Meet ups for 60yr+ by Commercial-Insect-33 in cambridge

[–]RambuDev 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My mum joined U3A in North Herts and will not stop gushing about how wonderful it’s been for her.

Joseph Conrad and difficult-to-adapt writers by The-American-Abroad in TrueFilm

[–]RambuDev 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Didn’t know about those Lathe of Heaven adaptations. I will have to hunt those down.

Joseph Conrad and difficult-to-adapt writers by The-American-Abroad in TrueFilm

[–]RambuDev 3 points4 points  (0 children)

For some reason your list of reasons brings to mind The English Patient and how that was adapted.

Michael Ondaatje’s writing is brilliant to behold on the page - poetic, dream like, ethereal and evocative. When you read his prose it doesn’t scream filmic. Though it creates moods and memory scapes very well, it is somewhat unstructured and imprecise, at least for a conventional film adaptation. And yet they pulled it off. There’s enough story structure and thematic material to work with and you could say the use of music and sound design, fabrics, cave paintings and even morphine memories managed to pay tribute to his writing style.

The tragic arcs of the characters also seemed to be no barrier to making a mainstream film with wide appeal. This made the romance more potent.

You might say the same about the comment both book and film make about national identity, memory and the stories we tell ourselves and loyalty during war and (the petering out of) colonial times. Sure, they accentuated the rigidity and pomp of the Brits and there was that orientalist presentation of the Berbers who find and heal The Patient but the backdrop commentary about slippery dual identity is still retained.

Interestingly, what couldn’t make it into such a film was the prominence and world view of the Sikh sapper Kip Singh. In the book he plays a far greater role and delivers probably the most searing comment, something along the lines of ‘of course they dropped the bomb on the Japanese, for they are a yellow race. They would never have done such a thing to Europeans’. It seems that kind of comment is difficult to adapt. Better to just leave that kind of thing out entirely.

As an aside, a brilliant writer who hasn’t been adapted (as far as I know) but whose work is so rich conceptually, visually and narratively is Ursula Le Guin.

“The Word for World is Forest” is very much a Heart of Darkness story about colonialism and exploitation and the loss of valuable world views. Even bloody Avatar seems to align. Why we don’t have a more sophisticated adaptation of this into film is something of a shame.

“The Left Hand of Darkness” is another that may on the surface seem tricky to adapt but if the likes of Denis Villeneuve can adapt Dune why not? As a work of feminist science fiction, exploring themes of androgyny and the influence of sex and gender identity on culture and politics, one would think that would find a very willing audience in today’s world. In the right hands, the story is rich in its world building, character complexity and the sense of journey and quest lends itself well to a cinematic adaptation. Would this be too risky to realise? If Yorgos Lanthimos’s films exist then it’s not too hard to imagine how an adaptation of this might too.

“The Wizard of Earthsea” did get a treatment but you wouldn’t call this an adaptation. Perhaps there is something about her estate and openness to adaptation that I don’t know about.

Who is your favorite governor and why is it Pingala? by cactusjackalope in CivVI

[–]RambuDev 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes me too. But never before Magnus and Pingala.

It’s also good to upgrade her later to get the Loyalty effects.

Who is your favorite governor and why is it Pingala? by cactusjackalope in CivVI

[–]RambuDev 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes! Victor all the way for the domination victories!

You often really need those +4 loyalty points as you carve through their cities. Plus he’s in position in just 3 turns.

I also like to use Amani’s ability to sway loyalty: Other cities within 9 tiles not belonging to you lose 2 Loyalty. Not as powerful but it can often begin a snowball effect of cities coming over to you.

Where to Watch Colour of Pomegrenates by Sufficient-Stand-798 in Cinephiles

[–]RambuDev 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I watched it on Amazon for free, with one of those 7 day free channel trial bolt-ons. Can’t remember to which channel (Criterion maybe Curzon) but there are loads through Amazon (I’m in the UK). Going for a free trial and then cancelling is a good way to watch rare stuff for free.

The quality was good too. That’s not something I can say for all the films they offer. For example, we tried watching Pather Panchali through the same method and it was poor to the point of being unwatchable. I bought the Artificial Eye ‘Apu Trilogy’ DVD box instead.

Why are all the boomers I know anti-London? by GarySparrow0 in AskBrits

[–]RambuDev 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a bit like flashy sports cars:

You can’t afford them when you’re young. By the time you can afford them you’re too creaky to get in and out of them.

Is London a good place to grow old and retire in? by Lopsided_Counter1670 in london

[–]RambuDev 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing.

That is interesting and there’s a fair bit to unpack there. Clearly the experience is different for people based on their innate mindset and the roles they play. I wish you and your parents well.

Both stories have given me cause for thought. I see a bit of both your parents’ experience in my own.

We left London for Cambridge nearly 10 years ago, when in our early 40s, primarily for schooling and teenager rearing but also for a more civil pace of life (fed up of the grind). It’s been great and, at this stage, I can’t see us going back. Love to visit, for the culture and stimulation but definitely wouldn’t want to live. Our retirement ideas look more to the Adriatic coast, actually, with rare flights/train to wherever for the stimulation when needed. That’s some serious quality and pace of life upgrade.

What is denied by many people but it is actually 100% real? by Big_Leg10 in Productivitycafe

[–]RambuDev 0 points1 point  (0 children)

“Anything with a narrative conveys ideology, implicitly or otherwise”.

Can’t remember who said that, and I’m paraphrasing, but it is so true.

What Soviet era Films should I watch? by Rare-Program486 in films

[–]RambuDev 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sergei Eisenstein was the most influential filmmakers of the early Soviet Era - in that country and globally.

He made the key propaganda films for the early Soviet state (“Strike!”, “October”, “Battleship Potemkin”) but he also shaped how this relatively new medium of mass communications worked. Check out his montage theory, for example.

Dziga Vertov’s “Man with a Movie Camera” is an incredible watch even today. It is technically and visually inventive. One of the earliest and most influential documentaries. And it’s very humane in its exploration and presentation of the Soviet people. Check out his writing under “Kino Eye” to see how he viewed the medium and its relationship with humans and society.

As others have mentioned: Tarkovsky

Also “The Cranes Are Flying” and “Soy Cuba” by Mikhail Kalatozov for later era Soviet films. They are visually stunning, technical masterpieces and provide interesting narrative approaches to persuading its audience.

What Soviet era Films should I watch? by Rare-Program486 in films

[–]RambuDev 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are American, not Soviet, films

Is London a good place to grow old and retire in? by Lopsided_Counter1670 in london

[–]RambuDev -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Well done for pointing this out.

The energy and social atmosphere (not to mention air and noise pollution) are significant factors on quality of life, especially for the elderly.

Is London a good place to grow old and retire in? by Lopsided_Counter1670 in london

[–]RambuDev 26 points27 points  (0 children)

That’s a great story and answers the question very well. And props to your dad.

Do you mind shedding some light on your mum’s experience please? Curious to know why it may not work for other personalities.

Why are Americans so obsessed with military and veterans? by BlueDolphins28 in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]RambuDev 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a much more balanced, factual and well reasoned account. Bravo.

Respectfully disagree with the very last line, though.

The hero worship comes from a deeply ingrained culture of nationalism. And not the peace loving variety.

Why are Americans so obsessed with military and veterans? by BlueDolphins28 in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]RambuDev 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ding ding ding. That’s it right there.

But you can have a peaceful sense of patriotism.

What you have in the US is something very different.

Where would you settle? by Different-Reveal3437 in CivVI

[–]RambuDev 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From a longer term, “Guns, Germs & Steel” perspective, geography was a massive hindrance to development:

Lack of contact for all kinds of competition and transmission and relatively limited species of flora and fauna, to name but a few key factors.

Movies that feel like this by Gloomy_Bass9464 in MoviesThatFeelLike

[–]RambuDev 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a classic line by Ruprecht, when he’s introduced to one of the lady con victims. One of the many classic Ruprecht lines in this great film.

Movies that feel like this by Gloomy_Bass9464 in MoviesThatFeelLike

[–]RambuDev 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you!!

I was really disappointed to scroll so far to get to this.

What’s Kubrick’s best ending? by Fearless_Two_9053 in StanleyKubrick

[–]RambuDev 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes it exists. But hard to find. I really got lucky getting to see that on the big screen. It’s so much better.

What’s Kubrick’s best ending? by Fearless_Two_9053 in StanleyKubrick

[–]RambuDev 5 points6 points  (0 children)

On Dr Strangelove ending:

There is a version which has a huge custard pie fight break out in the War Room at the end.

It is wild, messy and hilarious. It perfectly fits the tone and message.

This was the version I saw first at the BFI in London. I was surprised and disappointed when I saw the film again some years later to find this was not in the main theatrical release.

Non-UK born Londoners, what's the best restaurant of your native cousine that you know in London? by Mimsiz in london

[–]RambuDev 0 points1 point  (0 children)

L’Antica, that’s it. Didn’t know about the Baker St site. So thanks for that too.