by | 02/04/2009 · 9:33 pm

FILM ARCHIVE – Blade Runner: The Final Cut (2007)

By Marty Mulrooney

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Twenty-five years in its arrival and as many feet high, it stared at me through the darkness, a large, unblinking eye. Reflected in its depths was a whole cityscape; a futuristic Los Angeles, terrifying in its bleakness, plumes of fire rising from stacks up towards the heavens.

So there I was, with the biggest grin on my face, watching this eye. I wasn’t afraid; I had seen it before. But never so clear, or so…BIG. Admittedly, to catch the film Blade Runner during its first big screen run in 1982, I would have to build a time machine: I hadn’t been born yet. Seeing it here now, looking brand new, felt like a revelation.

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by | 02/04/2009 · 8:40 pm

Killzone 2: Alternative thoughts

By Marty Mulrooney

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Killzone 2 for the Playstation 3 is graphically so far ahead of anything else that it is almost shocking. It has also been receiving rave reviews left, right and center. After completing the game twice, and having a good crack at the online multiplayer, I have decided to offer some thoughts on the game. I must start by saying I have enjoyed my time with it, and it was worth the money I paid. However, I feel it has been thoroughly over-praised.

My reasons for this are as follows:
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by | 02/04/2009 · 7:14 pm

FEATURE ARTICLE – Michael Mann: Auteur

By Marty Mulrooney

The director that I have chosen as the basis of my auteur thesis in this article is American director Michael Mann, who is also a screenwriter and producer. He made several made-for-television films, before his debut film Thief in 1981. This launched a film career spanning over 20 years to the present day, with his last film being Miami Vice, released in 2006. Miami Vice is itself a re-invention of a cult television show of the same name that Mann produced from 1984 to 1990, amounting to 110 shows altogether.

miami-vice

The topic of the auteur is now much more dominant than it has ever been, with the word sometimes being overused. But does it apply to Michael Mann?  Continue reading →

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by | 02/04/2009 · 3:17 pm

ALTERNATIVE MUSINGS – The Humanized President

By Marty Mulrooney

I thought it would be interesting for my first post on the site to offer an article I wrote last year about President Bill Clinton. It regards a speech he gave after his sexual scandals and indiscretions were made public. It is probably no exaggeration to state that, perhaps even until Obama came into power, Clinton was the most popular American President in recent history. It therefore comes as no surprise to me that Obama and Clinton seem to get on very well together. What is quite surprising in retrospect is that Clinton’s behavior probably didn’t harm him politically at all. Both men have used religion to reach the American people in varying ways. Clinton ruined his homely family image and still managed to stay on top. Would Obama recover from something like this today?

Clinton may be on the naughty stool for many, but still, at least still it's in the right corner of the room.

Clinton may be on the naughty stool for a long time, but still, at least it's in the right corner of the room.

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