PopcornTreeCt

I want to get this as its supposed to coming out on Tuesday and I was wondering if the whole NTSC vs PAL transfer debate had been cleared up. It doesn't look like there any DVD Talk reviews but have there been any from other websites?

cfloyd3

On this very forum Tim Hinsley announced that the date was being moved back two weeks and it is now being released on the 21st of September. I personally have it pre-ordered at digitaleyes, looking forward to it.

PopcornTreeCt

Oh I see, so I guess there aren't any reviews then.

Damfino

^ bump

How about now, are there any reviews yet?

jough

Yeah, it comes out next week already!

Were no review copies sent to DVD Talk or the Bits?

nonametofame

Just picked up my copy today at virgin megastore......Wasn't it supposed to be out today? Haven't had time to open and view it, but it looks like a pretty nice set.

Damfino

the release date was changed to 9/21, so Virgin broke street date.

any comments would be appreciated.

hulka

After seeing nonametofame's post, I visited my local Virgin Megastore. It had two copies of La Dolce Vita on the shelf. While purchasing the DVD, the clerk behind the counter informed me that he was glad Criterion had finally released La Dolce Vita on DVD. After sitting in rush hour traffic for approximately 45 minutes, I did not have the heart to correct his statement. I have only watched the first 3 minutes of the film thus far (I have not seen it in five years), but I nevertheless wanted to chime in with my first impressions. Both the video and audio seem pretty damn good. Granted, I only have a 27 inch television (although for what it’s worth, my set is properly calibrated). Moreover, I cannot compare this set to the region 2 Italian edition because I do not own it (although I have seen Gary's screen captures). In any event, the first thing that struck me were the yellow subtitles. The aforementioned is merely a pet peeve of mine. Not only do I loathe yellow subtitles, but I particularly loathe said subtitles when they are placed on luscious black and white cinematography. However, yellow subtitles are definately not that big of a deal.

P.S. If anyone has any specific questions about the set, please feel free to ask me. I hope that we see some reviews soon. I am interested to know what Gary Tooze of dvdbeaver thinks of this set when compared with the Medusa edition.

Spiral Staircase

I just took a few screencaps using PowerDVD so that I could compare them to the shots on DVDBeaver. They are very close to the Medusa set. The blacks are deep and the contrast is excellent just like the Medusa set. The Koch disc seems slightly brighter. I am sure that DVDBeaver will issue a comprehensive comparison in the near future.
I listened to half of the commentary earlier tonight. I was not very impressed as I feared would be the case. I was willing to give Schickel another chance after listening to his various comments on the Hitchcock set, but for La Dolce Vita he primarily states the obvious.

FYI - Many Borders stores seem to have the set out already. You can check the inventory of your local store online. My local Borders stores were inundated with them. It is packaged in a nice double Alpha case like the kind used by Criterion for most of their two disc sets.

Coral

starecase,

can you share those screenshots with us?

Do you notice any issues that usually come from a PAL transfer?

slop101

Booo to yellow subtitles.

whynotsmile

why? they stand out more than white

FreshOne

White subtitles look much more elegant, especially over a b&w film. Yellow is ugly. I haven't seen a DVD with white subs that were hard to read.

Coral

I have to say, I prefer yellow subtitles myself.

I dont have a problem with white UNTIL the background is white - then it's hard to see.

I had a tough time reading the white subtitles on some scenes yesterday at a showing of The Motorcycle Diaries. I missed a few words because of it.

I wish there was a way to give consumers a choice with the push of a button.

Spiral Staircase

I am also disappointed by the yellow subtitles.


Here are a few screencaps. Some of them are as close to the shots on DVDBeaver as I could capture. The others are different shots. I may post more later.

slop101

Looks good to me - now all's left is to see it in motion (and to hear it).

Coral

Thanks for posting them starcase.

They do look very nice. Very similar to the ones posted at DVDBeaver... but the size difference can be a factor as well.

Any issues with blurring when in motion?

slop101

Not if they do them right by having a tiny black border around the letters - Criterion always does it right - here's an example from I, Vitelloni:

Spiral Staircase

Here are a few more captures. I tried to include some that take place during moments of motion.

unclehulot

I'm not in love with yellow subtitles either, but geez, if they offend, just turn the color down on the set.

thanks for all the screen grabs!

cfloyd3

I am pretty excited to see the screenshots thank you starecase. I got a shipping confirmation on La Dolce Vita yesterday so I anxiously await this one in the mail. The yellow subtitles are somewhat of a downer just because they just don't look as classy as what Criterion does with their subs. Oh well, it is the film that matters.