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Darth Cracker

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3-Aug-2006
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9-Apr-2021
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Post
#280513
Topic
'Serenity' dethrones 'Star Wars' as UK's favourite sci-fi film
Time
London, Apr 2 (ANI): 2005 flick Serenity has topped the list of UK's favourite Science fiction film, in a survey conducted by SFX mag.

The space film based on TV series Firefly pushed all time favourite 1977 hit Star Wars to the second spot, while Blade Runner starring Harrison Ford made it to the third place, reports the Sun.

Planet of the Apes and The Matrix completed the top five positions, at the fourth and the fifth positions respectively.

The Top 10 sci-fi films according to the SFX mag survey are as follows.

1. Serenity
2. Star Wars
3. Blade Runner
4. Planet of the Apes
5. The Matrix
6. Alien
7. Forbidden Planet
8. 2001: A Space Odyssey
9. The Terminator
10. Back to the Future

http://in.news.yahoo.com/070402/139/6e251.html
Post
#274311
Topic
a rumor from thedigitalbits.com...
Time
Originally posted by: Fang Zei
Meanwhile, the studios Lucas fought oh so much to gain independence from are giving their films better treatment on dvd than he's given his.


That's a bloody good point.

Can we get it tattooed on the inside of Luca$'s eyelids?

Ah, feck it, i'm gonna watch my non-anamorphic discs again and look forward to some decent release in.............a galaxy far, far away

Post
#268815
Topic
Will you buy the OOT again ?
Time
i have this overwhelming sinking feeling, that i'm gonna end up buying the OOT again. the 2006 dvds are on my shelf, but i do have a fool's hope they'll clean em up and wheel em out again someday. i'm never pre-ordering again though - guess i'd "audition" any other releases before giving Luca$ my hard-earned.

and i can't face any more changes, so will close my eyes to any future SE versions, the Original IS a 'Special Edition' to me!
Post
#268813
Topic
Lost Prequel Ideas
Time
ESHBG - you're hired, now go shoot the movies!

I would've also liked to see a TEAM of Jedi Knights (rather than the Council all sitting around on chairs all the time), with Anakin part of them, a team that would bond over the first 2 movies like our heroes in the OOT gradually did - he would then betray them and it would up the drama stakes considerably. The jealousy subplot would work along with this - Anakin destroys from the inside, but in a much more emotionally engaging way.
Post
#267666
Topic
Star Wars VII-IX Rumours (TFN)
Time
Things that make you go hmmmmm...

(I had to double-check the date to make sure it wasn't April 1st)

from:
http://www.theforce.net/swtv/story/Star_Wars_Rumors_102623.asp

Star Wars Rumors

Posted By Dustin on December 30, 2006

Please note that this is pure rumor at this point, but still it's one that makes you say "Hmmmmmmm"...

The following email was recently received from an anonymous source.

Mr Lucas was overheard by an associate of mine at a private party in Los Angeles discussing the use of new digital technology. He mentioned, a Star Wars Series, between Episodes VI-VII possibly with HBO. Also, Star Wars, Episodes VII - IX and a probable new director were discussed.

Now we know there is going to be a Star Wars TV series already and my guess is the episode information there was mis-relayed. What's interesting to note is this is the first mention we've heard of HBO. Could they be in the running for picking up the live action series?

Now this last part is interesting too because it is totally do-able in my opinion! Don't let the franchise slow down George! Give the reigns to Kevin Smith, Kyle Newman or any other number of great young Star Wars influenced directors. Let's pass the torch and keep the story alive!
Post
#258352
Topic
Hey guys, Remember when Star wars had writing like this?
Time
i agree as well with the sentiment - ESB shows us how economy in a screenplay beats being spoon-fed with exposition, hands down, every time.

and the Imperial "round-table discussion" in SW (ANH) is better than anything we saw in the Senate - not too much detail, just "we're here, this is the universe", jumping in at the middle of the scene.

each prequel way overdid it in the dialogue department - GL forgot The Golden Rule of "show, don't tell"

For me, the "Anakin nightmare scenes" were particularly dreadful! "Young Frankenstein" had better nightmare scenes, LOL! "Dest-iny, Dest-iny! No es-cap-ing death-for-me!!!"
Post
#247911
Topic
SciFi.com 2006 OUT DVD review
Time
I like Melissa ~ she talks quite a bit of sense.
look out for the original's use of different music to rock out on Jabba's barge
~ although i think she means "Jabba's Palace" in that instance?
Is she on these boards? Can i take her out to dinner??

September 25, 2006

Star Wars Trilogy DVD

By Melissa Perenson

For many of us, these three movies are responsible for launching our collective imaginations into the realm of what science fiction cinema could be. But in this age of digital production, when everything is in flux and nothing is permanent, what is the definitive edition of a film?

In and of themselves, the films are worthy of buying for what they are—especially if you've never seen the originals or your memory of the originals is fuzzy.

The question has been on the table for years, and it is revisited once more with Lucasfilm's latest release of the original Star Wars trilogy. Is the original theatrical version that enraptured us as schoolchildren and won Academy Awards the so-called version of record? Or should any of the successive releases, often dubbed "limited edition" or "director's cut" or "remastered"—be considered fair game for the version of record?

The fact is, no matter what improvements those successive versions may bring, the original theatrical version of a film holds a special place both in audiences' hearts and in history. And it is for this reason that these versions cannot be ignored.

So imagine the excitement of Star Wars fans when news first hit that nearly a decade into the DVD revolution, Lucasfilm was going to grant fans with one of their top requests—the original theatrical versions of the first Star Wars trilogy.

In the various special-edition theatrical, home video and DVD releases of the trilogy, we've seen these movies time and again. We've followed the adventures of Han Solo (Ford) and Leia (Fisher), Threepio (Daniels) and R2-D2 (Baker) and traced Luke (Hamill) in his hero's journey from a scrappy Tatooine desert rat to a skilled Jedi Knight who destroys the Sith Emperor and reclaims his father from the Dark Side of the Force.

With the inclusion of the original 1977, 1980 and 1983 films, we finally get to see the films that captivated us in our youth. And those who worship at the feet of Amidala, Anakin and Obi-Wan and company can see the films that started it all.

Unlike last year's long-awaited DVD release of the Star Wars trilogy, these limited-edition versions are being sold individually. The first disc is identical to last year's DVD release; the second disc contains what's being billed as the original theatrical release.

The differences can be striking. Some have been much ballyhooed, and others are more subtle. In Episode IV, for example, in the newer version, some scenes on Tatooine are brighter and have more punch than in the original; you'll see X-Wing fighters taking off from Yavin instead of colored blips, and the Death Star's explosion is a pyrotechnic CGI fireball, not a whimper. Oh, and the original cantina scene in which Han shot first ... well, that small change is palpable and reasserts who Han Solo is.

The changes in the other films are in some ways less momentous but nonetheless add up; in total, they point to Lucas' meddling with the originals to better fit with improved technology and with the second trilogy. In Empire, keep an eye for the original Emperor (no, Ian McDiarmid wasn't the first), a more streamlined Cloud City and the original take on the Millennium Falcon's run through an asteroid field. In Jedi, for example, look out for the original's use of different music to rock out on Jabba's barge, a different vision of Anakin in the parting Jedi-elders shot on Endor and a different Ewok village finale.

Great concept, missed opportunity

Should Star Wars fans dare to follow Lucas once more into the realm of these new, limited-edition DVDs? Yes—and no. Last year's DVD release actually constitutes exactly one-half of what you get for your $30 (the films can be found at online retailers for under $20 a pop). I won't fault Lucasfilm for this—after all, the original theatrical versions are valuable educational tools and historical references whose importance in both Star Wars canon and filmmaking annals is only clear when the films are compared with the modernized versions. And at least the films are released individually, so if all you really crave is seeing Han shoot first in the Cantina sequence with Greedo, well, all you have to do is buy a single disc.

In and of themselves, the films are worthy of buying for what they are—especially if you've never seen the originals or your memory of the originals is fuzzy. For that alone, each of these discs rates: These original films were lost to home audiences for so long, it's a delight to see them out from the mothballs.

That said, Lucasfilm missed the chance to score a home run with these discs. And for that reason, the discs must be panned even as they're praised. Compared with the digitally restored and remastered movies released last year, the original theatrical versions—last seen on a randomly accessible disc during the LaserDisc release some two decades ago—look mediocre to shabby. If you're watching them on a standard-definition 4:3 television, the films won't look bad; in fact, you may only notice some minor softness in the image as compared to the newer, remastered versions.

The original versions seen here have unsophisticated menus, and the movie itself suffers from dated video and audio (these versions are encoded with Dolby 2.0 surround sound, not Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, as the newer editions are). Furthermore, while the image is presented in widescreen, it's not optimized for anamorphic displays (a more critical feature if you're using a high-definition widescreen display).

Furthermore, Lucasfilm missed the chance to highlight the changes from one version to the other, and why those happened. The only audio commentaries are found on the new DVD release discs. The original theatrical versions lack any sort of pointers to what was changed and why, and that is a significant omission. Without such an extra feature, many of the subtleties of what changed may be lost on all but the most devoted audiences.

Ostensibly, the original films are set to go out of circulation once the limited-edition discs stop being sold at the end of the year, so this could be your one chance to get the original versions, at least for a while. Of course, with the next-generation high-definition disc formats here, I fully expect we'll see a Blu-ray version of the original films in several years, once the format matures. I can only hope that Lucasfilm will take advantage of the next-gen formats' interactivity to really highlight the old and new versions.—Melissa


Source: http://www.scifi.com/sfw/screen/sfw13653.html
Post
#246234
Topic
Lucas donates $175 million to CA University
Time
So that's where the OUT dvd sales are going...

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - It helps to have a rich graduate. "Star Wars" creator George Lucas announced on Tuesday that his private foundation will give his alma mater, the University of Southern California, $175 million (93 million pounds) to endow and rebuild its School of Cinematic Arts in what amounts to the largest donation in USC history.

The School of Cinematic Arts is the oldest film school in the United States.

"I discovered my passion for film and making movies when I was a student at USC in the 1960s, and my experiences there shaped the rest of my career," Lucas said in a statement.


http://uk.news.yahoo.com/20092006/325/george-lucas-donates-california-university.html

Do they run an "Anamorphic Transfer 101" class there? i kiiiiiid, i kiiiiiiid!!!
Post
#246233
Topic
Lucas to be grand marshal of parade....
Time
"Now we'll find out where people really wanted the originals or whether they wanted the improved versions. It will all come out in the end." George Lucas

The theme for the parade is Our Good Nature.

"George Lucas has brought excitement and entertainment to the world for 34 years. His creativity and talent has opened up new worlds for all of us to imagine, and has shown us how good nature can prevail," said Tournament of Roses president Paul L. Holman.


hmmmm........
Post
#243031
Topic
Star Wars Limited Edition Screen Captures.
Time
Vigo thanks for being a good sport & responding as you did.

Looks like us PAL consumers did indeed suffer an NTSC upscale nightmare... will be looking into getting hold of X0 Project transfers to compare.

Good to see how well the OUT Trilogy (as advertised) is selling though, overall. George? HELLO? Listening?

"Oh, they just wanted to own the movies individually, was nothing to do with the OUT being better...................."
Post
#242904
Topic
Star Wars Limited Edition Screen Captures.
Time
As has already been posted here & elsewhere, the shakiness is due to TK transfer (telecine - film to digital tape).

It happened to a short film of mine that i shot in 1998 - 35mm Anamorphic (using Panavision cameras & lenses) - no shake at all during shooting, but that awful "up and down wobble" during the opening titles. Unavoidable for me, cos i was getting a free telecine session!

But it's a shame it happened to Star Wars... I'm sure Lucasfilm's TK wasn't done for free! Actually... now i think about it...

Still, i'm pretty impressed by the first disc - have yet to see the others. I've only seen one laserdisc rip (sourced via a popular auction site) and that was very jerky and definitely a NTSC - PAL conversion. This "official" disc is definitely better than that bootleg. But i haven't seen any other fan transfers, so of course i'd love to hear which specific fan transfers are better, from those in the know.

PS - Vigo, BTW you could've made your points calmly and clearly without being so personal (re: Boris) you know - he was just stating his honest opinion That's exactly how these threads turn from "interesting"... into "FLAME WARS! Argue! Argue! Fight! Fight! I'm right, you're wrong! etc etc etc"
Post
#242686
Topic
2006 OT DVD: Got mine!
Time
I got the Star Wars 2-discer from Play.com Saturday morning too £13.99 (with free postage ~ Play.com has always been quicker than Amazon in my experience, but of course Playusa.com is more expensive than Amazon.com)

Ordered the pizza, sat down and watched the "bonus disc" (i'm not interested in watching the other disc, can't bear the needless CGI changes). I was actually nervous about watching it ~ would it look like shite?

Well, I'm with MST on this one ~ the quality was actually better than i'd expected. Okay, some blurring/ghosting/artifacting, but it was actually a pleasure to see some film grain & a good colour grade ~ truer to what i saw on the big screen than the over-saturated nonsense on the 2004 discs.

So, i went ahead and ordered ESB & ROTJ now ~ looks like another pizza evening this week...........

I've only got a 28inch widescreen TV, no 5.1, so to me the picture & the sound were pretty damn good. I got the goosebumps all over again when the Falcon is dragged in by the tractor beam, and that score made my puny 2.0 speakers shake, rattle & roll.

Ho ho ho Mr Lucas, i do believe these discs are gonna outsell your revised versions ~ cos we all know it's disc 2 that people are watching/reviewing/talking about!
Post
#241956
Topic
So, this is how the DVDs are going to look...
Time
Originally posted by: MeBeJedi
Anyone seen the latest change for the Han/Greedo scene?


LOL - who shat first!?!

Sadly, i voted "no" as well - i believe we'll see more & more revisionism in 2007, and beyond, to bring the OT "in line" with the bloody prequels.

Still, it's a miracle that the stubborn old bugger has allowed these discs to sneak out - but these bonus discs really are the bone thrown from the feast table that is Luca$film, and i do feel like a dog for pre-ordering the first movie.

Maybe given time (decades?) "every dog will have his day..."?

Until then, i'm gonna invite a few friends over, get some beers and pizza in, & watch the "bonus disc" that is STAR WARS
Post
#241660
Topic
Play.com OT Promo - www.starwarsqueue.co.uk
Time
http://www.starwarsqueue.co.uk

Strange concept, but good to see a UK retailer promoting the trilogy - i like the shot with Seb Shaw in the TV Spot You know it makes sense Luca$!

On a personal note, i've gone ahead and pre-ordered Episode IV - if the quality of the OUT disc is too bad to bear, i'm gonna send it back to Play.com for a refund. But from the screenshots so far, it looks acceptable as a LD transfer...
Post
#241350
Topic
What did the Prequel Trilogy need?
Time
Some great suggestions in this thread.

The overwhelming "missing thing" for me in the PT was the ensemble cast feeling - the "Team" camraderie of the OT. In the OT, you really care about the core characters, and a lot of the story (especially in Ep V & VI) comes FROM the characters.

It would've been neat for me personally to see (a slighter older) Anakin become a Jedi in Episode 1. His first mission with the "Team" (Ob-Wan & other Jedi) would be the exciting climax battle of Episode 1.

He would fall in love with Princess Amidala in Episode 2, but rather than moaning about how they're "holding him back" he would actually choose the Jedi order OVER the Princess as the clone wars start to kick off. After spending one night with Padme, he'd take off on his "damn fool mission" with Obi-Wan and the others. Padme would be very upset with him, but we'd see that his ambition to lead the Jedi team to glory outweighs anything else. The "Team" mission in Episode 2 would end in disaster, with Anakin carrying the can due to a fatal mistake he makes. This downbeat ending would echo Episode V's, and would set the tone for Episode 3.

Episode 3 would play out with Anakin's move to the dark side, following him being "demoted" by the Jedi Order after his failures in Ep. 2's mission. He is motivated by power & greed, not love. By this time, we should really care about the other Team members (how great would it have been to develop these Jedi characters rather than spending hours in the Senate/Padme's bloody veranda.....) & when Anakin finally betrays them it would actually have some emotional resonance - he is supposed to have their (collective) back, but stabs them in it. Anakin sees Padme one more time (like King Arthur visiting Guinevere before his last battle) and asks her to join him. She refuses and he simply leaves her, to go and face off with Obi-Wan. He has no idea Padme is pregnant. Obi-Wan punishes Anakin for his betrayal and the murders of their friends/team mates, with dialogue that rises above the existing Episode 3 "ya-boo, the Jedi order sucks, from my point of view..." stuff.

In this version of the PT, the background characters would become just that, BACKGROUND, not central characters sitting around in endless councils, senate meetings etc. The core characters would be "Team Jedi" and so we would get the ensemble feel of the OT, with their adventures played out against the backdrop of the creation of the Empire & Anakin's disintegration into becoming Vader.

Just my 20 cents!
Post
#240665
Topic
Episode V: What Has Changed?
Time

http://www.starwars.com/episode-v/release/video/f20060901/20060901_picview/img/banner.gif
http://www.starwars.com/episode-v/release/video/f20060901/index.html

Yup, it does indeed appear they’re running one of these for each movie ahead of the release.

Maybe they’ll cover audio changes sometime in the future (if they ever fix the mistakes they made on the 'o4 editions…)

 

 

Mod Edit: Unfortunately the website linked to above is no longer around. However…

StarWars•com Official 2004 Changes Preservation : SW : ESB : ROTJ - re-uploaded & compiled by doubleofive
 

The Internet Archive’s WayBack Machine has working functioning links for the site re the 1997 SE changes, here:-

http://web.archive.org/web/20110623222820/starwars.com/episode-iv/bts/article/f19970115/index.html

http://web.archive.org/web/20100328044359/http://www.starwars.com/episode-v/bts/article/f19970115/index.html

http://web.archive.org/web/20100329231926/http://www.starwars.com/episode-vi/bts/article/f19970115/index.html