Messages

Wouldn't the sun's position make the capsule's windows, and some of the rock outcroppings (like the one in front, and the one behind the cave) be in shadow?

Maybe there are two suns?

Squinky - this looks awesome!  It looks (reminds) me of Fry 3's style, which rocks!

The character looks great (Evil's edit sealed the deal) and the background looks awesome!  The lack of gradiation (in the ground) gives is 'Squinky Style'.

Keep up the great work!

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He forgot the cactus!

It's not a cactus!!  It's a HIDDEN MICKEY!!!!!

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I saw a sign once, on a road trip, for a place that was a combination gas station and family restaraunt.  It read:
[color=000055]"Stop, eat, and get gas!"[/color]
It was funny as shit.

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Santa Baby - Karaoke Style (2.5 MB)

Hope that's what you were looking for!

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I, Robot is a great book and I'm interested to see what they do with the movie version.  It'll be interesting to see how much they 'modernize' it.

Have you ever seen I, Borg?  (The episode of Star Trek The Next Generation) it was by far my favorite episode in all the seasons of TNG.  It was interesting how it tied in with I, Robot.

Anyway ... we'll see what Wil Smith can do with the role.  He, in my opinion, is capable as long as he doesn't 1/2 ass it like he did in Independence Day.

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Well each to their own, but I did struggle with the early part of Fellowship when I first read it, I don't think I got through 10 chapters before giving up. It may have been that I was too young, but I think there's a certain amount of effort you have to give in getting into this book.

Eventually I did get further into the story and it became a breeze shortly after that. Some people will never like this kind of stuff, or the way its written, but for me there was one special point in the story where the I realised it had taken hold of me, and I cared about the characters and what was going to happen to them all.

I would say that it isn't really until almost a third of the way through that the story really tightens up and takes you by surprise, and from then on it just gets more and more interesting I think. At that point it becomes as easy as an airport thriller to read IMO.

I so know what you mean!  It took me forever to get past the starting of Fellowship.  The part with Tom Bombadil (who I really didn't miss in the movie) was just so uninteresting to me and it wasn't until they got to Bree, and meet Stryder, that I really got into the books.

Also, as you commented on, Tolkien had a unique (almost old English meets Yoda) style of writing which took me some time to get the hang of.  Given that, and a plot that I felt was draggin', I just couldn't get into it.  But once it started (the plot) and I got used to his style I flew through the rest of the series.

On a related note ... I found out after the release of tFotR that my father is a huge fan of the series and had read them several times when he was a younger man!  He actually went and saw FotR with me.  (My father NEVER goes to movies)  He knew all the character's names and remembered so much about it, even though he hadn't read them in over 20 years!  Talk about a great story that sticks with ya!

[From DG:]

From DG:

As I mentioned, Ebert wasn't calling the film 'silly'.
He was calling the story too silly to carry emotional weight.

After reading the whole article I see now what he meant.  And I think I would agree almost completely.   However, in my opinion the story isn't silly, but I know what he means by what he said.

The A.I. discussion ...
I was super disappointed in AI.  I think it asked some interesting questions which inspire you to think (if you're capable of thought!) but on the whole I didn't care for the flick.  I think it's just 'cause I don't really care for Haley Joel Osment that much.

What is a classic vs. 'Instant Classic'
I think a classic is (should be) based more on individual feelings about a movie.  Star Wars is 25 years old and I still watch it and love it.  So to me it's a classic.  I don't (hold your breath) particularly care for Ben Hur so I don't consider that a classic though many would.

As far as the 'Instant Classic' references to movies.  I think I should point out that I saw a reference to Battlefield Earth as an 'Instant Classic' ...

Do I think LotR is epic? Yes
Do I think it's a classic?  We'll see.  I'm willing (at this point) to watch it over and over for the next 20 years to find out

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The detective reminds me a lot of the FBI agent from the Beavis and Butthead movie, apart from that, its all good

Cavity Search!!!

The BGs are great.

The characters are very nice.

Have you tried animating any of the characters yet?

I'd love to see how they look in the backgrounds as well!

Keep it up!

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I haven't played it

My brother played it and wouldn't stop until he'd won the game!  I watched some of it and it did look pretty darn sweet!

I very rarely play any games (except AGS games) but the other day I sat down and started playing Halo on the PC and was totally sucked in.

Talk about an awesome experience!!  I got bored after a while but I was shocked [pleased] at how it pulled me in!

So I know what you mean about that game!

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I've never really been a fan of movie critics.

Ebert and I, however, usually agree.  Though not in the case of the LotR.  I think his comparison between LotR and Apocalypse Now is okay given their scale and being based on books.  However I don't think 'silly' is acceptable.

The Lord of the Rings is based in a world that noboby on Earth can really relate to 'cause there aren't axe wielding dwarves, or bow firing Elves walking about day to day.  It's fantasy ... not reality.

Apocalypse Now was something very much based in this world.  With people and technology that most people are used to seeing.  So I think more people could ... relate? ... more to the material.  Plus, the action in Vietnam was a very controversial subject (much more so in '79 than now) so it was a sensative subject when that film was released.

I can't speak for anybody but myself but when I watch a movie I want to totally escape reality.  I want to forget where I'm at and be blown away by the movie.  That's how I rate movies ...

I never saw Apocalypse Now in theaters.  Had I, I'm sure it would have had a similar effect on me.

When I saw LotR (all three filmes) in the theaters I was under their spell and blown away.  The music, special effects, story, acting, direction, cinematography, all of it.  Totally pulled me in.

So to me, it's an epic on par with anything ever released.  Perhaps the most engaging epic I've ever seen (too early to say definately ... I need to let it all soak in over the next few months)  When I can sit down and watch all the extended DVD versions I'll be able to say "Yeah ... this just rocks!" (and I can't wait to do just that!)

Oh well ... in the end I only care about what I think of a movie.  I don't care what anybody else (especially critics).  Perhaps a bit of ego there, but hey, in the end I'm the one sitting there watching it!!

cheers,
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The game was great (including the ending).

I agree with Petteri.  Little details (animations) add soooo much to a scene.

* trees/grass swaying in a breeze
* lapping waves
* crabs scurrying across the beach

Stuff like that ... these weren't sorely missed in Fry 3 or anything ... but they just would have made it even greater!

I try to stuff a lot of detail into each scene.  Even if the detail has nothing to do with the goal/plot of the game.

I also script in dialogues and characters that have nothing to do with the goal/plot of the game.  

Stuff like this just makes the game feel ... 'fuller' ... in my opinion.  I've never really liked when EVERYTHING in the game is necessary to finish the game.  As if there isn't anything in the world (of the game) that doesn't need to be there!

End of ramble

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[LITERALLY]

Here's a few books, in the fantasy realms I think are better than LOTR

The Wheel of Time, by Robert Jordan (The first books anyway. He now is trying elongate the series as much as he can)

I think if Jordan had kept up the quality of the books as up to The Shadow Rising (the best book in the series in my opinion - when Perrin goes home and the battle for the Two Rivers ... that whole part is just amazing!!) I think I would agree that the WoT is a better series.  But LotR still tops it for me!  The last few books in the WoT have just dragged on and on and on ... it's like, "Come on Jordan ... do something!!!"

I may be a simple minded SOB but my favorite fantasy series is the Midkemian stuff from Raymond Feist.  (I know some of you will hammer me for that)  From the Riftwar through the Serpent War I just love that saga!  Anybody read those?

What do you think about some critics saying LOTR now ranks among classic epics, like Lawrence of Arabia and Ben Hur?
Also, what do you think of Jackson's next project: A remake of King Kong?

I definately think it's up there with the classic epics.  Any movie that can LITERALLY get me to stand up and cheer (as I did on several ocassions throughout LotR) is, at least for me, an epic of mega proportions!!

I think this movie will set standards that will be followed for many years to come.  I'm hoping it'll start film makers wanting to do more movies like this!  I mean, with Star Wars, sure we might anticipate the next one ... but we have to wait 3 frickin' years for it!  (although to be honest I'm not really anticipating the next Star Wars that much) The way LotR was released was brilliant in my opinion.  Keep the waiting down, and give us MORE!!!  (disclaimer: as long as the over-all quality doesn't suffer)

All my 'favorite' movies are the ones that after I've seen them in the theater I (depressingly) think, "I'll never get to see this again for the first time"  That's how I know it's a great movie (for me).  Movies like; The Last of the Mohicans, Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan, and Dude, Where's My Car?

As for the re-make of King Kong?  I hadn't heard about that ... but I think I'll hold off until I see something of it but my first thought was, "Haven't there been enough King Kong movies?"

Oh and ** DM kicks GarageGothic in his keester **

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double post ... sorry ....

Michael Jackson.

I've already seen it.

I thought it was awesome.

I say this with a heavy heart, and it'll always have a special place in my heart, but Star Wars has been replaced as my favorite Trilogy.

Spoiler

When Eowyn kills the flying Nazgul ... I literally stood up and cheered!

[close]

I was very shocked that Chris Lee wasn't in there ... but truthfully it didn't hurt the movie.  He'll, of course, be in the extended version of the DVD.

When does it release around the world?  I went to the midnight showing on Tuesday night.  (its official US release was today (the 17th))

In a few words this trilogy is just AMAZING film making.

I think filming them all at the same time like Peter Jackson did was the key ... the continueity was just perfect because of it!  

Anyway ... I loved it!

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Hogwarts will definately miss him.

And I'll be damned before I start LIKING a fucking moron.

I wasn't saying you should like him, far from it.  I don't like him much myself, but no matter how vocal I get it's not going to change any thing.  So I don't bash him ...

That's all I meant.

And believe me, I never doubted your feelings for the man

I, as a general rule, don't like any politicians.  I think they're all liars and cheats ... but hey, what can I do about it?  I didn't vote for Bush ... but he's still in office and he's probably going to win a second term ... even despite all the people who hate him.

** shrug **

Anybody want to move to the moon with me?

No SSH ... you're wrong ;D

I'm not a huge fan of Bush myself.  I guess I just don't see what good it'll do to rip on the guy.  He's not going to resign just 'cause he's not liked by some.

It reminds me of the line in Forest Gump when the boyfriend of Jenny (who Forest beat up at the Black Pantha Pahtee) says, "blah blah blah, and that lying son of a bitch Johnson!!"  Ooh ... I hate the president ... and my hatred of him is going to accomplish SOOOO much!!!

I've never been able to understand why people get so heated about the president.

Oh well ... that's just my side of the story

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[SSH]

I was going to stay out of this thread because I know how these things go.  I know that some just aren't going to agree with what is so obvious to me just as I'm not going to agree with what is so obvious to them.

Having said that, I do have something to contribute:

SSH

Anyway, the reason the USA doesn't invade the REAL threats to world security is the same reason they didn't attack the USSR during the cold war: they have nukes and would use them. That is why the idea of WMD in Iraq is laughable...

This was always in the back of my mind.  I figured it was because they thought Iraq had the weapons, just not the delivery systems.  So the real threat of WMD was on the battlefield.  I think the REAL threat is from countries who have ICBMs and Nuclear subs ... stuff like that.

In my opinion, the U.S. not attacking Russia during the Cold War, and now staying away from other REAL threats like North Korea, is only common sense.  Nuclear weapons have become FAR more a defensive tool than an offensive one.  North Korea knows full well we won't send troops in because they have the ability to attack the U.S. with nukes.

So in this case, diplomatic routes (and ominous threats of world destruction) are really the only logical, and sane, paths to tread.

Of course, since it's so popular to hate Bush/Blair everybody will say bad things about them and make insults as to why they only attack countries like Iraq (revenge, oil, etc).  All of which may well have merit.

So, like OTG commented on, there's always another side to the story.

I remember how much I hated Clinton when he was elected and how I complained about it.  It did a lot of good too!  He was immediately taken out of office ... oh wait, he was there for 8 years!!

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