Conference bookie::movies

    Having just seen the trilogy back to back (spurred on by playing a PC
    based game where you get to fly an Xwing around, shooting at the bad
    guys), I have to say that it is an excellent story, well told, and
    technically brilliant.
    
    On the subject of a "new trilogy", I don't know about scripts, but
    there is a trilogy of books out, written by Timothy Zahn, that,
    according to the cover blurb, are the "authorised sequel" to the movie
    series.
    
    The basic action takes place 5 years after "Return of the Jedi", and
    all your favourite characters are there.  The basic plot of the three
    books (which directly follow on from each other) concerns the Alliance
    (now called the New Republic) trying to govern in the Empires place,
    meanwhile being torn apart by political infighting.  On top of this,
    the last remnants of the Empire are finding new direction under a Grand
    Admiral, who the Alliance missed out on during the mop up operations.
    There is also a new Dark Jedi involved.
    
    I've only got through two of the three books, so I don't know what the
    ultimate conclusion is, but what I've read so far feels "right" in
    terms of the characters, plot development, background history, etc.
    
    cheers
    
    ..klaas..
    
    PS: the Xwing game is a must if you like combat simulators, and are a
    fan of the Stars Wars universe.

    Just to prove to each their own:
       
    I really disliked the Timothy Zahn "Dark Empire" books.  I believe one
    is supposed to like the heroes of a story, but to be honest, his
    protrayal of Luke (who had turned into somewhat of a drip in the movies
    anyway), Leia (barf), and even our dear Han "The Family Man" Solo
    really, well, vacuumed out eggs in a serious way.  
    
    If ya know what I mean.
    
    I sincerely hope that any forthcoming movie does NOT use these books as
    a premise.
    
    kim

According to the official Lucasfilm Fan Club magazine:

 . The Zahn books will *not* be used for the next trilogy.
 . Lucas was supposedly waiting for the technology to get to the right
point; now that he's no longer distracted by the Young Indy Chronicles,
he plans to start work on the sequels (after he clears up a few more
projects); we should supposedly look for them somewhere around
1997-2000.  However, they may not be in feature film form; for
instance, Spielberg is at work on a CD-I (and Lucas has said that
something like that was the plan for the Young Indy shows).

Above from memory, so may be wrong in some details...

    	Excuse my ignorance, but what is CD-1?

    >  Excuse my ignorance, but what is CD-1?
    
    CD-I means "interactive CD", a term invented (I think) by Phillips for
    their CD-ROM home entertainment product.
    
    "CD-I" and "multimedia" use CD-ROM in computer programs that combine 
    text, video graphics and sound, usually with a graphic touch-screen
    and/or mouse interface.
    
    In a typical application - a children's encyclopedia - you can touch
    "buttons" on the screen to work through various still and moving pictures, 
    text and recordings relevant to each topic, perform search operations, 
    copy text, print etc. etc.
    
    For the most part books are still superior technologically, but give
    CD-I ten or twenty years...

    	Lucas was recently on TODAY and stated quite shortly he would be
    starting on the next trilogy which would highlight Annakin Skywalker's
    rise and fall as a Jedi as well as the rise of the empire and the fall
    of Jedi during the Clone Wars.

    re: -.1
    
    Yes, that jives with what Lucas always said. He wants to film the
    pre-quel to Star Wars and then the Sequel to Star Wars. It'll be
    interesting to see how we get Luke, Han and Leia in the sequel given
    that Harrison Ford will be in his 50's in the next century when Lucas
    gets around to film the final 3 episodes.

  After the last movie Lucas said that the age of the 3 actors should not be a
problem during the last 3 films because they take place 20-30 years after
"Return of the Jedi". He said that if the actors were available and wanted to
play their old characters that would be fine, otherwise he'd get new actors. 

  It's not clear that their parts would be all that large anyway. The 9 partner
is suppose to cover the life span of the two robots, the big gold one and
the rolling trash can. The people more or less come and go.

  George

>          <<< Note 222.7 by 33018::KOCH "It never hurts to ask..." >>>
>
>    re: -.1
>    
>    Yes, that jives with what Lucas always said. He wants to film the
>    pre-quel to Star Wars and then the Sequel to Star Wars. It'll be
>    interesting to see how we get Luke, Han and Leia in the sequel given
>    that Harrison Ford will be in his 50's in the next century when Lucas
>    gets around to film the final 3 episodes.

Um, I hate to break the news, but I believe Ford is already in his 50's.

/Scott

> ... is suppose to cover the life span of the two robots, the big gold one and
> the rolling trash can.

	You mean C3PO and R3-D2?  BTW, FWIW, one of the shells (and
	actor fit inside) for R3-D2 is on display in the Boston's
	Computer Museum.

    R2-D2 not R3-D2

    The characters from the original movies are worn out anyhow, but I,
    being a history buff, would love to know more about the times before
    the empire and what the Clone Wars were all about.  It will be
    interesting to see how the concept of jedi is played out in a larger
    context rather than as a "last of the breed" scenario.  I percieve the
    jedi as some combination of special operations troops and the
    chivalrous mystic warriors of japanese legends, the Yamabushi.
    
    Andrew
    

    RE: .8  by 25415::MAIEWSKI 
    
    >The 9 partner is suppose to cover the life span of the two robots, the
    >big gold one and the rolling trash can. 
    
    I heard they've already cast Oscar the Grouch for the prequel.
    

    re .12, Harrison Ford doesn't look wornout yet to me.  I think he could
    still be put to some good use.   :-)
    
    Lorna
    

    I hope he doesn't give up on the last of the stories like he he with
    Star Wars III, "Return of the Jedi".

    The first two movies were awesome, great effects, good story, done with
    a feeling of complete attention to detail.

    The last seemed hurried, trying to neatly (and in every case predictably) 
    tie all the story lines into one big happy ending.

    The scenes of Vadar walking through the new Death Stars landing bay and
    around the Ewok moon were two dimensional, and the furry little Ewoks
    were about as interesting as Oscar the Grouch.  (And believable as a
    Muppet in terms of some strange inter-galactic life form)

    Return was a real bummer for me.  I hope he keeps his enthusiasm this
    time...

    Chip

    Ford isn't worn out, he's one of my favorite characters, but Han Solo
    is.
    
    andrew
    

    
    re;
    
    Wow! Somebody else that didn't care for the ewok characters.
    
    
    
    Target audience must have been very young kids.

    	Come on, now....Ewok is Latin for 'We can make scores of money off
    these goldurn little fuzzy [explitive deleted by high sheriffs].'
    
    	Maybe Steve 'The Wimp' Speilberg and George can learn to leave the
    marketing out....but I seriously doubt it. Maybe the next SWARS film
    will deserve an R-rating (like 'Jurassic park') and only get a PG-13.
    
    	What the hell...he did it with the second Indiana Jones film...

    
       Who was the voice behind Darth Vader in the Star wars trilogy.
        
       I say it was James Earl Jones. But my workmates say that it is
       an english actor..
    
                                                        Cheers.
                                                               J.T

    James Earl Jones.
    
    Jodi-

  Their thinking of Obie Wan Conobie (sp?) who was played by a famous English
actor who's name will no doubt appear in one of the next notes ...

  George

     
    Alec Guinness.

    
    
    That would be *Sir* Alec Guinness to you!
    
    :^)
    
    
    Jodi-

    RE: .19  44234::JTOBIN 
    
       >Who was the voice behind Darth Vader in the Star wars trilogy.
        
       >I say it was James Earl Jones. But my workmates say that it is
       >an english actor..
    
    James Earl Jones did the voice, but the body was an English actor, now
    deceased, whose name I do not know.  Prior to the Star Wars films, he
    had played some sort of superhero crossing guard character in a series
    of British safety films for children.
    

    The "body" of Darth Vader was played, at least in the first two films, 
    by David Prowse, I believe.
    
    --Kim
    

    Voice: James Earl Jones
    
    Body:  Dave Prowse
    
    Face (when mask comes off): Sebastian Shaw
    
    
    Nick

  I think we're missing one. I believe there was another Darth Vader for
the laser fighting scenes. Ever notice that Vader is much taller than Luke
except for when there are fighting?

  George

    �but the body was an English actor, now deceased
    
    This is news to me. When did David Prowse die ? Or are we getting some
    wires crossed here.
    
    Thanks
    
    Royston

    RE: .28  by 42441::SHELLEY 
    
    >�but the body was an English actor, now deceased
    
    >This is news to me. When did David Prowse die ? Or are we getting some
    >wires crossed here.
    
    I thought I had heard he had died.  I could be wrong.  I just hope he
    wasn't killed crossing the street.  ;-)
    

    
    	David Prowse an Actor famed in the UK for Green Cross Code man who
    honestly thought that he would be the face of Darth Vader When the mask
    came off in Return Of The Jedi.
    
    Imho he played Vader in the fight scenes too.
    
    Oliver

    If you want to see the man behind the mask, David Prowse had a brief
    part in "A Clockwork Orange" as the body-builder living with F.
    Alexander (Patrick Magee) when Alex (Malcolm MacDowell) finds himself 
    "Home" again.
    
    - Dave

Was that really Prowse?  Didn't he also play the pinstriped thug/bodyguard
to the dead-for-a-year-for-tax-purposes rock star in the BBC TV production
of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?

    RE: Prowse in "Hitchhiker"
    
    Yes, that was him. I forgot about that one.
    
    - Dave

    Note: the Senator Theater in Baltimore, which is a fine large theater
    with a hige screen and great sound system, started showin gthe Star
    Wars trilogy on Saturday. Next Saturday at 10 AM is "Empire Strikes Out
    --uh, Back", and the Saturday after is "Jedi", again at 10 AM. All
    tickets for the full trilogy are sold out, but they still have
    individual tickets available, starting at 8:30 AM on the day of the
    show. If you want to see Star Wars on the big screen, this is a rare
    opportunity to do so! I saw Star Wars on Saturday and it was fantastic!
    
    I wonder if this foreshadows a new series of movies.

    
    
    Read in a magazine today that George is starting on the screenplay in 3
    or 4 months and he plans to throw himself into pre-production after
    getting the FOURTH indy film (with Spielberg) out of the way.  He
    claims that the next film will have mucho grande action sequences much
    like the first three, and the focus of the film will be on a 'betrayal'
    type theme (i.e. Anakin and Obi Wan).  
    
    I suppose 12 years isn't so long to wait, especially when we are
    treated to jewels like Howard The Duck and Willow in the interim. 
    (If it turns out anything like 'Slipstream', then I'm gonna do a
    murder.)
    
    Basil.
     
    

    
    
    reply-1 
    
       Slipstream...my vote for one of the worst movies ever made.
       I was watching Indiana Jones part II the other day and in the
     movie the club where he was posioned at was named 
    
    
      CLUB Obi Wan
    
    
                   -=-=-R~C~W-=-=-

    
    Anyone know which of the Star Wars films is available on video in the
    UK?
    
    I've seen other films sold in presentation triple packs and I'm
    wondering if the Star Wars films are available like this?
    
    Any information is appreciated.
    
    Steve.
    

    Yup, they are available "like that".  There was a set with a nifty
    little X-wing hologram on it at Suncoast Video.  Not sure of the price
    though.  For the compleatist (completist?), there's also a boxed set of
    the movie music, containing more tracks than weren't released on the
    original soundtracks, plus the original tracks, too.  That retails for 
    about $50.00 in places like Lechemere (a department store for the 
    non-New Englanders).
    
    
    kim
    
    kim

>There was a set with a nifty little X-wing hologram on it at Suncoast Video.  

That doesn't help the author of .37 if there are no Suncoast Video stores in
the UK. :-)

>Not sure of the price though.  

$99 (in the U.S.).  The videos are in letterbox format, too.  The box also
comes with a video and booklet about the making of Star Wars.

				-- Nina

    All of the Star Wars films are available in the UK, both in normalk and
    widescreen formats.  There is/was a box set, but I'm not sure if that
    was widescreen or not.  Check out any video store/HMV/Virgin records...
    
    Mikef

    I have just discovered this confrence and have found one of if not the
    greatest trilogy of all time.
    
    I have heard allot of talk in the notes about a sequel. I however, was
    under the belief that it was going to be a prequel. With a title
    something like >star wars - the early years<. This was to tell the
    story of Anekin Skywalker(aargh..spelling) lukes father pre. darth
    vader and obe wan (agian forgive any spelling mistakes). the story
    would tell of the early colonial wars and how the empire strengthed the
    grip on the galaxy.
    
    I think this came to me by word of mouth, friend etc a nightmare?? who
    knows could anyone shed anymore light on this.
    
    >A little brain teaser< (would have put following text in a spoiler if
                             I knew how)
    
    One of my favourite lines from the trilogy
    
    "Impressive, most impressive"
    
    Does anyone know the title of the film this comes?
    Who says it and to whom??
    
    Come on its easy!!!!!!
    
    	May the force be with you, Yoda 

    The Empire Strikes Back
    
    Regards,
           Yodel.

Darth Vader says it to that incredibly annoying rabbit in a <brand> battery 
commercial.

Chele

    Any other people with favourite moments from the trilogy ??
    
    In anticipation
    
    daks.
    

    May the 4th be with you.

    re -2
    
    Yessir indeedy,
                   my favourite part of the Star Wars trilogy was when the
    
    credits rolled up for the last flick as it signified the end of this
    incredibly overrated piece of toilet. It was too glittery & the plots
    were unbelieveable (unless you're 9 yrs old). All because someone
    who makes car batteries came up with some dodgy FX.
    
    Give me a decent, believable look into the future with classics like:
    
    Robot Jox       or        Hardware.
    
    regards,
            Yodel (Yoda's Swiss cousin).
    
    :-)

    I think you may have altitude sickness, up there in the Alps.
    
    MAY I REMIND YOU THAT THIS IS THE GREATEST TRILOGY OF ALL TIME AND WILL
    NOT HAVE A BAD WORD AGAINST IT SO 
    
    So there with cherries on top!!!!

    Greatest trilogy of all time was The Lord of the Rings (book version).
    Unfortunate that the animated movies fell so far short of it.
    
    You're right that the next three movies in the series will be a
    "prequel" to the previous trilogy. George L likens it to Camelot, in
    that it is the story of a glorious age which is betrayed and passes.
    SPeculation as to these sequels and their contents abound in a topic of
    the SF conference; they're having a lot of trouble gettng off the
    ground.
    
    The interesting thing about Star Wars is that it stole the thunder that
    Star Trek could have had for itself. Before the movie 2001, there was
    very little "good" SF in the visual medium. Most SF movies were hokie
    affairs with lousy science and worse FX. 2001 changed that, and Star
    Trek followed them with a good-faith attempt at scientific consistency
    coupled with likable characters and good plot lines. (For those who
    differ, consider that its competition was "Lost in Space" and others of
    that ilk). This was a New Thing, and very well received. Not long after
    the series was cancelled, it was so popular that there was no question
    that a movie would be well received; it was just a matter of when and
    if they would get around to doing it.
    
    I think, while Star Trek was sorting out the egos of the stars and trying
    to find a plot line which was "big enough", Star Wars took everyone by
    surprise. Granted the science was substandard to Trek (did the Kessel
    Run in *how* many parsecs??? ;-); but it was an engaging tale with
    a great soundtrack, heroic characters, clearly delineated good and bad
    guys, and effects like nothing seen before. The impact on SF movies has
    been profound; but if Trek had gotten their act together and done their
    movie with anything remotely approaching Star Wars' quality, only a few
    geeks who read movie notes files would have remembered who Darth Vader
    and Luke Skywalker were.
    
    			Jim

    FWIW, my uncle developed a survey theater used by Hollywood to rate
    commercials, TV shows, movies and so forth.  At the time that other
    rating methods recommended canning Star Trek (the original TV series)
    his was one of the few (if not the only) ratings company that said it
    was the hit that it really was.  I verified this story with him just
    last week.
    
    Steve

    Hi,
    
    over the years when I've seen Mark Hammil popping up in various movies
    and TV shows I have noticed that he seems to be carrying a scar on his
    left check. The first time he appeared 'scarred' was in The Empire
    Strikes Back, so I naturally assumed it was make-up. 
    
    I've started to wonder if it is actually a real scar. Any comments on
    this ?
    
    thanks
    	Mike

It's a real scar.  He was mangled in a car (?) accident before/during the 
shooting of Empire Strikes Back.


Chele

    The whole winter scene where he gets attcked by that whatever-it-was at
    the beginning of "Empire" was merely a way for the writers to explain
    the scar he picked up (yes, in a car accident) in bewteen the two
    movies. The only makeup involved was to hide the scar before he was
    slashed. If you watch it again, you'll see that you never get a good
    look at the cheek before it's cut.
    
    I remember there was a big fuss over the accident 'cause he'd ruined
    his pretty-boy face, as far as the directors were concerned.

    Thanks for the info.
    
    We recently had the Empire Strikes Back on TV and I watched some of the
    scenes prior to the attack of the snow beast, and I noticed there were
    few direct (if any) shots of that side of his face.
    
    As for ruining his pretty boy face... in the shows I've seen him
    popping up in, it seems to add some character to his features.
    
    thanks again,
    	Mike

         Hey, did you know that a fourth Star Wars movie is coming out in
    1998? And that soon they will re-release the original Star Wars with
    extra footage - including a scene with Jabba the Hut? How good can a
    new Star Wars be without Darth Vader? 

    
    
    this is getting off track....but just for your information, the next
    Star Wars trilogy is about how Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader.
    
    He will most certainly be in the trilogy in many forms.
    
    Chris
    :)

    
    	The next 3 "Star Wars" movies will actually be "prequels" to
    	the current 3 ... IE, they will be new movies which will take
    	place before what we've already seen.
    

         But will they have Darth Vader? And who will be the next
    Skywalker?

    
    	In the prequel, Darth Vader doesn't exist in his present form
    	as yet ... he's still a Skywalker.
    
    	And since this takes place before the current releases, Luke
    	will very probably be played by a much-younger actor.
    

         I dunno, nothing could ever top "The Empire Strikes Back". "Return
    of the Jedi" was kind of a disappointment in comparison - we can only
    hope that the new series doesn't follow this trend. 

     Jonathen Brandis has my vote for a young Luke Skywalker.

    So, is the actor David Prowse alive or deceased?

    
    	Ref .64
    
    	David Prowse is still alive and kicking....just.
    
    	I know he's had a stroke in the last couple of years and some
    	problem with leg, bad enough to consider amputation at the time !!
    
    	Luke Skywalker......why would we want to see that much of him ??
    
    	Until the "New Hope" he didn't know about his father or "the
        force", hey he didn't even know he had a sister !?
    
    
    	The special editions......I hear that trailers shown at the
    	cinema's in the US are proving more popular than the main feature.
    	Some people are asking for their money back if the "Special
    	Edition" trailers are not shown ??
    
    	Also I recently saw some pictures taken from the special edition
    	showing the new "C.G." work, adding Jabba and various other
    	characters to both old and new scenes.....looks good.
    
    
    	Vince...

    The rumor is that George Lucas wants Kenneth Brannagh to play the
    Obi-Wan role in the new movies. Brannagh is an english actor/ director
    who most often appears in Shakespearean movies, most recently Othello.
    He was also in the Frankenstein movie that was out a couple of years
    ago playing Dr. Frankenstein with Robert Deniro playing the monster.
    Apparantly, the Obi Wan character will play one of the major roles in
    the new movies. Brannagh would be an excellent choice in my opinion.
    
        E.S.

    
    
    I think Brannagh would be good for Obi-Wan too.
    If Luke does appear, then I'm sure it will only be a blip
    in the last of the trilogy showing his and his sister's birth
    and then  them being hidden.
    
    Chris
    :)

Hear, hear! Kennneth Brannagh would be an excellent choice for Obi Wan. Our
American cousins would probably know him best for his roles in "Mary Shelley's
Frankenstein" (as mentioned previously) and "Dead Again". Personally, my fave
Brannagh film was "Henry V".

On the Dave Prowse front - isn't he suffering from Alzheimer's or Parkinson's or
something along those lines ? or am I mixing him up with someone else ?

Simes %^)
"May the schwartz be with you!"

    re .67  (David Prowse)
    
    My in-laws spent the day with him at a toy show in the UK several
    months back (he was signing autographs, they were selling toy cars, and
    their booths were right next to eachother).  They said he was very
    friendly and personable.  
    
    He apparently has had a stroke, and he has some sort of bone disorder
    that effects his ability to walk.  He's in pretty tough shape, although
    I don't think he has Alzheimers.
    
    He had to go through all sorts of legal fights in order to be able to
    sign pictures of himself that included the image of Darth Vader.  The
    movie studio wasn't too keen on the idea.  I'm not sure if he won the
    legal battle or if the studio just gave in.
    
    -Steve
    

    This is an antique rumor that has been categorically denied by
    both Lucas' office and Branagh's.  It re-surfaces about once
    a month.  Much as I'd like to see KB in anything, according to
    his PA he and Lucas have never discussed this possibility.
    
    dcl

    
    
    	Some casting auditions recently took place in Scotland for the new
    	triology ! Neither the actors or their agents had a clue they were
    	there for parts in the new Star Wars films.
    
    	
    	Vince...

>    This is an antique rumor that has been categorically denied by
>    both Lucas' office and Branagh's.  It re-surfaces about once
>    a month.  Much as I'd like to see KB in anything, according to
>    his PA he and Lucas have never discussed this possibility.

Ahhhh, but wouldn't it be nice...

Simes %^)

	Well the 1st of the 3, "Star Wars", opened this past Friday.
	The prelim. box office figures show it grossed $36.2 Million
	in it's opening weekend, grossing more than the next 8 films
	on the weekend's top grosser list combined.

    Well, the reason I heard to grossed so much is that quite
    a few theaters had it showing around the clock.  I heard
    about a theater in Boston that had people in line for the
    4:00 am showing.
    
    I went to see it on Saturday afternoon myself.  I loved it but
    then I love it on TV.  It is amazing though how much you loose
    just watching it on TV - the screen size, the sound, the
    commercials.
    
    Mo
    

    Would a kid notice significant differences from the home-video version?
    I'm looking forward to seeing it in the theater, but my 7-yr-old is
    less-than-enthusiastic. ("Geez Dad, why would we go to see it at the movies
    when we can watch it on video anytime?")
    
    I'm going, one way or another, but I'd prefer that he come with me,
    assuming it's worth his while...:^)
    
    Much Thanks,

    
    -1
    We went with our 16 year old son and his friend.They had never
    seen it on the big screen. They enjoyed every minute of it.
    
    
    
    There is an incredible difference between seeing it on tv and 
    at a theater. On thing you really notice, is how young
    Mark Hamil, Harrison Ford and Cary Fisher look in the first movie.
    Even more so that on tv. Of course all the fx and detail are
    greatly enhanced on the large screen.
    
    I saw it yesterday at Mann's Chinese Theater in the Hollywood with
    1500 other people. Never heard so much cheering and clapping at
    important scenes for any other movie.  The added scenes are great.
    
    I plan to see the Empire Strikes Back at the same theater when it
    is released.
    
    Dave
    
    
     

  I was dragged by my SO to see SW on opening day Friday.  We stood like idiots
  in a line that wrapped around both sides of the theatre building - all the
  while snow was falling on us - to see a movie released 21 years earlier.
  Nuts!

  Not a creative bone in Lucas's body? Apart from the controversy over his
  stealing outright scenes from existing pop culture items like "Tora! Tora!
  Tora!" twenty years ago, not getting into that, I have to say I was very
  disappointed now.  Twenty years to reflect on his effort, on how he could
  have done things better, and all he adds to the film is a mere four minutes
  of formerly-discarded Solo talking to Jabba footage? 

  I thought for sure Lucas would have improved the (now) dated, (now) poor
  computer graphics in the film, at the very least.  Easy as heck since most of
  the scenes (targeting computer, etc) appeared in the frames all by
  themselves, no splicing with old footage even required.  But no.  It is still
  the very same film - unchanged - as it was twenty years ago, with no real
  improvements.  Adding scenes of rats in the foreground, that is what he was
  waiting 20 years for to improve his film? None of the dog fight scenes were
  even extended, nor the dropping into the chasm scenes.  

  There was nothing here that justified any reason for re-releasing this film
  under the "new and improved" banner.  It all still felt incredibly dated.  It
  was not the same experience as it was 21 years ago, back when movie screens
  were large and home TV systems were not.  It shows its age very badly.  Only
  one sole (probably foolish-feeling) person clapped at the final explosion.  I
  think our audience also felt how dated this "re-experience" was too...  This
  was a simple, shameless, and lazy milking of the cash cow.  I felt taken.
  Again.  Even my die-hard-SW-fan SO was surprised by and disappointed by the
  lack of changes.  

  This new version differs from the original so insignificantly, you aren't
  missing anything by popping the same tired old tape into the home VCR again
  one more time.  Perhaps one could even form a line behind the couch... 

  -Erik

    <----  Ya know, That is BLASPHEMY!!!
    
    [^;=
    
    Still going cause it smokes when compared to ID4, for it's day and age.
    
    	Jay

    
    	He can milk this for another 20 years if he wants.
    
    	"Star Wars V3" will have another 4 minutes added, and maybe some
    	computer-enhanced graphics [like some morphing, etc.].  "Star
    	Wars V4" will have R2D2 talking to President Kennedy, or invent-
    	ing the frisbee, etc.
    

    
    Changes found in Star Wars SE:
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Spoiler:
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    1.Blue line around the rebel ship as it is being pulled into the 
      Darth Vader ship is now gone, and the resolution of the Rebel
      ship is clearer and more defined.
    2.The pan down the Tatooine sky as R2D2 is entering the rocky
      area inhabited by Jawas in completely new.The Tatoine evening
      sky is now awash in organes and light reds ans is stunning gorgeous.
    3.There is a new shot of the Sandcrawler that shows off the detail of
      the vehicle.
    4.The establishing shot of Ben Kenobi's place is updated to show
      a more detailed house with smoke leaving the chimney showing exactly
      where it is located in relation to the surrounding area..
    5. The addition of the giant Dewbacks in the desert as the
    Stormtroopers are searching for the droids was very well done.
    6. All the added establishing shots of Mos Eisley are amazing
      Added Ronto and Dewbacks in these scenes. The city area
     is where there are a lot of changes.
    
    7.Werewolf character in cantina taken out and new cgi character
      added.
    8. Flying "spy machine" added to the scenes where the Stormtoopers
       are searching for Luke.
    9. New scene of Falcon powering up it's engines and rising out
      of the dock area.Very big scene.
    10. Explosion of Alderaan has been redone.
    11. The scene of where Hans chases the Stormtroopers down the hall
        has changed, he now stumbles upon a large group of Stormtroopers.
    12. Falcon laser weapons have update "red" lasers and are more 
        impressive during the fight with TIE fighters.
    13. Bluescreen problems withthe Falcon cockpit are gone.
    14. Shots of the Falcon approaching Yavin are new and realistic.
    15  New Biggs/Luke scene before the attack on the Death Star
         added.
    16. Final battle has several new shots of X wings doing movements.
    17 Updated version of the Death Star explosion
    
    18. New Jaba the Hutt scene added
    19  Updated Solo and Greedo scene in catina added. 
    20. Sound redone.
    
    
    
    

> There was nothing here that justified any reason for re-releasing this film
> under the "new and improved" banner.

	FWIW, I haven't seen any ads claiming this was "new and improved".

	In any case, the justification for re-releasing these films was
	mentioned on the news the other day.  Lucas will be using the
	profits in order to finance the three prequels which is planned
	to go into production in the near future.

	So those paying money to see the re-released versions, think of
	yourselves as investors in the prequels (but don't expect free
	admission when those come out :-)

    Another (very small) improvement that I noticed...
    
    [probably not a spoiler... but...]
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    The lightsabers glow reflected in the eyes of their users.
    
    

Well, it's George's movie and he can do what he wants to, but....


...it will be bad for film history and demean George's own accomplishments
if the re-releases become the reference versions of the Star Wars 4, 5, and 6.
What George did in 1977 and on was groundbreaking and defined a generation
of cinematographic accomplishment.  Evaluated against their time, these movies
were truly great.
Now they're dated, but spiffing up the matte lines and adding CG scenes that
were impossible in 1977 just makes the rest of the movie more dated.
Adding stuff that he could have done in 1977 but couldn't afford or decided
not to do all just corrupts the context of the movie at its inception.

The movies were more than a special effects exercise when they were made.
To focus on the technical aspects for the re-release also cheapens
George's accomplishments with the story and the myth, and heightens
the hypocrisy that I have already complained about in the series.

- tom]

    Saw it last Friday - nice birthday present!
    
    A few notes back - Thanks for the list of differences! I couldn't
    remember all of them.  Especially the one in the catina where
    characters were changed. We knew one of them  had changed. It was
    kinda fun playing "spot the difference"! One more: on the redo of Solo
    and Greedo in the cantina - you now see  Greedo's shot bounce by Solo.
    (Death star explosion had a bit of the ST:UC shock wave to it - ILM
    must have liked that effect!) and of course - the credits have been
    updated. How'd you like to be the "de-hiss" expert?!
    
    I liked the additional footage - some are so subtle they are probably
    missed by most people. I liked the new animals/details of animals. the
    Luke/Biggs scene added some needed text to the story. I always pondered
    about letting some unknown "kid" pilot an expensive and probably scarce
    fighter resource. (of course, if you read the book, those holes are
    filled in).  the Jabba/Han scene which has gotten all the press wasn't
    all that special - imho. Other than you do see BobaFett. Do any of the
    other Jabba goons show up in the other movies?
    
    It seemed like you saw a lot more detail on all the ships, but that
    could just be because of the big screen vs. tv screen. 
    
    I'd recommend watching the old one first, then going to see the new
    one. We didn't do that, but watched the original version the next night
    (have it on laser disc). Differences were harder to spot the other way.
    
    Though - my husband didn't think the differences were worth all the
    hype. In fact, he thought some of the added effects - ex: robot
    floating behind storm troopers in MosIesley (sp?) - negatively effected
    the scenes, because it was  done badly.there were other things he
    thought should have been "updated".
    
    But we both still liked seeing it on the big screen. to answer a kid
    asking "why see it in the theatre"  - sit in the front row for the
    opening scene. That in itself is worth the price! The ship just comes
    over and over and over...
    
    The other part which was fun was the audience. We didn't have anyone
    dressed up or anything like that, but there were definately people who
    were saying some of the lines and I'm positive I heard people singing
    along with the cantina music! And people still laughed/reacted at the
    same spots. also - the blooper of the storm trooper smacking his head
    on the doorway must be pretty well known. It got lots of laughs.
    
    Anyone hear how long this one will be in the theaters? Will they yank
    it before Feb.21?
    
    janetb.
    may the force be with you!

    I liked seeing it on the big screen again, too.  Brought back lots of
    good memories from way back when.  
    
    In general, I thought the movie had aged well -- sure, a lot of
    characters had '70s hair, and since I know what Mark Hamill and
    Harrison Ford look like *now*, they both look so young then-- but a lot
    of the effects and make up have held up.  The Wookie makeup still looks
    pretty damned good.    
    
    On the other hand, I've never noticed how sedate of a film "Star Wars"
    was until last night.  That's when I noticed the limitations of the
    effects, especially the space battles.  There were rarely more than
    three space ships on any given scene and LOTS of cuts to reaction
    shots that didn't involved expensive and intricate model work.  Actual
    action scenes were relatively few and far between.  Definitely a sign
    of different movie times.  Nowdays, the pace of the movie might be
    considered too slow, given how many slam-bang action films we, the
    movie-going public, have been exposed to.
    
    Some of the "easter eggs" were sort of fun to look for.  I didn't find
    much value added in the Jabba scene.  It didn't add anything special to
    the plot as we already *knew* Han needed the money to pay him off.  I
    saw a snip on TV where Jabba was a big human guy and, never being a big
    fan of that particular character as he appeared, I think it would have
    been better if they'd left him a big human guy.  There was some seams
    in incorporating a CGI Jabba into the shot, too.
    
    Still, it was a good reminder of the Old Days when the movie
    used to thrill me.  I still got a few goosebumps when the Rebels did
    that "drop into the trench for their attack run" thing.
    
    
    
    kim
    

    Checked it out last night and loved it...again!
    
    	It was the first time I saw episode IV on the big screen and was
    not dissapointed.  And this one isn't even my fav of the trilogy!!!
    
    	I loved the new clips/creatures/cities and of course, the chemistry
    between all the characters that has always been there.  The Jabba the
    Hut CGI was great to see...even like how they walked Hans around the
    back/tail end of Jabba...funny.
    
    	And about the '70's hair-doo's?  Who knows, maybe in a Galaxy far
    far away...it's just now becoming hip to wear bell-bottoms?  [^8=
    
    	4 outta 5
    
    	  Jay

    With "Empire..." opening on Friday, does anyone know whether they plan
    to end "Star Wars" engagement at the same time? We haven't yet been
    able to go, and I'm wondering how quickly my time is running out.
    
    Thanks,

    RE: ,97
    
    	It's my understanding that it will be removed from the big screen
    when Empires is put back on.  I could be wrong though...but either way,
    get out there and see it!  [^8=
    
    	Jay

    
    	It'll probably hit the drive-in circuit this summer.
    

    
    I'm betting Lucas will keep SW on, having both show at once for the
    maximum dollar draw (not killing SW sales while it's still milking
    audiences successfully). This whole re-release has been about money
    anyway.
           
    It was fitting to see SW take its place at the top of the list of most
    popular films (playing to the lowest common denominator) along with the
    other 'greats' E.T. and Gump. I'm sure ID4 fits in somewhere there too.
    In another month perhaps Lucas could even buy himself an Oscar...
    

    Has it really been *all* about the money? I'm hoping that it is a
    precursor to the long-delayed announcement that the first of the three
    prequel movies will be released soon. After "Jedi" was released, I
    think people had had their fill of star wars for the time being; but
    enough time has gone by that there is an appetite again for more of the
    story.
    
    I was pleased to see that the changes to the movie were not jarring,
    but just subtle changes around (mostly) the edges. 
    			Jim

The promos for "Empire" on TV have been saying something like: "And
continuing: Star Wars" (or words to that effect), i.e., implying that
"Star Wars" still will be playing after "Empire" comes out.

I'd think that eventually some theatres might want to show triple features,
when "Jedi" comes out... :-)

- Nina

    <--  talk about numb bumb!  8^)

> Has it really been *all* about the money? I'm hoping that it is a
> precursor to the long-delayed announcement that the first of the three
> prequel movies will be released soon.

	do a dir/author=michaud on this topic to find my previous reply
	where I reported that the press has quoted Lucas as saying that
	one of the reasons for the re-releases is to fund the production
	of the prequels.

	I also hope you weren't hoping "soon" is this year, the 1st
	prequel if I recall isn't planned til either '98 or '99.

	I noticed in Wednesday's newspaper some of the movie houses
	are advertising advance tickets on sale now for Friday's
	showing of "The Empire Strikes Back".

	I remember the (original) opening day for "The Return of the Jedi",
	the theatre was empty!  Of course it was the 1st matinee and
	it was school season (?) so the the kids were in school, the adults
	were working, and I was working 3rd shift (11pm-7am) in the
	factory (summer job before Nashua Corp. started down-sizing).

	As I mentioned in .10, I've still got a bunch of "Star Wars"
	(bumble gum) trading cards, at least one complete set for
	one of the films.  Maybe now's the time to see what they'll
	fetch while everyones got Star Wars fever ....

    
    i'm going back to Manns Chinese in Hollywood to see Empire this Sunday.
    really  like those 1500 seats, huge screen and cheering fans.
    
    ony way to see these films.
    
    Star Wars SE is right at $100million since it was released end
    of January. I don't think any other re-release will ever do that
    well. Well maybe Empire, or Jedi.Who knows.
    
    

>     Star Wars SE is right at $100million since it was released end
>     of January. I don't think any other re-release will ever do that
>     well. Well maybe Empire, or Jedi.Who knows.

	Right after the opening weekend success of the re-release of
	"Star Wars" the talk already started flying about how the
	studios/distributors are already dusting off their shelfs
	looking for the money that is just sitting on those shelfs.
	Talk is E.T. may do very well in re-release.

	Disney for a long time has known how to milk money out of their
	film library .....

    
    I am quite happy of the re-release.  It brought back alot of good
    memories.  I remember I was in Natick, MA - my Farther had brought me
    to see Star Wars.  We had to wait in line for 3 or 4 hours.  I happend
    to sit down next to a very nice boy who was my age (13) and we both
    loved magic.  He happed to have his magic stuff w/him so we sat their
    and made magic all afternoon long.  We exchanged #'s and we became very
    good friends.  We keept this freindship for about 8yrs, then work,
    familes we have grown apart, but I am looking for his number - just to
    call and say HI.
    
    

    
    Hah, I was right, Lucas cynicism always pays off. :-) I knew he
    wouldn't pull the film while people were still standing in lines to see
    it despite his previous promises to do so. Speaking of which, I'll be 
    dragged to opening night tonight. Though if I recall, I think I liked part2 
    better than part1 back then. We'll see what I think this time 'round...

	Well "The Empire Strikes Back" took in an estimated $22.4M in
	it's opening weekend to put it in 1st place of top estimated
	weekend grossers, bumping "Star Wars" to 2nd place which
	took in an estimated $11M.

I decided early on to wait a while before seeing SW so I wouldn't have to battle
the long lines.  I wound up going last Saturday night and was amazed to see that
Empire was running multiple screens all day for a total of 10 showings a day. 
SW was still running 5 a day.  I went to the early evening SW show and it was
still a full house!

Unbelievable.

dave

    
    Saw Empire yesterday at Mann's Chinese in Hollywood ( I really do like
    that theater).
    
    What a great film! The added scenes are great, but this film is so
    perfect it didn't really need any. But they are nice to see anyway.
    
    The sound in this film is incredible in a THX theater.
    
    The previews for Return of the Jedi are really something to see.
    
    
    
    
    

    
    FOX has changed the release date of Return of the Jedi:SE to March
    14 instead of March 7.
    
    They want to give Empire another week before Jedi shows up.
    
    
    

    
    	And other studios are modifying the release dates of their movies
    	so as not to conflict with the opening dates of the "Star Wars"
    	re-releases.
    

    I took in "Empire's" last night and enjoyed, of course.  They definitly
    didn't add as many CGI's as they did for IV...but what made this one
    worth it, was the dogfights in the stars.  Something that has to be
    experienced in a THX theater.
    
    	3.9 outta 5
    
    	   Jay

    Does anyone know if the Trilogy is being played together (ie, all in a
    row) at any New England theaters?
    
    Thanks,
    Steve

Steve,

  I was at the Central Park II in Hookset New Hampshire last night
and they were all playing there. This theater is at exit 10 off of
route 93. Their phone number is (603)644-3456. 

Mark

    In Star Wars you get to see the Millenium Falcon take off, but you
    don't get to see the X-Wing fighters take off from Yavin.  Also, in The
    Empire Strikes Back you now see Darth Vader's shuttle approaching the
    Executor but you don't see it taking off.
    
    I really like the new music for Return of the Jedi - they got rid of
    that awful music in the Ewok village and replaced it.  I think they
    also redid the music when C-3PO and R2-D2 first encounter Jabba the
    Hutt - seems a lot more mellow, almost Mozart-ian. Did they add
    new scenes with Wedge Antilles? I don't seem to remember him getting
    so much coverage in the Ewok village.  The added footage at the end
    gives you more of a flavor of a galactic celebration rather than just
    on Endor.
    
    Kind of a bummer they only played Return of the Jedi at Mann's Chinese
    main theatre for only a week before they moved it to the smaller
    theatre number two to make room for The Godfather. The acoustics are so
    good in the main theatre.  Drat - I had to miss it the first week.
    
    							Michael

    > they only played Return of the Jedi at Mann's Chinese
    >    main theatre for only a week before they moved it to the smaller
    >    theatre number two to make room for The Godfather. 
    
    Now that's something -- the fifteen year old movie got bumped from the
    big theatre in favor of.... the TWENTY-FIVE YEAR OLD MOVIE! Do you get
    the feeling we're going to see a lot of reissues in the near future?
    				Jim B.

    
    I'm waiting for the re-release of _2001_ with the special edition
    director's cuts added. An unnamed _2001_ (probably original issue)
    version played on the big screen at the Wang Center Monday, but I
    didn't get to the WC to see it.

    I'd look at this as an artistic rebuttal to all the Star Wars
    reissues. :-)

    [I did get dragged to all three. The only real improvement was seen in
    _Jedi_ I felt, as it didn't seem nearly as tacky as the original was
    years ago. They mercifully cut many of the worst scenes out it
    appeared].