Apocalypto

I think one of my greatest fascinations in this lifetime has been... the end. What will it be? Where will it happen? Will I be there - or worse yet - will my kids be there?  Hopefully le fin is very, very far off in the distant future, because even with things standing as shittily as they do, I think the world's alright.

My aim in this post is not to divulge into an entire existential inquiry.  'Tis to note that (Babylink) Gawker has compiled a collection of fifteen cinematic demises to our fair city New York.  That's right - New York gets her fucking ass whooped, baby.  It's funny - why is it that in most sci-fi or horror movies, when some natural or extraterrestrial disaster (be it global warming, epidemic, or creature) ALWAYS strikes New York the hardest?  I'll tell you why.  Because, as Gawker puts it, "it looks awesome!"  Or, more specifically, it's New York: it's the epicenter of American awareness, and, in a sense, our cultural diplomat.  When the yeomen of the future look back upon the great states of the third millennium, they will look to the super powers (America and Russia and the diametric battle between tradition and progression, I think), and the metropoles that have the best sampling of mass opinion.  Where else would you look?  Kalamazoo, Michigan?  I don't think so, sister.

Curiosity is such a powerful thing.  Everyone wants to know how it's all going to flicker out.  And if anything can stand up to the forces, it's New York.  If New York can't rough it in the face of a threat, who can?  It's strange how fun it is to watch something be defeated, and it's even stranger that we all want to watch our own existence be defeated.  Nothing is more awe-inspiring than witnessing the very nerve center of our world be crushed by an imaginary monster.

In the case of I Am Legend and Planet of the Apes, it's watching the post ass-kicking that's so eerie.  In the case of Gangs of New York , it's actually watching Manhattan kick Brooklyn's ass (we all know that New York and Brooklyn were the original twin cities), and realizing what was buried forever to make way for the life we live now that's so enlightening.  We see buildings engulfed by 50 stories of element, or the Statue of Liberty raped by Michael Bay.  But anyway you watch New York falter, it's still a little captivating.

And here's my most burning question of all: why is it so?  Especially after only seven years ago, we saw the most prominent piece of Manhattan's skyline crumble in a matter of minutes and realized how vulnerable we REALLY are?

PS: Not so burning question: In I Am Legend, if Will Smith is the only bro left on that island, where did he get the gas to power that sports car?  Oooooooh - think about that!

PPS: This has also encouraged me to recommend the few minutes of apocalyptic movies

 that all should watch: def recommend Deep Impact and The Day After Tomorrow.  You can totes skip I Am Legend and 28 Days Later (coincidentally, both apocalyptic zombie movies!), but ONLY AFTER the first fifteen minutes of each - which will blow your mind, son.