Xixax Film Forum

Film Discussion => Digital Streams & Criterion Dreams => Topic started by: Ghostboy on March 09, 2004, 01:00:42 AM

Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Ghostboy on March 09, 2004, 01:00:42 AM
George has done it again!

From the Digital Bits:

Here's a bit of info from industry sources that's likely to get the  undies of some fans all in a bunch. Word is that George Lucas' THX-1139,  which is currently being prepared for DVD release later in 2004 by Lucasfilm and Warner Bros, is going to feature more than 100 new  visual effects shots. Look for digitally-enhanced skylines and other  additions and alterations.
Title: DVD
Post by: SiliasRuby on March 09, 2004, 01:05:12 AM
That's Great to hear
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: SHAFTR on March 09, 2004, 01:09:35 AM
ughh, Lucas.  Why does he always do this?  Wait until American Graffiti gets re-released with added spaceships.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Ghostboy on March 09, 2004, 01:12:24 AM
American Grafitti did have digitally enhanced sunsets, but you'd never know it unless you watched the (great) documentary on the disc.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: cine on March 09, 2004, 01:22:42 AM
Quote from: SHAFTRughh, Lucas.  Why does he always do this?  
Because he has this filmmaking disorder where he always has to continue adding to his films.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Pwaybloe on March 09, 2004, 10:11:01 AM
Great movie.  Just getting a release to home video is good enough for me.

Fun Fact: This movie almost bankrupted American Zoetrope before the Godfather films came out.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: BrainSushi on March 19, 2004, 12:58:42 PM
oooh, THX-1138 with added Rontos and Dewbacks.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: grand theft sparrow on March 19, 2004, 01:04:10 PM
http://xixax.com/viewtopic.php?p=128240&highlight=#128240

EDIT: the same goes for ALL of his films, it seems.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: modage on May 21, 2004, 09:18:14 AM
THX 1138 Director's Cut Coming to Theaters & DVD
Source: Lucasfilm Friday, May 21, 2004

In 1971, a visionary filmmaker named George Lucas created a chillingly prescient look at a disturbing future world as his feature film debut. Years ahead of its time, THX 1138 has since attracted a strong following, with its cutting edge visual and sound experience, and provocative and resounding messages.

"We wanted to make a different kind of film, and I hope when audiences see it today, they will find it to be as intriguing as we envisioned," says Lucas. The film stars Robert Duvall, and is produced by Francis Ford Coppola and his revolutionary American Zoetrope studios.

This fall, this debut film will return as THX 1138: The George Lucas Director's Cut. It will come to theaters as a special limited engagement, and then to DVD.

On September 14, Warner Home Video and American Zoetrope will make available "The George Lucas Director's Cut" DVD release. The Two-Disc Collector's Set features the film meticulously restored and a second disc filled with new and classic bonus material. For "Star Wars" fans, it's the perfect prelude to the Star Wars Trilogy DVD set due out on September 21.

Preceding the DVD release, on September 10, a 20-city theatrical release of the film is planned, including Ann Arbor, MI; Austin, TX; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis, MN; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; San Francisco, CA: Seattle, WA; Portland, OR, and others.

The DVD includes the hour-long documentary, "A Legacy of Filmmakers: The Early Years of American Zoetrope". It examines the independent film movement of the 1970s -- the world in which THX 1138 was born. It features new interviews with Lucas, Murch, Coppola, Duvall, Martin Scorsese, John Milius, Matthew Robbins, Caleb Deschanel and others who helped build American Zoetrope. The new 30-minute documentary "Artifact of the Future" goes behind the scenes on the making of THX 1138.

Classic material includes the original production featurette, "Bald," George Lucas' award-winning USC student film "Electronic Labyrinth THX 1138 4EB," and the original theatrical trailer for the feature film.

The DVD set includes an audio commentary track by George Lucas and Co-Writer and Sound Designer Walter Murch. There is also the "Theater of Noise," an audio-only track, which explores the incredibly rich sound world provided by Murch, with branching video showing the development of the sound design.

THX 1138: The George Lucas Director's Cut is presented in widescreen format, with Dolby Digital 5.1 Sound.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Ghostboy on May 21, 2004, 11:28:14 AM
Top notch.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: mutinyco on May 21, 2004, 01:24:00 PM
Here's the site: http://www.thx1138movie.com/
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: RegularKarate on May 21, 2004, 02:25:04 PM
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thx1138movie.com%2Fimg%2Fboxart.jpg&hash=1692407cbe611cbc7970f896efb4d33e5f32ede0)


cool... with that really be the box?
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Ghostboy on May 21, 2004, 06:03:59 PM
That's a really beautiful cover.

And the new trailer is really beautiful too -- except for that shot of the robot factory that just reeks of bad ILM CG. The other CG shots in the trailer were more or less subtle (I liked the undressed robot walking through the background of the police locker room -- very well done), and unobstructive, and if the movie doesn't contain too much more than that, it shouldn't be too distracting.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: matt35mm on May 21, 2004, 07:18:46 PM
WHY DO YOU HAVE TO ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING IN EVERY DARK CLOUD???

Just kidding.  We love you, GB.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: mutinyco on May 21, 2004, 09:01:53 PM
Why don't you wait to see it before you judge it?
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: modage on May 21, 2004, 11:20:27 PM
Quote from: mutinycoWhy don't you wait to see it before you judge it?
this is actually a good point.  and i think raises what could only be a moviewatchers ethical dilemma.  is the problem to you, that george lucas changed his movie after release?  or that he may have made it worse?  because i know most of us right now are dying for a 3 disc Blade Runner set with the original, previous directors cut, and the one he's been talking about because the directors cut currently out is one he was 'rushed' to complete.  if the director is restoring the film closer to his original vision without compromises he was forced to make, is that not a good thing?  so is it tampering with the film after its release?  because if so, when is the statue of limitations up?  can a filmmaker show a test audience and then change it?  what about if it plays a few film festivals?  or after its release in theatres but before video?  is it only that a film after being with us for so long cant be altered?  or that you can change the editing, but not the actual film (IE the special effects etc.)  where do YOU stand on this?
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Alethia on May 21, 2004, 11:42:11 PM
wow, with this and american graffitti, God only knows how great he could have been had he not committed the next 30 years of his life to star wars.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: mutinyco on May 22, 2004, 12:31:19 AM
He has been great. Just not in the ways you think. We basically owe the current technological standards to him. Give or take. Better or worse.

I have no problems with artists altering their work. I have a problem with studios or other parties altering their work.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Ghostboy on May 22, 2004, 12:35:48 AM
I'm all for the alterations -- what I'm against is making the original versions completely unavailable. That's what's so great about that upcoming Blade Runner set, and also about the ET disc. You get the best of both worlds.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: modage on May 22, 2004, 12:30:15 PM
Quote from: GhostboyI'm all for the alterations -- what I'm against is making the original versions completely unavailable. That's what's so great about that upcoming Blade Runner set, and also about the ET disc. You get the best of both worlds.
right exactly.  me too, even think of it as a 'bonus feature' on the discs they would be fantastic.  i think a lot of people however, have an issue with him/anyone making changes at all.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: matt35mm on May 22, 2004, 12:35:48 PM
I think it depends on who is making the changes.  When George Lucas is making the changes, people get worried, because he has a tendancy to make things worse these days.  The updated Star Wars CGI was distracting cuz it didn't fit with the rest of the movie.  Although it is his movie to mess with.

When Speilberg changed little things in ET, I had no problem.  Even this isn't that big of a deal.  But George has gone a bit soft as a filmmaker, so the idea that he'll really improve anything seems a little misguided, that's all.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: matt35mm on May 22, 2004, 12:47:37 PM
Oh and is this movie really as good as the trailer suggests?  I've not seen the movie before.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: cron on May 22, 2004, 12:53:27 PM
I hate user unfriendly websites.  how do i see the trailer?
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: matt35mm on May 22, 2004, 12:56:44 PM
By clicking THIS (http://www.thx1138movie.com/trailers/1/thx480dd3a.mov).
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: cron on May 22, 2004, 12:57:16 PM
thanks much.

hey , is this the movie where they say

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing really,  I just need something stronger."              ??


also,    "If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask for assistance."   ?
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: analogzombie on May 22, 2004, 02:08:31 PM
Quote from: themodernage02
Quote from: mutinycoWhy don't you wait to see it before you judge it?
this is actually a good point.  and i think raises what could only be a moviewatchers ethical dilemma.  is the problem to you, that george lucas changed his movie after release?  or that he may have made it worse?  because i know most of us right now are dying for a 3 disc Blade Runner set with the original, previous directors cut, and the one he's been talking about because the directors cut currently out is one he was 'rushed' to complete.  if the director is restoring the film closer to his original vision without compromises he was forced to make, is that not a good thing?  so is it tampering with the film after its release?  because if so, when is the statue of limitations up?  can a filmmaker show a test audience and then change it?  what about if it plays a few film festivals?  or after its release in theatres but before video?  is it only that a film after being with us for so long cant be altered?  or that you can change the editing, but not the actual film (IE the special effects etc.)  where do YOU stand on this?


personally, I'm not opposed to Directors altering a film after its release, even 20 years after, as long as they make all versions available. Or rather, as long as they do not actively block original theatrical versions from seeing the light of day. With THX 1138, I can appreciate the changes Lucas has reportedly wanted to make, but I also appreciate the original film as is. I want the opportunity to choose for myself, or to have access to both versions. A Blad Runner box set, or Dawn of the Dead box set with all versions of a film included is the best possible scenario for me.


Quote from: matt35mmOh and is this movie really as good as the trailer suggests?  I've not seen the movie before.

I really enjoyed it. It's the first dystopian future movie I'd ever seen. I saw it when i was a very young kid about 8 or 9 and have locved it ever since. But then, I'm really into dystopian sci-fi.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: MacGuffin on June 01, 2004, 08:17:11 PM
Below is what I believe to be the single disc cover art (the two-disc art is on page 1):

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdvdmedia.ign.com%2Fdvd%2Fimage%2Fthx_cover_1085783842.jpg&hash=4ea2de46e81b1f3ce3fddd0e6987b36a251cbad4)
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Alethia on June 01, 2004, 08:55:35 PM
the george lucas directors cut......could there be another kind of directors cut?
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Just Withnail on June 02, 2004, 06:29:36 AM
Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The George Lucas Director's Cut
Source: Lucasfilm Friday, June 2, 2004

"I decided three times wasn't the charm after all, so I decided to let Georgieboy have a go" -- Spielberg
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: rustinglass on June 02, 2004, 06:37:12 AM
::throws up::
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Alethia on June 02, 2004, 04:00:37 PM
:lol:
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: tpfkabi on July 11, 2004, 02:17:55 PM
i just saw the 2 disc cover on Amazon (and see it was on the first page) and it looks really good.

digging around i found some examples of stuff he changed. i had no idea Robert Duvall was in this. hard for me to imagine RD in a space movie.
http://thx-1138.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=32
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: MacGuffin on July 11, 2004, 02:57:00 PM
Quote from: bigideashard for me to imagine RD in a space movie.

I could imagine Duvall in a Sci-Fi movie more than I can him in the "Gone In Sixty Seconds" remake.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: grand theft sparrow on July 11, 2004, 03:12:26 PM
Quote from: bigideasi just saw the 2 disc cover on Amazon (and see it was on the first page) and it looks really good.

digging around i found some examples of stuff he changed. i had no idea Robert Duvall was in this. hard for me to imagine RD in a space movie.
http://thx-1138.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=32

As much as I hate to admit this - maybe it's because I've only seen THX-1138 once and it doesn't hold the same place in my heart as other films that have been "fixed" (not naming names) - but I like the examples of changes he made to this.  Maybe it's because these changes, to keep it in the George Lucas filmography, are more like the new sunset at the beginning of American Graffiti rather than Greedo shooting first.  Not to dredge up this argument again but I have to agree with Ghostboy, who said, once upon a time...

Quote from: Ghostboy, on May 22I'm all for the alterations -- what I'm against is making the original versions completely unavailable.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: mutinyco on August 10, 2004, 09:00:37 PM
I saw a screening of it tonight. Fucking brilliant. It's still ahead of its time.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Just Withnail on August 10, 2004, 09:05:10 PM
The updated one?

Quote from: mutinycoIt's still ahead of its time.

You shouldn't invite to Lucas-jokes this easily  :P
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: tpfkabi on August 15, 2004, 10:22:13 PM
the new version wasn't liked by this person
http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=18136

i do want to see it. i guess i need to buy those DVD boots from the LaserDisc of this film and the original trilogy
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: mutinyco on August 17, 2004, 02:05:06 AM
Well, here's a different take: http://crossoverfollowing.com/thx.html
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Ghostboy on August 17, 2004, 02:31:54 AM
I'm not familiar enough with the film to notice the more subtle, expository differences that so disgusted the AICN reviewer, but it still upset me, just to read about it. It pisses me off when I think about how Lucas underestimates his audience in that way. Oh well. I've got the DVD on pre-order already, and will probably see it in the theater too. Even with those changes and oversimplifications, it's still probably going to be more experimental than most virgin audiences might expect.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: mutinyco on August 17, 2004, 11:15:28 AM
Ghosty, the problem is...the original version WASN'T Lucas' cut of the film. Just because they could, the studio lopped off 5 minutes. It's quite possible the things that guy was complaining about were SUPPOSED to be there in the first place...

CGI wasn't bad. Just added ambience.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: mogwai on August 17, 2004, 11:43:42 AM
american graffiti is the latest one to be enhanced, woo hoo!
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: tpfkabi on August 22, 2004, 12:45:38 AM
i saw the trailer at the theater today.
it looks amazing.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: RegularKarate on September 12, 2004, 12:02:18 AM
I saw this last night and I don't think the extra shit is that intrusive... and the type of people who bitch on AICN are usually just blowing retard steam anyway (this guy said he knew the movie so well, but he forgot how much nudity there was, evidently).

The things that make this movie so great are still in the movie, pretty much untouched, so it's worth seeing... especially if you're in one of the cities that gets it theatrically (GB, I'm lookin your way).
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: modage on September 12, 2004, 12:07:26 AM
yeah i was thinking about going to see this at the AFI  theatre here in DC this weekend, but then i got lazy and figured i'm going to buy it on tuesday anyways, although i have NEVER seen it (only my 3rd blind buy ever!)...... so i dunno.  maybe ill go tomorrow or maybe ill just wait till tuesday.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: tpfkabi on September 12, 2004, 01:00:34 AM
there is a more recent AICN review that praises the changes.

is it worth it to drive 2.5 hours to set in on the big screen, or just save time/gas money and buy the DVD?
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Ghostboy on September 12, 2004, 02:37:30 AM
Quote from: RegularKarate
The things that make this movie so great are still in the movie, pretty much untouched, so it's worth seeing... especially if you're in one of the cities that gets it theatrically (GB, I'm lookin your way).

I'm seein' it, I'm seein' it. Tomorrow, probably. Would have been today, but I was actually in your neck of the woods.

bigideas, I'd say that it's worth while, but that's just me. At least if you make the drive, you can go see some other arthouse films at the same time.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: cowboykurtis on September 12, 2004, 11:51:20 AM
its kind of sad when you take this trailer out of context -- not knowing this was a re-issue -- thinking it was made this year -- the trailer for thx 1138 would get me in the theater over 95% of current features in circulation -- i have not seen thx it looks much more impressive then i imagined -- gorgeous trailer -- really excited about his. its a shame i cant be this excited about movies made in the PRESENT.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Pubrick on September 12, 2004, 12:06:08 PM
Quote from: cowboykurtisits a shame i cant be this excited about movies made in the PRESENT.
yes, it's a shame you can't.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: cowboykurtis on September 12, 2004, 12:57:14 PM
Quote from: Pubrick
Quote from: cowboykurtisits a shame i cant be this excited about movies made in the PRESENT.
yes, it's a shame you can't.

can you? and if so, what ARE these movies you speak of pubrick?
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: tpfkabi on September 12, 2004, 01:11:51 PM
Quote from: Ghostboybigideas, I'd say that it's worth while, but that's just me. At least if you make the drive, you can go see some other arthouse films at the same time.

this is true. i'd like to see DD the Director's Cut, i guess. although, it's at a different theater. i wonder if i could even found it. i'm not sure what other films are playing there. i spent a good deal of my time lost in Dallas. it didn't help that MapQuest told me to turn on an exit 52b, since i don't think there is one. i also never found Good Records.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Pubrick on September 12, 2004, 01:25:40 PM
Quote from: cowboykurtiscan you? and if so, what ARE these movies you speak of pubrick?

i can:

life aquatic
sky captain
undertow
alexander
the fountain
batman begins
the science of sleep
Ranxerox: happy birthday lubna

\
a scanner darkly, i guess.
\

to a lesser extent, the brown bunny.

but i think the most satisfying excitement-vs-payoff events this year so far were eternal sunshine and the dreamers. and really, even fahrenheit etc..

some of the first bunch of films i listed above are still in early development, but there is enuff there to provide hope for what i thought would be the dark ages of cinema (following all the hype the last few years received). i think there's still plenty of interesting stuff being done, to the point that the few gems emerging will later prove to be the beginnings of the "new classic" period. if that makes any sense. the key word is few. and few has always been enuff, from experience.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: cowboykurtis on September 12, 2004, 04:08:35 PM
Quote from: cowboykurtis-- the trailer for thx 1138 would get me in the theater over 95% of current features in circulation .

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
and pubrick...there's the other 5%
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Ravi on September 14, 2004, 10:01:24 PM
Is the movie good?
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: NEON MERCURY on September 15, 2004, 01:06:11 PM
Quote from: RaviIs the movie good?

..i liked it.......it was way different from what i expected......it reminded me of eraserhead/pi w/ an orwellian touch.......i watched it late last night so i fell asleep through about 25 minutes of it.... then i finished watching the rest....its very abstract and arty and hard to follow at times [or i could be just stupid-which is a possibility].....but the looks, sounds, and the whole vibe if the film phucking kicks asssssssssssssssssssssssss......the final image i ssomwething that will be burned into my mind forever-very powerful sH*t.....

i also enjoyed the early american zeotrope  feature...cool stuff..i never realized caleb deschanel was part of it...

overall the film gave even more of an appreciation for lucas.....and i cant wait for the trilogy on dvd and EP #3.......
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: modage on September 16, 2004, 03:38:55 PM
Quote from: RegularKarateI saw this last night and I don't think the extra shit is that intrusive... and the type of people who bitch on AICN are usually just blowing retard steam anyway (this guy said he knew the movie so well, but he forgot how much nudity there was, evidently).
yeah, saw this last night too.  it was pretty good/okay.  a little slow and like lucas himself has said you know young/naive/filmschooly with all the 1984 stuff but really cool LOOKING.  just not the sharpest script.  had the chase came at 40 minutes in instead of an hour and 20, i think it could've been better.  but, it was interesting/worth watching.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: NEON MERCURY on September 16, 2004, 09:33:20 PM
Quote from: themodernage02but, it was interesting/worth watching.

Are you satisfied with the film as a worthy blind buy parchase?
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: tpfkabi on September 16, 2004, 09:39:36 PM
it looks like its already back out of the theater.
how is the DVD? extras, etc? i'm strongly considering buying it.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: modage on September 16, 2004, 10:05:27 PM
yeah, and perhaps an appreciation will grow with multiple viewings.  but if only for historical purposes, i dont regret having bought it.  

i didnt watch the making of thx, but the doc on american zoetrope was an hour long and facinating.  especially since they got lucas AND spielberg (along with scorsese, coppola, milius, depalma) to sit down and talk about that period in time with movies.  someone needs to take their footage from this along with the interviews from decade under the influence and easy riders and 100 other sources and make a 10 hour doc on movies in the 70's.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: Ghostboy on September 16, 2004, 10:34:58 PM
My DVD of this film hasn't arrived yet (it's shipping together with the SW films because I'm cheap like that), but I went to see it in the theater tonight and man...I had no idea it was THIS good. And I completely forgot how funny it was, or how socially relevant.

Like everyone else has said...the changes are all for the better. I stand corrected about my initial misgivings.

I wish it was still rated PG, though. I yearn for the days when people weren't offended by nipples (speaking of which, check out some of these frame grabs (http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=18383) from AICN).

Side note: this is the first film to be digitally released with the new series of Texas Instruments DLP cinema projectors. I thought the older models were pretty good, but not quite there yet. I think these are all the way there. I'll neded to see another movie or two (originated on 35mm) projected on them to make a final judgement, but it was pretty awesome.
Title: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: lamas on September 16, 2004, 10:44:50 PM
is the documentary on zoetrope the same one that was on the One From the Heart special edition?
Title: Re: THX-1138: The Special Edition
Post by: wiped_out on April 24, 2012, 09:56:10 AM
Question regarding Thx 1138 and for that matter Star Wars, American Graffiti?
If  I purchase these on Laserdisc will these be the closest thing toward seeing the original theatrical release, meaning NO CGI additions?