Didn't See That One Coming...

2020 - what a year! Who could've seen that one coming? Unlike an active volcano, inclement weather or global warming, 2020 completely burst onto the scene with great force and unprecedented change on levels that no-one (not even Nostradamus) could have accurately foreseen or predicted.  And as much as we have all now learned to expect the unexpected, it can still be hard to find the highlights and stay in touch with the joys of life when you feel like you are constantly be blindsided with change  and overwhelmed by uncertainty. 
So let's take a look at what has happened in 2020 so far that has actually been worthy of celebrating, and before you shout out nothing at all, think again, you may have missed some of the good stuff because the bad has taken up all of your attention and space. Turns out that in spite of impeachments, wildfire and COVID-19 there have actually been some good times for us to reflect upon. 

1. Despite January's wildfires burning 18 million acres of Australian bushlands, the devastating bushfires proved that the world could come together and support each other in huge and generous ways. Over $140 million dollars was raised and donated for the victims of the January fires and comedian Celeste Barber broke the Facebook's fundraising platform records by raising $32 million to support firefighters.  
2. The second person in the world was cured of HIV thanks to stem cell treatments. And although the treatment is high-risk and therefore not available to the wider public just yet, it is a massive breakthrough and a genuine sign of greater things to come for the HIV infected population. 
3. COVID-19 might have stopped the world in its tracks, but it certainly didn't slow the heroic efforts of front line healthcare and medical workers who bravely answered the call to care for the sick and dying. Working gruelling hours under extreme and often deeply emotional circumstances, these everyday heroes have saved thousands of lives, tested billions of the world's population and persisted for the sake of humankind. 
4. The oldest fossil of the modern bird to date was discovered this year and it dates back 66 million years - before the age of dinosaurs! The creature, which scientists have named Wonder Chicken looks like a chicken from the front and a duck from the back and tells us a lot about early evolution and has sparked much debate around the origins of the bird species and life form evolution in general. 
5. The world got far more tech savvy and inclusive as people got more inventive and creative with their online usage. Teachers everywhere learned to deliver remote learning programs to their students, famous chefs around the globe uploaded free online cooking lessons, Spotify introduced 'Daily Wellness' playlists, performers, celebrities  and musicians gave us free online concerts and across the globe everyone worked out how to use Zoom and Google Meets. 
6. The first in-vitro fertilized cheetah cubs were born in Columbus Zoo in February, which was a feat for both biology and zoology. The twin cubs bring with them a very hopeful and promising sign that humans may be able to save the globe's endangered species after all. 
7. And last, but not least, the world pollution levels have dropped significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The planet has received a much needed breath of fresh air since so many businesses and transportation systems have reduced or stopped altogether across the globe. In areas like New Delhi, the pollution was recorded to have dropped as much as 60% in just one week of lockdown, and this trend was seen across the world over the last three months. 

So there you go, it's not all doom and gloom after all, and although we didn't see any of the bad things coming, we also missed a lot of the really good stuff as a consequence. So I suppose what I am trying to say is to remember to keep your eye out for the good things and to worry a lot less about the unexpected and unfortunate. 

THE INVISIBLE MAN
Release Date: 2020
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 125 mins 
A science fiction thriller written and directed by Leigh Whannell that delivers a much needed modern twist to the original H.G. Wells 1897 book of the same name. The film only saw a short release in theatres due to the 2019/2020 COVID-19 pandemic, but still managed to become the 5th highest grossing film of 2020. This was mainly due to it's early release streaming availability that coincided with global quarantine measures. 
After escaping her abusive and controlling relationship, Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss) attempts to regain a normal life whilst dealing with her post traumatic stress. When her ex-husband suicides, Cecilia finally thinks that she will be free of her feelings of oppression. However, weird and unnatural events begin to surround her, making her convinced that her husband is somehow invisible and now stalking her. This belief eventually leads everyone else in her life to think that Cecilia has lost her mind. 
This movie is just as much about escaping destructive relationships and gaslighting techniques as it is about science fiction and jump scares. Elisabeth Moss delivers a genuinely believable portrait of a woman that has been deeply traumatised and she offers a heartfelt sincerity to the role that cannot be ignored. It is quite upsetting to watch her demise throughout this movie, especially since we are all experiencing her reality and trust me when I say that her reality sucks! 
There are lots of jump scares to endure as the predator hides unseen and yet in plain sight, reminding us all of just how terrifying invisibility can actually be. And although this film was marketed as horror, it is genuinely more of a thriller and has definitely been designed to please a mainstream (non horror loving) audience. 
FINAL SAY: Surprise!
3.5 Chilli Peppers

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