"Club Penton" - Ask questions to Hollywood insider "Penton-Man"

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by cjamescook

Well, according to a (Canadian) friend that had a valve job (twice), there is good news and bad news in this general area. The good news is that they seem to staff the cutest nurses in the ICU. He theorizes this is deliberate staffing to motivate improved recovery. The bad news? They sorta regard you as just a slab of meat....

A "slab", eh?

Well, they haven’t seen Penton-Man in his morning glory with nothing but a hospital gown on yet.

[Penton-Man]

Just returned from a traditional Turkey bike ride with fellow industry friends (a-fib be damned!)

Word on the stereographic street is that for the upcoming theatrical Tron: Legacy, the Digital Domain guys have the ‘real word’ planned to look more 2D-ish compared to that of the ‘computer world’ having the more 3D-ish look. It should be interesting to see how they transition between effects of the real and digital worlds. I don’t know if this street rumor is 100% accurate, as I haven’t seen any advanced screening of the finished Disney product but, this Playstation Move support for Tron: Evolution is a guarantee…
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/...ayer-detailed/

Now, I’ve got to run and help my better half with preparation of this evening’s dinner before the hoard of relatives arrives and also check on how the Capon (yes, I said Capon rather than Turkey) is cooking. My lovely wife and chef extraordinaire says they taste better (more tender, etc.) than turkeys do, so we shall see.

And I am having wine with my meal despite doctor’s recommendations.

[pro-bassoonist]

Good afternoon Penton,

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your entire family

Second, during the last 3 days I've been going through what I think is one of this year's best releases and, if possible, I wanted to ask that you extend my regards to the guys at Sony Pictures (obviously, Mr. Crisp, Rita Belda and the rest of the folks who assisted them) whose terrific work made Criterion's America Lost and Found - The BBS Story possible. This set:



In fact, as far as I am concerned this is as much of a Criterion release as it is Sony Pictures release -- Sony's transfers for the films included in the set are incredible. I had already seen Easy Rider, but not the new Five Easy Pieces and The Last Picture Show. It should not be a secret that there is no one better out there than Sony when it comes to handling these types of films properly, but it can't hurt to mention it again.

Thank you.

I hope you are doing well

S.

[sharkshark]

ah, taunting me, you are.

HEAD is a film I've treasured on LD all these years - not only do I think it's a fun film, but as both a Monkees AND a Zappa nut, it's a no brainer. Curious how it holds up for you on BD.

Happy US Turkey Day, Penton. I won't make a bad format-war era pun about you drinking "red" with your wine choice, I promise.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

...It should not be a secret that there is no one better out there than Sony when it comes to handling these types of films properly, but it can't hurt to mention it again.

It certainly can’t.

Although, one thing which may be a secret to some is that I think it’s safe to say that Sony Pictures Entertainment is also the leader in regards to involving talent in production of Blu-ray titles (and restorations, in general) due to a lot of mutual trust which has been developed with filmmakers over the past 15 years.

Regarding the available talent, I’m referring not just to Directors, of course, but, especially with obtaining cinematographers’ input on remastering and restoration.

Recent example…..for the upcoming Taxi Driver, Michael Chapman (the DP) as well as Marty Scorsese will be invited for participation/guidance in the process to make sure the operators are exactly clued into the *look* of the motion picture itself……additionally, as on all projects, always using prints from the library as a basis for side-by-side reference with the digital data workflow for Taxi Driver.

I’m sure that everyone is aware of Marty and, in fact, I just recently posted a link to a candid interview he gave …….
https://forum.blu-ray.com/insider-di...ml#post4035180

But some may not be familiar with Michael Chapman, the D.P. for Taxi Driver. For those unaware souls, an early milestone of Michael’s career was that he worked as a camera operator for Gordon Willis on The Godfather, Klute, End of the Road and The Landlord before becoming a D.P. in his own right in the early seventies which ultimately led to another noteworthy milestone…. the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Lifetime Achievement Award in ’03 < that’s a rather big deal in the Cinematographic community.

Anyway, here’s a short personal interview with him talking about working on Taxi Driver….
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...5142724194338#

P.S.
Shark, as an aside, Michael also shot The Last Waltz…..under some pretty challenging conditions.

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

P.S.
Shark, as an aside, Michael also shot The Last Waltz…..under some pretty challenging conditions.

Hey, yeah, along with this guy:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0126128/

and this guy:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0616680/

and this guy:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0616680/

and this guy:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0616680/

AND this guy:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005812/

and some guy with this link:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0914368/

and don't forget this guy:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004088/

and (OH MY GOD) this guy:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005936/

basically, save for Gordy Willis, I think that's the entire "cast" of VISIONS OF LIGHT, no?

(Speaking of, there's a request: VISIONS OF LIGHT (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105764/) remastered in HD, with all clips recomped from original sources. Oh, and while we're at it, let's dream of the Scorsese A PERSONAL JOURNEY doc as well.

(Both of those, incidentally, I still have only on Laserdisc, the latter of course being a Criterion release)

Meanwhile, happy to see that work's finally proceeding on TAXI DRIVER. Speaking of, I saw KANSAS CITY BOMBER a couple weeks back (a friend is a ref in a Derby league, and it was a nice warm up.) Funny to see Raquel's young daughter played by a certain director of "Beaver" pictures (staring a girlfriend abusing anti-semite, no less)

Ah, Hollywood, is nothing sacred?

[sharkshark]

Speaking of cameras:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/28/p...-the-hobbit-t/

[KubrickFan]

He'll actually shoot in 3D? Now that's actually newsworthy.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by KubrickFan

He'll actually shoot in 3D? Now that's actually newsworthy.

Dude, I’m still digesting this 3D *news*….http://www.superherohype.com/news/ar...rs-3d-problems

Seriously, a wide variety of 3D content is building like a wave from The Hobbit in 3D to lesser known endeavors like this popcorn 3D flick for sharkshark….http://www.joblo.com/video/arrow/pla...ryboardtrailer

And entrepreneurial Wedding Cinematographers may have an opportunity to differentiate themselves from other colleagues (limited by 2D only) in the business by offering Stereoscopic 3D videos for couples tying the knot on that important day….http://www.productionapprentice.com/...-mars-one-day/

While some of us *friskier* types may be looking forward to carnal knowledge broadcast offerings like this… http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/...uts-in-europe/

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

Speaking of cameras:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/28/p...-the-hobbit-t/

It’s a natural selection, as Peter’s post house (Park Road Post) has had a long relationship with the RED folks…http://www.parkroadpost.co.nz/docume..._Only_2009.pdf

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Dude, I’m still digesting this 3D *news*….http://www.superherohype.com/news/ar...rs-3d-problems

It's news that Michael Bay is an idiotic prick? How is that news on THIS forum of all places?

How quickly they forget...

My trailer for the day is this little bit of gloriousness - think about it, the director's debut (the *fantastic* GEORGE WASHINGTON) ended up being released by Criterion. Then he started directing EAST BOUND & DOWN (which just finished a super second season) and the silly fluff that was PINEAPPLE EXPRESS.

Now he's back with THIS little bit of insanity: http://www.ign.com/videos/2010/11/17...ricted-trailer

(read band trailer, you have to enter your age)

For the record, both Franco and Portman just might get Oscar nom'd this year, making the inevitable marketing for this slice of insanity even MORE surreal.

(Penton, trust me, watch this one if you haven't yet, I think it's up your alley)

[DenonCI]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

It's news that Michael Bay is an idiotic prick? How is that news on THIS forum of all places?

How quickly they forget...

My trailer for the day is this little bit of gloriousness - think about it, the director's debut (the *fantastic* GEORGE WASHINGTON) ended up being released by Criterion. Then he started directing EAST BOUND & DOWN (which just finished a super second season) and the silly fluff that was PINEAPPLE EXPRESS.

Now he's back with THIS little bit of insanity: http://www.ign.com/videos/2010/11/17...ricted-trailer

(read band trailer, you have to enter your age)

For the record, both Franco and Portman just might get Oscar nom'd this year, making the inevitable marketing for this slice of insanity even MORE surreal.

(Penton, trust me, watch this one if you haven't yet, I think it's up your alley)

That was one of the most bizarre trailers I've ever seen. Is it just me or is Portman's a$$ too flat?

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by DenonCI

That was one of the most bizarre trailers I've ever seen. Is it just me or is Portman's a$$ too flat?

Just you. Definitely just you.

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Just you. Definitely just you.

[DenonCI]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Just you. Definitely just you.

I meant in the trailer....maybe I'll have to watch it again

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

(Penton, trust me, watch this one if you haven't yet, I think it's up your alley)

Excuuuse me!

Out of curiosity, did everyone really talk like that in thee olden days?

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by DenonCI

That was one of the most bizarre trailers I've ever seen. Is it just me or is Portman's a$$ too flat?

Where’s a screenshot scientist when you really need one?

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Just you. Definitely just you.

I wish they hadn’t configured that pouch around her waist the way they did…makes me think she keeps trophies of males that made her angry.

[Penton-Man]

Nobody ever called strikes or ump-ed like Leslie did ….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-S-eeInJVk

[DenonCI]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

I wish they hadn’t configured that pouch around her waist the way they did…makes me think she keeps trophies of males that made her angry.

Great catch Penton. Too funny!