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GaryN
May 11, 2013, 9:53:06 AM5/11/13
to
I was up last night with insomnia and saw '300' for the first time.
Quite enjoyable in it's own brash, rowdy, historically inaccurate,
politically incorrect[1] and mostly downright silly 'Boys Own' way. And
then it happened.
There I was, amusing myself by noting anachronisms, when Julian Clary
turns up as Xerxes I of Persia![2] At which point my disbelief, which I
had suspended with standard hawser rather than Battleship Chains,
crashed to the ground and rolled around laughing. I could imagine
Xerxes saying "Riiight, I'll just nip out and invade Greece this
afternoon" in the camp manner that Clary affects and suddenly the threat
from the eeeeeevil empire didn't seem so bad after all.
Has anyone else experienced that brick wall effect of an otherwise
entertaining, if unremarkable, film (or even an excellent oscar winner)
suddenly descending into unintentional farce through some minor aspect
that may only have occurred to you? Or is it just me?
It got worse later when one of the Spartans was speaking with a Welsh
(although it may have been an Australian trying to sound Greek) accent
and I realised it was really a remake of 'Zulu'(another politically
incorrect but enjoyable semi-historical film with a similar storyline).
I expected the Spartans to start singing 'Men of Harlech' and waited for
Michael Caine to appear:-)
Not colossal mistakes for the blooper reel or glaring continuity errors,
just minor things that changed the whole atmosphere of the production.
For me at least.
gary
[1] Can we please ignore that aspect for the purposes of this post.
[2] Yes I know it's actually Rodrigo Santoro but I had to wait 'til the
end credits to find out.
--
"I'm not twisted.
I'm a tortured soul in a flexible body"
The Contortionist in 'MicMacs'
Quite enjoyable in it's own brash, rowdy, historically inaccurate,
politically incorrect[1] and mostly downright silly 'Boys Own' way. And
then it happened.
There I was, amusing myself by noting anachronisms, when Julian Clary
turns up as Xerxes I of Persia![2] At which point my disbelief, which I
had suspended with standard hawser rather than Battleship Chains,
crashed to the ground and rolled around laughing. I could imagine
Xerxes saying "Riiight, I'll just nip out and invade Greece this
afternoon" in the camp manner that Clary affects and suddenly the threat
from the eeeeeevil empire didn't seem so bad after all.
Has anyone else experienced that brick wall effect of an otherwise
entertaining, if unremarkable, film (or even an excellent oscar winner)
suddenly descending into unintentional farce through some minor aspect
that may only have occurred to you? Or is it just me?
It got worse later when one of the Spartans was speaking with a Welsh
(although it may have been an Australian trying to sound Greek) accent
and I realised it was really a remake of 'Zulu'(another politically
incorrect but enjoyable semi-historical film with a similar storyline).
I expected the Spartans to start singing 'Men of Harlech' and waited for
Michael Caine to appear:-)
Not colossal mistakes for the blooper reel or glaring continuity errors,
just minor things that changed the whole atmosphere of the production.
For me at least.
gary
[1] Can we please ignore that aspect for the purposes of this post.
[2] Yes I know it's actually Rodrigo Santoro but I had to wait 'til the
end credits to find out.
--
"I'm not twisted.
I'm a tortured soul in a flexible body"
The Contortionist in 'MicMacs'
Robert Carnegie
May 11, 2013, 10:52:07 AM5/11/13
to
On Saturday, 11 May 2013 14:53:06 UTC+1, GaryN wrote:
> Has anyone else experienced that brick wall effect of
> an otherwise entertaining, if unremarkable, film
> (or even an excellent oscar winner) suddenly descending
> into unintentional farce through some minor aspect
> that may only have occurred to you? Or is it just me?
Surprise casting is good for that, mostly when it's what
> Has anyone else experienced that brick wall effect of
> an otherwise entertaining, if unremarkable, film
> (or even an excellent oscar winner) suddenly descending
> into unintentional farce through some minor aspect
> that may only have occurred to you? Or is it just me?
an actor has done since that makes the difference.
Leslie Nielsen is in Forbidden Planet_, although not
in his _Airplane_ and _Police Squad_ look.
O. J. Simpson joins him in the second "Naked Gun" movie.
(Or maybe the late Richard Griffiths does it for you.)
And there's some epic anime fantasy where a heroic
prince is dubbed by plain-spoken "David Archer" from
BBC radio soap "The Archers" - it's quite a jolt!
And there's a Kylie Minogue televised concert where
suddenly a troop of the Cybermen march on and start
dancing - nearly the Cybermen, anyway, and the reference
must be intentional, but not explained. I think there was
also the sound familiar to some of a piano being tortured
in an unexpected way, or, according to some, a TARDIS
being flown with the brake on.
Lesley Weston
May 11, 2013, 11:00:29 AM5/11/13
to
was reading /Fifty Shades of Gray/ for the first time and looking
forward to a thrilling and titillating experience, when she discovered
that the protagonist keeps saying "Oh my!". She couldn't help but read
it in George Takei's voice, which completely destroyed the mood. She
couldn't go on reading such rubbish once that started happening and
getting her unimmersed every time.
Lesley.
--
This address is real, but to reach me use leswes att shaw dott ca
Nigel Stapley
May 11, 2013, 11:27:33 AM5/11/13
to
On 11/05/2013 14:53, GaryN wrote:
>
> It got worse later when one of the Spartans was speaking with a Welsh
> (although it may have been an Australian trying to sound Greek) accent
> and I realised it was really a remake of 'Zulu'(another politically
> incorrect but enjoyable semi-historical film with a similar storyline).
> I expected the Spartans to start singing 'Men of Harlech' and waited for
> Michael Caine to appear:-)
A clear case of someone failing to Read The Fscking Ivor Emmanuel...
>
> It got worse later when one of the Spartans was speaking with a Welsh
> (although it may have been an Australian trying to sound Greek) accent
> and I realised it was really a remake of 'Zulu'(another politically
> incorrect but enjoyable semi-historical film with a similar storyline).
> I expected the Spartans to start singing 'Men of Harlech' and waited for
> Michael Caine to appear:-)
--
Regards
Nigel Stapley
www.thejudge.me.uk
<reply-to will bounce>
Message has been deleted
Gary R. Schmidt
May 12, 2013, 9:24:04 AM5/12/13
to
On 12/05/2013 10:33 PM, Lewis wrote:
[SNIP]
> Summary: George Takei saved someone from the agony of reading 50
> Shades of Grey? Good on 'im!
>
> :)
>
> Erm.. Gray? Yeah, probably Gray.
>
I agree with George saving her from the proverbial, and I think it's
"Grey", mainly because when I saw the title of the third volume I saw it
as "Fifty Shades of Fred."
Well, Fred and Wilma *did* live in the Stone Age... :-)
IGMH.
Cheers,
Gary B-)
--
When men talk to their friends, they insult each other.
They don't really mean it.
When women talk to their friends, they compliment each other.
They don't mean it either.
[SNIP]
> Summary: George Takei saved someone from the agony of reading 50
> Shades of Grey? Good on 'im!
>
> :)
>
> Erm.. Gray? Yeah, probably Gray.
>
I agree with George saving her from the proverbial, and I think it's
"Grey", mainly because when I saw the title of the third volume I saw it
as "Fifty Shades of Fred."
Well, Fred and Wilma *did* live in the Stone Age... :-)
IGMH.
Cheers,
Gary B-)
--
When men talk to their friends, they insult each other.
They don't really mean it.
When women talk to their friends, they compliment each other.
They don't mean it either.
Lesley Weston
May 12, 2013, 10:12:25 AM5/12/13
to
On 05-12-13 5:33 AM, Lewis wrote:
> In message <kmlmee$22o8$1...@mud.stack.nl>
> In message <kmlmee$22o8$1...@mud.stack.nl>
> Summary: George Takei saved someone from the agony of reading 50
> Shades of Grey? Good on 'im!
It's OK to be Takei, doncha know.
> Shades of Grey? Good on 'im!
>
> :)
>
> Erm.. Gray? Yeah, probably Gray.
>
I think it's American, isn't it?
> :)
>
> Erm.. Gray? Yeah, probably Gray.
>
Free Lunch
May 12, 2013, 10:32:31 AM5/12/13
to
On Sun, 12 May 2013 07:12:25 -0700, Lesley Weston
<brightly_co...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in alt.fan.pratchett:
We get to thank the English for this addition to culture.
<brightly_co...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in alt.fan.pratchett:
Larry Moore
May 12, 2013, 6:51:03 PM5/12/13
to
Gov Gen Lord Grey, and had to often re-correct my address after
someone proofed it into 'Gray County'.
The water colour is Payne's Grey so presumably the spelling <Gray> is
another Websterism.
--
When I've gone past churches with those big crosses out on the lawn,
I've thought that if He ever comes back, they're ready for Him.
Kip W r.a.sf.written
Free Lunch
May 12, 2013, 8:44:07 PM5/12/13
to
On Sun, 12 May 2013 22:51:03 +0000 (UTC), Larry Moore
<sshirley...@gmail.com> wrote in alt.fan.pratchett:
I wasn't speaking of Webster's war on English spelling (though Johnson
hardly cared how things were spelled/t), but the bit of modern
literature that has been so successful.
<sshirley...@gmail.com> wrote in alt.fan.pratchett:
hardly cared how things were spelled/t), but the bit of modern
literature that has been so successful.
Message has been deleted
Chris Zakes
May 12, 2013, 10:27:51 PM5/12/13
to
On Sat, 11 May 2013 08:53:06 -0500, an orbital mind-control laser
caused GaryN <webm...@oxtoyrun.org.uk> to write:
(snip)
>Has anyone else experienced that brick wall effect of an otherwise
>entertaining, if unremarkable, film (or even an excellent oscar winner)
>suddenly descending into unintentional farce through some minor aspect
>that may only have occurred to you? Or is it just me?
The recent version of "The Three Musketeers", when the sail-powered
airships started behaving as if they were naval ships--sailing in
different directions at the same altitude, tacking, etc. The film had
other stupidities as well, but that was the most glaring.
-Chris Zakes
Texas
--
Two things I have ever respected are warmth and the ability to sit still.
-Mayland Long in "Tea With the Black Dragon" by R.A. MacAvoy
caused GaryN <webm...@oxtoyrun.org.uk> to write:
(snip)
>Has anyone else experienced that brick wall effect of an otherwise
>entertaining, if unremarkable, film (or even an excellent oscar winner)
>suddenly descending into unintentional farce through some minor aspect
>that may only have occurred to you? Or is it just me?
airships started behaving as if they were naval ships--sailing in
different directions at the same altitude, tacking, etc. The film had
other stupidities as well, but that was the most glaring.
-Chris Zakes
Texas
--
Two things I have ever respected are warmth and the ability to sit still.
-Mayland Long in "Tea With the Black Dragon" by R.A. MacAvoy
Lesley Weston
May 13, 2013, 10:06:13 AM5/13/13
to
Free Lunch
May 13, 2013, 6:27:50 PM5/13/13
to
On Mon, 13 May 2013 02:08:46 +0000 (UTC), Lewis
<g.k...@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> wrote in alt.fan.pratchett:
>In message <kmo808$1101$1...@mud.stack.nl>
>I never remember which spelling is which, and I use either myself,
>seemingly at random.
>
>Hmm. OK, I was wrong, I use grey more than gray, by about 4:1
I've decided to be mid-Atlantic on both gr[e|a]y and s[k|c]eptic and use
them both interchangeably. I can't even recall which is which for
skeptic.
<g.k...@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> wrote in alt.fan.pratchett:
>In message <kmo808$1101$1...@mud.stack.nl>
>seemingly at random.
>
>Hmm. OK, I was wrong, I use grey more than gray, by about 4:1
I've decided to be mid-Atlantic on both gr[e|a]y and s[k|c]eptic and use
them both interchangeably. I can't even recall which is which for
skeptic.
Larry Moore
May 13, 2013, 7:16:40 PM5/13/13
to
On 2013-05-13, Lesley Weston <brightly_co...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>>
> But it's /The Picture of Dorian Gray/, even so.
>
> Lesley.
>
Yes - one gets search engine hits on <The Picture of Dorian Grey>
>>
> But it's /The Picture of Dorian Gray/, even so.
>
> Lesley.
>
but I'm pleased that most places (including PG,) get it right.
--
Forget the quiche. *Real* men change diapers.
-Chris Zakes (on afp)
Texas
Larry Moore
May 13, 2013, 7:26:45 PM5/13/13
to
On 2013-05-12, Lewis <g.k...@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies> wrote:
> In message <kmlmee$22o8$1...@mud.stack.nl>
> Lesley Weston <brightly_co...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Summary: George Takei saved someone from the agony of reading 50
> Shades of Grey? Good on 'im!
>
> In message <kmlmee$22o8$1...@mud.stack.nl>
> Lesley Weston <brightly_co...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Summary: George Takei saved someone from the agony of reading 50
> Shades of Grey? Good on 'im!
>
>:)
>
> Erm.. Gray? Yeah, probably Gray.
>
The title is a punne (or play on words) on the male protagonist's family
>
> Erm.. Gray? Yeah, probably Gray.
>
name of Grey (British author so British name spelling.)
So sayeth Wikipedia anyway.
--
"First they ignore you; then they ridicule you;
then they fight you; then you win." - Gandhi
Larry Moore
May 13, 2013, 7:36:32 PM5/13/13
to
On 2013-05-13, Free Lunch <lu...@nofreelunch.us> wrote:
>
> I've decided to be mid-Atlantic on both gr[e|a]y and s[k|c]eptic and use
> them both interchangeably. I can't even recall which is which for
> skeptic.
Probably the best bet - whether it's gray wolf or grey wolf makes no
>
> I've decided to be mid-Atlantic on both gr[e|a]y and s[k|c]eptic and use
> them both interchangeably. I can't even recall which is which for
> skeptic.
difference when they catch the troika.
--
. “Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off
every once in a while, or the light won't come in.”
― Isaac Asimov
Message has been deleted
larry
May 17, 2013, 5:45:19 AM5/17/13
to
On Sat, 11 May 2013 08:53:06 -0500, GaryN wrote:
> Not colossal mistakes for the blooper reel or glaring continuity errors,
> just minor things that changed the whole atmosphere of the production.
> For me at least.
>
> gary
>
>
I had the same whiplash with Connery's Scottish accent in the movie "Hunt
> Not colossal mistakes for the blooper reel or glaring continuity errors,
> just minor things that changed the whole atmosphere of the production.
> For me at least.
>
> gary
>
>
for Red October'.
John S. Wilkins
May 18, 2013, 6:04:05 AM5/18/13
to
--
John S. Wilkins, Associate, Philosophy, University of Sydney
http://evolvingthoughts.net
But al be that he was a philosophre,
Yet hadde he but litel gold in cofre
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