Re: [scifinoir2] Great Action Flicks on TCM Tonight
Mardi Gras parades? What city? What's this Cindy Margolis thing? I haven't heard her name in a while now... - Original Message - From: Aubrey Leatherwood aubrey.leatherw...@hotmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, February 6, 2010 8:59:28 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Great Action Flicks on TCM Tonight So you're saying I should not go to the Mardi Gras parades or watch Seducing Cindy Margolis on Fox Reality? Aubrey To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 01:57:57 + Subject: [scifinoir2] Great Action Flicks on TCM Tonight http://www.tcm.com/2010/31Days/index.jsp You know what? Forget SyFy Originals. Forget the eleventy-millionth airing of Caprica. Blow off Lifetime Movies. Turner Classic Movies is airing a great block of films tonight. Starting at 8 pm EST, we have Steve McQueen in Bullitt, with the man-of-few-words McQueen, and one of the great car chases of all time. That's followed at 10 pm by The French Connection, with a typically intense Gene Hackman in one of the other great car chases of all time. And then, at midnight, it's Bonnie and Clyde, Warren Beatty's violent New Hollywood tale of the famous robbers. The movies are part of TCM's 31 Days of Oscar, a month long airing of Oscar-wnning and -nominated films done every year. This is a great time to catch up on some of the best films of all time, from Casablanca to Citizen Kane, from Some Like it Hot, to Cabin in the Sky. The good thing about TCM is that in addition to showing Oscar-nominated films, this being Black History Month, they also show a lot of classic Black film dating back to the '20s. Ethel Waters in Cabin in the Sky is just one example. It's about the only place I've seen this and many other of those films from that time. Gonna be a long fun night! Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Great Action Flicks on TCM Tonight
Hackman had trouble doing a scene like that? Wow! Just a couple of years ago, Hackman got into a fender bender, and the guy in the other car started mouthing off, then came at him. Hackman wiped the street with the guy. I read a recent interview where he said he's done with Hollywood. Said he was tired of taking direction, tired of having to sometimes fight with others to get quality work done. Don't know if it'll last, but that would explain why an actor who's been as much of a workaholic as Sam Jackson and Michael Caine has been fairly absent from the big screen in recent years. I wondered what had happened... - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, February 6, 2010 9:01:42 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Great Action Flicks on TCM Tonight I'm there right now, waiting for that chase scene, Keith. Bonnie and Clyde I'll be passing on, as it aired just last month. The French Connection, though, is a must, particularly since I picked up a bit of trivia about Gene Hackman's performance in it. In the scene where he roughs up the suspect, Hackman nearly quit the movie. An ardent liberal, he almost couldn't bring himself to do the scene. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 01:57:57 + Subject: [scifinoir2] Great Action Flicks on TCM Tonight http://www.tcm.com/2010/31Days/index.jsp You know what? Forget SyFy Originals. Forget the eleventy-millionth airing of Caprica. Blow off Lifetime Movies. Turner Classic Movies is airing a great block of films tonight. Starting at 8 pm EST, we have Steve McQueen in Bullitt, with the man-of-few-words McQueen, and one of the great car chases of all time. That's followed at 10 pm by The French Connection, with a typically intense Gene Hackman in one of the other great car chases of all time. And then, at midnight, it's Bonnie and Clyde, Warren Beatty's violent New Hollywood tale of the famous robbers. The movies are part of TCM's 31 Days of Oscar, a month long airing of Oscar-wnning and -nominated films done every year. This is a great time to catch up on some of the best films of all time, from Casablanca to Citizen Kane, from Some Like it Hot, to Cabin in the Sky. The good thing about TCM is that in addition to showing Oscar-nominated films, this being Black History Month, they also show a lot of classic Black film dating back to the '20s. Ethel Waters in Cabin in the Sky is just one example. It's about the only place I've seen this and many other of those films from that time. Gonna be a long fun night! Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Great Action Flicks on TCM Tonight
Watching it now. I was just telling my wife jubilantly, they just don't film movies like this anymore! Nowadays director would have twenty thousand camera angles, and you'd never be able to follow the action. This thing is fast-paced and exciting as hell, but I can take it all in. Speaking of great car chase scenes, another all-time one is from Ronin, one of my fav films. And I also love the classic pursuit of Batman's car in Batman Begins. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, February 6, 2010 9:01:42 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Great Action Flicks on TCM Tonight I'm there right now, waiting for that chase scene, Keith. Bonnie and Clyde I'll be passing on, as it aired just last month. The French Connection, though, is a must, particularly since I picked up a bit of trivia about Gene Hackman's performance in it. In the scene where he roughs up the suspect, Hackman nearly quit the movie. An ardent liberal, he almost couldn't bring himself to do the scene. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 01:57:57 + Subject: [scifinoir2] Great Action Flicks on TCM Tonight http://www.tcm.com/2010/31Days/index.jsp You know what? Forget SyFy Originals. Forget the eleventy-millionth airing of Caprica. Blow off Lifetime Movies. Turner Classic Movies is airing a great block of films tonight. Starting at 8 pm EST, we have Steve McQueen in Bullitt, with the man-of-few-words McQueen, and one of the great car chases of all time. That's followed at 10 pm by The French Connection, with a typically intense Gene Hackman in one of the other great car chases of all time. And then, at midnight, it's Bonnie and Clyde, Warren Beatty's violent New Hollywood tale of the famous robbers. The movies are part of TCM's 31 Days of Oscar, a month long airing of Oscar-wnning and -nominated films done every year. This is a great time to catch up on some of the best films of all time, from Casablanca to Citizen Kane, from Some Like it Hot, to Cabin in the Sky. The good thing about TCM is that in addition to showing Oscar-nominated films, this being Black History Month, they also show a lot of classic Black film dating back to the '20s. Ethel Waters in Cabin in the Sky is just one example. It's about the only place I've seen this and many other of those films from that time. Gonna be a long fun night! Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Great Action Flicks on TCM Tonight
And funny thing, they're doing 360 movies in the special, and the theme is 360 Degrees of Separation. The first film stars Kevin Bacon, and then they progress through the now-familiar exercise, naming dozens of actors, to end up reconnecting to Kevin Bacon in the 360th film! http://i.cdn.turner.com/v5cache/TCM/2010/31Days/finalsite_v1/_pdf/31DaysSchedule.pdf - Original Message - From: Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, February 6, 2010 8:57:57 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Great Action Flicks on TCM Tonight http://www.tcm.com/2010/31Days/index.jsp You know what? Forget SyFy Originals. Forget the eleventy-millionth airing of Caprica. Blow off Lifetime Movies. Turner Classic Movies is airing a great block of films tonight. Starting at 8 pm EST, we have Steve McQueen in Bullitt, with the man-of-few-words McQueen, and one of the great car chases of all time. That's followed at 10 pm by The French Connection, with a typically intense Gene Hackman in one of the other great car chases of all time. And then, at midnight, it's Bonnie and Clyde, Warren Beatty's violent New Hollywood tale of the famous robbers. The movies are part of TCM's 31 Days of Oscar, a month long airing of Oscar-wnning and -nominated films done every year. This is a great time to catch up on some of the best films of all time, from Casablanca to Citizen Kane, from Some Like it Hot, to Cabin in the Sky. The good thing about TCM is that in addition to showing Oscar-nominated films, this being Black History Month, they also show a lot of classic Black film dating back to the '20s. Ethel Waters in Cabin in the Sky is just one example. It's about the only place I've seen this and many other of those films from that time. Gonna be a long fun night!
[scifinoir2] Stargate's Michael Shanks is Hawkman on Smallville Tonight
Flash, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Cyborg, Black Canary already introduced...romance with Lois Lane already started...Clark already working for the Daily Planet...the Blue Blur functioning as the superhero guardian of Metropolis...and now, the JSA is spotlighted? Geez, just put the blue tights and red cape on the hayseed and let him become Superman already! Given Clark's supposed age, I've been calling for them to send him on the years of travel Clark undertook between leaving high school and becoming Superman, but they've blurred things so much that no longer makes sense. I still wish there could be a way to give Welling and Durance the roles in the next big screen Superman flick. They're much more compelling than the bland Routh and incredibly slight and weak Kate Bosworth. ** http://www.cwtv.com/shows/smallville/episodes A man named Sylvester Pemberton tracks down Chloe (Allison Mack) and tells her he knows about her team of superheroes and needs their help. However, before he can explain who he is, he is attacked and killed by Icicle (guest star Wesley Macinnes). Clark (Tom Welling) and Chloe's (Allison Mack) investigation leads Clark to the former headquarters of the Justice Society of America where he meets up with Nelson AKA Dr. Fate (guest star Brent Stait), Carter Hall AKA Hawkman (guest star Michael Shanks) and Courtney AKA Star Girl (guest star Britt Irvin). Courtney pleads with Hawkman and Dr. Fate to help her catch the killer that is targeting their group but they are reluctant to resume their duties as superheroes. Clark, John Jones (guest star Phil Morris), Green Arrow (Justin Hartley) and Chloe team up to help the JSA stop Icicle before he murders another member of the group. Meanwhile, Lois (Erica Durance) receives a package from a mysterious agency called Checkmate, run by Amanda Waller (guest star Pam Grier). Geoff Johns wrote the two-hour episode. Glen Winters directed the first hour and Tom Welling directed the second hour.
Re: [scifinoir2] Blogger: Windows 8 Set for July 2011 Release
Same here. In doing job searches, I see a lot of jobs requiring Mac experience, primarily at colleges. But, with over a decade as a network admin, most of my experience has been with Windows, so I have to keep those skills up first and foremost. But, the need to learn Mac, coupled with my *desire* to learn Mac stuff, is on the agenda. Like you, it's the ducats at the moment standing in the way. I'm going to shell out a bit of dough to buy/build another desktop or two. Thank goodness I can learn Linux for free! :( - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, February 5, 2010 5:41:45 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Blogger: Windows 8 Set for July 2011 Release That's about it for me as well, Mr Worf. The only thing that keeps me from being a Mac user NOW is that echo inside my wallet. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: hellomahog...@gmail.com Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 14:35:12 -0800 Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Blogger: Windows 8 Set for July 2011 Release I'm going to mac expo next week. That's how serious I am about jumping ship. The only thing that I enjoy on the pc is the free stuff and the games at this point. On Fri, Feb 5, 2010 at 12:29 PM, Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com wrote: Myself, I'm seriously looking into going Mac, rather than dealing with M$'s crap. Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now. -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Emanuel Apologizes, Signs Pledge to End Usage of Retarded
Saw that a while ago. The string of words I released over the hypocrisy would surely make the saintly Palin blush, and the sleazy Limbaugh laugh. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, February 5, 2010 6:58:14 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Emanuel Apologizes, Signs Pledge to End Usage of Retarded A bit more on the matter, this time courtesy of Ms Palin and the Drugster... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts1114 If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: truthseeker...@hotmail.com Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 15:28:19 -0500 Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Emanuel Apologizes, Signs Pledge to End Usage of Retarded That's certainly at least two of us. Again, seeing crap like this, I wonder what historians will think of us years hence, the level of influence one sad little quitter from Wasilla had on the world. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: daikaij...@yahoo.com Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 14:37:48 + Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Emanuel Apologizes, Signs Pledge to End Usage of Retarded The best comeback was from Keith Olbermann who found multiple instances of Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck either using the word retard or disparaging mentally challenged people on air. Where's the outrage over that? I'm sick of this woman using her child and the rest of her family to try and score cheap points with the Fox news crowd. --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Martin Baxter truthseeker...@... wrote: Them insensitive comic-book 'ritin' folk... Ms Palin gon' git her gun on 'em, iff'n they ain't careful. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@... Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 23:55:46 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] OT: Emanuel Apologizes, Signs Pledge to End Usage of Retarded As an aside, i was reading an issue of the Fantastic Four comic earlier today. Reed and Sue Richards have two children now: the older, their son Franklin, who has normal intelligence, and their young daughter Valeria, who at the age of four is already a supergenius on the level of her father Reed. In playing around with Franklin about a question he was asking, Valeria says Oh Franklin, you're such a retard! Do we need to alert Sarah Palin so she can get Marvel comics censured? Demand an apology from the creative staff? Maybe get the FF canceled? - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@... To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, February 4, 2010 3:13:24 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] OT: Emanuel Apologizes, Signs Pledge to End Usage of Retarded (another standing ovation) When I first heard this story reported, I gave myself a headache when my eyes rolled back into my head too fast. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@... Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 17:33:52 + Subject: [scifinoir2] OT: Emanuel Apologizes, Signs Pledge to End Usage of Retarded I'm sorry, but I don't see this as a firing offense. Retarded has many meanings and connotations. When you call a person retarded for doing something stupid, it's not in any way meant to suggest that person has Downs or Autism or any other developmental condition. It means the person is an idiot, pure and simple. The words simpleton, geek, cretin, and actually even, idiot, could be tagged as equally offensive in this light. This is a tempest in a teapot, especially seeing as this took place behind closed doors. I'm not saying people don't have a right to be upset. Had he used the n-word behind closed doors, even, I'd be pissed. If some hate retarded on this level, i respect that. But I do think we need to do some serious examination of how much stuff said in private can and should be used to evaluate a person's character. No single one of us could bear the scrutiny if everything we said in private were publicized. If my private utterings around the house ever got out, I think a lot of conservative white
Re: [scifinoir2] Special Unit 12 Marathon on SyFy
I thought of that, but the Mirror Universe was moving along at the exact same clip. Even their infighting should have allowed them to advanced technology, 'cause remember, by Kirk's time they were still very powerful. Indeed, the Mirror Spock calculated the Empire would last another two centuries before being overthrown. As for the tech of the Enterprise, it is still inexplicably primitive. When it was being attacked by the Tholians, they said more than once that hull plating was failing. That leads me to believe it's the same ship: no energy shield technology yet. So again, how could Earth's Empire extend into interstellar space, and they have conquered Vulcan, yet their best ship is a tiny, technology unimpressive vessel? - Original Message - From: Rogue n1ro...@aol.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, February 6, 2010 12:57:52 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Special Unit 12 Marathon on SyFy The only thing I think of is the very first scene when the show started. The Next Generation Clue could have filled them in on what was going to happen or needed to happened which could explain that part. But as far at the ships when Kirk’s crew came along good question. The only thing I could think of is that they were too busy killing each other off to try to advance any further then they did. Would then explain by the time we get to the DS9 time they were on the losing side. --Lavender If all truths were knowable, then all truths are in fact known. From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 7:29 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Special Unit 12 Marathon on SyFy The marathon is followed by re-airings of the latest Caprica eps again. And now, there's a four hour block of Enterprise. The first two eps are the fun Through a Glass, Darkly eps, taking place in the Mirror Universe. Fun shows. I love the way Malcolm is skulking about, just waiting to put someone in the Agony Booth. The radiation-scarred Trip is, well, a trip, too. My fav is Dr. Phlox, wearing all black, casually dissecting animals in Sick Bay. The way he perks up when Archer promises him human females is just creepy! Good stuff, but I always have questions about some of the plotting. How did lowly humans, just off a World War, with Cochran just about to do his first warp test, manage to reverse engineer the Vulcan ship? In the main timeline the Vulcans were needed to help Earth expand warp capability. They certainly didn't help the Mirror Universe Earth after they killed the V ulcan crew! So how did Earth manage to develop deep space warp ships and expand the Empire? Surely the Klingons would have annihilated them? Also, it must be assumed that, unlike Starfleet, the Empire has full tech on the level of the other spacefaring races, due to its theft of the Vulcan ship, and due to its control of an interstellar empire. If so, why is the Enterprise of that universe still the same small, primitive-looking ship? Shouldn't they have something larger and more advanced lookin? Finally, fun show, like I said, but the recovery of a Constitution class starship from Kirk's time would serious upset that universe's timeline. By the time Kirk and his crew first visit the Mirror Universe, therefore, I think they'd be well advanced of the Federation of Kirk's time. - Original Message - From: Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, February 4, 2010 12:03:55 PM GMT -05:0 0 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Special Unit 12 Marathon on SyFy Watching a marathon of Special Unit 2 on SyFy today. This was actually a decent show from 2001. It deals with a secret group of people who investigate and contain creatures from myth that oddly love to hang out in Chicago. The formula is pretty familiar: secret group of agents, special weaponry to take out the creatures, a funny creature who helps out the squad, lots of jokes in which the mystical beasties are juxtaposed with human society (such as the gnome who helps the Unit who loves slurpees, strippers, and has a penchant for holding up convenience stores). Indeed, the formula of the monster hunters has been used in some shape or form for other series such as the X-Files, G vs. E, Supernatural, Angel (which the show most reminds me of with its mix of humor and drama), Warehouse 13 (which hunts objects, but can creatures be far behind?), Sanctuary, Primeval, The Chronicle, Re aper, Dead Last (a fun ghost hunters series also from 2001), and the Men in Black movies. What's interesting is the description and explanation different series use to explain these creatures. Special Unit 2 takes the tack that gnomes, gargoyles, etc., are all various missing links in the evolutionary chain, some taking our path
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Xmen question
Right, I have that ish with Graviton. He's truly one of the most powerful beings in the MU. Nefaria's powerful too. Is he still active? Ultron is a trip, always coming back. I think he's coming back again right now in Mighty Avengers. Henry Pym created the Infinite Avengers Mansion, a complex built in a pocket universe that effectively allows it to stretch into infinity, and provide dimensional transit points to anywhere on Earth. He integrated the android Jocasta into the system; she can function as guide by moving her consciousness into one of her millions of body's. Last ish, one of them evidenced that trademark Ultron look. Uh-oh! My fav Ultron scene was years ago when the Avengers and FF were fighting him, and he had the Human Torch by the throat. Captain America was nearby and told the Torch to go Nova, which he didn't want to do with Cap near. He did it, and there's a really cool panel showing the entire area turn into a ball of fire, and Cap, this one small figure, deflecting the fire around him with his shield. Reminds me of the scene in Dragonslayer when the dude hides behind the shield when the dragon blasts him. The Torch couldn't dent Ultran's adamantium body, but the heat he generated broke some of his internal circuitry. - Original Message - From: B Smith daikaij...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 11:48:09 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Xmen question Absorbing too much mass once turned Graviton into a living black hole...but he got better. I always loved the Avengers rogues gallery. My favorite Avengers villain was Ultron. When he murdered the entire nation of Slorenia and nearly killed the Avengers was one of my favorite storylines. And in his last incarnation he became ruler of the Phalanx and took out the Kree Empire. Another powerhouse villain that I loved was Count Nefaria. --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... wrote: Yeah, he's awesome. I'd take Graviton's powers first, though, because he could deflect even Magnus' powers by simply manipulating spacetime. At his height, he can detect all objects on the planet. Just to test his powers, he honed in on a lady in Australia, then sent a pebble through her brain from thousands of miles away--just to prove he could. Graviton can levitate whole cities--several at once, and is well nigh invincible...physically. I believe Moonstone used her twisted psychological skills to jack with his self-confidence, his only Achilles' Heel. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@... To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 3:51:37 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Xmen question I'd take Magneto's powers as well. He could stop anyone's blood flow, if it struck him. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@... Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 23:29:25 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Xmen question In the original Handbook, it was posited that Magneto might be living proof of a Unified Field Theory, because he could do things that weren't strictly related to manipulation of metal. Mags is one of the Marvel characters whose power i'd like to have were such a thing possible. It's range of uses, offensive/defensive capabilities, and sheer power are impressive. Others whose abilities I covet would include Storm (that lightning/tornadic wind ability is devastating), Graviton (like Magneto, vastly powerful, and able to warp spacetime due to his power), and Sue Storm (that forcefield power has way more potential than shown even to this point) - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@... To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 3:50:47 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Xmen question Mr Worf, the question's been answered several time sover, but I can't help but wonder, as a physicist, why Mags can't manipulate his eyebeams in some fashion. If the Theory of Everything that's been posited by studies holds true, then Mags' magnetic powers should be able to do something with them. But then, it's something I've never considered, being more an FF fan than an X-fan. Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up now. Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now.
[scifinoir2] Special Unit 12 Marathon on SyFy
Watching a marathon of Special Unit 2 on SyFy today. This was actually a decent show from 2001. It deals with a secret group of people who investigate and contain creatures from myth that oddly love to hang out in Chicago. The formula is pretty familiar: secret group of agents, special weaponry to take out the creatures, a funny creature who helps out the squad, lots of jokes in which the mystical beasties are juxtaposed with human society (such as the gnome who helps the Unit who loves slurpees, strippers, and has a penchant for holding up convenience stores). Indeed, the formula of the monster hunters has been used in some shape or form for other series such as the X-Files, G vs. E, Supernatural, Angel (which the show most reminds me of with its mix of humor and drama), Warehouse 13 (which hunts objects, but can creatures be far behind?), Sanctuary, Primeval, The Chronicle, Reaper, Dead Last (a fun ghost hunters series also from 2001), and the Men in Black movies. What's interesting is the description and explanation different series use to explain these creatures. Special Unit 2 takes the tack that gnomes, gargoyles, etc., are all various missing links in the evolutionary chain, some taking our path, others taking parallel but different evolutionary paths. Hence the name Links for the beings. As such, i don't think they can be called supernatural in terms of magical. Sanctuary takes a similar view, that they all occur naturally in Nature, but calls them Abnormals, a term I find oddly egocentric and condescending. Maybe *we* are the real abnormals on Earth! Supernatural, Angel, and Reaper go with the more standard magical/supernatural explanation. Warehouse 13 and X-Files were a mixture, trying to base it all in science, but not quite able to explain everything away. At any rate, it's a fun little show, nothing fancy but worth a look if you've never seen it before. Since it came and went in a flash, i don't think I've seen a single ep fully, so it's all new to me. And man does it make me sad for the loss of so many of those great other shows!
[scifinoir2] TechRepublic Blog: Ten Reasons not to Buy an iPad
I am also curious as to the lack of a physical keyboard for those who'd prefer it (available for usage by buying a keyboard doc as a accessory). Also it's weird something that large wouldn't come with a cover of some sort, 'cause I imagine toting this thing around everywhere would mean it'd get scratched up pretty well (cover also available for extra). And no USB? That's bizarre. I also thought that tablets are supposed to allow one to write on them with a pen or stylus of some kind. Wasn't one of the main things touted about the advent of tablets the ability to write on them in longhand, and handwriting recognition software would take over? That's one of the Star Trek aspects I thought would be central to tablets, and made the concept most attractive to me. I think the really, really revolutionary development in mobile computing will be the advent of computerized paper, the non-rigid thin film material that one will be able to roll up like a piece of paper or plastic, but will be a fully functional computer. The series Caprica showcases that type of tech. http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/ *** 10 reasons why I'll be passing on the iPad http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/10things/?p=1324tag=nl.e102 As the iPad buzz turns from speculation to evaluation, the early reviews are starting to roll in. See why Deb Shinder says she won’t be lining up outside the Apple Store for an iPad purchase. On January 27, Apple held a much-hyped and long-anticipated “event” in San Francisco, where Steve Jobs unveiled the company’s new tablet device, named (perhaps, in the wake of all the jokes it inspired, to its regret) the iPad. I was looking forward to finding out exactly what the specs on this were going to be. I’ve been trying to find a really good tablet PC for years, since way back when Microsoft introduced Windows XP Tablet Edition. I love the concept, but none of the devices that have hit the market since then has quite gotten it right — at least for me. Would Apple be the one to finally do it? Given my experiences with the Mac in the past, I wasn’t overly optimistic, but I was willing to give it a chance. Now, after all the speculation and rumors, its tablet is out in the open for everyone to see. And no, I won’t be lining up outside the Apple Store to buy one. Like so many of Apple’s products, it’s pretty, but that’s just not enough. This device may fit your needs completely, but here are the top 10 reasons that it falls short for me. Note: This article is also available as a PDF download . 1: There’s no physical keyboard There are two basic tablet form factors. The first is the “convertible,” which includes a keyboard and a swiveling screen that allows you to use it like a regular laptop or lay the screen down on top of the keyboard and use it flat. The second is the “slate,” which is a flat screen with no physical keyboard. We all knew the Apple device would fall into the latter category. Up until the unveiling ceremony, the rumor mill was calling it the iSlate. Thus the lack of a physical keyboard doesn’t come as a surprise, but it is a strike against it in my book. Some are saying the virtual keyboard is very good, but I’ve tried touch typing on them before and it’s just not the same. If I want a compact touch screen device I can use to watch videos, surf the Web, read my email, etc., I can do all of that with my smart phone. If I need to do more than that, it’s probably going to involve touch typing. And for that, I can use my laptop or netbook. If I want to watch a movie or TV program on a screen that’s larger than my phone’s, I can do that on the laptop, too. Why would I need to buy and carry a third device? 2: This one size doesn’t fit all If the tablet is going to fit into some gap between the phone and the netbook, the size should be somewhere in between, too. The iPad’s screen is about 10 inches, the same as most netbooks. It won’t fit into your pocket. It’s thin and light, but so are many of the netbooks on the market now. For example, the Sony VAIO X series laptop/netbooks are the same half-inch thick and virtually the same weight (1.5 lbs. vs. 1.6 lbs.). And we’re also starting to see netbooks in the convertible tablet form factor, which is really exciting. 3: It runs a phone OS I would have been more tempted by the iPad if it ran OS X instead of the iPhone operating system. A phone OS is much more limited in what it can do, and the iPad suffers from the same limitation as the iPhone when it comes to applications: Yes, there are lots of them, but you can get them only from one source, Apple’s App Store. Can you imagine the outcry if Microsoft said you could buy Windows programs only from them? One of the biggest limitations of the iPhone OS is that you can’t multi-task. Like it or not, we live in a multi-tasking world today. People may be satisfied with
[scifinoir2] OT: Emanuel Apologizes, Signs Pledge to End Usage of Retarded
I'm sorry, but I don't see this as a firing offense. Retarded has many meanings and connotations. When you call a person retarded for doing something stupid, it's not in any way meant to suggest that person has Downs or Autism or any other developmental condition. It means the person is an idiot, pure and simple. The words simpleton, geek, cretin, and actually even, idiot, could be tagged as equally offensive in this light. This is a tempest in a teapot, especially seeing as this took place behind closed doors. I'm not saying people don't have a right to be upset. Had he used the n-word behind closed doors, even, I'd be pissed. If some hate retarded on this level, i respect that. But I do think we need to do some serious examination of how much stuff said in private can and should be used to evaluate a person's character. No single one of us could bear the scrutiny if everything we said in private were publicized. If my private utterings around the house ever got out, I think a lot of conservative white religious fanatics would probably want to have me drawn and quartered! End of the day, I don't think he at all was thinking of people with true developmental problems, but now that it got out, an apology was the right thing to do. Past that, let this die, and let's move on. The bigger problem is a new Internet/Twitter/Facebook world where every single thing is instantly universal, without any benefit of filtering, explanation, or real analysis. And the biggest problem? A world in which that idiot Sarah Palin is still being quoted for her opinion on anything of substance. With apologies to the idiots of the world for that comparison * Yahoo News Dating back to the time he worked in the Clinton administration, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has developed an almost notorious reputation in Washington for being a brash personality with a penchant for profanity-laced diatribes. Conversely, his intense nature, in addition to his sharp mind, are what many attribute to his success and effectiveness as a Washington power player. But a recently revealed remark he made in a closed-door meeting attended by White House aides and leaders of liberal special-interest groups has irked many, prompting him to issue an apology. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Emanuel, exasperated upon learning that liberal special-interest groups were planning to run ads against conservative Democrats not supportive of health care reform, blasted the plan as f-- retarded over the summer. Naturally, some outrage ensued after Emanuel's words came to light, with former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin taking to her Facebook page to call on President Obama to fire him for what she saw as the equivalent of a racial slur. Palin, whose son Trig is afflicted with Down syndrome, said she was informed of Emanuel's comment by a fellow parent of a special-needs child and pleaded with the president to show decency to the political process by eliminating the Chicago native from his inner circle. In a post titled Are You Capable of Decency, Rahm Emanuel?, Palin wrote, Just as we’d be appalled if any public figure of Rahm’s stature ever used the 'N-word' or other such inappropriate language, Rahm’s slur on all God’s children with cognitive and developmental disabilities — and the people who love them — is unacceptable, adding, it's heartbreaking. A Politico story today reports that an administration official informed them that Emanuel had already reached out to Special Olympics chairman and CEO Tim Shriver, who recently launched a campaign to end the use of the R word. Rahm called Tim Shriver Wednesday to apologize and the apology was accepted, the unnamed official said. A disabilityscoop.com story from last week sheds more light on Emanuel and Shriver's back-and-forth. Michelle Diament reports that Shriver first reached out to Emanuel in a letter: I know that private political discourse can sometimes include profanityBut at the same time, our community cannot accept the idea that they will remain the butt of jokes and taunts. I hope you will join us in changing the conversation and eliminating this word from your vocabulary. It should be noted that Emanuel, who is rumored to have once mailed a dead fish to a former coworker he disliked, has not offered any apology to the liberals his slur was aimed at, and it's highly doubtful that he ever will. -- Brett Michael Dykes is a contributor to the Yahoo! News blog
Re: [scifinoir2] OT: Emanuel Apologizes, Signs Pledge to End Usage of Retarded
i hear ya! - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, February 4, 2010 3:13:24 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] OT: Emanuel Apologizes, Signs Pledge to End Usage of Retarded (another standing ovation) When I first heard this story reported, I gave myself a headache when my eyes rolled back into my head too fast. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 17:33:52 + Subject: [scifinoir2] OT: Emanuel Apologizes, Signs Pledge to End Usage of Retarded I'm sorry, but I don't see this as a firing offense. Retarded has many meanings and connotations. When you call a person retarded for doing something stupid, it's not in any way meant to suggest that person has Downs or Autism or any other developmental condition. It means the person is an idiot, pure and simple. The words simpleton, geek, cretin, and actually even, idiot, could be tagged as equally offensive in this light. This is a tempest in a teapot, especially seeing as this took place behind closed doors. I'm not saying people don't have a right to be upset. Had he used the n-word behind closed doors, even, I'd be pissed. If some hate retarded on this level, i respect that. But I do think we need to do some serious examination of how much stuff said in private can and should be used to evaluate a person's character. No single one of us could bear the scrutiny if everything we said in private were publicized. If my private utterings around the house ever got out, I think a lot of conservative white religious fanatics would probably want to have me drawn and quartered! End of the day, I don't think he at all was thinking of people with true developmental problems, but now that it got out, an apology was the right thing to do. Past that, let this die, and let's move on. The bigger problem is a new Internet/Twitter/Facebook world where every single thing is instantly universal, without any benefit of filtering, explanation, or real analysis. And the biggest problem? A world in which that idiot Sarah Palin is still being quoted for her opinion on anything of substance. With apologies to the idiots of the world for that comparison * Yahoo News Dating back to the time he worked in the Clinton administration, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has developed an almost notorious reputation in Washington for being a brash personality with a penchant for profanity-laced diatribes. Conversely, his intense nature, in addition to his sharp mind, are what many attribute to his success and effectiveness as a Washington power player. But a recently revealed remark he made in a closed-door meeting attended by White House aides and leaders of liberal special-interest groups has irked many, prompting him to issue an apology. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Emanuel, exasperated upon learning that liberal special-interest groups were planning to run ads against conservative Democrats not supportive of health care reform, blasted the plan as f-- retarded over the summer. Naturally, some outrage ensued after Emanuel's words came to light, with former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin taking to her Facebook page to call on President Obama to fire him for what she saw as the equivalent of a racial slur. Palin, whose son Trig is afflicted with Down syndrome, said she was informed of Emanuel's comment by a fellow parent of a special-needs child and pleaded with the president to show decency to the political process by eliminating the Chicago native from his inner circle. In a post titled Are You Capable of Decency, Rahm Emanuel?, Palin wrote, Just as we’d be appalled if any public figure of Rahm’s stature ever used the 'N-word' or other such inappropriate language, Rahm’s slur on all God’s children with cognitive and developmental disabilities — and the people who love them — is unacceptable, adding, it's heartbreaking. A Politico story today reports that an administration official informed them that Emanuel had already reached out to Special Olympics chairman and CEO Tim Shriver, who recently launched a campaign to end the use of the R word. Rahm called Tim Shriver Wednesday to apologize and the apology was accepted, the unnamed official said. A disabilityscoop.com story from last week sheds more light on Emanuel and Shriver's back-and-forth. Michelle Diament reports that Shriver first reached out to Emanuel in a letter: I know that private political discourse can sometimes include profanityBut at the same time, our community cannot accept the idea that they will remain the butt of
Re: [scifinoir2] OT: Emanuel Apologizes, Signs Pledge to End Usage of Retarded
As an aside, i was reading an issue of the Fantastic Four comic earlier today. Reed and Sue Richards have two children now: the older, their son Franklin, who has normal intelligence, and their young daughter Valeria, who at the age of four is already a supergenius on the level of her father Reed. In playing around with Franklin about a question he was asking, Valeria says Oh Franklin, you're such a retard! Do we need to alert Sarah Palin so she can get Marvel comics censured? Demand an apology from the creative staff? Maybe get the FF canceled? - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, February 4, 2010 3:13:24 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] OT: Emanuel Apologizes, Signs Pledge to End Usage of Retarded (another standing ovation) When I first heard this story reported, I gave myself a headache when my eyes rolled back into my head too fast. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 17:33:52 + Subject: [scifinoir2] OT: Emanuel Apologizes, Signs Pledge to End Usage of Retarded I'm sorry, but I don't see this as a firing offense. Retarded has many meanings and connotations. When you call a person retarded for doing something stupid, it's not in any way meant to suggest that person has Downs or Autism or any other developmental condition. It means the person is an idiot, pure and simple. The words simpleton, geek, cretin, and actually even, idiot, could be tagged as equally offensive in this light. This is a tempest in a teapot, especially seeing as this took place behind closed doors. I'm not saying people don't have a right to be upset. Had he used the n-word behind closed doors, even, I'd be pissed. If some hate retarded on this level, i respect that. But I do think we need to do some serious examination of how much stuff said in private can and should be used to evaluate a person's character. No single one of us could bear the scrutiny if everything we said in private were publicized. If my private utterings around the house ever got out, I think a lot of conservative white religious fanatics would probably want to have me drawn and quartered! End of the day, I don't think he at all was thinking of people with true developmental problems, but now that it got out, an apology was the right thing to do. Past that, let this die, and let's move on. The bigger problem is a new Internet/Twitter/Facebook world where every single thing is instantly universal, without any benefit of filtering, explanation, or real analysis. And the biggest problem? A world in which that idiot Sarah Palin is still being quoted for her opinion on anything of substance. With apologies to the idiots of the world for that comparison * Yahoo News Dating back to the time he worked in the Clinton administration, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has developed an almost notorious reputation in Washington for being a brash personality with a penchant for profanity-laced diatribes. Conversely, his intense nature, in addition to his sharp mind, are what many attribute to his success and effectiveness as a Washington power player. But a recently revealed remark he made in a closed-door meeting attended by White House aides and leaders of liberal special-interest groups has irked many, prompting him to issue an apology. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Emanuel, exasperated upon learning that liberal special-interest groups were planning to run ads against conservative Democrats not supportive of health care reform, blasted the plan as f-- retarded over the summer. Naturally, some outrage ensued after Emanuel's words came to light, with former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin taking to her Facebook page to call on President Obama to fire him for what she saw as the equivalent of a racial slur. Palin, whose son Trig is afflicted with Down syndrome, said she was informed of Emanuel's comment by a fellow parent of a special-needs child and pleaded with the president to show decency to the political process by eliminating the Chicago native from his inner circle. In a post titled Are You Capable of Decency, Rahm Emanuel?, Palin wrote, Just as we’d be appalled if any public figure of Rahm’s stature ever used the 'N-word' or other such inappropriate language, Rahm’s slur on all God’s children with cognitive and developmental disabilities — and the people who love them — is unacceptable, adding, it's heartbreaking. A Politico story today reports that an administration official informed them that Emanuel had already reached out to Special Olympics chairman
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Xmen question
I remember that! Heroes Reborn and Heroes Return was good stuff. There was a young girl who became Captain America's sidekick in that alternate reality. If I remember correctly, that alternate Earth was brought into our reality and put into an orbit the same as Earth's, but on the opposite side of the Sun, like the old Counter-Earth? I have that right, don't I? At any rate, that young girl is now on the main Earth, going under the name Nomad. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, February 4, 2010 3:25:47 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: Xmen question Keith, my favorite Ultron scene has him just standing there. It's out of the post- Heroes Reborn Avengers reboot, when Ultron has invaded a small Balkan country, killed all of the people there and turned them into cyborg zombies. The Avengers split up into teams to try to get to Ultron from multiple fronts, and one team, consisting of Iron Man, Wonder Man, Thor, Scarlet Witch and Cap, wins through thousand of the cyber-zombies, getting seriously dented in the process. When they reach Ultron, Thor, his costume half ripped away, stands in the doorway and says, Ultron, we would have words with thee. I was standing in a Circle K when I read that, and my laughter scared the water out of some woman nearby, at the ATM, *literally*. She yanked her card out of the machine and ran into the bathroom. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 13:29:50 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Xmen question Right, I have that ish with Graviton. He's truly one of the most powerful beings in the MU. Nefaria's powerful too. Is he still active? Ultron is a trip, always coming back. I think he's coming back again right now in Mighty Avengers. Henry Pym created the Infinite Avengers Mansion, a complex built in a pocket universe that effectively allows it to stretch into infinity, and provide dimensional transit points to anywhere on Earth. He integrated the android Jocasta into the system; she can function as guide by moving her consciousness into one of her millions of body's. Last ish, one of them evidenced that trademark Ultron look. Uh-oh! My fav Ultron scene was years ago when the Avengers and FF were fighting him, and he had the Human Torch by the throat. Captain America was nearby and told the Torch to go Nova, which he didn't want to do with Cap near. He did it, and there's a really cool panel showing the entire area turn into a ball of fire, and Cap, this one small figure, deflecting the fire around him with his shield. Reminds me of the scene in Dragonslayer when the dude hides behind the shield when the dragon blasts him. The Torch couldn't dent Ultran's adamantium body, but the heat he generated broke some of his internal circuitry. - Original Message - From: B Smith daikaij...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 11:48:09 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Xmen question Absorbing too much mass once turned Graviton into a living black hole...but he got better. I always loved the Avengers rogues gallery. My favorite Avengers villain was Ultron. When he murdered the entire nation of Slorenia and nearly killed the Avengers was one of my favorite storylines. And in his last incarnation he became ruler of the Phalanx and took out the Kree Empire. Another powerhouse villain that I loved was Count Nefaria. --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... wrote: Yeah, he's awesome. I'd take Graviton's powers first, though, because he could deflect even Magnus' powers by simply manipulating spacetime. At his height, he can detect all objects on the planet. Just to test his powers, he honed in on a lady in Australia, then sent a pebble through her brain from thousands of miles away--just to prove he could. Graviton can levitate whole cities--several at once, and is well nigh invincible...physically. I believe Moonstone used her twisted psychological skills to jack with his self-confidence, his only Achilles' Heel. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@... To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 3:51:37 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Xmen question I'd take Magneto's powers as well. He could stop anyone's blood flow, if it struck him. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From
Re: [scifinoir2] White House Shoots Down Regular Question Time Forums
Right, and in Britain, they don't provide questions ahead of time, so it'd always be an ambush forum. The Brits themselves admit it's just a political posturing time. Here, it would work every now and then, but as weekly theatre I fear it'd just add to the cacophony of strident voices already arguing everything to death. And if that ass Joe Wilson can call the President a lie to his face on national television, how long before such a gathering would devolve into cursing and name calling--and I fear we Americans would *not* sit still long for that! - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, dar...@darylelockhart.com, afrikanm...@hotmail.com, cbilmarket...@yahoo.com, bettil...@msn.com, cinque3...@verizon.net, dorothyh...@sbcglobal.net, duva...@hotmail.com, fis...@bellsouth.net, gwashin...@aol.com, jeffreypbal...@gmail.com, killa...@gmail.com, kalpub...@aol.com, keithbjohn...@comcast.net, imke...@gmail.com, seriousnup...@yahoo.com, logic1...@aol.com, truthseeker...@icqmail.com, mmb1...@gmail.com, gord...@indiana.edu, michael v w gordon michael.v.w.gor...@gmail.com, rave ravena...@yahoo.com, rs...@yahoo.com, everything...@nyc.rr.com, valeryjea...@yahoo.com, wendellsmit...@gmail.com, sonofafieldne...@sbcglobal.net, williamsf...@speakeasy.net, beta...@yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, February 4, 2010 3:27:48 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] White House Shoots Down Regular Question Time Forums I have to agree with that. It's a wonderful idea, but we don't run our Guv'mint in the same fashion as Great Britain. Just not enough time to gather all the parties needed. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: dar...@darylelockhart.com; afrikanm...@hotmail.com; cbilmarket...@yahoo.com; bettil...@msn.com; cinque3...@verizon.net; dorothyh...@sbcglobal.net; duva...@hotmail.com; fis...@bellsouth.net; gwashin...@aol.com; jeffreypbal...@gmail.com; killa...@gmail.com; kalpub...@aol.com; keithbjohn...@comcast.net; imke...@gmail.com; seriousnup...@yahoo.com; logic1...@aol.com; truthseeker...@icqmail.com; mmb1...@gmail.com; gord...@indiana.edu; michael.v.w.gor...@gmail.com; ravena...@yahoo.com; rs...@yahoo.com; everything...@nyc.rr.com; valeryjea...@yahoo.com; wendellsmit...@gmail.com; sonofafieldne...@sbcglobal.net; williamsf...@speakeasy.net; beta...@yahoo.com CC: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 00:13:04 -0800 Subject: [scifinoir2] White House Shoots Down Regular Question Time Forums Despite the widespread popularity of President Obama's question-and-answer forums and the apparent boost they've given to his agenda, the White House shot down a proposal on Wednesday to make such open forums a regular feature. Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton relayed the news during Wednesday's briefing, calling the idea of standardizing question time good in concept but impractical in practice. David Axelrod has talked about this a little, Burton said. And what he had to say is: part of the reason Friday was so successful with the GOP conference was the spontaneity that occurred there. And it is going to be hard to recreate the spontaneity that happened. Burton added that the president thinks that there is space for more open dialogue, and he is going to look for more opportunities to do things on camera and have open discussions on important issues. But it was clear that the administration is not willing to incorporate a British-parliament-style QA session into American governance. An interesting question for constitutional scholars is whether Congress has the power to make this happen on its own. Meanwhile, the last time the president held an open news conference with reporters was back in late July . The push was on the White House to commit to such forums on a regular basis after the largely positive reception to Obama's appearance before a gathering of House Republicans on Friday. A diverse coalition of political strategists, bloggers and officials released a petition on Wednesday morning titled Demand Question Time . http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/03/white-house-shoots-down-r_n_448022.html Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Special Unit 12 Marathon on SyFy
The marathon is followed by re-airings of the latest Caprica eps again. And now, there's a four hour block of Enterprise. The first two eps are the fun Through a Glass, Darkly eps, taking place in the Mirror Universe. Fun shows. I love the way Malcolm is skulking about, just waiting to put someone in the Agony Booth. The radiation-scarred Trip is, well, a trip, too. My fav is Dr. Phlox, wearing all black, casually dissecting animals in Sick Bay. The way he perks up when Archer promises him human females is just creepy! Good stuff, but I always have questions about some of the plotting. How did lowly humans, just off a World War, with Cochran just about to do his first warp test, manage to reverse engineer the Vulcan ship? In the main timeline the Vulcans were needed to help Earth expand warp capability. They certainly didn't help the Mirror Universe Earth after they killed the Vulcan crew! So how did Earth manage to develop deep space warp ships and expand the Empire? Surely the Klingons would have annihilated them? Also, it must be assumed that, unlike Starfleet, the Empire has full tech on the level of the other spacefaring races, due to its theft of the Vulcan ship, and due to its control of an interstellar empire. If so, why is the Enterprise of that universe still the same small, primitive-looking ship? Shouldn't they have something larger and more advanced lookin? Finally, fun show, like I said, but the recovery of a Constitution class starship from Kirk's time would serious upset that universe's timeline. By the time Kirk and his crew first visit the Mirror Universe, therefore, I think they'd be well advanced of the Federation of Kirk's time. - Original Message - From: Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, February 4, 2010 12:03:55 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Special Unit 12 Marathon on SyFy Watching a marathon of Special Unit 2 on SyFy today. This was actually a decent show from 2001. It deals with a secret group of people who investigate and contain creatures from myth that oddly love to hang out in Chicago. The formula is pretty familiar: secret group of agents, special weaponry to take out the creatures, a funny creature who helps out the squad, lots of jokes in which the mystical beasties are juxtaposed with human society (such as the gnome who helps the Unit who loves slurpees, strippers, and has a penchant for holding up convenience stores). Indeed, the formula of the monster hunters has been used in some shape or form for other series such as the X-Files, G vs. E, Supernatural, Angel (which the show most reminds me of with its mix of humor and drama), Warehouse 13 (which hunts objects, but can creatures be far behind?), Sanctuary, Primeval, The Chronicle, Reaper, Dead Last (a fun ghost hunters series also from 2001), and the Men in Black movies. What's interesting is the description and explanation different series use to explain these creatures. Special Unit 2 takes the tack that gnomes, gargoyles, etc., are all various missing links in the evolutionary chain, some taking our path, others taking parallel but different evolutionary paths. Hence the name Links for the beings. As such, i don't think they can be called supernatural in terms of magical. Sanctuary takes a similar view, that they all occur naturally in Nature, but calls them Abnormals, a term I find oddly egocentric and condescending. Maybe *we* are the real abnormals on Earth! Supernatural, Angel, and Reaper go with the more standard magical/supernatural explanation. Warehouse 13 and X-Files were a mixture, trying to base it all in science, but not quite able to explain everything away. At any rate, it's a fun little show, nothing fancy but worth a look if you've never seen it before. Since it came and went in a flash, i don't think I've seen a single ep fully, so it's all new to me. And man does it make me sad for the loss of so many of those great other shows!
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: The Help Haiti Didn't Receive
Wow, I have a friend who grew up in Jackson, MS, then moved to Madison to go to college. A quiet, scholarly type, in short order he all but became a Black Panther. He moved down here to Atlanta to get his balance back. - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 11:15:54 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: The Help Haiti Didn't Receive The City of Milwaukee is currently majority minority with Hispanics about to overtake both whites and blacks. The County of Milwaukee is majority majority (so, of course, the jury pools convicting young black Milwaukeeans are drawn from the county and not the city - giving all new meaning to the term a jury of your all-white peers). Blacks only comprise 4% of Wisconsin's population (50% of the prison population - which, for those of you counting at home makes Wisconsin's blacks 1150% more unlawful than Wisconsin's whites)and most of the black population lives in Milwaukee. Milwaukee is what is known as hyper-segregated. ~(no)rave! --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... wrote: Segregated, but not mostly white? - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravena...@... To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 3:22:40 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: The Help Haiti Didn't Receive According the United States government, Milwaukee County is the most segregated county in America. I often refer to the City of Milwaukee as the black township of Milwaukee County. ~(no)rave! --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ wrote: oh god lmao!! is it very conservative where you live? One reason i like living in Atlanta is that, despite the obvious conservative nature of the overall region, Atlanta is a liberal city in many ways. It's also a diverse city where being black doesn't stand out, as much of the power structure here is run by blacks. Atlanta has one of the largest gay populations in the country (for good or ill, depending on your view; i celebrate the diversity). So while I get lots of attacks when I drop letters to the editor in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, i also get lots of support. I don't think i could live in a community where I was in the minority, literally or figuratively. It's one slight hesitation I have about Austin, Texas, which I love, and which is on the list of a the possible next home. Great city, great culture, great IT jobs, liberal, but a relatively small black population. - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravenadal@ To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 11:22:26 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: The Help Haiti Didn't Receive Thing is, it was suggested that I set up a separate e-mail address for those who want to reach out and touch me: ravenadal@ I have already been told that I am a lazy, fat, crack addict who should stop sponging off hard-working Americans and become a Republican. But, hey, who can't take constructive criticism? ~rave! --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ wrote: Great article, great point, and congrats! How do I set about to argue with you there, like I often do here? :) - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravenadal@ To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 9:51:02 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] The Help Haiti Didn't Receive My first column as a new Community Columnist for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/83291237.html
Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it
You got me beat. I can't imagine anything worse than being stranded in the boonies on a Chicago winter's night! At least living basically in the city, I'm pretty much always on residential roads, not far from a repair shop, mall, or bus stop. - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 1:52:04 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it I feel you, Keith...A big problem I used to have as a cabbie was my alternator going out on me. Not only did I get stranded in the middle of nowhere, it would scramble my meter. Not only did I have to waiti for a tow, I had to get my meter reset. If it happened at night that meant I had to wait until morning and that ruined my entire shift, not to mention I froze my nachos off! Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Fri, 1/29/10, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: From: Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, January 29, 2010, 11:43 PM Damn near felt like it. Just glad I live a relatively short walk from a mall. Don't trust Sears for doing any serious mechanic work anymore, but I'm okay buying a Diehard battery in a pinch. - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2002@ yahoo.com To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 6:45:46 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular- -if you can see it You forgot uphill...Both ways... Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Fri, 1/29/10, Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ comcast.net wrote: From: Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ comcast.net Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular- -if you can see it To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Date: Friday, January 29, 2010, 4:29 PM Ha-ha, I hear you! From Christmas until about the second week in January, it was dipping below 20 at night both here and back home in DFW. Daytime highs sometimes not above freezing, and it was windy to boot. Way too much cold for most of us! And don't get me started on the saga of my car battery dying while I'm at home taking care of my flu-infected wife, and me having to tote it and a replacement to and from Sears, trudging half a mile each way in bone chilling cold, bearing that not insignificant weight! - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2002@ yahoo.com To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 4:37:40 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular- -if you can see it It's 6 degrees here in Chicago...rain. ..Hmph! Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Fri, 1/29/10, Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ comcast.net wrote: From: Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ comcast.net Subject: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular- -if you can see it To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Date: Friday, January 29, 2010, 3:00 PM And here it'll be cloudy and rainy tonight in the ATL... :( Oh well, it's great to read about, and I really dig the different full moon names from Native culture. * * http://news. yahoo.com/ s/space/20100129 /sc_space/ biggestandbright estfullmoonof201 0tonight http://www.space. com/spacewatch/ full-moon- names-2010- 100127.html Biggest and Brightest Full Moon of 2010 Tonight SPACE.com A full moon is seen over the Houses of Parliament in LondonReuters – A full moon is seen over the Houses of Parliament in London January 1, 2010. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez … Robert Roy Britt Editorial Director SPACE.com Robert Roy Britt editorial Director space.com – Fri Jan 29, 7:45 am ET Tonight's full moon will be the biggest and brightest full moon of the year. It offers anyone with clear skies an opportunity to identify easy-to-see features on the moon. This being the first full moon of 2010, it is also known as the wolf moon, a moniker dating back to Native American culture and the notion that hungry wolves howled at the full moon on cold winter nights. Each month brings another full moon name . But why will this moon be bigger than others? Here's how the moon works : The moon is, on average, 238,855 miles (384,400 km) from Earth. The moon's orbit around Earth – which causes it to go through all its phases once every 29.5 days – is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse. One side of the orbit is 31,070 miles (50,000 km) closer than the other. So
Re: [scifinoir2] White House won't fund NASA moon program
I heard the new Brother who runs NASA on NPR yesterday trying to put a good spin on this. I'm such a big fan of space exploration, it made me sad...- Original Message -From: "Tracey de Morsella" tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.comTo: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.comSent: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 2:26:26 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada EasternSubject: [scifinoir2] White House won't fund NASA moon program President Obama's budget proposal includes no money for the Ares 1 rocket or Constellation program, sources say. Instead, NASA would be asked to monitor climate change and develop a new rocket. Budget plan calls for boosting NASA budget, creating private space shuttle service Computerworld - Reports surfacing this week say that the White House plans to put a stop to NASA's plans to return to the moon. The Orlando Sentinel, quoting an unnamed White House source, reported yesterday that President Barack Obama is looking to push the space agency in a new direction. David Steitz, a spokeperson at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C., said he wouldn't comment on such reports until the White House budget proposal is announced. The plan is expected to be released on Monday. NASA has been looking to not only return astronauts to the moon, but also to build a lunar outpost there by 2020. The NASA plan includes first sending next-generation robots and machines to the moon to create a landing area for spacecraft, and a base where humans can live. NASA scientists have been preparing what the agency calls the Constellation moon landing plan, which was set forth by former President George W. Bush. In June, NASA launched two lunar satellites as the opening act in the long-term mission to send humans back to the moon. The satellites -- the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite - were designed to provide them with new information about the moon. In an October NASA mission, the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, known as LCROSS, slammed into the moon in an attempt to kick up what scientists believe is water ice hiding in the bottom of a permanently dark crater. Scientists have been hoping that if a human outpost is created on the moon, people there could have access to water there instead of having to haul it up from Earth. Plans to return to the moon have been in question since the Obama administration last May called for an independent review of NASA's human space flight activities. The Orlando Sentinel also reported yesterday that the White House budget plan appears to boost NASA's budget by some $5.9 billion over the next five years. Some of that money, according to the report, would be to keep the International Space Station running. The rest would go to set up contracts with private companies to act as a sort of shuttle service, taking astronauts back and forth from the space station after NASA's space shuttle fleet is retired. Sharon Gaudin covers the Internet and Web 2.0, emerging technologies, and desktop and laptop chips for Computerworld. Follow Sharon on Twitter at @sgaudin, send e-mail to sgau...@computerworld.com or subscribe to Sharon's RSS feed . Read more about development in Computerworld's Development Knowledge Center. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9150040/White_House_killing_NASA_s_moon_mission_reports_say
Re: [scifinoir2] Precious Among Big Oscar Nominees
I agree. I haven't seen Avatar yet, but it's obvious the movie has great FX but limited plot/dialog. It's a great creation, but does it warrant being a great movie? I'd have to say no. Star Trek in no way would deserve a nod either, by the way. District 9 is good--better than Star Trek in terms of story--but same for it. Up is problematic for me. The first half is transcendent, then it slows a bit into standard cartoon/action fare for the kids. The Princess and the Frog, I missed at the theatre, but John Lassiter did say he really wanted a return to traditional 2D animation, so I'm happy for that. - Original Message - From: Daryle Lockhart dar...@darylelockhart.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 8:36:47 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Precious Among Big Oscar Nominees I think District 9 and Avatar have no business on this list. For the criteria they're using for Avatar, Star Trek may as well have been nominated, and I also think that if there was no Avatar this year, there's a good chance Star Trek WOULD have been on that list. Until Avatar came out, we were clearly talking about Precious and the Hurt Locker for Best Picture. The ten nominee list is for ratings, but then again, the whole reason the show is on TV is to sell ads. The Academy could care less what regular people think. That being said, I completely agree that Up should be nominated for Best Picture. It was one of the best MADE pictures all year. To Keith's point, having ten nominees lets everything in, and thus, The Blind Side. This is the best marketed B-movie of the year. It's not that I hated this film, I just think it belonged on television. It's not excellent in any way, whereas with Precious, you can find moments (scattered, yes) of absolute brilliance. Mo'Nique deserves this award and I think everyone else nominated for Best Supporting Actress knows it. The Princess And The Frog nominated for Best Animated Feature is a great, great call, I think, because the animation work on it was really good. It's good to see a classic animated feature get recognized. All in all, this award show will probably be as boring as last year's, with the exception of some upsets and Mo'Nique's speech. On Feb 2, 2010, at 6:23 PM, Mr. Worf wrote: None of those movies should have been nominated for picture of the year. On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 8:19 AM, Mike Street streetfor...@gmail.com wrote: I agree..they just giving out awards so they can get ratings. The Oscars super BORING like watching paint dry. I think Precious would be winning all the awards if Avatar wasn't in the mix. I'd be shocked if Avatar lost at this point. Grossing some 2bn worldwise does that make Avatar to big to fail? On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 11:15 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Props to Lee Daniels, Monique, and Gabourey Sadibe for their Oscar nominations for Precious. But, ten movies nominated for Best Picture? Wow, that just let everything in. I mean, I know Avatar is a great *looking* film, but is it a great film in toto: acting, writing, plotting? I guess this dovetails with the conversation about crowd-fav Taylor Swift getting all those awards. The Academy is desperate to get more viewers for its show, so they've opened up the Best Picture category in hopes that it will generate more buzz. Hell, if they're going to let this many in, maybe I need to grab a vid cam and slap something together for next year. http://www.imdb.com/features/rto/2010/oscars -- Get Social and Follow Me: Join me on Facebook http://facebook.com/mikestreet Follow me on Twitter Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/streetforce1 Join the Harlem NY Community http://www.facebook.com/harlemny and at http://HarlemSocial.com -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] Xmen question
Yeah, he's awesome. I'd take Graviton's powers first, though, because he could deflect even Magnus' powers by simply manipulating spacetime. At his height, he can detect all objects on the planet. Just to test his powers, he honed in on a lady in Australia, then sent a pebble through her brain from thousands of miles away--just to prove he could. Graviton can levitate whole cities--several at once, and is well nigh invincible...physically. I believe Moonstone used her twisted psychological skills to jack with his self-confidence, his only Achilles' Heel. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 3:51:37 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Xmen question I'd take Magneto's powers as well. He could stop anyone's blood flow, if it struck him. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 23:29:25 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Xmen question In the original Handbook, it was posited that Magneto might be living proof of a Unified Field Theory, because he could do things that weren't strictly related to manipulation of metal. Mags is one of the Marvel characters whose power i'd like to have were such a thing possible. It's range of uses, offensive/defensive capabilities, and sheer power are impressive. Others whose abilities I covet would include Storm (that lightning/tornadic wind ability is devastating), Graviton (like Magneto, vastly powerful, and able to warp spacetime due to his power), and Sue Storm (that forcefield power has way more potential than shown even to this point) - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 3:50:47 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Xmen question Mr Worf, the question's been answered several time sover, but I can't help but wonder, as a physicist, why Mags can't manipulate his eyebeams in some fashion. If the Theory of Everything that's been posited by studies holds true, then Mags' magnetic powers should be able to do something with them. But then, it's something I've never considered, being more an FF fan than an X-fan. Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up now. Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Hulk vs Thor and Hulk vs Wolverine
Thanks for the reviews. Seems the action's okay, but hampered by being geared for general audiences (or at least, PG-13), and the plotting's lacking. Which is sad, because frankly, the easiest thing in the world to do is depict violence in a film. A teenaged Thor. No thanks, I'll completely pass on that. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 1:11:43 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Hulk vs Thor and Hulk vs Wolverine Hulk vs Thor This is two movies on one dvd. I can't find the original post that I wrote about this movie, but if you really want to see the true power of Hulk this is the movie for you. Dr. Banner is kidnapped by Loki (the estranged half brother of Thor) as part of a plot to attack Asgard. The fighting in this movie is intense. If there was blood or body parts in this movie it would have gotten an R rating! If you have ever wondered what would happen if Hulk went against Thor unimpeded by Dr.Banner. Here is your chance. One thought big green fist smashing a face into a bolder. Ouch... My only complaint is that it is lacking in back story that we got to see in some of the other movies. In this movie all of the characters are well established. You really do not know why they are fighting but that they must. One thing for sure Hulk can kick some butt. 2.5 out of 5 - Hulk vs Wolverine This movie takes a completely different approach toward story telling. They start out with Wolverine on a mission to find a missing US secret weapon codename: Hulk. Then take a trip down memory lane complete with a meeting with his old team mates, Weapon X. Deadpool is his hilarious self. There is much more blood in this film. Which was almost surprising but unlike the first film it is almost gratuitous. Unfortunately, both films are much too short to be a complete movie or even a complete story. Which left me feeling a little disappointed. This is more of a fanboy movie that was put together for them with a few allowances for newbies. I can't reconmmend it to people that are new to the series because there are way too many call backs to the stories over many years and comics. One caveat is the DVD was a sneak preview of the movie Thor: Tales of Asgard (due out 2011). It focuses on a teenage Thor and all of the characters from the series. The live action version of Thor is due out late 2011. There is also an Avengers movie due out in 2012. 1.5 out of 5 -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] Planet Hulk Animated Movie out on DVD Tuesday
How's that? Did you get an early release copy of the DVD, or did you mean the trailer? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 1:27:40 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Planet Hulk Animated Movie out on DVD Tuesday I'm about to watch it right now. On Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 8:55 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Interesting, I wonder how good this will be? Anyone read Planet Hulk storyline? Check out the cool trailer: they got it right , with the exception that Hulk's opponents in the arena are robots instead of living beings. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf13JRZKspM Here's a review from Wired, which says it's not bad, but not as good or nuanced as the actual books: http://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/02/review-planet-hulk/ I read the Planet Hulk compilation last year. The story is a familiar scifi story: Hulk trapped in a strange land, forced to become a gladiator, escapes to oppose the evil emperor, becomes a hero/savior to the people. But the way it was handled was really good. Hulk's powers are reduced due to a space warp that brings him to the planet, which allows his capture and enslavement. There are some cool characters, such as Caiera, an alien from a race where some members can draw strength form the planet itself. The power is rare, which is why Caiera's ability to use it makes her the Oldstrong. and there's Korg, a member of the race of beings that the Easter Island statues are based on. This was all precipitated by Reed Richards, Tony Stark, Black Bolt, and Dr. Strange having tricked Bruce Banner into a spaceship they were using to banish him for all time. The ship missed the peaceful planet Reed had intended due to Hulk's rampage, and landed on this hellish planet instead. Good story, I really enjoyed it. That was followed by World War Hulk, where Hulk returns to Earth to get revenge on Reed and company. that was good too, but not as good as Planet Hulk. I really am intrigued to see if the cartoon can get it right, especially given the worrying lowering of the adult themes for a younger audience. -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon
Yeah, the Blackest Night series is pretty good. Black Panther is really good too. I like the way they've really focused on T'Challa the genius and master strategist. Like Batman, T'Challa is dangerous not just because of his formidable fighting ability, but because he plans for every contingency. He has plans within plans, researches his enemies before taking them on, and has a network of people to help him in need. Doom's robots nearly killed T'Challa recently, which is why he's no longer Black Panther, but he and his sis are ready for battle. Siege...Doomwar...Secret Warriors (Nick Fury and loyal ex-SHIELD taking on HYDRA and Osborn)...it's gonna get really wild if Marvel intends to wrap all this up by April! - Original Message - From: George Arterberry brotherfromhow...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 5:27:24 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon I'm jumping back into comics after a very very long layoff. I'm getting into Blackest Night in Green Lantern The Green Lantern Corps. I bought the last BP , that foretold DoomWar so, I'm there. From: Augustus Augustus jazzynupe_...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Mon, February 1, 2010 7:13:02 PM Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon Keith, I am with you on most of it my friend. Although, I am one of those fans who will not, WILL NOT, but cross titles just 2 follow a story line. I am not going 2 do it. Besides, they always pull it back to the main book anyway. Civil War was simply brilliant! And I am waiting on the battle between HAMMER and Asgard. I have the first 2 issues of Siege, but I am going 2 hold off on reading them until I finish my DC JSA vs. Kobra mini-series. I am reading book 4 out of 6 right now. Let me ask u this, have u gotten into the New X-Force? The fact that they have a mutant team that Wolverine leads that actually gets down and dirty and kill! AS long as they do not mess with this title, I will continue 2 be loyal 2 it. Also finishing up Green Lanther's Blackest Night. Kool mag also. Fate. --- On Mon, 2/1/10, Martin Baxter truthseeker013@ hotmail.com wrote: From: Martin Baxter truthseeker013@ hotmail.com Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon To: SciFiNoir2 scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Date: Monday, February 1, 2010, 4:02 PM Man, have I missed a few million things... If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com From: KeithBJohnson@ comcast.net Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 07:50:10 + Subject: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon Anyone else still follow Marvel Comics? For the last 2-3 years, I've been following best as I can several major events shaking up the MU. There was the Avengers Disassembled, where the Avengers were decimated due to the Scarlet Witch's breakdown. That was followed by House of M, where the Witch reshaped reality into one dominated by mutants, then restored reality, only to remove the mutant abilities of ninety-nine percent of the world's mutants. Then there was the Civil War, where Iron Man and Captain America fought over a government order for heroes to register as agents. That culminated in Cap's death and the ascenion of Iron Man to lead SHIELD. And that was followed by Invasion, where it was revealed the Skrulls had for years replaced key heroes, leaders and villains on Earth. They got within a hair's breadth of conquering Earth, but lost. The fallout from that saw Iron Man disgraced, and the new hero of the day as Norman Osborn, who know leads SHIELD's replacement HAMMER, as well as the Avengers. Now we have the Dark books, as Osborn and his criminal cohorts control things, but a growing resistance of heroes are gathering to fight them. Meanwhile, Thor and the Asgardians have defeated Ragnarok and are back from Limbo, but are now preparing to do battle with Dr. Doom, who along with Loki has conspired to exploit the Asgardians. As if that weren't enough, there's Siege, where Osborn has decided the Asgardians must go, and is preparing to hit Asgard with everything he's got. Oh--and let's not forget Doomwar, where Dr. Doom has been manipulating the near-death of T'Challa, and is now preparing to invade Wakanda, but is soon going to have his hands full fighting T'Challa, his sister (the new Black Panther), the FF, and Namor. Whew! The Marvel Universe is going to all sorts or turmoil, and I haven't even addressed Annihilation, War of Kings (involving the Inhumans and Cyclops' crazy brother), the great Winter Soldier storyline (the return of Bucky), the X-Men's travails, the Spidey books, or the
Re: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon
Not to my knowledge. There is a giant connection diagram for Marvel's characters at their site: http://marvel.com/universe3zx/utility/network.htm Also, be sure to read the Marvel Universe link. Back in the '80s, Marvel started putting out a series of books as part of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. It was basically an encyclopedia of its characters, with details on origins, powers, strength levels (Spidey can lift 10 tens, Thor and Hulk and the superbads are in a Class 100 range, able to lift more than 100 tons), etc. Great stuff. They keep the Universe updated now online, and it's good reading http://marvel.com/universe/Main_Page There's also a Marvel News link, and from that page you can access links to Marvel Comics News, and Marvel Movie News: http://marvel.com/news/. Look for a link to the Weekly Watcher there, a live news segment on upcoming Marvel events. Marvel Podcast page links a whole bunch of interviews: http://marvel.com/news/comicstories.1622.marvel_podcast_central - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 5:40:48 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon Has anyone created a flow chart to follow what is going on? On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 2:27 AM, George Arterberry brotherfromhow...@yahoo.com wrote: I'm jumping back into comics after a very very long layoff. I'm getting into Blackest Night in Green Lantern The Green Lantern Corps. I bought the last BP , that foretold DoomWar so, I'm there. From: Augustus Augustus jazzynupe_...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Mon, February 1, 2010 7:13:02 PM Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon Keith, I am with you on most of it my friend. Although, I am one of those fans who will not, WILL NOT, but cross titles just 2 follow a story line. I am not going 2 do it. Besides, they always pull it back to the main book anyway. Civil War was simply brilliant! And I am waiting on the battle between HAMMER and Asgard. I have the first 2 issues of Siege, but I am going 2 hold off on reading them until I finish my DC JSA vs. Kobra mini-series. I am reading book 4 out of 6 right now. Let me ask u this, have u gotten into the New X-Force? The fact that they have a mutant team that Wolverine leads that actually gets down and dirty and kill! AS long as they do not mess with this title, I will continue 2 be loyal 2 it. Also finishing up Green Lanther's Blackest Night. Kool mag also. Fate. --- On Mon, 2/1/10, Martin Baxter truthseeker013@ hotmail.com wrote: From: Martin Baxter truthseeker013@ hotmail.com Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon To: SciFiNoir2 scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Date: Monday, February 1, 2010, 4:02 PM Man, have I missed a few million things... If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com From: KeithBJohnson@ comcast.net Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 07:50:10 + Subject: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon Anyone else still follow Marvel Comics? For the last 2-3 years, I've been following best as I can several major events shaking up the MU. There was the Avengers Disassembled, where the Avengers were decimated due to the Scarlet Witch's breakdown. That was followed by House of M, where the Witch reshaped reality into one dominated by mutants, then restored reality, only to remove the mutant abilities of ninety-nine percent of the world's mutants. Then there was the Civil War, where Iron Man and Captain America fought over a government order for heroes to register as agents. That culminated in Cap's death and the ascenion of Iron Man to lead SHIELD. And that was followed by Invasion, where it was revealed the Skrulls had for years replaced key heroes, leaders and villains on Earth. They got within a hair's breadth of conquering Earth, but lost. The fallout from that saw Iron Man disgraced, and the new hero of the day as Norman Osborn, who know leads SHIELD's replacement HAMMER, as well as the Avengers. Now we have the Dark books, as Osborn and his criminal cohorts control things, but a growing resistance of heroes are gathering to fight them. Meanwhile, Thor and the Asgardians have defeated Ragnarok and are back from Limbo, but are now preparing to do battle with Dr. Doom, who along with Loki has conspired to exploit the Asgardians. As if that weren't enough, there's Siege, where Osborn has decided the Asgardians must go, and is preparing to hit Asgard with everything he's got. Oh--and let's not forget Doomwar, where Dr. Doom has been manipulating the near-death of
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Why Did I Waste my Time?
You are right and that isn't a knock against Knowles. She's a good singer, a better performer, and deserves everything she's earned. I just hate an industry that relegates the likes of Arie and Chapman to the shadows, but that's the way of all the big entertainment biz, movies and music. I think what scares me is, when I was younger, we all watched stuff like Solid Gold, Thanks for the tip on Mushinah, that's a new one to me. - Original Message - From: B Smith daikaij...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 9:21:57 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Why Did I Waste my Time? Not many folks are in the class you mentioned but she brings a different vibe and her concerts are awesome. She's a complete performer and has mastered the art of stagecraft. She actually sings live with a band which puts her head and shoulders above a ton of her contemparies and can stretch her boundaries. Like I said earlier I was floored when she went full on rock goddess with that cover of You Oughta Know. As far as India.Arie goes I felt terrible for her that night. She's won several Grammys since then but she seemed so hurt. BTW I think the inverse was true this year. She was one of the weaker nominees in the category she won. The Foreign Exchange's sublime Daykeeper was my favorite song of the bunch. The album Leave It All Behind was one of the best I've heard in a long time. Check them out: http://www.theforeignexchangemusic.com/index.php If you like India you might like Mushinah the female vocalist featured on Daykeeper. She's great. --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... wrote: I think Knowles is very solid as a performer, but not the best singer around. i wouldn't even discuss her vocal talents in the same sentence as Aretha Franklin, Patti LeBelle, Oleta Adams, india arie (whose overall skill in singing, writing, and guitar are way more precious than a pretty face and short dresses), Tracy Chapman (ditto), Vesta. I look at her as the ultimate pop idol, and that's just fine for pop music. I just tire of it, the way I do too much sugar. I didn't notice Pink's face, was she that obviously ticked? My wife says she read blogs from some Swift fans, and even they conceded she's not a good singer live. But, they say, her albums are great due to production value, and she sounds really good on them! They also tout her lyrics, which supposedly capture the essence of whatever it is white (my word) girls that age feel. To hear them tell it, she's some kind of cute Bob Dylan for the O.C. crowd. I think you're right: West's tirade built up sympathy for Swift, and her cuteness, blonde hair, and pixie like features just made everyone go awww! she's so cute! and they lost their ever-loving minds. The Grammy's have done this before, some would say often, which is why they're not always taken seriously. I personally like Alicia Keys, but, after hearing her debut album, thought she in no way deserved all the Grammy's she got the year india.arie was shutout. Arie's music was much more layered, more organic, more impactful.I mean, how can you ignore songs that tell women and blacks to celebrate themselves? Granted my analogy is flawed: Keys is actually tremendously talented! - Original Message - From: B Smith daikaij...@... To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 5:49:10 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Why Did I Waste my Time? I mostly agree but I did mark out a bit when Beyonce ripped into a cover of Alanis Morrisette's You Oughta Know. I used to scoff at the attention Beyonce gets but the woman brings it. Her performances are incredible and she is has been consistently putting out solid albums on her own and with Destiny's Child for over a decade. I have to give her props. I was ctfu at Pink's face during the awards. You could tell she was hating on Bey and just disgusted by Taylor Swift. And on that note, Taylor Swift is not ready for primetime. Bringing Stevie Nicks out sing Rhiannon just accentuated how shallow her talents really are right now. They Kanye hatefest is ending and the backlash against her is getting pretty heavy. Kanye's little tirade was the best thing that ever happened to her. --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Martin Baxter truthseeker013@ wrote: Maybe you just wanted the real-time experience. I used to, back when I liked the music of the period enough to invest the time. Haven't watched the Grammys since -- '95, I think. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: KeithBJohnson@ Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 22:21:20
Re: [scifinoir2] Hulk vs Thor and Hulk vs Wolverine
You mean the teenaged Thor? Naw, not interested. i get tired of everyone taking heroes to their teen years. Just doesn't appeal to me that much. Too gimmicky, too obviously targeted to a certain demographic. I used to hate 'toons like Flinstone Kids and A Pup Named Scooby-Doo for that very reason. Last time I enjoyed a show like that was Baby Looney Toons. :) - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 9:37:39 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Hulk vs Thor and Hulk vs Wolverine Think of it more as the Thor origins story. It is supposed to explain the relationships and the rift that got started between Thor and Loki. On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 6:02 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Thanks for the reviews. Seems the action's okay, but hampered by being geared for general audiences (or at least, PG-13), and the plotting's lacking. Which is sad, because frankly, the easiest thing in the world to do is depict violence in a film. A teenaged Thor. No thanks, I'll completely pass on that. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 1:11:43 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Hulk vs Thor and Hulk vs Wolverine Hulk vs Thor This is two movies on one dvd. I can't find the original post that I wrote about this movie, but if you really want to see the true power of Hulk this is the movie for you. Dr. Banner is kidnapped by Loki (the estranged half brother of Thor) as part of a plot to attack Asgard. The fighting in this movie is intense. If there was blood or body parts in this movie it would have gotten an R rating! If you have ever wondered what would happen if Hulk went against Thor unimpeded by Dr.Banner. Here is your chance. One thought big green fist smashing a face into a bolder. Ouch... My only complaint is that it is lacking in back story that we got to see in some of the other movies. In this movie all of the characters are well established. You really do not know why they are fighting but that they must. One thing for sure Hulk can kick some butt. 2.5 out of 5 - Hulk vs Wolverine This movie takes a completely different approach toward story telling. They start out with Wolverine on a mission to find a missing US secret weapon codename: Hulk. Then take a trip down memory lane complete with a meeting with his old team mates, Weapon X. Deadpool is his hilarious self. There is much more blood in this film. Which was almost surprising but unlike the first film it is almost gratuitous. Unfortunately, both films are much too short to be a complete movie or even a complete story. Which left me feeling a little disappointed. This is more of a fanboy movie that was put together for them with a few allowances for newbies. I can't reconmmend it to people that are new to the series because there are way too many call backs to the stories over many years and comics. One caveat is the DVD was a sneak preview of the movie Thor: Tales of Asgard (due out 2011). It focuses on a teenage Thor and all of the characters from the series. The live action version of Thor is due out late 2011. There is also an Avengers movie due out in 2012. 1.5 out of 5 -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] The Help Haiti Didn't Receive
Great article, great point, and congrats! How do I set about to argue with you there, like I often do here? :) - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 9:51:02 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] The Help Haiti Didn't Receive My first column as a new Community Columnist for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/83291237.html
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Why Did I Waste my Time?
I can't remember the last time I listened to traditional radio for anything. Most people don't seem to know or care how many stations nationwide are owned by monopolies like Clear Channel. Drive coast-to-coast, and you'll be asailed with endless playings of Knowles, Rhianna, Taylor Swift, Carey Underwood, or whatever other flavor is hot. And talk radio is basically Limbaugh, Hannity, Neal Bortz, and Liddy broadcast coast-to-coast. Boring and irritating. - Original Message - From: B Smith daikaij...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 10:20:06 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Why Did I Waste my Time? Give the Foreign Exchange a listen. Phonte, Muhsinah and Darien Brockinton tear those songs up and Nicolay's production is just great. Too bad traditional rb radio doesn't have room for acts like them to receive airplay. --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... wrote: You are right and that isn't a knock against Knowles. She's a good singer, a better performer, and deserves everything she's earned. I just hate an industry that relegates the likes of Arie and Chapman to the shadows, but that's the way of all the big entertainment biz, movies and music. I think what scares me is, when I was younger, we all watched stuff like Solid Gold, Thanks for the tip on Mushinah, that's a new one to me. - Original Message - From: B Smith daikaij...@... To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 9:21:57 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Why Did I Waste my Time? Not many folks are in the class you mentioned but she brings a different vibe and her concerts are awesome. She's a complete performer and has mastered the art of stagecraft. She actually sings live with a band which puts her head and shoulders above a ton of her contemparies and can stretch her boundaries. Like I said earlier I was floored when she went full on rock goddess with that cover of You Oughta Know. As far as India.Arie goes I felt terrible for her that night. She's won several Grammys since then but she seemed so hurt. BTW I think the inverse was true this year. She was one of the weaker nominees in the category she won. The Foreign Exchange's sublime Daykeeper was my favorite song of the bunch. The album Leave It All Behind was one of the best I've heard in a long time. Check them out: http://www.theforeignexchangemusic.com/index.php If you like India you might like Mushinah the female vocalist featured on Daykeeper. She's great. --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ wrote: I think Knowles is very solid as a performer, but not the best singer around. i wouldn't even discuss her vocal talents in the same sentence as Aretha Franklin, Patti LeBelle, Oleta Adams, india arie (whose overall skill in singing, writing, and guitar are way more precious than a pretty face and short dresses), Tracy Chapman (ditto), Vesta. I look at her as the ultimate pop idol, and that's just fine for pop music. I just tire of it, the way I do too much sugar. I didn't notice Pink's face, was she that obviously ticked? My wife says she read blogs from some Swift fans, and even they conceded she's not a good singer live. But, they say, her albums are great due to production value, and she sounds really good on them! They also tout her lyrics, which supposedly capture the essence of whatever it is white (my word) girls that age feel. To hear them tell it, she's some kind of cute Bob Dylan for the O.C. crowd. I think you're right: West's tirade built up sympathy for Swift, and her cuteness, blonde hair, and pixie like features just made everyone go awww! she's so cute! and they lost their ever-loving minds. The Grammy's have done this before, some would say often, which is why they're not always taken seriously. I personally like Alicia Keys, but, after hearing her debut album, thought she in no way deserved all the Grammy's she got the year india.arie was shutout. Arie's music was much more layered, more organic, more impactful.I mean, how can you ignore songs that tell women and blacks to celebrate themselves? Granted my analogy is flawed: Keys is actually tremendously talented! - Original Message - From: B Smith daikaiju66@ To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 5:49:10 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Why Did I Waste my Time? I mostly agree but I did mark out a bit when Beyonce ripped into a cover of Alanis Morrisette's You Oughta Know. I used to scoff at the attention Beyonce gets but the woman brings it. Her performances are incredible and she is has been consistently putting out solid albums on her own
[scifinoir2] Precious Among Big Oscar Nominees
Props to Lee Daniels, Monique, and Gabourey Sadibe for their Oscar nominations for Precious. But, ten movies nominated for Best Picture? Wow, that just let everything in. I mean, I know Avatar is a great *looking* film, but is it a great film in toto: acting, writing, plotting? I guess this dovetails with the conversation about crowd-fav Taylor Swift getting all those awards. The Academy is desperate to get more viewers for its show, so they've opened up the Best Picture category in hopes that it will generate more buzz. Hell, if they're going to let this many in, maybe I need to grab a vid cam and slap something together for next year. http://www.imdb.com/features/rto/2010/oscars
Re: [scifinoir2] Syfy Picks Up Merlin, but Can't Dr Who?
Tracey, when i posted about this last year, I asked you and the group if anyone had watched "Merlin". I remember a decidedly loud silence. I can't remember if even you had given it a try, and you and I try to give everything a try. I found it to be harmless but slight, and not worth following. But Dr. Who...So I agree with you. I continue to be puzzled by SyFy's programming decisions. But you know, after they dropped "The Dresden Files", brought in wrestling, and ran an all-day "Mork and Mindy" marathon last year, we should have realized once and for all they are just about the lowest common denominator of quick ratings and cheap programming. They're like the Fox News of scifi...Speaking of which, I'm surprised SyFy hasn't cobbled together a news/entertainment show. I think it'd actually be a good idea to have a half hour show airing interviews, reports at cons and the like (like G4 used to be). But of course they'd stack it with a bunch of model teleprompt readers and dudes straight out of the gym. So maybe it's not a good idea after all...- Original Message -From: "Tracey de Morsella" tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.comTo: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.comSent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 11:05:24 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada EasternSubject: [scifinoir2] Syfy Picks Up Merlin, but Can't Dr Who? The BBC series didn’t exactly bring “magical” ratings to NBC during its short run last summer but Merlin’s second season will still be seen here in the states. Merlin follows the life of the legendary wizard in early adulthood, living in the court of King Uther, Arthur’s father. The series stars Colin Morgan as Merlin, Bradley James as Prince Arthur, Anthony Head as King Uther, Katie McGrath as Morgana, Angel Coulby as Gwen, Richard Wilson as Gaius, and John Hurt as the voice of the Great Dragon. A production of BBC One, Merlin has been a big enough success in the UK to be renewed for seasons two and three. NBC picked up the supernatural show and decided to run the first season during the summer of 2009. The ratings weren’t very good and the network has been mum on any plans to bring it back. Now, there’s word that Merlin is indeed coming back to the US — but not on NBC. Word is that Syfy (also owned by NBC Universal) will begin airing season two of Merlin on Friday, April 2nd; paired with the returning Stargate Universe. If you need a refresher on season one, Syfy will be airing the episodes during an all-day marathon on March 28th. You can also purchase the official DVD release but that won’t hit stores until April 20th. It’s a five-disc set and will contain all 13 episodes as well as two hours of extras that will include video diaries and a featurette. http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/merlin-cancelled-season-two-coming/
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: The Help Haiti Didn't Receive
oh god lmao!! is it very conservative where you live? One reason i like living in Atlanta is that, despite the obvious conservative nature of the overall region, Atlanta is a liberal city in many ways. It's also a diverse city where being black doesn't stand out, as much of the power structure here is run by blacks. Atlanta has one of the largest gay populations in the country (for good or ill, depending on your view; i celebrate the diversity). So while I get lots of attacks when I drop letters to the editor in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, i also get lots of support. I don't think i could live in a community where I was in the minority, literally or figuratively. It's one slight hesitation I have about Austin, Texas, which I love, and which is on the list of a the possible next home. Great city, great culture, great IT jobs, liberal, but a relatively small black population. - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 11:22:26 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: The Help Haiti Didn't Receive Thing is, it was suggested that I set up a separate e-mail address for those who want to reach out and touch me: ravena...@gmail.com I have already been told that I am a lazy, fat, crack addict who should stop sponging off hard-working Americans and become a Republican. But, hey, who can't take constructive criticism? ~rave! --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... wrote: Great article, great point, and congrats! How do I set about to argue with you there, like I often do here? :) - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravena...@... To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 9:51:02 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] The Help Haiti Didn't Receive My first column as a new Community Columnist for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/83291237.html
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Alba Making Effort to Embrace Latina Heritage
Yeah, i get a chuckle out of Vergera having to die her hair black. As an aside, back to my recent posts on what passes for beauty in mainstream society, I am amazed that on most (mainstream) lists (Maxim, etc), the likes of Jessica Alba is put *ahead* of Vergera consistently in terms of beauty. In what universe is the slim alba finer than the oh-so-Latina Vergera? Damn!! - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 1:18:29 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Alba Making Effort to Embrace Latina Heritage This is not unusual. Neither of the two female leads on Ugly Betty speak Spanish. A Hispanic co-worker of mine, who was born in America, likes to tell the story about his Milwaukee induction into the Army. The drill sergeant came up to him and asked him for his name. Jose Hernandez, sir! Jose, the sergeant continued, I bet you are not from around here. No, sir! Jose affirmed. I bet you were born SOUTH of here, the sergeant asserted confidently. Yes, sir! Tell these men where were you born, Mr. Hernandez! Chicago, sir! I said all that to say this. Jose did not grow up speaking Spanish but, in the ten years I have known him he has become more and more Hispanic. He accentuates his pronunciation of Spanish names and words. For instance, when I met him he was HO-sey. Now he is ho-SAY. I thought about this thread when I saw Ashton Kutcher flogging his new movie Valentine's Day and he brought along a clip featuring him and a very blond Jessica Alba. I thought, Must be nice to play both sides of the street like that. Ironically, race being the conundrum it is, natural blonde Sophia Vergera (Modern Family), who speaks fluent Spanish and has a speaks with a noticeable Spanish accent, had to die her natural hair black in order to get television and movie roles in America. So it goes. ~rave! --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... wrote: I guess that's the blessing and curse of living in a heterogeneous society: it's easy, perhaps even expected, to succeed without having to hold on to all aspects of one's cultural heritage. I went to school with a lot of Mexicans back in Texas, and many of them couldn't speak Spanish. (Typically at that time it was those who tried very hard to assimilate, only dating white people, mispronouncing their Spanish names with Anglicized pronounciations). Some even denied they were Mexican when asked. I can recall friends of both genders dealing with parents who insisted they not speak Spanish, and who pushed them toward marrying whites--or at the least, light-skinned Mexicans who also had left that part of their heritage behind. There was a clear schism between those Mexicans who embraced their heritage, and those who didn't, whom their fellows derided as trying to be white. Whether they were or not, it's always made me a little sad at people who can no longer speak the language of their ancestors, or who know little about their non-white, non-American heritage when those things are there for the taking. I guess as a black man whose link to much of my history is severed, I've always had a feeling of How could you *not* embrace your heritage? I can recall many times in high school and college when whites would have long discussions about their ancestry, tracing their family lines back to England, Scotland, Ireland, etc. I used to hate when they'd turn to me for my genealogy. Far as I could get was Louisiana, and mutter some vagueness about the general part of West Africa that was my likely origin. How, i've always wondered, can people who have such wealth of knowledge right in front of them *not* pursue it? I guess some cynics will say Alba's only doing this for monetary gain: so she can access a new stream of movies and stuff, the same way some feel Jennifer Lopez started embracing her Latina heritage fully once Latin music became popular and lucrative in the States. (Some said the same about Racque Welch exploring her Latin roots in recent years). Hopefully she just genuinely wants to explore a part of her makeup that's heretofore been neglected. Maybe she can give Tiger Woods a call. :) * http://blog.taragana.com/e/2010/01/30/alba-gets-serious-about-spanish-85683/ JESSICA ALBA is taking Spanish lessons , so she can sign up for Latin movies and feel more confident when talking about her Mexican heritage. The actress admits she confused a lot of journalists when she first became a star - because she looked Latino but couldn’t speak the language. Her lack of Spanish led to criticism and suggestions she wasn’t a true Latina - something that really upset the Fantastic Four star. She tells Siempre Mujer magazine, “I didn’t want to misrepresent Latinos and I didn’t know how
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: The Help Haiti Didn't Receive
Segregated, but not mostly white? - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 3:22:40 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: The Help Haiti Didn't Receive According the United States government, Milwaukee County is the most segregated county in America. I often refer to the City of Milwaukee as the black township of Milwaukee County. ~(no)rave! --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... wrote: oh god lmao!! is it very conservative where you live? One reason i like living in Atlanta is that, despite the obvious conservative nature of the overall region, Atlanta is a liberal city in many ways. It's also a diverse city where being black doesn't stand out, as much of the power structure here is run by blacks. Atlanta has one of the largest gay populations in the country (for good or ill, depending on your view; i celebrate the diversity). So while I get lots of attacks when I drop letters to the editor in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, i also get lots of support. I don't think i could live in a community where I was in the minority, literally or figuratively. It's one slight hesitation I have about Austin, Texas, which I love, and which is on the list of a the possible next home. Great city, great culture, great IT jobs, liberal, but a relatively small black population. - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravena...@... To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 11:22:26 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: The Help Haiti Didn't Receive Thing is, it was suggested that I set up a separate e-mail address for those who want to reach out and touch me: ravena...@... I have already been told that I am a lazy, fat, crack addict who should stop sponging off hard-working Americans and become a Republican. But, hey, who can't take constructive criticism? ~rave! --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ wrote: Great article, great point, and congrats! How do I set about to argue with you there, like I often do here? :) - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravenadal@ To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 9:51:02 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] The Help Haiti Didn't Receive My first column as a new Community Columnist for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/83291237.html
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Why Did I Waste my Time?
I listen to NPR, Clark Howard, and the Tom Joyner Morning Show on the car and home radios, and on my iPod. Just as often, I stream all of them online. Other than that, there's very little time I use the radio either. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 3:26:17 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Why Did I Waste my Time? Keith, I threw away my radio nine years ago. The only time I hear one is when I walk into the kitchen, where my mother's is playing all day long, the same 250 classic RB songs over and over. If it wasn't for downloaded music, I would've popped a gasket years ago. Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon
Ha-ha, good point! - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 3:35:30 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon They're gonna have to reboot Damage Control, to fix this all afterward. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 14:09:38 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon Yeah, the Blackest Night series is pretty good. Black Panther is really good too. I like the way they've really focused on T'Challa the genius and master strategist. Like Batman, T'Challa is dangerous not just because of his formidable fighting ability, but because he plans for every contingency. He has plans within plans, researches his enemies before taking them on, and has a network of people to help him in need. Doom's robots nearly killed T'Challa recently, which is why he's no longer Black Panther, but he and his sis are ready for battle. Siege...Doomwar...Secret Warriors (Nick Fury and loyal ex-SHIELD taking on HYDRA and Osborn)...it's gonna get really wild if Marvel intends to wrap all this up by April! - Original Message - From: George Arterberry brotherfromhow...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 5:27:24 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon I'm jumping back into comics after a very very long layoff. I'm getting into Blackest Night in Green Lantern The Green Lantern Corps. I bought the last BP , that foretold DoomWar so, I'm there. From: Augustus Augustus jazzynupe_...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Mon, February 1, 2010 7:13:02 PM Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon Keith, I am with you on most of it my friend. Although, I am one of those fans who will not, WILL NOT, but cross titles just 2 follow a story line. I am not going 2 do it. Besides, they always pull it back to the main book anyway. Civil War was simply brilliant! And I am waiting on the battle between HAMMER and Asgard. I have the first 2 issues of Siege, but I am going 2 hold off on reading them until I finish my DC JSA vs. Kobra mini-series. I am reading book 4 out of 6 right now. Let me ask u this, have u gotten into the New X-Force? The fact that they have a mutant team that Wolverine leads that actually gets down and dirty and kill! AS long as they do not mess with this title, I will continue 2 be loyal 2 it. Also finishing up Green Lanther's Blackest Night. Kool mag also. Fate. --- On Mon, 2/1/10, Martin Baxter truthseeker013@ hotmail.com wrote: From: Martin Baxter truthseeker013@ hotmail.com Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon To: SciFiNoir2 scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Date: Monday, February 1, 2010, 4:02 PM Man, have I missed a few million things... If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com From: KeithBJohnson@ comcast.net Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 07:50:10 + Subject: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon Anyone else still follow Marvel Comics? For the last 2-3 years, I've been following best as I can several major events shaking up the MU. There was the Avengers Disassembled, where the Avengers were decimated due to the Scarlet Witch's breakdown. That was followed by House of M, where the Witch reshaped reality into one dominated by mutants, then restored reality, only to remove the mutant abilities of ninety-nine percent of the world's mutants. Then there was the Civil War, where Iron Man and Captain America fought over a government order for heroes to register as agents. That culminated in Cap's death and the ascenion of Iron Man to lead SHIELD. And that was followed by Invasion, where it was revealed the Skrulls had for years replaced key heroes, leaders and villains on Earth. They got within a hair's breadth of conquering Earth, but lost. The fallout from that saw Iron Man disgraced, and the new hero of the day as Norman Osborn, who know leads SHIELD's replacement HAMMER, as well as the Avengers. Now we have the Dark books, as Osborn and his criminal cohorts control things, but a growing resistance of heroes are gathering to fight them. Meanwhile, Thor and the Asgardians have defeated Ragnarok and are back from Limbo, but are now preparing to do battle with Dr. Doom, who
Re: [scifinoir2] Xmen question
In the original Handbook, it was posited that Magneto might be living proof of a Unified Field Theory, because he could do things that weren't strictly related to manipulation of metal. Mags is one of the Marvel characters whose power i'd like to have were such a thing possible. It's range of uses, offensive/defensive capabilities, and sheer power are impressive. Others whose abilities I covet would include Storm (that lightning/tornadic wind ability is devastating), Graviton (like Magneto, vastly powerful, and able to warp spacetime due to his power), and Sue Storm (that forcefield power has way more potential than shown even to this point) - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 3:50:47 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Xmen question Mr Worf, the question's been answered several time sover, but I can't help but wonder, as a physicist, why Mags can't manipulate his eyebeams in some fashion. If the Theory of Everything that's been posited by studies holds true, then Mags' magnetic powers should be able to do something with them. But then, it's something I've never considered, being more an FF fan than an X-fan. Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Xmen question
My bad, should have said Susan Storm-Richards, Reed Richards' wife, aka The Invisible Woman. Her maiden name is Storm. As you may know, back when the FF debuted in the '60s, Susan was portrayed as a typical woman of the time, as written by men: a shrinking violet, prone to hysterics, not that bright, leaning on her man for guidance. If you can ever read some of the old comics or see the great 'toon from that time, you'll laugh/groan at how many times she yells Oh Reed! What do we do? In the first comics, all Sue could do was turn invisible, which basically made her a weak woman who'd hide in times of danger, then nervously take on the bad guys in that state. Later on she was given a forcefield, but even then she'd basically cower behind it as the bad guys attacked, waiting for Reed's instructions. However, during John Byrnes great 80's run on the FF, Sue was taken over by a malevolent being called Malice, which turned her into an aggressive, hate filled person. The struggle to overcome and defeat the possession resulted in her emerging more confident and independent. She changed her name from the Invisible Girl to the Invisible Woman, and began using her forcefield in more offensive ways rather than just as a shield. There is one comic in which she is taking on Dr. Doom on a ship of his, and snarls Doom! Tell me what I want to know or I'll tear this place apart. Doom replies, Indeed, you might be able to do so. I am forced to admit that you, who've I've long regarded as the weakest member of your team, may well be the most powerful. It is now accepted that Susan is indeed the most powerful member of the FF. With her forcefield, she could trap, suffocate, crush, squeeze, decapitate, hurl, eviscerate her fellows pretty quickly. As times have changed and women are treated with more balance, writers have also made Sue an intelligent, confident businesswoman, as well as a capable fighter and team leader in the FF. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 6:33:13 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Xmen question Who is Sue Storm? On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 3:29 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: In the original Handbook, it was posited that Magneto might be living proof of a Unified Field Theory, because he could do things that weren't strictly related to manipulation of metal. Mags is one of the Marvel characters whose power i'd like to have were such a thing possible. It's range of uses, offensive/defensive capabilities, and sheer power are impressive. Others whose abilities I covet would include Storm (that lightning/tornadic wind ability is devastating), Graviton (like Magneto, vastly powerful, and able to warp spacetime due to his power), and Sue Storm (that forcefield power has way more potential than shown even to this point) - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 3:50:47 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Xmen question Mr Worf, the question's been answered several time sover, but I can't help but wonder, as a physicist, why Mags can't manipulate his eyebeams in some fashion. If the Theory of Everything that's been posited by studies holds true, then Mags' magnetic powers should be able to do something with them. But then, it's something I've never considered, being more an FF fan than an X-fan. Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up now. -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] Xmen question
Oh yeah, Cairea the Oldstrong. Well, she was up there with Hulk while his powers were still depleted, but by the time he was back to full strength, he was way stronger. Still, that clash between them, when she channeled the planet's power into that blow against him, was awesome! I think Storm has been portrayed pretty strongly over the years. She quickly became a leader of the X-Men. Janet Van Dyne--the Wasp--saw a major change in her character. She went from being a silly socialite who was pushed around and ultimately abused by Hank Pym, to a confident woman who became an effective leader of the Avengers. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 7:36:44 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Xmen question I always believed that women have been portrayed as underpowered in comics and still are. Even women with equal power end up being portayed as weaker. The only exception is planet Hulk. The Red King's bodyguard is just as powerful as hulk and has fighting skills and psyonic powers. On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 3:52 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: My bad, should have said Susan Storm-Richards, Reed Richards' wife, aka The Invisible Woman. Her maiden name is Storm. As you may know, back when the FF debuted in the '60s, Susan was portrayed as a typical woman of the time, as written by men: a shrinking violet, prone to hysterics, not that bright, leaning on her man for guidance. If you can ever read some of the old comics or see the great 'toon from that time, you'll laugh/groan at how many times she yells Oh Reed! What do we do? In the first comics, all Sue could do was turn invisible, which basically made her a weak woman who'd hide in times of danger, then nervously take on the bad guys in that state. Later on she was given a forcefield, but even then she'd basically cower behind it as the bad guys attacked, waiting for Reed's instructions. However, during John Byrnes great 80's run on the FF, Sue was taken over by a malevolent being called Malice, which turned her into an aggressive, hate filled person. The struggle to overcome and defeat the possession resulted in her emerging more confident and independent. She changed her name from the Invisible Girl to the Invisible Woman, and began using her forcefield in more offensive ways rather than just as a shield. There is one comic in which she is taking on Dr. Doom on a ship of his, and snarls Doom! Tell me what I want to know or I'll tear this place apart. Doom replies, Indeed, you might be able to do so. I am forced to admit that you, who've I've long regarded as the weakest member of your team, may well be the most powerful. It is now accepted that Susan is indeed the most powerful member of the FF. With her forcefield, she could trap, suffocate, crush, squeeze, decapitate, hurl, eviscerate her fellows pretty quickly. As times have changed and women are treated with more balance, writers have also made Sue an intelligent, confident businesswoman, as well as a capable fighter and team leader in the FF. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 6:33:13 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Xmen question Who is Sue Storm? On Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 3:29 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: In the original Handbook, it was posited that Magneto might be living proof of a Unified Field Theory, because he could do things that weren't strictly related to manipulation of metal. Mags is one of the Marvel characters whose power i'd like to have were such a thing possible. It's range of uses, offensive/defensive capabilities, and sheer power are impressive. Others whose abilities I covet would include Storm (that lightning/tornadic wind ability is devastating), Graviton (like Magneto, vastly powerful, and able to warp spacetime due to his power), and Sue Storm (that forcefield power has way more potential than shown even to this point) - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 3:50:47 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Xmen question Mr Worf, the question's been answered several time sover, but I can't help but wonder, as a physicist, why Mags can't manipulate his eyebeams in some fashion. If the Theory of Everything that's been posited by studies holds true, then Mags' magnetic powers should be able to do something with them. But then, it's something I've never considered, being more an FF fan than an X-fan. Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up now. -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany
Re: [scifinoir2] The movie Meteor Storm
And that's the best we get: not bad. That is sad. I listen to a couple of scifi podcasts weekly, and one recently was discussing the movie I keep plugging, Dog Soldiers. Good reviews all around for what is not a SyFy Original, but one of the best movies they've ever aired. - Original Message - From: Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 3:58:14 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] The movie Meteor Storm I saw one the other week. It was not great, but the acting was okay and the script was passable. Even reviewers said it was surprisingly good for scifi Android Apocalypse It was not good, but it was not intolerably bad. So on a sliding scale, it was not bad. But again, extremely cheap From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 11:32 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] The movie Meteor Storm But why would a meteorite already underwater tuned birds in to rocks in the upper atmosphere? dude what a funny movie! Of course, i'd like to get a SyFy Original that's *good*, not camp! - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 2:28:10 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] The movie Meteor Storm Yea I laughed at that too. Their explanation was that there was already a meteorite at the bottom of the bay. So the birds may have that ability from back then. The worst scene was the bridge scene. The bridge was completely empty but for drama they added in traffic. Not only that but the people in the traffic ran back across the bridge (same thing in the xmen2 movie) toward San Francisco when they were more than 3/4 of the way across! Hilarious! On Sun, Jan 31, 2010 at 11:18 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: I caught its re-airing at 1 am, and laughed at it, it was so bad. For starters, did you see the dopey kid say Look at the birds? They then show a shot of birds fleeing the area. Look, I know animals have senses about things such as impending storms and maybe even earthquakes, but meteorites? How the hell could birds have sensed meteorites that were still in space at the time?! Did you recognize the blonde lady playing the main scientist? That's actress Kari Matchett, who played actor Eddie Cibrian's ex-wife on the short-lived scifi series Invasion. She also plays actor Timothy Hutton's ex-wife on the series Leverage. Can figure out what it is about her. I'm not at all into slim blondes, but she has a cuteness factor for some reason. Maybe it's the dimples when she smiles? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 12:58:45 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] The movie Meteor Storm Tonight I watched the movie Meteor storm tonight. This movie was about a freak meteor shower that turned out to be a the beginnings of a large asteroid that is aimed at San Francisco. Several land marks were destroyed including Alcatraz. The effects in the movie weren't the best, but it was kind of fun to watch anyway. One thing that was hilarious in the movie was whoever wrote the movie had a serious problem with cellphones in San Francisco. A definite reoccurring theme. You gotta love that. I think that I am learning something from these bad movies. How to shoot something really cheaply. -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] The movie Meteor Storm
If you really examine the routes people take in many movies, you find they meander and wander around. It helps to add all the suspense to the plot, and the producers assume most people outside of locals would have any clue as to whether the route is the best one or not. A few years ago I watched an airing of one of my fav movies of all time on late night TV, The Warriors. I think it was on TNT. The guy hosting the showing had a bunch of maps of the NYC streets and subways. At every commercial break, he used the maps to question the logic of the paths the Warriors were taken in their flight back to Coney Island. He kept showing how they were skipping obvious shortcuts, taking the long way around parks and stuff, putting themselves directly into hostile territories, like that of the crazed lesbian gang, or the nutso baseball gang. Or, he'd show how they were able to get on trains that wouldn't be running along the route they seemed to be taking! It was great fun. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 4:16:18 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] The movie Meteor Storm Motorcycles work well on the freeway because you can maneuver between lanes in California. Also they can ride in the carpool lane but the silly thing was the route he took to the bridge. Most of the film was shot in the same neighborhood so in theory it would have taken him about 10 minutes to get to the bridge, but he took the least direct routes to go anywhere in the movie. Another thing that always ticks me off is the people that leave to go rescue someone without any transportation. Also the reporter character. If you see a big chunk of building fall in front of you do you stay put? On Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 12:33 AM, Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com wrote: The Golden Gate bridge was almost empty and the sister was complaining about traffic. That was really bad. I got that about the guy on the motorcycle, but I still do not think that would be the primary way to get to people quickly. It’s like they were never really trying. What is upsetting me is that they are now using actors, who are not necessarily on their way out and this is their last stop. They are now using actors who work for this trash From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Mr. Worf Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 11:01 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] The movie Meteor Storm The guy on the motorcycle worked for emergency services but was ex-military. he was husband to the scientist that was studying the meteors. The science behind the movie was hilarious. Element 121! They also did some night time shots at Pier 39 in San Francisco with people walking in the background and in a building that was a movie prop location that was used in Dirty Harry. (That was an actual quote from the script!) Majority of the scenes were shot on Sunday mornings. You can tell by the absolute lack of traffic. If they wanted realism of people evacuating the city, all they had to do was shoot during rush hour. On Sun, Jan 31, 2010 at 10:44 PM, Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com wrote: A set for the place they are headquarter in, a motorcycle, street scenes, a parked helicopter and permission to shoot around Alcatraz… yup really cheap I do not usually watch scifi channel movies, but for some reason I decided to try this one out. I did not do so well. I kept changing stations. One thing I noticed is how they kept driving places, sometimes on motorcycles to rescue people who were aware that the sky was falling. I’m scratching my head… Perhaps I misinterpreted this. Either way, I assume that based on the volume of production, these low budget is a successful, but I can’t imagine who would bother to watch. There not FX, not sex, little fight scenes… What gives? From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Mr. Worf Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 9:59 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: [scifinoir2] The movie Meteor Storm Tonight I watched the movie Meteor storm tonight. This movie was about a freak meteor shower that turned out to be a the beginnings of a large asteroid that is aimed at San Francisco. Several land marks were destroyed including Alcatraz. The effects in the movie weren't the best, but it was kind of fun to watch anyway. One thing that was hilarious in the movie was whoever wrote the movie had a serious problem with cellphones in San Francisco. A definite reoccurring theme. You gotta love that. I think that I am learning something from these bad movies. How to shoot something really cheaply. -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at:
Re: [scifinoir2] Chemistry Creates Self-Stirring Liquids
this is great stuff! Everytime you dare to think humanity has discovered everything there is to know, we keep seeing the universe in new ways. Dare I hope controlled fusion, FTL travel, and handheld laser weapons are around the corner? And the flying cars--where are the flying cars?! - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 5:43:21 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Chemistry Creates Self-Stirring Liquids Chemistry Creates Self-Stirring Liquids • By Laura Sanders, Science News Email Author • January 29, 2010 | • 5:09 pm | • Categories: Physics • chemical_mixing In a tail wagging the dog reversal, researchers have found that simple chemical reactions can mix a solution. Usually, chemicals are stirred to enhance a reaction, but a new study finds that the reverse is also true: Simple chemical reactions can trigger fluid flows, reports a paper in the January 29 Physical Review Letters. sciencenewsThe research has implications for many chemical reactions, including those inside stars or when carbon dioxide stored deep in the earth encounters water, says study coauthor Anne De Wit of the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium. De Wit and her colleagues wondered what would happen to fluid flows if the reacting liquids were left alone and not stirred. The researchers watched a very simple reaction — the neutralization that occurs between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide, a common chemical base — in the absence of stirring. The researchers carefully injected the denser sodium hydroxide into a container and then added the hydrochloric acid. The sodium hydroxide stayed on the bottom and the hydrochloric acid sat on top. Where the two reactive chemicals met, the reaction’s products — table salt and water — began to form. As the salty solution formed, it crept upward and hit the lower-density acid, creating tendrils that started to mix the solution. But the same didn’t happen below the reaction line. This difference in how the reaction product interacted with each of its chemical parents drove the mixing the team observed. These asymmetrical patterns, the researchers say, distinguish mixing during a chemical reaction from what happens when two nonreactive liquids meet, which may look more like diffusion or other kinds of mixing. “These kinds of beautiful patterns can be observed with very well-known reactions,” says study coauthor Christophe Almarcha, also of the Université Libre de Bruxelles. “This is quite fascinating for someone who’s done this reaction hundreds of times.” The researchers also describe reaction-driven mixing mathematically by creating a model that predicted a pattern that looked like the real thing. The model can be tweaked to predict patterns for other chemical reactions, which would vary widely, Almarcha says. “Our little model system says ‘pay attention,’” De Wit says. “If there are reactions, then new things will happen.” For instance, if stored carbon leaches into an aquifer and starts reacting with water, “those reactions will trigger flows, which will enhance the mixture,” she says. Image and Video: C. Almarcha/Université Libre de Bruxelles See Also: • Baffling Patterns Form in Scientific Sandbox • Jellyfish Are the Dark Energy of the Oceans • Top 10 Amazing Chemistry Videos Read More http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/01/self-stirring-liquids/?utm_source=feedburnerutm_medium=feedutm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29#ixzz0eHPSDR7M -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
[scifinoir2] OT: Alba Making Effort to Embrace Latina Heritage
I guess that's the blessing and curse of living in a heterogeneous society: it's easy, perhaps even expected, to succeed without having to hold on to all aspects of one's cultural heritage. I went to school with a lot of Mexicans back in Texas, and many of them couldn't speak Spanish. (Typically at that time it was those who tried very hard to assimilate, only dating white people, mispronouncing their Spanish names with Anglicized pronounciations). Some even denied they were Mexican when asked. I can recall friends of both genders dealing with parents who insisted they not speak Spanish, and who pushed them toward marrying whites--or at the least, light-skinned Mexicans who also had left that part of their heritage behind. There was a clear schism between those Mexicans who embraced their heritage, and those who didn't, whom their fellows derided as trying to be white. Whether they were or not, it's always made me a little sad at people who can no longer speak the language of their ancestors, or who know little about their non-white, non-American heritage when those things are there for the taking. I guess as a black man whose link to much of my history is severed, I've always had a feeling of How could you *not* embrace your heritage? I can recall many times in high school and college when whites would have long discussions about their ancestry, tracing their family lines back to England, Scotland, Ireland, etc. I used to hate when they'd turn to me for my genealogy. Far as I could get was Louisiana, and mutter some vagueness about the general part of West Africa that was my likely origin. How, i've always wondered, can people who have such wealth of knowledge right in front of them *not* pursue it? I guess some cynics will say Alba's only doing this for monetary gain: so she can access a new stream of movies and stuff, the same way some feel Jennifer Lopez started embracing her Latina heritage fully once Latin music became popular and lucrative in the States. (Some said the same about Racque Welch exploring her Latin roots in recent years). Hopefully she just genuinely wants to explore a part of her makeup that's heretofore been neglected. Maybe she can give Tiger Woods a call. :) * http://blog.taragana.com/e/2010/01/30/alba-gets-serious-about-spanish-85683/ JESSICA ALBA is taking Spanish lessons , so she can sign up for Latin movies and feel more confident when talking about her Mexican heritage. The actress admits she confused a lot of journalists when she first became a star - because she looked Latino but couldn’t speak the language. Her lack of Spanish led to criticism and suggestions she wasn’t a true Latina - something that really upset the Fantastic Four star. She tells Siempre Mujer magazine, “I didn’t want to misrepresent Latinos and I didn’t know how to defend myself. But I went to my room and I cried all night. Since then, I’ve preferred not to comment on the subject. “I tried to explain to them that, in this country (America), I’m considered Latina and, thus, I consider myself Latina as well. I grew up eating enchiladas… I identify with Mexicans. It’s in my blood whether or not I speak Spanish.” And now she’s a mum, she has decided to sign up for Spanish lessons, so she and her daughter Honor can become fluent. She adds, “I know the basics, but I just hired a professor that specialises in Hispanic studies to teach me and Honor. God knows that I wish I was raised bilingual. But it wasn’t to be. “I want to make movies in Spanish… There are so many interesting themes and stories that are worth sharing, like the lives of immigrants, for example. “There’s a whole world that hasn’t been sufficiently explored and I want to be part of it - the violence on the Mexican borders, the political upheaval in Venezuela and Bolivia and the drug trafficking in Colombia.”
[scifinoir2] OT: Why Did I Waste my Time?
Lessee: Elton John looking more like Janet Reno than ever...Beyonce Knowles doing some weird overproduced musical number about being a boy, surrounded by what looked like jackbooted Robocops...Pink twirling from a rope amidst strobe lights while (un)dressed like Mila Jovovich from The Fifth Element...The Blackeyed Peas romping around on stage while giant shiny metal men do crazy step dancing...Li'l Wayne looking like...well, Li'l Wayne...almost every number replete with sensory overloading lights, smoke/fog, mirrors, and explosions...and, most outre of all-- Taylor Swift wins Album of the Year. (which will do wonders for a show trying maintain a veneer of relevance and critical importance)-- Damn--who would have guessed that the best scifi and fantasy programming on last night wasn't on SyFy, but on CBS?
Re: [scifinoir2] OT: Why Did I Waste my Time?
Yeah, I should have waited for the post-show analyses and blogs, then gone to You Tube to revisit the performances worth seeing. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 3:41:17 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] OT: Why Did I Waste my Time? Keith, can't speak to a single item in that list. All I can say is that I'm OH-so-happy that I wasted my time on the Pro Bowl. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 18:14:08 + Subject: [scifinoir2] OT: Why Did I Waste my Time? Lessee: Elton John looking more like Janet Reno than ever...Beyonce Knowles doing some weird overproduced musical number about being a boy, surrounded by what looked like jackbooted Robocops...Pink twirling from a rope amidst strobe lights while (un)dressed like Mila Jovovich from The Fifth Element...The Blackeyed Peas romping around on stage while giant shiny metal men do crazy step dancing...Li'l Wayne looking like...well, Li'l Wayne...almost every number replete with sensory overloading lights, smoke/fog, mirrors, and explosions...and, most outre of all-- Taylor Swift wins Album of the Year. (which will do wonders for a show trying maintain a veneer of relevance and critical importance)-- Damn--who would have guessed that the best scifi and fantasy programming on last night wasn't on SyFy, but on CBS? Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon
Yes indeed... I've been so focused on Marvel, i haven't read anything significant from DC in three years, other than the Blackest Light saga going on now. I've completely missed the return of Kryptonians in the Superman books (Kandorians, perhaps?), and the latest death of Bruce Wayne. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 4:02:59 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon Man, have I missed a few million things... If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 07:50:10 + Subject: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon Anyone else still follow Marvel Comics? For the last 2-3 years, I've been following best as I can several major events shaking up the MU. There was the Avengers Disassembled, where the Avengers were decimated due to the Scarlet Witch's breakdown. That was followed by House of M, where the Witch reshaped reality into one dominated by mutants, then restored reality, only to remove the mutant abilities of ninety-nine percent of the world's mutants. Then there was the Civil War, where Iron Man and Captain America fought over a government order for heroes to register as agents. That culminated in Cap's death and the ascenion of Iron Man to lead SHIELD. And that was followed by Invasion, where it was revealed the Skrulls had for years replaced key heroes, leaders and villains on Earth. They got within a hair's breadth of conquering Earth, but lost. The fallout from that saw Iron Man disgraced, and the new hero of the day as Norman Osborn, who know leads SHIELD's replacement HAMMER, as well as the Avengers. Now we have the Dark books, as Osborn and his criminal cohorts control things, but a growing resistance of heroes are gathering to fight them. Meanwhile, Thor and the Asgardians have defeated Ragnarok and are back from Limbo, but are now preparing to do battle with Dr. Doom, who along with Loki has conspired to exploit the Asgardians. As if that weren't enough, there's Siege, where Osborn has decided the Asgardians must go, and is preparing to hit Asgard with everything he's got. Oh--and let's not forget Doomwar, where Dr. Doom has been manipulating the near-death of T'Challa, and is now preparing to invade Wakanda, but is soon going to have his hands full fighting T'Challa, his sister (the new Black Panther), the FF, and Namor. Whew! The Marvel Universe is going to all sorts or turmoil, and I haven't even addressed Annihilation, War of Kings (involving the Inhumans and Cyclops' crazy brother), the great Winter Soldier storyline (the return of Bucky), the X-Men's travails, the Spidey books, or the fact that Daredevil now rules the Hand. I know the concept of the megastory, the maxiseries, and the crossover storyline has been done to death by Marvel and DC in the last few years. Many fans groan and complain at the requirement to buy several different books to follow the latest invasion or battle, and more than one fan feels the major event is just a gimmick to make people do just that: buy many titles. Often, it's felt, the events themselves are simply not that compelling. Exceptions include Crisis on Infinite Earths, Heroes Reborn/Return. But I have to say i've been caught up in Marvel's incredibly dense, far reaching, and complex storylines. I dug the Civil War, though some aspects of it were puzzling (Spidey reveals his identity to the world? Reed Richards creates a cyborg clone of Thor?) I'm liking Osborn in control, and the battle we know is coming to take care of that. I like the Black Panthers taking it to Doom. Thor has never been more interesting, and I can't wait to see what happens with Siege. Guess I'm just a sucker for the high drama. I understand that Marvel's plotted this for years, and that when the smoke from all these battles ends by April, the major books are going to go lighter, more retro. The Avengers will be less grim, and I hear more of the Marvel heroes will return to more high adventure, and less morally complex behavior. I guess the dark superhero years are coming to and end. Too bad, it's been a great ride. Though, I guess I have to remember that the lighter years still gave us things like the Kree-Skrull War, the death of Gwen Stacy, etc. Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up now.
Re: [scifinoir2] The movie Meteor Storm
Sounds as if they were bringing aspects of quantum behavior into the macro world. At least, that would help that change in attraction/repulsion with distance angle... - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 4:37:22 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] The movie Meteor Storm That's just it, it wasn't exactly magnetism but a different form of magnetism because it attracted and repelled after a certain point in time. The repelling force was greater than the attraction force. But as I said they were making up the answer as to why it was happening. On Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 1:04 PM, Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com wrote: Puh-frelling-LEEZE! Any magnetized object that powerful, and there would've been nothing with an electromagnetic field working anywhere in the Bay Area! Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now. -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] OT: Why Did I Waste my Time?
You're absolutely right. The experience is everything to me, being part of the event. It's why I still love going to the theatre for movies and plays. The only mass event in which I don't partake is American Idol. The talent there is just too awful to waste my time. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 5:24:25 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] OT: Why Did I Waste my Time? Maybe you just wanted the real-time experience. I used to, back when I liked the music of the period enough to invest the time. Haven't watched the Grammys since -- '95, I think. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 22:21:20 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] OT: Why Did I Waste my Time? Yeah, I should have waited for the post-show analyses and blogs, then gone to You Tube to revisit the performances worth seeing. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 3:41:17 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] OT: Why Did I Waste my Time? Keith, can't speak to a single item in that list. All I can say is that I'm OH-so-happy that I wasted my time on the Pro Bowl. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 18:14:08 + Subject: [scifinoir2] OT: Why Did I Waste my Time? Lessee: Elton John looking more like Janet Reno than ever...Beyonce Knowles doing some weird overproduced musical number about being a boy, surrounded by what looked like jackbooted Robocops...Pink twirling from a rope amidst strobe lights while (un)dressed like Mila Jovovich from The Fifth Element...The Blackeyed Peas romping around on stage while giant shiny metal men do crazy step dancing...Li'l Wayne looking like...well, Li'l Wayne...almost every number replete with sensory overloading lights, smoke/fog, mirrors, and explosions...and, most outre of all-- Taylor Swift wins Album of the Year. (which will do wonders for a show trying maintain a veneer of relevance and critical importance)-- Damn--who would have guessed that the best scifi and fantasy programming on last night wasn't on SyFy, but on CBS? Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now. Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now.
Re: [scifinoir2] OT: Alba Making Effort to Embrace Latina Heritage
yeah, it's a complicated thing, alright. I sometimes thank God that I can in no way, no how, pass as anything but black, and have therefore never faced the fear/temptation of doing so. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 5:30:17 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] OT: Alba Making Effort to Embrace Latina Heritage In California it is quite common to meet people of Mexican and or Central and South American heritage that do not know how to speak Spanish. It always bothered me that they would deny that part of themselves in order to pass as white. They see all of the benefits that passing brings and quickly push down that part of themselves if they have anglo features. One friend of mine calls it the banana effect. Brown on the outside, white on the inside. Its one of those topics that doesn't get discussed very often especially on a large scale. On Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 10:03 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: I guess that's the blessing and curse of living in a heterogeneous society: it's easy, perhaps even expected, to succeed without having to hold on to all aspects of one's cultural heritage. I went to school with a lot of Mexicans back in Texas, and many of them couldn't speak Spanish. (Typically at that time it was those who tried very hard to assimilate, only dating white people, mispronouncing their Spanish names with Anglicized pronounciations). Some even denied they were Mexican when asked. I can recall friends of both genders dealing with parents who insisted they not speak Spanish, and who pushed them toward marrying whites--or at the least, light-skinned Mexicans who also had left that part of their heritage behind. There was a clear schism between those Mexicans who embraced their heritage, and those who didn't, whom their fellows derided as trying to be white. Whether they were or not, it's always made me a little sad at people who can no longer speak the language of their ancestors, or who know little about their non-white, non-American heritage when those things are there for the taking. I guess as a black man whose link to much of my history is severed, I've always had a feeling of How could you *not* embrace your heritage? I can recall many times in high school and college when whites would have long discussions about their ancestry, tracing their family lines back to England, Scotland, Ireland, etc. I used to hate when they'd turn to me for my genealogy. Far as I could get was Louisiana, and mutter some vagueness about the general part of West Africa that was my likely origin. How, i've always wondered, can people who have such wealth of knowledge right in front of them *not* pursue it? I guess some cynics will say Alba's only doing this for monetary gain: so she can access a new stream of movies and stuff, the same way some feel Jennifer Lopez started embracing her Latina heritage fully once Latin music became popular and lucrative in the States. (Some said the same about Racque Welch exploring her Latin roots in recent years). Hopefully she just genuinely wants to explore a part of her makeup that's heretofore been neglected. Maybe she can give Tiger Woods a call. :) * http://blog.taragana.com/e/2010/01/30/alba-gets-serious-about-spanish-85683/ JESSICA ALBA is taking Spanish lessons , so she can sign up for Latin movies and feel more confident when talking about her Mexican heritage. The actress admits she confused a lot of journalists when she first became a star - because she looked Latino but couldn’t speak the language. Her lack of Spanish led to criticism and suggestions she wasn’t a true Latina - something that really upset the Fantastic Four star. She tells Siempre Mujer magazine, “I didn’t want to misrepresent Latinos and I didn’t know how to defend myself. But I went to my room and I cried all night. Since then, I’ve preferred not to comment on the subject. “I tried to explain to them that, in this country (America), I’m considered Latina and, thus, I consider myself Latina as well. I grew up eating enchiladas… I identify with Mexicans. It’s in my blood whether or not I speak Spanish.” And now she’s a mum, she has decided to sign up for Spanish lessons, so she and her daughter Honor can become fluent. She adds, “I know the basics, but I just hired a professor that specialises in Hispanic studies to teach me and Honor. God knows that I wish I was raised bilingual. But it wasn’t to be. “I want to make movies in Spanish… There are so many interesting themes and stories that are worth sharing, like the lives of immigrants, for example. “There’s a whole world that hasn’t been sufficiently explored and I want to be part of it - the violence on the Mexican borders, the political upheaval in Venezuela and Bolivia
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Why Did I Waste my Time?
I think Knowles is very solid as a performer, but not the best singer around. i wouldn't even discuss her vocal talents in the same sentence as Aretha Franklin, Patti LeBelle, Oleta Adams, india arie (whose overall skill in singing, writing, and guitar are way more precious than a pretty face and short dresses), Tracy Chapman (ditto), Vesta. I look at her as the ultimate pop idol, and that's just fine for pop music. I just tire of it, the way I do too much sugar. I didn't notice Pink's face, was she that obviously ticked? My wife says she read blogs from some Swift fans, and even they conceded she's not a good singer live. But, they say, her albums are great due to production value, and she sounds really good on them! They also tout her lyrics, which supposedly capture the essence of whatever it is white (my word) girls that age feel. To hear them tell it, she's some kind of cute Bob Dylan for the O.C. crowd. I think you're right: West's tirade built up sympathy for Swift, and her cuteness, blonde hair, and pixie like features just made everyone go awww! she's so cute! and they lost their ever-loving minds. The Grammy's have done this before, some would say often, which is why they're not always taken seriously. I personally like Alicia Keys, but, after hearing her debut album, thought she in no way deserved all the Grammy's she got the year india.arie was shutout. Arie's music was much more layered, more organic, more impactful.I mean, how can you ignore songs that tell women and blacks to celebrate themselves? Granted my analogy is flawed: Keys is actually tremendously talented! - Original Message - From: B Smith daikaij...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 5:49:10 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: OT: Why Did I Waste my Time? I mostly agree but I did mark out a bit when Beyonce ripped into a cover of Alanis Morrisette's You Oughta Know. I used to scoff at the attention Beyonce gets but the woman brings it. Her performances are incredible and she is has been consistently putting out solid albums on her own and with Destiny's Child for over a decade. I have to give her props. I was ctfu at Pink's face during the awards. You could tell she was hating on Bey and just disgusted by Taylor Swift. And on that note, Taylor Swift is not ready for primetime. Bringing Stevie Nicks out sing Rhiannon just accentuated how shallow her talents really are right now. They Kanye hatefest is ending and the backlash against her is getting pretty heavy. Kanye's little tirade was the best thing that ever happened to her. --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Martin Baxter truthseeker...@... wrote: Maybe you just wanted the real-time experience. I used to, back when I liked the music of the period enough to invest the time. Haven't watched the Grammys since -- '95, I think. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@... Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 22:21:20 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] OT: Why Did I Waste my Time? Yeah, I should have waited for the post-show analyses and blogs, then gone to You Tube to revisit the performances worth seeing. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@... To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 3:41:17 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] OT: Why Did I Waste my Time? Keith, can't speak to a single item in that list. All I can say is that I'm OH-so-happy that I wasted my time on the Pro Bowl. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@... Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 18:14:08 + Subject: [scifinoir2] OT: Why Did I Waste my Time? Lessee: Elton John looking more like Janet Reno than ever...Beyonce Knowles doing some weird overproduced musical number about being a boy, surrounded by what looked like jackbooted Robocops...Pink twirling from a rope amidst strobe lights while (un)dressed like Mila Jovovich from The Fifth Element...The Blackeyed Peas romping around on stage while giant shiny metal men do crazy step dancing...Li'l Wayne looking like...well, Li'l Wayne...almost every number replete with sensory overloading lights, smoke/fog, mirrors, and explosions...and, most outre of all-- Taylor Swift wins Album of the Year. (which will do wonders for a show trying maintain a veneer of relevance and critical importance)--
Re: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon
I've gotten out of the habit of buying books I don't usually buy just for crossovers as well. The main event books are good enough, along with summaries. I liked Civil War; it's one of those comic things that walks a fine line between the fantasy world of comics (people running around in tights acting as vigilantes with little government interference) and the real world (where such people would indeed be forced to register or arrested). Like I said, though, some of the heroes' actions surprised me. I will never buy the concept of Peter Parker unmasking himself on international television. It just wouldn't happen. Obviously it was a badly written contrivance to lead to what became the undoing of the timeline where he and MJ had been married. I haven't read X-Force yet. I seriously do have about three years of Marvel comics piled up to read. That's a lot of reading! - Original Message - From: Augustus Augustus jazzynupe_...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 7:13:02 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon Keith, I am with you on most of it my friend. Although, I am one of those fans who will not, WILL NOT, but cross titles just 2 follow a story line. I am not going 2 do it. Besides, they always pull it back to the main book anyway. Civil War was simply brilliant! And I am waiting on the battle between HAMMER and Asgard. I have the first 2 issues of Siege, but I am going 2 hold off on reading them until I finish my DC JSA vs. Kobra mini-series. I am reading book 4 out of 6 right now. Let me ask u this, have u gotten into the New X-Force? The fact that they have a mutant team that Wolverine leads that actually gets down and dirty and kill! AS long as they do not mess with this title, I will continue 2 be loyal 2 it. Also finishing up Green Lanther's Blackest Night. Kool mag also. Fate. --- On Mon, 2/1/10, Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com wrote: From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, February 1, 2010, 4:02 PM Man, have I missed a few million things... If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com From: KeithBJohnson@ comcast.net Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 07:50:10 + Subject: [scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon Anyone else still follow Marvel Comics? For the last 2-3 years, I've been following best as I can several major events shaking up the MU. There was the Avengers Disassembled, where the Avengers were decimated due to the Scarlet Witch's breakdown. That was followed by House of M, where the Witch reshaped reality into one dominated by mutants, then restored reality, only to remove the mutant abilities of ninety-nine percent of the world's mutants. Then there was the Civil War, where Iron Man and Captain America fought over a government order for heroes to register as agents. That culminated in Cap's death and the ascenion of Iron Man to lead SHIELD. And that was followed by Invasion, where it was revealed the Skrulls had for years replaced key heroes, leaders and villains on Earth. They got within a hair's breadth of conquering Earth, but lost. The fallout from that saw Iron Man disgraced, and the new hero of the day as Norman Osborn, who know leads SHIELD's replacement HAMMER, as well as the Avengers. Now we have the Dark books, as Osborn and his criminal cohorts control things, but a growing resistance of heroes are gathering to fight them. Meanwhile, Thor and the Asgardians have defeated Ragnarok and are back from Limbo, but are now preparing to do battle with Dr. Doom, who along with Loki has conspired to exploit the Asgardians. As if that weren't enough, there's Siege, where Osborn has decided the Asgardians must go, and is preparing to hit Asgard with everything he's got. Oh--and let's not forget Doomwar, where Dr. Doom has been manipulating the near-death of T'Challa, and is now preparing to invade Wakanda, but is soon going to have his hands full fighting T'Challa, his sister (the new Black Panther), the FF, and Namor. Whew! The Marvel Universe is going to all sorts or turmoil, and I haven't even addressed Annihilation, War of Kings (involving the Inhumans and Cyclops' crazy brother), the great Winter Soldier storyline (the return of Bucky), the X-Men's travails, the Spidey books, or the fact that Daredevil now rules the Hand. I know the concept of the megastory, the maxiseries, and the crossover storyline has been done to death by Marvel and DC in the last few years. Many fans groan and complain at the requirement to buy several different books
Re: [scifinoir2] OT: Alba Making Effort to Embrace Latina Heritage
No, never seen it. Was it any good? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 8:48:36 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] OT: Alba Making Effort to Embrace Latina Heritage Ever see the movie Chameleon Street? It was about a black man that impersonated different people to make more money. I think that it was mostly out of a misguided sense of black rage. Very interesting movie. here is more info: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101561/ On Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 4:32 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: yeah, it's a complicated thing, alright. I sometimes thank God that I can in no way, no how, pass as anything but black, and have therefore never faced the fear/temptation of doing so. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 5:30:17 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] OT: Alba Making Effort to Embrace Latina Heritage In California it is quite common to meet people of Mexican and or Central and South American heritage that do not know how to speak Spanish. It always bothered me that they would deny that part of themselves in order to pass as white. They see all of the benefits that passing brings and quickly push down that part of themselves if they have anglo features. One friend of mine calls it the banana effect. Brown on the outside, white on the inside. Its one of those topics that doesn't get discussed very often especially on a large scale. On Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 10:03 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: I guess that's the blessing and curse of living in a heterogeneous society: it's easy, perhaps even expected, to succeed without having to hold on to all aspects of one's cultural heritage. I went to school with a lot of Mexicans back in Texas, and many of them couldn't speak Spanish. (Typically at that time it was those who tried very hard to assimilate, only dating white people, mispronouncing their Spanish names with Anglicized pronounciations). Some even denied they were Mexican when asked. I can recall friends of both genders dealing with parents who insisted they not speak Spanish, and who pushed them toward marrying whites--or at the least, light-skinned Mexicans who also had left that part of their heritage behind. There was a clear schism between those Mexicans who embraced their heritage, and those who didn't, whom their fellows derided as trying to be white. Whether they were or not, it's always made me a little sad at people who can no longer speak the language of their ancestors, or who know little about their non-white, non-American heritage when those things are there for the taking. I guess as a black man whose link to much of my history is severed, I've always had a feeling of How could you *not* embrace your heritage? I can recall many times in high school and college when whites would have long discussions about their ancestry, tracing their family lines back to England, Scotland, Ireland, etc. I used to hate when they'd turn to me for my genealogy. Far as I could get was Louisiana, and mutter some vagueness about the general part of West Africa that was my likely origin. How, i've always wondered, can people who have such wealth of knowledge right in front of them *not* pursue it? I guess some cynics will say Alba's only doing this for monetary gain: so she can access a new stream of movies and stuff, the same way some feel Jennifer Lopez started embracing her Latina heritage fully once Latin music became popular and lucrative in the States. (Some said the same about Racque Welch exploring her Latin roots in recent years). Hopefully she just genuinely wants to explore a part of her makeup that's heretofore been neglected. Maybe she can give Tiger Woods a call. :) * http://blog.taragana.com/e/2010/01/30/alba-gets-serious-about-spanish-85683/ JESSICA ALBA is taking Spanish lessons , so she can sign up for Latin movies and feel more confident when talking about her Mexican heritage. The actress admits she confused a lot of journalists when she first became a star - because she looked Latino but couldn’t speak the language. Her lack of Spanish led to criticism and suggestions she wasn’t a true Latina - something that really upset the Fantastic Four star. She tells Siempre Mujer magazine, “I didn’t want to misrepresent Latinos and I didn’t know how to defend myself. But I went to my room and I cried all night. Since then, I’ve preferred not to comment on the subject. “I tried to explain to them that, in this country (America), I’m considered Latina and, thus, I consider myself Latina as well. I grew up eating enchiladas… I identify with Mexicans. It’s in my blood whether or not I speak
Re: [scifinoir2] Xmen question
The Marvel Handbook classified it as concussive energy; i.e., though they look like (and were inspired by) laser beams, they actually convey concussive force, not heat energy. In effect, his beams punch or bludgeon things with force, as if they were battering rams or bullets. When his beams go through an object--say, putting a hole in the side of a building--they're therefore *punching* through the building, not burning through it. The Handbook in the '80s theorized he somehow tapped into energy that consisted of gravitons forced into orbit around photons, hence, a light beam that generates force, not heat. Indeed, there was a book in which the Fantastic Four was fighting what they thought were the X-Men. Cyclops hit the Thing in the back, and the Thing says Hey, that burns!, then he thinks Waitaminute. I've been on the receiving end of Cyclops' eyebeams before, and they don't burn. Turns out it was a Skrull masquerading as Cyclops, who used an energy beam, not realizing that Cyclops' eyebeams functioned differently. As I said, they were obviously inspired by the classic ruby laser that had just come out in the '60s. Note that his beams can be blocked by ruby quartz crystal. This is similar to how laser beams can be bounced/blocked by mirrors. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 10:37:08 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Xmen question What kind of light beam comes out of Cyclop's eyes? If it is plasma couldn't Magneto control the beam? -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
[scifinoir2] Planet Hulk Animated Movie out on DVD Tuesday
Interesting, I wonder how good this will be? Anyone read Planet Hulk storyline? Check out the cool trailer: they got it right , with the exception that Hulk's opponents in the arena are robots instead of living beings. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf13JRZKspM Here's a review from Wired, which says it's not bad, but not as good or nuanced as the actual books: http://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/02/review-planet-hulk/ I read the Planet Hulk compilation last year. The story is a familiar scifi story: Hulk trapped in a strange land, forced to become a gladiator, escapes to oppose the evil emperor, becomes a hero/savior to the people. But the way it was handled was really good. Hulk's powers are reduced due to a space warp that brings him to the planet, which allows his capture and enslavement. There are some cool characters, such as Caiera, an alien from a race where some members can draw strength form the planet itself. The power is rare, which is why Caiera's ability to use it makes her the Oldstrong. and there's Korg, a member of the race of beings that the Easter Island statues are based on. This was all precipitated by Reed Richards, Tony Stark, Black Bolt, and Dr. Strange having tricked Bruce Banner into a spaceship they were using to banish him for all time. The ship missed the peaceful planet Reed had intended due to Hulk's rampage, and landed on this hellish planet instead. Good story, I really enjoyed it. That was followed by World War Hulk, where Hulk returns to Earth to get revenge on Reed and company. that was good too, but not as good as Planet Hulk. I really am intrigued to see if the cartoon can get it right, especially given the worrying lowering of the adult themes for a younger audience.
Re: [scifinoir2] Blogger: Windows 8 Set for July 2011 Release
There are places you can get an OEM copy of XP, so that if your laptop has a valid Microsoft license affixed, you can load the OEM copy. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 3:22:20 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Blogger: Windows 8 Set for July 2011 Release I'm not ina rush for the upgrade either, Tracey. I've been on XP since I got this laptop back in '06, but I'll definitely have to go up when D.X. here gives up the ghost, unless I luck out and find a place that carries XP on disc for me to roll back to. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:54:14 -0800 Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Blogger: Windows 8 Set for July 2011 Release I used to recruit for them back in the day. Back then they had a very high retention rate. Until the sky fell last year, I was left with a similar impression, but it could be just senior and middle level managers who do not start their own thing stay forever. Most of the people I meet there have been their forever, or come back. I here so few mangers quit that it is hard to more up the ladder unless a new group is being formed . God forbid you get a project cancelled. Finding another good spot up the food chain is really hard. But I also have a few friends that say never again. I know that the only thing that could probably get my husband to go in as an employee is if he got a full time gig with the experimental group. He likes working on experimental projects. I used to worry he was going to get an offer, but after the crash last year, they slashed and burned many of the experimental groups so I doubt if they will be making any more overtures any time soon. These are very strange times at Microsoft. It’s almost cannibalistic. The company is trying to redefine itself beyond windows and Office, but those groups work to undercut groups working to compete with Apple, Google,Sony, etc. So efforts to move beyond the desktop are often harmed by insiders before they even go up against would be competitor My husband just started as a consultant with the Microsoft Apple group last week. He hated Vista, but likes 7. We still run XP for our business, but he is considering switching us over to 7. I going to have to put my ear to the ground about 8. But my gut is to wait, because there seems to always be some major bug. If we move to 7, I will be in no hurry to jump to 8 From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Mr. Worf Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 7:40 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Blogger: Windows 8 Set for July 2011 Release They seem to waste a lot of their talent there. They have about a 50% turn over rate with 2 years. That number increases dramatically by year 5. The RTM dates are flexible. The problem is the info about products that are supposed to be a secret. After all of the hype about windows 7 now we find out that just a year later that they will be releasing windows 8? That is a little disappointing. On Sat, Jan 30, 2010 at 5:58 PM, Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com wrote: I guess it’s payback time for how they are laying off, reducing salaries and overworking the Microsoft crew. From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Mr. Worf Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 4:56 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Blogger: Windows 8 Set for July 2011 Release M$ is pissed! Blogger: Windows 8 Set for July 2011 Release Less than six months after the release of Windows 7, a blogger claiming to be a former Microsoft employee posted a timeline outlining the software giant's product releases schedule for the next three years. Share this Article Digg Del.icio.us Newsvine Facebook Google LinkedIn MySpace Reddit Slashdot StumbleUpon Technorati Twitter Windows Live YahooBuzz FriendFeed Print this Article Comment on this article Email this Article January 28, 2010 Lies, half-truths and distortions are commonplace when it comes to rumors of new products, product release dates and management shakeups in the software industry. CodeGuru has the latest scuttlebutt from a blogger who posted his version of Microsoft's product release timeline through 2012. If it was a practical joke, Microsoft officials aren't laughing. A man who claimed to have worked for Microsoft until mid-January posted on his blog in early December a list of upcoming, unannounced products and his guesses on when they will ship. On that list is Windows 8, which the former
Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it
I tend to think so. I think there are several good reasons why we haven't contacted intelligent extraterrestrial life. I compiled a list a while back, i'll drop it sometime. - Original Message - From: Rogue n1ro...@aol.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 8:44:48 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it No I don’t think that is corny at all. I think the same thing or thought the same thing when I was a kid. The only thing that I wonder is if there is someone on another planet somewhere out there that is wondering the same thing as we are as well. --Lavender If all truths were knowable, then all truths are in fact known. From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 12:48 AM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it Yes indeed. Whenever I go outside, no matter how cold, I can't help but take a moment to stare at the Moon and stars if there's no cloud cover. Been looking up and wondering, dreaming, wishing for as long as I can remember. When I was a wee lad of nine or so, i used to take my dad's flashlight, point it into the nighttime sky, and leave it on for a long time. I had just discovered the concept of the light year, and was absolutely fascinated by the thought that the photons from my flashlight beam would still be hurtling toward those stars decades later. Even now, corny as it may sound, i get a thrill out of thinking that one of my light particles is hurtling through space thirty-plus lightyears from me. Often I'd flash Morse code with the flashlight, in my naive youth expecting that someday some advanced alien race would catch the two or three of my photons that managed to get out to them and then interpret SOS as something meaningful! - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 6:46:54 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it Even in one of those Chicago winter?? Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Fri, 1/29/10, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: From: Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, January 29, 2010, 4:26 PM It was already cloudy here, or maybe I was just groggy from having to drive all the way up to Alpharetta in the pre-dawn cold, and just didn't notice. Nah, can't be that: i never fail to notice the moon and stars, no matter how tired i am. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker013@ hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 4:10:42 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular- -if you can see it Keith, I glimpsed the Moon this morning when I was putting the trash out for pickup, and it was a whopper then, just barely above the treetops. Despite the cold, I stood and stared. Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.
Re: [scifinoir2] The movie Meteor Storm
But why would a meteorite already underwater tuned birds in to rocks in the upper atmosphere? dude what a funny movie! Of course, i'd like to get a SyFy Original that's *good*, not camp! - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 2:28:10 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] The movie Meteor Storm Yea I laughed at that too. Their explanation was that there was already a meteorite at the bottom of the bay. So the birds may have that ability from back then. The worst scene was the bridge scene. The bridge was completely empty but for drama they added in traffic. Not only that but the people in the traffic ran back across the bridge (same thing in the xmen2 movie) toward San Francisco when they were more than 3/4 of the way across! Hilarious! On Sun, Jan 31, 2010 at 11:18 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: I caught its re-airing at 1 am, and laughed at it, it was so bad. For starters, did you see the dopey kid say Look at the birds? They then show a shot of birds fleeing the area. Look, I know animals have senses about things such as impending storms and maybe even earthquakes, but meteorites? How the hell could birds have sensed meteorites that were still in space at the time?! Did you recognize the blonde lady playing the main scientist? That's actress Kari Matchett, who played actor Eddie Cibrian's ex-wife on the short-lived scifi series Invasion. She also plays actor Timothy Hutton's ex-wife on the series Leverage. Can figure out what it is about her. I'm not at all into slim blondes, but she has a cuteness factor for some reason. Maybe it's the dimples when she smiles? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 1, 2010 12:58:45 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] The movie Meteor Storm Tonight I watched the movie Meteor storm tonight. This movie was about a freak meteor shower that turned out to be a the beginnings of a large asteroid that is aimed at San Francisco. Several land marks were destroyed including Alcatraz. The effects in the movie weren't the best, but it was kind of fun to watch anyway. One thing that was hilarious in the movie was whoever wrote the movie had a serious problem with cellphones in San Francisco. A definite reoccurring theme. You gotta love that. I think that I am learning something from these bad movies. How to shoot something really cheaply. -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
[scifinoir2] Marvel Comics' Complex Storylines coming to a Head Soon
Anyone else still follow Marvel Comics? For the last 2-3 years, I've been following best as I can several major events shaking up the MU. There was the Avengers Disassembled, where the Avengers were decimated due to the Scarlet Witch's breakdown. That was followed by House of M, where the Witch reshaped reality into one dominated by mutants, then restored reality, only to remove the mutant abilities of ninety-nine percent of the world's mutants. Then there was the Civil War, where Iron Man and Captain America fought over a government order for heroes to register as agents. That culminated in Cap's death and the ascenion of Iron Man to lead SHIELD. And that was followed by Invasion, where it was revealed the Skrulls had for years replaced key heroes, leaders and villains on Earth. They got within a hair's breadth of conquering Earth, but lost. The fallout from that saw Iron Man disgraced, and the new hero of the day as Norman Osborn, who know leads SHIELD's replacement HAMMER, as well as the Avengers. Now we have the Dark books, as Osborn and his criminal cohorts control things, but a growing resistance of heroes are gathering to fight them. Meanwhile, Thor and the Asgardians have defeated Ragnarok and are back from Limbo, but are now preparing to do battle with Dr. Doom, who along with Loki has conspired to exploit the Asgardians. As if that weren't enough, there's Siege, where Osborn has decided the Asgardians must go, and is preparing to hit Asgard with everything he's got. Oh--and let's not forget Doomwar, where Dr. Doom has been manipulating the near-death of T'Challa, and is now preparing to invade Wakanda, but is soon going to have his hands full fighting T'Challa, his sister (the new Black Panther), the FF, and Namor. Whew! The Marvel Universe is going to all sorts or turmoil, and I haven't even addressed Annihilation, War of Kings (involving the Inhumans and Cyclops' crazy brother), the great Winter Soldier storyline (the return of Bucky), the X-Men's travails, the Spidey books, or the fact that Daredevil now rules the Hand. I know the concept of the megastory, the maxiseries, and the crossover storyline has been done to death by Marvel and DC in the last few years. Many fans groan and complain at the requirement to buy several different books to follow the latest invasion or battle, and more than one fan feels the major event is just a gimmick to make people do just that: buy many titles. Often, it's felt, the events themselves are simply not that compelling. Exceptions include Crisis on Infinite Earths, Heroes Reborn/Return. But I have to say i've been caught up in Marvel's incredibly dense, far reaching, and complex storylines. I dug the Civil War, though some aspects of it were puzzling (Spidey reveals his identity to the world? Reed Richards creates a cyborg clone of Thor?) I'm liking Osborn in control, and the battle we know is coming to take care of that. I like the Black Panthers taking it to Doom. Thor has never been more interesting, and I can't wait to see what happens with Siege. Guess I'm just a sucker for the high drama. I understand that Marvel's plotted this for years, and that when the smoke from all these battles ends by April, the major books are going to go lighter, more retro. The Avengers will be less grim, and I hear more of the Marvel heroes will return to more high adventure, and less morally complex behavior. I guess the dark superhero years are coming to and end. Too bad, it's been a great ride. Though, I guess I have to remember that the lighter years still gave us things like the Kree-Skrull War, the death of Gwen Stacy, etc.
Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish
I know. Shorts for cell phones and iPhones? I get that tastes change over the generations, that succeeding eras add more violence, nudity, action, sound, etc. I get that new generations thus start out used to more FX, faster action, sometimes less plot. They become inured to the blood and gore and explicit sex my generation took as cutting edge or even shocking. But at some point quality is just quality, and the old standards just can't be replaced. For example, I love the original Star Trek series. Some of the best of that series--of any Trek--are some of the slower shows. Shows like The Conscience of the King, Charlie X, What are Little Girls Made of?, Balance of Terror. Some would say those eps don't have enough action, or that the action is too slow. I say they represent some of the finest dramatic writing and acting of any genre, and I love that. So while I can appreciate the faster action and fancier FX of Star Wars or even the first Transformers movie, there's still a large part of me that crazes good plotting and acting. I miss scifi where plot and acting is paramount to FX. I miss movies where characters actually talk a lot and take time to execute a well thought out plan before blowing up stuff. I miss films where the camera stays in one place for more than two seconds, allowing me to take a whole scene. Hell, I miss good black and white films. Sad so few directors even work in that medium nowadays. To me, gorging on the bulk of American cinema nowadays is like saying all i want to eat is a fast food meal every day of burger, fries and shake. I *love* that stuff, but I also love sitting down to a good, relaxed meal where I take time to savor the food. I think H'Wood cops out by just saying young kids need more action. Make some quality stuff and let them get a taste of something other than hamburger, and they just might like it. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 2:06:01 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish What I'm curious about is after a generation or two of super short attention spans what are they going to do to make movies in the future? On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 10:30 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Oh don't make me sad! I remember the good old shows for the important works they were at the time due to their cultural significance, then get sad when they're mined shamelessly for quick cash nowadays. Mod Squad was a seminal show for its time. I was puzzled as to why they did a remake, given the power and import of the original couldn't be recaptured in these modern times. it just came off as someone capitalizing on the name and memory of a show, but not really contributing to its significance. In the 70s, young hippie types as cops, a black man and a woman as detectives, was revolutionary. In modern times it's same old same old. Even TV shows like New York Undercover had covered that ground by the time the movie came out. I felt the same about Shaft. They just cashed in on the name, then gave us a movie where Jackson brought nothing new to the role, made nothing approaching the type of statements Roundtree was making back in the day (even of some of those statements were sexist). And it was toothless to boot, as the studio demanded they cut back on all the sexuality of Roundtree's original movies. Then what was the point...? And most of all, I still lament what Tom Cruise did to the Mission Impossible concept with his movies. I believe that was one of the first of the recent trend of remakes in name only, where the studio cashes in on the cachet of a name, then proceeds to completely butcher the original concept. The MI movies were okay (the third had lots of good action thanks to Abrams), but they were nothing like the real concept of the series. The series were about deception, planning, and teamwork. They had a lot of intelligently planned and executed missions. The movies were star vehicles centering on Cruise, with the other agents as mere assistants. It was really more a spy movie based on a single spy. I wish they'd have just created a new franchise and not sullied the memory of MI by using that great series' name. And what did they to Jim Phelps character in the first flick was unforgivable. Peter Graves--the second but most well known Jim Phelps---was aghast at that move. Yeah, yeah I know: idiot modern, younger audiences need more action. Man I get tired of that excuse. What are we producing, succeeding generations of kids with short attention spans? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 1:16:37 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish Yea the Rockford files replaced Mannix as the show to watch when I
Re: [scifinoir2] Another racist camera?
This stuff goes on all the time, and is a combination of ignorance and a type of disregard. Back in the 90s my wife and I paid a lot of money to get portraits made at a fancy place here in Atlanta called Olan Mills. Olan Mills was the place people used for weddings and other important events. Having them do your pictures indicated you had taste--and some money. We were greeted by a young white girl who proceeded to snap test shots of us. After a while it became clear she was having some trouble. Finally she said Sorry it's taking so long, but it's just harder t photograph black skin. I asked why, and she said because our skin doesn't reflect as much light. I asked a buddy (white) who is a photographer, and he agreed with her. Aside from my confusion--it would seem to me that really pale skin could be just as problematic for reflecting too much late versus the background--I was very angry. Bottom line is there's a range of skin colors in this world, and any photog worth her salt would be able to make the adjustments as needed. And even if I did buy that black skin made picture taking that much harder, my wife and I are both medium toned, not anywhere close to the blackness of, say, Wesley Snipes. I asked the girl what she'd do for really dark-skinned people, and she obliviously replied, Oh, they're even harder! How, I wondered, did the mostly white photogs for National Geographic get those stunning pictures of Africans and Middle Easterners all those years if it was so tough? Unfortunately we'd pre-paid, so we had to suffer through the sessions. The pictures ended up looking washed out, as the girl obviously set the light too bright. I was done at that point with Olan Mills. A few years later I did family pics for my entire family as a gift. This time i spoke directly to black folk and discovered the vast majority of them use JCPenney. So I took my family there, and was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a young black girl. I asked her about the skin color thing and she laughed knowingly and said It's no more difficult than really white skin. You just have to know what you're doing. There were six of us, ranging from the light end of medium (yellow as some say), to me and my wife in the middle, to my darker-skinned brother and dad. The pics came out perfectly, everyone's skin looked great, lighting was perfect, and it took far less time than with Olan Mills. Reminded me again that some people in this world have the luxury of thinking that what they represent is the norm,and don't often pay the price for that narrow-minded world view. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 2:20:18 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Another racist camera? Face-Detection Cameras: Users' Racism Charges Explained Time.com • Buzz up! 1137 votes • Send • Email • IM • Share • Delicious • Digg • Facebook • Fark • Newsvine • Reddit • StumbleUpon • Technorati • Twitter • Yahoo! Bookmarks • Print Models show Nikon's digital camera Coolpix series, as they are unveiled in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday Aug. 30, 2007. The Coolpix P5100, black body aAP – Models show Nikon's digital camera Coolpix series, as they are unveiled in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday … By ADAM ROSE Adam Rose – Fri Jan 22, 5:45 am ET When Joz Wang and her brother bought their mom a Nikon Coolpix S630 digital camera for Mother's Day last year, they discovered what seemed to be a malfunction. Every time they took a portrait of each other smiling, a message flashed across the screen asking, Did someone blink? No one had. I thought the camera was broken! Wang, 33, recalls. But when her brother posed with his eyes open so wide that he looked bug-eyed, the messages stopped. Wang, a Taiwanese-American strategy consultant who goes by the Web handle jozjozjoz, thought it was funny that the camera had difficulties figuring out when her family had their eyes open. So she posted a photo of the blink warning on her blog under the title, Racist Camera! No, I did not blink... I'm just Asian! The post was picked up by Gizmodo and Boing Boing , and prompted at least one commenter to note, You would think that Nikon, being a Japanese company, would have designed this with Asian eyes in mind. (See Techland's top 10 gadgets of 2009.) Nikon isn't the only big brand whose consumer cameras have displayed an occasional - though clearly unintentional - bias toward Caucasian faces. Face detection , which is one of the latest intelligent technologies to trickle down to consumer cameras, is supposed to make photography more convenient. Some cameras with face detection are designed to warn you when someone blinks; others are programmed to automatically take a picture
Re: [scifinoir2] What if Actors' Roles were Switched in Sherlock Holmes?
But back to my point, is Holmes in the books as emotionally complicated as Downey's portrayal? The movies I've seen all have Holmes are more stoic than Downey. Not a Vulcan or anything, but more controlled. So, do you think Law in the role would have dictated a less demonstrative Holmes? - Original Message - From: Omari Confer clockwork...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 3:03:59 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] What if Actors' Roles were Switched in Sherlock Holmes? Law doesnt have the emotional depth to pull off Sherlock. Plain and simple. On Sat, Jan 30, 2010 at 12:14 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: After seeing the movie last Sunday, I was wondering about the casting. Downey and Law are really good, but why did Ritchie cast them that way? Law, who's taller, a bit leaner, and has a bit more of an intensely thoughtful look, would seem at first glance to be the natural choice to play Holmes. At least, he probably on the surface appears closer to the tall, lean, serious Holmes of all those movies i saw as a kid. Downey, with his shorter stature, lined, worn face, large expressive eyes, and tendency to look comical, serious,and slightly off all at once, would seem to be a good fit for a slightly comedic Watson--the guy who comments/critiques/jokes from the sidelines as the oh-so-serious Holmes goes about solving the crimes. Indeed, i can see a time before Downey's return to such lofty heights, where another director would probably think it natural to cast the dapper and handsome Law as Holmes, and the quixotic Downey as his funny sidekick. Wonder how such a movie would have turned out? Would the casting have dictated a more traditional take on the characters? Would Rithie's slight twist on the traditional movie treatments of the characters still have worked if the roles had been switched? -- READ MY BLOG http://centralheatingblog.blogspot.com STRING THEORY http://stringtheory.podbean.com
Re: [scifinoir2] What if Actors' Roles were Switched in Sherlock Holmes?
I think Depp would have been too intense and different in ways that'd have been distracting. He'd make a good Moriarity, though, if done right. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 3:13:09 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] What if Actors' Roles were Switched in Sherlock Holmes? I agree. It would have been completely different. There is something quirky about Downey that makes it work. That X factor thing. I wonder if Johnny Depp would have worked in the role? On Sat, Jan 30, 2010 at 12:03 AM, Omari Confer clockwork...@gmail.com wrote: Law doesnt have the emotional depth to pull off Sherlock. Plain and simple. On Sat, Jan 30, 2010 at 12:14 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: After seeing the movie last Sunday, I was wondering about the casting. Downey and Law are really good, but why did Ritchie cast them that way? Law, who's taller, a bit leaner, and has a bit more of an intensely thoughtful look, would seem at first glance to be the natural choice to play Holmes. At least, he probably on the surface appears closer to the tall, lean, serious Holmes of all those movies i saw as a kid. Downey, with his shorter stature, lined, worn face, large expressive eyes, and tendency to look comical, serious,and slightly off all at once, would seem to be a good fit for a slightly comedic Watson--the guy who comments/critiques/jokes from the sidelines as the oh-so-serious Holmes goes about solving the crimes. Indeed, i can see a time before Downey's return to such lofty heights, where another director would probably think it natural to cast the dapper and handsome Law as Holmes, and the quixotic Downey as his funny sidekick. Wonder how such a movie would have turned out? Would the casting have dictated a more traditional take on the characters? Would Rithie's slight twist on the traditional movie treatments of the characters still have worked if the roles had been switched? -- READ MY BLOG http://centralheatingblog.blogspot.com STRING THEORY http://stringtheory.podbean.com -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] What if Actors' Roles were Switched in Sherlock Holmes?
Thanks for the info. It's been years since I've seen a movie about Holmes. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 3:20:58 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] What if Actors' Roles were Switched in Sherlock Holmes? Keith, I've always been able to see Holmes' emotional complexity, regardless of medium. He craves a challenge to drive him forward. Without it, he stalls, and he shows his vulnerability in his addiction to cocaine. Much like Downey, which is why I cheered his casting in the role. The two are like souls, in a very real sense. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:41:36 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] What if Actors' Roles were Switched in Sherlock Holmes? But back to my point, is Holmes in the books as emotionally complicated as Downey's portrayal? The movies I've seen all have Holmes are more stoic than Downey. Not a Vulcan or anything, but more controlled. So, do you think Law in the role would have dictated a less demonstrative Holmes? - Original Message - From: Omari Confer clockwork...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 3:03:59 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] What if Actors' Roles were Switched in Sherlock Holmes? Law doesnt have the emotional depth to pull off Sherlock. Plain and simple. On Sat, Jan 30, 2010 at 12:14 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: After seeing the movie last Sunday, I was wondering about the casting. Downey and Law are really good, but why did Ritchie cast them that way? Law, who's taller, a bit leaner, and has a bit more of an intensely thoughtful look, would seem at first glance to be the natural choice to play Holmes. At least, he probably on the surface appears closer to the tall, lean, serious Holmes of all those movies i saw as a kid. Downey, with his shorter stature, lined, worn face, large expressive eyes, and tendency to look comical, serious,and slightly off all at once, would seem to be a good fit for a slightly comedic Watson--the guy who comments/critiques/jokes from the sidelines as the oh-so-serious Holmes goes about solving the crimes. Indeed, i can see a time before Downey's return to such lofty heights, where another director would probably think it natural to cast the dapper and handsome Law as Holmes, and the quixotic Downey as his funny sidekick. Wonder how such a movie would have turned out? Would the casting have dictated a more traditional take on the characters? Would Rithie's slight twist on the traditional movie treatments of the characters still have worked if the roles had been switched? -- READ MY BLOG http://centralheatingblog.blogspot.com STRING THEORY http://stringtheory.podbean.com Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish
I didn't know that about the film cost, but even with alternatives, almost no one shoots in BW nowadays. As for the effect of taking out some color, that's becoming more common. Movies like Terminator Salvation, Where the Wild Things Are, and The Book of Eli use those techniques to wash a lot of color out of the movie, leaving an overall color such as a murky grey, muted browns, etc. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 11:56:40 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish Black and white film is extremely expensive to develop now, because there are only a couple of places in the world (on a pro level) that still does it. The process uses mercury (toxic) and silver in it. $1k per 1 foot was the last quote I heard. What a lot of people are doing now is shooting in color then using Avid or Final Cut effects to make it black and white. On Sat, Jan 30, 2010 at 8:25 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: I know. Shorts for cell phones and iPhones? I get that tastes change over the generations, that succeeding eras add more violence, nudity, action, sound, etc. I get that new generations thus start out used to more FX, faster action, sometimes less plot. They become inured to the blood and gore and explicit sex my generation took as cutting edge or even shocking. But at some point quality is just quality, and the old standards just can't be replaced. For example, I love the original Star Trek series. Some of the best of that series--of any Trek--are some of the slower shows. Shows like The Conscience of the King, Charlie X, What are Little Girls Made of?, Balance of Terror. Some would say those eps don't have enough action, or that the action is too slow. I say they represent some of the finest dramatic writing and acting of any genre, and I love that. So while I can appreciate the faster action and fancier FX of Star Wars or even the first Transformers movie, there's still a large part of me that crazes good plotting and acting. I miss scifi where plot and acting is paramount to FX. I miss movies where characters actually talk a lot and take time to execute a well thought out plan before blowing up stuff. I miss films where the camera stays in one place for more than two seconds, allowing me to take a whole scene. Hell, I miss good black and white films. Sad so few directors even work in that medium nowadays. To me, gorging on the bulk of American cinema nowadays is like saying all i want to eat is a fast food meal every day of burger, fries and shake. I *love* that stuff, but I also love sitting down to a good, relaxed meal where I take time to savor the food. I think H'Wood cops out by just saying young kids need more action. Make some quality stuff and let them get a taste of something other than hamburger, and they just might like it. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 2:06:01 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish What I'm curious about is after a generation or two of super short attention spans what are they going to do to make movies in the future? On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 10:30 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Oh don't make me sad! I remember the good old shows for the important works they were at the time due to their cultural significance, then get sad when they're mined shamelessly for quick cash nowadays. Mod Squad was a seminal show for its time. I was puzzled as to why they did a remake, given the power and import of the original couldn't be recaptured in these modern times. it just came off as someone capitalizing on the name and memory of a show, but not really contributing to its significance. In the 70s, young hippie types as cops, a black man and a woman as detectives, was revolutionary. In modern times it's same old same old. Even TV shows like New York Undercover had covered that ground by the time the movie came out. I felt the same about Shaft. They just cashed in on the name, then gave us a movie where Jackson brought nothing new to the role, made nothing approaching the type of statements Roundtree was making back in the day (even of some of those statements were sexist). And it was toothless to boot, as the studio demanded they cut back on all the sexuality of Roundtree's original movies. Then what was the point...? And most of all, I still lament what Tom Cruise did to the Mission Impossible concept with his movies. I believe that was one of the first of the recent trend of remakes in name only, where the studio cashes in on the cachet of a name, then proceeds to completely butcher the original concept. The MI movies were okay (the third had lots of good action thanks to Abrams), but they were
Re: [scifinoir2] Amazon Removes Macmillan Books
And this is another reason why I will never go totally to eBooks. Like any other kind of tech, it puts you at the mercy of the content provider. If I want a book from a publisher that's got beef with another company, i can still easily go to a bookstore, or (gasp!) the library and get a hard copy. But if I'm getting everything through digital distribution and there's a problem, the provider can block my access, or even erase content already on my reader. I do not like that concept. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 12:20:21 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Amazon Removes Macmillan Books Amazon Removes Macmillan Books • Sign In to E-Mail • Print • Reprints • Share Close • Linkedin • Digg • Facebook • Mixx • MySpace • Yahoo! Buzz • Permalink • By BRAD STONE and MOTOKO RICH Published: January 30, 2010 Amazon.com has pulled books from Macmillan, one of the largest publishers in the United States, in a dispute over the pricing on e-books on the site. The publisher’s books can be purchased only from third parties on Amazon.com . A person in the industry with knowledge of the dispute, which has been brewing for a year, said Amazon was expressing its strong disagreement by temporarily removing Macmillan books. The person did not want to be quoted by name because of the sensitivity of the matter. Macmillan, like other publishers, has asked Amazon to raise the price of e-books to around $15 from $9.99. Macmillan is one of the publishers signed on to offer books to Apple, as part of its new iBookstore on the iPad tablet unveiled earlier this week. Macmillan’s imprints include Farrar, Straus Giroux, St. Martins Press and Henry Holt. Popular books, including “A Long Way Gone” by Ishmael Beah, “Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel , “Middlesex” by Jeffrey Eugenides and “Finger Lickin’ Fifteen” by Janet Evanovich , could be purchased only from third-party sellers on Friday night. Apple will allow publishers more leeway to set their own prices for e-books. Although the prices will be tethered to print book prices by a formula that will generally yield prices between $12.99 and $14.99 for most fiction and general nonfiction, that is significantly higher than $9.99 discount that Amazon offers on its Kindle . Publishers have been concerned that such pricing devalues books. Tensions between publishers and Amazon have been rising as publishers have withheld select e-book editions for several months after the release of hardcover versions of books. It is not clear yet if publishers can withhold books from Amazon while giving them to other parties like Apple. Antitrust lawyers said it could raise legal issues. Macmillan and its imprints have not yet returned requests for comment. Amazon refused comment. -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] What if Actors' Roles were Switched in Sherlock Holmes?
I disagree that stoic won't play to modern audiences, but that's a convo for another day. I already ranted about my frustration with all this modern audiences won't talk earlier. Either way, my main questions really are based on how true to the source material Ritchie's film was. I had a good time at the film, could watch it again, and look forward to a sequel. - Original Message - From: Omari Confer clockwork...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 1:03:47 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] What if Actors' Roles were Switched in Sherlock Holmes? Stoic wont play to modern audiences in the way they wanted. Unless your making a Merchat Ivory filmcomplicated is the way to go. The protag needs to be vulnerable and unstoppable.Downy is perfect. On Sat, Jan 30, 2010 at 10:41 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: But back to my point, is Holmes in the books as emotionally complicated as Downey's portrayal? The movies I've seen all have Holmes are more stoic than Downey. Not a Vulcan or anything, but more controlled. So, do you think Law in the role would have dictated a less demonstrative Holmes? - Original Message - From: Omari Confer clockwork...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 3:03:59 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] What if Actors' Roles were Switched in Sherlock Holmes? Law doesnt have the emotional depth to pull off Sherlock. Plain and simple. On Sat, Jan 30, 2010 at 12:14 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: After seeing the movie last Sunday, I was wondering about the casting. Downey and Law are really good, but why did Ritchie cast them that way? Law, who's taller, a bit leaner, and has a bit more of an intensely thoughtful look, would seem at first glance to be the natural choice to play Holmes. At least, he probably on the surface appears closer to the tall, lean, serious Holmes of all those movies i saw as a kid. Downey, with his shorter stature, lined, worn face, large expressive eyes, and tendency to look comical, serious,and slightly off all at once, would seem to be a good fit for a slightly comedic Watson--the guy who comments/critiques/jokes from the sidelines as the oh-so-serious Holmes goes about solving the crimes. Indeed, i can see a time before Downey's return to such lofty heights, where another director would probably think it natural to cast the dapper and handsome Law as Holmes, and the quixotic Downey as his funny sidekick. Wonder how such a movie would have turned out? Would the casting have dictated a more traditional take on the characters? Would Rithie's slight twist on the traditional movie treatments of the characters still have worked if the roles had been switched? -- READ MY BLOG http://centralheatingblog.blogspot.com STRING THEORY http://stringtheory.podbean.com -- READ MY BLOG http://centralheatingblog.blogspot.com STRING THEORY http://stringtheory.podbean.com
Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it
It was already cloudy here, or maybe I was just groggy from having to drive all the way up to Alpharetta in the pre-dawn cold, and just didn't notice. Nah, can't be that: i never fail to notice the moon and stars, no matter how tired i am. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 4:10:42 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it Keith, I glimpsed the Moon this morning when I was putting the trash out for pickup, and it was a whopper then, just barely above the treetops. Despite the cold, I stood and stared. Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it
Ha-ha, I hear you! From Christmas until about the second week in January, it was dipping below 20 at night both here and back home in DFW. Daytime highs sometimes not above freezing, and it was windy to boot. Way too much cold for most of us! And don't get me started on the saga of my car battery dying while I'm at home taking care of my flu-infected wife, and me having to tote it and a replacement to and from Sears, trudging half a mile each way in bone chilling cold, bearing that not insignificant weight! - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 4:37:40 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it It's 6 degrees here in Chicago...rain...Hmph! Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Fri, 1/29/10, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: From: Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net Subject: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, January 29, 2010, 3:00 PM And here it'll be cloudy and rainy tonight in the ATL... :( Oh well, it's great to read about, and I really dig the different full moon names from Native culture. * * http://news. yahoo.com/ s/space/20100129 /sc_space/ biggestandbright estfullmoonof201 0tonight http://www.space. com/spacewatch/ full-moon- names-2010- 100127.html Biggest and Brightest Full Moon of 2010 Tonight SPACE.com A full moon is seen over the Houses of Parliament in LondonReuters – A full moon is seen over the Houses of Parliament in London January 1, 2010. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez … Robert Roy Britt Editorial Director SPACE.com Robert Roy Britt editorial Director space.com – Fri Jan 29, 7:45 am ET Tonight's full moon will be the biggest and brightest full moon of the year. It offers anyone with clear skies an opportunity to identify easy-to-see features on the moon. This being the first full moon of 2010, it is also known as the wolf moon, a moniker dating back to Native American culture and the notion that hungry wolves howled at the full moon on cold winter nights. Each month brings another full moon name . But why will this moon be bigger than others? Here's how the moon works : The moon is, on average, 238,855 miles (384,400 km) from Earth. The moon's orbit around Earth – which causes it to go through all its phases once every 29.5 days – is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse. One side of the orbit is 31,070 miles (50,000 km) closer than the other. So in each orbit, the moon reaches this closest point to us, called perigee. Once or twice a year, perigee coincides with a full moon, as it will tonight, making the moon bigger and brighter than any other full moons during the year. Tonight it will be about 14 percent wider and 30 percent brighter than lesser full Moons of the year, according to Spaceweather. com . As a bonus, Mars will be just to the left of the moon tonight. Look for the reddish, star-like object. Full moon craziness Many people think full moons cause strange behavior among animals and even humans. In fact several studies over the years have tried to tie lunar phases to births, heart attacks, deaths, suicides, violence, psychiatric hospital admissions and epileptic seizures, and more. Connections have been inclusive or nonexistent. The moon does have some odd effects on our planet, and there are oodles of other amazing moon facts and misconceptions: • A full moon at perigee also brings higher ocean tides . This tug of the moon on Earth also creates tides in the planet's crust, not just in the oceans. • Beaches are more polluted during full moon, owing to the higher tides. • In reality, there's no such thing as a full moon. The full moon occurs when the sun, Earth and the moon are all lined up, almost. If they're perfectly aligned, Earth casts a shadow on the moon and there's a total lunar eclipse . So during what we call a full moon, the moon's face is actually slightly less than 100 percent illuminated. • The moon is moving away as you read this, by about 1.6 inches (4 cm) a year. The moon illusion Finally, be sure to get out and see the full moon as it rises, right around sunset. Along the horizon, the moon tends to seem even bigger. This is just an illusion. You can prove to yourself that this is an illusion. Taking a small object such as a pencil eraser, hold it at arm's length, and compare its size to that of the moon just as it rises. Then repeat the experiment later in the night and you'll see that the moon compares the same in both cases. Alternately, snap two photos of the moon, with a digital camera or your cell phone, when the moon is near the horizon and later when it's
Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish
Yeah it used to air on Saturday nights, at 9 pm CST, I believe. I used to watch it all the time. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 12:17:23 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish I forgot about Mannix! That was one of the first detective shows that I remember watching! I haven't seen any re-runs of that show though. It was on tv from 1968-75. According to wiki Gail Fisher won multiple Emmys for that show. On Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 9:07 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Not bad at all. I also liked Teresa Graves (Get Christie Love) and Gail Fisher (Mannix) - Original Message - From: Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 1:31:59 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish How come you guys never bring up Tamara Dobson (Cleopatra Jones). She sounds like she belongs in this group http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamara_Dobson From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 8:51 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish I was never enamored of Ms. Grier (sacrilege I know!), but poor Lisa Nicole Carson did it for me! Too bad she seems to be suffering from serious emotional problems. Nola Gaye, yes indeed. And let's not forget Lola Falana and Dianne Carroll. Oh--and Sofia Vergara from Modern Family. Wow, wow, wow! Halle who? - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 9:40:45 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish I've met and seen folk who look better naked and others who look great in clothes...Halle is the latter...Yeah, I know there are some who look great bothe ways...I am a school of the full-figured 60's and 70's genre No one mentioned Nola Gaye, Lisa Nicole Carson, Pam Grier (who does not need to be mentioned along with Raquel or Sophia) and a few other youngsters whom I have trouble remembering...Nope, didn't forget Tracey either (wink!)... Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Tue, 1/26/10, Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 2:48 AM --- In scifino...@yahoogro ups.com , Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ ... wrote: Rather than Berry, I humbly suggest looking up any movie with Selma Hayek in it--the dancing scene in that vampire movie alone is worth the price of ten shots of Berry's nekkid chest--this despite Hayek keeping her clothes on! Or anything that features Sanaa Lathan, she of the incredibly cute smile and dreamy eyes that just suck one in. Or anything with Gabrielle Union, face as pretty and perfect as a living doll's. Nia Long in Love Jones is just a treat to look at too --and it's a good movie to boot. I see you and raise you: ~rave! -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Tamara Dobson
I never got that sensual/animal vibe from Pam Grier. I'm not blind to
her...assets...but beyond the pure superficial physical stuff, it wasn't ever a
big deal for me.
- Original Message -
From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 12:42:15 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Tamara Dobson
Pam has a sensual/animal sexuality vibe.
Tamara was tough but loyal.
On Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 9:17 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net
wrote:
You mean she kept her clothes *on*? :)
- Original Message -
From: B Smith daikaij...@yahoo.com
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 12:42:15 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Tamara Dobson
Same here.
She had a different aura than Pam. She was beautiful but didn't seem as
accessible as Pam in some way.
--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Tracey de Morsella tdli...@... wrote:
I was sad to hear that she died. I was a fan as a kid
From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On
Behalf Of Kelwyn
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 7:31 AM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [scifinoir2] Tamara Dobson
--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Tracey de Morsella tdlists@ wrote:
How come you guys never bring up Tamara Dobson (Cleopatra Jones). She
sounds like she belongs in this group
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamara_Dobson
{{Bowing before the infinite wisdom of the Exalted List Goddess (we are not
worthy!)}} Oh my God! Tamara Dobson! I LOVE Tamara Dobson. She was a six
foot, two inch GODDESS! Ms. Dobson had such a strong grip on my psyche that
I created not one but TWO characters in homage to her: Akisha Dauphine
(Beautiful Princess) and Ashnan (the nourishing bread) Clythera (another
name for Aphrodite).
The only bitter sweet part of this reminiscence is discovering (today) that
Miss Dobson died in 2006 at age 62.
Let's pour a little wine for the Goddess who is no longer here.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/77/185554733_72e5beeebe_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/77/185554733_72e5beeebe_o.jpg
--
Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity!
Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Sherlock Holmes
Agreed, and it's not a knock against Adams. She's just a young actress who comes off as a young woman in the movie. I like her as a person, i think she's very pretty, and I think she's a good actress--just wrong for the role. What a sad world we live in when they couldn't have gotten an actress closer to Downey's own age. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 4:30:02 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: Sherlock Holmes Keith, Irene Adler, in the Holmes universe, is meant to be a woman of some years (not old, but experienced in the ways of the world), something McAdams couldn't hope to carry off. Casting works in mysterious (and incorrect) ways. Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series
Well, is this whole thing about having done it all before supposed to refer to alternative realities/possibilies, or a spiritual recycling of reality? If the latter, then that would explain away any scientific arguments--all you have to do then is believe in a god! :) - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 4:42:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series The writers ahve never seen quantum number theory in all its glory. Mind you, if they had, they'd be drooling into their water cups at the Home for the Insane. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: hellomahog...@gmail.com Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:53:03 -0800 Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series What didn't make sense was how could the same people exist over again and again? How can you have Starbuck exist multiple times with a ship of the exact same technology? That alone would be so astronomical that there isn't enough room on earth to have space for the zeros. Just the sheer randomness of the world allow us to exist. However even if you were to have the same people get together in chronological order over and over again to create you it may not happen. On Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 4:37 PM, Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com wrote: That the cycle repeats over and over again is what I was thinking From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Mr. Worf Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 4:35 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series They were saying that the original creator of the cylons was also a cylon in the original show. (Ti's wife which didn't fit.) They made it seem like it was probably something that happened or happens over and over again with humans. On Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 4:01 PM, Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com wrote: That it has happened before has got me too. I believe it is the tie in to BSG From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Mr. Worf Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 2:30 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series I think that the show is interesting. It is nice to see part of the story being told that we haven't seen before. I am wondering if they are going to explain the it has happened before dialog that keeps popping up. Also the number of the advanced units were they patterned after the gods? On Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 2:16 PM, Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com wrote: I think I might watch it. They have showed it like 15 times this week and even though I saw the DVD, I checked out the last 30 minutes and it was really good. That being said, I have a visceral response to anything remotely related to BSG and it takes a lot for me to set it aside. I went months before I saw Moore's Space show. I think there are a lot of people who feel intense negative feeling regarding BSG after being big fans. I wonder how that is going to impact on ratings? -Original Message- From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of B Smith Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 1:36 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series Three. --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Martin Baxter truthseeker...@... wrote: That's two of us, Bosco. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: ironpi...@... Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:51:13 -0800 Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series BSG ending was unforgivable. I'm boycotting this on prinicple alone. B --- On Wed, 1/27/10, Tracey de Morsella tdli...@... wrote: From: Tracey de Morsella tdli...@... Subject: [scifinoir2] 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , 'Cinq' cinque3...@..., 'glenn' ggs...@... Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 3:11 AM What do you think. I'm still smarting from BSG and a little put off that this is an original story
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series
In the last few years, I bought a house, lost my mother, my wife's mother, my sister has fought two bouts with cancer, I got a boss I despised at my old job, then lost that job because of him, spent most of a year unemployed, helped my older brother convalesce from back surgery, and had to deal with a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. Not to be depressing and all, but there were times I was pulled in so many directions, that even my years long Friday night scifi fix suffered. I catch an ep of BSG here, record one there, then just forget or get behind, never to catch back up. Also--and this is really major for me, the original fan of serious scifi--I think the BSG theme started weighing on me a bit. It's a great show with its serious tone, its dark themes. But I noticed that it always seemed i was trying to watch a recording of it at night, and the darkness of the show--literal and figurative--seemed to make me feel a bit down. I guess that's my typically long winded way of saying it was a bit heavy for me during times when i have dealt with a lot of emotional stress. Again, that's unheard for me. I kept up on the Stargates, Star Trek reruns, etc., but never got back to BSG. I think I'm at a point where I'm ready to catch up now. - Original Message - From: Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 6:47:30 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series Had I known what I know now, I probably would not have seen the Finale. Why did you miss the finale? You were one season behind right? You will probably like Caprica, because you do not have the bitter aftertaste of the finale. Lucky you. I think it’s a pretty good show. I’m a fan of Esai Morales and Eric Stolze, and they put some effort into this. Moore is not attached, as far as I know. So, despite its origins, I hope it does well Speaking of Enterprise. One storyline that surprised me in its depth was the ongoing saga with the Andorians and The captain’s evolving relationship with their leader. I really liked that From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 3:21 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series I still haven't seen the BSG finale, so maybe I'll be immune? Caprica is being shown again tonight at 11 pm EST, right after a four hour marathon of Enterprise. The first half of that is the unfortunate time travel saga after the defeat of the Xindi, where the crew is blown back in time to a Nazi/alien occupied NYC. The second half is the good ep when Phlox is kidnapped by the Klingons in order to cure a mutated strain of the Augment DNA, which is changing its victims into the more human looking klingons of Kirk's early years. - Original Message - From: Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 5:16:04 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series I think I might watch it. They have showed it like 15 times this week and even though I saw the DVD, I checked out the last 30 minutes and it was really good. That being said, I have a visceral response to anything remotely related to BSG and it takes a lot for me to set it aside. I went months before I saw Moore's Space show. I think there are a lot of people who feel intense negative feeling regarding BSG after being big fans. I wonder how that is going to impact on ratings? -Original Message- From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of B Smith Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 1:36 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series Three. --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Martin Baxter truthseeker...@... wrote: That's two of us, Bosco. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: ironpi...@... Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:51:13 -0800 Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series BSG ending was unforgivable. I'm boycotting this on prinicple alone. B --- On Wed, 1/27/10, Tracey de Morsella tdli...@... wrote: From: Tracey de Morsella tdli...@... Subject: [scifinoir2] 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , 'Cinq' cinque3...@..., 'glenn' ggs...@... Date
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series
Wow. I guess I'll catch up on the last two seasons of BSG in the next few weeks. More later - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 8:16:30 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series Don't count yourself that lucky, my friend. You're a man of discrimination and taste. You will throw up a little in your mouth at the viewing. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:21:10 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series I still haven't seen the BSG finale, so maybe I'll be immune? Caprica is being shown again tonight at 11 pm EST, right after a four hour marathon of Enterprise. The first half of that is the unfortunate time travel saga after the defeat of the Xindi, where the crew is blown back in time to a Nazi/alien occupied NYC. The second half is the good ep when Phlox is kidnapped by the Klingons in order to cure a mutated strain of the Augment DNA, which is changing its victims into the more human looking klingons of Kirk's early years. - Original Message - From: Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 5:16:04 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series I think I might watch it. They have showed it like 15 times this week and even though I saw the DVD, I checked out the last 30 minutes and it was really good. That being said, I have a visceral response to anything remotely related to BSG and it takes a lot for me to set it aside. I went months before I saw Moore's Space show. I think there are a lot of people who feel intense negative feeling regarding BSG after being big fans. I wonder how that is going to impact on ratings? -Original Message- From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of B Smith Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 1:36 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series Three. --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Martin Baxter truthseeker...@... wrote: That's two of us, Bosco. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: ironpi...@... Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:51:13 -0800 Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series BSG ending was unforgivable. I'm boycotting this on prinicple alone. B --- On Wed, 1/27/10, Tracey de Morsella tdli...@... wrote: From: Tracey de Morsella tdli...@... Subject: [scifinoir2] 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , 'Cinq' cinque3...@..., 'glenn' ggs...@... Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 3:11 AM What do you think. I'm still smarting from BSG and a little put off that this is an original story that was blended into BSG to piggyback off of its success. But I do like it 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series This Friday brings the first episode of Battlestar Galactica spinoff Caprica, a noir-scifi drama set on the planet Caprica 58 years before the cylons nuke it into oblivion. Based on the pilot, we think this series could become a classic. Of course there are many reasons Caprica might fail, not the least of which would be poor audience ratings. Many fans of BSG are still smarting from that series' disappointing conclusion, and are predicting that Caprica might take an abrupt nosedive into lameness. But the current facts are these: Caprica is a completely different series, and based on what we've seen so far, it is the coolest new SF show on the air. Here are five reasons why. 1. Intriguing, thoughtful worldbuilding As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, the worldbuilding that went into creating Caprica City and the culture of Caprica is simply superb. We're introduced to a culture where paganism is mainstream and sexual mores are extremely liberal, but immigrants still suffer discrimination and monotheists are outcasts. Unlike most SF shows, where worldbuilding is often something like everything is the same except the technology is better, Caprica challenges us
Re: [scifinoir2] Brittany Murphy's Husband Denies Rumours around Deaths
Very odd stuff, though her mother being such a staunch defender says something interesting... - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 8:19:49 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Brittany Murphy's Husband Denies Rumours around Deaths Keith, everything I've heard about her husband is that he ran to the shady side. That claim is a longshot at best. Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Brittany Murphy's Husband Denies Rumours around Deaths
Great comparison, I hadn't thought of that. Odd: people spend so much time trying to crown the next America's Sweetheart, trying to pick people at various times like Jennifer Anniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, etc. I think Murphy had much more likeability on screen, and she was at least as good an actress as Anniston, at least, from her performance in Don't Say a Word. I often wondered casually why she didn't get more exposure. Wonder if it's because she didn't go through a lot of public stuff to keep her in the tabloids like marrying/divorcing a famous guy, having drug-binges at popular nightspots and flashing her breasts in public, etc.? - Original Message - From: Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 8:59:47 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Brittany Murphy's Husband Denies Rumours around Deaths Same here. But I too liked Brittany. Something about her reminded me of Judy Holiday From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Martin Baxter Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 5:20 PM To: SciFiNoir2 Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Brittany Murphy's Husband Denies Rumours around Deaths Keith, everything I've heard about her husband is that he ran to the shady side. That claim is a longshot at best. Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you cansee it
Wow, how long were you there, and what constitutes cold weather training? Do you have to stalk and kill caribou or something? Build an igloo? Were there any kind of war games involved? - Original Message - From: jazzynupe 007 jazzynupe_...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 5:51:57 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you cansee it Keith, I can easily beat that. Did my cold weather special forces training for the Marines outside of Nome, Alaska. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry From: Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:40:35 + (UTC) To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it The coldest weather i've ever experienced was in Chi-town back in '97, when I was up working on a software project for my then employer. I remember the absolute temperature was -10 F (i had *never* experienced below temps before!). But with the winds off the Lake, chill factors were down to -25 F! Amazing stuff. Having lived there for a time, and having spent several visits there for my project, I was by then knowledgeable of how to dress: five layers of clothing on my torso (t-shirt, thermal shirt, flannel shirt, sweater, coat), thermal leggings underneath my jeans, thermal socks, two hats to enclose ears as well as head, full facial covering. Believe it or not, I actually walked around downtown for two hours in that. I was staying in a hotel near State street, so there was lots of stuff to see. A year ago I accompanied my wife to training in Boston in January, and temps dropped to 8 F, it snowed, and the winds were fierce. Really, really bad--but not as bad as that time in Chicago... - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 4:37:40 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it It's 6 degrees here in Chicago...rain...Hmph! Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Fri, 1/29/10, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: From: Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net Subject: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, January 29, 2010, 3:00 PM And here it'll be cloudy and rainy tonight in the ATL... :( Oh well, it's great to read about, and I really dig the different full moon names from Native culture. * * http://news. yahoo.com/ s/space/20100129 /sc_space/ biggestandbright estfullmoonof201 0tonight http://www.space. com/spacewatch/ full-moon- names-2010- 100127.html Biggest and Brightest Full Moon of 2010 Tonight SPACE.com A full moon is seen over the Houses of Parliament in LondonReuters – A full moon is seen over the Houses of Parliament in London January 1, 2010. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez … Robert Roy Britt Editorial Director SPACE.com Robert Roy Britt editorial Director space.com – Fri Jan 29, 7:45 am ET Tonight's full moon will be the biggest and brightest full moon of the year. It offers anyone with clear skies an opportunity to identify easy-to-see features on the moon. This being the first full moon of 2010, it is also known as the wolf moon, a moniker dating back to Native American culture and the notion that hungry wolves howled at the full moon on cold winter nights. Each month brings another full moon name . But why will this moon be bigger than others? Here's how the moon works : The moon is, on average, 238,855 miles (384,400 km) from Earth. The moon's orbit around Earth – which causes it to go through all its phases once every 29.5 days – is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse. One side of the orbit is 31,070 miles (50,000 km) closer than the other. So in each orbit, the moon reaches this closest point to us, called perigee. Once or twice a year, perigee coincides with a full moon, as it will tonight, making the moon bigger and brighter than any other full moons during the year. Tonight it will be about 14 percent wider and 30 percent brighter than lesser full Moons of the year, according to Spaceweather. com . As a bonus, Mars will be just to the left of the moon tonight. Look for the reddish, star-like object. Full moon craziness Many people think full moons cause strange behavior among animals and even humans. In fact several studies over the years have tried to tie lunar phases to births, heart attacks, deaths, suicides, violence, psychiatric hospital admissions and epileptic seizures, and more. Connections have been inclusive or nonexistent. The moon does have some odd effects on our planet, and there are oodles of other amazing
Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it
Wow, wow, wow, that is cold!! I can tolerate heat all day: summers back home in DFW routinely see daytime highs of 110 -112. But I've always been cold natured. Several subsequent visits to the doctor show my iron is a tad low, which might contribute. And I forgot to mention the scarf, but I indeed had one! - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 6:43:56 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it No, my friend...cold in Chicago was -24 degrees with a -57 degree wind chill...THAT is cold...I was a cabbie at the time...Oh yeah, you forgot the scarf... Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Fri, 1/29/10, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: From: Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, January 29, 2010, 4:40 PM The coldest weather i've ever experienced was in Chi-town back in '97, when I was up working on a software project for my then employer. I remember the absolute temperature was -10 F (i had *never* experienced below temps before!). But with the winds off the Lake, chill factors were down to -25 F! Amazing stuff. Having lived there for a time, and having spent several visits there for my project, I was by then knowledgeable of how to dress: five layers of clothing on my torso (t-shirt, thermal shirt, flannel shirt, sweater, coat), thermal leggings underneath my jeans, thermal socks, two hats to enclose ears as well as head, full facial covering. Believe it or not, I actually walked around downtown for two hours in that. I was staying in a hotel near State street, so there was lots of stuff to see. A year ago I accompanied my wife to training in Boston in January, and temps dropped to 8 F, it snowed, and the winds were fierce. Really, really bad--but not as bad as that time in Chicago... - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2002@ yahoo.com To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 4:37:40 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular- -if you can see it It's 6 degrees here in Chicago...rain. ..Hmph! Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Fri, 1/29/10, Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ comcast.net wrote: From: Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ comcast.net Subject: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular- -if you can see it To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Date: Friday, January 29, 2010, 3:00 PM And here it'll be cloudy and rainy tonight in the ATL... :( Oh well, it's great to read about, and I really dig the different full moon names from Native culture. * * http://news. yahoo.com/ s/space/20100129 /sc_space/ biggestandbright estfullmoonof201 0tonight http://www.space. com/spacewatch/ full-moon- names-2010- 100127.html Biggest and Brightest Full Moon of 2010 Tonight SPACE.com A full moon is seen over the Houses of Parliament in LondonReuters – A full moon is seen over the Houses of Parliament in London January 1, 2010. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez … Robert Roy Britt Editorial Director SPACE.com Robert Roy Britt editorial Director space.com – Fri Jan 29, 7:45 am ET Tonight's full moon will be the biggest and brightest full moon of the year. It offers anyone with clear skies an opportunity to identify easy-to-see features on the moon. This being the first full moon of 2010, it is also known as the wolf moon, a moniker dating back to Native American culture and the notion that hungry wolves howled at the full moon on cold winter nights. Each month brings another full moon name . But why will this moon be bigger than others? Here's how the moon works : The moon is, on average, 238,855 miles (384,400 km) from Earth. The moon's orbit around Earth – which causes it to go through all its phases once every 29.5 days – is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse. One side of the orbit is 31,070 miles (50,000 km) closer than the other. So in each orbit, the moon reaches this closest point to us, called perigee. Once or twice a year, perigee coincides with a full moon, as it will tonight, making the moon bigger and brighter than any other full moons during the year. Tonight it will be about 14 percent wider and 30 percent brighter than lesser full Moons of the year, according to Spaceweather. com . As a bonus, Mars will be just to the left of the moon tonight. Look for the reddish, star-like object. Full moon craziness Many people think full moons cause strange behavior among animals and even humans. In fact
Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it
Damn near felt like it. Just glad I live a relatively short walk from a mall. Don't trust Sears for doing any serious mechanic work anymore, but I'm okay buying a Diehard battery in a pinch. - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 6:45:46 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it You forgot uphill...Both ways... Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Fri, 1/29/10, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: From: Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, January 29, 2010, 4:29 PM Ha-ha, I hear you! From Christmas until about the second week in January, it was dipping below 20 at night both here and back home in DFW. Daytime highs sometimes not above freezing, and it was windy to boot. Way too much cold for most of us! And don't get me started on the saga of my car battery dying while I'm at home taking care of my flu-infected wife, and me having to tote it and a replacement to and from Sears, trudging half a mile each way in bone chilling cold, bearing that not insignificant weight! - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2002@ yahoo.com To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 4:37:40 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular- -if you can see it It's 6 degrees here in Chicago...rain. ..Hmph! Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Fri, 1/29/10, Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ comcast.net wrote: From: Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ comcast.net Subject: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular- -if you can see it To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Date: Friday, January 29, 2010, 3:00 PM And here it'll be cloudy and rainy tonight in the ATL... :( Oh well, it's great to read about, and I really dig the different full moon names from Native culture. * * http://news. yahoo.com/ s/space/20100129 /sc_space/ biggestandbright estfullmoonof201 0tonight http://www.space. com/spacewatch/ full-moon- names-2010- 100127.html Biggest and Brightest Full Moon of 2010 Tonight SPACE.com A full moon is seen over the Houses of Parliament in LondonReuters – A full moon is seen over the Houses of Parliament in London January 1, 2010. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez … Robert Roy Britt Editorial Director SPACE.com Robert Roy Britt editorial Director space.com – Fri Jan 29, 7:45 am ET Tonight's full moon will be the biggest and brightest full moon of the year. It offers anyone with clear skies an opportunity to identify easy-to-see features on the moon. This being the first full moon of 2010, it is also known as the wolf moon, a moniker dating back to Native American culture and the notion that hungry wolves howled at the full moon on cold winter nights. Each month brings another full moon name . But why will this moon be bigger than others? Here's how the moon works : The moon is, on average, 238,855 miles (384,400 km) from Earth. The moon's orbit around Earth – which causes it to go through all its phases once every 29.5 days – is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse. One side of the orbit is 31,070 miles (50,000 km) closer than the other. So in each orbit, the moon reaches this closest point to us, called perigee. Once or twice a year, perigee coincides with a full moon, as it will tonight, making the moon bigger and brighter than any other full moons during the year. Tonight it will be about 14 percent wider and 30 percent brighter than lesser full Moons of the year, according to Spaceweather. com . As a bonus, Mars will be just to the left of the moon tonight. Look for the reddish, star-like object. Full moon craziness Many people think full moons cause strange behavior among animals and even humans. In fact several studies over the years have tried to tie lunar phases to births, heart attacks, deaths, suicides, violence, psychiatric hospital admissions and epileptic seizures, and more. Connections have been inclusive or nonexistent. The moon does have some odd effects on our planet, and there are oodles of other amazing moon facts and misconceptions: • A full moon at perigee also brings higher ocean tides . This tug of the moon on Earth also creates tides in the planet's crust, not just in the oceans. • Beaches are more polluted during full moon, owing to the higher tides. • In reality, there's no such thing as a full moon. The full moon occurs when the sun, Earth and the moon are all lined up, almost
Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it
Yes indeed. Whenever I go outside, no matter how cold, I can't help but take a moment to stare at the Moon and stars if there's no cloud cover. Been looking up and wondering, dreaming, wishing for as long as I can remember. When I was a wee lad of nine or so, i used to take my dad's flashlight, point it into the nighttime sky, and leave it on for a long time. I had just discovered the concept of the light year, and was absolutely fascinated by the thought that the photons from my flashlight beam would still be hurtling toward those stars decades later. Even now, corny as it may sound, i get a thrill out of thinking that one of my light particles is hurtling through space thirty-plus lightyears from me. Often I'd flash Morse code with the flashlight, in my naive youth expecting that someday some advanced alien race would catch the two or three of my photons that managed to get out to them and then interpret SOS as something meaningful! - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 6:46:54 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it Even in one of those Chicago winter?? Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Fri, 1/29/10, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: From: Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular--if you can see it To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, January 29, 2010, 4:26 PM It was already cloudy here, or maybe I was just groggy from having to drive all the way up to Alpharetta in the pre-dawn cold, and just didn't notice. Nah, can't be that: i never fail to notice the moon and stars, no matter how tired i am. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker013@ hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 4:10:42 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Wolf Moon Tonight to be Spectacular- -if you can see it Keith, I glimpsed the Moon this morning when I was putting the trash out for pickup, and it was a whopper then, just barely above the treetops. Despite the cold, I stood and stared. Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish
That was part of the fun of those old detective shows. The guys weren't invincible, weren't some kind of Special Forces/Green Beret/SEAL who could kill a man with their pinky. They were regular guys who had to depend on sleuthing, healthy tips to the local pimp or drunk for information, and good old fashioned stubborness. Made them more relatable to me. Remember Jim Rockford? He was always getting beat up too, and i loved that show. By the way, i hear The Rockford Files is being remade soon. - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 7:09:09 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish What I remember of Mannix was he got the crap beat out of him just about every other week... Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Wed, 1/27/10, Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com wrote: From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 11:17 PM I forgot about Mannix! That was one of the first detective shows that I remember watching! I haven't seen any re-runs of that show though. It was on tv from 1968-75. According to wiki Gail Fisher won multiple Emmys for that show. On Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 9:07 PM, Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ comcast.net wrote: Not bad at all. I also liked Teresa Graves (Get Christie Love) and Gail Fisher (Mannix) - Original Message - From: Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multicultur aladvantage. com To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 1:31:59 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish How come you guys never bring up Tamara Dobson (Cleopatra Jones). She sounds like she belongs in this group http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ Tamara_Dobson From: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com [mailto: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com ] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 8:51 PM To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish I was never enamored of Ms. Grier (sacrilege I know!), but poor Lisa Nicole Carson did it for me! Too bad she seems to be suffering from serious emotional problems. Nola Gaye, yes indeed. And let's not forget Lola Falana and Dianne Carroll. Oh--and Sofia Vergara from Modern Family. Wow, wow, wow! Halle who? - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2002@ yahoo.com To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 9:40:45 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish I've met and seen folk who look better naked and others who look great in clothes...Halle is the latter...Yeah, I know there are some who look great bothe ways...I am a school of the full-figured 60's and 70's genre No one mentioned Nola Gaye, Lisa Nicole Carson, Pam Grier (who does not need to be mentioned along with Raquel or Sophia) and a few other youngsters whom I have trouble remembering. ..Nope, didn't forget Tracey either (wink!)... Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Tue, 1/26/10, Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo. com wrote: From: Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo. com Subject: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 2:48 AM --- In scifino...@yahoogro ups.com , Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ ... wrote: Rather than Berry, I humbly suggest looking up any movie with Selma Hayek in it--the dancing scene in that vampire movie alone is worth the price of ten shots of Berry's nekkid chest--this despite Hayek keeping her clothes on! Or anything that features Sanaa Lathan, she of the incredibly cute smile and dreamy eyes that just suck one in. Or anything with Gabrielle Union, face as pretty and perfect as a living doll's. Nia Long in Love Jones is just a treat to look at too --and it's a good movie to boot. I see you and raise you: ~rave! -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/mahogany_ pleasures_ of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series
I can believe it. I'm looking forward to finally getting caught up. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 7:12:00 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series I agree. There was one season where it was heart wrenching to watch, but I also believe that it was necessary on some level. The best writing that they did in the entire series was during that time frame. On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 3:57 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: In the last few years, I bought a house, lost my mother, my wife's mother, my sister has fought two bouts with cancer, I got a boss I despised at my old job, then lost that job because of him, spent most of a year unemployed, helped my older brother convalesce from back surgery, and had to deal with a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. Not to be depressing and all, but there were times I was pulled in so many directions, that even my years long Friday night scifi fix suffered. I catch an ep of BSG here, record one there, then just forget or get behind, never to catch back up. Also--and this is really major for me, the original fan of serious scifi--I think the BSG theme started weighing on me a bit. It's a great show with its serious tone, its dark themes. But I noticed that it always seemed i was trying to watch a recording of it at night, and the darkness of the show--literal and figurative--seemed to make me feel a bit down. I guess that's my typically long winded way of saying it was a bit heavy for me during times when i have dealt with a lot of emotional stress. Again, that's unheard for me. I kept up on the Stargates, Star Trek reruns, etc., but never got back to BSG. I think I'm at a point where I'm ready to catch up now. - Original Message - From: Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 6:47:30 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series Had I known what I know now, I probably would not have seen the Finale. Why did you miss the finale? You were one season behind right? You will probably like Caprica, because you do not have the bitter aftertaste of the finale. Lucky you. I think it’s a pretty good show. I’m a fan of Esai Morales and Eric Stolze, and they put some effort into this. Moore is not attached, as far as I know. So, despite its origins, I hope it does well Speaking of Enterprise. One storyline that surprised me in its depth was the ongoing saga with the Andorians and The captain’s evolving relationship with their leader. I really liked that From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 3:21 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series I still haven't seen the BSG finale, so maybe I'll be immune? Caprica is being shown again tonight at 11 pm EST, right after a four hour marathon of Enterprise. The first half of that is the unfortunate time travel saga after the defeat of the Xindi, where the crew is blown back in time to a Nazi/alien occupied NYC. The second half is the good ep when Phlox is kidnapped by the Klingons in order to cure a mutated strain of the Augment DNA, which is changing its victims into the more human looking klingons of Kirk's early years. - Original Message - From: Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 5:16:04 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series I think I might watch it. They have showed it like 15 times this week and even though I saw the DVD, I checked out the last 30 minutes and it was really good. That being said, I have a visceral response to anything remotely related to BSG and it takes a lot for me to set it aside. I went months before I saw Moore's Space show. I think there are a lot of people who feel intense negative feeling regarding BSG after being big fans. I wonder how that is going to impact on ratings? -Original Message- From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of B Smith Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 1:36 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series Three. --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Martin Baxter truthseeker...@... wrote: That's two of us, Bosco. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Sherlock Holmes
That might be true. Like I said, I've never read a Holme's story, so I wasn't sure if Ritchie's treatment of him as attacking with barely suppressed rage was accurate or not. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 7:38:29 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Sherlock Holmes His character may have been working on theories of self defense. Fighting on one level is cold and calculated. Boxing is called the sweet science. I always believed that Holmes was exploring the physical limits of the human body in addition to his logical pursuits. On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 2:56 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: I've never read any of the stories, so wondered about Watson's fiance as well. Is she in the books? I liked her personality too. Given that Holmes is a student of--everything--his Eastern fighting ability didn't bother me. That is, it didn't bother me once i got over the shock of seeing Holmes portrayed as a brawler of any kind. I always pictured him as being less physical. I mean, I can see him fighting when necessary, and doing so with cool efficiency. I'd liken Holmes the fighter to a Vulcan: incredibly good, but only doing what's necessary to end a fight, moves calculated and struck with an economy of motion and a maximum of effort. I remember watching one of the rare times Voyager allowed martial arts master Tuvok to fight, and he was amazing, moving in swift circles of motion to dispatch his opponents, but always in control. So I could see someone like Holmes having studied Indian fighting styles (since kung fu is said to have its roots there), as well as Chinese and Japanese arts. I'd have expected a bit more of the soft stuff: judo and aikido to redirect his opponent's power, rather than a reliance on so much hard fighting, as efficient as it was. But the way they had him show a side of barely contained rage threw me. It wasn't so much *how* he fought, but *why* he fought that confused me. Is that Ritchie's take, a redoing of Holmes, or is it true to the books? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 11:07:43 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Sherlock Holmes I have to agree with you about Rachel McAdams. Another character that no one has mentioned yet was Mrs. Watson. She seemed to maybe be spunkier than she lets on. I was half expecting her to show up in a fight scene. One thing that I found interesting was the Holmes fu. His fighting style was very martial arts like rather than British fisticuffs and Wrassling styles of the day. On Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 7:57 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: I thought they were overplaying Holmes as the crazy man-of-action at the beginning. The cage match and the unkempt Holmes were a bit much at first, and I was seriously missing the deductive reasoning parts. But later in, the movie settled in to give us more of Holmes the detective--and of course, the point was to show how incredibly out of sorts he was without a challenging case to focus his vast mental energies. Once he started doing some sleuthing I was pleasantly surprised too. It was paced well, I liked the way they reproduced England, the action was good, the villain good, the music was very impressive. And Law as Watson is probably closer to the book than the more aged, sidekicks of the movie. My only slight complaint was that Rachel McAdams seemed just a tad too young and slight of personality to play Holmes' untrustworthy lover. I'd have preferred a slightly older, stronger actress in the role. But no real big issue there. My wife and I both liked it, moreso as we discussed it this past weekend. Indeed, I wouldn't mind seeing it again. And boy did they leave things open for a sequel! - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 4:39:27 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Sherlock Holmes That was my first thoughts too. Now I'm glad that I saw it. I just hope that they don't try to take two different actors and turn it into a tv show. On Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 10:04 AM, B Smith daikaij...@yahoo.com wrote: The reviews were pretty good. It was more griping from true fans over Ritchie's take. Turns out it was the fans of the movie Sherlock Holmes series and not the Holmes of the books. They thought his style and storytelling didn't mesh with Sherlock Holmes. Boy were they wrong. Ritchie did his homework by going to the source material and delivered an entertaining and exciting film. --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Tracey de Morsella tdli...@... wrote: I read all good reviews. I'm dying
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series
Any of the math you like? I rather enjoyed trig. It was a revelation to me when I took it back in high school, the way one can calculate distances and heights based on simple formulae. And such a relief after having taken a year of geometry which seemed to be nothing but endless proofs--ugh! I still do trig in my head as much as possible just for grins. I loved calculus, especially differential calc because of its relationship to motion and stuff. I had to take a year and half of calc, and by the third course it got hairy, as I was then doing differential/integral calc in all three dimensions, and in three different coordinate systems: Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical. (this was needed for the electromagnetic theory courses I had to take). After that it was a year of differential equations, a year of linear algebra (Matrix algebra), which was fun. Every time I go back home to Texas I pull out some of those advanced math books and marvel I could do the work. I have notebooks where a single problem--writing the equations to describe the shape of an EM wave leaving an antenna, bouncing off a wall, and partially going through it--consists of two solid pages of math. I get the *concepts* still, but the actual math sometimes makes my head spin! Guess that's why writing is my first love... - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 5:25:22 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series Come on, Martin...already got a complex about math... Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Thu, 1/28/10, Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com wrote: From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, January 28, 2010, 3:42 PM The writers ahve never seen quantum number theory in all its glory. Mind you, if they had, they'd be drooling into their water cups at the Home for the Insane. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com From: HelloMahogany@ gmail.com Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:53:03 -0800 Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series What didn't make sense was how could the same people exist over again and again? How can you have Starbuck exist multiple times with a ship of the exact same technology? That alone would be so astronomical that there isn't enough room on earth to have space for the zeros. Just the sheer randomness of the world allow us to exist. However even if you were to have the same people get together in chronological order over and over again to create you it may not happen. On Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 4:37 PM, Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multicultur aladvantage. com wrote: That the cycle repeats over and over again is what I was thinking From: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com [mailto: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com ] On Behalf Of Mr. Worf Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 4:35 PM To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series They were saying that the original creator of the cylons was also a cylon in the original show. (Ti's wife which didn't fit.) They made it seem like it was probably something that happened or happens over and over again with humans. On Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 4:01 PM, Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multicultur aladvantage. com wrote: That it has happened before has got me too. I believe it is the tie in to BSG From: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com [mailto: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com ] On Behalf Of Mr. Worf Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 2:30 PM To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: 5 Reasons Caprica Is The Season's Most Promising New SF Series I think that the show is interesting. It is nice to see part of the story being told that we haven't seen before. I am wondering if they are going to explain the it has happened before dialog that keeps popping up. Also the number of the advanced units were they patterned after the gods? On Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 2:16 PM, Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multicultur aladvantage. com wrote: I think I might watch it. They have showed it like 15 times this week and even though I saw the DVD, I checked out the last 30 minutes and it was really good. That being said, I have a visceral response to anything remotely related to BSG and it takes a lot for me to set it aside. I went months before I saw Moore's
[scifinoir2] What if Actors' Roles were Switched in Sherlock Holmes?
After seeing the movie last Sunday, I was wondering about the casting. Downey and Law are really good, but why did Ritchie cast them that way? Law, who's taller, a bit leaner, and has a bit more of an intensely thoughtful look, would seem at first glance to be the natural choice to play Holmes. At least, he probably on the surface appears closer to the tall, lean, serious Holmes of all those movies i saw as a kid. Downey, with his shorter stature, lined, worn face, large expressive eyes, and tendency to look comical, serious,and slightly off all at once, would seem to be a good fit for a slightly comedic Watson--the guy who comments/critiques/jokes from the sidelines as the oh-so-serious Holmes goes about solving the crimes. Indeed, i can see a time before Downey's return to such lofty heights, where another director would probably think it natural to cast the dapper and handsome Law as Holmes, and the quixotic Downey as his funny sidekick. Wonder how such a movie would have turned out? Would the casting have dictated a more traditional take on the characters? Would Rithie's slight twist on the traditional movie treatments of the characters still have worked if the roles had been switched?
Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish
Oh don't make me sad! I remember the good old shows for the important works they were at the time due to their cultural significance, then get sad when they're mined shamelessly for quick cash nowadays. Mod Squad was a seminal show for its time. I was puzzled as to why they did a remake, given the power and import of the original couldn't be recaptured in these modern times. it just came off as someone capitalizing on the name and memory of a show, but not really contributing to its significance. In the 70s, young hippie types as cops, a black man and a woman as detectives, was revolutionary. In modern times it's same old same old. Even TV shows like New York Undercover had covered that ground by the time the movie came out. I felt the same about Shaft. They just cashed in on the name, then gave us a movie where Jackson brought nothing new to the role, made nothing approaching the type of statements Roundtree was making back in the day (even of some of those statements were sexist). And it was toothless to boot, as the studio demanded they cut back on all the sexuality of Roundtree's original movies. Then what was the point...? And most of all, I still lament what Tom Cruise did to the Mission Impossible concept with his movies. I believe that was one of the first of the recent trend of remakes in name only, where the studio cashes in on the cachet of a name, then proceeds to completely butcher the original concept. The MI movies were okay (the third had lots of good action thanks to Abrams), but they were nothing like the real concept of the series. The series were about deception, planning, and teamwork. They had a lot of intelligently planned and executed missions. The movies were star vehicles centering on Cruise, with the other agents as mere assistants. It was really more a spy movie based on a single spy. I wish they'd have just created a new franchise and not sullied the memory of MI by using that great series' name. And what did they to Jim Phelps character in the first flick was unforgivable. Peter Graves--the second but most well known Jim Phelps---was aghast at that move. Yeah, yeah I know: idiot modern, younger audiences need more action. Man I get tired of that excuse. What are we producing, succeeding generations of kids with short attention spans? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 1:16:37 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish Yea the Rockford files replaced Mannix as the show to watch when I was a kid. (also Mission Impossible and Mod Squad) On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 9:52 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: That was part of the fun of those old detective shows. The guys weren't invincible, weren't some kind of Special Forces/Green Beret/SEAL who could kill a man with their pinky. They were regular guys who had to depend on sleuthing, healthy tips to the local pimp or drunk for information, and good old fashioned stubborness. Made them more relatable to me. Remember Jim Rockford? He was always getting beat up too, and i loved that show. By the way, i hear The Rockford Files is being remade soon. - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 7:09:09 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish What I remember of Mannix was he got the crap beat out of him just about every other week... Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Wed, 1/27/10, Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com wrote: From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 11:17 PM I forgot about Mannix! That was one of the first detective shows that I remember watching! I haven't seen any re-runs of that show though. It was on tv from 1968-75. According to wiki Gail Fisher won multiple Emmys for that show. On Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 9:07 PM, Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ comcast.net wrote: Not bad at all. I also liked Teresa Graves (Get Christie Love) and Gail Fisher (Mannix) - Original Message - From: Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multicultur aladvantage. com To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 1:31:59 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish How come you guys never bring up Tamara Dobson (Cleopatra Jones). She sounds like she belongs in this group http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ Tamara_Dobson From: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com [mailto: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com ] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 8:51 PM To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2
[scifinoir2] Brittany Murphy's Husband Denies Rumours around Deaths
Wow, this is a long and frank interview. No idea what happened, but there was something I always liked about Murphy. I can't think of many roles she had that truly captivated me, but hers was a genuine presence. I think I liked her more from interviews, where she seemed to be a truly nice person. Her big eyes that looked kind of sad/tired, that unique voice, the funny lips--all combined to make her seem real, not a product of the H'wood machine or plastic surgeon's craft. She was great in Don't Say a Word. I guess I didn't realize the bad luck of its release date near 9/11. Sad she never got to reach the potential she had. No way of knowing what's true or not in the world, but I could easily believe she wasn't a drug addict so much as full of anxiety and worry, possibly not eating, which might explain her precipitous weight loss in recent years. * [The Daily Beast] In an exclusive interview, Brittany Murphy’s husband Simon Monjack reveals he’s suing Warner Brothers for wrongful death; talks about how drug rumors destroyed Brittany’s career; denies rumors that he was drunk on the set of The Caller; and talks about Brittany’s final moments. The Daily Beast has learned that Simon Monjack, the much-maligned husband of Brittany Murphy, is only days away from filing a wrongful death action against Warner Brothers, claiming that the studio is responsible for the unexpected death of the 32-year-old actress last December. “They killed her,” he told me. Although the L.A. coroner’s office hasn’t released a final cause of death, Monjack and Brittany’s mother, Sharon, who also spoke to me, are convinced that the once-promising star died of a heart attack from the stress caused by Warner Brother’s cancelling of a contract just two weeks before she died. Murphy was excited to have begun production on the sequel to the animated hit Happy Feet, but when she was fired by Warner Brothers, Monjack says, “She was devastated.” A month before the Warner Brothers’s decision, Murphy had been let go from The Caller, a film shooting in Puerto Rico, and replaced with Twilight star Rachelle Lefevre. There were rumors that Monjack—who did Brittany’s hair and makeup—had been so difficult on the set, sometimes showing up drunk, that the producers had let her go. One Hollywood executive told me that the studio had been looking for a reason to dismiss Brittany since Lefevre was a much hotter star. “Every story needs a villain, and everyone has decided it is me,” Monjack says. “The reports about the Puerto Rican set are fantasy. I was never, ever drunk there. What I did do was demand they follow union rules and after she had worked 12 hour days, six days a week, that she get the breaks she was entitled to. I was ‘difficult’ because I was the enforcer to protect Brittany. She was far too nice to stand up to directors and producers who wanted her to work to exhaustion.” Sharon Murphy, Brittany’s mother, visited the Puerto Rican set frequently. “Simon protected Brittany,” she says. “That is the role he assumed after they married and it’s why a lot of people in Hollywood can’t stand him.” If they didn’t like Monjack before, his imminent Warner Brothers lawsuit isn’t going to endear him to the Hollywood power brokers. “It’s a cruel town,” he says. “Warner Brothers relied on conjecture and hearsay about the Puerto Rico film for why they cancelled Brittany’s role in Happy Feet. You’re disposable as an actress or actor.” Monjack described for the first time the morning Brittany died in his Hollywood Hills house. She had gone to the bathroom shortly before 8 a.m. “That was her comfort zone in our very huge home,” he says. “It was the only Brittany-sized room.” There was a small table, and she often spent hours there. When her mother went to talk to her, she found her laying on the floor unconscious, and yelled out for Simon. “I came running in. I immediately started doing CPR.” Sharon remembers that the 5’3” Murphy, at barely over 100 pounds, seemed so very tiny as her 6’2”, 235-pound husband worked on her. “I felt a tiny heart beat,” Monjack told me, his voice cracking over the phone. “I was pushing with the heel of my hand. And every second I pushed, I felt my hand become stronger and her heart weaker. And then it stopped. And I kept pushing. She died in my arms. I knew she was dead.” By the time EMT crews arrived, Monjack and Sharon had been crying and at times almost hysterical. Later a neighbor would describe him as seeming “out of it,” wandering back and forth in front of their house shoeless, in shorts and a t-shirt. “I hope no one ever has to go through what I did,” he says, “to lose the love of your life in front of your eyes. I was out of it? You bet. It was all a surreal nightmare.” Later, Monjack would ask the doctors at the hospital not to do an autopsy. “It was nothing sinister at all. I just
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Spartacus: Blood and Sand - Any good?
nudity in it. I don't think that when they shot this series that the actor knew that they were going to make the serious action into gore porn. --- In scifino...@yahoogro ups.com , Martin Baxter truthseeker013@ ... wrote: (standing ovation) If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com From: KeithBJohnson@ ... Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:09:14 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Spartacus: Blood and Sand - Any good? Absolutely, I just have an issue with lazy writing on that level unless it's intentional. In Hercules and Xena, for example, the anachronistic language was intentional and sometimes funny. The god Apollo, for example, was portrayed as a magical surfer type, who even said Dude. But Spartacus, from what i can tell, is trying to be serious drama, so I just can't get past such gaffes. I've noticed more and more in recent years that problem in historical dramas. I see a lot of them where the characters are speaking idiomatically as if they're from modern American. Even if they use the time-appropriate words, the way those words are structured into phrases is just off. That always irritates me. For example, don't tell me you're giving me a well-written drama that takes place in, say, a Puritan village in the 1700s, then have a young person ask another How's it going? Lazy... - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf HelloMahogany@ ... To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 7:01:06 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Spartacus: Blood and Sand - Any good? Nope... they say that it was invented around the 1100s. But there had to be a similar word back then. On Sun, Jan 24, 2010 at 3:26 PM, Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ ... wrote: Was the f-word even being used by the Britons during the time of Spartacus? - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker013@ ... To: SciFiNoir2 scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 3:17:28 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: Spartacus: Blood and Sand - Any good? Again with you all the way, Keith. THe curse words they're using are mostly Anglo-Saxon, something that folks who live in Greece (If I've got the geography right) aren't likely to speak. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com From: KeithBJohnson@ ... Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:37:09 + Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Spartacus: Blood and Sand - Any good? Looking at part of it again, the fight scenes really do border on kinda funny, the 300-style imitation is so over the top it reminds me more of the hilariously bloody fight scene with the Black Knight in Monty Python and The Holy Grail. I mean, seriously, the blood is spattering and splatering like red water from a burst balloon. One dude got knocked in the back of the head, and blood sprayed all over it was funny. The showrunners seem to have an almost perverse interest in showing closeups of flesh cut and spread, bodies impaled. Silly, gratuitous, unmoving. Quite a bit of nudity too, including of Lucy Lawless I believe. Bit of a shock that, seeing Xena topless, but much better than seeing the dudes' naked bottoms. :( Also there seems to be quite a bit of anachronistic language. At least, I'm not sure the term Where the fu** are the Romans? is accurate for the times. Two showings, and I haven't been able to sit through the whole thing yet without laughing or shaking my head at the whole thing. Anyone else? - Original Message - From: Keith Johnson keithbjohnson@ ... To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 11:28:04 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Spartacus: Blood and Sand - Any good? Anyone watch the debut of this series? It's showing on both one of the Encore and Starz channels. I tried to watch the show, out of curiosity, and because Lucy Lawless is one of the stars. But I came in in the middle of a battle scene that frankly made me laugh and grown. Lawless in an interview I'd seen mentioned the show was modeled in part on 300. But what I saw was a bad imitation of 300: the same not-quite-real backgrounds, the now recognizable fast-slow-fast movements of the soldiers in battle, blue-grey backgrounds whose colors are splashed liberally with the blood flowing like wine
[scifinoir2] Should the Apple iPad be considered a computer?
Cool device, but, watching Jobs hold it up at the roll out, I just couldn't help feeling as if I were looking at a big-A iPhone! It almost looks like some kind of joke prop where someone's rigged up an oversized iPhone for a skit or something. Still, intriguing. No one has ever really made tablets big sellers. Wonder if Apple can do it again? Funny aside: on NPR they were talking about a guy with HP who is a fan of tablets. He spoke of how Star Trek TNG first introduced him to the concept. I'd say the Original Series was first, with the electronic writing tablets that Kirk used to sign for his yeomen. Those tablets held text as well, though they weren't necessarily as fancy as the TNG ones. Oh--it took me a solid five minutes to get into the Apple site. It'll be sluggish for a while I guess... http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10442315-1.html?tag=hotTopicsBody.1 Should the Apple iPad be considered a computer? by Dan Ackerman Share Long before Apple unveiled its iPad tablet device (officially the worst kept secret in the history of technology), we had been giving serious thought to whether such a device should be called a computer or not . By some standards, the iPad is essentially a keyboard-less laptop, but by others, it's more akin to a portable media player, such as the iPod Touch . Late last year, we outlined the possible arguments for and against each case, saying: There are two schools of thought on this: either the Apple tablet (or iSlate, or whatever it ends up being called) will be a 10-or-so-inch tablet PC with a full Mac OS X operating system; or it will merely be a larger-screen version of the current iPod Touch, which has a closed, limited phone-like OS. The former would mean it could very likely run any software you'd run on a MacBook, from Firefox to Photoshop, and maybe even install Windows 7 via Boot Camp or Parallels. The later points to a hermetically sealed ecosystem, where apps would have to be approved and sold through an official app store (as in iTunes). Particularly with our love for all things tablet and laptop-related, we'd always hoped the Apple tablet would fit into the former category, while the steady stream of news, rumors, and speculation pointed unflinchingly towards the latter. But, even though the device as described by Apple initially feels more like a portable media player and less like a computer, is it fair to kick it out of the computer category entirely? Within our office, the topic was the subject of a surprising amount of heated debate. My laptops co-editor Scott Stein presented a compelling case for even an app-store-locked device such as this being considered a computer, saying that the current OS environment we're used to is woefully out of date. He added that the look and feel of app-driven devices such as the iPhone are actually much more useful on small-screen systems such as Netbooks, that are closer to the iPhone and iPod Touch in terms of usage scenarios. In fact, one can envision a not-too-distant future where an iPhone style interface becomes more prevalent on small Netbook and smartbook systems , rather than a full PC OS trickling down to ever-smaller devices. We've already seen this in a limited number of Intel Atom Netbooks that skipped Windows XP for a Linux OS, complete with a collection of pre-loaded apps, and a custom big-icon interface. For newer examples of this concept in action, look no further than the Lenovo U1 Hybrid laptop we saw at CES. Its break-apart design mixes a traditional Windows 7 environment with a custom tablet OS, with pre-loaded apps and features. Similar app-heavy operating systems can be found on some of the smartbook prototypes we saw at CES -- but while feeling similar to iPhone OS, the inclusion of a keyboard and traditional clamshell design puts them much closer to the PC category than anything else. Another vote in favor of calling the iPad a computer is the inclusion of the very computer-oriented iWork suite of apps. If we're creating spreadsheets and PowerPoint-like Keynote presentations, then its usage model is much closer to a laptop than a media player. And, of course, the keyboard dock essentially makes this a close cousin of the iMac all-in-one desktop. Although, the dock should really let you connect the unit horizontally, instead of just vertically. The other side of the argument is that the iPad's lack of freedom to install basic apps and plug-ins, such as FireFox or even Flash, makes this far too limited a system to be considered a full-fledged computer. Ditto for the apparent lack of multitasking. Steve Jobs actually thinks the iPad is an entirely new category, somewhere between a handheld phone-size device and a full laptop. What do you think? Is the iPad a real computer, a big portable media player, or something brand new? Sound
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Sherlock Holmes
I thought they were overplaying Holmes as the crazy man-of-action at the beginning. The cage match and the unkempt Holmes were a bit much at first, and I was seriously missing the deductive reasoning parts. But later in, the movie settled in to give us more of Holmes the detective--and of course, the point was to show how incredibly out of sorts he was without a challenging case to focus his vast mental energies. Once he started doing some sleuthing I was pleasantly surprised too. It was paced well, I liked the way they reproduced England, the action was good, the villain good, the music was very impressive. And Law as Watson is probably closer to the book than the more aged, sidekicks of the movie. My only slight complaint was that Rachel McAdams seemed just a tad too young and slight of personality to play Holmes' untrustworthy lover. I'd have preferred a slightly older, stronger actress in the role. But no real big issue there. My wife and I both liked it, moreso as we discussed it this past weekend. Indeed, I wouldn't mind seeing it again. And boy did they leave things open for a sequel! - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 4:39:27 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Sherlock Holmes That was my first thoughts too. Now I'm glad that I saw it. I just hope that they don't try to take two different actors and turn it into a tv show. On Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 10:04 AM, B Smith daikaij...@yahoo.com wrote: The reviews were pretty good. It was more griping from true fans over Ritchie's take. Turns out it was the fans of the movie Sherlock Holmes series and not the Holmes of the books. They thought his style and storytelling didn't mesh with Sherlock Holmes. Boy were they wrong. Ritchie did his homework by going to the source material and delivered an entertaining and exciting film. --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Tracey de Morsella tdli...@... wrote: I read all good reviews. I'm dying to see it. What did you hear? -Original Message- From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of B Smith Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 8:56 AM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Sherlock Holmes I don't know why this movie got so much flack at first. It's was very good and Downey and Law were excellent. Guy Ritchie has his golden ticket to A list status now. --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Mr. Worf HelloMahogany@ wrote: Just saw the movie, and I enjoyed it. Lots of authentic looking eye candy. Interesting plot. Robert Downey's Sherlock seemed right on target. I was leery that they would somehow over do it but it felt right. Dr. Watson got a bit of an upgrade which made his character more enjoyable than previous incarnations. Jude Law made a believable counterpart to Sherlock. Bonus points for the Steampunk gadgetry. -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ Post your SciFiNoir Profile at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scifinoir2/app/peoplemap2/entry/add?fmvn=mapYa hoo! Groups Links Post your SciFiNoir Profile at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scifinoir2/app/peoplemap2/entry/add?fmvn=mapYahoo ! Groups Links -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish
Not bad at all. I also liked Teresa Graves (Get Christie Love) and Gail Fisher (Mannix) - Original Message - From: Tracey de Morsella tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 1:31:59 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish How come you guys never bring up Tamara Dobson (Cleopatra Jones). She sounds like she belongs in this group http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamara_Dobson From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 8:51 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish I was never enamored of Ms. Grier (sacrilege I know!), but poor Lisa Nicole Carson did it for me! Too bad she seems to be suffering from serious emotional problems. Nola Gaye, yes indeed. And let's not forget Lola Falana and Dianne Carroll. Oh--and Sofia Vergara from Modern Family. Wow, wow, wow! Halle who? - Original Message - From: C.W. Badie astromancer2...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 9:40:45 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish I've met and seen folk who look better naked and others who look great in clothes...Halle is the latter...Yeah, I know there are some who look great bothe ways...I am a school of the full-figured 60's and 70's genre No one mentioned Nola Gaye, Lisa Nicole Carson, Pam Grier (who does not need to be mentioned along with Raquel or Sophia) and a few other youngsters whom I have trouble remembering...Nope, didn't forget Tracey either (wink!)... Such music flows on the Fringe, and no one can resist singing to Scarlet From THE SIDE STREET CHRONICLES by C.W. Badie --- On Tue, 1/26/10, Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo.com wrote: From: Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 2:48 AM --- In scifino...@yahoogro ups.com, Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ ... wrote: Rather than Berry, I humbly suggest looking up any movie with Selma Hayek in it--the dancing scene in that vampire movie alone is worth the price of ten shots of Berry's nekkid chest--this despite Hayek keeping her clothes on! Or anything that features Sanaa Lathan, she of the incredibly cute smile and dreamy eyes that just suck one in. Or anything with Gabrielle Union, face as pretty and perfect as a living doll's. Nia Long in Love Jones is just a treat to look at too --and it's a good movie to boot. I see you and raise you: ~rave!
Re: [scifinoir2] Liking Human Target
yeah I laughed at that hooker joke too. Like I said, just a fun show: rolling planes upside down, making parachutes to jump off the back of a bullet train--crazy! I love Jackie Earle Haley as Guerrero. How a hacker guy who's that diminutive, with those chipmunk front teeth, who never resorts to physical violence, can be that --scary--is amazing. I like the way he can be funny one moment---Dude they have these on school buses referring to their attempts to use the paddles to shock that guy's heart. Then, he can say something like I have experience putting guys in situations like this referring to a dude dying of poison. or, when he told the two muscleheads sent to beat him up I'll take the beating, sure. Then I'll break into your house and kill you in your sleep, and proceeded to detail all their personal biz, letting them know he could find them and their loved ones--wow! No wonder this guy was nominated for an Oscar a couple of years ago. And to think he started with The Bad News Bears! - Original Message - From: Aubrey Leatherwood aubrey.leatherw...@hotmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 8:09:38 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Liking Human Target Glad you guys are enjoying it. last week I enjoyed Guerrero's persistent question to the two criminals he was working with Say you had a key that would unlock every thing, would you take it? The things you can do with a question. Last night's episode was my favorite so far though. Not a lot of Guerrero action but it made me laugh a lot... My favorite line: Did the hooker just punch you? Aubrey Leatherwood www.aubreyleatherwood.com FaceBook * MySpace Dime Can Nicole resist the call of the stage or the call of her heart? Imperfection A tale of perfect commitment, perfect love... and perfect sex. The People You Know, The Sex They Have ROMANTIC TIMES NOMINEE FOR BEST CONTEMPORARY EROTICA 2008 CAPA and PSYCHE AWARD NOMINEE FOR 2009 ISBN: 978-0-9818905-0-0 To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:20:38 -0800 Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Liking Human Target I’m liking it too. The first episode was a little lightweight, but I like where it is going. I plan to keep tuning in From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 9:10 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Liking Human Target Thanks for the recommendation, Aubrey. I was going to skip the show because of work and an overloaded VCR, but I pulled up the recordings I had of the first two weeks and had a really good time! Like you said, it's pretty lighthearted. You never go too far into fear mode because you know the principals and their clients will all make it out safely. But it's a kick, with just enough drama and good acting to be engaging, and really good action to boot. I like that Chance sometimes really has to work in a fight: no quick karate chops for him! The lady tonight gave him a hell of a fight, and I was laughing as she was throwing roundhouse kicks in heels and that red hooker dress! The main three actors are all excellent, and I like the guest stars too. I know this show is probably nowhere near as serious as some incarnations of the comic, maybe resembling in name only, but still fun. It reminds me of the breezy, act ion-packed shows of old like Eye Spy, The Avengers, or The Man from U.N.C.L.E, or modern far like Burn Notice. Too bad it's on Fox. Like I said recently, all the best shows seem to be on cable, so I gotta wonder how long the network will let it go if it doesn't do killer ratings. - Original Message - From: Aubrey Leatherwood aubrey.leatherw...@hotmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 9:38:37 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Was that Danny Glover? Warning... It's... *fluffy* but I enjoyed the action, the auxiliary characters (my fav is Guerrero, of course, but we've had many conversations about Jackie Earle Haley's awesomeness on this loop and the character really suits him) and Chance has the right amount of low-brow Bond-esque moxy. Plus... his Japanese *was* good. Aubrey Leatherwood www.aubreyleatherwood.com FaceBook * MySpace Dime Can Nicole resist the call of the stage or the call of her heart? Imperfection A tale of perfect commitment, perfect love... and perfect sex. The People You Know, The Sex They Have ROMANTIC TIMES NOMINEE FOR BEST CONTEMPORARY EROTICA 2008 CAPA and PSYCHE AWARD NOMINEE FOR 2009 ISBN: 978-0-9818905-0-0 Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish
Ha! There's a philosophical one: can the target of your prayers talk to the target of mine? - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 9:53:04 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish I am praying for you, Keith Johnson (and, since I am an unrepentant secular humanist, it prolly won't do any good!) ~rave! --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... wrote: Doesn't do a lot for me. I stand by the women I listed below as being prettier, sexier, and more attractive in personality. But that's just me, this is truly a matter of personal taste. - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravena...@... To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 3:48:25 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ wrote: Rather than Berry, I humbly suggest looking up any movie with Selma Hayek in it--the dancing scene in that vampire movie alone is worth the price of ten shots of Berry's nekkid chest--this despite Hayek keeping her clothes on! Or anything that features Sanaa Lathan, she of the incredibly cute smile and dreamy eyes that just suck one in. Or anything with Gabrielle Union, face as pretty and perfect as a living doll's. Nia Long in Love Jones is just a treat to look at too --and it's a good movie to boot. I see you and raise you: ~rave!
Re: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish
Ha-ha! - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 10:01:23 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re:Swordfish --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... wrote: I was never enamored of Ms. Grier =:0 Mr. Johnson, as it is my policy NEVER to duel with an unarmed man so, I will never engage you in this conversation, again! ~(no)rave!
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Tamara Dobson
You mean she kept her clothes *on*? :)
- Original Message -
From: B Smith daikaij...@yahoo.com
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 12:42:15 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Tamara Dobson
Same here.
She had a different aura than Pam. She was beautiful but didn't seem as
accessible as Pam in some way.
--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Tracey de Morsella tdli...@... wrote:
I was sad to hear that she died. I was a fan as a kid
From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On
Behalf Of Kelwyn
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 7:31 AM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [scifinoir2] Tamara Dobson
--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Tracey de Morsella tdlists@ wrote:
How come you guys never bring up Tamara Dobson (Cleopatra Jones). She
sounds like she belongs in this group
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamara_Dobson
{{Bowing before the infinite wisdom of the Exalted List Goddess (we are not
worthy!)}} Oh my God! Tamara Dobson! I LOVE Tamara Dobson. She was a six
foot, two inch GODDESS! Ms. Dobson had such a strong grip on my psyche that
I created not one but TWO characters in homage to her: Akisha Dauphine
(Beautiful Princess) and Ashnan (the nourishing bread) Clythera (another
name for Aphrodite).
The only bitter sweet part of this reminiscence is discovering (today) that
Miss Dobson died in 2006 at age 62.
Let's pour a little wine for the Goddess who is no longer here.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/77/185554733_72e5beeebe_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/77/185554733_72e5beeebe_o.jpg
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Spartacus: Blood and Sand - Any good?
then. On Sun, Jan 24, 2010 at 3:26 PM, Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ ... wrote: Was the f-word even being used by the Britons during the time of Spartacus? - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker013@ ... To: SciFiNoir2 scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 3:17:28 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: Spartacus: Blood and Sand - Any good? Again with you all the way, Keith. THe curse words they're using are mostly Anglo-Saxon, something that folks who live in Greece (If I've got the geography right) aren't likely to speak. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com From: KeithBJohnson@ ... Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:37:09 + Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Spartacus: Blood and Sand - Any good? Looking at part of it again, the fight scenes really do border on kinda funny, the 300-style imitation is so over the top it reminds me more of the hilariously bloody fight scene with the Black Knight in Monty Python and The Holy Grail. I mean, seriously, the blood is spattering and splatering like red water from a burst balloon. One dude got knocked in the back of the head, and blood sprayed all over it was funny. The showrunners seem to have an almost perverse interest in showing closeups of flesh cut and spread, bodies impaled. Silly, gratuitous, unmoving. Quite a bit of nudity too, including of Lucy Lawless I believe. Bit of a shock that, seeing Xena topless, but much better than seeing the dudes' naked bottoms. :( Also there seems to be quite a bit of anachronistic language. At least, I'm not sure the term Where the fu** are the Romans? is accurate for the times. Two showings, and I haven't been able to sit through the whole thing yet without laughing or shaking my head at the whole thing. Anyone else? - Original Message - From: Keith Johnson keithbjohnson@ ... To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 11:28:04 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Spartacus: Blood and Sand - Any good? Anyone watch the debut of this series? It's showing on both one of the Encore and Starz channels. I tried to watch the show, out of curiosity, and because Lucy Lawless is one of the stars. But I came in in the middle of a battle scene that frankly made me laugh and grown. Lawless in an interview I'd seen mentioned the show was modeled in part on 300. But what I saw was a bad imitation of 300: the same not-quite-real backgrounds, the now recognizable fast-slow-fast movements of the soldiers in battle, blue-grey backgrounds whose colors are splashed liberally with the blood flowing like wine in battle. Lots of close ups of decapitations, swords cleaving flesh to expose nasty cuts. it was all a bit too frenetic and artificial looking for me. And I gotta admit that title--...Blood and Sand already had me a bit leery. Granted, i didn't see anything but the battle. Maybe the actual acting is good and it's worth a look? Can anyone give a recommendation? * * * * * * * http://www.starz. com/originals/ spartacus Betrayed by the Romans. Forced into slavery. Reborn as a Gladiator. The classic tale of the Republic's most infamous rebel comes alive in the graphic and visceral new series, Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Torn from his homeland and the woman he loves, Spartacus is condemned to the brutal world of the arena where blood and death are primetime entertainment. But not all battles are fought upon the sands. Treachery, corruption, and the allure of sensual pleasures will constantly test Spartacus. To survive, he must become more than a man. More than a gladiator. He must become a legend. Starring Australian actor, Andy Whitfield (McLeod's Daughters) as Spartacus, Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess) as Lucretia, John Hannah (The Mummy, Four Weddings and A Funeral) as Batiatus and Peter Mensah (300, The Incredible Hulk) as Doctore, this unique mix of live action, graphic novel effects and brutal battle sequences is set to make Spartacus: Blood and Sand an epic television event. Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now. -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/mahogany_ pleasures_ of_darkness
Re: [scifinoir2] Pluto's Little Sister Found?
Interesting. A personal observation not related to the science of this article: the usage of the term size does matter is getting a bit old, isn't it? I hear it in all kinds of movie/TV stuff, home improvement shows, now even astronomical press coverage? Ugh. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 12:54:09 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Pluto's Little Sister Found? Pluto's Little Sister Found? When it comes to objects in the Kuiper Belt, the vast, icy ring that encircles our solar system, size matters. By Irene Klotz | Mon Jan 25, 2010 01:49 PM ET Pluto's Little Sister Found? The smallest object ever found in the Kuiper Belt, a vast, icy ring that encircles our solar system, helps to explain how these debris disks are formed. NASA, ESA, and G. Bacon (STScI) THE GIST: • An icy body one-third of a mile wide is the smallest known object ever found in the Kuiper Belt. • The Kuiper Belt is a vast, icy ring just beyond Neptune that encircles the solar system. • The discovery links solar system formation to planet-forming debris disks around other stars. The frozen worlds orbiting beyond Neptune include not only dwarf planets like Pluto and Ceres, but also a tiny, icy toehold just one-third of a mile wide. The discovery, made by a team of astronomers scouring Hubble Space Telescope observations, sets a new record for the smallest Kuiper Belt object found. Previously, the smallest known Pluto sibling was a 30-mile-wide Kuiper Belt object. The Kuiper Belt region, located about 4.6 billion miles away, is filled with objects believed to be left over from the solar system's formation. It is similar to the asteroid belt, located between Mars and Jupiter, but much bigger. Unlike the asteroids that contain rock and metals, Kuiper Belt objects have icy bodies of methane, ammonia, water and other volatiles. The Kuiper Belt is particularly interesting to scientists looking for planetary systems beyond our solar system . Planets are believed to form from collapsing disks of gas and dust orbiting stars. The dusty particles begin to stick together and eventually build up larger objects. Not all make it into planets. It's the leftover ones are what we're seeing when we look at Kuiper Belt objects and asteroids, University of Arizona astronomer John Stansberry told Discovery News. The finding of a very small Kuiper Belt object links our solar system's debris disk to those observed around other stars, added University of Toronto's Hilke Schlichting, who led the team that made the discovery. We can observe micron-sized particles (in extrasolar debris disks), which are thought to be induced by collisions, from grinding down larger objects, Schlichting told Discovery News. By finding this evidence for collision grinding in the Kuiper Belt, it seems to be the missing link between our Kuiper Belt and extrasolar debris disks. When it comes to Kuiper Belt objects, size matters. Scientists can use this information to determine an object's density and what it is made from. In larger bodies, gravity plays the dominant role in shaping objects. In smaller ones, it is the strength of its materials that matters. astrophysicist asteroid WATCH VIDEO: Astrophysicist Andy Puckett explores the universe, especially undiscovered asteroids that could one day smack into our planet. Related Links: • Taking the Kuiper Belt Census • Wide Angle: Asteroids • HowStuffWorks.com: Kuiper Belt • Pluto, Sponsored By McDonalds The discovery of just one small object is probably not going to lead to great advances. But if we started to discover statistically significant numbers of them, then we can compare the number of large and small bodies, and you can start to get a handle on the material strength of the objects. It also might tell you about the violence of the collisions, said Stansberry. Potentially, it might be a new field if we can make more discoveries like this, he added. Schlichting and colleagues combed through 4.5 years of Hubble data to find the tiny Kuiper Belt Object, discovered as it passed in front of a background star, momentarily dimming its light. These tiny objects are much rarer than you would expect, Schlichting told Discovery News. Based on the number of known objects in the Kuiper Belt, scientists would have expected to find between 30 and 100 tiny bodies in their analysis of 50,000 guide stars observed by Hubble. So far, the team has only looked at 30 percent of the available Hubble data. We only found one, Schlichting said. It shows that there's kind of a break in the size of objects in the Kuiper Belt from large objects, meaning bigger than 50 kilometers (31 miles), and smaller ones. The dearth of small bodies may be evidence that objects in the Kuiper Belt are crashing and
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Avatar Keeps Rolling on Worldwide
That's a chicken-and-egg question: it makes them both bad... - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 3:28:52 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Avatar Keeps Rolling on Worldwide President Woodrow Wilson served as President of Princeton University and was a leading intellectual of the progressive era. He also brought many white Southerners into his administration, and tolerated their expansion of segregation in many federal agencies. He was elected President in 1913 (two years before BOAN was made). I say all this to say Wilson was smart enough to know BOAN was chocked full of lies and he endorsed it anyway. Does that make the movie or the man more evil? ~rave? --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... wrote: And President Woodrow Wilson, after seeing a private screening of Birth of a Nation at the White House, called it the most important movie ever made. No surprise: he presided over a lot of decisions that strengthened segregation in a wide swath of American life. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@... To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 8:20:26 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Avatar Keeps Rolling on Worldwide Shot by a genius that was personally responsible for the rebirth of the kkk and the racial stereotypes about black men, and mexicans that are still with us today. On Mon, Jan 25, 2010 at 5:03 AM, Kelwyn ravena...@... wrote: Content aside, Gone with the Wind like Birth of a Nation is savvy, populist entertainment. If you are racially sensitive, avoid both at all costs as the narratives will suck you in. Nation is truly remarkable on just a technical basis. It is still a gorgeous looking film. D.W. Griffith was a cinematic genius. ~rave! --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ wrote: In terms of pure dollars, Avatar will soon become the biggest of all time. (In terms of dollars adjusted for time, sadly, I think Gone With the Wind is still the champ). The country-by-country breakdown is pretty interesting. Australia over thirty mill, France, Algeria and Tunisia, over a hundred, and ninety mill in Russia? Wow, truly an international hit. Even Turkey with eight million. But what's up with Syria: only eighty-seven thousand? http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intlid=avatar.htm Post your SciFiNoir Profile at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scifinoir2/app/peoplemap2/entry/add?fmvn=mapYahoo ! Groups Links http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scifinoir2/ -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Avatar Keeps Rolling on Worldwide
One word: exacerbate - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 3:29:48 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Avatar Keeps Rolling on Worldwide And, where was our race headed before 1915? ~rave? --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Mr. Worf hellomahog...@... wrote: That movie changed the course of our race. On Mon, Jan 25, 2010 at 8:24 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@...wrote: And President Woodrow Wilson, after seeing a private screening of Birth of a Nation at the White House, called it the most important movie ever made. No surprise: he presided over a lot of decisions that strengthened segregation in a wide swath of American life. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@... To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 8:20:26 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Avatar Keeps Rolling on Worldwide Shot by a genius that was personally responsible for the rebirth of the kkk and the racial stereotypes about black men, and mexicans that are still with us today. On Mon, Jan 25, 2010 at 5:03 AM, Kelwyn ravena...@... wrote: Content aside, Gone with the Wind like Birth of a Nation is savvy, populist entertainment. If you are racially sensitive, avoid both at all costs as the narratives will suck you in. Nation is truly remarkable on just a technical basis. It is still a gorgeous looking film. D.W. Griffith was a cinematic genius. ~rave! --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ wrote: In terms of pure dollars, Avatar will soon become the biggest of all time. (In terms of dollars adjusted for time, sadly, I think Gone With the Wind is still the champ). The country-by-country breakdown is pretty interesting. Australia over thirty mill, France, Algeria and Tunisia, over a hundred, and ninety mill in Russia? Wow, truly an international hit. Even Turkey with eight million. But what's up with Syria: only eighty-seven thousand? http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intlid=avatar.htm Post your SciFiNoir Profile at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scifinoir2/app/peoplemap2/entry/add?fmvn=mapYahoo ! Groups Links http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scifinoir2/ -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
