TV/Movie General Discussion

[Munsu]

Saw that the original TV Show thread sucked, so I decided to make a better thread so that we can discuss whatever we want regarding TV and movies (or entertainment for that matter), especially news articles, rumors, etc. that really don't apply to a specific thread in the section.

With that in mind, for those interested here are a couple of items that may be of interest to some of you guys:

1. Here are some "Fall Guides" to help you find information on which, when, and where shows will air:
http://www.tv.com/fall-guide/?tag=topslot;link;5&om_act=convert&om_clk=topslot
http://www.tvguide.com/special/fall-preview-2008/default.aspx


2. Hulu.com is apparently going to premiere some of the NBC shows online before their air dates. This includes Knight Rider, Life, and Chuck among others. Life and Chuck, for example, will be going online 1 week earlier than its air date.
http://www.tv.com/story/11587.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=news&tag=headlines;title;2

3. Don LaFontaine, "The Voice of God", passed away the other day. You might know him as one of those famous voices that appears in many movie trailers, usually known for his "In a world.." bit:
http://www.donlafontaine.com/DLF2007/Intro.html
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/09/02/obit.lafontaine/index.html

Here are some YouTube clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awlqbcJZd38
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QPMvj_xejg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJMGS7l0wT8

4. Entourage and True Blood start this Sunday, while Terminator starts on Monday.

[Munsu]

A couple of things:

1. The creator of Arrested Development is creating a new series for CBS about "a family that cares a little too much about one another". If done properly, this could be hilarious. AD already showed some elements of this nature.
Also, Rene Echevaria (The 4400) and Greg Berlanti (Eli Stone) are creating a show for ABC about aliens called "The Return".
http://www.tv.com/story/11596.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=news&tag=headlines;title;4

2. NBC is crapping on Scrub's finale over at ABC by preventing Masi Oka (Heroes) and Sarah Lancaster (Chuck) from being guest stars, just to screw the series over.
http://www.tv.com/story/11602.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=news&tag=headlines;title;0

3. Apperently there are still plans for two Chronicles of Riddick sequels. Big fan of the character, so hopefully they'll do something:
http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/08/25/vin-diesel-promises-two-more-riddick-sequels/

4. Plans for a Ghost Rider sequel?
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=48467

5. Yesterday's Terminator episode was amazing, go watch it. Go try out True Blood over at HBO too.

6. On tonight:

Fringe (premiere) - FOX
The Shield - FX
Eureka - Sci-Fi
The Cleaner - A&E

[Munsu]

1. The 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were on last night, here are the winners and nominees for those interested:
http://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117992584.html

Notables were: Alec Baldwin & Tina Fey (Best in Comedy), 30 Rock (Best Comedy), Glenn Close (Best in Drama), Jeremy Piven (Supporting in Comedy). Can't believe they didn't give the Emmy to Hugh Laurie for Best Actor in a Drama, and I also thought Michael Emerson (LOST) deserved the Supporting Actor in a Drama award. Also, Mad Men as the Best Drama Series? Beating out the likes of LOST, House, Damages, Dexter, and Boston Legal... are they nuts?

2. Another X-Files- like show has been picked up by Sci-Fi called Warehouse 13, though this seems to be of a more comedic nature (Dramedy):
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i47f5cb6394a9cc0f4af9a94dfef0df71

3. First clip of Saw V:
http://www.saw5.com/site/index.html

4. Notable TV season/series premieres this week:

Heroes: season 3
The Big Bang Theory: season 2
How I Met Your Mother: season 4
Two and a Half Men: season 6
Worst Week: season 1
Boston Legal: season 5
NCIS: season 6
The Mentalist: season 1
Knight Rider: season 1
Criminal Minds: season 4
My Name is Earl: season 4
Grey's Anatomy: season 5
The Office (US): season 5
Desperate Housewives: season 5
Dexter: season 3
The Unit: season 4
Californication: season 2

[Abdula]

The Mentalist: season 1
I watched this show and I must say I was expecting alot from it and I wasn't disappointed at all. In fact I haven't been so impressed with the premiere of a show since House or Supernatural. This show is definitely a must watch and from me that is saying alot. I recommend everyone at least check it out. I still can't believe how much I like this show and I've only seen one episode. It reminds me of Life.

[Munsu]

I watched this show and I must say I was expecting alot from it and I wasn't disappointed at all. In fact I haven't been so impressed with the premiere of a show since House or Supernatural. This show is definitely a must watch and from me that is saying alot. I recommend everyone at least check it out. I still can't believe how much I like this show and I've only seen one episode. It reminds me of Life.
I have to agree. I watched the pre-air a couple of months ago and it was awesome. If you like these type of procedural shows, a new one coming up that might be good too is Eleventh Hour. It starts on October with CSI.

From the ones I mentioned above, I also watched Worst Week... not sure where it's heading, but it had quite a few very funny moments.

[Munsu]

Let's see, some things of interest:

My Own Worst Enemy gets cancelled

LOST will premiere on January 21:
http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/11/abc-sets-lost-p.html

Terminator will move to Fridays starting February, airing before the new Joss Wheddon show Dollhouse.

The Game of Thrones novel series is going to be adapted by HBO; it's a very popular series by George R.R. Martin. I really wish HBO would've done the Sword of Truth series instead of ABC:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117995693.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

Fox cancells MADtv:
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Fox-Cancels-MADtv-66933.aspx

CW was developing a series about the youth of Robin (before he met Batman and all that shit) called The Greysons. That's no longer being planned:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117995430.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

A New Karate Kid starring Will Smith's son? Smells like a bad idea to me:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117995614.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

There were plans to make Lethal Weapon 5, but apparently Mel Gibson doesn't want to do that now. Hopefully something will be done in the future:
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=50318

Some Captain America news, which should come out in 2011... it's going to be directed by Joe Johnston:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i2a6531019c4147a66237829f7fff5112

Will Smith and Steven Spielberg planning on remaking Oldboy (there's a manga and a live-action movie):
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117995429.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

And here's the most important thing to remember... 24 returns with the Redemption movie on Sunday November 23. Don't miss it:
http://www.fox.com/24/redemption/

[Ryllharu]

Ewww....remake Oldboy? W.T.F. Spielberg, the movie isn't even that old, only 2003.

Come up with your own ideas instead of continually butchering movies that have already been done better before you, and without you.

[Munsu]

I have no problem with Oldboy being made myself. I think they can make a cool movie out of it.

By the way, any of you guys here watch NCIS or Boston Legal?

Anyways:

Looks like Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money got cancelled. Nothing official yet, but that's the way it looks at the moment. Shame because both were fairly fun shows.

Monk will air what will be its final season this summer. It will be season 8:
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Monk-final-season-67041.aspx?imw=Y

Eddie Izzard is planning a movie for his cancelled The Riches:
http://www.tv.com/story/11922.html?tag=headlines;title;0&om_act=convert&om_clk=news

A Prison Break creator and a West Wing executive producer are planning a new show for FX, that will be about a second American Revolution... tentatively called AR2. Considering it'll be in FX, it's probably worth to keep an eye out for it:
http://www.tv.com/story/11919.html?tag=headlines;title;3&om_act=convert&om_clk=news

Official Star Trek trailer:
http://www.startrekmovie.com/
I've never been a fan of Star Trek, but this looks pretty good in my opinion.

[TwisT]

I must agree with Ryllharu. Oldboy is one of the best Korea movies (if not THE best) i have seen. It was a masterpiece. And just because spielberg and Will Smith is involved doesn't give me hopes that this will be as great or even better. They should have putted their focus on something different. But i guess even if it don't meet the expectations of the original it could still be watchable. And it's not like the original is going anywhere. And i do love Will Smith.

I loved DSM. Can't believe it's getting canceled. It had so much going for the story. So many different party's that they could keep the drama going forever.

Star Trek looks awesome. But it's about the first star trek crew. I never liked that one. Only thing that intrigued me about that show was Spock. But i guess with this newer version of everything, and Sylar from Heroes playing Spock it could be awesome. I actually never liked William Shattner because of Star Trek and TJ hooker. It was not until Boston Legal that he redeemed himself in my eyes and he now plays one of the most beloved character to ever enter the TV screen.

And what did you want to say about Boston Legal? I hope it's not any bad news because then i'm gonna have to kill someone.

[Munsu]

Well, it also looks like Eli Stone will be cancelled if rumored reports are true.

Well, I was just asking because I watch those two shows (NCIS and Boston Legal), so I was simply wondering if anyone else here did. As for bad news? Well, it's been known for a while (maybe not you), but this will be Boston Legal's final season. In fact, from the looks of it, it'll only have a couple more episodes. Maybe about 8.

[Yukimura]

Star Trek Movie looks prety cool, but it needs a thread so I can let out my Trekkie frustrations about the Enterprise apparently being constructed completely on Earth. Anyway other than that and the odd presence of what appeared to be gas powered vehicles in a time where humanity has invented engines powerful enough to push a 190,000,000 kg hunk of metal through space at around .5c I am extremely excited by what I've seen of this movie. It's Star Trek so some camp is pretty much a given, but it looks slick and the characters seemed fresh but still reminiscent of the ones they are trying to replace.

[Ryllharu]

I wouldn't be so concerned about the gas powered vehicles. It was just the car young Kirk was driving, and we all know from the past series and films how much Kirk (and Picard too for that matter) like antiques from the 19th-21st centuries.

Also, we build carriers and submarines on dry land, with all the support structure holding the Enterprise up, it's not so far-fetched to believe they could build the majority of the superstructure on land (where it is cheaper and easier, same reason we do it) and then do the rest of the fitting up in a space dock.

[Munsu]

A two articles that may be of interest:

Michael Cera finally agreed to join the Arrested Development movie.
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b101449_sources_michael_cera_joins_arrested.html

The CW renews quite a few shows for next season, including Supernatural and Smallville:
http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/02/24/signs-of-life-for-next-year-with-the-cw-as-it-renews-six-series/13407

[Penner]

Couldn't find a My Name Is Earl thread to post this in so ill just use this one.

Earl is Officially cancelled (http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/06/my-name-is-earl-canceled.html)

[Penner]

DiCaprio set for Gibson's Viking drama (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118012680.html?categoryid=13&cs=1)


Mel Gibson will direct and Leonardo DiCaprio will star in an untitled period drama about Viking culture.

Really? DiCaprio to star as a Viking? Fuck that shit.


"This will be an awe-inspiring story, created with some of the industry’s finest cinematic talent"

Mel has some seriously awesome movies so i can understand how he fits into that category.

DiCaprio...not so much.

[XanBcoo]

The fuck you talking about? DiCaprio is an amazing actor.

[Penner]

Since the moment i first saw him i have disliked him.

People have different opinions and tastes so theres bound to be those that like him, and thats a good thing for them because then they can enjoy the movies he is in more than i can. ^_^

Also, out of all the people i know, i can probably count the ones that like him on one hand.

Not sure why.. i guess he's one of those guys people tend to either really like or really dislike.

[darkshadow]

I think his "hate" image was spawned from his role in Titanic, I admit too hating his guts.
But I have to say, his last few movies have been nothing but awesome.
Give him a chance.

[Penner]

There's two movies with him in that i find pretty good, 'Catch me if you can' and 'Gangs of New York'

I still think both could have been better if someone else was cast instead.

But i'll wait and see how this plays out, it's just that...him.. as a VIKING?

[XanBcoo]

But i'll wait and see how this plays out, it's just that...him.. as a VIKING?
Because Vikings weren't blond haired and blue eyed?

This isn't an all white cast being chosen to play eskimos, like in The Last Airbender. He's not playing an African king. DiCaprio looks Scandinavian and is a great actor.

Aside from the fact that young girls liked him in Titanic, is there any reason to dislike him? Have you seen The Departed?

[Munsu]

Looks like FX will be looking into Conan and will be talking with Joss Whedon for possible future projects. I think it's great news, FX has been one of my favorite cable channels for a while now. And consider that Dennis Leary, Conan's cousin, has a show on FX... so that might help things a bit.

Though for Conan's sake, I hope he gets into a broadcast channel where he'll get more viewers, but FX which allows shows to push the boundaries more than any other network that I know of, would be great for Conan's type of comedy.

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/01/17/could-conan-and-joss-whedon-come-to-fx/39195

[Assassin]

i'll just be happy to see whedon on network other then fox....maybe we'll actually get some good shows that dont get cancelled

[Munsu]

Ron Howard got a comedy pilot green-lit:
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Fox-Greenlights-Ron-1014286.aspx

Will look forward to it. I still miss Arrested Development... waiting for the movie...

[Munsu]

As mentioned previously, there's a 3rd Riddick movie coming, and here's some confirmation:
http://news-briefs.ew.com/2010/02/12/vin-diesel-riddick/

Looks like they'll start shooting soon.

[Penner]

Oh god yes, Pitch Black is one of my favourite movies of all time, the second one was only decent but i still love everything about the "Riddick Universe".

[Penner]

Summer Glau joins NBCs "The Cape" (http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/03/summer-glau-joins-nbcs-the-cape.html)

Sweet, can't go wrong with Summer Glau ^_^

[Munsu]

Summer Glau joins NBCs "The Cape" (http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/03/summer-glau-joins-nbcs-the-cape.html)

Sweet, can't go wrong with Summer Glau ^_^
That's good, seems like there are a few superheroes shows in the making, since Michael Chiklis seems to be starring on a potential superhero family drama.

[Animeniax]

Can anyone suggest a great TV show I can watch? It needs intelligent and likeable characters, at least 2 fine ass babe cast members, and be in it's first or second season (don't want to have to catch up on 4 or 5 seasons to get up to speed). TIA.

[Munsu]

Don't know about 2 fine ass babes, but you might like Suits.

[Animeniax]

Saw the promo for Suits, not really my thing. Seems kind of formulaic too.

Also tried Mad Men, which had some appeal, but not enough to keep me watching. 1960s ad execs produced by AMC? Guaranteed to be no skin on that show.

[Sapphire]

Watch Misfits.

[Ryllharu]

Relevant considering some of the discussions we've been having in the TV/Movies section:

The 5 Most Insulting Defenses of Nerd Racism (http://www.cracked.com/quick-fixes/the-5-most-insulting-defenses-nerd-racism/)

[Abdula]

I can't believe someone actually said they should do a remake of roots and have all the slaves be white. Wow, now that dude needs to relax and take a break from the internet. Not even Animeniax and Y could be that bad.


Also, I'm pretty sure Abdula didn't even read the article.
Yep, I most definitely posted without reading. Who needs to read anything before posting about it?
>_<

[Buffalobiian]

Relevant considering some of the discussions we've been having in the TV/Movies section:

The 5 Most Insulting Defenses of Nerd Racism (http://www.cracked.com/quick-fixes/the-5-most-insulting-defenses-nerd-racism/)

I'm all for keeping to the source content. If the source has a white guy, it seems weird for anyone familiar with it to watch a black version. The brought up the Black Spiderman argument, but I have no reason to believe both arguments were made by the same person, even though I'm sure those who would argue for both exist.

Asians and blacks in Norse mythology also threw me off, and when I saw it I thought it was a Hollywood thing about trying to throw in different races. It just goes back to how things started out. Norse mythology was created by the Nordic, and they'd look Nordic unless specified otherwise. Likewise, gods in Asian mythology looked Asian. It is about race.

The "black sister" comment is.. reasonable. Unless the movie ignores their sibling relationship, or throws in a line to explain the difference in colour people aren't going to default to thinking "one's adopted / interracial marriage / step-sister". The same goes for you going "huh? - .. come again?" when someone introduces you to their two homosexual parents. There's nothing wrong with it, just outside expectations. Checking for confirmation when something is unexpected is completely normal.
So if the movie throws a curve-ball like that without the "conformational explanation", I can it rubbing people the wrong way.

The prior expectation isn't purely racial (though an element certainly exists). It's a combination of both physical alikeness (parents/siblings are expected to share resemblances, as they often do), likelihood of happening (adoptions and siblings of clearly different colour are a minority) and deviating from the source material.

[Animeniax]

I can't speak for these nerds or their reasons for not liking the changes made to these characters. For me, these are characters from comics that I grew up reading, so changes to them in pretty much any form is rough to handle. A change to something as basic as their race is just Hollywood pandering for more ticket sales.

Why is it ok to change white characters to black, yet they have white guys play Asian characters? I think it is a double standard to say one is ok or else you are racist, but the other isn't a problem because Hollywood is just trying to appeal to a wider audience.

[UChessmaster]

I don`t get your second paragraph at all, care to clarify?

Also, if you read the article: "The thing is, the only reason these characters were white in the first place was that comic books were created in a time when nobody would have printed a book about a non-white superhero (having female superheroes was difficult enough, and they were handled with something less than dignity). But nowadays, the people responsible for these characters are trying to make their properties as inclusive and welcoming as they possibly can, because everybody likes comic books, not just white people.

So actually, maybe racist nerds do have a good reason to be angry -- they're angry because the comic industry has outgrown them."

[Ryllharu]

Well, Ani does have a point. There is a significant double standard in Hollywood today. While black people aren't allowed to headline a movie unless they are Will Smith or Denzel Washington, it's not like they are changing black characters to white people left and right for movie adaptations.

But what they do quite frequently is whitewash Asians out of their roles (and Middle-Easterners and Native Americans to a lesser degree). It was done for decades well after blackface was no longer considered acceptable. They don't do it as offensively as they used to in the 60s with movies like Breakfast at Tiffany's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I.Y._Yunioshi), but if it was a prominent role, and what they do today, they would just outright change the role. Famously, Bruce Lee on two prominent occasions, and more recently, 21 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21_(2008_film)) and Avatar The Last Airbender.

It's as much of a problem as racism in Hollywood against blacks or latinos, but the issue is always silently pushed to the side. Kung-fu movies are the obvious exception, but those are always treated as niche cinema.

edit 2: Though there are movies like 1962's My Geisha (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Geisha) starring Shirley MacLaine that play off on the idea in ultimately a good way, showing the racism behind the practice in a very negative light as an extremely selfish act for the film's moral conclusion.

[Animeniax]

Also, if you read the article: "The thing is, the only reason these characters were white in the first place was that comic books were created in a time when nobody would have printed a book about a non-white superhero (having female superheroes was difficult enough, and they were handled with something less than dignity). But nowadays, the people responsible for these characters are trying to make their properties as inclusive and welcoming as they possibly can, because everybody likes comic books, not just white people.

So actually, maybe racist nerds do have a good reason to be angry -- they're angry because the comic industry has outgrown them."
I doubt that it's the creators themselves who are authorizing these changes, but the studios and corporate owners of the characters who are making them. The reason the characters were white was that white guys created them. Comic books weren't always such an inclusive medium. They were largely a hobby for dorks and nerds (ie white kids). When I used to go to comic stores on a daily basis in the 80s and 90s, it was almost always exclusively nerdy white guys there. I never complained that there were no/few yellow characters in the comics I read.

I understand that a lot of these characters were created in times of racial intolerance and could use some diversity, but I don't have to like the changes, and it's not for racial reasons. I think the studios are making it a race issue to maximize profits. McDonald's didn't start their afrocentric campaign to be more racially diverse, they just wanted to make money by targeting that demographic.


I don`t get your second paragraph at all, care to clarify?What Ryllharu said. It's a double standard that Hollywood uses to remedy one form of racism while actively propagating another.

[Sapphire]

Holy shit, people just love to super read into race and spin any deviation from what's expected in the worst way possible.

Casting isn't some "conspiracy" by the distributor to target to certain race demographics. It's like you people completely obliterate the notion that casting directors/directors (who don't really even answer to distributors to THAT extent) are INDIVIDUALS and normal ass people just like you and you twist it into some huge social conspiracy, as if the people who work their asses off to create their vision of the movie owe you something. This is hilarious due to the great financial risk and hard work it takes to even make a movie (of which you're not even obligated to watch), and the fact that the movie will prolly fall into obscurity in 2 years due to a remake anyway.

Actually, from what I've seen of casting calls (and I read Actor's Access and Backstage daily while living in NYC), they probably had the lead role as a "Caucasian, 20s" description, or whatever the comic book says. They still audition a variety people and it's actually pretty cool that Jordan got cast even though they were looking for someone else. It means he had great cast chemistry or something great about him that made the producers pick him over others (even the white ones OMGGG). It's amazing how people who know nothing of the casting process take everything as a personal affront without informing themselves.

[Animeniax]

Holy shit, people just love to super read into race and spin any deviation from what's expected in the worst way possible.

It's like you people completely obliterate the notion that casting directors/directors (who don't really even answer to distributors to THAT extent) are INDIVIDUALS and normal ass people just like you and you twist it into some huge social conspiracy, as if the people who work their asses off to create their vision of the movie owe you something. This is hilarious due to the great financial risk and hard work it takes to even make a movie (of which you're not even obligated to watch), and the fact that the movie will prolly fall into obscurity in 2 years due to a remake anyway.

...It means he had great cast chemistry or something great about him that made the producers pick him over others (even the white ones OMGGG). It's amazing how people who know nothing of the casting process take everything as a personal affront without informing themselves.
"You people"? Whacchu mean, "you people"?

Movie makers don't "owe" anything to the audience beyond an entertaining/moving experience, but they do owe it to the creators/source material to be honest to and respectful of their creations. Superheroes eventually become the "property" of everyone. They become part of the social fabric and history of a people (like any national and iconic hero). Changing them for whatever reason is a bastardization to some degree.

I think you're giving too much credit to the casting process as some sort of pure art form devoid of external factors. A black guy getting a role for a white character isn't some color-blind ephemeral moment of harmony and artistry. You can't be so naive as to completely dismiss any ulterior motives of the casting crew for making their selection. This is Hollywood we're talking about, where the creative process is 5th or 6th in importance to making money, satisfying advertisers, etc.

[Abdula]

That is quite ridiculous. There is no point to remaking something if you are going to painfully adhere to the source material out of some deluded sense of honesty or respect. Comic book movies are boring, repetitive and cliched enough as it is already. This isn't Watchmen, this is a Fantastic Four reboot. These things have to be considered on a case by case basis, in this case I don't think the source material is all that good and considering how bad the movies were if they were not going to make any major changes there would be no point to rebooting the series. It is funny you mention the creative process taking a back seat to making money, supporting advertisers when you seem to want them to basically make a live action version of something you read in the 80's or 90's when that requires no creativity at all.

[UChessmaster]

If they make F4 just like in the early comics I fear for the invisible woman.

[Animeniax]

Reproducing something in a new medium has its own intrinsic value that if done right can reawaken interest in the original material. There's a reason the original comic books tend to increase in value when they are made into TV shows and movies. Live action movie versions of anything from comics, cartoons, and TV generate big interest for fans of the original material. Saying it's pointless to make live action versions unless some changes are made is ridiculous.

You don't have to strictly adhere to source material or follow a story verbatim in order to do the originals justice and honor them. But major changes can take someone else's creation and bastardize it. Does the director/producer want to tell a new story with these characters, or do they just want to tweak it to make some money off an existing product? I say it's the latter.

Were the original FF4 movies flops because of the characters or because of the weak storylines and promotion? I think any superhero movie done correctly could be a hit. So what the franchise needs is better writing and production, not some trivial change to one of the characters to satisfy PC demographics.

[UChessmaster]

F4 wasn`t a flop, rise was.

[Animeniax]

It looks like they were both equally successful, though not on Iron Man levels:

http://boxofficemojo.com/search/?q=fantastic%20four

Both opened at #1 for their weekends earning ~$57 million. Surfer didn't do as well globally, earning ~$298m during its run, while FF4 earned ~$330m.

Considering this, why do they feel they need to make such a change to the character? Understandably Chris Evans might be too big a name to want to reprise the role of Johnny Storm, but that doesn't mean the character needs to be re-written.

edit: Plus Evans is busy with Captain America/Avengers 2.

edit 2: While reading up on the potential casting of Jordan as Johnny Storm, I see that Jamie Foxx is most likely getting the role of Electro in the 2nd Amazing Spider-man movie. When will some yellow people get roles? Hollywood is a bunch of racists.

[Kraco]

After thinking about it, I have no problems with this issue despite the fact I read a thick pile of those comics in 80's and early 90's. As long as the actor can pull off the role, of course. Like Nick Fury by Samuel L. Jackson. In fact I doubt anybody could have made that role any better, but then again, Samuel L. Jackson kicks ass in any role he accepts. I reckon the only exceptions would be those characters that I've really liked in these adaptations, like Magneto by Ian McKellen or Wolverine by Hugh Jackman. But in those cases I'd be sad if they were suddenly played by any other actor, regardless of any racial details. Considering Magneto, his role has certain requirements as he's a Jewish survivor from a Nazi concentration camp, so I doubt just anybody could be cast into the role.

Fantastic Four was such a sucky movie that I couldn't care less. All I remember is that it had Jessica Alba.

[Animeniax]

Fantastic Four was such a sucky movie that I couldn't care less. All I remember is that it had Jessica Alba.

Even with the gorgeous Jessica Alba I didn't bother watching either FF4 movie (I don't like her as a blonde, though that's not the reason I didn't see the movies). The new movie will have a new Invisible Woman as well.

[Buffalobiian]

Read around from Ryll's link, and came across:

6 Insane Stereotypes That Movies Can't Seem to Get Over (http://www.cracked.com/article_20082_6-insane-stereotypes-that-movies-cant-seem-to-get-over.html)
(#4 onwards is relevant to this discussion)

I don't watch enough movies to point out if he's cherry picking, but I'm not at all surprised about Hollywood warping reality to suit their needs. My wake-up call was their depiction of gun suppressors and fuel tank explosions.

[Animeniax]

Read around from Ryll's link, and came across:

6 Insane Stereotypes That Movies Can't Seem to Get Over (http://www.cracked.com/article_20082_6-insane-stereotypes-that-movies-cant-seem-to-get-over.html)
(#4 onwards is relevant to this discussion)

I don't watch enough movies to point out if he's cherry picking, but I'm not at all surprised about Hollywood warping reality to suit their needs. My wake-up call was their depiction of gun suppressors and fuel tank explosions.

Considering some of the recent genocides center in African countries like Somalia, Rwanda, the Congo, Sudan, etc, committed by military warlords, the first stereotype they list isn't that unfair. Hollywood is always looking for a good villain for moviegoers to hate. Personally I'm tired of North Korea and China as the enemy in movies, tv, and video games.

[Ryllharu]

I'm tired of it being posh caucasian Europeans (frequently just British) lately, because anything else would be insensitive.

But the DPRK and China bashing is all part of the great propaganda machine. Just like how they always used to be Russians, and then always generic-Arabs.

[Animeniax]

Yeah but at least Caucasian Euros are portrayed as criminal masterminds bent on world domination through means other than military might.

[Abdula]

Yep, always the suave billionaire philanthropist, reminds me of the whole black Lex Luthor thing. Anyway I don't think this topic is interesting, Hollywood has ridiculous ideas and perpetuates them, nice conundrum by the way.

It looks like they were both equally successful, though not on Iron Man levels:
Both opened at #1 for their weekends earning ~$57 million. Surfer didn't do as well globally, earning ~$298m during its run, while FF4 earned ~$330m.

I just wanted to point out that it is hilarious that you're deciding whether a movie is successful or not based on how much money it made when you were complaining about them essentially selling out in order to make more money. Both the Fantastic Four movies were really bad.

[Animeniax]

Yep, always the suave billionaire philanthropist, reminds me of the whole black Lex Luthor thing. Anyway I don't think this topic is interesting, Hollywood has ridiculous ideas and perpetuates them, nice conundrum by the way.

I just wanted to point out that it is hilarious that you're deciding whether a movie is successful or not based on how much money it made when you were complaining about them essentially selling out in order to make more money. Both the Fantastic Four movies were really bad.There are plans for a black Lex Luthor? Blasphemy!

Success is often equated with how much money is made. It's not my personal definition of success. Regardless, an opening weekend of $57 million is a successful movie, whether it is good or not.

[Abdula]

If it is not your definition of success then why the hell are you even referencing it. Those last two sentences are contradictory. I feel like shaking you.

[Animeniax]

Speak to your audience. Though it's not my measure of success, it generally is seen as the measure of success, particularly when talking about a superhero movie. Obviously these won't stand the test of time like some of the great movies (Blade Runner, Aliens, etc) so really we can only rate them by how much money they made.

[Kraco]

It's entertainment business. Of course success is measured by how well the investment managed to first cover the expenses and then make profit. The only other measure Hollywood probably cares about are the Academy Awards, but I don't think too many movies that were economic catastrophes got Oscars either.

[UChessmaster]

There are plans for a black Lex Luthor? Blasphemy!

?????

1506


Speak to your audience. Though it's not my measure of success, it generally is seen as the measure of success, particularly when talking about a superhero movie. Obviously these won't stand the test of time like some of the great movies (Blade Runner, Aliens, etc) so really we can only rate them by how much money they made.

V for Vendetta.

[Abdula]

It's entertainment business. Of course success is measured by how well the investment managed to first cover the expenses and then make profit. The only other measure Hollywood probably cares about are the Academy Awards, but I don't think too many movies that were economic catastrophes got Oscars either.
That is not the point though. He keeps mentioning that whether a movie was profitable or not is not his definition of success but follows that by saying that making a certain amount of money automatically makes a movie a success. It is very simple if it is not your basis for determining success then why are you using it as such. I mean in the post directly above yours he says you can only rate them by how much money they made. I wonder if he thinks the Resident Evil movies were a success. Based on how he has criticized "Hollywood" and his personal definition of success one would think the answer would be no but since those movies were very profitable his answer would have to be yes.

[Animeniax]

That is not the point though. He keeps mentioning that whether a movie was profitable or not is not his definition of success but follows that by saying that making a certain amount of money automatically makes a movie a success. It is very simple if it is not your basis for determining success then why are you using it as such. I mean in the post directly above yours he says you can only rate them by how much money they made. I wonder if he thinks the Resident Evil movies were a success. Based on how he has criticized "Hollywood" and his personal definition of success one would think the answer would be no but since those movies were very profitable his answer would have to be yes.

As stated already, it is not MY measure of success but the universal measure of success for movies.

Even by these standards, none of the RE movies was a success. They had good openings around $20m but went on to only make $40-60m domestically over their lifetimes. They did better internationally but the domestic market is still the largest determinant of success in Hollywood studios' eyes.


?????

1506

V for Vendetta.He looks more Italian or Greek than anything. Apparently there's debate about it: do-you-think-lex-luthor-is-black-in-justice-league-651759/ (http://www.comicvine.com/lex-luthor/4005-41952/forums/do-you-think-lex-luthor-is-black-in-justice-league-651759/)

What was the point of mentioning V for Vendetta? It was a good movie, but financially it barely broke even. Not sure if it was considered a success or not.

[Abdula]

Lol, I think you misunderstand the meaning of universal Ani. If it does not apply to everyone then it is not universal. To put an end to this, just state what your definition of a successful movie is, since I mentioned Resident evil you can make it specific to action movies. Then state what you would consider to be an unsuccessful action movie and then based on those two things tell us whether you think the Resident Evil franchise was successful or not based entirely on your measure of success.

[Animeniax]

Nah that's pointless so let's just get back on topic.

[Abdula]

You are irritating. Just noticed your edit by the way and since you are just going to deflect I am not even going to bother. Just wanted to mention that V for Vendetta was indeed a great movie that was well received by both fans and critics but it did not make a lot of money. Certainly nowhere near Iron Man numbers so by your logic it was not a success because we have to rate these things by how much money they made. Sheesh.

[UChessmaster]

He looks more Italian or Greek than anything. Apparently there's debate about it: do-you-think-lex-luthor-is-black-in-justice-league-651759/ (http://www.comicvine.com/lex-luthor/4005-41952/forums/do-you-think-lex-luthor-is-black-in-justice-league-651759/)

"Black" is a skin color, not a nationality, he can be greek, italian or whatever and also be black.


What was the point of mentioning V for Vendetta? It was a good movie, but financially it barely broke even. Not sure if it was considered a success or not.

That superhero movies can be great and stand the test of time.


They did better internationally but the domestic market is still the largest determinant of success in Hollywood studios' eyes.

How so? in Hollywood eyes, what`s the difference between making 100 mil in USA and making 100 mil in Russia? Can you imagine?

Employee 1: Guys, we have our first weekend number, our movie that costed 20 mil to make made 200 mil this weekend!

Employee 2: That`s amazing! looks like we hit the jackpot, we should tell our writers to start working on the sequel.

Employee 3: Hold it one second! where did all this money come from?

Employee 1: Well... uhm... most of the tickets were sold on France.

Producers: France!? FUCKING FRANCE!? that`s it, cancel the whole thing! call the media, make a press conference, we need to apologize to the world ASAP.

[Animeniax]

You are irritating. Just noticed your edit by the way and since you are just going to deflect I am not even going to bother. Just wanted to mention that V for Vendetta was indeed a great movie that was well received by both fans and critics but it did not make a lot of money. Certainly nowhere near Iron Man numbers so by your logic it was not a success because we have to rate these things by how much money they made. Sheesh.

V for Vendetta was a good movie to those who saw/reviewed it, problem was that not many people saw it. It's like Arrested Development: those who watched it love it and it was critically acclaimed, but it was still considered a flop and cancelled. I think you're confusing cult favorites with mainstream success. Mainstream success is still judged by how much money was made to determine how many people saw it.


"Black" is a skin color, not a nationality, he can be greek, italian or whatever and also be black.What is with you people? He's not black in that he's not Negroid. He's Caucasoid.

That superhero movies can be great and stand the test of time. V for Vendetta is hardly a "superhero" movie, though it is a comic book movie. And whether or not it stands the test of time remains to be seen, it was only released in 2005. Is it a surprise it is loved by anti-establishment folks like you and Abdula? Among the normals, it wasn't that well received.


How so? in Hollywood eyes, what`s the difference between making 100 mil in USA and making 100 mil in Russia? Can you imagine?

Employee 1: Guys, we have our first weekend number, our movie that costed 20 mil to make made 200 mil this weekend!

Employee 2: That`s amazing! looks like we hit the jackpot, we should tell our writers to start working on the sequel.

Employee 3: Hold it one second! where did all this money come from?

Employee 1: Well... uhm... most of the tickets were sold on France.

Producers: France!? FUCKING FRANCE!? that`s it, cancel the whole thing! call the media, make a press conference, we need to apologize to the world ASAP.

I'll chalk it up to you being a foreigner, but Hollywood movies judge success in the domestic market well above international numbers. Advertising, celebrity, etc are more important in the US market than anywhere else.

[UChessmaster]

V for Vendetta costed 54 mil to make, it opened on march 19 and by may it made 70 mil. It wasn`t avatar economically, but i wouldn`t say "barely" break even.

[Animeniax]

V for Vendetta costed 54 mil to make, it opened on march 19 and by may it made 70 mil. It wasn`t avatar economically, but i wouldn`t say "barely" break even.

Once again I'll chalk it up to you not being from here and not knowing how things work in the movie/tv industry here. Shit you're still wondering how the domestic market is more important than the international market to American movie studios. Making $70mil on a movie that cost $54mil is barely breaking even by Hollywood standards.

[UChessmaster]

What is with you people? He's not black in that he's not Negroid. He's Caucasoid.

You people? what`s that supposed to mean?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_people

The color black is not limited to negroids, when you said black I figured you meant all black people, not an exclusive group... my bad?


V for Vendetta is hardly a "superhero" movie, though it is a comic book movie. And whether or not it stands the test of time remains to be seen, it was only released in 2005. Is it a surprise it is loved by anti-establishment folks like you and Abdula? Among the normals, it wasn't that well received.

It is a superhero movie, why wouldn`t it be?


I'll chalk it up to you being a foreigner, but Hollywood movies judge success in the domestic market well above international numbers. Advertising, celebrity, etc are more important in the US market than anywhere else.

That doesn`t answers why, at all. I`ll ask again; what`s the difference between an american movie making 100 mil in USA and 100 mil in Russia? RE clearly is a success to Hollywood regardless of where it made its money considering they made five (FIVE!) movies, with a 6th one on its way.


Once again I'll chalk it up to you not being from here and not knowing how things work in the movie/tv industry here. Shit you're still wondering how the domestic market is more important than the international market to American movie studios. Making $70mil on a movie that cost $54mil is barely breaking even by Hollywood standards.

To break even it would have to do about double of its production cost at least, since half of it goes to the movie theaters. However, it`s not just about movie tickets, you`d also have to add in DVD sales and related merchandise, if you consider all that, V for Vendetta is way above breaking even. Did I miss anything?

[Animeniax]

You people? what`s that supposed to mean? You people arguing every little point is exhausting.


It is a superhero movie, why wouldn`t it be?Anti-hero movie maybe. Nothing super about V.


That doesn`t answers why, at all. I`ll ask again; what`s the difference between an american movie making 100 mil in USA and 100 mil in Russia? RE clearly is a success to Hollywood regardless of where it made its money considering they made five (FIVE!) movies, with a 6th one on its way.No, I decided it wasn't worth the effort to explain further. It's kind of the same reason Playstation sales in Japan mean more to Sony than sales in the rest of the world.


To break even it would have to do about double of its production cost at least, since half of it goes to the movie theaters. However, it`s not just about movie tickets, you`d also have to add in DVD sales and related merchandise, if you consider all that, V for Vendetta is way above breaking even. Did I miss anything? Making $16mil over a $54mil production cost in the domestic market is not a success by Hollywood standards. Again, this goes back to having an understanding of Hollywood, which you evidently are not familiar with.

[Assertn]

No, I decided it wasn't worth the effort to explain further. It's kind of the same reason Playstation sales in Japan mean more to Sony than sales in the rest of the world.

Making $16mil over a $54mil production cost in the domestic market is not a success by Hollywood standards. Again, this goes back to having an understanding of Hollywood, which you evidently are not familiar with.

I kinda wish you would explain further. I am genuinely interested with what you have to say about it.

[UChessmaster]

You people arguing every little point is exhausting.

That`s what happens when you have a weak argument, it crumbles under any scrutinium.


Anti-hero movie maybe. Nothing super about V.

Nothing super about Batman.


No, I decided it wasn't worth the effort to explain further. It's kind of the same reason Playstation sales in Japan mean more to Sony than sales in the rest of the world.

What? Where do you get all this info? And why isn`t it worth the effort? As a person with zero understanding of Hollywood and the foreign market`s insignificant value, I`d like to know.


Making $16mil over a $54mil production cost in the domestic market is not a success by Hollywood standards. Again, this goes back to having an understanding of Hollywood, which you evidently are not familiar with.

Which is why we have five (FIVE!) RE movies, yes?

[Animeniax]

That`s what happens when you have a weak argument, it crumbles under any scrutinium.
No, that's what happens when you argue with people who lack basic understanding and factual knowledge of what they are talking about. Gulldurn foreigners. It's like arguing with 3rd graders. No offense to the 3rd graders.


Nothing super about Batman.No argument here, except Batman fought Superman, participated in team efforts to save the universe, and has been around since 1939, so the "test of time" is relative. The first 4 Batman movies were completely forgettable. The last 3 will probably be on "best of" lists for years.


What? Where do you get all this info? And why isn`t it worth the effort? As a person with zero understanding of Hollywood and the foreign market`s insignificant value, I`d like to know.It's from living in the US for 30+ years. Look at the earnings figures for some of these movies. The domestic totals are often equal to the international total. 300 million Americans pay as much or more than the remaining 6.2 billion people in the world for the same movie.


Which is why we have five (FIVE!) RE movies, yes?Movies don't have to be a huge success to get a sequel. Shit there were 3 Underworld movies and they were all terrible. There are always niche markets where money can be made. That doesn't equate to success, but profit is profit and enough justification to make more terrible movies.


I kinda wish you would explain further. I am genuinely interested with what you have to say about it.
As interested as we are in hearing about the chump change you make on stocks. Are you a millionaire with all that wheeling and dealing yet?

[UChessmaster]

You sound angry, it`s ok, I would be too if my arguments were this terrible.

[Animeniax]

Nah, just sick (flu I think). Stay on topic.

Also keep in mind that movies made in the US are generally aimed at a US audience. Do you think the Patriot armor or Iron Man in general gets the Brits or the Chinese all excited with patriotic fervor? Does the typical Frenchman support Superman and his pursuit of truth, justice, and the American way?

[Buffalobiian]

Movies don't have to be a huge success to get a sequel. Shit there were 3 Underworld movies and they were all terrible. There are always niche markets where money can be made. That doesn't equate to success, but profit is profit and enough justification to make more terrible movies.

Money can be made != barely broke even then, which is where this was going. How much "profit" becomes "success" was another matter. The point (latest point, anyway) about V's 16million was that it was closer to "making money" than "breaking even".

The missing piece here Ani, is that we don't know how you can vouch for Hollywood (because you are evidently not Hollywood). Money is money. Hollywood may want to target the US market if they're the bigger movie-goers with large spendings on movies, but that simply means they go for where the money's at.

[UChessmaster]

The missing piece here Ani, is that we don't know how you can vouch for Hollywood (because you are evidently not Hollywood).

It`s because he`s 'murican!

[Animeniax]

Money can be made != barely broke even then, which is where this was going. How much "profit" becomes "success" was another matter. The point (latest point, anyway) about V's 16million was that it was closer to "making money" than "breaking even".

The missing piece here Ani, is that we don't know how you can vouch for Hollywood (because you are evidently not Hollywood). Money is money. Hollywood may want to target the US market if they're the bigger movie-goers with large spendings on movies, but that simply means they go for where the money's at.

Only kinda. We're talking about what constitutes a success. Making a profit is not the same as a success, not in an industry focused on hundreds of millions to billions of dollars. Some actors/actresses get $20 mil for a role, and this movie can't even muster that in profit in the domestic market? Not a success by Hollywood standards.

You can doubt my understanding of Hollywood but it remains that you're from foreign markets that do not have a film industry anything like what we have here. You get the scraps from our movie industry. So you can take my word for it, which you won't, or you can google it.


It`s because he`s 'murican!Next we'll discuss the social and economic problems in your backwards little country and I'll doubt everything you say even though you've been living there and experiencing it firsthand your whole life. I say your country is still 3rd world because all the people there are lazy. Prove me wrong.

[Buffalobiian]

Only kinda. We're talking about what constitutes a success. Making a profit is not the same as a success, not in an industry focused on hundreds of millions to billions of dollars. Some actors/actresses get $20 mil for a role, and this movie can't even muster that in profit in the domestic market? Not a success by Hollywood standards.

You can doubt my understanding of Hollywood but it remains that you're from foreign markets that do not have a film industry anything like what we have here. You get the scraps from our movie industry. So you can take my word for it, which you won't, or you can google it.

Next we'll discuss the social and economic problems in your backwards little country and I'll doubt everything you say even though you've been living there and experiencing it firsthand your whole life. I say your country is still 3rd world because all the people there are lazy. Prove me wrong.

Your comparison is not valid here Ani, because you're doubting the way his countrymen live their life - and he's one of their countrymen.

The problem here.. is that you're not Hollywood. Just because I'm Australian doesn't mean I have a grasp of our movie industry, our cattle industry.. or any other circle that I'm not a part of (and have little exposure with). You don't seem to be part of the movie making business, or have talked to any that do.. or shown us publications of movie-makers admitting that their movies weren't successful because of poor domestic performance.

Makers might feel disappointed when their American-made movies didn't "click" with Americans, but that's just pride and expectations. Money's money. You might not feel the success and buzz in your local American environment, but the studios would certainly do (in their bank accounts).

[UChessmaster]

Next we'll discuss the social and economic problems in your backwards little country and I'll doubt everything you say even though you've been living there and experiencing it firsthand your whole life. I say your country is still 3rd world because all the people there are lazy. Prove me wrong.

No thanks, you`re right ironically.

Oh, i missed this lovely part.


Also keep in mind that movies made in the US are generally aimed at a US audience. Do you think the Patriot armor or Iron Man in general gets the Brits or the Chinese all excited with patriotic fervor? Does the typical Frenchman support Superman and his pursuit of truth, justice, and the American way?

I don`t know if they do but let me ask you this... Do you? Do you see Iron man an suddenly feel all patriotic and shit?

[Buffalobiian]

Reminder to stay on topic and avoid inflammatory comments.

[Abdula]

Ani are you having an ego trip because you are American? Besides, I am not from a foreign market, I live here and you still don't make any sense to me. So is success a raw figure. Does every movie have to make 1.5 billion to be successful or is it a certain profit margin or percentage?

Social and economic problems, lazy. Wow;)

[Assertn]

Getting back on topic, isn't the internet wonderful? You can witness firsthand the descent of human behavior much like this Hierarchy of Disagreement. (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/Graham%27s_Hierarchy_of_Disagreement1.svg) It's almost as if every subsequent post is a step down the pyramid!

[Buffalobiian]

Getting back on topic, isn't the internet wonderful? You can witness firsthand the descent of human behavior much like this Hierarchy of Disagreement. (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/Graham%27s_Hierarchy_of_Disagreement1.svg) It's almost as if every subsequent post is a step down the pyramid!

Staying above yellow is the key. Aim high if you can, but don't yellow.

[Abdula]

Typical, I have never called anyone an ass hat though, I have no idea what that is.

[Animeniax]

No thanks, you`re right ironically.

Oh, i missed this lovely part.

I don`t know if they do but let me ask you this... Do you? Do you see Iron man an suddenly feel all patriotic and shit?

Not exactly but then I'm not the best American and I don't buy into most of our policies or pop culture. It's mostly an inherent pride instead of an overt one when I see how the US is faring in the world, and how our products/policies are received in the international sphere.

I imagine you watching one of our movies is like when I watch one of your country's movies: with a detached feeling of being an outsider looking in on a social science experiment. Considering how much Asian media we consume, I'm sure you know that looking glass feeling that I'm talking about. I think it'd be like the Japanese watching Ultraman compared to when I watch Ultraman. There's going to be a different feeling there.

As I stated earlier, there's a reason domestic totals match or exceed international box office numbers for most Hollywood movies. American movies are made for an American audience's American dollars.


Your comparison is not valid here Ani, because you're doubting the way his countrymen live their life - and he's one of their countrymen.It could easily be argued he's not representative of his countrymen or that he does not have an understanding of social policies and realities in his own country. He's in medical school, which could mean he's privileged and not fully aware of the world outside his university campus.


Ani are you having an ego trip because you are American? Besides, I am not from a foreign market, I live here and you still don't make any sense to me. So is success a raw figure. Does every movie have to make 1.5 billion to be successful or is it a certain profit margin or percentage?

Social and economic problems, lazy. Wow;)How is it an ego trip to state the obvious? American movies are made for American audiences. How much money a movie makes is the principle determination of whether it is a success or not. No there is no exact number, but it is a general rule. And just because you're American doesn't mean you know what's going on here. I'm finding more and more that people are politically and socially disengaged and just concerned about their own little problems in their own little world. Understanding Hollywood and entertainment media isn't that important, which makes it all the more frustrating having to explain to you how it works.

[darkshadow]

As I stated earlier, there's a reason domestic totals match or exceed international box office numbers for most Hollywood movies. American movies are made for an American audience's American dollars.


As with everything else in life, you are wrong once again; the only movies that do as good or better in the US market are the ones that get little, or much later, exposure internationally, for everything else the US market just gets destroyed by international grosses.
Or in other words they can only do as good or better when hollywood isn't bringing them overseas with the same level of attention.

[Kraco]

If you look at it from a slightly different perspective, how likely would you be getting funding from the American studios and other US movie investors (whatever those might be) for a big-budget movie if everybody could see at a first glance it would most likely flop in the USA but might make profit in the rest of the world? And for the argument's sake, let's say your last name isn't Spielberg or anything like that.

I reckon this is also the difference between a normal movie and a sequel n#, which would have already proven financially viable.

[Animeniax]

As with everything else in life, you are wrong once again; the only movies that do as good or better in the US market are the ones that get little, or much later, exposure internationally, for everything else the US market just gets destroyed by international grosses.
Or in other words they can only do as good or better when hollywood isn't bringing them overseas with the same level of attention.

I think I preferred thinking you were ignoring my posts than having to address your fallacious points and catty demeanor.

There is a reason American movies don't get as much international exposure and hence don't make as much money... because they are American movies aimed at an American audience. It goes back to my point that Hollywood cares more about the domestic market than the international market. Of course 6.2 billion potential paying viewers can "destroy" the grosses compared to 300 million people.


If you look at it from a slightly different perspective, how likely would you be getting funding from the American studios and other US movie investors (whatever those might be) for a big-budget movie if everybody could see at a first glance it would most likely flop in the USA but might make profit in the rest of the world? And for the argument's sake, let's say your last name isn't Spielberg or anything like that.

I reckon this is also the difference between a normal movie and a sequel n#, which would have already proven financially viable.Exactly. A movie that is guaranteed to flop in the US but could see big paydays internationally will not be made by a Hollywood studio. They won't take the risk.

[Ryllharu]

@Ani:

I think it is time you quit dodging the question. What makes you an expert?

Either explain to us exactly how you simply being American gives you the edge to understanding what is considered Hollywood Profitability, or just stop. The others seems to understand the business side of things quite a bit better than you, detailing the additional markets, marketing, and the vague figure where success is deemed achieved when the box office returns are a multiple of the budget.

You're not in "the industry." You can't give us a detailed breakdown of what mark decides whether or not an executive will greenlight a sequel, or even if they were contracted to make sequels from the start, or cancel that when the first one bombs. You don't seem to understand that the worldwide market frequently destroys the domestic market (no matter where the movie is from). You never touched on why Uwe Boll is still allowed to make movies.

I'm American, but I also understand enough about Hollywood to realize that I don't know what or who the fuck makes decisions there and especially why. As far as I can tell, they throw a peanut butter covered corn cob into a bin of squirrels with movie titles stenciled on to them and the next film greenlit is the one who hangs on to it for more than 5 minutes.

One of the bigger names in Hollywood is Jon Peters, who got his big break by being Barbra Streisand's hairdresser. He went on to produce An American Werewolf in London, Rain Man, the Keaton Batman movies (the better ones of the initial four that you believe are forgettable, and not the bland 3rd Nolan film), Superman Returns, and will be on the credits for Man of Steel. He's a weird dude.

And things get even weirder in post-production, where good movies become terrible ones, and decent movies become great. One example is test screenings. The whole process is really badly done because it is rarely (effectively never) the same group of people responding to the changes.

So, please tell us where your expertise comes from.

[Carnage]

Ahahahaha they're making Johnny Storm Black? I agree with Animeniax on this one, its silly for Hollywood to mess with basic identities for well established characters. I think its great to include new superheros who are of diverse race/gender to make comics more inclusive like Jon Stewart and Static Shock. Yeah they'll appeal to wider audiences and rake in more money for the studio. But as someone with no skin in the game (Im Middle Eastern) I have to say its offensive to long-time fans of these characters to change them so drastically. Yeah Miles Morales isn't white but at least they didn't change Peter Parker.


Holy shit, people just love to super read into race and spin any deviation from what's expected in the worst way possible.

Casting isn't some "conspiracy" by the distributor to target to certain race demographics. It's like you people completely obliterate the notion that casting directors/directors (who don't really even answer to distributors to THAT extent) are INDIVIDUALS and normal ass people just like you and you twist it into some huge social conspiracy, as if the people who work their asses off to create their vision of the movie owe you something. This is hilarious due to the great financial risk and hard work it takes to even make a movie (of which you're not even obligated to watch), and the fact that the movie will prolly fall into obscurity in 2 years due to a remake anyway.

Actually, from what I've seen of casting calls (and I read Actor's Access and Backstage daily while living in NYC), they probably had the lead role as a "Caucasian, 20s" description, or whatever the comic book says. They still audition a variety people and it's actually pretty cool that Jordan got cast even though they were looking for someone else. It means he had great cast chemistry or something great about him that made the producers pick him over others (even the white ones OMGGG). It's amazing how people who know nothing of the casting process take everything as a personal affront without informing themselves.

You have to be delusional not to see Hollywood pushing a diversity agenda. Not that there's anything wrong with it or that it isn't great, but the way they do it is so blatant and degrading to its audience.



As interested as we are in hearing about the chump change you make on stocks. Are you a millionaire with all that wheeling and dealing yet?

No reason to get so personal.


Back to the original article, Cracked writers are so fucking stupid. The last point:




The thing is, the only reason these characters were white in the first place was that comic books were created in a time when nobody would have printed a book about a non-white superhero (having female superheroes was difficult enough, and they were handled with something less than dignity)."

No, its not like Stan Lee had the original intention to make his iconic superheros black but couldn't because it was the 60s. Its not hard to understand that white writers from before the 70s wrote with culture/identities they were familiar with, and ended up with white characters. It isn't racist for writers/authors to have created protagonists that would appeal to their audience. For some reason white people are often bashed for having had predominantly white protagonists in their stories, but asian/black/hispanics aren't held to the same standard. Its not a crime for white authors to have written characters that would appeal to a majority of the audience (white Americans).

What I would find offensive is when casting directors change characters to fit my profile to appeal to me as if I were insecure enough to need something to be taken away from white people and given to me. I would much more appreciate they be creative enough to write a new interesting character.

[Sapphire]

You have to be delusional not to see Hollywood pushing a diversity agenda. Not that there's anything wrong with it or that it isn't great, but the way they do it is so blatant and degrading to its audience.

Not really. If you watch UK television/movies for a season or two you'll see how not diverse our stuff is. Most likely because of the supreme stick up their ass baggage everyone here has about race (see: every post in this thread). The fact that you call hiring black people or other minorities an "agenda" that "degrades the audience" says a lot about your views on "race".

[Carnage]

No, I said the way they do it is degrading, but obviously you didn't get to the end of my post. I already stated that I'm glad they include everyone, you simply read only what you want to read because of the stick up your ass. As I already said, it being an agenda doesn't mean it is a bad one. Your wishes that America should incorporate more diversity imply that you might have an agenda to cast more ethnic actors should you ever be a casting director. And I think that's fine/great, as long as its done responsibly.

And just because UK entertainment is more diverse, that doesn't mean ours isn't. For a country that is 50% white, I think we do a fine job of incorporating diversity in our media. Considering African Americans are 13%, Hispanic American are 14%, and Asian Americans are 4% of the total population, I think we represent most everyone pretty fairly. Like I said, I'm of Middle Eastern descent, so I probably get the least representation of all. But I understand that relative to the population of as a whole there aren't many like me, which is why there are fewer brown people on NBC, CBS, ABC, Hollywood, etc. I'm not insecure enough to need the entertainment industry to change iconic identities to appeal to me, I would rather appreciate characters for who they are/were. If NBC decides to write a new show called The Big Bang Theory with an Indian as one of the leading characters, awesome. They shouldn't make Batman an Arab though.

[Sapphire]

Wat. You mistake my observation that UK TV is more racially diverse for a "wish" that American TV is more racially diverse. Kind of a mix of two different issues. Sure, I'd be nice to see more colors on TV, but I'm more leaning towards stopping watching TV all together than getting all bent out of shape over racial demographics.

PS, the care I have for race has been infinitesimally little ever since we realized that "race" is nothing but a social mechanism for discrimination and there's like zero genetic difference between race; all we really observe are inherited expression of physical characteristics. Race is little more than a vague and highly subjective "club" you put yourself in.

In terms of comic book movies, I'm questioning why you feel so entitled that other people's work live up to your standards racial fidelity. You even seem to be hyper-personalizing the issue by saying "take from white race" and give to "this/that/your" race.

[UChessmaster]

Ahahahaha they're making Johnny Storm Black? I agree with Animeniax on this one, its silly for Hollywood to mess with basic identities for well established characters

Essentially every comic book movie changes a "basic" identity for well established characters, this is not new and it`s not silly, it`s called adjusting to the times. Also, I`d like to point out you just agreed with Animeniax.

[Carnage]

Wat. You mistake my observation that UK TV is more racially diverse for a "wish" that American TV is more racially diverse. Kind of a mix of two different issues.

Really? You just contradicted yourself one sentence later


Sure, I'd be nice to see more colors on TV

Also,


If you watch UK television/movies for a season or two you'll see how not diverse our stuff is. Most likely because of the supreme stick up their ass baggage everyone here has about race

Yeah, really sounds like you don't care.


But I'm more leaning towards stopping watching TV all together than getting all bent out of shape over racial demographics.

Pretty typical, after losing the argument you run away from it altogether.


PS, the care I have for race has been infinitesimally little ever since we realized that "race" is nothing but a social mechanism for discrimination and there's like zero genetic difference between race; all we really observe are inherited expression of physical characteristics. Race is little more than a vague and highly subjective "club" you put yourself in.

So its wrong to identify yourself with a particular culture/ethnicity/history? Seems to me that you're suppressing how much you care about the issue by pretending it doesn't exist. We're all equally human, and everyone in the U.S. is equally American. But if you want to throw away racial identity then you may as well throw away every other identity except for our human one. Which you can do if you want, but aside that it is hypocritical to select certain identities as valid (i.e. national) over others (racial/ethnic/gender).


You even seem to be hyper-personalizing the issue by saying "take from white race" and give to "this/that/your" race.

No shit I'm personalizing it because I want to show a lack of bias toward the white perspective as a non-european descendant. For every instance in which I referred to myself, pretend that the substance of the comments would apply to me as a minority in general, not just myself.


In terms of comic book movies, I'm questioning why you feel so entitled that other people's work live up to your standards racial fidelity.

1. Not in terms of comic book movies, but all historical icons. Unless part of the message of a re-written story is the universality of its content (i.e. Romeo & Juliet taking place outside of Italy), re-writing significant characteristics of characters intrudes on the integrity of the memory of their stories. Would it be right to cast Frederick Douglas or Harriet Tubman as white in a movie? Why do you feel entitled to disregarding other people's histories and identities?



Essentially every comic book movie changes a "basic" identity for well established characters, this is not new and it`s not silly, it`s called adjusting to the times.

What comic book movies have you been watching? Wolverine is accuretely depicted as he was from the X-men comics, Superman is always a boyscout, Batman is always brooding, Peter Parker is always a wise-ass.



Also, I`d like to point out you just agreed with Animeniax.


Literally read the second sentence of my first post.

[UChessmaster]

What comic book movies have you been watching? Wolverine is accuretely depicted as he was from the X-men comics, Superman is always a boyscout, Batman is always brooding, Peter Parker is always a wise-ass.

There`s nothing detective-ish about Batman in Rises, don`t remember the other movies. Wolverine doesn`t has the right height (hey, if people are going to say characters have the wrong skin tone i can say he has the wrong height right? since it`s an iconic part of the character), Magneto is not a fragile old man, Phoenix is an entity on its own, it`s not an extension of jean her psychic powers, The green goblin doesn`t dresses like a power rangers, Mary Jane is not princess peach, the sandman didn`t killed uncle ben, should i go on?




Literally read the second sentence of my first post.

"I think its great to include new superheros who are of diverse race/gender to make comics more inclusive like Jon Stewart and Static Shock."

This one? What about it?

[Sapphire]

somehow misinterpreting everything Sapphi said

I'm passing on this argument under the assumption that you and I disagree about the basics (and ironically, fidelity) of the English language.

Edit to address below post: Yes, I run away from lost causes. :) As to whether or not that constitutes "failture," I suppose depends on how patient (or desperate) you are to argue with someone who doesn't understand your basic points.

[Carnage]

There`s nothing detective-ish about Batman in Rises, don`t remember the other movies.

Other than figuring out who Talia Al Ghul was, and that she was the child to escape from the pit?


Wolverine doesn`t has the right height (hey, if people are going to say characters have the wrong skin tone i can say he has the wrong height right? since it`s an iconic part of the character), Magneto is not a fragile old man, Phoenix is an entity on its own, it`s not an extension of jean her psychic powers,

True, but Hugh Jackman fit every other quality so well it was worth an incredibly tiny sacrifice (short height doesn't immediatly come to mind when people think "Wolverine"). The Pohoenix character in the movies was an abomination, so this actually supports my point of keeping character integrity. And Magneto's identity as a jewish survivor of the holocaust was much more important than his physique. He is an old man either way in the comics/movies.


The green goblin doesn`t dresses like a power rangers, Mary Jane is not princess peach, the sandman didn`t killed uncle ben, should i go on?

The producers probably had to give the Norman Osborne a suit for practical reasons. Graphics back then weren't as advanced as they are today. Notice in the Amazing Spiderman they're working on a chemical formula that will likely produce an actual monster Green Goblin. Mary Jane having to be saved is typical in the comics, I don't know what you're talking about there.

And Spider-Man 3 was god-awful, which again, proves my point of sticking to the integrity of the characters.



"I think its great to include new superheros who are of diverse race/gender to make comics more inclusive like Jon Stewart and Static Shock."

This one? What about it?

Wrong, that's my third sentence. Look at the one before it.



Fails to support argument, and again run away from argument altogether

[Animeniax]

@Ani:I think it is time you quit dodging the question. What makes you an expert?

It's a ridiculous question not worth spending time on. I don't have to be "an expert" to know general trends and views in Hollywood that have pervaded our entire lives. Everything in America centers around our entertainment industry, but I need a degree in RTF to speak knowledgeably about it?

[UChessmaster]

Other than figuring out who Talia Al Ghul was, and that she was the child to escape from the pit?

He figured it out? I thought she spelled it out for him when she stabbed him. I`m probably wrong then, since I barely remember anything from the Nolan`s movies.

EDIT: Just rewatched the scene, Talia admits to being Ra`s kid (he thought it was Bane?), then she specifies that it was she that climbed the wall. Batman didn`t figure out jackshit.


True, but Hugh Jackman fit every other quality so well it was worth an incredibly tiny sacrifice (short height doesn't immediatly come to mind when people think "Wolverine"). The Pohoenix character in the movies was an abomination, so this actually supports my point of keeping character integrity. And Magneto's identity as a jewish survivor of the holocaust was much more important than his physique. He is an old man either way in the comics/movies.

Yeah, Hugh Jackman pulled out even though he was tall, this is because he is a great actor and trust me, fans bitched a lot when he was casted; yes, because of his height. Likewise, why can`t the new johnny storm pull it off? because he`s black? give me one good reason besides why he can`t pull the role besides his skin color.

[Carnage]

He figured it out? I thought she spelled it out for him when she stabbed him. I`m probably wrong then, since I barely remember anything from the Nolan`s movies.

EDIT: Just rewatched the scene, Talia admits to being Ra`s kid (he thought it was Bane?), then she specifies that it was she that climbed the wall. Batman didn`t figure out jackshit.



Still a detective story. And they already covered the detective aspects of Batman very well in the first two movies. You're picking at straws now, because there is a huge difference between the final installment of the Dark Knight Trilogy focusing on Bruce Wayne's reconciliation with Fox turning Johnny Storm black.



Yeah, Hugh Jackman pulled out even though he was tall, this is because he is a great actor and trust me, fans bitched a lot when he was casted; yes, because of his height. Likewise, why can`t the new johnny storm pull it off? because he`s black? give me one good reason besides why he can`t pull the role besides his skin color.

Im not doubting actor's ability to portray Johnny Storm's personality, but the fact of the matter is that Johnny Storm is white. You seem to have difficulty seeing that this is much more noticeable than a few inches on an actor.

Edit: How stupid would it be for Blade or Static Shock to be White?

[UChessmaster]

Still a detective story.

How is it a detective story when he didn`t do any actual detective work?


And they already covered the detective aspects of Batman very well in the first two movies.

Oh yeah, I forgot his IQ was meant to drop 70 points after two movies.


Edit: How stupid would it be for Blade or Static Shock to be White?

Very stupid considering the low amount of black super heroes in entertainment. How stupid would it be for Nick Fury to be black? oh wait, black Fury worked.


Im not doubting actor's ability to portray Johnny Storm's personality, but the fact of the matter is that Johnny Storm is white. You seem to have difficulty seeing that this is much more noticeable than a few inches on an actor.

Is it more noticeable? sure, but it certainly didn`t stop people from bitching, where are these people now? If whoever got casted does a good enough role, people will forget about his skin color, just like Samuel L. Jackson and just like Hugh Jackman. Also, news flash; Johnny Storm`s basic characteristic is not that he`s white, it`s that he can turn on fire. THAT, I promise you, will not change.

[Carnage]

Im going to stop arguing after this but:


How is it a detective story when he didn`t do any actual detective work?


I only watched the movie once but from what I recall it a mystery for the audience. He never figured it out himself but, but it was still a mystery. Either way, detective work had already been covered in the first two movies.



Very stupid considering the low amount of black super heroes in entertainment. How stupid would it be for Nick Fury to be black? oh wait, black Fury worked.

But I thought race didn't matter? Why would you or anyone else care? They could make up for it with another minority lead.




Is it more noticeable? sure, but it certainly didn`t stop people from bitching, where are these people now? If whoever got casted does a good enough role, people will forget about his skin color, just like Samuel L. Jackson and just like Hugh Jackman. Also, news flash; Johnny Storm`s basic characteristic is not that he`s white, it`s that he can turn on fire. THAT, I promise you, will not change.

But people had been bitching. And yes, it did work, because nobody under the age 22 fucking knew who Nick Fury was before the Ultimate Universe. I grew up with a black Nick Fury, it was completely normal to me, but my older brother was surprised having been a huge fan of the older X-men and Spiderman cartoons (and actually remembering it). And again, Nick Fury had never been a big name so it was easy to change. He's hadn't exactly been "iconic" before they based him of Sammy J.

Sorry to burst your bubble. No being white/black/asian isn't a super power, but it is a relevant part of a character's identity. Much more noticeable than a few inches in height or years in age.

[UChessmaster]

I only watched the movie once but from what I recall it a mystery for the audience. He never figured it out himself but, but it was still a mystery. Either way, detective work had already been covered in the first two movies.

There was never any mistery, Talia`s reveal was a plot twist. I don`t think anyone was wondering who is Ra`s kid. And if Batman is a detective (The world`s greatest detective at that), he should be in each and every movie.


But I thought race didn't matter? Why would you or anyone else care? They could make up for it with another minority lead.

One of the reason of introducing a black character is because there`s a painfully low amount of black characters, subtracting one is a little bit counter productive.


But people had been bitching. And yes, it did work, because nobody under the age 22 fucking knew who Nick Fury was before the Ultimate Universe. I grew up with a black Nick Fury, it was completely normal to me, but my older brother was surprised having been a huge fan of the older X-men and Spiderman cartoons (and actually remembering it). And again, Nick Fury had never been a big name so it was easy to change. He's hadn't exactly been "iconic" before they based him of Sammy J.

So are you saying Fury is ok because he was turned into a black character a long time ago? Do you see the problem here? If they go through with Johnny storm, in 15 years you shouldn`t have any problem whatsoever.


Sorry to burst your bubble. No being white/black/asian isn't a super power, but it is a relevant part of a character's identity. Much more noticeable than a few inches in height or years in age.

According to who? I don`t understand how Johnny storm suddenly loses his identity because his melanocytes spiked in activity.


Im going to stop arguing after this

Why?

[Carnage]

Because we won't convince each other.


There was never any mistery, Talia`s reveal was a plot twist. I don`t think anyone was wondering who is Ra`s kid. And if Batman is a detective (The world`s greatest detective at that), he should be in each and every movie.


No, because Batman is about more than just being a detective. The third movie covered his inability to get over his parent's death and rest from fighting crime. He doesn't always have to be a detective, that aspect has already been covered. Again, you're just grasping at straws now.




One of the reason of introducing a black character is because there`s a painfully low amount of black characters, subtracting one is a little bit counter productive.

I was parodying you and sapphire. If race isn't an identity component to you guys, then it shouldn't matter in the first place.




So are you saying Fury is ok because he was turned into a black character a long time ago? Do you see the problem here? If they go through with Johnny storm, in 15 years you shouldn`t have any problem whatsoever.



According to who? I don`t understand how Johnny storm suddenly loses his identity because his melanocytes spiked in activity.

No, I was saying that you don't hear people being disgruntled because you're probably not around the people who are, who happen to be an older crowd now. I'm saying its okay because to a large portion of the audience now viewing Marvel movies, Nick Fury was never an iconic character in the first place. That is why people were able to absorb it so easily.

[Animeniax]

But people had been bitching. And yes, it did work, because nobody under the age 22 fucking knew who Nick Fury was before the Ultimate Universe. I grew up with a black Nick Fury, it was completely normal to me, but my older brother was surprised having been a huge fan of the older X-men and Spiderman cartoons (and actually remembering it). And again, Nick Fury had never been a big name so it was easy to change. He's hadn't exactly been "iconic" before they based him of Sammy J.

Sorry to burst your bubble. No being white/black/asian isn't a super power, but it is a relevant part of a character's identity. Much more noticeable than a few inches in height or years in age.

I'm in that older crowd who knew Nick Fury was white with the distinctive white hair at the temples and cigar in his mouth. I bitched a bit when I saw black Fury, but then I'm with those who don't want the characters we grew up with being changed to satisfy political correctness or be more inclusive. Like you said, Stan Lee, Ditko, Kane, etc all were white guys creating characters they identified with. It wasn't some racist conspiracy to keep the black man out of comics. I'd have been just as upset if they made Nick Fury into a brown or yellow man.

I think it didn't help that it was Samuel L Jackson either. I like the guy, but I think he's over-exposed. Denzel Washington would have made a good black Fury. He has the squarish head and athletic build (and hair that they could add white to the temples).

[Sapphire]

I'm watching Oblivion, and it's freaking beautiful. Like the graphics are great, and the general color palatte (grey/blue?) of the movie.

Anyway, the CGI team did a great job on this.

The set design and whole general aesthetic of the high-concept was great, too.

[Splash!]

I'm watching Oblivion, and it's freaking beautiful. Like the graphics is great, and the general color palatte (grey/blue?) of the movie.

Anyway, the CGI team did a great job on this.

The set design and whole general aesthetic of the high-concept was great, too.

Yeah, the director (Joseph Kosinski) has a very strong design background too and a great aesthetic sense. His team also did Tron: Legacy which was also quite stunning visually. I particularly loved the vehicle concepts in both movies.

[Sapphire]

Yeah, Joseph Kosinski is a damn visual master. I think he's a professor of architecture or something? I really am moved when people are able to materialize their artistic visions so perfectly, and skillfully and beautifully.

Spoilers!

The movie itself was very good. I was not expecting the twists (I barely remembered the trailer) and actually found some of the stuff that happened to be rather disturbing. My mind was totally blown when we discovered there is no Titan. I was thinking it would be like Elysium, or something.

I mean, is the wife just going to run through ALL the Jacks??! We're already on Jack #3 when we see her struggling with the decision of whether or not to tell her daughter that that's her daddy at the end. She can't hook up with all THOUSAND Jacks who come looking for her!

What's stopping the aliens from coming again? Nothing!

I feel sorry for Vic, it's obvious she had memories of Jack's real wife and was probably having flashbacks of Jack with another woman that whole time. Vic's performance blew me out of the water. It's a shame people didn't seem to give a shit about this movie when it was out...

[darkshadow]

She can't hook up with all THOUSAND Jacks who come looking for her!
Not going to happen for obvious reasons



What's stopping the aliens from coming again? Nothing!

There are no "aliens", just this one super advanced AI, it was basically galactus.

[Sapphire]

Let me pull a Y and say that your post is totally worthles DS. :<

It could very well happen, the chronicle of what occurred to make the humans stop having to live in hiding and the Jacks/Vics stop having to be repairmen could easily transmit across the nation/world. They definitely have the technology to do so and Jack is already curious enough. The Scavs themselves ought to have a network of communication of some sort, I mean this happened post 2017 and it wasn't exactly a secret that the humans were all being wiped out by a million Jacks. Only a secret from the Jacks/Vics themselves.

And regardless of whether it was an alien or an alien AI, that doesn't mean that they can't just send another one to soak up all earth's resources like they it had been doing to other planets.

[darkshadow]

Worthless*

Who is "they"? That thing was its entire "species"; a giant autonomous AI that prolly killed its creators.
It was sucking up resources for itself, just moving from planet to planet, like galactus.

And no it won't happen, the other jacks don't know about what's beyond their "safe" zone, and they won't go looking either; jack only went beyond the barrier because morgan freeman told him so and the second jack only went looking because he met the other jack.
They will stop being repairmen prolly, but they won't go beyond the barrier, because they have 0 reason to suddenly believe it's safe.

[Sapphire]

That's possible, but it seems insanely retarded. There's no evidence anywhere that the AI killed it's own creators, nor does that even make sense that someone smart enough to make AI would be stupid enough to enable it to kill them. Even humans nowadays are programming against this currently (http://yudkowsky.net/singularity/ai-risk). It makes more sense that aliens built and sent a mining/exploration AI for their own purposes. But I guess there is no proving how dumb your butt is without comic book evidence or something. :/

Jack* (biatch!)

When all communication with the AI stops and the drones all shut down, this will only give the Jacks more reason to be curious and seek communication/answers. I imagine I'd be trying every single network I could think of to get back in contact with Titan, or someone that may have survived. The "radiation zones" will be totally irrelevant to any remaining humans hiding around, and the drones seem to have done a pretty shitty job killing them at least in zone 49, lol. But even assuming that somehow only humans in zone 49 managed to survive and ALL OTHER humans were wiped out, Jack and Vick's technology should easily pick up any waves that the survivors are transmitting. Also, I highly doubt that the Scavs are going to let their beloved savior Jack 1-500 (minus 49 & 52) just die alone with Vick without knowing what happened at all.

[darkshadow]

The evidence is implied; it's not a mining/exploration vessel simply because it cloned an army of humans to cleanse the planet.
The whole morning communication with the fake sally also implies the AI is insanely smart; it's a self-sustained, self-sufficient devourer of worlds, gathering resources for anyone but itself would be the actual retarded thing because it would just use them flying back to wherever beyond the solar system it came from. It feeds and moves on.

Heck the TET was lined with drones, but vick stated many times they had trouble getting new materials, which again implies that losing a drone and replacing it with a new one was too costly. So if the AI doesn't want to waste resources on drones, why would it waste them to fly back to its (non-existant) alien overlords?

The radiation zones would also not become "irrelevant", because to the other jacks all those other "humans" are simply scavs/aliens.
Vick has shown she will resist everytime Jack tries to resist, so there's another conflict.
And he both 52/49 have only shown to resist/remember when they were exposed to julia.

And another point, "2 weeks left", I'm pretty sure there aren't actually hundreds of jacks walking around, they most prolly have a soft expiration date after which they are returned to the TET and a new team is formed; "are you an effective team?".
The radiation zones are probably only used to keep new teams away from old teams, I wouldn't be surprised if 52 and 49 were the only ones close to each other.

So with the drones shutting down, which is bs because they have shown to be autonomous and have their own powersupplies, everything else would shut down as well, so no spaceships for the others to use to even get down from the towers.
And even if they were to get down and explore, they had no reason to "look for julia", because they weren't exposed to her; it even took 52 three years to find her.

[Sapphire]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=rSQlKae0-js

There's going to be a Kiki's Delivery Service (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-06-10/live-action-kiki-delivery-service-film-on-set-footage-posted) live action, etc. :o

[Penner]

'Agents of SHIELD' gets renewed, and 'Captain America'-spinoff 'Agent Carter' gets greenlit. (http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/05/08/abc-shield-agent-carter/)

'Arrow'-spinoff 'Flash' gets greenlit. (http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/05/08/beauty-beast-the-flash/)

'Constantine' tv series (DC's Hellblazer comic) gets greenlit. (http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/05/08/nbc-constantine-to-series/)

'Revolution' cancelled (http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/05/09/revolution-canceled/) (one of my favourite "new" shows getting cancelled, along with Almost Human :()

'Supernatural'-spinoff 'Supernatural: Bloodlines' gets cancelled. (http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/05/08/cw-cancels/)

[Penner]

There's also this little piece of news:

Michael Fassbender Says "PROMETHEUS 2" Is a Go; Doesn’t Know When They’ll Begin Filming (http://collider.com/prometheus-2-sequel-news-michael-fassbender/)

[Animeniax]

I really hope they work on the story and characters more and less on special effects in the sequel. Also hope they call it something other than "Prometheus 2", kinda like how they went from Alien to Aliens. Maybe Prometheii?

[Animeniax]

I just found this show on Fusion called No, You Shut Up! and it's hilarious. Paul F. Tompkins hosts a panel of Muppets who discuss politics and world events. As the name of the show suggests, it gets contentious and ridiculous. It's usually followed by a Henson company produced animated show called Good Morning Today, which is a spin on morning news shows, also worth a watch.

[Ryllharu]

Marathoned the first season of Faking It. I kind of watched in on a whim, but it was actually really funny and I enjoyed the hell out of it. I hadn't watched any of mtv's scripted stuff in a long time, but was really impressed. Two best friends get mistaken for being lesbians at school, and they agree to perpetuate the misunderstanding because it is making them popular.

The cast and writers have great comedic timing.