Refined Rage: Aston Martin

Aston Martin is my favorite car company.

A piece of art. Sex on wheels.

Power, elegance, beauty, speed. All of these words describe an Aston Martin, but none are enough to fully grasp what Aston Martin is.

You may look at it and say, "Meh. Just another car."

I say, "You need to get your eyes and pulse checked, because you must be blind and dead.

Click here for pictures.

Tread softly because you tread on my dreams...

Once in a while, a film comes along that not only helps redefine cinema, but it also asks some very deep and interesting philosophical questions. Inception, a film by Christopher Nolan, may not necessarily redefine cinema in literal terms, but Mr. Nolan has ushered in an age where the imagination is the only obstacle standing in our way in terms of film making.

With a very tight script, deliberate directing, mature acting and a flair for challenging our perception, Inception has allowed us to question our interpretation of reality, the meaning of dreams and even suggest that we challenge the established order. What I really like about this film is that it does not allow the audience to become complacent; it forces them to think about the characters, the plot and all the plot devices.

This movie is an onion; there are many layers and each layer becomes more and more vivid. Each layer also contains a different setting and this is where Nolan really shines, even if it is inadvertent. The level of detail in lighting and set production really solidifies the film and I would venture to say, even makes you care about the characters and the goal they are trying to achieve. From a rain swept cityscape, to a retro-modern hotel, a frigid snow bunker and a urban prison, the settings are a refined detail that really captured me.

The soundtrack is truly a masterpiece. Composed by Hans Zimmer, it uses many different musicians as inspiration. The music is quintessential to the many moods of the film and give the scenes that extra spark of life. Watch the trailer to hear what I'm talking about. The score gives the sense meandering at a chaotic pace, but at the same time, it has purpose at a higher, big picture level. You could even say that the score is a character in of itself.

On a final note, essentially, this movie is a heist film. Yes, you read that correctly. But instead of stealing an object of great worth, this movie is about the most valuable thing we as people cherish: our minds and ideas. One concept I am really appreciating about Christopher Nolan, his brother (writer) and wife (a producer) is that they are able to take real life situations and events and incorporate them into a movie that may not be related to real life at first glance. The Dark Knight, released two years ago, showcased contemplations on terrorism, chaos, escalation of a situation and questions whether we have the right to do something illegal to serve the common good. Inception does much of the same by questioning the practices of corporations that strive to maintain an edge in their niche market. In this case, it is two energy moguls attempting to gain higher market shares. But all of that is in the background. Inception questions our perspective of reality and how our minds are really only limited by ourselves. To top it all off, the film further questions our impact on people and how we must take care of what kind of influence we have over others, especially if that influence come from a place of power.

I urge you to see this movie, in IMAX, if you can . It is very much worth your money. Leave a comment and let me know what you thought of it.

SWAN DIVE!!

Make your own Old Spice Man voicemail message.

This voicemail is now diamonds!

Solved Mysteries

The Times of India, among other news outlets, reports that scientists working at the Universities of Sheffield and Warwick have discovered that the chicken DID come before the egg. Read the article for more info.

Times of India - Chicken before the Egg

EDIT: The argument against the findings made by renowned scientist and thinker PZ Meyers: Article

Made some more changes. I gotta stop doing this.


Something to distract you:

fuckyeahmashups

And then, there's this...

When the music died

Pretty much every pop song ever written. Pachelbel and those 4 Pop chords can go die in a fire.

You're the best around...

Congrats to Spain on winning the World Cup. Netherlands, great run. Can't wait to see the team you field in 2014.

Check here for the recast of the final match and other matches you may have missed.

To me, the tournament was one of the best. It was in a country that deserved to have an event of this caliber. Situations like this, however, are appalling and just plain ridiculous.

Overall, I've really enjoyed this tournament. Next up, Summer Olympics - London 2012!

Material Girl

Legit or fame seeking?

I would like to think she is being genuine, but it's hard to tell these days.

Rain drops keep falling on my head - Part II

After a much anticipated wait (not really), I am going to complete my contemplation on religion, the lack of religion and what religion really means. I do not claim to be a theologian, but rather a interested observer of how religion affects our current world. The following argument is unstructured and up for debate.

To me, religion is something that belongs in the last millenium. I think it has done more harm than good, has created more controversy than any other topic and stands in the way of progress. I am okay with people having a personal stake in religious activities, but as for social commentary and decisions, that should be left to the unbiased.

Before anyone jumps up and says, "Hey, religion has done a lot of people good. It provides the desperate with hope, etc," let me point out that before mass organized religion, people got along just fine. I look to Native Americans as an example. Yes, they did make war with each other, but nothing compared to devastation that later religions have wrought. Peace with the Earth and all of its inhabitants is what the early Natives believed in.

As for atheism, or the disbelief of a deity that is all encompassing and ever watchful, we see the same kind of fanaticism that religious zealots practice. This kind of "militant" atheism is in reaction to the extremism found in Abrahamic religions. This also sends the wrong message: That belief in a supreme deity is wrong and using fanaticism against fanaticism is the answer.

My position on religion is that of not having the belief in a supreme deity, until proven wrong. I would rather have my "faith" in science and logic, making the concession that the existence of god(s) is unknown and not definable. I also deplore the ritualistic nature of religion. The spread of a religious message seems more important than living piously or doing charitable works, as evidenced by the wealth of The Vatican, Hindu temples and tax breaks given to organized religious groups.

Another gripe I find ridiculous is the pitched battle between church and state. To govern properly, a federal government should be secular beyond any doubt. Those working for the government should keep their religiosity to themselves. Presenting any religious backed argument has no place in a political forum, if the government wants to remain unbiased. The religious may claim that religion in the government is a reflection of the general population, but what about the non-religious? Do they not deserve a voice. Classic case of the minority needing protection from the majority.

I do not mean to cause controversy or condemnation by anyone that is religious. I do mean to cause reasonable debate about religion, righting wrongs and possibly introducing the idea that questioning religious belief and authority is the right of anyone and should not be met with threats of violence by the religious.

Happy weekend!