This week we kick off my second annual review of the 10 films nominated for Best Picture Oscars. The films this year seem to connect in pairs. This week we explore a category I call “Grumpy Academics” which consists of the films “The Holdovers” and “American Fiction.” Although you can listen to the podcast, I recommend the YouTube version to see the clips from the trailers that I have included.

Links of Interest

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

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6710474/

“All Quiet on the Western Front” (2022): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1016150/

“Triangle of Sadness” (2022): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7322224/

"The Banshees of Inisherin" (2022): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11813216/

“Avatar: The Way of Water” (2022): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1630029/

“Top Gun: Maverick” (2022): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1745960/

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

Holdovers Trailer 1:https://youtu.be/AhKLpJmHhIg?si=a5JOutAEd3IlMl5B

Holdovers trailer 2:https://youtu.be/4YLOaqSvrHc?si=0Nh4_gXImNUPrgoG

Making of Holdovers:https://youtu.be/XFBV4Bfuzuo?si=b5CPjTcPUiVf5Ce4

Holdovers Classroom Scene: https://youtu.be/wN9Lx3AiQ-c?si=qpwnOF4wAgxiuWC1

“The Breakfast Club” (1995): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088847/

Article about Holdovers cinematography: https://filmmakermagazine.com/124994-film-look-35mm-holdovers-emulation/

“Sideways” (2004): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375063/

“Only Murders in the Building” (TV 2021-): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11691774/

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

“The Good Wife” (TV 2009-2016): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1442462/

“The Good Fight” (TV 2017-2022): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5853176/

“True Blood” (TV 2008-2014): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0844441/

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

American Fiction trailer 1: https://youtu.be/i0MbLCpYJPA?si=JnDUZbEY8G0pSGZv

American Fiction Trailer 2: https://youtu.be/5_4RlHpqVWM?si=2cFBmumrBp1hSJpA

American Fiction bookstore clip: https://youtu.be/TWkjO2g4UfY?si=vJVnO-YiJuJZRQT9

American Fiction behind-the-scenes featurette: https://youtu.be/DGtfClfOxns?si=g-lrV0lPUKo1M2MN

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

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

This week we conclude a two-part special that traces my entire history as a movie fan. In this episode, we focus on my obsession with 3D, IMAX, and the evolution of special effects. I recommend you watch the YouTube version because I’ve included lots of movie clips.

Links of Interest

For a complete list of movies mentioned in this episode, see the Contemplating Life website entry for this episode: 

Original Georgetown Theater: https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/14978

Contemplating Life – Episode 51: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=283

New Georgetown Cinema: https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/48255

Renovation of Georgetown Cinema: https://www.wishtv.com/news/business/new-movie-theater-and-eatery-to-replace-old-georgetown-cinema-on-indys-west-side/

Lafayette Square Mall on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafayette_Square_Mall

Lafayette Square renovation plans: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/2024/01/25/sojos-capital-giving-update-on-former-lafayette-square-redevelopment/72323021007/

Eastwood Theater https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/5464

Fox Fanfare and Star Wars opening on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh1x9-e-E24

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

Omnimax and IMAX Dome on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMAX#Dome_and_Omnimax

Chicago Giant Dome Theater: https://www.msichicago.org/visit/private-events/event-spaces/giant-dome-theater/

“The Dream is Alive” entire film on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QemlhhQ-TpA?si=bVeJwL6k3fwS1ef2

Article on the conversion of Chicago Omnimax to Giant Dome Theater: https://wgntv.com/news/msi-giant-movie/

Air Force Museum Dayton Ohio: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/

Children’s Museum Indianapolis: https://www.childrensmuseum.org/

Iwerks Entertainment on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SimEx-Iwerks

Animator Ub Iwerks on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ub_Iwerks

White River IMAX: https://www.imax.com/imax-indiana-state-museum-oo

Dinosphere exhibit at the Children’s Museum: https://www.childrensmuseum.org/exhibits/dinosphere

Indiana State Museum: https://www.indianamuseum.org/

United States Auto Club (USAC) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Auto_Club

Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Championship_Auto_Racing_Teams

“Imagine Indiana” full movie on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j38-SkY7vpY

Contemplating Life – Episode 38: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=212

AMC 17 South Meridian Indianapolis: https://www.amctheatres.com/movie-theatres/indianapolis/amc-indianapolis-17

AMC 12 Traders Point: https://www.amctheatres.com/movie-theatres/indianapolis/amc-traders-point-12

Emagine 17 Noblesville: https://www.emagine-entertainment.com/theatres/emagine-noblesville/

IMAX Digital Media Remastering: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMAX#DMR_(Digital_Media_Remastering)

Rick Baker on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Baker

Douglas Trumbull on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Trumbull

Industrial Light and Magic on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_Light_%26_Magic

View-Master on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/View-Master

Digital TV on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_television

Andretti Autosport on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andretti_Autosport

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 begin a two-part episode recounting my history as a movie buff. In this episode, we cover the drive-in movie era as well as early widescreen film formats such as Cinerama. Note there are lots of movie clips in the YouTube version of this week’s podcast so you might want to watch it on YouTube.

https://contemplating-life.com/?p=285

This week we explore the transitions I’ve had to go through in my life as it relates to my ability to get out into the world and do ordinary things like enjoying a movie with my friends. It’s based on an essay I wrote for my writing seminar. Note there are lots of movie clips in the YouTube version of this week’s podcast so you might want to watch it on YouTube.

This week I go off on a political rant that was inspired by a Facebook post I saw recently. My basic thesis is don’t blame the messenger for the message.

Links of Interest

CompuServe Information Service: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CompuServe

Pledge of Allegiance on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance

Political comedian Bill Maher: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Maher

Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraph 846 and following: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P29.HTM#:~:text=is%20no%20salvation%22-,846,-How%20are%20we

US Declaration of Independence on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence#Annotated_text_of_the_engrossed_declaration

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

Ronald Reagan addresses an ecumenical prayer breakfast in Dallas, Texas August 23, 1984: 

https://youtu.be/naGTZnCX6M0?si=oKHKUO0d8i_dE1dg

Complete video of the November 8, 2023, Republican presidential debate: https://youtu.be/-dmXJ99oC4k?si=uDbLV-8OYpg6ZfRS&t=617

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

Although I had planned to take a break until after the first of the year recent events have caused me to produce this episode which I will be releasing to both the public and my Patreon supporters simultaneously because it is quite timely and I believe very important. Check out this political rant that raises an issue that should be important to all Americans.

Links of Interest

Text of the Constitution: https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/senate-and-constitution/constitution.htm

Text of the Constitution annotated PDF: https://www.senate.gov/civics/resources/pdf/US_Constitution-Senate_Publication_103-21.pdf

Supreme Court case “Bush v Gore” on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_v._Gore

Transcript of oral arguments Bush v Gore: https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2000/00-949.pdf

Electoral College on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Electoral_College

Indiana 2020 sample ballot: https://ballotpedia.org/Indiana_official_sample_ballots,_2020

List of 2020 United States Presidential Electors on Wikipedia (Note: edit the date in that URL to get other years): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2020_United_States_presidential_electors

Overview of efforts to reform or abolish the Electoral College on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efforts_to_reform_the_United_States_Electoral_College

Faithless Electors on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faithless_elector

Complete audio of Trump's phone call to Georgia election officials: https://youtu.be/VIJU3M-kKhI?si=luGKw3ScDodWx_5p&t=2267

Transcript of Trump's phone call to Georgia election officials: https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/03/politics/trump-brad-raffensperger-phone-call-transcript/index.html

Text of Colorado Supreme Court decision barring Trump from the ballot under the 14th Amendment: https://www.scribd.com/document/693828322/Colorado-Supreme-Court-s-majority-opinion-in-the-Trump-case

Website tracking court cases attempting to disqualify Trump under the 14th Amendment: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/current-projects/the-trump-trials/section-3-litigation-tracker

This week we continue my nostalgic look back at my college days. We talk about my third semester at the downtown campus where I met a woman who was the first able-bodied woman I ever dated.

Links of Interest

“You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” (1965) song by The Beatles on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You%27ve_Got_to_Hide_Your_Love_Away

“You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” (1965) song by The Beatles on YouTube: https://youtu.be/V8nLraecPRY

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

“Jaws” (1975): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073195/

“Tommy” by The Who (1975): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073812/

“The Godfather Part II” (1974): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071562/

“Still… You Turn Me On” by Emerson, Lake, and Palmer (1973) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Still...You_Turn_Me_On

“Still… You Turn Me On” by Emerson, Lake, and Palmer (1973) on YouTube: https://youtu.be/McNQqH3RGGI

Indianapolis Racers hockey team on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis_Racers

Sen. Evan Bayh on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evan_Bayh

Secular Franciscan Order on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secular_Franciscan_Order

him

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 specifically my third semester at IUPUI in which most of my classes were at the downtown campus which had notably better wheelchair accessibility and girl-watching opportunities.

Links of Interest

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

IUPUI interactive campus map: https://map.iu.edu/iupui/index.html

Cavanaugh Hall: https://exploring.iupui.edu/index.php/building/37

Lecture Hall: https://exploring.iupui.edu/index.php/building/42

Taylor Hall formerly known as the Blake Street Library: https://exploring.iupui.edu/index.php/building/38

Engineering and Technology Building:  https://cs.iupui.edu/~jzheng/digitalcity/CampusCompass/et071.htm

TECO text editor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TECO_(text_editor)

“The Big Bang Theory” TV show on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898266/

Penny's maiden name: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898266/trivia/?item=tr3450764

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 specifically my second semester at IUPUI and my first-ever programming class.

Links of Interest

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

Demonstration of a 2-5 Chinese Abacus: https://youtu.be/PbGft644WUE?si=HIjzXcdWnPPW1rRS

More about types of abacus than you ever wanted to know: https://youtu.be/DSrAvn_znlc?si=-Ksn82F_orOGcpVW

Bowmar Brain Calculator: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calculator#Development_of_electronic_calculators:~:text=901B%20(popularly%20termed-,The%20Bowmar%20Brain,-)%2C%20measuring%205.2%20by

Slide rules on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slide_rule

Addiator Mechanical calculator: https://youtu.be/ryST18JJ7VU?si=kSUE-Y4oTgHg3kUV

Another Addiator video: https://youtu.be/cT8fSGHHiAs?si=aBR7YCFamWqs6ImD

DigiComp demonstration: https://youtu.be/chrURgrkd44?si=U28LSayBdXEqFlEF

IBM System/360 Model 44: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_System/360_Model_44

IBM punch cards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punched_card

Herman Hollerith: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_Hollerith

Keypunch machines: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keypunch

FORTRAN programming language: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortran

Karnaugh map: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karnaugh_map

IBM 1620: https://t-lcarchive.org/ibm-1620/

Binary Coded Decimal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary-coded_decimal

Line Printer art Mona Lisa: https://www.gloveboxoptions.com/shopping/impact-printer-products-ascii-art#ascii-art-product-AART112

ASCII art: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASCII_art

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, I continue reminiscing about my college days at IUPUI. Specifically this week we talk about my trouble learning a foreign language.

Links of Interest

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

Computer languages…

FORTRAN: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortran

BASIC: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC

IBM 360 Assembly Language: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC

Algol: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC

Pascal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal_(programming_language)

PL/I: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PL/I

COBOL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COBOL

PLL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymorphic_Programming_Language

C: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C_(programming_language)

C++: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%2B%2B

Java: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_(programming_language)

JavaScript: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JavaScript

Python: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Python_(programming_language)

PHP: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PHP

HTML: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTML

CSS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSS

“Michelle” by the Beatles on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DvYhIotxgOA?si=O3QIkW3l7ejD7RCI

Paul McCartney on “60 Minutes” discusses “Michelle”: https://youtu.be/DvYhIotxgOA?si=O3QIkW3l7ejD7RCI

Paul McCartney sings “Michelle” to Michelle Obama: https://youtu.be/mF_fjhiPXbc?si=v4bWDzOsweCuKNC1

“It’s Not Easy Being Green” Kermit the Frog original version: https://youtu.be/rRZ-IxZ46ng?si=hgYmTBAuh1yHeMI3

Andrew Bird sings “It’s Not Easy Being Green” in French: https://youtu.be/8ehISMOqcdw?si=cXxLfklh0y9clBih&t=23

Ray Charles sings “It’s Not Easy Being Green”: https://youtu.be/KHR6HkHySWY?si=5dIpRTCwH2jPMb9-

Conjugating the verb “to be” in French: https://www.lawlessfrench.com/verb-conjugations/etre/#:~:text=sois-,Present,%C3%A9tant,-tu

Various Google translations…

“It’s not easy speaking French”: 

https://translate.google.com/?sl=fr&tl=en&text=Ce%20n%27est%20pas%20facile%20parlant%20fran%C3%A7ais

“How do you find rock music?”: https://translate.google.com/?sl=fr&tl=en&text=Comment%20trouvez-vous%20la%20musique%20rock%3F

“I look for it in my room.”: https://translate.google.com/?sl=en&tl=fr&text=I%20look%20for%20it%20in%20my%20room

“It’s Not Easy Being Green”: https://translate.google.com/?sl=fr&tl=en&text=Ce%20n%27est%20pas%20facile%20%C3%A9tant%20vert.

“I’m full”: https://translate.google.com/?sl=fr&tl=en&text=Je%20plein

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