2012 Off topic thread(basketball,movies,etc whatever)

[MMA_scientist]

I liked episodes 2 and 3. They didn't ruin it, but they definitely don't have the same campy magic that the older ones had... I think the movies are fine as stand alone movies, and I actually really like ep 3 better than all of the old movies (maybe ep 5 was better). I am glad they made the new movies, but just like anything you enjoyed as a child, when they try to re-create it, it never lives up.

[SPX]

I actually still look at the old Star Wars movies and think that they have some pretty good fucking effects, even by today's standards. But like I said a couple of days ago, filmmakers today are too reliant on CGI. I like the model work that you see in old sci-fi movies, like Star Wars, Star Trek and 2001. But as for movies that I really get off on watching? Eh. I respect Star Wars for what it is and place the series holds in film history, but I have never felt a strong emotional connection to it. A lot of people will call this blasphemy, but I actually find the original trilogy a little boring (but Empire Strikes Back is definitely the best of the bunch).

When 7, 8 and 9 come out I'll be there. And I'm sure they'll be a good time. But I doubt they'll be in my top 10 for the year or anything.

[MMA_scientist]

Yeah the spaceship and background effects still hold up IMO. It is the puppets that don't do so well. Some of them are cool, some look like muppets playing a clarinet.

For me, the movies are just ok, but the mythology they created has really only been done a couple other times in film (and then usually adapted from books). Star Wars created a whole new universe and had timeless themes about religion, good, evil, redemption... that is why it is classic. They aren't big deep themes, but when you are 8, it is really the first "serious" movie that combines actual thought with cool lightsabres.

[SPX]

Those are some interesting points. I guess that's true. At this point, the Star Wars universe is massive, with fucking books and movies and TV shows and Christmas specials and toys and all kinds of shit.

[MMA_scientist]

I think Star Wars is something you take to as a kid or not at all. Star Trek is similar, but Star Wars has way cooler action and thus kids like it more. BUt as a kid, there aren't many movies where the main good guy becomes the worst bad guy... so it is somewhat adult in themes, but kids all watch it. The good guys and bad guys are not black and white like most movies kids watch (or most movies period really). I really think that is why I liked it when I was a kid (and still do, and my son loves it. in fact, he is darth vader for halloween today). He always talks about good guys and bad guys as sometimes bad or pretty bad, but kind of good.

[SPX]

Indeed. Well I do agree that the series carries interesting themes with it. The story is deeper than it first appears on the surface.

As for taking to it as a kid, I remember that as a kid I said I loved it and told myself that I loved it, but when it came to actually watching it, I really kind of wanted to do something else. But I did it because I reminded myself that I loved it so much because Star Wars is so cool.

[MMA_scientist]

Yeah, I can see that. I liked the toys and a few clips a lot more than sitting there and watching the movies. The merch has a lot to do with it for sure.

[SPX]

In a lot of ways, I actually prefer Star Trek to Star Wars.

And while we're at it, what the fuck is up with George Lucas? That dude has is one of the most well-known filmmakers in Hollywood and other than Star Wars shit he's directed like two movies: THX1138 and American Graffiti. Between A New Hope in 1977 and Phantom Menace in 1999, he didn't make a single film. WTF?

[MMA_scientist]

Star Trek is for gays. George Lucas is well known because of his sweet ass hair style and nothing else.

[SPX]

The first Star Trek movie from the 70s was really interesting. I watched it for the first time--or most of it at least--a few months ago. Star Trek IV (I think) was also pretty good.

And the reboot was good, though the plot needed a bit of work.

[MMA_scientist]

I enjoyed the reboot version. Though the reason I enjoyed it was because it was nothing like Star Trek

[SPX]

Anyone see Cloud Atlas yet?

[MMA_scientist]

I will probably see it tomorrow.

[SPX]

After tonight there's going to be like 5 movies in the theater that I want to see.

[MMA_scientist]

I actually cannot name a single movie coming out or one that is in theaters right now (aside from Cloud Atlas). My plan to cut myself off from advertising must be working, because I wouldn't even know Cloud Atlas was out if you hadn't brought it up last week.