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Info: Hard Boiled and The Killer — Page 2

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Hi All.

Anybody Know any of the music featured in The Killer? There was never a soundtrack released so I think all the Music by Lowell Lo Ill have to use from the films Audio tracks but a lot of the score was created from other movie scores.

Ive located these in good quality.

Red Heat OST - James Horner

Hero And The Thief OST - David Michael Frank

No Mercy OST - Alan Silvestri

Handel's 'Messiah' - Colin Davis

Face To Face - Sally Yeh (Thanks for the heads up milw50717.)

Anybody know of anything else?

The Sally Yeh album contains 2 tracks from the film but IMDB says there are 3 with completely different Titles Ha Ha.

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Those 'Code Of Bullets' Docs sound interesting Mr Brown

Are they about the weaponry used in the films they accompany?

If not what are they about?

Cheers for the information on them.

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 (Edited)

I would absolutely 100% advise using the actual PCM soundtrack from the Criterion Laserdiscs and not the 2.0 DD version of that soundtrack that is on DVD. The PCM is vastly superior. This goes for THE KILLER and HARD BOILED. 

Should you be willing to wait, I can provide them. I have to get the discs from storage and then hand them over to my movie fan partner for recording (he has a great LD player, whereas mine is now barely functional). He will then get the tracks to me and I will clean them up of pops, clicks and crackle. They will not be de-hissed as that removes clarity. 

You would need to keep the sound PCM. That would require dropping all other soundtracks, but it's preferable to 192kbps DD. 

Another alternative is an upscaled version for Blu-Ray. You can upscale to 720p and do a Blu-Ray version with multiple soundtracks. That gives you much more breathing room in ensuring there are no additional artifacts added when encoding the final output. 

I had the pleasure of seeing both films in theaters and I can tell you that the DD and DTS remixes are nowhere near as robust as how the mono sounded in theaters. The Mei Ah DVD release's 5.1 mix is pretty good at times. In fact, here and there it's better than the mono. But for the most part the mono has far more clarity and less of a shrill feel. 

When compressed down to DD2.0 at 192kbps I actually think they are only slightly improved over the remixes. PCM rules. 

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CSchmidlapp said:

Those 'Code Of Bullets' Docs sound interesting Mr Brown

Are they about the weaponry used in the films they accompany?

If not what are they about?

Cheers for the information on them.

It's hard to explain what the Code of Bullets are about.

Each Code of Bullet has two parts, with a running time of about 4 to 5 mins. So each CoB runs about 8 mins .

Code of Bullet 1: Guns as Partners is about Handguns, their differences and how to care for the guns.

One Man Battle is about choosing and preparing a setting for a one man battle like the restaurant fight in A better Tomorrow. Also about advantages and disadvantages of the weapons in that scene.

 

Code of Bullet 2 - Die Hard is on wounding, and how different vulnerable are different parts of the human body.

Hide! Explosion! is on Explosions, and the results of it at different distances. Here are some not subtitled parts.

 

Code of Bullet 3 - A Matter of Seconds is on timing in gunfights, and on general trained things, like correct holding a gun and movement in battle.

Anti-tanks is on tanks, and the man against tank fight, like using its weak spots.

 

Code of Bullet 4 - Perfect Selection is about selection of the used weapons by the guys in the movie. Differences between bigger guns, like Shot-Gun and Automatic Rifle. The reputation of that guns, like the Automatic Rifle an old gangsters weapon.

Deadly Sniper is on ... well.. sniping, its advantages, how to choose the perfect sniping spot and the weapon used in The Killer. Also on what a sniper does at his sniping spot.

 

Code of Bullet 5 - Guns Mean Power is on using guns in general, and diefferences between Handgun, Automatic Rifle, Machine Gun and Light Anti-Tank.

Gone With The Wind is on Smoke Granades.

"I kill Gandalf." - Igor, Dork Tower

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THE KILLER audio from my laserdisc is now captured. I just need to convert the PCM to be compliant with the BluRay specs. I may clean it of pops, which it has a plenty. 

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How's the video quality of the new Blu-Rays in comparison? More detail, less DVNR, I hope.

 

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These Fortune Star releases seem to be 1080i upscales of HK DVD sources from what some user reviews are saying across the net.

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 (Edited)

Thanks for the heads up Bigrob

From the look of it Hard Boiled is a lot better than the Dragon Dynasty. And looks as tho its from a different master than the Fortune Star DVD variates. Its a bit bright like The Killer Blu from fortune star (HK edition)

captainsolo could you point me to some reviews.

Have no idea what the Killer looks like tho gather its from the same source as the HK Disc.

p.s somebody has uploaded Hard Boiled to youtube in 1080p if anybody was inclined to search! I think posting the link here would be against forum rules.

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How is this project coming along? I joined this site just to keep up with the custom editions being worked on by the community here. As with you I'm upset I can't get a decent version of The Killer. Been looking on eBay over a few months for the french 2-disc release but it hasn't shown up. Amazon France is the only site that carries it however they wont ship to my address. I need you guys to pull through and release this "Holy Grail" of Heroic Bloodshed already! ha Thanks. In the meantime if anybody is willing to sell their french version of The Killer please post it to eBay for $50, send me a PM here, and I'll definitely buy immediately! 

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Hi All.

Things are starting to move forward a bit in the past week as I got a Laser-disc Rip of the original mono for The Killer courtesy of singhcr. Its synced and sounds good. The Killer is about finished in this regard, but my plan was to do a custom 5.1 remix using all the assets I have to match the original mono mix. This will still take some time as I don't want to rush it.

I'm still searching for some assets tho if anybody can help.

Hard Boiled

Laserdisc PCM Mono for Hard Boiled.

Partner in Crime: An Interview with Producer Terence Chang - from the Dragon dynasty DVD

Feature Length Audio Commentary by Hong Kong Cinema Expert Bey Logan - from the Dragon dynasty DVD

A l'épreuve du temps : documentaire avec John Woo, Terence Chang, David Wu et Philip Kwok  From the French DVD's 2nd Disc. Not got the 2nd DVD. There is also an interview with Tony Leung. So the whole of the Disc 2 of the French Release really.

There is also the Code of Bullets features and the commentary's from the Fox Lorber releases as I understand these are different than the criterion.

 

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Agreed Big Rob. Best version of the film ive seen.

Anybody know if The Killer is like this also. It was released the same time and by the same label? Can not find anything on it myself.

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There was no Code of Bullet for HArd Boiled AFAIK. Do you want to put all CoBs together as Specials, even if they where according other Movies?

 

Whats with the (even if very bad quality) longer Taiwanese Version from Hard Boiled as a Special Feature? Running Time about 131 min. (It has 5 minutes of a faulty black image, so runing time of the stream is 136 min.)

I have the 5 Code of Bullets I mentioned.

"I kill Gandalf." - Igor, Dork Tower

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That actually looks like film! I am hopeful!

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CSchmidlapp said:

Agreed Big Rob. Best version of the film ive seen.

Anybody know if The Killer is like this also. It was released the same time and by the same label? Can not find anything on it myself.

 

I just ordered the japanese The Killer. I may check in some weeks, after it arrived...

 

Are there some (Fan)Subs, which could be aligned to the japanese Hard Boiled Video Stream?

"I kill Gandalf." - Igor, Dork Tower

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MrBrown said:

CSchmidlapp said:

Agreed Big Rob. Best version of the film ive seen.

Anybody know if The Killer is like this also. It was released the same time and by the same label? Can not find anything on it myself.

 

I just ordered the japanese The Killer. I may check in some weeks, after it arrived...

 

Are there some (Fan)Subs, which could be aligned to the japanese Hard Boiled Video Stream?

Great. Does The Killer have English subs?

I have synced up the U.K Hong Kong Legends DVD subs to the Killer in 23.976fps. These should sync up with little effort to the japanese verson but will have to wait and see.

I have also synced up the U.K Tartan Hard Boiled subs and they work perfectly with the Japanese Blu Ray.

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MrBrown said:

There was no Code of Bullet for HArd Boiled AFAIK. Do you want to put all CoBs together as Specials, even if they where according other Movies?

 

Whats with the (even if very bad quality) longer Taiwanese Version from Hard Boiled as a Special Feature? Running Time about 131 min. (It has 5 minutes of a faulty black image, so runing time of the stream is 136 min.)

I have the 5 Code of Bullets I mentioned.

Was thinking about doing that with the Code Of Bullets yes.

The Taiwanese Hard Boiled is on a 4.7gig DVD and untouched would take up half the special features disc for which I was going to produce a dual layer dvd.

 

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CSchmidlapp said:

MrBrown said:

CSchmidlapp said:

Agreed Big Rob. Best version of the film ive seen.

Anybody know if The Killer is like this also. It was released the same time and by the same label? Can not find anything on it myself.

 

I just ordered the japanese The Killer. I may check in some weeks, after it arrived...

 

Are there some (Fan)Subs, which could be aligned to the japanese Hard Boiled Video Stream?

Great. Does The Killer have English subs?

I have synced up the U.K Hong Kong Legends DVD subs to the Killer in 23.976fps. These should sync up with little effort to the japanese verson but will have to wait and see.

I have also synced up the U.K Tartan Hard Boiled subs and they work perfectly with the Japanese Blu Ray.

 

MrBrown said:

There was no Code of Bullet for HArd Boiled AFAIK. Do you want to put all CoBs together as Specials, even if they where according other Movies?

 

Whats with the (even if very bad quality) longer Taiwanese Version from Hard Boiled as a Special Feature? Running Time about 131 min. (It has 5 minutes of a faulty black image, so runing time of the stream is 136 min.)

I have the 5 Code of Bullets I mentioned.

Was thinking about doing that with the Code Of Bullets yes.

The Taiwanese Hard Boiled is on a 4.7gig DVD and untouched would take up half the special features disc for which I was going to produce a dual layer dvd.

 

The japanese "The Killer" seems not having english subs, but I am hoping, that I can use the Hong Kong BD subtitles.

After getting the BDs I'll check this.

 

Regarding Code of Bullets: If you still needing them for your project, we should exchange pm's. Maybe you could help me with subs for my ordered japanese Hard Boiled...

"I kill Gandalf." - Igor, Dork Tower

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So, I have done a little research in the depth of my DVD shelf, which Hard Boiled DVDs I have, and what are the extras:

CoO Germany:

Uncut, Laser Paradise :

- Trailer

- Some german languaged text galerry

- Interview with John Woo (29:37 min with burned in english and japanese subs)

 

Uncut, e-m-s:

- Trailer (german, kantonese, english)

- Picture and Text galleries

- Behind the Scenes ( 1:20 min)

 

CoO UK:

CUT first release, Tartan:

- Trailer

- Textgalleries

- Interview with John Woo (Same as on GErman Laser Paradise DVD)

 

CoO Taiwan:

extended, Long Shong - no extras

 

CoO USA:

2 Disc, Dragon Dynasty:

- Feature Length Audio Commentary by Hong Kong Cinema Expert Bey Logan

Disc Two:

- A Baptism of Fire: a Featurette With Iconic Director John Woo

- Partner in Crime: an Interview With Producer Terence Chong

- Art Imitates Life: an Interview With Co-Star Philip Chan

- Hard Boiled Location Guide

- Mad Dog Bites Again: an Interview With Leading Villain Kwok Choi

- Trailer Gallery (Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer & US Promotional Trailer)

 

bootleg (When I bought, I didn't know :( ) Criterion ... (normal Criterion Bonus features)

 

 

"I kill Gandalf." - Igor, Dork Tower

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 (Edited)

 

You have as many versions as me lol but different. Wonder how many there have been around the world?

Ive not got these.

 

Uncut, e-m-s:

- Trailer (german, kantonese, english)

- Picture and Text galleries

- Behind the Scenes ( 1:20 min)

 

Not seen any of these. Are the Trailers in better condition than the criterion and Tartan releases?

 

CoO USA:

2 Disc, Dragon Dynasty:

- Feature Length Audio Commentary by Hong Kong Cinema Expert Bey Logan

Disc Two:

- A Baptism of Fire: a Featurette With Iconic Director John Woo

- Partner in Crime: an Interview With Producer Terence Chong

- Art Imitates Life: an Interview With Co-Star Philip Chan

- Hard Boiled Location Guide

- Mad Dog Bites Again: an Interview With Leading Villain Kwok Choi

- Trailer Gallery (Hong Kong Theatrical Trailer & US Promotional Trailer)

 

Missing The commentary and the Terence Chang Interview. Not got the trailers also. The box of my bluray says there on there but I can not find them.

Do you think the Code Of Bullets docs will fit in with the Hard Boiled Ultimate? If they were to be included I think it would be this one and not The Killer due to Hard Boiled being the more Gun Crazy one.

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CSchmidlapp said:

 

You have as many versions as me lol but different. Wonder how many there have been around the world?

Ive not got these.

...

 

Not seen any of these. Are the Trailers in better condition than the criterion and Tartan releases?

 

...

 

Missing The commentary and the Terence Chang Interview. Not got the trailers also. The box of my bluray says there on there but I can not find them.

Do you think the Code Of Bullets docs will fit in with the Hard Boiled Ultimate? If they were to be included I think it would be this one and not The Killer due to Hard Boiled being the more Gun Crazy one.

The Trailers on the e-m-s seem to be in bit better shape than the Hard Boiled Trailer on the Criterion. at least the Golden Prinzes Logo doesn't hop such strong up and down...

 

I think the Code of Bullets would make agreat collection together with Hard Boiled and The Killer. They may use some scenes from the Movies they were on DVD with, but the general concept is more a view on the gun using itself, and not limited to the concerning movie.

 

And this may give a limited, german languaged, view on the different releases avaible. I am sure there are much more.

"I kill Gandalf." - Igor, Dork Tower

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Regarding Hard Boiled, music audio only trailer I have seen 3 different Versions regarding the text ins:

1.: Complete english text ins (DE e-m-s DVD, US Dragon Dynasty)

2.: Complete chinese text ins (only "Hard Boiled" in english under the chinese text in at the end) (US Criterion)

3.: Text Ins in Chines with english additions beneath them (other text cards, than the chinese only) (DE - Laser Paradise DVD)

"I kill Gandalf." - Igor, Dork Tower

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MrBrown,

Please let us know what you think of The Japanese Killer BD. The Hard Boiled disc is definately not an upscale and although the website says "A Better Tomorrow" is HD, I can't find anything that confirms that.

I would pay the high prices for these discs if only I could find out what they look like ahead of time.

 

 

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singhcr said:

MrBrown,

Please let us know what you think of The Japanese Killer BD. The Hard Boiled disc is definately not an upscale and although the website says "A Better Tomorrow" is HD, I can't find anything that confirms that.

I would pay the high prices for these discs if only I could find out what they look like ahead of time.

 

 

 

First the BD has to arrive. :)

I am also very impaitient waiting, because, I really wan't to know how the japanese DB compares to the Hong Kong Release.

If the japanese discs won't be that expensive, and if they would contain english subtitles, I would order the A Better Tomorrow Discs, too.

Maybe if The Killer is noticable better that the Hong Kong Release, I'll give the A Better Tomorrow Discs a try.

"I kill Gandalf." - Igor, Dork Tower