2226 replies to this topic

[DamnCoffee]

Thanks, I'll probably pick it up some time in the future.

[General G.]

Blu-ray
THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE
DIE HARD COLLECTION
LICENCE TO KILL
THE LIVING DEAD AT MANCHESTER MORGUE
NIGHT OF THE CREEPS
STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES - SEASON 2
TRICK 'R TREAT
WATCHMEN: DIRECTOR'S CUT

DVD
THE ASPHYX
HARDWARE
KARLOFF & LUGOSI HORROR CLASSICS
MESSIAH OF EVIL

Edited by General G., 07 November 2009 - 04:46 PM.

[dodge]

Well, here's a sad story that may have a happy ending. I'd hoped to add one truly classic adult flick to my growing DVD collection. Since my goal was a wide-ranging assortment of classics, at least one from every genre, I couldn't entirely ignore the adult genre. Naturally, as an innocent lad, I'd thought I'd simply play it safe and get the, possibly, single most talked-about film of them all: DEEP THROAT. Alas, Amazon doesn't offer it and I didn't want to visit any sleazy pørn sites. But...Amazon did offer INSIDE DEEP THROAT...a film about the film, including some 'archival footage'--supposedly one renowned scene in partic. For me, this may prove to be more interesting than the original film. The documentary includes interviews with Gore Vidal, Erica Jong, etc. A little film made for, reportedlty, $25,000--that went on to make, they say, over $600 million--resulted in a payday for Miss Lovelace of...$1,200. Dodgeroo is intrigued and wants to know more, though I'm not assuring anyone that I'll fast-forward through the X stuff.

[dodge]

Just received the two-disc set of ALIENS--original version, Director's Cut and a disc of extras. A welcome addition to my growing library. Am looking forward to seeing the director's cut, which I notice is one minute shorter than the original...Hmm...I assume, therefore, that this is mainly a re-cutting job. Anyone know anything about this?

Are you sure you mean Aliens and not Alien? The only Aliens Director's Cut I know of is 17 minutes longer than the theatrical version, however the 2003 Director's Cut of Alien was, indeed, a minute shorter than the original version. About which IMDB says:
Ridley Scott, for the Director's Cut, slashed 10 to 15 seconds off many scenes, which he felt dragged on a little too long. The result is a tighter, more tense version.

Yes, indeed, I did mean ALIEN. Thanks for the course-correction. I take it from your post that I won't be able to expect any new material, but rather--at least to Scott--a superior, shortened version. We'll see. I'll save it for Thanksgiving.

[Harmsway]

Yes, indeed, I did mean ALIEN. Thanks for the course-correction. I take it from your post that I won't be able to expect any new material, but rather--at least to Scott--a superior, shortened version. We'll see. I'll save it for Thanksgiving.

Actually, that's not quite true. The IMDB quote Safari Suit gave is misleading. The original cut of ALIEN is Scott's preferred version of the film: "For all intents and purposes, I felt that the original cut of ALIEN was perfect. I still feel that way."

The so-called "director's cut," which Scott acknowledges is called that only for marketing purposes, was suggested to Scott by the studio. They showed him a cut of the film with many deleted scenes reinstated. Here's Scott's reaction and process: "Upon viewing the proposed expanded version of the film, I felt that the cut was simply too long and the pacing completely thrown off. After all, I cut those scenes out for a reason back in 1979. However, in the interest of giving the fans a new experience with ALIEN, I figured there had to be an appropriate middle ground. I chose to go in and recut that proposed long version into a more streamlined and polished alternate version of the film."

[DAN LIGHTER]

I got For Your Eyes Only on Blu-Ray for £9.99!

Which I plan to watch tomorrow. So watch out for the post in "What movie have you watched today"

[dodge]

Yes, indeed, I did mean ALIEN. Thanks for the course-correction. I take it from your post that I won't be able to expect any new material, but rather--at least to Scott--a superior, shortened version. We'll see. I'll save it for Thanksgiving.

Actually, that's not quite true. The IMDB quote Safari Suit gave is misleading. The original cut of ALIEN is Scott's preferred version of the film: "For all intents and purposes, I felt that the original cut of ALIEN was perfect. I still feel that way."

The so-called "director's cut," which Scott acknowledges is called that only for marketing purposes, was suggested to Scott by the studio. They showed him a cut of the film with many deleted scenes reinstated. Here's Scott's reaction and process: "Upon viewing the proposed expanded version of the film, I felt that the cut was simply too long and the pacing completely thrown off. After all, I cut those scenes out for a reason back in 1979. However, in the interest of giving the fans a new experience with ALIEN, I figured there had to be an appropriate middle ground. I chose to go in and recut that proposed long version into a more streamlined and polished alternate version of the film."

But your quote is a little misleading as well. The same source, Wikipedia, also says this: The "Director's Cut" restored roughly four minutes of deleted footage while cutting about five minutes of other material, leaving it actually about a minute shorter than the theatrical cut.[53] Many of the changes were minor, such as altered sound effects, while the restored footage included the scene in which Ripley discovers the cocooned Dallas and Brett during her escape of the Nostromo.

So I'm certainly willing to give this a look.

[Harmsway]

But your quote is a little misleading as well.

How so?

So I'm certainly willing to give this a look.

Oh, you certainly should. It's an interesting alternate version.

[dodge]

But your quote is a little misleading as well.

How so?

So I'm certainly willing to give this a look.

Oh, you certainly should. It's an interesting alternate version.

Well, if I misread, forgive me. But your post gave me the impression that Scott was more or less compelled to make the best of a botched studio job, put together solely to make a bit more moolah. Now, the studio may well have botched it, but I do welcome the chance to see some restored footage and re-editing. But I can't say any more right now, not till I've had the chance to see it on Thanksgiving. Cheers.

[tdalton]

Heat (Blu-ray)

[Harmsway]

But your post gave me the impression that Scott was more or less compelled to make the best of a botched studio job, put together solely to make a bit more moolah.

Well, of course it did begin as a botched studio job to make more moolah, but it's clear that Scott wasn't just on a salvage job, but seeking to produce an alternate cinematic experience. His personal pick is the original cut, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have some affection for the later version.

[Tybre]

Amongst other things of non-DVD nature, just ordered the Reilly, Ace of Spies box set and The IPCRESS File, as Netflix sadly lacks the latter. Quite looking forward to them. And a short while ago (maybe a week now?) ordered the complete Russian Sherlock Holmes six-disc set.

[Kilroy6644]

A two-disc set of all four Ocean's 11 movies.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

'Michael Sheen presents You're The Boss!'

[Scottlee]

CSI Miami Season 2 (For £12).

Watched 9 episodes so far and it's just as good as the first season. Very happy with it.

[Harmsway]

WATCHMEN: THE ULTIMATE CUT was my latest DVD purchase.

The good? Well, it contains the best version of the film and two solid commentaries (one by director Zack Snyder and one by WATCHMEN co-creator Dave Gibbons), which are sure to please fans.

The bad? Pretty much everything in the set is a rehash of something else. We get the complete WATCHMEN MOTION COMIC (which was good for me, at least, since I didn't own it on DVD) and a bunch of rather dull special features that aren't the least bit enlightening about the film for anyone who's pretty familiar with the film and its source material.

[00Twelve]

COLLATERAL DAMAGE

There's a lady who comes into Starbucks and gives me movies she doesn't want anymore, so I was the recipient of a Schwarzenegger actioner from the beginning of the decade. Anyone know if it's decent (for what it is)?

[Safari Suit]

It's watchable, but not classic Arnie. It's a bit too serious to be another Commando but it doesn't really succeed at being anything "more" than that. Better than End of Days at least.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

It's watchable...Better than End of Days at least.

I disagree on both counts, but I do admittedly have very poor taste!

[DamnCoffee]

Doctor Who - The Invasion
Doctor Who - Spearhead From Space

[Roebuck]

While doing some late night channel hopping I saw The Ultimate Jacques Cousteau Collection on one of the shopping channels. It was selling for a fraction of the Amazon price and I knew I had to have it. Sixty-three hours of pure nostalgia! The crew of the Calypso manages to way outdo Dirk Pitt with all their cool toys, like the diving saucer and underwater habitat. Funnily enough, Cousteau’s lead diver is a stocky guy named Al. Wonder if that was entirely coincidence on Cussler’s part?

[SecretAgentFan]

I´m still battling with myself: should I upgrade to Blu-Ray now? What are your experiences with this format - is it worth it?

[DamnCoffee]

I haven't got many Blu Ray's, so it's only worth it if you are a regular BD buyer. Other than that, It's not really worth the money if there's nothing you really want.

[SecretAgentFan]

Thanks for the quick answer! I´m just undecided because I get the feeling that regular DVDs are on the way out and Blu-Ray Discs get the better special features. However, there are still so many titles that are not available on Blu-Ray...

[agentjamesbond007]

I bought the whole collection of Lord Of The Rings

[DamnCoffee]

Thanks for the quick answer! I´m just undecided because I get the feeling that regular DVDs are on the way out and Blu-Ray Discs get the better special features. However, there are still so many titles that are not available on Blu-Ray...

I don't regret getting a BD Player by all means. I think there's some brilliant titles out there, the Bond releases especially. But I would wait 'till at-least 2012 before upgrading. Allow the technology to truly kick off. The titles and player will be incredibly cheaper.

[Joe Bond]

Thanks for the quick answer! I´m just undecided because I get the feeling that regular DVDs are on the way out and Blu-Ray Discs get the better special features. However, there are still so many titles that are not available on Blu-Ray...

Having just made the upgrade to Blu-ray I was in a similar situation where I eventually decided to upgrade and I don't regret it. I do agree with Mharkin about the lack of Blu-ray titles and in fact I only own 3 (The Prisoner: The Complete Series, The X-Files: Fight the Future, and the amazing looking 2001: A Space Odyssey). However, I got the Panasonic BD60 player specifically because it being a great DVD upconverter while still giving me the option to play Blu-ray's and I really like this player and it does a really good job at upconverting DVD's to the degree that they look good on my 26 inch HD TV. Sure their not HD quality but I would say they really good for a DVD. The recent Bond marathon on Syfy's HD channel is a good example since it seemed that the quality of the channel wasn't so good since my Bond DVD's upconverted looked as good and maybe better but the has to with the fact that some HD channels just aren't as good as other's. For me I don't really need to upgrade most of my DVD's to Blu-ray since I have been totally satisfied with their quality when upconverted but I don't regret getting this player since I only paid $129 for it.

[bond 16.05.72]

It is frustrating the lack of titles on the format and waiting for classics like Raiders & Jaws, Alien etc is annoying but it takes me back to the time before all the classics were available on DVD.

The wait for Star Wars Trilogy, Indy, Godfather was really anticipated and now there is a new format on the block and in my view looks so much better than DVD, QOS looks amazing on BR. The anticipation is back the thought have how Indy & Jaws will look on Blu ray is really exciting.

The fact that in a lot of cases although not all, the directors will go back and supervise the new print the colour correction etc.

David Fincher personally supervised the BR of Fight Club and it looks truly awesome, I can only hope he gets round to giving Se7en & The Game the same treatment not so bothered about Panic Room.

Blu ray isn't just an opportunity to make films look like they were made yesterday but a chance to make these versions as close to the film makers original vision, you should see the bitching about the GF blu rays because people want them to look as pristine as recent blockbusters. The Godfather blu ray prints are truly gorgeous, it's allowed the truly distinctive Gordon Willis cinematography to really shine.

Watching the restoration doc on the special feature is recommended and then you can truly appreciate the work that has gone into these films, not unlike Lowry's stunning treatment of the Bond films. I have lined up for Boxing Day a real treat. I wanted an old school big blockbuster with plenty of thrills to fill our BD afternoon and when I saw that Towering Inferno had just been released I'd truly found a great example. I have sneaked at this but for a film that is 35 years old it looks truly incredible.

It seems there is a misconception about what Blu ray is out to achieve, you can't make a film which was made a certain way and giving such an individual look by a director look like Transformers and why would you want to? Take for instance Heat, reviews have complained about this new print but Heat looks truly wondrous on the format, the soundtrack sound truly capture that gun battle the way it should be and Mann's distinctive style has never looked better.

Dark Knight looks incredible, Star Trek is truly stunning and I can only imagine how Inglourious Basterds will look on the format. Unfortunately Lucas & Spielberg seem determined to drag their heels on their attitude to the format.

The Beard is apparently impressed with the format ( Close Encounters looks the best it ever has) but like Uncle George wants to see how the format progresses before completely committing. The thing is that these 2 probably hold the key to seeing this format truly fly. The release of their jewels, SW & Indy would see the big jump this format deserves.

I would say in my view you should go with it as it has already been said they upscale standard def discs better than most DVD upscalers on the market and the sound quality as long as you have a decent AV amp and speaker set up will blow your mind, your not loosing anything your getting a better DVD player and most have region cheats if you've got any discs which aren't your countries region in your collection.

BR region cheating is a little more tricky but I'm finding allot of studios don't bother and many U.S discs are region free and those that aren't with exceptions are most likely available else where. One bug bear is the fact Criterion discs aren't and will have to wait to the UK feels fit to give Hunger it's blu ray release as The Criterion version makes it's debut next February but it region locked as all Criterion releases appear to be.

I've got Moon to watch tonight, been waiting to see this since release but the lack of cinema's showing it has had me waiting till it's HD debut. I have the Potter box set (I don't care I enjoy them) pre ordered and The Wife and I will be watching them finishing with Half Blood on Christmas Day. IB gets released next Monday and alongside Let The Right One In is my 2 films of the year (yet to see Hurt Locker but have it pre ordered). Still need to watch Public Enemies and Fight Club.

My collection is 50+ strong in the space of a few months and the selling of my standard def discs has been a great help to finance this conversion. Warning if you intend to do this I would seriously get started as DVD's are worth next to nothing in some cases and I made the right decision before when I traded in my VHS collection back in 1999 and made over £400 which went to financing my DVD up grade.

Edited by bond 16.05.72, 29 November 2009 - 12:26 PM.

[Professor Dent]

Star Trek (2009) on Blu-ray.

[Turn]

It is frustrating the lack of titles on the format and waiting for classics like Raiders & Jaws, Alien etc is annoying but it takes me back to the time before all the classics were available on DVD.

The wait for Star Wars Trilogy, Indy, Godfather was really anticipated and now there is a new format on the block and in my view looks so much better than DVD, QOS looks amazing on BR. The anticipation is back the thought have how Indy & Jaws will look on Blu ray is really exciting.

The fact that in a lot of cases although not all, the directors will go back and supervise the new print the colour correction etc.

David Fincher personally supervised the BR of Fight Club and it looks truly awesome, I can only hope he gets round to giving Se7en & The Game the same treatment not so bothered about Panic Room.

Blu ray isn't just an opportunity to make films look like they were made yesterday but a chance to make these versions as close to the film makers original vision, you should see the bitching about the GF blu rays because people want them to look as pristine as recent blockbusters. The Godfather blu ray prints are truly gorgeous, it's allowed the truly distinctive Gordon Willis cinematography to really shine.

Watching the restoration doc on the special feature is recommended and then you can truly appreciate the work that has gone into these films, not unlike Lowry's stunning treatment of the Bond films. I have lined up for Boxing Day a real treat. I wanted an old school big blockbuster with plenty of thrills to fill our BD afternoon and when I saw that Towering Inferno had just been released I'd truly found a great example. I have sneaked at this but for a film that is 35 years old it looks truly incredible.

It seems there is a misconception about what Blu ray is out to achieve, you can't make a film which was made a certain way and giving such an individual look by a director look like Transformers and why would you want to? Take for instance Heat, reviews have complained about this new print but Heat looks truly wondrous on the format, the soundtrack sound truly capture that gun battle the way it should be and Mann's distinctive style has never looked better.

Dark Knight looks incredible, Star Trek is truly stunning and I can only imagine how Inglourious Basterds will look on the format. Unfortunately Lucas & Spielberg seem determined to drag their heels on their attitude to the format.

The Beard is apparently impressed with the format ( Close Encounters looks the best it ever has) but like Uncle George wants to see how the format progresses before completely committing. The thing is that these 2 probably hold the key to seeing this format truly fly. The release of their jewels, SW & Indy would see the big jump this format deserves.

I would say in my view you should go with it as it has already been said they upscale standard def discs better than most DVD upscalers on the market and the sound quality as long as you have a decent AV amp and speaker set up will blow your mind, your not loosing anything your getting a better DVD player and most have region cheats if you've got any discs which aren't your countries region in your collection.

BR region cheating is a little more tricky but I'm finding allot of studios don't bother and many U.S discs are region free and those that aren't with exceptions are most likely available else where. One bug bear is the fact Criterion discs aren't and will have to wait to the UK feels fit to give Hunger it's blu ray release as The Criterion version makes it's debut next February but it region locked as all Criterion releases appear to be.

I've got Moon to watch tonight, been waiting to see this since release but the lack of cinema's showing it has had me waiting till it's HD debut. I have the Potter box set (I don't care I enjoy them) pre ordered and The Wife and I will be watching them finishing with Half Blood on Christmas Day. IB gets released next Monday and alongside Let The Right One In is my 2 films of the year (yet to see Hurt Locker but have it pre ordered). Still need to watch Public Enemies and Fight Club.

My collection is 50+ strong in the space of a few months and the selling of my standard def discs has been a great help to finance this conversion. Warning if you intend to do this I would seriously get started as DVD's are worth next to nothing in some cases and I made the right decision before when I traded in my VHS collection back in 1999 and made over £400 which went to financing my DVD up grade.

I can identify. I am a bit down there is no must-have for the holiday season, aside from maybe The Prisoner box set. I was hoping for some Indy. Figures Spielberg and Lucas are the ones dragging their feet on this one.

I too remember selling my Bond collection of VHSs 10 years ago and making a nice profit on those. Unfortunately, demand for DVDs isn't the same as it was for VHS back then, so it's not really the same for me. I am still paying off my Blu-ray and big screen TV.

As for my latest Blu-ray, I picked up 2001: A Space Odyssey at a Black Friday sale for just $7.99, and it looks stunning, especially the Dawn of Man sequence. Even my dogs were amazed by it.