Predator

Saw Predator. A breathtaking work of subtlety and genius. The glasses-guy's sexist jokes subtly enforcing the sexism endemic in the military, underscored by the woman's feigned helplessness and eventual competence. But even she falls before the Predator who, as is revealed by his eerily human laugh, is only the worst of us. Note the mushroom cloud immediately following his laugh. Arnold must swallow his machismo and slather himself with literal dirt before he can triumph. The film reveals itself to be a critique of this gung-ho militarism in the moment when Arnold calls for quiet, only for wheezing horns to slyly start up on the soundtrack, as if to ask "am I quiet enough for you now?" The Predator's technological superiority symbolizes a military gone gadget-mad. Black-dude-who-isn't-Carl-Weathers is shown to be a self-hating black guy who literally tries to shave his skin-color away. Notice how he hates actually-Carl-Weathers-guy immediately, irrationally. His only idea of 'going to have some fun' is to wander into self-destruction with the Predator. See how he looks around himself after his soliloquy to Jesse 'Mr Boddy' Ventura to see who was listening in on him. Native-dude was listening. About native-dude: whereas everyone else has painted their faces in cammo, he has opted for little curls under his eyes, giving the impression of a Jacky-Onassis-style hairdo. Notice also how he removes his shirt and welcomes the Predator, as opposed to Arnold, who shrinks in fear as the Predator disrobes. There's so much more to unpack. I think I need more time to think about what I experienced.