BAD NEWS (maybe)!!!

Gary over at DVDBeaver.com just posted this on his main page:

"2 BITS OF ZHANG YIMOU NEWS!

Beware: Initial reports state 'Razor Digital's editions of "Raise the Red Lantern" and "Ju Dou" have atrocious video. They look worse than our screen shots of the ERA and Pioneer discs'"

That's all he says, so I have no idea if this is a "Cry Wolf" situation or not.

Oh, brother! How could this be!? These films deserve better.

Dammit!

Well, I've got both of those being sent to me for review. I hope you guys are wrong... :(

If true, then a real shame. I was really looking forward to including both titles in my collection...now maybe not. Both titles deserve a full blown special edition.

If that's true, that is very depressing. I was very excited about getting this one.

Just ordered these last night, so of course this information would surface now. I hope the video quality isn't really atrocious, though. I've wanted to see Raise the Red Lantern for some time, but was holding out for a good quality version.

damn. was looking forward to finally watching this. i'll keep my fingers crossed.

I'm not surprised those 2 releases are atrocious given Razor Digital's history. I wonder why a better distributor hasn't gotten hold of these two films... wasn't RAISE THE RED LANTERN put out on VHS by MGM?

I have been waiting for this movie for ages. I really hope the reports of bad video are false! Even if it is I might go ahead and order them anyhow (RTRL and Ju Dou) just so I have them on DVD. Fingers (and everything I am able to) crossed at the moment!

Please don't reward ineptitude.

If early reports are true, no well-informed cinephile should buy the Razor Digital releases. The only power consumers have is whether or not to exchange their hard-earned money for a given product. If a significant number of consumers buy these DVDs (Raise the Red Lantern and Ju Dou), it sends a message to Razor Digital that they can cut any corner, use any fifth-generation elements or VHS-quality master and American consumers will throw money at them in return.

Far better to exercise some economic self-restraint and email Razor Digital explaining why you refuse to buy their inferior product.

Just to be clear: AFAIK, we don't yet have any concrete information about the quality of these releases. Personally, I hope they rock. But I will definitely wait for DVD Beaver screencaps (the site owner, Gary Tooze, is a huge fan of Zhang Yimou, so there's no question that he'll post a review as soon as the DVDs become available) before deciding whether to purchase them.

Are these DVDs really coming out in two days? I find it strange that no one seems to have seen them yet.

Yes, Randy Miller has them at DVDTALK's review panel...regardless, I would hardly even consider them as the company producer seems like second Jef Films...that is enough for me to walk away.

Ciao,
Pro-B

I wasn't able to cancel my preorder after reading this, so I expect it to show up Monday or Tuesday. I hope someone has more up about them soon so I will know for sure to send it back.

I've e-mailed DDD about cancelling my order for the two pack; hopefully it's not too late, but if I do end up receiving them, I will at least be able to finally watch them for the first time... It's a travesty that we'll likely never end up seeing quality editions of either film.

i also ordered a copy of raise the lantern...my money would again go to waste

but its STILL BETTER THAN NOTHING AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I agree. Though I hope a nice SE comes out in the future. I'll probably rent the DVD, as I last saw this movie over 10 years ago and recall really loving it.

dvdtown review :

http://www.dvdtown.com/review/raiset...rn/18326/3468/

Unbelievable...Well at least I can save some money this week.

I tried to cancel my pre-order, but it already shipped so I guess I'll be sending it back unopened.

DVD Beaver review of Ju-Dou

Even worse than I could've imagined. An absolute travesty.

Again, I urge fans of this film to IGNORE the Razor Digital release. Spend your money on a company that gives a damn.

Gah! I was really looking forward to these.

Wow. That's much worse than what I was expecting. I'm in shock.

Oh dear lord, those caps look god awful. I will be sending mine back. What a disaster.

Also ... if you had planned to buy this release & have now changed your mind based on the reviews and screencaps, email Razor Digital and let them know why.