Hitchhiker's Guide Trailer

[Fargull]

Hitchhikers was good, but the Dirk Gently stuff was classic.  The bit with Thor was priceless.

[schild]

Put simply, our taste in humor has outgrown mediocre british swaggering.

Hanzii put it better, but ;  You're a dick.

Because I called Douglas Adams mediocre british swaggering? The brits have done better.

[Ironwood]

My point, and I think the big H's too, is that sometimes it's not what you say but how you say it.

I'm just trying to point out the part at which you lost your audience....

[schild]

is that sometimes it's not what you say but how you say it.

Get off that. Would you rather me have called it absolute shit? I mean I've said 20x harsher words targeted at American "classics" because that's what they are, absolute shit. I recognized the importance of Adams' to some people, however misplaced that might be, and chose the words "mediocre swaggering." If I lost my audience with that, there are some fucking sensitivity issues on this board that need to be worked out.

[Hanzii]

is that sometimes it's not what you say but how you say it.

Get off that. Would you rather me have called it absolute shit? I mean I've said 20x harsher words targeted at American "classics" because that's what they are, absolute shit. I recognized the importance of Adams' to some people, however misplaced that might be, and chose the words "mediocre swaggering." If I lost my audience with that, there are some fucking sensitivity issues on this board that need to be worked out.

It's not that you're wrong - you are.
It's the staggering arrogance you put forth. You seem like a nice enough person, but when you're sure that you're right about some cultural issue, you're so busy telling everybody else that they're morons, that you somehow never get around to arguing your point.
Sometimes your posting technique makes Sir Bruce look like a sane person to argue with.
Not that it's impossible for one person to be right when the rest of the planet is mistaken - unfortunately that's not the case here, and even if it were, there's more well argued ways of being that sole voice of reason than what you manage in your posturing.

To be honest - it makes you look like a well read 15 year old.

[schild]

Since you said I make Bruce look sane:

Show me where the _rest_of_the_planet_ says Douglas is the shit. Or by planet do you mean nostalgia-stained geeks?

[Abagadro]

The fact that the books have sold over 15 million copies and inspired a radio play, television mini-series, video game and now big-budget motion picture should give some indication.

[schild]

The fact that the books have sold over 15 million copies and inspired a radio play, television mini-series, video game and now big-budget motion picture should give some indication.

Doesn't the new Harry Potter have a print run of like 22 million? Titanic is one of the highest grossing movies of all time (even accounting for inflation). Dune has sold an assload of books, has 2 mini-series (I think, I know of one) and had a major motion picture.

You should know that the "look how much it's sold!!!111!!!" argument just doesn't work anymore.

[Abagadro]

It does for the question you asked. 

[schild]

It does for the question you asked.

Comeon, don't make me split hairs.

I said rest of the planet. 15 million is not the rest of the planet.

[Abagadro]

Comeon, don't make me split hairs.

Way too late for that caveat.

[Bunk]

The fact that the books have sold over 15 million copies and inspired a radio play, television mini-series, video game and now big-budget motion picture should give some indication.

Doesn't the new Harry Potter have a print run of like 22 million? Titanic is one of the highest grossing movies of all time (even accounting for inflation). Dune has sold an assload of books, has 2 mini-series (I think, I know of one) and had a major motion picture.

You should know that the "look how much it's sold!!!111!!!" argument just doesn't work anymore.

This is your argument? Titanic, I'll give you was utter tripe. But are you trying to use Dune and Harry Potter as examples of bad writing that still made millions? Um, ok.

[HaemishM]

I read the linked review, and it sounded like the sweet, sweet whine of bitter fanboi squeezings.

[schild]

trying to use Dune

I hate Dune with the passion of 500 Mercuries.

As far as using Harry Potter goes. I'm just saying how paltry 15 million is these days.

[MaceVanHoffen]

I hate Dune with the passion of 500 Mercuries.

Dune was great, you PSP-loving artfag!

However, I agree that the HGTTG books are mediocre British swaggering, but I still like them.  Not everything is, can be, or should be Shakespeare, or whatever it is you consider "high" art.  There is plenty of room in the literary world for dated technological humor and odd philosophical ramblings that are written well.

EDIT: yay spelling

[Jayce]

Show me where the _rest_of_the_planet_ says Douglas is the shit. Or by planet do you mean nostalgia-stained geeks?

15 million may not be rest of the planet, but it certainly goes beyond nostalgia-stained geeks.  Is that hair split enough for you?

And I don't get the Dune thing.  Most of us probably consider Dune a great series, so you aren't likely to get any support using it as an example.

[stray]

Dune is the shit. The Harry Potter stories (at least what I've read) are pretty fun. I also think the majority of fantasy and sci-fi literature sucks nuts -- so for me to like those stories goes a long way, I think.

PSP-loving artfag

PSP loving he may be, but artfag he is not. I mean, he actually liked Chronicles of Riddick...and those godawful Dragonlance novels, if I recall.

[schild]

And I don't get the Dune thing.  Most of us probably consider Dune a great series, so you aren't likely to get any support using it as an example.

Dune is slow-moving ass. I don't care if I get support or not on it. I thought every incarnation of anything involving Dune was just fucking unbearable.

[stray]

And I don't get the Dune thing.  Most of us probably consider Dune a great series, so you aren't likely to get any support using it as an example.

Dune is slow-moving ass. I don't care if I get support or not on it. I thought every incarnation of anything involving Dune was just fucking unbearable.

Oh, c'mon. Did you honestly read the books? I can understand your opinion applying to the Lynch movie (definitely applies), but the books move right along.

[kaid]

I have read the dune books an the first one is the best and only one that strikes me as really worth reading. They go down hill to sillyvill pretty damn fast after the first book. I read a ton usually about 5 to 8 novels a week and most of it is scifi/fantasy stuff and the first dune is good sci fi the rest go quickly to mediocre and thence to silly fast.

kaid

[Jayce]

And I don't get the Dune thing.  Most of us probably consider Dune a great series, so you aren't likely to get any support using it as an example.

Dune is slow-moving ass. I don't care if I get support or not on it. I thought every incarnation of anything involving Dune was just fucking unbearable.

Be that as it may, your original point (in a nutshell) was to say that sometimes things that suck make a lot of money ("You should know that the "look how much it's sold!!!111!!!" argument just doesn't work anymore.")  All you've shown with the Dune reference is that sometimes things that Schild doesn't like make a lot of money.

[Hanzii]

Since you said I make Bruce look sane:

Show me where the _rest_of_the_planet_ says Douglas is the shit. Or by planet do you mean nostalgia-stained geeks?

The minute you start arguing your points and not stating opinion as fact, I might enter a discussion with you. Untill that I'll just stick to your way:
You_are_clearly_wrong!

[Fraeg]

Cosmic Coincidence, are just a low probability?... spent the weekend re-reading the first one.  Going to guess and say it has been about 15 years since I first read it.  Did I enjoy it, sure I did.  But nowhere near as much as I did many moons ago.... then again, try re-reading Stainless Steel Rat, Elric, or what have you a decade or two later and I think most will find they aren't nearly as spectacular as they were in the hands of a young teen.... /shrug

I will be buying a ticket to see the film, and will probably be standing in line wearing a Dr Who T-shirt or some shit like that.

[Samwise]

I will be buying a ticket to see the film, and will probably be standing in line wearing a Dr Who T-shirt or some shit like that.

I'll be carrying a towel, myself.

[eldaec]

And I don't get the Dune thing.  Most of us probably consider Dune a great series, so you aren't likely to get any support using it as an example.

Dune is slow-moving ass. I don't care if I get support or not on it. I thought every incarnation of anything involving Dune was just fucking unbearable.

What he said.

[Margalis]

The first Dune was very good, and God Emperor of Dune was also quite good. Some of the others were hit and miss and the last couple devolved into wacky sexual self-parody.

Anyone who likes DragonLance novels is not allowed to speak about any books ever again without getting laughed at.

I find things like the Hitchhikers stuff very similar to Dave Barry - good in small doses but it's really the same basic gags repeated over and over.

I am not a big fan of putting "IMO" every time someone has an opinion, but this group certainly has no problem stating as facts things that are clearly opinions and uneducated ones at that. And nothing is ever middle ground - it's the best thing ever or it's shit. That's some inspired critical analysis. Nobody here has a bright future as a literary critic, that's for sure.

If you are going to engage in crazy hyperbole, at least throw out a cogent point or two. Hitchhikers may not be for everyone but it's certainly in the top tier of absurdist humor.

[schild]

Here's the thing about Dragonlance, I admit it's a guilty pleasure. Just like I do with many things. I don't LIKE liking them, it's just something that's completely uncontrollable. It's probably because I read most of them when I was 13 and never re-read any.

The fans of Dune and HG2G don't often admit they're guilty pleasures. All 3 are top tier in their specific field, there's no question (well, except, as many have noted the last few of the Dune series). And pretending Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman are bad writers is just lame. They're quite proficient, moreso than Clancy or Grisham. That said, it's not like they're anywhere near my favorite books. They're the geek equivilent of shitty romance novels that you see girls reading on the beach.

Sigh. I just realized I'm defending Dragonlance. Meh. I'd feel bad if the majority of the english speaking world didn't cream themselves about an ugly high school child wizard and his red-headed stepchild of a friend and their time at a wizard school. No, I'm not a huge fan of Harry Potter. I'd love it if I were 15 right now though.

[Paelos]

Wow, I expected Toby Keith to show up halfway through the thread to sing a song about the greatness of American comedy. He'll put a boot in your ass, Brits, that's the American way.

Oh and Dune does suck ass. The movie is an abomination that should be hung around Lynch's neck like the Scarlet A that it is.

[kaid]

I will not mock the dragonlance novels to much. Sure they are not great books but they helped get a lot people I knew in highschool reading for pleasure when they never read things before. Same with the icewind dale drizzit books. These are not great books but my god they got a ton of people who never would willingly read on their own to actually go out and buy books for themselves.

I had a couple friends parents thank me for getting their sons hooked on reading. Once people start reading it helps open them up to reading more and better things once they get the habbit of picking up a book.


kaid

[Abagadro]

Don't be baggin on Dune.  I like the whole series (my favorite sci-fi series actually) and think Heretics is the best after the first as I totally dig Miles Teg as a character.

And Lynch's film is BRILLIANT.  You have to watch it many, many times (preferrably while drunk) to fully realize the greatness.

"I will take the boy-man, UHHG, he will have sanctuary in my tribe."

"Put the pick in there Pete, And turn it round real neat."

"I am Shadout Mapes, the hoooooooooouse keeeeeeeeeeeperrrrrrrrrrr."

Pure poetry.

Also, Brad Dourif'f finest work.

Man, you people hae no appreciation of cheese.

[Shockeye]

And Lynch's film is BRILLIANT.  You have to watch it many, many times (preferrably while drunk) to fully realize the greatness.

Lynch is currently in negotiations about revisiting the Dune movie for a new director's cut DVD, something Lynch said he would never do.

3/29/05

Oh man... have we got some GREAT news for you Dune fans today! We've done some digging with our sources at Universal, and we've learned the real reason behind their delay of the Dune: Extended Edition (previously announced for 5/10, but then pulled "indefinitely" with no explanation given). Those of you who are familiar with the film know that there's a longer version that's been shown on TV, credited to director Alan Smithee (a pseudonym used by directors when they want to distance themselves from a project for whatever reason). Well get this... after years of saying he would never revisit Dune, at the 11th hour director David Lynch apparently decided that he might want to be involved in the new DVD after all. Which means that when it's eventually released, not only is the DVD going to include the original theatrical version of the film... it may also include a brand new "director's extended cut" edited by Lynch himself. No kidding. [Editor's Note - we've been told by studio sources that this isn't a done deal. It IS why the disc was delayed, but Lynch's involvement is still in discussion and no work has been started yet. So cross your fingers and let's hope it comes to fruition.]

[stray]

And Lynch's film is BRILLIANT.  You have to watch it many, many times (preferrably while drunk) to fully realize the greatness.

Lynch is currently in negotiations about revisiting the Dune movie for a new director's cut DVD, something Lynch said he would never do.

Well, that's good news.

Although I knocked the pacing of Lynch's version, I'll still agree with you Abagadro. The style and costuming, as well as the casting choices, are much better than the Sci-Fi versions. His take on the Harkonnens is definitely better. I can still watch it for that alone.

What I wish is that there'd be a version with the completeness of the storyline that the Sci-Fi version had, with the look and cast of the Lynch film. Hopefully this director's cut will be closer to that.

[Paelos]

I'm convinced Lynch can't tell anything resembling a story. It's all oohs and aahs, and various WTF moments.

[stray]

I'm convinced Lynch can't tell anything resembling a story. It's all oohs and aahs, and various WTF moments.

The Straight Story.

edit: And if those "ooh ahh" moments contain Laura Harring's titties, then you can count me in.

[schild]

I'm convinced Lynch can't tell anything resembling a story. It's all oohs and aahs, and various WTF moments.

Twin Peaks was pretty much completely straightfoward and brilliant.