International France...IRMA LA DOUCE and MIRAGE (1 Viewer)

[ahollis]

Kino just announced Irma for a Blu-ray release.

 

[haineshisway]

Ha, mine arrived today & I had a quick zoom through it. The picture does look stunning, & those rich colours! A few blobs here & there, you'd think MGM would do a complete clean-up, but that's MGM for you.

I'm not at all sold that this is from the new 4K - I'll be very interested to see the new Kino. This has no discernible grain at all, the titles are weaving like crazy (as are the little scenes that happen within them) and there are specs throughout that I'd venture to say wouldn't be there in a new 4K cleanup. If I had to hazard a guess, this is a previous HD transfer - and the color is terrific and it doesn't look bad at all and certainly lots better than the DVD, but I'd be VERY surprised if this is the new 4K.

 

[Alan Tully]

I'm not at all sold that this is from the new 4K - I'll be very interested to see the new Kino. This has no discernible grain at all, the titles are weaving like crazy (as are the little scenes that happen within them) and there are specs throughout that I'd venture to say wouldn't be there in a new 4K cleanup. If I had to hazard a guess, this is a previous HD transfer - and the color is terrific and it doesn't look bad at all and certainly lots better than the DVD, but I'd be VERY surprised if this is the new 4K.

Yeah, you could be right, I've only zipped through it so far, all will come clear in time. If I have to double dip, then I don't mind, I'm sure you will if the Kino proves to be the business.

 

[haineshisway]

Absolutely I will - I love the film. Mirage is pretty good, though.

 

[Member 323668]

I'm not at all sold that this is from the new 4K - I'll be very interested to see the new Kino. This has no discernible grain at all, the titles are weaving like crazy (as are the little scenes that happen within them) and there are specs throughout that I'd venture to say wouldn't be there in a new 4K cleanup. If I had to hazard a guess, this is a previous HD transfer - and the color is terrific and it doesn't look bad at all and certainly lots better than the DVD, but I'd be VERY surprised if this is the new 4K.

Completely agree with you, haineshisway. I received "Irma" and "Mirage" yesterday from France and was quite disappointed with both transfers.

"Irma" doesn't seem to be a new 4K transfer, actually I think it is the same master used for the MGM HD channel on Sky TV years ago.
A very ordinary HD transfer. Not very sharp (as many Panavision anamorphic films from that era) and almost completely grain-deprived. Beautiful colors, though.

"Mirage" is not a good Blu-ray presentation either. Just an old HD master from the "old" Universal, almost completely de-grained, DNR'd, edge-enhanced and contrast-boosted. Waxy. Done by people with low professional competence...

I'd wish there would be a Grover Crisp in every major studio!

 

[haineshisway]

Yes, Kino confirmed to me that this company does not have the 4K master. This is why this is so disheartening here - just because something looks better than a DVD is not a reason to post as if it's the second coming - the deficiencies in the transfer are noticeable from frame one and the complete lack of grain and hence true detail is also noticeable immediately. Wish I hadn't been fooled, And while I thought Mirage looked a bit better, it, too, has indeed had grain removed (not all - the early scenes in the dark have it, but it's very unnatural-looking). Well, one lives and one learns and I'm really looking forward to the Kino release.

 

[JPCinema]

I look forward to the Kino. I am happy I have the extras on the French disc.

 

[PMF]

[...]By the way, Shirley absolutely breaks my heart in Sweet Charity. Love her in that.

At the very least, a nomination was in order.
That job interview scene. So painful, so vulnerable.
And Shirley MacLaine was one of the few leading ladies in film who could also own a Fosse step and move.