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Post by thomasallencummins on Apr 15, 2008 6:07:08 GMT -5
These days television is pretty barren for me but the shows I do take the time to watch I watch with ghusto. Here's a list of what is on (or what ought to be on) that I watch regularly.
HOUSE LOST HELL'S KITCHEN BURN NOTICE HEROES SIMPSONS FAMILY GUY
I still watch re runs of Sienfeld, King of Queens and Two and a Half Men and of course the run of remastered Original Star Trek episodes they play every sunday.
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ram
Magpie
randomly avoiding mainframes
Posts: 571
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Post by ram on Apr 20, 2008 1:41:20 GMT -5
I kicked off this evening's TV viewing with the latest episode of Battlestar Galactica. This, the final season of the new series, is possibly the television event of the year. For sci fi geeks, it surely must be.
Following BSG, the Space Channel presented Aliens Vs. Predator. It was finally a chance to watch this movie (for free) so I stuck around for it.
Well, AvP didn't suck as much as I thought it would, though it wasn't particularly brilliant either. It doesn't equal the original Predator film, much less the original Alien. Or even Aliens. I don't know how AvP compares to Predator 2, as I've not seen that sequel.
Still, AvP was a decent enough sci fi thriller with good action sequences and good special effects. On the other hand, the dialogue was less than thrilling, but I had expected as much. The plot was just a tad inane, but I must give credit to the writers for bringing together the respective histories and agendas of the Predators and Aliens in an interesting way.
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Post by baylou on Apr 20, 2008 7:22:08 GMT -5
Survivor! (Rooting for the "Fans") ER Lost (However, it's losing my interest) Brothers and Sisters (when it returns) Desperate Housewives
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Post by thomasallencummins on Apr 20, 2008 11:38:24 GMT -5
Lost (However, it's losing my interest) Nooooooooo! Hang in there Sis!
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Post by thomasallencummins on Apr 20, 2008 11:42:06 GMT -5
Well, AvP didn't suck as much as I thought it would, though it wasn't particularly brilliant either. It doesn't equal the original Predator film, much less the original Alien. Or even Aliens. I don't know how AvP compares to Predator 2, as I've not seen that sequel. Still, AvP was a decent enough sci fi thriller with good action sequences and good special effects. On the other hand, the dialogue was less than thrilling, but I had expected as much. The plot was just a tad inane, but I must give credit to the writers for bringing together the respective histories and agendas of the Predators and Aliens in an interesting way. I didn't hate the film either. Another chance to watch two of my favorite Sci Fi characters is bound to be fun to some extent. However I found AVP to be fairly unremarkable too. I have some hope that the sequel might deliver a few more thrills but from what I've heard it might join the first film in mediocrity.
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ram
Magpie
randomly avoiding mainframes
Posts: 571
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Post by ram on May 30, 2008 0:04:29 GMT -5
Earlier this week, I tuned into The Andromeda Strain on A&E -- the network's own take on Michael Crichton's novel, not the classic 1971 movie (which I love).
This new version is all right, but I won't say it's great. I give it good marks for effort, but I think it stumbles in trying to juggle too many balls (too many characters, too many conspiracy side plots). Whereas the 1971 movie is very tautly focused on the scientists and the job at hand - solving the mystery of Andromeda.
I have the '71 film on DVD. I'm going to watch it this weekend while the A&E version is still fresh in my mind.
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Post by thomasallencummins on May 30, 2008 7:50:26 GMT -5
Earlier this week, I tuned into The Andromeda Strain on A&E -- the network's own take on Michael Crichton's novel, not the classic 1971 movie (which I love). This new version is all right, but I won't say it's great. I give it good marks for effort, but I think it stumbles in trying to juggle too many balls (too many characters, too many conspiracy side plots). Whereas the 1971 movie is very tautly focused on the scientists and the job at hand - solving the mystery of Andromeda. I have the '71 film on DVD. I'm going to watch it this weekend while the A&E version is still fresh in my mind. I watched both parts, a total of 4 hours, and enjoyed about 3/4 of the film. I thought the production itself was well executed, fairly well directed, well acted etc. Where the movie let me down was in the last 45 mintues or so. Everything suddenly seemed rushed and illogical like they were trying to squeeze in far too much. That's a shame.
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ram
Magpie
randomly avoiding mainframes
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Post by ram on Jun 3, 2008 12:45:46 GMT -5
Well, after rewatching the 1971 film, there's no doubt in my mind: it's clearly superior to the A&E version, especially in terms of creating suspense. Also, I really like how you're taken through each level of the Wildfire lab along with the scientists: the tour gives a sense of the scale of the facility and the technology involved in its operation, and impresses upon you just how cut off the scientists are from the outside world once they're in the bowels of the building.
I can understand A&E not wanting merely to produce a carbon copy of the '71 film, but in trying to be very different, the new version just ends up being rather conventional (i.e. conventionally modern and hip, kind of like an episode of CSI).
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Post by thomasallencummins on Jun 4, 2008 5:24:59 GMT -5
I can understand A&E not wanting merely to produce a carbon copy of the '71 film, but in trying to be very different, the new version just ends up being rather conventional (i.e. conventionally modern and hip, kind of like an episode of CSI). I haven't seen the original film but I find it difficult to dis believe you, ram. BTW there was a feeling I got while watching the A&E version and you just nailed it. I was thinking "24" but yeah a typical television action/drama. These days that's not all that bad given the impressive production values of todays televsion. I plan to watch the original film asap. ;D
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ram
Magpie
randomly avoiding mainframes
Posts: 571
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Post by ram on Jun 4, 2008 14:34:35 GMT -5
I'm sure you'll be amused by the technology on display in the movie -- stuff that was considered cutting edge in 1971. ;D But I think there's a kind of charm about it, looking back at it now. Also, the Wildfire Lab has a "personality" in the '71 movie that doesn't come through in the A&E version. Fair enough, if A&E wanted to focus just on the human personalities. Problem is that the scientist characters as portrayed in the A&E version are a bit bland, in my opinion.
Another little nagging issue I have is that I don't think the A&E version did as good a job as the '71 movie in explaining the science behind the Andromeda "bug." It seems to me Benjamin Bratt and company just rattle off a lot of jargon that is meant to impress, but which doesn't really help the viewer understand what's at stake.
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Post by thomasallencummins on Jun 9, 2008 12:11:53 GMT -5
Another little nagging issue I have is that I don't think the A&E version did as good a job as the '71 movie in explaining the science behind the Andromeda "bug." It seems to me Benjamin Bratt and company just rattle off a lot of jargon that is meant to impress, but which doesn't really help the viewer understand what's at stake. I tend to agree on that point, ram. Looks like I may have to order AS-71 from Amazon in order to watch it.
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ram
Magpie
randomly avoiding mainframes
Posts: 571
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Post by ram on Oct 8, 2008 1:01:00 GMT -5
Saw a crazy show on the Discovery channel called Destroyed In Seconds. It's another variation on the most-shocking-videos concept. This particular show goes for broke and simply presents really BIG moments of destruction: an Amtrak train slamming into and obliterating a semi truck...an explosion at a rocket fuel plant massive enough to register as a 3.5 earthquake...a stealth bomber at an air show that catastrophically breaks apart in the sky and slams into a house. Those kinds of moments. It does make for compelling TV, even if you watch all the carnage with some guilt.
The majority of the disasters shown were the result of human stupidity or complacency. Like that plant explosion: seems it was caused when an employee had carelessly discarded a cigarette...into a vat of waste chemicals. Did he suddenly forget he was working at a place where they stored ROCKET FUEL? Unbelievable. Yes, real life Homer Simpsons walk the earth.
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Post by thomasallencummins on Oct 8, 2008 13:41:21 GMT -5
Programs of that type seem to give me a sick feeling inside. Sure you aren't witness to the grizzly details but it's quite obvious that in some cases human beings are dying in the midst of cameras rolling. I have a real interest in aircraft and have some great footage of a variety of air shows but the idea of watching a pilot lose control of his plane and crash into the ground before witnesses and video recording is something I've never been able to stomach. However it is tragic and amazing that something as simple as a discarded cigarette can cause a calamity of catastrophic proportions. Who knows what the guy in the office next to you is up to? BTW. Not completely off topic is this picture of our old "Tampa Stadium" which was built back in the 60s and has since been replaced by Raymond James Stadium (which you can see in the background of the photo). Just happend to be reading up on Tampa Stadium's history.
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Post by cleburne on Oct 9, 2008 11:49:07 GMT -5
Cool picture. As for Im watching at present.Glued to Heroes at present rewatched 2nd episode last night and after that the 3rd episode. Must say Im loving it story line is good and and there is alot more going on.Lets hope for more. Friends is always on when we have our dinner but its always good for a laugh. Apart from that I dont spend enough time in front of telly maybe it because I m spending so much time here.
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Post by thomasallencummins on Oct 9, 2008 12:02:13 GMT -5
Can't spend too much time here. :-)
I'm hooked on Heroes season 3 as well and like always I'm in for the long haul. I also watch House, Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares and Fringe (LOST when it returns) weekly as well as as many broadcast NFL games as time allows. .
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