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Diversion Tactics of an Information Systems Analyst

Who Killed Jessie? by Vaclav Vorlicek

5/29/2008 9:37:00 PM in Film by Matt

The Czech New Wave is one of the most exciting periods for film people and Who Killed Jessie? is one of a handful of classics.  This film features the most successful attempt at fusing comics books and film.  Archetypal characters like "Superman" and "Cowboy" and the titular Jessie, a female superhero/sexpot, take us on a madcap adventure when they are materialized into the real world via a scientific experiment - from a scientist's dreams.  There are subtexts related to authoritarianism and freedom but ultimately it really works on the level of a briskly paced magical adventure.  See this if you can!

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Brewster McCloud by Robert Altman

5/29/2008 10:52:00 AM in Film by Matt

Brewster is an owlish, intellectual boy who lives in a fallout shelter of the Houston Astrodome. He has a dream: to take flight within the confines of the stadium. Brewster tells those he trusts of his dream, but displays a unique way of treating others who do not fit within his plans. When the fateful day arrives, and he enters the dome with his fanciful construction of bird wings, Brewster is surrounded by the police. Will he be caught before he attempts to fly? Source

 Altman's Brewster McCloud is a magical film that sees life as a somewhat absurd journey of unfulfilled dreams, but not as a process of frustration - more of a monomaniacal vision of freedom.  Brewster dreams of literal flight. He also has a guardian that also seems like a mother figure, a bird mother and spiritual guide.  There is Python-esque narration that flows throughout making parallels between the world of ornithology and anthropology. Interesting characters (Stacy Keach is great) make the story flow briskly. Popular culture references, political commentary, quirky characters, a car chase - this is something not to be missed if you're lucky enough to view it. An absurd, quirky gem - not surprising consider the title character is played by Bud Cort.

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