Mielr

User Group: Members
Join date: 15-Jun-2006
Last activity: 27-Dec-2024
Posts: 2,805

Post History

Post: #244697
Topic: First Impressions of the OOT ...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244697/action/topic#244697
Time: 15-Sep-2006 3:54 PM

Originally posted by: Gregatron
Well, I watched the "new" Star Wars DVD in its entirety yesterday.

There's an abrubt pause after Tarkin says, "Terminate her--immediately!". I believe that this was the disc-flipping/switching transition point for the laserdisc. For the DVD, the transtion (for what I presume is a DVD layer-switch now) has been pulled off rather clumsily.

Yes, that's the point of the layer change. There are some DVD players that imperceptibly switch layers- you may want to get one of those eventually. I'm definitely going to check one of those out for my next DVD player.

BTW- the layer change for ESB is the scene where Leia is looking out of the cockpit and sees the mynocks, and for ROTJ it's the point where Wicket enters the picture.

Post: #244693
Topic: OOT on HD DVD
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244693/action/topic#244693
Time: 15-Sep-2006 3:45 PM

Don't hold your breath.

Assume he won't, and then be pleasantly surprised if he does.

Post: #244574
Topic: Limited Edition Packaging Scans
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244574/action/topic#244574
Time: 15-Sep-2006 3:14 AM

You're not talking about the red Darth Vader head art, are you? That's Drew Struzan artwork that was done for the original 1983 teaser poster.

http://www.nyline.org/channels/2005/news/revotj.jpg

Post: #244555
Topic: First Impressions of the OOT ...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244555/action/topic#244555
Time: 15-Sep-2006 1:24 AM

I didn't get the Wal-Mart graphic novels, but I have the original comics, and I love that in the ESB book, the scene where Luke and Leia attempt a kiss before Threepio enters the room is in there.

(there's a snippet of that cut scene in one of the ESB trailers).

Post: #244552
Topic: Stormtrooper with 4 eyes ::( or Stormtrooper showing terrible IVTC/telecine artefacts
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244552/action/topic#244552
Time: 15-Sep-2006 1:10 AM

......and the Stormtrooper banging his head on the door, and the cameraman's reflection in Threepio's head.....those are the kinds of mistakes I don't mind seeing.

Post: #244548
Topic: First Impressions of the OOT ...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244548/action/topic#244548
Time: 15-Sep-2006 12:59 AM

Originally posted by: Gaffer Tape
I never saw any garbage mattes on this release except for a few barely visible ones in ROTJ. By contrast, I constantly saw garbage mattes in the '04 set. Go figure... Same with me! I thought that was very strange......

Originally posted by: Gaffer Tape
Who's sending the '04 discs back?! Somebody please answer this time!

Sorry! I saw you ask that before, and I forgot to answer. I decided to sell my '04 DVDs instead of sending them back. I'm going to keep the SE discs that came with the OOT discs.

I've also decided to sell some of my laserdiscs, but I probably won't get much $ for them. I was thinking about selling my 2 widescreen VHS sets too- but I like the boxes they came in.

Originally posted by: Darth_Evil

I don't think I could be happier right now. The individual DVD's have great packaging, the tin is wonderful, and the movies look better than I could have imagined. I don't care about Anamorphic. This is my definitive version of the movies.

Good! I'm so glad you're enjoying them!

I got the tin, too.

Post: #244506
Topic: And on the 8th day, God created socks that wont stay up, mosquitos, Taco Bell, and Letterboxed DVD's. It was not good.
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244506/action/topic#244506
Time: 14-Sep-2006 11:35 PM

I couldn't agree with the above statement more.

Post: #244499
Topic: First Impressions of the OOT ...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244499/action/topic#244499
Time: 14-Sep-2006 11:30 PM

I saw very little dirt on the DVDs, and what dirt I did see was identical to the LDs. There were a couple of scenes in SW where the dirt was obvious (like the training scene on the MF, when Luke gets hit in the ass) but hardly any on ESB or Jedi.

Post: #244492
Topic: Limited Edition Packaging Scans
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244492/action/topic#244492
Time: 14-Sep-2006 11:25 PM

I think the covers of the '06 discs are much nicer than the '04 discs.

Post: #244471
Topic: First Impressions of the OOT ...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244471/action/topic#244471
Time: 14-Sep-2006 10:37 PM

Originally posted by: boris

Originally posted by: umdesch4
Well, I've watched the so-called OUT from the new DVD on my reasonable DLP projection setup. The bottom line was that I had fun watching it, but there's one thing that bothered me.

If you're going to call it 'Original', doesn't it need to have those blue matte boxes around the ships, and all the other artifacts that I remember so well from seeing in the theatre when I was a kid? Hell, it was those blue boxes that first got me interested in how movie special effects are made. It was charming in the way that seeing the monster's zipper in an old horror film is charming.

WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!!!!!

They're still there, but not as obvious as they may have been on some cinema screens in '77.

Actually, I don't think the garbage mattes were very obvious at all in the original theatrical prints. I think they're much more noticeable in all of the home video incarnations (except for these DVDs, for some inexplicable reason....)

Post: #244469
Topic: Limited Edition Packaging Scans
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244469/action/topic#244469
Time: 14-Sep-2006 10:27 PM

I really love the painting on the SW bonus disc. I've never seen it before- does anyone know where it originally came from (or what it was used for?)

Post: #244468
Topic: Stormtrooper with 4 eyes ::( or Stormtrooper showing terrible IVTC/telecine artefacts
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244468/action/topic#244468
Time: 14-Sep-2006 10:24 PM

Originally posted by: Karyudo

Originally posted by: Mielr
I've watched the new SW DVD (NTSC) and I didn't see any evidence of that.

Evidence of what?

The multiple stormtrooper eyes, which I believe was the original subject of this thread.
Originally posted by: Zion
It's there, you just have to use slo-mo if you can't catch it in regular motion. As someone who's gone through the whole film shot by shot and frame by frame, I can tell you that there are hundreds of shots that have the same problems. They all stem from the 1993 THX DVNR process that cleaned up the dirt. Interesting side effect, isn't it?

I didn't watch the movie in slo-mo, I didn't watch it frame-by-frame, I just watched it, and enjoyed it. I think you'll find that there are a lot of flaws you'll thankfully miss that way. Personally, I think that whatever flaws that are evident are less objectionable than the flaws in the 2004 DVDs (Greedo shooting first comes to mind....)

Post: #244387
Topic: First Impressions of the OOT ...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244387/action/topic#244387
Time: 14-Sep-2006 6:46 PM

Originally posted by: Darth_Evil
Mielr, I have to say thanks for you little reviews. They're short and sweet, containing everything I want to know. You've really helped in my decision to get these. I'm an extremely careful buyer, and I read lots of reviews before jumping in to buy anything, and yours are very helpful, in just saying what the picture and sound is like. I really don't like it when people go into the specifics of pixel size, tiny sound problems and other technical junk that most people can't understand.

BTW, I notice lots of Matte lines on my Return of the Jedi laserdisc bootleg. Is this still present? It was during the final battle against the death star with Lando in the falcon.
And what's the disc art like for disc two? Does it say bonus material or just "original theatrical version."

You're very welcome!

I've seen a lot of the screencaps- and they don't represent what the DVDs really look like. It's easy to over-analyze screencaps and pick out every flaw, but 99% of that stuff won't be noticeable while the film is actually moving.

The matte lines for Jedi don't seem to be quite as noticeable on the DVD (compared to the laserdisc) for some reason (talking about the Rancor scene, specifically).

Also, I didn't notice garbage mattes on ANY of the 3 films. That may have a lot to do with how the picture/brightness settings are on my TV.

Originally posted by: umdesch4

If you're going to call it 'Original', doesn't it need to have those blue matte boxes around the ships, and all the other artifacts that I remember so well from seeing in the theatre when I was a kid? Hell, it was those blue boxes that first got me interested in how movie special effects are made. It was charming in the way that seeing the monster's zipper in an old horror film is charming.

So my question is...what is the best option available (in bootlegs or wherever) if I want to see that again?

LOL! Yeah, I didn't see garbage mattes either. Try the VHS editions.....

Originally posted by: THX
Bottom line is they are the best home video version of the OUT available. They are not perfect, but they are the best way to enjoy SW at home (unless you own a print and projector).

Well said (and prints break and wear out much more easily).

Originally posted by: ESHBG
Mielr, I second Darth_Evil's comments! As you probably know from my many posts, I keep going back and forth with this release. But thanks to your reviews, I am seriously considering getting them now...

...and then never making another SW purchase again.

Thanks!

I won't be buying the anniversary set either.

Post: #244378
Topic: DVD WRITING CAMPAIGN - WEEK TWO - "Sound & Vision" Magazine
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244378/action/topic#244378
Time: 14-Sep-2006 6:31 PM

Originally posted by: darkhelmet

Mielr, so are the DVDs really cool enough to consider buying? What would you say on a scale of 1 to 10?

Yes, they are worth buying.

I can't really rate them on a scale of 1-10, because I have to take into consideration that I have a 20" 4:3 TV. All I can say it that they look a LOT better than the DC/Faces laserdiscs. On my little TV, they look nearly indistinguishable from the 2004 DVDs (in terms of clarity, etc.)

There are pros and cons to both- the OOT films have more grain due to all of the original FX optical printing & compositing, while the SE prints were all digitally re-composited in 1997. But, the colors of the OOT discs are more natural and truer to the original films, so no 'blue' tint.

There's more dirt on the OOT prints (especially SW), but I don't consider film grain and dirt to be flaws of the transfers, because even if GL did what we wanted and made new anamorphic transfers using the best OOT prints existing, the film grain (and probably some dirt) would still be there.

The only way to eliminate most of the grain and dirt from the OOT is for them to digitally re-composite all of the FX shots from the OOT, OR combine the un-altered SE shots with the OOT shots that were cut out/altered for the SEs, but we all know that is NEVER going to happen.

I was always relatively happy with the laserdiscs, although there was some color smearing and the skintones looked reddish, but those problems seem to be gone on the DVDs, and the DVDs are significantly sharper, clearer and more detailed.

That's the best I can do- I wouldn't tell you they looked good if I didn't think they did. If you have a larger TV, you may want to rent them first to see if they look better to you, but I honestly don't see how anyone wouldn't see at least a slight improvement over the LDs (or any of the fan edits made from the laserdiscs) and I think they're worth buying based on that alone. Also, considering the fragile nature of laserdiscs and laserdisc players (and even DVD-Rs), the fact that you don't have to change discs, and the fact that the DVDs should also look better on a progressive-scan TV, since LDs are interlaced.

Post: #244339
Topic: First Impressions of the OOT ...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244339/action/topic#244339
Time: 14-Sep-2006 5:38 PM

Originally posted by: Commander-Dan

Originally posted by: Mielr

There are some DVD players that exist (Panasonic makes one) that have an 'aspect ratio' control, that allows you to zoom in on the picture, and also allow the subtitles to be seen on the screen, without being cut off.

Right. I can do this manually on my Malata by panning the picture.

So, you can move the image up on the screen? That's a handy feature.

Post: #244335
Topic: Try to take it easy with the Lucas bashing.
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244335/action/topic#244335
Time: 14-Sep-2006 5:30 PM

I was also 9 years old when ESB came out. I remember my teacher talking to the class about something, and she somehow got onto the subject of Star Wars. She asked who in the class had seen either of the Star Wars films. EVERYONE EXCEPT ME raised their hand (how ironic is THAT?!). I was moritfied. I remember one boy in my cluster (we had our desks arranged in groups) looked at me in shock and said "you haven't seen Star Wars?!" I remember the Star Wars films were THE biggest thing among kids my age back then (this was in Las Vegas, Nevada, BTW, where I was born and raised).

I saw Star Wars and ESB 2 years later during their 1982 re-releases.

Post: #244330
Topic: Stormtrooper with 4 eyes ::( or Stormtrooper showing terrible IVTC/telecine artefacts
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244330/action/topic#244330
Time: 14-Sep-2006 5:20 PM

I've watched the new SW DVD (NTSC) and I didn't see any evidence of that.

Post: #244325
Topic: Vader on 1977 Saturday Morning preview
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244325/action/topic#244325
Time: 14-Sep-2006 5:11 PM

Originally posted by: SKot

Anybody seen the Darth Vader Midnight Special appearance with Wolfman Jack? That's another forgotten rarity.

--SKot That's cool! They just released a bunch of Midnight Specials on DVD- I wonder if it's on any of those???
Originally posted by: Teej
Does anyone else remember Darth Vader's appearance on the 'Wacko Saturday Morning Preview and Other Good Stuff Special' back in the fall of '77?

I can't remember too much of it now (I was 6), I remember Vader shouting "Wacko!" (followed by a deep breath). He had a few other lines, but he seemed to just stand around & talk most of the show, not too much "force" action. And I remember a commercial for the special referring to "Darth 'Star Wars' Vader". This was a big deal in the days before sequels,prequels, Holiday Special, etc. Soupy Sales (with Whitefang & Blacktooth) was the best thing about the special.

I don't remember seeing it, but I probably did see it. I never missed a Saturday morning kid's show back then....especially one with Soupy Sales!!! LOL!

Post: #244319
Topic: First Impressions of the OOT ...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/244319/action/topic#244319
Time: 14-Sep-2006 5:06 PM

Well, I watched ROTJ last night, and here's what I thought:

Jedi probably has the best picture of all three of the films. Very little film grain, and wonderful detail and sharpness. The colors are much better than the laserdisc (vibrant, without looking 'smeary'), the skin tones especially look fantastic- much more natural and much less 'ruddy' than the laserdisc version. The sound was also excellent, like the laserdisc. At times, I forgot I was watching the '83 version and was so happy when the 'lapti nek' scene came on, and the original ending.

Overall, I am very happy with these new DVDs. Of course, I would prefer an anamorphic release in the future, which I will gladly buy if it ever comes out, but until that day (if it ever comes), these are the definitive releases of the OOT, and I'm thrilled to pieces to have them.

For those of you who haven't decided whether or not to buy- I think you should seriously consider buying them before they go out of print.

Originally posted by: Commander-Dan
Also as previously reported, the subtitles (when Greedo speaks) are cut off at the bottom on a widescreen TV when one zooms the picture to frame it correctly.

There are some DVD players that exist (Panasonic makes one) that have an 'aspect ratio' control, that allows you to zoom in on the picture, and also allow the subtitles to be seen on the screen, without being cut off.

Post: #243879
Topic: First Impressions of the OOT ...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/243879/action/topic#243879
Time: 13-Sep-2006 8:55 PM

I don't think they should have banned you, but I gotta disagree with you about Lucas. His is more of a de-evolution than an evolution. I don't think he deserves to be praised, either.

Post: #243875
Topic: Am I turning to the darkside?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/243875/action/topic#243875
Time: 13-Sep-2006 8:41 PM

It's really easy to get caught up in all that and forget to watch the movie. That's why I resisted the urge to get out my laserdiscs last night and do comparisons. I just put the movie in, sat down and watched. It was great.

Originally posted by: Gaffer Tape

Originally posted by: Mielr
I actually felt like I was turning to the dark side last night when I watched the new DVDs of SW and ESB and....actually enjoyed them! I enjoyed them so much, in fact, that in a moment of weakness, I thought I'd write George a 'thank you' note for releasing the OOT on DVD.....someone......stop........me!!!!!!!

Hey, I've been enjoying them, but I still have no desire to thank him for this.

Don't worry, he's not getting a thank-you note from me.

Post: #243830
Topic: DVD WRITING CAMPAIGN - WEEK TWO - "Sound & Vision" Magazine
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/243830/action/topic#243830
Time: 13-Sep-2006 7:07 PM

Thanks for your support, fedtho. We kind of decided to end the writing campaign, due to lack of interest. That doesn't mean that somebody else can't do it (please feel free!) I just kind of got discouraged by the less-than-stellar support, and decided to punk out.

I always planned to buy the DVDs, because I think it's sort of like casting a vote for the OOT. To my very pleasant surprise, the SW and ESB DVDs look quite good. I'll watch Jedi tonite.

Has it really been that long since you've seen the movies?

I envy you! You should buy and enjoy the DVDs- it will be like rediscovering them.

Post: #243825
Topic: Am I turning to the darkside?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/243825/action/topic#243825
Time: 13-Sep-2006 6:59 PM

Originally posted by: casualimp
Here's some catnip instead. RUN!

Post: #243821
Topic: SW.com: "First and ONLY TIme"
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/243821/action/topic#243821
Time: 13-Sep-2006 6:55 PM

Originally posted by: Mike O
Alas, this is proably correct. My optimism is waning. You know, I ask so little in life

Mike, have you seen the new DVDs yet? They're really quite good, IMO. You should cheer up!

Post: #243819
Topic: First Impressions of the OOT ...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/243819/action/topic#243819
Time: 13-Sep-2006 6:47 PM

Originally posted by: juicerino
anyone else have the captions not come up on jabba's dialogue in rotj?

it might be a defect, but they just didnt come on, even when i turned them on.
it was actually my friend who noticed it. i realized i was just following along becuase ive seen it hundreds of time. lol.
That happened to me with the SW SE disc- just screw around with the caption setting a bit and they should come on eventually.

Originally posted by: casualimp
Yes, and the foot in the door has GOUT. Sorry, couldn't resist. I watched both versions; GOUT last night and watched the SE with comentary on.

Ok, what does the "G" stand for?!