SWfan

{font:Times New Roman} {font} {font:Times New Roman}You seem like an intelligent and movie-savvy person joe, so I would appreciate hearing your opinion on a certain subject concerning Star Wars. It’s my contention that the prequel episodes contain an extensive anagrammatic code about World War 2. It’s a known fact that Lucas based the Skywalker family on the Mythic Hero Cycle and that he incorporated images and themes from WW 2 into Episodes 4, 5 and 6. But I believe that Lucas used a hidden code to refer to specific people, places and even battles in WW 2. Examples - {font} {font:Times New Roman} {font} {font:Times New Roman}Nute Gunray speaks with an Asiatic accent{font} {font:Times New Roman} {font} {font:Times New Roman}Amidala wears gowns patterned after the Chinese Imperial court and Edwardian England{font} {font:Times New Roman} {font} {font:Times New Roman}Jar Jar Binks resembles Charles DeGaulle (big nose, big ears), both of whom continually disrupted the plan of attack{font} {font:Times New Roman} {font} {font:Times New Roman}Jango rhymes with Franco (Hitler’s hired gun){font} {font:Times New Roman} {font} {font:Times New Roman}The name “Count” Dooku may be derived from Dzhugashvili, “Marshal” Stalin’s real name{font} {font:Times New Roman} {font} {font:Times New Roman}Yoda paraphrases Winston Churchill{font} {font:Times New Roman} {font} {font:Times New Roman}I’m not an expert on the war but I have read over 100 books on the subject. I don’t believe it’s proper etiquette for me to post my web site’s address on a TCM board but if you google Star Wars and Hitler (or WW 2 or Hero Cycle), you’ll find it. If this subject interests you, I would appreciate your opinion on its validity. I assume that most people dismiss it as fantasy. However, I predicted the appearance of a Stalin figure in Episode 2 before seeing the movie, so I must be on to something right! The article consists of a 4-page essay, 3-page list of Hero Cycle events, 2-page list of references to other movies, 6-page list of WW 2 references (235 items) in the prequel movies and a 3-page list of WW 2 references (94 items) in the novels that occur between Episodes 2 and 3. You can skip the non-relevant portions if you wish. The article was originally written in 1999 and amended with each new film. When the new Disney movies are released, I may have to do it again. If you believe my article has merit, then other TCM sci-fi aficionados might also be interested. I noticed MadaBidyoni's recent request. (This thread started out as “Oblivion” but we certainly have wandered far afield.){font} {font:Times New Roman} {font}

sorry for the delay, nasty storms in my area. Nope, not "Stone" natives chains

Free Enterprise?

is Royal Wedding applicable?

the ultimate mishap - It's a Wonderful Life a graveyard

jungle rock climbing

"The Egyptian" starring Edmund Purdom?

Earth vs. the Flying Saucers, naturally popcorn

I missed viewing Prometheus in the theater but I've seen it on disk. My reaction was similar to everyone else but the movie has been jangling around in the back of my mind ever since. The plot is complicated because Scott was attempting to create motive for the Alien species after-the-fact, a very difficult task. I will definitely have to give it another look. Besides, Rapace is interesting to watch. My only knowledge about her is the "Girl" movies, I'll have to do a little researching about her.

Thanks for the tip joe. I usually try to avoid any knowledge about a film before I see it in the theater, assuming I'll have a purer reaction that way. I just went to see Into Darkness on that basis. Somehow within 5 minutes, I figured out where it was headed. I was disappointed by film for several reasons, particularly the way it trashed "Star Trek canon." I'm not one of those sticklers that insist on perfection but there are limits to authorial freedom in such a long-running phenomenon. Perhaps we should start a thread on that subject. On the other hand, I appreciate your opinion of Oblivion. It may have departed the screen by the time I get around to it but now when I do view it, I won't be falsely hoping for recompense for the disappointment of Darkness and Prometheus. The sci-fi club I belong to has a running feature "Science Fiction + Fantasy Hall of Fame." I'm sure that Cruise will eventually make it onto this list purely by the number of SFF movies he's appeared in.

Just a little off the top please.

I recently watched part of the movie but I forget which channel it was on. I disagree about its quality, it was stunningly bad when it was first released and it hasn't gotten any better with time. However, it was entertaining to re-watch it as a curio. Seeing Connery in such a wretched part was amusing, like watching Darby O'Gill or Shakalo.

I forgot to add something to my previous post. Barb Wire does qualify as noir because its plot is somewhat similar to Casablanca which was included in the Wiki list.

As an intellectual exercise, I've been engaged in running discussions about genre definitions for over 40 years and have never come close to reaching any sort of mutual agreement, especially with science fiction. The problem has grown much worse over the past two decades. Trying to describe any basic parameters is impossible these days especially with the advent of CGI. The only subgenre I still reject is the Living, Walking, Talking, Faking Dead zombie movies because they are simply a cheap excuse as a vehicle. I've never tried to define the noir genre before but my opinion is that it depends less on photographic technique, subject matter or plot than an internal, claustrophobic mindset. By my personal definition, Barb Wire's post-apopcalyptic setting qualifies it as SF a la Mad Max. I grant that its inclusion as film noir is even less tangible. I judge the 1935 version of Clairvoyant with Claude Rains and Fay Wray as both SF (esp) and noir (the perspective I mentioned above). I should have explained in my earlier note that I gave up trying to delineate between SF, fantasy and horror films several years ago (except for zombie movies). Thus I included the vampire movie Nadja. If I remember correctly, its innately noirish photography makes it eligible as such. I hope this sufficiently explains my opinions and I've enjoyed participating in this discussion. I also re-checked the Wiki list and neither Clockwork nor 1984 were included in any manner. I believe these two movies definitely should have made the list, so my point about fuzzy definitions is valid.

Good one but you forgot recovery of missing spectacles, seducer of sexy widows of the recently departed and igniting oil fields. Let's try one of a highly topical nature: Wicked witch trainee; green skin, hook nose, pointed hat pure evil required; insolubility, hatred of dogs and ability to control mechanical straw-stuffed felines preferred; tutoring in herbal magic, spell casting, crystal ball divination cyclonic teleportation; must pass Western Regional Level VI trial by fire; lifetime tenure; title to Ruby Slippers, Yorio Fortress and monkey army; apply to Personnel dept, Oz Palace And I can't wait to see the new one!

I viewed the list on Wikipedia and the parameters of classification are certainly fuzzy. So here's a few more candidates you might want to consider: Bamboo Saucer; Barb Wire; Clairvoyant; Communion; Crime Zone; Fahrenheit 451; Mothman Prophecies; Nadja; and THX. I noticed that there was a section on the Wiki list devoted to "noir comedies" and that Brazil was included in the SF list. Therefore, Curse of the Jade Scorpion should also qualify. I didn't notice whether Clockwork or 1984 were on the Wiki list.

Definitely Indy. However, I didn't intend for this thread to be a guessing-type game. Anytime you can write a job ad for any recognizable movie character, just go ahead and post it for the enjoyment of our members.

Let's try a different type of game and see how it flies. Anyone is welcome at any time to post a newspaper type employment offer like the one below: Archeology professor at Marshall College; beginner advanced classes three days per week plus half-day student conferences; tenure plus funding for objet d'art expeditions; dead languages erudition, witty irony, rugged good looks, weapons proficiency, inflexible opposition to all forms of oppression and aptitude for quick thinking in perilous situations necessary; survival questionable; full med coverage hefty compensation for recovered artifacts; grave desecration + looting not a problem

Close enough mudskipper. The correct answer was supposed to be "flying" cars. It could be argued that Jimmy Durante's car wasn't really flying but I bet Thelma and Louise would disagree. The next game is yours 'skipper!

{font:Times New Roman} {font} {font:Times New Roman}In the vein of classic westerns, I would choose Rio Grande for its truly excellent cast, good story line, beautiful photography and the standing-upright-on-two-horses stunt. This is my favorite of all of Ford’s efforts. However despite its attractions, RG is still part of the fantasized genre that catered to clichés. So my vote goes to Hombre. Another excellent cast on par with RG, more realistic story and better acting. I would like to see someone attempt a purely pre-Columbian western someday but I doubt it will ever happen. It’s not necessary that Caucasians be included, good drama could be wrought just from the dynamics of Native American culture before the arrival of Europeans. Out of curiosity, I would like to know if the majority of western movie fans define the genre as “west of the Mississippi” or does it include films set during the colonial frontier period such as Allegheny Uprising or Last of the Mohicans. {font} {font:Times New Roman} {font}

I'm new at this. How long should I wait before offering an extra clue?

Pete: Hmmm, and just how much delicious money is the Powerball jackpot worth to-night? Vince: According to this journalistic account, the jackpot is worth a vertible two hundred and ten million! Boris: Yeth... and I haf the winning ticket! Basil: Not for very long, my dear fellow. (Bites neck, decapitates head, drives stake through heart)

By the way, the symbol for the 82nd's unit patch is a screaming eagle. What is the common thread between these 4 movies: Mad Mad Mad Mad World, Absent Minded Professor, Hooper and Artificial Intelligence?

By the way, the symbol for the 82nd's unit patch was a screaming eagle. What's the common thread for these four films: Mad Mad Mad World, Absent Minded Professor, Hooper and Artificial Intelligence?

An easy one, I would have gotten it without the extra clue: the 82nd Airborne was involved in all these movies. In regard to Alvin York, the recruits from Tennesse and New York were combine to form the 82nd Infantry which was converted to airborne at the start of WW II. In WW I, the 82nd was the center division of the American ****-Argonne offensive. While York was executing his Congessional Medal deeds, Capt Wiltsey from New York (Rick Schoeder: Lost Battalion) was involved in his own. The right flank of the American line was the combined National Guard units from Maryland and Virginia. There's a memorial plaque in the little burg I live in commemorating its war dead. The list from WW I is longer than all other wars combined. I don't have a new question ready, give me an hour or two to think one up. If I can't create one by then, I'll open the thread to anyone.