Journeyman Philosopher

Note: This post may contain what you could consider to be spoilers.

Last night I watched a film I had already seen in my youth and for the first time actually understood it. The film is called ‘Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise’, its an animated film directed by Horoyuki Yamaga released in 1987.

The film tells the story of a space program set in a country called Honneamise on a parallel version of earth. In this world spaceflight has yet to be achieved, the story follows an in training astronaut who has to come to terms with the politically motivated situation he finds himself in.

One thing that I felt was interesting was the perception of space travel in the film. One of the main reasons space travel was placed at such heavy importance in our world was due to competition in the cold war. I wasn’t alive then but have heard much about the whole race to space. The world portrayed in the movie however was quite different. Its not hard to imagine a world that, not motivated by the petty squabbles of nations, would look upon space travel as silly. After all we have yet to fully explore the depths of our own oceans, why turn to space so quickly?

In a sense this film really helped me reflect on the political nature of our own reality. In the film there is a sudden shift in focus when the government decides to back the space project, all of a sudden the astronauts are literally made into national heroes. The idea of space travel is transformed from an idiotic idea to a noble adventurous idea with the flick of a switch. What is key is this is not because the information about it has changed but rather because the politicians in the country have coerced the people of the country to change. This is quite relevant to our current election situation in Canada.

Beyond this the movie deals with issues of faith and sin. A moment I found very significant in the film portrays one of the spiritual main characters standing alone attempting to hand out religious pamphlets while a separate conflict is happening elsewhere. The moment, to me, represented the eternal struggle for peace each individual must pursue. Despite the knowledge apparent in the world we each must learn through our own experience what is and what is not. An eternal struggle to free ourselves from sin, while others attempt to manipulate us to their ends.

Safe to say I’d recommend the film, its relatively old but if you’re in a thinking mood its definitely worth watching.

If you watch the movie please tell me what you think here, I’m very interested to hear all your opinions.

On friday night I was lucky enough to get tickets to see the newest Batman film ‘Dark Knight’ which, I must say, was wonderful; if only for Heath Ledger’s brilliant portrayal of the Joker.

By my standards the movie is a must see because of Ledger. I was very suprised to see a Joker that I ended up believing in more than Jack Nicholson. What was most amazing is I couldn’t see Heath Ledger in the Joker, he plays such a strong role it is difficult to even recognize him. Although all id good in this movie I cannot emphasize enough how you should see it because of the Joker. It is a wonderful depiction.

So in short, it is definitely something you should see in the theaters, go check it out when you get the chance!

Now with my dry movie review aside, let us move onto the philosophical nature of the film. And as well what I found most interesting about it; the movie’s portrayal of morals.

Seemingly the Joker would have agreed with Nietzche’s following excerpt entitled ‘Morality makes stupid’:

Custom represents the experiences of men of earlier times as to what they supposed useful and harmful - but the sense for custom (morality) applies, not to these expereiences as such, but to the age, the sanctity, the indiscussability of the custom. And so this feeling is a hindrance to the aquisiton of new experiences and the correction of customs: that is to say, morality is a hindrance to the creation of new and better customs: morality makes stupid.

Found in Friedrick Nietzche’s ‘Daybreak’

Morality portrayed through the Jokers eyes is something that we hold onto for mere convience, and when it comes down to it morality means nothing. Through out the movie he tests his theory on society and is overall happy with the outcome I believe.

But is this really true? Is morality merely an endowment of the well off? Or does it as well extend to the less fortunate? These are questions I extend to you the reader.

For more information on ‘The Dark Knight’ you can find the official site here.

I went to the theaters with my lady the other day, and saw the movie Hancock starring Will Smith (who I actually met when I was young in the Eiffel Tower). Although I was not overly impressed by the movie it did have some good aspects. If you haven’t seen this movie and you plan on seeing it fear not as this review will only cover generalizations and will not spoil any plot elements.

In terms of should you see it, I would personally recommend renting it. Although it is an interesting movie it attempts to go for to much in to little time.

The most memorable parts of the film take place around its comedic elements, however after two thirds through the movie it takes a serious twist. This unfortunately completely throws off the flow of the movie. Despite the action/seriousness not being poorly done the transfer is to fast for the audience to adjust appropriately and take the film seriously.

However what I did like most about the movie was the reacurring theme of ‘you don’t need to be a superhero to make a positive difference.’ It seems that positive themes such as this are being addressed more and more commonly these days. As was discussed in my Wall-E post (found here)whether the individuals gets it or not is something completely different.

Overall the film rated in its own standards (ie its objective) I believe failed. Not due to acting or concept, but rather restrictions imposed by length. Rent it.

For more information on the film you can find it here.

Last night I went to the theaters and watched the movie Wall-E. It’s a great movie very emotional, questionably so actually (ever sit in a movie and wonder why you’re so emotionally affected?). The movie was very heavily theme laden and as so you’d hope this would have an affect on the watchers.

The main recurrent theme in Wall-E is environmental responsibility, and how it is our individual duty to protect and maintain the environment. Although this theme is heavily emphasized in the movie it is not the focus of it, and in such a manner the movie doesn’t feel like its vomiting propaganda down your throat. It is tastefully addressed and although it is blatantly obvious what the movie is trying to get across, it is not obnoxious. As so it really seemed to leave a good impression on the viewer.

After the movie ended I was curious. The audience, as I did, loved the movie there was applause, you could hear people sniffling, and you could tell a good time was had by all. As so I decided to check the theater after everyone had left in order to see just what type of an impression it left on people. Sad to say I was disappointed.

There were a ton of recyclable bottles left in the theater sitting on the floor and in cup holders, as well as many movie magazines that could easily be recycled if the holder wished so. It was, simply, a small environmental disaster. It was the perfect sample of the gluttony, and laziness of the human race the movie criticized.

My question is what does it take? Do I need to go up to these people and smack them with their own trash to make them realize they’re contributing to the problem! During the movie I expect the average watcher was thinking ‘Man what a horrible future I hope it never gets like that, man I’d never be like these lazy humans.’ Yet they aren’t consistent with what they’re feeling.

I don’t think these are bad people, I just think people don’t realize as they don’t think. Simply, it seems, people drift.

Although cinema is considered one of the most heavily influential mediums of the day, it still seems to not get through to people. Unless it clearly states ‘remember to pick up your recycling before you leave the theater and please….’ as such films as an Inconvenient Truth did.

As far as I can imagine most people lack the means to apply simple self evaluation and reflection strategies that can lead to the betterment of themselves. Drifting from one emotional experience to the other all they see is the feeling that they get, looking past the message that creates that feeling.

Of course Im not a psychologist and that last paragraph is borderline speculation. But come on people! What are you thinking? By my standards the day you stop learning is the day you die. If this standard is the case, it seems most of the population is already dead.