Mar. 20, 2017 "Matrix reboot is a better pill to swallow for some": Today I found this article by Jake Coyle in the Globe and Mail:
A reboot of The Matrix is said to be in the works, but many fans would rather see Warner Bros. choose a different pill.
The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday reported that Warner Bros. is developing a relaunch of the 1999 film, which spawned two far less beloved sequels. Any new Matrix film is in such an early stage that it may never amount to anything. Warner Bros. declined to share any details on its plans on Wednesday. But the report was enough to stoke a backlash on social media over any tampering with the Wachowskis’ science-fiction creation.
On one hand, the dystopian vision of The Matrix would seem ideal for today. After all, many have recently suggested the world has tipped into a simulated reality of its own.
Also, initially wounded fan feelings have been known to soften under the right conditions. Get the right talent involved, secure the necessary blessings, and you could have a Matrix version of the The Force Awakens on your hands.
But there’s also reason to believe moviegoers are increasingly saying no to cash-grab reboots. The reasons for their demises were various, but last summer was a graveyard of underwhelming redos, including Alice Through the Looking Glass, Independence Day: Resurgence and Ghostbusters. Still, remakes and sequels remain, overwhelmingly, the biggest box-office hits.
So why is the prospect of more Matrix particularly jarring? Here are a few reasons why: No Wachowskis. Though they could, of course, get involved in some capacity in the future, they aren’t currently attached as directors for the new project.
For many, a Matrix without Lana and Lilly Wachowski – the writers and directors of all three films – is anathema. Keanu Reeves has said their involvement is necessary for his participation in any new Matrix movie.
Originality was the main thrill of The Matrix. The disappointing sequels notwithstanding, The Matrix was exhilaratingly current, even futuristic, in its special effects innovation, distinctive visuals and philosophical underpinnings. A remake goes against the movie’s defining quality.
It’s too soon. Though quick reboots have happened before, The Matrix doesn’t yet feel especially dated at 18 years old. But as Hollywood begins veering into the nineties for remake-ready intellectual property, Generation X is beginning to experience what has long been a constant for baby boomers. As Hollywood edges closer to plunder evermore recent remakes, it might need Neo to find some kind of time warp, too.
Mar. 22, 2017 "Time for the red pill": Today I found this article by Alyssa Rosenberg in the Edmonton Journal:
The utter creative bankruptcy represented by the news that Warner Brothers is developing a reboot of “The Matrix,” the wildly original 1999 blockbuster film about the last stand in a war between humanity and the machines that have surpassed them, is too obvious — and honestly, too depressing — to dwell on for long.
It was deadening enough to watch Hollywood repeat the same story beats over and over again in genres like superhero movies that were designed to repeat and reset: Seeing the industry prepare to cannibalize its own most creative blockbusters makes me wonder whether mass culture wouldn’t be better off if the San Andreas Fault just opened up and swallowed the 30-mile zone.
And the idea of going back into “The Matrix” isn’t just bad because it so destroys my hope for the future of original action movies that I’m tempted to give all this up to go study illuminated manuscripts in a vault somewhere.
From a financial perspective, the virtue of remaking an existing property is that it comes with high “pre-awareness” baked in: Warner Brothers can trust that viewers are basically familiar with the essential concept behind “The Matrix,” so the company doesn’t have to waste time explaining it and can just get around to selling the new version.
And on this score, the strength of “The Matrix” also represents a risk for Warner Brothers: “The Matrix” comes with a kind of pre-awareness that may prevent a reboot from truly standing on its own.
One of the most enduring conceits of “The Matrix,” and one of the film’s strongest visuals, is the choice between a red or blue pill that Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), a leader of the anti-machine resistance, offers to hacker Neo (Keanu Reeves), who has been exploring elements of the world that seem to have a certain wrongness.
The red pill will offer Neo a chance to see and understand the reality of his existence, but at the risk that he will be shaken to his core, perhaps even shattered.
The blue pill will return him to a relatively comforting existence without answers to any of the questions that have been dogging him, but with his equanimity and sanity intact. Neo chooses the red pill, of course, and our adventure begins.
But even if a rebooted version of “The Matrix” were to take us in a radically different direction, what would the red pill reveal to the next main character, and to us? And what would it mean?
Even if he or she doesn’t use the red pill at all, what would audiences perceive the movie’s real messages to be?
I ask this, because in the years since “The Matrix” hit theaters, that scene has been repurposed as a device for various factions of the alt-right, most famously so-called men’s rights activists. In this parlance, taking the red pill reveals not that humans are being kept alive by robots who essentially farm them for the electrical impulses in their bodies, but that women actually run the world, exploiting men with our demonic sexuality, denying men custody, shortening their life expectancy and making false charges of rape.
As Aja Romano argued in Vox, “The Matrix metaphor works for just about every conceivable social system you might hate; but the alt-right movement has explicitly used it to construct a protective feedback loop around its misogyny and white supremacy.
In other words, if you disagree or offer an opposing viewpoint, to the alt-right, it’s because you’re still living within the Matrix — you’ve taken the blue pill, you’re a mindless sheep, a weak cuck, or a shill for the insidious threat of progressive identity politics.”
None of which is to say that Warner Brothers and writer Zak Penn, who is involved in the project, would lean into this interpretation of “The Matrix.” If nothing else, I can’t imagine that directors Lana and Lilly Wachowski, the directors of the original movie and its sequels, who are both transgender women and have emphasized the value of diversity and female leadership in their work, would support or even be minimally neutral in the face of such a repurposing of their concepts.
Any new version of “The Matrix” would arrive to an audience that is not merely pre-aware of the franchise’s foundational ideas, but is also in circumstances where at least some discussion and debate about the movie is pre-determined.
Remaking “The Matrix” means not only are the artists who work on it walking a pre-trod path, but also their ability to say anything new and fresh will be further constrained by the environment in which the movie’s released.
It’s awful to think about artists being asked to repeat the same old story over and over again.
Dec. 14, 2021 My opinion: I first saw this movie when I was 14 yrs old at my friend Leslie's house. I love the action, fight scenes, and special effects. This was in 1999.
I also like the philosophy:
Mouse: To deny our own impulses is to deny the very thing that makes us human.
When I first read the articles above that the movie was going to rebooted, I lowered my expectations. There are a lot of TV shows and movies that are announced, but then are changed or cancelled.
2gether: There is a TV movie and I showed this to Leslie in fall 2001.
Cut to the manager Bob talking to Mickey.
Bob: You'll be the bad boy, the rebel.
Mickey: Yeah, a rebel- like that dude in The Matrix!
I knew Leslie would laugh at that part because it made a reference to her favorite movie.
Dec. 23, 2021 My The Matrix essay: This is something I wrote for my Psych 20 class in high school. I was in gr. 11. This was also taught by my Social Studies 23 teacher Mr. Smith. The assignment was to write about one of the most happiest moments of your life. I will have to type it up by hand:
One of the most wonderful experiences in my life was when I saw the movie The Matrix for the first time. The Matrix introduced me to many new ideas about philosophy and life. A philosophy was "The body can not live without the mind" (Morpheus) and I got an epiphany that your mind is everything. It doesn't matter how you look like or what you are, your mind defines who you are.
Another quote from the movie was, "To deny our own impulses, is to deny the very thing that makes us human" (Mouse). I understand then that would mean you would be repressing emotions, thoughts, and instincts. Usually I'm more of a think than a doer, but this quote is telling you to do what comes natural to you. I started to think differently on how you shouldn't deny who you are. It's about being yourself and taking in your strengths and weaknesses.
The paper house scene where Morpheus is fighting Neo had a good lesson. Morpheus says to him, "Your weakness is not your technique." I then felt that you must always use your strengths and apply it whenever you can to achieve.
One of the most significant scenes in the movie I learned from is when Morpheus is talking to Neo when they're leaping from building to building. Neo didn't make it to the next building and Morpheus told him he didn't because he didn't think he could. I always knew a positive attitude and thinking is important, but this accentuated how big it is on achieving what you're set out to do. The basis of everything you and the outcome of it is your thinking.
Mr. Smith gave this 8/10: "It is good/ interesting that you can take so much from this movie."
This week's theme is about movies:
"Rough Night as rough draft"/ "Oh Henry, you could have been so much better" (The Book of Henry)
"Home fires fizzling"/ "Like mother, like daughter" (Home Again)
My week:
Fri. Jan. 14, 2022 Table Topic Dailies: After that, I attended this Edmonton Toastmasters meeting. I met 1 new woman. There were 3 of us.
We were talking about careers about why I chose to be a TV writer and producer, because I wanted to entertain people and make them happy.
The woman did work part- time in an office job and gradually to full-time. I have done that working at the Soup place and my Hotel Restaurant job.
Sat. Jan. 15, 2022 Arthur's Perfect Christmas: I used to read these books in elementary school and I did watch the show when it came in 1996. I was 11 yrs old and in gr. 6. I watched it with my little brother. P recorded this Christmas special and I decided to watch this on New Year's Eve.
I only saw this once when it first aired. I remember DW not getting the toy she wants for Christmas and Francine celebrating Hanukkah.
Cut to dinner and I was talking to my little brother P.
Tracy: If Francine celebrates Hanukkah, then who celebrates Kwanzaa?
P: Brain.
The character's nickname is Brain, and his real name is Alan.
"Arthur, D.W., and their family and friends prepare to make the best Christmas ever in Elwood City - but obstacles get in their way."
Call Me Kat: I recorded a TV show and I saw the tale end of this show and the episode "Call Me Kerfuffled." The Blossom cast came by for a reunion. I used to watch Blossom when I was 9-11 yrs old. The show was on syndication.
Hours later, I wanted to watch the show and watched on Telus on Demand. I was watching this as I was going through a folder of physical news articles looking for certain topics.
I found the episode mediocre. I don't really like sitcoms.
Mon. Jan. 17, 2022 Edmonton Become a Person of Influence! Meetup: Today I went to this Meetup. There was one two weeks ago, but I couldn't get into the Zoom meeting on my tablet. I tried a few times, like closing the windows and opening again. Today I tried on my tablet, and then I went onto my desktop.
I got into the meeting on the desktop, but my camera and microphone wasn't working. I had to type into the chat. This was about synthetic imagination and creative imagination. This is from the book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. On the page is about organized planning, but that is for next meeting.
"Organized Planning: The Crystallization of Desire Into Action
To put your plan into action, Hill recommends following these four Think and Grow Rich steps:
1. Ally yourself with a Master Mind group that consists of people who will help you carry out your plan.
2. However, before assembling the group, be sure to ascertain what it is you can offer each of the members in return for their work.
3. Meet with the group at least twice a week, or more if possible, until a solid plan has been created.
4. Maintain good relations between you and the group at all times.
To obtain your fortune, you will need to collaborate with others. No individual can make it entirely on their own. If your plans fail, go back to the drawing board and keep trying until a plan works.
Thomas Edison made 10,000 failed plans before he perfected the incandescent light bulb. His key to success was that he never gave up and kept formulating new plans when the previous ones had failed. To plan intelligently is the key to securing your fortune."
My opinion: The meeting was average. I met 8 new people. I like self- development so that's why I went there.
Table Topic Dailies: After that, I attended this Edmonton Toastmasters meeting. I met 1 new woman. There were 5 of us.
Tues. Jan. 18, 2022 Jose Moreno Brooks: I have been watching the TV show Queens, and this actor stood out to me. He plays the music video director Rodrigo who dates Naomi (Brandy Norwood). He's good looking in the handsome way.
"Kiss U Right Now by Duckwrth: In the episode "Who shot ya", they kiss. This song was playing and I had to look it up.
I really like this R&B song.
Cleaning: Yesterday, my grandma and I wiped the living room and kitchen windows, and kitchen cabinets for 1 hr and 45 min.
"Woman takes selfie on top of her car as it sinks into icy river and rescuers rush to save her in Canada": Today I found this article by Arpan Rai on Yahoo news:
A Canadian woman who was rescued after her car sank through an iced river this weekend is facing severe criticism for taking a smiling selfie while her life was in danger.
Residents near Ottawa’s Rideau River used kayaks and ropes to pull the woman out of the river – but not before she took a picture on top of her sinking car.
Ottawa police officials said the car went through the ice in the south end of the river in the suburb of Manotick around 4.30pm on Sunday.
The car was being driven on the frozen river, according to witnesses, who said that it went through the ice and cold water, reported CTV News.
“Thankfully no injuries and an amazing job by local residents saving the driver by using a kayak and quick safe thinking. Another reminder that ‘No Ice Is Safe Ice’. Please use extreme caution this winter season!” the police department said in a tweet.
The woman driving the car has been charged with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle under the Criminal Code of Canada, the police said.
Woman takes selfie on top of her car as it sinks into icy river and rescuers rush to save her in Canada (yahoo.com)
My opinion: I don't have a smartphone, and I wouldn't be taking a selfie if I had one. I would be calling to them: "Hi, should I try to gently jump onto the ice? I am light in weight." However, I could still fall into the ice and it breaks.
"Boy's quick thinking saves neighbour stuck in snow": Today I found this article by Stu Mills on CBC news:
Ottawa paramedics say an eight-year-old boy may have saved the life of a neighbour Monday morning.
As snow piled up around his Donald Street home, Clayton McGuire's grandmother told him to look outside the window.
To Barb Dodge's experienced eye, it was winter event to behold — a storm against which future blizzards would be compared.
But it was the boy, and not his Nan, whose gaze settled on a familiar but unexpected shape crumpled in the snowbank outside the family duplex.
It was a man, only partly visible and disappearing fast.
"Oh oh," said Dodge when Clayton gasped and jabbed his finger at the shape in the snow.
Clayton swiftly ran to tell his mother and father.
Once roused by his son, Joey McGuire rushed outside to assist the man, whom paramedics said was in his 70s.
McGuire guessed, by the thickness of the white blanket covering him, the pedestrian had been lying face down in the cold for 20 or more dangerous minutes.
While the McGuires helped the man to his feet and to their front steps to rest and Clayton fetched a hot drink and a blanket, paramedics arrived.
Though grateful the storm had delayed his return to class so that he might be home to spot his stricken neighbour in a time of need, Clayton McGuire was not leaping for recognition.
"I helped a guy," Clayton offered tentatively when asked how he would describe his morning to friends back in school.
"I saved someone," he added, finally, after some encouragement from his grandmother.
"I'm very proud of him," McGuire said of his son.
911 call can make 'whole difference', paramedics say
The boy's heroics caught the attention of the mayor, with Jim Watson tweeting, "Way to go Clayton! Thank you for helping this man in your community. You are an amazing and very kind person."
Ottawa Paramedic Service spokesperson Andre Mollema pointed out that Clayton's sharp eyes may have saved the man.
"Anyone who makes the call to 911 when help is required can be considered a hero," said Mollema.
"You made the whole difference."
Mollema said paramedics treated the man on site and that he declined to be transported to hospital.
Clayton acknowledged his new role as "the neighbourhood watch guy," and vowed to keep an eye out for people in need of assistance.
Boy's quick thinking saves neighbour stuck in snow | CBC News
My opinion: This safety tip is for everybody walking in the winter time, but mainly for seniors: Please be careful walking on icy and snowy sidewalks.
"'Congratulations, it's a girl': Canadian doctor helps deliver baby mid-flight": Today I found this article by Adina Bresge, (The Canadian Press) on Yahoo news:
TORONTO — Dr. Aisha Khatib was hoping to catch some shut-eye on the final leg of her multi-stop plane voyage from Toronto to Entebbe, Uganda.
But the Canadian doctor says those plans were dashed when a little bundle of joy decided to arrive mid-flight.
About an hour after taking off from Doha, Qatar, last month, Khatib said she was settling into her seat when she was roused by an announcement asking if there were any medical personnel on board.
The University of Toronto professor, who specializes in travel medicine, said she flagged down a flight attendant who ushered her through rows of sleeping passengers toward the back of the plane.
Thankfully, the rest of the delivery went smoothly, said Khatib, and once she was confident both the woman and her baby were stable, she told the new mother: "Congratulations, it's a girl."
"The entire plane erupted with clapping and started cheering," said Khatib, who estimates the medical emergency lasted about 20 minutes. "I totally forgot I was on a plane and everyone's watching this."
"I was babysitting very happily and cuddling the baby," she said, adding that the flight attendants were very attentive to the extra passenger. "That baby definitely got a lot of love on that flight."
Khatib said the mother told her she would name the baby "Miracle Aisha" in her honour, and in return, she gifted the newborn a gold necklace with her first name written in Arabic.
"I had to give it to my namesake, so that down the road, she knows where she came from," said Khatib. "Dr. Aisha delivered her 35,000 feet in the air."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2022.
Adina Bresge, The Canadian Press
'Congratulations, it's a girl': Canadian doctor helps deliver baby mid-flight (yahoo.com)
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