Slaine mac Roth

I finally got around to seeing Avatar last night and was very impressed. As has been said, its not the most original story around but, as has been said, there are seven basic plots in literature so, when you look at it from that level, there is nothing truly original anymore. Saying that, at least it wasn't another bloody pointless remake. What I will say is that I found the story engaging with characters that, on the whole, acted logically within the framework of the film (even though they were largely archetypes). The culture of the Na'Vi well reasonably well defined and drew sympathy for their plight. On a technical level, the visuals were breathtaking but, fortunately, didn't overwhelm the rest of the film. Cameron used the effects to help the story not, as I felt Emmerich did in Independence Day, use the story as an excuse for the visual effects. In addition, evedn though I only saw it on DVD without surround sound or anything special, the sound design was awesome. On the whole, I found Avatar to be a rewarding and entertaining film to watch.

As a big fan of Ridley Scott, I'm also looking forward to seeing this. Even more so as it also features Cate Blanchett

OK, I know its not a film but I've got to give a mention to the episode 'The Body' from Season 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer - the one where her mother dies. I don't think I've seen so much emnotion packed into 45 minutes, nor such intense performances.

Quite recently, James, Mary and myself were inviting to the wedding of someone I work with. Sadly, James was ill and unable to go, much to the disapointment of Lucas, the 3 year old son of a friend who, like James, is very much into dinosaurs. The main reason Lucas was disapointed was the fact that he wanted to ask James some questions about different dinosaurs. However, when Lucas and his mother, Sam, arrived, Mary ran up to meet them and, aftertelling Lucas that James had been unable to attend, she told him not worry because, proudly stating, "James shares all his knowledge with." In addition, Mary had a great time because it was one of the few occasions she was able to dress up. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/Jimyyz2112/kids/Mary-1.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/Jimyyz2112/kids/mary3.jpg By the way, that's Lucas visible underneath Mary's arm. Plus he keeps asking his Mum when he's going to see her again

Mal Reynolds - Faster...Faster would be better Jayne Cobb - Shiny, let's be bad guys Mal Reynolds - I aim to misbehave Serenity

QUOTE (Mara @ Apr 27 2010, 07:56 PM) QUOTE (workingcinderellaman @ Apr 26 2010, 03:32 PM) QUOTE (Slaine mac Roth @ Apr 24 2010, 10:36 AM) The one film that I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned yet is Schindler's List. I'm unashamed to confess that I bawl my eyes out everytime I see it That one gets me every time. Strangely enough, the ending of "Schindler" isn't what gets me so much as another scene much earlier in the film. A young woman has gone to plead with Schindler to take her parents in; he basically tells her 'not a chance', as he's worried about things getting out of hand and endangering himself and others. He's pretty harsh with her, no sympathizing, just, "no, now leave!" She departs in tears, probably thinking this Oskar guy is as cold-hearted as the Gestapo. Next scene. . .her parents are on their way into the enamelworks camp. Schindler has put them on his List and saved them. With me its the bit where it cuts to the present day and the survivors are placing the stones on Schindler's memorial along with the cast. By the way, can I just mention that my 7 year old daughter bawls her eyes out when Han Solo gets frozen in Empire Strikes Back?

QUOTE (Mandalorian Hunter @ Apr 18 2010, 10:11 PM) Just saw Gran Torino, and that was certainly intense. I finally got around to watching Gran Torino last night. It definitely packs the biggest emotional wallop of any Eastwood film I've seen to date.

QUOTE (theguyincygnusx1 @ Apr 24 2010, 08:30 PM) QUOTE (Slaine mac Roth @ Apr 24 2010, 03:29 PM) Some of mine in the past: "Always hopes for your discontent" "All through your days, a prisoner in chains" "Workaday angels" It's not "always hopes for your discontent"? Its hopeful yet discontent

Some of mine in the past: "Always hopes for your discontent" "All through your days, a prisoner in chains" "Workaday angels"

QUOTE (Mandalorian Hunter @ Apr 24 2010, 04:36 PM) Well, Primeval was crap, but then again it was billed as ITV's answer to Doctor Who, which probably wasn't the best move. And new Who isn't looking as peachy as I thought it would under Steven Moffatt's watch! But generally everything the Beeb has done on a Saturday night since 2005 has been great. Actually, I'm going to have to totally disagree with you here. I'm a massive fan of Primeval and have not been greatly impressed with new Who under RTD's control (too many infantile jokes). However, the two episodes I've seen since Moffat took over have impressed me greatly. I've not seen this week's episode yet - my children, who stop with me at the weekend, have a complete and utter phobia about Dr Who (with my son, it results from being terrorised by a dalek at Collectormania when he was about three years old) so I have to wait until the Sunday night repeat to watch it.

The one film that I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned yet is Schindler's List. I'm unashamed to confess that I bawl my eyes out everytime I see it

I suppose, for me, it would have to be: Firefly Buffy Babylon 5 Thunderbirds V Supernatural Band of Brothers Angel Space Above and Beyond CSI: Vegas

Another good reinterpretation of a classic legend - this time one that is very close to my heart. Sadly, in the UK, a lot of people have been very down on the current crop of Saturday evening genre shows - Merlin, Robin Hood and Primeval. The general consensus seems to be that a Saturday evening programme that ISN'T Dr Who has got to be crap.

I'm definitely going to have to come down on the side of the Lovecraft fans. I first got got into him while at University when a friend lent me one of the paperback collections and I was hooked. Its difficult to put my finger on my favourite but, among them, I would have to cite: The Shadow Over Innsmouth (definitely one of the classics) The Thing on the Doorstep The Rats in the Walls The Colour Out of Space The Horror at Red Hook The Dunwich Horror The Haunter of the Dark (need to be read along with the Robert Bloch stories The Shambler From the Stars and The Shadow From the Steeple which bracket this story).

Both me and m,y two children are big fans of Merlin and have been since it began. In fact, I bought the first season on DVD today and we're watching the first episode as I type. One other thing - Katie McGrath

QUOTE (Fridge @ Jun 11 2009, 04:42 PM) Roy Battys closing speech in Blade Runner - absolutely classic http://www.poetv.com/video.php?vid=19938 You've got it there matey. And as Frank Darabont says during the interview on Disc 2 of 'The Final Cut', its so much better without the awful voiceover. As for me, I've always liked: "What was that?" (Serenity)

I remember watching the original Wicker Man when I was in my early teens and, after an intial 'what's going on?' reaction and the sight of Britt Ekland cavorting (I was pretty young), I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've not bothered with the remake as just reading the changes that were to be made to the story put me right off

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v694/yyz2112/contraterrene/cover.jpg I've just started publishing a new SF short story mag called Contraterrene. The mag is available every two months and is sent as a PDF via email. Anyone interested in subscribing should go to the website or email me at contraterrene@gmail.com. In addition, if any of you are interested in submitting SF stories, email me at the same address. Sadly, as the mag is free, I can't pay you but it might get your work out to a wider audience.

QUOTE (Boots @ Aug 25 2009, 06:52 PM) I just finished The Graveyard book. I've just read The Graveyard Book myself and thought it was excellent.

Sadly there isn't a 'none of the above' option because, personally, I really don't think much of Tarantino's work.

No picture availabl but Mary lost her first tooth last week.

I'm really happy because these were all freebies with various newspapers: A Matter of Life and Death Went the Day Well Gojira (original 1954 Japanese version)

Although I enjoyed The Young Ones, I could never get my head around Filthy, Rich and Catflap or Bottom. Tell the truth, I've never been much for sitcom's. As for the ones I did find funny, high on the list has to be Spaced (a scene from which was the direct inspiration for Shaun of the Dead). Along with Red Dwarf and Dad's Army

Off the top of my head, I would have to include: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/Jimyyz2112/past/marlene3-2003.jpg Marlene Dietrich http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/Jimyyz2112/past/julieadams4.jpg Julie Adams http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/Jimyyz2112/past/Helm86.jpg Brigitte Helm http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/Jimyyz2112/past/hazel-bw.jpg Hazel Court http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/Jimyyz2112/past/annefrancis12.jpg Anne Francis http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/Jimyyz2112/past/12-olivia-de-havilland.jpg Olivia de Havilland and, of course, the greatest scream queen of them all: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/Jimyyz2112/past/fay-wray-img.jpg Fay Wray

As a tribute to Arthur C Clarke, I've just started 'The Fountains of Paradise' after finishing 'The City and the Stars.'