ReBoot – I am a Movie Junkie

The 2012 summer movie schedule is starting to line up and like most summers I look forward to going to the movies even though I have a pretty good home theater system. I think I get a little of the excitement from my father who would often go to the movies no matter how bad the movie or reviews were. My wife on other hand is more discerning and only wants to go see the artsy Oscar films that can put any person to sleep (at least the ones I have seen). Growing up there were some films that left an immeasurable impression that even to this day I still enjoy watching. These films made me enjoy watching movies and appreciate the art of making a film.

So here is my list of films that left that mark:

1. Star Wars
2. Terminator
3. Predator
4. The Dark Knight
5. Lord of the Rings
6. The Matrix
7. Alien
8. Reservoir Dogs
9. Goodfellas
10. Raiders of the Lost Ark

My Friday Post: Robots We Love

It’s Friday. As CIOs clear down their inboxes and tie up loose ends before the weekend, it is time to take a break…

Okay, I am a child of the seventies. The first movie that left an impression on me was Star Wars. A galaxy far, far away inhabited by fantastic aliens and robots. Robots were more than moving boxes in Star Wars. They were mechanical beings that you could interact with and had personalities of their own.

I grew up wanting to have my own robot. I even tinkered with building one from a Radio Shack kit I got for my birthday once. However, it really was not the same.  As technologists, robots are where we wish computers would evolve to – the next evolution of technology. We might be some ways off. Until we can get our very own C3-PO in our home, we will have to live with the robots we see in movies.

Over the years, there have been good robots and bad. Here is my list of my favorite robots:

1. C-3PO and R2-D2 in Star Wars
2. V.I.N.CENT., B.O.B, and Maximilian in The Black Hole
3. Ash in Alien
4. T-800 and the T-1000 Model Terminator in Terminator 2: Judgment Day
5. Robot in Lost in Space
6. The Sentinels in The Matrix
7. Autobots and Decepticons in Transformers
8. WALL-E in WALL-E
9. Gort in The Day the Earth Stood Still
10. Rosie the Maid in The Jetsons
11. The Cylons in Battlestar Galactica
12. KITT in Knight Rider

There are many, many more robots that I could name. Who are your favorite robots?

My Friday Post: CIOs In Movies and Television?

It’s Friday. As CIOs clear down their inboxes and tie up loose ends before the weekend, it is time to take a break…

Why are there no movies or television shows about CIOs? There have been countless shows about doctors, lawyers, cops, civil servants, teachers, traders, but none about CIOs. I did a google search and came back with no results. The only movie that comes to my mind was with Harrison Ford in Firewall where he plays what appears to be a chief security officer.

There have been sporadic episodes where technology people have been portrayed in the stereotypical “nerd” fashion but never any in which we are portrayed in a positive or heroic light.

So why? Is the role of CIO not glamorous? Is technology still portrayed as being “nerdish” or “geekish”? Or is it that Hollywood believes that a CIO will not draw viewers?

To any aspiring writers out there – I would ask that you write a plot where the role of CIO is portrayed in a favorable light. There are plenty of ways you could use the role CIO. Just ask any CIO. I am sure they will provide plenty of ideas. 🙂