New Australian DVD and BD Releases

[alandau]

Yes it does have English subtitles. I am ready to view the film now after a quick look. I will comment more tomorrow. Nevertheless, from what I've seen, it's top quality. My wish came true. after having to endure the dreadful Imagine print for so long, I can now watch this R2 port. The visuals will be stunning, especially the last minutes.

I have a hunch this may be an upcoming Criterion release as they have a relationship with Studio Canal. And it will probably me the same disc with better artwork and a heftier price.

DVD Beaver: You Only Live Once

[tojoed]

David, that seems to be similar to the "Tristana" that's in the Optimum Bunuel box, except that the Optimum has French audio only. That was also a Studio Canal print.

[tojoed]

Yes, the Optimum has one soundtrack only. If you could put the BFI soundtracks on to the Studio Canal disc, you'd then have an acceptable version.

[Gator]

.. specifically The Quiet Duel, Throne of Blood, Drunken Angel, The Bad Sleep Well, Sanjuro & Sanshiro Sugata -

I've checked out the reviews of these in other regions but it seems impossible to find reviews of these R4 discs so I would be immensely grateful if anybody can tell me whether these are native PAL transfers or NTSC conversions. Anybody know?

[tajmahal]

.. specifically The Quiet Duel, Throne of Blood, Drunken Angel, The Bad Sleep Well, Sanjuro & Sanshiro Sugata

I've checked out the reviews of these in other regions but it seems impossible to find reviews of these R4 discs so I would be immensely grateful if anybody can tell me whether these are native PAL transfers or NTSC conversions. Anybody know?

Michaeldvd is the only site I've seen that reviews dvd specs. The site is in need of a major sponsor, as it would be great to be offered screen caps/comparisons, as well as transfer details. you would think Madman, in particular, would submit their titles to Dvdbeaver.

[domino harvey]

For reasons unknown, DVDBeaver has a long history of ignoring R4 releases

[Gator]

.. specifically The Quiet Duel, Throne of Blood, Drunken Angel, The Bad Sleep Well, Sanjuro & Sanshiro Sugata

I've checked out the reviews of these in other regions but it seems impossible to find reviews of these R4 discs so I would be immensely grateful if anybody can tell me whether these are native PAL transfers or NTSC conversions. Anybody know?

Michaeldvd is the only site I've seen that reviews dvd specs. The site is in need of a major sponsor, as it would be great to be offered screen caps/comparisons, as well as transfer details. you would think Madman, in particular, would submit their titles to Dvdbeaver.

I use MichaelDVd myself but although they've reviewed some Kurosawa's, most - if not all - of the titles I mentioned have not been. Unfortunately as far as Oz titles go there's nowhere else to look, which is kind of depressing really. For that reason alone MichaelDVd is an extremely valuable resource. If they (heaven forbid) vanish it's going to be a serious blow. I agree they deserve some kind of sponsorship from a distributor or retailer but I'm guessing what they could really use is a few more regular reviewers.

DVDBeaver I've more or less given up on. Even without the recognition of R4 titles their bias toward R1 makes most of their reviews meaningless. Where there are night & day differences between transfers - yes, that's obviously helpful, as is pointing out standards conversions - but where the differences are much less obvious I find their reviews suspect, often ignorant opinion, dressed up as objectivity. Their fondness for proclaiming 'Region one wins!' - & this on a site run by viewers in NTSC land with R1 retailer ads littering the place - is something of a standing joke in my neck of the woods.

But, hey, we're getting off track! Does anyone have the aforementioned R4 Kurosawa's?

[alandau]

Just picked up Western Union (Madman) from Readings. Lang is certainly getting exposure in Australia. I guess this is another port from a region 2. Can't wait to check the colour.

Needed three viewings on Saturday night to fully comprehend You Only Live Once, not because I'm dumb, it's just that Lang is smart...very smart. Initially the film strikes me as a sombre tragic noir, however, after three viewings it has many elements of a black comedy. I mean falling into a crevice....not the perfect crime.

[tojoed]

I've just received a newsletter from Madman, in which they say that Lola Montes is coming soon to their Director's Suite series. No further information on extras as yet.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

MichaelD, like a lot of review sites gets very few - if any - screeners.

But, hey, we're getting off track! Does anyone have the aforementioned R4 Kurosawa's?

As a site policy MichaelDVD only reviews retail releases. Screeners are not reviewed. And they do get a considerable number of retail discs supplied by distributors although it is true that most of the Blu-rays reviewed have been reviewer-purchased. The site's current kevyip (discs received but not allocated to a reviewer) is over 1500. The issue is lack of reviewers - I think there are less than 10 active at the moment. Also the site's disc allocation policies changed a while back which I think discourages reviewers from choosing discs from the kevyip.

As to the R4 Kurosawas, I have Sanshiro Sugata I and II. Neither appeared to me to be a standards conversion. Neither were they particularly impressive transfers, but I guess the source materials are not in the best of shape. Part I has some deleted scenes which were found in a print in a Russian archive - these are included as an extra. I also have A Quiet Duel but have not watched it yet. I'll post some screenshots when I get a chance.

I would hazard a guess that Sanjuro was a standards conversion, as at the time it was released this was the norm with Madman's Kurosawa discs (e.g. Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, Hidden Fortress). Can't comment on the others.

[Gator]

As to the R4 Kurosawas, I have Sanshiro Sugata I and II. Neither appeared to me to be a standards conversion. Neither were they particularly impressive transfers, but I guess the source materials are not in the best of shape. Part I has some deleted scenes which were found in a print in a Russian archive - these are included as an extra. I also have A Quiet Duel but have not watched it yet. I'll post some screenshots when I get a chance.

I'd appreciate that. Thanks, Rufus.

Companies like Madman & Umbrella (with Aussie exploitation fare like Money Movers) are doing really terrific work. I guess I'm coming to the table a bit late here but in the last few months I finally picked up Madman's editions of Rashomon, Sword of Doom, Kwaidan & Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (amongst others) & been blown away by them. All of them superb native PAL transfers with generally terrific encoding, decent extras & invariably superior to any other version on the market.

Not sure how these companies manage this in what appears to be a fairly small(?) market but I'm sure glad they do. =D>

[Perkins Cobb]

This guy has 1500 unreviewed discs and they still send him stuff? And here I was feeling guilty about having one review copy (out of a lifetime total of about three) that I still haven't written about on my blog a couple of months after the release date.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I'd appreciate that. Thanks, Rufus.

Posted in the screen captures thread last night.

[tojoed]

I'm not familiar with Chabrol's Lang doc (or even knew it existed), can you give a rudimentary rundown of it? I know this film in particular was one of his favorites

In an interview that lasts 26 minutes, Chabrol talks about Lang's career in general and his technique in You Only Live Once in particular(using images replayed on a projector).

At the end , the interviewer asks him for the greatest Lang film, and his reply is

Spoiler

M - but he has a soft spot for Manhunt.

It's a good little documentary, but I could have done with another half hour, at least.

[charal]

Ezy DVD have listed an upcoming Madman release of Godard's UNE FEMME MARIEE for August 19. I assume this will be the UK transfer being used by MOC. I can't imagine any other source apart from the NYFA. [I'm not sure what Koch Lorber are sourcing].

[Solaris]

jimmy?? jimmy vulmer??

[cantinflas]

Ezy DVD have listed an upcoming Madman release of Godard's UNE FEMME MARIEE for August 19. I assume this will be the UK transfer being used by MOC. I can't imagine any other source apart from the NYFA. [I'm not sure what Koch Lorber are sourcing].

I love the MoC release but if you haven't got it yet, it's almost worth waiting for the Madman release because it will have audio commentary by Adrian Martin.

[Ovader]

Le Gai savoir to be released by Madman on August 19 with a commentary by Adrian Martin.

[RodneyOz]

*blinks hard* Seriously? Madman have just given me a wonderful present to look forward to that I didn't even know I wanted until this very minute. I had that film down as one of my purchases for whenever/if-ever the DVD Planet sale happens. Now an Adrien Martin commentary to boot? Excellent.

I can't imagine who else is going to want this one, but I'm happy to send the sales figures into single digits.

[charal]

Not sure if this upcoming Bunuel was mentioned earlier but the Universal edition of BELLE DE JOUR is out on September 2.

[domino harvey]

Le Gai savoir to be released by Madman on August 19 with a commentary by Adrian Martin.

Holy
Shit
=D>

[Cash Flagg]

The Flavour of Green Tea over Rice (with Wendy Haslem and Gabrielle Murray commentary), Good Morning (with John Flaus and Adrian Martin commentary) and Late Spring (with Ross Gibson commentary) now available from Madman.

[ChrisW]

Due to being a bit of a fan, I personally oversaw the video content for these three Ozu titles, and can say they are all progressive PAL transfers. Particularly pleased with the transfer of Good Morning.

[tojoed]

Mizoguchi's Loyal 47 Ronin from Madman in September.

[charal]

Shock have Tarkovsky's NOSTALGIA out on 25 September. Not sure if its the same 'bloated' transfer as R2 or a newer improved version.