Topic: A WEIRD SORT OF MOOD (Read 38389 times)

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #180 on:** January 14, 2009, 12:52:04 PM »

Quote from: JMK on January 14, 2009, 09:15:13 AM

Quote from: bk on January 14, 2009, 08:58:16 AM
Quote from: JMK on January 14, 2009, 08:47:06 AM
Here's my outre Ask BK question:

I started watching the 1953 (1952?) Prisoner of Zenda last night and was amazed to see the "two" Stewart Grangers actually touching each other, something I would have assumed the SFX capabilities of the early 50s would have precluded. For example, when they meet, they shake hands. Later, in the drinking scene, the King pats the commoner on the arm. Now on the second one I guess they could have used a prosthetic arm, but I am really curious how, with the technology available in the 1950s, they got the handshaking scene. Both versions of Granger are clearly seen, it's a medium close-up, and they quite clearly shake hands--I replayed it several times. Do you know how that was accomplished?

I remember reading somewhere exactly how that scene was shot, but I don't recall the details. Try a Google search and I'll bet you'll find it.

I just tried a plethora (a PLETHORA, do you hear me?) of search queries and got nada.

For what it's worth:

STOP MOTION

Quote

The complex 'twinning' opticals in the MGM Stewart Granger version are amazing and are the work of Irving Ries, with Warren Newcombe overseeing the matte paintings.

There are excellent examples where one 'twin' passes behind the other, holds hands with the other, passes a glass of wine to the other and so on. Alot of freeze framing and reverse playback on my part was carried out to 'dissect' the tricks, which as far as I could tell, weren't travelling mattes, but seemed to be more clever splits and body doubles with Granger's head matted on in one scene. I have lots of images of these if anyone wants to see them....

der Brucer

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #181 on:** January 14, 2009, 12:56:44 PM »

Quote from: Dan (the Man) on January 14, 2009, 12:49:04 PM

Well, that looks like it will work!

Thank yee, DR der Brucer!

Anything for the Mayor of Christmastownvillage.

der Brucer

Dan (the Man) · « **Reply #182 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:00:30 PM »

Quote from: DERBRUCER on January 14, 2009, 12:56:44 PM

Quote from: Dan (the Man) on January 14, 2009, 12:49:04 PM

Well, that looks like it will work!

Thank yee, DR der Brucer!

Anything for the Mayor of Christmastownvillage.

der Brucer

Mayor? After the train engine light fiasco, I couldn't get elected as dog catcher by those people!

Dan (the Man) · « **Reply #183 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:04:37 PM »

I know it was all done by CGI (or whatever passed for CGI during the 80's), but I was stunned by the "twinning" effects done to Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin in BIG BUSINESS. The scene where they all first meet and we get this shot of Bette and Lily and Lily and Bette walking down a hallway towards the camera was one of those "Wha-wha-wha-wha?" moments for me. I haven't seen it in years and it might even look primitive to me nowadays, but at the time I first saw it--Wow!

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #184 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:23:28 PM »

Good Afternoon!

Greetings from Washington, DC! -Where Inaugural Fever is definitely in the air!

*I had planned on some museum-going, but I just ended up walking around The Mall taking pictures of all the preparations for next Tuesday. Quite inspiring.

Matt H. · « **Reply #185 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:23:58 PM »

Quote from: JMK on January 14, 2009, 08:47:06 AM

Here's my outre Ask BK question:

I started watching the 1953 (1952?) Prisoner of Zenda last night and was amazed to see the "two" Stewart Grangers actually touching each other, something I would have assumed the SFX capabilities of the early 50s would have precluded. For example, when they meet, they shake hands. Later, in the drinking scene, the King pats the commoner on the arm. Now on the second one I guess they could have used a prosthetic arm, but I am really curious how, with the technology available in the 1950s, they got the handshaking scene. Both versions of Granger are clearly seen, it's a medium close-up, and they quite clearly shake hands--I replayed it several times. Do you know how that was accomplished?

In MOTHER GODDAM, Bette Davis explained how she was able to touch/interact with her "twin" in both DEAD RINGER and A STOLEN LIFE. It's almost like a jigsaw puzzle the way pieces of film are seamed together to make the frame.

Matt H. · « **Reply #186 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:25:05 PM »

Quote from: bk on January 14, 2009, 09:02:09 AM

I only mentioned the Disturbia/Rear Window and Eagle Eye/North By Northwest because people seem to always mention those things in their reviews. For me, both films fail on every level imaginable - but that's just me and I'm glad others get some enjoyment out of them. With Eagle Eye, I can surrender to any premise as long as the filmmakers then obey the rules of the universe they create and don't make them so outrageous and stupid that I keep being pulled out of the film, which is exactly what happens with Eagle Eye. I never accept "it's just a popcorn flick" - I love those kinds of films when, for me, they work - these two and especially Eagle Eye, didn't.

Didn't work for you; worked for me. It's as simple as that.

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #187 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:25:35 PM »

And I just had a Peanut Butter Cup Cupcake from a new place called "Red Velvet". Alas, they were out of their namesake cupcake. -Next time...

JoseSPiano · « **Reply #188 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:27:51 PM »

Well, I just wanted to check in. I'm about to head back to Arlington to have dinner with an old friend from my high school days. Again, very excited.

Laters...

Matt H. · « **Reply #189 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:29:13 PM »

It's still very, very cold outside. I got chilled just bringing in the mail from the mailbox. Have yet to get any review discs this week, and it's Wednesday already. Very unusual.

Matt H. · « **Reply #190 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:31:56 PM »

I began my afternoon finally getting around to Friday's episode of MONK. Not a great mystery, but Steve Zahn was very entertaining (and very attractive standing there with just a towel wrapped around his waist) with his "hand to God" poses, etc. I laughed out loud several times.

Matt H. · « **Reply #191 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:34:30 PM »

Then, I got down to business with EL NORTE on regular DVD. Great film, of course, and the transfer is really beautiful. Very warm colors in the Guatemala section, a little more neutral in the Mexico section, and neutral once they get to LA. No dirt specks or scratches at all; looks like a brand new film, to be honest. And the mono track is one of the most effective I've heard.

Matt H. · « **Reply #192 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:35:42 PM »

Checked out all of the bonus features, too, which were the same as on the Blu-ray. The booklet is the same, too. In some of the Criterion Blu-rays, they've shortened the booklets from their DVD counterparts, but not with EL NORTE.

Matt H. · « **Reply #193 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:37:00 PM »

And then I skimmed through today's AS THE WORLD TURNS. Yes, DR Elmore is right. I was happy with the resolution of the Brian storyline though I'm hoping he'll come back at some future date to interact with the folks in some other capacity.

Matt H. · « **Reply #194 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:39:03 PM »

Once again, I'll have the evening free until 10 when I'll have to watch DAMAGES "live" since I'll be recording two other 10 p.m. shows.

I recorded GHOST RIDER off STARZ-HD. I've never seen it, and even though it's gotten bad reviews, it might be a fun comic book movie. I also got another episode of BURN NOTICE in HD off the Universal-HD channel which I'll likely watch tonight.

Matt H. · « **Reply #195 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:44:26 PM »

I just read that Ricardo Montalban and Patrick McGoohan have died.

Jane · « **Reply #196 on:** January 14, 2009, 01:47:36 PM »

Quote from: Matt H. on January 14, 2009, 01:25:05 PM

Quote from: bk on January 14, 2009, 09:02:09 AM
I only mentioned the Disturbia/Rear Window and Eagle Eye/North By Northwest because people seem to always mention those things in their reviews. For me, both films fail on every level imaginable - but that's just me and I'm glad others get some enjoyment out of them. With Eagle Eye, I can surrender to any premise as long as the filmmakers then obey the rules of the universe they create and don't make them so outrageous and stupid that I keep being pulled out of the film, which is exactly what happens with Eagle Eye. I never accept "it's just a popcorn flick" - I love those kinds of films when, for me, they work - these two and especially Eagle Eye, didn't.

Didn't work for you; worked for me. It's as simple as that.

Last night we saw a preview for EAGLE EYE & Keith had me place it 2nd on our NetFlix queue.

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #197 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:00:48 PM »

Quote from: Matt H. on January 14, 2009, 01:44:26 PM

I just read that Ricardo Montalban and Patrick McGoohan have died.

Yes...
'FANTASY ISLAND'S' RICARDO MONTALBAN DEAD AT 88

Here's hoping Khan has a casket of real Corinthian leather.

der Brucer

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #198 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:04:39 PM »

Note concerning speed of AOL mail deliveries:

I just went on to Amazon to order the BD of Lost Season 4.

The Email confirmation reached me via AOL before the Amazon update screen finished loading telling me I would get a confirmation.

der Brucer

DERBRUCER · « **Reply #199 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:10:45 PM »

Quote from: Matt H. on January 14, 2009, 01:39:03 PM

I recorded GHOST RIDER off STARZ-HD. I've never seen it, and even though it's gotten bad reviews, it might be a fun comic book movie.

It is fun; Cage is always entertaining, and Peter Fonda as the Devil is neat.

der Brucer

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #200 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:21:19 PM »

Ooh ee ooh ah-ah
Ding Dang Walla-Walla TBing TBang!
Ooh-ee-ooh-AH-ah
Ding Dang Walla Walla TBing TBang!

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #201 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:24:36 PM »

It's the dance you should know,
When the lights are down low,
Grab your baby,
Then go,
Do the hucklebuck,
Do the hucklebuck,
If you dont know how to do it,
Boy,
Youre out of luck,
Push your partner out,
Then you hunch your back,
Have a little movement in your sacroiliac,
Wiggle like a snake,
Wobble like a duck,
Thats the way you do it when you do the hucklebuck

Jane · « **Reply #202 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:26:49 PM »

DR Ron, upward & OUT! Finally feeling better soon vibes!!!

elmore3003 · « **Reply #203 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:26:57 PM »

Quote from: Ron Pulliam on January 14, 2009, 02:21:19 PM

Ooh ee ooh ah-ah
Ding Dang Walla-Walla Bing Bang!
Ooh-ee-ooh-AH-ah
Ding Dang Walla Walla Bing-Bang!

Actually, it's "ting tang":

I told the witch doctor I was in love with you
I told the witch doctor I was in love with you
And then the witch doctor, he told me what to do
He said that ....

(Chorus:)
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang...
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang

According to http://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/pages/lyrics2/nov_witchdoc.html

Matt H. · « **Reply #204 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:27:53 PM »

Well, I'm going to finish up the writing on EL NORTE and then head down for a fun evening of leisure viewing.

WBBL.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #205 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:32:17 PM »

We are to leave work early today.

This is because of an organized protest march that will be leaving City Hall at 4 p.m. and will be heading to the Superior Court which is on the next block over from my building. The march will come down our street and then make a turn toward the Courthouse.

We've been strongly encouraged to be out of the vicinity before the march begins as streets along the route will be blocked off, etc.

This is a continuation of the protests that resulted in a riot one week ago here in Oakland.

All is tied to a shooting on New Year's Day in which an officer assigned to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system was part of a group of said officers breaking up a fight among several young men. One of the young men -- all of whom were unarmed -- was pinned to the floor of the BART station when said officer pulled his gun and shot him. The young man died.

Speculation is that the officer thought he was deploying his taser. Several folks took videos of the police action that day and one of them clearly shows the victim subdued on his stomach with two officers holding him. One officer then pulls his gun and shoots him. This has really created a storm of protests, primarily because no arrests had been made until last night. The officer's attorney kept him from making any statements and actually moved him to Nevada to "protect him" from several death threats he had received. The officer surrendered himself last night to Nevada law enforcement and extradition has begun.

The DA has filed a 2nd degree murder charge against the officer. But...lots of folks feel that if they hadn't "expressed themselves" last week, there would still be no arrest. With that in mind, today's protest march is not considered "safe" for the general public.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #206 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:33:48 PM »

Quote from: elmore3003 on January 14, 2009, 02:26:57 PM

Quote from: Ron Pulliam on January 14, 2009, 02:21:19 PM
Ooh ee ooh ah-ah
Ding Dang Walla-Walla Bing Bang!
Ooh-ee-ooh-AH-ah
Ding Dang Walla Walla Bing-Bang!

Actually, it's "ting tang":

I told the witch doctor I was in love with you
I told the witch doctor I was in love with you
And then the witch doctor, he told me what to do
He said that ....

(Chorus:)
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang...
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang

According to http://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/pages/lyrics2/nov_witchdoc.html

PEDANT!

I always heard "ding dang", so that's what it "is" in my head.

But thanks for the correction, LarrySPiano!

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #207 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:36:05 PM »

Quote from: Jane on January 14, 2009, 02:26:49 PM

DR Ron, upward & OUT! Finally feeling better soon vibes!!!

Sad to say, it's not today. The "virus" has migrated upward and is now in my throat and causing nasal congestion (above the norm) as well as moments of fever spikes. I've also had chills.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #208 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:36:55 PM »

I'll be leaving here in about half an hour.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #209 on:** January 14, 2009, 02:37:31 PM »

I'm going straight home, and I will dose myself with my strongest cold med.

And then I'll "to sleep".

News:

Author Topic: A WEIRD SORT OF MOOD (Read 38389 times)