Recent movies

[jusplay4fun]

I have seen about 3 Aliens movies; the original was the best and has been described as a horror movie wrapped around sci-fi. REALLY good and very scary.

I like nearly ALL the Star Trek movies; I commented on Star Trek vs. Star Wars elsewhere in another Forum thread, so I will not repeat those comments here.

I did see most of Hitchhiker's Guide (on TV) and am not sure what to make of it, partly because I have not seen it all and partly because of the comedy angle.

Thanks to everyone who has comments to this point.

JP4Fun

I like Interstellar although many critics did not.

Other science fiction movies (older probably):

Event Horizon (more horror than sci fi)
Aliens (duh)
Hitchhiker's Guide (more comedy than sci fi)
12 Monkeys (one of my personal all-time favorites)
Star Trek Generations (my favorite Star Trek movie other than Star Trek I)

[Symmetry]

Read the books for Hitchhiker's Guide.

[jusplay4fun]

Books and not Book?

are the books the SOURCE of the story or commentary on the movie? or BOTH?

JP

Read the books for Hitchhiker's Guide.

[jusplay4fun]

OK....13 books at ThriftBooks, online buying website......so LOTS of books, most by the same author:

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
(Book #1 in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Series)
by Douglas Adams

Thanks for the tip. BUT, I gotta say tho that the story line does not really appeal to me; too much sarcasm and attempts at humor that I don't get or don't like; too whimsical (as one reviewer described and I with whom I agree).

JP

[Symmetry]

OK....13 books at ThriftBooks, online buying website......so LOTS of books, most by the same author:

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
(Book #1 in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Series)
by Douglas Adams

Thanks for the tip. BUT, I gotta say tho that the story line does not really appeal to me; too much sarcasm and attempts at humor that I don't get or don't like; too whimsical (as one reviewer described and I with whom I agree).

JP

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying here, but it's more cynical than whimsical in my reading. I guess it can be read both ways.

[jusplay4fun]

I used a worD found in one book review:

Book Overview

“Extremely funny . . . inspired lunacy . . . [and] over much too soon.”—The Washington Post Book WorldSeconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker’s Guide (“A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have”) and a galaxy-full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox—the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian, Zaphod’s girlfriend (formally Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years. Where are these pens? Why are we born? Why do we die? Why do we spend so much time between wearing digital watches? For all the answers stick your thumb to the stars. And don't forget to bring a towel!Praise for The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy “A whimsical oddyssey . . . Characters frolic through the galaxy with infectious joy.”—Publishers Weekly“Irresistable!”—The Boston Globe

JP4F

OK....13 books at ThriftBooks, online buying website......so LOTS of books, most by the same author:

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
(Book #1 in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Series)
by Douglas Adams

Thanks for the tip. BUT, I gotta say tho that the story line does not really appeal to me; too much sarcasm and attempts at humor that I don't get or don't like; too whimsical (as one reviewer described and I with whom I agree).

JP

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying here, but it's more cynical than whimsical in my reading. I guess it can be read both ways.

[jonesthecurl]

The best version of Hitchhiker was the original radio series. Before books, comics, TV series, movie, collectable figures, computer games, and towels.

[KoolBak]

Was Gravity the Sandra one? Fucking HATED it.....

Honorable mention....LOVE LOVE LOVE the new Star Trek movies, primarily the interaction between the cast members. BEAUTIFULLY done

And I'll stick my neck out for ridicule: Simply cannot wait for the new Avatar movie (if that bastard would ever get it done....wtf??). Avatar still one of my fave flicks I've seen

*ducks thrown bottles, torches and rocks*

[strike wolf]

"Gravity" deserves a heads up. It's a tough movie to sell people on. Almost any way you describe it makes it sound terrible.

If you liked The Martian, you'll probably like "Gravity".

I hated Gravity.

Wow, ok. Why did you hate it?

Couldn't get through it. It felt like the movie spent more time trying to make the shots and how it was filmed interesting that the plot and character suffered as a result.

[Symmetry]

"Gravity" deserves a heads up. It's a tough movie to sell people on. Almost any way you describe it makes it sound terrible.

If you liked The Martian, you'll probably like "Gravity".

I hated Gravity.

Wow, ok. Why did you hate it?

Couldn't get through it. It felt like the movie spent more time trying to make the shots and how it was filmed interesting that the plot and character suffered as a result.

Fair enough, I guess, although hating a film that you haven't seen all the way through seems a bit harsh. For me, the cinematography was one of the best parts. I obviously don't know at which point you stopped watching, but it might be worth a re-watch all the way through to really get a sense of the character and plot.

[jusplay4fun]

That should READ: I used a WORD found in one book review:

(I will edit that error NOW); my apologies for my mistake.

JP

Book Overview

“Extremely funny . . . inspired lunacy . . . [and] over much too soon.”—The Washington Post Book WorldSeconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker’s Guide (“A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have”) and a galaxy-full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox—the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian, Zaphod’s girlfriend (formally Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years. Where are these pens? Why are we born? Why do we die? Why do we spend so much time between wearing digital watches? For all the answers stick your thumb to the stars. And don't forget to bring a towel!Praise for The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy “A whimsical oddyssey . . . Characters frolic through the galaxy with infectious joy.”—Publishers Weekly“Irresistable!”—The Boston Globe

I used a work found in one book review:

Book Overview

“Extremely funny . . . inspired lunacy . . . [and] over much too soon.”—The Washington Post Book WorldSeconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker’s Guide (“A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have”) and a galaxy-full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox—the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian, Zaphod’s girlfriend (formally Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years. Where are these pens? Why are we born? Why do we die? Why do we spend so much time between wearing digital watches? For all the answers stick your thumb to the stars. And don't forget to bring a towel!Praise for The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy “A whimsical oddyssey . . . Characters frolic through the galaxy with infectious joy.”—Publishers Weekly“Irresistable!”—The Boston Globe

JP4F

OK....13 books at ThriftBooks, online buying website......so LOTS of books, most by the same author:

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
(Book #1 in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Series)
by Douglas Adams

Thanks for the tip. BUT, I gotta say tho that the story line does not really appeal to me; too much sarcasm and attempts at humor that I don't get or don't like; too whimsical (as one reviewer described and I with whom I agree).

JP

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying here, but it's more cynical than whimsical in my reading. I guess it can be read both ways.

[thegreekdog]

The best version of Hitchhiker was the original radio series. Before books, comics, TV series, movie, collectable figures, computer games, and towels.

Wait... there was an original radio series? I have to find this.

[strike wolf]

"Gravity" deserves a heads up. It's a tough movie to sell people on. Almost any way you describe it makes it sound terrible.

If you liked The Martian, you'll probably like "Gravity".

I hated Gravity.

Wow, ok. Why did you hate it?

Couldn't get through it. It felt like the movie spent more time trying to make the shots and how it was filmed interesting that the plot and character suffered as a result.

Fair enough, I guess, although hating a film that you haven't seen all the way through seems a bit harsh. For me, the cinematography was one of the best parts. I obviously don't know at which point you stopped watching, but it might be worth a re-watch all the way through to really get a sense of the character and plot.

You can see it that way if you want but honestly, if a movie is so bad that I can't sit through it than it probably doesn't deserve a rewatch.

[jonesthecurl]

The best version of Hitchhiker was the original radio series. Before books, comics, TV series, movie, collectable figures, computer games, and towels.

Wait... there was an original radio series? I have to find this.

1977 or so?

[jonesthecurl]

Here you go, I think...
http://www.induceddyslexia.com/hitchhiker.htm

[Symmetry]

"Gravity" deserves a heads up. It's a tough movie to sell people on. Almost any way you describe it makes it sound terrible.

If you liked The Martian, you'll probably like "Gravity".

I hated Gravity.

Wow, ok. Why did you hate it?

Couldn't get through it. It felt like the movie spent more time trying to make the shots and how it was filmed interesting that the plot and character suffered as a result.

Fair enough, I guess, although hating a film that you haven't seen all the way through seems a bit harsh. For me, the cinematography was one of the best parts. I obviously don't know at which point you stopped watching, but it might be worth a re-watch all the way through to really get a sense of the character and plot.

You can see it that way if you want but honestly, if a movie is so bad that I can't sit through it than it probably doesn't deserve a rewatch.

Fair enough, I liked it a lot. That kind of tight, (basically) single actor movie will turn a lot of people off. It's a bit of a different experience than people are used to in a movie, especially a Hollywood one. It can feel almost claustrophobic to the point of discomfort.

For me, the focus on the single character was kind of a strong point, but it's a slow build I guess that is pretty central to the film. I guess my comparison would be if you were complaining that a murder mystery film never explained whodunnit, so you stopped watching half way.

Have you seen Cast Away? If so, what did you think?

[strike wolf]

I liked castaway. But that was a two man show! Wilson is still my favorite actor.

[Symmetry]

I liked castaway. But that was a two man show! Wilson is still my favorite actor.

Lol- still, a character worth sticking with till the end, no?

Honestly, give it a few months and watch some really crappy movies in the mean time and go back to Gravity with a more open mind.

[2007spaceodyssey]

mother!

Go see it folks, it's amazing!

[KoolBak]

Looks gnarly...gnarly-good...lol

REALLY wanna see the new Kingsman movie...LOVED the first one....

[2dimes]

Yeah Kingsman should be good. I would like to see that new Tom Cruise one with the airplanes.

[KoolBak]

Me too. Read that two private pilots were killed in an action scene in that cessna and a third was paralyzed in the shooting of an action scene. Families of the dead are suing everyone including production, Tom and the pilot that lived.....say they forced unsafe stunts....bizarre.

[2dimes]

I'm guessing they are trying to sue Tommy because he has money.

The People article I just skimmed says.

• Plane was a Piper.
• Crash was after the film wrapped.
• silly accusations were filed in court documents.
• One of the pilots killed a guy crashing a helicopter before this crash took him out.

Typical that the insurance company is taking the, "Sorry you guys were breaking the law. No soup for you!" position.

[KoolBak]

Yeah....sue sue sue!! Whatever.....still wanna see the flick ;o)

[DoomYoshi]

The Gravity discussion reminds me of Stargate. For whatever reason I've never been able to stay awake during that movie, and I can't usually sleep with the tv on. It's not like it's boring... I want to watch it, I just can't.