New Casablanca SE - Page 3

Mark Zimmer · 08-04-2003, 04:02 PM

Classic though it may be, there are still plenty of people who haven't seen it or Citizen Kane yet. Keep using the spoilers for their sakes.

Everyone should be entitled to come to a classic for the first time without someone needlessly spoiling the experience for them.

Dennis Nicholls · 08-04-2003, 04:17 PM

Spoiler:

MarkHarrison · 08-05-2003, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Classic though it may be, there are still plenty of people who haven't seen it or Citizen Kane yet. Keep using the spoilers for their sakes. Everyone should be entitled to come to a classic for the first time without someone needlessly spoiling the experience for them.

From one of the few people who have yet to see Casablanca (though I have seen Kane), thanks!

Carlo Medina · 08-05-2003, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Classic though it may be, there are still plenty of people who haven't seen it or Citizen Kane yet.

Remedied the Kane problem earlier this year. Tonight or tomorrow I plan to remedy the Casablanca problem.

Mark_vdH · 08-05-2003, 05:37 PM

"I haven't seen Casablanca. You despise me, don't you?"
"If I gave you any thought I probably would."

rich_d · 08-05-2003, 11:37 PM

To me, plopping a grade on this new video release is not my mindset. Merely the observation that progress is being made. Some film grain lost? I think so. Digital smearing/smoothing (for lack of industry jargon) like we've seen in former efforts? Very little.

The last time I saw Casablanca was on film at a bar called Frankenstein's (in Boston). They pulled down a screen towards dusk and did double features. It never was a perfect viewing experience - there was one small (but annoying) little rip in the screen, people getting drinks etc. But, Casablanca comes on and I get swept away like I'm watching the film's premiere at the world's best theatre (with beer too).

I watched Casablanca tonight and was swept away once again by this great film. If I were back at Frankenstein's - I'd raise my glass to those that were involved with this project. I think there is reason to be very optimistic about future efforts - by many different groups.

Nice work guys.

Ken_McAlinden · 08-06-2003, 04:04 PM

Quote:

About a dozen years ago, someone (I believe with Film Comment) sent the original screenplay (I believe under the title "Everyone Comes to Rick's") around to a number of studio execs and production companies.

Of the dozen or so readers, only one or two recognized the screenplay as something they might have seen before.

There was apparently some interest, but most turned it down out of hand.

...and then in 1996, Polygram tied it into a comic book adaptation/Pam Anderson vehicle and produced it as "Barb Wire".

P.S. It's 100% true that "Barb Wire" has the same plot as Casablanca, but if knowing that it is true makes you go out and watch "Barb Wire", I would like to apologize in advance for whatever part I have played in this decision.

Regards,

Henry Gale · 08-09-2003, 07:40 AM

Disc one has a menu feature I've not experienced before. After about 30 seconds the movie just starts on its own.

JustinCleveland · 08-09-2003, 08:32 AM

Jim,

I've seen that on a couple other discs, namely Children's titles, something I have NO problem with, speaking as a person who lost his remote for a while and didn't have a player that I could navagate with.

dpippel · 08-09-2003, 09:20 AM

I watched Casablanca last night with my wife, who hadn't seen it in years. This film continues to amaze me. It works perfectly in almost every way, and has finally received the treatement it deserves on DVD. I found the new transfer to be absolutely *stunning* on my 57" ISF calibrated Hitachi. Clarity, shadow detail, blacks, depth of grayscale - all are just beautiful. Several times during the movie I found myself slack-jawed at how three dimensional it looked. I think that Lowry Digital did an amazing job preserving a filmlike look on this transfer.

Robert Harris · 08-09-2003, 09:34 AM

Sorry, but here we go again.

LDI is not preserving anything.

They are simply NOT TAKING AWAY the filmlike look.

I would suggest that anyone interested compare the current redition of the film on DVD to the earlier incarnation, which is also a beautiful DVD.

RAH

Jeff_HR · 08-09-2003, 09:45 AM

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Disc one has a menu feature I've not experienced before. After about 30 seconds the movie just starts on its own.

WB discs usually do start on their own.