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I rated Pressure (2026) 8/10 #IMDb Brendan Fraser’s Eisenhower must choose the day for D-Day, so requires meteorologist Andrew Scott to tell him when the skies will clear. Well-made and well-acted WW2 drama. Damian Lewis brings in some strong support as Monty.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I rated Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die (2025) 5/10 #IMDb Sam Rockwell is from the future and convinces a group of diners to help him defeat AI. It’s kind of like a humorous portmanteau of Black Mirror episodes. There are some fun elements but it’s far too long and never has any real punch.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I rated Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) 9/10 #IMDb Harry returns to school in a flying car. It’s the longest film in the series and really has time to breathe. The kids are improving, particularly Grint. Richard Griffiths, Jason Isaacs, Mark Williams and Kenneth Branagh are all great.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I rated Unabomber (2026) 6/10 #IMDb Switches between two timelines: Ted Kaczynski’s Harvard days and the final days of the FBI’s manhunt. Russell Crowe plays the Harvard professor well, and this part of the film is better than the mid 90s section. All in all an okay based-on-true-events drama.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I rated Birds of Prey (2020) 5/10 #IMDb Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn has to take down Ewan McGregor. Robbie is very good in the role but there just isn’t anything interesting here - it’s just chucking stuff thoughtlessly at the screen. McGregor’s a bit naff in the villain role

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I rated Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021) 6/10 #IMDb In Raccoon City, the population are getting ill. Lots of fan service on show in this reasonable zombie horror. Miles ahead of any of the Milla Jovovich movies, but there’s a tad too many characters and the CGI monsters are naff.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I rated Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016) 3/10 #IMDb Milla Jovovich has one last batch of zombies to kill. Definitely the most cohesive and best of the sequels, but that’s not really saying much. Thankfully this is the end of it, and the series is best left dead and buried.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I rated Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) 2/10 #IMDb Milla Jovovich’s 5th outing sees her infiltrate another Umbrella base. Michelle Rodriguez returns to die about three or four times. Villains Shawn Roberts and Sienna Guillory are absolutely terrible. Nothing makes sense and nothing has value.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I rated Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010) 2/10 #IMDb Milla Jovovich returns to save a bunch of survivors from a prison. The CGI may be improving, but the acting continues to worsen. There’s no attempt at character building or linking scenes together or attempting to make sense at this point.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I rated Resident Evil: Extinction (2007) 3/10 #IMDb It didn’t take long for this series to go full Mad Max as Milla Jovovich returns to kick zombie butt. While the CGI has somewhat improved, the acting, script and plot are atrocious. More blood but more boredom this time around.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I rated Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) 3/10 #IMDb Mercifully short sequel in which Milla Jovovich karate kicks zombies and rides motorcycles through church windows. It’s nothing like the first film in terms of pace and is totally action orientated rather than any horror. Leave well alone.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I rated Resident Evil (2002) 5/10 #IMDb Milla Jovovich and a crack team infiltrate an underground lab where there’s a load of zombies. Paul W.S. Anderson directs, and unlike Event Horizon this paces better. But there’s little to no blood, a poorly aged soundtrack, and some bad CGI.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I rated Unforgiven (1992) 9/10 #IMDb Retired outlaws Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman get back in the saddle to kill two villains. It’s an excellent western that’s a good companion piece to High Plains Drifter. Gene Hackman is the standout as Wild Bill. Richard Harris is also great.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I rated The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026) 5/10 #IMDb Anne Hathaway is sacked from her writing job and must return to work for Meryl Streep. Now that Hathaway’s character has grown up and is much more confident, the character dynamic with Streep feels empty. It all feels very directionless.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I rated Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (2026) 6/10 #IMDb After the bloody affair of the first film, Samara Weaving gets pulled into another fight for survival. It’s an entertaining sequel, but now the surprise has gone it’s all a bit empty and predictable.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I rated The Whisper Man (2026) 5/10 #IMDb Adam Scott’s son has been kidnapped and Michelle Monaghan and Robert DeNiro are on the case. Co-starring Michael Keaton and Hamish Linklater, it’s a great cast but the film is completely flat. It feels like something’s gone wrong in the editing.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I rated Remarkably Bright Creatures (2026) 7/10 #IMDb Sally Field is a cleaner at an aquarium where an octopus has taken an interest in her affairs. Sally Field is excellent throughout and it’s always good to see Colm Meaney in a supporting role. I found the octopus a bit of a distraction.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I rated Time Bandits (1981) 9/10 #IMDb Pitch-perfect fantasy from Terry Gilliam about a gang of robbers who use portals to steal from history’s wealthiest. The supporting cast are excellent, particularly David Warner. But it’s a shame David Rappaport and the time bandits don’t get top billing.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I rated Practical Magic 2 (2026) 6/10 #IMDb Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return as witch sisters. It definitely feels more cohesive than the first film, but spends a great deal of time developing characters over moving the plot forward. Dianne Wiest is the highlight.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I rated The Shootist (1976) 8/10 #IMDb Art imitating life with John Wayne’s final film seeing him as a dying gunslinger putting his affairs in order. Co-stars James Stewart and Lauren Bacall, it is probably my favourite John Wayne movie and a great career capper.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I rated Event Horizon (1997) 6/10 #IMDb Sam Neill leads a rag tag crew to a recently returned experimental spaceship that’s been to Hell. A film that’s not as good as you remember, and doesn’t do softly softly. Good cast though. Half an hour was supposedly cut for being too disgusting.

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Reposted by Jack Brown

Nathan Day @nathanday.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

And Year 13 did some complex numbers questions from @tlmaths.bsky.social and @danihosford.bsky.social's excellent Core Pure Part 2 book: sites.google.com/view/tlmaths... It has really lovely questions, and nicely brings in ideas from other topics in clearly labelled questions. I highly recommend.

sites.google.com

TLMaths - A-Level Further Maths Core Pure Part 2 Textbook

Home > A-Level Further Maths Core Pure Part 2 Textbook

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I rated The Dog Stars (2026) 5/10 #IMDb Jacob Elordi flies about in a world devastated by a pandemic. Ridley Scott directs this fairly empty-plotted action drama. Every post-apocalyptic trope is here with very little explanation. Josh Brolin and Guy Pearce are in it. Meh.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I rated The Truman Show (1998) 9/10 #IMDb Little does he know, Jim Carrey is the star of the biggest reality TV show in the world. Really well made with The Prisoner vibes. A great score too. Thankfully it never goes full comedy and takes itself seriously.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I rated The Runner (2026) 3/10 #IMDb While on a run, Gal Gadot is blackmailed into running across London to murder a key trial witness. The plot is preposterous and you’ve got to listen Damian Lewis’ blah-blah-blah as an uninteresting villain throughout. Jog on.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I rated Witchfinder General (1968) 7/10 #IMDb A young soldier hunts down Vincent Price’s Matthew Hopkins after hanging his wife’s father. Gruesome for the time, with lots of bright red blood. Price is particularly enjoyable and isn’t over-doing it for once. Looks great in 4K.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I rated Mayday (2026) 6/10 #IMDb During the Cold War, Ryan Reynolds gets shot down over Russia and needs help from Kenneth ‘The Russian’ Branagh. Reynolds performs his Deadpool humour but thankfully Branagh gets his own laughs in. More fun than I thought it would be.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

I rated De Gaulle: Résistance (2026) 8/10 #IMDb Details the rise of the French leader while in exile in London during WW2. This is part 1 of 2 films. Simon Abkarian is excellent in the lead role, as is Simon Russell Beale as Churchill. Definitely worth catching.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

I rated Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) 8/10 #IMDb This 1st installment has to introduce a wealth of characters and build a detailed world in 2.5 hours. The child actors aren’t the greatest and there’s some bad CGI, but the adult cast is pitch perfect, as is John Williams’ score.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

I rated The Others (2001) 9/10 #IMDb Nicole Kidman and her two children live in a large creepy house when three new servants arrive. Inspired by films like The Innocents, this has a really great premise and reveal. Particularly nice to see Eric Sykes in a supporting role.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I rated The Prestige (2006) 9/10 #IMDb Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman are rival magicians. It’s both highly entertaining and unnerving. Requiring several watches, Christopher Nolan’s film is full of red herrings and sleight of hand, to the point where I’m not 100% sure I’ve fully understood it.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I rated The Driver (1978) 8/10 #IMDb Ryan O’Neal is a getaway driver being pursued by police detective Bruce Dern. The main reason you’re watching this film is for the stellar car chases, but while it’s not as fun as Smokey and the Bandit, Bruce Dern is an excellent and enjoyable antagonist.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I rated The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) 7/10 #IMDb Clint Eastwood joins the Civil War when his family are murdered. Unfortunately, you can’t help comparing this to the Sergio Leone films, and it just doesn’t size up in characters or score. It’s good but there’s lots of poor death acting.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I rated Mutiny (2026) 4/10 #IMDb This time, Jason Statham’s on a cargo ship. While the action scenes are quite fun, Statham’s acting is so atrocious he makes the hired goons look like they’re performing Shakespeare. If you’ve seen any post-Snatch Statham action flick, you’ve already seen this.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I rated The Island (2005) 5/10 #IMDb In an over-saturated future, Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson live in a mysterious facility. There’s the potential of a good film here but Michael Bay’s direction is so OTT it’s a real turn-off. Plot-wise the game is given away far too early too.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I rated Cinema Paradiso (1988) 9/10 #IMDb A young boy learns how to become a projectionist in this love letter to the golden age of cinema. It’s got an excellent sense of humour and Ennio Morricone’s soundtrack is great. One of those films where the older you get, the more you’ll get out of it.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I rated Coyote vs. Acme (2026) 7/10 #IMDb Wile E. Coyote sues Acme for the faulty products he used in his attempts to capture the Road Runner. It’s good fun - not in the same league as Who Framed Roger Rabbit? but worth a watch. The John Cena / Tweety Pie face-off is particularly good.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I rated Arco (2025) 8/10 #IMDb French animation in a Japanese anime style sees a young boy from the far future time travel to 2075. Really well made with a good mix of light comedy, drama and action, with an excellent soundtrack. See it if you love Ghibli.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I rated The Lord of the Rings (1978) 6/10 #IMDb Animation that covers the first two books. The rotoscope animation won’t be to everyone’s taste but the Nazgûl and the Orcs look particularly scary. The Two Towers is noticeably rushed and there’s no official next part. Worth a watch if you’re a fan.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I rated 72 Hours (2026) 3/10 #IMDb Kevin Hart accidentally gets added to a bachelor party group chat and decides to go. Dismal effort at a comedy that is really just hiding the cast having a jolly holiday in Miami. Kevin Hart annoys throughout.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

I rated The Report (2019) 7/10 #IMDb Adam Driver is tasked with writing the report on the CIA’s torture of suspected terrorists after 9/11. Annette Bening is particularly good, but making a film about writing a report means that Driver essentially has to shout exposition the whole way through.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I rated The End of Oak Street (2026) 7/10 #IMDb A whole neighbourhood is transported back millions of years to the time of the dinosaurs. Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor are both good in the lead, and there’s lots of fun to be had. Just don’t think about it too hard and all will be well.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I rated Lilo & Stitch (2002) 7/10 #IMDb The original Disney cartoon where a furry rascal alien befriends a young girl on a Hawaiian island. I saw the live action remake first and I’ve enjoyed both. The animation style here is good fun and all the Elvis tracks are great.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I rated Smile 2 (2024) 6/10 #IMDb Pop singer Naomi Scott is the next target from the smiling demon. More effective than the predecessor, there are some good scares here with a lot of comic creepiness. There’s a bit too much “is this really happening?” which scuppers the impact.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

I rated Practical Magic (1998) 5/10 #IMDb Witch sisters Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman navigate magic and a bad boyfriend. Tonally strange movie that’s trying to be a dramedy horror but never really gets good. None of the characters are very interesting or quirky enough given the story.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

I rated Backdraft (1991) 8/10 #IMDb Firemen Kurt Russell and William Baldwin must deal with an arsonist. Co-stars Robert DeNiro. Ron Howard directs some excellent action set pieces - fire has never looked this good on screen! Baldwin is a bit of a dud leading man unfortunately.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

I rated Harvey (1950) 8/10 #IMDb James Stewart has a best friend who happens to be a 6’3’’1/2 rabbit. This is my 3rd watch and the 4K blu ray really cleans up the picture. Every character, including a host of support, is well written. It’s perhaps a tad too long, but very enjoyable.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

I rated The Housemaid (2025) 7/10 #IMDb Sydney Sweeney is taken on as a housemaid by the Winchesters at their big house, but all is not as it seems. Entertaining throughout with some wincing moments of horror. Feels like a cheap romance novel gone nasty.

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Jack Brown @tlmaths.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

I rated The Last House (2026) 6/10 #IMDb A strange rain locks everyone inside their houses. One of those high-concept sci-fis that does surprisingly well in telling a fully realised plot. Sadly the characters aren’t particularly engaging, but there’s enough here to entertain.

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Reposted by Jack Brown

Joshua Bowman @thalesdisciple.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Working on an A.I. policy for my calculus classes. Decided to be upfront about the current situation with LLMs and to give a heartfelt explanation for why the course still matters.

Al policy

Context

Artificial Intelligence, or "A.l.," Is a broad term used to refer to several different kinds of technologies. The kind most relevant to this class are Large Language Models (LLMs), which use mathematics to analyze large amounts of human-produced text and then generate new text that simulates what a human might write in response to prompts or questions. Some examples of LLMs are OpenAl's ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude, and Google's Gemini.

Current LLMs can provide a solution to any calculus problem I give you. So why should we work on them, you might ask? Here's the thing: for the most part, the problems were already solved anyway. Calculus as a subject is nearly 400 years old. It has reached into virtually every modern scientific and economic field. And while I would like to believe that I have crafted a few new problems with some small amount of originality tailored to this class, for the most part I have curated a collection of exercises drawn from my years of teaching calculus. Those exercises come from textbooks, workshops, friends, and other fields of study, as well as my own invention.
And they nearly all have known solutions, often with fairly standard approaches.
Before A.I. became widely available, you could find those solutions in another textbook, or from a friend's notes, or through a repository on the internet.

The point of this class is not necessarily to solve problems that have never been solved before. It is for you to develop habits of thinking that are used by mathematicians, scientists, and policymakers-to develop a sort of mental toolbox that can be applied to new problems. If along the way you happen to find a new way of solving one of the class exercises, that's great! I am constantly learning new things from my students. But you will be bereft of discovery if you rely on a LLM for solutions to the calculus problems before you. Here I mean the discovery of having your own realizations, crystallizing your own internal understanding, claiming the knowledge in a way that cannot be taken away from you.
That ownership is what I want for you, and that is what the course is built around.

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