Studio Canal HD-DVDs/Blu-ray Discs

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 14 May 2008, 16:46

Thanks Eva.

Agreed on Serpico. Paramount own it in most/all English speaking countries.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 14 May 2008, 17:10

RE: The Graduate. The sped-up audio is only obvious during the Simon and Garfunkel songs. If you aren't familiar with the proper recordings (like I am), then it shouldn't be an issue for most people.

(Source = myself)

I had forgotten how brilliant the editing was. Hard to believe that director also produced bile such as Angels in America, Postcards from the Edge and that Clive Owen movie that I don't recall the name of. Another now senile, formerly great filmmaker, sadly.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 14 May 2008, 17:35

EvaUnit02 wrote:RE: The Graduate. The sped-up audio is only obvious during the Simon and Garfunkel songs. If you aren't familiar with the proper recordings (like I am), then it shouldn't be an issue for most people.

Interesting. I am familiar with them. I wonder if I'd notice. I've never noticed PAL speed up before.

I thought Angels in America was supposed to be good? The Graduate is a truly marvellous film, agreed. I've seen it at least 4 times but never tire of it.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 14 May 2008, 17:44

bradavon wrote:I thought Angels in America was supposed to be good?

Have you seen it? No. I have and I thought that it was horribly-made, pontificating liberal bollocks.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 14 May 2008, 17:50

I didn't say I had seen it

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 14 May 2008, 17:54

I have no what any critics said about it, as I didn't bother looking. You have the internet, put two and two together. Metacritic would be a good start.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 16 May 2008, 14:38

HMV still can't seem to source a copy of Brotherhood of the Wolf for me.

I found this link. Blog of the DVDtimes hardware reviewer, he reckons that the HD-DVD is shit.

*Shrug* I suppose I may still pick it up if I can find it cheap. All the copies on Ebay seem to be ~£18, they can go eat a dick.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 16 May 2008, 14:58

That's a pity about the stock. Personally I'd still but it, regardless of that link.

There is these. I don't know if they're good value to New Zealand:

http://www.sendit.com/video/item/7001000131524
http://www.thehut.com/hut/8619112.product
In Stock (they ship to NZ): http://www.dvd.co.uk/DVD/Brotherhood-Of ... roduct.htm

You could always rent the DVD and there is also the 3 Disc Canadian SE, in stock at some places. It's now available in America too (the Canadian set not a local release).

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 16 May 2008, 15:01

the canadian set transfer isn't very good.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 16 May 2008, 15:20

Well Botherhood of the Wolf HD DVD looks better than any standard dvd by a mile, so its still worth it if its cheap

I am waiting to see what america does with it, as the new R1 set may bring on a nice Blu Ray set

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 16 May 2008, 15:31

romerojpg wrote:\ I am waiting to see what america does with it, as the new R1 set may bring on a nice Blu Ray set

Links please?

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 16 May 2008, 15:46

I meant the new standard dvd region 1 set announced (not the old set which was Canadian)

there is no Blu Ray, yet, but hell surley it cannot be far behind if they are bothering re-releasing the longer cut and extras ect.. in america for the first time.

http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/ ... wolf2.html

We can hope.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 16 May 2008, 17:42

Given that we know what Universal is releasing soon, the BD won't be coming for months. I doubt we'll see it this year. From a DVD point of view (excluding the PQ for a second) the 3 Disc Canadian set beats the new R1 hands down, that is presuming the PQ isn't any better.

Eva: Personally I'd get the HD-DVD or Rent it.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 25 May 2008, 01:18

Studio Canal BDs have been announced:

July 2
Les Bronzés (BRD - Studio Canal)
Les Bronzés font du ski (BRD - Studio Canal)
Les Bronzés 3 (BRD - Studio Canal)

August 5
Atonement
Rambo (BRD - Studio Canal)
Rambo 2 (BRD - Studio Canal)
Rambo 3 (BRD - Studio Canal)

September 23
Terminator 2 : le Jugement Dernier (BRD - Studio Canal)
Total Recall (BRD - Studio Canal)
Basic Instinct (BRD - Studio Canal)
Le Pacte des Loups /Brotherhood of the Wolf (BRD - Studio Canal)
Babel (BRD - Studio Canal)
Fog (John Carpenter) (BRD - Studio Canal)
Million Dollar Baby (BRD - Studio Canal)
La Grande vadrouille (BRD - Studio Canal)
The Pianist (BRD - Studio Canal)
Voyage au bout de l'enfer (BRD - Studio Canal)
La Haine (BRD - Studio Canal)
Hot Fuzz (BRD - Studio Canal)

October 2
Cliffhanger (BRD - Studio Canal)
Escape from New York (BRD - Studio Canal)
Evil Dead 2 (BRD - Studio Canal)
Stargate (BRD - Studio Canal)
Highlander (BRD - Studio Canal)

September 2
Paris (BRD - Studio Canal)

Source: http://forums.highdefdigest.com/showthread.php?t=56005

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 25 May 2008, 01:21

That would explain why many of them are up for pre-order at Play.com, with a 4th of August release date. Lets hope Studio Canal don't just re-use the HD-DVD Masters, not that there is anything wrong with them as such.

Remember for English speakers: The Pianist and Babel require English subs.

The currently announced UK titles are:

Escape From New York
Cliffhanger
They Live - I don't see this mentioned above.
Total Recall
Terminator 2
The Fog

I also spotted at Play for the same date:

Stargate
First Blood
Rambo 2
Rambo 3

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 11 Jun 2008, 01:03

UK Release news:

http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/ ... ition.html
http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/ ... ecall.html
http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/ ... t-day.html
http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/cliffhanger.html
http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/ ... york5.html
http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/the-fog4.html
http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/they-live2.html

It's great to see they're included some decent looking extras this time, all th HD-DVDs were barebones.

From the comments in some of the links:

* Chris asked Optimum and they weren't sure if they'll be Region B or Region Free.
* Chris has also said in some of the comments he guessed they only have DD5.1 as the press release actually just said 5.1.

The Fog and Escape from New York for me. I'll pick up the German T2 HD-DVD instead.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 11 Jun 2008, 02:46

My Dad imported the Stargate DC on BD (Lionsgate)

He watched the DVD and didn't notice the extra footage so I doubt he'd bother buying it again for the TC (I would, lol!)

Maybe if the image was a big improvement?

Extras... he can take or leave...

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 11 Jun 2008, 02:53

Total Recall has the DVD extras plus should have improved image (from what I've read about the Lionsgate) so I'd get that from Optimum.

T2 I expect will only have the SE so even thought the image might be improved I'll stick with the Lionsgate I've got on order. The diff between the BD and the existing HD isn't that big really.

Cliffhanger extras look pretty good, film is now uncut (still with a very lenient '15'!) but I'll wait to see what Sony come out with in the US (it's a staple title so should take too long to come out) - I'd imagine they'll retain the SE commentary. Would love to hear a newly recorded one with Stallone, though.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 11 Jun 2008, 03:17

Markgway wrote:Maybe if the image was a big improvement?

It's too early to say, if Studio Canal have just re-used the HD-DVD encodes or not.

Markgway wrote:Total Recall has the DVD extras plus should have improved image (from what I've read about the Lionsgate) so I'd get that from Optimum.

Total Recall DVD vs. HD-DVD. It mentions the USA BD too:

https://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/ ... php?t=4341

I imagine the Studio Canal BD will look the same or better to the HD-DVD.

Markgway wrote:T2 I expect will only have the SE so even thought the image might be improved I'll stick with the Lionsgate I've got on order.

Someone Googled it and the reported running time indicated the SE.

Markgway wrote:The diff between the BD and the existing HD isn't that big really.

That's open to debate. Some say there's not much in it and other say it's much better. Personally I wouldn't worry and would stick with the USA BD if I wanted the Theatrical Cut, it's a pity it only has DD5.1/DTS though. Not that that bothers you

.

Markgway wrote:Cliffhanger extras look pretty good, film is now uncut (still with a very lenient '15'!) but I'll wait to see what Sony come out with in the US (it's a staple title so should take too long to come out) - I'd imagine they'll retain the SE commentary.

If I wanted it and could play BD I wouldn't bother waiting. The UK BD already looks decent.

I'd say 15 is about right, why is it lenient?

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 11 Jun 2008, 12:05

A Single-layered disc encoded with an ancient, space-wasting codec, that uses outdated compression techniques. Not even having losslessly compressed or uncompressed audio. I'm sorry, but the T2 Lionsgate BD just screams shit at me.

FFS, just wait until Salvation comes out next year, you know that there'll be a double-dip.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 11 Jun 2008, 14:58

The USA BD is only about £6. I wouldn't wait, it won't be hard to sell on. You'll get £4-5 for it easy. There's no guarantee future releases will contain the Theatrical Cut.

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 11 Jun 2008, 15:21

Markgway wrote:My Dad imported the Stargate DC on BD (Lionsgate)

He watched the DVD and didn't notice the extra footage

What! The extra footage has substantially inferior picture quality to the rest of the film lol, I can't believe someone wouldn't even notice! The image suddenly goes all yellowy as if it had had tea poured over it and left to dry

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 12 Jun 2008, 02:49

bradavon wrote:If I wanted it and could play BD I wouldn't bother waiting. The UK BD already looks decent.

For the dir's commentary... but if I thought it would be ages for a Sony release I wouldn't wait. But, hey, it's not like a have a player right now. I'd love Sony to dig out that rare censored footage (not that I can see it happening).

I'd say 15 is about right, why is it lenient?

Have you seen the uncut version? It's brutal and sadistic stuff. Especially when Craig Fairbrass plays "soccer" with Michael Rooker's head.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 12 Jun 2008, 02:50

gasteropod wrote:What! The extra footage has substantially inferior picture quality to the rest of the film lol, I can't believe someone wouldn't even notice! The image suddenly goes all yellowy as if it had had tea poured over it and left to dry

Yeah, well my Dad isn't a geek like we all are. And it was DVD not BD where I presume the difference is more apparent.

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 12 Jun 2008, 02:55

Nah I had it on DVD, the extra scenes stick out like a sore thumb.