How to solve our F-35 problems

As some of you may know, since Kirsten and I first watched the NFB's The Defender about a year ago I've been a real evangelist for the film.  At almost every opportunity I try to encourage people to watch the film.




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Just moments ago I realized that I'd been completely missing at least one aspect of the film's timeliness - which is that aspects of the film parallel (or should parallel)  the F-35 process.  

When the film was originally created the plane development process followed in the film was in the context of the costly development of the CF-18.  Bob Diemert, the plane's creator, was hoping that his low-tech, low-cost plane would be adopted instead of the technologically advanced CF-18.  Maybe now that we're in the midst of the F-35 development process we need another prairie inventor the champion a low-tech, low-cost alternative to the F-35?  

Or given that we're now well into the 21st century maybe we could crowdsource the design?

And shouldn't there be a new NFB film charting the development of the 21st century version of the The Defender?

Even if this project doesn't lead to a viable alternative to the F-35 it might at least raise a few questions about plane design, approaches to military engagement, and procurement.  And, who knows, maybe it would lead to a movie as fun as The Defender.

Apparently 50 years does nothing to change youth culture in Montreal

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Aside from the absence of longboards, I'm pretty sure this sums up the Montreal of today as much as it is a representation of Montreal in the 1960s.

A Canadian pre-American Movie American Movie

A few years ago I watched American Movie and was completely baffled and amused. I didn't know if what I was watching was actually a documentary or a joke. A few days ago when I watched The Defender I was struck by similar feelings. Would someone actually try to build a slow, heavy, prop fighter plane in Manitoba?

Anyway, because The Defender is a NFB production it is available online for free. I think I recommend it highly.



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While this probably wasn't a joke, I am still not quite certain.

Putting me to shame

What was possible in stop-motion video in 1977 at the NFB (a place not known for their huge budgets)



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All I was capable of in 2011 (in an afternoon in my bedroom with no budget).



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I feel a little embarrassed.

He talk-sings the hell out of the anthem

I am not inclined to call myself a big William Shatner fan, but I did find this pretty amusing for an NFB production (an attempt at humour).



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Hasn't aged

I recently watched this 1952 National Film Board film and was impressed at how little it had aged in the 59 years since it was made.



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The National Film Board makes much of their back catalogue available online for free. Maybe even more surprising to me is that they also make available much of their collection of stock footage. Their site is worth checking out if any of these things interest you.