i think the usa has a one guaranteed gold medal coming there way, anyone want to guess what that may be?
i think the usa has a one guaranteed gold medal coming there way, anyone want to guess what that may be?
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Supporting the UK and the US (dual citizenship ftw) depending on who seems to be doing in each individual sport. I have tickets to the show jumping so I will be down in Greenwich Park for that. I've seen pictures from the dressage and it looks insanely awesome so I could not be more excited.
My favorites to watch are swimming and gymnastics. Of course diving is impressive too, but swimming has icons like Phelps and Lotche, makes it hard to turn away.
But you know, what i'd like to talk about is the Opening Ceremony.
I thought is was absolutely disappointing. It was reminiscent of a play, and seemed heavily uncoordinated. At first I thought it was the camera work, but then when the camera would pan out, it all looked even more chaotic, random dancing and undifferentiated costumes. There were a few cool parts that I liked, but altogether they didn't make up for the lack of order and dazzling that Beijing had.
I guess it didn't help that NBC's coverage made it even worse, with those commentators constantly stating the obvious (even interrupting the announcers in the stadium!), not to mention the fact that they left out an entire segment of the performance.
What do you guys think?
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Olympics means nothing to me. Not because it doesn't interest me, Not because it doesn't benefit me, but I don't see the point of the entire event.
Originally Posted by A Mod
As a Brit I can honestly say I was cringing before the opening ceremony, wondering what the lunatics would produce.
HOWEVER
I loved it!
In all fairness anyone trying to top Beijing was always going to lose but I thought what they did produce was very good. Some parts were better than others for sure and some bits will most definitely have been lost on some overseas spectators but sections were awesome and summed up Britain and its achievements and attitudes so so well.
The first bit where the transformation from rural to industrial revolution occurred I liked BUT wondered how much was understood from outside the UK. However once the final stages of the smoke stacks and the forging of the rings happened it was powerful. The music, the colours and the vibrancy were brilliant! What was a wishy washy start ended in an awesome way. The drummers were super and Evelyn Glennie just wow! One deaf person powered a beat that rivaled Beijing's 1000s.
The Queen and Bond...OMG... I laughed and cheered so so much!!! How many heads of state would line themselves up for that? Go Queenie Go!!! Classic stuff!
If there was a part I enjoyed least it was the NHS and GOSH. Though I applaud them including so many patients and staff. For me it went on too long and kinda got jumbled and confused. But what it did highlight was how much Britain has produced in the Film and Childrens books dept not to mention a free health system. Many may criticise that and to them I say go live in a country wihout it and see what happens when you are ill and broke.
The section could have been better.
Mr Bean, wow, Mr Bean... British humour at its finest. You either get it or you dont but Mr Bean for me is classic!
The British music section was great for the music but a bit confusing I thought and I wondered did you guys get all the text message bits that joined it? I thought the story line was weak BUT that aside just take a look at the influence Britain has had on music! Music has been so strongly defined across the world by British Groups, singers, players and writers.
In the music department we have every right to be proud.
Thought Beckham was gonna cream himself lol on that boat but gotta say he looked good. To hand the torch to Steve Redgrave was always a must but then to pass that on to up and coming athletes was so unselfish and really forged the fact that the future is there for young athletes.
I had no idea we were responsible for www - you guys owe us BIG TIME lol
The torch was bloody brilliant! I have watched that bit alone numerous times.
But I think the bit you Americans didnt get to see was Emili Sande singing Abide With Me. It isnt only America that has been hit with terrorism. Every year we remember those that fell in all wars and we also respect the times that huge tragedies occurred such as 9/11. For Britain, we had a horrific day the day after we won the Olympic bid when many died. Emili Sande and the dancers remembered those that could not join us and it was chillingly beautiful. If you havent seen it then search it on youtube because frankly its worth it.
Mohammed Ali - perfect. Such a great man who battles on in the face of a terrible disease. Huge respect.
Paul McCartney with Hey Jude - yeah it was good but hells bells, time for him to retire. He looks and sounds old...grumble grumble...
Yes it had its peaks and troughs but you cant please all the people all of the time. Its easy to criticise and anyone can do that. Perhas instead of looking for fault look for what you learned about this fabulous island of rain, music, writing, acting and world setting trends. Not bad for a dinky blob on the map![]()
Last edited by KrazyKazza; 07-30-2012 at 06:04 PM.
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See, i've learned my history, and have taken classes specifically geared to european history as well as british literature. I understood the intent, and the information, but the execution was poor.
I do not think the performance captured the glory of Britain, nor emphasized the effect it's had on the world. The only prominent parts during the industrialization bits were the rising towers. All of the people dancing below seemed chaotic, disorderly. I understood clearing the farmland, the building of London, but there was too much going on, too little organization and focus.
I will admit that the forging of the rings was the first impressive part of it all. Pretty neat.
The humor parts were relieving, and pretty funny, but as I said they do not make up for the rest. =/
This was when I condemned the show entirely. It was even more chaotic than the first segment, and while these are great programs it seemed like filler. The dancing and movement was so uncoordinated, unprofessional. Forgive me but I don't think gigantic puppets was the best way to convey the literary legacy Britain is responsible for.
It should have been more elegant and sophisticated, more serious, as the best of Britain's literature is. This segment was childish, like a children's play hosted in some school theater.
The music section had the most coordinated dancing and movement with the volunteers. They should have had this much order since the beginning. Unfortunately, at least on TV, the projections on the screen were hard to see and the back and forth from actual dancing to pre-recorded skits (like in the house) along with the text messages and what not, was confusing.
The torch was an interesting spin. I half expected the Queen to light it, or Kate, or one of the Princess, but this lighting captured the spirit of athleticism well.
And yes, I mentioned NBC's terrible coverage. From cutting that part out, to no live streaming, to Matt Lauer (and that girl)'s constant needless narrating, I was nearly disgusted by the end.
Ah yes, Ali's moment was a powerful one, but I agree that Paul McCartney is an overplayed card. I liked the Arctic Monkey's part better than McCartney's, especially since they had the cool bicyclists.
So, I do not think that the pride factor was what made it bad for people (of other nationalities). If one know's one's history then the intent is clear. But as I said - bad execution.
There were some parts that were very good, and could have made the show even better had it been a good one to begin with. But all in all, it was unprofessional, uncoordinated, boring in fact. I expected more from Britain.
The wheels of survival are greased more readily by easy lies than hard truths.
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