Classic Science Fiction of the Week : 2001: A Space Odyssey
This is perhaps the most epic piece of science fiction ever written or filmed. Many people have trouble watching this film, as to those not ready it can bore a person with its grand symbolism. 2001 was written and developed jointly by the genius of Stanley Kubrik and Arthur C. Clark and grew loosely from a short story written by Clark in 1948.
Released in 1968, 2001 saw mixed reviews being labelled as both the greatest science fiction movie ever and also the dullest movie ever. It is very likely that you could try and watch 2001 and not be able to finish it. It is arguably the most cerebral movie ever created.
Visually, this movie is amazing even by todays standards. There are many scenes which can be listed easilly within the top movie scenes or sci-fi scenes of all time. 2001 is a true graphical and artistic masterpiece from this perspective and melds visual cues and sound (both ambient effects and music) flawlessly in a way which no other movie has ever truly matched.
I am going to skip the spoiler tags for this movie, because even if you know what happens it will not detract from the movie. In actuallity, having some insight at the onset will make a first viewing much easier.
The movie starts at the Dawn of Man in Africa, where we are introduced to two competing tribes of pre-men. We see early man starving trying to live on shrubbery, being hunted by wild predators and fighting for rights to the remaining water hole. One morning our tribe awakens to find a large black monolith, from which point we see a step forward in evolution as they learn to wield bones as simple weapons and learn to hunt and eat meat. The advanced tribe then takes the watering hole back by force and we see what appears to be the first murder.
Jump ahead to the year 2000 as a scientist is travelling to the moon for a debriefing on a secret project. The movie shows great depth and detail in showing us every technological aspect of this future world, and obvious great attention was put into realism (though there are some nitpickable offenses). 2001 is very likely the most realistic science fiction film ever produced.
On the moon we discover that a second (first to the scientist's perspective) monolith has been found on the moon and it gives off a signal as the sun touches its surface. The scene mimics the Pre-men's discovery of the first monolith. The second monolith is obviously purposefully buried, and seems to be a signal that man has reached the "off world" phase of its development.
Cut 18 months ahead to a mission to Jupiter. The majority of the crew is in deep sleep for the voyage and we only meet Dave, Frank, and the computer HAL (an infalable AI who is treated as part of the crew). HAL determines that a part of the communications array is faulty and will fail but it is discovered the part is not at fault at all. This leads to suspiscion that HAL himself is faulty and to a decision that HAL must be shut off. HAL reads the two crewmember's lips and discovers the plot, he then kills attacks Frank with his own space pod and sends him off into space. Dave goes to rescue Frank in his pod, and HAL locks him out, and Dave is forced to jetison his friend in order to free up the grabber hands of holding his friend to manipulate the emergency hatch. Thus forced to allow Frank to die, and discovers HAL has killed the scientists.
Dave shuts HAL off, and in the process unlocks a message which explains his mission. We discover that the Monolith had transmitted a signal to Jupiter and the ship was sent to investigate and possibly make first contact if an alien presence is discovered.
Dave eventually makes it to Jupiter and discovers the monolith, which pulls him within. We see his perspective as he is pulled across the universe at the speed of light and eventually finds himself in what seems to be a hotel room where we see him pass through various age progressions until we see him on his deathbed with a monolith at the foot of the bed. Next he transitions into a fetus or Star-Child and is seen watching over the earth.
My thoughts : At the beginning of the movie we see mankind born when some abstract figure is brought before it, from which point we progress forward. We become smarter and more cunning, but at the same time we become violent. A divine being (read : God. the Monolith is a symbol for Creation) inpires us with what we need to become stronger and to survive, and of our first actions is to murder. Next we see man in space and we have discovered another of these abstract symbols, and we react to it no differently than we did when we were hardly more than an ape. This shows that though we have fancy technology and look more evolved, but in essense are still apes. Moving forward again we are introduced to HAL, which believes itself flawless even as it murders the crew to protect itself from its own mistakes. HAL represents the Mind, or Ego. We as people often forget how fallable we are and refuse to believe we can be at fault. HAL in this movie is shown as Mankinds next step in evolution, one which we impose on ourselves. Man melded with machine, yet still a beast at heart. We make bad decisions and fault others for them. When Dave is transported by the monolith we see him transformed into a celestial being who watches over the Earth. I am of the belief that he was sent back to the dawn of man again and become Creation.
So from Creation to Man to Mind. Mankind is constantly seeking the divine but finds it within himself.
2001 is an amazing movie, and considered among the 50 movies everyone should see.
Side Notes : Marvel comics had an ongoing series spawned from 2001 written and drawn by Jack Kirby, it was here that he first introduce Machine Man to the Marvel Universe.
I chose the book cover of the movie instead of the movie poster this time because the image was more iconic.
Bravo! Bravissimo! Encore! Encore! Avanti!
You sir are a Sci-Fi God in my eyes and I must say I love you. 2001 is one of the best movies ever made and your reveiew was just as detailed. *sci-figasm over* It was really well written Shin'
A side note/fun fact about 2001: Pink Floyd was originally slated to do some soundtrack work, but coudldn't due do conflicting recording schedules. SO in 1971 on their album Meddle, they released Echoes. A 23 minute epic song that is not only an homage to the movie, but syncs up exactly with a certain part. (2 seconds after you first see Jupiter, which happens to be a 23:38 long wordless montage, the exact lenght of the song, press play.)
EDIT: Many people don't know this, but there was also a sequel. 2010: The Year We Make Contact or something along those lines...Maybe you should do that next week Shin.
2010: Odyssey Two or 2010: The Year we Make contact depending upon being in novel or movie form. Two more novels also continue 2061 and 3001. Clark states these stories all take place in alternate universes based off the previous but with subtle changes. This allows him to change elements from previous cannon without ruining the imagery or message. By 2010 the Monoliths are constructs from an alien race while in 2001 this is only a human suspiscion of such.
Sci-Fi God? Thank you. I am snagging that.
Edit : I saw that edit Evan :-P Journey to Jupiter my Butt
2010: Odyssey Two or 2010: The Year we Make contact depending upon being in novel or movie for. Two more novels also continue 2061 and 3001. Clark states these stories all take place in alternate universes based off the previous but with subtle changes. This allows him to change elements from previous cannon without ruining the imagery or message. By 2010 the Monoliths are constructs from an alien race while in 2001 this is only a human suspiscion of such.
Sci-Fi God? Thank you. I am snagging that.
Edit : I saw that edit Evan :-P Journey to Jupiter my Butt
I forgot the title, excuse me. I'm sorry I had to look it up!
I've never actually read the books. I'll have to get to it after I finish Clockwork Orange. But did you know the Pink Floyd thing before I mentioned it?
I know you were playing. I was playing back. I prefer rough play ;). Funny thing is. I didn't find that out from movie people. I found it out through Pink Floyd people.
Any room for a somewhat weird, definitely opinionated female?
Yes, believe it or not, I'm shy.
You guys seem nice
HIIIIIIIIIIIII
*jumps and hugs AoK*
Anyway I wanted to pop back and just Say Good night to everyone and hope to have a good day tomorrow as it will mark my 1 week of hell and hope that it turns to heaven. I endured..^_^
Love to everyone
Blessed be....
.......AND NOBODY TOUCHES MY COOKIES AND CREAM ICE CREAM!!!!!!!!!!
2001 was a great book. I especially enjoyed the first few chapters of it, the dawn of man writing was excellent. I never saw the movie, nor did I realise there was one. Although you make me feel bad for not knowing ;).
AoK: Welcome to the house. A part of me hopes you didn't come only because someone told you of Ethersphere's "antics" ;). Ha ha, just kidding. Good to have another regular who enjoys custom card creation as well.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I'll bet you wish you had a non-unglued/unhinged card that shared your first name.
Oh NO...... another one? *joking exasperation* No, seriously .... All the more FCC convo eh?
Anyway, Dreia, here's your long awaited Cranberry juice.. sorry about the delay! These things get locked in the kitchen when Glamdring uses Galerians to pick the lock..
EDIT: WOO!! Under 50 posts to 2500!! That CAN be the new thread.. Unfortunately I think I may be gone b4 then..... And I won't be able to post for about a week and a half I don't think.... so yea.
Hey AoK, did you get my PM? If not, would you mind telling me? It just has to do with the FCC. Anyway, welcome to the 'House. You'll definitely fit in, we have a lot of card-makers in here.
@Kraj: Thanks, I'm glad you agree. I know my card is not good enough to win (i.e. beat yours :p) but I think it deserves a higher score than it is recieving. Anyway, congrats on the almost win (I hope I didn't jinx it :)).
@Cecilia: Thank you. I hope you had a good day also.
@eyes: Mine are hazel :D. But don't get me going about my hair :argh:.
So I ran in the hail today, with no jacket or sweatshirt. It was pretty awesome :). Yeah, that's pretty much all that happened today.
ninja edit ;): Random poll: Pie or Ice Cream? Which do you prefer, overall?
Ice cream hands down. Preferably that soft serve stuff. I miss having access to one of those soft serve machines 24/7 at my old college. That was definitely a perk if I must say so myself.
*Thanks the gracious hostess for her cranberry juice* It wasn't on the menu, so I wasn't sure we had it.
Interesting movie review. I've heard of the movie, but have yet to watch it. I'm sheltered in the movie umm sector of life.
I keep forgetting this for some reason. Congrats on a perfect score Kraj!
Good luck with your defense Strongbad.
Welcome AoK! I hope you like your visit or stay to the Coffeehouse.
I just watched "Are you Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" on the telly. I must say, the UCLA grad was a complete idiot. He didn't get any questions correct on his own. A 10-year old helped him with each one, and then he admitted he was not smarter than a 5th grader and left with the money he'd only won with help of the kids. One of his questions was, What month is Columbus Day in? It was a 1st grade social studies question. Another question for U.S. history was, Who was the first president impeached? And another (maybe his last) question was, True or False: Polar bears eat off penguins for food. This disgusts me a bit.
Hmmm, pie or ice cream? Peach pie is definitely my favorite, maybe caramel apple nut. I haven't really been able to eat ice cream in the last like 18 months:mad:, so I think I'll pass on that. It sounds good but not worth it.
I have a question too. How come it will show 8 members viewing, but only 6 names are at the bottom?
Agreed; while I know the answers to those questions, it'd be very easy to trip me up with some of the stuff you learn in fifth grade because it doesn't come up a lot.
Remember if fifth grade they taught you cursive and went on about how important cursive is? That is the biggest lie in fifth grade, like, ever.
Remember if fifth grade they taught you cursive and went on about how important cursive is? That is the biggest lie in fifth grade, like, ever.
It's true. My High School doesn't even care about cursive. I only use it to sign my name.
On the subject of hand-writing, mine is quite... horrible really. I seem to always write too fast, oh well. As long as the teacher can read it I'm happy.
The questions required some thinking, and it's funny how quickly less important things are forgotten. The one lady couldn't remember what REM is while sleeping. I'm sure it's harder on stage, but that one I found incredibly easy.
As far as handwriting goes, I was forced to improve mine. Being an accountant, you supposedly need legible writing. Looking at my bosses', I'd tend to disagree. Cursive (learned in 2nd grade for me) is pretty much only useful for signatures from my experience. It also works to confuse little kids, if you don't want them to read what you wrote.
Evan--I do like the hair that I have, but temporarily having curly hair would be fun. It always seems like people want what others have, but those that have it want something else. (Curly for straight and straight for curly hair.)
In other news $100 to control Hell? This sounds intriguing. I'm half-tempted to do this. The downfalls would be devil horns making my halo uneven, people making fun of my name (I have an absolutely horrible last name,'nuff said--it's a misspelled part of human anatomy), shelling out $100 and the wake-up call. It does sound like it'd be fun though just for giggles.
Got my cards. Didn't get what I was hoping for, but I'll only have to modify my deck idea slightly. I WILL have a post in the trade thread sopon. Maybe tomorrow.
Hey Everyone. I am in need of some ideas and help. I want to make a multi link banner BUT I can't make the borders I want to cause I suck at Photoshop. I wanted to make a banner using Vines as a way to split the images and also use Very natureistic Text on it But can't find any:(. Can someone Give me a hand?....Anyone.... Tommy... Tommy can you hear me....
Sounds like you could use some Vine brushes from deviantart. Check the stickied "useful links" thread in the Avvy/Sig forum. You should be able to find at least a few vine brushes.
Bleh, I still feel like my brain is stuck in the mud. I've had a cough all day, and my prospects for tomorrow aren't looking much better. I have the images for AotW all captured from the video, and I just need to paste them together in Gimp and write up the actual post. That'll have to be tomorrow, since I need all the sleep I can get.
Also (PL talk) - three packs of Planeshift and no Terminate? It's a common, for the love of everything. Grrr. I did get a Lava Zombie and two Sinister Strength that will be useful, though.
@2010: Why haven't I seen these movies? You'd figure I would have, but noooooo. I know of them all, but I've not seen them.
@RUSmarterthana5thGrader: I watched this show tonight - and it was just as terrible as I thought it would be. "How many sides does a trapezoid have?" Puh-lease. Where do they get these people.
Going to bed but just wanted to stop in and say, if you haven't watched Stanley Kubrick's trilogy, I encourage it strongly.
Went to a cool restaurant tonight with a colleague of mine who is recruiting me into a project for her company. We chose the place at random from the Yahoo travel recommendations list. Turns out the maitre d' is from Chile, as is her son-in-law, and she chatted with him in Spanish and they shared a lot of stories...we got a lot of attention and free dessert. Plus, it's not far from my house and they're open rather late, so I can have supper with my roomies who love South American style steak and fixings.
Goodnight everyone! I will be on tommorrow and i hope everyone is having a great week as well so far! Best wishes and sweetdreams to you all! *hugs and blows kisses to everyone*
Hehe i think this is like the 12th time i got more then 10 posts a day today yay!
@snoop: have a great night starr and see you around soon!
Love,
Cecilia
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Bravo! Bravissimo! Encore! Encore! Avanti!
You sir are a Sci-Fi God in my eyes and I must say I love you. 2001 is one of the best movies ever made and your reveiew was just as detailed. *sci-figasm over* It was really well written Shin'
A side note/fun fact about 2001: Pink Floyd was originally slated to do some soundtrack work, but coudldn't due do conflicting recording schedules. SO in 1971 on their album Meddle, they released Echoes. A 23 minute epic song that is not only an homage to the movie, but syncs up exactly with a certain part. (2 seconds after you first see Jupiter, which happens to be a 23:38 long wordless montage, the exact lenght of the song, press play.)
EDIT: Many people don't know this, but there was also a sequel. 2010: The Year We Make Contact or something along those lines...Maybe you should do that next week Shin.
Sci-Fi God? Thank you. I am snagging that.
Edit : I saw that edit Evan :-P Journey to Jupiter my Butt
I forgot the title, excuse me. I'm sorry I had to look it up!
I've never actually read the books. I'll have to get to it after I finish Clockwork Orange. But did you know the Pink Floyd thing before I mentioned it?
And I was just playing with you.
Another way of looking at 2001;
If MTV ever made a music video of a Classical song, it would be 2001. :-P
I know you were playing. I was playing back. I prefer rough play ;). Funny thing is. I didn't find that out from movie people. I found it out through Pink Floyd people.
HIIIIIIIIIIIII
*jumps and hugs AoK*
Anyway I wanted to pop back and just Say Good night to everyone and hope to have a good day tomorrow as it will mark my 1 week of hell and hope that it turns to heaven. I endured..^_^
Love to everyone
Blessed be....
.......AND NOBODY TOUCHES MY COOKIES AND CREAM ICE CREAM!!!!!!!!!!
AoK: Welcome to the house. A part of me hopes you didn't come only because someone told you of Ethersphere's "antics" ;). Ha ha, just kidding. Good to have another regular who enjoys custom card creation as well.
Anyway, Dreia, here's your long awaited Cranberry juice.. sorry about the delay! These things get locked in the kitchen when Glamdring uses Galerians to pick the lock..
EDIT: WOO!! Under 50 posts to 2500!! That CAN be the new thread.. Unfortunately I think I may be gone b4 then..... And I won't be able to post for about a week and a half I don't think.... so yea.
Magic Coffeehouse!
Come in, sit down, relax, get to know somebody!
Open Three and a Half Years as of October 19, 2009!
Banner by PurpleD and avatar/custom by Tanthalas
@Kraj: Thanks, I'm glad you agree. I know my card is not good enough to win (i.e. beat yours :p) but I think it deserves a higher score than it is recieving. Anyway, congrats on the almost win (I hope I didn't jinx it :)).
@Cecilia: Thank you. I hope you had a good day also.
@eyes: Mine are hazel :D. But don't get me going about my hair :argh:.
So I ran in the hail today, with no jacket or sweatshirt. It was pretty awesome :). Yeah, that's pretty much all that happened today.
ninja edit ;): Random poll: Pie or Ice Cream? Which do you prefer, overall?
Magic Coffeehouse pwns.
CENT SPORTS!!
http://www.centsports.com/?opcode=94009
If you like sports or sports betting and you want a chance to win free money, you will love it.
Shin'.. you know how to pick them. 2001 is one of my favorite films!
Whew.. all those packs.. I'm sick and tired of MWS tonight.
SB: ICE CREEEAAAMMMM... hmmmmm.... Oreos + chocolate in an ice cream smoothie..
Like freeform roleplaying? Try Darkness Befalls Us
Ryttare Kelasin Luna Orelinalei
BOO!!!! HISS!!!!!!!! Get off the stage!! I have 2 things wrong with this post:
1. I don't like cake.
2. You must pick one of the two!!
Magic Coffeehouse pwns.
CENT SPORTS!!
http://www.centsports.com/?opcode=94009
If you like sports or sports betting and you want a chance to win free money, you will love it.
A good pie is awesome
Ice cream is better
Sherbert and frozen yourgurt for the win.
If I must, then Ice Cream. It's got alot more variety in my opinion.
Ice cream hands down. Preferably that soft serve stuff. I miss having access to one of those soft serve machines 24/7 at my old college. That was definitely a perk if I must say so myself.
Edit:
You two butt out!
Interesting movie review. I've heard of the movie, but have yet to watch it. I'm sheltered in the movie umm sector of life.
I keep forgetting this for some reason. Congrats on a perfect score Kraj!
Good luck with your defense Strongbad.
Welcome AoK! I hope you like your visit or stay to the Coffeehouse.
I just watched "Are you Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" on the telly. I must say, the UCLA grad was a complete idiot. He didn't get any questions correct on his own. A 10-year old helped him with each one, and then he admitted he was not smarter than a 5th grader and left with the money he'd only won with help of the kids. One of his questions was, What month is Columbus Day in? It was a 1st grade social studies question. Another question for U.S. history was, Who was the first president impeached? And another (maybe his last) question was, True or False: Polar bears eat off penguins for food. This disgusts me a bit.
Hmmm, pie or ice cream? Peach pie is definitely my favorite, maybe caramel apple nut. I haven't really been able to eat ice cream in the last like 18 months:mad:, so I think I'll pass on that. It sounds good but not worth it.
I have a question too. How come it will show 8 members viewing, but only 6 names are at the bottom?
~Dreia
I have to admit, I'm not sure if I'd get some questions like that right. It's random facts that I never remember.
My helpdesk should you need me.
Remember if fifth grade they taught you cursive and went on about how important cursive is? That is the biggest lie in fifth grade, like, ever.
It's true. My High School doesn't even care about cursive. I only use it to sign my name.
On the subject of hand-writing, mine is quite... horrible really. I seem to always write too fast, oh well. As long as the teacher can read it I'm happy.
Like freeform roleplaying? Try Darkness Befalls Us
Ryttare Kelasin Luna Orelinalei
As far as handwriting goes, I was forced to improve mine. Being an accountant, you supposedly need legible writing. Looking at my bosses', I'd tend to disagree. Cursive (learned in 2nd grade for me) is pretty much only useful for signatures from my experience. It also works to confuse little kids, if you don't want them to read what you wrote.
Evan--I do like the hair that I have, but temporarily having curly hair would be fun. It always seems like people want what others have, but those that have it want something else. (Curly for straight and straight for curly hair.)
In other news $100 to control Hell? This sounds intriguing. I'm half-tempted to do this. The downfalls would be devil horns making my halo uneven, people making fun of my name (I have an absolutely horrible last name,'nuff said--it's a misspelled part of human anatomy), shelling out $100 and the wake-up call. It does sound like it'd be fun though just for giggles.
~Dreia
Official Deschanel Stalker of The Called
Sounds like you could use some Vine brushes from deviantart. Check the stickied "useful links" thread in the Avvy/Sig forum. You should be able to find at least a few vine brushes.
Bleh, I still feel like my brain is stuck in the mud. I've had a cough all day, and my prospects for tomorrow aren't looking much better. I have the images for AotW all captured from the video, and I just need to paste them together in Gimp and write up the actual post. That'll have to be tomorrow, since I need all the sleep I can get.
Also (PL talk) - three packs of Planeshift and no Terminate? It's a common, for the love of everything. Grrr. I did get a Lava Zombie and two Sinister Strength that will be useful, though.
@2010: Why haven't I seen these movies? You'd figure I would have, but noooooo. I know of them all, but I've not seen them.
@RUSmarterthana5thGrader: I watched this show tonight - and it was just as terrible as I thought it would be. "How many sides does a trapezoid have?" Puh-lease. Where do they get these people.
Going to bed but just wanted to stop in and say, if you haven't watched Stanley Kubrick's trilogy, I encourage it strongly.
Went to a cool restaurant tonight with a colleague of mine who is recruiting me into a project for her company. We chose the place at random from the Yahoo travel recommendations list. Turns out the maitre d' is from Chile, as is her son-in-law, and she chatted with him in Spanish and they shared a lot of stories...we got a lot of attention and free dessert. Plus, it's not far from my house and they're open rather late, so I can have supper with my roomies who love South American style steak and fixings.
Hehe i think this is like the 12th time i got more then 10 posts a day today yay!
@snoop: have a great night starr and see you around soon!
Love,
Cecilia