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Obi-wonton

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Join date
16-Jul-2004
Last activity
14-Jan-2006
Posts
453

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Post
#127398
Topic
Magnoliafag and Dickter
Time
WTF??? Rikter is getting attacked. The guy has sent me so many things free of charge and has become a good friend. He's sucked up so many costs put in soooo much of his free time and loves star wars. He's given Lucas lots of money, we all have. Movies, official DVD's, paraphenelia, etc. I think its hilarious to accuse him of trying to make a buck off this stuff. Thank God, he has a passion for Star Wars, and thank him personally that he is helping to expand Lucas' fanbase and ultimate dollar return. Most of stuff he'll torrent is stuff that has not or ever been released (holiday special or kenner commercials) or is just broadcasts such as empire of dreams. Do you honestly think this is hurting LFL? I have grown to truly respect how selfless and generous Rikter is and enjoy speaking to him on a number of occasions...he is a great guy, a good father and a pssionate Star Wars fan.

Further, with MagFan, again passionate...these edits are simply another vision and I would bet that nearly 100% of the people that have these edits have the official release which have crystal clear picture, digital 5.1 surround and all the extras. As fans, we enjoy another vision, its fun, and its a fan film. Whihc should be encouraged. Again, do you know how much money he has paid out and time put in to do this? He's not making money from it. Again, Magfan when he first made BOTF sent me a free copy (paid for the DVD-r and shipping)...to me, some guy, another fan in NC. Now other may be profiting from his work, but people sell Troops, Pink-5, and other fan films too.

I find it ironic that Rikter and Magfan would get attacked when for the reasons above they represent everything that is right about Star Wars fans...passionate about the material, creative, knowledgeable, and generous. They are both also very respectful. Neither one would open a thread and attack someone with highly immature dergogatory names, purely to flame and get attention.

I do find it sad that that's ultimately what this is about. A sad, sad person that desperately needs attention, having nothing positive to offer...he gives us flaming.

Seriously, I'd vouch for these guys and their character. A simple thank you from everything that's benefitted or enjoyed their work over the years would be nice. I feel ashamed that someone would attack them. It disgusts me when they have given ALL of us SO much and as I said help build, not tear down Lucas' empire.

All I can say is Rikter I love ya and you got a room if you want one at Dragon-con. Magfan, you're brilliant and I've enjoyed your alternate vision. Lastly, to the coward that has offered this world immature flaming, go back and think about your empty words...you'll get no shelter here.
Post
#126352
Topic
Star Wars TV Update
Time
Star Wars TV update...this is an article from IGN.com, add this to your growing list of disappointments.



July 28, 2005 - If a producer announced a new television series in 2005, you'd expect to see progress on it by 2006, or '07 at the latest, right? Unfortunately, not so with the two Star Wars television series that fans have been promised.



According to Can Mag, at least one of the two shows, the much-anticipated live action series, won't go into production until at least 2008. It seems that George Lucas intends to do much of the writing and directing work himself, but his calendar is full for the next few years with the planned 3-D versions of the Star Wars movies as well as the long-awaited new Indiana Jones movie. After that, he'll start working on the new live-action Star Wars television.

At this point, it looks like it will be another three or four years before we find out what Lucas's vision of the post-prequel era is. This delay may or may not apply to the computer-animated series that deals with the Clone Wars. Perhaps if that comes out in the next two years, it will keep the fans happy.

Keep your browser set to IGN FilmForce for the latest on the Star Wars TV series and other news from a galaxy far, far away.
Post
#122876
Topic
THX Ultimate Demo Disc
Time
I agree that DVD sucked, I own it and it is shameful, but as you said it was at the beginning of DVD releases and who knows. I think the THX ultra2 certification is a gold standard though. Onkyo, Marantz, Pioneer Elite...those are some the top names in the game. That onkyo was referred to, in 3 different reviews I've read, as the best sounding ever used...and it was ultra2 certified. While many things now are "THX"... having some certification is better than not and knowing there is levels of certification helps as to the quality of the wiring, equipments, etc. you are buying.
Post
#122829
Topic
THX Ultimate Demo Disc
Time
I am pretty sure Best Buy has no Ultra2 receiver, you're talking several thousands...more in line with Crutchfield, Tweeter, HH Gregg. Nope, I actually just looked it up there most expensive receiver around $800 yamaha/pioneer both THX select. Ultra2 you're talking Denon, Pioneer Elite, Marantz, Onkyo (which for reasons stated earlier is without a doubt the best way to go), etc. Cheapest I could find an Ultra 2 receiver is $2400 and it has no HDMI inputs or outputs. If you want the highest rated, best reviewed receiver that is upgradeable go with this : Onkyo TX-NR1000 But it will cost you about $5000. Supposedly later this year Onkyo will come out with a cheaper version, only 2500-3000 dollars , that will have 7.1, HDMI switching and the hot swappable input/output cards on back of the receiver...truly future proof.
Post
#122801
Topic
THX Ultimate Demo Disc
Time
I'm with Rik here, there are gradations and there have been developments in technology to allow higher and higher standards. A budget audiophile will love THX certifited and and that is assurance that it will sound great and be in your price range. But its not hype to take things to higher standard for big-budget audiophiles and it costs exponentially more money to improve something beyond those points technologically, extreme care in cabling, wiring, connections, heat, etc. It is as Rik said a level of quality assurace. THX Ultra 2 is nothing to be angry at it a professional level standard or a very high-end audiophile. Liking music, movies and having good sound and some clarity and 5.1 with bass is most people, they'll recognize a good system like a Bose (overpriced) for example. A trained ear, using expensive equipment and using source material like SACD or DTS-Audio, or DTS-ES 6.1 DVDs is going to notice the most. For example most people notice the difference between an MP3 encoded at 128 or 196...320 is supposedly the holy grail of CD quality, audiophiles have a service like Rhapsody or Npaster (can't remember the name) where the files are sourced from digital masters at an encoding rate of 7k to 10k. If you don't have the equipment, the wiring, the positioning, the source material, and a trained ear you probably won't notice a difference. It's like wine tasters vs. average wine drinking population, most of which know good wine.

Personally I think its great to have this certification, it gives a standard that doesn't allow a good system to go bad for movie theaters. That Camelot theater that has the Christie Digital Projector I saw ROTS and War of the Worlds on looked great and sounded incredible as it was THX certified sound. The sound blew away the other times I saw these movies in regular theatres and quite frankly blew away batman begins even at IMAX.
Post
#122562
Topic
"Oh, Thank the Maker!"
Time
I was watching Discovery HD the Science of Star Wars and C3PO and R2D2 were the hosts. They talked about master Anakin becoming more machine than man as Darth Vader. He then stated that he was the one that built me. Later in the show he said the "oh, thank the maker!" quote again. Granted this is not the movies, but I thought it was funny given this thread and the timing of the show, that in this show apparently a mind wipe wasn't a factor. He knew vader was his maker and what anakin had become and still called him master anakin. He even said there is always some of your maker in you (the robot). Which I thought was kind of dark comment given what anakin became. C3PO as vader's henchman hmmmm............
Post
#122166
Topic
THX Ultimate Demo Disc
Time
Darth Simon, a 10.2 setup is simply 2 x 5.1 and not 10 channels and the sub. It's putting each discrete data for a channel to 2 speakers each, including 2 subs. This is not necessary, a huge waste of power and the effect is probably disasterous if your an audiophile, cool if your a techie maybe. If you want that room filling sound get those omnipositional speakers that are high-end and not just twice as many speakers...again, twice the wiring, twice the wattage and God knows the result of how you are positioning these things. What's the point of discrete channels. Anyway, yes, the key to a system first is the receiver. As Rikter and I have mentioned things progress, evolve and there is different options (DD, DTS, 2.0 stereo, pro logic, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1). Rikter mentioned THX which is pretty good to get a THX certified receiver...it passes criteria namely low THD (total harmonic distortion) and measures of power, clarity and separation. THX Ultra 2, as Rik mentioned is whole other level and is the audiophile's goal for a home theater setup. This costs $$$. thousands. Depending on what you can afford I would give you different advice. Onkyo has really incredible receivers and this is a huge step, swapable cards in the back for software, connections, etc. Basically its future-proof. That's big. Think about Component was the big thing 4-5 years ago, DVI and optical 2 years ago, and now HDMI (which PS3 will sport 2 of to do side by side 16:9 for 32:9 aspect...sick) is all the rage as it does digital picture and sound in one clean connection. Guess what most recievers that have HDMI at the moment are typically 2000+ dollar (and thats the low end). A cheaper system (in terms of price) can still sound great, but it needs to be wired right, set up right (programming) and the speakers need to be positioned right, oh and wiring is huge and often overlooked. This is where a guy like Rik, can tell you some funny stories of incredible systems that sounded and looked like crap because those things weren't done right. As far as DVD players the rage right now is something again with HDMI and is upconverting (to 1080i). HD-DVD is coming this Christmas with nearly 100 titles, X-Box360 is still guessing of whether to go with it or not as they are coming out late fall and its a huge gamble at this point in the game. Blu-ray is the other format (and in my mind as well as Rik's the better one) that sony has and is coming in spring along with the PS3. No one knows who'll wins, early adopters will pay big bucks for dual format players. Personally I will get the ps3 and have one (with HDMI, DVI, bluetooth, etc). As far as resolution 1080 is king for HD, but 1080P (progressive) is hitting and a number of screens Aquos, Apple's Cinema Display are supporting 2k or 3k resolutions. Many of the company's filming now are doing 2k or 4k stuff that's giving them room for the future. Many hollywood types are pushing for 4k in the coming years. Even more disgusting than that they have digital projectors that support 8k resolution that I can not even fathom. Sony showed a version of spiderman 2 in hollywood this way with many terabyte files...again can't even imagine what it looks like. So if you want cheap, do that I can give some advice. If you want expensive futureproof as best as you can.

This was a long explanation, but hope it helps. Rik can give lots of advice on the installation and execution, he's an expert/professional.
Post
#122095
Topic
THX Ultimate Demo Disc
Time
Yeah 7.1 is cool and soundlbaster cards support it and there is the creative speakers (same company) that have the 7 satelites and the sub, but configuration for the 6.1 makes more sense to the audiophile. Having a rear center, front center and four surrounds (front left,right and rear left right) is what most audiophiles set up. While you can have infinite speakers at some point there is diminishing returns, you have to differentiate data to the separates and that more wire, more power to each speaker at some point it gets crazy (unless your doing wireless and clear no audiophile does that). Mostly 7.1 is just upmixing a 6.1 or 5.1 soundtrack which you are really relying on a program to interpate the data in a certain way and the positioning of the speakers is not the same as a 6.1. To some degree more is better, but with most I talk to in the high-end audio field they really don't care for 7.1...that said they all love the 6.1 DTS soundtracks to show off a system. I heard a system last week in Tweeter for a 6.1 setup... sick. Anyway there are no 7.1 DVD's I know of (few 6.1)and same goes for dvd-audio and SACD. Anyway this is a lengthy answer, but I think the key for future of audio is better sourcing, higher bit-rates and software, decoding along with the multipositional speakers to give a true enveloping sound and less of a dilineated positional sound that is not reflective of real life of real audio (e.g. a concert experience). All that said, who knows.

Of course, Rikter, is a resident expert on audio/video systems, all things techie, and I agree Rikter Blu-Ray is the future. And even you may end up getting the PS3
Post
#121834
Topic
Info: MagnoliaFan on MF.com
Time
So magfan, do you put any stock in the idea of midichlorians post-ROTS? I know the idea of midichlorian and the virgin birth was despised by most and still may be, but the conversation with Palpatine and Anakin is interesting at the opera. It makes you think that possibly she was the vessel to bring for the savior for the light side or the dark side. A christ/anti-christ. If Plagueis could control life and there manipulate midichlorians...could he have created Anakin through the virgin Shmi, and had him be a slave, With Sidious understanding this let his mother be killed and pushed Anakin along a path to have him become a dark and powerful savior, more power than grievous or dooku. It's interesting.
Post
#121803
Topic
Star Wars Ewok Adventures - double feature DVD (2004) - official release
Time
I remember watching those back in the 80s on TV and being fairly fond of them. I tried to watch them recently and thought it was so horrendous I couldn't finish either of them. Since it was made for TV the aspect ratio would be 4:3 or essentially 1.33:1, so there is no 16:9 (1.85:1 or 1.78:1 Widescreen TV) or cinematic widescreen (2.35:1).
Post
#121801
Topic
"Oh, Thank the Maker!"
Time
I was listening to my Limited Edition NPR Trilogy recordings on the way to work today. And in the scene from Empire Strikes Back where Han is frozen in carbonite and Lando confirms he survived the process. C3PO says, "Oh, Thank the Maker!" after hearing Han did survive. I think this is the same as the movie. But this is odd if you think about it now. Anakin/Darth Vader standing there, actually BEING C3p0's "maker". Unless you think the droid is refering to something spritual...meaning a God-like force and not the force referenced to in the movie. I assume he is talking of his own "maker"...being young Anakin (in the ATOC novel Shmi puts the metal on top and finishes c3po). I just thought it was weird, I wonder with what we know now if Vader would've been chuckling himself after c3po said that. Very odd.
Post
#121800
Topic
Who are your 10 favorite and least favorite characters from all six SW films?
Time
Boba Fett and Darth Maul both have very few lines but are huge favorites. You have to admit, Ric Olie's dialogue is so atrocious it is gag-inducing even if it is only a few lines. And some characters are so cartoony and silly it is distracting to me. But a prime example of a cool character that didn't have much screen time is the one you have for your icon.
Post
#121576
Topic
THX Ultimate Demo Disc
Time
I wish. I am huge DTS (especially the ES 6.1 if you've got the equimpent) fan. It is a DD EX soundtrack, which is the best Dolby Digital has to offer, but I think the much higher bit rate and the fact that in the US there isn't as many DTS supporters as abroad left DTS out. I got the Donnie Darko Director's Cut and the R2 version has DTS, while we get DD. In Asia they are fanatical about DTS soundtracks and use them much more than here. Maybe when we jump to the next format with HD-DVD and Blu-Ray, we'll see more liberal use of higher bitrate audio (especially when mixing an additional channel for the 6.1), but right now you may sacrifice your video quality (movies like Brotherhood of the Wolf had to do some compression with the addition of the DTS). Also think about how much room those animated menus take up on the 2004 Box Set, very significant amount of space. Ultimately though I believe THX is tied in tightly to DD and probably will never go DTS. Which is sad. I feel it is superior to the best DD has to offer and many other audiophiles agree. Where did you get the aforementioned disc though I'd love to hear the two tracks played against each other (one with the DD EX and one with DTS).
Post
#121569
Topic
Info: MagnoliaFan on MF.com
Time
I don't think posting this thread here is "safe" its more like its my HOME. Its the place I like to talk star wars. I visit some other sites sometimes and look at some threads, but I post nowhere else. And yeah Mags is somewhat of a celebrity here, but more improtantly he's part of the OT.com family. I like this site. I choose to not post thoughts on MF.com after reading that thread not because of I am scared of their reaction or can't take criticism. I just don't feel interested to waste my time typing words to close minded people that are tearing someone's work down blindly. I get no personal growth, wisdom nor entertainment value out of that. I like that for the most part people don't tear each other down here. You don't get thread hijackers as much here. Maybe I do like it because its safe here. And that's why it feels like a home for me me to post all my thoughts and questions related to Star Wars. I would have never became friends with Rikter, I would have never seen Mag's Edits, or any of the stuff Rikter has sent me over the last year without this site. I have enjoyed most of my time here. While I find things of interest on other sites, I never feel compelled to contribute to them.

OT.com, I am biased, I like it here.

Edit: Oh and Bizzle...who's kind of going at me a bit in this thread...well, he's actually a cool guy and is hooking me up with some things and sending them off generously, again a cool benefit of being on this site.
Post
#121315
Topic
Info: MagnoliaFan on MF.com
Time
"Just like me, they long to be close to you..."

Well, I love Lucas' work, just frustrated at some missed potential or places it fell short to me. If I was alone I'd come to grips with that, but many people (like on this board) feel this way, especially with the PT. I don't feel like I would ever ignore Star Wars due to some frustration and because precedence was set so high with the OT (which still has some flaws to me - e.g. ewoks) the PT will be loved and hated simulataneously often by the same person. We will watch it. I love the idea of MagFan doing edits and tinkering and I don't understand the hate. I like to see fan art, fan audio, fan fiction and fan films of Star Wars too. I am happy that there are continuous creative efforts like MagFan's and I admire his work and enjoy the entertainment value of it. I think the point is if you find nothing of value from something, nothing redeemable and worse still won't bother to even give it a chance before criticizing it then leave it alone or view it with an open mind and then make a decision.

I guess I started this thread, because MagFan's home is here and so many people here appreciate what he's done. To find people ripping him and his work down there, again, giving him NO CREDIT and his work NO REDEEMABLE VALUE that's frustrating. People here have criticized decisions he's made in his films, but you can never please everyone. I'd do some things different than Magfan did, but I respect him and Lucas. And I'll say thanks you to both if ever given a chance and I'd give them honest criticisms too. That's what having an open, thinking mind is. But there's always room for respect. People that just hate, I don't have time for they thrive off of tearing things and people down and want everyone to be miserable like them.
Post
#121270
Topic
Who are your 10 favorite and least favorite characters from all six SW films?
Time
best...

1. DARTH MAUL
2. DARTH VADER
3. HOTH TROOPERS
4. BOBA FETT (OT)
5. STORM TROOPERS
6. SCOUT TROOPERS
7. RED IMPERIAL GUARDS
8. VADER'S 2 IMPERIAL PILOTS FROM ANH (BLACK ARMOR AND MASK)
9. JANGO FETT (ONLY WITH HIS HELMET ON AND NOT SPEAKING)
10. Tusken Raiders
11. CLONE TROOPERS

Grievous would be on here if he never spoke with that voice or coughed, especially if it was darth maul incarnate

I really like the bad guys and armor, so hey.

2nd best of the human characters
1. Han Solo
2. Obi-Wan (OT)
3. Luke
4. Leia (slave girl, kick ass save Han bounty hunter, and white princess in that order)
5. Padme
6. Qui-Gonn
7. Obi-Wan (PT)
8. Biggs Darklighter (put 'em back in!!!)
9. Wedge Antilles
10. Palpatine (too over the top as the emperor, but more intriguing as Palps)
His two people with him were cool too, the Blue devil guy and the bald freaky girl.

Aunt Beru and Shmi get honorable mentions for being cool mom types.


Worst... in no important order...

Well Jar-Jar is first, but then Gungans, Ewoks, Neimodians, Dex (are you serious - how stereotypical is this one - A diner owner), the Librarian B#$ch Lady, the droids working on Padme while she's dying of a broken heart, the pod-race fix-it droids, salicious crumb, green pig palace guards (ROTJ), Porkins, 2 headed pod race announcer, Sebulba and all the other silly, cartoony podracers, Boss Nass with that thing where he shakes his head back and forth, Watto (the dirty italian voice OMG), All the Jedi Rocks characters, Mace Windu (I like Samuel L. Jackson, but his acting, the name the character was just plain lame), Dooku (it really is a stupid name), Fat Rancor Keeper, the blue elephant playing the keyboards, C3PO (he's always been like Tony Randall of the Odd Couple with anal retentive Hijinks that I never find funny), R2D2 (only the PT r2 with the Rocket boosters - especially in that scene from ATOC where he's flying around), Death Sticks Guy, Cow things that anakin rides, Young Anakin when he speaks, teen anakin when he whines, Rik Ollie - "that little droid did it" pilot dude from TPM...worst actor ever, BOBA FETT AS A KID (HEHEHEHEH), KITSTER (DO I NEED TO SAY ANYTHING), greedo (somewhat bad as a character in ANH, retarded as a kid greedo in TPM), CG Jabba, General Grievous (he was cool until he did the coughing and again had a really cheesy cartoony voice). Uncle Own (just cuz he's a dick - did anyone feel bad when he died??). Roger Roger droids (Roger Rabbit droids more like -so useless to plot, tension, anything). Oh and Ki Adi of the Jedi Council - is that a big penis on his head?

So basically, I hate the corny cartoony characters; the fat, stereotypical characters, and things that take something so cool and make it into the muppets meets the smurfs with the dialog of an afterschool special.
Post
#120790
Topic
Am I the only one who thinks the CGI effects look fake?
Time
I agree with the CG...it has taken a big step towards improvement in ROTS, but TPM and ATOC it looks like Roger Rabbit. Live action actors over blue/Green screens showing a cartoony background. Natalie Portman said nearly all the scenes they did were that way and it was very frustrating as an actor (maybe part of the reason the acting seems stilted). The cartooniness pulls me out of the movie. What's sad is that 20-30 years ago it looked more convincing and "real" with models than it does now. Further still I don't dislike CG, I love Blood: The Last Vampire, Appleseed, Final Fantasy: Spirits Within and I am psyched about Final Fantasy: Advent Children and Sky Blue coming out on DVD. Have it one way or the other. Live actors over a cartoony background looks so fake. CG should be a tool to HELP a movie like in LOTR, not BE the movie. Oh well, what do I know...he's a billionaire and I am not...so be it.
Post
#120584
Topic
Info: MagnoliaFan on MF.com
Time

MF.com thread on Magnolia’s edits

What is the deal with all the haters. I thought MF.com was different and not like the brainwashed gushers over on TFN. I mean the hate in this thread for the work Magnolia did is rediculous. The stupidest part is every going on and on about it being wrong and illegal. Like everyone here hasn’t seen the movie in the theater, own the official copy on DVD and probably given Lucas a great deal of our money in our lifetime. Why is watching a fan edit, so evil? This seems like the only web site where this is not villianized and actually appreciated. Most of us here love Lucas’ work as a whole, but nearly no one here doesn’t see it as flawed. Why do people have to be such haters, I don’t get it. If it isn’t your thing, if you don’t agree with it, why post or peruse or whatever.

The greatest irony is the homepage of MF is the rips of ROTS available, WTF???

Post
#119606
Topic
Clones
Time
Does anyone think its odd that there is a Merrick Biotech ad for cloning on this site. I wonder if its random or if google comes on multiple Attack of the Clones, Clone Wars, clone army references and puts that there. I just thought that was bizarre. Although as I writing this there is a Mail Chimp ad staring me in the face that looks like curious george, so maybe it's random. There is something sinister about that site that feels like the Evil Empire to me (the Merrick one I mean not the monkey)...too many movies I guess.

Merrick Biotech Home Page