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Read that last line again.

Not alone, no, but there's no reason an alien planet wouldn't look like that. I've never had a problem with it myself.

I'm in general agreement with the points made above - when done well, CGI can seriously benefit a film (like Jurassic Park). But like any other filmmaking tool, it IS only a tool - and with some films I don't think the makers have remembered that. For things like landscapes, enhancing "real" things etc (indeed, pretty much the same list Ralph gave above) it can be a wonderful boon; but when I'm watching some action film and I am expected to care about a CGI recreation of an actor set against a CGI backdrop fighting a CGI enemy - well, I don't care, and never will. Perhaps it's a generational thing and today's youngsters have no problem with that, but you can take all the CGI you want and you'll never be able to produce a stunt like the car over the bridge in The Man with the Golden Gun which is so impressive because you know it's real. And I wonder whether the artistry is there to ever use CGI to create something as iconic as that opening shot in the first Star Wars? Of course it's possible in theory but I haven't seen anything approaching that level in the world of CGI.

Jurassic Park came quite close, but I imagine that shot is arguably the greatest visual effect shot in history. (Or perhaps something from 2001... I dunno.)

To create something as iconic as that shot in this day and age of special effects desensitized audiences is almost impossible... almost.

Perhaps a good idea for a thread of it's own, great special effects and why they work for you personally?

The T-Rex breakout sequence from JP is still, for me, one of the most jaw dropping and greatest effects sequences I have ever seen, the perfect blend of cgi and animatronics.

Me neither. I've never been completely satisfied with the 3-D experience in the cinema.

And all this hype doesn't help me when it comes to liking the movie - even before I've seen in (if I see it.)

And I agree with you Steven ( and not shocked at all ), as I said, I think it's worth it's own thread.

Yeah, somebody should totally start that....

....

D., a lot of people found Blair Witch Project extremely memorable, if that´s the kind of movie you´re talking about. Beyond that, you´ve now reached the point where you just seem to be annoyed and disappointed by anything that´s released these days, and while this is certainly a sad thing for you personally, it is hardly based on what´s really happening out there, but on your own perception of things. Sometimes it just seems that you´re suffering from sensory overload. Nothing you see excites you anymore, and that´s something you shouldn´t necessarily drop on the stuff that´s out there. The more movies we get, the chance for originality and real invention lessens. We have seen just everything now, and every possible storyline has been explored in hundreds of variations. There is new stuff out there, of course, but I wouldn´t call the trash to be responsible that it´s so less than what we were used to get each year during our childhood. But weren´t we so impressed by everything because everything was new for us? Those years are gone, and what we call classics is the stuff that our kids groan about. They have their own cool stuff they will remember twenty years from now as the height of creativity. For us, these times are over, Demetris, and just feeling sick about everything that changes will just make your life more and more miserable. Get used to the fact that things change. Maybe that will help a bit.

I mean, it´s not that I don´t see the problem. There will always be bright people, dumb people, and people caught in between. Unfortunately, the majority is dumb. The masses will always love stuff that´s easy on the brain, stuff that will entertain them and keep them from worrying too much about their lot in life. That´s the truth, and I don´t care how that sounds.

Of course we would be in a better place if governments suddenly started to put more money into education, cultural life, and getting people to enjoy "heavier" stuff. But since this is not happening, with every generation, there will be a further degradation of knowledge, wisdom, and taste.

The question is, what are we to do about that? Nothing. We´re lucky enough to be born where we can at least get the education we get; where we have a choice what we read and see; where we´re able to earn enough money for our living expenses. But we are not in the position to change what´s happening around us, unless one of us makes it to the top three or four people who rule the world. Our voice doesn´t count anywhere where it´s possible to change stuff. We won´t stop teens from loving Twilight or listening to the kind of stuff they like. The stations are out there - if people would like it better, they would listen to classic radio all day. But they don´t. It´s not the fault of the stuff that it is liked better by the majority.

Change the people. Then the level of entertainment will rise all by itself.

But since we´re not even close to being in a position to do that, all we can do is live with it and ignore it, or rant about it all day. It´s not that there is no good stuff out there. You just have to look hard to find it. You better do that. Don´t waste your time ranting about the bad stuff. Concentrate on the stuff you like.

BS Ralph, you probably don't follow my recent viewing posts and now playing posts too, or you don't read or you ignore or something, if you assume that i am disappointed by everything that gets out these days. Just make the trouble to read what i write about the new stuff i love ( i even adored 2012 for God's sake) or scroll back into the recent viewing thread before jumping into conclusions and labeling someone simply because they don't agree with you.




Most people will rush to ignore it as "elitist" but since pc's can easily and freely make music at their homes with a click of a button, the ratio of crap vs actually good musical works has risen extremely towards "crap" no matter how elitist that sounds to you. Yes, there are good works being made today as well but they're either lost amidst the larger proportions of crap or very hard to find in the way.

Oh; absolutely.

Seriously though, i am strongly against apathy as a way to live your life, talking in general terms.

Yeah. Well. Maybe. I don't know. I don't really care, honestly.

Steven, you understand stuff as you want it. What i said it's exactly the same point above, but made in more general terms, outside music too: since technology is available to everyone, quality has gone down the toilet. You are free not to agree with me but don't put words in my mouth.