So,Jeremy did not like it the first time and still not as keen the second time around but it was enough for him to put together this amazing deciphering of the more techno-philosophical elements... which just says to me that there was something to this film aside from the (quote taken from various sources around the net) "disappointing special effects".

Carla definitely didn't like it

and Meg, well, she too didn't like it neither... but it didn't stop her from pondering the philosophy of it all a little...

then finally, mi amigo du sauna con thunder bay Gary DID actually like it (sheesh, what's wrong with him, eh... oh, wait... I did too...)

THAT'S RIGHT! Call me Mr. Not-Going-With-The-Flow (which, is normally unusual for me) but I did really enjoy myself at Matrix Reloaded. It wasn't as "groundbreaking" as the previous film (but how on Earth could it be? and who would actually expect it to be?) but it did prove itself as an extention of the original (which is what a true sequel is supposed to do, no?).

The effects were, well, there, serving their purpose, and in general they were pretty cool. But ever since the birth of computer generated effects-come-large in Jurassic Park, we've all become experts on cgi, sitting before a film and judging their competencies. Oh, come on, everyone does it. But CG should work to tell the story, and perhaps that's where the Matrix fails, in that its action sequences are sort of centrepieces that jump into the midst of the story instead of really advancing it, and thus pull our attention away just a little bit. Then of course, there are just people who sit there and look at the effects. Even with things like the Gollum people were still like "wow, he looked almost real", and yet people still noticed he was an effect, just a good one...
(I talk about the effect that "almost real" special effects have in my review of the Matrix short Final Flight of the Osiris)

The Matrix's effects actually advanced from the previous film, in competition with other films like Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Blade 2 trying to push effects to the limit. The growth in the effects is so subtle, you don't even notice the improvement (essentially CG can now trace 360 degrees around the centre object, not just a linear 180).

In watching the film, I took the effects at face value, and was thoroughly entertained (being entertained is what it's all about isn't it? and I was, moreso that I was expecting, and I was expecting a lot). The story as well was a great advancement of the first film, not simply rehashing, but broadening the realm of the Matrix that still has people (like Jeremy and Meg) contemplating what's really going on.

To some the fact that the film really requires a second viewing to get the full impact of the story (or mythology) that's being told is a negative point. I think it's a tribute to the depths and richness that the bros Wachowski have instilled into the film, creating something a little more than a brain-dead popcorn film. It's good sci-fi, and probably a little more effort that most want to put into their entertainment.

Even the "rave-in-the-cave"/lovemaking/Morpheus' speech scene I liked, as it really harkened back to some of the lost sci-fi cliches of the 50's/60's (compare the scene praising the "bomb almighty" from "Beneath the Planets of the Apes"). The Wachowski's are so heavily influenced by comics, anime, asian action and historical cinema, it's amazing to see how well they blend it all together.

Really, the only thing I didn't like was the music during the multiple Smith battle. It was really awful and distracting. Carla pointed that to her the music was awful throughout, and I've always found that if the sountrack doesn't appeal to me, the entire film is ruined because of it. Since the music is often so innocuous, sometimes people don't realize that it is the reason for their dislike of the picture. I've thought of a great idea about putting multiple scores (in different music genres) on DVD's, giving the viewer a choice (many an 80's film are spoiled for me with awful Tangerine Dream, etc synth scores)

Anyway, I'm eager to see it again, maybe to enjoy it less because of all the criticism heaped upon it, or maybe to enjoy it more. *shrug*

I also can't wait to see wha' happens in Matrix Revolutions...

from Superhero Hype via Toasted Boi

I've got chills.

3:00 - after a shower I manage to scarf down some of Maryann’s homemade bread and some pure premium Tropicana OJ. I also manage to choke on the OJ, enter into a coughing fit for four or five minutes, eyes tearing profusely… breathing between burps of fizz from my lungs. Christ I need a sammich.
3:30 - Oh, it looks like Richard is interviewing people… Christ I need a sammich, unfortunately I’m limited to either an “oven toasted sandwich” from Pizza Pizza or one from Tim Hortons… all I can think of when I think of Pizza Pizza these days is them grody-to-the-max hamburger wrap thangs… ew… mm Maple donut. I’m just getting all my emma allergy fixuns this weekend
9:15 - apparently, according to some 14 year old girls, I’m hot.
9:17 - apparently that guy giving his girlfriend a piggy back felt the need for me to see her ass pressed up against the window. The bum(p) into the window made me wonder how affixed it actually is, as it seemed to have quite the warp to it.
10:00 met Blake, or I should say I re-met Blake, ex of lowdown back in tbay and the Talon newspaper. Reminisced for an hour about bullshit etc. Good beans. Graphic Designer… Good that he and Stephan really aren’t associated because, well, I still hate that guy.
12:30 finished act 2. ten minutes later everyone left.
1:30 ate lots of pineapple, goldfish crackers and luncheon meat. My stomach is asking me what, exactly, I am trying to do to it. “Do you not like me?” it pleas. “Give the gastric juices a rest already, but nay, I shant, I must continue on, I must perservere, and more than anything I must finish this tonight.
Though it may not seem like it, this is how books are written, long consecutive nights slaving over a hot computer, spilling all the ideas you have on one topic. The only problem is I’m kinda stuck as to where to start the next act of my book.
Oh, random-ambient-noisy-tonal Stereolab, my love-hate with you continues.
Bigpipe Style will get me going.
I have 9 discs left.
2:30… that looked just like the “byyaaaaaaaammmmm” guy from those pop tarts commercials. I wonder if that was the look he was going for.
5:28… the birdies start chirping immediately at day break. Too weird.
7:30am technically done. It’s quite rough, and those last chapters are pretty nutty, I mean a mascot costume designer?? Jesus. I got to redo that.
The epilogue is a little over the top too.
Stop coming in last.
3 Minutes later, and someone’s here. Yay, going to be
5:00pm And Richard is videotaping me, imploring me to set up my laptop and pretend like I’m really working on something… alas I cannot keep a straight face, nor be unable to mug for the camera. You just want to stare .
Interviewing me, I couldn’t think, maybe a little nervous, a little unfocussed, and a little uhm ah. Not my smartest moment.
I’m tired. Hungry.
And ready for home.
Kitty – ho.

2:20pm - a great lunch, roasted veggie wrap with salsa sour cream.
While eating, very cute baby attracted to the window in the arms of her father, her hand pressed up against it, smiling with one bottom tooth exposed. A great moment of connectivity in the eyes of a child.
4:00pm - Crazy lady enters the store, ranting to herself, moving chairs and exploring the books. As long as she’s enjoying herself. I’m trying to ignore her…I’m at least trying to catch something she says… but she speaks quickly, mostly unintelligibly like a hard-core Newfoundlander, and sometimes not even speaking English. Not sure. French maybe.. or Sanskrit perhaps?
7:45 - back to the big window after a big meal at Tims or Toms or whatever it was called… great menu, reasonable pricing, charming waitstaff… interesting “no frills” décor (it’s housed in an old greenhouse) I’ll have the alligator next time. Their menu consists of some pretty unique flavours including Venison and Moose.
7:50 -I’m way tired, nearly lethargic. But I persevere. Nothing Gonna Stop the Flow – Folk Implosion, I think I need to listen to this a few times and start believing the words.
1:00 - Lori left, I took a break reading magazines just before. Wandering around I wondered what made me any different a writer from these guys. If anything, it’s determination, and support. And a little skill, although I’m feeling completely unprepared missing any space tech references. Oh well.
1:25 - Claudia left her computer on, and, it appears, she’s writing a dirty novel. I read a little bit… hmm, smutty. Intercourse, blow jobs, coming, orgasms… oh my….
3:15am… oh my god, there’s black people in Owen Sound, at least 2 of em, schocked the hell out of them as they looked in the window, not expecting someone to be there… this is more shocking than last time I was here seeing the Asian dude who runs the convenience store up on Tenth. Their on their way to almost having "diversity."
3:50 - Doing a crossword right now
It’s been quiet on the main drag for about 20 minutes now. The light at the suntanning joint across the street just went out. Must be on a timer.
Ohno, 4am and the sleepy dream song from the Twin Peaks soundtrack is on.
4:10. Dudes in mullets and beaver canoe sweaters running down the street. Someone’s getting their ass beat. Guess I was wrong about that diversity thing.
4:15 - nodded to a husky fisherman.
4:20 - replaced a water cooler bottle for the first time in my life
4:22 - blew up a balloon and let it go
4:23 - did it again. Clapped giddily like an autistic child.
5:00 - I found a cat hair amidst my CD Battle Royale CDs. I miss my kitty on my lap while typing.
7ish - Claudia shows up, graig nodding off, and we have a hilarious conversation about martinis and stuff which I can’t remember anymore
7:30 - hop into a small bed with emma, go out like a sucka.

Because of my escapades, I've missed the CBS mini-series on Adolph Hitler... not that I'm a Hitler fan, nor a WWII buff, but really I admire Robert Carlyle and am quite interested to see what he'd do with the "role"... how exactly do you not satirize the role? Most movies just use a caricature of Hitler, not daring to even focus on him, so what in Sam Hill would they do with a whole movie. Hells bells if they make the character sympathetic...

Now I'm not saying the filmmakers are going to be truthful in making the mini, but at the same time, I'm sure it will give the common man (ie. me) a bit more insight into what was happening inside Germany before World War II.

The actors though, Liev Schreiber, Peter Stormare, and Peter O'Toole really inspire confidence in the dramatic potential of the film.

Catching the last hour, I'm again rather stunned by the fact that all the Germans are portrayed with British accents, but, hell, it's better than Harrison Ford with a bad Russian accent speaking hackneyed hybrid English... blah blah blah.

How long should I really go on about Hitler for really anyway. So uplifting a topic. Whee.

FRIDAY, MAY 16
6:10, The Ginger Press - In, say hiya to everyone, learn the groundrules, out. If I'm going to be up all night, I need sleep
6:17 - 8:49, Emma's Mama's Place - Sleep, weird non-sequeter dreams about people I don’t know.
8:50, the bed - Phone is ringing but I don’t hear it…
8:58, the street - I’m on my way. The air is crisp and a nice wake up.
9:11, The Ginger Press - Oh, time to set up… but I don't have snack food, but I'll worry about that later.
11:12, the front window - 2hours later, 2pages in.. not doing so good
11:15-11:39, still in the front window: Emma comes by to see me. She leaves on a quest to buy me food, gives me a big sexy kiss.
11:56, still in the front window - Emma’s back, she bought me peanut butter. I wonder when the last time she bought peanut butter was. She makes iced tea before she leaves. Pretty soon everyone leaves
12:16, still in the front window - I’m left alone.
12:29, not quite the front window - I try to figure out the Ginger Press stereo system, but keeping in mind the tenant upstairs, I decide to go back to headphoneville.
1:31, the bathroom - Bad stomach. Don’t know where that came from. Distracts me from writing for an hour.
3amish, back in the front window - … start page 5.. ouch… going slowly. But smoother than at the start… I’m wide awake now though… not the least bit dozey… although the bad stomach makes me wary of the goodies emma bought me.
5 oclockish, the floor of the front window - Two newspaper delivery guys came by during the 5th hour. The first, driving a black jeep looked more like a drunk driver as he was fidgeting with his papers situated in the seats behind him. It looked like he was about to veer into a lamp post but he managed to stop before doing so. The next paper guy seemed to want to greet me sitting in the window, however from his looking up to my looking up we could never sync our glances, so he sped away, feeling a little dejected. Lookatme, I'm elitist window-trash.
6:42, back up at the desk of the front window - The quietest hour has been the sixth.. one pedestrian, no street traffic for the first half hour.
6:44 - She’s the one for me, by the beta band, a great 8 minute rallying pick-me up, although I begin to feel the ooz in woozy.
6:52 - A little birdy came hopping by the window. She paused for a few seconds to get a good look at me, and decided I wasn’t worth much to her, and kept on moving.
7:58, just about to fall over in the front window - Cheryl, the Ginger Press' most awesome chef comes through the door, meaning I can leave. I leave for sleep.