Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category

Oct 03 2012

Gattaca

Published by under Uncategorized

After watching Gattaca, famous movie critics Siskel and Ebert proclaimed it, “one of the smartest and most provocative of science fiction films.”

Both men also noted that the film was, “a thriller with ideas,” bestowing it with their coveted two thumbs up. After watching Gattaca, I couldn’t agree more.

Set sometime in the near future, the sci-fi thriller Gattaca stars Ethan Hawke as Vincent Freeman, a “Godchild” (or natural birth) whose only goal is space travel. Unfortunately for him as a Godchild or “In-Valid” he is a genetically inferior man in a society where the prerequisite for such a mission is perfection. His limitations prohibit him from service at the astronaut-training program  “Gattaca” in any capacity except cleaning it. Yet by assuming the identity of Jerome Marrow (Jude Law), and his second to none genetic profile, Vincent’s deception and persistence lead him to the cusp of his dream – a manned mission to the moon of Saturn.

As luck would have it though, a week prior to launch a murder investigation marks Vincent as the prime suspect. What’s more, the lead investigator in the case as well as Vincent’s alluring colleague may know more about him than we think. The question thus lingers if Vincent will fall from his so-called “borrowed ladder?”

Directed by Andrew Niccol and released in 1997, this PG-13 tale keeps you on the edge of your seat. More notable than the plot itself is the films star-studded cast. Throughout the story I caught myself trying to recollect where I had seen several of the actors and actresses prior. Films like Billy Madison and television shows like Monk immediately came to mind. If pop culture is your thing, then definitely try and place this cast with their other “claims to fame” and see how many you can guess.

Notwithstanding, I enjoyed the flow and suspense of the film, which never ran off course and always kept me engaged. Though I’m not generally a fan of the science fiction genre I found Gattaca extremely compelling. The genetic science in Gattaca is probably possible by today’s standards and it got me thinking. If parents could order perfect babies would they or more importantly should they?

After some brief searching on that question I found several had opinions on the matter. ChristianAnswers.net even wrote, “ Imagine a society where everyone is more intelligent and healthier than you. Imagine a society where your genetic makeup—engineered or natural—determines the job for which you are eligible, whether or not you can be insured, and who associates with you.”

It does get you thinking about the possibilities of such a choice and the medical ethics that coincide. Fortunately for us, life (in this case) has yet to imitate art – or at least we hope.

Three and half stars. Worth the time to watch.

Comments Off on Gattaca

Sep 10 2010

Comm 208 Article #1

Published by under Uncategorized

As I jog, music from my IPod blares into my ears. Each song drowns out the sound of dead leaves and dirt rustling beneath my feet. I cross one of the many wooden bridges along the trail and gaze upon the calm still waters of the lake.

I smile to myself, as I see what appears to be a small family of turtles popping their heads up near the waters edge. Each one looking at me, as if to say, “slow down and lower the music buddy.” My lungs gasp for breath, as my strong quick strides turn to hesitant steps. A nearby park bench offers me solace from the aches of my run, as I take a moment to absorb all that is Moorehead Park.

Listed as one of only 75, “watchable wildlife areas,” in Iowa , Moorehead Park is where I go to get away. When I moved here during the winter of 2006, Moorehead Park was where I went sledding for the first time. The long steep hill provided me hours of entertainment. That is, until I realized that a novice shouldn’t try the slope from the top. My head still hurts thinking about that crash.

Having been the initial site, of what is now Ida Grove, Moorehead Park’s rich abundance of history is evident. With “ruts from the early stagecoach still obvious near the old (now refurbished) stagecoach inn.” The original hand-hewn stagecoach barn and its wood pegged timbers still stand nearby. Local caretakers recount stories of secret rooms, packed with provisions where women and children hid for days at a time, due to Indian invasions. Additionally, the original Grant Center Schoolhouse has been relocated to Moorehead’s 258 acres.

A quick peak inside this schoolhouse and one would assume they’ve been thrust back in time. As flickering kerosene lamps illuminate the room, a rustic black pot-bellied stove provides just enough heat to keep my chills at bay. I chuckle at the sight of an old wind-up phonograph (thinking back to our earlier class discussion about technology) and marvel at the 38 starred flag, which dangles from the rafters above.

Returning this past Labor Day, the piercing cries from the locusts overwhelmed my senses. I decided to walk along one of the parks many nature trails; finding serenity in everything from a lonely fawn sheepishly delighting in a patch of grass to an old solemn horse post drenched with thick green moss. As I came upon Moorehead’s 12acre lake I watched as two black billed swans sailed across the waters surface. Neither acknowledging my stare.

I watched as a few fishermen tried their luck from the docks. Their empty pails a sharp contrast to reports of largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegill haunting the depths. Perhaps, the scream of children at Moorehead’s family playground scared even the hungriest of fish.

All in all, I’ve found that Moorehead has a lot more to offer than I had ever imagined. Having grown up in Southern California, I never realized what “stopping to smell the roses,” was really all about. I just hope that after years of smog and pollution I can still sense what’s right under my nose.

2 responses so far

Aug 26 2010

Hello world!

Published by under Uncategorized

Welcome to Morningside.edu Blogs. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

Your blog is set to “Private” by default and will not be listed on the main page. To change this behavior use your dashboard, “Settings” and look inside “Privacy”.

Comments Off on Hello world!