Films

Mike Channin · Post by **Mike Channin** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:14 pm

Hey big John - I'm a massive Firefly/Serenity fan too.

I agree with Graham that the more interesting aspects of the book were bypassed to make the film of Starship Troopers, but then that usually happens, doesn't it. Afterall, film is a very different medium (and there is effectively far less time for the deeper aspects).

Try reading "Do Androids Dream of Electronic Sheep" and then watching Blade Runner (normal release OR Director's cut). There's an amazing amount more depth in the book (although it is very weird).

Another book which got butchered on the way to the big screen in Frank Herbert's Dune - one of the all time classics. Badly dumbed down for the cinema version, although some of the characters make it through intact. But what was all that boll0cks about weirding modules???

Other interesting films:

The Abyss - But watch the Director's cut - full version - it is COMPLETELY different to the release version, and is a perfect illustration of how badly the point of a film gets lost between the Director's version and the cinema release.

Also, John, check out Tremors and Leviathan, both low budget movies from 1990, but entertaining enough despite that. Finally, go watch Event Horizon - think you'll like that.

ptruz · Post by **ptruz** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:26 am

Sci-Fi....mostly unwatchable! If it didn't happen or at least have a chance of happening........then it had better be funny!

Sci Fi........UGH!

I'm probably not smart enough!

Tom Barrick · Post by **Tom Barrick** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 7:17 am

ptruz wrote:Sci-Fi....mostly unwatchable! If it didn't happen or at least have a chance of happening........then it had better be funny!

Sci Fi........UGH!

I'm probably not smart enough!

I agree, Peter. I love sci-fi only when it's done very well. Movies like The Abyss(Director's Cut, as Mike mentioned) are so good that you are left feeling a little depressed, knowing most of these events just don't happen really.

Thought Firefly was decent, but it wasn't given a chance. Much preferred Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Angel was fine too.

I have a collection of over a 1000 films that I'd recommend but that is for the off-season. We do have one of those coming up, right? Right?!!!

johnglynn · Post by **johnglynn** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:45 am

Tom Barrick wrote:Thought Firefly was decent, but it wasn't given a chance. Much preferred Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Angel was fine too.

I have a collection of over a 1000 films that I'd recommend but that is for the off-season. We do have one of those coming up, right? Right?!!!

Not if Meterboard/Dr Erg have anything to do with it

.

I like Buffy as well (I found out about Firefly thru Buffy) I prefer Firefly though, but both are great fun . I only saw a little of angel, much prefered Buffy .

Thanks Mike will take a look at those fillms, I've seen Event Horizon a good while ago and didn't think too much of it I think . Blade Runners an interesting one though . I've seen the Abyss (probably teatrical version), the liquid air/oxygen part is cool .

webberg · Post by **webberg** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 11:16 am

Have to agree that Dune as a film is very poor. Sting as leading man - I don't think so!

2001 remains a touchstone for SF film. Kubrik had it about right especially the fact that there is no noise in space. How many films with spaceships do you see with engine noise - bl00dy all of them!

All the sequels to the original got gradually worse though.

Matrix is a piece of advanced Kung Fu nonsense and again ruined a perfectly good SF book. Every time I see Keanu Reeves in that long leather coat I think of 'Allo 'Allo.

(For our non UK cousins, this was a sit com about a bar in France during the German occupation that was apparently hilarious although the 10 minutes of it I watched was obviously the only time there were no laughs).

I did like Chocolat. I love films that show up social pretentions.

Many years ago I also saw Rollerball. That was quite good.

Last of the Mohicans has some great moments as well and doesn't seek to hide the dirty and messy aspects of the fighting or the politics. Again though not a patch on the book.

Tom Barrick · Post by **Tom Barrick** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 12:08 pm

webberg wrote:Have to agree that Dune as a film is very poor. Sting as leading man - I don't think so!

2001 remains a touchstone for SF film. Kubrik had it about right especially the fact that there is no noise in space. How many films with spaceships do you see with engine noise - bl00dy all of them!

All the sequels to the original got gradually worse though.

Matrix is a piece of advanced Kung Fu nonsense and again ruined a perfectly good SF book. Every time I see Keanu Reeves in that long leather coat I think of 'Allo 'Allo.

(For our non UK cousins, this was a sit com about a bar in France during the German occupation that was apparently hilarious although the 10 minutes of it I watched was obviously the only time there were no laughs).

I did like Chocolat. I love films that show up social pretentions.

Many years ago I also saw Rollerball. That was quite good.

Last of the Mohicans has some great moments as well and doesn't seek to hide the dirty and messy aspects of the fighting or the politics. Again though not a patch on the book.

Graham, I'd be most impressed if the Rollerball you're speaking of is from 1975, not 2002.

And an excellent point on Kubrik. 2001 was great, although I admittedly took to 2010 as well and I know most didn't. Should we start the discussion on Alien and Aliens 2?

johnglynn · Post by **johnglynn** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 12:50 pm

I enjoyed 2001 and 2010 . Good stories . Though I found the special effects really showing there age in 2001 .

I much prefer Aliens (2), the special effects and computer displays in Alien (1) are a turn off to me . Also I think the story is better in 2 .

ptruz · Post by **ptruz** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 4:46 pm

webberg wrote: I did like Chocolat. I love films that show up social pretentions.

ONE OF MY FAVORITES....Uh Oh....Chick Flick.....sorry...

Stan · Post by **Stan** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:11 pm

I recently watched the dvds of the Sci Fi channel versions of Dune and Children of Dune - they were far superior to the old film version.
Loved 2001 and quite liked 2010. Hated the Matrix films. Alien and Aliens were outstanding but the series fell apart after that.

The best film I have recently seen is Last King of Scotland - superb performance from the gentleman playing Idi Amin (whose name escapes me at the moment).

ptruz · Post by **ptruz** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:56 pm

LAST KING OF SCOTLAND!!! Now that was a good film......it happened!

Jessica-Red · Post by **Jessica-Red** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 10:42 am

His name is Forest Whitaker and he has been nominated for an Oscar for this portrayal of Idi Amin

webberg · Post by **webberg** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:21 am

Tom, I confess that the Rollerball I saw was the 1975 original release. I was a mere boy of 18 at the time.

I was also dragged along to see the latest Bond last Friday. Not a great Bond fan as pages here will testify. This one though has gone some way to refreshing the genre. Not so many gadgets and toys and more of the in your face nasty violence.

I am not convinced totally but will await the next one and approach it with an open mind.

Gregor Andrews · Post by **Gregor Andrews** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:09 am

ptruz wrote:LAST KING OF SCOTLAND!!! Now that was a good film......it happened!

Never seen it - I loved the book though.

jainser · Post by **jainser** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:33 pm

Watched 'Sin City' the other night. Very good. Different style of filming to anything I've seen before. Thought the characters were great. Mickey Rourke was very good, Bruce (Willis) was good and it was great to see Rutger Hauer again (also in Batman Begins) Thought he hit the jackpot with the original (and best) Hitcher movie. Then he done a couple of real turkeys then did a load more really bad turkeys............
Like the fact that a lot of folks turned up in the film in smaller parts.
Powers Booth, Michael Madsen, Josh Hartnett & Michael Duncan Clarke to name but a few.............excellent
and not forgetting Jessica Alba in THAT cowboy outfit - Black knickers and black leather (studded) chaps - What a combination

$\:D/$
Oh why didn't they offer that roll to Kate..

Gooner Neil · Post by **Gooner Neil** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:56 pm

I have bad news for fellow Kate lovers. Picture in Heat. Massive bald spot (on head). Being perfect I am not willing to take damaged goods

jainser · Post by **jainser** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 6:59 pm

Been on at Reet for years trying to convice her to watch the Star Wars films.
I put the first one on (4th one but you know what I mean!) and she loved it!! Completely hooked now, in fact the whole family is.
Although watching it with the spuds is always interesting, so many questions. Never hit the pause button so many times (stopping the film to explain what is happening).
The look of suprise when the famous "Luke, I'm your father" line came out was priceless

Gooner Neil · Post by **Gooner Neil** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 7:59 pm

Star Wars Episodes IV-VI Cracking films. Have the DVD box sets with added bits. Truly great films. I'm afraid Episode I and II are complete and utter Sh!te. III was passable, did explain alot. None of the films were ever going to get the leading men and women oscar nominations but Sir George spolit it by over egging the special effects.

2001. Watched it over and over again. Although visually stunning I with small brain didn't get the monolith bit at all. Had to go onto the web. Great site explained the whole film and Kubrick's vision. Now I get it.

Just need Debbie does Dallas explaining

plummy · Post by **plummy** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:17 am

Gooner,

The plot goes down like this.............

Jessica-Red · Post by **Jessica-Red** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:45 pm

This is one for you Mr Gooner-HOT FUZZ-very funny
I thought of you sometimes whilst watching!!!!!

you may have a different opinion of it as an insider but I thought it was gigglemaking!

Stan · Post by **Stan** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:15 pm

I went to see Hot Fuzz yesterday and I enjoyed the true to life insight into the Gooners daily life

Definitely recommend it for a laugh.

Jessica-Red · Post by **Jessica-Red** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:24 pm

Id love to see DS Gooner running abt armed with 65 different firearms at once and doing donuts in a special HOTFUZZ patrol car!!!!

can you please oblige please Gooner??? please please pretty please

MaxDev · Post by **MaxDev** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:09 pm

Also went to see Hot Fuzz yesterday, and found it very entertaining.

Definitely recommended if you need a laugh.

Max

Gooner Neil · Post by **Gooner Neil** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:21 pm

There is a video in existence of my colleagues in HotFuzz type shambly action. two baddies robbing a bank, come out of bank, onto two motorbikes with £145000. Cue gunship mounts pavement and in 10 pin bowling parlance gets a strike. Bikes and baddies everywhere and chaos reigns

Jessica-Red · Post by **Jessica-Red** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:55 pm

Fantastic!!! can you YOUTUBE it or is it SECRET!!!!!

Gooner Neil · Post by **Gooner Neil** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:17 pm

If it ended up on Youtube I'd get the sack

Wait until BIRC and bring lap top

(For inputting our times obviously)