The Big Picture

Why Can't I Rip DVDs to My iPod?

Wednesday, March 05, 2008 | 06:30 PM

in Digital Media | Film | Technology | Television | Video

Legally, that is.

This is my annoyance of the moment: Why are DVDs a DRM-locked proprietary platform? When I purchase one, why can't I use this on a convenient, portable device such as my iPod?

What a pain in the arse it is to rip a DVD: Frist, you need to use several products (MP4 Converter, Handbrake, Ripper); 2nd, it takes forever. 3rd, and its illegal to do so.

What brought this about recently was The Simpson's Movie -- actually, more of an extended 90 minute episode. I saw it with my nephews (with me snoozing thru parts of it).

However, going through the extras, I started listening to producer/writer commentary. Unbelievably entertaining stuff, like a terrific radio show with several very funny people cracking each other up. I would have liked to put on the iPod for the train, but no such luck.

~~~

I can rip the basic movie, but not the special audio commentary. Anyone have a clue how to do that?

Sources:

The Complete Guide to Converting DVDs to iPod Format
Jerrod Hofferth
iLounge, November 21, 2005
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/the-complete-guide-to-converting-dvds-to-ipod-format-mac/

Rip DVDs To Your Mac To View On AppleTV And iPod.
Alexis Kayhill
Mac360, Friday, April 13, 2007
http://mac360.com/index.php/mac360/comments/rip_dvds_to_your_mac_to_view_on_appletv_and_ipod/

Wicked Cool Info-Graphic: Box Office Revenue

Sunday, February 24, 2008 | 08:08 AM

in Digital Media | Film | Technical Analysis

Here is a fantastic bit of Sunday morning chart porn, and just in time for the Oscars: The Ebb and Flow of Movies: Box Office Receipts.

Box Office Revenue, 1986 - 2007
(inflation adjusted)
courtesy of NYT

>

A few interesting things: Search box up top; thumb tab on the bottom -- it slides all the way back to 1986. Mouse over any movie, and you get the full name; click the name, and a short description pops up, including a link to the NYT overrview. That includes cast, reader ratings, trailer and clips, and link to the full NYT review.

My only criticisms: The exact dollar amount of box office should show in the pop up; and Earth tones? No one could think of a more vibrant color set for movies? (yecch)

I'd like to see the same method of info display used for other items: stock and sector performance comes to mind, as do auto sales, Television viewership, Video game sales, Music, etc.

And who created this? ~~Hey NYT editors, you might want to give props~~ Nice work by Mathew Bloch, Shan Carter and Amanda Cox creating this little beastie. Its terrific . . .

Source:
The Ebb and Flow of Movies: Box Office Receipts 1986 - 2007
Baseline StudioSystems; Box Office Mojo
NYT, February 23, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/02/23/movies/20080223_REVENUE_GRAPHIC.html

Game Over in Blu-Ray HD contest?

Tuesday, January 08, 2008 | 05:45 PM

in Digital Media | Film | Technology | Video

I've mentioned the Blu Ray/HD quandry in the past, but it seems the fight is drawing to its conclusion. In both the US and Europe, Blu-ray discs are significantly outselling HD DVDs.

But its this MacRumors chart (below) that pretty much sums up the battle:

Its hard to see how HD has a shot.

Now the question becomes how fast the prices drop on both the Blu Ray players and movies, but for now, I am sticking with an upconvert Sony for the big TV.

UPDATE: January 8, 2008 8:21pm

Why would prices go down?

As we previously discussed, I suspect many consumers have been on the sidelines awaiting the winner of the format war between Blu-Ray and HD.

As that fades away, the total number of purchases of the winner -- Blu Ray -- will go up significantly.

Thus, economies of scale, mass adaptation, and desires for deep market penetration will drive prices lower.

As to the monopoly issue -- I doubt its an issue. 1) These are video playback toys, not an essential product or service; and B) There is still legit competition from ordinary DVD players (fer cryin out loud, you can still buy VCRs for $29).

My apologies for failing to explain the intermediate steps in my thinking . . .

2007 Movie Theater Attendance = Flat

Wednesday, January 02, 2008 | 08:41 PM

in Digital Media | Film | Technology

First CDs, then DVDs, concerts and now movie theater ticket sales

"Ticket sales at North American movie theaters totaled $9.7 billion, a 4% increase over the previous year, according to Media by Numbers, a box office tracking company.

But attendance was flat, after a narrow increase in 2006 and three previous years of sharp declines. Movie fans bought about 1.42 billion tickets last year, according to Media by Numbers. The high watermark of the last 10 years came in 2002, when moviegoers bought about 1.61 billion tickets . . .
But box office results are always a game of glass half-full and glass half-empty, and the half-empties this time seem more prominent.

DVD sales continue to slump both domestically and abroad. The private money that has washed over Hollywood in recent years is starting to slow, investment bankers say, as more hedge funds go home with little to show. And movie executives are worried about the impending collision between striking screenwriters and the important awards shows."
>

In other words, except for ticket price inflation, sales were flat . . .
>

Source:
A Film Year Full of Escapism, Flat in Attendance
BROOKS BARNES
NYT, January 2, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/02/movies/02year.html

Blade Runner DVD NOT Released Today

Tuesday, December 18, 2007 | 06:30 PM

in Digital Media | Film

Today was supposed to be the official release of the new 5 DVD version. Apparently, there is some sort of a production issue, and according to Amazon, the DVD is NOT available today:

"Due to production and shipment delays from the studio impacting all retailers, this title will not be available to ship by the street date indicated above. We are working with the studio to get this product in stock as quickly as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Isn't that just like a Ridley Scott production? late, over-budget, but brilliant to look at.

Well, this gives me a few more weeks to figure out which version to get (as we discussed last night in the $200 HD/Blu-Ray).

Here's what I am wrestling with:

Blade Runner (Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition) ($55, all the crap included)

Blade Runner (Four-Disc Collector's Edition) ($23, just the DVDs -- but available TODAY)

or, do I wait for the HD/Blu-Ray decision?

Blade Runner (Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray]

Blade Runner (Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition) [HD DVD]

Some quandry. And I thought this was going to be my last Blade Runner post . . .

HD/Blu-Ray DVDs = $200

Monday, December 17, 2007 | 07:00 PM

in Film | Technology

Okay, they are not quite $200 -- but there are 4 machines on sale at Amazon.com, starting from $223 - $327, (shipping included). That's damn reasonable for an HD machine.

And, they include 10 free discs (5 with the player & 5 by mail) for the HD machines; The Blu-Ray player includes 5 free (by mail).

These Hi-Def DVD players (not recorders) have now dropped to the point where they are very very tempting . . .

HD:

• Toshiba HD-A35 1080p HD DVD Player for ~~$500~~ = $327 (with free shipping).

• Toshiba HD-A30 1080p HD DVD Player for ~~$400~~ = $233 (with free shipping)

• Toshiba HD-A3 720p/1080i HD DVD Player for ~~$300~~ $224 (with free shipping)

BLUE RAY:
• Samsung BD-P1400 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player for ~~$500~~ $280 (with free shipping).

~~~

Note: The Samsung BD-P1400 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player is Amazon's best selling HD DVD (its Blu-Ray); The Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD Player was the best selling HD machine, but it was replaced by the HD-A3 720p/1080i HD DVD Player for ~~$300~~ $224 (with free shipping)

Nice find, via PVR BLog

Amazon's Most Wished For, Most Gifted, and Best Selling Items

Wednesday, December 05, 2007 | 06:00 PM

in Books | Consumer Spending | Film | Music

I like trolling through these pages looking at what people want -- and what actually gets bought.

These are the most "Wished for, Gifted, and Best Sellers" on Amazon:

Books: Most Wished For; Most Gifted (like a special school?); Top Sellers

Electronics: Most Wished For; Most "Gifted"; Top Sellers

Music: Top Sellers; Most Gifted; (as in bought for someone else); Most Wished For;

DVDs: Most Gifted; Most Wished For; Top Sellers

Fun stuff . . .

Hollywood Studio Exec Explains The Writers' Strike

Thursday, November 29, 2007 | 04:30 PM

in Digital Media | Film | Television

A studio executive explains the Hollywood writers' strike (as written by striking Colbert Report writers).

Bloody brilliant.

Also, the AMPTP finally fights fire with fire, and uses the internet to counter the WGA's ugly smear campaign.

Hysterical.

via pmarca

The Beatles Help!

Thursday, November 08, 2007 | 09:20 PM

in Digital Media | Film | Music

Speaking of Film Soundtracks . . .

We were just discussing these last week, and I happened to notice that EMI is re-releasing the 1965 movie, The Beatles Help! in a special-beautiful-super-deluxe 2 DVD set (and advertising the hell out of it everywhere I look).

I guess when Help! the Deluxe Edition sells for $95, they can afford the advertising budget. Its a huge promotional push to nostalgic boomers.

I have a hard time justifying the $95 dollar price for this one -- but not for the $54.99 5 DVD Blade Runner (previously discussed here, here, here and here).

Especially since a digitally restored and newly created 5.1 soundtrack 2 DVD version of Help! is available for $17 !

UPDATE: November 9, 2007 5:43am

I see the 5 DVD deluxe Blade Runner has an Amazon.com Sales Rank of # 107, versus Help! the Deluxe Edition, which is has #112 in DVD sellers;

The 2 DVD version of Help! version of help is #17.

Ha! Score one for rational behavior . . .

click for video

Friday Night Jazz Film Soundtracks

Friday, November 02, 2007 | 07:30 PM

in Digital Media | Film | Friday Night Jazz | Music

Oh, goody, yet another list. How f$%&ing original!

For some silly reason, there seems to be all this hoo-haa about the silly Vanity Fair article on the top Movie Soundtracks of all time.

These people are wankers for many reasons: 1) The VF weenies press released to death; b) the article is not even available on line; iii) the editors chose Purple Rain as the greatest film soundtrack of all time.

I remain convinced that the purveyors of these annoying lists select a controversial top pick to generate buzz (tho' you would think this would might encourage online posting).

Regardless, let's not play into their hand. Rather than waste too much time telling you how clueless VF's music editors are, or giving them any linklove, I would rather -- in the spirit of Friday Night Jazz -- compile a worthwhile list of films and soundtracks for your perusal.

A few ground rules:

• We are looking for outstanding soundtracks to outstanding films. (Merely o.k. doesn't cut it).

• Groundbreaking films, soundtracks and performances get bonus points. (Mediocre performances get cut).

• Better non-film versions take points away from the movie soundtrack -- where there are superior versions such as the Broadway soundtrack (i.e., Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, etc.) than those flicks don 't make the cut.

• Pure adaptations of Broadway shows also get cut. In my mind, Cabaret, Chicago, Chorus Line are more filmed stage productions, rather than pure movies. (as forewarned, totally subjective).

Hence, several films that I love failed to make the cut: Apocalypse Now is fantastic in the way it uses music (especially The Doors' The End, and Wagner's The Ride Of The Valkyries), but its not great as a standalone soundtrack; the wonderful My Fair Lady, with Rex Harrison's mediocre voice, and the dubbing of Audrey Hepburn's voice, also doesn't make the cut.

These things are totally subjective, and are rarely based exclusively on mere merits. Pink Floyd The Wall was a great album so overplayed when I was in college, that I simply couldn't pull the trigger on it (the film is a bit ponderous to boot). Again, these things are very subjective.

Alternatively, the film can't suck. The greatest soundtrack in the world becomes irrelevant if its attached to a film like, say, Hedwig and the Angry Inch -- a play that sucked two hours out of my life that I will never get back, and will literally regret on my death bed.

We can certainly debate the order of any list, or the contents, and we probably will (thats what the comments are for).

Here's my subjective top ~20:

1. A Hard Day's Night: A brilliant film and album that both remain as energetic and fresh today as they were in 1964. The Beatles personalities were perfectly suited to the medium, so much so that its hard to imagine a better film/soundtrack combo.

A Hard Day's Night

If you want to consider another Beatles sound track, both Yellow Submarine and Help! are fun -- but neither rise to the sheer genius of A Hard Day's Night.

~~~

2. Stop Making Sense: Quite simply, the best concert film ever made. Yes, some of you will declare The Last Waltz, (with a few stragglers nominating Woodstock) but there is simply nothing else that ha the combination of showmanship, musical innovation -- and the big suit -- like this film does. Marvelous.

Stop Making Sense

~~~

3. Blade Runner: Forget the ponderous and boring Chariots of Fire, THIS is Vangelis Masterpiece. Not only is the music hauntingly beautiful, but it fits the filmscape so perfectly, making it even better than it originally was. We've already spilled so many words about BR, that the less said the better. "All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain."

Blade Runner

~~~

4. The Rocky Horror Picture Show: I could try to explain this, but I couldn't do it justice. Find a theater where this is playing at the midnight show, and go with someone who's gone before. Repeat.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975 Film)

~~~

5. The Graduate: Not only is this a seminal, groundbreaking film, but the soundtrack is phenomenal. The way the various songs are interwoven into the action, mood, psyches of the players is amazing (listen as Benjamin's Alpha Romeo Spider runs out of gas).

I don't know if Mike Nichols is a genius, or just got incredibly lucky. Either way, its a great soundtrack and a great movie.

The Graduate (1967 Film)

~~~

6. Harold and Maude: One of the most subversive, outrageously amusing black comedies ever made -- hysterically funny to boot. Cat Stevens (before he became Yusaf) created a wonderful collection of songs that enhance the story line's mood and emotions. This is, quite bluntly, one of the funniest films ever made.

Harold and Maude

~~~

7. Garden State: My "surprise" entry. A charming little film with a soundtrack that simply refuses to stop delighting you with its lovely tunes and ballads, nearly all of which are by bands that prior to this soundtrack were relatively unknown. This disc was played constantly in the car in 2004/05.

Garden State

~~~

8. (tie):Led Zeppelin, The Song Remains The Same
The Who, The Kids Are Alright:

Perhaps its my age showing, but I have always found each of these to be tremendous films and soundtracks. The Zep concert film was utterly ground breaking, and I must have seen it a zillion times after they broke up; The Who film was a fantastic documentary.

The Song Remains The Same

The Kids Are Alright

~~~

10. Fantasia: Music by Tchaikovsky, Moussorgsky, Stravinsky, Beethoven, Ponchielli, Bach, Dukas, and Schubert. 'nuff said.

The film was groundbreaking in many ways, including the innovative use of animation and stereophonic sound -- but its the overall approach that has been so enduring: Allow the Disney animators tointerpret Classical music. The results are both playful and surreal. Its amazing how well this has held up after 60 years . . .

Fantasia (Special 60th Anniversary Edition)

~~~

11. Pulp Fiction: The film does so many things so well -- but the way the music is integrated into the actual plot is simply terrific. Plus, Travolta and Uma can each dance.

Pulp Fiction: Music From The Motion Picture

~~~

12. West Side Story: Leonard Bernstein's musical update of Romeo and Juliet. The combination of Stephen Sondheim brilliant lyrics, the kinetic choreography and the bravura camera work made for a fantastic wide screen film. The soundtrack created the perfect counterpoint to the dance and action.

Sure, its a bit dated (hence, #10), but it remains an all time great.

West Side Story

~~~

13. Purple Rain: There is no doubt that the purple one can sign, dance, play guitar -- but Acting? Not so much.

Regardless, his sheer overwhelming talent is why this manages to get onto my top 15.

True Story: I saw this in the theaters in college, and my remark was "He's going to be bigger than Michael Jackson" -- who was huge at the time.

Its a toss up how right that call was, but the general concept was dead on . . .

Music from the Motion Picture "Purple Rain"

~~~

14. Little Shop Of Horrors: A fantabulous musical/horror/comedy. It's all a whole lot of fun, and the musical styles range from honky-tonk to doo-wop to straightforward rock n' roll. The strength of the film carries what otherwise might have been a mere Broadway adaption into an entire different level.

Little Shop Of Horrors (1986 Film)

~~~

15. Koyaanisqatsi: A quasi-documentary, this film has been described as "visual concert of images" or a "filmic landscape." The reason its here is the hauntingly beautiful music of Phillip Glass. A classic college flick . . .

Koyaanisqatsi - Life Out of Balance

~~~

16. Saturday Night Fever: One of those seminal films that tremendously influenced the culture.

My choice in music was rock-n-roll, and I had little interest in blow-dried hair, white polyester suits, or cruising discos looking to pick Staten Island bimbos.

The music works as well on its own, but it also works as a classic piece of pop history. (And John Travolta makes the list twice!)

Saturday Night Fever: The Original Movie Sound Track

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17. The Tao of Steve: Another charming little film that surprises with its wonderful songs. A fun amusing, philosophically oriented film, with a soundtrack to match. For you Outdoor Types.

The Tao of Steve: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

~~~

18. All That Jazz: The Oscar winning soundtrack by Ralph Burns includes jazz, classical, pop, and Broadway standards. Its a marvelous mix that works to great effect in the film.

Can you imagine anyone other Director making so self-critical autobiographical film other than Bob Fosse? While some have criticized the film as a rip-off of Fellini's 8 1/2, my favored descriptions of All That Jazz is "the musical version of Apocalypse Now." If you can imagine that, you have a better sense of what the film itself is like.

All that work. All that glitter. All that pain. All that love. All that crazy rhythm. All that jazz.

All That Jazz (1979 Film)

~~~

19. The Big Chill: The Motown dominated score was one of the most artistically skillful -- and commercially successful -- uses of pop ever set to a film.

More than merely setting a time and place, the soundtrack has a wispy nostalgia for a prior period in the players' lives. Subsequent attempts by other movies have been less successful of creating a look back from a specific time to another one; e.g., I think of the Forrest Gump soundtrack as Big Chill 2.

The Big Chill - Deluxe Edition

~~~

20. South Park - Bigger, Longer & Uncut: You will laugh until you piss yourself. This one squeaks in at #20 because the soundtrack is so very, very funny.

South Park - Bigger, Longer & Uncut

~~~

Thats my top list; A few Honorable Mentions are after the jump . . .

Continue reading "Friday Night ~~Jazz~~ Film Soundtracks"

Blade Runner: The Final Cut at the Ziegfeld

Thursday, October 11, 2007 | 04:45 PM

in Digital Media | Film | Technology

I am going this evening to see my favorite sci-fi movie at my favorite movie theater with my favorite movie buddy.

I'll update this later . . .

>
Blade Runner Update October 10, 2007 10:42pm:

First the good news: The movie looks fantastic. As ahead of their time as the retro-future effects were back in 1982, they still look great today: They pop off the screen (and the Ziegfeld is a pretty big screen). The color is wonderful, the perception of depth, the visceral sense of living in an over-polluted, never stops raining dystopian Los Angeles works even better than before.

Whatever digital work that was done on the film print is just marvelous. Even the opening green tree logo that scans line by line looks fantastic. All in all, the technical work was tremendous.

The Sound is also worth noting: Its crystal clear; the sound effects and the darkly gorgeous Vangelis soundtrack are wonderful -- beautiful, brilliantly rendered, dramatically enhancing the film. It also sounded as if additional Vangelis music was added here and there (short clips/segues). I have owned the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack for years, and its simply a must have.

Now for the not so good news:

I first saw the movie while working in the campus cinema at Stony Brook as an undergrad; must have seen it 5 or 6 times the first weekend (showtimes: 7, 9:30 and 12) then another a few more times at a campus Sci-Fi festival. The version I fell in love with had the hard boiled film noir Harrison Ford voice over -- and its not in the Final Cut.

As much as purists claim the film is better off without it, I have to disagree. First, it fills in some details that the complex narrative was otherwise missing. If you do not know the book, there is a complexity to the future world that the movie alludes to, but does not cleanly explain. Second, it creates a void -- there are long moments where the voice over is simply not there -- and needs to be. Lastly, it humanizes the main character, as he his struggles with himself as a Blade Runner.

As to the ending . . . Not much of a spoiler alert, as this has been written about plenty -- but if you don't want to know, stop reading here.

Is Deckard a replicant?

Director Ridley Scott has always argued he was. The Unicorn scene, plus the origami at the end certainly implies as much.

I could give you dozens of arguments why Deckard isn't a replicant -- he gets the shit beat out of him constantly, the other replicants would recognize him as one, he quit his job, he's a drunk . . .

Rather than go down that road, its simply easier to say that Phillip K. Dick, author of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, wrote him as a human. In the book, Deckard takes and passes the Voigt-Kampff test.

Between Ridley Scott, a director whose work looks beautiful, but has trouble telling a great story, and Dick, who was all about creating wildly compelling narratives, I have to go with PKD.

And as my friend Ralph argues so eloquently in the comments, the movie loses much of its appeal once the main character is no longer a person seeking redemption, trying to find his humanity. Instead, it becomes a story about the interaction of biorobotic devices.

BLADE RUNNER: FINAL CUT NYC Saturday

Friday, September 28, 2007 | 07:30 PM

in Digital Media | Film

That's right kids, its coming: The preview of the Final Cut is Saturday Night, 9pm, at the THE 45th NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL (full schedule here).

Here's the official blurb:

"Blade Runner: The Final Cut
Series: The 45th New York Film Festival [Sep 28 - Oct 14 2007]
Director: Ridley Scott, Country: USA, Release: 2007, Runtime: 118

Ridley Scott’s legendary adaptation of Phillip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? gave us a startling vision of a noir-ishly dystopic future, in which the line between human and non-human has worn perilously thin.

Scott’s masterpiece not only anticipated our future but designed it: Much of our world today appears, well, just so Blade Runner. To commemorate its 25th anniversary, Scott has gone back, corrected a few details and fashioned a version that he feels is closest to what he had originally intended.

One of the greatest American films of the Eighties has just gotten even better.
(A Warner Bros. release.)

In addition to screening Blade Runner: The Final Cut, our 25th anniversary salute to this key work of science fiction includes "The Future Is Now," a panel discussion with prominent film scholars."

I also see that one of the screenings is taking place at the single best movie theater on the planet: The Ziegfeld (141 West 54th Street).

Very very cool.

As we noted previously, the 5 DVD disc Blade Runner set is to follow next year. I am not sure if there will be a wider theatrical release, but one can hope.

Source:
Blade Runner: The Final Cut
The 45th New York Film Festival
Sep 29 - Oct 14 2007
http://www.filmlinc.com/nyff/program/films/bladerunner.html

Q&A: Ridley Scott on Blade Runner

Thursday, September 27, 2007 | 08:30 PM

in Digital Media | Film | Video

Attention Blade Runner junkies: The offline Wired interview with Ridley Scott, which I mentioned in this weekend's linkfest, is now online.

As we noted previously, the latest version of Blade Runner is in theaters in October, with a 5 DVD disc set to follow next year.

Here's the Ubiq-cerpt:™

"It's a classic tale of failure and redemption, the kind of story Hollywood loves to tell.

Fresh off his second successful movie, an up-and-coming director takes a chance on a dark tale of a 21st-century cop who hunts humanlike androids. But he runs over budget, and the financiers take control, forcing him to add a ham-fisted voice-over and an absurdly cheery ending. The public doesn't buy it. The director's masterpiece plays to near-empty theaters, ultimately retreating to the art-house circuit as a cult oddity.

That's where we left Ridley Scott's future-noir epic in 1982. But a funny thing happened over the next 25 years. Blade Runner's audience quietly multiplied. An accidental public showing of a rough-cut work print created surprise demand for a re-release, so in 1992 Scott issued his director's cut. He silenced the narration, axed the ending, and added a twist — a dream sequence suggesting that Rick Deckard, the film's protagonist, is an android, just like those he was hired to dispatch.

But the director didn't stop there. As the millennium turned, he continued polishing: erasing stray f/x wires, trimming shots originally extended to accommodate the voice-over, even rebuilding a scene in which the stunt double was obvious. Now he's ready to release Blade Runner: The Final Cut, which will hit theaters in Los Angeles and New York in October, with a DVD to follow in December.

At age 69, Ridley Scott is finally satisfied with his most challenging film. He's still turning out movies at a furious pace — American Gangster, with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, is due in November — building on an extraordinary oeuvre that includes Alien, Thelma & Louise, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down. But he seems ready to accept Blade Runner as his crowning achievement. In his northern English accent, he describes its genesis and lasting influence. And, inevitably, he returns to the darkness that pervades his view of the future — the shadows that shield Deckard from a reality that may be too disturbing to face."

Other goodies: An interactive look at the Cultural Influences Before and After the Film in the Blade Runner Nexus , and a full transcript and Audio of Wired's Interview with Ridley Scott.

Its a must read for fans -- even if Ridley gets whether Deckard is a replicant or a human wrong . . .

Source:
Q&A: Ridley Scott Has Finally Created the Blade Runner He Always Imagined
By Ted Greenwald 09.26.07 | 4:00 PM
http://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/magazine/15-10/ff_bladerunner

Coming Soon: the Touchscreen iPod

Friday, July 13, 2007 | 01:36 PM

in Digital Media | Film | Music | Technology

Back in January, I noted that I did not think the iPhone would cannibalize the iPod because Apple would migrate the touchscreen downstream to the smaller and non iPhone "pods." It was only a matter of time before Apple would bring out a touchscreen (non-phone) iPod.

Rumors are already starting to pop up that one is coming, and I expect we will see something perhaps in time for this year's Christmas season.

The latest? According to Digitek, "Wintek will be the panel supplier of Apple's new iPod video, according to sources at upstream suppliers. Apple is set to launch a next-generation iPod video in August with the new products featuring a touch screen panel similar to the iPhone, the sources noted." (This is an unconfirmed rumor)

Regardless, we should expect Apple to roll these out over the next few quarters, and turn the classic iPod into a much cheaper model.

Here's what I estimate Apple price points will look like in 12-18 months or so:

Product	Pricepoint
Apple iPhone 10/5 GB	$499/439
iPod touchscreen* 100/60 GB	$379/329
iPod "Classic" 80/30 GB	$279/229
iPod Nano 10/5 GB	$199/139
Shuffle 1 GB	$59

* estimated price, product not yet announced

Two concepts of Touchscreen iPods:

Sources:
Apple iPhone/iPods
The Big Picture,
Tuesday, January 16, 2007 | 01:57 PM
http://bigpicture.typepad.com/comments/2007/01/apple_iphoneipo.html

Wintek to ship touch screen panels for new Apple iPods
Susie Pan, Taipei; Emily Chuang,
DIGITIMES, Wednesday 11 July 2007
http://www.digitimes.com/displays/a20070710PD217.html

Countdown to the Touchscreen iPod
Business 2.0, July 12, 2007
http://blogs.business2.com/apple/2007/07/countdown-to-th.html

The Touch Screen iPod in September?
Terrence O'Brien
Jul 13th 2007, 8:42AM
http://www.switched.com/2007/07/13/the-touch-screen-ipod-in-september/

Blade Runner Final Cut in Theaters Fall 2007

Wednesday, July 11, 2007 | 05:00 PM

in Digital Media | Film

Over the years, I have mentioned my love of Blade Runner, as well as my fondness for author Phillip K. Dick, too many times to count.

Last week, I noted the 25th Anniversary, and was pleased and pleasantly surprised to see how many of you share my enthusiasm for the film.

So here's an update: I had lunch with my college friend Ralph, who is in the film and theater business (we ate at the Brooklyn Diner across from the Nasdaq after I did a quick hit there for NDTV). When we were Stony Brook back in the last century, Ralph was the original founder and co-creator of Island-Con (now known as I-Con), of which the 27th annual version is already scheduled for April 2008.

He tells me that the Blade Runner: Final Cut film is now scheduled to be released theatrically Fall 2007.

"Blade Runner: Final Cut will arrive in 2007 for a limited 25th-anniversary theatrical run, followed by a special-edition DVD with the three previous versions offered as alternate viewing. Besides the original theatrical version and director's cut, the expanded international theatrical version (Final Cut) will be included. The set will also contain additional bonus materials. FC will include added & extended scenes, added lines of dialogue, new SFX, and it will also contain newly shot scenes.

The unofficial date mentioned by Ridley and Warner Brothers is late September early October. It will be shown at the Venice Film Festival, end of August, so hopefully that means it will be running in theaters here mid-September.

The boxed set will probably drop in early `08.

How awesome is that?

And, for you West Coasters, at the San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, July 27, there will be a preview of the new final cut and a panel discussion with cast and director!

"Then it’s the 25th Anniversary Blade Runner "Final Cut.” Director Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator, Hannibal) has created a new, definitive version of this landmark film, with scenes and special effects that have never been shown before. Catch this first preview of the new version by the legendary director of the final, authoritative. and best presentation of one of the most acclaimed science fiction films of the 20th century. This presentation will feature unseen clips from the new cut as well as a look behind the scenes that will be featured on the upcoming DVD box set.

The panel includes Ridley Scott, Sean Young, Joanna Cassidy, Joe Turkel, James Hong, Syd Mead (designer/futurist), Mark Stetson (FX), and DVD producer Charles de Lauzirika.

I may have to fly to San Diego just for this . . .

As to the DVD release, its looking like a deluxe 5 DVD set, coming in early 2008:

Disc 1 - The Final Cut (2007):

Ridley Scott’s definitive new version of his science-fiction masterpiece includes added & extended scenes, added lines and new and cleaner special effects.

Disc 2 - 3 Complete Film Versions:

‘82 U.S. Theatrical version

‘82 International Theatrical version

‘92 Director’s Cut

Disc 3 - “Dangerous Days: Making Blade Runner” Documentary

Newly created documentary: Through interviews with the cast and crew, critics and colleagues, this feature-length documentary provides a mainstream-friendly yet meaningful in-depth look at Blade Runner’s literary genesis, its challenging production and controversial legacy. When all is said and done, this will be the definitive documentary on the film.

Disc 4 – Enhanced Content Bonus:

INCEPTION - Featurettes and galleries devoted to Philip K. Dick, the birth of Cyberpunk and adapting the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.

PRE-PRODUCTION - Featurettes and galleries devoted to script development, conceptual design and abandoned sequences.

PRODUCTION - Featurettes and galleries devoted to principal photography and locations.

POST-PRODUCTION - Featurettes and galleries devoted to deleted scenes, music and visual effects.

RELEASE - Featurettes and galleries devoted to marketing and reaction including Trailers, TV Spots and Promotional Featurettes

LEGACY - Featurettes and galleries devoted to the film’s resurrection and impact.

Disc 5 - Work Print Version & Enhanced Content:

Including the rarely seen Work Print version and potentially the 52 min. Channel Four (UK) documentary which was the first serious documentary created for the film.

Additionally, the set will come packaged in a limited “Blade Runner” briefcase holding the five-disc digipack with foil-enhanced and embossed slipcase. The goodies inside will include a lenticular motion image from the original feature, a collectible model spinner, an origami unicorn, a collection of photographs and a letter from Ridley Scott.

Here's the trailer:

Hat tip: cyberpunkreview

Sources:
Blade Runner Final Cut is Coming
Warner Home Video, May 26, 2006
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=14724

Details on Blade Runner: The Ultimate Collection at Binary Bonsai
Thursday, May 17th, 2007
http://binarybonsai.com/archives/2007/05/17/details-on-blade-runner-the-ultimate-collection/

Blade Runner's 25th Anniversary

Wednesday, June 27, 2007 | 07:00 PM

in Digital Media | Film

"Nothing the God of bio-mechanics wouldn't let you into heaven for."

>
One of my favorite films of all time, based on a ~~short story~~ 1968 science fiction novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by one of my favorite Sci-Fi authors, is having an anniversary.

Blade Runner was released 25 years ago this week (June 25, 1982).

The film's story is great; the cast, terrific. The Vangelis soundtrack is to this day still gorgeous. But It was the look and feel of the film that stayed with me for all these years.

There's a nice discussion (here) on that exact point by Adam Savage; he worked on Star Wars Episodes I and II, on the Matrix films, on AI and Terminator 3 Despite his works on those later CGI films -- or perhaps because of it -- he finds the effects on Blade Runner to be STILL superior.

There are a number of fan sites that are worth checkingout: brmovie.com has becomes the unofficial Bladerunner site; also worth reviewing is Total Dickhead -- its a blog described as “News, Analysis, and Philip K Dick-Related Info Kipple Chronicled by a PKD Scholar”

There is a circa 2000 Limited Edition Collector's Set still available -- but I am holding out til the Blade Runner Special Edition DVD gets set free (later this year?) . . .

Blade Runner Final Cut trailer

Hat tip: boing boing

Source:
Blade Runner at 25: Why the Sci-Fi F/X Are Still Unsurpassed
Adam Savage
Reporting by Thomas Hayden
Popular Mechanics,