For the unacquainted, the World Video AOT took a matted 1.85:1 source, cropped it to 4:3 (they didn't bother panning-and-scanning it, they just chopped off the sides), cropped the bottom to cover up the English/Chinese hardsubs, and put English subs in the black area thus created. I don't have the World version (my school library did, though) and I can't find any caps online, so here's a simulation:
The best pre-Redux disc by far is the French TF1 release, but it's a heavily recut version (apparently similar to the Redux in many respects). For the HK cut it's a tossup between the Mei Ah and the R2J, which unfortunately isn't much of a choice. The Mei Ah is a bit more detailed but the R2J doesn't have subs on the print.
That actually looks better than the World Video image - the picture is entirely acceptable under the black bar, which certainly isn't the case with the actual DVD!
I've no idea if I still have mine - I may well have lent it to someone ages ago and told them not to bother giving it back - but if I do I'll dig it out and do actual grabs. This is much, much worse than a PD VHS transfer - the vandalism is on three sides and it's like peering at the film through a narrow window. (Which is why I'd rate this as worse than the Image Vampyr, which is less cropped and which doesn't have a black bottom bar throughout the entire film - fortunately, it doesn't need many subtitles!)
I just bought AE's Ashes of Time Redux (dvd version not BR).
I haven' t seen the film yet, but I "sampled" it and the transfer looks magnificent. It offers Dolby 5.1 and 2.0 sound and white optional subtitles (thank God). As for extras, it contains 5 interviews, one 14 minute "making of" and the trailer. So, I am very happy with AE disc.
And I don' t think that the Sony R1 version is going to be better. After all, the Sony will probably feature yellow subs and will have less extras. According to the press release, it will contain one "making of" and one interview with Wong. If we assume that the "making of" will be the same then the AE is better for having 5 interviews.
Does anybody know about the new DVD editions of Chungking Express and Happy Together? Are they new transfers or just the same crappy old ones repackaged?
The making of is kind of a joke, it seems to contain only snippets from the previous interviews. I turned it off after 3 minutes. It's also only about the Redux anyways.
otis wrote:Does anybody know about the new DVD editions of Chungking Express and Happy Together? Are they new transfers or just the same crappy old ones repackaged?
I hope not, since Chungking Express is also out on Blu-ray!
I hope not too. I was thinking of getting the box-set of both films and Ashes of Time Redux, but I'd like to be sure before I splash my cash, and the absence of a Happy Together Blu-Ray makes me suspect that it at least may be the old transfer. Don't suppose you've got review copies of these, Michael?
Otis, next month Kino is releasing what appear to be new transfers and special editions for "HAPPY TOGETHER" and "FALLEN ANGELS".
I can't find it at the moment, but I swear I recall Kino announcing that "FALLEN ANGELS" would be its first blu-ray release. Now it appears that only an SD version of "FA" is being released (along with the SD "HAPPY TOGETHER"). Does anyone else recall the blu-ray announcement? Still in the offing?
As for "CHUNGKING EXPRESS", it's my understanding that AE has released it on blu-ray this week - reported as all-region by AsianBlu-RayGuide.com - but I've yet to see any reviews. I'd be interested to know how it rates against Criterion's.
I watched the Blu Ray of 'Ashes of Time' last night, I've never seen it before, so I have nothing to compare it too.
I was confused by the plot, but captivated by the sometimes beautiful, sometimes downright odd images.
It's not the best transfer, by any means, but it looks as though it's steller compared to the old DVD releases.
Technically, I thought the AE Blu-ray of ASHES OF TIME REDUX looked surprisingly great. There are some extremely beautiful detailed moving shots of reflections/light which really shine on this format.
I'm with you, peerpee. I found the blu-ray image to be very lovely--almost painterly. I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that my unmodified Region-A Samsung BD-P1500 played the special features without a hitch.
They seem to be re-releasing Damnation and Werckmeister Harmonies; as well as The Man From London, as well as a Bela Tarr Collection which will probably contain all three films, on April 6. I hope the other titles will be remastered.
I emailed them a while back about whether they might look at making Mihaly Vig's music available as a CD special feature and they said it was something they were looking at for a future Tarr release, something I thought might eventually appear in this boxset but with only 3 discs it isn't looking hopeful. A real shame.
Is it simple arithmetic to conclude that Kino's upcoming "HAPPY TOGETHER" release will be their usual, improperly preconverted PAL>NTSC, stair-stepping ghost-fest, or have they suddenly gotten their scat together?
The Kino release is at least a month away, and I'd hate to put off finally seeing a decent presentation of this film simply to confirm a foregone conclusion.
Rich Malloy wrote:Is it simple arithmetic to conclude that Kino's upcoming "HAPPY TOGETHER" release will be their usual, improperly preconverted PAL>NTSC, stair-stepping ghost-fest, or have they suddenly gotten their scat together?
Depends on the source - if the master was HD (which is highly probable given when the new transfer was made), it should convert directly to NTSC without any side-effects. But I doubt there's any way of getting reliable information about this prior to the release itself.
Continuing in its tradition for releasing the very best of world cinema, Artificial Eye is pleased to announce the acquisition of several classic titles to enhance its home entertainment offering.
To coincide with the theatrical release of the remarkable The Beaches of Agnes, Artificial Eye has acquired the Films of Agnes Varda DVD Collection including: Cléo From 5 To 7, Vagabond, and Jacquot de Nantes .
To celebrate Michael Haneke’s eagerly awaited new film, The White Ribbon, Artificial Eye has added to its already impressive Haneke catalogue with Funny Games, Benny’s Video, The Seventh Continent and 71 Fragments Of A Chronology of Chance.
Also acquired for DVD is the Early Masterpieces by Ingmar Bergman collection, including: Dreams, The Naked Light (Sawdust and Tinsel), A Ship Bound for India, So Close To Life, It Rains On Our Love and the documentaries The Women and Bergman, and The Men and Bergman.
Together with these sought after collections, rights have also been acquired for Nicolas Philibert’s acclaimed documentaries Être et Avoir and Return To Normandy, and René Allio’s unique and original I, Pierre Rivierre.
The company is also delighted to announce the UK theatrical acquisitions of The Beaches of Agnes; the acclaimed Satyajit Ray Award-winning Mid-August Lunch; the vivid and cinematic Birdwatchers; and winner of the FIPRESCI Prize I Am Going To Explode (Voy a Explotar).
Also acquired for DVD is the Early Masterpieces by Ingmar Bergman collection, including: Dreams, The Naked Light (Sawdust and Tinsel), A Ship Bound for India, So Close To Life, It Rains On Our Love and the documentaries The Women and Bergman, and The Men and Bergman.
WOW, that's like nearly every Bergman film missing from my collection! =D>
Also acquired for DVD is the Early Masterpieces by Ingmar Bergman collection, including: Dreams, The Naked Light (Sawdust and Tinsel), A Ship Bound for India, So Close To Life, It Rains On Our Love and the documentaries The Women and Bergman, and The Men and Bergman.
WOW, that's like nearly every Bergman film missing from my collection! =D>
Let's hope that at long last they also get round to the long version of 'Best Intentions' .
Great news about the Bergman! I suppose this will be a box-set? Anyway, I'd gladly double-dip on "Sawdust" in this case. But let's hope that they will also do something about "Farö Document" and, of course, "Face to Face".
Tommaso wrote:Great news about the Bergman! I suppose this will be a box-set? Anyway, I'd gladly double-dip on "Sawdust" in this case. But let's hope that they will also do something about "Farö Document" and, of course, "Face to Face".
I'm most looking forward to seeing "Face to Face" and "The Touch" in nice DVD editions. Who has rights to "The Touch?"
