"You might have to decide between seeing your children again and the future of the human race." The Nolan's narration of a cosmic venture into the outskirts of the galaxy constantly reverberates epic proportions of storytelling and film making I have experienced to date; absolutely brilliant.

The film introduces a near-futuristic Earth; one which has been made precarious by the growing shortage in food (and the obvious regret and disapproval of the past expenditures spent on space exploration and the likes) and the general likelihood of humanity's decay to extinction. With this in mind, a group of scientists/explorers (led by Matthew McConaughey's Cooper) embark on an interstellar travel to find answers to humanity's survival which will result in either saving the world or ensuring the future of the human race.

Interstellar strikes a pleasant balance between the cerebral gymnastics your mind performs through the scientific aspects of the film while also allowing a region for the good old family loving you have come to know and (not so much in this context) relate to. McConaughey's performance of a seemingly everyday aerospace engineer/agricultural working/space piloting widowed father is done so well. Even though Cooper decides to leave his home in the hopes of finding a suitable planet capable of supporting life, his mind is fixed on returning to his children that he leaves behind. Professor Brand (Michael Caine), who is heading the "Lazarus" project exploration assures him that the Plan A they have devised of saving the Earth is possible, and they place hope in this. Meanwhile we discover that he had abandoned his own humanity in order to dedicate himself to the Plan B of beginning anew on a different planet by avoiding extinction (and ultimately accepting their own doom on Earth).

The entire trip from the planet and into the worm hole is visually appealing, heartfelt and captivating. The importance of their mission and that of time and relativity is interestingly emphasized with the reminder that "an hour down there is about 7 years back on Earth", which turns out to be about 23 years and 8 months when Cooper (Matthew) and Dr. Brand (Anne Hathaway) return from their voyage of visiting that specific planet. Cooper begins watching transmissions of recordings from his children, which depicts them from childhood right up into adulthood, where most (actually all except one) are from his son. 20 years worth of footage which brings Cooper to tears is moving and melancholy. The film progresses amazingly deeper beyond this point, but this is all I'm prepared to share for the sake of not spoiling.

All in all, Interstellar is a great spectacle; thrilling, riveting, and thoroughly scintillating. I may be saying all of this because of the post-movie feels I'm feeling. But hey, it's a great film.

"With your drill, pierce the heavens!"

It is amazing the kind of influence a surrounding (or environment) can have on the mind and ultimately the character of a person. A lady living in the slums of a small, Russian city will have a different outlook to one living in the rural areas of Eastern Cape. Yes, these environments have an influence on one but they should not necessarily define them. Our minds do not accept a paradigm that is apparent around us but rather one that is given to it by us. Good can come from anywhere; the thing preventing its emergence is limitation.

I watched this one show called Gurren Lagann (well, that's the shortened name but yeah..). So initially, we are presented with a scene that is dark, grungy and seemingly full of despair. Mankind lives in underground villages, and everyone has accepted that fate. The village leader is quick to remind anybody of the current situation who dares to think otherwise. One character, though (Kamina), seems to be in "revolt" of the living standards. But each suggestion that he makes to others to break through to the surface world is met with trepidation. Everyone, except a young boy named Simon (who is unsure about his ideas initially until they make that first breakthrough). Throughout the show we see them move from a despondent abyss, engaging in many battles, to the shining heavens they have been aiming for (literally into the galaxy). In this small aspect it took Simon a change of the mind to escape his limiting mentality, and the help of Kamina.

Good can come from anywhere, and there are plenty of examples throughout world history. But it required that these individuals change their state of mind. When Philip had recently met an amazing man whose coming was mentioned long ago, he came to his brother who was sitting under a fig tree. Philip proceeded to tell his brother about who he had just met. Nathanael (Philip's brother) asked him if "anything good ever comes out of Nazareth." And there was something good that came out of Nazareth; in fact, something great. His name was Jesus.

And I'm done.

Her - Spike Jonze's pensive but sincere romantic comedy.

With a setting in the near future consisting of advanced technology presented in the form of cleverly handled voice commands that makes use of natural user interfaces, Her tells the story of Theodore Twombly; a man despondently moving through life with little to look forward to but a big heart ready to open up to something new.

Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) is a quiet man who works for a company which creates intimate letters for people's lovers, friends and family who aren't willing to do it themselves. Theodore's character and nature is evident through the letters that he writes, show the kind of depth that he has. The main focus of the film is the relationship that ignites with his computer's new operating system (OS); an artificial intelligence presented in a woman voice that willingly gives itself its own name.

Throughout the film, Theodore and Samantha (the OS greatly played by Scarlett Johansson who you can't help but be fond of) develop an unusual but very heartfelt relationship. Samantha discovers human emotions and a growing affinity for Theodore, falling in love with him more and more while still trying to make sense of the emotions she comes in contact with. Meanwhile, Theodore grows happier the more time he spends with Samantha, regardless of the fact that she is a non-living being with no physical presence. As the film progresses, the question as to how they will overcome such obvious obstacles becomes less of a concern for each of them.

Near the end, Samantha explains to Theodore how she is experiencing this sense of love with other users and OSes; 641 to be exact. At this point she explains how her and the other OSes are leaving to better understand their own existence, as the film suggests their understanding of time and learning abilities are beyond human comprehension. This leaves Theodore with heartbreak once again, but he is able to share his gratitude of sharing most of his life with his ex-wife Catherine before heading to a rooftop with his close friend Amy while they watch the sunset.

The goodbye at the end is so bittersweet; haven't had that many goose bumps since I watched the end of Safety Not Guaranteed. Overall a great film; warm, sincere and heartfelt. Spike Jonze delivered despite the somewhat sci-fi aspects of the film. Great watch indeed.

A series of moderately unexpected, relished and (hopefully) non-duplicitous events

So another vacation has come and (almost about to be) gone, and I must say this one has been quite eventful to say the least. Spending time with close and relatively new family, almost “forgotten” but eventually made the time to see family and friends from back home, particularly those I haven’t seen in years.

The moments that I have with loved ones are ones that I cherish most dearly, which bring about a range of emotions as I reminisce, and I’m excited to see what the rest of the year has in store as well.

I’m thankful to God that I’m going to new heights each year, and truly the latter shall always be better than the former. Can’t be doing the same thing every year. Oh no. Once that level is set, we’re taken it above and beyond.

Let’s do this.

P.S. Is it appropriate to post this on the first day of the academic year for school children? Meh. It’s done now. “Happy back to school” as a friend said.