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The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #103
quote:
Originally written by Evnissyen:

So, I want to watch a film that gives me room to feel and think. Why is that wrong?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

quote:
Originally written by Evnissyen:

Perhaps with all this resentment aimed at me for daring to suggest that soundtracks should be treated with respect: I should ask why so many people think that I should fall into line and accept (and like) what Hollywood, or anybody here who disagrees with me, tells me to? Isn't that intolerance? So, you're attacking me for not sharing the vision you share... wow. What wickedness! (To use Locmaar's word.)

Au contraire, mon ami. Your opinion is absolutely valid and sound. What bugged me was the elitist notion that people who (sometimes) like music in films are culturally underinformed cretins.

As I said before: we can agree to disagree but I don't think it's fair to accuse people who don't share your vision of being dishonest. D'accord?

[ Tuesday, May 13, 2008 08:31: Message edited by: Locmaar ]

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #98
quote:
Originally written by upon mars:

You just hit the weak spot.
Loccmar is intolerant.
Being intolerant about intolerance is intolerance.

Yes, Marsman. That's the thing I'm definitely intolerant about. Can't stand it, all this intolerane. Hate it, hate it, hate it...

By the way: the name, for the time being, is Locmaar. One L, one o, one c, one m, two(!) a's one r.

Why? I don't know. But... oh, heck...

edit: @Randomizer: I never mentioned this dreadful piece of film for various reasons. But I admit that I almost enjoyed it... dadadada... when was young.

[ Monday, May 12, 2008 12:49: Message edited by: Locmaar ]

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #97
edit: I apologize for the double post. It (UBB) got out of control.

[ Monday, May 12, 2008 12:57: Message edited by: Locmaar ]

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #89
I would prefer it if you'd stop mentioning being an artist in a way that sounds as though you feel your opinion on the matter is more valuable than others'. Art is not a contest, knowing things about art doesn't make you superior in judging how people perceive a film. The world would be a poor, unhappy place if there were such a thing as a truth about art being true.

I know of three film versions of Lord of the Rings: Ralph Bakshi's animated picture, Peter Jackson's partially animated picture, and the one in my head when I read the book. I like the last one best, but I'll be damned if I break Peter Jackson's film against my vision in order to be annoyed. Here is why:

I do realize that filming a book - an unfilmable one at that - is an interpretation of said book. It's how the people involved in the film interprete the book. A good director will use their vision to supplement his and thus deliver a collective interpretation of a story.

In Lord of the Rings there are - among others' - Ian McKellen's view on parts of the story, Viggo Mortensen's, Richard Taylor's, Alan Lee's, John Howe's, Fran Walsh's, and Howard Shore's as well.

You don't like Howard Shore's view on the story? No problem. I do and we can agree to disagree. You don't like Gandalf's hat? I'm sure Ngila Dickson can live with that, even though she might be sad. You don't like the way New Zealand was photographed and turned into Middle-earth? Andrew Lesnie and Alan Lee are forgiving men. You don't like the visual effects? Richard Taylor will probably be upset, but eventually get over it.

What they might not easily forgive is this:

In essence your saying that some of these people were dishonest in presenting their view of a book you haven't read, mainly because their view wasn't what you wanted to see. That's a bold line to deliver to people who devoted five to seven years working on the thing.

As much as I like your thinking and your way of presenting your arguments, I don't like this arrogant way of passing down judgement concerning the honesty of people whose vision you don't share. That's wicked.

You want your own view? Read the book! That's what I do.

You want to see your interpretation on film? Too late. ;)

[ Monday, May 12, 2008 02:32: Message edited by: Locmaar ]

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
Playing as a shaper in Geneforge 4: Rebellion
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #9
Me neither. :D

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #85
quote:
Originally written by Clavicle:

How about this: Imagine if Jeff Vogel decided to add a loud, imposing orchestral soundtrack to Avernum and/or Geneforge. How would that affect the feel of the game and the gameplay?
Sorry, the 'imperfect' came up since you mentioned you thought Mr del Toro an imperfect director. Which is fine by me, but I don't know what sort of message your aiming to get across by calling him that.

The above question is easily answered: were the music any good, I'd like it.

I don't think LOTR were action films nor conceived as shallow entertainment - but why mustn't these factor in?

And I wonder: why does David Lynch spend so much time with creating the proper sound? Could it be... wait, no.. he's not manipulating the audience, is he?

Star Wars clearly was a better film with the music, because it would have sucked grossly without it. So how didn't the music add to it?

Howard Shore's soundtrack added a lot to Peter Jackson's films, in my humble opinion, and it wasn't about telling me how to feel. Setting a mood is a different thing. And frankly, it's not about being dishonest and not trusting your audience.

[ Monday, May 12, 2008 00:39: Message edited by: Locmaar ]

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
Playing as a shaper in Geneforge 4: Rebellion
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #2
G5 will.

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #79
Okay, I still get your point. It has something to do with a film being as close to what you'd call perfect, if I interpret your words correctly. That's fine.

I don't see, however, how art/storytelling/craft needs to be a competition. Every story needs to be told in an adequate manner. That said: I don't feel that I have to convince you how my opinion is better than your's. It's just that I can enjoy a lot of films you cannot, while I can also enjoy the films dear to you, because I love Kubrick's, Bergman's, Lynch's, Herzog's work. ;)

It's a different form of film-making because they tell different storys. Cronenberg also has a couple of daunting films out there. They use music, often by Howard Shore.

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #76
Drew: I think you will find the total running time little under 10 hours (theatrical cut) :P

As much as I love the films, I still think the books are better. It's only that the films are so much better than what I would have expected them to be.

I also thought the way how characters and their relations to one another were presented well executed, while the books go much deeper.

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #70
No matter how I turn and twist it, I'm not convinced. I obviously agree that a bad soundtrack is not helping any film.

What startles me is the post-modern approach that a proper story (piece of art etc.) be received by the audience only, without the artist(s) having a say in the matter. 'We don't care about what the artist is trying to tell us' is a famous quote for this approach. But it's only half the truth. A piece of art is created by craft of manipulation in that something is turned into something else.

When I tell you a story I choose characters, setting, style, theme and what not. When I make a film I might want to use actors to interprete certain parts of the script. If I want music to accompany my story that's my choice as well. Why is the use of a soundtrack manipulative when the use of an actor is not?

Any bad link in this process will break the chain. A bad script, a bad actor, bad music.

I guess I know what you mean when talking about Hollywood soundtracks trying to give a bad film emotional momentum so that at least an unimaginative audience won't be bored to death. This is sort of music/noise Hans Zimmer and his merry band of IT composers produces by the Terabyte.

I would argue, though, that a lot of these films are crap anyway. I would also argue that it's a matter of taste whether I like a particular piece of music. I liked being manipulated into believing that Darth Vader was a mean dude by John Williams' score.

[ Saturday, May 10, 2008 07:07: Message edited by: Locmaar ]

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #68
Mmmh... interesting. I'll think about this and retort in due time (I have to go to bed now, since I'm throwing a big birthday party tomorrow).

One thing, though: I realize this is sort of a circular regression, but the bad soundtrack is something which resonates in your mind as manipulative to you, yes?

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #66
I think this discussion is entirely worthy of the topic, even though we're not yet talking about the music of the Ainur.

I do find myself in disagreement with a lot of things stated/claimed here, but that's fine. I am no friend of all-embracing truths.

This, however, is the reason why I am a bit peeved by Clavicle's (though sound-sounding, yet oddly arcane) definition of art (and lack of manipulation). I would argue that no work of art can be unmanipulative due to the premise that the artist chooses his theme/method/medium very carefully (lest he be inspired by something only true artists experience, i.e. being kissed by a muse).

Manipulating someone into thinking about something they wouldn't have thought about otherwise is just as fine as getting them to think about it by pure chance. The free mind of the audience is something you might wish for, but should it exist, it would not allow for unwanted manipulation anyway. If, however, it accepts being manipulated into anything, even the manipulation itself might be artistic in nature.

I do comprehend the notion that the audience eventually should be the judge of what is true art and what isn't, but it's not a democratic vote. It's an opinion .

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #38
quote:
Originally written by Clavicle:

Hollywood's view of the soundtrack is to direct the audience how to feel at any given moment. They treat their audience like children.
I feel it is the storyteller's choice how a story is told. Having music accompanying your story is an ancient device from a time when Hollywood truly wasn't on the map.

There are ghastly soundtracks galore, scores without style aplenty, no doubt. But then again: bad storytelling is bad storytelling, and nobody should listen to a badly told story, especially not children.

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #19
Alorael,

the question remains if it has to resemble LotR (film-wise) in any way other than (for many people I know too much) glorious cinematography.

I sincerely believe Peter Jackson's films where successful because of the tone and imagery set in The Fellowship Of The Ring (not to forget Viggo Mortensen and Ian McKellen). This was the film to enable him to pull the others off.

To my mind RotK was the weakest film in the trilogy, but it was the most successful one, if I remember correctly (and I'm not talking about Academy Awards).

When speaking of other genre films, I have a hard time recalling anything significant other than Conan, possibly Willow or The Princess Bride (a true gem). There were a few others, but their light doesn't shine very brightly anymore (unless I made a great faux-pas and forgot something of true grandeur which is entirely possible, seeing that it's close to midnight).

One ting I know for sure: I have two little people living with me, with coincidentily very large feet, who are very enthuiastic about The Hobbit. One can't wait to watch a Middle-earth based film on the big screen, while the other is now hot to have The Hobbit read to her. And I am most willing to comply ;)

edit: Randomizer: You are of course aware that Tolkien despised allegory? ;)

[ Tuesday, April 29, 2008 13:01: Message edited by: Locmaar ]

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #16
Alorael,

while I agree with your assessment, I also see potential for the other films, should the franchise continue to be successful after the next couplet. If the audience (whatever that might be) won't appreciate the follow-ups it might be too late already, and we might watch some very good films bomb at the box office.

On the other hand, the team involved, whoever they may be, might be able to pull off some great films anyway. I do recall myelf not being very enthusiastic about LOTR being made into live-action films, but I must admit I was overwhelmed by the first one.

I prefer the books to the films at any rate. I read The Hobbit to my son, and The Lord of the Rings right afterwards. It was a deal we made, so he could watch the films. He insisted on being read The Silmarillion as well.

...and now my daughter is 'coming of age' :D

Furthermore, I read LOTR every other year around christmas, and the Silmarillion the years I don't read LOTR.

There are passages I don't like about the films, and even some I loath (the drinking game in the extended cut of RotK springs to mind). But at the same time I'm absolutely in love with Viggo Mortensen's Aragorn and Ian McKellen's Gandalf.

Plus, it's quicker to watch one of the movies than reading the corresponding book ;)

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #8
quote:
Originally written by Clavicle:

I wonder how he's going to figure the Spanish Civil War into this one?
Since he wants the second movie to focus on the rising civil war in Middle-earth, I'm confident he'll manage somehow. ;)

BTW, how did he fit the Spanish Civil War into Hellboy? I don't remember. And Blade II? Hmmm...

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #6
quote:
Originally written by Tyranicus:

I highly doubt they would use The Silmarillion, since it takes place hundreds and thousands of years beforehand.
Agreed. Should these upcoming two films be anywhere near as successful as LOTR, they might want to visit the Silmarillion in the future. There's content galore for quite a few movies. (Flight of the Noldor, the Sons of Fëanor, Beren and Luthien, Children of Húrin, not to forget the Akallabêth (Downfall of Numenor)).

[ Tuesday, April 29, 2008 00:43: Message edited by: Locmaar ]

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #4
My guess is the second movie will deal with the White Council expelling Sauron (the necromancer) from Dol Guldur. Technically this happens during the Hobbit timeline but would probably disturb that movie's pacing.

I also suspect they will try to get Aragorn's rise in there as well, as Viggo Mortensen has already signalled he would be interested to be involved.

As for Bilbo and Frodo: I think they won't be a big part of the second's movie soryline, even though I know that the writers (PJ, GDT, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens) are capable of surprising us.

As stated before, I am excited.

You can read what GDT has to say on the second film here.

[ Monday, April 28, 2008 22:10: Message edited by: Locmaar ]

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
The Hobbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #0
I just thought I'd bring to everybody's attention that Guillermo del Toro has now (well, last Friday) been officially announced to helm 'The Hobbit' and a second installment of the Tolkien Franchise which will cover the events between the afore-mentioned 'Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings'.

I don't know about the rest of you but I'm pretty excited about this.

Read more on the topic.

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
An intellectual tidbit in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #5
quote:
Originally written by Kelandon:

The article would be more readable if weren't so obviously communist.
This comment would be more useful if it weren't so obviously shallow.

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
more dumb questions in Avernum 4
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #22
I don't think any of these questions are dumb. I remember asking myself a couple of these. But here's another not so dumb question:

Have you ever considered browsing a walkthrough?

Not that I mind your questions - far from it. I always try and think if I can remember the answer. Most of the time someone else is quicker to reply.

But if you don't want to wait for replys, you should check out a walkthrough, dude. Or even Jeff's homegrown Book of Answers. Or keep posting. Whichever.

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
Comics in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #35
Um, I thought I'd mention a few comics to... um

I've always loved (and always will, I suppose) Calvin & Hobbes. I also like Hellboy, Preacher, a good deal of the books people already mentioned, and a lot of Barks' and Rosa's stuff.

I also thought Tully's epic was entertaining, even though it was a bit weak on plot and pacing. And I would have preferred a green glow, but I don't think MS Paint can deliver that.

Spinach rules!

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
Geneforge 5 - March Update in Geneforge 4: Rebellion
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #64
quote:
Originally written by Gandalf the Purple:

The very ideal the Trakovites stand for irks me.
::Start Rant::

Yes, Shaping has done great evil, but also great good. It is what keeps Shaper lands safe, what enforces the laws. The whole Geneforge society is based around shaping. You can't change that without a war, in which you will need very powerful SHAPERS. The fact that they even belive their idea of ridding the world of shaping is plausible is infuriating.

::End Rant::

Have you ever heard of memetic warfare, brother? It works the same as viral marketing. Create a compelling, easy-to-understand idea, and spread it. If it catches on it will replicate and spread even further.

Granted, you don't seem to like the Trakovite meme, which is why it doesn't work for you. But it might still work for others, eventually rendering your stance infuriating.

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
Infocom, Douglas Adams and a piece of history in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #1
Great stuff, Aran. Thanks for posting it.

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00
While We Wait for the Next Chapter in General
Warrior
Member # 6934
Profile #123
quote:
Originally written by Nikki.:

Dude, anybody could write that story.
IMHE this is not so.

BTW: Does anybody from, say, England know if you can get Old Bay Seasoning at Tesco's or any other supermarket? It turns out a friend is going over soon and asked if he could bring anything. I need to know. Pleeeease!

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Always try to be true to yourself - unless you suck
Posts: 183 | Registered: Sunday, March 19 2006 08:00

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