Duel

Films recently watched:

Duel (1971) dir. by Steven Spielberg

I caught some of this one on TV when I was a teenager. It is very engaging and I remember getting "sucked in" to the story. For seemingly no reason, a big-rig oil tanker decides to torment David Mann (played by Dennis Weaver) as he is trying to drive across the California desert. It begins as today's average case of what we now call "road rage" but ends up with Mann fighting for his life against this psychotic truck in a desperate game of cat and mouse (please forgive the lame cliché).

One fascinating aspect to this film is that Spielberg absolutely refuses to show us the driver of the truck. Is this a story of man vs. man or is it man vs. machine? We may see the driver's arm out the window or his boots under the truck, but who is this maniac driver and why is he trying to kill David Mann? Spielberg does an excellent job of putting us in Mann's head, providing his inner dialogue and shooting much of the time from Mann's point of view. Dennis Weaver also does an amazing job of helping us feel the moments of sheer panic and elated relief that his character goes through again and again.

If you can stand the suspense, I definitely recommend this. The new Collector's Edition DVD does justice to this film. The audio and video elements are clean and better than what you might expect from a 1971 film made for television. Also some nice bonus features on this including an interview with Steven Spielberg discussing this film.

For any fellow OAR (Original Aspect Ratio) advocates out there, because this film was made for American television, the correct aspect ratio of this film is approx. 1.33:1. That means that the image will fill a standard television screen. Duel was released theatrically in Europe and for that, it was expanded to 1.85:1, but it was filmed with a 1.33 frame in mind, so that is the correct way to view it.

(pointless funny trivia from imdb)
When Carey Loftin, the stunt man playing the truck driver, asked Spielberg what his motivation was for tormenting the car driver, Spielberg told him "You're a dirty, rotten, no-good son of a bitch." Loftin replied, "Kid, you hired the right man."

RCA SelectaVision VideoDisc

Well Prinkey just HAD to go and ask.

"Question: what is a VideoDisc player? was it a failed platform, ala Betamax???"

The short answer, of course is, "yes."

The long answer can be found HERE.

My answer follows immediately:

VideoDisc was a video format introduced (and then quickly axed) in the early 1980s. It wasn't a digital format, it didn't use a laser. It was more like a record player. The player used a stylus and the software had very fine grooves.

(Pat, does this mean that when you and Randy used to sing, "Lord, you are more groovy than records" to the tune of Lynn DeShazo's tune, "More Precious Than Silver," you actually should have been singing, "Lord, you are more groovy than VideoDiscs?")

Because the grooves were so small, they were much more prone to damage than a vinyl LP. So, they put the disc in a plastic sleeve, kind of like a 3 1/2" floppy disc. To put the disc in the player, you put the whole thing in, the player latched on to the inner disc, and then you pulled out the case. To take the disc out, or flip it over, you put the case back in around the disc and pulled the whole thing back out. No physical contact with the disc.



My understanding is that the format failed because of a relatively short play length (60 minutes max per side -- also the bane of Sony's Betamax), and because of the introduction of JVC's VHS format which could be used to play and record.

Christopher Reeve (1952-2004)

Sad news. Actor, Christopher Reeve died yesterday.

I remember my Dad bringing home a rented VideoDisc (not LaserDisc) player and several movies including Superman (1978). This was before we had a VCR. One of my first introductions to "Home Theater."

Christopher Reeve was an inspiration to me as the Superman when I was a child -- as an adult, he was an inspiration to me as an over comer of great adversity, a super man, indeed. He will be missed.


Films recently watched:

The English Patient (1996) dir. by Anthony Minghella
Definitely better than I remember it being from the first time I watched it, still not my favorite, but appreciated.

The Ox-Bow Incident (1943) dir. by William A. Wellman
I'm really beginning to like the work of Henry Fonda. Not your typical Western, but that's why I liked this one.

Aladdin (1992) dir. by Ron Clements & John Musker
The new Platinum Edition DVD looks and sounds amazing! Despite my issues with the Disney of today (see post immediately preceding), they can sure put together a nice release for some (though not all) of their "crown jewels." Robin Williams excels in this one!

Toy Story 3 & 4??

I love all of Pixar's films:

Toy Story
A Bug's Life
Toy Story 2
Monsters, Inc.
Finding Nemo
And Christy and I don't get out to movies very often, but we will definitely see Pixar's new film, The Incredibles shortly after it releases in theaters November 5, 2004.

Pixar and Disney are parting ways once their current deal is up, but Disney is retaining all rights (including Character and sequel rights) to the five films (Toy Story, Bug's Life, Monsters, Nemo, Incredibles, & Cars (2005) Toy Story 2 doesn't count due to being a sequel) that Pixar does while under the deal with Disney.

So Disney, headed by Michael Eisner (but hopefully not for long), is putting out these two new Toy Story films without Pixar. I have my doubts about how Disney will handle these treasured characters. Just look at their recent sequel attempts (Return to Neverland; Scamp's Adventure; Patch's London Adventure; The Return of Jafar; Belle's Enchanted Christmas, etc.) - not the best track record on sequels, in my opinion.

In this article, Eisner is saying that an enormous amount of computer-animated movies will spill forth from Hollywood in the next few years, but victory will boil down to story-telling and emotion, rather than just technology. This is exactly where Disney has fallen short in recent years. Pixar has the storytelling, emotion, & technology in spades. It will be interesting to see how this shapes up in the next few years.

Only about 13 years late...

OK, so I was at the library a few days ago mainly looking for my weekly helping of DVDs, and I also found this CD. For those who don't recognize or can't read the CD cover, it is Metallica's self-titled release (commonly referred to as "The Black Album"). I think the only music I'd heard from Metallica before this was "Garage, Inc." which I guess was supposed to be a return to their early sound (and probably a shot at cashing in on the 90's grunge scene). I didn't care for Garage. I couldn't get past the foul language and the raw production. I also heard their cut "I Disappear" on the Mission: Impossible 2 soundtrack and liked it, but figured that was an exception related to it being tied to a pretty mainstream Hollywood movie. Anyway, I've been listening to The Black Album for a few days and I really like it.

I am aware that most Metallica purists believe that the production of Bob Rock on this and subsequent albums killed Metallica, but I have a feeling that the production on this album is why I like it. I'll try to get my hands on "With Justice For All" or "Master of Puppets" to see what I think of those. I've seen the "St. Anger" DVD at the library too, so maybe I'll pick that up.

I've discovered since college that I really like rock music with a little bit of an edge, but can't deal with the foul language that often is a companion to these "edgy" bands. Anybody have suggestions on bands like this? I'm sure I'll face ridicule for this, but the only bands I've found that are kind of like this so far are: Creed, Fuel, Linkin Park, Nickelback, and now this Metallica Album from 1991. Suggestions? Comments?

New Pictures

I am guessing that some of you may not be checking in just to hear about what DVDs I've watched recently or the latest Star Wars news, but rather to see pictures of the Granddaughter/niece so...these were just taken this evening...





There ya go!

Peter Gabriel DVD

Looking forward to this:

Peter Gabriel - 'Play' DVD

For the first time ever on DVD the video collection you've been waiting for. Featuring 23 videos, with fully restored visuals and amazing new 5.1 mixes by Peter and Daniel Lanois, and extras including three bonus videos (also with full 5.1 surround mixes). The 5.1 mixes are presented for the first time in a brand new DTS format that is at full 24bit/96khz surround for the ultimate audiophile experience and Play will be the first DVD to market with this new technology. In addition, Dolby 5.1 and Dolby Stereo soundtracks are provided for those of us without the latest and greatest equipment.

As if this wasn't enough each video has a short introduction with either "Making Of" footage and/or spoken introductions by Peter through the ages. Also there is an advanced programming feature that allows you to create you own playlist of up to 18 tracks, play it once or set it to loop forever!

The track list is as follows:
Father, Son
Sledgehammer
Blood Of Eden
Games Without Frontiers
I Don't Remember
Big Time
Lovetown
Red Rain
In Your Eyes
Don't Give Up
The Barry Williams Show
Washing Of The Water
Biko
Kiss That Frog
Mercy Street
Growing Up
Shaking The Tree
Shock The Monkey
Steam
The Drop
Zaar
Solsbury Hill
Digging In The Dirt

Don't know release dates yet, but it should be good whenever it comes out.

Forced Perspective Update

Hey, guess what?

Remember this post? You don't have to click the link, you can probably just scroll down a few posts. As I mentioned, I was thinking about trying to do one of these "forced perspective" photos. Well, I took several and submitted two to the website, Parking Spots and they put them up on their site!

Here are the two that got posted:
(click on the pictures to see them in context at Parking Spots)



(Please take note of Hannah's fine work on the decals)



These weren't as easy as I thought they would be. They're not hard, it just takes some practice to get everything right. The hardest part is not looking like a complete idiot while standing in a public parking lot while holding a child's toy and taking a picture!

Would love to see other readers here try their hand at this novel concept and share their results.

Weekend

Christy is still having some staffing issues at her work and had to work both Saturday and Sunday. I managed to watch a few DVDs this weekend:

Sullivan's Travels (1941) dir. by Preston Sturges
The Lady Eve (1941) dir. by Preston Sturges

Regarding these first two, I was just discussing with Christy last night that, for quite some time, I thought the "romantic comedy" began with When Harry Met Sally... (or somewhere in the 80's, at least) but having watched several Cary Grant films, these Preston Sturges films, Charlie Chaplin's City Lights, etc., I've realized that not everything was created after I was born (shocking, I know). I regret that I spent most of the first 30 years of my life believing that the music & films of my parents' generation were below average (or worse, "stupid") compared with more modern versions. I'm beginning to see just the opposite. I hate it when I learn that a song or film that I know and have grown up with, which I believe is original, is actually a remake, a cover version of the actual original (and often superior) version.

What? Harrison Ford wasn't the original Fugitive??

What? Charlton Heston became a slave and defied Rome in Ben-Hur (which is, itself, a remake of the 1925 silent film) before Russell Crowe in Gladiator??

What? Burt Bacharach wrote and recorded "Always Something There to Remind Me" before Naked Eyes?

What? Steve Martin wasn't the original "Father of the Bride??"

What? Michael Caine actually pulled The Italian Job in Italy before Mark Wahlberg did it in (the slightly less obvious city of) Los Angeles??

And -- who were these people, Tommy James & The Shondells, and why are they ripping off Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now," Joan Jett's "Crimson and Clover," and Billy Idol's "Mony, Mony."

Our local library has been an excellent resource for feeding my need to learn about film. Admittedly, if I had to purchase or rent all of these DVDs, we'd either be in the poorhouse, or, more likely, I just be happily enjoying my collection of DVDs from the 80's, 90's and today.

Also watched:
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) produced by Walt Disney
Stagecoach (1939) dir. by John Ford
and finished:
Empire of the Sun (1987) dir. by Steven Spielberg
If you're interested there is a very interesting discussion of this film HERE. Beware of plot spoilers within if you haven't seen the film, but I had never seen Empire of the Sun and it was this thread that inspired me to watch it. I was probably better off watching the film after having read the analysis there. This is not your average film by Spielberg, to say the least.

Cracker Barrel

I know that Cracker Barrel has gotten some bad press recently, but we were just there last night and man, the food is good, the prices are reasonable, and the service is consistently friendly. We've been going to Cracker Barrels (or is it Crackers Barrel?) all over the mid-east for the last 15 years, or so, and consistently had similar service. I am sure there are those that have had different experiences, but between the three of us, we couldn't remember having one unpleasant experience at Cracker Barrel.



Also want to wish a happy anniversary of the day on which you were born (I have a hard time finding Hallmark cards that say this) to our niece, Katherine!

Finally, forgive any of the dreaded red x's appearing where pictures used to be. Apparently, all of the pictures in my Photobucket account got deleted last night. They "apologize for any inconvenience," as do I. I'll try to fix the problem over the weekend.

[Edit (10/02/2004): Pictures should be fixed now.]