Movie Review --- Tron Legacy

Commodore 64 sold for $595.00 - Notice the disc drive. 
It took 5" floppy discs

I have to say that as far as movies go I have think that one of my favorite genres is science fiction.  Growing up some of the most remembered sci-fi movies were E.T. and Tron.  When Tron initially came out computers were still big mysteries as most people did not have home pc's yet and if they did it was probably along the lines of a Commadore 64 and you played simulation games on it.  With Tron's plot line though the user could enter the interal workings of a computer and impact how programs were run.  Basically, a Matrix for the 80's.  It took twenty five years but a sequel was finally released for Tron, -- Tron Legacy.  I was extremely interested in viewing this film and allow I wasn't able to see it in the theater I did catch soon after it was released on DVD.  The plot centers around Flynn's return the program's world and the emergence of his son Sam as a savior of our planet from the programs.  The story was fast paced and much of the time took place in the arena of the programs.  It seemed though that if you had not seen the original Tron the viewer may have been lost trying to follow Tron Legacy.  Overall, the film captured some of the magic of the original but failed to deliver up to its twenty five year wait.  It appeared that the entire purpose of the film was to put the story in a postion to produce another film.  Truth be told though I was very interested in the trailer for a digital movie that told of the time between Tron and Tron Legacy....Tron Uprising.   I leave you with this, if you have an interest in science fiction films then you will probably want to catch this one otherwise just leave it on the shelf with your 5" floppy discs collecting dust.

   

 

ODDS & ENDS

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a refreshing three day break and is ready to have a solid six weeks as we finish out the school year


Several things to keep in mind ----

1.  You should be turning in the blue sheet at the end of every week.  If you are not doing this I cannot grade any of your postings.

2.  Many of you have not submitted a self created video to your blog yet.  The self created video submissions are a large component of blog construction.  If you do not complete these it will result in your not earning credit for this course. 
        If you have questions about this process please ask.

3.  You also need to interview an "expert" in your area and post the interview as well.  Be thinking about this now so you are not jammed up at the end of the trimester.

Best Sports Movies

It always seems that when the time comes in the spring as hockey season is winding down and I am waiting for NFL draft I find myself watching more sports themed films.  On my short list of favorite sports films I feel that the following would be in my top three:

 SLAP SHOT

ROCKY

MAJOR LEAGUE

I welcome your comments and discussion if your opinion might differ

Movie Review ---- Shutter Island

Over this past weekend I had the opportunity to view the film "Shutter Island".  Based upon the poster and description from the back it appeared to promise a thrilling psychological two hours.  Typically, I am not a fan of jump out of your seat scary movie and I was hoping this would not be the case.  The film centers are around the search for a missing mentally ill patient at a state prison on Shutter Island.  Though there were many psychological scares to be found throughout the film, the movie itself was very predicitable and did not lend itself well to the secrets the island was keeping from its main character and the me the viewer.  The cast centered around Leonardo Dicaprio and Mark Ruffalo as two Maine state investigators.  The setting for the film was very ominous and forbrooding.  I did enjoy the conversation at the end of the film though between Dicaprio and Ruffalo as it asked a very extensional question as to how we should live our life --- As a bad person or die a good man.  Overall I would give the film 3 stars out of 5.  If you are into films like "The Sixth Sense" and "1408" then this would be something you might enjoy.

Trimester Update

There are only a few students who have posted their self created video to their blogsite.  It is your responsiblility to film and post the video.  If you have questions about posting the video to the blog please let me know so I can assist you in this task.  If it is not posted by the end of the week it will begin to lose points!

By now each of should have the light blue handout which states what the class requirements are through the end of the trimester.  If you do not have this handout please ask for one.  It is your responsibility to turn the handout in at the end of each week so your blog can be graded.

Also, there are some of you who have not turned in previous task checklists.  If you do not turn this in, I cannot grade the work you have done on your blog.

REMINDER

This is just a reminder that your self created video posting is due by this Wednesday, April 13th!

REMINDER

This is just a reminder that your self created video posting is due by this Wednesday, April 13th!