I'm Gonna Ramble On... (Movies/TV/Books version)

[Ringo]

The whole thing is a dated cheesy TV series to be fair. I only enjoy it because I adore the story so much.

They pulled off the Campion stuff really well though

[KorruptJustice]

Burn Notice is lovely and finds the perfect mix between episodic stories, major story arc, humour, drama & action with a lot of style... well it may be a little weak on drama.

Which to me can make it a much much more enjoyable show than something like The Wire which is good in it's own right, but can be completely boring television due to it putting too much emphasis on the story and not quite enough on making it enjoyable. Sure it's a wonderful story but that they don't find a balance can make it lose a lot of points when a show like Battlestar manages to make both enjoyable stories and a weighty, meaty strong long game.

It's funny you should mention The Wire, since I just bought season 1 on DVD a few days ago, and I'm loving it so far. I won't go so far as too say that it's the best show ever, like I've seen some people on here say, but it is definitely a great show, and it's probably the best acted show that I've ever seen. I don't think there's a single cast member that doesn't do a fantastic job.

But I can see your point about how it's not as fun to watch as Burn Notice for some people. For me, watching the story unfold is what makes The Wire fun to watch, but I don't think it has the rewatchability that an easy going show like Burn Notice does.

And I would take either Burn Notice or The Wire over Battlestar, any day.

[Guy]

I may eventually get around to The Wire. But maybe after finishing Burn Notice and Season 7 of 24.

[Jimmy Zero]

Ok, any Mad Men fans? I just finished the first season, and I've got to say I don't get what the big deal is.

The show itself isn't terrible and the acting is good enough, but considering that everyone and their mom jacks off over it, I'm a bit underwhelmed. For easily the first 6 episodes, I got the impression that the show had zero direction or ultimate destination they were trying to get to in terms of the story. The characters on the show are horribly bland and cliched. I thought it picked up once that one dude had those heart attacks, but overall I was very unimpressed. They need to spend more time fleshing out the story lines and less time focusing on Draper and his stoic looks.

[Hulkamaniac]

It's funny you should mention The Wire, since I just bought season 1 on DVD a few days ago, and I'm loving it so far. I won't go so far as too say that it's the best show ever, like I've seen some people on here say, but it is definitely a great show, and it's probably the best acted show that I've ever seen. I don't think there's a single cast member that doesn't do a fantastic job.


Do come back and comment again when you've finished the series.

[Alf]

The Wire has moments of lightness too Aussie. Quite a few actually. But they are grounded in reality and not cartoony (well, apart from that whole shaft thing...).

It's not all weighty story.

I suppose it comes down to taste. I'd much rather watch, and am more likely to enjoy, something with depth like the Wire. I'm not much into light and fluffy drama.

Battlestar was ace, but it got itself in a muddle quite often and there were more than enough filler episodes, weak acting, weak scripting and to be honest had half the humour The Wire has.

Have you watched all 5 series?

[Alf]

Oh, and I'm listening to a 'best of' the rocky sound tracks.

Immense it is.

HEARTS ON FIREEE...

[Hulkamaniac]

The Wire is fucking funny. Has some damn funny moments in it.

[Beefy]

Oh, and I'm listening to a 'best of' the rocky sound tracks.

Immense it is.

HEARTS ON FIREEE...

I have that CD and yes, that track is just immense. I'd absolutely love to hear that on a noight out somewhere.

[Ringo]

I may eventually get around to The Wire. But maybe after finishing Burn Notice and Season 7 of 24.

Aaha, I'm confident you wouldn't like it Blood. Don't bother.

[Alf]

Yeah, please don't bother. I don't think I can handle you saying something ridiculous about my beloved Wire.

[Hulkamaniac]

It'd be like slapping my mother in the face.

[Guy]

Well see if you're all going to be like that I'll watch it and dislike it JUST to piss you all off.

Nevermind Ringo, he seemed to think I wouldn't 'get' In Bruges. There seems to be a muddle up here between independent thoughts, opinion and taste as misunderstanding something

[Jimmy Zero]

That post is rather lacking in blue filter.

Sell out.

[Alf]

Come on mate... often you spout ridiculous nonesense about a range of subjects.

You can dress that up as independent thought as much as you like. But sooner or later you'll have to pay the piper. Sooner or later, when the evidence continues to mount, you'll have to admit that you are more often than not wrong, that your independent thoughts are fox farts, that your opinions are daft, and your tastes disgusting.

But chin up.

[Guy]

:lol:

Either way I'll be teaching it all soon enough

[Alf]

Please don't. I don't want a bunch of skinny jeaned, asymetrically haired students spouting the same guff as you.

[Hulkamaniac]

In fairness Blood, its not always a case of you having different opinions, you ARE often wrong.

[Guy]

Please don't. I don't want a bunch of skinny jeaned, asymetrically haired students spouting the same guff as you.

I have no idea what skinny jeans have to do with anything.


In fairness Blood, its not always a case of you having different opinions, you ARE often wrong.

To be honest, you all do well to remember my opinions on whatever far more than I do.

I either like something, or I don't like something, that's about the be all and end all of it.

[Jimmy Zero]

[color=red]To be honest, you all do well to remember my opinions on whatever far more than I do.

That's because they're memorable. And hilarious.

[Guy]

Like which?

If they're hilarious, I could do with a laugh

[Hulkamaniac]

:lol:

Either way I'll be teaching it all soon enough

Oh really? Have you got on a PGCE course then? If you're going to teach A-level Media Studies, you're going to have to start doing some hard work, cos I honestly dont think that your subject knowledge will be good enough otherwise.

[Guy]

Yep, yep, and yes I will have to swat up on the curriculum as well as film theory in general, I have no doubt about that.

In actual fact I'm quite looking forward to doing so.

[Hulkamaniac]

Let me know anything you need to know and I'll give you a hand.

I know that I do push my own agendas and tastes on my own kids and it definitely helps them to become discerning in their own views, the trick is to get them thinking though, it doesnt matter so much whether they enjoy what you enjoy or not. I worry to think what kinds of tastes your students are going to come out with.

[Guy]

Thanks pal, appreciate it.

The thing is, I'm never going to push any of my film preferences on anyone as I know at points I can be pretty niche. I doubt I'll be doing an hour lesson on the mise-en-scene of The Evil Dead.

And also, just because I might not enjoy some of the more classic films, I respect what a good many of them are. I would research and teach those that I feel are important and relevant to the curriculum.

[Hulkamaniac]

I'll happily provide you with a screening list that I use for the different key concepts.

Also, if you need a hand with planning shemes of work or anything, just give me a shout.

[Hulkamaniac]

I'll happily provide you with a screening list that I use for the different key concepts.

Also, if you need a hand with planning shemes of work or anything, just give me a shout.

[Alf]

Bernard from Lost is in The Stand... ace...

[Jimmy Zero]

Like which?

If they're hilarious, I could do with a laugh

Well the blue filter thing springs immediately to mind

[Alf]

I've just finished The Stand. Over-all I thought it was decent. Very watchable. It's obviously dated.

I thought sections of it were very poorly directed and edited. I'd love to see what some of todays talent could do with it. Especially with the sort of budgets they give TV shows now.

It was good to see Stephen King flex his acting muscles too.

[Aussie_Outlaw]

The Wire has moments of lightness too Aussie. Quite a few actually. But they are grounded in reality and not cartoony (well, apart from that whole shaft thing...).

It's not all weighty story.

I suppose it comes down to taste. I'd much rather watch, and am more likely to enjoy, something with depth like the Wire. I'm not much into light and fluffy drama.

Battlestar was ace, but it got itself in a muddle quite often and there were more than enough filler episodes, weak acting, weak scripting and to be honest had half the humour The Wire has.

Have you watched all 5 series?

Me? Yeah I have.

A lot of the time The Wire does come off like a chore to watch and you're watching it more so you can move through it and figure out what's going on. To me this isn't quality television since there are a lot of shows out there with roughly the same amount of depth who don't sacrifice their entertainment value.

I'm not one to just sit around watching light and fluffy drama all the time. I enjoy a good deep story as much as the next person. Hell I'm not even saying The Wire is a bad show, it's a good show. It's just isn't quite 'the best' due to it not being as strong (as a television show, not a story) as some others who manage to do what the wire does in story / message on top of being strong shows.

[Guy]

Well the blue filter thing springs immediately to mind

But with this, I was simply of the opinion that I'd prefer Salvation to look in some way like the future we saw in the past 3 Terminator films. There's nothing WRONG with that. I didn't say it HAD to in order to be decent and successful. It was just a personal preference.


Me? Yeah I have.

A lot of the time The Wire does come off like a chore to watch and you're watching it more so you can move through it and figure out what's going on. To me this isn't quality television since there are a lot of shows out there with roughly the same amount of depth who don't sacrifice their entertainment value.

I'm not one to just sit around watching light and fluffy drama all the time. I enjoy a good deep story as much as the next person. Hell I'm not even saying The Wire is a bad show, it's a good show. It's just isn't quite 'the best' due to it not being as strong (as a television show, not a story) as some others who manage to do what the wire does in story / message on top of being strong shows.

I have yet to see The Wire (obviously), but yea from what I've read on the boards about it, I'm probably going to have to watch it when I'm not concentrating on any other show. Reason being so that I can take it all in, distraction free, not compare it to any other series that I'm watching at the time, and move through it all swiftly enough to keep my interest.

But then again I thought I'd be comparing the lightheartedness of Burn Notice to the ball tightening tense pacing of 24, and I didn't. :dunno:

[Alf]

Aussie, you've upset me mate.

[Aussie_Outlaw]

Sorry Alf, really Wire is good, I just find some of it slowish and chorish (which other posters have already voiced previously) which to me is a bit of a downer on it.

[Alf]

I've personally never found it a chore. I've always found it engaging. It can be slow but that is the nature of the beast. It unfolds slowly and often you are required to fill in the gaps... and I like that a lot.

Lost had been a chore to watch in the earlier seasons, and Heroes is a chore to watch now... but The Wire flicks my switch.

[Hulkamaniac]

I never found it a chore, but I've never really watched a programme that was like that before, so it was a bit slow from time to time. But definitely enthralling slow rather than boring slow.

[Pete Cash]

Good god the English education system must be a wreck with not only Mik and Danny Fire as teachers but Blood joining the ranks.

[Hulkamaniac]

It would appear that I'm single-handedly propping it up.

[KorruptJustice]

Me? Yeah I have.

A lot of the time The Wire does come off like a chore to watch and you're watching it more so you can move through it and figure out what's going on. To me this isn't quality television since there are a lot of shows out there with roughly the same amount of depth who don't sacrifice their entertainment value.

I wouldn't call The Wire slow. I think deliberate is a better choice of word for the show. Everything moves at a natural pace, which I think adds immensely to it. I definitely wouldn't call The Wire a chore to watch. As soon as I finished up one episode, I was eager to go on to the next one to see what happened. In a way, I'm glad that I never got around to the show until now, because if I started watching this right when it first aired on TV, it would have killed me if I had to wait a week after every episode to see what happened next.

[Marlon Dingle]

I'm onto S02E03 of The Wire and I think its cracking. I can see where people who say its slow are coming from, I think the first 4 to 5 episodes of the first series have been the incredibly slow in bringing the story forward(I could see the show losing allot of viewers off the back of these first few episodes). But the second half of the first season and the starting few of the second season are greatly paced.

[I steal cable]

What made you keep watching it if you thought the first 5 episodes were 'incredibly slow'?

[Marlon Dingle]

What made you keep watching it if you thought the first 5 episodes were 'incredibly slow'?

A work mate lent it to me, also the critical reception, and also being advised to stick with it. They were slow but still interesting to watch, I would say they were good but not as great as the later episodes. Like I watched them first few episodes over like a course of two weeks then the more I watched the more I started getting into it, so much that I watched the last 3 episodes in one night.

[Hulkamaniac]

The Wire is fascinating. My eyes are hurting today because I spent about 5 hours reading about it yesterday.

[GeezaTap]

Crank 2 tomorrow. :hyper:

Chev rules.

[Guy]

:hyper::hyper::hyper:

That smilie isn't hyper enough for a Crank movie

[Alf]

Me and the misses have started to work our way through Season 2 of the Wire. Loving it so far. It so vastly improves on second viewing.

Omar is a legend... I love that bit when he's about to bum the stuffing out of his gay mate, flips the bed over and says 'Oh indeeeeeeeeeeeddddd'...

Omar is a legend.

[Alf]

LADS... walking through Covent Garden earlier and who walks past but...

http://www.hbo.com/thewire/img/castcrew/character_season04/thomascarcetti2.jpg

Toomy Carcetti from The Wire.

It's one of the only times in my life I've been proper star struck.

[Hulkamaniac]

Toomy?

I would love it, LOVE IT if I met anyone from The Wire. I've been working my way to the end of season 1 while I've been marking this past week. Its even better than the first time around.

[Marlon Dingle]

The guy from Queer as Folk? What series is of the Wire is he in? I'm still only half way through season 2. :(

[Hulkamaniac]

Think that he is introduced in season 3 and then becomes more prominent in 4 and 5. He's an excellent character.

[Alf]

He really is.

I think my brain is degenerating... my spelling is getting worse.

I type too fast, that's part of the problem.

[Marlon Dingle]

'Oh indeeeeeeeeeeeddddd!'

:lol:

[Alf]

Have you just watched the Omar pre-bumming bit?

[Hulkamaniac]

Gotta say, D'Angelo was pretty much by a mile my favourite character in season 1. Absolutely excellently acted.

[Alf]

Yeah, he really is good and really makes you sympathise.

Poor Wallce.

"Where Wallace at String? STRING!"

[Hulkamaniac]

Where the fuck is Wallace?

His Chess analogy, the way he almost broke down when he thought Wee Bay had been sent to execute him. He was fucking solid throughout. It was D'Angelo's character who first got me truly interested in The Wire.

[Marlon Dingle]

Have you just watched the Omar pre-bumming bit?

Yeah I will be watching episodes 5,6,7,8,9 and 10 this weekend and hopefully finish the season early next week. Episodes 1 & 3 were better than anything in the first series in my opinion.

[The_Mike]

I am watching the Battlestar Gallactica miniseries that started off the new version, and I have one question:

Why is John McCain in it?

[Hulkamaniac]

Just stumbled across these trailers for an incredible fan made 40 minute film that is going to be premiering live on the internet at the start of May. Its called The Hunt For Gollum and was made on a budget of just £3000, shot in Wales and features some of the stuff that we'll be quite likely to get in the 'bridging film' when they make The Hobbit.

Excellent stuff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnMHgwG9aAo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gffXrghlrqo&feature=related

[son_of_foley]

Crank 2 was hilarious

[Hulkamaniac]

Let the Right One In was rather good indeed.

[Marlon Dingle]

I Love You, Man was really funny.

[Alf]

Where the fuck is Wallace?

His Chess analogy, the way he almost broke down when he thought Wee Bay had been sent to execute him. He was fucking solid throughout. It was D'Angelo's character who first got me truly interested in The Wire.

Me and the misses just watched the season 2 ep last night...

where D is killed... she was gutted. D was her favourite character too.

[Marlon Dingle]

I'm up to episode 10 on season 2. Will probably finish the season on Wednesday. I don't know why but I love Ziggy, was gutted to read he is only in this season although I couldn't see how he fits into the next season. It will be good to see how his story ends.

Do you guys recommend that I wait a while before starting season 3 or should I get straight into it?

[Hulkamaniac]

Straight into it.

[Alf]

Straight in. And why not?

[Marlon Dingle]

Dont worry guys, I dont think I could hold off too long, I will get right into it.

Just looking up IMDB and seen the guy who plays Niko is Liev Schreiber's brother, couldn't have called that one.

[Marlon Dingle]

First picture of Russell Crowe as Robin Hood.

http://www.empireonline.com/images/news/temp/russell-crowe-robin-hood.jpg

Nice to see he don't have a cap or tights.

[Cactus Lem]

Let the Right One In was rather good indeed.

I've been promoted for the week at work, and our head of production was just on the phone to some bloke talking about how they're considering taking on the American re-make.

I plan to give it a watch this week.

[Morrison]

Just looking up IMDB and seen the guy who plays Niko is Liev Schreiber's brother, couldn't have called that one.

neither would i, but now that you say it, i can totally see a resemblance, physically and acting wise.

[Hulkamaniac]

First picture of Russell Crowe as Robin Hood.

http://www.empireonline.com/images/news/temp/russell-crowe-robin-hood.jpg

Nice to see he don't have a cap or tights.

Looks like Maximus.

[N.E.R.F.]

Niko always reminded me of Ben Affleck.

[Hulkamaniac]

In some insane news Christian Bale is going to be starring with Mark Whalberg in David O'Russell's new film The Fighter.

Imagine the shouting that is going to be going on there.

[Beer-Belly]

I thought he was taking over for Wahlberg.

[Guy]

No he replaced Brad Pitt, David O'Russell replaced Aranofsky.

Wahlberg's the only person not to have ditched yet actually

[Marlon Dingle]

So Bale and Wahlberg will be in two films together in the next two years? Awesome, I think when Wahlberg gets a decent role he is amazing e.g Boogie Nights and The Departed.

[Alf]

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article6061203.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1

Good to see Battlestar so high up...

[Marlon Dingle]

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article6061203.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1

Good to see Battlestar so high up...

Shocking what No.1 was. I have the last two episodes of season two to watch tonight.


Lost (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOY3yYkAJzs)
I don’t really know what’s going on, and to be honest neither do you. Nevermind, because J.J. Abrams’ sci-fi, mystery, conundrum thingamajig is pure water cooler entertainment.

They obviously dont watch it. If they did it would be much higher on their chart.

[Alf]

Why is it shocking? It's probably the most critically acclaimed series ever as far as I remember.

[Ringo]

Ahaha, aye, how is it shocking Marlon? It's CORRECT.

Pretty fucking good list to be fair since they're usually a joke. Top 15 especially. I've heard so many good things about Battlestar and West Wing, and yet never get round to it. Must get on that.

Breaking Bad at 26! WOOP. Have you seen this Alf? You should.

[Marlon Dingle]

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article6061203.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1

Good to see Battlestar so high up...


Why is it shocking? It's probably the most critically acclaimed series ever as far as I remember.


Shit sorry I forgot, the internet doesnt convey being sarcastic. Sorry. X.

[Ochoa]

So Bale and Wahlberg will be in two films together in the next two years? Awesome, I think when Wahlberg gets a decent role he is amazing e.g Boogie Nights and The Departed.

http://thevoidmovies.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/max-payne.jpg

"Say hi to your mother for me, alright?"

[Alf]

Don't sass me britches.

[Guy]

I'll never forgive Wahlberg for fucking about with Max Payne

[Hobbit]

That list is alright, but I'd put Chuck far higher. BSG's not my cup of tea either but hey it's their list INNIT. Also where's Dark Angel. Oh and the US version of The Office is way too low on there methinks.

[Jimmy Zero]

Ok, any Mad Men fans? I just finished the first season, and I've got to say I don't get what the big deal is.

The show itself isn't terrible and the acting is good enough, but considering that everyone and their mom jacks off over it, I'm a bit underwhelmed. For easily the first 6 episodes, I got the impression that the show had zero direction or ultimate destination they were trying to get to in terms of the story. The characters on the show are horribly bland and cliched. I thought it picked up once that one dude had those heart attacks, but overall I was very unimpressed. They need to spend more time fleshing out the story lines and less time focusing on Draper and his stoic looks.

No Mad Men people? Ok then.

Anyone heard about the new Sam Rockwell flick called Moon? Looks fantastic and I'm really excited for it.

Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/moon/

[Marlon Dingle]

No Mad Men people? Ok then.

Anyone heard about the new Sam Rockwell flick called Moon? Looks fantastic and I'm really excited for it.

Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/moon/

Yup. http://forums.rajah.com/showthread.php?t=136048

I finished watching Season Two of The Wire last night. Just fucking Wow, the montage at the end was exceptional, I loved how it set up Season Three as well with the surveillance of Stringer Bell. I don't know why, because I am quite desensitised to graphic violence but when ever someone is killed in The Wire it always shocks me just that little bit more. Frank's murder was truly sad, and the guilt Niko felt because of it, just made me want to cry. Even the short scene with Ziggy moving to a better jail but feeling nothing knowing his dad is dead. Fucking hell its strong stuff.

[Hulkamaniac]

Post in the 'The Wire' threads I started. No point in using this one for everything.

[Marlon Dingle]

ok.

[Ringo]

I just wanted to say how much I absolutely adore the American Office. Far surpassed the British version now. I think every character is probably better than the British equivalent. So I'm all for American remakes!

[TapOut]

I just started watching The Shield. The first episode was awesome right off the bat, and the second one was great as well. Loving it already, I'll probably be done with the series in two weeks.

[Version 6]

I watched The Boondock Saints for the first time last night.

I enjoyed it, but didn't see the revolutionary marvel that so many people go on about. It was good, quick paced, fun and clever in parts. The dialogue was OK without being outstanding.

A sequel is due for release later this year. Not sure how it will hold together. Or how good it will/can be, but I'm interested nonetheless.

[IB]

I'm downloading the pilot episode of Harpers Island. Anyone have anything to say about this show before I give it a go?

[Hobbit]

I just wanted to say how much I absolutely adore the American Office. Far surpassed the British version now. I think every character is probably better than the British equivalent. So I'm all for American remakes!

Yeah I've only just got into it this past week (up to mid season ish of season 3 now) and have been really pleasantly surprised with how good it is. I didn't bother getting into it for ages as I rather snobbishly thought it couldn't be better than our version, but it's easily better.

Jim > Tim
Michael > David
Pam > Dawn, good god I love Pam
Dwight > Gareth
Kevin > Keith

I also love Toby too, he reminds me of Clive from Monkey Dust.

I even think that the American one does the emotional scenes better as well. The end of the second season had me far more worked up than the end of the Christmas specials in the UK one, which is saying something as the Dawn/Tim ending was near-perfect. I think it's maybe unfair to compare them so directly however as the US version has clearly had far more episodes in which to judge it against the original, but it's still better and I love it :D

[Ringo]

ahaha yus. Toby is brilliant. I also love Andy who is hilarious.

Oh and it now has STRINGER BELL in it which makes it the best thing ever by default.

[Hero!]

Watched Dragonball Evolution on Sunday. If you are/were a fan of the series you'll hate the liberties they took with the storyline and if you aren't a fan of the series you'll just find this to be a terrible movie. By far the worst thing i've seen since X3.

0/5

[Beefy]

I think you're going slightly over the top re The Office. I watched the first two seasons of the US show a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it, but it's a very different show. They have 20 minutes to an episode so the show speeds along far more quickly than the original giving it a far more traditional sit-com feel. Where Gervais & Merchant could subtly do the Tim/Dawn story through lingering shots and through what isn't said by them, the US show has to drive it along with the talking heads and the pair of them constantly spoon-feeding the audience by going on about how much they like eachother as friends.

The end of the second season was quality but nowhere near as well done as the finale of The Office Christmas special which is probably the finest piece of comedy writing I've ever seen.

Since I finished the second season of the American show I've started watching the British one again for the first time in a few years. The American one is far easier to watch, again because it has far more laugh-out-loud moments and is less reliant on toe-curling, cringe-worthy scenes. I can happily watch half a dozen episodes of the American show back-to-back but struggle to watch more than two of the British shows.

A lot of the American characters come across too forced - too much like normal comedy characters rather than real people. And that reality is what made The Office what it was. Whilst I'd have no complaints about Jim & Pam, Dwight is too overblown and unrealistic even than Gareth, Kevin says fifty times more each week than Keith ever did without ever being as funny and many of the others seem like they're just there to play their own little predictable character part.

And whilst as an actor and as a person I far prefer the brilliant Steve Carell to the complete cunt that is Ricky Gervais, the character of David Brent is a comedy masterpiece.

[Jimmy Zero]

By the first season, do you mean the one disc, like 6 episode, first season? If so, you've got to watch season 3. Season 2 and Season 3 are better than the British version, imo.

Dwight and Kevin are above criticism!

[Beefy]

I shall watch Season Three. I've heard it's on a par with Season Two though so I'm not expecting anything drastically different.

I should say again that I really like the US show. It may be a better comedy and it's certainly easier to watch. But I draw the line at people saying that the characters are better. The likes of Dwight and Kevin may be good comedy characters but as television characters they are nowhere near the level of the ones on the British show. The characterisation and reality are what made the original so good in the first place.

[Hobbit]

I think you're going slightly over the top re The Office. I watched the first two seasons of the US show a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it, but it's a very different show. They have 20 minutes to an episode so the show speeds along far more quickly than the original giving it a far more traditional sit-com feel. Where Gervais & Merchant could subtly do the Tim/Dawn story through lingering shots and through what isn't said by them, the US show has to drive it along with the talking heads and the pair of them constantly spoon-feeding the audience by going on about how much they like eachother as friends.

Well I really like the way it's done in the US one, I feel that they're better actors too. That's not a dig at Lucy Davies and Martin Freeman though, they are also great actors, but for me they're surpassed by the Yanks in that regard.


The end of the second season was quality but nowhere near as well done as the finale of The Office Christmas special which is probably the finest piece of comedy writing I've ever seen.

Nah I can't agree there. It's close definately as the UK one was just awesome but the US one had for me, that little bit more melodramatic 'atmosphere' to it and I don't know how this next bit works as they are of course virtually the same characters but I prefer Jim to Tim and Pam to Dawn so I cared that little bit more about them in the US one, but I can appreciate why for example you prefer the UK one. I'm also a big girl with these things and the more over the top nature of it :$


Since I finished the second season of the American show I've started watching the British one again for the first time in a few years. The American one is far easier to watch, again because it has far more laugh-out-loud moments and is less reliant on toe-curling, cringe-worthy scenes. I can happily watch half a dozen episodes of the American show back-to-back but struggle to watch more than two of the British shows.

A lot of the American characters come across too forced - too much like normal comedy characters rather than real people. And that reality is what made The Office what it was. Whilst I'd have no complaints about Jim & Pam, Dwight is too overblown and unrealistic even than Gareth, Kevin says fifty times more each week than Keith ever did without ever being as funny and many of the others seem like they're just there to play their own little predictable character part.

And whilst as an actor and as a person I far prefer the brilliant Steve Carell to the complete cunt that is Ricky Gervais, the character of David Brent is a comedy masterpiece.

That's really interesting, just have to say I disagree with most of it really, can't say much more. One thing I do agree with you on in there is that Dwight is too overblown, but his somewhat ridiculous erm, 'unrealism', is what makes me prefer him to Gareth I think. Not really sure why either, and I loved Gareth.

So you've not seen the third season? I'd highly recommend it and I'm only about 9 episodes in out of 24 I think it is according to my IDM. It's the same sort of stuff so far but, without spoiling it there's some fairly big changes regarding a few people but yeah it's still awkward moments and funny scenes all the way really. So far.

[Jimmy Zero]

I think Dwight is fairly consistent with the little world they've set up in The Office. Angela, Andy, Kelly and Michael are all fairly overblown and unrealistic characters.

[Beefy]

Michael is entitled to be overblown. It's his show. Brent was overblown too, but both characters carry their show.

[TapOut]

Probably worth a mention that "Golden Girls" and "Maude" star Bea Arthur passed away today. I loved her. My grandma loved the Golden Girls and I enjoyed it too. I got a proper laugh when she got crazy-tongued on the Pam Anderson roast.

RIP.

[Pete Cash]

The writing in the English office is superior and is thus for mine a better work, but the American office is funnier.

Gervais and Merchant are good writers for the medium that they write for. Both shows are vastly different though really, just share the same name and the same general idea.

[Version 6]

The UK episodes stand up so much better on repeat viewings than the US ones. There are little quirks that you don't notice the first time around that you pick up when re-watching the series through. Not so much with the US version.

Both outstanding shows though.

[Marlon Dingle]

I've been subscribed to Empire for about 2 years now and it's nearly always a very good read. They do have interviews with actors/directors/writers/whoever that I might not be a fan of but I can't expect to have my own way every issue, and the interviews are usually good regardless. For example they had an interview with Steve Martin I think recently and whilst I can't stand the man and find him about as funny as cancer I enjoyed the interview. I think that's a good thing certainly.

I'm not particularly arsed about this new Terminator film so the million page feature on it doesn't really interest me, but I'd imagine it's pornography for fans.

The feature 'Pink of Milk' is good fun and normally the first thing I skim to. Great read.

Anyone picked up this months issue yet. Its Empire's 20th Birthday Guest Edited by Steven Speilberg. I only got to flick through it last night, but what really caught my attention was the photograph article of iconic movie moments of the past 20 years, it really is quite special.

You can see some of the photos here: http://www.empireonline.com/20/birthday-portfolio/

[Alf]

Very funny interview with Kevin Smith about his involvement with a Superman movie...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgYhLIThTvk&eurl=http%3A%2F%2F

[Marlon Dingle]

Very funny interview with Kevin Smith about his involvement with a Superman movie...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgYhLIThTvk&eurl=http%3A%2F%2F

Is that the one where he meets the crazy producer who wants a huge spider in the film, then several years later he goes to watch Wild Wild West and finds out it was produced by the same guy?

Funny Stuff.

[Alf]

Yeah, well done on ruining the punch line of the whole clip.

Spoiler that fool.

[Guy]

It's an entire extract from "An Evening with Kevin Smith"

Which, if you're a Kevin Smith fan, is well worth checking out.

There's 3 of them, I've only seen the first two though.

[Marlon Dingle]

Check out the extra feature thats on the Second night with Kevin Smith. It has Jason Mewes trying to pick up girls in London, with lines like "Let me get up inside them guts", it's well funny.

[Cubed-Sphere]

I'm starting to get into "Big Bang Theory." Rather unique show, focusing on comic-nerd/tech-geek culture. Besides the material being something that interests me the cast has some really nice chemistry.

I haven't cared for any sitcom since the 90s that has a live audience or laugh track, but this one is more than tolerable. Frankly, it's the only live-action sitcom I watch these days. I never got into the other supposed "great" sitcoms on right now like "How I Met Your Mother."

[Alf]

How I Met Your Mother is dull as fuck.

Big Bang is pretty good.

Do you not watch The Office? It's really tremendous.

It's Always Sunny In Philidelphia is also aces. Very funny indeed.

You should check out Peep Show and The Inbetweeners for a bit of immense brit comedy. Peep Show is the bestest.

[Cubed-Sphere]

I've always stayed away from "The Office" just because of its popularity. I can't stand how much my co-workers and random people I meet talk about it. Same with "Scrubs." However, just because I don't go out of my way to watch it doesn't mean I haven't seen parts of "The Office" and enjoyed it. Frankly, it seems like a solid show and I love the Dwight and Michael characters, but I'm just not driven to watch it.

"It's Always Sunny..." is another show that I can technically say is well-written and a solid piece of comedy, but it's just not my cup-o-tea. Just never got into it unfortunately. Lastly, to re-address "Scrubs," almost every person I meet talks this show up but frankly I don't think anything past season 4 has been worth watching. I actually like the show better as a drama than a comedy.

I'll check out your two suggestions. I'm looking for some nice comedy from across the pond.

[Alf]

Check out the extra feature thats on the Second night with Kevin Smith. It has Jason Mewes trying to pick up girls in London, with lines like "Let me get up inside them guts", it's well funny.

Find me a link you slaggggg.

Cubed... Peep show is brilliant. If you don't love it I will bite yoru face off.

[Hulkamaniac]

I'm starting to quite enjoy Big Bang Theory from time to time actually. Its not especially funny, but is rather watchable.

[son_of_foley]

Cubed get on the IT crowd from over here as well. Seasons 2 and 3 are funny 1 was a bit hit and miss mainly miss. It's Nerd funny as well

[Alf]

Oh yeah. IT Crowd is aces too.

[Marlon Dingle]

Find me a link you slaggggg.

Cubed... Peep show is brilliant. If you don't love it I will bite yoru face off.

Sorry mate, I'm at work, youtube is a no go, but its is on there.

[Organasm]

Recently read the books and watched the movies for both Farhenheit 451 and The Ipcress File. Hate to repeat the old cliche but the book kicked the shit out of the film in both cases.

451: Some stuff is cut like Montag's attempt to cross the road, The Dog and the destruction of the city, but the story is pretty fine without them, it's the casting and shitty acting from the ladies that kills the film. Oskar Werner doesn't fit right though he does a fair job in the main role considering English isn't his first language. On the other hand Julie Christie had both main female roles and was just fucking terrible.

IF: The levels of humour from the novel aren't nearly as prominent and it just seems to focus on the last third of the novel, the Bourne-style globetrotting isn't here at all. Budget reasons presumably. Still, it's got Caine fighting some bald dude in front of the Royal Albert Hall and the imprisonment chapter towards the end was great, so it's not a total waste.

[Alf]

Series 5 of the wire is down to £15 on HMV and Amazon. Woop.

[Marlon Dingle]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8022623.stm

You going to try and see this one Mik?

[Alf]

I saw the trailer and it irritated me.

[Hulkamaniac]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8022623.stm

You going to try and see this one Mik?

Yup. Pretty sure that I posted it over in the Hobbit thread in the Movies Forum.


I saw the trailer and it irritated me.

It shouldnt irritate you, its just a fan made trailer shot on a shoe-string budget (about £3000) in Wales.

[Organasm]

Guillermo Del Toro co-wrote a book called The Strain, released in June.

'The first in a trilogy that soars with spellbinding intrigue.Truly, an unforgettable tale you can't put down once you read the first page. I can't wait until the next one.' Clive Cussler
'Blood and apocalypse mix in a terrifying story that feels like it was ripped from today's headlines. Vividly wrought and relentlessly paced, THE STRAIN haunts as much as it terrifies. I cannot wait to see where Del Toro and Hogan take us next.' James Rollins
'Del Toro and Hogan succeed in constructing a driving plot and delivering a gripping conclusion. Great characters ! and a flair for striking scenes get this trilogy off to a first-rate start. Kirkus Reviews

Product Description
High-concept thriller with a supernatural edge from world-famous director, whose films include Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy, soon to be working on The Hobbit. A plane lands at JFK and mysteriously 'goes dark', stopping in the middle of the runway for no apparent reason, all lights off, all doors sealed. The pilots cannot be raised. When the hatch above the wing finally clicks open, it soon becomes clear that everyone on board is dead -- although there is no sign of any trauma or struggle. Ephraim Goodweather and his team from the Center for Disease Control must work quickly to establish the cause of this strange ocurrence before panic spreads. The first thing they discover is that four of the victims are actually still alive. But that's the only good news. And when all two hundred corpses disappear from various morgues around the city on the same night, things very rapidly get worse. Soon Eph and a small band of helpers will find themselves battling to protect not only their own loved ones, but the whole city, against an ancient threat to humanity.

[Marlon Dingle]

Guillermo Del Toro co-wrote a book called The Strain, released in June.

'The first in a trilogy that soars with spellbinding intrigue.Truly, an unforgettable tale you can't put down once you read the first page. I can't wait until the next one.' Clive Cussler
'Blood and apocalypse mix in a terrifying story that feels like it was ripped from today's headlines. Vividly wrought and relentlessly paced, THE STRAIN haunts as much as it terrifies. I cannot wait to see where Del Toro and Hogan take us next.' James Rollins
'Del Toro and Hogan succeed in constructing a driving plot and delivering a gripping conclusion. Great characters ! and a flair for striking scenes get this trilogy off to a first-rate start. Kirkus Reviews

Product Description
High-concept thriller with a supernatural edge from world-famous director, whose films include Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy, soon to be working on The Hobbit. A plane lands at JFK and mysteriously 'goes dark', stopping in the middle of the runway for no apparent reason, all lights off, all doors sealed. The pilots cannot be raised. When the hatch above the wing finally clicks open, it soon becomes clear that everyone on board is dead -- although there is no sign of any trauma or struggle. Ephraim Goodweather and his team from the Center for Disease Control must work quickly to establish the cause of this strange ocurrence before panic spreads. The first thing they discover is that four of the victims are actually still alive. But that's the only good news. And when all two hundred corpses disappear from various morgues around the city on the same night, things very rapidly get worse. Soon Eph and a small band of helpers will find themselves battling to protect not only their own loved ones, but the whole city, against an ancient threat to humanity.


Just reading that description makes me want to go read it now.

[The_Mike]

Sounds like zombies.

[Alf]

I love zombies.

[Pete Cash]

speaking of authors JG Ballard died about 12 days ago. Empire Of The Sun was my best English essay during the HSC and I always loved his work.

He was a brilliant author.

[Guy]

I love zombies.

Everyone loves Zombies

[IB]

Everyone loves Zombies



Pretty much. :heart:

[I steal cable]

*changes avatar*

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

best concept ever?

I think so.

[IB]

Don't Forget These Gems:

Of Mice and Men and Zombies
3 Men, A Zombie and a Baby
Zack And Miri And A Zombie Make a Porno.

:lol:

[Guy]

*changes avatar*

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

best concept ever?

I think so.

There's been about 3 sorts of things like this since.

Also I believe someone's done "Pride and Predators"....

Yes Predators

[I steal cable]

have you read P+P+Z?

[Guy]

Nope, but I've read up about it though.

You?

[Marlon Dingle]

Nope, but I've read up about it though.

You?

Not the same thing though, is it?

[Marlon Dingle]

This weekend should be good. Star Trek on Saturday and Synecdoche, New York on Sunday. Thats alot of S's.

[Guy]

Not the same thing though, is it?

Never said it was ya woman.

Just saying that I now about it...don't know whether I could sit myself through Pride and Prejudice though...even if it did haev zombies spliced in it

[Marlon Dingle]

I'm looking to make a thread about Great Twists(if it already exists can someone show me where), but I am unsure about how to go about doing so. I need a way of structuring it because I want to discuss twists, but obviously dont want movies I haven't seen spoiled for me. I was thinking of maybe doing something along the lines of, you name the movie you are discussing then put what you have to say about that movie in spoiler tags, so if you have seen that movie you can just click the spoiler, for example:

The Usual Suspects
OMG Verbel Kint is Keyser Söze

Like I know theres the obvious movies that everyone knows e.g. The Sixth Sense, Fight Club, etc... but there will be new movies with great twists and I dont want to have that spoilt for me.

Anyone got any suggestions?

[Hulkamaniac]

Yeah...loads. That'd be the best way to do it, ie in Spoiler brackets. The only thing that concerns me a little is the fact that I sometimes dont even want to know that a film has a great twist, cos then when I watch the film I'm WAITING for the twist. I prefer the twist to just hit me when I'm watching the film.

[Version 6]

Never said it was ya woman.

Just saying that I now about it...don't know whether I could sit myself through Pride and Prejudice though...even if it did haev zombies spliced in it

Pride and Prejudice is excellent mate.

[Marlon Dingle]

Yeah...loads. That'd be the best way to do it, ie in Spoiler brackets. The only thing that concerns me a little is the fact that I sometimes dont even want to know that a film has a great twist, cos then when I watch the film I'm WAITING for the twist. I prefer the twist to just hit me when I'm watching the film.

Yeah I did also think of that. Hmmm I'll leave it just now, but might come back to it, if I can be arsed.

[Guy]

Pride and Prejudice is excellent mate.

I'm not saying it isn't.

I just don't think I'm the kind of person that'd appreciate it so much.

Though I guess I'd be reading it with zombies in, so who knows

[Guy]

Why is this new Night of the Museum just called "Night of the Museum 2" in the UK?

Is it assumed that we wouldn't understand what "Battle of the Smithsonian" meant?

[Marlon Dingle]

Why is this new Night of the Museum just called "Night of the Museum 2" in the UK?

Is it assumed that we wouldn't understand what "Battle of the Smithsonian" meant?

What does it mean?

[Guy]

The new one is set in the Smithsonian Museum....

[Organasm]

For the same reasons Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle was called H&K Get The Muchies in the UK, we haven't got it over here and it's not world famous so less than 0.1% of the population will know what it refers to. It'd be like calling it 'Battle of the V&A' in America.

[son_of_foley]

I heard White Castle fires only come in 1 size

[Hulkamaniac]

Why is this new Night of the Museum just called "Night of the Museum 2" in the UK?

Is it assumed that we wouldn't understand what "Battle of the Smithsonian" meant?

Considering that Edith Bowman had Ben Stiller on her show today and at the end of the show still didnt seem to know what the 'Smithsonian' was, or how to present it...then I'd say yes, that is a fair assumption.

[Guy]

That's terrible, I hate it when movies get their name changed when they come across the pond.

I mean it says IN THE TRAILER that they're in the Smithsonian Museum.

The worst name change in recent memory for me is "The Rundown" being called "Welcome to the Jungle" over here. As if the 'The Rundown' made any more or less sense in either country.

Harold and Kumar's change sort of made sense (as much sense as NATM2 is at the moment), but at the same time ALL of the trailers mentioned what White Castle was...and anyone that hadn't heard of it probably just thought it was a fictional restaurant.

Does this bug anyone else?

(Oh also I realise that it is Night AT the Museum, not Night OF the Museum as I previously put for some reason)

[son_of_foley]

It's really not that big a deal

[Guy]

Didn't say it was a big deal, just something that bugs me

[son_of_foley]

You said you hated it. It must be a pretty big deal if you hate it. I hate CJ from eggheads and to me its a big deal

[Guy]

I might hate it personally, but I realise it isn't a big deal.

I hate that ECW is still called ECW this many years down the line but I understand in the scheme of things it's not a big deal

[son_of_foley]

You hate a lot of things. I think you have issues

[Guy]

I rarely know what I like, but I always know what I dislike

[IB]

1. I want to see the new Land of the Lost.


2. I fucking hate Yes, Dear. Horrible show. Fuck Mike O Malley & his Aggro Crag :evilgrin:

http://i39.tinypic.com/2s83iok.jpg

[Fro]

Do do do do you have it

[IB]

Remember that scene in Step Brothers where the business partner admitted that he can't even look at Will Ferrell without wanting to hit him square in the nose? That is what I feel when I look at Mike O'Malley. He just has one of those faces that need demolishing....As you can clearly tell above.

[Fro]

Did you go on Guts and lose to the girl or something? Mike O'Malley is funny in Yes Dear, and it was a quality sitcom.

[BlackShadow215]

What did you see?

Anyone been catching these commercials on ABC? It's for a new show next season called "Flash Forward." It's most likely ABC's hope to capitalize on Lost's fanbase and to keep them tuned once Lost ends its run next year.

[IB]

Did you go on Guts and lose to the girl or something? Mike O'Malley is funny in Yes Dear, and it was a quality sitcom.



:no: I wish I could start a poll on this topic. You SHOULD no doubt lose. I usually agree with the Fro but here...no no no.

[Ace Rockola]

Has anyone seen Tyson yet? It's finally got a release here in my city and I can't wait to go Saturday after work. Supposed to be pretty crazy, which is what you should expect from an hour and a half on Iron Mike.

And while on the topic of Mike Tyson, this shit fucking kills me,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh-XrDNCrL0

[Morrison]

i really loved Tyson. shows a completely different side to the guy then what is usually portrayed in the media; a much more sympathetic, fragile figure.

[Ace Rockola]

i really loved Tyson. shows a completely different side to the guy then what is usually portrayed in the media; a much more sympathetic, fragile figure.

That's what I hear. Stern was interviewing the guy who's co-writting his book and when you really hear some of the shit he's been through you do feel bad for him.

But I also here it still has it's moments where you can't help but still look at the man as an animal. Should really be facsinating.

[Rali]

Little help ~ what's that website where I can catalog my DVD collection?

Cheers xox

[Guy]

www.dvdaf.com

[Zen]

That's what I hear. Stern was interviewing the guy who's co-writting his book and when you really hear some of the shit he's been through you do feel bad for him.

But I also here it still has it's moments where you can't help but still look at the man as an animal. Should really be facsinating.

Dont insult animals that way, man.

[Morrison]

That's what I hear. Stern was interviewing the guy who's co-writting his book and when you really hear some of the shit he's been through you do feel bad for him.

But I also here it still has it's moments where you can't help but still look at the man as an animal. Should really be facsinating.

i don't know if it's available to sirius subscribers, but ron bennington of the ron & fez show has an interview program(which is always a great listen), and he interviewed james toback, the director of tyson and a personal friend of the guy. gave some nice incite into the film and the man himself, so if you can, check it out.

[Ace Rockola]

I've yet to do the best of XM upgrade, but I'm meaning too. Especially since I got the portable radio I can put in my pocket and record stuff.

Saw Tyson after work on Saturday night. Excellent movie. Works if you're a boxing fan, and more importantly, works if you like to study a person. Just the way he moves his eyes when talking about some thing. You can see real pain and emotion. And when he's crying, if you can call it that (he did), it's really odd. I could have watched him talk for another hour at least.

[Marlon Dingle]

http://www.empireonline.com/images/news/temp/christmas-carol-jim-carrey.jpg

Jim Carrey as Scrooge in Robert Zemick's 'A Christmas Carol.' Even just from that it looks like the graphics are going to be really good, which in turn gives me hope for James Cameron's 'Avatar'.

[TapOut]

Just finished season 7 of The Shield... what a great show. I'll spoiler the finale details in case some of you do yourself the favor of checking the series out:

Almost everything wrapped up nicely, and certainly everything with Vic and the team and Claudette/Dutch and some other stuff was tied up.

Seeing Shane during the last season... his hair a mess and snorting coke.. pretty heartwrenching. The scene where Claudette walks in and they get a shot of his wife and kid... wow. Definitely ranks up there for most shocking and touching television scenes.

Its pretty strange how invested you are in the characters and how you both want them to evade their impending arrests, but also want them to get exposed for all they're worth for their misdeeds. I can't think of any show I've seen where the protagonists of the show are the antagonists... and it gets pulled off so well.

My only complaints are that Claudette's condition seemed somewhat unnecessary and I felt somewhat indifferent to it, and Julien's sexuality issues were somewhat dropped, with only a quick scene at the end thrown in so that it didn't seem totally ignored. Being so prevalent earlier in the show, that saga needed a proper tie-up. In fact, Danny seemed to drop off from importance toward the end too, though I don't know what really was left to tell with her.

But overall, probably one of the top five shows I've seen.

[Organasm]

It's about halfway through the Cannes film fest, this guy's got a pretty good blog, he's a bit tight with his ratings mind: http://www.avclub.com/features/cannes-film-festival/?utm_source=article

In short the highlights of the fest so far are:
UP (Better than Cars...)
A Prophet
Mother from the director/writer of The Host and Memories Of Murder, which is a pleasant surprise since I thought he got completely sidetracked by that Tokyo! film I've no interest in seeing.
Antichrist with the most glowing negative reviews I've ever seen. Sounds like a divisive one.
Everyone Else

Thirst, Bright Star and Vengeance weren't badly reviewed either, but not exactly shining.

There's another blog on empire somewhere that's a lot more positive/less interesting but I couldn't find a link.

[Beefy]

I watched The Office Christmas Special last night for the first time in a couple of years. Has there ever been a better ending to a sit-com (OFAH's ORIGINAL ending is the only one I can think of that can compete)? Has there ever been a better ending to a TV show?

[Ace Rockola]

http://www.empireonline.com/images/news/temp/christmas-carol-jim-carrey.jpg

Jim Carrey as Scrooge in Robert Zemick's 'A Christmas Carol.' Even just from that it looks like the graphics are going to be really good, which in turn gives me hope for James Cameron's 'Avatar'.

Give me Michael Caine and the Muppetts dammit!

[Organasm]

Given the talk of Z-movies in the review thread I though this warranted a mention.
"$70 Zombie Movie Becoming the Talk of Cannes Film Festival"

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1776388/70_zombie_movie_becoming_the_talk_of.html?cat=2

In Context:
That's the only site I've seen mention it so far.
I find it hard to believe someone spent 18 months working on a fim and only spent "$70"
London Tonight didn't mention it, but spent 2 minutes talking to some British bird who made a short film. Plus they mentioned HUNGER last year. LT has it's ear to the ground.
"Colin"?

[Vice]

I love zombie movies and my name is Colin. How awesome.

[Zen]

Give me Michael Caine and the Muppetts dammit!

Give me Alistair Sim in the original classic.

[mth]

Give me Michael Caine and the Muppetts dammit!

:yes:

I am so sick of CG everything...

[Guy]

:yes:

I am so sick of CG everything...

I don't mind CG everything if the entire film is CG, such as this one will be (though it probably won't hold a candle to Caine/Muppets).

It's CG unnecessarily rammed into live-action films that I don't enjoy so much. eg. Crystal Skull

[Guy]

I just got through with Crank: High Voltage....BWAHAHAHAHA brilliant. I don't think it's as good as the first (which admittedly had the "What the fuck was that!?" factor) but definitely enjoyable as long as you liked the first.

A head in a jar? Really? ahahahaha. Honestly thought the ending was a bit weak though, as it was so sudden (him walking around on fire was pretty cool, but skipping from there to the credits/surgery seemed a bit weak)

Also who bailed out Eve?

[Organasm]

Cannes awards:
http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/awardCompetition.html

Boo-urns

[Cubed-Sphere]

The list didn't include the award for best scene, which happened to be this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyophYBP_w4&feature=related

[Beer-Belly]

Why is it so fucking hard to illegally download a good copy of Adventureland?

[Organasm]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyophYBP_w4&feature=related
Raise you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9KyBdPeKHg

[Guy]

I'm halfway through a mass Jackie Chan Marathon (Jackie Chanathon) and I'm honestly shocked this man can still walk.

I saw "New" Police Story in the shop the other day, and realised I hadn't seen the originals. So I got ahold of all 4 (Police Story 1, 2 Supercop and First Strike) and they were all fantastic in their own ways, I then got around to New Police Story and towards the end of the film it's as if I'm watching the same physical performer from the first Police Story. This led me onto Project A (still have to see part II) and Rumble in the Bronx (which I haven't seen since I was a kid) and I also decided to give Forbidden Kingdom and a few of his lesser Hollywood works a go.

This leads me to ask what you guys think of Jackie (as he's been somewhat watered down over the years, to almost a joke) and if you have any favourite moments of his, be it martial arts, stunts or just moments in general.

I'd have to say that the ridiculously lengthy rooftop fight and jump from Who Am I has always stood out to me for some reason or other

[Keano's Magic Hat]

I love Jackie Chan's story of how they thought he was wanking on a plane.

[Jimmy Zero]

Jackie Chan is great. I don't know how any one could not like that guy.

[mth]

Jackie Chan is fantastic. I've seen a good handful of his movies and enjoyed just about all of them. Respect that he does his own stunts, and he seems like a classy guy in general from interviews and talk show appearances.

[Guy]

Actually, thinking about it I got his autobiography for Xmas about 3 years ago and never read it.

I might break that one out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjkSC4SQORw

This isn't even his best fight, but I think it was the first one that I ever really saw and so is one of my favourites

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0JYNznbL0Q
From Police Story 4 (Jackie Chan's First Strike), fucking LADDER FFS

[Jimmy Zero]

He was featured pretty heavily in the thing that just aired on History Channel recently called How Bruce Lee Changed the World. He made a pretty cool comment about how, after Bruce's death every one in Asian cinema was trying to market these kung fu movie guys as the next Bruce Lee. Jackie Chan purposefully cultivated this goofy slapstick kind of persona as a way to specifically distance himself from Bruce Lee.

He went more in depth about it, but I thought that was really interesting. Smart, too.

[Morrison]

He was featured pretty heavily in the thing that just aired on History Channel recently called How Bruce Lee Changed the World. He made a pretty cool comment about how, after Bruce's death every one in Asian cinema was trying to market these kung fu movie guys as the next Bruce Lee. Jackie Chan purposefully cultivated this goofy slapstick kind of persona as a way to specifically distance himself from Bruce Lee.

He went more in depth about it, but I thought that was really interesting. Smart, too.

yeah, his is a wonderful take on the kung fu action hero. i went through a huge phase when i was younger where i rented every jackie chan film they had at blockbuster. love his stunts and ridiculous choreography.

[Jimmy Zero]

I love the fights in those Drunken Fist or Drunken Master (whatever they're called, went through my Kung Fu Movie phase years ago and haven't watched one in about 7 years). Those are hilarious. I have a ton of respect for Chan. That guy is seriously dedicated to what he does and despite being a massive massive star (east and west), he seems like the nicest man.

[Guy]

I love the fights in those Drunken Fist or Drunken Master (whatever they're called, went through my Kung Fu Movie phase years ago and haven't watched one in about 7 years). Those are hilarious. I have a ton of respect for Chan. That guy is seriously dedicated to what he does and despite being a massive massive star (east and west), he seems like the nicest man.

The drunken master films are next on my Chan hitlist.

The guy does come off as a massively likeable person I must say. I do find it a shame that he tends to pick films that get a bit shat on in the west however.

I'm not arguing that he hasn't found success though.

[Jimmy Zero]

The drunken master films are next on my Chan hitlist.

The guy does come off as a massively likeable person I must say. I do find it a shame that he tends to pick films that get a bit shat on in the west however.

I'm not arguing that he hasn't found success though.

Well, I'd say that the image he's developed isn't really one that Westerners, particularly Americans, are going to go for. He's not really the anti-hero, you know? He's a fish out of water comedy character doing martial arts movies.

What's his most successful western film? Probably one of the Rush Hours, right? Chris Tucker plays the typical American style action hero. Cocky, loud mouth, anti-authoritarian. We've always held up those types on a pedestal here.

[Guy]

Well it's not so much the character he plays not being one that people go for. I just mean the overall content, direction, writing, action of the western films he's been in haven't really been on par with his Hong Kong work.

But then again maybe it has but people tend to prefer his HK stuff because they're purists like that and CGI/wirework was minimal then.

[Cubed-Sphere]

Raise you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9KyBdPeKHg

Dude! I was hoping someone would post that in response to my video. I'd say they're about even. Another one that fits the bill is "Garbage Day!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7gIpuIVE3k

Oh, and this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgM4Db6F60o

Alright, I'm done. That's enough funny.

[IB]

What an awesome holiday weekend of TV!!!

Sci Fi Channel had a running marathon of Land of the FUCKIN' Lost - Nostalgia trip and great to watch when drinking during the afternoon.

Discovery Channel had a running marathon of Deadliest Catch - Which is close to being my favorite show...Def. my favorite of the reality based shows.

TLC gave us a marathon of Jon & Kate leading up to the season 5 debut last night.....I can't watch this show alot but it is interesting at the moment with them being in the media's eye...The premier last night was pretty sad seeing a family deteriorating ON FILM.


All in all a couch potatoes dream of a weekend.

[son_of_foley]

Can any of the london lads recomend a good show? I'm over in July with the missus to see Blur at Hyde Park and will probably go see a show.

I'm going to cabaret :( tonight but the lead is a bit tasty so it might be ok

[son_of_foley]

for reference the only 'musical' I've ever enjoyed was Lion King.

I haven't been to many though but Lady Saigon was rubbish and some idiot recomended the Lord of the Rings show to me. I might speak to them again in a few years.

[Alf]

Lady Saigon?

AHAHAHAHAA

[TapOut]

Are there any new series or GOOD shows in the Lost/Shield/Breaking Bad/etc. type level of goodness that I can watch this summer? Literally every show I watch ended in a two week span, I can't believe shows aren't staggered throughout the year.

Advice, suggestions please.

[Tyson]

Currently hooked on Entourage myself. Started season 3 recently. :heart: E.

The Sopranos? Or is that not new enough?

Rescue Me?

[son_of_foley]

Lady Saigon?

AHAHAHAHAA

Don't be mean. It wasn't my choice it was terrible.

This was alright last night.

I'm worried she's going to drag me to oliver or something over in LONDAN TAWN

[son_of_foley]

Also Tyson is on the money. Entourage all the way. Most fun tv show out at the moment. Breezed through the first 5 seasons in about 2 months. So much fun.

[EdgeHead469]

The Wire.

That show that aired it's preview during LOST is also coming on soon... I forget the name but everyone blacks out for 2 minutes...

[Alf]

Flash Forward or something.

[EdgeHead469]

Flash Forward or something.

:yes:

Thank you sir. I am looking forward to that. Seems like a LOST fan would be interested in that show.

[Alf]

There's even a thread on the show in this here forum.

[Marlon Dingle]

There's even a thread on the show in this here forum.

Yeah started by some clueless loser. :\

[Dodgy Browne]

My ramble isn't a ramble, but more of a sigh.

First I read this:
http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/14259/rinsch-helming-an-alien-reboot-/


Then see this trailer:
http://screenrant.com/exclusive-final-pandorum-trailer-contest-vic-10322/


Are there any original ideas left?

(And yes, offcourse there are enough original ideas, it's just that hunt for the quick buck instead of making true art really frustrates me.




Oohyeah....*sigh*

[Guy]

There are original ideas left, just sometimes you have to look past the big machine to find them.

[Dodgy Browne]

Yeah I know.
Any tips?

[Guy]

I'll be fucked if I know, I'm a sucker for money making sequels (not so much remakes) and blockbusters.

Any independent or foreign film I stumble upon and enjoy is usually from reading critical consensus.

[Version 6]

Yeah I know.
Any tips?

Become a member of your nearest independent or art cinema.

It's great. You'll get special offers and e-mails about upcomming movies.

[Guy]

And watch Bubba Ho-Tep....

If a story about an old aged Elvis Presley living in a retirement home, fighting a mummy with an old black man in a wheelchair that thinks he's JFK isn't original...well I don't know what is

[Jimmy Zero]

Bubba Ho-Tep is fantastic.

[Guy]

I'm not looking forward to Bubba Nosfertu half as much though, but that's my personal Bruce Campbell bias.

It will be odd seeing Ron Pearlman fill in the shoes of Elvis. I just hope he doesn't play him as 'Ron Perlman' like he does in so many of his films.

Though saying that, I'd love to see a series of Elvis vs... and each one having a different actor take on the guise of Elvis

[Jimmy Zero]

You just took a huge diarrhea shit on my parade. I had no clue Bruce wasn't in it. Wow, I'm not looking forward to it much now at all. Ron Pearlman is cool and all, but he's not Bruce, and he sure as hell won't match Bruce's Elvis.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Bubba Ho-Tep is one of the best films I have ever seen. Everything about it is perfect.

[Dodgy Browne]

Yeah I've seen Bubba Ho Tep. I meant more in the way of new cool releases in the independent or foreign circuit.

How about Japanese cinema (that's not anime or Akira Kurosawa)?

[Guy]

Just to skew off topic a second.

When I first heard about the idea of a Die Hard film prequel, I thought it was a terrible idea (part of me still does).

But very soon, in comic book form, we're getting:

http://www.boom-studios.net/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/290x449/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/f/i/file_15_58.jpghttp://www.boom-studios.net/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/290x449/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/f/i/file_15_59.jpghttp://www.boom-studios.net/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/290x449/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/f/i/file_15_60.jpg


BOOM! Studios is proud to present America's greatest action hero translated into the sequential art form for the first time! Every great action hero got started somewhere: Batman Began. Bond had his Casino Royale. And for John McClane, more than a decade before the first DIE HARD movie, he's just another rookie cop, an East Coast guy working on earning his badge in New York City during 1976's Bicentennial celebration. Too bad for John McClane, nothing's ever that easy. Join legendary industry creator Howard Chaykin on a thrill ride that's rung up over $1 billion in box office worldwide and become the gold standard for classic action! Yippee Ki Yay!

I'll be honest, I'm really quite intrigued.

[Marlon Dingle]

Year One is just a blatant rip from Batman, surely they could of come up with a better title.

[Guy]

Well of course it's a rip off.

I think the joke is that Batman got rebooted with Batman Begins, so they're prequelling Die Hard with 'Year One' (plus it's McLane's first year in the police, much like Bat's first year as the Batman)

Still I'dve loved for it to have been yet another ridiculously awesome title that somewhere incorporated "Die Hard"

[BlackShadow215]

Oh wow, I really hope they don't go through with a Die Had prequel of any kind. I guess a comic book is fine. But I imagine some studio exec somewhere will think it'd be a great idea to do a Die Hard TV show about the early years of John McClane, which will no doubt bomb especially with some tween actor trying his best Bruce Willis impression.

[son_of_foley]

Jason Statham

[Guy]

Or they could just do with Willis what they've done with him in The Surrogates:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo-DqihTJ3c

And no I don't mean just give him a shit haircut....though it IS the 70's

[son_of_foley]

No shut up. I am right. He's the best choice.

I'VE GOT A HEADACHE.

[IB]

According to MSNBC, The Oscars have changed the "Best Picture" category from 5 selections all the way up to 10.

Good for the business but with the votes possibly being more spread across the board, is this going to hurt some dark horse picks?

[VanillaJello]

Bubba Ho-Tep is one of the best films I have ever seen. Everything about it is perfect.

I've wanted to see that for a long while... is it more of a comedy or a horror typer movie?

And outside of Bruce Campbell who's good in that movie?

[Canuck]

Pics from Burtons Alice in Wonderland. Looks like typical Tim stuff.

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=56475

[IB]

looks awesome

[Hobbit]

Bubba Ho-Tep is one of the best films I have ever seen. Everything about it is perfect.

I tried to watch that one Christmas and had such a pounding headache that my eyes were aching whilst watching it. I turned it off about half an hour in and haven't tried again since. It seemed ok but sans-headache I'd probably enjoy it more.

It's the film with the Elvis who is black? With some ancient Mummy thing stalking an old folk's home? It was well weird innit.

[Hulkamaniac]

According to MSNBC, The Oscars have changed the "Best Picture" category from 5 selections all the way up to 10.

Good for the business but with the votes possibly being more spread across the board, is this going to hurt some dark horse picks?


That is absolutely MASSIVE news. Changing up one or two would've been huge enough. This could completely dilute the field, or allow them to be much more fan friendly and unpredictable. Its fucking hard to tell. I hadnt even heard this mooted around.

[Jimmy Zero]

It's the film with the Elvis who is black? With some ancient Mummy thing stalking an old folk's home? It was well weird innit.

Elvis is Bruce Campbell. The black guy (Ossie Davis) is JFK, or at least thinks he is.

[Jimmy Zero]

That is absolutely MASSIVE news. Changing up one or two would've been huge enough. This could completely dilute the field, or allow them to be much more fan friendly and unpredictable. Its fucking hard to tell. I hadnt even heard this mooted around.

They just want to make sure that every movie made about WW2 or Nazis in a given year gets a nomination.

10 bucks says Inglorious Basterds gets noms solely because it's about WW2.

[Guy]

I've wanted to see that for a long while... is it more of a comedy or a horror typer movie?

And outside of Bruce Campbell who's good in that movie?

I'm a Bruce Campbell fanboy (<- obviously) but Bubba Ho-Tep is defiantly a movie to check out, even for non Bruce fans.

Everyone plays there parts quite well just so you know, but most parts are quite fleeting as the two leads really drive the entire picture.

And as for horror or comedy. Well it's both AND neither. The comedy is more in the premise (an old cantankerous Elvis in a retirement home, teaming up with an old black JFK to fight a mummy) more than it is in its execution.

It's actually quite a darling little tale about getting old and redemption

[Jimmy Zero]

It's actually quite a darling little tale about getting old and redemption

It really is, and it's a shame this movie doesn't get more recognition for that. I know lots of people (most of them morons) who dismiss Bubba Ho-Tep because "it looks stupid," or "I don't like Elvis, so I won't like it":wtf:.

It's probably one of the best movies I can think of about finding purpose in one's twilight years. It just so happens to be told through a "b(ruce) movie" type of narrative/style.

Not only that, but I'd say Bruce is the best onscreen Elvis impersonation ever.

[Guy]

Well he's being replaced by Ron Perlman for the pre/sequel, so I guess we'll see what he brings to the table

[Jimmy Zero]

Nothing, unless it's Elvis chomping a stogie and shooting people with a machine gun.

[Guy]

Whilst I tend to agree that Ron Perlman tends to play Ron Perlmen in a lot of his movies, it's safe to say that Bruce also does the same. So it'll be interesting to see where it goes, especially with Paul Giamatti on board.

[Jimmy Zero]

Wait, Giamatti's in it?

Who does he play? Malcolm X?

[Guy]

He's playing Col. Tom Parker

http://www.dirk-welz.info/ElvisColonelIndex.jpg
(the guy that's not Elvis)

They'll be fighting female vampires. If it ever gets made of course

[Ace Rockola]

I think Blood will agree with me that at this upcoming Oscars Stallone will be now beating 9 other films for his second best picture award. :yes:

[Ochoa]

According to MSNBC, The Oscars have changed the "Best Picture" category from 5 selections all the way up to 10.


Good for the business but with the votes possibly being more spread across the board, is this going to hurt some dark horse picks?


Wow. 10? Are they going to keep the other categories at 5 or less? As long as Public Enemies gets nominated, it's all good. I haven't seen it, but I know I'll like it.

[Ochoa]

BTW, Alice in Wonderland creeps me out. It always has. Even though I like Depp, I can't watch that or the Willy Wonka movie.

[Jimmy Zero]

Looks like your typically boring Tim Burton offering with bright colors for the slack jawed assholes that like Tim Burton movies. Remember when he made good movies? It's been quite awhile.

[Adamy]

Looks like your typically boring Tim Burton offering with bright colors for the slack jawed assholes that like Tim Burton movies. Remember when he made good movies? It's been quite awhile.

Big Fish is a good movie, and that was only from a few years ago.

Based on those pictures, he's at least doing a good job of capturing the look and feel of Carroll's original illustrations.

[Jimmy Zero]

Actually, Big Fish was a boring piece of shit. Well, actually it was pretty to look at, so maybe piece of shit is very slightly too harsh, but it's boring as a mother fucker.