Cool News
Well... dang.... BATTLEFIELD EARTH sequel news...
Hey folks, Harry here. The Hollywood Reporter has gotten ahold of a press release about the 2nd BATTLEFIELD EARTH movie.
Well... Hmmmm.... Ya know... Sometimes ya see developments that just seem to go beyond reason. Most of the reports on the film have been 'wavy hand' to 'thumbs down', but... I've held that alot of this has been coming from the kneejerk reaction to anything and everything that is L Ron Hubbard related. Reports in Entertainment Magazines seem to focus more upon the 'CULT activities' of Scientology... and not so much upon the film itself.
Something that kind of reminds me of the pre-hype tripe that was hurled at TITANIC, criticisms aimed at James Cameron's perceived arrogance, cost of the film, etc.... as opposed to the quality of the film itself.
Now... I'm not saying this movie is not a big heaping load of dogdung... BUT... Someone out there with some big ass deep as hell pockets has seen what has been shot and has given a sequel (actually... this first film is just the first half of the book, the 'sequel' is actually just the rest of the movie) a go ahead.
Some people in the biz are dying to see B.E. not for any other reason than they believe it is a trainwreck on the scale of say... Michael Jackson doing Edgar Allan Poe... But... Believe it or not... Some people actually dig the trailer. Our own Seque Zagnut really liked it.
I don't do this much, but... well... I'm going to have to warn you folks about many of the media outlets and/or reports about this film. Scientology has made some big ass enemies... specifically in the Entertainment Journalism field. I've never had any altercations, and my only run in with Scientologists has been across from the University of Texas where they are always pitching free I.Q. tests...
I've always been curious about this film, I didn't hate the script. Personally, both Father Geek and I thought that it has a chance at being pretty darn cool. The trailer didn't instill confidence in me... But I'm trying to stay as open-minded as possible about this film... there's enough closed off minds that'll be writing about it anyways...
-
+ Expand All
-
Everything you want to know about Scientology is here: www.xenu.com
-
I've been hoping that Battlefield: Earth wouldn't suck, but that trailer ain't going to get the people in the theater (although I sort of liked Travolta's opening monologue in that guilty pleasure sort of way).
-
I enjoyed that trailer, and the Phantom Menace trailer didn't do anything for me. A ray of light?
-
I am pretty sure this movie is gonna rock. Did any of you read the book, or are you just blinded by the fact that i was written by tha Ron Howard bloke. I love Tohn T. and i have high hopes for this movie, if for nothing else- then just because it seems that everyone hate it before thei even saw the trailer. Like you say Harry- everyone wants this to fail badly - I hope they are wrong.
-
The aliens start a bogus psuedo-religion swindle a bunch of vapid, souless showbiz types out of millions of dollars, and convince one to finance a crappy sci-fi movie. Just goes to show that celebrites are no smarter than the rest of us, and in many cases are quite a bit more stupid. I hope this movie tanks, if for no other reason than it'll take Travolta's career with it, and then maybe he'll have a chance to wake up and realize that he's been duped just as surely as any ol' trailer-park idiot who sends money to televangelists.
-
Why the hell are you using Centropolis for the effect? I mean, gosh, you would think they'll choose someone better (like DD or R&H or BSVFX or BFTR or ILM!) considering the fact that they're trying to promote this as a Star Wars-like film -- which it is NOT (check the battlefield.com...there's a TON of reference to the movie). From what I saw from the trailer and the script, BFE is turning out more and more like an ID4 rip-off.
-
Look folks, Scientology is no more silly then a bunch of folks who worship a guy who got nailed to a tree for saying "Wouldn't it be great if we could all just get along?". Or those who revere a guy who sat around long enough snails started living on his head. It's all a matter of perspective. They are no worse then the folks at the Roman Church have been in the brain washing and absolute power over followers have been in the past. So get a grip. On the up side I dug the book, didn't even realize it was "that" Hubbard until after I read it. It needed a better editor to run through and suggest a few nips and tucks here and there. I put that flaw down to no one wanting to tell the old guy his work wasn't perfect.
-
Yes! You too can join my cult. All you have to do is shave your head, duct tape your penis to your leg (or if you're a female, you can duct tape somebody else's penis to your leg), buy several books, and start talking in a steady monotone about how Sniffilism has changed your life. Tell everyone that you've received my divine blessing, that you feel an inner peace that you haven't felt since you were squirted out into this hard cruel world, and that your only regret is not having more money to donate to the cause. Then remove your right shoe--NOT THE LEFT-- and place it on your clean shaven head, ring a bell at four minutes to midnight, and start dancing. Oh, how they'll dance!
-
All they're doing is splitting that big-ass paperwieght of a novel into two easier-to-digest parts. Makes sense to me. I mean, was there ever any doubt Travolta'd be able to come up with the money for another one? I still won't SEE either of them mind you- any more than I'd see a film I knew was financed by CIA drug money or the evil profits of cattle mutilations- but the logic is there. Let's just hope they don't start getting ideas about Mission: Earth...
-
Think about it. L. Ron Hubbard was a perpetually broke hack writer who used to joke to his friends Robert Heinlein and Philip Dick that the only way that they would ever see any money would be to start a religion. They laugh at him for awhile, then tell him to take a flying leap when he gets too creepy about the whole thing. Lo and behold he goes off and starts one on his own. He and his original cabal make a decision to target Hollywood, because actors have influence with the general populace, and the actors themselves are generally weak-willed, with either drug or psychological problems or both. Actors are also rich, so the "church" can bilk them out of the millions needed to brainwas.. uh, I mean, convert new followers. Scientology is an unprecedentedly huge scam, and only Hollywood types would be stupid and weak-willed enough to follow it. There is nothing spirtual about it. It was and continues to be a calculated scam. I would strongly urge everyone to boycott this movie, as it is only a thinly veiled attempt to earn money to pay for the cult's legal bills. These people are guilty of no less than murder, and their crimes should be brought to light (I'm talking about that woman in Florida who they kidnapped and starved to death in an attempt to "heal"). I would pity Travolta and Cruise if they did not expend so much time and energy in the cults attempts to brainwash new people. They should be ashamed of themselves. I didn't know Catherine Bell was one of these whackos... what a pity. BTW, Didn't Francis Ford Coppola suggest to Lucas that he should start a religion around the Force after Star Wars was so successful? Not trying to bad mouth Coppola, just trying to show that spirituality is not necessarily the impetus for starting a religious movement... especially not in this day and age.
-
It's true, but who cares? As for the already planned sequel, the precedent for that madness was set back in the 1980s when Hal Needham began working on the sequel to MEGAFORCE (DEEDS, NOT WORDS) before the first movie was ever released. Smart move. The only thing more ill conceived than Barry Bostwick as an action hero is John Travolta as an alien! Can't wait to see it!
-
about Scientology but I won't share them here. As for boycotting the movie, I don't think that's a realistic goal - I think this one's going to fail all on its own. Hubbard was a shitty writer. Let me type that again. HUBBARD WAS A SHITTY WRITER. The only story that he wrote that was any good was the Fear story where a guy lost his hat in an alternate reality. Battlefield Earth will work only if its played for what it is... bad pulp.
-
You can get a detailed script review from B.E. here: http://www.xenutv.com/us/review.htm
-
I agree with your point, but please give credit to Douglas Adams if you're going to quote from Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy. (That line about Jesus was one of my favorites.) Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine.
-
If anybody tries to criticize our new religion, Snifflism, we will break him. We shall hire investigators to find out if he is a commie or drug-abuser. If he tries to give out our well-kept secrets without paying the required 750,000,000 dollars (MasterCard or Visa accepted--no personal checks, please), we shall slap him with the Holy Law Suit of Xanitus. If that doesn't work, well, it's a squalid room for him, and a diet of nothing until he comes around. All hail Sniffilism. All hail me!
-
Jan 06, 2000 10:31:08 AM CST
I don't care if fucking Satanists made it, all I care about is t
by mickey finn
You heard me. Who gives a shit? You could tell me absolutely anything you like about scientology, or any other cabalistic basis to a group of people making a movie. ALL I CARE ABOUT IS THE MOVIE! The same goes for Ron Hubbard - everything I know about his cult strikes me as cuckoo to gaga to highly exploitative, and I've never read his work, but I hear it's great pulp sci-fi so good luck to it. Wagner hated Jews and believed in the master-race, but he still wrote kick-ass operas. In fact - and this is really scary - he was motivated to write kick-ass operas BECAUSE he hated Jews and believed in the master-race. So what am I, a racist for loving his work? Hardly. Products of the imagination belong to those who consume them, not those who produce them. If Battleground Earth is the next [insert your favourite sci-fi film here], then it will be just that - a great film. Any other considerations are secondary. And if it stinks to high heaven, then it stinks to high heaven - again, any other considerations are secondary. Goddamn, you don't think that every time I watch a Travolta movie I'm worrying about his involvement with scientology, do you? Imagine if tomorrow you were told that Pulp Fiction was paid for out of the scientologist piggybank - would you suddenly hate it? Let's get these things in perspective and enjoy the film for what is when it comes out.
-
"Mindhead" - that's all I have to say!
-
Read the free online version of BARE FACED MESSIAH, a biography that rips L. Ron Hubbard to shreds and leaves his sodomized remains strewn over the Jersey Turnpike:
http://www.primenet.com/~lippard/bfm/bfmconte.htm -
Here is the creation story for Scientology. I AM ABSOLUTELY STONE FACED FUCKING SERIOUS. THIS IS THE LINE OF BULLSHIT THAT THEY GIVE PEOPLE: Billions of years ago, the Galactic Federation was suffering a massive crimewave. Sick of all the violence, the Council decided to round up all the criminals everywhere and chain them up in a volcano on a remote planet somewhere and nuke the living shit out of said volcano. Turns out that remote planet was Earth, and now the ghosts of all those galactic criminals, called "Thetans", are haunting us to this day. When humans do bad things, it's because we're being possessed by the Thetans in our heads. So along comes L Ron Hubbard, who according to Scientology is not just a hack sci-fi writer, but a brilliant inventor! He has learned the truth about the Thetans and has invented a series of incredible machines (never patented or shown to actual scientists, of course) to kick the Thetans out of our heads so we can all live happily ever after if we have $1,000,000,000,000,000 or so to spare. THE END.
-
Jan 06, 2000 10:46:19 AM CST
"Battlefield Earth" from the Scientologists is just like "The Om
by smilin'jackruby
Everybody likes "Ender's Game," but nobody's attaking the marvelous (and quite talented) Mr. Card because of hiding secret Mormon messages in the book (the guy started out as a journalist for the "Ensign" - Mormon magazine and has always been writing good stuff). Scientology seems to hit a lot of hot buttons with people because of the lawyers, the embezzled money, the multiple trials here and abroad, and the full-page ads the Scientologists took out to comparing the way the Germans were censoring them to the way the Nazis censored the Jews. Living in L.A., you can't escape seeing the evidence of the massive Scientologist implacements and yes, it is sometimes rather scary. In Austin, when the Scientologists tried to buy out my favorite bagel hang-out just so they could own that big building, I think that was my first clue. When you read more about the cult and the way Hubbard used propaganda techniques combined with slick embezzling schemes to get rich, I just feel sorry for the people on the lower levels. Yeah, it's fine for people with disposable income like Travolta to march around, but then it convinces the average joe to give all his money as well. BUT...what's the difference between that and Benny Hinn telling his audience to send "prayer donations?" That's why I'm not too worried about the sci-fi religion. Just think of "Battlefield Earth" the way you thought of "The Omega Code." It's a movie with a big agenda. I, personally, will not be seeing "Battlefield Earth" and not because I'm trying to encourage a boycott, but just because I started reading the book series when I was a kid at my local library (flashy hardback covers) and thought they were awful and ran back to the Asimov section.
-
Jack, you are correct in suggesting that it is a little overly biased to single out Battlefield Earth, when the Omega Code was also made by organized faith-fanatics (I am hesitant to say religious fanatics because I don't want to imply that Scientology is a religion. It isn't). Let me just state that the forces behind "Code" give me the willys just as much as the Scientologists. Both movies should be boycotted. Oh, and to our emerging Snifflism cult: when you guys get big enough, can you guys challenge the Scientologists to a knock-down, drag-out, winner-takes-all fight on WWF Smackdown? Now that I'd pay to see.
-
What does it matter? I mean the Scientoligists will go see the movie over and over, and over again, just to make it the number one movie at the box office. That is what made Dianetics a best seller. The cult members went and bought copies over and over just to up it's place on the New York Times best seller list.
So if we go, or if we don't... it's going to make money, and make lots of it, even if it does suck plankton. -
..by teaching me not to fear the reactionary nose. Oh, and Achilles, I'm sorry, but most Hollywood movies are actually financed by CIA drug money and the evil profits of cattle mutilations and cat juggling.
-
Mission Earth is the ten-book series, Battlefield Earth is the one that came out several years earlier. Intersting story-I used to work in a bookstore when BE came out. Scientologists would come in, order DOZENS of copies of the book, often paying for them in advance, then never picking them up. Why? Because the bestseller list is based on books ordered, not sold, and this would get the book on the best seller list, thus convincing other people to buy it. Basically, if you buy the book (or any of L.Ron's recent new books or reprints), see the movie in the theaters or buy the tape/dvd, you are indirectly putting money into the hands of the Church of Scientology. So bear that in mind.
-
YES, I know the horrors of scientology; YES, I know that as soon as you get past the 'Clear' level and your brain is mashed you get told that Earth was a volcano where intergalactic criminals were punished; YES, I know that their 'Fair Game' policy (or different versions of it after it was nominally cancelled) has driven people to death and despair; NO, I don't think that's got anything to do with how good this movie's going to be; NO, I don't care if the money goes to the CoS as long as I get a front seat and a big tub of popcorn; YES, I'm going to see the fucking movie.
-
That's the most amazing thing I've ever heard! Seriously, though, religious symbolism is all over this year's movies, when Ah-nuld prays to defeat Satan in End of Days, John Coffey's Christ-like figure in the Green Mile, Iron Giant anyone? I don't know a lot about Scientology, I always assumed it was a secular humanist "empowerment" thing, not a religion. I'm a Libertarian, so I say, whatever brings people peace, whether it's religion, art or drugs is OK as long as it doesn't interfere with other people. As for Battlefield Earth, I'm judging the movie on it's merits alone, not who made it. I don't care whether the money goes to Scientology, as long as it DOESN'T go to a crappy movie. Peace.********************* PS: Rush2112... cool name. I bet By-Tor and the Snow Dog are coming soon too, eh?
-
Entertainment Weekly did a series of articles about two months ago on Christian films and music. Expect to see films of all genres, especially sci-fi, with some overtly Christian messages to them. The "Left Behind" book series that's currently selling like hotcakes is in movie development right now. Peace.
-
I will sneak into Battlefield Earth, or catch an advance screening. No way in hell I'm giving those evil bastards a cent of my money. It's like stealing crack from a drug dealer. You get the crack, but the evil drug dealer doesn't make any money. That's fair right?
-
Jan 06, 2000 12:41:03 PM CST
Paging TheDoctor! Douglas Adams was trying to be FUNNY when he s
by sdg
Jesus was killed because he was a radical threat to established power in Roman-occupied Palestine. You may not think He's God, but comparing Christianity to Hubbard's SF fantasies is just preposterous.
-
Not one to bash religions, being religious myself but i just don't get how Scientology exists? There has been numerious documented and well respected fact that it was made to make money. LRH own words "Yeah I made money writing but you want to make real money, make a religion." It's the Hollywood religion, the more money you have, the higher you are. So a Sci Fi movie was made to bring money to the church.
-
Religion gets a bad rap for having killed people. In this century alone millions and millions of people have been killed by atheistic Marxism and neo-pagan Nazism.
-
A Man For All Seasons is one of the greatest movies ever made, all about religious faith. The Mission is also quite good, as is Robert Duvall's The Apostle. Some religious group sponsored production of The Spitfire Grille, a nice enough movie I enjoyed. I haven't got anything against religion and entertainment mixing. I do have something against BAD entertainment. And bad religion also. Scientology is bad religion; don't yet know whether BE will be bad entertainment.
-
The fact is, Sobewankinobi, that when Hubbard said that you had to start a religion in order to make money, he was slagging off other religions. To you and I it's a deeply ironic comment, given the turnover of the 'non-profit organisation' that is the CoS, but to a Scientologist we're both deluded and blind to the truth. It's like when Hubbard said that 'The only way you can control anybody is to lie to them' (yes, he DID say that). He was actually warning his followers about the other evil influences that threatened their purity and upped their Engram count - heaven forbid that he might be talking about himself.
-
WHATEVER!!!!!!!!
-
But hell, it exists in the Constitution and in legal tribunals. However, passing off religion as entertainment is one thing, propaganda "Triumph of the Will"-style is another. Look at the poster for Peter Weir's "Fearless." We as a society get off on the "Christ-figure," it's just something we're inoculated with, I suppose. An aside to the guy who clarified the difference between "Battlefield Earth" and "Mission:Earth," I frankly had no idea there was a difference, my silly childhood memories. Thanks for the clarification.
-
Yes, tis true. And to think it's exempt from taxes since it's done by a religious (albiet hokey) orginization. So you get a big budget movie, with no taxes and you the American (If your not, it's okay) taxpayer pay for it. Ah enjoy your movie.
I just don't understand a non-profit organization making a profit, must be to help support the Correction Police. -
Y'know........like the first movie ?
-
Battlefield Earth is pure pulp sci-fi hack. None of the greatest directors in the world could make this movie great, unless the script had no relation to the book. Characters have no depth, the plot is pathetic, and overall it has no punch. Any religious content of the movie is irrelevant to quality or validity; the bad story will do-it-in all by itself. ____ As far as Scientology is concerned, I read about 3/4 of Dianetics before my common sense could stand no more. It starts off with an interesting premise: Pathways are created in your youth that determine how you will react to situations later in life. However, it then jumps into this weird pseudo-science bullshit that would make Star Trek technobabble sound like Sesame Street. I couldn't read another word when it said that an unborn child would receive bad engrams from its mother if she had an especially strong bowl movement. WHAT THE FUCK!?!? Later, I learned all the wild goofiness of Xenu and e-meters. Man-o-man if this isn't a man-made religion, created by a nut-ball with a library card, I hope the Galactic Federation returns to finish the job.
-
Those wanting a little info on L Ron and Scientology should really look at this site. I've found it quite fascinating so far. I've definitely lost the little respect I had for the Hollywood followers of this absurd organization. Joseph Smith almost seems legitimate after reeading about L Ron.
As far as Battlefield, I enjoyed the book as a kid, but am not really looking forward to the movie after the awful trailer.
http://www.primenet.com/~lippard/bfm/bfmconte.htm -
All religons are cults. Some are simply more popular then others. The fact that more people prescribe to certain ones in no way lends them greater credibility in the face of logic and reason. After all, a 100,000 lemmings cant all be wrong right? :P
-
Yes I may be a celebrity but Sniffilism has changed my life. Sniffilism assured me the day when Jon Peters would be long gone for Superman Lives and I would make my come back to the big screen. Behold the power of the sniffles! As for Battlefield Earth, well I saw the trailer and while a couple of things looked cool I think I'll pass. Not because of its connection to Scientology, but it kind of looks like a bad sci-fi movie. If I see more pictures or clips I may consider sneaking in and watching it...
-
Didn't the Moonies finance a film a few years ago? I swear I remember reading something about that. I can't remember what kind of movie it was, but I'm reasonably sure it was a big flop. FELLOW FILM BUFFS HELP ME OUT!!! Anybody know anything about this? My memory is failing me and it's driving me crazy.
-
www.subgenius.com
Eternal salvation or triple your money back!
Praise Bob! -
Jan 06, 2000 2:45:42 PM CST
Battlefield Earth, and all its sequels, will be megablockbusters
by niiiice
Harry, I know what you're talking about. The scientology church across from campus is the scariest thing on the drag!! No matter how crappy this movie will be, its still going to be a hit. Why? Look at how awful all Hubbard's books are, and he still made the bestseller list! Why? Because Scientologists went out and horded all the copies of his books at the local bookstores! This isn't an "opinion" or a tall tale, it actually happened. Why? Because Scientologists wanted to make their leader seem more mainstream. This crosses over to the film media. I can already see Scientologists buying up the all the seats in their nearest cineplex. Even if the movie itself has nothing to do with the religion, NO ONE can say that religion did not play a part in the film's conception or even its sequels. How many times do films get sequels when the film itself has an extremely negative buzz before its released? This is an extremely important publicity stunt for the scientologists. If it has nothing to do with scientology, then WHY do scientologists ALWAYS point out the fact the L.Ron Hubbard's books consistently make the bestseller's list?
-
Seems you're right, Harry. People just can't stay on topic. Your comparison with Cameron seems appropriate.
Now, to the topic, I have attended cons across the US for over 15 years and I have met many many fans who enjoyed the book. And I know many many who are looking forward to the movie.
Of course not everyone likes every book written otherwise all books by all authors (that people liked) would sell millions of copies, and that certainly does _not_ happen with the vast majority of books published. But, between writers and fans I know it is two thumbs up, etc., etc., on both the Battlefield Earth book (or audio--with a great performance by Roddy McDowall) and upcoming flick.
-
Jan 06, 2000 2:48:47 PM CST
I don't think it can actually be said that Christ was a mythical
by carson75
First off, both Manowar and Rush are great bands, along with most non-poser, non-Korn Heavy Metal, but that is neither here, nor there.
I'm a Christian, not ashamed of it, don't care what you think about it, wish you were one, but if you aren't I still love you and I don't have anything against you. I don't having against movies with a religious base or religion in them. Of course, I didn't go see the Omega Code, because I knew it would be absolutely horrible and I didn't want my money going to an institution such as TBN, who claim to stand for Christianity, but are about as far from Christianity as you can be...hehe. One of the best science fiction movies that came out last year had a lot of Christian influence, the Matrix. Anyway, I will go see Battlefield Earth, mainly because I love sci-fiction and fantasy...even bad science fiction and fantasy, Battle Beyond the Stars, anyone? I mean, heck, I went to see Wing Commander even though I knew it would suck...my girlfriend and I were two of the three people watching Kull the Conqueror on opening night...hehe. I think that Hubbard was out to make money, much like organized religion which has totally lost the point of what Christ taught, and I think the CoS has some very strange beliefs...and this is coming from someone who loves Sci-fi...hehe. And one last thing before I go...I'm about to start working on my doctorate in History so I have some study on the matter before I say this...but I am sick of the argument about Christians killing millions. Well, it is true, wasn't a very Christian thing to do, no doubt about that...but basically every group of individuals who have ever walked upon this face of the planet have done their fair share of killing, whether it be for religion, ideology, survival, or just to be mean.
If you like Sci-fi go see the movie, then we all can come back here and talk about what could have be done to improve it.
And a word to everyone that prays, could you do me a favor, pray that the world doesn't end before the Lord of the Rings comes out...oh and world peace...hehe. Take care. -
I think I know better than to pay good money to see a movie that will, in some way, shape or form, help line the pockets of some extremely dangerous people. Scientology is far from "harmless". http://www.xenu.com has far more on it than I can detail here, but let's just say that after reading the site, any interest I had in seeing Travolta playing an alien were thoroughly dissolved. Not to mention, Hubbard was a thoroughly awful writer -- and there's doubt that he even penned any of BATTLEFIELD EARTH himself.
-
Mickey Finn doesn't care where the money goes as long as he sits in the front row with a big tub-o-popcorn and a 45 gallon Pepsi(tm).
David Fincher made 2 films about Mickey Finns not caring...
The end of the world won't come in the form of a Y2K bug or a giant meteor: the american psychosis will ruin it.
BTW, Battlefield Earth looks like a big stinker anyway... -
Thanks to some of you who have touched upon Douglas Adams and his marvelous Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy "trilogy". I mean this is one piece of 'sci-fi' novel to film adaptation that people actually want to hear news about!! Come on, where's the scoops?? This is a guy who could write and actually had something to say. So what's up with the film? Last I heard it was slated as an "event" film for 2001 or something. Anyone want to throw me a line here? I'd rather hear who's been chosen for second unit director than who's gonna play Johhny Blowme in Battlefield Earth.
-
First off, I won't criticize the actors in Hollywood who do believe in it. For one thing, the rumor is that they recieve an "easier on the ego" version of the religion, and secondly, I'd rather they be auditing and reading DIANETICS than snorting cocaine and shooting heroin. Artists are eccentric, Hollywood's always been kinda odd. But it also follows trends, and I don't know if Scientology will remain trendy for long.
Secondly, this movie might actually be good. Even if the book is mere pulp adventure with philosophy added (I'm just guessing here), well, what doesn't work in a book may very well work on the screen. It doesn't sound that good, but who knows. As for whether or not to support it- I'm not sure that the Church of Scientology is paying for this out of their own pocket, so its faliure wouldn't bankrupt them if it happened, so it ain't that vital (certainly no more so than PHENOMENON). If it looks interesting, see it. If not, avoid.
I disagree with Scientology's tactics in many areas (particularly their thin skin when it comes to criticism- the Catholic League is downright self-deprecating by comparison,) but I don't fear them that much. At least not yet. -
Actually, even the drag rats stay away from that place...maybe they've observed some strange going-ons late in the night when no one's around....
-
Having read the book when it first came out, I found the story engrossing and action packed. The movie should be quite interesting and I'm sure that a studio of WB's caliber would only back a movie that is expected to pull in an audience and make the studio money.
I'm fascinated by Travolta's transformation to Terl and anxiously await more scenes from this film. sy -
One thing I forgot was at Windycon this past Nov Fred Pohl, Kris Rusch and Dean W Smith and others were at dinner and Battlefield Earth came up. Interesting to hear Fred tell of his reading the book in 24 hours just prior to leaving for a trip--with no sleep. This beats me when I read it in about 40 hours over a weekend (with a bit of sleep in between). The concensus was that BE is a compelling tale, full of fast action. All at the dinner table (10 of us) are looking forward to the movie version to see how well it fares in staying true to the book (unlike Bicentennial Man and Starship Troopers and countless others). Based on what the film's director Roger Christian said in the pre-production video (which can be found at
http:www.battlefieldearth.com)
they tried to stay true to the story while creating their own thing. -
Yes, artists are eccentric, but Scientology isn't for artists. As for "Hitchhikers Guide for the Galaxy," Jay Roach is directing and Adams, at least earlier this year when he gave a talk at Indiana University, is very, very happy with how it's going.
-
I read Battlefield Earth for an hour and got past forty pages before the engrams started giving me bad abdominal pains, then I used the 500 remaining pages to wipe my ass after an amazing power dump.
-
I, for one, am glad to hear that a BE sequel has a green light. I always liked the second part of the book in which the plot get into intergalactic banking and diplomacy. It offers a chance to add some fresh elements to the usual sf movie plot.
Supergupta -
As I sit here with my penis strapped to my leg with duct tape (the greatest invention ever) I can feal inner harmony. Just the fact that I know I am not alone, we the followers of Snifflism are the future. I know that in the near future we will have big name stars in our ranks, stars like Brian Boitano, Mr. Whinstom, Ben Jo, and Ava Goldsman. With names like those people will fear us. Now if you will excuse me I will try to take a piss without making a mess.
-
Now is the time that all good men come to the aid of their local chapter of Sniffilism to worship the god, Snuffaluffagus.
-
Film is an art, and actors are artists. Travolta may not be the best actor around, but I believe he does his best and follows his instincts just as any artist does.
-
Let's welcome all Scienos on this Messageboard, especially "supergupta", "squelch" and "suzey". (Wink, Wink, don't use to many e-Mail addresses from Co$ Front groups like Relaypoint). Trying to create some positive buzz about this movie? Let's face it, it's hopeless. It's disgusting enough that a wifebeater and childkidnapper like L.Ron Hubbard get's honored with his "own" movie in Hollywood.
For all others try to communicate with these guys. It's funny, especially if you critizes L. Ron Hubbard! -
Let's face it, actors are idiots. You need nothing to become an actor. Actors have nothing of value to say about anything, at any time. Nothing. That vast hangar that is the mind is empty, ready to be filled with other people's words and other people's passions and other people's characters. The worship of actors is totally out of control in this country.
-
Sequel rumors? Silly hoax from Hollywood to give people the impression that this is a good movie. WB must face it sooner or later. This movie is a stinker. I have no idea how WB is going to sell B.E. in Germany and other parts of Europe. The article about B.E. in the Washington Post (Nov. 28) was just the beginning!
Hail XENU! -
Ya know, I think I'm going to avoid this film because 90% of the people I talked to about the source novel said it sucked the dick of a pack animal.
-
Hey, why not do a couple of sequels. I like the book. I like these kinds of movies. They sure beat B-movies. Good Sci-Fi done by a major studio is usually fun.
-
Battlefield Earth ranks up with the all-time greats of sf. Up there with anything by RAH (who also liked Battlefield), Isaac Asimov, Scott Card, ACC, Doc Smith, Frank Herbert, and many others. The book was written in such a way as to keep me reading. I didn't want to stop. Hubbard spun a great tale and if the movie is half as good as the book, it'll be a smashin' success. I'm keepin' my fingers crossed that it is. We'll see in May...
-
Battlefield Earth ranks up there with all the greats of sf--RAH (who liked Battlefield), Isaac Asimov, Scott Card, ACC, Frank Herbert, etc. Hubbard wrote the book in such as way as I kept reading it, kept wanting to read it. I only hope the movie is half as good as the book, cuz if it's that I'll be happy. Anything more's a bonus. I guess we'll see in May.
-
Jan 06, 2000 7:42:26 PM CST
Hey, let's Crucify Travolta! That'll Solve Our Scientology Prob
by otaku73
Hey, you know, I've heard all the horror strories about Scientology too, and if the world worked my way, we wouldn't even have religion, certainly not one where the Galactic Emperor sent all the "naughty thoughts" in the universe into the crust of our planet in cryogenic chambers. Buuuut...does a god who makes girls out of our ribs sound any more plausible?
I tell ya (you) in another thousand years, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism...all will be extinct. The Church of Elvis and Scientology will be divvying up the world, and SubGeniuses will be on their fifth and final rise. Of course, us jews will still be putting about, waiting for...whatever we're waiting for. I doubt we'll even remember by then. Messiah? Don't be Mishugah!
Do you know why these spit-in-the-road-of-history religions will be so popular? BECAUSE YOU INTOLERANT FUCKS ARE GIVING THEM SO MUCH ATTENTION! If a couple italians hadn't nailed Andy Gibb to a cross, (actually, a staros) Christianity would be a footnote in Talmudic studies, one of the many jewish splinter sects that never made it. But no, if you'll remember, Rome made a big goddamn deal over a fanatical cult, and look where Rome is now. The very seat of the religion they tried to destroy exists there. The man who is closest to God in the Christian faith lives there, and holds mass every Sunday, and sometimes on holidays, if he's up to it. A thousand years ago, no sane christian would set foot in that crazy town.
Which makes me think Germany will be where those damn Scientolo-gits
will be hanging ten (whoops, this is Germany we're talking aboot, I guess they'd be gassing them, and not just ten) So here's the plan, kids; if we ignore them, they really will go away. That's just how conversion religion works.
Interesting story; Scientology started off as a bet. Hubbard and C.S. Lewis (yeah, Aslan and Narnia and all that jazz) dared each other to create a book (or series of books) that was completely ludicrous, but would become a bible for at least one person. The first person who contacted them, under the impression it was a religion and one they wanted to be a part of, won.
Lewis wrote the Space Trilogy, an unimaginative if intriguing allegory for christianity, which seemed to be the theme in his works.
Hubbard, though, was a science fiction writer. He went all out and created an actual guidebook, with an epic backstory about galactic emperors and so on. (kind of lovecraftian, if you ask me) But basically, it was a hate letter to the practice of psychology, an institiution that told Hubbard he was insecure all his life. There was, however, a difference...
Thye sent him money. And lots of it.
Apparently, there are a lot of rich saps out there who don't like psychologists telling them the truth, either.
Hubbard was having some tax problems at the time, admonished them to send more, and rewrote the second edition of his book to reflect his, as founder of the religion, need for cash. And it came in.
Come on, the guy was a used car salesman. -
Xenu, I take issue with your ill-conceived slander of actors. "They have nothing of value to say." WHAT THE SAM HELL?? That's such a nasty, unfounded blanket judgement! Have you no concept of performing arts? Would you stand before Sir Ian McKellen, look him in the face, and tell him he contributes nothing to society/culture and that he's a worthless vacant lot of a human being? I seriously doubt it. Without sounding like a bloody Public Service Announcement, let me remind you that actors are the most crucial element in performing arts, whose service is to bring out the humanity within the playwright's words... thus showing us an artistic mirror of ourselves. We learn, feel, hate, weep, love, laugh, and remember the dynamic moments of being human through the incredible work of actors. I'm talking about REAL artists here, not talentless bullshit "celebrities" like Denise Richards(hey, she's cute, but admittedly not a real thespian). Your sweeping insult to actors everywhere is just offensive. But when you say the worship of actors is totally out of control; well, that's a completely different point and may very well be true. The cult of celebrity, in all it's numbing evil, is NOT the same thing as mankind's evocation of art through performance. So BEGONE before somebody drops a house on YOU.
-
I seem to recall that the original printings of the paperback were emblazoned with the legend "Soon to be TWO major motion pictures." Although it obviously didn't happen at the time, it would appear that it was ALWAYS the intent that it be filmed in two parts. As such, I'm not at all surprised that the second movie is green-lighted before the first one is finished, I'm almost surprised that they weren't shot concurrently.
-
To dispute an earlier poster, the notorious bet between Hubbard and another writer was made between Hubbard and Robert Heinlein, author of "Stranger in a Strange Land" which actually developed a sort of "cult-like" following involving "grokking" and "water-sharing." I don't know if Hubbard and Lewis exactly trafficked in the same circles (or the same generations), but that story seemed a little unlikely. As for the actor/artist debate, I firmly believe there are artists who use acting as their medium - just look at someone like Spalding Gray. I do, indeed, believe that the actor-worship in America is insane, especially around a fellow such as Travolta who it is freely known doesn't memorize his lines anymore, but merely reads off cue cards because he's gotten slightly lazy and too big for his britches. There are real actors, Kevin Kline comes to mind as does Nathan Lane, who are just as much artists as David Byrne or Laurie Anderson, Max Ernst or Mies Van Der Rohe, or Bergman or Woody Allen. Art is what you make of it. Hell, I consider Richard Pryor a major 20th Century artist.
-
Star Wars on Earth? ID4 with more communicative aliens? Big budget production values? It's like Hank Hill says on his cartoon: "C'mon Bobby, it's got Special Effects." Hubbard wrote perfectly acceptable science fiction in the Golden Age tradition before Dianetics, and this seems right in line with those good ol' days.
-
I think I'll give it a pass, thankyouvermuch. Has anyone seen the picture of the poster anyway? John Travolta looks like he has Hepatitis B or somethin'. . .
-
Okay the Catholics aren't perfect,
but they do not have mindless
drones walking up and down the
streets of Clearwater, Fla.
carrying clipboards and wearing
either a psuedo Navy uniforms or
a tacky airline hostess one.
You can tell all of these people
have something missing in thier
lives, and I'll be damned if I'm
going to see B.E. and finance
thier twisted business/religion.
Sorry Harry for turning this into a political dicussion and losing
site of our love of movies, but
it looks like the line between religion and entertainment is
becoming blurred...again. -
Finally The Butcher has returned to the talk back area! The Butcher agrees with you lets all prey that the world does not end before Lord Of The Rings and the rest of The Star Wars Trilogy makes it to the big screen. 2000 is the year of TAZZ in the WWF! -
NOT OFTEN THAT A BOOK IS WRITTEN AND A MOVIE GETS THE GREEN LIGHT FOR A SEQUEL BEFORE THE FIRST MOVIE HITS THE THEATERS. HARRY, YOU PROBABLY GOT IT RIGHT. THE BOYS WITH THE DEEP POCKETS FIGURE THE AUDIENCE IS THERE. FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, RIGHTLY SO. I'VE READ A LOT OF SCI-FI AND THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST.
-
. . . I WOULDN'T SEE THAT COCKSMOKER HUBBARD'S FUCKING MOVIE IF YOU PAID ME IN GALACTIC CREDITS! (Cough.) Excuse me, that really isn't very helpful. What I meant to say is that Mr. Travolta won't GET ME TO SEE THAT GODDAMN MOVIE IF HE SHOWS UP AT MY DOORSTEP WITH A TRIO OF SUPERMODELS AND THE KEYS TO A FUCKING PORSCHE! . . . Er, sorry, (Cough!)I seem to have digressed again. No, no, no! What I was really trying to get across was that the individuals who follow his teachings should TAKE THEIR GODDAMN ENGRAMS (pant, pant) AND SHOVE THEM SO FAR UP THEIR ASSES (pant) THAT-MMMPPHH! (Sound of mouthgrip being shoved into mouth and shock treatment being administered.)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~We would like to apologize for the poor quality of the previous post. The poster came from a broken home and has been exposed to many violent films and videogames. Once again, our apologies.
-
...like a screwdriver--and there are a lot of people who have a screw loose that needs tightening (Jesus operated/operates much the same way). Most Scientologists seem pretty happy, so God bless 'em (it just must be sort of embarrassing to know that your religion was founded by a hack writer...sort of like finding out that Jesus wrote all of Paulie Shore's material). In any case, DIANETICS=Laughing All The Way To The Bank...so God Bless America!
-
I couldnt agree more with xenu on this one. Actors are looked upon in this soceity like some sort of super-human. Its absolutely ludicrous. Ever watch that sappy James Lipton Actors Studio? It makes me want to puke! Its a perfect example of how unbelievably over the top our idolization of actors is. Think of what these people do. They play Make Believe. And they get paid boatloads of money for it! There is a degree of skill involved in this art. But these people arent doing anything that ANYONE couldnt do. They arent dedicating their lives to protecting or healing others. They arent spending years with their noses buried in books in order to further our understanding of the universe and its phenomenon. They arent risking their lives for their trade. They are playing MAKE BELIEVE!Its fluff on the scale of what others do!
-
I mean, that's right. Boy, was I talking out of my ass there. I knew there was some bet made, anyway. And to talk out of my ass on a board like this....seems so unlikely. Thanks for being a nice guy aboot it, Smiling Jack. I'm kind of proud of myself, too. I could have just said you were wrong and Harry told me that story, and none of the other talbackers would have been the wiser, being cultural heathens, and idiots to boot, and not just a cultural idiot, (and a heathen to boot!) like yours truly.
Wow, look at all the flames under this post... -
Okay, how'd we go from an enjoyable pastime (reposting the same damn things about scientology on EVERY battlefield earth scoop) to bashing actors all of a sudden? Do I detect a hint of pent-up jealousy here? Actors are doing more than playing make beleive, and I HARDLY think that it is something that just ANYONE can do!! Not just ANYONE has the ability to act! A sense of timing, delivery, voice inflection, a small twitch of the eye, certain things take talent. That's a ridiculous idea and you obviously aren't well-informed on exactly what acting's all about. There isn't just a "little bit of skill" needed to "play make beleive", acting is an art, as corny as that may sound! Jim Carrey spent months watching old video reels, talking to friends and family, and even slept in Andy Kaufman's childhood room, that sounds like a pretty serious gig to me! Your tiresome tirade could just as well be extended to include professional sports or pop stars for being worshiped and overpaid. Their outrageous salaries are a result of a society gone mad. Like it or not, you and me and everyone else is part of and contributes to this society and makes it what it is. So stop the bellyaching, we're all part of the problem.
-
You're right! The audience is there! Who is it? Scientologists! The studios are banking (literally) on the fact that Scientologists went out and hoarded copies of Hubbard's other books, pushing it into the bestseller's list! So they figure, put out a shit film based on a shit book by a shit author with his own cult? CHACHING!!!!!!!! Big dollar signs lighting up the eyes!
-
You have to post the same damn post in the same talkback because people are too ignorant or blindsighted to realise what you're trying to say. I blame Scientology for doing a good job in training their drones to ignore rationality. I mean honestly, when you hear that a sequel has been greenlighted to a film that hasn't even been released yet, although it is preceded by highly negative buzz, your reaction is "they have a winner! the audience is there!!!!", you can be pretty sure that you've been brainwashed, ok Hock13?
-
I really liked the trailer, myself! I thought Travolta looked sensational as Terl and the special effects look terrific! Is it May 12, yet?
-
Squelch, your points are well made. Battlefield Earth is a good story with strong characters....what more does one want? I go to the movies to be entertained and to have my imagination tantalized. I think BE is going to do both!
-
Here, here! I think it's a safe bet that no one posting has ever written a book that was published or made a movie. The bashing gets almost comical in its intensity, don't you think? Carrey's preparations were intense, from what I read. And, I remember when Travolta made "Staying Alive"...he reported that he'd worked out for 8 hours a day for MONTHS, getting in shape for the role. To take a concept and bring it to life on screen is a fantastic ability! One should read the story of the Warner Brothers to appreciate the dedication and guts it takes! I devour old movies on the weekends for the pure enjoyment of watching how the actors bring the story to life and am really looking forward to seeing how this is done with BE!!
-
In response to Integra -- YOU'RE BLIND TO THE ARTS, my friend. Can't see a damn thing. I sense you're deeply entrenched in the stale argument that all actors everywhere are useless... Well, let's take your argument to the next level, eh? Take all the dancers, chop their legs off. They're stupid dancing doesn't help anybody, it's empty and serves nothing. Same with singers & songwriters. Burn 'em all at the stake! Who needs lyrics about love, heartbreak, or ambition? Flush all that crap along with the playwrights, sculptors, painters, and poets. THEY'RE ALL LIARS ANYWAY... They just spit out empty ideas about human existence... who needs it?? So now we have a happy sanitized world that Xenu and Integra can live in, without any annoying actors/performers. Gee. Sure is fun. ..... What a nice place. [Pause] What are we gonna do now? [Pause] I dunno, wanna go see a movie? CAN'T NOW, we killed all the actors. ..... Hmmm, remember that old Patsy Cline song you use to love? Sure would like to hear it now, it reminds me of my childhood sweetheart. OOPS! CAN'T NOW, we melted all the records and burned down the record studios! Gee. Sure is fun around here. ..... There, I made my point. I suggest you enroll in a Humanities course at a nearby University --and afterwards come back to Talk Back and share with us what you learned.
-
Suzey, supergupta, squelch are Scientologists. They try to create some positive buzz about the movie. Problem is they can't comunicate with other people, especially if you critizise the wifebeater L.Ron Hubbard or if you talk about the evil galactic overlord ruler XENU! All guys here who smash the movie are Surpressive Persons (SP) for Scientology!www.xenu.net
-
You've completely missed the entire point of my post. Issue 1: attacking my ethos (or lack therein of) is completely irrelevant in this. I have acted before, taken part in film production, music production and writing. Issue 2: My argument is concerning the DEGREE in which actors are looked upon. It is responsible for the quality of the 99% of the films that are made presently. Movie making has shifted from being driven by people with ideas (Screenwriters and Directors) to Histrionical Egos. Call me Hitchcock but its should be about the story, not the pretty face. Additionally its all relative. You never once addressed that in your response to me, you immediately took up the banner of defending all the arts. Its a matter of Cult of Personality. Arts is an extremely pertinent part of the workings of our society, but compared to people who REALLY toil and work and push the limits of what we know and can be, they are nothing.
Look at what medical doctors do everyday, look at the degree in which they have sacrificed for their trade. Look at police officers and the risks they place themselves at. Look at teachers who are probably one of our most underappreciated resource. But no, we hail the Great Actors! Please. After all isnt the arts supposed to be a reflection/extension of society? -
What said Hitchcock about actors:"You should treat them like cattle".
-
I took up defending Actors in my post yesterday (please see above) because I am a professional writer/actor who makes a living doing both. I've worked both sides of the creative fence and have been deeply enriched and also pained in equal measure. It's a strange dance between two artistic expressions I fully appreciate. And yesterday, Xenu really rubbed my fur the wrong way by saying actors "have nothing of value to say about anything, at any time". Good grief! But also note that I conceded a completely separate point: our society's worship of actors is out of control, we glamorize them to high-heaven beyond means. I got YOUR point on that but did you get mine? Yes, yes, yes... we often deify our entertainers, BUT - - - That's totally different from a sweeping judgment that devalues all performers everywhere as useless protoplasm not worth the dirt beneath your feet! Xenu is JUST NUTZ to say that. I am as deeply respectful of Artists, in any medium, as I am Doctors, Teachers, or Red Cross volunteers. But that's just me. Bottom line: Relativism must reign here, because to me they each contribute needful services to *humanity*. To you, however-- maybe to you Actors have no better purpose than to be spat upon. Fine. But remember what Sir Lawrence Olivier said, "I'm just a worker. Just a craftsman, working his trade like a carpenter. All I hope is to do it well, as any carpenter would. And it's a blessing to have anyone say, 'You did a good job.'" It's humility from a true artist, like Olivier, that gives you some perspective.
-
It's payback for the way they were treated in Elizabethan times. But seriously- it's not like they're to blame if people pay a lot of attention to them. And I don't see that as being very relevant- if a lot of people started lavishing attention on a firefighter, would that make his/her job any easier? No. The reason why actors are so well-known is that their work is worldwide. A teacher, a police officer, a firefighter, etc., all of them work within a specific community- hence the other communities don't hear much about them. But an actor's work can be seen in every community, hence he gets more total attention. Perhaps actors shouldn't make more money than teachers, but how would them making less money result in the teachers making more? If you're on a TV show that generates millions of dollars in advertising revenue and merchandising tie-ins for a network, aren't you entitled to some of that?
-
B.E. was not a bad novel, but it was not a great one either.
I'll reserve judgement on the movie.
If you want good S.F. read Asimov, Larry Niven, or James Hogan.
The Best S.F. novel ever written is Dune, but stay away from the sequels.
On the subject of actors, they are like everyone else, some good, some bad. -
I LIKE THE BOOK. I DO LIKE THIS KIND OF MOVIE SO YEAH, THE AUDIENCE IS THERE. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IT'S ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE. NOT LIKE YOU I'M SURE BUT THAT'S O.K. (AND I DON'T MEAN ANYTHING DEROGATORY BY THAT)
SUZEY, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO POST ON HERE WHO HAVE MADE MOVIES. SOME OF US TEND TO BE MORE KIND HAVING BEEN IN THE HOT SEAT.
-
...but I need a volunteer for that duct-tape part.
-
I'm not attempting to give you a Bible lecture, but SOMEONE needs to throw in some truth here. It's all too often that we have to tolerate people that babble the same baseless criticisms on subjects of which they have no fundamental knowledge. The same whiners make it their crusade to try to convince themselves and everyone else of their "intellectual" elitism by downplaying Christianity as a simplistic mysticism. All they do is take it out of context and emphasize irrelevant points. By doing so, they only point out their own lack of credibility. They don't see the essential teachings (that totally contradict the actions of megalomaniacs throughout history that use Christianity as an excuse for selfish, human behavior) or the logic behind a code of morals and a liason like Jesus to spread it. The fact that these same critics even compare Christianity to Scientology only further demonstrates their error in forsaking the facts, just for the simple indulgence to gripe and moan by their own convenience. In truth, Scientology is the exact OPPOSITE of every ideal and moral taught in Christianity. Jesus taught selflessness and generosity. Scientology teaches you to horde your money and give it to them. (The money given to Christian churches is intended to pay expenses and aid the poor, which is why many Christians don't condone rich televangelists). Christ teaches one to make peace, and even love your enemies, since everyone is a child of God. Scientology teaches one to lash out at your enemies mercilessly by legally bombarding them or breaking into their homes. To them, enemies consist of anyone that makes a harsh public statement against Scientology or (especially) ex-members. Jesus healed and resurrected; Hubbard tried to pattent aluminum cans that were tied with kite strings, while concurrently turning people's brains into oatmeal. It sounds silly, and it is indeed laughable, but at the same time the absurdity is serious. People's lives are being screwed on a routine basis by these zombies, and every penny that this movie makes is intended to reach the pockets of the CoS. Sorry that this is so lengthy, but I had to make my point. www.xenu.net ... Read up...
-
Yes Suzey, Supergupta, and Squelch are scientoligists. Earthlink is owned by the CoS, and they just bought MindSpring too... they are trying to take over the net. You know before long, they might just make a Bot that can spam the shit out of talk back, like the poetry bots they made to sporge Alt.religion.Scientology. And you might ask why they don't denfend themselves other than trying to create buzz... they would rather sue you. That's what they do, file bogus law suits to run people out of money... and the sad thing is, they lose far more than they win. But in Gods name (Well L. Ron Hubbard to us non believers) it's just the "right thing" todo. Be afraid people... be very afraid that they can get away with the crap that they do... it's very scarry.
-
While I appreciate Harry's dedication to keeping an open mind... this is a rare instance where it's not the best idea in the world. I strongly encourage anyone not thoroughly familiar with scientology to pay www.xenu.net a visit, as mentioned above. An excellent resource that can give you a quick education on just how creepy this whole deal is. Yes, the celeb-catering side we see seems simply to be harmless new-age claptrap, no better or worse than any other religion. But for those not making megabucks and outside the public spotlight, it has a lot of disturbing and frankly malevolent cultic overtones (and practices). Life-destroying stuff. So I, for one, won't be giving Johnny-boy my bucks for BF:E. Keeping your mind open is nice in theory, but doing so around cults is like leaving your door unlocked in the bad part of town.
-
Hail Great Sniff!
Just thinkin that perhaps we could audition some celebrities to be spokespeople for our worthy cause. What is Casper Van Dien up to anyways? -
I'm very glad to see that our new religion, or ONE TRUE PATH, as I like to call it, has caught on so well. I'm glad to see the interest is there. But we need to do more. We must take this out of Talkback and move out into the larger world. Think of the countless millions of poor pathetic hellbound souls who have yet to hear of the (say it aloud with me) ONE TRUE PATH. It is up to US, my brothers and sisters, to Witness to others the light and glory that can be theirs for only a lifetime of service and the cost of a roll of duct tape. (by the way, SmutGirl, I'll be happy to help you out with your little problem *wink*) So rise up, take to the streets, witness the glory of the Great High Almighty Infinite Omnipotent All-Knowing Downright Nifty Sniffer. To this end, we'll need brochures. We'll need T-shirts. Heck, a fight song wouldn't hurt either. Let us now band together to show the dirty immoral heretics that we mean business. Let us conquer! Thank you, my children. This message from god will self-destruct.
-
I, Superman, will promote Sniffilism to my other fellow crime-fighters! Join the ONE TRUE PATH!
-
My parents met in the CoS and were married as members. I spent a lot of my childhood in one of their missions, and my father worked his way up to being the head of our mission. Then they did the wrong thing and got 'declared' and went through sheer hell, as did a lot of their friends and my friends. No group is pure evil. Scientology has a lot of good ideas. But overall, it is a sick, hurtful and dangerous cult. I appreciate all the people here who are going to give the movie a pass. I understand the people who want to see it because they differentiate the movie and the people behind it. I personally could not imagine giving any money to the people behind the CoS, knowing how many lives they've destroyed, having lived through it, but that's my decision to make, YMMV.
-
I don't know if anybody will agree with me, but in my opinion Scientology is just a distorted version hypnosis. You're basically hypnotizing people into doing things for you! The again I don't really know much about Scientology but from what I've heard it's just a bunch of hypnotists explioting their skill. Now on to this Battle Field Earth sequel business. Ain't it a bit too early to start making a sequel? I mean let's face it, nobody knows if Battlefield Earth is gonna be a hit. I hope the makers of Battlefield Earth know what they're doing cos they could ruin a saga which has potential.
-
Brad Linaweaver was visiting and told me that the special effects footage he saw for Battlefield Earth looks as great as Star Wars.
-
I'd like to add my 2 cents worth, a penny for me and a penny for Forrest J Ackerman (Mr. Sci-Fi). We saw some of the Battlefield Earth special effects footage together, and we were very impressed.
This looks like the Big One for 2000. And we had to have a blockbuster in this very important year for science fiction fans.
Brad Linaweaver -
I agree. If you just want to talk about sci-fi and that is what I like. I'd bet this one will the big one in 2000. After all its only a movie folks.
-
Personally, I don't see what the controversy is all about here. Regardless of whatever you might feel toward Scientology, the book was a fun read, and, from what I've seen of the movie (I've seen some of the initial effects footage), and if it at least somewhat follows the book, then it should be okay . . . AND, like the book, it's not some sort of preachy thing to try and convert you to anything, much less Scientology. It's just a movie, people, and it looks like it might be fun. See it, or don't see it, on that basis. 'Nuff said.
-
I'm not here to bash you, don't worry. This is simply a test. Below will be a list of words/phrases labelled 1 - 3. If you CAN see the words/phrases, good. If you CAN'T(even if it's just one of them), please visit the website that I've listed below. Thanks for your time.
1. Xenu
2. Nots
3. 75 Million Years
Thanks you.
Visit:
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/8627/
if you couldn't see at least one of the three words.
Dan-oTheMan-o, a concerned friend. -
For me, the second half of the book is the real meat. The storyline goes where no author has dared to go before--real questions and real answers that let everyone win (instead of having someone or some entire race) die.
Guess we'll just have to wait another year or two for it.
BTW, what would you do faced with a similar scenario?
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 419 total posts 209 posts
- WTF HOLLYWOOD: SOLARBABIES -- 131 total posts 129 posts
- Herc’s Seen Tonight’s Return Of THE WALKING DEAD!! Discuss Also DOWNTON ABBEY, FEAR FACTOR, PAN AM, ONCE, SIMPSONS, DYNAMITE, LUCK, SHAMELESS, BAIT CAR, THE GRAMMYS And More!! Sunday Is Sweeps Day 11!! -- 123 total posts 122 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 124 total posts 58 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 191 total posts 47 posts
- Avid Comic Reader Hercules Does Battle With Tedium During Kevin Smith’s COMIC BOOK MEN! -- 43 total posts 43 posts
- If the Behind the Scenes Pics of the Day drops her pen, pick it up, but don’t look at her legs or else it will be on your record. -- 60 total posts 42 posts
- I am The Behind the Scenes Pics of the Day! No, I’m the Behind the Scenes Pic of the Day! -- 27 total posts 27 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 506 total posts 26 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 77 total posts 24 posts