January 2017

Westworld (2016)

Country: USA
Created by: Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy

Starring: Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, James Marsden, Ed Harris, Anthony Hopkins

Even with all the reboots and remakes nowadays, it’s rare to see one of them actually expand and improve upon the original. Sci-fi western series Westworld is one of those rare exceptions.

Westworld was created by Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan who, together with his brother Christopher, made movies such as Inception and Memento. The cast of the show includes acting heavyweights such as Ed Harris and Anthony Hopkins. Audience expectations were high and, for the most part, Westworld delivers.

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Ascension (2014)

Country: USA
Created by: Adrian Cruz, Philip Levens
Starring: Tricia Helfer, Gil Bellows, Brian Van Holt, Brandon P Bell, Jacqueline Byers, Lauren Lee Smith, Jessica Sipos

Ascension is a sci-fi show about a giant nuclear-powered spaceship built in the 1960s that’s been flying towards the new solar system for 50 years. How amazing is that?!

During the 1950s, US scientists on something called Project Orion. The idea was to build a spaceship that would use explosions of A-bombs to propel itself through space. Project Orion was an awesome insanity, something straight out of Fallout computer games. Naturally, the project was cancelled. Something about the ship’s nuclear fallout raining all over the planet. Stupid sensible people with their sensible precautions!

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Matinee Episode IV: A New Hope

On January the first, 2016 I made one single New Year’s Resolution: to manage my time better. Then, throughout the year, I failed again and again. It is hardly surprising people make fun out of this tradition! But here’s the thing: we need to keep making these silly resolutions and plans even if we’re unsure we’ll be able to fulfill them. Even the best-laid plans fail. Life happens. What was the name of that song from the Beatles? “Tomorrow Never Knows”? Ain’t that the truth!

Politically and culturally, 2016 was a mess that will keep on rolling in 2017 as well. Personally, I am still dealing with a number of private problems that, well… Suffice to say I should start sorting them out. It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day. It’s a new life. There are 365 chances not to mess up this year. 365 opportunities to take the phrase “Happy New Year!” and turn it from wishful thinking into reality through work, dedication and patience.

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