ae_productions

No line-art to post, but I did get my Hanken cel back from the framers.

Looks awesome, although I cannot seem to get a good shot of it in the frame without all the reflections...

That is some sweet artwork! Thanks for posting!

It's a damn shame that the extended versions of the film were NOT included in this set. I know, I know, that way they can release 10 more versions on Blu-Ray. And most fans will still buy them. But honestly, I'd rather see the deleted scenes in context edited back into the films.

So, how many different versions of Star Wars will Lucas release on Blu-ray?

22 freaking days 'till the premiere-waiting sucks...

I'm with you. I can't wait for this one. Even if it's half as good as JC's, it'll be a damn fun ride.

Love the sculpt, detailing and proportions. Probably the best Legioss Armo Soldier yet. Too bad it's not a toy, but being this a snap fit kit, I'll give it try. I hope it comes molded in color, just add some panel lining and off you go.

I hope so. I love to put models together. Detailing, decals, panel lines, weathering. But Painting, not so much.

Can't help but notice that most of the examples are Ridley Scott films. So either many of you are fans or RS is just notorious

Anyway, fully agree on Kingdom of Heaven. The studio did the film a disservice with the theatrical cut. Can't recall any other movie that benefited so much from a director's cut, but despite this many still dismiss the film citing historical inaccuracies or a "wandering moral compass". Well, I don't think a re-cut can ever address the first, and as for the second charge, I think they're missing the whole point.

To a lesser extent, Troy DC was also an improvement. Too bad a re-cut can't change some of the really bad dialogue.

Haven't watched Alexander DC yet, but from what I've read, I shouldn't get my hopes up, even if I'm thinking that similar things have been said about KoH DC. Shame really, it was a very good subject.

As for Gladiator, I can appreciate why RS had to put in a disclaimer on the extended version. As you watch this version, RS appears at the start explaining that it is an extended version but not the director's cut (which is the theatrical release). By the time I finished watching, I could understand why. Some argue the added scenes enriched the characters or even the sense of place (or "sense of Rome" as some put it). I liked some of the additions, but for most I felt it was too much hand holding and it really mucked up the pacing.

Same thing for LOTR, although I did find that it had a better ratio of good additions vs. bad. The problem is that they are already very long films. Some say that the side stories and/or character development scenes that were added really enriched the film and brought the films much closer to the books. But I haven't fully read the books so I don't know what I'm missing, and from what I could discern, the original versions weren't particularly lacking in terms of plot and character development. Sure, it's a nice world to delve into and expound further, but it has to be in manageable chunks for the chosen medium (ie. perhaps it might have been better as a 6-part mini series), and not at the expense of pacing. I distinctly recall an instance where the insertion of an added scene utterly derailed the momentum of an ongoing battle. I have no complaints about the expanded battles themselves, but having said that, I would rather watch them in stand-alone viewings ie. when I have some time to kill, grab a beer, select a battle scene, play that and maybe another one. Alternatively, I would like a version where they keep the expanded battles, leave out the pace breakers, and take generous liberties in cutting the Sam-Frodo bromance

Leon/The Professional is a strange one. What some are marketing as extended or complete edition is actually the original international version (and is the DC). The US release had a "lolita" scene taken out supposedly due to the censors' view of american sensibilities. That scene does enrich the film, but it's deletion doesn't break it. I prefer the original of course, but it's a great film regardless of versions (well, unless they make a version with a plot twist at the end that Matilda is a boy). And the recent bluray transfer is fantastic.

Similarly for Highlander, I find that what was omitted in the theatrical release wasn't really critical. While I appreciate the addition of Rachel's history, I felt the pace stumbled because of it. And in the scheme of things, she wasn't that important of a character. I would rather have had more background on why Kurgan decided to become evil, or how Macleod met Heather, a more plot significant character (was she an outcast too?), or maybe some history between Ramirez and Kurgan (and maybe

explaining why Ramirez sought out Macleod specifically).

I like the idea of Deckard being a replicant, but I haven't gotten around to watching the workprint or the final cut versions included in the ultimate release (which I agree should be the standard for such kind of releases). So I'll reserve judgement until I see if the re-cuts make a plausible argument. As it stands, I see Deckard as human in the versions I've watched thus far.

Underworld had an unrated version where the director also put a disclaimer that the theatrical release was the director's cut. There was just a love scene added and very little else, so not sure what he was so paranoid about. I bought the bluray anyway on account of Kate Beckinsale. I'll likely use the same logic to get the BR unrated release of Ultraviolet (edit: SuckerPunch too)

A few other films I intend to get DC versions of as I upgrade my collection to bluray: Watchmen, T2, Bourne (?), Pitch Black, Hero, Alien/s, Crash (hope people can recommend more).

Wondering if there's appetite for a separate thread on recommendable (or at least interesting) films that didn't get a wide release.

If you're into Sci-Fi, check out the Director's Cut of the Abyss. James Cameron wrote that script when he was 18! The director's cut is so much better than that theatrical version.

Okay, have any of you guys read the short story by Peter Watts called "The Things?" It tells the events of the 1982 movie from the Thing/Alien's point of view. I know it sounds really silly but it was amusing to pretend seeing the movie unfold through an "alien" point of view. I suggest checking it out:

http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/watts_01_10/

Depends on what material you're reading. There are some comics/books that have various twists on what happened after the events of the '82 movie. For example if you read the short story I posted a link to, or play the video game, there are some musings as to what happened after the camp went up...

That short story was great fun. Thanks for sharing!

I am and have always been very aware this is a prequel. I also heard the filmmakers were wathing the original everyday to try and keep with continutiy. I feel they were a bit too influenced and wound up recreating a lot of shots to give nods to the original so much so that except for maybe the beginning and the end the bulk of the film will be too much like the original, especially according to a lot of those shots in the trailer. Hence my post.

I hope it didn't come across that I was attacking you, cause that was not my intention.

I did reiterate your points, where I felt this whole prequel thing was merely a trap, and no matter which way this production decided to tell this story, that it would find itself in a bind with the fans.

Did anyone read the Dark Horse Comics in the 1990's that was a sequel to Carpenter's "The Thing?" I've been trying to hunt them all down, and man, it is not cheap! Curious to see how it played out.

Also, prior to this prequel, there was suppose to be a 4 hour made for TV sequel. Wonder what ever happened to that?

My preference would be a show that followed Voyager and Nemesis in the original timeline. Dealing with the fallout of the Romulans, possibly new agitation through the wormhole, etc.

I imagine they'll stay on the alternate kick, though. I can't see them gathering the whole ensemble, especially Chris Pine, etc for TV. A good idea I read somewhere was to use Cho and Quinto and do a new "Excelsior" series, probably with Quinto as Captain Spock.

Holy poo that would rock!

There is a whooole thread right here buddy about the new voltron....look upon in horror

http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?showtopic=32836&st=245

Arg. I just did. Voltron is a lost hope.

hope other IP's take note of how this show was done and follow suit.

We don't need any more run-to-the-bank shows like Voltron. We need more shows like Thundercats.

This looks AWESOME.

100 movies? Damn.

I met Jackie Chan once when I lived in LA. He was singing 80's pop to the crowd. How hard core is that?

We'll likely never know - but I would love to see what the sales numbers would be if WAVE just went with an Mospeada enemy line right in the 1/48th range. Something we've never had or seen before, to go with something most of us already have.

Straight out of the gate with no heroes.

Purple Trooper first, Pack of 2 or 3 Scouts, then Gurab or Blue Guy. Show or web exclusives could be the smaller soldier in 3, or other variations.

The they could mix in the heroes in Soldier mode - but in 1/48th.

I realize its written somewhere that enemies don't sell, but I have 1/72 kits of the blue Legioss, 1/55 and 1/48th and 1/32 toys and resin kits.

Its always Skull 1 and the Blue Legioss - followed by the 1J and the Green Legioss - ON AND ON and ON...

Maybe if this does really we'll see all those Inbits in 1/72, but that scale does not do that much for me...

I agree. I wish they were the 1:48 or 1:35 scales.

The writer says he's not a replicant, Harrison Ford says he's not a replicant, and the book the movie is based on says he's not a replicant. Even with the silly unicorn scene, there's nothing in the movie that actually proves that he is a replicant.

And don't anyone bother to bring up the "eyes" bit; its already known that the scene where Deckard's eyes get that replicant look is because Ford accidentally stepped into Sean Young's light.

I'm glad they didn't come out and say that he is or isn't a replicant. It's great because here we are, some 28 years later, still debating the issues.

I have not seen ALL the cuts of Blade Runner, but NONE of the ones i have seen have NOT said one way or the other if he is or isn't a replicant.

Ridley Scott is going to do another Blade Runner film. He signed on a few weeks back. Curious to see what they are going to do with it.

Thanks for the pics. It looks nice, but the pro builds always do.

Hopefully there will be other releases from WAVE beyond the Legioss repaints.

THAT is exactly what I am hoping for. I really want to see some Scouts, or Shock Troopers. Some of the MB fleet. Drones. Even Treads would be awesome!

I hardly watched any Voyager but read about it on Memory Alpha. Definitely shafted Q more. Not much of a Continuum with all the changes they saw in a short 10-15 year period.

I didn't see any of Voyager until about a year ago.

I have to say, I really dug it. The concept was fun, and the stories were very familiar, yet unique. I really got into the show around season 4, where the writers seemed to really find their legs. It was a lot more exciting than the other treks before it, and you actually felt the entire crew was always in peril.

Good times on TV. Or rather, with the DVD.

WTF is TWOK?

TWOK: The Wrath of Khan (Star Trek II).

Is it me or did the trailer have way to many shots of scenes that look extacly like the original? Gives me that whole while this is a remakedisguised as a prequel feel.

This movie is setting itself up to piss off fans no matter what. No matter what the studio tells the fans, they don't seem to get it. When they are told it's a prequel, fans hear reboot. Remake or Sequel.

It's a prequel.

It takes place in 1982, at the Norwegian camp, three days before it is discovered by MacReady and Doc. This movie explains in gruesome detail what happened to the Sweeds, I mean, Norwegians. There are moments in the film that even set this up to be nothing but a prequel to Carpent's film. One moment in particular, is at the airport towards the beginning of the film. There is a flyer about MacReady (no, he is NOT in the movie, he is not mentioned, but there is a picture of him in the background with a funny notation about him). The movie ends setting up John Carpenter's film. It is a prequel. It is not a remake and it is not a sequel.

As a prequel, it has to "fit into" John Carpenter's universe. As such, it is limited by the rules and events of JC's first film. Because of these limitations, yes, it will have a similar "feel" to the first movie.

Primarily, the namesake. The thing itself. It acts and behaves and does things very much like it did in Carpetner's film. (Except it is more on the "offensive" in this movie instead of "blending in" as it did in JC's film. One of my gripes). If the Thing wasn't acting like the thing, fans would bitch. If the thing didn't act like the thing, fans would bitch. It's a loose loose situation for the studio.

So, yes. The tone, atmosphere, it will all be familiar. It has to be if it is going to fit into Carpenter's universe. It's frustrating, cause there are a few moments when the movie has the means of breaking out of mentality of "what it's expected to do," but it doesn't. It's afraid to be it's own entity. It wants to mimic Carpenter's work so much that it actually feels like an imitation itself a few times. But that is not completely a bad thing either, as JC's film was one of the best horror films ever made.

If you see this film with an open mind, and let yourself have a good time, you may find that you actually will.

If the Thing does well, maybe we'll see a third film. Maybe we'll get to see Childs and MacReady again. In fact, I think we need it. I'm sick of the ghost stories, slasher flicks. If the thing is successful, hopefully we can see a reboot of this genre. I am all for a revamp of classic monster films that attempt to use some practical effects.

But please remember, this is called The Thing. It is a perfect title about an alien parasite that can replicate anything it consumes. Kinda like what this prequel is trying to do to JC's film. It is a prequel. It will fill in all the missing elements of Carpenter's film.

Except that one final question...is MacReady or Childs "The Thing?"

Ouch. Maybe I was better off keeping my head in the sand about this reboot.

Hold on a second. There where extended cuts of the Star Trek movies?

You want to know something weird? My mom and dad have a taped VHS copy of TWOK they got off the TV.

It has several scenes that differ from the theatrical or DVD SE cut.

One scene in particular, is the elevator scene with Kristie Alley discussing her performance on the Kobyoshi Maru with Kirk. It's a 3 camera scene (cu of kirk, cu of Savvak), then wide with both. It's cut completely different.

So, there are at least 3 versions of TWOK that I know of.

I think it's the scale... I have the picture with Aramaki's scribblings on it and it looks awesome because the picture is huge... like poster size. But at 1/72 all the detail he added looks really cramped.

Just when I thought Mospeada was dead. Not too keen on the small size. But still, if enough of us buy this guy, we just may see some future Legioss or Tread releases. Or even enemy mech. One can dream...

Still, for the size, this is going to be an awesome little kit.

I'm a huge ROBOTECH fan. Yes, I know it's a felony on this site.

But I also love Macross. To me, they are a separate entity. And yes, I can be a fan of both. In fact, It frustrates me to no end that we can't have both. Cause we can. But HG likes to make it DIFFICULT to be a Robotech fan. There I go, off subject again.

A US Company doing Robotech toys? Yes, I think it will happen soon. But I also think it will be a bad idea.

Robotech fans have been plagued with mediocre toys since the mid 1980's. Toynami? Matchbox? I mean, sure, Toynami makes the coolest boxes in all of toydom (I really love their "book" boxes), they have great statues and bookends, and a few of their low end toys are cool, but we we also got fed the MP Veritechs and Alpha fighter line.

There is a Live Action Robotech movie in the works, that allegedly will be some kind of sequel to the original 1980's animated saga. If the movie ever gets green lit (it's in development hell at WB), I think Robotech toys will be inevitable. Who should do them? I agree with the statement that no one would handle the IP the way Yamato and BanDai do here in the states. It will be difficult for me to see Hasbro quality Robotech toys. The Yamato and BanDai are toys, but they are aimed for "adult collectors," whereas Transformers are aimed for kids. Transformers just look so elementary compared to a Valkyrie or Legioss. I meant Veritech or Alpha Fighter. But that's comparing a "kid's toy" to an "adult collectible."

Realistically, Yamato and Bandai valks stateside will never happen. Especially with this economy. The name of the game with Hasbro is quantity. They'd rather produce 10 15 dollar toys than one 40 dollar toy. A 10 dollar Robotech toy? We'll get something like the Classics Jetfire. Which was a 20 dollar toy, but it just looks so...kiddish. But yeah, when this Robotech movie comes into fruition, the toys will end up being something similar to GI JOE or Transformers. The "adult collectors" will get the shaft, and we'll still have to get our fix by importing the cool new Macross toys. Did I say Macross? I mean Robotech.

lol at the power of fanboy rage if that's true. Split my ass, that movie totally voided everything post Enterprise, and for good reason. ST had become so convoluted with the borg, q, time travel, time travel, the borg, q, and more time traveling borg, the only sensable thing to do was reboot. So what does Abrams do? Not only reboot, but erease everything in the previous canon in the process. BRILLIANT!!

I loved all the original Trek TV shows and movies. And I even loved the Abrams verse. (His casting choices were dead-on).

The originals were getting difficult to keep up with. Split timelines is the only way to deal with this situation, since it is the fans who kept the show alive since the 1960's. They still have their universe to play around in, and the newer generation has the Abrams verse.

Just like the Federation, it's keeping the peace between the two sets of fans.

When I saw Aliens at a theater in Dallas 1986, it had the famous "sentry gun" scene in it. For years none of my friends knew what I was talking about, nor could I find any proof that the scene existed. It wasn't until the special editions of the Alien movies came out in the late 90's that I finally saw that scene again. However, the added scene with Newt's parents seems unnecessary to me, though it's not enough to put me off of watching it.

BTW, as far as Highlander II goes, it's the only movie I've ever walked out of in the theater. I don't care how they cut it, I don't think you can salvage anything out of that mess.

I think Cameron was trying to show the Audience how hectic and populated LV-426 was at the beginning of the film. It also shows us what Rebecca (Newt) lost. This sets up a stronger connection between Newt and Ripley, as we discover her own daughter had died of old age while she was lost in space.

It creates a different tone all together, as the theatrical cut is more of a mystery. We don't see LV-426 until the Marines arrive. The connection with Ripley and Newt is more implied with a little less force. But we (the audience) get it.

The scene with the sentry guns just rocked. It showed how ruthless, maniacal and determined the Aliens are to get the humans. Makes the surviving Marines hopes seem to fade.

I don't know. I think I prefer the Director's cut of Aliens over the theatrical. It feels more of an epic film.

Same with the Abyss. The Director's cut of the Abyss is actually quite a different movie all together with the few scenes they added.

Some movies, like Star Wars, I prefer the Theatrical cut. Am I being nostalgic? Maybe.

Lucas is a great storyteller, but he's no fine wine. I think each "tampering" he does of the original trilogy degrades it ever so slightly to the lower levels of the prequels.

Solo shot first.

Directors cut vs Theatrical? It depends on the filmmaker and the movie. And, it's also personal preference.

As a movie fan, I dig the extra stuff. So, overall, I say I prefer the Director's cuts (and unrated).

Of course, any fanboy who did not see the FIRST showing is only a fanboy wannabe.

Good thing Homer put them in their wannabe fanboy place!

Didn't precisely void it.... Khan is still floating out there, as is the Doomsday Machine and the big amoeba and eventually V'ger and the whale probe should still be on their way to Earth, too.

You know, it would be interesting to explore an "alternate" side to the stories you mention above. Khan of course, is a fan favorite. I just watched it on BluRay a few nights ago, and man. That is just the pinnacle of Trek for me. Yes, I know Rodenberry wanted Trek to be about space exploration, and Khan deviated a bit from this formula, but it is just solid.

The power of Trek 2, for me, came with an ex girlfriend of mine. She hated Trek, cause she hated Kirk's Womanizing ways. I know, I know. We had many dorky debates about this fictional character. She thought he was setting a bad example to young boys, ect. Yeah, yeah, whatever. Anyhow, I finally manage to get her to watch Trek 2. And, she was crying at the end. For someone who despises a character like Kirk, who boycots an entire show, nay, an entire icon of a culture...to get her to care enough to cry? That's one damn powerful movie. If you don't appreciate Kirk's character prior to seeing Trek 2, then TWOK really forces you to at least respect him a bit.

The whale probe? Meh. I can do without revisiting that story. As far as time travel in Trek, I think it's been over done. Hell, Abram's last film was all about that.

A new Trek show would be amazing. But sadly, I don't see it happening. I know for a while, Johnathan Frakes was trying to get a new Trek show going. There were even rumors of Shatner trying to do the same. From what I read, Enterprise's performance really hinders that possibility. In this business, you're only as good as the last project you've done. To the suits, Trek on TV ended with Enterprise. Although it's not fair to just say Enterprise failed. It was on UPN, it got bad time slots, poor to no advertising. Hell, it even competed against BSG for airtime. Not a smart move by UPN. Some say Enterprise was just a bad show, and I have to disagree. It was different. And that too, lost viewers. But it was that attempt of doing something bold that I really enjoyed. Plus, it was fun how they explained the different looks of the Klingons throughout the different Trek shows, the evolution of the Vulcan government and their position as Earth's greatest alley. I would have liked to see Enterprise go on for another 3 years, as originally planned. (a 7 year arc). But I digress. Enterprise may have thwarted any immediate plans for a TV show to air, but if Abrams keeps pumping new life into Trek (like it or hate it), maybe a new show will be a remote possibility one day.

Huge difference in quality there.

No, I have not seen any print nor media about the new Voltron. Just read "there is a Voltron reboot coming." That's all I know.

I doubt it would be the quality of the new T-cats. That show is in a class all in it's own right now. But still excited about seeing Voltron. (hoping for the best, fearing the worst). More out of nostalgia than anything else.

Back to T-Cats, the amazing thing to me, as a writer, is the spectrum of demographic writing with this show. The new Thundercats literally can appeal to adults who were fans of the original, who want more intelligent character driven stories. On the other side of that spectrum, it appeals to the kids with the antics of the brother and sister, and Snarf (who is toned down a lot from the original series, thank God). Many shows dance around this idea and fail miserably. The great thing about Thundercats is that is DOES this successfully WITHOUT overdoses of either that will lose the other demographic all together. In other words, adults and kids can both watch this show and enjoy the hell out of it. Pure brilliance.