Schro

I saw the Chicago show this past weekend. Was blown away. One of the best shows I've seen in my life. If I was Mike and read therushforum DT threads occasionally [perhaps in the "hey I wonder what Rush fans think of DT?" mode], I would make the same conclusion he did. That, for the most part, TRF hates DT. I know in one or two threads in the past I have defended DT and felt like I was a lone voice in a demon-possed mob (not saying I'm the only DT fan on this board, that's not the case). After awhile I just shrugged my shoulders and gave up coming to their defense here. I could see Mike making this comment. For whatever reason, the anti-DT people have been more vocal than the DT fans on this board. I have a theory about that. You can make an argument at almost any point in time after the late 70s that each Rush member was the best at their respective instrument. In the 80s they won quite a few awards reinforcing that thought. Then the 90s come and Rush and these awards start trailing off. Not surprising, as many were voter-driven and it's hard for any one band or person to stay on the music radar for too long. Other folks starting getting awards. Good for them. Some DT folks happen be on the list of new people getting recognized. But here is where the conversation drops to 3rd grade level. Some Rush fans aren't happy that their beloved band is no longer considered the best muscians in the world. "Neil is still the best drummer!" they cry. "Who is this Mike guy? I hate him and his band. I heard a track and man are they waaaaay overrated" is their gut reaction. At some level, I understand this. They are protecting their heroes. They feel under attack, and the walls of defense come up. This is just a theory, I could be wrong and these guys really do hate DT's music and/or dislike the band members personally. On another level I don't understand it. If you want to be bitter about a band who's musical ability doesn't match their fan base, why not go after someone like The Ramones? I think what's ironic about the whole thing is that, as a whole, musicians tend to be much less competitive and comparative than the fans are. To DT's success, I'm quite sure the boys in Rush would say, "Good for them." To Porcupine Tree's success, they'd say, "Good for them." A certain guitarist from Rush might even agree to play the solo on track 3 of Porcupine Tree's latest cd. To me, that's saying, "Not only do I think you are good and wish you well, I'll try to help you be even *better*." I'm getting off tangent here. Thanks for reading if you're still with me. To RR, I hope you enjoyed the show (even if your seat wasn't quite ideal). I know you're big enough to get over it - it's just hard/weird when you only have a few words to exchange with someone you like and it starts off awkward due to this whole thing. But what do you do. Some Rush fans will continue to be vocal and rail against DT. It is what it is, I guess. Schro P.S. Yes, I came out of hiding just for this post. No, you cannot know the location of my secret lair. Unless you peeked during the drive. You didn't peek did you? You're not supposed to peek.

Just finished the Smith-Mewes story. Wow. Very good read - thanks GeddyRulez

I picked this up on dvd a few days ago and haven't been able to put it down. I was skeptical like most, but couldn't ignore all the 9's and 10's on metacritic.com I have to agree with Midway Hawker - Big Love is really good. You look at the premise (polygamy) and you think, no way they can make it work. But they knock it out of the park every episode imho, with their exploration of basic human interactions and emotions in some interesting new ways. I'm half way through and can't wait to finish the series. I think some of you out there would enjoy it as well. Cheers, Schro

Welcome to the board Celine! Now get those Season 2 discs watched so you can catch up and discuss things with us!

After finishing Season 2 on dvd, I decided to bite the bullet and start watching Lost *gasp* on tv. I thought the Season 3 premiere was above average, but not great. The Others thread was good, but I wasn't that impressed with the flashback. My main beef is that they keep making Jack out to be a bigger lughead with every few episodes. Once the calm and rational thinker of the bunch, now he's kneejerking to everything under the sun. It frustrates me because I think his character is capable of so much more.. but I digress. Curious to other's thoughts. Anyone else out there?

QUOTE (RUSHHEAD666 @ Sep 21 2006, 10:02 PM) I can't stand Christian Music. I finally stopped buying Neal Morse solo cds because it is way too much. Even though Mike Portnoy drums on the records, I did not buy the last one. Enough is enough. I still have all my Spock's Beard cds though! Spock's Beard cds Neil Morse solo works.. I love Neil Morse, but his solo stuff is a bit too religious for me, all I'm saying. I'm agnostic for those who are curious. However, if you're a christian reading this, you absolutely have no excuse not to get some of Neil's solo work starting with Testimony - has got to be some of the best christian music out there. In the same vein, I disagree with a previous poster more or less saying all christian music is crap. It *used* to all be crap, but that's not true anymore, you just have to dig a bit.

I'm with Pedro. Let's take a look at the history. Made the original 3 movies, many loved them. Put them out on VHS, huge demand for them. Decided he wanted to redo some effects in the movies. Maybe he went a bit overboard, but I probly would to with the tools at his disposal. Rereleased in theaters. I enjoyed watching them again in the theater, others did too. Releases new movies on dvd. Sell great, but some complain they can't get the original movies on dvd. Cpl years later, sells original movies on dvd to meet above demand. At each stage he is just meeting demand, and barely at that. Not sure why he's being labeled a commercialist. Was he perfect? No. But he's certainly not the demon some make him out to be imho. If you want an example of someone overselling their material, try Monty Python. They have more compliations than anyone else on the planet. Not sure why they get a pass but Lucas doesn't. Heck, you could even make a case that Rush is overselling. Rush in Rio, Replay, and now R30? But they're not. They're meeting (actually catching up) with demand. I know there's the NON-anamorphic side of things, but I'm not addressing that. It's an issue, but my guess is most folks don't care about it. I could be wrong.

This movie has been on my list ever since I saw Arrow In The Head's gushing review on his site. http://www.joblo.com/arrow/reviews.php?id=1089 I don't care really if it's all subtitles or if it's voiceovers (if done well). I can't wait to watch it.

I saw this playing in my local video store and it didn't look half bad. My son just recently won small spelling contest at school and he was watching it with some interest. Thanks for the review, might pick it up.

Had seen this on the shelf and categorized it as run-of-the-mill thriller. Finally picked it up based on decent feedback on metacritic.com and watched it tonight. Was quite pleasantly surprised. If you're into thrillers and/or a decent mystery, I think it's pretty good. Had me guessing til the end, and that was with me hitting pause every 10 minutes trying to figure it out (or maybe I just suck at this sorta thing). All the actors did a great job, and the production values as well as score were all there. Cheers, Schro

I thought both were great - just saw both in order last week. If pressed, I might admit I liked the 1st a bit more. But I felt the second was a worthy follow-up. They took a risk making a full character out of Jigsaw and I thought that risk paid off - he played his part extremely well. Looking forward to the 3rd installment.

I admit I'm a bit hesitant to see a mid 60's Jones. I would have preferred they get their act together a bit earlier. That said, I'm ok with them giving it a go. In fact, I'm heartened by the fact that they acknowledge that the expectations are now way too high for them to have any decent chance to deliver, yet they're saying, "Screw it, let's do it anyway, and just have fun with it." It's almost as if they're doing it as much to have a reunion of their collaboration as to make a movie. But will it be good? Let's face it. Good movies are hard to come by. For every good movie, anyone of us can name four bad ones, and budget never seems to make much difference here. So to me, if you're in the film business, all you can do is put your best creative people together and give it a go. Knowing you might fail, but doing everything you can to try to succeed. I guess what I'm saying is that nobody goes into making a film knowing they have a sure thing. So in the end you just take your best crack at it and hope you can produce the mythical "good movie". I think George, Steve, and Harrison have it in them to make something great, despite Harrison's age obstacle. And I don't fault them for trying. Schro P.S. There's a Rush analogy in here somewhere

Rented this little bugger the other night and have been fascinated by it for a few days now. I think it's one of the best screenplays of the year. When I later learned it was from a first time writer/director who scraped up the money himself to do the movie on a bare-bones budget, I was even more impressed. The only name actor in the film is Joseph Gordon-Levitt, of 3rd Rock fame. I always thought he was the third (fourth really, I guess) wheel in that show, and never gave him another thought (other than he was ok in 10 Things I Hate About You). Here, he really comes into his own, however, and I have new respect for him. Technically, there is one more name character, that suprised me. 20 minutes into the movie, this conversation took place.. Schro: I think Emily could be Claire's younger sister from Lost. Wife: I think it IS Claire. Schro: No way. Wife: Way. Schro: I bet you 10 bucks it isn't (I'm a high roller). Wife: [jams the pause button] We're looking it up on imdb right now! Few minutes later, wouldn't ya know! It WAS Claire from Lost! Later I learned that she had done this role before Lost, because it took Brick 3 years to find a distributor. The script has several layers to it, some of which I only figured out after a second viewing. Watching it with the commentary was even more illuminating. (yes, I've watched it 3 times now) If you hadn't guessed, I highly recommend the commentary - at least the first 20 minutes. It's not scene-specific, and at the beginning the director outlines how the movie got made and the struggles he went through being a first-time director. The extended/deleted scenes also have good commentary. I almost skipped them but am glad I didn't. If you rent it and are buzzing bonus features, there's an Easter Egg that has something to do with an "A" in the Extras menu (I missed this while I had it). I think it's one of the director's early attempt at a movie, so take it or leave it. After, you've seen it, you might want to check out this forum: http://www.rcjohnso.com/forum/index.php which has some good in-depth discussions of the film, kinda like Primer. If you're still desperate for more after all of this, you can get the actual screenplay here: http://www.rcjohnso.com/BrickScript.html (yeah I kinda got into this one) Schro

Loved the show, loved the movie, miss it horribly, wish the movie would have raked in $300 mil like it deserved to so they could make more movies and/or resurrect the series. Alas, I guess it wasn't meant to be. Still, I miss it. Schro

QUOTE (Wandering Hermit @ Jul 5 2006, 03:54 PM) On another long plane flight to SE Asia, I was treated to the movie (forgot the name) that Brittney Spears made. My God, that was awful. Truly sick-making. If Brittney and Sandra Bullock ever make a movie together, it will be to me what garlic and crosses are to vampires. Funny you mention that. I'm pretty sure I heard a rumor that preproduction has started on Miss Congeniality 3, starring Sandra Bullock and Brittney Spears. Brittney: You're not Miss Congeniality, I am! Sandra: Oh right. You don't even know how to spell congeniality. Brittney: Sure I can! It's C-O-N.. J.. um. Well spelling doesn't matter. Sandra: You dear, are what doesn't matter. You think America fell for your TV tears? Don't think so. Brittney: You B@$#! [big catfight ensues. half the girls in the theater are trying to leave and are pissed that their boyfriends who just a minute ago wanted to go are now glued to the screen] But seriously, I rarely walk out of films (I have the "gotta see how the train wreck ends" mentality), but my wife and I did walk out of the movie with Arnie, DeVitto, and Emma Thompson, where Arnie has a baby? Can't remember the name, and imdb doesn't want to cooperate. Anyway, it was bad. Schro

QUOTE (rushgoober @ Jun 16 2006, 05:40 PM) BTW, no offense meant for people into drugs, it's just not my scene anymore... peace, gary I've never done drugs, but this thread made me curious and I decided to try some. Now I have 3 major addictions. (shouting to wife) Baby, come back!!

QUOTE (Three Eyes @ Jun 10 2006, 02:34 PM)QUOTE (Der Trommler @ Jun 10 2006, 12:37 PM)How do you do it against the way they've done it in the show? Exactly. The only way to use the real time aspect of 24 in a two hour movie is to make the entire story play out in two hours of real time. But in that case you can hardly call the movie "24." It looks like the producers will probably make a two hour movie that depicts a story taking place over 24 hours. If that's the case the movie could end up looking like a standard political action thriller. I watched the first 4 seasons on dvd over a period of about 2 months. Enjoyed it immensely. If they make a movie, count me in. Three Eye's post reminded me of something, though. In the beginning of the series, much of the hype surrounding the show seemed to be about how the show was "real time", and that it was a distinguishing factor of the show. Three thoughts.. (and THREE Rush band members! Coincidence? I don't think so..) 1) Does anyone care that it's "real time"? To me, it's the storylines and the characters that drive that show. I could care less that it's suppossedly "real time", to be honest. Don't get me wrong.. I don't mind them trying it as a device, but I don't think it was any significant hook to people. The hook was the cliffhangers, the suspense, the twists, the characters, and the long story arcs (which studios didn't think tv audiences had the attention span for - 24 proved them wrong). Without the above (i.e. the show was standard fare/predictable), would "real time" keep anyone watching? Personally I don't think so. 2) Has the original "real time" standard slipped throughout the series? I could be wrong, but I don't think they hype "real time" anymore. And frankly, I think it's because I'm not sure if they adhere to it as much as when the series started. I can't give specific examples. But I swear there's been times where they cut back and forth between storylines and I was thinking no way the characters did everything they did in 10 minutes. I think they fell out of love with the whole "real time" thing and now "loosely" follow "real time". Which is fine by me. Anyone else notice this? Am I the only one? 3) Does "real time" help or hinder the show? I could answer this either way. My point, however, is that I feel there are times the "real time" ethic gets in the way of the show. Example. How many times in a tense situation where Jack is discussing options and/or directives with CTU, but needs a little travel time.. ..And then we cut to President Palmer, where the same options/directives are rehashed - Palmer gets executive summary but plot changes nada.. ..And then we cut back to Jack Bauer who has now traversed the 5-10 miles and the action continues..? I give the writers credit.. most of these scenes I didn't mind too much as the writers did fairly well most times to keep the pace going even when they were rehashing things. But a few times I thought it was unnecessary and trying to keep things "real time" made things a bit stale. The worst for me were some of the Elisha Cuthbert adventures in Seasons 2 and 3. I like her as an actress but too many of her subplots did nothing for me (or the main storyline) and just seemed like realtime filler. Caught in an animal trap? Taking care of a baby in the office? I guess I'm saying I don't see "real time" being a problem with the movie. Other than that they can't use long story arcs. I agree two hours isn't alot of time for the writers to work with. I do recall other movies that revolve around 1 day and some have been quite good (my memory fails me, anybody think of one? Dog Day afternoon, Red Eye are a couple I guess). But if they can solve that problem and it compares favorably to the tv series, it should be ok. Likely not earthshatteringly good, but a decent Sat. nite rental. Ok, obviously I've rambled on far too long here. I'll shut up now and let some of you fine folks pipe in. Cheers, Schro

QUOTE (GeddyRulz @ May 21 2006, 09:56 AM)I'm reading the book right now, and I'm totally addicted. I think it's awesome; brilliant. Whether the back story of the Priory of Sion, the Knights Templar, and Opus Dei is real or imaginary, I think the book is an exciting read - fast paced, with lots of fascinating clues and code-breaking. If anything, the book has only made me more apt to embrace Christ - and this from someone who's a Secular Humanist with a distaste for organized religion. As JohnnyBlaze said (above), these sensitive Christians can protest all they want; though most of us don't understand it, it's a very personal issue with them. But why protest "Last Temptation of Christ" and "DaVinci Code," but allow George Burns to portray God as some comical vaudevillian character? Wasn't "Oh God" more offensive? And keep in mind: Agnostics and Atheists weren't out protesting "Passion of the Christ." They just didn't go see it.

Thanks Cygnus - that was great!!

"We returned to the Lucasfilm Archives to search exhaustively for source material that could be presented on DVD. " Jim Ward: Hey, I came to get the original Star Wars movies to put out on DVD! Can you tell me where to find them? Lucasfilm Warehouse Guy: What movie again? Jim Ward: The original Star Wars movies? The films that built this company? You know Episodes 4 through 6? Lucasfilm Warehouse Guy: Hmm.. sorry. I'm comin' up blank. Can you give me a storyline or memorable character to go on? Jim Ward: (starting to get annoyed) Cripes. Ok. There was Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, any of these characters ring a bell? Lucasfilm Warehouse Guy: I'm trying to work wid you here, keep going.. Jim Ward: Darth Vader, the DeathStar, Chewbacca, Stormtroopers.. Lucasfilm Warehouse Guy: Stop, what was that middle one - Chewy? Jim Ward: Chewbacca! Yes, Chewy was his nickname! He had lots of hair and never talked, just growled alot. Lucasfilm Warehouse Guy: It's startin' to come back to me! How did that growl go again? Jim Ward: I don't know, something like.. "RRRRRGGGGGHHH" Lucasfilm Warehouse Guy: Oh yeah,I loved that guy! I think it was more like this : "YYYOOOORRRRRR" Jim Ward: "RRRRRRYRYYYYOOOOGGGG" Lucasfilm Warehouse Guy: "EEEERRRRRRRGGGGGGG" Jim Ward: "RRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOO" Lucasfilm Warehouse Guy: Now I's remembers. Da Star Wars films! Jim Ward: Yes! The Star Wars films! Lucasfilm Warehouse Guy: I have no clue where those things went. Jim Ward: No clue..? Lucasfilm Warehouse Guy: Well, der probly around here somewhere. I would start in the basement. Jim Ward: Basement? This place has 10,000 square feet of space, why does it need a basement? Lucasfilm Warehouse Guy: Hey, I just work here. Here's the key. Noone's been down there for ages. Don't even remember the last guy comin' back, come to think of it. Good luck though. Jim Ward: The fans need me. I will find those tapes!! Lucasfilm Warehouse Guy: Good luck to yaz. Schro

QUOTE (Jack Aubrey @ May 3 2006, 05:44 AM) QUOTE (Schro @ Apr 28 2006, 07:49 AM) I'd just like to mention quiety that this show drives me nuts. Why? Because I watched the first season on DVD and loved it. But I refuse to watch it on TV. I'm just quirky that way, I admit it. But I miss all the characters. And I can't wait for the second season to come on DVD so I can get into it again. I guess sometime this September? Don't worry, I'll be ok. I guess I just wanted to ask those of you faithfully watching it.. Is the second season good? Better? Great? Best thing on TV? Cheers, Schro This just in from Digital Bits: Lost: The Complete Second Season - The Extended Experience (due 10/3, SRP $59.99) will be a 7-disc box set including all of the season's episodes, along with the Lost Connections interactive documentary, The Lost Flashbacks (unseen footage on the characters' backgrounds), 3 featurettes (Lost: On Location, Secrets of the Hatch and Fire and Water: Anatomy of an Episode), audio commentaries, bloopers, deleted scenes and more. Thanks Jack! I think I can hold out that long.. Schro

QUOTE (madra sneachta @ Apr 29 2006, 09:09 AM) QUOTE (Schro @ Apr 28 2006, 01:49 PM) I'd just like to mention quiety that this show drives me nuts. Why? Because I watched the first season on DVD and loved it. But I refuse to watch it on TV. I'm just quirky that way, I admit it. But I miss all the characters. And I can't wait for the second season to come on DVD so I can get into it again. I guess sometime this September? Don't worry, I'll be ok. I guess I just wanted to ask those of you faithfully watching it.. Is the second season good? Better? Great? Best thing on TV? Cheers, Schro SCHRO!!!! When did you sneak in you sly devil?. Good to see you too, buddy, as always. Schro

I'd just like to mention quiety that this show drives me nuts. Why? Because I watched the first season on DVD and loved it. But I refuse to watch it on TV. I'm just quirky that way, I admit it. But I miss all the characters. And I can't wait for the second season to come on DVD so I can get into it again. I guess sometime this September? Don't worry, I'll be ok. I guess I just wanted to ask those of you faithfully watching it.. Is the second season good? Better? Great? Best thing on TV? Cheers, Schro

Looking forward to this film as well. Might even put in the rare appearance at the local theater. Go Ron and Tom! Schro

I missed the opening, which unfortunately, was the only part I really wanted to see. Anyone catch Stewart's intro? Was it good? Schro