h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

>however revolutionary the effects in the original were at the time, they still look cr*p now!<

I think that's a very, very debateable point. CGI has it's uses, but that in no way invalidates the craft and artistry of Willis O'Brien and his protege Ray Harryhausen.

Different doesn't always mean one has to have a perjorative view of the alternative.

I wouldn't belittle stop-motion animation at all, Nick Park's films are incredible. But for an action film like Kong CGI is the only way to go.

I wouldn't necessarily disagree. Stop Motion is horrifically expensive in comparison to CGI, for a start.

My argument isn't with the form of the SFX, but Jackson's directorial use of them within the film.

Do you mean over-used? Or just not very good?

Over-used *and* badly-used. The CGI sequences (particularly the three way T-Rex battle) are just far too long and mostly unnecesary.

I would probably agree with over-used. But that's the case with a lot of films these days - the three Star Wars prequels were ruined with CGI, in virtually every shot! Well, that's one of the things that ruined them. A good thing about Jackson's films are his use of miniatures, instead of special effects and CGI.

Maybe Jackson could have cut the action sequences a bit, but overall I thought they were top notch.

We attempted "King Kong" last night, but I got bored an hour into it, and we were tired, so we left. I really thought I could deal with the fact that I cannot Stand Jack Black, if the movie was decent. No such luck, it was unendurable. Jackson should return to making enjoyable films like "Meet the Feebles".

I *much* prefer the original. I've been a Harryhausen fan since I was a kid.

I have to say I think the first hour is a bum-number of huge proportions. I'm guessing that they had barely got to Skull Island by the time you left? Certainly the set up was far too long.

I like Jack Black in comedies, but he is just awful in Kong.

They hadn't yet arrived at the island when we left.

We may watch the rest on DVD when it's released, if we're feeling ambitious and have nothing better to watch.

Haven't seen Jack Black in any comedies I've liked, but perhaps it's the movies themselves that I find so off-putting. I found him rather irritating in "High Fidelity", as well, though, and I enjoyed that one.

And I don't find his singing to be entertaining in the least.

The only thing I've liked him in is High Fidelity - precisely because he's irritating! That's how the character should have been played.

I wouldn't bother renting it. It's one of those films that has to be seen in the cinema, unless you have a 42" plasma screen at home. Alas, I have The Smallest TV In The World.

"The only thing I've liked [Jack black] in is High Fidelity - precisely because he's irritating! That's how the character should have been played."

I agree with that, one of my alltime favorite bits is the one ending with Black telling the customer, "Go to the mall!" with a dismissive wave of the hand.

Alas, I have only a 36" TV at home, no fancy plasma screens. I agree that some films are so much nicer on the Big Screen.

We don't go to the cinema often, which is one reason "Kong" was so disappointing- though at least in this case we had comp tickets so all we wasted was our time.

While I found Jack Black's character in "High Fidelity" to be appealing because I know so many people like that personally, the man himself just rubs me the wrong way. I can only think of a couple of others films I've seen at least part of that he's been in... can you guys shoot me some titles?

we enjoyed king kong.. although its no where near a classic.. but an action movie really.....i preferred narnia..

interesting that the lovely bones is going to big screen....imagine it will be very moving, especially if they are faithful to the book.. cried my eyes out at the ending....

lots of child abductions in the news at present... one 3 yr old girl from my home city, cardiff... mercifully alive but abused in the worst possible way....as any lovely bones readers will know this is the same topic.. wonder how they will handle such delicate and emotional matter...

could be peter jacksons biggest challenge to date...

Just saw the Cohn Bros version of The Ladykillers . . .

WHAT A STINKER!!!

az

Amadeus (dir Milos Forman)- greaz great great!!! A must for all mozart fans especially to his 250 Birthday!

I think I've seen that film at least ten times, and will probably see it ten times more (at least).


az

Took a bunch of kids to see Narnia yesterday, which was subtitled and being interpreted into sign language as well.

Even though I knew the story I cried when Aslan died. Big softie. The children didn't notice, phew!

Time passed very quickly and it was a longer film than it felt, so must have been engaging.

Jules

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couldn't agree more. What a waste.

If any of you want a good laugh, then on BBC2 now is "The Man with Two Brains" - my all-time favourite funny film.

"...but I couldn't f**k a gorilla!"

Can't wait to see this again, just to see if it's as funny as I remember.

Trying to tongue the skeleton in the doctor's surgery because he's so frustrated.

man with 2 brains.. one of my all time favs...

fav line.. "those aren't assholes on the veranda.. they're azelias"

if you likea me, like i likea you.. then we likea just the same....

and the pointy birds
one of my other all time favs is trains planes and automobiles....

those were the days when steve martin was good... can't bring myself to go and see cheaper by the dozen2...we saw the 1st one on dvd and it was woeful.........

tonight we watched some of the goodies... forgot how damn good they were...lucky to find a best of at the library

"We doctors only accept death if it's caused by our own incompetence"

"When can I see the rest of you?" *flashes* "Mama Mia!"

"People hear my voice and they wanna kill me"
"Keep talking"

"That was so...professional..."

"In the finger-sucking department I'm completely satifsied"