Awhile back, Tom DeLonge of blink 182 formed a band called Angels and Airwaves. The music from the band itself was a far departure from the usual blink 182 and Box Car Racer, both bands that DeLonge belong to. The band plays music in a more grandiose and epic style and have released four albums thus far, the debut We Don't need to Whisper, the sophomore release I-Empire, and the two part Love, and Love: Part Two. Love: Part Two was released recently in the beginning of November, more notable perhaps is that Love: Part Two's release coincided with the release of the feature film Love, the directorial debut of William Eubank. Angels and Airwaves were the producers of Love.
In a world of multi-million dollar productions that focus on effects and not much else, it is refreshing to see a movie that focuses more on story and character but can still deliver eye-popping visuals. Love was reportedly made for $500,000, and much of the sets were build in Eubank's parent's house. The storyline often jumps in ways that can confuse most, but if you like films that you need to think in order to fully understand, this is for you.
The story starts out with a civil war solider who, already surviving the destruction of his old regiment is given leave from the impending destruction of his current regiment to view an extraordinary discovery. Just what it is won't be revealed till near the end of the movie, but it is rather easy to guess. The setting then moves to the near future, where, having not been in space for 20 years, a space station is re-opened for one person, Gunner Wright's astronaut Lee Miller. For most of the film, the only person on screen is Miller with the occasional dialogue with mission control, so the space station often becomes a secondary character itself. This is important as Miller loses contact with earth, and has to struggle to keep his sanity. The film is inter spaced with interview segments that offer insight into the need for connection, much as Miller is beginning to lose his with the world.
As Miller is cut off, he watches the world below him go dark and experiences dreams and hallucinations until finally, the discovery from the beginning of the film is revealed. Miller soon goes on an journey in a sort of homage to 2001, a trip that few will understand on the first viewing.
There are a few problems with the plot, mainly the unlimited life support, and the addition of gravity to the space station, neither of which are explained in the film. None of this, however takes away from the nature and the story of the film, exploring the need for connection and interaction.
Eubank seems to mix parts of Moon, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and even bits of Solaris to create an intelligent film that seems to reveal more with each repeated viewing. The soundtrack was culled from Angels and Airwaves, laying a minimalist score, keeping in the isolated nature of the film. The ambiguous nature of Love will leave many scratching their head, but the overall package will delight many. The effects are overall amazing considering that the film was shot on a limited budget.
If you're a fan of Angels and Airwaves, Moon, 20011: A Space Odyssey, and any movie the requires you to think to fully understand what is going on, check out Love.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Protect IP and Stop Online Piracy Act(SOPA)
I am Canadian, I do live in Canada, so this should have little effect on me, but it will, eventually. The current Canadian government is very conservative in nature, and seems to have the interests of corporations above those of the people. If the USA does adopt the Protect IP and SOPA, it stands to reason that Canada would soon follow.
This would be very bad for the Internet and the economy in general. With the internet, a whole world of communications and entertainment has been opened. It wasn't long ago the only way we heard about new bands or TV shows was from print media, radio or our friends. Now we can have constant updates as to new and exciting bands, get reviews from the latest episodes from people the world over, and be informed the instant something happens. The majority of these items, blogs, can be shut down just because a corporation things it infringes on their copyrights. The wording of the act itself is vague enough that nearly anything, even making a video where a song is heard in the background from somewhere else, could be a copyright violation. This fear of being accused and charged is enough to stop many innovators from doing what they do best, being creative. Many sites will be shut down or threatened with being shut down if they do not remove what some lawyer thinks is a copyright violation.
We have already seen governments taking the rights of corporations over the rights of people with the signing of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement(ATCA). With the ACTA, random boarder searches of electronic devices for pirated software and media will be allowed, violating several freedom acts, including the Fourth Amendment.
While I do agree that piracy is a problem, it is not as big a problem as the media makes it out to be. The majority of people are willing to pay for music, movies and TV show downloads. The success of iTunes has proven this. The fact that Google is also set to release their own music service just further reinforces it.
A new approach to copyright is needed. One that takes fair use into account, among other things. I don't pretend to be an expert in any of these issues, but all I ask is dialog, so that people can be informed, and stay informed, and let their voices be heard.
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