UHD Titles Worth/Not Worth Upgrading

[FrauBlucher]

I’m not convinced CC will release The Trial as a UHD.
Why would SC even allow Criterion to release a UHD version with their own on the market.

[yoloswegmaster]

I mean they let them release Le Cercle Rouge and Mulholland Drive on UHD, so it's not like it unprecedented.

[ryannichols7]

I’m not convinced CC will release The Trial as a UHD.
Why would SC even allow Criterion to release a UHD version with their own on the market.

because Canal doesn't release UHDs in the US? the weird Lionsgate Best Buy Exclusive steelbook of Ran aside, which feels like a definite one off, especially given there's no standard edition like region B got. if there is one "legacy" director Criterion doesn't mess around with, it's Welles - basically all of their editions of his films have been as definitive as they get

and as noted above, two UHD titles already released have been Canal licenses

[Apperson]

They also release Angel Heart UHD as a Besy Buy exclusive steelbook, although I suppose that was never really a film Criterion would release themselves.

[FrauBlucher]

HHmm, Mulholland Drive is a Studio Canal and not Universal licensed in the states?

I'm basing my assumption on UHD being a region free format.

[ryannichols7]

the new Mulholland Drive 4K was licensed from Studiocanal rather than Universal since they and Criterion split the restoration

I don't think the region free thing is a factor. the fact of the matter is that the Canal Trial disc isn't gonna be in more than 10 storefronts in the United States, all independent retailers like Orbit. compare that with how a Criterion Trial will be at every Barnes and Noble across all 50 states. I don't think Criterion or Canal would think the canal disc covers the US market. there will absolutely be a CC release (since Kino already confirmed they don't have it), it's just a question of when

[Finch]

Used Cars is another poorly encoded Shout Factory UHD and the covers on the first batch are torn on the right hand side.

Moving Wayne's World to the top after Geoff pointed out in his very complimentary review that the opticals have not had DNR applied.

[Finch]

first user reaction to Studio Canal's The Trial, based on them sampling 30 mins.

[Finch]

One Studio Canal UHD that's safe to get and which several eagle-eyed BR users prefer for its encoding to the Criterion (though it's not been by David M) is The Piano.

EDIT: 12/5/22: Calling it a tie between the Criterion and Studio Canal encodes as both are very good with different minor flaws to each encode. Removed the Studio Canal from the Superior Import a few days ago.

[Finch]

A BR user has sampled his French UHD copy of The Driver:

91 minutes, looks to be derived from the Fox US print (based on Fox logo and placement in end credits). Hill interviews are 1080i50 and run 13 and 30 minutes -- haven't watched them yet. Bunch of trailers. PCM mono for all the audio tracks. Transfer looks pretty natural from what I looked at quickly, no heavy color lean I could discern (nothing like the typical Hiventy/Retrovitra remaster at least) though I don't have the old Twilight Time disc around to compare it with.

[ChunkyLover]

I gotta be honest, the SC UHD of "The Piano" doesn't that look much better than the Criterion. I see a lot of "mushy"-ness, especially in darker areas, compared to the Criterion.

[Finch]

EDIT: see previous post of mine for Piano SC/CC

The Trial comparison caps

[Finch]

Andreas and another BR user are saying the grain on Turbine's The Frighteners looks unnatural to them (post 225 onwards). Jury still out on this title (which is also fairly expensive to import). It's also not clear whether the 4 year exclusivity Turbine are claiming on the film is just for the German market or if it prohibits Arrow to release in the UK (if they are planning to, that is).

[yoloswegmaster]

I gotta be honest, the SC UHD of "The Piano" doesn't that look much better than the Criterion. I see a lot of "mushy"-ness, especially in darker areas, compared to the Criterion.

There's also chroma noise with the SC in certain screenshots, so I'm not really sure if it's that "superior" than the other release.

[Finch]

Tropic Thunder (Kino): very good 2k upscale (caveat: only the theatrical is in 4k; the DC is in 1080p)

[The Elegant Dandy Fop]

Any reputable sources review the new UHD of 48 Hours?

[Finch]

Black Christmas (Scream Factory) is safe to buy. Yay! Audio in particular is getting high marks.

Re 48 Hours: I haven't seen an in-depth review yet but early reactions suggest that it's one of Paramount's better discs. Keeping an eye on this one.

[black&huge]

Black Christmas (Scream Factory) is safe to buy. Yay! Audio in particular is getting high marks.

Glad to hear. Hoping Carrie turns out as good

[Finch]

48 Hours: caps and page 7 reactions

Unfortunately, the early feedback was off and Paramount encoded the film poorly.

[Finch]

Geoff and another BR poster have seen the Holiday Inn UHD (Universal) and are saying that given the limitations of the source (not an original camera negative, lots of optical dissolves, film was shot with soft focus), that the film looks fine on this disc. Universal have not applied DNR and the compression is good. No one has compared to the Blu-Ray yet.

Geoff reviews 48 Hrs: like Saturday Night Fever, this looks dreadful in HDR10 and mostly acceptable in Dolby Vision. Adding further comments to the OP entry.

[Yakushima]

I just received and watched Turbine's The Frighteners Director's Cut UHD and comparing to the old Blu-ray this is a fabulous upgrade. It is very filmic, lots more details in the dark areas, improved color, excellent sound. I cannot comment on the quality of the grain, except for the fact that the grain was definitely there. Open-matte version is definitely my preferred version. It seems to work much better for most of the film's geometry. The open-matte is included as a Blu-ray only, unfortunately, but the Blu-ray's quality is superb. For those on the fence about this release - do not hesitate!

[Finch]

caps for Adaptation. (Sony)

[jegharfangetmigenmyg]

Any news about SC's release of Visconti's Ludwig? It's out in France now, but w/o English subs. Visually, it's easily one of the most breathtaking film I've ever seen, and my favorite Visconti (never been able to get really into The Leopard), so I'm very excited about this. I can't find any information about a UK release. Any chance of Arrow possibly doing this like they did with the BD? On the other hand, we haven't seen many films like this from them after they scrapped their Academy line...

[M-A]

I had a look on the French forums and didn't see anything. It was noted, however, that it only contains the longer cut, while Arrow's release has both cuts.

[Finch]

Some caps and first impressions of the Carrie UHD which based on what samdunlop has sampled so far is good, not amazing.

The Driver caps are up.