Ask anyone: "Why do you watch movies?" and unless you're talking to someone who's trying to avoid their spouse, it won't be long until you hear "It's an escape from real life." (Which I guess is the same answer...). And every once in a while, fate decides to make our films less of an escape by allowing smart (or crazy) people to turn the fantasy into actual real life. Sure, the real life stories carry some strong differences, but seeing fiction turn to fact is always interesting, often awesome and occasionally downright scary. Today, the Twitch Player Salutes movies that in one way or another, have played bump n grind with our reality comfort zones...
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
My apologies about whatever the event was that may make you happy about this - But it's true, in February, scientists reported that they may be well on their way to blanking out those nasty memories. Stumbled on almost by accident, this method would, I'm sure, bring about an insane amount of moral conflicts - especially by psychologists that would suddenly not be needed. The insecure ex's may have a problem with being completely erased as well. I personally, would have no problem with that. In fact, now that I think about it, this pill can't progress fast enough.
News article
Soylent Green.
We know where this is going - but before we get there, Soylent Green was also a solid concept piece for future IMAX and 180 degree cine-sphere movie theatres while being a nice doomsday nod against overpopulation and pollution. (And serves as a fantastic example why a trailer shouldn't bother going into Every. Single. Detail. -seriously- the trailer not only shows, but NARRATES the deaths of some of the main characters - but I digress) And, the come-to-life moment you're waiting for - it may only be a fraction of the impact, but a UK radio call-in guest in February would say it was as every bit as horrifying...
Article and Recording
Aliens.
Hydraulic Forklifts: A.K.A. Super-human exoskeletons.
Oh.
Hell.
Yes.
Gattaca
This movie seemed to be built on logistical possibilities, and in a few short years, it seems to be materializing rather sharply. It would be 6 years after Gattaca's release in 1997 that the Human Genome would be mapped - opening the door to the (far more confusing than they had anticipated) world of making human genetics one big scientific playground. In Australia, - and a few other places to which I can find no references, insurance companies have already begun the hotly disputed practice of "denied-based-on-genetics". But beyond insurance, there's not much to worry about. Oh... wait..wait.. hang on..there is this small issue of all babies being genetically sequenced at birth in the next 10 years - but like I said, no worries... no worries. [*invests in tin foil hats*]
Genetic Sequencing Article
Australian Insurance Article
Face/Off
I gather there's still quite the progress to be made before the ol' face-swapping technique can result in Hollywood superstar results - not to mention cramming that "microchip" into your vocal cords, but the fantastic concept Face/Off was built on has been visited and conquered by modern medicine with the first face transplant being completed in 2005 and improvements into the procedure rolling out faster than John Woo can make a flying motorcycle's gas tank explode.
Article on First Transplant
One of the newest nearly full face transplant, Jan 2009
Pictures are all over google.
Sometimes I'm perplexed at how frightened people are at removing genes from babies that activate inherited disabilities or diseases.
we're not fusing genes that aren't supposed to go together, we're removing things that cause problems - whether people realize it or not, this is the future of medicine. it's a proactive treatment, rather than a reactive treatment.
now if only Logan's Run would come true, where we could kill everyone older than 35 and spend the entire day shopping for clothes and hot chicks...
That exoskeleton suit is the coolest thing I've ever seen. All it's missing is a jet pack strapped to the back, one retractable bayonet blade on the left forearm, a mingun turret on the right, taser prongs built into the fingers of each glove, a nozzle in the front of the crouch that sprays napalm and an RPG launcher built in the rear.
Don't forget the guy thats getting his postetic eye replaced with one that has a tiny camera in it, with wifi. Crazy ish my friends, crazy ish indeed
An average Monday for me is riding the worm to college, getting strung out on spice and then plotting vengeance against Baron Haarkonen.............Just like Star Wars.
Obligatory:
"Of course, "O'Blivion" was not the name I was born with. That's my television name. Soon, all of us will have special names — names designed to cause the cathode ray tube to resonate."
--VIDEODROME
Yours,
"Rhythm-X"
Well i have thought a lot about movies making impact on people's imagination. For instance one of the first movies ever created inspired man to build a rocket an go to the moon. There are lots of cases where imagery starts a spark in the genius :)
Mevermind i rescind that comment. Obviously Network wasn't set in the futuretimes. However, I still respect how right Paddy Chayefsky got it in his day.