Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
#826
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Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
That's a shame. They always get pulled so fast from Best Buy. I know they're a niche but that's a shame. I love Shaw. I like what DD is doing (despite you guys). I hope DD has some good titles through 09.
#827
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Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
I only own 2 of there SB titles (36th Chamber & Auntie) but would have loved more old school kung fu from them. I don't religously collect these but do buy them when I find them cheap. The most I paid for DD title was $9.00 + tax at wal-mart for 36th Chamber, mst of the others were bought from Blockbuster for under $5 each (yes I have the single disc of alot of them) and a few used at other places or in sales. I have 16 of the 33 dvds available and can hopefully get caught up during this year
#828
DVD Talk God
Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
I think it's understandable why DD would ditch producing anymore Shaw Bros films. The audience/fanbase that appreciates those films is so small & niche. I think the average person who walks into a Best Buy or any retail store isn't going to the Martial arts section to look for an old school period Kung Fu movie with Ti Lung or David Chiang. Of course they are going to be attracted to Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Chow Yun Fat as the stars.
I think the costs just to acquire the films, producing the extras and printing and shipping these movies were probably more than whatever they made back in sales if any.
I think the costs just to acquire the films, producing the extras and printing and shipping these movies were probably more than whatever they made back in sales if any.
#829
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Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
There's also a good chance they've already imported them from Hong Kong when they were first released and don't feel the need to duplicate at a higher cost than IVL's originals. I realize it may seem excessive (though I have my reasons), but I've got around 400 of the Hong Kong releases (mostly DVD, but plenty on VCD as well). I just wanted to see the films. I've know some of these releases weren't exactly perfect, but most of them are as close to perfect as anyone should reasonably expect. DD has crafted decent extras for their releases, but at the rate they were releasing them, it would've taken decades for them to just scratch the surface of this awesome library (and as I recall, they only had a select number of titles licensed anyways).
Hopefully anyone who's been jazzed by the Shaw films DD and other distributors have released might venture offshore (and/or go region-free) to see what they're really missing. I've got kung-fu, wuxia, comedies, melodramas, "adult" films, spy films, period and contemporary musicals, cop and true crime thrillers, and even a couple of the Huangmei opera titles. There's so much more out there. DD and these other U.S. companies are to be commended for even trying to bring this stuff to North American audiences in snappy new editions, but it was probably an uphill battle from the start, and sticking to the two most stereotypical genres (kung-fu and wuxia) probably hasn't helped, despite the greatness of the films themselves.
Hopefully anyone who's been jazzed by the Shaw films DD and other distributors have released might venture offshore (and/or go region-free) to see what they're really missing. I've got kung-fu, wuxia, comedies, melodramas, "adult" films, spy films, period and contemporary musicals, cop and true crime thrillers, and even a couple of the Huangmei opera titles. There's so much more out there. DD and these other U.S. companies are to be commended for even trying to bring this stuff to North American audiences in snappy new editions, but it was probably an uphill battle from the start, and sticking to the two most stereotypical genres (kung-fu and wuxia) probably hasn't helped, despite the greatness of the films themselves.
#830
Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
DD had a great opportunity to get more people interested in the Shaw films, especially with the release of 36th Chamber of Shaolin. Personally I think they could have done a bit more advertising for the initial Shaw releases.
I'll probably go Region Free in the next few months and just start getting the Celestial R3 stuff.
I'll probably go Region Free in the next few months and just start getting the Celestial R3 stuff.
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Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
It seems like I am always forced to wait for that which I want most...in this case it would be The Killer. Sigh, I hope it comes soon.
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Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
FYI, the upcoming DD Enforcer is both cut and English-dubbed, with NO CANTONESE AUDIO. Unforgivable.
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Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
Hopefully it was just a typo on the Press Release and it does have teh cantonese track, if not thye DD has truly went to crap. I have enjoyed all there DVDs I own but releasing Supercop CUT and no possibly The Enforcer dubbed would potentinally sway me towards not supporting them at all. I will wait for a review before I decide though
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Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
"MadManDragula" (who writes for this site) has an advance copy and he confirmed it. It isn't a typo on the press release.
#836
DVD Talk God
Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
I own all 33 releases. Why stop now? Disappointing to hear about the english-only track though.
#837
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Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
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Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
I own the first 30 titles and had planned to continue but his news is very disheartening. I cannot defend DD any longer. This is inexcusable.
#839
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Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
What happened to DD? First Supercop now this?
They used to be nothing but quality....
They used to be nothing but quality....
#840
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
"MadManDragula" (who writes for this site) has an advance copy and he confirmed it. It isn't a typo on the press release.
Last edited by Brian T; 02-06-09 at 12:20 PM.
#842
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Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
FYI, the upcoming DD Enforcer is both cut and English-dubbed, with NO CANTONESE AUDIO. Unforgivable.
#844
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
It didn't just start with Supercop, there were hints at an avalanche coming..
Hard Boiled: Cropped/Stretched, Dubtitles
The Royal Tramp Collection: Translation/Subtitle Issues
Tai Chi Master: Mono Track Issues, Video Stutter Issues
Fist Of Legend: Not Uncut--Dimension Video Master Used
Supercop: Not Uncut, Issues with Soundtrack
The Enforcer: Not Uncut, Dubbed
I have a lot of the quality DD releases, so this is not meant to criticize anyone who is buying these releases mind you. I was extremely happy to see the job DD did with Vietnamese Action Flick "The Rebel" and was happy to see they put lots of extras with it.
At first I was thinking that DD was better with recent film releases (City Of Violence, Invisible Target, Flashpoint, etc), but their earlier releases of HK Classics were fantastic. Then again I'm not sure if those were just taken from the Celestial/IVL masters.
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#846
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
It didn't just start with Supercop, there were hints at an avalanche coming..
Hard Boiled: Cropped/Stretched, Dubtitles
The Royal Tramp Collection: Translation/Subtitle Issues
Tai Chi Master: Mono Track Issues, Video Stutter Issues
Fist Of Legend: Not Uncut--Dimension Video Master Used
Supercop: Not Uncut, Issues with Soundtrack
The Enforcer: Not Uncut, Dubbed
Hard Boiled: Cropped/Stretched, Dubtitles
The Royal Tramp Collection: Translation/Subtitle Issues
Tai Chi Master: Mono Track Issues, Video Stutter Issues
Fist Of Legend: Not Uncut--Dimension Video Master Used
Supercop: Not Uncut, Issues with Soundtrack
The Enforcer: Not Uncut, Dubbed
MY YOUNG AUNTIE: incorrect audio
COME DRINK WITH ME: poor subs (recalling this second hand; only have the HK edition)
. . . or, venturing outside the box (and just to nitpick ):
KILLZONE: renamed
LEGEND OF THE BLACK SCORPION: renamed
THE PROTECTOR: renamed (plus Logan condones the "reworked" version on disc 1)
PTU: exploding building & helicopters added
And, most unforgivably:
BRETT RATNER and ELVIS MITCHELL
I have a lot of the quality DD releases, so this is not meant to criticize anyone who is buying these releases mind you. I was extremely happy to see the job DD did with Vietnamese Action Flick "The Rebel" and was happy to see they put lots of extras with it.
At first I was thinking that DD was better with recent film releases (City Of Violence, Invisible Target, Flashpoint, etc), but their earlier releases of HK Classics were fantastic. Then again I'm not sure if those were just taken from the Celestial/IVL masters.
At first I was thinking that DD was better with recent film releases (City Of Violence, Invisible Target, Flashpoint, etc), but their earlier releases of HK Classics were fantastic. Then again I'm not sure if those were just taken from the Celestial/IVL masters.
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Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
WTF is wrong with just releasing Police Story 3: Supercop as it is, instead of the damnded from hell cut, Supercop
#848
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
Genius responds to ‘Enforcer’ DVD criticism
By Mark Pollard on February 6, 2009
Genius Products, the distributor for The Weinstein Company’s Dragon Dynasty releases, has just issued a statement to address criticism regarding their decision to release a Special Collector’s Edition of THE ENFORCER (aka MY FATHER IS A HERO) without an original Cantonese-language audio track.
“Dragon Dynasty strives to provide fans with only the highest quality DVD releases, including restored video and audio and extensive never-before-seen bonus features created exclusively for the label.”
“Though no usable version of the original Cantonese-language track was available in time for this release, every effort was made to bring together the best elements in the world in creating the greatest version of THE ENFORCER ever experienced on DVD in the U.S.”
Dragon Dynasty’s THE ENFORCER DVD comes out on Feb. 10th. It features the same English-dubbed audio track and minor cuts to the Hong Kong print that was issued on the previous Dimension Films DVD in 2000.
http://www.kungfucinema.com/?p=5183
By Mark Pollard on February 6, 2009
Genius Products, the distributor for The Weinstein Company’s Dragon Dynasty releases, has just issued a statement to address criticism regarding their decision to release a Special Collector’s Edition of THE ENFORCER (aka MY FATHER IS A HERO) without an original Cantonese-language audio track.
“Dragon Dynasty strives to provide fans with only the highest quality DVD releases, including restored video and audio and extensive never-before-seen bonus features created exclusively for the label.”
“Though no usable version of the original Cantonese-language track was available in time for this release, every effort was made to bring together the best elements in the world in creating the greatest version of THE ENFORCER ever experienced on DVD in the U.S.”
Dragon Dynasty’s THE ENFORCER DVD comes out on Feb. 10th. It features the same English-dubbed audio track and minor cuts to the Hong Kong print that was issued on the previous Dimension Films DVD in 2000.
http://www.kungfucinema.com/?p=5183
#849
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
“Dragon Dynasty strives to provide fans with only the highest quality DVD releases, including restored video and audio and extensive never-before-seen bonus features created exclusively for the label.”
“Though no usable version of the original Cantonese-language track was available in time for this release, every effort was made to bring together the best elements in the world in creating the greatest version of THE ENFORCER ever experienced on DVD in the U.S.”
“Though no usable version of the original Cantonese-language track was available in time for this release, every effort was made to bring together the best elements in the world in creating the greatest version of THE ENFORCER ever experienced on DVD in the U.S.”
They must have been pretty desperate to get something--anything--on the market in these troubled times if they couldn't wait until a usable track was available. They should know that this response to the backlash is only gonna generate more backlash; they'd have been better off keeping quiet about the screw-up, especially if they were gonna fall back on that old chestnut about available elements and release dates.
Saying it's the greatest version of THE ENFORCER ever experienced on DVD in the U.S. isn't really saying much. The original version of THE ENFORCER sucked. Adding even a single special feature would "technically" be an improvement, relatively speaking. Of course, neither version would be MY FATHER IS A HERO . . .
Every effort, indeed.
Last edited by Brian T; 02-11-09 at 01:18 PM.
#850
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Re: Weinsteins (w/ Tarantino) announce new asian line: "Dragon Dynasty"
These guys are a joke. The only disc I ever purchased from them was Hard Boiled and it ended up having dubtitles. That was a major screw up for a label that was supposed to be catering to the fans of HK cinema.
Now only putting English dubbed tracks on HK films? There's no excuse for that. There's a Hong Kong DVD of My Father is a Hero that has a perfectly good Cantonese audio track. They could have used that. Sounds like its just pure laziness on the part of the company. They will be out of business by the end of this year anyways.
Now only putting English dubbed tracks on HK films? There's no excuse for that. There's a Hong Kong DVD of My Father is a Hero that has a perfectly good Cantonese audio track. They could have used that. Sounds like its just pure laziness on the part of the company. They will be out of business by the end of this year anyways.