Any reviews for "Halloween" yet....????? (1 Viewer)

Hey Y'all...

Specifically, the new transfer. The last one looked pretty good, and I am curious to see how the new one will (hopefully) improve the image. Let's just hope they don't lay on the EE!!!!

Halloween 6 was on one of the HBOs the other night, and I was mesmerized. I couldn't take my eyes off of the TV...it was like watching a big-ass train wreck

I definitely agree that as the years (and sequels) add up, the original looks even better. It's amazing how Carpenter was able to make a relatively simple story and tell it in such a frightening way. There are no gimmicks, just pure evil.

Hopefully they'll take care of some of the aliasing problems in the new transfer. Aside from that, there isn't all that much to improve on.

IMO Carpenter's wise inspiration for Halloween's success was (in some part) Dario Argento & his method of laying down style & mood where the script may be lacking in true substance. Also to rely on competent actors to carry the film into genuine realism as far as the lives & motivations of most of these kids...not as complex as some other films to be sure but certainly not cardboard cutout's, we all knew kids just like this growing up and it was shocking to see them get killed before our eyes. Hell many of us were these kids growing up.

Also Carpenter is simply a fine director who has more hit's than misses in my book...he has a better hitting average than Argento IMHO.

Now as far as the DVD is concerned....I will be double dipping simply because I don't trust that my Criterion LD will stand the test of time so I want a back up for the very good commentary...although I do have it backed up on CD-R anyway...you know...just in case.

I had the Criterion LD but it went away wih my ld player.

I have the 2 disc LE from a few years ago but I am double dipping for this new one. Loved the commentary from the LD.

I found the transfer of the "restored" edition really distracting. There were tons of block-noise throughout the movie. More so in the night-time scenes than the daytime, but even in daylight, you could see them. When Laurie is in her room and she's about to lay down on her bed (the scene where she see's the shape out of her window) on the wall (behind her bed) there is major block-noise. Also when Dr. Loomis and the nurse are driving at night with the rain pouring down...TONS of block-noise. I really hope this transfer is much better!

Yes, I am aware of the many inspirations that Carpenter had on this film (and indeed in his entire career) but both he and Debra Hill admit on the commentary track, and I happen to agree, that "Halloween Owes a great debt to Deep Red, Suspiria & Dario Argento" who in turn was obviously influenced by everyone that Carpenter was such as Hitchcock, Bava, Ford (protecting the children) & Hawks among others.
However on Halloween I see the closest ties to how Dario took the classic Hitchcock formula and wove it into the standard Giallo, right down to the music IMO.
The other influences are clear but I feel the biggest credit lies in what Dario did with those same influences.

Jamie Lee Curtis on the LD commentary however finds that creative people have bad breath.

Is the new dvd going to have the 2 versions via seamless branching or have both versions on dual layers? I hope it's seamless branching, that will alleviate the "blocking" that I noticed on the limited edition version.

It's not going to have both versions at all. Only the theatrical cut.

Keven & Gordy, I'm watching the DVD on a Sony NS-700P (Progressive) on a 65" Mits Widescreen HDTV. I'm not the only person who has noticed the block noise as MattGuyOR talks about it too just a few posts up. I remember reading around 5 reviews (from DVD review sites) and they all mentioned that the DVD had block noise, but they weren't specific about which scenes they noticed the block noise in. Also, a while back, here on the HTF there was a thread in which people here, were stating that they too noticed the block noise. I don't have any links, but I'm sure if you look up old threads, you'll see that I'm not the only one who has noticed it. It's certainly there!

Well it's certainly not on my copy. Some EE yes but I have never seen any blocking on this title.
I just went and checked both of the scenes you mention again and I see no blocking at all during the Nurse/Loomis scene and on the wall behind Laurie I see some grain but no blocking as I know it. I have an older YAMAHA DVD-C900 5-disc Changer and a Sony KV-40XBR800 40" WEGA.

If it is on the DVD could someone offer some screen captures?

I'd be interested to see some screen caps as well...as I've never noticed any blocking either.

So what does this new edition have to offer me if I already own the limited ed dvd and the criterion laser?

A new documentary.

a new, lamer cover.

I read somewhere that it contained the 91 minute theatrical version and the 101 minute extended version (with the scenes shot for television in it). If that's not true, cool. I just want the theatrical version with more bitspace for the picture.