Category: ‘Movies’
Batman and the Meta Narrative
Remember the old Batman? It looks so dated now. Remember the strange, campy costumes and the droll one liners – all those has been actors? Were you to watch it now you would find it painful to watch – the slow pacing, the bad special effects, the goofy gadgets. At best you can look back [...]
I’m Still Here (2010) – But Most of Us Aren’t
You need to see "I'm Still Here", the documentary/mockumentary of the spectacular fall from grace of actor Joaquin Phoenix, directed by his brother-in-law, Casey Affleck. The central question posed by this film concerns the nature of this dividing line and how it gets drawn by contemporary culture and media. Its skill lies in the way it blocks us from drawing this line in the ways to which we are accustomed.
The Social Network, the End of Intimacy, and the Birth of Hacker Sensibility
Think about the person closest to you and the connection that you have. Feel the sense of familiarity and trust. Think of the wonderful experiences your intimacy has enabled. But now imagine this intimacy is torn away. Their eyes intimate indifference. You’re just one of the billions of people to whom they could possibly [...]
The Boat that Rocked (2009)
The Boat that Rocked (2009) - written and directed by Richard Curtis - has a lot of the elements that would ordinarily cause me to hate a movie. I generally can't stand Baby Boomers waxing lyrical about the 60s. The myth of Rock and Roll, as some kind of oppositional force against the oppression of moldy elites, usually makes me roll my eyes - then puke - then eat that puke - and vomit it all up again. What's more, feel good stories strangely enough make me feel less than good.
25th Hour (2002)
If there was an award for the most under appreciated movie of the last decade, 25th Hour would certainly be its winner. Directed by Spike Lee, it tells the tale of Monty Brogan (Edward Norton) who has been sentenced to a seven year prison term for drug dealing. He has one day left to say goodbye to his friends and family, as well as confront the people who led him down his sorry path. It is an incredibly moving film - a story of failure not just of the protagonist, but of all those around him. Its about true friendship and the collective responsibility it entails. If you don't shed a tear at the end of this movie you most likely have psychopathic tendencies that you should certainly get checked out.
