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(11 replies, posted in Off Topic)

^^ That's the funniest fucking thing I've seen in days

Also, say what you will about that Invisible Children charity or whatever but that was one damned well-produced short documentary (however misleading, overly simplified or in support of a questionable charity it may be - I reflexively trust Will Wheaton on all such matters). Getting that many people - enough for a video to go "viral" - to sit down and watch a THIRTY MINUTE long DOCUMENTARY on AFRICA is an insane accomplishment of making topics that most people would rather do just about anything than dedicate their free time to feel compelling.

I, for one, barely clicked on the video not expecting it to be more than 2 minutes long, saw that it was 30, thought "oh hell no, but I'll just watch the first couple minutes to see what it's about", and the next thing I knew the video was almost over. Thirty minutes in internet video time is like a 3 1/5 hour movie, it's like a 17-year-old dog, an 8-foot-tall person - it's more than anyone ever expects to put up with. You've got to be damned good to get that many people to watch something that uncomfortable for that long.

Hell, I almost want to do a commentary on the Kony 2012 doc just to pick it apart on a filmmaking level piece by piece (though I'm sure making a little kid cry was enough to draw in 99% of people and I'm just overblowing the whole issue).

27

(304 replies, posted in Episodes)

Sort of related to the Why-don't-the-Eagles-just-fly-the-ring-to-Mordor issue: Do Frodo and Sam earn their ending?

I haven't read the books, but it seems like the Eagles-ex-Machina are a bit of a copout designed to provide a happy ending despite the hopeless situation they've gotten cornered in. Why not just let Frodo and Sam die on the Mt Doom (it would be a downer ending, but the ending we do have is still a bit of a downer with Frodo's metaphorical death and all)?

They've saved the world from pure evil, that's a cause surely worth dying for.

28

(25 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Wow, I need to go see more movies in theaters. I nearly voted for Harry Potter and Tree of Life for everything, but that's not really fair as they're pretty much all I've seen. Has anyone on the forums seen enough of these to make really informed decisions?

I fully support calling them The Big DiF - or DiFfy's for short (Is that a DiFfy in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?)

30

(33 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Definitely buying this, if only for the assuredly weird experience of hearing DiF on a real DVD.

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(37 replies, posted in Episodes)

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(102 replies, posted in Off Topic)

33

(198 replies, posted in Episodes)

After "The Classics" episode I'd really like to hear an episode of everybody reporting back after seeing the one classic they mentioned they hadn't gotten around to in the previous episode.

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(32 replies, posted in Episodes)

@johnpavlich

I've got to agree on Way of the Gun (and Meaning of Life, for that matter). Very tense movie with some of the best gun fights this side of Heat, though it does suffer from a little 90s faux-Tarantino dialogue throughout (Way of the Gun - not Meaning of Life, that is).

I have rather a unique reason why I can't currently appreciate The Godfather. A friend of mine convinced me the only way to watch The Godfather was smoking cigars and drinking whiskey - half a bottle of bourbon later I can remember just enough of the movie that rewatching it wouldn't produce the impact of a first-time viewing, but not enough to honestly say I've seen it. I figure I've got to wait a few years and give it another go.

Regarding Blade Runner: I hated the theatrical version, hated the Final Cut, but loved the Workprint Cut. So go figure. If you watched one of the other versions and disliked it I'd recommend giving the Workprint a shot.

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(12 replies, posted in Off Topic)

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(36 replies, posted in Off Topic)

37

(142 replies, posted in Off Topic)

I'll take 41-44 and The Fountain. I seem to remember a fair amount of technical discussion you guys might want on a lot of those.