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Primer (film)

en.wikipedia.org

61–70 of 93 posts

Re: Primer (film)

#61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm ashamed to say I haven't seen this movie yet, I must order the DVD this weekend, (now that I've been reminded for the umpteenth time). On a side note, my biggest annoyance with Wikipedia is manifest in articles about movies. For some reason, they allow an editorial policy of essentially writing out a scene by scene account of a movie.

True, but it's informational not editorial. I think the best they could really do is have a spoiler/non-spoiler view.

I agree that it's an informational site, but the nicest to read information adheres to editorial principle. To me, information for information's sake is a poor substitute to well crafted, and concise "simply what you need to know".

I would stress that not all of Wikipedia falls into that trap. Obscure information (histories of places, etc) read quite well, and tend to get the information balance right. However, pop culture and movies in particular, seem to attract a kitchen sink style, as though someone just sat through the film with a laptop, and typed up everything as it was happening on the screen in front of them.

Re: Primer (film)

#62
post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm ashamed to say I haven't seen this movie yet, I must order the DVD this weekend, (now that I've been reminded for the umpteenth time). On a side note, my biggest annoyance with Wikipedia is manifest in articles about movies. For some reason, they allow an editorial policy of essentially writing out a scene by scene account of a movie.

It's on Netlfix Streaming if you have an account...Was recommended to me last week by the system - which I'm definitely glad for.

I'm in the UK, I'm not sure whether Netflix is over here yet. Not to worry, it's on a retail website for reasonable money, and I wouldn't mind owning a copy :)

Re: Primer (film)

#63
Bad news guys. Carroll, Farhi, and Guth along with 't Hooft already looked into this in the 1990s. The only way time travel is possible is if there is already a time machine in the universe. If there isn't one already, it's impossible to create one in an open universe, and in a closed universe, it's not possible to create one and then use it before the universe ends.

The proofs are in 2+1 dimensions, but they're generally believed to hold in 3+1.

http://preposterousuniverse.com/research/#ctcs for a brief summary with references by Carroll.

Re: Primer (film)

#64

speaking of (relatively) low budget films, "The Man from Earth" is awesome (it's low budget relative to Hollywood, not relative to Primer; $200,000) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_from_Earth

A word of warning: this movie is entirely dialogue. That being said, it's a great movie.

Re: Primer (film)

#66

speaking of (relatively) low budget films, "The Man from Earth" is awesome (it's low budget relative to Hollywood, not relative to Primer; $200,000) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_from_Earth

Two more movies for the instance queue. Thanks

Re: Primer (film)

#68
post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Shameless self-promotion: my timeline app, Preceden, which lets you make multi-layered timelines, would be perfect for representing timelines like this (and the one in Primer!). Check it out: http://www.preceden.com

Wow, cool I am going to do a timeline app for london start weekend. Planning to start prototype this weekend. Just some feedback lower the barrier to entry. From the initial look of it, it seems like it would have a steep learning curve. Your stats look great though. Spend $60 and get $145 back, you are on to something.

Thanks for the feedback.

The $5/day the led to that $60 didn't result in any paying customers, so I stopped. Blog reviews and word of mouth are much more effective.

As far as usability goes, it should be pretty easy to use. There are advanced features, but for a simple timeline, you should be off and running in minutes.

Hope you like it.

Re: Primer (film)

#69

Bad news guys. Carroll, Farhi, and Guth along with 't Hooft already looked into this in the 1990s. The only way time travel is possible is if there is already a time machine in the universe. If there isn't one already, it's impossible to create one in an open universe, and in a closed universe, it's not possible to create one and then use it before the universe ends. The proofs are in 2+1 dimensions, but they're gene…

As I understood it, this pertains to a specific implementation of a time machine i.e., the Gott time machine.

The jury is still out on other implementations, though of course everything seems to point towards them being impossible.

Re: Primer (film)

#70

speaking of (relatively) low budget films, "The Man from Earth" is awesome (it's low budget relative to Hollywood, not relative to Primer; $200,000) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_from_Earth

I loved Primer.

But The man from Earth was just boring, I don't get why so many people liked it.

Bad actors, the hero claims are either dull or ridiculous (I laughed a lot when he pretended to be J.), and most important of all, not surprising. I knew what the movie was about before I saw it, and if it can't show me more than I can imagine myself, it just sucks.

I'll be happy to get some downvotes so that some of you could save 2 hours by not viewing this movie.

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