Off topic, but not oo far off topic: Spielberg to alter E.T for re-release!

[barnyarddawg]

The original version will be available on DVD however. Check out this article:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/652293.asp?pne=11947

[Calhoun07]

I will never understand why these big time directors feel the compulsion to mess around with their established works. At least we are going to see the original version on the DVD, but as far as I am concerned, the altered version is a waste of space that could have been used for more bonus materials.

Now, I wonder if Lucas will ever be able to admit there was a version of Star Wars before the special editions. He's eliminated all references to it where ever he can and I am wondering if we will ever get to see that on DVD?

[barnyarddawg]

Originally posted by calhoun07

Now, I wonder if Lucas will ever be able to admit there was a version of Star Wars before the special editions. He's eliminated all references to it where ever he can and I am wondering if we will ever get to see that on DVD?

I suggest the next computer enhancment be the twister form the Wizard of Oz.

:p :p :p :p :p

I enjoy older special effects, because there's more of a "How did they do that?" feel, as opposed to today, when you know nearly everything was made by computer.

[Sogturtle]

Originally posted by calhoun07
I will never understand why these big time directors feel the compulsion to mess around with their established works. At least we are going to see the original version on the DVD, but as far as I am concerned, the altered version is a waste of space that could have been used for more bonus materials.

Now, I wonder if Lucas will ever be able to admit there was a version of Star Wars before the special editions. He's eliminated all references to it where ever he can and I am wondering if we will ever get to see that on DVD?

The thing is that often the much ballyhooed "director's cut" was cut down by the studio for reasons of length (or whatever else). A couple of classics that make far better sense when the cut footage is returned are "Young Frankenstein" and "Blazing Saddles" (Mel Brooks lacked enough clout to keep them uncut at the time). Buuuuut Brooks has not had the cut footage glued back in. BEFORE its initial release "Snow White" by admission of its animators was virtually ripped out of the hands of Walt by his brother Roy to prevent Walt ordering more re-animating of the Prince (and an imminent studio takeover by the bank). And the Prince's animation has gone on bothering Disney-ites etc. ever since. Walt would probably want it changed (siiiiiiiigh) . In the recent re-release of his first album ("All Things Must Pass") ex-Beatle George Harrison admitted to giving very serious thought to COMPLETELY remixing the ENTIRE album!!! He's not Lennon or McCartney, but it was a very fine album (Phil Spector and all).

I can understand wanting to SAVE something that was a mess to start with (I won't say the name of my pet project ;)). Annnnnnd I can understand wanting to create new market value (the Star Wars special editions) and the computer-colorized cartoons (and features). But burying the originals and serious CONTENT changes are a whole different matter altogether.

[Patrick McCart]

I wouldn't worry about any movies having their footage "digitalized" any time soon.

E.T., Star Wars Trilogy, and even Superman: The Movie had the directors behind the enhancing (Superman is the only SE I've seen that actually is improved from the original instead of degraded.)

The only changes you'll see from movies like Wizard of Oz and the like are hopefully restorations that clean up the image instead of souping it up.

Some of the special effects in classic movies look MUCH better than newer CGI crap. Matte paintings and optical printer effects look so much more organic (and animatronics) than usually fake CGI.

CGI is best when used for invisible effects like in Forrest Gump.