reddsun1

You disliked the son, I hated the daughter. Goddamn, I hate Dakota Fanning's character. Every time she screeched, I wanted to jump into the screen and shoot the bitch myself. Totally ruined the movie for me, it did. 314161[/snapback] I could deal with Dakota's character well enough. Although, the bit with the screeching in the minivan on the highway though. I believe I'd have to have gone straight off on her then. *turns, gives evil eye and yells* "Now, don't make me have to stop this car!"

Well, one thing's for sure; this certainly won't do much to bolster The Rock's already illustrious career. I kinda like The Rock though. It's a shame to see him--or his agent, rather--make such poor choices in the roles he takes. Damn shame to think too--if he gets credited as "The Rock," then won't Vince McMahon(?) get a cut of whatever he makes? A lot of people probably ask: why does Hollywood persist in producing movies in a genre that's a proven LOSER in regards to quality/story/acting [i.e. movies based on video-games] over and over and over ad nauseum? I think one has to consider the shift in the primary audience that they're trying to market their product to; and that's adolescents and teens, around the 14-21 mark. Anybody pay attention to this summer's crop of movies, and how the vast majority of anticipated "big box office drawers" are rated PG-13? Including movies that are supposed to be horror or suspense [Dark Water, The Skeleton Key, etc. etc.]. Well, I say advertisers have been peddling adult themed stuff [be it fashion, sexual topics, etc] at a more youth oriented market for years; but they're trying to make it more "legitimate" and direct. I think we're seeing a shift in the marketing trend here. We're seeing less and less R rated films because the audience that'd traditionally be going to see that stuff--the 25-35+ set--seems to be migrating to alternatives for entertainment in increasing numbers. Why spend $20+ for tickets, even more outrageous prices for fuggin popcorn and sodas, face pretty good odds that you'll get stuck in a theater with some obnoxious, loud arsehole in back that won't shut the fu-- up, when instead they can just stay home with DirecTV, Tivo, or movies on demand? It's the teeny-boppers they're after, so why not make the product more tailored to them in the first place? Who's more likely to spring ticket money on seeing their favorite game hero on the big-screen without a second thought as to whether the story's going to be paper thin, the acting dry as dinosaur bones, and the cinemetography a vomitous splurge of colors and epileptic flashes on the screen?

Nope. Doesn't surprise me a bit. Anybody else care to take a stab at the most likely TV/film candidates that will be shamelessly re-made and milked for profit in the next 2-3 years? Don't be surprised if you see "coming to a theater near you" --Green Acres [capitalizing on the new gen of "supercommuters" leaving urban areas for rural living --I Dream of Genie [if Bewitched turns a profit, this one'll be a natural next pick for exploitation] --Dirty Harry [don't be surprised to see a would-be Clint Eastwood usurper spouting machismo and bullets at bad guys, this time fundamentalist terrorists, with the occaisonal bank robbers sprinkled in] --another cop/rescue show based adventure flick. Probably with stiff actors, one-dimensional plot merely serving to tie together bunches of scenes with big stuff exploding. --with comic based movies apparently beginning to turn good box office numbers, we're sure to be inundated with at least 3-5 more. Rather than take a risk on anything new or different, Hollywood's sure to play the "sure thing" and recycle yet another already-seen story. Besides the obligatory Spiderman, X-Men, and now F4 sequels, any takers on what else may come? Green Hornet? Isn't Ghost Rider already in post production? Oh yeah, almost forgot Superman *groan* --Oh yeah, the "Vendetta" film mentioned in another thread appears to be the exception. Any guesses? predictions?

I kinda like the new Charger, but the front end needs some work. That car was made unnecessarily ugly, just to work in the "trademark" crosshair grille design, I think. I like the Chrysler 300 much better. I don't really have too much of a problem with the idea of a "4-door hot rod," if executed correctly. Nothing wrong with combining practicality with performance. Being the father of a 3-yr old, I can see the sense in needing a sensible vehicle but not wanting to sacrifice all the fun of driving; you won't be ferrying the kids in it all the time. The Aussies are decades ahead of us in that aspect, with cars like the Falcon, Torana, and Commodore, respectively. They've been shoe-horning hot V8s in sedan bodies for quite some time. But don't get me wrong--there definitely should be a Charger Coupe. That "Once Upon a Wheel" was pretty neat, with all the footage of classic racing. My, how times have changed. That Indy 500 clip showing the driver hit the wall and spin, only to unbuckle and start climbing from the still sliding and burningcar and scamper across the track [was it M. Andretti?]. Wow. The CanAm cars were--and still are--great to see in action. Coincidentally, that series is apparently going to see a revival, at least the name. The web site I saw that blurb on is temporarily down, but it previously mentioned that legendary names would be competing in no-holds-barred-racing, not parade laps, and in "modern" cars[?] Not sure what they could have in mind, but can't wait to see what develops. I just hope they'll pay attention to the mistakes of the past, and learn from them. I'm not sure what modern race chassis could evoke the same sort of excitement from that series' hey-days. Finding a level of parity [to prevent repeats of snoozers like "the Bruce and Denny show" and the "Porsche parades"] while evoking that original "the sky's the limit" feeling when it comes to the designs/performance of the cars; that's going to be tough. Unless they take some LMP675 sports car chassis, cram some big-block Chevs and Fords in 'em, and enlarge the rear fenders for wider slicks, it's going to be hard to re-create the shot-gun like performance of the original Can Am cars while maintaining some modern degree of safety in design. The original cars were essentially over-sized go-karts [anybody who's seen one w/out bodywork knows just what I mean], with big honking V8s stuffed in 'em, making for insane power/weight ratios.

Well don't that beat all. Right now [9-10pm, ECT] the Speed Channel is showing a pretty good little show, "Once Upon a Wheel." Hosted by Paul Newman, this film from way back when features lots of clips from interviews with great drivers from the past: Sir Stirling Moss, M. Andretti, Bobby Allison, Denis Hulme, and more. Lots of little montages of racing footage past from various disciplines. Sure, the music's kinda cheesy, but it's worth sitting through for the cool footage. I guess the folks at Speed Channel can still pull something worthwhile out of their NASCAR-ized arses once every blue moon. A refreshing change from repeats of show after show on fu--ing NASCAR. Ferchrissakes, who gives a god-da-n about what kind of bike Kyle Busch likes to ride in the garages?! Let's get back to showing some racing!

I wouldn't mind seeing WOTW again. Pretty good flick. But the aliens weren't just using people for "fuel." They were draining the captured people and directly ingesting their blood for nourishment [at least, in the book]. I think that--even more than airborne bacteria--was how they were infected by Earth's microorganisms and eventually done in. Now let's look at these Martians: here are these highly evolved beings, much more so than man. They've evolved far beyond the need for trivial things, like limbs and appendiges as we need/use them. They've mastered interstellar travel, they've mastered engineering machines of war and construction. As Wells so aptly put it, they're superior to us, and look at man in much the same light as we might upon birds or ants. And then I think to myself: here are these super intelligent, all-conquering creatures. Ah, the mighty Martians; you've traversed the stars and swept us aside, made so much short work of every resistance mankind can muster--and you don't even have enough common sense to cook your food before you eat it? FU--ING. DUMB. ASSES.

Hey, you're right--there is a strong resemblance in the head/torso section of the Invid and that of the War Machines. Pretty neat. But then again, there are a LOT of resemblances in this movie w/scenes and some objects from a lot of other movies. This certainly won't be acclaimed as one of Speilberg's most original films, but I don't think that's what he was aiming for anyway. Considering how serious and/or complex a lot of his recent works have been, I think he took this project as an opportunity to ease up a bit, and just have a bit of fun with the storytelling/moviemaking process. Moviegoers should consider this film as "Speilberg Lite," and not go in expecting an Oscar winning tour-de-force; this is a popcorn flick, plain and simple. I enjoyed War of The Worlds [i finally read the book, just before seeing this new movie; I like the book better]. I only had a couple of problems with WOTW: the already mentioned little plot-hole about the already buried machines [good lord, how deep would they have had to be to go undiscovered for so many eons?]. Another was that annoying sh-t that was the son. Now, Cruise's character was meant to be seen as a much-less-than-perfect dad, but even he was right when he called his own boy a dick. The pretentious little snot had a death wish, and I spent most of the film wishing the Martians would oblige his silly ass. But the aliens should have had to take a number and get in line; I kept thinking his dad should have been stomping a mud-hole in his arse for stealing that "Hertz" Mustang while he slept. All in all, I liked the movie for what it was; a pretty good way to kill a couple hours' time. I still think H.G. Wells' Martians were better. The book's "heat ray" was much more frightening, IMHO; I guess there's something about that primordeal fear of fire. The thought of something so terrible, and only heard, not seen, as they made those huge scythe-like sweeps with the rays--much more terrifying to anyone who'd witness that, I'd think. I guess Speilberg could only make his version so scary, in order to keep it PG-13. Wouldn't want another backlash like he got with the 2nd Indiana Jones movie way back when.

Anyone know if that's true or not? I'm curious to find out. I was always under the impression Shelby just threw big motors in the Cobra's and GT40's and little else. 313431[/snapback] I guess technically, Shelby's cars are the "real" Cobras. IIRC, the cars C. Shelby started with way back when was actually the AC Ace; it didn't become the Cobra as we know and love it until after he took the Ford running gear, slapped it all in the tiny little aluminum bodied Aces and took 'em racing [i guess the reasoning was since he so fundamentally changed the cars' character, it was like a whole new vehicle, hence the new name?]. I think he started giving those cars their own serial no's [CSX....]. Since then, as we know, C. Shelby has started building his own complete cars in-house and has continued numbering those cars CSX..... etc. etc. AC is following the same formula, i.e. put a high output V8 into the Ace body roadsters; but since it was their car body style to begin with, I suppose Shelby can't sue or anything [plus I don't think they sell any here in the US?].

Ah, the Lambo Miura. Still one of the most beautiful of them all. I love the stance on this red one--although I'd bet that ride height would make any driver pucker their arse tight enough to bend steel pipe when they see an approaching pothole or speedbump.

Hmm, just wondering: so which Cobra's are more "authentic"? The one built by Shelby? Or the ones built by AC? AC apparently offers four different variants of their car [basically the same body, with 4 different engine options]. Then there's the Mamba. I kinda like it. The similarities to [Peter Brock's?] Daytona Coupe at the rear are obvious, but it's still much more "Cobra-like" in appearance [i would have thought that if these cars are to see any sort of sustained high speeds, then a rear duck tail spoiler is in order to prevent lift]. Power options will be either an Aussie in-line 6 (230hp), or a twin turbo Lotus V8 (350hp). Have these already started production? I wonder how successful they've been in Europe?

LOL, Herbie's spent some time abroad in Europe, and returned with a whole new outlook on life--the Love Bug, with serious attitude!

Thanks for that link JsARCLIGHT. Some interesting pics for sure. This one, I think, serves as good evidence to the fact that: while some of those who participate in vintage racing may have the necessary independent wealth to own/support such fabulous vehicles, it still doesn't make them suited to DRIVE just ANY kind of vintage race car. Note the intrepid soul in the #27 car. C'mon, man, get yourself into a damned sedan--you need to give up on this whole "I'm gonna be an open wheel racer" thing at some point. This fellow is obviously a tad bit "oversized" to properly fit into this car. The tech inspectors should not let him race like that... If it's any consolation, IIRC, I don't think that white/blue Pontiac T/A on the Start/Finish line is a genuine Trans Am car--I think it's a replica, built by YearOne...I may be wrong on that. Totalled a '71 Camaro? Where? I didn't see a '71 in the pics. Where? Where? I missed it...

Oh DEAR. GOD!! NO!! NOOOOOO!!! Oh, the humanity! That really really sucks. I'd hate to try to put dollar values on the damages to those cars, especially with T/A values headed for the stratosphere like they have the past few years. Somebody's insurance agent is going to curl up under his desk and sh-t himself! I've personally seen a lot of those cars run at my local track, and that black #0 Camaro is one wicked fast sum-bitch. LOL, I know some mechanics/body men at race shops around the country are gonna be cussing and putting in long hours for quite a while! How could I forget the most important thing of all though--I hope that bloke in the Cobra came out of it all-right; cars, no matter how historically significant, can always be repaired or replaced much easier than people can...

Yup, the Continental is a real beauty, a classic traditional "Grand Tourer" Now, for those who've got a heaping sh--load of money, and only want the best of the best, there's the Continental GT/LM. The cost of the upgrade is US $170,000 [in addition to the $150,000 price? MY ARSE!], and for that you get: Carbon Fiber body panels Steel Roof panel Front Carbon Fiber air splitter Rear Carbon Fiber diffuser with rear under tray Roof Vent Special Green and silver racing paint Roll Cage Fire Suppression system Carbon Fiber Sparco racing seats with 5-point harness Shorter Carbon Fiber center consol Carbon Fiber inner and outer door skins Lexguard quarter windows with brake and diff. cooling lines Removed rear seating for shelf Removal of insulation/carpets and any other product that takes up space and weight Pressed aluminum floor pans Borla Stainless Steel Hi-Flow mufflers and 2 ¾ Stainless Steel exhaust tubes Stainless Steel Exhaust tips New large Flow turbos Larger fuel delivery system Larger air corrector and throttle body Advanced ECU/ECM electronics Hi-Flow air cleaner 20X11 BBS lightweight wheels Pirelli low profile P Zero tyres "The LM is a lightweight ver. of the Continental, with a weight savings of over 1000 lbs." Well, seeing as how the GT weighs in at "about 5260 lbs," these porkers could stand some lightening, allright. But it's still a kick-ass car... I remember thinking what a shame it was that Bentley didn't develop this car for GT racing, instead of chucking heaping loads of money out the window like they did on that Prototype program; but I'll concede the practical side of me did reason that the road going car was too heavy a platform to start off trying to make a racer out of it to compete w/Corvette & Aston. But hey, looks like somebody at Bentley already had the same idea...

A perfect end? How the fu-- do you figure that? Do you even know anyone who has Alzheimer's?

Gotta give the old Chev's some love. Pretty nice Chevy II...

Some of the better executed concepts with the new Mustang from this year's SEMA... #1: 3dCarbon #2: Street Scene Equipment #3: Steeda Autosports (don't like the rear spoiler legs, though) #4: Roush Performance None of the aftermarket tuners have yet attacked the hood design problem on the Mustang yet; since they've started racing them in Grand Am, it's been found that high air pressure builds up underhood at high speeds. The scoops on the coming Shelby GT 500 will address that though... For those who can't wait for the GT 500 in '07 and don't mind voiding their warranty, there are already supercharger kits for the new 'Stangs from Paxton that promise HP numbers in the 410+ range (with intercooling).

AMG to produce the world's most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine with it's 6.3L powerplant. This monster will produce numbers that'd make any fan of Detroit's ground pounders of old positively green with envy: Displacement: 6208 cc Compression: 11.3 : 1 Output: 510hp @ 6800 rpm Max torque: 630Nm @ 5200 rpm [isn't that like, over 750 lb/ft?! Yikes!] Too bad the cars their motors go in are usually very heavy Grand Tourers or Sedans. But then again, I'm guessing AMG wants to keep a relatively low profile, and cater to a very select, narrow clientele when it comes to marketing these cars. I'm guessing the target audience is usually mature, very well-off financially, interested in affluence and luxury, and not in tire-shredding shenanigans on public roadways.

Wow, this pic is really not flattering to F. Alonso at all. Considering that she's seated, and still looking him in the eye, jeez he must be a runt. Looks like even horse-jockeys could crack short jokes on this guy... Well, apparently I can't add a pic to this post w/out altering my immediately previous post. WTF?

Woo Hoo! Glad the forums are back! How's this for an update on the "Batmobile" look? Lambo is said to be planning limited production of this "Concept S" car sometime in the near future...

Oh, so that's the "Pony Package" you mentioned earlier. The car I spoke of is different--apparently it's a local dealer "custom" accessory package. I'll see if I can get a pic and post it. They definitely want to make theirs passable as GT's, as they feature regular grilles, and full size driving lights bolted to the top of the bumper. They also have twin 6" wide LeMans stripes running the length of the body, on the bumpers/hood/roof/trunk [quite possibly, next to Gulf blue w/orange center stripe, has to be the most overused/abused color scheme in the automotive world]. To be honest, I'm not too crazy about the idea--going to such lengths to give such an aggressive, performance oriented look to a car that obviously isn't such. All show and no go, I say.

Looks kinda familiar. Bears an odd resemblance to a Panoz...

A shot of the 'flying buttress'

Eric Broadley, founder and fmr boss of Lola automobiles [designer of the Lola GT, which would evolve into the Ford GT40] is at it again, it seems. He's bought into a project for a car called the Trident Icini. Debuted in 1998, this car drew attention for its curvacious body and its unique central buttress. Running gear will be the latest ver. of the GM 3.2 litre V6. Making 245 HP/200 ft.lbs and weighing in at just over 2300 lbs, this little sportster should be able to make 0-60 in 5.4 sec, the 1/4 mi. in 13.0 sec, top out at about 150 mph, and pull 0.92g. Considering how well his most famous venture [Lola] did, maybe lightning'll strike twice?

another shot of the new Marcos