Tossing It Out

Showing posts with label Nuclear warfare. Show all posts

Thursday, April 27, 2017

When (#atozchallenge)

Though it's often good to know when something is going to occur, sometimes there is no clear answer. Occasionally there is no answer at all.

When

I'm not particularly fond of uncertainty. If something is supposed to happen then I like to know the time and place so I can be ready for it. In most cases, knowing when is essential if you are coordinating with others. Not knowing when can lead to being too early, too late, or not even considering being anywhere at all.

Then there are those ambiguous whens. There is the unspecified anticipation that something will happen someday but we just don't know when. We might have some vague idea or perhaps no idea whatsoever. When might be dependent on our meeting some other prerequisite. On the other hand, that time we are waiting for might be in the hands of someone else. When might even be a function of natural or spiritual forces coming together at the right time--or the wrong time.

If you know when something will happen then you can try to be ready for it. Not that you will be ready, but at least you have that option to try. We now know when A to Z will happen because it's called the April Challenge. Christmas, Halloween, or U.S. Independence Day have their dates predetermined so that we can make plans before those days arrive.

Fortunately, time is organized for us so that we can prepare for when. That is if we know precisely when is. Otherwise we can ready ourselves for those ambiguities such as when the big one hits, when the power goes out, or when we are facing nuclear attack. Those with foresight might even put a plan B or plan C or even more contingencies into place. Not many of us probably even have a first option set up. Of course we all know how any plan can go astray.

Hopefully, whatever happens, the government will take care of us. At least we like to think that the government has a plan for just about anything when it happens. When it does. When...

Do you have any contingency plans set up for emergencies or disasters? Do you like to improvise actions for unprepared occurrences? If you had a fifteen minute warning of an impending nuclear strike, what would you do?

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Nuclear Apocalypse Films (#atozchallenge)

Cover of The Day After

The films that I'll be listing in my April postings will not necessarily be films that I'd call my favorite films, but they will be favorites in the genres I'll be naming. The A to Z genres are very specific micro genres as opposed to the broader genres like action, romance, or comedy.

One thing that World War Two brought us was the nuclear apocalypse/radioactive mutant genre of films. These were some of the films that played a big influence on me as a film viewer during my childhood and continue to fascinate me to this day. Giant insects, revived prehistoric creatures, and zombies have all been part of this genre.

My focus will be the attack and aftermath as depicted in movies. Here are some of the films in this genre that I have particularly enjoyed:

On The Beach (1959)-- I first saw this at the drive-in theater with my parents when I was a kid. I didn't totally understand it all, but I knew enough to have this film etch itself into my memory. The last people on Earth after a nuclear war are in Australia. A U.S. submarine crew checks out the California coast but there is no one to be found. They return to Australia where the remaining humans prepare for the end. It's still a powerful movie.

Panic in the Year Zero (1962)-- Another film I saw at the drive-in with my parents. In this movie, a typical American family from Los Angeles heads out for a fun camping trip and ends up fighting for survival in the aftermath of a nuclear attack. This film freaked me out when I was young and I loved it. It's still a pretty good film to watch.

This Is Not a Test (1962)-- In this curious relic of its time, a group of travelers on a desolate stretch of highway learn of a nuclear attack that is underway. This is a low-budget psychological drama with no effects, but it's an interesting study of how people respond in time of disaster when there is little information available to them. I had never seen or heard of this film until fairly recently.

Planet of the Apes (1968) -- Most of you probably know about this film, but I won't say anything about it for those who don't. If you have not seen this original version, check it out and you'll understand why I've included it in my list.

The Day After (1983)-- Originally released as a TV movie, but it's available on DVD. This film is an excellent depiction of a nuclear attack on the United States and what happens afterwards. The film created quite a sensation when it debuted. It's still worth a watch for those who are interested in this genre.

Testament (1983)-- A film originally intended for PBS, but first received a theatrical release in theaters before being shown on television. No big effects here, but a good story. A small California community is isolated after a devastating world nuclear war. The citizens try to make sense of what's going on elsewhere as the effects of radiation begin taking its tragic toll. The story focuses on a mother trying to help her family survive in the bleak aftermath. Mothers especially will find this a heartbreaking film to watch. Look for a small role by a young Kevin Costner.

Which of these have you seen? What other films about nuclear apocalypse can you recommend? How has the threat of nuclear war affected you in your life?