Skip to main content

TRUST MACHINE THE STORY OF BLOCKCHAIN review



2018
Directed By: Alex Winter

The decentralization of currency is confounding to the layman, confrontational to the establishment, and a source of consolation for millions of daring investors. Director Alex Winter has developed a knack for exploring misunderstood elements of technology in several of his documentary films. In DOWNLOADED he made sense of Bit Torrent, in DEEP WEB he explored the often maligned non-indexed corners of the internet and in his latest film TRUST MACHINE THE STORY OF BLOCKCHAIN, he makes takes on the technology that enables cryptocurrency like Bitcoin.

Is blockchain a scam? Or is it simply a way for nefarious individuals to purchase illegal goods and services on the internet? No and no. As Winter explains in his film blockchain is a brilliant way for digital information to be transferred but not copied. It is essentially an open source ledger that allows for two parties to conduct a transaction in a way that is verifiable and perminent. In other words, no one has administrative privileges over the data. That's why Wall Street and K Street are up in arms.

Central authority over financial transactions are an incredibly powerful tool a government can wield to control and monitor its citizens. As an American with a fairly myopic point of view its not always easy for me to see how technology like blockchain can empower people who live under tyrannical rule. Thankfully filmmakers like Winter have a far less narrow worldview and take the time to films like TRUST MACHINE.

UNICEF has embraced the technology as a way to assist refugee children and fight against world hunger. The applications for blockchain are virtually limitless. The next time a naysayer is explaining the dangers of cryptocurrency ask yourself, why? What do they have to gain? What do they have to lose? Or do they have an agenda that's not readily apparent?

Far more than just an explanation of complex technology, TRUST MACHINE is vital. An important film that should be seen by readers of both Wired and Entertainment Weekly. Winter has taken dense material, that even those of us who are technologically savvy, find confusing and made it approachable. He presents a human story through the lens of ones and zeroes. Watch this film.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Explaining the Ending of MULHOLLAND DRIVE

MULHOLLAND DRIVE is a complex and surreal film directed by David Lynch, known for its non-linear narrative and dreamlike sequences. The ending is open to interpretation and has been the subject of much debate among viewers. Here's a breakdown of the ending: Diane's Dream vs. Reality: Throughout the film, there are two main narrative threads: one follows Betty/Diane's dreamlike experiences in Hollywood, and the other delves into Diane's harsh reality. The ending reveals that the majority of the film has been a dream constructed by Diane Selwyn, a failed actress, as a means to escape the guilt and pain of her actions. Betty/Diane's Descent into Madness: Betty, played by Naomi Watts, represents Diane's idealized self—a hopeful and innocent aspiring actress. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that Betty's story is unraveling, and her identity begins to merge with Diane's. This culminates in the revelation that Betty is merely a construct of Di...

Final Destination Bloodlines Set to Bring Fresh Horrors to the Franchise

The long-running and fan-favorite horror series Final Destination is set to make its return with Final Destination Bloodlines, bringing a new chapter of supernatural terror to the big screen. Scheduled for a theatrical and IMAX release on May 16, 2025, in the U.S. (and internationally beginning May 14), the film promises to continue the franchise’s tradition of chilling premonitions and inescapable fate. The upcoming installment features a fresh ensemble cast, including Kaitlyn Santa Juana (The Friendship Game, The Flash), Teo Briones (Chucky, Will vs. The Future), Richard Harmon (The 100, The Age of Adaline), Owen Patrick Joyner (Julie and the Phantoms, 100 Things to Do Before High School), and Anna Lore (They/Them, Gotham Knights). Also joining the cast are Brec Bassinger (Stargirl, Bella and the Bulldogs) and horror icon Tony Todd, who reprises his role from the original Final Destination films. Todd, best known for his chilling portrayal of the titular character in the Candyman fra...

LOCKED Release Info

LOCKED follows Eddie (Bill SkarsgÄrd), a desperate man who breaks into a seemingly empty luxury SUV, only to find himself ensnared in a meticulously crafted trap. His captor? William (Anthony Hopkins), a vigilante with a twisted sense of justice. What starts as a simple break-in quickly spirals into a nightmare, as Eddie struggles to escape a vehicle designed to be his prison. With no way out and an unseen force pulling the strings, survival becomes a race against time in a ride where justice is anything but blind. This 95-minute thrill ride promises to keep audiences on edge by blending elements of survival horror and psychological warfare. Its confined setting turns an everyday luxury vehicle into an inescapable nightmare, and the ride explores themes of morality, punishment, and the true cost of justice. Only in Theaters on March 21. I love a limited-setting horror thriller. With limited settings, the film must rely more on character interactions and internal conflicts to create ten...