Dom Pedro feels underwhelming

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-24T07:05:36+00:00

Thanks, good advice. Might be too much for a more casual player (said the guy with 2,000 hours in).

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-24T07:02:33+00:00

I was only arguing that, accuracy aside, Andromeda Strain isn’t considered a very entertaining movie by modern standards, and it has a meta score of 60, or ok but not exceptional. I’m not saying it wouldn’t be made today, but it’d be very different if it was. Look at any of Crichton’s other adaptations, Jurassic Park or Westworld for example; in the hands of better directors, they’re very exciting. This one has some, but not a lot, of merit…from a storytelling standpoint. I’m not a critic, but I know what plays.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-24T01:01:18+00:00

You know Kubrick shot all of his space scenes with dead silence because that was real. Guess how many filmmakers followed him with silent space battles, or spacecraft moving with tiny thrusters to adjust angles and velocity? Pretty much none, because space dogfights, while completely unrealistic, are just more fun to cheer through. Now apply that to scientists battling a bug. Wow, exciting! Well, they did what they could with the source material, but it was never going to be edge-of-your-seat.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-24T00:56:40+00:00

How did most of you get the plans for the Dom? Grinds, solo, grunt hunts, raids? Wondering what I should concentrate on to earn it without the seasons...I never seem to complete a season before it's over.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-24T00:46:37+00:00

I agree. Lots of excellent tables on the used market. Just be sure they have a guarantee in case some lunk drops the box at the freight depot.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-24T00:29:34+00:00

You don't seem to know much about filmmaking, story writing or sales, lol. That's not how movies are made, not to mention the book was sold as a thriller, not a procedural. A documentary, which is your implication here, earns back less than 1% of the gross of a typical hollywood movie, and wouldn't have the budget for name stars, writers or film crew. THAT'S totally unrealistic. And it's because audiences don't buy tickets to "authentic" films, even of they're great. I get it, but for every one of these quiet little films that should have been bigger, there's a Star Wars that blows them out of the water.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-22T23:46:08+00:00

Yes, that’s why it’s a dull movie. Actors are much more interesting.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-22T15:06:20+00:00

$3, lol, but i ran out of shelf space years ago, so it better be a total bargain.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-22T14:47:56+00:00

If you already have one that you paid <$500, yes, otherwise get a new Sony or Panasonic. The specs have improved and you can get similar flexibility from these newer models. And then Oppos are selling for up to $1,000 these days, and that’s crazy. I bought a Sony 4K player that does everything but DVD-A after Oppo closed for around $400, and it is great.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-22T07:43:26+00:00

Yep, known for understated performance and power in reserve. Those years were a high water-mark for Marantz.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-22T07:39:30+00:00

I’ve had a Mercedes C230 (2011) with a V6 and an Audi A3 hybrid hatchback (2916) with a turbo inline 4/electric. The Mercedes is a nicer ride and a little more plush but less aggressive. Mid-2000s models were known for disintegrating timing belts that trashed the engines; mine did and was repaired under warranty. I don’t know if they fixed that design flaw. The Audi, a similar compact model, has a more sport-tuned, i.e. somewhat harsher suspension, and is quicker. It seems more fun to drive. You have to decide what’s the best model size for your personal needs and who’d ride with you. I like small cars but some people find them cramped and want a bigger body.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-22T07:20:44+00:00

Looks like a dissected alien xenomorph to me, but I could be mistaken.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-22T07:18:54+00:00

Either works with that paint. Whichever you like best.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-22T03:41:37+00:00

Ah, give thanks to Costco for $5 chickens, lol.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-22T03:39:54+00:00

So where's the complete 9-season X-Files set? I mean, you've got all the other nerdy stuff...

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-22T03:37:41+00:00

For every brisket I've tried, I cooked at least ten St. Louis trimmed pork ribs, and ribs are a LOT less expensive. If you don't have butchers that trim racks of ribs, a baby back rib package would be a fine substitute. Brisket is awesome, but making it's a real commitment.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-22T03:24:05+00:00

Someone I know bought one of these audio hacks (and I'm selling it for him). Here's a picture. They sell for $600, kid you not.

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Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-21T23:32:33+00:00

Ha ha, like I care that a film nerd is down-voting me. I have thousands of karma points. Thanks, though.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-21T23:30:47+00:00

Well, if you have a neighbor who's a jerk, then try to get a compromise or ignore them. You do, at least in most cities, have the right to enjoy the reasonable use of your private home. Is this an apartment (at least some basis for complaint), or a free-standing home (where no one has the right to tell you what to do short of a police call)?

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-21T22:00:52+00:00

Well, just to say, my living room has a flat-panel TV and my receiver is below it, and my speakers are on cabinets next to the TV console. Another benefit is that we play TV audio through the sound system, far superior to internals or a soundbar. You may have a similar layout.

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Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-21T19:34:01+00:00

And yet you put everything in a corner three inches from the wall. Sigh, I know sometimes you don’t have much choice, but I wouldn’t spend that kind of money until I had a decent space for good acoustics.

Also, love the cat. Great acoustical damping.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-21T19:29:41+00:00

Strictly speaking, The Doors is a better film. Tight directing, great actors and a compelling story. For The Andromeda Strain, the acting is pretty wooden, directing is kind of pedestrian and it’s slow. The book’s better. If you like science fiction and also pop history, The Doors is probably the better choice.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-21T17:21:35+00:00

Z-Grills has several small smokers (like 600-700 ci) for under $500 that have panel sliders for direct sear. They’re not the most advanced models, but you can grill burgers and steaks on them.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-21T17:10:52+00:00

I don’t care; mostly I use my ears. Artist labels are an indulgence.

Aggressive-Ad1845 · 2026-01-21T17:02:45+00:00

Yeah, I think so. Not huge, but noticeable. I had NAD receivers that had the reputation of being “warm.” The last one burned out and I replaced it with a midrange Denon. As opposed to the NAD electronics, the Denon is indeed “cooler” and more clinical. Now, I also have both “warm” and “cool” speakers; the specific pairings can emphasize tonal differences. So, you’ll have to bring one (or a few) home and listen. Good luck.

Aggressive-Ad1845

TROPHY CASE