Saturday, May 9, 2015

Put me back in the Matrix.

 Let me start off by saying, The Matrix is one of my all time favorite movies.  The first one, not the last two.
 
  I have just finished watching Jupiter Ascending.  I have to say it took me four tries to get to the end.  I kept stopping it and going back to installments of Wicked Tuna on Netflix, because I couldn’t take the silliness.
All along I kept thinking this had to be developed from a book written for young teens.  The skate like hover boots drove me crazy.  Not to mention the downright idiocy of decisions taken by the characters.  Some of it was so bizarre, I figured key points from the book had to have been left out, as is often done.

  Anyway.  I finally finish the film and I went to look up the book.  Imagine my surprise when I found out it was written by the Wachowski brothers (it’s not a book).  Errr.  The Wachowski brother and sister now.

  I won’t say anymore in case I spoil it for everyone, but who the %$$@ goes out on a balcony to look at all the pretty explosions just to get the opportunity for the balcony to suddenly detach from the building???  And don’t let me get started on the ladder rungs on the outside of buildings that separate only to be held in place by electrical wire wires. And the space ships, I refuse to even go there for fear of going into an apoplectic fit.  What engineer in their right mind would design a facility like this?

  The special effects were very good, unfortunately the story line ruined them.  I think I will watch The Matrix now just to settle down.

Friday, May 1, 2015

The Story of Pilar.

  There is so much I can say about Pilar.  I really should jot down more of the crazy stuff she says.  Even though she is a suspected android, she can be funny.
When she is not recharging, or galavanting around the country saving whales, beaches, or babies she spends time with me as my translator and Spanish teacher and assistant editor.  
  I should mention that she has a PHD in linguistics. I don’t know how many times I am going to have to sit through a lecture on verbs in the Spanish language.  So you can imagine she is a hoot to talk with about languages.  If you want to know about the simplistic syllabic language of the Anglo-Saxons an how the French gave the poor morons of ancient Britain their multi-syllabic words, she’s the one to talk with.  Mark my words. I will get an hour long lecture on ending that last sentence with, with!
  I believe she might even have multiple degrees so I am observing her for the effects of the “Kyle Conundrum.”
Despite being smart she is also very naive.  When we go out to eat she likes to order from the menu.  For most of the known world the menu would be just that “the menu.”  Here in Chile the Menu is what is on special.
Time and time again I have witnessed Pilar and Francisco order from “the menu” only to be disappointed by what they received.  Whenever Francisco starts singing happy birthday to his meal, you know he thinks it is old and no good. (see post from yesterday Fruto del Mar).  Yesterday they were going on and on about the age of the Jello they each received for their desert.  Having reached a point where I could take it no more I finally broke the bad news to them.
“You guys do know why these things are the special don’t you?”
I am answered with vacant stares. “Because it’s old food they are trying to get rid of.”
“You have just ruined lunch for me for the rest of my life.” Pilar declared.  Francisco just shrugged and ate the rest of his jello. The faint hum of happy birthday emanating from him in between spoonfuls.
I have known Pilar now for almost six years now through the internet.  We hadn’t even finished post production of Bloodmoney when she contacted me asking for a Spanish version and trying to get me to come to Chile to show the film.
According to local legend she has been telling people that I am coming to Chile for sometime now.  Like the boy who cried wolf they stopped believing her.  This last time when the plan was finally coming to fruition she was running around Santiago telling everyone.  “He is coming, he is coming.  The American is coming.”  According to Pilar Revere, she was the crazy woman running around town telling everyone about some fictional American director that was finally coming to Chile.
She wants to be paid since I use her in various stories.  Instead I will just recommend her book on Amazon.  Like most of what she tells me I have no idea what she is talking about, perhaps because it is in Spanish.  Buy it anyway, maybe I will get a lunch out of it.

http://www.amazon.com/Rapa-Nui-contarlo-Crónicas-enrudecimiento-ebook/dp/B00MLSC1LA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1430490875&sr=1-1