Not a particularly well-written or astute review (the reviewer criticizes the newsreel sequence for having inconsistent fake "damage", not realizing that some of the shots are meant to look older than others), but 25 paragraphs in he gets to the aspect we all want to know about here:
Other aspects of the image worked better due to a superior transfer. The 2001 DVD sometimes offered excessive use of digital scrubbing techniques; in the most infamous example of this, the rain on the window seen at 32:30 or so became erased as "noise". It's something you might not notice at first, especially since the rain came in the background, but when you pay attention, you'll see the DVD's rain stopped at the top of the screen, while the Blu-ray showed the water as it pelted and cascaded the rest of the window. The Blu-ray opted for less intrusive methods and looked more natural.
This became true for all aspects of the movie. At first glance, some parts of the SD-DVD might actually seem more attractive than the same shots from the Blu-ray, as they're cleaner and peppier. But they represent an artificial view of the film. The SD-DVD transfer scrubbed away virtually all grain and bolstered the brightness. Sure, it looked more vivid in a sense, but it didn't come across like film, and it took on an impression that made it seem oddly synthetic. The Blu-ray gave us a more accurate and substantially more appealing rendition of Kane.
It sounds like Warner Home Video took the criticisms of the 2000 DVD to heart.
The old DVD transfer was also too bright. For example, in the screening room scene near the beginning, the reporters' faces are not supposed to be that visible. I'm hoping that's fixed.
That confusingly written review aside, I am still skeptical/worried it won't be fixed up. But I've put it at the top of my netflix queue on blu-ray. Not too worried about making sure I have it day one.
hearthesilence wrote:The old DVD transfer was also too bright. For example, in the screening room scene near the beginning, the reporters' faces are not supposed to be that visible. I'm hoping that's fixed.
Colin Jacobson wrote:The SD-DVD transfer scrubbed away virtually all grain and bolstered the brightness.
The above line in the review is what makes me think this release will be better. Also, WHV posted a clip on Facebook of Kane's death scene; it looked darker and grainier than the DVD release. Then again, they also mentioned the "fun fact" that you can see Joseph Cotten in the screening room scene, as if that's a plus!
Hot f***ing damn that's an improvement. Right exposure, grain intact. I'm almost tempted to buy the deluxe edition just to get it sooner even though I have zero interest in the mediocre American Experience doc or the HBO film based on said doc.
Got mine from amazon today, and Ambersons is just shrink wrapped against the already shrink-wrapped Kane Blu. It looks so cheap. Won't have a chance to stick it on until later, maybe not till tomorrow.
denti alligator wrote:Got mine from amazon today, and Ambersons is just shrink wrapped against the already shrink-wrapped Kane Blu. It looks so cheap. Won't have a chance to stick it on until later, maybe not till tomorrow.
That was quick!!...mine is just about to be mailed out! When i receive the box set i will compare Ambersons with my Criterion CAV laserdiscs and the TCM broadcast i recorded to my dvd recorder and will post the results.
dx23 wrote:Best Buy is selling an exclusive digibook BD for $29.99.
Very nice...but is it the movie only? Best Buy website shows no details of it...not very good business
I imagine that it is going to be disc 1 only and not include the Battle for Citizen Kane and RKO 281. I wouldn't be surprised to see a disc 1 barebones edition at Wal-Mart, since they are famous for forcing studios to produce these simple versions for them.
dx23 wrote:I imagine that it is going to be disc 1 only and not include the Battle for Citizen Kane and RKO 281. I wouldn't be surprised to see a disc 1 barebones edition at Wal-Mart, since they are famous for forcing studios to produce these simple versions for them.
And yet, the "barebones" first disc actually contains the only extras of any real interest! Unless they change it from what's on the current disc, you'll still get the commentaries, interviews, newsreel footage, trailer, etc.. THE BATTLE OVER CITIZEN KANE is not particularly good or relevant to the film itself; RKO 281 is docudrama fluff that distorts the truth a lot to make its dramatic impact more sensational.
Check some dvd websites and nothing yet but by the end of the week we will read some comments on the transfer and i will post my thoughts when i compare it to my Criterion laserdisc & TCM broadcast.
denti alligator wrote:Got mine from amazon today, and Ambersons is just shrink wrapped against the already shrink-wrapped Kane Blu. It looks so cheap. Won't have a chance to stick it on until later, maybe not till tomorrow.
If one were to buy the combo and remove Ambersons from the package, could Citizen Kane still pass as "brand new" for purposes of selling on Amazon Marketplace? It sounds like the answer is yes?
denti alligator wrote:Got mine from amazon today, and Ambersons is just shrink wrapped against the already shrink-wrapped Kane Blu. It looks so cheap. Won't have a chance to stick it on until later, maybe not till tomorrow.
If one were to buy the combo and remove Ambersons from the package, could Citizen Kane still pass as "brand new" for purposes of selling on Amazon Marketplace? It sounds like the answer is yes?
Yeah, I'd say so. Apparently Warner thinks Ambersons doesn't even deserve a chapter menu...but we do get a Spanish dub!
