My version of a literary review

Not of books. Of movies. Because a good movie done right is far better and descriptive than a book.



AeonFlux - 2005

Find the truth. Don't follow an ideal blindly or based on prejudice. Classic Sci-fi style of a movie, definitely well composed visually. The story remains simple and easy to follow as the movie explains the setting and story. The movie brings up a valid point of cloning, what will cloning do to one's mind? Thumbs up.

(Did I mention that I watched all of Firefly in 2 or 3 days?! Ya when I watch something, I watch it all)





The Prestige - 2007

Well done. A bit jumpy and unclear in the timeline. The movie required a second watching for me to completely put the sequence of events and location in order. Spoiler Warning: The first time I watched the movie I was unsure whether or not Tesla actually built a device that duplicated an object while also transporting the object, or if Tesla used the hats and cat to further convince and con Robert Angier. The answer is clearly evident at the end of the movie. I'm unsure if the director was seeking to have this question raised in a viewer's mind. It could be that I am just an engineer and if I am not mistaken, Tesla was more interested in research of transmitting electricity/power in replace of objects. The more I think about the ending, the more disturbing the plot appears. Thumbs up.


Both movies watched twice, and for once, I returned the items on time to the library.

Five years since the snake

Now this is old school: http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/120321
It's hard to believe that five years ago was when I first saw this flash video. While you are there, check out the Magical Trevors, oh so very clever lyrics :D

Monday I biked to work, and it was perfect weather biking in the morning with a sunny ride home. The only problem was my front rack came loose while biking home. I have still yet to fix it, or rather even take a closer look at it (not sure if it stripped the braze on).

Last Thursday/Friday I saw Batman the Dark Night at the Rave downtown Kalamazoo. It was my first time at the Rave, I liked the theater and the movie. I'm not sure if the theater what any better than Celebration Cinema (however my friends are all tall and they say the seats are better at the Rave). Afterwards I hung out on a roof and looked at the stars with my good friend Ryan. The weather was a bit cloudy but stars were still out and the temperature was cool. Stargazing was well worth the quick 5 hour power nap until work the next morning.

Many people say, oh it's a nice day out, it's a shame to be inside working or what-not. I would content to argue the same thing about the night. Many nights are amazing with a starry spectacle in the sky. My question: how can you stay sleeping with the starry sky spectacle?

Currently listening to The Meters. Time to funk it up!

In to the movies

Batoru Rowaiaru, or also known as Battle Royale, is a Japanese film exploring the fanatical concept of extreme punishment. A class of students is manipulated to a last man standing deathmatch "game" on a deserted island. The movie gives a perspective on friendship and enmity between fellow students. Self greed is a motif that leads to the death of nearly each individual.

A true friendship is developed between the characters Shuya Nanahara (boy #15) and Noriko Nakagawa (girl #15). The friendship is based on trust with Shuya and Noriko both willing to sacrifice themselves for the other. Shuya is willing to risk his life to distract Kazuo's fire and cover for Kawada and Noriko. Noriko risks her life nearing a "danger zone" in order to meet wounded Shuya.

Shuya and Noriko's relationship is continually contrasted with the relationships of the other classmates. I am not about to attempt to figure out the names and go into detail because if you haven't noticed already, the names are not names easily recalled. Keep a look out for the student combinations that are:
1) Outwardly and inwardly enemies
2) Outwardly friends and inwardly enemies
3) Inwardly wanting to know each other, but never interacted before (Hiroki trying to find secret love Shinji)

The contrast between the relationships makes my second point more apparent. Self greed leads to death of the student. Self greed found in revenge (both times the girls are in the hut), sex (the one dude trying to hook up with the running girl), comfort (2 girls seeking peace), and the list can go on.

Self greed leads to death/losing the game = bad. Altruism leads to life/winning the game = good. This is way more than I had originally planned on discussing this movie and there is great deal more that could use some expounding. Maybe you should just watch the movie instead, or just ask me if you are interested. The ultimate/underlying question of the movie Battle Royale: Is there more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking?

Jericho

I just finished watching all 29 episodes of Jericho on joost (in about 5 days). At the very least it was intriguing. The series only lasted 2 seasons on tv. After watching all the episodes of Jericho, I very well could imagine why. They leave lots of cliff hangers while barely solving the cliff hanger from before. I would not be able to wait a week in between each episode. Also, it seems to me that the show appeals to more to an online/internet audience.

Just my personal opinion. It looks like you can watch Jericho on the CBS website: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/jericho/. Or as I watched it, on joost: http://www.joost.com.


Time is getting closer to my bike trip departure!