. The writing style was overly flowery and bogged down the story, making it difficult to stay engaged. While there were some interesting ideas presented, they were overshadowed by the lackluster execution. Unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me."