Matt's Script Archive, established in 1995, is a vast online repository of movie and television scripts, transcripts, and unproduced screenplays. It serves as a free resource for aspiring writers, film enthusiasts, and anyone interested in studying the art of screenwriting. The site features a simple, searchable interface allowing users to browse by title, genre, or writer. While claiming no official affiliations with the studios or writers, the archive offers a significant collection, ranging from classic films to more recent releases and television series.
Amazon, having completed its acquisition of MGM Studios, now has full creative control over the James Bond franchise. This includes future 007 films, along with the extensive Bond library. Amazon intends to honor the legacy of the franchise while expanding the reach of the Bond universe through new storytelling across various media, potentially including video games and other immersive experiences. They emphasize a commitment to preserving the theatrical experience for future Bond films.
Hacker News commenters express skepticism about Amazon's ability to manage the James Bond franchise effectively. Several predict an influx of poorly-received spin-offs and sequels, diluting the brand with subpar content for profit maximization. Concerns were raised regarding Amazon's track record with original content, with some arguing their successes are outweighed by numerous mediocre productions. Others highlighted the delicate balance required to modernize Bond while retaining the core elements that define the character, fearing Amazon will prioritize commercial viability over artistic integrity. A few commenters expressed cautious optimism, hoping Amazon might bring fresh perspectives to the franchise, but overall sentiment leans towards apprehension about the future of James Bond under Amazon's control.
Orson Welles's "Chimes at Midnight" (1966), finally receiving a 4K restoration in 2024 from Janus Films, is a masterful adaptation of Shakespeare's Falstaff plays, focusing on the complex relationship between the aging knight and Prince Hal. The film portrays Falstaff not just as a comedic figure but also a tragic one, grappling with his own mortality and the prince's inevitable rejection. This restoration, supervised by Orson Welles expert and longtime champion Peter Bogdanovich, represents the fulfillment of Welles’s own wishes for the film's presentation and will allow audiences to experience this often-overlooked masterpiece in its intended form.
Hacker News users discussed the seeming paradox of Chimes at Midnight, a small, independent magazine achieving significant cultural impact despite its limited readership. Commenters praised the magazine's high production quality, unique content, and focus on in-depth exploration of niche topics. Some highlighted the power of physical objects and the tactile experience they offer in a digital world. Others drew parallels to the early days of the internet and the close-knit communities that formed around shared interests, suggesting Chimes at Midnight taps into a similar dynamic. The potential for small, focused publications to thrive in the current media landscape was a recurring theme, with several commenters noting the importance of catering to a specific, passionate audience rather than chasing mass appeal. A few expressed skepticism about the long-term viability of the magazine's business model, but the overall sentiment was one of admiration and cautious optimism.
Jan Miksovsky's blog post presents a humorous screenplay introducing the fictional programming language "Slowly." The screenplay satirizes common programming language tropes, including obscure syntax, fervent community debates, and the promise of effortless productivity. It follows the journey of a programmer attempting to learn Slowly, highlighting its counterintuitive features and the resulting frustration. The narrative emphasizes the language's glacial pace and convoluted approach to simple tasks, ultimately culminating in the programmer's realization that "Slowly" is ironically named and incredibly inefficient. The post is a playful commentary on the often-complex and occasionally absurd nature of learning new programming languages.
Hacker News users generally reacted positively to the screenplay format for introducing a programming language. Several commenters praised the engaging and creative approach, finding it a refreshing change from traditional tutorials. Some suggested it could be particularly effective for beginners, making the learning process less intimidating. A few pointed out the potential for broader applications of this format to other technical subjects. There was some discussion on the specifics of the chosen language (Janet) and its suitability for introductory purposes, with some advocating for more mainstream options. The practicality of using a screenplay for a full language tutorial was also questioned, with some suggesting it might be better suited as a brief introduction or for illustrating specific concepts. A common thread was the appreciation for the author's innovative attempt to make learning programming more accessible.
Warner Bros. Discovery is releasing full-length, classic movies on their free, ad-supported YouTube channels like "WB Movies" and genre-specific hubs. This strategy aims to monetize their vast film library content that isn't performing well on streaming services. By utilizing YouTube's existing audience and ad infrastructure, they can generate revenue from these older films without the costs associated with maintaining their own streaming platform or licensing deals. This also allows them to experiment with different ad formats and potentially drive traffic to their Max streaming service by showcasing their library's depth.
Hacker News commenters discuss several potential reasons for Warner Bros. Discovery's strategy of releasing free, ad-supported movies on YouTube. Some suggest it's a way to monetize their back catalog of less popular films that aren't performing well on streaming services. Others posit it's an experiment in alternative distribution models, given the ongoing challenges and costs associated with maintaining their own streaming platform. The possibility of YouTube offering better revenue sharing than other platforms is also raised. Several commenters express skepticism about the long-term viability of this strategy, questioning whether ad revenue alone can be substantial enough. Finally, some speculate that this move might be a precursor to shutting down their existing streaming services altogether.
The blog post explores a purported connection between Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells," famously used in The Exorcist, and Morse code. The author analyzes a specific section of the album and argues that the tubular bells play a sequence that translates to "BELLS." While acknowledging the possibility of coincidence, the author speculates that Oldfield, known for his meticulous approach to composition and interest in radio, might have intentionally embedded this message as a playful nod to his amateur radio background, potentially referencing his callsign "G3SWE." The post further links this potential Morse code to a rumored "curse" surrounding The Exorcist, suggesting the message could be interpreted as a signature or playful acknowledgement of the film's ominous themes.
HN users discuss the plausibility and technical details of the claim that Mike Oldfield embedded Morse code into "Tubular Bells." Some are skeptical, pointing out the difficulty of discerning Morse within complex music and suggesting coincidental patterns. Others analyze specific sections, referencing the provided audio examples, and debate whether the supposed Morse is intentional or simply an artifact of the instrumentation. The use of a spectrogram is highlighted as a method for clearer analysis, and discussion arises around the feasibility of Oldfield's equipment and knowledge of Morse at the time. Some express appreciation for the in-depth analysis of the blog post while others remain unconvinced, citing the lack of definitive proof. The comment thread also diverges into discussions about Oldfield's other work and general discussions on musical analysis techniques.
Summary of Comments ( 28 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43234471
Hacker News users discuss Matt's Script Archive, a relic of the early web. Several commenters reminisce about using the site in the 90s, highlighting its importance as a resource for learning CGI scripting and early web development. Some note the simplicity and educational value of the scripts, contrasting them with the complexity of modern web development. Others express a sense of nostalgia for the early internet and the community spirit it fostered. A few commenters also discuss the technical details of the scripts, including the languages used and their limitations. The overall sentiment is one of appreciation for the archive as a historical artifact and a testament to the ingenuity of early web developers.
The Hacker News post titled "Matt's Script Archive (1995)" links to a web archive of a personal script collection from the mid-90s. The comments section contains a mixture of nostalgia, technical observations, and reflections on the early internet.
Several commenters reminisce about the era of personal homepages and the prevalence of CGI scripts. They recall the excitement of discovering and using these readily available scripts for various purposes, such as guestbooks, counters, and other interactive elements. The simplicity and accessibility of the code is a recurring theme, with some noting the educational value of being able to easily inspect and modify the scripts. This ease of use is contrasted with the complexity of modern web development.
One commenter specifically mentions the prevalence of Perl in that era and how the linked archive serves as a time capsule of that language's dominance in web scripting. They also point out the relative lack of concern for security at the time, reflecting the less malicious environment of the early internet.
Another user discusses the impact of evolving web technologies on the longevity of online resources. They express concern that modern web frameworks may create content that is less likely to be accessible in the future, unlike these simpler scripts that are still relatively easy to understand and run today.
There's also a technical discussion about the inclusion of a "robots.txt" file in the archive, which, despite being a standard today, was a relatively new concept at the time. This leads to speculation about its effectiveness and adoption in the early days of search engines.
A few commenters express appreciation for the preservation of these historical web artifacts, viewing the archive as a valuable glimpse into the past. They acknowledge the importance of such archives in documenting the evolution of the web and its underlying technologies.
Finally, there's a brief exchange about the potential security vulnerabilities of such scripts if run on a modern server, highlighting the changing security landscape of the internet.
Overall, the comments reflect a sense of nostalgia for the early web and its DIY ethos. They appreciate the simplicity and accessibility of the scripts, recognizing them as a significant part of internet history. The comments also touch upon broader themes of web evolution, technological obsolescence, and the importance of digital preservation.