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(30 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Very interesting discussion. My thoughts are similar to Eddie's, except I've read quite a few Thor comics and am a huge fan of the characters (Conan, Thor and Punisher are the only ongoing comics I get these days). That doesn't make me an authority, I'm just pointing out that I had a lot of expectations going in.

I enjoyed the movie alot, but when it ends there's definitely a sense of 'wait, is that it?' It feels truncated, like we're watching an action-focused cut rather than a complete story. It feels like we go from arrogant Thor to making breakfast Thor too quickly.

What the film needs is for Thor to want to change himself to make Jane want him. As it stands, his arrogant and cocky nature are almost attractive to Jane, so he doesn't have to change to get the girl. Thor never has that 'this woman I like doesn't like me, why?' moment of self-reflection. He never truly realises that he's arrogant. His transformation is only that he becomes self-less. That to me is only half the arc. Thor isn't worthy to be king because of a number of character flaws, but the story doesn't tackle them all.   

What the film also needs is to get rid of the pseudo-LOTR opening and the presentation of the frost giants as one-dimensional orc-like beings intent on wanton destruction. They need to have a valid story of their own. The war with the Asgardians needs to be more about a pre-determined fate than about good vs evil. With the relevation that their King does know about the infiltration mission at the start, any hint of them being a race with their own problems is thrown out the window. As a result, Odin's reluctance for war seems odd, and the audience is left questioning why Thor shouldn't go off and bust heads. They don't see why Thor was wrong. If you can't really agree that a character is flawed, it somewhat undermines the ensuing transformation. And as others have said, Thor's turnaround to not wanting that race destroyed is made puzzling because at no point have we had any hint that the frost giants are redeemable. Thor hasn't had a revelation that they aren't the boogeymen he's grown up wanting to fight. There's a definite disconnect there, as if his experience with humans should have informed him of the worth of other races. Considering there was a line in a trailer where he says something like 'oh no, this is earth isn't it', I suspect that there are some deleted scenes that perhaps could make this whole thing make more dramatic sense.

All the problems I feel come from the story though - the acting, directing, art design and action were all great. Some of the Odin-Thor-Loki stuff especially was great. The whole Loki character and his story was probably its strongest point. It took unexpected turns and for me was geniunely moving and sympathetic.

There's a masterpiece in there somewhere. I really hope that there's a director's cut coming.

1,127

(346 replies, posted in Off Topic)

New launch date for Endeavour officially announced as the 16th May (next monday). Unfortunately, I can't make the trip over the Atlantic again so soon. Hope some of you can though (and it goes up ok!).

Another thing I'll remember from my trip to Florida is watching the Hubble movie at the KSC IMAX Theatre. Wow, absolutely brilliant. I've not been a fan of 3D but here, it works so well. You feel like you can almost reach out and touch the astronauts as they work. There's this moment at the end when you're staring deep into space and you feel like you've walked into a room full of webs, a model of the universe. It's just... amazingly beautiful.

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(346 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Haha... those damn squares on the floor! I stood next to one but not on it. Don't judge me!

1,129

(346 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Well that could have gone better! My plan to borrow a friend's mini-laptop fell through at the last minute so I was without a connection for the week and I stupidly hadn't sorted out contact details with you guys before I had left.

I ended up using my causeway ticket (bought through Gray Line Tours, who bus you out there and bring you back), only to spend about 20 minutes on the causeway itself before the scrub was announced. Oh well, at least I got a few snaps of the shuttle on the pad. On Wednesday I went back and did the Discover KSC Tour, which took me much closer to the pad but from the other direction (seeing just the ET and SRBs). Will post some pics soon.

In other news I highly recommend the Shuttle Launch Experience at the KSC. It's a great ride which promises a realistic simulation of a launch. In reality it's probably toned down but it was such a blast (haha, a pun!).

And for those that missed it, it was the 50th anniversary of America's first astronaut yesterday. Scott Glenn, er I mean Alan Shepherd  (or Ted Levine if you would prefer) was launched in Freedom 7 atop a Redstone rocket for a 15-minute sub-orbital flight. I think the USPS have issued special stamps? Is anyone going to get some?

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1,130

(346 replies, posted in Off Topic)

I'm the third man. I've actually got causeway tickets so viewing the launch itself is all sorted out. Would be great to meet up sometime afterwards.

1,131

(1,019 replies, posted in Episodes)

Looks like a great double bill this weekend. I'm a fan of both movies; interested in what you guys will say about them.

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(98 replies, posted in Episodes)

Favourite line in this one is "god is the magic bean". Genius.

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(43 replies, posted in Episodes)

I don't think I've ever been quite as affected by a cartoon as Watership Down. There are images from that film that are burned into my mind. Whenever I see or think about rabbits, it's hard for me to not conjure up a bloody Woundwort.

And by the way, great discussion guys.

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(10 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Nice find fcw. I always thought it was amazing. She's done quite a lot of other good stuff as well.

*sits patiently waiting for that double episode commentary*

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(346 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Thanks for the link and summary Matt. It reminds me, it's the 30th Anniversary of the first shuttle mission today as well.

Crossing my fingers and toes that Endeavour's still a go on the 29th. I'd hate for some stupid political BS to delay it with a federal shutdown. I mean really, who throws a shoe?

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(346 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Well done everyone. We've been going into space for 50 years now! Go on, give yourself a slap on the back.

So another 50 years from now (when I'm 80), what do you think we'll be doing out there? Will we have developed the technology that allows us to cheaply and quickly travel around our solar system? Will we have landed on Mars? Will we have gone to Titan and seen what lurked beneath the ice on Europa?

1,137

(1,019 replies, posted in Episodes)

Waterworld is one of those absence makes the heart grow fonder films. I always think I like it but when I watch it I remember why it wasn't the great success. It'll be interesting to see whether everyone agrees on what those flaws are (hint: Dennis Hopper!).

1,138

(6 replies, posted in Off Topic)

George Carlin complained about this years and years ago. I can't recall the show, but he went on a rant about how airline security was a waste of time, an illusion designed to make people feel safe. It was before the 9/11 attacks, sure, but he pointed out the stupidity of giving knives to passengers once they are on the plane. It's pretty funny stuff.

"They know he's not a security risk [referring to a guy who could kill with his big hands]  because he's answered the 3 big questions!"

Why the hell is Wil Wheaton being checked? I once saw a 70-year-old white lady being frisked at Boston airport. It's nonsensical. Fuck racial profiling. Check anyone in the age group of 14-60 who looks even vaguely middle eastern. Or... you can just stop fucking middle easterners?

Edited to add:

And fucking hell. The rules regarding liquids is retarded. Now I can't take my standard sized shampoo, deodarant bottles etc. with me because they suspect I'm carrying deadly substances. Where there's a will there's a way. It's not like Cobra are going to be deterred from world domination because a guy at an airport feels up their crotch or takes away their hair conditioner.

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(346 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Still, you were in the same room! That's very cool.

Endeavour's launch been delayed 10 days, a result of a traffic jam at the ISS over the late April period (the Russians are sending a supply ship called the Progress around the same time). Can you believe it? Two weeks before the launch and each team is hoping the other blinks first. Oh bless them... Americans and Russians working together in peace and harmony.

The UK now has a space agency. The imaginatively titled UK Space Agency formally came into being a few days ago. We Brits now can begin to take further pride in our complete lack of space presence. Here's the blurb from the site:

The UK's thriving space sector contributes £7.5bn a year to the UK economy, directly employs 24,900 and supports a further 60,000 jobs across a variety of industries.

I wonder how that compares to NASA? The space industry is said to be one of the few industries in the UK that is currently growing. Yeah, we seem to be knee-deep in shite at the moment.

1,140

(42 replies, posted in Episodes)

About to listen to this now, but just wanted to say I had a hard time watching this movie the first time because I couldn't accept Kevin McCarthy as anything other than the goofball villain from Innerspace that gets midgetised.

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(1,019 replies, posted in Episodes)

I've only seen the movie. And as you can imagine, I didn't see what the fuss was about.

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(13 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Thought of another. What can I say? I have weaknesses. Military porn. Specifically, American military porn. Helicopters, jets, tanks, aircraft carriers, boots on the ground. It's probably why I liked Transformers 2 more than the first chapter (though for me that's like picking the lesser weevil). Michael Bay does it quite well.

It's also why I fucking loved Battle LA. It's as if Independence Day (be still my beating heart, F18s flying in formation!) and Black Hawk Down (which is the ultimate in modern day war films) got together and had a bastard child. It also has some emotional punch, which was pretty surprising.

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(346 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Oh wow. That must have been great. Were you 'star' struck? I confess I wouldn't know whether I'd bombard him with questions or remain mute and look like a cat had my tongue. For a guy who got a reprimand for taking a sandwich up on Gemini 3, he sure didn't stop let that stop him from going places - twice to the moon and the first shuttle mission.

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(13 replies, posted in Off Topic)

You bet I've seen The Vikings, several hundred times. I absolutely love it. It's surprisingly dark, compare it to Spartacus which features the same leads. It also rather amazingly avoids the worst cliche of vikings - no horned helmets in sight! The Vikings and The 13th Warrior are probably the best (and only decent ones).

Pathfinder is pretty bad, its vikings are more Frazetta-style barbarians than scandinavian warrirors but I think it fails because it never quite fulfils on its promise. The central character never goes through any sort of cultural conflict. The antagonists are complete shits with few attractive qualities, so there are no surprises in character development. It's so unoriginal the hero is the best Indian and the best viking (aren't white people brilliant?!). I also remember it had a really weak second act, and a whole lota minutes spent in a cave which didn't go anywhere. That said, there are a few surprises. One being a trap that backfires.

1,145

(1,019 replies, posted in Episodes)

Strange Days! Awesome. I'm smiling right *now*.

1,146

(5 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Would the ending to Fight Club fall under this? The way that 'Jack' deals with Tyler Durden?

1,147

(13 replies, posted in Off Topic)

That looks like a Wild Wild West version of the Dumas' classic. Can't say I like it. Maybe it will have an absolutely cracking theme song, which is what made the Sheen/Sutherland/Pratt version so great. The new foursome look interesting, it's always fun to see what new actors bring to the roles.

My weakness? Vikings. I will see any film with an even vaguely dark age/medieval Scandinavian bent. Sometimes this means subjecting myself to absolutely awful films. The latest was Valhalla Rising, a film so shit it still makes me angry. I've even tracked down Russian or Polish films where I haven't understood a word... just to see a longship and some blond hair fella do something horrible with an axe.

My other weakness is for films set in Ancient Greece and those that feature the Greek gods or any ancient mythological gods. I even liked that Percy Jackson film purely on the basis of its cool demigod premise. I'd also watch Clash of the Titans over Avatar anyday of the week.

Maybe the upcoming Thor can combine these two elements into an irresistable taste?

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(346 replies, posted in Off Topic)

Sounds cool Matt! I'm just looking at what else I can do around Orlando that week. It's my first trip to Florida. I was thinking of going to the Universal Studios resort - is it worth it?

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(346 replies, posted in Off Topic)

I'm super excited, in a few weeks time I will travelling to Florida to watch Endeavour's last launch. This will be the second to last shuttle launch. We both celebrate our 30th this year too.

So who else has seen a launch?

1,150

(34 replies, posted in Episodes)

Great episode. Really liked this one, probably one of my favourites. I think I just like listening to you guys chat.

I've tried other commentary groups and they never quite measure up. You have good speaking voices, clear and articulate. I'm shocked at how infrequently you guys say ums and ahs, and at good you are at not forgetting the point of what you were saying. What I find amazing too is how rarely you talk over each other. Sure, sometimes one might interrupt the other to point out something in the film but it never comes across as intentionally rude (like a 'shut up I'm bored already' like interruption). Other commentaries tend to become inaudible chatter as speakers all try to get their say. And I just love the dogged determination to finish what was being said too! Trey is great at this. They'll be a long tangent and all of a sudden he'll come back to that story he was half way through telling 5 minutes ago.