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Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

#61
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I *LOVE* Dark city, but my next double-dip will be for Blu-ray!

dave
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#62
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Please DTS 6.1 and no VO please....

Hopefully not a combination: the VO in DTS 6.1.
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#63
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

Ugh, already into the 2nd half of 2006 and no word yet on a release date. I'm starting to think this isn't going to happen.

And Proyas isn't directing a movie that will be released this year (or next)
and that dampens my hope for a dual release of an older film to coincide with the new film.
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#64
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

I just bought it (current disc, obviously) for something like $6, and haven't gotten aroudn to watching it yet. I watched it years ago at a friend's place, on LD so that would tell you how long ago it was, but IIRC with the time taken to "settle down", I don't remember hearing a VO and was surprised at the ending. Which now I barely have any recollection of anyway.

So: if I want to "mute" the VO, when do I start playing with sound, to "avoid the spoilers"?
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#65
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

When I attended Ebertfest '06 earlier this year, I overheard Roger mentioning that he'd already recorded a new commentary for the "Director's Cut" DVD, so it should be happening sooner than we think.

(...Unfortunately, "sooner than we think" is still gonna be too damned long.)
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#66
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

Big Update here: BD Horror News - David Goyer Talks New 'Dark City' Release!
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#67
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

Thank you for the news, Jerome...

... But I'm worried that Alex Proyas is doing a 'George Lucas' here. Let's hope they include both the original and the 'refurbished' versions.
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#68
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

Quote:
Let's hope they include both the original and the 'refurbished' versions.

Both would be great on Blu-ray.

Derek M. Germano
THE CINEMA LASER
2,000-plus Blu-ray & DVD reviews now playing...
http://www.thecinemalaser.com

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#69
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

+1 re: including both cuts.

I am very eager to see the new cut of the film. That said, I absolutely loved the original theatrical version and would hope that they include both on the Blu Ray. And also, if they do that, please keep both Ebert commentaries (new and old).
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#70
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

I have always had issues with the original theatrical cut of this film. It's an absolutely gorgeous film to watch, but in the end very disengaging and the plot seems to wrap itself up to quickly in order to meet a certain runtime. For those reasons, I can honestly say that I don't care for this film and it's one of the only films that I strongly disagree with Roger Ebert on. I have tried several times and each time, I end up with the same opinion.

If the new cut is significantly different, then I am more than willing to give it another spin.
"Shoot a few scenes out of focus. I want to win the foreign film award."
Billy Wilder

"This business has come a long way in the last 30 years, but why should I depress you"
I.A.L. Diamond on the Movie Business (1986)
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#71
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

Why do they need to change it? The FX are fine, the score is fine, the pace worked as it was. I mean no film is perfect, I'm just kind of tired of unnecessary "enhancements".
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#72
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

There are statements by Proyas floating around that he had a more relaxed pacing in mind. The theatrical cut is the most absurdly fast-paced movie you could ever want to see, bordering on movie-trailer brevity. I can definitely see where adjustments are in order. While I don't look forward to good films being tinkered with, I think Dark City has everything to gain from refurbishment.
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#73
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

It's mentioned several times in the commentary and behind the scenes though, that the rapid cutting was done intentionally, to put the viewer in the same 'confused' state of mind as John, having no memory, and not knowing what the heck is going on.

As the film progresses, and he starts getting a handle on things, the rapid cutting slows down to reflect this.

Interesting that a deliberate styilistical choice would be 'tinkered' with.

-Jeff Cooper

\"Curse you inspector Dim! You are too clever for us naughty people.\"

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#74
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

Its ironic that the film Ebert did his first commentary ever for may also end up being the LAST film he ever does commentary for if he decides to not undergo that final surgery to restore his voice.
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#75
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

I think it's telling that Ebert loved this film enough to do not one, but two commentaries. While I support Proyas's right to make and release his "director's cut" of the film, I do hope that the original stays intact and is released. And yes I'm one of those who hates the VO at the beginning so the original cut is by no means perfect. But it is the cut of the film I fell in love with and I do hope it's preserved, warts and all.

Actually here's a thought to what would make a "perfect" Dark City Blu Ray for me:

1. The original cut of the film, with two distinct soundtrack options: the original soundtrack, and one that's exactly the same except with the opening narration omitted.

2. The director's cut of the film.

3. Any extras Proyas & Co. want to put on.

Am I being too selfish?
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#76
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

I see that there is a cover released for the DVD. OK, but how about word on what we will get? I am so so nervous about what will happen to the music score.

Death to PG-13! And now death to DVNR too!!

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#77
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

If you haven't seen it yet here is the cover art: Dark City - DC

I see the garage, but I don't saw the garage. You are speaking incorrectly. You are moidering the king's English! Et cetera! See, saw, see...
     -Curly Howard, "Dizzy Pilots"

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#78
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

July?!? And there's been no PR about it yet?
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#79
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed Moroughan
If you haven't seen it yet here is the cover art: Dark City - DC

Thanks, been luring in this thread and had not seen the cover.

Me see cover

Me see release date

Me see DVD, me buy

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#80
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

Awe-freakin-some!
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#81
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

Can a mod change the title of this thread to read "Dark City Director's Cut coming to SD/BD on July 29th, 2008!"? Pretty Please with a cherry on top?
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#82
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

But is the original cut going to be included? While a new edit of the film is fine, I wouldn't want the original version of the film supplanted since I feel it is fine as is.
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#83
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by mike kaminski
But is the original cut going to be included? While a new edit of the film is fine, I wouldn't want the original version of the film supplanted since I feel it is fine as is.
Considering the original is already out on dvd and not going oop anytime soon, I'd say no.
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#84
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Dalek
Considering the original is already out on dvd and not going oop anytime soon, I'd say no.

Thats my feeling as well, but I consider it a shame because a) the original cut is great, b)the original DVD is from 1998 and could unsurpisingly stand an upgrade, c) I could be wrong but I don't believe the film is on Blu-Ray before this, so the idea of the directors cut supplanting the original makes me a bit uncomfortable.
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#85
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by mike kaminski
Thats my feeling as well, but I consider it a shame because a) the original cut is great, b)the original DVD is from 1998 and could unsurpisingly stand an upgrade, c) I could be wrong but I don't believe the film is on Blu-Ray before this, so the idea of the directors cut supplanting the original makes me a bit uncomfortable.

I smell multiple releases down the road, but I'm going to hang on to the original just in case.
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#86
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

Heads up...for those purchasing in standard def, the Director's Cut disc does NOT contain the original cut. It's just the longer cut, plus the new extras and expanded commentary tracks. So hold onto your older discs if you want the theatrical version.
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#87
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick H.
Heads up...for those purchasing in standard def, the Director's Cut disc does NOT contain the original cut. It's just the longer cut, plus the new extras and expanded commentary tracks. So hold onto your older discs if you want the theatrical version.
Yeah there was some misinformation from DVDTimes indicating both would be included but that is not the case. Personally I don't care since I own both.
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#88
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

Well here's a funny little error I found in DVDTalk's review of the DC.

Quote:
Unfortunately, the isolated stereo musical score provided on the 1998 DVD release has not been carried forward to this release.

Ummm unless the critic's copy of the old 1998 release is somehow different from MY copy of the old 1998 release, then he's full of crock since there IS NO Isolated Score on the previous dvd.
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#89
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

OK, so big hugs going on to the first viewer who gives us a wordy description of the new cut or linkage, for that matter...
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#90
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Re: Dark City Director's Cut in 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Elijah Sullivan
OK, so big hugs going on to the first viewer who gives us a wordy description of the new cut or linkage, for that matter...
It's almost entirely scene extensions rather than something like T2 or The Abyss where there's a number of new scenes.

From Wikipedia: A director's cut of Dark City was officially released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc July 29, 2008. This version includes 15 minutes of additional footage, generally consisting of extended scenes with additional establishing shots and dialogue. In addition, the following major changes have been made:[7]


Warning Spoiler! Click to show
The opening sequence no longer contains Dr. Schreber's voiceover monologue nor does it include the sequence of the city falling asleep. Both have been moved to other parts of the movie, thus more strongly deepening the mysteries of Dark City at the start of the film.
The visual effects displaying John's tuning abilities (up until his final confrontation with Mr. Book) are more subtle, implying that they have yet to fully mature.
Jennifer Connelly's actual vocals are used when Emma sings, rather than Anita Kelsey's.
The sequence with the crumbling city sports some enhanced visual effects (beams of light, smoke trails).
New subplots:
John's fingerprint features a spiral similar to those painted on the murder victims.
May has a daughter who witnesses her mother's murder and draws a picture of it while hiding under her bed.
Various small additions more strongly suggest that Bumstead himself realizes there is something wrong with the world, which explains why he eventually decides to help Murdoch find the truth.
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