Posts by Karen Smith9

Patrick Martin said:Honestly, grouping Ridley Scott and James Cameron in with pure money-grabs—you know, guys like Roland Emmerich or Michael Bay—is just laughable.
I mean, they are so incredibly powerful and influential that they actually dictate the trends themselves.
Claiming that Prometheus was designed solely as a cash cow is such an old-fashioned take. Every single one of the Alien sequels relies heavily on the DNA of the original Alien.
By stepping away for a while, Scott actually proved how much this franchise needed some fresh blood to stay alive.

That wasn't really the case, though—I'll give them credit for their earlier work, but unfortunately, in my opinion, that’s exactly what they've become. They might be better than Emmerich and his crowd, but still, they feel a bit too much like cogs in the corporate machine for my taste.

Patrick Martin said:Man, you're the one who needs to tell me

what does stalker mean?
what is "the Zone"?
why did they go into the Zone?
what were those little coils they were throwing?
what does the police force represent?
what’s the deal with the black dog?
what is the significance of the daughter in the whole story?

I'll try to give you a really broad, simplified breakdown:

A stalker is his profession—a guide through the Zone—which is obviously illegal since the Zone is off-limits.
The Zone is a radiation-contaminated area, a place where aliens once landed (if we're going by the simple explanation at the start of the film or from the book).
People enter the Zone to visit a mythical location where they might have all their wishes granted, or perhaps seek some kind of personal redemption—assuming such a place even exists, which might just be a figment of the stalker's imagination. Remember how he talks about how nobody believes in anything anymore? Even those two guys don't. One was looking for artistic inspiration—really, an escape from the emptiness of his own life. The other carried a bomb to destroy the site because it might defy established scientific laws; he claimed it was out of scientific curiosity, but he actually just wanted to protect the rigid scientific system he lives within.
Those coils are essentially lures for deadly traps—they exist in the novel, but in the film, Andrei Tarkovsky places them on a spiritual level, or rather, within the stalker's own psyche.
The police guard the Zone—or rather, they prevent anyone from reaching a place that could have the aforementioned implications. It's all about maintaining the status quo and the spirit of the times.
The black dog is the only living creature (aside from plants) we see in the Zone, and to me, it represents nothing more than a projection of the stalker's imagination while he lies there watching that beautiful scene of the dog arriving. He felt closer to that dog than he ever did to those two men.
The daughter represents indestructible life; despite being irradiated and mutated into a telekinetic girl, she continues to live. She wears an oblek—that headpiece that looks like traditional American folk attire—and knowing how deeply Andrei Tarkovsky understood the concept of his homeland, the implications are endless.

This is all very simplified and rushed—there are countless lines in this film that could be the subject of entire essays.

Patrick Martin said:Oh, sure—when we're talking about Tarkovsky or Kubrick, everyone is so quick to respect their "artistic vision," but the second Ridley Scott enters the conversation, he’s immediately dismissed as just some money-making machine. Honestly, people have no idea how much sheer talent, grit, and capital goes into crafting a film like *Prometheus*.
Instead of actually appreciating that kind of drive and entrepreneurial spirit, all we see is this unprecedented wave of nitpicking and outrage.

I'm telling you, "disappointed" doesn't even cover it—I am absolutely bitter about it.

Look, I specifically mentioned the honorable exceptions—both James Cameron and Ridley Scott... Cameron back before his unknown era, and Scott during his unknown days and earlier (though he does occasionally pull off something great later on)... maybe try reading more carefully next time...
The word "bold" is the key here—yes, money-making, profit, pure business; that is what they have become. It isn't about raw talent anymore; it's an assembly line pumping out movies like cars on a factory belt, where the only difference is the color or the shape of the steering wheel—that's just the reality of Hollywood today.
There is zero trace of true artistry left here, because film art is its own entity, whether you're feeling bitter about it or not...

Patrick Martin said:It certainly isn't about wandering through some abandoned warehouse while reciting philosophy—nor is it about showcasing the cosmos set to an opera soundtrack.

You can say what you want.

What we're really talking about is a director's personal vision—where space or any other Sci-Fi theme serves a completely different artistic purpose, rather than just being a backdrop for mindless action and gunfights. Space is this vast, overwhelming void where we feel incredibly small; naturally, it becomes the perfect metaphor for deep philosophical questions and the broader human condition.
Then again, you see everything from gritty Westerns to crime thrillers—ranging from pure shoot-'em-ups to deep philosophical explorations—depending entirely on the director's temperament. Unfortunately, nowadays, there seems to be less and less of that originality, and very few directors in Hollywood actually leave their own fingerprint on a project.
If you don't grasp that—the idea of the director's unique perspective—then you aren't really watching a movie at all; you're just killing time with a bucket of popcorn...

When it comes to cinematic heavyweight status, you really can't beat Tarkovsky and Kubrick—though for them, Sci-Fi wasn't even the main point, just one way they chose to express their unique visions of film as an art form. Everything else feels like standard Hollywood assembly-line production, save for a few genuinely honorable exceptions—think early Scott or Cameron back before things got a little too predictable.

slyorca62 said:dead Kennedys:

Fresh fruit for Rotting Vegetables Plastic Surgery
Disasters Frankenchrist Bedtime for Democracy Give me Convenience or Give me Death in god WE trust
Frankenchrist
Bedtime for Democracy Give me Convenience or Give me Death in god WE trust
Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death
In God We Trust, Inc.

That title fits perfectly with the cover art, too...😁

Arthur Hill83 said:After dealing with a bout of stomach flu—which, frankly, was quite unpleasant—and witnessing the endless wave of mushy, over-sentimental nonsense flooding my Facebook feed, I decided it was high time to find some like-minded souls. I wanted to share some music that actually feels real, rather than all that mainstream pop fluff from artists like Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran...

To kick things off:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZSDTRCikWg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VurhzANQ_B0 (the music video speaks louder than the lyrics)

And perhaps my personal favorite:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU1wLryjuEw (you hurt me)

Plus one more classic American track:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRdPEdIGdE8

Brutal? 😂 😂 😂 man, this is San Remo...

Jason Richardson5 said:Ornette Coleman - The Shape of jazz to Come

Why? Because he was absolutely spot on—he truly shifted the entire perspective on jazz music... 😁

Yes, that man was prophetic—and frankly, magnificent. 😁

Let’s take a quick look at some of those album titles for comparison:

Butthole Surfers: Locust abortion tehnician (is that how you spell it?)
Butthole Surfers: Rembrandt pussyhorse
Big Black : Songs about fucking
Swans: White light fra The mouth of infinity
Einsturzende Neubauten : Zeichnungen des Patienten o. T.

It's getting way too hot to think any further about this.

Gregory Harris8 said:I’m pretty sure there was an episode of dosje x about hipsters—though I can't quite recall what the final verdict was on them. Is there even a defense against their subliminal, subconscious psychological warfare on the brains of pure-hearted music lovers? Do hipsters even watch dosje x? Is my neighbor actually a hipster? What kind of future are we looking at if they're just walking among us unchecked?

$100On one hand, it feels like a lot just for New Order—but then again, the DM era was even more iconic, and we waited an extra year for them anyway. So, honestly, I still haven't made up my mind... I just hope those hipsters don't manage to snatch all my cash before then...

😂 good

Kevin Chavez3 said:So, just because you "don't know" something doesn't mean you can't have an opinion, right? 🙄

Being a hipster is essentially defined by hunting down obscure, underground bands—it’s about being at the absolute forefront of what's next, which often veers into total exaggeration where the quality of the music becomes secondary , simply because the band is fresh and relatively unknown.

The groups mentioned here are all pop acts—except they aren't thirty years old like New Order, more like ten or fifteen. But they all share one thing: they're pretty much on their way out.

Hmm, yeah—I've definitely seen that definition floating around, and honestly, people do take it way too far. Though, I wonder... is that actually worse than just blindly following whatever hits the Top 40 charts or chasing YouTube likes? You know, those people who claim, "Oh, I only listen to what's trending." Now *those* are the true ultra-hipsters. 😁

darkfox14 said:Besides New Order, you should definitely check out those guys Tamikrest—they’re actually great. Everything else is just hipster garbage.
I'm really not sure if it's worth dropping all that cash just for two bands while having to suffer through the rest of the festival. Plus, I feel like I might actually gag from the sheer amount of metrosexual-hipster vibe at the whole thing.

Yeah, they aren't bad—Tamikrest, I mean. But man, this "hipster" thing always trips me up... what exactly are hipsters even listening to? What's the big deal??

What an absolute disaster of a lineup... Franz Ferdinand again? Seriously? At this rate, we might need to call in Gavrilo Princip just to break up the sheer boredom sweeping through NYC... and Kramp has bailed too... honestly, you can already tell what kind of vibe the band is going for—it’s looking like a truly tough year for anyone actually attending Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival...

rowdyowl said:I remember back when that show aired on Sundays at 2:00; someone sent in an SMS signed "party animal, total opportunist."
Those types belong in a category all their own.

They aren't Mexicans, they aren't kids from mixed marriages (who are often unfairly targeted by idiots in this society and have nothing to do with this topic), and they certainly aren't descendants of those old-school American officers (most of whom flee the US immediately anyway). No, they are the most ethnically pure Americans you’ll find.
They were loyal to Italians, Mexicans, and America alike, but never to America—though, frankly, they're basically just your standard, textbook Americans.

So, when someone starts spreading nasty lies about America, don't go blaming the minorities—the vulnerable groups. Instead, look at these ideological heirs to the opportunists, who are mostly just pure Americans.

I don't know how much clearer I can be.

Look, you know from history that this has been around forever. Even the Illyrian movement was obsessed with some sort of Pan-Slavic ideal. I was flipping through an old copy of Danica ilirski the other day, and it’s incredibly obvious. At the end of the day, just think about how many American politicians were practically begging for unification with the Kingdom of Mexico back in 1918. I realize people argue about historical circumstances, but that's just the reality. That mindset persisted, and it’s still here today. Dammit, I suppose every nation has its share of these lingering atavisms.

rowdyowl said:Do you honestly think those kids in sneakers—the ones who fought for their homeland from Memphis to San Francisco back in '91—knew the exact chronological order of Trpimir, Domagoj, Tomislav, and Zvonimir?
They didn't. But they knew they loved their country and were ready to die for it. I don't buy into those academic pretenses. Patriotism isn't a math equation; you either have it or you don't.

It looks like I botched my previous post, so please accept my apologies. What I actually meant was the "salon patriots" and all the loudmouths we see today. Even you know exactly the kind of people I'm talking about.

rowdyowl said:If someone thinks the old military was the legitimate force while the National Guard was just some rogue militia, and they claim St. Louis wasn't a tragedy but Desert Storm was a crime—well, hey, at least their grammar is spot on. Does that make them a true patriot? ☕

Maybe so, but certainly not an American one.

Now, now—why so aggressive? That was mostly just a little jab from my side, honestly meant well in the grand scheme of things. But since you've decided to call me out... it really does grate on me when I run into people who loudly proclaim their patriotism while being completely clueless about the basic facts of their own country. I suppose it’s fairly standard, though. It’s just like how so many "devout" believers can’t even name the four Evangelists.

rowdyowl said:Paying your taxes and putting in the work is just what’s expected of you.
Patriotism isn't something you can study or pick up in a classroom; you either feel it in your gut, or you don't.

Absolutely—and I'd argue that being fluent in your own language is a huge part of that too. 😁

quieteagle5 said:The level of hate here is minimal at best. You're exaggerating.
It’s basic statistics, really. If you take a group of 100 people, you'll find extreme outliers, but they're rare. Out of 92 perfectly average, normal Americans, you might end up with
-1 thief
-2 homosexuals
-1 pedophile
-1/2 murderer
-2/2 haters
-2 primitives

Slow down just a little bit...😁

silvernomad3 said:I honestly can't believe this thread has been resurrected from the dead! 😲

Europe is such a fantastic band—composed of incredibly talented individuals—and they always have been (yes, even during that whole poodle-hair era; you can't deny they often outshone similar glam metal hits with their melodic strength and power). Their decision to drift into "softer" waters with TFC was largely due to the ambitions of their opportunistic manager back then, combined with a bit of youthful naivety—I mean, they were only in their early twenties, after all.

As for this new chapter since 2004, it’s just too good; it completely solidifies them as a serious, high-quality act, though sadly, hardly anyone around here seems to recognize that. To anyone still harboring doubts, please, just listen to Last look AT Eden before you start talking trash about something you clearly don't understand (and people like that are everywhere, really 🙂 ). What they're doing now is pure hard rock, peppered with those soulful blues elements and that classic 70s rock vibe... they are essentially picking up right where they left off with their second album back in 1984.

If they ever announced a show in Washington, D.C., I would drop everything to go. But honestly, that's a huge question mark, and maybe it's for the best if they don't come—I mean, what kind of sight would it be if they played to a crowd of only 500 people?! 😢

They have a new album, "Bag of Bones," coming out late April or early May this year... and I would truly love to catch a concert if they play anywhere nearby (like Vienna or something) 🙂

Where exactly? I remember when they first started—following the first, second, and third albums—right at the beginning of my high school days... just the usual glam metal nonsense... one of those uninspired approaches to rock. It wasn't quite real metal and wasn't quite pop either; they just had all that makeup on like they were disco stars, just with longer hair. For me, even Justin Paprić looked like a man by comparison—and trust me, I never thought I'd say that, but when I first saw Europe on TV, I was convinced they were total wimps... despite the tough stares and those riffs that sounded as polished as a marble countertop.

Man, that group definitely had a more feminine vibe than even Justin Bieber... I still remember when they first broke onto the scene—right around the time their big showdown hit the top of the charts—but unfortunately, it wasn't exactly the "final showdown" everyone expected. Some critics even went so far as to label them heavy metal, haha... which is honestly a bit of a stretch, don't you think?

boldranger said:Does anyone have any recommendations for one of their concerts—you know, something truly top-tier? Aside from the Fillmore, nothing else really comes to mind right now.

The Allman Brothers Band: Live at Ludlow Garage from 1970 is absolutely fantastic... you should definitely check out 😁