Holy Sh*t Play have killed off HKL's website! ;-)

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 17 Jan 2008, 15:22

What was the verdict on The Protector?

Was the mono (or whatever it was) even half-original? I'm fine with a remix, but the sound effects must be original and not re-recorded.

Was there any other recent Jackie titles, other than The Fearless Hyena, that had either original or half-original soundtrack (aka no added stuff)?

chenlung · Post by **chenlung** » 17 Jan 2008, 15:28

HungFist wrote:What was the verdict on The Protector?

Was the mono (or whatever it was) even half-original? I'm fine with a remix, but the sound effects must be original and not re-recorded.

Was there any other recent Jackie titles, other than The Fearless Hyena, that had either original or half-original soundtrack (aka no added stuff)?

'The Protector' is a stereo film.

The HKL DVD's stereo was a downmix from what I remember reported/hearing. Sound effects were not of Warner's. For that, the Warner DVD is a better bet or even better: the (hopefully) forthcoming 2-disc Joy Sales DVD

.

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 17 Jan 2008, 16:26

All the recent Jackies aside from FH had screwy audio

Joy Sales haven't released any remastered titles for ages

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 18 Jan 2008, 00:08

Yeah, I can confirm that HKL's audio on The Protector is a downmix and not the original stereo track (present on the Warner disc); however, HKL's picture is superior frm what I recall from caps.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 18 Jan 2008, 09:14

ok, thanks for the replies.

I watched Heroes Shed No Tears yesterday and I have to say I found the disc excellent. Very good transfer and excellent mono; in sync, clear and punchy.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 18 Jan 2008, 12:54

Ivan Drago wrote:All the recent Jackies aside from FH had screwy audio

Who are FH?

Ivan Drago wrote:Joy Sales haven't released any remastered titles for ages

chenlung · Post by **chenlung** » 18 Jan 2008, 12:56

bradavon wrote:
Ivan Drago wrote:All the recent Jackies aside from FH had screwy audio
Who are FH?

'Fearless Hyena'.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 18 Jan 2008, 13:04

Ivan Drago wrote:Joy Sales haven't released any remastered titles for ages

Didn't they just release a "Royal Tramp" boxset? The only reason I'm not getting it is because Dragon Dynasty will release it as well.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 18 Jan 2008, 13:38

Thanks Chen.

bleeper · Post by **bleeper** » 19 Jan 2008, 16:45

Which version will be better? The new Sony version of Drunken Master or is it better if i get the bare bones HKL version? i can't find the dvd's specs.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 19 Jan 2008, 17:10

See here:

http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparisons/film.php?fid=2122

If you mean the new Sony UK R2? It's not barebones:

http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/ ... aster.html

Get the R1, New UK R2 or R4. All feature Cantonese and are in the correct 2.35:1. The HKL is Mandarin only and is cropped to 1.78:1.

chenlung · Post by **chenlung** » 19 Jan 2008, 17:34

It's not barebones:

Neither HKL or Columbia is barebones. But it's said that the commentary isn't good.

Get the R1, New UK R2 or R4. All feature Cantonese and are in the correct 2.35:1.

HKL has more info than the Columbia print at times, even though it is cropped (or occassionally stretched when it comes to signs) - HKL is also framecut in a number of places (or throughout all of it). Note the incomplete Cantonese soundtrack on Columbia.

Both releases have draw-backs. Big-time distributor like Columbia couldn't put a set of proper subtitles on it...

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 19 Jan 2008, 17:34

Ah but remember the Columbia has a cut Cantonese track. TBH though, I don't think anyone's going to bother releasing another version so you may as well go for that one if you don't mind English dubbing

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 19 Jan 2008, 20:49

Columbia DM uses an English print.

Even HKL used an HK print.

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 19 Jan 2008, 21:45

Columbia has a habit of using English prints. All their Godzilla releases are English prints. I've heard Once A Thief is the exception to that habit in having a Chinese print

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 19 Jan 2008, 21:47

grim_tales wrote:Columbia DM uses an English print. Even HKL used an HK print.

what difference does that make?

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 19 Jan 2008, 21:58

Well it's kind of weird watching an Asian film and all the credits are in English only

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 19 Jan 2008, 22:27

chenlung wrote:HKL has more info than the Columbia print at times, even though it is cropped (or occassionally stretched when it comes to signs) - HKL is also framecut in a number of places (or throughout all of it).

How? The HKL is 1.78:1 from the Sony's 2.35:1.

chenlung wrote:Note the incomplete Cantonese soundtrack on Columbia.

I'd prefer that than Mandarin right through

grim_tales wrote:Columbia DM uses an English print.

As in the credits? Big deal, they're credits IMO.

Ivan Drago wrote:Well it's kind of weird watching an Asian film and all the credits are in English only

How many times do you honestly watch them? Once at most, if that.

I tend to stop the film when the credits roll and if I don't I only watch the first few minutes. They're hardly reasons to pick a cropped version in the wrong soundtrack.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 19 Jan 2008, 23:49

English credits wouldn't stop me from buying if it was otherwise the best version, but like Ivan, I would prefer the original Chinese credits. Call me a purist. 8)

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 19 Jan 2008, 23:49

What I mean by credits is that the titles should be as the film intended. Chinese or Chinese with English, NOT English only. But that's only with assessing a DVD. I'd take an English titled print that's OAR and anamorphic over a cropped or non-anamorphic print that's got the correct titles. Such is life

chenlung · Post by **chenlung** » 20 Jan 2008, 00:19

bradavon wrote:
chenlung wrote:HKL has more info than the Columbia print at times, even though it is cropped (or occassionally stretched when it comes to signs) - HKL is also framecut in a number of places (or throughout all of it).
How? The HKL is 1.78:1 from the Sony's 2.35:1.

Within the cropped 1:85:1 frame, there is sometimes (or always) more info included at the top and bottom than the Columbia. In the rare case of a restaurant sign (which is impossible to crop to 1:85:1 without cutting off the characters), the 2:35:1 image is squished into 1:85:1 and actually has more info than Columbia.

Just because the ratio's different, doesn't mean the image won't have more info at the sides

.

The English prints from Seasonal are seemingly better than the counterpart Chinese ones.

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 20 Jan 2008, 00:24

Indeed, a film can be the correct aspect ratio and yet be differently framed from another print

I still can't belive HKL were so f@cking stupid as to crop the films. I mean, it's not gonna make the anti-black bars set buy them so what's the bloody point!

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 20 Jan 2008, 12:37

Markgway wrote:English credits wouldn't stop me from buying if it was otherwise the best version, but like Ivan, I would prefer the original Chinese credits. Call me a purist. 8)

Yeah thats what I meant. At the end of the day theyre just credits, but the English "Drunken Master" title appears slapped on. I feel the same way about A Better Tomorrow's English titles.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 20 Jan 2008, 12:50

Markgway wrote:English credits wouldn't stop me from buying if it was otherwise the best version, but like Ivan, I would prefer the original Chinese credits. Call me a purist. 8)

Fair enough. That makes a lot more sense. In that case I'd be the same.

Ivan Drago wrote:Indeed, a film can be the correct aspect ratio and yet be differently framed from another print.

Good point. Chenlung too.

Ivan Drago wrote:I still can't belive HKL were so f@cking stupid as to crop the films. I mean, it's not gonna make the anti-black bars set buy them so what's the bloody point!

To be fair HKL realised very quickly the errors of their ways and only ever cropped 3 films, if memory serves me correctly.

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 20 Jan 2008, 13:30

Why is Mark credited with my post?

And HKL also heavily cropped Magnificent Warriors and Police Story 2 - or at least put out cropped versions. And quite a few releases have the edges cropped, and the picture distorted to fill out the 2.35:1 image. And HKL's errors cost us Legend Of A Fighter. I am still angry about that, 8 years on. I care so much for films that it's disgusting to see ANY get shoddily treated.