Brasil

After doing a bit of researching on Ridley Scott's Alien and James Cameron's Aliens, I came across this article. [url="http://rescomp.housing.umich.edu/users/sarrica/alien.html"]http://rescomp.housing.umich.edu/users/sarrica/alien.html[/url] [font=New York][quote]Unusual sexual themes weave their way through Ridley Scott's [/font][u][font=New York]Alien[/font][/u][font=New York], touching on artificial mother figures, the possibilities of a male giving birth, fear and repression of female sexuality, impotence, and fear of male sexuality. The film is a smorgasbord of sexual themes and undercurrents (like so many horror films), and is especially interesting because of the unusual manner in which these anxieties and fears are dealt with and the non-traditional science fiction settings in which the action takes place. In a broad sense, the film is a commentary on gender roles in society and the gender stereotyping commonly done in society.[/font] [font=New York]One of the opening scenes shows us the the Nostromo in a dormant state. The only movement on the ship is caused by Mother, the ship's main computer, or by other non-human sources such as the ventilation system. The camera follows a passage, the lights come on, and we enter the sleep chamber? the passageway and the increased light levels suggest the birthing process. Mother acts as an artificial, surrogate mother, protecting the crew in a womb-like sleep chamber. Mother is a poor substitute for a human being and we later learn that her nurturing only goes so far. When Mother is finally destroyed along with the ship, some interesting Freudian Oedipal/Elektra emotions are violently resolved. The maternal theme plays an especially important role at the film's conclusion, which will be examined later.[/font] [font=New York]The names of the crew (Kane, Brett, Ripley, Parker, Lambert, Ash, Dallas) are, for the most part, androgynous. Their names suggest a sort of sexual confusion, repression, or a sexual absence. In particular the women's names (Ripley and Lambert) are decidedly unfeminine and hint at the theme of fear of female sexuality present in the film. There is no suggestion in the film that there are any sexual liaisons taking place between crew members. The androgynous names of the crew members and their apparent lack of interest in each other sexually makes the Nostromo seem to be an asexual environment. This "sexual disarming" of the crew is in stark contrast to the disturbing sexual elements introduced into the film by the derelict ship and the arrival of the alien creature.[/font] [font=New York]The alien vessel that Kane, Lambert, and Dallas inspect is highly unusual and suggestive. The entrance to the derelict vessel towers over the three explorers is taller than it is wide and appears to have labia? in many ways it is vaginal in appearance. The passageways in the vessel glisten and are composed of what appear to be bones or bone-like shapes buried in a wall. The very structure of the vessel ties together the themes of female sexuality and death.[/font] [font=New York]When Kane enters the egg chamber he breaks through a layer of blue mist or light that he refers to as a "membrane." Kane's breaking through this membrane may remind one of the breaking of the hymen, indicating the loss of virginity and loss of innocence that is often associated with a woman's first experience with sexual intercourse. Kane, a male, is then penetrated and impregnated by an alien creature that issues forth from an egg. This alien creature looks like a hybrid between a spider, a hand, and, because of its long thrashing tail, a sperm cell. This "sperm from an egg" reinforces the sexual (and abnormal sexual) themes that are being carried through the film. When the parasite implanted in Kane is born in a shower of blood after tearing through his chest, the scene has several layers of meaning. At the simplest level, we are disgusted and stunned by the parasitic horror that issues forth from Kane's chest. We then realize that we have seen a man give birth and die in the process. The primal female fear of the birth process and what it will produce is as old and powerful as the process itself. In [/font][u][font=New York]Alien[/font][/u][font=New York], by having a male give birth, this fear is camouflaged, but not diminished.[/font] [font=New York]When the creature first emerges from Kane's chest, its elongated head is tipped up, making it resemble a penis. This linking of blood, birth, death, and sex is extraordinarily powerful. Once full grown, the penile resemblance of the immature creature is even more evident, in fact the head of the creature looks like a male version of dentada? a toothed penis. At this point in the film, the horror seems to be associated more with the male than the female. A marauding toothed penis introduced into the Nostromo by Kane (a male) and Ash (ostensibly a male) begins killing off the remaining crew members. Brett, Parker, and Dallas are impotent in their attempts to deal with the creature, a creature that is the behavioral embodiment of the worst aspects of warlike, aggressive male behavior as well as the physical exaggeration and perversion of male anatomy.[/font] [font=New York]Female sexuality reasserts itself in the face of the alien's twisted male sexuality at the end of the film when Ripley, unknowingly, changes in front of the alien. While it was suggested in class that Ripley's femininity was used as yet another manifestation of the "suffering virgin" idea (which is, admittedly, a workable view), this viewer feels that Ripley's femininity was deliberately used in contrast to the alien's psychotic masculinity and, when she defeats the alien, was used as statement against the male repression of female sexuality.[/font] [font=New York]When Ripley strips off her uniform, she sheds society's professional, stereotypical male outer self. Throughout the film Ripley acts as the rational, white bread, stereotypical male. The audience laughs at Ripley or gets upset with her when she spends a lot of time trying to find the cat instead of saving herself. Her concern for the cat is a manifestation of her maternal instincts? instincts that up to this point have been repressed by her need to fit into a male dominated society. When Ripley makes her final effort to save herself and her "child", she does so as a competent, courageous, intelligent woman who is acting by and for herself outside of the artificial constraints placed on her by a society, corporation, and ship dominated by males.[/font] [font=New York]By initially making an absurd female sexuality the source of horror (the derelict ship and Kane's unfortunate experience) and then later making an equally absurd male sexuality the source of horror (the mature alien), the film effectively shows that neither gender is superior or inferior and that each gender carries a set of psychological insecurities and complexes with it. By making Ripley prevail in the end, the film is not stating that female sexuality is better than male sexuality, it is attempting to break old stereotypes and demonstrate the values of female sexuality? the very values that predominantly male society has been ignoring or has been afraid of for so long.[/font] [font=New York]The horror in [/font][u][font=New York]Alien[/font][/u][font=New York] is so effective because it deals with the same issues, concerns, and fears that the audience deals with on a day to day basis. The film is a masterpiece because it deals with these topics in a thrilling and entertaining way without being preachy or obvious. This viewer does not mean to suggest that the audience is aware of the gender and societal themes discussed here or, if they were, that they would reach the same conclusions. What is suggested is that these themes are present and are deserving of the moviegoer's careful consideration, if for no other reason than the filmmakers paid considerable attention to them in the crafting of their work.[/quote][/font] It's a really stunning look at Alien, I think. I've read it a few times now, and I can't find any fault with his interpretation. It all makes sense, and his point about the androgynous names is really smart. If we just read the script to Alien, without any mention of who is female or male, the script would be totally asexual. There's such a powerful sexuality to the actual film, and anyone looking to understand the series better should read this, I think. It's really a fantastic piece of interpretation.

Technically, it is explained pretty fully in Aliens, in the Extended Cut. [spoiler]Newt, her brother, Timmy, and her parents, Russ and Ann, find the alien ship on a survey mission, of sorts. Russ and Ann go into the ship to explore, and we are left in the survey vehicle with Newt and Timmy. A few moments pass, and Ann opens the door, grabs the walkietalkie. She's rather hysterical. Newt looks past her mother, down to her father, who has a facehugger attached to his head, its tail tightening around his neck.[/spoiler] So, technically, we know exactly what happened, but I still would love to see what you've got here. You've got a nice start that more or less captures the feel of Aliens. Quick editing note, there was no red terrain in Alien or Aliens. It was all black crags.

Well...I think Twisted Sister was simply in the right place at the right time. Or wrong place at the wrong time, however you want to look at it. The battle over rock n roll's drugs and such was inevitable. Twisted Sister happened to be the figurehead of the fight simply because they were prominent at the time. That court case was going to happen sometime, regardless of who was on trial, I think. About rock fading from the picture, I don't know. It certainly isn't rock like you and I remember. There are very few ACDCs now, really no Zeppelins, and I haven't seen a band like Pink Floyd in a long time, though I don't know if Floyd is really rock in the same vein as Zeppelin or ACDC. I think the definition of "rock" has changed. It's become more pop, I guess. I look at bands like Good Charlotte and Evanescence, Creed, and yeah, they're not anything close to the greatness of ACDC. But that's because times have changed. True rock is still there; it's just become a niche. Ocean Colour Scene is a Beatles throwback, almost. If you can find one of their albums, pick it up. I've got their greatest hits and it's fantastic. I've also found that The Darkness is a really nice throwback to late 70s/early 80s glam rock. They've got the screechy vocals of Twisted Sister, and a sound that seems influenced by a bit of Queen, a bit of Bowie, and some ACDC. They're an acquired taste, sure, but I think those who dislike The Darkness aren't really appreciative of the style. About the pop music, some of it really isn't that bad, necessarily. Granted, how good can Britney Spears be, but her Toxic song has a very neat synth riff and the dischords are refreshing. I was never a fan of Eminem, but "My Band" has garnered some respect from me. For the most part, I stick with the classics. I doubt that 90% of the entire scope of music listeners ignore rock. I don't know where you got that number, but if you could link to a reputable survey, I'd appreciate it. If it's true, then there's not much you can do about it except keep rocking to OZZY, Zeppelin and Bowie, and ride out the storm.

[quote name='ScirosDarkblade']Alright, smartass. You got yourself a Matrix thread. Jesus Christ.[/quote] You don't need to use that language, and the tone is uncalled for. [QUOTE]Until you display any sort of understanding whatsoever about anything you talk about, don't start asking the same of me. And what makes you think I "didn't understand" Kill Bill Vol. 1? To say that I don't like the film doesn't mean I didn't understand it.[/QUOTE] Why do you feel so threatened? Sciros, take a step back here. Who is the member with a greater understanding of cinema? Who is the member here who does not just blatantly bash popular cinema? Who here actually provides support for their interpretation, and doesn't ramble and rant in some incoherent babble? If you truly understood Tarantino's intent, and were open to what he was doing in Kill Bill Vol. 1, then you would not be so antagonistic to the film. Sciros, because you are content to just tear Kill Bill to shreds, and are totally unwilling to entertain a discussion about it and its purpose in any mature or reasonable manner, [i]proves[/i] you didn't understand what Tarantino was doing. You demonstrate no understanding of the genre itself if "crappiness" is all you can say about it. C'mon, man. [QUOTE]Kill Bill VOLUME ONE is an entire movie? Just shut the hell up.[/QUOTE] Do note I said "Kill Bill." I did not specify Volume 1. [quote]I'm done with this bullcrap. I'll see you in the Matrix thread.[/QUOTE] Yes, I think you are done. Just step away, man, just step away.

[quote name='ScirosDarkblade']Actually, there are five or so reasons there: for the actors, just to relax, because everyone else is going to watch it, so I can bash it, and for a laugh. And that's only for the recent films I've seen. And yeah, I do bash bad films and yet still go to movies to watch them. I expect Spiderman 2, Punisher, and Kill Bill Vol 2 to be bad so I will be bashing them.[/quote]"Just to relax" and "for a laugh" are the same by definition. There is no distinction between those two phrases, other than technical terminology. They mean the exact same thing. Laughing is one of those reactions that eases tension. It's really a coping mechanism when you think about it. When met with a stressful situation, or an uncomfortable situation, a joke helps to break the ice, does it not? "And yeah, I do bash bad films and yet still go to movies to watch them." Technically, it's the other way around, unless you bash movies before seeing them, which...for such an intelligent film critic like yourself, is really a bad idea. Also, [QUOTE]I'm gonna see Spiderman 2 in theaters only because everyone else is going to see it and I don't want them to be like "well you can't bash it because you haven't seen it." So I'm gonna see it and then I'm gonna bash it.[/QUOTE]When we break down that quote, we see that you're going to see Spiderman 2 not because others are going to see it. Your sole reason for going to see Spiderman 2 is so you can bash it. The "everyone else going to see it" line is a weak support. It's similar to a teenager telling his parents, "Oh, man, everyone's doing it." Also, since "everyone doing it" is so closely correlated with "so I can bash it," there is no distinction between those phrases. Argue about it all you like, Sciros, but there are only three reasons in your post there. [quote]Next time please look over posts more carefully [b]because you look like a total idiot otherwise (as in, all the time)[/b]. It [b]seems you only even wanted to criticize my post because you found out that I hated Kill Bill Vol. 1[/b].[/QUOTE]1) No need to get testy. You are quick to anger, Sciros. Anger clouds your judgment, and in order to have a [i]civil[/i] discussion, your judgment must not be clouded. 2) No, I criticize your post because there is questionable material throughout. Whether or not you like a film is irrelevant in this thread. I am questioning your motives for going to see a film. It'd suit you well to remove the accusations, Sciros. EDIT: Also, I suggest you take a look at H.P. Grice's Maxims of Conversation.

My reply is a bit spammy, I guess, but I think I managed to get a better scan quality than the previously posted pics. [img]http://img49.photobucket.com/albums/v151/madsatirist/Album%201/Prime_2_Pic01.jpg[/img] [img]http://img49.photobucket.com/albums/v151/madsatirist/Album%201/Prime_2_Pic02.jpg[/img] [img]http://img49.photobucket.com/albums/v151/madsatirist/Album%201/Prime_2_Pic03.jpg[/img] [img]http://img49.photobucket.com/albums/v151/madsatirist/Album%201/Prime_2_Pic04.jpg[/img] [img]http://img49.photobucket.com/albums/v151/madsatirist/Album%201/Prime_2_Pic05.jpg[/img] EDIT: Well, yeah, lol. I figured, at least Photoshop it, and do a Median filter. That way, while the scan wasn't a better scan, at least the images themselves will look nicer. It was a lousy choice of words on my part, I guess. :sweat:

It's not that people have forgotten the oldies. Actually, ACDC just got inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame a few months ago. I remember watching something about it on VH1. Certainly, Aerosmith is still going strong after some 30 years. I've noticed Metallica has been moderately quiet on the music scene lately. The only time I recall seeing them perform or doing anything video-wise was for Mission Impossible II. Of course, I don't really keep up with a lot of music, so I could be wrong. I think Guns N Roses pretty much went the way that all 80s bands did: the way of the dinosaur. Axl is a regular on VH1's I Love The 80s, much like Dee Snider (lead singer of Twisted Sister). Really, I'm not surprised that so few respect Twisted Sister. They really were just a fad, like Spinal Tap. Hair metal and such. So, for certain bands to get forgotten, it makes sense. Some of them just didn't have staying power, or didn't have the staying power of ACDC, Aerosmith, or OZZY.

[quote name='ScirosDarkblade']So as you can see I watch movies for all sorts of reasons[/quote] I only count two, maybe three reasons, tops. Your main reason for going to see anything, it seems, is so you can bash it. That's mature. Well, to each his own, I guess. I go to the movies to have fun, first and foremost. Over the past few years, my theatre-going capacity has been severely limited because of school and work, so for the rare times that I'm able to go, I try to make sure it's a movie that I really want to spend 8 bucks on. Most recently, I saw Kill Bill Vol.1 in theatres. Other than that, I haven't seen anything lately. I've been itching to see Dawn of the Dead, because I'm a huge fan of the series and I love cheesy and disturbing horror, but it didn't fit into my schedule, as it were. In mentioning "the Dead" series, I notice that when I do go to the theatres, it's often because the movie is part of a series I'm fond of. I doubt I would have gone to see T3 twice in three days if it weren't a Terminator movie and didn't follow the philosophies and ideologies of T1 and T2. When a favorite director of mine is coming out with a new film, I'm very interested. Such is the case with Kill Bill. I'm quite a fan of Tarantino's work; Pulp Fiction is in my Top 10. Tarantino consistently wows me, and Kill Bill was no different. Tim Burton is another filmmaker whose movies I love. From Pee-wee's Big Adventure to Beetlejuice, to Batman, I rarely find his work dull, except Planet of the Apes. I wasn't too fond of that. So, basically, the cast/crew is what most attracts me to a film. If I hear that Charlie Kaufman's next script has just been finished and is now in pre-production, with Spike Jonze directing and John Cusack and Matt Damon in principal or supporting roles, chances are I'll go see that in theatres.

Tony, I'd be inclined to chalk it up to just not having a good experience with it. As I've found with most multiplayer games, having the right people is important. Of course, some deathmatches won't even benefit from having the right people, like the deathmatch in EoN. That's quite a substandard multiplayer, if you ask me. I figure it'll hold the attention of my friends for a few rounds and that's it. But I think XIII is a deathmatch that is fundamentally strong, but does require a particular human element. Even though you didn't mention Halo, I found its deathmatch to be very...arcadey. It felt too "out there" to be fun just by itself, or just me versus a few bots. Really, Halo's deathmatch gave me the "I can do anything" feeling when I played it. I know that's purely subjective, but it feels more suited to an arcade game than a console shooter. That's why XIII's deathmatch was so appealing for me, I think. It forced me to not rush into an open area, something that I never got from Halo. I realize Halo and XIII seek to accomplish different things, but a challenging and unforgiving FPS is something I love. I'm hoping Serious Sam can do better on Cube, honestly. I rented the Xbox version a few months ago. It's seriously defective. I did some research on the net, apparently about 80% of the copies are like that, and people had to raise hell multiple times to get a copy that worked. Sad to see, really. It sounded like a fantastic game from the reviews. Here's hoping the Cube version is actually playable, heh. TimeSplitters 2...I've had some insane gaming moments there. Though it's a bit dated, it's a really great game. Capture the Bag in the Training Ground level is excellent. I'd go into more detail, but my mind is seriously hazy right now. To the thread starter, you got reamed if you bought Turok Evolution. The game's not a purchase at any price.

[quote name='ScirosDarkblade']At this point Everything Or Nothing (James Bond game) is the best FPS out for Gamecube. It has pretty good graphics, a decent control scheme, polished riding levels (made by the Need For Speed devs), a killer co-op mode, and in general very high production value, so it's quite a cinematic game. I plan on getting it for Xbox once it becomes cheaper because it's better on that system (other than load times) but it's still a great GCN game and I'd recommend it.[/quote] Sciros, technically, EoN isn't FPS. It's third-person action/adventure. I agree that it's a stellar game and should be picked up by anyone wanting a great gaming experience, but it isn't FPS. Contrary to what reviews say, XIII is remarkable. Sadly, I've not played it for Gamecube, but I imagine it's not all that different from the Xbox version. If the deathmatch is anything like it is on Xbox, it'll definitely be worth checking out. The entire game is very hardcore FPS. The damage ratio is unforgiving; enemies have near perfect accuracy from a wide range of distances; the ammo is scarce. XIII really is the FPS for a GE vet. Really, it's more difficult than GE, and that's a major bonus. It challenges you to play smart, to use cover, and to almost think outside the box. The deathmatch is no different, and the deathmatch levels are terrific for any gaming style, whether it be sniping, camping, cover fire, sneaky little *****, whatever. Granted, XIII isn't for everyone, and I'm positive the majority of FPSers out there won't be able to stand it. But for those dedicated to the standards set by the hardcore FPS, XIII will suit nicely.

[quote name='ScirosDarkblade']You know, you have an extremely abrasive personality.[/quote] Only to the overly sensitive. [QUOTE][b]Kill Bill was certainly "deliberate crappiness" because it emulated crappy movies.[/b] Whether that's beautiful in your eyes or not is not the issue, nor do I give a damn. [b]Oh, and don't bring The Matrix into this, because I can go on for weeks tearing the film to pieces.[/b] Refusing to see the beauty in The Matrix is like refusing to see the beauty in a walrus carcass rotting on the beach. But that's something for another thread.[/QUOTE] 1) "Because it emulated crappy movies"? Sciros, go and actually [i]watch[/i] those crappy movies Kill Bill was paying homage to. To say that Kill Bill is crap because it merely is a throwback to a cheesy genre of cinema [i]is[/i] ignorant. And arrogant, too. 2) "On for weeks"? Go ahead. Start a thread. There's no-one stopping you. I invite you to make a thread about The Matrix and tear the Trilogy up. You say you can obliterate the films with your criticism? Put your money where your mouth is and prove it. Otherwise, shut your mouth and know your role. By the way, check your post. [QUOTE][b]Sciros[/b]: I didn't like the first film. Say what you will about the deliberate crappiness of it, I didn't appreciate it. I liked Uma Thurman in it, but I hated everyone else so far. And I can't stand irrelevant scenes, and Vol. 1 was full of them. So I'm not looking forward to Vol. 2, although I guess I have to see it just because everyone else will. [b]Same as with the Matrix films[/b]. Let's hope for some cohesiveness in the second half I guess.[/QUOTE] You mentioned The Matrix way before I did. [quote][b]Not appreciating a filmmaker's purpose is not "being ignorant."[/b] I don't appreciate [b]Gibson's purpose in making The Passion[/b]. Does that make me ignorant? No. It's just a matter of taste as far as what one thinks a filmmaker should bring to the screen.[/QUOTE] 1) No, that [i]is[/i] being ignorant. Sciros, you post here and just rant and flame Kill Bill without regard to [i]anything[/i]. You demonstrate no understanding of what the film is about, you demonstrate no desire to learn more about it. You are content with sitting there and just blindly insulting what Tarantino has created. Now, I could be wrong here, and I'm sure you'll say I am...but all that is pretty damn ignorant if you ask me. 2) I hardly think The Passion is a suitable comparison here. The Passion is more or less a horror film with no real underlying messages of peace, love, forgiveness, etc. Christ's sermons and such are given to us in flashbacks, and the gore is unrelenting. Whatever Gibson had tried to accomplish (I suppose, showing the pains of Christ? Showing what he went through so we could have salvation?), is hidden and very much blanketed by the horror, as it were. Summed up, The Passion was not a total package. This is the opposite of Kill Bill, which is an entire movie, understanding that the plot was meant to be paper-thin. Sciros, remove thineself from thineself and take a whiff of reality. It'll do you good. Until you're ready to do that, like I've said earlier, shut your mouth and know your role. Reply if you want, but you're not worth anyone's time in your current state.

I'm having a bit of trouble understanding here? 11, right? That's...6th grade? 5th? It's really not much of a difference to 4th, gradewise. I was one of the shortest kids throughout my pre-college years. From elementary school all the way up to Senior year. I was midgety. I only really started on a growth-spurt in the first two years of college. Actually, yeah. That's right. In my first semester of Frosh year, Charles was a giant compared to me. We recently ran into each other a few months ago, and we were about the same height. But even with my being vertically challenged, I always was noticed. I can't think of any time where I wasn't noticed when I walked into a classroom. Obviously, when I wanted to slink in, I could, but if I was talking, people noticed. So...no worries, mate. The growth-spurt will hit you soon. EDIT: To add to Charles' comment about activities, if you're adept at performance, Drama Club is a very worthwhile endeavor. I wouldn't be the outspoken asshole I am now if it weren't for my three years of high school theatre.

Leary, #50. He got screwed. Royally. I echo what Mike has said: "He's top 25 material, [i]at least[/i]." Leary is a comic that really gave the whole comedian's industry a wake-up call. He's certainly one of the most in-your-face comics I've ever seen, and while other comics give me an occasional chuckle here and there when I catch their acts, Leary [i]consistently[/i] puts me in stitches. So, I understand these are professional comics giving their input, but for [spoiler]Lewis Black and Denis Leary (both in-your-face presentations) to only claim #51 and 50[/spoiler], respectively, there has to be something wrong here. I certainly would never place Tim Allen (#49) over Leary or Black, even by one spot. Gottfried doesn't really belong on the list anywhere, if you ask me. His humor comes out of...grating annoying-ness. Not my idea of a fun time. Dana Carvey should have at least been in the top 50. So far, I'm only mildly impressed with the choices. Gallagher certainly is #100, though; I agree with that. He's funny to a point, but his act relies on props and really nothing more.

[quote name='BlueGender][color=navy][size=1]Tarentino recently did an interview with Entertainment Weekly where he stated he will film a volume 3 in 15 years. He said he is going to film som scenes in one or 2 years for the sake of flashbacks. Uma Thurman will not star in this one she will be the bad guy of this film and the little girl from the first film who watched[spoiler] her mother (played by Vivica A. Fox) die by the hand of the bride will come looking for revenge.[/spoiler] Why he has to film in 15 years I dont know I think he should film it in 5 years tops and just get a new actress to play the girl.[/size'][/color][/quote] To answer your question about the 15 year thing, Tarantino is one of the few directors in entertainment that is so dedicated to an actor that he will postpone, delay, whatever, a film by a number of years. He would not have done Kill Bill without Uma; when she became pregnant, for a week he considered recasting, but realized it wouldn't be the same without her. Tarantino has a distinct vision for his films. Everything must be just so. Tarantino is...he has an anal-retentive attention to detail. He's a very determined filmmaker, probably one of the more dedicated filmmakers of the past 10 years. Sciros, you're just ignorant, then, if you can't appreciate a filmmaker's purpose. Kill Bill was not "deliberate crappiness." I suggest you go back and take a look at the movies Kill Bill was emulating. [i]Those[/i] were crap. I think you can find them on around 3 or 4 am, on some second- or third-rate cable station. While Kill Bill may have paid homage to the cheesy kung fu movies, it certainly achieves something far greater than being relegated to "break of dawn broadcasts." If you refuse to see the beauty of Kill Bill or The Matrix, then I don't know how you're going to be able to appreciate anything. Kill Bill and The Matrix are at the top of their respective genres and styles. But, go ahead. Stay ignorant of cinematic masterpieces. Concerning the prequel Kill Bill anime, I'm certainly interested. I notice that Tarantino is very thorough in his execution of any film he does. He really loves expanding upon his stories, giving us different angles to familiar material. I think that thoroughness is evident in the Kill Bill franchise. A few months ago, I had heard rumors of a KILL BOOK, written by Tarantino. He wants to do an anime prequel, Vol III might be in the works. It's really quite remarkable. Tarantino is they type of guy that resists capitalizing off of a film. He's similar to the Wachowskis, in that respect. Both create sidestories because the potential plot development is there, not because potential profit is there. Though, making hordes and loads of money from something like Animatrix or KILL BOOK is always a plus, hehe. Kill Bill is an amazing movie, and Tarantino is loving it like we love it. The level of attention and detail he puts into his films is very nice. He's not a cookiecutter filmmaker, but can include cliches and make them work beautifully. Kill Bill is the example of this. If you couldn't tell, Tarantino is one of my favorite directors, lol. Kubrick and Hitchcock are the other two.

Whoa. Gorgeous work, Sara. Gorgeous. The color scheme rocks my world. Yellow and orange, used here, are nice complements to each other. I've seen some pieces where orange and yellow looks iffy. But here, it works. I love the style of the piece. It [i]looks[/i] Kill Bill-ish. Hell, if Kill Bill were animated, I'd expect to see that bold style, considering how bold Kill Bill was. This is a short review, and for that I apologize. My only crit is about the background and font. It seems more Lion King than Kill Bill. It's probably the orange in the background, combined with the black/orange title card. Perhaps using Impact font, and a piece of yellow, tattered parchment?

If anyone doesn't like the real Revolutions cover, then how's this? [IMG]http://img49.photobucket.com/albums/v151/madsatirist/Album%201/RevolutionsCover3.jpg[/IMG]

[font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?Principal Concern?[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]The main office was rather sizeable for a school of this size. A handful of students sat in alternating chairs along the wall, their eyes locked in a gaze as if they were staring at some distant hope of a freedom just outside of their reach. They saw nobody enter. They saw nobody leave. Their purpose, it seemed, was simply to be.[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?I hope Jakob isn?t in any trouble,? Samantha whispered as she and her husband, Adam, walked quietly into the office.[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?Don?t worry, Sam,? Adam replied, ?I?m sure he?s fine. This is probably just one of those conferences.?[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?I hope so.?[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?Sam, c?mon, hun. We?ve been here before. Nothing?s changed.?[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?I?m still worried.?[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?I know. Just relax. There?s nothing to be worried about. Here, sit down over there.?[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen] [/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]Samantha sat down in between two of the synthetic, blank faces. She looked to her left and tried to smile at him. She faced right. The girl?s earphones weren?t going to be unplugged. Samantha faced forward again, a queer worry creeping upon her face. She looked up at Adam. He was busy talking with the receptionist. Samantha folded her hands in her lap and closed her eyes.[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?Mr. and Mrs. Paterson,? the secretary said, ?the Principal is ready to see you now.?[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]The hallway was a narrow one; the walls were colored a greenish tan and the paneling was simple and efficient. There was no wasted space in the office. Everything was ordered in a neat precision. The operations were almost cold, hard calculations.[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?Here we are,? the secretary chirpily announced, ?you can go right in.?[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]The door closed behind them.[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Paterson. I?m glad that you were able to attend our meeting. Please, have a seat.?[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]They sat down. The Principal produced a folder.[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?I called you to discuss your son,? he looked down at the folder, ?Jakob?s educational progress. Now, it is on record that he suffers from a variety of learning disabilities. It is fortunate, however, that these difficulties are milder than this administration had previously observed.?[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]Adam and Samantha looked at each other in confusion.[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?Mr. and Mrs. Paterson, I, like members of our faculty here, am very impressed with Jakob?s zeal and inclination to certain forms of higher learning. I have spoken with his mathematics instructors and they all agree that his capacity for abstract numerical patterns far exceeds any student they have had in recent years.[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]We feel that Jakob should be enrolled in an accelerated computations program held at one of our more technologically advanced campuses in the Tri-State area, in order to encourage his further intellectual growth so that he may be a fully functional contributor to society.[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]While I am supportive of this initiative, I am required by law to inform you that your contact with Jakob will be restricted while he is involved in this program. Limited contact with the outside world is essential in creating a network for Jakob?s abilities.?[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?Well, we don?t know what to say, really. I mean, we?re deeply honored and we?d like some time to think about this, if you don?t mind,? Adam replied.[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?Take as much time as you need. If you wish to proceed, my secretary has the necessary paperwork.?[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]Adam and Samantha rose from their chairs with unsteady knees. Samantha opened the door. Adam extended his hand to the man behind the desk.[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?Thank you, again, Mr?uh??[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?Smith.?[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?Thank you, Mr. Smith. It was a pleasure.?[/color][/size][/font] [color=darkgreen][/color] [font=Courier New][size=2][color=darkgreen]?The pleasure was all mine.?[/color][/size][/font]

Really, Manic? Neat. I learned something today, lol. Even though this is oldschool stuff, Big Butts by Sir Mix-A-Lot is an insane song. I happened to catch it on the radio today. He raps so fast that I couldn't make out a significant portion of what he was saying, although since I was driving, I probably wasn't able to pay attention too much. But I did pick-out some...[i]interesting[/i] parts. The song is really catchy and all, but is he singing about [spoiler]anal sex[/spoiler]? I couldn't be sure if I heard what I thought I heard, lol.

When asked this question, I find I have a rather unconventional response. Yes, I've done some stupid stuff in my life, and yes, I've been through some horrific experiences, and given the chance to go back and change those experiences for the better, I'm positive I would consider doing that. However, why should I concentrate on the bad if I'm able to go back in my life? If I'm ever given the chance, I'm not going to change anything physically. I'm not going to change any event. I'm going back there to just re-live the value of my family. In the past few weeks, I've grown closer to my extended family, my grandparents, and just the family bonds in general. I know there were numerous family parties when I was younger. I know there were parties that my older relatives attended. But what pains me, is that I was so young at the time, and I have no physical memory of those parties. I see them in photographs, with me in my tiny, little, 6-year-old body standing next to my grandmom as she sits in a chair with a smile in her face. There are photographs of my grandmom holding my younger brother when he was just a few months old. Now, when I know I've had those experiences, and some 20 years of strong familial bonds, why would I want to concentrate on something bad in my life? Knowing just how strong and healthy my mom's side of the family was and still is, and I could be given the chance to go spend time with everyone back then, why would I want to change April 1, 2002, a day that I made a very poor and emotionally-charged decision while I was driving? Considering that the good far outweighs the bad, I say learn from bad experiences. Don't wish you could change them. Learn how to prevent them in the future. But don't ignore it, and don't think just acknowledging it happened will fix anything. I realize how somebody's reason for not changing anything is based on paradoxes and time flux and whatnot, and I've done that, too. But it's more an entertainment convention than anything else. I suppose my reply is more based on the idea that we are shaped by what we experience, but again, I don't think my reply is totally based on that. I honor the past. I respect the life I have lived, and I respect the life I am living. I remember the past because I've led a good life, and as much as I think it's a cliched line, and hyperbolic, I'd give anything to go back to 1990 for a day, just to re-live what I've lived. Life is a beautiful thing. It is. Even though someone may go through a lot of crap, there is always something to look forward to. I don't want to turn this into some "bizarre lecture" but, Matrix Revolutions (a spectacular film) touches upon this philosophy. When [spoiler]Trinity and Neo punch through the thunderclouds on their way to the Machine City, they see the sun. The sky is a painting, with streaks of gold, red, orange against a light blue. There are pure white clouds whisped about.[/spoiler] Trinity had never seen anything like that before. The only life she had ever known was of death and destruction, pain and sorrow, and only recently was she able to experience love. She had not wasted her life, of course, but she had never truly lived until she [spoiler]was to die.[/spoiler] It's almost a "life flashing before your eyes" scenario. Only at the end was she able to know of the true beauty of the world around her. This seems to echo Tolstoy's Death Of Ivan Illych. Trinity had been blinded by the darkness, and many of us are still blinded by that darkness. It is rather ironic that Neo [spoiler]is physically blinded and only then is able to achieve clarity.[/spoiler] I realize I've gone a tad off-topic here, but learning to appreciate the hidden beauty of life and to not let ourselves be blinded by pain and anguish is one of the most important things we can achieve. Don't concentrate on the negatives. Don't concentrate on the thunderclouds. Know that there is sun beyond the clouds. Here comes the sun. Don't shut your eyes to it.

Hands-down, Ninja Fu Hiya from Kung Fu Chaos, which is a fantastic game. He's along the same lines as Goemon, only more violent. I think he's one of the more badass ninjas I've seen. He gives no mercy and slices enemy foot soldiers to pieces, even though he's a cartoon. Yep, that's right. Ninja Turtles have got nothing on him, because they're bound by Splinter's guidance, wisdom, and honor. Ninja Fu Hiya, on the other hand, is a take-no-prisoners kind of ninja, the kind of ninja who is willing to kill other actors so he can take the lead role for himself. Ninja Fu Hiya is the Bruce Lee of videogames, the Ryu Hayabusa of cartoons. Plus, he dresses up in a pink bunny suit! How's that for a sense of humor?

[QUOTE=Mitch][size=1][color=black] That's basically what I do. It's called My O. I also have a text file I write in when I need it. But I suppose in My O it's all "rambling" to you, too. Ah well. [/color] [color=black] [/color] [color=black]I think it's beautiful. You don't have to, and there's no reason for you to. You can just call it "psycho babble" like my dad does. [/color] [color=black] [/color] [color=black]Cause when I ramble, that's my heart speaking. But that's rambling to you. It's stuff like that that makes me not want to write and not want to say anything, and just go about my way. Why write something when it's "rambling"? That's not what those who consider themselves "professional writers" want. Might as well write simple sentences that're boring to read, and could easily be found in textbooks, and isn't the way I like to write. . .[/color] [color=black] [/color] [color=black]And if none of you noticed, there's a lot of song references in there. Specifically Pink Floyd (which should be extremly obvious by the posting of that song), and Radiohead. "Outside the Wall" is referenced. "Comfortably Numb" is referenced. "Another Brick in the Wall" is referenced. "The Trial" is referenced. I say "Idioteque" in the piece, which is a song by Radiohead from [i]Kid A[/i].. The ending of the piece is lyrics from Radiohead's "Morning Bell," from [i]Kid A[/i]. "Climbing Up the Walls" is by Radiohead as well, from [i]Ok Computer[/i]. "Evil lives in the ************* pigskin" is from System of a Down's "Soil." Good song. All of them are good songs.[/color] [color=black] [/color] [color=black]Also, there's mentions to about two poems. "Bruised Smear" was a poem I wrote. The part about "Bruised Smear" isn't in this version, but I added it before I handed this in as my Journalism column today. "Would I were a maggot, sucking most sweet divine," is from a poem of mine titled, "Maggotula Rose." [/color] [color=black] [/color] [color=black]There's limitless other distinctions I could find. This piece is basically me looking in myself, and that's why it probably doesn't hold together well, and doesn't make much sense, and seems "rambly." [/color] [color=black] [/color] [color=black]But I think it's good. And that's enough for me, as I said. It's esoteric as it is. Perhaps I'll go about making a "reader-friendly" version of it. Who knows.[/color] [color=black] [/color] [color=black]Also, then there's the major influence on this piece--[i]The Wall[/i] the movie. [/color] [color=black] [/color] [color=black]Excellent movie.[/color] [color=black] [/color] [color=black]Ah, I also want to mention. The Maggot metaphor. That's sort of like an inside joke to me now. It's also my trademark. It may be old, but whenever you see it, I know you go, "Yup, that's Mitch. Same old boring metaphor." :p[/color][/size][color=black][/QUOTE][/color] 1) I created psycho-babble here. Don't talk to me about it. 2) If you don't see the importance of what I'm telling you, then go talk to professional writers. 3) Remove yourself from Pink Floyd. Good band, nice message, but you're taking it too far. Floyd's message was "don't be a slave to the system." You're twisting that message into something like, "the system will destroy you and you must fight it." It's cool that you worship a band like that, but you're worshipping them for something they never implied. Really, you should form your own philosophy, because I have a feeling that all of this displeasure of the world isn't really you. I'm thinking that most of that is from your infatuation with a misinterpretation of Pink Floyd. 4) You know, maybe cause I'm just very exhausted right now, or maybe cause it's the time of year that I can turn my fan on without fear of freezing my butt off, but I really don't care about you. Mitch, you're in for a rude awakening...a very rude awakening. Just don't crash too hard.

[QUOTE=Mitch][size=1][color=red] Well, I honestly don't care what the reader reads. I care about putting my feelings down on paper. Writing's not some tool that I tell others stories with. It's not something that communicates--it is something I say something with, but it isn't. It is something I tell stories with but it isn't. It's just something more than that to me. Writing's more personal to me than that. If this means I do not care about the craft, then that's what it means. I'd tend to agree with you. I don't care much how the words come together. I like how they come down the first time often better than if I'd go back and edit a piece. What you've said is all right, and you know it, and I'm not denying it. . .I haven't denied it at all. You're right: I really don't care what the reader says. Writing's like painting a picture for me. . .like creating music. It's art. When you listen to instrumental music, is there an exact meaning to it? Do you listen to it and do you know what it's saying, other than the emotion it gives you? No you don't. All you know is the emotion it gives. The way the soft piano solo might make you feel melancholy, or the way the rocking guitar might make you feel you can take the world. That's what writing's like. The words aren't used for the reason of communication. They're just used as a venue to express. Sometimes I'm playing a melancholy piano when I play. The words give you the emotion, and there is some meaning there, but what the real meaning is is the emotion it gives. Music has meaning even if it doesn't use words in a way that they make sense. It's the same with writing. Some of music's words are actually the instrumentals--how the piano sounds here, the noise it makes, the way it comes to your ears, the way the instrument being played comes to your eye. All of this combines to give an overall feeling--perhaps it's a feeling of oppression. Perhaps it's a different feeling. And from the instrument you're able to make your own sense. Maybe the piano solo sounds like there'd be a romance scene here--the woman kisses the man. Maybe the guitar's loud riffs sounds like a man punching another in the face until he's bloody. Whatever the case, you draw images from something that's more than words. . .you're drawing it from how the person playing their instrument looks. How they stand. What techinques they use to play their piano, their guitar, their cymbals, their drums. What it sounds like. This is what words are like for me. This is the purpose I use them for. Writing's something more--different-- to me than what it is to you. At least from what you've said. Hopefully, in comparison, you see what I'm saying about writing. If you don't, that is fine. Writing's art to me. Art is expression. Sometimes, what you're feeling is nothing. That nothing's something so you decide to use it. Play it. Beat the drums. Strum the guitar. You decide to put it down as it comes, and sometimes it's amazing, sometimes it's not. But this is creation, there's no doubt. When you love someone, Alex, is there intention to the love? Is there a reason for the love? You love them because you need to express. You love them because you need release. You love them because they can love you back and can make you feel better. You love them because you come together to make something. You come together when you need physical release, mental release. You love them because it's hopeless and you need something to give the hope. A fake hope that helps you out. That's writing. A need to express. Something that goes beyond words. This is what I think, of course. I'm supposing some of this is over your head. I'm guessing I shouldn't even post this, since it's probably going to do nothing for you. And, you know, when I think about it, I don't want to be published. I write for myself, so I might as well keep it for myself. As for your thoughts on life. That is what you think and I, as always, respect you and that. Perhaps my perceptions shall turn to yours one day, but at the moment I am more of a naturalist. I sometimes brim on a realist. Sometimes I'm a romanticist. Sometimes I'm an idealist. A pragmatist. What's the difference? I go through a brim of different feelings each day. I can't label it down to one word to describe my entire life's mantra. I just think that, in the end, life is a waste of time. It's fun when it's fun, but I tend to feel more pain than fun. But sometimes the pain is fun, too. Without the pain there wouldn't be the inert feeling of needing to survive. What a fun feeling, isn't it? To be honest, the world doesn't care about me. If I fell off of its surface, a bruised smear, it would not remember me.[/color][/size][/QUOTE] Then keep a diary.

[quote name='Mitch][size=1][color=black'] I'd agree the metaphors are tired. [/quote][/color][/size] [size=1][/size] [size=1]Good. [color=black] [/color] [color=black][QUOTE][color=black]I'd like you to elaborate on how I "make fun" of the reader? I don't even talk about the reader in here.[/color][/QUOTE] [/color] You don't have to talk about the reader to make fun of them. Hell, you don't even have to mention them to insult them. You were making fun of the reader by not respecting them enough to write a cohesive narrative. The piece was a random jumble of words which ostracizes the reader. It's almost as if you're saying, "You know what? I don't care what you like to read. I wrote this and this is all I'm trusting you with." [color=black] [/color] [color=black][QUOTE][color=black]In the end, this piece wasn't even for the reader. It was for me. It means something to me, and that's enough for me. The reader doesn't have to like it. [/color] [color=black] [/color] [color=black]In real writing, the reader should be the forefront. But this isn't "real" writing. This is more of me just putting down thoughts. If you like it, fine. If you don't, that's fine too. I'll listen to what you say. Whatever the case, I'm sure there's others out there that like this piece. Even if it isn't "good writing." I know I like it. That's enough for me. [/color] [color=black] [/color] [color=black]I didn't write this for the reader. I know that I should, but writing is more than just writing for someone else's joy. I write for myself.[/color][/QUOTE] And you still don't understand what I meant by "making fun of the reader"? You're totally disregarding any audience that is reading your work. If this is your attitude, don't look to get published anywhere. Really, if that's your attitude toward the craft, you don't respect the craft at all. If that's your attitude, then nobody is going to want to read your work. OB here is a different world from reality. OB is a nurturing place that encourages and supports. If people here enjoy your work, fine. But you should know that the majority of those commenting on your work know very little when it comes to writing, and haven't experienced what is out there. If you decide to value your skill based on uneducated opinions, then you're short-changing yourself even more.[/color] [color=black] [/color] [color=black][quote]I've already woken up from Dreamland, and I realize this world's a waste of time. I shall be adapting, though.[/color][/size][/QUOTE] Eh...not really, no. The world is not a waste of time, far from it. There are speedbumps along the way, but speedbumps aren't there for the entire road of life. Mitch, you haven't fully awoken from Dreamland if you think the world is a total waste of time. You've had that opinion of the world for as long as I've been on here, and I've got a feeling you've had that opinion for a while now even before I got here. Your Nihilism is part of your Dreamworld. Watch Matrix Revolutions again. Pay very close attention to what Smith and Neo say at the end.

Outrageous does not mean good writing. Writing something that rambles on and on does not mean good writing. Mitch, if you want people to respect you as a true writer, you can't write stuff like this. This doesn't respect the reader [i]at all[/i]. You're making fun of them. They will put the story down because of that. I mean, you're really insulting the reader's intelligence. That's not the sign of good writing. That's the sign of someone that has no direction, has no purpose to writing a piece and therefore just puts down whatever. Really, do you honestly think that people will honor you for writing this stuff? Do you honestly think people will exclaim in an outburst of joy, "Oh, praise those who have blessed us by sending us Mitch, he who writes without a second thought and he who writes from the heart!"? Adding meaningless adjectives and prepositions does not equal good writing. Adding in meaningless adjectives and prepositions won't help at all. Try writing realistically. Try writing a piece that is totally devoid of any ridiculously outrageous lunatic ramblings. Try writing some variation into the themes you're using. I've seen the Maggots thing in just about every piece you've posted in your MyO. It's a tired metaphor. The machine is a tired metaphor. You've used them up. You've exhausted whatever benefit they may have had. It's time to move on. If you still fail to realize what Asphy and I are saying here, or still refuse to acknowledge that what you're doing isn't going to get you anything, then I don't know what else to say. You're shooting yourself in the foot. When you fail in the creative writing field, you will have yourself and only yourself to blame. It's time to wake-up, Mitch. Dreamland is coming to an end. EDIT: Mitch, it's very tedious to read through your posts, because you type so much but say so very little. Unless you're Herman Melville, getting paid by the word for Moby Dick, writing 8,000 words is useless in conveying anything. The longer a piece is, the more distracted from the point it will be.

I almost get a Smashing Pumpkins sound from this poem. A fan of Billy Corgan, by any chance? With some revision, this could be turned into lyrics. I swear, I was hearing Billy Corgan during some of this. That's a good thing, of course. Smashing Pumpkins rocks. A few lines that I found especially delicious, [QUOTE]Life is nothing A game Yes a game that swallows you And puts you in shame[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]Delighting minds with my shadows Relying on their ways to grow[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]Sitting in the sun No rays down on me A desert place I'm not alone[/QUOTE] The imagery and tone of these selections work very well to establish the mood of isolation from the world. Being swallowed, playing in the shadows, sitting in the desert, all illustrative of isolation. The "game" excerpt was especially nice, because I kept hearing "The world is a vampire." Nice job, Amity.