The Official "Dragon Dynasty" Thread!

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 16 Aug 2006, 20:42

Where are you moving to? Are you getting a big ass new room?

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 17 Aug 2006, 01:01

bradavon wrote:Where are you moving to? Are you getting a big ass new room?

He's going to live with his sugar daddy, Paul WS Anderson.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 17 Aug 2006, 13:31

Official Dragon Dynasty website is up. So far they only have an image there though.
http://www.dragondynasty.com

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 17 Aug 2006, 19:53

I am truly very surprised that so many of you seem so excited for this shitty "Dragon Dynasty" lable. How anyone here can keep their dignity after ordering this "Killzone" dvd is beyond my comprehension.

Oh wow, a few Weinstein-ised english extras for SPL...whoopdee shit.
Come on guys, keep your perfectly fine HK dvd and your money.

(An UNCUT ANAMORPHIC Fist of Legend dvd is the one exception, IMO)

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 17 Aug 2006, 20:07

ReconFive wrote:I am truly very surprised that so many of you seem so excited for this shitty "Dragon Dynasty" lable. How anyone here can keep their dignity after ordering this "Killzone" dvd is beyond my comprehension.

Oh wow, a few Weinstein-ised english extras for SPL...whoopdee shit.
Come on guys, keep your perfectly fine HK dvd and your money.

I agree with Recon... it's Weinstein we're talking about, and I'm not getting excited about any of this untill I have these movies they hold the rights to, uncut and subbed in my DVD-player. There's nothing in the whole Weinstein history that gives me confidence that suddenly he'll release these movies as they should be released.

(An UNCUT ANAMORPHIC Fist of Legend dvd is the one exception, IMO)

Ofcourse it has to be in the original language and with the original soundtrack and effects as well...

Owww... and I already know that about half the commentary for Fist of Legend will be about Bey's work on the TV series he did of this story, together with Donnie Yen...

Knetan · Post by **Knetan** » 17 Aug 2006, 20:46

hey,

...and the extensive research that went into choosing the right pillow to stick under Bey's shirt in that series. Ultra-convincing.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 17 Aug 2006, 20:56

Yi-Long wrote:Ofcourse it has to be in the original language and with the original soundtrack and effects as well...

Oh of course! That is part of how i define "uncut"

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 17 Aug 2006, 20:58

ReconFive wrote:I am truly very surprised that so many of you seem so excited for this shitty "Dragon Dynasty" lable. How anyone here can keep their dignity after ordering this "Killzone" dvd is beyond my comprehension.

Oh wow, a few Weinstein-ised english extras for SPL...whoopdee shit.
Come on guys, keep your perfectly fine HK dvd and your money.

(An UNCUT ANAMORPHIC Fist of Legend dvd is the one exception, IMO)

if they release good dvds i'll buy them.not a problem. talking about "dignity" is a bit drama queenish sorry.it's a fucking dvd we are talking about here

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 17 Aug 2006, 21:11

saltysam wrote:if they release good dvds i'll buy them.not a problem. talking about "dignity" is a bit drama queenish sorry.it's a fucking dvd we are talking about here

Yeah, some people aren't happy until they unless they have something to whine about.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 17 Aug 2006, 21:36

saltysam wrote:if they release good dvds i'll buy them.not a problem.

I never said you shouldn't...my point was that i have zero reason to believe that the Weinstein company will be responsible for the realese of quality dvds of Asian films.

talking about "dignity" is a bit drama queenish sorry.it's a fucking dvd we are talking about here

So sorry.. that was a poor attempt at mild humor reguarding the cringe-inducing title change...and the fact its a Weinstein dvd.

EvaUnit02 wrote: Yeah, some people aren't happy until they unless they have something to whine about.

Some people have higher standards then you, i guess. My concern is complety legitimate in this matter.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 17 Aug 2006, 21:51

Wait for reviews of THE ACTUAL DVDs before you dismiss the label. It's too premature to tell at the moment.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 17 Aug 2006, 22:05

EvaUnit02 wrote:Wait for reviews of THE ACTUAL DVDs before you dismiss the label. It's too premature to tell at the moment.

Well ofcourse we will wait till those reviews come out. We'll wait with baited(???) breath...

But we are also realists, and we know how many times we've been screwed over by the Weinsteins, plus Logan's view that cuts are OK for the western market...

I just fear this will be a dissapointed. I hope it will be the perfect release ofcourse...

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 17 Aug 2006, 23:22

What exactly do you have a problem with on the Kill Zone DVD Recon? The fucking title? OMG that's so a reason not to buy this.

It's buy the Weinstien's? OMG we must therefore not support them.

Seriously? It should be uncut, should be uncropped, has the prerequisite AV and a second disc + commentary of extras. Surely you're not putting a films name before all that?

So what if the HK DVD is better? I'm in the business to upgrade if I so wish to a better DVD when won comes along. If you're happy with it fine but let us who like to upgrade do so.

As Eva says some people really aren't happy unless they can find a fault. Oh look my DVD is round I want it square so it must suck.

But we are also realists, and we know how many times we've been screwed over by the Weinsteins, plus Logan's view that cuts are OK for the western market...

Stop living in the past. As per usual with most things from you Yi-long you dredge up OLD points. The examples you're bound to cite are flipping well old.

Show me an example of Bey actually cutting a film? Nope thought not. There's a big difference between a man's opinion and actually cutting a film.

I don't give a hoot if he has no problem with cutting films, it's not like he's actually going to do it. Big difference!

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 17 Aug 2006, 23:33

I just hope you're right, Brad. I dont think my reasoning for not trusting them (yet) was so unlogical, but I guess it is according to you...

BTW, what exactly do you mean with me dredging up OLD points? Did Weinstein do any good for asian movies lately then? The only examples I have of Weinsteins shit are their whole history concerning Asian movies. You give me some 'new' examples then which make you think he wont continue fucking us over.
Fact is, you cant.

You, just like us, can only just hope for the best that they don't fuck these releases up. You seem to be very positive about it and I hope you'll be proven right by Harvey, Bey and Mike...
I, and Recon, are slightly less positive... we're still skeptic...

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 18 Aug 2006, 00:05

I guess I just have faith in Bey and particularly Brian to deliver the goods. Remember how good the original HKL DVDs were back in the day. Even DM and SITES were great compared to the rest.

That and "so far" (to important words) you and Recon seem more interested in bitching because it has a lousy title, big deal.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 18 Aug 2006, 00:20

I dont think I've been bitching about the title much, have I? I'll check my posts and see how much bitching I've done. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely hate the title and it wouldnt surprise me if Bey himself used his writing talents to come up with it... but TBH I care more about the movie being uncut and in it's original form and all that...
If that's all good, then I dont care all that much about the name. Well, yeah I do care, but I'd be happy that they at least kept the movie intact.

And yeah, HKL is responsible for some absolutely great DVD releases and did asian cinema justice. I respect them (mainly Mike, as Bey is mainly responsible for just the interviews and commentaries) for that. However, we also know that Weinstein will still be in charge... and he just has his reputation against him... and he seems to be pretty hands-on on all releases and movies... so I am just a bit skeptical.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 18 Aug 2006, 01:01

You have given them the same answer several times Yi.. i don't think they are going to accept it.

and Brad, i only mentioned the title once. It is certainly a minor issue compared to AV quality and being uncut...but its still something i care about. My sceptisism is the same as Yi's...there is absolutly no reason to believe that idiot Weinstein is going to change his ways of dealing with Asian films.

I hope i'm wrong.

English extras are a low priority for me, and would not warrent a double-dip in this case unless they were absolutely amazing (considering the HK dvd is very nice, IMO)...but that's beside the point.

I will believe its a quality release when i see it...end of story.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 18 Aug 2006, 08:33

Yi-Long wrote:I respect them (mainly Mike, as Bey is mainly responsible for just the interviews and commentaries) for that.

Are you talking about Mike Leeder? What does he have to do with HKL apart from a few commentaries for Premier Asia?

"Kill Zone"? Oh my God! My ears start melting. My body can't take all that whining I have been through. Aaaaargh... "Kill Zone", you kiiiiiilled meeeee!!!1111!!1

Come on. Isn't it a bit early to be whining around? I mean sure, Weinsteins have been enemies to most of the Asian film fan community, but the current specs for the disc make it look absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to receive my copy for review so I can compare it to the HK DVD.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 18 Aug 2006, 09:34

thelostdragon wrote:
Yi-Long wrote:I respect them (mainly Mike, as Bey is mainly responsible for just the interviews and commentaries) for that.
Are you talking about Mike Leeder? What does he have to do with HKL apart from a few commentaries for Premier Asia?

"Kill Zone"? Oh my God! My ears start melting. My body can't take all that whining I have been through. Aaaaargh... "Kill Zone", you kiiiiiilled meeeee!!!1111!!1

Come on. Isn't it a bit early to be whining around? I mean sure, Weinsteins have been enemies to most of the Asian film fan community, but the current specs for the disc make it look absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to receive my copy for review so I can compare it to the HK DVD.

Ow shit, I meant Brian White. Sorry, I'm not good with names. I hope you can forgive me, Hassan...

(Seriously, I'm really really bad with names)

And yeah, I agree the specs look promising for 'Kill Zone'... but we already know that Tom Yum Goong will have a new soundtrack and all that, so they also have a RECENT history now of messing movies up, under their new label. So that's a reason for me, and Recon5, to not be too optimistic yet.

I wouldnt suddenly like to see Fist of Legend or Drunken Master 2 get some soundtrack by RzA or something.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 18 Aug 2006, 11:14

I agree LD, the name is pretty bad but as long as the film is uncut and has good AV, plus the extras it claims to have, I couldn't give a toss

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 18 Aug 2006, 19:47

Yi-long for christ sake STOPPING REPEATING EXACTLY THE SAME FUCKING THING, WE GOT YOUR POINT PAGES BACK!

Do you spend your entire life moaning? I'm sure half your comments at Bullets are bitching about something or other.

Oh and whose Hassan?

Nothing I've seen leads me to believe Kill Zone is getting a remixed soundtrack.

ReconFive wrote:My sceptisism is the same as Yi's...there is absolutly no reason to believe that idiot Weinstein is going to change his ways of dealing with Asian films.

I say wait until it's out then by all means bitch to high heaven

Yi-Long wrote:and it wouldnt surprise me if Bey himself used his writing talents to come up with it..

Yi-Long wrote:I dont think I've been bitching about the title much, have I? I'll check my posts and see how much bitching I've done.

It's probably a case of "boy who cried wolf".

Yi-Long wrote:mainly Mike, as Bey is mainly responsible for just the interviews and commentaries

That's a lot of footage. He's also presented hour long featurettes.

Yi-Long wrote:he seems to be pretty hands-on on all releases and movies... so I am just a bit skeptical.

Yeah true. I doubt Brian would come up with Kill Zone.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 18 Aug 2006, 23:03

bradavon wrote:Remember how good the original HKL DVDs were back in the day. Even DM and SITES were great compared to the rest.

The DM1 and SITES were great? WTF have you been smoking Brad? Those releases were utter shit. DM HKL = SEVERELY CROPPED from 2.35:1 to 1.78:1. SITES HKL = Decent overall but IT IS CUT.

grim wrote:I agree LD, the name is pretty bad but as long as the film is uncut and has good AV, plus the extras it claims to have, I couldn't give a toss

Agreed. If the the film is uncut, uncropped (minor cropping/less matting from 1.85:1 to 1.78:1 doesn't count), has the original language/audio track and great extras then the film could be retitled "The Magnificent Penis Rangers" and I wouldn't give two shits.

Yi-long wrote:BTW, what exactly do you mean with me dredging up OLD points? Did Weinstein do any good for asian movies lately then?

Well, The Weinstein Company did give up the rights to The Promise (after hacking it to bits) and it is now available freely uncut.

bradavon wrote:Oh and whose Hassan?

No idea. He might be referring to LD though, whose name is Hussain. INSHALLAH!!!111!!!1

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 18 Aug 2006, 23:51

The DM1 and SITES were great? WTF have you been smoking Brad? Those releases were utter shit. DM HKL = SEVERELY CROPPED from 2.35:1 to 1.78:1. SITES HKL = Decent overall but IT IS CUT.

You're comparing them against today's standards. I was comparing them against what was out at the time and believe me they were far better.

I don't mean SITES what was the other 1.78:1 JC DVD?

No idea. He might be referring to LD though, whose name is Hussain

He is. What's with all the numbers?

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 18 Aug 2006, 23:54

bradavon wrote:I guess I just have faith in Bey and particularly Brian to deliver the goods. Remember how good the original HKL DVDs were back in the day. Even DM and SITES were great compared to the rest.

Those DVDs were terrible. Brian White's statement on the reasons behind the cropping is mind numbingly awful - from DVD Fever

"The reason we decided to re-master this movie into 16:9 format was to cater for the widest possible commercial audience. The hard-core collectors may all prefer 2:35:1, but we have found that many kids with 14, 17 and 21" television sets are amongst the most regular buyers of Jackie Chan movies.
Unfortunately, due to the tiny viewing area offered with the 2:35:1 format on smaller TV sets, we often get asked by this target audience to provide 'pan & scan' versions of our movies. As the hard-core collectors detest 'p & s' with a passion, I thought the 16:9 anamorphic/1:85:1 widescreen ratio, would be a good compromise that would appeal to both markets.

In addition, had we conformed the feature to 2:35:1 anamorphic standard, most of the nation's DVD players, are currently not equiped to handle this ratio correctly, and therefore the image would be stretched."

And many HKL's are spoilt by bad cropping, distortion and - no offence Brad - your precious remixes. Stupidity, ignorance and laziness on HKL's part is why I'm having to spend my money AGAIN on the superior Joy Sales DVDs.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 19 Aug 2006, 00:28

I'm not expecting anything from Dragon Dynasty TBH.

Drunken Master 2 ? They'll just release it as "Legend of the Drunken Master", and I'll be buggered if I'm gonna spend any money on that.
And Tai-Chi Master ? They're gonna call it "Twin Warriors" again.

The title DOES matter.

The only way I'll accept a title change is if:
-They have no choice (when Drunken Master was released in France in 1978, it was renamed to "The Chinese Master". Now that HK Vidéo are releasing it, they don't have the right to change it back).
-The new title is an accurate translation of the original title.
-The new title comes from the movie studio that produced the film
("Tai-Chi Zhang San Feng -> Tai-Chi Master").

I won't accept a title change that was made to increase the "cool factor" (Twins Effect to Vampire Effect / SPL to KillZone).

Anyway, by buying the KillZone DVD it means that I agree with their methods. So I can't buy it, even if it is better than the HK DVD.

Brad wrote:I don't mean SITES what was the other 1.78:1 JC DVD?

HKL released 4 heavily cropped movies:
-Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
-Drunken Master
-Dragon Inn
-Legend of a Fighter

All 4 were released in a 1:78 format with a mandarin dub.

EDIT: or maybe you were talking about Armour of God ?
That one was 1:78 but it wasn't cropped.

There. That was my final Dragon Dynasty rant.

I haven't posted an FS/Joy Sales rant yet. Maybe because they've done nothing wrong.