For the records

Chaos Theory

• movie review: The Butterfly Effect
  
  I had really been itching to see this film for the last couple of weeks. The Butterfly Effect is one of those Hollywood films, starring one of its most Hollywood actors[Ashton Kutcher] that totally lives up to the expectations brought forth by the trailer. Kutcher does a credible job playing college student Evan, who has for the last seven years not had a mental 'blackout'. Evan experienced several traumatic events during his childhood and had unexpected blackouts and memory lapses which seemed to coincide with these events. Out of concern, his mother brought him to the local psychiatric institute to be tested. What results from those tests is the doctor's recommendation for Evan to keep daily journals in order that they might help jog Evan's memories. The film develops Evan's relationships between his childhood friends early on as they ultimately will play a large part in the film later on: Evan develops affection for his friend Tommy's sister; Tommy seems almost psychotic as a child(although this is ultimately explained later on in the film); Evan's other friend is a heavier, quiter kid who is quite intimidated, almost scared, of Tommy's bullying. Not to give anything away about why, but eventually Evan's mother decides to move. The expected reluctance of Evan to leave the girl he loves behind is shown. ... Fast forward to the future. Evan is going to college and has not had a blackout in 7 years. Through a series of events, Evan discovers his ability to time travel by reading his journals which transport him to the time of when those events happened. Gradually, he discovers that he can change the past which can ultimately affect the future. For better or worse, as Evan finds out. It's the cause-and-effect scenarios that play out amongst Evan, his mother and his childhood friends each time Evan transports himself back. As I said in my post yesterday, the film approaches the subject of time travel simplistically and never really explains how Evan is able to transport himself back to an earlier time. However, then maybe that would have complicated the film. What remains is a look at the human experience of time travel and the moral dilemma of Evan 'playing god'. Will he make the right choices?



• MP3:




• Check out an indiepop mix available in mp3 format at www.wiencis.com/mp3/feb2004.html. [It's available as one large mp3 file; good nonetheless.]



• Since Monday of this week, Gene fansite "You'll Never Walk Again" has been hosting an 'Acoustic Week' by posting mp3's of the band performing live acoustic favourites. Get them while you can. And while you're at the site, navigate to the Audio page and download several more Gene mp3 rarities including the band doing a live take of British boy-band Take That's classic 'Back for Good'. It's really quite good! [Although do not think I'll be wanting to hear any cover versions of any Backstreet Boys' songs anytime soon. ;-) ]



• Check out a couple of Pretty Girls Make Graves mp3's at the Matador Records site.[continue below for tour dates!]




• Tour dates:




• Pretty Girls Make Graves - The band plays in Toronto on March 31. Woohoo! 'The New Romance' is one of the best current CD's I have not yet bought[currently listening to a burned copy, but I'll surely purchase it legitimately if I can find it for a decent price.]