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February 7

International co-productions

I learn from our article on international co-productions that "the first European nations to sign a film co-production agreement were France and Italy in 1949", but it doesn't tell me whether any films were made by more than one country before 1949, either without the benefit of such an agreement or perhaps outside Europe. Can anybody find one? I also have a second question: which film has been the product of most countries? Waltz with Bashir, The Wind That Shakes the Barley, Joyeux Noël, Dear Wendy and The Motorcycle Diaries were all made by eight countries according to IMDb, and Dogville by nine. Is there anything better? I'm excluding anthology films like Tokyo! and Spirits of the Dead, and I'm using IMDb as my measure of which countries were involved because I'm afraid our articles tend to undercount. --Antiquary (talk) 12:22, 7 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

This book here discusses internataional co-productions undertaken during the interwar period (1920s and 1930s), including several by Germany & the Soviet Union. --Jayron 32 16:10, 7 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not entirely clear what counts as an international co-production, but some of the examples in this book must count? For example, "in 1912, Pathé Frères [a French company] commenced production in Sweden, initially in close alliance with SB [a Swedish company]". Warofdreams talk 02:25, 8 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, both of you. The Pathé Frères/SB partnership sounds promising, but I haven't yet found a film produced by both. What I have found is a 1928 British/German co-production called Song, which at the moment must count as the earliest one we have, along with the Salamandra at the other end of Jayron's link, which we and IMDb reckon dates from 1928 as well. --Antiquary (talk) 19:25, 8 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

But Savitri Satyavan is a 1923 Italian/Indian co-production. There's also another nine-country one in The Best Intentions. --Antiquary (talk) 22:51, 8 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

An earlier co-production, at least according to our article, is Richard III (1912 film). Warofdreams talk 15:54, 9 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Wooh, good one! IMDb confirms it as American/French – and also as being an adaptation of Shakespeare, which is perhaps not what silent films do best. We're getting closer to the beginning of commercial cinema than I thought possible when I asked this question. --Antiquary (talk) 17:55, 9 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

And another from before WWI: De afwezige (1913), which IMDb considers French/Dutch. --Antiquary (talk) 18:07, 9 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Encyclopedia of the Paranormal

Hi

I am looking for an encyclopedia or lexicon of paranormal phenomenon and was wondering, whether you have some suggestions. although Wikipedia lists some literature, it is not made clear about what quality these books have. Could you recommend a book, preferably one that could be bought in a bookstore or on Amazon?

Thank you for your responses

With kind regards--2A02:120B:2C79:D630:4829:FF13:998:9BC8 (talk) 14:37, 7 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

One thing that I have noticed (though I'm no expert) is that these reference books are often uneven or deliberately targeted and/or have different opinions on what qualifies as paranormal. For example, books on, say, ghosts, may have little or nothing about cryptids or divination or telekinesis. So, the first question I'd have for you is - what do you mean by paranormal? i.e. what do you want the book to cover? The second question would be how skeptically-based you expect it to be; a publication by SCICOP is obviously going to be differently framed than one y The Ghost Club. It's not a single volume, but Time-Life's Mysteries of the Unknown strikes a good balance in terms of reporting style and accessibility. Matt Deres (talk) 15:28, 7 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Hi Matt

Thank you for your response. I am looking for a detailed encyclopedia that describes reported phenomena like ghostly apparitions and poltergeist activities etc. in a relatively neutral way. A dictionary like book with many entries would be the best one for me.--2A02:120B:2C79:D630:DC28:4C7B:F031:2195 (talk) 15:38, 7 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Here's something:[1] ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 17:43, 7 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

This forum isn't really about recommending things, but the encyclopedia Man, Myth & Magic had an impressive roster of contributors at any rate. --Antiquary (talk) 18:13, 7 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I have heard of the book *The Encyclopedia of the Paranormal" by Gordon Stein, for which Carl Sagan wrote the foreword. I am not sure, if this book is anything I am looking for, given that I doubt Sagan`s honest interest into the subject. I also doubt that it is like the textbook style book I am looking for.--2A02:120B:2C79:D630:68E5:831B:1000:49AA (talk) 11:08, 8 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

While it's not an encyclopedia as such, I think the Fortean Times is along the lines that you are looking for, and they have an extensive website and I believe they also publish books. --TammyMoet (talk) 13:02, 8 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I have bought Time-Life's "Mysteries of the Unknown", and it is quite good. Not an encyclopedia or a dictionary, but it does list several encounters and it is written in a relatively neutral way.--2A02:120B:2C79:D630:6DEB:80B6:A145:8693 (talk) 10:52, 9 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I recently bought Readers' Digest's Into the Unknown which is a similarly scholarly without being dismissive work suitable for secondary school aged children. μηδείς (talk) 02:59, 12 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Readers' Digest's "Into the Unknown" is awesome, although I am afraid that it isn't available anymore. I wish they would reprint it.--2A02:120B:2C02:5DD0:5C0B:8CFA:B2EF:A137 (talk) 20:39, 13 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

February 8

1997 in Film?

Why isn't the Disney movie Hercules listed here? It was released June 13, 1997 in theaters. Yet, I've checked three times and I checked the notable films. But, it isn't listed there either? Why is that? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.162.219.150 (talk) 09:34, 8 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

(We're talking about 1997 in film.) Because no-one has added it. You can do that yourself by editing the page, if you wish. --Viennese Waltz 10:04, 8 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

That would actually be an odd explanation for a major film like this. The page history showed it was removed for no reason in the most recent edit. I have reverted it. PrimeHunter (talk) 22:28, 8 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Justin Bieber’s Spanish in Despacito Remix

request for speculation. --Jayron 32 14:08, 9 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

If Justin Bieber would’ve pronounced all his Spanish lines flawlessly and sounded more like a Spanish-speaking native in Luis Fonsi’s and Daddy Yankee’s Despacito Remix, would it have been an even bigger hit around the world, but especially in the U.S, would it have been a smaller hit, or would it have made no difference, and why? In other words to clarify, would it have been number 1 in Billboard for more than 16 weeks, the same, or less than 16 weeks? Would it have gotten even more streaming, the same, or less streaming? Would it have gotten even more, the same, or less number of sales? Would it have won a Grammy or not? And so on....

Here’s 1 obvious example and there are others: If Justin Bieber would have correctly said “paredes de tu laberinto” instead of pronouncing it like “pareres de tu labarinto” in the second part of the chorus. Willminator (talk) 23:24, 8 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

You would have to survey everyone who didn't buy it and ask why. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 00:44, 9 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Per the instructions in the header of this page we do not entertain requests for speculation or predictions. --Jayron 32 14:08, 9 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

February 12

Why doesn't Gregory House have a brother?

Thanks. Apokrif (talk) 00:41, 12 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Or an arch-nemesis (no, not Cuddy) or an admiring biographer/confidant (though Wilson is a reasonable facsimile). Because the writers chose not to give him one, probably because he was superfluous. Clarityfiend (talk) 01:29, 12 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

"arch-nemesis" See Michael Tritter and No_Reason_(House)#Plot.

"Wilson is a reasonable facsimile" Indeed.

There is also an Adler in House, so why not a Mycroft House "having abilities of deduction and knowledge exceeding even those of his brother"? (granted, Lestrade is missing, too).

Apokrif (talk) 02:46, 12 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

His staff could be considered a collective Lestrade, in the same line of work, but needing to be led around by the nose to reach the right conclusion. There's also Edward Vogler, so there's no single antagonist of the stature of Moriarty. Clarityfiend (talk) 19:15, 12 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

What? House isn't an Indian movie ... —Tamfang (talk) 05:56, 12 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

The joke escapes me. Clarityfiend (talk) 19:20, 12 February 2018 (UTC) [reply]

It's because his parents didn't have any other male children. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 06:07, 12 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

French song that sounds like "Swannee"

There's a well known French song whose refrain's melody is similar to "Swannee, how I love ya". Anyone know what it is? Am I confused? Thanks. 73.71.213.123 (talk) 03:52, 12 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

In lieu of flowers during the Olympics

During the 2016 Summer Olympics, the medalists were given something in addition to being awarded their medals. During the 2018 Winter Olympics, the medalists are given something in addition to being awarded their medals. What were/are the additions, in lieu of flowers?142.255.69.73 (talk) 06:21, 12 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

An explanation of the awards at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics are here and an explanation for the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea are here. Richard Avery (talk) 10:57, 12 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you so much.142.255.69.73 (talk) 22:58, 12 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

February 13

1980s action film

The Swedish TV-series Goltuppen originally aired in early 1991. In one episode a character called Milan is watching some English-language film on TV. The scene he's watching includes a man tied spreadeagle while being tortured by another man. The torturer ask "Maybe, you'd like to talk?" Another voice calls out "Colonel Spacey!" (or perhaps "Stacy"?). The torturer asks "Is it important?", to which the man replies "It's Ferguson, sir!"

The scene in question (episode 4 of Goltuppen, about 20:30 minutes in) is avaliable here, but only if your computer is geolocated inside Sweden. Does anybody know the name of the film Milan is watching? Gabbe (talk) 13:19, 13 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Perhaps the film title can be found in the closing credits of the episode? 212.178.135.35 (talk) 13:16, 14 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Why don't Martial Arts work?

Dear All

I was always under the impression, that martial arts are a good way to learn self-defense. I am friendly with many martial artists and often have a night out with some of them. I had some experiences that baffled me very much and changed my view of martial arts massively: every time my friends got involved into a bar brawl or some other scuffle, they got beaten up really badly. My friend Tobias, who is a longtime martial arts practitioner (Karate, Judo, Aikido, Kobudo and Kenjutsu) and even has the famous black belt in Karate, got smashed by a drunkard who apparently only did some Western boxing when he was younger. This phenomenon, that professional martial artists get almost always defeated when confronted with real violence in bar brawls and street encounters is something I have seen a lot lately. I simply cannot understand this phenomenon and I cannot reconcile my experiences in this regard with my understanding of martial arts and its portrayal in our culture. It is as if these systems collapse when confronted with real, ongoing violence. I have gotten used to seeing martial artists getting beaten into pieces, yet I cannot understand it. Are these combat systems not supposed to give the user an advantage over a potential opponent? If this is true, how is it, that these systems are seemingly absolutely useless when people who trained them are confronted with real violence? Is this phenomenon known and has anybody ever dealt with it? Is there information around that explains this phenomenon?

Thank you for your answers

I wish you all the very best

With kind regards--2A02:120B:2C02:5DD0:5C0B:8CFA:B2EF:A137 (talk) 20:34, 13 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

There's a variety of issues here:

I don't have enough information to comment either way on the prevalence of McDojos in your area. A certain level of martial arts training, McDojo or real, can bring the Dunning-Kruger effect into play.

A black belt is like, level 1. Really. It's not a doctorate, it's like finishing high school. See Dan (rank).

Safe practice (including even sparring) doesn't really prepare one for an actual fight, especially if the martial art being taught reflects self-defense situations on pre-modern Asian countryside (and not in a modern western bar). Heck, the legendary Shaolin kung-fu was really developed to give the monks exercise, not for them to fight. There was a guy I knew in university who was on the way to becoming his Tae Kwon Do teacher's #1 student (and so the school's #2 teacher). He was good, but still had to go to the hospital after getting mugged. Tae Kwon Do is certainly great if you can see the guy coming toward you and have a chance to kick their skull in. However, it and most other martial arts are useless if someone has already snuck up behind you and pistol whipped you hard enough to need staples along 8 cm of your scalp, and then has time to aim at you while you're still figuring out why you're on the ground. When I signed up for Karate at university a couple of years later, the class was combined with a women's self-defense class, changing the curriculum radically. It became less about forms (which is how one's excellence in a martial art is measured), and more about situational awareness and getting away from an attacker.

There's also the issue of who these martial artist friends of yours are getting into fights with. Some psycho or criminal who is fighting to injure or kill the other person, or is using injury or death as a tool to acquire something else (e.g. money, sex) is always going to have the advantage over someone who is just fighting to correct an insult or to just make the fight stop.

This article and this article both more issues in more detail. Ian.thomson (talk) 21:18, 13 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

February 14

Gorillas and bananas

I remember a video game from the 1980s that consisted of two gorillas standing on top of two skyscrapers throwing bananas at each other. I thought it was called Donkey Kong but looking at that article it seems I misremembered its title. SpinningSpark 10:45, 14 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Here you go Gorillas (video game) --TrogWoolley (talk) 11:29, 14 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]