Why we can't have a remastered HD version of the original unedited Star Wars Trilogy

You can watch the Star Wars Trilogy on Blu-Ray, but you won't see the original films as they first appeared in theaters. No, George Lucas tinkered with and made changes to all three films starting in 1997. Mr. Gacek is of the opinion that the original films comprise the true Star Wars Trilogy, and that the "Special Editions" are compromised and inferior to the originals. The following article provides a comprehensive account for why it would not be easy for Disney to release the original  versions in a restored, unedited High-Def format. However, while the outlook is bleak, there is hope. Read the article here.

Mr. Gacek's Recommended SF Film & Television Series

Films: Okay for most sixth graders:

Metropolis (1927)

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Forbidden Planet (1956)

Invasion of the Body Snathers (1956)

Planet of the Apes (1968)

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Fantastic Planet (1973)

Star Wars (1977)

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

Back to the Future (1985)

Star Wars (1997)

Jurassic Park (1993)

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

Minority Report (2002)

Serenity (2005)

Avatar (2009)

Inception (2010)

Films to watch when older:

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Alien (1979)

The Road Warrior (1981)

Blade Runner (1982)

The Terminator (1984)

Brazil (1985)

RoboCop (1987)

Gattaca (1997)

Total Recall (1999)

The Matrix (1999)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Children of Men (2006)

Moon (2009)

District 9 (2009)

TV Series:

The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)

The Outer Limits (1963-1965)

The Prisoner (1967-1968)

Star Trek (1966-1969)

Quanum Leap (1989-1993)

The X-Files (1993-2002)

Babylon 5 (1994-1998)

Stargate SG-1 (1997-2008)

Firefly (2002-2003)

Battlestar Gallactica (2004-2009)

Fringe (2008-2013)

Lost (2004-2010)

Farscape (1999-2003)

Doctor Who (2005-present)

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Homer enters the world of Hayao Miyazaki

The Simpsons is still doing cool stuff in its 25th year on TV.  This Sunday's episode pays tribute to the great Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki.  See if you can spot the references to My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, Howl's Moving Castle, and more.  Bravo to the animators at The Simpsons for this tribute to one of the most distinctive careers in the history of film.

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" showing at Capitol Theater

What does Stephen Chbosky have in common with Harper Lee?  They have both written exactly one novel.  Obviously "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is not as famous as "To Kill a Mockingbird," but in the field of Young Adult Literature, "Perks" is already considered a classic.  However, Harper Lee never got to direct the film adaptation of "To Kill a Mockingbird."  Stephen Chbosky wrote the screenplay and directed the film version of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."  As an independent film, "Perks" has not had a wide release; it played 745 theaters at its widest point (a Hollywood blockbuster will play over 4,000 screens).  Therefore, the film's two week run at the Capitol Theater is significant.  This is your chance to see the film on the big screen.

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is rated PG-13.  It is intended for teen audiences.

The film stars Logan Lerman, Ezra Miller, and Emma Watson.

The Olympia Film Society website is here.

You can read Roger Ebert's review of the film here.

Science Fiction Film Festival

April 19-May 2 the Seattle Cinerama will be hosting the first Science Fiction Film Festival.  The lineup of films is most impressive: 2001: A Space Odyssey, Brazil, War of the Worlds, A Clockwork Orange, Dune, The Road Warrior, E.T., The Terminator, and many more.  All films will be shown on the giant Cinerama screen on 35 mm, or in some cases 70 mm.  This is the way these films were meant to be seen.  This festival exists because Paul Allen owns Cinerama and loves science fiction.  Thanks, Paul Allen!

And the poster does say First "Annual" Science Fiction Film Festival.  My guess is that they're saving Blade Runner, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and The Day The Earth Stood Still for next year.

More info here.

The Secret World of Arrietty Opens Today in Theaters

Princess Mononoke

The release of a Studio Ghibli film in theaters in the United States is a cause for celebration.  Studio Ghibli films use classic, hand-drawn animation, and the Studio Ghibli style is lush and distinctive.  Studio Ghibli films are revered around the world.  The studio was founded by master animator Hayao Miyazaki, who continues to oversee all major Ghibli productions.  I've been a fan since Princess Mononoke was released in the U.S. in 1999.  Princess Mononoke was released by Miramax Films, known for releasing "art house" and "independent" films aimed primarily at adults.  The critics loved Princess Mononoke, but since it was released as an "art film" in the U.S., it did very modest business.  In fact, Princess Mononoke was rated PG-13 and was undoubtedly seen by many more adults in theaters than kids.



In 2001, Walt Disney Pictures released Spirited Away.  Its reviews were even better than Princess Mononoke's, even though it is a more "kid friendly" film (PG rating).  The release of Spirited Away was even overseen by John Lasseter, known as the chief creative force behind Pixar.  The film also won the Academy Award for best Animated Feature.  Still, Spirited Away made only $10 million dollars at the box office (Shrek, released a year earlier, made $267 million, for means of comparison).  Howl's Moving Castle was released in 2005 and Ponyo was released in 2009.  Howl's was seen mostly by Miyazaki die-hards.  Ponyo, while considered a lesser film in the Ghibli canon (it's aimed at a much younder audience), nonetheless received a wider U.S. release than any Ghibli film which had come before it.

The Secret World of Arrietty is being released today in 1,500 theaters.  While a Harry Potter movie is released in over 4,000 theaters, the release planned by Walt Disney Pictures shows a definite commitment to grow the profile of Studio Ghibli in the U.S.  Will Arrietty be a hit for Walt Disney?  That remains to be seen.  You can see how the release for Arrietty compares to the laast four Ghibli features released in the U.S.

The Secret World of Arrietty

The Secret World of Arrietty is based on the children's novel The Borrowers, by Mary Norton.  It's about a group of tiny people living under the floorboards of a family of what we would consider regular-sized people.  It has the humor, beauty, and magic of the Miyazaki brand.  It's not getting the rave reviews of Spirited Away, but it's getting very positive reviews.If you're a Miyazaki fan, you will want to seek it out.  If you've never seen a Miyazaki film, you need to see one in a theater.  The Secret World of Arrietty is currently playing in Olympia, Lacey, and Tacoma.

If you're interested, here is my ranking of my favorite Miyazaki films:

1.  Porco Rosso

2.  Princess Mononoke

3.  Spirited Away

4.  My Neighbor Totoro

5.  Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

6.  Castle in the Sky

7.  Howl's Moving Castle

8.  Kiki's Delivery Service

I haven't actually seen Ponyo.

Grave of the Fireflies

I also recommend the Studio Ghibli film Grave of the Fireflies.  It was directed by Miyazaki's contemporary Isao Takahata, whose style is different than Miyazaki's.  Its subject matter is the bombing of Kobe at the end of World War II.  It is much more serious and somber than other Studio Ghibli movies.  Film critic Roger Ebert was a vocal champion of the film.  Here is his review of the film for his Great Movies series.