Star Wars Episode II DVD Release on Nov. 12

Cool! by Vodalian · 2002-08-02 11:32 · Score: 1

I think I'll actually buy this one, haven't bought Episode One yet.

Gotta go out and see what stores are allowing early purchase/reserve copies!

Re:Cool! by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:17 · Score: 0

Why don't you wait until the 6-DVD box set comes out?
Re:Cool! by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 15:56 · Score: 0

Bah! Every good Star Wars fan will buy each movie individually, and then turn around in five years or so and buy the full 6-disk set. You should know this by now!

And he thought he could hold out on us by Britano · 2002-08-02 11:32 · Score: 1

Looks like george saw the light and decided that DVDs will make more moey now than later. Even though he decided this a long time ago, its still good for the fans and good for his wallet. What caused him to be so slow in the first place?

--
Avoid The Rush, Hate OU Early!!!

Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Fluid+Truth · 2002-08-02 11:35 · Score: 3, Informative

I thought it was just eps 4-6 that weren't going to be released for a while. The best reason I heard (not necessarily the most plausible, though ;-) was that he wanted to make the DVDs "special" and he didn't have the time to do them "right" for quite some time. So, instead of putting out one version now, then adding a few things on and putting out a special version, then putting everything in and calling it a Collector's Edition, he's waiting until the Collector's Edition is the only one.

If it's true, I see nothing wrong with it.

--
Apparently, of the rich, by the rich, for the rich.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by NanoGator · 2002-08-02 11:43 · Score: 4, Interesting

The only way he can prevent the DVD from being pirated to death is if it includes tons and tons and tons of stuff on it. There's still value in buying the disc if it has extras that people don't pirate. (Take notes, MPAA)

I think he wants to be able to provide all that with Eps 4-6. It'd take time, and he's focused (well in a PHB sorta way) on Eps 1-3.

--
"Derp de derp."
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Anonvmous+Coward · 2002-08-02 12:04 · Score: 3, Funny

He's probably waiting until Episode 3 is done so that digitally correct the inconsistencies he's creating in 4-6.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Dr.Dubious+DDQ · 2002-08-02 12:09 · Score: 5, Interesting

The only way he can prevent the DVD from being pirated to death is if it includes tons and tons and tons of stuff on it.
And/Or charge a reasonable price for it. I'm thinking some of the DVD distributors are starting to clue into this - I've been seeing a few (obviously less famous [They put "Caveman" out on DVD????]) DVD's showingup for $7.99-$9.99 at the local superhypermegamart. That's NEW, not "previously viewed". Heck, that price range seemed just fine for "previously viewed" VHS's a few years ago...

When the price of a typical DVD (new) has dropped down to ~$10 or so (currently seems to be $15-20US for most of them right now) the only people who'll be left pirating will be unemployed small children abusing their parents' broadband connection.

Combined with your point, I'd say that what little real "piracy" there is of DVD's right now (far less than the MPAA claims, I suspect) will dwindle to near nothing in the next couple of years.

Unless, of course, cheap set-top "DivX;)" (or Ogg-Theora?) boxes with TV-out start showing up on the market...and maybe even then.

--
Hacker Public Radio is our Friend
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Archfeld · 2002-08-02 12:21 · Score: 2

If only we could find some way to provide some stats to prove this. I agree with you but as long as the MPAA can produce billion dollar figures out of their A$$, who's gonna get media coverage and political lovin ?

--
errr....umm...*whooosh* *whoosh* Is this thing on ?
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by neurojab · 2002-08-02 12:32 · Score: 2

-or-

They could sell the DVD at rental prices. That would prevent the lazy among us (myself included) from downloading it, and get a very high sell-through rate. High volumes like that would make them more money than they otherwise would with low volumes and high prices. Even though it's not a great movie, I'd likely buy the DVD if it was that cheap.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 13:03 · Score: 0

BINGO!

George has already stated that ILM has placed Amidalla (?sp?) in Jedi and JarJar in ep4 A new Hope (a.k.a. STAR WARS)

Rumor has it that he is also "fixing" the "over all" story line.

Long ago in a rendering farm in California, where ONLY the bad guys shoot first....
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by hyperizer · 2002-08-02 13:09 · Score: 1

And I suppose if they lowered car prices people would stop stealing cars too ;-)
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by inkswamp · 2002-08-02 13:33 · Score: 3, Interesting

There are times when I think I'm one of the only Star Wars fans out there who isn't stuck in permanent bitch mode.
He's probably waiting until Episode 3 is done so that digitally correct the inconsistencies he's creating in 4-6.
Hmm... you must have the finished script for episode III, so you're absolutely certain that what we view as "inconsistencies" are in fact that. I've seen lists of so-called inconsistencies on the web and very few seem like things that can't be plausibly explained in the length of one more film and certainly nothing that will destroy the whole series.
And anyway, if we're going to lynch George Lucas for it, let's make sure we save enough rope for Tolkien. We'll have to dig him up to do it of course, but remember, he backtracked and fixed problems with his stories too (stories that are being cited as examples of perfection in this very discussion), including a well known revision to The Hobbit to make the Golem scenes work with his later plans.
Artists do these kinds of things. At the very least, reserve your judgment until you've seen all three of the new films.

--
--Rick "If it isn't broken, take it apart and find out why."
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Fat+Casper · 2002-08-02 13:57 · Score: 2

So, instead of putting out one version now, then adding a few things on and putting out a special version, then putting everything in and calling it a Collector's Edition, he's waiting until the Collector's Edition is the only one.
No, Lucas is too smart a businessman to not want that. By your math, he'd be able to sell 3 DVD copies of each of 4-6. Me, I don't see anything special about "special." Just put the damn movie on a disc. I don't want trailers, interviews or games.

--
I spent a year in Iraq looking for WMD and all I found was this lousy sig.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Xenographic · 2002-08-02 14:00 · Score: 0, Offtopic

No, there can be only one.

Oh, wait...
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 14:56 · Score: 0

Yes as a mater of fact I did just finish the script, how did you know?
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by foobar104 · 2002-08-02 15:21 · Score: 3, Interesting

I've had a pet theory for a while, and I'm surprised that nobody else has mentioned it.

I think Lucas is waiting for HD-DVD.

I, for one, would love to see the original trilogy become the reference standard HD-DVDs in 2006 or so. Originals, special editions, I couldn't care less as long as it's 1080/24p with 6-channel sound.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 15:22 · Score: 0

Lucas is a revisionist twat.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Saeger · 2002-08-02 15:23 · Score: 1

Well, see, that's called a bad analogy. :)
--

--
Power to the Peaceful
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by foobar104 · 2002-08-02 15:26 · Score: 2

I'd say that what little real "piracy" there is of DVD's right now (far less than the MPAA claims, I suspect) will dwindle to near nothing in the next couple of years.

Ever been to Malaysia? You can buy new-looking DVDs on street corners for $1 or $2 each. They look totally genuine from the outside, unless you look closely to see that the box art was printed on a color copier or laser printer. Once you open the box, you see that the disc's label isn't silkscreened, but rather printed on a stick-on label on the front of the disc. And pretty much every movie is a 2-disc set, evidently because it's more expensive to burn 2-layer discs.

The movies look pristine, though. These aren't shot-with-a-camcorder movies. They're duplicates of official releases.

And in Asia they're literally everywhere. DVDs, VCDs (those are incredibly popular), VHS, CD. They're everywhere.

I think piracy is just as rampant as the MPAA says it is.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by The_Shadows · 2002-08-02 15:30 · Score: 2

Tell me that you realize how absolutely that contradicts what we've been taught about economics?

If Lucas released, say, a Collectors Edition on DVD it would sell many, many copies.

If he then proceeded to release the Definitive Collectors Edition, some people would buy it even if they owned the CE. More money.

If he then released the Platinum Edition, some of the fans who bought the other versions would go, and like good little sheep, buy the new edition as well. More money.

Just ponder to yourself, how many fans own the original trilogy on VHS, the THX enhanced version, and the Special Edition? Or how about any of the above two? I would not doubt that there's quite a few people. Lucas woud be a fool to throw extra money away. He may not know how to make a good movie anymore, but he certainly knows how to make a buck.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Flamerule · 2002-08-02 15:43 · Score: 1

"the Golem scenes"? LOL. Damn, I just spent 5 minutes trying to figure out what you meant there, when it hit me...
Anyway, some pretty interesting info on the aforementioned scene with Gollum can be found here.
As far as inconsistencies are concerned, I think we should remember when talking about Tolkien that he always concerned himself to be a historian, telling the tale of the War of the Ring, and earlier, The Hobbit. There are several points in LotR that when Tolkien was questioned on, he was "uncertain" as to what exactly, was going on, until he took some time to do more "research." Example: it was unclear for a long time whether the Glorfindel that helps Aragorn and the hobbits at the end of Book I, in The Fellowship of the Ring, was indeed the same Glorfindel that fled the fall of the City of Gondolin in the First Age. Tolkien's notes (those published after his death in The History of Middle-earth) seemed to indicate that he had decided the characters were one and the same. However, it is certain he conceived of the characters separately, and he simply accidentally reused the name.
My point, then, seems to be that a good strategy for a writer is to claim he's merely interpreting ancient history, from dusty old notes, so no wonder if occasionally a few errors pop up in one's writing.... It worked for Tolkien -- when was the last time you saw anyone criticizing his works on the basis of internal inconsistencies? (not that there are many of them)
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Jardine · 2002-08-02 15:46 · Score: 1

I think piracy is just as rampant as the MPAA says it is.

In Malaysia, yes. It's a different culture there. You won't find those duplicates in stores here. If you do, the store will be shut down quickly. There, it's not a big deal.

People in the western world tend to buy from large stores like Walmart, Best Buy, or (in Canada) Futureshop. The guy on the street is selling the movie for $2, Walmart is selling it for say $12. Is that $10 worth the risks to the average consumer?
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Ryosen · 2002-08-02 16:16 · Score: 1

Guilty.

Damn you! ;)

--

Ryosen
One man's "Troll, +1" is another man's "Insightful, +1".
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Ryosen · 2002-08-02 16:23 · Score: 1

There is no question that the piracy problem is epidemic in Asian countries. And yet, why is it that it's in the U.S. of A. that our civil liberties are being stripped away and the consumer continuously being raped when it's quite clear that the bigger problems exist outside of America's borders?

Perhaps the almighty US Dollar doesn't buy as much government overseas as it does domestically?

--

Ryosen
One man's "Troll, +1" is another man's "Insightful, +1".
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by foobar104 · 2002-08-02 16:56 · Score: 2

You know, this is totally off topic, but it really pisses me off when people jump from the problem of DVD piracy to "our civil liberties are being stripped away!"

Which liberties are in danger, exactly? The liberty to copy DVDs? You never had that liberty, so quite grousing about "losing" it.

I've said this before; my opinion on this subject is no secret. I'm in favor of strong copy protection on media like DVDs and CDs. Vehemently in favor of it. If some jerk hadn't decided to crack CSS-- or, more importantly, if CSS hadn't been so easily cracked (thank you very much, Xing)-- we probably wouldn't have gotten a questionable piece of legislation like the DMCA. Reverse engineering and encryption circumvention is illegal now because people keep doing it! If they would stop, or at least if they weren't so successful at it, the law wouldn't be necessary.

The left-leaning parts of the Slashdot community* often argue in favor of strong crypto, but against copy protection. The irony of this amuses me. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. I have the right to encrypt my data to protect it from theft or from prying eyes. Guess what? Movie studios also have the right to encrypt their data for the same purposes.

Now, I know, I just know, that somebody's gonna get up here and make a stink about how they want to make "backup copies" of their CDs and DVDs. You know what? I don't have a "backup copy" of my car. If I wreck my car, I have to either fix it, or if that's not possible, I have to replace it. I don't get a free backup car to keep in my garage just in case I get into a fender-bender. The idea that you should be entitled to make a "backup copy" of a CD or a DVD is just bogus. Take care of your things. If you break them, you can replace them or go without.

I say bring on the absurdly strongly encrypted HD-DVDs. Hell, if the Free Software guys really want to put their money** where their mouths are, they can start a GNU/CSS project or something. Let's put all those big, pro-crypto brains to work on an actual practical application of crypto technology and see where that takes us.

In short: civil liberties, my ass.

* Some would say that I repeat myself here.
** Please ignore the inherent contradiction. It's just a figure of speech.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Ryosen · 2002-08-02 17:46 · Score: 1

I can certainly see how you might have misconstrued my comment. Allow me to clarify. I am in no way advocating piracy of any form and that includes the duplication of DVDs, CDs, et. al. What I am referring to is the deludge of "legislation" that groups like the RIAA and MPAA are currently trying to pass. Most disgusting of all are those suggestions that American Liberties be compromised in the name of "National Security."

What do I mean by American Liberties? Certainly the doctrine of Fair Use come to mind. Not the freedom to arbitrarily (nee illegally) copy protected works, but the right to time/space shift those works of which a copy is legitimately owned. I don't give a crap if I'm not allowed to download an MP3 of a song that I haven't bought. But, if I buy a CD, there is absolutely no reason why I shouldn't be allowed to make a tape/mp3 of it. This argument, of course, has been beaten to death in these forums so there's no real use in dredging it up here.

Of course, this bit of consumer-level bitching is somewhat trite when compared to the threatened legislation that is before Congress today. Of the biggest note is the notion of a Federally mandated implementation of DRM in all electronic media devices of which computers are included. While at first this seems like a good idea (hell, why shouldn't artists' works be protected?), it is the implication of what these laws mean that cause concern. Of biggest note is the (valid) suggestion that software would be protected under DRM - the installation of which would be managed by the operating system. I have a couple of problems with this and it has nothing to do with the fact that I won't be able to pirate the latest copy of Warcraft III.

As has been discussed here in the past, Microsoft owns the patent on the implementation of DRM as an integrated part of an operating system. Now, nothing against Microsoft, but if DRM becomes mandated by the goverment, that means that all operating systems will have to comply. Do you really think that Microsoft, a company known for its fierce competitive practices, is going to license its patent to competing platforms? As a software developer who's livlihood depends on the Solaris platform (among others), I have a legitimate concern. To say nothing of all of the Linux distros. But let's say, for the sake of friendly argument, that Microsoft (or any other company for that matter) did not enforce it's patent. There's the issue of licensing.

The license for a DRM control mechanism will have to be managed by a central body. It only makes sense that the party be the holder of the technology - again, it's Microsoft, but it could be anyone. Since the laws will mandate that you must conform to the DRM licensing scheme, it follows that any software that you develop must have a license. Thus, you must acquire that license from the controlling party. That puts the controlling party in a position of unbridled power in determining what software can be released to the public. This might be Office applications, games, MP3 players, graphic packages, database systems, operating systems. Returning to the fact that the most likely party to hold this position of centralized control is, in fact, Microsoft, that means that they alone would have say over what software gets released to the market. How likely are they going to be to approve a competeing product? But let's cast the conspiracy theories aside for a moment, shall we? There's a much bigger issue at stake.

What about the companies that do custom development for their own internal use? These companies would still be required to comply with the DRM licensing schemes currently being considered before Congress. That means that, potentially, for every installation of a client application, a license must be purchased. Thus, not only must a company pay for the operating system, the application server, the DBMS - all of which are fair, legitimate expenses - and not only must the company cover the cost of the design, development, implementation and deployment of their application, they would also have to incur the cost of a DRM license for each and every deployment. Now, some folks might say "Screw the big companies, they have millions upon millions of dollars to dump on IT projects. The cold reality is that is simply not true. Worse, it does not take into account the tens of thousands of companies that don't have large IT budgets. For a developer like myself, these often make up a substantial portion of my clients.

So, what we are left with is an overly (and arbitrarily) restrictive environment in which companies can no longer afford or justify the cost of software application development putting people like myself out of work. "Too bad", some might say. "Survival of the fittest" some say. "You shouldn't have copied that floppy", some say. That's a crock of sh|t. In the end, this amounts to nothing more than corporate welfare. Companies cannot or will not assume the burden of protecting themselves and so they turn to the government for interdiction. This wouldn't be so bad if it were a case of the government saying "gee, there seems to be a real problem here, perhaps we should do something about it." No, instead it's the lobbying companies (such as the RIAA) who have realised (and this is the important part) it is far cheaper to purchase the favor of a few senators than to incur the cost of protecting your own property.

Am I opposed to laws that say I cannot steal? Of course not. That's a ludicrous accusation. What I am opposed to is the rights of citizens/consumers/ME being stripped in the name of entities (which happens to be media corporations this time around). What I am opposed to is the oppression, nay, elimination of such "inalienable" rights as the freedom of speech, in order to protect said entities. You don't need to look any farther than the 2600 case to understand what I am referring to. Of course, there is also the issue of people not being able to speak negatively about companies, or to be allowed to explain security-related deficiencies that stand as real, legitimate threats to the citizenry. Stand behind the DCMA all you want, but when a security exploit has the ability to compromise public systems, to make the discovery and subsequent publication of those issues, whose sole purpose exist in the hopes of eliminating them, illegal, well, we really have our priorities screwed up.

This isn't about the liberty to copy a DVD. It's much bigger and infinately more important than that.

--

Ryosen
One man's "Troll, +1" is another man's "Insightful, +1".
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by ObitMan · 2002-08-02 18:20 · Score: 0

What is with the crackhead moderators?? didn't you even read the post Xenographic replied to?
Some of you need to get outside some and take in more of life so you can understand subtle humor.

--
Who run Barter Town?
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by foobar104 · 2002-08-02 18:37 · Score: 2

I don't give a crap if I'm not allowed to download an MP3 of a song that I haven't bought. But, if I buy a CD, there is absolutely no reason why I shouldn't be allowed to make a tape/mp3 of it.

Well, now, that depends, doesn't it? Copying the CD to a CDR, bit-for-bit, would be one thing, but making a tape or MP3s from it is something entirely different. Making a tape or an MP3 of a CD is more than just "time/space shifting" (which is a whole different argument). When you make a tape or an MP3 of a CD, you're actually creating a derived work from that CD. It's different from making a copy. Copyright law, on its face, forbids you from making a derived work without permission of the original work's copyright holder. So I think you're on shakier legal ground there than you realize.

The rest of your post is well-written and thoughtful, but it all starts with "legislated DRM is bad" and goes on from there. You're basically making a slippery slope argument, and I don't buy it. Basically, everything would have to go wrong in order for your scenario to come to pass, and I don't think that's likely.

There is just one little point, though, that I disagree with.

Stand behind the DCMA all you want, but when a security exploit has the ability to compromise public systems, to make the discovery and subsequent publication of those issues, whose sole purpose exist in the hopes of eliminating them, illegal, well, we really have our priorities screwed up.

Sounds like you're talking about this week's news of HP using the DMCA to squash news of a security problem in one of the OS's. That little item was reported often, and gotten fundamentally wrong almost as often. The person with whom HP has a complaint was doing more than just discussing the security flaw. He was actually distributing a piece of software that could be used to exploit that flaw. There's a line between talking about security flaws and actually taking advantage of them, and that guy crossed it. DMCA or no DMCA, I think it's reasonable that he should be prevented from distributing his program.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by ceejayoz · 2002-08-02 19:21 · Score: 2

Episode I had some pretty sweet extras - stuff on how they did the fight scenes, how they did some of the special effects - a lot of it was very interesting (and more interesting than EpI!!!)
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Saeger · 2002-08-02 19:39 · Score: 2

I don't get a free backup car to keep in my garage just in case I get into a fender-bender.
And what would you say if it was indeed possible to make molecular-level backup scans of the physical objects you owned? This will be possible by the end of the century.
Would you still be vehemently in favor of not allowing me to keep my molecules/bits in working order? Or would you rather have me on the consumer treadmill by forcing me to buy my Ford (or Beatles album) over and over and over when not even necessary?
--

--
Power to the Peaceful
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by truthgun · 2002-08-02 20:57 · Score: 1

No you can't make a backup copy of your car, but that's what car insurance is for.

--
Sattinger's Law: It works better if you plug it in.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Anonvmous+Coward · 2002-08-02 21:52 · Score: 2

"Hmm... you must have the finished script for episode III, so you're absolutely certain that what we view as "inconsistencies" are in fact that."

It's not necessary to read the script to arrive at that conclusion. At BEST Lucas might be able to fix some of it up. But let's be realistic: Watch Eps 4-6, then watch Ep 1. If R2D2 wasn't in it, you'd have little to no reason to know you were watching Star Wars.

Let's face facts, Lucas doesn't understand Star Wars' appeal. If he did, we'd have fun movies intead of padded demoonstrations of what ILM is capable of.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by inkswamp · 2002-08-02 22:26 · Score: 2

It's not necessary to read the script to arrive at that conclusion.
I would disagree. At the very least, save any sweeping judgments about inconsistencies until the final movie is out. There are lots of interesting threads that look like they will be difficult to resolve, but give Lucas a chance to do so first.
If you think I'm being a shameless apologist, please don't. I have a strong interest in how Lucas is going to bring the new films together with the old. In fact, here's a list I found a week ago when looking up info on exactly that.
If he did, we'd have fun movies
I had an absolute blast watching both episodes I and II. What's funny to me is that a lot of the criticisms being levelled at the new films also frequently apply to the old. I think the audience has changed more than the George Lucas' approach the films.

--
--Rick "If it isn't broken, take it apart and find out why."
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by inkswamp · 2002-08-02 22:37 · Score: 2

"the Golem scenes"? LOL.
LOL! That was dumb. Okay, I think that link to the AD&D archive from this week has me stuck mentally in the Monster Manual. Sorry for the confusion. :^)
My point, then, seems to be that a good strategy for a writer is to claim he's merely interpreting ancient history, from dusty old notes, so no wonder if occasionally a few errors pop up in one's writing....
It's still the same thing. A revision is a revision is a revision. The thing is, I don't really have much problem with storytellers (in any medium) going back to revise stories a bit, particularly if they are telling an epic tale like SW or LOTR. It does puzzle me when fans can't seem to get over it.

--
--Rick "If it isn't broken, take it apart and find out why."
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by RickHunter · 2002-08-03 00:36 · Score: 2

Copyright law, on its face, forbids you from making a derived work without permission of the original work's copyright holder.

WRONG! Copyright law does not forbid you from doing anything in the privacy of your own home. I can take the Episode II DVD, rip it to DivX;), replace the dialog with that from my (legally purchased) Monty Python set, and then re-encode it as Quicktime and run it backwards. There's nothing George Lucas or anyone else can do to stop me.

What is illegal is doing that and then distributing the derived works. Or selling my original copy and keeping the "derived works" - I have to destroy them or include them in the transferred property.

As for abuses of DRM law, how's this? A 16-year-old in Norway gets arrested and all electronic equipment in his parents' home siezed. Why? Because the MPAA told Norwegian law authorities that he'd written "illegal software". What had he really written? Software to decode a DVD for playback. I believe that he is now a legal adult under Norwegian law, and has since had Norwegian law authorities try to arrest him several times, under the laws for arresting an adult, for this same "infraction".

A man travelling to America to give a presentation at a technical conference is arrested. Why? He made a program to decode the encryption on Adobe's E-Books. Why? His company made software - required by Russian law - to enable the blind to read E-Books.

A technical magazine gets taken to court for having links to pages containing the "illegal software" written by that kid in Norway. And looses.

A professor doing research into audio encoding and watermarking discovers a way to break the industry's new "protection" scheme. He plans to present information about his research (which has interesting implications) at a technical conference. The industry threatens him with action under the DMCA, then "backs down". Not only do the courts decide that the industry's threat was perfectly valid, but the conference organizers refuse to let him on-stage for fear of legal action. He is unable to get his paper published, again, for fear of legal action.

An established, well-known programmer employed by an American company is afraid to set foot on American soil. Why? Because his work on a certant piece "fringe software", "widely known" to be used for "piracy" and publication of documents describing vulnerabilities in that software could get him arrested. Despite the cries of paranoia by the online community, several lawyers both in America and his home country confirm his suspicions.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by sbaker · 2002-08-03 02:32 · Score: 1

> The liberty to copy DVDs? You never had that liberty...

Yes, you did - it falls under 'fair use' provisions. This includes
your rights to make a backup, your right to use small clips for the
purposes of criticism or satire, ...lots of reasons.

> I'm in favor of strong copy protection on media like DVDs and CDs. ...
> If some jerk hadn't decided to crack CSS...we probably wouldn't
> have gotten a questionable piece of legislation like the DMCA.

You completely miss the point.

You can copy a DVD without DeCSS - it's just a bunch of files on
a DVD-ROM. If you want to make an illegal copy that'll play on a
DVD player then you certainly *don't* want to un-encrypt it!

However, if you have legally purchased an original DVD and you'd like to
play it on your PC (running Linux say) - then you need to be able to
decrypt it. That's what DeCSS is for - and when I use it this way, I
wasn't breaking any laws....until DMCA came along.

DMCA made illegal the simple process of watching a DVD that I'd legally
purchased and had absolutely zero effect on the ability of people to
pirate DVD's. Even if it did have something to say about illegal
copying of DVD's, it was a completely unnecessary law because that was
ALREADY illegal.

> Now, I know, I just know, that somebody's gonna get up here and make a stink > about how they want to make "backup copies" of their CDs and DVDs.

No, I don't. I just want to play my DVD on my DVD drive without being forced
into using a Microsoft operating system to do it.

> You know what? I don't have a "backup copy" of my car.

But when you buy a car, you *own* it...all of it.

When you "buy" a DVD, you bought the physical media (cost about 50cents)
*and* the rights to use the information it contains (cost about $18) when
the physical media craps out, why should I lose all the information on it?

I think the right to backup copyrighted media *is* valid - although I
don't choose to do so myself.

--
www.sjbaker.org
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Jeff+DeMaagd · 2002-08-03 03:09 · Score: 2

There are a great many pet theories about why Lucas is putting off the original trilogy so long.

Waiting for HD-DVD might work, but he just may be waiting for a more "secure" format to come along. Any high-definition movie disc standard has a strong chance of being tightly encrypted and would likely use the encrypted digital-out DVI standard.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-03 03:31 · Score: 0

> Well, see, that's called a bad analogy. :)

Cars are far more exclusive and valuable and they are physical objects not etherial magical things created from the stuff thought is made of.

It is not so easy to manufucture your own car for a tiny percentage of the retail cost.

Intellectual property is to porperty as fools gold is to real gold (borrowed from a sig seen on slashdot).
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by foobar104 · 2002-08-03 03:56 · Score: 2

And what would you say if it was indeed possible to make molecular-level backup scans of the physical objects you owned? This will be possible by the end of the century.

What would I say? I'd say you're being silly. You can't make judgments of policy based on fantasy. There's no evidence-- scientific, anecdotal, circumstantial, or otherwise-- to lead to the conclusion that such a system or process will ever exist. So the whole question is pointless.

However, just for fun, I'll go along with you.

You can't create a car out of nothing. So what you're talking about is just a different form of manufacturing; it's not an issue of copying at all. If you want to manufacture your own car to match the precise specifications of the car you bought, that's your own business.

Copying a CD or DVD isn't manufacturing. It's either copying, in the case of a bit-for-bit duplicate, or it's creating a derived work, in the case of making a tape or some MP3s or a VCD or whatever else.

Copying is expressly prohibited by the Copyright Act. You can't reproduce a work unless granted express permission, or unless you hold the copyright. Period.

The Copyright Act also grants the copyright holder exclusive right to make a derivative work from the original.

So making a copy of a CD, or making MP3s out of a CD, is expressly prohibited under the Copyright Act.

"But what about Fair Use?" you say? Fair use is not spelled out in any legislation, but has been created by the judiciary out of the body of case law pertaining to copyright disputes. There are four accepted criteria for determining if a use of a copyrighted work is fair, or if it's a violation.

1. the purpose and character of the use (i.e., was it done to teach kids, or for personal use, or to make money?)

2. the nature of the copyrighted work

3. the amount of the copyrighted work used as a proportion of the whole

4. the effect of the use on the value of the work, or the potential market for the work.

So when you make an MP3 of a song, you're creating a derivative work for personal use (1 point for fair use) from a rightfully protected work (1 point for violation). You're taking the entire song (2 points for violation). If you took a small piece of the song, that would count toward the use being fair. If you took a large part of the song, that would count for violation, but only a little bit. Taking the whole song is clearly on the side of violation. But you're not intending to distribute the MP3 to anybody else (1 point for fair use).

It's a close call, but "space-shifting" a CD into MP3s is probably not protected by fair use. Of course, nobody will care unless an example of such a practice becomes actionable. I doubt that anybody's going to sue you because you dumped a CD into your iPod. But there's no legal justification for opposing copy-protected CDs, either, because preventing digital copying won't prevent the fair use of the works.

So yeah, I'm still "vehemently in favor of not allowing [you] to keep [your] molecules/bits in working order?" Because the method that you propose to use for doing so is harmless enough, but it's expressly forbidden by the Copyright Act, and it's not protected by the doctrine of fair use. In this case, the benefits of copy protected media (reduced shrinkage due to piracy, meaning reduced costs to the public, and also greater availability of goods to the public) outweigh.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by foobar104 · 2002-08-03 04:02 · Score: 2

No you can't make a backup copy of your car, but that's what car insurance is for.

So if I started offering DVD insurance, you guys would all stop complaining about how the MPAA tries to take away your civil liberties?
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Ryosen · 2002-08-03 04:26 · Score: 1

making a tape or MP3s from it is something entirely different

It's apparent that you don't understand the Audio Home Recording Act 1992. I suggest you read it. It quite clearly supports a consumer's right to move a recorded work to another medium for personal use. Otherwise you wouldn't be allowed to video tape a television program or make a tape recording of an album to listen to in your car. These uses were part of the reason that the amendment of Title 17 (aka Copyright Act of 1976) came to be. They are quite clearly extendible to the mp3 recording for personal use. What is not covered is the distribution of the derived work which is not in debate here.

With reference to your comment about the abusive use of the DMCA to suppress the disemination of security vulnerabilities within commerical operating systems, the HP incident that you cited is but only one small example. A more likely example would be Microsoft's attempts to prevent security groups from publicly announcing vulnerabilities so as to avoid any further publicity embarrassments.

--

Ryosen
One man's "Troll, +1" is another man's "Insightful, +1".
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by foobar104 · 2002-08-03 05:07 · Score: 2

WRONG! Copyright law does not forbid you from doing anything in the privacy of your own home. [...] What is illegal is doing that and then distributing the derived works.
:sigh:

Title 17, section 106, says, in whole (emphasis mine):
Subject to sections 107 through 121, the owner of copyright under this title has the exclusive rights to do and to authorize any of the following:

(1) to reproduce the copyrighted work in copies or phonorecords;

(2) to prepare derivative works based upon the copyrighted work;

(3) to distribute copies or phonorecords of the copyrighted work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending;

(4) in the case of literary, musical, dramatic, and choreographic works, pantomimes, and motion pictures and other audiovisual works, to perform the copyrighted work publicly;

(5) in the case of literary, musical, dramatic, and choreographic works, pantomimes, and pictorial, graphic, or sculptural works, including the individual images of a motion picture or other audiovisual work, to display the copyrighted work publicly; and

(6) in the case of sound recordings, to perform the copyrighted work publicly by means of a digital audio transmission.
So you see, it's against the law for you to do any of those things without permission. It's a oft-repeated falsehood that copyright violation only occurs if you distribute the work. Distributing the work alters the degree to which the injured party is entitled to seek damages, but that's all.

Now, there are specific and well-defined exceptions to the exclusivity of the rights of the copyright holder. For example, in Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios the Supreme Court upheld the District Court's decision that time-shifting in the privacy of the home is legitimate fair use.

The Audio Home Recording Act of 1992 amended Title 17 to state (paraphrasing here) that no copyright violation action could be brought against any individual for the noncommercial in-home use of digital or analog recording equipment. So in that specific circumstance, you're right. You can make copies of music for noncommercial purposes, using audio recording equipment, in the privacy of your home.

But in RIAA v. Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc., however, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals made two very interesting findings. First, they found that a computer, and by extension a computer-based portable MP3 player, is not an audio recording device, and as such is not covered by the 1992 amendment to Title 17. However, they also found that the use of a portable MP3 player to make personal copies of rightfully purchased music "is paradigmatic noncommercial personal use entirely consistent with the purposes of the Act."

So the specific instance of making copies of rightfully purchased music CDs to a portable MP3 player is allowed. But that doesn't extend to "you can do anything you want in your own home." In particular, it has nothing to say about your example of turning a DVD into a digital movie file on your computer. Furthermore, altering the movie in the way you describe would clearly be in violation.

Of course, it's unlikely that you'll ever get caught if you keep it in you own home. But it's still technically illegal.

(You can-- and, evidently, should-- read Title 17 for yourself at http://www.copyright.gov/title17/.)

Now that that's out of the way, I'll address your examples of what you call "abuses of DRM law." I'm not going to address them individually, because they're all examples of the same basic principle.

Copyright protection circumvention is against the law. In other words, if a publisher takes measures to prevent the copying or other unauthorized use of their works, and an individual or group comes up with a system or device for circumventing those measures of prevention, then you've broken the law. If you share that system or device, then you've broken the law.

That's the law of the land. It was passed by Congress and rightfully signed by the President. If you don't like it, that's fine, but by definition, enforcing the law is not abuse of it.

If you stand up and say, "There are four ways to decode a DVD without a licensed DVD player," you haven't broken any laws. If you say, "Here's how you decode a DVD without a licensed DVD player," you may have broken the law, depending on how much detail you provide. And if you say, "Here's my program for decoding a DVD without a licensed DVD player," you have definitely broken the law. Furthermore, if somebody else says, "Here's his program for decoding a DVD without a licensed DVD player," that party has also broken the law, because they're also distributing your system or device.

It's another common misconception (we're surrounded by those this morning, aren't we?) that the DMCA makes it illegal to talk about flaws in encryption systems. That's not true. The DMCA makes it illegal to actually circumvent encryption systems, or to distribute systems or devices for circumventing encryption systems. They're very different things.

By analogy, it's illegal to break into a person's home. It's not, however, illegal to talk about breaking into a person's home. But in most jurisdictions, it's illegal to sell or distribute, or possibly possess, devices used to break into people's homes. You can talk about locks, you can talk about security systems, but you can't sell lockpicks. (Again, in most jurisdictions.)

And here's the most important thing: it's illegal to break into someone's home even if you only did so to demonstrate that their home can be broken into. You can tell somebody that their home is vulnerable. You can even tell them how, exactly, it's vulnerable. But if you get fed up with their reluctance to put double locks on their doors and decide to break in just to prove your point, then you've gone too far.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by foobar104 · 2002-08-03 05:12 · Score: 2

However, if you have legally purchased an original DVD and you'd like to play it on your PC (running Linux say) - then you need to be able to decrypt it. That's what DeCSS is for - and when I use it this way, I wasn't breaking any laws....until DMCA came along.

Gee, sbaker, what part of "licensed" is unclear to you? If there's no licensed DVD player software for your operating system, then there's no licensed DVD player software for your operating system. That doesn't make it okay for you to crack the encryption scheme and do what you will with the data on the disc. Legitimately licensed DVD players-- both hardware and software-- are widely available. The correct-- and legal-- course of action in your case is to play your DVD on any licensed DVD player. Period. If you don't have one, get one. If you don't want to get one, then don't play the DVD.

I really don't understand what's unclear about "you aren't allowed."
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by foobar104 · 2002-08-03 05:15 · Score: 2

Any high-definition movie disc standard has a strong chance of being tightly encrypted and would likely use the encrypted digital-out DVI standard.

Agree on the encryption point, disagree on the DVI point. I would be amazed if HD-DVD players only included a digital video output. There's way too much gear out there-- including my HDTV-- that accepts analog component YUV video, and component output components (sorry) are very cheap to build and buy.

I wouldn't be surprised if you could buy DVD players with DVI outputs as an option, but I'd be astounded if they were the only outputs.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by foobar104 · 2002-08-03 05:24 · Score: 2

It's apparent that you don't understand the Audio Home Recording Act 1992.

I do. Do you? In the case of RIAA v. Diamond, 1999, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found that computers, and by extension MP3 players, are not audio recording equipment, and are therefore not covered by the 1992 amendments to Title 17. The AHRA doesn't apply to questions of computer-based recording or encoding.

Otherwise you wouldn't be allowed to video tape a television program....

You're thinking of Sony v. Universal, 1983. In that case, the Supreme Court upheld that in-home time-shifting of television broadcasts is legitimate fair use. But that's very different from making MP3s from CDs.

They are quite clearly extendible to the mp3 recording for personal use.

Except the court doesn't agree. Again, see RIAA v. Diamond.

A more likely example would be Microsoft's attempts to prevent security groups from publicly announcing vulnerabilities so as to avoid any further publicity embarrassments.

Saying, "There's a security vulnerability in SurfOS 1.0," is okay. You can even get fairly specific. Saying, "Here's how you exploit a security vulnerability in SurfOS 1.0," is not. Saying, "Here's a copy of my program to exploit the security vulnerability in SurfOS 1.0," is also not okay.

As long as you stay on this side of that line, you're in the clear. But if you cross it, have your lawyer on speed-dial.

Now, that said, anybody can threaten anybody else with a lawsuit, with or without merit. Threatening somebody with a lawsuit isn't against the law, nor should it be. If you decide, for whatever reason, to back down because of the a baseless threat, then that's not a sign of a bad law. It's a sign that you had the wrong attorney.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-03 06:01 · Score: 0

so you're absolutely certain that what we view as "inconsistencies" are in fact that
Yes, little inconsistencies like Luke kissing his sister... Oops, wait, maybe that didn't happen-- it doesn't seem to be in the movie anymore.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Anonvmous+Coward · 2002-08-03 07:37 · Score: 2

"What's funny to me is that a lot of the criticisms being levelled at the new films also frequently apply to the old. I think the audience has changed more than the George Lucas' approach the films."

I doubt it. I just watched the original 3. I had lots of fun watching those. I watched AOTC and about fell asleep.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Saeger · 2002-08-03 08:42 · Score: 1

There's no evidence-- scientific, anecdotal, circumstantial, or otherwise-- to lead to the conclusion that such a system or process will ever exist.
Have you been hiding under a rock? Molecular Nanotechnology is absolutely possible--look in the mirror for example. Unlike anti-gravity or cold fusion, we know that molecular manufacturing is possible, because every plant and animal on Earth is a working proof of the physics. It's only a matter of time before we unlock the "magic".
But since you're humoring this idea in the rest of your post...
If you want to manufacture your own car to match the precise specifications of the car you bought, that's your own business.
Are you sure that's what you meant to say? I've got quite a lot of "dirt" under my property that can be reassembled into the form of a truck (proprietary design or open)--not an infinite supply like with bits, but an abundant supply of molecular feedstock nonetheless, which can also be infinitely recycled because atoms don't wear out.
If I can make a copy of my car for fractions of pennies on the dollar, then so can Ford, but Ford is going to be in a similar position as the copyright cartel companies if they attempt to use weak copy-prevention technology in combination with bad law in order to keep the profit margins they're used to. Right now an instance of a car is expensive for good reason, and the margin is justified, and this pays for the engineers, and designers, marketing, and bean counters, etc...
So basically, I have a problem with artificial scarcity in a world of abundance, whereas you don't. You would like to be my master. I wonder what you do for a living that you're so eager to see fair use killed off...
--

--
Power to the Peaceful
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Saeger · 2002-08-03 08:47 · Score: 2

I really don't understand what's unclear about "you aren't allowed."
An authoritarian who's unable to understand why rule-breakers break rules? *gasp* :)
--

--
Power to the Peaceful
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Saeger · 2002-08-03 08:57 · Score: 2

Saying, "Here's how you exploit a security vulnerability in SurfOS 1.0," is not [okay].
Wow. You really are an authoritarian ass.
Security through obscurity doesn't work, and vague statements of insecurity certainly won't motivate a company to fix anything.
--

--
Power to the Peaceful
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Ryosen · 2002-08-03 08:58 · Score: 1

found that computers, and by extension MP3 players, are not audio recording equipment

Bad example. You can record television programs using your computer. By your example, that would make VCRs ineligible to be considered recording devices "by extension." A computer is a multi-purpose device, one of whose abilities is to act as an MP3 player. However, MP3 players are not the exclusive domain of the computer. I have both a portable MP3 player (that more closely resembles a CD player than a computer) and a component player (my DVD player), neither of which are computers. An MP3 player, and by extension, cassette recorders are protected under the Audio Home Recording Act.

Saying, "Here's how you exploit a security vulnerability in SurfOS 1.0," is not [ok].

Again, I don't agree with that statement. If anything, it is dangerously false. As the owner of several systems, it is imperitive to my my survival to know if, when, and how those systems are at risk. Furthermore, it is essential that I be able to test those systems for potential failures and take any neccessary corrective actions. Leaving it up to a company (MS, HP, whoever) to fix the problem knowing that their priorities might differ vastly from my own, is dangerous. If anything, it could be argued that the publication of those exploits is what gets them fixed in the first place. There is entirely too much complacency among companies to say "well, people aren't likely to think of trying to create a buffer overflow in program XYZ, so we'll just let it slide. Maybe we'll fix it in the next release. If it's profitable." Publication of these system problems allows those of us affected by them an opportunity to protect ourselves. It also puts the necessary presure on the manufacturers to fix them.

--

Ryosen
One man's "Troll, +1" is another man's "Insightful, +1".
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by inkswamp · 2002-08-03 09:10 · Score: 2

I doubt it. I just watched the original 3. I had lots of fun watching those. I watched AOTC and about fell asleep.
Different tastes, I guess.
I won't argue that the new films are better than the originals, but rather that they aren't as bad as some fans make them out to be. I recently watched Star Wars (i.e. episode IV) with my 6-year-old daughter. She really enjoyed it, but I was constantly struck by how much of the film's weaknesses I was unable to judge (and thus ignore) back in my younger days -- acting, pacing, plot holes, bad special effects (oh, yes, IV has a ton of grimace-inducing effects.) This doesn't ruin the film for me, but it makes me wonder what percentage of the fans out there now just can't slip back into that frame of mind, and thus the criticisms about the new films (much of which apply to the original films.) You sort of have to let go. Remember that Lucas has stated that he set out only to make the ultimate matinee fodder, not to produce the Great Sci-Fi Epic. My daughter loved the film and can't wait to see the other two. I can't wait to watch them with her. It's fun, and I bet she'll love the new films just as much.
--Rick

--
--Rick "If it isn't broken, take it apart and find out why."
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by theefer · 2002-08-03 09:34 · Score: 1

$10 one DVD ?

OMG, in Switzerland it's $30 (new movies) ! Now if they still don't understand why we all like DivX ...

But the "plenty of stuff = additionnal value" idea is really a good point, though they often use it to justify a even higher price ...

Oh and nobody would mind if they stopped the multiple-super-extra-version stuff (I don't want to buy three times the same movie to have 3 minutes extra footage).

I think that, above all, it's a matter of respecting the customers and providing them with what they want "and more". Stop thinking about how you'll fool the customers to make more money.

Just give them what they want, they'll buy it, you'll get the money. It's just that simple.

--
theefer
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by foobar104 · 2002-08-03 11:31 · Score: 2

Unlike anti-gravity or cold fusion, we know that molecular manufacturing is possible, because every plant and animal on Earth is a working proof of the physics.

So you think that soon you'll be able to "grow" a car? Truly amazing. What a time to be alive.

Except, of course, for the fact that that's absurd. Organic chemistry is fundamentally different from inorganic chemistry. It's a long way from a pancreas to an assembly line. Creating proteins in catalyzed chemical reactions is one thing, but assembling components on a macroscopic scale is something else entirely.

But let's start simple. Show me a self-sustaining molecular-scale process that can produce, say, a six-inch cube of manganese. That should be pretty easy, right? After all, plants and animals have been doing "molecular manufacturing" for hundreds of millions of years.

No offense, friend, but you seem to have left most of the science out of your science fiction.

Are you sure that's what you meant to say? I've got quite a lot of "dirt" under my property that can be reassembled into the form of a truck (proprietary design or open)--not an infinite supply like with bits, but an abundant supply of molecular feedstock nonetheless, which can also be infinitely recycled because atoms don't wear out.

Okay, again with the high school chemistry. What you're talking about has a name: it's called alchemy. And it's impossible. You can't just turn an atom of silicon into an atom of iridium, at least not on a large scale.

So without magical alchemy at your disposal, you'll have to use plain old mining. Of the dirt under your house, the vast majority of it is what's called "soil solids." These solids are made up, chemically, of 50% oxygen, 30% silicon, 7% aluminum, and a measly 3% iron. The other 10% is made up of organic matter (carbon and nitrogen, mostly) and nearly everything else. Literally. All the elements from hydrogen to uranium-- the naturally occurring elements, in other words-- can be found in plain old topsoil, albeit only in trace amounts.

The vast majority of the mass of your car is steel (i.e., iron) and aluminum. So if you wanted to make a car out of the stuff under your house, you'd have to dig up enough iron and aluminum to roughly equal the mass of your car. According to the Alcoa people, the average car's frame contains 1/7th of a ton of aluminum. (Actually, they said that one ton of aluminum can make seven cars. Flip it on its head to get tons per car.) So let's figure that you need 1/7th car's worth of aluminum and 6/7ths car's worth of iron.

Assuming that you can get the necessary aluminum and iron from the same load of dirt, that comes to approximately 57 tons of dirt.

Compacted dirt weighs 110 pounds per cubic foot. So 57 tons of dirt would occupy a volume of about 1,030 cubic feet. That's a cube a little over ten feet on each side. In other words, big. Very big.

Once you've gotten that out of the ground, you still haven't tackled the problem of how to get the iron (which is probably all tied up in iron oxide) and aluminum (ditto) out. I'm going to assume that you'll resort to "nanotechnology" or "molecular manufacturing" at this point and hand-wave that problem away.

As I said before, if you want to try to manufacture a car out of the stuff under your house, be my guest.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by rakslice · 2002-08-03 16:39 · Score: 2

I don't really get it... As high-speed internet connections become more popular and capacity increases, there's really nowhere to go but up. Another $5-$10 price drop may moderate that, but I don't think it will do much. Although piracy will always be more widespread among those with less disposable income and more free time on their hands, with the current state of affairs you really only need to spend a minute or two doing a search with your favourite p2p client and it will take care of the rest; not exactly a big time expenditure, even if you throw in a $0.75 CD blank and 10 minutes for burning.

I don't think the lack of a set-top DivX player is holding back piracy much... First of all, some will still prefer the picture quality of their monitor to the advantages of screen size and comfortable seating available in their living rooms. But, more importantly, VCD/SVCD-capable DVD players are already filling that role to a small degree; what will happen when DVD[-+]R drives and media become more affordable, and burning your DVD rentals is just a click of the mouse away?
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-04 06:45 · Score: 0

My pet theory is that he is keeping the Episode 4-6 DVDs as his trump card. It's practically guaranteed to be a huge seller whenever it is released, so I think he's holding it until he has a strategic use for it.

For example, if public interest in the series is waning by the time Episode 3 is ready for theaters (which looks likely based on the reaction to Episode 2), Lucas can reliably stir things up by timing the DVD release a few months before the new movie intro.
Re:And he thought he could hold out on us by IndependentVik · 2002-08-08 13:28 · Score: 1

Intellectual property is to porperty as fools gold is to real gold
(borrowed from a sig seen on slashdot).

Of course your source was slashdot. Why else would "property" be spelled wrong? :)

--
I'd suggest you don't use Slashdot as your only news source, or you will suffer permanent brain damage.

w00t by Golantig · 2002-08-02 11:33 · Score: 1

This rivals the LotR 4 disc set ;)

Re:w00t by quintessent · 2002-08-02 11:48 · Score: 2

In quantity...

--
Donate background CPU time to fight cancer.

So by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 11:34 · Score: 1, Funny

I assume this means that the original and Empire Strikes Back are already out on DVD? What - no? Fuckin' Lucas put down the doughnuts and put out your *good* movies!

Re:So by Anonvmous+Coward · 2002-08-02 12:01 · Score: 2

Well.. he is putting the DVD's out in order. 1... 2... 3...
Re:So by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:17 · Score: 0

Check out D9Movie and what you are looking for...
Re:So by nenolod · 2002-08-02 13:19 · Score: 1

They are available, just not widely. You gotta shop around man...
Re:So by AKA+da+JET · 2002-08-02 15:48 · Score: 1

They are just laser disc rips tho. And from what I hear the quality of those bootlegs are so-so. I would rather have a legal copy made available.
Re:So by dorsey · 2002-08-02 18:36 · Score: 1

Hell, I just bought the laserdiscs. Problem solved.

--
hinderfreude ('hin-dur-"froi-d&), n. The feeling of joy derived from being in the way.
Re:So by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-03 03:23 · Score: 0

Why does their FAQ not explain how they have all those movies on DVD? I'd assume that's most frequently asked.

Hurray! Audio comentary! by Ted_Green · 2002-08-02 11:34 · Score: 1

It can't be as bad as its wooden actors.

The missing parts by Daimaou · 2002-08-02 11:35 · Score: 1

I don't know why they'll bother adding to the DVD all the edited Meesa... yousa...nonsense parts. Nobody will watch them anyway.

Re:The missing parts by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:21 · Score: 0

That will be one of the Language choices. Dubbed in Gungan.

Let's hope it's not.... by bucklesl · 2002-08-02 11:35 · Score: 5, Funny

eight scenes of Jar Jar that never made it into the movie

shudder

--
help fill in hidden movie endings @ End of the Credits

Re:Let's hope it's not.... by WEFUNK · 2002-08-02 11:44 · Score: 2

eight scenes of Jar Jar that never made it into the movie

Or worse, seven of Jar Jar plus one boy band scene.

--
My next sig will be ready soon, but friends can beat the rush!
Re:Let's hope it's not.... by Lord_Slepnir · 2002-08-02 11:53 · Score: 4, Funny

eight scenes of Jar Jar that never made it into the movie
Look on the bright side....some of those can be death scenes of Jar Jar
Scene 1: Anakin and Obi-Wan fighting Druku, Anakin has just gotten his arm chopped off. Suddenly, by the launch bay doors, a shadow appears...and out comes Jar Jar. He exclaims "NOOOSA yousa cannot hurt massa Anakin". Druku then throws his lightsabre at Jar Jar, severing both of his ears. As Jar Jar bends to pick them up, Druku picks him up by his neck and brings him 20 feet into the air. Jar Jar is then flipped and dropped head first. His brains form an elequant star pattern.
Scene 2: The Gungans have joined the clone army in the final battle scene, with Jar Jar at their head. His mount trips, and he goes flying forward, and accidently falls in the middle of a wagon of catapult ammo. As he clambers up, he trips over the back, causing it to break. Hits the dirt hard, and when he looks up, the Boombas have fallen out and are rolling at him. One hits his head, and it explodes, causing an elequent star pattern in the dirt.
Can you think of more? Post them!
Re:Let's hope it's not.... by daeley · 2002-08-02 12:08 · Score: 3, Funny

Hey, you made a cool portmanteau! Eloquent + elegant = elequent. :)

Scene 3: Jar Jar sees Anakin diving out of the air car and stands up in his own car to watch... leaning too far over, of course, briefly catching his foot in the seat belt, then plummeting several hundred feet to become a vaguely Gungan-shaped, somewhat star-patterned hole in the street.

Scene 4: The other ambassador from Naboo, irate and distraught, pushes Jar Jar over the side of their floating senate car when the latter proposes Chancellor Palpatine be given emergency powers. Jar Jar lands, breaking his back, on top of the Wookie delegation, which proceed to break the rest of him. Half of him (Jar) winds up next to the ET cameo. The other half (the other Jar) is shipped to the Geonosian arena for immediate consumption by the reek, acklay, and nexu.

One can but dream.

--
I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
Re:Let's hope it's not.... by _Sprocket_ · 2002-08-02 12:36 · Score: 2

Or worse, seven of Jar Jar plus one boy band scene.

...or even worse... Jar Jar SINGING with the boy band in the boy band scene.
Re:Let's hope it's not.... by Rone · 2002-08-02 13:00 · Score: 1

Look on the bright side....some of those can be death scenes of Jar Jar
Why settle for death when we have far worse torments at our disposal?
Re:Let's hope it's not.... by theDigitizer · 2002-08-02 14:36 · Score: 1

Scene 5: Jar Jar is walking in the Jedi Temple along side Obi-Wan when Obi-Wan goes to ask Yoda for advice. Jar Jar trips upon entering the room, and impales himself on ten different young padawan's mini-lightsabers, forming an eloquent pattern forever more in the star room.

Scene 6: Jar Jar comes with Obi-Wan to Tarsis, where he immediately slain using an eloquent star-shaped spinning blade, upon Obi-Wan and his' capture for being confused with the Genosian's mortal natural enemy, the high jumping womprat.

--
Contrary to popular belief, I don't actually make my website for other people to look at.
Re:Let's hope it's not.... by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 14:38 · Score: 0

Jar Jar falls drom the top seat at the senate, and then makeing a star shaped splatter on the floor.
Re:Let's hope it's not.... by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 15:53 · Score: 0

Scene 7: Unknown to Anakin and Amidala, Jar Jar stowed away in a secret compartment on their ship. After they land on Geonosis and everyone else leaves the ship, Jar Jar tries to follow them, only to fall onto the conveyor belt in the droid factory and get stamped into a vaguely star-like shape.

Scene 8: Unknown to Anakin and Amidala, Jar Jar attempts to follow them to Tatooine. Unfortunately for him, duct taping himself to the outside of their ship isn't the best way to go about it. He burns up upon reentry, leaving a star shaped burn mark on the CGI mirror hull.
Re:Let's hope it's not.... by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 16:07 · Score: 0

"forming an eloquent pattern"

You mean "elegant", don't you? Or do you really mean that the pattern is able to speak passionately and with excellent command of language, ably conveying its message with artistry?

Dumbass. Learn english first, THEN try to use it.
Re:Let's hope it's not.... by sharkey · 2002-08-02 16:11 · Score: 2

Scene 3: The Naboo delegation requests protection from the Jedi council. As they turn to leave, Jar-Jar pinches Padme's ass, thinking no one notices. Then, Mace Windu yells, "Doan' be disrepecting tha ho, muthafucka!" and whips out his lightsaber. He lops off Jar-Jar's head, making him spill his bowl of hot grits, while Padme, petrified with shock, watches.

--

--
"Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
Re:Let's hope it's not.... by Tablizer · 2002-08-02 17:52 · Score: 2

The other half (the other Jar) is shipped to the Geonosian arena for immediate consumption by the reek, acklay, and nexu.

This inspires a variation. Jar Jar's head gets switched with C3PO's (instead of a battle drone). The Jar Headed C3PO thinks he is being attacked by a fungus and zaps himself in the head with a laser pistal. Of course the Jar body is still walking around, but who cares about that half. It will just wonder around and dehydrate into a prune-sized lump eventually.

--
Table-ized A.I.
Re:Let's hope it's not.... by ChaoticSilly · 2002-08-02 18:47 · Score: 1

The next scene is my favorite... Windu angrily muttering "Say meesa again. I dare you! Say meesa ONE MORE FSCKING TIME!"

uh, sorry, wrong movie
Re:Let's hope it's not.... by handsomepete · 2002-08-03 04:29 · Score: 1

"Hey, you made a cool portmanteau!"

Somewhere, some lover of puns is trying desperately to post a Natalie Portman joke in response to this. Unfortunately, I have stolen his/her thunder.

Finish this statement:
Yes, you'd make a cool Portman too if...
Re:Let's hope it's not.... by daeley · 2002-08-03 05:22 · Score: 2

Bwa ha ha, yes.... :)

--
I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.

Other films by truesaer · 2002-08-02 11:35 · Score: 2, Offtopic

I know there will be lots of bitching about the original three star wars movies not being released yet. And I agree with that, but I want to bitch a little about the indiana jones trilogy not being released on DVD. Its really dissapointing not to be able to get those, and it seems like it wont be on Lucas' radar for quite a while.

Re:Other films by kjd · 2002-08-02 11:40 · Score: 1

Ouch. I wasn't even aware these weren't available on DVD. I was planning on purchasing this series specifically because Episodes IV-VI aren't available.
Re:Other films by daeley · 2002-08-02 11:41 · Score: 2

Last I read, Eps. IV-VI DVDs will not be released until after Ep. III is out. Bummer.

I for one can't wait to have a marathon of I-VI and see the entire story arc.

--
I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
Re:Other films by Kalak451 · 2002-08-02 11:55 · Score: 2, Informative

I believe that i read on the coax section of aintitcool that the indy jones movies will be out on DVD by xmas 2003. Still a while, but at least they are being worked on.
Re:Other films by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:52 · Score: 0

Indiana Jones AND Back to the Future.
Re:Other films by jchristopher · 2002-08-02 13:08 · Score: 1

Do a search for Indy on eBay. From what I've heard, the laserdisc rips aren't bad. (widescreen, 5.1, etc.)
Re:Other films by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 22:37 · Score: 0

I've found very good quality divx versions of the Star Wars films on the 'net. Now the government agencies can't moan and say "buy them" since I can't buy them on DVD.

It all goes to show what a boring and frustrating life we would all lead without the internet.

MORE scenes? by sulli · 2002-08-02 11:37 · Score: 5, Funny

Can we have fewer scenes - Phantom Edit II? Get rid of all that sappy shit and a real movie emerges.

--

sulli
RTFJ.

Re:MORE scenes? by glwtta · 2002-08-02 15:41 · Score: 2

Can we have fewer scenes - Phantom Edit II? Get rid of all that sappy shit and a real movie emerges.
bash$ emerge --update media-video/star-wars
nope, didn't work

--
sic transit gloria mundi

Left out a letter... by EReidJ · 2002-08-02 11:37 · Score: 0, Offtopic

"The DVD and home video of hit movie..." Sorry to be a grammar queen, but the author seems to have left out the "s" at the beginning of one of the words...

--
modern choral music...

DVD's for all by MrWinkey · 2002-08-02 11:37 · Score: 1

The only question is now how long before Indiana Jones and the rest of the Star Wars films are released on DVD.
Yippie!

--
Vote early. Vote often. Vote CowboyNeal.

IV-VI by kjd · 2002-08-02 11:37 · Score: 1

Great, when can I get Episodes IV-VI on DVD? I'm considering not purchasing them when they come out, in protest of the unnecessary wait.

Re:IV-VI by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:20 · Score: 0

He will probably come out with a 6-DVD box set in a year or two.
Re:IV-VI by AKA+da+JET · 2002-08-02 15:56 · Score: 1

"I'm considering not purchasing them when they come out, in protest of the unnecessary wait."
I could imagine you in a long line at an amusment park. You wait 2 hours just to ride the latest and greatest coster, and when you get to the gate, you march out in protest saying the wait was too long. Sounds kinda stupid, doesn't it?

BTW, I'm not saying that you're stupid. I just don't see the point of even anticipating it if you are just going to protest against it. :P

I'd buy the DVD... by Anonvmous+Coward · 2002-08-02 11:38 · Score: 2

... if they'd make a version that's MST'd.

Re:I'd buy the DVD... by cheezfreek · 2002-08-02 13:42 · Score: 0

Well, this movie did rival Red Zone Cuba in plot complexity and coherence...
Re:I'd buy the DVD... by Anonvmous+Coward · 2002-08-02 21:36 · Score: 1

LOL! I just bought the MST3k version of that a few days ago.

More footage??!? by NanoGator · 2002-08-02 11:39 · Score: 2

I don't want more footage, I want LESS! That movie was like 2 and a half hours long.

--
"Derp de derp."

Re:More footage??!? by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:25 · Score: 0

Oh sure, it'd be so much better if the film was just two and a half minutes long. Of course, it'd make no sense whatsoever, but who's interested in the fricking story anyway?
Tell you what, let's just keep it the same length. It's less moronic.
Re:More footage??!? by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 13:32 · Score: 0

actually it would make sense to make attack of the clones only 2 1/2 minutes long. the intro is all that is worth watching in that piece of sh!t.
Re:More footage??!? by NanoGator · 2002-08-02 21:10 · Score: 2

Im sorry, when did I say 2.5 minutes? That over-simplification was so extreme that I'd normally believe you're a woman.

--
"Derp de derp."
Re:More footage??!? by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 23:44 · Score: 0

May I recommend that in future you read your own .signature before setting it up?

Why would you want to make AOTC longer?!!!!! by 1qaz2wsx · 2002-08-02 11:39 · Score: 1

Why on earth would you want to make AOTC longer? Six hours of extra footage? I would have been happy to pay extra to have the horrible dialog removed!

--
--- I would prefer a prehensile tail....

Re:Why would you want to make AOTC longer?!!!!! by PastorOfMuppets · 2002-08-02 15:21 · Score: 1

I would have been happy to pay extra to have the horrible dialog removed! So, you want it to be a silent film? ;)

--
If you don't have anything nice to say, shut up you stupid prick.

Have you nerds finally given up ... by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 11:41 · Score: 0

Can you face the truth that the series died in 1983 ... no more waiting in line

Re:Have you nerds finally given up ... by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 11:52 · Score: 0

LOL, it's funny 'cause it's true.

A real sign of it being a box office disaster by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 11:41 · Score: 0, Flamebait

that it's being released so soon. That means its theater run is about to end, so it can be completely withdrawn to bring up the 'anticipation' factor for the dvd release. Considering it might have barely broke even, that might hamper the ambitious plans for Ep III.

*cough* by x+mani+x · 2002-08-02 11:42 · Score: 3, Offtopic

In other news :), the Lord of the Rings DVD is coming out on tuesday (or monday midnight for some stores).

Initial reviews are saying that it basically kicks all ass, and will be the new reference DVD for home theater-philes. And mind you this isn't the upcoming 4-disc extended version.

Star what? Attack of the what? :)

-Mani

Re:*cough* by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:03 · Score: 0

Make sure you buy both the standard version and the extended version, like a good little consumer. If the sales figures are below what the MPAA are expecting, they will think it is because of piracy and pass more laws. We don't want them to think that, so buy both versions.

And maybe extra copies of each if you really want to do your part to keep tougher laws from being passed!
Re:*cough* by Dizzo · 2002-08-02 12:41 · Score: 2, Funny

Star what? Attack of the what?

Star WARS: Attack of the CLONES.

Sheesh, where have you been?
Re:*cough* by JoeBlows · 2002-08-02 12:43 · Score: 1

don't bother...november will have a special edition with a half hour of scenes added to the movie.

--
True capitalism = lots of similar companies = jobs for everyone who wants one.
Re:*cough* by Nameles · 2002-08-02 14:12 · Score: 1

That just came out? I've had it for a while...
Re:*cough* by The_Shadows · 2002-08-02 15:22 · Score: 1

Well screw you. :)

I'm not buying it twice and I want the extra scenes, which means I'm waiting until November. Hmmmm.... maybe I'll make subtle hints at it for my birthday present.

Came to me on my birthday it did! Yes! Precious! My Precious!
Re:*cough* by FrostedWheat · 2002-08-02 20:24 · Score: 1

the Lord of the Rings DVD is coming out on tuesday (or monday midnight for some stores)

Or Saturday for some internet DVD shops! The postman just dropped my copy thru the letterbox! Now that's service

<PLUG>www.blackstar.co.uk</PLUG>
Re:*cough* by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 20:51 · Score: 0

(flashback to office space)

Gollum: Um... excuse me... you have ...uh... me pressious...

Frodo: We'll you can't have it

Gollum: Um... excuse me... you have ...uh... me pressious.... and I'll burn the Shire down...
Re:*cough* by protohiro1 · 2002-08-02 21:07 · Score: 1

Finaly I can watch it as it was meant to be seen...in two parts. That movie is just too long for one sitting.

--
Sig removed because it was obnoxious
Re:*cough* by Jeff+DeMaagd · 2002-08-03 03:13 · Score: 2

Star WARS: Attack of the CLONES.

I like to think of it as Attack of the Gungans.

Sheesh, where have you been?

Some people wish to pretend they've never seen or heard of the movie. I don't entirely blame them.
Re:*cough* by Caliper+Remote · 2002-08-03 10:48 · Score: 1

Begun, this flame-war has.
Re:*cough* by Strog · 2002-08-06 07:36 · Score: 1

Don't watch it at my place. I have a 7-disc changer do we can watch all 4 discs and a couple other movies after that.

trying to compete by nirvdrum · 2002-08-02 11:46 · Score: 1

I'm sure I'm not the first to say it, but I can't help but think this DVD release date is trying to compete with the LoTR release . . .

--
If there was a "-1 Not Funny", that'd be my most used mod.

Re:trying to compete by jonabbey · 2002-08-02 12:24 · Score: 2

Well, if so, they'll do well by it. It seems unlikely that as many people would go out and buy a second copy of FoTR (for how much?) as would buy AoTC for the first time.

I, of course, will be so there, though.

--
- jon

Ganymede, a GPL'ed metadirectory for UNIX
Re:trying to compete by bje2 · 2002-08-02 12:49 · Score: 2

the "special edition" of LOTR with all the cut footage, etc, comes out Nov. 12th, the same day as AOTC...

--

"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true." - Homer Simpson

Extra Scenes by Shadow+Wrought · 2002-08-02 11:46 · Score: 1

Maybe they are the scenes the animators would have liked to have inserted. So whilst Anakin is doing his seducing, a whole swarm of battledroids tops the nearest crest and blows the crapola out of their picnic. Lord know I was waiting for that one while sitting in the theatre;-)

--
If brevity is the soul of wit, then how does one explain Twitter?

Deleted Scenes by bdesham · 2002-08-02 11:47 · Score: 2, Funny

...six hours of additional material including ... eight scenes that never made it into the movie.

Well, here's hoping for the bedroom scene on the night of Anakin and Padmé's wedding!

--
Alcohol and Calculus don't mix. Don't drink and derive.

Re:Deleted Scenes by Lord_Slepnir · 2002-08-02 11:56 · Score: 2

*Insert Dirty Lightsabre Jokes Here*
Re:Deleted Scenes by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 15:14 · Score: 0

Well, here's hoping for the bedroom scene on the night of Anakin and Padmé's wedding!

Uh... not unless Lucas is going to pull a Roman Polanski and flee the country!
Re:Deleted Scenes by ottffssent · 2002-08-02 15:26 · Score: 2

You're all crazy. She's only attractive when you don't have to look at her face or listen to her talk. And he's just creepy.

--
High-speed Road Trip (18.000KPH)
Re:Deleted Scenes by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 16:12 · Score: 0

Why would he? Portman isn't underage, which isn't something Polanski could say.

50 versions by RangerSpeedBumpp · 2002-08-02 11:51 · Score: 3, Interesting

I saw a talk by John Knoll a month ago at the Visual Effects Society in Marin. He pointed out that ILM continued to work on EP2 even after the movie was out in theaters. George continued to send new cuts out the door as new prints were being made. At the time there were 45-50 versions of Star Wars in theaters. Undoubtedly, the version that you get on DVD will be different than those versions. I don't see any major changes, but they'll probably add later versions of shots and some slightly different timing.

This isn't actually a new thing. Kubrick showed a different cut of 2001 in New York than he did in LA when the movie premiered. And of course George continues to revise episodes 4/5/6. The scary thing is that George is considering usign all-digital cinema to dist 'patches' to films. After the film has been running in theaters for several weeks, he can remotely add new sequences and then announce 'all new footage' so that Star Wars fans will have to come back for another viewing.

Re:50 versions by figjamjam · 2002-08-02 12:44 · Score: 1

I heard that the entire story line was different from the first to the 50th.

Instead of a clone army of soldiers, it was originally supposed to have been a clone army of lawyers. And they were used to attack Count Douku(sp?) and the Trade federation with patten infringements and anti competitive law suits.

I think the clone army of soldiers works better. Don't you? ;-))
Re:50 versions by sulli · 2002-08-02 13:56 · Score: 1

so that's why I liked it more the second time! (though it was also analog - I really didn't like digital)
ps Hey Soren! - andrew

--

sulli
RTFJ.
Re:50 versions by cei · 2002-08-02 18:06 · Score: 2

The DVD is pretty close to the digital cinema edit, but has 2 or 3 additional lines of dialog in one scene. I'm not aware of any other significant changes.

--
This sig intentionally left justified.
Re:50 versions by Blondie-Wan · 2002-08-03 10:06 · Score: 1

I saw a talk by John Knoll a month ago at the Visual Effects Society in Marin. He pointed out that ILM continued to work on EP2 even after the movie was out in theaters. George continued to send new cuts out the door as new prints were being made. At the time there were 45-50 versions of Star Wars in theaters. Undoubtedly, the version that you get on DVD will be different than those versions. I don't see any major changes, but they'll probably add later versions of shots and some slightly different timing.
This isn't actually a new thing. Kubrick showed a different cut of 2001 in New York than he did in LA when the movie premiered. And of course George continues to revise episodes 4/5/6. The scary thing is that George is considering usign all-digital cinema to dist 'patches' to films. After the film has been running in theaters for several weeks, he can remotely add new sequences and then announce 'all new footage' so that Star Wars fans will have to come back for another viewing.

Indeed, Lucas himself has done the exact same thing with the original Star Wars films, as I've previously pointed out. There were three different versions of what was then called simply Star Wars playing simultaneously in its original '77 release, there were four versions of Star Wars - The Empire Strikes Back for a short while in '80, and even two (minutely) different versions of Star Wars - Return of the Jedi offered in '83, and A New Hope in particular continued to undergo transformations until all three got substantially revised for the '97 "Special Editions" (details in my earlier post linked above).
The only difference between what he did with his films then and your ideas about what he might do now is that in the late '70s / early '80s he didn't make a big noise about there being different versions of one of the films playing at a given time. Of course, it's also true he's changed a bit since then, and as unfortunate as it might be I can certainly see different versions in release simultaneously being advertised now as a way to get the fans to go more times (though it's interesting that it apparently didn't happen here, if there were really upwards of forty different "distros" of Star Wars - Attack of the Clones out simultaneously at some times within the past few months - could Lucas & LFL actually be exercising some restraint??? :O )...

Been there, done that... by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 11:52 · Score: 0

/. is slow... already saw it mentioned on The Digital Bits yesterday.

Nothing to see here, move along...

Lightsabers by Quantum+Singularity · 2002-08-02 11:52 · Score: 0, Offtopic

I'm a big DVD fan, I'll pick this up as soon as it's out. But I found something else for my Star Wars costume/collection. There's this site that sells incredibly realistic lightsaber replicas. They use blades that are supposedly unbreakable and they glow, and there are 5 colors. I've never seen a yellow lightsaber before. The handles look almost exactly like the ones I've seen in the Star Wars Visual Dictionary series (unfortunately, no curved Count Dooku handles yet) and have little blinking lights on them. I'm not advertising for the company or anything, I just thought it was really cool. The price is a little steep (around $265), but you know what I'll be getting for Christmas ;)

--
We're Doomed

Re:Lightsabers by Quantum+Singularity · 2002-08-02 11:58 · Score: 1

OOPS! Sorry! The site's at parksabers.com . I forgot...

--
We're Doomed
Re:Lightsabers by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:41 · Score: 0

Hopefully therapy.
Re:Lightsabers by Dynedain · 2002-08-02 15:24 · Score: 2

Um..... yeah.... this was a slashdot article only a month and a half ago. We remember

--
I'm out of my mind right now, but feel free to leave a message.....

Awesome Movie by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 11:53 · Score: 0

I still think this is a _great_ movie. The scene where the Jedi's come to save Annakin and Amadala is one of the best I have ever seen.

Think about it, these are the best Jedi's in the Galaxy and faced with all dying for what they believe in they go ahead without a second thought. Had they not been saved by Yoda all would have been lost. Great suspense builder with that much being on the line.

News just in! by BSDGeek · 2002-08-02 11:56 · Score: 1

George Lucas has released the super-extra-special-fantastic-knockyoursocksoff- edition of the Original Trilogy! This includes 1 new scene of Han Solo running down a corridor!

This is an anonuncement by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 11:56 · Score: 0

Starwars is gay, thank you. You may resume looking at goatse.cx!

Great by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 11:57 · Score: 0

so how long until one of you leftist hippies puts a pirated copy of this up on the net?

Re:Great by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:03 · Score: 0

They already have!
Re:Great by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:33 · Score: 0

consider yourself reported.

Yeah by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 11:57 · Score: 0

I have the episode 1 dvd and it is really cool with all the extra scenes and documentary and stuff. I'll definitely be buying this one.

So now the MPAA is good? by AntiNorm · 2002-08-02 11:59 · Score: 0, Redundant

So now the MPAA is good? I see.

--

I pledge allegiance to the flag...
of the Corporate States of America...

Re:So now the MPAA is good? by Dionysus · 2002-08-02 12:02 · Score: 2, Redundant

Only on Fridays. It's bad again on Mondays, sometimes on Wednesdays.

--
Je ne parle pas francais.
Re:So now the MPAA is good? by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:03 · Score: 0

Get off your friggin high horse and make you own opinion.
Re:So now the MPAA is good? by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:45 · Score: 0

LOL. Hypocrits too ? ha ha ha ha.
Re:So now the MPAA is good? by FunkSoulBrother · 2002-08-02 14:19 · Score: 1

Martin: How about this, guys? Bart can have it Mondays and Thursdays, Milhouse will get it Tuesdays and Fridays, and yours truly will take it Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Bart: Perfect!
Milhouse: Wait a minute! What about Sundays?
Bart: Yeah, what about Sundays?
Martin: Well, Sunday possession will be determined by a random number generator. I will take the digits 1 through 3, Milhouse will have 4 through 6, and Bart will have 7 through 9.
Bart: Perfect!
Milhouse: Wait a minute! What about 0?
Bart: Yeah, what about 0?
Milhouse: Yeah.
Martin: Well, in the unlikely event of a 0, possession will be determined by Rock Scissors Paper competition, best 3 out of 5. How's that?
Re:So now the MPAA is good? by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-03 06:42 · Score: 0

what does that have to do with anything? the mpaa's policies are, in some people's opinion, bad. but that doesn't mean that (at least some of) the products of the film industry are also bad. lucasfilm or fox does not equal mpaa.

Don't by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:00 · Score: 0

Click here. Unless you want the starwars DVD early

Comment removed by account_deleted · 2002-08-02 12:01 · Score: 2, Funny

Comment removed based on user account deletion

hypocritical star wars fans by dustinc20 · 2002-08-02 12:03 · Score: 1

one more complaint about jar-jar and Im done with ya'll. you so called fans idolize the first 3 original movies yet will hate the next 3? in my opinion, the originals were good, but not great. the story is beyond great, but they were movies taken from books and are always going to be sub-par to reading the book. every one of them has characters we dont like in the movie, but for some reason its easier to hate the new ones because they werent around when you were kids. today, a lot of *kids* like jar-jar as much as when you were kids liking chewee (spelling?). get over it, no one forced you to go see it, you knew it was going to be flashy and with much CG. friggin hypocrites

--
:: if you outlaw outlaws, only the.. no wait

Re:hypocritical star wars fans by _Sprocket_ · 2002-08-02 13:17 · Score: 2

I have 3 theories -

1) This is the output of a script that is fed various anti-fanboi posts and strings togeather clippings to generate new posts.

2) Its one of those odd humor pieces that pokes fun at Star Wars fans, their critics, and ignorant youth.

3) Its actually a post by an ignorant youth.

In any case, its funny. The only thing left is to figure out if one should be applauding the mastery or be amazed by the stupidity.

Other movies by Peter Jackson by SethJohnson · 2002-08-02 12:05 · Score: 2

If you liked LOTR, be sure to also buy the DVD of the director's (Peter Jackson) earlier work, "Bad Taste". I am certain this film was what convinced producers to back him on the LOTR project.

--
$5 / month hosted VPS on linux = awesome!

Re:Other movies by Peter Jackson by scalis · 2002-08-02 15:04 · Score: 0

Bad Taste was the reason for the oscar he got from LOTR.
They just needed a reason....

--

True ravers don't need drugs
Re:Other movies by Peter Jackson by Pike65 · 2002-08-03 00:36 · Score: 1

I remember when I first heard that some guy called Peter Jackson was directing LOTR I recognised the name somewhere.

Ever seen Braindead? When I realised I almost choked on my toast . . .

--
"If being a geek means being passionate about something, then I pity those who aren't geeks." - Pike65

Click your heels 3 times Dorothy by CrndrWaco · 2002-08-02 12:05 · Score: 0, Troll

"Ding Dong the Slashot's Dead" -- The Wizard of Dot

Re:Click your heels 3 times Dorothy by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 14:19 · Score: 0

j00 1z @|\|6|233 |)u|\/|455 5/|2uT\/\/|-|00|2~~~~!!!!!!

One feature I wish was included.. by Uncle+Ira · 2002-08-02 12:08 · Score: 5, Interesting

Would be an isolted score/sound effects track. Lucas says he made the Star Wars films in the style of silent movies where the score and the visuals worked together. I was surprised (and a little disappointed) that the DVD for TPM did not include an isolated score. I would have preferred that to a 2ch dolby pro-logic audio track.?

And if you're going to have an isolated score, may as well follow the example of the folks at Pixar and make it a combination score/soundFX track. The two really do work together so well that it would be nice to have them highlighted with their own audio track.

Oh well. Maybe in 2006 on the Super Special Deluxe edition box set rerelease...

Re:One feature I wish was included.. by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 14:39 · Score: 0

Just put the 2-disc soundtrack in the CD-Player, press mute on the DVD player, then there you go. =)

I know, getting it to sync would be too hard, and the CD likely doesn't contain any extended silence the movie might have, which would throw it off even more. It would be cool if it worked, though.
Re:One feature I wish was included.. by MediaBoy77 · 2002-08-02 16:29 · Score: 1

Damn, that would be great! Then we wouldn't have to suffer through the dialogue!

I'm personally waiting for the Hindi EP2 DVD to be released... that way I can watch it in a language I don't understand, and not be distracted by the dreadful screenplay.
Re:One feature I wish was included.. by cei · 2002-08-02 18:03 · Score: 2

Monsters, Inc. has a 5.1 FX only mix and A Bug's Life has a 5.1 FX mix and a 2.0 score track. I haven't seen one that has both music and FX mixed though, myself.

--
This sig intentionally left justified.
Re:One feature I wish was included.. by Uncle+Ira · 2002-08-03 19:30 · Score: 1

The DVDs for Toy Stories 1 and 2 in the "Ultimate Toybox" boxed set have combined Score/FX tracks in 5.1 DD. You should check them out if you have the chance- you really gain a new appreciation for how well the score and sound FX for a film can complement each other when the right people are involved.

Best Part Of Phantom Menace DVD Was The "Making Of by meehawl · 2002-08-02 12:10 · Score: 2

That was the only redeeming feature of the DVD. It's still staggering that so many talented people could work so well, for so long, and with such great dedication (as demonstrated during the deocumentary) and still produce such a turgid movie.

--

Da Blog

Hello? $300 million? by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:10 · Score: 0

Ticket prices have exceeded inflation, yes, but the 13th greatest box office money maker of all time is still not a shabby place to be. It's ranked second of movies released this year (second only to Spider-Man), and will probably end up with a final box-office close to Lord of the Rings (which is still in theatres despite having the DVD out next week).

It didn't have the spectalarly huge box office of Episode I, but no one expected it to. It's still a huge hit. It's just Star Wars, so it's held to a higher standard.

Anyway, a November/December release date was on all the DVD rumour sites long before the movie was released.

NSYNC in the extra footage? by stupkid · 2002-08-02 12:11 · Score: 1

One can only hope that the NSYNC clips will be included. HA!

Re:NSYNC in the extra footage? by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 19:21 · Score: 0

Meh. If there's no Lance I can skip his although that JC's something to look. Wooo!

Timerlake & Bass weren't involved. Just Fatone, his brother Steve and JC. Oh and Chris too. :)

"Technical" information in the "making of" footage by Dr.Dubious+DDQ · 2002-08-02 12:11 · Score: 5, Funny

Hopefully, they'll include some technical information about the gadgetry and animatronics they used. I, for one, am eager to find out what they used to build the robots that played Obi-wan, Anakin, Padme, and the rest... :-)

--
Hacker Public Radio is our Friend

Secret Version by ProofOfConcept · 2002-08-02 12:15 · Score: 1

so does it include the good version we all know lucas kept for himself?

What the hell are you talking about? by Pope · 2002-08-02 12:16 · Score: 1

None of the Star Wars movies are based on books.

And learn how to use the goddamn shift key!

--
It doesn't mean much now, it's built for the future.

Re:What the hell are you talking about? by dustinc20 · 2002-08-02 12:52 · Score: 1

your telling me there arent star wars books? and no, I dont like the shift key

--
:: if you outlaw outlaws, only the.. no wait
Re:What the hell are you talking about? by Brynath · 2002-08-02 13:20 · Score: 1

The books were written after/during the creation of the movies.
Re:What the hell are you talking about? by Drakin · 2002-08-02 13:21 · Score: 1

The original publication of the Star Wars novel, entitled Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Published in December 1976 preceeds the movie, and if one reads the blurb on the back it states "Soon to be a spectacular motion picture|! From Twentieth-Century Fox!" which implies that the movie is based on the book... most times the books say "Based on the screen play "Blah blah" by "whoever".

That's what's implied... but we all know that star wars was originally written as a screen play and Alan Dean foaster ghost wote the novel.

Comment removed by account_deleted · 2002-08-02 12:18 · Score: 1

Comment removed based on user account deletion

This info is banned from K5 by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:19 · Score: 0

version 1.3, (last updated 1st August 2002)

Note to moderators : Do not moderate this post down, if you do then you support the editors stance on censorship and you support the end of free speech and support evil organisations like Microsoft, RIAA, MPAA and laws like the CBTBA and DMCA. Moderating this post will only waste mod points, and will not work!

Sign this petition, let your voice be heard!

Slashdot is using censorship! It is trying to eridicate free and open discussion like we know slashdot to be, it has the following RESTRICTIONS in place to Censor you

They claim they don't, but they do, wonder why their are so many trolls, crapflooders and lamers on slashdot, because they are fighting for their rights! Slashdot is trying to silence the trolls. Remove the filters, the trolls get bored, and slashdot will be troll free!

Lameness filters (It blocks a lot of legitmate posts)
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Broken moderation system, The whole point is to sort the gems from the crap, yet a lot of posts designed to make a LIVELY DISCUSSION are MODERATED as flamebait! Come on, not everyone likes X, but just because some one bashes it dosent mean its Flamebait. Flame bait is more useful for DIRECT INSULTS and not legitmate discussions.

The "troll" moderation reason is fragmented and broken, why? Because they are trying to use an obsolete usenet term on a realtime discussion, "trolls" can cover a huge blanket of ideas.

Crapfloods, a meaningless flood of random letters or text, which the lameness filter does a crappy job at trying to stop, besides trolls have written tools using the opensource slashcode to generate crapfloods which bypass the filter
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Trying to break slashdot, this is actually a good thing, as it helps test slashdot for bugs. Famous examples include the goatse.cx javascript pop-up, the pagewidening post and the browser crashing post!

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Re:This info is banned from K5 by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:26 · Score: 0

Are we likewise supporting the forces of evil if we just ignore you?

Asian Piracy! Yeah! by mrbrown1602 · 2002-08-02 12:20 · Score: 1

Now I don't condone piracy, but the pirates in Mayalsia and China have been providing Episode II and the original Trilogy on DVD for a while now... and amazingly, it's high quality stuff too!

Comment removed by account_deleted · 2002-08-02 12:20 · Score: 1

Comment removed based on user account deletion

sweet! by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:21 · Score: 0

I can't wait to d/l my copy!!

Mr. Pirate

Heck with that... by Faust7 · 2002-08-02 12:27 · Score: 1

I wanna know when they're releasing the next Transformers DVD boxed set.

--
The coolest voice ever.

Here Here by N8F8 · 2002-08-02 12:28 · Score: 1

That scene was absulutely painful. I could hardly believe that even novice actors wouln't have pointed out the horrible dialogue to the director.

--
"God fights on the side with the best artillery." - Napoleon, Marshal of France - speaking truth to power

Re:Here Here by JoeBlows · 2002-08-02 12:45 · Score: 1

you seem to have cared...I was looking at her nips.

--
True capitalism = lots of similar companies = jobs for everyone who wants one.
Re:Here Here by ceejayoz · 2002-08-02 19:31 · Score: 2

Hey... if that's what George would have said in the same situation, then it's realistic, isn't it? He is an awkward teenager stumbling over his feelings, after all... :-)

Spielberg's a master of his art by Rachel+Ellis · 2002-08-02 12:34 · Score: 1, Troll

Star Wars films are pure classics; Spielberg is a god!

--

-
26 year-old Web developer from Seattle. And yes, chicks do dig *nix ;)

Re:Spielberg's a master of his art by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 13:04 · Score: 0

I'm looking for spielberg's name in the credits for any of the Star Wars movies, and I'm not finding it. Would you care to explain?
Re:Spielberg's a master of his art by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 13:31 · Score: 0

You knew what you did as soon as you hit submit, didn't you...
Re:Spielberg's a master of his art by shaldannon · 2002-08-02 16:49 · Score: 2

and except for the ET's that were inserted into a brief clip of Episode I, Spielberg has nothing at all to do with Star Wars.... and those were inserted by George Lucas as a tribute to Spielberg. Lucas, who (maybe you forgot) created the Star Wars universe and associated movies from which have spun numerous books/imitations/comics/art/role-playing and computer games/etc.

You need to goo back and take Star Wars 097 to refresh yourself on its creation, origins, and philosophy.

--

What is your Slash Rating?
Re:Spielberg's a master of his art by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-03 04:05 · Score: 0

i think that was a joke :P Everyone knows if spielberg had helped old man lucas... the franchise wouldnt be in the shitter right now.

Episode II DVD checklist by dexter+riley · 2002-08-02 12:36 · Score: 1

Let's see what we get for our money...

Manic flying car scene? The Fifth Element.
Sterile white futuristic laboratory setting? 2001: A Space Odyssey.
...with strange lanky aliens? AI: Artificial Intelligence.
Ewan McGregor wandering through strange alien environments (i.e. Scotland)? Trainspotting.
Samuel Jackson kicking ass and taking names? Pulp Fiction.
Scenic alpine picnic? The Sound of Music.
Bounty hunters and high-speed asteroid chases? Cowboy Bebop.
A wisecracking, yet loveable pair of robots? Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie.
The protagonist loses his hand? The Evil Dead.

Sorry, Mr. Lucas, but I already have all these DVDs.

Re:Episode II DVD checklist by chazzf · 2002-08-02 14:06 · Score: 3, Insightful

And your point is?

I loved Evil Dead, although the scene you refer to was in Evil Dead 2, but you should remember that Luke lost his hand in the Empire Strikes Back, five years before Raimi made Dead 2.

All art imitates/copies. It's a natural thing to do. The Fifth Element owes a *lot* to Metropolis, Dune, and the long-standing visuals of Coruscant made long before Episode I.

Your post smacks of one searching desperatly for a stick with which to beat the movie, and I have to wonder why. The movie is the cinematic creation of George Lucas. No one made you see it. If you went and didn't like it, so what? I don't think the trailers were misleading.

Personally, I liked Episode II and found the underlying political undertones interesting. The notion that the Senate is being controlled by moneyed interests ought to play well here, and please note that Lucas had that idea some twenty years ago, so it's not like he's trying to pander to anyone.

Especially not do-nothing grumblers like the loud vocal minority on this site who think much is owed them.

~Chazzf

--
No statement is true, not even this one.
Re:Episode II DVD checklist by dexter+riley · 2002-08-02 14:16 · Score: 1

You're right. I desperately want a stick so I can hit George Lucas until he gives me my $7 back!

I have to remember...pretty trailer != good movie. I keep forgetting that, no matter how often George Lucas keeps reminding me.
Re:Episode II DVD checklist by glwtta · 2002-08-02 15:47 · Score: 4, Funny

Your post smacks of one searching desperatly for a stick with which to beat the movie, and I have to wonder why.
Me too - awful writing, non-existent plot, atroceous acting, annoying characters, horrible looking CGI, worst dialogue anyone's seen in a long time, etc. You don't really have to search for things to bash the movie for.

--
sic transit gloria mundi
Re:Episode II DVD checklist by shaldannon · 2002-08-02 16:45 · Score: 2

If it weren't for the CGI ref I'd think you were talking about Austin Powers....

--

What is your Slash Rating?
Re:Episode II DVD checklist by ceejayoz · 2002-08-02 19:37 · Score: 2

All art imitates/copies. It's a natural thing to do. The Fifth Element owes a *lot* to Metropolis, Dune, and the long-standing visuals of Coruscant made long before Episode I.

And Coruscant is a copy of Isaac Asimov's planet "Trantor" in the Foundation series.
Re:Episode II DVD checklist by protohiro1 · 2002-08-02 21:25 · Score: 1

Does it make you feel good to dish out ehe hate? Its really easy to criticise things. I want to see your cg...what does it look like? It must be pretty damn good.

--
Sig removed because it was obnoxious
Re:Episode II DVD checklist by protohiro1 · 2002-08-02 21:28 · Score: 1

Apologies for above flame. It was a moment of passion, it won't happen again.

--
Sig removed because it was obnoxious
Re:Episode II DVD checklist by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-03 06:46 · Score: 0

So what? Why does that mean that Lucas can't use the same idea?
Re:Episode II DVD checklist by ceejayoz · 2002-08-03 08:00 · Score: 2

So what? Why does that mean that Lucas can't use the same idea?

Not at all! Did I say that? Nope. I was just reinforcing the point made in the parent post, which said "All art imitates/copies. It's a natural thing to do. The Fifth Element owes a *lot* to Metropolis, Dune, and the long-standing visuals of Coruscant made long before Episode I."
Re:Episode II DVD checklist by glwtta · 2002-08-03 10:17 · Score: 2

I am neither a director (who is the person against whom my "hate" is directed), nor am I a graphic artist, so I am not in a position to set an example of good CG. Then again, I do not try to charge people $10 to go see what I create.
My skills notwithstanding, what exactly is the problem? This very bad movie (not my fault, that Lucas blew $300 mil to make a very bad movie) contains some bad CG (again not my fault). There are movies that have some really good CG, and the bar for very high-budget, intensly hyped movies has been set much higher than what we saw in Episode II. I think I am understandibly upset that I've spent money (even if not all that much) and expended time to see people do their job badly.

--
sic transit gloria mundi
Re:Episode II DVD checklist by displaytest · 2002-08-03 16:26 · Score: 1

Yeah, but Austin Powers is _supposed_ to be funny.

Poll request by lightspawn · 2002-08-02 12:37 · Score: 2

Given region codes, macrovision, and the MPAA's attitude to customers (should we go over the HDTV fiasco again?) would you like slashdot to keep covering mainstream (MPAA) DVD releases?

Re:Poll request by dgp · 2002-08-02 16:46 · Score: 2

I agree. how do I find out about indie releases? Is anyone making movies worth watching that are distributed electronically and have a licences that allows unlimited redistribution? Im thinking a donation system could work - it seems to be working for trillian. (http://trillian.cc)
Re:Poll request by protohiro1 · 2002-08-02 21:10 · Score: 1

If you want to make "indy" movies you can, but they are always going to be indy movies. Epics like LoTR, which I think 95% of geeks like to see, just cost too damn much and take WAY more than two weekends a month.

--
Sig removed because it was obnoxious

Slashdot must be desperate for money. by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:38 · Score: 0

This is just too see-through.

*OOPS*, Sorry I *accidently* posted that amazon.com link ... honest.

I Agree With This Post by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:40 · Score: 0

I agree with this post.

Its only good when ... by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:40 · Score: 0

/. gets money.

Blah by malIgna · 2002-08-02 12:42 · Score: 1

Somehow, Star Wars news doesn't excite me anymore.

--
Nothing to see here, move along.

Re:Blah by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 16:19 · Score: 0

It excited you enough to open the thread, and then come post about hot little it excited you, dipshit.

Or is your life really that empty that this is entertaining for you? Sad, just sad. You should eat a gun, and do something useful for once.

78 days and counting by wormbin · 2002-08-02 12:51 · Score: 1

I was so disgusted by Episode I that I made a vow to never see Episode II. I know, a single ticket probably won't make any difference but I just can't bring myself to give more money to Lucas' crap factory.

The funny thing is that my friends think that since I am such an uber-geek that I will eventually have to see the movie--either purposly or accidentally. They've actually started a betting pool to see how long it will be before I see it.

Re:78 days and counting by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 15:25 · Score: 0

Don't worry your not missing anything!

You watched Mad TV on Fox the other night, didn't by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 12:55 · Score: 0

you?

horray! by lab16 · 2002-08-02 13:02 · Score: 1

I can finally get the movie in good quality
off of Kazaa!

HUMANS MUST GO DOWN THE STAIRS by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 13:05 · Score: 0

QUESTION: DO YOU HAVE STAIRS IN YOUR HOUSE?

WE ARE HERE TO PROTECT YOU FROM THE TERRIBLE SECRET OF SPACE

pak chooie unf
pak chooie unf
pak chooie unf

I AM THE SHOVER ROBOT
I PUSH AROUND BLIND PEOPLE

I AM PUSHER ROBOT
I SHOVE BREAD DOWN THEIR THROATS

WE A HERE TO PROTECT YOU

QUESTION: DO YOU HAVE STAIRS IN YOUR HOUSE?

HUMANS MUST GO DOWN THE STAIRS

PLEASE MOVE BY THE STAIRS
SO I CAN PROTECT YOU

we are here to protect you
we are here to protect you
from the terrible secret of space

pak chooie unf
pak chooie unf

(lameness filter bypass: aks ek sxke xikex ske xcksee dsfkseeskl; cklddkle ckld3imwe xowmnxow xjdw dje jd sdjskd ekskd dlijkjer dsklj sdfkjhwf sfakjsd ekjhds dskdks dkdshke dhke)

Starwars.com's Official Link has more stuff. by antdude · 2002-08-02 13:06 · Score: 3, Interesting

http://starwars.com/episode-ii/news/2002/08/news20 020801.html. It has pictures of both DVD and VHS boxes.

--
Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).

The Phantom Edit for Episode II by JDAustin · 2002-08-02 13:13 · Score: 0

So how much longer until a Phantom Edit (and therefore much more watchable) version of Episode 2 is released?

hey cool that's my birthday by lingqi · 2002-08-02 13:14 · Score: 1

there has *got* to be some vibe going on here.
maybe i should apply for a cameo in star wars 3.

maybe even score something with Natalie Portman...

(yeah i know, very off topic but just *had* to... sorry ladies)

--

My life in the land of the rising sun.

Re:hey cool that's my birthday by Pupp3tM · 2002-08-02 14:47 · Score: 1

Damn...and I thought I was the only one. We own.

--
"Time is an illusion.
Lunchtime doubly so."
-Douglas Adams

David Borowitz
Re:hey cool that's my birthday by ceejayoz · 2002-08-02 19:39 · Score: 2

Ask Lucas to add in something about Luke and Leia actually being illegitimate kids from a one-night stand... ooh... maybe that's what turns Anakin to the dark side!

Thank you for telling me by jsse · 2002-08-02 13:16 · Score: 2

til then I always thought the Start Wars II and LoRs DVDs in my possession are original.....they have Dolby Digital 5.1, scense selection, extras and credits...

and Simplified Chinese sub-title selection...oops, you mean these aren't original? :/

Why hasn't this happened with CDs? by John+Harrison · 2002-08-02 13:16 · Score: 2

They seem more expensive than ever, don't they? We know they don't cost anything to duplicate. Albums of older artists (Beatles) cost as much as new junk, so not ALL of it is going into production costs and marketing, so why do they cost more than they used to? Has the price gone up faster or slower than inflation? In the early 90s albums cost $13-$14, now they retail for $18.

--
Lasers Controlled Games!

Re:Best Part Of Phantom Menace DVD Was The "Making by Kayax · 2002-08-02 13:18 · Score: 1

No no, the best part of PM was the hidden outtake sequence. (see the 3rd paragraph on that page) Some of them are hilarious. Sadly it only lasts for about 2 minutes.

I Agree With This Post by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 13:24 · Score: 0

I agree with this post.

Good News/Bad News by Brian+Knotts · 2002-08-02 13:28 · Score: 3, Funny

The good news is that Star Wars IV will finally be relased on DVD.

The bad news is that all Imperial troops will be replaced with ewoks, and all light sabres and other weapons replaced with walkie-talkies.

Fever scenes and a better story by johns713 · 2002-08-02 13:36 · Score: 1

I agree. At this point the only thing I want to see is Episode III. And I want it to be dark. When I say dark I mean light sabers swishing in the darkness, screams from small women, children and guys named Jar Jar. I want to see a villain that is so scary that even Mike Tyson is scared to face the guy without ear muffs.

Forget the love story stuff, the only love'n I want to see in Episode III are tears of joy being stripped away as a loved one is ripped from some hero's arms resulting in inflammable pain. I want to see the Empires enemies crushed and driven before them, great suffering and the lamentations of women.

Now only if they could get they guy from Episode V to direct.

[OT] Your .sig by Black+Parrot · 2002-08-02 13:36 · Score: 1

> "I can operate and function as effectively as any member of Congress from behind bars." Jim Traficant

Jay Leno suggested that his first priority will be to introduce some new anti-sodomy legislation.

--
Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade

Oh right.... by BLAG-blast · 2002-08-02 13:49 · Score: 1

Yeah, that's right, they release another star wars thing, I remember ep1, but I thought we where still waiting ep2 to come out. But come to think about it, I've seen ep2... hmmmm, it's beer:30.

--
M0571y H@rml355.

What the... by The+Cat · 2002-08-02 13:51 · Score: 1, Offtopic

An MS Visual Studio Ad???????????????

on Slashdot?????????????

o.O

(where's Rod Serling?)

Re:What the... by mobets · 2002-08-02 15:39 · Score: 1

I saw it too, then I noticed that it was from doubleclick. That's ok w/ me because I block their cookies, and I know slashdot has to pay the bills somehow.

--

It was me, I did it, I moved your cheese
Re:What the... by The+Cat · 2002-08-02 16:19 · Score: 1

Offtopic? Ok.

So long Slashdot. Thanks for all the mod points.

(-8 karma in two days... ridiculous)

The movie is crap so don't waste your money. by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 13:53 · Score: 0

The movie is crap so don't waste your money.

SIX HOURS????? by athlon02 · 2002-08-02 14:06 · Score: 1

I like Star Wars and I know there are tons of people more gung ho about it than me, but *SIX HOURS* of additional footage? YIKES!

Re:SIX HOURS????? by Winterblink · 2002-08-02 16:43 · Score: 1

The last thing I want to see is Lucas micromanaging every aspect of production for six hours. I still say the best DVD so far for additional materials was the T2:Ultimate Edition. It had that HUGE library detailing the production of the entire film from the initial concept to post theatrical release, going into meticulous detail along the way with supplemental pictures and featurettes. That's one of the few times I've actually gone through a DVD's supplemental content and wasn't bored to tears.

--
"I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar."
-Hoban Washburn
Re:SIX HOURS????? by cei · 2002-08-02 18:32 · Score: 2

Van Ling who produced the T2: Ultimate DVD and the Abyss Special Edition DVD also produced the Ep I and Ep II DVDs.

--
This sig intentionally left justified.

I WILL, I WILL!!! by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 14:06 · Score: 0

But can you teabag me first? Give some, get some.

Begging. by DarkHelmet · 2002-08-02 14:45 · Score: 2

features six hours of additional material

I wonder if they have Lucas on film begging Speilburg to come on to help with Episode 3.

Naw, he's too busy starring with Tom Cruise in the new Austin Powers movie.

--
/^[A-Z0-9._%+-]+@[A-Z0-9.-]+\.[A-Z]{2,4}$/i

Re:Who would fly on it? by Eccles · 2002-08-02 14:56 · Score: 2

Can we have fewer scenes - Phantom Edit II? Get rid of all that sappy shit and a real movie emerges.

One possibility would be to create a format and an app that will customize the playing of a DVD, playing it in a user-specified edit.

--
Ooh, a sarcasm detector. Oh, that's a real useful invention.

They can fit it all on one DVD... by Vegan+Pagan · 2002-08-02 14:59 · Score: 2

...after applying Attack of the Edit.

Attack of the What? by Have+Blue · 2002-08-02 15:02 · Score: 2

Lucas should have named the movie "Attack of the Clone Room" just so he can totally confuse people who like Star Wars, Halo, and acronyms.

COOL! by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 15:09 · Score: 0

Then Ill be renting and ripping it to SVCD on Nov 12...

Outtakes they probably won't show. by sbaker · 2002-08-02 15:10 · Score: 5, Informative

I bet they don't include any of the hilarious out-takes that the Star Wars graphics team showed at SigGraph last week. Things like:

Aniken leaping on his speeder bike (live action) - then being swapped out for a 3D graphic 'stunt double'. When the graphic Aniken zooms off on the bike, a small error in the cloth simulation leaves him naked while his cloak flutters gently (and realistically) to the ground.

So they fixed that problem - but for some reason there is a sign error on the slipstream airflow over the clothing - so his robes flip forward over his head - and he's *still* naked on a speederbike.

Or the shot of Yoda where for some unaccountable reason his clothes appear to be attacking him while he's trying to look fierce for Duku's benefit...

Or the shot of JarJar when an slight oversight caused the cloth simulation on his robes not to be run at all - so his robes are puffed up like a balloon. It looks like he's wearing a crinolin hoop-skirt.

Or the half dozen outtakes of the shot where the big guy in the diner (with four arms) is simultaneously hugging ObiWan and pulling up his pants - but the cloth simulation isn't coping well with the contact forces from his hands or his butt - so his trousers fall down in take after take after take...

Or the animation done by one of the ILM team who is now working on the Incredible Hulk movie - she is doing *ripping* cloth (huh! I wonder why? :-) but since they can't show the 3D Hulk model in public yet, they re-used an existing model. Hence the shot of Yoda ripping his clothes off. Heck, he's green - what more do you want?

Or - well, you get the idea. I guess you had to be there. :-)

--
www.sjbaker.org

November 12th by sigsegv · 2002-08-02 15:17 · Score: 1

Man, that's the same day LOTH:FOTR Platinum Series Extended Edition comes out. 11/12 is turning out to be a big day for DVD releases.

-sig

Re:November 12th by Winterblink · 2002-08-02 16:41 · Score: 1

If you think that's bad, Band of Brothers is being released the previous week. Click here for info. Looks to be a pricey one, at $120 US, but from what I hear it will be well worth it. I haven't seen it myself, but that set looks AMAZING with the metal case and all. It'll go nicely by my Akira limited edition tin. :D

--
"I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar."
-Hoban Washburn

That's ok, but a more important question... by dnorman · 2002-08-02 15:31 · Score: 1

... is "Did they include the 8 scenes that should have been left out of the theatrical release?"

OK. There may well have been more than 8 scenes that should have been left on the cutting room floor, but the point remains. Crap movie + 8 scenes == crap movie (but longer).

Can't wait for the Special Edition... Hey! I just figured out how to properly render a rastafarian bunny and a flying midget arab trader! Let's rerelease the movie!

--

It is pitch dark. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.

Lucas can't direct himself out of a paper bag. by slonlow · 2002-08-02 15:35 · Score: 2, Interesting

The real question is who gives a crap about Lucases' hamhanded "prequels". They both are terrible movies and are case studies of how little computer generated effects add to shabby plotting, storytelling and characterizations. Really, of the three originals, only the second has any interest or artistic merit outside of the aging geek world and nostalgic loyalties. The first seems almost 50's naive (and poorly acted) in its black and white archetypes. The third degenerates with farting and burping jokes and culminates in a teddy bear rumpus.

Let's be clear about the two prequals: CGI is never a replacement for a real plot, or real acting or well designed and shot action. Lucas seems to have an uncanny ability in being able to turn the best actors into foam-core cutouts with lines that convince me that Lucas is autistic and or tone deaf.

I think Anthony Lane (funny dude) of the New Yorker had it right in his review of Titanic a couple of years ago. To paraphrase, he said that CGI used in Titanic was humanized, secondary to the script, characters, relations and plot. I had the same feeling coming out of "Minority Report". The special effects were being driven by a solid and brain twisting whodunit framework. Two years ago, I exhilarated was by the paradigm shifting Matrix, which beats the pants off anything Lucas has directed. The Matrix changed the way geeks and movie buffs expected to experience Sci-fi, much as Blade Runner and further back, Metropolis, did before it.

Lucases' movies and this DVD are just joyless corporate exercises in brand extension and cash flow.

--
fanny. It's a different word in the united kingdom.

More dueling, I hope by wmspringer · 2002-08-02 15:45 · Score: 1

I'm hoping to extra footage includes more lightsaber dueling; I was dissapointed at how quickly Yoda's duel was over at the end. That muppet can move! I wonder how much the LotR Deluxe DVD is gonna cost...it's got some cards from the game I'd love to get ;-) Haven't actually seen LotR yet though.

--
Twenties Retirement

Ok, but what about the other Star Wars movies? by Cable · 2002-08-02 15:45 · Score: 0

When will Episodes 4, 5, and 6 get released to DVD? I'd like to see the extra scenes from them, and behind the scenes video etc.

I'd forgotten... by InfiniteVoid · 2002-08-02 15:57 · Score: 1

That Eppisode II had been released to theaters. I was never a fan of S.W. and after seeing Ep. 1 had _NO_ inclination to see Ep. 2.

Why do people keep buying this stuff?

Re:I'd forgotten... by Winterblink · 2002-08-02 16:36 · Score: 1

I actually enjoyed Episode 2 FAR more than Episode 1. 2 was kind of like Empire from the original trilogy.. a lot darker, a lot more plot, and lot more interesting. Just my opinion of course. :P

--
"I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar."
-Hoban Washburn
Re:I'd forgotten... by ceejayoz · 2002-08-02 19:43 · Score: 2

I must agree... doesn't compare to the warm fuzzies I get from the original trilogy, but EpII was by far better than EpI.
Re:I'd forgotten... by ColdGrits · 2002-08-02 23:08 · Score: 0, Flamebait

"Why do people keep buying this stuff?"

Erm, because they like it, perhaps?

Just because YOU do not like something does not mean that the rest of the world has to dislike it. It's called Free Will or Thinking For Yourself. You should try it some day.

--
People should not be afraid of their governments - Governments should be afraid of their people.

You choad! by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 16:04 · Score: 0

Druku?!? Not once, not twice, but THREE times?!?

Have you even SEEN the fucking movie, ass-muncher?

It's DOOKU, fuckstick!

Re:You choad! by C0LDFusion · 2002-08-02 16:55 · Score: 1

That's the Japanese pronunciation. "Druku-sama!"

--
Only in slashdot are posts of solidarity modded at -1 Redundant, while posts of antagonism are modded as -1 Flamebait.

Please don't buy this horrible movie! by Benwick · 2002-08-02 16:38 · Score: 2

There is only one word for Episode II, and that is "incompetent". It applies to the writing, the acting, the editing, the sound, even the score. Don't line George Lucas' pockets with money swindled by his amazing force. You're only proving that the force *does* work wonders on the weak minded. This movie made Ishtar look like Casablanca, if anyone has any idea what I'm talking about. It made Snow Dogs look like the Empire Strikes Back.

There are many better films--and you can find better stills of Natalie Portman on the internet.

Everyone who was involved in this movie should be fired, and then shot. I finally saw it last night at a theater that was showing it for free--and with pitchers of beer--and I *still* regret it.

Oh well. Wasted words, as always.

Re:Please don't buy this horrible movie! by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 16:50 · Score: 0

Well I've got four words for you, and those are: To each his own. Or perhaps: Mind your own affairs. Or maybe even: Fucking get over yourself.

Oh, and word of advice, if you're going to go for the film-snob angle ("if anyone but me has seen good films"), use Citizen Kane instead of Casablanca next time. Maybe you can get them to ooh and aah with how -very- cultured you are.

Oh well. Wasted words as always.
Re:Please don't buy this horrible movie! by glwtta · 2002-08-02 19:32 · Score: 2

whew! way to save that one - Lucas almost made some money off this movie, but I think you caught it in time.
(it is just inexcusable shit, though, that's true)

--
sic transit gloria mundi
Re:Please don't buy this horrible movie! by protohiro1 · 2002-08-02 21:19 · Score: 1

I have to say that I am sort of irritated by those who think that films they didn't like are some sort of moral affront. Is it that serious that someone spent their money making a movie they wanted to? Other people spent a lot less money seeing it, and a lot of them got their money's worth.

It is easy to cast your judgment on this film, as if the fact that you didn't enjoy it means that it has violated some sort of holy commandment. Incompetence is also a very harsh word. Movies are VERY difficult to make, and the people who made this one are VERY competent. Maybe it didn't turn out right, but it isn't because the people (real, actual people, who really did actually work hard) are worthy of capital punishment for failing to please you.

--
Sig removed because it was obnoxious

Four words is too many for ya by Benwick · 2002-08-02 17:12 · Score: 1

You're overstating your case, Cicero. No need to freak out. It doesn't take a film snob to know when a movie is lousy. You obviously have no idea what I think and you jumped to a conclusion well beyond the scope of my original message, which I'll admit wasn't exactly the kind of thing that gets published in a serious venue. If we all "minded our own affairs" Slashdot would be a lot less fun.

I don't think you can take the high ground if, when I say "x sucks" you tell me that I suck. I mean, it's equally stupid, right? No better, no worse.

All I can say for certain is that I have seen lots and lots of bad movies, and I consider Episode II to be among the very worst movies I have ever seen. Empire was good, though. I liked Robocop. Can you honestly say you felt the faintest sense of romantic spark between the lovers in this flick? It was like watching a ping pong paddle fall in love with a vacuum cleaner. Now that I would pay to see.

Oh, and, word of advice (just to see if I can best you at the challenge of being a dick), if you want to impress the film snobs, Citizen Kane is completely passe. Try Satyricon, Gotterdammerung, Alphaville... Next time you need to critique somebody's snobbish attitude, don't flash something so trite :) Although Citizen Kane is a good enough movie, it's no Robocop.

Re:Four words is too many for ya by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-03 08:31 · Score: 0

The difference is, I don't go around angrily pleading with people to refrain from buying Robocop simply because I don't like it, you see. I'm satisfied with not liking it and refraining from haughty assumptions about people who do ("There are other films besides Robocop, you know! Such as Casablanca, uh, and stuff.")

And you opened the door to the ad hominem attacks when you said "You're only proving that the force *does* work wonders on the weak minded." So, neither of us is on the high ground, and I'm comfortable with that. I'll sling mud right alongside you, if that's the way you want to play, but please, let's not play the "innocence wounded" card at this juncture.

And I find Citizen Kane anything but trite, but that's because I have a high opinion of the film, not out of my need to impress others. You find it trite? That's fine. But I'm not going to call you weak-minded for not liking it, because, you see, I'm just better than you are. That's right.

See you around, Chuckles.
Re:Four words is too many for ya by Benwick · 2002-08-03 09:43 · Score: 1

I only meant trite in terms of the choice, not in terms of the movie itself... Citizen Kane is too easy is all I meant. Cheers to the other stuff.

Re:"Technical" information in the "making of" foot by DrEldarion · 2002-08-02 17:40 · Score: 2

I've seen some of the technical information on those robots. Apparently the lower half of the robot who played Padme was made entirely of hot grits.

-- Dr. Eldarion --

puzzling gap by Tablizer · 2002-08-02 17:41 · Score: 2

And maybe some hints as to why the senator/princess didn't give a shct that her fiance just admitted to slaughtering a bunch of children in a mad rage?

--
Table-ized A.I.

Re:puzzling gap by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 18:17 · Score: 0

"To feel anger is to be human." - Padme
"But I'm a Jedi. I know I'm better than that." - Anakin
Re:puzzling gap by the_verb · 2002-08-02 19:15 · Score: 1

Reminds me of the night a friend and I watched EpII. "Genocide!" she says loud enough for the theater to hear, "The way to every woman's heart!"

I choked on popcorn laughing. That Anakin... what a friendly guy!

--the verb

It's even better for the UK... by Lardmonster · 2002-08-02 17:49 · Score: 2, Informative

According to Auntie Beeb, the UK gets it on November 11th. Strange - we usually get releases about a month after everywhere else! Woo!

--
The more advanced the technology, the more open it is to primitive attack

Re:It's even better for the UK... by cei · 2002-08-02 18:35 · Score: 2

The UK edition doesn't have the 26 frames of head-butt in the Jango/Obi-Wan fight sequence. Naturally, they can release it a day earlier... ;^)

--
This sig intentionally left justified.

Padme likes Bad Boys by Orion+Blastar · 2002-08-02 18:14 · Score: 1

how else is she going to marry a guy who admitted to slaughtering a bunch of Sand-Children and talks about a Dictatorship being a cool idea? Like many women, she is attracted to jerks. This jerk, apparently, becomes Darth Vader later on.

--
Remember, Slashdot does not have a -1 disagree moderation, and no, troll, flamebait, and overrated are not substitutes.

Re:Best Part Of Phantom Menace DVD Was The "Making by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 18:23 · Score: 0

Expect similar in Ep II.

Re:Best Part Of Phantom Menace DVD Was The "Making by ObitMan · 2002-08-02 18:40 · Score: 0

I hate eastereggs on DVD;s
fer fucks sake, people pay for the discs then have to jump through hoops to see the movies?
Then there's that whole advertizement for other movies that you cant skip through.
bleah

--
Who run Barter Town?

Dorks by rblancarte · 2002-08-02 19:14 · Score: 1

You are all dorks. It's just Star Wars, not the fucking Bible.

--
It is human nature to take shortcuts in thinking.

Please! by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 19:24 · Score: 0

I'm trying to get that HORRID film erased from my memory. Anyone DUMB enough, or sadistic enough to sit through hours of that crap again, gets what they deserve...trapped in a little corner, in a closest, in hell, with Richard Simmons, watching reruns of the Lawrence Welk show.

Does it have a Jar Jar elimination mode? by nenolod · 2002-08-02 19:38 · Score: 1

Can you get the movie without the annoying J. J. Binks?

Sh*t in a box by Aqua+OS+X · 2002-08-02 19:56 · Score: 3, Funny

Damn, I knew -someone- would find a way to sell sh*t in a box someday. Go figure, it's go'na be George Lucas. ;)

(I guess this post will drop my good Slashdot karma down a peg.)

--
"Things are more moderner than before- bigger, and yet smaller- it's computers-- San Dimas High School football RULES!"

Nov? by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 20:03 · Score: 0

Heh too late i already downloaded it and burned a vcd. I woulda bought it but they take too damn long to release the movies. Oh well...

Why you shouldn't buy this DVD by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 21:01 · Score: 0

* It has a really stupid script.

Do you want to see even more hours of "jedi goes to place A, bla bla, lightsaber, anakin goes to place B, bla bla, lightsaber, everybody goes to one place, bla bla, lightsaber" ? It's not even funny how boring the movie is.

* It has some really bad acting.

The guy playing anakin could be the new russel crowe. He just sticks around in the scenes, barely trying to act when he is not too bored. Oh yeah, thet princes girl is just dull, as well. Their love scenes easily beet the worst romantic movie ever made, "meet joe black", in making you really wish for the uninspired horror to end.

* It has some really bad effects.

Star Wars movies used to be state-of-the-art regarding visual effects. This one is not. Some work is really bad, like the scene where anakin is "surfing" on a giant bug thing. He is out of place with the CGI, and the whole scene is completely superfluous anyway. Some rendering is quite crappy ,too. A few scenes have a light jitter around CGIs that will make you think they rendered them with broken FPUs. And as usual with the Start wars prequels, the light & shading work on the effects is either not there, or not done properly.

* MPAA

If your consumer rights mean anything to you, you shouldn't support publishers that try to restrict them. This DVD will most probably have a region code (which limits your ability to play it, and "cracking" that one could get you in jail because of DMCA), and be CSS-"encrypted" to prevent you from using your "fair use" rights (again, jail-time option for customers included). Vote with your bucks.

out on the 11th in UK by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 21:07 · Score: 0

according to the BBC we'll be getting it a day earlier than the US, makes a nice change :)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/21 68 118.stm

makes sense by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 21:14 · Score: 0

they figure the same demographic thats buying LOTR will probably buy starwars, but know that unlike LOTR a lot weren't impressed enough with the movie to go shopping specifically for Ep2, if they release it on the same day they get a whole bunch of "might as well get it while I'm here" buyers.

This is our chance by BobSutan · 2002-08-02 21:17 · Score: 1

Okay folks. This is our chance to really hit them where it hurts. Most people in the industry like us that happen to have a clue also happen to like Star Wars. When all of us boycott the DVD release and everyone wonders why its sales are so shitty, they won't have any other explanation besides us not buying into A. the horrible practices of the **AA, B. the kickbacks, er, I mean donations to our congresscriters, and C. laws that restrict technology instead of punishing those that use it for illicit purposes.

--
"On a scale from 1 to 10, people are stupid"

Re:This is our chance by WebMasterJoe · 2002-08-04 03:54 · Score: 2

When all of us boycott the DVD release and everyone wonders why its sales are so shitty, they won't have any other explanation
Nice idea, but if you were able to pull off at least a partial boycott, they wouldn't think it was because of their own bad practices. They'd point to pirating to explain their poor sales, just like the RIAA blamed pirating for a year of bad music, unreasonable prices, and a major terrorist attack (and, to be fair, pirating, but that has yet to prove to be positive or negative for sales).

--
I really hate signatures, but go to my website.

Re:Fanatics by Treeluvinhippy · 2002-08-02 22:47 · Score: 1

You are all fanatics. It's just the bible, not fucking Star Wars.

--
>

Great by fizban · 2002-08-02 23:26 · Score: 1

...features six hours of additional material including a documentary about the movie made by Lucas and the movie's other filmmakers...

Excellent! I look forward with anticipation to the 6 hours of "The Jar Jar Justification," "The Birth of Jar Jar" and "Hey Jar, wassa happenin? Yousa wanna doa interviewsa?"

--

+1 Insightful, -1 Troll. What can I say, I'm an Insightful Troll.

Sadly (?), I preferred Harry Potter by tuxedobob · 2002-08-02 23:32 · Score: 2, Insightful

Actually, I for one thought Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was more enjoyable than The Phantom Menace. I bought the former, not the latter. Quidditch (sp?) and authentic accents beat out podracing and affected accents.

As for Episode 2, it was rather mediocre. If the scene with Senator ex-Queen Amidala Portman had been longer and had better lighting, maybe even less leather, it might have made up for Hyperactive Bouncing Superball Yoda.

Released a day earlier in the UK. by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-02 23:41 · Score: 0

For some reason, we here in the UK will be graced with the DVD release a day earlier than you guys in the States. Don't know why, but it's surely got to be the first time that's ever happened.

Somebody lock George Lucas up by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-03 01:14 · Score: 0

As if I would spend more money on that piece of poor filmmaking... somebody lock George Lucas up before he makes more. It's about time somebody spoke up and said "George Lucas sucks!"

Anon

Did he? by Snaller · 2002-08-03 02:45 · Score: 2

, and please note that Lucas had that idea some twenty years ago, so it's not like he's trying to pander to anyone.

Did he? Seems there have been enough revealed to suggest that he is making it up as he goes...

--
If Google really cared they would fix Android Chrome to reflow text, instead of discriminating

I agree by Conrad_Bombora · 2002-08-03 04:01 · Score: 1

Funny, thinking about it I have to agree with you on that. I never read the books and the only resign I saw Harry potter was because my girlfriend wanted to see it. I thought it would have been another movie to put me to sleep, like Moolin Rouge so I had 3 gin & tonics before the show. But to my surprise it was pretty good, much better then star wars episode 1 and a little better then episode 2.
I give episode 2 more credit because it had Boba Fet in it even though he was only 11 or something. Anything with Boba Fet in it is cool by default. So in other words if Boba Fet was in Harry Potter it would be the greatest movie of all time.

But is one of those scenes by jasonditz · 2002-08-03 04:03 · Score: 1

The one where Eric Raymond whips out his lightsabre and starts killing Tusken Raiders in Mos Redmond?

A question? "the bane of are geekyness" by Conrad_Bombora · 2002-08-03 04:45 · Score: 1

Ok people how many of you watch all this extra 5hit?
Or more to the point how many people out there buy movies and never watch them?
I know I do, and it's ridiculous if you think about it. I have DVDs that are still in there plastic and I'll probably never watch them.
I think the only resign why I buy them is for the geek factor like Logan's Run for instance "oh wow look Logan's Run's on DVD with extra footage I better get this!"
I'm never-guna watch Logan's Run again, but there it is, I'm looking at it right now and you know what?...
it's still in it's plastic next to other DVD's in the same condition.

I get the feeling I'm not the only one who does this.

Don't buy it! by unoengborg · 2002-08-03 06:53 · Score: 1

As long as MPAA supports DRM like MS-Palladium
I'm not going to buy DVDs or go to the movies.
I urge others to do the same. It's easier for
most people to live without film, than it is
for movie studios to live without customers.

Digital Rights Management software is a threat
to democracy. Not because they prevent you from
pirate DVDs but because it builds an infrastructure
to control information. And free flow of information
is the air democracy breathes

--
God is REAL! Unless explicitly declared INTEGER

You are a hateful fuck by Anonymous Coward · 2002-08-04 10:59 · Score: 0

9/11 was about this country coming together, not dividing and going apart. If you don't share the enthusiasm that the majority of /. readers have for Star Wars, the least you can do is stop pissing in everybody's pool.

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Star Wars Episode II DVD Release on Nov. 12

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