1582 replies to this topic

[Xteven Xavier]

Brendan Frazier, Ah, the memories, Remember when we discovered that Tom Hanks was playing Brandon Frazier who was playing all those movie roles.

[lazlo falconi]

#teachthecontroversy

[Phalanxman]

[lazlo falconi]

Watched the first three episodes of Lost. Seems really good so far, can't wait to get into it. But wasn't the ending a huge let down for everyone?

[SpazCat]

Watched the first three episodes of Lost. Seems really good so far, can't wait to get into it. But wasn't the ending a huge let down for everyone?

 

 

At first it was. It took a little bit for it to sink in. It's like getting a compliment you don't agree with, but later you accept it and move on. It's weird. Overall awesome show.

 

 

Earlier I watched and episode of Kitchen Nightmares with VP. I have to say that I will think twice before eating out...

[Stars]

The first two seasons of Lost were my favorites. The rest of it is still mostly worthwhile though.

That aside, just rewatched Cowboys and Aliens. Not quite as ridiculous as Pacific Rim.

[Phalanxman]

Just watched this movie. OHHHHHH YEAAAAHHHHH!!!!!! GOJIRAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kaiju may or may not be my guilty pleasure. ;P

[Phalanxman]

Oh Baragon. :D This is ultra weird to hear a Nazi scientist speak ultra-Japanesy Japanese even though it's dubbed. I have to applaud Toho on this. Excellent job in casting the German scientist. Ahhh ultra low-budget films are my favorite. :)

 

I wish I could find a picture of him in the kimono watching TV, but the internet has failed me on this one.

[Vicious Parker]

Watched Atlas Shrugged: Part 2: The Strike.

 

I'm probably the only one here who cares but............. BLAAAAAAAH did it suck. Thanks to hilarity, or something, they changed every single member of the cast from the first movie. The actors in the first weren't exactly A level actors, but at least they fit the part, especially Taylor Schilling as Dagny Taggart. Samantha Mathis (Dagny in part 2) just looks sad and depressed all the time, which doesn't even remotely fit the character. Jason Beghe, the new Hank Rearden, has the voice of a super villian, which is odd considering Reardon is probably intended to garner more empathy than any other character in the novel...

 

I also couldn't help but feel like in one scene they were implying that Hank Rearden was praying... Which doesn't bother me because "OMG RELIGION!" but it bothers me because it would completely contradict Rand's philosophy.

 

If the principal actors weren't terrible, this would have been better than the first movie. But that isn't saying much. And yes, I knew it was going to suck before watching...

[Donkeymog]

Are you a fan of Ayn Rand? Doesn't seem like your style somehow.

 

How was reading Atlas Shrugged? And how is part one of the film?

[Vicious Parker]

Are you a fan of Ayn Rand? Doesn't seem like your style somehow.

 

How was reading Atlas Shrugged? And how is part one of the film?

I am a fan of her philosophy on a personal level. But only on a personal level. If more CEOs or business men had the integrity of the super-people in Atlas Shrugged*, I would support a free market faster than you can say "deregulation." Time has too often shown that they don't, and likely won't any time soon. I guess, in that regard, I enjoy her work as fiction, and only as fiction. I've read her three novels, Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead, and Anthem, but I've never read her non-fiction. That's enough for me. The thing about her philosophy, at least as I interpreted it through those novels, is that it's not just about everybody-for-themselves selfishness and profiteering. It's about unwavering integrity, and pursuing self-interest as the ultimate good (as opposed to pursuing the interest of others, unless done by choice). When you grow up in a world where you're constantly being told what to do or what's right and wrong, Objectivism can seem to be a very welcoming point of view.

 

I really like the book. It's one of the few books, and probably the only long book (1000+ pages), that I've read more than once. The film...? I... I don't know. It's pretty terrible. In fact, I think it completely goes against Rand's philosophy. As I understand it, the current rights holder was months away from losing the rights to the film, and rather than gracefully bow out because he couldn't do it well (which would have been the "right" thing to do, according to Rand), he had the film made using the lowest bidders in every area. It cuts critical scenes from the book, changes characters in ways that contradict how they were in the book, and focuses far too much on just the politics. All of the politics featured in the movie are pulled straight from the book, but the personal effects and connections are sorely lacking (the second movie comes close, but still doesn't quite make it). With the lack of character building from the books, the movies just come off as being anti-government, rather than pro-man. It's really rather embarrassing to watch.

 

 

*Kind of a major spoiler, but eh

Spoiler

In the novel, all of the "movers and shakers" have essentially removed themselves from society, in the attempt to prove that society needs people like them. In recent years, I've been hearing rich people refer to themselves as "movers and shakers" or "producers" or "job makers" and even a few be so bold as to say, "I am John Galt," in vain attempts to say that the world needs them to thrive. This kills me. Every time somebody says they are John Galt, I just want to tell them to prove it, and do what Galt did: remove yourself from the world.

[Phalanxman]

This movie is really weird after watching Destroy All Monsters...

[Xteven Xavier]

just watch stranger than fiction again. Good movie

[Stars]

The Goonies for the first time in many years.

[Stars]

Went to see RED 2 this afternoon. It wasn't quite as good as the first one, but I still enjoyed it.

[Donkeymog]

I am a fan of her philosophy on a personal level. But only on a personal level. If more CEOs or business men had the integrity of the super-people in Atlas Shrugged*, I would support a free market faster than you can say "deregulation." Time has too often shown that they don't, and likely won't any time soon. I guess, in that regard, I enjoy her work as fiction, and only as fiction. I've read her three novels, Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead, and Anthem, but I've never read her non-fiction. That's enough for me. The thing about her philosophy, at least as I interpreted it through those novels, is that it's not just about everybody-for-themselves selfishness and profiteering. It's about unwavering integrity, and pursuing self-interest as the ultimate good (as opposed to pursuing the interest of others, unless done by choice). When you grow up in a world where you're constantly being told what to do or what's right and wrong, Objectivism can seem to be a very welcoming point of view.

 

I really like the book. It's one of the few books, and probably the only long book (1000+ pages), that I've read more than once. The film...? I... I don't know. It's pretty terrible. In fact, I think it completely goes against Rand's philosophy. As I understand it, the current rights holder was months away from losing the rights to the film, and rather than gracefully bow out because he couldn't do it well (which would have been the "right" thing to do, according to Rand), he had the film made using the lowest bidders in every area. It cuts critical scenes from the book, changes characters in ways that contradict how they were in the book, and focuses far too much on just the politics. All of the politics featured in the movie are pulled straight from the book, but the personal effects and connections are sorely lacking (the second movie comes close, but still doesn't quite make it). With the lack of character building from the books, the movies just come off as being anti-government, rather than pro-man. It's really rather embarrassing to watch.

 

 

*Kind of a major spoiler, but eh

Spoiler

In the novel, all of the "movers and shakers" have essentially removed themselves from society, in the attempt to prove that society needs people like them. In recent years, I've been hearing rich people refer to themselves as "movers and shakers" or "producers" or "job makers" and even a few be so bold as to say, "I am John Galt," in vain attempts to say that the world needs them to thrive. This kills me. Every time somebody says they are John Galt, I just want to tell them to prove it, and do what Galt did: remove yourself from the world.

 

I studied Ayn Rand a bit at school, The Virtues of Selfishness was on my reading list, and I read about her life but I've never read her fiction. I remember finding her a powerful essayist but disagreeing with her on certain things. She seemed to have a very definite vision of the human condition that I couldn't relate to entirely. I might have to give The Fountainhead or Atlas Shrugged a read at some point. Which would you recommend?

 

Also here is a fantastic documentary about the political impact of Ayn Rand's ideas in modern politics. The film-maker is perhaps a little bit harsh on her, but it has a fantastic interview with Nathan Branden and his wife who were both instrumental in the early formation of Objectivism. It's also a very good watch, I can't recommend it enough.

 

Adam Curtis - All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace 1/3 - Love and Power Subs Español Spanish from avefenix1954 on Vimeo.

[Donkeymog]

Also, I have been watching the original BBC version of House of Cards. It is so quintessentially British about everything. There is some very corny acting, but I actually find the main character is really well played. Definitely a different flavour to the US version but just as perverse, cynical and engaging.

[kspr]

did you guys know Joseph is John Redcorn's son?

[Monkeydog]

did you guys know Joseph is John Redcorn's son?

Now that you mention it I think I'm seeing the resemblance.

 

Does this mean Bobby is BIll's child?

[Vicious Parker]

Dr. Horrible, which I think might be the most infinitely rewatchable production in history.

Also, part of the Stargate movie, for no raison.