Blade Runner 2049

I never saw the original and I did not see this in the theaters. I was going into this purely on seeing all of the amazing visuals in previews and screenshots. Based on that this seemed like it would be a slam dunk.

I love love visual spectacle. yet hmm somehow it was not so. I loved the visuals but they seemed totally disconnected from the story for me. It was like a slideshow happening in the background moving independently of the story. The story could have been done as a one room play. What did these amazing backdrops have to do with it?

Anyway maybe my view would have changed if I had seen it in IMAX but I cant help thinking I might have fallen asleep at some point in the theater too. Conflicted on this one, usually I don’t even care about the story if the visuals are good. Perhaps it is because the visuals did not tell the story, they literally were just amazing backdrops. Perhaps I am out of the loop on the continuation form the first blade runner.

Video Feedback Kinetic Sculpture – Dave Blair

There is so much to love in this piece of kinetic analog* video art and performance by Dave Blair. I love the digital effects by analog means. I love the fact that it is a live performance. I love that each piece is unique and not repeatable. I love the weird-contraption looking wooden structure of it. And lastly I love the fact that the final output surpassed my expectations. I thought I had an idea of what an analog feedback loop would look like but the results are truly mesmerizing and it is hard to believe the visuals all done without a computer.

See schematics and an artists journey at thelightherder.com

* I mean technically the video is digital but that fact has little to do with the final output which is an old-school analog effect.

Wut?

This is beyond belief. A Real head scratcher. The video shows simple oily droplets seemingly turning into lifeforms, so lifelike is their movement and shape. Read more

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running — Haruki Murakami

I was surprised that this book is as much about writing as it was about running. I guess that can be expected from a writer but there are some surprising gems and insights about writing in here that readers not interested in running might miss.

Two Things
I Loved and was also incredulous at the description of the moment Haruki Murakami decided to be a novelist. I love that he remembers this in great detail. And also how irreverent it is. Also the fact that in japan writers are considered somewhat degenerate or depraved and being a writer is part of an unhealthy lifestyle.

Also loved his description on how to keep at it as a novelist (and also a runner), based on his experience of running a night club. Basically, he realized, you only need to satisfy 1 out of 10 customers, and keep at it. That’s it. You grow your satisfied customer base, your avid readers, repeat customers that way. Slow and steady and stay the course of what you’re doing – whatever your unique brand is – and nevermind the naysayers or the other 9 people. refreshing.

Lucas Zimmermann

Occasionally you come across something that seems like the perfect combination of things. Zimmermann’s work, especially in this series, plays on something so simple you might be forgiven for thinking it’s too easy, but just look at the results, he has an amazing eye. I can’t get over the results. I love looking at these.

Check out his portfolio for more in this series, and a 2.0 version and his other work. Portfolio.

The Mandalorian (TV)

Pedro Pascal is The Mandalorian in the Disney+ series THE MANDALORIAN.

I cannot believe I did not write about this before, I signed up for Disney+ just to be able to watch The Mandalorian. And I was not disappointed. Growing up I was a Star Trek fan, Star Wars was too much lore, too much like Lord of the Rings in space. More fantasy than sci-fi and the Star Wars fandom did not help my perception of it.

However, I cannot believe I never realized before how much focus there is in the Star Wars universe on visual storytelling. Even if I don’t care that much about the words of the story there is just so much emphasis on amazing visuals. This was recently highlighted for me while looking through a lot of film stills and seeing how well they are composed. Shot after shot, even as a film still, were an amazing stand alone striking visual. Watching the Mandalorian helped me appreciate and reignited an interest in the existing Star Wars canon.

I saw a lot of criticism that The Mandalorian did not have enough story, not enough dialogue, whereas for me the striking visuals with little dialogue were heaven. Watching the first season of The Mandalorian was an awesome experience. I really enjoyed it.

Additionally, there is something amazing about watching people who are good at their craft do their thing. And so it is with the team behind The Mandalorian. There are no rough edges, no rushed edits. The attention to detail is impeccable. The music is amazing. I even appreciated the dedication in paying homage to the existing universe and characters. Attention was even paid down to doing lots of practical effects that mirror the original trilogy which was limited by technology, but now has become a texture of the star wars universe. So many details for newbies and die-hard fans alike to enjoy.

The attention to detail, the references, homages and visuals continued in season two (with a bit more dialogue and story). I also enjoyed the next season, and of course the team tied it all together with a very exciting suprise ending.