Rich Monetti
I am, I write.
Star Trek’s Mr. Data May Never Feel But His Artificial Intelligence Definitely Makes Us Think
Photo by Gage Skidmore Robby the Robot from 1956’s Forbidden Planet may have been the first artificial intelligence movie robot to have his say. But the evolution of thinking androids in science fiction movies have come a long way – even if the limits that are tested go long beyond what I believe is possible.
Rich MonettiPublished 6 days ago in Futurism
Part VIII : Memorable Moments that could only Happen in Plattsburgh
Hitching a Ridge The Northway In 1988, homecoming was a given. So when Steven and Matt found Tim in the Point upon arrival, they more than a little surprised but why? We must backtrack a few hours first. At the time, I lived in Albany, and Steve, Tim and Matt rolled into my apartment at 304 Quail Street. I was promptly informed that Tim would not be accompanying Steve and Matt on the final leg up the Northway. Neither my memory nor my primary sources can confirm the issue, but at the time, Tim didn't put up much of an argument. He was completely resigned and lodged no protest as the car drove off. Still, the arrangement would not do since my departure time was three or four hours away. No time to waste, Tim went full Plattsburgh mode. In other words, the chance for decadence was out of reach, and Plattsburgh bred us to find an expedient solution at all costs.
Rich MonettiPublished 13 days ago in Wander
Matthew Broderick's Version is the Most Entertaining of All the Godzilla Movies
Photo by umezy12 The 1998 version of Godzilla with Matthew Broderick has excoriated by many since its release. Rita Kempley of The Washington Post sums the sentiment. The film “neither draws upon our fears nor revels in the original’s camp charms. The picture really isn’t about anything, while size vanquishes both substance and subtlety in the overhyped, half-cocked and humorless resurrection of dear old Godzilla Movies… Sorry Rita, I disagree.
Rich MonettiPublished 14 days ago in Geeks
Part VII : Memorable Plattsburgh Moments that Extend to New York City
I was recently reading an article about Seinfeld and how we should stop embracing the 90s comedy for its sheer insensitivity. Horrible people the article droned on but the show was actually providing real social commentary. I know because I was there in 1989-90, and living on East 83rd Street with three of my college buddies, we were young, selfish and only looking out for ourselves. Sorry, that's what young people do. Of course, we perfected those skills in Plattsburgh, and we were proud to bring them to NYC before Seinfeld cornered the market.
Rich MonettiPublished 16 days ago in Wander
Bronx Beginnings for Dominic Chianese and Carl Reiner
Photo by Mike Lizzi Dominic Chianese Unburdens Himself Dominic Chianese was born on February 24, 1931. His father was a bricklayer and among a cast of real life Bronx characters who inspired his iconic role on The Soprano’s. “Uncle Junior is my father, my uncles, my cousins, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker - everything but a mobster," Chianese told Eirik Knutzen of SouthJersey.com.
Rich MonettiPublished 18 days ago in Geeks
The Coffee House is Home for Artists and Art Lovers in Peekskill
If it's Sunday, it's Meet the Press, and while that is certainly true in my case, the sabbath really means my weekly trip to Peekskill, New York. There, with the Hudson River in close proximity, I settle into the blue couch at the Peekskill Coffee House, where my writing acumen is engulfed in a sea of inspiring sights, sounds and smells.
Rich MonettiPublished 21 days ago in Beat
The Midnight Sky Doesn't Quite Light up the Screen
Studio : Netflix, Poster If it’s Hollywood, in all likelihood, it’s the end of the world. Why not, the demise of man has made some of the most iconic moments - just ask the Statue of Liberty. The Midnight Sky is the latest attempt to eradicate human life from planet Earth, and I was definitely along for the ride. Of course, there’s an individual journey and a global journey. But the personal story arc of George Clooney’s character overtakes the global drama, and the genre search for a larger message is completely thrown off. So, at the end, no one is carrying a torch and outstretching their arms to signify the brilliance.
Rich MonettiPublished 23 days ago in Geeks
JJ Abrams Didn’t Make The Voyage Home but he Followed a Similar Script
Studio ; Paramount, Poster Star Trek IV is probably the TOS film that has the most crossover between Trekkies and the rest of the popular culture. The success of The Voyage Home also probably paved the way for The Next Generation, and the save the whales premise, gave us something to hang our science fiction hats on. Even so, doesn’t the science fiction get overshadowed by all the action. Enjoyable for sure, but it's almost like a guy named JJ Abrams was responsible.
Rich MonettiPublished 24 days ago in Futurism
