Imprint Asia

[darry]

New line from this boutique Bluray company from Australia.

"Via Vision Entertainment is excited to announce its newest media distribution expansion with the launch of Imprint Asia.

Imprint Asia will deliver ongoing releases of contemporary & classic Asian cinema across film festival, multi digital platforms, and physical media including 4K & Blu-ray for Australia and New Zealand.

Already working with some of the biggest Asian licencing partners in the market, the new brand will be launching with a host of key properties including Rui Cui's 2023 box office megahit Lost in the Stars, Larry Yang's 2023 action comedy 'Ride On' starring Jackie Chan and the 2023 Sci-Fi epic 'The Wandering Earth II' starring Andy Lau.

In addition to the new release slate there will be ongoing classic releases with new restorations and extras produced for physical media collectors including Chen Kaige's 'The Emperor and The Assassin' (1998) & 'Farewell My Concubine' (1992), Tsui Hark's 'The Legend of Zu' (2001), Kei Kumai's 'The Sea is Watching' (2002) (co-written by Akira Kurosawa), and many more.

This latest branded arm of Via Vision will no doubt capture the hearts and minds of Asian cinema lovers across all genres.

Operating for over 15 years, Via Vision Entertainment is one of the largest independent distributors of film & TV content in Australia and New Zealand."

By order of release date:

[Rutger Lundgren]

I've been trying to find more info on how Zatoichi compares to the previous releases (primarily Artificial Eye's, since that's what I have), and the subtitle issue that you mention doesn't really inspire confidence. I'm glad that I didn't preorder.

[darry]

Originally Posted by Rutger Lundgren

I've been trying to find more info on how Zatoichi compares to the previous releases (primarily Artificial Eye's, since that's what I have), and the subtitle issue that you mention doesn't really inspire confidence. I'm glad that I didn't preorder.

I just bought a copy today. If it's as bad as they say I hope they fix it and reprint the disc.

Edit: I watched the first release, Lost In The Stars. The subtitles are fine. The only problem was that there was no translation of the ending explanation notes. I just used the google translate app in my phone. It’s 100% barebones.

[edmonddantes]

any comments about the wandering earth?. Ive had my eye on this one for quite a while

[darry]

Originally Posted by edmonddantes

any comments about the wandering earth?. Ive had my eye on this one for quite a while

Unfortunately the second two releases weren’t sent to my local store so I can’t get them for a bit. Judging by the first disc, I would guess that whatever Imprint are releasing is whatever they get from the film company. If you go on letterbox the same complaints about subtitles missing are there too. So nothing was done to correct this for the disc. Were there any problems with the UK version of Wandering Earth? I didn’t notice any.

[darry]

Originally Posted by Rutger Lundgren

I've been trying to find more info on how Zatoichi compares to the previous releases (primarily Artificial Eye's, since that's what I have), and the subtitle issue that you mention doesn't really inspire confidence. I'm glad that I didn't preorder.

I got Zatoichi today. I think it's possible that the release is the same Artificial Eye, same bitrate. But I was just looking at the screenshots over at DVDBeaver and it looks a lot like the much sharper Miramax version.

[Rutger Lundgren]

Originally Posted by darry

I got Zatoichi today. I think it's possible that the release is the same Artificial Eye, same bitrate. But I was just looking at the screenshots over at DVDBeaver and it looks a lot like the much sharper Miramax version.

Thanks for your impressions. That doesn't sound ideal, the US release's video presentation was criticised a lot, and Imprint apparently has a much lower bitrate, so I fear that compression might not be great here either. I guess I'll wait for now and maybe get it when it's discounted, for the commentary.

[lateralspin]

I watched Lost in the Stars, a thriller in the vein of old Mission: Impossible. Imprint’s release, though good, does not offer translation of Chinese text, but you probably don’t need to read everything. Imprint offers very large readable English subtitles, even for the parts spoken in English.
It is a throwback thriller. They used to make thrillers like this back in the past.

[darry]

Originally Posted by lateralspin

I watched Lost in the Stars, a thriller in the vein of old Mission: Impossible. Imprint’s release, though good, does not offer translation of Chinese text, but you probably don’t need to read everything. Imprint offers very large readable English subtitles, even for the parts spoken in English.
It is a throwback thriller. They used to make thrillers like this back in the past.

It's a little bit camp by the end. I mean, it all ties in together nicely and it's a good twist but it's just unbelievable. Which is ok if you're in the right mood. There's also a scene right at the end that had me with my jaw on the floor it was so on the nose. You probably know what I mean. I had no idea why it was even there.

[Batman1084]

Originally Posted by darry

It's a little bit camp by the end. I mean, it all ties in together nicely and it's a good twist but it's just unbelievable. Which is ok if you're in the right mood. There's also a scene right at the end that had me with my jaw on the floor it was so on the nose. You probably know what I mean. I had no idea why it was even there.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie but the acting felt inconsistent. It went from feeling really good in scenes to unfortunately feeling really bad/forced at times. And most of my criticism would probably be on the lead actor, honestly.

[darry]

Originally Posted by Rutger Lundgren

Thanks for your impressions. That doesn't sound ideal, the US release's video presentation was criticised a lot, and Imprint apparently has a much lower bitrate, so I fear that compression might not be great here either. I guess I'll wait for now and maybe get it when it's discounted, for the commentary.

Here's a screenshot if it helps. I'm not 100% sure I had my TV set to Filmmaker mode the last time I had a look at the bluray. Filmmaker mode is when the image doesn't have a lot of image enhancement. I still think it's most likely the Miramax version.

[darry]

Watched The Sea Is Watching last night. It’s alright, nothing special. Didn’t hate it but probably would never need to watch it again.

The disc image is pretty bad but at least clean. Would say just above a good looking DVD. And the subtitles are small and white if anyone needed to know that.

[darry]

They've announced the next release. I'm guessing this is 7-9 in the series. I'm not a huge fan of these 'erotic' stories but will still give these a go.

[lateralspin]

88 Films is also releasing Erotic Ghost Story Trilogy for the UK

[darry]

I'm not particularly keen on Ride On, it's not my thing, it seems a bit of a silly concept, but willing to give it a go. Cliff Walkers is great. Have seen it but don't have the bluray. I've never seen Brother but Takeshi is always good so will definitely get that.

Anyone seen these already?

[r32]

I have Ride On Germany 4K UHD, but not open yet.

[darry]

New arrivals:



Interested to see what Wandering Fart II is like.

[navydavey]

Originally Posted by darry

New arrivals:



Interested to see what Wandering Fart II is like.

I assume it stinks.

[darry]

Originally Posted by navydavey

I assume it stinks.

It's alright. Probably not as good as the first one.

[darry]

I started watching the Director's cut of Hero. Annoyingly, the subtitles have this weird thing where there are gaps between the letters of some words. Was it like this on the original bluray?