French DVDs and Blu-Rays of Asian Movies

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 23 Mar 2005, 11:59

UPDATE:

Picture comparison for Spooky Encounters.
HK Vidéo vs HKL.

Picture 1:
http://img238.exs.cx/img238/1885/COMP1.jpg

Picture 2:
http://img238.exs.cx/img238/1617/COMP2.jpg

Picture 3:
http://img238.exs.cx/img238/8792/COMP3.jpg

HKL+: more info at the top and bottom.
HKL-: slightly horizontally stretched.

HKV+: sharper.
HKV-: minor edge enhancement.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 25 Mar 2005, 13:38

UPDATE:

Cover art and specs for HK Vidéo's Once Upon A Time In China 5 and 6 boxset. (available on May 2nd).

Picture: 2.35 16/9 restored from a copy of the original negative.
Sound: original Cantonese mono soundtrack and remixed 5.1 french dub.
Subs: the usual high-quality non-removable french subs.
extras: some trailers, a presentation of the movies.

Sounds good

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 25 Mar 2005, 15:43

Nice cover art, strange box set. Especially when it doesn't include parts 1-4 or even just part 4.

Why do the remix into 5.1 for French but Cantonese? Wouldn't French dub lovers also want a remix? Isn't there "anyone" who prefers remixes? Personally I'd want Cantonese Mono or 5.1.

Subs can't be high quality in my book if they're non-removable. Sure these releases are great but it's unforgivable you can't turn them off (unless you copy the DVD or have a hacked player that can turn them off such as Sony models).

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 25 Mar 2005, 18:37

strange box set. Especially when it doesn't include parts 1-4 or even just part 4.

Actually OUATIC 1 and 2 were released in a boxset by Studio Canal.
3 and 4 were released in a boxset by HK Vidéo.
So it makes sense that 5 and 6 would be in a boxset too.

Subs can't be high quality in my book if they're non-removable...it's unforgivable you can't turn them off

True, but HK Vidéo don't have the right to put removable subs.

I know it sounds crazy, but when they purchase the rights to a movie they have the right to either have a french dub or the original language WITH french subs.

Why do the remix into 5.1 for French but Cantonese? Wouldn't French dub lovers also want a remix? Isn't there "anyone" who prefers remixes? Personally I'd want Cantonese Mono or 5.1.

That sentence doesn't make much sense to me

Some words must be missing

If you prefer dubs -> you're not a purist -> you prefer 5.1 -> It's what you get.
If you're a purist -> you don't want altered soundtracks -> you get mono.

That's why we get:
-5.1 french.
-2.0 mono cantonese.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 25 Mar 2005, 18:44

Tom2681 wrote:Actually OUATIC 1 and 2 were released in a boxset by Studio Canal.
3 and 4 were released in a boxset by HK Vidéo.
So it makes sense that 5 and 6 would be in a boxset too.

I guess but you'd think they'd wait for a box set with 3-6. How do parts 1-2 compare being from another label?

Tom2681 wrote:I know it sounds crazy, but when they purchase the rights to a movie they have the right to either have a french dub or the original language WITH french subs.

Or both!

What lunacy is that? No other country has this ridiculous rule (not even Germany I think). Who makes this decision? I can't believe it's the Chinese company.

Tom2681 wrote:That sentence doesn't make much sense to me
Some words must be missing

What part doesn't make sense? It must do as you go on to then explain why.

Tom2681 wrote:If you prefer dubs -> you're not a purist -> you prefer 5.1 -> It's what you get.
If you're a purist -> you don't want altered soundtracks -> you get mono.

That's why we get:
-5.1 french.
-2.0 mono cantonese.

I suspect you're right but what if you're in the middle? Some are.

I hate dubs but also find mono bloody boring. I'm happiest with an all out 5.1 experience in the original language but as long as it's respectful. So no old school HK god awful 5.1 remixes.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 31 Mar 2005, 14:29

UPDATE:

June 2005:
HK Vidéo will release Tsui Hark's The Lovers and Love in the time of Twilight in a 2-Disc boxset.

Detailed specs aren't available yet.

At the same time, they'll release Kitano's A scene at the Sea in a 2-Disc collector's edition.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 31 Mar 2005, 16:50

"The Lovers"? Isn't that the ridiculous international title for House of Flying Daggers?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 31 Mar 2005, 18:41

Yes it is. Well Korea and Japan to be precise.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 31 Mar 2005, 18:42

Thanks Brad. Why Korea and Japan though?

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 31 Mar 2005, 19:46

Since the original title is "Ambush from ten directions", "HOFD" is just as ridiculous as "Lovers" IMO. :mrgreen:

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 31 Mar 2005, 21:00

LOL that sounds like a porn film.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 01 Apr 2005, 09:01

Really? I didnt know that Tom.
"HOFD" is not ridiculous, it does feature prominitely in the film :mrgreen: "Lovers" is stupid because its' an extremely vague and non-descriptive title. It doesn't suggest a wuxia film at all.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 01 Apr 2005, 09:16

Although technically lovers is more accurate.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 01 Apr 2005, 09:18

True I see what you mean

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 02 Apr 2005, 18:18

I'm sorry to go slightly off-topic... no wait... it's my thread, I'll do whatever I want with it !

:laughing8:

I've uploaded a Jackie Chan interview that was shot specifically for the HK Vidéo release of Snake In The Eagle's Shadow:

It probably won't tell you anything you've never heard before, but it's a nice little interview in which Jackie focuses on his childhood, his first works as a stuntman and his first movies.

Enjoy:

http://rapidshare.de/files/1105010/Jack ... w.avi.html
Video: 28mb 384x288 15 minutes DivX 5.11 codec.
Sound: MP3 22 khz Stereo.
In english with burnt-in french subs (just ignore them

)

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 02 Apr 2005, 19:52

Thanks. I'm downloading it now.

p.s - For dial-upers it's 30Mb.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 02 Apr 2005, 21:39

FYI:
I can upload any of the following interviews:

-Kirk Wong on Gunmen.
-John Woo and David Wu on The Killer, Last Hurrah For Chivalry, or Hard-Boiled.
-Tsui Hark on Zu, Butterfly Murders, or Don't play with Fire.
-Gordon Chan on Fist of Legend.
-Stephen Chow on Shaolin Soccer and his previous movies.

(All of these interviews are HKVidéo exclusive. Some of them have burnt-in french subs).

If people are interested, they can ask me. I'll upload these files when I have time.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 02 Apr 2005, 22:30

The John Woo I'd be interested in seeing thanks, oh and to a lesser extent the Gordon Chan one.

Thanks

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 03 Apr 2005, 00:25

John Woo on "The Killer"

part 1 out of 4:
Birth of a romantic killer (16mb):
http://rapidshare.de/files/1108750/Birt ... r.avi.html

part 2 out of 4:
The loneliness of the director (13mb):
Link is permanently dead, sorry. :-(

part 3 out of 4:
Editing and Trademarks (21mb):
http://rapidshare.de/files/1109098/Edit ... s.avi.html

part 4 out of 4:
The influence of Jean-Pierre Melville (9mb):
http://rapidshare.de/files/1109162/Infl ... e.avi.html

Next: John Woo and David Wu on Hard-Boiled.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 03 Apr 2005, 01:19

John Woo and David Wu on Hard-Boiled:
(if you notice some weird cuts in the video, it's because I've removed Philip Kwok's interviews (in cantonese)).

Part 1 out of 8:
Genesis (14mb):
http://rapidshare.de/files/1109318/1Genesis.avi.html

Parts 2 and 3 out of 8:
"Teahouse" and "Shooting in Hell" (24mb):
http://rapidshare.de/files/1117965/2and3.rar.html

Part 4 out of 8:
One Scene, No Cuts (18mb):
Link is permanently dead, sorry :-(

Parts 5 and 6 out of 8:
"Editing Ethics" and "Time, Place and ACTION" (26mb):
http://rapidshare.de/files/1121041/5and6.rar.html

Parts 7 and 8 out of 8:
"Hard-Boiled Actors" and "Hollywood in Sight" (21mb):
http://rapidshare.de/files/1121488/7and8.rar.html

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 07 Apr 2005, 16:45

UPDATE on new label ASIAN STAR:

Asian Star is about to release their first wave of titles on April 20, but reviews are already appearing on some websites ( www.hkmania.com ).

Apparently they've done a very good job on Bullets Over Summer, Flying Dagger and the Victim:
-Remastered anamorphic picture.
-2.0 original mono soundtrack.
-5.1 original language remix (no dub).
-High quality french subs (I don't know whether they are removable yet).
-Lots of interviews.

Second wave in june:
-Bad Guy (Korea).
-Killer (Hong-Kong 2000).
-Killer Tattoo (Thailand).
-Legend of Zu (Hong-Kong).
-My Sassy Girl (Korea).
-Phantom of the Submarine (Korea).
-Running on Karma (Hong-Kong).
-Sword in the Moon (Korea).
-Tube (Korea).

Third wave in September:
-Ab-Normal beauty (HK 2004). 8)
-Breaking News (HK 2004).
-Guys from Paradise (JP 2000).
-Happiness of Katakuris (JP 2001).
-Heroic Duo (HK 2003).
-One Take Only (Thailand 2001).
-Quiet Family (KR 1998).
-Sleeping Bride (JP 2000).
-You Shoot I Shoot (HK 2001). 8)

Fourth wave:
- Trilogie M. Oshii (Red Spectacles, Stray Dogs, Talking Head)
- Trilogie Tsui Hark (Wicked City, Magic Crane, Spy Game)
- Trilogie Miike (Shinjuku Triad Society, Ley Lines, Rainy Dogs)
- Trilogie Horror japan (Spiral, Shikoku, Isola)

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 13 Apr 2005, 17:01

Interesting UPDATE on ASIAN STAR:

After testing 3 titles from the first wave I've noticed that the french subs are REMOVABLE.

+ I have strong reasons to believe that ALL of the first discs released by ASIAN STAR have removable subs.

So, if you speak the original language you might find some "must-have dvd editions" in this collection.

:king:

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 20 Apr 2005, 15:32

Small UPDATE:

When I'm bored, I make dvd picture comparisons.
Today it's OldboyKR (First Korean Edition) vs OldboyFR (French Edition).

French on top.
Korean at bottom.

1st shot:
http://img24.exs.cx/img24/3369/1ST.jpg

OK I expected the french disc to look better but not that much

.
Skin tones look more natural, and a small amount of contrast boosting creates a more vibrant picture.

2nd shot:
http://img150.exs.cx/img150/2955/2ND.jpg

For good or for evil, Wild Side Vidéo have chosen to remove the blue-ish filter that was on the first korean release.

3rd shot:
http://img150.exs.cx/img150/893/3RD.jpg

Can't really comment on this one. You decide.

4th shot:
http://img150.exs.cx/img150/7648/4TH.jpg

IMO this shot was supposed to be very bright. Afterall this is the first time Oh Dae-Soo sees sunlight in 15 years.
While the french disc might be too bright, I think the korean disc is not bright enough.

Conclusion:
The Wild Side Vidéo DVD is more natural-looking.
The korean disc is not bright enough, although purists might say that it fits the tone of the film.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 20 Apr 2005, 18:04

What does "Films sans frontieres" mean? thanks

Lourdes · Post by **Lourdes** » 20 Apr 2005, 20:58

Hmm, the French disc looks like it was sourced from the same master as the Tartan and UE/FE. If you tell me what software you use and post some full caps I'll take some to match.