Wacky Computer programs in Flicks

[APzombie]

Ok, when anyone uses a computer in a film nowadays (mostly ones with the larger budgets) does anyone care that the programs they use look like elaberate CGI slideshows? I mean what would be a simple pop up warning in real life would first spin around in bright pink, do a dance up and down and then read WARNING on it in child-like large font. It kinda takes me out of the movie, for examples of what I'm talking about look at films like Armageddon, later James Bond films, Spider-man and MI:2. Whenever they use a computer and do important suff on it, it looks like they are playing a video game almost with all the hoopla rolling accross the screen. The more important some pograms are (like say ones at NASA and MI6), the more simple their outlines are likely to be, right? Just a little rant.

[Trail_Blazer]

Yea, good point... I've gotta agree... But for some reason that shit-fest "You've Got Mail" was able to use the AOL interface... they must need to get specific permission from AOL/Microsoft in order to use their Windows/Internet computer programs on the big screen......

[Beeblebrox]

I agree with you.

But...

It's all part of movie dramatization. Every gun flashes when it goes off, and sounds like a cannon. Every car slides wildly out of control when taking a tight turn.

So GUIs are a little more animated than they are in real life. Real life is boring when it's on the screen. ;)

And didja ever notice that almost everyone in the movies uses a Mac?

[cstroman]

I like Minority Report, but the VR computer stuff isn't realistic. Kinda pushed the plausability factor a tiny bit (not a huge amount since it was only a tool employed).

But I see where you are comming from.

And Apple unloads quite a bit of $$$ to get their product/labels into films. So does Dell and so does Gateway (used to work for Gateway).

[Jon Lyrik]

Originally posted by Beeblebrox
Every gun flashes when it goes off, and sounds like a cannon.

Am I the only person who noticed this? I live in an area next to the woods, and I hear hunters blazing guns all the time during the evening. It sounds more like a dull pop than a bombastic loud BANG!

[APzombie]

Good point on the Mac's, There all over the place. Now that you've mentioned the dramatization deal I have to agree more, I didn't think of it like that innicially, but for some reason it still comes off as a distraction.

[Scarface98.9]

The biggest culprit for my money is Swordfish. That whole scene where Hugh Jackman is putting together that virus with the 7 computer while the Xbox-quality graphics going on was enough to make me scratch my head, especially at how boring and plain hacking's interfaces are. But it's part of the entertainment, so I don't complain too much

[adamjohnson]

Well, 1) They cant use REAL programs because of royalty costs, 2) yes, hacker programs are very boring, alot of binary and coding.

One thing I did like in relation to this. In anyone has seen SOLARIS lately - in Clooney's kitchen there is a TV/monitor, but it just looks like a piece of glass, except that it IS a TV/monitor with touch screen.

I thought it was really cool, and very plausible, seeing as how screens are getting smaller and smaller, and this fits in right with that.

[cstroman]

especially at how boring and plain hacking's interfaces are.

yes, hacker programs are very boring, alot of binary and coding.

Remind me not to piss either of you off ;)

But then again, anyone dumb enough to steal my identity would be pretty pissed at having spent all that time and energy to gain NOTHING. As far as money goes, my barrels all empty.

[APzombie]

Does it cost more to pay copyright for real programs or to make a CGI slideshow?

I read an interview once that said the hacking system used at the end of the Matrix Reloaded was real, but i'm curious how you would get rights to use them if the programs themselves are illegal (or are they?).

[DareDevil]

i dunno i dont think any company that owns a program would care because its free publicity

[badberry]

While I do agree that computers and hacking in movies are generally portrayed pretty rediculously, most of the wacky looking programs and desktops can be created with Windows customizing tools like DesktopX, WindowBlinds etc. I've seen people do some really funky stuff to their computers with that kind of stuff.

Check out www.wincustomize.com and you can see what you can do. It can be pretty fun to play around with.

There's also many flavours of Linux based systems that can be made to look pretty wacked out.

<-- Is a computer geek :D

[miguel_montes]

Originally posted by APzombie
Does it cost more to pay copyright for real programs or to make a CGI slideshow?

I read an interview once that said the hacking system used at the end of the Matrix Reloaded was real, but i'm curious how you would get rights to use them if the programs themselves are illegal (or are they?).

Yes, it's true, it's a real hack. But they don't have to pay anything for it, since "nmap" and "ssh" are run on a Unix (or Linux, which is more popular these days), and it's free (open source).

[Cronos]

i dont mind if its something small like a popup that spins around a screen but when its something large like in swordfish it is kinda distracting but it doesnt really bother me that much

[moobycow]

Little Girl in Jurassic Park navigating around a CGI map going This is UNIX... I Know UNIX. I say "Do you fuck!"

I can understand why Hollywood do it coz lets face it working in IT ain't much fun and nobody wants to see that on film but not everyone is so thick they actually believe to be a hacker you need to know how to fly through a maze of files! Just insulting man!

[Common Sense Man]

I totally agree with this rant.

Being a Techno-weenie I hate seeing these mystical vapor-ware interfaces.

Some are palatable, but some are insane!

Hackers comes to mind. They have a Super Computer and to interface with this awesome cpu you have to slowly virtually fly around a bunch of towers with file lists on them. BULLSHIT!

Please, please, please Hollywood put a bit more realism in.

And I don't buy the argument that they can't make it look real because they have to pay royalties. Hell they don't have to use windows just make a damn box with text in it! Bill can't copyright that!

I especially love it when someone is trying to hack a password and they fly thru virtual tunnels and other crap to come up against a closed door or bars, what lame ass crap!

True hacking and computing is done with little to no GUI so get it right Hollywood!

And if you consider the amount of time it would take for you to fly thru all these virtual environments looking for your file or function, the movie would be over and the program should be running on a Vic-20 because why do you need a fast processor to slowly fly around 3-d blocks!

I think this is one of the greatest failings of Hollywood. They know they can't go too far with daily items that eveyone knows about, but since so many people are still mystified by computers they take it way too far.

I would love to see some oldster going down to Circuit City wanting to buy the latest virtual reality computer program he saw in the movies so he could get jiggy with some hot simulated chick.

Enough.

Out............................................... ......................