Ask questions to The Digital Bits team (Bill Hunt, Jeff Kleist et.al.)

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Knight-Errant

I'd've bought the Trek movies if they had the director's cuts included, personally. Is there a chance the next reissue could include them?

I know the first one needed a lot of work for this.

Well, IMHO only TMP benefits from the extended scenes and even then the story itself remains the same. The added scenes to II ruined the pacing and some stuff in VI is painful ("I'll bet that Klingon b***h killed her father!").

Also keep in mind they are Director's Editions, not cuts. The directors always had final cut for the TREK films.

Paramount is also notorious for not seamlessly branching their films (Gladiator was produced by Universal) so I'm grateful to have the originals that I've seen wayyyy too many times theatrically on Blu-ray.

[al cos.]

I think it was Harve Bennett who cut that stuff out of II.

[Knight-Errant]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Well, IMHO only TMP benefits from the extended scenes and even then the story itself remains the same. The added scenes to II ruined the pacing and some stuff in VI is painful (I'll bet that Klingon b***h killed her father!").

Also keep in mind they are Director's Editions, not cuts. The directors always had final cut for the TREK films.

Paramount is also notorious for not seamlessly branching their films (Gladiator was produced by Universal) so I'm grateful to have the originals that I've seen wayyyy too many times theatrically on Blu-ray.

Well that's an interesting viewpoint, Peter (and I normally agree with you on lots of points, so definitely not being difficult as I'm always interested in your insights into these sorts of technical matters), as I was under the impression, based on Nick Meyer's comments on the Wrath of Khan DVD commentary that the "director's edition" is Meyer's cut. He certainly says as much, calling it "my cut" (it having later been changed by others) and makes comment that the film was weakened by removing those moments.

The fact that Peter Preston gets more setup, being revealed as Scotty's nephew, makes his death more affecting. Meyer comments on this on the commentary. There's also the moment when Kirk is sheepish after the first battle with the Reliant and had that nice little exchange with Bones, showing self doubt.

I also like the other little bits. There's an alternate take on the Regula One lab and I like Kirk's moment with Spock on the ladder.

"That young man is my son"

"Fascinating".

For Star Trek 6, Meyer comments on changes being made by him later, but once I saw the director's editions of these films, those are the versions I got used to watching so I would like to upgrade them and certainly some lovely character moments are in the director's edition of TWOK.

Of course, Robert Wise's changes to The Motion Picture are quite significant too and I'd like to have that version. It had a complete new sound mix and several new effects shots which clarify or illustrate things that didn't make sense originally.

I may be wrong as I'm going by research I've done myself without special access, but I'm confused hehe. As a purist for director's cuts (or preferred versions) who appreciates what they represent, I obviously have an interest in having the option to watch them in the best format (Blu-ray).

If I'm wrong about this stuff, I'm happy to stand corrected.

Apologies for the editing, my long posts are often works in progress

[Knight-Errant]

Originally Posted by al cos.

I think it was Harve Bennett who cut that stuff out of II.

William Shatner's book on making The Final Frontier (Captain's Log) certainly makes the point that after getting his cut of the film done, it was turned over to Harve Bennett for his producer's cut, during which time he was barred (willingly) from the editing room, the film being massively reduced in length. He's quite candid in his discussion of these aspects of the process.

[SpaceDog]

Originally Posted by Bomberman

Thanks jeff, It sucks we wont be seeing SG-1 For some time. I would buy them if they had a 4 star video transfer.

One more question, Some of the Star Trek movies PQ- Wise sucked, is there a chance of a remaster of them in the future?

If you don't already have it, the complete series DVD boxed set is an excellent value. You can frequently find it at $99. With no blu-ray update on the horizon, I wouldn't hold off.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Knight-Errant

William Shatner's book on making The Final Frontier (Captain's Log) certainly makes the point that after getting his cut of the film done, it was turned over to Harve Bennett for his producer's cut, during which time he was barred (willingly) from the editing room, the film being massively reduced in length. He's quite candid in his discussion of these aspects of the process.

But he was still able to negotiate what he wanted to keep vs. what Harve wanted, so compromises were made. However Shatner had also agreed for a certain running time so the majority of the cuts were made for that, not for content. He kinda screwed himself on that one...that and not hiring ILM for the film.

It also doesn't help the stuff they left in....throwing a 3-breasted catwoman over his head...Desk 78...40k light years in hours...but I digress.

Originally Posted by Knight-Errant

Well that's an interesting viewpoint, Peter (and I normally agree with you on lots of points, so definitely not being difficult), as I was under the impression, based on Nick Meyer's comments on the Wrath of Khan DVD commentary that the "director's edition" is Meyer's cut. He certainly says as much, calling it "my cut" and makes comment that the film was weakened by removing those moments.

A director can have more than one cut, the theatrical is his cut too, just as Oliver Stone cut Alexander at least 3 times.

The fact that Peter Preston gets more setup, being revealed as Scotty's nephew, makes his death more affecting. Meyer comments on this on the commentary. There's also the moment when Kirk is sheepish after the first battle with the Reliant and had that nice little exchange with Bones, showing self doubt.

They shot it with alternate takes, it seems Meyer was ambivalent about keeping it in. It seems kind of corny in retrospect: that the only engineering cadet we seeing die just happens to be Scotty's nephew. Without that revelation I can still see why Scotty would be upset: Preston was the only cadet who didn't run, stayed behind and helped save others. Guilt because he was in charge of them. The one thing they should have had was in the novelization where it was explained why Preston was taken to the bridge rather than sickbay: "I canna find Dr. McCoy!" In the film, it just seems to be an unnecessary shock moment.

I also like the other little bits. There's an alternate take on the Regula One lab and I like Kirk's moment with Spock on the ladder.

"That young man is my son"

"Fascinating".

It seems a bit cheesy though. Bones knew about Carol, and it seemed Spock knew her as well. For them to know David was Kirk's son already isn't a stretch, and it seems the impression you are supposed to get is that David is the only one who doesn't know.

[Knight-Errant]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

But he was still able to negotiate what he wanted to keep vs. what Harve wanted, so compromises were made. However Shatner had also agreed for a certain running time so the majority of the cuts were made for that, not for content. He kinda screwed himself on that one...that and not hiring ILM for the film.

It also doesn't help the stuff they left in....throwing a 3-breasted catwoman over his head...Desk 78...40k light years in hours...but I digress.



A director can have more than one cut, the theatrical is his cut too, just as Oliver Stone cut Alexander at least 3 times.



They shot it with alternate takes, it seems Meyer was ambivalent about keeping it in. It seems kind of corny in retrospect: that the only engineering cadet we seeing die just happens to be Scotty's nephew. I can see why Scotty would be upset: Preston was the only cadet who didn't run, stayed behind and helped save others. Guilt because he was in charge of them. The one thing they should have had was in the novelization where it was explained why Preston was taken to the bridge rather than sickbay: "I canna find Dr. McCoy!" In the film, it just seems to be an unnecessary shock moment.



It seems a bit cheesy though. Bones knew about Carol, and it seemed Spock knew her as well. For them to know David was Kirk's son already isn't a stretch, and it seems the impression you are supposed to get is that David is the only one who doesn't know.

Ah thanks so much Peter. Very informative. As you can tell, I'm a total geek hehe

[fitprod]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Paramount is also notorious for not seamlessly branching their films (Gladiator was produced by Universal) so I'm grateful to have the originals that I've seen wayyyy too many times theatrically on Blu-ray.

Peter, Universal had nothing to do with the Gladiator BD in the US, except for maybe providing the masters, but I doubt that. It was a Paramount BD release.

fitprod

[Jeff Kleist]

Peter, Universal had nothing to do with the Gladiator BD in the US, except for maybe providing the masters, but I doubt that. It was a Paramount BD release.

Universal is responsible for all of the content on the Gladiator BD. The bonus material, the masters provided etc. They control all of the assets to the film. They shipped the same disc internationally. The only thing that would have been done differently is swapping in localized menus.

This is not uncommon, where local distributors 'buy in" to a release to save money

You'll see this again when Titanic comes out. Fox is the main party responsible for that film.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by fitprod

Peter, Universal had nothing to do with the Gladiator BD in the US, except for maybe providing the masters, but I doubt that. It was a Paramount BD release.

fitprod

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Universal is responsible for all of the content on the Gladiator BD. The bonus material, the masters provided etc. They control all of the assets to the film. They shipped the same disc internationally. The only thing that would have been done differently is swapping in localized menus.

This is not uncommon, where local distributors 'buy in" to a release to save money

You'll see this again when Titanic comes out. Fox is the main party responsible for that film.

What he (Jeff) said

I really hope Paramount starts using branching soon. Team America is one title that I actually prefer the "R" version of.

[MerrickG]

Jeff,

Another weekend has passed with Avatar raking in huge dough. Does it actually have a chance to pass titanic now?

It is easy to bet that it will become the best selling bluray, since DVD, if I remember correctly cant do 3D justice.

[DenonCI]

I broke down and went and saw it today. Frankly, I was blown-away with the Dolby 3D presentation. In fact, it was the first 3D experience that didn't give me a headache.

The story wasn't very original, but neither was "Star Wars" when it came out in 1977. The technology transcends the storytelling experience. Well done Mr. Cameron.

[amattiel]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

I would simply say, you'll have to wait and see. Much is happening behind the scenes on both sides. I don't want to say much more than that on this subject at the moment.

Hello - I am not sure where to get help with this....but I have a PIONEER ELITE VSX-21TXH and my SONY BDP-S360 is connected via HDMI cable. When I play Blue Ray disc - no matter which one - the display on the AMP shows PCM. How do I tell the amp or the Sony to play the HD flavor of audio. WHat am I missing?
Thanks

[DenonCI]

This isn't the right thread to ask this question, but I'll answer anyway. You BDP-360 is decoding the DTS-HD MA internally and outputting the signal as PCM. There is virtually no difference between internal decoding in a player and decoding in your receiver...you are getting the best audio possible as is.

[amattiel]

Originally Posted by DenonCI

This isn't the right thread to ask this question, but I'll answer anyway. You BDP-360 is decoding the DTS-HD MA internally and outputting the signal as PCM. There is virtually no difference between internal decoding in a player and decoding in your receiver...you are getting the best audio possible as is.

Thanks - so if the BLUE RAY player didn't encode - the AMP would (assuming it supported
it) and the DTS-HD would flash on the display as oppose to PCM? Thanks !!!

[DenonCI]

No problem.

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by amattiel

Thanks - so if the BLUE RAY player didn't encode - the AMP would (assuming it supported
it) and the DTS-HD would flash on the display as oppose to PCM? Thanks !!!

Just some advice if you are going to post on this forum:
do not call blu-ray. BLUE-RAY. You wont get taken seriously. Just some friendly advice. :-)

[Agent Simth]

Now that the studios are coming out with 3D versions of films are we going to be able to pick between buying the 3D version or the 2D or are they going to pack them in the same package?

[Jeff Kleist]

They will be on the same disc virtually all the time, as 3D is an extension of 2D. The only time you'll see them seperated is if they're selling 3D as a premium like they do 2-disc editions. If you possess a 3D player, then certainly you'll get a choice of which mode to watch it in. If you don't the 3D option simply won't be offfered

[woodlandwolf]

Hey Jeff any word on if Disney's Alice in Wonderland is coming to Blu? Ultimatedisney.com has just the dvd for March 30th. And if no why would Disney not do a Blu or would they wait for the 3D verison to come out first on video? Thanks.