Figo
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Posts posted by Figo
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Tut tut. This isn't what I remember reading yesterday. Someone's been making free with the "edit" button.
Figo, who was merciful, but is starting to rethink his stance.
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There is no such thing as perfection, and many things can come close to what you call perfection.
A classic piece of Morn contrarianism.
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The prequels are fun; TPM may have more flaws than the rest, but AotC is a better film than ROTJ.
We'll have to agree to disagree.
ROTJ at least had all the elements that made the first two films successful -- except a weaker story, a flabby script, and poor direction. At least it had the semblence of a story arc. The new films just go on and on and on, until they just decide to end. Also, Jedi -- much criticized, even by me, for its lack of originality -- at least had inspired touches, especially Jabba the Hutt. But, with Lucas' "retooling," even the freshness will have gone out of that by the time he's finished. We now see Jabba in the TPM and in a very, very weak scene in the Star Wars special edition. For all its faults, Jedi provided continuity of character and feel. The score is the weakest of the original trilogy, but it still sounds like Star Wars. The stress marks were already starting to show. Don't you think that would have been a sign to stop, instead of going full-speed ahead with three more films?
As I say, though, Lucas can do what he wants with subsequent (or "preceding"
) installments. We're pretty much all in agreement -- even petulant Kev -- that the originals should be made available. -
Well, if you don't agree with either of is, I'm not sure why you decided to quote his entire post -- which argued very little for the prequels and a whole lot for what I jerk I am for disagreeing with him on Lucas' right to screw up the series and withhold the originals (which, naturally, he misconstrued) -- and respond with "I agree 100-percent." It kind of runs counter to what you're saying here, don't you think?
Perhaps you could have said, "I agree with your argument, but (1) I don't think Figo said what you think he said, and (2) you're letting your own personal issues cloud your judgment." That at least would illustrate the standpoint you claim to hold, while he and I would continue to fume at one another and hurl mudpies like a couple of five year-olds.
Figo, pretty mean with a mudpie.
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Supergirl just sucked the life out of me.
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What is painful about the sequels is realizing the possibilities held in each. II, in particular, could have been great. As it stands, I thought it was merely good. Keeping Donner on would have helped -- I would love to see the rest of the original footage -- and, God Almighty, bringing Williams back would have clinched it. The second was more overtly "comic book." I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with that. In fact, at that point in the series, I think everyone was itching to see an all-out superfight. I also happen to love Terence Stamp, so it was good to see him have the chance to chew a little scenery. Did anyone here happen to see The Limey?
III was so damn frustrating, from the very beginning. What was Lester thinking? That whole deal with the Rube Goldberg cause-and-effect slapstick opening -- shudder. And what does Richard Pryor have to do with anything? It was just weak from beginning to end. Seeing Robert Vaughn reduced to this was just plain sad. I remember after the tepid fireworks at the "climax" thinking, That's it? That can't be it! But it was. Meanwhile, the Salkinds were sitting in a room somewhere, counting their stacks of money.
The one part of III that I found intriguing was the concept of Superman gone bad. For those few scenes, the movie actually came to life, and I wish that had been developed further. It would have made the film different, in a good way. As it is, I believe I only saw it once, in the theatre, so I am reaching way back to recollect the pain.
IV looked like it had potential from the trailer -- wow! Superman, addressing the U.N.! -- but, alas, it was possibly the weakest of the series. I always liked Reeve's approach to the character. I think he was a completely sincere Superman. I didn't mind bringing back Hackman, either. He's a great actor, and nearly always entertaining -- except here. Superman certainly has lots of arch-nemeses, so I'm not sure why the filmmakers felt it was necessary to bring back Luthor. Nuclear Man was just stupid. Talk about one too many trips to the well! And the whole thing just looked cheap. Granted, this is the only Superman film that I saw on video, but it couldn't have been that impressive in the theatres.
Couldn't the Salkinds at least have pulled a Lucas and begun all the films the same way, with a thunderous rendition of Williams' main titles? That way, at least, the audience would have been entertained -- fooled is more like it -- for the first five minutes. But I guess it would have lost something in the watered down arrangements, which sound as if they were performed by television orchestras. Also, the design of the opening credits got weaker with each installment.
Figo, who would love to see another good Superman film.
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Revisiting this exchange the next morning, I understand that what I had described as wrong was not so much the "fun" factor, which is wholly subjective, but the morality of Lucas' alterations and his insistence on withholding the originals -- which, of course, was made crystal clear in my posts to Morn, well before Kev's over-the-top "retribution." Perhaps there should be some sort of saftey installed, requiring participants to read each post before responding?
Figo, on his second cup of coffee and regaining his famed "objectivity." :evil:
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Thanks. I was afraid I was starting to lose it. :evil:
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Superman Cinema, the greatest Superman site in the world!
UCFKevin is a moderator at the message board there.
Neil
I've removed it from my bookmarks. Kevin turned out to be a real asshole.
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It's funny, I went back and read my initial post, and this did not begin as a personal attack.
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You told me I had high expectations going into the prequels. Is that not telling me what is going on in my own head? Pardon me if I don't exactly bow down and take your bullshit
, but in case you haven't noticed, Kev, it's not exactly my style.So, if you're not taking it so damn seriously, why do you keep replying? You're so eager to start typing, you don't even absorb what it is I am saying. How could I be disappointed because my expectations were so low? The point is, I was disappointed despite my expectations being so low. Word choice is such a bitch, isn't it? After all, that's what you're all over me about. I disagree... It is my opinion... Well, excuse me for not mistaking this for the editorial page!
Good luck getting your balls untangled. I'm going to bed. If you still need your ass kicked, I can do it tomorrow.
Oh yeah, about your personal "tragedy" -- if that is what I am supposed to infer -- you pretty much cut yourself off any kind of sympathetic response with your attitude, chum. Seems to me like you DO take things WAY too seriously.
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Wait a minute. I'm lost. What do I have to vote for? Are we going to ban Morn?
observe the poll now.
I got ya. If it weren't for your overwhelming support for dickface over on the "Star Wars fading" thread, I would say thanks. As it is -- I think you can figure out how I voted.
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Sorry for overstating my opinion. Everyone here does it, but for some reason I am always the one to take the fall.
The movies are not "fun," and I am sure I can muster as much support for my viewpoint as you can for yours, probably more, if we extend our survey to the wider world. Or does my opinion count for less than yours?
This is a message board, for chrissake, and I expect to be able to spout off when I please, within reasonable limits. I was being honest and sincere, just as you are, so why are you getting your balls twisted? Who's taking things much too seriously now? Sheesh, some people are so sensitive as soon as you bring a little rape and murder into the argument.
But wait a minute! You criticize my "bullshit tactic," then turn around and tell me to get over it, it's the internet? YOU'RE USING THE SAME BULLSHIT TACTIC. Kevin, you and I are not completely unalike. We both think Lucas is an enormous dickweed for withholding the original cuts. Also, despite your attempts to blackball my character by manufacturing certain aspects of my psychology, I can tell you now, in front of man, boy and God (and Mari and Ren), that I did not have high expectations for the prequels. Indeed, the very fact that TPM failed to entertain me even on the most rudimentary level was all the more sad for this reason. How can you moan at me for saying you're wrong, when you turn around and tell me what's going on inside of my own head?
It's too bad you turned out to be such an asshole, Kevin. I actually kind of liked the Superman page.
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My mistake. I'll take it under advisement when I issue the special edition. :evil:
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Wait a minute. I'm lost. What do I have to vote for? Are we going to ban Morn?
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This last post was in response to the Bastard Son of a Thousand Convicts (a.k.a. Morn). Sorry, I should be using the quote button.
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If you have to ask, you will never know.
Figo, tired of repeating the obvious.
You're always welcome to search my old posts, Morn. Or stick around. I'm sure I will get appropriately idignant at some point and wind up regurgitating most of what should already be clear.
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Well, changing the poll won't change anyone's worshipful attitude; it will just allow me to vote to jettison it!
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You're in a major city. Check out some of the smaller, independent shops. The chains focus on having 15 copies of the latest releases. I know for a fact that my video store has it, as I've rented it many times.
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Can't choose, except in the negative sense. If I had to jettison one of them to oblivion, it would be Jurassic Park. The others are all masterpieces. Perhaps you'd like to rephrase your poll?
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Wait a minute. Here it is:
And then you are going to tell the understandably less than enthusiastic public to stick it in their collective ear, the originals will no longer be available.So we're in agreement that Lucas is morally reprehensible. Get off my back!
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That's what I'm pissed about. Perhaps I got lost in my own rhetoric? Forgive me, I haven't had anything except pretzels for dinner, and now it's bedtime.
I just want the f***ing originals back, okay? Then he can feel free to f*** up the Star Wars universe as much as he pleases.
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Well, the prequels are not "fun," for starters. Not unless your idea of fun is standing by as a deranged visionary rapes and murders your children.
Lucas may own the Star Wars franchise and, therefore, as you say, he can do with it whatever he sees fit. Be that as it may, it is morally reprehensible to take something that has been ingrained in the public consciousness for over two decades and decide you're going to change it. The changes aren't going to be good, mind you; in fact they are going to degrade what was initially a very good set of movies. And then you are going to tell the understandably less than enthusiastic public to stick it in their collective ear, the originals will no longer be available. Believe it or not, Kevin, there is a point when a piece of art ceases to be the sole property of the artist.
No, I don't think my opinion of TPM or of Lucas himself is likely to improve in the foreseeable future.
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I know! One's about a pedophile, and the other is about a guy who makes it with Gloria Swanson. :cry2:
Star Wars is fading away...
in General Discussion
Posted
Well, actually, if you want to nitpick, it was your whole "bullshit" flame that started it, Mr. Get-over-yourself/Can-do-no-wrong. Yeah, okay, so no one in your life was raped or murdered. Sheesh. Talk about taking the high road. I don't hear anyone else complaining, so naturally you, who have never actually experienced such a tragedy for yourself, but are so acutely sensitive to the feelings of others, had to take it upon yourself to break a lance for Dulcinea.
I realize I am an easy target here, because my posts are frequently edgy and they sometimes piss people off, but I'll allow this particular exchange to stand for itself. I know what I meant, I know when the exchange truned sour, so don't try and rewrite history. I attacked no one except George Lucas. If that is a capital offense, you're going to have to find yourself an awfully large firing squad, because I'm going to have a lot of company. You just didn't care for my opinion, or the derisive manner in which I presented it. As if my complaining is going to threaten your precious prequels. :roll:
As for kicking your ass, I was speaking metaphorically, of course. I was very tired last night and knew that I would be more up to the task of an argument today. But, you're right, it would hardly be worthwhile. If it's not going to happen here, I'm hardly going to do it in private, via email. I think I contribute a lot to this board, Kev. If you look hard enough, you'll even find one or two intelligent posts. What's more important, I think I breathe a little life into the proceedings, as opposed to sucking the life out of them, as you have, at least on the basis of your responses here. I come bearing the gifts of controversy and laughter. I'm sorry to see you are too righteous to accept them in the spirit they are offered. That, to me, is the true definition of an asshole.
Glad we're through with this, then. Can't say that it's been a pleasure talking to you.