BLOOD SIMPLE and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK -- 8/3/10
08-06-10, 07:03 AM
#101
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08-06-10, 09:37 AM
#102
DVD Talk Legend
Re: BLOOD SIMPLE and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK -- 8/3/10
I watched this tonight and I would have to say I liked what I saw. Is it the latest DV blockbuster in terms of video quality, no -- but it is very solid. Like most others have said, a 3.5 to almost 4 out of five. A very film-like presentation.
Very consistent grain structure throughout, only a couple of composite shots are bad like the Air Force One model.
The softness, which is inconsistent, is largely attributed to how it was shot was with anamorphic lenses -- what I would call the "McTiernan" effect with a lot of high, offset key lighting and haloing, coupled with some rack focus pulls. So the softness tends to go out from the edges. I believe this is how it's always been.
There is some very nice detail to be found like Snake's jacket when he's being interviewed by Hauk and shot of Snake walking down the street after encountering the drunk wearing the President's monitor bracelet. The arena sequence has always been hazy/smokey, but cutaways to the Duke show's some nice detail in the surrounding architecture.
If there is a complaint is that may just be a tad dark in a handful of scenes. For me those were an early establishing shot of the Liberty Island landing pad (it gets better when Snake and Hauk are intro-ed) and the drive down Broadway, especially POV shots from inside the car, up until Snake meets the Duke face-to-face.
Again because of the nature of very sparse key lights, candle and fire light the majority of the film tilts to shadows and black, but I really didn't notice a lot of crushed blacks.
(And a picky side note about the cheapness from MGM -- omissions of extras aside -- the menu: it's the same basic set-up as The Thomas Crown Affair BD down to the art deco font for "Play", "Set Up" and "Scenes" -- it doesn't mesh with the film. I know extra picky, but it just shows the lack of any effort.)
Very consistent grain structure throughout, only a couple of composite shots are bad like the Air Force One model.
The softness, which is inconsistent, is largely attributed to how it was shot was with anamorphic lenses -- what I would call the "McTiernan" effect with a lot of high, offset key lighting and haloing, coupled with some rack focus pulls. So the softness tends to go out from the edges. I believe this is how it's always been.
There is some very nice detail to be found like Snake's jacket when he's being interviewed by Hauk and shot of Snake walking down the street after encountering the drunk wearing the President's monitor bracelet. The arena sequence has always been hazy/smokey, but cutaways to the Duke show's some nice detail in the surrounding architecture.
If there is a complaint is that may just be a tad dark in a handful of scenes. For me those were an early establishing shot of the Liberty Island landing pad (it gets better when Snake and Hauk are intro-ed) and the drive down Broadway, especially POV shots from inside the car, up until Snake meets the Duke face-to-face.
Again because of the nature of very sparse key lights, candle and fire light the majority of the film tilts to shadows and black, but I really didn't notice a lot of crushed blacks.
(And a picky side note about the cheapness from MGM -- omissions of extras aside -- the menu: it's the same basic set-up as The Thomas Crown Affair BD down to the art deco font for "Play", "Set Up" and "Scenes" -- it doesn't mesh with the film. I know extra picky, but it just shows the lack of any effort.)
While the picture is dark, it's not oppressively dark and doesn't have crushed shadow detail.
No, Escape from New York will never be a "ZOMG! Lookatda shiny shiny!!" eye candy disc. But the transfer appears accurate, and is certainly an improvement over the DVD editions.
08-06-10, 09:41 AM
#103
DVD Talk Legend
Re: BLOOD SIMPLE and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK -- 8/3/10
In this very comparison, look at the maps behind Harry Dean Stanton. They're more legible on the Blu-ray. Look at the book on the table. The text is just a blur on the DVD, but you can distinguish printed lines and paragraph breaks on the Blu-ray. While the DVD is brighter, it looks faded.
08-06-10, 10:54 AM
#104
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08-16-10, 01:21 PM
#105
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: BLOOD SIMPLE and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK -- 8/3/10
Significant in that it has more special features than the BR Disc?
08-23-10, 05:14 PM
#106
DVD Talk Legend
Re: BLOOD SIMPLE and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK -- 8/3/10
Well. Ahem. Never let it be said that Lemmy won't admit when he is incorrect. The import Blu sucks so much ass that it's trying to get a job in extreme porn.
I actually compared the DVD frame for frame against the Blu, and I'm ditching the import, buying the new domestic Blu, and making my "uber-set" by adding the DVD bonus disc to the package.
Anyone in the market for an import (but all-region) Blu-ray of EFNY?
PM me if you are. Or, see my thread in DVD Exchange.
I actually compared the DVD frame for frame against the Blu, and I'm ditching the import, buying the new domestic Blu, and making my "uber-set" by adding the DVD bonus disc to the package.
Anyone in the market for an import (but all-region) Blu-ray of EFNY?
PM me if you are. Or, see my thread in DVD Exchange.
02-18-11, 10:03 AM
#107
Re: BLOOD SIMPLE and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK -- 8/3/10
If you'd asked me a month ago, I'd have said no. However, there is a slim chance that the "30th Anniversary", and, more importantly, the fact that distribution will be jumping from Fox to Sony (who could theoretically request product, no?) could open a slim chance of this happening.
02-18-11, 08:32 PM
#108
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Re: BLOOD SIMPLE and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK -- 8/3/10
The flick was shot with anamorphic lenses, the same ones used by countless other films in the 70's. They weren't "poor". They just had the characteristics of anamorphic lenses. That's all.
02-19-11, 09:33 AM
#109
DVD Talk Legend
Re: BLOOD SIMPLE and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK -- 8/3/10
There wasn't just one set of anamorphic lenses that got passed around through all of Hollywood, good for any type of production. Panavision put out a wide range of lenses available for rental at different price points. The ones that this production used were the low-end models.
02-19-11, 07:13 PM
#110
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: BLOOD SIMPLE and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK -- 8/3/10
I would love to upgrade my Carpenter Sci-Fi Quadrillogy. Assuming that they have more features than my previous versions, which to my knowledge none of the current BR offerings have.
Escape From New York (VHS previously pictured)
They Live (old Snapper)
The Thing (Original DVD release)
Big Trouble In Little China (old wide 2 disc set)
Escape From New York (VHS previously pictured)
They Live (old Snapper)
The Thing (Original DVD release)
Big Trouble In Little China (old wide 2 disc set)
02-26-11, 06:50 PM
#113
DVD Talk Legend
Re: BLOOD SIMPLE and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK -- 8/3/10
So I see "Blood Simple" is back up for pre-order on Amazon on sale for $16.99 but no release date. WTF?
02-26-11, 08:04 PM
#114
