Matrix Wikis

MetaCortex

MetaCortex is the fictional software company where Thomas Anderson works. The root word "meta-" means "beyond" while "cortex" refers to the outer layer of the brain; and "going beyond the boundaries of the brain" becomes Neo's mission in the films. This is made even more symbolic with Neo's daring escape from the office building. 

Simulacra and Simulation

Neo stashes cash and illegal hacking software in a copy of Jean Baudrillard's philosophical essay, Simulacra and Simulation. The text explores concepts such as simulated reality and hyper-reality, the idea that imitations and representations are becoming more real than reality itself. It is also where Morpheus' line, "Welcome to the desert of the real" comes from. 

Nihilism

The chapter to which Neo opens Simulacra and Simulation is titled "On Nihilism." Nihilism refers to the notion that life is devoid of meaning. The television show "Seinfeld" has been called nihilistic because of its premise as "a show about nothing," following the tradition of Theater of the Absurd. Fictional nihilists include Tyler Durden from Fight Club, and the Nihilist villains from The Big Lebowski.

"Know Thyself"

The phrase "Know Thyself" hangs in the Oracle's kitchen in the Matrix and is carved into the entrance of the Oracle at Delphi, a temple in Greece. In the Matrix, the Oracle is an elderly woman who makes cookies. The kitchen becomes her temple and her gift of prophecy guides Neo on his quest. Greek myth states that the god Apollo spoke through the oracle, a young woman from the area, called the Pythia. Inhaling vapors caused the Pythia to fall into a trance-like state and rave incoherently. That babble was then translated by priests of the temple.

Morpheus

Morpheus, played by Laurence Fishburne, is the rebel leader of the humans fighting against the confines of the Matrix. His character's name comes from the Greek god of dreams; a god that could assume any human form and appear in dreams. According to legend, Morpheus guarded the gates of the dream realm, false dream taking one route, and prophetic dreams taking another. It is also the origin of the word "morphine." 

Nebuchadnezzar

The ship Morpheus commands, the Nebuchadnezzar, gets its name from a ruler of the Babylonian Dynasty. In the Bible, King Nebuchadnezzar II was known for his conquests and for constructing the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The Book of Daniel describes a forgotten dream that plagues the king, and Morpheus references this with the line "I have dreamed a dream; but now that dream is gone from me."

The Merovingian

The Merovingian is an exiled program Neo encounters in the second film in the franchise, The Matrix Reloaded. Modeled after the Greek god Hades, the Merovingian provides a safe haven for obsolete, out-dated programs. In other words, programs in their after-life. His name comes from a Frankish dynasty that ruled over the region of Gaul from the 5th to 8th century. Numerous myths surround the Merovingians, leading conspiracy theorists to assume they are of divine descent.

Persephone

Persephone is the contemptuous wife of the Merovingian who aids Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus with finding the Key-Maker in The Matrix Reloaded. Her name comes from the Greek legend of Persephone, daughter of Demeter, who is kidnapped by Hades. Demeter was distraught over her daughter's abduction, and as a result she let crops and plant life die. Fearing that humans would starve, Zeus commanded Hades to release Persephone for six months of the year so she could rejoin her mother. She would then return to the Underworld for the next six months, explaining the changing of the seasons.

A Million Little Lies?

The media's tangled relationship with the truth has been central to nearly every class discussion; whether it is at the forefront or quietly in the background. I am often reminded of one of the more earth-shattering scandals that occurred only six years ago, the exposure of James Frey's fabricated memoir, A Million Little Pieces. Treachery is not confined to journalism, and Frey suffered the wrath of the public and Oprah Winfrey. Rough day. I decided to dig a little deeper and unearth some information that will hopefully aid future class discussions.

A Million Little Pieces is a memoir by James Frey that chronicles the painful rehabilitation process for the main character, who is also named James, an alcoholic and severe drug addict. James' battle against "the Fury" (the term he uses to refer to his desire to use drugs) is written in a brutal, and slightly modified stream of consciousness writing style. It was released in 2003 and it produced visceral reactions with the public. Oprah Winfrey was so moved by the novel that she made it a pick for her Book Club in 2005, a rather prestigious honor. Book sales skyrocketed, as did its rank on the best-seller list.

In 2006, three years after the novel's release, The Smoking Gun published an article questioning the validity of the author's claim that the events described were based on his real life. Winfrey interrogated Frey on her talk show and he admitted to fabricating parts of the memoir. Frey's publisher, Nan Talese, also was forced to admit that she made no formal investigation into the claim that the account described in the book was actually non-fiction. 

Random House has now included a publisher's note in the beginning of the book stating that some of the events described are fictional. Frey is still known as "The Man Who Conned Oprah."

Movie Trilogy Wikis

The Matrix

Matrix, released in 1999, is an action film written and directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski and starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and Carrie-Anne Moss. The reality in which humans passively go about their day is actually a simulated reality, meant to pacify humans so that machines can harvest their warmth as an energy source. Once Neo is freed from the Matrix (some people actually believe in this concept), he embarks on a quest to fulfill his destiny as "The One" that will lead the rebellion against the machines.

The Matrix uses a visual effect technique called "bullet time." Here's an example (warning: lots of violence):

Matrix Reloaded

This is the second film in The Matrix franchise, the plot picks up six months after the events of the first film. Neo, Morpheus, Trinity, and the other rebel leaders must come to the aid of Zion, the last human city that lies deep within the Earth. The machines have discovered Zion's existence and aim to destroy it. Amid the tension of an impending war, Neo is discovering his superhuman capabilities (he can fly!) and battling his nemesis Agent Smith, played by Hugo Weaving. 

It received generally favorable reviews, and it features some of the most epic fight scenes ever. Observe:

 

Matrix Revolutions

The final film in the trilogy centers around the ultimate war between humans and their oppressors, the machines. Neo realizes his destiny as the One is to be sacrificed for the sake of humanity (side note: the Matrix movies are bursting with Biblical allusions, Alice in Wonderland references, and inspirations from dystopian fiction). As if being saddled with the fate on humanity wasn't enough, Neo must also defeat his enemy Agent Smith in a very rainy battle. 

Of the three, Matrix Revolutions received the lowest critic rating, described as "a disappointing conclusion." Filming began immediately after the conclusion of Matrix Reloaded, and it was released six months after the second installment. 

Batman Begins

Batman Begins is the 2005 reboot directed by Christopher Nolan featuring the DC Comics superhero, Batman. The film's stars include Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, and Liam Neeson. The plot revolves around Batman's genesis; his fear of bats, his martial arts training, gadgets, Bat-suit, and of course, the Batmobile. The story is told in a dark and realistic style, setting the stage for a flawed hero who protects the city of Gotham. 

In regard to his casting of Christian Bale for the part, Christopher Nolan said, "I chose Christian to play Batman based on the idea that, in trying to create a realistic version of the story, you need an actor who has sufficient intensity and focus in his eyes to make you believe that someone without superpowers could, through sheer force of will, change himself into a superhero." (read the rest of the interview here.)

The Dark Knight

Released in 2008, The Dark Knight is the sequel to Batman Begins set six months after the events in the first film. Gotham is in turmoil once again when it is faced with an entirely new kind of threat. The Joker, played by Heath Ledger, makes his villainous debut as an unstable criminal who feeds on chaos. The film received huge amounts of hype because of elaborate marketing campaigns and was also in the press when Heath Ledger died six months before the film's release. It was his last completed role, and he won an Oscar posthumously. 

Nolan shot much of the film's action sequences with IMAX cameras because he believed it enhanced the experience. Despite all of the explosions, turbulent car chases, and face-to-face standoffs, only one of the four IMAX cameras was destroyed. 

The Dark Knight Rises

The highly anticipated third installment of The Dark Knight trilogy is due for theatrical release on July 20, 2012. The events in The Dark Knight Rises take place eight years after the conclusion of The Dark Knight   with Batman's reputation stained after he took the fall for Harvey "Two Face." Now Batman is called to protect a city that doesn't trust him against a villain that has been described as, "a terrorist in mentality as well as brutal action" (source). 

Countdown to the release.

News about the upcoming movie, as well as behind-the-scenes pictures and clips here. 

Presentation on the History of Film

Click here to view my group's awesome presentation on the history of film.