Oh I forgot to tell you- they finally posted a DVD screener rip of <Valkyrie> so I enjoyed it last night on my HD DIVX player with perfect digital image and sound.

For free.

heh...

Ok it's really good. If you like WWII historical movie genre, this is actually in the top tier--

Very good acting-- really good in fact-- and all the "bad press" about Tom Cruise is just because he's an easy target.

It's not his best performance ever, but he's certainly convincing.

Also, some of us notice that he is an exceedingly good looking man.

Anyhoo the film- down to the last detail of the actual plot and what happened-- is spot on accurate.

Which is what you want.

Also, there's no CGI -- they shelled out the money for <real> Heinkels and Panzerkampfwagen Mark IVs and uniforms and all manner of vintage WWII weaponry.

Must have cost a fortune to make this one, but it's certainly worth it for us fans of WWII movies.

Ok I give it a 7.5 out of 10--

It only got bad press because of people turning on Tom Cruise.

Ok the guy's a rich, self-absorbed nut bar, but

A: Who isn't?

and

B: Who cares? He's an actor. His only job is to be a good actor on the screen.

And he is.

Creepy film-

(don't mention "Lars" to <Niels> though- I mentioned him once but I think I got away with it)

Oh I forgot to tell you- they finally posted a DVD screener rip of <Valkyrie> so I enjoyed it last night on my HD DIVX player with perfect digital image and sound.>

I am a *huge* WWII fan. "Valkyrie" was great.

Well it's up to you of course.

I can tell you that it's mainly other people who want you to keep the same avatar.

They actually associate you with the picture, which is insane if you really think about it.

For example, I actually picture you as a cartoon of some books and an apple- say, wandering about your house.

I actually think <Niels> is an elephant.

That's the power of visual association, of course.

As a <Mad Doctor> you're well aware of these phenonema.

The other thing is-- suppose you change and one day later I take your old avatar?

Could be irritating.

That's why I have my <Carrie Ann Moss> avatar "stashed" as the current <Mrs. Alekhine> avatar- so nobody can take it- I think that will be one of my main avatars forever.

And I still like my original avatar, a painting of <Marie Antoinette> that is so fruity that nobody in their right mind would take it, so I don't think I need to stash it.

But I can tell you that I actually have considered buying a third premium membership solely in order to stash my original avatar.

Again, this sounds insane, but if somebody started using my old avatar, It would upset me.

Like they were trying to steal my identity.

All this didn't stop me, however, from looking up various avatars on the Net to find one that would really annoy people.

Ok I hope that's been of some help.

I think it might be a Tiger but I don't think you can tell from such a small photo.>

Nice tank top.

The earth used to tremble when I walked.

http://video.google.com/videosearch... On this link check out the video Dogfights!

New RJF and Tal quotes posted... ;)

Where else? ~lol~

Start here...

malthrope chessforum

- Mal

However, that said, I hold the heretical view that his best songs were written for other people.

These songs, though not in "his" style, were in fact written by him nonetheless.

They have a less funky, more folky-pop vibe.

He wrote a buncha them under the name "Christopher".

And I prefer this style of <Prince> songwriting.

Here is my favorite "Christopher" song that he wrote:

First, I see neither of you has noticed the fine <Me109> fighter plane, the backbone of the Luftwaffe, in my forum header.

Second, I have to agree with your assessments.

Going from memory, without book nor Wiki:

<P-51 Mustang>

It's unique combination of speed, range, firepower, and versatility did in fact make it the best American fighter during WWII.

It could fly from England to the heart of Germany and back- the first fighter to be able to do this.

It was heavy, but super fast. And it could be used as a fighter/bomber as well.

<Me 262> fighter jet- a significant improvement on the <Me164> fighter jet (the komet)--

Outperformed all fighters of the war because it was 8O TIMES FASTER.

An interesting point here is this--

At the start of the war- some of the best fighter planes were able to outperform others due to <manoeuverability>, and in particular, "inside turning speed."

Prominant examples included the <Zero>, <Spitfire>, and <Focke-Wolfe 190>.

Now, when all fighter planes flew at around the same speed- 400 mph or so- then <manoeverability> was king.

But it became apparent that a fighter didn't need to be manoeverable at all if it was a lot faster.

IE= Speed turned out to be the king factor in how effective a fighter plane was.

By far.

So yes- <Me262> was a devastating fighter due to its speed.

It was playing havoc against Allied planes, and unfortunately for the Luftwaffe, <Hitler> insisted they be refitted as Bombers, and the Luftwaffe lost the operational use of the best fighter in history, to that point.

Yet another BAD DECISION by <Hitler> with respect to military tactics.

Mrs. Fighter Plane- vintage division.

(BTW, those are <real> Spitfires we see in the Desert in the movie <Valkyrie>-)

One more note on the <Bangles> clip there singing <Manic Monday>, one of the best songs <Prince> ever wrote IMO.

An almost perfect pop song, in the vein of the kind of pop song invented by <The Beatles>.

Now- I think <Susannah Hoffs> has a lovely voice, and she's a lovely looking girl.

BUT-

That "performance" is LIP SYNCHED.

And I don't know if she was just "following orders" like a Nazi, but as I watched the clip, I found myself thinking,

IF SUSANNAH LOOKS DIRECTLY AT THE CAMERA ONE MORE TIME I HOPE SOMEBODY ASSASSINATES HER WITH A 30 ought 6 High Powered Rifle FROM THE BLEACHERS

You see, mugging for the camera does not take away the concentration needed to play/sing the song

IF YOU ARE NOT EVEN PLAYING OR SINGING IT!!

Mrs. I wish Prince had recorded and sang <Manic Monday>.

Oh what a wonderful world it would be.

Have you seen the movie Memphis Belle?

Amazing... I haven't seen that film, but I'll be sure to find it on free streaming vid thanks to your "heads up."

I'm a little intrigued by just how many <CG.com> members are World War II buffs....

Some are obviously so- like <join the army>...

But just start posting some <WWII-related> material and 900 new guys jump in with interest....

????

Do you think there is some relationship between loving <chess> and <WWII history>?

Or are all the people on this website men who grew up in the 1950s-1960s, when every single kid in America was a World War Two buff?

I'm feeling a little embarrassed about sharing this interest given my age and "demographic.."

I blame my Dad, however.

He indoctrinated me into chess and WWII history!!

And as a five year old girl, eager to please Dad and spend time with him...