Time to drink your gin-and-tonic-ah - Page 76

LessinSF · 01-11-2010, 12:52 PM

Atticus Grinch · 01-11-2010, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy

The Qu'ran is viewed as quite literally the word of Allah, put into Mohammed's mouth by Allah. It is a "recitation" that is not supposed to be translated.

I've never met a Muslim who objected to the Qu'ran being translated; the objection is that it stopped being the Qu'ran and started being something else. Which seems a rather wise way to handle scripture; otherwise, you get crazy people contending that this or that translation is also revelation (as is the case with American fundamentalists who feel no need to read Hebrew or Greek because the KJV was God's final revelation to man).

I read today that the Hebrew for "rib" was mistranslated in the Genesis story, as tsela was probably a Hebrew double entendre for the penis bone found in many mammals. Why do humans not have one of these? It was taken out and made into a woman, of course. Link. We may never know for sure, but it makes a hell of a lot more sense.

ThurgreedMarshall · 01-11-2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrone Slothrop

Haven't seen it, but it sounded like David Brooks nailed it (n.b. - spoilers).

For some reason, the white savior theme pissed me off much more in Dances With Wolves. Maybe it's because he managed to find a white woman living amongst the Native Americans so he could have an acceptable love interest. What a piece of shit that movie was.

It's kind of sad that Avatar will be the younger generation's Star Wars. While watching it, that's all I could think about. The visuals were just so amazing. And people will point to it the way the point to Star Wars as a game-changer. But Star Wars was an interesting story. It was Cameron wasn't even trying with his story. It came across as "What scene can I add to show off glowing plants? Wait. Got it."

Like I said, not a memorable story, but I'm glad I saw it. It was truly an amazing movie for the reasons I stated.

TM

Sidd Finch · 01-11-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThurgreedMarshall

For some reason, the white savior theme pissed me off much more in Dances With Wolves. Maybe it's because he managed to find a white woman living amongst the Native Americans so he could have an acceptable love interest. What a piece of shit that movie was.

It's kind of sad that Avatar will be the younger generation's Star Wars. While watching it, that's all I could think about. The visuals were just so amazing. And people will point to it the way the point to Star Wars as a game-changer. But Star Wars was an interesting story. It was Cameron wasn't even trying with his story. It came across as "What scene can I add to show off glowing plants? Wait. Got it."

Like I said, not a memorable story, but I'm glad I saw it. It was truly an amazing movie for the reasons I stated.

TM

I expect I'll see it in a theater, but I haven't really been motivated to just yet, largely because it's obvious from the previews that the story is just a rehash -- Dances With Space-Wolves, or The Last Samurai's Adventures in the 25th Century.

PresentTense Pirate Penske · 01-11-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThurgreedMarshall

For some reason, the white savior theme pissed me off much more in Dances With Wolves. Maybe it's because he managed to find a white woman living amongst the Native Americans so he could have an acceptable love interest. What a piece of shit that movie was.

It's kind of sad that Avatar will be the younger generation's Star Wars. While watching it, that's all I could think about. The visuals were just so amazing. And people will point to it the way the point to Star Wars as a game-changer. But Star Wars was an interesting story. It was Cameron wasn't even trying with his story. It came across as "What scene can I add to show off glowing plants? Wait. Got it."

Like I said, not a memorable story, but I'm glad I saw it. It was truly an amazing movie for the reasons I stated.

TM

I didn't enjoy it as much as I did Cameron's AquaMan, although having said that, ftr, I have always been more of a Marvel universe kind of guy than DC universer.

1436 · 01-11-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Replaced_Texan

We're planning on seeing it this week sometime at the IMAX screen. My understanding is that it's something you generally HAVE to see in the theater to get the full experience.

Good plan.

LessinSF · 01-11-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThurgreedMarshall

...But Star Wars was an interesting story. ...

Say what?

Greedy,Greedy,Greedy · 01-11-2010, 01:06 PM

I think Ben and Jerry have been reading this board. They're offering us Maple-Flavored Blondes now:

http://benjerrys.com/flavors/feature/maple-blondie/

Looks tast-ee!

Hank Chinaski · 01-11-2010, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy

The old one or the new one in 3D?

the one about the white messiah

Atticus Grinch · 01-11-2010, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LessinSF

Say what?

I realize we're supposed to say the Star Wars trilogies were pre-digested pablum, but if you had told me in 1977, 1980 or 1983 that my kids (okay, sons) were going to form their lives around the mythology of these movies, and that they would still dominate the schoolyard imagination 33 years after coming out, notwithstanding the release of hundreds of movies with better writing and special effects, I would have told you you're nuts.

They're like Hank's mom -- you know you really deserve better, but they go down real easy.

1436 · 01-11-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LessinSF

Say what?

And it had stellar dialogue. Don't forget the dialogue!

PS: Han shot first. It matters.

Greedy,Greedy,Greedy · 01-11-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LessinSF

Say what?

I rather liked it when Isaac Asimov wrote it back during the early 60s. By the 80s, of course, it was a rip off of a rip off.

Hank Chinaski · 01-11-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atticus Grinch

I realize we're supposed to say the Star Wars trilogies were pre-digested pablum, but if you had told me in 1977, 1980 or 1983 that my kids (okay, sons) were going to form their lives around the mythology of these movies, and that they would still dominate the schoolyard imagination 33 years after coming out, notwithstanding the release of hundreds of movies with better writing and special effects, I would have told you you're nuts.

dude. Cave paintings were derivative, SW (at least the first three) were great movies and completely novelfor the times when they cam out.

Sidd Finch · 01-11-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski

dude. Cave paintings were derivative, SW (at least the first three) were great movies and completely novelfor the times when they cam out.

I.......... agree.........with.........Hank.

Oof. I think I gave myself a hernia.

LessinSF · 01-11-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski

dude. Cave paintings were derivative, SW (at least the first three) were great movies and completely novelfor the times when they cam out.

If you consider a Western -but set in Space! - novel, sure.