*raises hand* Okay, I have a plot-related question about TPB that maybe y'all can help me figure out. Why did everyone want to start a war with Guilder? I got that it was the bad guy's goal, and I got that Buttercup's death would set it off, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out why that would be a desirable thing. Is there a reason why they wanted to start a war, or was that just a plot device?

Simple: there were two things in Prince Humperdink's life that he liked, war and hunting. He hated everything else, and he was extremely good at those two things. When he would become king, he would have less time for hunting, and would be forced to spend time on his least favorite activity: dancing. And so of course the only alternative was to start a war. Obviously with Guilder since they were almost always at enmity and ready to go off any day anyways.

I see! What a jerk. Thanks for the explanation, Jay.

So why did the-criminal-who-was-the-voice-of-Rex want to start a war?

He was hired by Prince Humperdink of course. They were the Sicilian Band, who were hired to do things like that.

Ah... I missed that part on the first go-round. That's so... well, that works.

Ok. Y'all left me three pages behind. But I would like to contribute to this discussion, even though it's winding down. This is actually something I've been struggling with a lot lately. Just how there's so much stuff that's admittedly NOT BAD, but is it worthwhile?

I mean, a lot of things in this world are not bad. Now, y'all have been debating about whether or not the Princess Bride is bad (I'm on the fence, actually, after reading Neil's post) - but the fact remains that it's less worthwhile than a lot of things we could be doing.

It's started to bother me how little time in comparison to other things we spend on devotions/prayer. It's led me to try to pray just anywhere and everywhere, no matter where I am. I mean, if I'm really in a relationship with God, and He's everywhere, I should be able to talk with Him anytime. And it's really comforting just to take a walk and talk with God - He's a good listener.

Another thing that's bothered me is movies/music that I listen to. As Philadeplhia (and a few others) wrote earlier, repeatedly watching movies desensetizes us. We just watched the movie 'Mall Cop' recently. A lot of it is HILARIOUS. Literally. But there was stuff in there that should have bothered me; that didn't.

Music is another big thing. A lot of music these days is about boy/girl relationships and like it or not, what we listen to influences us. Heavily. Which is why I decided to do The Music Challenge. I mean, everything influences.

And the Bible admonishes us to listen to whatever is true, pure, and right. We're bombarded with so much junk from the world, why not try to avoid selectively choosing to view more of that stuff? I don't know if any of that made sense - just some thoughts of mine

eruheran

I just thought I'd mention, about the racist comment:



Coming from an Australian, I think that's hilarious. So I don't suppose it's really such a racist comment. We were pretty much populated from criminals. (Not me, I was from immigrants, but... you know) Aaannyway, that's my less than two cents worth.

But very good two cents.

Oh good, I'm glad you think so.

I liked it, because it was funny. But, for pretty much every time I watched it, Daddy was right there with the remote control, skipping over any parts that he didn't want me to see or hear. Thus, I didn't know about Inigo's bad word until I was about sixteen. I have never watched the torture scenes. I did not even have to watch Buttercup's nightmare. Or the attack of the R.O.U.S. Basically, Daddy let us watch the funny and interesting parts, and protected us from the bad parts. And it did not detract from my enjoyment of the movie. Princess Bride quotes abound at my house. We can say whole sections from memory. Just another source for humor around here.

On that note, I have read the book, and while it was interesting (you get a lot more details, more character development, and more humor), I did not like it any better. It had language, and in the end, Buttercup and Westley run off and live on an island together, without getting married. Also it was not "quotable". And the quotes are the best part.

I have only seen parts of it. My mom and older sister were watching it one day, and I looked every once and awhile.

I just finished the book a few days ago. I'd had one set of friends tell me the book was better than the movie and other friends tell me the movie was better than the book and I must say... the book is better than the movie.

The movie is awesome. The book is awesome times three. Everything in the movie is in the book, and then some. It has one of the best torture scenes ever. (And it's not violent or bloody or anything! It's really good for purely emotional reasons!) It has all sorts of cool backstory and details that wouldn't fit into the movie.

In plain english, I loved the book.

* agrees with Katie * And all the history of the characters was awesome, but the awesomest part was the Zoo of Death.

If Jay considers a "Zoo of Death" awesome, then my curiosity is piqued.

That scene is probably the best action scene I have ever read in a book, bar none. It's in a class by itself though, in style, so don't expect it to be much like anything you've ever read.

Who could hate this movie! It's SO good!

Quotes:

"If we only had a wheelbarrow that would be something..."

"Does anybody want a peanut?"


There is full dead, and half dead... etc...

The Zoo of Death was quite cool, I must admit. But I still prefer the movie

eru

So I joined this thread late, and I don't know what quotes have already been used but....

"Mawwage....... is what bwings us together....... today....... Wove, ....twue wove...So tweasure your wove..... forever"

I loved it. Mostly. It was cheesy and funny weird and for the torture scenes I closed my eyes. But, for some odd reason, I still love it.

I liked this film (watched it recently) but it doesn't rank amongst my favourites. It was funny though, just not a favourite.

And now, about three months later, I read through the entire discussion and I'll definitely be thinking about what Neil said. Although I agree with Vanya and Emeth (and whoever else also agreed) on the subject of the Princess Bride. I think it is harmless enough and entertaining, though I think I will be cutting down on my exposure to movies like this.

Ironic how I type this as my family is watching Princess Bride downstairs.

I agree with Azlyn.

My Favorite quote is:
Miracle Max: Humiliating Humperdinck, That is a noble cause. Give me the sixty-five, I'm on the job.

That is a noble cause!

eru

The Princess Bride makes me laugh every time I watch it! One of my favourite parts is:

Inigo Montoya: That Vizzini, he can *fuss*.
Fezzik: Fuss, fuss... I think he like to scream at *us*.
Inigo Montoya: Probably he means no *harm*.
Fezzik: He's really very short on *charm*.
Inigo Montoya: You have a great gift for rhyme.
Fezzik: Yes, yes, some of the time.
Vizzini: Enough of that.
Inigo Montoya: Fezzik, are there rocks ahead?
Fezzik: If there are, we all be dead.
Vizzini: No more rhymes now, I mean it.
Fezzik: Anybody want a peanut?
Vizzini: DYEEAAHHHHHH.

I saw it for the first time a few months ago, and I honestly loved it. *shrugs* I found it hilarious, fun to quote, and the characters were--to me, anyway--extremely amusing.

Love The Princess Bride, justing sayin'. I have officially dubbed it my 'feel better' film, the movie I turn to when I'm not feeling well but well enough to do something other than sleep.

The first time I watched it alone was only the second time I'd seen it--and now I've watched it so many times I've about terminated our ancient tape recording--and I happened to be viewing it while suffering from a terrible cold during which I lost my voice and my throat was raw. I was quite literally falling off the couch laughing so hard, and then having to pause and rewind because I was coughing. It helped me feel better, certainly, but I don't think it helped my throat or voice at all. XD

On a more serious note, I wouldn't let anyone younger than, say, twelve watch it--although my little brother watched it when he was eight. This is just because of the brief language.

Guys. Just to put this out there. I was at the Cliffs of Insanity two months ago. AKA the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. I was kind of freaking out a lot.

HWers are supposed to tell me when they visit Ireland. 'Specially since there's such a very minuscule chance of me ever attending a HW convention. * wanders off sniffling *

Join the club. *is sorry she didn't get to meet Calen when she was in Oz*

You guys have awesome lives, you know that, right?

So I bought myself a copy of this book second hand the other day when I was in town, since I've had so many Princess Bride fanatics beat me over the head with how awesome it is. I actually think the book is more bearable if you know to take the entire thing as fictionally as it is. All the "background" by the author is fake, even to the author's family members, etc. It really helps to read the wikipedia article on it to get a proper grasp of just how cleverly it has been written.

Sounds interesting. I didn't enjoy the film, but I didn't realise there was a book. Would you recommend it, Bushy?

*hesitates* Hard to really say, whether I'd recommend it. Some of the content I found a bit "meh", and though the way it was written is clever, the author cutting in every so often can be rather annoying. I'd probably recommend it to readers around my age who were looking to read a classic for the classic's sake, and for the sake of reading clever writing. Keeping in mind it's a satire might make it more enjoyable than I first found it, too. Honestly, I think this is one of those books that somehow made it to the phantom "classics" list and everyone is obligated to like because, well... it's a classic.

I don't know.... I haven't read it myself, but a lot of my friends who have totally love it. I think it's probably just a book that...needs...very...unique appreciation. Most humorous books, for that matter, are. The sense of humor is extremely diverse.