A Few Words About A few words about...™ 2001: a space odyssey -- in 4k UHD Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Josh Steinberg]

I think it’s more than different expectations.

 

[Robert Harris]

Strangely, my expectations were moderate to moderate/low, and I find the UHD disc quite a bit more than acceptable.

Quite nice, actually.

 

[Worth]

My only complaint with it is the elevated black level. I don't know if that's an issue when watching it in 4K, but at 1080p, both the UHD disc and the new blu are washed out.

 

[Robert Harris]

My only complaint with it is the elevated black level. I don't know if that's an issue when watching it in 4K, but at 1080p, both the UHD disc and the new blu are washed out.

I believe this is what “the director” desired. I do not concur, and side with The Director, with whom I discussed the film’s black levels.

Blu-Ray, way off.

4k UHD, close, but...

 

[Keith Cobby]

I'm satisfied that I will never have to buy it again.

 

[dpippel]

My only complaint with it is the elevated black level. I don't know if that's an issue when watching it in 4K, but at 1080p, both the UHD disc and the new blu are washed out.

I've found that the black level on the Dolby Vision encode is better than straight HDR in my setup. Others who are 4K equipped may want to compare the two as well.

 

[Brian Husar]

I've found that the black level on the Dolby Vision encode is better than straight HDR in my setup. Others who are 4K equipped may want to compare the two as well.

I agree with the Dolby Vision encode. In fact, it’s some of the best Dolby Vision I have seen on disc.

 

[PMF]

I have known Jean-Pierre for a very long time and I have also helped him a little bit with some programming for film festivals over here in Europe. He knows a lot about film, especially 70mm films. Here is an upcoming festival where he was heavily involved in programming and procuring prints:

https://www.in70mm.com/news/2019/varnsdorf/index.htm

Always wanted to go to one these 70mm festivals, as I've been aware of this venue for many years.

 

[PMF]

I'm satisfied that I will never have to buy it again.

Never say never.

 

[david hare]

This is such a great transfer I even like all the dupes!

I do feel as a very weak French speaker I believe a lot of M. Gutzeit's post was lost in the translation. In French "we" and "one" are frequently used in the wider sense to convey an independent view. He was not appropriating anybody's opinion but being, in fact inclusive and polite. I don't think his concern for the lack of semblance to original prints is actually justified but he knows his stuff, like it or not. I just wish the things he's saying about restoration work were taken on board by facilities like Bologna/ Il Cinema Ritrovato and Lab. Eclair in Paris whos work on color with LUTs at the scanning stage (!!) replacing high quality print references were taken into account. They continue to botch literally every color film the get their hands on.

 

[lark144]

This is such a great transfer I even like all the dupes!

I I just wish the things he's saying about restoration work were taken on board by facilities like Bologna/ Il Cinema Ritrovato and Lab. Eclair in Paris whos work on color with LUTs at the scanning stage (!!) replacing high quality print references were taken into account. They continue to botch literally every color film the get their hands on.

AMEN!

 

[OliverK]

Always wanted to go to one these 70mm festivals, as I've been aware of this venue for many years.

It is about a 2 1/2 hours drive from where I live - I consider myself very lucky to be able to get there so easy!
Last year they showed a vintage print of 2001 by the way but it had of course already faded significantly.

 

[PMF]

It is about a 2 1/2 hours drive from where I live - I consider myself very lucky to be able to get there so easy!
Last year they showed a vintage print of 2001 by the way but it had of course already faded significantly.

"2001" never fades; but, rather, becomes more luminous with every passing year.
P.S. Whomever booked "Ryan's Daughter" at this year's festival chose, IMHO, the wisest of all follow-up films to Kubrick's masterpiece.

 

[OliverK]

"2001" never fades; but, rather, becomes more luminous with every passing year.
P.S. Whomever booked "Ryan's Daughter" at this year's festival chose, IMHO, the wisest of all follow-up films to Kubrick's masterpiece.

Indeed 2001 is kind of an evergreen (and by that I do not mean the tint of the "unrestored" prints from last year)

As for Ryan's Daughter the print I saw was so detailed that it almost made 2001 look like a Blow-Up. One of the best looking large format productions ever!

 

[Robert Harris]

Indeed 2001 is kind of an evergreen (and by that I do not mean the tint of the "unrestored" prints from last year)

As for Ryan's Daughter the print I saw was so detailed that it almost made 2001 look like a Blow-Up. One of the best looking large format productions ever!

Dear Freddie, at his best.

 

[OliverK]

Dear Freddie, at his best.

Indeed, the cinematography by itself is worth the price of admission. I wish he had shot more large format productions.

 

[john a hunter]

I recall a lecture at the London N.F.T when Freddie was questioned at length about Ryan in 70 and Zhivago in 35 and the quality differences between them.
He wouldn't be drawn on the subject and kept his thoughts to himself.

 

[OliverK]

I recall a lecture at the London N.F.T when Freddie was questioned at length about Ryan in 70 and Zhivago in 35 and the quality differences between them.
He wouldn't be drawn on the subject and kept his thoughts to himself.

Smart man, I take it he did not want to get into trouble

 

[john a hunter]

He did bring the packed house down when asked about the then trend for filming in 16 and super 16.
He though they were both fantastic formats- for home movies!

 

[Robert Harris]

Funny story.

When we were opening Law in NY, in 1989, my wife and I took Freddie, and his wife Joan, to dinner. I had my cousins in from Philly, and had them join us. Freddie had asked a bit about them, and among other things, I explained that my older cousin was a rather well known model aircraft builder, and designer, as a hobby.

We chatted through dinner. They knew that Freddie had shot Law, but really didn’t know the immensity of his history.

Relevant to the post above, at one point my younger cousin asked about 8 & 16, and if there was any sage advice. Freddie responded, “if you pan, pan slowly, and make sure that there’s a reason to pan. And don’t keep zooming in and out.”

Dinner ended. We go back to the hotel, as a group. A small crowd is waiting at the entrance, and my elder cousin gives a quizzical look.

We exit, and Freddie is surrounded by fans, asking him to sign photographs.

Cousin the Elder turns to me, and a bit confused, asks “who IS this guy?”

We finally make our way to the elevator, and Joan & Freddie are heading up.

The elevator doors begin to close, and Freddie’s hand stops them.

He looks at Cousin the Elder, smiles, and tells him...

“You know there’s a film that I shot that you might wish to discuss — The Battle of Britain. See you at breakfast...”

And the doors close.

I adored that man.