nimblescout50, look, The Fifth Element definitely leans into that campy, sci-fi trash aesthetic, but I wouldn't go as far as calling it literal garbage. I mean, maybe it's a bit much for some people, but Quentin Tarantino basically built his entire career on that kind of vibe. He even has a movie called Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Hell's Sound.
Look, everyone judges everyone else to some degree, but there’s a line where criticism turns into straight-up harassment, hate speech, or a literal mob mentality. That goes for all kinds of violence, too. Are we actually bullying someone right now by debating this? It’s possible, though I guess it’s unlikely. Maybe we shouldn't even be touching this topic at all? Just look at the media frenzy that kicked off after Luka Ritz passed away. I remember vividly how every news outlet was outraged over the light sentences given to his killers. One reporter even went after Damir Hoyka just because he didn't know who Luka Ritz was in the first place. Does religion bully everyone it labels a sinner? Does that kind of thing fuel hate among people? Then again, is prison itself a form of violence? Or the death penalty? These are heavy questions. Anyway, condemnation is basically an attempt to stigmatize an individual or a group to push them out of society. It’s a massive, powerful mechanism that gets abused constantly on both a personal and a societal level. My point with this thread is that vigilante justice rarely does any actual good. In my opinion, it's a double-edged sword that we should probably avoid, especially nowadays when we live in a democracy with a police force and a relatively functional legal system.
I was just scrolling through Wikipedia and ended up reading a bunch of funny quotes from the movie. 🤣 I mean, I can't argue with anyone who says Gary Oldman is a fantastic actor. 👍 By the way, has anyone else noticed that The Fifth Element is one of those rare movies where the President is Black? It feels a little weird when you think about how Barack Obama became president. You’d think there would have been more foreshadowing for a political scenario like that. Anyway, most critics gave the film a thumbs up and it actually made like 200% of its budget back, but it didn't really blow up here in the States. I guess Americans just didn't quite get it. Or maybe it just got overshadowed by Titanic. James Cameron is definitely a bigger household name than Luc Besson, and he probably understands the American mindset a bit better. It's pretty wild that Titanic and The Fifth Element actually have the same rating on IMDb.
The movie is pretty trashy and naive in its fun, but honestly, that moment when Leeloo realizes just how messed up humanity and life can be—spiraling into that existential crisis—didn't feel shallow to me at all. I actually find myself thinking back to that scene whenever I’m wrestling with some heavy stuff. It feels like most Hollywood movies tend to steer clear of those kinds of themes. American culture, in general, seems obsessed with escapism and this frantic, underlying fear of death.
Btw, my favorite quote from the flick is when Zorg says, 'If you want to do it right, you have to do it yourself!' Or even that part where he just loses it and yells, 'I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!' 🤣
A police officer ran over a woman just outside of a crosswalk, and once he realized what he’d done, he pulled his service weapon and shot himself in the head right in front of bystanders and news crews filming the scene. According to the Associated Press, the whole tragedy was apparently triggered by a crowd of people gathered at the scene who wouldn't stop shouting that he was a murderer—which, I guess, probably just made an already terrible mental breakdown even worse. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries to her head, neck, and nose, but she’s currently stable and not in critical condition, per the Associated Press. You can read the full story over at CNN.
It honestly feels like that officer might still be alive today if people hadn't verbally lynched him. Why are people so obsessed with tearing others down?
I caught it just the other day, and since it was pretty late, I can't say I'm 100% certain about my take, but I thought it was actually quite good. That whole trope about proving a mother's love and finding forgiveness feels a bit played out to me, though.
It feels a little weird, but I just couldn't find it in the movie list 😕 so I'm starting this thread in case it's actually missing. Otherwise, feel free to delete this if there's already another topic for it.
Personally, I think this is one of the most brilliant Bessonov films. It’s basically high-quality schlock! 😁
Ethan Hill27 said:I’m curious—how many of you ladies actually hit the gym, or maybe just want to start? Also, what’s your take on the guys who hang out there?
From a guy's perspective... when I first walked in, it felt incredibly weird. It was just full of these dudes constantly staring at themselves in the mirrors, women who seemed more interested in hooking up than actually working out, and trainers who clearly care way more about their own egos than helping their clients.
And honestly, right on my very first day, this guy walks up to me with this super creepy little smirk. I mean, I guess I just assumed he was being polite at first... 🙂
I’ve always had a soft spot for anything directed by Tim Burton. This was actually the first one I ever saw—I think it was playing on HBO late at night—and man, it just blew my mind.
The only thing I can't wrap my head around is how he could let himself get roped into something like Alien 4. 🙄 It feels like such a massive stain on an otherwise incredible career.
So, this is actually the first Kevin Smith movie I've sat down to watch. Usually, I can't stand romantic comedies—they just don't do anything for me—but for some reason, this one actually hit me right in the feels. I guess I still haven't quite figured out why.
Jeremy Bailey said:And one more thing. How can you just coldly toss out "leukemia" as an answer to the OP's question? If you're going to respond, maybe try putting in a little more effort... and providing actual details (since leukemia definitely isn't the only possibility here...)
Look, the most common cause is actually an infection. But I guess you have a point; maybe I phrased things poorly and I'm sorry if I offended anyone, that wasn't my intention. I was mostly just being cautious because I'm not a doctor or anything. It's probably a good thing Sam Gonzalez67 stepped in right away.
Samuel Richardson said:And another thing... nobody seems to want to tell me what they actually expect to find with that search. What are they even suspicious about?
I've always been one of those people who sneezes whenever I see bright light. It’s actually pretty common—I think maybe 25% of people have this reflex, and it tends to run in families too. Nobody really knows the exact science behind it, but I guess the theory is that the nerves controlling your pupils and the ones in your throat and nose just follow similar paths, so they end up overlapping in some people.
Death said:I honestly still can't wrap my head around it. 😬
Jokes aside, I really don't have an issue with them taking one of my organs after I pass away to transplant it and save someone else's life.
Well, there isn't much to believe, is there? 😁 From what I understand, they don't actually keep any data on whether you've signed up to be a donor. You just get a blank card and fill it out yourself at home. It’s basically just meant to let your family know what your wishes were. There isn't some official national donor registry or anything like that.
I was actually thinking about signing up... but I'm honestly a little sketched out. I mean, it's still kind of a "banana republic" over there... someone gets a hold of your Social Security number and you just vanish, and some wealthy guy from Germany ends up getting your kidney.😎
I don't know... I'm just a bit paranoid about this whole thing.😁 I get that everything is supposed to be top secret, and I totally respect that... but it feels like it's so easy to steal data these days.🙄
I'm probably just tripping.😉 😁
That used to worry me too... but they actually explain everything right here: 😁
Okay, I think I get it now. David Harris44, you don't even need to respond. 😁
Here is what it says:
UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS CAN ORGANS AND TISSUES BE USED AFTER DEATH?
For organs to be donated, death has to occur in a hospital setting, because that’s the only place where organs can be kept in a suitable condition for transplantation. Most patients who could potentially provide organs for transplant are found exclusively in hospital intensive care units.
WHAT MUST BE DONE TO BECOME A DONOR?
When someone decides during their lifetime to donate their organs and tissues after death with the intent to save others, the most important thing is to communicate that decision to their family and closest friends. This is because they will be the first people doctors turn to when asking for permission to take organs after a person passes away. Families are expected to respect the wishes of the deceased. You can also fill out a donor card and carry it with you as proof of your decision.
HOW WILL THE WISHES OF ORGAN AND TISSUE DONORS BE RESPECTED IF DEATH OCCURS IN A HOSPITAL?
Once everything possible has been done to save the patient's life, and once doctors—who aren't involved in the actual transplant process—confirm the death and sign off on it according to medical and legal criteria.
Once death has been defined in this way, a team of transplant physicians will determine which organs or tissues can be used to treat or save other lives. If harvesting an organ is possible, the designated officials will verify the wishes expressed by the deceased during their lifetime, but above all, they will discuss it with the immediate family. That is how the deceased person's wishes will be honored.
David Harris44 said:"Body parts from a deceased person can be taken for transplantation if the individual did not explicitly object to it in writing during their lifetime."
(The law of taking and transplanting human body parts for medical purposes, *The New York Times* issue 31/80, 50/88)
Source. 😁
Alright, thanks. 😁
I just finished looking this up on the American network pages. So, what am I supposed to take from this idea that a donor card counts as our way of saying we don't object? And what about people who don't even have those cards? I mean, do they really expect families to be contacted right after someone passes away? Organs start failing almost immediately, don't they?
David Harris44 said:Standard procedure is that doctors ask first. But if you look at the law, they actually have the authority to proceed without asking, even if you aren't carrying an organ donor card. Basically, unless you’ve left a written statement while you were alive saying you don't want to be a donor, they can go ahead.
Is this actually a new thing? I don't know, when I was looking into those donor registration cards a couple of years back, it clearly stated that the family *always* had to be consulted. If what you're saying is true, then I guess those registry cards are pretty much pointless. 🤔
David Harris44 said:I’ve already signed up to be an organ donor, so if anything happens, they can just go ahead and take what's needed.😬
I honestly don't see the point of having that donor card if the family still has to step in and give permission anyway. I was actually thinking about signing up myself, but now I'm not so sure...
Has anyone else noticed that whenever someone mentions "Pizza Hut" in this movie, the actors aren't actually saying that? It feels like the voices were dubbed over later.
Anyway, this whole thing involving Arnold is pretty wild, and I can't help but wonder if it's just a coincidence. 😁