Lets talk about Lucas

[Roac]

Huh.

That's worse than him dying. (Retiring that is).

Totally - I didn't even know that.

How depressing.

I didn't either.  Shit.  That ruined my day.

[Merusk]

Huh.

That's worse than him dying. (Retiring that is).

Totally - I didn't even know that.

How depressing.

Yeah, I didn't know either.  But after seeing the interview he did for LXG on "DVD on TV" I kind of understand.   He passed-over roles in both The Matrix and LOTR.. and hell, wikipedia says it better.

About a month before his 75th birthday, over the weekend of July 30th/31st 2005, it was widely reported in the broadcast media (and again in The Scotsman,[8] that he had decided to retire from film making following disillusionment with the "idiots now in Hollywood", and the turmoil making and subsequent box office failure of the 2003 film The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. He stated in interviews for the film included on the DVD release that he was offered roles in both The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings series, declining both due to "not understanding them", and after they went on to have huge box office grosses he decided to accept the League role despite not "understanding" it either.

Watching the interview, it was pretty obvious he was lost and fet like Hollywood had passed him by and he was trying desperately to 'get it.'  Since LXG did so horrible, he obviously felt Hollywood was beyond him and it was time to go.  Still a pity.

[lesion]

I thought it was an avatar tie in.

actually the avatar is an alias tie in, but you do win the intangible prize (exciting!)

start up the improbability drive and bring me the best damn script this side of Lesotho!

[schild]

this new guy isn't so bad either.

[Ironwood]

Fairly sure Hollywood HAS lost it.  Sean wouldn't fit in Matrix or LotR.

And no, not Mr Bean.

[Morat20]

Watching the interview, it was pretty obvious he was lost and fet like Hollywood had passed him by and he was trying desperately to 'get it.'  Since LXG did so horrible, he obviously felt Hollywood was beyond him and it was time to go.  Still a pity.

Frankly, that's what you hire people for. If you're getting to the point where you're a little too set in your ways, too busy, or just don't give a shit enough to keep up -- hire some 20-something that'll work 23 hours a day to sort it out for you. And then if you end up in a crappy movie, blame him and fire him.

Still, what roles in the Matrix and Lord of the Rings could he have been offered? The Morpheus role would be the only one in The Matrix that could possible suit him, or maybe the Architect in the sequels. Morpheus seems too physically demanding a role, so I'm not sure what they were thinking. For LoTR it'd have to be Gandalf or Sauraman. I really don't see him as either Gandalf or Sauraman, unless he can seriously supress his accent. (I would have found it jarring, at least).

[Chimpy]

They would have written him in some dwarf part.

Simply because it is IMPOSSIBLE FOR A DWARF NOT TO BE SCOTTISH! Got to love media stereotypes.


I think him retiring really is not all that surprising. He rarely got the "good" roles in films that other actors of his generation have gotten in the last 15-20 years, as his accent almost always type-cast him in a certain mold. He didn't need the money anymore, and if he was not getting anything but "bad Bond rehash v. 5098" I can see how he would get disillusioned. It is a shame, as he does have some decent range as far as character development goes (provided they are Scotsmen).

But while I will miss him in Indiana Jones 4, we have to realize that it is a Spielberg sequel. Like all sequels produced or directed by Spielberg they progress farther along the spectrum from dramatic-action movies to pure comedy with each one.

[Jeff Kelly]

OK I can understand why a man who is over the age of 70 doesn't get The Matrix and the roles associated with it, but Lord of the Rings? What's not to get there?

[Merusk]

OK I can understand why a man who is over the age of 70 doesn't get The Matrix and the roles associated with it, but Lord of the Rings? What's not to get there?

They were first published when he was 25, but started becoming popular around the 60's.  It's not like the man grew-up with a 'fantasy genre' to get acquainted with.  It's like my parents, who don't "get" video games at all.  Same deal. VGs didn't turn-up until they were in their 20's and only became popular when they were in their 30's.  I imagine there'll be something similar for me... MySpace has a good start on  being it.

[Chimpy]

OK I can understand why a man who is over the age of 70 doesn't get The Matrix and the roles associated with it, but Lord of the Rings? What's not to get there?

He may have meant he did not 'get' what would make people think it would be a successful movie. If a fat kiwi came to you and offered you a part in a 9+ hour movie that was going to be split into 3 parts, would you take the part? Especially when it would require you to remove any other work from your calendar for 2 years? There was a lot of skepticism about those movies actually even turning a profit. It was a huge financial risk on the part of the studios to make 9+ hours of movie in one fell swoop and quite a career gamble for a number of the actors as well.

[Der Helm]

MySpace has a good start on  being it.

Amen brother, MySpace is something I do not "get" at all. But, the day after tomorow I will be 30, so that is to be expected.

[DraconianOne]

Still, what roles in the Matrix and Lord of the Rings could he have been offered? The Morpheus role would be the only one in The Matrix that could possible suit him, or maybe the Architect in the sequels. Morpheus seems too physically demanding a role, so I'm not sure what they were thinking. For LoTR it'd have to be Gandalf or Sauraman. I really don't see him as either Gandalf or Sauraman, unless he can seriously supress his accent. (I would have found it jarring, at least).

Denethor?  Perhaps even Theoden. 

EDIT: Apparently it was the role of Gandalf according to last November's Scotsman.

[Riggswolfe]

Denethor?  Perhaps even Theoden. 

EDIT: Apparently it was the role of Gandalf according to last November's Scotsman.

I love Sean Connery. But Gandalf? Seriously? That would have doomed the movie right there. He would have tried to play it campy because he does that when he doesn't "get" the part.

[DraconianOne]

I'm sure his people would have had words.  "So tell me again, why does Gandalf get beaten by this Balrog?  Sir Connery doesn't get beaten.  Do ya think you can see your way to changing the script so that Sir Connery beats the Balrog?  And can you make sure he has a snappy one liner afterwards too?  That'd be great.  Now, about the big fight scene with Sauron..."

[Ironwood]

Sean as Gandalf would have been fucking stupid.

[Roac]

Chris Lee and Ian McKellen filled their roles perfectly - I wouldn't have replaced either of them with Connery.  The only casting for LotR that I thought was off was Hugo Weaving, but Connery fits a half elf less than Hugo did (who I don't think was bad, it's just that I couldn't look at him without thinking him finishing all his lines with "...Mr. Anderson").  Where else would Connery fit?  Theoden?  Denethor?  No, and no.  For Matrix, the Architect?  Maybe, but that would've been too small for him.  Morpheus?  No way. 

[cmlancas]

Chris Lee and Ian McKellen filled their roles perfectly - I wouldn't have replaced either of them with Connery.  The only casting for LotR that I thought was off was Hugo Weaving, but Connery fits a half elf less than Hugo did (who I don't think was bad, it's just that I couldn't look at him without thinking him finishing all his lines with "...Mr. Anderson").  Where else would Connery fit?  Theoden?  Denethor?  No, and no.  For Matrix, the Architect?  Maybe, but that would've been too small for him.  Morpheus?  No way. 

Connery for the part of Gimli.

That is all.

[Yegolev]

I imagine there'll be something similar for me... MySpace has a good start on  being it.

Mine is text-messaging.  I JUST WANT TO TALK, YOU DAMN KIDS!  STOP WITH THE ACRONYMS!  Also, Nextel radios.  I don't get it.

[Paelos]

I'm only 26, but i missed the text messaging thing in school, so now it just pisses me off. I had a younger girl I was seeing try to send me text messages and then get pissed at me when I didn't get back to her after a week. Of course I specifically blocked all text messages because I hate them. My response was "Why didn't you just call me?" This spawned a 20 minute argument where it became clear she thought I was totally insane for wanting her to use her phone to actually CALL me. So I quit dating her. I'm not putting up with someone that stupid that early on.

[Miasma]

I hope you broke up with her via a text message.

WELCOME 2
DUMPSVILLE
POPULATION U

[Selby]

Mine is text-messaging.

I'm anti-talking-on-the-phone whatsoever.  I will text to my heart's content, but only with a phone that has a keyboard and thus I can spell and punctuate properly.  Damn kids and their lazy shortcuts.

[Calantus]

I'm only 26, but i missed the text messaging thing in school, so now it just pisses me off.

I used to be like that (24 here) but then one job I had I was having to contact work ALL the time to clarify shit because the client and whoever met with them were obviously whacked out. It got very irritating having to preface every call with the "hello, etc" bullshit and then end every call with "cya later" and generally having a conversation with a person when all I want is a quick answer. SMS is perfect for that because you're not actually having a conversation. So now I use it all the time when If I just want a quick response. For example if I want to ask my brother when he's coming home (he just got his licence so has the car to go to school, I should get off my ass and buy myself one but haven't bothered yet) I just send a text because I don't actually want to talk to him right now, just get an answer.

I don't understand the kids that have fullblown conversations in text though, that shit be silly. If you send more than 3-4 messages back and forth you should call them. Especially if you're going out since you probably want to have conversations with them.

[Chimpy]

Text messages are a godsend in a crowded nightclub, no way in hell can you hear someone on the phone, much easier to send/read a text.

[Paelos]

I'm only 26, but i missed the text messaging thing in school, so now it just pisses me off.

<text is good for short shit>

Yes, I would agree with that. However, most people that have pissed me off with it are people where they are trying to skip conversations because they are uncomfortable or giant pussies. This is unacceptable. If you want to ask someone out, you actually speak to them. The same goes for breaking up, asking for help, or congratulating people on a big event. Texting in those cases mostly says to me, "Hey, I wanted to say this AT you because I don't want to talk to you at all. Mostly because our relationship is meaningless."

[DraconianOne]

The same goes for breaking up

Breaking up with someone face to face, in person, by means of a conversation is potentially hazardous to your health and should carry a health warning.  In fact that it should be made illegal. 

Breaking up should only ever be done by SMS.

Or Fax.

[Calantus]

I think email is best for purposes such as that. Not only is it impersonal, but you may not read the email for days after it was sent. Brilliance.

[DraconianOne]

I think email is best for purposes such as that. Not only is it impersonal, but you may not read the email for days after it was sent. Brilliance.

Good point but I still think Fax is a good method.  Most people don't have personal faxes so you have to fax them at work meaning other people will find out before they do.

[Sky]

MySpace has a good start on  being it.

Amen brother, MySpace is something I do not "get" at all. But, the day after tomorow I will be 30, so that is to be expected.

I'm in on the myspace hate. I've got a lot of reasons I won't go into related to working in a public library, but it's mostly the fact that our normal patronage can't use the internet after 3pm because the kids swarm it to hook up on myspace. We banned it in the childrens room and a day later they learned how to use proxy sites to get around it. It's like a zombie that you can't kill by stabbing the brain. If I knew a solid way to utterly block it for good, I'd do it and fuck the consequences. We're supposed to be unbiased, but when our computers are denied to people doing research, myspace should go.

And the text msg stuff...I'm older than the cell phone generation. I can see them being handy if your cars breaks down in the middle of nowhere. But going to concerts where people are sitting and text messaging each other and taking pictures rather than watching the show...I'm /glad/ I'm old and missed this generation of technology. People have become completely oblivious with cell phone technology and will think nothing of yapping a gossipy conversation /anywhere/. I need a taser or something.

Some of you people worry me and are On Notice. Breaking up via fax or email? That's douchebag territory and I hope I fell in the sarchasm. People are so impersonal these days. We have all these forms of communication to be able to avoid face to face conversations. Of course email is a great invention and I use it extensively, but I always prefer speaking to someone in person. It's kind of a joke around here that I'm the tech guy, but I am also the most likely to use the sneakernet, because I like to talk to people personally.

I was an inn over  the weekend and when my fiancee asked about a phone in the room, the guy said "Why? Everyone carries cell phones." I don't think he understands the definition of the work 'everyone'. I don't, she doesn't. Why? We borrow a family trac phone for emergencies when we travel, but we've never used it.

[Yegolev]

Ah, as usual I was not being clear.  Shooting someone a SMS with my Blackberry is great, or getting one even, but if a conversation is what you want then please call me.  If you need an immediate reply, call me.  Also these rules do not apply on a computer, where I prefer IM to actual talking in many situations.  The two big ones are when I am conversing with an Indian and when pasting code; voice is not ideal in either of those situations.

[HaemishM]

I hate MySpace because it is an affront to all good graphical design. I swear, some of the MySpace pages I've seen make me feel like my ocular cavities have been down on the docks showing the USS Nimitz's crew the time of their lives.

[Chimpy]

I hate MySpace because it is an affront to all good graphical design. I swear, some of the MySpace pages I've seen make me feel like my ocular cavities have been down on the docks showing the USS Nimitz's crew the time of their lives.

The best thing about MySpace is that it is so crappily implemented and resource heavy that I cannot visit it without my browser crashing. It used to be somewhat usable before old Rupert bought it out. One of the best things about having a 5+ year old computer is not having to deal with some of the crap that is considered "in" today on the internets.

[Lantyssa]

I'm in on the myspace hate. I've got a lot of reasons I won't go into related to working in a public library, but it's mostly the fact that our normal patronage can't use the internet after 3pm because the kids swarm it to hook up on myspace. We banned it in the childrens room and a day later they learned how to use proxy sites to get around it. It's like a zombie that you can't kill by stabbing the brain. If I knew a solid way to utterly block it for good, I'd do it and fuck the consequences. We're supposed to be unbiased, but when our computers are denied to people doing research, myspace should go.

I don't know if it works through a proxy, but in the hosts file add the line:

127.0.0.1 www.myspace.com

Or whatever the name is.  I don't feel like visiting the site to find out.  If it has multiple domains registered, do it for all of them.

[Sky]

Nah, you can easily proxy around that block. New proxies are popping up all the time. Big demand and probably a great way to spread malware.

[lesion]

would it be impossible to just put up signs saying "myspace...and DIE"

maybe an AIBO on the desk playing Misfits songs backwards, fake blood oozing from its lifeless maw

[Sky]

Signs require staff and board of directors approval...and even I am wary of putting in an outright ban as it skirts the mission statement of the library to allow free access to resources, short of porn or other really over the top stuff. In fact, we've discussed filtering and stuff like CIPA, COPA and DOPA...all of which we've outright rejected and fought against here at the library, so we lose out on thousands in federal funding because we stand behind our mission statement (and it's one of the cool things about my job, honestly).

It's a tough situation. In a perfect world, we could find funding to build a seperate teen area for them to hang out in without disturbing everyone else.