Movies we've seen - 'Contagion'.

I've seen a couple of movies of late, 'Red Dog', 'Real Steel', and the one I'm reviewing here, 'Contagion'.

I have an IMDB account, and I posted this review over there;

"Summary: Plausible scenario, thought provoking, an important movie.

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

I note some are saying they are 'underwhelmed' by this movie. What you get out of a movie often depends on what you expect from a movie experience. If you just want entertainment, be that action, romance, whatever, then maybe this movie will disappoint. However, if you want something beyond shallow entertainment, this movie will NOT disappoint. It is a plausible scenario, quite thought provoking, and I believe, an important movie. It is also technically quite good. Acting and camera work excellent, good screenplay and directing. The characters ARE human, with human failings. It doesn't end happily ever after for all, and some of the people in positions of responsibility (eg at the CDC) put their family first. There are allusions to politicians misusing their position. There are scenes where people loot, trample others to get to the head of the queue for medicines, steal food, generally, some/many people behave badly. (And in contrast some behave well). So the movie explores the spectrum of human morality, and shows good men have flaws. This is much closer to reality than the behavior that many movies usually reflect. A somewhat deeper movie than Hollywood has put out for quite some time. Recommended".

I'll rate it 4 out of 5.

'Red Dog' and 'Real Steel' are also worth seeing. Red Dog is based on a real life story, and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house when I saw it.

Real Steel is quite an original idea (rare these days), and good entertainment.

I'll give them both 3 1/2 out of 5 and a plus. Worth seeing.

Rest in Peace Steve Jobs Feb 24, 1955 – Oct 5, 2011.

I am, sadly, moved to comment on the recent passing of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple (and Next Computers, and Pixar). Some people leave a big hole in the world when they pass, and Steve Jobs is one of them.

How better to sum up his life, and his philosophy, than in his own words? This is a link his 2005 Commencement speech given at Stanford University in 2005;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA

I run a Mac. Daughter has an iPhone. The household has various versions of the iPod. And it goes way beyond that. The innovations pioneered in the original Apple Mac are considered givens on virtually all personal computers today.

Many in history are remembered, often for the negative impact they had on the world (Hitler, Stalin are examples). Generals are remembered more so than the soldiers that died in their campaigns. But Steve Jobs has no negative baggage to be remembered by, but overwhelmingly, positives. He is a man who will cast a long shadow, and be remembered fondly.

RIP Steve.