It's About Liberty: A Conservative Forum
Topics => Entertainment => Topic started by: Delnorin on November 22, 2011, 02:35:15 AM
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I just LOVE netflix.com
I stumbled across Firefly and suddenly remember seeing a preview for it and thinking I just -had- to watch that when it came on... but I never did. Life has a way of such things slipping past me. I don't make much time for sitting around the Teli.. it's netflix and such in the middle of the night (on night shift at work) where I recall such pleasant things and get acquainted with them at last.
Oh my goodness this show "Firefly" is hilarious and awesome. The characters I feel I know first hand. The ship has such character and the way the editing/filming is done I think I can draw out the blueprints of the thing by memory. The acting is superb!
Oh.. and the concubine lady that's renting the shuttle off the captain is "Anna" from the television show "V". The pilot is the hilarious red head from the movie "A Knights Tale"...
I'm just frothing at the mouth with how incredible this show is.
Is there some place where I can fill out a form and send it to God and request being 'in' the show IRL as my heaven when I die? :)
(http://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/10300000/cast-firefly-10360831-800-649.jpg)
(http://onlyhdwallpapers.com/wallpaper/serenity_firefly_cast_desktop_1024x768_wallpaper-69761.jpg)
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Once you finish the TV series, don't forget to add the Movie. 'Serenity' to wrap it all up. Alas, it was a show that died WAY before it's time...curse those execs over at Fox!
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Man, I must live under a rock. I've never even heard of this show before.
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Priest: Think, cowboys in space. Yeah, sounds REALLY strange. But the concept worked really well, at least in my opinion. It had a lot of political relevance to it as well...totalitarianism vs the little guy, etc.
Be warned though, there were some racy aspects to it. Depictions of prostitution and lesbianism as well as the standard TV fare; sexual sensationalism. But it was made for TV so there is no nudity. The movie has no nudity in it either...lots of fun violence though.
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Oh, no. Another Firefly fanatic. ::facepalm::
::exitstageleft::
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I loved that show. Well written and produced, and with engaging characters. I figured that the edgier aspects of the show would help with the draw but apparently it didn't.
I have the series on DVD as well as Serenity and watch them every now and then. Beats anything currently on the boob-toob.
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@ LV:
Yup, guilty as charged! ;D
@Soup:
I do as well - and yeah, you're 100% right. :D
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While not a fanatic, it is an entertaining series and the movie isn't half bad...
And yeah, beats the stuffing out of most TV fare polluting the airwaves today...
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Oh, no. Another Firefly fanatic. ::facepalm::
::exitstageleft::
YEP!
"I aim to misbehave." - Mal
Ditto on make sure you see "Serenity" after you're done watching the series.
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The Firefly series and Serenity have become an annual event at our house around the 4th of July.
This is our Firefly:
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0JWxC_LwDKA/Tk6ewMj0gbI/AAAAAAAAADo/sOHB-zmsp6s/s320/IMAG0008+%25282%2529.jpg)
Not exactly space-worthy, but it'll do until we get one that will take us to the outer planets. We aim to misbehave! ::thumbsup::
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Man, I must live under a rock. I've never even heard of this show before.
Watch them, but don't watch them all at once. Savor them slowly. You'll be disappointed that its over too quickly. I'm sure you'll see lots of analogies to our desire to be free and our struggles against encroaching socialism. Plus, what could beat space westerns?!
Sorry Lady V...another fanatic here, too.
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Man, I must live under a rock. I've never even heard of this show before.
So all this time you have not been "getting" my Firefly/Serenity references?
How depressing.
How can Lady V. not like Firefly?
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Motivated by Firefly (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2OsPGnrd_U#)
STILL MOTIVATED by Firefly (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxpLC0ReoCA#)
motivated by serenity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soTd71bJ5ZA#)
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Man, I must live under a rock. I've never even heard of this show before.
I bought the DVD set several years ago. The film was very good.
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Perhaps I should reassess. Maybe watching beyond the first episode would help.
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Perhaps I should reassess. Maybe watching beyond the first episode would help.
It will help. If you're not hooked by the third, there's no hope for you. :'(
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Man, I must live under a rock. I've never even heard of this show before.
IDP, I'm surprised you did not see it. :o I went to the movie when the Powerline Blog guys offered up free tickets to a screening in the Twin Cities. I know you were a big contributor there. Since you reside in the same area, I thought you would have jumped at the chance to meet Hinderocker and a free movie. I liked the movie so much I ended up DVRing the series. Still haven't seen all the episodes. Maybe I'll just Netflix them. After watching many of the episodes I don't understand why they got rid of the series.
What sucks is that I started watching "Castle" tv show because of Mal staring in it. I also started watching "V" because I liked the original and that it also had Morena Baccarin.
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------------"I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I fly."-------
Loved that quote.
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I'm honestly amazed that there's a space/sci-fi TV series I am unfamiliar with. Guess I'll have to fix that - for my own good, and so I can understand Weisshaupt's references.
::thumbsup::
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Sadly, there was barely a single season filmed...can't remember...thirteen episodes, I think. The movie made up for that to some degree but there could be another movie and I would be happier.
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Quite right Trap. They didn't even get completely through that first season before they were canceled. The last few episodes were barely finished in time to go out and at least one of them was never even aired. Though I liked the movie, I REALLY wish they had made it a two part deal. It was too rushed in my opinion and could have benefited greatly with a second part.
You know, right around that same time frame Star Trek Enterprise was airing too. That was another series that I really liked. Though it ran for 4 seasons, I thought it was cancelled way before its time too. I liked that one more than any of the other Star Trek series', though Next Generation ran a close second.
Though Voyager, DS9 and the Original Star Trek really sucked in my opinion.
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Quite right Trap. They didn't even get completely through that first season before they were canceled. The last few episodes were barely finished in time to go out and at least one of them was never even aired. Though I liked the movie, I REALLY wish they had made it a two part deal. It was too rushed in my opinion and could have benefited greatly with a second part.
You know, right around that same time frame Star Trek Enterprise was airing too. That was another series that I really liked. Though it ran for 4 seasons, I thought it was cancelled way before its time too. I liked that one more than any of the other Star Trek series', though Next Generation ran a close second.
Though Voyager, DS9 and the Original Star Trek really sucked in my opinion.
It's probably a generational thing, I liked the original Trek series, grew up in that era, we all talked about the latest episode in school the next day. IMO the original cast was superior, and I liked them better in the movies that followed, even though I watched the rest. I thought Voyager & DS9 blew and could have killed the franchise. TNG could have some dull episodes too and I recoiled at their more prevalent preachy do-gooderism. The Q stories are lame and the holodeck gets silly at times. IMO the genre works better when an evil protagonist is there to slay. More bazooka, less chick flick!
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@Libertas:
You're probably right about the generational comment, at least to some extent. When I was growing up and watching the original I was watching re-runs in the early 80's and by those standards they were pretty campy and cheesy...even though new shows, like Buck Rogers were on that were at least just as campy and cheesy. lol
Even now, whenever I happen to watch an episode of the original with an objective eye, I still don't much care for them though. When I was a kid, watching TV was serious business you know? Now I can watch and see past some of the campy stuff and attribute it to the era in which it was produced.
But there is largely one reason why I don't care for it much still today and that is William Shatner.
I...absolutely...hate...the...way...he ...haltingly...delivers...his...lines.
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I'm on episode 11.
It's hands down 200% better than "Walking Dead".
Is there some rule written on stone tablets that says if the show is actually good.. you must discontinue is quickly. But if it sucks... make sure it runs for decades?
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Take my Love;
Take my Land.
Take me to a place;
Where I can not stand.
I don't care;
I'm still free.
You can't take;
The sky from me.
Take me out;
To the black.
Tell them all;
I ain't come'n back.
Burn the Land;
and boil the sea.
You can't take;
The sky from me.
I've a place;
where I can be.
Since I found;
Serenity.
But you can't take the sky from me......
Lovin this show... I'm getting pissed I'm nearing the end of it so soon.
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@Libertas:
You're probably right about the generational comment, at least to some extent. When I was growing up and watching the original I was watching re-runs in the early 80's and by those standards they were pretty campy and cheesy...even though new shows, like Buck Rogers were on that were at least just as campy and cheesy. lol
Even now, whenever I happen to watch an episode of the original with an objective eye, I still don't much care for them though. When I was a kid, watching TV was serious business you know? Now I can watch and see past some of the campy stuff and attribute it to the era in which it was produced.
But there is largely one reason why I don't care for it much still today and that is William Shatner.
I...absolutely...hate...the...way...he ...haltingly...delivers...his...lines.
Hey, many a comic would be missing a lot of material without Shatner's Capt. Kirk! ;D
But yeah, watch 'em now and they are silly and campy, but back in the day it was pretty neat, and as a result I like those characters more. Although of the newest vintage, the recent flick with Chris Pine and the alternative timeline I have to say was pretty good.
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I'm on episode 11.
It's hands down 200% better than "Walking Dead".
Is there some rule written on stone tablets that says if the show is actually good.. you must discontinue is quickly. But if it sucks... make sure it runs for decades?
I'm almost certain it's carved in cement somewhere...making a social statement ::puke:: trumps quality entertainment in the long run.
::)
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Is there some rule written on stone tablets that says if the show is actually good.. you must discontinue is quickly. But if it sucks... make sure it runs for decades?
There certainly is! And those nasty Fox exces seem to cherish that rule more than their own children!
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Alright, so who is your favorite character and why?
For me, I guess I'd have to say Jayne Cobb. That dude was a great character, you loved to hate him and he was likeable at the same time. Aside from that Adam Baldwin was freaking hilarious in the part. He had some of the absolute best lines...
"...Awww! And I was gonna git me an ear too!"
Heheh...
Of course as far as favorite scenes go, I'd have to vote hands down for the Book/River interaction in the 'hair' scene. Good stuff right there...
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I've seen the movie but not the series. It's on my list. Right now, I'm finally watching Farscape ( ::danceban:: Netflix for streaming formerly out of print series ::danceban:: ) Next I'll finally watch Seasons 3 and 4 of Lexx, which once again has been out of print.
Before this I watched the 1st season of Star Trek. Amazing watching it in HD, compared to 20 or so years ago watching it on VHS quality at best. All the detail! And I didn't realize Chekov was not in Season 1.
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Alright, so who is your favorite character and why?
For me, I guess I'd have to say Jayne Cobb. That dude was a great character, you loved to hate him and he was likeable at the same time. Aside from that Adam Baldwin was freaking hilarious in the part. He had some of the absolute best lines...
"...Awww! And I was gonna git me an ear too!"
Heheh...
Of course as far as favorite scenes go, I'd have to vote hands down for the Book/River interaction in the 'hair' scene. Good stuff right there...
Hahah; I'd forgotten that!
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I've seen the movie but not the series. It's on my list. Right now, I'm finally watching Farscape ( ::danceban:: Netflix for streaming formerly out of print series ::danceban:: ) Next I'll finally watch Seasons 3 and 4 of Lexx, which once again has been out of print.
Before this I watched the 1st season of Star Trek. Amazing watching it in HD, compared to 20 or so years ago watching it on VHS quality at best. All the detail! And I didn't realize Chekov was not in Season 1.
On that note, here is a little trivia. The reason they brought in Chekov was that the producers wanted to capture the young female crowd. The Monkeys, at the time, were huge. Sooooo, they brought in a character that looked like Davey Jones. ::saywhat::
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I've seen the movie but not the series. It's on my list. Right now, I'm finally watching Farscape ( ::danceban:: Netflix for streaming formerly out of print series ::danceban:: ) Next I'll finally watch Seasons 3 and 4 of Lexx, which once again has been out of print.
Before this I watched the 1st season of Star Trek. Amazing watching it in HD, compared to 20 or so years ago watching it on VHS quality at best. All the detail! And I didn't realize Chekov was not in Season 1.
On that note, here is a little trivia. The reason they brought in Chekov was that the producers wanted to capture the young female crowd. The Monkeys, at the time, were huge. Sooooo, they brought in a character that looked like Davey Jones. ::saywhat::
"Where are your nuclear wessals?"
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On that note, here is a little trivia. The reason they brought in Chekov was that the producers wanted to capture the young female crowd. The Monkeys, at the time, were huge. Sooooo, they brought in a character that looked like Davey Jones. ::saywhat::
I can't believe the long hair/little boy look is back again. How can any self-respecting woman find that attractive?!
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Favorite Character: Jewel Staite as Kaywinnit Lee "Kaylee" Frye.
I just fell in love with the girl. She's not that sexy and sultry girl, she's also not that butt-ugly friend.. she's got this adorable cute look with a soft and caring heart. She's also a genius when it comes to mechanics (impressive) and she doesn't hesistate to call people out on their crap when she sees it. Those eyes... (sigh)... breathtaking.
Least Favorite Character: Adam Baldwin as Jayne Cobb.
A bonafide douche bag that I would put out the air-lock after the 2nd episode if I was captain.
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Though Voyager, DS9 and the Original Star Trek really sucked in my opinion.
When I was growing up and watching the original I was watching re-runs in the early 80's and by those standards they were pretty campy and cheesy...even though new shows, like Buck Rogers were on that were at least just as campy and cheesy. lol
Even now, whenever I happen to watch an episode of the original with an objective eye, I still don't much care for them though. When I was a kid, watching TV was serious business you know? Now I can watch and see past some of the campy stuff and attribute it to the era in which it was produced.
But there is largely one reason why I don't care for it much still today and that is William Shatner.
I...absolutely...hate...the...way...he ...haltingly...delivers...his...lines.
Ahhh, Grasshopper...you lack the wisdom of historical perspective.
The original Star Trek was revolutionary in so many ways.
First, Gene Roddenberry was a genius for even getting it on the air. At the time (late 1960's), television science fiction was almost universally crap. With the notable exception of The Twilight Zone* (and to a lesser degree The Outer Limits) most television sci-fi of the era** spent almost nothing on quality writing. You can spend a bundle on fancy production values and special effects but if you have crap for a story then the series will suck because the foundation is mush. Lost In Space, Time Tunnel, Land of the Giants and most of the episodes of Voyage To The Bottom of the Sea (all produced coincidentally by Irwin Allen) were far more typical of 1960's sci-fi fare.
Roddenberry spent money on quality writing and what he wanted and got were morality plays set in a 23rd century space exploration framework. And, contrary to your assertion, he also recruited very good, if relatively unknown, actors to do the work. Shatner may not be to your taste but he is an unforgettable actor nonetheless. What Shatner did require and sometimes got was discipline meted out by a strong director.
Anyway, Star Trek was a revolution in science fiction produced for the small screen. There had never been anything like it before and it was many, many years before there was anything on television that approached its level of quality. There is a very good reason that to this day there are still Star Trek conventions but no (1970's) Battlestar Galactica conventions. Or Six Million Dollar Man conventions. Or Buck Rogers of the 25th Century conventions. When Star Trek was under threat of cancellation viewers actually wrote letters to the network imploring that it be kept in production...the network gave in. I don't believe that had ever happened before.
Consider some of the writers of the original Star Trek television series' episodes:
Robert Bloch
Norman Spinrad
Theodore Sturgeon
Richard Matheson
David Gerrold
Harlan Ellison
...all successful/famous/award winning writer/novelists before and after Star Trek aired.
We can reasonably guess how great Star Trek could have been if Roddenberry had been given a serious budget for the entire life of the series. Typical of the times, the budget was continually downgraded until the series was eventually cancelled.
But, as we know now, it would not die. Roddenberry got the last laugh and Star Trek made a staggering amount of money in television, film, books and merchandise. It will be making money long after all of us are room temperature.
And like it or not, it all started with Shatner & company and the best writing and production values available at the time. You may think of it as campy. I was there and it was not. I know this because at about the same time there was another fictional icon on television that was purposefully made in full throttle camp mode. That mistake has since been corrected. Can you guess what it was?
Here is the LINK (http://www.wildsound-filmmaking-feedback-events.com/images/batman_adam_west.jpg) to the answer.
I also liked the way that Roddenberry worked the "big enemy" allegory. He set up two alien races as enemies/challengers to mankind/freedom: The Klingons (who I always thought of as the Nazis...evil but beatable) and the Romulans (sort of like the Soviets...evil and mysterious, maybe not beatable, maybe an enemy in perpetual standoff mode). That might seem tame now but it was pretty edgy stuff back then.
So...sorry to differ with you but from my perspective the original Star Trek television series holds up quite well (especial with the new hi-def release) and made other high quality productions, like Firefly, possible. Anyway, that's my two cents on the issue. Your mileage may vary.
*which featured Shatner in at least two episodes that I can remember.
**note that I am not including anything in this argument but American productions so please don't tell me about any of the UK stuff...especially the puppet work by Gerry & Sylvia Anderson or any and all Dr. Who episodes. Not interested in going there.
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Just..... think... how...
great.... star
trek..... would....
have.....
been.... with...... someone.....
other than......
Shatner.
I dare say there would be little to nothing to make fun of anymore.
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Christopher Walken, perhaps?
Shatner doesn't exactly have a monopoly on a halting and staccato script delivery.
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The Movie:
Bah.. only 14 episodes. The last one (14th) was amazing. Is it wrong that I really truly liked the bounty hunter?
Okay.. back to the movie...
I'm only 10 minutes into it and I have to ask:
Why the HECK did they make the ship all shiny new and painted and nice inside. More color, better clothese (less ripped and dirty), pilot control panel is nice and clean looking with functioning panels. The series was all crap-nasty dirty and broken looking all the time....
Pipes and conduits in the hallway are now colored various pretty colors and glossy/enamel... bah!
Good: They kept the kitchen/dining room the same... same mis-matchd chairs.. nice.
Bah... Kalyee has way too many clothes on now... those bib-overals pulls down to her hips showing some belly beauty... man.. missing that big time now. What did they do to her hair ?!?!
Engine room is redesigned... 2 side engines now that were never there... the hammock area now has a handrail and is different too.
doh.. they redesigned the medical room.
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Just finished the movie.
That was fantastic. Kaylee and the doc finally got together.
What happened to Wash surprised me (shock).. but it was a beautiful thing from the view of a writer.. after what happened to Serentiy... it was an artistic balance.
I SO loved River's moment with the reavers on the bloody side of the blast doors. Oh yeah!
I did like the cleaned up version of the firefly in the movie.. more color. The resolution of the video quality was much better than the series quality.. suppose you gotta paint her up a bit more if you want to run on the big screen.
I think I want to start over from episode 1 now and redo it all the way through again.
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I think I want to start over from episode 1 now and redo it all the way through again.
But don't. When we first watched the series I made MichelleO wait a week between episodes. Do a annual marathon, or watch one each week and time it to end on the 4th of July. You will then forget much of it, keeping it fresh and more enjoyable the next time around. We do the same with the Lord of the Rings, watching all three over the course of a week Just after Thanksgiving ( Yes, Its almost here, and this year I get to watch in Blue ray!)
Trust me, great productions don't come along that often, and you just have to husband them a bit to keep them from becoming "old hat" in your mind.
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I've seen the movie but not the series. It's on my list. Right now, I'm finally watching Farscape ( ::danceban:: Netflix for streaming formerly out of print series ::danceban:: ) Next I'll finally watch Seasons 3 and 4 of Lexx, which once again has been out of print.
Farscape was entertaining and I liked it. Lexx lost me after 3 episodes. Didn't dislike it, just didn't keep me coming back for more. I do not think either is worth putting off watching Firefly for.
Also not sure I understand what you mean by out of print? Whole Farscape series is available for $50 at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Farscape-Complete-Ben-Browder/dp/B002GP7ZWI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1322142468&sr=8-3) as is LEXX (http://www.amazon.com/Lexx-Season-Boxset-Brian-Downey/dp/B0043SCVPM/ref=sr_1_4?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1322142562&sr=1-4) as individual season sets, though they are more unreasonably priced.
Granted Netflix may decide to stop showing them while you are busy with Firefly, but since Firefly is short, probably not.
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Favorite Character: Jewel Staite as Kaywinnit Lee "Kaylee" Frye.
I just fell in love with the girl. She's not that sexy and sultry girl, she's also not that butt-ugly friend.. she's got this adorable cute look with a soft and caring heart. She's also a genius when it comes to mechanics (impressive) and she doesn't hesistate to call people out on their crap when she sees it. Those eyes... (sigh)... breathtaking.
Kaylee is written to be evey Sci-Fi geeks ideal. Pretty, but not too pretty. WYSIWYG genuineness. Smart and geeky herself, low maintenance, honest and sweet. Jewel Staite had to put on weight to take the role. See her without the weight (http://www.internetcelebrity.org/en/photo-of-JewelStaite-395-133020-1.html) you can tell its still her, but somehow while being prettier, she is less attractive to me. But maybe thats just my jaded view of what women who are too pretty and know it tend to be like on a personal level.. After dating a few, I started avoiding women who were too pretty- they just weren't worth the trouble.
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Star Trek is as significant a cultural phenomenon as any - Elvis Presley, the Lunar Module, JFK assassination, 9/11...
I don't mean it is equivalent in importance. But that the nation and culture are so inextricably steeped in it, that without it, the course of a nation and the world could be significantly different than it is. American and even world history would be significantly different than it is without Star Trek.
And for all Shatner's obvious shortcomings, he is one of a handful of people who shaped that phenomenon. It may not even exist with the significance it does without him.
It's interesting to me to watch the old series and notice how unabashedly American it was. Kirk was the embodiment of the robust and unapologetic American frontiersman, and the Enterprise was aptly named as the crew brought American values to the galaxy. The later permutations were tinged with collectivism, even while shining a completely negative spotlight on the end-result with the "Borg" episodes.
I can appreciate people not liking Star Trek. It's not for everybody. I don't like Jimi Hendrix. But I certainly appreciate the cultural impact of Jimi Hendrix and his influence on practitioners of his craft, and I think that anyone observing Star Trek can probably see that same thing - maybe not their cup-o-tea, but an important and impactful piece of Americana that is probably a net positive.
Re; spinoffs... "TNG" was a good reboot in IMHO. "DS9" took a season or two, but it became the best of the spinoffs IMHO. "Voyager" sucked eggs. "Enterprise" - never watched it enough to form an opinion.
I liked all the films to one degree or another. I cried when Kirk died in the "handofff to TNG" film. I really, really liked the reboot that came out a couple years ago a lot. I liked the casting, and as a diehard fan of the original, the changes they made to the characters didn't bother me. In fact, I thought they took character traits from the original portrayals and expanded/magnified them, rather than just making old characters act out of character.
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...After dating a few, I started avoiding women who were too pretty- they just weren't worth the trouble.
Hoo-boy.... ahem... Buddy, I'm SURE you'd like to qualify that, RIGHT??? ::thinking:: ::saywhat:: ::whatgives::
Just one guy helpin' out another. ::thumbsup:: ::grouphug:: ::hysterical::
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It's interesting to me to watch the old series and notice how unabashedly American it was. Kirk was the embodiment of the robust and unapologetic American frontiersman, and the Enterprise was aptly named as the crew brought American values to the galaxy. The later permutations were tinged with collectivism, even while shining a completely negative spotlight on the end-result with the "Borg" episodes.
That's one of the things that I really appreciate about the original. The unabashed political incorrectness of it all is refreshing in today's hyper sensitive feminist world. They, of course, were oblivious to what we suffer with today.
STAR TREK BLOOPERS 1960`s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZAkGfJY05k#)
Take note of the scene at 1:40 where McCoy gropes Nurse Chapel (Roddenberry's wife). Would be grounds for a lawsuit today.
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Hoo-boy.... ahem... Buddy, I'm SURE you'd like to qualify that, RIGHT??? ::thinking:: ::saywhat:: ::whatgives::
I think that both MichelleO and I have been married too long and have grown too fat together to care about my opinons concerning women would would now not look at me once, much less twice. Pretty isn't the same thing as attractive and MichelleO knows that. After all, how many men have (too pretty) spouses who would be willing to spend the retirement money preparing for Teotwaki? Too Pretty usually implies a desire to be "fabulous" at some level and you can't do that as a "Galt"er
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"Take note of the scene at 1:40 where McCoy gropes Nurse Chapel (Roddenberry's wife). Would be grounds for a lawsuit today."
Holy Shatner, Leonard H used both hands! ::speechless::
;D
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Okay, for all you heathens out there who do not like Star Trek: Deep Space 9, hellfire and brimstone be your curse. (Although I agree Voyager was less than sterling, even though it had it's moments.) But DS9? How anyone could not love (or hate) Shimmerman's portrayal of Quark is beyond me. Quark is quite simply the best sci-fi character on a tv series ever (even though he was on Star Trek: TNG, it was a very different Ferengi portrayal than Shimmerman's Quark). Quark might even be one of the best 'alien' portrayals in film history (even though I don't think Shimmerman was in any of the movies, but I could be wrong on that). Quark was a perfect example of someone who was the calm in the eye while all around them raged the hurricane. Quark made DS9 move along. I also appreciated the fact that DS9 went full circle in the plot department, with Cisco being the Emissary then so much more. A very neat and tidy intergalactic story, what with the wormhole and the Jem Hadar along with the Cardassians in DS9's own quadrant of space. Was there ever a more villainous vilain than Marc Alaimo's portrayal of the Cardassian Gul Dukat? Another stunning 'alien' portrayal in a star base full of wonderful alien portrayals. Like Dax, first with Jadzia then with Ezri, the Trill storyline being another great piece of sci-fi invention. So sorry, DS9 is/was a great show, well worth being in any dvd collection (right alongside Babylon 5; I'm sensing a space station themed sci-fi liking).
Though Voyager, DS9 and the Original Star Trek really sucked in my opinion.
When I was growing up and watching the original I was watching re-runs in the early 80's and by those standards they were pretty campy and cheesy...even though new shows, like Buck Rogers were on that were at least just as campy and cheesy. lol
Even now, whenever I happen to watch an episode of the original with an objective eye, I still don't much care for them though. When I was a kid, watching TV was serious business you know? Now I can watch and see past some of the campy stuff and attribute it to the era in which it was produced.
But there is largely one reason why I don't care for it much still today and that is William Shatner.
I...absolutely...hate...the...way...he ...haltingly...delivers...his...lines.
Ahhh, Grasshopper...you lack the wisdom of historical perspective.
The original Star Trek was revolutionary in so many ways.
First, Gene Roddenberry was a genius for even getting it on the air. At the time (late 1960's), television science fiction was almost universally crap. With the notable exception of The Twilight Zone* (and to a lesser degree the Outer Limits) most television sci-fi of the era** spent almost nothing on quality writing.
[The following links all go to IMDB.]
Don't forget The Invaders (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061265/). A month or two ago they had an Invaders marathon on Scy-Fy (or however they spell the silly name now). Hadn't seen it in years and I still liked the premise. a Sort of early tv The First Wave (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0160277/), which I also enjoyed (mostly in reruns because I didn't catch it when it was on, which was the same pattern for me for the sci-fi show Special Unit Two (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0268094/)).
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BMG <--- Heathen! ::angel::
Ok now RickZ...don't stroke out!! Because I really disliked Babylon 5 too! *duck*
::unknowncomic::
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BMG <--- Heathen! ::angel::
Ok now RickZ...don't stroke out!! Because I really disliked Babylon 5 too! *duck*
::unknowncomic::
I also loved Babylon 5, a great storyline, with a wide intergalactic panorama to it. I guess I love sweeping intergalactic story lines (like Hari Seldon in the Foundation series).
I also appreciated Ivanova's character, Jewish, at one point visited by a family rabbi to inform her of her father's death. But honestly, there were some classic sci-fi-characters in that series, with some wonderful alien races. I think that is owed to the writers to flesh out the characters and make them come alive (with appropriate kudos to the actors for doing the same in that they really did create another, quite believable, universe).
It's that old joke of ridicule and hope (since 9/11 old): There are no muslims on Star Trek, but Babylon 5 had Jews!
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I also loved Babylon 5, a great storyline, with a wide intergalactic panorama to it. I guess I love sweeping intergalactic story lines (like Hari Seldon in the Foundation series).
I tried rewatching Babylon on netflix last year, and it lost me at the same point as the first time I watched... when the shadow war was over, I just no longer cared.
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...There are no muslims on Star Trek...
I've thought that from TNG onward - with the added context of Klingon warlike religion, reverence for ancient warlord history and death in battle, barbaric behavior, etc - that Klingons were analogous to Muslims. Notice that Worf was only successful at behaving civilly and interacting with humans (Americans) to the degree that he was assimilated into the human (American) culture. In those areas in which he was less assimilated, he was not compatible.
So no Muslims per se, but I think some of the difficulties in dealing with Muslims were explored whenever there was a Klingon storyline.
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...There are no muslims on Star Trek...
I've thought that from TNG onward - with the added context of Klingon warlike religion, reverence for ancient warlord history and death in battle, barbaric behavior, etc - that Klingons were analogous to Muslims. Notice that Worf was only successful at behaving civilly and interacting with humans (Americans) to the degree that he was assimilated into the human (American) culture. In those areas in which he was less assimilated, he was not compatible.
So no Muslims per se, but I think some of the difficulties in dealing with Muslims were explored whenever there was a Klingon storyline.
I always saw the Klingons as Russians.
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...After all, how many men have (too pretty) spouses who would be willing to spend the retirement money preparing for Teotwaki?...
I was just funnin' ya... but damn good point here. I have trouble bringing my wife along in those regards. Doesn't have anything to do with her looks, but I get your point.
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...There are no muslims on Star Trek...
I've thought that from TNG onward - with the added context of Klingon warlike religion, reverence for ancient warlord history and death in battle, barbaric behavior, etc - that Klingons were analogous to Muslims. Notice that Worf was only successful at behaving civilly and interacting with humans (Americans) to the degree that he was assimilated into the human (American) culture. In those areas in which he was less assimilated, he was not compatible.
So no Muslims per se, but I think some of the difficulties in dealing with Muslims were explored whenever there was a Klingon storyline.
I always saw the Klingons as Russians.
In the original series, that Soviet role was shared between Klingons and Romulans. I believe I remember that being stated officially in some interview or documentary.
But I still think that the whole deep-diving into the warlike Klingon religion from TNG forward made them the Muzzies.
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On Babylon 5, the Centauri were Russians with bad haircuts.
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...After all, how many men have (too pretty) spouses who would be willing to spend the retirement money preparing for Teotwaki?...
I was just funnin' ya... but damn good point here. I have trouble bringing my wife along in those regards. Doesn't have anything to do with her looks, but I get your point.
Heck, I know I ain't too pretty. Weisshaupt knows he's still a very lucky man. ;)
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Due to mentions above.. I've started the Farscape series. I've watched many of them.. but I thought I'd start from the first and go through them all.
Not sure I've got Farscape here... or if I'm watching the muppets in space.
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...There are no muslims on Star Trek...
I've thought that from TNG onward - with the added context of Klingon warlike religion, reverence for ancient warlord history and death in battle, barbaric behavior, etc - that Klingons were analogous to Muslims. Notice that Worf was only successful at behaving civilly and interacting with humans (Americans) to the degree that he was assimilated into the human (American) culture. In those areas in which he was less assimilated, he was not compatible.
So no Muslims per se, but I think some of the difficulties in dealing with Muslims were explored whenever there was a Klingon storyline.
I always saw the Klingons as Russians.
Russians for sure. When Star Trek aired there were no muslims in America except for Sirhan Sirhan.
He killed Robert Kennedy the summer before Star Trek's last season.
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...There are no muslims on Star Trek...
I've thought that from TNG onward - with the added context of Klingon warlike religion, reverence for ancient warlord history and death in battle, barbaric behavior, etc - that Klingons were analogous to Muslims. Notice that Worf was only successful at behaving civilly and interacting with humans (Americans) to the degree that he was assimilated into the human (American) culture. In those areas in which he was less assimilated, he was not compatible.
So no Muslims per se, but I think some of the difficulties in dealing with Muslims were explored whenever there was a Klingon storyline.
The joke is probably acryphal but widely attributed to Roddenberry: Yasser Arafat complained to Gene Roddenberry that there were no Muslim crew members on “Star Trek’s” Starship Enterprise. Roddenberry tells him that’s because it takes place in the future. (hint-hint) ;D
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(http://uploads.neatorama.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/qmx-saffron-bonus-500x1000.jpg)
This was tonight's sponsor of the ONT at AoS.
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Farscape: Episode 3
Gack.. it's getting hard to continue watching this drek.
All the characters are like at some sort of William Shatner convention...
Each.... word.... is.... sperated.... by..... several..... moments...... of.....
pause.
The acting is 4th grade at best.
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ABORT !!
Okay... 1/3 the way through episode three and I had to FFWD to the end.... that was worse than watching Beaches.
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Delnorin,
I thought Farscape had a great premise but after a few episodes, as you've found out, it sucked the big mango. Lexx was even worse; I couldn't stand that show from the get-go but I gave Farscape a few episodes, and it still failed to sucker me in (as any good tv series should do) and I'm really not that hard to please with tv sci-fi. I remember a review for Lexx, in the NYSlimes (which I was still reading at the time), which labeled Lexx 'cheap sci-fi porn'. For once, the Times wasn't far off the mark.
Now if I'm not mistaken, both series were Aussie originals imported here, like we do with a lot of BBC and Channel Four shows from Britain. But I made note in the more distant past of how Aussie shows rarely make a crossover move to the US and thought it odd at the time. Both speak English, different dialects and accents, but we can communicate. No worse than Brit English (which my ex could never understand). But after watching both Farscape and Lexx, I began to get a raging clue as to why Aussie shows don't seem to make the hop over the Pacific. Even Aussie movies rarely make a mark here though a rare few do, Mad Max, Gallipoli and The Year Of Living Dangerously being among that number. We may be great pals on the international stage, but the peoples of the US and Australia definitely have different tastes in television/movie viewing habits. And I still wonder why. Our starts as English colonies were quite different, of course, but somehow the distance in miles between our two countries has been a perfect example of Darwinism at work, of the same English people, thanks to distance and isolation, splitting off into two distinct Caucasian species each with their own distinct language, customs -- and humor.
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In looking up something (I forget what, which is why I looked it up in the first place), I came across an Aussie slang dictionary and learned a new word/acronym that I think is quite good when used as an insult, akin to our phrase 'Masters of the Universe', but much more snide: "Oh he's such a FIGJAM!" (Oh, he's such a "F*ck I'm Good, Just Ask Me"!) Figjam, I really do like it. You could call all the OccupySesameStreet morons figjams because they have no clue how horrid they really are. But they mean well, with the best of intentions (and we all know how much good intentions matter in the Progressive Church, as good intentions are the bedrock of the liberal belief system, on a par with carbon credit indulgences). OccupySesameStreeters are enlightened and know better than us, so they protest their ignorance, for all the world to see, by being figjams. Unfortunately for us, no one asked them.
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ABORT !!
Okay... 1/3 the way through episode three and I had to FFWD to the end.... that was worse than watching Beaches.
Yeah, Farscape is an acquired taste. I probably helps if, like me, you grew up in the Sesame Street/Muppet Show/Fraggle Rock era, and FS started rough. The acting either improved in later episodes, or I just ceased to notice it was bad. Great art or an Epic tale Farscape is not, but it did give me something to watch on Friday nights. But I has much the same reaction at first - but got back into it after just watching a later episode that was "better" - and because I was willing to give it a second chance because I have always loved the muppets and Henson stuff..
In the end I was entertained by Farscape, mostly because the show didn't take itself too seriously and I certainly didn't take it seriously, and it often took standard SF Tropes and did new things with them.. like the "main character gets duplicated" story- but in Farscape the duplicate stays around for the rest of season.The ship itself is a living being.. but this time its pregnant. Etc. I also enjoyed the way that the "bad guys" kept being forced into allegiances with the crew , and even to a certain extent how each episode started "off balance" and you spent 20 minutes just trying to figure out what was going on.
So yeah, its good for a lark. IF you want realistic or inspiring visions of the future, then no, FS is not the series for that.
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** FarScape **
Okay.. made it up to season 1, episode 10.. half way through....
Can't..... take...
it....
any.....
more....
(collapse)
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Yeah, I watched a couple episodes of Farscape back in the day and just couldn't get into myself. Just wasn't my cup o' tea. :D
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Couldn't stand it myself, gave up early.
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Farscape (because of the Muppets characters) and Lexx (the twisted sense of humor) probably aren't everyone's cup of tea, but they work for me over 99% of the garbage that makes up American TV today.
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The SciFi channel has an interesting project running right now. It's sort of a prequel to Peter Pan called "Neverland." The production values are extremely sophisticated. The acting is way better than average and the writing seems to be pretty good, too. Part one was last night and the third and fourth hour will air tonight. Hopefully you will be able to catch it on Hulu or something like that without having to wait for it to show up on Netflix. Or maybe the SciFi channel will do a re-broadcast. Not sure if it will hold up all the way to the end but the first half was pretty good.
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Oh rats! I wanted to catch that! What time was it on, trap?
... mumble... how did I miss that .... grumble mumble .....
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They ran the first part twice, back to back. Started at six pm MST. Check your listings...they might replay it again. Or look for it online. It really was pretty decent. Much better than average. I didn't feel that my time had been wasted at all.
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Okay, it's replaying 7-9, then the new segment from 9-11.
Thanks, trap.
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Actually, if you want to talk something that wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea
Game of Thrones
I don't have HBO, so I'll wait until DVDs come out but, from what I've hear of others seeing it, and from having read the books, this one is a keeper.
BUT
R rated for everything, if ya know what I mean.
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The George R.R. Martin books upon which GoT is based are excellent reading if one appreciates the genre.
One thing I LOVED about them as opposed to similar works by Richard Jordan or Terry Goodkind: Martin is in NO WAY afraid to kill off main characters. Thus he's able to write a sprawling epic without getting bottlenecked with too damn many characters to follow. Plus, it adds unexpected twists and opens new avenues when a character that it seems the entire series will be reliant upon is snuffed unceremoniously.
Don't have HBO because of the bellycrawling trash Bill Maher. But I will definitely be waiting for GoT to come out on DVD or BlueRay.
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Re-posted from HotAir. Worth watching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4iAOtkpFGhc# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4iAOtkpFGhc#)!
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Wow! I had no idea this took place. Thank God for FIRE and for Lukianoff catching on to Firefly's "constituency.
BTW, "Serenity" was on TV again on Christmas Eve afternoon and we got sucked in, as usual.
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We picked up Firefly and Serenity on DVD last week, and we're through the first 4 episodes. Darn good show.
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Yep. Welcome to the cult. :D
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We picked up Firefly and Serenity on DVD last week, and we're through the first 4 episodes. Darn good show.
Get through all the shows before you watch the movie. The movie doesn't completely follow the tv version but is is close. I would have liked it if the movie was a little longer. ???
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I have had the boxed set for about two years now.
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OK, we're halfway through the season, and I am thoroughly sucked in. I can't believe an interesting and unique program like this wasn't sustainable. You can laugh your head off one episode, and be on the edge of your seat the next. The characters are all interesting and of varying complexity, and the actors are all well-cast. The writing is excellent and varied. The special effects are sparingly used, but feature-film quality when they exist. The relationships are believable.
Fox dropped the ball on this. Somehow an excellent program wasn't marketed properly.
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I was always amused by their swearing in Chinese, if that's what it is; it sure isn't English. I found it interesting, too, the Irish-sounding edge/phrasing to some of their speech, particularly Mal's.
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I was always amused by their swearing in Chinese, if that's what it is; it sure isn't English.
Yes, it is Mandarin. Not just swearing either. I catch a little ordinary conversational Mandarin dialog here and there too. My knowledge is limited to the 10-disc Pimsleur audio language course. My older boy has had three years of Manadrin, and he picks up a lot more than I do.
I think that is an interesting aspect of the show, BTW. It is a not-so-subtle commentary on the rise of China as a superpower, which is definitely a subject that ought to be on every earthling's mind, let alone every American. People 500 years into the future aren't speaking "Spanglish", they're speaking "Mandglish".
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OK, we finished all 14 episodes - still have the Serenity movie to go.
I believe I am experiencing just a twinge of grief - a sense of mild loss akin to losing something of value, but of much lesser value than a loved one.
As someone who loves good sci-fi, I really want to ride along on some more adventures with that crew. My wife and sons are of a like mind. Hopefully the movie will satisfy.
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In reading the comments from Whedon and digesting the opinions of what they mean both pro and con, it looks to me like a big fat maybe/maybe not.
A Reboot Of Firefly? UPDATED (http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/07/13/a-reboot-of-firefly-joss-and-the-science-channel-say-%E2%80%9Cyes%E2%80%9D/)
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Huh! We were talking about re-watching the series at home last night.
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Quiz me this...
If you had to choose between producing a product that people actually clamor for or another derivative (anything but) "reality" show - which would you pick? No cheating now.
::confused::
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I admit, I do not understand the popularity of the "reality" shows. Watching them is like living within a drama-prone, dysfunctional family.
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I would imagine given the show's initial failure, that the subsequent "cult" following would be very rewarding for it's creators and participants. But I think Whedon would also be leery of a decade passing, and trying to recapture that lightning in a bottle. The prospect of trying and failing would be a concern that might make him shy away. It could ruin the legacy of the series. Then again, he has a good track record, so I think if he dared undertake it, he would do so with relative certainty of success, or not do it at all.
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It would be really cool if it came back, but only if most of the original cast came along, but after reading that I am not sure they are serious about it. The fans of Star Trek really were the driving force in getting that franchise to the big screen and the spinoffs on TV, maybe the same could work here, we'll see. It would be cool though, it is an outstanding series.
Oh, and reality TV (especially that Kardashian crap!) blows chunks and can go straight to hell! I find that crap sooooo annoying!
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Doesn't sound too positive. Too bad.
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I like that "trying to recapture that lightning in a bottle" simile.
I didn't really mean that they would be limited to reconstituting the original intact (as neat as that might be) but if they could recapture the style, they could easily adapt it to other story-lines. A prequel would be awesome for example.
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On 'reality' tv: It's incredibly cheap to make compared to a show with a 'star' or 'stars'. If the audience accepts such programming, even clamoring for it, then I cannot fault the business logic in pushing them out like Owebama pushes out lies.
As for Firefly, the cult following pushed to have Serenity made, so they did their job. And in a lot shorter time frame than the Trekkies.
The thing I like about Firefly is the sci-fi part of it. It's gritty, dusty, muddy, rough and tumble. Plus, they carry revolvers as part of their arsenal. Unlike Star Trek, which is pristine clean, no money grubbing (no money! ah, but latinum . . .), minimalist society that happens to have warp drive and can make some really cool and big weapons. The Federation is just too Utopian, too against human nature for me. Firefly, on the other hand, embraces that individuality and rolls around with it in the muck it so amiably portrays. I also thought the Chinese angle in Firefly was pretty prescient.
There are times when a work goes staright to video. After Serenity, this show would have been a good candidate. As long as the production values and story lines were maintained, they could have created their own Babylon 5 empire. But the problem for actors in such a show is that usually they are unknown and are itching to become known, so they don't stick around, hindsight being 20/20. Maybe if Whedon had brought in Straczynski . . .
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Maybe not having a new Firefly is a good thing.
http://www.thewrap.com/tv/column-post/joss-whedon-america-turning-tsarist-russia-47756 (http://www.thewrap.com/tv/column-post/joss-whedon-america-turning-tsarist-russia-47756)
Comic-Con 2012: Joss Whedon: America Is Turning Into ‘Tsarist Russia’
Joss Whedon launched into a fervent political rant at Comic-Con on Friday in which he savaged modern capitalism and said America was turning into Tsarist Russia.
Whedon began the panel, “Dark Horse Comics,” by noting he had nothing prepared because he had been speaking all day, so he opened it up to questions from the start.
Toward the end of the session, one woman noted the anti-corporate themes in many of his movies and asked him to give his economic philosophy in 30 seconds or less.
Also read: 'Avengers' Director Joss Whedon Explains Thor/Iron Man Rumble (Video)
Whedon’s response?
“We are watching capitalism destroy itself right now,” he told the audience.
He added that America is “turning into Tsarist Russia” and that “we’re creating a country of serfs.”
Whedon was raised on the Upper Westside neighborhood of Manhattan in the 1970s, an area associated with left-leaning intellectuals. He said he was raised by people who thought socialism was a ''beautiful concept."
Socialism remains a taboo word in American politics, as Republicans congressmen raise the specter of the Cold War. They refer to many Obama administration initatives as socialist, and the same goes for most laws that advocate increasing spending on social welfare programs. They also refer to the President as a socialist, though this and many of their other claims misuse the term.
Also read: Joss Whedon Wraps Secret Shakespeare Movie Project (Exclusive)
This evidently frustrates Whedon, who traces this development to Ronald Reagan – the nominal hero of the modern conservative movement. Since then, Whedon believes the country has changed in way that has made it too difficult for regular people to succeed.
And what is the end result?
“We have people trying to create structures and preserve the structures that will help the middle and working class, and people calling them socialists,” Whedon said. “It’s not Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal […] it’s some people with some sense of dignity and people who have gone off the reservation.” Guess he's not a Tea Party fan.
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I take it he is confused as to the state of America and the root casues therein and perhaps is as equally oblivious as to the principles of our Founding.
Not a good sign.
::facepalm::
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The show was Libertarian (yes I did watch finally!) I don't know how someone as socialist as Whedon can make something like Firefly. Usually the retardation comes through at some point, as it has now done in Game of Thrones.
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1) Joss still has to work in Hollywood. Given the movies and shows he has done ,perhaps he felt the need to re-establish his communist bona-fides so he can keep working. Or maybe the real libertarians are his writers, and he has just ridden their coattails.
2) I am seeing a lot of this sort of rant on Zerohedge and elsewhere. The idea being that once there are rich people, they will buy influence from government officials. And they do, but the person in charge doesn't need to buy that. If you have big government, capitalist or socialist, you have corruption and Animal Farm pigs moving into the farmhouse and hoarding all of the apples. When people like this talk about "Capitalism" it, for them, is synonymous with Fascist Cronyism. This limited thinking is caused by the inability to imagine a world where the government isn't big enough to take care of you. They can't live without that parent, or even think of doing so. So for them having the "government in charge" or getting rid of the "corporations"will solve the problem, all history of that massive failure of an experiment being wiped form their minds by their own greed for unearned profits.
(http://demotivators.despair.com/demotivational/corruptiondemotivator.jpg)
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"So for them having the "government in charge" or getting rid of the "corporations"will solve the problem, all history of that massive failure of an experiment being wiped form their minds by their own greed for unearned profits."
I H8 Them! ::angry::
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I will never turn a blind eye to the corruption of those who benefit from capitalism transforming themselves into statist whores, just because it might put a smear on the good name o capitalism.
But even then, I place the blame where it belongs. Just as there would be no whores without Johns willing to pay them, there would be no crony capitalists without favor peddling politicians.
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Well said IDP.
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For every favor peddling politician there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions of voters in line with their hands out.
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They are not of the Liberty Tribe, off with their hands!