I saw Interstellar on Indiana's largest IMAX movie screen (it was huge) almost a week ago, and my mind is still processing it. [NOTE: Sort of spoiler alert if you haven't seen the movie, but not really. In fact, this could end of confusing you more....] The premise of the film really stuck with me. The Earth is destroyed and can no longer sustain long-term human life, the population is decimated, and our only hope is to find a new place to live. I remember watching Anne Hathaway on ellen where she said it was purposefully left out how the Earth fell into disrepair. Was it because of humans? Natural forces? At the end of the day, it doesn't matter. The Earth can no longer support mankind and we must deal with the consequences. There's a focus on solutions and the future.
Stylistically, I really liked the movie. The film has many elements that conjure up images of 2001: A Space Odyssey that even for me--being a young 'un--were easy to recognize. The talking computer and the silent space scenes were probably most prominent. There's something powerfully emotive about a completely silent theater as we watch a spaceship float through space.
But anyway, back to the movie and why it hit me. Space is one of those things that scares me because it is so unknowable. Just trying to reconcile that there isn't an edge to the universe, but also that the universe isn't in something, completely baffles me. The universe is huge, so what else is out there? I don't buy that we're the only planet with "life" (whatever that may be) because of the millions of planets orbiting the thousands of suns, there has to be another one that's developed something, right? And I suppose that's one of the thoughts of the movie. There ARE other planets capable of having life...there have to be! We shouldn't wreck ours, but we're probably not alone either.
So I guess the movie made me realize just how tiny we are. Even the things we can see in the sky at night are very far away. Other planets can take years or more to reach. Other galaxies? Generations. Interstellar doesn't do alien life, but it made me think about it. Well, I guess it does other lifeforms in its own way, and the idea that I can be another lifeform, guiding myself along the way, is an awesome message. But this concept of free will--and whether free will exists if you are the one predetermining your future--is another philosophical conversation my brain is currently processing that may have to wait for another day. :-)
So go see Interstellar if you haven't already. It's worth it. On a MUCH lighter note, John Lewis--a British company--puts out amazingly well-crafted commercials every Christmas season. If you haven't seen them, they are most definitely worth your time. Here's a link to this year's video, with Monty the Penguin. Absolutely precious. Incredibly touching. OK, I'm done melting over this video.
Stylistically, I really liked the movie. The film has many elements that conjure up images of 2001: A Space Odyssey that even for me--being a young 'un--were easy to recognize. The talking computer and the silent space scenes were probably most prominent. There's something powerfully emotive about a completely silent theater as we watch a spaceship float through space.
But anyway, back to the movie and why it hit me. Space is one of those things that scares me because it is so unknowable. Just trying to reconcile that there isn't an edge to the universe, but also that the universe isn't in something, completely baffles me. The universe is huge, so what else is out there? I don't buy that we're the only planet with "life" (whatever that may be) because of the millions of planets orbiting the thousands of suns, there has to be another one that's developed something, right? And I suppose that's one of the thoughts of the movie. There ARE other planets capable of having life...there have to be! We shouldn't wreck ours, but we're probably not alone either.
So I guess the movie made me realize just how tiny we are. Even the things we can see in the sky at night are very far away. Other planets can take years or more to reach. Other galaxies? Generations. Interstellar doesn't do alien life, but it made me think about it. Well, I guess it does other lifeforms in its own way, and the idea that I can be another lifeform, guiding myself along the way, is an awesome message. But this concept of free will--and whether free will exists if you are the one predetermining your future--is another philosophical conversation my brain is currently processing that may have to wait for another day. :-)
So go see Interstellar if you haven't already. It's worth it. On a MUCH lighter note, John Lewis--a British company--puts out amazingly well-crafted commercials every Christmas season. If you haven't seen them, they are most definitely worth your time. Here's a link to this year's video, with Monty the Penguin. Absolutely precious. Incredibly touching. OK, I'm done melting over this video.
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