Flexicon9

User Group: Members
Join date: 13-Sep-2011
Last activity: 6-May-2020
Posts: 396

Post History

Post: #673500
Topic: Idea & Info: The Exorcist (Original Theatrical Release)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/673500/action/topic#673500
Time: 24-Nov-2013 2:16 PM

Good stuff, good stuff... and thanks to Lee for starting the ball rolling. It's such a great film it deserves to be given the best treatment. I doubt we'll ever see anything quite like it again. The imitators were miles behind it.

Post: #673340
Topic: Escape From New York [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/673340/action/topic#673340
Time: 23-Nov-2013 5:00 PM

That UK disc was a contrast boosted green mess. The HDNet broadcast is a masterpiece compared to that disc.

Post: #673335
Topic: Escape From New York [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/673335/action/topic#673335
Time: 23-Nov-2013 4:20 PM

Yeah, it looks great to me. If it ends up being framed slightly differently, that wouldn't bother me. It seems very balanced overall.

Post: #673329
Topic: Halloween [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/673329/action/topic#673329
Time: 23-Nov-2013 4:03 PM

Worst case scenario, we can always mux them in later when they surface.

Post: #673327
Topic: Escape From New York [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/673327/action/topic#673327
Time: 23-Nov-2013 3:58 PM

The HDNet broadcast used the exact same frame as the 2003 Special Edition, I believe. The BD was reframed slightly. I really don't know which is closer to the original theatrical presentation but I guess at this point it's just personal preference.

Post: #673324
Topic: Idea & Info: The Exorcist (Original Theatrical Release)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/673324/action/topic#673324
Time: 23-Nov-2013 3:53 PM

That would be one hell of a presentation.

Post: #673102
Topic: Escape From New York [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/673102/action/topic#673102
Time: 22-Nov-2013 4:55 PM

EFNY was just broadcast today on AMC in HD and they actually presented the film in its correct aspect ratio. Looks like they're using the master from the 2003 Special Edition DVD set, as it's nowhere near as dark as the later US BD but still has great color. Strangely, they even edited out the shot where The Duke applies pressure to the arrow in Snake's leg to get him to talk. Seems like a bit of overkill on behalf of AMC censors... what's the big deal? They also removed the scene where the punk gang roughs up the girl. Nowadays I figured they'd just pixilate her boobs but they cut it altogether. The real joke is when they show movies like Scarface and half the film is missing.

Post: #672976
Topic: Idea & Info: The Exorcist (Original Theatrical Release)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/672976/action/topic#672976
Time: 22-Nov-2013 4:29 AM

A restoration leaning closer to the look and feel of the 25th, old WB logo of course, would be the way to go for me. The film still chills me to the core and I cannot imagine any other film will ever have such an effect. When it works, it works. I just don't think it needed any changes.

Post: #672972
Topic: Idea & Info: The Exorcist (Original Theatrical Release)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/672972/action/topic#672972
Time: 22-Nov-2013 4:10 AM

So if you're more of a purist from a color-timing and original soundtrack point of view, the 25 Anniversary DVD ain't half bad. You get the right color and a 5.1 track supervised by the director which does not introduce any new elements that might upset old school fans. That's pretty good for a DVD and I think the image is damn good for a disc from 1998. If a more robust soundtrack is offered on the director's cut that's great, but with this film I just have to stick with the original version. I just don't like a lot of tampering with sound like they did on JAWS and Smokey and the Bandit. I'm all for 5.1 if they do it right. Sounds like Friedkin made sure the 25th Anniversary disc was for the most part, correct.

Post: #672934
Topic: Idea & Info: The Exorcist (Original Theatrical Release)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/672934/action/topic#672934
Time: 21-Nov-2013 7:04 PM

The first DVD was released in 1997... that was the flipper with a 2.0 track on one side and a 5.1 track on the other as you guys said. Now I have the 25th Anniversary DVD from 1998 and it has only a 5.1 track in English. My understanding is that Friedkin supervised that mix. So does that mean that the original 5.1 track from the 1997 P&S side is different than the subsequent 5.1 track from the 25th Anniversary disc? It would have to be, right? Then the "version you've never seen before" sports a brand new robust mix different from all previous of course. So there's a bunch of mixes for this film. I assume the laserdisc must have the best mono or stereo. Did they introduce new sound effects for the director's cut only, or did they introduce new effects all the way back in 1998 for the 25th Anniversary?

Post: #672765
Topic: Halloween [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/672765/action/topic#672765
Time: 20-Nov-2013 10:25 PM

I will always be appreciative to Anchor Bay for the THX, even after the disaster of the first 1997 DVD which was horrendous beyond belief. The 1999 THX 2-disc edition really made good on that mistake. Other than that, it's been a long wait for an HD version of it. There's always been something I didn't like about each subsequent release. And THX blue is like cowbell... we need more.

Post: #672459
Topic: HALLOWEEN - Fixing the audio and re-creating 1999 color timing (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/672459/action/topic#672459
Time: 19-Nov-2013 10:01 PM

As long as dialogue is synced, I don't see a problem. It would be nearly impossible to notice the music being a few milliseconds from its mark. That's why I never noticed it with the original track we were supplied, which worked great by the way. I synced it to the dialogue and never had a problem. Andrea, this sounds like it will work out just fine.

Post: #672252
Topic: Escape From New York [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/672252/action/topic#672252
Time: 19-Nov-2013 1:08 AM

That's great looking work, Andrea. Now you can actually see what's happening without having to adjust the brightness on your display. If you have a calibrated set-up, you'll notice that you have to do this for the US BD. I think it's great that you've actually expanded the scope of the frame as well. Awesome results there. It looks like a proper balance to me with the best of both worlds. Great stuff!

Post: #672083
Topic: 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' - bluray and colour timing changes (Released)
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/672083/action/topic#672083
Time: 18-Nov-2013 5:45 AM

Agreed. It might certainly be a loudness issue, but damn if that WOWOW doesn't ROCK.

Post: #672060
Topic: Escape From New York [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/672060/action/topic#672060
Time: 18-Nov-2013 12:20 AM — Edited 18-Nov-2013 12:25 AM

I was at my buddy's new house last night and he just got Direct TV. He has HDNet Movies and my cable system got in a fight with Mark Cuban years ago and dropped that channel. It really gets me that we can no longer get it. HDNet is a great movie channel. I have MGM HD and that's pretty good too for rare films not on Blu-ray. Escape From New York on HDNet was great because it had the right balance of color and brightness without going too far on either front. The US BD is just too dark and you have to turn up your display's brightness to see all the information in the frame. The color is actually pretty good, but I always dug that HDNet broadcast of the film. This is going to be great to have the best presentation possible of EFNY. Really looking forward to this one!

Post: #672058
Topic: Halloween [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/672058/action/topic#672058
Time: 18-Nov-2013 12:14 AM

I cannot wait to see this. Thank you so much Andrea for doing this. This is going to be stellar and amazing. I love the THX color-timing and wish they would have just released the Blu-ray that way. I understand, but still.... at least we have a man in Italy who can get the job done right. Thank goodness.

Post: #671645
Topic: Halloween [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/671645/action/topic#671645
Time: 16-Nov-2013 12:37 AM — Edited 16-Nov-2013 1:02 AM

I love Criterion and greatly respect the work they have done. Some favorites include Dazed and Confused, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Kicking and Screaming (1995), The Last Days of Disco and Metropolitan. They are not gods however and do sometimes suffer from limitations of what they are given. The color on The Unbearable Lightness of Being for example, is not the best and some estimate that Warner actually did a better job. It's debatable, but you have to weigh each transfer on its own merits.

Post: #671639
Topic: Escape From New York [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/671639/action/topic#671639
Time: 15-Nov-2013 11:58 PM

Yes, the US Blu-ray is mastered too dark unfortunately. I think I first dvr'd the film off of HDNet around 2006 and was always impressed by their effort. Good stuff and one of the best action dystopia flicks ever made. Andrea, you're really giving Carpenter's work the magic treatment. Between The Thing, Halloween and Escape From New York I don't think it gets any better. You are one hell of a film historian man. These are all very welcome additions to the archive of legendary cinema. Thank you! I have the Special Edition double disc set and the US BD if you have any need of those materials. Greatly appreciate all the hard work and this will be another great project. Rock on, dude.

Post: #671532
Topic: Halloween [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/671532/action/topic#671532
Time: 15-Nov-2013 4:50 PM

Quality over speed any day. Take your time.

Post: #671509
Topic: Halloween [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/671509/action/topic#671509
Time: 15-Nov-2013 3:30 PM

Halloween: Bright Boobs Edition

Post: #671400
Topic: Halloween [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/671400/action/topic#671400
Time: 15-Nov-2013 7:25 AM — Edited 15-Nov-2013 8:24 AM

Andrea, the laserdisc is too bright. The THX has the proper level of brightness. I think you should stay with the THX DVD colors and brightness. That's just my opinion, but judging from those screen comparisons the laserdisc just doesn't look right; too contrasty and blown out. Where's all the blue? The laserdisc looks as bright and starry white as the Divimax and 2007 BD which lose a lot of atmosphere and color. The THX should be the template for this restoration. If a separate Criterion project has enough support, then maybe that should remain a completely different battle as you've come so far already with the THX. The work you've done looks great and it would be such a shame to change it. Based on those comparisons you've just posted, I'd pick the THX DVD every time. It's up to you man, but that's just my 2 cents.

Post: #671281
Topic: Halloween [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/671281/action/topic#671281
Time: 14-Nov-2013 7:37 PM — Edited 14-Nov-2013 9:02 PM

Sounds like a cool concept. Isolated score projects like the one DJ worked on for Empire usually rock. I'd be interested in hearing those tracks in other languages, too. I'm sure many fans would appreciate the effort.

35 Years of Terror Convention in Pasadena, CA starts tomorrow... Annie and Lynda will be there, as well as most everybody who has ever been in the Halloween franchise.

Post: #671274
Topic: Halloween [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/671274/action/topic#671274
Time: 14-Nov-2013 7:22 PM

Excellent work, Andrea. Don't worry about the menu issue, as many like the film to just start up straight away. I for one will just be glad to have the THX color in HD for the first time since its 1999 release. This is rather extraordinary in itself without asking you for so much more... those screenshot comparisons really illustrate the difference in color. Amazing. Maybe next year you can consider adding the extended cut (television version) for those of us who are fascinated by the alternate scenes. It's an oddity, but one worth preserving in my estimation. The new BD has sorta bumped those scenes to HD (though not true high def) and though they don't possess great sound, I think it could still be pretty awesome. Thanks for all the hard work on this project. It really is going to be incredible to behold.

Post: #671110
Topic: Halloween [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/671110/action/topic#671110
Time: 14-Nov-2013 2:03 AM

Wow, awesome news... you work fast man!

Post: #670606
Topic: Halloween [spoRv] *BD-25 RELEASED*
Link: https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/670606/action/topic#670606
Time: 12-Nov-2013 1:45 AM — Edited 12-Nov-2013 2:21 AM

The differences can be quite subtle, depending on the scene.

35th

THX

35th

THX