First some local news. My tooth was repaired today, and it seems to be just fine again. My wounded leg still looks terrible, but it is healing. All bandages will come off tomorrow for a closer look. And in some astounding news, the LTC home no longer has restrictions for visiting outside of the country. So Deb will be able to come with me next time I cross the border for a day trip! Yay! And in Patti news, her older sister finally e-mailed me with a nice letter, bringing me somewhat up to date with Patti's life. Nothing I wish to share here, but it seemed like a turbulent one, and perhaps not altogether happy. She died of a heart attack at 60 years of age 8 years ago this month. Thank you, Joanne!
In film news, Deb has decided to film a short SF story I wrote. Pre-production is underway, as we try to whittle down the story to fit a short animated film. It's a one character story, with only one major setting. It will be a major project for Deb; most of my work is already done.
Of course we were fans of the original series from 1967, The Prisoner. So when we first heard about a newer series, we watched it as soon as we could. The six-part series is currently showing on AMC+, and we finished watching it yesterday. Very little remains of the original project. There is a village, there is a #2 and a #6, and they are in conflict over the idea of freedom and happiness. Oh, and there is the giant white balloon that keeps people from escaping the village.
I actually prefer the newer one to the old, which has aged quite badly. It is a SF drama about a man fighting against a system that tries to smooth over differences, conflicts, and other rough patches one encounters in human beings. #2 (Ian McKellen) is in charge of the village, trying to create a society based on wellbeing and happiness. When #6 arrives (Jim Caviezel) he first tries to make him into the likeness he wishes him to be. Eventually, however, #6 proves to be too strong, and he's sentenced to death. However, with his failure to convert #6, combined with his failure to properly raise his son, #2 has a breakdown, and decides to leave the village in #6's hands. Though no sequel ever came forth, it would have been interesting to see how #6's village came out. Probably a bit on the messy side.
There is a lot of mystery to the story, and sometimes attempts at explaining things make things even thicker. But that's okay! It's good to have something on TV that isn't all totally explainable in the end. But creating the village requires a full time dreamer, which changes the equation each time a new dreamer is brought in. When #2's wife is called back to reality, the village doctor (#313, played by Ruth Wilson) takes over the job. She has been trying to run away from a childhood trauma, with little success. So perhaps her dream world will aid her recovery. Or it might make a very dangerous village in which to bring forth freedom. The series is highly recommended, and a rewatch is not out of the question.
On the Wondrium streaming channel, we have now completed our second course, this one on Archaeology of North America. 24 lectures just on US and Canadian archeological prehistoric sites. It was brilliant!! And tonight we watched a 90 minute 2015 documentary on that channel called Hieronymous Bosch: Touched By the Devil. It's a behind the scenes look at putting together a centenary exhibition of the artist's paintings and drawings in his hometown of Den Bosch. A truly remarkable film, it takes viewers right inside the details of most of his paintings. The Prado also had a major exhibition that year, creating some conflicts.
And now for my two movie picks for last week. We begin with another interesting mess directed by Terry Gilliam. The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus is from 2010, and follows the fortunes of a one coach, two horse travelling sideshow. Dr. Parnassus is very, very old, and he has bargained with the devil for a longer life. Of course there is a catch. And of course he tries to beat the catch. The film has some wonderful visuals and stunning special effects. However, Tom Waits makes a terrible devil, and the director often goes overboard and tries to channel Monty Python a few times. It's difficult to pinpoint where the film really fails, but it's likely in the telling of a story, which seems to get blasted apart too many times to keep putting it back together. Worth watching for fans, but not the masterpiece it could have been.
Yesterday was Full Moon, so it was party day/night. It was clear, as per usual this summer, and we did see the moon eventually, through the trees. We undertook two major projects. The listening one was the opera Salome, by Richard Strauss. Based directly on the play by Oscar Wilde, this is one fantastic opera! With probably one of the best Biblical stories ever, Strauss came up with an impressive masterpiece, all taking place during the night of a full moon. By and large I am not a fan of Richard Strauss, but I am of this opera. With an orchestra of 100 musicians (Vienna Phil. conducted by Herbert von Karajan, with Hildegard Behrens singing the lead), this is a must hear opera. What a world!!
And we also watched my 2nd movie choice of the week, all in one sitting. Forbidden Planet is the quintessential 1950s SF movie, and we have seen it many, many times. This Criterion edition was in mint condition, and the Cinemascope production is jaw dropping in its scale, beauty, and concept. And it's got Robby the Robot, and Ann Francis is the shortest, tightest dresses one could ever imagine (all manufactured by Robby). Two things are badly needed here: a remake, and a prequel. Are you reading this, Steven Spielberg?
Mapman Mike
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