Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Syfy Buys Remake of Being Human
I think the Prisoner was a good show too but I think that they could do some really cool stuff with newer technology. The problem is that Hollywood is chewing up every tv show, movie, kids's show, and kid's movie that they can get their hands on. (The Grinch, Cat in the hat, Flinstones etc.) Sooner or later they will run out of material. Then what? Rework the movies that were less popular? Maybe Jason Robard's A 1000 Clowns? Dark Shadows is already on the pre-production list by the way... On Sat, Oct 31, 2009 at 10:13 PM, marian_changling md_moor...@yahoo.comwrote: Has no one mentioned the remake of The Prisoner also? Why, oh why? http://www.amctv.com/originals/the-prisoner/ --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... wrote: yeah, I should have pointed that out, but that goes back to my question of Why? What does it mean to take a smart creative team and have them Americanize a great series? And, though they are behind it, note that this is a partnership with SyFy. So as you say, i wonder how much control SyFy will have? - Original Message - From: Tracey de Morsella tdli...@... To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 11:25:51 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Syfy Buys Remake of Being Human I just read the whole thing. Syfy is going to use the original producers. The question is, how tight a leash are they going to have around their necks From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 7:39 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Syfy Buys Remake of Being Human I could ask, what do they gain by moving the remake to America? I could ask, why not just show the original on SyFy? I could ask, what does it mean to Americanize a theme that is supposedly universal, other than a change of accents, food, and city names? I could ask--but I won't! ** http://www.sfuniverse.com/2009/10/29/syfy-buys-remake-of-being-human/Syfy Buys Remake of Being Human October 29, 2009 by Cynthia Leave a Comment This past summer , we here in the US were treated to a run of the BBC series Being Human which follows the “lives†of a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost who are roommates. Though it sounds like the plot of a bad sitcom, Being Huma n is actually a startlingly real and emotional TV series that shows the very best and the very worst of our species. Now, the company that produced the series is preparing a 13 episode American reboot to premiere on Syfy in Summer 2010. “Being Human is a smart, contemporary, young and imaginative series that reflects Syfy’s new brand positioning. We are very excited to adapt this for an American audience and bring it into Syfy’s family of programming,†said Syfy president Dave Howe. Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Content for Syfy and Co-Head, Original Content for Universal Cable Productions added, “We’ve loved this project and been tracking it for a while. BeingHuman definitely distinguishes itself as something new and different in a landscape filled with familiar supernatural fare. In adapting it, we intend to work closely with RDF to keep the wit , insight, and humor of the original, while opening up the series for a new audience.†“We’re incredibly proud of our British series and had a tremendous amount of interest in adapting the project for the States. With Syfy’s unwavering passion and dedication for the show, we’re confident it can be as successful here as it is in the UK,†said Chris Coelen, CEO of RDF Media USA. Personally, I’m very curious about this idea of remaking a series for American audiences. We tried it with The Office and it worked, but Kath Kim was a huge failure, and what happened to the US version of AbFab? Being Human has a pretty basic plot that isn’t influenced by the country of origin, so adapting it should be pretty simple †as long as they manage to keep the balance between the dark sense of humor and the “human†drama. Photo: Being Human from BBC America Post your SciFiNoir Profile at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scifinoir2/app/peoplemap2/entry/add?fmvn=mapYahoo! Groups Links -- Bringing diversity to perversity for over 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
RE: [scifinoir2] Avatar trailer on Fox pre-game
I saw it on the Imagine That DVD. My daughter Kira liked it, but later said it did not like it as much as the Real Avatar. From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of George Arterberry Sent: Sunday, November 01, 2009 10:12 AM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Avatar trailer on Fox pre-game Did anyone else see it?
[scifinoir2] Virtual Estates Lead to Real-World Headaches
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/technology/internet/02assets.html?_r=1partner=rssemc=rss
RE: [scifinoir2] Virtual Estates Lead to Real-World Headaches
Whew... in real life or cyberspace, it bites you on the a$$. If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director? -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: hellomahog...@gmail.com Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 12:24:09 -0800 Subject: [scifinoir2] Virtual Estates Lead to Real-World Headaches http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/technology/internet/02assets.html?_r=1partner=rssemc=rss _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/
Re: [scifinoir2] Virtual Estates Lead to Real-World Headaches
The thing that surprised me was that it is a $1 Billion a year industry. On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 12:31 PM, Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.comwrote: Whew... in real life or cyberspace, it bites you on the a$$. 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: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 12:24:09 -0800 Subject: [scifinoir2] Virtual Estates Lead to Real-World Headaches http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/technology/internet/02assets.html?_r=1partner=rssemc=rss -- Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ -- Bringing diversity to perversity for over 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
RE: [scifinoir2] Avatar trailer on Fox pre-game
Missed it again, because I chose to watch the Jets-Dolphins game. 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: brotherfromhow...@yahoo.com Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 10:12:17 -0800 Subject: [scifinoir2] Avatar trailer on Fox pre-game Did anyone else see it? _ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurantsform=MFESRPpubl=WLHMTAGcrea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1
RE: [scifinoir2] article: Mob Scene At Second Microsoft Store Opening
Naught but truth in what the man says. The Best Buy by the Mall at Stonecrest had copies. *Lots* of copies. 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, 1 Nov 2009 04:53:54 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] article: Mob Scene At Second Microsoft Store Opening Well, note what the article says was likely the major reason for the crowd and its excitement: However, the teenagers' excitement stemmed from the fact that Microsoft was giving away free tickets to a concert later that day by Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber. There is nothing about Microsoft--other than, perhaps, a new XBox or a Halo game--that generates rabid excitement and people clamoring to get into stores. I was in Best Buy the day Windows 7 dropped, and you'd hardly have been able to tell. I didn't see one person looking at it. The Apple stores at the two malls here in Atlanta, however--packed as always, and that's when they're *not* having new releases. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, October 31, 2009 10:59:44 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] article: Mob Scene At Second Microsoft Store Opening I'm sorry, I suspect that this was staged. Or people are gullible or desperate. http://www.crn.com/software/221400162;jsessionid=RSJSGNO1LLTPVQE1GHOSKH4ATMY32JVN By Kevin McLaughlin, ChannelWeb 7:40 PM EDT Fri. Oct. 30, 2009 More than a thousand people crammed into a southern California mall Thursday morning to witness the official opening of Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT)'s second retail store. This may seem a promising sign for a company looking to build buzz around Windows 7 PCs and other products, but not everyone in the crowd was there to bask in the light of Microsoft innovation. The Microsoft Store at The Shops at Mission Viejo mall in Mission Viejo, Calif. is a roomy space that features wall-to-wall video screens as well as Microsoft Surface tables, according to a report in The Orange County Register. Microsoft COO Kevin Turner was on hand to cut the ribbon at the grand opening, which came a week after Microsoft opened its first retail store in Scottsdale, Ariz. In July, Turner made headlines when he told Worldwide Partner Conference attendees that Microsoft planned to open retail stores right next door to Apple stores. Apple has a store at The Shops at Mission Viejo, but it's currently undergoing renovation and won't re-open until next month, The Orange County Register reported. Judging from The Orange County Register's video from the event, the atmosphere was lively and exuberant, two descriptions that aren't traditionally synonymous with software. Prior to the opening, store employees led the waiting crowd in Microsoft-related chants, and antsy teenagers squealed with excitement as they waited for the doors to open. However, the teenagers' excitement stemmed from the fact that Microsoft was giving away free tickets to a concert later that day by Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber. Some teenagers even camped out in line overnight for the tickets, so it's unclear how much of the buzz was due to genuine interest in Microsoft products, and how much was the contrived result of Microsoft's powerful marketing apparatus. With Windows 7, Microsoft has been trying to reach audiences with which it hasn't had much of a connection in the past, as evidenced by its now-canceled Windows 7 Family Guy sponsorship. The Microsoft Stores, which look very similar to Apple Stores, will give the software giant a chance to capture the attention of younger, mall-roaming audiences. But, as any mall store owner will tell you, this demographic isn't always looking to actually buy anything during their visits. -- Bringing diversity to perversity for over 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ _ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurantsform=MFESRPpubl=WLHMTAGcrea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1
RE: [scifinoir2] article: Mob Scene At Second Microsoft Store Opening
I'll take the latter for $2000, Alex. No one I know wants M$ product, even with C-notes attached. 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: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:59:44 -0700 Subject: [scifinoir2] article: Mob Scene At Second Microsoft Store Opening I'm sorry, I suspect that this was staged. Or people are gullible or desperate. http://www.crn.com/software/221400162;jsessionid=RSJSGNO1LLTPVQE1GHOSKH4ATMY32JVN By Kevin McLaughlin, ChannelWeb 7:40 PM EDT Fri. Oct. 30, 2009 More than a thousand people crammed into a southern California mall Thursday morning to witness the official opening of Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT)'s second retail store. This may seem a promising sign for a company looking to build buzz around Windows 7 PCs and other products, but not everyone in the crowd was there to bask in the light of Microsoft innovation. The Microsoft Store at The Shops at Mission Viejo mall in Mission Viejo, Calif. is a roomy space that features wall-to-wall video screens as well as Microsoft Surface tables, according to a report in The Orange County Register. Microsoft COO Kevin Turner was on hand to cut the ribbon at the grand opening, which came a week after Microsoft opened its first retail store in Scottsdale, Ariz. In July, Turner made headlines when he told Worldwide Partner Conference attendees that Microsoft planned to open retail stores right next door to Apple stores. Apple has a store at The Shops at Mission Viejo, but it's currently undergoing renovation and won't re-open until next month, The Orange County Register reported. Judging from The Orange County Register's video from the event, the atmosphere was lively and exuberant, two descriptions that aren't traditionally synonymous with software. Prior to the opening, store employees led the waiting crowd in Microsoft-related chants, and antsy teenagers squealed with excitement as they waited for the doors to open. However, the teenagers' excitement stemmed from the fact that Microsoft was giving away free tickets to a concert later that day by Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber. Some teenagers even camped out in line overnight for the tickets, so it's unclear how much of the buzz was due to genuine interest in Microsoft products, and how much was the contrived result of Microsoft's powerful marketing apparatus. With Windows 7, Microsoft has been trying to reach audiences with which it hasn't had much of a connection in the past, as evidenced by its now-canceled Windows 7 Family Guy sponsorship. The Microsoft Stores, which look very similar to Apple Stores, will give the software giant a chance to capture the attention of younger, mall-roaming audiences. But, as any mall store owner will tell you, this demographic isn't always looking to actually buy anything during their visits. -- Bringing diversity to perversity for over 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ _ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurantsform=MFESRPpubl=WLHMTAGcrea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1
RE: [scifinoir2] Question: The importance of historical context?
Always has for me, Amy, even when I'm not consciously trying. People who've read my stories comment on various issues that they seem to allude to, from race relations to poverty that, when I looked the stories over, had been made it in despite my not aiming to put them there. 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: ahar...@earthlink.net Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:43:35 -0400 Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Question: The importance of historical context? ahar...@earthlink.net Absolutely! Amy (Big fan of the Planet of the Apes films) IFC is running a Planet of the Apes marathon this weekend. What I didn't know was that there were several short documentaries about the screenwriters of the movie, and how the movie was made. Two of the writers of the screenplay were blacklisted during the McCarthy hearings. That and the civil rights struggles during the 1960s deeply influenced the Planet of the Apes. For many years I often suspected that there was a large amount of subtext in the film series but I wasn't sure of it. After learning more about the writers and their struggles, my ideas were confirmed. My question to you all is, do you think that historical context plays an importance in the creation of a good story? -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.423 / Virus Database: 270.14.40/2471 - Release Date: 10/31/09 07:53:00 _ New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pc-scout/default.aspx?CBID=wlocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_pcscout:112009
RE: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen?
Ever since MST3K, it often becomes my raison d'etre to look for them. Heck, I found two last night without even trying... and they *weren't* on Siffy. Bram Stoker's Dracula's Guest: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1196618/ (The Count from Sesame Street was scarier) Werewolf Hunter: The Legend of Romasanta: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374180/ (rooted for the werewolf) Such pain... such delicious pain... 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, 31 Oct 2009 23:33:09 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? Ha-ha-ha! Is it at least worth a so-bad-it's-funny look? There was one I saw a year ago, about killer fish in the Louisiana bayou. That was so campy I enjoyed laughing at it. Can't remember the name. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, October 31, 2009 3:56:43 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? I missed Sharks In Venice? 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, 31 Oct 2009 04:01:11 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? I can't really ascertain how many were made specifically for SyFy, and how many they purchase from other sources. But at any rate, you're right. But if you haven't seen Dog Soldiers, please do give it a look. Though as I said, SyFy inexplicably shows that worthy film at the worst viewing times, typically late night, really early, when almost no one is home watching horror movies! I remember because that happened in the last month or so. One Saturday I'm getting ready to hit the gym, then to go to a pancake brunch and run errands with my wife. I idly turn on the telly, and there, at 9 am, is Dog soldiers! Why are they showing this good horror flick at a time when most people are out? I wondered. I then checked the guide, figuring that if this flick is on during doldrum times, they *had* to be showing some great stuff in the more watched hours that day. What were they showing? A block of their evil mutant monsters movies. It was either killer fish (like Snakehead Terror), deadly snakes (like Boa), or man eating sharks (Sharks in Venice). i was flabbergasted. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 11:38:34 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? I have never wasted my time watching an entire film that was made for syfy. As soon as I see the special effects it is pretty much over for me. On Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 8:26 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Yep. So how many of those gawd awful movies have you seen? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 11:18:09 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? That's what we get when they approve movies by a man that believes cheaper is better. On Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 7:25 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: http://www.syfy.com/movies/?__source=Syfy_Global_Nav Really, really pissed off at SyFy for showing Ghost Hunters all Halloween day (see previous rant), I decided to look into the list of potential movies they could have aired instead. So I surfed on over to their site, clicked on Movies, and was taken to the list of their vaunted Originals. (odd title, since not all were produced original by/for SyFy). I was appalled to see how much *crap* is on the list. Honestly, on first reading, i could only find one good flick: Dog Soldiers. Missing from the list are moderately entertaining flicks for a cold Saturday, like Gingersnaps, Alien Lockdown, etc. But even were those included, this list is appallingly bad. More frightening is how many I've tried to watch, though none to completion. My general overview of all? Bad plot, horrible acting, cheap production values, laughably unbelievable CGI--in other words, true SyFy Originals. :( -- Bringing diversity to perversity for over 9 years! Mahogany at:
RE: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen?
Sorry. Was laughing so hard at the memories that I forgot to say where I saw them. The TV Guide Channel. 8-O 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, 31 Oct 2009 23:33:09 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? Ha-ha-ha! Is it at least worth a so-bad-it's-funny look? There was one I saw a year ago, about killer fish in the Louisiana bayou. That was so campy I enjoyed laughing at it. Can't remember the name. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, October 31, 2009 3:56:43 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? I missed Sharks In Venice? 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, 31 Oct 2009 04:01:11 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? I can't really ascertain how many were made specifically for SyFy, and how many they purchase from other sources. But at any rate, you're right. But if you haven't seen Dog Soldiers, please do give it a look. Though as I said, SyFy inexplicably shows that worthy film at the worst viewing times, typically late night, really early, when almost no one is home watching horror movies! I remember because that happened in the last month or so. One Saturday I'm getting ready to hit the gym, then to go to a pancake brunch and run errands with my wife. I idly turn on the telly, and there, at 9 am, is Dog soldiers! Why are they showing this good horror flick at a time when most people are out? I wondered. I then checked the guide, figuring that if this flick is on during doldrum times, they *had* to be showing some great stuff in the more watched hours that day. What were they showing? A block of their evil mutant monsters movies. It was either killer fish (like Snakehead Terror), deadly snakes (like Boa), or man eating sharks (Sharks in Venice). i was flabbergasted. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 11:38:34 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? I have never wasted my time watching an entire film that was made for syfy. As soon as I see the special effects it is pretty much over for me. On Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 8:26 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Yep. So how many of those gawd awful movies have you seen? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 11:18:09 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? That's what we get when they approve movies by a man that believes cheaper is better. On Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 7:25 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: http://www.syfy.com/movies/?__source=Syfy_Global_Nav Really, really pissed off at SyFy for showing Ghost Hunters all Halloween day (see previous rant), I decided to look into the list of potential movies they could have aired instead. So I surfed on over to their site, clicked on Movies, and was taken to the list of their vaunted Originals. (odd title, since not all were produced original by/for SyFy). I was appalled to see how much *crap* is on the list. Honestly, on first reading, i could only find one good flick: Dog Soldiers. Missing from the list are moderately entertaining flicks for a cold Saturday, like Gingersnaps, Alien Lockdown, etc. But even were those included, this list is appallingly bad. More frightening is how many I've tried to watch, though none to completion. My general overview of all? Bad plot, horrible acting, cheap production values, laughably unbelievable CGI--in other words, true SyFy Originals. :( -- Bringing diversity to perversity for over 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ -- Bringing diversity to perversity for over 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
RE: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen?
I fell across those last two late. Still worth the watching, both. 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, 31 Oct 2009 23:31:33 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? Yeah, but they did show Dr. Phibes, a classic of a howler horror movie! I've been watching Cat People and Curse of the Cat People, which I'd never seen before. Oh--and been jumping back to TVOne to laugh at Blacula and Scream, Blacula Scream Think I'll check out Spencer Tracy in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on TCM later. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, October 31, 2009 3:53:44 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? Keith, it keeps my Mistie chops exercised. As for all-day Ghost Hunters? Puh-LEEZE! I was on TCM, taking in some of the good classic stuff there. such as Diary of a Madman with Vincent Price. Disappointed that they didn't recirculate Price's Twice-Told Tales or Tales of Terror. A better fit, I couldn't imagine. 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, 31 Oct 2009 02:25:34 + Subject: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? http://www.syfy.com/movies/?__source=Syfy_Global_Nav Really, really pissed off at SyFy for showing Ghost Hunters all Halloween day (see previous rant), I decided to look into the list of potential movies they could have aired instead. So I surfed on over to their site, clicked on Movies, and was taken to the list of their vaunted Originals. (odd title, since not all were produced original by/for SyFy). I was appalled to see how much *crap* is on the list. Honestly, on first reading, i could only find one good flick: Dog Soldiers. Missing from the list are moderately entertaining flicks for a cold Saturday, like Gingersnaps, Alien Lockdown, etc. But even were those included, this list is appallingly bad. More frightening is how many I've tried to watch, though none to completion. My general overview of all? Bad plot, horrible acting, cheap production values, laughably unbelievable CGI--in other words, true SyFy Originals. :( Windows 7: Simplify your PC. Learn more. _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/
Re: [scifinoir2] article: Mob Scene At Second Microsoft Store Opening
I have a confession. The next PC that I buy will be a mac. On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 1:13 PM, Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.comwrote: I'll take the latter for $2000, Alex. No one I know wants M$ product, even with C-notes attached. 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: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:59:44 -0700 Subject: [scifinoir2] article: Mob Scene At Second Microsoft Store Opening I'm sorry, I suspect that this was staged. Or people are gullible or desperate. http://www.crn.com/software/221400162;jsessionid=RSJSGNO1LLTPVQE1GHOSKH4ATMY32JVN By Kevin McLaughlin kmclaugh...@cmp.com, ChannelWeb 7:40 PM EDT Fri. Oct. 30, 2009 More than a thousand people crammed into a southern California mall Thursday morning to witness the official opening of Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFThttp://www.crn.com/tools/quotes/index.jhtml?Page=QUOTETicker=MSFT)'s second retail store. This may seem a promising sign for a company looking to build buzz around Windows 7 PCs and other products, but not everyone in the crowd was there to bask in the light of Microsoft innovation. The Microsoft Store at The Shops at Mission Viejo mall in Mission Viejo, Calif. is a roomy space that features wall-to-wall videohttp://www.crn.com/encyclopedia/defineterm.jhtml?term=videox=y=screens as well as Microsoft Surface tables, according to a report in *The Orange County Register*http://www.ocregister.com/articles/microsoft-store-viejo-2628335-mission-first. Microsoft COO Kevin Turner was on hand to cut the ribbon at the grand opening, which came a week after Microsoft opened its first retail storehttp://www.crn.com/software/220700206in Scottsdale, Ariz. In July, Turner made headlines when he told Worldwide Partner Conference attendees that Microsoft planned to open retail stores right next door to Apple stores. Apple has a store at The Shops at Mission Viejo, but it's currently undergoing renovation and won't re-open until next month, *The Orange County Register* reported. Judging from *The Orange County Register's* video from the eventhttp://video.ocregister.com/m/27147535/why-were-people-really-in-the-microsoft-store-opening-line.htm, the atmosphere was lively and exuberant, two descriptions that aren't traditionally synonymous with software. Prior to the opening, store employees led the waiting crowd in Microsoft-related chants, and antsy teenagers squealed with excitement as they waited for the doors to open. However, the teenagers' excitement stemmed from the fact that Microsoft was giving away free tickets to a concert later that day by Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber. Some teenagers even camped out in line overnight for the tickets, so it's unclear how much of the buzz was due to genuine interest in Microsoft products, and how much was the contrived result of Microsoft's powerful marketing apparatus. With Windows 7, Microsoft has been trying to reach audiences with which it hasn't had much of a connection in the past, as evidenced by its now-canceled http://www.crn.com/software/220900811 Windows 7 Family Guy sponsorship. The Microsoft Stores, which look very similar to Apple Stores, will give the software giant a chance to capture the attention of younger, mall-roaming audiences. But, as any mall store owner will tell you, this demographic isn't always looking to actually buy anything during their visits. -- Bringing diversity to perversity for over 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ -- Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. Try it now.http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurantsform=MFESRPpubl=WLHMTAGcrea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1 -- Bringing diversity to perversity for over 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen?
That would be an interesting remake. The Count from Seasame Street's blood lust as he feeds on Gordon, Big Bird, Bert, and Ernie. He is then put down by Elmo, Grover, and Mr. Snuffalafagus. On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 1:25 PM, Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.comwrote: Ever since MST3K, it often becomes my raison d'etre to look for them. Heck, I found two last night without even trying... and they *weren't* on Siffy. Bram Stoker's Dracula's Guest: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1196618/ (The Count from Sesame Street was scarier) Werewolf Hunter: The Legend of Romasanta: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374180/ (rooted for the werewolf) Such pain... such delicious pain... 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, 31 Oct 2009 23:33:09 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? Ha-ha-ha! Is it at least worth a so-bad-it's-funny look? There was one I saw a year ago, about killer fish in the Louisiana bayou. That was so campy I enjoyed laughing at it. Can't remember the name. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, October 31, 2009 3:56:43 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? I missed Sharks In Venice? 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, 31 Oct 2009 04:01:11 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? I can't really ascertain how many were made specifically for SyFy, and how many they purchase from other sources. But at any rate, you're right. But if you haven't seen Dog Soldiers, please do give it a look. Though as I said, SyFy inexplicably shows that worthy film at the worst viewing times, typically late night, really early, when almost no one is home watching horror movies! I remember because that happened in the last month or so. One Saturday I'm getting ready to hit the gym, then to go to a pancake brunch and run errands with my wife. I idly turn on the telly, and there, at 9 am, is Dog soldiers! Why are they showing this good horror flick at a time when most people are out? I wondered. I then checked the guide, figuring that if this flick is on during doldrum times, they *had* to be showing some great stuff in the more watched hours that day. What were they showing? A block of their evil mutant monsters movies. It was either killer fish (like Snakehead Terror), deadly snakes (like Boa), or man eating sharks (Sharks in Venice). i was flabbergasted. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 11:38:34 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? I have never wasted my time watching an entire film that was made for syfy. As soon as I see the special effects it is pretty much over for me. On Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 8:26 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: Yep. So how many of those gawd awful movies have you seen? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 11:18:09 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? That's what we get when they approve movies by a man that believes cheaper is better. On Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 7:25 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: http://www.syfy.com/movies/?__source=Syfy_Global_Nav Really, really pissed off at SyFy for showing Ghost Hunters all Halloween day (see previous rant), I decided to look into the list of potential movies they could have aired instead. So I surfed on over to their site, clicked on Movies, and was taken to the list of their vaunted Originals. (odd title, since not all were produced original by/for SyFy). I was appalled to see how much *crap* is on the list. Honestly, on first reading, i could only find one good flick: Dog Soldiers. Missing from the list are moderately entertaining flicks for a cold Saturday, like Gingersnaps, Alien Lockdown, etc. But even were those included, this list is appallingly bad. More frightening is how many I've tried to watch, though none to completion. My general overview of all? Bad plot, horrible acting, cheap production values, laughably unbelievable CGI--in other words, true SyFy
RE: [scifinoir2] article: Mob Scene At Second Microsoft Store Opening
I've already decided as much as well. It'll have to be something refurbished, as I can't swing the price of a new one right now. 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: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 13:44:55 -0800 Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] article: Mob Scene At Second Microsoft Store Opening I have a confession. The next PC that I buy will be a mac. On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 1:13 PM, Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com wrote: I'll take the latter for $2000, Alex. No one I know wants M$ product, even with C-notes attached. 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: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:59:44 -0700 Subject: [scifinoir2] article: Mob Scene At Second Microsoft Store Opening I'm sorry, I suspect that this was staged. Or people are gullible or desperate. http://www.crn.com/software/221400162;jsessionid=RSJSGNO1LLTPVQE1GHOSKH4ATMY32JVN By Kevin McLaughlin, ChannelWeb 7:40 PM EDT Fri. Oct. 30, 2009 More than a thousand people crammed into a southern California mall Thursday morning to witness the official opening of Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT)'s second retail store. This may seem a promising sign for a company looking to build buzz around Windows 7 PCs and other products, but not everyone in the crowd was there to bask in the light of Microsoft innovation. The Microsoft Store at The Shops at Mission Viejo mall in Mission Viejo, Calif. is a roomy space that features wall-to-wall video screens as well as Microsoft Surface tables, according to a report in The Orange County Register. Microsoft COO Kevin Turner was on hand to cut the ribbon at the grand opening, which came a week after Microsoft opened its first retail store in Scottsdale, Ariz. In July, Turner made headlines when he told Worldwide Partner Conference attendees that Microsoft planned to open retail stores right next door to Apple stores. Apple has a store at The Shops at Mission Viejo, but it's currently undergoing renovation and won't re-open until next month, The Orange County Register reported. Judging from The Orange County Register's video from the event, the atmosphere was lively and exuberant, two descriptions that aren't traditionally synonymous with software. Prior to the opening, store employees led the waiting crowd in Microsoft-related chants, and antsy teenagers squealed with excitement as they waited for the doors to open. However, the teenagers' excitement stemmed from the fact that Microsoft was giving away free tickets to a concert later that day by Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber. Some teenagers even camped out in line overnight for the tickets, so it's unclear how much of the buzz was due to genuine interest in Microsoft products, and how much was the contrived result of Microsoft's powerful marketing apparatus. With Windows 7, Microsoft has been trying to reach audiences with which it hasn't had much of a connection in the past, as evidenced by its now-canceled Windows 7 Family Guy sponsorship. The Microsoft Stores, which look very similar to Apple Stores, will give the software giant a chance to capture the attention of younger, mall-roaming audiences. But, as any mall store owner will tell you, this demographic isn't always looking to actually buy anything during their visits. -- Bringing diversity to perversity for over 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. Try it now. -- Bringing diversity to perversity for over 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ _ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurantsform=MFESRPpubl=WLHMTAGcrea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1
RE: [scifinoir2] Virtual Estates Lead to Real-World Headaches
Oh, yeah. I used to be in there, for about six months. 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: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 12:57:57 -0800 Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Virtual Estates Lead to Real-World Headaches The thing that surprised me was that it is a $1 Billion a year industry. On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 12:31 PM, Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com wrote: Whew... in real life or cyberspace, it bites you on the a$$. 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: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 12:24:09 -0800 Subject: [scifinoir2] Virtual Estates Lead to Real-World Headaches http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/technology/internet/02assets.html?_r=1partner=rssemc=rss Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now. -- Bringing diversity to perversity for over 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/
RE: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen?
LMNAO Smart move, taking out Ernie early on. The guy with the anger-management issues could've proven to be his undoing lat in the game. 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: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 13:51:02 -0800 Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? That would be an interesting remake. The Count from Seasame Street's blood lust as he feeds on Gordon, Big Bird, Bert, and Ernie. He is then put down by Elmo, Grover, and Mr. Snuffalafagus. On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 1:25 PM, Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com wrote: Ever since MST3K, it often becomes my raison d'etre to look for them. Heck, I found two last night without even trying... and they *weren't* on Siffy. Bram Stoker's Dracula's Guest: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1196618/ (The Count from Sesame Street was scarier) Werewolf Hunter: The Legend of Romasanta: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374180/ (rooted for the werewolf) Such pain... such delicious pain... 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, 31 Oct 2009 23:33:09 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? Ha-ha-ha! Is it at least worth a so-bad-it's-funny look? There was one I saw a year ago, about killer fish in the Louisiana bayou. That was so campy I enjoyed laughing at it. Can't remember the name. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, October 31, 2009 3:56:43 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? I missed Sharks In Venice? 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, 31 Oct 2009 04:01:11 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? I can't really ascertain how many were made specifically for SyFy, and how many they purchase from other sources. But at any rate, you're right. But if you haven't seen Dog Soldiers, please do give it a look. Though as I said, SyFy inexplicably shows that worthy film at the worst viewing times, typically late night, really early, when almost no one is home watching horror movies! I remember because that happened in the last month or so. One Saturday I'm getting ready to hit the gym, then to go to a pancake brunch and run errands with my wife. I idly turn on the telly, and there, at 9 am, is Dog soldiers! Why are they showing this good horror flick at a time when most people are out? I wondered. I then checked the guide, figuring that if this flick is on during doldrum times, they *had* to be showing some great stuff in the more watched hours that day. What were they showing? A block of their evil mutant monsters movies. It was either killer fish (like Snakehead Terror), deadly snakes (like Boa), or man eating sharks (Sharks in Venice). i was flabbergasted. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 11:38:34 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? I have never wasted my time watching an entire film that was made for syfy. As soon as I see the special effects it is pretty much over for me. On Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 8:26 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Yep. So how many of those gawd awful movies have you seen? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 11:18:09 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? That's what we get when they approve movies by a man that believes cheaper is better. On Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 7:25 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: http://www.syfy.com/movies/?__source=Syfy_Global_Nav Really, really pissed off at SyFy for showing Ghost Hunters all Halloween day (see previous rant), I decided to look into the list of potential movies they
Re: [scifinoir2] article: Mob Scene At Second Microsoft Store Opening
Have you looked at the Mac mini 2? Its only about $600. On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 1:52 PM, Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.comwrote: I've already decided as much as well. It'll have to be something refurbished, as I can't swing the price of a new one right now. 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: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 13:44:55 -0800 Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] article: Mob Scene At Second Microsoft Store Opening I have a confession. The next PC that I buy will be a mac. On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 1:13 PM, Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.comwrote: I'll take the latter for $2000, Alex. No one I know wants M$ product, even with C-notes attached. 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: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:59:44 -0700 Subject: [scifinoir2] article: Mob Scene At Second Microsoft Store Opening I'm sorry, I suspect that this was staged. Or people are gullible or desperate. http://www.crn.com/software/221400162;jsessionid=RSJSGNO1LLTPVQE1GHOSKH4ATMY32JVN By Kevin McLaughlin kmclaugh...@cmp.com, ChannelWeb 7:40 PM EDT Fri. Oct. 30, 2009 More than a thousand people crammed into a southern California mall Thursday morning to witness the official opening of Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFThttp://www.crn.com/tools/quotes/index.jhtml?Page=QUOTETicker=MSFT)'s second retail store. This may seem a promising sign for a company looking to build buzz around Windows 7 PCs and other products, but not everyone in the crowd was there to bask in the light of Microsoft innovation. The Microsoft Store at The Shops at Mission Viejo mall in Mission Viejo, Calif. is a roomy space that features wall-to-wall videohttp://www.crn.com/encyclopedia/defineterm.jhtml?term=videox=y=screens as well as Microsoft Surface tables, according to a report in *The Orange County Register*http://www.ocregister.com/articles/microsoft-store-viejo-2628335-mission-first. Microsoft COO Kevin Turner was on hand to cut the ribbon at the grand opening, which came a week after Microsoft opened its first retail storehttp://www.crn.com/software/220700206in Scottsdale, Ariz. In July, Turner made headlines when he told Worldwide Partner Conference attendees that Microsoft planned to open retail stores right next door to Apple stores. Apple has a store at The Shops at Mission Viejo, but it's currently undergoing renovation and won't re-open until next month, *The Orange County Register* reported. Judging from *The Orange County Register's* video from the eventhttp://video.ocregister.com/m/27147535/why-were-people-really-in-the-microsoft-store-opening-line.htm, the atmosphere was lively and exuberant, two descriptions that aren't traditionally synonymous with software. Prior to the opening, store employees led the waiting crowd in Microsoft-related chants, and antsy teenagers squealed with excitement as they waited for the doors to open. However, the teenagers' excitement stemmed from the fact that Microsoft was giving away free tickets to a concert later that day by Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber. Some teenagers even camped out in line overnight for the tickets, so it's unclear how much of the buzz was due to genuine interest in Microsoft products, and how much was the contrived result of Microsoft's powerful marketing apparatus. With Windows 7, Microsoft has been trying to reach audiences with which it hasn't had much of a connection in the past, as evidenced by its now-canceled http://www.crn.com/software/220900811 Windows 7 Family Guy sponsorship. The Microsoft Stores, which look very similar to Apple Stores, will give the software giant a chance to capture the attention of younger, mall-roaming audiences. But, as any mall store owner will tell you, this demographic isn't always looking to actually buy anything during their visits. -- Bringing diversity to perversity for over 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ -- Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. Try it now.http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurantsform=MFESRPpubl=WLHMTAGcrea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1 -- Bringing diversity to perversity for over 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ -- Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. Try it now.http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurantsform=MFESRPpubl=WLHMTAGcrea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Syfy Buys Remake of Being Human
I don't think the original V is all that cheesy; not compared to the lesser moments of the original BSG (I'm thinking the time Apollo had a shootout with a Cylon gunslinger, or the whole season Galactic 1980). I get the imperatives to remake a show, but as I said, typically the remake to be valuable needs to be a major improvement in FX/CGI, in widening the original's social presence (say, adding people of color and women in important roles), in being more faithful source material than the original movie,or, as in the case of BSG, maybe being either more fun or more dramatic than the source material. It's a personal thing to many, but for all that V may not have been on the level of Star Trek, I just think there ought to be more time spent on original properties than remaking it. It's not so bad it demanded a remake, and I don't really see what it will add to the scifi universe aside from the superficial upgrades. - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, November 1, 2009 12:52:44 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Syfy Buys Remake of Being Human Here's the thing. It can argued that there is no reason to re-create something that is classic. The original V doesn't reach that standard. The original Battlestar Galactica did not reach that standard. The original A-Team did not reach that standard. They were all pretty cheesy in their original incarnation and, in the second instance for sure, can be and was improved. For instance, there is a proposed Three Stooges remake in the offing. The proposed cast was stellar: Sean Penn as Larry, Benicio Del Toro as Moe and Jim Carrey as Curly, yet this is still a zero sum game as no one can improve on the original Stooges. (This also applies to any Marx Brothers' remakes). By the by, I know the remakers of Being Human will concentrate on finding someone snacky to play Mitchell but, IMHO, Annie is the linchpin character. I hope she both remains a person of color AND retains that ineffable sweetness of being that Lenora Crinchlow brings to the role. ~rave! --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... wrote: I agree. For example, I see no reason for a remake of V. Doesn't even matter if the remake is good: i don't see what the new version can add to the territory covered by the original. In that case, it is only a matter of tweaking some FX, CGI, etc. Even a reflection of recent social change (which can sometimes be a reason to update a property) isn't really needed in a update, as women and blacks were front and center in the movie: the lead Visitor is a woman, a woman ended up leading the Resistance in America, and a black man was a key member of the Resistance. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@... To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, November 1, 2009 1:17:26 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Syfy Buys Remake of Being Human I think the Prisoner was a good show too but I think that they could do some really cool stuff with newer technology. The problem is that Hollywood is chewing up every tv show, movie, kids's show, and kid's movie that they can get their hands on. (The Grinch, Cat in the hat, Flinstones etc.) Sooner or later they will run out of material. Then what? Rework the movies that were less popular? Maybe Jason Robard's A 1000 Clowns? Dark Shadows is already on the pre-production list by the way... On Sat, Oct 31, 2009 at 10:13 PM, marian_changling md_moor...@... wrote: Has no one mentioned the remake of The Prisoner also? Why, oh why? http://www.amctv.com/originals/the-prisoner/ --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ wrote: yeah, I should have pointed that out, but that goes back to my question of Why? What does it mean to take a smart creative team and have them Americanize a great series? And, though they are behind it, note that this is a partnership with SyFy. So as you say, i wonder how much control SyFy will have? - Original Message - From: Tracey de Morsella tdlists@ To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 11:25:51 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Syfy Buys Remake of Being Human I just read the whole thing. Syfy is going to use the original producers. The question is, how tight a leash are they going to have around their necks From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 7:39 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Syfy Buys Remake of Being Human I could ask, what do they gain by moving the remake to America? I could ask, why not just show the
Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen?
Shoulda watched the back-to-back Blacula movies on TVOne. What a howl! - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, November 1, 2009 4:25:24 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? Ever since MST3K, it often becomes my raison d'etre to look for them. Heck, I found two last night without even trying... and they *weren't* on Siffy. Bram Stoker's Dracula's Guest: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1196618/ (The Count from Sesame Street was scarier) Werewolf Hunter: The Legend of Romasanta: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374180/ (rooted for the werewolf) Such pain... such delicious pain... 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, 31 Oct 2009 23:33:09 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? Ha-ha-ha! Is it at least worth a so-bad-it's-funny look? There was one I saw a year ago, about killer fish in the Louisiana bayou. That was so campy I enjoyed laughing at it. Can't remember the name. - Original Message - From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, October 31, 2009 3:56:43 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? I missed Sharks In Venice? 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, 31 Oct 2009 04:01:11 + Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? I can't really ascertain how many were made specifically for SyFy, and how many they purchase from other sources. But at any rate, you're right. But if you haven't seen Dog Soldiers, please do give it a look. Though as I said, SyFy inexplicably shows that worthy film at the worst viewing times, typically late night, really early, when almost no one is home watching horror movies! I remember because that happened in the last month or so. One Saturday I'm getting ready to hit the gym, then to go to a pancake brunch and run errands with my wife. I idly turn on the telly, and there, at 9 am, is Dog soldiers! Why are they showing this good horror flick at a time when most people are out? I wondered. I then checked the guide, figuring that if this flick is on during doldrum times, they *had* to be showing some great stuff in the more watched hours that day. What were they showing? A block of their evil mutant monsters movies. It was either killer fish (like Snakehead Terror), deadly snakes (like Boa), or man eating sharks (Sharks in Venice). i was flabbergasted. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 11:38:34 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? I have never wasted my time watching an entire film that was made for syfy. As soon as I see the special effects it is pretty much over for me. On Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 8:26 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Yep. So how many of those gawd awful movies have you seen? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 11:18:09 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Take the SyFy Movie Test--how many have you seen? That's what we get when they approve movies by a man that believes cheaper is better. On Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 7:25 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: http://www.syfy.com/movies/?__source=Syfy_Global_Nav Really, really pissed off at SyFy for showing Ghost Hunters all Halloween day (see previous rant), I decided to look into the list of potential movies they could have aired instead. So I surfed on over to their site, clicked on Movies, and was taken to the list of their vaunted Originals. (odd title, since not all were produced original by/for SyFy). I was appalled to see how much *crap* is on the list. Honestly, on first reading, i could only find one good flick: Dog Soldiers. Missing from the list are moderately entertaining flicks for a cold Saturday, like Gingersnaps, Alien Lockdown, etc. But even were those included, this list is appallingly bad. More frightening is how many I've tried to watch, though none to completion. My general overview of all? Bad plot, horrible acting, cheap production values, laughably unbelievable CGI--in
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Syfy Buys Remake of Being Human
I think that V could have gone into a much darker direction than it did originally. When it was originally airing I enjoyed the Nazi overtones that was in the original show, as well as the rebellion. They could re-tell the series and put more emphasis on the intrigue and social problems that could arise from an alien visit. Nor did we hear much of the political intrigue that could happen as well. Here are some topics that they could cover: human trafficking, cannibalism, backroom deals, alien worshipers and more. But I doubt that they would cover any of that. By the way, wasn't NBC the ones that aired the series originally? On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 4:12 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: I don't think the original V is all that cheesy; not compared to the lesser moments of the original BSG (I'm thinking the time Apollo had a shootout with a Cylon gunslinger, or the whole season Galactic 1980). I get the imperatives to remake a show, but as I said, typically the remake to be valuable needs to be a major improvement in FX/CGI, in widening the original's social presence (say, adding people of color and women in important roles), in being more faithful source material than the original movie,or, as in the case of BSG, maybe being either more fun or more dramatic than the source material. It's a personal thing to many, but for all that V may not have been on the level of Star Trek, I just think there ought to be more time spent on original properties than remaking it. It's not so bad it demanded a remake, and I don't really see what it will add to the scifi universe aside from the superficial upgrades. - Original Message - From: Kelwyn ravena...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, November 1, 2009 12:52:44 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Syfy Buys Remake of Being Human Here's the thing. It can argued that there is no reason to re-create something that is classic. The original V doesn't reach that standard. The original Battlestar Galactica did not reach that standard. The original A-Team did not reach that standard. They were all pretty cheesy in their original incarnation and, in the second instance for sure, can be and was improved. For instance, there is a proposed Three Stooges remake in the offing. The proposed cast was stellar: Sean Penn as Larry, Benicio Del Toro as Moe and Jim Carrey as Curly, yet this is still a zero sum game as no one can improve on the original Stooges. (This also applies to any Marx Brothers' remakes). By the by, I know the remakers of Being Human will concentrate on finding someone snacky to play Mitchell but, IMHO, Annie is the linchpin character. I hope she both remains a person of color AND retains that ineffable sweetness of being that Lenora Crinchlow brings to the role. ~rave! --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com scifinoir2%40yahoogroups.com, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... wrote: I agree. For example, I see no reason for a remake of V. Doesn't even matter if the remake is good: i don't see what the new version can add to the territory covered by the original. In that case, it is only a matter of tweaking some FX, CGI, etc. Even a reflection of recent social change (which can sometimes be a reason to update a property) isn't really needed in a update, as women and blacks were front and center in the movie: the lead Visitor is a woman, a woman ended up leading the Resistance in America, and a black man was a key member of the Resistance. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@... To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com scifinoir2%40yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, November 1, 2009 1:17:26 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Syfy Buys Remake of Being Human I think the Prisoner was a good show too but I think that they could do some really cool stuff with newer technology. The problem is that Hollywood is chewing up every tv show, movie, kids's show, and kid's movie that they can get their hands on. (The Grinch, Cat in the hat, Flinstones etc.) Sooner or later they will run out of material. Then what? Rework the movies that were less popular? Maybe Jason Robard's A 1000 Clowns? Dark Shadows is already on the pre-production list by the way... On Sat, Oct 31, 2009 at 10:13 PM, marian_changling md_moor...@... wrote: Has no one mentioned the remake of The Prisoner also? Why, oh why? http://www.amctv.com/originals/the-prisoner/ --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com scifinoir2%40yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson KeithBJohnson@ wrote: yeah, I should have pointed that out, but that goes back to my question of Why? What does it mean to take a smart creative team and have them Americanize a great series? And, though they are behind it, note that this is a partnership with SyFy. So as you say, i wonder how much control SyFy will have? - Original Message
RE: [scifinoir2] Avatar trailer on Fox pre-game
It is on the google home page if you want to watch it. Just click on play and expand to full screen. Looks good to me. But, I was totally expecting something else, more in line with the animated series. Am I the last to know? --- On Sun, 11/1/09, Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com wrote: From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Avatar trailer on Fox pre-game To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, November 1, 2009, 1:06 PM Missed it again, because I chose to watch the Jets-Dolphins game. 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: brotherfromhoward@ yahoo.com Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 10:12:17 -0800 Subject: [scifinoir2] Avatar trailer on Fox pre-game Did anyone else see it? Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. Try it now.
[scifinoir2] Re: SyFy - New name, same problems
I feel you, Keith. I decided to tune-in to Ghost Hunters Live for a few minutes yesterday to make sure I wasn't missing something great about the show. Couldn't take more than 30 secs of it. With SGU barely holding my attention and my favorite shows now on network TV, I've sort of given up on SyFy. Angela --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... wrote: Again, we must complain about SyFy's programming choices. Here we are, with Halloween on a Saturday. A perfect opportunity to pull out some great horror and scifi flicks. Maybe show Dog Soldiers--one of the best movies they air-- at a time other than 1 am. Perhaps an all day marathon of something like The Dresden Files, which after all deals with the supernatural. Handpick eps of Enterprise, Eureka, Warehouse 13, etc. that are spooky Hell, I'd even accept--reluctantly--a rerunning of something moderately entertaining like Stephen King's Storm of the Century. How about a miniseries like Tin Man. But what do we get instead? Fu*ing Ghost Hunters, all freakin' day, from 9 am to 7 pm EST, capped off by something called Ghost Hunters Live Halloween for the following *five* hours! Who in the name of Jehosaphat is programming this network? and why in god's name is Ghost Hunters aired so much? There are hours and hours of that crappy show throughout the week. What is the deal?!
Re: [scifinoir2] Avatar trailer on Fox pre-game
Kinda of. The whole Avatar name thing was decided a long time ago. Cameron got to the gate first with his movie name, which has been in the works for years. So the people behind Avatar: The Last Airbender felt the similarity in names would be confusing, so they named their upcoming movie The Last Airbender. - Original Message - From: L Freeman msles59...@yahoo.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, November 1, 2009 8:16:37 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Avatar trailer on Fox pre-game It is on the google home page if you want to watch it. Just click on play and expand to full screen. Looks good to me. But, I was totally expecting something else, more in line with the animated series. Am I the last to know? --- On Sun, 11/1/09, Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com wrote: From: Martin Baxter truthseeker...@hotmail.com Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Avatar trailer on Fox pre-game To: SciFiNoir2 scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, November 1, 2009, 1:06 PM Missed it again, because I chose to watch the Jets-Dolphins game. 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: brotherfromhoward@ yahoo.com Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 10:12:17 -0800 Subject: [scifinoir2] Avatar trailer on Fox pre-game Did anyone else see it? Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. Try it now.
Re: [scifinoir2] Re: SyFy - New name, same problems
Yeah I gave Ghost Hunters about five minutes a few months back, and laughed/groaned my way to another channel. I'm enjoying SGU, though it still doesn't have a overall story direction yet. I'm going with the development of the story and characters. I also like Sanctuary, though it's definitely more B-grade scifi. I guess I still like my Friday night scifi fix! :) - Original Message - From: angelababycat asrobin...@mindspring.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, November 1, 2009 8:53:48 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: SyFy - New name, same problems I feel you, Keith. I decided to tune-in to Ghost Hunters Live for a few minutes yesterday to make sure I wasn't missing something great about the show. Couldn't take more than 30 secs of it. With SGU barely holding my attention and my favorite shows now on network TV, I've sort of given up on SyFy. Angela --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@... wrote: Again, we must complain about SyFy's programming choices. Here we are, with Halloween on a Saturday. A perfect opportunity to pull out some great horror and scifi flicks. Maybe show Dog Soldiers--one of the best movies they air-- at a time other than 1 am. Perhaps an all day marathon of something like The Dresden Files, which after all deals with the supernatural. Handpick eps of Enterprise, Eureka, Warehouse 13, etc. that are spooky Hell, I'd even accept--reluctantly--a rerunning of something moderately entertaining like Stephen King's Storm of the Century. How about a miniseries like Tin Man. But what do we get instead? Fu*ing Ghost Hunters, all freakin' day, from 9 am to 7 pm EST, capped off by something called Ghost Hunters Live Halloween for the following *five* hours! Who in the name of Jehosaphat is programming this network? and why in god's name is Ghost Hunters aired so much? There are hours and hours of that crappy show throughout the week. What is the deal?!
[scifinoir2] World's Largest Cruise Ship Barely Clears Bridge
My goodness, five times larger than Titanic? Over 1.5 *billion*? Veritable ecosystems on board? Man, if this isn't the stuff of post-apocalyptic scifi stories (the last survivors of a nuclear holocaust travel the world on a former cruise ship), i don't know what is... * Largest cruise ship squeezes under Danish bridge The Oasis of The Seas, the world's largest cruise ship clears a crucialAP – The Oasis of The Seas, the world's largest cruise ship clears a crucial obstacle, lowering its smokestacks, … • Largest cruise ship ever sets sailSlideshow: Largest cruise ship ever sets sail By JAN M. OLSEN, Associated Press Writer Jan M. Olsen, Associated Press Writer – Sun Nov 1, 9:23 am ET KORSOER, Denmark – The world's largest cruise ship cleared a crucial obstacle Sunday, lowering its smokestacks to squeeze under a bridge in Denmark . The Oasis of the Seas — which rises about 20 stories high — passed below the Great Belt Fixed Link with a slim margin as it left the Baltic Sea on its maiden voyage to Florida . Bridge operators said that even after lowering its telescopic smokestacks the giant ship had less than a 2-foot (half-meter) gap. Hundreds of people gathered on beaches at both ends of the bridge, waiting for hours to watch the brightly lit behemoth sail by shortly after midnight (2300GMT; 7 p.m. EDT). It was fantastic to see it glide under the bridge. Boy, it was big, said Kurt Hal, 56. Company officials are banking that its novelty will help guarantee its success. Five times larger than the Titanic , the $1.5 billion ship has seven neighborhoods, an ice rink , a small golf course and a 750-seat outdoor amphitheater. It has 2,700 cabins and can accommodate 6,300 passengers and 2,100 crew members. Accommodations include loft cabins, with floor-to-ceiling windows, and 1,600-square-foot (487-meter) luxury suites with balconies overlooking the sea or promenades. The liner also has four swimming pools , volleyball and basketball courts, and a youth zone with theme parks and nurseries for children. Oasis of the Sea, nearly 40 percent larger than the industry's next-biggest ship, was conceived years before the economic downturn caused desperate cruise lines to slash prices to fill vacant berths. It was built by STX Finland for Royal Caribbean International and left the shipyard in Finland on Friday. Officials hadn't expected any problems in passing the Great Belt bridge, but traffic was stopped for about 15 minutes as a precaution when the ship approached, Danish navy spokesman Joergen Brand said. Aboard the Oasis of the Seas, project manager Toivo Ilvonen of STX Finland confirmed that the ship had passed under the bridge without any incidents. Nothing fell off, he said. The enormous ship features various neighborhoods — parks, squares and arenas with special themes. One of them will be a tropical environment, including palm trees and vines among the total 12,000 plants on board. They will be planted after the ship arrives in Fort Lauderdale . In the stern, a 750-seat outdoor theater — modeled on an ancient Greek amphitheater — doubles as a swimming pool by day and an ocean front theater by night. The pool has a diving tower with spring boards and two 33-foot (10-meter) high-dive platforms. An indoor theater seats 1,300 guests. One of the neighborhoods, named Central Park, features a square with boutiques, restaurants and bars, including a bar that moves up and down three decks, allowing customers to get on and off at different levels. Once home, the $1.5 billion floating extravaganza will have more, if less visible, obstacles to duck: a sagging U.S. economy, questions about the consumer appetite for luxury cruises and criticism that such sailing behemoths are damaging to the environment and diminish the experience of traveling. It is due to make its U.S. debut on Nov. 20 at its home port, Port Everglades in Florida .
Re: [scifinoir2] World's Largest Cruise Ship Barely Clears Bridge
I agree. There is a super sized luxury liner that comes to port in San Francisco a couple of times a year. They barely cleared the bottom of the golden gate bridge by 40 feet. Ridiculous! There has been talk of making some of them into floating condo complexes. On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 9:03 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: My goodness, five times larger than Titanic? Over 1.5 *billion*? Veritable ecosystems on board? Man, if this isn't the stuff of post-apocalyptic scifi stories (the last survivors of a nuclear holocaust travel the world on a former cruise ship), i don't know what is... * Largest cruise ship squeezes under Danish bridge [image: The Oasis of The Seas, the world's largest cruise ship clears a crucial] http://nphotos/maiden-voyage-Baltic-Sea-Great-Belt-Fixed-Link/photo//091101/481/f4d8b5337cf94399a5ec0dbf2d0acd92//s:/ap/20091101/ap_on_re_eu/eu_world_s_largest_cruise_shipAP – The Oasis of The Seas, the world's largest cruise ship clears a crucial obstacle, lowering its smokestacks, … - [image: Largest cruise ship ever sets sail] http://nphotos/Largest-cruise-ship-ever-sets-sail/ss/events/wl/103009oasisseas *Slideshow:*Largest cruise ship ever sets sailhttp://nphotos/Largest-cruise-ship-ever-sets-sail/ss/events/wl/103009oasisseas By JAN M. OLSEN, Associated Press Writer Jan M. Olsen, Associated Press Writer – Sun Nov 1, 9:23 am ET KORSOER, Denmark – The world's largest cruise ship cleared a crucial obstacle Sunday, lowering its smokestacks to squeeze under a bridge in Denmark. The Oasis of the Seas — which rises about 20 stories high — passed below the Great Belt Fixed Link with a slim margin as it left the Baltic Sea on its maiden voyage to Florida. Bridge operators said that even after lowering its telescopic smokestacks the giant ship had less than a 2-foot (half-meter) gap. Hundreds of people gathered on beaches at both ends of the bridge, waiting for hours to watch the brightly lit behemoth sail by shortly after midnight (2300GMT; 7 p.m. EDT). It was fantastic to see it glide under the bridge. Boy, it was big, said Kurt Hal, 56. Company officials are banking that its novelty will help guarantee its success. Five times larger than the Titanic, the $1.5 billion ship has seven neighborhoods, an ice rink, a small golf course and a 750-seat outdoor amphitheater. It has 2,700 cabins and can accommodate 6,300 passengers and 2,100 crew members. Accommodations include loft cabins, with floor-to-ceiling windows, and 1,600-square-foot (487-meter) luxury suites with balconies overlooking the sea or promenades. The liner also has four swimming pools, volleyball and basketball courts, and a youth zone with theme parks and nurseries for children. Oasis of the Sea, nearly 40 percent larger than the industry's next-biggest ship, was conceived years before the economic downturn caused desperate cruise lines to slash prices to fill vacant berths. It was built by STX Finland for Royal Caribbean International and left the shipyard in Finland on Friday. Officials hadn't expected any problems in passing the Great Belt bridge, but traffic was stopped for about 15 minutes as a precaution when the ship approached, Danish navy spokesman Joergen Brand said. Aboard the Oasis of the Seas, project manager Toivo Ilvonen of STX Finland confirmed that the ship had passed under the bridge without any incidents. Nothing fell off, he said. The enormous ship features various neighborhoods — parks, squares and arenas with special themes. One of them will be a tropical environment, including palm trees and vines among the total 12,000 plants on board. They will be planted after the ship arrives in Fort Lauderdale. In the stern, a 750-seat outdoor theater — modeled on an ancient Greek amphitheater — doubles as a swimming pool by day and an ocean front theater by night. The pool has a diving tower with spring boards and two 33-foot (10-meter) high-dive platforms. An indoor theater seats 1,300 guests. One of the neighborhoods, named Central Park, features a square with boutiques, restaurants and bars, including a bar that moves up and down three decks, allowing customers to get on and off at different levels. Once home, the $1.5 billion floating extravaganza will have more, if less visible, obstacles to duck: a sagging U.S. economy, questions about the consumer appetite for luxury cruises and criticism that such sailing behemoths are damaging to the environment and diminish the experience of traveling. It is due to make its U.S. debut on Nov. 20 at its home port, Port Everglades in Florida. -- Bringing diversity to perversity for over 9 years! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
