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MalàStrana

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Join date
11-Jan-2016
Last activity
2-Jan-2020
Posts
2,303

Post History

Post
#901607
Topic
kk650's Star Wars Saga: Regraded and Semi-Specialized (Released)
Time

I was particularly interested by the semi-specialized edition of A NEW HOPE and I must say that it has the edit I’ve wanted to see for a long time: all the good modifications left in, and the wrong ones deleted (cgi rock, Jabba, Greedo shooting, the slapstick humor of the Mos Esley entrance, and the awful cgi Dewback). This edit is great, and nicely done. The down part for me is the color correction, as i’m not convinced at all that a yellow filter matches the original look of the movie.

Post
#901606
Topic
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace - Faster, More Intense! (Released)
Time

I believe the Jar Jar character suffers of the over the top and stupid micro scenes he’s involved in; when the worst parts are removed, the character is no longer (or “less”) obnoxious. I would have never bet a penny on it but when I saw Hal’s version I was very surprised to even smile at what’s left of the comic relief characterization (“more droids you say” with a cut to the invading army is funny; the encounter with Sebulba with the whistling joke is also nice) while other bits can’t be saved without seriously damaging the flow of the montage (the “bad droid” battle scene and when he gets his nuts smashed by the Federation tank: if you cut it you reduce too much of the gungan battle). On a logical point of view, I don’t think it’s less distracting or ridiculous to leave a character in a shot while removing his obvious line (“wessa going home” in L8 version is awkward: you clearly see Jar Jar yelling something but you don’t hear anything).

Post
#901569
Topic
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace - Faster, More Intense! (Released)
Time

Octorox said:
I think you raise some very good points here. However, If I add this scene back, I will likely remove the scene where Anakin goes to say goodbye to Padme, since I think Portman’s performance is particularly weak in that scene. Thoughts?

Well, the goodbye scene adds a little extra to the “decoy” subplot, and if you skip it you lose too much interaction between the protogonists, as well as the “miror construction” which is a signature of Lucas style in the Prelogy (Padmé goes to Anakin on the spaceship; Anakin goes to Padmé in Coruscant). Hal’s version of this scene is the best compromise. The same with “missa going home” : after the long part in Coruscant (which is not really the funniest part of the movie, though the most interesting for the main plot), which is very cold and talkative, you need to have an explosion of joy from a character, in this case Jar Jar. Besides the music montage is powerful.

I’m quite interested in your montage of the celebration scene. As soon as the file is available I’ll try to check your original contributions.

Post
#901495
Topic
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace - Faster, More Intense! (Released)
Time

Seems to be interesting (especially your own contributions). Hal9000’s version is around 98% close to be my view of the perfect edit, though you’ve got some ideas that I want to check if someday I find enough time and skill to assemble my “own” cut.

Just something I strongly disagree :

Removed Anakin giving Padmé a necklace. (Hal9000, may revisit depending on what I end up doing with Episode III)

I don’t think the ending of Episode III is so relevant to this scene. The Padmé funeral uses the necklace as a reminder of this sequence, but even if you manage to let her live the scene has its own meaning in Episode I, as well as in the entire Prelogy: making a necklace gift, that is what young boys do when they want to express their love (yeah it’s childish, however not “ridiculous childish”). It’s another step that leads in to the romance of Episode II.

Post
#901239
Topic
Star Wars Episode I: Cloak Of Deception (Released)
Time

Hal 9000 said:

I absolutely did, and they are incredible. He’s been very patient and longsuffering with working out some kinks for the Ep2 upscales. (Episode 3’s look the best of all!)

This is teasing at its best 😃 The blu ray of Episode III is stunning, I’m really curious about a better looking picture. You’ll still use a “grain veil” on those ?

Post
#900787
Topic
Star Wars Episode I: Cloak Of Deception (Released)
Time

Octorox said:
I would like to add something that mentions that the Chancellor is sort of in a tenuous place and is fearing the crisis blowing up could be the final straw that ends his political career, but there’s only so much space.

The rolling scrawl doesn’t need to contain too much information, just the pieces to set the plot in motion are needed. Moreoever your statement about Valorum is not really true since his position is not in real jeopardy until Amidala shows up and calls for a vote of confidence against him (he’s not that a bad Chancellor, he has even sent Jedi knights to settle things right). You should stick to Hal’s version for this paragraph I reckon (imho, of course !).

(by the way, maybe you should start your own thread, “Octorox Redux Prelogy” ?)

Post
#900584
Topic
Star Wars Episode III: Labyrinth Of Evil (Released)
Time

Darth Lucas said:

If it is between Death Star and Coruscant, I say Coruscant. The Death Star makes for a cool scene to set up A New Hope and it looks really cool, sure, but it just raises far too many questions. Why did it take almost 20 years to build the first one when they already had the plans but they were able to completely redesign, improve, and build a new one in only like 4-5 years?

It’s unclear when does the scene take place. Sure, the next scene is Ben “delivering” baby Luke, but still the death star scene could take place a few years after Palpatine founded the Empire. As for “how long does it take to build the death star”, ROGUE ONE might give an answer ?

Post
#900564
Topic
Star Wars Episode I: Cloak Of Deception (Released)
Time

Octorox said:
For a thousand years the
knights of the Jedi Order have
protected the Galactic Republic
Now, after a millennia of peace, sinister
forces conspire in the shadows of
the galaxy.

If I may: you could kinda link the prelogy with the postlogy by using “awaken” instead of “conspire” (or even “Dark forces” instead of “sinister forces” if you’re a gamer 😃).

Post
#900339
Topic
Star Wars Episode III: Labyrinth Of Evil (Released)
Time

Darth Lucas said:

Might be cool to have them looking over a massive fleet of Star Destroyers or something. I mean it doesn’t have to be a round planet-like object they’re looking at does it?

The only point of the scene is to stage the future events of Episode IV (and to show a montage of deaths - Padmé, Anakin, the Republic - and births - Vader, Luke, Leia, Death Star, the Empire), so there are only two ways that can make sense: you keep the movie version of the scene (with the death star being built) or you cut the scene completely.

Post
#900336
Topic
Star Wars Episode I: Cloak Of Deception (Released)
Time

Octorox said:

Hal 9000 said:

Not a problem. I really don’t remember if I said this before, but please be mindful to avoid confusion if you keep the opening crawl of either edit, including its title.

I’d like to model the crawl on yours, but I don’t won’t to keep the title, specifically for that reason. I’m going to try to create a custom crawl. For credits Ill likely splice in the blu-ray credits and not include any fan edit credits, but credit all the fan editors who’s work I cribbed from on the forum threads and in the download location.

Or else, you can indeed use the original movie version of the credits, and just add a black pannel where is written in white letters who has contributed to the edit (at the beginning of the file, after the “this is a fan edit of… not for sell… etc.”). As for the title, every good title is used by fan edits, so it would be difficult to find a new one. So, just call it “The Phantom Menace” !

Post
#898379
Topic
Star Wars Episode I: Cloak Of Deception (Released)
Time

@ Hal9000 : I have completed the french subtitles file. I’ll make a last check by showing your edit to my family, and then I’ll send it to you. If someone (like Octorox) makes another cut based on yours, it would be simple to keep the correct french subtitles with an accurate “time” log book. The timing is precise and the translation is closer to the english text than their bluray counterparts ('cause french subtitles are often based on french dubbing, so there are always minor differencies), so it’s possible to use this file to produce accurate english subtitles as well (I’m not gonna do it 😃 ).

I haven’t decided yet for Episode II and III. I think your Episode II v4 edit is likely to have my preferences; the v3 is fine and I believe the v4 is going to be improved (I truly hope you’ve trimmed the meadow pic nic !). I don’t know if you have corrected the irritating score issues, such as the Federation Army’s theme used for the Clone Army (on Kamino) and the Darth Vader’s Imperial March used for the Republic Army (ending scene), but I don’t believe any faneditor has ever tried that, or if it’s even possible to do it (maybe someday I will try myself, just need to learn how to use a montage software).

As for Episode III, I’m still puzzled with some of your choices, especially Padmé’s death and Vader’s “Noooo !”. The Yoda vs Emperor scene removal is also something I’m not really sure about : Yoda shouldn’t be fighting but on the other hand seeing the Emperor fighting the most powerful Jedi by throwing Senate Chairs has a strong symbolic value that fits perfectly the Prelogy narrative path of Palpatine (who would 19 years later dissolve this very same senate). So, for Episode III I’m still trying to choose between your edit and l8wrtr’s (who is currently editing a v2 version, isn’t he ?).

@ Octorox
On second thought I concur with you on two scenes:

  • re-added the cut-down version of the “working on the pod” scene from l8wrtr’s edit (but I would still keep the “dawn of the race” scene);

  • removed the visual of the podrace announcers Fode and Beed.

If I may, my “perfect cut” would also keep a few minor changes from L8WRTR version:

  • “Shadow of the Sith” title (but with Hal9000 text) (“cloak of deception” is really odd when translated in french : “Un vent de trahison”, which means “A wind of treason”) ;

  • re-added Anakin’s gift to Padmé (with trimmed dialogues) ;

  • removed Boss Nass weird “spiting twitch” (don’t know how to call this) ;

  • within the previous Boss Nass scene, I would also consider re-adding the line “Yousa no tinken yousa greater den da Gungans?” (L8WRTR version) and removing Amidala’s “my protection, my loyal bodyguard”, but it wouldn’t change much I confess ;

  • The better paced death of Darth Maul ;

Apart from these minor details, I agree with Hal9000 point fo view (even the Jar Jar close up, the droid nose joke, the Jar Jar encounter with Sebulba, etc.).

Post
#898134
Topic
Star Wars Episode I: Cloak Of Deception (Released)
Time

Ok, i’m looking forward to watching this, but as you write it, it doesn’t seem to change so much things; and as a matter of fact I agree with Hal’s point of view of leaving some “necessary evil” scenes, in order to keep a more natural flow to the movie. For example, the “clean R2D2 scene” is “necessary evil”, because it leads to the only scene where we learn who Jar Jar is and we hear “gungans” for the first time - the obnoxious gungan city scene having been cut -, which is needed here since Jar Jar and the gungans are key plot elements of the third act. As for the “dawn before race”, it adds a better buddy scene between 3PO and R2 while having a brief “Padmé and Anakin alone” moment (which is nice considering the next movies).

@ Hal: I have almost finished a french srt file using subtitle worshop (my family members aren’t all fluent in english). If you want it, I’ll send it to you so more people can enjoy your cut (with minor corrections it would also fit to other edits).

Post
#898068
Topic
Ranking the Star Wars films
Time

Lord Haseo said:

TV’s Frink said:

Lord Haseo said:

  1. STAR WARS (has a better plot than TFA but falls short in just about every other way)

I really like TFA but I’m gonna disagree there.

It’s one of those unpopular opinion things that I can’t adequately explain but every time I watched TFA I enjoyed it way more than I have ever enjoyed STAR WARS. Maybe it’s because it’s new but I’ve seen the film 4 times and it’s embrace has only tightened.

At least STAR WARS stands on its own, while TFA needs its two sequels to know if the story is relevant or not. And the new characters are not as interesting (Rey has nothing to accomplish - everything is easy for her, with “Full Force Unlocked” plot holes… -; Finn is just a “traitor”; Poe is on screen 10 minutes…). The mythology is also a missed point (the soul of an “excalibur” light saber ? Seriously ?!?). Nevertheless I enjoy TFA, but it’s very far to be a movie as strong as the original STAR WARS.

Post
#897875
Topic
Ranking the Star Wars films
Time
  1. The Empire Strikes Back (I can’t even explain why: this is the perfect sequel as well as the perfect movie: entertaining, intelligent, mythological, deep, moving, funny, an infinite replay value…)

  2. Star Wars A New Hope (almost as good as its first sequel, a very hard call to rank it second place)

  3. Return of the Jedi (the confrontation with the Emperor is truly great, the Jabba’s opening scenes are pure swashbuckling fun, the space battle is magnificent: just frustrating this is a rehash of ANH with dull moments and poor characters. Would have love this scene to make its way in the final cut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT-ZsR2P8dU (without the “scum” line))

  4. The Force Awakens (mediocre, albeit entertaining and with the first 30 minutes very nicely done. Sadly, the characters, especially Rey - who masters the force in a minute because the script needs it… -, are not interesting, and fan service has its narrative limits).

  5. Revenge of the Sith (well, I like the global aesthetic and a few sequences. Williams score is a masterpiece, but the key scenes are failed in almost every way possible) (with a proper edit, it would be ranked a little bit higher than TFA I think)

  6. The Phantom Menace (not that bad and as about the same quality as ROTS - great score, the Qui Gon Jin lead character is fine, the overall plot is interesting -, but overwhelmed with bad taste jokes, confused plot elements, pointless sequences, and questionable designs)

  7. The Attack of the Clones (this one is so bad on every level, I don’t understand how this is even possible to miss an opportunity so much. I would save most of the Kamino’s scenes and the Tusken massacre. Even the score got mixed up: Yoda’s theme used for Anakin in action, Darth Maul’s theme used for Anakin on a bike, Darth Vader’s theme used for the Clone Troopers and the Republic Army, Trade Federation’s droid army theme for the Separatist’s droid army… : not very wagnerian…).

If it had been a movie, I would have ranked Tartakowsky “Clone Wars” fourth, between Episode VI and Episode VII.

Post
#897871
Topic
Star Wars Episode I: Cloak Of Deception (Released)
Time

Octorox said:

Hey Hal, I just completed an edit for my own personal viewing that mixes and matches changes from your and L8wrtr’s edit (with a little bit from the Phantom Editor as well). I used your edit as the primary video source and spliced in bits from L8wrtr’s edit where needed (with a little grain and color correction to match it). Would you be opposed to me uploading this to Myspleen or elsewhere? With proper credit given of course.

Do you have a detailed list of the changes ? (at least compared to Hal9000’s edit).

Post
#897105
Topic
SW EP 1: Shadow of the Sith - by L8wrtr (Released)
Time

auralucario2 said:

Unfortunately, I don’t have a MySpleen invite so I can’t access the tracker. Do you know if there are any other ways to get the file?

EDIT: I think I’ll just live with Q2’s Episode III edit for now. It seems like it should go pretty well with l8wrtr’s Episode I and II.

L8wrtr’s edits can be found on kickass torrent.

I’ve read in an Hal9000 post that L8wrtr was working on a V2 version on his edit for ROTS.

Post
#897062
Topic
Star Wars Episode II: The Approaching Storm (Released)
Time

Hal 9000 said:

I agree with towne32 about the colors; KK650’s version takes liberties with color, whereas Schorman’s is a better representation to how the films originally looked, which is what I’m going for. And I still hope that somewhere down the line I can do a special release using Emanswfan’s regrades.
Since V4 will be it, I’ve held off for Schorman’s V2, but might just use V1 if it ends up being the last thing I’m waiting on and he’s still away from the forum. I don’t know where it is patched or anything, but it looks beautiful to my eyes, especially AOTC. Far superior to the BluRay.

Take your time, there is not rush if you can get higher video quality for your final version. I have rewatched a few scenes and I finally agree with the removal of the Dex scene, as well as the Geonosis droid factory action sequence. It’s really an improvement over the original material.

Just a question about the musical montage: you’ve got the fine idea to use McNeely’s SHADOWS OF THE EMPIRE soundtrack to give a very effective sound structure to the beginning of the podrace sequence. Have you ever thought about removing the inappropriate use of the Darth Vader theme at the end of AOTC with around 50 seconds of the “Imperical city” track (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwPTbVMenRc#t=3m08s) ? This cue has a deep Roman Empire (Miklós Rózsa style) eerie feeling that could totally suit the strange and corrupted Republic Planet on the edge of chaos.

Post
#896494
Topic
Star Wars Episode III: Labyrinth Of Evil (Released)
Time

Hal 9000 said:

Thanks, I appreciate you chiming in. Just to help in your evaluation, here’s how the Alderaan scene will look in V4, having been brightened up a little: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5UmTwj6Y18

It does look better in this video, but still i’m very not sure about it. I find it more tragic that Anakin killed her (not the “losing the will to live” thing of the original version), because I don’t get at all, within the movie narrative, that she would leave one of her child to people she barely knows without even be part of the meeting to decide it. IMHO the Luke and Leia twin subplot is the weak link of the OT (it was never supposed to be that way back in 1980), the line about the mother is a very small issue compared to others that are raised with the fact that she survived giving birth. To rephrase I would say that I prefer an inconsistency between 2 films over an internal one. Moreover the funeral of Padmé is one of the very well executed scenes in the original cut (even the Jar Jar shot is not a problem). The Padmé surviving the fall of Anakin is the only thing I don’t agree with you in your edit of EPISODE III (plus the removal of the “energy field trap” but your edit of the scene is nevertheless good), I totally concur with the other choices. That being said, It won’t prevent me from watching your V4 anyway 😃

Post
#896421
Topic
Star Wars Episode I: Cloak Of Deception (Released)
Time

Ok, this new cut is very good. I still need to rewatch a few sequences to be sure about a few things, but for 2 key parts (the pod race - the music montage is clever - and the battle of Naboo) the improvement is stricking: Jar Jar is less annoying, Anakin saves the day purposely; i really like that. I personally would have kept the throne room action scene for continuity reasons. If I can find enough time i’ll try to produce french subtitles so more people can enjoy this cut.

edit: well, i’m not sure about the pod scene just before the betting. The scene itself is quite good and well edited, but the special effets are not finished. Maybe the opening shot on the kid ridding the thing (i don’t know the name) is to be removed. Otherwise it’s afair choice over the original “making podracer” scene. And the complete removal of the “blood sample test” scene is gold 😃