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Guys - I don't have my MoC Vampyr yet - still waiting for it to arrive.
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New...

20th Century Fox (Horror Classics Vol. 2) - Region 1 - NTSC "Dragonwyck" vs. Optimum - Region 2 - PAL vs. Carlotta Films - Region 2 - PAL

NOTE: Horror Classics Vol. 2 is also reviewed seperately HERE.

CBS Paramount - Region 1- NTSC "Star Trek (Original Series) Season Two" vs. CBS Paramount (Remastered) - Region 1 - NTSC

Original DVD package:


Remastered:


Plus Leonard has done some comparison 'shots' in his Blu-ray reviews of Kill Bill Vol. 1, Kill Bill Vol. 2 and Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/

Cheers,

Hi Gary

Are you going to do a visual comparison between the Region 1 Miramax Young Girls of Rochefort (DVD review already on your site) and the new BFI edition?

Regards

I'd like to Caligula although stuff from the UK is not arriving for some reason - although Still Life (BFI) just came this morning. I'll do my best.
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Warner - Region 1 - NTSC "Cool Hand Luke" vs. Warner - (Deluxe Edition) - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC vs. Warner REGION FREE Blu-ray

ZHONG GUO LU (Single Disc) - Region 6 - PAL "Still Life" vs. BFI - Region 0 - PAL

Second Sight Films - Region 2 - PAL "Le Plaisir" vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC


Second Sight Films - Region 2 - PAL "Le Plaisir" vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC

Genius Products (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC "The Mist" vs. Genius Products (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) - Region A - Blu-ray

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/

Cheers,

Hey Gary,
Are you going to review the blu-ray How The West Was Won?

Yes Derek - once we have received it. I don't have it yet.
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New...

Second Sight Films - Region 2 - PAL "The Earrings of Madame de..." vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/

Best,

Thanks Gary! I'm really curious how the restoration turned out.

New...

Universal (Single-disc Widescreen) - Region 1 - NTSC "Hulk" vs. Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC vs. BFI - Region 2 - PAL "La Belle et la Bete" vs. RE-RELEASE Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/

Cheers,

Are my eyes deceiving me or does the old Criterion of La belle et la bete look significantly sharper than the new one. The BFI looks better than either. I don't see how the new Criterion could look so lousy by comparison.

In another thread, someone suggested that perhaps the BFI grabs are third rather than second in the comparisons. After checking Gary's file names, I think that's what has happened. The first capture in each comparison has the word "old" at the end of each filename, while the second capture in each has the word "new" at the end. The third capture in each has an entirely different naming strategy from the other two. Also, the third capture in each comparison has a resolution of 768 x 576, which suggests PAL to me (though I could be wrong about this).

Gary, can you confirm for us which capture is the new Criterion and which is the BFI?

Yeah, my mistake. Caps mislabled. Corrected.
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Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC "An Autumn Afternoon" vs. Panorama - Region 3 - NTSC vs. Madman - Region 4 - PAL

I've been backlogged with a lot of viewing lately so hopefully soon we'll post new reviews of the upcoming Chan set (#5), Busby Berkeley 2, Kaurismaki's Proletariat Trilogy from Eclipse and much more.

HERE are six sets of matching grabs for our upcoming How the West Was Won Blu-ray review/comparison with Smileboxed. Sorry for the delays - please stay tuned.

New...

Universal - Region 1 - NTSC "The Big Lebowski" vs. Universal - Collector's Edition - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Universal - 2-disc Anniversary Edition - Region 1 - NTSC

Collector's Edition


Anniversary Edition


Finally...

Warner - Region FREE - Blu-ray "How the West Was Won" vs. Warner (SmileBoxed) - Region FREE - Blu-ray

New...

Paramount (Coppola Restoration) - Region A Blu-ray - NTSC "The Godfather" vs. Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Paramount (UK) - Region 2 - PAL

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

More to follow...

DVDBeaver.com

I saw-- coincidentally-- the restored Godfather in the cinema yesterday. I give them kudos.. a very restrained restoration, essentially cleaning the film up without rewriting history. As opposed to G2, or later 70mm extravaganza of Apocalypse Now which benefited from the IB restoration process, Godfather seems to have been shot on very unspectacular stock that is heavy on the grain, especially in the zones where Gordon "Prince of Darkness" Willis really pushes the envelope in low key lighting. The grain factor reminds my of Tokyo Olympiad where faster stocks were needed for the lack of heavy lighting.

It looks exactly like what Godfather One was... a tight-budgeted, by Paramount, crime drama that was penned in initially to be run-of-the mill gangster pic... that turned only in an ex post facto way, due entirely to Coppolas vision (not due to any big budgets or lavish sets) to a "big" film. (G2 is another story of course).

I have no doubt that what I saw yesterday resembled very closely the film upon it's original release... no attempt was made to soup it up. And the Blu caps look just like what I saw.

Thanks Herr Schreck!
May I quote you in the comparison?
Best,
Gary

Feel free-- not a problem.

New....

Paramount (Coppola Restoration) - Region A Blu-ray - NTSC "The Godfather Part II" vs. Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Paramount (UK) - Region 2 - PAL

Original SD-DVD


Coppola Restoration Blu-ray


Thanks to all the email we've been getting - I have posted some of the comments in the comparisons. We appreciate the many varied and valued opinions.

Paramount (Coppola Restoration) - Region A Blu-ray - NTSC "The Godfather Part III" vs. Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Paramount (UK) - Region 2 - PAL

* we've added matching captures of the SD-DVD 'Coppola Restoration'

New...

Sony Pictures Home Ent. UK - Region 2,4,5 - PAL "Affair in Trnindad" vs. Sony Picture - Region 1 - NTSC

Mega Star - Region FREE Blu-ray "Days of Being Wild" vs. Tartan (The Wong Kar-Wai Collection) - Region 2 - PAL vs. Tartan - Region 2 - PAL vs. Kino - Region 0 - NTSC* vs. Scholar (Taiwan) - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Mega-Star - Region 0 - NTSC

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cheers,

I see you apparently couldn't capture an image of the Blu-ray subtitles, but can you at least say whether they're the same as the Hong Kong DVDs? I'm hoping they're more like the Tartan/Kino subs, but I'm not too confident.

apparently couldn't capture an image of the Blu-ray subtitles...

From directly above the subtitles captures:

Blu-ray has English subs but we can't obtain a capture yet

....but can you at least say whether they're the same as the Hong Kong DVDs...

Yes, I already did. From the review (repeating):

Like the image, the subtitles are, likewise, imperfect - at times the translation seems very awkward ("Do you bring girls home oftenly?" is still there with many other faux-pas) and they can move at a rapid clip for standard reading. The film though doesn't project on extensive use of dialogue (more imagery focused I think) and I wouldn't say this ruined my viewing but it is a definite flaw.

I didn't look line for line but it appears as though they are the same as the Mega-Star SD-DVD.

Gary

Ah, didn't think to look in the main body of the review. Disappointing news, maybe Kino will step up with their own Blu-ray (when they finally get around to releasing them).

What's the barrier to capturing subtitled frames off a BD? They sure like making things difficult, don't they...

Two new...

BFI - Region 2 - PAL "Le Doulos" vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC

BFI - Region B - Blu-ray "Salo or 120 Days of Sodom" vs. Criterion (REISSUE) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Gaumont Columbia Tristar - Region 2 - PAL vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC vs. BFI - Region 2 - PAL

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/

Have a good weekend,

OK, just to clear this up:

IT IS DEFINITELY REGION FREE ALTHOUGH A HANDWRITTEN POST-IT NOTE ON THE PACKAGE SAYS THE FINAL Blu-ray RELEASE WILL BE REGION 'B' ONLY (but I am skeptical). THIS IS CONTRARY TO OUR INITIAL INFORMATION AND I SUGGEST WAITING UNTIL MORE NEWS SURFACES AS TO THE EVENTUAL REGION CODING OF THIS Blu-ray OF PASOLINI'S SALO.

The final BFI disc is definitely Region B, in line with contractual obligations imposed by the rightsholder. 100% definitely.

So I'd be grateful if you didn't even so much as hint that it might not be, because the only certain outcome will be a lot of pissed-off Americans who'll find themselves unable to play it (and probably equally unable to get a refund).

Frankly Michael, I'm just stating my opinion as I received an email from BFI on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:11:49 that stated to me that it would be region-free... and my Blu-ray checkdisc is also region free. I consider the post-it note less formal than the email. If you say it won't be - that is further corroboration. Thank you. I did say:

I SUGGEST WAITING UNTIL MORE NEWS SURFACES AS TO THE EVENTUAL REGION CODING OF THIS Blu-ray OF PASOLINI'S SALO.

and everywhere I listed the images I put 'Region B'.
Regards,

New...

Universal (Old CE) - Region 1 - NTSC "The Thing" vs. Universal - Region 2,4 - PAL vs. Universal (CE) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Universal - Region A Blu-ray

Warner Home Vidéo - Region 2 - PAL "The Picture of Dorian Gray" vs. Warner - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC

New...

Universal - Region 1 (2-disc Legacy Series) - NTSC "Rear Window" vs. Universal (Alfred Hitchcock - Masterpiece Boxset) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Universal Pictures - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Universal Pictures - Region 2,4 - PAL

Universal - Region 1 - NTSC "Vertigo" vs. Universal - Region 1 (Masterpiece Collection) - NTSC vs. Universal - Region 1 (2-disc Legacy Series) - NTSC

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

New

20th Century Fox Pictures - Region 1 - NTSC "The Happening" vs. 20th Century Fox Pictures - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

New...

Walt Disney (Two-Disc Platinum Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC "Sleeping Beauty" vs. Walt Disney - (2-disc Platinum Edition) - Region A - Blu-ray

Paramount (2-disc) - Region 1, 4 - NTSC "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" vs. Paramount (2-disc) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

New...

Twentieth Century Fox - Region 'A' - Blu-ray "Young Frankenstein" vs. Twentieth Century Fox (Special Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. 20th Century Fox (Special Edition) - Region 2 - PAL

Sony - Region FREE - Blu-ray "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" vs. Sony (50th Anniversary Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Columbia Tri-Star - Region 1,3,4 - NTSC

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cheers,

New...

Mei Ah ( 2 VCDs ) - Region 0 - NTSC "Fist of Legend" vs. Dimension Home Video - Region 1- NTSC vs. Dragon Dynasty Ultimate 2-disc - Region 1 - NTSC

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

P.S. I have the upcoming Weinstein (Genius label) '4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days' and it appears that most North Americans won't be seeing this film in its Cannes winning 2.35:1 format. It is 1.78. I'll compare it eventually.

New...

Sony Pictures (2-disc) - Region 1, 3, 4 - NTSC "Earth vs. the Flying Saucers" vs. Sony (b/w + colorized) - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Sony (original) - Region 1,3,4 - NTSC "It Came From Beneath the Sea" vs. Sony (b/w + colorized) - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Sony Pictures (2-disc - b/w + colorized) - Region 1, 3, 4 - NTSC

Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL "4 Months 3 Weeks and 2 Days" vs. Genius (IFC) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Mongrel Media - Region 1 - NTSC

Cheers,

New...

Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL "The Edge of Heaven" vs. Strand - Region 1 - NTSC

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Best,

New...

Warner - Region 1 - NTSC "Body Heat" vs. Warner (Deluxe Edition) - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC vs. Warner - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Deluxe SD


Blu-ray


New...

20th Century Fox (Special Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC "The Omen" vs. 20th Century Fox (2-Disc Collector's Edition) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. 20th Century Fox Region 'A' Blu-ray

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Best,

New...

Universal - Region FREE - Blu-ray "Casino" vs. Universal (Anniversary Edition)- Region 1 - NTSC vs. TFI Video (Edition Collector 3 DVD) - Region 2 - PAL vs. Universal - Region 1 - NTSC

In our review of Criterion Eclipse 13 - Mizoguchi's Fallen Women we have included comparisons captures of Akasen chitai (1956) ... aka Street of Shame with the UK Masters of Cinema edition.

New...

Warner - Region 1 - NTSC "Poltergeist" vs. Warner (25th Anniversary Edition) - Region 1, 2, 3, 4 - NTSC vs. Warner - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Original SD


Blu-ray


http://www.dvdbeaver.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Best,

New...

Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC "Red Desert" vs. BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Madman - Region 4 - PAL vs. Film Prestige - Region 0 - PAL

New...

Anchor Bay - Region 0 - NTSC "Rebecca" vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC vs. MGM - Region 1 - NTSC

Anchor Bay - Region 0 - NTSC "Notorious" vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC vs. MGM (Premiere Collection) - Region 1 - NTSC

New...

Kinowelt Home Entertainment - Region 2,8 - NTSC "Arch of Triumph" vs. LionsGate - Region 1 - NTSC

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Best,