Aaron Reynolds
Screenwriter
I had a productive three days of LaserDisc collecting, thanks once again to the death of the format. On the weekend, I picked up the Tron Archive Collection boxed set, Criterion's CLV From Russia With Love and the original CLV disc of Fantasia at Harmony Music in Toronto (they have tons of good stuff right now), and then on Monday a giant package from LaserExchange's $5 LD blowout showed up, containing (among other things) 32 Short Films About Glenn Gould and the Japanese LD of The Sixth Sense (which was more than $5).
A quick sampling of these titles has once again got me all jazzed up about PCM tracks and just how phenomenal they can sound. Tron and The Sixth Sense are both easily among the best tracks I've ever heard, with superbly clean, rich and detailed sound.
So, I was wondering, since I know there are at least a few other LDphiles hanging out on HTF, what are the best, highly-recommended, not-to-be-missed PCM tracks out there?
Some of my faves, in no particular order, are:
Apocalypse Now widescreen remaster -- apparently the subsequent THX DD 5.1 LD also had the same PCM track on it. The warning on the back cover of the disc is true: the sound is so dynamic and at times so rich that one time I was listening to it a little too loud and I blew a speaker when they dropped the napalm! Of course, I was younger and dumber then.
The non-DD disc has a less-dynamic mix on the analog tracks, which is the same as the mix on the widescreen VHS tape.
Jaws Signature Collection -- probably the best sounding mono mix I've ever heard. The John Williams score sounds spectacular, especially those low notes at the beginning of the opening credits.
Out of Sight Signature Collection -- the music really shakes the floor, but I think this disc really shines in the quietest moments of the mix, like all of the ambient sound when Clooney is waiting at the bank and flicking his lighter, or Don Cheadle's "vertically integrated" monologue in the stolen car. I really don't know how to describe it...the whole movie sounds "smooth".
Se7en Criterion Collection -- my two favourite-sounding scenes are Morgan Freeman in the library (the way those echoes just wash over you) and Freeman and Pitt in the room under the club, with the music blaring away. That second scene is loud and heavy, but also incredibly clear without being harsh or grating.
Brazil Criterion Collection -- after the original MCA disc, I'd never have expected Brazil to sound as good as it does, particularly the score. The old MCA disc is muffled in comparison.
Mission: Impossible with Tom Cruise -- I usually use the opening credit sequence as a demo of why I like PCM soundtracks.
The English Patient Criterion Collection -- really, really, really good. Frighteningly dynamic, though not as extreme as Apocalypse Now or Pink Floyd: The Wall.
Beauty and the Beast: Work in Progress from Disney -- top notch. Deep, thundering bass, clean, clear highs, and not harsh at all. This was my audio demo for years.
If I think of more, I'll add 'em.
Tracks I thought were disappointing:
Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace Japanese THX -- well, it doesn't sound bad or anything, just after all the hype (I finally received a copy this year) it was a bit of a letdown. I found it almost harsh at times.
Sleeping Beauty Disney THX -- I'm guessing that the PCM track is a mixdown from the DD 5.1 remix, because it has a boomy, hollow sound that reminded me of listening to things through a vacuum cleaner hose. Almost all the Disney LDs I have sound great. Sadly, this fantastic-looking disc is an exception.
The Godfather and The Godfather, part II widescreen THX -- again, a boomy, hollow, fake-sounding disc. Bleah. It's a shame they look so much better than the full frame discs that have the original mono mix.
Okay, who else wants to share? Or to dispute my opinions!
A quick sampling of these titles has once again got me all jazzed up about PCM tracks and just how phenomenal they can sound. Tron and The Sixth Sense are both easily among the best tracks I've ever heard, with superbly clean, rich and detailed sound.
So, I was wondering, since I know there are at least a few other LDphiles hanging out on HTF, what are the best, highly-recommended, not-to-be-missed PCM tracks out there?
Some of my faves, in no particular order, are:
Apocalypse Now widescreen remaster -- apparently the subsequent THX DD 5.1 LD also had the same PCM track on it. The warning on the back cover of the disc is true: the sound is so dynamic and at times so rich that one time I was listening to it a little too loud and I blew a speaker when they dropped the napalm! Of course, I was younger and dumber then.
The non-DD disc has a less-dynamic mix on the analog tracks, which is the same as the mix on the widescreen VHS tape.Jaws Signature Collection -- probably the best sounding mono mix I've ever heard. The John Williams score sounds spectacular, especially those low notes at the beginning of the opening credits.
Out of Sight Signature Collection -- the music really shakes the floor, but I think this disc really shines in the quietest moments of the mix, like all of the ambient sound when Clooney is waiting at the bank and flicking his lighter, or Don Cheadle's "vertically integrated" monologue in the stolen car. I really don't know how to describe it...the whole movie sounds "smooth".
Se7en Criterion Collection -- my two favourite-sounding scenes are Morgan Freeman in the library (the way those echoes just wash over you) and Freeman and Pitt in the room under the club, with the music blaring away. That second scene is loud and heavy, but also incredibly clear without being harsh or grating.
Brazil Criterion Collection -- after the original MCA disc, I'd never have expected Brazil to sound as good as it does, particularly the score. The old MCA disc is muffled in comparison.
Mission: Impossible with Tom Cruise -- I usually use the opening credit sequence as a demo of why I like PCM soundtracks.
The English Patient Criterion Collection -- really, really, really good. Frighteningly dynamic, though not as extreme as Apocalypse Now or Pink Floyd: The Wall.
Beauty and the Beast: Work in Progress from Disney -- top notch. Deep, thundering bass, clean, clear highs, and not harsh at all. This was my audio demo for years.
If I think of more, I'll add 'em.
Tracks I thought were disappointing:
Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace Japanese THX -- well, it doesn't sound bad or anything, just after all the hype (I finally received a copy this year) it was a bit of a letdown. I found it almost harsh at times.
Sleeping Beauty Disney THX -- I'm guessing that the PCM track is a mixdown from the DD 5.1 remix, because it has a boomy, hollow sound that reminded me of listening to things through a vacuum cleaner hose. Almost all the Disney LDs I have sound great. Sadly, this fantastic-looking disc is an exception.
The Godfather and The Godfather, part II widescreen THX -- again, a boomy, hollow, fake-sounding disc. Bleah. It's a shame they look so much better than the full frame discs that have the original mono mix.
Okay, who else wants to share? Or to dispute my opinions!
