2012/07/28 11:09:24
spacey
Well I figuered out why I couldn't find it on Dish...at Z:30 in the morning!

I had the guide set on HD and it wasn't available in HD. !****

I didn't see all of the opening-went out sometime after the NHS ...but up to
that I thought it was EXCELLENT!
I did notice Oldfield wasn't playing a Spacey guitar...that was the only thing I
didn't really care for...but he was fantastic.

Truely a fantastic opening and loved getting to see so much of London.
And the Queen with Bond! Now how can ya beat that?  It can't be beat.
5-Stars on what I did see.

2012/07/28 11:18:00
bapu
The only bummer about seeing more of London is that I was originally scheduled to go back next month. Finances got in the way via being laid off in October 2011 and I have yet to find another job.
2012/07/28 11:22:44
Guitarhacker
I'll have to see if the opening ceremony is being rebroadcast or available on you tube to see it. 

As far as that goes, yeah, I know what hearsay is all about. 

However, the other things, refusing  to train next to someone from a country they don't like, or withdrawing from competing against them because you might have to touch them,  or storming off the field because the wrong flag was shown..... come on... where is the Olympic spirit?  
2012/07/28 11:23:51
SteveStrummerUK

I don't think it was particularly political.

We all know Danny Boyle's leanings, but the stuff he 'slipped in' (like the CND logo) seemed to be completely relevant to the era that the music was portraying. In any case, I'd argue that you can't (or indeed shouldn't) airbrush out politically sensitive or embarrassing events as if they'd never happened. The CND marches, Greenham Common etc were valid, if maybe misguided, reactions to the very real threat of a nuclear holocaust and I can't see any problem in alluding to them.

I thought the whole tone was kept just right, and never strayed into "political theatre" at any time. And there was definitely no trace of any jingoistic/triumphalist slant coming through in the events depicting the history and heritage of Great Britain. If anything, most of the history lesson was given with a wry sense of humour, slightly self-deprecating and definitely tongue-in-cheek.

There was, for me anyway, a slightly uncomfortable irony with the passage dedicated to the NHS - I couldn't help thinking that it could be viewed as slightly obscene when, as a nation, we can find billions of pounds to fund an Olympic Games when said NHS is on its knees. Mind you, having said that, even if they poured that amount of money into public healthcare it would make little more than a dent.

But on seeing the collosal expenditure, it must appear quite repugnant to anyone on a three-year waiting list for a life-saving operation, or being told that they can't get funding for life-changing medication because they live in the 'wrong' postcode.

2012/07/28 11:28:10
jamesg1213
Guitarhacker

storming off the field because the wrong flag was shown


Well that was North Korea, and the South Korean flag was shown..I imagine they were mindful of what might happen 'back home' if they weren't seen to protest about it.
2012/07/28 11:33:00
jamesg1213
bapu


The only bummer about seeing more of London is that I was originally scheduled to go back next month. Finances got in the way via being laid off in October 2011 and I have yet to find another job.

That's a shame Ed, hope things improve soon. Plus, I still owes you a pint...
2012/07/28 11:40:42
RobertB
Guitarhacker

 I thought the spirit of the Olympics was to celebrate the abilities and talents of the athletes from all the nations, coming together as one, if only for a few days. 

That was exactly the message I got from it.
2012/07/28 12:04:24
craigb
daryl1968


craigb


My Welsh roommate turned it on, watched 30 seconds of it, declared that "This is stupid.  I hate this stuff, this is rubbish!" and flipped the channel to something else.



not enough sheep?


Is there ever enough sheep?
2012/07/28 12:22:13
bapu
craigb


daryl1968


craigb


My Welsh roommate turned it on, watched 30 seconds of it, declared that "This is stupid.  I hate this stuff, this is rubbish!" and flipped the channel to something else.



not enough sheep?


Is there ever enough sheep?

Sheep, they're not just for breakfast any more.
2012/07/28 12:26:11
spacey
bapu


The only bummer about seeing more of London is that I was originally scheduled to go back next month. Finances got in the way via being laid off in October 2011 and I have yet to find another job.


Very sorry to hear that Ed. Best to you in hopes you find what you're looking for...and soon.
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