• /Mad Max Fury Road /Top Gun

    From August Abolins@2:221/360 to Doug Cooper on Thu Jun 11 01:04:06 2020
    On 6/10/2020 7:42 AM, between "Doug Cooper : Charles Stephenson":

    I haven't seen many action movies that really have totally
    impressed me as of late, or they've been lesser known movies
    I just can't remember the names of..

    For action, watching Charlize Theron in "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015) is practically non-stop action. The logistics to pull off most of the stunts looked amazing. I remember needing to pause the film a couple of times so that I could catch my breath.


    watching the new Top Gun, but I'm unclear when/if it's
    [...]
    effects. If anyone knows it's release date, fire away!

    December 2020, just before Christmas.

    Despite some criticisms I've heard of Tom Cruise in films (eg, the Jack Reacher ones, and Mission Impossible), I thought he's pretty good wrt performing his own stunts and as long as he has good lines to read.


    --
    Quoted with Reformator/Quoter. Info = https://tinyurl.com/sxnhux

    --- Thunderbird 2.0.0.24 (Windows/20100228)
    * Origin: nntp://rbb.fidonet.fi - Lake Ylo - Finland (2:221/360.0)
  • From August Abolins@2:221/360 to Al on Thu Jun 11 01:16:48 2020
    On 5/31/2020 9:06 PM, between "Al : Doug Cooper":

    Recent movies I liked were Fury and Inglorious Basterds. Not
    exactly recent I guess.

    Wasn't that great - how each side would try to outwit the other.


    I like Sci-Fi also but I can't remember anything good I've
    seen recently.

    Try I AM MOTHER. A future where robots/androids take care of protecting the human race - or are they!



    --
    Quoted with Reformator/Quoter. Info = https://tinyurl.com/sxnhux

    --- Thunderbird 2.0.0.24 (Windows/20100228)
    * Origin: nntp://rbb.fidonet.fi - Lake Ylo - Finland (2:221/360.0)
  • From August Abolins@2:221/360 to Doug Cooper on Sun Jun 14 19:50:28 2020
    On 5/30/2020 10:06 PM, between "Doug Cooper : Al":

    "American Assassin" is fantastic actually, forgot about this
    one as I got through my netflix "watch it again" list... thi
    sis the one I was looking for. It was based on a book..

    I watched this one at your recommend'n. The film moves along at a fast pace. It has a lot of "story" to cover based on the book - from the lead's first encounter with terrorists to a successful recruitment with special forces and a first international assignment.

    Not a bad attempt to package the novel as a film in about 100 minutes. Lots of punches and bullets. But I think the book would lead to a more "complete" story. I didn't quite understand the logistics how Mitch Rapp got out of the car that he drove/rammed into the narrowing tunnel until all the doors were blocked.


    written by Vince Flynn, my favorite Spy Novel Author who
    died a few years ago of Cancer. His books live on via a
    shadow writter. I felt this was incredibly well done,
    considering many major producers have stolen stories from
    his books, turned them into blockbusters, and changed the
    story to avoid conflict, completely jacking up the movie...

    Yes.. I recognized the lone/rogue hero type, avenging something. Can you say Jack Reacher or Bourne? But those are based on novels too. Right now, I can't think of an independent film that steals from that stereotype.

    If you ever get a chance, look up Clooney's "The American". It is from 2010.

    It is a very smart script. It's about an assassin who reluctantly accepts one more contract. The European locals add a great sense of mystery. There are some smart twists and turns.


    --
    Quoted with Reformator/Quoter. Info = https://tinyurl.com/sxnhux

    --- Thunderbird 2.0.0.24 (Windows/20100228)
    * Origin: nntp://rbb.fidonet.fi - Lake Ylo - Finland (2:221/360.0)
  • From Doug Cooper@1:227/702 to August Abolins on Sun Jun 14 22:20:25 2020
    I watched this one at your recommend'n. The film moves along at a fast pace. It has a lot of "story" to cover based on the book - from the
    lead's first encounter with terrorists to a successful recruitment with special forces and a first international assignment.

    Not a bad attempt to package the novel as a film in about 100 minutes. Lots of punches and bullets. But I think the book would lead to a more "complete" story. I didn't quite understand the logistics how Mitch
    Rapp got out of the car that he drove/rammed into the narrowing tunnel until all the doors were blocked.


    I'm a huge fan of Vince Flynn. He passed away from Cancer a few years ago
    and I think Brad Thor is ghost writing his books now, thank god. What I love about his books is that they all feature Mitch Rapp as the main character. I think any good book is hard to fit into a movie. Two great examples that
    just didn't stack up: DaVinci Code, and Enders Game. Both books required several pages to build to climax and suprising endings. Vince Flynn books
    are great reads, yet not as complex or lengthy as Clancy (who I love but have trouble staying focused on his 1,000 page books). I agree they could have
    made it two movies. Frankly, the story they told was 2 books in one -- the
    1st and 2nd Flynn wrote. The 1st barely touched the surface of Rapp, and focused more on the surrounding characters to prepare you for Rapp. The
    second was more about his recruitment and first mission. More time was spent on the recruitment side within the book so you really felt the pain and reasoning behind a college kid being so open to becoming an assasain for the CIA. And his mentor, forget his name at the moment, who trained him .. his personality is infectious within the books, much better illustrated. I do
    hope more come out and that the proper director takes over, as each book is film worthy. There have been two knock offs of terrorists taking over the white house, that I believe Flynn had to sue over -- one with Samuel Jackson
    I think ... If you like spy novels, I'd recommend the read, especially if
    youw want something a bit more simple yet detailed enough to intrigue, and
    full of action and great character development.

    -tg

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: The Underground [@] theunderground.us:10023 <-port (1:227/702)
  • From August Abolins@2:221/1.58 to Doug Cooper on Mon Jun 15 10:37:00 2020
    Hello Doug!

    ** On Sunday 14.06.20 - 22:20, Doug Cooper wrote to August Abolins:

    Not a bad attempt to package the novel as a film in about 100
    minutes. Lots of punches and bullets. But I think the book would
    lead to a more "complete" story.

    I'm a huge fan of Vince Flynn. He passed away from Cancer a few years
    ago and I think Brad Thor is ghost writing his books now, thank god.

    Kyle Mills has taken up the baton to continue for Vince Flynn.


    What I love about his books is that they all feature Mitch Rapp as
    the main character. I think any good book is hard to fit into a
    movie.

    For me, a book can often "complete" the story when I've seen it as a film. The original book provides additional dialog/insights that a film often
    has to skip over.


    Two great examples that just didn't stack up: DaVinci Code, and
    Enders Game. Both books required several pages to build to climax and suprising endings.

    Never read DaVinci Code, but saw the film. Not interested in the book. However, many people love it for it's complexities and "connections" of
    one piece of the puzzle leading to the next and fuller explanations of the various historical elements.

    Enders Game: never saw the film. The book is rather complex, and I heard that the film leaves out a lot of salient or pivotal elements. Maybe that one might have worked better as a multi-episode tv series.


    Vince Flynn books are great reads, yet not as complex or lengthy as
    Clancy (who I love but have trouble staying focused on his 1,000 page books). I agree they could have made it two movies. Frankly, the
    story they told was 2 books in one -- the 1st and 2nd Flynn wrote.
    The 1st barely touched the surface of Rapp, and focused more on the surrounding characters to prepare you for Rapp. The second was more
    about his recruitment and first mission.

    The film ended with only a few short scenes of the next book "Kill Shot" about the Lybian president, as lead in for the next assignment. But the
    vast majority of the film *was* the plot in book 1.


    ...There have been two knock offs of terrorists taking over the white house, that I believe Flynn had to sue over -- one with Samuel
    Jackson I think ... If you like spy novels, I'd recommend the read, especially if youw want something a bit more simple yet detailed
    enough to intrigue, and full of action and great character
    development.

    I didn't know about the litigation.

    Can you imagine if the reverse could take place: publishers/authors sueing people that take ideas out of their stories? "The Night of Camp David"
    (1965) and "It Can't Happen Here" (1935), both depict leaders that
    seemingly become insane, believe that media is conspiring against them, become despots, etc.. Both books have elements of what is happening in
    the US right now.

    Anyway.. the book form is often the better choice to get into the
    character's heads and develop a better understanding of subsequent
    actions.

    I thought the book Life of Pi was unlike any other story I read before.
    The film was a respectable visual version too.. (primarily for its special effects), but the book had much more "thought processes" going on.

    But check out Clooney in The American, if you can. I think you might like its intelligent storyline (not based on any book that I am aware of), its European setting, etc.

    ../|ug

    --- OpenXP 5.0.44
    * Origin: (2:221/1.58)
  • From Doug Cooper@1:227/702 to August Abolins on Mon Jun 15 20:58:35 2020
    Kyle Mills has taken up the baton to continue for Vince Flynn.


    Ah, I always get my names wrong. I thought Brad Thor was jumping in around
    the time of his death? I have 3-4 books since his passing to read. It's
    hard to find the time.

    For me, a book can often "complete" the story when I've seen it as a
    film. The original book provides additional dialog/insights that a film often has to skip over.


    Thats totally opposite of me; if I know the ending, the book isn't as enjoyable.

    Enders Game: never saw the film. The book is rather complex, and I
    heard that the film leaves out a lot of salient or pivotal elements. Maybe that one might have worked better as a multi-episode tv series.


    The movie fell very flat compared to the book. The repetitive training Ender endures is not exhaustedly portrayed within the movie, therefore the ending
    is not as surprising. My now 12 year old read the book 2 years ago and loved it, then watched the movie and was bored.

    Anyway.. the book form is often the better choice to get into the character's heads and develop a better understanding of subsequent actions.


    I like other spy authors but tend to prefer those that stick to the same characters in each book. For instance David Baldacci writes good stories, however my all time favorite of his is Saving Faith. I wish those characters had continued, but lost interest in his other books as they weren't quite living up. I did like "The Christmas Train," "Last Man Standing," and "The Hit." However his books are hit or miss for me. Same with Daniel Silva,
    great author, different characters ... So Flynn tend to be the books I keep
    and re-read most often. Dan Brown is OK, I felt DaVinci Code was excellent, but liked Angels and Demons better.

    But check out Clooney in The American, if you can. I think you might
    like its intelligent storyline (not based on any book that I am aware
    of), its European setting, etc.

    Tuning in now, not much going on the BBS's since we started opening back up. Looks like it's time to get "sick" of binge watching again.

    -D

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: The Underground [@] theunderground.us:10023 <-port (1:227/702)
  • From Doug Cooper@1:227/702 to August Abolins on Wed Jun 24 06:58:10 2020
    But check out Clooney in The American, if you can. I think you might
    like its intelligent storyline (not based on any book that I am aware
    of), its European setting, etc.

    What streaming service did you watch Clooney in The American? I didn't find
    it in searches, but did find Americans; which I've wathed 2/3 of the first season and it's getting pretty good. Also Yellowstone just started season 3, which the first episode was excellent. I'm trying to get used to this M-F 9am-9pm tech class schedule (9-5 plus coding homework after). Hopefully I'll have the weekends to get caught up on a few shows.

    doug

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: The Underground [@] theunderground.us:10023 <-port (1:227/702)
  • From mark lewis@1:3634/12 to Doug Cooper on Wed Jun 24 11:17:59 2020
    Re: Re: /american assassin (2017) /the american (2010)
    By: Doug Cooper to August Abolins on Wed Jun 24 2020 06:58:10


    What streaming service did you watch Clooney in The American?

    amazon and netflix have it... youtube seems to also have it for like $3.99US...

    https://www.google.com/search?q=streaming+george+clooney+the+american


    )\/(ark
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Linux
    * Origin: SouthEast Star Mail HUB - SESTAR (1:3634/12)
  • From Doug Cooper@1:227/702 to mark lewis on Wed Jun 24 17:33:09 2020
    amazon and netflix have it... youtube seems to also have it for like $3.99US...

    https://www.google.com/search?q=streaming+george+clooney+the+american


    Weird, I have all three! So much for the reliability of Alexa ....

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: The Underground [@] theunderground.us:10023 <-port (1:227/702)
  • From August Abolins@2:221/1.58 to Doug Cooper on Wed Jun 24 18:43:00 2020
    Hello Doug!

    ** On Wednesday 24.06.20 - 06:58, Doug Cooper wrote to August Abolins:

    What streaming service did you watch Clooney in The American? I
    didn't find it in searches, but did find Americans; which I've wathed
    2/3 of the first season and it's getting pretty good.

    I saw Clooney's film direct on DVD.

    But I see that it is available on YT and GooglePlay.

    Crackle seems to offer it for free, but you may need a VPN.

    https://www.crackle.com/watch/3796/2507142


    Glad you seem to like the "Americans" series. I just finished the 2nd session a couple weeks ago.

    I've digressed a bit and decided to catch up on Mr Robot. I did not
    realize that I had missed the entire 4th (and last) season ending in Dec 2019. I am glad it is being concluded in about 3 more episodes.

    Killing Eve was another one that I was anxious to catch up with. The 3rd season is now done - with a cliff hanger.

    The Americans is a long running investment in time. 4 more seasons to
    catch up with! :/


    Also Yellowstone just started season 3, which the first episode was excellent.

    Yellowstone is on my list as well.

    In total.. that's a lot of idle time devoted in front of a TV!

    Another thing that is competing with my time is listening to music. I
    *just* discovered the material by Two Steps From Hell. It's like O Fortuna non-stop. Currently playing their Battlecry recording. It's so cool to just crank it up, lay back, close my eyes and just get immersed into the audio drama.


    I'm trying to get used to this M-F 9am-9pm tech class schedule (9-5
    plus coding homework after). Hopefully I'll have the weekends to get caught up on a few shows.

    But what about your gardening.. honey-do list.. etc! ???

    This course you're taking sounds insane with so many hours per day.




    ../|ug

    --- OpenXP 5.0.45
    * Origin: (2:221/1.58)
  • From Doug Cooper@1:227/702 to August Abolins on Thu Jun 25 06:43:48 2020
    I saw Clooney's film direct on DVD.

    But I see that it is available on YT and GooglePlay.

    Crackle seems to offer it for free, but you may need a VPN. https://www.crackle.com/watch/3796/2507142

    So Alexa finally found it for me (I hate searching with a remote control) and "she" found it on HBO "free" if you sign up. I have streaming I don't use as is. I need to cancel Fox Nation as I never have time to watch the history shows I thought I'd have time to. BUT, then I watched the preview -- I've
    seen it. I don't remember the specics of the show as I used to buy every new release, every tuesday, back then. But will rewatch it this weekend as I
    seem to recall liking it. Another oldie but goodie was "Enemy of the state" with Will Smith; The Recruit with Colin Ferrel; and others along those lines
    I wish they had made sequels to. Sequels appear reserved to Tom Cruise, or
    any Clancy flick. As for TV shows, I'm anxiously awaiting Jack Ryan season
    3.


    Killing Eve was another one that I was anxious to catch up with. The 3rd season is now done - with a cliff hanger.

    Yeah, I still haven't made it through Ozark Season 3. These Java classes are leaving my brain mush at the end of each day. I look forward to the weekend so that I can catch up on a couple of shows, Ozark being one of them. I'll have to check out the preview to Killing Eve, Whats the genre and or premise? I have heard the name quite frequently, but for some reason haven't checked it out.

    The Americans is a long running investment in time. 4 more seasons to catch up with! :/


    Thats ok, at the pace I'm watching TV, not just having it on as background noise, that should only take about 24 weeks. haha! One worth watching,
    (just don't look at how many episodes there are) again is Dexter. Its
    twisted but very well done.

    I have had time during breaks to begin editing my BBS "about" and "history" page as you suggested. When I'm done, may I netmail it to you? I'd love
    your feedback. The one on the Telnet Guide was a quick free write, typos and all. However when I start building out my own page, I'll want it rather
    tight. You're more colorful with words then I.

    -Doug

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A45 2020/02/18 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: The Underground [@] theunderground.us:10023 <-port (1:227/702)
  • From Kurt Weiske@1:218/700 to Doug Cooper on Thu Jun 25 07:27:00 2020
    Doug Cooper wrote to August Abolins <=-
    had made sequels to. Sequels appear reserved to Tom Cruise, or any
    Clancy flick. As for TV shows, I'm anxiously awaiting Jack Ryan season
    3.

    I was pleasantly surprised by season 1 of Jack Ryan, got side-tracked
    halfway through season 2

    Killing Eve was another one that I was anxious to catch up with. The 3rd season is now done - with a cliff hanger.

    Great show - best since Orphan Black, IMO.




    --- MultiMail/XT v0.52
    * Origin: http://realitycheckbbs.org | tomorrow's retro tech (1:218/700)
  • From Mike Powell@1:2320/105 to KURT WEISKE on Thu Jun 25 16:22:00 2020
    Killing Eve was another one that I was anxious to catch up with. The 3rd >AA> season is now done - with a cliff hanger.

    Great show - best since Orphan Black, IMO.

    La-la-la-La-la-la-Laaaa.... :D


    * SLMR 2.1a * He knows changes aren't permanent - but change is!
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Linux
    * Origin: capitolcityonline.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/HTTP (1:2320/105)
  • From August Abolins@2:221/1.58 to Doug Cooper on Thu Jun 25 22:13:00 2020
    Hello Doug!

    ** On Thursday 25.06.20 - 06:43, Doug Cooper wrote to August Abolins:

    I saw Clooney's film direct on DVD.

    So Alexa finally found it for me..

    ...BUT, then I watched the preview -- I've seen it. I don't remember
    the specics of the show as I used to buy every new release, every
    tuesday, back then. But will rewatch it this weekend as I seem to
    recall liking it.

    It's a nicely paced mystery/thriller. Clooney gives it a respectable
    class and believability. I have to watch it again too!


    Another oldie but goodie was "Enemy of the state"
    with Will Smith;

    Wow.. 1998. No theaters for miles around. OTA TV was (and still is) just two channels! Big-dish was phasing into scramble mode. :( I still have
    a big dish parked outside the house. Open mesh design, I like the idea of repurposing it as a sunshade or as a roof for a gazebo.


    The Recruit with Colin Ferrel; and others along
    those lines I wish they had made sequels to. Sequels appear reserved
    to Tom Cruise, orany Clancy flick.

    The Recruit from 2003. I like the lines "Nothing is as it seems.
    Everything is a test."


    As for TV shows, I'm anxiously
    awaiting Jack Ryan season 3.

    That one, I've missed.. or have been simply too busy with so many other shows. But I've seen JR reviews, trailers, entertainment interviews.
    Looks and sounds like a good one to get lost into.


    These Java classes are leaving my brain mush at the end of each day.
    I look forward to the weekend so that I can catch up on a couple of
    shows, Ozark being one of them. I'll have to check out the preview
    to Killing Eve, Whats the genre and or premise? I have heard the
    name quite frequently, but for some reason haven't checked it out.

    I thought Java was on it's way out. I don't think Firefox supports it anymore by default. Other browsers follow suit. So, why spend so much
    time on learning it?

    Killing Eve is a cat'n'mouse action. That is an intelligence officer
    tasked to track down a psychopath assassin. The task develops into an obsession. But it gradually becomes into an equal obsession of the psycho
    to find out more about the agent who tasked for the job. Meanwhile, there are interesting "assassination" assignments along the way. It plays like
    a dark comedy of sorts, but 90% is true thriller/mystery. The viewpoints from the psychopath's perspective must have been fun to write and perform.

    I think actors are getting paid too much for having fun.


    One worth watching, (just don't look at how many episodes there are)
    again is Dexter. Its twisted but very well done.

    The Jekyll and Hide premise from the classic gothic book by Stevenson intrigued me. I remember hearing about Dextor (back in 2006?) ..I had
    plenty of time but I did not have the resources to watch any material like that back then. Now, I may have access to the technology, but I am running out of time. Re$our$e$ are not in the best state right now either. :(

    I just got caught up with Mr Robot. The last few episodes were mindblowing
    as the "secret" to Mr Robot was unravelled. I thought Fight Club was
    pretty cool, and Sybil predates both of them. But Mr Robot had more
    layers or reality than any them. That one just tired me out trying to process it all. Now.. I'm going to get back to Burn Notice to relax.


    I have had time during breaks to begin editing my BBS "about" and "history" page as you suggested. When I'm done, may I netmail it to
    you? I'd love your feedback.

    Absolutely. I think I did a pretty good job proof-reading a fellow's sci-
    fi short story a few months ago.


    The one on the Telnet Guide was a quick free write, typos and all.
    However when I start building out my own page, I'll want it rather
    tight. You're more colorful with words then I.
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    HA! :) I'll see where I can help, but I think your point form and facts
    are pretty good as they appear on telnetbbsguide. The word-wrapping is odd
    in places, but I guess that is telnetbbsguide doing that?


    ../|ug

    --- OpenXP 5.0.45
    * Origin: (2:221/1.58)