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Movie Moments - Episode #1

Archived in Movies, Reviews, Retro | No Comments

This is Episode One of my feature column, the Movie Moments on Haddow Drive where arbitrarily rank “The Best or Worst of…” a themed movie moment or movie entire. There is no method here. Just opinions.

Episode #1: Top Five Most Ridiculous Ways to Use Virtual Reality in the Future

#5: The Matrix (and Sequels) — Think you’ve got a headache from staring at that LCD monitor all day. Just wait until you have data port implanted directly into your skull. This is perhaps the most likely method to directly interface the brain, but what happens when the manufacturer comes out with an upgrade and suddenly your head is incompatible with a new “brain plug” standard. Oh, sorry. Your head has a Serial BPCR Version 1.3.K. This software requires a PARALLEL 1.4.T port. You can get an adapter, but its a little bulky. Too bad. I’m thinking the less actual ‘implanting’ the better.

#4: eXistenZ — So you put a “bioport” into your spine and let a genetically engineered frog-computer-brain suckle your backside? Did I get that right? Of course, that was the fiction WITHIN the fiction, but the concept is there; Allegra (better known as an allergy medication, I think) brushes off the sanitation issue by commenting on the other orifices of the body that seem to do fine with regards to infection. Maybe she forgot how much maintenance goes into keeping those ‘holes’ healthy. Ever had a cold? Methinks there might be a little more than data getting into that particular port.

#3: The Lawnmower Man — The whole goggle and body-suit gig might seem the most (currently) realistic approach, but as far as boosting intelligence and unleashing the hidden potential of telekinetic powers that turn your average horticulturalist into some kind of evil super villain, I have my doubts.

#2: TRON — Barring the fact that the computers used in the movie are (advanced as they were purported) the computational equivalent of a broken iPod, the effect of laser-digitizing oneself into virtual reality lacks something of appeal. One can look to your average DVD or Blu-Ray for a laser, but as anything but a disc reader — I don’t think so. Call me a pessimist, but the fact is lasers are just light: we can control them to transfer energy or focus them to transfer data, but I think that’s about as far as we’re going to get on the virtual reality front.

#1: Total Recall — Why simply play game, when you can replace your entire memory with a fake one and BE the game. Was it just me, or did Arnold look like he was in a lot of pain when they put him in the hopper?

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Movie Moments - Episode #2 >> This is (ONLY) Episode Two of my feature column, the Movie Moments on Haddow Drive where arbitrarily rank "The Best or Worst of..." a themed movie moment or movie entire. There is no method here. Just opinions. Patience, Grasshopper. I

Television Showdown Index >> Television Showdown on Haddow Drive I’m all into the feature columns so I’ve been fiddling with some ideas around a “television showdown” where I pit two similar shows against each other on a variety of standard criteria. The criteria are always the

A Pregnant Pause, Cure?

Archived in Relationships, Pregnancy | No Comments

A new addition to the family will, without a doubt, put at least a little strain on your relationship. PLANNING in advance to keep your vows strong may help smooth things in the long run.

Dear Liz,

I’m six months pregnant and feeling wonderful in anticipation of our new baby. But my husband has fallen into something of a slump. He used to be a happy-go-lucky sort of guy, but now spends a lot of TIME talking about “how poor we will soon be” or “how he is no longer important in my life.” How can I tell him that everything will be just fine, and that he is more important than ever?

Expecting in Eckland

Dear Expecting,

New dads often feel left out of the process. After all, they “do their part” then sit back and watch while the magic happens, right? My sister had a problem that was very similar to your own, and found that her husband was ACTUALLY more worried about being a good dad, than most anything else. Sure, there were concerns over money, future intimacy, chores, sleepless nights, and all the changes that come with baby. But what was really bugging her guy was the looming desire not to screw up.

Now, there are exceptions to every rule, but our society tends — tends — to give a lot more support to soon-to-be mothers than future-fathers. After all, we’re the one’s having the baby, right? But from your husband’s perspective, there is very little in the way of sharing and knowledge that help him to figure out the dos and the don’ts of fatherhood.

Is he worried about cash flow? Chances are he’s thinking about providing the same level of care and comfort to you and the baby as you are currently accustomed. Make a budget. Assure him that kids don’t really get expensive for a couple years, and remind him that you’ll likely be showered with more gifts and support than you really want.

Is he worried about family rank? Remind him that for a while he’s going to be the sole bread-winner. Not only is he important, but there are suddenly two people depending on him, waiting at home for him, and who love him.

Is he worried about intimacy and getting attention from you? Set up some baby-sitters NOW. Soon-to-be grandparents will likely LOVE to take over responsibility every other Friday night while you and your guy slip out to a movie or for dinner. A semi-weekly, or monthly pre-scheduled date may do wonders.

Is he worried about involvement? Give him tasks. Maybe he is ambitious and can build a beautiful, personalized nursery where the baby will live and grow. Or maybe he can be tasked with building a rocking collection of music and/or books to help the nurturing process. There are dozens of things that can get him involved.

In the end, it comes down to knowing that (even if he may not tell you outright) he probably just wants to do some good. Give him the chance to let him shine where he’s best, and you may notice real improvement — and get some side benefits as well.

- Liz

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