A Few Words About A few words about...™ Prizzi's Honor -- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

John Huston's 1985 Prizzi's Honor, is one of the darkest and funniest films of the era, and stands the test of time very nicely.

Or would, if the master supplied to Kino for the new Blu-ray was of more recent production.

I'm surmising that this was the same master used for DVD production, and for that purpose, it was probably fine -- at least back in the day.

But a Blu-ray exposes all the bad, in addition to the good.

Here, we have odd granular artifacts, occasionally seeming to swim upstream to spawn, heavy grain in darker areas of the frame, with virtually none on facial highlights.

There's nothing good here.

Problem is, this film will probably not be re-visited, and only through Kino's willingness to take a shot a its release, do we have anything at all. Bottom line, if you desire the film, best to go for it, warts and all.

Audio is acceptable.

Image - 3.25

Audio - 4

4k Up-rez - 3

Pass / Fail - Pass

RAH

 

[Jimbo64]

Well that's a shame, what a missed opportunity

 

[Dick]

Haven't yet seen this film looking good, including in a theater. Shame. Disney has not been a good steward of the ABC library, but should that surprise us?

On the other hand, this transfer can't possibly be worse than the Spanish Blu-ray (a DVD upgrade, I suspect, and a boot), so if it isn't full of unwatchable artifacts and aliasing, this may indeed be the best we'll get.

 

[Bob Cashill]

The theatrical presentation was fine (a handsome, dark-toned film, not big on "luster") but this doesn't seem much better than the non-anamorphic DVDs and bootleg Blus floating around. A damn shame but I guess I'll buy it, though it does make you wonder about some of the other ABC discs that are soon to be released--I hope the elements are better.

 

[Thomas T]

Disappointing news but at least it's anamorphic which is reason enough to upgrade from DVD

 

[PMF]

I was hoping that Kino had finally entered a new realm; being the pre-word work they had boasted on the their upcoming BD of "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" and other projects; but, clearly, Kino's consistency is not quite here to stay. You just can't charge top dollar for BD's that are sub-par in their transfer. Lower quality transfers require lower pricing.

 

[BRAD1963]

I was hoping that Kino had finally entered a new realm; being the pre-word work they had boasted on the their upcoming BD of "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" and other projects; but, clearly, Kino's consistency is not quite here to stay.

I think it depends on the situation and the studio. It looks as if the ABC/Disney titles are going to be 'as is'.

 

[PMF]

We're just too far advanced in our physical media capabilities and expectations to let these things slide.
Studios must certainly know this by now.
BOTTOM LINE: "As Is" no longer gets my dollar. They can do better and we know it to be so.

 

[PMF]

For the record, I am purchasing "Prizzi's Honor" and "Silkwood".
Normally, due to the luke-warm reviews of the current BD transfers, I would never consider paying $30.00.
I feel that when a BD commands this price-tag that we, as consumers, have the right to return that command in our expectations of receiving the finest image possible.
Fortunately, Kino Lorber is having a tremendous sale, which includes "Prizzi's Honor" at $17.97 and "Silkwood" at $11.98. In fairness to KL's efforts and in their capturing of these two titles for all to have, I am more than glad to meet them in the middle; now provided through August 6th.
I also appreciate that both titles were included within the KL sale, as these were newly released just days ago. My thanks to Kino Lorber for these inclusions.

 

[David Norman]

Silkwood for $12 is was. Prizzi's Honor can wait until a good sale comes along.

 

[Robert Harris]

For the record, I am purchasing "Prizzi's Honor" and "Silkwood".
Normally, due to the luke-warm reviews of the current BD transfers, I would never consider paying $30.00.
I feel that when a BD commands this price-tag that we, as consumers, have the right to return that command in our expectations of receiving the finest image possible.
Fortunately, Kino Lorber is having a tremendous sale, which includes "Prizzi's Honor" at $17.97 and "Silkwood" at $11.98. In fairness to KL's efforts and in their capturing of these two titles for all to have, I am more than glad to meet them in the middle; now provided through August 6th.
I also appreciate that both titles were included within the KL sale, as these were newly released just days ago. My thanks to Kino Lorber for these inclusions.

In deference to KL, there is nothing that they can do to better these transfers. The only alternative would be not to release - a lose /lose.

 

[DavidJ]

Bummer.

 

[Bob Cashill]

For the record, I am purchasing "Prizzi's Honor" and "Silkwood".
Normally, due to the luke-warm reviews of the current BD transfers, I would never consider paying $30.00.
I feel that when a BD commands this price-tag that we, as consumers, have the right to return that command in our expectations of receiving the finest image possible.
Fortunately, Kino Lorber is having a tremendous sale, which includes "Prizzi's Honor" at $17.97 and "Silkwood" at $11.98. In fairness to KL's efforts and in their capturing of these two titles for all to have, I am more than glad to meet them in the middle; now provided through August 6th.
I also appreciate that both titles were included within the KL sale, as these were newly released just days ago. My thanks to Kino Lorber for these inclusions.

I don't think Prizzi's Honor is part of the sale. Amazon will have it or near that price as well. But Silkwood is a good buy.

 

[Dave H]

My Dad (who passed away almost four years ago) used to really like this movie - used to air on cable when I was growing up. I may have to give it a spin here at some point.

 

[PMF]

I don't think Prizzi's Honor is part of the sale. Amazon will have it or near that price as well. But Silkwood is a good buy.

Prizzi's Honor is part of their sale; as it would normally be priced at $29.95. Its down to $17.97. Very fairly priced for a new release, even if its not as low as the many other titles ranging from $9.98 to $11.98.

 

[PMF]

For the record, I am purchasing "Prizzi's Honor" and "Silkwood".
Normally, due to the luke-warm reviews of the current BD transfers, I would never consider paying $30.00.
I feel that when a BD commands this price-tag that we, as consumers, have the right to return that command in our expectations of receiving the finest image possible.
Fortunately, Kino Lorber is having a tremendous sale, which includes "Prizzi's Honor" at $17.97 and "Silkwood" at $11.98. In fairness to KL's efforts and in their capturing of these two titles for all to have, I am more than glad to meet them in the middle; now provided through August 6th.
I also appreciate that both titles were included within the KL sale, as these were newly released just days ago. My thanks to Kino Lorber for these inclusions.

In deference to KL, there is nothing that they can do to better these transfers. The only alternative would be not to release - a lose /lose.

Agreed, which is why I felt the obligation to post my continued support for KL; especially in light of their wonderful sale.
Kino Lorber: They've been the good guys, throughout.

 

[ArnoldLayne]

Prizzi's Honor is part of their sale; as it would normally be priced at $29.95. Its down to $17.97. Very fairly priced for a new release, even if its not as low as the many other titles ranging from $9.98 to $11.98.

I picked up Silkwood for 11.98. The Camels will notify me when PH hits $15, not in a hurry.

 

[Matt Hough]

I picked this up during the last Kino sale, and I was pleased enough with the picture and (especially) sound to enjoy myself watching the movie again tonight. Hadn't seen it in awhile, and I love its playfulness amid life and death gangland decisions.

I was angry at the time of its release that Kathleen Turner didn't get Oscar nominated, but she had the misfortune to be up during a highly competitive year: Meryl Streep in Out of Africa, Whoopi Goldberg in The Color Purple, Jessica Lange in Sweet Dreams, Anne Bancroft in Agnes of God, and winner Geraldine Page in A Trip to Bountiful. (And I remember a lot of people were mad Cher wasn't nominated for Mask.) Tough year.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I picked this up during the last Kino sale, and I was pleased enough with the picture and (especially) sound to enjoy myself watching the movie again tonight. Hadn't seen it in awhile, and I love its playfulness amid life and death gangland decisions.

I was angry at the time of its release that Kathleen Turner didn't get Oscar nominated, but she had the misfortune to be up during a highly competitive year: Meryl Streep in Out of Africa, Whoopi Goldberg in The Color Purple, Jessica Lange in Sweet Dreams, Anne Bancroft in Agnes of God, and winner Geraldine Page in A Trip to Bountiful. (And I remember a lot of people were mad Cher wasn't nominated for Mask.) Tough year.

You're right that was a very competitive year for actresses in a leading role.