Saturday, April 17, 2010

Obscure

Continuing the A-Z Challenge from Arlee at Tossing it Out

Today is O - Obscure.

Obscure has many meanings today.

From what I know of human nature and judging by the bloggers who post, no one wants to die in obscurity. We all want to be known for something. We want our lives to mean something to others.

I think that's one of the reasons we writers write. We want to leave something behind, to be remembered, to prove we existed. Whether we are writing a book, a magazine article, or a blog post, we are hoping our voice will be heard and remembered.

Obscurity happens when critical mass is never achieved. I can think of many TV shows, movies, books, and music artists that just never made it. They're still around, but I bet no one has ever heard of the band O.S.I. The Lost Room featured the best writing ever on TV, but sadly SyFy discontinued this fantastic mini-series. And how many remember the TV movie Cast a Deadly Spell? Fred Ward played Detective H.P. Lovecraft and it featured David Warner, Julianne Moore, and Clancy Brown! Gone into obscurity...

Well a reviewer recently touted a small, obscure film as one of the best movies ever, so I decided to check it out.

Have you heard about a film called "The Dish?" If not, then run, don't walk, to your nearest computer or TV and watch this small gem on NetFlix.

In this comedy based on real events, a small sheep herding village in Australia is thrust into the spotlight when NASA employs its massive satellite radio dish to serve as a backup transmitter for the 1969 Apollo 11 moon mission. But when a change in the spacecraft's schedule puts the primary dish out of range, it's up to the Aussies to ensure that the history-making mission is broadcast to the masses. Sam Neill and Patrick Warburton star.

This is a film that I would (and will) watch over and over. The cast is brilliant and the script crackles with sharp, rich and witty dialogue. How this film was missed and never picked up for large U.S. distribution is beyond me. "The Dish" is rated PG-13 but I found it to be family-friendly, educational and entertaining. Check it out and let me know what you think!

And don't let The Dish go off into obscurity!

27 comments:

DEZMOND said...

I just love everything that comes from DownUnder, and although I haven't seen this movie, I still remember this poster. Gotta love the kangaroos :)

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

I quite agree Alex everyone would like to be remembered for something. I had a poetry book published 2 years ago . all my children and grandchildren have a copy. It was very humbling when the finished book actually reached my hands, it was a goal I had wanted for quite a few years.
I have enough material for another but am still thinking about it.

Have a good week-end.
Yvonne,

Natasha said...

I sort of disagree. Nobody wants to die obscure, but as long as you have touched even one life, you do not die obscure.

And I am not a movie person, but is that a kangaroo I see reflected on the face mask? Maybe the kids would like it?

Unknown said...

I'm going to look that up on the computer tonight. It sounds great! Thanks for the info.

Adele said...

I've heard of this one but not seen is sadly.

Ella said...

Thanks for dish about "The Dish"!
I agree, we all want to be heard or leave a mark. I do think the more we touch others lives, make an impact it all matters. The proof though is in the work~

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I think you're right. We all want to leave our mark. I want to touch as many lives as possible before I die.
And I've not seen The Dish - but I do know OSI!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Dez, get with the program! And yeah, it's a great poster.

Good for you, Yvonne!

Rayna, that is indeed a kangaroo. The movie is really funny. There's not a lot of action, but if it's a subject your kids would like, I think the whole family would enjoy watching it together.

Yes we do, Ellie.

Good for you, Diane!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Haven't seen "The Dish." Thanks for the tip!

Elizabeth

Mystery Writing is Murder

Helen Ginger said...

I vaguely remember hearing about The Dish, but never saw it. I'm going to look for it!

Helen
Straight From Hel

Grammy said...

Hi, Alex,
I have read the Chronicles of Narnia (yesterday's post), and my oldest grandson, Daniel, had them read to him by his dad at the age of 5, and in turn has read them to his children. I have seen the movie made of the first in the series, and am waiting to see the second one when it comes out.

As for not wanting to die in obscurity, I do hope a lot of people will read what I will have left behind, but I also know that "no man is an island" and we touch the lives of all those around us, so that as long as any of them are living, we leave something of ourselves behind when we die. Good postings!
Ruby

Will Burke said...

I guess I'd like to be remembered throughout the ages, but most fade to relative obscurity anyway, so I try to focus on leaving a good impression in the day-to-day interactions. Great post!

Arlee Bird said...

You made some good observations in this post. I agree that we all want to leave some kind of trace of our existence behind us. Just look at all the land set aside as cemetaries with the markers showing the occupents of the graves. Kind of useless in a way, but many people do it-- why?
I'd like to think that some of my writing will be retained for future generations and remembered.

I'd never heard of any of the things you mentioned except for The Dish. I've seen part of it I know, but don't remember if I'd ever watched the whole thing. I remember it getting some good reviews when it first came out. I'll have to make sure to watch it again or in it's entirety.

Lee
May 3rd A to Z Challenge Reflections Mega Post

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Elizabeth and Helen, you will enjoy it.
Thanks Grammy, Will, and Arlee!

Jemi Fraser said...

I really enjoyed The Lost Room mini-series too. Well written. I'll have to check out The Dish.

Dragons Muse said...

Sounds intriguing. I was so into the moon landings and the space program as a kid and still am interested today. I'll have to check that out and see what it's all about.

Talli Roland said...

I've never heard of The Dish but I'll have to check it out! I love obscure films.

Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

I see people die in obscurity and its sad. I want to have people show up for my funeral and celebrate my life. No somber events for me, even when I'm dead.

Stephen Tremp

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jemi, The Lost Room was so awesome.

Dragons Muse, you will LOVE this movie then!

Stephen, I don't want my funeral to be sad either. At that point, I'll be having a damned good time, so why cry?

Cheeseboy said...

Love your thoughts on writing to avoid obscurity.

I will definitely be watching this, and I am in luck, my library has it. I will return and report my findings.

B. WHITTINGTON said...

Obscurity! It's something I've never thought a lot about.
Ummmm. Do I write because I don't want to be obscure. Don't know. Maybe. IT's my stories and my characters that I want to live on.

Interesting topic. You did a good job with it. I'll have to spend more time thinking about it.

Raquel Byrnes said...

That sounds pretty funny, and not a bad idea for a boring SAturday night...hmmm. Thanks for the reveiw.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Cheeseboy, you let me know! And thanks for following my blog.

B. Whittington, glad I could inspire some thoughts.

Raquel, watch and enjoy!

Cathy said...

Hello Alex
Like many have mentioned if you are in touch with somebody and its recorded you won't die in obscurity. Leaving records - written or otherwise (photos/ audio recordings) for others is that way - so recording a family history is one way of making sure former generations are remembered and not forgotten

I'm sure 'The Dish' will never fade into obscurity here in Australia - its one of those films that you can watch several times and not get tired of - but I'm not sure the town of Parkes would like to be described as 'a small sheepherding village'tho' - its a shame it was portrayed that way or that the film gave the impression that was how it was. Its rural NSW, theres a lot of land out there and like other rural towns it would have been different in those days
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkes,_New_South_Wales

http://www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/

Take care
Cathy

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Cathy, the director & producers probably felt that would add drama to the story, like the adjustments made for the movie The Blind Side.

The Old Silly said...

Cool. I'm gonna look it up, check it out.

Unknown said...

I love your 'O' topic...so much has slipped into obscurity never to be seen or heard from again. Thank you for letting us know about 'The Dish', it sounds wonderful and I am definitely going to be checking it out!