FRIDAY 9th

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND: THE MAKING OF STEVE SPEILBERG'S CLASSIC FILM

My good friend, Ray Morton has written a new book and it's released next Thursday 15th November.

Steven Spielberg's 1977 masterpiece Close Encounters of the Third Kind used all of the power and magic of cinema - including a series of groundbreaking and breathtaking beautiful photographic effects - to tell a story of man's first meeting with extraterrestrial beings. Renouncing the fear and pessimism of the day, writer/director Spielberg boldly envisioned this as a peaceful, spiritual event full of hope and possibility. This awe-inspiring message made a powerful impact on audiences desperate for something to believe in. The film was a massive box-office hit and revolutionized the movie industry; along with Star Wars, it helped to create the modern blockbuster and ushered in a new era of hi-tech effects. Based on in-depth research and the recollections of many of the film's principal creators, Close Encounters is the first book to chronicle the making of this classic film from its inception through its tumultuous production to its many releases in "special" editions. The book features new interviews with star Teri Garr, producer Michael Phillips, photographic effects supervisor Douglas Trumbull, production designer Joe Alves, and several cinematographers, screenwriters, and special-effects legends. John Hill, Jerry Belson, Hal Barwood, and Matthew Robbins; and special effects legends Richard Yuricich, Robert Swarthe, Dennis Muren, Scott Squires, Greg Jein, and Rocco Gioffre.

Amazon link here

RICHARD LESTER - HELP!

Help! has been released in a 2 disc special edition. The transfer is splendid. David Watkin's photography is beautiful and Lester's anarchic wit is quite humourous, although I much prefer Hard Day's Night, Help! is a lot of fun. Check out the interview at AV Club. It's very interesting and intelligent, plus the interviewer asks him about the Donner Cut.

FRIDAY 2nd

SUPERBOY

Ilya contacted Superboy Homepage about the future of Superboy on DVD. The first season has only been released in the States, but the series was popular in international terrortries. There has been no indication from Warners that it will be released in other regions. If you want to push for season 2, you should write to Warners. Although it has sold well with very little advertising, the studio needs convincing that people will also buy season 2, which arguably is better than season 1.

TOM MANKIEWICZ DELIGHTS BOND FANS

Tom Mankiewicz was a surprise guest at the BCW event. Read about this exciting event here.

THURSDAY 1st

SELUTRON

Selutron has been causing quite a stir on YouTube and, although I was initially reticent at the idea of fan cuts and authorship, I've been persuaded to think, that with the correct agenda in mind, that it maybe possible to have another cut of the Superman II Donner Cut released.

I'm not gearing up for another campaign, well nothing on the scale of the last one which took several years, but a much more, let's yes, a floating campaign. Yes, we are on a sailboat, drifting towards the horizon where the sun settles, where the Promised Land lays. Selutron will steer us there, but we hoped to be picked up by a liner...

Anyway, I talked to Selutron on the blower (Brit slang for phone), and I found him to be on the right wavelength. We both clicked on our love for 70s cinema and, of course, we talked about his cut and his thoughts on the current Donner Cut DVD. He's made it abundantly clear that he's dissatisfied with what's on the DVD, and the clear reason why he's doing what he's doing, to persuade Warners that current version can't be the final word.

His incredible clips are an indication on what could be achieved, and with the right people on board, Warners can sell it again, because you know what? We'll buy it again. Although it won't be another 2006, I can see 2009/2010 being another important time when it could happen, another Donner Cut. It's going to depend on a number of factors and the placement of the stars, but never say, never.

Heck, if Alexander can have numerous cuts on DVD, and previous incarnations must have sold very well, then, I don't see why The Donner Cut can't be released again.

There is a big reason why I think Selutron might be on to something, he mentioned that a significant person has seen clips, chiefly his ending, and is very impressed with the work. I can't reveal names, but he's significant.

I don't want to raise hopes, but I think there are possibilities for the future.

Selutron videos here