I agree that's how a historian should do approach his job, but I suspect that's rarely the case of how it's actually done in practice.
Ed Bloom (Big Fish)
Neo (The Matrix trilogy)
Mr. Pink (Reservoir Dogs)
Vito Corleone (The Godfather)
Clark Griswold (National Lampoon films)
Raymond Babbitt (Rain Man)
Red (The Shawshank Redemption)
Police Chief Martin Brody (Jaws)
I agree that's how a historian should do approach his job, but I suspect that's rarely the case of how it's actually done in practice.
That's what I meant when I said we were talking about two different things. I was speaking about history as a category, and you - both - about its historical phenomenon, which is, quite obviously, mythology. At every given moment. That's what caused the bear's confusion - you couldn't have for all those years considered me such a moron as to deny such obvious things?
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so yes, as i suspected, clarification shows agreement.
*dives in to join* *grouphug*
It'll take a lot more than words and guns,
A whole lot more than riches and muscle.
The hands of the many must join as one.
And together we'll cross the river.
Puscifer, "The Humbling River"
Exactly what I conceded to myself when you first posted, which is why I didn't drag this thread further afield myself. Good points, Brice and jayson, and Woofer (earlier). Still -- you the man, Jean.
Back to The Matrix: I don't think that the (repeatedly complained about here) supposed unoriginality of its "key" concept really does detract from the importance or overall quality of the films.
It'll take a lot more than words and guns,
A whole lot more than riches and muscle.
The hands of the many must join as one.
And together we'll cross the river.
Puscifer, "The Humbling River"
Well, I wouldn't say that "it's all" about the execution: Content certainly matters. I see the point you're all making, tho, I think.
However... I dunno; I would never say that The Matrix is the best movie of all time, but I do like it, alright.
When it comes to best characters, however, we can ultimately agree. I don't think that Neo was perfectly executed, but not too bad. I do think his conception was pretty good, personally. IMO, tho, he just never showed enough self-determination to warrant his advancement here towards our title. *shrug*
Ah, but good content in a story/book/movie/whatever that bores/angers/disgusts/whatever one to the point of not completing it has defeated itself by driving off the audience.
It'll take a lot more than words and guns,
A whole lot more than riches and muscle.
The hands of the many must join as one.
And together we'll cross the river.
Puscifer, "The Humbling River"
Not if it is only one.
And my point: there's only so much that you can do with poor content, anyway.
Believe me, I know all about trying to make something good from inadequate input. I'm doing it right now.
Perhaps it's best if I just say nothing more because I am too tired of having to prove that what I'm doing is right to people who have never done it and that's probably making me a little bit pissy here. I apologize if that is the case. Fall also seems to ramp up my SAD, which sucks because I LOVE fall.
"Just do everything I tell you to do." MJK
It'll take a lot more than words and guns,
A whole lot more than riches and muscle.
The hands of the many must join as one.
And together we'll cross the river.
Puscifer, "The Humbling River"
Eh. Nothing personal, Woofer. Still, do hope that your job is not all bad. Thanks for your participation here. All quite interesting.
ROFL!
TOOL and Maynard James Keenan from the song Opiate - album of the same name.
It'll take a lot more than words and guns,
A whole lot more than riches and muscle.
The hands of the many must join as one.
And together we'll cross the river.
Puscifer, "The Humbling River"
Oh fine! Call me names! Its soooo easy!