Bolt

I saw the animated film Bolt for the first time recently. It was pretty cute, but what I really liked was the idea of how we often blur that line between reality and fantasy. The little dog in the film buys into the notion that he is the character he plays on the screen. He doesn't know there is another "real world" outside of the fictionalized world he lives in. It's a lot like the movie Truman, or even The Matrix.

There are so many levels at which to consider the nature of reality vs. illusion. It's kind of fun to see it treated in a kids' film like Bolt.


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Super 8

I saw Super 8 today, the first sci-fi movie I've gotten to see in a while.  Funny thing was that, though I liked it, it wasn't so much for the sci-fi elements that I enjoyed it.  I liked the picture it presented of small town USA in the late 70s.  It was fun watching that, getting transported back to my childhood, I guess you could say — well, except for the alien who invaded that small town, of course.

Still, it was a fun way to spend a couple of hours this afternoon.  I was pretty amused by it all.  I thought it tapped into something about that time and place in history and, for what it's worth, I think the alien and zombies formed an important part of tapping into it.



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How to Train Your Dragon

Over the summer, I picked up a copy of How to Train Your Dragon off of a Bookcrossing shelf in Singapore.  It was a quick, easy, and enjoyable read that I finished in one evening. One of those sorts — fun and relaxing.

My friends who are moving in a few days recently gave me a copy of the DVD of How to Train Your Dragon.  I thought it would be fun to watch, since I enjoyed the book so much.  I was surprised to see how different the movie was from the book, but really had fun with it too.  I am glad my friends gave it to me, as I probably wouldn't have picked it up on my own.  But with the difference between the two stories, it's fun to have experienced both versions.














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Star Trek

I finally watched the newest Star Trek movie over the weekend. I know, I know... it isn't very new, is it? I heard from a number of friends that it was really good, but somehow wasn't very motivated to watch it a the time. I am glad, though, that someone loaned me the DVD this past weekend and I finally caught this one.

The movie was actually much better than I expected. I liked the games the film played with time, with our cultural memories of the whole Star Trek tradition — the whole works. I don't think this one is as good as some of the earliest Star Trek movies, but it was still lots of fun. Really, I shouldn't have waited this long to see it.

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Tron Legacy coming soon...

I can hardly wait for the release of Tron Legacy. Just look at these billboards. It's going to be so fun!

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Avatar

I saw Avatar last night, and really enjoyed it. It might be the best new film I saw this year.

The technologies of the future presented in the film were lots of fun. I liked the ideas explored, and loved the new world created on Pandora. The use of all the old tropes was good, especially mixed in with the idea of a true global network. That concept reminded me of a lot of sci-fi books I've read (including Asimov's later installments to the Foundation series), but the whole biological explanation of it was very nicely done in the film. I liked how it was presented on the screen too, with the various creatures able to connect (literally) to the world around them in a special way.

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, and might even see it one more time while it is still on the big screen. Fun stuff!


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2012

I just got back from watching 2012. It isn't the greatest movie I've ever seen — not even the best end-of-the-world story — but it was still pretty fun. Woody Harrelson was a riot, and, well, I always like John Cusack.

There were several touching moments in the movie, and a few spots that would make you think. I liked the weaving in of the Noah story, and how that old tale came back to life. There were a lot of completely unbelievable plot devices, but hey... it was still a fun night at the movies.

Overall, I would say the film doesn't offer a lot of depth, but it is entertaining. And the special effects are pretty cool too.


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A 1982 Video Essay, and it still works

Koyaanisqatsi is a video essay. It doesn't have a plot. It just bombards you with images and an underlying soundtrack that evoke ideas an emotions by appealing to the senses.

Here's a good definition for the title:
koy.aa.nis.qat.si (Hopi) [n] 1. crazy life 2. life out of balance 3. life disintegrating 4. life in turmoil 5. a way of life that calls for another way of living.

The film is aptly subtitled "Life Out of Balance." It is part of a trilogy (I've not seen the other films yet), and makes a powerful statement, with a strong environmentalist theme.



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Mulholland Drive

I couple of weeks ago I saw the film Mulholland Drive, the first David Lynch film I've seen. I know... I am so behind the times.

The film was, to me, rather staggering. It captured my mind, and has pretty much taken up permanent residence there. I found the ideas captivating. I have probably never seen a segment of film more moving to me than the portion set inside the Silencio. The show there, the ideas it portrayed so beautifully, was just so powerfully done. The perfect tying together of the notions of illusion and performance was absolutely astounding. And, as if the the singing of "Crying" was not moving enough, the collapse of the singer brings home the point about the disconnect between reality and illusion in brilliant fashion.

From there, the movie begins to break down... I don't mean that it falls apart, exactly. Instead, it breaks down the illusions its been building up for us. We see how Betty has bought into the illusion, and sucked us into it with her. (But honestly, didn't we feel there was something fishy about her all along? A little too perky? Too good to be true? It had to be an illusion, a construct, didn't it?)

I won't pretend I get Mulholland Drive in all its nuances yet. That's probably why it has settled into its new home so nicely -- my mind that has been so utterly captivated by it. It's weird. It's not for everyone, I suspect. But it sure will make you think.



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