I suppose “Dune” is easier to rhyme than “Arrakis.” In any case, go check it out!
Arts
Ender’s Game and Maneuver Warfare
Medium’s War is Boring section has an interesting article on the strategic content of Ender’s Game. I’d known that the book was used as an example of leadership skills, but it turns out that it’s also a very good source for modern military theory:
By some strange, serendipitous coincidence, Ender’s Game is the best book on maneuver warfare ever written—and a contemporary of the theory’s renewed prominence. If you’ve ever read the novel, you’ve been exposed to some pretty smart ideas for waging war.
I’ve seen the movie, by the way, and the short-short review is “I liked it.” (Not “loved”.) I’ll write a longer review soon, but probably after I’ve seen it one more time and/or listened to the new Ender Alive audio version. In the meantime, read the rest of this article for an interesting new perspective on the work.
There Is a Life Of Brian Oratorio
I didn’t know that. Did you? Here’s the original scene, if you’re curious.
I learn something new every day.
These Anamorphic Illusions Blow Minds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UelJZG_bF98
So you’ve probably seen pictures of incredible sidewalk art that create the illusion of depth if viewed from the right angle. That’s an anamorphic illusion. Well the folks who made this ad for Honda took that principle to a whole new level.
It looks like CGI, but it’s not, as this making-of video illustrates.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejXgE480R1I
It’s amazing. Read more at PetaPixel.
Fiction Reading Is Good For the Soul
Almost a year ago, I wrote a post over at Worlds Without End entitled “A Not-So-Novel Way to Read the Book of Mormon.” It reviewed the psychological benefits of reading fiction vs. non-fiction (i.e. narratives/stories vs. straight information) and applied it to reading the Book of Mormon, which Mormons are frequently encouraged to do by Church leaders. Research over the years has found those who read fiction compared to non-fiction tend to develop greater social abilities, changes in personality and emotions, and increased empathy. This is due to readers identifying and empathizing with characters in the novels. The novels act as a kind of social simulation for the mind.
A brand new article in Science continues the trend by demonstrating that reading literature helps readers understand the mental states of others. Such finds are very exciting, in my view. Makes me glad that I started reading fiction again (thanks, Nathaniel). Check out Reason‘s write-up on the article.
Final Hunger Games Trailer: I’m Excited
I don’t think I’ve been this excited for a movie in a long, long time. I can hardly wait. I think the movies really have a chance to be great in a way that the books missed.
(Come to think of it, the last time was probably for The Phantom Menace in 1999. The horror of that experience probably explains why it’s taken me over a decade to start feeling excitement about movies again…)
Saratov Approach Scores $500k
Variety reports that the indie Mormon file The Saratov Approach has managed to pull in $500,000 in just two weeks on 23 screens. It’s the real-life story of two Mormon missionaries who were kidnapped and held for ransom in Russia in 1998. I haven’t seen it yet, but judging from the reactions it sounds like a potentially great step forward in Mormon film. And, based on the strength of its performance so far, “the nation’s largest theater chains including Regal, AMC and Cinemark are requesting the film have a wider footprint.”
Reviews for 2013 Oct 19 (Lots and Lots of Books)
I don’t think I’ve posted a link to my book reviews since way back in August. As a result, I’ve got a lot of books to catch up on. There are ten in this post, and it’s only ’cause I ran out of steam before I got to my review of Elizabeth Smart’s My Story, which I also finished. I’ll add that one on to my next batch. As for the other 10, here goes!
Steelheart is Brandon Sanderson’s newest book. This one is an intentional split from his usual schtick (epic sci fi) into accessible YA. Is Sanderon angling for a movie deal and a bigger paycut? Given the ridiculous length of his previous works, he might be feeling annoyed at his relatively low salary-per-word, so it’s possible. Read my review to find out more, but the basic take is that the book is fun but shallow.
The Evolution of Western Dance Music
This crazy image doesn’t really give the site credit, ’cause it’s static. Go to the actual site, and you can press play to watch the evolution unfold or even scroll back and forth carefully to follow individual paths. I’m not sure how rigorous it is, but it’s really cool!
Coldplay Head Up “Catching Fire” Soundtrack
I’m a huge fan of the Hunger Games movie, which I think is much better than the book. I believe there’s a chance for the next movies to continue to ride high instead of crashing and burning the way the novels did, so I’ve got high hopes for Catching Fire.
This excellent Coldplay track for the soundtrack doesn’t hurt at all.