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Testy Area 51 - Page 445

post #13321 of 28163
1/17/06 at 3:23pm
Quote:
Hoho amazing how clever parrots are at mimicking human speech eh?
They can also make great watch dogs:

Parrot Attacks and Wounds Burglar

I have a 10yr-old East African Senegal parrot named Rafiki, that never ceases to amaze me how exceptionally intelligent he is. Unfortunately, he is also bitterly jealous of my wife and takes great joy in letting her know how he feels. I had him before I met her, and as my wife has never been much of a bird lover (perhaps it was because of an ill-fated screening of "The Birds") she has never taken the time to get acquainted with him. Worse yet, she let's him intimidate her, which has led to him thinking she is a subordinate of his - that's one thing you NEVER want to let happen with a bird that can crack open the shell of a Macadamia nut in one bite.
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post #13322 of 28163
1/17/06 at 4:51pm
Thread Starter 
Funny Nils, does your parrot swear at your wife or just squawks every time she walks past?




?
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post #13323 of 28163
1/18/06 at 5:19am
I'll guess War of the Worlds on the screen shot.

see ya.
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post #13324 of 28163
1/18/06 at 6:01am
Thread Starter 
Yup and here are some more.

DAKOTA FANNING SNATCHED BY ALIEN INVADERS!















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post #13325 of 28163
1/18/06 at 6:26am
Thread Starter 
The nominations for the HTF DVD AWARDS are in! Time to vote guys, it's our very own Oscars!
I've just voted, only takes a minute or two, pretty painless really. The winners will be announced on Feb 1st, no word yet if Billy Crystal will host.

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post #13326 of 28163
1/18/06 at 8:35am
That's not Cristal, Christou, I heard it was.
Greek guy, I guess. Seems to be funny as hell.
Well, perhaps I'm mistaken....



Cees
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post #13327 of 28163
1/18/06 at 8:39am
Quote:
Funny Nils, does your parrot swear at your wife or just squawks every time she walks past?
No swear words! Senegal's are not usually big talkers like their African Gray cousins, but in a few years there is no telling what the kids will be teaching him to say.

I used to keep his wings clipped so he wouldn't fly after Linda, but I have not clipped his wings in over three years, and so far he has only made a couple flights around the house and fortunately Linda was not home at the time.

This is good, as he spends a lot of time outside his cage, so at least he appears to have given up "the chase". Like most large parrots, he is much more comfortable walking and hanging out then flying, but maybe he is just trying to lure Linda into a well thought out trap.


Quote:
I'll guess War of the Worlds on the screen shot.
That camcorder must use a special anti-alien EMP casing, as every other electronic device was knocked out. (one of the many unnecessary plot holes)


Quote:
DAKOTA FANNING SNATCHED BY ALIEN INVADERS!
Beautiful shots! These are great examples of what I loved about WOTW... absolutely brilliant and breathtaking images perfectly orchestrated and framed. Stunning! The book that came with the limited release DVD includes several pages of some amazing alternate sceenshots. This film should have been a front-runner for cinematography, Special Effects, and Film Editing awards, but so far, it has been largely overlooked.

Oh well, at least it will always be a great source for amazing screenshots!
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post #13328 of 28163
1/18/06 at 9:13am
Thread Starter 
Nils, I agree the effects and composition of those shots are great, very Spielbergian! The concept paintings were stunning, I posted a couple in testy last year. Hopefully the Academy Awards won't ignore the film, if I had to pick 3 films for visual effects nomination it'll be War of the Worlds, King Kong and Revenge of the Sith.

I saw Narnia, I enjoyed it, sort of a Lord of the Rings for kids. Some of the effects were good, but the whole thing reminded me of those Hallmark made for tv epics, like Merlin and Gulliver's Travels, not that there's anything wrong with that, I really liked those tv mini-epics and have them on dvd.


Quote:
That's not Cristal, Christou, I heard it was.


If I host the event am I allowed to badmouth Jude Law and Tom Cruise? Can I be profane? Can I slag off Tony Blair and George W.Bush? Can I host the event in a toga? [Cees - "why a toga?"] *belches* why not? Can I get Nils parrot to co-host?
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post #13329 of 28163
1/18/06 at 9:15am
Ms. Beckinsale looks great on that Underworld poster.

I forgot how awesome that smiley is!

You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge

Straight outta Compton, crazy motherfucker named Ice Cube
From the gang called Niggaz With Attitudes
When I'm called off, I got a sawed off
Squeeze the trigger, and bodies are hauled off
You too, boy, if ya fuck with me
The police are gonna hafta come and get me
Off yo ass, that's how I'm goin out
For the punk motherfuckers that's showin out
Niggaz start to mumble, they wanna rumble
Mix em and cook em in a pot like gumbo
Goin off on a motherfucker like that
with a gat that's pointed at yo ass
So give it up smooth
Ain't no tellin when I'm down for a jack move
Here's a murder rap to keep yo dancin
with a crime record like Charles Manson
AK-47 is the tool
Don't make me act the motherfuckin fool
Me you can go toe to toe, no maybe
I'm knockin niggaz out tha box, daily
yo weekly, monthly and yearly
until them dumb motherfuckers see clearly
that I'm down with the capital C-P-T
Boy you can't fuck with me
So when I'm in your neighborhood, you better duck
Coz Ice Cube is crazy as fuck
As I leave, believe I'm stompin
but when I come back, boy, I'm comin straight outta Compton

City of Compton, City of Compton

[Eazy E] Yo Ren
[MC Ren] Whassup?
[Eazy E] Tell em where you from!

Straight outta Compton, another crazy ass nigga
More punks I smoke, yo, my rep gets bigger
I'm a bad motherfucker and you know this
But the pussy ass niggaz don't show this
But I don't give a fuck, I'ma make my snaps
If not from the records, from jackin the crops
Just like burglary, the definition is 'jackin'
And when illegally armed it's called 'packin'
Shoot a motherfucker in a minute
I find a good piece o' pussy, I go up in it
So if you're at a show in the front row
I'm a call you a bitch or dirty-ass ho
You'll probably get mad like a bitch is supposed to
But that shows me, slut, you're composed to
a crazy muthafucker from tha street
Attitude legit cause I'm tearin up shit
MC Ren controls the automatic
For any dumb muthafucker that starts static
Not the right hand cause I'm the hand itself
every time I pull a AK off the shelf
The security is maximum and that's a law
R-E-N spells Ren but I'm raw
See, coz I'm the motherfuckin villain
The definition is clear, you're the witness of a killin
that's takin place without a clue
And once you're on the scope, your ass is through
Look, you might take it as a trip
but a nigga like Ren is on a gangsta tip
Straight outta Compton...

City of Compton, City of Compton

[Dr. Dre] Eazy is his name and the boy is comin...

...straight outta Compton
is a brotha that'll smother yo' mother
and make ya sister think I love her
Dangerous motherfucker raises hell
And if I ever get caught I make bail
See, I don't give a fuck, that's the problem
I see a motherfuckin cop I don't dodge him
But I'm smart, lay low, creep a while
And when I see a punk pass, I smile
To me it's kinda funny, the attitude showin a nigga drivin
but don't know where the fuck he's going, just rollin
lookin for the one they call Eazy
But here's a flash, they never seize me
Ruthless! Never seen like a shadow in the dark
except when I unload, see I'll get over the hesitation
and hear the scream of the one who got the last penetration
Give a little gust of wind and I'm jettin
But leave a memory no one'll be forgettin
So what about the bitch who got shot? Fuck her!
You think I give a damn about a bitch? I ain't a sucker!
This is the autobiography of the E, and if you ever fuck with me
You'll get taken by a stupid dope brotha who will smother
word to the motherfucker, straight outta Compton

City of Compton, City of Compton

Damn that shit was dope!
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post #13330 of 28163
1/18/06 at 9:35am
Quote:
The nominations for the HTF DVD AWARDS are in! Time to vote guys, it's our very own Oscars!
And our very own Razzies!

HTF DVD AWARDS - WORST OF 2005


Quote:
If I host the event am I allowed to badmouth Jude Law and Tom Cruise? Can I be profane? Can I slag off Tony Blair and George W.Bush? Can I host the event in a toga? [Cees - "why a toga?"] *belches* why not? Can I get Nils parrot to co-host?
I'd buy a ticket to see our fearless Testy leader host the Razzies!
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post #13331 of 28163
1/18/06 at 3:44pm
Thread Starter 
I have to admit I haven't voted yet in the HTF Razzies, only because I haven't actually bought or seen most of the films nominated, the Homer Simpson Head box set? Why is that so terrible? I really thought you guys liked gimmicky box sets with all the paraphernalia attached. For myself just give me the dvds in a simple classy box ala the Alien Quadrilogy and Matrix sets and I'm more than happy.

This shot look familiar? Anyone?

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post #13332 of 28163
1/18/06 at 4:13pm
Quote:
This shot look familiar? Anyone?
HINT: Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
"Say... That's a nice bike..." - different scene, but I think the same movie.
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post #13333 of 28163
1/18/06 at 4:17pm
Thread Starter 
No it's not sci-fi Nils and it's a recent 3-disc rerelease (R2), oh what a giveaway!
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post #13334 of 28163
1/18/06 at 7:49pm
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
The Frighteners


I owns the "Director's Fun Cut" myself too. Used to own the regular theatrical release back when I first started collecting DVDs.

I've purchased in another Borders 3 for 2 DVD deal on Tuesday:

ALIEN3: Collector's Edition (The main reason why I purchased this was because of my now newly gained respect and admiration for the film via the Assembly Cut. The Assembly Cut overall makes for a more coherent picture and I actually sympathised more with the characters instead of feeling cold, dismal and distant. And if certain recuts of a film could do what it did for me for ALIEN3, barring ALIEN: Resurrection, then all the better. The same could go for alot of films which had rushed productions and not enough time to get a proper edit down.)

The Last of the Mohicans: Director's Expanded Cut (I've only seen the Director's Cut of this film and thought it was due time to purchase this finally. Anamorphic Widescreen version of course.)

The Money Pit (The freebie in the deal. One of my favorite Tom Hanks films and glad to finally getting around to purchasing it. Gradually purchasing more 1980's films as I'm severely lacking in titles on DVD from that particular decade.)

I wonder what I'll purchase next time...
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post #13335 of 28163
1/18/06 at 11:03pm
Quote:
The Frighteners
Doooh! That's the scene in the men's room right?


Quote:
Ms. Beckinsale looks great on that Underworld poster.
Did you all see her tonight on Letterman!!! Oh myyyyy, and in full high definition glory too! I don't think she has ever looked as good as she did tonight. Even my wife was quite impressed.

It was a UK invasion on American late night talk shows what with Colin Firth showing his usual clever witty Brit humor on the Tonight Show with Leno. Colin Firth is a great storyteller! He had the Mrs. and I in stitches, especially the story about getting his finger stuck in the window jam of his flat... brilliant!
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post #13336 of 28163
1/19/06 at 5:41am
Thread Starter 
Was the Frighteners, Ray owns it, and was the men's room scene Nils, quite a creepy scene too. Imagine seeing that ghostly spectre coming towards you skeletal arm outstretched knowing your time was up, brrr.







Very nice copy of The Frighteners, 12 mins of extra scenes, doesn't slow down the film at all, one bit that was always trimmed on region 2 was when one of the characters gets a shotgun blast in the face, head exploding into pieces it's now uncut on region 2, woohoo, a fun ghosthouse ride from the man who brought us Kong, oh and he also made that trilogy with the jewellery-carrying midjets.
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post #13337 of 28163
1/19/06 at 8:49am
I might be giving The Frighteners another try soon. Caught it at the cinema back in 96 and I remember being underwhelmed by it. I was expecting laughs ala Ghostbusters so I think the dark & twisted tone caught me off guard some.

Watched Lord of War the other night. Liked it, but not enough to add it to my collection. Ho-hum.

Went ahead and voted in some of the HTF Award threads. Is it me or does it seem like almost the same DVD's were nominated in most of the Best of categories. Not enough variation if you ask me.

Maybe I need glasses or something but how did Jaws get a nom for worst transfer? Looks fine to me.
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post #13338 of 28163
1/19/06 at 8:59am
Happy Birthday Cees!
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post #13339 of 28163
1/19/06 at 9:26am
Well, whatever that brain-fever was that I had Thursday let the influenza in behind it, and I've been "resting comfortably" the past few days.

I'd better give up on posting in the High Definition area; too much craziness in there for me!
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post #13340 of 28163
1/19/06 at 9:56am
Thread Starter 
Maybe you should cut down on anime viewing Chris, give your brain a rest. I can imagine you spending entire evenings watching these Japanese cartoons. Watch some Disney for a change.


Quote:
Maybe I need glasses or something but how did Jaws get a nom for worst transfer?


Whaaaat?! How dare they? Right, I'm adding that entire poll to my ignore list!


Quote:
Happy Birthday Cees!


I sent him a Birthday PM last night. Cees is like a father figure to us, we're his wayward kids he told me he still feels young, which is very important, don't think old, never think old, and you must think in Russian... think in Russian. pssst [looks around] don't forget you're only as old as the women you feel[STOP IT STEVE!]
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post #13341 of 28163
1/19/06 at 11:03am
Happy Birthday, Cees!
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post #13342 of 28163
1/19/06 at 4:11pm
Thread Starter 


A nice matte shot from a Best Picture Oscar winner, but which film? Any guesses?
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post #13343 of 28163
1/19/06 at 5:24pm
Is that from The Sting? I know that movie really well, and I don't exactly recognize it, but I think that's what it could be.
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post #13344 of 28163
1/19/06 at 5:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Is that from The Sting?


That's the one Haggai, it's the shot straight after The Set-Up title card.







Good film, I hadn't seen it in years, quite enjoyable. But I would have personally picked The Exorcist as Best Picture of 1973 rather than The Sting though. I think it was the first and only horror film to get nominated for Best Film, if you don't count The Silence of the Lambs as a horror film.
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post #13345 of 28163
1/19/06 at 5:43pm
Ah yes, that's the scene it's from.

The Exorcist is powerful stuff, but The Sting has always been one of my favorites.
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post #13346 of 28163
1/19/06 at 5:46pm
Quote:
I have to admit I haven't voted yet in the HTF Razzies, only because I haven't actually bought or seen most of the films nominated, the Homer Simpson Head box set? Why is that so terrible?
Several reasons, like the rounded front, which won't fit very well on a shelf between other DVDs without pushing it in. While clearly designed with the intention of being a special "display" case, unfortunately it has a poorly fitting slip case, which you must use or the case will not remain upright, and even with the slip cover it is not very stable. This is not good for those that want to display it on its own. Then there is the problem of opening the darn thing, and the cheap thin plastic where it hinges which over time will surely crack.

Fox clearly saw the criticism coming as they included a note in both Season 6 and 7 "Head" cases with a phone number to call to get a replacement "standard" case for both sets, and I believe they have since canceled plans for the remaining "Head" cases. [HOMER] D'oooh! [/HOMER]


Quote:
I'd better give up on posting in the High Definition area; too much craziness in there for me!
I still can't get over the fact that there are a few who are posting how they regularly circumvent the copy protection of DVDs and make copies as if it was a perfectly legal thing to do, which it most definitely is not. Yet not one single HTF "official" has suggested this is wrong, let alone warn them that it goes against HTF policy. On the other hand, if you dare suggest this is wrong, or that this is the reason for these new copy protection methods you had better be sure to wear a flame retardant suit.
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post #13347 of 28163
1/19/06 at 9:27pm
Well, what gets to me is the ignorance of technical topics on one hand, and the apocalypse talk on the other.

I don't demand that people be electronics engineers in order to watch television, but it would be nice if somebody who's commenting on a video system at least understood what the bare basics of the system are, and what the terms he's using mean. Personally, I've got a desk drawer with reams of information covering various phases of the development of High Definition, including four different HiVision video disc systems; and I have tech papers relating to Blu-Ray, AACS, and HDCP on my computer.

Then there are the people chanting that the End is upon us, that DIVX has risen again and all the new discs will sterilise our children and make our dishwashers rise in revolt. Honestly, I'm utterly opposed to these "dead hand" control measures in principle, but people don't seem to have -- or want -- a clear picture of what they actually are and do. I can't see where they're much more severe than on the whimsically-so-called "open" DVD; I'm not going to put up with that kind of thing for any Standard Definition medium, but they don't seem to have a problem with that. It's only when the quality suddenly jumps 600%+ that they become afraid of it. If the only way to get films in HiVision on a durable physical medium means dealing with AACS et alii, and [by appropriate choices of equipment and usage patterns] I can avoid most of the effect, it's not a total non-starter for me.
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post #13348 of 28163
1/20/06 at 7:25am
Thread Starter 
HD or not HD that is the question. Not HD is my answer, not for a few years at least.
I don't like what I'm reading in the HD forum, it's enough to put anyone off new formats, some might even see neverending format wars as yet another fiendish way of getting people to quadruple-dip endlessly on back catalogue titles, forget special editions, see your favorite on a totally new disc format! Every 7-8 years expect the latest advances in technology to provide us with better discs, smaller discs, tiny discs, movies on microchips, than you can triple-dip quadriple-dip pentaple-dip sextaple-dip, keep buying those classic movies over and over again until the day you die, you can't fight the future!

Quote:
I still can't get over the fact that there are a few who are posting how they regularly circumvent the copy protection of DVDs and make copies as if it was a perfectly legal thing to do,


Strange that you have the right to break a dvd you've just bought into a thousand pieces, stomp on it, bin it, piss on it and nobody can dare say anything to you, you bought it you can do what you like with it, but making a back up copy of it is a no-no! While I've never seen the need to make copies of my dvds (I don't watch them enough times to wear them out and I don't lend, well not my favorites anyway, plus dvds are cheap and better editions pop up seemingly every other year), I don't see a problem with people who do, you know what people do in the privacy of their own home is their own business and all that. I don't condone piracy, but backing up your favorite dvds isn't a major crime in my book.
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post #13349 of 28163
1/20/06 at 7:37am
Thread Starter 
Cees you has PM.
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post #13350 of 28163
1/20/06 at 7:54am
So this is what the new 2006 testie looks like, hmmmm, loo

Quote:
...technology to provide us with better discs, smaller discs, tiny discs, movies on microchips, than you can triple-dip quadriple-dip pentaple-dip sextaple-dip, keep buying those classic movies over and over

Looks like I'll have to buy The White album again.

I also don't like what I am reading on this HD format war but more likely then not by summer I'll be sporting a new pair of Blu-ray trousers. I just cannot wait it out.
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