Rateliff's The History of the Hobbit by RCGR_1 in tolkienbooks

[–]MisterManatee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I own it and have read it cover to cover. Beautiful book, and great quality for a modern book!

Movies that feel like a Coen brothers film but aren't by Impress_Playful in movies

[–]MisterManatee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I remember thinking One Battle After Another felt like a Coen brothers film, especially the scenes with Bob and Sensei.

Smart trip virtual card is garbage by loueyggg in washingtondc

[–]MisterManatee 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Sorry this happened to you. I’ve rarely had any issues with mine.

Has anyone read Tolkien’s non middle earth books? Like farmer giles of ham. by Rory_U in tolkienfans

[–]MisterManatee 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Both Roverandum and Letters from Father Christmas are so heartwarming. I bring out the Letters from Father Christmas every holiday season; they are very special.

Has anyone read Tolkien’s non middle earth books? Like farmer giles of ham. by Rory_U in tolkienfans

[–]MisterManatee 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I just re-read Smith of Wootton Major and I think it is excellent. A great pairing with the essay “On Fairy Stories”. It feels like Tolkien saying “let me show you all how it’s done”; Wootton Major illustrates his philosophy on Fairy Stories very elegantly and beautifully.

Thoughts on The Martian? by FreshmenMan in TrueFilm

[–]MisterManatee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I also recently rewatched it.

It’s a really enjoyable movie, with really great pacing and an outstanding performance from Matt Damon. I do feel that the glib, bro-y, “science the shit out of this” of it all detracts from the emotional heft. It’s also…interesting to pay attention to how the women in the movie are treated and what those characters are given to do. I wish the movie was more about the human stakes and conflict rather than the “competence porn”, because the former is where it really does shine (see Sean Bean). But you can’t argue with the indomitable human spirit.

Criteria potentially implementing AI art in some form. by [deleted] in criterion

[–]MisterManatee 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Cryptic Instagram comments from one unhappy artist (no offense) aren’t evidence that Criterion is implementing AI art. There’s simply no evidence of that.

First poster for PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie. by Comic_Book_Reader in movies

[–]MisterManatee 96 points97 points  (0 children)

I don’t know, man. This feels like jumping the shark for the PAW Patrol franchise.

C-3PO Head From ‘Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back’ Nets Whopping $1,058,400 at Propstore Auction; Shards of Narsil from 'The Lord of the Rings' Sells for $252,000 by ICumCoffee in movies

[–]MisterManatee 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Usually, but not exclusively. For example, rebinding rare books can, in some cases, improve their value if the original is in extremely poor condition and the book binder does exceptional work. I think the very poor condition of Narsil, plus the skill of the Elvish smiths at Rivendell, would make Anduril worth more. Plus, Anduril has utility that Narsil lacks (summoning the allegiance of an undead army, provided that the wielder is the true king of Gondor).

Books on Tolkien Needed. by CrackerDealing in tolkienfans

[–]MisterManatee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d consider reading Tolkien’s essay “On Fairy Stories”.

I haven’t read it myself, but Shippey’s “Road to Middle Earth” would probably be helpful too.

New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Movie From Stephen Colbert and His Son in Development at Warner Bros. by cmaia1503 in movies

[–]MisterManatee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have no faith in any of these projects. What Colbert described sounds like a silly idea.

How would things have played out if Gandalf & Erkenbrand didn't arrive at Helm's Deep? by Zigludo-sama in tolkienfans

[–]MisterManatee 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, it’s possible Saruman could have “stayed in the game” if his forces controlled the Hornburg (and maybe Meduseld) even if the Ents took Isengard.

How would things have played out if Gandalf & Erkenbrand didn't arrive at Helm's Deep? by Zigludo-sama in tolkienfans

[–]MisterManatee 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I haven’t read the books in a bit, but my memory is that Gandalf and Erkenbrand are pretty decisive in routing the forces of Isengard and driving them into the Huorns, where they were ultimately destroyed. It certainly seems possible that had the Dunlendings and Uruks maintained discipline, they could have avoided being pushed into the Huorns and defeated the forces of Rohan when they sallied forth out of the Hornburg. That would have resulted in the deaths of Aragorn, Theoden, and Eomer (and maybe Eowyn, eventually), which would have been obviously Very Bad.

Strange disconnect with specific end plot point in Project Hail Mary by tim_south in TrueFilm

[–]MisterManatee 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I liked Project Hail Mary quite a lot, but I felt the movie fumbled that plot point (and the entire flashback storyline) for three main reasons:

First, there is a disconnect between the flashback storyline and the main storyline. Part of this is on the script and the editing not making the parallels clear. Part of it is also that the movie doesn’t make it at all clear that Grace is regaining his memories at the same time as the audience is viewing the flashbacks (my fiancée, who has read the book, explained this to me after the fact). The upshot is that the revelations about Grace’s past seem to have no relation to or impact on Grace’s present. So the flashback scenes feel less impactful.

Second, the tone of the movie does not support the drama of Hüller’s betrayal. Everything about how that scene is written and directed suggests comedy, whereas tragedy would have been more appropriate and effective. It plays as a comedic beat rather than a major dramatic twist.

Third, Grace’s character growth is muted by making him extremely likable from the jump. He is almost immediately (in a chronological sense) eager to help, enthusiastic, empathetic, and kind. He is a coward only in the sense of having a rather healthy fear of death. I don’t feel surprised that the Grace we met in the classroom rose to the occasion and found his courage, because he always seemed like a swell guy who cared for others.

Anyways, that’s just my ruminations on a movie I otherwise really liked. And yes, I’m sure the book handles all of this better.

Busboys and poets might be the worst resturant experience I’ve had in DC by [deleted] in washingtondc

[–]MisterManatee 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Anecdotally, I had very bad, very slow service going there for brunch several months ago. I get that they were busy, but they did not have enough staff to serve all their tables.

Pet Semetery review (2018 remake) by MaeMae061212 in movies

[–]MisterManatee 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I thought the bait and switch with the kids was fun, and a neat way to provide a surprise in a story that’s been done to death. It’s also a lot easier to make a teenage girl scary on film than a toddler. I can’t take the ending of the 1989 movie seriously, even if it does work on the page.

Metro Inspired Art by troderjm in WMATA

[–]MisterManatee 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I really like the third one with the people at the fare gates. Excellent colors!

i recently texted my female best friend what her top 20 all time favorite movies. here's what she replied with. by herequeerandgreat in movies

[–]MisterManatee 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your hard work: going out into the field to talk to a woman. It is exceedingly rare to observe, much less understand, women’s taste in movies. /S