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San Francisco, 6:46 AM
Sun Nov 8
10 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/05/09
11/06/09
11/06/09
11/05/09
Yeah. I have to say I was unimpressed.
I could get the "Obama bashing" ref, I suppose. Seemed a little ham-handed, especially when they interposed alien-Anna's calm message with crazy resistance guy's ramblings.
I found the dialog pretty bad. The characters were pretty difficult for me to like, especially the teenagers. I especially couldn't understand the priest and his deal with God and aliens.
The narrative felt rushed and choppy. There didn't feel like there was any real chemistry between the actors and it made the human race (at least the representatives of the human race in New York) seem pretty gullible and stupid.
Can't say I'm tempted to watch more of this.
Oh, and our secret weapon? That line alone made me taste bile. Saaaaaapppy....
11/05/09
It's not "Obama bashing" per say it's just pointing out how willingly humans will follow any leader that promises them the moon and the stars. For the dems it's Obama right now (whom I still have hope for but admit am deeply disappointed in that nothing has really changed) and in the 80's it was Regan for the conservatives. Regan's campaigns were all about hope and change and all that.
They used UHC because it's topical. That's all. And it wasn't the Vee who said it it was the "talking head" reporter who spun it that way.
Anyways, the show was way rushed and I had a hard time with everyone buying the aliens as purveyors of awesomeness so quickly.
I also didn't get the priest's assertions that "this is the perfect time to come with all of us in turmoil." Ugh, humans are ALWAYS in turmoil and it's ALWAYS the perfect time to come. We're always divided and in fact I'd say this isn't as terrible a time as it was, say, 5 years ago or any other time. I just hate when people get all melodramatic with the "this is the worst place we've been in yet!" stuff without stepping back at other times in history.
11/05/09
Nope, it's just bad TV.
Not only that, it can't be propaganda unless the government does it.
-Kle. #v
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He's pretty, and charismatic. It worked for JFK and, you know, Hollywood.
-Kle. #v
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11/04/09
I'm also rather glad that the male lead is a Catholic priest, thus, hopefully we'll be spared tiresome romantic tension between Erica and Father Jack. (Unless he starts reconsidering his vows...at which point I'll start pounding my head on my set.) #v
11/04/09
11/04/09
So, no I don't think it's intentionally about Obama. We're just reading into it. But, there were references to GWB in tons of movies and tv shows over the last 8 years, so there's a chance that someday the great Obama will be criticized, but I predict it will be in the loving way that "The Rock Obama" skits SNL do, they playfully punch your arm then give you a hug afterwards.
Answer: No. It is not anti-Obama propaganda.
And, I really enjoyed it.
11/04/09
Thank you for speaking for them en masse Cylon Conspiracy. #v
11/04/09
11/04/09
So actually you're the one exaggerating. You completely mis-characterized what I said.
All that other stuff is just your prejudice of what a liberal is. None of the liberals I know are like that, they just really don't like republicans, and they worship Obama. That doesn't mean they act like weirdos.
What are some shows you think I should watch that have a conservative slant to them? I'm always up for a new show or movie for my Netflix account.
And BTW, Berkeley is in one of the most beautiful and cool parts of the entire country. Absolutely love it up there.
11/04/09
Also Obama is hardly the savior he promoted himself as. He is just as bad as any other American President only more charming and eloquent, which is actually scarier. #v
11/04/09
But I don't see the correlation. The actual programming is very "liberal" slanted. I'm talking about the stuff that gets on the air/screen.
But, I agree that Obama is not the savior he promoted himself as, and I also agree that his charm and eloquence can mask his real motives (which I take as being not in our best interest).
Obviously charm and eloquence aren't bad things, but they sure can misdirect someone. And that is sad because those are genuine gifts for someone to have.
11/04/09
Most US programing seems to be quite filtered (to use Choamsky/Hermans idea) and creates an ideal identity of conservatism. The American Dream of financial success and Celebrity; of the white picket fence and friendly policemen; of the evil poor people who infect citys... I feel more inclined to see Hollywood as being less liberal than it likes to promote itself. It is still a completely biased industry in gender race and economy. #v
11/04/09
Meanwhile your proclamations that liberals worship Obama is some serious stereotyping. I've heard from a number of people who would describe themselves as liberal who've had some problems or at least misgivings with him of late. It's a tough job and you can't please everyone on either side, including his own.
Also, all liberals don't hate Republicans. Some do, the partisan ones. But it's also vice versa for Republicans. Some are partisan and hate anything and everything liberal and some don't. Again, you are making grand sweeping statements about some liberal Nazi state in Hollywood that forces conservatives to go underground. It sounds like paranoia to me which is probably why you like this show.
re: "But, I agree that Obama is not the savior he promoted himself as, and I also agree that his charm and eloquence can mask his real motives"
He's an EVIL lizard, doncha know? #v
11/04/09
11/05/09
Thanks for the personal attacks. Those are always helpful.
All that stuff you said about liberals is foolish, I know you were being sarcastic but I don't think liberals act that way. Don't transfer your own misconceptions and stereotypes onto me. I'd hate to hear your "sarcastic" view of how conservatives are.
And I never made the assertion that V was about Obama, so I take it your comment about him being an evil lizard was your own thing.
I like V because I like science fiction. I was a kid when the original miniseries was on and was a fan for that reason. I still remember being a kid in my grandmother's living room watching that first "away shuttle" leaving the mothership to meet the humans. That's why I like it. Not because I'm paranoid.
I assume you are a sci-fi fan too and your interest in genre entertainment is not the result of some character defect.
I spent 8 years hearing about how evil Bush was and how he was a dictator. You're just going to have to adjust to the shoe being on the other foot, unless of course every time Bush was criticized you came to his defense. From what you've said to me so far, I doubt that was the case.
11/05/09
If you can't tell the difference there is nothing I can do to help that.
For what it's worth, while I was no fan of George W. Bush, I wouldn't automatically dismiss or criticize everything he said or did either.
At very first I supported the war in Iraq because I felt that those people deserve a better leader than Saddam Hussein.
But then I realized George, like Ronald Moore's cylons, really had no plan at all. #v
11/05/09
I didn't figure you were a fan of GWB, I just wonder if when people made negative comments about him, you got just as upset with them over it as any of my comments about Obama.
11/05/09
I'm not upset about George Bush or Obama. They are adults and can take care of themselves. I am sure they will both be just fine and are well used to being criticized.
I don't really care, I just don't want to be slapped in the face with over the top blatantly obvious political allegory from EITHER side (I wasn't a fan of the Battlestar Iraqtica story ark on BSG either and that was anti-Bush). For one it ruins my suspension of disbelief and for another if I want to hear that I will watch the news.
I'd rather draw my own parallels than having them force fed to me, even yes ones I agree with.
I also think it's a ridiculous over generalization to say everyone associated with entertainment media is uber liberal and would never produce an anti-liberal allegory piece. There's all types out there. Including yes in the entertainment business.
Now go on and have the last word. You clearly need to have it. #v
11/05/09
I keep pointing out what my original words were, and you keep saying that I said "all". Read it again until it sinks in that I never said what you keep saying.
I don't trust Obama. You are free to. Not trusting a president does not mean you think they are out to destroy the world. I sure don't think he has America's best interests at heart though. But, he is the freaking president of the United States, yes he can handle the criticism, and I don't think comments on a sci-fi message board are going to bother him all that much.
This thread is called "Is V Anti-Obama Propaganda?"
People are going to be talking about Obama in the context of whatever they think the show is about. That's the point of the thread.
11/04/09
11/05/09
LOL took the words outta my mouth. #v
11/04/09
That aside, a very dumb show can still (and usually does) fall into damaging narratives. Propaganda has to have some measure of intelligence behind it - and V didn't deliver that. Every political shot came off as nothing more than inserting buzz words to make the show seem "topical." #v
11/04/09
I agree that it would have been nice to get to know the characters a little better but I have to say I enjoyed the fast pace after the glacial Fast Forward. I really enjoyed Elizabeth Mitchell and the 4400 Priest (he doesn't age does he - must be all that moist air in Vancouver) the teens made me cringe but that's not unusual.
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Subtle allegory, it wasn't. #v
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11/04/09
I whole-heartedly agree with 4400 priest guy's concern that blind devotion can be a dangerous thing, although it's a little ironic coming from a catholic priest of all things. My biggest beef with uber Obama supporters is their unwavering devotion and support for big government and it's figurehead, seeing how they were vehemently protesting those very things a little more then a year ago. If a pretty face and a suave word are all it takes to turn the cynics into the doe-eyed koolaid drinking worshipers, maybe humanity deserves to be cattle for the alien reptiles. To be honest though, the whole thing is probably more like the Jedi Trials cave... completely empty aside from what you bring in with you. Tabla Rasa... you fill in the blanks.
Once I got over the pain of watching Alan Tudyk get whacked in the first episode, I began to wonder if anyone else would find his death by metal rod through the chest as amusing as I did. The whole thing reminded me of the "They keep killing Suzie" episode of Torchwood. Wonder if that's going to become Alan's tongue in cheek signature way to go from now on? #v
11/04/09
So -- if they've already taken a position on it, and even I know that, why is 4400 Priest Guy all "how can they say this and decide so fast?" He's a priest, he'd know what the church's official position on aliens is.
Sloppy writing and research.
Also, hoo-boy at the lack of subtlety. In the first 5 min. Father 4400 has to save Wheelchair Guy from a falling crucifix? Teenage-level writing, much? #v
11/04/09
Here's what they said:
[padrefunes.blogspot.com]
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That approach didn't work out so well for the aliens in The Arrival. You'd think the V's would do their homework. #v
11/04/09
Bye Bye Hollywood Remakes for me.
BSG was the last remake for me ever. #v
11/04/09
Reruns... remakes... not much difference.
Also, you say this in every thread about every remake. Talk about reruns! #v