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THX-1138: The (Digitally Enhanced) Director's Cut
StefanJ writes "This is either a marvelous Photoshop hoax or something really . . . cool? Sacreligious? Unnecessary? Reportedly, George Lucas has given his first commercially released movie, THX1138, a digital workover, enhancing backgrounds and altering scenes for more eye-appeal. Here are some comparisons of original and altered scenes. For those who haven't seen the film: Without giving too much away, it's about a working stiff living in a repressive underground bomb-shelter society. Emotion-suppressing drugs are mandatory; people shuffle from work to home, pausing to buy consumer goods along the way. (The goods aren't used for anything; you just feed them into a disposal unit after you get home. Making them keeps people busy . . .) If the drugs don't work, you can vent your spleen in a confession booth manned by a really bad A.I. It's really bleak, and sometimes ugly, but worth seeing. I hope the enhancements don't add too much color: The drab, sterile, white-on-white environment of the underground city is an important mood-setter. Consume more; be happy!"
As far as first films by future 'masters' is concerned. I'd rather wait for the digitally enhanced version of John Carpenter's Dark Star to be made and released. The existing DVD already has a Director's cut included (this might be the un-enhanced student version though, I've only seen the movie on cable).
Work for Change & GET PAID!
I saw the enhanced trailer for it not to long ago.
I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it.
Get back to working on Star Wars, you lazy bum. And do it right this time!
"If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid." - Epictetus
This reminds me very strong of an episode from South Park: Free Hat...
My photo's.
There's a second comparison page here
I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it.
From what I understand, THX is decent at best. It's only gained esteem due to his other titles out there.
"Here's a spoiler: You're will die alone."-Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
...with the white-on-white borderless rooms. All the actors seem to be removed in this version. And I don't think I remember the "website cannot be found" message in the original.
Them:"Lucas is updating X movie to show his true vision which couldn't be expressed at the time due to technical limitations." Us: "Please God no."
12:50 - press return.
I saw this first on Fark quite some time ago. They even had a photoshop contest for it. After a little research, this is no hoax at all. I can't wait to see what Lucas does with this film, a film that lead to so many others like it, yet none were quite as good. Can't wait to see the final results!
The dangers of knowledge trigger emotional distress in human beings.
Hasn't Mr. "Lets do another trivially improved release of my movie so people cough up another $20 for it" kind of lost his right to make a movie criticizing consumerism?
Or perhaps he's already taking those drugs, which explains his directing on Episode II.
THX 1138
...they include the original version and include scene markers. I'm a real stickler for the originals. I love the latest Alien release. It includes the original theatrical release and then a director's cut where I can activate text scene markers and know exactly what was changed. You can choose what versions you like best and actually learn something about how the editing process can change your perception of a film.
All replies will be of the following:
(a) FP!
(b) GNAA
(c) How dare he change the film.
(d) How dare the DVD not have both version.
(e) Star Wars sucks now, you bastard.
(f) Proffit!
This would make Lucas the Puff Daddy of Movies. Taking existing good movies and "remixing" them to put out something not near as good as the origional.
Evolution or ID?
(g) I'll summarize all the posts: ...
The DVD is being released on Sept. 14 of this year. Here's the cover art.
It has it's own homepage
Direct link to the trailer (quicktime).
I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it.
While I agree that THX-1138 is obviously inspired by Brave New World, I think calling it a "ripoff" is a bit harsh. That implies that he just ganked the plot and made a few bucks. What it is, is a reworking of some of the same themes within a different medium. That's perfectly legitimate and valuable in many cases.
THX-1138 is also one of a depressingly few science fiction movies that isn't watered-down drivel with some special effects thrown in. I highly recommend it.
"Its just people shuffling around in bad clothes and having pointless conversations. If I want to see that I can go to the mall on weekdays and watch old people."
Heh, sounded to me like you were describing teenagers.
"Gold still represents the ultimate form of payment in the world." - Alan Greenspan, 1999
...was when those 2 guys were talking and Robert Duvall was convulsing on the floor. Just loved the technical conversation as he was suffering.
In Soviet Russia, THX-1138 changes George Lucas!
If he's busy working on THX, then that means people are thinking independently on what to do on Episode 3.
Everytime george wasn't in command, we got decent films.
And we'd all rather him be busy on a less liked film (sorry THX fans...) or "More American Graffiti" (Sorry, you one MAG fan...)
Why does he waste his time doing this? Especially with movies that weren't particularly good the first time around anyway.
Lucas movies don't suffer from lack of visual appeal. They suffer from poor direction (with maybe 1 or 2 exceptions, American Graffiti is the only one that comes to mind). The best Lucas films are the ones where he doesn't direct. He should really stay out of the director's chair and stick with writing and maybe producing.
2) One of the most annoying things to me about the "enhanced" special editions was the music. In some spots, where he extended scenes, he just replayed the last few moments of music in the original scene, so it sounds like a CD skip. What an idiot.
Please don't mod the parent down just because you disagree. THX 1138 is slow, deliberate, cerebral, and careful; and most movie fans (especially those who prefer the quick pace of modern cinema) will indeed find it boring. Those of us who prefer movies that stimulate the mind over those that stimulate the adrenaline glands and genitals will find THX quite enjoyable. The parent post still makes a valid point: many people (slashdot readers included) will find that THX 1138 doesn't have the kind action that they like.
Given that Lucas's THX-1138 was an obvious and pivotal influence on the paper roleplaying game PARANOIA, it is perhaps on-topic to mention that the game of a darkly humorous future is returning to print this August in a new edition from Mongoose Publishing, as previously covered on Slashdot.
The new PARANOIA XP edition emphasizes the Alpha Complex sort-of economy and a new consumerism very much in tune with THX-1138. You can follow the development of the game on the PARANOIA development blog.