The Lost Bus

This is actually not from the movie. The blue wall in the distant left half of the frame is my house, surrounded by so much fire. I don't know how it survived. I don't know how we got so lucky. I'm grateful every day. Thanks to our neighbor for this most disturbing photo.

Movie: The Lost Bus

Running Time: 2:09

Nominated for: Visual Effects

How I watched: Apple TV

When it had me: I remember Paradise!

When it lost me: Fire, obvs

What systems does it challenge: Climate Change and Failures of leadership

Live Reviewing The Lost Bus (aka typing as I watch so I don't feel alone):

We are starting on the power lines above the city. Same, Paradise.

(I went to school at Chico State so I have history with Paradise. I know people from there. I used to watch Sunsets over the canyon. I shopped in the many antique shops. I dated a gay man from there. Anyway, enough about me.)

Warning about wind gusts up to 80mph! Same, Paradise.

They are setting up Matthew McConaghey's character as having ALL the bad luck. Sick mom, dying dog, not a good dad. And a lot of little annoyances that aren't going to matter soon.

Neglected power lines and dry grass! Same, Paradise.

Also? My aunt lived in Magalia and lost her home in this fire. She had all of the Victorian era tin type photos of our ancestors. 

They just said "Paradise is eight miles away. I don't think it's a problem." But they are wrong! This fire is so fast moving its like multiple fires at once. Same, Paradise.

25 minutes in and I'm fighting tears! I should be drinking!

I can't believe they are attempting air support in these winds. Ah, it's not working.

I vehemently hate the Cal Fire team making decisions. Not because they've done anything wrong per se. But the team we had never ordered evacuations and I've never felt more betrayed by anything.

This is giving me a chance to try breathing techniques and self soothing tips that I have learned to deal with the feelings that come up. Exposure therapy! And you know what? The techniques are working.

Oh no! The evacuation orders won't send! That's the worst!

This dude didn't want to pick up stranded kids because his 15 year old is home with a stomach bug! Get it together, Kevin! This teacher is so calm; I can't tell if she is super profesh or just in denial (I know I was!) Bus driver is either an idiot or smarter than everyone. We'll see, I guess.

Being stuck in a car trying to escape a fire is a major fear of mine! I'm so grateful that when we left there was no traffic. Forty minutes after we left it got really bad.

Every man for himself. Shit!

Power company hasn't shut off the power lines properly. Same, Paradise!

Being separated from your family during an evacuation would be the most terrifying thing. This bus is off-roading and everything! I feel traumatized; imagine these children!

They just made the call to cease all firefighting and I lost it! "Despite our best efforts, this community is facing the full force of the fire alone." Same, Paradise.

They are using a little bit of a Sam Raimi fire POV cam, making it look like the fire is hunting them.

My whole body wants to lock up when I think of these poor people following evacuation orders and then being overtaken by the fire. Cars burning; people running through the trees trying to go faster than a massive out of control fire. No one should have to perish in such a state of absolute terror. I want to go back in time and do something to ease their pain. Why can't I do that?

Spoiler alert: the bus made it out. I can't help but wonder if the bus would have been fine if the drive had just followed the initial evacuation route. Probably not, but who knows? They survived. I survived.

The movie is so-so. It's not an artistic masterpiece but the acting is good and you stay fearful for everyone involved and therefore invested. That's all I can say.

Now I'm going to go watch Olympic figure skaters and feel joy again.