Hi Luke, Just want to check a rule!

[ichabod]

Would it be considered a personal attack to list in my signature, the forum members who I believe to have an IQ lower than their shoe size?

[Escapay]

Would it be considered a personal attack to list in my signature, the forum members who I believe to have an IQ lower than their shoe size?

How many forum members are we talking about? And what's the average shoe size we're dealing with?



Scaps

[Disney-Fan]

I think your list would quickly surpass the signature limit.

[Mr. Toad]

Would it be considered a personal attack to list in my signature, the forum members who I believe to have an IQ lower than their shoe size?

It would certainly have more entries than my trip to Disneyland signature. And Luke I second the request this be allowed.

[Anthony]

Would it be considered a personal attack to list in my signature, the forum members who I believe to have an IQ lower than their shoe size?

I think your list would quickly surpass the signature limit.

It would certainly have more entries than my trip to Disneyland signature. And Luke I second the request this be allowed.

What's with all the hostility? Why would you want to be so rude to point out how dumb you think some people are?

Geesh, no wonder the amount of members posting on UD are dwindling by the day.....

[Mr. Toad]

Would it be considered a personal attack to list in my signature, the forum members who I believe to have an IQ lower than their shoe size?

I think your list would quickly surpass the signature limit.

It would certainly have more entries than my trip to Disneyland signature. And Luke I second the request this be allowed.

What's with all the hostility? Why would you want to be so rude to point out how dumb you think some people are?

Geesh, no wonder the amount of members posting on UD are dwindling by the day.....

The posts are dwindling by the day not because of meanness but because of the lack of quality posting. It is Luke's site but in my opinion people who cant keep up need to go. We have lost a lot of really good posters recently, and it is getting frustrating. Buy hey, your stay here.

[Anthony]

The posts are dwindling by the day not because of meanness but because of the lack of quality posting. It is Luke's site but in my opinion people who cant keep up need to go.

I agree with you on the lack of quality, but I can't help feel that the shortage of posts also may have to do with some of the overall aggressiveness on here from some of the veteran members (not accusing you directly, just speaking in general). I know that it was a bit overwhelming for me when I started posting.

We have lost a lot of really good posters recently, and it is getting frustrating. Buy hey, your stay here.

I'm not sure if that's an insult or a compliment.

[Mr. Toad]

The posts are dwindling by the day not because of meanness but because of the lack of quality posting. It is Luke's site but in my opinion people who cant keep up need to go.

I agree with you on the lack of quality, but I can't help feel that the shortage of posts also may have to do with some of the overall aggressiveness on here from some of the veteran members (not accusing you directly, just speaking in general). I know that it was a bit overwhelming for me when I started posting.

We have lost a lot of really good posters recently, and it is getting frustrating. Buy hey, your stay here.

I'm not sure if that's an insult or a compliment.

The aggressiveness(I prefer assertiveness) is only trying to make the site better. Hoping week posters will catch on and get better. Nobody is expecting superstars on day 1. It may be overwhelming, but hard things and things worth doing generally are.

As for the insult or compliment - it was just offhand humour, not really meant to be either. For the record I don't see you as a problem poster.

[ichabod]

Since I posted my rants in the Disney thread, it has prompted a lot of debate and other posters to write replies of lengths this forum has not seen in ages!

And notice the number of comments about how it's about someone commented upon the shallow tat that has become the mainstay of the forum?

I'm getting tired if mindless prattle. I've tried my best to stimulate conversation and discussion and plumb untapped areas..

One of the main reason I started the Live Action Discussions. But no one is interested. No one is interesting in discussing the artistic merits of a film, the ipmact of animation techniques, favourity live action films, the contribution of ators/animators/directs, the diversity of the disney company, but Instead we get threads (and this is not exaggeration, this was real) about whether a princess film would be different in the princess had had a different hair colour which goes on for pages and months!

But they don't work. I mean when The DVD of Secrets of Life was incorectly presented. Everyone and their dog posted in a thread about wanting a replacement disc. So since it seemed that such a large number of people had this DVD is did a live action discussion for Secrets of Life. Which had 2 replies!

I mean dozens of people would post their indignance about having to replace the DVD. But when it comes to just posting a few lines on the film, no one can be bothered?

Candleshoe and The Incredible Journey are quite often listed amongst people's favourite live action films. There have been so many requests for The Incredible Journey to be released on DVD, there was even minor uproar when the UK got an anamorphic widescreen DVD of The Incredible Journey whilst the US still has nothing?

Yet despite the film's popularity, I start a thread and after one post it's dead and sinks like the rest of them into oblivion.

Look at general discussion. The longest thread by a mile is for The Disney Enchanted tales DVD. Even big platinums threads for The Jungle Book are lagging WAY behind it. And it's full of prattle with posts of about 10 words in length!

If it's trivial, shallow, or at surface level it gets discussed. Anything requiring a brain cell just doesn't get responded too.

You know I would love it if every person who had posted in the enchanted tales thread picked one of the live action discussions and posted a sensible, considered reply of their thoughts.

But will it happen?

Will it bugger.

[blackcauldron85]

One of the main reason I started the Live Action Discussions. But no one is interested. No one is interesting in discussing the artistic merits of a film, the ipmact of animation techniques, favourity live action films, the contribution of ators/animators/directs, the diversity of the disney company

I know that on a thread or two, many people have mentioned that they prefer the animated films to the live-action films, and/or many people just haven't seen that many Disney live-action films. I know that I'm in that boat. I'm interested in seeing more, but I just don't have money/time/the want at the moment. Eventually, yes, it'd be great to watch more. But, I can't really comment on a film that I haven't seen.

I think that certain "regular" members just haven't been posting as much as they used to, and that doesn't help bring "quality" discussions on the board. I think that there are certain members who do contribute tremendously to this site who do post in the Princess threads (for example). Also, I'm sure that people have noticed that the last news update on the front page was from September 4th, and that was for a "Hannah Montana" DVD. I like HM, sure, but there's nothing much to say on it.

October on has many Disney DVD releases, so I'm sure that the quality of the threads/posts will improve, once "The Jungle Book", "Meet the Robinsons", "Ratatouille", the new wave of Treasures, POTC:AWE, etc., come out.

[Jules]

Damn, ichabod has a damned point!

It's same here mate! I haven't created a lot of threads for ages, simply because they, too, sink into oblivion, as you said.

A couple of months ago, I was trying to get people interested in Bolt. Come on! It's an upcoming Disney film from WDAS! I could disucss it all day long if I wanted to. But no, everyone visits the princess threads and rubbishy Enchanted Tales stuff. I remember feeling really miffed.

Amy is the only who regularly contributes to the Bolt thread. Otherwise, not a lot of other people seem to acutally be interested in Disney's upcoming animated movies. Er ... are they Disney fans?

And Rapunzel! I'm looking forward to it like crazy. You bump the thread, it dies almost immediately. Yes ichabod, you are very right - unforutnately. But what can we do?

Oh Wonderlicious, Josh, Pasta67 and the ever-elusive Loomis, where art thou?

[Wonderlicious]

Oh Wonderlicious, Josh, Pasta67 and the ever-elusive Loomis, where art thou?

I still come here on a regular basis, but over the past year or so, I've been lurking quite a bit. I just don't post around three to nine times a day like I did around a year or two ago. Around four or five months ago or so, I hardly posted at all. Part of it is to do with less interesting threads popping around (or good topics that I feel that I can't really comment on), yet also, it's been to do with time (on the whole I've been more busy with work and social-life these past few months than I perhaps ever have).

[Escapay]

Also, I'm sure that people have noticed that the last news update on the front page was from September 4th, and that was for a "Hannah Montana" DVD.

Luke's been away (either vacation or an extended business trip) as he always is every first week or two in September.

Anyway, I echo ich's, Jul's, and Ames' sentiments regarding forum quality. I remember doing a long and drawn out rant regarding the quality of posts sometime last year, which resulted in about two or three pages that was discussing whether or not I should have made the rant!

I personally only post in what interests me, or what I feel needs better explanation. I actually love reading the Live-Action Discussion threads, but because there are so few live-action Disney films that I've seen (or at the very least, so few I remember enough to comment on), I hardly participate in them. I wouldn't want to jump into a Freaky Friday (1977) thread just to say, "Hi, I saw this film a few years ago, and I liked it, but I haven't seen it since!" That'd be worse than not saying anything since it's an example of saying something that means nothing at all.

The "Disney?" thread in General Discussion has greatly intrigued me, but I simply haven't had the time to collect all my thoughts on all that has been said and make my own lengthy contribution to it, and I feel it's one of the better threads to come along in awhile. I'll get around to it eventually, though.

Scaps

[castleinthesky]

I also have similar sentiments of those that have already posted.

My time on the boards has started to reduce greatly. UD no longer has a draw to me as it used to. When I create articles, no one really posts. The topic falls into the abyss, and a similar topic pops up only three months later and has three times the amount of posts. I post in that topic that a topic of the same title or idea has been created, but people either reply saying that it dosn't matter or just ignore my link. Topic have names that are rediculously unlike the actual topic. Similar to the Disney....? thread. What type of topic name is that. At least one fifth of all topics have bad names. That is a major turnoff to me.

Then we come to fluff posts. Topics have now been moved to the polls/games section because of this problem, but fluff posts continue in every topic. The doble standard of keeping some topics in one forum, but moving others of the same idea and standard into a different forum is irritating. A weekly running topic should not be kept in the off topic forum, while it is a poll. But somehow it is not a poll or game. Things like that irk me.

The Screening Log thread was a year thread that started every year. It was for people to review movies. It fell to the wayside because users didn't want to post in it or review. Now these same members that didn't post in it, post in other threads or create useless threads about one movie review they have. Yet my thread fell by the wayside...

Just a little rant, which it is good to get out.

[CJ]

There is no double standard, castleinthesky. It's a new system and with any new system, there are kinks to be worked out. Not every topic has been looked at yet for a decision to be made about where to place it.

Other than the "Book thread"(which you mentioned the last time this was discussed) you haven't mentioned any specific threads that you think need to be moved. How about you give me a list of threads currently located in "Polls & Games" that you feel don't deserve to be there. A list of threads you feel need to be moved to "Polls & Games" would be nice too. I'm willing to look them over and give you a response. If I agree with you, I'll be glad to move them. After all, there are only a hand full of mods and we appreciate any input you may have for us.

The same offer is made for all of you. If you have an opinion about the location of a thread, I am willing to listen to you. Just post your comments in this thread, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

[Lazario]

The posts are dwindling by the day not because of meanness but because of the lack of quality posting.

Maybe we're running out of things to talk about.

I know that on a thread or two, many people have mentioned that they prefer the animated films to the live-action films, and/or many people just haven't seen that many Disney live-action films. I know that I'm in that boat. I'm interested in seeing more, but I just don't have money/time/the want at the moment. Eventually, yes, it'd be great to watch more. But, I can't really comment on a film that I haven't seen.

Maybe that also has to do with the difference between the two formats. The animated films sort of seem much more progressive in different ways than the live-action films. Both kinds of course are equally magical though for different reasons, but today's times are much more about escape. I think we seek out films that document fewer of life's pressures. Maybe that's hence the prefered interest in much of this princess stuff. I mean, that's our whole culture right now. Everyone craves details of the lives of the rich and famous and everyone fantasizes about bling-bling.

Disney is an American institution, so as long as they can keep re-inventing themselves, people will always look to them to see what they're doing, and they're pioneering this Princess thing for families, so it's easy to see those Princess movies spark more interest in the animated films. Plus the age-old fact that animated movies are easier to sell to people than older live-action films because animation is like a style that never dates. But live-action style uses real people and the styles of the times always date (not to mention using non-computer generated effects versus our current CGI-overrun films at the box office). Nothing dates something faster than people and what they do. And what their culture values above all else. Though our culture places a huge value on all things materialistic, we also are obsessed with all things fantasy. The more otherworldly, the more people seem drawn to it.

But since the live-action films are about real people and actors seen onscreen have to adapt realistically to the material, those films are naturally more complex. And people just don't like complex right now. They want fast, loud, funny and feel-good brainless movies to take their minds off of the free-for-all morality of the world's current leaders and trend-setters. Complexity, to create it and indulge in it, is almost like trying to establish a form of order in a chaotic society.

Of course really, that's just if you want reason. If you want to change it... I don't know, try (I use the world loosely knowing full-well which result is most likely) to convince them (or remind them) how much fun it is (or was) to use their brains for a change.

[Disney Duster]

Lazario, I took much offense to your post!

I'm a huge princess fan myself, and I don't believe it's just because they're rich and live a happy fantasy (and remember, that happy fantasy only comes after their many trials and encounters with evil). It may be because their movies are beautiful. Disney's fairy tale films intentionally try to made to look beautiful in the glossy, sparkly, colorful way, and I like that. Now, the whole idea to make the main characters look very beautiful may have lots of negative affects on people who aren't cosndiered beautiful in the real world but this is more about art than trying to send a subliminal message (though Disney does try to send messages of dreaming, being kind, not giving up, etc.).

I admit that I like Cinderella's fancy castle better than her chateau, but personally Aurora's whimsical cottage looks lovely and I love watching the scenes that take place there. So, I really don't know if this is all about rich and bling, even though money lets you own more beautiful things, naturally.

But I really took offense when you said that people don't want the complexity of live-action films. I remember when I was younger, in elementary school, my class was watching some live-action movie and somehow they were discussing if they preferred cartoons or "real people" movies, and they said the preferred real people! And I felt embarassed inside because I preferred animated movies.

Now, it's true, in live action you get more shadows and details and other complexities alone in the visual department, but that's why animation is so great. It's people creating brand new, original figures from their imagination with shadows and colors and details, and maybe they have less of those things than live-action but I don't care. And honestly, yes, simplicity is kind of nice sometimes because you don't want anything to get too busy. But I will admit that Sleeping Beauty is a more interesting film to watch than many other animated ones just because of all the details and the perfect animation. And even Snow White's animation had more shading on their characters and that's vsiaully more interesting, I admit, than the less-shaded Cinderella.

But going back to what I said earlier about creating, I think it's much more interesting to see a world made completely from scratch rather than real people who already exist in costumes acting. Sure, their costumes were created and their characters were created, but aside from the set and effects, it stops there. Meanwhile, animation makes it possible to not only create a whole new world, but make whole new "materials" in that everything is made out of pure color and lines and shadows to suggest real-life materials. And characters are completely new people, so there will always only be one person who is Cinderella, as opposed to one person who plays a whole bunch of other characters. Of course, in voice, the characters won't be just one person because voice actors play other characters, but you get what I'm saying. Eleanor Audley played Lady Tremaine and Maleficent, but Lady Tremaine and Maleficent will always be completely seperate identities "physically" as opposed to an actor who would dress as the stepmother and later as the evil fairy.

I wrote a lot more than I intended. But anyway, there. Now, if I were going to make a film, I would try to be as hands-on as animators get to be and make the set as different from anything already in existence as I can, so instead of merely taking pieces from here or there, I'd make every inch taylored to fit the film. And I might use prosthetics or a lot of alterations to make an actor look as different from their past roles on screen as possible, etc. But I'd never be able to make it completely new or do it as well as animation can.

As for that bit about "escaping to a fantasy world", well, if I got my wish and Cinderella's movie castle with all it's huge rooms and decorations entered the real world, and a coach exactly like hers whisked me off to live there, it wouldn't be fantasy anymore, would it? But I'd still want it. I'm into castles, I like how they look, and I like how her coach looks, and I like the whole idea of magic and how all it's sparkles look. And I would still like all of this fantasy or not.

Anyway, I know your favorite film was for a long time Sleeping Beauty. Admittedly, it's very filled with evil and one review I read said merriment was merely a magnet for evil! But it still ends happily ever after and is a "fantasy". Also, it's the probably the most detailed and thus visually "complex" of the animated films. But you still like this princess fantasy best and still like Disney's animated films as a whole...

[Ariel'sprince]

Well,no one told you,Ichabod and Julian,to discusse Enchanted Tales,you don't like it? fine,but you can't blame people if they like it.

[TheSequelOfDisney]

Well,no one told you,Ichabod and Julian,to discusse Enchanted Tales,you don't like it? fine,but you can't blame people if they like it.

They do have their own opinions and have the right to express them. I, too, agree with them. Most of the posts in the Enchanted Tales thread seem like they came from 3rd graders. They are short, and in reality have little or no point to them. Most replyers contribute nothing to the thread, news and events are nonexistent and other topics seem to pop up almost every other week, daily even. The replys that even have any substance to them are drawn down with pages and pages, 43 to be exact, of useless content that is said over time and again. Many posters to the thread think nothing of what they post and the are simply frivolous and have no meaning. Half of the replys are "Oh the sky is blue today," and "Really? It wasn't like that last Tuesday," among other nonsensical things. It's completely terrible that this board, that was high on information with a wonderful flair of Disney, has turned into a rampage of unnecessary remarks with zero imagination and a out of control spiral of superfluous posts and posters. This is why I am rarely on nowadays because of all of this nonsense that shouldn't even be here. If you take half of the posts that are made on this forum, I'm sure most of them make no sense and are completely UNneeded.

[reyquila]

I have to react to this thread, because although I dont feel alluded (believe me), I think there are some people here that have a wrong take on life. I usually use my intellect in the courtroom or when counseling clients, here I just get a lot of information from those Disney films that my kids and I love or from the parks and cruises where we have our vacations.

It's 8:42 AM local time and my kids just woke up. The asked me to watch with them the Pixar Shorts DVD, as we do with every movie we own. That's the only thing that matters to me, to connect with my kids with something we have in common: our love for Disney. That's the only important thing in life for me. If you want to be a Leonard Maltin, do it right and get money for it, otherwise you have nothing to show for if. (Hopefully you have your Star Wars collection)

If you want to discuss the aspect ratio, specifications of DVD's, the fact that it should be a two discer, the fact that they are leaving the good things to the Blue Rays (well, get them) or to solve the global warming or world famine through you take on Disney movies, I congratulate you, but I suggest you to get a good job, make good money, have good vacations, save for your kid's education and enjoy your life, if you have one!!!