Finally getting to see Elysium and am loving it and thought it would be important (somewhat, superficially) to explain why. South African writer / director Neil Blomkamp is one of the very few didactic filmmakers out there. I, myself, am a didactic writer. For those unaware, didactic literature or art is made for the purpose of teaching or imparting a philosophy, social code, or ideal (thats my summary without looking at wikipedia). Edgar Allen Poe, while I love him, is famous for a specific critical essay denouncing didactic writers and basically saying it doesn't belong in the fiction realm. Its also important to note that while some literature /movies do impart certain metaphors, such as may be found in many Scorcese films, it doesn't necessarily make it didactic in the sense said view points are often a superfulous or extended view of the artist and imbeded into the art through the artists culture, personal philosophies, popular ideals but are not important in any way to the story. To juxtapose a didactic film versus one that is close but not quite, i would say look at Apocalypse Now versus Taxi Driver. now this is an easy example since Apocalypse Now is basically Vietnam Heart of Darkness, which was a book with a specific point to make that was explained via metaphor, analogy, and plot. Why many disagree with the didactic approach is that the first keys to a good story, a really good story, should not be broad or built upon ideals, but upon individuals, characterization, and the conflict (plot) therein. I often struggle with these distinctions and was criticized very heavily at Georgia State University for building my story upon certain things I wanted to impart *first* with the rest built around that. For those who made it this far, its actually really wicked cool considering the kind of media we have today and for other writers to understand what they and other artist may or may not be saying
additional movie schtuff: finally saw the following too
Edge of Tomorrow : 3/5... as much as i want to dislike tom cruise movies he usually does a decent if not good job and here he was perfect. pacing was perfect. the only other "groundhog day" (read: twilight zone original) idea done well and for its purpose, was executed flawlessly. i would give it a 4/5 except that it doesn't have the re-watchability that groundhog day did, but as far as craft goes, may even be better
Guardians of the Galaxy - 3.5/5, We are Groot (need i say more?)
X-men days of future past: 2.5/5, good script, bad direction. pacing was all wrong and lack of good film score
