Stranger in a strange place
Author: Robert Heinlein
Year of publication: 1961 (1995)
Plot summary: Valentine Michael Smith is a human raised by Martians on Mars. When a terran space shuttle to Mars brings Mike with them back to Earth, he is put in hospital under care of the government. Nurse Gillian Boardman takes Mike from the hospital when she fears he will become a subject of research. Now begins a long journey for both Mike and Jill, where Mike learns how to be human and Jill and everyone else learns to question the very way they live.
Heinlein philosophises over our society with a sharpness of mind that triggers your own thoughts, without the cynicism of someone who despises our way of life. Michael's innocence and ignorance forces you to formulate and find answers to questions you'd otherwise never even think of asking. He pinpoints many core issues in our mentality and culture, and the author often seems more a psychologist than a writer. An unbiased journey through American culture you definitely want to make.
Year of publication: 1961 (1995)
Plot summary: Valentine Michael Smith is a human raised by Martians on Mars. When a terran space shuttle to Mars brings Mike with them back to Earth, he is put in hospital under care of the government. Nurse Gillian Boardman takes Mike from the hospital when she fears he will become a subject of research. Now begins a long journey for both Mike and Jill, where Mike learns how to be human and Jill and everyone else learns to question the very way they live.
Heinlein philosophises over our society with a sharpness of mind that triggers your own thoughts, without the cynicism of someone who despises our way of life. Michael's innocence and ignorance forces you to formulate and find answers to questions you'd otherwise never even think of asking. He pinpoints many core issues in our mentality and culture, and the author often seems more a psychologist than a writer. An unbiased journey through American culture you definitely want to make.
Thank you for smoking
Director: Jason Reitman
Cast: Aaron Eckhart, William H Macy, Cameron Bright, Katie Holmes
Year: 2005
Plot outline: Nick Naylor is a spokesperson for the company Big Tobacco. Part of the job description is facing hatred and contempt from people in the society, something Nick does with a twist of words and a smile, all in the name of promoting smoking. But his son is growing up, and now Nick needs him to understand Nick's profession without betraying his loyalty to his company.
I was expecting this to be much more satirical than it was; I felt the movie had so much potential that just wasn't utilised. At times I, as a European, had difficulties understanding some of the jokes based on references to incidents in America, but most of the time they let the many compromising situations speak for themselves. On the whole, you could get a laugh or two out of this, but if you're looking for something with more depth to reflect upon, watch Brokeback Mountain instead.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427944/
Cast: Aaron Eckhart, William H Macy, Cameron Bright, Katie Holmes
Year: 2005
Plot outline: Nick Naylor is a spokesperson for the company Big Tobacco. Part of the job description is facing hatred and contempt from people in the society, something Nick does with a twist of words and a smile, all in the name of promoting smoking. But his son is growing up, and now Nick needs him to understand Nick's profession without betraying his loyalty to his company.
I was expecting this to be much more satirical than it was; I felt the movie had so much potential that just wasn't utilised. At times I, as a European, had difficulties understanding some of the jokes based on references to incidents in America, but most of the time they let the many compromising situations speak for themselves. On the whole, you could get a laugh or two out of this, but if you're looking for something with more depth to reflect upon, watch Brokeback Mountain instead.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427944/