01-18-2007, 08:11 PM | #21 |
Saviour of Entmoot Admiral
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: NC/NJ (no longer Same place as bmilder.)
Posts: 61,986
|
of course movies are part of our culture.
they celebrate thanksgiving in canada? thats odd. go figure.
__________________
President Emeritus (2000-2004) Private message (or email) me if you need any assistance. I am here to help! "I'm up to here with cool, ok? I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis" - Zaphod Beeblebrox Latest Blog Post: Just Quit Facebook? No One Cares! |
01-18-2007, 08:41 PM | #22 |
Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Not where I want to be ...
Posts: 15,254
|
They're thankful that the Pilgrims didn't land further north?
__________________
. I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva! |
01-19-2007, 01:58 AM | #23 | |
Elf Lord
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Fountain Valley, CA
Posts: 6,343
|
Quote:
No offense at all intended, but I just like a lot of movies and watch them a LOT, so I can't help but find that funny . And I think they do have a lot of value, in the same way theater does or fun books do. They're an art form that combines many different kinds of art. It ties the acting of theater together with skill at writing, that comes out in screenplays, and these are united too to the skills required for shooting the film well, and then of course many elements such as scenery, dress, and other are required. There are many skills that go into the making of movies, and of course some movies are flops and most of them have at least weak points here and there. But the movie itself has the potential, depending on the level of effort, skill and craftsmanship that go into it, to be s wonderful work of art. That's my opinion .
__________________
If the world has indeed, as I have said, been built of sorrow, it has been built by the hands of love, because in no other way could the soul of man, for whom the world was made, reach the full stature of its perfection. ~Oscar Wilde, written from prison Oscar Wilde's last words: "Either the wallpaper goes, or I do." |
|
01-19-2007, 02:17 AM | #24 | |
of the House of Fëanor
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,150
|
Quote:
__________________
Few people have the imagination for reality.
~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
|
01-19-2007, 10:28 AM | #25 |
Master of Orchestration President Emeritus of Entmoot 2004-2008
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lost in the Opera House
Posts: 9,328
|
I used to be a big movie man myself...not so much anymore, but I still like them.
Anyways, if I may point out, the Metropolitan Opera has been with us for quite awhile, and though they've performed very few operas by Americans, you really can't blame them. Most American operas are horrid. But also this people: what about all the Great American Orchestras? Cleveland, Chicago, New York Phil etc... What about Coney Island? Arnold Schoenberg, Igor Stravinsky, and Rachmaninov all lived in and loved California. Tchaikovsky noted that Americans were far more friendly than most of his own people... Dvorak visited Spillville Iowa and Niagra, and he wrote his Cello Concerto in B minor because he was so inspired by Niagra. Hey, and then we have Ferde Grofe, who wrote a music suite for the Mississippi, Niagra, Grand Canyon, and Hollywood. As Lief mentioned above, we have the Cowboy mythology, and that's pretty famous stuff in other countries. Elvis too.
__________________
ACALEWIA- President of Entmoot hectorberlioz- Vice President of Entmoot Acaly und Hektor fur Presidants fur EntMut fur life! Join the discussion at Entmoot Election 2010. "Stupidissimo!"~Toscanini The Da CINDY Code The Epic Poem Of The Balrog of Entmoot: Here ~NEW! ~ Thinking of summer vacation? AboutNewJersey.com - NJ Travel & Tourism Guide |
01-19-2007, 12:57 PM | #26 | |
Elven Warrior
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 138
|
Quote:
oh, that'd be easy - us brits would just get tanked, chat up the blonde dutch girl, get pissed with the Germans, making fun of the french - the brits somewhat subtly, the germans with about as much sublety as a panzer brigade, subsequently have a fight with the germans, have some more beer and some chips, make up with the germans and everyone then argues with the french again. Now, European sophistication like that - well, that takes hundreds of years of culture! .................................................. ............................................. Last edited by captain carrot : 01-19-2007 at 12:59 PM. |
|
01-19-2007, 01:24 PM | #27 |
Master of Orchestration President Emeritus of Entmoot 2004-2008
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lost in the Opera House
Posts: 9,328
|
Everyone makes fun of the poor French, except the French.
British stereotype: "Fish 'n chips! I want me fish 'n chips!"
__________________
ACALEWIA- President of Entmoot hectorberlioz- Vice President of Entmoot Acaly und Hektor fur Presidants fur EntMut fur life! Join the discussion at Entmoot Election 2010. "Stupidissimo!"~Toscanini The Da CINDY Code The Epic Poem Of The Balrog of Entmoot: Here ~NEW! ~ Thinking of summer vacation? AboutNewJersey.com - NJ Travel & Tourism Guide |
01-19-2007, 01:35 PM | #28 |
Elf Lord
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: In me taters
Posts: 3,288
|
Chicken Tikka Masala is officially Britain's favourite food nowadays. In fact, we even export it to India, would you believe.
Heaven in Europe: The British are the police The Germans are the car mechanics The French are the cooks The Italians are the lovers and it's all organised by the Swiss Hell in Europe The Germans are the police The French are the car mechanics The British are the cooks The Swiss are the lovers and it's all organised by the Italians Joke told to me by a Swiss bloke. |
01-19-2007, 01:37 PM | #29 |
Master of Orchestration President Emeritus of Entmoot 2004-2008
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lost in the Opera House
Posts: 9,328
|
Thats like us coming up with french fries and exporting McDonalds to France...
__________________
ACALEWIA- President of Entmoot hectorberlioz- Vice President of Entmoot Acaly und Hektor fur Presidants fur EntMut fur life! Join the discussion at Entmoot Election 2010. "Stupidissimo!"~Toscanini The Da CINDY Code The Epic Poem Of The Balrog of Entmoot: Here ~NEW! ~ Thinking of summer vacation? AboutNewJersey.com - NJ Travel & Tourism Guide |
01-19-2007, 01:40 PM | #30 | |
Lady of Letters
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Either Oxford or Kent, England
Posts: 2,476
|
Quote:
__________________
And all the time the waves, the waves, the waves Chase, intersect and flatten on the sand As they have done for centuries, as they will For centuries to come, when not a soul Is left to picnic on the blazing rocks, When England is not England, when mankind Has blown himself to pieces. Still the sea, Consolingly disastrous, will return While the strange starfish, hugely magnified, Waits in the jewelled basin of a pool. |
|
01-19-2007, 02:16 PM | #31 |
Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Not where I want to be ...
Posts: 15,254
|
They're just so CUTE in their little uniforms!
__________________
. I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva! |
01-19-2007, 05:17 PM | #32 | ||
The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium)
Posts: 14,363
|
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
We are not things. |
||
01-19-2007, 05:19 PM | #33 | |
Elven Warrior
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 138
|
Rian:
Quote:
little uniforms? One suspects Rian may have seen one too many striptease shows! |
|
01-19-2007, 05:22 PM | #34 | |
Elf Lord
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Fountain Valley, CA
Posts: 6,343
|
Quote:
__________________
If the world has indeed, as I have said, been built of sorrow, it has been built by the hands of love, because in no other way could the soul of man, for whom the world was made, reach the full stature of its perfection. ~Oscar Wilde, written from prison Oscar Wilde's last words: "Either the wallpaper goes, or I do." |
|
01-21-2007, 05:25 AM | #35 |
Alasailon
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: college
Posts: 861
|
Whenever someone mentions American culture I usually tend to think about the past in America. Back when there was still a richness to life or whatever you want to call it. Sad truth is nowadays I believe people are forgetting a lot about what made this country great. How millions of people would look at America as the land of opportunity (it still is, just not in such a romantic way).
That's a good word for how I view American historical culture. Romantic. Everyone had big epic dreams. Even the dream of owning the house and the struggle to do so was epic. The American Revolution, romantic. The idea of cowboys and the wild west and settlers exploring a new land was romantic. Hell even the space race to me is romantic. Sure every country has their dark spots in history (or modern times for that matter) but America has done a lot to be remembered for in the 231 years that it's been around. As for me personally I love cultural celebrations of any sort. And just the fact that in America there are so many different celebrations all over the nation for scores of different heritage groups that call America home is really amazing. I doubt parades happen with such frequency anywhere else in the world.
__________________
"and then this hobbit was walking, and then this elf jumped out of a bush and totally flipped out on him while wailing on his guitar." "Anglorfin was tall and straight; his hair was of shining gold, his face fair and young and fearless and full of anger; his eyes were bright and keen, and his voice like music; on his brow sat wisdom, and in his hand was great skill." |
01-21-2007, 05:50 AM | #36 |
Elf Lord
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Fountain Valley, CA
Posts: 6,343
|
My suspicion is that living inside our current time period makes it feel normal to you, and hence less romantic. Other time periods look less ordinary because you aren't in them, and they seem somewhat more romantic or epic as a consequence. I suspect that if anyone from 100 years ago could look forward into the future and see our society as it is now, the word "epic" would not come near to covering sufficiently the astonishing vista.
I agree with you, though, that many Americans tragically don't appreciate what they have.
__________________
If the world has indeed, as I have said, been built of sorrow, it has been built by the hands of love, because in no other way could the soul of man, for whom the world was made, reach the full stature of its perfection. ~Oscar Wilde, written from prison Oscar Wilde's last words: "Either the wallpaper goes, or I do." |
01-21-2007, 08:19 AM | #37 | ||
Elf Lady
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: In the lands where mountains are but a fairytale
Posts: 8,588
|
Quote:
Quote:
But I guess that no matter how much I am desillusioned about Western culture, I am still proud to be Western (and an individual for that matter, no offense to whomever might be offended) By the way, one of the greatest products of American culture (if that's what you want to call it) must be movies!!! Especially Disney-movies with a happy ending. Yep I am that kind of person.
__________________
Love always, deeply and true ★ Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer. ★ Friendship is sharing openly, laughing often, trusting always, caring deeply.
...The Earth laughs in flowers ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Hamatreya"... |
||
01-21-2007, 02:50 PM | #38 | |
Alasailon
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: college
Posts: 861
|
Quote:
The difficult part is that historically speaking, not very many Americans have been Americans for too long. None of my ancestors lived in America 120 years ago; which is a long time by this country's standards; but even I can't help but think sometimes that my adopted culture is the American one. It must be 10 times harder for someone who is only 2nd generation American to think of America as their real home. I think there is a very simple reason to why this happens too. It's a sort of racism but not the negative type in the way that most people would think about. We are so different here (not that there's anything wrong with that), that we look around and see that our neighbors are a different color or speak a different language. And no matter how much people want to pretend that we can all fit in together it just doesn't work sometimes. A Latin-American will never get too excited about St. Patrick's day same way as an Italian-American wouldn't get excited about Cinco de Mayo. Everyone still needs to look towards their own ethnic heritage in order to feel comfortable. That's not to say that all people can't enjoy Cinco de Mayo; but it will never hold the same significance to me as it does to a Mexican-American. But the fact that people can and do celebrate whatever they want is great. Any festival or holiday holds the same basic meaning as any other holiday. If someone can't have a good time then there's something wrong with them.
__________________
"and then this hobbit was walking, and then this elf jumped out of a bush and totally flipped out on him while wailing on his guitar." "Anglorfin was tall and straight; his hair was of shining gold, his face fair and young and fearless and full of anger; his eyes were bright and keen, and his voice like music; on his brow sat wisdom, and in his hand was great skill." |
|
01-22-2007, 01:44 AM | #39 | |||
Co-President of Entmoot
Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 8,397
|
Quote:
No, I think we just thought, "Hey, another excuse to eat a big turkey with your family? Why not. And we have a lot to be thankful for too. Let's also have Thanksgiving and celebrate it in October." It's our only non-commercial holiday and is therefore awesome, so, thanks guys. I agree with Lief and Lotesse about movies. You don't have to like American movies or even like watching movies at all. But you must admit that, as an art form, they are part of a country's cultural output. Books and art are widely considered to be "cultural", but not everyone likes reading or looking at paintings. Speaking of paintings, who are some famous American painters? I can only think of Canadians and Europeans.
__________________
"I can add some more, if you'd like it. Calling your Chief Names, Wishing to Punch his Pimply Face, and Thinking you Shirriffs look a lot of Tom-fools." - Sam Gamgee, p. 340, Return of the King Quote:
Quote:
|
|||
01-22-2007, 03:48 AM | #40 |
of the House of Fëanor
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,150
|
Should we start from right now and work our way backwards? Jesus, where to begin. Let's skip all the fantastic, mindblowing contemproary art that's blowing up the art scene right now and just back-peddle a few years, and go back from there - actually, bear with me 'cause my people here mentioned zig-zag between the ages; however, they're all American -
American Painters: Jeff Koons David Hockney Andy Warhol Whistler, James Abbot McNeill Georgia O'Keefe Grandma Moses Joseph Stella Jean-Michel Basquiat George Wesley Bellows Edward Hopper Arshile Gorky Mark Tobey Man Ray Roy Lichtenstein Ellsworth Kelly Jackson Pollack Winslow Homer Mary Cassatt Mark Rothko Jasper Johns Gilbert Stuart Babe, wait -you know what? this list would take a lot of patient hours to keep on compiling. I could go on, and on, and on... And on... There are thousands and thousands of genius artists whose chosen medium is painting, to have arisen out of the United States over the last three hundred years of this country's existence. Aside from Wikipedia, here's that huge list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:American_painters - here there's another source of american paineters for you to peruse for interest, and a few more names. - http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists...ists-20th.html It's too late in the night at his point, and I could quote you five hundred more names but I am friggin' damn tired right now. America is home to all kinds of brilliant genius artists who've served to add to the unique, vibrant, rich young and daring culture that is the American culture. Ta hell with these damn commies tryna say otherwise, dammit!! There is so much textural, exciting, brash, crazy, young, vibrant and fancy-free beauty to the American culture; those oldie european nations are just jealous of all the vitality and exuberance we've got over here. Hah.
__________________
Few people have the imagination for reality.
~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |