Wikipedia:Reference desk/Entertainment

Welcome to the entertainment section
of the Wikipedia reference desk.

skip to bottom

Select a section:

• Computing
• Entertainment
• Humanities
• Language
• Mathematics
• Science
• Miscellaneous
• Archives

Want a faster answer?

Main page: Help searching Wikipedia

   

How can I get my question answered?

• Select the section of the desk that best fits the general topic of your question (see the navigation column to the right).
• Post your question to only one section, providing a short header that gives the topic of your question.
• Type '~~~~' (that is, four tilde characters) at the end – this signs and dates your contribution so we know who wrote what and when.
• Don't post personal contact information – it will be removed. Any answers will be provided here.
• Please be as specific as possible, and include all relevant context – the usefulness of answers may depend on the context.
• Note:
  • We don't answer (and may remove) questions that require medical diagnosis or legal advice.
  • We don't answer requests for opinions, predictions or debate.
  • We don't do your homework for you, though we'll help you past the stuck point.
  • We don't conduct original research or provide a free source of ideas, but we'll help you find information you need.

Ready? Ask a new question!

How do I answer a question?

Main page: Wikipedia:Reference desk/Guidelines

• The best answers address the question directly, and back up facts with wikilinks and links to sources. Do not edit others' comments and do not give any medical or legal advice.

See also:

• Teahouse
• Help desk
• Village pump
• Help manual

March 7

007

How many lives does James Bond have? How many times has he been KIA'd up to this point? 24.23.196.85 (talk) 07:41, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

I'm not aware he has ever died... Many times he has come close to being KIA'd, but part of the fun and allure of Bond is that he always escapes... Sometimes it's reported that he's been killed to allow him to sneak up behind the enemy who aren't expecting him due to him apparently being dead... I have seen every Bond film, some many many times, and I can't think of a single time he's died... gazhiley 09:23, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

"Do you expect me to talk?" - No, Mr Bond, I expect you to die!. The unfulfilled expectations of villains would fill many large tomes. -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 10:12, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

He has been shaken, but not interred. Clarityfiend (talk) 10:13, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

Oh, wait. We're all forgetting Casino Royale (1967). So he's died once. Clarityfiend (talk) 10:19, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

It's alright. He only lives twice... Worm^TT(talk) 13:50, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

If that was true, wouldn't he have had his second life ended by friendly fire? 24.23.196.85 (talk) 01:09, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

Since he was created in 1953, looking like he was in his forties, at least, I'd expect him to have died of old age by now, as that would put him over 100. StuRat (talk) 17:20, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

The notion that Bond dies, to be replaced by a successor who takes on his name and number as a mantle is a common trope in the fan community. See [1]. --Jayron32 17:41, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

And on second thought, this is absolutely, perfectly true. Thanks for this common-sense explanation!  ;-) 24.23.196.85 (talk) 01:13, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

What has George Lazenby done to be forgotten?90.196.111.56 (talk) 13:51, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

Nothing memorable, by definition. —Tamfang (talk) 23:33, 30 July 2013 (UTC)

I'm not the world's biggest Bond fan, but I thought that it had been clearly established that 'James Bond' is a code name which has been assigned to several different agents over the years? --Kurt Shaped Box (talk) 21:33, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

"Clearly established"? Can you point to where? -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 22:33, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

In the original Casino Royale (1967 film), an aging Bond assigns the name "James Bond" to a number of other agents all at once to "confuse" the enemy. There's also a "professional" baccarat player in the movie. That movie is not known for its coherent plot. Shadowjams (talk) 17:46, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

I'm actually struggling to remember the precise wording (it's actually been years since I watched any Bond films), but didn't George Lazenby's Bond make a reference to him being the 'new guy', or something along those lines? --Kurt Shaped Box (talk) 22:35, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

IMDb quotes has him saying "This never happened to the other fellow." I take that to be an in-joke. Clarityfiend (talk) 23:12, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

Yeah, that was just a dumb joke. And wouldn't Tracy Bond have then been briefly married to several different Bonds? And doesn't the entire plot of Skyfall contradict this theory? Adam Bishop (talk) 01:41, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

kenny ball and his jazzmen

Hi, I just read the Wikipedia article about the Kenny Ball band. It lists the names of the "Jazzmen' without mentioning Andy Cooper who has been the front man for some 40 years!!! An amazing clarinet player, vocalist and entertainer!! He should be on the list as number one!!

kind regards Annelies — Preceding unsigned comment added by Anneliesfm (talk • contribs) 10:35, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

If he's missing from the article it's only because no-one has added him. You can do that yourself by clicking Edit. Ball himself died today as I'm sure you know. --Viennese Waltz 10:55, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

According to The Official Website for Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Andy Cooper joined the band in 1967. Alansplodge (talk) 22:33, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

The article on Kenny Ball lists only those musicians who were in his band when it was "at its commercial peak" - that is, around 1962 - and says that "the line-up changed greatly over the years". Andy Cooper is not mentioned in the most up-to-date list of band members on Ball's website. Ghmyrtle (talk) 23:43, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

Well, he's mentioned in Julian Stringle's section there: "Julian has recently joined the band since the departure of Andy Cooper after 45 years with the Jazzmen.", so that would be around 2012, if Cooper joined the band in 1967. The 1998 - 2008 section, shows him in a 2007 line-up "(still pulling faces)". His own band, "Andy Cooper's Euro Top 8" is mentioned in our article on Mike Cotton. It might be possible for you, Anneliesfm, to find some references mentioning Andy Cooper as something more detailed than just one of the members of the band. The Rough Guide to Jazz (Ian Carr, Digby Fairweather & Brian Priestley (3rd edn, 2004) Rough Guides Limited. ISBN 1-84353-256-5) has "Ball's later dependable team ( Andy Cooper, John Benson, plus founder members John Bennett and Ron Bowden)". Not sure that alone warrants a special mention ...---Sluzzelin talk 01:00, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

I want know who a duet is?

Please someone who sings duet. What is he/she called? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 196.201.35.33 (talk) 14:15, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

I don't think there is a specific widely-accepted English term for someone who only performs duets. Thus, we fall back on generic terms: performer, singer, vocalist, member of [X group], etc. — Lomn 15:22, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

The dictionary has duettist, but I don't think it's really widely used. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 15:27, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

Good find. To help inform "widely used", I'll note that the first several pages of Google results for "duettist" were either crossword clues or dictionaries (particularly for Scrabble), but that I did eventually find it in prose in this 1955 wedding announcement. — Lomn 16:12, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

Perhaps a better idea is Google News, which serves as a reasonable filter for prose. "Duet" returns 36000 search results, "duettist" 3. — Lomn 16:18, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

Google Ngrams gives similarly low usage for the term as well. --Jayron32 17:40, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

The Crests

Why Is Frankie Pettineo not listed as a member? He replaced Chuck Foote in 1961 before going on with Tony & the raindrops? I have pics and documents on all of this.108.216.102.19 (talk) 16:15, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

Well then, go ahead and make the change to the article. If you aren't comfortable doing that, bring it up on that article's talk page, and ask somebody else to. StuRat (talk) 17:16, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

Citizenship, please reply

close trolling by indef blocked user
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
Hi, I am from the Federated States of Micronesia and I would like to know if there's any easiness for me to get U.S. citizenship being a Micronesian (formerly under control of the U.S.). My question is on the Entertainment desk because I don't want to renounce my Micronesian citizenship, I am very proud of being a Micronesian, and I would like to know if it's needed to give up one's citizenship to get U.S.'s. And my question is here because I know Jim Carrey and Michael J. Fox are dual citizens but this maybe because they paid for that? did they pay for that? Or it's allowed to have dual citizenship? Thank you. FMicronesian (talk) 18:59, 7 March 2013 (UTC) Dual citizenship is prohibited under FSM law. Ryan Vesey 19:05, 7 March 2013 (UTC) Also, dual citizenship, with the US being one of the two nations, normally comes about as a result of a special circumstance, like being born outside the US, but to US citizen parents. StuRat (talk) 16:38, 8 March 2013 (UTC) Or being born in the US to non-US citizen parents. -- Jack of Oz [Talk] 17:33, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

Birds baseball team cartoon YTV

What was the name of the cartoon series that featured a baseball team full of birds and the manager was its catcher? It was on YTV.--Donmust90 (talk) 19:14, 7 March 2013 (UTC)Donmust90

D'Myna Leagues, on which we don't have an article (eek!), but see this video. Tevildo (talk) 21:18, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

respected librarians.

Ishould tell that MAVERICK Entertaintment company don,t have any RONNIE DASHEV IN THEIR STRUCTURE , WHY THESE DECEITS appearing in these encyclopedias , I NEED AN EXPLANATION , YOUR TRUTH................................................ — Preceding unsigned comment added by ALEX NIKOLAEV MRMORYY (talk • contribs) 22:19, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

It does according to the BBC and NME. And there is no need to shout--Jac16888 ^Talk 22:25, 7 March 2013 (UTC)

We don't have an article on Maverick Entertainment, did you confuse this website for somewhere else? Livewireo (talk) 13:58, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

We do have an article on Maverick (company), which contains links to the Film and Recording Company divisions. Veronica "Ronnie" Dashev is listed as a founder, but the article indicates that she left the company in 2004. Similar information is in the Film division article. The Recording Company article is less explicit, but indicates that the company itself is "defunct". I see no deceit in these articles. --LarryMac | Talk 16:04, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

We also have an article on Maverick Entertainment Group (with which Ms Dashev is not apparently involved). There was _also_ an article at Maverick Entertainment (apparently about this organization - I don't know if it's anything to do with Madonna and/or Ms Dashev, I can't access the site at the moment), which was G12'd in 2007. Plenty of scope for confusion. Tevildo (talk) 17:37, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

March 8

German legends

Does anyone know if there's any English translation available of Der Held des Nordens or Der Zauberring (what, no articles?!) by Friedrich de la Motte-Fouque? Thanks in advance! 24.23.196.85 (talk) 01:53, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

Well, here's one of the latter. It seems to be available for purchase (reviewed here). Deor (talk) 12:38, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

I am, however, unable to find any evidence of an English translation of Der Held des Nordens. Deor (talk) 15:07, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

Penguin Classics do a translation of the The Nibelungenlied,[2] which is the medieval source for "Der Held des Nordens". Alansplodge (talk) 18:49, 8 March 2013 (UTC)

Thanks! I already have a copy of the Nibelungenlied, but I was looking specifically for the version by De la Motte. I'll make sure to buy a copy of The Magic Ring! 24.23.196.85 (talk) 03:44, 9 March 2013 (UTC)

March 10

bruce dern

why does'nt bruce dern's name apear in the credits of mulholland falls, and what does uncredited mean? thanks — Preceding unsigned comment added by 166.182.3.126 (talk) 01:03, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

"Uncredited" means an actor is in a movie or TV show but their name doesn't appear in the credits shown in the show itself (although other sources may confirm they were in fact in the show). Those whose names do appear are "credited". As for why Dern is uncredited in Mulholland Falls, others can answer if they know. -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 01:11, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

Dunno about this movie, but in The Natural, Darren McGavin went uncredited due to a money issue. Credits are typically a matter of contract negotiations. That's why, in Superman, Brando and Hackman were listed ahead of Reeve, the real star - because they had better star power, were getting paid more money, and probably had better agents. Which reminds me of this one, which Reeve told in his autobiography: Reeve was fresh out of Juliard. Hackman was a seasoned veteran. Reeve asked Hackman a Juliard-like question, "What's your 'motivation' in this film?" and Hackman answered, "You mean besides the million dollars?" ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 21:22, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

I assumed (on the basis of WP:WHAAOE) that we would have something on the subject of uncredited actors and other participants. After going down numerous dead ends, I finally tracked it down to Billing (filmmaking)#Unbilled appearances. It's a start, but there's a lot more detail we could give, and it deserves its own article, imo. -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 20:19, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

It's a good start, anyway. Since it would be kind of tricky trying to cover everyone who's unbilled, grouping them by "reason" and then providing examples, could be good, although it's nearly always about money, one way or another. I don't recall the reason, but the voice of James Earle Jones was not originally credited in the first couple of Star Wars films. That may have been changed in subsequent releases, along with other tinkering that Lucasfilms did with them. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 21:12, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

Pakistani films starring Murad Ali

Is there a website that allows free downloading of Pakistani films starring Murad Ali?--Donmust90 (talk) 01:30, 10 March 2013 (UTC)Donmust90

Did Javier Zanetti play a single match for Argentina during 2012?

I searched his article's content, only to find the amount of games he played for ARG during 2011 (7). Does anyone know if he played a match for them during 2012? Nicholasprado (talk) 04:01, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

You might get an informed response by reposting your question at WT:FOOTY. --Dweller (talk) 10:51, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

Can Anyone Tell Me What The Name of This Tv show Was?

Or was a television show about a horror story writer. Each episode would flash back between the plot of the story he was writing and his relationship with his family in each episode. NO it was not castle, fear itself, or Masters of Horror. I believe it came on for either Fox family or Showtime. There was an episode where he was writing about a queen ant who used pheromones to control a guy and he was killing people. Alas, I don't know much more, I just really wanted to find out what it is so I can find it online. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.84.239.42 (talk) 07:21, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

Do you remember what year this was on? Is it a recent show, one year old, five, ten...??? RudolfRed (talk) 19:30, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

Explanation of something in a movie

In the movie 21, why did Kevin Spacey call Laurence Fishburne, the guy who has been chasing him all these years, to give him a tip to get the kids, from whom he recently split? 67.163.109.173 (talk) 14:58, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

If there's nothing about it in 21 (2008 film), and nothing about it in Google otherwise, then you'll probably have to watch the film to try to figure it out. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 13:11, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

It's been a while since I saw the movie but... Revenge? Dismas|^(talk) 02:34, 12 March 2013 (UTC)

Bob Ross's military service?

I'm asking a question about Bob Ross - the TV/YouTube artist guy with a beard, afro and peaceful demenour.

Is it true that he was involved in frontline operations (special ops or something?) during the Vientnam war and had over 30 confirmed kills? I heard that his outward calmness came from his hearing the screams of the wounded and dying in 'Nam at first hand, and later on, just thankful that he'd made it home in one piece when so many didn't, vowing that he would never raise his own voice unless there was a very good reason. --46.208.181.192 (talk) 20:59, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

I've heard the same thing over the years, and always assumed it to be true. Our article mentions a brief tenure in the Air Force, but doesn't specify whether or not he ever saw action. Working backward from his age, that would have been during Vietnam, but if he spent all his time at that Alaska air base, I doubt he was ever involved in combat operations. Evanh2008 ^{(talk|contribs)} 21:13, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

OTOH, ex military guys don't generally make a big deal about how many guys they killed and the various battles they were in. AFAIK, anyway. Could have have been a bomber pilot or something? Though I suppose that you'd amass more than 30-something kills if you were flying over and dropping bombs on enemy positions. --Kurt Shaped Box (talk) 21:31, 10 March 2013 (UTC)

You hear this same sort of thing for Fred Rogers or John Denver or anyone who seems unusually calm. Adam Bishop (talk) 01:30, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

A 1991 New York Times article states he enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Alaska,But that's all it says. His NYT obituary says he took up painting while in the Air Force, and give no further details. And article in Parachute: Contemporary Art Magazine says 'In Ross' words, being a first sergeant meant "I was a mean guy. I had to yell at people a lot. I got sick of it, and I told myself that if I ever got out of the service I would never tell anybody what to do. . . ever again."' and cites a May 1990 interview in Egg magazine, which I couldn't find. I also found a reference to a book by a different Bob Ross, a retired Air Force colonel who was in Vietnam, which I wonder whether that might be the source of some confusion.

---some jerk on the Internet (talk) 14:59, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

March 11

nice font

I watched the TV movie Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. After the closing credits, the title was shown again in a font. I'd like to find out what type of style the font is. Please let me know. Thank you.142.255.103.121 (talk) 05:29, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

I can tell you what it is if you post a link to a picture. Evanh2008 ^{(talk|contribs)} 04:43, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

I've seen the font on YouTube. It's at the end of "Dandridge Part 12". I hope that helps.142.255.103.121 (talk) 05:29, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

It is very, very close to Brush Script. It's not Brush Script exactly, as the font may have been designed by hand, but Brush Script is the closest available commercial font I can think of. If you're looking to duplicate the look and feel of that logo with a font, that's your best bet. Evanh2008 ^{(talk|contribs)} 18:55, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

Thank you so much.142.255.103.121 (talk) 23:17, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

You're welcome! Glad I could help. Evanh2008 ^{(talk|contribs)} 04:47, 12 March 2013 (UTC)

Resolved

International Space Station in films

Please name some films which shows the International Space Station or where the ISS is part of the plot. --PlanetEditor (talk) 06:48, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

Fantastic Four was set (initially) on A space station, but I doubt it was the ISS, and in work so can't look too far through the net to find out for sure... gazhiley 09:35, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

Love (2011 film)--Melburnian (talk) 09:46, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

2001: A Space Odyssey was partially set on a space station. -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 10:37, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

The Day After Tomorrow has some astronauts watching the planet freeze from the ISS. Adam Bishop (talk) 10:56, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

I vaguely remember there being some kind of ISS-like station in Mission to Mars. It's been almost ten years since I've seen the film, so I don't remember if it was referred to as the ISS. (Just checked the article: Looks like they called it the "World Space Station".) Evanh2008 ^{(talk|contribs)} 19:14, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

Apogee of Fear filmed on the ISS. As did Space Station 3D. Rmhermen (talk) 20:06, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

hydraulic

Moved to the Science desk.

Sports Fencing vs. Real Swordmanship

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen

A very good friend of mine - Robert is his name and he is a passionate practioner of Kenjutsu - has told me, that sports fencing has almost nothing to do with the "real" swordmanship from earlier ages and that it would be extremely useless in deadly combat. Are his claims true and why - if so - is sports fencing not more useful in real combat?

Thank you for your responses

Kind Regards--92.105.188.31 (talk) 19:48, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

Each school of swordfighting developed to be effective against particular weapons and attacks. Sports fencing descends from sword dueling and street fighting against similar weapons. Modern sports practice sets more importance on scoring attempts than on defense as you might if actually facing a dangerous blade. Notice that many cavalry and infantry swords from the similar timeframe to historic fencing were much more substantial and used different techniques. For the Western martial arts equivalent to kendo, see perhaps singlestick. Rmhermen (talk) 20:19, 11 March 2013 (UTC)

Even in Japanese martial arts, Kendo has moved away from the techniques of the early Kenjutsu schools. Both Kendo and western fencing have objectives other than teaching people how to actually fight with swords. A rather similar question was asked here in December. Alansplodge (talk) 01:43, 12 March 2013 (UTC)

In sport fencing one needs only to touch the opponent with the blade thus the tactics used are centered around this. There is no effort to strike in a way that would incapacitate. --Daniel(talk) 17:27, 12 March 2013 (UTC)

Hi all. Thank you very much for your responses. Daniel, is it true, that there are big differences even between the very basics of real swordplay and sports fencing? As a longtime practioner of the German school of fencing, I am only familiar with the original styles but less with the modern sports.--92.105.188.31 (talk) 21:41, 12 March 2013 (UTC)

March 12

Singers who have daughters named Vanessa

I've been looking for a song for around eight months that I heard a couple of times in Russia. Don't remember most of the lyrics, but I know one part sounds like "All I wanna Saints come maarchin/comin (either or) in". Russian Top 40's for June/July 2012 were unsuccessful. Heard it again today and while the guy couldn't pinpoint the song name, he said the singer's daughter was named Vanessa. Anybody know singers with daughters named Vanessa? Buggie111 (talk) 02:03, 12 March 2013 (UTC)

I assume you don't mean When the Saints Go Marching In? Can you tell us more about the type or genre of song? Rojomoke (talk) 05:57, 12 March 2013 (UTC)

It's a pop song which is rather slow but upbeat. The lyrics don't match When the Saints Go Marching In, and I probably think the part I remember actually consists of different words (although the house which had that song playing seems to have a Saints logo on some of their car seats). I'll try and write it in melody assistant (at least the part I remember) and upload that. Buggie111 (talk) 17:14, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

olympics 2012 props designer

who designed and produced the costumes in the opening ceremony i want information about the costumes used in the forging of the olympic rings section82.27.86.121 (talk) 12:01, 12 March 2013 (UTC)

The designer was Suttirat Anne Larlarb, who worked with Danny Boyle on Slumdog Millionaire. See also Time Magazine: Q&A: Suttirat Larlarb, Olympic Opening Ceremony Costume Designer. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 12:09, 12 March 2013 (UTC)

Why is the film industry underestimating the audiences?

Hi all.

It has come to my attention, that many tv shows and movies treat their audiences like their were complete fools. I have brought you a clip[3], which shows, how the crew of CSI New York talks utter nonsense and shows the obvious computer illiteracy of its writers. We have the 21st century! Nearly EVERBODY knows how a computer works! The articles under [4] and [5] show even more technology illiteracy.

My question is: why does it seem, that they constantly make the very same errors, despite that mostly all people on our planet understand at least the basics of how a computer works. Do modern writers seriously want to embarrass themselves? I have ask once a very similar question about swordplay in movies, but this is a different thing: most people have never used a real sword or any weaponry at all, but almost everyone owns a computer. Do they never any research at all?

Thank you for your responses

All the very best--92.105.188.31 (talk) 21:39, 12 March 2013 (UTC)

Not everyone who can type something in Word (or whatever the writer was using) and browse the web a bit is knowledgeable about computers beyond that (in fact I know several people like that). You'd think that someone at some point in the creative process would know enough so as not to make it sound silly though... --Kurt Shaped Box (talk) 22:13, 12 March 2013 (UTC)

Well, just about everybody drives a car, too, but they keep making movies where the bad guys' car explodes into a massive fireball when any one of the wheels leaves the ground. StuRat (talk) 00:06, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

It's unrealistic to expect fictional stories to be realistic. Also, this quote, attributed to H. L. Mencken: "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public." ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 01:38, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Let's look at it logically. There must be some people who don't know when the film is wrong. Then there are probably far more that don't care ("Don't think too much about it, just enjoy it"). Then there are those who do care, but not enough to skip the movie or demand their money back. So, the film makers can make money off all those groups. I agree that there's a group who would pay only to see quality movies, where all the facts are right. However, that apparently is a rather small group, so few movies are written for them. (Of course, those people have to know how accurate the film is before they make their purchase decision, and this can be tricky, too.) StuRat (talk) 06:48, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

"Nearly EVERBODY knows how a computer works!" - No. Nearly EVERBODY knows how to work with a computer for what they need to use it for. The line is silly and stupid for those that understand it, but for most people it's probably just computer related things they've probably heard of strung together. --Onorem♠Dil 07:25, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

I agree with User:Onorem. Most people have no idea what those things (GUI, Visual Basic, IP address) are. So it's just "I'll create a computer-thing computer-thing to see if I can computer-thing". It's like a lot of science fiction where it's "I kept the ship from exploding by science-thing science-thing". Most people aren't rocket scientists, so if it sounds science-y enough, it's good to go. Dismas|^(talk) 08:15, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

I understand that for some of the Star Trek series, the scripts were literally written with the term "tech" in such places, then somebody else had the job of filling those spots in with convincing techno-babble: "The tech is down to 11% and if the tech doesn't hold the tech might explode !" StuRat (talk) 08:29, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

I used to get a great laugh out of Lee Meriwether, the terribly earnest and concerned looking scientist with the perennial white lab coat in The Time Tunnel. When they had to send the 2 heroes Tony and Doug down the Time Tunnel and back into the past, or get them back to the present, she'd sit at her impossibly complex control panel, and she'd make up a completely new random set of knob pushings, dial twiddlings and level pullings each time. Great fun, and much better acting than the two wooden heroes. It was ludicrous, even by 1968 standards. (The same year 2001: A Space Odyssey came out; what a contrast.) -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 09:04, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

For that matter, what about the computer tape reels turning in most any movie when large tape reels were used in computer centers. Close Encounters, for example. When I saw that, I thought, "They're encountering aliens. They picked a fine time to run their system backups!" This stuff is akin to the MacGuffin - it's not really important, it's just a prop. Nonsensical stuff like that was made fun of in movies like Airplane and Galaxy Quest. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 09:59, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Well, there are two different ways to use computer tapes. The most recent usage to go obsolete was for backups (I think a few tape backup systems still exist, though). An older use was similar to how RAM is used, to store data and code for a running program. That is, the tape would go forward, grab a bit of code or data, maybe back up a bit, and write a bit of data out, then go to another location on the tape to load in a new subroutine, etc. Incredibly inefficient compared to modern RAM, but that's all they had at the time. The memory in the computer itself just wasn't sufficiently large to hold a program and it's data at once. StuRat (talk) 10:39, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

True. Tapes could be used for capturing the output of a program. But disks were getting pretty good-sized by the late 1970s, I should think. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 10:49, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Dear gentlemen: I understand that fantasy and sci-fi movies need to have fictional technologies and terms and that it is important for a action movies to have exaggerated action scenes, where gravity does not seem to exist, but I am talking about tv shows and movies which are supposed to take place in the present reality. Gentlemen, maybe I am highly overestimating the target audience, but nobody can be uneducated enough to think that mmorpgs like World of Warcraft have a highscore! The computer illiteracy that is shown on display in shows like Navy CIS and CSI New York downright scare me.--92.105.188.31 (talk) 10:32, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

You're supposed to be paying attention to the plot, not the gadgets. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 10:49, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

What plot? The primitve one even a 4th grader could write? Don't get me wrong, but the viewer has to have a really short attention span to merely enjoy something like this.--92.105.188.31 (talk) 11:34, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

So why bother watching? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 12:50, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Because I am a person who enjoys most old movies and tv shows! I would love to turn on the tv and not see any "works" that make me question the future our culture. The studios do not seem to create well written tv shows and movies anymore, the elements of storytelling aren't like they used to be. There is really no logical argument for horrible writing and terrible characerizations. If they are not even able to create at least a believable environment, they fail at everything. The writing we see nowadays in games, tv shows and movies shows either a generation of lazy writers or authors with a very limited, almost childish understanding of the reality. Hopefully, there will always be a exception to the rule of schlock productions.--92.105.188.31 (talk) 14:33, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

I forgot to mention, that they never seem to do any research at all (especially in movies that take place in former time periods). I am currently studying German and I noticed, that in most movies where "German people" appear, they are not even trying to properly speak German. They speak some gibberish that doesent even try to simulate real German. Are they really too uneducated to take a German dictionary? Look how they show the Russian language: Good gracious!--92.105.188.31 (talk) 15:06, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

There is a difference between good storytelling and accuracy in technical details. Even older movies and TV shows get the details wrong. Have you ever seen a show where two people are talking on the radio and one says "over and out"? How about where someone is working with metal objects in Arctic temperatures? Handguns that not only have an unlimited supply of ammunition but are accurate at distances over 2 km (1.2 mi)? Badguys that use automatic weapons but can't hit anybody with them? Goodguys that get shot but are still able to operate normally? A scene where 10 badguys surround the hero and then attack one or two at a time? These can all be viewed in older movies and TV shows. CambridgeBayWeather (talk) 17:18, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Dear CambridgeBayWeather, thank you for your submission. Yes, I have noticed these errors too, but most of the older movies were made with a pretty low budget and a relatively small crew and also without modern technologies like the internet, those were not expensive 180 million dollar productions. If you ask me, both good storytelling and accuracy in technical details suck these days (like I said, there will always be excellent movies, but they seem to get rare). Look, I am not expecting something equal to Shakespeare's works, I only wish to see more quality made movies, regardless of the genre!--92.105.188.31 (talk) 17:35, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

My observation is that when characters in programs like CSI want something quickly from a computer, they frantically type around a dozen keystrokes, never touch their mouse, and instantly the most detailed security camera photo resolution of all time appears. I wish this computer I'm typing on was that good. HiLo48 (talk) 19:38, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Haha, the creators of CSI have obviously no idea, how to use a computer.--92.105.188.31 (talk) 20:39, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Haha, between those creators and us, guess which group likely has more money? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 21:03, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

92.105.188.31, did you notice though that none of the things I mention require a large budget or crew and modern technology. Also were old movies (and what time period are we talking about) on the whole better than today's? Or is it just that you are remembering the good films from then but forgetting about the bad ones that were made? Some movies are going to stand the test of time and will still be watched today while the majority will have long been forgotten. Take a look at 1940 in film, 1950 in film, 1960 in film and so on. Every page in the "year in film" articles will no doubt list some movies that are considered great and people still watch but the large majority are not remembered by many. CambridgeBayWeather (talk) 22:16, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

@Baseball Bugs: there is a difference between a good movie and a very successful one! the bad movies of Michael Bay, Adam Sandler and Marcus Nispel make tons of money. Most people have a average to low intelligence and tend to stay away from well made movies like Citizen Kane or Hugo! Have you ever seen Navy CIS? It makes CSI (whatever show) look like a masterpiece... @CambridgeBayWeather: you are absolutely correct! My problem is not, that they are not producing good movies nowadays, my problem is, that most movies today are sequels, spin-offs and prequels of older ones which were really, really bad! There is a very small group of original, new movies! Since bad movies with explosions and computer generated effects are doing very well in box office, the very good productions with stories, well written characters and believable environments are like outcasts! The bad b-movies of the 50s didnt have the production values of more than 100 million dollars! Gentlemen, please take a look at modern day productions like the Transformers movies, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter or Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, all these movies are by any means bad films, but they have made millions of dollars and had cost that were twice as much as the entire classic Star Trek- franchise!--92.105.188.31 (talk) 11:31, 14 March 2013 (UTC)

To the film industry, if it makes money, then it's a good film. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 13:47, 14 March 2013 (UTC)

@Baseball Bugs: you are right my friend, I assume this is the reality in the modern day film business. There is no objective point, why a blockbuster should be mindless and uncreative, but I guess it is easy to create a bad movie than to make a really good one.--92.105.188.31 (talk) 14:04, 14 March 2013 (UTC)

Kit Carson, 1940 film

Hello, I am watching the 1940 film "Kit Carson", which Wickipedia says is shot on location in Cayente, AZ. However, there is no such place listed or found in an atlas. Can you help? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.18.70.45 (talk) 23:48, 12 March 2013 (UTC)

It looks like maybe it's an alternate spelling for Kayenta, Arizona. I found a Living on Earth transcript from 2000 talking about a group of students from Cayente which says they're from Monument Valley High School, itself in Kayenta. --some jerk on the Internet (talk) 00:14, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

March 13

Restaurant etiquette

Is it permissible to request a non-smoking waiter or waitress ? I've had my meal ruined by a waiter or waitress who comes to my table right after their smoking break, stinking up the whole place. They might as well have put out a cigar in my soup. So, can I request this, or must I just stay home ? StuRat (talk) 00:04, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

You can request anything you like. Whether the restaurant obliges, or is obliged to oblige, or has alternative waiters on hand, are other questions. -- Jack of Oz ^[Talk] 01:11, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

And if they won't do it, you are free to get up and leave. Or if you've already eaten, to leave a small tip, such as a nickel, so they won't think you forgot. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 01:29, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

I have requested that a Year 9 student wait outside the classroom after returning from a smoke toilet break because they stunk up the room so much. Had a nice chat later. HiLo48 (talk) 01:42, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

I take it they aren't allowed to smoke ? StuRat (talk) 02:08, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

No. But the most powerful weapon I had was threatening to tell her mother. 06:24, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Record for viewing by one person?

Who holds the record for the most movies ever watched by one person? Realizing how difficult it would be to equal (let alone top it), I was just curious because I like to watch them quite a bit. Theskinnytypist (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 06:12, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Probably a film critic. I'm not sure if Roger Ebert has estimated how many he's seen. Clarityfiend (talk) 06:40, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

The record is said to be held by the late Gwilym Hughes of Wales, with a grand total of 28,000. Start counting! :) Evanh2008 ^{(talk|contribs)} 06:44, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

Leonard Maltin's annual guide lists about 15,000 feature films. I wonder what Gwilym counts as a "movie"? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 10:53, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

The article quotes him saying, "I watch films from about 9pm until about 12", and he averaged about two a day, so, to be brief, we're probably not talking about shorts. Clarityfiend (talk) 22:54, 13 March 2013 (UTC)

1953 through 2010, about 57 years worth, or about 20,000 days. Easily enough time to watch 1 to 2 feature films per day. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 03:35, 14 March 2013 (UTC)