Memory Lane: Robot Edition
Speaking of A.I.
I told Stanley Kubrick he could use my idea for a robot movie as long as when he died in pre-production, he let me wrap things up.
Instead, the job went to Spielberg who added added wispy aliens and a contrived idea of what the best day ever spent between mother and pseudo-son looks like.
True story: I went back to A.I. to watch it a second time because I thought the problem with the film lay with me. There is a small but potent list of movies with which I have engaged in this transaction all ending with the same conclusion: it is not me.
The list goes:
A.I.
Oh Brother, Where Art Thou
I know there are a couple more but I can't remember them right now. I'll get back to you on that.
Returning to the memory lane theme, Journey of the Robot was my culminating junior film. Here are some things I think of when I watch it:
1) My mom gave me the refrigerator box that became the core of the robot costume.
2) I stayed up all night making that costume. It's not unusual for me to stay up late, working on movie things but I can't think of too many other times when the thing keep me up was craft-related. I'm not much of a carpenter or constructor. But I guess I'm not the worst glue-gun wielder you've ever met.
3) The robot has a mohawk when realized in human form. Much like Spielberg, what once seemed unique and specific now seems like lazy contrivance. Why would a robot dream of having a mohawk?
4) I like when Ted whispers in Ben's ear just before Ben strikes the robot. What does he say?
5) Abby is easily disappointed. Not a good trait in a scientist methinks.
6) I forget what the robot's heart is - something from a stereo I think. Maybe a blender?
I told Stanley Kubrick he could use my idea for a robot movie as long as when he died in pre-production, he let me wrap things up.
Instead, the job went to Spielberg who added added wispy aliens and a contrived idea of what the best day ever spent between mother and pseudo-son looks like.
True story: I went back to A.I. to watch it a second time because I thought the problem with the film lay with me. There is a small but potent list of movies with which I have engaged in this transaction all ending with the same conclusion: it is not me.
The list goes:
A.I.
Oh Brother, Where Art Thou
I know there are a couple more but I can't remember them right now. I'll get back to you on that.
Returning to the memory lane theme, Journey of the Robot was my culminating junior film. Here are some things I think of when I watch it:
1) My mom gave me the refrigerator box that became the core of the robot costume.
2) I stayed up all night making that costume. It's not unusual for me to stay up late, working on movie things but I can't think of too many other times when the thing keep me up was craft-related. I'm not much of a carpenter or constructor. But I guess I'm not the worst glue-gun wielder you've ever met.
3) The robot has a mohawk when realized in human form. Much like Spielberg, what once seemed unique and specific now seems like lazy contrivance. Why would a robot dream of having a mohawk?
4) I like when Ted whispers in Ben's ear just before Ben strikes the robot. What does he say?
5) Abby is easily disappointed. Not a good trait in a scientist methinks.
6) I forget what the robot's heart is - something from a stereo I think. Maybe a blender?
posted by Casimir at 2:24 PM
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