@Nasdaf: Carlton said that 1) it wouldn't make sense to the viewer or be compelling storytelling in that format, and 2) it would be too difficult to figure out how to interrelate the timelines for the different characters within the flashbacks. (In other words, which events in Hurley's flashbacks came before or after which events in Jack's flashbacks.)
@ceti: I agree regarding the Dark Tower. Never has a book series started in such complete awesomeness and ended in such a complete and utter craphole. I pray the same fate does not befall Lost!
@Chip Overclock: Ditto ;-)
This may be one of my most favorite io9 posts ever! Seriously, if you're not watching this show you really should. Even if it is canceled, there won't be any unresolved story arcs, just far less laughs to be had.
@Ruthless, If you let me: I love the idea of a LOST viewing party! And I still haven't been to the Museum of Jurassic Technology so that would be a great weekend meeting spot.
#lameetup
@Ruthless, If you let me: Call it what you want, but WE WANT A LOS ANGELES MEETUP!!!
I really enjoyed Avatar (despite the story issues), but working in the industry I can tell you that a movie's success relies heavily on the competition. Seriously, how much competition has this film had? With no Harry Potter or the like around, what else was generating any kind of buzz as a must-see film? (Almost everyone I know that went to the movies over the holidays saw this particular film.)
Now factor in two four-day holiday weekends in an economy where more folks than ever were in town with not much else they could afford to do and there you have it.
@RollsRoyceRevenge: "Too much kickboxing, not enough deducing. "
Perfect! (But you left out that it was too darned long.)
@kityglitr: Glad to know I wasn't the only one brought to tears. It was an absolutely fantastic episode. #dollhouse
@John Hazard: That's exactly what I was thinking - the Penny version of the Buffy-bot! #drhorrible
@pickmeohnevermind: May I add in a 1b) - Doesn't Charlie have a wife? Is NotCharlie going home to her every night and managing to fool her and if not, wouldn't Charlie's wife contact Olivia to find out why?
@Grey_Area: Coincidentally enough, I saw this just three days ago and fell in love with the visual style. Hopefully they wouldn't change it!
The product pictured is "No Jet Lag" - it's homeopathic and can be found at Whole Foods. I've used it for years and it really helps! I took it on my red-eye to Paris and was ready to go for my Segway tour of the city that evening.
I wanted to like it but it didn't work for me. I'm not sure why since I loved the steampunk aspects - perhaps it was that I didn't care for the lead actress at all.
I'm sorry Charlie Jane...
I'm sure you wrote an incredibly insightful piece here, but I simply could not read past where you called "Heart of Gold" one of Firefly's weakest episodes.
"Heart of Gold" holds a special place in my heart, not only for the seriously steamy Mal sex scene with Nandi (it's nice to know the man got laid at least ONCE in the show and movie's timeline), but for where the incident takes Mal's relationship with Inara. And let's not forget the conversation Wash and Zoe have about having children which is especially heartbreaking in light of the events of the movie. There may have been some silly crap in between about whores and bullies, but overall it was an important and enjoyable episode.
OK, I think I've let off enough steam to return to reading.
I saw the movie in 3D and felt it really drew me into the film. I thought it especially worked wonders for the incredibly detailed scenes inside Gallaxhar's spaceship.
As for the perhaps dated message (is valuing yourself every really dated?), the film is a homage to the monster movies of the 50's after all so the message fits well into that design.
All animated films are made with the actors recording their parts separately - this is by no means a first. What makes MvA unique was the amount of improv allowed and encouraged.
I saw the film yesterday in (stereoscopic) 3D and was just blown away by how beautiful it was and how much more immersed in the story it allowed me to be. The scenes inside the alien spacecraft were particular detailed and rich.
So if you can, get yourself to a theatre showing it in 3D!
@diverguy: I missed that line. Who said it?
@bookfoldbrewcineaste: Yes, the type of 3D used for the actual film is universes beyond the crappy 3D they had to use for the broadcast commercial. It's a real shame that people will judge the theatrical 3D on what they saw Sunday.
