Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

You do have to wonder if the decision to take the 'Star Wars' universe into television had something to do with the recent boom in television SciFi. If so, then surely he would use his leverage to squash a competing show right under the same corporate umbrella.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Fox also had Space:Above and Beyond cancelled after one season. A show that I really enjoyed, so I feel your pain with Firefly.

I don't care if Lucas likes or doesn't like Wheadon. For the studio, it is all about dollars. If it doesn't sell advertising space, forget it. This was several years before Lucas considered bringing Star Wars to television, so I don't buy that arguement unless he has a ten-year plan (which they may... "We'll release the ORIGINAL version of SW with the SPECIAL EDITION in 2008 on HD-DVD!!").

You can bet if Wheadon had made a movie that grossed $150M after costing $40M to make, there'd be a sequel in the works.

The show may have been shut down due to influence, I can't see the links on the wikipedia so they could be to Martha Stewart reruns (TV Guide). But nobody has shown that the movie wasn't promoted. It was HEAVILY promoted to the markets that would theoretically find it appealing - SciFi channel, sporting events and wrestling on TV, I saw an ad in Entertainment Weekly, there was a feature on TV Guide. It simply didn't make money because it didn't have a wide appeal for whatever reason.

I watched one show, the first one that was on, and decided that I liked it, but never saw the second episode because I thought it wasn't going to make it.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Slynky: "It's easy for a person who doesn't care about a particular show to not care much about why it was canceled."

Certainly not enough to look beyond the obvious reason--low ratings--and come up with a VLWC ("Vast Lucas Wing Conspiracy") to explain it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

"Be sure to click on footnote #5 for information that contradicts your insinuation that the show didn't have much of an audience."

Um, the show was popular with TiVo users? Sure sign of a blockbuster, that! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

How about this: "Back in 2002, Firefly was one of the beleaguered Fox network's many casualties, ranking 66th in the Nielsen ratings for its first episode and quickly descending to around 100th place for the rest of its run." -- http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=1910&p=.htm

Maybe Fox should have handed out more free TiVo units? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

"It's all about making money fast. If it isn't made fast enough, then don't "get behind" the series and push it, NO, by all means, just cancel it!"

This suggests to me that Slynky is well aware of the show's precarious ratings, and is merely criticizing Fox's reluctance to take a bigger risk on it. Series DVD sales suggest Fox may have make a mistake, but the film's lukewarm reception indicates the TV series may never have appealed to more than a niche audience. In any case, Fox's bottom line is enough to explain the cancellation, so I'd need more than just Lucas' alleged trash talk to hang a conspiracy theory on.

BTW, now that Battlestar Galactica is poised for a third season, isn't it about time Lucas turned his Jedi mind control on the Sci Fi network? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

So far as I know, the SciFi channel is not in his reach. He is making his deal with Fox, right? The SciFi Channel is currently owned by NBC/Universal. He'd have to sue outright in open court like he did with the original, and that is now widely recognized as a very stupid move. Even George Lucas must know better than to walk right into a buzzsaw?

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

The thing is, Lucas waved the Star Wars TV series in their faces like then after he got what he wanted, the fat prick, he changes his mind and decides to "hold off" on the idea for a few more years.

About Fox, Family Guy, nuff said.

As to BSG, if we get a full 3rd season I will be impressed after how horribly they diluted the story line in the last half of the second season. An opinion shared by many, is that there will not be a fourth season. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Uhhhh...., Hunpecked - That's not entirely accurate. One major point concerning Firefly/Serenity was the matter of who eventually owned the rights to it. Joss Whedon and FOX had a serious falling-out, and as a result his shows were cancelled on that network. When he was "released" from his contracts with FOX he lobbyed hard to get the rights and control of the Firefly property. FOX executives agreed, but later, after it's surprising revival on the big screen, tried to claim a part of the proceeds from the movie and series DVD sales. They dropped the matter VERY quickly when it was made clear in court WHO owned the rights and who DIDN'T. The executive who signed off on those rights was himself later "released" as well.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

I see. The series' ratings were actually stellar, so Fox and Whedon argued over the piles and piles of cash the show was earning, so Fox killed their golden goose to spite Whedon and suck up to Lucas? Interesting take. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif Too bad Fox pissed off Whedon, because that left the door open for Universal to make a fortune on the movie. Oh, wait... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Actually, Fox may have (accidentally?) made a very good business decision with Firefly: save money by killing the series, then make money on the DVDs. I'd be curious to see Fox's bottom line on the whole Firefly affair.

So who owns Whedon's other properties (Buffy and Angel)? Whedon, or the networks?

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Never said the ratings were stellar, but neither were they as bad as some other shows that were kept in the line-up by FOX. It simply came down to a dispute between FOX and Whedon, and FOX threw their weight around and canned Whedon's projects.

No one knew then that he'd manage to revive the property well enough to get Universal to back it being made into a movie. When it did make it's cinematic comeback FOX tried to claim they still held a portion of the rights, and lost that bid when it was determined in court that they did not, having signed off on it at Whedon's released from contract.

I can't say what the legal status of the other properties is, as I never really heard much about them. I was somewhat involved, indirectly, in some of the interplay with FOX and Whedon, though. I was working at the FOX studios when some of the conflict between them overflowed into the stage areas. Later, we were read an "OFFICIAL" statement by FOX management concerning the issues.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Well, what was the "official statement?"

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

The statement we were read was that "due to unreconcilable differences of opinion between Mr. Joss Whedon and FOX studios, the stage area was going to be closed and all production would be ended". The stage areas were cleared and the doors locked, and it was time to find a new job elsewhere.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Went and saw "Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Mans Chest" this weekend, and I can't decide if it was a good movie or if I got screwed.

Seems to me that about halfway through the movie it lost focus and meandered. And the end definitely bites. It was way too obviously geared toward a sequel, instead of closing out a storyline that already got lost occasionally.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

To be fair, the ending is open because it's the second part of a trilogy. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

To beat the "Joss Whedon" horse to death--an award from Equality Now organization:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfga...;entry_id=6741

This makes him quite a bit human to me.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

To bad he is now black listed. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Superman

Surprizeingly not a bad movie.

"Wheren't there two of them?" - Lex's Girl Friend.
R O T F L M A O

The movie seem really out of place in today time, but overall it was not a bad movie, actually quite enjoyable.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Superhero comics are getting too grim and gritty. We need more optimism.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

equilibrium LINK

damn fine movie. One of best i have i seen in a good long time. a true must see now out on dvd. 8 out of 10

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

I COMPLETELY AGREE !!!

Saw it awhile ago, and was surpised and pleased how good it was for a movie so few have ever heard of.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

It was a good movie, and I'm not even a Superman fan. Lex Luthor was played well by Kevin Spacey, with a real vicious streak. And the Pom had some very distinct survival traits... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Pirates of the Carribbean - Dead Mans Chest

I want my f***ing money back! They lied. This movie is no where near as good as the first, hell its barely worthy of a matenee viewing. If you haven't seen this deception yet, save your money and rent, NOT BUY, but rent it on DVD. AFTER is goes to the $2.99 discount weekly price.

They lied, they lied, they out right f**king lied! Don't believe a word the critics are saying if they say they loved this movie. Who the hell are these critics anyways? Paid kronies of the Disney to be sure.. The movie stank, it was horrible, it was contrived, it was scripted worse than a bad video game, it just was abismal to say the least. Most of the movie should have ended up on the cutting room floor. Whole sloths of the film were just pointless waste. The script stank horribly, the editing was wrank, and for the first 20 minutes the whole movie made no damn sense at all. Abosolutely a complete con job on the "best movie ever" bull crap. 30 million people have seen this moive and I will bet most want their money back.

5 out of 10. (Special effects were great, acting was ok, humor was fair, nice scenery, hope for the sequal.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

I disagree. I thought it was on par with the first movie, perhaps a little bit less original because we've become accustomed to the characters and some of the themes.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

I am just saying that they really over hyped it and made it out to be the very best movie of all time when in fact it wasn't even close. Sequals aside, this one could have done a better job in the first 20 minutes. Secondly, they could have cut a lot of pointless crap out. I look forward to the return of the first pirate captain in the third movie.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

I tried to tell ya..... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

You did indeed warn us... This is what I get for not paying attention. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

I hear all the rants and raves about that movie, and keep thinking WTF because I left it seriously disappointed.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

I disagree. I really enjoyed Pirates. In fact, I have seen it twice now. After seeing it the first time, I was a bit disappointed. After seeing it the second time, I was entertained and understood every more clearly. It also helps if you see the original shortly before seeing the second. You will understand a lot more small details and catch things that the normal person may not.
No, it wasn't as good as the original, but sequels are hardly ever as good as the first. Kwok stated it correctly; we are just used to the charactors now so it doesn't seem as good as when we first saw the original.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

I saw the first movie last week since I never go out to movies, so I wait till they're on TV. I thought it was quite good. Great effects with the cursed pirates, although my favourite scene was when Jack arrives at the dock at the start.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Just watched last night the "Night Watch" movie and, except for a few small gripes, it´s a superb movie...

It have well designed special effects, that don´t detract form the stories (contrary to a lot of movies lately that are more espceial effects showcases than movies), and a very compelling story. If you like fantastical tales with witches, vampires, shapeshifters and the like, you will have a full plate with this movie.

My only two gripes:
1. Too many characters for too small screen time, so a lot of interesting characters remain undeveloped.
2. No conclusion, this is only the first part of the story, the story apparently continues in the second movie of the series (Day Watch), and while some story arcs are resolved the main conflicts of the movie are left pending.

But, gripes aside, i found it an incredible movie, and can hardly wait for the second movie of the series...

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

I saw Superman Returns today... in 3-D Imax. Well, only some bits of it were done in 3-D, like scenes of Superman flying around.

Not a bad movie. Definitely one of the better Superman movies. Way better than the last movie, Superman IV The Quest for Peace, which was just awful. Kevin Spacey is very good as Lex Luther.

The Kryptonians were a Crystalline race!

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Reading some of the earlier posts about Joss Wheaton, no matter what else he has done, he helped contribute to the atrocity that became Alien 3. That's when I first saw his name, and I don't think I can ever really like him just because of that. Now, I don't know if he did Buffy the movie, but the series was ok. Not that I've watched too many episodes, but enough to know what was going on. Still don't know too much about Angel. As far as Firefly, either it came on a night I was working, or the wife had control of the remote control on whatever night it came on. I've seen some reruns, but not all 13 or so. I finally saw Serenity last month, and thought it was a good follow-up to the series. Since you all know I don't read the trade magazines, the earlier posts in this thread was the first time I heard anything about Lucas having bad feelings about Wheaton. Too bad. Like I've stated earlier, I think Lucas was at his peak in 1977. He's probably just jealous.

Finally saw Monster House last weekend. My 5 year old son got scared toward the end. I don't know if the producers wanted that effect on young children or not, but it did have on one my son. Other than that, I thought it was an OK movie. Not along the lines of The Incredibles or any other Pixar movie, but worth the view.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Having a 5 year old, I seem to get to see mostly CGI or just regular animated movies lately. The latest one I just saw was Barnyard. If you can get over the fact that all of the male cows have udders, it's a funny movie. I liked it, and recommend it to all of you who have small children to go see it. A word of warning, however. There are a couple of scenes in the movie that involve coyotes, and the animaters make them look scary. I think my kid was less traumatized from those scenes than he was when he saw Monster House, however.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

The Protector
This is a great martial arts movie starring Tony Jaa. I was very impressed with Tony Jaa's fighting skills; if you like martial arts movies you'll like this movie. The story is very simple, though: some bad guys steal two elephants from Tony's village and he goes to rescue them, beating up all the bad guys who try to stop him.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Ultra Violet

This wasn't a very good movie. They relied very heavily on fast, very obvious, digital who's quality was exceptionaly poor.

The plot, what plot.. the movie didn't really know what it wanted to do. One moments its a resistance anti establishment movie the next its a hunt the vampire save the children movie. Then it turned into mother son bad dad movie. This thing was all over the place.

It has been a long while since I have had to just stop watching a movie and remove it from my DVD player. This movie was that bad. It is the kind of movie someone spun out on crack would make.

Ever try to watch some crack heads concept of blade runner? Its like watching the channel on your tv flip stations every few seconds; round and round again.

The movie had these complete unbelieveable fight scenes, by unbelieve able, I mean as in complete fake. THe main character could run on ceils and kill dozens of soldier made of glass. Oh wow, glass soldiers... what a great idea that is. She can perform these fantastic feats of physic breaking acrobatics, including running a motor cycle sideways along buses, jumping from the side of a bus to the side of another bus then to the side of building while being chased by a very fake looking CGI helicopter. It was a Mytrix rip off that just makes you shudder.

She fights these huge groups of soldiers yet baucks and gets all freaked out when she has four or five soldiers blocking her path in a mall.. WTF?

The fight and chase scenes were 99% digital and they all looked increadibly fake.

There is no decernable plot to this movie, the story is a jumbalation of confused concepts and bad ideas. Its a vampire movie, its dark anti-establishment movie, hell its even a matrix rip off and a Kill Bill peace. This is simply one very bad, meaning not so good, movie.

Rent or watch at your own risk.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

I totally agree with your assessment, Atrocities. It was a terrible movie.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

We recently went to see "Ant Bully." Very entertaining, very "cute," very funny. Enjoyable for adults and great for children.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Oh. I just got a rental for Ultraviolet in the mail... so, this brings the question: if I watch it, will my eyes start to bleed? If so, I'll just send it back now.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Watch it and then let us know what you think. I couldn't watch the full thing. I suspect the ending might be something half baked and slightly predictable but I never got that far. Just couldn't finish the movie.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Fearless
This is Jet Li's latest movie, in which he is Hua Yuanjia, a great Chinese martial artist who fought with many fighters from other countries. He uses a variety of styles: sword, spear, 3-sectional staff, unarmed. The story goes back to how he started training in Wushu as a young boy, and how he grew up to become a powerful martial artist.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Your eyes will first bleed, then explode with a shower of green venom.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

I think the last movie I took my kid to was How To Eat Fried Worms. It was a cute little film, and we saw this after we ate at a restaurant. It's not too bad, and I didn't feel like barfing (more importantly, it didn't make my son feel like barfing). If you or your children aren't too queasy, check this one out.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

I'm watching the strangest movie atm. Apparently a french movie- French girl (speaks japanese but her voiceover is in french) trying to fit in and work in a Japanese corporation in Japan subtitled in spanish- I need more beer http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

If you're watching that, perhaps you need less beer? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/stupid.gif

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Ok, so I actually watched it. The plot holes are too numerous to list. The special effects were often mediocre. And really, the only redeeming quality of the movie was the very frequent shots dedicated only to showing off the assets of Ms. Jovovich.

Also, if you turned it off after only a few minutes, you missed the part at the end where Violet and the vice cardinal dude are in a swordfight. And then their swords sponaneously catch fire. And then the vice cardinal guy catches fire, and Violet escapes. And then THE WHOLE FRACKING BUILDING BURSTS INTO FLAMES. Yup, you missed THAT.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

"Yup you missed that."
Thank God!

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

We warned you!

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Found an old sci-fi movie called "Supernova" and saw that i didn´t heard about it and never watched it (2001)... now i have.... and i want those hours of my life back! What an horrible movie!

The movie simply does not make any sense! More plot holes than swiss cheese!

If you didn´t see it, don´t make the mistake... keep away from it...

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Supernova was one of the SERIES of movies from Europe that for some reason was the ONLY movie in the series that was made. Kinda like Screamers - one chapter in a much greater story line.

In Supernova the one thing you need to keep in mind is that the bad guy is no longer human, he is becoming DEATH, and with him he is bringing the end of the all. An alien supernova bomb that now activated will destroy the entire galaxy.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Last night, my wife and I watched "United 93". Very well done, very strong.

I highly recommend it. In fact, this is something that everyone should see so that something like this is never forgotten. As a movie, it was very good. The fact that it's a true story of what happened on flight United 93 is even more moving.

To me, I got a very strong message of what it means to be an American. Even though I'm a Canadian, I've always had a very strong sense of respect for my southern neigbors. The actions of these few people on this plane, for me, demonstrate why it is that the USA is the most powerful country in the world: you have a sense of the patriotic that NO one comes close to.

Very good. I highly recommend it. And if anyone says that they don't want to see it because they don't want to 'relive' 9/11, then they need to see it.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

Feast

This Project Green Light movie was never released in theaters but is now out on DVD and is a real cult horror movie for those who enjoy dark comedy horrors.

Its bloody, has no real pot, full of action, has humor, and keeps you guessing.

Good rental movie.

Re: OT: Movies You Have Seen Lately
 

I saw "The Departed" last night and enjoyed very much. An excellent movie all around.