RITA's XLVIII: Some Fun Now

[howyadoin]

Blade Runner having enough for 5 discs is an odd number.Well, there's the original theater release, the director's cut from a few years back, the new 'final cut", a whole DVD of documentaries...

[Ben Morgan]

Hey guys, my cousin's gonna have a baby

[kmeyers]

Well, there's the original theater release, the director's cut from a few years back, the new 'final cut", a whole DVD of documentaries...

But that's still 4. Even the original Star Wars trilogy box set only has 4 discs. All the "bonus Material" for that fit on one disc.

Not that it really matters, and I love Blade Runner. I was just kind of surprised that there were 5 discs worth of material.

[Josh S]

But that's still 4. Even the original Star Wars trilogy box set only has 4 discs. All the "bonus Material" for that fit on one disc.

Not that it really matters, and I love Blade Runner. I was just kind of surprised that there were 5 discs worth of material.

Disc One
RIDLEY SCOTT'S ALL-NEW "FINAL CUT" VERSION OF THE FILM
Restored and remastered with added & extended scenes, added lines, new and cleaner special effects and all new 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio. Also includes:

* Commentary by Ridley Scott
* Commentary by executive producer/co-screenwriter Hampton Fancher and co-screenwriter David Peoples; producer Michael Deely and production executive Katherine Haber
* Commentary by visual futurist Syd Mead; production designer Lawrence G. Paull, art director David L. Snyder and special photographic effects supervisors Douglas Trumbull, Richard Yuricich and David Dryer

Disc Two
DOCUMENTARY DANGEROUS DAYS: MAKING BLADE RUNNER
A feature-length authoritative documentary revealing all the elements that shaped this hugely influential cinema landmark. Cast, crew, critics and colleagues give a behind-the-scenes, in-depth look at the film -- from its literary roots and inception through casting, production, visuals and special effects to its controversial legacy and place in Hollywood history.

Disc Three
1982 THEATRICAL VERSION
This is the version that introduced U.S. movie-going audiences to a revolutionary film with a new and excitingly provocative vision of the near-future. It contains Deckard/Harrison Ford's character narration and has Deckard and Rachel's (Sean Young) "happy ending" escape scene.

1982 INTERNATIONAL VERSION
Also used on U.S. home video, laserdisc and cable releases up to 1992. This version is not rated, and contains some extended action scenes in contrast to the Theatrical Version.

1992 DIRECTOR'S CUT
The Director's Cut omits Deckard's voiceover narration and removes the "happy ending" finale. It adds the famously-controversial "unicorn" sequence, a vision that Deckard has which suggests that he, too, may be a replicant.

Disc Four
BONUS DISC - "Enhancement Archive": 90 minutes of deleted footage and rare or never-before-seen items in featurettes and galleries that cover the film's amazing history, production teams, special effects, impact on society, promotional trailers, TV spots, and much more.

* Featurette "The Electric Dreamer: Remembering Philip K. Dick"
* Featurette "Sacrificial Sheep: The Novel vs. The Film"
* Philip K. Dick: The Blade Runner Interviews (audio)
* Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep Cover Gallery (images)
* The Art of Blade Runner (image galleries)
* Featurette "Signs of the Times: Graphic Design"
* Featurette "Fashion Forward: Wardrobe & Styling"
* Screen Tests: Rachel & Pris
* Featurette "The Light That Burns: Remembering Jordan Cronenweth"
* Unit photography gallery
* Deleted and alternate scenes
* 1982 promotional featurettes
* Trailers and TV spots
* Featurette "Promoting Dystopia: Rendering the Poster Art"
* Marketing and merchandise gallery (images)
* Featurette "Deck-A-Rep: The True Nature of Rick Deckard"
* Featurette "--Nexus Generation: Fans & Filmmakers"

Disc Five
WORKPRINT VERSION
This rare version of the film is considered by some to be the most radically different of all the Blade Runner cuts. It includes an altered opening scene, no Deckard narration until the final scenes, no "unicorn" sequence, no Deckard/Rachel "happy ending," altered lines between Batty (Rutger Hauer) and his creator Tyrell (Joe Turkell), alternate music and much more. Also includes:

* Commentary by Paul M. Sammon, author of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner
* Featurette "All Our Variant Futures: From Workprint to Final Cut"

[kmeyers]

Disc One
RIDLEY SCOTT'S ALL-NEW "FINAL CUT" VERSION OF THE FILM
Restored and remastered with added & extended scenes, added lines, new and cleaner special effects and all new 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio. Also includes:

* Commentary by Ridley Scott
* Commentary by executive producer/co-screenwriter Hampton Fancher and co-screenwriter David Peoples; producer Michael Deely and production executive Katherine Haber
* Commentary by visual futurist Syd Mead; production designer Lawrence G. Paull, art director David L. Snyder and special photographic effects supervisors Douglas Trumbull, Richard Yuricich and David Dryer

Disc Two
DOCUMENTARY DANGEROUS DAYS: MAKING BLADE RUNNER
A feature-length authoritative documentary revealing all the elements that shaped this hugely influential cinema landmark. Cast, crew, critics and colleagues give a behind-the-scenes, in-depth look at the film -- from its literary roots and inception through casting, production, visuals and special effects to its controversial legacy and place in Hollywood history.

Disc Three
1982 THEATRICAL VERSION
This is the version that introduced U.S. movie-going audiences to a revolutionary film with a new and excitingly provocative vision of the near-future. It contains Deckard/Harrison Ford's character narration and has Deckard and Rachel's (Sean Young) "happy ending" escape scene.

1982 INTERNATIONAL VERSION
Also used on U.S. home video, laserdisc and cable releases up to 1992. This version is not rated, and contains some extended action scenes in contrast to the Theatrical Version.

1992 DIRECTOR'S CUT
The Director's Cut omits Deckard's voiceover narration and removes the "happy ending" finale. It adds the famously-controversial "unicorn" sequence, a vision that Deckard has which suggests that he, too, may be a replicant.

Disc Four
BONUS DISC - "Enhancement Archive": 90 minutes of deleted footage and rare or never-before-seen items in featurettes and galleries that cover the film's amazing history, production teams, special effects, impact on society, promotional trailers, TV spots, and much more.

* Featurette "The Electric Dreamer: Remembering Philip K. Dick"
* Featurette "Sacrificial Sheep: The Novel vs. The Film"
* Philip K. Dick: The Blade Runner Interviews (audio)
* Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep Cover Gallery (images)
* The Art of Blade Runner (image galleries)
* Featurette "Signs of the Times: Graphic Design"
* Featurette "Fashion Forward: Wardrobe & Styling"
* Screen Tests: Rachel & Pris
* Featurette "The Light That Burns: Remembering Jordan Cronenweth"
* Unit photography gallery
* Deleted and alternate scenes
* 1982 promotional featurettes
* Trailers and TV spots
* Featurette "Promoting Dystopia: Rendering the Poster Art"
* Marketing and merchandise gallery (images)
* Featurette "Deck-A-Rep: The True Nature of Rick Deckard"
* Featurette "--Nexus Generation: Fans & Filmmakers"

Disc Five
WORKPRINT VERSION
This rare version of the film is considered by some to be the most radically different of all the Blade Runner cuts. It includes an altered opening scene, no Deckard narration until the final scenes, no "unicorn" sequence, no Deckard/Rachel "happy ending," altered lines between Batty (Rutger Hauer) and his creator Tyrell (Joe Turkell), alternate music and much more. Also includes:

* Commentary by Paul M. Sammon, author of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner
* Featurette "All Our Variant Futures: From Workprint to Final Cut"

Well, that's a lot of stuff.

[Justin D.]

Hi, Smoogis (where've you been?). I tried playing your game. I kind of get it. It's like Minesweeper, but I never really got into that.

I paid 55.00 on Amazon for it. Amazon.ca has it for 65.00. It's an okay package, the case, the model car, and the model crane are a little chinsy, but I only got it for the discs anyway.

I'm watching the theatrical release right now. Absolutely hilarious.

I found it on Buy.com for about three bucks less, after shipping. Not much of a difference though. The same ultimate collection in HD or Blu-Ray is $73, after shipping.

I don't think I've ever seen Blade Runner all the way through. The new, special, we're-not-kidding-this-is-really-the-ultimate-version version is playing at a theater house here on their giant screen at the beginning of January. I'd go see it (I know one of the house managers of the theater), but I'm not sure I could sit and watch one movie for that long.

[Paradox]

Smoogis needs woids:

http://www.freewebs.com/taraleekennels/marchupdate%20003.jpg

That needs to be captioned.

"Supercuts. DO NOT WANT!"

[Chris Nowlin]

Hi, Smoogis (where've you been?). I tried playing your game. I kind of get it. It's like Minesweeper, but I never really got into that.

I was a big minesweeper fan once upon a time. Til I satisfied myself I'd figured out every strategy I could and all that was left was to play for time, which I sucked at.

[Chris Nowlin]

And I think I just need to buy this Blade Runner DVD

[Spike-X]

Hey guys, my cousin's gonna have a baby
Didn't pull out in time?

[Brian Cronin]

I have to say, this whole "Britney Spears' sister is pregnant" story is actually pretty interesting.

Offhand, can anyone recall a female celebrity ever getting pregnant (and keeping the baby) at age 16? This is pretty uncharted territory here.

Meanwhile, she has a sitcom on Nickolodeon, which is one of their most popular sitcoms. So what the heck do they do? My best guess is that they do the ol' "groceries covering her stomach" routine, but whatever they do do, it will be a very interesting study in reacting to bad PR.

-Brian

[darkhanamaru]

I have to say, this whole "Britney Spears' sister is pregnant" story is actually pretty interesting.

Offhand, can anyone recall a female celebrity ever getting pregnant (and keeping the baby) at age 16? This is pretty uncharted territory here.

Meanwhile, she has a sitcom on Nickolodeon, which is one of their most popular sitcoms. So what the heck do they do? My best guess is that they do the ol' "groceries covering her stomach" routine, but whatever they do do, it will be a very interesting study in reacting to bad PR.

-Brian

Oh geez. Poor family. Her sister seemed to be the together one. You don't think they'll make the story go away?

[Brian Cronin]

Oh geez. Poor family. Her sister seemed to be the together one. You don't think they'll make the story go away?

Yeah, it sounds pretty damn rough. It is tough enough to have your sixteen-year-old have a child, but to have her do it in the public spotlight? WAY harsh.

But as far as covering it up - what can they really do? She's starring in a popular sitcom, so it's not even like they can just have her stay home.

It's definitely tough, although I think her show just finished filming its latest (and last) season, so I guess this gives her time.

-Brian

[Jeff Brady]

I have to say, this whole "Britney Spears' sister is pregnant" story is actually pretty interesting.

Offhand, can anyone recall a female celebrity ever getting pregnant (and keeping the baby) at age 16? This is pretty uncharted territory here.

Meanwhile, she has a sitcom on Nickolodeon, which is one of their most popular sitcoms. So what the heck do they do? My best guess is that they do the ol' "groceries covering her stomach" routine, but whatever they do do, it will be a very interesting study in reacting to bad PR.

-Brian

WHY DO YOU KNOW ALL THIS SHIT?

But seriously, Brian, no sane 28 year old man should know anything about tween shows on Nickelodeon unless you're in the business or have kids that watch them.

It honestly creeps me out.

[Brian Cronin]

WHY DO YOU KNOW ALL THIS SHIT?

But seriously, Brian, no sane 28 year old man should know anything about tween shows on Nickelodeon unless you're in the business or have kids that watch them.

It honestly creeps me out.

It's all in the first Google News article! :)

-Brian

[Jeff Brady]

It's all in the first Google News article! :)

-Brian

Looking it up isn't helping!

Just busting on ya.

G'night, fuckers.

[Justin D.]

WHY DO YOU KNOW ALL THIS SHIT?

But seriously, Brian, no sane 28 year old man should know anything about tween shows on Nickelodeon unless you're in the business or have kids that watch them.

It honestly creeps me out.

Jeff, you're lame.

I know that stuff, and I'm 31. It has nothing to do with watching a Nickelodeon sitcom. I think I've flipped by it a couple times on my way to something else before. Even if I haven't though, one paragraph on another website lets me know everything I need to know.

Britney Spears' little sister, who stars in a popular show on Nickelodeon, is pregnant at 16.

Actually, that's one sentence, not a paragraph.

Brian's right though. I can't think of any other cases of a celebrity under 18 with a child, especially when that celebrity not only is the star of her own show most likely aimed at kids from 7 - 14. Add to that all the bullshit her sister has done. It's an interesting, if fucked up and sad, development.

[StoneGold]

All that time setting up the age of consent countdown clock for nothing.

[Brian Cronin]

Looking it up isn't helping!

Just busting on ya.

G'night, fuckers.

S'all good. :)

Seriously, though, this story IS interesting, if only in the whole "train wreck" sense.

-Brian

[Chris Nowlin]

S'all good. :)

Seriously, though, this story IS interesting, if only in the whole "train wreck" sense.

-Brian

That's the attitude that's responsible for the mega-thread.

If we just ignore them, maybe they'll go away.



So... bad Brian.

[Justin D.]

Ugh, I almost posted in that Britney Spears mega thread. I feel dirty for even considering it. Brian, can we please get rid of that thread? I mean, I love the snark of the title and all, but it's wrong. Just so wrong.

[Justin D.]

That's the attitude that's responsible for the mega-thread.

If we just ignore them, maybe they'll go away.



So... bad Brian.

In full disclosure, I didn't care when Spears got pregnant. She was of age and acted pop-slutty for a living. Her little sister is a whole other ball of wax. Underage, sparkling clean image, hit show on Nickelodeon, and was rarely seen around her crazy sister. The fallout from this is more interesting and possibly more devastating because she might actually have had an acting career, if limited, ahead of her. Not blanket the mainstream news with nothing but this interesting, but interesting nonetheless.

[Brian Cronin]

In full disclosure, I didn't care when Spears got pregnant. She was of age and acted pop-slutty for a living. Her little sister is a whole other ball of wax. Underage, sparkling clean image, hit show on Nickelodeon, and was rarely seen around her crazy sister. The fallout from this is more interesting. Not blanket the mainstream news with nothing but this interesting, but interesting nonetheless.

My stance is:

A. People like talking about her

and

B. It gets covered by the "real news" all the time, so I don't feel right using my "This is too stupid to be discussed" fascist powers to get rid of it.

-Brian

[Justin D.]

I added something above. Aaaanyway....

My stance is:

A. People like talking about her

and

B. It gets covered by the "real news" all the time, so I don't feel right using my "This is too stupid to be discussed" fascist powers to get rid of it.

-Brian

Meh, it's stoo stupid for "real news" to cover too. E! News can cover it all they want, and they likely will, but it doesn't need to take up hours of programming on shows like NBC Nightly News. However, I do see some legitimacy in Jamie Lynn Spears' pregnancy taking up more airtime than Britney's pregnancy because of the audience that Jamie's show has. Britney probably lost much of that demographic by the time she became pregnant.

[Brian Cronin]

In full disclosure, I didn't care when Spears got pregnant. She was of age and acted pop-slutty for a living. Her little sister is a whole other ball of wax. Underage, sparkling clean image, hit show on Nickelodeon, and was rarely seen around her crazy sister. The fallout from this is more interesting and possibly more devastating because she might actually have had an acting career, if limited, ahead of her. Not blanket the mainstream news with nothing but this interesting, but interesting nonetheless.

Yeah, agreed. This is much odder.

That said, it is interesting in the sense of "Oh," noting it and moving on. :)

-Brian

[Brian Cronin]

Okay, I'm off for a bit - the hump is annoying. :)

-Brian

[Brian Cronin]

Okay, I'm off for a bit - the hump is annoying. :)

-Brian

[StoneGold]

Okay, I'm off for a bit - the hump is annoying. :)

-Brian

Yes, but that's what got her pregnant in the first place.

[Chris Nowlin]

Damn the hump.

Your move, Justin.

Brian- sometimes, rarely but sometimes, fascism has its place.

[Chris Nowlin]

Damn the hump.

Your move, Justin.

Brian- sometimes, rarely but sometimes, fascism has its place.

[StoneGold]

Wow, surrounded by double posts.

[Paradox]

It's your every male fantasy come true! :p

[Justin D.]

It's your every male fantasy come true! :p

Your male fantasy is to be surrounded by posts?

This must be a confusing time for you. Maybe you can have Tom or Matt, who also recently went through the same public adjustment, can help guide you down this new and possibly scary path.

Your turn, Chris. At Scrabble that is. Not at making fun of Dox. That's everyone's turn.

[Paradox]

I think you're having pronoun trouble. Last I checked "your" wasn't a reference to the speaker. ;)

Deflect onto Stonegold! Deflect onto Stonegold! :D

[StoneGold]

I think you're having pronoun trouble. Last I checked "your" wasn't a reference to the speaker. ;)

Deflect onto Stonegold! Deflect onto Stonegold! :D

Oh, I know what you want to deflect on to me, but I don't swing that way. Not since prison, and that doesn't count.

[Chris Nowlin]

Your turn, Chris. At Scrabble that is.

I went, finally.

I took a while because I was sure I had a bingo rack, but couldn't figure out what the word was. I finally gave up.

[Michael P]

I have to say, this whole "Britney Spears' sister is pregnant" story is actually pretty interesting.

Offhand, can anyone recall a female celebrity ever getting pregnant (and keeping the baby) at age 16? This is pretty uncharted territory here.

Meanwhile, she has a sitcom on Nickolodeon, which is one of their most popular sitcoms. So what the heck do they do? My best guess is that they do the ol' "groceries covering her stomach" routine, but whatever they do do, it will be a very interesting study in reacting to bad PR.

-Brian
I haven't bothered to have an emotional investment in Nickelodeon since they stopped running Danger Mouse, but from a creative standpoint, I'd like to see them run with it.

[Typo Lad]

Here's a question for the group:

The broker who I've been dealing with on the Washington Heights move has not called me back in a week. I've left him three messages.

Someone posted the building managment number for the particular building we've been looking at.

If I call, am i doing an end-run around the broker? Is it wrong?

[Winslow]

Here's a question for the group:

The broker who I've been dealing with on the Washington Heights move has not called me back in a week. I've left him three messages.

Someone posted the building management number for the particular building we've been looking at.

If I call, am i doing an end-run around the broker? Is it wrong?

Is a broker someone that gets a commission or finders fee on an apartment or condo?

If so, it sounds like an end-run and well, approaching the gray area. Can you e-mail the broker and say you are going to contact the building management since he seems busy? Give him the heads-up before you do?

[Typo Lad]

Is a broker someone that gets a commission or finders fee on an apartment or condo?

Yup. A good chunk too.

If so, it sounds like an end-run and well, approaching the gray area. Can you e-mail the broker and say you are going to contact the building management since he seems busy? Give him the heads-up before you do?

That's a good idea.

I just want this apartment so badly, but don't want to do anything to screw it up.

[Winslow]

Here ya go Dreadstar. My Dad, and Ohioan, e-mailed this to me.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c103/WinslowSolomon/Michigan_Tressel.jpg

I guess it's another way of saying PWNED

[Agent Helix]

Man, I am so ready for these holidays to start.

[Agent Helix]

Also, The Mighty Boosh is just about the best show ever.

[jessecuster3]

Here's a question for the group:

The broker who I've been dealing with on the Washington Heights move has not called me back in a week. I've left him three messages.

Someone posted the building managment number for the particular building we've been looking at.

If I call, am i doing an end-run around the broker? Is it wrong?

From my mother, I am under the impression the building management, may not talk to you, if they work only with brokers, but give it a shot anyways.

[jessecuster3]

Also, isn't this posted in Comm frequently?


At a recent performance of “Comic Book Club,” a weekly stage talk show at the People’s Improv Theater in Chelsea, an audience member declined to give his name. “I have family and friends,” he explained. “I’m a closeted geek.”

Alexander Zalben, 30, the show’s moderator, understood completely. Talking about being a comic book fan, he said, is “like coming out of the closet.” In fact Mr. Zalben only discovered that Justin Tyler, 28, another host, was a fellow aficionado when he spotted Mr. Tyler with a Midtown Comics bag. Pete LePage, 31, who rounds out the three, had a similar experience. “Justin busted me reading a comic,” he confessed.


Rest of the article. (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/theater/18comics.html?ei=5070&en=5d07b5832520b5b4&ex=1198731600&adxnnl=1&emc=eta1&adxnnlx=1198072907-sAWsRix7103DW5KOlZADAw)



Do any of you NYC'ers go?

[Paradox]

Winslow gets all Buckeye with it:

Here ya go Dreadstar. My Dad, and Ohioan, e-mailed this to me.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c103/WinslowSolomon/Michigan_Tressel.jpg

I guess it's another way of saying PWNED

Thanks! Our state has been broken for quite some time. Now we know where to send the maintenance bill. :D

[Winslow]

Thanks! Our state has been broken for quite some time. Now we know where to send the maintenance bill. :D

Heh . . I'm pretty sure Tressel didn't want it, it was a white elephant gift from Lloyd Carr.

[Paradox]

Winslow states the obvious:

Heh . . I'm pretty sure Tressel didn't want it,...

As it is now, who the hell would??? ;)

[Dreadstar]

Here ya go Dreadstar. My Dad, and Ohioan, e-mailed this to me.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c103/WinslowSolomon/Michigan_Tressel.jpg

I guess it's another way of saying PWNED

So archived.

[Winslow]

Also, isn't this posted in Comm frequently?





Rest of the article. (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/theater/18comics.html?ei=5070&en=5d07b5832520b5b4&ex=1198731600&adxnnl=1&emc=eta1&adxnnlx=1198072907-sAWsRix7103DW5KOlZADAw)



Do any of you NYC'ers go?

Closeted comic fan?

If that's not a joke, that's so frickin' wussy.

Edit: It appears to be a joke, I need more coffee.

[jessecuster3]

Closeted comic fan?

If that's not a joke, that's so frickin' wussy.

Edit: It appears to be a joke, I need more coffee.

Are you sure its a joke?

[HomerJay]

Jesse, what movie can we argue about today?

[Mac Danny]

Free buffet at work today. I feel sick. It was so gross, but I'm poor. BLECH.

Maybe I'll get a sick day out of this.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

Jesse, what movie can we argue about today?

Chariots of Fire was just so unrealistic.

[HomerJay]

Chariots of Fire was just so unrealistic.
Never saw it.

[jessecuster3]

Jesse, what movie can we argue about today?

Well, I just saw The Lookout last night and its fantastic. Joseph Gordon levitt is the star and Jeff Daniels plays a very good, and convincing blind man, and the crazy girl from Wedding Crashers is in it as well.



I did have a couple of issues with it, but I am guessing noone else has seen it.

[Puma]

Morning people. Two more days til vacation.

anyone up for scrabble?

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

Never saw it.

That means you are an uncultured heathen and every movie you like is wrong.

Oh, by the way, Merry Christmas.

[Jared_Humpherys]

Morning people. Two more days til vacation.

anyone up for scrabble?

Thank goodness, and I'll be available for a game most of the day.

[Winslow]

Are you sure its a joke?

I can't tell.

But if someone is keeping their fandom of the comic art form closeted, I think that's lame, and a smack in the face to gays.

I mean, I have no problem labeling someone like that a loser. The closeting is tons worse than actual fandom. It's a self-fulfilling act I guess.

And just to show I'm genuine, I have a huge Crossgen poster hanging in my office (my fandom penis is soooo huge).

[Jared_Humpherys]

Speaking of movies, there's a bunch coming out this weekend that I'll be seeing at some point. "Walk Hard," "Sweeney Todd," "Charlie Wilson's War," and Sarah wants to see "National Treasure."

[Winslow]

That means you are an uncultured heathen and every movie you like is wrong.

Oh, by the way, Merry Christmas.

I agree *high five*

[jessecuster3]

Thank goodness, and I'll be available for a game most of the day.

Count me in on that action, too.

[Puma]

oh dear, Doc has accepted my challenge.

[jessecuster3]

oh dear, Doc has accepted my challenge.

He's mortal, I have proof.

10917918 - Scott P. Won by Jason L.

[Jared_Humpherys]

My most anticipated song from the movie:


There's a hole in the world like a great black pit
And it's filled with people who are filled with shit
And the vermin of the world inhabit it.
But not for long...

They all deserve to die.
Tell you why, Mrs. Lovett, tell you why.
Because in all of the whole human race
Mrs Lovett, there are two kinds of men and only two
There's the one they put in his proper place
And the one with his foot in the other one's face
Look at me, Mrs Lovett, look at you.

Now we all deserve to die
Tell you why, Mrs. Lovett, tell you why.
Because the lives of the wicked should be made brief
For the rest of us death will be a relief
We all deserve to die.

And I'll never see Joanna
No I'll never hold my girl to me - finished!
(shouted) Alright! You sir, you sir, how about a shave?
Come and visit your good friend Sweeney.
You sir, you sir? Welcome to the grave.

I will have vengenance.
I will have salvation.
(shouted) Who sir, you sir?
No one in the chair, come on! Come on!
Sweeney's waiting. I want you bleeders.
You sir - anybody.
Gentlemen don't be shy!

Not one man, no, no ten men.
Not a hundred can assuage me -
I will have you!
And I will get him back even as he gloats
In the meantime I'll practice on dishonorable throats.
And my Lucy lies in ashes
And I'll never see my girl again.

But the work waits!
I'm alive at last!
And I'm full of joy!

[Matt Algren]

And just to show I'm genuine, I have a huge Crossgen poster hanging in my office (my fandom penis is soooo huge).
Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery.

(Which? I'm guessing Meridian.)

[Ed Cunard]

Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery.

I think being a CrossGen fan is a chronic condition, one that can, at best, only go into remission.

[Dom]

I think being a CrossGen fan is a chronic condition, one that can, at best, only go into remission.

Or you can get the infected area excised with a large knife and some pliers.

[Winslow]

Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery.

(Which? I'm guessing Meridian.)

I should take a pic of it. I won it at Wizard World East 2003. It's a picture of all the major characters with all the Crossgen artist's and writer's signatures at the bottom.

[Winslow]

I think being a CrossGen fan is a chronic condition, one that can, at best, only go into remission.

I think you're right.

It's like being an Elvis fan.

(he's alive demmit!)

[Slam_Bradley]

Never saw it.

You're a lucky man.

[jessecuster3]

You're a lucky man.

Heh, who ever thought a sports movie could be so boring?

[Winslow]

Heh, who ever thought a sports movie could be so boring?

Bah, you guys can't appreciate awesome character development.

[jessecuster3]

Bah, you guys can't appreciate awesome character development.

Honestly, the only thing I do remember from the movie was that damn song.

[Matt Algren]

I should take a pic of it. I won it at Wizard World East 2003. It's a picture of all the major characters with all the Crossgen artist's and writer's signatures at the bottom.
Careful. Someone'll spray paint SIGIL LOVER on your car.
Bah, you guys can't appreciate awesome character development.
It's been a long time since I saw it, but I remember liking it quite a lot. I wouldn't really call it a sports movie, though.

[Winslow]

It's been a long time since I saw it, but I remember liking it quite a lot. I wouldn't really call it a sports movie, though.

I think the reference to sports was a joke.

It was definitely a drama.

[Typo Lad]

I have to say, Monk is good TV.

[jessecuster3]

I have to say, Monk is good TV.

Love Monk, are you just starting it?

[K'Nort]

This is disorienting.

I'm on the blue version and I have avatars/sigs/images turned off. Can't recognize anyone or anything.

At my desk, obviously.

Our OPAC is blue, so I may get away with it.

[Typo Lad]

Love Monk, are you just starting it?
Yep. Just getting into it. I've been meaning to forever.

[Tadhg]

I really want to post a passive-aggressive note from my coworker to my boss that was directed towards me, but I'm afraid it'll come back to haunt me. It's totally awesome and hilarious because it makes him look like a bigger incompetent.

[Dom]

I really want to post a passive-aggressive note from my coworker to my boss that was directed towards me, but I'm afraid it'll come back to haunt me. It's totally awesome and hilarious because it makes him look like a bigger incompetent.


Post it, loser.

[Jared_Humpherys]

This is a really bad morning for me.

[Typo Lad]

I really want to post a passive-aggressive note from my coworker to my boss that was directed towards me, but I'm afraid it'll come back to haunt me. It's totally awesome and hilarious because it makes him look like a bigger incompetent.
This is why M-d made PMs.

[Agent Helix]

This is a really bad morning for me.

I will punch you in the face, then.

[Jared_Humpherys]

I will punch you in the face, then.

Just make sure it knocks me unconscious, okay?

[Matt Algren]

Post it, loser.
Thirded.


edit: You know, facebook is much more secure and private. The perfect place for such things.

[Jeff Brady]

I really want to post a passive-aggressive note from my coworker to my boss that was directed towards me, but I'm afraid it'll come back to haunt me. It's totally awesome and hilarious because it makes him look like a bigger incompetent.

Pretty please?

[K'Nort]

I will punch you in the face, then.

"If your life had balls, I would punch it in the face."

[Puma]

Three inches of rain yesterday. No wonder my sinuses are wonky.

[Dom]

I will punch you in the face, then.

I will block that punch with a wooden board, thereby breaking your hand and denying you the chance to punch anyone again.

[Agent Helix]

I will block that punch with a wooden board, thereby breaking your hand and denying you the chance to punch anyone again.

I will punch right through the board, because I am a fucking ninja.

[Dom]

I will punch right through the board, because I am a fucking ninja.

I be pwned.

[Typo Lad]

I am a fucking ninja.

You mean you do it swiftly and silently, catching your intended unawares?

[Guapo Méndez]

You mean you do it swiftly and silently, catching your intended unawares?

With a mask.

[jessecuster3]

Yep. Just getting into it. I've been meaning to forever.

So awesome, you get Sharona, too, you are not at Natalie, yet.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

With a mask.

I think his partner would insist.

[HomerJay]

Honestly, the only thing I do remember from the movie was that damn song.
I'll take "Forgettable Best Picture Winners" for $400, Alex.
It was the SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE or CRASH of the 80s.

[Agent Helix]

God, CRASH is an even worse Oscar winner than FORREST GUMP.

[jessecuster3]

I'll take "Forgettable Best Picture Winners" for $400, Alex.
It was the SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE or CRASH of the 80s.

How about "Best Pictures That Are Only Known for their Music" for the Daily Double?

[Tadhg]

God, CRASH is an even worse Oscar winner than FORREST GUMP.

Forrest Gump is a memorable oscar winner though

[Matt Algren]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2230/2099736990_8373caa27a.jpg

[Agent Helix]

Forrest Gump is a memorable oscar winner though

Doesn't mean it's good.

[Gilda Dent]

Chariots of Fire was just so unrealistic.

No kidding. If I want a movie with major scenes set at some track meet, I'll watch Fong Sai Yuk. Besides, Chariots of Fire is obviously anti-religion. Having Harold Abrams refuse to run on the sabbath is just painting all religious people as crazed zealots. Not cool at all.

I can't tell.

But if someone is keeping their fandom of the comic art form closeted, I think that's lame, and a smack in the face to gays.

I mean, I have no problem labeling someone like that a loser. The closeting is tons worse than actual fandom. It's a self-fulfilling act I guess.

And just to show I'm genuine, I have a huge Crossgen poster hanging in my office (my fandom penis is soooo huge).

I have every original issue of the Sigilverse. Good idea: Making comics about unique worlds and situations while not using conventional superheroes.* Bad idea: Forcibly tying all of these worlds together into one cohesive universe just because that's how the big two do it, interrupting ongoing internal storylines for tie-ins.

I have to say, Monk is good TV.

The mysteries are pretty ordinary, but Tony Shalhoub is a lot of fun.

This is disorienting.

I'm on the blue version and I have avatars/sigs/images turned off. Can't recognize anyone or anything.

At my desk, obviously.

Our OPAC is blue, so I may get away with it.

Your library has its own One Person Army Corps? That is very cool. I'll bet you don't get many people bringing books back late.

So awesome, you get Sharona, too, you are not at Natalie, yet.

I like Natalie better.

*Despite their claim that they didn't do superheroes, they were. Origin stories, superpowers, superpowered villains. But it still worked because they created these interesting worlds around these characters and integrated their superheroics into their settings, and used the stories to explore the settings.

[Ray R.]

Morning Ritalins:

Happy holidays and all that.

Right off: I finally saw the two part final episodes to Battlestar Galactica's third season last night.



Pretty good, although the courtroom scenes were laughable. Obviously they don't have attorney-client privilege in the Battlestar universe, because the defense questioning the associate defense counsel about the case would be a waiver of attorney-client privilege, which would then remove any ability to invoke the attorney-client privilege at all. The prosecuting attorney could simply get up and ask any and all questions about the case planning, private conversations and discussions with Baltar about the case, and the defense's strategy regarding a motion for mistrial (which apparently was made, never ruled upon, and then withdrawn without a word). Bad TV lawyering.

The Bob Dylan "Watchtower"/4 fundamentally different Cylon aspect was a bit unbelievable, but we'll see how it gets resolved in Season 4. Knowing how some of the characters acted in the three previous seasons, the fact they didn't immediately blow their own heads off is a bit surprising. I'm guessing, probably red herring-wise, that those 4 are 4 of the Final 5 Cylons, with Adama/Roslin/Lee Adama being numero cinco. The Starbuck cameo was a neat little crowd-pleaser.

I get Razor today or tomorrow. We'll see how that fits in, prequel-wise.

[K'Nort]

I have to keep reminding myself that I can't show my kids anything resembling the pure hate and vitriol I feel towards my ex right now. They need to be kept clean in all this, or as much as I can muster, even if they're getting read the riot act as to how evil their daddy is, and their mom is pulling out every petty, nasty little trick in the book.

For what it's worth, that's pretty much how my parents' divorce went. When I was 7. My mother was nonstop vitriol. (Still is, believe it or not.) My father consistently took the high road. Never said anything about her on his own and if we brought something up, would look wounded and change the subject. It made her look like the villain to us. Not in a major way; just enough to remove any credibility from her statements.


I was torn on picking Good Omens up, you think its a must?

Mustmustmust.


We are heading up to Oregon for a week to spend Christmas with my Dad and his new wife. I've met her once, at the wedding, she seems nice. And her daughter, and her daughter's new husband. So, essentially Christmas with three strangers, my husband, and my Dad. On the plus side we won't be at my Dad's house (which was my Mom and Dad's) but at a resort rental house, still, there's some apprehension.

I should send you my cell number. How far will you be from Portland and will you have access to a vehicle? In case you discover you need a break.

[Tadhg]

Doesn't mean it's good.

Obviously. I don't think any of the nominees that year were spectacular, but Gump was probably the least of even them

[Ray R.]

God, CRASH is an even worse Oscar winner than FORREST GUMP.

Agreed. The David Cronenberg sex/violence story CRASH deserves an Oscar before that pandering, "why can't everyone get along", piece of garbage.

In any case, the Oscars lost meaning for me after Marisa Tomei and Cuba Gooding Jr, if they ever had much in the first place.

[K'Nort]

I still haven't seen Gump and I don't feel at all bad about it.

[Typo Lad]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2230/2099736990_8373caa27a.jpg
I should have posted that for my own pot heads.

[Agent Helix]

My main problem with Gump is that I think it's (probably unintentionally) a very sinister and unpleasant film about America.

[Typo Lad]

No kidding. If I want a movie with major scenes set at some track meet, I'll watch Fong Sai Yuk. Besides, Chariots of Fire is obviously anti-religion. Having Harold Abrams refuse to run on the sabbath is just painting all religious people as crazed zealots. Not cool at all.

Oh no. We've tainted Gilda.

[Matt Algren]

Oh no. We've tainted Gilda.
Quick Gilda! Think of Helvetica! Of the politics involved!

[HomerJay]

Besides, Chariots of Fire is obviously anti-religion. Having Harold Abrams refuse to run on the sabbath is just painting all religious people as crazed zealots. Not cool at all.
Gilda, you're on fire lately.
My main problem with Gump is that I think it's (probably unintentionally) a very sinister and unpleasant film about America.
Well it IS about how America lost it's innocence as seen through the eyes of someone who never did, so I'm not sure it was unintentional.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

Besides, Chariots of Fire is obviously anti-religion. Having Harold Abrams refuse to run on the sabbath is just painting all religious people as crazed zealots. Not cool at all.


This is possibly the most evil post I've ever seen from you, Gilda.

Nice work.

[Ray R.]

For what it's worth, that's pretty much how my parents' divorce went. When I was 7. My mother was nonstop vitriol. (Still is, believe it or not.) My father consistently took the high road. Never said anything about her on his own and if we brought something up, would look wounded and change the subject. It made her look like the villain to us. Not in a major way; just enough to remove any credibility from her statements.

Thanks for commenting. Morna had a similar experience. Do you mind if I ask if it's affected your relationship with your dad either as a kid or as an adult? I think my daughter (who's 8) is starting to re-examine the credibility aspect of her mom's statement (since the negative statements about dad aren't really being borne out in reality), but I also think she's got to think about self-preservation and has to go along with the words, passively at least. I don't blame her for treating me badly at times, because of the situation she's in, but I'm still trying to set some boundaries on how much attitude and diminishment (she parrots negative things about me to me all the time). My son (who's 3) just loves his daddy too much right now, but as he gets older, I understand that the outward displays of affection towards me are going to stop because he's going to get shamed or punished for them.

I'm just going to take the high road with them (although I'm far from perfect and I DO act wounded at times), and hope that there will be a time when they'll want a relationship on terms that aren't defined by their relationship with mom. Have you found that to be the case? (And if I'm probing too much, I'll gladly back off in respect of your privacy).

[Dreadstar]

My main problem with Gump is that I think it's (probably unintentionally) a very sinister and unpleasant film about America.

Oh, I think the dark backdrop was pretty intentional. That way you get to contrast more completely to Gump's inherent "innocence."

[Gilda Dent]

Quick Gilda! Think of Helvetica! Of the politics involved!

Bah. Anyone who uses Helvetica is indirectly responsible for the war in Iraq.

Also, the track meet in Fong Sai Yuk is so much more entertaining than the one in Chariots of Fire. Recruiting a pretty girl from the spectator section to be the fourth member of your relay team at the last second, now that's thinking outside the box.

[Dreadstar]

Well it IS about how America lost it's innocence as seen through the eyes of someone who never did, so I'm not sure it was unintentional.

Is is simply too slow today...

[Agent Helix]

I don't know, a movie where "loss of innocence" seems to equate to counterculture movements and vague political rebellion through the eyes of a functionally retarded patriot, that just doesn't sit well with me. It comes across as having very, very unpleasant things to say.

[Ray R.]

I still haven't seen Gump and I don't feel at all bad about it.

It certainly hasn't aged well, technically, narratively, or crowd-pandering-wise. The CGI is pretty awful, and the little cutesy period-jokes aren't that funny anymore.

If anything, Gump laid a blueprint for sixties and seventies rock and roll songs to be substituted frequently and haphazardly every time you need to coax an audience into feeling a particular emotion or whiff of nostalgia. Good for royalties payments, bad for storytelling.

The retarded/paralyzed/terminally ill Oscar-designed protagonist is still and always has been in play, though.

[Dreadstar]

I don't know, a movie where "loss of innocence" seems to equate to counterculture movements and vague political rebellion through the eyes of a functionally retarded patriot, that just doesn't sit well with me. It comes across as having very, very unpleasant things to say.

It equates to far more than that. Those are merely two of the contrasts.

[Ray R.]

This is possibly the most evil post I've ever seen from you, Gilda.

Nice work.

She's been hitting 'em out of the park, lately. We need her around here more often. Gives the place a little class.

[K'Nort]

Thanks for commenting. Morna had a similar experience. Do you mind if I ask if it's affected your relationship with your dad either as a kid or as an adult? I think my daughter (who's 8) is starting to re-examine the credibility aspect of her mom's statement (since the negative statements about dad aren't really being borne out in reality), but I also think she's got to think about self-preservation and has to go along with the words, passively at least. I don't blame her for treating me badly at times, because of the situation she's in, but I'm still trying to set some boundaries on how much attitude and diminishment (she parrots negative things about me to me all the time). My son (who's 3) just loves his daddy too much right now, but as he gets older, I understand that the outward displays of affection towards me are going to stop because he's going to get shamed or punished for them.

I'm just going to take the high road with them (although I'm far from perfect and I DO act wounded at times), and hope that there will be a time when they'll want a relationship on terms that aren't defined by their relationship with mom. Have you found that to be the case? (And if I'm probing too much, I'll gladly back off in respect of your privacy).

No problem; I have no baggage there.

It basically was a situation where my father could do no wrong. It helped that he was non-custodial. And thus could (and did) totally spoil us. We had no chores, we had no curfew, we could eat whatever we wanted, we could watch whatever we wanted. Drove my mother insane, because then she looked totally oppressive by comparison.

Also, being pro-dad was an easy way to rebel. I always liked to rebel.

So the idea that this could be something to turn your kids against you is a hard one for me to wrap my head around, frankly.

As an adult, I'm close to both of them. In retrospect, I see some of what my father did was manipulative. But it's not my issue. My only concern is how everyone acts in the present.

[i_mmmchocolate]

Still at work, maybe 30 or so minutes left.

I really need to go Christmas grocery shopping, either today or tomorrow.

[Ray R.]

I don't know, a movie where "loss of innocence" seems to equate to counterculture movements and vague political rebellion through the eyes of a functionally retarded patriot, that just doesn't sit well with me. It comes across as having very, very unpleasant things to say.

I don't disagree too much, but you may be reading too much into a pretty weak narrative that uses a mentally retarded protagonist as cipher more than active participant. It's cheap, not deep.

[Agent Helix]

It equates to far more than that. Those are merely two of the contrasts.


I can barely stomach the movie as is, given how sickeningly maudlin and manipulative it is, so I haven't bothered to delve much more deeply than what I consider to be some really deplorable, backwards characterization.

[Tadhg]

You know, Civil War doesn't seem so bad compared to Heroes Reborn.

[Agent Helix]

I don't disagree too much, but you may be reading too much into a pretty weak narrative that uses a mentally retarded protagonist as cipher more than active participant. It's cheap, not deep.

Precisely why I said it was generally unintentional. I don't think Zemeckis set out to make what I consider to be a Neoconservative fairy tale.

[Lone Ranger]

Hi everyone - how are all things?

[Typo Lad]

You know, Civil War doesn't seem so bad compared to Heroes Reborn.
A kick in the stomach is better than a knife, yes.

[Jared_Humpherys]

Forrest Gump the novel is far superior to Forrest Gump the film, as the former is strictly a zany satire piece, and not maudlin in the slightest.

[i_mmmchocolate]

I haven't seen any of the movies that have been mentioned.

Only recently did I see a movie-- A Beautiful Mind-- but it was a Christmas gift my mom gave me last year. I didn't even open it until a few days ago.

A Beautiful Mind: flawed.

[Lone Ranger]

Are we talking Forrest Gump here?

I found it to be very, very unwatchable - had to do it in 3 sittings.

If ever a movie was guilty of overusing a 60s soundtrack, this is it.

It was almost as it Zemeckis had to find a way to insert every song from his favourite mixed tape into the film.

[Agent Helix]

Man, a Beautiful Mind is the perfect example of an "Oscar Movie" these days. Every second of film, every line of dialog, every shot, and every piece of music is specifically there to say "LOOK AT ME LOOK HOW OSCAR-WORTHY I AM!"

It's not particularly good or bad, but it's the kind of shit that the Academy just laps up like it was heroin soda.

[K'Nort]

I only saw A Beautiful Mind because it was on an airplane. I was expecting total dreck and it wasn't actually that bad. But 'not that bad' is as good as it got.

[Matt Algren]

It certainly hasn't aged well, technically, narratively, or crowd-pandering-wise. The CGI is pretty awful, and the little cutesy period-jokes aren't that funny anymore.

If anything, Gump laid a blueprint for sixties and seventies rock and roll songs to be substituted frequently and haphazardly every time you need to coax an audience into feeling a particular emotion or whiff of nostalgia. Good for royalties payments, bad for storytelling.

The retarded/paralyzed/terminally ill Oscar-designed protagonist is still and always has been in play, though.
Cosigned. I didn't see it till a few years later (shocking, I know) and I couldn't understand the big deal about it. Still don't.
Hi everyone - how are all things?
Well, thanks. How are the kids?

[i_mmmchocolate]

A Beautiful Mind was sooooo loosely based on Nash's life.

You're right, too: a totally cliched Hollywood film.

[Agent Helix]

Granted, these awards really mean dick anyway. It'd be nice if they did, and brought some of the really great films more recognition, but it's not going to happen. Were the Oscars ever much more than a big pat on the back party?

[Winslow]

I have every original issue of the Sigilverse. Good idea: Making comics about unique worlds and situations while not using conventional superheroes.* Bad idea: Forcibly tying all of these worlds together into one cohesive universe just because that's how the big two do it, interrupting ongoing internal storylines for tie-ins.

*Despite their claim that they didn't do superheroes, they were. Origin stories, superpowers, superpowered villains. But it still worked because they created these interesting worlds around these characters and integrated their superheroics into their settings, and used the stories to explore the settings.

I *heart* Gilda.

Marry me in the next life.

Morning Ritalins:

Happy holidays and all that.

Right off: I finally saw the two part final episodes to Battlestar Galactica's third season last night.

WTF? Is it out on DVD?

Thanks for the spoiler tag (no sarcasm).

I have to keep reminding myself that I can't show my kids anything resembling the pure hate and vitriol I feel towards my ex right now. They need to be kept clean in all this, or as much as I can muster, even if they're getting read the riot act as to how evil their daddy is, and their mom is pulling out every petty, nasty little trick in the book. So we just pretend nothing is different, and we start our own little X-mas traditions, even if they don't conform with the norm.

I still have faith that common sense and justice will win out. If not, well, you deal the hand you're dealt, and just be the best dad or mom you can be, until the kids are old enough to be emancipated or speak up for themselves, and even beyond that or despite that.

That's awesome Ray. You're a man of character. I'm not sure I could do that.

Karma and all that.

BTW, a huge advantage of being a geek parent is that our hobby often overlaps with our kid's interests, and gives us a relationship angle. For example, last month we talked about Astro-City at the dinner table and tried to guess who each person's favorite superhero was. It was fun and funny. "Dad, you're so predictable"

No problem; I have no baggage there.

It basically was a situation where my father could do no wrong. It helped that he was non-custodial. And thus could (and did) totally spoil us. We had no chores, we had no curfew, we could eat whatever we wanted, we could watch whatever we wanted. Drove my mother insane, because then she looked totally oppressive by comparison.

Also, being pro-dad was an easy way to rebel. I always liked to rebel.

So the idea that this could be something to turn your kids against you is a hard one for me to wrap my head around, frankly.

As an adult, I'm close to both of them. In retrospect, I see some of what my father did was manipulative. But it's not my issue. My only concern is how everyone acts in the present.

heh . . it plays out that way in my house, and we're still married.

I can barely stomach the movie as is, given how sickeningly maudlin and manipulative it is, so I haven't bothered to delve much more deeply than what I consider to be some really deplorable, backwards characterization.

Stop being so evasive in your opinions.

[Agent Helix]

Stop being so evasive in your opinions.

You know me, Winslow. I just hate steppin' on toes.

[HomerJay]

I don't know, a movie where "loss of innocence" seems to equate to counterculture movements and vague political rebellion through the eyes of a functionally retarded patriot, that just doesn't sit well with me.
That's an interesting point, but I'm not sure that it's deliberately "anti-counterculture". The counterculture movement of the sixties came about as a result of the vietnam war and a basic shift in the American psyche that maybe our government and authority figures don't have the answers after all. It was just the trimmings of the time. A secondary theme of the movie is "stupid is as stupid does" and I think Forrest is meant as a lens to see all of this through and to say "who's really being stupid here". I think it's a bit of an indictment of both sides, which is something a great parody does.

I'm not sure Gump was really a patriot either. He was made a patriot by everyone around him after just doing what he thought was sensible. He never showed any reverance for any of the Presidents he met. He was more excited about the all-you-can-drink Dr. Pepper.

[Ray R.]

No problem; I have no baggage there.

It basically was a situation where my father could do no wrong. It helped that he was non-custodial. And thus could (and did) totally spoil us. We had no chores, we had no curfew, we could eat whatever we wanted, we could watch whatever we wanted. Drove my mother insane, because then she looked totally oppressive by comparison.

Also, being pro-dad was an easy way to rebel. I always liked to rebel.

So the idea that this could be something to turn your kids against you is a hard one for me to wrap my head around, frankly.

As an adult, I'm close to both of them. In retrospect, I see some of what my father did was manipulative. But it's not my issue. My only concern is how everyone acts in the present.


Right. I'm probably setting up the same parallel in my life. I do spoil them, but I do set some boundaries and ground rules on behavior, eating, studying, etc. My indulgence is tinged with some small measure of guilt and responsibility. We'll see if they hold up.

Whether they use me as a way to poke their fingers in mom's eyes, well, we'll just have to see. I look at it rather matter-of-factly: mom and grandmom live in the same house, both make visitation and communication difficult, both take every opportunity to blame everything (their finances, living situation, mental and physical condition, etc.) on me to the children, and they actively use Russian, both the language and the culture, as a way to differentiate the children's mindsets from Dad's American/English. I don't know if "brainwash" is the right word to use, but sometimes the withdrawn, unethusiastic, sullen behavior of my daughter pushes me in that direction. Although maybe she's acting that way in order to push me towards more outward affection and attention. Hard to say.

I do know that my mom and I have a standing bet on when my daughter will tell her mom to "Fuck Off and Die!" in either Russian or English. I'm thinking fourteen, but my mom thinks the over-under is 12. Kids grow up so much younger these days. That might be passive manipulation on my part, so I need to own that.

I appreciate your point of view, and the fact that you've moved on into the phase of dealing with your parents as adults and not just kept either exploiting or being exploited by the same roles you had growing up. Thanks.

[jessecuster3]

Enough of the movie hate, how about top 10 movies of 2007, who wants a go?

[Lone Ranger]

Well, thanks. How are the kids?

They are great, thanks.

Logan is a bit Santa obsessed, which is better than Santaphobic, which is pretty common for 2 year olds. We had an office Christmas party for kids. One of my colleagues dressed as Santa and handed out gifts. When he left the party area, Logan chased him all the way back to his office.

Beatrice is doing well - just passed the 3 month mark. She's still only sleeping a 5 hour stint at night (then eats and goes back to bed). That's not bad - but she just settles down too late. Let's just say that as I was rocking her to sleep, I got to watch the end of the Raptors game last night. They were playing the Clippers in LA.

The bags under my eyes grow larger and darker.

[Dreadstar]

Enough of the movie hate, how about top 10 movies of 2007, who wants a go?

Oh, I do, give me a sec to recap.

[jessecuster3]

Oh, I do, give me a sec to recap.

I still need to do the same.

[Davideaux]

I think it's funny that Cinderella Man failed at the box office. I think people were burnt out and felt manipulated by Beautiful Mind.

[Agent Helix]

That's an interesting point, but I'm not sure that it's deliberately "anti-counterculture". The counterculture movement of the sixties came about as a result of the vietnam war and a basic shift in the American psyche that maybe our government and authority figures don't have the answers after all. It was just the trimmings of the time. A secondary theme of the movie is "stupid is as stupid does" and I think Forrest is meant as a lens to see all of this through and to say "who's really being stupid here". I think it's a bit of an indictment of both sides, which is something a great parody does.

I'm not sure Gump was really a patriot either. He was made a patriot by everyone around him after just doing what he thought was sensible. He never showed any reverance for any of the Presidents he met. He was more excited about the all-you-can-drink Dr. Pepper.

I don't think it makes a particularly effective parody. It tries to be too sincere at every point. Forrest is, at every moment, an almost completely angelic figure, whereas characters like Jenny are overly vilified and then punished for, as near as I've ever been able to tell, not being more like Forrest.

Jared's right about the book. The movie loses all of the bite and focus, and it becomes both stupid and unpleasant because of those dichotomies.

[Lone Ranger]

I don't know if "brainwash" is the right word to use, but sometimes the withdrawn, unethusiastic, sullen behavior of my daughter pushes me in that direction. Although maybe she's acting that way in order to push me towards more outward affection and attention. Hard to say.


Just be patient with her, my friend. She's going through a lot and she just needs consistent love from you.

All you can do to counter all of the negativity from the other side is to stay positive. Keeping decent boundaries is always a good idea. You can be a Good Cop without being Barney Fife, if you catch my meaning.

She'll be your daughter when she 10, 15, 20, 25 etc... etc... She'll need you at all of those junctures.

[Agent Helix]

She'll be your daughter when she 10, 15, 20, 25 etc... etc... She'll need you at all of those junctures.

Wow, just once every five years? Man, who ever said parenting was hard!

[Winslow]

Enough of the movie hate, how about top 10 movies of 2007, who wants a go?

I don't think I watched 10 movies this year.

(1) Spiderman3
(2) Harry Potter
(3) Live Free or Die Hard
(4) Transformers

Uh . . that's it.

[Sanagi]

Enough of the movie hate, how about top 10 movies of 2007, who wants a go?
Futurama!

Does that count?

Well, anyway, Futurama!

[Matt Algren]

All you can do to counter all of the negativity from the other side is to stay positive. Keeping decent boundaries is always a good idea. You can be a Good Cop without being Barney Fife, if you catch my meaning.Rule One: obey all rules! Second, do not write on the walls...as it takes a lot of work...to erase writing...off of walls.

[Ray R.]

I don't think it makes a particularly effective parody. It tries to be too sincere at every point. Forrest is, at every moment, an almost completely angelic figure, whereas characters like Jenny are overly vilified and then punished for, as near as I've ever been able to tell, not being more like Forrest.

Jared's right about the book. The movie loses all of the bite and focus, and it becomes both stupid and unpleasant because of those dichotomies.

Sex = death. Don't you get it?

[K'Nort]

My indulgence is tinged with some small measure of guilt and responsibility. We'll see if they hold up.

Good point. That was a non-issue in my situation. My mother was the one who moved out. In the middle of the night. As her 30th birthday present to herself. Decided she'd done the marriage/kids thing too soon and wanted to be Mary Tyler Moore instead.

And sometimes girls are just sullen.



I'm not sure I saw a single 2007 movie.

[Tadhg]

I don't think I watched 10 movies this year.

(1) Spiderman3
(2) Harry Potter
(3) Live Free or Die Hard
(4) Transformers

Uh . . that's it.

That's the boat I'm in.

Movies I've seen this year:

1. Ocean's 13
2. Once
3. Bourne Ultimatum
4. Michael Clayton
5. Hot Fuzz
6. August Rush

[Lone Ranger]

Wow, just once every five years? Man, who ever said parenting was hard!

Droll.

I've got a 3 month old who is an absolute doll, but sometimes, whe's she's screaming in my ear I wonder how I am ever going to get through the next hour, never mind week.

At this stage, I can't imagine her growing up but I keep reminding myself that I am going to be teaching her to ride a bike, ski in powder and dump a boyfriend in a nice manner.

It's a big job - I know Ray will do a great job, even if there are highs and lows right now.

[Davideaux]

I haven't seen enough movies... But of the ones I've seen I liked.

1. Knocked Up
2. The Lives of Others
3. Bourne Ultimatum
4. Into the Wild
5. Gone Baby Gone

I still want to see No Country, Atonement, Beowulf and Why Did I get Married (sike).

[jessecuster3]

That's the boat I'm in.

Movies I've seen this year:

1. Ocean's 13
2. Once
3. Bourne Ultimatum
4. Michael Clayton
5. Hot Fuzz
6. August Rush

no 300, Ratatouille, etc.?

[Ray R.]

WTF? Is it out on DVD?

Thanks for the spoiler tag (no sarcasm).

Last weekend, SciFi ran the last ten hours of Season 3. I just had the Tivo set up for all of it. I would have thought the DVDs would be out by now, since the finale of Season 3 was in March.

And spoilers are only common courtesy, particularly with the final two episodes, which expose an awful lot.


BTW, a huge advantage of being a geek parent is that our hobby often overlaps with our kid's interests, and gives us a relationship angle. For example, last month we talked about Astro-City at the dinner table and tried to guess who each person's favorite superhero was. It was fun and funny. "Dad, you're so predictable"

In my house, Dad is a weirdo. But a fun weirdo. Giselle's got her favorite superheroes (all superheroines) ranked. Rogue is #1, followed by Zatanna. I love spreading geekiness. Kids do like it.

[Lone Ranger]

Off to a meeting - I'll check back later as I haven't seen anything in 2007 - would like to put together a To Watch List.

[Tadhg]

no 300, Ratatouille, etc.?


Nope. Lorinda bought me 300 on DVD, but I haven't watched it.

[Agent Helix]

Off the top of my head, my favorites of the year, in no particular order:

Ratatouille
Zodiac
Hot Fuzz
Once
No Country for Old Men
Knocked Up
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Superbad

I'd probably say Zodiac remains my favorite of 2007.

[Typo Lad]

In my house, Dad is a weirdo. But a fun weirdo. Giselle's got her favorite superheroes (all superheroines) ranked. Rogue is #1, followed by Zatanna. I love spreading geekiness. Kids do like it.

Tot has Zatanna at number one, with Hawkgirl in number two.

[Winslow]

Last weekend, SciFi ran the last ten hours of Season 3. I just had the Tivo set up for all of it. I would have thought the DVDs would be out by now, since the finale of Season 3 was in March.

They screwed up by missing the Christmas shoppers.

I have no idea what the delay is. I don't get cable *gasp*, and rely on the DVDs.

In my house, Dad is a weirdo. But a fun weirdo. Giselle's got her favorite superheroes (all superheroines) ranked. Rogue is #1, followed by Zatanna. I love spreading geekiness. Kids do like it.

My kids have jumped on the Naruto bandwagon (points at avatar), but I haven't checked it out yet.

I'd be more inclined to buy the manga rather than the DVD, but they asked for the DVD for Christmas.

[jessecuster3]

Mine still needs work and I haven't seen Breach, No Country..., Assassination of Jesse James, Michael Clayton, Lives of Others, and a few more.




So, in no particular order, except the first one:
Gone Baby Gone
Before The Devil knows You Are Dead
The Lookout
3:10 To Yuma
Ratatouille
300
Bourne Ultimatum
1408

[Ray R.]

Good point. That was a non-issue in my situation. My mother was the one who moved out. In the middle of the night. As her 30th birthday present to herself. Decided she'd done the marriage/kids thing too soon and wanted to be Mary Tyler Moore instead.

And sometimes girls are just sullen.

I'm sorry about that. My dad did the same thing (he moved to San Francisco in 1969) when I was two, and my mom was pregnant with my brother. Guess the money ran out, because he was back when I was four.

[Dreadstar]

I think it would come down to these 10, for me. I ONLY chose movies I SAW, btw.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End
3:10 to Yuma
Super Bad
Live Free or Die Hard
300
The Bourne Ultimatum
Stardust
Ratatouille
Grindhouse
Spider-Man 3

I rather liked the following, and on another day they might find the top 10:

Mr. Brooks
Ghost Rider
The Number 23
Hot Fuzz
Black Snake Moan
Shoot 'Em Up
August Rush
I Am Legend

I almost guarantee that Sweeney Todd and Walk Hard will make the top 10 as well.

[jessecuster3]

I think it would come down to these 10, for me. I ONLY chose movies I SAW, btw.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End
3:10 to Yuma
Super Bad
Live Free or Die Hard
300
The Bourne Ultimatum
Stardust
Ratatouille
Grindhouse
Spider-Man 3

I rather liked the following, and on another day they might find the top 10:

Mr. Brooks
Ghost Rider
The Number 23
Hot Fuzz
Black Snake Moan
Shoot 'Em Up
August Rush
I Am Legend

I almost guarantee that Sweeney Todd and Walk Hard will make the top 10 as well.

Awesome! I missed putting Ghost Rider on my list, I really liked that, and I haven't seen Stardust yet, I will have to add it to my list. Shoot'Em Up I couldn't get the girl to see after someone linked that clip of them having sex and shooting people at the same time.

[Ray R.]

Off the top of my head, my favorites of the year, in no particular order:

Ratatouille
Zodiac
Hot Fuzz
Once
No Country for Old Men
Knocked Up
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Superbad

I'd probably say Zodiac remains my favorite of 2007.

Respectable list. I wasn't that crazy about Zodiac, personally.

Mine (only movies I've seen, and I still need to see quite a few once they hit DVD):

Ratatouille
Superbad
Bourne Ultimatum
The Host
Rescue Dawn
Grindhouse (combined)
Hot Fuzz
Futurama: Bender's Big Score
Paprika
Daywatch

[HomerJay]

Sex = death. Don't you get it?
These men taught us that long before Gump:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/HomerJay64/baddie-brawl-jason-voorhees-vs-leat.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/HomerJay64/knife.jpg

I haven't seen enough movies...
Same here. My favs though (in no particular order):
- No Country for Old Men
- The Mist
- 300
- I Am Legend
- 3:10 to Yuma
- The Bourne Ultimatum
- Beowulf
- Reign Over Me
- Grindhouse

I haven't yet seen Gone Baby Gone, 28 Weeks Later, 30 Days of Night, Rescue Dawn, 1408, Ghost Rider, American Gangster, Superbad, Knocked-Up or The Simpsons Movie.

[Dreadstar]

Shoot'Em Up I couldn't get the girl to see after someone linked that clip of them having sex and shooting people at the same time.

Shoot 'Em Up requires more suspension of disbelief than Live Free or Die Hard. It's basically a Hong Kong Gun-Fu movie amped to 11. Clive Owen is nothing less than a superhero sans tights.

IOW, it's a fun ride.

[Ray R.]

Shoot 'Em Up requires more suspension of disbelief than Live Free or Die Hard. It's basically a Hong Kong Gun-Fu movie amped to 11. Clive Owen is nothing less than a superhero sans tights.

IOW, it's a fun ride.

Clive Owen was hilarious in the series finale of Extras, if you haven't seen it yet.

Just played the evil, callous Clive Owen to the hilt. Viciously funny.

[Agent Helix]

I'm still torn on Bender's Big Score. On the one hand, I definitely liked it quite a bit, and I've already watched it twice. On the other hand, I think they went completely overboard and tried to shoehorn as many fan-favorite cameos and ideas as they could, and it weakened it overall.

The promotional animatic for Beast With a Billion Backs is great, though. David Cross as a planet sized alien conqueror!

[Gilda Dent]

Granted, these awards really mean dick anyway. It'd be nice if they did, and brought some of the really great films more recognition, but it's not going to happen. Were the Oscars ever much more than a big pat on the back party?

I find critics association awards to be more an indicator of quality to me, and like to look at the top ten lists of individual critics to find gems I might have missed.

A lot of movies from early in the year are available on DVD. The quick release strategy makes it a bit easier to see some of those movies on all the top ten lists.

Of the 2007 movies I've seen, I thought highly of these, in no particular order:

Ratatouille
Zodiac
The Host
3:10 to Yuma
Bridge to Terabithia
The Mist
Bug
The Brave One

I also like Gracie, Believe in Me and The Last Season a lot, but I'm such a sucker for this type of movie that they really only have to do a competent job for me to enjoy myself.

[K'Nort]

Clive Owen is dreamy.

It now looks like I saw four movies in 2007, but only enjoyed one (Hot Fuzz).


The feds have finally changed the occupational outlook for librarians from better-than-average demand to less-than-average demand.

[Sanagi]

Ratatouille is the only movie that got me into a theater this year. Maybe Pixar's best.

Transformers was not quite bad enough to overcome the inherent coolness of its premise, although it came pretty close at times. Could that government agent guy have been more pointless and annoying?

I think that's the end of what I can contribute to the conversation.

[Ray R.]

I'm still torn on Bender's Big Score. On the one hand, I definitely liked it quite a bit, and I've already watched it twice. On the other hand, I think they went completely overboard and tried to shoehorn as many fan-favorite cameos and ideas as they could, and it weakened it overall.

The promotional animatic for Beast With a Billion Backs is great, though. David Cross as a planet sized alien conqueror!

I get what you're saying. It kind of made my list less because it was great than my like for it outweighed my dislike of other movies on other lists. I did like it better than The Simpsons movie, though. And I don't go to the movies much, so I need to wait for the DVD release to see half of most people's top-tens.

Besides, everybody loves Hypno-Toad!

[Agent Helix]

All glory to the Hypno-Toad!

[Dreadstar]

I just looked over the release dates and counted up the number of movies I've seen this year. It averages to more than one a week.

[Jared_Humpherys]

Ratatouille
Superbad
No Country for Old Men
The Host
3:10 to Yuma
Sunshine
Hot Fuzz
Stardust
Paprika
Bourne Ultimatum

[Tadhg]

Clive Owen is dreamy.

It now looks like I saw four movies in 2007, but only enjoyed one (Hot Fuzz).


The feds have finally changed the occupational outlook for librarians from better-than-average demand to less-than-average demand.

What were the other movies you saw?

[Sanagi]

Bender's Big Score does go overboard on the fanservice. I also figured out the big plot twist about ten minutes in. But I think it delivers enough awesomeness that it doesn't matter.

[jessecuster3]

Ratatouille
Superbad
No Country for Old Men
The Host
3:10 to Yuma
Sunshine
Hot Fuzz
Stardust
Paprika
Bourne Ultimatum

Sunshine would totally have made my list but the last 3rd of that movie totally killed it for me.

The Host should completely be on mine.

[Agent Helix]

Bender's Big Score does go overboard on the fanservice. I also figured out the big plot twist about ten minutes in. But I think it delivers enough awesomeness that it doesn't matter.

I thought the Hermes subplot really made up for a lot of the shortcomings, because it was consistently hilarious. I think the villains were a bit weak, and that role could've been filled better with Mom and her boys, rather than some fairly annoying random weirdos. Hopefully, they're saving that character for one of the other three films.

[K'Nort]

What were the other movies you saw?

Spider-Man, Pirates, Transformers.

None of which I would have seen on my own.

[Jared_Humpherys]

Sunshine would totally have made my list but the last 3rd of that movie totally killed it for me.

The Host should completely be on mine.

Didn't bother me near as much as it did others. The killer suspense and fantastic score kept it up there for me.

[Puma]

I should send you my cell number. How far will you be from Portland and will you have access to a vehicle? In case you discover you need a break.

If we were going to be at Dad's house I'd jump on the chance; alas, we will be near Bend.

[Dreadstar]

As far as the worst movie I saw this past year, it would be too easy to say Epic Movie, but thankfully, I had enough sense to walk out of that one. I really want to say Hannibal Rising, but as bad as that one was, there was one that was worse. Dragon Wars. It was a Power Rangers level movie, at best.

[jessecuster3]

As far as the worst movie I saw this past year, it would be too easy to say Epic Movie, but thankfully, I had enough sense to walk out of that one. I really want to say Hannibal Rising, but as bad as that one was, there was one that was worse. Dragon Wars. It was a Power Rangers level movie, at best.

The Mist wins that battle for me, with The Number 23 very close behind.

[Mac Danny]

Sorry bout the dirty word there puma. I had to play it.

[Typo Lad]

The only thing about Monk is I keep solving the murders before he does.

[thespianphryne]

My 2007 movie list (there are movies I haven't yet seen so not on the list):

3:10 To Yuma
Away From Her
Breach
Gone Baby Gone
Juno
The Lives Of Others
Nanking
No Country For Old Men
Paprika
Rescue Dawn
This Is England
Waitress
The Wind That Shakes The Barley
Zodiac



-Das

[Jared_Humpherys]

Oh yeah, "Breach" is right up there(just ran out of room). I imagine "Juno" and "Sweeney Todd" will also be big for me.

[Mike Smash!]

Best Jack 'O Lantern. Ever.

http://sciencefun.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/278993229_ad184199ef.jpg

[Mac Danny]

The only thing about Monk is I keep solving the murders before he does.

They run like old Columbo episodes. Whoever Columbo spends a lot of time with is the killer.

Love the show though. Lots of fun.

[Jared_Humpherys]

Best Jack 'O Lantern. Ever.

http://sciencefun.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/278993229_ad184199ef.jpg

Is that a Dalek?

[Typo Lad]

They run like old Columbo episodes. Whoever Columbo spends a lot of time with is the killer.

Love the show though. Lots of fun.
Not true. the guy who killed the lawyer in "Mr. Monk and the Other Woman" got five minutes of screen time.

[Mike Smash!]

Is that a Dalek?It is, indeed.

[Jared_Humpherys]

It is, indeed.

Thought so. Sweet.

[Mike Smash!]

Here's a Cylon Jack O'Lantern. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7f2dgROVUg&NR=1)

and the Dalek O'Lantern moves! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPsXj7kVB5g&feature=related)

[Tadhg]

For Jared: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071219-3d-realms-shows-new-duke-nukem-forever-footage.html

[mattx110]

Here's a Cylon Jack O'Lantern. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7f2dgROVUg&NR=1)

and the Dalek O'Lantern moves! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPsXj7kVB5g&feature=related)
It was loading really slow on my computer, then all of a sudden, it turned and I got seriously freaked out. It felt like a real dalek :(

[Merey]

Afternoon all. So, things have gone from bad to worse here at Teetering on the Edge Financial Services, Inc. And one huge lesson I've learned from all of this: I can't trust anything the major press produces. Yes, it's probably an obvious lesson, but it takes on a whole new reality when you're entangled in it all.


I'll take "Forgettable Best Picture Winners" for $400, Alex.
It was the SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE or CRASH of the 80s.

I'll risk the "Transformers eye-roll" and state that I LOVE Shakespeare in Love. Yeah, it certainly does not have universal appeal, but it's a fun, well-made film that has the major bonus of being written by Tom Stoppard. There are tons of Stoppardian lines that tickle me with every viewing. But I'm incredibly bias because SiL is like a love letter to theatre nerds.

For what it's worth, that's pretty much how my parents' divorce went. When I was 7. My mother was nonstop vitriol. (Still is, believe it or not.) My father consistently took the high road. Never said anything about her on his own and if we brought something up, would look wounded and change the subject. It made her look like the villain to us. Not in a major way; just enough to remove any credibility from her statements.




I had a very similar experience, except my brother sister and I were in our older teens to early twenty-somethings when our parents got divorced. My Dad has refused to say anything bad about our Mother to us even though he was clearly the wronged party in this whole mess - my Mom cheated on him and left all of us. My Dad's parents got divorced when he was the same age as I was at the time, 19, and he was constantly pulled in two directions by both parents who were trying to hurt each other through their children. That resulted in my Dad not having a relationship with either parent because along with the constant vitriol going back and forth, they were also both angry with him for not choosing a side. Anyway, I really respect my Dad separating his hurt and anger for my Mom when it came to us and our relationship with her. And he did this, and still does this despite the fact that I'm estranged from my Mother. In fact, early on he encouraged me to reconsider my anger towards her and suggested that eventually I might regret cutting her out of my life. I didn't agree with him then and, 10 years later, I still don't but that selflessness and love is why my Dad will always be my hero.

So, yeah, Ray you are definitely going down the right path and your children will be thankful and have a tremendous amount of respect for you when they're older. :)

[Mike Smash!]

EX-TERM-INATE!!

http://sciencefun.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/278993229_ad184199ef.jpg

[Loren]

They run like old Columbo episodes. Whoever Columbo spends a lot of time with is the killer.

So it's the opposite of the old Scooby Doo formula, where the killer is the person who shows up just long enough to get introduced and name-checked?

[Typo Lad]

I'll risk the "Transformers eye-roll" and state that I LOVE Shakespeare in Love. Yeah, it certainly does not have universal appeal, but it's a fun, well-made film that has the major bonus of being written by Tom Stoppard. There are tons of Stoppardian lines that tickle me with every viewing. But I'm incredibly bias because SiL is like a love letter to theatre nerds.

Wait, it's Stoppard? Now I have to see it.

[mattx110]

So it's the opposite of the old Scooby Doo formula, where the killer is the person who shows up just long enough to get introduced and name-checked?
If your name begins with "groundskeeper", "old man", or really anything that is an adjective rather than a first name... you're probably a jerk. Scooby Doo taught me that.

[jessecuster3]

For Jared: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071219-3d-realms-shows-new-duke-nukem-forever-footage.html

I still call bullshit.

[Gilda Dent]

They run like old Columbo episodes. Whoever Columbo spends a lot of time with is the killer.

Love the show though. Lots of fun.

So it's the opposite of the old Scooby Doo formula, where the killer is the person who shows up just long enough to get introduced and name-checked?

Somewhat. Monk usually figures out who did it in the first few minutes, tells the police and audience and frequently the suspect, and the bulk of the show consists of his trying to figure out the how and why and find the evidence to prove things.

[Puma]

Sorry bout the dirty word there puma. I had to play it.

that's not dirty.


and I played vulva in an earlier game.

[thespianphryne]

[...]


I'll risk the "Transformers eye-roll" and state that I LOVE Shakespeare in Love. Yeah, it certainly does not have universal appeal, but it's a fun, well-made film that has the major bonus of being written by Tom Stoppard. There are tons of Stoppardian lines that tickle me with every viewing. But I'm incredibly bias because SiL is like a love letter to theatre nerds.


[....]

I really enjoyed Shakespeare in Love as well, but Gwyneth Paltrow winning the Oscar? Travesty.


-Das

[Gilda Dent]

Worst movie I saw this year, by far: Transformers. Not trying to stir things up, Jesse, it was just devoid of any entertainment value for me beginning to middle. Our disc player glitched in the middle section and we couldn't finish it, for which I was grateful.

[Matt Algren]

Afternoon all. So, things have gone from bad to worse here at Teetering on the Edge Financial Services, Inc. And one huge lesson I've learned from all of this: I can't trust anything the major press produces. Yes, it's probably an obvious lesson, but it takes on a whole new reality when you're entangled in it all. Not anything layoff-speeding-up, I hope.

[Ray R.]

Worst movie I saw this year, by far: Transformers. Not trying to stir things up, Jesse, it was just devoid of any entertainment value for me beginning to middle. Our disc player glitched in the middle section and we couldn't finish it, for which I was grateful.

My worst movie of the year as well, hands-down. Gilda, it just got worse. The first half might have been the better half, by far.

[Gilda Dent]

that's not dirty.


and I played vulva in an earlier game.

Heh. I managed to play "coke" in my game with Chris and barely won on the very last word with "pi".

[Slam_Bradley]

I haven't seen 10 movies this year that I liked. But I've probably just barely seen ten movies made this year.

The seven I've seen that I enjoyed on some level.

1. Superbad
2. Smoking Aces
3. Hot Fuzz
4. Simpson’s Movie
5. 300
6. Knocked Up
7. Ghost Rider

[Merey]

I really enjoyed Shakespeare in Love as well, but Gwyneth Paltrow winning the Oscar? Travesty.


-Das


Agreed. I didn't have her performance like some of my friends, but there was a pool of much more talented leading ladies that year.


My favorite movies this year (in no particular order):

Once
Juno
Ratatouille
Michael Clayton
Across the Universe
Knocked Up


Ones that I'm sure will join the list once I see them:

Sweeney Todd
Persepolis

[Merey]

Not anything layoff-speeding-up, I hope.

Right now, it looks like it.

But I'm not going to let myself dwell. I leave in an hour for the airport and I get to go into a happy state of denial until the new year.