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Breaking News!
Only about twenty minutes ago, the newest trailer for the highly-anticipated science-fiction adventure, Interstellar, was released to the world!
Ladies and gentlemen, here’s our second glimpse at Christopher Nolan’s next cinematic epic:
This November, we won’t be able to look at stars the same way again.
Redefining Immortality
(Source: Wikipedia)
Transcendence will project on movie screens all around the United States today. As a science-fiction thriller, first-time director (and acclaimed cinematographer) Wally Pfister and his all-star cast (Johnny Depp, Morgan Freeman, Rebecca Hall, Kate Mara, Cillian Murphy, Paul Bettany) will pose surprisingly relevant questions about the current state of mankind and womankind and whether racing on the autobahn of developing increasingly personal technologies and building machines with only “pure upside” is the road we should be taking. Or, at the very least, at the speed innovators appear to driving their savvy imaginations in this day and age.
Can (or should) humans live forever, consciously, inside a computer?
The term “the grid” is taking shape and evolving in ways many of us either didn’t think was possible or were, quite frankly, fearful of. Once this mainframe is built (or perhaps it already is), is it even possible to dismantle it?
There are infinite questions to be pondered from this movie and other science-fiction thrillers. For instance: What does artificial intelligence look like today? What is its true reach? Is that reach good or bad?
Some may think that technology is tinkered with in basement facilities with pale walls, computers, wires and varying degrees of limitations. But what if the concept of “the cloud” is as unlimited and open as its sounds?
This blog has written about technology before, including its benefits and drawbacks. Without seeing Transcendence, an opinion cannot rightly be rendered. But this film presents a couple hours to escape into a creative and entertaining story of artificial intelligence and the pursuit of advanced technology on a Friday or Saturday night, as well as to take a moment to pause and reflect on the subject matter.
How long until we are in the “age of transcendence” as defined by Pfister and Co.? What does this mean for society as individuals, as well as the collective? Is the infinite space above and all around us becoming finite and controlled without us knowing? Should it be if it’s guided by a genius?
There’s one way to find out and it’s called Transcendence, playing in a theater near you.
Maybe we should ask Siri about transcendence…
Wonder Upon a Star
As a warm front spreads across Ohio, it’s fascinating how our imaginations then begin to warm to ideas in our minds of the seemingly unthinkable. A strange sensation for sure, but it’s true. Before stepping down into my car to pick-up a pizza for dinner yesterday evening, I found myself gazing up at the crystal clear night sky that was illuminated by an infinite portrait of shining stars. The sight was utterly spectacular. There was not a cloud on the horizon in any direction, a first in what seemed like in months.
It was a feeling of things boundlessly opened up.
On this Friday (which carries with it no special meaning), this blog implores you to think with no limits. Look up and see and touch no ceiling.
Last night, in the few seconds of staring into the heavens, this video instantly started playing in my head. Thankfully, it won’t be the last time.
Only 244 days left until we all travel into the stars with Interstellar.
“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream”
–Vincent Van Gogh
The Infinite Possibilities of the Unknown
Two things:
First, Matthew McConaughey has officially transitioned from a charming romantic comedy staple to a character actor that explores deep, complex and sometimes morally conflicting terrain and alleyways. To clarify, his transition is not necessarily permanent and is somewhat representative of a Game Show portfolio. He can pick Door #1 (serious), Door #2 (comedy) or Door #3 (sports/drama).
It’s not a bad hallway to walk through each day as an actor. However, it’s not yet clear which door he’s built or walked into with his most recent adventure with a relatively unknown, independent British filmmaker…
Some of his roles recently (Mud, Dallas Buyer’s Club, The Wolf of Wall Street) surely have taken McConaughey into new levels of the unknown. The same likely goes for some of his longtime fans. Will these more serious character portrayals shine a new light on a before darkened corner in the actor’s study to reveal a gold envelope containing a decorated card stock with his name written on it?
Time will tell…
Speaking of time, the second note today involves the recent release of a trailer for director Christopher Nolan’s latest mind-bender: Interstellar. From Memento (psychological) to Inception (dreaming) to The Dark Knight trilogy (pain, fear, chaos, belief), Nolan and Co. (& Syncopy of course) has now entered the world of science fiction with Interstellar.
Here is the first glimpse:
The question isn’t whether or not Matthew McConaughey can successfully propel himself into a new horizon in the stars that leads him to an Oscar, but rather if Christopher Nolan will have a good reason to invite him on another crazy road trip in the future, as the director tends to do with a select group of actors and actresses.
The better question today is will you take the ultimate journey to explore the unknown with McConaughey one year from now?
Jimmy's Daily Planet 