Duke Groundrunner

User Group: Members
Join date: 25-Apr-2004
Last activity: 26-Sep-2004
Posts: 34

Post History

Post: #67574
Topic: Problems with 2004 ANH disc?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/67574/action/topic#67574
Time: 26-Sep-2004 11:25 AM

Yes, the picture is WAY too dark in all 3 dvds, and in some scenes, such as jabba's palace, the cantina, on the death star, and basically every indoor or nighttime shot is darkened so much that a lot of things in the backround just don't show up. Scenes in the outdoors where it is sunny (like on tatooine and hoth) look astonishing, however. I also noticed some "haloing" in Return of the Jedi. Bright areas in dark scenes have an orb of light surrounding them, which I find distracting. Also the sound in A New Hope is CRAP. One minute the audio is crystal clear, and the next it is muffled and fuzzy and full of interference. *SIGH*

Post: #64568
Topic: PG-13 Revenge of the Sith
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/64568/action/topic#64568
Time: 15-Sep-2004 1:31 PM

Quote
Originally posted by: Obi-wonton
Quote
Originally posted by: R2
Quote
Originally posted by: Luke Skywalker
Quote
Originally posted by: Regicidal_Maniac
Quote
Originally posted by: Jaster Mareel
I really don't care about the rating of the movie... After seeing Episode 1 and 2, I'm not expecting all that much out of episode 3 anyway.

Seconded.

Thirded.

Fourthed.

Fifthed. Can I say that? sounds weird.

Sixthed. Will this never end?

Post: #64335
Topic: An angry Review of the 2004 OT SE DVD's
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/64335/action/topic#64335
Time: 14-Sep-2004 9:52 PM

I have compiled a VERY long list of similarities between Lord of the Rings and Star Wars.

1. Star Wars: Luke lives in a domed house with his uncle and dreams of farway adventures. His sword glows blue.
LOTR: Frodo lives in a hobbit hole with his uncle and dreams of faraway adventures. His sword glows blue.

2. Star Wars: Luke finds a message hidden in R2.
LOTR: Frodo finds a message hidden in the Ring.

3. Star Wars: Obi-wan and Luke travel to Mos Eisley and meet Han solo at a cantina.
LOTR: Frodo and his friends travel to Bree and meet Strider at the prancing pony.

4. Star Wars: Obi-Wan digs Anakin's lightsaber out of an old wooden box, gives to Luke.
LOTR: Bilbo digs his magic sword out of an old wooden box, gives to Frodo.

5. Star Wars: The Company is forced to enter the perilous Death Star.
LOTR: The Company is forced to enter the perilous Mines of Moria.

6. Star Wars: Luke is attacked by a tentacled creature.
LOTR: Frodo is attacked by a tentacled creature.

7. Star Wars: Luke watches from across a chasm as his mentor Obi-Wan duels with Darth Vader, sacrificing himself so that the others can escape.
LOTR: Frodo watches from across a chasm as his mentor Gandalf duels with a Balrog, sacrificing himself so that the others can escape.

8. Star Wars: Darth tries to convince Luke to join the dark side, thereby bringing order to the galaxy.
LOTR: Saruman tries to convince Gandalf to join the dark lord, thereby bringing order to Middle Earth.

9. Star Wars: Ben Kenobi falls and returns in a more powerful form (jedi spirit).
LOTR: Gandalf falls and returns in a more powerful form (Gandalf the White).

10. Star Wars: Han Solo, a rough space traveler in exile, falls in love with a beautiful princess.
LOTR: Aragorn, a wreckless ranger in exile, falls in love with a beautiful princess.

11. Star Wars: ATATs crush everything as they attach the rebel base.
LOTR: Oliphaunts crush everything as they attack Minas Terith.

12. Star Wars: Han Solo comes to the rescue when the Death Star battle seems lost.
LOTR: Gandalf comes to the rescue when the helm's deep battle seems lost.

13. Star Wars: Darth cuts off Luke's hand, which plunges into the abyss with Luke's lightsaber.
LOTR: Gollum bites off Frodo's finger, which plunges into the abyss with the One Ring.

14. Star Wars: Heroes are walking through a forest when they're suprised by ewoks, captured at spear-point, then taken to a village in the trees.
LOTR: Heroes are walking through a forest when they're suprised by elves, captured at arrow-point, then taken to a village in the trees.

15. Star Wars: R2D2 and C3P0 provide comic relief.
LOTR: Merry and Pippin provide comic relief.

Yes, some of these are a stretch (and not book/movie specific), but some are so close that it's almost scary. I of course left out things like Ewoks=Hobbits, Stormtroopers=Orcs, Emperor=Sauron, Vader=Saruman, etc.

Oh yeah by the way, Star Wars (and its sequels) hold the record for having the most hove video releases EVER. So dont diss LOTR for having more than one DVD release.

Post: #61100
Topic: General DVD Talk
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/61100/action/topic#61100
Time: 24-Aug-2004 6:58 PM

Here's my take on the whole DVD thing. I probably have about 250 videos and about 25 DVDs. None are superbit or hi-def. Generally I think that DVDs are superior to tapes.
Most people I know, and a lot of people here think that DTS is the best sound. I disagree. I notice that on DTS tracks, the subwoofer is MUCH more powerful, even to the point of being distracting. Also, the quiet parts are REALLY quiet and the loud parts are REALLY REALLY loud. The dialogue is so soft that you have to turn up the volume to hear it and when a loud part comes I have to quickly turn it down because I have neighbors, plus I fear it might damage my speakers. On Dolby Digital, the sound is more balanced, the subwoofer is only loud when it needs to be, it doesn't have the huge range of DTS, plus the dialogue is easy to hear with out cranking it up. This has been true with all my sound systems and DVD players.

I have never seen a superbit DVD, but all my movies look pretty darn good on my TV (which happens to be a 32" GE non-projection, non-plasma, non-HD, non-progressive TV). My friends want me to get a better TV, but I won't give this one up until it breaks.

I must say that I've had quite an advenure with DVD players. My first DVD player was a Sony, which I bought in 1998. Last year, I bought a cheap Philips player, since my Sony was sort of out-of-date. I really regret buying it. The DVD picture's contrast was so high that a lot of detail was missing. If I tried to adjust the picture setting on the television, it just looked wrong. So I went back to my sony until i saw a great Sharp home entertainment system for only like 200 dollars, so I quickly bought that. What i didn't know was that the dumb bitch who sold it to me KNEW IT WAS BROKEN already. It didn't load one damn disk. At long last, I ended up getting a Sony 5-disc player with progressive scan and a great speaker system. This one both loaded discs and had wonderfully detailed, perfectly contrasted picture.

So that's my DVD adventure. I just don't understand why some players have such high contrast that you actually LOSE most of the detail that DVD has to offer. Maybe down the road I'll even buy another TV, but that's it for me.

Concerning special features, I enjoy them as long as they aren't promotional, like made-for-TV documentaries. I also heartily enjoy commentary on movies. My best DVD sets are the Alien "quadrilogy", my LOTR movies (the extended versions), and Terminator 2 (the ultimate edition), as far as special features are concerned. My best looking and sounding DVD would have to be "Osmosis Jones", alongside "Who's Harry Crumb?", and "Henry".

In the end, though I think DVDs are superior to tapes, they are also much more comlicated than "Play", "Pause", and "Rewind". So, theres my thoughts on the DVD format.

Post: #60958
Topic: AVP
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/60958/action/topic#60958
Time: 23-Aug-2004 1:35 PM

Quote
Originally posted by: jimbo
Quote
Originally posted by: GundarkHunter
I stand corrected; however, it is possible that the Bishop in Alien3 is a descendant, or even a clone of Bishop Weyland in AVP.

Thats possible

Hmm... That doesnt seem to make sense, given that in alien resurrection, which takes place 200 years AFTER Alien 3, they had to clone Ripley 7 times before they even got it right. As for him being a descendant, he looks too much like the character in AVP to be one. All that aside, I think it's fair to say that AVP completely fucked up the continuity of the Alien series.

As for my thoughts on Alien Versus Predator, it is a OK sequel to the Predator films, a horrible prequel to the Alien movies, and as a stand-alone film, it's a stricly passable action flick.
OK, here's my list of alien & predator movies (not including predator 2), best to worst:

1. Alien 3
2. Alien
3. Aliens
4. Predator
5. Alien Versus Predator and Alien Resurrection [tie]

Post: #56918
Topic: Here's a Hint of the Public's Reaction that the '04 DVDs would not be the OOT
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/56918/action/topic#56918
Time: 30-Jul-2004 6:53 PM

HO DOGGY! 60,002!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post: #53010
Topic: George Lucas' explanation why the OT is obsolete to him
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/53010/action/topic#53010
Time: 18-Jun-2004 11:05 AM

Yes they were in the hot tub and Harry was talking about his old girlfriend Freda Felcher. A connection is even made to that at the end of Dumb and Dumberer.

Post: #52938
Topic: Harry Potter 3
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/52938/action/topic#52938
Time: 16-Jun-2004 6:21 PM

Quote
Originally posted by: Duke Groundrunner
Just saw the movie today. I just dont know. I liked the first one, the second was okay but this one was dragged out and extremely slow-moving. So much stuff was hard to understand and the movie seemed to not know where it was going. Sure the special effects were good, but so much stuff went over my head. Like these, for example:
1. If the dementors were out to get Harry (for some reason), why were they invited to stay around Hogwarts?
2. If that one teacher (who was also a werewolf) knew sirius Black, why did he tell Harry that Sirius wanted to kill him?
3. What the hell was that elk thing that Harry saw across the lake while the dementors were attacking? Even stranger is that is was explatined later in the film that it was himself saving himself!
Other things I didn't like:
1. Sirius black turned out to be GOOD!
2. Dumbledore was an alcoholic.
3. There wasn't enough quidditch.
Okay, there were a few things that I liked:
1. The opening scene. Hilarious!
2. The ending scene. I left the theater with a good feeling.

Quote
Originally posted by: GundarkHunter
Answers:
1. Dementors don't target specific people; their goal is to suck the joy from a wizard or witch, which makes it easier to gain access to their souls (ultimate goal).
2. He hadn't seen Sirius for 12 years; as far as he was concerned, until he knew Pettigrew was alive, Black was guilty.
3. Harry's Patronus; were you paying ANY attention?

Next round:
1. I wouldn't necessarily define Black as good; against Voldemort, yes, but no saint.
2. If you've read the books, you'd realise that Hagrid is a bigger soak than Dumbledore.
3. Follows the pattern of the other films; 1 match per film.

Any questions?

1. Okay, if the dementors suck the souls out of people, WHY WERE THEY STILL INVITED TO STAY AROUND HOGWARTS?
2. It was still dumb that Pettigrew was Ron's rat all along.
3. Yes, I was paying attention (though it was hard to). If it was his Patronus, why did he say he saw his FATHER? Even so, I thought the Patronus he used earlier in the film to defeat the dementor was the memory of his parents talking to him.

Next round:
1. It just annoyed me because it was so random at that point to completely switch his character around.
2. I've never read the books.
3. It would be nice for that one match to be a bit longer.

Post: #52840
Topic: Funniest Movie Ever
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/52840/action/topic#52840
Time: 14-Jun-2004 2:06 PM

Oh I forgot to include "Bedazzled" (the re-make with Brendan Frasier). I love the scene where he wishes he was a basketball player.

Post: #52838
Topic: Harry Potter 3
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/52838/action/topic#52838
Time: 14-Jun-2004 1:56 PM

Just saw the movie today. I just dont know. I liked the first one, the second was okay but this one was dragged out and extremely slow-moving. So much stuff was hard to understand and the movie seemed to not know where it was going. Sure the special effects were good, but so much stuff went over my head. Like these, for example:
1. If the dementors were out to get Harry (for some reason), why were they invited to stay around Hogwarts?
2. If that one teacher (who was also a werewolf) knew sirius Black, why did he tell Harry that Sirius wanted to kill him?
3. What the hell was that elk thing that Harry saw across the lake while the dementors were attacking? Even stranger is that is was explatined later in the film that it was himself saving himself!
Other things I didn't like:
1. Sirius black turned out to be GOOD!
2. Dumbledore was an alcoholic.
3. There wasn't enough quidditch.
Okay, there were a few things that I liked:
1. The opening scene. Hilarious!
2. The ending scene. I left the theater with a good feeling.

Post: #51742
Topic: What is wrong with Return of the Jedi?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/51742/action/topic#51742
Time: 31-May-2004 2:59 PM

I completely agree, Bossk.

Post: #51740
Topic: How do obese people use the toilet?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/51740/action/topic#51740
Time: 31-May-2004 1:30 PM

I also heard of one lady who had 10' fingernails. How would she use the toilet? Or better yet, wipe?

Post: #51736
Topic: Funniest Movie Ever
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/51736/action/topic#51736
Time: 31-May-2004 1:19 PM

These are my top 15 funniest movies:
1. Planes, Trains and Automobiles
2. Who's Harry Crumb?
3. Osmosis Jones
4. Men in Black II
5. Groundhog Day
6. Rat Race
7. Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey
8. Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo
9. Tommy Boy
10. Rocket Man
11. The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
13. Caddyshack
14. Revenge of the Nerds
15. Dumb and Dumber
Any friday night at the end of a long week I can watch any of these movies and feel happy.

Post: #51633
Topic: Stupidest Prequal complaints
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/51633/action/topic#51633
Time: 30-May-2004 3:29 PM

I agree that Portman is a great actor, but her talent may be hindered a bit in the star wars movies because of all the blue screen sets she has to work on. Hayden Christenen is another story. I mean Anakins borderline creepy in AOTC.

Post: #51579
Topic: Stupidest Prequal complaints
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/51579/action/topic#51579
Time: 28-May-2004 9:18 PM

I don't agree, Jimbo. I think it there's a way to do a shot in the real world, you look into it and try to do it. If there's no way to do a shot in the real world, you do it as a digtal shot. Plus the lord of the rings used not only CGI but extensive models, live action and make up, plus digital animation all working together. There was a mix, there was a blend of techniques old and new that made middle-earth such a convincing place. CGI can be used too much, and its overuse is hurting the prequels' level of realism that existed in the originals.

Post: #51574
Topic: "Birth of the Empire" Teaser Poster !!!
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/51574/action/topic#51574
Time: 28-May-2004 8:49 PM

You said it. That Alien spoof at the end (the chestburster) was about the funniest thing I've ever seen.

Post: #51271
Topic: Last line of episode 3?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/51271/action/topic#51271
Time: 22-May-2004 5:25 PM

They say that God works in mysterious ways....

Post: #51270
Topic: MORE CHANGES!!! (for the 2004 OT DVD release)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/51270/action/topic#51270
Time: 22-May-2004 5:16 PM

As far as I'm concerned, Lucas completely screwed the continuity of star wars. First, Anakin turned good at the end which means the age of his spirit would be the same as when he died, like Obi-wan. But who am I to talk? Quigon didn't even disappear when he died. The only way this would make any sense is if Quigon was the emperor's servant and was commanded to bring anakin, who was previously discovered by the Sith, to coruscant to be trained as a Jedi, then to be turned by the emperor (once in power) to the dark side to aid in wiping out the jedi.

If Anakin is to appear a Hayden Cristensen, they should re-shoot the death scene with Hayden in make-up to make him look old and scarred.

Post: #51269
Topic: "Birth of the Empire" Teaser Poster !!!
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/51269/action/topic#51269
Time: 22-May-2004 4:51 PM

That floating helmet looks sort of wierd.

Post: #50557
Topic: How does Grand Moff Tarkin fit into Ep 3?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/50557/action/topic#50557
Time: 16-May-2004 3:40 PM

I've never thought of all those poor stormtroopers that had to be laid off after the emperor died.

Post: #50219
Topic: What's the name of EP3 gonna be?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/50219/action/topic#50219
Time: 13-May-2004 6:14 PM

I'm sorry, but "Birth of the Empire" is LAME. Give us "Fall of the Jedi" or "Republic", or even "Rise of the Empire" before that. For me, it's "Revenge of the Sith" all the way!

Post: #47105
Topic: How does Grand Moff Tarkin fit into Ep 3?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/47105/action/topic#47105
Time: 1-May-2004 8:51 PM

Quote
Originally posted by: ricarleite
But Needa has guts. If I was him, I would blame someone else for the m. falcon disappearing. Or run away. I mean, what do you think Vader was going to do? "Awwww it's ok, Needa. We all make mistakes, you are only human..."

Captain Needa, by taking responsibility, knew that he would die. I'm surprised Vader didn't forgive him just because he had the nards to come up to him and sincerely apologize, prepared to take it like a man.

ps. on starwarsspoors.com, there is a hilarious cartoon where Needa apologizes by giving a card and a balloon to darth vader. Needa is waiting and vader says, "Apology accepted, Captain Needa." You can even read the apology card.

Post: #47104
Topic: MORE CHANGES!!! (for the 2004 OT DVD release)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/47104/action/topic#47104
Time: 1-May-2004 8:34 PM

He had a great concept, and it spanned 3 terrific movies. What Lucas did, however, is take his genious concept and try to stretch it into six movies, with snazzy effects and weak scripts hindering the last 2. The overall ideas of th origional 3 have been spread thin and watered down. I just don't think he knows when to stop.

As for "genius"... I'm not sure that word fits him. Is there a word for someone who creates something so good and then (more or less) destroys it?

Post: #46498
Topic: What's the name of EP3 gonna be?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/46498/action/topic#46498
Time: 28-Apr-2004 8:04 PM

Quote
Originally posted by: SpecialEditionSaboteur
I read in a mag that GL had a heart attack after a new hope and vowed never to direct again. I guess he felt better after 1997.

I guess that making Star Wars was very stressful on him. but now all he has to do is sit in a chair on a green stage and tell the actors about what amazing things will be happening once he digitized it and adds the "magic".

I have a strong feeling that ep. 3 is going to be titled "Revenge of the Sith". It sounds so cool and seems in place when you say all the titles in a row.

Post: #46497
Topic: What is wrong with Return of the Jedi?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/46497/action/topic#46497
Time: 28-Apr-2004 7:56 PM

I believe that star wars borrowed from many places and sources, and you can't say it was just one thing. I don't watch anime that much- except for the Animatrix.

"Star Blazers"would be interesting to watch, though.