Klaatu Barada Nikto

        What makes a great Sci-fi film?  Lasers, Robots and Spaceships?  Well the 1951 “The Day the Earth Stood Still” encompassed all of these traits and paved the way for future Science Fiction movies.  

        Watching it recently, it made me truly appreciate the roots of not only Science fiction films, but the whole history of compelling film making.  Although the film has strong Sci-fi tones, its use of thoughtful story telling and the underlining theme of Human conquest and paranoia, shows exactly how fragile we are as a society.

        People will look at that same film with different mind frames.  Comparatively, it is a Neanderthalish film for today’s standards.  But, if you think back to 1951, you could see why it became an instant classic.   Its use of lighting tells a story in itself.  Using the condensed dramatic eye lighting, shows the fear Helen, played by Patricia Neal, has while aboard the spaceship.  The crispness of the black and white again creates an eerie yet picturesc tone throughout the film.  

       The acting is over dramatic, as were most of the films in this era.  However, it shows well the paranoia brought forth by the mysterious alien from over 250 million miles away.   Klaatu, played by Michael Rennie, was an excellent choice.  As I read the inside jacket of the DVD, it explains the choice.  Michael Rennie  was a British actor not known by the American audience, so when he first appears without his space helmet, he is sterile to the North American audience. 

       For collector’s, this is a must have.  For film students, this is a definite have.  And for anyone else who enjoys substance to a world of sub-plot less Sci-Fi films, this is an essential experience. 

It is a black screen for a few seconds into the trailer.

A Platformer Which Makes Mario Look Like a Pile of Puke.

Mario brothers paved the way for side scrolling games, but much has changed since the tenacious plumber rolled onto the scene.  A new fascination with side-scrollers or platform games have created a new niche for artistically designed games. 

The latest in the complex puzzle driven side scrolling games, Limbo, relies solely on artistic beauty rather than innovation.  Although there isn’t much known about Limbo, www.limbogame.org . 

What is known is that it is being developed by Arnt Jensen, who has been developer for games such as Freedom Fighters

and Hitman 2.  It has been recently infused with funding from the Danish Government, just to make sure the game is finished comfortably and with the help of other professionals.  With it’s film noire style artwork, the game looks more like a dream straight out of Tim Burton’s head. 

Gritty and compelling, are two words that can accurately display the first impressions of this game.  As I said before, there are very few details on the game thus far, but I am hoping that more information will be released soon. 

If this game looks intriguing to you, then check out another artistically inclined scroller called Braid.  A strong puzzle based game is a great lead up to Limbo.

Hail Thee Technology!

It accesses and sends files, opens doors, maintains heart beats and keeps us up to date on "Branjolina," but does technology keep us together or does it push us further away from one another?

The internet is a hell of a thing, it has made business easier with rapid emails, video conferences and Iinstant Messaging services, but are we losing touch with our humanity as we use this technology? Sure, things like Facebook, MySpace and instant messaging clients like MSN messenger and Yahoo chat, have allowed us to maintain relationships with people we would have otherwise lost contact with years ago. However, how strong are these connections? are they merely things we feel are obligations or do we truly care about our 300+ friends on our contact list? Human nature and time act like waves on our sandbank of connections, it wipes away footprints that we have left in the past. On the other hand, with the advances of communication technology we have erected superficial and temporary barriers around each one of these connections, or foot steps. It shouldn't be a competition to have the most friends, but it shouldn't be difficult to maintain close relationships with a handful of people.

When I question humanity, I question whether we are beginning to think and communicate with more robotic mannerisms. Much like machinery we define a complicated thing, like languages, into a more simplistic lexicon. Things like BRB, ROFL and the dreaded LOL, have become such a strong staple in our society, it is being entertained by all media facets. Dropped in television shows, movies and even book titles, it hammers itself further into the English language. Even though the English language is evolving by growing and expanding, it could be said as the opposite, that if we took away the words we are losing or have lost, then the language would be decreasing into catch phrases and acronyms.

Instant pudding was just the beginning; a surge in instant gratification has pushed us for the demand of instant happiness. "Good things come to those who wait" is a saying that no longer applies to most of society. We have gotten so use to the "instant" factor that we come to expect it, rather than it being a privilege. As it was mentioned before, email and IM has allowed us to get instant answers from people in every corner of the globe. But hardly any of us have sent a letter to someone, in the same way we send emails. Yes, the cost is next to nothing with email, but this was a archaic technology that we relied on for years, going back to the dawn of communication, and now it is more or less left in the dust of technological advancement.

If we rely on the instant and easy technology, what happens in the event we are left without it. Many of us have been in that situation where the power is out and the only activities you can think of to pass the time require electricity. I am not saying we should revolt from technology and energy supplies, like hydro and fossil fuels, but to have a back up for when these things fail.

As technology evolves, society and humanity will simultaneously evolve with it, and this should be something that is watched closely. If we allow ourselves to rely soley on these advancements, we will be lost if and when it disappears.

To nerd or not to nerd? Is that a simple question?

With society filled with retro hipsters, being a nerd isn't such a horrible stigma anymore.  Or is it?

Reading comics and playing D&D won't leave you living in your parent's basement anymore.  With uncool becoming cool again, dressing the part of the nerd is now socially acceptable, But why?

A few years ago celebrating the nerd culture, would have left you watching Babylon 5 reruns on a friday night.  Its programs like "Attack of the Show," which showcase the best of nerd and tech culture.  Now I am not oppose to the nerd culture, I celebrate with my Darth Vader helmet, but I am just curious why the attitudes have changed so fast.

Perhaps its the popularity of comic book movies, like Spiderman and Batman, which have made the reading of the back story socially acceptable.

Not all Nerdage, new coined phrase, leaves you Mr./Mrs. Cool.  Being a hardcore nerd still leaves you alone outside of your counterparts.  Things like old Star Trek and Battlestar Gallactica episodes are still too much for the average nerd to handle.

Determining Your Nerd Level

1)  You have used a wrapping paper tube as a light sabre, and made the corresponding sounds with ur mouth.

2)  Instead of a bikini/underwear model poster, you have a signed photo of the entire cast of Star Trek: Next Generation.

3)  You can recite full scenes of Monty Python's Holy Grail.

4)  You've gone to a comic-con as something other than yourself.

5)  You have a 10 page list of editing errors on a show that contains one or all of the following: lasers, spaceships, Jedi's, Spock's, ghosts or robots.

If you answered yes to three or more questions, you're too much nerd for society to handle. Answering one to two means you may read some comics, but the more mainstream, like superman or batman. If you answered yes to none, then you are fonzie-esc, the epitome of cool.

Being a nerd will eventually go out of fashion, but until then keep searching for those droids you are looking for.

- Robert

Do You Have the Electronic Cold Sweats?

In the midst of the information age, society has craved constant change in electronics. Has this craze gone to a complete addiction of electronics and electronic media?



It is easy to see that as our technology changes rapidly, we become more accustomed to having the newest and the best of these new technologies. The perfect example comes in cell phones, and their emphasis on the latest and the greatest. Apple has just recently revised the ever popular iPhone, to the new iPhone 3G. The original iPhone was released in the United States on June 29th, 2007, and the newest installation, 3G, was just released July 11th, 2008. Even though it left a lot of the apple fan boys disappointed in the quick upgrade, which rendered their iPhones obsolete, they still lined up for hours to get the latest edition of the smart phone.



The next prominent example is the internet. With a boundless supply of software and multimedia, it is easy to see why the service is so addicting. A major part of culture today comes from finding the most extreme and funny videos. The social networking tool is another aspect, which would keep users on the internet for hours. Much like the cell phone, huge internet usage is spent posting pictures and keeping in contact with friends.



There are even sites dedicated to device and multimedia addiction. The best example is crackberry.com, which feeds on the life consuming blackberries.



Technological feats are developed everyday, and being human leaves us unsatisfied with old technology.



- Robert

Staying WiiFit?

Nintendo is a master of creating demand on a product, and WiiFit is the most recent hardware to fall short of demand.

If you want a WiiFit, good luck. The peripheral is in the same demand as the console when it was first released. With low supply and high demand, retail stores can barely keep it in stock.
The hook is with product innovation. They make games which are fresh and ground breaking it appeals to a larger fan base, from casual to hardcore gamer. WiiFit also plays on the health craze. The system is good for both home exerciseds and parents who want their gamer kid more active.

Making the balance board more versatile adds to the demand. Its compatible with future releases like skate for the Wii.

If Nintendo continues to make broad demographic and innovative games, they will hold a strong demand on their products.
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Your Privacy on Youtube

When it was ruled on july 1st, that youtube had to submit user data in Viacom's $1 Billion lawsuit, users and pro-privacy experts were outraged.

Well, the cries were heard and now youtube can mask their user information on users who have watch videos on the popular media website. This comes with relief to both users and those fighting the obvious privacy violation.
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Welcome... To The Review of Tomorrow!

With the cancellation of futurama over three years ago, the cries from the die hard fans have been heard.

A four part DVD return brought the popular sci-fi cartoon back into the lime light. A few months ago "Bender's Big Score" hit shelves,with great response.

The History of Futurama

First aired in 1999, the show ran great ratings, and was the sparkle in Matt Groening's eye. Having always been fascinated with sci-fi culture, he thought there was no other way to pay homage, than to create a satire cartoon, mocking many popular science fiction classics. Unfortunately, the series only lasted four seasons before it got the mighty FOX axe.
Beast with a Billion Backs

Set directly after bender's big score, we follow as a rift in time and space, caused by massive time travel in Bender's Big Score, leaves the earth visited by a planet size tentacle creature. Using fry he tries to convert earth to his (tentacle monster) religion.

Cast

The cast remains the same, but David Cross joins as the voice of the monster. We still have the likes of Billy West, fry and others, and John Dimaggio, most notably as Bender.

Final Score

The movie definitely follows strong with the show and BBS. The jokes are just as off the cuff and witty. The film itself is just over an hour and a half, which is perfect for the content to remain fresh. Overall, I definitely suggest to buy this movie and watch it over and over again.

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Robert

A Taste of Things to Come...

The intent for The Digital Life is to keep readers up-to date on all forms of digital media.

This blog will be updated daily, assuming everything goes well, and each day of the week will have a theme. For example, Media Monday will have an outline of what to watch on television for the week to come. Toying around with the idea of review tuesdays, showcasing the best cd's and dvd's of the week.

Interaction will be key to this endeavor. The idea of a day theme involving a moral or pop culture question only. Allowing you to comment or email answers to be posted.

Thank you in advance and I hope you enjoy.

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Robert