Naïve Old Fart 9,553 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Aliens looks like it was made on sub-standard film stock. I wonder why.But it's the films mentality more then anything else that puts it in the 80's. Vietnam allegory, greedy 80's yuppies. It only needed tom Cruise in there somewhere.Check out Cameron's commentry on the DVD/Blu. The bit in question starts at the touchdown of the drop-ship. He also explains why he did not shoot it in 2.35:1.Agreed about the film's mentality, though. It is a film that could only have been made in the '80s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ymenard 54 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Aliens looks like it was made on sub-standard film stock. I wonder why.The Blu-Ray is miles beyond every Aliens release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 The one film that just doesen't age a day is "2001". In fact, it gets more and more prescient with each passing year, as do both "Brazil", and "Blade Runner".Amen to that.Anyway, so what if these films look dated? They were made at a certain time, with all the advances, and the limitations of the day. Does anyone criticize "A Matter Of Life And Death" for looking dated (with, or without Technicolor!)?I don't think they're criticizing them, just pointing out if they look dated or not.As far as Alex is concerned, he's absolutely criticising them for looking 'dated' - his limited perspective (self imposed) wouldn't allow for anything else. I personaly would never seriously rip a movie for showing its age. I was humouring the guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,346 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 The thing that really dates "Aliens", is the graininess of the film, which James Cameron talks about in his commentary.I have the blu-ray. It's an improvement over the DVD, but still, many parts or scenes don't really look that good. Could also be a lighting and composition thing. Especially disappointing after watching Alien. The aspect ratio of Aliens isn't attractive either. It looks 'zoomed in' a little.The one film that just doesen't age a day is "2001". In fact, it gets more and more prescient with each passing year ... and "Blade Runner".Amen to that as well, even though the special effect of Blade Runner do tend to date more since they are all optical effects. Still, in theater, the film is a jewel to behold. The composition, lichting and art direction of these films is so arty and yet functional, it doesn't date, even though you can see from which period they are.Terminator 2 looks really good in HD, BTW. A visual feast after watching Terminator 1.Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandor 797 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I always felt Cronenberg's The Fly is one of the most enduring films from the 80's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricard 2,245 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I always felt Cronenberg's The Fly is one of the most enduring films from the 80's.Agreed. It's also one of his best films, and Shore's best score Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 It's OK, but lacks the thematic abundance of The Lord Of The Rings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricard 2,245 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 It's much more than OK and it doesn't need that many themes, obviously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 If he'd approached it in the same way he did LotR, we'd have a theme for Goldblum, a theme for Davis, a theme for the Fly, a theme for the teleporter, an inverted arrangement of that theme for the other teleporter, a theme for the guy who gets puked on, a theme for that bit of splintered wood in the door frame, a theme for... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brónach 1,302 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 The one film that just doesen't age a day is "2001". In fact, it gets more and more prescient with each passing year ....The lightning in space is wrong. I don't know if they were conscious of this when they were making the film or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,346 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 The one film that just doesen't age a day is "2001". In fact, it gets more and more prescient with each passing year ....The lightning in space is wrong. I don't know if they were conscious of this when they were making the film or not.Is this better? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brónach 1,302 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Lighting, I mean. I thought it was the same word. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wojo 2,453 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 If he'd approached it in the same way he did LotR, we'd have...a theme for that bit of splintered wood in the door frame, a theme for...Shore would have translated the text of Brundle's interactions with the computer into binary, and used that as the framework for an elaborate operatic text, set to music.I got the Varese double-Fly album as part of the barnburner of cheap VS soundtracks but haven't given it much listen yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Whilst I agree that 2001 still looks astoundingly relevant, it's not as immaculately aged as some of you guys like to make it out to be. Some of the costumes date it, and again; it's the hairstyles - specifically the condition of the actors' hair, which betray the rest of the ultra realistic design. Nit-picking perhaps, but valid all the same. This is supposed to be a serious discussion isnt it? My point is all films show their age, even beautifully composed ones. It doesn't matter, and it certainly doesn't make them any less great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brónach 1,302 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 When I set stories in the future I give the characters hairstyles and looks that are already dated right now, so it looks like some of these films. I find it fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,346 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 2001: A space Odyssey looks very sixties but the film is not dated. I wish more films had that level of visual beauty. I can watch it in a whole different way than I would watch a normal movie. Of the photos that Quint posted, only the third one respects the correct aspect ratio. Every film fan should own 2001 on Blu-ray.Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Whilst I agree that 2001 still looks astoundingly relevant, it's not as immaculately aged as some of you guys like to make it out to be. Some of the costumes date it, and again; it's the hairstyles - specifically the condition of the actors' hair, which betray the rest of the ultra realistic design. Nit-picking perhaps, but valid all the same. This is supposed to be a serious discussion isnt it? My point is all films show their age, even beautifully composed ones. It doesn't matter, and it certainly doesn't make them any less great.Good point, Quint. But besides the general dressing styles, 2001 has indeed aged very well in its slick stylistic fashion. Visually its a great film! But God, I will never understand that piece of overrated bull-crap... Please don't hurt me!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 The lightning in space is wrong. I don't know if they were conscious of this when they were making the film or not.Several aspects of how objects would look in space are not 100% accurate. For instance Earth would not look the way it does in 2001, were you can see a sharp outline between the planet and space. In reality it is more diffuse.The reason why this is not accurate is of course because they simply did not have access to this type of information yet. Space travel was still an incredibly rare and secret thing.It's amazing how good this film looks considering the fact that high quality photographs of film material from space was virtually non existent.2001: A space Odyssey looks very sixties but the film is not dated. I wish more films had that level of visual beauty. Of the ones that Quint posted, only the third photo respects the correct aspect ratio. Every film fan should own 2001 on Blu-ray.AlexI agree. You can definitely see the film was made in a certain era. this is unavoidable with any film.But non if it looks dated, or cheesy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brónach 1,302 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 The lightning in space is wrong. I don't know if they were conscious of this when they were making the film or not.Several aspects of how objects would look in space are not 100% accurate. For instance Earth would not look the way it does in 2001, were you can see a sharp outline between the planet and space. In reality it is more diffuse.The reason why this is not accurate is of course because they simply did not have access to this type of information yet. Space travel was still an incredibly rare and secret thing.It's amazing how good this film looks considering the fact that high quality photographs of film material from space was virtually non existent.Because they spent a lot of time thinking on how things would actually look. They made that film right before we started obtaining juicy info from space.They purposely obscured Jupiter and its moons to make it less dated. In a way it was a better idea than going to Saturn. It turns out the Saturnian system is more complex than it was thought back then (and visually stunning, I have to say. I've been obssesed with it for a while). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,346 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I agree. You can definitely see the film was made in a certain era. this is unavoidable with any film.But non if it looks dated, or cheesy.Some more than others, of course. I think Alien looks pretty timeless. Or The Duellists ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 The lightning in space is wrong. I don't know if they were conscious of this when they were making the film or not.Several aspects of how objects would look in space are not 100% accurate. For instance Earth would not look the way it does in 2001, were you can see a sharp outline between the planet and space. In reality it is more diffuse.The reason why this is not accurate is of course because they simply did not have access to this type of information yet. Space travel was still an incredibly rare and secret thing.It's amazing how good this film looks considering the fact that high quality photographs of film material from space was virtually non existent.2001: A space Odyssey looks very sixties but the film is not dated. I wish more films had that level of visual beauty. Of the ones that Quint posted, only the third photo respects the correct aspect ratio. Every film fan should own 2001 on Blu-ray.AlexI agree. You can definitely see the film was made in a certain era. this is unavoidable with any film.But non if it looks dated, or cheesy.I disagree; I think the costumes I linked to look kinda cheesy. Not they dont bother me in particular, but I can imagine casual viewers sniggering at them.Also Alex, why did you bring up the aspect ratio? The photos were just examples of the costumes and hair, the ratio is irrelevant here, is it not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,346 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I don't even think the first photo is in the movie. BTW, the costumes in the third photo are considered hip right now. I certainly see nothing laughable with the men's hairstyles.Of course, personally, I find the '60s more stylish and classy than the '80s. The last decade(s) saw a lot of '60s influences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Yeah sorry I should've been specific - the third photo drew my attention to the hair. They're neutral styles it's true, but to someone with an eye for details those are cuts of the sixties.Don Draper has the best hair ever btw.Oh you edited. As I said, details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I watched Gattaca last night and there many moments where I felt the sets and design were outdated. Felt like an 80s sci-fi film in terms of design and it was released in 1997(I think).Still a good movie though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brónach 1,302 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I watched Gattaca last night and there many moments where I felt the sets and design were outdated. Felt like an 80s sci-fi film in terms of design and it was released in 1997(I think).Still a good movie though.There's outdated stuff (or directly wrong) in some science in the film even before it was made as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,346 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Eh, Gattaca looks timeless, as if it was shot yesterday. It looks 'retro' by design but not '80s. It even has an almost monochrome color tone to it as seen in many a modern film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Eh, Gattaca looks timeless, as if it was shot yesterday. It looks 'retro' by design but not '80s. It even has an almost monochrome color tone to it as seen in many a modern film.At times, yes. But a lot of the buildings look quite outdated in appearance, it wasn't in tune with the 90s' idea of what the future would look like. The colour tones were effective, but some of the camera shots and set designs betrayed the film in certain moments. Personally, I don't think Gattaca isn't one of those films that seem timeless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,346 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Don't forget, Gattaca is a low budget film, the buildings you see are real to cut costs. 'Real' also means 'not fake' like dated effects and so on.Notice how the tone for exterior scenes in Gattaca is mainly orange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brónach 1,302 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 I just got it for re-analysis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,949 Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 we watched Forbidden Planet last Friday night, the effects are dated, but the concepts are bold and innovative. Though the visuals may be dated they work within the story and bridge the gap between events and imagination. As 50's scifi goes it not among my favorites, but it's a good looking film filled with some good character actors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 There are some very impressive shots of the underground city.You can really see Rodenbery took inspiration from this for the look of Star Trek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 The most dated thing about that movie is the colour in Nielsen's hair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeinAR 1,949 Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 he was young. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wojo 2,453 Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 wandering the face of the Earth, wondering what his dreams might be worth, learning that he's only immortal for a limited time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I always thought he was born with that silver mane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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