miker71

User Group: Members
Join date: 7-Sep-2007
Last activity: 19-Dec-2024
Posts: 177

Post History

Post: #304342
Topic: "The People Vs. George Lucas" documentary...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/304342/action/topic#304342
Time: 21-Dec-2007 3:11 PM

I totally respect Lucas's authorship rights to do what he pleases with his own work, but as another poster mentioned it would be great to have an official restoration of "Star Wars", warts and all. It's the movie that made me want to make movies. The SE is the movie that reminds me great art is never finished; it is abandoned. As a snapshot on the movie and how it was made, I really dig Deleted Magic - a fully restored OT Star Wars would be a great companion to that.

Post: #304085
Topic: "The People Vs. George Lucas" documentary...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/304085/action/topic#304085
Time: 18-Dec-2007 1:40 AM

Much as I like to distance myself from fanbois and fanfilms - sometimes I wonder about making a fanfilm. You know, to show Lucas and the fans that a "Star Wars" film is still possible. I know many fanfilms have been made, but even the better ones like "Troops" are too pastiche to actually be Star Wars IMO (a stormtrooper wearing high-heels?!) - my fanfilm however would be officially syndicated by Lucasfilm and not shown on TV or the internet for at least a decade ....

Post: #302728
Topic: Silly Obi-Wan ANH question
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/302728/action/topic#302728
Time: 6-Dec-2007 12:33 PM

Originally posted by: Sluggo
As far as I know, the noise didn't become a "Krayt dragon call" until one of the West End Games source books made it that way back in the larte 80's.

I'm not sure about that. I (think) I knew it was a Krayt dragon call long before playing the Star Wars RPG. I must have found about it either in the Marvel comics, the ghost written novelisation or one of many specials in newspapers and on TV at the time.

Post: #302707
Topic: Silly Obi-Wan ANH question
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/302707/action/topic#302707
Time: 6-Dec-2007 4:42 AM

I've always assumed he was vocalising the sound, perhaps with augmentation from the force. I'm sure he has his hands up to his mouth like he's doing an owl call, though it's a long time since I've watched any of the OT.

And I thought the original OT calling sound was better than the 2004 rendition, I assume because I grew up with the original versions. Nostalgia is powerful, don't mess with it! (Waaay too late)

Post: #302118
Topic: Fall to the Dark Side?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/302118/action/topic#302118
Time: 28-Nov-2007 4:32 AM

I actually think Anakin's journey to the dark side was "okay". His naïveté exploited by Palpatine who was obviously the wiser. His impatience with bureaucracy etc. Some of the implementation of that arc was a bit lame (sith eyes and "noooooooo", WTF?!), but the arc itself I thought stood up pretty well.

Post: #302063
Topic: Is there a 2001 reference in AOTC?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/302063/action/topic#302063
Time: 27-Nov-2007 3:18 AM

A story I heard about 2001 was that they were using Blue Danube to edit to and Kubrick liked it so much that's how it stayed. Dunno about the rest of the 2001 score, I'm not familiar with it.

And Lucas was in awe of 2001 according to page 142 of Skywalking ... but he considered it too obscure and downbeat. The quote about the production design and the camera lingering on it must be from another source.

Post: #301993
Topic: Is there a 2001 reference in AOTC?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/301993/action/topic#301993
Time: 26-Nov-2007 2:02 AM

I'd never heard about those 2001 references before. Interesting that someone in Lucasland saw fit to reference a movie that Lucas has previously criticised for dwelling too much on its own set design accomplishments rather than drive the story forward (I forget his exact quote, I think it's in Star Wars to Jedi: Making of a Saga or in Pollock's Skywalking). I often felt that the PT was masterbating over "look at what we can do" rather than driving the story forward ....

Post: #300835
Topic: The Beginning: Making 'Episode I': A comedy masterpiece
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/300835/action/topic#300835
Time: 8-Nov-2007 3:13 AM

IIRC there's a shot of Ben Burtt editing with Lucas over his shoulder telling us how they can "punch out" captain Panaka from one take and insert him in another take where other actors gave better performances. I'm sure Burtt is suffering in silence and looks totally pissed off at all the pointless meddling. What would Marcia have have said if she'd been editing?!

Post: #300705
Topic: Ian McDiarmid's performance in the PT (also the OT) is memorable and absolutely enthralling
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/300705/action/topic#300705
Time: 6-Nov-2007 11:05 AM

Yes I think he's ace too. Not sure I like his scarring scene and choice of undergarments, but when he's just talking he's superb.

Post: #299949
Topic: Would you give up ESB in exchange for...?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/299949/action/topic#299949
Time: 25-Oct-2007 5:45 PM

No ESB?! No Boba Fett? No Walkers? No asteroids?! No way! Also the "Making of ESB" piqued my own interest in moviemaking without which .....

Post: #299305
Topic: Another PT "what if"...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/299305/action/topic#299305
Time: 18-Oct-2007 4:59 AM

TPM should've echoed ANH by starting the story later with Padme et al arriving on Tatooine and finding out why later.

Palpatine and Sidious - should've been clones and should've been the real catalyst for the clone wars - the whole "good and evil twin" cliche taken to a Star Wars extreme.

Obi-Wan Kenobi should have been OB-1 Kenobi (a clone designation - a name old Ben had not heard in a long time!)

Midichlorins should've been a psychedelic drug that makes you feel "closer to the force" whilst under its influence.

Post: #298902
Topic: Anything? Anything At All? (that is remotely positive or good about the SE and PT?)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/298902/action/topic#298902
Time: 12-Oct-2007 11:47 AM

That's a good point about the PT trailers - I enjoyed the trailers for TPM and ROTS more than the films themselves. Ah, sweet anticipa .....

Post: #298836
Topic: Anything? Anything At All? (that is remotely positive or good about the SE and PT?)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/298836/action/topic#298836
Time: 11-Oct-2007 8:04 AM

I think the best things to come out of the PT and SE is the validation of digital media and increased to all digital workflows. I'm not talking special effects, I mean the fact that the digital domain came of age and all that high-end tech does trickle down to your desktop. Great news for indie moviemakers and amateurs who refuse to give up.

In terms of the content of the movies - the SE, I would have preferred if it was just a neg and composite clean-up and more subtle like the THX1138 SE.

The PT, well Williams is still ace. The lightsabre stuff is full-on and I did personally like the second half of Clones where the fighting starts. Sith was a big disappointment with too much slapstick, and even the opening sequence which when I read about it sounded awesome just completely failed to impress me on the big screen - it should've been a wide-angle rollercoaster ride but instead it was a depthless wankathon. Sorry, ranting already.

Post: #297911
Topic: Info: The Making of The Empire Strikes Back (Michel Parbot)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/297911/action/topic#297911
Time: 27-Sep-2007 3:35 PM

unfortunately I only remember The Making of the Empire Strikes Back that broadcast on a Friday evening which made me want to leave my Nan's house early.

But, the wallpaper behind Fisher:

I had the same in my bedroom! What nostalgia to see that again! Anybody know of any clean image of that wallpaper? Could make good computer desktop wallpaper ...

Edit:
Here's some other pics of the bedroom wallpaper. Am I easily pleased or is this pretty cool?!

http://bp3.blogger.com/_jv-vx0HDjF0/Ru6TFgRhtYI/AAAAAAAABGU/e-IJFicUOyQ/s1600-h/AG_78b.jpg

http://bp2.blogger.com/_jv-vx0HDjF0/Ru6TGQRhtZI/AAAAAAAABGc/rNSaMdZAPGQ/s1600-h/a197_1.JPG

Sourced from
http://bsmbow.blogspot.com/2007/09/star-wars-wallpaper-1978.html

(yes, and I apologise for being so off-topic!!)

Post: #297411
Topic: 2007 DVD repackage
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/297411/action/topic#297411
Time: 18-Sep-2007 4:50 AM

I'd really like a boxed set of six movies, just so I can have my closure and never buy them ever again. Perhaps that's why we'll never see them all in one box - customers like convenience, but profits can be made from confusion. We'll probably see a DVD boxed set of all six just as DVD becomes obsolete and HD versions (all flavours) are being pushed. As for extras, I really love the fan made stuff, especially DM, BE, RTJ ... now that's convenience!

Post: #297260
Topic: Why the hell did the lazy Emperor even think Luke would join the dark side and become his new apprentice?!
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/297260/action/topic#297260
Time: 14-Sep-2007 6:36 AM

The dark side is "quicker, easier, more seductive". It does take a certain other strength to continually "do the right thing" in an ego-less manner, without thanks and without recognition.

Post: #297259
Topic: Indiana Jones IV
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/297259/action/topic#297259
Time: 14-Sep-2007 6:29 AM

Shortround's half-brother?

Post: #297217
Topic: Why the hell did the lazy Emperor even think Luke would join the dark side and become his new apprentice?!
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/297217/action/topic#297217
Time: 13-Sep-2007 6:06 PM

I thought the Emperor was pretty creepy, and it's still a great performance. He can be lazy like an old man cos he yields such great power, and his sardonic tone is fantastic IMO.

Palpatine on the other hand ... I liked the subtle manipulations, but, really, the Jedi came across as a bunch of bureaucrats unable to detect the single most darkest Sith right in their midst. I had hoped for a clever clone twist, but alas, all I got was "Qui Gonn taught me how to cheat death" and frickin midichlorians. And that stupid prophecy. I hate prophecies, but I do like the way Anakin restored balance to the force by chucking the Emperor down a handy shaft thus fulfilling the prophecy. I guess Plagueous never taught Palpatine levitation then ....

Post: #297134
Topic: Potter eclipses Star Wars and Bond
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/297134/action/topic#297134
Time: 12-Sep-2007 12:08 PM

I think movies are more design than art. Decisions about story and production design are made when transcribing from book to screenplay. And, frankly, what director can possibly hope to surpass your own imagination? So I agree that books and films are separate media - but I would stop short of calling 98% of movies 'art'. Art is the lie that makes us realise the truth. How many movies are that challenging to the human psyche?

Post: #297126
Topic: Potter eclipses Star Wars and Bond
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/297126/action/topic#297126
Time: 12-Sep-2007 6:21 AM

my kids are into Transformers and Bratz. their friends are into stuff like Doctor Who and Pokémon. Harry Potter owes a lot to "The Worst Witch" if you ask me. HP is a great franchise, no doubt, but I think a lot of it is driven by adult women taking their kids to see it, rather than the kids asking to go to see it. I think it'll pan out like the 70s Planet of the Apes franchise which was also reasonably successful at the time. of course, I don't have a crystal ball and this HP news is undoubtedly good for the British Film Service industry.

Post: #297057
Topic: old kenner commercial reels
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/297057/action/topic#297057
Time: 11-Sep-2007 11:24 AM

must mean this:
http://secrethistoryofstarwars.com/book.html
?

(man google rocks!)

looks interesting, will certainly give it a read. unauthorised stuff is generally the best ....

Post: #296984
Topic: The Things We Hate And Love Thread .
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/296984/action/topic#296984
Time: 10-Sep-2007 5:19 AM

Hate war.
Love prosperous family.

"pax copia"

Post: #296962
Topic: old kenner commercial reels
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/296962/action/topic#296962
Time: 9-Sep-2007 4:39 PM

probably 10 years ago I had a really bad generation-loss VHS of a compilation of the american kenner adverts. it included a marketing reel that (presumably) was never on telly but was shown to toyshops or distributors or whatever. in it, i'm sure there was reference to 12 star wars movies that would "send your sales out of this universe", or something similar. i'm sure Hamill made reference to 12 films during an early 1977ish interview.

the question is, did I create this memory all on my own, or is there anything out there that could corroborate (or not) this? does anyone else remember the talk of 12 movies (I suppose you could count episodes 1-6 then the holiday special and the two ewok films to make 9, with the remaining 3 being the ones that Lucas has said he won't make (thank goodness)).

[ oh wait, seems i'm not going mad - http://www.iesb.net/movies/movie90904.htm - whew! ]

Post: #296961
Topic: What is the most distressing aspect of the PT?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/296961/action/topic#296961
Time: 9-Sep-2007 4:23 PM

I was really distressed by almost everything except the production design. But production design alone does not a good movie make ...

Robot Chicken about summed it up for me in the last few seconds of this clip:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6nP0krgabeA

Post: #296953
Topic: Windows Vista
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/296953/action/topic#296953
Time: 9-Sep-2007 6:29 AM

any OS that displays a progress indicator for showing the contents of a folder has serious underlying issues IMO.

Microsoft should have pushed Vista as a 64-bit OS (like Apple are doing for Leopard). For 32-bit stuff XP seems just fine, and is obviously very mature.