Ex Machina

Ava looks at parts of other AI machines.

I hestitated to watch a film that used what seemed to be a cliched, tired theme. A mad scientist creates a machine that turns nightmarish.

As it turns out, this movie was one of the better artificial intelligent films. Ava, the machine, is in the maze but so too is the viewer, as they are never sure what will happen.

After Caleb wins a prize, he's invited to visit a research facility in an isolated region. He is taken there by helicopter. 

He meets a stranger who says he has the opportunity to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the chance to take part in a Turing test and test an AI machine.

Caleb gives up free will and privacy, as his new employer spies on him constantly. His key card gives him limited access so certain areas are off limits to him. Caleb can, however, spy on the AI, Ava, by turning on the TV in his room.

The moment he meets the machine, Ava, is magical. Ava has that deer-in-the-headlights look as if she is perpetually scared, but her voice is flat and even confident. 

Will Ava, a machine, fall in love with him? She wasn't programmed to do that. Will he fall in love with her? Will they run off together, as the replicant and Rick Deckard do in Blade Runner?

Alex Garland, writer and director, has created a startling film that received, unfortunately, not enough attention. 

Ex Machina

Ava looks at parts of other AI machines.

I hestitated to watch a film that used what seemed to be a cliched, tired theme. A mad scientist creates a machine that turns nightmarish.

As it turns out, this movie was one of the better artificial intelligent films. Ava, the machine, is in the maze but so too is the viewer, as they are never sure what will happen.

After Caleb wins a prize, he's invited to visit a research facility in an isolated region. He is taken there by helicopter. 

He meets a stranger who says he has the opportunity to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the chance to take part in a Turing test and test an AI machine.

Caleb gives up free will and privacy, as his new employer spies on him constantly. His key card gives him limited access so certain areas are off limits to him. Caleb can, however, spy on the AI, Ava, by turning on the TV in his room.

The moment he meets the machine, Ava, is magical. Ava has that deer-in-the-headlights look as if she is perpetually scared, but her voice is flat and even confident. 

Will Ava, a machine, fall in love with him? She wasn't programmed to do that. Will he fall in love with her? Will they run off together, as the replicant and Rick Deckard do in Blade Runner?

Alex Garland, writer and director, has created a startling film that received, unfortunately, not enough attention. 

National Women's Business Week

National Business Women's Week is the 3rd week in October.

A great book to read for National Business Women's Week is In The Company of Women by Grace Bonney. 

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton (Part 3)

Despite an impressive beginning, the novel ends on a more predictable note. 

Greed and the desire for revenge spur some of the Amsterdammers against the Brandts. The Brandt's secrets are exposed and even the miniaturist cannot prevent the ultimate outcome. 

Nella feels gratitude towards the miniaturist for opening doors while Cornelia has a more traditional view. Cornelia sees the miniaturist as a snoop and a witch.

With all that has happened, its surprising that Nella and Cornelia believe that Thea's life will be what she makes it.

Despite the ending, the novel is still richly imagined, bringing 17th century Amsterdam and all of its moral compunctions to life.

Part 2
Part 1 

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton (Part 3)

Despite an impressive beginning, the novel ends on a more predictable note. 

Greed and the desire for revenge spur some of the Amsterdammers against the Brandts. The Brandt's secrets are exposed and even the miniaturist cannot prevent the ultimate outcome. 

Nella feels gratitude towards the miniaturist for opening doors while Cornelia has a more traditional view. Cornelia sees the miniaturist as a snoop and a witch.

With all that has happened, its surprising that Nella and Cornelia believe that Thea's life will be what she makes it.

Despite the ending, the novel is still richly imagined, bringing 17th century Amsterdam and all of its moral compunctions to life. 

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton (Part 3)

Despite an impressive beginning, the novel ends on a more predictable note. 

Greed and the desire for revenge spur some of the Amsterdammers against the Brandts. The Brandt's secrets are exposed and even the miniaturist cannot prevent the ultimate outcome. 

Nella feels gratitude towards the miniaturist for opening doors while Cornelia has a more traditional view. Cornelia sees the miniaturist as a snoop and a witch.

With all that has happened, its surprising that Nella and Cornelia believe that Thea's life will be what she makes it.

Despite the ending, the novel is still richly imagined, bringing 17th century Amsterdam and all of its moral compunctions to life. 

Miniaturist by Jessie Burton part 2

Interestingly enough, the sister-in-law in The Miniaturist acts as the requisite mean stepmother. She wears black, forbids sugar, and excesses of any kind, yet she harbors a dark secret. 

 Nella has been invited into a sumptuous world--the house of a wealthy Dutch tradesman. In exchange, though, she must keep the family's secrets, something which makes Nella uncomfortable. 

Johannes has freed the slave Otto and educated him. There is good in Johannes, yet he has married Nella under false pretenses. 

Nella is childlike and powerless in the marriage which explains why she is drawn to the miniaturist's guidance and mesmerizing control.   

Go to Part 1 for the first part of the review. Part 1

Miniaturist by Jessie Burton part 2

Interestingly enough, the sister-in-law in The Miniaturist acts as the requisite mean stepmother. She wears black, forbids sugar, and excesses of any kind, yet she harbors a dark secret. 

 Nella has been invited into a sumptuous world--the house of a wealthy Dutch tradesman. In exchange, though, she must keep the family's secrets, something which makes Nella uncomfortable. 

Johannes has freed the slave Otto and educated him. There is good in Johannes, yet he has married Nella under false pretenses. 

Nella is childlike and powerless in the marriage which explains why she is drawn to the miniaturist's guidance and mesmerizing control.   


Part 1