'Jupiter Ascending' Falls Flat - The Atlantic
Christopher Orr can be pretty acerbic in his reviews, and he doesn't care for this latest attempt at science fiction by the Wachowski siblings.
Sunday, February 08, 2015
20 year late review
Amongst the DVDs I kept out of my late mother's vast collection was Rob Roy, the Liam Neeson movie from 1995 (I'm getting old). Being vaguely aware that some critics thought it quite good, and a friend actually mentioning last year that he liked it, I gave it a go last night.
It is, in my opinion, a terrible movie.
Right from the start, it makes it clear that it is of the "earthy historical film" genre: the type where dirtiness and bodily functions feature prominently (and men go around bluntly talking about their sexual predilections in all sorts of odd ways that apparently men used to do 3 centuries ago). But it feels overdone and fake in this movie - as indeed is the acting.
Apart from Neeson, whose character is meant to be noble and honourable and is therefore somewhat restrained, most of the rest of the cast seem at various points to be chewing up the scenery as if they are from the Bette Davis School of Exaggerated Acting. Tim Roth got awards for his role? Must have been a slow year. And as for Neeson himself - because the script has him delivering many lines in which he is telling others how they should be fine and noble and do what's right, they tend to be delivered in a style that immediately put me in mind of his Aslan voicework in the Narnia movies. Not his fault, that, but overall I still thought his acting was a bit stilted and unconvincing.
I just found it an unpleasant story too, with the stabbings and deaths done in over the top fashion, with the immediate gush of blood in the mouth, blades erupting from chests, and things like that.
In terms of historical accuracy - it seems to score no higher than Braveheart on the "conning modern audiences that they are seeing something more or less accurate" scale. (The main problem being that the main villain is completely invented.) I also see that one of the key plot points in the movie - the rape of his wife - is based on a story circulating at the time the accuracy of which there is very good reason to doubt.
Even the climax, which quite a few critics seem to describe as one of the best swordfights ever shown on screen - I was completely underwhelmed. Is it just that I had also decided I didn't the film after about the first half hour, and was resenting that I was hanging in there to see if it got any better? I don't think so - I just can't see why the fight was meant to be impressive.
I see that Ebert thought it was a terrific movie, which confirms my earlier opinion of him that his reaction to movies was nothing I could consistently rely on.
So count that as a big disappointment. And Neeson was better as a lion.
It is, in my opinion, a terrible movie.
Right from the start, it makes it clear that it is of the "earthy historical film" genre: the type where dirtiness and bodily functions feature prominently (and men go around bluntly talking about their sexual predilections in all sorts of odd ways that apparently men used to do 3 centuries ago). But it feels overdone and fake in this movie - as indeed is the acting.
Apart from Neeson, whose character is meant to be noble and honourable and is therefore somewhat restrained, most of the rest of the cast seem at various points to be chewing up the scenery as if they are from the Bette Davis School of Exaggerated Acting. Tim Roth got awards for his role? Must have been a slow year. And as for Neeson himself - because the script has him delivering many lines in which he is telling others how they should be fine and noble and do what's right, they tend to be delivered in a style that immediately put me in mind of his Aslan voicework in the Narnia movies. Not his fault, that, but overall I still thought his acting was a bit stilted and unconvincing.
I just found it an unpleasant story too, with the stabbings and deaths done in over the top fashion, with the immediate gush of blood in the mouth, blades erupting from chests, and things like that.
In terms of historical accuracy - it seems to score no higher than Braveheart on the "conning modern audiences that they are seeing something more or less accurate" scale. (The main problem being that the main villain is completely invented.) I also see that one of the key plot points in the movie - the rape of his wife - is based on a story circulating at the time the accuracy of which there is very good reason to doubt.
Even the climax, which quite a few critics seem to describe as one of the best swordfights ever shown on screen - I was completely underwhelmed. Is it just that I had also decided I didn't the film after about the first half hour, and was resenting that I was hanging in there to see if it got any better? I don't think so - I just can't see why the fight was meant to be impressive.
I see that Ebert thought it was a terrific movie, which confirms my earlier opinion of him that his reaction to movies was nothing I could consistently rely on.
So count that as a big disappointment. And Neeson was better as a lion.
Friday, February 06, 2015
A spill motion, hurrah!
I understand a Newspoll - the first since the disastrous (and hilarious) Prince Phil knighthood decision of our glorious PM - is due out Tuesday.
Rarely will a Newspoll have had such powerful influence on the future of a leadership.
If Turnbull is installed (and I'm not counting on it, given half of the Coalition's bizarre nonsense fixation on his not toeing the line of the science team of Bolt/Jones/Monckton/IPA on climate change) it's amazing to contemplate the number of dud cabinet performers who should face the axe too.
I really don't recall a government so full of annoying, low talent, ministers.
Rarely will a Newspoll have had such powerful influence on the future of a leadership.
If Turnbull is installed (and I'm not counting on it, given half of the Coalition's bizarre nonsense fixation on his not toeing the line of the science team of Bolt/Jones/Monckton/IPA on climate change) it's amazing to contemplate the number of dud cabinet performers who should face the axe too.
I really don't recall a government so full of annoying, low talent, ministers.
Isn't it pathetic...
Andrew Bolt is in panic mode, drumming up the anti-Turnbull forces all because Turnbull believes in climate change and thinks "Direct Action" is an economic crock. Alan Jones apparently came out in support of Abbott this morning, and I can guess this would be part of the reason for him too. And the dynamic Warren Truss is warbling on about how Turnbull would have to promise the Nationals that he won't introduce an ETS.
As I wrote recently at John Quiggin's: this is exactly what's wrong with the Coalition since the year Abbott got the leadership - they are basing all decisions on a matter of non-scientific nonsense - that climate change isn't real and/or deserves no response, and anyone who believes otherwise must be out to destroy the country economically.
Until the Coalition is purged of the large faction of climate change deniers, this split in the party renders them incapable of presenting a sensible unified approach to not just climate change, but economics generally.
As I wrote recently at John Quiggin's: this is exactly what's wrong with the Coalition since the year Abbott got the leadership - they are basing all decisions on a matter of non-scientific nonsense - that climate change isn't real and/or deserves no response, and anyone who believes otherwise must be out to destroy the country economically.
Until the Coalition is purged of the large faction of climate change deniers, this split in the party renders them incapable of presenting a sensible unified approach to not just climate change, but economics generally.
I sense a disturbance in the force
First, I've noticed Judith Sloan making one or two not unreasonable sounding complaints about Coalition policies in the last few weeks; now Adam Creighton has a column which I would say is only about 30% wrong, instead of his normal 90% batting average.
These are disturbing days.
If only Sloan didn't insist on being as bitchy as possible in her blog writings, maybe she would have more hope of influencing someone.
These are disturbing days.
If only Sloan didn't insist on being as bitchy as possible in her blog writings, maybe she would have more hope of influencing someone.
Friday history
Here are a few fun history links via Beachcomber's blog:
* a summary of Edwardian "sexual codes" - amongst the aristocracy, at least.
* some photos of Victorian era child prisoners. Photos make history seem not so foreign, don't they; especially colour photos. Not that these are colour, but I thought I would make that point again after seeing this photo that has been doing the rounds of the blogosphere. Back to the underage criminals: I like this explanation of why good kids went bad:
* a summary of Edwardian "sexual codes" - amongst the aristocracy, at least.
* some photos of Victorian era child prisoners. Photos make history seem not so foreign, don't they; especially colour photos. Not that these are colour, but I thought I would make that point again after seeing this photo that has been doing the rounds of the blogosphere. Back to the underage criminals: I like this explanation of why good kids went bad:
Ms Rees said: 'The slightly more middle class of the group were 13-year-old Michael Clement Fisher and Henry Leonard Stephenson, who was 12. They were choir boys from St Mary's Church and said to be of respectable parents.* An odd story about Nazi "spies" preparing for a air landing in Norfolk before World War 2. It is from The Mirror, so I hope it's true. Actually, it sounds vaguely familiar to me, although the article says this is a completely new discovery.
'But they still broke into three houses, stole a violin case, a ring, coins and other articles. All stolen property was returned.'
In a newspaper article at the time of the crime in 1873, it was suggested the boys had thought they were doing 'heroic, manly acts' after reading the 'wrong books' on people like Jack Sheppard, a notorious 18th century highway man.
Just don't burn it
US government abandons carbon-capture demonstration : Nature News
All the money used on it would be better spent on clean energy research, including cheaper battery storage.
It never realistically had a chance of making a big difference, but it was a way for the coal industry to try to improve its prospects.
All the money used on it would be better spent on clean energy research, including cheaper battery storage.
It never realistically had a chance of making a big difference, but it was a way for the coal industry to try to improve its prospects.
Thursday, February 05, 2015
The lesson: be careful with your choice of feces
Rapid and unexpected weight gain after fecal transplant: A woman successfully treated for a recurrent Clostridium difficile infection with stool from an overweight donor rapidly gained weight herself afterwards, becoming obese, according to a case report published in the new journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases.Got to make sure you stick to "skinny" gut bacteria...
Australian Astro????
In the most surprising movie news since, well, just about ever, I read:
The Australian animation studio behind The Lego Movie is to make a live-action superhero movie based on the popular cartoon character Astro Boy
As it prepares to start production on two Lego spin-offs, Animal Logic has signed a deal with Japan's Tezuka Productions for a big-budget movie it hopes to shoot in Australia next year.
Chief executive Zareh Nalbandian said the plan was to create a "Marvel-style" franchise based on the robot superhero.
What a joker ...um, I mean joke
Andrew Bolt can't decide if he wants to see Abbott gone or not, so now he's attacking the ABC for an "abuse of power" in its reporting:
The nutty Right has become obsessed with blame shifting for their general incompetence onto the ABC, which apparently has brainwashed the public into being soft headed Leftists who will never vote Liberal. Clearly, it must have acquired this power sometime after the 11 year run of the Howard government.
What utter crap.LEIGH SALES, PRESENTER: ... The ABC can identify 10 Liberal MPs who want a ballot on the leadership and another 18 who say they might support one…Ten - at most 28 - of 102 Liberals MPs want a leadership spill against Abbott, yet the ABC says there’s a “perception that’s he’s increasingly on his own”? And runs carefully selected footage of Abbott sitting as if alone?
SABRA LANE, REPORTER: ... (T)he Prime Minister is resisting a backbench revolt and the perception that he’s increasingly on his own.
The ABC spin and glee throughout this challenge - the active pushing for the Liberals to be less conservative - is unmistakable and an abuse of the ABC’s huge power.
Reform of the ABC is not just critical to tame state power, protect media diversity and promote debate. For the Liberals it is also a fight for survival.
The nutty Right has become obsessed with blame shifting for their general incompetence onto the ABC, which apparently has brainwashed the public into being soft headed Leftists who will never vote Liberal. Clearly, it must have acquired this power sometime after the 11 year run of the Howard government.
With respect to the forthcoming "Bali Nine" executions
As it appears almost certain that two Australians drug smugglers will be executed soon after exhausting all possible appeal challenges, I have been meaning to observe that:
* that new Indonesian President looked like a bit of a softy (maybe it was his lack of a military background) during the election campaign, but doesn't give that impression now.
* honestly, given the way the Abbott government has ruthlessly been dealing with "illegal" asylum claiming boat people on the high seas and in off shore detention, how could the Indonesian government and people fail to detect hypocrisy when Australians are suddenly asking them to not enforce its national laws? We're extending the reach of our laws to imprison people on the high seas for weeks at a time - even before they get to our territory. Our government's behaviour on that issue has made it one of the least credible sources of a plea for mercy.
* that new Indonesian President looked like a bit of a softy (maybe it was his lack of a military background) during the election campaign, but doesn't give that impression now.
* honestly, given the way the Abbott government has ruthlessly been dealing with "illegal" asylum claiming boat people on the high seas and in off shore detention, how could the Indonesian government and people fail to detect hypocrisy when Australians are suddenly asking them to not enforce its national laws? We're extending the reach of our laws to imprison people on the high seas for weeks at a time - even before they get to our territory. Our government's behaviour on that issue has made it one of the least credible sources of a plea for mercy.
Mystery missiles
For once a news.com.au tabloid headline about UFOs is worth reading.
Seems a couple of missile looking things have been seen worryingly near aircraft in Perth in the last year or two, and no one has any idea where they could be coming from.
Here's the Crikey blog post on the same topic.
Mystery missiles have been around for a long time, and do represent one of the more realistic sounding classes of "odd things in the sky" sightings.
Seems a couple of missile looking things have been seen worryingly near aircraft in Perth in the last year or two, and no one has any idea where they could be coming from.
Here's the Crikey blog post on the same topic.
Mystery missiles have been around for a long time, and do represent one of the more realistic sounding classes of "odd things in the sky" sightings.
Greece considered
The Flag-Waving Greek Left | The Weekly Standard
Gee, it's not often now that you can read a Weekly Standard article and get the feeling that it is quite balanced both on politics and economics, but this one all about Greece seems that way to me.
Found via Mr Soon.
Gee, it's not often now that you can read a Weekly Standard article and get the feeling that it is quite balanced both on politics and economics, but this one all about Greece seems that way to me.
Found via Mr Soon.
A dangerous libertarian. (Well, they all are, really...)
Rand Paul on vaccination: Resorting to freedom | The Economist
Here's a good, lengthy Economist blogpost about how libertarian ideas work against public health (regarding vaccination). I might add - throw in their views on gun ownership, and their public health credentials get even worse. And don't get me started on climate change and libertarian shoulder shrugging...
Here's a good, lengthy Economist blogpost about how libertarian ideas work against public health (regarding vaccination). I might add - throw in their views on gun ownership, and their public health credentials get even worse. And don't get me started on climate change and libertarian shoulder shrugging...
Wednesday, February 04, 2015
The downside and the upside
The downside for those who would quite like to see Abbott turfed out (at least if it would mean a completely new direction in policy) is that I think the malcontents have given the pro-Abbott faction too much time to consolidate their position.
The upside is that, even if he survives this challenge to his authority, the nation now knows that the party is divided, and a good portion share the public's view that they are being led by a weirdly out of touch dimwit with no good policy sense who doesn't know who to listen to. That can't augur well for the future life of the government under Abbott.
The upside is that, even if he survives this challenge to his authority, the nation now knows that the party is divided, and a good portion share the public's view that they are being led by a weirdly out of touch dimwit with no good policy sense who doesn't know who to listen to. That can't augur well for the future life of the government under Abbott.
The stupid English
MPs vote in favour of 'three-person embryo' law | Science | The Guardian
As I have written before - this is crazy.
The reason it is crazy is not (as some pro-life conservatives in this report claim) because it involves destroying embryos to create a third - I mean, just everyday IVF results in scores of discarded embryos every week and they aren't rioting in the streets about that - but because it is a highly artificial process with very likely subtle and unforeseeable long term health consequences for the babies created. Just as there already is a higher birth defect rate for "normal" IVF babies - the reasons for which remain unclear - it is reasonable to expect more problems if you are fiddling around with the actual contents of eggs.
All this for a small number of families who simply want to have their own babies instead of adopting or using donor egg techniques.
The Americans are unwilling to proceed with it - at least until more animal studies are done. Why are the English so gung-ho about this?
As I have written before - this is crazy.
The reason it is crazy is not (as some pro-life conservatives in this report claim) because it involves destroying embryos to create a third - I mean, just everyday IVF results in scores of discarded embryos every week and they aren't rioting in the streets about that - but because it is a highly artificial process with very likely subtle and unforeseeable long term health consequences for the babies created. Just as there already is a higher birth defect rate for "normal" IVF babies - the reasons for which remain unclear - it is reasonable to expect more problems if you are fiddling around with the actual contents of eggs.
All this for a small number of families who simply want to have their own babies instead of adopting or using donor egg techniques.
The Americans are unwilling to proceed with it - at least until more animal studies are done. Why are the English so gung-ho about this?
Tuesday, February 03, 2015
Planetary heating continues
A Fresh Look at the Watery Side of Earth's Climate Shows 'Unabated Planetary Warming' - NYTimes.com
There is a new study at Nature Climate Change that appears to offer strong confirmation that the "missing heat" from CO2 is going into the deep ocean, based on the latest Argo measurements.
There is an article about it at The Conversation, but a more detailed discussion appears at the above link at Andrew Revkin's blog (which, I must admit, I forget to check often lately.)
The issue of deep ocean heat absorption might make surface temperature increase slower than current models indicate, but when you look at the graphs for surface increases since the middle of last century, surely anyone sensible would have to say that it looks fanciful to suggest that suddenly, all further heat is going to start disappearing down that sinkhole, never to bother us again for centuries.
There is a new study at Nature Climate Change that appears to offer strong confirmation that the "missing heat" from CO2 is going into the deep ocean, based on the latest Argo measurements.
There is an article about it at The Conversation, but a more detailed discussion appears at the above link at Andrew Revkin's blog (which, I must admit, I forget to check often lately.)
The issue of deep ocean heat absorption might make surface temperature increase slower than current models indicate, but when you look at the graphs for surface increases since the middle of last century, surely anyone sensible would have to say that it looks fanciful to suggest that suddenly, all further heat is going to start disappearing down that sinkhole, never to bother us again for centuries.
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