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Did the Second Run use the same restoration?

Via their twitter account, KLSC is giving one of WC Field's best films, Never Give a Sucker an Even Break, a blu release in July.

Edit:

Audio Commentary by Film Historian Eddy Von Mueller

Just want to point out that while Beaver seems to prefer the Indicator release of Charley Varrick, the 'softness' really seems to be a more accurate rendering of how the film would have looked at the time, and I think these Caps-a-Holic caps bear that out.

Drucker wrote: Thu Apr 16, 2020 6:25 pm Just want to point out that while Beaver seems to prefer the Indicator release of Charley Varrick, the 'softness' really seems to be a more accurate rendering of how the film would have looked at the time, and I think these Caps-a-Holic caps bear that out.

The Universal's HD master that Indicator used and Kino rejected and replaced has a lot of edge enhancement. It's a digital way to make films seem sharper and grainier. It did fool DVD Beaver.

Agreed. Kino looks damn good.

Dvdbeaver frequently demonstrates that they have no idea about technical matters.

The older Charley Varrick master is an awful sharpened old one typical from Universal. The new 4k remaster is miles above.

L.A. wrote: Fri Oct 11, 2019 9:51 pm Hercules in the Haunted World @ Beaver

Can anyone who owns the disc confirm is this really A-locked?

It's my understanding that all Kino's have been region A for the last couple of years at least, no?

Yes, but actually some have turned out to be region-free. So just checking if this is perhaps one of those.

Marwood wrote: Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:00 pm It's my understanding that all Kino's have been region A for the last couple of years at least, no?

There are some independent films that have been region free from Kino. Hallelujah the Hills & The Maya Deren Collection (1943-1985) are two recent examples.

I would be surprised if Universal’s licenses were region locked, considering Universal doesn’t region lock their own releases

However, Universal did force Indicator to region-lock their releases licensed from them, so you never know.

domino harvey wrote:I would be surprised if Universal’s licenses were region locked, considering Universal doesn’t region lock their own releases

That’s because they’re the rightsholder, and so they don’t care who buys their own releases.

However, because they’re the rightsholder, they very much do care if substantial numbers of people outside the territory they’ve licensed to an independent label are able to take advantage, because they want to license the rights to other regions too.

I’ve been dealing with Universal on multiple releases for several labels for a good six or seven years, and they’ve always made region-locking a contractual condition. And I’ve always expected them to - the only surprise has been Sony’s willingness to sanction region-free releases, but that appears to be a thing of the past now too.

domino harvey wrote:I would be surprised if Universal’s licenses were region locked, considering Universal doesn’t region lock their own releases

As Michael explained, Universal don't region-lock their releases because, as for other studios, they're worldwide ones, so you're going to buy the Universal release anyway.
But for licenced catalogue movies, Kino might not be happy if people can import, say, a better Wild Side or Indicator release from Europe.

See also Warner Bros - they don't lock their own releases because what's the point?

But can anyone think of a single Warner title licensed to a third-party label that isn't region-locked? I can't.

MichaelB wrote: Sun Apr 19, 2020 8:59 am See also Warner Bros - they don't lock their own releases because what's the point?

But can anyone think of a single Warner title licensed to a third-party label that isn't region-locked? I can't.

I think their DVDs are (the BFI's The Devils for instance) but I can't think of a single Blu Ray. And I suspect the only reason that their DVDs are is because DVDs sell far more than Blu Rays.

Aunt Peg wrote: Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:09 amI think their DVDs are (the BFI's The Devils for instance) but I can't think of a single Blu Ray.

The BFI's Revolution and Gaslight are both region-locked at Warners' request. As are all of Criterion's and Shout's Warner-licensed titles.

(And for various reasons, I suspect they'd have insisted on The Devils being region-locked even if it wasn't standard practice!)

I forgot about UK Criterion titles from Warners.

What about HMV exclusive Warner titles? I would assume they are Region B locked too.

As far as I'm aware, the HMV discs basically are the region-free Warner discs - HMV's arrangement is purely to do with distribution and a tiny amount of collector-oriented branding over pre-existing Warner (or Sony) discs, so it's a different situation from Warners actively sub-licensing a title to the BFI, Criterion, Shout or whoever.

L.A. wrote: Sat Apr 18, 2020 6:44 pm

L.A. wrote: Fri Oct 11, 2019 9:51 pm Hercules in the Haunted World @ Beaver

Can anyone who owns the disc confirm is this really A-locked?

I just checked my copy, and yes, it's locked to Region A (both discs).

Adam Grikepelis wrote: Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:17 pm

L.A. wrote: Sat Apr 18, 2020 6:44 pm

L.A. wrote: Fri Oct 11, 2019 9:51 pm Hercules in the Haunted World @ Beaver

Can anyone who owns the disc confirm is this really A-locked?

I just checked my copy, and yes, it's locked to Region A (both discs).

Thanks, Adam.

Kino finally date Val Guest's astonishing apocalyptic epic, THE DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE, for July 7.

The extras don't look as expansive as the BFI disc from a few years ago, but I am just happy to have this masterpiece in Region A

Kino's 2nd UHD (still not confirmed what it is) is possibly going to be pushed back to next year

It may not be released this year. The transfer needs to be approved either by the director or cinematographer and that's not possible right now or the foreseeable future.

As for their other planned UHDs

The deal is not signed yet. The studio is on lockdown. But hopefully it gets signed soon, so we could release both this year.

Specs have been updated for their upcoming release of the underrated TV miniseries Wild Palms. Excited to see it in a 2k resto and with four new audio commentaries (including 2 from Keith Gordon, who might be my favourite director-as-commentary-provider).