March 2003 Archives

I recently reread George Orwell's 1984 in anticipation the release of Michael Radford's film adaptation on DVD. Haven't read the book or watched the movie (which has been long out of print on video) since high school. This time round, I was able to appreciate the book's satire and was able to swallow the wealth of political speculation. (At 17, I was overwhelmed by the chilling, bleak glimpses of the future... and Room 101.)

In Grade 12, I did a book report on Orwell's novel and watched Radford's film on video soon after. The impressive sets and atmosphere closely reflected those in my mind while reading the book - greyscale, dingy, threadbare, post-apocalyptic. The haunting Eurythmics score captured the dreamy, surreal moments well.

So what a surprise to find that, despite being listed in the opening and closing credits, the Eurythmics score was absent from the DVD release! That, and the absence of interviews, commentary, etc. After some on-line research, I discovered the Eurythmics score was a last-minute addition to the film, intended by the producers to make the film, which went over-budget, more marketable. The director had commissioned an orchestral score by Dominic Muldowney, thus was quite irate by this decision and a heated debate with the producers ensued. In the end, only snippets of the Eurythmics score were used in the film.

I gather that the DVD release, with the complete Muldowney soundtrack, presents the film as the director originally intended. (A rather Orwellian move: "Who controls the past controls the future, who controls the present controls the past.") Besides the recurring Communistic anthem, the score is bleak and melancholy - suitable for the book's content. Plus, with an orchestral score, the film defies its age, unlike movies with an '80s synth-laden soundtrack.

Still, this being a DVD, it would have been nice to have the option to watch the film with either soundtrack. An interview with the director describing his book-to-film adaptation method would have been appreciated too. (Or maybe all us DVD-philes were spoiled by the lavish, four-disc Extended Edition of "The Fellowship of the Ring" and had our standards raised? *grin*)

Right, enough bitching...

I start a month-long contract on ship tomorrow. For a Naval Communicator, a work day comprises a variety of tasks and drills, especially when at sea. Three square meals a day, with far more thought is put into the daily menu than I would do at home. :)

It's hardly a day at the office, but it's nice to vary up my schedule with a workday that feels like work (in the navy), opposed to a well-paying school assignment (computer contracts).

March 8th marks my two-year anniversary in the Reserves. There's been many challenges, but many rewards too. On the one hand, you have rough seas that bring up your turkey dinner; the coxswain yelling at you during a fire drill; and the stress of releasing and transmitting myriads of messages so you can return home at a decent hour.

On the other hand, you meet some truly interesting people from across Canada; all the work performance input you could ever want; and many opportunities to travel - all expenses paid.

Oh, and two years in the Reserves means I'm eligible to be promoted to Leading Seaman.