captainsolo

twister111 said:

I love that one! All Star B&R had me rolling in the floor-freaking hysterical! People can go on about Bale's anger all day long, but he's certainly not the Godamn Batman.

bkev said:

My only problem so far with Year One's animated adaptation is that Conroy sadly will not be playing the part of Batman. Won't deter me from at least checking it out... I hope he gets to play old Bats in Dark Knight Returns, though; Return of the Joker convinced me no one else can play old Batman.

Dream project. Seriously-I've dreamed about an animated TDKR with Kevin on board. That should be a feature 2D hand animated film with a hard hard hard R rating.

It needs a new scan plain and simple. I think that some of these defects came from the original 1080 scan because the 97SE was used, and the SE wasn't anywhere near that dark or boosted-in fact many complained that it was lighter and softer than the originals.

Most every scan done nowadays is done at 2K. Major films are given a 4K scan and Warner does 8K for some of their ultra titles (North by Northwest, Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind) For a film of such importance, simply reusing a 1080p scan that was designed primarily to be adjusted for a SD release is inexcusable. The compression on the Blu-ray release will be better but they're still trying to polish a turd. You really need that higher quality source material because in almost any case the released version will have some compression and transfer issues.

The whole 2004 master needs to be burned. It's literally the worst and most botched master I've ever seen. No levels are right, everything got boosted and nothing looks like the original film. It says something that it is preferable to watch DVNR ridden interlaced video rather than this mess.

And if LFL says one more time that it's too expensive to scan film....it would have cost them less money to simply start from scratch with a new scan! Is Star Wars forever stuck at 1080p now? What happens after Blu-ray? Its not as if the crew of the SE 2.0 actually did their computer work at any higher resolution. So I wonder how those great 3D versions will look on a screen  in only 1080p.

Yep I was kidding. Still the rough white sabers are better than magenta blobs.

You know in a year or so there will probably be a release of the original Star Wars. And by that I mean the B&W rough edit just to screw with us and to reiterate that the SE is the vision.

YES! Can't believe I didn't notice that earlier. The most detailed in both characters but allowed to do little with it.

Did I mention at about the 54 second mark in that trailer you can see the new and improved Blu-ray lightsabers? They've addressed every complaint and problem and now they look perfect!

aaaah. I've fallen down into a chute which was totally surprising, but my yell totally wasn't...

The Kid Stays In The Picture-Robert Evans

What can I say, I did a full on independent study college course on the New Hollywood period.

Gordon is the supposed to be the stereotypical good cop in a bad world. A cop with a code of ethics that date back to a simpler time. His action scenes would only require a .38 and a fist. Also the guy with an office bottle.

That never happens. We get the hysterically inept 60's version, Burton's hatted Commissioner, and Gary Oldman being a tired exasperated cop.

What needs to be done is an episodic Batman film. TAS nailed the idea with their 25-30 minute episodes which resemble the flow of a comic.

There was a Batman before the graphic novel people.

So which thread are we supposed to post in? ;)

Returns gets better every time in my view. Construction, pacing, story-I also think it's really the only great Burton film but maybe it's just me.

I like snow..and darkness...and Batman..a lot. Meow.

In a nutshell.

The 04's are naturally impossible. The image is compromised because it is being manipulated into a state that no longer resembles the composure and composition of what was originally exposed by the shooting cameras. 70's film stocks weren't the greatest in the world, but at least they weren't this mess.

George does not understand this. A computer with a scanned film transfer does not equal a playtoy.

The Last Boy Scout-Bruce Willis and Damon Wayans both pissed off. Halle Berry dies by machine gun fire. Explosions. ;) -written by Shane Black in almost a hate letter to everything he hated about Hollywood corporate productions. Dark, funny, and almost nihilistic in tone. (And it has one of the most ridiculous WTF just happened openings...end of the football game) And I freaking loved it. As much as I have said that Tony Scott makes flashy but relatively lifeless films-this one was enjoyable. Even on a very early DVD that looked like crap. Really like a harder cross between Lethal Weapon and Die Hard.

3 if you tell anyone s out of 4 I'll kill you s

The Hangover 2: Dragged to it. Not worthwhile. Americans get crazy in Thailand, which is depicted as an absolute slum. Should be great for tourism. The ending features a photo montage of more debauchery during the end credits. There is a completely tasteless and unbelievable reference to one of the most well known Vietnam war photographs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Adams_%28photographer%29#Pulitzer_Prize_winning_photograph

Why I have no idea.

1.5 drug dealing monkeys out of 4 idiots who should really not make a third one.

DuracellEnergizer said:

This has been on my mind for some time, so I'll just say it and get it over with.

The Nolanverse Scarecrow sucks.

The Scarecrow is one of Batman's best villains in the comics/animated series, a truly fucked up psycho with a messed up past. In BB and TDK he's reduced to nothing more than a third tier villain with a burlap sack on his head. He doesn't even get a decent costume.

But it's realistic, and that of course, makes it better and have a deeper meaning!

If it's any consolation, I think the overall story of Batman Returns was pants. Some nice direction and set design isn't quite enough to make up for the baby rescue scene, the whole stupid subplot of the Penguin running for mayor, the Penguin's speech to the penguins, and all the other campy bullshit.

Ehh..it's similar to the first film in that. I do like the political angle, but this Penguin seemed a bit too well stupid to be Oswald. It was as if they split the character into Penguin and Max Schreck. I love Christopher Walken though. Imagine if Batman had had to fight Walken and Jack Palance as crime bosses and villains in addition to the rogues gallery-that would have been better. Still, the manipulation of the Penguin is inspired.

You know, you're right, I took a look at the Reivax for the first time in a while, and it's pretty much unwatchable. I think the first time around I was just so excited to see 97ANH in a higher resolution that I ignored all the smearing.

The full wide theatrical release of all three films.

The good remixed 5.1 sound.

The YCM labs full on physical restoration of all three films from o-negs and color timing ANH  to the Tech IB print.

The trailers.

ANH:Some of the Mos Eisley extension, the DS dogfight looked nice in the new shots, the Praxis rings were interesting sort of, the Jabba scene was an interesting alternate bit, the extended Falcon leaving Tatooine and the added elements from the mono mix to make a close to definitive mix.

ESB: I hate the added ROTJ shot of Vader's shuttle arriving. Ruins the pacing, is completely unnecessary and is from freaking ROTJ!! "Alert my Star Destroyer..." is not anywhere near as effective or good as "Bring my shuttle.", the scream isn't terrible, but any discerning ear can tell it's Palpy's death scream, the visible Wampa works.

ROTJ: Definitely the ending music, Yub Nub never fit well to me. I don't have many problems on this one, but Jedi Rocks is way too overdone.

The little things are done well and are very seamless but can be completely different from the original film. The redone shots with CGI are not the original models and live SFX that composed the original films. It really bothers me that people tend to view the SEs and deriatives as the actual films and that the CGI has replaced the original workmanship.

And I like the SE. That said, what I have noticed is what some claimed in 97: that overall the SE trilogy had a flat and very grainy look to it, that it had none of the sharpness of the original issues and that the sound mix seemed flat and with little to no punch in the high and low ends. According to some of these quotes, the originals had been screened here and there (even in 70mm) up to 1993. So they weren't basing their opinions on distant memories but rather recent ones. Maybe an actual well done transfer can reveal the limitations of the 97's but judging from memory and the available editions, ANH is softer, grainier, and soundwise centered in the midrange.

Theatrically it looked brilliant. The broadcast versions look closer to my theatrical memories. The LDs are great for the format, but don't really stack up to the theatrical presentation.

It seems that every version of Star Wars must be viewed on a copy of a master of an IP, which causes untold amounts of problems. I think that the image issues on the 97s might have been behind the beginnings of the image tweaks that occurred on the 04 master since they were derived from the 97 restoration.

To LFL: Just freaking take a 35mm print of each 97 SE and run it through a Spirit Datacine or any telecine for that matter at 2K (because you're really too cheap). Fix any tears, splices, hairs etc. and release with the optical Dolby 5.1 and DTS 5.1. It'll be 2.35, anamorphic, 1080p, DTS-HD MA, Dolby HD. Perfect simple Blu-ray. Was that too hard? No color problems, no bad sound mix, no further changes necessary, no outside fees, cheap and easy to do, and George will still have his SE out there. Then you can do the same with the OOT. It will cost next to nothing-you can do it in house! Criterion does this stuff everyday.

Keaton didn't really "look" like a Bruce Wayne or Batman. But once into the film, you realize "hey, how do I know what Bruce would look like?" You accept Keaton as this crazy 80's billionaire.

The beginning of the first film was designed to hide Batman and if you closely it hides the extreme limitations of the suit until about halfway through because by then the viewer is accustomed to this Batman. Returns improved on the suit designs and Keaton had become accustomed to moving in it so he flows better as Batman. This would be the best looking live action Batman, but I think the first Batsuit and Kilmer in Forever nails it. (Sans nipples of course!) In this category though, TAS is definitive as always. Perfect balance between gadgetry, realism, style, coloring and brings in all of the different looks (Original 39, 40's, 50's, 60's 70's and with a touch of 80's).

ray_afraid said:

Batman Forever is my favorite Batman film. And I hate it.

But, it has the song Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me by U2 on the soundtrack and I really like that song. And that's one more thing than I like about any of the other Batmans.

OMG YES! That song is one of the best things they have ever done imo. It shouldn't have been left off Zooropa. I bought the CD single as a 5 year old. And I would have killed for a whole album of ironic hard material like it. Still can't believe they played this on the 360 tour! Twas awesome!

You know, here's an idea: if George really wanted somebody to direct ROTJ why not Ridley Scott? He loved Star Wars.

Now that would have been interesting.

Will watch Lost Highway soon.

I always love how Drax had had a giant space bedroom installed on Moonraker 5. But the rich...also have special lasers installed.

I agree about TAS. For films:

Mask of the Phantasm used to be my #1.The reason it fell slightly was because it just doesn't have that full arc of a narrative film. At time it does feel like the direct to video movie it was originally meant to be. That said, it is still brilliant and I usually flip flop between my top two choices.

Virtual tie: 1. Returns 1. Mask of the Phantasm

3. Forever-has it's problems, but I like some of the elements that remained from the original Burton influenced version. And I think Kilmer is possibly the best live action Batman and Bruce Wayne.

4. Batman-still too much of a corporate product and lacking in the depth of Returns.

5. Batman '66-"Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb!" Completely ridiculous satirical look at comics, but I watched this 500 billion times as a kid since the series got pulled into rights hell.

6. Batman Begins-I didn't want another origin story, but I was surprised at how well this one worked. I enjoyed it while it lasted as another version of the character and looked forward to see what would be next.

Actively dislike:

7. The Dark Knight-took all of the elements from the first film I didn't like and did away with any of the one I did. I kept waiting for this film to go somewhere, but it didn't. And this lack of nearly anything somehow gives it the pretense of "importance"? Batman always has well thought out storylines so that even in their most convoluted state they don't seem like random snake pits and double crosses with a random line run through at the end to tie it together. Bad story construction, some editing and sound mixing mistakes, and they didn't know how or where to end the darn thing. IMO a mess. If they had really wanted to make a tortured realistic hero story, just show how Batman never can stop and how Bruce doesn't really exist and that in the end it doesn't really matter if there is such a vigilante. Okay, it's not bad-but it certainly does not in any circumstance deserve its reputation.

8. Batman & Robin-I was tempted to put this at #7. I don't loathe it oddly enough. I saw it theatrically and even as a 7 year old wondered what the heck had happened to the franchise. It's got production values. And some people talking. And some colors. And neon. And ICE! The thing that nagged at me was just how much was simply recycled from Forever: the sets, lighting, costumes, styles, neon, music, setpieces and so on. It is by no means the worst film ever made, but it is just a complete waste of time. An absolute waste, and you will feel disgusted with yourself by the time you finish because you realize you'll never get those two hours back again.

Then there are the other animated "movies". They usually feel just like extended episodes of the animated series. This usually hurts them because they really don't have enough story to pad that 60 minute or so runtime.

1. Return of the Joker uncut. Here's a movie. Not one for kids, but an actual storyline with depth and darkness and is not one you've seen before as a Batman fan. Really well done. And go for the Uncut edition. (now on Blu! Hah!) It has killings, deaths, and stuff deemed too intense for the kiddies. The Joker was not pleased.

2. The Batman versus Dracula. I tried this one on a longshot. What can I say? I'm a sucker for decent animated superheroes. The anime influenced designs work for creating a different Gotham, but what surprised me is storyline didn't suck. For example, there is a scene where BATMAN MUST FIGHT THE JOKER (WHO HAS BECOME A VAMPIRE) IN A DARKENED BLOODBANK WHERE HE CONSTANTLY FEEDS ON ALL OF THE BLOOD SUPPLY TO MAKE HIMSELF STRONGER! If that doesn't whet your appetite... Yeah, the story can be pretty cheesy at times but it is for kids after all. And there is a bit stolen from Son of Dracula. A nice find in a dollar bin.

3. Subzero. TAS Mr. Freeze is a brilliant creation, but this story really stays on ice. Gets tepid after a short time.

4. Mystery of the Batwoman. Can anybody say a random series episode that got extended for no apparent reason?

And the 40's serials! Okay, I haven't seen them. They're supposed to be pretty bad.

Awesome. I love this trailer to death-especially the opening bit with the tiny TV screen and muted audio.

They never follow the action figures.

Why do blasters sometimes sound like handguns?

Who does Jabba's makeovers?

Why is there a space potato?

Where in the hell is the phantom ROTJ flying shoe?

ferris209 said:

Video of "Catwoman" crashing the "Batpod" into a camera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WidV5ypIcd8

That made my day. Hysterical. Someone's getting fired...

It's easy for me. The R.E.M. catalog. ;)

It just felt weaker overall-like things were just thrown in to pad the runtime. This I think stems from the Lethal Weapon script being used. Plus the DVD being just about the worst case of EE I've seen makes it one of the titles I don't like to revisit. Maybe I'll like it better on Blu-review screencaps of it look much better than that DVD.

I thought Live Free was better than what a modern sequel to a classic franchise could be, but I only really like Die Harder out of the sequels. I think I like it because it stupid, ridiculous, loud and appeals somehow to my darker side that the fates conspire to put one guy in the middle of all kinds of crap multiple times and he can't escape it. It has my favorite line in the series (Besides "come out to the coast.."): "Oh man, I can't fucking believe this. Another basement, another elevator. How can the same shit happen to the same guy twice?"

I had forgotten about the microwave. At least it was kept to a minimum.