Politics

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Maybe it is just me, but I just don't think French cuffs work for casual wear.
View attachment 507034

Well….. you can take the redneck Cajun out of the swamp………but……well I think you know the rest…..

 

[Doug3006]

First order of business…a prison haircut.

 

[John Wasmuth]

He’s out on bond

 

[wesheltonj]

He’s out on bond

Yes, he is. His parents paid 75k to the bondsman to bail him out. That’s a lot of money for two law school professors at Stanford. They must have invested very well.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

This isn't remotely "political" - unless all it takes is Tom Cruise or perhaps Scientology to set off angst bells. But damn!

And if you haven't seen Top Gun - Maverick yet you are likely a unredeemable curmudgeon anyway.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1604839778125430785

An "unredeemable curmudgeon"... I'll own it. I haven't seen it, and have no plans. I am not a Tom Cruise fan anyway, and I didn't care for the first Top Gun way back during my college days. It still bothers the crap out of me - as a fan of the books - that he was allowed anywhere near the Jack Reacher character. In reality he's about the size of one of Reacher's legs.

 

[John Wasmuth]

I’m sorry but anyone that thinks Tom cruises movies are anywhere near reality never spent a day close to anything remotely involving a hostile fire zone….,

 

[John Wasmuth]

Freaking goofy ass shit…… geez criminy furthest thing from fking realality.

 

[fourfive8]

Actually, it's my understanding a lot of the aerial video stuff was actually shot with multiple cameras in the cockpit during real flights with Cruise et al and not a lot of CG. And jeez, there is a difference between a documentary and a fiction production for entertainment. If all movies were real time reality based they would bore the audience to death and quickly lose any viewership. I watched both Top Guns when they came out and I too don't fully understand all the rave reviews. The first one was ok and entertaining and the recent sequel seemed like it was struggling to maintain the original flavor. So, eh... I'd much rather watch Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit or Harry Potter or Quigley. Or if in the mood for a military history type flick I'll pop in something like Dunkirk or Hacksaw Ridge. I just watched the second Avatar and enjoyed it. IMO it is pretty darn good as a sequel. But that's me

 

[Red Leg]

Freaking goofy ass shit…… geez criminy furthest thing from fking realality.

Actually, it's my understanding a lot of the aerial video stuff was actually shot with multiple cameras in the cockpit during real flights with Cruise et al and not a lot of CG. And jeez, there is a difference between a documentary and a fiction production for entertainment. If all movies were real time reality based they would bore the audience to death and quickly lose any viewership. I watched both Top Guns when they came out and I too don't fully understand all the rave reviews. The first one was ok and entertaining and the recent sequel seemed like it was struggling to maintain the original flavor. So, eh... I'd much rather watch Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit or Harry Potter or Quigley. Or if in the mood for a military history type flick I'll pop in something like Dunkirk or Hacksaw Ridge. I just watched the second Avatar and enjoyed it. IMO it is pretty darn good as a sequel. But that's me

I thought the original "Top Gun" in the eighties was terrific. The latest is the most entertaining movie that I have seen in a decade. If I wanted to watch realistic carrier air ops, I would tune in to a "Mighty Ships" documentary on the Smithsonian channel.

The latest Top Gun was shot with virtually no CGI. Amazing photography and remarkable commitment on the part of all of those actors being thrown around in the rear seat of a F18 Super Hornet.

 

[John Wasmuth]

I thought the original "Top Gun" in the eighties was terrific. The latest is the most entertaining movie that I have seen in a decade. If I wanted to watch realistic carrier air ops, I would tune in to a "Mighty Ships" documentary on the Smithsonian channel.

The latest Top Gun was shot with virtually no CGI. Amazing photography and remarkable commitment on the part of all of those actors being thrown around in the rear seat of a F18 Super Hornet.

Yea…… like that’s real combat airlinks…..

 

[mark-hunter]

I thought the original "Top Gun" in the eighties was terrific. The latest is the most entertaining movie that I have seen in a decade. If I wanted to watch realistic carrier air ops, I would tune in to a "Mighty Ships" documentary on the Smithsonian channel.

The latest Top Gun was shot with virtually no CGI. Amazing photography and remarkable commitment on the part of all of those actors being thrown around in the rear seat of a F18 Super Hornet.

The latest top gun movie is refreshment in total deflation of Hollywood movies, in recent years. Speaking strictly in my personal view, and personal taste

In recent years - there were few other notable movies, for example "Midway", "Dunkirk" and/or "1917" - but this few cannot match even close the movies Saving private Ryan, or Schindlers list..

It seams that Hollywood production lost some of the creativity and ideas, and this trend may have started with hyperproduction of superhero movies from marvel comics. (again, as per my taste only - as some audience do love them, while I try to avoid them).

At home, I virtually dont watch TV, except on occasion 30 min prime time news. (TV occupied by kids)
So, most often if I get a need to watch movie, I go to cinema with my wife, followed by glass of wine, to some of the places around.
Last one I watched in cinema was Top Gun 2.

Travelling to work with international flights, gives me a chance to get an overview of recent movies, although on most of airline companies, the list is bit outdated, for "new realeases" being 1 or two years old, but when internationally flying to work and back 6 times a year, on 6 hour flights, for last 12 years, Hollywood library gets thoroughly checked.

Last, I flew with Qatar airlines, right during world football championship. This was a refreshment in movie offers on flight. Of course, as they expected football fan visitors from allover the world.

They invested in movies of latest Hollywood production. year 2022.

So, the plan is, for early January:

If I get on Qatar airlines again, on a way home, I think I will watch "Jurrasic World - Dominion" 2022, , with a glass of red wine, and with a hope that somebody will finally shoot down that t-rex with a proper rifle!

 

[RTG]

The latest top gun movie is refreshment in total deflation of Hollywood movies, in recent years. Speaking strictly in my personal view, and personal taste

In recent years - there were few other notable movies, for example "Midway", "Dunkirk" and/or "1917" - but this few cannot match even close the movies Saving private Ryan, or Schindlers list..

It seams that Hollywood production lost some of the creativity and ideas, and this trend may have started with hyperproduction of superhero movies from marvel comics. (again, as per my taste only - as some audience do love them, while I try to avoid them).

At home, I virtually dont watch TV, except on occasion 30 min prime time news. (TV occupied by kids)
So, most often if I get a need to watch movie, I go to cinema with my wife, followed by glass of wine, to some of the places around.
Last one I watched in cinema was Top Gun 2.

Travelling to work with international flights, gives me a chance to get an overview of recent movies, although on most of airline companies, the list is bit outdated, for "new realeases" being 1 or two years old, but when internationally flying to work and back 6 times a year, on 6 hour flights, for last 12 years, Hollywood library gets thoroughly checked.

Last, I flew with Qatar airlines, right during world football championship. This was a refreshment in movie offers on flight. Of course, as they expected football fan visitors from allover the world.

They invested in movies of latest Hollywood production. year 2022.

So, the plan is, for early January:

If I get on Qatar airlines again, on a way home, I think I will watch "Jurrasic World - Dominion" 2022, , with a glass of red wine, and with a hope that somebody will finally shoot down that t-rex with a proper rifle!

It's less about Hollywood losing creativity and more about America losing Hollywood to China. If you want access to the Chinese market, you follow Chinese rules. The Chinese government controls the script of any movie that ends up in China. That's why there are so few pro-American or pro-freedom movies any more.

With regards to Top Gun 2, Paramount didn't bend their knee to China. They lost access to that market but were able to make a movie that the rest of the world actually wanted to see. Creativity was unchained. One could assume Hollywood would learn from that, but they won't. They will chase the easy money.

This is a real war on our homeland. Right on our streets. It's been going on for almost 20 years. It's a shame those who control our military might, aren't the least concerned with what will happen once this war for influence is lost completely.

 

[mark-hunter]

It's a shame those who control our military might, aren't the least concerned with what will happen once this war for influence is lost completely.

When I go to Cinestar cinema. The first Cinestar advertising says,:
Movie is most influential media of XX century (or something like that)

Indeed it is.
Modern culture is made by cinema. much less with anything else.
We all remember ....
... frankly my dear I dont give a damn....
... hasta la vista, baby...
.. i'll be back....
... do you feel lucky, punk...
.....I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse....
...Shane! Come back, Shane!...

etc...

With those, Hollywood conquered the world.
When Hollywood losses that world wide influence, we will all loose our cultural grounds in time.
What comes next, I wonder.
Roman empire disappeared, byzantine empire disappeared, maybe we are in decline. maybe. wheel of history.

 

[fourfive8]

IMO, computer generated imagery can be a double edged sword. If it is the primary substance of any movie it can kill the movie sans any quality camera work, direction, acting or interesting story line. Conversely, it can also enhance an otherwise good movie.

Here are a couple of really good movies scenes, skits with zero special effects or CGI that stand on their own for great acting, directing, storyline, and camera work.... IMO, Tombstone was one of Val Kilmer's greatest works And, the Buster Scruggs series of skits were produced on relatively low budget. And good actors with good scrip, direction and storyline can enhance a movie. Viggo Mortensen is an example of a really good actor who can adapt to a variety of roles equally well... as demonstrated by his work in Lord of the Rings and Hidalgo.

 

[mdwest]

 

[John Wasmuth]

View attachment 507173

Exactly

 

[Red Leg]

IMO, computer generated imagery can be a double edged sword. If it is the primary substance of any movie it can kill the movie sans any quality camera work, direction, acting or interesting story line. Conversely, it can also enhance an otherwise good movie.

Here are a couple of really good movies scenes, skits with zero special effects or CGI that stand on their own for great acting, directing, storyline, and camera work.... IMO, Tombstone was one of Val Kilmer's greatest works And, the Buster Scruggs series of skits were produced on relatively low budget. And good actors with good scrip, direction and storyline can enhance a movie. Viggo Mortensen is an example of a really good actor who can adapt to a variety of roles equally well... as demonstrated by his work in Lord of the Rings and Hidalgo.

Many agree that Kilmer should have been nominated for the academy award for best supporting actor for that role. I think it is his best work. If you want to be reminded how good a portrayal it is, watch the movie Wyatt Earp staring Kevin Costner as Wyatt and Dennis Quaid as an utterly forgettable Doc Holiday.

 

[Wheels]

 

[Red Leg]

View attachment 507186

Her actions with respect to the State of Union speech were inexcusable.

And have nothing to do with Zelensky's presence before the Congress. They may call that bowing some places, but here we call it bending over to say thank you when you are sitting four feet higher than your guest.

I think it is worth knowing that the flag was signed and presented by the defenders of Bachmut in thanks for the American people's support.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/zsf6uq

 

[Red Leg]

I think this is interesting. This is a government produced commercial (high production values) currently running on the Russian RT Network. It is thus aimed primarily at a Russian audience rather than the West or specifically Europe. As sanctions continue to complicate life in Russia, it is useful propaganda to illustrate (humorously) how bad things supposedly are for Europe.

Perhaps @Major Bonkers or @Opposite Pole can give us an appreciation hamster stew. I am told it is much like squirrel.

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkrainianConflict/comments/ztoe3l