I just finished watching "The Final Countdown", on Blu-ray. Was not overly impressed. Lots of blurry shots, and the stock footage stands out. But the BR disk is not a total wash up. The flying scenes did look great, and if you can find it at a low price...
Trying again tonight. Forgot to deinterlace. *Frown*
Doing a VBR 6 pass at 7178 kbs right now. This should be it!
"Abbey Road" has always sounded very compressed to me. I am eager to hear this new remaster now.
joebshmoe said:the mono mixes are defnitely the set to get, btw.
comparisons between dr. ebbets mono mixes will be inevitable...
A word from Dr. Ebbetts himself.
"Dear friends,
I sincerely hope all is well with you and yours.
Indeed, this is an unexpected mass-mailer. Please forgive the
unsolicited rambles that follow.
[EDIT]
Second, there has been considerable buzz surrounding the new Beatles
remasters, due for release in September. There should be. We have all
been waiting for this day, and it is about to arrive - finally! Thanks
to a long-time supporter and friend to this project, I have had the
opportunity to hear genuine samples of the new remasters due out in two
months.
They are good.
Very good.
Those of you who will be buying them - and those of you who have already
preordered - will not be disappointed.
In fact, I will venture to guess than many of you will be more than
pleasantly surprised at how good they sound.
And with what promises to be outstanding packaging all around, it will
be a collector's nirvana.
From the outset of the Dr. Ebbetts Sound Systems project, I swore that
once EMI did the right thing and released remasters to be proud of, I
would not continue doing what I was doing. After all, the only reason I
did this was because Apple/EMI/Capitol would not - and because I so very
much love the Beatles.
While my love for the band has not changed, everything else has.
EMI/Capitol began their release of the American LPs on compact disc a
few years ago, and now EMI has tackled the British catalogue in fullest
detail.
It's what we all wanted. As Beatles fans, it's what we've prayed for.
To that end - and with the heaviest of hearts - effective immediately,
Dr. Ebbetts Sound Systems will cease operations.
Many of you will recall that the entire purpose of the Dr. Ebbetts
project was to make available to the public the best sounding versions
of the Beatles' original LP releases - with emphasis on the American and
British catalogues. Believe me, it wasn't a hard thing to do considering
the substandard quality of the original CD catalogue from 1987 onward.
The fact of the matter is, the Dr. Ebbetts material does not - and will
not - sound better than what is coming commercially in September. People
I trust agree with me. The remasters sound remarkably well balanced,
with solid, punchy bass, smooth mids and not-to-harsh, yet crisp highs.
In comparison, many of the Ebbetts masters fall short - weaker bass,
dimished mids, and often too-bright highs.
It's a given that the remasters will not please everyone, but they will
be good enough to make the Ebbetts catalogue solidly inferior.
The artwork and packaging of the EMI material will prove to make current
Dr. Ebbetts releases look like Xerox machine fodder.
It pains me, seeing as I have invested so much time in this thing, but I
humbly and officially put this nearly-fourteen year project to bed.
I have outlived my usefulness in this hobby.
I know there are many who will ask why I just don't continue releasing
titles that are NOT being put out by Apple/EMI - foreign releases, rare
pressings, etc..
My reasons are complicated, but they are what they are. In short, if the
Dr. Ebbetts BLUE BOX set is not the definitive sounding version of the
original UK stereo LPs, then why issue them at all?
Many will remember the original BEAT CDs of the 1990s that presented the
Beatles US LPs sourced from cassettes. I surely do. They became
immediately obsolete with the advent of Dr. Ebbetts. No one bought those
BEAT CDs anymore when I came along. Why would they? At the time, my
material was far superior.
The Ebbetts BLUE BOX series was only issued because Apple/EMI's versions
were substantially inferior to anything I - or any number of
needledroppers - were putting out. The Ebbetts BLUE BOX set is at THE
HEART of the Dr. Ebbetts Sound Systems collection, in my estimation. If
that set is now inferior to the commercial release, then it has no
business existing. Suffice to say, I would not release the BLUE BOX set
today if new remasters were already commercially available.
I would have no need.
And if my CORE SET is inferior, I don't wish to have the rest of the
catalogue branded as such either.
Therefore, it is time to put it all on the shelf.
[EDIT]
Please be sure to secure your copies of the remasters. I guarantee they
will replace your Dr. Ebbetts CDs in your rotations and playlists - as
they should. Display them proudly and let people know who the greatest
band of all time is.
Remember, quoting my project motto from all those years ago, it is ONLY
about the music.
That is why I do what I do today.
Now go put your hard-earned money to good use!
God Bless.
Drew"
Nanner Split said:Did anybody check out the mono edition of Pink Floyd's "Piper at the Gates of Dawn" that came out for its 30th anniversary a while back? That one was strikingly different from the stereo as well (Interstellar Overdrive in particular. There was a lot missing from the stereo version!)
YES! I have that mono boxed edition of "Piper at the Gates of Dawn", and it's been the only version I have listened to for years now. Somehow I lost my CD stereo edition in one of my many moves, or it was most likely nicked by a friend. I was truly hoping that EMI would have released the mono "A Saucerful of Secrets" on CD soon after, but no... I'm also a big fan of the Monkees and Jefferson Airplane, and realy appreciate the stereo and mono editions of their early albums in a single package. The Jefferson Airplane only did the stereo/mono Cds for their first two albums, and the Monkees' first four. As for Frank Zappa, it gets very confusing. Not only are there stereo and mono mixing variations, but also difrent mixes exclusive to both vinyl and CD releases. The new Zappa "Project/Object" series releases for the albums ("Freak Out" and, "Lumpy Gravy / We're Only In It For The Money") is trying to sort this out, and has entire original album mono mixes included. Another mono / stereo mix CD release I am very fond of is "The Velvet Underground with Nico" Deluxe edition. I tend to reach for the mono disk more then the stereo.
I would have liked a mostly "mono" version of the "Past Masters" singles compilations, or at least a remastered re-release of the singles and E.P. box sets.
The Beatles had a habit of not including single cuts and b-sides on their British albums, and all their singles up to April 1969 are in mono.
All the singles (up to, but not including "The Ballad of John and Yoko", "Old Brown Shoe", "Something", "Come Together, "Let It Be") had originally been released in mono-only mixes on the 45s. Most of the stereo versions of these singles and B-sides were only mixed to stereo when these cuts were needed to be included on later stereo compilation albums, or international releases such as the butchered U.S.A. Capitol Records catalog of albums. The "Past Masters" set included mostly the afterthought stereo versions, and only a few mono versions for early songs (and one late era B-side) that had never been re-mixed into true stereo. As a fan of the mono versions, I would like to have the remastered mono versions of these singles and B-sides.
This is sad news. I have been a huge fan of Mr. Lee, and also the original "The Wicker Man" film for years.
Check your PM box....
MAY DAY: "Wow, what a view"
MAX ZORIN: "To a Kill"
I'll be back in a little over a week. Bye!
bkev said:Didn't wanna act like I was super duper important, so I made a general thread that could be used by others, just in case they're going on a trip and feel like alerting everyone else. Ya know, just so people don't go "WHERE'S SO-AND-SO?"
Just lettin yall know that I'm going away for 2 weeks at Philmont, scout ranch in New Mexico. Backpacking at least 66 miles, will return on the 19th. Cya then dudes and dudettes!
Hey, have a blast! I did that August hike when my troupe went to Philmont 19 years ago! It's a great place. Don't forget to bring lots of GORP, and take lots of photos.
FF
doubleofive said:
...I for one would not be against a movie with no humans.
I'm with you on this. I would like to see a film that explores a totaly new groundbreaking type of sci-fi alien related storytelling, the way the original had. If that involves making "Alien 0" a powerful non-formula, anti-horror, non-shoot em up, no humans film, I say "GO FOR IT"!
Scott still seems like the type of director up to ploting new territory. I want to see something totaly new with aliens in it, that somehow logicaly fits in with the established lore. Let's hope the new script does not start bringing up someting established in a past "AVP" or "Alien" franchise film, just because the audience will like it if you do. I don't want the expected, I want the unexpected.
The updated and corrected version of this project will be released soon. As a donation to the project, a fellow fan from this forum has sent in some very rare original promotion footage. It's a rare production featurette that is being cleaned up to the best of my abilities. I'm sure every fan of this film will appreciate having this extra in their collection.
FF
I know this is only test footage, but I like that they have done away with that heavy eyeliner and caked on make-up (silent movie) look.
And tone down that eye liner.
Bingowings said:Could this work?
Excited or worried?
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118006722.html?categoryid=13&cs=1
With this man at the helm?
I'm EXCITED!
And to make sure it will be FANTASTIC, they just need to get this guy on board too.
Bingowings said:The scenes of crewmen enjoying shore leave during the impasse are only jarring if you are expecting an action movie.
Shows like that would have been common place back then and navy personnel do like to chat up ladies so I don't have a problem with those scenes.
So I watched "The Battle Of River Plate" last night as recommended by someone on this list. All 2 hours.
BORING! 2 hours of film, with just 10 minutes of story.
It was great to see Bernard Lee in something other then Bond, but this film could have been 30 min. long.
For example, there is lots of pointless exposition showing the transfer of men and equipment from one ship to another. It slows things down way too much, and if it was more directly related to the point of the story, I could understand its inclusion. it's obviously there to pad the movie. But at 2 hours, this film does not need padding. What it needs is a script that can carry the film for 2 hours.
The direction, editing, and script are just substandard. Even for a 1956 film. About half way into the movie there is a traditional sea battle (based on a real events) with some very cheesy effects mind you. Then just as the movie is starting to become a bit more exciting, the plot really thickens and there is the promises of Bernard Lee and a band of captured British sailors escaping from their brig and causing mayhem for the Germans on board the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee as it's being chased and fired on by a closing British task force. But no!!!! Just as things are about to get very exciting, ALL STOP! We are suddenly in a harbor of a neutral South American nation, and that can only mean one thing. That's right! It's time for a MUSICAL NUMBER. Complete with Carmen Miranda rip off.
Yes, it's now a gay and festive South American musical flavored comedy. With a sudden story focus turning from war battle responsibilities of ships captains, to a wacky girl grabbing (sorry, dame grabbing) American radio newsman named Mike Fowler. No more battles or shooting for the next 60 min. But to be fair, you do get an exploding toy model before it all ends.
Now this movie is based on a true event, and the director completely cut out one of the most dramatic elements of the entire incident. That is the fate of the German Captain just four days after the battle.
Oh, and that they thought they could substitute a U.S. Navy Heavy Cruiser (the USS Salem) as the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee was purely ridicules.
This film can be seen FREE online at: http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/drama/watch/v16247411822rxtad
Fixed
TV's Frink said:Monroville said:Also (a BIG one), do something with the grid spiders
Oh man, do I ever hate how those things pop up and then...nothing.
Wow, I always hated how the grid spiders are animated in that stereotypical identifiably and silly Disney way. This is "TRON", not "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" for Sagan's sake! When that movie came out, I remember the marketing campaign trying so hard to make people feel that this was going to be a more adult minded film that will appeal to a more mature audience. When the grid spiders came on, I felt so lied to.
skyjedi2005 said:I don't like the gimmicky movement of either having a single dominating color like muting colors in films or desaturation any more than i like the artificilially brightened and bumped up ten zillion notches blown out colors in films.
I was watching "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" last night, a film where the director Peter Hunt made a point of showing one or multiple objects with a bold shade of purple in almost every scene. Things like, clothing, wallpaper, flowers... I don't find this practice appealing, or very creative. It gets rather distracting after only a few scenes.
skyjedi2005 said:Even today some actors know better. Look at Sean Connery and John Rhys Davies they both turned down Indiana Jones IV and look very smart for doing so. The film turned out to be a turkey, but still made almost 800 million. It is a crazy world indeed.
John Rhys Davies? John Rhys Davies? The same John Rhys Davies who chose to be in "Anaconda III" instead of "Indy IV"? "Anaconda III", a movie it's producers knew was so bad that it was dumped straight onto Sci-Fi channel & DVD. A move that rates only 2.8 out of 10 stars at IMDB.
"Anaconda III">>> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1137996/
Ok, I can forgive him one mistake. Sometimes their agents can get them involved in a project that turns out to be a turd. But then why would he do "Anaconda IV" this year?
FF
Beverly Hills Cop IV is in development. Murphy is expected to begin work on Beverly Hills Cop IV sometime in the near future, and it is expected that producer Jerry Bruckheimer will not participate in the fourth installment of the series.
STOP THIS!
Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson were not involved in III, and it was so cheap looking and generic.
You know if this is made that it will be mostly recycled fomula jokes from the first two films, sprinkeled with typical old age jokes.
Come on, do they realy need to drag Judge Reinhold out of the where are they now file? They should be saving him up for "Fast Times II". Yet another movie I never want to see be made.
You got me thinking now....
"Mister Roberts" War CLASSIC in every way. Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell, Jack Lemmon
"Kelly's Heroes" (1970) Clint Eastwood; Telly Savalas; Donald Sutherland; and Harry Dean Stanton in a hilarious World War II adventure. Great acting all around, great cinematography. Kelly (Clint Eastwood) captures a German colonel (David Hurst), who inadvertently tells him where the Germans are hiding $16,000,000 worth of gold bars. Kelly enlists the aid of his platoon to trek behind the German lines and steal the cash. FUN MOVIE!
Another funny war era movie is the Mel Brooks film "To Be or Not To Be".
Bill Murry in "STRIPES"!!!
"The Final Countdown" A United States aircraft carrier from 1980, with full compliment of nuclear weapons, jets, and crew is somehow transported back in time to December 6th 1941 by a strange phantom storm. The ship's captain (Kirk Douglas) must make a choice about getting involved in the next days attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor.
I'm not sure if cold war nuclear countdown type films are in the running, but If you can find this great 1977 film called
"Twilight's Last Gleaming", you guys may enjoy it.
From Wikipedia:
""Twilight's Last Gleaming" is a 1977 film directed by Robert Aldrich, starring Burt Lancaster and Richard Widmark. It is loosely based on the 1971 novel, Viper Three, by Walter Wager. It tells the story of Lawrence Dell, a renegade USAF general, who escapes from a military prison and takes over an ICBM silo near Montana, threatening to launch the missiles and start World War III unless the President, played by Charles Durning, reveals the real reason why America fought in the Vietnam War."
A split screen technique is used at several points in the movie to give the audience insight into the simultaneously occurring strands of the storyline.
The film included in the cast such Hollywood notables as Melvyn Douglas, Vera Miles, Joseph Cotten and Burt Young.
"Telefon". is another cold war movie from 1977, and stars the great Charles Bronson.
I don't want to say too much about this film, as I don't want to spoil anything. But it has Donald Pleasence as a renegade political or ex-KGB who has gone rogue and is activating sleeper agents in the USA without permission from Moscow. He must be stopped before these actions incite the start of World War III with the Americans. It's very dated, but lots of fun. A real guy film. With Charles Bronson, how could it be anythig but? But, it's not a war movie. It's more spy / espionage. Just save that one for the spy film night.
I'll just list the ones that I feel might get overlooked.
"The Sorrow and the Pity" (French: Le Chagrin et la pitié)
If you like war history, this film is a must see!
"The Sorrow and the Pity" is a two-part documentary film by Marcel Ophüls that concerns the French Resistance and collaboration with the Vichy government and Nazi Germany during World War II. This 1969 film used interviews of a German officer, collaborators, and resistance fighters from Clermont-Ferrand. They comment on the nature and reasons for collaboration. The reasons include anti-Semitism, anglophobia, fear of Bolsheviks and Soviet invasion, the desire for power, and simple caution. The film shows the French people's response to occupation as heroic, pitiable, and monstrous, sometimes all at once. The post-war humiliation of the women who served (or were married to) Vichy men perhaps gave the strongest mix of all three. Maurice Chevalier's 'Sweepin' the Clouds Away' is the theme tune of the film.
"The Big Red One"
"A Bridge Too Far"
"M*A*S*H*"
"Catch 22"
"The Killing Fields"
"Barry Lyndon"
"Fail Safe"
"Guns of Navarrone"
"Force 10 From Navarrone"
"Manchurian Candidate" (Cold War)
"Battle Beyond The Stars" *Grin*
Or screw the movie idea, and watch the 6 episodes of "Black Adder Goes Forth". It takes place during World War One. That's about 3 hours.