Steven Awalt

Too true about needing all three major versions of the film on DVD. Before Universal/Amblin even announced their plans for the E.T. DVD, people assumed the worst and figured Spielberg wouldn't release both versions on disc. Where are all the complaints about the lack of CE3K versions on DVD (I mean this in general, not to the members of this Forum). I had the laserdisc with the '77/'80 version back in the old days, but when my LD player died, I sold off all my beloved Spielberg discs, figuring they would all be out on DVD soon. I am regretting the loss of the CE3K disc now, and the Indy films... To throw in my sales pitch for the existing DVD with the CE cut though, I too agree--if you don't own it yet, you're not treating yourself right . For my vote, I'd give all versions an extremely high 9 (pushing so close to 10, as it's a classic, but there are a few issues I have with all versions).

Ebert (and Roeper) said that quote, or something really similar, on their show this weekend. Fox was already sending out Minority Report emails with the quote in huge letters (that and "two thumbs, way up!") the day the quote broke. Ebert's review isn't online yet, but I can't wait to see what he says in it. The man is going nuts excited about it. Can't wait til Friday!!!

Ouch. Can anyone lend me a tissue? :cry: My heart dropped when I read someone doesn't like me and even gave me a devil face. I've never even met Luke Skywalker (although I worshiped him as a child) . I read the posts out of order and didn't know what I did now! Luke, the second part is my rambling from my site, and please, don't "hate" me for my opinion. I actually have a lot of respect for Lucas in some ways still (although I don't always show it). I've just been upset about some things he's said in media lately (at fan and critics expense--the people who made his bank account what it is) and his tactics trying to push digital technology down everyone's throats (namely, NATO). Anyway, my words are just personal opinon, nothing to upset anyone. 8O . I offer an olive branch of kindness (a real honest to God prop, not a CG one that doesn't mesh with digitally created backgrounds) to hope noone curses me with any more devil heads. Whoops. More jabs at George's CG. Sorry.

I totally, and politely, disagree with saying Cruise isn't Oscar caliber. I used to think he was just a pretty boy from movies like Top Gun and Cocktail, but movies like that are actually rarer in his body of work now than not. Born on the Fourth of July, Rain Man, A Few Good Men, Eyes Wide Shut, Vanilla Sky. All excellent performances. Jerry McGuire I can do without a lot of the posturing in, but to say he's on the same level as Freddie Prinze, Jr. is absolutely ludicrous. And the man is obviously very dedicated and interested in his work, and when he is asked intelligent questions by intelligent journalists, he is well spoken and interesting to listen too. And again, I agree that it's just the media feeding the general populus what they want to hear (garbage trivia about other people's personal lives). But that doesn't mean I have to like it

We could hope they'll talk about Minority Report for the whole hour, but considering the interviewer and how they all treat Tom Cruise, I'd be shocked if we don't have to sit through stuff about Cruise's personal life, his braces, his birthday and all that other junk. Why aren't people interested more in Cruise talking about his craft? This kind of thing drives me nuts in relation to Spielberg films, as the film should be the centerpiece, not the actor's personal life. Argggh. I'm okay now. Just had to vent over the shallow media. :roll:

SPOILER: The trailers have never mentioned Anderton's son Sean, but a couple of visuals in one of the TV spots allude to him...

I'd be shocked if there were any songs in the film. As for Agatha (SKIP FOR POSSIBLE SPOILER, DEPENDING HOW UPTIGHT YOU ARE ) Agatha is the Precog seen in the previews with Tom Cruise's character. Nothing to fear that she's a pop singer. Also, I agree, "Can You See" most likely is a quote, as perception is a big theme in the film.

Spielberg said in the Cinescape article that the film would come out "probably June 29th or July 4th.? (June 29th would be nice since it's even earlier). I think the July 4th thing is just a "July 4th Holiday weekend" kind of generalization. Who knows though, Lucas opened AOTC on a Thursday of all days. Maybe they want to open it on the holiday on a Monday to show how big their box-office manhood is Unorthodox, but it'd be neat to see what kind of box-office a giant film from a legendary series could draw on such a wacky day. Could it get Joe 6-Pack away from his BBQ, beer and sparklers? The more logical bet of course would be the weekend of the holiday. But really, who cares at this point? I'm sure the media will milk the proposed release date for the next three years too. Remember all the "Indy 4" magazine covers that have sold over the last decade? Big business all these rumors...

Sounds like that may be on the money from what Spielberg has said of the score (a great source , and he's said a lot more than anyone else about the score). By his account, it will be atonal (like Lost World) and we'll "feel" it more than hear it. Cool. Given the key character of Anderton's background, though, their could be great potential for a great thematic, "tonal" piece, very emotional. Here's hoping.

It's official now. Spielberg himself confirms the news (Darabont, the release) in the July Cinescape.

I'd read in multiple places that Williams had to pass on JP3 because his comittment to score A.I. made it impossible to score both films (due to the close proximity of production/release). Not sure if that's how Williams' saw it, but a handful of reports said as much.

Does anyone have/know where I can find a listing of the selections played in the concert?

I think everyone should give the film a chance. From all I know about it, the film is not hardcore sci-fi (it is only set 52 years into the future) and the entire film is not grey and rainsoaked, despite the designer being the artist behind The Crow and Fight Club. Design-wise (let alone in any other sense) it looks to be light years away from A.I. as well. I bet people are not only going to be pleasantly surprised, but out and out thrilled. This film will put all of the other summer films to shame for story and character, and the concept alone is going to be worth the price of admission (which, for the record, preceeds Logan's Run's source novel by at least half a decade). For those who read Dick's great short story, the changes that have been made will take an already great telling into a whole new level. As for Williams score, I've been reading a lot of talk about it being very techno (where this comes from, I don't know, as no one who claims to know this as a "fact" names any sources), but I wouldn't be surprised if it is more in the classic vein of Williams' action writing. The action sequence played on Entertainment Tonight contained music that sounded very Lost World-ish, and the bit of intro music to the official website sound to employ traditional orchestra as well. Thank God if this is true, because I don't know how well sci-fish music would play against what we've seen. Hands down, I bet this movie will be THE movie of the summer for fans who like intelligent, yet exciting moviegoing.

It's Itzhak Perlman for me. Some of the most beautiful and emotional sounds I've ever heard come out of a musical instrument came through his hands on Schindler's List, courtesy Mr. Williams' compositions, of course

Did you record the Lost World synth score as a lark or is it a release you bought somewhere?

Cool idea for an album! Thanks for the info. Anyone have a chance to hear the entire CD yet? It's tempting to get the used disc for so cheap.

The novelization (which of course is only cannon if Lucas decides it is when he needs to) says that Typho is Panaka's nephew or younger brother or something relative. It also says he lost his eye in the Battle of Naboo from TPM. That's why he has that stupid eye patch. I read Panaka didn't do the film either due to cash. It probably comes down to this: Lucas fired Panaka so he could have a new character to create a new action figure to sell

Hymn to the Fallen on Saving Private Ryan is worth the price alone, methinks. Especially if you found it used! The rest of the SPR score is very, very subdued, as Joe said, by design. Schindler's List is just a beautiful score all around. The main theme is Williams' best work in the 90's along with the Jurassic Park themes (IMHO). Makes my heart ache every time I hear it.

Can anyone identify the source of the music in the video files for AOTC that IGN Filmforce has been posting? (http://filmforce.ign.com/starwars/articles/360/360558p1.html). I know there was some Star Wars Lounge album out a number of years ago. Is this where these interesting varations on Williams work are from? Thanks for your help!

I'd personally go with love the score, highly let-down by the movie. It's one of Spielberg weaker efforts, and one of Williams' strongest (IMHO). Hate is such a strong word though, and I don't hate any Spielberg movies even on his worst day.

How could anyone at least not appreciate Spielberg? He's hands down the most diverse director that's ever passed through Hollywood, in all the different style and types of films he has made (and continues to make). I love that he's made a film for almost every mood I could be in: from action to horror to comedy to romance and more. And I agree (humbly) with everyone who has said Spielberg would be a bad (terrible) choice for Star Wars or Harry Potter. That kind of thinking made Hook, something Spielberg was terribly unsuited for, no matter what critics who think he is "the enternal man-child" and all that nonsense think.

If you're about to rip on 1941, Guest, I don't think you should be entitled to your opinion either In honor of free speech, and to combat the oh so terrible complaints (how dare you people have opinions!), the 1941 score is great.

I think Rise of the Empire or something to that effect would be good. Bland, perhaps, but fitting. The one thing that drives me nuts about the current films, and yes, it's geeky, is Lucasfilm's using the "Episode x" titles so prominently. I loved that when I was a kid, it was just Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. No Episode this, episode that (besides in the opening titles). Let the films be known by their names, not a generic Roman numeral. The worst thing of this is my Star Wars posters, despite visual continuity in design, are all out of wack because of the big ol' Episode I & II on the first two posters. Life is so tough :cry:

I'd buy it regardless, but I would have great respect for Sony if they listened to fans wants and would issue the AOTC: UE with literally "all of the music John Williams wrote for AOTC". They wouldn't believe the good will this would generate with the core audience who would buy this album to begin. Regardless, I hope a UE is in the works sooner than later (I don't want to have to wait a year and a half again)

(in no particular order): Raiders of the Lost Ark E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Empire Strikes Back Star Wars Return of the Jedi Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Superman Close Encounters of the Third Kind Jaws Poltergeist