Star Wars 1: The Phantom Menace 3D & Journey 2: The Mysterious Island – CFQ Spotlight Podcast 3:6

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There was no shortage of curiosity when George Lucas announced that he was converting his STAR WARS features to 3D, and no little disappointment when it was revealed that the first film to undergo the process would be the almost universally reviled EPISODE I – THE PHANTOM MENACE. Nevertheless here we are at the longest of those long times ago, back in that galaxy far, far away, watching once more as Jedi knight Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his talented padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) try to rescues Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) from the clutches of the evil Trade Federation, in the process stumbling upon Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a young boy with such formidable attributes — including single-handedly building C-3PO and having just by chance been born of immaculate conception — that he might well be the Chosen One, the one destined to bring Balance to the Force. That is, if instead he doesn’t turn to the Dark Side and become… well, let’s just say the name rhymes with Marth Frader.
Our special guest, chronicrift.com‘s John Drew, joins Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons as they revisit the newly dimensionalized version of this “first” installment and discuss whether the upgrade is worth donning the special, “Collectible Keepsake” 3D glasses. Also: Larry and Steve give their capsule reviews of JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND. Plus: What’s coming in theaters and on home video.

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'Star Wars' Saga to go 3-D

StarWars_HildebrantWe all knew it was coming. George Lucas has mentioned the idea a number of time over the years.
Now, StarWars.com is carrying the story that the STAR WARS films are being digitally converted to 3-D, begining with THE PHANTOM MENACE. 
John Knoll will supervise the project with Industrial Light & Magic.
Knoll said “Getting good results on a stereo conversion is a matter of taking the time and getting it right. It takes a critical and artistic eye along with an incredible attention to detail to be successful. It is not something that you can rush if you want to expect good results. For STAR WARS, we will take our time, applying everything we know both aesthetically and technically to bring audiences a fantastic new Star Wars experience.”
STAR WARS: Episode I – THE PHANTOM MENACE  is expected to be released theatrically in 2012.
As mentioned above, George Lucas has been interested in the conversion process for some time, and it would appear that he thinks the technology is mataure enough to suit his standards.
I’m actually glad they’re starting with the “prequel” trilogy, as that gives them plenty of time for trial and error before getting to the original trilogy.
An interview with John Knoll can be found HERE