Suspension of Disbelief

[Edcrab]

I just got rather annoyed the other day. My dad has a large widescreen television and so he invited me round to watch his LOTR: The Two Towers vid. My little sister also turned up. A little way into the film, as Gandalf plummets, grappling with the Balrog, she says "Pfft. He should have been set on fire."

And that's when it hit me- I really bloody hate people who step to far into fantasy and sci-fi.

My sister's excuse is that she's a teenager with very little brain, but who do these so called fans think they are when they criticise every bloody aspect of a film? Light sabres impossible? Tell someone who cares. You're not a fan, you're a nerd with nothing better to do.

We all know that plasma based technology is impossible. We all know that nanotechnology is decades away. We all know that animals can't talk- we watch films, rather than taking down pointless details for later complaints.

I've seen people bash the Holy Grail, asking why the Rabbit had to be hit with the Holy Hand Grenade when Sorcerer Tim has fiery death in his fingertips. I wanted to beat him to death with a herring.

Glaring inaccuracies from a historical standpoint or in a sense of continuity? Perhaps. Saying that the One Ring would've penetrated the crust on the lava sooner? Stop watching films already.

 

[Brian Damage]

I just watch 'em for the explosions, babes, and spaceships...

:E

 

[Death.Trap]

I wanted to beat him to death with a herring.

My last name is herring

(no joke)


But I know what you mean. Hell, I even do it sometimes, but just for fun.


I WOULD like to know how you know that plasma based technology is impossible though. It may be impossible for us currently at our level of technology. But who knows, 100 years from now it could be the norm.


Also, have any of you guys heard of quantum computers? Their pretty interesting.

 

[Direwolf]

I think thats what he meant, we don't have anything like that now.
What annoys me more is when people criticize things that make sense within the context of the movie. I mean Gandalf is a WIZARD, hes not going to get barbequed.

 

[Farrowlesparrow]

Its like i always say, in the universe of the film which the creator has made...it works. Stop complaining about time travel not being possible when in the film it is.

 

[Varsity]

I don't like illlogical (not necesarily unrealistic) stuff in films and games, because it distracts me from what is going on. Sure, it's more 'dramatic' but it's plainly stupid.

 

[Fat Tony!]

I complain all the time, usually when i watch it out of my own free will.
The excuse for complaints should always answered by "magic"

 

[Edcrab]

Just like nanotechnology in science fiction then :E

My last name is herring

(no joke)


But I know what you mean. Hell, I even do it sometimes, but just for fun.


I WOULD like to know how you know that plasma based technology is impossible though. It may be impossible for us currently at our level of technology. But who knows, 100 years from now it could be the norm.


Also, have any of you guys heard of quantum computers? Their pretty interesting.

Yeah, I meant impossible at our current level. Plasma exists and we've formed the stuff, but we just can't use it yet- no material can stop it. Harnessing plasma doesn't just mean the typical energy weapon theory, but could unlock the door to fusion power. I still wonder if magnetic fields are the answer to that.

*ahem* Anyway, I can see why people discuss some things in far too much detail (I'm sure we're all guilty of that) but if Han Solo took thirteen hundred million years to get between the stars would it be quite as fun? Then again we'd delay a mindless battle between two men with flashlights.

 

[Sprafa]

Ever watched Space Odissey ?

It's one of the best movies ever simply b/c it has realism in all details. No sound in space, no stupid aliens with crappy technology that humans can penetrate (ID4)....

 

[CyberSh33p]

you should have said "gandalf is a wizard, fool!" then impaled her with a spear +1. that woulda quieted her.

 

[blahblahblah]

Just like nanotechnology in science fiction then :E



Yeah, I meant impossible at our current level. Plasma exists and we've formed the stuff, but we just can't use it yet- no material can stop it. Harnessing plasma doesn't just mean the typical energy weapon theory, but could unlock the door to fusion power. I still wonder if magnetic fields are the answer to that.

I'm no scientist, but isn't the stuff in neon signs plasma? What about plasma T.V's?

Anyways, you should have the right to criticize a movie if it is trying to be historically accurate. Even "unbelievable" movies need to have some basis in reality. Otherwise you can't have your "suspension of disbelief." But, for a movie like LOTR, you should probably take it for face value and nothing more.

 

[Edcrab]

I meant plasma in the "fourth stage of matter" sense- what a gas becomes when superheated, rather than a fancy name for improved electrolyisis-based lighting.

 

[Brian Damage]

Well, plate quartz will contain plasma (Not point-of-fusion plasma, but still superheated), in fact, that's partly what they're using in the new plasma rockets that are being developed...

 

[Edcrab]

I honestly hadn't realised that- I thought it was a work in progress, more theoretical design (for later levels of technological capability) than an actual invention. Either way, while plasma certainly exists, we can't (yet) harness it in the way most science-fiction civillisations do- so no plasma-bolt firing assault rifles anytime soon, mores the pity. Although I guess you could do it, single shot, just risk vaporising the gun and the wielders arm...

...god. I just sent my own thread off-topic :imu:

(he he! Look at it hop!)

 

[Brian Damage]

Ohhh, I wouldn't be too sure about that... one of the US military bases along the Australian coast sometimes emits small balls of light that have all the hallmarks of being plasmoids...

Heck, you want to make safe, real, plasma?

Get a candle, melt it to a saucer, light the wick, blow it out, and put it in your microwave on "High" while it's still smoking... the microwaves excite the vapour, producing a plasmoid which should persist in the microwave for a while...

You could contain plasma in a magnetic bottle... then you just need a way to accelerate it, thought that might be solved if the magnetic bottle is also a compact looped accelerator... stable plasmoids hang together, so I think the problem of plasma dissipation in mid-flight can be worked around...

The power source could prove to be a problem, though...

 

[Death.Trap]

Pretty much any form of matter/energy(i think) can be contained within a magnetic field. That's one of the reasons that anti-matter propulsion will be possible in say, 2-30 years. Probably not economical, but possible. The only real problem is that we can only make anti-matter one atom at a time.

One thing I'm looking forward to are particle beam weapons

 

[Sulkdodds]

Edcrab, never ever go in the rumous and speculation forums then. I don't think you'd like it.

Incedentally, Brian...you watch LOTR for the explosions, babes and spaceships?

 

[Brian Damage]

Ah, but how do you know I've watched LOTR?

Actually, I have. I was really just being silly. Or possibly facetious. If that's how you spell it.

 

[Prince of China]

I just got rather annoyed the other day. My dad has a large widescreen television and so he invited me round to watch his LOTR: The Two Towers vid. My little sister also turned up. A little way into the film, as Gandalf plummets, grappling with the Balrog, she says "Pfft. He should have been set on fire."

And that's when it hit me- I really bloody hate people who step to far into fantasy and sci-fi.

My sister's excuse is that she's a teenager with very little brain, but who do these so called fans think they are when they criticise every bloody aspect of a film? Light sabres impossible? Tell someone who cares. You're not a fan, you're a nerd with nothing better to do.

We all know that plasma based technology is impossible. We all know that nanotechnology is decades away. We all know that animals can't talk- we watch films, rather than taking down pointless details for later complaints.

I've seen people bash the Holy Grail, asking why the Rabbit had to be hit with the Holy Hand Grenade when Sorcerer Tim has fiery death in his fingertips. I wanted to beat him to death with a herring.

Glaring inaccuracies from a historical standpoint or in a sense of continuity? Perhaps. Saying that the One Ring would've penetrated the crust on the lava sooner? Stop watching films already.

Stephen Hawkings once called Star Wars a freud.
He believe some of the things were impossible such as the lightsabers.
But people don't watch sci-fi or fantasy movies to see if the laws of physics apply, that's there problem if lightsabers can never be made.
They think they know what's best for films. They shouldn't watch the movies at all.

 

[CyberSh33p]

Stephen Hawkings once called Star Wars a freud.

I think you meant fraud there =|

I was wondering why stephen hawking thought star wars was the father of modern psychoanalysis

 

[Prince of China]

Yes...fraud.

 

[Flyingdebris]

i don't know, a litle critism is a good thing IMO

suspension of disbelief doesn't work when the stuff that happens is batshit insane

ever watch Charlie's Angel's 2? Don't

Badguy walks through a gasoline fire unhurt for no reason and with no explenation

Another badguy goes into bulletime, flips upside down at the apex of a dirtbike jump, empties out 2 fully loaded pistols while upside down, and then flips back onto his seat before he lands. The whole time looking very cheaply animated

or how about a skinny supermodel firing gold plated d-eagles akimbo?

or avoiding a tankshell with a truck

or cold starting a helicopter (an MI24 hind no less) during a 500 foot fall and somehow not hitting the ground

the list goes on

 

[Mr-Fusion]

To criticise the lack of realism in fantasy films such as Star Wars or LOTR is without a doubt the saddest and most pathetic thing any human being can engage in.

 

[Sparta]

I've seen people bash the Holy Grail, asking why the Rabbit had to be hit with the Holy Hand Grenade when Sorcerer Tim has fiery death in his fingertips. I wanted to beat him to death with a herring.

lol. thats my new sig

 

[Neutrino]

I take it then that the orginal thread starter and those of you who don't like to critizise movies are not fans of Mystery Science Theater 3000?

 

[Sulkdodds]

I'm not a fan. Mostly because I've never heard of it.