Fantastic. I agree with Ked that I'm probably going to be spending more money to see it at the theater again. I've not seen the same movie twice in the theater since... well I can't remember ever having done that.
(and the short was hysterical taken to a new superlative)
One of the prevalent themes in the movie, yet one that is not overtly discussed much, is the effects of consumerism and waste. I have been reading a book for a class by a guy named George Ritzer titled "The McDonaldization of Society." This movie was the logical extreme of his argument. People take the easiest, fastest, preceptively cheapest way out of every situation, from eating to raising families, that the society crumbles completely, a company ends up owning the world, and the president of the company becomes the president of the world. People are so "satisfied" with their lives of ease that nobody even cares to be mean. Scary.
Anyway, one interesting little tidbit that will enhance this theme: There is a company devoted to collecting consumer information, organizing it, and packaging it for use by manufacturers and marketers to the end that they can market to you exactly what you want. They know everything about you, and based on their formulas and research, this company is able to show companies like Proctor & Gamble, Pepsi-co, and Delta Airlines, exactly what you want so they can deliver it. The name of this company which serves your every desire on a silver platter? Axciom. Nifty, eh? Those Pixar guys thought about this.
The movie is great. The Apple affectionado will be tickled by the occasional appearance of things undeniably Steve, and there are a number of 2001-A Space Odyssey references. The visuals are engaging. The personalities of the characters are believable, and the simple story is refreshing and endearing. Ashley and I took Clarissa to see it (and we coincidentally sat next to the entire Wilhelm crew, so I did end up in the company of Nerd blood) and she even enjoyed it. She got a bit restless, but not annoyed. Until the credits started rolling (which were also very cool) and she start to pull us out of the theater towards the car. I highly recommend the film. If any of y'all are in town and want to see it, I'll gladly go with :-)
Monday, June 30, 2008
A Weekend With Disney
My eyes flipped open at the sound of my watch alarm clock on Thursday morning at 4:20 AM. Forty minutes later I was in the parking lot with a backpack and small duffel bag, waiting for the other four members of my party. We flew to Burbank, where I then drove us in our Chevy HHR rental car around LA.
The reason for our trip: The sealing and reception of a good friend and roommate. The bonus detours on the trip: the beach, Disneyland, Wicked, and WALL-E.
Wicked was good. It wasn't quite as spectacular as I had hoped it would be, but it was good. Disneyland was lots of fun but when you stay from 9AM until 12:00Am you get kind of burned out.
Disney celebrates dreams coming true. That much was evident. They also celebrate how much money they can make from concessions, entry fees, etc. It is a fun place but still not the happiest place on earth. I have many thoughts on dreams, Disney, commercialism, and other subjects that I may talk about later. Disney does do a lot of great things. I also think they are doing a lot of things that are not as great as they used to. Over the weekend I learned a lot about media and I was able to feel differences in the purpose and in the design of different media.
The sealing and reception were, by far, the highlight of the trip because it was a greater human connection than the other things.
We decided, the four of us, to see WALL-E between the sealing and reception.
What a pleasant surprise and delight! Pixar is undoubtedly one of the best things to happen to Disney since...maybe Disney himself. I am amazed at the amazing depth Pixar is able to portray in such simple, comedic, and light presentations. I am also amazed at how Pixar could convey so much with little dialogue. Geniuses, I guess they are.
I would love to, later on, post on the themes of the movie for I feel it has some great ones. One of the greatest ironies is that the most noble symbol of humanity comes from the robot, not the humans.
It was a fantastic show and I'm going to have a hard time not spending another $5-8 going to see it again. I already miss it. And the music was lovely as well...going to have to go buy that soundtrack.
I agree with you Ben. Until we are in a position to do as much, we should support them all we can. In the meantime, let us continue to have visions of the future and prepare for our great missions in media.
Also, I am compiling a list of things I've learned and pondered about media over the last while. I think I could write a book with it. I might call it "Divine Media Philosophy." Media has been on my mind almost constantly over the last few months, even when I read the scriptures and I've learned quite a bit. The Word of God is the most powerful form of media and is the high standard of what media can do and what it should be.
I might begin a series of posts related to these ideas and seek your input and discussion.
Well, I have to go now. If you haven't seen WALL-E yet, go see it. Take care until next time we meet.
Oh, and I'm trying to get a life...I mean wife. :)
The reason for our trip: The sealing and reception of a good friend and roommate. The bonus detours on the trip: the beach, Disneyland, Wicked, and WALL-E.
Wicked was good. It wasn't quite as spectacular as I had hoped it would be, but it was good. Disneyland was lots of fun but when you stay from 9AM until 12:00Am you get kind of burned out.
Disney celebrates dreams coming true. That much was evident. They also celebrate how much money they can make from concessions, entry fees, etc. It is a fun place but still not the happiest place on earth. I have many thoughts on dreams, Disney, commercialism, and other subjects that I may talk about later. Disney does do a lot of great things. I also think they are doing a lot of things that are not as great as they used to. Over the weekend I learned a lot about media and I was able to feel differences in the purpose and in the design of different media.
The sealing and reception were, by far, the highlight of the trip because it was a greater human connection than the other things.
We decided, the four of us, to see WALL-E between the sealing and reception.
What a pleasant surprise and delight! Pixar is undoubtedly one of the best things to happen to Disney since...maybe Disney himself. I am amazed at the amazing depth Pixar is able to portray in such simple, comedic, and light presentations. I am also amazed at how Pixar could convey so much with little dialogue. Geniuses, I guess they are.
I would love to, later on, post on the themes of the movie for I feel it has some great ones. One of the greatest ironies is that the most noble symbol of humanity comes from the robot, not the humans.
It was a fantastic show and I'm going to have a hard time not spending another $5-8 going to see it again. I already miss it. And the music was lovely as well...going to have to go buy that soundtrack.
I agree with you Ben. Until we are in a position to do as much, we should support them all we can. In the meantime, let us continue to have visions of the future and prepare for our great missions in media.
Also, I am compiling a list of things I've learned and pondered about media over the last while. I think I could write a book with it. I might call it "Divine Media Philosophy." Media has been on my mind almost constantly over the last few months, even when I read the scriptures and I've learned quite a bit. The Word of God is the most powerful form of media and is the high standard of what media can do and what it should be.
I might begin a series of posts related to these ideas and seek your input and discussion.
Well, I have to go now. If you haven't seen WALL-E yet, go see it. Take care until next time we meet.
Oh, and I'm trying to get a life...I mean wife. :)
Friday, June 27, 2008
Pixar - take 9
Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, Rattitouille (who can spell French, anyway?) and now:
Wall-e!
Pixar - take 9!
On this notable day, I am saddened by the fact that all my Nerd friends have moved away and I'll be standing in line with my wife and nobody else today. And maybe Clarissa. Or maybe I won't be standing in line at all.
I'm not saddened to be standing in line with my family, I'm just saddened to be standing in line with my family without any of y'all with us. *sigh* such is life. We all grow up, we all get lives, *sniff* we're all old now. Except for Ked. And Nate will always be Young. ha ha ha ha!
OK, forget about all that grow up stuff. I don't believe it either.
May you all have a happy Wall-e day. As we're not yet in a position to make our own widespread positive influence on the Media, we ought to support those who are.
-BacH
Wall-e!
Pixar - take 9!
On this notable day, I am saddened by the fact that all my Nerd friends have moved away and I'll be standing in line with my wife and nobody else today. And maybe Clarissa. Or maybe I won't be standing in line at all.
I'm not saddened to be standing in line with my family, I'm just saddened to be standing in line with my family without any of y'all with us. *sigh* such is life. We all grow up, we all get lives, *sniff* we're all old now. Except for Ked. And Nate will always be Young. ha ha ha ha!
OK, forget about all that grow up stuff. I don't believe it either.
May you all have a happy Wall-e day. As we're not yet in a position to make our own widespread positive influence on the Media, we ought to support those who are.
-BacH
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
"Zion must increase in beauty"
In our ultimate quest to create Zion, what are we going to achieve in media?
Currently there are huge corporations that own movie studios, TV stations, etc. Disney owns ABC and numerous other companies.
I don't believe Zion is meant to receive its entertainment, all its learning, all its glory from outside the church.
President John Taylor said:
“You mark my words, and write them down and see if they do not come to pass.
“You will see the day that Zion will be far ahead of the outside world in everything pertaining to learning of every kind as we are today in regard to religious matters.
“God expects Zion to become the praise and glory of the whole earth, so that kings hearing of her fame will come and gaze upon her glory. …” (September 20, 1857; see The Messenger, July 1953.)
Are we to merely sit by and watch while companies produce all the movies we put in our homes and while musicians and writers create all the music and literature we have on our shelves and in our Ipods?
Now, I am NOT saying that all the stuff other people produce is bad, but a lot of them are turning worse. Disney seems to be a good company but parts of it's conglomerated mass produce questionable material.
There will continue to be good people outside of the church that create good things and we should encourage them but I think there can be more.
If we are to create a Zion that will be the praise and glory of the whole earth, it will be that in many respects. Righteousness and faith will be first. How about the arts? I'm not talking about a Michael Mclean every once in a few years or a Lex de Azevedo or Janice Kapp Perry here or there.
What about new companies started and run by LDS men of honor, talent, and morality that rival today's media conglomerates?
What about a Gemini Digital Media that becomes part of the glory of Zion? As Zion increases in beauty and holiness, how about a company that stands for just that?
Simply a thought. The world is getting darker. Are we getting lighter?
Currently there are huge corporations that own movie studios, TV stations, etc. Disney owns ABC and numerous other companies.
I don't believe Zion is meant to receive its entertainment, all its learning, all its glory from outside the church.
President John Taylor said:
“You mark my words, and write them down and see if they do not come to pass.
“You will see the day that Zion will be far ahead of the outside world in everything pertaining to learning of every kind as we are today in regard to religious matters.
“God expects Zion to become the praise and glory of the whole earth, so that kings hearing of her fame will come and gaze upon her glory. …” (September 20, 1857; see The Messenger, July 1953.)
Are we to merely sit by and watch while companies produce all the movies we put in our homes and while musicians and writers create all the music and literature we have on our shelves and in our Ipods?
Now, I am NOT saying that all the stuff other people produce is bad, but a lot of them are turning worse. Disney seems to be a good company but parts of it's conglomerated mass produce questionable material.
There will continue to be good people outside of the church that create good things and we should encourage them but I think there can be more.
If we are to create a Zion that will be the praise and glory of the whole earth, it will be that in many respects. Righteousness and faith will be first. How about the arts? I'm not talking about a Michael Mclean every once in a few years or a Lex de Azevedo or Janice Kapp Perry here or there.
What about new companies started and run by LDS men of honor, talent, and morality that rival today's media conglomerates?
What about a Gemini Digital Media that becomes part of the glory of Zion? As Zion increases in beauty and holiness, how about a company that stands for just that?
Simply a thought. The world is getting darker. Are we getting lighter?
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Websites
I just interviewed a web designer who is making some interesting stuff. His social wallpaper page gets 4 million page views per month. It hit the front page of digg.com and amazon.com offered him a job on a web team. A company offered him $10,000 for another of his sites but he turned it down because he knows he can do more with it. Also check out yougetsignal.com. He has some neat tools on there. You can visually and geographically track where networks are, what networks are on the same server, etc.
Fascinating stuff. Why didn't I ever think about starting something cool like those?
Fascinating stuff. Why didn't I ever think about starting something cool like those?
Fringe Benefits of Failure and Imagination
J.K. Rowling spoke at the Harvard commencement. She spoke on the fringe benefits of failure and on imagination.
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