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51

Movies & TV / Re: Star Wars IX The Rise of Skywalker

« on: October 24, 2019, 12:39:45 AM »

We'd still go.  My kids aren't that discerning, and we've watched all of the other Star Wars movies.
Sometimes the actual quality of the movie matters less than the social event - and even bad Star Wars movies have moments that make them worth watching on the big screen.

That said, if my kids didn't want to go then I'd probably hold out for a home release unless it's spectacular.

As mentioned before I have turned down an invitation to see a movie before. I did because I don't want to intentionally watch bad movies and coming out annoyed making my attendance an obligation. Bad movie nights excepted. The movie is part of the event and when I host them a bad movie is going to detract from the experience. I have apologised for unintentionally bad movies and always try to be sure everyone is informed.

When we came out of R1, we were all like, "That was better than TFA, there was some actual SW in it" (TFA lost it's lustre by then")but no one was excited. It was unanimous. We didn't talk about it much. We did something and that was it. That absolutely sucks.

My dad always did his best to show me good, the best movies. Verhoven, James Cameron, Jacky Chan, Jet Li, Chow Young Fat, Arnold, Stallone, SW, Reeves Supes, Studio Ghilbi. Age was not an objection. I was scared ****-less when I saw a bit of Aliens and ran away when I was 5, yet I appreciated this years later. Kids aren't that dumb or lack the ability to be discerning. Good movies are part of your interaction and their upbringing which goes pretty much for everything.

I hated the Tie Defender because it's OP. In Tie Fighter fighting them and flying them was really unfun as it broke the balance. X-Wing had a nice balance where each craft had their niche. The tractor beam was awful too as it broke the game. I love both games but I wish Tie Fighter was more grounded like X-Wing and X-wing had the ability to deal with missiles other than looping.

Gotta agree space craft had no real exposure, dumb af or really any uniqueness in the Sequels. Reskinned Tie Fighter, come on. It was pretty much "BIIGGGEERRR" and "EXPLOSSIIOONS".

The B-Wing didn't get much exposure in OT or EU tbf. Bad ship to fly with such a huge rear end. Nice bomb bay but rather fly an Y-Wing and reload. Sorry Ackbar, it was a bad design.

52

Movies & TV / Re: Star Wars IX The Rise of Skywalker

« on: October 23, 2019, 09:05:41 AM »

If you knew TRoS was another TLJ travesty would you still go or watch the next random movie?

I tell you what, this new version of the theme song in the trailer is just. so. good!!

The Star Wars music has never meant too much to me. I mean, it's iconic as hell but it's never really got me. But this one, wow. This rendition just has so much majesty. A very fitting theme to close out the saga.

Sigh. John Williams using the microwave again. This is the music version of blue milk.

53

Movies & TV / Re: Star Wars IX The Rise of Skywalker

« on: October 23, 2019, 01:15:06 AM »

Hold off on watching open night or week. That way you know if it is worth going out for it or not. I would only go to an opening night or even first week if I knew it is a 100% sure thing like John Wick. The only NuSW movie I went to the theatres for was R1 mostly because of friends. Great last 1/3 but yeah, it got issues and it's pretty clear where the reshoots are. The same friends called up for the TLJ opening, I flatly turn them down. If they said we will go to the theatres and pick a random movie that wasn't TLJ I probably would have gone.

Hope is not a strategy. Seeing it out of obligation is not great and if that is it, don't go.

54

Movies & TV / Re: Star Wars IX The Rise of Skywalker

« on: October 23, 2019, 12:01:27 AM »

As far as light sabers go. This is a PG or PG-13 movie right? Maybe it doesn't matter so much. The fencing and sparing are going to be more fantastical. Here's what a more realistic fight looks like

Though I think they should have more severed limbs in the Star Wars movies.

The attention to detail the sword master brought in OT made it stand out, it gave it gravitas. Even as a kid that was something I could appreciate despite not being able to actualise it. PG 13 isn't an excuse to slack off.

The poor stunt guys as well as Daisy and Adam who couldn't keep up with the action in TLJ. They couldn't prep them enough, just shoved out there to dance. Stunts forced to do their thing in real time rather than being able to adapt to the actor's limitations off screen. Rian didn't give a ****.

Action in movies in general is pretty poor these days. Funny thing is of all the Marvel movies(DP excepted) the one I actually like has the most realism with The Winter Solider. That is Chris Evans going at it in the elevator, no CGI punchman in sight. The actors working hand in hand with stunts. This pretty much just gushing on WS.

https://youtu.be/bAxmIxGXMOY

John Wick has everyone put in the effort no matter who they were. As messy Atomic Blonde was Theron was putting herself out there. Berry smashed it in JW3. Tom Cruise speaks for himself. People can tell when they put the effort in, you are all like "DAAMMNN, that gotta hurt".

I don't think JJ will be in charge of DC, just Superman. DC isn't going to try to do the Marvel thing anymore. The adaptation they've evolved is "Things are only connected if it's convenient" As time goes on these studios are going to be less reliant on theaters. Direct to home blockbusters are going to be force of reckoning in the future. Because of that the continuity model is going to become more like comics...or porn. There's going to be something for everyone.

You are not going to have enough mass replication of theatre equivalent setup to push them aside. The mini theatres these days are pretty good but they can't overcome physics. It distorts well before the bang is a bang, it's just loudness which others are not going to appreciate. Screens can't match the projector other than resolution as it's all digital projection. We have a looonnng way to go before there is any reckoning like what happened to TV.

Star Wars threads stop being fun so quickly around here.

Its sad really.  I mean this series is suppose to bring people joy and enjoyment of a world that could be and about the underdog beating an oppressive regime.  Now it seems to be that people are upset because the series isn't directly catering to them or some pointless thing like fight mechanics in the movies.     But let me throw this out here have any of you that are critizing the lightsaber duals ever think that these Jedi and Sith are at the top of their game using the force and reacting quicker than needed so they are dodging where the lightsaber would have been? 

It's the lack of care to the point of flippant disregard. The Force is a terrible excuse, it's not a get out of jail free card. It's not just a "Star Wars" thing. If you did the same in another show people would react just as poorly. If the film maker doesn't care everything suffers.

55

Movies & TV / Re: Star Wars IX The Rise of Skywalker

« on: October 22, 2019, 06:12:52 PM »

If your conviction regarding the gifs are that strong post them and point out why it was a whiffle. Someone of that calibre would not make such obvious mistakes as egregious as PT/ST. With ESB/Jedi if it was left in there was a good reason. Skill level, emotional instability, confidence, physical ability, endurance, focus are factors that are shown on screen.

He gives expert opinion coupled with expert insights and he clearly makes his case. I defer to an expert in their field every time over myself and given the opportunity ask for clarity. Expert opinion can be used in court as evidence if the expert's credibility can be established. Do you really think I would take your opinion over his unless you presented something equally strong? If something was so obviously wrong I would have pointed it out myself.

I knew there must have been something else to that.  I expect this will do well but I don't think it'll end up anywhere even close to Endgame. Unless this turns out to be a seriously amazing movie and has serious legs.  I do very much enjoy Mr Abrams's work but I don't think any movie maker out there would be able to fix what was broken and wrap it all up in the same movie.

I smelled a rat, your gut feelings served you well. 45% over Endgame was an absurd number factored with everything we know. So I looked for additional information to parse the number as statistics vast majority of the time don't come with any parameters especially when it comes to marketing. It took a minute.

The task is literally impossible, the narrative irrecoverably broken. Then you have the shattered audience. The higher ups with their demands and contractual obligations. Mo money means mo problems as he effectively has infinite budget. The deadline. JJ might not even give a damn anymore as he is going to DC RIP. This is as far from normal as you can get.

56

Movies & TV / Re: Star Wars IX The Rise of Skywalker

« on: October 22, 2019, 04:02:04 PM »

Bob's fights are for me the perfect blend of realism and showmanship. The sword movements tend to be a little exaggerated for visual effect, but they always have a martial purpose.

You can't cut a quote like that. The first sentence is inseparable from the second.

Which brings us to

The Darth Maul three-way duel in Phantom looks nice, is partially based on wushu, particularly toward the end, but is martially ridiculous. There are about 20 moments in the fight when one of the combatants has a clear unopposed opportunity to bop someone else on the head and instead twirls a blade behind their back (a lethal mistake in a real fight) or spins it in their wrist. Most of the blows seem aimed at each other's weapons, rather than parts of their bodies. Pirouetting attacks become the norm.

That is one of the big differences between OT and PT/ST. TRoS is so slack they can't even be bothered to hide it. You put your best footage in the trailer and if that is the best they have, it is going to be dire. The quality gap is massive. PT/ST is bad, trying to rubbish OT to make them look better is bad.

The guy is not above pointing at errors in OT

Both fighters are cagey and spend more time probing and watching each other than swinging their swords around. Obi Wan does one ridiculous back-turning pirouette, but otherwise it's all pretty solid, and heavily reminiscent of Kurosawa's samurai movies.

The stickiness of the blades was noticeable in "A New Hope," but became more pronounced as the movies progressed, although it was not applied consistently. Another thing that was not applied consistently was the implied weight of a lightsaber, which seemed tiny in "A New Hope," quite heavy in "Return of the Jedi," and then became light again for the prequels.

If the error is them whiffing a swing he would have said so.

And since you keep bringing this up, I wanted to post some gifs to point out very specific moments in the Vader/Luke duel in which the characters are clearly not aiming for each other’s body instead of posting a video and saying, “Look at 0:46 and 0:54.” You, as expected, condescended and insulted me for wanting to provide an easier visual for you because for some reason, you can’t have a normal conversation with other people.

It was never going to help you because your assessment is not going to trump expert testimony. You need to bring equally strong evidence to the table.

OT isn't above criticism but the sabre fights aren't where the flaws are. If you were going to post an error at least use the "Force kick". I found it within 10 seconds because it is an significant error/goof.

https://preview.redd.it/ambzn45nh8u21.gif?format=mp4&s=56e4172cf6300bd59300ffd645cd2dbf15da7c02

57

Movies & TV / Re: Star Wars IX The Rise of Skywalker

« on: October 22, 2019, 01:14:54 PM »

Given how close to the wire with the massive reshoots, the astronomical premium for short order VFX/CGI I wouldn't be surprised the movie alone cost $500 million. $1B at the box office isn't going to be enough. "Normal" sequel drop off is most certainly in play and TLJ factor is clear with Solo.

Beyond just the box office money TRoS far more importantly has to bring back the brand which is undeniably wounded. They need to get merch moving, people to go to the SW shopping mall, to be the evergreen money tree Lucas had. TRoS would have to be the most absolute masterpiece, the literal greatest movie released since the invention of movies, like transcendent, make the Sistine chapel look like trash. So not happening in any universe.

RE: light sabres

I literally posted the article and relevant quote regards to OT from a relevant professional. Are you telling me one of the, if not the greatest sword master/choreographer of the time had Vadar and Luke swing around like the idiots in PT or sequel? Read the article, it has some good insights.

How many decades has the internet had to make said gifs and be available one google away? Posting PT sword loop is a copy paste away. As neigh infinite as the internet is, not only did someone had to care enough to do that, others had to perpetuate it. The context to it is so wide spread it doesn't even a caption. Shorty spoke of it and pokepal148 posted it less than 30 minutes later.

Instead of "Make my own gifs" I am sure if the light sabre problem with OT was that significant there would be a legit video or article out there with relevant professionals a google away for you to bring up.

The bad action in the sequels and shown again in TRoS is indicative of the lack of quality, the sloppiness. This applies to any movie. You have stunt people just dying of embarrassment from the TLJ fight. I can post the video if you like with the relevant time stamp.

58

NWR Mafia Games / Re: Mafia 82: Resident Evil Mafia Day 2... You got a problem with death?

« on: October 22, 2019, 11:56:05 AM »

Sorry for not showing up earlier, the ankle biters are a real handful.

Hmm Kush drama as usual. Ehh, "Siri, roll a dice". "5"

Vote Silenced

59

Movies & TV / Re: Star Wars IX The Rise of Skywalker

« on: October 22, 2019, 11:40:16 AM »

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/other-sports/news/how-real-was-the-swordsmanship-in-the-star-wars-movies/8nbimfd40ku019fdcqb4iz462

RotJ relevant quote:

The Luke-Vader fights of "Empire" and "Jedi" were directed by Bob Anderson, without doubt the greatest sword choreographer of all time. He also did "The Lord of the Rings," "Highlander," "The Princess Bride" and "Mark of Zorro," to name but a few, and was an Olympic fencer. He actually wore the Vader costume for some of the fighting, because Dave Prowse couldn't master the moves. Bob was a true sword master and could depict any style, but his personal training was in European sabre, and it shows in the fights.

Bob's fights are for me the perfect blend of realism and showmanship. The sword movements tend to be a little exaggerated for visual effect, but they always have a martial purpose. The beat/disengage reverse cut that Vader uses to take off Luke's hand is, in my opinion, the best move in cinema sword history. It's not only technically great, it's a move that would only really work with a lightsaber.

The rest of the article is a good read. It also ends with this gem

I haven't seen the new one yet. I'm going on Sunday, but the cross-guard lightsaber already has me a little worried.

60

Movies & TV / Re: Star Wars IX The Rise of Skywalker

« on: October 22, 2019, 10:58:52 AM »

I re-watched it just to type up the response. You don't need to post them and if you have to make them the errors didn't warranted it unlike the other movies. No one has to make a prequel gif given how ubiquitous they are. The clips are cut and looped to perfection.

You can't dodge the fact that your underlying defence is bunk and posting comparisons isn't going to help you. It's garbage in, garbage out.

You keep thinking I go around looking for this stuff but I don't have to. I am not even shooting fish in a barrel, it's getting served up on a plate.

61

Movies & TV / Re: Star Wars IX The Rise of Skywalker

« on: October 22, 2019, 09:58:03 AM »

I wish any of this appealed to me at all..... this trailer seriously does nothing for me.
the last few movies (I didn't watch Solo yet) really do absolutely nothing for me.

But it's supposedly selling 45% more than Endgame on Atom Tickets, so carry on.

Those two fighting gifs though. LOL.
That's part of my immersion problem. LOL

The tweet is lies, damn lies and statistics.

https://twitter.com/tvisgreat/status/1186452503942045696

That’s because Atom Tickets is actually working tonight unlike the morning Endgame came out.

62

Movies & TV / Re: Star Wars IX The Rise of Skywalker

« on: October 22, 2019, 09:55:29 AM »

Your first paragraph is BS you know right? The sword master they had would take serious issue with you. The first clash they are in each other's face and Vadar needs to do a close block.

Luke rages out on the first few swings before he closes on the second part. Luke is trying to anticipate where Vadar who is in near constant retreat and feints movement. Once he runs out of space at the railings it's all over. Mark Hamil's greatest bit of input for the sword fights is that he always double grip as he uses it like a heavy sword, he over swings a lot reflecting his lack of skill.

When both aren't within range but still within half sword length they have short taps rather than swings because they know they aren't in range and are testing each other before locking into a sword push.

The problem with the TRoS clips is it is so damn egregious, they are so far away they are slap fighting like two kids. The prequels had the decency to be within strike range. If this was a stand alone movie with zero legacy the action would still be roundly mocked. Your underlying defence is vaporous because of this as "What about this" isn't a defence. Mistakes elsewhere does not excuse mistakes made here. It's like saying some other person did this crime so I can do the same crime.

63

Movies & TV / Re: Star Wars IX The Rise of Skywalker

« on: October 22, 2019, 02:00:33 AM »

I'm sure someone here already posted that video of that same phenomenon in the prequel trilogy.

This is not a good thing if you are doing prequel level mistakes decades later or didn't learn anything from the last movie. If their aim is to make the prequels look good they are doing a smashing job.

64

Movies & TV / Re: Hey! DC's got stuff too... (Official Thread for the DCU of Movies and TV)

« on: October 22, 2019, 01:31:29 AM »

Finally the Brandon Ruth Superman.

65

Movies & TV / Re: Star Wars IX The Rise of Skywalker

« on: October 22, 2019, 01:21:42 AM »

LOL. How embarrassing.

https://twitter.com/reylology/status/1186498171024871424

66

NWR Mafia Games / Re: Mafia 82: Resident Evil Rules and Roles thread.

« on: October 17, 2019, 06:54:13 PM »

I like Ashley and her ballistics offer certain advantages.

67

Movies & TV / Re: Rate the last movie you've seen

« on: September 25, 2019, 09:38:45 AM »

With the massive expansion of space travel where you can go shop on the Moon you are not sending the Right Stuff all that much. The others represent things he has suppressed to do his job which can be detrimental that he later adopts and learns, turning them into strengths, to them to make him more whole. His calm had strong elements of indifference, apathy.

By the turning point time he isn't calm, he is doing things that would have been unimaginable based on emotion, not pragmatism. Calm got replaced with focus.

That bit escalated quickly.

68

Movies & TV / Re: Rate the last movie you've seen

« on: September 24, 2019, 08:40:40 PM »

I don't know who Rambo 5 was made for either. Hell I don't know who Rambo 4 was made for and I love the first 3 Rambo movies. 4 is embarrassing, lazy and disappointing, should have known better after Expendables. When they announced 5 "Why?" and put that in the Nope box.

Ad Astra: Being unflinching is his external character, the jar holding the mess inside. This is where Brad Pitt comes in with subtle inflections, fake smiles, bit too long pauses and doesn't overact. Astronauts and test pilots do have that level of calm.

Those certain characters that come and go are his emotional rocket boosters. Without them he would physically get to where space command wants him but be emotionally back on Earth.

lol poor Liv Tyler

69

Movies & TV / Re: IT'S MAHVEL BAYBEE!! [OT] for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Movies & TV)

« on: September 23, 2019, 12:12:21 PM »

I really like how people are ignoring that the source says it's firmly a rumour and treating this as fact.

70

Movies & TV / Re: Hey! DC's got stuff too... (Official Thread for the DCU of Movies and TV)

« on: September 20, 2019, 10:32:48 PM »

It's a pretty fun show for the time. A bit dated now obviously. I haven't seen it since it originally aired. I rather liked that version of Lois although she still loses to perfection that is DCAU Lois.

Dean Cain did well as Supes, somewhat better than smallville version which I couldn't stand as it dragged out the premise to a ridiculous degree. A bit of a shame he went off the deep end with his economics.

71

Movies & TV / Re: (NEW Poll Added!!) New Movies/TV Shows we should keep an eye out for!

« on: September 17, 2019, 06:08:19 PM »

EJECT EJECT EJECT NOW

72

Movies & TV / Re: Rate the last movie you've seen

« on: September 16, 2019, 04:49:07 AM »

Nobody is going to @ you over a Tarantino movie. Like tf.

Not fond of Kill Bill though. Indifferent at best. It was way too long even cut into two movies. It didn't fell like it went anywhere or come together satisfyingly and the cool **** wasn't enough to pull it out. I can only imagine what the "Full" cut is.

73

Movies & TV / Re: Rate the last movie you've seen

« on: September 12, 2019, 01:43:24 AM »

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Wow. It is weird. You don't know where the movie is going until the ending. SNAP it all falls into place. The very premise of the movie is a spoiler.

It's a Forest Gump type movie but isn't an implausible character insert that somehow hits all these historical moments. It's people living in that world proper we were following, it was so convincing I thought it was something that happened right up to the ending where it springs the premise, intentionally breaking the illusion like a trap once you realise who certain people are.

Everything works towards this illusion, including all this stuff that seemingly has no relationship for 95% of the time.

There is this section where I think lasted 10 minutes maintains the Resident Evil 4 tension when Leon first arrives at not Spain even after the climax of that scene happens. I was actually whispering to myself "Leave, run, get out", something I have never done for a horror movie. I cared for these characters that much.

Tarantino trademark violence is there so people expecting that won't be disappointed.

Super recommended if you like Tarantino. Watch it if you want finely crafted art, not the next product.

74

Movies & TV / Re: Star Trek

« on: September 11, 2019, 12:26:54 PM »

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/walter-mosley-quits-star-trek-discovery-using-n-word-writers-room-1237489

NYT is the original but behind paywall.

Kareem Abdul Jabbar pretty good take on it. Yes the former basket baller now writer.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kareem-abdul-jabbar-who-decides-who-s-allowed-say-n-word-1238332

75

NWR Mafia Games / Re: Mafia LXXXIII: Mafia 83 signup thread Welcome to my Residence of Evil!!!

« on: September 11, 2019, 06:02:38 AM »

Ok, I am in.

LEEEOOONNNN!