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Darth Simon

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Join date
8-Oct-2004
Last activity
15-Dec-2015
Posts
1,370

Post History

Post
#104810
Topic
Back to the Future & Time Travel
Time
Ok, in the under-rated SF thread 12 monkeys was mentioned and someone said it had 'linear' time travel. I think i understand what they mean, but if that person could just clarify that would be appreciated. but onto the topic at hand.

The whole time travel thing is a pretty crazy concept and there is lots of outlooks on its affects. For instance you have movies like 12 monkeys, and Harry Potter 3 where the events of time travel are part of the time line. and the changes made when people go back in time are actually not changes because they occured that way when the person first experienced the situation. (12 monkeys does seem to have some what of a change in the ending but this can be discussed in more depth in its own topic and maybe after i clear up my questions with back to the future I'll bring up these points). In The Time Machine, while he does make changes the resulting outcome is always the same.

So my question with BttF is this, do the events that Marty McFly gets involved with when he goes back to time actually change? The only event that is clear that changes is the meeting of his parents and George McFly's relationship with Biff. But, did Doc actually die in the beginning or was he always wearing the bullet proof vest. (we saw no blood and everything appeared to happen exactly the same even though we watched it from 'the outside' the second time. by the time Doc got up, the 'first' Marty had already traveled back in time.

Also, Doc could have already known that the time machine worked but his letting on that he knew that ahead of time, or that he know that Marty would go back in time, or that the terrorists would find him could have prevented Marty from going back in time, which would have caused Doc to not know about getting shot and not have worn the vest. Also in the second one, all the events that take place when back in 1955 are the same as they were in the first one? or at least the ones we saw in the first one. When the events overlapped everything still turned out for the 'first' Marty exactly as it did in the first one, and once the 'second' Marty got the almanac and burnt it everything in 1985 would have reverted back to normal, so when the first Marty got back to his proper time everything would have appeared fine (aside from one of the only changes that is actually shown in the time line during the movies, which is his parents relationship/lifestyle) Like the doc said the almanac caused a shift in the time line and created an alternate reality (one that could still exist/be part of the 'normal' reality). The only other change we actually see is that of Marty's son in the future not being arrested (via the newpaper) but at the end of 3 when he gets back to 1985 he also avoids the accident, which in and of its self would have changed that event.

while i probably could comment more on this, my post is kinda long already so ill leave it at that and see what other people think about the 'flow of time' and BttF's interpretation of it (as well as personal, and other movie interpretations)

-Darth Simon
Post
#104728
Topic
Your pre/post Episode III plans
Time
Just wondering what people are planning to get psyched up for episode III.

My current plans are to watch the movies before hand and probably some of the special features/fan made bonus discs i have.

the viewing schedual i have set right now is:

5/13 - Episode IV
5/14 - Episode V
5/15 - Episode VI
5/16 - Episode I
5/17 - Episode II
5/18 (technically 5/19) - Episode III - midnight showing
5/19 - Episode IV
5/20 - Episode V
5/21 - Episode VI

- Darth Simon
Post
#104240
Topic
bad luck
Time
Quote

Originally posted by: sean wookie
I have one of those in my house, never knew they could be used for ears.


the one you have in your house probably cant. the one that bossk is referring to his a higher quality one that has different power settings for the the jet of water it sprays out. i dont believe the ones that you can buy in stores for your teeth have these settings.

and even if it does, unless its designed with that purpose in mind, and clearly says so on the box, i wouldnt try it. thats why companies have to put so many warning lables on their products, half of which are completely obvious.
such as:
*warning* this knife may be sharp and could cut you
or
*warning* this hot coffee may be hot

its like, well thanks for clearing that up for me

-Darth Simon
Post
#104172
Topic
How Many Times Have You Seen The Original Trilogy?
Time
I'd include Lethal Weapon as well. (yes i know there are 4, but its still good)

besides the fact that some of those movies havent been released yet, its a good idea.

though according to your 'tentative' schedule, the only day that actually fits in a 24 hour period (thats one day for those that are confused) is the last day, and thats if you cut out the closing cerimony and cut each movie to only 2 hours, which at least some of the movies listed are more than 2 hours each. plus i would say have a short break (~10 min) between movies in a trilogy and then a longer break (~30 min) between trilogies. this time used to stretch legs, use bathroom, grab more pizza and beer (or other food if you want, but pizza and beer would be my sole source or nurishment during the trilogy festival)

ideally i think it would be good to have the trilogy festival last 3 days (if its limited to just trilogies that is)

-Darth Simon
Post
#104170
Topic
I like the Special Editions ..... minus some scenes
Time
Quote

Originally posted by: electrictroy

(1) 2001 made in 1969 was more realistic (there are no sounds in space!).



now that would be an exciting space battle. Like lucas said in an interview (baby hum's 3rd release i think it was)...when you create a universe you get to make up the rules. In his universe there is sound in space. He made that choice and now he has to keep consitant with it.

plus, like he said, i like the sound of the tie fighters zipping by.

Quote


(2) Although I enjoy playing old 8-bit games like Super Mario, given a choice, I'd rather play the 16-bit versions. Same Game. Better Looks.
The same applies to Star Wars. Why settle for the primitive model technology & black squares around the ships, when you can have the same movie, but with better looks & no squares?

Nostalgia is nice.
Progress is better.



i like my hi quality 8 bit games. despite what the video game companies tell you graphics dont make a game good, its the story and gameplay.

Quote


My only objections are when Lucas actually *changed the scene* like deleting the Yub-Yub Song I disagree with that. But where he left the scene intact, merely enhanced with CGI, I think it's good.



Wont get any arguement from me on the first part of that statement.

but let me ask you something, if you object to the Yub Nub deleting because its a change in the scene. Wouldnt stuff like the intro to mos eisley be a change...or is that a CGI enhancement? Where does the line get drawn? Also, you said you dislike the missing Yub Nub song, but what about the rest of the changes to that scene, ie the celebrations in other cities, you said you liked these, or at least the toppling Emperor statue. What makes these more obvious visual changes acceptable but not an audio change, especially since there have been over time many different audio mixes of the star wars movies causing people to remember different lines of dialogue. Again, you have to draw a line somewhere, and as Bossk said, if fixing up the (by today's standards) 'low-quality' special effects means changes to the rest of the film than ill take the 'low quality' special effects.

and how is adding in cgi different than 'changing a scene'. when you get down to it, it isnt, add or subtract, the end result is something new. if you think about it, what makes 'changing a scene' different then changing the movie.

Quote


All I know is what Lucas said in an interview, and he said he wanted the Han-Jabba scene in the first movie, but couldn't make it work, due to limited technology.



an interview where he was probably promoting/hyping the SE's. What do you want him to say, "Yeah, i wanted to test out this CGI Jabba for a movie im gonna make in 2 years when i give the world the prequals they've been waiting 20 years to see so i figured id just revive this scene that we couldnt make work because it didnt flow right with the movie, i mean now that i have this great CGI technology that ought to change the flow/redundency issues we had with the scene."

'couldnt make work' can mean many things (not that that's even necessarily his exact wording). It doesnt necessarily have to be related to the ability of special effects at the time. you also only addressed a small part of my post there. what about the fact that ive seen interviews that have said that Jabba as we know him wasnt designed yet? was that because in '77 they didnt have the technology to think up a giant slug? guess that was only available when ROTJ came out in '83.

Quote


If that's not true, I'd have to conclude Lucas is lying, and I'm not prepared to make that leap. ;-)



because lucas has never given us any reason to think he might be lying. i mean, when has lucas ever contradicted himself in an interview

-Darth Simon
Post
#104115
Topic
Has it Ever Occured...
Time
i fail to see the problem, at least to the extent that you do. Yeah there is kind of the problem with sensing leia, but like Switch Radic said, she hadnt 'tapped' into the force yet...so its possible Vader couldnt sense her. Though that does bring up the problem with Qui-Gon sensing Anakin in Episode I.

however, the family connection is still pretty solid. like said, vader could sense luke when palpatine could not...possible do the the family connection and the fact that Vader was more actively searching for him that palpatine was. When luke called out to leia he did so as a man hanging from under a city with no arm...it wasnt like he was really expecting (at least not conscously) her to respond. But due to the family connection she did 'hear' him. Chaltab's comment could explain why vader didnt know leia was his daughter (plus from what we know, Lucas didnt decide that until at least after ANH ) but i am totally confused as to how/why he brought Padme into it...it was never said/suggested that she had any linking to the force (well im sure there are things that you can say suggest it, but it was never said)

now, people have said why couldnt the Jedi sense palps and even anakin's evilness (which that part at least is still yet to be seen so we cant really comment on it) well like was said, the Dark Side clouds everything...and they are able to mask/hide themselves from the jedi....but thats not exclusive...just cause Vader or Palpatine is clouding the force and hiding their precense doesnt in anyway mean that they cant still sense Jedi (remember, vader sensed Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan never sensed vader)

-Darth Simon
Post
#104010
Topic
Got the LD rips - Now How Do I Make Them Work?
Time
Originally posted by: electrictroy
Originally posted by: greencapt
As for OGMs, I'm kinda new to those (ie don't have any files, haven't played around with them) so I can't really tell you on that one. But when you have time run a search at that website I sent you and they should have something. Is your DivX player a stand-alone one or software?


DivX = the freebie player I downloaded

OGM = some strange file format that carries multiple audio streams (english, japanese, and/or subtitles). In order to view it, I must run it through 2 different programs to split out the standard AVI file.

I think I'll just go buy the DVD. ;-)

troy



Like you said, ogm files are dual audio, usually encountered when dealing with anime.

dont have the links off hand, but they have video players that will play the files directly. BSPlayer and radlight are two i know of off hand. Also i think there are ways to get Windows Media Player to recognize them (at least enough to play them) you will need to download the ogg audio codec.

ok, this guide is pretty helpful for palying ogm files
http://ld-anime.faireal.net/guide/ogm-en
(found with a search for 'ogm file player' and/or 'ogm player')

-Darth Simon
Post
#104008
Topic
I like the Special Editions ..... minus some scenes
Time
Quote

Originally posted by: electrictroy
Quote

Originally posted by: Darth Simonharrison ford stepping on Jabba's tail was never supposed to be in the movie from the start.
Nit-picky much? Okay, not "stepping", but Ford WAS talking to Jabba. The original plan was to use a Puppet of Jabba, but it didn't look right, so Lucas dropped the scene. NOT because he didn't like the scene, but because he was limited by technology.

I'm glad he used modern technology to finally do that Ford-Jabba scene, the way he originally wanted.



i could be wrong, but from my recollection of interviews ive seen from when the SE came out they hadnt designed jabba and/or the plans for him werent as he appeared in Jedi.

Have you watched the commentaries on the deleted scenes for the PT? Lucas himself states that he cut scenes from them that he liked. I never said he cut it from the film cause he didnt like it, obviously you have an insight into Lucas' thought process that I 'unfortunatly' dont have. So i cant comment why exactly the scene was dropped. If i were to speculate as to why it would be because it was redundant and not as good as the Han/Greedo scene. Why he changed his mind may be related to comments people have made as to his relationship with his ex-wife and her involvment with editing SW but again thats only speculation.

and no, i wasnt really being nit picking because you said you liked the footage of han stepping on jabba's tail. That singles out a 3 second clip of a scene. Read your statement again, it sounds like your saying the scene was cut because Lucas' couldnt make Han step on Jabba's tail (which is kinda funny now that i think about it)

Bossk is correct, their is nothing 'wrong' with the black boxes around the tie fighters. the film was not broken and did therefore not need fixing. Many of the changes are more jarring/out of place than the black lines around the tie fighers. Besides, thats part of the movies appeal, the fact of what it accomplished special effects wise back in the late 70's early 80's

Also, personally I dont care if this new version is how Lucas 'originally' intended the film to be. The fact is that even if he did remember every single little thing he wished he could have done and didnt he's changed alot in the time period between now and then (as everyone changes over time, your thoughts and outlooks on life are affected by experience, fact) so he could never recreate the film today the way he would have back then if he had access to today's technology.

also, as far as fixing a film goes. There are very few films that have no bloopers what so ever (if there are even any), and directors arent always 100% happy with the film as it gets released. Yes Directors cuts are made (original versions are usually still available) but how many movies have gone back and redone scenes after it was released to remove bloopers because the filme was 'broken' and it would be better without the bloopers. LOTR is the only other one i can think of, and that was minor compared to SW (the removal of the car that drives by in the distant background during one scene).
-Darth Simon
Post
#103877
Topic
Food
Time
mayo on a burger? WTF?!?! you people speak of it like its something normal.

and greencapt, totally agree with you on the bread...nothing like a fresh loaf of bread. I actually brought my parents bread maker to college with me cause they never used it and bread is just oh so tastey, plus the ability to just put all the ingrediants in the pan and come back 2 hours later and have fresh bread is always a good thing

-Darth Simon
Post
#103862
Topic
I like the Special Editions ..... minus some scenes
Time
harrison ford stepping on Jabba's tail was never supposed to be in the movie from the start. First off, just because a scene was filmed doesnt mean its gonna make it to the final version of a film, there are probably dozens of scenes for every movie that never make it pass the cutting room floor. Heck, even all the deleted scenes we get to see on dvds now a days probably isnt all inclusive of the scenes that were filmed but never made it. Some of the scenes dont even get finished (by finished i mean polished up, look at the deleted scenes in highlander: end game, they dont have the same polished look that the rest of the movie does)

second, when the scene was filmed what Jabba looked like wasnt established/the concept was different than what we know now. When lucas filmed it there was a human actor playing Jabba's role. Then 20 years later when he decided to reinclude this footage he had to add Jabba in using computers. Because of the way Han Solo interected with the human actor when Jabba was put in place the whole Han walking behind Jabba didnt work hence we get the wonderful Han stepping on one of the galaxies most ruthless gansters tail...heh, yeah, fett would have fried him right then and their.

third, the whole scene was cut with good reason. The Han/Greedo scene establishes the exact same plot points but additionally (at least in the original version) establishes Han's smuggler/rogue character traits when he pre-emptively blasts greedo.

dont get me wrong, im not trying to trash your opinion, your welcome to like the movies for what you like (some people get overly touchy so just making sure you know im not attacking you)

I agree with the removing of Yub Nub as a bad change, ive actually never really noticed the statue probably cause i was too upset by the removal of Yub Nub (thats one of my fav songs in the trilogy)

As far as the 'fixed' version being better, i think that is by far a matter of opinion, one which many on this board will disagree with. Mainly because it breaks more than it fixes. Besides, if it aint broke, dont fix it. and there was nothing wrong with the OT.

also, while i was typing this i realized something. If all these bounty hunters are out looking for Han at the beginning of the OT, what the heck is Fett doing hanging around Jabba instead of being out looking for Han to collect the bounty?

-Darth Simon
Post
#103585
Topic
Star Wars - The Edits and DVDr releases thread
Time
Originally posted by: Rikter
A few new titles...


NEW -
The TRUE Original Theatrical Film - The “EditDroid” Edition
Pre-ANH Version “Mono-Mix”
- 3 DVDr - Fan Preservation
- Source - U.S. Definitive Collection LD rip version
- Includes the “Original Theatrical” title crawl

Tech Specs
- 4.27gigs
- Interactive Menu
- Video: 4-7 Mbps (average bitrate)
- Audio 1: Matrixed Dolby Surround from 70mm 6-track mix - Dolby Digital 2.0 (192 Kbps)
- Audio 2: Dolby Stereo Surround Mix - Dolby Digital 2.0 (192 Kbps)
- Audio 3: The Original Mono Mix - Dolby Digital 2.0 (192 Kbps)



is this the first version of the Edit Droid set that has been talked about?

can we expect to see this as a torrent in the future?

and what exactly is the difference between this and the currently torrented version? was it just the mono mix? or was there something else.

-Darth Simon
Post
#103021
Topic
Lucas responsible for new trend in movie making
Time
I never meant my post to come across that lucas just sat on his ass and did nothing between ROTJ and TPM.

What I really meant was that the OT (the first movie in particular) made a big change in the way special effects were used. while he may have been setting up the use of digital cameras and 'playing around' with them and other technology between ROTJ and TPM, the initial impression i get is that he decided to release and use the PT as a way to show/exhibit this technology to the world as a way to make the 'next generation' of movies. Kind of bolstering its acceptance because its riding on the curtails of the Star Wars name. A kind of well, when Star Wars was first released it was ground breaking and changed the way things are done...well this new Star Wars movie does things differently, but its still a Star Wars movie, so this must be the 'right' way or the new way everything after it will be done. almost along the lines of how the matrix came out and had bullet time and it was oooh ahhh, thats cool. but then 'every' action movie after that used bullet time even when it was entirely pointless.

I guess because in 'every' interview he does, Lucas has to mention how he is using 'ground breaking' technology. I get the impression that he's trying to force another filmmaking revolution that is associated with his name. Its not the fact that he's at the forefront of this new 'style' of filmmaking (or however you want to refer to it) that i have a problem with, its the fact that it seems (at least to me) that he is forcing (no pun intending) his leading this new 'movement' or even the fact that its a movement at all. He did all this great work with special effects because it couldnt be done with current technology...well, what about his new movies couldnt be done with puppets and sets and regular film...nothing...its not the great change he tries to make it out to be, but rather a different way to do it, a different medium to present it on. Not that its gonna be the new standard (a point many people have mentioned in various threads here).

-Darth Simon
Post
#102990
Topic
Lucas responsible for new trend in movie making
Time
I agree with MeBeJedi, I liked howard the duck... I dont see why so many people put it down...besides...its better than half the crap hollywood releases nowadays

but about the new trend in movie making...

This is what i think the problem is, and im hearing some of it in this thread. New is NOT necessarily better. Just because digital cameras are new does that mean they are better than traditional film? Im at a loss for specifics but i know there are older versions of software for example that i prefer over the new version just because of the layout and how it operates, or sometimes because they remove features (or just hide them) that I liked/used. Just thought of one...Winamp...I hated winamp 3, I went back and installed my old winamp 2.8 version cause i liked it better. 5 is better then three, but sometimes i prefer the simplicity of 2.

Also, as far as Lucas being responsible for this and his filmmaking pioneering being good or bad based on when he did it for the OT and him doing it now, I think where the problem lies with that is now he is TRYING to be a filmmaking pioneer. Sure he knew he was pushing the limits in the 70's/80's but he didnt do it for the sole purpose of pushing the new technology, he did it to tell a story.

Now, the 90's come around and Lucas decides to release the PT, but he basically goes about it and says, im gonna make these movies and use them to experiment with new technology, to push the limits and change filmmaking just like i did with the OT. He's more concerned about having fully digital characters, and fully digital sets, and even filming it completely digital because digital is one of the new buzz words, we have digital cable, and digital tvs.

In my opinion, Lucas become so wrapped up in the fact that he revolutionized filmmaking, and he's trying to repeat it...unfortunatly since he's forcing the issue and not just letting it happen like it did with the OT, the results are not coming off in the best light they could because all his passion is in the special effects and newness rather than the story he is telling which is what movies should really be about.

-Darth Simon
Post
#102788
Topic
OT characters more popular than PT characters
Time
Quote

Originally posted by: Darth Chaltab
Hey! Qui-gon was cool! Does anybody else find it disturbing that Jar Jar Binks beat out Threepio?


Anybody bet that most of those who voted "other" had Mara Jade in mind?


good point on mara jade, i'd say there is a 95% chance that was the case.

but read the first post i made, or even just go to the JWFAN.com link in MeBeJedi's original post and read a few of those posts and you'll see that C-3PO did beat Jar Jar in the final results of the poll. my first post has a link to the final poll results on imdb

-Darth Simon
Post
#102697
Topic
OT characters more popular than PT characters
Time
not trying to nit pick, more of a general clarification

but wouldnt obi-wan kenobi (younger) be a PT character
also, "4 OT characters were beating by other" Princess Leia, C-3PO, Lando Calrissian, Jabba the Hutt, Grand Moff Tarkin thats 5, plus Bail Organa was mentioned in the OT so technically is an OT character

(i do know that the 4 OT character comment is not from MeBeJedi, but rather the poster that posted it on JWFAN.com)

also as stated on the JWFAN.com post the final results are slightly different than that image and can be found here http://www.imdb.com/poll/results/2005-04-25 at the source of the poll. mainly C-3PO beat Jar Jar (which im sure most people are happy to hear)

-Darth Simon
Post
#101674
Topic
Computer Question
Time
Quote

Originally posted by: Yoda Is Your Father
But then they'll just figure out a way to simultae a pulse by surgically attaching the thumb to their own hand or something.


dont even need to get that complicated, its really not that hard to just have a device that pumps/cycles 'blood' through the removed finger and also keeps it at a nice 98.6

Quote

Originally posted by: JediSage
Reminds me of something I heard on Deep Space 9 at one point. When Sisko was wondering if his father was a changeling, his father says "Go ahead and take your blood tests. Don't you realize that there isn't a test in the world a smart man can't figure his way around".


thats what i never understood, Mystique in X-Men, ok, ill give her the voice thing (one would assume she needs to her the voice first though) and ill give her the appearence (she would obvioulsy need at least visual contact with who she changes into) but the whole being able to beat the retinal scan on Prof X's door to cerebral? come on, how does she/her body know how to replicate his retinal patterns. Can she do finger prints? or what about blood. all those things shouldnt be able to be replicated by her body unless she has some dna sample of the person. And wouldnt Xavier be aware that she would have this ability and build in some sort of safeguard against it...
(sorry for the off topic, but it kinda relates, and it totally bugs me cause it makes no sense (even in the world of sci fi there needs to be limits so its believable) )

-Darth Simon
Post
#101672
Topic
Under-Rated Sci-Fi Films
Time
Quote

Originally posted by: Commander Courage
Does Equilibrium count as a sci-fi film? If so, it is extremely underrated. It is so much more than the Matrix rip-off some make it out to be.


I actually thought this was a pretty bad movie, and Im pretty lax on what i consider bad. Yeah it had some cool sequances and such (that whole gun based kung fu he used was pretty sweet) but the movie as a whole i found poorly done.


***POSSIBLE SPOILERS***




My main problem (this may have just been the actors, but i think it was based more in the script) is the amount of emotion the characters showed, even the ones that were still under complete control of the drug used to supress emotion, was way too much. The main characters 'partner' who started to 'hunt' him after he stopped taking the drug was way to emotionally involved in the persuit...he took it personally and all his responses were riddled with emotion. And he wasnt really the only one, but he was the main one. That basically ruined the whole premise of the movie for me, thus killing my suspension of disbelief and all that jazz, and ultimatly ruined the movie for me.

***END SPOILER***

-Darth Simon
Post
#101093
Topic
While we're waxing nostalgic: Scouting
Time
Is spelling Cub Car with K's instead of C's the new 'hip' way they are doing it now?

Bossk (and anyone else that doesnt know) the Cub Car Rallies are races of little wooden cars that the scouts make. they have a kit you buy thats a block of wood shaped basically like a car that you can carve and paint how you want it.

then the cars are lined up, in a track (think ours had 4 or 5 lanes) that is basically just a straight path with a drop at the begging to give the cars momentum. cars are all released at the same time and first one to the end wins. there was a bracket type thing and an ultimate 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner.

obviously depending on the pack would determine how big/crazy of an event it was, some people end up getting all serious in designing the fastest/coolest car and others just do it for fun (though most anything is like that). but it generally tended to be either the whole event was a big thing for the pack as a whole or just a fun event.

ive taken 2nd and/or 3rd before...cant remember if my car ever got first

there is also the rain gutter regata (not as big) that was same type of thing but with boats (couldnt really modify the boats as much though) and basically you would float them in rain gutters and the boats owner would blow on the sail to power the boat and get it to the other side.

-Darth Simon