canofhumdingers

yotsuya said:

NeverarGreat said:

joefavs said:

DominicCobb said:

On the one hand, maybe it drains remote suns just like how it destroys remote planets. But in that case, why does it drain its own sun? On the other hand, maybe it does move around to new suns, but in that case why doesn’t it completely drain the first sun it orbits like it does the second (Hux’s speech is in daylight)? To me it doesn’t matter much either way.

I honestly never thought it was two different stars. I just figured the star that they drained to destroy the Hosnian system was large enough that they were able to get two charges out of it.

But Finn claims that the weapon draws power from the sun until it disappears, implying that once the draining starts, it will not stop until the star is destroyed. Poe repeats this during their attack.

Stop and think for a moment. Using up two stars does not mean it had to move. It is possible that they found the ideal system with multiple stars to use with this weapons. They probably destroyed the smallest star first and from a larger one they might get several charges out of it. There is a big difference between Sol and Sirius. A star that might give one charge could be the companion of a star that can give sixty. And I never got the impression that the first star was destroyed as Starkiller base never went dark which it would if the sun was sucked dry. Sometimes science can be the friend of wild SF storytelling.

You keep mentioning how the sky never went dark, but… I thought we only saw it charge once? It was charged at some point off screen (same system or a different one? The film doesn’t answer this question and it’s really irrelevant. It could’ve been charged before the movie even started for all we know). It expends this charge when it fires on the Hosnian system. Then it begins draining the star that it currently orbits in order to fire on the resistance.

So, of course the sky never went dark. We only actually SAW it charging once, after it had fired.

Boushh said:

I loved reading that shootout. Please tell me you have similar ones about 2K digital vs pristine 35mm print in optimal conditions? hehe

Well, there’s this technical article where they conducted experiments to measure the actual resolving power of 35mm film when it’s projected in a movie theater.

We all know that, when scanned, 35mm easily resolves 2K and usually can make use of 4K scanning (I’ll leave the debate open for 8K, though there’s certainly evidence that 8K scanning can be useful when using high quality 35mm film). But how much of that resolution actually makes it to the screen when thrown across the room by the projector?

According to this experiment, not a lot. They found that in a movie theater, you’re really only getting the equivalent of 685 to 875 lines of resolution up on the screen.

Now, I personally think that seems low. I’ve seen enough 35mm projections (even in this age of digital) to say that I’ve seen film projection that rivals any standard 2 or 4K movie theater. And with film you don’t have the issue of being able to see the pixels or lines of resolution (which I can regularly see clearly in standard 2K theaters… drives me nuts!)

But I’m not an expert or industry professional like the people who conducted these tests, so who knows?

http://www.motionfx.gr/files/35mm_resolution_english.pdf

SilverWook said:

canofhumdingers said:

In 2011 they held a direct, live, side-by-side comparison of 15/70 IMAX film vs 4K DLP at Moody Gardens in Galveston, TX. The general consensus among the industry professionals was that the 4K image was superior. I can only imagine that Imax’s laser system is superior to that Barco DLP projector. So I don’t doubt that by standardized metrics the Laser system is technically superior to the film system.

http://www.lfexaminer.com/20110518shootout-in-galveston-1570-vs-digital.htm

But it doesn’t change the fact that imax film is flipping amazing an can resolve FAR more detail than even the best digital mediums. Whether that detail makes it to the projected image is more debatable I guess. And resolution is far from the end-all be-all of image quality. Brightness, contrast, and color reproduction are all just as important as resolution.

But does it look like film? Superior isn’t always better. And everyone involved has every reason to stack the deck in favor of digital.

I don’t know about that shootout, but I can say that I’d be really hard pressed to say the two IMAX Laser screenings I’ve seen were in any way inferior to the numerous 15/70 screenings I’ve been to. The amateur film lover/historian/preservationist in me went into Dunkirk secretly wanting to walk out and declare film was still king, but I just couldn’t. That dual 4K projection system they’ve cooked up really impressed me. Personally, I do still prefer film and would jump at any reasonable chance to see another 15/70 screening. But realistically I’m perfectly happy to walk into a full size Imax laser screening when I want the premium theatrical experience.

In 2011 they held a direct, live, side-by-side comparison of 15/70 IMAX film vs 4K DLP at Moody Gardens in Galveston, TX. The general consensus among the industry professionals was that the 4K image was superior. I can only imagine that Imax’s laser system is superior to that Barco DLP projector. So I don’t doubt that by standardized metrics the Laser system is technically superior to the film system.

http://www.lfexaminer.com/20110518shootout-in-galveston-1570-vs-digital.htm

But it doesn’t change the fact that imax film is flipping amazing an can resolve FAR more detail than even the best digital mediums. Whether that detail makes it to the projected image is more debatable I guess. And resolution is far from the end-all be-all of image quality. Brightness, contrast, and color reproduction are all just as important as resolution.

SilverWook said:

I’d be crazy to travel 300 miles just to see a movie on 70mm film? 😛

No you wouldn’t. I travelled from Houston to Indianapolis for TFA 70mm imax…

IMAX laser can be the full 1.43:1 ratio or it can be it can be cropped vertically to 1.9:1. You just have to ask the specific theater to find out.

I saw TFA in full 70mm IMAX in Indianapolis and it was glorious.

I saw Rogue One in standard digital IMAX 3-D, but on a full size IMAX screen (not a post-converted “LieMAX” Screen) in Phoenix. I was actually surprised at how good it looked. Far and away the best 3-D presentation I’ve ever seen. It was a surprisingly enjoyable and memorable experience. Though I’ll admit I was glad I had already seen the film twice in 2-D previously, so I was able to really focus on enjoying the 3-D part of the viewing experience.

I saw Dunkirk in Austin, TX on a full size 1.43:1 IMAX Laser (actually the biggest screen in TX) as my first experience seeing IMAX Laser. I was rather surprised that, as far as I could tell, it was every bit as good as 70mm IMAX film. Just beautiful.

And that experience led to me seeing TLJ at that same IMAX laser theater. I’d have loved to see both Dunkirk and The Last Jedi on IMAX film, but the nearest theater for that was 5 hours away. As it was I had to drive two hours just to get to the laser theater.

Based on these experiences (and seeing The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, and Interstellar all on 70mm IMAX film) I’d definitely say if you have the chance to see a movie on actual IMAX film, do it! It’s amazing! If you’re a serious film nut (like me) it’s worth driving as far as you have to at least once. If you can’t do that, imax laser is actually a very close second. If you decide to see something in 3-D, Imax 3-D (even if it’s just the regular dual 2K IMAX projectors) is the best I’ve seen.

moviefreakedmind said:

It seems like a lot of people have the idea that in order to enjoy a movie they have to like, defend, and justify every single aspect of it.

I don’t think so. I don’t love the idea of Star Destroyers entering atmospheres, the Evazan cameo, or the lack of Moroff screen time to name just a few. It’s not a perfect film at all, but it’s still a film that I really love.

And I really dig Vader in this movie and enjoy discussing and debating his appearance in it.

ray_afraid said:

Mocata said:

Vader should have said “Needa hand there, Captain?” to stay in character.

Yes. This is exactly the level the R1 pun is on. Vader didn’t talk like that.

I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree. I don’t think Vader’s actual pun is nearly as lame as that. In fact, I think it sounds very much like something he’d have said in the OT (particularly reminiscent of “apology accepted” as he flipping KILLS the guy…) and have no problem with it.

I agree with RRS-1980’s thoughts. And why does it matter that his joke is specifically a pun? It’s WELL established he is wryly sarcastic and uses incredibly cruel humor to rub his subordinates’ noses in their own failures. So that’s all ok but only if it’s NOT a pun? Why is Vader limited in what type of cruel jokes he’s “allowed” to make?

I’m admittedly biased b/c R1 is now firmly my third favorite Star Wars movie closely behind SW and ESB. But I think they did a GREAT job with Vader in R1. My only criticism is he does look a little off sometimes in the scene with Krennic both in movement and the way the costume fits. But it’s been decades since the OT was filmed and they obviously had to make a new costume and find a new actor. I think they did a great job recreating Vader from the OT in all respects. I mean, even the shots where he looks a little “off” aren’t THAT bad. Nothing like how lame he looked in ROTS.

There are supposed to be four more episodes for this “season” uploaded… sometime. Supposedly one of them is a Transformers episode.

I watched this the other day too. It was pretty neat. I also watched the He-Man episode which was just as interesting. I had no idea that He-Man was created as Mattel’s direct response to the crazy success of Kenner’s Star Wars line. They even called him their “Star Wars killer”! No spoilers, but Skeletor’s inspiration is mind boggling, and truly scary. They only scratch the surface in the show, but a quick google will turn up the full morbid tale!

I always just assumed lightsabers had a sort of deadman switch built in. It could easily be based on touch-sensitive technology. As long as you’re gripping the handle it will stay on.

As for throwing it, maybe they have a control that can lock it on for a time limit or until an impact of a certain G. Or just use the Force to keep it on while it flies.

So I’ve begun testing the waters of 6 inch (1/12 scale) action figures over the last year. It’s a fun scale that can capture really good detail that sometimes rivals the 1/6 (12 inch) figures, but at at fraction of the cost and required shelf space. Plus, the modern 6 inch figures tend to be some of the best articulated figures ever made in the history of toys.

Anyway, I’ve got a few of the Hasbro Black series. I’ve been very selective, but it was the 40th Anniversary Darth Vader that sucked me in. It is a total home run and arguably one of the best Darth Vader figures ever made. I’ve also got a bandai 1/12 Stormtrooper model that is fantastic, but I haven’t had time to build it yet… I eventually want to get at least a second Stormtrooper and a bandai Death trooper kit to complement the Hasbro death trooper. Finally, I’ve got the Medicom Mafex ROTJ Boba Fett. It’s another total home run. One of the coolest ection figures I’ve ever owned. The obsessive nerd in me desperately wants to get the mafex ESB Fett as well now. I’ve also been getting some of the mafex DC superheroes like Batman and Wonder Woman and they are just too cool.

Pretty sure the Emperor’s tower is supposed to be at or near the North Pole of the DSII

So I just noticed on my second viewing that the falcon gets its (new rectangular) radar dish knocked off while flying through the crystal cave (ROTJ Rehash!! ;-P ).

Anyway, what shape do you guys think the new one will be in episode IX? Octagonal? Trapezoidal?

I enjoyed Tarkin in Rogue 1, but then I’m one of those crazies who really loves R1. It’s my third favorite Star Wars movie behind Star Wars and ESB.

I agree with those who never bought it as Cushing, but absolutely buys it as the character of Governor Tarkin. To me, it looks totally real as long as it’s relatively still. It’s when he talks that the veil falls away. As others have mentioned, CG just can’t seem to accurately recreate the subtle snappy twitches of real living things. I also think there’s possibly (probably?) some issues with animators who just can’t help themselves playing with their digital toys. I feel like many digital characters movements are too smooth, but also too exaggerated. They move too much, too far, and in too deliberate a manner in many cases where it’s not necessary.

I do think we’re getting very close to realism though. For example, I thought King Kong in Kong: Skull Island was almost entirely convincing. He has the benefit of being an impossible creature in a fictional world. But I thought they got his movement incredibly believable in most shots (especially the closeups of the face). It may also help that, being so enormous, his movements SHOULD be more dramatic and exaggerated due to the enourmous mass of a creature that size.

Hmm, things that really stood out to me over the years as feeling very distinctly “Star Warsian” in that they capture that same feeling I get from the OOT would include:

Rogue One

Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight video game (this might be one of the most “Star Wars” things outside the films for me)

Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast video game (this one captured the OT “look” better than almost anything but the story isn’t as good as the previous entry)

X-Wing Alliance video game

X-Wing Rogue Squadron novel (I’ve recently been seriously thinking about tracking down the other novels and comic books from this series)

Star Wars Battlefront video game (the one on the PS4. It had major issues at launch but once they updated it to allow more single player options it has been pretty awesome)

Heir to the Empire novel trilogy

JEDIT:
I didn’t read much of the Dark Horse comic run in the 90’s (another thing I’ve been seriously thinking about delving into) but Dave Dorman’s artwork in the mid 90’s (much of which was for comic and novel covers) is absolutely deserving to be on this list. I have a big softcover coffe table book of his Star Wars art and it is amazing!

Collipso said:

SilverWook said:

Disney Ruined Star Wars said:

SilverWook said:

If these guys aren’t all being sucked out into space, then a similar emergency field around a small door isn’t a stretch.

Seriously people, we’re nitpicking movies where you can hear sounds in space.

They can have shields that allow for open air on the exterior of the Death Star. Its’ that way when the Falcon lands in the first movie too. But in general I agree with your point, the scientific stuff doesn’t need to be nitpicked as long as its not obvious and really dumb. For instance, the asteroids in the asteroid field would never be that close together in real life. And when the Millenium Falcon flips and spins like it does when it turns around on Bespin, all of the occupants would be thrown around and probably incapacitated if not killed.

Presumably the Falcon’s artificial gravity prevents this. Just like Luke and Han can sit in the gun turrets without seatbelts even though they are facing out the top and bottom of the ship.

Were they? I thought they were both facing forward, but one was at the top and the other at the bottom.

Yes. I wrote a much lengthier post about it some time ago, but the windows you look out in the Gun turrets are flush on the top and bottom of the Falcon. So top gunner is on his back and the bottom gunner is on his belly, relative to the Falcon. ANH is really the only film that actually gets the turrets operation (based on their actual physical design) correct. TFA and TLJ take some major liberties with the physics of how the turrets could really move. Also, even back in the original EU they had the idea that the armored disc the turret window is mounted in could rotate (which is made cannon in TFA) but in reality this would mean the ladder tube you climb up or down into the turrets would not be correctly lined up anymore.

Dunkirk was the first movie I ever saw on imax laser, earlier this year. While I’d love to be able to say that 70mm is definitively superior, I really can’t.

I still personally prefer film, but if I’m being totally honest, the dual 4K laser projection looked as good as any 70mm print I’ve seen. And according to articles I’ve read the industry professionals who’ve conducted direct comparison shootouts tend to agree.

Ugh, I have to wait until Monday to go! The suspense is killing me.

On the up side, I’ll be seeing it on the biggest screen in Texas in IMAX laser!

So just like the first one. 😕

I think I’ve lost interest in this game franchise. Which sucks because it has SO MUCH potential. Stupid EA.

Wait, you can only play star fighter battles in multiplayer?

People complain that Rey can understand BB-8’s beeps and whistles, but completely ignore the fact that Han can understand the treadwell droid’s beeps and whistles in the hangar on Hoth while working on the Falcon.

Ugh, I HATE this pay to play model of gaming. It’s been around for a long time, but has been getting dramatically worse in recent years. And this sounds like possibly the worst offense yet.

I was tremendously disappointed when I got the previous battlefront only to find out the majority of the game was only available for subscription based multiplayer. And that on top of that, most of the really awesome maps and heroes were only available through paid extra downloads. It’s like I paid $60 for the first third of a game and then needed to spend an extra $100 for one measly year of access to the rest. Which really pissed me off because it clearly had the potential to be the best Star Wars game ever. Thankfully they did eventually do an update that gave you some of the better gameplay modes in single player and it was enough to make me reasonably happy with the game experience. But it still left a sour taste in my mouth. And it still annoys me that, even if I was willing to pay for the DLC (like Chewie, Dengar, Vader’s TIE Fighter, awesome OT gaming maps, etc) I wouldn’t get to use a lot of it in single player, which is all I care to play.

Battlefront II looked like an amazing follow up that I was really excited about. It had an actual single player story campaign and all kinds of new locations and characters from the full spectrum of the Star Wars universe. And they managed once again to find a way to drop a massive downer on top of it that sucks all that fun and excitement right out. It feels like a massive bait and switch. And that’s frustrating as all heck.

While I don’t agree with the childish extremes some customers have used to express their dissatisfaction, I do think their anger and frustration is totally justified. This is a predatory and disingenuous business model that aggressively takes advantage of its most loyal customers. I know that’s nothing new in the world, but it doesn’t make it right.

I’m in the process of clearing out the old and replacing some of it with new items in my collection. Leaning more toward “quality over quantity” these days. At least a little bit anyway.

So that being said, I don’t have any good pictures of my collection as a whole because it’s in flux. I’m just about done clearing things out and selling them and soon I’ll begin the process of taking down everything else, cleaning/dusting it all, and completely rearranging everything.

But, I can post a few pictures I’ve got of some of my favorite items, and some of my most recent acquisitions.

It makes me a little sad that my three year old has begun pronouncing BB-8 correctly. He used to get so excited and shout, “it’s Baby-Eat!” whenever he saw one.