Issue 83
News: For Star Wars' 30th.
As you may know, this year marked the thirtieth anniversary of the release of the classic film Star Wars. Just a few days ago, I picked up DVDs of the original trilogy (Three separate Limited edition 2-Disc DVD sets of each film for the low price of $10 each). These editions are notable because for the first time, the DVD sets contain the original release of the film. Before I continue, I must say that I am not one of those guys who go around and obsesses about every aspect of the Star Wars universe to the exception of everything else, but, as one may have inferred from previous editions of the blog, I am a huge movie buff. While I respect George Lucas' right to change the films, I do not respect the fact that since the 1997 Special Edition VHS releases, he decided to memory hole the original theatrical versions. This first became noticeable to me when I viewed New Hope and Return of the Jedi for my religion class in school and I noticed some things glaringly different from what I remembered (most particularly in Jedi where Hayden Christensen (who played Anakin in Episodes 2 and 3) now stands where Sebastian Shaw (who played Anakin's old pale body in the movie) once stood with Yoda and Obi-Wan, as well as an entire musical number cut out and replaced with an entirely different one with a different (CG) singer. Another glaring difference from the new and old versions was when Han Solo meets Greedo, one of Jabba's mercenaries and exchange some dialogue. In the original release, Han shoots Greedo before Greedo has a chance to shoot him, thus marking him as a tough character. However, in the Special Edition, Greedo shoots first, but misses from about two feet (something very unlikely for a bounty hunter like him to do) before Han shoots him (thus making him seem comparatively weaker than if he had shot first.) Amazingly, George Lucas claims that was what he originally intended to do in the scene. It is unknown why he wanted to do it. This was somewhat corrected in the 2004 DVD release, where Han and Greedo shoot at roughly the same time, despite Greedo still shooting first. Fortunately, for this new release, George Lucas has his final version on DVD along with the version that millions of people fell in love with from 1977 to the early 90s.
Band Name of the Day: The Sunshine Rains. This comes from a fact that yesterday, I went home and it was raining. Curiously, at the time I got out of the car, the sun was shining, despite the fact that the rain was still falling.
Film Idea of the Day: Like a Fox. A man witnesses a murder by a cult and devotes his life to destroying it. He throws them off by making them think he's crazy by ingesting psychadelic mushrooms, but turns out to be actually crazy, despite thinking that he's only feigning insanity.
Film Review of the Day: Full Metal Jacket. I just saw this film after reading a copy of the script and the original novel it is based on (surprisingly rare, by the way). I must say the fitst half of the film is very good (and a good explanation of why I plan on never joining the military, even if it means going to Canada if/when the draft comes back, which is thankfully unlikely at the present time, with the likelihood of troop withdrawl from Iraq more likely than ever), but I must note that the second half of the film is comparatively poorly made. It probably would have made more sense for Kubrick to have made two feature-length films, even if the move would have alienated critics and the moviegoing populace.
Quote of the Day: GREEDO: You can tell that to Jabba. He may only take your ship.
HAN SOLO: Over my dead body.
GREEDO: That's the idea... I've been looking forward to this for a long time.
HAN SOLO: Yes, I'll bet you have.
_____The dialogue that precedes Han shooting Greedo, or Greedo shoting Han and missing, or Both shooting each other at the same time.
Link of the Day: Han shoots first, as he should.
As you may know, this year marked the thirtieth anniversary of the release of the classic film Star Wars. Just a few days ago, I picked up DVDs of the original trilogy (Three separate Limited edition 2-Disc DVD sets of each film for the low price of $10 each). These editions are notable because for the first time, the DVD sets contain the original release of the film. Before I continue, I must say that I am not one of those guys who go around and obsesses about every aspect of the Star Wars universe to the exception of everything else, but, as one may have inferred from previous editions of the blog, I am a huge movie buff. While I respect George Lucas' right to change the films, I do not respect the fact that since the 1997 Special Edition VHS releases, he decided to memory hole the original theatrical versions. This first became noticeable to me when I viewed New Hope and Return of the Jedi for my religion class in school and I noticed some things glaringly different from what I remembered (most particularly in Jedi where Hayden Christensen (who played Anakin in Episodes 2 and 3) now stands where Sebastian Shaw (who played Anakin's old pale body in the movie) once stood with Yoda and Obi-Wan, as well as an entire musical number cut out and replaced with an entirely different one with a different (CG) singer. Another glaring difference from the new and old versions was when Han Solo meets Greedo, one of Jabba's mercenaries and exchange some dialogue. In the original release, Han shoots Greedo before Greedo has a chance to shoot him, thus marking him as a tough character. However, in the Special Edition, Greedo shoots first, but misses from about two feet (something very unlikely for a bounty hunter like him to do) before Han shoots him (thus making him seem comparatively weaker than if he had shot first.) Amazingly, George Lucas claims that was what he originally intended to do in the scene. It is unknown why he wanted to do it. This was somewhat corrected in the 2004 DVD release, where Han and Greedo shoot at roughly the same time, despite Greedo still shooting first. Fortunately, for this new release, George Lucas has his final version on DVD along with the version that millions of people fell in love with from 1977 to the early 90s.
Band Name of the Day: The Sunshine Rains. This comes from a fact that yesterday, I went home and it was raining. Curiously, at the time I got out of the car, the sun was shining, despite the fact that the rain was still falling.
Film Idea of the Day: Like a Fox. A man witnesses a murder by a cult and devotes his life to destroying it. He throws them off by making them think he's crazy by ingesting psychadelic mushrooms, but turns out to be actually crazy, despite thinking that he's only feigning insanity.
Film Review of the Day: Full Metal Jacket. I just saw this film after reading a copy of the script and the original novel it is based on (surprisingly rare, by the way). I must say the fitst half of the film is very good (and a good explanation of why I plan on never joining the military, even if it means going to Canada if/when the draft comes back, which is thankfully unlikely at the present time, with the likelihood of troop withdrawl from Iraq more likely than ever), but I must note that the second half of the film is comparatively poorly made. It probably would have made more sense for Kubrick to have made two feature-length films, even if the move would have alienated critics and the moviegoing populace.
Quote of the Day: GREEDO: You can tell that to Jabba. He may only take your ship.
HAN SOLO: Over my dead body.
GREEDO: That's the idea... I've been looking forward to this for a long time.
HAN SOLO: Yes, I'll bet you have.
_____The dialogue that precedes Han shooting Greedo, or Greedo shoting Han and missing, or Both shooting each other at the same time.
Link of the Day: Han shoots first, as he should.
Labels: Movies
posted by DerekAxe at 2:00 PM
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