106 Reply by Ayahuasca (edited by Ayahuasca 2005-05-10 03:56:49)

  • From: Peru
  • Registered: 2004-08-06

Re: movies

wandering1 wrote:

I think that The Lord of the Rings can be thought of as representing our past, our history.  It described the ending of one age and the beginning of another age - the age that we currently live in.

I just read a great article about that here:

http://www.jayweidner.com/JayTolkien1.htm

"...And this is in essence Tolkien's message. That even though the odds are overwhelmingly against us, even though greed and corruption consume our very souls in this Final Age of the cycle, even though everything appears to be lost and the forces of darkness are about to lay claim to victory, somehow, someway good triumphs. Tolkien appears to be saying that there are superior forces that have our interests at heart and that these superior forces are guiding our race and our species. These forces, that occupy what we might refer to as 'upper earth', wield their invisible hand to insure that Frodo succeeds and that we survive. Tolkien tells us that even the smallest of us is important. That creatures like the Hobbits Frodo and Sam can virtually alone defeat the powers of darkness and that they have an invisible ally that makes sure that they succeed...

...From the alchemical perspective of the cyclic flow of time, out of the darkness of this Age of Iron, a new Golden Age of humanity will begin. The 'quality of time' will be altered and in an instant our reality will be transformed. The true Masters and adepts of spiritual traditions from around the world will tell you that the seeds of this transformation exist within each and every human being, in fact it is for this reason that they call the human body the 'sacred alchemical vessel of transformation'. For having been gifted by the Divine with 'free will', in every moment, we have the power to choose our own path. As Frodo, Gandalf, Sam, Aragorn and their friends did in The Lord of the Rings, we must open our hearts and walk the Path of the Light. Not because it is easy, but because we know that it is right. We are all Frodos, each and every one of us. Like Frodo, we have within us the potential for great deeds of courage and self-sacrifice. Despite everything, Frodo does destroy the Ring of Power. Sauron's dominion is ended, the world is cleansed and a new Age begins. This is the beauty of Tolkien's tale. Through this eloquent and powerful work of Art, Tolkien proves that he is of the lineage of great artists who have graced the Age of Iron. Steeped in alchemical principles and an ancient spiritual tradition that reaches back into the Third Age, both Tolkien's and Jackson's Lord of the Rings are harbingers of where we are from and also where we are headed. "

Andy

Join me in Peru to celebrate December 21st 2012 - Visit: http://2012awakeningretreat.com/

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107 Reply by wandering1 (edited by wandering1 2005-05-10 18:15:01)

  • Registered: 2004-04-01

Re: movies

Thanks Andy.  I was influenced by that article when I wrote that post.

I was also influenced by things that Tolkien was supposed to have said like: "It's not allegory - I am writing history."

Tolkien was especially insistent that he was not writing an allegory for World War II.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On another note, I saw Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy last night.  I liked it!  I recommend it! 

Funny, profound, well casted, high production value.  Lots of aliens.  We are not alone!!

The improbability machine!  Multi-dimensional beings!

A mind opening way to think about the planet and galaxy.  Also, I'm pretty sure that "the movie people" are going to make all four films in the series.  Just a guess.

  • From: zerone
  • Registered: 2004-08-16

Re: movies

i just saw national treasure, and it was actually pretty good.

i was expecting mediocrity, but it was done fairly well.
(some things were kind of stupid, but oh well)

it didnt really have much anything useful for us to take in, but it did illustrate 2 sides, STS / STO perhaps- and it illustrated how each side gets the job done. and realize that both sides are doing "illegal" things, even the 'benevolent' Nicholas Cage etc...

anyways, any1 else see this one and catch any notable messages or anything ?

"...i was taken by the hand, from the ocean to the sand..."
nitin sawhney - 'eastern eyes'

zonabi's Website

  • Registered: 2004-10-15

Re: movies

http://movies.apple.com/movies/sony_pic … e_m480.mov

Doesn't really show anything.  Worth a look though to see the hype generator in motion.

I haven't read The Da'Vinci Code, and didn't know it was being made into a Movie.  So - more "noise"...or something worthwhile?

Also - surprised to see Tom Hanks involved in this...

Thought Manifestation

Marcus's Website

110 Reply by lyra (edited by lyra 2005-05-18 09:40:23)

  • lyra
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Re: movies

zonabi wrote:

anyways, any1 else see this one and catch any notable messages or anything ?

zonabi....... page 3 of this very thread.....several posts about "National Treasure", posted last year.  Here's mine:

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"Okay................................anybody here see National Treasure yet?   We did, last night.   Aye yay yay!   All I can say is, if you're going to see this movie, don't go in taking things all seriously, and expect an A-level script and movie.  It has it's flaws....many of them....so realize that going in and have a relaxed attitude about it.   Treat it like you would a Roland Emerich movie.  big_smile   I still found it enjoyable though.  It's got a lot of humor, which is its saving grace.   Normally I don't care much for Nicholas Cage, but he's pretty cool in this movie.  Thought his buddy Riley Poole was funny and enjoyable as well, as the 20-something geeky but cool, sarcastic but nice sidekick.  He was pretty realistic I thought, reminded me of a real guy.  I mentioned last night on another thread that I'd been hitting the rum and Coke thing at Barnes and Noble, which is where we were before we saw the movie, which means I had some alcohol going on while watching it, big_smile  which is why I was able to not take it seriously or get annoyed by the dumbed down script, the watering down of the Freemason issue and the plot which veers towards the absurd.   Those are the movie's flaws.  But it was still a fun movie.  I'd recommend it as a matinee if nothing else.  Some are saying wait for the DVD, but I don't think it's that bad.  If you're looking for fun escapism, I say go for it, see it as a matinee.   The movie doesn't "tackle" the Freemason issue though like I already mentioned, which I wanted to emphasize, because that will probably be something that Noble Realms posters will be looking for if they go to see this.   It waters it down and barely skims the surface.  Whatever treatment the subject does get is done as if the audience is a wide eyed child being told a fanciful bed time story.   So, sorry to say that it's not going to "expose" Freemasonry to the mainstream public."
------

And Auendove's response, which was good too:

------

"I saw the movie last night as well.... there may be some movie spoilers below, but nothing major.

    lyra wrote:

    'The movie doesn't "tackle" the Freemason issue though like I already mentioned, which I wanted to emphasize, because that will probably be something that Noble Realms posters will be looking for if they go to see this.   It waters it down and barely skims the surface.  Whatever treatment the subject does get is done as if the audience is a wide eyed child being told a fanciful bed time story.   So, sorry to say that it's not going to "expose" Freemasonry to the mainstream public.'

Watered it down? I think they flew right past the truth! For those watching the movie that aren't in the know about Freemasonry they would likely walk away from the movie thinking what a great bunch of guys the Mason's/Knights Templar are/were... after all they preserved all of that "rich history" (gold and documents) for humanity, right? roll Heavy sigh... not to mention it's just a movie.

The one remark in the movie, one that the audience reacted to in unison with snickers, that caused my mate and I to look at each other with eye-brows raised was: one of the characters commented something like 'How could they have built something like this?' referring to an elaborate, downspiraled, stairwayed entrance into the "treasure room", and Gates commented, 'The same way they built the Pyramids, (etc.).... the Aliens did it.' It was such a quick moment in the movie, but it didn't seem like it fit... like it was put there on purpose regardless of the fact that it doesn't really fit in with the flow of the rest of the script. Maybe it was just for the sake of a joke, but...

But I didn't go to the movie to be educated, I went for entertainment. Personally, I like to see Nic Cage in movies. It was, as entertainment, a fun movie, and I really liked the Riley character also. It's typical Disney, happy ending and all."
-------

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy shit ... what a ride!"  - Anonymous
-----
"I get by with a little help from my (higher density) friends."
-----

lyra's Website

  • From: zerone
  • Registered: 2004-08-16

Re: movies

yea, lyra as i read your excerpt i rememberd u spoke about it before.

on another topic, i mentioned this in the harmonics thread, but wanted to say it here:

Who saw "Kung Fu Hustle" ?

those Musical Enemies that used "Sound" as their weapon!!!!!! omygod that was awesome. best part of the movie, and one of the best "enemies" character design ive seen.

"...i was taken by the hand, from the ocean to the sand..."
nitin sawhney - 'eastern eyes'

zonabi's Website

112 Reply by GibbleTronic (edited by GibbleTronic 2005-05-19 01:23:32)

  • Registered: 2005-02-08

Re: movies

Just saw "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room" and I'd highly reccomend it to anyone wanting to obtain a better understanding of how conspiracies, power, and unlimited money have played out behind the scenes inside corporate America. IMO, this film has the ability to really piss off a lot of people, and maybe they will think twice if they can just make the link between what Enron did to California's energy market to what the Bush administration wants to do to Social Security.

  • From: istanbul
  • Registered: 2004-05-13

Re: movies

Ok, this thread goes well, so there's no need to start a new one for Star Wars Episode III.

I just saw the movie yesterday and liked especially the conversations between Anakin & Chauncelor Palpatin. Good definitions on how STS and STO thinks and works. Also Anakin is a good example on how STS manipulates us to create fear, hate, grief etc. Not a Matrix or even Constantine, which I liked most this whole movie season, but better than Episodes I & II.

Change we must, to live again
- Jon Anderson

114 Reply by Ayahuasca (edited by Ayahuasca 2005-05-20 02:56:57)

  • From: Peru
  • Registered: 2004-08-06

Re: movies

feritciva wrote:

Ok, this thread goes well, so there's no need to start a new one for Star Wars Episode III.

I just saw the movie yesterday and liked especially the conversations between Anakin & Chauncelor Palpatin. Good definitions on how STS and STO thinks and works.

Yeah I noticed that. It was definitely one of the better scenes in the movie.

Here's the lines you're referring which I got off a movie script site:


PALPATINE: Remember back to your early teachings. Anakin. "All those who gain power are afraid to lose it." Even the Jedi.

ANAKIN: The Jedi use their power for good.

PALPATINE: Good is a point of view, Anakin. And the Jedi point of view is not the only valid one. The Dark Lords of the Sith believe in security and justice also, yet they are considered by the Jedi to be. . .

ANAKIN: . . . evil.

PALPATINE: . . . from a Jedi's point of view. The Sith and the Jedi are similar in almost every way, including their quest for greater power. The difference between the two is the Sith are not afraid of the dark side of the Force. That is why they are more powerful.

ANAKIN: The Sith rely on their passion for their strength. They think inward, only about themselves.

PALPATINE: And the Jedi don't?

ANAKIN: The Jedi are selfless . . . they only care about others.

-----

All in all it was a reasonable movie that I enjoyed quite a lot. It's by far the best of the new trilogy but that's not saying much considering how very average the other two were. There were a lot of great moments and this is probably the first of the new trilogy that actually feels like a proper Star Wars movie. My main criticism was that Anakins descent to the dark side seemed a little too rushed and unbelievable. Oh and some of the dialogue is truly terrible! If only George would employ a decent script writer. His ideas are fine but he can't write a line of decent dialogue to save his life! If you love all things Star Wars you'll probably enjoy this but it's one for the diehards only I think.

Andy

Join me in Peru to celebrate December 21st 2012 - Visit: http://2012awakeningretreat.com/

Ayahuasca's Website

  • From: zerone
  • Registered: 2004-08-16

Re: movies

man, how the hell did Star Wars III get a PG13 rating?

heads flying off, kids being murdered...?

it was indeed a good movie, all in all.
some things could have been alot better tho.

and that dialogue also jumped out at me! thanks Andy for posting it.

only other bummer was that the theatre i went to didnt have THX.... tsk tsk

z

"...i was taken by the hand, from the ocean to the sand..."
nitin sawhney - 'eastern eyes'

zonabi's Website

116 Reply by lyra (edited by lyra 2005-05-20 20:05:48)

  • lyra
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Re: movies

"Star Wars Grosses $50M in One Day"

The highest record for any movie on opening day, ever, in the history of movies.  (of course, it doesn't hurt that movie tickets are like, $8, $9, $10 a pop now!!  big_smile  )

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050520/ap_ … MlJVRPUCUl

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy shit ... what a ride!"  - Anonymous
-----
"I get by with a little help from my (higher density) friends."
-----

lyra's Website

117 Reply by wandering1 (edited by wandering1 2005-05-20 23:24:25)

  • Registered: 2004-04-01

Re: movies

Star Wars III - Revenge of the Sith.


Wow - quite an experience!  I think that it is a very well crafted movie.  Don't expect to feel uplifted at the end.  In my opinion, it's a very dark story and film.

I liked this movie.  There was a good deal of looking at the "light side" and "dark side" and what they mean.  In the dialogue, it was stated as "service to others" and "service to self".

The role of deception.  Appealing to the people. 

The desire for power.  Attachment. 

How about those vertical eyes on the Robot/Cyborg general?  Cat eyes.  Reptilian eyes.

I think that karmic return and self-fulfilling prophecy play big roles as well.

Yes, there is plenty of violence.  Also, a clear portrayal of how change can happen quickly.

And of course a big focus on the "Force" and "Jedi" abilities.

The Empire is born.

I recommend this movie!

  • Registered: 2004-03-25

Re: movies

Yeah, I saw the movie Thursday. I liked it alot. That's one I could watch a few more times!

  • Registered: 2004-10-15

Re: movies

A few other points that really jumped out.

Padme saying; "Maybe we are fighting on the wrong side?"

The whole question about how Democracy is no longer democracy but rather has been highjacked through fear, and is no used as a form of controling dictatorship.

Anakin talking to Ben; "You are either with me - or you are my enemy!"
Ben; "Only the Sith think in such absolute terms!"

Sounds very familiar.

Also the fact that the two sides of the "war" had been manipulated by the same individual in order to bring about a "New World Order"...aka the Empire.  The chancellor even stating that for the good of the Republic and in order for it to survive it must become an Empire.

People agast at how quick everything changed - wondering how it could all possibly happen.  Even though the subtle clues were there all along.

Very good and quite powerful stuff.  I wonder how many people made the connections between events decpicted in this movie - and current events around the world...

Thought Manifestation

Marcus's Website

120 Reply by lyra (edited by lyra 2005-05-22 15:13:54)

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Re: movies

Saw this movie last night.   It was very good, I recommend seeing it in the theaters on the big screen, don't wait to see it on DVD.  Movies like this need to be seen on the big screen.   I'm not really a Star Wars fan - saw the original trilogy as a kid, but haven't re-watched them since that time; saw "Phantom Menace" but to me it was just too boring and disappointing overall, so I skipped "Attack of the Clones" because of that.  But I wanted to see "Sith" because like everybody, I was intrigued to see the transformation of Anakin into Vader.  The idea of the hero who has within him the ability to go either dark or light, and is waivering on the fence fighting the internal battle of it all is just so fascinating to me.  Finally.............a movie with meaningful themes and meaningful ideas ! instead of just another cutesy pointless 90 minute romantic comedy distraction.

You'll hear a lot about the bad, wooden acting.........true, the script could have used some work, but....if you watch closely, you'll see the issue is mainly with Natalie Portman and Hayden Christiansen.   Ewan MacGregor doesn't come off as wooden, his character seems warm and good, which is a testament to his acting ability.   On the flipside, Portman says her lines like she's in a highschool play.  It's not so much the fault of the script so much as it's her delivery.   And Samuel Jackson will always be, well, "SAMUEL L. JACKSON".  Any time he talked I kept thinking of him in "Pulp Fiction."  big_smile  I'd think "AND I WILL STRIKE DOWN UPON THEE WITH GREAT VENGEANCE!......" whenever he talked.  big_smile  haha   And Darth Sidious.......wow!   Can anybody say "Pope Ratzinger" ??  !   I kept mumbling "it's the pope!  it's the pope!" everytime he appeared on screen.   Hope the Catholics take note of the um, amazing similarities in appearance between the two. Oh yes, and Yoda's reversed verbs just gets to be a little comical by the end.  You'll find yourself leaving the theater talking like that.   "Too much popcorn I ate!   Go home,  let us!   Have to pee, I do!!!"  You have to love Yoda though, he's a cuddly green powerhouse to be reckoned with.  smile

(SPOILERS AHEAD THIS PARAGRAPH)   I agree with Ayahuasca that the transformation from Anakin to Vader did seem a little rushed and unrealistic.   It could have used a few more transition scenes to make it seem more plausible, centering more on the Chancellor "working him over";  otherwise, Anakin converting so easily to the dark side and turning on the Jedi - killing them, and even the younglings - doesn't seem believable.   There has to be more going on than just the desire to save Padme's life to make Anakin seek out the Dark Side powers.   He needs more motivation for the change, and the ego is the ultimate weak spot.  So, a few more scenes of the Chancellor playing on Anakin's ego might have made the transformation seem more believable.   Would also have made the scene where Anakin screams "I hate you!!!" to Obi Wan seem more believable.  They spent 2 1/2 movies being like brothers, with Obi Wan as his mentor, only to have such a rapid 180 out of nowhere.

But that aside, go see it.  After all those reports of wooden acting and a bad script I expected it to be far worse than it was, but it was fine, and worth the full price admission....which is not something I can say about most movies.    In fact I intend to see it again later this week sometime.  The visuals and effects are fantastic, and again, the themes are very meaningful and relevant.

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy shit ... what a ride!"  - Anonymous
-----
"I get by with a little help from my (higher density) friends."
-----

lyra's Website