Blog Post #8

Pulp fiction is one of my all time favorite movies and considered one of the most influential films of the 90's. There isn't a specific reason why I'd give it an A. I just love the film as a whole... the dialogue is comprehensive, the actors are full of talent, and the plot is a little random in the beginning, sort of like me. The sequence of the plot is probably the most unique facet of Pulp Fiction. Director Quentin Tarantino intentionally starts off with seemingly separate plots that culminate into one story of brilliant oddity. Shooting the film in a more traditional form would completely ruin what makes it so unique. The story includes two hitmen, Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield, working to retrieve a briefcase for a mobster, Marcellus Wallace. Once acquired, they're held up at gunpoint in a diner. The diner robbery was actually the opening scene of the film. Within a different plot-line Marcellus Wallace bribes Butch, a boxer, to lose his fight. Instead, he wins and flees with his girlfriend. Realizing he left his family heirloom back at the hotel, Butch returns and is confronted by Vincent. Butch and Marcellus run into each other later that day as they become victims of sadistic perverts. For me, the movie symbolizes how everyone operates within their own little worlds, not aware of how each intersect within the bigger picture of our existence. The irony of violence and comedy, interesting conversations, and pop culture gives Pulp Fiction a cool, sexy style with a touch of comedy.

Blog Post #7

Ever wish you could rule your own country or an island? Spending some time on Wikipedia's Unusual Articles database, I found a micro-nation titled "Principality of Sealand". Since 1967 an old WWII sea fort located on the North Sea off the coast of Suffolk, England has been occupied by the family of Patty Roy Bates and associates. The structure was formally used to defend vital shipping routes and estuaries from German aircraft. Pirate radio broadcaster Roy Bates wrote a constitution for Sealand followed by a national flag and anthem, a currency, and even passports. Recognition as a sovereign state has been skewed depending on different interpretations. Before 1987, Sealand remained outside of England jurisdiction by a few miles, but since then they've extended territorial waters. The old fort is still managed by the Bates family as they consider themselves the royal leaders, yet they're not recognized as a sovereign entity by any other state. With the name "Sealand" one would imagine actual land, but its far from that. The fort is simple with two concrete towers supporting a steel platform/structure sporting a helicopter landing pad.

Sealand has an odd history including some violence. In 1978, the Bates family was attacked by mercenaries paid by a Sealand citizen being charged for treason and over $35,000. One of the sons was held hostage too. The son escaped, took back the structure and captured the supposed traitor. His German government sent an official to negotiate a release of imprisonment. The diplomatic situation, Bates claimed, established Sealand as a recognized state. I'm surprised a movie hasn't been made documenting the life of the Bates family and the wild scenarios that ensued trying to maintain independence. I'm curious what life is like on a isolated little castle upon the sea. A castle is befitting since the family sees themselves as royals and adopt many political standards from England. I honestly don't think its healthy for humans to be sea bound with no way of grounding themselves. I personally need mountains in my life.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Sealand