Wednesday, December 30, 2015

BB-8, the newest Star Wars droid everyone wants.

BB-8 droid from Star Wars: The Force Awakens
I admit it, when I saw the previews for the new Star Wars, I actually hated the newest droid, BB-8. Well, now that I've seen the movie, I love the little guy. He's happy, loyal, intelligent, and has just enough human-like qualities to make him instantly endearing. I'm not sure droids have gender, but I'll just use the male since I'm male and I like it. Funny, I never thought they could pull off another R2-D2 without being ridiculous.

Yup, they did.

The little ball robot mimics a thumbs-up, chirps in a way sounding almost exactly like "yep", and has sounds that speak of a vocabulary without using any words (just like R2-D2 did). I'm amazed how instantly I related to the little guy and had no trouble at all falling right into line with him. I'm sure we will see him function in the same way the other droids have, with him doing little helpful things and being generally nice.

He's the only droid in focus, and that's fine since he easily fills both fun guy and useful guy. The most important part is he's likable and not in the way. He's a great part of the movie without interfering. You can't ask for much more than that.

- M

By the way, did you know it's a real toy too? One you can drive around with your smartphone? Just passing along the word...

Monday, December 28, 2015

Cartography -- ie. mapmaking

Have you ever looked at really old maps? Especially ones without North America on them. They have really interesting parts, such as the famous "Here be dragons" and vague boundaries of Africa and other areas. There was so much unknown at those times, and it's interesting to imagine how this changed as the world became understood. I wonder what it was like not to know? Going into the darkness must have taken real courage. After all, dragons were real, weren't they?
 
Do we still have that kind of unknown now? Yes, there's space and the vast areas underwater. I think we all have a primal fear of large vistas of water, because who knows what's underneath. And space, wow, it's totally empty, hostile, and filled with unexpected terrors. But, also very beautiful. The unknown is like that, I think. When you really come face-to-face with it, there's a surprising beauty to be found. Well, unless it's a zombie or some kind of space vampire or something--that wouldn't be nice at all.
 
I'd love to collect old maps. They are works of art, and relics of a bygone era. The world will never again look strange and unknown. And, there are stories hidden in those maps, secrets to find, and mysteries to solve. Mostly, they're history and I'd love to own a small piece of it. Funny, I never expected I'd want to learn more history, but I do. Truly, knowing the past helps us know the future. And, it's like time travelling, with art at your side.
 
- M

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Villains are all kinds of nasty, aren't they?

The new Star Wars movie has gotten me thinking about villainy again. By their very nature, villains are nasty and frightening. But, they can also wield a pleasant face, do pretty deeds, and pretend to goodness. To me, that's the most terrifying aspect of villains--not knowing exactly who they are or what they're up to. Villains who mask themselves behind purity are especially nasty--like a friendly neighborhood dog who suddenly attacks your face.
Kylo Ren from Star Wars: The Force Awakens
The best kinds of villains make the audience squirm, however they manage it. Star Wars tends towards villains who are very up front in their evilness (although one is commonly pulling the strings in the background). When the heroes are in the presence of the villain (knowingly or not), it sets the audience on edge, because we expect something to go wrong. Tension is always great in a story, and the more the better.
 
A special kind of villain is the one who's in the process of becoming a full villain. They may be waffling between good or bad, and redemption is still a real possibility. Until that possibility is broken, the audience still hopes against hope that everything turns out well. But, when the villain finally reveals true villainy, it still manages to shock and dismay. That's the magic point, where crisis and tension jump up another level. Heroes need something to fight against, and the better the villain the better the story. Don't keep it a secret too long though, or you run the danger of loosing your audience.
 
- M

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Merry Christmas!

On this festive day, I hope you all have a wonderful time with family, friends, and everyone you cherish. Remember why we celebrate and give thanks. May you all be richly blessed!
 
 

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Mortal combat!

Sorry I missed last night, but I was embroiled in a fight for my life!
This isn't it, but it looks evil enough
 
Let me ask you, have you ever assembled a wardrobe?
 
I've got slivers and bumps and scratches and claw and tooth and burn marks! I swear this piece of furniture was possessed. I think there's something to that, since the instructions made me put it together upside down. Have you ever tried using a hammer while on your head? It's not easy. And, don't even get me started on turning in screws and lining up nails. Yeowch! Then, when I put it mostly together, I needed to hang the doors. That's an awfully violent process, and my feet didn't take well to it--well, I did have to lift the doors to hang them.
 
But, that wasn't everything. Once it was all together, I still had to fasten it to the wall, so it wouldn't tip over and crush me. I think the wall and the wardrobe were in on it together, because that drywall refused to open up a hole for the screw! It was uncanny. I used a spike to put a neat hole in, then tried putting in the drywall screw, and it melted and snapped in half. Hmm, no worry, I got another and the same thing happened. I pulled out a plastic sleeve and tapped it in place ... rather, tried to because the thing wouldn't slide in. Finally, I got an all metal screw with expanding sides. Hammering in that sucker took nearly everything out of me, but it worked!
 
I am victorious!
 
... except, I didn't quite put it in the correct place ... sorry, honey!
 
- M

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Star Wars: The Force Awakens ... my review--with Zero spoilers

 
 
Star Wars. I grew up with it. It's one of my all time favorite stories. It formed a lot of my desire to produce my own stories, as it did for many others. I love and admire the heroes, just as much as I love to hate the villains. The story is generational, and has indeed become classic to our culture. Now, we have a new Star Wars upon us. How does it measure up?
 
I loved it.
 
Clearly, the people involved in producing this new trilogy have deep respect and appreciation for the source material. But, this is a new story, with new characters, new motivations, new enemies, and new places. This is not a rehash. This is not fan-fiction. This is a fresh, breathing, alive new universe. This movie did something all great movies do: made me care for the characters! I want to see them succeed, and when they do I cheer and when they don't I cry. Their goals become my own and I feel myself enter their world and ride alongside them.
 
I won't critique the story (every story has flaws), but I will say that as a storyteller myself, this movie hit all the right notes. It gently brought us to the point where we understood the goals and the stakes. Even the opening title crawl only gives enough to get the ball rolling (hee hee, droid joke there ... you'll get it later). As an audience member, I'm fully invested in the fate of these new heroes. Yes, this is a wonderful story that brings Star Wars to a new generation.
 
I eagerly await the next installment, because this story matters to me. I'm willing to bet you'll feel the same way. The Force has indeed Awakened.
 
- M

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

All things chocolate. Let us give thanks and rejoice!

Did you know today was National Dip Everything in Chocolate Day? And how dare you call yourself chocolatiers? I'm just kidding. Chocolate is one of those amazing feats of human engineering that dazzles and delights. I've seen some pretty amazing creations using nothing but chocolate. The creation of this treat is fairly simple, but there's a bewildering range and probably an infinite number of uses. It's sweet, rough, smooth, tart, delicate, and tough. All the same stuff ... chocolate!
 
Why do we like candy so much? Sure, it tastes good, but there's more to it I think. We love treating ourselves, and that goes in a big way to food. We eat to survive, but we also eat to relieve stress, share time with friends, and just because we want to--which is why I think we love candy. And, where there's demand there's supply. It's incredible to think people make their living creating and serving these snacks--not to mention entire industries.
 
We do love our comforts and entertainments. Sometimes I wonder if we do too much. I suppose it's only natural to want an easy life. It reminds me of the song from Fiddler on the Roof, "If I Were a Rich Man." Well, we may not have such a dream life, but we can certainly enjoy some fine chocolate. I personally prefer any with hazelnuts in it, especially the praline chocolate--like Nutella. Whatever your choice, remember, it's always better with chocolate. While your at it, try dipping anything in chocolate ... I'll bet it's better that way!
 
- M

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Tell it with conviction

I've studied storytellers all my life. One thing I've seen in common with all successful ones is they are absolutely convincing. Be it a fiction tale or a true tale, the story never lacks a powerful point of view and the absolute authority of itself. The funny thing is, it doesn't even matter how ridiculous the story is, because we drop our disbelief in a wink and carry right along. It seems so effortless, like the story pours out onto the pages without any trouble at all. I love stories like those, and disappear between the lines gladly.
 
There's something magical about stories of far away places. Of fantastical creatures and amazing heroes fighting dreadful villains. In the same way, there's magic in stories of real places and real things. I've recently read a few travel stories about climbing Mount Everest and going through jungles. These stories of survival are dynamite. Have you read the story behind the hiker who had to sever his own arm and hike out of the canyons he was trapped in (Between a Rock and a Hard Place)? Wow, what a story!
 
A lot of entertainment these days is in the form of movies and music, but that certainly doesn't exempt them from having conviction in what they say. The best do it with gusto and panache. I think stories have the ability to bring wonder to everyone, at least for a little while. And when we, the audience, believe in the story a neat alchemy happens--we make it part of us.
 
- M

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Christmas lights are incredible.

I've always loved Christmas lights. The wonderful colors and the amazing ways people decorate never stops amazing me. People hold contests to determine the greatest display in a neighborhood, or even a whole city, and some even have displays tuned to music that you can listen to as you watch. It's incredible. We've gone all over the country and seen lights. All I can ask is, "How did you manage to assemble, attach, and coordinate all that?"
 
And the trees people decorate are mind blowing. Take some time and search for Christmas tree decorations and you'll wonder why you're so lazy. There are people who turn decorating into a fine art! I'm sure they do it all year round, but at Christmas it really shows. People put a lot of love into this festival, and why shouldn't they, as love is the point of Christmas.
 
I hope your preparations are going well, but don't forget to take time for your family. Read together, sing together, pray together, and spend time playing together. Take your focus off the many other things and focus on family and friends. Spread the cheer and listen to those around you. And, please go out and look at the lights that people have put together for your enjoyment!
 
- M

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Well, I didn't think you meant it...

I'm not sure these pieces fit properly ...
image credit
Funny how quickly we jump to conclusions, isn't it? We tend toward whatever fits our current perspective. It's why drawn illusions work so well. We expect to see something and so we do, even if closer inspections reveal otherwise. Recent examples such as in the movie "The Maze Runner" where a girl is brought in with a note saying this is the last one. The audience & characters assume it means the last person for the maze, but an equally valid assumption is she is the only and last girl. Another example is "The Book of Eli." I won't spoil the twist, but when you see it, ask yourself if there is more than one obvious possibility? You either see it or you don't. It's all on how you look at it.
 
The point is, our first leap to conclusion may be absolutely wrong. What conclusion did you make at the end of "Inception," when the top began wobbling? The funny thing is, even if our conclusions are wrong, the story still works out. I love when I read a story that leaves a few things unfinished, because my mind immediately fills in the blanks. It doesn't always work, though, which is a pity.

Sadly, life doesn't usually allow such second chances. First impressions (and all the conclusions contained within) typically last for a very, very, very long time. I doubt there's much we can do about it, aside from willfully taking another look at our assumptions (a good exercise to make your mind more flexible anyway). But, because I realize it happens, I enjoy looking at movies and books with multiple points of view and watching how it changes the story.
 
- M

Monday, December 7, 2015

Getting lost in your own imaginings

Do you ever daydream? How about flights of fancy? Or, maybe you let your mind drift along with the ether of your own thoughts? I think we all drop into the world of imagination now and again. Perhaps it's because of music, or a smell, or a picture. Whatever the reason, we can slip away from reality for a time and vanish into our imaginations. For some of us, we can disappear for hours and not even notice. Imagination is a wonderful thing!
 
Of course, you could also call this being easily distracted, or possibly even attention deficit. There's a difference though, because when we imagine, we create and actively participate in the activity. It's a wondrous moment of pure thrill. Why do most adults suppress it? I'm not really sure. There's nothing wrong with it--other than annoying people who are trying to talk to you. Creativity needs the juices flowing, and drifting on the clouds of imagination helps enormously. But, I'm a poet at heart, and I'm probably just being goofy.
 
As adults, we get lost in memory more than imagination, but the effect is the same. We're whisked away and into our own meandering thoughts. Time changes pace and we linger in places we haven't been to in years. It's a sort of like time travelling. Just for fun, try sitting back, closing your eyes and dreaming up a fun adventure for yourself. Take your time with it and enjoy where it takes you.
 
- M

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Batman v Superman new trailer!

The newest trailer for the movie "Batman v Superman" is now out. It shows a lot of action, and we get our first look at the super-monster: Doomsday. I'm only guessing, but I'm thinking a lot of what we see isn't consecutive in the actual movie, in other words, the editor is playing with our minds. Of course, trailer editing is a fine art but it isn't a truthful one--they tell stories all their own. But, what I'm seeing shows a great movie. I love the new Batman.
 
 
I'm very hopeful for this movie. The story seem well conceived, though I am worried about too many characters. Apparently DC is now wanting to kick start the Justice League universe and this movie is the beginning of it all. So, they're putting in the big hitters right away (they still haven't shown Aquaman though). The story assumes a big fight between Batman and Superman, but it seems clear now that this is the opening conflict, and a bigger fight joins everyone together despite their differences.
 
Superheroes are finally getting a Renaissance. It seems the world is looking for heroes once again, and Hollywood is responding in a big way. I wonder how far this will go? My wish is for a new golden age. We need heroes in our culture again. We need heroes in life and story, myth and reality. I love Batman and Superman, so I am pumped for this movie.
 
- M

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Movie music is just as much a character as the characters.

I love movies, and I love music. Movie music is a fine art. What's amazing is how much impact the music has on a movie. Imagine your favorite scenes without any music at all. Or different music. Or the wrong music. Everything changes, doesn't it? There's some fun videos you can check out online to see for yourself. One of my all-time favorite movies is "Ladyhawke" and the music absolutely defines it, every bit as much the characters.
 
I think it goes back to the senses. Good stories use as many as possible, letting us hear and see and feel the action. By using multiple methods, there's more impact. Plus, seeing and hearing are intimately connected with how we interact with the world. Skillfully using them together makes all the difference. Can you imagine the "Jaws" opening with comedic music? Hardly the same impact, even if the visuals are horrifying. On the other hand, the famous scene from "Clockwork Orange" uses the happy "Singing in the Rain" for unspeakable evil.
 
There are also different kinds of movie music. There's the soundtrack, which is what you'll buy at the music store and isn't necessarily specific to the movie, and the score, which includes music directly written for the movie. Plus, you have music which fills empty dead space where something needs to be and also has to be unnoticed. All of these combine to creature the musical backdrop of movies, and that's a kind of magic that simply has to be experienced. Incredible that it all works so well!
 
- M