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100-Book Challenge (Part 2)

Mark — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 15:33:06 +0000

Hello again readers!

Mark here with the second installment of my 100-Book Challenge. One of the (many) motivations for this undertaking was to get to those novels I felt embarrassed not to have read yet, so books 11-20 bring us some literary heavy-hitters like Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Austen, Morrison and more. That said, I do not intend my reviews as scholarly commentary, just the opposite; I want to give general readers a quick impression of each work and how much it lends itself to an enjoyable and fulfilling read. Of course, you could teach a full college semester on many of these novels, but we’re not here for that! We’re here to get some pages under our belts. So here we go:

A Farewell to Arms – Ernest Hemingway: I am generally a fan of Hemingway, and many of you already know that his journalistic style makes him more accessible than some of the other so-deemed “greats.” But I have to say this is my least favorite of his works. The story of an American ambulance driver in WWI defecting with his lover to Switzerland, the novel cannot be ignored for its disenchanted view of The Great War and for its influence on American Literature…however, it’s quite a rough read toward the end, and has one of the most pessimistic conclusions I’ve ever encountered. While I completely understand such pessimism from the generation that saw one of the most destructive wars in history, I’d still suggest starting with For Whom the Bell Tolls, The Sun Also Rises, and Old Man and Sea.

Diamond are Forever – Ian Fleming: check out our James Bond: Here and There podcast for a closer look at all of the Bond books!

The Bluest Eye – Toni Morrison: TOP PICK! Perhaps the greatest benefit of this challenge so far has been my introduction to Toni Morrison. Much of her work explores the profound and painful subject of slavery and race in America’s past and present, but she does so in a way that beautifully and achingly transcends mere social messages. I highly suggest this book, but warn you that there is some disturbing content which may take you out of your comfort zone.

Lorca – Three Tragedies – Frederico Garcia Lorca: This collection of plays was a quick read for me. All three deal heavily with gender and class in rural Spain, and I enjoyed Lorca’s use of allegory and symbolism over realism. The kind of literature that’s accessible enough on a first read, but that you could peel apart layer by layer and never get to the bottom.

This is Portland – Alexander Barrett: Okay, this is one of my cheater books. My wife and I took a trip to Portland, Oregon, and this was in the property we rented. You can read it in 20 minutes. But I justified counting it because I also read The Grapes of Wrath, and I feel they equal out to at least two books. This was a neat, funny little portrayal of Portland and I recommend it to anyone visiting or living in the area.

Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen: A classic and a must-read, but I was really hoping I’d like it more…I know, I know, I know. I can feel the hot wrath coming off of some of you out there, but hey, it just didn’t arrest me. I loved the opening portrayal of protagonist Elizabeth Bennett when, quite against social expectations and the good sense of a lady, she marches three miles in the mud to watch over her sister who has conveniently become sick while visiting a male suitor. This tenacity sparked my interest (and even startled me a bit in the context of a book written in the early 1800s) but alas, the novel did not maintain an iron grip on my interest.

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass – Frederick Douglass: I believe I was assigned this book twice in high school and neglected to read it both times, much to my own detriment. This short account of Douglass’s life as a slave and his escape to the North was fascinating both for its biographical content, and for how he chose to fashion it as a story and an artifact for social change. (Also, make sure you read the introduction to this one.)

The Blank Slate – Steven Pinker: Alright, here’s the thing. The two books of Pinker’s I’ve read are the kind of books I think everyone should read. The problem is that almost nobody will because they’re so long. The Blank Slate comes in at 525 pages, and explores (in-depth) the debate between nature and nurture, making the point that society does not give appropriate credence to fact that much of human nature is innate and unable to be conditioned. It has changed the way I see the world, but probably not a good choice if you’re trying to get in 100 books in a year. (I had already started it on audio-book before I began my challenge). His other book was even more influential and even longer: The Better Angles of our Nature: Why Violence has Declined at over 800 pages, but so good y’all…seriously. I kept thinking I’d lose interest but never did. Check both of them out maybe next year.

The Red Badge of Courage – Stephen Crane. Another short work, this book was one of the early depictions of war (The Civil War) to do away celebrating honor and bravery and instead look at the gritty brutality of it all. Crane’s narrative voice was perfectly suited to the subject matter, but I sometimes had a hard time placing myself visually in the story. I’d still give it a look; it’s short and profound.

This Side of Paradise – F. Scott Fitzgerald: This seemed like a book suited largely (dare I say only?) for Fitzgerald scholars and English majors. Heavily autobiographical, it chronicles a writer’s intellectual journey through college and into adulthood. It had its moments, but felt mostly like reading Fitzgerald’s disconnected diary entries. Also there was lot of horn-tooting when it came to how intelligent he is.

Okay, there you have it. Hope you’re finding your own gems out there. Feel free to mention them in the comments when you do!

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“Better than the Movie”?

Mark — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 19:17:58 +0000

Hey everyone,

Mark here, new-comer to The Good the Bad and the Podcast and co-host of the James Bond: Here and There series. Though this site is largely dedicate to cinema, we would be remiss in not giving a little attention to those wonderful packets of plot and profundity that provide so much fodder for movies: books!

And if you’re anything like me, the number of books in your house that you haven’t read greatly outweighs the number you have. Well, I decided to do something about it, and set out to read 100 books in a year. “You’re insane!” I hear you shouting, but not so! The experience so far has enriched me beyond measure, and I challenge you to try it yourself. Wait, wait! Don’t quit reading yet; at least look at the rules I set for myself, and see if they don’t sound reasonable.

The Rules:

Pick a date, and start reading!
Keep track as you go. Intermittently divide #days by #books and your ratio should be somewhere under 3.65
Don’t panic, I’ve eased the pressure a little because:
Audio-books count (most libraries offer them for free through smartphone apps)
Novellas count (but I try to make sure each work comes in at least 50 pages or more)
Shakespeare’s plays count (gotta get in the classics, and with the modern-day translations to help you navigate the original text, you can easily work through a play in two or three days)

There you have it: simple. It’s been just over four months, and I’ve found it easier to keep up than anticipated. Audio-books really help pad the numbers, and you’d be surprised how many minutes a day you can fill with them: cooking dinner? Pop in your headphones! Long car drive? Bust out your aux cable! I even listen while mowing the lawn and working out.

If any of you bibliophiles out there want to join me, I’ll write a separate post for every 10 books I read along the way, letting you know which I think are worth a gander and which you can skip over for something more engaging. Still don’t think you can do it? Try 50 books, that’s only one a week, and just imagine how informed you’ll be by the end! Come onnnnn. Crack one open with me and grab hold of some culture!

Books 1-10:

Casino Royale,
Live and Let Die and
Moonraker – Ian Fleming: James Bond novels are the perfect fit for the 100-book challenge. Short, well-written, and steeped in adrenaline, you’ll find them quick reads while getting a nice dose of popular culture (and admittedly some sexism and 1950s prejudice too). See our James Bond: Here and There series a more in-depth look at the books and movies.

Myths to Live By – Joseph Campbell: As a general rule, I suggest reading everything by Joseph Campbell you can get your hands on. His work with mythology, religion, and story-telling in general has found its way into every corner of our culture. This book was a good read, and a good length for the challenge. Other works I highly recommend are The Hero with a Thousand Faces (his best known), and The Power of Myth (an interview with Bill Moyers, which reads much better than most interviews).

Everything that Rises Must Converge – Flannery O’Connor: This is my TOP PICK for this post, and O’Connor is easily one of my top 10 favorite authors. This collection of her short stories held me spell-bound. They somehow sparkle with the grotesque as they explore race and family in the antebellum South. If you like stories that lift up the log of life and show you the rot underneath, pick up this book or her other collection A Good Man is Hard to Find. You won’t be disappointed.

King Lear – some guy named Will: Considered one of Shakespeare’s top tragedies, I was surprised and delighted by how funny this play often was. The tale of an aged King who foolishly spurns his one faithful daughter in favor of her two, more treacherous sisters, the masterpiece expounds upon themes of old-age, familial betrayal, and redemption. A must read.

Interpreter of Maladies – Jhumpa Lahiri: Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, this collection of short stories about India and Indian-Americans was enlightening, especially for an uninformed westerner. On the engaging scale, I’d only give it a 6 out of 10 for the general reader, but still well worth the time to read it. I mean, come on…Pulitzer Prize.

Daisy Miller – Henry James: This novella is a quick read, and is often studied in literary Academia, but doesn’t have that immediate, startling beauty I look for in my prose. It tells the story of a young American girl visiting Europe, who refuses to hold herself to the Victorian social standards of the time, and how her actions impact the narrator of the story and his views on women and America.

The Stranger – Albert Camus: Many of you may have read (or “read”) this one in high school, but go back and read it again! As an adult the novel struck my philosophical chords like it never could have in 11^th grade. And it’s a nice, concise read too.

Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad: I suspect I need to go back and reread this after doing a little research on it. It had powerful themes, and profound characters, but Conrad so downplays the active scenes, that it feels as if nothing really happens in the story. I think my ignorance is showing here…it’s very short, so go ahead and read it and tell me what you think. (For my future biographers: please disregard this last review. I completely understand and appreciate Conrad’s masterpiece.)

Well that’s it for now. Got get to reading!

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Special Episode: Independence Day

Charles — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 06:49:48 +0000

Here’s another special edition podcast where we talk about both Independence Day movies!! Happy 4th of July!!

Here are the films:
Independence Day (1996)
Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)

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Episode 34: Meteor Movies

Charles — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 05:06:41 +0000

In this episode, we talk about meteor movies!!

Here are the films:
Armageddon (1998)
Meteor (1979)
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

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Episode 33: Classic Tearjerkers

Charles — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 04:39:20 +0000

In this episode, we talk about classic tearjerkers!!

Here are the films:
Love Affair (1939)
Love Story (1970)
Stella Dallas (1937)

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Episode 31: Romantic Comedies

Charles — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 03:50:30 +0000

In this special Valentine’s Day episode, we discuss romantic comedies with our significant others!!

Here are the films:
Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
From Justin to Kelly (2003)
Gigli (2003)
Pretty Woman (1990)
Sextette (1978)
So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993)
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
You’ve Got Mail (1998)

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Episode 29: Daniel Craig Bond Movies

Charles — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 05:34:34 +0000

In this episode, we talk about Daniel Craig Bond movies with special guest star Mark!!

Here are the films:
Casino Royale (2006)
Quantum of Solace (2008)
Spectre (2015)

The post Episode 29: Daniel Craig Bond Movies first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.

Special Episode: Star Wars – The Force Awakens

Charles — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 04:04:38 +0000

Here’s a special edition podcast where we follow up our episode on Star Wars movies by talking about Star Wars: The Force Awakens!!

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Episode 27: Star Wars Movies

Charles — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 04:11:54 +0000

In this special episode, we talk about Star Wars movies!!

Here are the films:
Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)
The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)

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Episode 20: First Year Anniversary

Charles — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 04:58:18 +0000

“If it’s gonna come on in the afternoon, I would rather watch Texas Rangers than A.I. because at least I can go about the rest of my day with a smile on my face and A.I., I feel like I have to, you know, cry in a pillow.”

It’s our first year anniversary and we’re discussing the best, worst and ugliest movies we reviewed last year!!
(Originally recorded and broadcast live on Periscope on August 31, 2015)

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Episode 19: Doctor Movies

Charles — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 04:44:35 +0000

“This is perhaps Jane Wyman at her most saintly… to the point where it’s almost laughable. Throughout the entire movie, everything she says is backed up by a chorus of angels singing in the background.”

In this episode, we talk about doctor movies!!

Here are the films:
Dead Ringers (1988)
Doctor Zhivago (1965)
Magnificent Obsession (1954)

The post Episode 19: Doctor Movies first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.

Episode 18: Shark Movies

Charles — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 01:15:00 +0000

“You said, and I agree with you, that the Quint speech in Jaws made that movie. I think the airplane scene makes this movie. That is one of my favorite scenes of all time…”

“Oh, my god!”

“…and I know a lot of people agree with me.”

In this episode, we talk about shark movies!!

Here are the films:
Deep Blue Sea (1999)
Jaws (1975)
Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus (2009)

The post Episode 18: Shark Movies first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.

Episode 17: Car Movies

Charles — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 02:08:06 +0000

“And it’s not even cheesy ’cause of Nicolas Cage. He’s okay.”

“What? He’s okay?! Oh, no!”

“Is he ridiculous in this movie to you?”

“Yeah, Nicolas Cage… he’s a phenomenon because he’s a good actor but he’s also… kind of a bad actor.”

In this episode, we talk about car movies!!

Here are the films:
Gone in 60 Seconds (1974)
Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)
Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

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Episode 16: 1980s Coming of Age Movies

Charles — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 05:53:03 +0000

“The entire length of this movie, I just wanted to grab her by her cardigan and be like, ‘Girlfriend, get yourself some self respect!'”

In this episode, we talk about 80s coming of age movies!!

Here are the films:
Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)
Teen Witch (1989)

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Special Mini Episode: Quentin Tarantino Universe

Charles — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 22:18:10 +0000

Here’s another special edition podcast where we follow up on our Tarantino episode by talking about The Quentin Tarantino Universe!!

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Episode 15: Quentin Tarantino Movies

Charles — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 01:53:02 +0000

“I think this is our longest episode ever, if I’m looking at this right.”

“And you know what? It works because Tarantino really draws out his movies sometimes. In fact, we were thinking about having a section where we just all stare at each other to horns blaring.”

“I think we just did.”

“There we go! So now, it is a full Tarantino episode.”

In this episode, we talk about movies directed by Quentin Tarantino with special guest star Mike (not to be confused with Stuntman Mike)!!

Here are the films:
Death Proof (2007)
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Pulp Fiction (1994)

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Episode 14: Survival Movies

Charles — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 04:31:08 +0000

“I wanted to see Oskar Schindler punch a wolf in the freakin’ face! That’s what I wanted, but I didn’t get it.”

“That’s really all we want out of the cinema is to see Oskar Schindler punch a wolf in the face.”

In this episode, we talk about Survival Movies with special guest star Mike (who happens to be a doctor)!!

Here are the films:
Cast Away (2000)
The Grey (2011)
Swiss Family Robinson (1960)

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Episode 12: Barbara Stanwyck Movies

Charles — Tue, 19 May 2015 05:32:34 +0000

In this episode, we talk about Barbara Stanwyck movies!!

Here are the films:
The Lady Eve (1941)
Night Nurse (1931)
Walk on the Wild Side (1962)

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Episode 11: Marvel Movies

Charles — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 03:22:45 +0000

In this episode, we talk about movies featuring Marvel Comics characters!!

Here are the films:
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
The Fantastic Four (1994)
Spider-Man 3 (2007)

The post Episode 11: Marvel Movies first appeared on It's Just Awesome DOT com.

Welcome to Union Glacier: The Life Antarctic

Topher — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 23:52:15 +0000

This is a rather obscure documentary that can be viewed on Vimeo, but one that deserves to be seen. The film follows a small team of people that prepare camp on Union Glacier in Antarctica. This camp will serve as base camp for numerous expeditions each year. It’s hard work, and the conditions are harder, but through it all they find a way to enjoy it.

The actual work of the team is interesting, but the real joy in this film is what they do the rest of the time. It’s like an episode of M*A*S*H that’s set in Antarctica and directed by Wes Anderson. I love Wes Anderson films, so my bias might be playing into why I enjoyed this film so much. Whether it’s the narration or the awkwardly long close ups of people, this film just oozes Anderson, but that’s a good thing. The feeling that Steve Zissou might show up anytime is great, but the people in this film are plenty interesting on their own. Some seem a bit off, like too much time living on the ice has taken its toll. But some just seem to genuinely love their jobs, and that’s rare and wonderful to see these days.

The world of the film is so bizarre and alien that it becomes a character itself. The sun never sets, white outs are frequent, and they heat their tents with jet fuel. Who lives like that? But they still have movie nights and birthday cakes. It’s a strange and beautiful life they live at the end of the world.

I know this seems odd, I’m reviewing a film that can be seen on Vimeo, not in theaters or video. But maybe that taps into the other reason I love this film. Just like the characters are making a home in the wilderness, so is this film. It’s been released by Studiocanoe, and can be watched for free online. I don’t say that to cheapen the film, like Antarctica itself, this film may be enhanced by the very freedom of accessibility it offers.

I cannot recommend this film enough. It’s fun, it’s gorgeous, and it touches on some serious topics. I hope you watch the film and enjoy Welcome to Union Glacier as much as I did.

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Wild

Charles — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 08:02:36 +0000

If you were going off the trailers alone, your first instinct might be to say that Wild is a knock-off, female version of Into the Wild. You could be forgiven for thinking that; after all, both movies are based on true stories of someone going on an extremely emotional, physical and spiritual journey. Both movies are told in a non-linear fashion, so as to link past events with new experiences. Heck, both movies feature “wild” in their titles! But I find there is one key difference between the two that makes Wild the better film.

And that difference is that the main character is actually likable.

It’s no secret that I don’t care for Into the Wild. In many ways, I felt like it was a tedious experiment in Oscar Bait. I’m not terribly familiar with Christopher McCandless’ real life, but the character as presented in Sean Penn’s movie always struck me as self absorbed, someone out to prove something that didn’t need to be proved. Someone so incredibly stubborn, they only realized they needed others in their lives as they lay dying alone. Tragic yes, but not a relatable character for most.

Wild is based on Cheryl Strayed’s book of the same name, in which she documents how she hiked the PCT for months after her mother died of cancer and she found herself spiraling out of control in the wake of it all. The hike was her way to force herself to change, by going out of her element and pushing herself to her limits. She’s determined to make her goal despite many setbacks and the constant fear of being raped or assaulted. She’s not rejecting society so much as trying to find her way back in it. Reese Witherspoon plays Cheryl here and I must say, it’s a fantastic performance from her and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if she’s nominated for several awards next year.

As good as Reese is, however, it’s Laura Dern who steals the show as Cheryl’s mom. She is the heart of this film and you can feel (and sometimes see) her character resonate throughout every scene, despite only appearing briefly in flashbacks. Even when faced with certain death, she is more concerned for the well being of others and maintains a positive spirit that’s more than just a facade, more than just allowing herself to be naive. She’s strong, like her daughter.

Director Jean-Marc Vallée garnered some much deserved critical acclaim last year for Dallas Buyers Club and he brings that same level of gritty, stripped down realism here. It works much to the film’s favor and is very different from the approach that Sean Penn took.

By my standard, Wild is so much more than Into the Wild and succeeds in nearly every way I thought that filmed failed, but especially with compelling, relatable characters. I also found it interesting that it deals with issues that a man would never have to face if they chose to go on a journey like this, namely other men choosing to see them as objects.

Don’t write it off as knock-off. It’s so much more than that.

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Virunga: Guerrillas in the Mist

Topher — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 23:27:11 +0000

Virunga is a new Netflix original documentary from executive producer Leonardo DiCaprio. It takes its name from the Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is gorgeously put on film here.

The film follows a park ranger tasked with taking care of orphaned gorillas, most left for dead by poachers. He is the heart of the film, his love for the gorillas is so genuine and pure it aches. I think I might have watched an entire film just about him, but the film also follows his fellow park rangers, they are responsible for fighting poachers. When I say fighting I mean literal fighting, with automatic weapons. This is a war, and the prize is elephant ivory and gorilla pelts. Its shocking how violent this can be. The dichotomy is great, the peaceful man who simply wants to take care of the gorillas, and the men who take up arms to defend them.

Then the film shifts gears, rather suddenly, when oil is found in Virunga. With oil comes multinational corporation, bribes, and war. The rangers are stuck in the middle of the chaos and must find their way as their country is literally sold to the highest bidder.

If the film was any one of these stories it would probably be good, but with all three its great. It really feels like you are seeing the story in three dimensions. All too often documentary film makers get tunnel vision and forget that their subjects are surrounded by other compelling characters. Here the background enhances the drama of the main characters. The most painfully emotional moment of the film for me was watching the care taker of the gorillas put on his uniform as he prepares to take up arms to defend the creatures he loves.

This film falls somewhere between “Gorillas in the Mist” and “The Constant Gardener” but with added punch of knowing that its all real. Its a sad reality, but the film reminds us that there are some things worth fighting for. I would highly recommend Virunga.

PS: On a lighter note, I had no idea gorillas like Pringles.

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“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” – A Primer in Propaganda

Topher — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 19:37:26 +0000

There are several great things about The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1. First off the cast is great by any standard. Donald Sutherland, Julianne Moore, Jeffrey Wright, Stanley Tucci, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Woody Harrelson and, yes, Jennifer Lawrence. Any one of these would normally be the star of the film, but here they all play supporting roles to one another. And they are all great, maybe not their best work, but still great.
Second is the story line. If you enjoyed the Twilight style love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale then you won’t enjoy this movie as much. Also if you enjoyed watching teenagers kill each other in the arena, you won’t like this movie as much either. But if you enjoyed the semi-Orwellian nature of the whole world of The Hunger Games, then you’ll really like this installment. For those not familiar with the books, this is the point in the story where the people begin to openly rise up against the Capital. The revolution has begun and Katniss is right in the middle of it, like it or not.
This brings me to the third thing that makes this movie great. The real world and art are beginning to blend. China has “indefinitely delayed” the movie’s release, due to its overtly political nature. Flashing the three finger salute from the film will get you arrested in Thailand, where rebels earlier this year began using the salute during their protest of a military coup. Most recently protesters in Ferguson MO spray painted a phrase from the movie “If we burn, you burn with us!” on a local landmark. Normally movies try and exploit a current trend to sell tickets and soda. But this time it seems that the movie has hit home with people in a way that the filmmakers may not have foreseen. For better or worse, many people around the world have also lost faith in their leaders and many have grown angry or even violent. These movies have given people a meaningful way to rebel with nothing more than hand gesture.
Whether by plan or totally accidental, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 seems to be an incredibly timely movie. And also a solid movie, maybe the best so far in the franchise.

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Interstellar: Traveling lightyears to go home.

Topher — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 22:24:27 +0000

So I’ve been trying to put my feelings about Interstellar into words (without too many spoilers) and I realized that that is the most amazing part of Interstellar. Let me explain.

For those of you who know me, you know I am rather obsessed with Stanley Kubrick’s films, all of them, but especially 2001: a space odyssey. I am also a big fan of Terrance Malick’s Tree of Life, despite the objections of my family and friends. Darren Aronofsky is also one of my favorites (except for Noah, which Charles perfectly summed up) and I feel The Fountain to be one of his best. I mention all of this because I believe that Christopher Nolan has mostly achieved what these great film makers were going for in their films, but to achieve it he had to fail where they succeeded.
Interstellar is huge, not only is it projected on 70mm IMAX, but the story spans lifetimes. Characters travel light years, and experience things that no human has ever experienced, yet. But in the end what makes this film work is how small it is. It’s not about man’s place in the universe, or the next step in our evolution, it’s about a father trying to save his daughter. He may have to travel through a worm hole to the other side of the galaxy to do it, but it’s all for her. This is the strongest point of the movie and also the thing that seems out of place. In the other movies I mentioned before it was as though the filmmakers knew that once you started looking at humans in the context of the enormous universe we seem pretty insignificant. This allows them to tell stories that stretch way beyond the lifespan of any one person, and ultimately to really examine what our place in the universe is. Nolan forgoes all this. He would rather examine a father daughter relationship, and kudos to him for doing it. He keeps the audience hooked by that emotion, when the other directors lose their audience.
The brilliance of a film like 2001 is that the story isn’t about a man, but is the story of Man. Same with Tree of Life, it isn’t just about little boys in Texas, its about the Nature of Man. But Nolan makes us think, AND he makes us feel. Does this make it better than the others? In some ways yes, in others no. I don’t think he was trying to say the same things that Kubrick, Malick or Aronofsky were. He was examining the love between a father and a daughter, who happen to be on other sides of the galaxy.
So in the end my feelings about Interstellar are exactly what makes it superior to other space epics, it made me feel.
-Christopher

PS: I will readily acknowledge there are huge, complex plot holes in the movie. But for Christopher Nolan it’s all about that relationship, so a couple missing pieces are Ok. I tend to agree with him, just don’t dig too deep into the astrophysics.

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