Movie Critique: Fanboys

Fanboys was a funny and interesting idea for a movie, however it felt exactly like any other comedy out there. In a way it seemed like so many other movies out there, Wild Hogs, RV, Due Date, The Muppet Movie, Joe Dirt, are just a few. Granted it does take on the "science fiction" theme that some of the aforementioned films do not, it is still just like a young, fun, road trip to help their dying friend.
Some things to take away from this however is the fact that the budget was so large for a fan based film. Fandom really does create room for so many more stories like Fanboys that would originally not have been done. While this movie didn't do so hot in the box office, it goes to show that fans can be more than just a fan. Trekkies is very similar in this aspect. It shows that fans create a much larger experience than just watching the films or tv shows do.

Movie Critique: Another Earth

Another Earth is a excellent and original story that explores some similar concepts of science fiction. The story's core ideas deal with the perceptions of what it would be like actually meet yourself. Similar ideas come from movies like The 6th Day, Moon, Resident Evil, and many more.  All of these films have the common theme of meeting yourself as yourself.
What is interesting about Another Earth is that it keeps you in the dark about what might be on the other planet until later on in the movie. Rhoda, the young girl, soon understands that what she is doing to try and make up for causing the death of John's family is not the right thing to do, but to let him go to the other Earth and find his family.
Another interesting idea is the fact that these people do end up going to the other Earth, but what is the first they do? They go and find themselves once they are on the other planet. What is so interesting about meeting ourselves? We see ourselves every day, so what would the difference be if we were to actually see a clone of ourselves? Perhaps we would be judgement like some people are of others. Maybe it is to show how the small things we do in life can change dramatically. Rhoda's life did with a simple advertisement on a radio station. The moment Rhoda from the other planet appears you know that she was the successful one.
Something interesting to consider is what might actually happen if we were to actually meet ourselves. In Rhoda's situation there might be questions to ask back and forth about how their lives differed. But the real problem is what might happen after you meet yourself. Is it really a clone of you once you start interacting? Wouldn't we just become very similar people instead of clones? Perhaps the outside judgement of ourselves makes us take on a completely different character than we were before. That is an interesting idea to think about that we will, unfortunately, probably never get to experience.

Movie Critique: Trekkies

Fans are the ultimate cause for the succession of a movie or tv series. It is what creates the culture and the money for the industry. Without fans there would never be the large world of Star Wars or Star Trek. Fans are the ultimate customers that movie producers and story writers want.
 Trekkies shows just a small part of that universe. It is so deep and expansive that when fans start this following it only encourages more and more people to follow along. The most intriguing part of the culture start creating their own material; this is what truly make the movies or tv shows diverse among others. In Trekkies many of the expanded, fan written material is talked about by a lot of women. Women writing stories about Star Trek and making it their own gives them the power to expand off of what they see and make it as feminine as they want.
Trekkies essentially just shows how this fanbase has given women more power in their own universe of story writing. It also gives women something to live for outside of the tv show. It inspires young women to be in positions of power. When a little girl sees what a woman can do as a commander of a starship, finding something in our society doesn't seem that hard all of the sudden.
Trekkies shows what the core of fandom really is all about. It is very comparable to things like World of Warcraft; kids, adults, teenagers, everyone can be a part of the world they want and they don't have to have some special talent to do so. It may seem a little strange to some but our world is a strange place. It is very satisfying to see so many people feel at home with other people that they have never met. TV shows like Star Trek do that for so many people.

Movie Critique: Moon

Being alone in space is probably one of the most terrifying things to think about. With nobody to talk to and not much to do, it seems as though taking a job to be in space for 3 years would be a little crazy. But in this semi-realistic future Sam Bell takes this job. 

The film proceeds to show Sam discovering that he is indeed a clone and that there have been others before him. When the "original" Sam and the new cloned Sam find a whole store room full of clones it seems as though nothing is what they realized. Interestingly enough the film has a lot of influence from previous science fiction films. The artificial intelligent robot that assist Sam is very similar, which is also comparable to the helping robots in Silent Running. However, this time around he is much nicer than Hal was in 2001. The geometric hallways, the feeling of isolation and loneliness, artificial beings on the moon; all these are comparable to the themes of 2001. Implanted memories in the clones is also comparable to Total Recall. All of these ideas just seem smashed together to create this new and fascinating film.

Another factor that is comparable to other films is the corporations influence in this film. The clones are dying every 3 years. It brings the same common theme of questionable morality into play. The last Sam clone even reminds the A.I. robot Gerty in the end that they are people, not programs. Even though they are created and cloned how is it right for this company to kill them off every 3 years of service if they have the same feelings and memories as the last one.  Just like in Silent Running it seems to be more about a corporation making more money by being efficient than making the moral choice.  We see the pain it causes Sam when he sees that his wife left him and in the end how she actually had died and his daughter is 15 years old now. That emotion is what makes him a person. It is not about whether he is a clone or not that questions whether or not it is right, it's the fact that he is a person with memories and feelings.  That connection that builds throughout the film is very important. As a viewer, you start to feel the pain that you might feel if this had happened to you. 

The film overall seems to be a breakaway from a lot of common themes in science fiction films. It is emotional, futuristic, and immoral in many different ways. That is what makes a science fiction film and in the end the good guy wins, so that makes us all a little bit happier. 

Inside War

Inside War is an action filled drama that takes you deep into the mind of Captain Morgan Lavallee. Previously special forces in the Navy she has taken an honorable discharge after her husbands death to live a simpler life as a police officer in the small town of Great Barrington, MA. After a terrible accident she is left in a coma fighting for her life, literally. Morgan enters her mind in the dream world and is reliving every fight that she has gone through; each one brings her closer to her survival in the real world.  These battles however are not just the same as before, in her dreams the nightmares of her past interfere with each and every task that she attempts to make it through. 

Characters:

Morgan Lavallee is a single mom that has gone through a lot in her life. She is a tough, yet fragile woman. She fights with the struggle every day of her previous life as a Navy Seal and the actions that she has taken during that time; all while trying to raise her 10 year old daughter.  Her struggles haunt her dreams and her performance as a police officer. She shows a tough character but deep down inside she is hurting far beyond what anybody sees.

Jason Lavallee is Morgan’s passed husband that now plays a part in her dream world. He was previously a Navy Seal as well but was killed in action during one of their missions together. He is seen in her dreams and often causes her to remember the terrible past that has occurred. Often being more of a curse than help, Jason is just a memory that causes more pain now than anything.

Kennedy Tomas chief of police in Great Barrington.  He is a middle aged, hardened war veteran, who is internally sympathetic toward Morgan yet pushes her to be a better police officer. He does not reveal much of his past but simply focuses on the present.

Erika Lavallee is Morgan’s daughter. She is a bright and lively young girl that often tries to care for her mother when she is struggling with life. She knows that her mother hurts and feels as though it is her duty each and every day to try her best to put a smile on her mothers face.

The year is 2035. Morgan and her daughter live in a small town. Morgan is a police officer that only chose that job because she was qualified and she enjoys helping people. Plus, in a small town like Great Barrington, there is not much action that goes on. It is a rather quiet and simple life as she now prefers.

Act 1 – The Attack:

The life of Great Barrington is a slow one. There is rarely much trouble to take care of; everyone is generally very courteous to one another.  Morgan is out on a standard patrol making her rounds like any other day. Suddenly she gets a call in that a robbery is in progress at the local bank North Island Credit Union. Turning on her lights she rushes to the scene and is the first one there.  It is odd that this would happen in such a small town, nonetheless it is happening and she has to put her distracted thoughts aside and focus on what is going on inside the bank. After arriving she finds herself overwhelmed by what is happening. Cars are on fire and smoking. Windows have been shattered and glass has showered the streets. She hears gunshots being fired inside the bank. Normally she would wait for backup but she knows that in this situation there is no time, she draws her weapon and progresses toward the bank. Her previous training kicks in and she is in kill mode. The assailants are inside with semi automatic rifles shooting and playing like it’s a game. Morgan enters the bank and opens fire. With perfect accuracy and speed she hits 3 of them with two quick shots to the chest.  They return fire and Morgan takes cover. One of them takes hides the other opens fire but is wounded in the leg from a stray bullet. Now overwhelmed by the attackers opening fire on her she attempts to take them out. She is unable to hit the last two until finally she is shot in the head by one of the men with rifles.

Act 2 – The Dream:

Morgan awakes in what appears to be a foggy abyss. She doesn’t know where she is. She checks herself to see if she has been wounded, but she is completely fine. As she walks through this foggy abyss she suddenly spots a figure. She soon discovers as she walks toward it that it is Jason, her long lost husband. Reuniting with him she suddenly realizes again that he is indeed dead. Jason explains to her that she is in a dream. Morgan has entered a coma and is now living inside her own dream.  But how does she get out? Jason explains to her that there are missions that she must complete and that each one is vital to her survival. If she survives the mission she will soon find her way out of the coma and back to her daughter.

Meanwhile Kennedy and Morgan’s daughter Erika sit by her bedside caring for her and hoping that she makes it through this.  Erika and Kennedy spend a lot of time together during this time. Kennedy soon realizes the hurt that Erika has been going through to see her mother in such a torn way. Erika explains that she has taken it on herself to protect and care for her mother since no one else is there to do it. She feels as though it is her responsibility that she has inherited as her only child.  

As Morgan spends time with Jason talking about how she misses him and what she is making of her life, the fog begins to slowly clear. As she looks around she sees that she is in a warzone, from a previous mission during her time in the Navy. Jason is gone. She is now in full military gear and her squad is behind her awaiting her commands.

Act 3 – The War:

Morgan begins fighting through the missions but then soon realizes that things have changed and she is in her dream. She can’t just do the same things she has done before. Enemies know what she is going to do and say. Its as if they have been here before and she hasn’t. She soon realizes that she is getting her squad killed and has to let go of what she remembers and take a new path, think differently, act differently.

As she fights her way though her missions she finally finds herself at the place she has most dreaded being. This is the place of her husband’s death. It wasn't because of the mission however that caused her husbands death; she was the cause of his death. She misfired her weapon and killed her husband during this mission. Clouded with the overwhelming fear that she may have to relive that experience she realizes that the area around is completely empty… she is now left standing in a void with nothing but her sidearm. Until behind her she hears a voice call her name. Jason stands there awaiting her to finish the fight. Her one last task is to kill her husband.  She would rather die and stay her in dream with him than shoot him. But Jason talks to her, starts to make her think of their daughter and what her life would be like without her mother. Jason tells her that its time to let go and finish it. Morgan aims the gun at her husband, tears rolling down her face.  She awakes from her coma in the hospital bed, her daughter sitting by her side as doctors’ rush in to examine her.

Movie Critique: Primer

Time travel has always been an exciting and interesting subject studied.  What would actually happen when travelling back and forth in time is a whole different question altogether.  Science fiction leaves that part to the imagination. Primer is a perfect example of a realistic representation of time travel in the simplest fashion. 

Primer takes on the possibility of what might happen if one were to discover a way to travel back in time. Would we really see ourselves performing past actions? The creators of Primer think so. But with such a power what do they decide to do? They decide to become rich. It is a very greedy attitude to take on when something so amazing has been discovered. Perhaps it is best that no one does discover technology like this because of those reasons. Our society is so self-centered that on the discovery of a fantastic new technology, one would use it for personal gain. This film is truly realistic in the worst ways. 

Another aspect that I appreciated seeing this film is the presence of realism. The directors did not dumb down the ideas presented of how exactly time travel works. This provides a great, intellectual experience that really seems to hit the core of what science fiction should be. It seems as though many science fiction films have brought down the level of intelligence in their films just to relate to a larger audience.  Which is unfortunate because it takes away from the authenticity of what science fiction was founded upon.  Additionally it kept true to how science works today. Time travel was discovered by accident. Which in today’s scientific world, many of our greatest discoveries have been by accident. 

Finally, the moral ethics that ultimately cause the conflict in the film seem to be a very common in science fiction and in all movies for that matter. Perhaps it is the innate ideologies that we are born with or perhaps it is what makes a good movie. Maybe people just want to see other people do good in the world. There does seem to be an uneasy feeling that some people might get when watching a movie where the bad guys win. Ultimately good beating evil is what does make a good story. Or so we think. 

Movie Critique: The Hunger Games

Women in science fiction have always been minimal. The Hunger Games breaks all cliches of gender roles in not just science fiction but in the film industry in general. Katniss has become the role model of what a woman is supposed to be like in our modern society.
In the 90's little girls had Barbies which represented an unrealistic physical role model to idealize the way in which they should be. This representation shows the fit and skinny woman that dresses up nice and pretty... and that's it. There is no other purpose but to look good. The Hunger Games take that same role model and do a complete 180 degree turn with it. Katniss wins and is forced into a luxurious life of limitless pleasures and material possessions, yet, she regards them as worthless. They mean nothing to her and she rejects that lifestyle completely. For a woman to be so strong in her position and make that kind of statement in the society we live in today, says something about how obsessed we have become with material possessions. Rather, perhaps it is focused more on trying to break away from the cliche woman of the past and bring about a strong new woman role model for little girls to grow up to.
Having a woman in a place of such great power does not seem normal when comparing to previous movies in the past. But it works in its own way. Women have always been pushing for a more prominent place in society and this film does exactly that. It replaces the white man with a woman, puts a big strong white male in the women's place, completely rejects the glamorous lifestyle, and embraces morality over all of that. While the idea of being a moral person has always been presented in most science fiction, the bigger part is the gender swap.
Overall the movie is fantastic, especially with a woman leading the role. It might not have even been as interesting if Peta was the main character. It would have just played like any other science fiction movie. I believe that the more we see movies like this the more gender roles will start evening out. These movies provide inspiration for our younger generation to build on. It is only a matter of time before it becomes a reality.

Movie Critique: Ender's Game

The dynamic and visually pleasing effects of Ender's Game bring a spectacular show to the screen that not only captures the attention of the audience but questions the topic of war and morality on a whole other level. While Ender's Game does bring all the cliches of your typical science fiction along with the story, it takes a different perspective on the actions that we might take in war.
Unlike other science fiction movies that rely on mass amounts of action and dramatic fighting scenes, Ender's Game seems to focus more on an intellectual perspective. What one might not consider is the mind of a child is so imaginative and unrestricted that perhaps they can solve a problem that a weathered and narrow minded adult might not be able to. Ender's Game is exactly that. However, what might that say about our society as of today? Child soldiers, child workers, and the like have consistently been scolded and deemed unethical at levels in our society. The idea that we should raise children as soldiers is unimaginable now, but enter the world of science fiction and it might seem okay. When faced with an ultimatum of the survival of our species from an alien species, does that really make it okay to force children into that type of lifestyle? Or would it be more appropriate to send in every man and woman like in Starship Troopers till the enemy is defeated? Perhaps because it is science fiction it is okay. Science fiction after all does bend the rules of our world in every way possible.
The ethics of war have always been questioned in our world and is clearly represented in Ender's Game.  For Ender, even as a child he understands what is right and wrong. This is again alluding to the idea of a childs mind being the recommended solution to the problem. Ender in the end (no pun intended) of the film says to Colonel Graff that it’s the way you win that matters. This, in a way is post 9/11 symbolism. Many have questioned the ethics of things that have happened in the middle east. Does it really matter that the war is over or that we have won? Why should it if the way we win cost the lives of the innocent?
Enders Game is a great story and really hits the point on the morality of war, especially considering that we have been in a state of war for the past 12 years. It is very interesting to see that these ideas come from the mind of a child, which often times can be astonishing.

Movie Critique: Starship Troopers

Starship Troopers is the epitome of classic "American" thinking. It presents a very militaristic viewpoint on society as a whole. Several different ideas that can be pulled from this movie will show that even though it may seem a little ridiculous to have such an extreme militaristic view of society, there are different subconscious and relevant themes that express our world as it is today.
Firstly, the idea of a single state world has always been a concern in science fiction and the real world. Many previous films and even T.V. series present this idea of a communistic and/or socialistic style world being the future of our planet. Some films like THX 1138 or Planet of the Apes portray this in a negative way while others like the TV series Star Trek present it in a positive way by showing that it will increase humanities technological knowledge significantly.  In Starship Troopers it is presented in a positive way. Everyone is part of one single world that works together to defend against the threats of the alien bugs. The heavy military force is a clear representation of America's military force. Perhaps this is an exaggerated idea of what the American military will become but for science fiction it fits perfectly into the genre of the future world. 
Another big thing that was shown in this movie is the representation of women roles. In Starship Troopers there are no lines between men and women. Everyone is equal and equally treated as a person. This is perhaps due to the fact that women roles during the late 80's and early 90's were becoming more and more prominent in society. The idea of a future where a person's sex has no play in their role in society is really strange to think about. Especially in the 90's. But throughout time gender roles have become more and more even. From movies like Planet of the Apes where women had a very reserved role to movies like Starship Troopers where men and women take showers together and have even higher roles in the line of command than some men, it is fascinating to take that idea and portray it in such a relaxed way.
Finally, Starship Troopers takes to heart that serving your country is indeed an honorable, almost necessary, thing to do. Serving your country seems to be an automatic/embedded idea that we grow up with in America. In Starship Troopers you have to serve in order to become a citizen. While that is not the case in America, that same idea is almost implied by the way we treat our veterans. Veterans are almost treated as more American than anyone else.
In conclusion, Starship Troopers is almost a "super Americanized" film. It portrays subtle American ideas in a very exaggerated way. Even today gender roles are closer to Starship Troopers then just 10 years ago. Perhaps this is a closer representation of our future world than we realize. It is science fiction, but in a way, science fiction with a potential reality.

Movie Critique: Blade Runner

Blade Runner is an interesting film that brings us to question our own identity and even, I would argue, our existence. Much like the movie Total Recall, Blade Runner brings about the issues of identity and how our memories, prosthetic or authentic, validate who we are.
The simulation and creation of human life has been a continuing theme throughout the science fiction genre. These ideas date back to films like Frankenstein and have evolved from there. But the point that Blade Runner makes is that memories are what provides the authenticity of human existence. Without memories there is no root to the past and there is no foundation for existence. This does not necessarily validate the existence of a past life, but rather pushes to validate the present existence of the individual. We see this in Blade Runner when Rachael shows Deckard the photo of her and her mother.  She shows that she did exist as a human previously and that is what has brought her to the point she is at in her life. Deckard disregards this as faked and that these memories of her mother were implanted. Later we see her playing the piano as she explains to Deckard that she does remember lessons. Deckard responds by validating her present existence and says, "You play beautifully." This statement ties together the entire point of this notion of existence. It does not matter what has happened in the past or whether or not these memories are accurate, rather it matters how we handle the present.
Deckard later realizes this near the end of the movie when there is a hint that he himself is not even human. Even if he has been a robot for his entire existence, it does not stop him from making the right decision and saving Rachael.
This movie is very similar to Total Recall. It brings to question the idea of authenticity and how our present identity, whether it is real or not, is affected only by the decisions we make.

Movie Critique: Total Recall

Movie experiences in science fiction have gradually shifted toward generating a more and more authentic visualization for the user. As graphical experiences have become better since groundbreaking movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey there has always been a desire to make it as real as possible. The effect of these movies wanting to bring an escape into a different reality has also affected the results of such movies.  Total Recall is a perfect example of taking the purpose of science fiction films and implementing it into the movie itself.  

Total Recall is based around the idea of generating the core of what make a human being, memories.  There is a notion that memories can change a person completely.  During the movie Quade even questions what is really the truth. His "real" memories tell him one reality, yet he has been living a life based off memories that have supposedly been implanted into his mind. Memories are what give us a past and an identification of ourselves, which is why Quade questions whose side he is really supposed to be on throughout certain moments in the movie. However, even though Quade does question his identity and what kind of person he really was before this nightmare came into play, there is a point that the movie makes that is even more important than Quade remembering his past. That is, Quade decides to make his future regardless of what his true identity was previously.  Alison Landsberg brings this point up in her essay Prosthetic Memory.  She says, "Memory - is not a strategy for closing or finishing the past - but on the contrary, memory emerges as a generative force, a force which propels us not backward but forwards" (Liquid Metal p 239).  What she means by this is that it does not matter what memories authenticate in the past, this does not generate our identity. Rathers, it is what courses we take in the present to create our identity as we so choose. 

This relationship to the real world holds some validity even by todays standards. The generation of a different reality can be quite consuming. Technology has provided that alternate, sometimes better, reality that everyone seems to get consumed by. The implementation of social media, alternate reality video games, all relate back to the idea of Total Recall's idea of implanting different memories. While they are not true memories per se, rather we use these different realities to generate a different and "authentic" reality that consumes our life.

Total Recall's influence in the science fiction world brings to mind certain issues of what really generates an authentic experience and identity of our personal lives.  Our identity in today's society however seems to be generated by so many aspects of society. Consumerism, advertising, social media, video games, all force these different visual experiences that ultimately have some sort of effect on our lives and how we respond to the reality around us every day. 

Movie Critique: THX 1138

THX 1138 is an interesting take on a very strange type of world. The theme is very strong in political and even religious ideas. The whole film is based around a society that is uniform and restricted to the individual.  Performance is more important than being your own person. Many times throughout the film we hear in the background that "Performance perfect is perfect performance."  This society however does not seem to be led by any specific individual. Everyone is suppressed by taking their drugs and nobody is allowed to stop because everyone is monitored.
The film itself seems very claustrophobic and as a viewer you feel suppressed just watching it. This however just adds to the message it contains about society as a whole. The films allegorical critique of society shows what the future might hold in a controlled environment.
The uniformity of everyone and the focus on production seems to hint toward a problem with consumerism in our world today. Focus in our nation has shifted toward the constant idea of constant buying and production. The cheaper and more efficient production is the better it is for the company. We have even subjected ourselves to cheap unethical labor in other countries. This obsession can hold a very dark future, according to THX 1138.
There is also the issue of racism that the film brings into picture. There are very few black people in the film and this is perhaps a critique on the purpose of the black race. They are subjugated to believe that they are indeed holograms instead of real people. Again this is the suppression of the individual but perhaps classifies our, then present opinion, on the black race.
Issues of religion arise in the film as the machines they talk to for personal counseling or confession are all automated and have no real relation to helping them. Yet they are reminded after their session to be productive and work hard.  Perhaps this is all they need in their emotionless state.  However, this may also be a critique on the separation of church and state. In this future, formal religion is part of the productivity of the society.
In conclusion, THX 1138 is a very depression and dark film that is presented in a bright "pleasant" manner.  While the religious and political ideas are present throughout the film, it leaves a lot of room for interpretation.  I do not believe there is a single right answer that defines the films purpose or message, rather, depending on the individuals personal stance on these issues, one can formulate their own opinion on the ideas presented. This in part is what makes the film so intelligently designed. It is full of suppressive actions on the individual, yet in the end one finds his individuality and escapes a new man. We are free already, as individuals, to make our own opinion of this film.

Movie Critique: Planet of the Apes

As Taylor and his crew emerge from their ship on the "foreign" planet they have landed on exploration ensues. The planet that they are on seems to uninhabited to Taylor's crew mates.  However they soon find out that it is inhabited by an evolved species of apes and humans that are hunted.
Planet of the Apes takes an interesting on view on completely reversing the social roles of society during the 60's and early 70's. Apes that have taken the favor of evolution in, what is soon to be discovered, futuristic Earth seems to hold strong opinions of slavery and even touches on issues of racism and the intolerance for change.
The plot of this film takes place on Earth some thousands of years from now.  Taylor, the protagonist, is trying to fight his way to what is perceived as some sort of equality among the apes. He goes to show that he too is intelligent and not a savage like the rest. The idea of his subjection to the apes unchanging opinion of his inadequacy among their species, or one might say, their race.  What this might suggest is that the certain hierarchy of the white race is oppressive to the "inadequate" race of our society.  But the reversal of the roles makes one feel as if there is a certain unfairness to the system that is in place, which is exactly what the director may have been aiming for.
The hierarchy of the orangoutangs try to hold in place is most certainly a reference to ideas of a socialistic or communist society. Their discouragement of freedom of thinking shows that what we might hold as truth or a proper social order is not at all fair or correct. Their mentality is aimed at the racist mentality of certain opinions held in the U.S.at the time. The idea of letting a "lesser" man speak in their presence is outrageous to them.
The film also hold a strong and final opinion of the effects of nuclear war. At the end of the movie, Taylor sees the Statue of Liberty demolished and buried.  This scene makes him realize that he is on Earth, only very far into the future. Not only that but it also suggest that man had become so obsessed with nuclear power that we were destroyed in our own obsession. Nuclear war was always an intimidating realization at that time in society, therefore to suggest that we had destroyed ourselves with it is very disturbing.
Overall the film can be very controversial do to the racist notions suggested throughout. However, it is very accurate in our assumptions and racist mentality that we had at the time. It shows an excellent example of reversing roles and really understanding what it is like on the other side of the fence.

Movie Critique: Silent Running

Silent Running

Silent Running is very judgmental of society in a subtle way.  The plot of the movie is that these four men are maintaining one of four or five ships in deep space that contain the last remaining plantation of Earth. They are simply to maintain it and wait for orders from earth. Yet when the orders from earth come to destroy the containers, Freeman Lowell decides to stop the destruction and kill his crewmates to save the last remain pod of plants.

The theme of the film seems very idealistic of nature being endangered by technology. By the commentary in the film we know that earth is now a perfect place that is 75^o all around the planet and no plants are needed to survive anymore. However, Lowell seems to be the only one to care about the value that nature brings. It is to suggest that we have grown numb to the effects of technology and where it is taking our world.  This idea can possibly play off of previous films perception of technology being a negative thing.  Nature being eliminated from earth is definitely one of the stronger themes this film presents, but it also presents a few others in a subtle manner.

It also brings to issue the idea of technology leading to a socialistic/communistic nation where everything is the same.  Earth as we understand in this film is all the same. Nobody is poor, nobody starves, everyone is the same and even the planet is the same all around.  Another point we can see from the film is that it is very consumer opinionated.  The fact that the ships have the American Airliner logo on them show that our world has become so consumer obsessed that even the ships carrying the last of the planets natural life are more important for money purposes than saving our planets life. This simple message is one that opposes the very nature of our nations consumerist personality.

The characters aboard the ship are very normal except for Lowell. He is very passionate about their work.  He hopes that one day children get to experience what the world once was before the elimination of nature.  In hopes of preserving the last of it he gives his own life and jettisons the plant life into space hoping that perhaps another society or life form will find it.

Movie Critique: Dark Star

Dark Star

Dark Star is fantastic in its presentation toward the science fiction genre. This is a film very much influenced by 2001: A Space Odyssey and shows through its graphics and ideas of science fiction. The comedic satire is really what makes the film intriguing and enjoyable to watch.

Dark Star is an interesting example of taking the seriousness of science fiction and playing the ideas that they were generally presenting back in the 60s and 70s.  Science fiction was generally a way to explore and present ideas or judgments about society that traditional means did not allow. Dark Star almost completely rejected that idea of being serious with the comedy that was in Dark Star. It was interesting, funny, and also technical at the same time.

The use of technology throughout the film is very similar to other films. For example, the ship has an AI computer much like that of 2001: A Space Odyssey.  Yet, the one in Dark Star almost has its own sense of humor; even the bomb is it’s own AI. 

The overall mission of the crew mates of Dark Star is to find unstable planets and destroy them, which can be a message to ones idea of further colonization outside of our world.  Its can almost compare to that of the original colonization of America.

The characters are also very funny.  Their persona is much like that of the 70s. Very laid back, hippie in a sense, and not very serious in general. Even their bedroom was similar to that of a hippie house. It goes to show what kind of people were really directing the film and perhaps the perspective on the science fiction genre as a whole.

In conclusion, Dark Star’s comedic satire is a much different take on the traditional role science fiction had played on society up until that point. It is refreshing and thought provoking to see how a different point of view can change the world of science fiction so dramatically.

Movie Critique: Le Jette

Le Jette

Le Jette is an extraordinary film.  It quiet and calm presence fills the viewers with emotion that can make you get so emotionally involved in what is happening. While the absence of video may make one skeptical of its stance as a film, it thoroughly communicates with its viewers through the images shown.
The story of the film feels old and dated, yet the concept is so science fiction like that you almost believe even more so in what you’re seeing. 

The emotional connection and development of the characters in the short time frame of the film is so well done that you begin to know these characters half way through the film.

Overall Le Jette provides an extensive perspective on how much a short picture based film can really communicate emotionally.