ronlaw

User Group: Members
Join date: 4-Jun-2004
Last activity: 1-Nov-2011
Posts: 83

Post History

Post: #311282
Topic: Star Wars Prologue - Epic Prequel Edit (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/311282/action/topic#311282
Time: 23-Feb-2008 9:13 AM

Interesting concept, to use some more imaginative editing - certainly Star Wars has never been too adventurous in this regard.

I've tried "Fall of the Republic" by Blankfist, He brutally chopped out the crap of Episode I - down to 22 minutes. That removes most of the silliness including Jar Jar.
What's left is decent film, but not very exciting because they just find Anakin and take him away without any struggle or action at all.
Ep2 is cut less heavily.
Ep3 is more or less intact.
The end result was still not very enjoyable to me, even though there was much less negative stuff. It still seems quite long and the cut from episode 1 to 2 feels unnatural.

Hope this works out better... its a big challenge to try and make one good movie just by editing.

Post: #311280
Topic: So apparently Christiansen can't act...
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/311280/action/topic#311280
Time: 23-Feb-2008 8:32 AM

The reviews of Jumper, a new science fiction film starring Hayden Christiansen, are in, and apparently is acting is just as bad as in Star Wars.

IMDB 6.1 (4.9 from regular voters)
Rotten Tomatoes 16%

So apparently a chunk of the prequels problems is him ... I thought he was decent in Life as a House and Shattered Glass, although he did seem a bit one-note at the time... maybe George Lucas has sucked whatever talent he had away?

Post: #302257
Topic: A New Thought on George
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/302257/action/topic#302257
Time: 30-Nov-2007 8:33 AM

Speaking of battles, I rewatched Serenity tonight. The space battle in there is fantastic! Up there with the best of star wars in my opinion.
And you know what? It's all over in less than 60 seconds (IIRC), you get only momentary blurred flashes of the cool stuff happening at incredible speed, the heroes aren't even fighting in it, just trying to get past. and before you know it the ship is crashing to the earth out of control with bits of starships burning up in the atmosphere around them.
That battle alone is more entertaining than any scene in the PT...

Post: #300934
Topic: Info: 16mm ESB and ROTJ films on ebay
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/300934/action/topic#300934
Time: 9-Nov-2007 8:47 AM

I would consider contributing, but go in with eyes open: it would be risky to do anything publically with them, plus you need expensive equipment to use them, plus they might be in poor condition.
I see the auctions you mean and the color at least looks pretty decent, but as he says the photos don't do it justice.

Post: #300930
Topic: How did you envision the prequels?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/300930/action/topic#300930
Time: 9-Nov-2007 8:11 AM

xhonzi: yes, both of those aspects of cloning; I didn't have much specific ideas (very young) but I thought there were many interesting aspects of cloning. Probably something like cloned slaves rebelling, twisting themselves to fight, I don't know...

Post: #299613
Topic: How did you envision the prequels?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/299613/action/topic#299613
Time: 22-Oct-2007 12:49 PM

I pretty much envisioned it as being like the classic Star Wars comics, some of which were quite cool. Although I collected them recently and some of it was really quite generic filler..

My god, there was a time when the words "The Clone Wars" sent shivers up my spine as I imagined all kinds of amazing things. I thought cloning would be an essential PART or REASON of the warS. Who would have thought that it would be most literal, least interesting explanation: a war fought by soldiers who all look exactly the same.

Post: #296857
Topic: .: The XØ Project - Laserdisc on Steroids :. (SEE FIRST POST FOR UPDATES) (* unfinished project *)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/296857/action/topic#296857
Time: 7-Sep-2007 2:09 PM

Brilliant! Great to hear from you Laserman!

Post: #296588
Topic: .: The XØ Project - Laserdisc on Steroids :. (SEE FIRST POST FOR UPDATES) (* unfinished project *)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/296588/action/topic#296588
Time: 2-Sep-2007 11:53 AM

Originally posted by: vbangle
Sounds like you need to catch up with the rest of the class.

What do you mean? I have read all this thread and have been reading this forum for a few years.

Since Laserman will probably not be able to finish the work, Zion may have to do it instead. (That is if they want to continue - understandable if not).

Post: #295997
Topic: .: The XØ Project - Laserdisc on Steroids :. (SEE FIRST POST FOR UPDATES) (* unfinished project *)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/295997/action/topic#295997
Time: 25-Aug-2007 10:14 AM

MBJ wrote:

Zion is trying to make up a computing rig that'll do the same thing, but there's still some more components and programs that are needed.

What do you need, guys?
You have the raw captures from X0 right - but what about all the other sources that went into the total process?

Sounds like you might need to reset back a few steps...

Post: #295996
Topic: Starwars.com survey
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/295996/action/topic#295996
Time: 25-Aug-2007 9:35 AM

@ Mike O: why do you make an exception for Indy IV?

Post: #295087
Topic: One more you lose George....
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/295087/action/topic#295087
Time: 12-Aug-2007 12:13 PM

How about BladeRunner??? The number of options is a little silly, but you can buy exactly what you want on any format.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/R2VT2ECILZ4O3B

Now that's respecting the source material. A new cut, the theatrical cut, the DVD cut, AND the interim laserdisc/video cut. All restored properly. And even a workprint version if you want!

But then I guess BladeRunner is a much bigger franchise than the relatively obscure Star Wars series. Still, at least Star Wars has a lot more depth and sophistication ... OH WAIT

Post: #295086
Topic: Who got their membership pkg and "letter" from George Lucas?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/295086/action/topic#295086
Time: 12-Aug-2007 11:53 AM

Just a small note, because it's kind of ironic and also could cause some confusion in future:

Blu-ray and HD-DVD are always letterboxed!

That is to say: there are no anamorphic formats defined, which means that no movie wider than 16:9 ratio can use the full resolution of 1080. They must always be letterboxed, encoding the black bars as part of the signal (albeit highly compressed).

This is a bit ridiculous, IMO, since this means you will rarely if ever get 1080 lines of actual signal even though it's in "1080p". For the moment it's not a problem as it's still an advance over DVD, but not as much as it should have been.

For more discussion:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/archive/index.php/t-652716.html
(site seems to be down at the moment).

For a description of this proposed "Super-Cheap" HD version of OOT, we should think up something more accurate... like "Blur-Ray"

Post: #295013
Topic: Star Wars: REBORN - The Complete Saga (* unfinished project *)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/295013/action/topic#295013
Time: 11-Aug-2007 10:41 AM

Very, very nice. The prequel footage seems a lot better when trimmed and mixed in, and there is a palpable sense of doom and building tension. A fine professional editing job - would never know it was not a major movie release (except maybe that it's a bit long).

Post: #291979
Topic: .: The XØ Project - Laserdisc on Steroids :. (SEE FIRST POST FOR UPDATES) (* unfinished project *)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/291979/action/topic#291979
Time: 5-Jul-2007 1:50 PM

Thanks MBJ and Zion for explanations.

I did not realise quite how fully this project depended on Laserman. Of course it is pretty meaningless next to his real life problems. I really hope he gets better but sometimes things just don't happen that way

He is a great guy.

If we are unfortunate enough that Laserman can't continue, does that mean the project is over?

Post: #291119
Topic: .: The XØ Project - Laserdisc on Steroids :. (SEE FIRST POST FOR UPDATES) (* unfinished project *)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/291119/action/topic#291119
Time: 24-Jun-2007 10:11 AM

Sorry to say I am losing faith in this project. I have followed it for a long time (and donated) and I just don't believe that it is so difficult to get the last few steps done. If the X0 guys are just obsessing over details, or creating some fancy website, then perhaps you should realise it will never be perfect and at some point just stop and release it.

Yes, at this point I really do doubt that you've done what you claim to have done.

Post: #291118
Topic: What is the most distressing aspect of the PT?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/291118/action/topic#291118
Time: 24-Jun-2007 10:02 AM

Anakin's turn to the darkside.

Not sure it was really worth making the prequels about his turn, but that seemed to be the whole point, and it was totally muffed. It achieved staggering levels of mediocrity. Less convincing than most b-grade TV shows. The reason was stupid, the scripting was silly, the acting dull. Theres dozens of great examples and somehow the writer missed all of them.

Post: #289643
Topic: So, um... no new DVD's announced this year?
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/289643/action/topic#289643
Time: 8-Jun-2007 1:10 PM

most fans sit in the middle when it comes to the PT, they kinda like them,

No way. The first two are really bad films and the third one i mediocre. I don't like any of them.

Post: #287895
Topic: Always remember to switch off your cell-phone during imperial meetings
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/287895/action/topic#287895
Time: 25-May-2007 9:16 AM

Very nice

Post: #284902
Topic: Episode 3 - Editing Back in Progress (* unfinished project *)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/284902/action/topic#284902
Time: 30-Apr-2007 12:33 PM

Just an idea in passing - sorry if already covered.
To resolve why obi-wan would just leave anakin to die.

I wonder if it would be possible to show the emperor arriving early - some kind of reaction shot from obi-wan - a long look at anakin lying below him, unable to decide what to do or resolve his feelings - and then he runs off because he would be captured if he stayed a moment longer.

Post: #263029
Topic: Merry X0mas and a Happy New Year!
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/263029/action/topic#263029
Time: 29-Dec-2006 10:04 AM

Quite remarkable. Congratulations.
Also, I notice that is not a very large jpg file: it seems to be showing noticeable JPG artefacting. Implying that the original source is likely a certain degree clearer.

I must agree with your comment about the restored version, Laserman. It is frankly absurd that Lucasfilm is claiming there is no way to make a restored version of the OT, since their first step would obviously have been to restore most or all of the original trilogy footage as it stood. They would only haev had to work hard on a few bits and pieces that had been heavily modified. And what's the likelihood that simply to keep the process straightforward, they did in fact restore everything? Would they really go through all the footage and say "restore minutes 1-33, skip 2 minutes, restore the next 7 minutes, then skip 1 minute, then ... "

I can only assume that Mr Lucas stands on his pedastal and shouts down anyone of his minions who suggests such a thing.

Post: #261312
Topic: The old Star Wars comics - general discussion thread
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/261312/action/topic#261312
Time: 13-Dec-2006 3:12 AM

A lot of these comics were reprinted in a series of volumes called :
Classic Star Wars Vol 1 In Deadly Pursuit
Classic Star Wars Vol 2 The Rebel Storm
Classic Star Wars Vol 3 Escape to Hoth

Each volume covers about 7 of the original stories. You can I suppose get the individual stores as separate books but that would make for a lot of books and shippings costs. These volumes are about 100 pages or so...

They are not completely trivial to get, but you can get used copies at amazon or TFAW.com.

Post: #252660
Topic: Final notice regarding your e-mail address and private messages in the new forum software
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/252660/action/topic#252660
Time: 21-Oct-2006 9:04 AM

Hi Jay, will it be possible to:
- turn off avatars and signatures? (many people abuse this wasting huge amounts of space)
- ignore people?
- find/follow my own posts more easily? Right now one has to use the search for username and it only returns the whole thread, not my particular post (as far as I can tell)

Thanks for the forum.

Post: #252476
Topic: Here's my stance
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/252476/action/topic#252476
Time: 20-Oct-2006 11:27 AM

Yes, I think Mr Lucas has finally managed to open my eyes to the fact that, actually, ALL the star wars movies are kind of crap. Some of them have good fun moments, and their tech was sometimes innovative, but basically they were crappy movies, and I just sucked them up because I was young and impressionable.

Thanks for the tip, George!

Post: #249779
Topic: What do you think of the <strong>Prequel Trilogy</strong>? a general discussion thread
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249779/action/topic#249779
Time: 5-Oct-2006 1:52 PM

I would guess that a majority of people on this site (originaltrilogy) DON'T own all the prequels. And quite a large percentage don't own any of them.

So, no, we don't own them. Not all of us are hypocrites.

I don't. I thought about ROTS, which had moments of goodness, but on a second watching (rental) the dullness and stiupid scenes stood out even more, and I realised it was just a mediocre sci-fi movie like the first two prequels.

Post: #249776
Topic: I've given this a lot of thought, and I've decided this makes no sense. (Qui-Gon and Anakin's ghosts.)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/249776/action/topic#249776
Time: 5-Oct-2006 1:45 PM

I've never understood this desire to try and find detailed explanations for things.
Lucas and the other writers just did what seemed the coolest/most dramatic in the particular scene. And their idea of that changed in the different movies.
In general, I believe they are much more concerned about making a fun movie than trying to slavishly follow every rule and idea that came up before. It's only the hard-core fans who feel everything should be explainable.