Indiana Jones on Blu-Ray

[Darth Madden]

What I don't understand about the inevitable Star Wars release on Blu-Ray is that SpikeTV has already aired all of the originals in HD, most recently over Christmas. They've already been transfered so what's the deal?

Those were in HD? I must have missed something because they didn't look any better than when I saw them before.

 

[MarfMaster]

I'll join the "I enjoyed AI" club, population me and Irishjedi. I actually don't know why so many people viciously hate on this movie.

 

[IrishJedi]

I'll join the "I enjoyed AI" club, population me and Irishjedi. I actually don't know why so many people viciously hate on this movie.

Because they simply don't get it (or don't care to). Which is fine, of course.

But I have had several conversations with people (including friends) who only saw it once or twice and hated it. And every single time I got into a discussion with them it was revealed that they didn't even really know what they were watching. And almost to a person I got the, "It should have ended underwater and not with the Spielberg ending with the aliens." Uh... wrong on many levels. The first being that the ending was actually more Kubrick than Spielberg.

 

[thenammagazine]

Because they simply don't get it (or don't care to). Which is fine, of course.

But I have had several conversations with people (including friends) who only saw it once or twice and hated it. And every single time I got into a discussion with them it was revealed that they didn't even really know what they were watching. And almost to a person I got the, "It should have ended underwater and not with the Spielberg ending with the aliens." Uh... wrong on many levels. The first being that the ending was actually more Kubrick than Spielberg.

What's not to get? The "more human than human" principle has been done to death.




EDIT: Where'd MANDO's "I don't like Will Smith" post go?!

 

[IrishJedi]

I'm not talking about the conceit, which is a post-future sci-fi tale featuring artificial humans... I'm talking about the THEME, which is entirely different than Blade Runner's. And a theme (not the plot/story) is sometimes what a film is actually about and what it's trying to say.

 

[thenammagazine]

I'm not talking about the conceit, which is a post-future sci-fi tale featuring artificial humans... I'm talking about the THEME, which is entirely different than Blade Runner's. And a theme (not the plot/story) is sometimes what a film is actually about and what it's trying to say.

Again, the "more human than human" thing has been done to death. One could argue that I Am Legend had the same message, just different clothes.

 

[MANDO]

EDIT: Where'd MANDO's "I don't like Will Smith" post go?!

I pulled it as I was thnking of I Robot, which was why I didn't get what all the fuss was a bout.

This is what happens when I wait too long to eat.

 

[IrishJedi]

Again, the "more human than human" thing has been done to death. One could argue that I Am Legend had the same message, just different clothes.

That's not it either. In fact, A.I.'s theme might actually be closer to that of JURASSIC PARK (Man playing God) than the film's you mentioned.

Here's a hint: it's purely theological & religious in nature and deals with an age-old question: If one sentient being (God/man) can create another his own image and imbue that being with unconditional love for its creator/owner... then what responsibilities come (or should come) with it for the creator/owner? That is 99.9% of what A.I. is about, which was Kubrick's master plan and what Spielberg went with as well. It's just covered with the conceit of a Dark Sci-Fi Fairy Tale. If someone sees the movie and thinks those are aliens at the end (and not advanced A.I. spawned from man's own creation) then they have 100% missed the entire point of the movie. And that's just one element.

 

[MarfMaster]

Those were in HD? I must have missed something because they didn't look any better than when I saw them before.

Maybe there are two versions of the channel, one for regular and one for HD...that seems to be commonplace now, and you were watching the regular. That would be my best guess because I definitely noticed a difference.

 

[thenammagazine]

That's not it either. In fact, A.I.'s theme might actually be closer to that of JURASSIC PARK (Man playing God) than the film's you mentioned.

Here's a hint: it's purely theological & religious in nature and deals with an age-old question: If one sentient being (God/man) can create another his own image and imbue that being with unconditional love for its creator/owner... then what responsibilities come (or should come) with it for the creator/owner? That is 99.9% of what A.I. is about, which was Kubrick's master plan and what Spielberg went with as well. It's just covered with the conceit of a Dark Sci-Fi Fairy Tale. If someone sees the movie and thinks those are aliens at the end (and not advanced A.I. spawned from man's own creation) then they have 100% missed the entire point of the movie. And that's just one element.

I Am Legend.... the disease was spawned from a "god playing" geneticist who altered the DNA of Measles to cure cancer which resulted in a very A.I. like story with catastrophic affects where we discover that these "lesser beings" are actually more human than us. Again, same salad, different dressing.

 

[IrishJedi]

I Am Legend.... the disease was spawned from a "god playing" geneticist who altered the DNA of Measles to cure cancer which resulted in a very A.I. like story with catastrophic affects where we discover that these "lesser beings" are actually more human than us.

Yes, but the difference (and it's not a small one) is that in I AM LEGEND the "disease" was an accident and/or side-effect. In A.I., man is purposely creating sentient robots that are human in every way (including their own thoughts and feelings) in order to serve him. And it deals with that notion that if man could create a sentient being that thinks and feels in every way, does it have a "soul"? Where is the line drawn? In the beginning, didn't God create man in order to serve Him? In A.I. it's that one specific question. And it may not be for everyone (especially the agnostic) but I personally think it's a very interesting theme and A.I. played on it better than any film before or after it. In fact, when you view it for what it is through that lens and absorb its theme it's a damn masterpiece.

But, back to INDY... that's more fun anyway.

 

[thenammagazine]

Yes, but the difference (and it's not a small one) is that in I AM LEGEND the "disease" was an accident and/or side-effect. In A.I., man is purposely creating sentient robots that are human in every way (including their own thoughts and feelings) in order to serve him. And it deals with that notion that if man could create a sentient being that thinks and feels in every way, does it have a "soul"? Where is the line drawn? In the beginning, didn't God create man in order to serve Him? In A.I. it's that one specific question. And it may not be for everyone (especially the agnostic) but I personally think it's a very interesting theme and A.I. played on it better than any film before or after it. In fact, when you view it for what it is through that lens and absorb its theme it's a damn masterpiece.

But, back to INDY... that's more fun anyway.

To each their own I guess. Personally, I think Amistad or Glory are great for showing the mentality in that type of storyline but I guess it's easier to tolerate a little white kid than the sins of our past.

As for Indy, I think Lucas is just afraid of the format. True Clone Wars was released on Blu-Ray, but it was all but created for it. The others, not so much.

 

[MarfMaster]

What about Indiana Jones and the Kindom of the ******* Blu-ray?

 

[shocktrooper_au]

As for Indy, I think Lucas is just afraid of the format. True Clone Wars was released on Blu-Ray, but it was all but created for it. The others, not so much.

I can't see why he would be afraid for Indy on Blu-Ray it looks outstanding as is on DVD through a PS3 on LCD, Star Wars however would be the ones to need some serious attention

 

[thenammagazine]

I can't see why he would be afraid for Indy on Blu-Ray it looks outstanding as is on DVD through a PS3 on LCD, Star Wars however would be the ones to need some serious attention

Granted, and I agree. Blu-Ray would make all the digital effects and "upgrades" more than obvious in the Star Wars films. But once the Indy trilogy's released, he'll have even less of an excuse not to release the Star Wars films. This way, when it gets really bad, he can stall and throw everybody a bone with the Indy films.

What about Indiana Jones and the Kindom of the ******* Blu-ray?

Again, that film was all but shot just for Blu-Ray which is why, I suspect, there wasn't any hesitation for LFL to throw it out in that format.

 

[IrishJedi]

Yeah, I think it's more of a marketing and supply-and-demand build up strategy than anything else.

Hell, LFL is probably still not finished squeezing blood out of the DVD stone.

 

[Darth Madden]

Maybe there are two versions of the channel, one for regular and one for HD...that seems to be commonplace now, and you were watching the regular. That would be my best guess because I definitely noticed a difference.

Oh yeah, I don't remember which channel I was on now.. DUH. Back on topic... I sure home Indy comes out on blu-Ray soon.

 

[Vivisect]

What I don't understand about the inevitable Star Wars release on Blu-Ray is that SpikeTV has already aired all of the originals in HD, most recently over Christmas. They've already been transfered so what's the deal?

Theres no way those were actually HD transfers of the films, they didnt even look as good as the regular dvd's played through my media center PC, mabee they were "upconverted" to supposed hd in the same way that every thing on Dish and direct TV is in HD. Though I suppose it could be that the media PC I have does a nicer job of "upconverting" than most blue ray players. Any how I hate the term "Upconverting" and will hopefully never use it again

 

[thenammagazine]

Theres no way those were actually HD transfers of the films, they didnt even look as good as the regular dvd's played through my media center PC, mabee they were "upconverted" to supposed hd in the same way that every thing on Dish and direct TV is in HD. Though I suppose it could be that the media PC I have does a nicer job of "upconverting" than most blue ray players. Any how I hate the term "Upconverting" and will hopefully never use it again

Could easily change it to "enhanced for HD?"

 

[mfisher]

For what it is worth.. I watched my Raiders DVD on our Sony Blu-ray player that "upconverts" on our LG 1020 TV... the clarity was ridiculously clear... you could suddenly read small graffiti on the walls behind Indy as he runs through Cairo chasing the basket... I am happy with that