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Doctor M

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Join date
1-Feb-2005
Last activity
2-Jul-2025
Posts
2,544

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Post
#211525
Topic
Until the end of the World: Director's Cut (* unfinished project *)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/211525/action/topic#211525
Time
I have a 3 Xvid + deleted scene set I pulled from eMule.

It's really high quality, but there are 2 drawbacks. First there is a lot of music in the film and with the 4% PAL speed up, it just sounds funny to me.

Second is that the english subtitles (at least on the net) are crap. Whoever put them together did not speak english (maybe at all).
So what I did for myself was a framerate slow down, recoding the audio (this fixes the 4% speed up). I also rewrote the sub files, using a mix of the theatrical subs and translating additional dialog myself.

I actually built a set of NTSC DVDs off this for a friend of mine who is a huge Wim Wenders fan, and they look damn good.
I wouldn't object to a full NTSC version direct from DVD if someone were to do it.

If anyone wants some great information on this movie and why there will NEVER be a U.S. extended version read here:
http://theacf.com/endworld/

Or if you have a R2 PAL player, just buy the movies here: http://www.scarecrow.com/sales/item.asp?ProductID=002566 It's a U.S. company and they're listing $35.
Post
#211350
Topic
ORIGINAL STAR WARS TRILOGY OUT 09/2006 BY LUCASFILM
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/211350/action/topic#211350
Time
Are you saying that anything that was composited analog or lacked CG creatures was thrown out in the process?
Why in the world would you really do that?

If you're working with the original film elements, wouldn't you strike new negatives from the rest of the non-fx clips as well? If you didn't you'd see differences in quality from aging of the negative versus the newly added clips struck from the original elements.

If that were really really true, we have to again ask the question: Where did the Empire of Dreams OUT clips come from if they were cut out and disposed of?

And really, you don't NEED a continuous master negative for DVD. You could reuse all the '04 DVD material and just (digitally) insert the unaltered clips that had to be built and scanned by a computer before overlaying CG material.
On the other hand, there must be some interpositives and/or 1st gen prints in existence somewhere that could be digitally scanned in HD for high quality DVD and other, future releases. This is what would happen if the project were handed over to someone like Criterion.


That's exactly what theDigitalBits.com said today.
Post
#211327
Topic
ORIGINAL STAR WARS TRILOGY OUT 09/2006 BY LUCASFILM
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/211327/action/topic#211327
Time
I need help understanding something. Maybe I'm stupid. I don't really have a firm grip on negatives, and interpositives, etc.

In a really nice editorial rant on thedigitalbits.com today, they repeated something I had heard before: "creating the new 1997 Special Edition versions of the films... [GL] cut the original negatives. So the original negatives of the theatrical versions no longer exist."

I remember when the '97 edition was coming I saw a cool hype-documentary. They explained that they went back to all of the original composite elements that GL was smart enough to preserve. After cleaning the elements, all of the fx shots were recomposited digitally to remove artifacts, transparencies, etc that resulted from the original dated analog methods.

Now I'm no film genius, but doesn't that mean they had to build a new master negative for the S.E.? They couldn't go back to the master negative, recut it, and use a computer to print new CG characters onto the film. They had to use the original ELEMENTS and recreate the scenes from scratch re-layering ships and stuff onto background plates. Someone had to cut by cut re-edit this movie and make a new master negative.

So which is it? Why would you re-cut the master negative if it's not even involved in the process? For that matter, if all of the original elements are now clean and ready to be digitally recomposited, why can't they use them and rebuilt the OOT again (digitally) without the "upgrades"?

Maybe I'm stupid, but it sounds like they didn't get their stories straight. Can someone help me understand this?
Post
#210797
Topic
ORIGINAL STAR WARS TRILOGY OUT 09/2006 BY LUCASFILM
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/210797/action/topic#210797
Time
Dude, any idiot can crop their letterbox edition and make their own pan and scan version. Leave the rest of the consumers out of your psychosis. Heck some DVD players can even do it automatically.

Anyway, that thud you hear is fan reception to the official release, but just remember one thing:

DVDs are all about the upsell-re-release. Turn out fast crap and then sell it again later anamorphic or with DTS or other added content (trailers).
I wouldn't worry about the upcoming discs (I also wouldn't buy them either).

Oh well. I'm glad I like my transfer (which for the record has more lines of resolution than the DVD will have). (Grumble grumble letterbox crap.)
Post
#210791
Topic
.: The XØ Project - Laserdisc on Steroids :. (SEE FIRST POST FOR UPDATES) (* unfinished project *)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/210791/action/topic#210791
Time
Yup, so the "Official Release" no longer has much of a resolution edge on the X0 project.

So unless LucasFilms does some serious clean up and corrections on it, it's likely going to be much worse than the X0 project.
Which frankly if they can't be bothered with anamorphic, I don't think they have anybody doing frame by frame flaw removal.

Post
#209518
Topic
.-The Matrix Hacked-..:Completed:.
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/209518/action/topic#209518
Time
That's right, EtE, I had forgotten. Well 2 and 3 don't have any Whoas (I think).

Anyway, discs are burned.
Matrix 2 is being called v1.01. The only real difference from the xvid release is that all edits are now done with Avisynth instead of Womble. It makes for much cleaner transitions and better quality.
Matrix 3 I'm calling v1.5, but that's just a number. I can no longer remember all the changes that have been made since the Xvid release. Off the top of my head:
The opening voice over is removed.
All transitions are now avisynth instead of womble.
Many audio crossfades have been tweaked.
Neo's jack in is extended/flipped with an added scene of him looking for the Oracle who is now missing (with Voice over).
Continuity has been greatly improved.
Several clips have been added/extended (we're talking seconds worth really).
What wasn't done that might have been:
Zion Rave wasn't cut. Sitting through it, I didn't mind the length. In fact after all the action is was a nice change of pace before getting back into the action again.
No line of dialog was added before Smith/Bane is killed. Voice overs from other sources usually sound like crap. Smith thundering on pointlessly seemed like a better alternative.
A better impression of Neo being returned from Zion wasn't possible. No footage of sufficient length exists that could be used/reused.

Um, that's all I can think of. It's a bit smoother, but the beginning is still kind of rough but much much better. I just hit the limitation of the source material.
I wish the ending was bigger, it's not, but it is where I wanted the story to go. I hope you all enjoy.

These edits can be summed up as:
Matrix 2 was my attempt to fix the philosophy and pace.
Matrix 3 was to fix the philosophy and tone and to rewrite the ending (even at the occasional expense of pace).
Post
#208782
Topic
Info: Harry Potter TV Edits?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/208782/action/topic#208782
Time
I'll say it again: sweet.

Edit:
ABC Family to Present Cable Premieres of Hit Feature Films in Deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution
March 20, 2006

ABC Family has acquired a slate of movies that will make their cable premieres on the network in a deal with Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution (WBDCD)... The deal also includes the basic cable premiere of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in 2006 and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in 2008, both for exclusive five year windows. The ABC Television Network will have the broadcast television premiere of the Harry Potter movies.

http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,1174797,00.html


Post
#208455
Topic
Info: Harry Potter TV Edits?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/208455/action/topic#208455
Time
I will have the ABC TV versions DONE in just about a week or so, they are DL discs but I may make single layer versions also...


Rikter: Details please. Is this a pdtv capture or another edit project from the DVD? What are the specs on the audio and video? Is it HP1 & 2? I didn't even know you had this coming.

The only version on the net I've seen of the ABC edit is pretty crappy.

SiftyEyes: I have the ABC edits on VHS. They DO have more material, but it is largely transitional elements and audio cues to allow the added material to flow naturally. So you will see quick scenes/clips not in the DVD extras, but don't expect new plot threads.
Post
#207783
Topic
ORIGINAL STAR WARS TRILOGY OUT 09/2006 BY LUCASFILM
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/207783/action/topic#207783
Time
I sort of feel sorry for GL on this and I suspect it might be partially the reason why there's never been an OUT DVD release:

The people here probably know more about his movies and their evolution than he does... and WE can't agree what is original, what should be fixed, what shouldn't, etc. We bicker and release dozens of different projects each subtly different.

Do you put out a WIP edit? The first theatrical release? Which crawl do you use? Which of the numerous audio edits? Which lines of dialog that have come and gone belong or don't? Does deleted scenes count as original? What color should the sabers be? What was the real original color scheme? Did some idiot doing the color timing screw up in the first place? Should glaring sfx flaws be tweaked or are they part of the "charm"? If you tweak the sfx how far do you go?

Really, I don't envy him, because no matter what this DVD looks like he'll get shit for it.
I also suspect that maybe he and/or his people have been following us or other SW sites trying to find out what (the majority of) people really want before sinking money into a restoration project of any sort.
He really can't win on this, and my hat is off to him for even trying.
Post
#207767
Topic
Info: The LID Project: Laserdisc is dead.
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/207767/action/topic#207767
Time
Wow, I'm a bit late with this. I had a Laserdisc player and a hundred or so discs, and I had no idea they ever made an anamorphic disc.

Was that a later addition like in Japan where they were still building units for the hardcore while everyone else was switching to DVD?

That's an easy mistake to make since most AV enthusiasts were on to DVD shortly after the first few AC3 laserdiscs were hitting shelves.

Btw, when did we start harassing people for typing mistakes? Man talk about childish.

I hope OCP cools down and comes back, he may be strongly emotional about his views right now, but he is a damn productive member of this community.
Post
#207728
Topic
ORIGINAL STAR WARS TRILOGY OUT 09/2006 BY LUCASFILM
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/207728/action/topic#207728
Time
It could be the most comparable thing is the E.T. DVD release, which included the "no-guns" SE and the original theatrical release on 2 discs. The E.T. SE has 5.1 sound while the original is Dolby Surround, similar to what Lucasfilm has announced. Both versions of E.T. are anamorphic and show about equal grain but the E.T. SE has deeper color contrast. If Lucasfilm gives us at least the same level of quality as Universal's E.T. release I'll be satisfied.


Does anyone else remember that E.T. was released as a 2 disc set with the original and S.E. AND a 1 disc S.E. only, and then much later the single disc original version came out. I'm wondering if that's why the OUT sets are being called limited edition...

Another point is if they are shooting for an Indy like release we shouldn't forget that there was some sfx cleanup on that set. Although I will say I had zero complaints with what they fixed. I ALWAY saw the glass with the snakes and the boulder guides. Maybe they'll fix some black mattes and stuff.
Man there is a lot of IF's in this.