Register | Sign In


Understanding through Discussion


EvC Forum active members: 65 (9162 total)
1 online now:
Newest Member: popoi
Post Volume: Total: 915,806 Year: 3,063/9,624 Month: 908/1,588 Week: 91/223 Day: 2/17 Hour: 0/0


Thread  Details

Email This Thread
Newer Topic | Older Topic
  
Author Topic:   Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey
Grizz
Member (Idle past 5470 days)
Posts: 318
Joined: 06-08-2007


Message 1 of 30 (454745)
02-08-2008 3:06 PM


Does anyone else enjoy Sci-Fi?. I have always been a fan of Arthur C Clarke's essays and always enjoyed reading the interpretations and opinions of the classic 2001. In the film adaptation with Kubrick, he intentionally left the symbolism open-ended and nebulous so as to give the viewer the option to read into it whatever he/she wished.
Whenever I see the film on the tube, my interest in the subject peaks up again and I recall the Philosophy of SciFi class I took as an undergrad that was pretty much devoted to this flick and it's symbolism.
It really takes a reading of his essays and the philosophical underpinnings in 'The Sentinel'( the work the movie was based on) to pick up on the imagery and themes:
- Primate Evolves.
- Primate develops tool use.
- Tool use assists in rapid evolutionary adaptation.
- The tools eventually become so complex and powerfully that the evolvee loses the ability to control them and becomes a redundant piece of the puzzle.
- Man ends up out of his element and in over his head.
- Man evolves into shop keeper for the tools; his life gets boring.
- Roles are reversed and the tool has no need for man.
- Man is required to rely on his primordial instincts rather than the intellect that propelled him to his current state to overcome the tool.
The Obelisk represents a symbol for an Intelligence keeping tabs on the evolutionary development of species and also acts as a catalyst to such change. In the book, the outside intelligence offers up a series of tests to coax man along the path of change.
At the end of the flick, the shattered glass represents man shedding the vessel of the body - the glass breaks but the wine remains intact. Sentience no longer needs the vessel of the body and can 'evolve' into another form of conscious experience - the 'Star Child' is born.
Pretty fanciful stuff, but there is a lot of food for thought in his works. I always get a kick out of watching the flick. It's one of those rare films where you an let your imagination run wild.
Anyway's, just killing a few moments and thought I would add a coffee house post for discussion if anyone is so inclined. The one thing I always found appealing with SciFi is you can break free of facts and figures and just stimulate the imagination.

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by Percy, posted 02-08-2008 3:37 PM Grizz has replied
 Message 21 by AZPaul3, posted 02-08-2008 8:12 PM Grizz has replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22388
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.2


Message 2 of 30 (454749)
02-08-2008 3:37 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Grizz
02-08-2008 3:06 PM


I first saw 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1967 in Cinerama in New York City. I sat several seats away from Kathy Petrides, where is she now?
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Grizz, posted 02-08-2008 3:06 PM Grizz has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 3 by Grizz, posted 02-08-2008 3:49 PM Percy has replied
 Message 8 by Larni, posted 02-08-2008 5:33 PM Percy has not replied
 Message 15 by RAZD, posted 02-08-2008 6:17 PM Percy has not replied

  
Grizz
Member (Idle past 5470 days)
Posts: 318
Joined: 06-08-2007


Message 3 of 30 (454754)
02-08-2008 3:49 PM
Reply to: Message 2 by Percy
02-08-2008 3:37 PM


Wow, you're an old timer I wasn't even born yet.
What did folks think of the movie when it came out? I would think unless you were really into SciFi or had an active imagination, you would probably hate it and be bored to death. The first time I saw it when I was 13, the movie made no sense whatsoever. I kept asking myself - What is that baby doing in space?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 2 by Percy, posted 02-08-2008 3:37 PM Percy has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 4 by Percy, posted 02-08-2008 4:00 PM Grizz has not replied
 Message 14 by Coragyps, posted 02-08-2008 6:07 PM Grizz has replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22388
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.2


Message 4 of 30 (454756)
02-08-2008 4:00 PM
Reply to: Message 3 by Grizz
02-08-2008 3:49 PM


The ending was confusing, but that was incidental. The movie was considered amazing because it was by far the most accurate portrayal of space travel in motion picture history. The movie was unexpected, out of the blue. No one knew that special effects had become so advanced.
The same was true of the first Star Wars movie of a decade later, a completely unexpected technological achievement.
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by Grizz, posted 02-08-2008 3:49 PM Grizz has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 5 by Organicmachination, posted 02-08-2008 4:24 PM Percy has not replied
 Message 7 by Taz, posted 02-08-2008 5:10 PM Percy has replied

  
Organicmachination
Member (Idle past 5709 days)
Posts: 105
From: Pullman, WA, USA
Joined: 12-30-2007


Message 5 of 30 (454762)
02-08-2008 4:24 PM
Reply to: Message 4 by Percy
02-08-2008 4:00 PM


Favorite Book
2001: A Space Odyssey was, is, and will be my favorite book evar! I first picked it up simply browsing at the library a few years ago, and because I'm a big science fiction fan, I read it thoroughly and carefully.
I have got to say, it is the most carefully, beautifully captivating Sci-Fi novel I have ever read, and I've read a lot. Other books are either too much philosophy or too much like a swords and sandals epic. 2001 was a mix of both, and I loved it.
I haven't actually seen the movie, although it's been sitting in my hard drive downloaded *ahem* for a while now. You've reminded me of it, and I think I'll watch it now.
BTW, my favorite line from the book is the "Oh my god, it's full of stars!" one. I know it's a bit overrated, but that was a monumental point in the book.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 4 by Percy, posted 02-08-2008 4:00 PM Percy has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 6 by dwise1, posted 02-08-2008 4:58 PM Organicmachination has not replied

  
dwise1
Member
Posts: 5930
Joined: 05-02-2006
Member Rating: 5.8


Message 6 of 30 (454770)
02-08-2008 4:58 PM
Reply to: Message 5 by Organicmachination
02-08-2008 4:24 PM


Re: Favorite Book
BTW, my favorite line from the book is the "Oh my god, it's full of stars!" one. I know it's a bit overrated, but that was a monumental point in the book.
To chime in, saw it when it came out. I had already been a sci-fi fan for most of my life, probably going back to "Men Into Space". I even made a point of seeing it in Germany, where HAL's "Leb' wohl, Dave" sounded especially poignant ("Farewell", literally "live well" as HAL is dooming Dave to imminent death).
To be honest, I don't remember that line being used in the movie, except maybe as a text transmission. Though it was very prominently used to great effect as the first spoken words in the sequel, "2010".

This message is a reply to:
 Message 5 by Organicmachination, posted 02-08-2008 4:24 PM Organicmachination has not replied

  
Taz
Member (Idle past 3291 days)
Posts: 5069
From: Zerus
Joined: 07-18-2006


Message 7 of 30 (454773)
02-08-2008 5:10 PM
Reply to: Message 4 by Percy
02-08-2008 4:00 PM


First of all, I'd like to say that DAMN you're old!
Percy writes:
The ending was confusing, but that was incidental.
I've read all the books. The problem that I see with the movie is that a lot of it was about the cold reality of space travel... boredom. When you first saw that movie last century, did you find those parts boring?
PS - They really should make a movie for the third book.
Edited by Taz, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 4 by Percy, posted 02-08-2008 4:00 PM Percy has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 9 by Percy, posted 02-08-2008 5:50 PM Taz has not replied
 Message 11 by Grizz, posted 02-08-2008 5:52 PM Taz has replied

  
Larni
Member (Idle past 163 days)
Posts: 4000
From: Liverpool
Joined: 09-16-2005


Message 8 of 30 (454779)
02-08-2008 5:33 PM
Reply to: Message 2 by Percy
02-08-2008 3:37 PM


Percy writes:
I sat several seats away from Kathy Petrides, where is she now?
She sell sea shells on the sea shore now.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 2 by Percy, posted 02-08-2008 3:37 PM Percy has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 10 by New Cat's Eye, posted 02-08-2008 5:52 PM Larni has not replied

  
Percy
Member
Posts: 22388
From: New Hampshire
Joined: 12-23-2000
Member Rating: 5.2


Message 9 of 30 (454785)
02-08-2008 5:50 PM
Reply to: Message 7 by Taz
02-08-2008 5:10 PM


Tax writes:
I've read all the books. The problem that I see with the movie is that a lot of it was about the cold reality of space travel... boredom. When you first saw that movie last century, did you find those parts boring?
It was the most spectacular movie I'd ever seen. The scenes of the shuttle approaching the space station as a symphony played the Blue Danube inspired me to learn that piece on the piano all the way through, all of it. I can still play it.
--Percy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 7 by Taz, posted 02-08-2008 5:10 PM Taz has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 12 by Grizz, posted 02-08-2008 5:55 PM Percy has not replied

  
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 10 of 30 (454786)
02-08-2008 5:52 PM
Reply to: Message 8 by Larni
02-08-2008 5:33 PM


She sell sea shells on the sea shore now.
I thought that was Sally!?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by Larni, posted 02-08-2008 5:33 PM Larni has not replied

  
Grizz
Member (Idle past 5470 days)
Posts: 318
Joined: 06-08-2007


Message 11 of 30 (454787)
02-08-2008 5:52 PM
Reply to: Message 7 by Taz
02-08-2008 5:10 PM


I've read all the books. The problem that I see with the movie is that a lot of it was about the cold reality of space travel... boredom. When you first saw that movie last century, did you find those parts boring?
PS - They really should make a movie for the third book.
Tom Hanks was supposed to have worked on getting a project together but it fell through I think. 3001 sure has the ingredients for a popular film - genetically engineered dinosaurs, Cyborg, and all sorts of techy stuff. You think people would go nuts for it.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 7 by Taz, posted 02-08-2008 5:10 PM Taz has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 18 by Taz, posted 02-08-2008 7:40 PM Grizz has not replied

  
Grizz
Member (Idle past 5470 days)
Posts: 318
Joined: 06-08-2007


Message 12 of 30 (454789)
02-08-2008 5:55 PM
Reply to: Message 9 by Percy
02-08-2008 5:50 PM


It was the most spectacular movie I'd ever seen. The scenes of the shuttle approaching the space station as a symphony played the Blue Danube inspired me to learn that piece on the piano all the way through, all of it. I can still play it.
The music was inspiring. Most people know Also Sprach Zarathustra only as 'That theme song from 2001'.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 9 by Percy, posted 02-08-2008 5:50 PM Percy has not replied

  
Organicmachination
Member (Idle past 5709 days)
Posts: 105
From: Pullman, WA, USA
Joined: 12-30-2007


Message 13 of 30 (454790)
02-08-2008 6:05 PM


The Books
I don't know why, but the later books never seemed as good as the first one. They weren't written as well, in my opinion.
I also like the Rama series by Clarke, especially the first one again. They're another one of his fantastic works.
Edited by Organicmachination, : poopy wording.

  
Coragyps
Member (Idle past 734 days)
Posts: 5553
From: Snyder, Texas, USA
Joined: 11-12-2002


Message 14 of 30 (454792)
02-08-2008 6:07 PM
Reply to: Message 3 by Grizz
02-08-2008 3:49 PM


What did folks think of the movie when it came out?
Like Percy said - people were just blown away by the special effects, and also by the imagry and use of music. I went to the theater sober as a judge and walked out feeling stoned. That was probably 1967, too - but just on a conventional Fayetteville, Arkansas screen.
That club spinning into the air and turning into a spacecraft - WOW!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by Grizz, posted 02-08-2008 3:49 PM Grizz has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 16 by Grizz, posted 02-08-2008 6:21 PM Coragyps has not replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1404 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 15 of 30 (454795)
02-08-2008 6:17 PM
Reply to: Message 2 by Percy
02-08-2008 3:37 PM


I saw it when it first came out as well. Then I had the opportunity to see it in THE first IMAX theater in Toronto ... back when the Cinesphere at Ontario Place opened in 1971 or 1972 ... 28 track stereo behind the wrap-around screen and "stadium seating" (before that became the vogue for theaters).
Enjoy
(I did)
and then I had to dig out "The Sentinel" in my SciFi collection ...
Edited by RAZD, : ps

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAAmericanOZen[Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


• • • Join the effort to solve medical problems, AIDS/HIV, Cancer and more with Team EvC! (click) • • •

This message is a reply to:
 Message 2 by Percy, posted 02-08-2008 3:37 PM Percy has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 17 by dwise1, posted 02-08-2008 6:35 PM RAZD has not replied

  
Newer Topic | Older Topic
Jump to:


Copyright 2001-2023 by EvC Forum, All Rights Reserved

™ Version 4.2
Innovative software from Qwixotic © 2024