Opening Ceremonies Thread

[dj_patm]

Originally Posted by Mtt48

I can't wait for the events to start tomorrow!

Better hope that you don't mind the skiers going down holding umbrellas or having fog lights on their helmets, cause thats the only way that any event besides speed skating starts tomorrow...

[kirant]

Well done (IMO):
- Country entrances. Purely because Canada got so much raw emotion. And you could tell Clara Hughes was loving every second of being flag bearer
- The first "culture" section (With the nicely done special effects of the northern lights)
- kd lang. Simply an amazing performance
- Recognition of Nodar by the IOC
- Choice of their final Torch Bearers (I called it to my family before the ceremony began). Steve Nash felt like the odd man out. I would have liked Hansen in his spot.
- Recognition of Rick Hansen's work.

Poorly Done (IMO):
- 1-2 sections of the Culture. I didn't have a great grasp as to the whole fiddling/tap dancing section, and as much as I liked W.O. Mitchell's work, I couldn't help but be a little bored by a kid jumping around onto pieces of grain (As amazingly accurate a depiction of Saskachewan as it may be...)
- Mechanical failure. Kinda ruined the end of the ceremony...and poor Catriona. Well, at least she got to hold it twice.
- The "Wind"
- Gretzky going around in a truck with a neverending parade of guys following him

Ah well. Tommorow's the start.

Go Canada Go!

[GoFlamesGo]

My PVR stopped recording as soon as Gretzky was running up the steps to exit BC Place. Anyone know where I can catch the end?

Thanks

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by GoFlamesGo

My PVR stopped recording as soon as Gretzky was running up the steps to exit BC Place. Anyone know where I can catch the end?

Thanks

It's being repeated right now on NBC and TSN. You can tape it and catch the end in the morning. Actually, now that I turn it on TSN...it's probably about half hour or so away from Gretz leaving BC Place.


Check that....Sportsnet is showing the end right now.

[Delthefunky]

Originally Posted by dj_patm

Better hope that you don't mind the skiers going down holding umbrellas or having fog lights on their helmets, cause thats the only way that any event besides speed skating starts tomorrow...

Hey dude, your being pretty negative... Lets see what Vancouver can do before we start trashing the event.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

After reading lots of this thread, it's pretty clear that many of you people here WANT these games to fail just so you have another reason to bash Vancouver and to hang on to pride left by the 1988 games....that's just so sad...cant both games be spectacular?? Why do we have to compare and contrast?? Why not enjoy these games on their own.

I didn't like the ending either, the hydraulic failure was pretty awful, but things like that happen. It sucks, it's the worst possible moment, but it's not like it was incompetence that led to it. It was a mechanical failure. It's not like they didn't test it plenty of times before the actual ceremony. The truck going thru the streets was pretty weak as well, but please don't use these mistakes as reasons to bash what is undeniably an amazing city of this planet, and a city that is fully ready to host an event of this magnitude.



People, the Canucks suck, not the city of Vancouver.

[Flamesoholic]

Originally Posted by getbak

Holy crap, someone uploaded the entire Calgary Opening Ceremonies (ABC's broadcast): http://www.youtube.com/user/thisisab.../0/u61dC8RW4AA


Calgary's population was 650,000 at the time, crazy.


Some great 22 year old commercials in there too.

Thanks so much for posting this. I was one of the many performers in these ceremonies (the ballet tribute to the flame part 27 and 28) and my little sister was one of the blue jacket kids that made all the pictures earlier on. Watching it again brings back SO many great memories. I am so honoured that I got to be a part of these ceremonies. Memories for a lifetime.

[dj_patm]

I in no way want these olympics to fail!!

I love the winter olympics more then any other event in the world and I pray that these work out in the best way possible. I think I'm just setting my goals to high...

After seeing Beijing I've been disappointed by a lot of what has taken place so far. Events wise and Building wise (they're pretty lame).

The real thing starts tomorrow. Hopefully it goes of with out a hitch from here on in!

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

After reading lots of this thread, it's pretty clear that many of you people here WANT these games to fail just so you have another reason to bash Vancouver and to hang on to pride left by the 1988 games....that's just so sad...cant both games be spectacular?? Why do we have to compare and contrast?? Why not enjoy these games on their own.

I didn't like the ending either, the hydraulic failure was pretty awful, but things like that happen. It sucks, it's the worst possible moment, but it's not like it was incompetence that led to it. It was a mechanical failure. It's not like they didn't test it plenty of times before the actual ceremony. The truck going thru the streets was pretty weak as well, but please don't use these mistakes as reasons to bash what is undeniably an amazing city of this planet, and a city that is fully ready to host an event of this magnitude.



People, the Canucks suck, not the city of Vancouver.

i was watching the NBC broadcast and the announcers said that they didn't raise the cauldron in rehearsal. they didn't have to use the torch bearers for the sake of secrecy, but for the grand finale of the show that you've spend 6 years planning for, you should practice it a little bit

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by dj_patm

I in no way want these olympics to fail!!

Had me fooled based on your posts over the last 12 hours or so. And not just the posts in this thread.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

i was watching the NBC broadcast and the announcers said that they didn't raise the cauldron in rehearsal. they didn't have to use the torch bearers for the sake of secrecy, but for the grand finale of the show that you've spend 6 years planning for, you should practice it a little bit

K, well I talked to a guy who was at rehersal and they had stand ins in place of the torch bearers and they rehearsed EVERYTHING.

The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle, but I have a hard time believing they didn't test out the equipment prior to the ceremony.

Crap happens.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by kirant

Well done (IMO):
- kd lang. Simply an amazing performance

I love kd lang's version of Hallelujah. I have 8 covers of that song in my library plus Cohen's original, and I think kd's is the best cover. It's on her "Hymns of the 49th Parallel", which is an album of covers of great Canadian songs. She does an absolutely wonderful rendition of Young's "After the Gold Rush".

As for why Leonard wasn't there to sing his own song, he is actually supposed to be on a European tour, but he hurt his back and can't perform at the moment. They say it will take 6 months of physical therapy before he can go on stage again. It is rather sad that he has to put his almost 80 year old body through the torture of touring, but since his money was stolen he really has no choice.

And *if* Hallelujah is about an orgasm, which I doubt, but it wouldn't surprise me. There is a lot of sexual context to Leonard's songs and poetry. Heck, "Chelsea Hotel" is about a BJ he got from Janis Joplin.

The year that Cohen and McLachlan were both up for the "Best Songwriter of the Year" Juno, I almost had an aneurysm trying to decide who I wanted to win. So it was nice to have a Cohen song and a McLachlan song in the opening ceremonies. Personally, I think they are the two best songwriters in this history of our country.

Here is Sarah's video for "One Dream". It's absolutely beautiful and I think captures the emotion of the Olympics. Just like almost every other song she has done, it brought a chill to my spine and a tear to my eye (I have been to 24 Sarah Mclachlan concerts in my life):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJMaDxjjc6s
I think the one she performed last night was "Ordinary Miracle" from the "Charlotte's Web" soundtrack:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urv7tyeJ7qE

[atb]

Thought KD Lang was the highlight of the night. That was really a brilliant performance of Hallelujah. Also thought it was a fitting song considering the tragedy earlier in the day.

It's ashame about the mechanical failure for the cauldron. Can't really blame them as the hydrolics worked earlier (totem poles at the beginning) in the show perfectly and there was no sign of failure. I thought having Wayne put on a truck and sent down to the harbour was awesome. It was so unexpected that you just had whoever was out and about run along the truck.

Second best moment of the night behind KD Lang was Steve Nash's face during the mechanical failure.


edit: Would also like to say what huge failure on CTV's part on not having the opening ceremonies (or clips) available online. Had to watch what I wanted on NBC's website.

[SteveToms]

Originally Posted by dj_patm

Better hope that you don't mind the skiers going down holding umbrellas or having fog lights on their helmets, cause thats the only way that any event besides speed skating starts tomorrow...

Does your foot taste good? You keep putting it in your mouth

[Tensen]

Thought the best part was when Gretzky stole the torch after the lighting ceremony, jumped into a white Bronco, and was slowly chased by the cops.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

After reading lots of this thread, it's pretty clear that many of you people here WANT these games to fail just so you have another reason to bash Vancouver and to hang on to pride left by the 1988 games....that's just so sad...cant both games be spectacular?? Why do we have to compare and contrast?? Why not enjoy these games on their own.

I didn't like the ending either, the hydraulic failure was pretty awful, but things like that happen. It sucks, it's the worst possible moment, but it's not like it was incompetence that led to it. It was a mechanical failure. It's not like they didn't test it plenty of times before the actual ceremony. The truck going thru the streets was pretty weak as well, but please don't use these mistakes as reasons to bash what is undeniably an amazing city of this planet, and a city that is fully ready to host an event of this magnitude.



People, the Canucks suck, not the city of Vancouver.

Someone must be responsible for mechanical failure, no?

Hoping for failure is lame, but I have to say I'm a little put off by a few things about these Olympics that completely disregard the traditions of the winter games. Opening ceremonies indoors is lame, and so is hockey on nhl ice. I enjoy Vancouver as a city, but it doesn't really fit as a host for the Winter Olympics due to its size and the fact that they don't really get 'winter'.

Canada has always seemed to me to be a country that respected the spirit and traditions of the Olympics. The compromises that seem to be for commercial reasons more than anything, seems like something you'd expect the Americans to do.

[Flashpoint]

Texas got 8 inches of snow yesterday. Maybe Vancouver would like to borrow some?

Anyhoo, my cable was out, but I would love to watch the opening ceremonies (especially after reading this thread). CTV/TSN wants me to download "Silverlight". Since it's from Microsoft, I won't be doing that. NBC just has a bunch of talking heads.

Anyone know where I can watch online? I'd love to see this Gretzky pickup moment.

[transplant99]

I understand how people can hammer KD Lang on her appearance, though its monumentally juvenille to do so. I cant, however, understand how anyone can criticize her delivery of the song. It was flawless and a very beautiful rendition. The girl can sing.

Overall I thought the ceremony was uniquely Canadian, as it should of been. The show wasn't about outdoing Beijing and their unmatchable budget driven extravaganza, and it wasnt. It told a story in a very in a very poignant and visual way which again was unique in its appraoch.

The mechanical failure is just one of those things that cannot be foreseen especially when that same arm worked earlier in the ceremony. It was awkward as was the whole driving to the outdoor cauldron, and I agree there should of been some much better planning for that part. The whole mad-max lookin, spike haired, fiddle playing deal was just weird from my end as well, though I understand how it fit in through the story.

Anyhow, hopefully things go smoothly from here on out. I suspect weather will be an issue the rest of the way and i cant imagine how that wouldnt be apparent from the day the games were awarded to Vancouver, so I suspect they have more than a few contingincy plans to deal with that. I say let the games begin and lets get to watching the best athletes in the world on the grandest stage they can achieve.

Go Canada!

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I understand how people can hammer KD Lang on her appearance, though its monumentally juvenille to do so. I cant, however, understand how anyone can criticize her delivery of the song. It was flawless and a very beautiful rendition. The girl can sing.

Overall I thought the ceremony was uniquely Canadian, as it should of been. The show wasn't about outdoing Beijing and their unmatchable budget driven extravaganza, and it wasnt. It told a story in a very in a very poignant and visual way which again was unique in its appraoch.

The mechanical failure is just one of those things that cannot be foreseen especially when that same arm worked earlier in the ceremony. It was awkward as was the whole driving to the outdoor cauldron, and I agree there should of been some much better planning for that part. The whole mad-max lookin, spike haired, fiddle playing deal was just weird from my end as well, though I understand how it fit in through the story.

Anyhow, hopefully things go smoothly from here on out. I suspect weather will be an issue the rest of the way and i cant imagine how that wouldnt be apparent from the day the games were awarded to Vancouver, so I suspect they have more than a few contingincy plans to deal with that. I say let the games begin and lets get to watching the best athletes in the world on the grandest stage they can achieve.

Go Canada!

What I thought was weird was Wolverine playing the fiddle in the boat to start it all.

[Matata]

To Vancouvers credit, those 60k people did the best 'minute of silence' I've ever heard. That, or they just turned the microphones off.

Devils Advocate: Jeff Buckley stated that Hallelujah is about the 'hallellujah of the orgasm'. Cohen has said that Buckley did the best version out of the billions of people who've covered that song. That theme also ties up all the verses and choruses pretty neatly, so I'm going with it.