TRON and TRON: Legacy-- Reflections

When I watched Steven Lisberger's sci-fi adventure recently in preparation for the release of its belated sequel, it appeared incredibly dated, with the visual effects now looking very creaky, and the lack of a strong storyline or characters making for a dull viewing experience. However, the film still possesses one memorable sequence, the light-cycle race, and at the very least, its then-groundbreaking attempt to engage with the newfangled world of computers has the feel of filmmakers trying to give their audience something new. Plot sequences and characters were briefly introduced and promptly forgotten, a theme that continued to the sequel (i.e. Bit, gladiator games, and the only woman in the film kissed two men within 5 minutes). TRON is not a good film, but it was a bold one with fresh ideas and a unique style, and that alone is enough to set the bar at a level that TRON: Legacy doesn't come close to reaching.

Almost everything that exists in TRON: Legacy has been lifted from another film, and the filmmakers appear to be gambling everything on their shiny presentation being enough to paper over the cracks. It isn't enough to make the film stand out, however director Joseph Kosinski does have one fairly brilliant idea up his sleeve, with the opening "real world" sequences of TRON: Legacy being shot in 2D before 3D is introduced as we move into the computer world. I guess this is the 21st century update on the way color was used in films like The Wizard of Oz.

I went to this film with my best friend Addam, one of few diehard TRON supporters. I think he knew the movie would be made before the writers did. We even had matching light disks to clash horribly with our 3D glasses. As such, our excitement levels were at peak capacity when we walked into the shadiest theater this side of Reading with about 20 other viewers. Apparently no one told this town it was opening night. Throughout the film, we found enough amusement in our side conversations to cover for whatever was lacking in plot or dialogue. It was, in essence, our own personalized Mystery Science Theater 3000 viewing party. If the movie was bad, we were having too much fun to notice. In fact my largest complaint was that there was still no sign of the orange that was sent to the grid during the opening sequences of the original. And I still want a light-cycle.

But how could a movie even come close to "bad" when Daft Punk composed the soundtrack? I'm convinced they even made an appearance in the movie, though this is up for debate. It was certainly an upgrade from the digitalized soundtrack of the original. In my opinion, can't go wrong with digitechno.

When making the decision to see TRON: Legacy... don't listen to me. Decide for yourselves, but take someone with a sense of humor. And for god's sake, pay the extra three bucks to see the fucking thing in 3D!

Tenderness Itself

I just finished reading "Persuasion" by Jane Austen. She is my guilty pleasure. As we do while reading literature of this ilk, I found myself identifying with the heroine of the novel, Miss Anne Elliot, in ways I never imagined. As one of the lesser known Austen novels, Persuasion doesn't get the credit it deserves. This is a true tale of romance pushing the boundaries between what is expected from the privileges of rank and what is practiced.

For Miss Anne Elliot, at the age of 19, the course of true love was a mystery. She had fallen in love and been proposed to by a handsome, intelligent gentleman who truly valued the worth of a beautiful woman with a kind heart and sweetness of character. She was persuaded by her close friend and only mother figure to deny her own feelings. The future Captain Wentworth, as enamored of Anne as she was with him, wished to marry her before becoming an officer in the British navy. Looking back on the situation 9 years later, both Anne and Wentworth understand the reasons behind Anne's decision. To wait for years on end for a husband to return from war causes strain and heartbreak on both ends. Their love was deep enough to survive their separation, and after 8 long years trying to forget the other they were reunited by chance and lived happily ever after.

Women like to be crossed in love every once in a while, it gives them something to think about. During the time period, an unmarried woman over the age of 26 had little to no prospect of ever marrying and became a burden to their parents. Anne had 8 years to reflect on the tenderness she experienced around Wentworth and to contemplate on how her life would be altered had she run away with him at the opportune moment. The Elliot family was well off, and either daughter would have made a profitable connection. However, Anne's father was not as fond of her as he enjoyed his younger daughter, and Anne would not be treated with the respect or given the fancy baubles her sister received. As such, she was able to blossom into a delicate, caring, kind hearted young woman, as beautiful on the inside as Wentworth (and the rest of the town) found her on the outside.

Women do not move forward as quickly as men, we are not so easily diverted from our past loves. Anne suffered for years on end alone, throwing herself into her humanitarian works rather than developing the pride that would be the downfall of the Elliots. Meanwhile Wentworth compared the merits of each woman who captured his interest to those of Anne and finally declared none other came close to an equal.

The greatest wish I could ever ask would be for a man to love me as Wentworth loved Anne.

"You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight and a half years ago. Dare not say that a man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant."
- Jane Austen, Persuasion, Chapter 23.

Peter Frampton and Yes

I took my dad to go see the two iconic figures of the early 70's for his combined Father's day and Birthday present. Best choice I ever could have made. I think I won daughter of the year for this little stunt.

Peter Frampton's set lasted an hour and a half, during which I enjoyed the music but couldn't shake the feeling I was in a particularly jazzy elevator. The guy knows how to play, that's for sure, but it was more about promoting his newest album and his efforts in the gulf than enjoying the experience. Musicians. *shakes head* Can't win them all. On the plus side, his new album is coming out on vinyl!

When Yes came on, the show really began. The light show, the musicians themselves, the crowd, it was a whole 'nother experience.

Steve Howe, an amazing guitarist, had the chance to perform solos from his new album, which I highly recommend. Trippy, intricate, and deliciously dulcet. Information regarding his work can be found here.

Sadly, Jon Anderson wasn't performing this round. The 40th Anniversary tour had been canceled when Jon got sick, and word on the street is that he won't be performing for much longer. When a man of Jon's talent, with 42 years of tours under his belt, decides to take a rest, it's a much deserved retirement. We'll miss him, but Benoit David is not a bad replacement.

The band played classics from 1972, newer songs, crowd favorites, the obligatory "Owner of a Lonely Heart" featured on the game Singstar, and my ultimate favorite came as an encore: Starship Trooper.

Yes- And You and I can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fi-sUOM8io&feature=related