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greencapt

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Join date
12-Mar-2005
Last activity
8-Jul-2015
Posts
1,941

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Post
#165663
Topic
Daredevil: The Man Without Fear - The Fan Edit (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/165663/action/topic#165663
Time
shifty-

thanks for the awesomely detailed reply! That helps and I might check out the special edition DD DVD now. Then again small touches like the Coolio cameo just annoy me to no end. Actually I kinda like Kevin Smith and I found *him* distracting from the film- a little too 'hey mom lookie- we're in a movie, nudge nudge, wink wink!' for me.

Maybe I didn't dislike Elektra as much because I was distracted by wrapping Christmas presents and couldn't be annoyed as I usually am.
Post
#165658
Topic
Green screen, CGI and the 'Minute' documentary from ROTS
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/165658/action/topic#165658
Time
gethedgical-

You hardly sound like an idiot and that was one of the most interesting and spot-on posts I've read in some time. I haven't seen the documentary in question yet (as I still have a hard time talking myself into buying ROTS) but you point out what I've suspected all along. And I totally agree with you about the cost and trouble of set building and costume making- ridiculous levels of trouble and detail for such sophmoric and heartless final product.

Reading your post reminded me of another facet of my life- I've gotten really into 'home haunting' for Halloween to the point of spending much time geeking out over building elaborate creepy decorations to put out in my front yard for Halloween. Lest I seem like I digress... ... there's a rule of thumb that home haunters try to follow that addiction to craft can quickly erase- darkness forgives all. The idea being that no matter how many weeks you spend tweaking your fake zombie body or fake tombstone to make it look uber-realistic the trick-or-treaters will be coming to your house at night- in the dark- and only spending a few minutes. The best 'special effects' can be a quick coat of paint on a piece of cardboard instead of an elaborate $1000 prop that you stay awake for 6 days straight tweaking. Less is often more when it comes to embellishment and if it doesn't help your overall scene... well, then, you're screwed.

Many threads have talked about how the PT seems less 'real' than the OT and this is for the very reasons you bring up. Heck I was even just today watching ADM's edit of ROTS and found myself wishing he would have cut MORE 'dialogue' out of the film. I use the ' 's because I don't even consider most of it dialogue- its simply the characters stating what is going on around them. Now GL has been taken to task for this before but a few line of C3PO dialogue (ie 'Oh look there's Capt. Solo still frozen in carbonite!'... no sh*t, Sherlock!) but it runs rampant in the PT. My only guess is that that was GL's attempt to help the actors have SOMETHING to react to (maybe if I make them *say* what they're seeing I won't have to interact with them as actors!).

And still, with all the technical tweaking the ILM team does, some of the effect shots (or more specifically composite shots) still look like they were made by one of us at home. Look at the scene where Anakin and Obi go to meet the politicians after recusing Palps- the head-and-shoulder shots of Palps (with Lucas' daughter and crew standing behind him) and Sam Jackson talking are ATROCIOUSLY matted. I expected to see a green outline around them. And everyone in the background during the conversation shots are squeezed so tightly together and just doing nothing its laughable. But I bet that if we could zoom into the 63rd ship from the left during the space battle we could have seem individually rendered fingernails on the middle clone trooper. Aaarrgggghhh.
Post
#165592
Topic
<strong>The Official Greencapt 'Batman &amp; Robin: De-Assified' Edit thread</strong> (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/165592/action/topic#165592
Time
Heh heh. Yeah I wanted to be cheeky but somewhat relevant at the same time. Trust me, there were some other less-than-nice ideas.

Far from taking credit for the 'de-whatevered' subtitle in other edits but I do find it amusing that many edits are coming out that folks are calling 'de-this'd' or 'de-that'd'.
Post
#165589
Topic
Superman Movie
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/165589/action/topic#165589
Time
Aside from the enormous and bulky looking boots the costume doesn't really bother me much. What I worry about is mainly the story. From the trailer we can assume there'll be elements of an 'origin story' in it but seriously at this point WHO needs the hear the tale of Superman's origin? Perhaps if you were 'jump starting' the series ala 'Batman Begins' but then why include SII footage and why all the bluster about it being a 'sequel of sorts to SII'? Have it one way or another.

I would have seen this film as an opportunity to do the kind of Superman story shown in many of the comics- the all-to-human Clark/Supes up against some previously nigh impossible to render on film villain or situation. Forget about Luthor for once. He doesn't HAVE to be in every bloody Superman story. Instead what we told/shown from the advance stuff is what appears to be essentially a post-modern remake of the Superman origin story aka the first Christopher Reeve film. Even that film in its own time was a sort of post-modern realization of sorts but still keeping true to the heart of the character- remember the jabs at society at the time such as no more 'phone booths' as such?

I don't know... something just smells poopy about this production to me.... I hope I'm wrong.
Post
#165580
Topic
<strong>The Official Greencapt 'Batman &amp; Robin: De-Assified' Edit thread</strong> (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/165580/action/topic#165580
Time
Well boon, when you put it like *that*...

Having finally brushed aside *most* of my other obligations I think its now time to clean out the hard drive and start looking at the next project to do... of course after ADM's great work there may not be any films left untouched. Maybe 'Gigli'... lol

Not sure yet really though. Not to be stuck in the 'Batman' groove I still need to sit down and check out the extras and stuff on the new 'Batman Anthology' set as I'd told a couple folks I might do 'Batman Forever' next. But that said I'm gonna browse through my DVD shelves and see what else might strike me. I'll be posting any updates here for sure!
Post
#165528
Topic
Daredevil: The Man Without Fear - The Fan Edit (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/165528/action/topic#165528
Time
I saw DD in the theater and wasn't really bowled over by it. It was one of those films that just felt like Hollywood scrambling to buy/produce 'comic book stuff' because 'they're hot' right then. I just didn't feel much heart in it and, having walked away from the theater, I honestly forgot most of the film.

I just happened to see Elektra on Cinemax yesterday (having had no desire to see it in the theater mainly *because* of Jennifer Garner) and I actually liked it more than I thought I would though once again we have one of those films that end up feeling like there's maybe, say, 30 or so people in the whole world. The minute she met the kid and the father I found myself screaming 'Noooo- DON'T make THEM the targets... that would be TOO cliche!'. Uh, yeah. Next. But like I said I dug it more than I thought.

But aside from just rambling here I had a couple of thoughts-

First what all was added in the 'director's cut' of DD and

Second am I the ONLY person who is sick of these stupidly named 'special edition' DVDs??? I see it like this- there's very little freakin' chance under the sun that a director these days would be 'edited' in the way that studios did it in the 70s and 80s. Even though a few instances crop up (Exorcist TB for example) I see no excuse for a 'director's cut' these days. Maybe I'm just being picky but just call it a 'special edition' or 'extended edition' for gosh sake but don't think we're so stupid to think that the director sat back two months after the DVD came out and said 'Oh if only I could have included so-and-so or if only I could have freely edited the film like I chose... oh woe is me!'

BS- its mainly studios trying to get us double dip. And for that matter what is UP with the ultra stupid special edition titles of some discs. Airplane 'Don't Call Me Shirley' edition, Ferris BDO 'Bueller... Bueller' edition, etc etc etc. I HATE that crap!
Post
#165450
Topic
The truth about remakes...
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/165450/action/topic#165450
Time
I challenge anyone to ask themselves not is a remake 'done well' or 'technically superior' or whatever but in fact 'was it NEEDED'? What was the mind-set of the people involved in the decision to remake a film or to make an old television series into a film?? Was it that they saw something inherent in an original work that might have been overlooked thus leading them to want more people to see it? Was it simply a matter of 'I could have done better-ness'? Or was it just the allure of a studio cashing in on a name in the vain hope that no matter what swill they produce and stamp a familiar name on it that they can probably win their opening weekend boxoffice before word of mouth gets around?

I could go on and on about my feelings for this practice. There have been some remakes that I've liked- but very few. Were I a paid filmmaker (not just an amatuer one) though I don't think I'd even WANT my name on a remake project. After all you'd already have huge expectations against you and rarely do you get a chance to prove yourself as a filmmaker. If a director, writer, etc want to prove they can make good product than they should prove it by making an original product. And the sheer volume of recent remakes, especially in the horror genre, create diminishing returns for the whole industry. Audiences get sick of them and eventually will go to them less and less.

Anyhow, its Christmas eve and I save more bitching and writing for later.

Post
#165007
Topic
The Sad State Of Star Wars
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/165007/action/topic#165007
Time
Adam-

Since I've been back to the forums and have been catching up with many threads I have read several of your posts and you almost always present very well written and insightful commentary. As with any forum worth its salt there will be many good threads and posters as well as many posters willing to cause trouble just for the sake of causing trouble. You find both here as I know you do at the IMDB boards (as I post there as well). Mostly this is a good crew. Regretfully though the Star Wars universe with the huge amount of products involved (movies, books, toys, etc- they're all product) generates a lot more room for debate. And frankly not everyone is good at debates. So you often get bashing. And most of us who've posted here (or anywhere) just let it roll off our backs. There's also a fine line between 'bashing' and 'sarcasm'. Myself, I dig sarcasm. But knowing there's great opportunity to be misunderstood by others when *writing* sarcastically I at least always try to add in other tricks like 'lol' or smilies so people realize that that no matter how caustic a comment might *read* one can only be serious to a degree when discussing escapist fiction.

But please be open, like other people have posted, to different people's opinions. And many times people don't preface their posts by saying 'in my opinion' or 'IMHO'. We don't have to- that's all we have to offer. Despite some tones here I highly doubt that many Lucasfilm employees or George Lucas himself post here so all information provided should be considered the opinion of the poster and not any sort of definitive word on one subject or another.

So basically just try to ignore the juvenile 'I hate Lucas' posts, keep on target yourself and others will learn from your example. Remember that especially amongst us older poster that hyperbole and sarcasm abound and please just see it like that. No one is truly ignorant to facts such as the 'existence' of the the PT or that Lucas has 'officially' changed the name of the film 'Star Wars' but when you point this out to the posters who write such things you come off as a bit ostentatious which by reading your other posts I don't believe you are.



Now, when ARE they going to release the REAL version of 'Blade Runner' on dvd....
Post
#164937
Topic
A SPARK OF HOPE FROM OT.COM WE HAVE A NEW CAUSE !!!
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/164937/action/topic#164937
Time
Hey Rik... when you see this, this one goes out to you and the family:

http://www.stomptokyo.com/sings/swholiday/images/hug5.jpg

He's Always a Wookie

To the tune of "She's always a woman"

He can win all your hearts with his animal charms,
But if you beat him at chess, he'll rip off your arms,
When he uses a bear-hug there's no breaking free,
Though he howls like a banshee, he's always a wookie to me.

He's a regular sparky, a true engineer,
He can jump into light speed and not spill his beer,
And he'll help thaw his boss from three Kelvin degrees,
Blame it all on Han Solo, he's always a wookie to me.

CHORUS:
Oh, he takes care of himself,
And he won't ask for help,
He'll just use what he's got.
Oh, he can pilot a ship,
He can reroute its power,
He just can't free his knots.

His reports get psychologists to re-read their Freud,
Just give him some solder, he'll rebuild your Droid,
He's a friendly companion unless he's got fleas,
Don't call him a doormat, he's always a wookie to me.

CHORUS

He's an Ewok on steroids, with a temper that's short,
And he wears a great fur coat that cannot be bought,
An articulate hero, from a movie or three,
Some call him Chewbacca, but he's always a wookie to me.



Copyright 1996: May be freely distributed for non-profit purposes,
providing this message is retained. Original by Billy Joel, abomination
by Conrad Leviston.
Post
#164896
Topic
How did you imagine the Emperor taking over?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/164896/action/topic#164896
Time
Originally posted by: Adamwankenobi
Originally posted by: greencapt
And yes- I too get the heeby-jeebies when I have to call 'Star Wars' by the new subtitle 'A New Hope'... talk about a pun getting a life of its own! Sheesh.

Now seriously, and I hate to sound like an ass, but why do you hate calling it by its proper title of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope? Calling it "Star Wars" would seem a little all-encompassing, don't you think?


LOL... kids these days. Uh, you see there was, once upon a time, a time in which you could say the title 'Star Wars' and people knew you were referring to just that- the film that was released in theaters that was titled 'Star Wars'- that WAS its proper title. That's what it was released under and that's what it was referred to. The name kept kept bulkier and bulkier with every permutation.

And Mr. Bungle I agree that many of my friends know what I'm talking about when I say 'Star Wars' but not only do many of those friends now have kids who, after being introduced to the SW 'empire' of products that now exist, have no idea what you're talking about when you just refer to the first film- 'Star Wars' as just that. That said the general public doesn't give a rat's patoot whether its 'Star Wars', 'A New Hope', 'Star Trek', 'Xena' or whatever... most folks just hear 'sci-fi' and tune out.

And adam, check out the IMDB page for 'Star Wars' for all the exciting name changes:

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/

Star Wars (1977)
Also Known As:
Adventures of the Starkiller: Episode 1 - The Star Wars (USA) (original script title)
Guerra de las estrellas, La (USA: Spanish title)
Star Wars IV: A New Hope (USA) (video box title)
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (USA) (reissue title (new title))