timdiggerm

It’s good, but the shots feel framed really funny with all that static space.

ZkinandBonez said:

It’s a cool idea, but wouldn’t a more mystical reason make more sense in SW? E.g. the idea of bonding with a living crystal if you’re a Jedi, or “bleeding” it if you’re a Sith.

I don’t get why so many people don’t like the new lightsaber crystal lore. It’s such a Star Wars-y concept. They’ve even named them Kyber crystals.

because the inclination against the mystic side of Star Wars is strong among sci-fi nerds

RogueLeader said:

nl0428 said:

If anyone here went to go see the 3D release of The Phantom Menace, please tell me what the master and color grading looked like. Did it look like the 2011 Blu-ray, or this new Disney+ version?

If anyone can actually remember what that particular color grading looked like for a movie they saw once, maybe twice, in theaters seven years ago, I’ll be impressed!

If that kind of claim was going to be made anywhere on the Internet, surely it’d be here.

snooker said:

but, the explosions in the OT literally are the most realistic possible explosions ? because they’re real ??

They’re the most realistic small explosions of models filmed in an atmosphere with gravity, sure.

Ronster said:

There is probably a link between the Dennis Villeneuvue Remake and them Restoring this version to cash in on potential new interest in the property yes.

He may have meant a hyperlink.

Yeah I don’t really see any improvement here. If anything, the flames are more obviously small-scale.

DominicCobb said:

timdiggerm said:

DominicCobb said:

timdiggerm said:

DominicCobb said:

OutboundFlight said:

The trailer looks really good! I love the original direction it seems to be taking. Unfortunately, I will not be using Disney Plus. But I will try to stay unspoiled, on the off chance it releases elsewhere.

I don’t really understand the reluctance. If you just don’t want to have to subscribe to another service you can always wait until the whole season’s out and just do a month. I really hope this gets released on home video but there’s really no guarantee of that these days.

Given their increasingly monopolized position, the way they’re putting classic Fox films into “the vault” and out of the repertory theaters, not to mention the state of copyright thanks to their lobbying, I’m reticent to give them money for anything.

Listen, I understand what you’re getting at. But if you’re someone who wants to watch this show, this is the way to do it. A boycott isn’t going to accomplish anything, just prevent you from enjoying something you might like.

Yup, if you think a corporation is doing bad things, they’ll definitely change if you give them your money.

Nearly all corporations are doing bad things. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do about that, never see a movie again? Never buy an iPhone or shop at Walmart? Disney doesn’t give a shit.

For the record, I probably won’t be subscribing anyway (I’ll most likely be borrowing someone’s password). Happy?

I mean, a little bit, sure. Sorry, I should not have been so sarcastic.

DominicCobb said:

timdiggerm said:

DominicCobb said:

OutboundFlight said:

The trailer looks really good! I love the original direction it seems to be taking. Unfortunately, I will not be using Disney Plus. But I will try to stay unspoiled, on the off chance it releases elsewhere.

I don’t really understand the reluctance. If you just don’t want to have to subscribe to another service you can always wait until the whole season’s out and just do a month. I really hope this gets released on home video but there’s really no guarantee of that these days.

Given their increasingly monopolized position, the way they’re putting classic Fox films into “the vault” and out of the repertory theaters, not to mention the state of copyright thanks to their lobbying, I’m reticent to give them money for anything.

Listen, I understand what you’re getting at. But if you’re someone who wants to watch this show, this is the way to do it. A boycott isn’t going to accomplish anything, just prevent you from enjoying something you might like.

Yup, if you think a corporation is doing bad things, they’ll definitely change if you give them your money.

DominicCobb said:

OutboundFlight said:

The trailer looks really good! I love the original direction it seems to be taking. Unfortunately, I will not be using Disney Plus. But I will try to stay unspoiled, on the off chance it releases elsewhere.

I don’t really understand the reluctance. If you just don’t want to have to subscribe to another service you can always wait until the whole season’s out and just do a month. I really hope this gets released on home video but there’s really no guarantee of that these days.

Given their increasingly monopolized position, the way they’re putting classic Fox films into “the vault” and out of the repertory theaters, not to mention the state of copyright thanks to their lobbying, I’m reticent to give them money for anything.

What is that font

Nice to see them explicitly disconnect the hand from the saber immediately.

Charles Threepio said:

Only from the top and bottom. I can understand not wanting any cropping whatever if you’re combining a 4:3 DVD with a 4:3 laser videodisc, but when you’re dealing with VHS, which very often, if not always, has a bit of picture distortion at the bottom of the frame (my VHS copy is, of course, no exception), it just can’t be helped if you’re going for consistency, which I am in this case. Besides, I watched my entire VHS copy cropped to 1.66:1 just to be sure it’d work, and all the titles managed to fit rather well. Plus, the DVD, which I intend to use for most of the restoration process, has some artifacting of its own in a single shot, and cropping to 1.66:1 hid it quite nicely. One key objective of a restoration, after all, is to make the program look good.

Oooh, I understand now. Thanks.

Trailer thoughts, out of order

• Was that the Ghost?
• Was that a Y-wing? I get that there’s probably an old mothballed Imperial fleet coming into play, but why would there be an old Y-Wing? I guess the Rebellion is pretty desperate for ships. But jeez, if you thought TFA was just an OT reboot… Oh also a B-Wing! And old X-Wings? …does this movie have time travel after all?
• First Order base on a big ice crystal in space. That’s cool. And of course Snoke had a giant, ominous throne.
• I’m fine with returning to Endor & DSII, I think, because how else is Kylo going to get closure and understand the truth of Anakin’s redemption? Don’t ask me how going there will accomplish that, but it will.
• I thought the mothballed fleet was in space (see previous trailer), but now it appears to be emerging from the ocean (or possibly ice) while a cell of equestrian rebels gallops across it. Okay?
• Threepio’s going to die? Maybe? That seems fine, really
• aaaaaaaaaand mech-Palpatine

ChainsawAsh said:

All this is EU crap. That line makes Vader seem weak and with no agency in the movie. It’s why Vader kinda sucks in ROTJ compared to ANH/ESB, at least until he brings Luke to the Emperor.

Yeah, it makes him feel like a real person underneath the suit. Let’s look at the script!

Vader and Luke are left standing alone in the oddly tranquil beauty of the place. The sounds of the forest filter in upon them.

VADER: The Emperor has been expecting you.
LUKE: I know, father.
VADER: So, you have accepted the truth.
LUKE: I’ve accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father.
VADER (turning to face him): That name no longer has any meaning for me.

LUKE: It is the name of your true self. You’ve only forgotten. I know there is good in you. The Emperor hasn’t driven it from you fully. That is why you couldn’t destroy me. That’s why you won’t bring me to your Emperor now.

Vader is pushing for Luke to join the Sith, because Lucas hasn’t invented the Rule of Two yet. Luke is trying to remind Vader of his past as a good-guy, because he wants him to forsake the Empire and join the Rebellion. Vader doesn’t want to talk about that, so he changes the subject.

Vader looks down from Luke to the lightsaber in his own black- gloved hand. He seems to ponder Luke’s words.

VADER (indicating lightsaber): I see you have constructed a new lightsaber.

Vader ignites the lightsaber and holds it to examine its humming, brilliant blade.

VADER: Your skills are complete. Indeed, you are powerful, as the Emperor has foreseen.

He also takes a moment to talk-up his boss as an all-powerful (and thus irresistible) wizard. How can Luke say no to that?

They stand for a moment, the Vader extinguishes the lightsaber.

LUKE: Come with me.
VADER: Obi-Wan once thought as you do.

Luke steps close to Vader, then stops. Vader is still.

Luke is pretty sure he’s getting through to him - Vader brought up Obi-Wan! His old friend! Remember the good old days when you were a good-guy?

VADER: You don’t know the power of the dark side. I must obey my master.
LUKE: I will not turn…and you’ll be forced to kill me.
VADER: If that is your destiny.
LUKE: Search your feelings, father. You can’t do this. I feel the conflict within you. Let go of your hate.
VADER: It is too late for me, son. The Emperor will show you the true nature of the Force. He is your master now.

Vader, however, wants Luke to understand that, as far as he’s ever seen, there is no other option. He’s very conflicted, but what can he do? The Emperor sees all, can do all, etc. Vader doesn’t want to die, and he doesn’t want Luke to die. The only way to not die is to obey the Emperor.

Vader signals to some distant stormtroopers. He and Luke stand staring at one another for a long moment.

LUKE: Then my father is truly dead.

Anyway, my point is that this line is an essential part of Vader’s journey. It shows that he’s no longer actually committed to the Empire or even the Emperor, he just sees no other option. He is in despair, without hope, particularly since he’s pretty sure his only child (that he knows of) is committing suicide by trying to defy the Emperor. It demonstrates that Luke is right about him, he just doesn’t see a way out.

So are you cutting out stuff from the sides? How is that a preservation?

It is, obviously, a product of its time, as any film must be. In the 80s, it would have been considerably more difficult, perhaps even impossible, to create a climactic lightsabre duel on partially submerged wreckage amidst of the waves in a storm. Similar logic behind a … throne on a giant floating space ice crystal? Whatever that was. This doesn’t mean that Star Wars can’t have those things, but I see what you mean.

Wouldn’t a comparison to ROTJ Yoda be correct?

Broom Kid said:

I love that it’s Father Roderick doing the walk through

Oh my gosh that takes me back. So good to see he’s still around.

…then why not just post tomorrow?

SilverWook said:

People you know at the ASM, or can anyone make inquiries? I wouldn’t be surprised if someone on the film (McQuarrie?) drew inspiration from NASA hardware

Yeah, I just looked up curator’s emails on the museum’s website. I’ve been to a few talks there, so I did have some idea of which people to look for, and their staff bios list their specialties. One of the talks I went to was given by Owen Garriott, seen here at the very controls in question, so remembering which curators were involved with that talk was a good starting point.

So yes, it did help that 5 years ago I went to a lecture devoted to, more or less, talking about operating those controls.

SilverWook said:

https://deeplyobsessed.blogspot.com/2018/11/millennium-falcon-nav-console-discovery.html

Wow. That is bizarre. I’m emailing some people at the Air & Space Museum to see if they have any idea.

JEDIT: One of the curators got back to me and basically “Yup that is weird” but he didn’t know anything more. Not sure if any of the others I emailed will reply, but he did suggest talking to, you know, people who built the prop. That’s a good idea, I just have no idea where to start. Or finding out if the prop still exists today.

Tobar said:

ray_afraid said:

Also, is it stated in the movies (OT) that the Empire is drafting people? I kinda figured it was indoctrination and the lure of the darkside.

BIGGS: I know it’s a long shot, but if I don’t find them I’ll do what I can on my own… It’s what we always talked about. Luke, I’m not going to wait for the Empire to draft me into service. The Rebellion is spreading and I want to be on the right side – the side I believe in.
…
LUKE: Well, I’ll be at the Academy next season… after that who knows. I won’t be drafted into the Imperial Starfleet that’s for sure… Take care of yourself, you’ll always be the best friend I’ve got.

As an aside, this convo with Luke completely dispels the EU misconception that Luke was joining an Imperial Academy. Why would Biggs and Luke be worried about being drafted into the Empire if they were already signing up? On the contrary, it points to the Academy either being part of a local municipality or the equivalent of a trucker school. Just one of those things that the EU got wrong that has always bugged me.

On the other hand, you could interpret this about going for officer to avoid being drafted as a grunt.

Telion said:

exitzero said:

*A shot with Tie-Strikers patrolling Endor.

I don’t think ady will add anything not from the original trilogy (even though the striker was in Rogue one before you say)

Plus, what’s the point? The size & density of the trees makes any amount of air support for either side fairly useless.

ray_afraid said:

ZkinandBonez said:

Anybody else think this looks like a photo of action figures?
I dunno if it’s the angle, poses, scale of the background…
That’s not meant to be a criticism though. I’m sure it’ll look great on screen.

I completely agree

I do think there’s plenty of room for a second film with Han & Lando crossing paths again.

Not that that’ll ever get made. But the story leaves room.