If only we could go back again.
Cinema Paradiso is the name of the local movie house that serves as the central character in Giuseppe Tornatore’s film, around which all of the human character’s flutter, a bit akin to a moth and a light.
It’s a film created by someone who apparently loves the cinema, for the rest of us, who grew up enchanted by those ever-moving light beams from little windows at the back of the house.
For those who love cinema, and have not seen this film – that possible? , grab a copy of Arrow’s new 4k. It’s nice to see a 4k disc with HDR, in which grays remain.
There were several versions of the film, inclusive of one with Brigitte Fossey. She’s back in the 173 minute HD version, included on a separate disc.
A love letter to the movie “palaces” of the past. “They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot…”
Image – 5
Audio – 5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Upgrade from Blu-ray – Absolutely
Very Highly Recommended
RAH
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Angelo Colombus
Senior HTF Member
I purchased it but it's been laying in some mail bin at the Post Office since December 7th. Have the 2011 Lionsgate Blu-ray so this will be a nice upgrade...when i get it.
Bernard McNair
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A glorious film on every level.
I love the Morricone score; IMHO one of the great film scores.
I love the Morricone score; IMHO one of the great film scores.
B-ROLL
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I have the Lionsgate and the previously released Arrow Blu-Ray and the difference between the Lionsgate and the Arrow 2 disc version is like the title of a Truffaut film: Night & Day - in favor of the Arrow version.
titch
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Because Arrow used Fidelity In Motion to create the master.
Our Work :: Fidelity in Motion
www.fidelityinmotion.com
I don't consider myself an overly-emotional man, but I openly wept at the end of Cinema Paradiso. A love letter to the movie palaces of yore? Hell, a bona fide valentine with all the trimmings. Superb in every way. It touched my heart. I'm getting emotional just thinking of it now.
harync
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Most cinephiles have watched this film, but I believe the Director's cut should carry a warning: "Please watch Theatrical cut first." Finding out that a certain character withheld a certain key piece of information felt like too much of a betrayal of the character.
aPhil
Supporting Actor
Totally agree.
My copy preordered from the B&N sale was also stuck until it arrived yesterday. Haven't gotten around to watching yet, but will hopefully find time this week and maybe get the family all choked up as well though they don't usually watch artsy fartsy Euro films w/ me
(and I haven't moved the HT into its dedicated room yet)..._Man_
B-ROLL
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Just remember the Directors Cut has what seems like 20 minutes of some uh NC-17 type stuff before you sit the whole family in front of the tellyMy copy preordered from the B&N sale was also stuck until it arrived yesterday. Haven't gotten around to watching yet, but will hopefully find time this week and maybe get the family all choked up as well though they don't usually watch artsy fartsy Euro films w/ me
_Man_
!
PMBen
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It's interesting, I liked the Director's Cut. I watched it before I watched the theatrical version, and the latter one seemed to me hollower by comparison, story-wise.
For further reading concerning the two cuts:
https://www.rogerebert.com/far-flung-correspondents/a-film-improved-by-butchering
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/cinema-paradiso-the-new-version-2002
https://www.indiewire.com/2014/04/d...ersions-vs-the-filmmakers-final-vision-87520/
and to the contrary:
https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/09/movies/film-a-new-cut-only-deepens-the-nostalgia.html
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I remember the DC not sitting well with me, mostly involving what happened with the love interest.
But it's been over a decade since I watched it, so I'm willing to give it another look, especially if it comes with this 4K release.
But it's been over a decade since I watched it, so I'm willing to give it another look, especially if it comes with this 4K release.
The Arrow 2017 Blu is absolutely gorgeous. If this release is as good, I cant imagine any DC fans (who don’t already own that) being disappointed.
titch
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I watched the Arrow 4K disc this evening. I have the previous Arrow blu-ray and the 4K really resolves the grain wonderfully. Arrow's 4K discs are among the best when projected - they don't overdo the HDR.
But after seeing Cinema Paradiso for the umpteenth time since it was released theatrically, it is clear that it is Ennio Morricone's marvellous score that makes the film. There is hardly a second without music swirling up, and it completely sells it. The 5.1 soundtrack doesn't sound very good - there is some low-level noise that hums along underneath the music and dialogue. After the first 10 minutes I just switched over to the original mono and it sounded fine.
But after seeing Cinema Paradiso for the umpteenth time since it was released theatrically, it is clear that it is Ennio Morricone's marvellous score that makes the film. There is hardly a second without music swirling up, and it completely sells it. The 5.1 soundtrack doesn't sound very good - there is some low-level noise that hums along underneath the music and dialogue. After the first 10 minutes I just switched over to the original mono and it sounded fine.
harync
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Many people saw the Theatrical release first, and were excited to watch "the New Cut" only to find out the revelation that completely undercuts the relationship dynamics of the film. It effectively gives you the same feeling that Toto had in the New Cut. If you watched the longer cut first, I can certainly understand feeling that the theatrical was "missing something" but you miss out on the (dis)pleasure of a major sense of betrayal.
Cda1143 posted several links to reviews comparing the cuts and I agree with the pro-Theatrical cut reviews.
Rob W
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How did your family feel about the row of young boys pleasuring themselves in the theatrical version ?Just remember the Directors Cut has what seems like 20 minutes of some uh NC-17 type stuff before you sit the whole family in front of the telly
titch
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Never liked the Director's Cut - I purchased it on VHS, when it was first released in the UK in the '90's. It really exposed all the director's weaknesses in plot, dialogue and casting. And it dragged on forever. God - those puppy-dog eyes. When I saw the original theatrical cut, back in 1988, I wasn't much older than the adolescent Toto. Watching it again 30 years later, now battle-worn and scarred, it's so easy to see how everything is engineered for maximum sentimentality. There's absolutely nothing subtle in it. But I was quite surprised to find that I still enjoy it and am moved by it. Forget all the stupid relationships - it's a love for movies. No question that Harvey Weinstein did a phenomenal job of making a completely different and superior movie, from the director's original, unfocussed, version.
Angelo Colombus
Senior HTF Member
Blu-ray.com also has a positive review of the 4k disc. Will get mine on Monday.
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