Bullets 'n' Babes

@ Eva: I've found out there are actually two R1 Dolls DVDs:

1. Canadian R1 from Seville, this is the version on DVD Beaver which is a DVD-5 and PAL-NTSC.
2. USA R1: The version I have and from Palm pictures, while the colours are a bit muted it's otherwise perfectly fine. It's definitely Native-NTSC, exhibiting none of the PAL-NTSC issues the Canadian Pianist R1 does.

It also has different menus, cover art (not greatly of course), just English subs (Canadian R1 has French too) and DD5.1 + DD2.0, Canadian R1 has just DD2.0. It's also a DVD-9 (checking 7.12Gb worth) and has a fair selection of interviews.

I remember the colours being muted but don't rememberer it being a mess, this is why it's not the same DVD.

Going by the DVD Beaver comparison I still reckon the R4 easily looks the best (better than the Japanese IMO) and as it also has DD5.1, it's the winner IMO. For me I don't think it's better enough to get over my R1.

Removed:

Quiet family

While the 2 Disc UK R2 was oddly withdrawn the R1 is still easily available (with more extras than the R4 including Director's Commentary).

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* Is Master of the Flying Guillotine the best world-wide? If so why? I'd like to add it to the first post.

* Any ideas why Hidden is 2 Discs? It only has one more extras, is it really that long to need a second disc?

* Are there any other titles I should add as they're considered the world's best? Such as Master of the Flying Guillotine.

As long as they're Asian I'd like to add them. I don't follow anime or titles such as Godzilla/Lady Snowblood so need someone to tell me they should be added & why?

bradavon wrote:Removed:
* Is Master of the Flying Guillotine the best world-wide? If so why? I'd like to add it to the first post.[/b]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've seen it mentioned in couple of places that the DVD uses the new soundtrack created by First Films to get around buying the rights to the old soundtrack from Can. If this is so, while the image is better than over versions, this is not the best version of the film. The soundtrack adds so much to the film that it would really take the DVD down a notch or two IMO.

Which is the best then? I' not an old school fan so don't have a clue. I'm only interested as I'd like to keep the first post up to date.

There are titles on that first page that do not belong there, as they are clearly not the best DVD releases of the films in question. For instance the R2 Masters of Cinema release of Kwaidan is clearly superior to the Madman, the fact you are aware of this Brad and have not removed Kwaidan from that list proves that this thread isn't about which are the best releases, it's about the titles you want to pimp out and hype up.

What a complete waste of everyone's time!

Are you being serious? If so firstly there is no need to be so insulting, secondly pimp out WTF? Thirdly like lots of things it's all very subjective.

Of course the UK R2 is also very good but no I don't believe it better more so equal. The R4 is also very good, more to the point I'm not going to remove a title because another DVD is minutely better or even slightly better. It needs to actually be of good worth better. If you get what I mean.

* Picture Quality and how good vs. bad or how it compares to another is VERY subjective. What to you is bad is perfectly fine to another.
* Please list the ones you disagree with (and any which should be on there but aren't) so at least I know.
* Kwaidan stays, I and others disagree the UK R2 is superior. I've mentioned the UK R2 is very good too but will make it clearer.

Shingster wrote:What a complete waste of everyone's time!

Don't use it then, no one is forcing you. The website is free, the listing is free. If you really wish I can pm you with lots of examples of being thanking me for the list. Just look at LD and Bisc's recent replies.

If I were to buy Kwaidan, I'd probably get the UK R2 but that's just like my opinion man.

And that's perfectly fine.

I clearly say the R4 is not the only choice but I flatly refuse to remove a DVD from a list because one user claims it's sooo much better it has to go.

Like I said picture quality is very subjective. Yes fine if one is wildly better than the other but when we're talking a smaller degree of difference it's very different + subjective.

For example: Musa

The DVD is NTSC-PAL, clearly stated. Some may say it must immediately be removed. I disagree it's the ONLY uncut DVD in the world with decent English subs.

Hidden extras are up and boy it's a nice looking DVD:

There are 3 extras, appearing on the 2nd disc:

- Making of (50 mins)
- Interview (57 mins)
- 24 Realities Per Second... (58 mins)

2.5 hours of extras for a foreign language film is very good. Considerably more than the 55 minutes found on the R1/UK R2 (Interviews 25 minutes, behind-the-scenes 30 minutes).

The UK R2 can be bought for about £8 if you look around the R4 is £12, you decide.

Source: http://madboards.madman.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=23195

bradavon wrote:Are you being serious? If so firstly there is no need to be so insulting, secondly pimp out WTF? Thirdly like lots of things it's all very subjective.

Of course the UK R2 is also very good but no I don't believe it better more so equal. The R4 is also very good, more to the point I'm not going to remove a title because another DVD is minutely better or even slightly better. It needs to actually be of good worth better. If you get what I mean.

* Picture Quality and how good vs. bad or how it compares to another is VERY subjective. What to you is bad is perfectly fine to another.
* Please list the ones you disagree with (and any which should be on there but aren't) so at least I know.
* Kwaidan stays, I and others disagree the UK R2 is superior. I've mentioned the UK R2 is very good too but will make it clearer.

You know which ones I disagree with, I have told you about them more than once before & clearly stated why they are not the "best" releases, you just choose to ignore anything anyone tells you about Madman's DVDs for some really bizarre reason - I mean it's not like you work for their PR firm, although they should pay you for all the lip service you give the company.

But seriously, you're the one who decides what titles get included, so basically this thread is "Which DVDs does Bradavon think are the best (wihich basically means: Which ones provide decent transfers while costing less)", and this is the major malfunction of this thread.

Ok what I say now I am saying without prejudice and without an intention to be personally insulting, but I can speak in my capacity as a DVD reviewer for DVDtimes & for my fellow reviewers who have had the misfortune to have their opinions on DVDs totally contradicted by your comments, that you have ZERO, ZILCH, technical insight into what makes a good DVD transfer - nor is there any consistency in the transfers you like and dislike. As I implied earlier your opinions are usualy determined by how much the DVDs cost.

For the people, such as myself, who have bothered to read everything they can find on the technical process of creating a DVD transfer, what are common video artifacts, what can DNR do to image detail, or what colour remastering can do to the intended look of the film, etc, so they can provide an informed opinion to their readership, it really takes the piss to have someone as clueless as you talking back like you're an authority on the subject.

Case in point: DVDBeaver Kwaidan Comparison. Anyone who has a fucking clue about DVD transfers can see that the UK & AUS DVDs have almost certainly been struck from the same masters, but the UK exhibits far, far richer colours. In a film like Kwaidan - which is driven by its distinctive cinematography - this is a big deal indeed.

Now, this is not the first time I have stated this to you Brad, the last time was when you had the nerve to post after Noel Megahy's DVDTimes review trying to persuade readers to buy the R4 DVD because "it's just as good", which essentially draws people away from the click through links to the R2 DVD that DVDtimes fucking depends on for some much needed income!

trying to persuade readers to buy the R4 DVD because "it's just as good", which essentially draws people away from the click through links to the R2 DVD that DVDtimes fucking depends on for some much needed income!

DVD Times' financial troubles are of no concern to us.
If there is a cheaper version available (AND if quality is pretty much the same), then it's our duty to inform the readers.

If you want to mislead the readers and make them buy more expensive discs, then you and your DVD Times friends can go straight to Hell.
(and when you get there, tell Satan that Tom2681 sent you. He's an old friend of mine)

Shingster wrote:basically this thread is "Which DVDs does Bradavon think are the best (wihich basically means: Which ones provide decent transfers while costing less)"

Exactly. Brad said it himself:

Bradavon wrote:On this thread I'll list Eastern Eye's (Region 4) decent titles, which are not bettered else where.

Shingster wrote:Case in point: DVDBeaver Kwaidan Comparison. Anyone who has a fucking clue about DVD transfers can see that ... the UK exhibits far, far richer colours.

Yep. Way too much, in fact.
There's too much red in most of the caps, which creates an unavoidable loss of detail (look at the first subtitle sample).

Shingster wrote:you have ZERO, ZILCH, technical insight into what makes a good DVD transfer

Yeah, that's because he's spent too much time reading DVD Times reviews.
The people over there have no clue either.

Come on guys... let's all forget this flimflam and all get along now....

No way.
I ain't gonna let some guy come in and ruin Brad's thread for no reason.

I want blood... or some kind of half-arsed apology.

Disclaimer further amended to be more clear:

On this thread I'll list Madman's Eastern Eye/Director's Suite (Region 4) decent titles, which are not bettered else where.

If it's not mentioned whether it's NTSC-PAL or Film-PAL/Native-PAL it means I don't know.

Please be aware it's NOT a definitive list but I'd like to make it definitive so please post any updates, corrections or missing Asian Madman titles!

tom2681 wrote:No way.
I ain't gonna let some guy come in and ruin Brad's thread for no reason.

Thanks Tom, it's appreciated.

Shingster wrote:You know which ones I disagree with, I have told you about them more than once before & clearly stated why they are not the "best" releases

Pretend I missed it for a second (because I honestly don't know) and tell me again?

Shingster wrote:you just choose to ignore anything anyone tells you about Madman's DVDs for some really bizarre reason

You're mistaken Musa mentions it's NTSC-PAL because someone on Bullets told me, as did Seven Samurai (before I removed it completely).

Shingster wrote:But seriously, you're the one who decides what titles get included, so basically this thread is "Which DVDs does Bradavon think are the best

Fair point and let me tell you why:

1. Because I'm the one updating it
2. Because being frank Eva is basically the ONLY person who assists with updating it

Have you even read the first post? I specifically say "it's NOT a definitive list".

I'm not going to remove Kwaidan (or any other) completely because another DVD happens to also be good or one person thinks it's a mess. I will however add that another DVD is also worth considering, which I've done. If I were to remove every title because it has X or Y flaw there wouldn't be any DVDs left.

Shingster wrote:As I implied earlier your opinions are usualy determined by how much the DVDs cost.

Are you telling me you pay zero attention to how much a DVD costs? Because sorry every else does. If two DVDs are virtually the same but one costs twice the price it's worth mentioning. I never mention it as the sole reason though, that's bollocks.

Shingster wrote:but I can speak in my capacity as a DVD reviewer for DVDtimes & for my fellow reviewers.

I'm well aware there are a couple of DVD Times reviewers who like picking childish jabs (a couple of bad eggs in another nice bunch of people), at me I guess you're one of them, to use your words "case in point": http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=62896

Shingster wrote:but I can speak in my capacity as a DVD reviewer for DVDtimes & for my fellow reviewers who have had the misfortune to have their opinions on DVDs totally contradicted by your comments

Why provide a comments section if you don't want users to comment?

Anyone with common sense isn't going to take a few words from a commentator as gospel vs. a full review but people do want to know the alternatives so they can make an informed decision. At the end of the day all my comments are just that my comments, no one is forcing you to read or believe them.

So in other words DVD Times reviews are there to A: Make money not B: Inform the reader what DVD to buy? Glad I know. Also like Tom said DVD Times/DVD Forums running costs are no concern of myself or Bullets. Get an affiliate with Madman if it bothers you that much.

Shingster wrote:For the people, such as myself, who have bothered to read everything they can find on the technical process of creating a DVD transfer, what are common video artifacts, what can DNR do to image detail, or what colour remastering can do to the intended look of the film, etc, so they can provide an informed opinion to their readership, it really takes the piss to have someone as clueless as you talking back like you're an authority on the subject.

Woopy doo for you. I have eyes and ears too you know and therefore am allowed as much you to air my opinion on which "I" think looks better.

Shingster wrote:Now, this is not the first time I have stated this to you Brad

And I'm sure you'll continue to do so.

Shingster wrote: the last time was when you had the nerve to post after Noel Megahy's DVDTimes review trying to persuade readers to buy the R4 DVD because "it's just as good"

If you actually bothered to read my comments instead of picking holes where it suites you you would've seen seen I also said: "Agreed the UK R2 is better but vastly I don't think so. Both have very good transfers, the UK R2 is just better."

Shingster wrote:Case in point: DVDBeaver Kwaidan Comparison. Anyone who has a fucking clue about DVD transfers can see that the UK & AUS DVDs have almost certainly been struck from the same masters, but the UK exhibits far, far richer colours.

So let me get this straight because "you" believe the UK DVD is sooo much better then it has to be? Right O-Kay. The fact you're using DVD Beaver in a way to say it's accurate contradicts what you said about "knowing so much about the DVD process".

I happen to disagree that while yes the UK R2 is sharper, it's also too red (added by Eureka), it's also and the is an important: You're talking in absolutes, I have a real problem with people saying DVD X is shit because it has this fault or that fault.

Yes the Eureka is better but "that" much better I think not. The R4 (which incidentally ordinarily is more expensive than the UK R2, blowing your cost vs. quality argument right out of the water) is uncut, anamorphic, comes from a new master, progressive, native-pal, not cropped, has decent subs. I'm willing to bet those are high on people's wants lists before your perceived massive improvement in picture quality.

My comments are solely based on what I consider acceptable, you maybe surprised to hear this but a lot of DVD collectors aren't half as finicky as others are.

Because a DVD isn't "perfect" (something I don't think is possible and only leads to very finicky people never being happy) it doesn't make it immediately shit. If you really wanted to you could pick holes with 95% of DVDs for some reason or another. The problem is your collection would then amount to a dozen DVDs.

For example I consider some of the Tartan NTSC-PAL DVDs acceptable. I'm not going to not buy one because you may have an issue with it. You've also not done your homework if you had you would find I commented lots on Madman's treatment of Volcano High, a complete mess of a DVD.

At the end of the day I'm allowed my opinion just as much as you are, sorry if you don't like it but deal with it.

Now back on topic I'd still like to add any anime, old school titles etc... that aren't on the first post.

tom2681 wrote:No way.
I ain't gonna let some guy come in and ruin Brad's thread for no reason.

I want blood... or some kind of half-arsed apology.

Don't hold your breath

Updated to include info on Sonatine R1 and Boiling Point Korean DVDs, both also decent. I started to add info on every other DVD but it quickly god very confusing (such as all the decent Dolls DVDs).

That's not what this thread is for (i.e - the definitive answer).

When 2 DVDs are *about* the same but one is much cheaper I'll get the cheaper one - whats wrong with that Shingster?
The cheapest UK "Kwaidan" according to DVD Pricecheck (OK sometimes they are off with their prices) is £13.35 - the R4 cost about £4 including postage.

I'm happy with what I bought

*Checking Transfers at DVD Beaver*

Whoa, the MOC release definitely has stronger colours.

BTW, love the Puss in Boots picture Tom, cute

I think everyone has valid opinions, but I think it's a mistake (and ironic) to use technical credentials to precede a "case in point" involving an entirely subjective issue of colour saturation. Most commercial market punters probably would like their colour saturation boosted but it just comes down to what one prefers. Any argument to try say increased colour saturation is more correct or faithful to the original film stock is pointless and a "complete waste of everyone's time! "

Shingster wrote:but I can speak in my capacity as a DVD reviewer for DVDtimes

Wait right there, are you Kevin Gilvear?

No, I think Moldiver (anyone remember him?) maybe Kevin. Shingster's real first name is Matt (AFAIK)

Moldiver is indeed Kevin Gilvear still does his review stuff.

Matt who?

memetic wrote:I think everyone has valid opinions, but I think it's a mistake (and ironic) to use technical credentials to precede a "case in point" involving an entirely subjective issue of colour saturation. Most commercial market punters probably would like their colour saturation boosted but it just comes down to what one prefers. Any argument to try say increased colour saturation is more correct or faithful to the original film stock is pointless and a "complete waste of everyone's time! "

Exactly, well said. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Madman General DVDs (i.e - Non Asian) now have their own thread. Please just discuss Asian films here.