R2 Anamorphic list... etc etc (1 Viewer)

[Omer M]

First things first, a few words on what the future might hold, in the latest VSDA conference, according to Peter M. Bracke report: "some studios suggested that the "mainstream" consumer preference for full frame will have to be considered and assessed as an option as the DVD market grows. While the option is always there to provide multiple aspect ratios on the same disc, the growing consumer appetite for extensive supplemental content, and the studios unwillingness to adopt DVD-18s at this juncture suggest that some hard decisions will have to be made on what features and formatting options to support, and on which titles. While no studio indicated widescreen was"on the way out", a couple did state that the widescreen option may be eliminated on select titles "when appropriate" to the material."... which can be quite problematic. Quite surprisingly, I talked about this issue a few weeks ago with one of my Columbia European quarters contacts who claimed that European DVDs is still a bit far from being mainstream, and that film's Full Screen only versions is not even as an option considered at the moment. Still not sure what the US studios are planning, but at any rate, at the moment, film buffs will still be covered with widescreen editions on the R2 releases.
Okay okay, after quite long, I am posting a few additions to the thread, hope ya find those additions helpful in some way...
(1) Starting off with G.I Jane, contrary to the non-anamorphic R1 release, the UK release of this Demi Moore title is blessed with 2:35:1 widescreen anamorphic transfer... trailer and audio track remains the same as the US release.
(2) Showgirls - It is show time with the excellent 2.35:1 anamorphic French release, compared with the US 2.35:1 letterboxed transfer, on the supplements side, the French release holds a Theatrical Trailer and filmographies, an English and French PCM stereo tracks and French subtitles compared with an English / French / Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround tracks, a making-of documentary, a making-of booklet and a trailer on the American counterpart. If ya liked the film and can compromise on supplements, I would go with the French release as the transfer is simply gorgeous.
(3) Not sure how, but I forgot to mention the sumptuous Canal+ French release of Basic Instinct - Version Lounge. (with all the violence and the details of the scene of interrogation, woah) Not only does the disc contains the 128-minute director's cut which was never released on the US disc and was heavily 'censored' (blurring on intimate parts), the French disc also features a Theatrical Trailer, Filmographies, a rather interesting Making Of featurette (English dubbed), a photo gallery of the production and production notes. The nail of the release in my opinion is the splendid 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer, which exceeds any release of Basic instinct I had seen till now, and is surely a reference quality and the very well defined Dolby Digital 5.1 English track. The disc also contains a French DD 5.1 track and Spanish Dolby Surround 2.0 with subtitles in Dutch (as in Holland, not Germany), French and French for the hearing impaired. The only reason I find not to obtain this disc is for being quite pricey (around $29), also, a special edition R1 disc of 'Basic Instinct' with the same features as the Pioneer Special Edition director's cut laser disc is currently planned but the date is yet to be announced (the disc is slated for a 2001 release as far as my sources revealed to me).
(4) Costner's The Bodyguard which was in the infamous format of Full-screen (1.33:1) on Region 1 was treated completely different on its R2 French release, with 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer (too grainy and too scratched in my opinion), along with the English DD5.1 and subtitles in 10 languages, Filmographies, production notes (In French) and a few posters.
(5) Babe... errr, again, a full screen US release with English DD5.1 compared with an anamorhpic 1.85:1 widescreen UK release, again, with English DD5.1 track. By the way, there was anoter US release of Babe with a DTS track, soooo, if you into the DTS version and don't mind compromise on the Full Screen transfer, the US release is the only way to go.
(6) Can't remember who asked on the irremovable subtitles on Top Gun, anyway, there is no such thing on both the French and the UK release, both with optional subtitles only.
(7) No one ever considered releasing the Preacher's Wife in the US on DVD... so the only way to catch this Whitney Houston film is the French release, which features a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer along with an English and Italian DD5.1 track and subtitles in 5 languages.
(8) Andie MacDowell's Green Card, which was never released on US as a R1 disc, was released as a French R2 not so long ago, featuring an 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer along with English / French Dolby Surround tracks, filmographies and the annoying irremovable French subtitles.
(9) Gibson time, Forever Young was treated badly on the US side, with a Full Screen transfer, English Dolby Surround 2.0 track and Production notes. The French R2 counterpart received a much better treatment with an anamorphic widescreen transfer (1.85:1), English / French / Italian Dolby Surround 2.0 tracks and Subtitles in 6 languages along with both Italian and English for the hearing impaired subtitles and Production Notes.
(10) By the way, the French release of Awakenings included a quite good Making of documentary, all the rest is the same as the R1 release.
(11) The French release of Sharon Stone's The Mighty lacked the 2 featurettes presented in the US R1 disc, but was introduced with an anamorphic transfer, compared with the Letterboxed US release. Hmmm, on the other hand, the French release also lacked the DD5.1 track, so this one makes the French release not worthwhile.
(12) Luc Besson's Nikita was released a long long time ago (I can still remember when...) on R1 but was discontinued. I am aware of a planned Region 1 re-issue of this one, but the French release is more than satisfying for those who can not wait, the French R2 disc includes an excellent 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer, an English and French Dolby Surround 2.0 tracks along with subtitles in both English and French and filmographies.
(13) One of the most impressing anamorphic transfers I witnessed before the Fox era (Fight Club and the rest of the new editions) was the French release of Heat, which features a 2.35:1 transfer along with English / French DD5.1 and Subtitles in 10 languages compared with the Letterboxed R1 release (same English track).
Watch for a more additions later today, including an extended Trainspotting, an anamorphic French Kiss and quite a few more, must be going now.
Take care, Laters,
Omer

 

[chris georgeson]

Omer - Thanks! how and where do I get a "job" like the one you have?
About that R.1 Heat, and its letterboxed transfer - that's an anamorph-ed image on that disc, so I'm wondering . . . is there some other feature(s) on that French version that didn't make it to your posting?

 

[Vincent Matis]

re: unremovable French subtitles on some release
The reason for unremovable subtitle is simple: the DVD is distributed by a local (read French) distributor: e.a. of DVD with unrem. sub.:
Casino (R1: Universal) is distributed in French R2 by TF1.
Pulp Fiction(R1: Buena Vista) by TF1 too, ditto for Jackie Brown.
Heavenly Creatures is distributed by Film Office
As a rule of thumb when a movie is released in French R2 by a local (French) company, it will have unremovable French subtitles (some exception with Canal+, a company that helped finance movies (through Carolco) such as Basic Instinct, they own this movie (and some other) not only in France, but in other European contries as well, thus "preventing" them to use the "unremovable" sub. option).
When a movie is release in French R2 by a major US studio, no unremovable French subtitles... Top Gun being released by Paramount in France will not have unremov. sub.
BTW, the French 16x9 release of Showgirls has the following extras:
* Trailer
* Making Of (5min)
* On location (5min)
Vincent
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I'm Vincent's DVD List

 

[CraigMc]

Hi Omer, great thread
I went to try buy Stargate R2 a week or two ago, but it's unavailable now, so do you know if there is a re-release pending (hopefully anamorphic)???
Thanks
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Craig McDonald

 

[Peter Hollandare]

Paramount confirmed that both The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games will be released on November 6th as Region 2 discs, along with Region 2 Saving Private Ryan and Apocalypse Now and will be anamorphic.

Rock on Omer!
Omer,
any chance you can dig up some info what sound Saving Private Ryan going to contain? - rumours, says it's going to contain a dts track + be a 2 disc set.
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[chris georgeson]

What are the chances of MGM ever releasing some of the old titles anamorphically in any other region but ONE? [*] Thunderbolt and Lightfoot[*]Brainstorm[*]Dirty Dozen[*]End of Violence[*]Taking of Pelham 1 2 3[/list]I give up, I read MGM's chat with HTF.

But the big one that I don't understand and would like to see anamorphic is Warner's Kelly's Heroes.

Makes an HT-er lose interest in home theatering . . .


I'm gonna go suck on an Amaray case now . . .

 

[Omer M]

Chris, Just gimme a few days to look for those, will try to get back to ya.
Anyway, and yet again, I was away for the last two weeks on biz, but I see there is not much happening at the thread for the moment... I did recieve a few mails regarding the posts, and again, thanks a bunch for the good words. at any case, I am thinking of founding a site with a weekly column with additions, comparative reviews and maybe some features, contact (posts or emails, whatever ya may choose) if yer interested in a project like this or even just want to comment.
Ok, Ian asked me if I am aware of a Cutthroat Island DTS edition, the answer is yes, I do...
The Japanese disc is a keep case with not only DD 5.1 and DD 2.0 but also an English DTS 5.1 track, woah.
The disc also contains English and Japanese Subtitles and features an anamorphic transfer (which was missing from the US release).
Regarding Frantic French disc, I for once disliked the french transfer and found it insipid (colours lacking in my opinion) and little granulous too. the only good thing I can add is that the image is absolutely artefacts free. take under consideration that the image is still 1.85:1 anamorphic compared with a full screen Region 1 presentation. The Dolby Surround is closer to mono than to Dolby Digital tho the dialogues are clear enough. (subtitles in 10 languages and soundtrack in English, French and Italian DD2.0)
Look for much more updates later today.
Omer

 

[chris georgeson]

Omer - thanks! But I just found out that the R.1 Kelly's Heroes is indeed anamorphic without being labelled as such.
You know the titles I would like to see in an anamorphic format? Michael Mann's Manhunter and Thief - if only to see Jim Belushi in all of his pre-skinny widescreen-res-glory!!

 

[Omer M]

Chris... okay, I did some research on both Manhunter and Thief and came up with this:
Manhunter:
(a) Region 2 UK Disc (BMG) - 2.35:1 non-anamorhpic transfer, PCM sound. Production Notes, Details of Thomas Harris' book (text screen)
(b) Region 2 French Disc (De Laurentis) - Look after 'Le Sixieme Sens' - 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen (excellent), English DD2.0, French DD2.0, irremovable French subtitles on English audio track, Filmographies, Biographies, Theatrical trailer.
Take under consideration that Anchor Bay had announced a Region 1 release slated for Late 2000.
Thief:
No Region 2 addition for now.
Take care,
Omer

 

[Omer M]

Hmmm... I'm adding a compilation of a few topic-related posts I posted to other threads:
(a) If ya still can not hardly wait for 'The Patriot' Region 1 reissue (Steven Seagal's 'Patriot'), I can not hold myself from recommending the Region 2 release, which features a 2:35:1 widescreen anamorphic transfer (compared to a non-anamorphic R1) and DD5.1, and a trailer which was not released on the US disc.
(b) As It is now kinda official, I am quite glad to add to this thread a thing I was told a few weeks ago by a contact of mine at Warner European quarters: The Sopranos release is slated for a November 27th Region 2 release BUT this can still change so I will keep ya updated... in addition to this, Warner had prepped a widescreen music video (3min 20secs) to this release, that is all I got regarding the supplements for now. The French release is slated for November 21st (French release will be 2 sets of 3 dvds each of the 1st season).
(c) Santana Supernatural Live - While I still am not sure regarding which sound format Aviva will be using on this disc (most probably DD5.1, as far as my source revealed), the extras for the Supernatural Live Region 2 are announced and will be:
(1) Concert Program: Approx. 90 minutes (Version approved by Santana Management)
(2) Wayne Shorter/Apache Rehearsal segment (Approved and Provided by Santana Management and Tenth Planet) Approx. 8 minutes.
(3) Supernatural Electronic Press Kit: (Provided by Arista and Approved by Arista and Santana Management). Approx. 8 minutes
(4) "Smooth" promotional Video. Provided by Arista and Approved by Arista and Santana Management). 5:11
(5) "Maria Maria" promotional Video. Provided by Arista and Approved by Arista and Santana Management). 4:25
(6) "Put Your Lights On" promotional Video. Provided by Arista and Approved by Arista and Santana Management). 4:50
(7) "Corazon Espinado" promotional Video. Provided by Arista and Approved by Arista and Santana Management). 4:36
(8) History of Rock and Roll interview segment(audio only) accompanied with a photo gallery. Audio provided by Time Life. Photos provided by Santana Management. Both elements approved by Santana Management. Approx. 22 minutes
- Static Pages/Special Features (information and content provided by Santana Management):
Song Lyrics
Program and Album Credits
Carlos Santana Bio
Milagro Foundation Information Page
Fan Club Information Page
Merchandising Page
Website information Page
Btw - the disc will run on 147 minutes and will be released on August 28th.
(d) Just recieved a UK release of The Summer Of Sam which includes an exclusive, commentary by Spike Lee )unlike both the US release and the French DTS release) - and quite a good one too, the UK release also includes: widescreen anamorphic transfer (unlike the US counterpart), DD5.1, animated 'scored' menus, a Making-of documentary ('raw' behind-the-scenes footage without commentary or voice over. 13 mins), a theatrical trailer, Production Notes, Cast and crew interviews (6 short interviews of around 2-3 mins each), 3 Tv Spots, Photo Gallery.
Will try to add a few updates later on.
So long,
Omer

 

[Omer M]

Well, Kubrik fans, time to get excited ??
My voice at the BBFC reveals that A Clockwork Orange will be released on November 13th with a brand new remastered video (compared with the disastrous US disc transfer) and maybe on a box set with a soundtrack CD (the soundtrack bit is according the the 'DVD-Debate', so I can not approve or deny this part).
A few updates later.
Omer

 

[Omer M]

Well... I could not help check on a few interesting rumours that lately passed me. so... according to my 'mole' at Fox european quarters (All releases are Region 2):
(a) a 2 disc boxset of Braveheart is going to see the light of day on January 2001, lips are still sealed on which supplements will be included, be sure tho that Gibson's commentary is in. the only drawback I can find is the late release...
(b) I know ya were always looking for an anamorphic release of 'The Abyss', well, Fox are planning one... again, there is a drawback for this release as well : the rat scene will be the cut one.
(c) Not exactly sure how, but the R2 release of 'Independence Day' will not be identical to its US counterpart... will try to post details on that as soon as I find out.
So Long.

 

[Omer M]

Okay, this is now confimed... Warner will be releasing Friends 6th season on October as 3 disc set (8 episodes in each), the same kinda release as all the other 5 seasons. Hopefully the image will be getting the same treatment as the 3rd season which offered the finest presentation of all seasons so far.
Another interesting bit of news... Coen brothers' Blood Simple, which is yet to be released as a US disc, is set for September 18th release by Universal Pictures UK.
I am sure I wrote it somewhere in the thread, but here goes again, Septmber 4th will see the release of The Best Of Dawson's Creek (Season 1&2) and will be 180 mins of anamorphic widescreen (woah) picture.
Despite the fact that I adore the french release of The Basketball diaries for its glorious image, I must state the fact that is has irremovable French subtitles, a fact that sends me to the upcoming October 16th UK release of the film which will include the Region 1: 10 minute "Basketball Diaries interview bites" featurette which features: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, James Madio, Patrick McGaw, Ernie Hudson, Scott Kalvert, Bruno Kirby, Lorraine Bracco, Liz Heller.
That is it for now,
Sorry for not updating lately,
Will bring some laters.
Omer

 

[Omer M]

Okay now... Reader's mail.
(1) Gary, a scottish man in New York asked me on wass going on with a release of 'The Elephant Man'. Well, this comes as quite news to me as well, but I just got a word suggesting that Kinowelt, who just licensed 240 movies from Studio Canal Plus for the UK, will be releasing The Elephant Man around Februry 2001... still quite far, but definatly something to wait for. expect an anamorphic delivery of this one.
(2) Dunno why, but I recently recieved 4 different mails asking me about Total Recall. So here goes... first, Total Recall will not be reissued but only price dropped in Region 1, so the answer lays in the upcoming October Region 2 release of Total Recall which will feature a brand new anamorphic transfer. still got nothing on supplements but will try to find out quite soon.
(3) Hans from Germany asked whether or not the upcoming Kinowelt's Air America will be anamrophic. well, the answer is: anamorphic indeed.
(4) Not sure if it fits on this thread, which basically covers US titles released on Region 2, but Peter from Birmingham inquired me on two titles: Bravo Two Zero and Best. First, both were not released on Region 1. Second... and that is the good part, Bravo Two Zero will be released on October 16th by Universal Studios UK. Best is out on August 21st.
Tons of readers' mail will be updated laters.
Thanks for the patience.
Take Care,
Omer

 

[Omer M]

Well, I was asked by both Marcel and Michelle to put a few words on wass going on between Luc Besson and Gaumont, the studio which released most of Besson's titles.
Well, the only thing I can come up with is : the man just doesn't like DVD, simple as that...
It seems like the closer he is to the proccess of the disc production, the worse it gets... (See the examples of the French release of 'The Fifth Element' which lacked even in terms of image and missed the featurette which was concluded on the German release and also televised in the french television).
I can find no logic in the fact the although there is quite a load of features ready to be released and a Region 1 special edition was planned by Columbia, Besson himself insist on not ruining the 'magic' of the film by adding behind the scenes material, and in the same breath continue publishing books on the behind the scenes work of each and everyone of his movies.
Why on earth allowing TV to broadcast featurettes and give tons of behind the scenes photos and not allowing those to appear on the discs ?
I sure hope that the upcoming Columbia release of The Big Blue will have nothing to do with the R2 release of the version lounge... The Region 2 release image offers only a slight improvement over the former Laser Disc release and really get much better and the sound suffers from bad mastering and even lip sync on its bad Dolby Surround 2.0 track.
I am trying to get an official response from Besson himself on this issue, will update as soon as I get one.
On the bright side, Gaumont are trying the get over the sanctions the director puts and are planning a DTS release of The Messenger to be released on September 19th and which will include 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and both French and English DD5.1 and DTS audio tracks with both English and French optional subtitles. The French release should have feature a 30 mins making of which was vetoed by Besson, so the release will only include a French Trailer, filmographies and a making of photo gallery. the released version will be the Version lounge of the film and not the shortened one which was presented on theaters. the missing extras from region 1 will be 'HBO First Look Featurette: The Messenger: The Search for the Real Joan of Arc' and the Isolated Music Score by Eric Serra.
By the way, if you were ever a fan of Besson ya sure missed a decent release of Besson's 1985 Subway, well, wait no more, TF1 are planning a 'limited edition' which will feature a Dolby Digital 5.0 track of the original French soundtrack along with German Dolby Digital 5.0, and English /Italian /Spanish Stereo track. The 'special edition' disc will not be so 'special edition' and will feature only french trailer and filmos, again, due to Luc Besson refusal.
More updates laters,
Take care,
Omer.

 

[Omer M]

Morning... a long long time ago I received a few mails asking if there is an alternative disc for Baraka from another Region - mainly cause the US disc was non-anamorphic, well, so far, the answer was no, Region 2 Baraka is yet to be released and Region 4 was on tap for quite long.
Well, on August 4th Baraka will be released on Region 4... the sad part is - The disc will be non-anamorphic, all the same as the Region 1 release, and will include both 2.20:1 widescreen letterboxed image and P&S image.
The soundtrack will contain both English Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s), English Dolby Digital 5.1 (448Kb/s), the Region 4 disc will dual layered compared with a single layered region 1.
The extras determined for the Region 4 release will be Audio menus, Dolby Digital Trailer - City , Cast Interviews , Theatrical Trailer , Featurette-Making Of , Featurette - Behind The Scenes compared with only a Theatrical trailer and the 8 mins Making Of featurette on the R1 release... and I sure hope the Behind the Scenes will do much better than the Making Of in terms of image quality (the 8 mins Making Of shows scenes from the movie in an awful picture quality that equals lowest-quality VideoCDs. The featurette
seems hastily assembled and is by all means superficial considering the movie's intentions and ambitions)
That is it for Baraka.
Will update a little more laters.

 

[Omer M]

Okay, another few additions:
The Bridges of Madison county look better on Region 2, or at least wider...
While the Region 1 release of this Eastwood film is only Full Frame (1.33:1) and English DD5.1 and French Dolby Surround 2.0, the French release of 'Bridges' boasts with 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer and English/French/Italian DD5.1, along with subtitles in 7 languages.
Moving forward, do you remember She's So Lovely ?
Well, for some reason, the film was never released as a Region 1 title, so the only way to add this to your selection is as a Region 2 French disc... I recently watched this one, and I can obviously say the transfer is an excellent one (2.35:1 anamorhpic widescreen), the soundtrack comes both in English and French Dolby Surround 2.0, with obligatory French subtitles accompanied to the English audio track. No extras whatsoever...
Last but not least, Death Becomes Her which was released only as Full Frame (1.33:1... yickes) with English , French and Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround was both 1.85:1 widescreen letterboxed and 1.33:1 full frame on its French Region 2 release, along with English/French/Italian/Spanish/German Dolby Surround 2.0 and Polish and Turkish (oh what fun) Stereo tracks and subtitles in 10 languages... and the better part, the Region 2 release features a documentary (English, but I ain't seen it yet, sorry), a french theatrical trailer, production notes, filmographies and an English Making Of featurette.
That is it for now,
I will try to update more laters if time allows.
Got to pack for tommorow.
Omer.

 

[Mark_Haanraadts]

Up...

 

[Jeff Kleist]

Omer:
Please be sure to post any and all the latest Buffy news here

It appears that it will show up here and in the UK at the same time, but since Mr. Staddon really doesn't seem to have much info to give out, you seem to be a better source. Do you know Which 2 episodes the commentary will be on? My guess would be the pilot and "Prophecy Girl" I'm glad the seasons will be seperated, easier on the wallet, and we still get everything. This also gives them more time to cook up goodies
Jeff Kleist

 

[Omer M]

Okay, back from the cold... Martin asked me on whether or not there is a planned release of Ordinary Decent Criminal in the near future, so here goes:
Warner Home Video have announced the Region 2 release of Ordinary Decent Criminal starring Kevin Spacey . The DVD is expected on 11 September retailing at £15.99.
The press release says it will be 1.85:1 - but these have been notoriously inaccurate in this department for the last few months so probably it will actually be released in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio.
The disc will certainly be anamorphic with DD5.1 sound and will feature the theatrical trailer and interviews with key cast members.
The details were sent to me a week ago, as appeared on the DVD-Times.