Revenge of the Planet

In a twist of fate that seems like it was ripped straight from the pages of a dystopian novel, Planet Earth has decided it’s time for a little payback. And who can blame it? After decades of exploitation, pollution, and blatant disregard for its well-being, the Earth is ready to reclaim its throne. So, buckle up and prepare for the “Revenge of the Planet,” a wild ride through the hilarious and dramatic consequences of our environmental neglect.

The year was 2030, and Earth had been dealing with humanity’s nonsense for centuries: automobile humming, factories puffing, and smartphones buzzing, plastic in the oceans, air full of smog and pollutants, and forests reduced to sad little patches that looked like Mother Nature’s receding hairline. While we humans went about our business, basking in the glow of smartphones and conveniently ignoring every climate report ever written, the planet finally had enough. It was time for some cosmic payback.

First came the heatwaves. When the sun started sizzling eggs on car hoods and air conditioners were breaking down in sheer exhaustion, we should’ve known something was up. Earth wasn’t playing anymore. Then came the incessant rain, cyclones and Hurricanes. Thousands of cities and villages got flooded killing all in their wake: humans, animals, trees, cars, houses, all were game for the planet’s rage. As glaciers melted at a pace faster than your average deadline in an office setting, and wildfires spread like trending tweets, humans start to notice. Our beloved beaches? Now more like lava zones.

As Earth’s revenge gained momentum, the animals began organizing. Rats—usually content with minor mischief like digging up flower beds—became stealth operatives, chewing through power lines and cutting off electricity to entire neighbourhoods. Birds, tired of dodging skyscrapers, formed tactical squadrons to stage mass air raids on unsuspecting pedestrians. Pigeons, already seasoned in the art of airborne attacks and eating through aircon units, took their missions to new heights, dive-bombing with precision accuracy.

Mother Earth had one last ace up her sleeve: technology. Since humans had become so dependent on gadgets, she decided to hit us where it hurt. Phones suddenly started overheating for no reason, GPS systems began suggesting scenic routes through uncharted forests, and voice assistants became strangely passive-aggressive.

Hey, Siri, what’s the weather today?”

Why don’t you go outside and find out for yourself, you lazy carbon footprint.”

By the time forests started sprouting overnight and the Arctic ice declared “We’re back!” humanity finally took notice. Governments convened emergency meetings to address the phenomenon, though the politicians were quick to blame each other.

“We need to plant more trees!” one leader shouted.

“But the trees are literally attacking us,” another replied.

Meanwhile, while we sat glued to our screens, watching the chaos unfold, the bees are buzzing in the background. That’s right, our fuzzy little friends are holding clandestine meetings, plotting a revolt. “We’ll stop pollinating crops if they don’t start recycling!” one bee declares, and with that, the price of avocados skyrockets, pushing millennials to the edge of madness. Who knew that eco-awareness could double as a financial crisis?

After a series of failed peace talks with the ocean (which responded with a tsunami every time someone brought up offshore drilling), humans collectively realized: we were in deep compost!

Just as it seemed like Earth would forever reign supreme, a surprising thing happened. Humans finally got their act together. It’s time for a Renaissance! Countries began cooperating—trading carbon offsets instead of insults. Renewable energy became the norm. Plastic was replaced by biodegradable alternatives, and landfills shrank faster than your favourite sweater. People rally together armed with reusable bags and solar panels. Urban gardens sprout up like mushrooms after a rain, while communities bond over composting workshops. It’s a revolution of education, where every child learns how to plant a tree faster than their parents can say, “Remember when we just used to throw things in the landfill?” In the end, Earth called off her revenge, not because she couldn’t win, but because she wanted to see what we’d do next. As for humanity, we learned the hard way that Earth isn’t just a rock floating in space—it’s a vengeful force of nature with a wicked sense of humour. And if we want to stay on its good side, we’d better treat it right.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the views or opinions of any organization, foundation, CSR, non-profit or others

Joker: Folie à Deux

Genre: Psychological Thriller | Year: 2024 | Duration: 138 mins | Director: Todd Phillips | Medium: Theatre (PVR-INOX) in 2024 | Trailer: HERE | Language: English | My rating: 5/5

Favorite Dialogue: I HOPE YOU GET CANCER (autograph to a prison guard), signed with a sad smiley.

Joker: Folie à Deux is a bold, unsettling, dark, and subversive sequel that dares to explore madness as both a personal and shared experience. While it may not resonate with everyone (as was evident with nearly empty theatre), the film is an ambitious character study, elevated by outstanding performances from Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker. This film is one of the most unique interpretations of the Joker mythos, weaving together psychological drama, abstraction, romance, and musical surrealism into an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Picking up where the first film (2019) left off, Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) Gotham’s Clown Prince of Crime, is confined in Arkham Asylum in Gotham City, where he meets Harley Quin (Lady Gaga). Arthur Fleck as Joker is nothing less than brilliant, haunting, and unforgettable. He is as disturbing and tragic as ever, but this time with a quieter menace that builds alongside his relationship with Harley. Their twisted relationship serves as the film’s emotional and narrative core. The chemistry between Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga is one of the film’s strengths, with their performances drawing both fascination and discomfort as they navigate a romance defined by shared trauma and chaos. 

Director Todd Phillips shifts away from the gritty realism of the original, blending genres and taking inspiration from Hollywood musicals. The visuals are striking, often juxtaposing Gotham’s decaying, grimy backdrop with the characters’ vibrant fantasies.

Needless to say, Joker has been (and will always be) my most favorite comic book character, the most kickass supervillain ever created.