Started to watch the film last night. I primarily wanted to see Harrison Ford's acting. Ford seems like he's on vacation - not impressed. I got to the point where Ender is starting to play the last simulation. Not enough to enthrall me. I'll finish it later. I am pretty sure the book would play play better in my mind. I can appreciate the CGI effects though - quite beautiful and very well done.
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Hello, August Abolins.
On 10/30/20 3:21 PM you wrote:

Started to watch the film last night. I primarily wanted to see
Harrison Ford's acting. Ford seems like he's on vacation - not
impressed. I got to the point where Ender is starting to play the
last simulation. Not enough to enthrall me. I'll finish it later.
I am pretty sure the book would play play better in my mind. I can appreciate the CGI effects though - quite beautiful and very well
done.

It's true the book is almost always better than a movie adaptation.

In this instance, I can neither confirm nor deny the fact.

However, taken for what it is, targeted more towards tweens and younger teens I believe, it is enjoyable for me. Of course, I have a passion for all things science fiction and fantasy, which this falls neatly into both categories.


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On 30/10/2020 3:47 a.m., Charles Pierson : August Abolins wrote:

However, taken for what it is, targeted more towards
tweens and younger teens I believe, it is enjoyable for
me. Of course, I have a passion for all things science
fiction and fantasy, which this falls neatly into both
categories.

The film doesn't seem to capture the deeper themes of eugenics,
pre-selection, and the rationale for destroying other populations
(get rid of these aliens before they pose a threat). It's definitely
geared to gloss over that briefly and provide the action that
younger people would care about. The film uses the phrase "the
enemy's gate is down", twice ..but it doesn't communicate the
meaning of it very well. I didn't finish the book, but I had hopes
that the film would have worked with that better.

I sense that the film softens the Ender character too much from what
I remember in the book.

I think there is only 30 minutes left for the big reveal (the lie),
and Ender's solution.

I have to try and revisit the book and get the true perspective and
issues that the author is trying to communicate


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Hello, August Abolins.
On 10/30/20 7:39 PM you wrote:

The film doesn't seem to capture the deeper themes of eugenics, pre-selection, and the rationale for destroying other populations
(get rid of these aliens before they pose a threat). It's
definitely geared to gloss over that briefly and provide the
action that younger people would care about. The film uses the
phrase "the enemy's gate is down", twice ..but it doesn't
communicate the meaning of it very well. I didn't finish the book,
but I had hopes that the film would have worked with that better.

From what I've read in reviews comparing the two, there was s lot Toned down from the book.

I sense that the film softens the Ender character too much from
what I remember in the book.

I don't know. It would make sense to me that they might have, as I understand that they softened how he was treated in his training.

I think there is only 30 minutes left for the big reveal (the
lie), and Ender's solution. I have to try and revisit the book and
get the true perspective and issues that the author is trying to communicate

I've read other books by the other, and admit the movie didn't feel a whole lot like his style. Hints of it maybe.

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Started to watch the film last night. I primarily wanted to see Harrison Ford'
acting. Ford seems like he's on vacation - not impressed. I got to the point
where Ender is starting to play the last simulation. Not enough to enthrall me
I'll finish it later. I am pretty sure the book would play play better in my mind. I can appreciate the CGI effects though - quite beautiful and very well done.

I tried to watch that movie soon after it was released, mostly to see Harrison Ford but I just couldn't connect with what was going on or what we wanted to go on. I'll have to spin it up again and see if I can finish it.

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Started to watch the film last night. I primarily wanted to see Harrison Ford'
acting. Ford seems like he's on vacation - not impressed. I got to the point
where Ender is starting to play the last simulation. Not enough to enthrall me
I'll finish it later. I am pretty sure the book would play play better in my
mind. I can appreciate the CGI effects though - quite beautiful and very well
done.

I tried to watch that movie soon after it was released, mostly to see Harrison Ford but I just couldn't connect with what was going on or what we wanted to go on. I'll have to spin it up again and see if I can finish it.

Finished it a few minutes ago. I only had 30 minutes to go from last time. Everything wraps up pretty fast: the big reveal (the lie), Ender's reaction, a bit too-long scene with one of the Formics, (the extended scenes with Shelob, the spider in Lord of the Rings was much more interesting) and then a sudden cut to the future with Ender apparently commanding his own ship with "the precious cargo" ..and no more details how he accomplished that. Now I *have* to dig through the pages of the book to get the complete picture.

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On 30/10/2020 6:53 p.m., Alan Ianson : August Abolins wrote:

Started to watch the film last night. I primarily wanted
to see Harrison Ford' acting. Ford seems like he's on
vacation - not impressed..

I tried to watch that movie soon after it was released,
mostly to see Harrison Ford but I just couldn't connect
with what was going on or what we wanted to go on. I'll
have to spin it up again and see if I can finish it.

The part where Ender realizes what the sims were all about was very
short. That was probably definitely enough for the target youth
audience though.

For a finer film that explores an earth with similar insectoid
aliens is District 9, from 2009.


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Hello, August Abolins.
On 10/31/20 5:02 PM you wrote:

The part where Ender realizes what the sims were all about was
very short. That was probably definitely enough for the target
youth audience though.

That's one of the problems with movie adaptations. Things inevitably have to be cut out or reduced for time. Director's visions, Studio's goals, etc. often differ from the author's vision.

That doesn't always mean that both cannot be enjoyed for what they are.

For a finer film that explores an earth with similar insectoid
aliens is District 9, from 2009.

The first time I watched District 9, I was conflicted. I wanted to like it, but I didn't. It was difficult to figure out why. The story line was interesting, the characters were interesting.
It took several viewings to really like it. I'm not really sure why even now.

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The part where Ender realizes what the sims were all about was very
short. That was probably definitely enough for the target youth
audience though.

For a finer film that explores an earth with similar insectoid
aliens is District 9, from 2009.

This is another one I tried to watch. I was not drawn to the title but it was very popular so I gave it a spin but I just couldn't connect with it although it was a well made movie.

It's odd since Sci-Fi is usually what I get into.

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On 31/10/2020 6:56 p.m., Alan Ianson : August Abolins wrote:

For a finer film that explores an earth with similar
insectoid aliens is District 9, from 2009.

This is another one I tried to watch. I was not drawn to
the title but it was very popular so I gave it a spin but
I just couldn't connect with it although it was a well
made movie.

It's odd since Sci-Fi is usually what I get into.

That *is* odd. Is there any particular sci-fi film you would never
get tired watching again?

I did not know what to expect when I started to watch District 9. I
liked the seemless CGI with live-action.

But the film also leaned pretty heavy on the sociology of co-living
with aliens. I think I read somewhere that it was purposely a
message about segregation and apartheid. Maybe that aspect steers
some people away who are primarily seeking entertainment, not a
"lesson".


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Hello, August Abolins.
On 11/2/20 2:52 AM you wrote:

That *is* odd. Is there any particular sci-fi film you would
never get tired watching again?

For me, that's a hard question. Most movies that I like I rarely tire of watching. I can almost always find something new.

Just like reading a book over and over.

I did not know what to expect when I started to watch District 9.
I liked the seemless CGI with live-action. But the film also
leaned pretty heavy on the sociology of co-living with aliens. I
think I read somewhere that it was purposely a message about
segregation and apartheid. Maybe that aspect steers some people
away who are primarily seeking entertainment, not a "lesson".

I think that I mentioned earlier it took me a while to really "like" District 9. I picked up on the commentary, that really didn't bother me. It wasn't hammering at it, it was a natural part of the flow of the story.

I still haven't really figured out why it took so long for me to like it. I was leaning for a while that it looked like one of those pseudo-documentary type films, which I like only slightly better than the "found footage" style, which I can't stand. But it really isn't that style. So maybe it's just that was my initial impression, and it biased me.


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On 02 Nov 2020, August Abolins said the following...

That *is* odd. Is there any particular sci-fi film you would never
get tired watching again?

Not really. I have the original 5 Planet of the Apes movies. I'm not sure I'd call that sci-fi but I suppose it is. I'll likely get back to that some point but I pretty much have those in my head now.

I also have Star Trek TOS and the ST movies that I spin up from time to time, along with the Alien and Terminator movies.

Ttyl :-),
Al

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On 01/11/2020 12:36 p.m., Charles Pierson : August Abolins wrote:

I still haven't really figured out why it took so long for
me to like it. I was leaning for a while that it looked
like one of those pseudo-documentary type films, which I
like only slightly better than the "found footage" style,
which I can't stand. But it really isn't that style. So
maybe it's just that was my initial impression, and it
biased me.

Now that you mention it, it *did* have an on-the-ground embedded
journalist kind of feel. I thought that was a neat approach for a
futuristic tale.

I can't stand a lot of tv shows and movies that have a lot of
hand-held camera action that can't stay still on a stationary actor.


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On 01/11/2020 9:32 p.m., Alan Ianson : August Abolins wrote:

Not really. I have the original 5 Planet of the Apes
movies. I'm not sure I'd call that sci-fi but I suppose it
is. I'll likely get back to that some point but I pretty
much have those in my head now.

Sci-fi is any story that has elements of science that does not exist
or a world that does not exist yet. So PotA is definitely sci-fi.

However, I like how some story-tellers explore things with a
philosophical message.

I also have Star Trek TOS and the ST movies that I spin up
from time to time, along with the Alien and Terminator
movies.

I would want to rewatch the Hobbit or LofR every now and then like
visiting a good ol' friend, or discover new things the next time.

For example, one of the films in LotR series had implanted other
celebs in brief cameos, in the background, or as extras, (easter
eggs?). I did not realize that Ed Sheeran (musician) was in a music
scene. Rewatching it, I'm thinking.. how could I miss that? Stephen
Colbert also has about a 5 second scene in one of those films.


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On 02 Nov 2020, August Abolins said the following...

I can't stand a lot of tv shows and movies that have a lot of
hand-held camera action that can't stay still on a stationary actor.

I remember when the Blair Witch Project came out in 1999 there were reports of some movie goers experiencing motion sickness and even vomiting.


Jay

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On 02 Nov 2020, August Abolins said the following...

I would want to rewatch the Hobbit or LofR every now and then like visiting a good ol' friend, or discover new things the next time.

I have those also but have not revisited them. I will at some point. The time it takes to watch those is a block. A lot of those movies are 2 1/2 or 3 hours so I'd need a big block of time for them, they are great movies though.

For example, one of the films in LotR series had implanted other
celebs in brief cameos, in the background, or as extras, (easter
eggs?). I did not realize that Ed Sheeran (musician) was in a music
scene. Rewatching it, I'm thinking.. how could I miss that? Stephen Colbert also has about a 5 second scene in one of those films.

I'm sure I have heard Ed Sheeran but I would not know him to see him. I know Stephen Colbert but I'm sure I'd miss him in a five second scene. I'm not much of a star watcher.

Ttyl :-),
Al

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On 02/11/2020 6:18 p.m., Alan Ianson : August Abolins wrote:

I would want to rewatch the Hobbit or LofR..

I have those also but have not revisited them. I will at
some point. The time it takes to watch those is a block. A
lot of those movies are 2 1/2 or 3 hours so I'd need a big
block of time for them, they are great movies though.

True.. TOO much of a time block is required for those. I rarely
watch a film without pausing it several times though. If it's 1am
and there's still 30 or 50 minutes to go, I call it quits for a while.

I'm sure I have heard Ed Sheeran but I would not know him
to see him. I know Stephen Colbert but I'm sure I'd miss
him in a five second scene. I'm not much of a star
watcher.

The Colbert cameo is ridiculous. He's wearing a hood and an
eyepatch. I think the director specifically did not want to make it
an obvious recognizable Colbert moment. That guy loves attention.

But Sheeran had an almost 5 minute scene, a musician singing a folky
song on the road. I think he was also commissioned for the theme
song "I See Fire", so given the opportinity to have a little fun
appearance in the movie too.

Sheeran was on one of those music award shows (I think it was I
Heart Radio) and performed a live solo song switching between
several instruments flawlessly. I was operating a sound board once
and could mess up switching between microphones and audio feeds. But
Sheeran operated a synth keyboard, sang, messed around with foot
switches, and threw in a guitar with no effort. I never heard of
the guy, until 5 or 6 years ago.


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