Movie Thread -- Happy Stuff (Non-Wizards)

barelyawake · Post #281 » by **barelyawake** » Thu Jul 18, 2013 9:02 pm

Well... I was in a punk band. And punk history means a lot to us. That's why you have Henry Rollins and Jello Biafra telling the tale (punk gods to us). The Dolls, Stooges, MC5, etc are deemed proto-punk. They are the bridge between garage bands and punk. The Ramones are officially the first punk band. Obviously, this stuff is debated all the time (because to lunatics like us it matters). Some even say Los Saicos (a Peruvian band) is the first punk band, who wrote an entire album doing a mix of surf punk (Wipeout) and that song, "Bird, bird, bird, bird is the word..."

To me, punk began the night MC5 and Stooges played a show, and they both got signed. I think the opening line to "Kick Out the Jams" is the first punk thing on record... "KICK OUT THE JAMS, M'ER F'ERS!" That phrase changed music.

However, to those who say the Ramones were the first punk band, they must now admit that Death wrote an entire album that can only be described as punk. It's not proto-punk to me. Either way, to head cases like me, it's historic. And for a bunch of 40 year old janitors to suddenly be thrust into music history like that is... There are no words for it... especially after the dead band member kept saying it would happen after his death.

daSwami · Post #282 » by **daSwami** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 12:04 am

Recommendation for uber-geeks like me: "Room 237" is a documentary about all of the various and sundry theories surrounding "The Shining" and all of Kubrick's hidden messages/symbolism/etc...- several different theories are presented, some of which seem sort of plausible.

Post #283 » by **miller31time** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 3:00 am

daSwami wrote:Recommendation for uber-geeks like me: "Room 237" is a documentary about all of the various and sundry theories surrounding "The Shining" and all of Kubrick's hidden messages/symbolism/etc...- several different theories are presented, some of which seem sort of plausible.

One of my favorite movies. I'll have to check that documentary out.

On a side note, it always surprised me how much Stephen King disliked Kubrick's direction.

daSwami · Post #284 » by **daSwami** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 4:16 am

miller31time wrote:
daSwami wrote:Recommendation for uber-geeks like me: "Room 237" is a documentary about all of the various and sundry theories surrounding "The Shining" and all of Kubrick's hidden messages/symbolism/etc...- several different theories are presented, some of which seem sort of plausible.

One of my favorite movies. I'll have to check that documentary out.

On a side note, it always surprised me how much Stephen King disliked Kubrick's direction.

The doc covers that a bit. King didn't like the liberties Kubrick took with vis a vis story. The theory is that Kubrick wrote a script loosely based on The Shining's narrative, but was more interested in using it as a vehicle for some of the more cerebral themes he was obsessed with.

barelyawake · Post #285 » by **barelyawake** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 4:09 pm

Saw Room 237. Loved it. Kubrick was a genius. Btw, if you get a chance, hit "Sleep No More" in NYC. It's a five story interactive play in a mock hotel that resembles the Overlook Hotel. And if you still partake, partake before you roam around it. Creepy stuff. My date and I wandered into a semi-isolated section of the hotel (kinda away from the main action of the play) and stood in front of a completely dark room. I stepped inside and heard one, deep exhale in front of me. One of the creepiest experiences of my life.

dobrojim · Post #286 » by **dobrojim** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 5:43 pm

unnecessary rehash

Post #287 » by **W. Unseld** » Fri Oct 4, 2013 6:43 pm

Is there a TV thread out there? I still haven't seen one freaking episode of breaking bad but don't know if it's worth giving 3-4 days of my life to.

Ray Donavan is available to me for free via on demand so I'm 3 episodes into that and at this point it's an intersting ride but not all that extremely well thought out.

I sat through the last episode of True Blood and it was the worst cr*p I've seen in a while in terms of totally changing one character with no explanation to make everything work.

One episode into Sleepy Hollow which is kind of cheesy and formulaic but still halfway enterataining if you can suspend disbelief.

Post #288 » by **montestewart** » Fri Oct 4, 2013 7:53 pm

W. Unseld wrote:Is there a TV thread out there? I still haven't seen one freaking episode of breaking bad but don't know if it's worth giving 3-4 days of my life to.

Ray Donavan is available to me for free via on demand so I'm 3 episodes into that and at this point it's an intersting ride but not all that extremely well thought out.

I sat through the last episode of True Blood and it was the worst cr*p I've seen in a while in terms of totally changing one character with no explanation to make everything work.

One episode into Sleepy Hollow which is kind of cheesy and formulaic but still halfway enterataining if you can suspend disbelief.

I watched the first 2-3 episodes of Breaking Bad when it first started and it didn't grab me. I don't care that everybody loves it, but a few key people like it, and it makes me think I should try it again someday.

I watched the entire series of Man With a Camera recently. That Charles Bronson sure could act. Not.

Nivek · Post #289 » by **Nivek** » Fri Oct 4, 2013 8:10 pm

I watched the first episode of Breaking Bad maybe a few months after it had premiered and liked it. Put off watching more until "later" and "later" hasn't come yet. Maybe someday soon.

Of the new shows, I'm a sucker for stuff like Sleepy Hollow, but stopped halfway through the 2nd episode. The writing is a train wreck. Writers tip: if the subtext of the scene can be translated as "exposition," the scene is a failure. Sleepy Hollow was jammed with scenes of intense exposition -- one character heatedly telling another character some vital piece of information. It's death for a drama. That stuff needs to be worked into the narrative OR there needs to be some kind of dramatic distraction -- have one character giving the explanation while involved in a gun fight or while something freaky weird is going on.

That Marvel show looks like Alphas with a budget. Might be okay.

Hostages has a good premise -- for a two-hour movie. I don't think they can sustain the intensity and have enough twists and turns to carry a series.

The Blacklist has some promise, even if it's basically a rip-off of Silence of the Lambs.

What else? Definitely looking forward to the new Walking Dead season.

There's a new 12-episode season of 24 coming next spring. It's going to be set 4 years after the last season, and Jack Bauer will be in London. I don't think they're going to rename the show "12".

In movies, I can't wait to see Gravity. James Cameron called it the best space movie ever. The trailers look great.

Post #290 » by **W. Unseld** » Fri Oct 4, 2013 8:32 pm

Monte & Nivek: I've been told for breaking bad the first season is decent but not incredible but by the middle of season 2 no one can stop watching as everything really picks up.

Nivek, I skipped episode 2 by accident and found episode 3 of Sleepy Hollow to be very entertaining, I could be wrong but I think you'd like that particular episode if that sort of stuff grabs you the antagonist was much more engaging than the one from the first episode. As for Gravity I'm curious but worried about being trapped in a theater and totally bored. I'm not an action junkie, I loved the "King's Speech" but the previews for Gravity aren't doing it for me.

Edit--Agents of Shield had me worried after the first episode but I'm going to give it more time based on Joss Wheedon.

Nivek · Post #291 » by **Nivek** » Fri Oct 4, 2013 8:42 pm

I wish Joss Whedon was running Sleepy Hollow.

I'm giving Agents of SHIELD a few episodes. The first one was okay. I'm hoping it gets better. With Whedon involved, I expect it to be good.

Your reaction to Gravity is interesting. It's concept is one I wish I'd come up with -- a confined thriller set in outer space...with a ticking clock. Works for me.

doclinkin · Post #292 » by **doclinkin** » Sat Oct 5, 2013 1:40 am

Nivek wrote:
Your reaction to Gravity is interesting. It's concept is one I wish I'd come up with -- a confined thriller set in outer space...with a ticking clock. Works for me.

I actually have a script like that. Well, part of it.

Post #293 » by **W. Unseld** » Fri Oct 11, 2013 9:07 pm

Updates--Got dragged to Gravity and kind of sort of liked it then Neil Degrasse Tyson or whatever that scientists name is ruined it for me.

I've heard "Rush" is good but I'm not a racing fan--still told it would be good anyway.

TV wise I too disliked episode 2 of Sleepy Hollow but maintain that episode 3 is pretty good even if you have to suspend disbelief more strenuously at some moments then others. Episode 2 of SHIELD was Bill Walton hoooooorrrrrible in my opinion but it's Joss Wheedon so I'm at least going to give it 1/2 a season.

Wife will no longer watch Ray Donavon w/me b/c molestation overtones too intense for her (I don't think that's more than 5% of the show) and that hurts b/c we try to watch shows together. She ruined Mad Men for me by pausing it and lecturing me every time someone cheated on someone else on that show which was often.

Nivek · Post #294 » by **Nivek** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 6:39 pm

doclinkin wrote:
Nivek wrote:
Your reaction to Gravity is interesting. It's concept is one I wish I'd come up with -- a confined thriller set in outer space...with a ticking clock. Works for me.

I actually have a script like that. Well, part of it.

I'm happy to give it a read. If you like.

dandridge 10 · Post #295 » by **dandridge 10** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:02 pm

If you guys have not seen Captain Phillips yet, go see it. Even though you know how its going to turn out, it is one of the most suspenseful movies I have ever seen and the acting by Tom Hanks is simply incredible. The last 45 minutes of the movie breathtaking. I needed a drink after it was over.

The only criticism of the movie is its name. Its boring and sounds kind of cartoonish, when the movie is anything but.

closg00 · Post #296 » by **closg00** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:54 pm

Shield is a HORRIBLE show, so disappointed. I was hoping for a Hero's 2.0 but.....

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daSwami · Post #297 » by **daSwami** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 10:15 pm

W. Unseld wrote:Is there a TV thread out there? I still haven't seen one freaking episode of breaking bad but don't know if it's worth giving 3-4 days of my life to.

Ray Donavan is available to me for free via on demand so I'm 3 episodes into that and at this point it's an intersting ride but not all that extremely well thought out.

I sat through the last episode of True Blood and it was the worst cr*p I've seen in a while in terms of totally changing one character with no explanation to make everything work.

One episode into Sleepy Hollow which is kind of cheesy and formulaic but still halfway enterataining if you can suspend disbelief.

I crammed Seasons 1 - 4 in less than two weeks of Netflix marathoning. Totally worth it. Not sure I've ever been so hooked on a show. "The Sopranos," maybe ... but BB is addictive. I'm fiending for a new show to obsess on, but BB has set a pretty high bar in my mind.

I recently caved to the hype, and checked out "Orange is the New Black," which felt flimsy to me, and has way less girl-on-girl than I was led to believe.

That said, I've still got the final season of "Dexter" ahead of me to watch, but basically know what happens thanks to facebook spoilers. There's always "Downton Abbey" I guess, which is actually a really good show.

closg00 · Post #298 » by **closg00** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 11:32 pm

Wanna know if Breaking Bad is worth your time? Read Anthony Hopkins fan letter that he wrote to actor Bryan Cranston, the lead in Breaking Bad.
http://www.uproxx.com/tv/2013/10/anthon ... -watching/

80sballboy · Post #299 » by **80sballboy** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 2:18 am

Personally I hate watching shows that everybody says is the greatest thing ever. I watched Friday Night Lights when nobody would watch it because the movie was mediocre. It was a great show. Maybe Twitter would have helped.

Now it took me forever to watch Breaking Bad because I don't care about the subject matter. Not sure it was better than the Sopranos, Mad Men, the Wire or whatever drama you want to mention, but it was an amazing show mainly because of Cranston. Some of the stuff that happened was a little outrageous including the last show, but the acting and writing was unreal.

I started watching the second-to-last season On Demand and then the final year because I know everybody was going to talk about it on Twitter and in my office. So I ended up DVRing the marathon on TMC and watched the first 3 seasons to better understand what happened. It's not the best way to do it, but I'm glad I did. Great show.

doclinkin · Post #300 » by **doclinkin** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 3:30 am

Nivek wrote:
doclinkin wrote:
Nivek wrote:
Your reaction to Gravity is interesting. It's concept is one I wish I'd come up with -- a confined thriller set in outer space...with a ticking clock. Works for me.

I actually have a script like that. Well, part of it.

I'm happy to give it a read. If you like.

Brainstorm more than script, but I just sent you the overview.