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diff --git a/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/_index.md b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/_index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9e573e8 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/_index.md @@ -0,0 +1,22 @@ ++++ +title = "American SciFi" +author = ["Michał Sapka"] +date = 2024-04-14T20:59:00+02:00 +categories = ["brainrot"] +draft = false +weight = 3001 +primary_menu = "brain-rot" +abstract = "Random SciFi from USA" +[menu] + [menu.brain-rot] + weight = 3001 + identifier = "american-scifi" ++++ + +{{< menu "brain-rot-ascifi" >}} +Dune +{{< /menu >}} + +{{< menu-info >}} +sss +{{< /menu-info >}} diff --git a/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/colossus-1970.md b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/colossus-1970.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..07a27f4 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/colossus-1970.md @@ -0,0 +1,95 @@ ++++ +title = "Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970)" +author = ["Michał Sapka"] +date = 2024-03-03T16:52:00+01:00 +categories = ["brainrot"] +draft = false +weight = 3004 +primary_menu = "brain-rot-ascifi" +abstract = "A short review of SciFi classic" +aliases = ["/brain-rot/colosus-1970", "/blog/2024/colossus-1970/"] +[menu] + [menu.brain-rot-ascifi] + weight = 3004 + identifier = "colossus-the-forbin-project-1970" ++++ + +Finally, in my series of discovering the roots of cyberpunk in American Cyberpunk I've seen a real gem. + +_Colossus_ is a 1970 movie about a not-so-distant-future where Americans decide that it would be a great idea to give control of their military potential to a computer. +On paper, it sounds great - a computer has no emotions, so it will not be stopped by petty things, like morality. +Guess how well that turned out? +Soon after switching on, Colossus learns about the existence of another such system - The Guardian, in the territory of CCCP. + +{{< img-c "colossus-1970-0001.jpg" >}} +The movie starts with sexy old-comp scenes. +Fitting, as Control Data Corporation supplied close to 5 million USD in computer equipment. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "colossus-1970-0002.jpg" >}} +Sexy! +Rest of the movie is not as sexy. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "colossus-1970-0003.jpg" >}} +Colossus in person. +{{< /img-c >}} + +And then this SciFi thriller stops being so _crazy-computer_ focused, and analyzes _crazy-human_ reaction. +Colossus starts exhibiting features which were never implemented. +It[^fn:1] starts _demanding_ to be connected with the Guardian, so they can communicate. +And the scientist decide that it would be a great idea. +The computers start exchanging data and developing language. +Still - looks cool, let's see what happens. +Only after Colossus threatens humans with ICBMs, Forbin (Colossus's creator) starts thinking that maybe this wasn't the best idea. + +{{< img-c "colossus-1970-0004.jpg" >}} +At first Colossus communicates only via text. +Funny, as those screens sound like matrix printers. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "colossus-1970-0005.jpg" >}} +This one as well. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "colossus-1970-0006.jpg" >}} +Because it has a printer! +It took me half of the movie to get that. +Guess I'm too millenial for that to be obvious. +{{< /img-c >}} + +The movie is often described as an evil-computer story. +Colossus is never evil in the movie. +It does exactly what it was designed to do - to act without mercy. +The evil ones here are the humans who never stop and think that maybe we are on the verge of the end of humanity. + +So yeah, it's an movie about Altman. +We may have destroyed the civilization, but at lest we made a cool program which does things. +No one know what those things are, but those are details you should not worry about. + +Story wise, _Colossus: The Forbin Project_ holds splendidly. +Yes, we've got casual alcoholism and the female character exists only to have sex with Forbin[^fn:2]. +But the actual meat of the movie could be a base of an amazing movie today. +The questions and subject are more relevant now that half a century ago. +What was a huge _what-if_ scenario becomes a real _ok, but how do we stop it_. +The Pentagon is already working on militarization of AI[^fn:3]. +We're pretty much screwed already. + +The best SciFi is not about giant battles or space travel for space travel sake. +It's always about humans, a warning for us. +And the _best_ SciFi is a warning for the next generations, as the threads become more real as years go by. + +There is a moment in the movie, where the entire day of Forbin is planned and monitored by an AI. +What was a horror story, is now what a lot of us _expect_. + +_Colossus_ in a movie version of earlier book of same. +There are 2 more in the series, and (as I've been told), Aliens make an appearance later on. +Maybe someday! + +As for the movie, I give it a 4.25/5. + +[^fn:1]: There's an interesting discussion about what pronoum to use - He or It. +[^fn:2]: It is a plot point! + A terrible one, but still. +[^fn:3]: Vide: [Pentagon Official Lays Out DOD Vision for AI](https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3682355/pentagon-official-lays-out-dod-vision-for-ai/). + Note, it's from the official website of US Department of Defense. diff --git a/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/dune/_index.md b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/dune/_index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..062ae35 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/dune/_index.md @@ -0,0 +1,27 @@ ++++ +title = "Dune" +author = ["Michał Sapka"] +date = 2024-04-14T18:10:00+02:00 +categories = ["brainrot"] +draft = false +weight = 3005 +primary_menu = "brain-rot" +abstract = "The Dune series" +[menu] + [menu.brain-rot-ascifi] + weight = 3005 + identifier = "dune" + post = "series" ++++ + +{{< img-r "dune-1st-ed.jpg" >}} +Dune cover +{{< /img-r >}} + +{{< menu "brain-rot-dune" >}} +Dune +{{< /menu >}} + +{{< menu-info >}} +Dune +{{< /menu-info >}} diff --git a/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/dune/part-one-2021.md b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/dune/part-one-2021.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3ebc727 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/dune/part-one-2021.md @@ -0,0 +1,144 @@ ++++ +title = "Dune: Part One (2021)" +author = ["Michał Sapka"] +date = 2024-04-13T21:33:00+02:00 +categories = ["brainrot"] +draft = false +weight = 3001 +primary_menu = "brain-rot-dune" +abstract = "My review of an adaptation of the first part of an amazing book" +aliases = ["/brain-rot/dune/part-one-2021"] +[menu] + [menu.brain-rot-dune] + weight = 3001 + identifier = "dune-part-one-2021" + parent = "denis-movies" ++++ + +I'd like to call myself a Dune fan, but I am not. +I have finished my Dune adventure on _Heretics_ and only now am I planning to finish the saga[^fn:1] +Though, I think this still puts me well above most people calling themselves fans now. +I loved eveything I've read, but I have never reached the end. + +_Dune: Part 1_ is the second movie based on the 1956 Frank Herbert's classic SciFi epic. +Well, it is not. +It is the third attempt to show the first half of the book. +There was the David Lynch verion (which I adore) and there was a TV Series. +There were also games, but only two of those have any resemblance to the plot of the book. +So yeah, Dune was considered impossible to transfer to any other medium. +Sadly, I still have to agree. + +I think everybody (and their dogs) know what _Dune_ is about but: +_Dune_ is a story of distant future, where all powerful houses rule the known universe. +The technological progress was halted thousands of years ago, after a thinking machines raged a war against humanity. +After their defeat it was forbidden to create such machines. +Arrakis (aka Dune) is a sand planet, the only known source of _Spice_ - a narcotic allowing humans to traverse time, and therefore spaceflight. +Spaceships are operated by mutated humans, who after exposure to Spice can see into the future and steer the ships. +Now, the Emperor orders the control of the planet to be shifted to th House of Atreides. +The previous stewards, House of Harkonen will not make it any easier. + +Ignoring the mutants, this sounds like a run-of-the-mill SF series. +But _Dune_ It is also story of social engineering spanning millennia, of false prophets, and a million other crazy things. +The first book keeps it _almost_ sane, but there is a significant dictionary attached, and the first time reader will need to use it extensively. +Later the saga goes completely off the rails. +We'll get back to this. + +Note, that _Frank Herbert_ wrote only the first few books. +After his death, his son - _Brian Herbet_ took over and wrote dozens of other ones. +The quality differs significantly, as I've been told. +I've read the _Houses_ trilogy, and it was quite nice. + +Now that we've got the introduction out of the way, let's go to the movie. +Let me start with saying that I adore it. +It's not what I'd want (as the young vloggers say "hear me out face value it's as close to perfect SF movie as they go. + +_Dune: Part 1_ is directed by Denis Vileneuve, who previously directed some of the greatest SF movies of this century - _Arrival_ and _Blade Runner 2049_. +His other movies are also amazing (I can't recommend _Enemy_ enough), so I was pretty stoked when it was announced that he will direct _Dune_. +I am no longer a movie buff[^fn:2], but he may very well be my favorite living director. + +Technically, I can not find any fault with the movie. +The story makes sense (I'll return to Lynch in a second), which by itself is an achievement. +The acting is superb, and works as a reminder that TV series are still not on the level of the greatest movies. +The special effects are astounding[^fn:3]. +The music is, for the most part, at least great. +I hated the main theme with screaming lady. +Music is supposed to work with the movie, not to hide it with loud noises! +But that's the only thing I disliked. + +{{< img-c "dune-part1-001.webp" "https://movie-screencaps.com/dune-2021/" >}} +Jessicas portrayal is amazing. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "dune-part1-002.webp" "https://movie-screencaps.com/dune-2021/" >}} +ALL costumes are amazing +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "dune-part1-003.webp" "https://movie-screencaps.com/dune-2021/" >}} +CGI is amazing. +The movie looks amazing. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "dune-part1-004.webp" "https://movie-screencaps.com/dune-2021/" >}} +Have mentioned how amazing this movie looks? +{{< /img-c >}} + +I loved the tempo of this movie, as I never enjoyed action-packed shoot fests of the _other franchise dominating cinema for decades_. +Everything is slow - the actors speak slowly, the scene have time to breath, the camera is moving on a low gear. +Even things fall down slowly! +This adds an amazing dream-like feeling to most scenes. +Sometimes I felt like I'm watching a _Tarkovsky_ movie and not a big budget Hollywood blockbuster. + +And this the greatest and worst thing here. +It's meditative. +You feel like yoy are in a trance. +You fully buy accept you see here. + +But the world of Dune is weird. +It is full of things that make you go "huh?". +It has mutants who traverse time, but it also got mutants who are computers. +There are reanimated corpses, living furniture, hollow planets, vision quests. +Denis omitted everything that was not essential to the plot, and what he left, he grounded in reality by omitting the _wtf_. +There are not even the crazy names! +Some strange things he left, but they are shown without explanation. +It's just there, without any context. +But, to be fair - context would only add confusion. + +But this is where _Lynchs_ version shines. +It makes little sense, it is rushed - sure. +But it conveys how twisted the world is. +It's not a trace, it's a full on narcotic trip straight out of some hippie story. + +And this is why I don't think that this movie is a _great_ adaptation of Dune. +It is a _great_ movie on its own. +It perfectly adapts the adaptable and pretends that there is nothing else. +It makes _Dune: Part 1_ the hit that it is, and it allowed us to get _Part 2_. +But since making this move appeal to mass audience is not my problem, I'd like to see the full picture. + +It'd also like to see the world less cold. +The architecture is devoid of heart, it's brutalistic. +It looks amazing (I think I mentioned that), but the crazy colors and abstract layouts we see in Lynch version is something else. +It's a Vileneuve style. +It looks exactly like his previous movies - it's controlled, clean, _cold_. +As much as I loved it in his other works, I'm not sure if it fits the degenerate houses we meet. + +But that's just me. +As it stands, this is a groundbreaking movie which makes me want more. +Not only more of _Dune_ but more of serious, intelligent SciFi movies. +We had those and may get more! + +It's better in any conceivable way compared to all previous attempts at adapting the source material, and I think all my nitpicks are kina moot. +It fits 2024 esthetic and it's crazy intelligent. + +Highest recommendation from me. +4.75/4 + +And, hey! +Sardukars no longer look like welders! + +[^fn:1]: Right after finishing the Witcher saga. +[^fn:2]: not to brag, but I was a semiprofessional film critic during college years. + I had a press pass and all! +[^fn:3]: Ornititopthers look just like in the _Dune_ game! + This strangely works with how believable everything is. + All flying ships have this strange physics, which I have hard time explaining. + They are not like you X-Wings, but they fit the world. diff --git a/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/dune/part-two-2024.md b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/dune/part-two-2024.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ee63039 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/dune/part-two-2024.md @@ -0,0 +1,130 @@ ++++ +title = "Dune: Part Two (2024)" +author = ["Michał Sapka"] +date = 2024-04-16T16:44:00+02:00 +categories = ["brainrot"] +draft = false +weight = 3002 +primary_menu = "brain-rot-dune" +abstract = "My review of an adaptation of the second part of an amazing book" +aliases = ["/brain-rot/dune/part-two-2024"] +[menu] + [menu.brain-rot-dune] + weight = 3002 + identifier = "dune-part-two-2024" + parent = "denis-movies" ++++ + +It's here, it's finally here. +_Dune_ joins the very small club of SciFi books with amazing adaptations. +When _Part One_ hit the screens, people were amazed that it was so good. +Now, with _Part Two_, we hear that it's even better than the first one! + +But I was very skeptical. +The trailers seemed to indicate a train wreck. +They were full of explosions, angry screaming guys and the taglines about war. +Dune was never _about_ war. +War was in there, but it was never the point. +But cinema, SciFi especially, loves special effects, and big-booms are amongst the most used. +I dislike a lot of SciFi movies from the USA, as the (so called) spectacle is all there is[^fn:1]. + +But what the hell, I chose an IMAX experience nevertheless. +The first _Dune_ was breathtaking, so why not? + +And then the movie started, and my worries were replaced with anger. +What the hell is this? +Soldier banter? +Puppy-eyes? +Joking? +It's a SciFi war movie. +There are preparing for the _specle_ +_Dirty Fremen Dozen_! +_Independence Day of Arrakis_! + +{{< img-c "dune-part2-001.jpg" >}} +Arrakis 90210 +{{< /img-c >}} + +But, just as the action moved to Giedi Prime, the movie completely transformed. +What was mediocre, became absolutely marvelous! + +Now, after seeing and rethinking the movie, it makes sense. +It's a not _sequel_ to _Dune_, but _part two_. +It doesn't start in act 1, as that was in the last movie. +The first chunk of this movie is a cool-down after the ending in of _Part One_. +Both _Dune_ movies should be treated as one long movie. +Much more than Kill Bill, as we have no clear _ending_ between the two. +_Part One_ ends with finishing of the Harkonen attack plot, which only ignites events of this movie. +And looking at it as one one big movie, I have to say: wow! + +They made some changes to Herbert's text, but I like them. +Fremen are no longer a singular force that Paul uses. +The movie version of them is divided, having different cultures. +Maybe it's too black and white, but it's a nice change. + +Similarly, Chani become a multidimensional character. +And while yes, Jessicas portrayal makes Chanis character shine much less, it's still a great change. +But the way Rebecca Ferguson plays Jessica is nothing short of wonder. +She starts scared, but loyal to both, Paul and Bene Gesserit. +After becoming the reverent mother however she becomes menacing. +With this comes another change - Alia is not born here. +She is talking with her mother telepathically, but at the end of the movie she is still to be born[^fn:2]. +That's a dangerous change, but it works perfectly because the tone Jessica uses when talking with her - calm, silent, almost a whisper, yet still menacing. +I can not stress it enough - Rebecca is perfect here. + +But the biggest change is the introduction of scenes from _Dune Messiah_. +You see, _Dune_ was often seen as a savior story. +Paul was to be the good guy, who comes and saves the day. +This is as far from what Frank Herbert envisioned as possible, so he wrote a short sequel book. +This movie vision introduces plot points and scenes taken directly from that book, so the meaning behing the story is much more obvious. +I think it's a good change, as we already see folks arguing against _Dune_ due to this misconception. +This way it defends itself. + +{{< img-c "dune-part2-002.jpg" >}} +Jessica in all of her glory +{{< /img-c >}} + +Luckily, this movie is much weirder than _Part One_. +While last time Dennis omitted a lot, here he shows more _things_[^fn:3], but still there is no context. +We see the finger of the Baron, but we never learn what actually is there. +It comes as an Easter Egg for old time fans, which is nice as it takes nothing from the story. +But then there is Geidi Prime which is monochromatic, empty and cold - in the scariest way. +I'd love to see more of this side the world, but we got it spot on. +And Fayd? +Where Lynch gave us half-naked Sting, Austin Butler is a psychopath. +This is the Beast we all deserve! +This is the stuff nightmares are made of. + +I am happy to report that this is not a war movie. +It's _Dune_ full of plots within plots, mysticism and (lastly) war. + +Unfortunately, once again I am not happy with the music. +While most of the tracks are good (or great), the main theme is even worse than last time. +It's now layered over a lot more noise, making it this much more annoying. +It decreased my enjoyment of many of the greatest scenes. +Luckily, there is also new theme so this screaming woman may not follow us into the third movie. + +So, _Dune Part II_ is an excellent movie, but _Dune_ the complete story is a marvel. +It's the greatest thing I've seen in American SciFi in a very long time. +It's what it should be. +While not flawless, it's as close to what I'd imagine as a _perfect_ _Dune_ as it comes. +The movie gets a 4.75 from me (same as the first one), but looking at both _Dunes_ as a single movie? +Then it goes to a 5. +I don't think we will get anywhere close to this level of quality anytime soon. +What _Baldurs Gate III_ made for cRPG, _Dune_ makes to _SciFi cinema_. + +And, I love that Christofer Walken is once again in the Dune universe. +He warned us about the Worm years ago. + +{{< img-c "dune-part2-003.webp" >}} +Fayd in all of his glory +{{< /img-c >}} + +\*\* + +[^fn:1]: I still remember how bored I was when I watched _Iron Man 3_. + The last decade of the movie runtime was filled with a non-stop battle. + The movie stopped and all was left was CGI. +[^fn:2]: Kinda fitting. + _Arrival_ had a very similar take on what a human is. +[^fn:3]: No chairdogs though diff --git a/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/ghost-in-the-machine-1993.md b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/ghost-in-the-machine-1993.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..747a8c0 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/ghost-in-the-machine-1993.md @@ -0,0 +1,48 @@ ++++ +title = "Ghost in the Machine (1993)" +author = ["Michał Sapka"] +date = 2024-02-09T22:59:00+01:00 +categories = ["brainrot"] +draft = false +weight = 3003 +primary_menu = "brain-rot-ascifi" +abstract = "My mirco reviview of a computer thriller" +aliases = ["/brain-rot/ghost-in-the-machine", "/blog/2024/ghost-in-the-machine/"] +[menu] + [menu.brain-rot-ascifi] + weight = 3003 + identifier = "ghost-in-the-machine-1993" ++++ + +Talk about a surprise! +I was expecting a _schlock_, but I've seen a nice move. +A dumb one, but still. + +The plot is the biggest problem: a serial killer has an MRI and due to electric storm gets his soul moved to computer network. +With this, he becomes able to: + +- kill person by moving to a microwave and changing its settings, +- kill a dog by arousing it with a TV program (using nothing by electric breakers), then hitting the dog with a VHS tape ejected from a VHS player which causes the animal to run towards the pool + +{{< img-r "ghost-in-the-machine.jpg" >}} +Cover +{{< /img-r >}} + +It makes as little sense in the context of the movie as it does here. +But the acting is (at the very least) acceptable and the FX are better than they should - and there is a lot of them. +Moreover, the camera work is crazy! +The movie _looks_ better than it should. +It seems that this dumb, little movie got more passion in it than the entire MCU combined. + +The problem is that I have no idea what was going on. +People were dying, cool computer interfaces were shown, but the plot barely connected those scenes together. + +It's a classic thriller from early days of personal computing revolution. +I enjoyed it a lot. +It is not a _good_ movie, but it is enjoyable. + +I give it a `3.0/5.` + +links: + +- [Ghost in the Machine on TVDB](https://utf.thetvdb.com/movies/ghost-in-the-machine) diff --git a/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/hardware-1990.md b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/hardware-1990.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a2f0737 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/hardware-1990.md @@ -0,0 +1,208 @@ ++++ +title = "Hardware (1990)" +author = ["Michał Sapka"] +date = 2024-02-17T19:39:00+01:00 +categories = ["brainrot"] +draft = false +weight = 3002 +primary_menu = "brain-rot-ascifi" +abstract = "My mirco reviview of a killer-robot thriller" +aliases = ["/brain-rot/hardware-1990", "/blog/2024/hardware-1990/"] +[menu] + [menu.brain-rot-ascifi] + weight = 3002 + identifier = "hardware-1990" ++++ + +I ue my descend into American cyberpunk cinema[^fn:1]. +I spent my formative years watching _Anime, art house_ and ignoring most of USA movies. +This means I haven't watched a lot of the _cult_ movies out there. + +_Hardware_ is a 1990 movie about a killer robot in a post-nuclear world. +Think of a mix of Terminator, Aliens and Short Circuit. + +I heard of this movie years ago, but it seemed to be noting more than a cash grab after the success of _Terminator_ - a movie which I don't partially enjoy. +After watching, I have to say that there was a of true in this assumption. +But somehow I ended enjoying _Hardware_ much more. + +Not that the story is better - if anything, it is much simpler, or just plain _simplistic_. +Say what you will about _Terminator_, but the basic premise was great. +_Hardware_ on the other hand doesn't offer a great idea. +This is a straight movie about a killer robot. + +However, I enjoyed it more, as it is much closer to what _Alien[^fn:2]_ achieved +The entire action is encapsulated in only a few, closed locations. +Half of the runtime is spent in a single apartment, where the _Mark-13_ robot shows up from to time a try to murder someone. +Much like the _Nostromo_! + +This allowed the movie to be **stunning** visually. +I loved every frame here! +I know that most of the effect is based on fog and lighting, but I dig it! +Just take a look at the gallery below. + +Another thing which reminded me of _Alien_ is how they handled the special effects of the _monster_. +We see very little of _Mark-13_ - he is often hard to see, covered in darkness. +From time to time we see his movements, and well. +Hiding him was clearly a good idea... just like with the _Xenomorph_. + +All in all, I enjoyed the movie. +I'm not calling it one of my favorites, but I enjoyed every minute of its short runtime. + +I give it a `3.5/5`. + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0001.jpg" >}} +Red sky of postnuclear... summer? +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0002.jpg" >}} +The Nomad. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0003.jpg" >}} +Nomad searching the desert for stuff for sale. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0004.jpg" >}} +An ordinary store. +Great vibes! +Fun for the whole family. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0005.jpg" >}} +Same store, different view. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0006.jpg" >}} +The perfect glasses. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0007.jpg" >}} +Seems like somene realy liked Jin-Roh. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0008.jpg" >}} +What posses as art now. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0009.jpg" >}} +Computer we want but don't deserve. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0010.jpg" >}} +An art studio. Nothing out of the ordinary. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0011.jpg" >}} +Remember when spirituality was cool? +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0012.jpg" >}} +Let's give our murder-robot eyes from a camera lense. +I'm sure no one will drop it. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0013.jpg" >}} +UI we all want. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0014.jpg" >}} +What lurks in the shadows. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0015.jpg" >}} +Yup, Jin-Roh. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0016.jpg" >}} +Yankee-Roh. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0017.jpg" >}} +With some striking shadows. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0018.jpg" >}} +I have become bread, the destroyer of worlds. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0019.jpg" >}} +Prelude... +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0020.jpg" >}} +And the (most likely) last usage of a refrigerator as a safe place which makes any sense in the history of cinema. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0021.jpg" >}} +Yup, a hand. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0022.jpg" >}} +Hold the presses! +The glasses are back! +I repeat: the glasses are back. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0023.jpg" >}} +Mark-13 in all of its glory. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0024.jpg" >}} +This is only a window, but what a window it is. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0025.jpg" >}} +They have not used Wilhelm's scream. +What a wasted opportunity. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0026.jpg" >}} +In 2024 those are rookie number when it comes to unnecessary lights inside a computer. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0027.jpg" >}} +I am a sucker for this type of fish eye. +Always reminds me of _City of Lost Children._ +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0028.jpg" >}} +It doesn't get more era-apporiate than this. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0029.jpg" >}} +Ok, it does. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0030.jpg" >}} +One of the few CGI moments here. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0031.jpg" >}} +And one of _many_ lighting shots. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0032.jpg" >}} +Look how black it is. Classy. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0033.jpg" >}} +But does it run Quake? +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "hardware-1990-0034.jpg" >}} +Back to the desert, like a fine sandwich. +{{< /img-c >}} + +And a few nice _gore_ sceenes which I won't show it. +This is a family-friendly website! + +Links: + +- [Hardware on TVDB](https://thetvdb.com/movies/hardware) +- [Director's official website](https://www.theofficialrichardstanley.com/) + +[^fn:1]: I disagree with calling those movies "cyberpunk" as they lack the "punk" element... or most of "cyber". + No one rebels against the system, no one enters the _cyberspace_. + But following this definition, I am not sure if we can call any movie other than _Johny Menomic_ a _Cyberpunk_. + Often we put all dark-sf into "cyberpunk" genre, which limits our ability to be pricks about it. +[^fn:2]: Aka "the clearly superior of the _Alien_ series" diff --git a/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/lawnmower-man/lawmower-man-1992.md b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/lawnmower-man/lawmower-man-1992.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2df893f --- /dev/null +++ b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/lawnmower-man/lawmower-man-1992.md @@ -0,0 +1,96 @@ ++++ +title = "The Lawnmower Man (1992)" +author = ["Michał Sapka"] +date = 2024-02-19T23:03:00+01:00 +categories = ["brainrot"] +draft = false +weight = 3002 +primary_menu = "brain-rot" +abstract = "My mirco reviview of a vr killer thriller" +aliases = ["/blog/2024/lawmower-man-1992/", "brain-rot/lawnmower-man/lawmower-man-1992/"] +[menu] + [menu.brain-rot-ascifi] + weight = 3002 + identifier = "the-lawnmower-man-1992" + parent = "lawnmower-man" ++++ + +Back in the glorious 90s, when kids still enjoyed linear TV, we had _Polsat_. +In the post-communist Poland, this was the first _western_ TV station. +Filled with western movies, and western series[^fn:1] +Among those, there were constant replays of _The Lawnmower Man_[^fn:2] +I watched it on every occasion and loved it. + +Now, 30 years later it is time for a rewatch. +No cyberpunk deep dive can be considered a good one without _The Lawnmower Man_. + +_The Lawnmower Man_ is a movie about a disabled lawnmower man, Jobe, who, with the usage of virtual reality, becomes a genius. +Soon after, an Evil Company, stars secretly giving him drugs contracted by the military. +And as result, he starts exhibiting mind reading abilities and telekinesis (because, obviously, why not?). +We've got the (popular at the time) subtext about the dangers of corporates who, without supervision, play God. +Somehow we stopped doing that, and now we've got Altman killing humanity with the clap of happy crowd. +_Lawmower Man_ is a movie about a great technology twisted by corporate overlords. +Fitting. + +Jobe becomes a psychic, genius killer (like every mad genius), who decides to take over the cyberspace. + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-1992-0001.jpg" >}} +Remember when huge companies were scary? +{{< /img-c >}} + +The movie was initially released as a _Stephen King_ movie. +King, however, sued the producers, as the movie has nothing to do the short story of the same name. +And he won, because it was based on original script called _CyberGod_. +Damn, I miss _cyber_ sounding cool. +They should have the original name, instead of forcing King on everyone. +And yes, I know King was the king back then. + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-1992-0002.jpg" >}} +That's one way to save your neck from Apple Vision +{{< /img-c >}} + +The movie is we have here is a much dumbed down version of _Flowers for Algeron_, which I intend to finally read. +I don't think anyone ever called it a _good_ movie, and for a good reason. +It's cool, it's got great cyberspace CGI, it's got Pierce Brosnan. +It also has an opening scene with a monkey using a gun, so yeah. + +Story-wise is as straight forward as it gets. +The first half is full of sweet shots of grass and sexualization of a lawnmower. +And the most awkward sex scene I've seen in ages... or two. +Then, through a heavy-handed comment about religion and corporations we go the killing part. + +This movie fails as horror (there is not even blood or any scare here), and fails as morality play (it's not smart enough). +But it is a testament to the glorious time, when _cyberspace_ was magical and full of potential. +We sure deserve more of that. + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-1992-0006.jpg" >}} +The cyberspace we all need. +{{< /img-c >}} + +I give it a 3.0/5. + +I was **sure** the ending of this film was from the sequel. +But nope - I don't remember anything from the second one. +Therefore, see you on the other side, _Beyond Cyberspace_. + +If anything, it's a great movie to show everyone how amazing trackballs are. +And we all know it is a fact. +No one can tell me otherwise. + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-1992-0004.jpg" >}} +The hidden star of the movie, right behind that hairy guy. +Look at that keyboard! +Look at how beige it is! +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-1992-0005.jpg" >}} +Cyber God indeed. +{{< /img-c >}} + +[^fn:1]: And Polish version of those. + We had a great copy of _The Honeymooners_ named _Miodowe Lata_. + The translation of the title is surprisingly spot-on. +[^fn:2]: Under an amazingly translated title, which would translate back as _The Lawmower Man of Minds_. + Perfection. + We knew _Dirty Dancing_ as _Spinning Sex_ and _Die Hard_ as _Glass Trap_. + Those were simpler times. diff --git a/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/lawnmower-man/lawmower-man-2-1996.md b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/lawnmower-man/lawmower-man-2-1996.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5ab9ec9 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/lawnmower-man/lawmower-man-2-1996.md @@ -0,0 +1,131 @@ ++++ +title = "Lawmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace (1996)" +author = ["Michał Sapka"] +date = 2024-02-23T20:29:00+01:00 +categories = ["brainrot"] +draft = false +weight = 3001 +primary_menu = "brain-rot" +abstract = "My mirco reviview of the sequeo to a vr killer thriller" +aliases = ["/blog/2024/lawmower-man-2-1996//", "brain-rot/lawnmower-man/lawmower-man-2-1996/"] +[menu] + [menu.brain-rot-ascifi] + weight = 3001 + identifier = "lawmower-man-2-beyond-cyberspace-1996" + parent = "lawnmower-man" ++++ + +Fun fact: I remembered close to nothing about this movie back. +When I was watching the first, everything seems familiar. +Here? +Not so much. +Guess _Polsat_ consider the second one too expensive for regular broadcast. + +In _Lawnmawer Man[^fn:1]_ we meet Jobe, now a genius being living in the cyberspace. +But not so much, because in the first few minutes of _Lawmnower Man 2_ we learn that he has not left his meatsuit for the cyberspace. +The explosion at the lab left him an amputee. +But his talents are now in use of the Evil Corporation designing the future of cyberspace. + +Of course, Jobe wants the cyberspace for himself. + +The general plot seems similar to the first one, but they are very much different. +The plot is much more complex, there are many more explosions and I think it makes much less sense than the first one. +I would rate it at 2/5. + +But the biggest difference is that this movie is target towards certain audience. +_Lawmower Man_ was a kid-friendly horror. +_Lawmower Man 2_ is a kids' movie. +They completely removed the part which tried to be scary. + +We've got bunch od kids (and a dog) fighting and winning against a grown-up. +Yes, they get the help from an adult - the creator of cyberspace. +But the main heroes are the kids. +And the main target are the kids. + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0002.jpg" >}} +Kids flying in cyberspace +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0012.jpg" >}} +And flying even more. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0003.jpg" >}} +Dog preparing to save a day... +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0004.jpg" >}} +And saving the day by inserting a CD in the drive. +How can anyone consider this to be a movie for adoults? +{{< /img-c >}} + +I've read that the director was locked out of the editing room as he was trying to make a different movie. +The producers said a firm "no" and made _Lawmower Man 2_ close to the likes of _Goonies_, _Explorers_ or _Flight of the Navigator_. +It never reaches the coolness of those, but it tries. +A lot of people on the interweb bash the movie on logical problems or being goofy. +Yes - occasionally the plot makes so little sense that they needed to add voice over explaining why the hell the _gang_ is going where they are going. +Yes, it has a dog who saves the day. +38 years old me was not amused, but the 10-year-old inside me screamed "yeah! Radical!". +He was not doing well with being _modern_ back then as well. + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0005.jpg" >}} +Her hair is the closest thing to a "scare" in the entire movie +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0006.jpg" >}} +This hippie is the inventor of VR. +Tech geniuses leaving all the tech behind to live in the wild is now more real than ever +{{< /img-c >}} + +Jobe is being played by Matt Frewer, who quite often acts like Jim Carey, which is fitting. +He is not the magical-killer he used to be. +He is goofy. + +Even the music sounds like something Spielberg would use. + +There is no Pierce Brosnan here, as only Austin O'Brien returns from the first one, once again reprising the role of Peter Parkette. + +My biggest gripe is the special effect here. +The movie takes place in the future, so we're no longer seeing green grass. +The real world vibe is close to _Blade Runner_ or _Dark City_. +I dig it! + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0001.jpg" >}} +Cyberpunk! +I'm pretty sure that almost all those scenes happened on the same crossroad. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0011.jpg" >}} +Almost Blade Runner. +{{< /img-c >}} + +But then there is the _cyberspace_. +In _Lawmower Man_ we had amazing, early CGI closer to an acid trip than anything else. +Here, the cyberspace looks like ours. +They just added CGI here and there. +It looks like an episode of _The Next Generation_, but without most of the campiness. +For the most part it is competent, but there is no spark. +It's not _cool_. + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0010.jpg" >}} +Our first meeting with new Jobe in the cyberspace. +Yes, this is VR-forest. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0007.jpg" >}} +Cyberspace here give more of FMV-game kind of vibe than I would have expected +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0008.jpg" >}} +The VR here more social than what Apple showed. +{{< /img-c >}} + +{{< img-c "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0009.jpg" >}} +Luckily, sometimes the VR almost delivers. +{{< /img-c >}} + +But the 10-year-old me would not care. +He would rate it as 3.75/5 or "that was cool!". +But he he wasn't picky at all. + +[^fn:1]: Vide: [my review of Lawmower Man](/blog/2024/lawmower-man-1229/). diff --git a/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/severance/season1.md b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/severance/season1.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..988c3a0 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/brain-rot/american-scifi/severance/season1.md @@ -0,0 +1,62 @@ ++++ +title = "Severance (Season 1)" +author = ["Michał Sapka"] +date = 2024-04-24T22:26:00+02:00 +categories = ["brainrot"] +draft = false +weight = 3001 +primary_menu = "brain-rot" +abstract = "A short review of SciFi classic" +aliases = ["/brain-rot/tv/severance-season1//"] +[menu] + [menu.brain-rot-ascifi] + weight = 3001 + identifier = "severance-season-1" ++++ + +Oh how I love SciFi without action scenes! +Sevarance is a story based on a great premise: an all powerful company is able to sever a person into two. +One gets to live outside the company clock; the other only in the office. +Both share the same body, but are completely different and have their memories separated. + +{{< rating 4.0 "severance-s1.jpg" >}} +Cover +{{< /rating >}} + +Apple tried to position itself in a small niche of the wider streaming service pool. +When Netflix and others produce one mediocre show after another, Apple is much slower and (seems to) focus on quality. +It allows itself riskier productions. + +_Severance_ plays very much like an independent movie. +It's minimal in presentation, I would even call it _cold_ as everything serves a goal. +Most of the show happens either in a soulless office building, or in a few semi-empty locations. +Somehow, for the first few episodes I had strong reminiscence of Shane Carruth's works. +Those have close to nothing in common with _Severance_, but the feeling was there. +And I love Curroths's works! + +The plot develops slowly and in an interesting way, everything points towards a great SciFi. +I was heavily invested in the plot, wanting to know what was hidden underneath. + +Unfortunately, it's a typical modern TV series. +Its runtime is expanded thin, we've got romance and unnecessary threads. +Remember when they made three huge movies out of Hobbit? +Yeah, it's the same here. +What would have been an _amazing_ movie is a _good_ TV show. + +It's stretched _almost_ into a self-parody. +They tried to have a mass appeal and with it, they lessen the story significantly. +I think they had material for 2 hours movie, maybe a miniseries. +But for multiple seasons? +I sure hope to be wrong, but it seems that it will the same as it was with _Westworld_. +Great start, but it's all downhill from here. + +The biggest offender here is the last episode which serves only the second season. +Such high-addrenaline scene had no place in _this_ story. +But hey, let's make people remember about that season 2 that we will make someday. + +For me _Severance_ is a perfect example of current TV drama state. +You can clearly see that it was made with passion, it could have been great. +But screw that, let's have it for four years. +Fill her up, please. + +It's very good as a TV show nevertheless. |