No, it's Depeche Mode.  And yes, they all died in a plane crash in the Alps last night.

Good point, name.  I'd forgotten his "." phase...  What a fucko.

Was it a phase, or was it just his unique way of rage-quitting the boards after everybody made fun of his definition of "tumbleweed?"


(It's too bad the GH forums have **** the bed, by the way.)

Could that return be affected though, by the fact that these movies just needed tweaking compared to full production?  Or is it sill going to be super expensive to try?

This article indicates that 2-D to 3-D conversions usually cost around a million dollars or less:

How Do You Convert a Flat Movie Into 3-D?

And this was from the article I posted earlier:

 

If you ask the medium's most dedicated evangelists what's wrong with 3-D, they'll point to the shoddy, post-production upgrades that flooded the market after Avatar. "It was just being applied liked a layer, purely for profit motive," said James Cameron, who rates the quality of 3-D in dimensional fractions, 2.2-D or 2.5-D. According to this theory, high-end, "real" 3-D sells itself, while the crappy, cash-in conversions—the "fake" 3-D—destroys the brand.

Again, there's some supporting evidence. Using information gleaned from http://www.RealOrFake3D.com, it's possible to compare box-office numbers from converted and native 3-D films: Since 2010, "real" films have an average ratio of 1.00, meaning they earn about the same amount from 3-D and 2-D on a per-theater basis. The "fake" films from that period had an average ratio of 0.87, which equates to minus-13 percent. It's also the case that fakeness is on the rise—it now accounts for about half of all 3-D releases—which could explain the general worsening of 3-D returns.

There was something in Brian's post I quoted about how all six films have already been converted to 3-D.  If that's true, and Phantom Menace tanks next year, I can see them scrapping the one-a-year plan and instead releasing them all next year, within a few weeks or a month of each other--like they did in '97--in honor of "the franchise's" 35th anniversary.  If they're already done.

What was everybody else doing twenty years ago today?

The story of Guns N' Roses' Use Your Illusion I & II ~ Celebrating the 20th anniversary with exclusive commentary from Slash

Use Your Illusion Turns 20





I feel old.

From the review up at blu-ray.com

Bonus Disc 2: Original Trilogy Features

Episode IV - Tatooine

    Interviews
        Tatooine Overview (3:49): Production illustrator Ralph McQuarrie talks about some of his initial paintings/drawings for George Lucas, 2nd Cameraman Dennis Muren discusses the Tunisian shoot, and sound effect artist Ben Burtt describes how he came up with the Jawa language.
        Mark Hamill Interview (2:15): Hamill briefly discusses working with Lucas, meeting Alec Guiness, and having fun on set.
        Anthony Daniels Interview (1:21): Daniels talks about the odd couple relationship between C-3PO and R2.
    Deleted/Extended Scenes
        Tosche Station (5:21): Awesome. Ever wonder what Tosche Station is? Turns out it's the local hangout for Luke and his buddies. There's a great scene here where Biggs reveals to Luke his plan to join the rebellion. You can see why this was cut--it would definitely slow down the film-- but it's a great piece of previously unseen Star Wars history.
        Old Woman on Tatooine (00:24): An elderly woman tells Luke to drive safely.
        Aunt Beru's Blue Milk (00:31): A shot of Beru filling up her pitcher with that gross-looking gray/blue liquid they drink at the dinner table.
        The Search for R2-D2 (00:42): Lucas cut this scene because he thought the rear projection visual effects weren't up to snuff.
        Cantina Rough Cut (7:18): A preliminary version of the Cantina sequence. Look out for Han-Solo hanging out with a local lady friend!
        Stormtrooper Search (00:54): Some of this unused footage found its way into the Star Wars Holiday Special.
    The Collection: Includes sections for Landspeeder Prototype Model, Millenium Falcon Prototype Model, R2-D2, Tatooine From Orbit Matte Painting, Jawa Costume, Tusken Raider Mask, and Ketwol Mask.
        360 Degree Turnarounds
        Video Commentaries
    Concept Art Gallery

Episode IV - Aboard the Death Star

    Interviews
        Aboard the Death Star Overview (5:47): Sound effects designer Ben Burtt talks about how he had a "field day" making sounds for the Death Star.
        Carrie Fisher Interview (1:45): Fischer discusses the audition process and her reaction to her theme in the score.
    Deleted/Extended Scene
        Darth Vader Widens the Search (00:36): Additional footage that made its way into the holiday special.
    The Collection: Includes sections for Death Star Prototype Model, Holo-Chess Set, Bridge Power Trench Matte Painting, and Luke's Stormtrooper Torso.
        360 Degree Turnarounds
        Video Commentaries
    Concept Art Gallery

Episode IV - The Battle of Yavin

    Battle of Yavin Overview (4:22): Dennis Muren discusses the process of filming the Death Star trench run sequence.
    Deleted/Extended Scene
        Alternate Biggs and Luke Reunion (00:36): An extended version of the scene, including a reference to Anakin.
    The Collection: Includes sections for X-Wing Fighter Prototype and Final Models, Y-Wing Prototype and Final Models, TIE Fighter Prototype and Final Models, Darth Vader's TIE Fighter Model, X-Wing Pilot Costume, Death Star Laster Tower Model, and Yavin 4 Matte Painting.
        360 Degree Turnarounds
        Video Commentaries
    Concept Art Gallery

Episode V - Hoth

    Interviews
        Hoth Overview (3:31): Dennis Muren explains how he tried to do as many of the effects in-camera to avoid having to do complicated composite work. There's some great footage here of the filming of some stop-motion sequences.
        George Lucas on Editing The Empire Strikes Back, 1979 (3:25): A vintage interview with George, who compares editing to constructing a house.
        Irvin Kershner Interview (3:02): Kershner gives his thoughts on Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher.
    Deleted/Extended Scenes
        Han and Leia: Extended Echo Base Argument (1:43): Nice. In this long version of their arguement, Han tells Leia, "You're as cold as this planet."
        Luke's Recovery (1:16): Additional footage of Luke in the medical tank.
        Luke and Leia: Medical Center (2:15): Luke and Leia very nearly end up making out, only to be interrupted by R2.
        Deleted Wampa Scenes (2:43): In the script, the Wampa was supposed to rampage through the Hoth base, but Lucas was unimpressed with the effects work--it's not hard to see why, the Wampa looks like a guy wearing a shag carpet--and the subplot was cut.
        The Fate of General Veers (00:31): Here, General Veers suffers a kamikaze attack from a snowspeeder.
    The Collection: Includes sections for AT-AT Walker Fallen Model, Snowspeeder Model, Tauntaun Maquette, Rebel Transport Model, Hoth Landscape Matte Painting, Leia Hoth Costume, and Han Solo Interior Hoth Costume.
        360 Degree Turnarounds
        Video Commentaries
    Concept Art Gallery

Episode V - Dagobah

    Interviews
        Dagobah Overview (4:29): A behind-the-scenes look at the Dagobah set, which presented some unique challenges to shooting. Frank Oz also discusses Yoda's speech syntax.
        George Lucas on the Force, 2010 (5:20): Lucas talks about the philosophy of the Force in what looks to be a writer's room.
    Deleted/Extended Scene
        Yoda's Test (1:21): The special effects were never completed on this sequence, which has Yoda levitating a silver bar and having Luke try to slice it in half.
    The Collection: Includes sections for Yoda Model, Luke's Severed Head, Dagobah Bog Matte Painting, Dagobah Matte Painting, and Luke's Tan Costume.
        360 Degree Turnarounds
        Video Commentaries
    Concept Art Gallery

Episode V - Pursued by the Imperial Fleet

    Pursued by the Imperial Fleet Overview (3:25): Muren talks about the execution of the astroid chase sequence.
    Deleted/Extended Scenes
        Hiding in the Astroid (1:06): Here we see Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher reacting to "explosions," which were really just the cameraman shaking the camera.
        Alternate Han and Leia Kiss (1:59): A longer version of the Han/Leia kiss, with C-3PO ruining the moment.
    The Collection: Includes sections for Star Destroyer Model, Millennium Falcon Model, Space Slug, Darth Vader's Star Destroyer Model, Star Destroyer Hull Model, Executor Bridge Matte Painting, Boba Fett Prototype Costume, Imperial Officer Costume, and Rebel Cruiser Model.
        360 Degree Turnarounds
        Video Commentaries
    Concept Art Gallery

Episode V - Cloud City

    Cloud City Overview (2:54): Production designer Norman Reynolds talks about the influence of the Bauhaus school of architecture on Cloud City.
    Deleted/Extended Scenes
        Lobot's Capture (00:57): Here, Lando's aide, Lobot, is captured for his role in the rebel escape.
        Leia Tends to Luke (1:03): Leia works on Luke's arm and talks about how Han was taken by Boba Fett.
    The Collection: Includes sections for Twin-Pod Cloud Car Model, Cloud City Models, Cloud City Matte Painting, Cloud City Landing Platform Matte Painting, Cloud City Core Vane Matte Painting, Core Vane Platform Matte Painting, Lando Bespin Costume, and Slave I Matte Painting.
        360 Degree Turnarounds
        Video Commentaries
    Concept Art Gallery

Episode VI - Tatooine

    Tatooine Overview: A look at the production design for Jabba's palace.
    Deleted/Extended Scenes
        Vader's Arrival and Reaching Out to Luke (2:50): A nearly complete sequence that almost made it into the final cut, with Vader contacting Luke via the Force while Luke builds his new lightsaber.
        Tatooine Sandstorm (2:15): An impressive sandstorm sequence that never made it into the film. With big goggles and a scarf blowing in the wind, Han Solo looks like a badass here.
    The Collection: Includes sections for Rancor Maquette, EV-9D9, Salacious B. Crumb, C-3PO's Head, Jabba's Palace Matte Painting, Sarlacc Pit Matte Painting, Leia's Boushh Costume, Leia's Slave Costume, Lando Skiff Guard Costume, and Jabba's Radio Controlled Eyes.
        360 Degree Turnarounds
        Video Commentaries
    Concept Art Gallery

Episode VI - Endor

    Interviews
        Endor Overview (4:52): Dennis Muren explains how he initially planed out the speeder-bike chase using G.I. Joe models, and how he simulated 100mph speeds by shooting one frame per second.
        Harrison Ford Interview (1:34): Ford talks about Lucas' vision and process.
    Deleted/Extended Scene
        Rebel Raid on the Bunker (2:22): In this extended sequence, the rebels encounter more resistance as they storm the bunker.
    The Collection: Includes sections for AT-ST Walker Model, Speeder Bike, Imperial Shuttle Model, Ewok Hang Glider Maquette, Imperial Shuttle Landing Matte Painting, Endor Landing Platform Matte Painting, Ewok Costume, and Biker Scout Costume.
        360 Degree Turnarounds
        Video Commentaries
    Concept Art Gallery

Episode VI - Death Star II Space Battle

    Death Star II Space Battle Overview (4:04): Model maker Bill George discusses the added complexities of shooting this attack on the second Death Star.
    Deleted/Extended Scenes
        Jerjerrod's Conflict (2:28): Minor character Commander Jerjerrod was featured in a few additional shots that were ultimately cut from the film. Here, we see his reluctance to carry out the attack on the Endor moon.
        Battle of Endor: The Lost Rebels (9:40): Nine minutes of footage of rebel pilots who never made it into the film, including two female pilots and an Admiral Ackbar-type creature who, at one point, yells out, "Fried calamari tonight!"
    The Collection: Includes sections for B-Wing Fighter Model, TIE Interceptor Fighter Model, Death Star Under Construction Model, Imperial Shuttle Bay Matte Painting, Admiral Ackbar Costume, Death Star Docking Bay Matte Painting, and Millennium Falcon in Hangar Matte Painting.
        360 Degree Turnarounds
        Video Commentaries
    Concept Art Gallery

You know the only change I'd ever like to see in Raiders would be for them to remove that wall of fire when Belloq's head explodes.

From The Digital Bits

At last night's L.A. Times/Hero Complex screening of Raiders of the Lost Ark in Los Angeles, director Steven Spielberg confirmed that the Indiana Jones films are "coming soon" to Blu-ray, but only when producer George Lucas is ready. Spielberg would apparently like that to be within 6 months, while Lucas is apparently on more of a 12-month schedule. [Editor's Note: Our industry sources continue to tell us to look for the release in the 2nd half of 2012, as part of Paramount's 100th studio anniversary celebration.] The print that was shown last night was the digital restoration that will be used for the Blu-ray, and it apparently looks terrific. Spielberg reportedly made a point of noting that nothing has been tampered with in the film and there's no added dialogue, which drew some laughs from the crowd for obvious reasons. It's not yet decided if the set will include all four films in the series or just the unreleased trilogy. Star Harrison Ford was also on hand at the event as a guest and said he'd be up for doing a 5th Indy film as long as his character "isn't going to Mars" (which drew more laughs as you can imagine). Talks for a sequel are apparently under way.

As big as they are on anniversaries, it's weird that they did Star Wars this year instead of next (it's 35th), and didn't do Raiders this year (it's 30th).

And it's not Indy, but this deserves mentioning, too.

Spielberg also confirmed again that E.T. is coming to Blu-ray from Universal in 2012, but likely only the original theatrical cut. He asked the audience if they'd care if the "new" version wasn't on the Blu-ray, which generated a big "NO!" Spielberg acknowledged this and said he regrets making the changes he did for the DVD.

(It's 30th.)

More (of Lando) at RS