FILUMS ..to see.

[mercalia]

but the protomolecule is alien? not far fetched from their point of view. Not as if it is elaborated to any extent? just made to be very alien & strange rather than commonplace like phasers and "beam me up scotty"

Yeah exactly.

I like the near future technology aspect of The Expanse.
The super advanced alien tech was a good foil against that.

I agree, just for me I've read so many poor unchallenging Si-Fi where the plot becomes rescued by some magic amazing technology I'm not so keen on the mix. Like I enjoyed The Culture series (super advanced tech) I also enjoyed the "Mars" trilogy (near future) (Kim Stanley Robinson). In some way the protomolecule (after the 1st book) becomes a bit like the "beam me up Scotty" - which was a scheme designed purely to get round moving the adventure between locations (not really "thought provoking").

I enjoyed/enjoy The Expanse but the books where e.g. Miller was appearing only to Holden ... didn't spoil it for me just seemed a bit of an "easy way out" - a way to feed "the hero" the knowledge he clearly could never have on his own but needs to save the day. It's a personal but not black and white preference.

Ian

are your comments about the books or the tv series or both?
The protomolecule is a big what it is and why is it here? and the 3 seasons slowly reveal its true nature, so I dont share your opinion it is just a way to change locations. its not like the encrypted meaning that the SG travellers discover in space in Stargate Universe, that links all the stories and "explains" where the Ancients Ship is traveling, to find ( its source ) ( we are never told, the series was ended it was a con )

[Psamathe]

Yeah exactly.

I like the near future technology aspect of The Expanse.
The super advanced alien tech was a good foil against that.

I agree, just for me I've read so many poor unchallenging Si-Fi where the plot becomes rescued by some magic amazing technology I'm not so keen on the mix. Like I enjoyed The Culture series (super advanced tech) I also enjoyed the "Mars" trilogy (near future) (Kim Stanley Robinson). In some way the protomolecule (after the 1st book) becomes a bit like the "beam me up Scotty" - which was a scheme designed purely to get round moving the adventure between locations (not really "thought provoking").

I enjoyed/enjoy The Expanse but the books where e.g. Miller was appearing only to Holden ... didn't spoil it for me just seemed a bit of an "easy way out" - a way to feed "the hero" the knowledge he clearly could never have on his own but needs to save the day. It's a personal but not black and white preference.

Ian

are your comments about the books or the tv series or both?
The protomolecule is a big what it is and why is it here? and the 3 seasons slowly reveal its true nature, so I dont share your opinion it is just a way to change locations. its not like the encrypted meaning that the travellers discover in space in Stargate Universe, that links all the stories and "explains" where the Ancients Ship is traveling to find ( its source ) ( we are never told, the series was ended :roll: it was a con :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: )

The "way to change locations" relates only to Star Trek transporter (and that is what the series creators have said about why they had to introduce the "transporter" or it would have meant dull trips in shuttle craft ...).

Never really watched Stargate so I've no idea/views on its storyline.

With protomolecule is was more 2nd and later books with the Miller visions that seemed an excuse to provide "the hero" with knowledge he needed to be a hero but could never have had - relying on amazing future tech to make the hero more of a hero via an easy un-challenging route. Not so much of an issue in the 1st book as the protomolecule was less crucial to the story and much of it's impact might have been from any disease.

But it's personal preference. I don't like rom-coms but that just means I don't like them, not that they should not be written. As I said before I did enjoy the books (read 1st 5, 6 & 7 are on my shelves for reading when I get there) and the TV series (seen only the 1st & 2nd series). I was only expressing what I saw as a small weakness according to my choice.

Sci-Fy have done some good adaptions of books. I thought their mini-series for Dune & Children of Dune were very good for a story that does not adapt to TV/film easily (e.g. Lynch's film). Sci-Fy's efforts had their shortcomings in places but they were overall I thought them well done and enjoyable.

But I don't subscribe to Netflix/Amazon or anything (other than BBC) so wait for it to appear on Freeview or notice the DVD's from a book I've read.

Ian

[kwackers]

With protomolecule is was more 2nd and later books with the Miller visions that seemed an excuse to provide "the hero" with knowledge he needed to be a hero but could never have had - relying on amazing future tech to make the hero more of a hero via an easy un-challenging route. Not so much of an issue in the 1st book as the protomolecule was less crucial to the story and much of it's impact might have been from any disease.

The protomolecule uses the material from all the people to create what it needs. We're told in the first book that these people still exist - sort of, in the giant person-soup that is the construct of the protomolecule.
Miller has a connection with the girl and effectively sacrifices himself to the molecule, he also has a connection with Holden and because the molecule isn't truly sentient he's able to exist in the construct and is able to attempt to communicate with Holden.
That he tends to disappear when others appear is iirc more to do with the control exercised by the protomolecule which we find out does indeed inhibit him from doing what he needs to do or say hence the riddles.

The whole Miller thing is really quite complex so whilst I appreciate your argument that it helps move the story arc along in a way it otherwise wouldn't - I'm less convinced it's a problem and since all stories rely on things happening to carry the story forward in this case I think it's actually a good side story which works in conjunction with the main plot.

During WWII enigma was an entire side story that helped move the main story along and without which the main story may well have stalled. Some might say it was "convenient" that messages were signed off the same way thus making it possible to run through permutations automatically and detect when you've succeeded.
Personally I'm happy with that because the enigma side story was interesting enough in itself.

[Spinners]

'Kinky Boots' (2005) starring Chiwital Ejiofor, Joel Edgerton and Sarah-Jane Potts.

On the box last night. I'm sure you're all familiar with the true story of the soon to be bankrupt Northampton shoe factory who start making 'fetish footwear'. One of the better British comedies of this century and top-notch acting by Chiwital Ejiofor as the exotic Lola. Check out the arm-wrestling scene when Lola looks into the eyes of the oh-so-macho Don. Class. 8/10.

[Cyril Haearn]

Seachd (2007), the first feature film in Scottish Gaelic (with English subtitles), the grandfather tells seven stories, one does not know if they are true
Need to see it again
8/10

[mercalia]

With protomolecule is was more 2nd and later books with the Miller visions that seemed an excuse to provide "the hero" with knowledge he needed to be a hero but could never have had - relying on amazing future tech to make the hero more of a hero via an easy un-challenging route. Not so much of an issue in the 1st book as the protomolecule was less crucial to the story and much of it's impact might have been from any disease.

The protomolecule uses the material from all the people to create what it needs. We're told in the first book that these people still exist - sort of, in the giant person-soup that is the construct of the protomolecule.
Miller has a connection with the girl and effectively sacrifices himself to the molecule, he also has a connection with Holden and because the molecule isn't truly sentient he's able to exist in the construct and is able to attempt to communicate with Holden.
That he tends to disappear when others appear is iirc more to do with the control exercised by the protomolecule which we find out does indeed inhibit him from doing what he needs to do or say hence the riddles.

The whole Miller thing is really quite complex so whilst I appreciate your argument that it helps move the story arc along in a way it otherwise wouldn't - I'm less convinced it's a problem and since all stories rely on things happening to carry the story forward in this case I think it's actually a good side story which works in conjunction with the main plot.

During WWII enigma was an entire side story that helped move the main story along and without which the main story may well have stalled. Some might say it was "convenient" that messages were signed off the same way thus making it possible to run through permutations automatically and detect when you've succeeded.
Personally I'm happy with that because the enigma side story was interesting enough in itself.

I dont know about the books, but Miller in the TV series doesnt seem intrusive and artificial. As I said before some times the tv series/film of a book handles issues better partly because things have been rewritten and partly due to overcoming the limitation of words?

[kwackers]

I dont know about the books, but Miller in the TV series doesnt seem intrusive and artificial. As I said before some times the tv series/film of a book handles issues better partly because things have been rewritten and partly due to overcoming the limitation of words?

I didn't see him as intrusive in the books.
Initially it's sold almost as an hallucination which changes over time. Towards the end Miller is able to explain himself along with the nature of the protomolecule.

He's certainly depicted differently in the series although I'm not sure if that's better or worse. In the series he has physical form whereas in the books you've (initially) no way of knowing if he exists or if Holden has lost it.

As a rule I enjoy both books and film of most things. I see them as two different ways of telling the same story - although they do get a bit mixed up in my head...

[NUKe]

Dead within week or your money back Low budget but well made British film in true ealing style currently on Netflix. An Assassin in his twilight years develops an unusual side line.

Laundromat with Meryl Streep A fictional story looks at the Panama papers

[Spinners]

'Dolor Y Gloria / Pain & Glory (2019) starring Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz

I've enjoyed catching up on the work of Pedro Almodóvar and his quirky and stylish films and this new one popped up in our local art house cinema tonight. Antonio Banderas plays the part of Salvador Mallo, a famous but reclusive film director whose best-loved film was made some 32 years ago and in a choppy but quite coherent timeline we see his reflections on his life and relationships, especially his relationship with his mother. Rather oddly we see a quite dazzling animation sequence early on that covers Mallo's many and various health issues but the rest of the film is conventional enough with some utterly gorgeous scenes especially those featuring the young Mallo and his mother (Cruz). Banderas is superb as the adult Mallo and conveys his character's reflections on love, regret, forgiveness, pain, addiction and the ageing process. Of course it's not a blockbuster with an explosive CGI climax - heck, it doesn't even have an ending or a conclusion but it's a thoughtful and mature film with a gentle warmth and humour that keeps it light and accessible. 8/10.

[landsurfer]

Laundromat with Meryl Streep, a fictional story looks at the Panama papers scandal

Watched it last night .... absolutely brilliant ....... quirky and funny ... and hard hitting .....

[mercalia]

TrueBlood is an american tv series that ran to 7 seasons about a time in the USA when vampires came out of the closet and became legal " equal rights for vampires" but the deep south fundamentalists preach "God hates Fangs". Is based in the deep south. Vampires are able to come-out due to the invention an an artifical blood substitute. Vampire blood ( Trueblood) is the new viagra+++ so there is a black market for the stuff. The star is Anna Paquin who has special talent in that she can hear peoples thoughts, but not vampires, She hooks up with a vampire, Bill Compton for that reason as hearing the jumble of every ones thoughts is a cacophony. It has one of the best series intros

[youtube]5CV4eGS7H5I[/youtube]

Some very interesting & likeable characters. Very classy production. not Hammer House of Horrors

[Spinners]

'Julieta' (2016) starring Emma Suarez and Adriana Ugarte.

Another unexpected treat discovered whilst browsing through BBC iPlayer (but it does expire tonight) this is one of Pedro Almodóvar's more recent films and is a much more conventional film than some of his other work such as 'The Skin In Which I Live' and 'All About My Mother'. Julieta is a sophisticated woman about to start a new life in Portugal with her new lover when a chance encounter with her estranged daughter's best friend reignites her maternal love and her regret at the break-up of their mother-daughter relationship. Through flashbacks, as she writes her memories, Julieta tells the story of her relationship with Xoan a rugged and handsome Galician fisherman who would become her lover and partner until a tragic accident leads to a downward spiral of guilt, regret and depression. Julieta is played by two actresses (Emma Suarez and Adriana Ugarte) at the various stages in her life (broadly aged 20-50 I'd guess) and whilst Hollywood would almost certainly have used one actress (and used make-up to age her) Almodóvar bravely uses two actresses and there is a clever 'switch' where the older Julieta emerges in a scene that starts with the younger Julieta. Of all of the films by Almodóvar that I've seen this is the only one without any humour at all but the story is so good at drawing you in that you don't notice this until after you watch it. Quite compelling. 8/10.

[Psamathe]

'Julieta' (2016) starring Emma Suarez and Adriana Ugarte.

Another unexpected treat discovered whilst browsing through BBC iPlayer (but it does expire tonight) this is one of Pedro Almodóvar's more recent films and is a much more conventional film than some of his other work such as 'The Skin In Which I Live' and 'All About My Mother'. Julieta is a sophisticated woman about to start a new life in Portugal with her new lover when a chance encounter with her estranged daughter's best friend reignites her maternal love and her regret at the break-up of their mother-daughter relationship. Through flashbacks, as she writes her memories, Julieta tells the story of her relationship with Xoan a rugged and handsome Galician fisherman who would become her lover and partner until a tragic accident leads to a downward spiral of guilt, regret and depression. Julieta is played by two actresses (Emma Suarez and Adriana Ugarte) at the various stages in her life (broadly aged 20-50 I'd guess) and whilst Hollywood would almost certainly have used one actress (and used make-up to age her) Almodóvar bravely uses two actresses and there is a clever 'switch' where the older Julieta emerges in a scene that starts with the younger Julieta. Of all of the films by Almodóvar that I've seen this is the only one without any humour at all but the story is so good at drawing you in that you don't notice this until after you watch it. Quite compelling. 8/10.

It was a good film (on BBC 4 a few weeks ago).

Ian

[Spinners]

'The Kings Choice' (2016) starring Jesper Christensen and Anders Bassmo Christiansen.

Set in April 1940 this Norwegian film tells the story of how Norway was invaded by the Germans causing the Norwegian royal family to flee into the interior. With the official government in total collapse and a Quisling-led puppet government now in place the German envoy in Norway tries to negotiate peace with the popular {elected) King of Norway who must wrestle with his own conscience about the direction to take his country. A great history lesson and a really good film. 8/10.

[mercalia]

'The Kings Choice' (2016) starring Jesper Christensen and Anders Bassmo Christiansen.

Set in April 1940 this Norwegian film tells the story of how Norway was invaded by the Germans causing the Norwegian royal family to flee into the interior. With the official government in total collapse and a Quisling-led puppet government now in place the German envoy in Norway tries to negotiate peace with the popular {elected) King of Norway who must wrestle with his own conscience about the direction to take his country. A great history lesson and a really good film. 8/10.

I thought they escaped to the Uk? Why Norway gives London a Xmas tree every year since WW2?