Cinema Cycle - Ex Machina

CINEMA CYCLE

(Cardio Workout And Reviewing Movies At The Same Time)

DATE VIEWED: 11/06/2015

TITLE: Ex Machina

FORMAT: Blu-Ray

TIME RIDDEN / FILM LENGTH: 1 hour 48 minutes

DISTANCE RIDDEN WHILE VIEWING: 23.5 miles

TOTAL CINEMA MILES LOGGED: 3338 miles

SYNOPSIS: A nerdy programmer is brought to a secret lair of a wealthy and arrogant genius to test whether an android with artificial intelligence is indeed sentient.

CONCEPT IN RELATION TO THE VIEWER:  Powerful people do powerful things that are often times creepy, until we understand the ramifications, and then they become super creepy.

PROS AND CONS: I didn’t much care for the ‘style’ of the film.  It was slick and very well done, but visually, it came off as a bit cold and uninviting.  

That said, it was the only thing I did not like about the film.  This is real science fiction set in a real world context.  At first, I had a hard time accepting the concept that these people could really live like they do in the film and create the things that they make.  But then I realized, I have no real idea how Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg live.

This film wrestles with the whole “humans becoming god” issue that surrounds the creation of artificial intelligence.  Are we responsible for what we create?, and once we create it does it have self determination or is it a servant?  Heady stuff, that just keeps coming closer and closer.

To read an overview of this project, check out this status posting.  

This film is a part of my LaserDisc Collection.

Clicking on the title will take you to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) entry for this film. 

This film was viewed while exercising on my recumbent cycle.  A summary of my time spent working out on my journey through movie-land can be found on Strava.com.

The Life and Times of Cherry Ames - Part 14

Dear Diary,

Well, it is now 1960 and I run this place.  At least between 6pm and 2am.  It has been a long hard climb over the years and this is about as far as I go.  From here on out, I am looking at retirement and never treating another patient again.  

First person that disrupts the peace and quiet of my ward gets a Lysol enima and a sedative.  

They have started admitting female doctors and male nurses to the hospital .  What is this world coming to?   Sally is in high school and dating boys that smoke cigarettes and have long hair.  Sam has been to the principals office twice this year and he is only in the 6th grade.  

Life as a nurse just did not turn out like I thought it would.

(inspired by a series of book covers I found on Pinterest)

The Life and Times of Cherry Ames - Part 13

Dear Diary,

Well, it is now 1956 and thanks to Roland’s influence before he died, I got promoted to a senior position at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital so that I could give ‘special’ attention to Roland on his death bed.  That man was frisky till the end, let me tell you.  

With Sally starting grade school and Sam being a little terror, I can sure use the extra money.  Only problem is, now I have to train and instruct all the Candy Stripers that they hire here.  I am sure that they call me ‘Nurse Bitch’ behind my back, but I don’t care.  I have paid my dues.  Lets see what they are like after bandaging burns in the Ozarks or changing bed pans on a desert islands.  

More later……

(inspired by a series of book covers I found on Pinterest)

The Life and Times of Cherry Ames - Part 12

Dear Diary,

Well, it is now 1954 and thank god for Roland Hammersmith, my new benefactor.  A word of advice, if you are going to treat veterans, treat the generals and admirals, they have more connections.  They also have the clout to get placed in real care facilities and not the snake pits that the VA administers.  

Such was my luck.  Roland took me with him when he was discharged from Bethesda and now I get to work in a swanky retirement home where I don’t make the coffee, I pour the champagne!  Maybe a sugar daddy is the way to go.  Sally and Sam even take to calling him Uncle Roland.  If they only knew!

More later……

(inspired by a series of book covers I found on Pinterest)

The Life and Times of Cherry Ames - Part 11

Dear Diary,

Well, it is now 1952 and it appears that war is good for the nursing business.  Now that MacArthur is storming across Korea and about to start WWIII with China, the VA came calling and how could I refuse.  Actually, I wanted to refuse, but damn, raising children is expensive.  Now that Samuel has joined Sally, baby sitters aren’t cheap.

The job isn’t too tough, since most of what we do is warehouse old soldiers that are missing one or more body parts.  It would be nice if the government could find something for them to do besides sit around all day and take morphine, but I have learned not to buck the system.  I just keep my head down and deliver the milk and cookies.  

More later……

(inspired by a series of book covers I found on Pinterest)

The Life and Times of Cherry Ames - Part 10

Dear Diary,

Well, it is now 1950 and it appears that working at a Department Store is the ideal job, until the manager's wife catches you with her husband in the lingerie section.  What a bitch.  So Sally and I are out in the street again, or should I say the mountains.  The Catskills to be exact.  

Nothing like hiding out in the Borscht Belt and laying low for nine months.  The Jewish proprietors up here don’t ask too many questions.  So Sally gets to play in the pool and I get to treat the city folks and their indigestion.     

I think that from now on, I am just going to stay single and avoid all the drama.  Now if I can just keep Sally from contracting polio…..

More later……

(inspired by a series of book covers I found on Pinterest)

The Life and Times of Cherry Ames - Part 9

Dear Diary,

Well, it is now 1948 and it appears that there was more than one ‘aboriginal princess’ in the outback.  Men are bastards, always have been.  Only now life is more complicated since I have Sally in tow.  She is a sweet child, but I will make sure that bastard down under never sees her again.  

So I am back in the big city, but this time I have finally stepped up.  I am the head nurse at Bloomingdales!  Not only is the job easy (usually a fall down the stars or a needle lancing someones finger in the dressing rooms) but I get an employee discount!  Super Sweet.  

My father passed away from cirrhosis of the liver last year and my Catholic mother still refuses to talk to me since the divorce.  But things are looking up.  I am certain that Mr. Right is out there waiting for me somewhere.

More later……

(inspired by a series of book covers I found on Pinterest)

The Life and Times of Cherry Ames - Part 8

Dear Diary,

Well, it is now 1945 and I have mustered out of the Army and settled down in the South Pacific.  Rugby Hodges is my finance and we will be settling down in Tasmania as soon as his divorce from the ‘Aboriginal Princess’ is complete.  It looks like I will finally have that peace and quiet that I have longed for this past decade.    

I have had enough of the severed limbs and the paralyzed soldiers screaming for their mother when their morphine ran out.  From now on it will be scraped knees and slight fevers and the rest of the world passes us by.  

More later……

(inspired by a series of book covers I found on Pinterest)

The Life and Times of Cherry Ames - Part 7

Dear Diary,

Well, it is now 1942 and since those stupid Japs decided to start a war, I am now ‘stuck’ in the Army with no way out.  Talk about work and stress.  The doctors don’t even say please, they just bark orders and I still have to make coffee and get booze and cigarettes for them.  

They are sending me overseas to deal with real casualties.  I wish I had stayed on the dude ranch.  Something tells me that 1943 and 1944 are not going to be great years.

The new Army uniforms are brown.  Brown is my least favorite color and it makes me look awful!  It looks like they will be sending me to the Pacific Theater, which means more muggy days, time spent on ships and those damn palm trees.  Didn’t I just leave this circus?

More later……

(inspired by a series of book covers I found on Pinterest)

The Life and Times of Cherry Ames - Part 6

Dear Diary,

Well, it is now 1940 and since Rolf Horsteiner dumped me to head back to Nazi Germany I am hoping that this year will bring better things than 1939.  

I have made a new career choice.  I have decided to join the Army.  Much more stability, opportunity for advancement and nicer uniforms.  Besides, what could happen, it isn’t like we are at war or anything like that.  

After just a few years or so, I will be eligible for retirement and I will get to learn new procedures along the way.  I am so excited!  And there are all those dreamy 2nd Lieutenants.  Hubba Hubba.

More later……

(inspired by a series of book covers I found on Pinterest)

The Life and Times of Cherry Ames - Part 5

Dear Diary,

Well, it is now 1939 and since Rondo Hupalongo dumped me just after the Luau I am hoping that this year will bring better things than 1938.  “Sun Burn People”….it does not take that long to get over exposed.  Geez, hats and long sleeves, is that so hard to remember?  If I could invent some type of lotion that prevented sunburn I could retire a millionaire.  Rich people that take cruises are IDIOTS!

There are only three types of things to treat on an ocean liner.  Sea sickness, allergic reactions to odd food and the dreaded sunburn.  All that nurse training is sure paying off on this boat.  I wish everyone would just stay in their cabin until we dock at homeport!  While the sunsets are pretty and tropical islands inviting, all that time spent in between the two is BORING.  Let me off this tub!

I am considering changing careers.  Evidently nursing isn’t quite what I thought it would be.  I thought I would help people and meet nice men.  Wrong and wrong!  When this boat ends it’s journey and I getting off and heading toward new horizons.

More later……

(inspired by a series of book covers I found on Pinterest)

The Life and Times of Cherry Ames - Part 4

Dear Diary,

Well, it is now 1938 and since Randalf Hupenthal dumped me just before the canoe races I am hoping that this year will bring better things than 1937.  When are these uppity New Englanders going to realize that I am not a babysitter for their spoiled brats!  How many times do I have to tell these little monsters what poison ivy looks like!  I thought this would be a step up from the dude ranch, but boy, was I wrong.  

There are mosquitos and bugs everywhere!  Most of my nursing skills have been put to use repairing screens on the doors and windows.  And the men….geez, they don’t show up to see their kids on the weekends, they show up to grope me behind the nurses station.  When mother is away, the father will stray.  Bastards!    

When summer is over and school starts back up again, this little indian maiden is paddling down the river of NO RETURN.   

More later……

(inspired by a series of book covers I found on Pinterest)

Short Short Story / Scene 2b

Short Short Story Fiction

Scene 2b

“How long have the aliens been on Devon 2?”

“We can’t be certain Lord Chancellor, but our sensors didn’t pick up any alien life forms during the last planet survey 5 cycles ago.”

Chancellor Flenum gazed out the view port at the swirling dust clouds around Nebula 226.  “Is it an invasion?”

“Doubtful sir, we register only two life forms.  It appears that they may be castaways or exiles of some sort.”, was the scout captain's reply.

“Castaways?, from where?”

“Unknown Lord Chancellor”

“Return to Devon 2 as soon as possible Captain.  I need answers.  Devon 2 is a protected ‘Eden’ world.  We can’t have unknown aliens stumbling about down there.  Find them, capture them and bring them to me.”

Captain Tang, saluted, turned on his heel and floated from the room……

An ongoing experiment in very short fiction based on a random image.  Other examples of this project can be found here.

The Life and Times of Cherry Ames - Part 3

Dear Diary,

Well, it is now 1936 and since Ralph Horce dumped me just before the barn raising I am hoping that this year will bring better things than 1935.  I know how to take a horse’s temperature both orally and rectally, I know the best way to treat saddle burn and I can keep my uniform white even after these god damn dust storms.   

So far, the job out here in the wild west isn’t quite living up to the description in the help wanted ad.  How many broken bones does a bronc rider have to get before finding another line of work?

While the men out here are pretty rough and ready (if you know what I mean) most are as dumb as a box of rocks.  A roll in the hay is fun the first time around, but it gets old pretty quick, when that is the softest thing to lay on for 100 miles.    

As soon as the last cattle drive is over I am looking for greener pastures to milk my cow.  I used to think that a ‘bad boy’ would make a good husband, but now I am not so sure.  

More later……

(inspired by a series of book covers I found on Pinterest)

The Life and Times of Cherry Ames - Part 2

Dear Diary,

Well, it is now 1934 and since Robert Holbert dumped me just before graduation am hoping that this year will bring better things than 1933.  I know how to take a temperature both orally and rectally, I know the best way to keep my stupid hat pinned to my hair and I can read a doctor's handwriting.   So far, nursing isn’t quite what I thought it would be.  There is a lot of standing and everyone complains!

I have been at the clinic for a few weeks now and the one thing that they did not teach me in nursing school was how to make good coffee and where to buy the doctors their booze and cigarettes.  So much for caring for the sick and the infirm!  Doctors are such pansies!!!   At least I am not wearing those damn candy stripes anymore.  Those were just a signal for every orderly to grab my ass.

As soon as my internship is over at this dump I am out of here.  There have to be better places to find a job and a man than this place.

More later……

(inspired by a series of book covers I found on Pinterest)

The Life and Times of Cherry Ames - Part 1

Dear Diary,

Well, it is now 1932 and since Ronnie Holfersted dumped me just before the school dance I am hoping that this year will bring better things than 1931.  Mother still has the bad back and father is still battling with the bottle so what am I supposed to do?  

Well, I am going to nursing school!  Mrs. Haversack at the high school says that my grades are good enough to get me into the school at Lawrence and I am getting out of this one horse town and going to see the world.  

I will get to make my own money and wear a spiffy uniform!  And you know what they say about nurses, they get to meet lots of boys!  Some might even be doctors!  Be still my beating heart!  I am going to be Nurse Ames.  Look out world, here I come!

More later……

(inspired by a series of book covers I found on Pinterest)

Fiction 101 - Chapter One

This is a test of the Shorpy Blog Concept....image uploaded from hard drive



Shortened story, dreamlike imagery, questions of the past, answer given much too late.



A warm summers day at Hoster’s, working in my parents Resturant..







I found out that they were going to send me away to school that summer. Far away, to a town in New England. I didn’t want to go. But times were bad in the city. Really bad, with the depression and a lot of organized crime.





I didn’t like New England at first. It was strange, cold, I had not friends and their customs and manner of speech seemed funny. I felt like a real fish out of water.







My grandparents had a green house where they grew flowers.....Hot, wet......with the aroma of a million plants. Then I found out that my parents were missing. But money kept coming in from a bank account.



Years later, when my son was in school, he came home with question about something that he had seen in school during social studies and current events. A old car had been dragged out of the east river in New York.







The final key was that my father had fallen in with the wrong crowd. When he was found out, he made allowances for me and sent me off, knowing that he couldn’t follow me.

Letter To A Lover

From 30 Days

Dear Alice,

I am still reeling over the news.

This sort of changes everything. I mean everything. This is a crossroads in our lives and what happens from here on out will never be the same.

Sorry I did this to you, but at this point the ball is in your court.

I will support you in what ever decision you make, but I have to ad this one thought.

It is hard to build a life around something that wasn’t planned. Accidents offer great opportunity, but also wash away all the planning up to that point.

Let me know if you want to talk about this.

Always,


Lotus07

Letter To My Doctor

From 30 Days

Dear Doctor,

You indicated at my last physical and checkup that you were surprised that I am still alive based on my past experience and lifestyle.

I have a theory on this.

In the science fiction classic “Ringworld” by Larry Niven, there is a character named Teela Brown. Teela was a woman of no real importance in life, but she was drafted by aliens to be a part of a team that explored this strange new world that had been discovered. The Ringworld.

Now the rest of this rag-tag band of recruits couldn’t quite figure out why Teela had been selected. After some observation, she appeared to be a total ditz....bordering on stupid. So they couldn't see how she was supposed to be a benefit to the mission.

After a series of mishaps and narrow escapes that usually involved Teela in some way, it started to dawn on the rest of the explorers what the aliens reasoning was. The aliens that had assembled the recruits (actually they were kidnapped) had been observing the human race for milenia and had also been manipulating a few things. One of them was Teela and her ancestors.

Her blood line had been genetically manipulated over the generations to make her …....lucky. If she got into a jam, she would, by dumb luck, usually get out of it. Not a bad person to have along while exploring a strange new world.

So why am I still alive? Talk to the alien puppeteers. They might have an answer for you.

Mr. Lucky.


Lotus07

Letter To My Band-Mates

From 30 Days

Dear ‘Slag-Train’

Attached is the list of the numbers I want to run down for our next gig. You guys all lost at poker last weekend, and the pot was letting the winner chose the songs we are going to play. Which means it is going to be ‘Slag-Train’ Unplugged night. Better dust off your acoustic axes.

1. Man In The Moon (R.E.M.)
2. Won’t Get Fooled Again (The Who)
3. Tangled Up In Blue (Bob Dylan)
4. Across The Universe (The Beatles)
5. Norwegian Wood (The Beatles)
6. Hey, Hey, My, My (Neil Young)
7. Cinnamon Girl (Neil Young)
8. Dumb (Nirvana)
9. Heart Shaped Box (Nirvana)
10. Still, You Turn Me On (Emerson, Lake & Palmer)
11. Blackbird (The Beatles)
12. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (Gordon Lightfoot)
13. Seven Days (Sting)
14. If I Ever Loose My Faith In You (Sting)

I’ll bring the bandaids....since we are all going to have blisters on our fingers.

Lotus07