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User Group: Members
Join date: 10-Jun-2004
Last activity: 18-Dec-2017
Posts: 612

Post History

Post: #62393
Topic: What did we all expect from the Prequel Trilogy?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/62393/action/topic#62393
Time: 3-Sep-2004 6:43 AM

What Klingon_Jedi just said reaffirms my belief. His idea in that one paragraph was more sensible, logical, and especially showed more imagination than what I've seen the in either prequel. I'm really not an arm-chair quarterback, and by all means, feel free to jump all over me. But I believe, given the the budget, source material, resources, and acting talent, that I, or anyone else here (save maybe Jimbo - j/k) could have done a better job than Lucas with the prequels. Commence flaming.

Post: #62348
Topic: What did we all expect from the Prequel Trilogy?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/62348/action/topic#62348
Time: 2-Sep-2004 6:50 PM

I guess I would say that I had pretty high expectations. These stemmed from the greatness of the OT, and more importantly from the teaser trailer for TPM. I remember the first night we downloaded it, we must have watched it 100 times. I remember guaranteeing the other dudes I was with that if it didn't beat Titanic's box office, I'd eat my keyboard. And well, then TPM came out, and was, you know... I didn't, however, consider it a total failure. Then the DVD came out, and I really fell in love with it (even though I still thought it was crappy).

Then came AOTC. I was willing to give the PT another shot, especially since everyone was shouting about how "George is going eliminate the things he did wrong in TPM". Well, to quote Jeff Goldblum, "he didn't make the same mistakes, he made all new ones". I can't describe it any other way. AOTC was so horrifying that I'm not even remotely interested in Episode III.

Anyway, the bottom line with me is that I expected more. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I honestly believe that given the budget ($100+ million), resources (ILM, THX, ect), acting talent (Samuel Jackson, Ewen McGregor, ect) and especially the source material, the prequels couldn't possibly be worse. There are too many flaws and mistakes to point out one by one, but I think I can cover them in one general complaint, and that is my belief that George Lucas wasn't interested in making the best films possible. I expected more, George.

Post: #62052
Topic: So whats better? Phantom or Clones?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/62052/action/topic#62052
Time: 31-Aug-2004 7:52 AM

I'm not much of a fan of the prequels in general, but I'd have to say I definitely prefer TPM. To me, it was fairly well done on a fundemental level. Unfortunately it has many blemishes on the surface (Jar Jar, Jake Loydd, Nemoidian accents, ect) that sort of ruin it. But if you were to remove stuff, ala phantom edits and whatnot, then it really is a good, likeable movie. The story was sound, the tone was right, the acting was acceptable, and there were even a few real sets! It reminded me of a SW movie.

AOTC, on the other hand, is a disaster in my eyes. Everything about it just seemed thrown together. The dialogue was terrible, and actors seemed to not even be trying, the plot was gratuitous if not pointless. Then there's the decision to cgi EVERYTHING. Why on earth does the floor need to be cgi?!?! I don't know, it just seemed like George Lucas sat down at his kitchen table and hammered out the whole story/script in one night, throwing in any random thought that popped into his mind. "Hey, that's a good idea. I'll turn Yoda into a cgi ninja-monkey!! Yeah, that's the ticket!" I guess I just find AOTC fundamentally flawed in too many ways to find it even watchable. Sorry, I just like bitching.

Post: #61945
Topic: AVP
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/61945/action/topic#61945
Time: 30-Aug-2004 9:19 AM

Jimbo, that story is a week and a half old. There's a newer article article at bloodydisgusting that includes an interview with the guy who wrote the script for the original Alien Vs Predator. He says that the script Anderson wrote is pretty much exactly what ended up on screen. More importantly, it can also be assumed that Anderson burned any bridges he had with Fox by publicly criticizing them. Why would they accomodate him with a director's cut after he berated them?? Anyway, I'm not saying that there won't be a director's cut, but it's not necessarily a 'sure thing'.

Post: #61929
Topic: AVP
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/61929/action/topic#61929
Time: 30-Aug-2004 8:46 AM

Apparently the director's cut isn't a sure thing, though. AICN and some other places say that it's Anderson's fault and that Fox doesn't intend to alter the dvd.

Post: #61835
Topic: AVP
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/61835/action/topic#61835
Time: 29-Aug-2004 5:39 PM

It's one of those movies where for every one "hey, that was pretty cool!" there are three "what the HELL were they thinking when they made this?!?!?!".

Post: #61005
Topic: Ideas: Re-edits for various movies
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/61005/action/topic#61005
Time: 23-Aug-2004 5:56 PM

I actually find that premise incredibly appealing.

Post: #60997
Topic: Ideas: Re-edits for various movies
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/60997/action/topic#60997
Time: 23-Aug-2004 5:10 PM

I just thought of something. What if you edited "Weekend at Bernie's" and "Weekend at Bernie's 2" together into one huge Weekend at Bernie's extravaganza?

Post: #60928
Topic: If the classics were released...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/60928/action/topic#60928
Time: 23-Aug-2004 10:42 AM

I have no interest in owning/watching the special additions.

Post: #60926
Topic: You might not believe Lucas said this...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/60926/action/topic#60926
Time: 23-Aug-2004 10:03 AM

Quote
But I really think that these boards should be a little more pro-GL. I mean think about it; If everyone was trashing me because they wanted something from me, would I give it to them? Probably not. We need some positive insight here, patience, and a little hope.

Why should I be "pro-GL" when I have no respect for the man whatsoever? I can understand why people bash him out of anger and frustration, like Luke pointed out, by that isn't the case with me. I don't hate or resent GL, I just think he's lost his mind and any creative talent he ever once had. Sorry, but I just can't allow myself to support him.

Post: #60904
Topic: General DVD Talk
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/60904/action/topic#60904
Time: 23-Aug-2004 6:42 AM

Does anyone know if the (newer) Collector's Edition of "Aliens" has the same transfer as the (older) Special Edition dvd, or did they clean it up some?

Post: #60496
Topic: AVP
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/60496/action/topic#60496
Time: 20-Aug-2004 6:57 AM

Interesting. I always assumed that he was a synthetic because a third of his skull was bashed in, yet he was still able to funtion regularly (much like Ian Holm's character in Alien). But, Jimbo was right, and this is just another plot hole. Damn you AvP, damn you to hell...

Post: #60126
Topic: So Did George Lucas Really Rape Our Childhood?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/60126/action/topic#60126
Time: 17-Aug-2004 3:42 PM

I believe that everyone is entitled to their own tastes and opions, and just because their tastes/opinions conflict with my own doesn't diminish that person in my eyes, or the validity of their tastes/opinions. If people like the SE's and the prequels, more power to them. I sometimes actually envy people like that (as I can't stand the SE's, and have an emense hatred of AOTC). But again, to each their own.

However, I don't have the same attitude towards the people that blindly worship Lucas as some demigod that can do no wrong. I just can't take them seriously. So, I too came here because there seems to be a more moderate/objective view of Lucas, and the people here seem to be sensible (and really cool!).

As for Lucas raping my childhood? I don't see it that way, I guess. I don't hate the man, but I do hold the firm belief that he has TOTALLY lost his mind and any creative talent he might have had. In any event, the way I see it, is I have some acceptable bootlegs (and hopefully even better ones on the way), and I still remember the good times I had watching them and have the same fun to this day. Although I have to say that it helps that I just ignore any and all present/future contributions from Lucas (not buying the dvds, and not going to EP 3).

Post: #60086
Topic: AVP
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/60086/action/topic#60086
Time: 17-Aug-2004 11:45 AM

Quote
Lance Henderson plays Charles Bishop Wayland. We are to believe that the Bishop robot in Aliens is based off this old business man. Unfortunatly in Alien 3 he already played the man Bishop was modeled after. So it doesn't make sense.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that Lance Henricksen's character at the end of Alien 3 was revealed to be a robot/synthetic after he gets hit with the pipe.

I thought the predators were pretty cool, and I liked the special effects. The rest of the movie blew ass. If Alien, Aliens, and Predator are the equivalent of the movie "Robocop", then Alien Vs. Predator is "Robocop: The TV Series". It was that lousy. I'd say unless you can't stay away, there is no reason to even rent in on dvd, much less see it at the theater.

Post: #59849
Topic: I'm thinking lawsuit...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/59849/action/topic#59849
Time: 15-Aug-2004 4:39 PM

Quote
Remeber, by "Original Trilogy", they mean "A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi" as oposed to the "Prequel Trilogy" TMP ATOC and ROTS.

It has nothing to do with the version. It just means that they aren't the prequels. I assume your probably intellignet enought to figure that out on your own, but just feel like complaining about the changes anyway.

Yes we do know the difference due to our love of SW and/or total geekness. However, it's the general public, who are going to buy 99% of the dvds, that don't know the difference and assume it really is the "original versions" (even though they probably wouldn't know the difference).

I have yet to find someone in my personal life (friends, family, co-workers, ect and who isn't a hardcore sw/movie person, but is interested in the dvds) who has any idea that these aren't the "original versions". I'm constantly having to inform people that there are 'changes' in the official dvds, since they assume that by "Original Trilogy" they are watching the pre-se/original versions.

Post: #59287
Topic: General DVD Talk
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/59287/action/topic#59287
Time: 11-Aug-2004 7:02 PM

My favorite dvds are probably the Big Trouble in Little China 2-disc SE and the Criterion Robocop. Also, I have to give credit to both Leon and The Fifth Element which both have remarkably good transfers, in my opinion.

Thanks for the info, bad_karma24. When I asked about superbits, I actually had the Leon version in mind. Now I know to stay away from it! But I might have to check out the superbit Fifth Element. Here I go, buying the same dvds over again.

Post: #59182
Topic: Pot calling the kettle black?? George Lucas talks 'The Three Stooges' - remade in color?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/59182/action/topic#59182
Time: 11-Aug-2004 8:44 AM — Edited 30-May-2020 10:08 AM

Ugh.

Read the bottom of the article.

Mod Edit: a working link for the article above can be found here:-

https://web.archive.org/web/20040825080417/http://edition.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/10/film.colorized.stooges.ap/index.html

Post: #59174
Topic: General DVD Talk
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/59174/action/topic#59174
Time: 11-Aug-2004 7:52 AM

I read somewhere a while back that Michael Mann is rather against adding special features to dvds of his films. I don't remember what the reason was though.

Does anyone have any superbit dvds? Are they noticeably better, or is it just a gimmick?

Post: #59013
Topic: General DVD Talk
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/59013/action/topic#59013
Time: 10-Aug-2004 11:12 AM

I've made up my mind that I'm no longer buying new versions of dvds I already have, unless it's a radical upgrade from the previous release. Like the upcoming releases of Goodfellas and Bladerunner I'll buy, because the previous versions were ultra-crappy. But I was almost tempted to buy that new Predator today, but I just couldn't do it. Then you have the blu-ray/HD-DVD stuff on the horizon, which means we'll probably have to buy the same dvds all over again. Hrrmpph!

Post: #58854
Topic: Ideas: Re-edits for various movies
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/58854/action/topic#58854
Time: 9-Aug-2004 4:34 PM

"Bad Boys 2" could certainly use some editing. It's 2 1/2 hours long! I think cutting it down to a tight 2 hours of nonsense would be sufficient.

Post: #58804
Topic: AVP
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/58804/action/topic#58804
Time: 9-Aug-2004 2:33 PM

Ok, this is coming out on friday. So who's in and who's out? As crappy as I'm sure it's going to be, I don't think I can resist. I'm there.

Post: #58562
Topic: Ideas: Re-edits for various movies
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/58562/action/topic#58562
Time: 7-Aug-2004 6:40 PM

You've got me intrigued now too.

Post: #57563
Topic: A Picture is worth a thousand words...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/57563/action/topic#57563
Time: 3-Aug-2004 11:24 AM

Just because 1980 models may not have looked as good, doesn't mean they can't do creative things in 2004 using real-time models. Also, I agree with Obi-Wonton about LOTR's effects. Yes, they are foggy and shadowy, but this is done on purpose to hide the flaws. I can live with that. I'll take mediocre effects that look great because of the darkened contrast over good effects that look poor because they are in a bright scene.

Personally, I hate AOTC. There are many reasons, but I will concentrate on my unhappiness with the effects decisions for the sake of the current discussion. First off, I think the use of the unproven hd camera actually made the effects look worse. The actors did not blend in the with the digital backrounds AT ALL. Every scene with a digital backround looked fake. It looked like you had actors sitting in an empty room and then had the backround penciled in behind them. And again, the HD camera actually enhanced the CGI flaws, instead of hiding them like the more modest WETA effects.

Second, there are just way too many effects. I think Lucas is a dangerous combination of arrogant and lazy. He wanted to wow us with the 3000 digital effects when in fact I found them marginal at best (not to mention how the script got sacrificed because of it). I can understand some CGI (it's Star Wars after all)...creating some CGI aliens, and CGI'ing environments that couldn't be realistically created. I know it's not possible to create a full scale geonosian arena. But CGI'ing the damn floor in the Jedi temple?!?!? CGI'ing Padme's apartment?!?!? I find that the epitome of ridiculous. The movie 'Aliens' cost 18 million to make, and the actual sets and props were awesome. I know there's inflation when it comes to making movies, but even if you multiplied that budget by a factor of 4 because of inflation, that's still well below what it cost to make AOTC. Imagine AOTC with real sets! And actual humans in the Clone costumes! And a story to boot! All while staying within the estimated budget.

Post: #57290
Topic: I'm thinking lawsuit...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/57290/action/topic#57290
Time: 2-Aug-2004 9:26 AM

Luke, that my friend, was FUNNY!

Post: #56673
Topic: Episodes 7,8,9?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/56673/action/topic#56673
Time: 29-Jul-2004 8:33 AM

While not necessarily in the near future, I definitely think there will be more SW movies at some point. There's too many possibilities left (and opportunities to cash in) for Lucas or anyone else to just leave it alone.