George Lucas Interview

[sarongsong]

Nice update from Variety (http://www.variety.com/VR1117951284.html):October 4, 2006
...The creator of "Star Wars," which stamped the template for the franchise-tentpole film, says many small films and Web distribution are the future...

[PhantomWolf]

"I think the secret to the future is quantity," Lucas told Daily Variety. "Because that's where it's going to end up."

Wish he'd been telling himself that when he made SW:RotS

Lucas said he believes Americans are abandoning the moviegoing habit for good.

I don't know that this is really true, there just aren't a heck of a lot of good movies these days.

[soylentgreen]

Lucas said he believes Americans are abandoning the moviegoing habit for good.

I don't know that this is really true, there just aren't a heck of a lot of good movies these days.

Exactly! I think he's got it totally backwards. Hollywood is abandoning quality movie-making....that's why people aren't going as often.

On another front...Add cell-phone blocking equiptment, cut the commercials(especially for the damn theatre I'm already sitting in), stop using half-strength projector bulbs to try to save money, bar entrance(or stop selling tickets, at least) once the feature starts and apply more thought to putting 'Sling Blade' in the theatre next to Woody Allen's only musical....bring back the THEATRE EXPERIENCE and you'll see an upsurge in movie-going, especially for the neglected 30 years and older range!

[Inferno]

"I think the secret to the future is quantity,"

Well, he's certainlty started on that trend - 3 prequels, none of them good quality.

[sarongsong]

...bring back the THEATRE EXPERIENCE and you'll see an upsurge in movie-going, especially for the neglected 30 years and older range!They are so trying:May 13, 2006
Would you like a beer with that popcorn?
Moviegoers may be asked that question if the CinemaStar Theater...is successful in its bid for a beer license...
San Diego Union-Tribune

[Dragon Star]

Meh, I don't think movies will be a thing of the future, all of the ideas are for the most part used, and re-used until they become as stale as a 3 week old cracker. I mean really, how many are really going to see the new King Kong?:neutral:

[PhantomWolf]

They are so trying:

Trying would be the right word there.

Would you like a beer with that popcorn?

Yeah, like I really want a drunken loudmouth behind me during a movie.....

[SMEaton]

Meh, I don't think movies will be a thing of the future, all of the ideas are for the most part used, and re-used until they become as stale as a 3 week old cracker. I mean really, how many are really going to see the new King Kong?:neutral:Is there another one out already? ;)
The only theater I visit nowadays is downtown and just a five minute walk from my house. It's a small venue and shows indie flicks, plus occasional previews of bigger movies. Oh yes, they also serve beer.

[PhantomWolf]

Meh, I don't think movies will be a thing of the future, all of the ideas are for the most part used, and re-used until they become as stale as a 3 week old cracker. I mean really, how many are really going to see the new King Kong?

There are plenty of ideas that haven't been used, the trouble is that Hollywood seems to have gone on a remake binge and the ones that aren't remakes are just plain suckful. They need to look back and see what made the great movies great, and recreate that atmosphere with a new story rather then remaking the same story. They are into too much flash and bang, and not enough getting involved with the characters and sinking into a deep and good storyline these days. They need to throw away the computer and relearn how to do character and story development.

[Gillianren]

There's nothing wrong with keeping the computer. I do a lot of writing on mine.

Oh, you mean for special effects . . . .

[suntrack2]

George Lucas films are quite popular in India, there was a huge crowd for their movies in the big cities. (most of them were youths and adults too, they enjoyed their movie, when I ask to one spectator, how do you like this film, that fellow replied, very nice, He further said George Lucas are very great)

[DataCable]

Yeah, like I really want a drunken loudmouth behind me during a movie.....
Might be a nice change of pace from all the sober loudmouths...

[Dragon Star]

Is there another one out already? ;)

Not really, but there is a good a chance of another-one as is the accuracy of an atomic clock. :D

[Gillianren]

Might be a nice change of pace from all the sober loudmouths...

I actually lost it at one of those once, during the first Pirates movie. This woman had apparently lost the power of internal monologue and didn't really have an inside voice. She was also seeing the movie alone, so she was, in fact, sharing with all of us. I finally asked if she would please just shut up. She did, at least.

[MrClean]

Would you like a beer with that popcorn?

Yeah, like I really want a drunken loudmouth behind me during a movie.....

Exactly, bring it down to an even lower experience than the cell phone afflicted morons.

Just bought the original Star Wars movies series, the ones before he screwed it up, its a blast. Quality? Lord of the Rings movies, although being a little too long, seemed to do quite well. Those irritating New prequals of Star wars did TOO good for the garbage they were and all the rest of movies? Well, that last Woody Allen one was pretty good, but having just come from Windows Flight simulator/Knights of the Sky, I mean Flyboys, well they still have a way to go in plotville. I do have a strong belief that not everybody on the German side flew DRI's painted like the Red Barons, Jeeeeeaaaaaassssuuuzzzzz! Flying scenes so phoney it made the acting look good.

Poor Hollywood. It really is going to break my heart when the day comes that vacuous actors can't make 20 million a movie during the day, yell their politics and world views at us unworthys at dinner and blame everythings on the Jews in a drunken stupour at night. Yup, gonna really break my heart.

[PhantomWolf]

Oh, you mean for special effects . . . .

I think that it is possible to have a movie with a load of SFX and still have a good movie. Look at Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Forrest Grump, The Matrix, Serenity and Lord of the Rings. The trouble is that too often we are seeing movies where the SFX are literally used to replace plot, storyline, and solid oak acting (e.g. Alien vs Predator, Star Wars: Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones & Revenge of the Sith, Sky Captain & the World of Tomorrow, The Cronicles of Riddick, Tomb Raider, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Matrix Reloaded, Matrix Revolutions.) The joy of the Indiana Jones, E.T., Star Wars, and Alien (first 2) movies was that they had strong stories, powerful acting and involving plots which were all backed up by the SFX, rather than being replaced by them.

[Gillianren]

I know. My point was that it isn't the computer itself that makes the movie bad; it's the failure of imagination of the script writers.

[Doodler]

Most of the better story writing seems to be in video games these days. The plot for both of the Neverwinter Nights expansions were better than anything in the fantasy genre I've seen lately in movies or television.

[PhantomWolf]

Most of the better story writing seems to be in video games these days. The plot for both of the Neverwinter Nights expansions were better than anything in the fantasy genre I've seen lately in movies or television.

Hmmmm, maybe instead of flim producers making games into movies, some of the game producers should go into script writing for films.

[Doodler]

Most of the better story writing seems to be in video games these days. The plot for both of the Neverwinter Nights expansions were better than anything in the fantasy genre I've seen lately in movies or television.

Hmmmm, maybe instead of flim producers making games into movies, some of the game producers should go into script writing for films.

Pass. I honestly prefer the games as a form of immersive, interactive entertainment, versus the old school passive feed method. I'd rather keep the good storytelling there.

[HenrikOlsen]

Totally different media, the skills required don't translate well.

[peter eldergill]

I tried neverwinter nights, but found the controlls really clumsy, especially after playing World of Warcraft


I think that it is possible to have a movie with a load of SFX and still have a good movie. Look at Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Forrest Grump, The Matrix, Serenity and Lord of the Rings. The trouble is that too often we are seeing movies where the SFX are literally used to replace plot, storyline, and solid oak acting (e.g. Alien vs Predator, Star Wars: Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones & Revenge of the Sith, Sky Captain & the World of Tomorrow, The Cronicles of Riddick, Tomb Raider, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Matrix Reloaded, Matrix Revolutions.) The joy of the Indiana Jones, E.T., Star Wars, and Alien (first 2) movies was that they had strong stories, powerful acting and involving plots which were all backed up by the SFX, rather than being replaced by them.

I agree with alsmost everything here, but I did enjoy Tomb Raider...I suppose I wasn't really looking for plot.

I really Pitch Black, but thought Chronicles of Riddick was awful

Forrest Gump had a few too many "side stories" which made it a tad long (like runnign across america, for ex)

Pete

[Demigrog]

The real problem is the cost; even during the day it is $4.50 for a ticket at the local run-down theatre (and the projection is so dark and out of focus I really am better off with the DVD and my widescreen HDTV at home). And food--$5.50 for pre-popped popcorn and another $3.85 for a small drink... and did I mention that this was the rundown, cheap local theatre?

I'd never go, but my fiance likes to. Good thing we don't have kids too, or I'd have to take out a small loan.

[Moose]

Most of the better story writing seems to be in video games these days. The plot for both of the Neverwinter Nights expansions were better than anything in the fantasy genre I've seen lately in movies or television.

Bioware does good, but formulaic vanilla-hero tales in their initial game releases. Baldur's Gate. Neverwinter Nights. Knights of the Old Republic. Jade Empire. All excellent games with solid writing, but Bioware tends to stick with two-tone ethical situations.

But Bioware really excels with their writing for expansions and sequels. Baldur's Gate 2 and especially Throne of Bhaal. Neverwinter Nights: HotU was brilliant. SoU was rushed, but there was an especially clever use of Bioware's patented triple-cross[tm], which amusingly enough can be found in every single Bioware RPG so far, except possibly the original Baldur's Gate. I've never played Planescape Torment (to my wistful regret), but I've heard very good things about the writing.

I'm a big fan of Obsidian (and Black Isle) for their writing, though. Their ethical situations tend to be grey and murky throughout, and they give you a lot of role-playing freedom. Their more complex plotlines tend to have almost as many layers as an onion, but their ambitious writing means they have to take extra special care hunting out game-breaking bugs, something which the publishers rarely let them do adequately. KotOR 2 and Fallout 2 especially, were brilliant but unfinished to the point of being unplayable out of the box.

Troika did some very nice writing with Arcanum. Like Planescape Torment, it never really got itself noticed, which was a shame.

I'm enjoying Bethseda's writing (Oblivion), but I haven't played enough of their games to be able to comment more specifically. I am, however, really enjoying the mage guild's story. One mission left in that plotline. :D

Square's RPGs have (overly) simple writing, but the overall plots tend to be rich and larger-than-life, and they make surprisingly effective use of emotional plays.

I especially enjoyed the story in FFIII (aka VI), and VII's groundbreakig use of 3D+cinematics to tell the story definitely had its charm. I was one of the wimps in tears throughout the Aeris scene. My jaw was on the floor in absolute horror when they collapsed the ceiling in sector 7 earlier in the game. And the Celes attempted-suicide scene in FFIII/VI in the second part of the game was another major heart-wrench.

I've never gotten my hands on Chrono Trigger (which is reportedly the superior game), but I absolutely loved Chrono Cross. One of the rare few games that, in deliberately taking the decision point (not knowing how to save Kid) that lets you get Glenn (and someone else saves Kid anyway), made me feel so dirty that I had to put the game down for a day or two before I could stand myself enough to continue.

Heh, did I miss anybody?

[Moose]

Forrest Gump had a few too many "side stories" which made it a tad long (like runnign across america, for ex)

Trust me, it was better than the book. At least the movie was remotely plausible. The book lost me during the indescribably lame "rocket payload (as opposed to astronaut) + ape (who was the mission commander) + cannibal village" plotline. I'm (mildly) curious as to exactly what the author was on when he came up with that, and exactly what the publisher was on to let him keep that in the book.

[PhantomWolf]

Knights of the Old Republic.

Just playing this now. I have to admit I didn't see this games major twist in the middle coming.

Not mentioning exactly what it is for those that haven't played it and want too.