Hand me my iPad HAL.

Jose here.

Just yesterday I was talking with a few friends about the quick pace with which technological advancements are making our wildest dreams come true.

The ubiquitous-ness of the iPad obviously got our attention and I couldn't help but remember the fact that some similar devices appeared in Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey which had Dr. David Bowman (Keir Dullea) carry around flat screen TV-like thingamajigs which he used for different purposes.

Coincidentally, or not, today the film celebrates its forty second birthday. It opened in Washington D.C. to polarizing reviews and a 160-minute edit which Kubrick cut for the general release just four days later.
Ever since, the film has gained enough prestige to land in practically every list of the greatest movies of all time and has become highly influential (Oscar, as usual, was reluctant to embrace it fully and it didn't get a Best Picture nod).



But back to the technology thing, 2001 was praised not only for its actual scientific accuracy but also for "predicting" things to come (Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke where working at their best Jules Verne mode) and technically inventing what the Visual Effects Oscar category would be all about in decades to come.

Some of the things it suggests are perhaps a bit too insane or years away from becoming feasible; this might be good though because as much as I'd like to murder my computer on a daily basis, it still hasn't developed reciprocal feelings towards me like the infamous HAL 9000 did.

But how about you? What's the one thing in a sci-fi movie that you would just love to see come true?

"Rotate the Pod Please, Hal"

The (Mostly) Unseen Contenders of '06: The Good Shepherd

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Release Date: December 22nd

MPAA Rating: R for some violence, sexuality and language

Ten Words Or Less: How the C.I.A. got started (Patriot Act not included).

Reason For Existence: The oddest cast of the year assembles for DeNiro's pet project (Matt Damon, Keir Dullea, Angelina Jolie, Michael Gambon, William Hurt, Alec Baldwin, Ann Hampton Calloway, and -- wait for it -- Joe Pesci).

Mathematical Equation: The Conversation + Good Will Hunting + African adoption (1 Baldwin), multiplied by Raging Bull to the third power

Take A Look: "Everybody has secrets to tell...mine are bigger than others." (Oh stop it with the bragging, Matt.)

Early Buzz (Good): "An intense, fascinating, pulsating and passionate depiction of a chapter of American History." - Somebody, Ain't It Cool News

Early Buzz (Bad): "There is not one truly inspired shot in the entire film. I was hoping that, as DeNiro has worked the most with Martin Scorsese, there would be at least a touch of Scorsese's filmmaking ability. I seem to have expected way too much." - Different Somebody, Ain't It Cool News

Oscar Locks: None (though close in Best Film)

In The Running: Best Film, Best Director (Robert DeNiro), Best Actor (Damon), Best Actress (Jolie), Best Screenplay (Eric Roth)

Long Shots: Cinematography (Robert Richardson), Editing (Tariq Anwar), Costumes (Ann Roth)

Completely Irrelevant Best Picture Odds: 5-1

Why It's Essential: DeNiro directing for the first time since A Bronx Tale, Pesci in a movie for the first time in ages, and Angelina on screen for the first time since hooking up with Brad.

The Achilles Heel: One can nearly choke on all the verissimilitude. That's some serious schmacting, my friends.

The Verdict: Universal has two possible ponies to ride in the Oscar race. I've seen the other one, Children of Men, and I don't expect it to be more than a minor factor. So expect an all-out campaign for this once the reviews are in.

[Modern Fabulousity]