(Part 2) Best products from r/movies

A lot of 'I'm not a fan of Superman but it was good' folks here.

Might I suggest some really good Superman comics?

Superman - Action Comics Vol. 1 - Part of DC's New 52 reboot, these comics are by Grant Morrison (who is a great writer and something of an expert on comics, especially Superman) and shows a young Superman at the very beginnings of his superheroics.

All-Star Superman - Another Grant Morrison work, All-Star Superman is an Elseworlds (set outside main canon) that is by and large considered one of the definitive works of Superman stories. A little camp with lots of love given to the Golden and Silver Ages but played straight and fantastic story.

Kingdom Come - Another Elseworlds set in a dark, alternate future, where Clark has given up being Superman and the world pretty much standing on the edge. Amazing art by Alex Ross.

Superman: Red Son - An Elseworlds in which Superman landed in Communist Russia as an infant and raised by the state. The concept is silly but it's honestly a great read.

Superman: Birthright - A retelling and modernization of Superman's origin, it's a pretty good read and probably what Man of Steel is drawing a lot of inspiration from.

Superman Annual #11: "For the Man Who Has Everything" - It's a Superman story written by Alan Moore. I don't want to say anymore due to potential spoilers.

Rubix89 also said "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?" which is pretty much a response to the question of 'What's so great about the big blue boyscout in this day and age?'

Superman: Red Son is the best Superman story I've ever read. This is coming from an asshole that dresses like Clark Kent on a regular basis.

Mark Millar also managed to jumpstart the Avengers franchise 2 years ago, cast Sam Jackson as Nick Fury, AND rework Captain America from a militant symbol from the 1941 into the most likable motherfucker on the planet in his graphic novel Ultimates. Ultimates 2 was also very good, but #3 was not Mark Millar and it kinda sucked.

He did a Wolverine story called Old Man Logan that was great. Fun fact, he also wrote the comic book that was adapted into the Angelina Jolie film Wanted. In my opinion, his best work peaked at Marvel's Civil War event.

The basic story went like this: some D-List supers blow up a small town in New England, which sparks the American public to push for a superhero registration act. Iron Man thinks that this trend represents the natural evolution of superheroes, so he supports it. Captain America, being the dashing badass that he is, claims that this directly defies the American dream and decides to go against it. This pits the entire superhero community against itself. The event had ramifications that were felt by every Marvel comic book for years afterwards, and it also sparked Marvel as a company to begin running big, over the top events every year (there were events before this, but this was when Marvel realized that they could cash in BIG on summer events. I'm not too happy about this, because I'd rather just read comics without having to keep up with the goddamn news in a fictional reality. Not my cuppa tea).

After Civil War, Mark Millar got a big head about his work. Prior to this, the general understanding was that he liked shock value, but his mentor Grant Morrison (arguably the best writer in the business) was filtering his ideas and more or less proofreading his scripts. However, once he got famous, he basically disgraced Morrison in public and decided he was better off alone. Nowadays, Millar only writes comics as storyboards for movie pitches (he's admitted this, I'm not accusing). It's not necessarily a bad way to write comics, but his style is more chauvinistic than anything.

He's his own biggest fan. That said, he wrote some DAMN good comics way back when.

Does that answer your question?

It's not well known but this specific version of the movies:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000FQJAIW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1427746186&sr=8-3&keywords=star+wars+episode+4&dpPl=1&dpID=51u3YmzYxNL&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SY200_QL40
Has the original versions included on the 2nd disc as a "bonus feature"
Well worth the price, especially if you can find it used somewhere.

Edit: I'd still love to see the original unmolested versions of episodes 4-6 remastered on blu-ray

I'm reading the book Starting Point which gives a lot of really amazing insight into how Ghibli is the success that it is. Miyazaki is very idealistic as to how films should be and as to the experience that people receive from them. He has such strong intuition, vision and work ethic that he's able to make his ideals a reality.

In the book Miyazaki talks about how all films, even if they're lightweight or more common and popular, should be "filled with a purity of emotion". He says (written in 1988) "There are few barriers to entry into these films - they will invite anyone in - but the barriers to exit must be high and purifying. Films must also not be produced out of idle nervousness or boredom, or be used to recognize, emphasize, or amplify true vulgarity. And in that context, I must say that I hate Disney's works. The barrier to both the entry and exit of Disney films is too low and too wide. To me, they show nothing but contempt for the audience."

He has similarly critical views about pretty much all anime as well. It makes me think that even though he respects John Lasseter, he probably doesn't care for most Pixar films either.

Its amazing how all there are all these things about him that just combine perfectly to allow him to make the movies he does. I guess that's the mark of a genius, only Miyazaki could've been capable of making those films. It'll be a sad day for film and animation when Miyazaki is gone.

Here you go. Just read scripts from movies you love and/or admire. You'll be more engaged. Maybe look for ones that have won awards. This is one of the few categories the Academy doesn't fuck up.

Also, listen to this podcast.

And read this.

As mentioned by /u/hereisatoptip , Prometheus, Avatar and LOTR are positively stuffed with goodies. The Alien Anthology and Star Wars complete saga box sets are amazing, although navigating the bonus material in both is a bit of a PITA. The Star Trek 'classic films' box set actually included some great bonus features, even though the remasters of the films themselves left a bit to be desired. Also, the Blade Runner five-disc Collector's Edition has pretty much everything a BR fanatic could want, including the original workprint and the tremendous 'Strange Days' documentary.

I wish I could take credit for writing this, but Mr. Adam Bertocci wrote this. The man is a genius. Mr. Bertocci actually commented on this post, and wanted me to tell everyone you can find a "Fully annotated, beautifully illustrated, revised text" of Two Gentlemans of Lebowski on amazon. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1451605811/adambertocci-20

I still happen to think this rough copy is brilliant.

Structure. After reading a few books on writing (most notably [Save The Cat by Blake Snyder(http://www.amazon.com/Save-Last-Book-Screenwriting-Youll/dp/1932907009)), I notice structural and pacing in blockbuster movies a lot more. It also lessens the impact of independent movies as they usually don't follow a rigid structure in the storytelling. It has made me more judgemental of movies I would have thought better of before knowing about structure and pacing. On the upside, good movies are made better after knowing how they are written.

The blu-ray collection is well worth the $30.
Great picture quality on each, theatrical and director cuts, tons of special features. I love horror movies and the alien movies are some of my favorites.
Amazon Link)

Grab [or make] yourself some 2D glasses. It makes the 3D "wasted", but who cares -- you get to see the film the way you want.

As a technological note, those glasses are just a two "left" or "right" (not sure which) lenses, so both eyes get the same version of the picture. Whether that version is exactly the same as the dedicated 2D one -- I'm not entirely sure.

I'm replying to this because it's the top comment and I hope my comment is seen:

I'm the author of this piece.

You can buy the book at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1451605811/adambertocci-20

Fully annotated, beautifully illustrated, revised text. Much much better than this old version you're seeing here.

The TGOL Web site is http://www.runleiarun.com/lebowski

Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale is Book's backstory. I highly recommend it, thought it was a great read.

There's also Serenity: Those Left Behind and Serenity: Better Days. All written by or with involvement from Joss.

Yes, 100x yes. You can find it on Amazon right now for only $50.

http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-Fellowship-Extended-Editions/dp/B0026L7H20/ref=pd_ts_zgc_mov_2958935011_1?ie=UTF8&s=movies-tv&pf_rd_p=1314173042&pf_rd_s=right-5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=507846&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1WS03FJP1WD141NCA5YR

I'm a huge fan, one of those people that can quote almost every line. Watching it in BluRay is a whole new experience. Buy it now!

Go watch the Kevin Spacey movie Swimming with Sharks.

Basically you become an assistant to a powerful Hollywood player. They'll treat you like garbage, but you'll learn the ropes with no illusions or fantasies/bullshit about how business is done - if you survive, you're employable anywhere in Hollywood.

Regarding the researching and impact stuff - read this book by George Lucas: http://www.amazon.com/George-Lucass-Blockbusting-Decade-Decade/dp/0061778893

James Cameron apparently did something similar to this when he was conceiving Terminator - broke down popular genre trends and modeled the script on them (that's why Terminator essentially plays out like the most successful low budget movie at that time - Halloween).

This is the best present I've ever been given. I love Kurosawa so much!

The Collected Works of Hideo Miyazaki - although you can probably buy all these movies individually for cheaper.

Stanley Kubrick: The Master Collection - doesn't include some of his earlier films, unfortunately.

Universal 100th Anniversary Collection - just a lot of great films from a wide range of genres for the money.

Back to the Future 30th Anniversary Trilogy - self explanatory

Indiana Jones: Complete Adventures Collection - comes with a free Indiana Jones 4 coaster!

For black hawk down, no, sorry.

For blade runner I have a two disc blu ray version, there is the 5 disc ultimate one but I didn't get it.


edit: this will be available in two months, those blu ray digibook editions look great http://www.amazon.com/Runner-Anniversary-Collectors-Edition-Blu-ray/dp/B008M4MB8K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1344969339&sr=8-3&keywords=blade+runner+blu+ray


edit: what kind of movies do you like?

Seven Samurai = my favorite film.

If you ever have occasion to screen a film at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences or visit for another reason, don't miss the Kurosawa artwork on display downstairs. http://www.oscars.org/events-exhibitions/venues-ticketing/galleries.html Any time I attend a premiere/party there you will find me hiding by the deserts and coffees, which are setup in the lower level side room (first photo) right in the middle of Kurosawa's original artwork. Love! I believe the galleries are open daily, too.

also, WANT http://www.amazon.com/AK-100-Kurosawa-Criterion-Collection/dp/B002NOZUEW

Well I found it on Amazon, great movie:
https://www.amazon.com/Blade-Runner-Anniversary-Collectors-Blu-ray/dp/B008M4MB8K

Edit: Also another off Amazon that's currently in stock:
https://www.amazon.com/Runner-Five-Disc-Complete-Collectors-Blu-ray/dp/B000UBMWG4

This is getting out of hand considering this was just released 2 years ago. I think at this point, 10 years after the final movie in the trilogy was released, they shouldn't give a slap in the face to the true fans that try to support the franchise by buying everything only to have another $100 version come out 2 years later.

Movies R Fun!: A Collection of Cinematic Classics for the Pre-(Film) School Cinephile (Lil' Inappropriate Books) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1452122334/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ybCPybZF8[Link: Movies R Fun](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1452122334/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ybCPybZF84NH2)

Got this as our baby shower present from friends that know what a movie buff I am. Loved it.

It now resides on my son's shelf next to Little Critter and Paddington.

Yeah I looked at the link nerga provided and that would be cool to get, but I came across this one too:

BR 30th Anniversary Blu Ray Collection

Looks like it's on some kind of markdown/sale for $14.00 and is a 3 blurays edition that has all 5 versions plus the artbook.

I did a quick check of the contents looking at the back covers of both and this one seems to be the same thing packaged differently but the same content wise and a little cheaper.

I think I'm going to go ahead and get this one and "retire" my old final cut version bluray.

Thank you for writing Two Gentlemen of Lebowski. I love that book!

This is pretty much the entire premise of my 2nd favorite DC comic, "Superman Red Son" It's an Elsewords comic, so not canon. Superman leaves Krypton late and lands in Ukraine and is raised a Russian. It leaves Lex uncontested in America, and he eventually becomes president. I'd definitely give it a read if I were you. Here it is on Amazon.com It's got my favorite ending of any graphic novel, but it is still second in total behind Kingdom Come.

For anyone interested, this is the work of Josh Cooley, and this collection of illustrations is actually available for purchase in amazing Children's Book fashion.

I purchased the my set of the trilogy on DVD last year. It was new, from one of the sellers on Amazon.

Quick search on amazon shows this, which is the theatrical version:

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trilogy-Widescreen-Theatrical-Edition/dp/B001EN71DG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1347293190&sr=8-4&keywords=star+wars+original+trilogy

(check out the top review for clarification on that fact)

You don't have to spend quite that much though, I'm pretty sure. I paid a little over $100 for mine last year, so probably you could get a lower price with a little more searching.

i found a good TLJ as protagonist flick on Amazon that I hadnt heard of 'in the electric mist' It has a lot of TLJ in detective mode, which is always a good thing IMO.

If you're also willing to pay the 3D surcharge for your party, buy this 4-pack of 2D glasses for $13 and then you get the best of both worlds: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K9E7GCC

There is actually a DVD copy of the films in their original form. The DVD comes with two discs and one is the special edition and the other is the original release. Here is the one I bought. I found it at a local used movie store and got it for $3

Battle of the Coral Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN0h9Mnb8nE

Gunman's Walk: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2bm1t9

Arizona Raiders -

Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B004GIYFX0/ref=atv_dl_rdr

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHAF6UNn0BI

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/movies/details?id=gHAF6UNn0BI

The Wrecking Crew: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1rv6ca

Hammerhead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSp222CiPys

Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice-

Prime: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B003TPW8CG/ref=atv_dl_rdr

Crackle: https://www.sonycrackle.com/watch/5612/2507830

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtvWxZvM9_E

Cactus Flower-

Prime: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B002PNJA1U/ref=atv_dl_rdr

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1up5bv_6LI

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/cactus-flower/id550244470

Easy Rider -

https://decider.com/movie/easy-rider/

Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Rider-Peter-Fonda/dp/B00BZAZVV2

Crackle: https://www.sonycrackle.com/watch/457/2481542

Model Shop:
Part 1: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5kstwq
Part 2: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5kst6m

Getting Straight -
Prime: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B004L8A3OA/ref=atv_dl_rdr

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5wB_GA7Bk8

Has anyone at all read Myazaki's book starting point? You should. He elaborately explains his views on a very wide variety of topics in there, and it's a great read.

Spoiler: He does have the opinion that is pictured in the comic.

Lucas wrote a great book about how the budgets for movies have changed. The movie industry hasn't died but how and what gets funded has changed radically. Much of this is due to the success of Star Wars and other blockbusters. Arguably it's what allowed the Marvel stuff to get made.

​

https://www.amazon.com/George-Lucass-Blockbusting-Decade-Decade/dp/0061778893

You should read The Long Halloween. It is one of the best comics I have ever read, Batman or otherwise.

This is the release you want.

It's Special Edition and original theatrical release. Can't believe I picked it up for $15.

Theres a book called SAVE THE CAT -

http://www.amazon.com/Save-Last-Book-Screenwriting-Youll/dp/1932907009

This book is regarded as a bible by almost all Hollywood execs. They will go by this book page by page when reading a new screenplay,and if it doesnt match up exactly to what this book says,they'll either pass on it or order it changed. You wanna know why every movie seems exactly the same? This book is why. Its basically Script Writing For Dummies.

There is a formula discovered for creating a screenplay that makes money;
http://www.amazon.com/Save-Last-Book-Screenwriting-Youll/dp/1932907009

Also note; almost every movie has the major action sequence at around 60 minutes in. Almost every hero is in some way an orphan. The main struggle is to redeem a shortcoming in the hero that the antagonist is associated with.

Starting Point <= Link to Amazon

it's a fucking good book. for professionals. not fans.

https://smile.amazon.com/Collected-Miyazaki-Amazon-Exclusive-Blu-ray/dp/B0117V8BX8

It's a touch expensive but you look at the price for buying all 8 of these movies on BluRay individually, and it's cheaper in the long run. I pre-ordered it, but if you're patient you can catch a good deal on it. A few weeks after it came out it was down to $199.

I feel like Nolan's The Dark Knight takes more influence from Jeph Loeb's Batman: The Long Halloween than from any other published stories. In fact, if you buy this trade version of the book, you can read an introduction from Chris Nolan and David Goyer where they discuss the influence this book had on their writing and filmmaking, as well as the cinematic quality of the book itself.

No release date on Amazon, but it's priced at $83.99. Link I wonder how long that is going to last. If you pre-order it now they'll give you whatever the cheapest price is from when you pre-order to the day it comes out which is pretty sweet. I hate how they tease us like this though!

Or just read The Long Halloween. It was one of the inspirations for the Nolan Batman films. For more background on Bane, check out Batman vs Bane.

I'm surprised more people didn't rush out and get the two disc set that came with the original theatrical versions of the films (Amazon has Episode IV, here. It's just hanging out on DVD, waiting to be watched.

They got them on DVD for pretty cheap on amazon if you go with the used option. About 20 bucks a piece or less.

But rumor has it that Disney is planning to release them on Blu-ray leading up to the debut of episode 7. That's just a rumor though.

amazon has a multidisc set for like $15

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008M4MB8K/

The 2008 DVD release has the original theatrical releases in the set.

Currently it's on Amazon for $270.

There aren't any blu-ray but there are dvd releases of the original versions. http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Two-Disc-Widescreen-Theatrical/dp/B000FQJAIW/ref=sr_1_4?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1417373914&sr=1-4&keywords=star+wars

This

I think I got it for around $50 at Best Buy, but this was a few years ago.

I just ordered this set. Haven't watched it yet personally , but it comes highly recommended.

Here's a link, it's great. Haven't tried the other comics yet, but needed some closure on Book.

https://www.amazon.com/Serenity-3-Shepherds-Tale-Various/dp/1595825614

There is a graphic novel which explores exactly that.

Spirited Away (or any Miyazaki movie). Maybe give her The Collected Works of Hayao Miyazaki for Christmas.

The original theatrical version of the trilogy was released on DVD. You have to buy it alongside the god awful "special edition," but it exists.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000FQJAIW?cache=06e723b1268ef43b3c9a5737bf4bc250&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&qid=1407111532&sr=8-5#ref=mp_s_a_1_5

I know there's a Blu-ray set exclusive to Amazon, but there's also a single-case, multi-disc DVD set.

Same price on Amazon, get it there instead.

I believe so. Or it feels that way. I think it's amazon purchase only

https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-Fellowship-Extended-Editions/dp/B0026L7H20

This is the one you want. You can find it on sale at various places online fairly often.

The author did to a book!
Movies R Fun

I think they took the advice of "Save the Cat" a bit too literally.

Save the Cat

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Two-Disc-Widescreen-Theatrical/dp/B000FQJAIW/ref=pd_cp_mov_2

Couple hundred bucks? Here's the used ANH dvd for 22 bucks:

https://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Episode-IV-Limited/dp/B000FQJAIW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1488298488&sr=8-4&keywords=star+wars+original+trilogy

Trilogy for $150

IV for $80

V for $40

VI for $72

The VHSs weren't letterboxed. Source: I watched them.

http://www.amazon.com/Alien-Anthology-Blu-ray-Sigourney-Weaver/dp/B001AQO3QA/ref=sr_1_3_twi_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420845385&sr=8-3&keywords=aliens

Yes

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Trilogy-Harrison-Ford/dp/B001EN71DG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289809683&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trilogy-Widescreen-Theatrical-Edition/dp/B001EN71DG This boxset has the unaltered versions as dvd extras.

Lucas did release the theatrical versions on DVD. Here's a box set that contains both versions, but I remember getting the single DVDs from Wal*mart for a lot cheaper.

You get all versions in one package quite cheaply.

http://www.amazon.com/Runner-Anniversary-Collectors-Edition-Blu-ray/dp/B008M4MB8K/ref=sr_1_1

Blade Runner (30th Anniversary Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008M4MB8K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Enkzyb55ZE49V

If you can't get to see it in 2D, maybe look into these.
http://www.amazon.com/2D-Glasses-Pack-eDimensional-Televisions/dp/B00K9E7GCC/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1450627509&sr=1-2&keywords=2d+glasses

anyone tried 2d glasses?

Do you know which version is in the Miyazaki collection?

https://www.amazon.com/Collected-Miyazaki-Amazon-Exclusive-Blu-ray/dp/B0117V8BX8

http://www.amazon.com/Collected-Miyazaki-Amazon-Exclusive-Blu-ray/dp/B0117V8BX8 You can get it here.

> The fact you can't get an original cut of the original trilogy on anything newer than VHS just cements my not watching any of it anymore.

False

This 3 disc set has all the cuts and even comes in a digibook.

In that vein, check out Superman: Red Son (where Kal-El crash lands in the USSR at the dawn of the Cold War, rather than Kansas). It's generally regarded as among the best Superman stories out there (though it's not without flaws).

Batman: Year One is a fantastic way to begin. It introduces the major elements, tells a solid story, and the art work is fantastic.

The Long Halloween and Dark Victory are my next two suggestions. They're also my personal favorites (and Christian Bales!).

Others of note:

The Killing Joke

Arkham Asylum

Batman: Absolution

Batman: The Cult

A Death in the Family

Batman: Hush

I've got a few more but they're a bit scattered in terms of story line or canon. I'm also an outlier but I didn't care for "The Dark Knight Returns."

Yep. It doesn't have all the extra features that the huge boxset has, but it does have all the versions and a bunch of other special features. And it's cheap as hell, it's 13 dollars on amazon.

The originals still exist and you can buy them on DVD...

A New Hope

The Empire Strikes Back

Return of the Jedi

$14 on Bluray at Amazon.

Includes Theatrical release (US and International), the '92 Directors cut, the Final Cut, and a bunch of Behind the Scenes and extras.

IV for $12

V for $14

VI for $8!

> The VHSs weren't letterboxed. Source: I watched them.

If they weren't letterboxed, you are missing nearly half of the picture. You do realize that letterboxing shows you MORE picture, right?

Is this William Shakespeare's Star Wars? You didn't specify but you said
> the production also includes five scenes from "The Big Lebowksi," also set in Elizabethan English.

which makes it sound like it is.

Edit: I'm guessing this is the Big Lebowski and this is the Star Wars one.

There's also an official DVD release of the originals but it's just a shitty laserdisc transfer, so while it'll probably look better than your VHS copy it'll look worse than most DVDs

The trouble is that the studios now demand rigid conformity of screenplays to the book "Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need". It is awful, terrible and even disastrous, but they are insisting on it.

Until they break out of that rut, screenplays are just going to continue to stink, movie after movie.