Okay, open Forum, off-topic, or whatever (grab a cup and sit)

[unclejoe009]

Well I have to say, being what I consider myself to be a Star Wars fan, the new one was disappointing to me, probably wasn't worth going to the 3:15 am showing of it, but fun none-the-less. I will definately go back again though, just for a second opinion to reassure myself that in fact it was disapponting for me, but if you aren't a fan, or even are one in the slightest respect, it is definately worth waiting for the crowds to die down before going to see it.

in other news, my grandma said I can take over part of the backyard for a railroad, hopefully with my summer job I can earn some money to get it started.

also, TOC, saw your sub the other day in san diego bay when I went out for a cruise in the family boat. they are repairing the aft hull paneling, seems that when they brought it down a good portion of it broke off. other than that looks to be in good shape.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tangerine-jack

Star Wars was never intended, by Sir Lucas, to be anything more than a really cool Saturday Morning Serial in the 1930's style of adventure. The plot is thin- let's see- good guy=wears white/bad guy=wears black. Never was suposed to be more. I like the movies because they are fun, not because of any redeeming social commentary.

I will go see it at the theater because the effects are cool on the big screen. But I will wait until next week or so and catch the matinee. I won't wait in line either, not for a movie or for a restaurant.

I just bought "classics from outer space" on DVD. Ok, people, 10 movies, 14 hours of cheezy sci fi for $9- what could be better! I mention this because one of the movies is "Flash Gordon: Rocket Ship". Watch this one and you will see where Star Wars attempts to imitate.

Now, for REAL sci-fi, you have to go across the pond and get some Dr. Who. Now that is a show! Ok, bad effects, but great writing and wonderful adventure! Pick up a DVD of the Doctor and you will be hooked.


[oX)]

Jack
Your preaching to the choir here, I'm a major sci-fi nut. I just dont were it on my sleeve.
I have all 3 of the original Buster Crabbe "Flash Gordon" series and "Buck Rodgers" too, as well alot of other classics. I think I've seen the first Star Wars (1977) about 300 times and the rest of the first trilogy dozens of times, I'm one of those hard-core movie buffs who still refuses to buy the DVD versions until Lucas releases the original 77 theatrical release, not the cleaned up PC'ed "special edition" version. Suffice to say I have been less than impressed with the latest offering, to me there simply is no excuse for bad writting, look at LOTR , Peter Jackson raised the bar to a very high level with great effects but also excellent writing, of course having Tolkien to quote from doesnt hurt.[:)]

Seen the Doctor already from John Pertwee all the way thru to Peter Davidson ( Tom Baker was the best of course)[;)]

Now for the polar opposite...a British show with cheesy dialog but "for the time" amazing special effects you cannot beat Gary Anderson's "Thunderbirds"[:D]

BTW Anderson's chief special effects guy later went on to do the effects for the first Star Wars.[:p]

[tangerine-jack]

"Captain Scarlet" and "Thunderbirds are Go!" totaly rule! Love the puppets with the "real hand" close ups!

As far as the Doctor goes, I rather like Sylvester McCoy, even if Tom Baker is considered the best. McCoy blends the humor of Tom and the maturity of Hartnell, with a touch of the Pertwee gadgets. Of course, all of them are great! That show is a good example of excellent writing overcoming bad effects. I guess Lucas got it backwards.[banghead] But, alas, Peter Cushing did not make a very convincing Doctor.....but did make a good Grand Moff Tarkin.


[oX)]

[Anonymous]

Wait 'till you see the new Dr Who.The first series is on at the moment on every Saturday night.Absolutely fantastic.
Troy

[tangerine-jack]

OH! I am SOOOOOO envious of you Troy! I was hoping and praying that the BBC would have enough sense to bring the Doctor out of retirement, after all it was on for almost 30 years. I hope they don't "Americanize" the program like they did with the movie- it is British and needs to stay that way. What actor plays the new doctor, is it the McGhann guy or somebody who can act?


[oX)]

[vsmith]

Troy

Did they raise the budget of the special effect crews to something above $150 per episode? I hope they are doing better than spacecraft made of toilet paper rolls and tupperware and aliens draped with tin foil. Made Lost In Space look like freaking Star Wars.

[Tom The Brat]

The effects are pretty good. The new doctor has a dark side that gives an interesting twist to the character. He doesn't like anybody to know what he is or where he comes from, and he can get rather short when pressed. Some pretty good humor here and there. I think he'll do.

[Anonymous]

As Torby says,the dark humour is there.It really is good.My children love it as much as we do.The Dalek episode was brilliantly handled.
It's great.Also it has kept the British aspect of it all.I don't mean to patronise but there is a certain 'don't panic' about Briti***hings.Ignore it and perhaps it will go away.Look at India and Pakistan!!
Seriously,the new Dr Who is serious/funny/ and remembers the dodgy special effects from yesteryear.(you really need to see the Dalek one)
Troy

[Tom The Brat]

They're doing a nice job of aluding to events and features in the old shows.

The cyberman head in the museum about made me fall off my chair[:D] (Well, not quite, but it was good)

[powlee]

The new seies certainly have caught the detractors unawares. It has rave reviews but of course, Chris Eccleston (Dr Who) has announced he is vacating the Tardis after this first series.
And wait for it !! The first episodes have been released on DVD and a Parental Guidence warning has been slapped on it. IT SHOWS THE DALEK BEING TORTURED.[:D]

[Tom The Brat]

Hmm. He wants them to get to the 12th regeneration fast?

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Capt Bob Johnson

RhB_HJ, You aren't alone! Don't think I've been to a movie in 25 years, maybe more!
If it's good and I feel like seeing it, it'll be out for free on the boob tube soon enough.

Last good movie I saw was taking my boys to see Song of the South back in 198?.

Capt,

I go to see movies, it's just StarWars that never interested me. But you got a point, watching it at home gives you a chance to go for a break. Speaking of breaks, no I don't watch much TV, the stupid commercials drive me nuts!

I like reading Sci-Fi better, then the movie is in my head. Better special effects and everything.[;)][8D][8D][:)][:D]

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,
Don't come this way very often and sorry to bust up the sci-fi talk but this is my crap weekend and totally off topic. Finished work on Friday at 12 and came home to a nice afternoon, I intended to run trains after tea, which we had at 4.30. Just finished, sat down with a coffee and BANG, a little idiot threw a rock through our front window, a double glazed unit. I chased after them but, luckily I suppose, I didn't catch them. The Police did though, two of them, and one admitted it and the Police brought him to confront the victim of their crime, the little 11 year old ***??!! didn't enjoy that bit. It turns out that the family are parented by an alcoholic father and can't afford to pay me so I had the lad back round on Saturday cleaning my car, something he will be doing for quite a time! A couple of pics of the window, looks quite good really and a couple of pics of this Sundays weather for T-Jack!





T-Jack, just for you mate.................




Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Anonymous]

kim
sorry to here that , i hope you can get it fixed . make him work it off , if his old man can by the booze, he should be able to pay for it, and stay away from the booze, until it's paid for, don't let them off easy. ben

[vsmith]

Kim

too bad you cant make the little cabrona pay it off or work it off, but given his background i wouldnt let him anywhere near my yard. Too big a chance once he hears about your trains, they will disappear...i do suggest when you replace the glazing try to get a sheet of Lexan instead of glass, that can take a good size rock and bounce off.

Back to Star Warts...

Saw it Friday afternoon. No wait, walked into the theater got a great seat just as the previews began, and this was at the BIG theather so stadium seat comfort. Stil chuckling at those who spent a week in line...

OK for the movie....definetly better than eps 1 and 2, but GEEEEZ was the writing awefull, Lucas needs to spend less time in the FX studio and more time in the writing studio. Its a very sad comment when a CGI Yoda has more depth of acting than the rest of the cast.

Anikin's final seduction to the Dark side was REALLY Pathetic, and I didnt buy it, its way to easy and their wasnt any kind of shift in his character in light of what he does next. Its not until the last part of the film on Mustafa which the character shift was better and the ending was really good at tying this trilogy to the first.

A for efort but only a B for exicution.

PS Was I the only one who thought that there were SO MANY effects in some scenes that it was impossible to absorb it all and follow alot of the action?

[tangerine-jack]

Thanks, Kim! I feel better now, yes, that is the way I remember the UK! I agree with Ben, if the old man can lay off the booze for a few days, he can pay for the window.

Havent' seen Star Bores yet, been too busy at work and all. I'll go sometime next week if I get the chance.

I just picked up the USAT 44 Ton switcher for $119 at Ridge Road. What a great little loco! I have to change the LGB style couplers tonight so I can see how it pulls, but I am very happy with everything about it so far. A good investment.............






[oX)]

[Tom The Brat]

The brat threw a rock. Sounds like something I would have done

Off to see Star Wars!

[Anonymous]

Cheers lads,
There's no way on this planet the little **??!! is getting in the yard to see the railway. This was an isolated incident, the whole street is amazed and shocked and I'm lucky the rock hit the small window. Did I just say I'm lucky?? No way the guy will lay off the booze but we reckon that with him being an alco with 5 or 6 kds there will be about £400 a week going through that house with the rent being paid, local tax being paid etc etc. Tony's Britain, wonderful place where the ones who work to pay for the ones that don't have to pick the tab up for them when they misdemean. Ian, find me a house in Oz mate.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Tom The Brat]

Na. Take the brat under your wing. Give him what he needs, not what he deserves. He'll turn out better than that.

Star Wars -- A good fini***o the mystery of 30 years. Very big! If you haven't seen it, I won't spoil it for you.

[Anonymous]

"May the force always be with you " and may it be D.C.C.! What is that old addage? "Hollywood never let a good script get in the way of a good movie?" I don't know, something like that. It's okay, hey, we are talkin' "Swashbuckler" here! I certainly am no movie critic as evidenced from my favorite scene being the correographed (sp.?) fencing duel between adversaries dressed in "Spanky" McFarlin pajamas and a caped S.S. uniform respectively...with flourecent tubes no less. Lots of fun and, best of all, for "fun's sake." Happy rails to all

[Anonymous]

Hi all, OLD DAD here.... just stoped by to see how things are going and to ask a question.

I will be retireing in about a year and we are thinking of moving to Rapid City South Dakota. My question for you guys and gals is this.... are there any garden railroaders living in the Rapid City area?

Thanks OLD DAD

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by OLD DAD

Hi all, OLD DAD here.... just stoped by to see how things are going and to ask a question.

I will be retireing in about a year and we are thinking of moving to Rapid City South Dakota. My question for you guys and gals is this.... are there any garden railroaders living in the Rapid City area?

Thanks OLD DAD

Hey Old Dad!

Too warm in the Twin Cities?

YEP! Anyway, send me a mail and I'll send you the name and phone of one.

[Anonymous]

OLD DAD
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN HIDING,i been retired 4 1/2 years now , good luck on retireing , don't stay away to long. ben

[vsmith]

Hey OLD DAD good to hear from ya!

South Dakota? Minnesota isnt cold enough for ya?

[Anonymous]

I thought retiree's went south?

[Tom The Brat]

I thought retirees went nuts.

[pbjwilson]

Morning, I posted this on the toy train forum and thought we might have a few fisherman over on the garden side. Anyway, this was front page in the "Chicago Sun-Times" a few days ago.



Record catfish 124 pounds 54" - caught near Alton, IL in the mighty Mississip

[Anonymous]

Vic, we would love to move to a warm place like southern Cal. but can't go the $500,000 price tag for the average back yard with a house in front. Rapid City has much more affordable housing and we have relatives and friends already living there.

Torby, one can't GO nuts when one is already there.

Mat, Rapid City is South of Minneapolis ( about 50 miles) so we would be going South.

Almost retired OLD DAD.

[Anonymous]

You could move to Tenterden where $500,000 would buy you a garage,complete with British weather !

[Tom The Brat]

Now that's a fish!

Hey, David, check this out!