After taking a brief detour last week for a political rant, this week we return to more stories about my college days as a computer science major at IUPUI. We begin a multi-part series about my mentor and favorite professor Dr. John Gersting.

Links of Interest

IUPUI website: https://www.iupui.edu/

Contemplating Life Episode 26 about my friend Dennis: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=164

Prof. Emeritus Dr. John Gersting on IUPUI website: https://science.iupui.edu/people-directory/people/gersting-john.html

“Sudden Impact” (1983) starring Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086383/

“Sudden Impact” clip “make my day”: https://youtu.be/3ishbTwXf1g?si=F06_DoDw5LcXf6yp&t=197

“The Paper Chase” (1973) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070509/

Clip from “The Paper Chase” film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE1ImIZpn_w

“The Paper Chase“ (TV series 1978 -1986) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077058/

Clip from Episode 1 Season 1 “The Paper Chase”: https://youtu.be/NQsO3kpmBXg?si=bhAUT82ToNDoUAnW&t=430

Prof. Emeritus Dr. Judith Gersting on the IUPUI website: https://science.iupui.edu/people-directory/people/gersting-judith.html

Dr. Judith Gersting on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Gersting

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

My deepest apologies. Somehow this episode was uploaded to YouTube and Patreon but never made it onto Spotify or any of the other podcast platforms. It’s one of my most important episodes so I’m sorry you missed it.

In this week’s episode, I will read my award-winning biographical feature “The Reunion” which appeared in the September 1987 issue of Indianapolis Monthly Magazine.

Links of interest

Online version of “The Reunion” on my website cyborg5.com: https://cyborg5.com/handicap/reunion/

Article about how I wrote the feature on cyborg5.com: https://cyborg5.com/handicap/reunion/making_reunion/

Sidebar article that appeared in the magazine: https://cyborg5.com/handicap/reunion/sidebar/

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

In this special episode, I’m going to depart briefly from my regularly scheduled episodes for a political rant and a confession. This is an open letter to the judicial system of the United States of America at all levels federal through local.

Links of Interest

Prosecution of Donald TrumpIn New York on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosecution_of_Donald_Trump_in_New_York

Indictments against Donald Trump on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indictments_against_Donald_Trump

Rudy Giuliani and Georgia election workers on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudy_Giuliani#Judgment_for_defaming_Georgia_election_workers

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

This week we continue my nostalgic look back at my college days and discuss the great friendships I had some of which continue to this day.

Links of Interest

IUPUI website: https://www.iupui.edu/

Euchre card game on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euchre

Billy Joel on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Joel

Keith Emerson on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Emerson

Frank Williams and his band 05/20/2023 at Church Festival: https://www.facebook.com/cyborg5/videos/3016532481824222

“Logan’s Run” (1976) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074812/

“Logan’s Run” trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USADM5Gk9Gs

Fan-made modern trailer for “Logan’s Run”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVoggwNwvf8

“Fantasia” (1940) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032455/

Article about Colts versus Broncos on Halloween 1988: https://fox59.com/sports/colts/colts-time-machine-halloween-1988/

Colts versus Broncos video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAbK3vWRXyM

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

This week we continue my nostalgic look back at my college days starting with my fourth semester at IUPUI and the paid programming jobs I ever had.

Links of Interest

IUPUI website: https://www.iupui.edu/

IBM System 360 on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_System/360

IBM Assembly Language on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Basic_assembly_language_and_successors

FORTRAN IV on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortran#FORTRAN_IV

Intel 8080 on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_8080

Zilog Z80 on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zilog_Z80

MOS Technology 6502 on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOS_Technology_6502

Timex Sinclair 1000 computer on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timex_Sinclair_1000

RadioShack Model 1 computer on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS-80

Apple ][ computer on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_II

Intel 4004 on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_4004

Intel 4040 on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_4040

Star Trek: The Next Generation S06E20 “The Chase”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chase_(Star_Trek:_The_Next_Generation)

“Digital Fortress” novel by Dan Brown: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Fortress

“Independence Day” (1996) on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116629/

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

In this episode, we wrap up my six-part series on Oscar-nominated films for 2024. Our final category contains my favorite film of the year and the film that is most likely to win significant numbers of awards including Best Picture. I call this category “Troubled Geniuses”

The 96th Annual Academy Awards will be awarded this Sunday, March 10. After this episode, I’m going to take off the rest of the month and will return with new episodes in April. This is been a labor of love but a labor nevertheless.

Links of Interest

Oscar Nominations 2024: https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2024

“Oppenheimer” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15398776/

“Oppenheimer” Trailer 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYPbbksJxIg

“Oppenheimer” Trailer 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK6ldnjE3Y0

“Oppenheimer” Trailer 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kknXNYGF5Ec

“Oppenheimer” Anatomy of a Scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_GPSEVEasE

“Oppenheimer” Cast Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzLm2e0Fztw

“Oppenheimer” Blu-ray features: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmSP8Sgc088

“Oppenheimer” Assembling IMAX Print: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5XqqylBW7M

“Maestro” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5535276/

“Maestro” Trailer 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJP2QblqLA0

“Maestro” Trailer 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU6GbM5c9aE

“Maestro” Behind-the-scenes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kjd8PMO2jU

“Maestro” Spielberg interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_1qma3SrAI

Leonard Bernstein conducts Mahler 2nd at the Ely Cathedral: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZEusNJLoRw

Documentary Bernstein conducts “West Side Story” in 1984: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXya18-28yI

Making of documentary about Bernstein conducting “West Side Story” (highly recommended as well as the documentary itself): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbF5zB8-oE4

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

In this episode, we review two more films nominated for Best Picture Oscars. I call this grouping “Genocidal Husbands.” Yes, it is strange that we would have two major nominated films on that topic but indeed we do. Check out the episode as we wind down to the end of our list and approach the 96th Annual Academy Awards on March 10.

Links of Interest

Oscar Nominations 2024: https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2024

“The Zone of Interest” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7160372/

“The Zone of Interest” Trailer 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-vfg3KkV54

“The Zone of Interest” Trailer 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFNtVaAuVYY

“The Zone of Interest” Featurette: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTh5Nui_jFg

“The Zone of Interest” Anatomy of a Scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb9HkiNH0bs

“The Zone of Interest” Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6cGdfUJw3Y

Rudolf Höss on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_H%C3%B6ss

Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum website: https://www.auschwitz.org/en/

“Anatomy of a Fall“ (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17009710/

Novelist Sir Martin Amis on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Amis

“Killers of the Flower Moon” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5537002/

“Killers of the Flower Moon” Trailer 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG0si5bSd6I

“Killers of the Flower Moon” Trailer 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP34Yoxs3FQ

“Killers of the Flower Moon” Trailer 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cx9nCHsemc

“Killers of the Flower Moon” Interview 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH52elhNxXU

“Killers of the Flower Moon” Interview 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru1_0tujCzw

“Poor Things” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14230458/

“Barbie” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517268/

“May December” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13651794/

Indigenous Insight on “Killers of the Flower Moon”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgN9qf5b1BA

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

In this episode, we are going to take an extremely brief look at 4 films that were nominated for major awards but were not among the 10 films nominated for Best Picture.

Links of Interest

Oscar Nominations 2024: https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2024

“Nyad” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5302918/

“Nyad” Trailer 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3anCgVSQb3Q

“Nyad” Trailer 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYks_-fPmaE

Conversation with Benning, Foster, and their real-life counterparts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj8ku0hf-mM

“House of the Dragon” (TV 2022-): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11198330/

“Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10872600/

“Berlin Station” (TV 2016-2019): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5191110/

John Hinckley, Jr. on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hinckley_Jr.

“The Holdovers” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14849194/

“Anatomy of a Fall“ (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17009710/

“Poor Things” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14230458/

“Rustin” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14160834/

“Rustin” Trailer 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuZ-UONInl4

“Rustin” Trailer 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lBqMhZ3NBg

“Rustin” Cast Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv-R6iVUOpU

“Maestro” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5535276/

“Fear The Walking Dead” (TV 2015-2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3743822/

“The Color Purple” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1200263/

“The Color Purple” (1985): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088939/

“The Color Purple” Trailer 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPwzBUui1GA

“The Color Purple” Trailer 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndg_SfB48es

“The Color Purple” Trailer 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTnircQsMaM

“The Color Purple” Featurette: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy6y_Ka73FY

“Orange is the New Black” (TV 2013-2019): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2372162/

“Jesus Christ Superstar” (1973): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070239/

“Les Misérables” (2012): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1707386/

“The Phantom of the Opera” (2004): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0293508/

“American Fiction” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23561236/

“May December” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13651794/

“May December” Trailer 1:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VdAParM4h8

“May December” Trailer 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSP5D_fhNMs

Making of “May December”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcz0f6Tygas

“May December and the Melodrama of Film Twitter” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7yoK1Eyvt0

Melodrama on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melodrama

Camp style on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_(style)

Susan Sontag essay “Notes on Camp”: https://monoskop.org/images/5/59/Sontag_Susan_1964_Notes_on_Camp.pdf

“The Producers” (1967): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063462/

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

This week we continue looking at the 10 films nominated for Oscar in the Best Picture Category. This week we look at two vastly different films on the same theme In a category we call “Revenge of the Robot Women.”  It’s going to be tight, but I plan to get out three more episodes before March 10 when the Oscars are awarded. Wish me luck.

Links of Interest

Oscar Nominations 2024: https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2024

“Barbie” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517268/

“Poor Things” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14230458/

“Oppenheimer” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15398776/

Barbieheimer on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbenheimer

“Poor Things” Trailer 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlbR5N6veqw

“Poor Things” Trailer 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjm0udI77KU

“Making of Poor Things”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC0P5-z52Yk

Cinematography of “Poor Things”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-sZZzsVw0A

“Killers of the Flower Moon”: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5537002/

“Barbie” Trailer 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBk4NYhWNMM

“Barbie” Trailer 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZuubCclyS0

Weird Barbie clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmThigh1i8s

America Ferrera’s Monologue from Barbie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBqlDWHkdHk

Making of “Barbie”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-Zzqzn2t-g

“Anatomy of a Fall“ (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17009710/

“The Zone of Interest” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7160372/

“American Fiction” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23561236/

“Nyad” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5302918/

“Maestro” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5535276/

“The Color Purple” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1200263/

“Ruitin” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14160834/

Music video “I’m Just Ken”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDCnJHyMuyU

Music Video “What I Was Made For?”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW8VLC9nnTo

Finneas Discusses the Making of “What Was I Made For”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0NVjuxVFSY

Sasha hates Barbies clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVrOW9p8J24

Billy Eilish performs “What Was I Made For” on SNL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zvnKOf3gf4

Barbie opening scene comparison with that “other movie”:: https://youtu.be/I6vPuIMAOlA?si=ZWOisd45dmPgt6XH 

The film parodied by Barbie on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062622/

Barbie opening scene complete version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-OuwvuUGsE

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

This week we continue with our look at the 10 films nominated for Oscar in the Best Picture Category.  On the menu, this week is a pair of films I called “Alien Relationships”. Okay… That is clickbait. They are not about little green men. We have a pair of foreign language films which technically makes them alien to us in the US.

Links of Interest

Past Lives Trailer 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA244xewjcI

Past Lives five-minute preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA244xewjcI

Interview with writer/director Celine Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAy9WVR5BUg

Past Lives featurette: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d4ObkmCJYs

Contemplating Life – Episode 22 – “The Reunion”: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=149

“The Morning Show” (TV 2019-): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7203552/

“The Wheel of Time” (TV 2021-): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7462410

“Anatomy of a Fall” Trailer 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTrsp5BMloA

“Anatomy of a Fall” Trailer 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MdTMA0PetA

“Anatomy of a Fall”  Interview with writers and lead actress: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvEhmdPgCgM

“The Zone of Interest” (2023): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7160372/

Palm Dog Award on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Dog_Award

“Anatomy of a Fall” Collection of dog scenes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqhikItFFpY

Adam-Troy Castro on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AdamTroyCastro/posts

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq