Ewan McGregor (the only actor in the prequels who actually gave a damn in his performance) was pretty vocal about his frustrations on the set filming green screen 24/7. The real failure of the prequels was Lucas being a jaded old ****er completely out of touch with storytelling and directing which was primarily the reason for the lazy sets and "walk slowly across the screen while talking // sit down and talk" reocurring format scene after scene

Star Trek was good.

ST: ID was shitty.

I'm catching up on the desolation of smaug right now, missed it in theaters, and aside from the way it's been bloated with bullshit to stretch 2 movies into a trilogy what really stands out to me is just how overdone and obvious the cgi is. It's like Peter Jackson is following in Lucas' prequel footsteps and making the movies too much about fluff and cool visuals instead of making something that, while still fantastical, looks and feels visceral and real and makes you feel like you're there and part of what's happening. The fellowship had that, but it seems like the more Jackson does, the further he gets from that initial magic, and each ensuing movie, in the hobbit trilogy at least, feels increasingly sterile and empty. It makes me sad.

Which is why I was and am so excited to hear about how practical ep 7 has been, from the start, as well as the focus on mcquarrie's designs. The world needs to be dirty and worn, lived-in. Of course that won't make everything work if the script blows, but it's the right start, and it gives me hope.

Pretty sure it's been posted around here somewhere....there's an interview with Viggo Mortensen where he basically flames Jackson for his use of CGI in the last two LotR movies, and especially how he's gone so heavy with it in the Hobbit films. I think there's something to that, which is why I am curious/excited to see what Abrams does with Ep. VII and his "old school" approach with it.

Yeah, that's basically what I was trying to say, as well.

I posted this in the Fail thread, but I think it has a place here as well.

13:38 mark in this video...

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Spooky.

Does he got the "yellow eye"?

Everything I've read and all indications seem to suggest that Luke won't be dark side. Frankly I think that's too easy anyway. I think he's something else. Like a batshit hermit with way too much power that scared him so much he went into hiding.

It's like the best ****ing story idea ever. About a hundred times better than marrying Mara Jade or some shit. I love it and I think Mark Hamill is going to chew scenery like crazy.

It's the perfect role for Mark in many ways.

He's not a leading man and it would have been a mistake to try and make him play a part like that in his old age.

Hamill's part in the new trilogy hasn't been fully revealed but too many sources are reporting that he's "Gone into hiding" due to his ever growing power of The Force.

I don't believe the reports that he's been in hiding for 30 years and think that 10 years appears more likely.

He's also supposedly "changed" by the end of the film but I don't think that has anything to do with crossing over to the Dark side of The Force.

A hilt that would kill or maim you? Why not?!?

Yeah, it's dumb.

I've heard he turns into the Joker by the end.