It was interesting to see Satrapi actually giving reason for Iran's current state when most Persian's estranged from their country only criticize their nation, and some even show pure hatred towards it. In this essay, Satrapi gives us the history of Iran and how it was constantly abused by foreigners and gave rise to a much radical Iranian government. This could also be said about the formation and rise of Taliban.
Afghanistan was invaded by Russia but at that time Afghans had no means to defend themselves. Then enemy to the Russians, United States, worried that Russians would gain momentum during cold-war with this potential occupation, semi-anonymously armed the Afghan with foreign weapons and encouraged them to fight for their country and religion. After Russians retreated, armed Afghans anger, confusion and frustration turned into hatred and gave rise to Taliban. The reason behind their creation certainly doesn't justify their actions, but it makes one wonder if we should scrutinize the ugly creation that is Taliban or are we supposed to blame the creator? May be both parties are responsible and a lot of innocent people end up as casualties in a war of a few stupid people.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Zack Snyder to direct Superman
After a long and competitive run, the director for the second "Superman" reboot has been chosen and the shocking choice is director of visually stunning movies such as "300" and "Watchmen," Zack Snyder. Among the race were Darren Aronofsky and Matt Reeves. Interesting aspect of this story is that the choice was made by high profile producers, Christopher Nolan and David Goyer. I didn't expect Nolan to choose Snyder due to their completely different style in directing. Snyder mostly focuses on the visual aesthetics of the movie while Nolan is famous for mind bending concepts and flawless stories.
This has to be yet another high-profiled project for Snyder after "Watchmen". It would be interesting to see how Snyder handles this reboot given that Snyder's specialty is cool fancy special effects and extremely dramatic slow motion action scenes, and there is nothing fancy about Superman, he is the simplest and most nerdy of all superheroes. I guess, Snyder might have to break the habit on this one. I just hope it comes out better than his last high-profiled project "Watchmen".
This has to be yet another high-profiled project for Snyder after "Watchmen". It would be interesting to see how Snyder handles this reboot given that Snyder's specialty is cool fancy special effects and extremely dramatic slow motion action scenes, and there is nothing fancy about Superman, he is the simplest and most nerdy of all superheroes. I guess, Snyder might have to break the habit on this one. I just hope it comes out better than his last high-profiled project "Watchmen".
Good and Bad Music
How many times have we picked on someone's music taste? Most people, mostly music enthusiasts breaks down music in two categories: good music and bad music. Good music is usually everything that is enjoyed by themselves and bad music is anything that they can't listen to. But what they categorize as bad music might be enjoyed by someone else. Does that mean that someone else has bad taste? Or does it mean they just have different taste?
This question was answered by my General Education Music teacher. He said everybody experiences music differently due to unique personalities and brain chemistry. Some people are pleased by hip hop, while others cant listen to anything but rock. And some music appeals almost every personality due to it generic nature, which is categorized as pop culture music. Some people might listen to any kind of music, which is either due to lack of personality or music knowledge. So, technically there is no good or bad music, it just depends on our individual perception of music. So, next time someone is listening to some music that you can't listen to, instead of bashing their music choice, just let them enjoy it .
This question was answered by my General Education Music teacher. He said everybody experiences music differently due to unique personalities and brain chemistry. Some people are pleased by hip hop, while others cant listen to anything but rock. And some music appeals almost every personality due to it generic nature, which is categorized as pop culture music. Some people might listen to any kind of music, which is either due to lack of personality or music knowledge. So, technically there is no good or bad music, it just depends on our individual perception of music. So, next time someone is listening to some music that you can't listen to, instead of bashing their music choice, just let them enjoy it .
Call of Duty: 3D
It was recently announced that next installment of the most popular war game saga, Call of Duty, will be released in 3D. Call of Duty was already famous for its ground breaking, high definition, and realistic graphics, adding the 3D element would make it even more realistic first shooter experience for gamers. The 3D version will be released along the 2D version of the same installment. It will be available on every popular console including PC.
There are no addition features in the 3D version, so the gamers with 2D version would not miss out on anything except the 3D experience itself. This is probably because not every gamer has access to 3D consoles and TVs. Even though 3D is a thriving business in entertainment market, but still it is not available to most gamers due to expensive tag price and skeptical views. In other words, most customers don't want to invest in something that is still in its stage evolution, and knowing that once the technology is perfected it would be available to them in much cheaper price gives them one more reason to wait.
There are no addition features in the 3D version, so the gamers with 2D version would not miss out on anything except the 3D experience itself. This is probably because not every gamer has access to 3D consoles and TVs. Even though 3D is a thriving business in entertainment market, but still it is not available to most gamers due to expensive tag price and skeptical views. In other words, most customers don't want to invest in something that is still in its stage evolution, and knowing that once the technology is perfected it would be available to them in much cheaper price gives them one more reason to wait.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Exit Through the Gift Shop: A Banksy Movie
This year Banksy did something that no other graffiti artist has probably done before. He made a critically acclaimed movie called "Exit through the Gift Shop". This movie is about the best graffiti art movie never made. That is the movie's tag line. Even though this movie was never supposed to be made, it was the most entertaining and insightful documentary movie I have ever seen. It wasn't essentially about Banksy or even graffiti art, it was about an unusual french guy, Terry. Terry lived in Los Angeles with his wife, kids, and a video camera rolling 24/7. He started recording every moment of his life after death of his mother. Poetic!
After developing an interest in graffiti, Terry met Banksy and started recording him for a documentary, but that documentry never saw the day of light. Instead, it became a movie about the man with the camera, Terry, famous for his graffiti work, Mr. Brainwash. This movie essentially shows insanity of Terry and raises the question whether we should even consider him as a graffiti artist? His work is mostly done by hired hand, many has labeled him a 'retatd', and his ideas are more less repeated to a point that it becomes meaningless. But unlike Andy Warhol's practice of repetition, as Banksy puts it, Terry's makes his ideas truly meaningless.
After developing an interest in graffiti, Terry met Banksy and started recording him for a documentary, but that documentry never saw the day of light. Instead, it became a movie about the man with the camera, Terry, famous for his graffiti work, Mr. Brainwash. This movie essentially shows insanity of Terry and raises the question whether we should even consider him as a graffiti artist? His work is mostly done by hired hand, many has labeled him a 'retatd', and his ideas are more less repeated to a point that it becomes meaningless. But unlike Andy Warhol's practice of repetition, as Banksy puts it, Terry's makes his ideas truly meaningless.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Banksy: A Histarical Revolution
Graffiti artist Banksy makes his work more than vandalizing walls and buildings at night. His ideas are fresh and histerical. Recently at Glastonbury, England, Banksy was disguised as a hippie in the crowd waiting for the arrival of Prince Charles. On his arrival, Banksy pulled out a sign saying 'Drugs For Sale' and asked the Prince if he wanted to smoke marijuana with him. When Prince didn't respond, Banksy threw a bag of "drugs" towards the Prince with a plea to just try it. It was one of the most hilarious things I've seen in performance art.
But Banksy's art is not just for fun. Most of the his work seems to be an attempt to trigger a much needed revolution. He tries to bring forward apparent problems in the world that most turn a blind eye to, like his life size Guantanamo Bay detainee replica displayed (for 90 minutes on 9/11 anniversary) in Disneyland. But the one that required more bravery was when he vandalized the wall at West Bank, which was built to keep Palestinians from entering the area. He traveled to the West Bank in Middle East and plastered at least a mile along area on the wall with pictures showing the beauty on the other side of the wall through hole ou window. Banksy faced a great risk on this assignment; he was asked to leave by Israeli soldiers; guns were pointed at him; and according to some witnesse, shots were fired. But Banksy made it back alive with his mission (to raise awareness of the wall) accomplished.
But Banksy's art is not just for fun. Most of the his work seems to be an attempt to trigger a much needed revolution. He tries to bring forward apparent problems in the world that most turn a blind eye to, like his life size Guantanamo Bay detainee replica displayed (for 90 minutes on 9/11 anniversary) in Disneyland. But the one that required more bravery was when he vandalized the wall at West Bank, which was built to keep Palestinians from entering the area. He traveled to the West Bank in Middle East and plastered at least a mile along area on the wall with pictures showing the beauty on the other side of the wall through hole ou window. Banksy faced a great risk on this assignment; he was asked to leave by Israeli soldiers; guns were pointed at him; and according to some witnesse, shots were fired. But Banksy made it back alive with his mission (to raise awareness of the wall) accomplished.
Banksy
Recently I came across a graffiti artist whose work mesmerized me. As most graffiti artists he keeps his identity extremely secret and only identifies himself as Banksy. The reason for the secret identity is because graffiti work is more or less considered vandalizing, which is a crime. Banksy started working on the streets of London and quickly gained fame for his unique style. He took his work from streets to Museums, but his work wasn't exactly curated by the Museum. He took the liberty to smuggle in his version of famous paintings and hang them on the Museum walls. Some of his paintings that he hanged went notice for about a week, but once noticed people started paying attention to this fearless graffiti artist.
After gaining fame he took his work abroad targeting famous cities and iconic places. One of my favorite Banksy work was done at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. On Sept 11, 2006, he made a life size replica of a detainee of controversial Guantanamo Bay Prison, and hanged it in middle of one of the rides. The artwork remained there for 90 minutes before the ride was shut down and the artwork was removed.
After gaining fame he took his work abroad targeting famous cities and iconic places. One of my favorite Banksy work was done at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. On Sept 11, 2006, he made a life size replica of a detainee of controversial Guantanamo Bay Prison, and hanged it in middle of one of the rides. The artwork remained there for 90 minutes before the ride was shut down and the artwork was removed.
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