I’ve got to admit, I poked my head into Brentwood Library, this morning.
Amazingly, they were doing the much promised upgrades to the Library computers.
Well …
The assorted wonks from Essex County Council were doing the upgrades to the library computers.
Nice shiny new flat-screen monitors, included.
I’ve got to admit, it was a little tempting to see if I couldn’t … ahhh … ‘borrow’ one: they look good.
Or, at least, a bit bigger than mine.
At any rate, it’s nice to see some work done. I just think it’s a shame that they chose not to try using Ubuntu on the system.
What a lost chance.
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Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?
Yes, let’s …
One thing I know caught my eye, on the news today, were reports on the BBC News Channel — and Radio 4’s 6 O’clock bulletin — about Tony Nicklinson, left seriously disabled, after a stroke in 2005.
And whose legal team have started proceedings against the Director Of Public Prosecutions, in order to clarify the law on mercy killings.
As you may or may not know, I have mixed feelings about this: not helped by one of my grandparents dying of complications from Alzheimer’s Disease.
As has one of my favourite writers.
So the fact that a case like this is getting attention, shouldn’t be too surprising, given that Terry Pratchett has been one of the more vociferous people to talk about Assisted Death.
Which is where this case is somewhat different.
After all, Mr Nicklinson isn’t seeking to take his own life.
The clarification he seeks is on what’s called Mercy Killings.
Because of the state of his health, he can’t go through what’s called Assisted Suicide: in other words, he can’t swallow some pills, push a button on a suicide machine, what-have-you.
He’d have to have his wife’s help: from preparing whatever form of death he happens to prepare, all the way to putting the needle into his arm.
His intent in putting his case, is too make sure she doesn’t get prosecuted.
I can understand that, I think …
I hope that I will never need, or be involved in, assisted suicide or a mercy killing.
Either as the person who needs it, or helps with it.
But I’d hope that legislation could be drafted, framed and passed that meant charges would either be automatically dropped, or not laid, against anyone helping in such a case.
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Let’s get a move on, shall we … ?
Yes, lets …
While I’ve been writing this post, I’ve had possibly one of the finest science fiction films ever made, playing gently in the background.
Please note, I say possibly.
Because, while I’ll happily admit to thoroughly enjoying the films I’ve seen, over the years, I’ll also happily admit to being no movie critic.
Or scholar.
Lets just say I tend to know what I like, when I see it.
And then sit back and enjoy it.
The film I had on, tonight … ?
Phew!
Now I know it’s around two and a half hours long: and very aware that that’s length that isn’t going to be everyone’s cuppa.
But don’t forget that, when released back in 1968, this was the 1960s equivalent of James Cameron’s Avatar.
And I can’t help but think that Avatar is a cartoon in comparison.
Almost literally, given the amount of CGI involved in Avatar’s making.
Don’t forget that, while 2001 didn’t use any modern effects to tell its story, it did use quite a bit of what was revolutionary model and photographic effects that were, at the time it was made.
Or the camera and model effects Lucas helped develop for the original Star Wars.
That’s not all, though.
While Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Avatar and Star Wars are fairly straight forward tales, 2001: A Space Odyssey isn’t.
Definitively isn’t.
After all, that plot covers some four million years.
In a cut from one scene to another, actually
It’s also a film that literallt tries to cover near enough all of human evolution, from apes wandering the African savannahs, to its first steps into space, to its first steps …
Elsewhere … !
Very portentous, that word …
But David Bowman, one of the central character’s of the film, is one that ends up elsewhere, and coming back.
In a form that is very different.
I think there’s really only one thing I can suggest you do, here.
There is still no other film quite like it.
And love it or hate it, you will have seen something that set the bar.
Others may have equaled or bettered it.
Visually or otherwise.
But I’m blowed if — right here and now — I could tell you what those films are.
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Just so you know, I couldn’t put this clip up, with the original soundtrack, for some reason.
However …
The reason I did … ?
Is that I want to know how Kubrick filmed it … !
