French DVDs and Blu-Rays of Asian Movies

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 12 Mar 2005, 18:48

Didn't notice that post.

kalle · Post by **kalle** » 13 Mar 2005, 21:03

HK Video is my favourite editor too!

Some chambara released by Wild Side Video, that I think has not been mentioned yet, is
Goyokin (Official Gold) - Gosha
Kiru (Destiny's Son) - Misumi
Ken Ki (Sword Devil) - Misumi
Ken - Misumi

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 14 Mar 2005, 15:38

Thanks, Kalle.

I've added them to the list.

I'll also try to add links to DVD reviews from time to time.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 16 Mar 2005, 17:24

UPDATE:

Comparison between the different DVD editions of Sympathy for Mr Vengeance:
Korean Edition vs HK Vidéo Edition vs Tartan.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompar ... eance_.htm

I'm glad I bought the french edition.

EDIT: Both R3 and R2UK discs seem to be cropped at the top, while the French disc seems to be cropped at the bottom. Weird...

gojensen · Post by **gojensen** » 17 Mar 2005, 09:25

You know, giving french dvds plus for better subtitles when they only include french subtitles REALLY doesn't give me much incentive to buy them

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 17 Mar 2005, 12:23

True Gojensen but I at least don't want this be an English speaking only forum.

Tom could you consider a section in the first post for decent Asian films on French DVDs with English subs (or maybe another thread) such as ITMFL.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 17 Mar 2005, 16:51

You know, giving french dvds plus for better subtitles when they only include french subtitles REALLY doesn't give me much incentive to buy them

What thread are you on ?

could you consider a section in the first post for decent Asian films on French DVDs with English subs

I guess, but they're so rare... I don't know how many have english subs.

ITMFL and Millenium Mambo are the only ones I can think of (so far).

EDIT: Done. Section 1.6 is about english subs on french dvds.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 17 Mar 2005, 19:22

Thanks Tom

Is Millennium Mambo any good? It looks decent and stars Shu Qi.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 17 Mar 2005, 20:16

Don't know, haven't seen it yet.

I've read lots of positive reviews, though.

So many films to watch... So little time.

kalle · Post by **kalle** » 17 Mar 2005, 20:37

I've had a thread about "French DVD editions of Asian Movies" on a swedish forum for some time, so I might help a little.
As a matter of fact there are a few more dvd's with english subs:

*Cyclo/Scent of Green Papaya - anh hung tran (Arte) [the best edition]
*Raining in the Mountain - king hu(Films sans frontieres) [the only edition of this film, and a good edition too]
*A Touch of Zen - king hu (Films sans frontieres) [this dvd has some flaws]
*Sacrilegous Hero - kenji mizoguchi (Films sans frontieres)
*Naked Island - kaneto shindo (Wild Side) (This film has no subs at all, since it has no dialogue)

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 17 Mar 2005, 21:17

Thank you.

EDIT: Here's a picture comparison for Touch of Zen:

http://www.cinemasie.com/fiche/video/67 ... aison.html

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 18 Mar 2005, 04:47

@Kalle:

I've had a thread about "French DVD editions of Asian Movies" on a swedish forum for some time

Is your thread still online ?
If yes, where can I find it ? I'd like to read it

EDIT:
For those who are interested in those french editions, you might want to read this:

http://www.ifrance.com/hkcinemagic/site ... nchdvd.htm

It's an article on how we approach asian movies in France.

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 18 Mar 2005, 08:51

Can someone post screencaps from the French DVD of Iron Fisted Monk - including subs. I would like to see how it compares to the Fox

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 18 Mar 2005, 12:27

Of course Cyclo/Scent of Green Papaya I'd forgotten about those. Cyclo also has a decent R1 release for those who want it on it's own. Scent of Green Papaya R1 is cropped 1.33:1.

I own the decent (but non-anamorphic, it's 1.66:1 so is fine for me) UK R2 Scent of Green Papaya already and the crud HK non-anamorphic Cyclo. I'll probably get the Cyclo R1 when I get around to watching it.

I'm pretty sure this dual release is now OOP.

Nice article Tom, re:

http://www.ifrance.com/hkcinemagic/site ... nchdvd.htm

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 18 Mar 2005, 20:50

Can someone post screencaps from the French DVD of Iron Fisted Monk

Here's a screencap comparison between HKL and HKV that I did a few years ago:

http://img28.exs.cx/img28/1885/COMP1.jpg

http://img28.exs.cx/img28/9463/comp28xq.jpg

http://img28.exs.cx/img28/8526/comp35tp.jpg

Picture:
The print used by HKL is very different to the one used by HKV.
In some places it looks like the HKV is severely cropped.
In others (screencap 3) it's the HKL that's cropped.
The colors are also different. I'd love to see some screencaps from the new FOX dvd to compare them.

I'd like to think that the HKV picture is better because it looks more natural. Still, it's hard to tell which one's the best.

Sound:
HKV has the original mono cantonese.
HKL has a 5.1 remix (I think).

Cuts:
HKL is cut (most of the rape scene has been removed).
HKV is uncut.

I should mention that IFM is only available in a boxset containing both IFM and Warriors Two.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 19 Mar 2005, 12:13

The first two I'd say the HKV is better but the last definitely the HKL the colours are all wrong on the HKV.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 19 Mar 2005, 17:54

Do you have the FOX dvd, Brad

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 19 Mar 2005, 23:26

The title sequence on the HKL has much more info than the Fox and the HKV but after that the HKL is cropped and squashed vertically to keep to a 2.35:1 ratio.

One site gave the Fox ratio as 2.28:1.

The Fox has more info on the left than the HKV by comparing screencaps.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 20 Mar 2005, 12:14

Tom2681 wrote:Do you have the FOX dvd, Brad

Sorry I don't. I can't stand old school MA films.

I thought DM was one of the most boring films I've ever seen. It's not often I don't watch a film to the end but this after 45 minutes of hell I had to skip to the final fight and even that was dull.

Prodigal Son wasn't much better. It didn't bore me in the same way but was far from exciting. I watched all of that.

p.s - It's cheap as chips right? Buy it and then trade it.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 20 Mar 2005, 13:41

I can't stand old school MA films.

I thought DM was one of the most boring films I've ever seen.

Prodigal Son wasn't much better.

O-Kay...

kalle · Post by **kalle** » 20 Mar 2005, 16:55

Tom2681 wrote:@Kalle:

I've had a thread about "French DVD editions of Asian Movies" on a swedish forum for some time
Is your thread still online ?
If yes, where can I find it ? I'd like to read it

Sure, here is The swedish "French DVD editions of Asian Movies"-thread

It's not as well organized as this thread though.

I had expected more francophone people, but
99% of the pupils in a usual french-class in swedish schools are girls (most boys choose german) and
99% of the people discussing dvd:s are men.
Well, I at least have use for my french!

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 20 Mar 2005, 17:42

Why do girls prefer French but boys German?

You're right it's funny that film is mainly a male world, look at all the male film directors. I wonder why this is? It makes no sense to me.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 20 Mar 2005, 20:46

Thanks for the link Kalle!
I like your thread.

99% of the pupils in a usual french-class in swedish schools are girls (most boys choose german)

That's funny.
In France, 80% of the pupils in a usual spanish-class are girls.
80% of the pupils in a usual german-class are boys.

No wonder I chose to learn spanish ...

24 girls out of 25 students in my class -> 24 girls all to myself !

kalle · Post by **kalle** » 20 Mar 2005, 21:51

Tom2681 wrote: 24 girls out of 25 students in my class -> 24 girls all to myself !

Yeah, all the cutest girls in my school was in my frenchclass! 8)

bradavon wrote: Why do girls prefer French but boys German?

Girls thinks french is romantic!

Just to say something on-topic: I read a very interesting interview with one of the guys working at HK Video:
Interview at HKcinemagic (in french)

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 20 Mar 2005, 23:00

Thanks. I read it last week but I didn't think it was interesting enough to post it here.

Anyway...
Upcoming titles from HK Vidéo:
-Armour of God 1 and 2.
-The Blade.
-Miracles.
-Project A 2.
-A Better Tomorrow Trilogy.
-Princess Chang Ping.
-From Beijing With Love (Yay !) 8)
-Ebola Syndrome.