Wednesday 8 June 2011

Tears In The Rain (Magpie Tales)


"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I've watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those ... moments will be lost in time, like tears...in rain."

It took me a long time to really "get" Blade Runner.  The first couple of times I saw it I found it slow and a wee bit pompous - all those long, lingering shots of the city, that sound track by Vangelis...

But at some time along the way I realised that there was a certain visual poetry going on - and when I saw this prompt I immediately thought of the scene where Roy goes in search of his creator and, in the streets of a futuristic china town, finds the man who made his eyes.

One of the things that I love about cycling is that it gives you the time to stop and really enjoy the scenery - to take it in for one moment.  Most of our lives are spent whizzing from place to place, urgently running around on whatever mission we may be on.

Take the time.  Enjoy that moment. 

12 comments:

pohanginapete said...

I think it's hard to overstate the influence of Blade Runner on much subsequent science fiction. A pity about the original version, however — the enormity of the vandalism the studio inflicted on the film only became apparent to me after I saw the Director's Cut.

I love the not-quite-steam-punk feel about the movie, and although I know what you mean about that "wee bit pompous" aspect, I don't mind it. On the contrary, I find it fitting, in that kind of glorious, "over-the-top" way characteristic of so many things that are excellent and know it.

Roy was probably Rutger Hauer's finest role — again, I felt it had that over-the-top characteristic that so suited it.

Don't Feed The Pixies said...

the sam-spade voiceover/happy ending version was the first one i saw - i;ve not seen that cut again since, but i'd be interested to see it just to evaluate it against the "directors cut" that i know (not seen the latest re-cut either yet)

its definately one you have to watch a few times, but worth the effort

The Bug said...

I've never seen it. Well, maybe I have but I don't remember. My husband on the other hand is a true believer. Maybe I'll have him show it to me sometime.

That eye is just TOO creepy for me :)

Jinksy said...

i have a hard time seeing a connection between Orion and cycling - maybe I need to open my eyss?! LOL

Other Mary said...

What a very interesting take on the prompt - Blade Runner never occured to me. Also, love your blog title!

Tess Kincaid said...

Absolutely. Take time to look around you. See.

Anonymous said...

I saw Blade Runner for the first time this year but on seeing it I realized damn its influenced Sci Fi in a huge way. I loved the steampunk feel too but I still don't know what I think of the movie lol I agree totally with your closing message about taking time to enjoy life =)

Don't Feed The Pixies said...

bug - the eye is creepy isn't it - BR is worth a watch

Jinksy - Roy's death speech is talking about all the wonderful sights he has seen, the memories that will be lost when he dies - i was trying to say that we see some wonderful things too so should enjoy them

Other Mary - cheers. Interesting name

Tess - yes. Sometimes our lives our fast foward and its not like we can rewind

Mindlovemisery - i had to watch it 3-4 times before i really got it. Yes - it certainly has influenced sci-fi

Gorilla Bananas said...

One of the things that I love about cycling is that it gives you the time to stop and really enjoy the scenery

And you don't get arrested when you run into pedestrians.

michael.offworld said...

I watch this movie once a year. Not worried about which cut is better than the other. "I don't know such stuff. I just do eyes. I just do eyes." I would love to see an IMAX version. And by some strange synchronized coincidence, I am RIGHT NOW digitizing my old cassette tape BladeRunner soundtrack.

Don't Feed The Pixies said...

Gorilla Bananas - no, but it's still not a good idea

Michael - yes, an iMAX release is overdue

Steve Isaak said...

Life-smart write.