tehblackw0lf
tehblackw0lf
Post rating:
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THE PLAYERS
Bo Yibo
The father of Bo Xilai, Bo Yibo was one of the "Eight Immortals," a cadre of influential and long-lasting officials in the Chinese government. He was identified as a capitalist roader by Mao and was purged, but reemerged under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping. He supported economic liberalization, but not political change.
Bo Xilai
A rising star in China before his sudden disgrace, Bo Xilai was known for his embrace of "red culture." He agitated against market reformism and favored increased welfare; his model of governance became known as the Chongqing model. Many flowery profiles were written about him and his fights against organized crime and for the common people. His political fortunes turned abruptly after his wife was accused of murdering a British investor and corruption allegations surfaced. Bo Xilai is vigorously defending himself against the allegations at the trial, currently entering its fourth day on Sunday.
Gu Kailai
Gu Kailai was convicted for the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood. Bo Xilai lieutenant Wang Lijun, deciding to betray Bo Xilai, traveled to the US Consulate in China, where he turned over evidence of corruption against Bo and details implicating Gu Kailai in the murder. Differing versions of the story alternatively claim Gu poisoned Heywood either for threatening to expose overseas money transfers or for demanding money for a failed real estate investment. Gu Kailai was given a suspended death sentence and testified against Bo Xilai at the trial. Many observers say the resulting fallout has discredited the Chongqing model and socialist values.
Zhang Ziyi
The glamorous movie star Zhang Ziyi was listed as one of the "hundreds" of alleged mistresses of Bo Xilai. Her lawyer has described the claims as complete fabrication, and a US lawyer said the scandal has cost her at least $750,000 in lost work and endorsements. Zhang Ziyi previously starred in Memoirs of a Geisha and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the Oscar award winning film directed by Ang Lee.
Brokeback Mountain
Brokeback Mountain was a 2005 epic romantic film also directed by Ang Lee. The movie starred Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as gay lovers in the American west. Ledger was quoted in TIME magazine controversially stating, "I don't think Ennis could be labeled as gay. Without Jack Twist, I don't know that he ever would have come out.... I think the whole point was that it was two souls that fell in love with each other." Ledger would go on to star as The Joker in Christopher Nolan's 2008 film The Dark Knight. Ledger is said to have been so dedicated to inhabiting the role that it led to his death. The tortured actor died due to complications of drug use on January 22, 2008, although his work as The Joker would go on to be enshrined in immortality when he posthumously was awarded the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for the role.
Ben Affleck
It is understandable, then, given the prestigious history of the Batman franchise and its place in the cultural zeitgeist that the selection of Ben Affleck to play the role of Batman was controversial. Affleck, tapped for the role in the forthcoming 2015 film Batman vs. Superman, was a choice that could only be described as questionable at best. Numerous Internet commentators quickly pounced on the casting decision, and the fan response can best be summed up by the flood of memes that followed, only a few of which are shared below:
http://www.trbimg.com/img-5216ef74/turbine/la-fi-tn-let-the-ben-affleck-batman-memes-begi-001/500
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BSUiGEwCUAA2CWS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/WoJCjHP.png
http://i.imgur.com/nhLUBsf.jpg
Affleck is not an actor with much range. Batman needs to be dark and somber, cunning, brilliant, supremely badass, scarred, borderline insane, stoic, wise, and so on. Affleck can't do that. Can he play Bruce Wayne? Maybe. Maybe he has the smarminess to pull that off. But Batman? I don't think so.
Recall again that The Dark Knight currently sits at an 8.9 aggregate score on over 1,000,000 votes at imdb.com's list of top movies as voted by users. That's good enough to rank it as the 6th best movie of all time. This is a serious franchise, one that has been seriously successful and important in the recent past. With Christopher Nolan, director of The Dark Knight, remaining on as a producer, hopes were high that the franchise would reboot in the right way. The fandom assumed the new movie would be sufficiently dark and intriguing. Unfortunately, the Affleck casting sends all the wrong signals. When people look at the new Batman, they won't see "Batman," but will instead see Ben Affleck, Bennifer, Matt Damon's boytoy.
Christian Bale came closest to making the character believable: he's got the acting skills to play a role that grandiose. The Batman voice is he used has been subject to some criticism and on the whole I'd argue that even he didn't exactly nail the part. Maybe Jon Hamm could have been an interesting option, but Ben Affleck? Now, I admit he has been in some better films lately, but I wouldn't say his acting has improved that much. He's just not a fantastic actor. He isn't always atrocious, but he's not a strong choice when it's likely much better could have been done for much cheaper. When it's Batman you're talking about, it's not the time to compromise.
The strengths Affleck has shown lately have been more in the writing and directing departments than in his actual acting. The optimistic fan might think that perhaps Ben Affleck can reel in Zack Snyder. We know he has the chops to help, so maybe he can help bring some vision to the film. However, I hate to break it to you, but I don't think writers and directors usually take notes from actors, and that isn't going to be Ben's job on the film.
I had a lot of friends who laughed at my complaints about Megan Fox playing April O'Neill when it was announced. Well, I hate to have to ask, who's laughing now? Nobody, that's who. If the nerds don't stand up for their properties, Hollywood will keep walking all over us, bastardizing our most important material (JJ Abrams's Star Trek, for example?). What the Affleck move ultimately reeks of is a commercial strategy to bring in women. The Batman powers that be know they have the purists in their pocket. They are counting on us to turn out no matter what product they churn out. So now they are focusing on bringing in females, and they think pretty boy Ben Affleck is the way to do it. Well, I say we make them pay. I say it's time. Time to boycot Batman. Who's with me?
Bo Yibo
The father of Bo Xilai, Bo Yibo was one of the "Eight Immortals," a cadre of influential and long-lasting officials in the Chinese government. He was identified as a capitalist roader by Mao and was purged, but reemerged under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping. He supported economic liberalization, but not political change.
Bo Xilai
A rising star in China before his sudden disgrace, Bo Xilai was known for his embrace of "red culture." He agitated against market reformism and favored increased welfare; his model of governance became known as the Chongqing model. Many flowery profiles were written about him and his fights against organized crime and for the common people. His political fortunes turned abruptly after his wife was accused of murdering a British investor and corruption allegations surfaced. Bo Xilai is vigorously defending himself against the allegations at the trial, currently entering its fourth day on Sunday.
Gu Kailai
Gu Kailai was convicted for the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood. Bo Xilai lieutenant Wang Lijun, deciding to betray Bo Xilai, traveled to the US Consulate in China, where he turned over evidence of corruption against Bo and details implicating Gu Kailai in the murder. Differing versions of the story alternatively claim Gu poisoned Heywood either for threatening to expose overseas money transfers or for demanding money for a failed real estate investment. Gu Kailai was given a suspended death sentence and testified against Bo Xilai at the trial. Many observers say the resulting fallout has discredited the Chongqing model and socialist values.
Zhang Ziyi
The glamorous movie star Zhang Ziyi was listed as one of the "hundreds" of alleged mistresses of Bo Xilai. Her lawyer has described the claims as complete fabrication, and a US lawyer said the scandal has cost her at least $750,000 in lost work and endorsements. Zhang Ziyi previously starred in Memoirs of a Geisha and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the Oscar award winning film directed by Ang Lee.
Brokeback Mountain
Brokeback Mountain was a 2005 epic romantic film also directed by Ang Lee. The movie starred Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as gay lovers in the American west. Ledger was quoted in TIME magazine controversially stating, "I don't think Ennis could be labeled as gay. Without Jack Twist, I don't know that he ever would have come out.... I think the whole point was that it was two souls that fell in love with each other." Ledger would go on to star as The Joker in Christopher Nolan's 2008 film The Dark Knight. Ledger is said to have been so dedicated to inhabiting the role that it led to his death. The tortured actor died due to complications of drug use on January 22, 2008, although his work as The Joker would go on to be enshrined in immortality when he posthumously was awarded the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for the role.
Ben Affleck
It is understandable, then, given the prestigious history of the Batman franchise and its place in the cultural zeitgeist that the selection of Ben Affleck to play the role of Batman was controversial. Affleck, tapped for the role in the forthcoming 2015 film Batman vs. Superman, was a choice that could only be described as questionable at best. Numerous Internet commentators quickly pounced on the casting decision, and the fan response can best be summed up by the flood of memes that followed, only a few of which are shared below:
http://www.trbimg.com/img-5216ef74/turbine/la-fi-tn-let-the-ben-affleck-batman-memes-begi-001/500
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BSUiGEwCUAA2CWS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/WoJCjHP.png
http://i.imgur.com/nhLUBsf.jpg
Affleck is not an actor with much range. Batman needs to be dark and somber, cunning, brilliant, supremely badass, scarred, borderline insane, stoic, wise, and so on. Affleck can't do that. Can he play Bruce Wayne? Maybe. Maybe he has the smarminess to pull that off. But Batman? I don't think so.
Recall again that The Dark Knight currently sits at an 8.9 aggregate score on over 1,000,000 votes at imdb.com's list of top movies as voted by users. That's good enough to rank it as the 6th best movie of all time. This is a serious franchise, one that has been seriously successful and important in the recent past. With Christopher Nolan, director of The Dark Knight, remaining on as a producer, hopes were high that the franchise would reboot in the right way. The fandom assumed the new movie would be sufficiently dark and intriguing. Unfortunately, the Affleck casting sends all the wrong signals. When people look at the new Batman, they won't see "Batman," but will instead see Ben Affleck, Bennifer, Matt Damon's boytoy.
Christian Bale came closest to making the character believable: he's got the acting skills to play a role that grandiose. The Batman voice is he used has been subject to some criticism and on the whole I'd argue that even he didn't exactly nail the part. Maybe Jon Hamm could have been an interesting option, but Ben Affleck? Now, I admit he has been in some better films lately, but I wouldn't say his acting has improved that much. He's just not a fantastic actor. He isn't always atrocious, but he's not a strong choice when it's likely much better could have been done for much cheaper. When it's Batman you're talking about, it's not the time to compromise.
The strengths Affleck has shown lately have been more in the writing and directing departments than in his actual acting. The optimistic fan might think that perhaps Ben Affleck can reel in Zack Snyder. We know he has the chops to help, so maybe he can help bring some vision to the film. However, I hate to break it to you, but I don't think writers and directors usually take notes from actors, and that isn't going to be Ben's job on the film.
I had a lot of friends who laughed at my complaints about Megan Fox playing April O'Neill when it was announced. Well, I hate to have to ask, who's laughing now? Nobody, that's who. If the nerds don't stand up for their properties, Hollywood will keep walking all over us, bastardizing our most important material (JJ Abrams's Star Trek, for example?). What the Affleck move ultimately reeks of is a commercial strategy to bring in women. The Batman powers that be know they have the purists in their pocket. They are counting on us to turn out no matter what product they churn out. So now they are focusing on bringing in females, and they think pretty boy Ben Affleck is the way to do it. Well, I say we make them pay. I say it's time. Time to boycot Batman. Who's with me?
Edited by tehblackw0lf ()
Superabound
Superabound
Not Your S.H.I.E.L.D.
Post rating:
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let me get this straiught, the names of the dudes frim Brockeback Mountain are Ennis, and Jack Twist? lmao
codywilson
codywilson
Post rating:
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a hamm batman would've been awesome
codywilson
codywilson
Post rating:
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wait how was affleck in argo? i haven't seen it, but has anyone else and if so how was the performance?
Superabound
Superabound
Not Your S.H.I.E.L.D.
Post rating:
+
hello id like yiu to meet my two new ranchhands, Pannis Gyrate and his friend Jonny Applebottomseed
[account deactivated]
getfiscal
getfiscal
Mike Nelson here.
Post rating:
+
radio canada did an investigation into the canadian caper that argo is based on and found that iranian officials knew about the whole thing but just didn't want them killed.
ilmdge
ilmdge
Online
Post rating:
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thanks for the primer, op. any word on what a bo xilai conviction would mean for ben affleck and the batman franchise?
getfiscal
getfiscal
Mike Nelson here.
Post rating:
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zhang ziyi is hot. i would like to take her out for milkshakes.
stegosaurus
stegosaurus
Post rating:
+
Argo was so bad. And singing red songs isn't enough. sending text messages to ten million people that say things like "I always liked what Stephen cov- er I mean, Mao, used to say: believe in yourself and you will surely go far" is not really comparable to socialist construction
stegosaurus
stegosaurus
Post rating:
+
Should have ended with Kevin bacon, otherwise superb op
SariBari
SariBari
Post rating:
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HOT new zzone live trial coverage
stegosaurus
stegosaurus
Post rating:
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Cameras are not allowed in the courtroom but using the annotations feature to draw swastikas and genitalia all over your posts is not only allowed but compulsory.
Superabound
Superabound
Not Your S.H.I.E.L.D.
Post rating:
+
getfiscal posted:zhang ziyi is hot. i would like to take her out for milkshakes.
asians are lactose intolerant you ASS
Aspie_Muslim_Economist_
Aspie_Muslim_Economist_
Post rating:
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Superabound posted:getfiscal posted:
zhang ziyi is hot. i would like to take her out for milkshakes.
asians are lactose intolerant you ASS
thats tru but if mai asian waifu is any indication they'll still drink the shit out of some milkshakes
Ironicwarcriminal
Ironicwarcriminal
Post rating:
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Zhang Ziyi is very pretty.
codywilson
codywilson
Post rating:
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i wonder if she's related to zhang jike
FhIs6ir-rqE
the greatest table tennis player in the world.
FhIs6ir-rqE
the greatest table tennis player in the world.
ilmdge
ilmdge
Online
Post rating:
+
Behind the biggest drama to hit China's Communist Party since the protests in Tiananmen Square, Mr Bo said, was a story of how Chongqing’s police chief, Wang Lijun, had fallen inexorably in love with his wife, Gu Kailai.
When Mr Bo caught the pair, he claimed, the police chief of the city he ruled had fled his wrath, running to the safety of the United States consulate in a city 160 miles away, a treason which led to their mutual downfall.
“Wang was secretly in love with Gu Kailai for a long time,” Mr Bo told the court, adding that the police chief had declared his passion in a love letter. “In the letter it said he had always had feelings for Kailai and he could not help himself. He even slapped himself in the face eight times.”
“You are acting crazily,” Gu told her suitor, according to Mr Bo. “No, I used to be crazy, but now I am sane,” Wang allegedly replied.
“They had an extremely special relationship. I was fed up with it,” said Mr Bo. “Gu Kailai even brought Wang’s shoes into my house. I told Zhang Xiaojun (an aide) to get rid of them immediately”.
But when Mr Bo uncovered the relationship, his city’s police chief knew he had made a potentially fatal mistake. “He knew my character. He hurt my family. He hurt my feelings,” Mr Bo said.
There had long been rumours in Chongqing that the previously close bond between Mr Bo and Wang was shattered when they became tangled in a love triangle.
But the allegations by Mr Bo raise new and intriguing questions about the planning of, and the motive for, the murder of Neil Heywood. Wang had previously confessed that he helped Gu plan Mr Heywood’s killing.
Mr Bo’s tale of mad passion caused an instant sensation on the Chinese internet, with one popular post suggesting that the lovers were doomed from the start: Gu was a Scorpio while Wang was a Capricorn and therefore incompatible.
When Mr Bo caught the pair, he claimed, the police chief of the city he ruled had fled his wrath, running to the safety of the United States consulate in a city 160 miles away, a treason which led to their mutual downfall.
“Wang was secretly in love with Gu Kailai for a long time,” Mr Bo told the court, adding that the police chief had declared his passion in a love letter. “In the letter it said he had always had feelings for Kailai and he could not help himself. He even slapped himself in the face eight times.”
“You are acting crazily,” Gu told her suitor, according to Mr Bo. “No, I used to be crazy, but now I am sane,” Wang allegedly replied.
“They had an extremely special relationship. I was fed up with it,” said Mr Bo. “Gu Kailai even brought Wang’s shoes into my house. I told Zhang Xiaojun (an aide) to get rid of them immediately”.
But when Mr Bo uncovered the relationship, his city’s police chief knew he had made a potentially fatal mistake. “He knew my character. He hurt my family. He hurt my feelings,” Mr Bo said.
There had long been rumours in Chongqing that the previously close bond between Mr Bo and Wang was shattered when they became tangled in a love triangle.
But the allegations by Mr Bo raise new and intriguing questions about the planning of, and the motive for, the murder of Neil Heywood. Wang had previously confessed that he helped Gu plan Mr Heywood’s killing.
Mr Bo’s tale of mad passion caused an instant sensation on the Chinese internet, with one popular post suggesting that the lovers were doomed from the start: Gu was a Scorpio while Wang was a Capricorn and therefore incompatible.
cars
cars
UNUSUALY COOL
Post rating:
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I can appreciate all of what you say. Shouldn’t have to be so black
and white in the world. Sometimes, the husband, really, could be
the one to be there, in the home. If I could have made it as a
writer, I dreamed of being a Garp-like father/writer. Yes, I am
sure the reality can be a real killer. If I had a nanny, though,
even as an idea, I would have gone for custody against my first wife.
May she rest in peace. Soon.
I’m sure the day-to-day will eat your brain, but right now, all
I have, are fond memories of staying up all night with a baby
after a 12 hour shift -plus a part time job. Hope your nanny
is a Latina. I currently live in Buenos Aires. Lived in Costa
Rica before this. Latins love their kids. And their friends.
Publicly. Male cops here kiss each other on the cheek when
they say goodbye. I am beginning to believe that our ideas
about the longevity of retarded children is incorrect, and
possibly has more to do with acceptance. I am seeing more
and more down syndrome sons and daughter with gray
hair her. I think they are simply loved and accepted more
by their families here than in the U.S. With a nanny from
south or central america, I sometimes think that even I
could raise a child. I sure love the fun parts.
Thanks.
and white in the world. Sometimes, the husband, really, could be
the one to be there, in the home. If I could have made it as a
writer, I dreamed of being a Garp-like father/writer. Yes, I am
sure the reality can be a real killer. If I had a nanny, though,
even as an idea, I would have gone for custody against my first wife.
May she rest in peace. Soon.
I’m sure the day-to-day will eat your brain, but right now, all
I have, are fond memories of staying up all night with a baby
after a 12 hour shift -plus a part time job. Hope your nanny
is a Latina. I currently live in Buenos Aires. Lived in Costa
Rica before this. Latins love their kids. And their friends.
Publicly. Male cops here kiss each other on the cheek when
they say goodbye. I am beginning to believe that our ideas
about the longevity of retarded children is incorrect, and
possibly has more to do with acceptance. I am seeing more
and more down syndrome sons and daughter with gray
hair her. I think they are simply loved and accepted more
by their families here than in the U.S. With a nanny from
south or central america, I sometimes think that even I
could raise a child. I sure love the fun parts.
Thanks.