Rob Ager's Website

ichorwhip · External Since: Apr 21, 2007 Posts: 15

Messing around on YouTube and trying to forget the wicked world for a
moment I stumbled across this guy's website and totally failed:

http://www.collativelearning.com/FILMS%20reviews%20BY%20ROB%20AGER.html

I've directed you to two video analyses that you might find worthwhile
and provocative. Ager's got a sober and somewhat somber tone so at
least he doesn't sound nutty, but I must say that you may need your
"3D Conspiracy Goggles" on to "see" some of the things he's inferring
especially in ACO.

Overall, I'd say they're interesting and worth a look, and also
apparently new to AMK.

"...then I'll be as right as dodgers for this after."
i
"piop"

Alex Thrawn · External Since: Apr 22, 2007 Posts: 4

The good thing is he put the text underneath the youtube links, so you
don't have to watch and listen to him drone on as robotically as HAL.

This is a classic case of someone having a throey, then looking for
'proof' to back it up. You know he's nuts when he starts talking about
Kubrick being assassinated...

I like how he spelled Ludovico wrong, maybe a conspiracy?

Other wrong 'facts' he gives shows this is sloppy:
"It was a sudden shift of tone from 2001: A Space Odyssey, shot the
same year as the moon landings."

Anyone with a computer and a minute could find out that 2001 came out
first by almost a year.

"Another bizarre parallel is the four droogs scenario. Alex and his
three fellow droogs do battle with four members of a rival gang. He is
later the victim of four political "droogs" who question him at the
writers dinner table before driving him to a suicide attempt."

Bizarre is that there is 5 in Billyboy's gang. Now Mr. Alxander has 4?
He's counting Julian who before he brushed aside as just a homosexual
object?

"Another interesting aspect of Clockwork is the visual similarity
between Alex's mother and other women throughout the film. ... these
all have the same awful dress and hairstyle sense as Alex's mother. By
contrast, the rape victim in the gang fight scene, the goddess looking
woman who tempts Alex on stage..."

Interesting that the woman on stage also wore a wig.

"These experiments continued under various names in the 1960's and
have since been partially declassified by the US government, the most
famous of which is Project MKULTRA. In Alex's narration during the
opening shot of Clockwork he talks of getting ready for a bit of the
old ULTRA-VIOLENCE. Considering the mind-control subject matter of the
film this term "ultra-violence" is more than likely a direct reference
to Project MKULTRA."

I guess he forgets the film is based on a book published in 1962. So
it couldn't have been some SK conspiracy. The project wasn't revealed
until long after the film was released.

"Alex's droogs talk to him about an ambitious and greedy "new way",
which he violently rejects and is betrayed and imprisoned as a
result."

What? No more picking on Dim? He rejects not being in charge and goes
along with the mansize crast plan after showing who is boss.

One of my favorite lines is that Danny wearing a shirt with the Apollo
logo shows the moon landing is child's play.

I don't even want to go into the pyramid or other conspriacy stuff as
that is wishful thinking or hallucinations.
EWS a satanic cult...

Alex
www.malcolmmcdowell.net

blue · External Since: Nov 01, 2006 Posts: 141

ichorwhip wrote:

> Messing around on YouTube and trying to forget the wicked world for a
> moment I stumbled across this guy's website and totally failed:
>
> http://www.collativelearning.com/FILMS%20reviews%20BY%20ROB%20AGER.html
>
> I've directed you to two video analyses that you might find worthwhile
> and provocative. Ager's got a sober and somewhat somber tone so at
> least he doesn't sound nutty, but I must say that you may need your
> "3D Conspiracy Goggles" on to "see" some of the things he's inferring
> especially in ACO.
>
> Overall, I'd say they're interesting and worth a look, and also
> apparently new to AMK.
>
> "...then I'll be as right as dodgers for this after."
> i
> "piop"

I always think it's strange when people latch onto the fact that there
must be somebody behind what they know 'pulling the strings' because
there is, there always has been and it's not exactly news.
There's not one person on this planet who has a job who doesn't work for
somebody else or at least have dealings with someone who exerts a force
over them. The fact that we will never know what goes on behind their
'closed doors' might well make us paranoid but it goes on.

It goes on simply because it has to. It's human nature to want to
govern, protect what is ours and manipulate others for that end. I
really don't understand people who post conspiracy theories that point
this out as it seems so bloody obvious.
I wouldn't put it past human beings to do any of the things that
conspiracy theorists say, you only have to look at a history book to
realise that this sort of thing goes on. But linking togther images in a
film (or whatever) just proves you're joining the dots when there are
none to be joined.
The themes that Ager goes on about are in CO but only because they are
inherant in society as a whole - and society is what Kubrick always
talked about. Barry Lyndon contains more conspiratorial elemnets than CO
but only because it's longer.

Alex Thrawn · External Since: Apr 22, 2007 Posts: 4

Well I'm all caught up and fairly well hooked on "Heroes" just in time
for the big finale this coming Monday. It's one of the better shows
around now I'd say.

Agreed, though there was some poor writing in the last one - the quick
election fix, the 1 hour Highlander training of Hiro and the ease on
which Linderman was put down.

I like the way NBC.com makes all the episodes
available otherwise I'd have prolly never caught them all so easily.

Jumped the gun. On Sat the Sc-Fi channel showed 21 episodes back to
back so you could've watched them on the 'big screen'

The show is not above criticism however. I think the weakest link is
Ali Larter and her "character" Niki/Jessica. She's hard to watch imo,
and she has one of those almost non-existent upper lips that makes her
mouth look like the Acura(TM) emblem

Yeah, that lip is in a struggle to reunite with the bottom one. Same
as Peter can only talk out of one side of his mouth. But this has
nothing to do with the show. it's the actors, that's how they are in
other things I've seen of them.
I just hope the season 1 ending tomorrow is well done and not a gyp.
I'm expecting a Matrix like duel from Peter and Sylar though with Hiro
cutting his head off by time shifting while he is weak.

Alex
www.malcolmmcdowell.net

ichorwhip · External Since: Apr 21, 2007 Posts: 15

On May 20, 10:02 pm, Alex Thrawn <thraw....RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote:

SPOILERS!

> Well I'm all caught up and fairly well hooked on "Heroes" just in time
> for the big finale this coming Monday. It's one of the better shows
> around now I'd say.
>
> Agreed, though there was some poor writing in the last one - the quick
> election fix, the 1 hour Highlander training of Hiro and the ease on
> which Linderman was put down.

Yup, it didn't exactly add up... I didn't want to see Linderman taken
out so easily. The anticlimax was a bit sour.

> I like the way NBC.com makes all the episodes
> available otherwise I'd have prolly never caught them all so easily.
>
> Jumped the gun. On Sat the Sc-Fi channel showed 21 episodes back to
> back so you could've watched them on the 'big screen'

That's right. I just found out about it actually. No matter, I have
a very fast computer connection and an excellent monitor. It was also
very convenient to watch all the eps at my leisure etcetera...

> The show is not above criticism however. I think the weakest link is
> Ali Larter and her "character" Niki/Jessica. She's hard to watch imo,
> and she has one of those almost non-existent upper lips that makes her
> mouth look like the Acura(TM) emblem
>
> Yeah, that lip is in a struggle to reunite with the bottom one.

Those lips parallel her character well don't they? It occurred to me
that her mouth is reminiscent of a lamprey and the iconic "Jaws" shark
image, very dangerous!

> Same
> as Peter can only talk out of one side of his mouth. But this has
> nothing to do with the show. it's the actors, that's how they are in
> other things I've seen of them.

Some of the acting is quite good nevertheless. I think Bennet (or
HRG) is done just right by Jack Colemen, and Hayden Panettiere's
Claire is well acted too. Zachary Quinto's Sylar is prolly my
favorite. What a great villain!

> I just hope the season 1 ending tomorrow is well done and not a gyp.

I predict another cliffhanger.... LOL! Yeah, I hope it doesn't just
all fall apart since they've gone to a fair amount of trouble to
develop this thing in terms of character and story.

> I'm expecting a Matrix like duel from Peter and Sylar though with Hiro
> cutting his head off by time shifting while he is weak.
>

It may well be although I'm expecting the unexpected.

"Save the cheerleader, save the world."
i
"piop"

Bill Reid · External Since: Jul 11, 2003 Posts: 172

ichorwhip <ichorwhip RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1179637492.474067.264330@e65g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
> Hijacked from an earlier thread:
>
> > > I've been meaning to catch an ep. Haven't seen it yet...
> >
> > Great stuff made even better now that Malcolm is involved.

Where was he? I watched an excruciatingly bad 15-20 minutes
after the "Subway Hero" idiotically blew $305,000 on "Deal Or
No Deal" (making "Anya" cry), and didn't see him.

I did see a typical piece of brainless network trash, however...almost
a bigger waste of bandwidth than this newsgroup, if that's possible...

> > The writers
> > must be Kubrick fans too.

I've touched on this subject before with painful personal anecdotes.
EVERY talentless hack in Hollywood is a Kubrick fan...it is probably
false logic, but sometimes I think that it might be better had he never
lived, because of the inumerous creative catastrophes that have
resulted from seething idiots trying to capture some of that magic...

> Well I'm all caught up and fairly well hooked on "Heroes" just in time
> for the big finale this coming Monday.

God, what a sofa-tuber...

> It's one of the better shows
> around now I'd say.

IT STINKS!!!

> I like the way NBC.com makes all the episodes
> available otherwise I'd have prolly never caught them all so easily.

They know their spuds...

> The show is not above criticism however.

You just know this is going to be deep; after all, this is the critical
genius who won't watch "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" because of the
"hideous nose" of the lead actress...

> I think the weakest link is
> Ali Larter and her "character" Niki/Jessica. She's hard to watch imo,
> and she has one of those almost non-existent upper lips that makes her
> mouth look like the Acura(TM) emblem...

Just like you to denigrate a human being just because she has a harelip...
>
> But don't let that cheap shot dissuade you! "Heroes" is definitely
> worth watching.
>
Yes, I'm MUCH more likely NOW to take your word on moving arts
quality than previously...you've completely reformed!

---
William Ernest "Hated 'The Elephant Man' Because Of The Sound" Reid

kelps · External Since: May 24, 2007 Posts: 8

"ichorwhip" <ichorwhip DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1179962594.730961.33400@g4g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...

>
> But it's still better than Buffy, which ain't sayin' a whole lot...

> "piop"

How dare you make remarks about the Buffster like that, You have NOT seen
it. You have not sat there watching 12 seasons of Buffy and Angel on DVD.

personally I try to give things the benefit of the doubt. Like heroes , I
tried to watch it 2-3 times but took my mind off it. I do better with DVDs.
I wouldn't say it's bad, when I havent't seen it, and expect it to be
prettygood. At first glance it looks totally formula, but I might be wrong.
I will try it on DVD.

Buffy however is a masterpiece and no way Heroes is anywhere near the
brilliance of Buffy. But I 'd be happy if it was. I'm always happy when
something is excellent. Most things are either pretty good or pretty bad.
Some rare things are Amazing and truly the best. Buffy is in that category.

I watched the 12 episode of "Dexter" on Showtime ON DEMAND. TV Noir.
Pretty good, silly, funny. A sort of superhero serial killer. "The Tudors"
(Showtime) and "Rome" (HBO) were pretty good too---entertaining and a
little stimulating. But all of that is nothing compared to Buffy or the
great films.

dc

kelps · External Since: May 24, 2007 Posts: 8

Turn on your sound.

http://www.yelpsastound.com/RestinPeace.htm

dc

Alex Thrawn · External Since: Apr 22, 2007 Posts: 4

> I can't argue much with the BORING part, the finale was
> underwhelming. The frickin' series came close to just falling apart.

It was like they didn't know how to end it, then really ended it by
showing a couple minutes of season 2. While different, Hiro back in
feudal Japan isn't must see. Hiro trapped in a flaming pit in Hell
would've been more exciting.
Before Peter was able to stop the heat, then in this episode he
blacked out when getting hot. Then the last time he says he can't stop
it, yet he's able to stand there for quite a while not getting much
hotter. Why did Nathan need to fly him away? Peter CAN fly too...lame.
Why not just drop him in the ocean? A nuclear blast above the city
would create fallout. What would be the problem with shooting him and
he just healing up later? The whole thing seemed like a setup to make
Nathan a good guy.

>
> Some of the best scenes involved Claire and her healing powers.
>
She just happens to be a Cheerleader, it has nothing to do with her
superpowers. 'Save the student, save the world' would be generic.
Claire waking up on the autopsy table was something to see.

Alex
www.malcolmmcdowell.net

berto · Joined: Nov 16, 2007 Posts: 1

Hey there folks,

Rob Ager here (I made the clockwork analysis video). A little feedback about your reviews of my reviews. The Shining and Clockwork videos were the first film analysis vids I did - hence the least well written, though I still stand by 90%+ of the material. Espescially with ACO quite a few people jumped on board to call me a conspiracy theorist (no surprise there - yawn yawn) and alot of people praised the videos and I still get plenty of positive emails asking for other film reviews or additional observations about those two films.

Something I notice you folks here haven't done is to discuss any of the other material on my website, even though the thread was called Rob Ager's Website.

In case you haven't looked, go to the site at www.collativelearning.com where you'll find the following:

1) The text versions of my Clockwork and Shining reviews have been updated to include additional info as well as some details being altered due to constructive feedback, though the conspiratial overtones are still there.

2) I've also produced review videos for 2001 A Space Odyssey and Eyes Wide Shut - two more Kubrick classics. Although 2001 has, by many other commentators, been perceived as jam-packed with conspiratorial concepts - my review rejects those ideas and presents a thesis that the monolith is a metaphoric cinema screen rotated 90%, no illuminati or new world order there folks. My EWS review also rejected many of the conspiracy notions already floating around.

3) Aside from Kubrick's work I've also posted text and video reviews of Psycho, Cape Fear, The Matrix, the Exorcist, Mad Max 2, The Thing and Alien ... as well as lots of other videos and articles on other subjects. None of these promote conspiracy theories, but the way you guys have commented about my site, based upon just two of my video reviews, implies that I'm a conspiracy nut who walks around wearing "conspiracy goggles". You're obviously wrong, but have not mentioned the overall lack of conspiracy material on my site. Only my Kubrick reviews mention conspiracies because he does reference them in his films.

4) I could quite easily diagnose you folks with conspiracy phobia. That is you are compelled to try and character assassinate anybody who even attempts to discuss the possibility that rich and powerful people today are engaged in conspiratorial behaviour of any kind. Conspiracies do happen - Nazi attempts at world domination, falsified evidence of WMDs in Iraq, organ harvesting in China, the Enron scandal, even terrorism can be classified as conspiracy because it involves "secret and evil" agendas. In a court of law you can be found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder / fraud / etc and you can be imprisoned for it. And I'm afraid calling the prosecution "conspiracy theorists" would not get you off the hook. Admit it folks - conspiracies do happen from time to time - and discussing such possibilities openly is much more healthy than living in complete denial of that fact.

Rob