Baumblog EST 1968 - A blog for the Baumbachs who originated in Syracuse, NY


	Posts tagged with "movie"

For all you alien fans...
posted by Geoff on August 16, 2009 @ 12:05PM

Check out the new movie District 9, directed by Peter Jackson (who also directed Lord of the Rings, and the new King Kong). While not nearly as long as his other films, it's still a pretty cool movie. A very unique take on the alien "invasion" if you will. If you've got a few extra bucks and 2 hours of time, I encourage you to check out the film. This movie is not for the kiddies, I will warn you.

10 comments | Tags: aliens, movie

Ghostbusters is rising from the grave!
posted by GJ on May 28, 2009 @ 12:14PM

Those of you who grew up in the 1980s know the Ghostbusters franchise well--it was pretty much everywhere in the mid-80s, and continued on into the early 1990s with the second movie and animated series. It's coming back as a top-notch video game, which should form the launchpad for a third movie, handing the torch to a new set of young Ghostbusters.

The New York Times did a good interview with Dan Akroyd which you may wish to read, if nothing else, to rekindle old memories and learn some fun facts. You might want to check it out!

6 comments | Tags: games, news, entertainment, movie

Marc said 3 minutes later

That's not all. I forget where I read it, but it was another interview with Dan Akroyd verifying that Ghostbusters 3, the movie is coming out. Supposedly is likely to start filming in the winter. The rumor has been floating around for quite some time, but this was straight from Akroyd himself and he verified all of the original Ghostbusters are back to pass the torch on to younger, and female, Ghostbusters. Likely will be terrible.

The game looks pretty cool, graphically, but based on the videos it looks like it will lose the fun factor after capturing 2 or 3 ghosts.
GJ said about 1 hour later

Actually, don't write off the game. I think it could well succeed due to the quality of the writing. It'll be more than just capturing ghosts, methinks. It's being hinted that there is enough original material in the game to equal a movie--no small feat. I'm looking forward to it.

As for the movie, it's hard to say. First order, the movie isn't a done deal--the game is supposed to "test the waters." However, writers have been commissioned, so that's a very good sign. I think filming could potentially start this year if the studio likes the script. The younger ghostbusters won't all be female, btw, but expect at least one female cadet.
Marc said about 2 hours later

I saw a video preview on Gamespot of the game and they said the script is really well written and pretty hilarious, but the gameplay does get old pretty fast. I imagine it will be successful due to the script, but likely won't hold my attention. Every game that focuses on storyline never holds me, but I'll certainly give it a shot and see how I like it.
GJ said about 3 hours later

Thanks for the linky, I'll have to check it out. Me, I like the story-based games just fine--that's partially what drew me to things like Wing Commander back in the day. So long as the game duties don't become totally mind-numbing, it should work for me.
Geoff said about 21 hours later

Looks pretty cool from the Gamespot review.
GJ said about 22 hours later

The gameplay looks interesting, but the graphics were too jumpy for my tastes. Here's to hoping that's cleaned up some by launch. Wonder how it'll look on the Wii.

Here comes Expelled!
posted by GJ on April 15, 2008 @ 10:07AM

Have you heard about Expelled? Here's the ugly truth behind this ridiculous documentary hosted by Ben "I'm an idiot" Stein.

What levels these guys go to do paint evolution as the Devil's work is simply amazing...and not in a good way.

10 comments | Tags: pseudoscience, religion, movie, science

Geoff said 1 day later

Lets hope nobody hears about it.
Marc said 1 day later

I'm not sure what they'll actually talk about in Expelled, but for one, I don't care to see a movie about people who got fired for talking about Intelligent Design in the classroom. It just doesn't interest me to pay $9 to see that. So he's probably not going to be too successful.

On another note, I don't see what the problem is with a school saying "Some people believe that some higher being aided in evolution." Maybe a couple more sentences on it, but leave it at that. While I believe in a higher being, I know there's not a lot of factual evidence to prove one exists. There's no reason to leave it from being mentioned, but there's also no reason for spending huge amounts of time on it, because we do need to be scientific about things. Evolution on the other hand, has a lot of evidence and interesting things related to it. But that's because evolution is a much simpler problem than the beginning of the universe.

The change that needs to happen is the intelligent design people need to stop whining and start putting together more facts. Once facts are tied together, maybe science will start respecting it for what they've come up with. Hands down, the science people are winning because you can't beat their argument and they've got good evidence.
Darcy said 1 day later

Marc--the problem I see with allowing such a statement being allowed in school is that it gives the ID-folks a leg up. They will see this as a win for their side and actively work towards getting more of their side into the classroom. Frankly most of their ideas do not belong in a public school system as they are clearly pushing a religious agenda. From my experience, most of their science is flawed, and they have a habit of practicing bad science--fitting data to their theory. Transitional fossils do not exist according to the ID people, and everytime another transitional form is found they immediately come out and say this can't possibly transitional.

Don't get me wrong, I think a religions of the world would be a good class to have in schools, to expose kids to other faiths in a non-proselytizing manner. Push most ID people about who is responsible for life on earth they will answer the Christian God. Why not any other God, why not one that predates the Bible? I, unlike my dear sweet husband, have no problem with people saying a higher power is responsible for the start of life on earth, it is when they start pushing a specific religious agenda that I object, and ultimately that is the case here.
Darcy said 1 day later

Oh and scuttlebutt about the movie from those that have seen it say the aim of the movie is to talk about people who claim that their careers were damaged because they spoke up about Intelligent Design in the workplace, ie, professors denied tenure. Most of the people denied tenure, were denied for reasons other than their adherence to ID. Also when they do talk to folks who are pure evolutionists, all they can do is ask them their views on religion. Many are atheists so of course you know what kind of answers you will get. These scientists were also interviewed under false pretenses--they were told it was a different topic for the documentary.

The one thing in the movie that really pisses me off is the equating of Darwinism(not my term) with Nazism. Yes, Charles Darwin is ultimately responsible for the theories of the Third Reich. Right...
Geoff said 1 day later

Not to pick on Marc here, but I would say a good majority of people would say something similar Marc has presented here...that this is an idea that should be at least mentioned to our children. There some other preposterous ideas out there too like "the moon landing was fake" and that "the holocaust never happened". Clearly, these ideas are false and shouldnt even be considered because there is no clear evidence to support it, and there is an overwhelming amount of evidence that contradicts it. Same goes for evolution vs ID. There is NO, none, zero, zilch evidence in support of ID (not even a smidgen), contrary to Evolution which is well supported by evidence and the scientific community.

This doesnt mean that it is absolute truth (nothing is), however there is no alternative that proves to be a better explanation that can be tested or replicated in a test environment. For this reason, ID has no place in a public setting, where everyone is free of and from religion and make believe.

Peoples problem is that they need an explanation for everything. They fear the unknown. Because science does not solve all of the universes deepest secrets, doesnt mean we can just start making stuff up and teaching our kids it.

Bill Maher said it best, keep your imaginary friend to yourself.
Marc said 1 day later

Yea, I didn't mean to include what most of these idiots are saying. When people like Huckabee state the Earth is 6,000 years old, and it's scientifically well known that couldn't be more false, we simply ignore those idiots. I think a religions of the world class would be great, and probably the best place to put things related to ID until they come up with something...anything...solid.
Geoff said 1 day later

Oh, and if anyone submits the "Banana theory" by the two morons Ray Comfort/Kirk Cameron as scientific evidence, I'll smack you. :)
GJ said 1 day later

Like this?
Steve said 2 days later

Dear Lord,

Please stop my brothers from posting the same boring religion vs science crap every other week. Let them realize that some believe, some don't, and that's not going to change. Please let them realize that each side has their extremists, and 99% of each side don't support those extremists arguing in their favor. Thank You.

Amen
GJ said 2 days later

You won't catch me doing the anti-religious thingy--I have a minister-type person that I'm having a lot of fun doing the metaphysical discussion thingy with. However, I will post about frauds here a lot, and religious fraud will get it just as much as non-religious fraud. Trouble is, religion is fraught with fraud. I don't mean that in a bad way...it's just that it's freaking fertile ground. Oh, and sorry about the alliteration.

Hard to see what one of my favorite pastimes happens to be--fraud analysis! :)

Cloverfield
posted by GJ on January 22, 2008 @ 5:08PM

So, no suprise, I went to see Cloverfield. You know, the Giant Monster From Who Knows Where Is Attacking New York With Abandon movie.

I prepared for this daunting task by first steeling myself and watching Dragon Wars last week. Let's just say that was entertaining, but only sort-of a monster movie. I wouldn't recommend it to most folks though.

Next up, The Host. This was a freaking awesome monster movie. It's another Korean flick, like Dragon Wars, but this one is quirky beyond belief and yet has the best freaking monster I think I've ever seen in a monster movie--and you get to see it a LOT. I promise you, you'll never see a more acrobatic monster--one that has trouble running on dry land, however. :) This movie start fast, and much to your own surprise, you'll be rooting for the totally dsyfunctional family at the center of this film as they take on the monster all on their own.

So, Cloverfield. It didn't make me seesick, but I wouldn't recommend sitting close to the screen. Was it cool? Yes--the monster was cool. The characters? Not so much--other than the camera dude Hud, and Lily, the fiancee of the protagonist's brother (got all that?) are even slightly appealing. Pure and simple, this is a tale of panic, fear, bravery, a hint of redemption and a lot of death and destruction. It's not the best movie by any stretch, but it sure was interesting. Well, the last 60 minutes or so were--the first 15 (the party you see in the trailers) is pathetic, but just as it becomes more than you can bear, the action starts up and just keeps firing for the rest of the film.

It won't leave you warm and fuzzy--probably more shell-shocked then anything else. Spoilers? Nope. See the movie if you're that interested.

No comments | Tags: movie

The Golden Compass Post
posted by GJ on January 4, 2008 @ 9:46AM

OK, you knew I'd have to eventually comment on this, right?

The Golden Compass is based on the first book in Philip Pullman's series His Dark Materials. A lot of Christian evangeliticals have demanded boycotts of this movie, yada yada yada, saying the film is anti-religious...mostly because the author, Pullman, is a fairly ardent atheist himself.

So, I thought I'd share some thoughts with you about it, but I have yet to either see the movie or read the books myself. Instead, I came across a pretty good summary of it written up by Skatje Myers who publishes the Lacrimae Rerum blog. Here goes:

The trilogy has the Church as the antagonist. Not religious belief in general. If any “message” may be derived, it’s that powerful religious organisation who is above the law and morally degraded (murder is no problem for them) is bad. By being against these books for only religious reasons, you’re basically saying that the Church in the series is acceptable and it’s wrong to condemn such a thing.

God isn’t even in the books. It’s the first angel falsely claiming that he created everything. False gods are bad, right? So shouldn’t it be a good thing that they took him down? Pullman left the question of if there’s a Creator wide open. I don’t think any of the people squawking about the trilogy even bothered to read it.

Keep in mind that this is a fictional story which takes place in a fictional world where a fictional church is trying to kill a fictional girl. Kids can separate reality from the fantasy they read in a book (unless the fantasy in a book is supported by the majority of people around them, it seems). It’s why they don’t climb into wardrobes looking for Narnia or ask why they don’t see any hobbits around.

And when your beliefs feel threatened by a fictional book? That’s just pathetic.

Once again, it appears that the fundies are criticizing something they don't even understand. Par for the course. Now since I haven't read the books or seen the movie, I'd ask if Abby (who has read the series) could confirm if Skatje's summary is on target or not.

Speaking of movies...if you liked The Princess Bride, check out Stardust (just saw it last night). Great movie if you like that genre.

6 comments | Tags: religion, movie

Transformers
posted by Geoff on July 3, 2007 @ 2:13AM

This is a must see movie....the special effects alone are worth seeing. It's a fun movie, but the ending is just ridiculous...the first movie, IMO, that has surpassed the Matrix in special effects.

4 comments | Tags: info, movie

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