Off Topic Thread 4.0

14-11-2019 11:02am

I'm interested in seeing how this trilogy closes out, even if they haven't set anything up . Kylo Ren is an interesting character. Force Awakens was good on first viewing. Thought Rogue One was bad. I wasn't invested from the outset as I felt it was a story that didn't need to be told. I turned off Solo half way through.

molloyjh · 14-11-2019 11:42am

awec wrote: »

The only star wars movies I've ever watched are the original 6 ones. They're alright, pretty cheesy though.

The danish actor whose name i forget in the prequels was rubbish.

Hayden Christiansen. Hes Canadian.

I'd be a fairly big Star Wars fan. The original trilogies were great. Unless you saw them late, because by then they'd seem cheesy given how they influenced the movie industry since then.

The expanded universe had some great stuff in it too and built a pretty unbelievable universe with so much depth. That said there was some rubbish in there too.

Then came the prequels. They were poor. I don't hate them the way some do, but they were not good.

Then came the latest trilogy. I wasnt overly pushed on the first one, but again didnt hate it. If it led to an interesting story in the remaining 2 films then I'd have been happy to consider it functional. The last one was nonsense though. Completely ran counter to some of the characters without bothering to explain why, had a sub plot that did basically nothing at all and another that made no sense. It almost seemed to sabotage the franchise. And so without anything to back it up, the first film is now just a lazy film followed by a crap film. My interest in the upcoming one is almost non existent. I know it's out next month sometime, but no clue when.

The other films that Disney released were, at best, mixed. Solo was nothing more than meh, while Rogue One was a great idea that just never lived up to its potential. Had some great elements but overall was little more than fine.

Its mad. I'm a big fan but don't like most of the films. It's the expanded universe that is the reason for that. A lot of that was a lot truer or closer to the original trilogy in quality than any of the "official" productions since. I'd have loved a Kyle Katarn film from the Jedi Knight series.

Clegg · 14-11-2019 12:17pm

molloyjh wrote: »

Hayden Christiansen. Hes Canadian.

I'd be a fairly big Star Wars fan. The original trilogies were great. Unless you saw them late, because by then they'd seem cheesy given how they influenced the movie industry since then.

The expanded universe had some great stuff in it too and built a pretty unbelievable universe with so much depth. That said there was some rubbish in there too.

Then came the prequels. They were poor. I don't hate them the way some do, but they were not good.

Then came the latest trilogy. I wasnt overly pushed on the first one, but again didnt hate it. If it led to an interesting story in the remaining 2 films then I'd have been happy to consider it functional. The last one was nonsense though. Completely ran counter to some of the characters without bothering to explain why, had a sub plot that did basically nothing at all and another that made no sense. It almost seemed to sabotage the franchise. And so without anything to back it up, the first film is now just a lazy film followed by a crap film. My interest in the upcoming one is almost non existent. I know it's out next month sometime, but no clue when.

The other films that Disney released were, at best, mixed. Solo was nothing more than meh, while Rogue One was a great idea that just never lived up to its potential. Had some great elements but overall was little more than fine.

Its mad. I'm a big fan but don't like most of the films. It's the expanded universe that is the reason for that. A lot of that was a lot truer or closer to the original trilogy in quality than any of the "official" productions since. I'd have loved a Kyle Katarn film from the Jedi Knight series.

The Last Jedi is my favourite of all the Star Wars films. It opened up the entire franchise to do whatever it wanted. It made a conscious effort to move away from the destiny bull**** that every other mainline film was chock full of. Ray is a nobody, but it doesn't matter that she is because even a nobody can save the galaxy. But reading through plot synopsis for the third film, it looks like we're going back to the cliched plotlines.

The biggest problem with the new franchise is the lack of joined up thinking. They gave the first film to JJ Abrams who set up a sort of mystery plotline surrounding Rey. But then they changed directors to Rian Johnson and gave him the license to depart from what the first film set up. I much preferred Johnson's film and tbh I think Abrams is a bit of a hack anyway. But they should either have stuck with what Abrams started, or never made him director in the first place.

errlloyd · 14-11-2019 12:38pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Watchmen is excellent but a mix of absurd and disturbing at times.

I'm a fan of watchmen. But I wonder if there is much mystery left. There are 5 more episodes and it feels like there should be two.

14-11-2019 12:45pm

One episode of watchmen was enough for me. Film was decent enough. I'm just so done with super heroes at this stage. Add in the creator of Lost and that's a big nope from me.

prawnsambo · 14-11-2019 1:43pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

i have to admit, ive really enjoyed 'Dirk Gently' on netflix....

definitely watch it if your a fan of the douglas adams / dr who type storytelling

It's excellent and a great pity it only lasted two seasons.

molloyjh · 14-11-2019 2:43pm

Clegg wrote: »

The Last Jedi is my favourite of all the Star Wars films. It opened up the entire franchise to do whatever it wanted. It made a conscious effort to move away from the destiny bull**** that every other mainline film was chock full of. Ray is a nobody, but it doesn't matter that she is because even a nobody can save the galaxy. But reading through plot synopsis for the third film, it looks like we're going back to the cliched plotlines.

The biggest problem with the new franchise is the lack of joined up thinking. They gave the first film to JJ Abrams who set up a sort of mystery plotline surrounding Rey. But then they changed directors to Rian Johnson and gave him the license to depart from what the first film set up. I much preferred Johnson's film and tbh I think Abrams is a bit of a hack anyway. But they should either have stuck with what Abrams started, or never made him director in the first place.

Elements of it were excellent but it had chances to go in interesting new directions and didnt. Rey has had next to no struggle whatsoever. It's all come so easy that it's hard to get in anyway involved in the character. The entire story is contingent on us believing that Luke did something to someone he knew who had done nothing wrong that he didnt do to someone he didnt know who was one of the most evil men in the galaxy. And we were given no reason for this sudden change in who he was. Like a lot of things in it, Johnson seemed to do it to he different, and not to facilitate and interesting story.

As for Leia and her Guardians of the Galaxy slash Mary Poppins moment, well that can just FRO.

Dave_The_Sheep · 14-11-2019 3:20pm

molloyjh wrote: »

Elements of it were excellent but it had chances to go in interesting new directions and didnt. Rey has had next to no struggle whatsoever. It's all come so easy that it's hard to get in anyway involved in the character. The entire story is contingent on us believing that Luke did something to someone he knew who had done nothing wrong that he didnt do to someone he didnt know who was one of the most evil men in the galaxy. And we were given no reason for this sudden change in who he was.

It's an awful film and this is the crux of it for me. Johnson butchered Luke's character and you can tell from interviews how pissed off Hamill was about it. That bit where you go from one of the most powerful scenes in the previous film, Rey finally finding Luke and offering up his lightsaber to him ... to Luke throwing it away for comic relief says it all. Johnson just doesn't get Star Wars.

The idea that Luke bloody Skywalker after all he's been through would try and kill a teenager, his nephew, for what he might become is laughable as a plot point.

Rey doesn't have any character, let alone any character flaws, she's perfect and everything just works for her. Quite why Leia is supposed to give a **** about her is beyond me; oh the father of my child is dead, who do I console and grieve with, one of my and his oldest friends, or some young one that I've just met. Give me a break... I probably won't even bother seeing the last one until it comes out on whatever site I download off.

Yeah_Right · 14-11-2019 3:23pm

I freely admit that I'm a Star Wars nut. As a kid I had the original trilogy on VHS, the toys, bedding, pyjamas etc. As an adult I bought the movies on DVD. I now have all the movies saved on a hard drive, I go to the cinema to see them on my own, I have Star Wars tshirts. I even have Star Wars tattoos.

I love the films. Even the bad ones. I don't analyse them at all, I just enjoy the escapism. When I'm watching a Star Wars movie I feel like a kid again. No matter how many times I've seen it.

And amazingly, I have a wife that loves me!!!!

What is the Mandalorian being shown on? Amazon?

Ps. Those of you slagging off Rogue One, give yourselves an uppercut. It's one of my favourites.

Dave_The_Sheep · 14-11-2019 3:28pm

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Ps. Those of you slagging off Rogue One, give yourselves an uppercut. It's one of my favourites.

It's easily the best of the recent stuff. Probably top 3 overall. Empire, Jedi, Rogue One.

errlloyd · 14-11-2019 3:42pm

The only reason I didn't like Rogue One was the weirdness of putting such an important event in the timeline directly before IV without ever mentioning it.

14-11-2019 3:45pm

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I freely admit that I'm a Star Wars nut. As a kid I had the original trilogy on VHS, the toys, bedding, pyjamas etc. As an adult I bought the movies on DVD. I now have all the movies saved on a hard drive, I go to the cinema to see them on my own, I have Star Wars tshirts. I even have Star Wars tattoos.

I love the films. Even the bad ones. I don't analyse them at all, I just enjoy the escapism. When I'm watching a Star Wars movie I feel like a kid again. No matter how many times I've seen it.

And amazingly, I have a wife that loves me!!!!

What is the Mandalorian being shown on? Amazon?

Ps. Those of you slagging off Rogue One, give yourselves an uppercut. It's one of my favourites.

It's on disney+ which isn't available over here until march. I can make it available to you if you aren't familiar with ... buying apples on the fruit black market.

Yeah_Right · 14-11-2019 3:52pm

Deleted User wrote: »

It's on disney+ which isn't available over here until march. I can make it available to you if you aren't familiar with ... buying apples on the fruit black market.

:D

Thanks. I will just get my brother-in-law to download it for me. If it was on Amazon, I was going to get it. There's a couple of other shows on Amazon that I wouldn't mind watching so I'm already contemplating it. Anyone here got Amazon TV? Whats it like compared to Netflix?

errlloyd · 14-11-2019 3:56pm

Deleted User wrote: »

... buying apples on the fruit black market.

You need a different proxy for talking about proxies otherwise we're going to have a lot of fruit discussions and no idea where Brexit ends and virtual politics networking begins.

14-11-2019 3:57pm

I will never understand why they didn't recast everyone and use the Timothy Zahn novels. Light years ahead of the Abrams nonsense.

Go from there to the invasion saga and that's 6 movies + with exceptional source material.

errlloyd · 14-11-2019 3:59pm

Yeah_Right wrote: »

:D

Thanks. I will just get my brother-in-law to download it for me. If it was on Amazon, I was going to get it. There's a couple of other shows on Amazon that I wouldn't mind watching so I'm already contemplating it. Anyone here got Amazon TV? Whats it like compared to Netflix?

I'd say Prime is around 25% of the service Netflix is. There are 8 or 9 good shows and 20 - 30 good movies.

On prime I've watched.

All or Nothing (the rugby one with the All Blacks)
The US Office
Man in High Castle
Mr Robot
Mavellous Mrs Maisel (which I quite enjoyed, don't judge)
Fleabag
The Boys

The future looks decent for it though. It's getting better for sports, particularly if you like Tennis. And they obviously have Lord of the Rings TV show coming soon.

Yeah_Right · 14-11-2019 4:18pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I will never understand why they didn't recast everyone and use the Timothy Zahn novels. Light years ahead of the Abrams nonsense.

Go from there to the invasion saga and that's 6 movies + with exceptional source material.

Never read any of the books. Which is mad seeing as I love the movies and I read a lot. Judging by your post, the books are good? You would recommend them?

Yeah_Right · 14-11-2019 4:26pm

errlloyd wrote: »

I'd say Prime is around 25% of the service Netflix is. There are 8 or 9 good shows and 20 - 30 good movies.

On prime I've watched.

All or Nothing (the rugby one with the All Blacks)
The US Office
Man in High Castle
Mr Robot
Mavellous Mrs Maisel (which I quite enjoyed, don't judge)
Fleabag
The Boys

The future looks decent for it though. It's getting better for sports, particularly if you like Tennis. And they obviously have Lord of the Rings TV show coming soon.

Man in High Castle and The Boys (couple of good kiwi actors) are 2 of the reasons I'm thinking of Amazon. Another is Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan. Loved the books, enjoyed the movies (the earlier ones were better) so thought I'd give the TV show a look.

When is the LOTR show due out?

Tennis wouldn't be high on my list of sports I like watching. GS finals maybe. What other sports are they getting?

14-11-2019 4:31pm

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Never read any of the books. Which is mad seeing as I love the movies and I read a lot. Judging by your post, the books are good? You would recommend them?

The Zahn trilogy is the most faithful and interesting follow up to the original movies. The continuity of storytelling is pitch perfect and it picks up shortly after Jedi. I read them a long time ago but absolutely loved them. Grand Admiral Thrawn is a brilliant character.

The invasion story arc is not as strong but would make great movies. The premise is that Palpatine started the Empire because of the threat of a species from another galaxy that were preparing to invade. When they sensed the death of the emperor they began their invasion and the new Republic had to repel them. How is that not awesome!

Podge_irl · 14-11-2019 4:31pm

The Boys is absolutely excellent.

awec · 14-11-2019 4:34pm

Is Jar Jar back for the latest Star Wars? It was a shame he just disappeared in the prequels.

14-11-2019 4:48pm

awec wrote: »

Is Jar Jar back for the latest Star Wars? It was a shame he just disappeared in the prequels.

I'm only using Jar Jar quotes in the Ulster thread from now on.

errlloyd · 14-11-2019 4:49pm

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Man in High Castle and The Boys (couple of good kiwi actors) are 2 of the reasons I'm thinking of Amazon. Another is Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan. Loved the books, enjoyed the movies (the earlier ones were better) so thought I'd give the TV show a look.

When is the LOTR show due out?

Tennis wouldn't be high on my list of sports I like watching. GS finals maybe. What other sports are they getting?

It's bit part right now. I believe they have the Thursday night NFL games and two days of Premier League soccer in December (including Dec 26th)

Felix Jones is God. · 14-11-2019 4:54pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I'm only using Jar Jar quotes in the Ulster thread from now on.

"Mee-sa No-sa likes dat"

14-11-2019 5:01pm

Felix Jones is God. wrote: »

"Mee-sa No-sa likes dat"

Now that's a user name I've not heard in a long time

Stheno · 14-11-2019 8:23pm

Salted caramel is delicios

Neil3030 · 14-11-2019 8:28pm

How on earth do people have time to watch so many movies and tv series? I gave up years ago, can't even remember the last time I was in a cinema, possibly The Force Awakens, funnily enough. As for TV series... damn, maybe House of Cards around 3 years ago or so? (Before the Spacey stuff surfaced).

Dave_The_Sheep · 14-11-2019 9:40pm

Not having kids helps.

ScrubsfanChris · 14-11-2019 10:21pm

Ireland score 3 goals in a single game? Pop the champagne :pac:

The Lost Sheep · 14-11-2019 10:50pm

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Ireland score 3 goals in a single game? Pop the champagne :pac:

thank God I went racing instead of working that crap. Nobody there and really crap game against poor opposition.
Monday should be bit better. Might actually be an atmosphere there Monday!

Yeah_Right · 14-11-2019 11:09pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

thank God I went racing instead of working that crap. Nobody there and really crap game against poor opposition.
Monday should be bit better. Might actually be an atmosphere there Monday!

Hey. Poor opposition!! That's NZ you are talking about. I'll have you know that..... yeah. You're right. Carry on.

On the plus side, good to see Winston Reid back on the field.

The Lost Sheep · 14-11-2019 11:21pm

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Hey. Poor opposition!! That's NZ you are talking about. I'll have you know that..... yeah. You're right. Carry on.

On the plus side, good to see Winston Reid back on the field.

:pac:
its normally what ye have said about us in rugby so it's nice to have shoe on other foot.
Grand warm up for Monday all the same even if crowd will be totally different. We'll play a totally different team, wont be playing a side playing a first international in over a year etc etc

16-11-2019 1:36pm

Constant mentions of a virgin, one mention of the kama sutra; Christianings are weird

Burkie1203 · 17-11-2019 11:01pm

In other news, Israel Folau is still a moron

https://twitter.com/PetrusduPlessis/status/1196185383622643718?s=19

Clegg · 18-11-2019 1:30pm

I went to school and University in South Dublin. Most were grand people. But then you'd get the odd bunch like this. Make you want to gouge your eyes out with a spoon.

https://twitter.com/cianherbsx/status/1195735995745996800?s=19

Zzippy · 19-11-2019 5:27pm

Posted this in broadband forum but by the looks of it replies can take a while there. So seeing as some of you seem up to speed on tech stuff (this is decidedly low-tech for here), any help with this question?

Zzippy wrote: »

We have Vodafone mobile broadband in the house - paying €60 a month for 150GB data. Speed is ok, kids use Netflix a fair bit and rarely buffers. But it's not cheap, and a few times we've been cut off before the billing date when the data limit was reached. A right royal pain in the a$$.

Considering switching to Three, but have read horrific reviews about speed throttling and customer service. So was considering a 30-day contract (no router) rather than take the router and 18/24 month contract.

Can I use the Vodafone router we already have and just put a 3 SIM in it? Long out of contract with Vodafone so no problem switching, just wondering if their equipment will prevent a 3 SIM being used? At least if we experience bad speeds we can go back to Vodafone...

19-11-2019 6:10pm

Do you want to avoid getting a router? I'm paying 43 per month without a data cap. Don't think I could deal with having a cap.

errlloyd · 19-11-2019 6:38pm

I am not sure you can use the VF router, but I am almost certain you can order an unlocked one off Amazon for that much

19-11-2019 7:33pm

errlloyd wrote: »

I am not sure you can use the VF router, but I am almost certain you can order an unlocked one off Amazon for that much

Needs to be one that works in Galway though, this is a popular model out west.

prawnsambo · 19-11-2019 7:57pm

Zzippy wrote: »

Posted this in broadband forum but by the looks of it replies can take a while there. So seeing as some of you seem up to speed on tech stuff (this is decidedly low-tech for here), any help with this question?

I think those routers are locked to the provider (like mobile phones). You could probably buy an unlocked router on eBay or the like. Huawei do some pretty good ones that you can get for around the £60 mark. Then just pick up a 3 mobile PAYG SIM with a €20 top up and you're good to go.

In fact if you get the 3 SIM, you can test it in your Vodafone router to be sure. Easy and cheap way to do it and if it doesn't work, you can keep it for the Huawei router.

Squidgy Black · 19-11-2019 9:19pm

So Levy has sacked Pochettino and his coaching staff. The website has crashed with people trying to read the statement.

Fúck me, Levy's such a dickhead. Definitely the end of an era for us.

awec · 19-11-2019 9:21pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

So Levy has sacked Pochettino and his coaching staff. The website has crashed with people trying to read the statement.

Fúck me, Levy's such a dickhead. Definitely the end of an era for us.

Madness.

Mourinho incoming? I’d say the arsenal job will be available soon so he might wait for that.

Squidgy Black · 19-11-2019 9:26pm

awec wrote: »

Madness.

Mourinho incoming? I’d say the arsenal job will be available soon so he might wait for that.

Mourinho and Levy would be an absolute nightmare combination for the fans. There's no way Levy would open his wallet to allow Jose to do what he does best, which is try and buy success.

There's talk of Benitez which would probably work out, he's a man who loves developing younger players, but honestly we've a massive issue in the dressing room with players who just aren't motivated and don't seem to care.

awec · 19-11-2019 9:30pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Mourinho and Levy would be an absolute nightmare combination for the fans. There's no way Levy would open his wallet to allow Jose to do what he does best, which is try and buy success.

There's talk of Benitez which would probably work out, he's a man who loves developing younger players, but honestly we've a massive issue in the dressing room with players who just aren't motivated and don't seem to care.

Benitez a good shout, think he’d be a good fit at spurs.

United should go get Poch, but they won’t

Zzippy · 19-11-2019 10:23pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Do you want to avoid getting a router? I'm paying 43 per month without a data cap. Don't think I could deal with having a cap.

What provider? We are kinda stuck with wireless... No fibre and so far from the cabinet that copper wire internet speed around here is muck.

prawnsambo wrote: »

I think those routers are locked to the provider (like mobile phones). You could probably buy an unlocked router on eBay or the like. Huawei do some pretty good ones that you can get for around the £60 mark. Then just pick up a 3 mobile PAYG SIM with a €20 top up and you're good to go.

In fact if you get the 3 SIM, you can test it in your Vodafone router to be sure. Easy and cheap way to do it and if it doesn't work, you can keep it for the Huawei router.

How can we test a 3 SIM in the VF router if it is locked?

prawnsambo · 19-11-2019 10:27pm

Zzippy wrote: »

What provider? We are kinda stuck with wireless... No fibre and so far from the cabinet that copper wire internet speed around here is muck.

How can we test a 3 SIM in the VF router if it is locked?

It's just testing to establish if it is locked. I'd be 90% sure it is, but it would be a bit stupid not to establish that for certain.

b.gud · 22-11-2019 5:04pm

Anyone here switch from Virgin media to Sky or Vodafone Fibre, (not siro)? Thinking about switching and wondering if anyone has first hand experience.

Squidgy Black · 22-11-2019 5:25pm

b.gud wrote: »

Anyone here switch from Virgin media to Sky or Vodafone Fibre, (not siro)? Thinking about switching and wondering if anyone has first hand experience.

The problem with Vodafone/Sky/Eir is your fate is completely in the hands of an Eir engineer if you haven't got an active phone line that has no issues and have the existing connection points. And BT to switch your line over.

It can be simple sometimes and happen flawlessly, particularly if you aren't porting a phone number over, or it can be an absolute nightmare and can take weeks if not months.

Best thing to do is if you have an older phone connection port in the house, get a lend of an old landline phone to connect and lift the handset or try dial out, if you hear a dial tone you're laughing.

stephen_n · 24-11-2019 10:09pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Mourinho and Levy would be an absolute nightmare combination for the fans. There's no way Levy would open his wallet to allow Jose to do what he does best, which is try and buy success.

There's talk of Benitez which would probably work out, he's a man who loves developing younger players, but honestly we've a massive issue in the dressing room with players who just aren't motivated and don't seem to care.

As a Spurs fan for nearly 40 years I’m well used to being disappointed. This week has taken it to a whole new level though. Jose and Levy is a marriage made in hell. I hope he falls flat on his face and both of them get the boot.

thomond2006 · 26-11-2019 5:46pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Lamar Jackson is the next NFL superstar. He's absolutely incredible to watch.

Jackson had an incredible game last night too.
He and Mahomes could be this generation's Manning and Brady.

Off Topic Thread 4.0

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