Movie Review: Automata

Your vacuum has come down from the tree...

Finally a science fiction movie that examines the relationship of robotic evolution and human extintion that doesn't cram robophobia down our throats! Automata had a very limited release earlier this year and hopefully will see a wider release sometime next year. If you're looking for big budget robo-pacalypse this movie is not for you. I found the hypothetical dystopian future believable and the story of Jacq Vaucan and his journey with Cleo the self aware robot through the desert wastelands to find sanctuary from humanity quite thought provoking.
The movie did have some intelligent contrasts which were subtly hinted at like when Dr. Dupre explains that she spliced two biokernals together and it installed it in Cleo the result was no longer Cleo the sexbot but a new self aware robotic life form which I found to be an interesting contrast against Jacq's pregnant wife who was carrying a new human life created by the combination of Jacq and Rachel's sperm and egg.

This contrast reminded me of the conversation between Makoto Kusanagi and Project 2501 in the first GiTS movie,

Puppet Master: I refer to myself as an intelligent life form because I am sentient and I am able to recognize my own existence, but in my present state I am still incomplete. I lack the most basic processes inherent in all living organisms: reproducing and dying.
Major Motoko Kusanagi: But you can copy yourself.
Puppet Master: A copy is just an identical image. There is the possibility that a single virus could destroy an entire set of systems and copies do not give rise to variety and originality. Life perpetuates itself through diversity and this includes the ability to sacrifice itself when necessary. Cells repeat the process of degeneration and regeneration until one day they die, obliterating an entire set of memory and information. Only genes remain. Why continually repeat this cycle? Simply to survive by avoiding the weaknesses of an unchanging system.
Puppet Master: It can also be argued that DNA is nothing more than a program designed to preserve itself. Life has become more complex in the overwhelming sea of information. And life, when organized into species, relies upon genes to be its memory system. So man is an individual only because of his intangible memory. But memory cannot be defined, yet it defines mankind. The advent of computers and the subsequent accumulation of incalculable data has given rise to a new system of memory and thought, parallel to your own. Humanity has underestimated the consequences of computerization.

Now this quote regarding memory is interesting when used in context with Automata, Jacq has memories of the beach as a youth or are they dreams? And aren't dreams influenced by memory? Are Jacq's memory of the beach his own? I always prefer when movies leave things like this unanswered, leting the audience come to their own conclusions.

Automata also touched upon the oft discussed idea that God created Mankind in his image, Mankind evolved to a point where they thought they no longer needed God due to technology, Mankind created Machines in their image from technology....what happens when machines evolve to the point they no longer need us? 
Another fascinating conversation that inevitably concludes with robo-pocalypse....Terminator, The Animatrix: The Second Renaissance, Promethius (David8) etc.
As I stated before if you're looking for Sci-fi like Bayformers, Oblivion or PacRim this isn't for you, but if you like sci fi films such as Gattaca, Europa Report and District 9 definitely look for Automata! Also there's another film coming out in 2015 with Oscar Issac,  Ex Machina that looks like promising.

For more about Automata check out automata-movie.com

B+

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmahakawanzaavidad!
Yeah I know it's the 26th, I had to work yesterday so you know where you can stick those silver bells???
Brad what's the name of that German Christmas Demon that comes for bad kids??? Total nightmare fuel! Post a pic if you find one!
Anyways I'll be gettin my PS4 in Feb....just a little while longer till I return....

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Speculation/Theory #3

So in my last speculation/theory post I focused on Kira Rey and Luke, this time around I'm gonna focus on the Dark Side.
There was an interesting leak on the interwebz awhile back it briefly talked  about the role Andy Serkis will play and his character.
According to the article it's implied that Serkis' character had some association with Palpatine/Sidious pre TPM.
And as far as I recall the only Sith mentioned pre TPM was in episode III at the opera when Palpatine tells Anakin about Darth Plagueis.
"He became so powerful, the only thing he was afraid of was losing his power...which, eventually of course, he did. Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice everything he knew. Then his apprentice killed him in his sleep. Ironic. He could save others from death...but not himself."

So the voice in the first trailer is confirmed to be Serkis, and according to the article I read Serkis plays an ancient alien Sith Lord....that may have some connection to Sidious pre TPM. Based on what Sidious tells Anakin it could be a red herring to lure Anakin closer to the Sith or Darth Plagueis was truly Sidious's master and was "killed" by him in his sleep. But perhaps this ancient evil allowed his apprentice to "kill" him giving himself to the force much like how Obi Wan did in episode IV, because he discovered a way to cheat death and return in another body.
I'm not anti to the idea of Darth Plagueis being the alpha Sith in this trilogy, it would connect the Prequel Trilogy to the Sequel Trilogy but many of the senators at the Galactic Senate are not as keen to the idea. And if Serkis plays some other ancient Sith that's somehow survived in the shadows during all the events of the PT and OT so be it but that is gonna need some real good explanation! Other wise it will just seem like wise ol' Master Yoda made up the Sith Rule of Two.
Now onto Kylo Ren...

 he could be an interesting Sith....is he the supposed collector of ancient Sith relics? I hope so because that would lend credence to the cruciform Lightsaber with the unrefined blade and his recently revealed helmet.
As far as the lightsaber I'd accept rudimentary understanding of lightsaber construction or ancient Sith artifact. 




The helmet, IMO is too similar to Vaders' especially without the gold highlights which apparently have been removed in the final design. I much rather find out this was an ancient Sith armor design when the Sith Order was at it's Apex and Vader's Helmet was an Updated version of this design. Otherwise it's uninspired and unoriginal IMO. 

365 days until Star Wars Episode VII

Sith Lords, Jedi Masters, and Padawans start your countdowns! Episode VII hits theaters in 365 days!
May the Force be with you....

Capcom Cup 2014 Street Fighter V Trailer

This reveal pretty much narrows down the timeline of SFV...I'm gonna go with right after III just like IV came right after II. I think V is gonna retcon III something fierce! So parries may be making a comeback...if they are in I don't think they'll be an exact cut and paste from III, time will tell! I think Capcom is on the right track so far, the Charlie reveal was a great teaser and I'm psyched to see the connection between Charlie/ Abel and Remy...as now I'm certain there is one! And yes bring Guile back....that's a no brainier the man's been looking for Charlie for how long?!?

I'm also fairly certain we will get an Alex reveal but not for a long time...gotta keep the hype train Rollin!

 And here is the gameplay demo for SFV from Capcom Cup 2014. I think the bowl of ramen should fall off her head when she performs a SBK.

Mad Max Fury Road Trailer #2

Now here's a movie the whole family can enjoy! I gotta say 2015 is shaping up to be a stellar year for movies. Hardy and Theron seem perfectly cast in the continuing adventures of Max Rockatasky!

Street Fighter V Announcement Trailer!!

 And now I have a reason to go get a PS4...was gonna anyway but now....
I'm sure the game is still at least 3 years away but this is exciting as shit for me! Since my PS3 died last February I've been stuck playing all my PS2 Street Fighter games. There are gonna be those that will bitch and complain that Capcom needs to put out new IP's and I agree but I am Street Fighter. I love this series. And like IV we get Ryu and Chun Li confirmed first, I'm sure we'll get the original 8 in the roster but will everyone from USFIV make it to V...I don't think so. The stage in the trailer is very similar to Yun & Yang's stage from SFIII. SFIII had the Parry System, SFIV had the Focus Attack, what will SFV's gameplay mechanic be???

The Walking Dead S5E8 Coda

Obviously officer Lamson hasn't seen Chris Rock's PSA video on how not to get your ass kicked by the police....
If Rick Grimes has to come get ya, you know he's bringing an ass kickin' with him!
Rick Grimes "I have a 480 in progress, I'm in pursuit"
I love how Rick so calmly says to Lamson "you didn't stop"
Then we get an awesome 420 Cop V Cop all out brawl between officer Dawn and officer O'Donnel that concludes with Beth performing a fatality on officer O'Donnel.



FINISH HIM!!!

Ya know what's more dangerous than an honest cop?
 A psycho female cop on the rag!
So Rick heads to the hospital with his team to go thru with the hostage exchange and it looks like we're gonna reach the mid season on a happy note, but Dawn alters the deal at the last minute saying Noah can't go since she's giving Beth and Carol back, and Beth gets all up in Dawns face and tries to make a point with a pair of operating scissors....Dawns gun goes off and Beth takes one to the dome!
Daryl avenges Beth by bustin' a cap in Dawn's cranium.
Surprisingly shit did not get real after that!
That scene caught me off guard and I'm sad Beth died, she was just starting to grow on me!
And seeing Emily Kinney on Talking Dead afterwards was very sad!
RIP Beth