The state of Redemptions hd releases

[Lalala76]

Watched the VIRGIN AMONG THE LIVING DEAD blu tonight, and while the damaged print was noticable (we all talked about it, and wondered why no effort went into cleaning it up), I can't say it hurt my enjoyment of the movie at all. Still worth a buy.

That's because its a great film.

[Robin Bougie]

Watched the VIRGIN AMONG THE LIVING DEAD blu tonight, and while the damaged print was noticable (we all talked about it, and wondered why no effort went into cleaning it up), I can't say it hurt my enjoyment of the movie at all. Still worth a buy.

[Lalala76]

Hm, just when I was about to buy some of these blu-rays, I read this ...
Another concern of mine is the region code. I've learned from people on this board that the Francos are actually region A/B/C, while being marketed as A but that future releases may have a real region code. Is this the case for all the blu-rays that have been released? Black Magic Rites for example. Promotext says region A, but I hope it is A/B/C/...

Confirmed as A + B Blu-ray.com

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Black-...Blu-ray/45324/

[Wllm Clys]

Hm, just when I was about to buy some of these blu-rays, I read this ...
Another concern of mine is the region code. I've learned from people on this board that the Francos are actually region A/B/C, while being marketed as A but that future releases may have a real region code. Is this the case for all the blu-rays that have been released? Black Magic Rites for example. Promotext says region A, but I hope it is A/B/C/...

[Lalala76]

Having never owned a dvd copy of Orloff, then its interesting to see the difference. I am quite happy with the bd, but have issues with VOTLD mainly but for different reasons, but I guess its what you are used to. This may be the last Redemption bds I will buy or be able to buy as it seems that next year more and more will be locked to A. If they are locked, I will still keep my eye on what they do with the other Franco titles on dvd but I'm wary now and probably won't be in a rush to pre-order, unless they announce a previously unreleased Franco.

[John Bernhard]

Looks like the new one has better detail ( don't have it yet myself ). I am a total whore for Tim Lucas commentaries, so all three BD's are on order.
So they get my $$ this time, but they either got tainted masters for BLACK SUNDAY & ORLOFF or they are screwing the pooch themselves on these B & W releases.
Notice the candle flames in this cap comparison

[Lalala76]

Maybe it's the cleanest source of the 3, but it's got the milky white blues, just like BLACK SUNDAY.
Here is a general example of the problem

Milky Grey Whites ( cap resized from mondo digital )



B & W Image DVD

Yes I see what you mean now. I also see more detail in that second cap too, or is that just my eyes.

[John Bernhard]

Maybe it's the cleanest source of the 3, but it's got the milky white blues, just like BLACK SUNDAY.
Here is a general example of the problem

Milky Grey Whites ( cap resized from mondo digital )



B & W Image DVD

[Lalala76]

gray scaling on Orloff is wonky - though it didn't stand out to me as much when it was in motion.

I have nothing to compare it too, but ironically I thought it was the best looking out of all the current 3 Franco titles.

[bgart13]

Arrow's BS is a little better, but still too gray, with skin tones suffering the most. Let me be clear, ORLOF looks the best I've seen it regardless of the grays. And, Arrow was actually supposed to release an Orlof set a year or two ago, but I've no idea if they cancelled it or decided to wait for new masters.

[Lalala76]

The milky grays from BLACK SUNDAY have shown up again on AWFUL DR. ORLOF. Maybe not as severely, but disappointing all the same. Facial details get lost too easily. I don't know whose fault it is at Kino, but it needs to stop.

I'm glad Arrow released Black Sunday. I haven't compared but I'm sure Arrow's is superior. I just wish Arrow had an interest in acquiring licenses for our newly departed Uncle Jess' films. I'd go crazy for deluxe versions Arrow style, for some of his films, regardless if I already own them.

[Lalala76]

Last night I watched Redemption's Uk composite release of THE DEMONS. It's interesting, watching this and also having thoughts as to how they will handle the hd release coming in February. The composite release I think is the Franco authorised version, and I'm not too sure on who did the restoration. It is obviously in sd, but having said that the issue isn't so much the visual, as the audio on this. The added French only sections, didn't really bother me that much, but the English dub had a rather loud "hiss" behind it which kept dropping in and out depending on the source material (I'm sure there is a technical term for this). The restoration itself, even though it did have some damage was largely free of problems. So how will Redemption/Kino handle this?. I mean if they start from scratch and restore from a different print, then they could possibly solve the audio problems but are they going to clean it up? I doubt it, so the hd restoration could look in worse shape than the sd restoration in terms of print damage. Who knows. I guess we may never know until it is released.

[Ignatius]

I can see the logic of a hands-free approach to clean up but it must be possible to do a very basic automated dirt removal pass without fear of creating unwanted artefacts. Or spending much money.

The milky grays from BLACK SUNDAY have shown up again on AWFUL DR. ORLOF. Maybe not as severely, but disappointing all the same. Facial details get lost too easily. I don't know whose fault it is at Kino, but it needs to stop.

Really? If that's the case I may have to wait for another release to surface. Not that I could afford to grab the latest releases anyway.

[bgart13]

The milky grays from BLACK SUNDAY have shown up again on AWFUL DR. ORLOF. Maybe not as severely, but disappointing all the same. Facial details get lost too easily. I don't know whose fault it is at Kino, but it needs to stop.

[Ian Jane]

I can't argue with you re: the clean up work. Your logic is perfectly sound. The movies definitely could look better but at the same time, they offer a more 'cinematic' experience than the DVDs ever did (as they should), even with the dirt and debris. I'd prefer them looking like this than slathered with DNR, but yeah, a bit more TLC would probably go a long way.