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Zodiac is the gripping telling of a real life crime story, which occurred in California spanning a period from the late 60's to the early 70's. Some reviewers of this movie seem overwhelmed by the length and wealth of information provided, and maybe this is why I liked it so much. It lacked the superficiality usually found with motion pictures produced by US studios. This most likely is due to the script writers insistence in keeping a tight grip on his creative freedom, not willing to surrender any of it to the will of studio bosses with a focus on profit.
Zodiac: Based on a real story.
One aspect I found a little distracting, was how the actors didn't seem to age with time. I'm aware that such would have made the movie more difficult and costly to produce, but not only would it have made it more believable, it would have also provided a visual guide in following the story, which covers over thirty years.

The team certainly manages to communicate the obsession like mania, which not only overcomes the cartoon artist turned author whom the story telling focuses on, but many people that got involved with this case. A subtle comparison is drawn to a multi level puzzle, which after once an attempt at solving has been initiated, a withdrawal becomes difficult. Hence the viewer finds it easy to sit through two hours of going through the evidence and speculations of a case, where new evidence is hard, if not impossible to come by.

I believe, that once you have seen this film you will find it hard to resist following up with a little research on what had actually happened. Though, you might be disappointed to merely find what has already been told in the movie you watched, as it nicely covers all that is known of a serial killer most likely dead by now.

Further Reading

• Wikipedia article on the film
• Wikipedia article on the real life story
• IMDB article
• Rotten Tomatoes article

Seen on SBS Tuesday 24/07/2007 22:00

Wide Awake: A documentary on insomnia by Alan Berliner.

A couple of hours ago I got to watch Alan Berliner's documentary on insomnia titled Wide Awake, a title I find a little misleading, Foggy Wake being more appropriate. Never the less, a documentary worthwhile watching. All though, I have to be a little more specific with my summary of this documentary. Wide Awake is actually less about insomnia, as it is rather a personal description of someone living as an insomniac.

Alan takes the viewer on a visually pleasant trip through his life, while also allowing us a glimpse into a lifelong obsession collecting amongst other things, all kinds of film materials. He shows us the problematics that arise for most individuals colloquially labeled as night owls - referred to by psychologists as a delayed sleep phase syndrome [DSPS].

Treated to a peak into his family life, and allowed to partake in discussion on topic of Alan's obsession with the topic, one is allowed to speculate on what goes on in the minds of all those effected. After all, as much as we like to view ourselves as independent individuals, the human being is always part of a human network, and a persons habits will inadvertently have a ripple effect on those connected with.

Laying awake in bed, when others are sleeping.

Wide Awake had been especially interesting for myself, as I'm not someone known for regular sleep patterns. This becomes obvious by just looking at the timestamps attached to most of my articles posted on this site. Therefore I was interested in seeing how someone else experiences and lives with restless nights. Although, I would never have, and am still reluctant, to call myself an insomniac. After all, I do sleep a lot. Just not at times usually considered as "normal". I'm a little skeptical about the ability to train a night owl into a "normal" sleeper. At least not without having to pay a price in the individuals skill level and productivity. But this is rather due to my personal prejudice, then factual knowledge.

There is far more to insomnia, than can be depicted in a brief documentary. What Alan manges, is showing how he came to experience it, and the effect it has had on the different aspects of his life. Now I'm just wondering how he faired with the training program suggested by the psychologists who are experts in the field of sleep and DSPS.

Overall Wide Awake was a fascinating experience, and thought provoking on many levels. I can highly recommend this documentary for anyone interested in the lives of those who seem to work best at late hours.

Knocked Up: A movie that will teach you to be more selective about the choices you make, when you have 2 hours to spare.

I heard so much good about "Knocked Up", and Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 92%, that I was expecting at least some good entertainment. What a disappointment, when confronted with 2 long hours of boredom.

"Knocked Up" is basically Lebowski having a wet dream which turns into a nightmare. At least from my point of view, as I can't see anything romantic or enthralling in giving birth to a basically unwanted child.

Why this film has got such a high rating is probably largely due to its characters, who seem to have been modeled upon your average Joe and Joanna. In other words pathetic life stumblers. The women are stereotypical, lacking any selfworth neurotic bitches. The blockes are pussy-whipped spineless losers, who you'll never want to have to deal with in real life, but once in a while stumble upon, wishing a rapid end to the unfortunate encounter.

Maybe watching this nightmare would have been more entertaining, if I had been stoned of my face, but watching this piece of shit sober was nothing but painful. Like most of the recent episodes of "Family Guy", you get to smirk once in a while, but over all, it's not funny. Unless as stated earlier, you are stoned to the point, that looking at a chair tears you up. Mostly I just got annoyed by the infuriating stupidity of these people, and saddened by how ignorant people can be about their pathetic lives.

Enough said.