David Cornelius's excellent review of "Tickets" by Facets Video does have me concerned about one thing. Is it possible that Facets has finally seen the light and are releasing quality products in terms of video transfers:

The anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) presentation is spotless, effortlessly translating the film's soft, hushed visuals.
http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read....=24078&___rd=1

Has anyone else on the forum seen this DVD and can confirm the quality of this transfer?

It is better if David diretly answers your question but I actually have the Facets disc in my hands which arrived by way of another site and it does appear to be a PAL-port.

Ciao,
Pro-B

As I haven't seen too many Facets DVD releases before this one, I can't really say how it compares to previous discs. But yeah, Tickets looks pretty solid.

I would, however, like to see Pro-B's take on the disc, just out of curiosity.

I know that allot of us on the Forum regard certain DVD productions companies as lepers. After being burned a couple of times, we tend to completely disregard their releases, even if it is a film that we are passionate about. Facets is high up on the list of untouchables, but this might be unfair.

There are many smaller companies that seem to be getting better releases, a case in point might be New Yorker's DVD's of the Peter Watkins films or the silent films by Flicker Alley. Then there are the middle size companies like Kino that we keep praying for better releases. I don't think these companies realized how popular DVD's would be consumed by the public, and how savvy we have become. But when a company that had been releasing a mediocre product all of a sudden sees the light, I think it is important for us on the Forum to recognize that....wow, they really care about the product and the consumer, and I will start purchasing their DVD's ....but once bitten, twice shy...........

I was considering purchasing Facets "Damnation", but then again, I just don't trust them.

The disc does indeed look good...but it only looks that way.

David please do not take my words as being harsh or insulting or anything of that nature!! But my copy is 100% a PAL-port as there is a huge amount of "ghosting" present (look for youself "pause" the image if you play your DVDs on a computer...and you will see how muddy it is). On my TV it is even easier to notice it right away.

I would assume that the print Facets used was lifted from another R2 disc.

Ciao,
Pro-B

Thank you Pro B. for your examination of the disc, it is very much appreciated.

David, I really thought your review was excellent and well written, thanks!

I probably couldn't tell the difference on my 32" tube TV, but I do plan on upgrading my monitor eventually, so I am going to pass on this disc as well as Facets "Damnation" as I am sure it is a PAL-port. A better disc will come out, and I do have a region free player.

Sometimes I will purchase a poor quality DVD, because it is rare, and I might never be able to see it. Last night I watched a mediocre disc, but I'm glad I own it because it is a treasure. It is Bunuel's "El Bruto", one of his Mexican melodramas. I only paid $10 for it, but I doubt if it will get a release from a better DVD production company,....but to spend $20 on the Facet's DVDs',....I think I will have to pass.

Thanks Guys!

Why, I never! *storms out in a huff, slamming door behind*

I actually appreciate the second opinion, mainly because a title like this, with its intentionally grainy feel, is tricky to properly gauge. I took the softer, "muddier" image to be more in tune with the film's intended look and not a problem with the transfer itself. If you think this is more a problem with the transfer, I'll take your word for it. (Damn you, artistic-minded filmmakers!!) I'm updating the review accordingly.

I don't see the ghosting on either my TV or computer, but then, your eyes may be sharper than mine on something like that.