The uniforms on TMP sure look like pajamas but also look nicer to me than the military like uniforms on TWOK.
I saw the Fathom Event re-release of the film on Wednesday. The blacks were crushed in all the effects sequences. It also looked as though some digital film grain removal had taken place (and in spots the lack of grain was almost shocking). I found myself wishing they had waited until the 4K ‘Director’s Cut’ was ready. In that version of the film, Spock sends the friendship message and you see the lightning ball actually burn out before striking the shop. The end of the wormhole sequence has a far better transition. There must be at least 50 other improvements in the recut.
Let's face it, digital has ruined the cinema experience. Not that digital can't be very good, it just usually isn't. I'll say it: it's video, and it now comes to you complete with TV commercials. In the average movie theater, presentations suffer from the poor technical abilities of the staff, and I have specifically suffered this phenomenon on several occasions. Some of the premium cinemas do usually get it right, especially the sound, but in the lesser theaters, which is the overwhelming majority, it mostly sucks, with washed out image, light on the screens, low volume levels etc. I've even had bad experiences in some premium houses (IMAX) with misaligned dual projection, and the inability of the staff to not only recognize the problem, but also the inability to fix it. There's quite a **** show out there folks, and now more than ever I'm staying home.
Those were some very unflattering pyjamas. The long Enterprise "flyby" scene makes me chuckle when Kirk goes "Thank you mr. Scott" right after the shuttle docks.
Some of the chains care, Cinemark for instance in my experience; it may also help that they recently got THX to certify their theaters. Some are slipping, and some second tier chains such as Frank theaters are pretty bad. I saw Khan in 70mm 6-track Dolby back in '82 and Voyage Home also in 70mm in '86, and the others in 35mm during the heyday of the Dolby/THX Theater Alignment Programs, and the bar has slipped considerably since then.
When we rarely go to the cinema, we use the Regal chain in this area. Their presentations are always top-notch, both visual- and audio-wise. I have to admit that the digital projection now is better than the film projection of yesteryear.
What's your preferred Regal location around here? I'm closest to Potomac Yards, which is a dump. Springfield is nice and Kingstowne is decent...
We live in Hyattsville MD, and use that location or Silver Spring. I've never had any issues at either location.
I've been to the SS Regal and it's fine. Never been to the Hyattsville one. I'm 100% AMC now due to A-List, but I might feel differently if I lived up your way, as the Greenbelt and Beltsville AMCs - the ones I think are closest to you - are dumps! I have a friend in Greenbelt and I refuse to see movies up her way because those AMCs are so crummy! BTW, are you aware Regal now has a "subscription" plan?
I think I read something about it, but we really only go to the cinema around twice a year, so it's probably not worth it. However, after seeing TMP the other day, it reminded how the experience is so much more enjoyable than watching on the plasma at home - except for the wine and cats!
Yeah, if you only go twice a year, the subscription plan would be a massive waste of money! I go to a lot of movies, so A-List is a wonderful plan. At $22/month, I'm basically in the black if I only go to 2 movies/month, and I typically see at least 6, so it's a great money saver. I also find A-List makes me way more open to seeing movies I'd otherwise skip. In my mind, each movie is "free" - I've already paid AMC, so I might as well go. In addition, I'm more willing to splurge for concessions. I enjoy my popcorn, and I can justify the $10 combo more readily when the movie itself only costs me like $4!
Scream bows a Friday the 13th box set, plus Uni’s Alfred Hitchcock 4K Collection is official, and a bit of hopeful Star Trek TMP 4K news! Maybe we WILL get an updateof the Director's Edition after all for ST:TMP. Paramount has been VERY secretive about this.
STTMP in 4K BD Directors with a wonderful mix to Atmos by Mr Botnick. My Oppo 205 and OLED can’t wait !!!!!!! Excited !!!! . I just saw the restored soundtrack and movie in the theaters when fathom events did it and it is the absolute best I have ever heard it sound. When I was a kid I was too young too see it on its first run in the theater. Can’t wait for the amazing 4K edition !! So glad Paramount is doing this. They will sell these. Hopefully we will also see ST II WOK as well in a restored 4K edition (might be easier because there is already a BD Directors edition that rocks )
If they're really moving ahead with this, it's encouraging to hear that the audio is going to get special treatment. That's one of the things I really like about the director's cut - the audio seems so much better balanced and open than on the original TMP, where the audio is fatiguing (to me).
I would say it's underrated. I grew up watching them on my dad's VHS tapes, and while it's not the best movie, it's nowhere close to being the worst, imho. In my original series movies ranking, I would rate it: The Search For Spock The Wrath Of Khan The Motion Picture The Voyage Home* The Undiscovered Country The Final Frontier *I actually loved The Voyage Home when I was a kid, mostly for the whales lol. But compared to some of the other movies, it just has not aged as well to me.
It's a decent film that just feels a bit bloated. Too many scenes drag on longer than they need to, which makes the pacing of the film feel glacially slow in places. Still, it has its charms and I think it's held up rather well.
From what I recall the Directors Cut was only ever rendered at DVD quality, and the assets are now lost as the company that processed the visuals went bankrupt. The Directors Cut is much better, and very very good. The theatrical cut is ponderous, slow, and tedious.
I'm a big fan of ST:MP, but unless the new Blu-ray contains all 3 versions of the film, I'll probably pass.
The slow, extended shot of the Enterprise made my head explode when I first saw it....and still does. One of my all time Star Trek 'magic moments'.
Yes, that's about my only critique of "The Motion Picture"; some cutting/editing of a few parts to tighten them is in order here IMO. I don't mind drawn out, slow paced movies at all but TMP does really crawl in spots.
One of mine too. I loved how they presented the Enterprise as a cast member in a grand way. She's been through a lot with the rest of the cast. She is a member of the cast! My opinion.
