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Posted: |
Jun 25, 2019 - 10:53 AM
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By: |
Ado
(Member)
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Star Trek 2 The Wrath of Khan- 5-5
Still remains an engaging and entertaining film from beginning to end with strong characterizations. I have some nit picks, no film is ever perfect, but the strengths far outweigh the negatives. The film hits all the right beats, drama, humor, tension with a little bit of horror.
I haven't watched this film in over a decade and for the first time some aspects of the film felt a bit dated and distracting. Like oversize console buttons and huge bulky monitors. The Genesis demonstration video sticks out like a sore thumb, not for the video itself but the obvious computer generated 2D console on the sides of the video in that particular shot.
The production values though are great for the most part, from set designs, lighting, sound effects, special effects and of course the score.
One common denominator shared between Star Trek: The Motion Picture and the WOK was the fact the effects team were aloud to "run with it" without interference from producers or directors. You can really see how much love they put into their art and the benefit of their artistic eye.
Meyer said one of his biggest regrets was having Kirk's son wrap that sweater around his shoulders, it really dates it. The other regret is that rather bad genesis cave waterfall, it never really worked. But when I watched this movie as a kid, i really did not notice it failing at all.
It is remarkably high quality for how little it cost, much credit to Meyer and Harve Bennett.
You probably already knew this, but that Genesis footage was one of the earliest creations by Pixar. I think it still works quite well because it is not trying to be realistic and failing at it. The nebula submarine battle, wow, it still impresses me, the model work and cloud effects there still rival the best CGI work this year.
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Has PARAMOUNT tried ' improving' he vfx on the ST movies; like they did with TOS?
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Posted: |
Jun 25, 2019 - 9:19 PM
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By: |
Solium
(Member)
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Star Trek 2 The Wrath of Khan- 5-5
Still remains an engaging and entertaining film from beginning to end with strong characterizations. I have some nit picks, no film is ever perfect, but the strengths far outweigh the negatives. The film hits all the right beats, drama, humor, tension with a little bit of horror.
I haven't watched this film in over a decade and for the first time some aspects of the film felt a bit dated and distracting. Like oversize console buttons and huge bulky monitors. The Genesis demonstration video sticks out like a sore thumb, not for the video itself but the obvious computer generated 2D console on the sides of the video in that particular shot.
The production values though are great for the most part, from set designs, lighting, sound effects, special effects and of course the score.
One common denominator shared between Star Trek: The Motion Picture and the WOK was the fact the effects team were aloud to "run with it" without interference from producers or directors. You can really see how much love they put into their art and the benefit of their artistic eye.
Meyer said one of his biggest regrets was having Kirk's son wrap that sweater around his shoulders, it really dates it. The other regret is that rather bad genesis cave waterfall, it never really worked. But when I watched this movie as a kid, i really did not notice it failing at all.
It is remarkably high quality for how little it cost, much credit to Meyer and Harve Bennett.
You probably already knew this, but that Genesis footage was one of the earliest creations by Pixar. I think it still works quite well because it is not trying to be realistic and failing at it. The nebula submarine battle, wow, it still impresses me, the model work and cloud effects there still rival the best CGI work this year.
The Genesis video footage is fantastic. For the reasons you stated, it doesn't look dated because it's meant to be a computer simulation. And yes this was the beginnings of Pixar, though I think it was just a department of ILM at the time. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the 2D graphics software program they custom made for this project eventually became Photoshop. I love the cloud tank nebula effects. CGI clouds and nebula effects in later films never topped the work in WOK.
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Has PARAMOUNT tried ' improving' he vfx on the ST movies; like they did with TOS?
Well Star Trek: The Motion Picture Directors Cut had a few new scenes and some replacement shots done in CGI. Though to be honest I don't think either TMP or WOK effects need "improving".
V sure needs it!
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Posted: |
Jun 25, 2019 - 11:55 PM
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By: |
Bob DiMucci
(Member)
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GUNPOINT (1966) - 6/10
After a train robbery, the sheriff of Lodgepole, Colorado (Audie Murphy) is determined to go after the bandits, who have kidnapped a dance-hall girl (Joan Staley) while making their escape. But his posse is riven with dissension. While some are after the money, the girl's lover (Warren Stevens) only wants to get her back. The sheriff's deputy (Denver Pyle) keeps reliving his glory days in the Civil War. And one member of the group is intent on sabotaging the posse's efforts. As casualties in the posse mount, the bandits cross over into the New Mexico Territory, where the sheriff has no jurisdiction. The remaining posse members are faced with turning back or continuing on with the obsessed sheriff.
Audie Murphy is pretty grim in this film. While he feels obliged to recover the money, which his town was depending on to keep them functioning until a mine opened up, his single-mindedness isn't very motivated by Mary and Willard Willingham's script. Earl Bellamy, best known for his television work, directed. Hans Salter provided the score. When Hedda Hopper asked Audie Murphy what the film's story was about, he told her "Same story, only we're getting older horses."
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Looks like someone bought Bob a western box set?!! 
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Posted: |
Jun 26, 2019 - 6:52 AM
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By: |
Ado
(Member)
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Star Trek 2 The Wrath of Khan- 5-5
Still remains an engaging and entertaining film from beginning to end with strong characterizations. I have some nit picks, no film is ever perfect, but the strengths far outweigh the negatives. The film hits all the right beats, drama, humor, tension with a little bit of horror.
I haven't watched this film in over a decade and for the first time some aspects of the film felt a bit dated and distracting. Like oversize console buttons and huge bulky monitors. The Genesis demonstration video sticks out like a sore thumb, not for the video itself but the obvious computer generated 2D console on the sides of the video in that particular shot.
The production values though are great for the most part, from set designs, lighting, sound effects, special effects and of course the score.
One common denominator shared between Star Trek: The Motion Picture and the WOK was the fact the effects team were aloud to "run with it" without interference from producers or directors. You can really see how much love they put into their art and the benefit of their artistic eye.
Meyer said one of his biggest regrets was having Kirk's son wrap that sweater around his shoulders, it really dates it. The other regret is that rather bad genesis cave waterfall, it never really worked. But when I watched this movie as a kid, i really did not notice it failing at all.
It is remarkably high quality for how little it cost, much credit to Meyer and Harve Bennett.
You probably already knew this, but that Genesis footage was one of the earliest creations by Pixar. I think it still works quite well because it is not trying to be realistic and failing at it. The nebula submarine battle, wow, it still impresses me, the model work and cloud effects there still rival the best CGI work this year.
The Genesis video footage is fantastic. For the reasons you stated, it doesn't look dated because it's meant to be a computer simulation. And yes this was the beginnings of Pixar, though I think it was just a department of ILM at the time. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the 2D graphics software program they custom made for this project eventually became Photoshop. I love the cloud tank nebula effects. CGI clouds and nebula effects in later films never topped the work in WOK.
Yes what is now called Adobe was created by two brothers John and Thomas Knoll. They created it and sold it. John Knoll worked for ILM and did a lot of visual effects work, amazing number of features. He worked on one of the last big physical effects in Trek, the massive and impressive crashing of the Enterprise into the planet in Generations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Knoll#Feature_films
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Looks like someone bought Bob a western box set?!!
Jealous, Bill?
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TAKE A GIRL LIKE YOU
3/10
An aging, overweight Oliver Reed as an irresistible lothario.
Noel Harrison as an effete, millionaire lothario.
A collection of men who are drunken politicians, impotent husbands, and mice guys who can't get laid cuz girls dig ' bad.boys' desperate Hayley Mills looking lovely.
A feast of nepotism!
Set in late 60s England.
Perfect for Phelps!
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Looks like someone bought Bob a western box set?!!
Jealous, Bill?
Or he scours similar channels to me rewatching old westerns (i do it because a massive proportion of new stuff is such tripe).
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Posted: |
Jun 27, 2019 - 2:36 PM
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By: |
MusicMad
(Member)
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Nevada Smith (1966) ... 4/10
There's much to enjoy in this Steve McQueen western and my rating is as low as it is because, however good it is, I can't say I'd be tempted to watch it again. So, perhaps my rating is harsh ... it means I enjoyed it but with that non-repeat caveat.
I recall seeing it - perhaps 40 - 45 years ago - and looked forward to this viewing. On the plus side there is fabulous cinematography, some good sequences, an effective and mostly appropriate score by the ever dependable Alfred Newman and enjoyable performances by Steve McQueen and Brian Keith plus a few stalwart character actors (e.g. Paul Fix).
But less enjoyment is to be had from the hackneyed story-line which was unlikely original then and less so now; an episodic story (basically a prologue and three separate stories with the same premise); whilst no time line is given, Max/Nevada doesn't age; typical over-acting by Karl Malden and Arthur Kennedy; a very poor sequence featuring the totally miscast Suzanne Pleshette (which is made worse by virtue of it following directly on from one of the film's strongest sequences); several poor-continuity mistakes*; and an ending which may/appears to contradict what it wanted to show**
*e.g. all Steve McQueen: getting on horse when he leaves his family home, where he places/holds his hat when watching Brian Keith, reading the newspaper on the river-boat and holding the cigarette when conversing with Paul Fix
** are we meant to believe that Max/Nevada has seen the light and realised that taking an eye for an eye achieves little ... but if so, leaving Fitch as he does, is he condemning him to a slow painful death? I half-expected him to leave Fitch with a gun and one bullet ...
I always enjoyed watching Steve McQueen when I was young and saw a number (not all) of his films and I do think he has wonderful screen presence. But I felt this was Steve McQueen playing ... Steve McQueen (and virtually the same as Vin (The Magnificent Seven (1960)). I'm certain that Kevin Costner was either inspired by, or based his early roles on, him ... but, for me, became the far better actor.
Mitch
add'l: another positive was the glorious looking print - in full w/screen (on a 16:9 plasma it looked wonderful) ... except there was the odd scene when the PQ deteriorated, e.g. when Fitch calls his gang together to discuss the robbery, here for 20-30 seconds the picture was like a 4th generation video. Presumably some film elements were lacking when its restoration was done.
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Whenever Mr. DiMucci puts up a film poster, I immediately think a film has died.
The Dimucci Reaper
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Posted: |
Jun 28, 2019 - 12:38 AM
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By: |
Bob DiMucci
(Member)
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ROBBERY UNDER ARMS (1957) - 7/10
This is one of those Aussie "westerns" that is of interest because of its cast. Ronald Lewis and David McCallum are two brothers whose father (Laurence Naismith) is a member of a gang of thieves led by Peter Finch. Needing some additional hands to pull off some cattle rustling, the father sends for his sons, who decide that it wouldn't hurt to help out old Pa just this once. The cattle are stolen, re-branded, and sold at auction across state lines, and the boys live it up on their newfound wealth, traveling by ship back home.
On board they meet two beautiful girls (Maureen Swanson and Jill Ireland) and soon are in romantic relationships. But the local constabulary is hot on their trail and they must relocate to another town, keeping a low profile, while they pan for gold at a local dig to get enough money to leave the country. But then Pa shows up to rob the local bank.
This is a first-rate cast in an interesting story about the perils of making a single mistake with the law. Add to that the unusual setting, and it's well worth a viewing. David McCallum and Jill Ireland, who play the younger pair of lovers in this film, became married in real life after production wrapped. They had first met on the set of their prior film, HELL DRIVERS.
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