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Arthur C. Clarke

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Arthur C. Clarke

1917 - 2008

from JoeUser Forums

Arthur C.Clarke died yesterday.  I have been so busy I misssed his passing, but I will long mourn it.  He was one of the great classic Science Fiction Writers, few reached his stature.

For the past many years, he has lived in Sri Lanka, but was actually a citizen of Her majesty.  He will best be remembered as the Author of 2001: A Space Odyssey, but that was far from his greatest work.  Along with Isaac Asimov, Theodore Sturgeon, and to a lesser extent Ray Bradbuy, he was truly among the greatest science fiction writers of all time.  It is sad that he will write no more for us.

His greatest work however, and the greatest Science Fiction Book ever is Childhood's end.  Some argue that Rendevous with Rama was his greatest.  And of cocurse there will always be debate.

One of the last of the classic sci-fi writers, I hold him up there with Isaac Asimov as the greatest of all time.

I am really going to miss him.  Along with all the others that have now gone on.

I wish you well Mr, Clarke, and hope you find happiness and joy with the others who provided so much hope and joy with their writing about a future that comes true every day.

Rest in Peace.

12,413 views 56 replies
Reply #51 from JoeUser Forums Top
Was anyone else disappointed with Space Oddessey's ending, or lack thereof?
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No, not really. I love it, and then Clarke did pursue the whole theme with 2010, 2061, and 3001. (the last one was not that great).
Reply #52 from JoeUser Forums Top
Or I'd rather watch Aliens (because it's a much better sci-fi flick) than The Day the Earth Stood Still.
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Them's fightin words! ;)

Actually, you do pick one of the few where I thought the sequel was better - Alien/Aliens. But only when viewed that way. The second one pointed out flaws with the original (or made them by its story plot). Both were ok Space Operas.
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Reply #53 from JoeUser Forums Top
*Sighs* People...



I just have pretty high standards,


I'm pretty picky


No, you don't, and you're not.
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Yes, and yes. Besides, you have no intimate knowledge of me, so you have nothing to stand on. If I'm not picky, then why am I not bowing down and conforming to you?

What you are is a conformist. You mention films that other people (pointless, vapid organizations such as AFI or bullshit like that) say are 'worthwhile' or 'good'.
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SC, you're full of shit. You have no clue how much I am into movies. Duh dumb ass, that's why I am heading into filmmaking, because I love films. If you paid attention to anything I said, and didn't jump the gun, you would know that.

Plain and simple, you don't know me personally. You only know me by your observations and assumptions. Quit being argumentative, just put away your freaking guns/teeth.


Frankly, I find that completely telling. You yourself say that you're still discovering your likes/dislikes. What that really translates to in Lucasspeak is 'I'm still memorizing what movies I'm supposed to say are good, and what ones the establishment says aren't.'
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Yes, I am. Every aspiring filmmaker grows in that area, they find films they like and dislike, styles they like and dislike. You think that George Lucas has exactly the same likes and dislikes as he did when he was younger? No, because tastes change.

I find it humorous that you are calling me a lap dog of the establishment when usually I'm called a non-conformist, and more often than naught, assumed to rebel against the establishment.

I, for one, would rather watch Spider-Man 2 or X2 ten times rather than sit through Gone With The Wind once again, ever. Or I'd rather watch Aliens (because it's a much better sci-fi flick) than The Day the Earth Stood Still.
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Good for you, but honestly I find Spider man and X2 just another money grab. Ooh, lets market the comics and make more money off of it. I value the independent ideas more, the one from the brain, the heart, NOT the adaptations of other ideas.

The Day the earth stood still is a classic, and set a standard. Same thing with the original Frankenstein, or Metropolis. These movies set the bar. You sound as if you have never really studied movies, or cinema in general.

That's because I've allowed myself to say, 'The institutes, committees, etc. that pick what is good cinema and what is bad cinema are pointless, outdated, and are best ignored. I decide what is good and what is not.'
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I don't always agree with what AFI, the Oscars, or any of those. Example, remember the movie Million Dolar baby? Didnt like it, but everyone in the 'establishment' raved about it.


***

SC, you are arguing emotionally, pointlessly. These are your opinions, that's it. What is the point in debating opinions? No one will be right, and no one will be wrong.

Reply #54 from JoeUser Forums Top

Lucas, you got me curious now. I'm interested to know what movies you do like. You want to be a filmmaker and that's super. I always felt I could make a movie myself. One thing that all great or even just plain good directors share is their love of the cinema. I'm not talking about the classics, either. Ever hear a good director talk about another movie? You can hear the enthusiasm in their voices as they describe scenes, dialogue or cinematography. They are not snubs.

All the sequels that SC or I mentioned you found at best average and most you said were "bad". Which doesn't come off as being "pretty picky" or having "high standards" it comes off as something sad. Are they even your true feelings or something made up in your head because you think that's how "true serious filmmakers" should be?

Don't you ever watch a movie just to watch a movie? Watch a movie to enjoy it? Is there any movies you loved that people or critics hated? You said you didn't like Million Dollar Baby. Now tell me some movies you loved, and please let it be something original and something you truly like because I'm honestly curious.

Reply #55 from JoeUser Forums Top
Lucas, you got me curious now. I'm interested to know what movies you do like. You want to be a filmmaker and that's super. I always felt I could make a movie myself. One thing that all great or even just plain good directors share is their love of the cinema. I'm not talking about the classics, either. Ever hear a good director talk about another movie? You can hear the enthusiasm in their voices as they describe scenes, dialogue or cinematography. They are not snubs.
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Granted, and I'm not saying that they truly were horrible movies. Like I said, right now that's my taste. I admit I'm only just beginning, and there is a chance I will end up liking them. I'm open to changing of my opinion. I can't be stagnant or stubborn in that area, otherwise I could restrict my palette, so to speak.

Some movies I like: Metropolois, it was the foundation for many movies, including the matrix, dark city, thirteenth floor, etc... The great train robbery; one of the first big movies. Apocalypse Now; Need I say more? The King and I, Pan's Labrinth.

I'm just picky, because I see movies as more than just ways corporations like Disney, MGM, Abc and all can make movies. I see them as an art, and a truly remarkable one at that.


And just because I may not care for the movies doesn't mean that I don't find anything good in them. For example, Aliens and Star Wars both brought about advances in visual effects. George Lucas' was remarkable in how he managed everything with the original, because most studios were skeptical of it. I remember reading about there were some days where he questioned his sanity in pursuing the movie, but, it came down to his passion. Some movies like Hotel Rwanda, are very very emotionally impacting, that was a great movie, imho.

My passion is film; To be able to take a seed of thought, and make it come to life is just simply amazing. Some people have drawing, some have painting, I've got film. Through film I can express myself, my ideas, and entertain people as well. I can put smiles on their faces.



All the sequels that SC or I mentioned you found at best average and most you said were "bad". Which doesn't come off as being "pretty picky" or having "high standards" it comes off as something sad. Are they even your true feelings or something made up in your head because you think that's how "true serious filmmakers" should be?
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True feelings. When I watch movies, I always look for that little something extra. I can't quite explain it. I'll try though, call it...flair, or...spark. I don't see it in the comic book movies, all I see is "Hmm lets take this comic and make it into a movie, im sure many haven't read them." I mean, it's not original, it's not really artistic. It's hard to explain.


Don't you ever watch a movie just to watch a movie? Watch a movie to enjoy it? Is there any movies you loved that people or critics hated? You said you didn't like Million Dollar Baby. Now tell me some movies you loved, and please let it be something original and something you truly like because I'm honestly curious.
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Haha, I try, but I've got, what i call, mental mindset where I'm always analyzing the movies. I always look at how it's done, what shots they use; when, where, how, etc... It does get annoying at times though.



Reply #56 from JoeUser Forums Top

Looks like another feature just got installed in the forums - but now it wont accept posts. ;)