International Paper Moon (1973) UK Blu-ray - 5/18/15 (1 Viewer)

The commentary alone clinches this purchase for me.

One of my favorite movies as a kid and the cinematography is breathtaking.

bigshot said:

One of my favorite movies as a kid and the cinematography is breathtaking.

Click to expand...

I agree. Love that black and white!

DVD Beaver review:


"Paper Moon is absolutely gorgeous on Blu-ray from The Masters of Cinema group in the UK. Cinematographer László Kovács' visuals are like still art and I could have taken captures all day. The image quality shows a sweet layer of grain and the contrast is impeccably layered. This is dual-layered with a max'ed out bitrate. It is neither glossy nor pristinely sharp but shows some depth and black levels are inky and impressive. I would guess the 1.78:1 aspect ratio was provided that way to MoC. This Blu-ray offers a rich, mesmerizing 1080P presentation. Exceptional." DVD Beaver



http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film5/blu-ray_reviews_67/paper_moon_blu-ray.htm



IMO, it's an absolute shame that Paramount hasn't released this (and many, many of their other catalog titles) in the US. Hopefully, since many MOC releases end-up with Criterion in the US, this one will be coming soon from them.

bigshot said:

he cinematography is breathtaking.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I've only watched the film on DVD; even so it is stunningly beautiful.

I just received my copy and watched it tonight. It's a great transfer with contrast I've never seen--not even in film prints!

Mine arrived yesterday and watched it last night. It looks stunning. I saw this in the theater when I was a kid, and obviously I can't remember detail of original print viewings at that time, but I would be surprised if this looked any better in its original release. A worthy purchase!

I received mine today. While others may like the look of this Paper Moon release, it just has too much grain for my taste. I don't know what the original prints looked like, perhaps it was shot on high speed film. Maybe they wanted a documentary look, but It kind of reminds me of my reaction to the BD for Twelve Angry Men - too much grain. I much prefer the B&W look on Blu-ray of something like Zorba The Greek.

I honestly can't imagine criticizing a film for looking too much like film! That texture is part of the image. The film is intended to evoke a cross between the fantasy of films of the 30s with the reality of life in the depression. Film grain is part of that.

bigshot said:

I honestly can't imagine criticizing a film for looking too much like film! That texture is part of the image. The film is intended to evoke a cross between the fantasy of films of the 30s with the reality of life in the depression. Film grain is part of that.

Click to expand...

That's fine - if you like the look. I don't. I liked Kodak Plus-X reversal film, 4-X, not so much. I like grain...to a point.

I have seen 35mm prints of this film and the disc shares the same grain look. It was supposed to give it that "1930s" look of the period.

I watched a half hour of it last night. The blu-ray looks fantastic! I got sucked into the supplements. I usually don't care for supplements, but the one with Bogdanovich is really interesting.

Sigh.

Still on the fence on what to do about this title.

I really like this film. Would gladly buy the import.

Just wondering if Criterion is working on this one. Would hate to buy it now and then....

atfree said:

DVD Beaver review:
"...Cinematographer László Kovács' visuals are like still art and I could have taken captures all day..."

Click to expand...

"Paper Moon" was my first introduction to Mr. Kovacs.
Very influential to me at the age of 13.
I instantly got what was going on within the Bogdanovich/Kovacs design; as I had grown up watching as many 1930's comedies that I was able to see.
I even bought the soundtrack in 1973, as the selection of songs were so befitting - nearly Hal Roach - within its Depression era charms.
BTW, Madeline Kahn was as funny in person as on film.
I met her backstage (circa. 1970), where she was doing the musical "Two By Two" with Danny Kaye.

It's a great film, Philip.

Just wondering what will happen with a U.S. release, if anything at all.

The state of the Paramount catalog is just a mess right now. Too many great '70s films not seeing the light of day.

Ronald Epstein said:

Sigh.

Still on the fence on what to do about this title.

I really like this film. Would gladly buy the import.

Just wondering if Criterion is working on this one. Would hate to buy it now and then....

Click to expand...

But, Ron, why wait? In the first place, Criterion does not usually carry over all of the bonus features available on the Masters Of Cinema releases (and vice versa). Second, as I am assuming you are all-region-ready, you know that MOC offers transfers every bit as good as Criterion's. It is, in fact, the might-as-well-be-Criterion label of the UK. This is a gorgeous Blu-ray. Even if Criterion releases it, I'll stick with this. What more could you ask than a Bodgdanovich commentary and a bunch of other supplements?

Good point, Dick.

I just ordered it. $20 shipped. Not bad at all.

You're going to be very happy. That is a great disc.

Ronald Epstein said:

The state of the Paramount catalog is just a mess right now. Too many great '70s films not seeing the light of day.

Click to expand...

So true.