Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[ChainsawJedi]

Originally Posted by BillieCassin

Let's be fair - he is a genius. He really, really is.

He just does not have the gift of language. At first blush he is articulate, but that's the surface - his thoughts are often very jumbled from moment to moment.

I've been listening to the Blu-ray commentaries this weekend and I just cannot imagine what goes on in his head. He's infamous for contradicting himself, revising his perception of the history of the films, etc. - but while I've always thought that was in effort to present whatever narrative he wants to make at the moment, just listening to these - he contradicts himself regularly. Like, ten minutes later. So I think that perhaps it's a combination of the massive jumble in his head and articulating it - as well as the "well this was planned all along" stuff.

But he definitely is a genius, but like many geniuses - he needs a lot of support to make his visions clear.

The commentaries exclusive to the Blu-rays are taken from interviews at various points in time so it's not surprising that they're not consistent.

People expect Lucas to have an in-depth knowledge of the films to rival that of the fans. They think he watches the films every weekend and has the answer to every question. He doesn't. We do, though, which is why we get so frustrated at the contradictions.

Perhaps he should have more reverence for his creation. Perhaps he should be more like Tolkien - another genius who, in my opinion, should have got a capable writer to realise his vision rather than doing it himself (because, got knows, those books are a chore to read). But he doesn't and he isn't. He comes up with goofy ("goofy", that's how Lawrence Kasdan describes him) ideas like having those little creatures scream when Jabba flicks them off the balcony in The Phantom Menace. He favours fun, off-the-cuff ideas over logic.

Oh well, we'll see which approach is the most entertaining next year, when we get the first Star Wars film to not have him on board.

[Blackhell72]

The only Star Wars I will be buying on Blu will be the "original" versions of the trilogy, I just pretend the prequels and SE's don't exist.

But since 20th Century Fox holds rights on ANH, even if Disney wanted to release the unaltered originals, they would have to reach some agreement with 20th...sure hope they do.

[Petey Parker]

Originally Posted by octagon

The 25 minute mark might be relevant here...

Coupling Season 1 Episode 1 - Flushed - YouTube

I love Coupling!

(the first three series at least. It went downhill for the last one)

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by ChainsawJedi

The commentaries exclusive to the Blu-rays are taken from interviews at various points in time so it's not surprising that they're not consistent.

People expect Lucas to have an in-depth knowledge of the films to rival that of the fans. They think he watches the films every weekend and has the answer to every question. He doesn't. We do, though, which is why we get so frustrated at the contradictions.

Perhaps he should have more reverence for his creation. Perhaps he should be more like Tolkien - another genius who, in my opinion, should have got a capable writer to realise his vision rather than doing it himself (because, got knows, those books are a chore to read). But he doesn't and he isn't. He comes up with goofy ("goofy", that's how Lawrence Kasdan describes him) ideas like having those little creatures scream when Jabba flicks them off the balcony in The Phantom Menace. He favours fun, off-the-cuff ideas over logic.

Oh well, we'll see which approach is the most entertaining next year, when we get the first Star Wars film to not have him on board.

I totally agree about Tolkien's work being a chore to wade through, but at least he managed to keep track of the world that he created (even if he did alter Riddles in the Dark so it would fit better with LOTR), unlike Lucas who, as you rightly said, favours whimsy and off-the-cuff ideas and thematic associations, rather than plots which make sense within themselves (never mind them lining up with the original trilogy).

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by Blackhell72

The only Star Wars I will be buying on Blu will be the "original" versions of the trilogy, I just pretend the prequels and SE's don't exist.

But since 20th Century Fox holds rights on ANH, even if Disney wanted to release the unaltered originals, they would have to reach some agreement with 20th...sure hope they do.

I have a feeling that it is already done and in the works. They want EVERYONE on board with this new release and that includes us original entitled fans. I have no doubt we will be getting more news soon. The last thing Disney and Abrams want is more complaining and divison before this film release. It also allows Lucas to save face (since he has no say) and say "I prefer such and such and this was their decision".

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by Blackhell72

The only Star Wars I will be buying on Blu will be the "original" versions of the trilogy, I just pretend the prequels and SE's don't exist.

But since 20th Century Fox holds rights on ANH, even if Disney wanted to release the unaltered originals, they would have to reach some agreement with 20th...sure hope they do.

They will. Lots of money to be made.

[BladeRunner2007]

Originally Posted by Elvis

I have a feeling that it is already done and in the works. They want EVERYONE on board with this new release and that includes us original entitled fans. I have no doubt we will be getting more news soon. The last thing Disney and Abrams want is more complaining and divison before this film release. It also allows Lucas to save face (since he has no say) and say "I prefer such and such and this was their decision".

I hope you are right.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Elvis

I have a feeling that it is already done and in the works. They want EVERYONE on board with this new release and that includes us original entitled fans. I have no doubt we will be getting more news soon. The last thing Disney and Abrams want is more complaining and divison before this film release. It also allows Lucas to save face (since he has no say) and say "I prefer such and such and this was their decision".

I tend to agree.

I think there was something to the Reliance website images and employee resume profile (e.g, Star Wars 4K Blu) - all of which removed now makes it even more likely.

[blonde_devil]

Originally Posted by Blackhell72

The only Star Wars I will be buying on Blu will be the "original" versions of the trilogy, I just pretend the prequels and SE's don't exist.

I thought we had that on dvd already - not color-corrected, not enhanced for current widescreen tv, slightly faded and washed out. If the original version is what you want, I have some film cells that have turned a nice shade of magenta that I would be willing to sell you.

[thebard]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

I thought we had that on dvd already - not color-corrected, not enhanced for current widescreen tv, slightly faded and washed out. If the original version is what you want, I have some film cells that have turned a nice shade of magenta that I would be willing to sell you.

That old argument again? "It's already available on home video, just get the non-anamorphic DVD"?

Let's say I took a nice photo of you & your family back in '77. You asked for a copy of it, so I photocopied it on my b&w copier, since that was all I had.

Now years later, I have a color scanner & decent photo software, so you ask me for a nice color print. So what I do, see, is I scan it at a nice high resolution... but I use Photoshop to turn your skin green, and I paint a moustache on your mom, and I give your dad a clown nose. And I put the Lincoln memorial behind you, even though it was originally your wedding picture... because, well, that was my original vision, I just didn't have the technology back in '77.

But it's ok, 'coz if you want the "original" you can always go back to the b&w photocopy.

/analogy

[frogmort]

I think I'm going to do a Star Wars blu-ray marathon this weekend starting right now with:





This, along with Ep.II, has some of the best audio ever.

[octagon]

I'm not a big Ep II fan but the audio really is excellent.

A few weeks ago I watched it with whiskey and a cigar in one hand and a remote in the other and I'll be damned if a little (okay, more than a little) booze and skipping the Anakin/Padme chapters didn't make for a fairly entertaining hour or so

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by thebard

That old argument again? "It's already available on home video, just get the non-anamorphic DVD"?

Let's say I took a nice photo of you & your family back in '77. You asked for a copy of it, so I photocopied it on my b&w copier, since that was all I had.

Now years later, I have a color scanner & decent photo software, so you ask me for a nice color print. So what I do, see, is I scan it at a nice high resolution... but I use Photoshop to turn your skin green, and I paint a moustache on your mom, and I give your dad a clown nose. And I put the Lincoln memorial behind you, even though it was originally your wedding picture... because, well, that was my original vision, I just didn't have the technology back in '77.

But it's ok, 'coz if you want the "original" you can always go back to the b&w photocopy.

/analogy

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by octagon

I'm not a big Ep II fan but the audio really is excellent.

A few weeks ago I watched it with whiskey and a cigar in one hand and a remote in the other and I'll be damned if a little (okay, more than a little) booze and skipping the Anakin/Padme chapters didn't make for a fairly entertaining hour or so

Many people say that, but the Anakin/Padme scenes are the ones I enjoy most in this film!

[tomcar]

Originally Posted by frogmort

I think I'm going to do a Star Wars blu-ray marathon this weekend starting right now with:

I know I'm about to open a can of worms, but I think they should be seen IV, V, VI, I, II, III.

[blonde_devil]

Originally Posted by thebard

That old argument again? "It's already available on home video, just get the non-anamorphic DVD"?

Let's say I took a nice photo of you & your family back in '77. You asked for a copy of it, so I photocopied it on my b&w copier, since that was all I had.

Now years later, I have a color scanner & decent photo software, so you ask me for a nice color print. So what I do, see, is I scan it at a nice high resolution... but I use Photoshop to turn your skin green, and I paint a moustache on your mom, and I give your dad a clown nose. And I put the Lincoln memorial behind you, even though it was originally your wedding picture... because, well, that was my original vision, I just didn't have the technology back in '77.

But it's ok, 'coz if you want the "original" you can always go back to the b&w photocopy.

/analogy

My point is that everyone keeps asking for the original because that was part of their childhood but they want it in the best condition possible which is a contradiction. I get that people want a nice and fully remastered version, so do I, but that copy on dvd is the best anyone has seen the original version of those films yet no one seems happy about it. Even in the theatre back in '77 it didn't look that good due to the technology of the time.

Plus you missed something in your example - I am asking you to make a copy of something I own. Lucas owns(owned) Star Wars and you are asking him to do all the work so you can have a copy you like. It is his film, not yours. If I asked you do make me a copy and you did all that, yeah I would be mad but how could I be mad if you did that to something you owned? I may not like it but doesn't really matter what I think, it is yours to do with as you like. This is his film and he is under no obligation to release the original version even if we would like it any more than any other studio would be required to release a rough cut or deleted scenes just because we want to see them.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

My point is that everyone keeps asking for the original because that was part of their childhood but they want it in the best condition possible which is a contradiction. I get that people want a nice and fully remastered version, so do I, but that copy on dvd is the best anyone has seen the original version of those films yet no one seems happy about it. Even in the theatre back in '77 it didn't look that good due to the technology of the time.

So, based on your "logic", no old and classic film should be restored to Bluray, but we all should stick to our DVDs (or VHS)?
Do you think that Lawrence of Arabia (which i hear is an outstanding Bluray), shouldn't be restored, but we should leave it at a non-anamorphic crappy DVD?

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by frogmort

I think I'm going to do a Star Wars blu-ray marathon this weekend

Me too. But mine is to celebrate some of de special variety.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by frogmort

I think I'm going to do a Star Wars blu-ray marathon this weekend starting right now with:





This, along with Ep.II, has some of the best audio ever.

Enjoy the Marathon Joe

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by blonde_devil

My point is that everyone keeps asking for the original because that was part of their childhood but they want it in the best condition possible which is a contradiction. I get that people want a nice and fully remastered version, so do I, but that copy on dvd is the best anyone has seen the original version of those films yet no one seems happy about it. Even in the theatre back in '77 it didn't look that good due to the technology of the time.

Plus you missed something in your example - I am asking you to make a copy of something I own. Lucas owns(owned) Star Wars and you are asking him to do all the work so you can have a copy you like. It is his film, not yours. If I asked you do make me a copy and you did all that, yeah I would be mad but how could I be mad if you did that to something you owned? I may not like it but doesn't really matter what I think, it is yours to do with as you like. This is his film and he is under no obligation to release the original version even if we would like it any more than any other studio would be required to release a rough cut or deleted scenes just because we want to see them.

What are yout talking about? In the theater it looked just as good as films released in the theater today! It looks no different than any other "non digital" film!

Can we also all agree right now that it does not matter what GL wants or does not want in the discussions. Those days are long over now.