The Guy movie lost thread

[Keith Webb]

Darn shame that thread was lost - I was just beginning to enjoy the replies...
The long and short of it was as a film editor I often think of how I could improve some of the blockbuster films with some judicious editing to make them more watchable.
For example, if all the trash were removed from Pearl Harbour it would make a very good 12 minute film... Likewise Titanic - apart from the shots of it sinking - not the dramatised pieces, but the 3-D part - the rest is completely unnecessary.
Think of the time savings - not to mention the smaller budgets needed - which could be redirected into restoring more MVs and aircraft. I'm onto something here
Other movies like the Perfect Storm or Twister could be cut to less than a minute, while some of the classic movies like the Back of Beyond could be recut to replace the Leyland Badger with another CMP and feature extended scenes of the cab 12 doing more sandhill work. We could include the segment where Tom Kruse rebuilds the Ford's engine, doing a valve grind upside down under the suspended engine.

[Peter Nenadovich]

I'm not sure if this is coming close blaspheming, but one movie that not only needs a picture editor's hand but a judicious rewrite as well would be Saving Private Ryan. I am thankful that Spielberg's movie helped shine a light on the "war" generation. As well, the film finally raised the bar on trying to get "the look" right - euipment, uniforms etc. But... aside from perhaps the first 20 minutes or so and the sickening tension of the hand-to-hand fight between Melish and the SS trooper - I find the whole viewing experience a teeth-grinding chore. I found that at no point was the dialogue coming out of their mouths nothing short of inane. It never felt like I was listening to young men from 1944 speak. And don't get me started on that whole Home Alone-type ending with there attempts to lure the Germans onto the bridge. I was so thankful that Band of Brothers came along. It, on the other hand comes as close to perfection yet (albeit I'm not saying there's the odd niggling bits as well).


Peter