| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Darsson Spellmaker |
Posted - 16 May 2011 : 05:01:01
and seeing that it was about extremely skilled Catholic Warrior Priests that battle a vampiric menace, it really put me in mind of the clergy of Tempus.
While I'm sure most Tempuran clerics work as battlemasters, healers, and generals in armies and whatnot, I found the image of some of them as these silent, black-clad warriors, armed to the teeth, skilled with sword and spell, and working in mercenary companies very appealing. Work in some Book of 9 Swords material in there, and I think I'd actually consider playing a cleric or divine champion of Tempus (I usually just play magical/knowledgeable/wizard types).
I know Tempus emphasizes straight-forward, honorable melee combat, but he actually permits ranged combat and stealth tactics when it's a small force against a much larger one (perfect for a mercenary group or an adventuring company).
Have any of you featured Tempus or his clergy into your games? Any stories you can share?
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| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Dennis |
Posted - 24 May 2011 : 05:29:13
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Are they truly undead, or are they the newer vamp variety that can have children? I'm torn on that one - I like it, but it strays too far from the original concept.
Anyone looking forward to Cowboys vs Aliens? 
The have hives and a queen, much like colonies of bees. So, yes, they can reproduce. And yes, I'm looking forward to CvsA! |
| Chosen of Asmodeus |
Posted - 24 May 2011 : 01:47:40
Haven't seen Priest yet; heard it had practically nothing to do with the source material other than the main character's name, and while I haven't read the source material I find that works that stray too far from it tend to be awful*coughdungeons&dragonsthemoviecough*. Might go after this, though. I like these discriptions about the vampires.
Did see PotC4 yesterday. Liked it considerably better than the third one which was a mess imo, though not as much as the first. Biggest problem was Blackbeard; historical dates aside, I've always thought of him as a very boistrous and brutish(if intelligent) individual, and I think McShane was too subdued for the role. And small; Blackbeard was a huge man. Besides that, only minor nitpicks with the movie. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 24 May 2011 : 01:27:24
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Anyone looking forward to Cowboys vs Aliens?
Very much! 
The concept itself sparked my interest. The fact that Jon Iron Man Favreau is directing the film, also is an added plus. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 23 May 2011 : 20:36:37
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Anyone looking forward to Cowboys vs Aliens?
Very much! |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 23 May 2011 : 19:51:04
MT, I believe that's exactly what he did, and yes, the tree was slightly narrower at the top- I realized that as soon as I saw what he was doing- which means that Jack and I apparently think alike.
The mermaids were neither good or bad- just VERY lonely- and HUNGRY. Take that as ye will!! As for an "adaptation", actually, it sort of is- of the Disney RIDE!!! (This was the original premise for making the movie, IIRC. They wanted to base a movie off of stuff in the ride itself, such as some of the scenes with pirates in the tavern, etc...)
The vamps in Priest were not simply feral- they weren't even human, as far as I could tell. Which was sort of the point, I think. And they did not appear to be undead. The only thing that seems to have been "canon" about that movie was their weakness to sunlight.
Ooh, cowboys and Aliens? You BET!! Also, Real Steel look like fun, too. A RL, full-size game of Rock'Em Sock'em Robots? Sounds SMASHING!! |
| Markustay |
Posted - 23 May 2011 : 19:35:29
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I remember there being a topic here, once.
The topic hasn't changed, Sir Sage, merely evolved.
And Jack would have had to pass the ropes OVER the top of the tree to accomplish what he was trying, but instead emerged from the leaves without the ropes on... it was pretty wishy-washy. Someone else (at home) said that the tree got narrower and thats how he got out; that is fine, but then he couldn't have continued to climb the tree in the fashion he did if the ropes were loosening.
But he IS Captain Jack Sparrow, and he IS Frickin' amazing. 
That was a minor point - I just felt not enough was explained (which I could point out for most novel/comic adaptions as well, which PotC isn't, which makes it that much worse).
I still have no clue weather the mermaids were good or bad... I just know they weren't ugly.
As for Priest, like I said, I kinda like the idea of feral vamps, but I'd have to see the film before I decide how much I'd take from it. Are they truly undead, or are they the newer vamp variety that can have children? I'm torn on that one - I like it, but it strays too far from the original concept.
Anyone looking forward to Cowboys vs Aliens? |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 23 May 2011 : 19:14:09
Wooly, I saw that one too. It's frggin hilarious if you fast-forward through all the "naughty" parts. (Which also makes it only about twenty minutes long, story-wise, but highly entertaining!) I've yet to see the sequel, though. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 23 May 2011 : 18:40:23
I saw a movie called Pirates, but it didn't have Johnny Depp and it certainly wasn't a Disney movie...
Didn't see Priest. I don't believe I've even seen any previews for it... Even if I had, though, having a newborn complicates going to a movie theater.  |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 23 May 2011 : 17:57:44
Ah, yes. Priest. There it is! As for Pirates, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Aside from the quick sailing times, I had little qualms, other than a few historical gaffes regarding Blackbeard, but hey, whatever! It's an ALTERNATE history! As for Jack getting out of the ropes on the tree, he DID CLIMB said tree. (It was a palm tree, so it IS possible to do what he did.... In theory, anyway.) And the mermaids were very cool. Bet Peter Pan never had to deal with THAT!! |
| The Sage |
Posted - 23 May 2011 : 03:07:37
I remember there being a topic here, once. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 22 May 2011 : 19:06:51
I guess the only HP film adaptation that has a mote resemblance of the novel's excellence is The Prisoner of Azkaban. The first portrayal of the Dementors, the Patronuses, and time travel are commendable.
The amount of screen time devoted to each character has been fairly divided. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 22 May 2011 : 18:52:01
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
He'd love it, for sure, Wooly. Perhaps more than you do.
----
In terms of worst adaptation, I definitely can't say it's this movie [Priest], not only because I enjoyed it, but also because I haven't read the manga. So I'd choose The Half-Blood Prince. The scriptwriter and the director [or are they one and the same?] did a good job of turning a wonderful novel into sleep-inducing movie. I DID sleep in the cinema. [And I'm not joking.]
To me, that one felt like they made the movie from an outline of the novel, instead of the novel itself. A lot of the same stuff still happened, but either happened in a different way and/or involved different characters. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 22 May 2011 : 18:29:01
He'd love it, for sure, Wooly. Perhaps more than you do.
----
In terms of worst adaptation, I definitely can't say it's this movie [Priest], not only because I enjoyed it, but also because I haven't read the manga. So I'd choose The Half-Blood Prince. The scriptwriter and the director [or are they one and the same?] did a good job of turning a wonderful novel into sleep-inducing movie. I DID sleep in the cinema. [And I'm not joking.] |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 22 May 2011 : 18:12:39
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Though very few, there adaptations that are made quite excellently. Stardust comes to mind. So many things are altered from the novel to [I guess] address the film's needs. For one, the captain is not a transvestite in the book. Also, the three witches are not that powerful in the novel. Yet, I had fun both in reading the book and watching the film. Neil Gaiman had a hand on the film, so [as many said] no wonder it's done well.
I love both versions of Stardust. I'm looking forward to reading the book to my son when he's old enough. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 22 May 2011 : 17:53:05
Though very few, there are adaptations that are made quite excellently. Stardust comes to mind. So many things are altered from the novel to [I guess] address the film's needs. For one, the captain is not a transvestite in the book. Also, the three witches are not that powerful in the novel. Yet, I had fun both in reading the book and watching the film. Neil Gaiman had a hand on the film, so [as many said] no wonder it's done well. |
| Markustay |
Posted - 22 May 2011 : 17:40:07
Usually the case.
I was told the League of Extraordinary Gentleman comic was great, after professing to love the movie (closet Steampunk fan here). I went out and got the graphic novel, and didn't like it nearly as much (which probably has more to do with the order in which I partook of the two versions, then anything related to quality).
And the two were NOTHING alike... AT ALL.
I'm still trying to figure out what movies like Starship Troopers or I, Robot have to do with the novels of the same names, other then the titles.
And the mermaids in PotC were kinda cool... wish they had explained them more, though.... I get the feeling MUCH was left on the cutting-room floor (regarding everything).
Unfortunately, the only vampire-fan I have to see a movie with is my sis, and she doesn't go-in for the bestial type (so I will most-likely catch Priest a year from now on cable).  |
| Dennis |
Posted - 22 May 2011 : 17:25:27
Who read the Priest manga? I read several reviews saying the film didn't give even a mote of justice to the manga. Well, mayhap it's good that I didn't read the manga, as I really enjoyed the film, despite its flaws. |
| Markustay |
Posted - 22 May 2011 : 14:22:34
The movies are becoming Michael Bay-ish, in that the latest one looks like they went "Hey! What if we had Jack do this, and this, and maybe meet some mermaids along the way?" It has that hap-hazard feel of a bunch of 'kewl scenes' strung together with little regard to logic (Jack's escape from being tied to a tree is probably one of the worse examples of this - he was simply out of his ropes at the point he needed to be).
But like all the other movies, the super-pirates (and navies) in these films are still able to get anywhere in the world in about an hour. Although portrayed far worse in Pirates-3, in this one the entire movie supposedly takes place in just four days. They start in Europe and end in the Everglades. As an amateur cartographer and geography aficionado, this point particularly irks me.
There were many problems with the movie, both major and minor (like what purpose did 'The Spanish' serve in the movie? I almost feel like there are missing scenes), but that doesn't mean I didn't still enjoy it - it is what it is: jack Sparrow being Jack Sparrow, which is pretty cool. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 22 May 2011 : 03:26:23
I loved the last Pirates movie. I'm going to watch the new one tomorrow. They shouldn't have gotten rid of Knighly, though. |
| Dark Wizard |
Posted - 22 May 2011 : 02:19:51
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
EDIT: Just got back from the new Pirates movie.... *Meh*
The plot had more holes then Blackbeard's sails.
That's disappointing to hear. Aside from the superhero movies, Pirates was one of the movies on my summer tent-pole/blockbuster/popcorn list. |
| Markustay |
Posted - 21 May 2011 : 13:22:31
Haven't had a chance to see it, but I like some of what I am hearing about it here.
I have been re-working vamps in my homebrew world to fit with my planet's history (rather then the usual D&D approach of "they are just there"), and I have decided that the disease/curse which causes it can have several different effects, to allow for a variety of types. I hadn't considered anything nearly as feral as the ones from this movie, but I kinda like it.
Basically, it is a magical 'infection' developed by the Mæladrin which turns them into Shade-like beings, but it's effect on humans is highly unpredictable (actually, it is %-based dependent upon the person's bloodlines, which is a heavy focus in my setting). I'm sure I can figure out at least one bloodline that would cause such a primal result.
Or I may just combine some of this lore with my vision for my Grimlock-like Dark-Elves (my world's version of driders?) - Ælves that failed to 'evolve' with the introduction of the 'shadow-virus'. Either way, the ones from the movie remind me of the Illithid variety (not so much in appearance, but rather their bestial nature).
Love the weapons - I will have to see this.
EDIT: Just got back from the new Pirates movie.... *Meh*
The plot had more holes then Blackbeard's sails. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 20 May 2011 : 00:48:50
quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
Yeah, I though the lack of eyes or speech made them seem less like vamps and more like just any old monster from a dozen other films. Dead Space even came to mind. (And that was animated!)
It's much easier to hold the "moral high ground" when your advesaries are stripped of anything that could be a positive and reduced to priamal blood thirsty animals.
True. But for me, it's better to give the antagonists some positive traits, so the heroes begin to question if what they do is right or not. Shady morality. |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 19 May 2011 : 12:43:43
quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
Yeah, I though the lack of eyes or speech made them seem less like vamps and more like just any old monster from a dozen other films. Dead Space even came to mind. (And that was animated!)
It's much easier to hold the "moral high ground" when your advesaries are stripped of anything that could be a positive and reduced to priamal blood thirsty animals |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 19 May 2011 : 02:27:34
Yeah, I though the lack of eyes or speech made them seem less like vamps and more like just any old monster from a dozen other films. Dead Space even came to mind. (And that was animated!) |
| Dennis |
Posted - 18 May 2011 : 22:10:52
Well, speech would make them sound more civilized, more sophisticated; not primal monsters. Speaking of civilized, while hives looked frightening and certainly added to the dark atmosphere of the film, I still prefer it that the vampires created their own city. There were so demoralized/dehumanized. [On the other hand, a friend said that we can look at them as the progenitors of the modern vampires (Black Hat's kind)].
Full agreement on Bettany. |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 18 May 2011 : 21:39:33
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Who needs eyes when your other senses are a hundred times sharper than a human's?
What didn't work for me was their lack of oral language. Some gibberish coupled with subtitles would have been fine. Without that, they're reduced to ordinary monsters.
Who needs eyes speech when your other senses are a hundred times sharper than a human's?
What really worked for me was Paul Bettany....what a fabulous talent. Remebering his sharp tongued fool from "A Knight's Tale" who would havr thought he could kick so much butt?
And Karl Urban is great as the villain...even if at first I was seeing him as a Vamp/Dr McCoy! |
| Dennis |
Posted - 18 May 2011 : 16:46:48
Who needs eyes when your other senses are a hundred times sharper than a human's?
What didn't work for me was their lack of oral language. Some gibberish coupled with subtitles would have been fine. Without that, they're reduced to ordinary monsters. |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 18 May 2011 : 15:27:18
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Indeed. They're more like aliens than vampires. But that's just because we're used to seeing vamps portrayed as undead humans.
And with eyes! I'm all for "re-inventing" things, but the no-eyed vamp concept didnt work for me. |
| Dennis |
Posted - 17 May 2011 : 06:06:41
Indeed. They're more like aliens than vampires. But that's just because we're used to seeing vamps portrayed as undead humans. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 17 May 2011 : 06:03:32
Other than being big and pointy? I think it was just a cross-dagger of some sort. Or a sross-stake. Since we're talking about vampires. And am I the only one who thought they looked like a hybrid xenomorph(Aliens)/licker (from Res. Evil)? |
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