2.11 - THE MATRIX (1999) & Spectacle

The band’s back together…After last week’s interlude, franchise season continues with the Wachowskis’ 1999 movie THE MATRIX. Both Rob and Sam have a different take on this film than their teenaged selves; we talk technical experiences, cinematic turning-points, and dystopian worlds.

This Week's Viewing
ROLLERBALL (1975): Norman Jewison, James Caan, John Houseman
MEMENTO (2000): Christopher Nolan, Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss
MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–): Joss Whedon, Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen
HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE (2001): Chris Columbus, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint

RECOMMENDATIONS
AVATAR (2009): James Cameron, Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana
BOUND (1996): the Wachowskis, Jennifer Tilly, Gina Gershon
GHOST IN THE SHELL (1995): Mamoru Oshii, Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Ōtsuka
FIGHT CLUB (1999): David Fincher, Brad Pitt, Edward Norton

FOOTNOTES First of all, Sam would like to make it clear that any mention of the Wachowskis as 'brothers' on his part was a reference to the pre-transition state in which they lived while the first film was being shot. For more on their status as Hollywood's first openly transgender directors, see here (number 2) and here. Sam starts the episode by mentioning a stunning comic about film history and technology (it’s a whole lot better than that makes it sound), Edward Ross’s Filmish (2015). The Wachowski Sisters have stated their indebtedness to Jean Baudrillard’s Simulacres et simulation (1981) — this isn’t just Sam drawing unfounded academic conclusions; Neo actually uses a copy of the book as a hiding-place at the beginning of the film, and you can read about the directors insistence that all the actors familiarised themselves with the work, here. If it really tickles your fancy, here’s the original. This article has an explanation of the ‘bullet time’ effect we discuss. And finally, this is a thorough analysis, including references to many interesting aspects of the film.