Hitting the theaters in 1980, Battle Beyond the Stars played like a poor man’s (or teenager’s) Star Wars — but had a great time doing it. Roger Corman probably spent more money on this movie than he ever intended to, but it paid off in the long run, becoming one of his most beloved cult classics. It spawned or advanced the careers of several Hollywood heavyweights, including James Cameron (as art director/model maker), James Horner (composer) and John Sayles (screenwriter), while featuring some fine performances by veteran Hollywood actors such George Peppard, Robert Vaughn and John Saxon. Sci-fi fans will also be delighted to see Marta Kristen of Lost in Space fame in a supporting role.
Adam West as Batman — in 3D? What?! No! YES!
Thought you’d never get to see a young Adam West, Julie Newmar and Burt Ward together in glorious 3D? Well, think again. I bring you “Batman: The Purr-fect Crime” — in 3D! In my opinion, it’s one of View-Master’s best sets in their “Showtime” series – the colors, the costumes, the sets, all tailor-made for some eye-popping 3D.
Many 3DTVs have the ability to recognize side-by-side digital stereo views or MPO files directly from a thumb-drive. Unfortunately, mine doesn’t (looking at you here, Sony). But mine will recognize side-by-side videos. So I’ve begun experimenting with various methods to scan some of my favorite reels (soon to be the subject of an upcoming post) and string them together as video slide-shows.
Continue reading “Adam West as Batman — in 3D? What?! No! YES!”
3D’s Not Dead. It’s Just Taking a Little Nap.
I still remember clutching my red and white plastic View-Master in my pudgy little fingers, carefully inserting a reel chock-full of images from Star Trek or Batman or Lost in Space, advancing each frame with a satisfying metallic “ker-chang” (it seemed important to do this as LOUDLY AS POSSIBLE. Why? I don’t know, I’m a guy.)
In those days before VCRs, DVDs, blu-rays, etc., this was one of the few ways to relive your favorite shows “on demand” in between reruns. And what a way to experience it: not only in living color, but in THREE DIMENSIONS! I had no idea at the time what miraculous process made this possible. All I knew was that it was pretty darn close to magic in my book.
Continue reading “3D’s Not Dead. It’s Just Taking a Little Nap.”