A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

After Gangs of New York being revisited by Disney on Blu-ray, I was concerned about what might occur with Mr. Tarantino's Kill Bill epic.

After screening them this evening, I can tell you that I need not have been.

The two Kill Bills have been meticulously brought to Blu-ray, with color, densities and black & white images intact, and with a resounding soundtrack ready to clean the lint from one's speakers.

Whether there may have been a bit of digital image manipulation, possibly inclusive of some grain reduction, I cannot be certain, but what I can report is that the films on Blu-ray, enlarged to 100"+, reproduce the look of the film as viewed in the cinema. There should be no reason to nit-pick here.

This is brilliant filmmaking, with superbly reproduced imagery and uncompressed audio delivered via the Blu-ray system. The release should make every home theater aficionado thrilled to add them to a quality film library.

If I have any gripe with Disney, it is that they still refuse to acknowledge the production date of their films, even as a part of copyright. All that we are offered is "2008 Blu-ray Release." For the record they were released in 2003 and 2004.

For educational and historical accuracy it would be nice if the public had easy access to this information.

For anyone with a love of the cinema, Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 should be a required viewing.

Disney has come through with extremely high quality software that makes Blu-ray shine as it should.

Highly Recommended.

RAH

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

Looking forward to these and it's good to hear that those no problems.

Thanks for the review, RAH!

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

I trust your assessment, RAH, and will look forward to the B & W segments being as grainy as intended.

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

Thanks Robert! I too was a little nervous about how this release would look so I'm glad to read that all is well. And let me just add (because I don't think I've done it before) that I really appreciate your "few words" columns.

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

...good to hear. The DVD doesn't look too pretty on a 110". I'm glad to hear it's much like cinema. I'm looking forward to the uncompressed PCM soundtrack at full-rez. I'll pick these up.

Mike

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

Mr. Harris, you've made me a very happy man today.

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

I got this image from the trailer.

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

I have not walked up to the screen to count or measure grain.

What I'm reporting is that from a proper seating distance, the final product looks terrific.

That said, there are still an unfortunate number of people out there, unhappy that Blu-ray is our high def format, who are going to do whatever comparisons are necessary in a continued attempt to bash Blu-ray.

I'm certain that there will be reports on line that state that this disc does not measure up to what it might have been if it had been in a different format, even if that format was CED.

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

I agree with you. From the trailer that I have seen I already know its going to look good.

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

The amount of negativity on the internet that has engulfed this hobby has become too much for me. I think a good amount of the criticism has transition from being fair and honest to hyperbole in it's extreme state. I rarely read such postings any longer because they're basically worthless to me. I trust a couple of opinions that I might check out, but I basically purchase any BRD that I want in my collection and let my own eyes and ears make up my mind as to how well a particular BRD looks and sounds on my HT setup. In short, I rather indulge myself in this hobby than to spend countless hours arguing about the finer points of a certain BRD release.






Crawdaddy

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

Same here!

Glad to read that this gets the RAH seal of approval though.

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

Even if Blu-ray is the winning format it doesn't mean I will join the kumbaya brigade. All hail Blu-ray! not me sir. Even if Blu-ray is the next generation format it doesn't mean I will take whatever they give me. Gangs Of New York? Escape From New York? umm what else?

Calling someone being "unhappy" because Blu-ray won is unfair and frankly getting tiresome. I know some people hated my comparison threads because its critical to their beloved format but you know what? I tell it like it is. Its not my fault when I have the equipment to watch a movie at 12' away on a projected 120" screen and see the PQ.

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

I really don't know what to say.

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

Why so defensive do you feel he's lumping you in with that segment?

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

Just an observation. I hope RAH or Sam don't take it too personal if some posts from members from my PIX threads are abusive. I will delete them or ban the posters if I could but what can you do?

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

Xylon,

Your comparisons have been both effective and well done. All are aware I'm not one to give a piece of software a pass just because it's on Blu.

To me the bucket that carries the data is of far less importance than the data and how it decodes to home theater.

What I found troubling in regard to several of the summer's releases is that with all of the additional bandwidth that allows films to look better on Blu, that full advantage was not only not taken of the format, but that data was dumbed down, thereby making the format look bad.

Blu supports everything that home theater could reasonably need, where HD was occasionally cramped for space.

I don't believe that anyone is seeking a gathering of automatons all emoting in unison a la the Thugs in Gunda Din.

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

I have ceased reading posts created by people who cannot act as educated adults or have a cogent discussion. Easier to simply steer clear of AVS.

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

Well said.

Thanks for the news Mr. Harris. Just goes to show that Gangs of New York was an (unfortunate) anomaly where Disney BD releases are concerned. It's their only severe blemish on their track record so far, which has been otherwise solid/acceptable or (in most cases) outstanding.

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

Xylon,

As others have stated here, your screen captures are a nice addition to the total "Home Theater" experience and your participation is much appreciated in the non-hostile-spirit of a professional HTF atmosphere.

Please keep them coming!

Mr. Harris,

Thanks for your "few words about...",
Kill Bill 1 & 2 have been added to my Blu-ray to-own list!

Paul

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

Looking forward to watching at 185", haha. The theme/trailer music is quite memorable.

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

Rockin' good news. On order.

I was also impressed by the clips of Kill Bill in the Miramax promo which preceded Nixon, and I'm happy to read that the quality extends to the final product.

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

I figured it would look very pretty. Seeing volume 1 in the theater was quite an experience. When Hanzo handed Black Mamba the sword, I felt like I was in another realm. Masterful. I hope when I see it in HD, I get that feeling again

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

Who are you talking about?
(I don't mean "name names"; I mean where have you seen or heard this?)
To me, RAH, you had the BIGGEST bash against BD; when you were demanding a recall of two recent titles. I've never seen any anti-Blu post anything close too that negative B4. I've not seen any: 'I was HD DVD, now Blu must go!' posts either.
And I've been on some pretty vicious sites!!! :-0
So, it will be interesting too see where your getting all this.

EDitEDbyED:
SEE WHAT I MEAN, RAH!!!vvv :-)
What Blu-bashers write "worse" stuff than that! ;-)
"Dumbed Down"
&
"Format Looks Bad"
Jeez, if I wrote that, I'd be thrown off the forum!!! :-0 :-) ;-)

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

So, anyway...

I assume this is the US cut of KB1, with the black and white fight scene?
I only wish i liked part 2. I tell you true, this should have been ONE movie. Just cut out an hour, and it would be fantastic!
Thanks as always Mr. Harris for your informed opinions.

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

That's the ONLY cut The Mouse owns; if its "KB" from Disney, its censored.
Yeah, that Tarantino guy doesn't know what the heck he's doing! ;-)

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

I don't think anyone was bashing blu-ray, but rather 2 less than stellar releases. And bashing is a rather strong word.

Doug

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

I don't see how you can interpret his comments as bashing Blu-ray. The comments were specifically about the weaknesses of two titles. He would have done the same thing if the two films in question were weak releases on DVD. If that was the case would you say that he was bashing DVD? Over time, smilies aside, some of the comments you have aimed at the fellow seem unnecessarily combative in tone.

Also taking words like "dumbed down" and "Format looks bad" out of context with the rest of the sentence does not strengthen the argument. In any case, I doubt that you would have been "thrown off the forum" for using those terms in a post.

The word "censored" seems to be rather a strong one to use when referring to the black and white sequence in "Kill Bill 1". Did they force him to do that sequence in B&W or could it fall under the term "artistic licence"? The scene is there in all of its viciousness, just the color was removed. Does that really equate to complete removal or suppression?

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

What in the world are you talking about?

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

You're partially quoting and outright misquoting RAH to make your argument.

Re: A few words about...™ Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 -- in Blu-ray

Accurate quotes, but a bit meaningless in that form and out of context.

My position has always been simple.

In the high definition arena of home theater we had HD and BD, with the latter rushed to market.

Both were essentially "holding systems," or buckets if you will.

One, BD, had the ability we were told, to eventually hold more stuff. And this became fact, giving it a HUGE advantage over its competitor.

Whatever the studios decided to pour into those buckets defined them, and set their attributes as recognized by the public.

Both formats came out of the gate stumbling.

Problematic masters from Sony; bad chipsets from Samsung; 1080i transfers from Warner.

With two systems available, the buying public... weren't.

Both overcame their initial problems.

When Warner ended the competition, and Toshiba withdrew, it was all up to those filling the Blu-ray buckets to position the system to make it a no-brainer purchase.

For about six months things progressed well, with an expanding consumer base. Then within 30 days three major releases arrived, which defied all logic, and flew in the face of one of the most basic points set forth by the Blu-ray concept -- near theatrical quality in the home.

As a fierce supporter of Blu-ray, my fear was that the public -- which should be able to purchase or pre-order Blu software simply because it has the Blu-ray logo on it, and KNOW that it would be a quality release -- might pull back, and seeing these releases might consider throwing the proverbial baby out with the bath water.

And yes, the problems absolutely needed to be reported, making the point that Blu-ray supporters were best to steer clear from three problematic Blu-ray pieces of software.

And, that the Blu-ray system itself was sound.

Someone had poured garbage into the bucket, and this was not a good thing.

There is a bond of trust between the consumer and those that publish via an electronic format that quality will not be an issue. The public wants simplicity.

Once it becomes an issue, that bond is broken.

That is my concern.

And it made Blu-ray as a format look "dumbed down," with releases that "looked bad."

If you do your research, you'll find that HD freedom fighters were quick to pick up on it, posting in not always obvious ways. But those posts are available to make potential Blu-ray consumers think twice about finally making the big purchase.

And THAT is what we don't need.

One of the studios that made what can be considered an error of judgment was Disney in releasing a technically crippled, old master on BD of Gangs of New York -- an important film.

The release of Kill Bill brings them back to the stellar heights that can be accomplished via the Blu-ray system.

That is where they and the other studios belong.

If Disney doesn't make the Gangs error again with Cold Mountain, which was created by the same post house, all should continue to be well.

RAH