Foreign Cinema in BLU (part 2)
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Re: [Rec]
Tell me more about your HTPC set up (I don't think it should be a problem viewing the disc on it) and monitor.
Por-B
Last edited by pro-bassoonist; 01-06-09 at 04:56 AM.
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Re: [Rec]
You must be very careful with this disc (if you should opt for the Spanish BD for example). Unless you have a Region-B machine you won't be able to playback it on a US TV (very few sets here support 50hz and the disc content is indeed in 50hz).
Tell me more about your HTPC set up (I don't think it should be a problem viewing the disc on it) and monitor.
Por-B
Tell me more about your HTPC set up (I don't think it should be a problem viewing the disc on it) and monitor.
Por-B
#29
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Foreign Cinema in BLU (part 2)
You won't run into any trouble with the above titles (aside from a few of the PAL extras which you will not be able to playback on your PS3). The main features are perfectly playable on Region-A PS3.
For future reference: the only time you would run into any sort of trouble with a region-free disc is if the main menu is in PAL (none of the titles above have PAL menus). Examples: Zatoichi, Somers Town, Stephen Fry in America, etc. If the main menu is in PAL your Region-A PS3 will not be able to bypass it. There are no audio issues to be expected from non Region-A titles (certainly not related to the "conversion" process).
Pro-B
For future reference: the only time you would run into any sort of trouble with a region-free disc is if the main menu is in PAL (none of the titles above have PAL menus). Examples: Zatoichi, Somers Town, Stephen Fry in America, etc. If the main menu is in PAL your Region-A PS3 will not be able to bypass it. There are no audio issues to be expected from non Region-A titles (certainly not related to the "conversion" process).
Pro-B
#30
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Foreign Cinema in BLU (part 2)
Review for the region-free UK release of Hidden on Blu here...
http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content/id/69732/hidden.html
http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content/id/69732/hidden.html
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Re: Foreign Cinema in BLU (part 2)
The Boys from Brazil has only a trailer in the extras department. The rest I believe are all fine as far as US playback is concerned (for the extras).
Pro-B
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Re: [Rec]
Por-B[/QUOTE]
Actually, [REC] was filmed with HD DV cameras, so it does indeed benefit from having a Blu-ray release
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Re: [Rec]
Ciao,
Pro-B
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Kurosawa bluray?
Anybody got any information about this?
Not sure if it should be placed in the INT forum or here, but I chose here.
Akira Kurosawa Blu-ray Box (Limited Edition)
Set includes: 'Rashomon', 'Ran', 'Madadayo', and 'The Quiet Duel (Shizukanaru Ketto)'
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?id=3205
I was hoping for English subtitles, but I don't see any ATM.
Not sure if it should be placed in the INT forum or here, but I chose here.
Akira Kurosawa Blu-ray Box (Limited Edition)
Set includes: 'Rashomon', 'Ran', 'Madadayo', and 'The Quiet Duel (Shizukanaru Ketto)'
http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?id=3205
I was hoping for English subtitles, but I don't see any ATM.
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Re: Kurosawa bluray?
CD Japan's website lists only Japanese subtitles.
#39
Re: [Rec]
Also note that the Japanese blu-ray release has been converted to 1080i60 which is more widely viewable in the USA - except that the Japanese release doesnt have English subs.
Frustrating release this one.
Last edited by HumanMedia; 01-09-09 at 07:12 PM.
#40
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Re: Foreign Cinema in BLU (part 2)
You watch this on 35mm in the cinema? Because very few prints went round; most places just used digibeta. I saw it projected off both and it looked a heck of a lot better on 35, where it was clear it had been shot on hd cameras.
#41
Re: Foreign Cinema in BLU (part 2)
Can anyone comment on what any of the various blu-rays look like?
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Re: Foreign Cinema in BLU (part 2)
Set to be released in HK on January 21st.
TimeOut Hong-Kong:
Connected – action director Benny Chan’s official remake of Hollywood blockbuster Cellular – is not the first Hong Kong rip-off of a Hollywood film, but it is the first to actually admit it. An exhilarating joyride of a movie, it trumps its original in most conceivable aspects, from the more explosive car chases to the subtler fine-tuning of its tone and character settings. Some would suggest that the product placement is better executed here, too – and who’s to argue with that?
Following an unlikely hero (Bob, played by Louis Koo) who races through Hong Kong’s cityscape to stay on the line with a kidnapped woman calling on a broken phone (Grace, played by Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu), the story’s premise stretches the limits of credibility, but works wonders as an excuse for a frenzied action movie, if not also a mobile phone advertisement. Sometimes you just have to give it to the advertisers: four years on since Cellular, they’ve now seamlessly integrated such technologies as phone map, video calling, and MMS into the tight storyline.
The plot, as if it really matters, comes down to this: how many multiple car crashes could you willingly cause only minutes into a phone call from a total stranger pleading for help? The answer: ‘many’ – this film is to be enjoyed for its hyper-kinetic set-pieces more than anything else. As a result, every action sequence in Connected has been turned up a notch from the original: when the kidnappers capture Grace, they don’t just break into her house, but decide to crash straight into her car at full speed; when Bob’s car accidentally runs into the wrong lane, it’s not just about a few swerving cars, but a truly spectacular multiple car crash, and the collapse of a huge scaffolding, only coming to a halt after colliding with a truckload of Pepsi’s newest product. Talk about timing.
Leaving aside Chan’s usual brilliant handling of action, the director has also surprisingly shown a deft hand in cutting out the B-movie-ish crap from Cellular, which arguably kept the original from becoming a truly respectable film. Doing away with Jessica Biel’s annoying ex-girlfriend character, the green facemask on a disgruntled William H. Macy, and the “Ricky Martin” jokes of the original, Connected even finds time to pull a few heartstrings by making its protagonist a debt-collecting single father striving not to upset his young son – a fantastic touch when one compares him with the original’s pathetic protagonist, who races against time just to please his ex-girlfriend (who, by the way, despises him).
While it’s clear that Chan does try hard to smooth out the implausibility of the material (like changing the profession of Grace ‘the miracle phone rescuer’ from a high-school teacher to an electronics engineer), there are inevitably some missteps in his grand scheme of ramping everything up: among others, the setting of a pivotal scene at a popular site for model plane enthusiasts strikes me as an unintentional insult on the kidnappers’ intelligence.
But then again, I only managed to recognise these flaws upon retrospective reflection – something that this film is clearly not designed for. Back in the cinema, I was pretty convinced that this is one of the most enjoyable films to come out of Hong Kong this year. Edmund Lee
Following an unlikely hero (Bob, played by Louis Koo) who races through Hong Kong’s cityscape to stay on the line with a kidnapped woman calling on a broken phone (Grace, played by Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu), the story’s premise stretches the limits of credibility, but works wonders as an excuse for a frenzied action movie, if not also a mobile phone advertisement. Sometimes you just have to give it to the advertisers: four years on since Cellular, they’ve now seamlessly integrated such technologies as phone map, video calling, and MMS into the tight storyline.
The plot, as if it really matters, comes down to this: how many multiple car crashes could you willingly cause only minutes into a phone call from a total stranger pleading for help? The answer: ‘many’ – this film is to be enjoyed for its hyper-kinetic set-pieces more than anything else. As a result, every action sequence in Connected has been turned up a notch from the original: when the kidnappers capture Grace, they don’t just break into her house, but decide to crash straight into her car at full speed; when Bob’s car accidentally runs into the wrong lane, it’s not just about a few swerving cars, but a truly spectacular multiple car crash, and the collapse of a huge scaffolding, only coming to a halt after colliding with a truckload of Pepsi’s newest product. Talk about timing.
Leaving aside Chan’s usual brilliant handling of action, the director has also surprisingly shown a deft hand in cutting out the B-movie-ish crap from Cellular, which arguably kept the original from becoming a truly respectable film. Doing away with Jessica Biel’s annoying ex-girlfriend character, the green facemask on a disgruntled William H. Macy, and the “Ricky Martin” jokes of the original, Connected even finds time to pull a few heartstrings by making its protagonist a debt-collecting single father striving not to upset his young son – a fantastic touch when one compares him with the original’s pathetic protagonist, who races against time just to please his ex-girlfriend (who, by the way, despises him).
While it’s clear that Chan does try hard to smooth out the implausibility of the material (like changing the profession of Grace ‘the miracle phone rescuer’ from a high-school teacher to an electronics engineer), there are inevitably some missteps in his grand scheme of ramping everything up: among others, the setting of a pivotal scene at a popular site for model plane enthusiasts strikes me as an unintentional insult on the kidnappers’ intelligence.
But then again, I only managed to recognise these flaws upon retrospective reflection – something that this film is clearly not designed for. Back in the cinema, I was pretty convinced that this is one of the most enjoyable films to come out of Hong Kong this year. Edmund Lee
#46
Re: Foreign Cinema in BLU (part 2)
I'm surprised by how many people don't shop Canadian. I ordered 21 Grams and Taxi Driver - 2 of my favorite movies from Amazon.ca. Also, Se7en is available through pre-order for a March date.
I don't understand why more people didn't buy Sin City or From Dusk Till Dawn. Alliance releases are great.
I don't understand why more people didn't buy Sin City or From Dusk Till Dawn. Alliance releases are great.
#49
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Foreign Cinema in BLU (part 2)
More details on, likely region-free Blu-ray release of Brief Encounter from DVD Times...
TV DVD have announced the UK Blu-ray Disc release of Brief Encounter on 2nd February 2009 priced at £19.99 RRP. Noel Coward’s sensitive portrayal of what happens when two happily married strangers, played by Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard, meet and their acquaintance deepens into affection and love. David Lean directs.
Features on this digitally restored Blu-ray Special Edition include:
* 1080P 4:3
* Dolby Digital 2.0
* English subtitles
* Documentary “A profile of Brief Encounter”
* Stills Gallery
* Theatrical Trailer
* Brief Encounter restoration featurette
Extras are presented in 720P.
TV DVD have announced the UK Blu-ray Disc release of Brief Encounter on 2nd February 2009 priced at £19.99 RRP. Noel Coward’s sensitive portrayal of what happens when two happily married strangers, played by Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard, meet and their acquaintance deepens into affection and love. David Lean directs.
Features on this digitally restored Blu-ray Special Edition include:
* 1080P 4:3
* Dolby Digital 2.0
* English subtitles
* Documentary “A profile of Brief Encounter”
* Stills Gallery
* Theatrical Trailer
* Brief Encounter restoration featurette
Extras are presented in 720P.