Yeah but that's for when you need to bitch about something off topic :-)
Incorrect. It's for when you need to B*tch about something in off topic ;-)
The Blues Brothers was announced today on BluRay with the Theatrical Version and Extended Version. That's what annoys me about the bullshit excuse of its 'too expensive' to restore the OOT, EVERY studio is doing it, so it can't be THAT expensive!
For fuck's sake, if Kevin Smith was able to afford a full-on clean-up, enhancement, and restoration of "Clerks" with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, George Lucas can afford to restore "Star Wars." If "Dawn of the Dead" (a film just about as old as SW) could be given a four-disc DVD release with three different cuts of the film on it, there is no excuse for Star Wars, Empire, & Jedi not getting the same respect. I wish Lucas would just stop with the lame "excuses," and just be honest about it all. Is he afraid of alienating fans? Why? You're already making up excuses to not give them what they've been demanding for years. I'd have a little more respect for him if he just spoke the truth.
I don't like being a complainer, but it's the people out there that drive me to become one. I'm also not a fanatic as I don't wholly loathe the updated editions, but there's enough in there that I don't like (and some stuff that I grossly detest), that make me desire the original theatrical editions. I imagine that is the case for numerous people.
By now, it's also part preservation. I am an independent filmmaker, and I know what it's like to be unhappy with a film made under tight restrictions. You don't have the best tools to make the film everything you desire it to be, but even then, I am a slight bit of a pack rat. I wouldn't suppress a fully released film of mine in favor of a revised edition (not that anyone would notice with my lack of exposure). So, I do believe that multiple versions can co-exist. Ridley Scott doesn't care for some of the cuts of "Blade Runner," but he can see the other side of conversation. He approved putting those alternate cuts out there for completist sake, and because he knows there are people who prefer a version that he doesn't. He's fine with that because the version he is fully satisfied with is out there. Whether other people agree with it or not is not an issue with him. It's sad that George Lucas can't perceive art in the same way. Having the OOT shouldn't diminish whatever satisfaction he has for his personally approved, updated versions. And for as much of a "cash grab" and merchandising mentality he has, it's that close-minded artistic viewpoint which overshadows his desire to cash-in on releasing something which is in such high demand. Thus, it is purely and simply ego we are combatting in this matter, and I've dealt with a few egomaniacs over the years. It's a tough fight to win.
-NJM
Nicholas J. Michalak said:
Is he afraid of alienating fans? Why? You're already making up excuses to not give them what they've been demanding for years. I'd have a little more respect for him if he just spoke the truth.
We already know the truth. Lucas thinks one day everyone who saw the OOT will be dead and all that will be left are people who grew up with flashy CGI. He's pandering to children from the future.
You better believe if all films are eventually 3D, Lucas will be the first to destroy all 2D prints and offer Star Wars exclusively in 3D.
It is weirdly fascinating how the number of people who don't even know anything has been done to the movies can slowly grow simply if you've got enough clout, and the blu ray box is going to really build that number. (Especially now that the term "special edition" isn't even used. In stark contrast, gotta like the honesty in Ridley Scott's intro in the booklet with the new version of ALIEN:
Upon viewing the proposed expanded version of the film, I felt that the cut was simply too long and the pacing completely thrown off. After all, I cut those scenes out for a reason back in 1979. However, in the interest of giving the fans a new experience with Alien, I figured there had to be an appropriate middle ground. I chose to go in and recut that proposed long version into a more streamlined and polished alternate version of the film. For marketing purposes, this version is being called "The Director's Cut.
Nicholas J. Michalak said:
Ridley Scott doesn't care for some of the cuts of "Blade Runner," but he can see the other side of conversation. He approved putting those alternate cuts out there for completist sake, and because he knows there are people who prefer a version that he doesn't. He's fine with that because the version he is fully satisfied with is out there. Whether other people agree with it or not is not an issue with him. It's sad that George Lucas can't perceive art in the same way. Having the OOT shouldn't diminish whatever satisfaction he has for his personally approved, updated versions. And for as much of a "cash grab" and merchandising mentality he has, it's that close-minded artistic viewpoint which overshadows his desire to cash-in on releasing something which is in such high demand. Thus, it is purely and simply ego we are combatting in this matter, and I've dealt with a few egomaniacs over the years. It's a tough fight to win.
-NJM
Well said. George is just a fucking baby.
I sometimes wonder if it was more time or less than what Lowry was given 30 days,lol.
Talk about quality control for a DVD release.
I also read another discussion where it was remarked they had 3 weeks or less for the cleanup of the DVD footage, so either way its not enough time, and even then Lucas quality checked the footage personally and said nothing about the bad color timing, indeed they were his choices, even though he then went against the choice of having the Tantive IV corridor white again in Sith.
As far as I know the workflow was Lowry was given 1080p files of the three 1997 SE negs and they ran their cleanup on it (having to customise their software to work better at the low resolution) and were asked to turn it around in record time. I have no problem with their cleanup though I think they do have a tendency to overprocess things a bit. I'd like to have seen a wee bit more grain but the films *are* pretty fine grained anyway and maybe you just can't see it at DVD res or on low-bitrate HD broadcasts.
All the colour adjustments and vfx "fixes" were done in house at ILM according to Lucas's instructions and thus we ended up with a horrible mess with popping unstable, inconsistant color, crushed blacks and, most oddly of all a lack of contrast. How you crank up colour and crush down blacks and also reduce the overall contrast all at the same time is a mystery to me. It looks like your LCD panel's backlight has died or something when you watch them. Lowry did their part just great as far as I can tell. The blame is solely on George Lucas and his spineless yes-men.
kenkraly2007 said:
some sounds changed for the blu-ray release such as obi-wan's new howl.
Kinky.
asterisk8 said:
We already know the truth. Lucas thinks one day everyone who saw the OOT will be dead and all that will be left are people who grew up with flashy CGI. He's pandering to children from the future.
If all people, who saw & appreciate the OOT, will be dead, he won't make any profit releasing his "holy grail" to the public. So my guess is there will be a release at some time because he is into the money!
Don't you find it interesting that the official site for US users gives specs of having 6.1 DTS Surround Sound and explicitely leaves out the fact that it might be DTS-HD, while the official site for german users gives specs of 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio.
DTS Facebook now released the info that the US discs will feature DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1.
The THX Demo DVD featuring Star Wars Episode 1 Clips was mastered in 6.1 DTS Surround Sound already, so the audio master might be from that time of period or even older.
My summary this far:
'Everything will be revealed' can't be any more wrong. We basically know nothing about this release yet. I won't buy this set!
from the official site:
http://www.starwars.com/movies/saga/bluraymay4/index.html
"Fans will get an exclusive first look at some of the collection's extensive special features at this year's San Diego Comic-Con International -- which marks Lucasfilm's 35th anniversary as a Comic-Con presence. In 1976, the fledgling film company was looking for innovative, grass-roots ways to promote its underdog release, a film no one expected to succeed -- a space opera known (at the time) only as Star Wars. One of the first film companies to reach out directly to core audiences by way of fan conventions, Lucasfilm will return to the venue to showcase the full evolution of the epic story with a special first look at STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA ON BLU-RAY. "
CO said:
The Blues Brothers was announced today on BluRay with the Theatrical Version and Extended Version. That's what annoys me about the bullshit excuse of its 'too expensive' to restore the OOT, EVERY studio is doing it, so it can't be THAT expensive!
Now, CO- stop being ridiculous.
Blue Brothers is probably the most famous movie ever- at least in the top 5. And not only famous- but it has spawned 5 sequels, several TV shows, thousands of comics, underoos, trading cards, action figures, radio programmes, special editions, lunch boxes, a pseudo-Religion, conventions, T-shirts, shampoo bottles, video games, theme park rides, making-of books, collectible statues, fan films, etc. It nearly rivals Midnight Cowboy in the intensity at which its fanbase supports and worships this film.
You just can't expect the same treatment for a little movie like Star Wars, so stop using such overblown hyperbole.
IT'S MY TRILOGY, AND I WANT IT NOW!
"[George Lucas] rebooted the franchise in 1997 without telling anyone." -skyjedi2005
"Yeah, well, George says a lot of things..." a young 1997 xhonzi on RASSM
"They're my movies." -George Lucas. 19 people won oscars for their work on Star Wars (1977) and George Lucas wasn't one of them.
^I get your point, but I will not stand for anyone calling one of the most influential movies* of my youth a "little movie."
*Blues Brothers, not Star Wars
R2D2 said:
from the official site:
http://www.starwars.com/movies/saga/bluraymay4/index.html"Fans will get an exclusive first look at some of the collection's extensive special features at this year's San Diego Comic-Con International -- which marks Lucasfilm's 35th anniversary as a Comic-Con presence. In 1976, the fledgling film company was looking for innovative, grass-roots ways to promote its underdog release, a film no one expected to succeed -- a space opera known (at the time) only as Star Wars. One of the first film companies to reach out directly to core audiences by way of fan conventions, Lucasfilm will return to the venue to showcase the full evolution of the epic story with a special first look at STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA ON BLU-RAY. "
A set without the actual films that created the legend, its just plain insane.
Complete Star Wars Saga ?
LOL. The complete saga when i was growing up was and is still as far as i'm concerned the oot, which is nowhere on this set
“Always loved Vader’s wordless self sacrifice. Another shitty, clueless, revision like Greedo and young Anakin’s ghost. What a fucking shame.” -Simon Pegg.
At last, The Blues Brothers! Just hope it gets a new 2k or 4k master - Universal have a habit of recycling DVD masters for blu ray catalog titles. Not that the DVD of the Blues Brothers looks terrible - its just a bit soft and sports a subdued washed out color palette that of course looks even more washed out on a dated transfer.
Found an animatic on Youtube for the new ending of Jedi. Thankfully Hayden's gone, but let's see if you can still spot a new face in the lineup:
What i find to be the most ridiculous of all is there is a piece on the blu ray's on empire 30th anniversary, yet that anniversary had no restored DVD release or blu ray, and the fact the real film from 1980 is not on this set is beyond any sort of sanity.
It is not even there on the set as a thank you or a job well done for the recently passed Kersh, or there as a testament to his cemented legacy.
The fact someone wrote a better script than Lucas, and someone directed a star wars film better than Lucas is not to be accepted ever by Mr Lucas. And would not happen again after 1980.
“Always loved Vader’s wordless self sacrifice. Another shitty, clueless, revision like Greedo and young Anakin’s ghost. What a fucking shame.” -Simon Pegg.
skyjedi2005 said:
What i find to be the most ridiculous of all is there is a piece on the blu ray's on empire 30th anniversary, yet that anniversary had no restored DVD release or blu ray, and the fact the real film from 1980 is not on this set is beyond any sort of sanity.
It is not even there on the set as a thank you or a job well done for the recently passed Kersh, or there as a testament to his cemented legacy.
The fact someone wrote a better script than Lucas, and someone directed a star wars film better than Lucas is not to be accepted ever by Mr Lucas. And would not happen again after 1980.
Lucas is just pure evil. The first SW film was intended by GL to be a practical joke upon the audience, but managed to be a great film despite the director's intentions. As Chuck Klosterman said, he is not even a Brian de Palma. I guess he decided to destroy the OOT because he can't admit he is a seventh-rate director on a good day.
generalfrevious said:
Lucas is just pure evil.
Pure evil??? Really??
<span style=“font-weight: bold;”>The Most Handsomest Guy on OT.com</span>
Well, at least he is an evil businessman.
http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=6414&page=
This is the kind of release Star Wars deserves on blu ray. *cries*
And it all stems from one man. This has to be a sick joke.
I watched "Empire of Dreams" last night. Am I wrong, or did they use extensive footage from the original theatrical releases in that? Even Jason Wingreen's voice appears as Boba Fett. The stuff from the original Star Wars looked dodgy in places, but for Empire & Jedi, I believe it was really good quality from the original theatrical editions. The lightsabers aren't all screwed up, and the color timing looks to be pre-97/04. That begs the question of where did they get those good prints from if Lucas insists the films are in irreparable condition? Can someone with a sharper, more educated eye double check this?
-NJM
Nicholas J. Michalak said:
I watched "Empire of Dreams" last night. Am I wrong, or did they use extensive footage from the original theatrical releases in that? Even Jason Wingreen's voice appears as Boba Fett. The stuff from the original Star Wars looked dodgy in places, but for Empire & Jedi, I believe it was really good quality from the original theatrical editions. The lightsabers aren't all screwed up, and the color timing looks to be pre-97/04. That begs the question of where did they get those good prints from if Lucas insists the films are in irreparable condition? Can someone with a sharper, more educated eye double check this?
-NJM
I recently re-watched EoD and thought the exact same thing! It just doesn't make any sense.
I remember the guys at the production company that put the extras together had to lobby for that. They felt using pre-SE material when talking about stuff in 1977 was more appropriate. Duh. Somehow LFL relented, partly at least. (It's not totally ricockulous like THX1138, where the expensive 2004 effects are never acknowledged, all while the extras trumpet the achievements of scrappy 70s independents with no money)