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

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 20 Apr 2005, 03:00

By looks of these menus posted on dvdanswers, it looks like City on Fire won't have an original mono track, booo.

Aw well, I definately still plan on picking it up. It's going to be the most decent English release of CoF (the IVL release will prob have inferior subs but still adequate based on my past experience - Don't expect a Fox release, cuz Di$ney have the US rights). Plus the Bey commentary is bound to kick arse as usual.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 20 Apr 2005, 04:27

No HD. No Mono, No sale.

Also the once-prominant blue tones have been desaturated completely.

I'll be waiting for the IVL. They might just get it right.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 20 Apr 2005, 09:07

How do you know it won't have a HD transfer Mark?

From what you've said it sounds as if HKL will pick and choose what films have original tracks...

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 20 Apr 2005, 11:16

How do you know if the blue tones are now gone also?

Mark are you saying you only own The Master and Duel to the Death out of HKL's whole back catalogue?

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 20 Apr 2005, 16:00

bradavon wrote:How do you know if the blue tones are now gone also?

Comparison over at the ADVDG with the Universe disc. The blues have been desaturated to the point of grey.

Mark are you saying you only own The Master and Duel to the Death out of HKL's whole back catalogue?

Er, no. I own Duel to the Death and many others. May upgrade to Fortune Star HD prints where appropriate. A film like Moon Warriors isn't going to get better than the HKL.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 20 Apr 2005, 19:02

So saying "No HD. No Mono, No sale." was a lie then?

Tp quote Grim "How do you know it won't have a HD transfer Mark?"

Any links Mark from ADVDG?

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 21 Apr 2005, 00:26

bradavon wrote:So saying "No HD. No Mono, No sale." was a lie then?

No it wasn't because I was obviously talking about City on Fire...

Tp quote Grim "How do you know it won't have a HD transfer Mark?"

Because HKL are using a Media Asia print.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 21 Apr 2005, 11:10

Which is confirmed where? Links?

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 21 Apr 2005, 13:29

bradavon wrote:Which is confirmed where? Links?

Check the ADVDG Reviews forum. Can't be arsed provding a link. 8)

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 21 Apr 2005, 14:56

Check out the UK Ong-Bak webpage including trailer:

http://www.ong-bak.co.uk

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 21 Apr 2005, 14:59

Direct link to the trailer:
http://www.ong-bak.co.uk/ONGBAKSMALL.mpg

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 21 Apr 2005, 15:03

Are PA releasing the Besson version then or the uncut version?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 21 Apr 2005, 15:36

It's not known yet.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 21 Apr 2005, 15:37

OK Brad

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 21 Apr 2005, 16:02

Were the CGI shots of the coins flying up high in the original version? If not, then the trailer is from the Besson-cut.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 21 Apr 2005, 16:16

Hmm.. I can't remember?

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 21 Apr 2005, 22:59

This month's Total Film has a review and lists the running time for the theatrical UK release as 107min.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 21 Apr 2005, 23:26

How does that compare? According to IMDB it was 108 mins in HK and 101 in the US.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 22 Apr 2005, 01:17

Markgway wrote: Because HKL are using a Media Asia print.

A Media Asia print is fine by me (although they should be using the FS print which they readily have access to FFS). The DD5.1 supplied will just be a glorified mono track anyway, and it's in no danger of FS replaced SFX.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 22 Apr 2005, 01:23

EvaUnit02 wrote:A Media Asia print is fine by me (although they should be using the FS print which they readily have access to FFS). The DD5.1 supplied will just be a glorified mono track anyway, and it's in no danger of FS replaced SFX.

The problem with the 5.1 remixes is that they suck the life out of the soundtrack. Compare the 5.1 remix on The Postman Fights Back with the Mono on the Fox DVD and hear the difference. Yes, I'd rather a mono-based remix than a full-on foley nightmare, but it's still a rock and a hard place as far as I'm concerned. Add it to the image/colour tampering and I see no reason to rush out and buy this.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 22 Apr 2005, 04:15

Markgway wrote: The problem with the 5.1 remixes is that they suck the life out of the soundtrack. Compare the 5.1 remix on The Postman Fights Back with the Mono on the Fox DVD and hear the difference.

I've compared DD5.1 remix on my HKL The Killer to the mono track on my IVL DVD; and the mono track to the DD5.1 remix (which is also glorified mono) on my R1 Night of the Living Dead Millenium Ed. In both cases the mono track is indeed much fuller than the rather hollow sounding DD5.1 track. You've converted me, for releases from smaller independent labels anyway. 5.1 remixes I've heard from major Hollywood studio releases have kicked arse (eg the DD5.1 remix on Paramount's Once Upon a Time in the West SE and MGM's Terminator 1).

Anyway, I'm still gonna get HKL CoF, for the extras and quality subs. I may double-dip for the upcoming IVL Ringo Lam boxset (containing CoF and Prison on Fire 1&2) if the eventual HKL PoF1&2 releases (I emailed HKL a while back and they've confirmed that they will release PoF1&2) use Media Asia sourced materials as well.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 22 Apr 2005, 04:33

Following email correspondence confirms that HKL will be releasing Ringo Lam's City on Fire 1&2. Kissing arse seems to help extract a response from HKL.

I haven't even seen a Ringo Lam flick yet (But am very keen to).

HKL rep wrote:To: *EvaUnit02*
Subject: RE: Suggestions
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2005 14:57:07 -0000

Dear *EvaUnit02*,

Thank-you for your interest in Hong Kong Legends.

I am happy to let you know that we will be releasing the first 3 the
titles you mentioned so: City on Fire, Prison on Fire, Prison on Fire
2, we unfortunately do not have the rights to the remainder.

The release dates have yet to be confirmed but it will probably be
around May this year.

Best Regards
Zita

*EvaUnit02* wrote:From: *EvaUnit02*
Sent: 18 January 2005 04:55
To: products@hongkonglegends.co.uk
Subject: Suggestions

Hi,
I recently bought your Once a Thief and Bullet in the Head DVDs (and
have The Killer on the way), and they are excellent DVDs. I'd like to
commend you all for putting together such incredible discs. My
favourite extras have got to be the great Bey Logan commentaries.

Could you please consider licensing some of the better Ringo Lam
movies? Excellent films like City on Fire, Prison on Fire, Prison on
Fire 2, School on Fire, Burning Paradise and Full Alert haven't
received the DVD treatment that does them any justice.

Regards,
*EvaUnit02*

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 22 Apr 2005, 11:28

Grr I didnt get a response from Brian when I wrote to him.

Maybe I should of said "HKL are great...?

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 22 Apr 2005, 13:26

EvaUnit02 wrote:5.1 remixes I've heard from major Hollywood studio releases have kicked arse (eg the DD5.1 remix on Paramount's Once Upon a Time in the West SE and MGM's Terminator 1).

Agreed. Major studios spend lots of ca$h on their releases which are worked upon by field experts. Asian distributors just ask the local pizza delivery boy.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 22 Apr 2005, 22:05

I thought the Hard Boiled remix on the Mei Ah DVD was decent.