But while in The Road Warrior the emphasis is on the technology the entertainment will be delivered, the opening of Superman firmly places itself in the epic tradition.
I might have to disagree. I think all three Mad Max movies - *especially The Road Warrior - are equal to, if not more epic, than Superman.
If not just the simple culmination (Come on, would you rather watch Superman III or Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome?), then certainly the half-assed "Hero Without A Face" / Hardcore Revenge mythos made in the Max movies.
Superman certainly deserves mythos - but it's only really touched on in the latest movie, sadly.
I'm not disagreeing with you about the epic nature of The Road Warrior (quite to the contrary, I think that they are most decidedly epic), but I think that the transition from black and white mono to Panavision surround is more about the modernity of the piece than it is tying the film to the epic genre, as it is in Superman. While there are many, many epic elements to the Mad Max pictures, they tend to take their epic cues from sources such as Spaghetti Westerns, as opposed to Superman, which is tying itself to a grand Hollywood tradition.
Superman: The Movie has mythos in spades. Don't let your familiarity with the film blind you to its reverence, allusions or impact.
I finally got Saturn # (along with the Miklos Rozsa piano album Night Without Armor). How crrepy/groovy is that main title? Is it me, or does it seem kind of like Alan Parsons Projects' I Robot with the kind of funky electronics/bass/chorus thing? It's good though. Honestly, a much better listening experience than I expected. And one last thing-do you know of any legal reason as to why Slipstream and Heavy Metal aren't being released? Like, are the film companies pulling a Paramount, or are there missing tapes?
"Stratego. I used to love this game as a puppy. Hey! Wait a minute! Abe Vigoda!"
I liked Saturn 3, although I have to admit that one of the aspects of it I liked the best were the ones that will probably make most of the owners of this disc cringe: the disco passages. They're just so funky.
Talk to lehah about Slipstream. Apparently there is an apathy about the soundtrack rights from the company that owns the film.
I have no idea what might be holding up an official release of Heavy Metal, although I think the LP is one of the best sounding in my collection. The LP was on Elektra, which is Warner. The film is owned by Sony. I have no idea what sort of legal issues there might be on that. There shouldn't be a re-use fee problem as it was recorded in England, though. To be frank, while I wouldn't mind an expansion, I'd be content with a remastered edition of the LP, as it is a great listening experience. Then again, I have a boot with the entire score on it (albeit in less than stellar sound), so I'm not exactly one to talk.
I've been in contact with a number of people - Lukas Kendall, David Stoner and even Rob Urband (Bernstein's agent) about Slipstream. It's the one score above all others that I want to see released.
Mr Stoner has been the most interested in putting it out but his replies are basically summed up as "we're still talking about it". It's on their plate but who knows if it'll ever be served. (Silva was going to put out a score disc along with the now rare song album - but the movie bombed and one of the bands ((Then Jericho?)) demanded large fees to have their song in the film. They're lost to time, as is the movie)
If you're interested in more details - check my LJ memories about it here
The Hero and MythosjailnurseSeptember 30 2006, 01:44:16 UTC
While the Superman mythos is the tale of Christ, I sit here watching the Sci-Fi Channel premiere of the Second Series of Doctor Who, whose rebirths, authority while authoritative, and many aspects can only be the eastern tradition, particularly, methinks, Hinduism. Possibly Krishna (if not Vishnu) particularly. Any thoughts ?
By the way, It freakin' rocks.
I love the universal hospital symbol being the green moon.
Re: The Hero and Mythosswashbuckler332September 30 2006, 02:12:25 UTC
You make an interesting point. Through his constant regeneration, the Doctor in many ways represents cyclicity, which is a concept much more common in Eastern than Western worldviews, definitely more of Indian tradition than anything else (despite what the Wiccans would have you think).
The Doctor, while authoritative, represents a postpatriarchal figure as well, embracing wisdom instead of dogma. This is actually one of the reasons why the premise has been so resilient; his perspective on the world around him tends to be abstract but wise. However, this also adds immeasurably to the sense that there is some divinity in his nature, and so becomes a sort of science fiction prophet in a way. Not in any literal sense, of course, but in a mythic reading.
Re: The Hero and MythosjailnurseSeptember 30 2006, 02:51:45 UTC
But of course. The Next Big Thing is, of course, Battlestar Galactica's premeire next Friday night. Anyone within the ledgibility of my post should already be watching (thank the Gods), but ask yourselves.... what are you doing to spread the word ? Can you possibly do more ?
And, are you watching the webisodes taking place on Occupied New Caprica available at scifi.com ? they're 5 minutes (tops) each.
Also, to Josh, on that note, our Labor exchange agreement begins next weekend at your place. I won't have time to have taped the episode to transport it.... I am short on ideas. I have no video capture or sling box capability.
Re: The Hero and the Gyroswashbuckler332September 30 2006, 02:59:26 UTC
Yes, I know. I have these two shelves to put together definitely. I may have a desk and another shelf unit by Saturday; the other shelf unit will most likely be one of those baker's racks and therefore I can assemble it by myself. I need to search for a computer desk, though.
I've heard about the webisodes, I haven't checked them out yet.
What happened to your VCR?
Don't forget, you need to log on when posting/commenting.
You frequently take the words right out of my mouth in regards to your discourse on the man of steel's first cinematic outing.....It is so difficult to deal in absolutes when you love so many films, but I'm really starting to lean toward the main title of SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE as being my favourite of all time. Everything about it is perfect......especially in ear-shattering DOLBY DIGITAL. It is truely the perfect overture for a film like this, and really does pump me up every time I see it. The blue colors, the souring movement, that AMAZING WOOSHING sound, and the fact that they explore every dimension of the scope image. I could probably recite the credits by heart-even the most obscure like Jeff East or Pierre Spangler
( ... )
Heh. I know a lot of people had reservations about the Superman sound remix, but I liked it. This is a bit contradictory considering that I often rail against sound remixes that fuck up the original balances (Jaws, Star Wars). But then again, I didn't have a problem with the Vertigo remix either. I guess it's just a metter of taste.
Actually, Williams' name coalesces just before the resumption of the march itself.
No, the print was not in 70 millimeter; I wasn't sure if they had produced 70 millimeter prints of the extended version. This was the Ziegfeld, which often shows 70 millimeter prints (I saw the restorations of both Vertigo and Lawrence of Arabia here), so I would have expected them to get a blow-up if it were feasible.
Incidentally, the audience broke into raucous applause when Superman tells Lois that he's here to fight for "truth, justice and the American way."
Comments 16
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I might have to disagree. I think all three Mad Max movies - *especially The Road Warrior - are equal to, if not more epic, than Superman.
If not just the simple culmination (Come on, would you rather watch Superman III or Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome?), then certainly the half-assed "Hero Without A Face" / Hardcore Revenge mythos made in the Max movies.
Superman certainly deserves mythos - but it's only really touched on in the latest movie, sadly.
Reply
Superman: The Movie has mythos in spades. Don't let your familiarity with the film blind you to its reverence, allusions or impact.
Reply
It's good though. Honestly, a much better listening experience than I expected.
And one last thing-do you know of any legal reason as to why Slipstream and Heavy Metal aren't being released? Like, are the film companies pulling a Paramount, or are there missing tapes?
Reply
Reply
I liked Saturn 3, although I have to admit that one of the aspects of it I liked the best were the ones that will probably make most of the owners of this disc cringe: the disco passages. They're just so funky.
Talk to lehah about Slipstream. Apparently there is an apathy about the soundtrack rights from the company that owns the film.
I have no idea what might be holding up an official release of Heavy Metal, although I think the LP is one of the best sounding in my collection. The LP was on Elektra, which is Warner. The film is owned by Sony. I have no idea what sort of legal issues there might be on that. There shouldn't be a re-use fee problem as it was recorded in England, though. To be frank, while I wouldn't mind an expansion, I'd be content with a remastered edition of the LP, as it is a great listening experience. Then again, I have a boot with the entire score on it (albeit in less than stellar sound), so I'm not exactly one to talk.
Reply
Mr Stoner has been the most interested in putting it out but his replies are basically summed up as "we're still talking about it". It's on their plate but who knows if it'll ever be served. (Silva was going to put out a score disc along with the now rare song album - but the movie bombed and one of the bands ((Then Jericho?)) demanded large fees to have their song in the film. They're lost to time, as is the movie)
If you're interested in more details - check my LJ memories about it here
Reply
By the way, It freakin' rocks.
I love the universal hospital symbol being the green moon.
Reply
The Doctor, while authoritative, represents a postpatriarchal figure as well, embracing wisdom instead of dogma. This is actually one of the reasons why the premise has been so resilient; his perspective on the world around him tends to be abstract but wise. However, this also adds immeasurably to the sense that there is some divinity in his nature, and so becomes a sort of science fiction prophet in a way. Not in any literal sense, of course, but in a mythic reading.
You're DVRing them, right?
Reply
The Next Big Thing is, of course, Battlestar Galactica's premeire next Friday night. Anyone within the ledgibility of my post should already be watching (thank the Gods), but ask yourselves.... what are you doing to spread the word ? Can you possibly do more ?
And, are you watching the webisodes taking place on Occupied New Caprica available at scifi.com ? they're 5 minutes (tops) each.
Also, to Josh, on that note, our Labor exchange agreement begins next weekend at your place. I won't have time to have taped the episode to transport it.... I am short on ideas. I have no video capture or sling box capability.
Reply
I've heard about the webisodes, I haven't checked them out yet.
What happened to your VCR?
Don't forget, you need to log on when posting/commenting.
Reply
Reply
Actually, Williams' name coalesces just before the resumption of the march itself.
No, the print was not in 70 millimeter; I wasn't sure if they had produced 70 millimeter prints of the extended version. This was the Ziegfeld, which often shows 70 millimeter prints (I saw the restorations of both Vertigo and Lawrence of Arabia here), so I would have expected them to get a blow-up if it were feasible.
Incidentally, the audience broke into raucous applause when Superman tells Lois that he's here to fight for "truth, justice and the American way."
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