The Matrix

Just like the rest of the class, i assume, I had previously seen the Matrix and absolutely loved it. The film bent the whole mental framework that the audience had had previous to viewing it. The whole concept is mind blowing. We are all living in a computer program!??! Wow. And the cinematic effects they use simply make the film. The bullet-speed cinematography was superb. It really draws the viewer into the film by creating the illusion that we are actually seeing a bullet at super slowed down speeds to the point where we can view its flight. Just brilliant. The marriage of the concept and the cinematic elements creates a film that up until it was premiered had never been imagined. This film, to be brutally honest, made me want to be a director. Up until this film, I had never imagined that cameras and special effects could produce such jaw-dropping sequences. The Matrix is truly a revolutionary film.

The Truman Show

Honestly, this is one of the most creative, creepy, funny, just plain excellent movies I have ever seen. The Truman Show tackles the issue of how far is too far in reality television as well as exploring the idea of individualism (much like many of the other films we've watched this semester). First off, Jim Carrey is fantastic in the role of Truman, playing the perfect unassuming victim in the ultimate reality show. It really makes the viewer take a step back and look at their lives. It sounds corny, but the film really makes you think about whether or not something like that is actually possible. Who knows. Regardless, the film was great and I loved the concept. The film had all the aspects of the other films we watched, like the protagonist searching to find the reality of his/her surroundings while at the same time, the antagonist is vehemently striving to keep the protagonist in the state of confusion. I thought it was simply great.

Conceiving Ada

While Conceiving Ada was a small-budget film, it had all of the characteristics of a blockbuster: great costumes, intricate plot, good acting, and solid writing. For a film being made on the eve of the computer and internet boom, the themes Conceiving Ada delt with were spot on. The ability to send and receive information from remote points is something we utilize on a daily basis. While communication with the past seems quite far fetched, who knows, I suppose one day, well, actually, nevermind, its all poppycock. Regardless, the film was entertaining. The fact that we were given two seperate characters whose personality's were almost exactly the same was a smart choice. The dichotomy of the two characters worked well and had me intrigued throughout the film. The only thing I had a problem with was Charlene (the bird/agent). I didn't like the way the bird 'flew' through cyber-space with terms to locate and bring back to the present. The analogy is shoved down your throat: I get it, the bird flies through the internet, i don't need to see a toy bird actually flying to the past. It just took me out of the movie. While I don't have any specific ideas for an alternative agent, I still think all the 'bird' references were a bit much, even is Ada's nickname was Bird. Overall, for a small budget, 'sci'fi'/history drama, the movie worked.