Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

And he really isn't any different than the studios - as producer, he can recut any film he likes. If it was bad when the studios did it to you, why is it okay when you do it to someone else? Priorities change when you becomes as successful as him.

Because they're his movies.

[Elvis]

Lucas turned into the very thing he fought against in his youth!

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

Because they're his movies.

Very very gray area when it comes to TESB and Jedi. Of course we have been over all this as well. See page post 113* blah blah blah I mean how many times we going to go over point and counter point? You got your versions...you are NEVER going to convince anyone on my side of the fence you are right. We have Lucas own peers saying hes wrong! We have major critics saying he's wrong. We have executives in the film industry saying he's wrong. He's wrong to do what he did. End of story....there should not be one single poster on this board who does not want the UOT released. Not one single person....if you got what you want then great. Why would you be opposed to the other half of the fans that want thier version? Why? I have asked this question for four years on this board and have never been given one single answer that could explain that position. Maybe if I have time I will go through all 2000+ posts and pull all my quotes asking this question.

If you got what you want, and are happy with the current release then why do you care that the other half of the fans gripe and complain about not getting the versions we want? Why do you care what we say about George Lucas? In fact I have not seen anyone calling him names in this thread in a long long time. Is it because the orignials mess up your illusion of the perfect story arch? Maybe some of us have our story arch already, we didnt need a "back story" to understand what is going on.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by Elvis

Very very gray area when it comes to TESB and Jedi. Of course we have been over all this as well. See page post 113* blah blah blah

Not grey at all. He funded them, produced them, wrote them, and in the case of Jedi shot a great deal of it himself.

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

What's really funny is studios weren't always like that. In the early days, a lot of studios were willing to take risks and do unusual films. But as they grew and more and more people got involved, it became about profit and the easiest way to make profit is to take no risks. Untimately they lost focus on why they made films to begin with which is very similar to what happened to Lucas. Had he just created Lucasfilm, things might have been different but all those spinoff companies gave him the independance to do whatever he wanted and not have to listen to others. Just like the studios before him, he lost focus. And he really isn't any different than the studios - as producer, he can recut any film he likes. If it was bad when the studios did it to you, why is it okay when you do it to someone else? Priorities change when you becomes as successful as him.

It's very easy to say that today's studios minimize risk, especially when you look at reboots and sequels (although there was always franchise films) but the fact is that studios take a risk with every single film they produce and the risks are higher today because the budgets are so large. The fact is that most films produced don't make money and even though revenue is huge, studio profits are small compared to other businesses.

There are plenty of small, independent features being made today (digital has made that economically feasible), probably more than ever before, but they're just not getting seen much theatrically because the multiplex, national theatre chain model only wants the blockbuster film, especially since in the opening weeks of a film, the theatre gets as little as 5% of the ticket price (and today there are only opening weeks of a film as most films don't play longer than two weeks, due to ever shortening theatrical windows before home video release).

I don't blame the studios for their being fewer "art houses" - I blame us for not going to see these movies. I remember a time when you didn't even have to go the the art houses in Manhattan to see an independent or imported film - for example, there was a theatre on Kings Highway in Brooklyn, always a working class neighborhood, that played all the Truffaut movies and other imported films such as "Closely Watched Trains". It later became a porno house and after that moved to home video, it became a catering hall.

Also, back in the 70s, film school graduates didn't want to make studio blockbusters - they wanted to make the radical, rough looking, independent film (think Scorsese's "Mean Streets"). But today, I think many graduate wanting to make the big special effects movie.

I don't buy your argument of Lucas as producer cutting someone else's films. Even though episodes V and VI were directed by someone else, those films were clearly Lucas' vision and he actually was the "auteur". This was not a case of a business executive interfering and cutting someone else's films. You can argue that from a historical and aesthetic standpoint, Lucas shouldn't have modified his films, but you can't argue that he didn't have the right because he wasn't the director.

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

It's very easy to say that today's studios minimize risk, especially when you look at reboots and sequels (although there was always franchise films) but the fact is that studios take a risk with every single film they produce and the risks are higher today because the budgets are so large. The fact is that most films produced don't make money and even though revenue is huge, studio profits are small compared to other businesses.

There are plenty of small, independent features being made today (digital has made that economically feasible), probably more than ever before, but they're just not getting seen much theatrically because the multiplex, national theatre chain model only wants the blockbuster film, especially since in the opening weeks of a film, the theatre gets as little as 5% of the ticket price (and today there are only opening weeks of a film as most films don't play longer than two weeks, due to ever shortening theatrical windows before home video release).

I don't blame the studios for their being fewer "art houses" - I blame us for not going to see these movies. I remember a time when you didn't even have to go the the art houses in Manhattan to see an independent or imported film - for example, there was a theatre on Kings Highway in Brooklyn, always a working class neighborhood, that played all the Truffaut movies and other imported films such as "Closely Watched Trains". It later became a porno house and after that moved to home video, it became a catering hall.

Also, back in the 70s, film school graduates didn't want to make studio blockbusters - they wanted to make the radical, rough looking, independent film (think Scorsese's "Mean Streets"). But today, I think many graduate wanting to make the big special effects movie.

I don't buy your argument of Lucas as producer cutting someone else's films. Even though episodes V and VI were directed by someone else, those films were clearly Lucas' vision and he actually was the "auteur". This was not a case of a business executive interfering and cutting someone else's films. You can argue that from a historical and aesthetic standpoint, Lucas shouldn't have modified his films, but you can't argue that he didn't have the right because he wasn't the director.

Sorry but I have read quotes from people in the business who have commented on that very thing taking the other position. He should have directed them himself and acutally been "the painter". But regardless I would like to know why anyone on this board opposes the UOT release.

[Batmon77]

Originally Posted by Elvis

But regardless I would like to know why anyone on this board opposes the UOT release.

Wouldnt an UOT Bluray release mean Lucas getting back in the lab for the upgrade.

[blonde_devil]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

It's very easy to say that today's studios minimize risk, especially when you look at reboots and sequels (although there was always franchise films) but the fact is that studios take a risk with every single film they produce and the risks are higher today because the budgets are so large. The fact is that most films produced don't make money and even though revenue is huge, studio profits are small compared to other businesses.

They do take risks but a lot are calculated risks. They put A-lister x in a film to get the audience so even though it cost a lot to make, there is a good chance it will make its money back and more even though that A-lister(Will Smith, Tom Cruise, etc) have a so-so trackrecord and don't have a great return on investment on the millions you spend to get them. Plus don't forget Hollywood accounting - I don't think there is any movie that actually made money if you ask Hollywood. Few take genuine risks anymore.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Elvis

Sorry but I have read quotes from people in the business who have commented on that very thing taking the other position. He should have directed them himself and acutally been "the painter". But regardless I would like to know why anyone on this board opposes the UOT release.

Speaking up for Lucas doesn't mean that people are "opposing" the release of the UOT.

[Kryptonic]

Same old crap.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Speaking up for Lucas doesn't mean that people are "opposing" the release of the UOT.

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

Same old crap.

Both, well said!

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by rickah88

Both, well said!

so you are saying there have not been posters "not wanting" the UOT released that are speaking up for Lucas? Shall we delve into the 2000+ posts?

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Speaking up for Lucas doesn't mean that people are "opposing" the release of the UOT.

Umm yeah there kinda have been a lot.

[Angel Eyes]

Originally Posted by Elvis

so you are saying there have not been posters "not wanting" the UOT released that are speaking up for Lucas? Shall we delve into the 2000+ posts?



Umm yeah there kinda have been a lot.

+1

[blonde_devil]

I think some people won't be happy until Lucas hand-delivers a blu-ray copy of the original trilogy in its original state to them for free along with a check to reimburse them for buying the blu-ray set. Even then, there will be complaints about it taking so long.

[stvn1974]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

I think some people won't be happy until Lucas hand-delivers a blu-ray copy of the original trilogy in its original state to them for free along with a check to reimburse them for buying the blu-ray set. Even then, there will be complaints about it taking so long.

And those people aren't being unreasonable.

[Majoran]

Originally Posted by Elvis

so you are saying there have not been posters "not wanting" the UOT released that are speaking up for Lucas? Shall we delve into the 2000+ posts?



Umm yeah there kinda have been a lot.

Please delve into the posts. I don't think anyone has opposed releasing the UOT. Many have just been happy with the current release. Will these same people who have no issue with what has been done to the movies be happy if the UOT is released you bet. Of course it makes it a fun game to "poke the bear" because it's just way too easy to do.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by Elvis

so you are saying there have not been posters "not wanting" the UOT released that are speaking up for Lucas? Shall we delve into the 2000+ posts?
Umm yeah there kinda have been a lot.

Be my guest. Either way I couldn't possibly care less...but I look forward to your results, for whatever it's worth.

You see, as Content Fan, I'm fine either way...unlike Entitled Fan who believes they are owed something.

[Gold Ranger]

I'm just a fan.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by KaineKinetic

I'm just a fan.

Exactly! I find life is much easier that way.

[thebard]

Originally Posted by Batmon77

Wouldnt an UOT Bluray release mean Lucas getting back in the lab for the upgrade.

No!

[blonde_devil]

Originally Posted by thebard

No!

Why not? Wouldn't he need to approve it in order for it to be "official"?

People want to see it as they remember but they don't want to lose the better audio and video quality of the current release. Let's be honest, Star Wars never looked as good in the theatres as we remember yet we want that perfect copy to watch at home to relive the experience. Talk about an impossible order.