The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

[SuddenStorm]

Should we watch Paddington 1 first ?

Eh, the first is a perfectly fine kids film. It does help with some of the character dynamics but Paddington 2 works perfectly fine on its own

 

[PiratesMansion]

Should we watch Paddington 1 first ?

I think both are excellent (and I actually like the first one slightly more), so I would.

 

[Communicora]

Should we watch Paddington 1 first ?

It's so good and definitely worth watching!

 

[Phroobar]

You mean Paddington is even better than the live action Little Mermaid remake?

 

[SuddenStorm]

You mean Paddington is even better than the live action Little Mermaid remake?

Haha, I'd say Paddington is better than anything Disney's done in decades.

 

[PiratesMansion]

Haha, I'd say Paddington is better than anything Disney's done in decades.

I love its sincerity. No winks to the audience, not trying to be modern or hip-just two movies telling stories in a way that is straightforward and charming.

 

[SuddenStorm]

I love its sincerity. No winks to the audience, not trying to be modern or hip-just two movies telling its story in a way that is straightforward and charming.

Exactly, and the overarching message of "Be nice and do good to those around you" is universal, and incredibly heartwarming. There's something remarkable about the film's innocence- and the fact the innocence is portrayed in a way that simply works.

 

[Consumer]

TP2000 True Story: Decades ago, I drove across country in September along the northern route in a red convertible, and when I got to Mount Rushmore (which was a bit of a detour off the Interstate as I remember), I looked at it and said out loud "That's it?".

Not that it isn't stirring and emotional, and not that we all don't owe a great deal to those four men, but at least from the lookout vista viewpoint of the 20th century it seemed small and far away. Did I mention small? Sorry, George. Sorry, Teddy. I think the Corn Palace left a bigger impression on me than Mount Rushmore.

I think someone told me, or I read somewhere, that they redid the visitors center and viewpoint and its closer now. Is that true?

Here’s the photo I took at the monument; a fairly good view. It’s certainly not as over powering as other American landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty or the Gateway Arch, but it’s definitely an impressive scene regardless. It would be great if there was a way to get closer to the faces.

 

[MoonRakerSCM]

When I went to the black hills, I visited both Running Horse and Mount Rushmore... I was much more impressed with Mount Rushmore... Crazy Horse, while the museum attached to it had a bunch of awesome stuff... was a major let down.

I've seen Mount Rushmore twice... once I just drove by (quickly stopped at the adjacent parking area on the road where you can see a side profile), and then actually payed and went in a second time. I was pleased with the museum and views to be had. Rightfully so though I was there during the winter with limited people... I could imagine the place gets horrifically busy with tourists in the summer...

 

[TP2000]

Summer '23 Pop Culture Update, with bizarre Epcot Center reference:

I went to a barbecue last night and there were children and young teens present. The evening entertainment was put on by the young teens in the back yard who performed the latest dance craze for all of us; an elaborately choreographed routine set to the old late 50's song "Pink Shoelaces". I sat in slack-jawed amazement, and then was even more baffled when it was explained that this is what all the kids are doing this summer. ...

Then when talking to some of the children after their performance, I asked what their plans were for summer and was told how excited they were for the Barbie movie coming out and I thought "How cute" and thought back to that horrifically bad stage show they used to do at Epcot Center in the early 90's. I assumed the Barbie movie would be similarly awful.

I've now watched the trailer for the Barbie movie on YouTube, and.... Why do I want to see this Barbie movie so much? It makes no sense, but it looks hysterically funny. I'm a man, I never had Barbies as a child, but my little sister and my cousins had Barbies. It's amazing how much I remember about Barbie and Ken and all her friends and outfits; teacher, surfer, stewardess, astronaut, her pink convertible, etc.

I now want to see that Barbie movie, and I'm not ashamed to say it.

 

[Parteecia]

I learned to just do "jazz hands". Put your hands facing close together and just move them alternately up and down. It's much easier to do.

Lol, didn't work for me today. But I will brag that I got the highest score - though still pretty low - of our bench.

I've decided that TSMM hurts more because that is a repetitive motion headed towards carpal tunnel territory. For me Spidey is a lot of wild unrepetitive flailing. Still screaming though.

 

[truecoat]

Here’s the photo I took at the monument; a fairly good view. It’s certainly not as over powering as other American landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty or the Gateway Arch, but it’s definitely an impressive scene regardless. It would be great if there was a way to get closer to the faces.
View attachment 724875

The thing that always bugged me about Mount Rushmore, especially seeing it in person, was all the debris left from sculpting the rock. It should have been removed. They could make a lot of money by selling it off in the gift store.

 

[SuddenStorm]

The new Indy is getting panned by critics. One frequent criticism I'm seeing online is that it does to Indy what The Force Awakens did to Han Solo- negate any character development from the previous film by making him lose his wife and his son. Essentially turning Indy into a deadbeat loser husband, kinda like Han Solo became.

Making a nostalgia movie that doesn't honor the legacy of the character we're supposed to be nostalgic for is a strange move- but is exactly in line with modern Lucasfilm.

I hope this movie bombs, if only to protect Indiana Jones Adventure from getting film related tie ins.

 

[DrAlice]

Just watched Strange World with the kid. We liked it. Is it a perfect film? No, but it was fun and visually beautiful. I liked that they tried to do something different with the setting, even if elements of the story have been done many times.

Anyhoo, that's my 2 cents for anyone that cares.

 

[Consumer]

I have finally returned to civilization after my weekend in Yellowstone. I don’t need to write a full review for a National Park that’s been drawing millions for over a 150 years, the simple truth is it’s magnificent. What I found most refreshing, however, was not having to hear about identity politics or anything divisive. Everybody was just getting along and enjoying the natural beauty of the land. It was exhausting but I hope to go again someday. Also, the wildlife is just incredible. Here’s a photo I took from my car of a bison that was just grazing right by the roadway.

Also, on my way out of Yellowstone I drove through Grand Teton National Park. What a spectacular little park. While passing through I saw three elk and two moose. Needless to say, the majesty of these mountains does not translate with an iPhone camera.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Thoughts on the submersible crisis?

 

[ParkPeeker]

Thoughts on the submersible crisis?

I hate the idea of that kind of death, and don’t wish it upon my worst enemy. But I’m finding it hard to care about billionaires who were marketed into paying/entering this make shift contraption.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Thoughts on the submersible crisis?

It's horrific and terrifying. The company behind it has a lot of questions to answer for the more that comes out.

Regardless of how much someone is worth, or how much someone pays to do something, they should not have to die in such a way.


It also confirms for me that I continue my risk-averse lifestyle. Example: I won't even consider scuba diving, the deep ocean terrifies me.

 

[Parteecia]

Thoughts on the submersible crisis?

The potential loss of life is sad. I hope that everyone on board was fully aware and accepting of the risks, like for instance anyone who undertakes to climb Mt. Everest. The more I hear about concerns experts had, the more I wonder.

There are an awful lot of resources being dedicated to rescue. One might compare that to resources for refugee boats that get in trouble.

 

[chadwpalm]

I hate the idea of that kind of death, and don’t wish it upon my worst enemy. But I’m finding it hard to care about billionaires who were marketed into paying/entering this make shift contraption.

Piloted by the CEO who is using a $30 Logitech controller. No amount of fame and fortune is worth dying that way. You couldn't pay me $250,000 to do something like that.