We have all heard that adage of the truth being stranger than fiction. Case in point – a particular new coffeetable book titled,
“220:
S I F T I N G
The Alien Battle Royale
or
How we met the Spirit of Kurt Cobain.”
An Internet blog by Lippy titled, “What the F is up at the movies?” suggests that this seemingly absurd title by the author formerly known as Fysche, has spawned several blockbuster artistic endeavors, and it goes into detail what these projects are.
A new batch of “purported homages to 220″ has cropped up; for example –
“Shutter Island” with Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Martin Scorsese.
In the trailer of this spooky thriller, Leo’s character makes a huge point about the number 67.
“220″ is so titled because of Kurt Cobain’s birthday, “2/20/67.”
We will have to wait until the October release of “Shutter Island” to learn more.
Another film that goes on and on about the relevance of numbers is “Burn After Reading” directed by the Coen Brothers. In one particularly ridiculous scene, Brad Pitt’s dimwitted gym rat character sits in front of a computer screen and has an outrageous monologue about numbers and codes. He also drinks a lot of orange juice and makes choices about his character that no one else may notice, unless you have read, “220.”
Which may explain why, in “Bric A Brac Independence Day” on YouTube starring Will Smith, they are left with a bag of oranges, like the one Andrew VanWyngarden of MGMT holds in his hand in the photo attached. Or “Tangerine” if you believe what Led Zeppelin sings.
Either way, Andrew looks a heck of a lot like Gwen Stefani on No Doubt’s “Tragic Kingdom” album.
Would it be a stretch to suggest that these abstract and nearly nonsensical projects that appear to be so out of line from the usual body of work by these A – listers all share a common, secret thread, a la the “Illuminati” as depicted in “Angels and Demons” by Ron Howard? And what if that coded thread is this book, “220?”
Some related projects appear more transparent than others – take the title, “Battle in Seattle,” directed by Stuart Townsend, starring Charlize Theron. Kurt Cobain was from Seattle and the title of “220″ does have the word “battle” in it. Even “Burn After Reading” is a suggestive pun.
One does not have to reach far to compare “Public Enemies” starring Johnny Depp to a “battle royale.” Interesting sidebar – this picture is exactly 2 hours and 20 minutes long. As is “Angels and Demons.”
Other works are trickier to decipher, again, unless you have read “220.”
“Valkyrie” directed by Brian Singer, starring Tom Cruise, has a hero whose fingers are affected in some of the ways mentioned in “220,” and also makes a major impact with the eye.
E.Y.E. is an acronym for Eternal Youth Empire –
co-publisher of “220.” Keeping with the numerical theme, it was released on 08/08/08.
As if to answer this company’s path of immortality,
in the song, “Death and all his Friends” by Coldplay, Chris Martin sings,
“No I don’t wanna battle
from beginning to end
I don’t wanna cycle
Recycle revenge
I don’t wanna follow
Death and all his friends.”
New York based sculptor, Spang, has a line of opulent bronze pieces; one of them is of an alien-ish seahorse – Kurt Cobain’s totem animal.
The band Ghost of Gloria has a telling single out titled, “The Evidence.”
And Depeche Mode’s entire new album, “Sounds of the Universe” appears to make poignant tributes, especially with the song, “Oh Well:”
“Listen to what she’s trying to tell you
She could be the one who’s going to save you
Oh well
Oh well…”
Could this all be just an eerie coincidence with everyone merely channeling the same Universal Mind / subconcious?
Or could all these A-Listers truly be tipping their hats off to “220?”
The truth is often stranger than fiction as we all know, but
there is only one way to find out.
Veronica Grey – the author formerly known as Fysche, responsible for “220,” was asked about her thoughts on these A-listers possibly referencing “220.”
While she is too busy with ReikiMasterDirectory.com to comment, she will admit to having met some of these artists at a fundraiser for Barack Obama on when? You guessed it. 2/20/07 at the Beverly Hilton.