Go-Mer-Tonic

User Group: Members
Join date: 13-Sep-2006
Last activity: 28-Mar-2007
Posts: 928

Post History

Post: #249735
Topic: "..secret to the future is quantity," Lucas said
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249735/action/topic#249735
Time: 5-Oct-2006 12:04 PM

You will see what you choose to see.

He never said anything about quantity over quality, he is talking about how it doesn't make sense anymore to invest as much as studios (and even himself up until this point) do on any single given feature.

It's much better to spend less money on more features, because then you aren't putting all your eggs in one basket.

He is also talking about the trend of downloadable content and it's potential to further marginalize the theater market.

He has a point, people are getting tired of paying top dollar for crappy presentation and candy and popcorn marked up 300-400% or whatever ridiculous percentage it is now (I haven't bought concessions at a theater in years). Why do that when you can just watch it in better quality on your home theater with reasonably priced snacks, and if you want to smoke, it's up to you. If you want to pause while you hit the can, you can do that.

Even with your narrow view of what you think Lucas said, I still don't see how you got "would sell his dead cat for $5".

Say what you want about his movies, but most of them have done extremely well, which would indicate that not everyone thought they were complete crap.

I for one would line up for 120 hours of Lucasfilm goodness.

Post: #249726
Topic: I've given this a lot of thought, and I've decided this makes no sense. (Qui-Gon and Anakin's ghosts.)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249726/action/topic#249726
Time: 5-Oct-2006 11:24 AM

I really don't think that scene was ever written let alone filmed.

Post: #249715
Topic: I've given this a lot of thought, and I've decided this makes no sense. (Qui-Gon and Anakin's ghosts.)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249715/action/topic#249715
Time: 5-Oct-2006 10:19 AM

The way Lucas fleshed it out, it really had nothing to do with wether or not they knew Luke.

Qui-Gon didn't choose to become one with the force, he was killed by Maul, while Obi-Wan, Yoda and apparantly Anakin all disappeared and became one with the Force before they actually perished, that's why they could come back as apparitions, while Qui-Gon could only come back as a disembodied voice.

Before the prequels, I subscribed to the idea that it was only Luke who could see them through the Force.

Post: #249713
Topic: "..secret to the future is quantity," Lucas said
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249713/action/topic#249713
Time: 5-Oct-2006 10:07 AM

Talks crap in variety, would sell his dead cat for $5

That's the main thrust of the article you linked?

The man just gave more money to USC than anyone else has in the past, and it equates to him selling his dead cat for $5

On behalf of Lucas

Go sit on it Potsti.

Post: #249680
Topic: 2004 DVD crap-o-la
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249680/action/topic#249680
Time: 5-Oct-2006 2:24 AM

Originally posted by: ADigitalMan

Originally posted by: Go-Mer-Tonic

5) The new Emperor scene in Empire is entirely better than the old one, dialogue, performance, everything about it is better now.

The opening crawl states Vader is obsessed with Skywalker. He launches thousands of probes across the galaxy to find him and follows his instinct that "Skywalker is with them," launching a full ground assault on Hoth -- based on a picture of a shield generator. He sends the bulk of the Imperial Fleet into an asteroid field after the Millenium Falcon all to find Skywalker. You think it's good dialoge when, after all this, he he is surprised to learn about "The offspring of Anakin Skywalker?" You think, after all this time, expense, and yes, mentioning Skywalker by name, he says "How can this be?" is better than the old dialogue?

What grade are you in again?

Vader is playing dumb to the Emperor as much as the Emperor is playing dumb to Vader.

I'm 35 years old.

Post: #249679
Topic: Interesting tidbit about who shot first
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249679/action/topic#249679
Time: 5-Oct-2006 1:57 AM

I know what Kurtz said, but it still comes down to 2 guys who have 2 different stories, and when it comes to "Lucas' intentions", I give the edge to Lucas' statements over Kurtz's speculation.

Maybe Lucas didn't keep Kurtz abreast of everything that he was thinking about. Lucas is known for his quiet, reserved demanor. For most people all they ever got out of him was "faster" or "more intense".

Lucas says he ran out of time and money and chose to live with the way his shots turned out rather than try and do more shots. Kurtz says he doesn't understand why Lucas would say they couldn't have done more, but then again, Lucas said his biggest problem with Kurtz was that he never said no to anything. As I understand it, the reason they stopped working together was because of the fact they went so far over budget with Kurtz as producer.

I don't think anyone disputes the solid wall of time and money they were up against while making ANH. At the very end they had to split into 3 film units to wrap everything up because the Studio was about to pull the plug if they didn't finish ASAP.

Post: #249665
Topic: your buying the PT all over again in Blue ray !!!!!!!!
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249665/action/topic#249665
Time: 5-Oct-2006 12:44 AM

See that's why I feel the Wii will pull ahead. It's the no brainer choice, everyone will have one.

A lot of hard core gamers will get all systems in a particular generation because they have to play all the games exclusive to each system.

I think this time around most of those people will be put in a position where they will end up choosing between a PS3 or 360, because of their higher pricing.

So it will be a choice between a "Wii and 360" or "Wii and a PS3".

Either way, Nintendo wins.

Post: #249645
Topic: Hyperspace: Yep, I Think that Something is DEFINITELY up for '07!
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249645/action/topic#249645
Time: 4-Oct-2006 10:41 PM

Man, I bet Bea Arthur is even hotter in 3D.

Post: #249643
Topic: I've given this a lot of thought, and I've decided this makes no sense. (Qui-Gon and Anakin's ghosts.)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249643/action/topic#249643
Time: 4-Oct-2006 10:36 PM

Becoming one with the Force is described as a technique, retaining one's identity after death is described as being acheived through compassion.

I think this is very similar to the concept of wether or not you go to heaven or hell. If you are truly good, and acheive a state of high enough compassion, you are able to live on in the afterlife.

Part of the point of redeeming Anakin in the first place is to show that it's never too late to obtain that level of compassion.

To me this makes plenty of sense, and I'm sure Lucas intended people to come to their own conclusions as well, which would explain why he didn't spell it all out in the finished films.

So he would applaud your attempt to come to your own conclusions, and wouldn't tell you to fuck off.

To him questioning the great mystery is more important than finding an answer.

Post: #249629
Topic: I've given this a lot of thought, and I've decided this makes no sense. (Qui-Gon and Anakin's ghosts.)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249629/action/topic#249629
Time: 4-Oct-2006 9:08 PM

I realize he was fleshing a lot of this out as he went, but I think in the end it makes better sense that one would expect given that fact.

I don't think that Yoda and Obi-Wan taught Anakin how to retain his identity, he did that on his own when he gave his life to save his son and for the greater good of all beings in the galaxy.

I think the intention is that Yoda and Obi-Wan were able to help Anakin become one with the Force before he actually expired. He loses consciousness in front of Luke, but off camera, before he actually dies, Obi-Wan and Anakin assist him in becoming one with the Force.

Post: #249619
Topic: your buying the PT all over again in Blue ray !!!!!!!!
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249619/action/topic#249619
Time: 4-Oct-2006 8:26 PM

My money is on Nintendo as well. They have a great price point, they have an exciting innovation in the way we control games, and their first party games are reliablly well put together.

Post: #249617
Topic: I've given this a lot of thought, and I've decided this makes no sense. (Qui-Gon and Anakin's ghosts.)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249617/action/topic#249617
Time: 4-Oct-2006 8:21 PM

It is one of the biggest life mysteries portrayed in the saga, maybe it's supposed to be complicated and thought provoking.

Post: #249614
Topic: Interesting tidbit about who shot first
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249614/action/topic#249614
Time: 4-Oct-2006 8:11 PM

If nobody exists to own said art anymore then I could see it becoming public domain.

Post: #249613
Topic: I've given this a lot of thought, and I've decided this makes no sense. (Qui-Gon and Anakin's ghosts.)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249613/action/topic#249613
Time: 4-Oct-2006 8:06 PM

I just explained that the official explanation on that was Obi-Wan and Yoda helped Anakin become one with the Force.

And yes, I do think that this does make sense to me.

Post: #249606
Topic: Interesting tidbit about who shot first
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249606/action/topic#249606
Time: 4-Oct-2006 7:22 PM

Okay, and when the controversy started, wasn't it about how this alteration "changed Han Solo's character"?

I don't think anyone had any doubt that Han shot Greedo in the original version without Greedo getting a shot off at all. I'm not saying Greedo originaly shot first and not everyone noticed, I'm saying it's entirely possible that Lucas originally wanted Greedo to shoot first, but didn't get the right shot for the original version of the movie and then just made sure it was clear that the plan was to kill Han so it would still be a clear case of self-defense, as he says is the case.

I don't think everyone realized that Han was going to be killed if he hadn't shot Greedo. Not everyone pays attention to subtitles in a movie like this.

By the way I'm 35.

As far as copyright and when things should become "public domain" I don't see why the original creator of said art shouldnt' be able to claim ownership until the end of his days, and I don't see a big problem with them being able to set it up so that their decendants can claim ownership beyond their years. It's something they created, and should have every right to make money off of that indefinately. So the rest of us have to pay to enjoy that art. I think that's fair.

Post: #249590
Topic: Interesting tidbit about who shot first
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249590/action/topic#249590
Time: 4-Oct-2006 5:59 PM

He is a widely accused liar, but I have yet to see anyone prove he is a liar.

While your memory might not be great, I would still consider you the highest authority on what you personally thought in your own head.

And I don't see any reason to say that if art is good enough, it ceases to be the intellectual property of the artist and instead becomes public domain. That's almost like saying if you make enough money, you have to give it all away to charity.

Is Lucas revising history? Or merely clarifying your understanding of it?

Post: #249567
Topic: Interesting tidbit about who shot first
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249567/action/topic#249567
Time: 4-Oct-2006 4:57 PM

We are discussing wether or not Lucas originally intended to have Greedo shoot first. His intentions happen in his head, and aren't always evident in how the movie turned out.

Post: #249560
Topic: Interesting tidbit about who shot first
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249560/action/topic#249560
Time: 4-Oct-2006 4:32 PM

Originally posted by: C3PX
He has claimed to have it all worked out since the beginning. He said that about Luke and Leia, that he had always intended them to be brother and sister. If that was true, what was up with the kiss? I didn't say I was the authority on what goes on in Lucas' head, I am just saying that Kurtz would have known more than you give him credit for, and Lucas have a bit of a record of contradicting himself. Also, why would he have released the GOUT against his own wishes? That is perhaps the dumbest statement I have heard in a long time. Who exactly put the gun to his head and told him he had to release the GOUT? Nobody. He did it because he wanted to release his stupid trilogy on DVD for the third time in three years. Anyway, this conversation is stupid. The gun under the table thing was something people could understand pretty well. It is quite typically the type of thing you would see in movies around that time, and in the movies Lucas was imitating. You're never going to get that, to you Lucas always envisioned Han as a retarded git who has managed to survive with a death mark through sheer Jar jarish dumb luck. I love revisionist history. Sometimes I forget why I never post in the General SW Discussion thread, but there is always somebody in here to remind me to steer clear.

Could you possibly direct me to any quote of Lucas' where he claims to have had the "Luke and Leia being siblings" plot point set in stone from the get go?

Because if I took some time to dig around, I could come up with quotes where he explains he came to that conclusion sometime during the post production of ESB, and that choice was able to kill two birds with one stone by both explaining the "other" that Yoda spoke of, and giving Luke a reason to lose it during his final confrontation with Vader.

I agree that Kurtz would know a lot, I just think that Lucas is the higher authority on what goes on in his own head.

Lucas told us back with the THX release that it would be the last time he would release the O-OT on home video. We started petitions like this one to get him to reconsider. Lucas reiterated several times that he wasn't interested in re-releasing the O-OT and that he would just make his newer versions available. When Steve Sansweet talked about this release at Comic con, he said that the main reason they put out these single releases of the classic trilogy was to cater to people who hadn't bought the box set, who only wanted one or two of the movies, or perhaps for people who wanted to spread out purchasing them all over time. He went on to say it was another opportunity for them to go back to Lucas and ask him again to put the O-OT on DVD for the millions of fans just like us who have been relentlessly begging him for it.

He doesn't need a reason to release further pressings of Star Wars, because there is constant demand for those movies.

As far as not understanding the simple elegance of the way the Han/Greedo sequence played out before, I do understand that. I didn't mind it the way it was, but at the same time I can see why Lucas wanted to change it and in the end it's not that big of a deal to me. I personally don't think it changes anything about Han, he was always in a position of self-defense.

And it's too bad that you have a hard time accepting opinions that differ from your own.

Post: #249555
Topic: I've given this a lot of thought, and I've decided this makes no sense. (Qui-Gon and Anakin's ghosts.)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249555/action/topic#249555
Time: 4-Oct-2006 4:10 PM

Yes, you have proven that this doesn't make a whole lot of sense to you.

Post: #249542
Topic: your buying the PT all over again in Blue ray !!!!!!!!
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249542/action/topic#249542
Time: 4-Oct-2006 2:59 PM

TFN just put up a tidbit from an apparant promotional document from Lego.

We've just received a translation of the recent LEGO booklet posted here in this story.

"STAR WARS celebrates it 30th anniversary !

* The LEGO Star Wars line still sells well - even in years without a movie. In 2005, the LEGO Star Wars assortment was about 70 % of the total revenue of all Star Wars licences in central europe. In April 2006, LEGO Star Wars was about 7,8% of the total revenue of LEGO Central Europe

* Because of the 30th anniversary of the Star Wars Saga, there will be a balanced assortment of NEW LEGO Star Wars items and best seller with new designs, in 2007. All sets include unique parts and figures.

* The STAR WARS DVD set, that will be released at the 30th anniversary, will be responsible for an increased sale of the new sets. There will be a anniversary logo on all LEGO Star Wars sets.

* All LEGO Star Wars set will be very detailed - with many authentic features, heros and bad guys from the movies.

* Different price points for all conditions"

Notice the bit about the 30th Anniversary DVD set? Yeah me too :-)

I know we all have pretty much accepted the upcoming 2007 DVD set as not even needing a confirmation, but here is more none the less.

Post: #249537
Topic: What do you think of the <strong>Prequel Trilogy</strong>? a general discussion thread
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249537/action/topic#249537
Time: 4-Oct-2006 2:42 PM

I love the entire SW saga, and what makes any one movie great makes them all great to me, because it's all part of one big awesome (IMHO) story.

I don't think people who disagree with me are losers though, I accept that not everyone will agree with me and don't need to make myself feel better by calling other people names.

Post: #249529
Topic: Interesting tidbit about who shot first
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249529/action/topic#249529
Time: 4-Oct-2006 2:22 PM

Originally posted by: C3PX
If he really had tried so hard to film Greedo shooting first, why does the novel leave it ambiguous? Maybe he was trying to match it up to how the finished movie would turn out. Lucas was saying he was trying to get around his filming mistake by altering the dialogue to show that the plan was to kill Han.

Originally posted by: C3PX
I guess it is really hard to edit things in books before they get published. That is why so many books have spelling and grammar error. I suppose Allen Dean Foster tried several times to get Greedo to shoot first, but he just couldn't get the ink to stick to the paper. Yeah you do suppose that.

Originally posted by: C3PX Also while you say Gary Kurtz isnt an authority for what goes on inside Lucas' head, well honestly neither is Lucas.

Oh so -you- are the final say on what goes on in Lucas' head. Where have you been this whole time, I've been looking all over for you.

Originally posted by: C3PX He is the same guy who claimed the OT doesn't exist anymore, then released them in crap quailty for his wallets sake.

He released it in the best quality he could without going out of his way to do it at our relentless, daily request.

In the end, he did it against his own personal wishes.Originally posted by: C3PX
He also claimed to have the whole story worked out since the beginning, but just has a bit of an incest fetish and really liked the idea of the Skywalker twins making out. Also, he intended Obi-wan to be a filthy liar from the get-go. Kill the kids dad, become his mentor and then blame it all on the evil Sith Lord.

Lucas has never once claimed to have all this worked out since the beginning. But who am I to question you, the true authority on what really goes on in Lucas' head?

Post: #249525
Topic: Interesting tidbit about who shot first
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249525/action/topic#249525
Time: 4-Oct-2006 2:11 PM

Well one of the few who would know more than Kurtz about that stuff would be Lucas.

I know that he shot in self defense, but notice how many people claim having Greedo shoot first alters Han's character?

It obviously wasn't clear to everyone.

Post: #249524
Topic: I've given this a lot of thought, and I've decided this makes no sense. (Qui-Gon and Anakin's ghosts.)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249524/action/topic#249524
Time: 4-Oct-2006 2:05 PM

I'm suprised most of you even took the time to respond to this thread at all.

Qui-Gon Jinn stumbled on the way to retain his identity after death. He did this through his use of compassion. Being able to let go of all sense of personal self, he was able to retain his consciousness after death (when he was killed by Darth Maul).

While on the "other side" so to speak, he met up with a "Shaman of the Whills" who taught him a second technique that allows one to become one with the Force at will, something Qui-Gon hadn't learned before his death. He teaches both of these techniques to Yoda and Obi-Wan, who both do not die in the traditional sense. Obi-Wan was gone before Vader's blade touched him, and while Yoda was on his death bed, he chose to give himself to the Force before he actually died. That's why both of them disappear and why Qui-Gon does not.

According to Lucas Anakin -does- disappear, but it is not shown in the film. He says he did that to build suspense for wether or not he would be able to retain his identity, so that when he does appear a ghost it's more of an emotional release.

His final act of sacraficing himself to finally do away with the Sith for the sake of the rest of the galaxy, he was able to retain his identity. While Anakin never learned how to give himself to the Force, Lucas says that Yoda and Obi-Wan helped do that for him at the last moment.

Here is a cut scene from ROTS that gets into all of this a bit.

QUI -GON: (V.O.) Patience. You will have time. I did not. When I became one with the Force I made a great discovery. With my training, you will be able to merge with the Force at will. Your physical self will fade away, but you will still retain your consciousness. You will become more powerful than any Sith.

YODA: Eternal consciousness.

QUI-GON: (V.O.) The ability to defy oblivion can be achieved, but only for oneself. It was accomplished by a Shaman of the Whills. It is a state acquired through compassion, not greed.

YODA: . . . to become one with the Force, and influence still have . . . A power greater than all, it is.

QUI-GON: (V.O.) You will learn to let go of everything. No attachment, no thought of self. No physical self.

YODA: A great Jedi Master, you have become, Qui-Gon Jinn. Your apprentice I gratefully become.

YODA thinks about this for a minute, then BAIL ORGANA enters the room and breaks his meditation.

BAIL ORGANA: Excuse me, Master Yoda. Obi-Wan Kenobi has made contact.

I wouldn't be surprised if this scene is put back in to a future release. Perhaps the timing didn't work out for Liam to record the lines for the theatrical release. Although I have heard accounts that they tried the scene with a placeholder voiceover and decided it just wasn't needed.

Post: #249520
Topic: Interesting tidbit about who shot first
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249520/action/topic#249520
Time: 4-Oct-2006 1:49 PM

Just because Gary Kurtz couldn't understand why Lucas wouldn't just have shot it with Greedo shooting first from the get go doesn't mean Lucas wasn't trying to have Greedo shoot first. According to Lucas he tried, and failed 3 times to get the squib shot right, so he tried making it clear that Greedo planned on killing him with the dialogue.

Nothing against Kurtz, but to me he isn't the final word on what goes on in Lucas' head.

As far as scripts and novels representing that Han shot while Greedo didn't, this thread is based on the fact that the novel in question here didn't make that clear.

I think Lucas probably heard from enough kids who thought Han was cool -because- they felt he had killed Greedo in cold blood, that he felt a moral obligation to make it clearer that he didn't.