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Post by sunfrog on Jul 27, 2012 22:34:39 GMT -5
Ugh, our tv station ruined it by cutting away for tv commercials. I didn't even see what Kenneth Branaugh had to say. They didn't show that part. I like the Queen's entrance best. ;D I surprised me how much our countries share a similar history. Even our music is the same. I didn't know a British person invented the internet. Good job! Do you think You Know Who will be remembered like Captain Hook and The Queen of Hearts? I don't. I don't think Harry Potter will stand the test of time. What's with the NHS? Do you love it that much? Do nurses really dress like that or was that a costume?
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Post by PigsnieLite on Jul 27, 2012 22:58:20 GMT -5
OMG, I jest saw an hour of the ceremonies ON TAPE and it is ATROCIOUS! It honestly didnt look that terrible in the stadium but I haf to agree wid Tooly -- this is the Worst Ceremony I have ever seen! I dont know why Danny Boyle wanted to honor the NHS here. It is so inappropriate. *Sick* childrun jumping about in beds to be later terrorized by giant puppets. Duh. As for Branagh, he recited a verse from the TEMPEST which I guess fulfills the Shakespearean part of the programme. I asked my da (who didnt go to the stadium) whut he thought, and he just said diplomaticaly that he liked Beijiing better. And he had no favourite parts.
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Post by sunfrog on Jul 27, 2012 23:10:37 GMT -5
I don't think I saw Paul McCartney either. I just googled it and I don't remember that part. What the heck? NBC ruined the opening ceremony!
I will have to find the ceremony online and watch it there. Gaaah!
Why didn't Ireland dress up? They look like they purchased their uniforms at Wal-Mart.
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Post by PigsnieLite on Jul 28, 2012 2:12:27 GMT -5
I dont remember whut Ireland wore. I only remember that one of the countries on parade carried umbrellas and wore wellies. Heh.
Youre an Idjoot Danny Boyle! They should haf given the job to Cameron Macintosh!
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Post by sunfrog on Jul 28, 2012 2:59:12 GMT -5
Oh! There was more ceremony after the parade of nations. Now I saw Paul McCartney. I want glowing bicycle wings! I don't believe the giant torch is made entirely of Olympic Flame. I think there is some foreign flame in it. It lighted up like a stove burner but I don't think it would do that on a huge scale. What is it supposed to be anyway? Who is Dizzie Rascal? Is he famous? Why wasn't Pippa Middleton's bum in the show? They should add dogs jumping over little fences to the Olympics. Those corgis were adorable. Here's Ireland.
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Post by PigsnieLite on Jul 28, 2012 3:08:41 GMT -5
LOL, foreign Flame! From Greece! hahaha! Goodness me, Ireland is indeed horribly dressed! And i hate that colour, which is called *hunter green.* The winged cyclists were pretty nice. Thats the sort of stuff I like. Anyhoo, I wuz looking around the UK news websites this morn, and all of them called it *THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!* Well, all I can say is: theyre all on crack. tsk tsk tsk
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Post by PigsnieLite on Jul 28, 2012 3:14:44 GMT -5
Tribute to war dead. A bit odd, including this in Opening Ceremonies but did they show this dance in America? Perhaps this is Britoons way to make up for the fact that IOC refused to do a Minute of Silence for the Munich Killings of Israeli athletes many years ago.
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Post by Avril on Jul 28, 2012 3:17:26 GMT -5
You know, I found the opening ceremony moving, inspirational and full of heart. I was often in tears and laughed equally often. I loved it. I think Danny Boyle played to Britain's strengths. A world leader in the industrial revolution, literature, film, music, not to say the invention of computers (he missed Alan Turing), the Internet and the digital age, there is so much in the world these days still influenced by Britain's example (not least the NHS). I loved the fairytales and fantasy elements. I love Kenneth Branagh and Rowan Atkinson. I loved Daniel Craig and the Queen's cameo when she almost cracked up and her amazing parachute jump -who knew? I loved the fact that the people of Britain and their enduring cultural heritage was celebrated so beautifully and with so much respect, humour and love. There's no way this can compare with Beijing. Danny Boyle was smart not to try. This is simply different - as different cultures, countries and historical traditions are unique and different - and should always be celebrated as such. This opening ceremony was powerfully affecting. Where Beijing wowed us with unbelievable spectacle, London cuts to the heart of human beings. As I said, I loved it. I'm watching the athletes' parade now. Loving the enthusiasm and the excitement on the athletes' faces. Looking forward to the next few days.
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Post by PigsnieLite on Jul 28, 2012 4:17:34 GMT -5
LOL, I bet you didnt enjoy my commentary. But different strokes for different folks I guess. I was moved by none of it and I dont think Boyle included much of our history. Even the Shakespeare wuz recited by an actor wearing a top hat. So whut about the History of Britoon BEFORE the Industrial Revolution, eh, Danny?
No Romans, no chasing the Armada on painted seas, no tributes to our greatest writers: Wordsworth, Blake, Burns (that smidge of verse from THE TEMPEST was pathetic) no bits about our mythical heroes (Robin Hood, King Arthur). I mean, think of the things Boyle could have done wid HG Wells & Jules Verne alone!
INSTEAD, we get some stupid pop music / love story /dance marathon complete wid texting (that was probably the WORST!), a nutty NHS thingie featuring a giant baby, a Tribute to *Great British Villains* (Cruella De Ville?) and a totally predictable cringe inducing bit by Mr bean. (I guess I am finally over the whole Bean phenomenom -- its gotten old.)
So no, Im not happy. I know Boyle wanted to find a way to honor the *Present* rather than the Past, but a whole boring half hour of musical cell phones aint it.
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Post by PigsnieLite on Jul 28, 2012 4:36:37 GMT -5
PS. BOYLE should not have Trotted out Muhammad Ali. What was that all about? He probably didnt even know where he was. Leave the man alone. He has had enough of *honors* -- he can rest easy about his place in history.
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Post by Avril on Jul 28, 2012 4:54:23 GMT -5
It's true, huge and significant amounts of Britain's history and cultural contribution to the world were omitted. I guess it could not possibly all be included.
I'd rather applaud what was there than mourn what was not. He's never going to please everyone. I think Danny Boyle did a great job.
P.S. But I agree about Muhammed Ali.
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Post by Avril on Jul 28, 2012 4:56:06 GMT -5
Just watching the Olympic torch come into the stadium.
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Post by PigsnieLite on Jul 28, 2012 5:01:03 GMT -5
Sydney wuz 10x better than London! YAHHH! I just saw the whole thing again on YouTube and I am positively nostalgic for waltzing matildas. Hey, whut happened to that huge footed Oztralian swimmer who retired too early? You see, Ive even forgotten his name! Eeeek! PS. Goodness, broadcast to Oztralia is Super Late! Pigsnit said it wuz shown live in China!
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Post by Avril on Jul 28, 2012 5:03:23 GMT -5
Wow, that Olympic flame is AMAZING.
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Post by Avril on Jul 28, 2012 5:16:46 GMT -5
Paul McCartney is fine. From all your talk I was expecting something pathetic.
Hey Jude is a great song.
You know, I think that for all you Brits pre-catastrophising the London Olympics Opening Ceremony to pre-empt anticipated criticism from the rest of the world, the actual event was fantastic. Try not to be so self-condemnatory, lest you carry self-deprecation to self loathing.
It was wonderful.
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