Reaching for the Stars: an Interstellar Review

Posted on by Colin McMahon

Christopher Nolan has long been in the upper echelon of film directors working today. He has built a reputation by adding just a little more to already established formulas. The Dark Knight Trilogy, for example, had layers of political subtext that most other superhero movies (Captain America: the Winter Soldier being the only exception) never even hint at. Inception was a heist movie dealing with the complexities of the human psyche. In the past, Christopher Nolan has been expertly walking the beaten path. Interstellar marks the director’s first departure from traditional Hollywood storytelling. Ambitious and bold, the film often soars nearly as much as its subject matter – yet like any first flight, it is far from perfect.

The visuals of Interstellar make it a movie made for cinema. This also marks the first major 4K release brought to theaters.
The visuals of Interstellar make it a movie made for cinema. This also marks the first major 4K release brought to theaters.

Interstellar opens in the not-too-distant future. Mankind stands on the brink of extinction as we have exhausted our food sources and are unable to save a planet that is clearly dying. How and why we are unable to beat a crop blight is never really addressed (Nolan does not want to directly address climate change, it seems). As humanity prepares for its final generations, Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) and his family receive mysterious messages compelling them to find the remnants of NASA, the organization which presents the last and best hope for humanity’s future.

Seems a wormhole has been opened in our solar system, a gateway to another galaxy where humanity might be saved. McConaughey, along with a team of scientists (notably Anne Hathaway and a Bill Irwin voiced robot named TARS) must journey through the wormhole to save mankind’s future… at expense of their own. This theme is where Interstellar shines brightest.

The realism of TARS' design coupled with the talent of Irwin's acting creates a being that is surprisingly human.
The realism of TARS’ design coupled with the talent of Irwin’s acting creates a being that is surprisingly human.

Christopher and Jonathan Nolan‘s script highlights both sides of the nature of humanity. The instincts for self-preservation, parental protection, and love are addressed well within the script and reflected by a cast of characters who each represent different points of these ideas on the same scale. The story of fathers (McConaughey and Michael Caine) doing whatever it takes to save their children (Jessica Chastain, Casey Affleck, and Hathaway) adds the relatable drama that propels the movie through the innermost depths of the science fiction drama.

Make no mistake, this is not a film that is science fiction in setting only. As Nolan intrigues the audience with his characters, he takes them to worlds and introduces theories most commonly left out of mainstream cinema. Don’t know anything about relativity? Well, prepare to get a lesson as this film is all about how time is anything but a constant. Refreshingly, the science seems solid. The audience believes that both Nolan brothers researched every idea of the film thoroughly in order to keep it grounded.

The planets in the movie seem too terrifyingly real to be fantastical.
The planets in the movie seem too terrifyingly real to be fantastical.

Yet for the praise, there are criticisms. This is a film about reaching, and that is what the audience is sometimes asked to do. Not every logical turn falls perfectly into place. This is especially true at the movie’s climax where the audience is asked to take a serious leap of faith to help reconcile the plot. These jumps are not commonly found in Nolan brothers’ scripts. Likewise, this is the first Christopher Nolan film I personally have ever seen where I have questioned whether a cast member (click for spoilers) really added  anything to the plot.

Long a pioneer in visual storytelling, Christopher Nolan has managed to create an incredbly reflective and thought-provoking piece of cinema. Time will be needed to fully judge just how much of a success or failure Interstellar is.
Long a pioneer in visual storytelling, Christopher Nolan has managed to create an incredibly reflective and thought-provoking piece of cinema. Time will be needed to fully judge just how much of a success or failure Interstellar is.

Those expecting a perfect movie will walk away disappointed. This is not Christopher Nolan’s best film. That said, this is the type of movie more A-list directors should be making. Interstellar grows Nolan as a director by taking him outside his recent action blockbuster zone and allowing him to make a movie that is both very large and small at the same time. In a year of formulaic films, it is pleasing to see someone taking risks. Interstellar is a film that shot for the moon and missed, but that’s okay since it landed among the stars.

 

 

A Rose by any Other Name… Can be Confusing: The New 3DS

Posted on by Colin McMahon

Have you heard this one before: Nintendo faces PR fiasco over poor foresight and inability to clearly introduce new hardware. Yes, but the Wii U came out back in 2012 so what’s the problem? Well, not to be outdone by their past, the Big N is at it again with the announcement of their brand new hardware: the New 3DS.

“Wait,” you say, “don’t you mean their new version. It’s still a 3DS, right?”

Answer: Kinda but not really.

To begin with, the definition of hardware needs to be established:

“the machines, wiring, and other physical components of a computer or other electronic system.”

Google “hardware definition” and that is what comes up. Okay, so where does one piece of hardware end and another begin? Nintendo is no stranger to releasing new versions of their hardware. Ever since the days of Game Boy, Nintendo has released new versions of their product. There are already several versions of 3DS on the market right now: 3DS, 3DS XL, and 2DS (seriously, who bought this?). There are already differences in the hardware and they are immediate. The XL unit is larger and the 2DS does not have the ability to ever go 3D (seriously, who?). Yet I agree that they are not new systems, simply new versions of what was already available to work with.

One big happy, profitable family.
One big happy, profitable family.

What makes the New 3DS different from what came before? Sure, it adds a second analog stick and two more buttons, but isn’t it really just a better designed version of this:

Second_Circle_Pad_Add-OnThat is how they’re trying to sell it, but no there is actually a much larger difference. The New 3DS has a brand new CPU (central processing unit). That means that this system is faster than the old and capable of better visual graphics. Better graphics… hmmm, now when is that style of marketing used?

ps3-ps4Whenever a new system is introduced, graphical comparisons are almost always made. In fact, they are already being made about the 3DS and the New 3DS:

Slight but still noticeable.
Slight but still noticeable.

Okay but graphics aside, the New 3DS still really is not that different. It isn’t like there are games for it that will not work on the old 3DS, right?

Wrong.

So far, only one game has been announced exclusively for New 3DS, and that is the portable version of Xenoblade Chronicles. On the software side, that is not much (for now). Except when Amiibo comes in. The New 3DS features NFC support, meaning that it can interact with Nintendo’s new lineup of toy supplements. Both the New 3DS and the Wii U gamepad have NFC functionality built-in. Owners of the old 3DS will have to buy an additional adapter to take advantage of this new technology. Sounding new enough, yet?

Yeah, when you look at it, there’s a lot more that the New 3DS can do… so why wasn’t it released three years ago? The 3DS is only a year older than the Wii U, it is still a very new system, yet Nintendo has already made it outdated. Criticism existed from day one over the several features missing from the original 3DS, the most notable objection was the lack of second analog stick.

Revisionism can be a good innovator, but constant revisionism is a bad idea, especially in less than perfect economic conditions. Nintendo is already loosing ground to an ever-growing mobile phone gaming market. While some consumers may be willing to pony up cash every year for the latest phone, giving up a couple hundred dollars for a SLIGHTLY better 3DS is not the same sure bet.

Instead, many gamers may have reactions very similar to my brother, a man who recently bought a 3DS. Suffice it to say, he is not excited about this newer, better version. Instead, he feels cheated. Why buy now when they are going to release a clearly superior product in such a short time? Nintendo does not appear to see a problem.

Nintendo just released an edition styled specifically for Smash Bros., despite the fact the game will look and run (and have faster internet) on the New 3DS.
Nintendo just released an edition styled specifically for Smash Bros., despite the fact the game will look and run (and have faster internet) on the New 3DS.

While Nintendo has been seen as an innovator in gameplay, their lack of forward thinking in regards to hardware has been a problem. This is the company that did not think a lack of HD would hurt the Wii in 2007 (it did not initially but things were different by 2010). Nintendo did not feel that the name “Wii U” would cause any problems, or that people would be confused by a controller-centric unveiling. Nintendo is the company that still treats online like a fad, rather than building games to take complete advantage of it. In short: holy hell, can this company not think down the road.

The visuals in Wii games like Skyward Sword would have been greatly improved by even 720p support. The orginal Xbox had 720p support.
The visuals in Wii games like Skyward Sword would have been greatly improved by even 720p support. The original Xbox had 720p support.

Right now they are not expecting any negative feedback to releasing essentially a 3DS 2 only three years after the 3DS made its debut. Should Nintendo fans or the gaming public in general be holding out for a “New Wii U” as well? There are already reports that Nintendo is planning a new console. Instead of abandoning and revising their hardware, Nintendo should take a good look at the competition for answers. Sony is a company to admire for their repair of a horrendous PlayStation 3 launch. Nintendo needs to do the same thing. They need a new image, and the company that roles out new hardware every two years is not it.

Should you buy a New 3DS? Maybe. The odds are slim that they will revise twice in a generation. Should you buy an original 3DS this holiday season? Absolutely not. Nintendo has already told you that they have something better. They are just trying to hide it so you won’t feel cheated.

How to Survive a Horror Scenario

Posted on by Colin McMahon

When entering a horror scenario, odds are you (and hopefully your friends) will be going up against one of the following:

1) Someone who has meticulously planned an evening of horrific rampage.

2) A supernatural force that does not need to bother with trifles like plans.

3) Both.

There are few things worse than an evil mastermind who refuses to die.
There are few things worse than an evil mastermind who refuses to die.

Hopefully it will not be scenario three. While the situation is dire in any case, there are ways to prepare for the literal fight for your life. After watching a multitude of horror films, as well as spending significant time outdoors – this is the official definitive Red Rings guide for surviving the worst night of your life.

1) Weapon Choice

Here is where many people falter. Ask anyone what they’d like to have and you will receive answers like: a machete, a sword, a gun, a chainsaw. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. WRONG. Machetes and swords get stuck when dull and can be easily broken if they aren’t made well. While the gun is the logical choice for someone trained to use firearms, the average person is not a murderer and will not be able to easily shoot a moving, attacking foe in the head or other lethal point. And chainsaws… I don’t know how Leatherface does it. Anyone who has actually used a chainsaw will tell you that it involves slow, meticulous strokes to inflict any real damage. Also it runs off an external power source. In short: chainsaws suck worse than anything else.

Sorry Ash, it's not groovy.
Sorry Ash, it’s not groovy.

What you will need will depend largely on what you’re facing. That said, there is one weapon choice that will work very well in most scenarios:

14348135-origpic-ba9d6fNot flashy, not dependent on a finite external power source. Does not matter if it is sharp or pointed or anything like that. Nothing spells offense like a long, easy-to-use piece of solid metal. The odds of this thing breaking are very slim and it is tough to imagine it getting stuck. Added bonus: most people can travel freely with a metal baseball bat without raising suspicion or prompting the local authorities to take action. This is the perfect weapon for most scenarios. Even if you are fighting a supernatural force, this bat may at least slow it down. That said, you will need more against beings from another world. One thing in particular… but it isn’t pretty.

2) The Supernatural Conduit

Things like demons do not just appear on our plane of existence for no reason. There is always a conduit, something binding the supernatural force to this world. You need to find it and destroy it. The downside is that it can be anything. That said, there are usually some physical indicators that a certain object may be more than what it seems. A book does not raise red flags. A book bound in human flesh and inked in human blood does. Also, look for something recently touched. If you’re out in an isolated setting: odds are that someone disturbed something. No one is going to blame you for unwittingly opening up a demon portal… as long as you own up to it quickly.

Opening Pandora's box happens. Just be sure you know where it is so you can break it.
Opening Pandora’s box happens. Just be sure you know where it is so you can break it.

3) Tools

You’re going to need two types: tools for survival and tools for destroying the supernatural conduit. Fortunately, these can overlap. First things first – you will need a dependable source of fire. Fire is great for so many reasons. It can keep your warm, signal for help, or burn and destroy whatever is attacking you. Dependability means having back ups.

Overall, I feel that this is superior to the traditional lighter. It is easier to keep a steady flame going and it holds more fuel. Bring two of these and matches. That is being safe.
Overall, I feel that this is superior to the traditional lighter. It is easier to keep a steady flame going and it holds more fuel. Bring two of these and matches. That is being safe.

Other traditional tools involve things like knives and bug spray. I should not need to explain how knives can be useful. Bug spray however, keeps away mosquitoes… and is a can of propelled flammable poison. The more toxic, the better in this case. Other useful tools involve a compass, a map, salt (useful for adding flavor and making anti-demon rings), batteries, flashlights, and basically anything else you can think would be good to have if you were stranded alone in the woods – because that might be your situation by night’s end.

Supernatural tools are a little different. You really don’t want to have too many of these because odds are that most of them will not work and they will just be dead weight. Silver comes to mind as a definite. Silver is a material that has long been believed to have special properties against evil. Salt also, has already been mentioned. I would recommend also a symbol of YOUR particular faith. A cross is not going to do much without belief behind it. Also: most holy symbols are easy to make with sticks, so it is not essential to bring these. If you bring one, you better believe in the power behind it.

4) Communication

Cell phones may have been the single greatest invention of our time. The ability to talk with others from virtually anywhere is a much-needed defense against horror scenarios. That said, cell phones are only great if they have two things: power and a signal. If you’re venturing far from the dominion of civilization, that signal might be hard to come by, so bring a satellite phone. They’re expensive but they don’t need to be bought, just rented. Phone companies agree that “during emergency or disaster recovery situations, satellite phones also prove to be the most reliable method of communication, making them an ideal crisis management communication solution.”

If it's good enough for Sam Neil on an island full of dinosaurs, it is good enough for you.
If it’s good enough for Sam Neil on an island full of dinosaurs, it is good enough for you.

Enough said. Make sure you have one and a reliable power supply for it.

5) Allies

Sure, you can call them “friends” but in a war for survival, such a term becomes trivial. Regardless of which scenario, the singular you is at a disadvantage. Nothing levels the playing field like numbers of dependable human beings. Do not think “how am I going to survive this,” think “how are we going to survive this.” Those people who think only of themselves – how many horror movies has that type of jackass survived to the end? Make a plan, strategize, communicate, and above all: stick together!

Do not be like those people.

6) Your brain

Assume that you are dealing with an intelligent adversary who is likely stronger than you are. You are not going to be able to work up sufficient muscle mass to tip the scale in one night – I don’t care how much you lift, bro. This is going to be a battle won by intelligence. Again, the allies help a lot here. The more minds, the easier it is to overcome whatever nightmare scenario your opponent has dreamed up.

Use common sense, do not break off to investigate noises or pick up that one thing you left behind. Identify which threat you are dealing with and respond accordingly. If you can do this, you may just survive the worst night of your life.

I feel like things like nudity and drug use are overblown. Really, the only question you need to worry about is: are you being an idiot right now? If yes, your odds of death really just skyrocketed.
I feel like things like nudity and drug use are overblown. Really, the only question you need to worry about is: are you being an idiot right now? If yes, your odds of death really just skyrocketed.

 

This post prompted courtesy of Man Crates! Everything a man needs is only a crowbar away (crowbars are also excellent weapons in this situation, just saying).