The Two Towers countdown.....

[NiceWorg]

Originally posted by Yorick: quote: Originally posted by NiceWorg: But why does everyone have to talk about it? [img]smile.gif[/img] There is something in popular books and movies that makes them so hard for me to check out - the book might be good, though, or so I´m told.

That's crazy. So the only reason you wouldn't check something out is because many of your fellow humans decide that it's enjoyable?

I've never understood that line of thinking. Culture is culture. Popular culture is no better or worse than alternative culure. It's all subjective judgement of humans.

When I was in high school there was a band called RatCat. Independent. Alternative. It was cool to like them.

Then a lot of people started liking them. Very quickly.

So then it became uncool to like RatCat.

So RatCat plummetted into oblivion. Very quickly.

The same people that four months before had said they were the best Aussie band ever, were saying they sucked. Ridiculous.

When I taught creative expression at colleges, I encouraged the embracing and exploration of all culture. Watching foreign films in Australia is considered hip, cool and cultured, But a cool French film could be perceived by French as popular culture there, and ignored by the hip cool French.

What does that all prove?

So, I tried to encourage the removal of this sort of bias when apporaching art. Take it on it's own merits, not whether it's popular or not. The inverse - only validating things that ARE popular, and ignoring seminal or overlooked works is also not a great thing to do, especially if you want to be a creative.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy was far more a part of 'popular culture' in America than in England where it had more of a cult following.

The books were influenced by mythologies that have been part of Teutonic culture for generations. Tolkien's books in turn influenced a generation of writers, dreamers, gamers and those with imaginations. They were groundbreaking in regard to the depth and detail of the mans created world. It inspired and enriched countless creative minds. Ah, the possibilities of human imagination.

The film is an incredible work for that medium. It is the most ambitious and groundbreaking work yet. Jackson has presented an incredible vision of Tolkeins world. It will inspire and enrich countless creative minds. Ah, the possibilities. Film truly can take you to another world.

It is also worth seeing, simply to be in touch with what millions of people are experiencing. To have a finger 'on the pulse' of what people across the globe are experiencing. Information, knowledge, experience.

Art does reflect society and in turn shapes society. If you reject popular culture totally, you do so at the risk of totally losing relevence.

Your choice. [/QUOTE]This is getting interesting. "Being touch with what millions of people are experiencing". Why? Why would I want to do so? You see, I read books and watch movies that I think are interesting, and couldn´t care much less if I´m the only one who spends his time searching for those precious hidden gems. The rest can do what they want. And I do dislike popular culture.. I hate how media keeps poisoning our minds with hype (but that´s the way it is).
Let´s imagine, if media would create picture in our minds of LOTR as saviousrish, unforgettable experience, would that change its real value? LOTR is a just a world, a book and a movie among others. From what I´ve seen, I don´t find it that interesting, nor do I care that it was the first book of it´s size, OR about it´s experience value. So tell me, what does a person really lose if he doesn´t watch it? What if I don´t buy Shakira´s new album, although everyone else does? Answer: An experience among others.
About that band you mentioned -- Im not that type of person. I would stick with my favourite bands even though they would come popular, simply because I love the music.
But all in all, that doesn´t mean that I have something against LOTR. Maybe I check out the book after a couple of years together with DVD pack containing the 3 movies. It may even turn out to be a nice experience.

Quotes:

< The film is an incredible work for that medium. It is the most ambitious and groundbreaking work yet. >

It´s a matter of opinion. There are plenty more examples of ambitious movies. How do you even measure that?

< To have a finger 'on the pulse' of what people across the globe are experiencing. Information, knowledge, experience. >

... I can´t see why someone would be interested to know what people on the other side of the globe are thinking. It doesn´t really profit you anyhow.

But thanks for replying anyway.

[Yorick]

Originally posted by NiceWorg: [QB]This is getting interesting. "Being touch with what millions of people are experiencing". Why? Why would I want to do so? You see, I read books and watch movies that I think are interesting, and couldn´t care much less if I´m the only one who spends his time searching for those precious hidden gems. The rest can do what they want. And I do dislike popular culture..

See this is a contradiction.

You basically say you don't care what people think about a work, yet then say you dislike popular culture. That shows that you DO care - negatively -otherwise "popular" wouldn't be an issue. You'd prefer to be the only one searching for your 'hidden gem'.

What I'm putting forth is not letting popularity affect your judgement of a work. You are letting the numbers of people appreciating a work PRE-judice it. It's giving you a negative bias to the point of not even investigating it. I applaud your attitude of not being dictated to by the publicity machines, but you've overcompensated to the other extreme.

The film is an incredible work for that medium. It is the most ambitious and groundbreaking work yet. > It´s a matter of opinion. There are plenty more examples of ambitious movies. How do you even measure that?

You measure it in terms of the craft. The way it was made, the technology used, the scope. It has nothing to do with subjective taste and everything to do with the art of filmaking and it's techniques. Lord of the Rings has expanded the mediums possibilities. Power to Jackson et al.

< To have a finger 'on the pulse' of what people across the globe are experiencing. Information, knowledge, experience. > ... I can´t see why someone would be interested to know what people on the other side of the globe are thinking. It doesn´t really profit you anyhow. But thanks for replying anyway.

You're on the internet writing and reading on an international forum aren't you?
Why don't you answer your own question.

[ 12-18-2002, 04:34 AM: Message edited by: Yorick ]

[GokuZool]

Only 8 more days until the Australian release! [img]graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]

[Borvik]

In Australia it will be released in 8 days??? I thought, the movie would be released today worldwide?! At least I've heard that on the radio 2 days ago.

[ 12-18-2002, 04:50 AM: Message edited by: Borvik ]

[Davros]

Originally posted by GokuZool: Only 8 more days until the Australian release! [img]graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]

Same for me - session 1 is 10:30 am Boxing Day - I'll be there for sure.

Hey Yorick - the unavoidable screen saver at work has been changed - it now features a safety skit featuring your namesake. I cracked up when the guy holding the skull on my computer said "Alas poor Yorrick" - just like that with the 2 "r"'s not the one - LOL - I see you have made a new friend too

[NiceWorg]

Originally posted by Yorick: quote: Originally posted by NiceWorg: This is getting interesting. "Being touch with what millions of people are experiencing". Why? Why would I want to do so? You see, I read books and watch movies that I think are interesting, and couldn´t care much less if I´m the only one who spends his time searching for those precious hidden gems. The rest can do what they want. And I do dislike popular culture..

See this is a contradiction.

You basically say you don't care what people think about a work, yet then say you dislike popular culture. That shows that you DO care - negatively -otherwise "popular" wouldn't be an issue. You'd prefer to be the only one searching for your 'hidden gem'.

What I'm putting forth is not letting popularity affect your judgement of a work. You are letting the numbers of people appreciating a work PRE-judice it. It's giving you a negative bias to the point of not even investigating it. I applaud your attitude of not being dictated to by the publicity machines, but you've overcompensated to the other extreme.

----Finding good low budget books&films after hard searching is much more rewarding than be taken to the premiere of Two Towers in a limo. I actually meant it vice versa, I would like more people to pay attention to lesser known films than to the likes of LOTR. I don´t necessarily want to be the only one in the field. "The rest can do what they want" doesn´t mean it´s my attitude towards everything, and I could have been more exact with it.
I want to keep the balance, as well. So Im not interested in LOTR, but who knows would I be even if no one would know it? Millions of people are crazed by it, well it doesn´t affect me. If I would have seen the book(s) in library, I would have probably taken it, but I haven´t. Besides, it gives me immense pleasure to have the ability to 100% choose myself what to read or watch. I´m afraid you can´t change that, buddy.----

The film is an incredible work for that medium. It is the most ambitious and groundbreaking work yet. > It´s a matter of opinion. There are plenty more examples of ambitious movies. How do you even measure that?

[qb]You measure it in terms of the craft. The way it was made, the technology used, the scope. It has nothing to do with subjective taste and everything to do with the art of filmaking and it's techniques. Lord of the Rings has expanded the mediums possibilities. Power to Jackson et al.

---- Sort of. Titanic, Star Wars.. Two Towers was made in about year. LOTR has done nothing to expand possibilites.. it´s just using the fruits that technology has given to us. I´d imagine making movies the old days would have been behind bigger work. I don´t think that because the book is so popular it would make the movie more ambitious. If the first attempt fails, you can always try it again with different director and actors.----

< To have a finger 'on the pulse' of what people across the globe are experiencing. Information, knowledge, experience. > ... I can´t see why someone would be interested to know what people on the other side of the globe are thinking. It doesn´t really profit you anyhow. But thanks for replying anyway.

You're on the internet writing and reading on an international forum aren't you?
Why don't you answer your own question. [/QUOTE]But you must understand, you didn´t really answer my question either. I´m here basically to get help with computer games, not to read unknown peoples opinions about Iraq. Getting replies to questions about games is not considered "opinions" in the matter you say it. So there. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 12-18-2002, 05:22 AM: Message edited by: NiceWorg ]

[Jorath Calar]

I already saw it on the 12th... nya nya nya nya na
It won't be shown here until 26th... I'll go see it again someday between christmas and newyear... it is just unbelieveably good...

It's amazing feeling to be sitting in a movietheater and actualy be thankful that you are watching a movie... I first felt it when I was watching FOTR... but then even more at ttt...

[andrewas]

NiceWorg, this is one of those rare occasions where popular culture is actualy correct about something. LoTR, the books, are some of the best I've read. They are therefore popular. The films are probably the best book conversions ever done, and fantastic. So they are even more popular. You say you like to search for "hidden gems", but why would you want to miss the obvious ones while your at it?

See the film or not. I would recommend it, but at the end of the day its your loss.

[Donut]

Originally posted by NiceWorg: But you must understand, you didn´t really answer my question either. I´m here basically to get help with computer games, not to read unknown peoples opinions about Iraq. Getting replies to questions about games is not considered "opinions" in the matter you say it. So there. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Actually NW - many of your recent posts have been in General Discussions. I know you like Pink Floyd for example. You apparently felt the need to read the 'What's your favourite band' thread.

[NiceWorg]

Originally posted by Donut: quote: Originally posted by NiceWorg: But you must understand, you didn´t really answer my question either. I´m here basically to get help with computer games, not to read unknown peoples opinions about Iraq. Getting replies to questions about games is not considered "opinions" in the matter you say it. So there. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Actually NW - many of your recent posts have been in General Discussions. I know you like Pink Floyd for example. You apparently felt the need to read the 'What's your favourite band' thread.[/QUOTE]Hmm.. and what does that have to do with opinions? I didn´t read it to find new bands to listen to, but to spam.. ops, ugh, yes spam. I wanted to be a Drow Warrior so desperately. [img]smile.gif[/img] Besides, how do you know did I even read what others answered?