539 House

[zombeaner]

Sorry for the repetition, but the announced aspect ratio can't be right. Should be 1.55:1.

MoC's transfer is 1.55 because that is what was on the ten year old master that Toho supplied them with. They weren't sure why Toho did that, but it looks fine. Janus did their own new high-def master of the original elements (which are 1.37, of course) and elected not to mask it at all. Their 1.37 print is what played recently in U.S. theaters, and that is what will be on the Criterion Blu-ray and DVD.

The print I just saw last weekend was matted closer to 1.85:1 It did appear to be missing some information at the top and bottom, but not enough to lose the subs.

[Zombie-Luv]

Just got back from seeing this with my mum, and we both hated it. It was indulgent and it felt like it when on forever. I really did like the theme song, though.

[Tribe]

Just got back from seeing this with my mum, and we both hated it. It was indulgent and it felt like it when on forever. I really did like the theme song, though.

Indulgent. Who woulda thought.

[HerrSchreck]

Sorry for the repetition, but the announced aspect ratio can't be right. Should be 1.55:1.

MoC's transfer is 1.55 because that is what was on the ten year old master that Toho supplied them with. They weren't sure why Toho did that, but it looks fine. Janus did their own new high-def master of the original elements (which are 1.37, of course) and elected not to mask it at all. Their 1.37 print is what played recently in U.S. theaters, and that is what will be on the Criterion Blu-ray and DVD.

Yep, I can vouch for that... I saw it projected at IFC earlier in the year after the restoration and I can vouch that it was projected theatrically by Janus in the academy ratio. WTF is 1.55 anyhow? Kind of a whack AR to begin with.

[The Fanciful Norwegian]

Yes, it's called 14:9. As noted in the link, it's sometimes used to present 4:3 material in a 16:9 broadcast, so I'm guessing similar logic compelled Toho to make a 14:9 master of House. I have a few DVDs in the same AR, including one of Rohmer's "Four Seasons" films (can't remember which) and The Housemaid.

[TechNoir]

HK Flix has a cool T-shirt that they are giving away for free with preorders of this title. Its the same one thats on the Criterion site. It also comes with a large round decal as well.

[Minkin]

Yeah, but the shirts are only available in Large and Extra Large. Is that HK Flix's target audience?
What's with people not posting links today?

[swo17]

What's with people not posting links today?

Insert smarmy wikipedia reference here.

[Venom]

Just found this

[Cash Flagg]

It was indulgent and it felt like it when on forever.

I would imagine any film on forever would feel like it was indulgent.

[cdnchris]

Blu-ray

[zombeaner]

I still fail miserably when trying to describe this film to friends. It is just impossible.

[mfunk9786]

We recently invited a lot of people to a screening and had to do a lot of awkward convincing for a few of them. It's annoying to realize that you're not respected enough for "trust me, just come and see it" to work outright.

[Peacock]

Did they enjoy it?

[Buttery Jeb]

I just told people it was bat-shit insane; those who came, they'd have enjoyed it the most anyway.

[mfunk9786]

Did they enjoy it?

Of course, should go without saying!

[Minkin]

Beaver

Double dip!

[crmb]

Unfortunately, looks like the blu is cropped to 1.33 and not in the original 1.37. (missing left-right information VS the 1.55 master)
I don't see the the point to not release it 1.37

[Finch]

Anyone know why the Crit has a purple tint in one screencap and the MoC doesn't? And which one is accurate?

[mteller]

Anyone know why the Crit has a purple tint in one screencap and the MoC doesn't? And which one is accurate?

I don't know, but considering it's House, I'd bet on the wackier purple.

[med]

I can't say for certain whether that purple was there when I saw the film around the start of the year, but I'd assume it was. I doubt any additional futzing around was performed on the print between the theatrical run the home-video release, since Janus/Criterion handled them both. And given that Toho master MOC used is cropped wrong, anyway, the Criterion is the safe bet.

[Giulio]

wait wait wait please

which one is cropped? for beaver both, which is the correct AR?

[criterionsnob]

The re-release was definitely projected 1.33:1 and had the tint.

[andyli]

Unfortunately, looks like the blu is cropped to 1.33 and not in the original 1.37. (missing left-right information VS the 1.55 master)
I don't see the the point to not release it 1.37

Did CC release one single blu-ray title which has 1.37:1 ratio instead of 1.33:1? I think it's a company thing. They just don't want to make two different transfers for DVD and Blu-ray.

[med]

They actually do perform different transfers for DVD and BD releases of the same title, but I know what you mean. And the subject of MOC's 1.55 vs. Criterion's 1.37/1.33 was already addressed in this thread.

The colors on the MOC release—I'm judging from the Beaver caps here, as I've never seen the disc itself—are fairly dull and washed out. Given the nature of the film overall, I'm sure it was the filmmaker's intent to have bright, popping colors.