March 26, 2014

  • Looking Optimistic

    Where the view is pessimistic
    Dystopia is realistic
    Paradise a fool’s dream
    No rivers flow with cream
    They accept hatred and violence
    Acceptance is silence
    I hope for more than despair
    Believe in truth, love and all that’s fair
    When their vision is hell’s entrance
    I see redemption’s chance

    I watched the movie Elysium. It was very dark, and bloody. The story was one of promises made, kept and broken. It was about redemption. The story took place in a future world where only the rich were able to have access to the best of technology - magical medical treatments that meant they never aged, or died from disease. On a space station robots catered to their every need, the air was clean, and all the citizens were beautiful. Meanwhile on Earth, the population is controlled as if they were subhuman. They are denied citizenship and therefore all the benefits of Elysium. They lie in squalor and are plagued with disease and infirmities. It could have been so much better but the director focused on the blood splatter, the bits of flesh blown into the air, and the violence. If only they had explored more deeply the conversion of the main character, Max, from criminal to a guy that wants to do the right thing. If they had focused on the human need for connection to others. I would have liked to have explored the motivations of the characters, especially the villains, the politicians, and the citizens of Elysium... But then it would have been a French film and probably wouldn't have had a satisfying ending.

Comments (28)

  • I like British fims about infdelity. lol There is almost no skin scenes, but lost of diaglogue about the situation the characters face. I love the converstaions.

    The film you saw sounds gross. lol My wife and I watched a flipper movie that we missed. it was cute. A dog liked flipper. Kids got thier single parents together. Very innocent and cute.

    lol

    Sorry about you experience seeing it.

    • I liked the acting and the premise of the film - I just wish they had done more on the whole idea of social justice...

  • I often feel with the books I read that I could have written a much better ending and more meaningful story.
    There are some books that I really like and I'm always so surprised since there is so much bs out there.

  • Yuk, that's one movie I won't watch.....

    Nice writing....You start out in despair, and end up in hope....

    • Thanks. The movie wasn't that bad and did have some redeeming qualities - but you probably wouldn't have liked it...

  • our basset has gone blind and she loves to go outside and sniff her way around.
    When the sun was shining I said,"Helen Keller said that one can enjoy the warmth of the sun without seeing it."
    She Sadie likes to sunbath.

  • I guess that film just shows more of man's inhumanity to man, right? It continues to go on all over the globe right now, not just in Science fiction.

    • It was indeed about the inhumanity of mankind but also had themes of might makes right, social justice, and a hint of predestination plus the power of love and forgiveness.

  • Indeed this movie looks like a French movie since the palace of The Elysium is the one of the Président of the French République , rue St Honoré,Paris !! :)
    Love
    Michel

  • I've always wondered how medical treatment will be rationed when/if it succeeds in extending our life indefinitely.

    • The victory of universal health care came at the end... not that the masses wanted eternal youth, they just wanted a quality of life. The idea that they were not worthy to receive treatment for birth defects, childhood leukemia, broken bones, and even what we consider "curable" diseases was an injustice that was screaming to be righted.

  • LOL! That's why I watch French films.

    • The French films generally have a more cerebral approach - and better dialogue... Glad to know you agree...

  • Oh, yeah, that was another great poem. Why oh why are you giving these away?

    • Thanks! Giving them away? Because I am generous (or too lazy to put them in a book). My mother wants me to publish and I'm making a list - this one should make the cut??

  • I really want to see that movie, and haven't gotten around to it yet.
    Your poem is great! It was nice to read aloud!
    :-) I am the annoying optimist...so I like how your poem ended. Hope carrys power, as does love, forgiveness, mercy... :-)
    HUGS!!! :-)

    • The movie was good but could have been better. I was mostly annoyed by Jodie Foster's character. It didn't ring true... Watch the movie and you'll understand. I'm thrilled you liked the poem - some poetry comes alive when read out loud!

  • I've been curious about this film. I love Sci-Fi that's "real Sci-Fi" - the sort of story that pushes what's happening today into the future as a sort of social commentary.
    But ... I'm not keen on gore, so I may have to pass after all. Bummer.

  • I have to say, Val ... you could put your poems into a book, "How to Write Poetry" -- & it would sell well! I always learn from your posts ... new poetry styles, new vocabulary, & new ideas or ways of looking at things. Thank you for your gifts to your Xanga friends! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

    • Wow~ Thanks for the wonderful compliment! I believe in lifelong learning and am by no means an expert on poetry. I am happy that you have enjoyed these offerings and think them worthy of publication. You are not alone and I have been working on a compilation (because my mother wants me to...)

  • Good for your mother ...& to you for listening to her! ;-)

  • Oh, yes! But I nag for a good reason and cause for you DO have a way with words....and should share it and then....who knows????

    • Hehe! That would be a real trip - publish poetry and make money!! Enough to retire on early!! A pleasant dream...

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