The Naked Kiss (VCI version) (1 Viewer)

[Robert Dunnill]

Can anyone tell me if the VCI version of The Naked Kiss is pan & scan or open matte? I was thinking of getting this title; alas, it looks to have been MARred.

Thanks, RD

 

[Bruce Hedtke]

Why not get the Criterion disc?


Bruce

 

[Robert Dunnill]

The VCI one is five bucks, while the Criterion version is twenty!

Aargh--I hate MAR!

 

[Jon Robertson]

Help is at hand!

 

[John Hodson]

Hmmm, I'd say that's a tough call; open-matte it may be, but the VCI pic is pretty decent.

Is that a little edge enhancement I see on the Criterion?

---
So many films, so little time...

 

[Robert Dunnill]

Yes, that does look like edge enhancement on the Criterion.

JonR, thanks for the link!

 

[Robert Crawford]

Please, don't rush to judgement on EE based on some posted screenshots.





Crawdaddy

 

[Robert Dunnill]

In all fairness, the Criterion transfer is one of their earlier efforts.

 

[Gordon McMurphy]

In Britain, Shock Corridor and The Naked Kiss are available together in a 2-disc set: http://www.play.com/play247.asp?page=search&adudisc=y

Excellent transfers, albeit unmatted, which is a pity, but if like me, you have a 14:9 setting on your set, then they will look well-framed. Stanley Cortez was a great cinematographer and it's great to have some Fuller in my collection at last. Pick-Up On South Street will be released by Criterion next year with a $39.95 RRP, so it will probably be a 2-disc, so it is a must-buy for me.

There's a great quote on the British set:
"I think that if you don't like the films of Sam Fuller then you just don't like Cinema."
- Martin Scorsese

I agree.


Gordy

 

[Jon Robertson]

Where've you been, Gordon? The specs for Pickup were announced earlier this week: http://www.criterionco.com/asp/release.asp?id=224

Anyhow, both available Criterion Fullers look a bit dodgy, but these were very early discs. The prints are pretty good (slightly unstable at times and a few nicks and scars), but compression is the biggest drawback - everything shimmers and there's a fair bit of digital grain visible even on my most unsophisticated of setups. The sound on Shock Corridor is alarmingly crackly and hissy too.

Still, I've seen and heard much worse, and the films would be utterly enthralling even in a mangled 16mm print played backwards.

 

[Gordon McMurphy]

Where've you been, Gordon? The specs for Pickup were announced earlier this week

Oh, yeah - excellent!

Am I speaking from the unconscious mind, or has House Of Bamboo been announced for next year? Man, that's a wonderfully offbeat movie.


Gordy

 

[BruceKimmel]

Well, if you love headroom by all means get the VCI - I'll be content with the Criterion until it gets upgraded in its proper ratio.

 

[Mark Cappelletty]

I haven't heard anything about House of Bamboo, though I did see a restored print of it at the American Cinematheque earlier this year.

The Criterion Naked Kiss and Shock Corridor are both pretty "dodgy," as someone said. The laserdiscs were much softer, but these new versions have serious compression problems. I haven't seen the VCI discs yet.

 

[rich_d]

VCI looks pretty good to me and this comes from someone that has the Criterion version.

VCI version is 5.99 at DDD before 20 percent off deal. Criterion ain't bad at $17.25 (with discount) but I can't justify the added cost on this one ...

Most importantly, I like the film.