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captainsolo

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Join date
13-Mar-2009
Last activity
28-Apr-2025
Posts
3,017

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Post
#606378
Topic
Christmas Traditions and Santa's Friends REQUESTING HELP FROM UK CITIZENS, SEE PAGE 4
Time

And to think I had wondered about the spoiler...;)

I love the cold of winter, the end of the year, and the fact that virtually everything is completely dead of activity. The merchandising...not so much.

Three things are essential for me:

1. The soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas on indefinite loop which is IMO one of the finest albums of all time. I hope to finally obtain the uber limited 45rpm audiophile version this year.

2. For some reason my I always want to do my re-reading of the Sherlock Holmes canon at X-mas-time, with my Strand reproductions curled up in a big chair.

3. "Ihh weesh Ihh huud a million dolluurs." Flick the lighter currently on the Criterion LD. Also the Charlie Brown special and the Grinch are musts. Boris sounds exquisite on LD.

Post
#606181
Topic
Disney Acquires LucasFilm for $4.05 billion, Episode 7 in 2015, 8 and 9 to Follow, New Film Every 2-3 Years
Time

AuggieBenDoggie said:

Sources say that restored prints of the OUT are in the works, so a bluray release is a shure thing IMO. And I personally hope the Disney restored prints are what the 3D versions are going to be from and not from the ones on the current bluray.

I doubt it if actual prints are made, but if so they will be very limited.

thecolorsblend said:

AuggieBenDoggie said:

 

As far as sound goes I expect to see a 7.1 DTS Master Audio track and with any luck, an original 2.0 track.

 

 

To me, the original soundtrack(s) should be just as important as the original video. This should be a top priority for all of us.

For those more technically-minded, can those old school soundtrack just be slapped on to a Blu Ray or DVD or would they need a lot of work before being ready to listen to?

They shouldn't, because LFL has even shown that they have every mix fully archived and even used as references supposedly for the BD mix.

THX will likely have some Warner ties and American Zoetrope films are now exclusive with Lionsgate distribution.

Post
#605196
Topic
Who should Direct the Star Wars VII, VIII, and IX ?
Time

Bingowings said:

Tom Stoppard as the writer and Tsui Hark directing.

What? Did you ever see the horror of A Better Tomorrow III? John Woo maybe, just for a smuggler played by Lord Yun-Fat.

wabid said:

 

 Directed by Terry Gilliam

Inspired choice. He can nail the adventure fantasy, stunning visuals and the creepy/dirty/nasty/liven in qualities of the the SW universe that are so necessary.

My overall choice is still Ridley Scott, but I fully back Gilliam who is 100% unlikely to ever even be considered.

Post
#605195
Topic
Disney Acquires LucasFilm for $4.05 billion, Episode 7 in 2015, 8 and 9 to Follow, New Film Every 2-3 Years
Time

SilverWook said:

It's too bad Brian Daley is no longer with us. He had a good grasp on the SW universe.

Alan Dean Foster is still around.

Good points.

Game: bring in Larry Kasdan

Set: re-open the ILM garage/parking lot

Match: See if SW fan named Mr. Scott is available. Now there's some possibilities.

Post
#605194
Topic
Recasting our heroes
Time

wabid said:

 

Cast Archetypes


The Robots 

Jimmy Fallon - C3P0 Character

As much as I like Jimmy, can you imagine 3P0 biting his lip and cracking up with the giggles every five minutes?

James Spader - Tarkin Character

Not cold enough.

Billy Bob Thorton - Emperor Character

Whaaaat?

Alan Rickman - Dooku Character

:)

Harvey Keitel - Gunray Character

Okay, Keitel in Star Wars? I'm in. But something big, like say Palpy Mk. II.
Imagine the throne room going a bit differently... "What, you just gonna stand there-that's it? Seriously? Make a move, do something! Nothing? Okay here's how it's gonna go..."

I don't know if these can be recast and maintain the same sense of character, but I do agree with above that the group of actors selected certainly have to be older.

But no one replaces The Dee Williams and his Colt 45. That's where we find Lando in VII-selling Colt 45 through the Outer Rim territories because some investments went very south. Think of it as the unreleased fourth Lando novel: Lando Calrissian and the rigors of selling terrible cheap malt liquor to aliens on sparsely populated backwater planets because you have a terrible business sense and were once the administrator of this facility.

Post
#605135
Topic
Star Wars OT & 1997 Special Edition - Various Projects Info (Released)
Time

What.

The.

Hell.

How in the hell can this be the same old GOUT we've belittled for 6 years? How?

If you look closely and scrutinize everything, it is possible to recognize that it's still our old friend GOUT in there: smearing, frozen grain, edge halos and all. But that's only if you look for it. It is extremely easy to forget all about the pitfalls of GOUT and sink back into what has become our basic SW reference, the DC master but at a level never before seen.

Just wow. A mammoth undertaking at polishing an absolute turd.

Post
#605133
Topic
The 1997 OT Special Edition Trilogy Preservation Standards Thread (* unfinished *)
Time

DJ and U2 are tackling n upscale and touch up to the TB versions after the Blu v2 is done of the GOUT. http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Star-Wars-Original-Trilogy-Theatrical-Editions-Info-ALL-versions-SEE-FIRST-POST-FOR-INFO-AND-AVAILABILITY/topic/10550/page/138/

The broadcast versions are our best reference point, though it may be possible to get a pretty good image out of the LD set and overcome the motion smearing that abounds in the broadcasts.

Soundwise, it would be interesting IMO to have all three mixes that would have been found theatrically: Dolby, DTS (!!!) and the Dolby Surround.

Post
#604927
Topic
Star Wars OT & 1997 Special Edition - Various Projects Info (Released)
Time

You_Too said:

Ok, now DJ has posted the sample again. This time it looks correct, without the chroma shift.

And don't be too hard on DJ. He was just tired of this project being compared to Harmy's, when it's obviously very different since we're working from the opposite direction. That, and he's working hard on his job, and on this and 3 other projects on his free time.

Thanks to DJ for re-uploading. I'm grabbing it this time around to sample.

 

You_Too said:

Don't worry darth_ender. I don't think anyone is gonna bash you for preferring a certain version. Everyone has different taste, but I too respect Harmy greatly for putting his heart and soul into working on his version.

Anyway, the rumor might have reached you guys that we're planning to release the 97 SE counterparts of each movie along with the restored originals.

The 97 SE's will be nicely upscaled using the TB version, and have the theatrical subs included. Since the colors are pretty screwed up in the 97 SE's, there will be a slight color correction involved but don't expect wonders. And there won't be any dirt cleanup since obviously it's taking way too long just to do that on the originals.

Here's how Mos Eisley will look in ANH, a few scenes we felt needed additional color correction. Before and after:

Wow, thanks for tackling the SE too!!!! That is exactly how that shot and all of Mos Eisley should have looked on video. That pink addition should have never made it out of the mastering stage. THX mastered my butt.

You_Too said:

I'm not sure on artwork but knowing DJ he probably wants to have some good looking artwork for the 97 SE's too.

And yes, they will be blu-rays, with menus and all.

Today I finished the script for ANH, and here's a couple teaser shots at full resolution:

You know, I still think this looks better than the tossed in TPM Jabba. Skipping the dirt cleanup is fine, because the main problem with the broadcast versions has been the smearing. I remember DJ even considering going back to possibly doing an LD cap to overcome it, but you just can't compare the resolutions at all. The DTS would be the icing on the cake if possible. I don't think it would be too much work to sync it though I don't think it's synced to anything currently. I've always wished for a definitive 97SE with all 3 mixes: Dolby, DTS and Dolby Surround.

Post
#604918
Topic
Wanted: Technidisc (a.k.a., Smear-free '93) Trilogy: I now own it!!!
Time

AntcuFaalb said:

msycamore said:

Nice to hear that you got a copy of your own, that went fast. :) Looking forward to see what quality you can get out of it, and if it suffers from the crosstalk seen on my copy.

Yes, it most certainly did.

I just e-mailed every SWE seller on Amazon and eBay to ask them for the mint marks and waited to see Technidisc's format :-)

I think most of the crosstalk will be eliminated by the comb filter in my Panasonic DMR-ES10, but we'll have to wait until Christmastime to know...

Holy crap, this is what I've done for months with no luck. I was beginning to think there was no Technidisc ESB or ROTJ. Can't remember if it's been covered elsewhere, but were these ever confirmed to be smear-free as well?

A really high-end capture would be spectacular. I've just been wanting a copy of my own to watch on the CRT because as much work has gone into Harmy's de-specialized I can't shake my preference for this look.

Damn, I'm going to start sending those mint marks to sellers again...

Post
#604914
Topic
Last movie seen
Time

Masque of the Red Death-Corman's one attempt to go for broke, and a complete success. His finest hour, and Vincent is wonderful. 4 balls out of 4.

For Halloween got through the initial Universal trilogy:

Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy. Of these indisputable classics, I think Dracula is a far better film than people give it credit for and it is better than the animatedly technically superior Spanish version. Frankenstein seems like a far more modern film in nuance alone, but this is primarily from James Whale. Clive and Karloff are fantastic, but one can't help but get the feeling of the plot being a bit too oversimplified. Maybe I'm just spoiled by the heights of Bride. Of the the three, more and more over time I return to The Mummy which is easily the most underrated of the classic Universals. The most atmospheric, and possibly best shot, The Mummy is a timeless artifact haunted by Karloff's best performance , save for Bride. Despite being essentially Dracula in Egypt, the film has always worked well for me and has an intricate level of "horror" that is far more interesting and captivating than anything outright frightening. Plus I've always thought Zita Johan looks quite striking.

I think next I'll finally sit down with the 1925 original release version of Phantom of the Opera, which seems to answer my one problem with the 1929 version: the unnecessary scenes and subplots.

Post
#604386
Topic
Star Wars - Episode VII - FACTS IN TOP POST
Time

That's pretty much the hook they have to work with. What remains to be seen is the story setup that will be the foundation of whatever they pursue. A fully formed New Republic in either turmoil or peace confronted by new dangers.

What really should be done is to throw out the deep convictions to try and do something saga-like, and to simply make a Star Wars-set space adventure serial like these films were meant to be. Of course now that they've waited so long the original leads are all much much older in an Indy-type scenario and of course I don't think some will be very enthusiastic...

Harrison: "Oh for the love of...Okay I do freaking Indy 4. Then they are supposed to get off my back. But oh no! Then I even agree to another Blade Runner....and that still isn't enough....goddammit George....you know I freaking have a bad back...no...no...I didn't mean anything Mr. Mouse sir....hah ha haaaa...son of a bitch..."

 

My two suggestions:

35mm with no cgi (as if that would ever happen), and see if Larry Kasdan is interested in a draft.

Post
#604384
Topic
Disney Acquires LucasFilm for $4.05 billion, Episode 7 in 2015, 8 and 9 to Follow, New Film Every 2-3 Years
Time

Mrebo said:

Alexrd said:

timdiggerm said:

Alexrd said:



Please, leave this guy as far from the franchise as possible.

Why?

Because of what he wrote, and because I think he has yet to prove himself to be a good director.

I agree, Alexrd. I abhor the Yuuzhan Vong storyline. They do not belong in the Star Wars universe. I only just watched Firefly as a personal marathon the last couple days. It was enjoyable. It's no wonder he likes the Yuuzhan Vong since he has a very similar people in Firefly.

The Vong were nice after all the same old plotlines being used over and over again. What really hurt the storyline was the increasingly poor writing and over complication of plot to merely make more books in a series. I never even finished the NJO.

But, oh god a NJO movie??? The horrors that conjures up in this day and age...

Post
#604071
Topic
Info: James Bond - Laserdisc Preservations: 1962-1971
Time

So did I. The PCM audio sucks you in almost instantly.

There's only one OHMSS, the 1991 letterbox issue. Sound is great on that one. The SE DVD is identical in 480p except it omits a few shots and dialogue lines in error.

TSWLM I have on the 1990 LD, and it looks like VHS and SE DVD. Very muted looking in places, but the stereo surround sound is worth it alone. There was a later very limited THX LD pressing but I don't expect it to be any different ,perhaps with a cleaner transfer and added noise reduction.

FYEO is great on LD, especially the sound. Nice and boomy with good separation and better bass than the DTS 5.1. Nice to have the original track back in place!

TLD is harder to find, but extremely worth it. I absolutely loved watching it on LD, with image being stellar for 420i and the sound being so clear that I could pick out a game of Galaxian going on in the fair background.

Post
#604066
Topic
Info: Hard Boiled and The Killer
Time

The Killer boot I have also has a 30 min interview with Woo and Tsui Hark. Don't know if this is the same as what you listed above.

Otherwise the only other thing I can think of is the alternate commentaries on the FoxLorber DVDs. They have most of the same content discussed as the Criterion tracks, but with some different information and contributors here and there. IIRC Woo's commentary on The Killer is better on the FoxLorber than the Criterion, where he seems less enthusiastic.

The Criterion LD PCM should be the same source as the the DVD mono. Just imagine it in PCM versus lossy DD 2.0.

Post
#604039
Topic
Disney Acquires LucasFilm for $4.05 billion, Episode 7 in 2015, 8 and 9 to Follow, New Film Every 2-3 Years
Time

Sadly, just because there's a market for it doesn't mean it will happen. The sales of the GOUT alone should have been cause enough for such a release, and it could have easily been done by Criterion as a niche DVD/BD issue working from archival LFL materials even in a 2K workflow. The sales would have been astronomical and everyone could have gotten the necessary percentages.

My own take on Disney's newest addition to their holiday video schedule:

Upcoming for the holiday season...Disney Entertainment presents the long awaited cherished favorite: THE STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL on Blu-ray Hi-def! With over 15 hours of redundant bonus features including Disney Channel cast members performing their own cover versions of all your favorite scene from the award-winning Special, such as inane unintelligible Wookiee masturbation!!Newly remastered from the original 1978 5 year old fan made beta tapes, remastered in breathtaking DTS-HDMA 12.2 surround sound!
Post
#604034
Topic
Disney Acquires LucasFilm for $4.05 billion, Episode 7 in 2015, 8 and 9 to Follow, New Film Every 2-3 Years
Time

It would likely be a cooperative effort, because LFL owned the materials and Fox was the rightful distributor. The trick is convincing someone to put the $ in. That has always been the issue, and the only real hope besides convincing a company bigwig was to convince a lesser project to be funded, such as a Criterion one-off using best available print materials.

In an industry that has let a Hitchcock masterpiece (The 1956 The Man Who Knew Too Much) fall into absolute disrepair due to simple negligence over a period of 28 years, there is virtually no hope of an OOT restoration.

Post
#604025
Topic
Disney Acquires LucasFilm for $4.05 billion, Episode 7 in 2015, 8 and 9 to Follow, New Film Every 2-3 Years
Time

New update via Digital Bits:

UPDATE – 3 PM: Here are new and updated details on this deal from the official Disney investors’ conference call this afternoon:

  • Deal signed and announced earlier today – includes Star Wars franchise and all Lucasfilm operating businesses.
  • Indiana Jones franchise rights ARE also included in this deal.
  • First project under the joint under Disney/Lucas partnership will be Star Wars: Episode 7 in 2015, followed by Episode 8 and Episode 9.
  • Disney purchased “extensive and detailed” treatment for at least Episode 7 (and possibly Episodes 8 and 9 as well) as part of this deal which they “feel very good about.”
  • Disney long term plan is to release a new live-action Star Wars film every 2-3 years – films may eventually explore entire 20,000 year time-span of the franchise.
  • Lucas will serve as creative consultant on new Star Wars films. Kathleen Kennedy will executive produce.
  • Kennedy will serve as Lucasfilm president, reporting to Bob Iger at Disney.
  • Disney plans to expand Star Wars brand into many new product categories and internationally.
  • Star Wars brand will also be expanded into Disney parks, games and TV businesses.
  • Deal was 50% cash and 50% stock – $4.05 billion
  • Disney believes Lucasfilm value is comparable to value of Marvel, but valuation is only based on Star Wars alone – other Lucasfilm intellectual properties are in addition to this.

Whew! Stay tuned…

Dear god. And the fact that there was an actual EP. VII treatment included says volumes.

Star Wars on the goddamn Disney Channel. Can my day get any worse???