General

Re: Serenity

Magnus — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:52:48 GMT

I just watched all the episodes of Firefly, just wanted to say thanks ya'll for recomending it, I loved it!

Re: Serenity

mike barskey — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:36:30 GMT

This isn't totally related, but it's close enough and coincidental enough (and cute enough) that I thought I'd post it: This Quantz comic from March 25.

Re: Serenity

mike barskey — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:27:02 GMT

That's an expectation I share. I think it's not logical to say that the values of an actor will be portrayed in their performance or in the film as a whole, but it certainly can happen (and sometimes does). But when you're referring to "the wringer of Hollywood production" there are many more people that get involved and, as a group (i.e., generally/statistically/collectively speaking), the people involved in Hollywood movie production have a particular slant. And in addition to all the people included in "the wringer of Hollywood production," there are also many other factors like funding, timing, politics (both figurative and literal), etc. Based on my experience, I do not have faith that Atlas Shrugged will come out of Hollywood in a form that gives the book/ideals justice. But I too hope I'm wrong! :)

Re: Serenity

MacFall — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:14:37 GMT

That's true, but big-name actors mean lots of close work with the Hollywood lefties. I hope I'm being unduly prejudiced, but I wouldn't expect the pro-market message to make it through the wringer of Hollywood production.

Re: Serenity

mike barskey — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 06:22:09 GMT

MacFall:
Is anyone else concerned that the probable lead actress in such a seminal pro-capitalist work has a Che Guevara tattoo?

I'm not. It's called acting because the actors pretend to be other characters in other situations, possibly with other views. A good actor makes you believe what you are watching; a bad actor doesn't. It's irrelevant for good and bad actors what their principles are (unless their principles affect their performance). It isn't hypocrisy if a socialist portrays Dagny Taggart, or if an anarchist portrays Hitler; these people are not teaching or preaching, they are acting.

Re: Serenity

Nitroadict — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 05:40:53 GMT

It really depends; most people who have Che as a tattoo or wear a shirt etc. probably do it out of some stupid fad status concerning Che as a "Revolutionary". I can't say it's not an anoyyance though, but I can't vouch for her views since I rarley pay attention to celebrity crap outside of movies.

Re: Serenity

MacFall — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 05:12:42 GMT

Nitroadict:
The only thing that I'm worried about is the just-out-developmental-hell-and-actually-being-worked-on Atlas Shrugged adaption. I have yet to read the book, but I think it would pretty amazing if it turned out to be a good & accurate adaption, especially with the mainstream star power attached to it (Angelina Jolie, whom I think might also be playing the protagonist, if I remember correctly).

Is anyone else concerned that the probable lead actress in such a seminal pro-capitalist work has a Che Guevara tattoo?

Re: Serenity

Paul — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:17:17 GMT

gplauche:
I can see why a fan of the series might not like the movie: it rushes to tie up loose ends, being limited to only a couple of hours; two major characters die; doesn't focus on one's favorite characters enough; etc. But I think most people will like both and people going from the movie to the series won't have many of these obstacles. (Although I think it is best to watch the series first, to get the full effect of the movie.)

The major fault was that it was inconsistent with the TV series - the sudden appearance of the super über-hacker David Krumholtz character - and the unconvincing and disappointing explanation for the big mystery of the series: why the Alliance wanted Summer so badly.

Re: Serenity

Nitroadict — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:24:33 GMT

Actually, I think the movie makes it entirley obvious that they might make either another movie to continue off off, or another TV series which would address the loose ends. Serenity did gangbusters with DVD sales, from what I hear, so I'd imagine Whedon would admit that it's not far off at all that more Firefly / Serenity will appear in the future, methinks.

As for the two characters dying, I recall that they were planning this, storyline wise, from the beginning. It seems to me Serenity tried to tie loose ends up concerning overall story, but for characters, obviously you can't get all of that in a single movie (Inara was sadly marganilized, although Zoe got some good parts.)

Re: Serenity

Geoffrey Allan Plauché — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:47:13 GMT

Paul:
I liked Firefly but didn't like Serenity at all.

Oh well... the exception that proves the rule. :o)

I can see why a fan of the series might not like the movie: it rushes to tie up loose ends, being limited to only a couple of hours; two major characters die; doesn't focus on one's favorite characters enough; etc. But I think most people will like both and people going from the movie to the series won't have many of these obstacles. (Although I think it is best to watch the series first, to get the full effect of the movie.)

Re: Serenity

Paul — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:34:52 GMT

gplauche:
Anyone who liked one will like the other.

I liked Firefly but didn't like Serenity at all.

Re: Serenity

Nitroadict — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 05:54:57 GMT

I think Whedon makes it clear that such Libertarian ideals / ideas can translate very successful (and amazingly) to a movie and/or TV narrative. In today's mass media oriented world, I would think this would be a great vehicle to get some alternative poltical thought out there, albiet, in a vielded manner.

The only thing that I'm worried about is the just-out-developmental-hell-and-actually-being-worked-on Atlas Shrugged adaption. I have yet to read the book, but I think it would pretty amazing if it turned out to be a good & accurate adaption, especially with the mainstream star power attached to it (Angelina Jolie, whom I think might also be playing the protagonist, if I remember correctly).

Re: Serenity

macsnafu — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 05:05:43 GMT

Magnus:
is the tv-show worth watching? Anyone know?

Just recently finished watching the episodes through Netflix. Good show, but it got cancelled too quickly. The movie really works, though, and doesn't leave a bunch of loose ends.

I wasn't initially convinced that it was a libertarian-oriented show, but the message started coming home after about 3 of the episodes, and the movie makes it pretty obvious.

Re: Serenity

MacFall — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:03:31 GMT

I think Joss Whedon (who directed it) is a libertarian. I have heard rumors from people in "the business" that he's working on a screenplay version of Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, which expresses a fairly unapologetic anarchist viewpoint.

Re: Serenity

pauled — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:25:26 GMT

Magnus:

I recently watched this movie called "Serenity", I really liked it, for many reasons, partly because of it's libertarian message. I was just wondering if anyone has watched the show "Firefly" (Serenity is apparantley based on this tv-show), is the tv-show worth watching? Anyone know?

Firefly is great. We have both the series and Serenity on DVD. I prefer the movie, but the kids have watched the series at least 6 times. They all think Jane is a hoot.