Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Forum › Entertainment › TV Programming › Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th. - Page 30

post #871 of 1108
11/14/07 at 12:30pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam Favate
Thoroughly enjoyed the screening last night in Clifton, NJ. Image was crisp, colors vibrant, just as expected. The sound was great. Never thought I'd see the old series on the big screen, so this was a real treat. I'm sure it was also a big boost to HD DVD, although I still won't be buying either the player or the TOS set til the format war is over.

Funny moment: When Rod Roddenberry says at the end of the intro to stay in your seats to see a preview of Season Two, someone in the audience shouted out "Good! Because I haven't seen that one yet!"

The show was well received. Lots of applause, lots of laughs during the movie and quite a few gasps at the striking visuals, especially the re-done effects.

Sam, are you aware that HD-DVD player prices are now around the price of good upconverting SD-DVD players? I see little risk in buying one of the Toshiba's to view this series if you're interested in seeing it in HD. I knew many other people who were on the fence (mainly due to format war uncertainty coupled with high prices) but went out and bought A2's or A3's for less than this TOS set will cost. Heck, you'll then be able to watch Forbidden Plant, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Omega Man, Blade Runner & BSG S1 in HD as well!
Reply
post #872 of 1108
11/14/07 at 12:37pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Thanks for the overview of Okuda's comments. As for the laughter, the crowd I was in also laughed when they showed Kirk's reaction to Vina as the Green Orion Slave girl!

I think what made the shuttlecraft less then convincing is the texture mapping of the surface. The metallic finish they chose didn't look good. Like how they had the vertical "streaks" on the surface to simulate plating. And it was flat, didn't have any reflective quality. And the graphics the side of the shuttlecraft looked like the wrong font. Easy to criticize I know!
Reply
post #873 of 1108
11/14/07 at 12:40pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

My opinion of the showing I saw (Henrietta, NY) was that the image was not bright enough and needed more contrast. I am sure this is due to the settings of this particular theater rather then the digital file. The image did appear somewhat soft as well.

Also, whomever was working the houselights was out to lunch, or something. Since it took well into Rod Roddenberry's intro to dim the light and then during the program the lights came back on (and dimmed down again a few minutes later) and finally at the end of the program the lights stayed dim as we filed out.

I enjoyed it overall and am looking forward to the set.
Reply
post #874 of 1108
11/14/07 at 1:09pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

One thing noticeable is that the beginning of Part Two (the recap of Part One) looked so washed out. I take it it's because there are no film elements for that sequence? They probably took a print and spliced it together back in 1966 which is a generation lower than what they used for the main parts. Maybe later in the future, someone will go back to part one, use the new digital elements and re-create that section all over again so it looks better.
Reply
post #875 of 1108
11/14/07 at 2:05pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nelson Au
Thanks for the overview of Okuda's comments. As for the laughter, the crowd I was in also laughed when they showed Kirk's reaction to Vina as the Green Orion Slave girl!

I think what made the shuttlecraft less then convincing is the texture mapping of the surface. The metallic finish they chose didn't look good. Like how they had the vertical "streaks" on the surface to simulate plating. And it was flat, didn't have any reflective quality. And the graphics the side of the shuttlecraft looked like the wrong font. Easy to criticize I know!

Yes, I agree that something definitely wasn't right about the CG shuttle shots. I also noticed the green paint on Susan Oliver was patchy with areas of her actual skin showing, especially the feet, which were almost absent of green paint by the time she finished her dance.

I've always noticed that "The Cage" has a very "Forbidden Planet" type feel about it. Susan Oliver's "Vina" appeared very reminiscent of Anne Francis' "Altera" to me (only Francis is much taller). I would've loved to have seen a few more episodes made with Pike before Hunter made the decision to leave, but I guess that will be somewhat covered in Trek XI.
Reply
post #876 of 1108
11/14/07 at 6:46pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ReggieW
I've always noticed that "The Cage" has a very "Forbidden Planet" type feel about it. Susan Oliver's "Vina" appeared very reminiscent of Anne Francis' "Altera" to me (only Francis is much taller).

I hadn't thought about it before, but you are right. Along those same lines, some of the special effects found in the Cage (the laser cannon and phasers) have the same type of vibrant animated color effects like those found in Forbidden Planet. And to their credit, CBS Digital appears to have wisely left these given effects intact and unaltered in the remastered versions.
Reply
post #877 of 1108
11/14/07 at 7:34pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Interesting observation Reggie and I concur - Forbidden Planet does seem to inhabit much of the sensibilities of The Menagerie.

BTW the flyby of the Enterprise into the bridge reveal shot was also very well done.
Reply
post #878 of 1108
11/14/07 at 7:35pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Quote:
Originally Posted by GregK
I hadn't thought about it before, but you are right. Along those same lines, some of the special effects found in the Cage (the laser cannon and phasers) have the same type of vibrant animated color effects like those found in Forbidden Planet. And to their credit, CBS Digital appears to have wisely left these given effects intact and unaltered in the remastered versions.

I think I'll be paying Forbidden Planet another visit on HD-DVD tonight!
Reply
post #879 of 1108
11/14/07 at 8:01pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Reggie, how is the HD-DVD of Forbidden Planet? Is it much improved over the SD version? I just got into HD just for Star Trek Remastered! And I wanted to add the HD verison of FP to my collection.

I have the Forbidden Planet Criterion laserdisc and they discussed there in the extras how much the film influenced Star Trek. Even one line where the navigator mentions "DC fix at 1701".
Reply
post #880 of 1108
11/15/07 at 1:32am

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nelson Au
Reggie, how is the HD-DVD of Forbidden Planet? Is it much improved over the SD version? I just got into HD just for Star Trek Remastered! And I wanted to add the HD verison of FP to my collection.

I have the Forbidden Planet Criterion laserdisc and they discussed there in the extras how much the film influenced Star Trek. Even one line where the navigator mentions "DC fix at 1701".

The Forbidden Planet HD-DVD is well worth getting. I've not seen the new two-disc SD version, but from what I've read from reviews, the HD-DVD is a definite step up. It's chock full of supplements including a 90 minute feature called "The Invisible Boy" with Robby the Robot, A Thin Man TV episode featuring Robby, an hour long original TCM doc on 1950's sci-fi films, three documentaries, lost footage & additional scenes. The feature and supplements are all on one disc on the HD-DVD. I attended the release party last November for the films 50th anniversary in Hollywood. Anne Francis was there as was Warren Stevens, who also played "Rojan" in the TOS episode with the Kelvans (can't remember the ep!? I'm slipping). In Forbidden Planet, he's the doctor.

It does look great for a Cinemascope film of it's vintage. Anne Francis did recall having a conversation with Gene Roddenberry in which he told her how heavily he borrowed from FP. As you probably also know, this film also introduced cinemas first all electronic score.

Pick it up. I think you'll be very impressed. Well worth the $19.99 through Amazon or at Fry's.
Reply
post #881 of 1108
11/15/07 at 7:07am

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ReggieW
Sam, are you aware that HD-DVD player prices are now around the price of good upconverting SD-DVD players? I see little risk in buying one of the Toshiba's to view this series if you're interested in seeing it in HD. I knew many other people who were on the fence (mainly due to format war uncertainty coupled with high prices) but went out and bought A2's or A3's for less than this TOS set will cost. Heck, you'll then be able to watch Forbidden Plant, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Omega Man, Blade Runner & BSG S1 in HD as well!

Actually, I believe there are some stores that are giving away an HD-DVD player when you buy the TOS season 1 set!

I certainly do want to see the series in high-def, but I object to the format war in principle, and won't support either camp until it is done. If it is never done, well, then, all I can say is that the TOS DVDs I have look very good already. (Seriously, stunning job with the transfers in the 2004 box sets.) I can be happy with those from here out, if need be.

I've bought the entire original series at least three times already - VHS in the late 80s and early 90s, 40-volume DVDs in the late 90s, and three box sets in 2004. If I buy it again anytime soon, my wife is going to start hunting down Paramount execs. (She's already warned me about buying another set of the Star Wars movies.)

On another topic, if the rumors of a high-def TNG are true, how cool would it be to see The Best of Both Worlds on the big screen, like The Menagerie?
Reply
post #882 of 1108
11/15/07 at 8:33am

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Thanks Reggie. I do have the 2-disc Tin of Forbidden Planet in SD. It will be interesting then to compare them.

By the way, this weekend is a repeat of Star Trek Remastered. The Doomsday Machine airs in case you missed it last time.
Reply
post #883 of 1108
11/30/07 at 7:23pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Okay, for those who have not bought the new Remastered HD-DVD of Star Trek Season One, this weekend they are airing the remastered The Alternative Factor. A convoluted episode, to be kind.

Note worthy is that John Drew Barrymore was cast to play Lazarus, but didn't show up, so Robert Brown took his place. Also, the one time we see Lt. Masters and the dylithium crystals in a section of Engineering. Oh yeah, also the only time they've shown the ship firing phasers from a rear point of view of the Enterprise. The new CGI should be interesting to see.

I think I'll watch the DVDs, it'll look better.
Reply
post #884 of 1108
1/8/08 at 12:58pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

I'm back again! With the Holidays and the recent news of Warner Bros going to blu-ray, I forgot to mention, new Remastered Episodes are airing again.

Last weekend was Day of the Dove. I missed it, but did record it. New CGI Klingon ship and planet. I thought the shot of the Klingon ship exploding was dicey, but it should be better in Hi-Def!

This weekend will air Who Mourns for Adonis. The big question here is how they'll do Apollo's hand grabbing the Enterprise. Will it be a CGI hand, or a real hand? Will the temple be replaced with CGI, or they keep the live action, probably keep the live action with some CGI tarting it up a bit.

And of course, there's Lt. Carolyn Palamas too and Scotty going koo-koo for her.
Reply
post #885 of 1108
1/8/08 at 6:14pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nelson Au
And of course, there's Lt. Carolyn Palamas too and Scotty going koo-koo for her.
Can't blame him. I would too!
Reply
post #886 of 1108
1/8/08 at 8:44pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lou Sytsma
Can't blame him. I would too!

Reply
post #887 of 1108
1/14/08 at 11:57am

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

As I recall, in the James Blish novels of Star Trek, Lt. Palamas gets pregnant at the end of the story.
Reply
post #888 of 1108
1/14/08 at 9:04pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

I was really curious how they would pull off Who Mourns for Adonis. Here are some screen caps of key scenes.

The hand was a goofy effect in the first place. In this new CGI version, it's no worse or better. It's a fair recreation with the added corrected view to show that they are in orbit of Pollux IV.

A nice touch was how the hand first appears, rising from the planet. The fingers are opening in an overly dramatic way too.

The other effects shot I did not include is the destruction of the temple. It's the same, they simply added some sparkles where the beams hit the temple and enhanced with colors as the temple dissolves.



I have to give them credit for the effort here. It was a tough call on this one. You either recreate it exactly as they did here, or try it differently, new angles or give the hand a new look. I suppose they thought hard and brainstormed this one. But in the end, they kept it simple.
Reply
post #889 of 1108
1/15/08 at 3:13am

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Thanks Nelson - great shots. Looks like they made the right decision.

BTW - its spelled Adonais.
Reply
post #890 of 1108
1/15/08 at 5:07am

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nelson Au
I was really curious how they would pull off Who Mourns for Adonis. Here are some screen caps of key scenes.

The hand was a goofy effect in the first place. In this new CGI version, it's no worse or better. It's a fair recreation with the added corrected view to show that they are in orbit of Pollux IV.

A nice touch was how the hand first appears, rising from the planet. The fingers are opening in an overly dramatic way too.

The other effects shot I did not include is the destruction of the temple. It's the same, they simply added some sparkles where the beams hit the temple and enhanced with colors as the temple dissolves.



I have to give them credit for the effort here. It was a tough call on this one. You either recreate it exactly as they did here, or try it differently, new angles or give the hand a new look. I suppose they thought hard and brainstormed this one. But in the end, they kept it simple.

What is the Green Giant holding them? Was'nt it a Flesh Colored Hand in the Original?
Reply
post #891 of 1108
1/15/08 at 7:47am

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

The hand was green originally.

Thanks Lou, it was late and I didn't check the spelling!
Reply
post #892 of 1108
1/21/08 at 6:05pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Eh, if anyone's interested, Let That Be Your Last Battlefield aired this past weekend.

The only virture of the broadcast was they cut out all the repetitive shots of Bele and Lokai running around the corridors. I was wondering of they replaced the buring buildings with CGI.

They had a new CGI shot of the shuttlecraft being pulled into the hanger deck, pretty good. New fly-bys. A new and subtle shot of the Enterprise with a hatch opened under the secondary hull when they decontaminate the planet. The planet very slowly changes color verse the original. The planet looks more real of course.
Reply
post #893 of 1108
1/21/08 at 6:29pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nelson Au
Eh, if anyone's interested, Let That Be Your Last Battlefield aired this past weekend.

The only virture of the broadcast was they cut out all the repetitive shots of Bele and Lokai running around the corridors.

Thats the damn truth! I was actually glad they cut that part short. Seeing The Riddler, and thats how Gorshin played it, running around the ship was so damn funny. Glad it was gone.
Reply
post #894 of 1108
1/21/08 at 7:50pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

IIRC, one of the blooper reels had Bele and Lokai actually collide with each other in a corridor. I think both cast and crew knew they were padding out the episode with those scenes.
Reply
post #895 of 1108
1/29/08 at 9:20pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Head's Up for this weekend, February 2, 2008. The remastered version of The Changling airs, one of my favorites. Kirk against another computer.

While Nomad will likely not change to CGI, the attack in the beginning of the episode will be about the most they do along with new fly-by's of the Enterprise. I hope they leave the explosion of Nomad alone at the end.

Then one of the more anticipated episodes airs the next weekend, 9th of February, The Ulitmate Computer. Captain Dunsel against the M-5 computer and the War Games.

If it's anything like The Doomsday Machine, it should be exciting to see the Lexington, Excalibur, Potemkin and the Hood against the Enterprise in CGI.

Set your TiVo's.
Reply
post #896 of 1108
1/30/08 at 6:41pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nelson Au
Set your TiVo's.

I am all over it with a season pass, of course. Always loved The Ultimate Computer. The Changling, not so much. It could be a good episode, except for the re-educating Uhura. The see Spot run stuff, is painful.
Reply
post #897 of 1108
1/31/08 at 9:20am

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

"The ball is b-luuu-eeee, b-lu-ee?"
Reply
post #898 of 1108
2/1/08 at 8:48am

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

My son, the doctor!

Can't wait to hear your review of The Ultimate Computer Nelson. That should be very interesting.
Reply
post #899 of 1108
2/4/08 at 6:13pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

The Changeling looked pretty good. It's still cool to see the new Remastered shows and the Second Seson shows have colors that still pop!

Most unlikely surprise was how colorful the lights are on Nomand when it speaks.

The new effects were minimal. The energy bolts from Nomand during the attack on the Enterprise are now green balls that have a wavy shimmer. Much better then the plasma energy of the Romulan weapons of Balance of Terror.

Of course some new fly-bys of the ship and one that heads into the camera and then pans downward towards the saucer section.

The last new effect was the Nomad explosion, a new effect and well done. Similar to the explosion of Sarpedin at the end of All Our Yesterdays. The fade out at the end of this sequence was cut short into a fly-by of the Enterprise. It's a shame too as the original fade-out you can see Shatner looking towards the camera and it looks like he was saying something to someone behind the camera.

All the other effects, phaser shots and Nomad zapping Uhura's mind and Scotty appear to be the same, but I didn't compare to the older DVD's. They could hae done some minor sweetening to those. The maps of SOL looks unchanged as does the on-screen technical drawing of the Nomad probe.

Next week is The Ultimate Computer!
Reply
post #900 of 1108
2/5/08 at 11:34pm

Re: Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.

Trekmovie.com has a preview image for this weekend's The Ultimate Computer! Not sure I like what they did, but see for yourself.

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: TV Programming
Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Forum › Entertainment › TV Programming › Star Trek TOS Special Edition Starts Sept 16th.