Lost In Translation Blu-ray Canadian vs. US. Release "Really Disappointed"

[Atari Charles]

I recently bought Lost in Translation on Blu-Ray from Alliance in Canada. Now I noticed that in the U.S. it was released under Universal. Is there any difference to the transfer used in the Alliance(CANADA) release compared to the Universal(U.S.A) release?

As much as I enjoy the movie itself, I felt the blu-ray transfer was very poor and I am not talking about how the movie was filmed, but the dirt and specs or hair and random crap that was on the film print they used for the Blu-Ray. This movie is only from 2003, so why is the film so dirty and damaged. I am really disappointed with this blu-ray release.

I read the official review on this site and did not even understand how the reviewer could possible think that the quality of the transfer was excellent. This is partially why I am thinking either Universal used a different print or digital master than Alliance, or the reviewer doesn't mind the dirt, dust and crap. Again, I am not talking about the graininess of the film or the way the shots were captured, lighting, or even digital noise reduction. I am talking about the dirt specs and hair in one part seen throughout the film. I've have seen better quality prints from zombie movies from the late 1970's, so why is the film print that was used in such crappy condition? Honestly my DVD copy of Zombi 2 looks like the better digital transfer than LIT blu-ray.

People rag on Young Guns on Blu-ray for the half-assed transfer, but the Young Guns Blu-Ray looks like 24 carrat gold compared to the Alliance Release of "Lost in Translation."

So does the Universal blu-ray release of Lost In Translation use the same print as the Alliance blu-ray release?

Secondly, don't you find it annoying when companies do Blu-ray release but they use worn out crap film, instead of either making a new master from the negative or at least cleaning up the film in the vault?

If this was filmed digitally, then why the dirt, dust and hair specs throughout the film?

If the dust dirt and grime only appear on the Alliance release, I will never buy their garbage again. I will just buy from the U.S..

I look forward to your answers and comments.

[The Theory]

I haven't checked out this title on blu-ray yet, but Alliance is often several steps behind the US releases in terms of picture quality and extras. Alliance is ok if there is no US release--but otherwise avoid.

[Hep]

Alliance normally use the same transfers as the US counterpart when one is available. The only times that Alliance use their own transfers (AFAIK, normally HD broadcast masters) is when they release a title that isn't available elsewhere. I only purchased the US version, so I can't comment specifically on the Alliance version, but I would be surprised if the transfers are different. The biggest hint is that the cover art is identical.

[ArrestedDevelopment]

Originally Posted by The Theory

I haven't checked out this title on blu-ray yet, but Alliance is often several steps behind the US releases in terms of picture quality and extras. Alliance is ok if there is no US release--but otherwise avoid.

I think it's the opposite. Usually when there's an Alliance release coinciding with an American release they have the same transfers. If alliance has a release long before the US (e.g. Se7en, Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind), it tends to be pretty shoddy.

In rare instances though, the US release may be nearly exactly the same as the previously released Alliance version (e.g. The Illusionist was released by Alliance a while back. Fox released The Illusionist in the US with a transfer nearly same to that of the Alliance release and like the Alliance release, lacking extras/subtitles).

Rhyilliam seems to be our resident expert on Canadian/Alliance releases. Maybe he can comment on this.

[Quinthoopachiefy]

I have a few titles from Alliance and they all have the exact same transfer as the U.S. . They were all U.S. releases as well though. I just ordered on Amazon Ella Enchanted for my kids and we will see how the transfer is. Ella Enchanted is only Alliance. I want Running Scared through Alliance but I hear it's only 1080i. I thought Alliance does have titles that they have just taken the the TV transfer which is 1080i.

[msgohan]

Same encode, different trailers, removed BD-Live.

BDInfo scan: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=2465

[kinoeye]

As a general rule of thumb, it's wise to be weary of Alliance releases.

[ArrestedDevelopment]

Originally Posted by msgohan

Same encode, different trailers, removed BD-Live.

BDInfo scan: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=2465

Thanks for the info. I usually have no interest in BD-live but knowing that the Alliance release doesn't have it, I'd feel jipped if I purchased it.

[Atari Charles]

I am content to a certain extent that the U.S. release uses the same print as the Canadian release. But I do feel whomever did the Blu-ray transfer simply used a less than pristine copy which is really a shame.

In Canada, usually when the Blu-Ray titles are dirt cheap(under $10 on sale), they are usually the Alliance releases. At least they didn't change the film screen format like they have on some other titles.

People seem to rave about Criterion and their blu-ray titles. I have been very happy with the Disney releases as well. It is too bad all companies could not take pride in their releases.

I personally could care less about BD-Live as there will be a time when this is not supported and it seems very temporary. Why not use a dual layer Blu-Ray and include everything you want to, instead of having to go online to watch something that is here today and gone tomorrow.

Sure I'll keep my copy as I like enjoy the movie, but hopefully sometime in the future a nice release by another company occurs, instead of The Old Film in a Dirt Basement Version Universal and Alliance have vomited upon us.

Again, I don't know how this blu-ray is rated so highly, considering the newness of the movie and the dust, grime, hair, crap, dirt that speckle themselves throughout this film. The film itself is in my opinion a great movie, but the blu-ray release might as well been done by some underground bootleggers out of Hong Kong using stolen film from a now closed down movie theater.

[movie]

Originally Posted by Hep

Alliance normally use the same transfers as the US counterpart when one is available. The only times that Alliance use their own transfers (AFAIK, normally HD broadcast masters) is when they release a title that isn't available elsewhere. I only purchased the US version, so I can't comment specifically on the Alliance version, but I would be surprised if the transfers are different. The biggest hint is that the cover art is identical.

Cover Art for "Frequency" is identical, but the Alliance version is very sub par compared to the US version. Seems like it's hit and miss with Alliance. I have "A Perfect Getaway" from Alliance which looks the same as the US version so you just never know with them. I gambled today and ordered "Prey" from Alliance because it was on sale for $5.95 so will be interesting how it looks when I get it.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by movie

Cover Art for "Frequency" is identical, but the Alliance version is very sub par compared to the US version. Seems like it's hit and miss with Alliance. I have "A Perfect Getaway" from Alliance which looks the same as the US version so you just never know with them. I gambled today and ordered "Prey" from Alliance because it was on sale for $5.95 so will be interesting how it looks when I get it.

You just replied to a nearly 2 year old thread.

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

You just replied to a nearly 2 year old thread.

Plus, he's discussing a completely different movie!