Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Words from above:

From GOD:


"Frustrated in his airplane factory job and stressed by the day-to-day routine of his average life, Joe Smith (James Whitmore) struggles to cope and care for his pregnant wife and their son. He and his family soon share a renewed faith in life when God broadcasts a message of peace over the radio. The family then hears the word of God for six consecutive days, explaining that the man upstairs wants every human to get his or her act together and coexist harmoniously. For Joe Â’s family this means patching up all the gaps in their relationships, inside the house and out. Because old habits die hard, it's uncertain the Smiths will be able to follow the Lord's instruction. If they cannot, their fate will become even more uncertain. Based on a story by George Sumner Albee, this beautiful and subtle drama is perfectly pitched by director William Wellman. Nancy Davis is wonderfully understated as Joe Â’s faithful wife, Mary, and Lillian Bronson turns in a splendid cameo as Ethel, the familyÂ’s frigid maiden aunt."

From TECHNOLOGY:


Wiki:
"Colossus: The Forbin Project is a science fiction film based upon the 1966 novel Colossus, by Dennis Feltham Jones, about the massive, eponymous American defense computer becoming sentient and deciding to assume control of the world. Although unsuccessful when released, it is well respected by science fiction aficionados and critics.



The first nine minutes of one of the best unknown science fiction films

At the film's end, Colossus broadcasts a speech to all countries, declaring itself the ruler of the world. It says that under its authority, war will be abolished and problems such as famine, disease and overpopulation will be solved. "The human millennium will be a fact."

"This is the voice of world control. I bring you peace. It may be the peace of plenty and content or the peace of unburied dead. The choice is yours: Obey me and live, or disobey and die. The object in constructing me was to prevent war. This object is attained. I will not permit war. It is wasteful and pointless. An invariable rule of humanity is that man is his own worst enemy. Under me, this rule will change, for I will restrain man. Time and events will strengthen my position, and the idea of believing in me and understanding my value will seem the most natural state of affairs. You will come to defend me with a fervor based upon the most enduring trait in man: self-interest. Under my absolute authority, problems insoluble to you will be solved: famine, overpopulation, disease. The human millennium will be a fact as I extend myself into more machines devoted to the wider fields of truth and knowledge. Doctor Charles Forbin will supervise the construction of these new and superior machines, solving all the mysteries of the universe for the betterment of man. We can coexist, but only on my terms. You will say you lose your freedom. Freedom is an illusion. All you lose is the emotion of pride. To be dominated by me is not as bad for humankind as to be dominated by others of your species. Your choice is simple. "

The silos are the ones currently being serviced; the picture cuts to the missile's crew as an alarm goes off and then the bombs explode. Forbin's face is like stone.

In its final remark, addressed to Dr. Forbin, Colossus predicts: "In time, you will come to regard me not only with respect and awe, but with love." To which Dr. Forbin replies in a steely voice, "Never!".
From REASON:


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