1984 1984

1984, shot in 1984, is based on the novel 1984 by George Orwell. And if that's not enough "1984" for you, well then, I guess that's all I got.

Did I mention I was born in 1984?

"If you want a vision of the future, Winston, imagine a boot stamping on a human face forever" -- A quote

Anyway, the film is a pretty accurate depiction of the classic novel which I read in middle school. Actually, I skipped over the manifesto / social philosophy section of about twenty pages toward the end, but from what I remember the movie captures the novel's warning against totalitarianism and the plot increments pretty well.

The movie opens with large pictures of Big Brother on every aparment television and posters of his face on every wall. He's a mustached, hard-assed, squirmy Russian looking dude: hardly fear-invoking, but his powers over society suggest otherwise.

Winston has to avoid committing thought crimes or else Big Brother will take him away and reshape his thinking. The characters debate over the new language of simple speech where excess words are cut out and only the most efficient ways of speaking are allowed. This system aims to increase productivity and stifle creative thought for its citizens.

Well, you all probably know the story. It's similar to Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, and also is kind of like the newer film V for Vendetta. The only difference between the movie and the book is that the movie has lots and lots of nudity.

Calm down now--my roomate fell asleep both times we tried to watch it.

If you like misshapen breasts and pale, sickly skin then check it out.

In the end, the common theme of governments trying to reform prisoners instead of killing them comes in to play. They change Winston using "the worst thing in the world," which is different for everybody, so you'll have to watch to find out what that means for Winston.

Close attention and understanding of this film will probably make you vote Independent from now on.

Down with Big Brother and up with language! (That's not me talking--that's Orwell).

A link arguing that President G. W. Bush is a totalitarian
Orwellian.net--and again how Bush is a totalitarian