Palm Springs vs. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a refreshing take on the time loop genre, blending romantic comedy with science fiction. Directed by Max Barbakow and starring Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, this 2020 film follows the story of Nyles and Sarah, who find themselves stuck in a never-ending wedding day in the desert. As they navigate their surreal circumstances together, the movie explores themes of love, existence, and self-acceptance, all while delivering plenty of laughs and heartfelt moments.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

"Project Hail Mary" is a space adventure story written by Andy Weir, the same guy who wrote "The Martian." It's about a man named Ryland Grace who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or why he's there. He figures out he's on a mission to save Earth from disaster. The story follows him as he tries to remember his past and complete his mission, which involves a lot of science and problem-solving. Along the way, he meets an alien, and they form an unlikely friendship. The book is full of cool science stuff, suspense, and humor. It's like a mix of a mystery and a space adventure, with a lot of heart. The narration by Ray Porter is superb, with sound effects and excellent voice work.

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Pros
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Good chemistry between Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti1
Fresh and modern twist on the time loop concept1
Humorous and witty dialogue1
Beautiful desert scenery and cinematography1
Cons
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Pros
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Narration by Ray Porter1
Sound effects1
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    1.Project Hail Mary

    Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission—and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish. Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it. All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company. His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it’s up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery—and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species. And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he’s got to do it all alone. Or does he? An irresistible interstellar adventure as only Andy Weir could deliver, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian—while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.

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    2.The Martian

    Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

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    3.Artemis

    Jasmine Bashara never signed up to be a hero. She just wanted to get rich. Not crazy, eccentric-billionaire rich, like many of the visitors to her hometown of Artemis, humanity’s first and only lunar colony. Just rich enough to move out of her coffin-sized apartment and eat something better than flavored algae. Rich enough to pay off a debt she’s owed for a long time. So when a chance at a huge score finally comes her way, Jazz can’t say no. Sure, it requires her to graduate from small-time smuggler to full-on criminal mastermind. And it calls for a particular combination of cunning, technical skills, and large explosions—not to mention sheer brazen swagger. But Jazz has never run into a challenge her intellect can’t handle, and she figures she’s got the ‘swagger’ part down. The trouble is, engineering the perfect crime is just the start of Jazz’s problems. Because her little heist is about to land her in the middle of a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself. Trapped between competing forces, pursued by a killer and the law alike, even Jazz has to admit she’s in way over her head. She’ll have to hatch a truly spectacular scheme to have a chance at staying alive and saving her city. Jazz is no hero, but she is a very good criminal. That’ll have to do. Propelled by its heroine’s wisecracking voice, set in a city that’s at once stunningly imagined and intimately familiar, and brimming over with clever problem-solving and heist-y fun, Artemis is another irresistible brew of science, suspense, and humor from #1 bestselling author Andy Weir.

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    1.Groundhog Day

    Groundhog Day is a classic comedy film that has become synonymous with the time loop genre. Directed by Harold Ramis and starring Bill Murray, this 1993 movie follows the story of Phil Connors, a cynical TV weatherman who finds himself reliving the same day over and over again while covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. As Phil navigates the repetitive day, he goes through a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, making this film both hilarious and heartwarming.

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    3.Edge of Tomorrow

    Edge of Tomorrow is an action-packed sci-fi film that brings a thrilling twist to the time loop concept. Directed by Doug Liman and starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, this 2014 movie follows Major William Cage, who is caught in a time loop during an alien invasion. Each time he dies, he wakes up to relive the same battle, gradually improving his skills and strategizing with the help of war hero Rita Vrataski. The film combines intense action sequences with clever storytelling, making for an exhilarating experience.

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    4.The Endless

    The Endless is a captivating indie sci-fi horror film directed by and starring Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. Released in 2017, the movie follows two brothers, Justin and Aaron, who return to a mysterious cult they escaped from years ago. As they reconnect with the group, they discover that the cult's beliefs about a supernatural entity and time loops might be real. The film blends elements of horror, mystery, and science fiction, creating a unique and thought-provoking experience.

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    6.ARQ

    ARQ is a tense sci-fi thriller that takes the time loop concept into a dystopian future. Directed by Tony Elliott, this 2016 Netflix film stars Robbie Amell and Rachael Taylor as a couple trapped in a time loop during a home invasion. The story unfolds in a world where energy resources are scarce, and a powerful machine called the ARQ might be the key to survival. As the protagonists relive the same few hours repeatedly, they must outsmart their attackers and figure out how to stop the loop, all while uncovering hidden truths.

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    7.Russian Doll

    Russian Doll is a clever and darkly comedic series that explores the concept of time loops with a unique and fresh perspective. Created by Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, and Amy Poehler, this Netflix series stars Natasha Lyonne as Nadia, a software engineer who finds herself repeatedly dying and reliving her 36th birthday party in New York City. As Nadia tries to unravel the mystery behind her time loop, she meets Alan, who is experiencing a similar phenomenon. The show blends humor, existential questions, and emotional depth, making for an engaging and thought-provoking watch.

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    8.Happy Death Day

    Happy Death Day is a fun and inventive blend of slasher horror and dark comedy that uses the time loop concept to great effect. Directed by Christopher Landon and released in 2017, the film stars Jessica Rothe as Tree Gelbman, a college student who gets murdered on her birthday and wakes up to relive the day over and over again. Tree must solve her own murder and uncover her killer's identity while learning valuable lessons about herself and her relationships.

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    2.Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

    Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood is Trevor Noah’s autobiography, published in 2016. It tells the story of his early years growing up in South Africa during and after apartheid. The title comes from the fact that his birth—he had a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss-German father—was literally considered a crime under apartheid laws that banned interracial relationships at the time. The book is a mix of humor and tough truths. Much of it focuses on Trevor’s relationship with his mother, Patricia, who plays a huge role in his life. She’s portrayed as tough, religious, and fiercely independent—someone who dragged him to multiple church services every week, even during times of violence and unrest. Her strong influence shapes his character, often through strict discipline and sharp lessons about right and wrong. Trevor shares stories from his childhood that range from funny to intense. There’s a scene where his mother throws him out of a moving minibus to save him from a potentially dangerous driver. He also talks about using his talent for languages to navigate different cultural groups in South Africa, and how he hustled by selling bootleg CDs to make money. But not all his stories are light—he describes living with his abusive stepfather, Abel, whose violence culminated in him shooting Trevor’s mother, though she miraculously survived. Despite the heavy topics—racism, poverty, domestic abuse—Noah’s storytelling is funny, honest, and full of warmth. The book gives a personal look at how apartheid shaped everyday life but also highlights the resilience of his family, especially his mother. The memoir was widely praised, becoming a bestseller and earning spots on numerous “best of the year” lists. It struck a chord with readers around the world, and even inspired figures like U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and First Lady Jill Biden, who assigned it as reading for her English class. A film adaptation is in the works, with Lupita Nyong’o set to play Trevor’s mother and co-produce the project.

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    4.Mythos by Stephen Fry

    Greek myths retold by Stephen Fry. He is both the author and the narrator of this book. His wit and sense of humor come across in both the text and in the delivery. Plus, you actually get to learn Greek myths.

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    5.A Wild Sheep Chase

    A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami is a strange, offbeat novel that blends a detective story with surreal, dreamlike elements. It follows an unnamed, easygoing narrator who gets pulled into a bizarre search for a mysterious sheep with a star-shaped mark on its back. The story kicks off when a powerful figure in Japan’s underworld pressures the narrator into finding this sheep, which seems to hold some kind of mystical influence. The book is set in late 1970s Japan, moving from urban Tokyo to the cold, isolated landscapes of Hokkaido. Along the way, the narrator is joined by his girlfriend, whose unusually perceptive ears give the story an added touch of the weird. They meet a cast of quirky characters—a shadowy secretary, a reclusive professor obsessed with sheep, and a man in a sheep costume who speaks in riddles. What stands out is how ordinary things—bars, hotels, quiet towns—become strange and otherworldly. Murakami mixes humor, loneliness, and philosophical musings, all wrapped up in a plot that meanders like a road trip with no clear destination. The novel touches on themes like identity, power, and the search for meaning, but it never hits you over the head with them. Things just kind of unfold, sometimes making sense, sometimes not—and that seems to be the point. It’s not a fast-paced thriller, nor is it a typical mystery. The journey is more about the odd encounters and the narrator’s inner reflections than solving a straightforward puzzle. If you’re into stories where reality feels slippery and the line between the ordinary and the surreal is blurred, this one might stick with you.

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    2.A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

    A Gentleman in Moscow is a historical fiction novel by Amor Towles. It follows Count Alexander Rostov, a Russian aristocrat who, after the Bolshevik Revolution, is sentenced to house arrest in the grand Hotel Metropol in Moscow. Instead of being imprisoned in a cell, he’s confined to the hotel, which becomes both his cage and his world. The story spans several decades, starting in the 1920s and running through key moments of Soviet history. Most of it unfolds inside the hotel, which is no ordinary place—it's a bustling, self-contained universe. Rostov, who begins the story living in a lavish suite, is forced to move into a tiny attic room. Despite this fall from grace, he navigates his new life with wit and charm, forming friendships with the hotel staff, guests, and unexpected visitors. The book isn’t just about the Count’s personal journey—it’s also about how time changes people and places, how history creeps in even when you’re standing still, and how small acts of kindness and loyalty can shape a lifetime. The setting, the Metropol, is richly described, from fine dining rooms to back corridors. There’s a good bit about food, music, and Russian culture, and plenty of philosophical musings, but it never gets too heavy. At its core, the novel is about making the best of what life throws at you. The Count is an old-world gentleman stuck in a new world that wants to forget people like him. How he handles that—sometimes with grace, sometimes with stubbornness—is what makes the book compelling. It's quietly dramatic, occasionally funny, and surprisingly heartwarming, all without needing big action scenes.

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