The Madman Asian Eastern Eye/Director's Suite Thread!

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 08 Aug 2005, 09:09

Madman are bringing out Kitano's Hana-bi (aka Fireworks) under the Madman Cinema "Director's Suite" range rather than Eastern Eye for some reason. If they're trying to establish themselves as the Criterion/Eureka of R4, wouldn't something like Dolls be a more appropriate choice? (I guess, I've only seen Zatoichi.)

Out Sept 21st.

Features:-
-30 minute documentary: The Making Of Hana-bi
-Trailer
-Madman Propaganda
-Insert Essay by Henrik Sylow
- 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 08 Aug 2005, 10:26

Bar the 5.1 remix it doesn't look all that special. I suspect the Making Of. is the same as found on many other releases.

It could of course have amazing AV, oh wait we're not talking CT here

EvaUnit02 wrote:Madman are bringing out Kitano's Hana-bi (aka Fireworks) under the Madman Cinema "Director's Suite" range rather than Eastern Eye for some reason.

What is more strange when you consider the other Kitano films are under the Eastern Eye label???

Madman Propaganda

LOL . What a way to describe trailers.

If they're trying to establish themselves as the Criterion/Eureka of R4, wouldn't something like Dolls be a more appropriate choice?

Why? Hana-bi has won lots of awards and was the first film to break it internationally big style.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 25 Aug 2005, 20:38

Does anyone have a clue what this is? - " Ong Bak 8 DVD Shipper - Box Only":

http://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalo ... ethod=view

I may post at the Madman boards to ask.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Updates:

Retail:

* Score 1 - Will have Japanese DD2.0, Theatrical Trailer + Photo Gallery

* The Grudge 2

Released - 10/11/2005

UNCUT
Anamorphic 1.85:1
Japanese DTS or DD5.1
Removable English subtitles
Extras:
Making of.
Storyboard Comparison
Original Trailers
Candid Camera (Hidden Egg)
NOTE: Premier Asia have the UK rights to this but no release date (2006 when the American sequel comes out no doubt).

* Ring: The Spiral (aka Spiral aka Rasen)

Released - 23/11/2005

UNCUT
Anamorphic 1.85:1
Japanese DD5.1 or Japanese DTS
Removable English subtitles
Extras:
Original Trailers
NOTE: This is NOT an NTSC to PAL transfer - It's FILM to PAL!

ArtsMagic have the UK rights, review here. It's hard to say extras (UK R2) OR DTS (R4). I'd go with the R4 personally!

Shame the film is supposed to be utter drivel, strange choice therefore for DTS. Universal have the US right but nothing more is known yet, see here.

Rental:

* Born to Fight

Released - 16/11/2005

UNCUT
Anamorphic 1.85:1
Thai DD5.1
Removable English subtitles
Extras:
Making of.
Deleted Scene
3D Animatic Comparisons
Original Trailers
Stills Gallery
NOTE: Momentum Asia have the UK rights to this but no release date. Rated 18 and uncut at the BBFC for it's Theatrical run on the 29/07/2005. Many e-tailors are saying the 24/10/2005 including 'Play', see here.

Who list:

Thai DD5.1 or Thai DTS
English subtitles
Extras:
Cast and crew interviews
On the set of Born To Fight
The cast of Born To Fight
Thai cinema article
Original Trailer

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 26 Aug 2005, 10:37

From the ever useful Chris at Madman:

Regarding Spiral:

Yes, it's uncropped 1.85:1 anamorphic - a first for a Western release of this film (ie. not cropped to 1.78:1). It's also a nice film-PAL transfer.

Born To Fight is November rental.

Regarding Born to Fight:

1.85:1 anamorphic. As far as I know there is only one cut of this film. ie. We'll be releasing the same cut that was released in Thailand. DTS maybe.

Ring: The Spiral is November direct-to-retail.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 26 Aug 2005, 15:03

Sad to say the picture on the R4 Ong Bak wasnt too good for me, a lot of bad compression effects its like lego in some shots

on the whole its fine, but not the cleanest transfer either.

and the sound effects sucked, it acctually got on my nerves as the sound effects didnt even make any noises at all when people were getting kicked! all the punches and kicks sounded bad,like people were hitting pads and not punch and kick noises I remember in the UK cinema version, and really them bad sound effects spoiled the film a lot for me, I was gutted where were all the great noises with impact and force?

I saw it in the cinema and loved it, the dvd just didnt make an impression on me, except it made me see all the flaws to the film, like the appauling over padding people were wearing under their cloths! I am stunned I never saw the shocking amount of padding they were wearing, some people look twise the size they were sporting soo much padding on arms, legs and esspecially backs and fronts!

and the doubles used at times are also a big thing for me, the final fight was embaresing to watch as its obviously not the stars at all, and the constant shifting to a double in plain sight just takes me wayy out of the film.

I have now knocked half a star off the film and its only 3.5 now, as really the flaws were in my face, a shame.

I will hope to hear the PA UK dvd has sound effects which dont sound like children playing games in the school yard, as really its suposed to be hard fighting, not soft and it does dramatrically lessen every blow you see on screen.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 26 Aug 2005, 23:24

romerojpg wrote:Sad to say the picture on the R4 Ong Bak wasnt too good for me, a lot of bad compression effects its like lego in some shots on the whole its fine, but not the cleanest transfer either.

Sadly Madman aren't the best at video encoding, it wasn't helped by having two versions of the film on one DVD. Musa R4 while decent also could be much better, but then again so could the Korean R3 only the UK PA is really any good.

I hear Princess Blade isn't much better. That said as Ong Bak and Princess Blade aren't bettered elsewhere it's not like we have any choice.

romerojpg wrote: and the sound effects sucked, it acctually got on my nerves as the sound effects didnt even make any noises at all when people were getting kicked! all the punches and kicks sounded bad,like people were hitting pads and not punch and kick noises I remember in the UK cinema version, and really them bad sound effects spoiled the film a lot for me, I was gutted where were all the great noises with impact and force?

Do you reckon it could be that HKL improved the sound effects when re-scoring it or it's a bad DD5.1 track?

What do you think of the original musical score? I have no problem with it but haven't heard the re-score. I'm happy with my English subbed bootleg tbh. The film while enjoyable really isn't anything special.

I'm looking forward to seeing 'Born to Fight' though. I hope the UK date is correct.

romerojpg wrote:I saw it in the cinema and loved it, the dvd just didnt make an impression on me, except it made me see all the flaws to the film, like the appauling over padding people were wearing under their cloths!

You seem to be the only person to notice these things. The same happened on FOL for you right, which has grown on me over the years. Not a patch on OUATIC1-2 or Hero.

As for padding what do you expect? It's common and especially when otherwise serious injury could occur. How you managed to notice it is beyond me!

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 15 Sep 2005, 12:06

A couple recent reviews:-
Breaking News. The disc sounds cracking:- Film>PAL transfer, DTS and exclusive 18min Johnnie To Q&A.

Ong-Bak. I have this but I haven't had time to watch it yet. From the couple scenes I did sample of the Thai cut the transfer looks adequate enough for me, I'm not bothering with the PA release. Still Madman should've done a 3-disc release with both cuts occupying individual DVD9's and possibly having DTS too.

Killer Meteor · Post by **Killer Meteor** » 15 Sep 2005, 16:35

Eastern Eye does seem to rely on NTSC-PAL transfers, which isn't a good thing in my book

degeneration · Post by **degeneration** » 15 Sep 2005, 17:03

romerojpg wrote:
and the sound effects sucked, it acctually got on my nerves as the sound effects didnt even make any noises at all when people were getting kicked! all the punches and kicks sounded bad,like people were hitting pads and not punch and kick noises I remember in the UK cinema version, and really them bad sound effects spoiled the film a lot for me, I was gutted where were all the great noises with impact and force?

That's what the Thai release was like as well, so think it was a problem with the original Thai audio not the Madman release....

This is what I wrote in my review of the Thai DVD... "In the fight scenes, however, a lot of the impact sounds came across as being rather muted. Compared to everything else going on, they were definitely too quiet, and this also ruined the apparent power of the fighting."

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 15 Sep 2005, 20:07

Mmmm the strange thing is when I play the R4 Ong Bak on my TV! it sounds really great and powerfull punches etc...! so it can work, then I try it thru my sound system and its not half as good

very strange, I could maybe pump up my Sub FULL, but thats silly and then the music would be defning bass, it could vary on everyone system I guess?

and hey I will be getting the Premiere Asia version as realy the Uncut Thaio R4 versions picture sucks compared to the R4 French cut! the difference is massive! I compared a few scenes and its a joke, why not just use the frech cleaned up transfer! and add them few cut scenes from the thai, as really its stupid

PA may well have a great transfer, compared to the Thai R4 cut I am sure they will.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 16 Sep 2005, 13:57

Ivan Drago wrote:Eastern Eye does seem to rely on NTSC-PAL transfers, which isn't a good thing in my book

Pretty much I'm guessing 80% of Madman's releases are NTSC-PAL transfers. I can now recognise the bloody things even when watching it on an interlaced telly (it can do 480p, but my primary DVD player only has s-video.

)

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 18 Sep 2005, 19:45

just watched the premier asia version of ong-bak,superb picture quality and i quite liked the new score.transfer is much better than the region 4.and the english dub is pure comedy gold

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 14 Oct 2005, 13:37

Isn't the R4 Luc Besson cut edge enhancement heaven? It is on the R2 French.

Ivan Drago wrote:Eastern Eye does seem to rely on NTSC-PAL transfers, which isn't a good thing in my book

They're getting better. Many have PAL to Film transfers.

romerojpg wrote:Mmmm the strange thing is when I play the R4 Ong Bak on my TV! it sounds really great and powerfull punches etc...! so it can work, then I try it thru my sound system and its not half as good very strange, I could maybe pump up my Sub FULL, but thats silly and then the music would be defning bass, it could vary on everyone system I guess?/quote]
That's not surprising your main system will be able to pick up noises/effects your smaller TV won't be able to.

Just like bigger screen showing video problems a smaller TV won't be able to.

I'm sure the PA DVD will be much better, pity they rescored it. I'm surprised most people don't seem to mind. You cut 1s out and get uproar but change the whole film and it's okay.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 14 Oct 2005, 13:48

Isn't the R4 Luc Besson cut edge enhancement heaven? It is on the R2 French.

Ivan Drago wrote:Eastern Eye does seem to rely on NTSC-PAL transfers, which isn't a good thing in my book

They're getting better. Many have PAL to Film transfers.

romerojpg wrote:Mmmm the strange thing is when I play the R4 Ong Bak on my TV! it sounds really great and powerfull punches etc...! so it can work, then I try it thru my sound system and its not half as good very strange, I could maybe pump up my Sub FULL, but thats silly and then the music would be defning bass, it could vary on everyone system I guess?

That's not surprising your main system will be able to pick up noises/effects your smaller TV won't be able to.

Just like bigger screen showing video problems a smaller TV won't be able to.

I'm sure the PA DVD will be much better, pity they rescored it. I'm surprised most people don't seem to mind. You cut 1s out and get uproar but change the whole film and it's okay.

EvaUnit02 wrote:A couple recent reviews:-
Breaking News. The disc sounds cracking:- Film>PAL transfer, DTS and exclusive 18min Johnnie To Q&A.

Great.

I hope the interview is more exclusive than the exclusive 2046 interview (cheeky gits).

slasher13 · Post by **slasher13** » 14 Oct 2005, 14:40

I'm quite happy with the r4 Ong Bak. The picture quality is not great, but its not too bad either. I like to see the movie as it was filmed originally, so rescoring is a no no for me.
Premium Asia have said that the director has approved the new source

This was in a newsletter which i can't find at the moment

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 25 Oct 2005, 18:58

slasher13 wrote:Premium Asia have said that the director has approved the new source

Really?

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 25 Oct 2005, 19:20

Cool, I didnt know that Slasher, although even if its true PA could be saying that to try and shut people up who may be disatisfied with the new score (I havent heard it BTW).

slasher13 · Post by **slasher13** » 25 Oct 2005, 20:06

Yeah it's in Hong Kong Legend Direct - Issue 7 September 2005 Newsletter

On Page 5, here is a direct quote from the newsletter

With the approval of director Prachya Pinchaew, we have created a special enhanced version of Ong Bak for our UK DVD release, which is not available anywhere else in the world.

I will try to scan it for everyone. Will upload it soon for you.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 25 Oct 2005, 20:35

Not much to update really. It's a bit piss poor:

Updates:

Retail:

* Sanshiro Sugata - Japanese Mono, Deleted Scenes - 12 mins (restored from Russian archival print) + Photo gallery
* Zatoichi in Desperation - Photo Gallery - 25/01/2006
* Weather Woman - Japanese or English dub - 07/12/2005
* Weather Woman Returns - Japanese or English dub - 07/12/2005

Rental:

The Eye 2

Released - 14/12/2005

UNCUT
Anamorphic 1.85:1
Cantonese DD5.1 or DTS
Removable English subtitles
Extras:
Making of THE EYE 2
Alternative Ending
Original Trailers
Stills Gallery

NOTE: The Tartan UK R2 doesn't have the Alternative Ending, otherwise they're the same. The Eastern Eye cover art is much better though!

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 25 Oct 2005, 20:58

I've placed Spiral and Breaking News on to page 1.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 25 Oct 2005, 21:44

Weather Woman?

I've never heard of that Kurosawa film (Sanshiro Sugata), I might like to see the Zatoichi one to see how it compares with 2003's Zatoichi.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 25 Oct 2005, 22:17

WEATHERWOMAN

and the sequel

look nice from the cover alone!

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 25 Oct 2005, 22:19

The Zatoichi films are very cheap elsewhere and super dvds too you can get them for a few pound each the Region 1 dvds, so dont bother with R4. I have about 9 left to watch from the last batch I bought.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 26 Oct 2005, 00:44

How many Zatoichi films are there? Flipping hundreds it seems.

Any duds or are they all good?

grim_tales wrote:Weather Woman?
I've never heard of that Kurosawa film

You are joking right? Do they look like Kurosawa films?

romerojpg wrote:WEATHERWOMAN and the sequel look nice from the cover alone!

I know but I bet they're really rubbish in reality.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 26 Oct 2005, 08:57

Brad when I said "that Kurosawa film" I was talking about Shanshiro Sugata not Weather Woman (should of been clearer). My bad