Countdown to Kong... - Page 2

Herb Kane · 05-27-2006, 03:49 PM

BTW: No Herb, as we have discussed before, I don't dislike any studio, and I own far too many Universal titles to count (although if you like I can get the exact number from my DVD Profiler). In fact, one of my top reference discs is Universal's amazing Legacy DVD edition of To Kill a Mocking Bird. Unfortunately, this is a rarity for Universal, and far more often their releasing technically flawed and/or below average quality DVDs then they are technically superior reference quality DVDs.

I dunno Nils, I think you might be selling Universal a bit short. I remember back early in the game, Universal had – without question, some of the best - and still considered reference discs, to this day i.e. Saving Private Ryan, Apollo 13 and The Haunting – crappy film but an amazing soundtrack (all DTS BTW). This was at a time when Sony was going guns a’ blazing with their classic titles and Warner were releasing scads of non-enhanced / pan & scan transfers. These were locked away in glass cases at the front of stores and Columbia and Paramount were charging $35 p/disc (how the times have changed).

But to this day, brand spanking new big budget release titles from Universal are probably my favorite. At least to me they seem to appear to be among the most natural looking lacking that slightly processed look from other studios which I detest. And perhaps I’ve been lucky, I have never had a Universal disc die on me – that includes some of the old original Hitchcock releases as well as DVD-18’s.

I’m trying to get my hands on a few of the Universal HD titles but up here they’re next to impossible to find.

Nils Luehrmann · 05-27-2006, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herb Kane

Wow, that's a pretty extreme statement! Nothing? Nothing at all?! I realise tastes differ, but most studios run the gamut of genres and there are generaly plenty of movies from each worth getting hold of. Crouching Tiger, Das Boot, Lawrence (an RH project)... none of these hold any interest for you? Wow.

So I get frustrated when I see multiple re-release after re-release…. In fact the three titles you list above have been released 8 times collectively.

Hmm... so you are frustrated that these titles have been re-released with improved editions a total of 2-3 times for each title, but you don't seem frustrated that Universal releases over 9 different editions of American Pie over only a few short years, while many of their much beloved classics were either not released yet, or only available as an early release with below average transfers and in come cases even MAR only video.

No, I'm not selling Universal short. I'm just not white washing over their deficiencies as if we can expect nothing but greatness from every Universal release, nor painting a picture of Universal as this bastion of professional home video talent. It is not just some off coincidence that throughout the communities of home video enthusiast, Universal has consistently ranked near or at the top of most polls for worst studio.

BTW: I went ahead and used my DVD Profiler to extract info on all my Universal titles:

207 Universal Titles
68 Are not Anamorphic
42 Are Single Layer

First: 12/09/1997 Backdraft
Last : 05/16/2006 The Producers (2005)

1997: 03
1998: 21
1999: 20
2000: 32
2001: 23
2002: 15
2003: 21
2004: 25
2005: 37
2006: 10

My Top 10 Favorites:

Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection
To Kill a Mockingbird
Schindler's List
Ray
Seabiscuit
Universal Studios Classic Monster Legacy Collections
Legend (Ultimate Edition)
Red Dragon (Director's Edition)
King Kong (2005)
Gods and Monsters
Touch of Evil (that's 11, but didn't want to leave it out)

Some of My Disappointments:

For any of the following or combination of reasons:

MAR (not original aspect ratio)
Bad Original Source
Poor Transfer
Authoring Video Artifacts
Poor Audio
Devoid of any features

The Sting
Double Indemnity
The Deer Hunter
Slaughterhouse-Five
Scent of a Woman
Casino
Dune
American Graffiti
Carlito's Way
Scarface
The Jerk
Midnight Run
Airport
The Red Violin
12 Monkeys
Dante's Peak
The Thing
Twister
Backdraft
Sneakers
Along came Polly
Columbo
Bedtime for Bonzo
+ Most of their DVD-18 releases

Herb Kane · 05-27-2006, 10:05 PM

Hmm... so you are frustrated that these titles have been re-released with improved editions a total of 2-3 times for each title, but you don't seem frustrated that Universal releases over 9 different editions of American Pie over only a few short years, while many of their much beloved classics were either not released yet, or only available as an early release with below average transfers and in come cases even MAR only video.

No, I'm not selling Universal short. I'm just not white washing over their deficiencies as if we can expect nothing but greatness from every Universal release, nor painting a picture of Universal as this bastion of professional home video talent. It is not just some off coincidence that throughout the communities of home video enthusiast, Universal has consistently ranked near or at the top of most polls for worst studio.

YUP.

I could list dozens upon dozens of Sony re-releases over the last couple of years, the sum of which would be 100x greater than the American Pie example you continue to quote – throw in whatever Universal re-releases there have been and we’d still be reeling in The Fifth Element covers… I never said we can “expect nothing from greatness from Universal”. They’re as fallible as any of the other big studios – but they do get it right more often (more often than Sony, that is) – and I’ll argue that point till the cows come home. BTW, don’t be reading all those internet polls; they’re the same people reporting that BD is the superior HD format – you know, the one that hasn’t been released yet

.

Some of My Disappointments:

For any of the following or combination of reasons:
• MAR (not original aspect ratio)
• Bad Original Source
• Poor Transfer
• Authoring Video Artifacts
• Poor Audio
• Devoid of any features
• The Sting
• Double Indemnity
• The Deer Hunter
• Slaughterhouse-Five
• Scent of a Woman

Not quite sure what you’re getting at here Nils… You’re upset with Universal over the original release of Double Indemnity…? Universal didn’t release it. It was licensed to Image who released it. However, and I’ve said this before, those who are expecting a likeness to last year’s To Kill A Mockingbird are going to be sorely disappointed when DI is finally released…. And nobody loves this film more than I. Similar to The Lost Weekend, it was a Paramount title which changed hands and was subsequently treated like a red-headed step child - and from what I’ve read, pristine elements just don’t exist. Hope I’m wrong but I’m predicting many unrealistic expectations (and disappointments) with regards to this upcoming release. And the studio will take the unwarranted heat.

Nils Luehrmann · 05-28-2006, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herb Kane

I could list dozens upon dozens of Sony re-releases over the last couple of years, the sum of which would be 100x greater than the American Pie example you continue to quote – throw in whatever Universal re-releases there have been and we’d still be reeling in The Fifth Element covers…

Guess you already placed your preorder for the fourth Universal edition of The Fast & the Furious

You can list dozens upon dozens of Sony re-leases over the last couple years that would be 100x greater than American Pie...

Not only does that statement make no sense, but it goes well beyond the realm of exaggeration, but if you can list these dozens upon dozens of Sony re-releases that have each been released as many times as American Pie, let's see it.

In the mean time I suggest you check out the countless re-releases of the Jurassic Park films and the Mummy films (new not old - although they were re-released as well).

While you are trying to come up with a list of Sony titles that have been re-released as many times as American Pie, here is but a small sample of some of the other titles Universal has released three or more times:

Animal House
Conan The Barbarian
Jaws
Scarface
Carlito's Way
12 Monkeys
Casino
Dante's Peak
Field of Dreams
Apollo 13
Jurassic Park
Lost World
Born On The Fourth Of July
Babe
Babe: Pig in the City
Half Baked
Liar Liar
Happy Gillmore
American Pie
American Pie 2
American Wedding
Nutty Professor
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Meet the Parents
Bride of Chucky
The Mummy
The Mummy Returns
Scorpion King
Fast & the Furious
2 Fast 2 Furious
Pitch Black
Chronicles Of Riddick
Bourne Identity
8 Mile

Oh, and let's not forget another "marvelous" Universal re-release with their so-called "Collector's Edition" of Big Lebowski which was so good it was on the list of most "Worst DVD of the Year" lists & polls.

Quote:

I never said we can “expect nothing from greatness from Universal”. They’re as fallible as any of the other big studios – but they do get it right more often (more often than Sony, that is) – and I’ll argue that point till the cows come home.

And yet your personal feelings for Sony and inability to recognize the quality releases from Sony leave your arguments with litte substance and mostly just exaggerated ranting.

Quote:

BTW, don’t be reading all those internet polls; they’re the same people reporting that BD is the superior HD format

Really? Not only is it incredible that you know this for a fact, but even more interesting is that the Universal has been earning worst studio of the year awards long before any talk of these HD formats. Is it possible for you to stop all the exaggerating or is your dislike for Sony so great that it is impossible for you to do anything else?

Quote:

you know, the one that hasn’t been released yet

Apparently you never noticed all the discussions over the last several months about BOTH formats prior to their release. Apparently it was OK to argue the advantages of HD DVD prior to its release, but not Blu-ray? Besides, these formats are not exactly ultra complex machines that can only be understood when used. I'd even be willing to bet that most owners of HD DVD players don't understand how their players and the format is designed, built, and works nearly as well as the many dedicated enthusiasts and professionals who have been discussing these formats now for over two years, and yet probably don't own a player.

Steve Schaffer · 05-28-2006, 03:46 AM

Geez, I've found Universal's dvd-18s always play fine on my Sony players.

Herb Kane · 05-28-2006, 10:32 AM

Nils,

That’s a nice list you’ve compiled there. How many of those “new” releases are now pan & scan only…? If you’re interested, I can post a list of recent Sony release titles that are… would that be an exaggeration…? And just so we’re clear, Sony – the same company that manufactures widescreen TV’s.

And yet your personal feelings for Sony and inability to recognize the quality releases from Sony

Huh? You haven’t been reading Nils.

It’s this statement you need to check and double check. No where in my postings throughout have I ever said that Sony’s releases were inferior – certainly not overall. They’ve had misfires like everyone else. When they do release something, it’s generally good and I generally purchase it. What I said was that they are no longer releasing any classic titles to purchase. If they did, I’d buy them - plain and simple. They have all but given up on classic titles. This, from a studio sitting on the largest collection of films on the planet. Even with Universal’s re-releases of the titles you list, Universal still managed to release 4 or 5 sets dedicated to their past legends over the last month or so – with the upcoming John Wayne set due on Tuesday and DI scheduled for late summer. The Cecil B. DeMille collection just streeted on Tuesday. What classic titles do Sony have on tap again…?

Speaking of Double Indemnity, you never addressed this…. How are you disappointed with Universal again…?

Larry Sutliff · 05-28-2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herb Kane

You’re upset with Universal over the original release of Double Indemnity…?

Isn't DOUBLE INDEMNITY being released by Uni this summer as a two disc special edition?

Herb Kane · 05-28-2006, 02:02 PM

Isn't DOUBLE INDEMNITY being released by Uni this summer as a two disc special edition?

Yes Larry - it's due August 29th. I was just curious as to why Nils was upset with Universal regarding the original release.

Nils Luehrmann · 05-28-2006, 02:45 PM

Herb, when you provide that list you said you could come up with of the dozens upon dozens of Sony titles that have each been released as many times as the American Pie movies, then I'll be glad to answer that. In the meantime, you can keep your red herring, I'm not hungry.

BTW: This thread is about Universal’s release of King Kong which I personally expect will be awesome given the source material available to them. In addition, as the OP brought it up, it is also on Universal’s track record for releasing technically superior quality video releases with only a small delay and therefore, in the opinion of the OP, they are worth waiting for. Yet, you somehow managed to sneak in an opportunity to yet again share your hatred for Sony with the rest of us, and have in some way derailed this thread.

Herb Kane · 05-28-2006, 03:43 PM

If my fellow member – and fellow classic film fan, Paul Scott (the originator of this thread) will indulge me just one more post…

Nils,
Aside from refusing to answer my questions as they relate to Sony’s poor business decisions and calling into question a studio (Universal) and holding them responsible for a transfer they had no part of (Double Indemnity)…. you have the nerve to state that I “have in some way derailed this thread”. You’ll see in post #24, I was merely poking fun – a carry-on if you will, from our previous conversations. But I would suggest sir, that if there was any derailing, you and you alone were responsible for that after you had the unmitigated gall to post what you did (see post #21) and call into question an industry professional who chose to impart some of his wisdom with the members here on this board. Apparently, you won't accept responsibility for that either.

There’s nothing more to say.