"Club Penton" - Ask questions to Hollywood insider "Penton-Man"

[patrick99]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Just once I want to see an academic screening of the film by the people who think it's a bad film. I volunteer. Are you sure Tommy Chong hasn't parked a green van outside next to a flame source?



When they're not using garbage masters, from the 6-7 discs I've seen Universal has been excellent about keeping the use of DNR down and pushing the video (Pitch Black is probably the best I've watched). I expect them to be besting Paramount in average PQ, again assuming they're not using garbage masters, and very well make get up to third place behind Fox and Disney.

Any comments on why Sony is apparently content to lag behind?

[Knight-Errant]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Soundtracks from before the late 70s were badly recorded enough, taking out the high frequency information to kill the hiss isn't what I want.

Were they badly recorded or just lacked the techniques for storing the sound with the quality that was later possible?

I was under the impression that getting sound onto the film strips was always problematic until late 70s/early 80s.

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

Just once I want to see an academic screening of the film by the people who think it's a bad film. I volunteer. Are you sure Tommy Chong hasn't parked a green van outside next to a flame source?



When they're not using garbage masters, from the 6-7 discs I've seen Universal has been excellent about keeping the use of DNR down and pushing the video (Pitch Black is probably the best I've watched). I expect them to be besting Paramount in average PQ, again assuming they're not using garbage masters, and very well make get up to third place behind Fox and Disney.

Don't let Paidgeek hear you say that!!!

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

VC-1 is the word, but it really doesn't matter. VC-1 when given proper room to breathe produces superb results (Deja Vu, Shoot 'Em Up)



Large format+proper handling+good restoration+good compression=Blugasm

I'm totally with Twister in that the hiss being there is a positive. Soundtracks from before the late 70s were badly recorded enough, taking out the high frequency information to kill the hiss isn't what I want.

Amen. VC1 is every bit as good as AVC when utilized at high bitrates.

[lgans316]

These guys smell DNR. Do you ?

My copy of Patton has already been shipped and I would be terribly disappointed if the transfer was DNR-ed.

http://www.dvdreview.com/reviews/pages/2834.shtml

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has now brought to Blu-Ray Disc the spectacular Special Edition that was previously released on DVD. Offering a high definition transfer of the movie in its original 2.20:1 widescreen aspect ratio, I swear that I did a double take when I first put in the disc. The film's opening sequence showing Patton in front of the American flag is simply mind-blowing. The image is so razor-sharp and stable that it looks as if you were looking at a static image on your computer. The colors are so rich, the edges so perfectly defined that it is hard to believe you are looking at a motion picture if it weren't for George C. Scott strutting about in front of it. It will leave you gasping.

However, this kind of stellar cleanliness in the presentation is also one the transfer's shortcomings. In order to achieve this kind of perfect look, a lot of clean-up has been performed on the transfer. You won't find a hint of film grain or dirt anywhere on this release - and I mean anywhere. It is so clean that it is unreal already. Using digital technologies the studio seems to have eliminated all grain from the transfer and while that creates a very clean image, it also has side effects. As a result skin tones look very pasty throughout the movie, as if every actor was wearing a little too much make-up, as if someone forgot to dust of the excess powder on their faces. It is kind of weird to look at Scott's craggy face, hear his throaty, bellowing voice and looking in his super-smooth, glamour-shot style face while body parts explode around him in the battlefield. I am sorry but for all the cleanliness it may have given the transfer I would have preferred the film's original grittiness and edge. Fox clearly went overboard here creating a transfer that no longer represents the original filmmakers' intentions, and while this may please the masses I do not think it is the way to treat a film.

Other than that the transfer does look fantastic with great detail throughout and strong colors that truly pop off the screen. You will see seams and details that you could never see on the DVD. I doubt you could even see them during theatrical presentations either. Contrast is wonderfully balanced with great blacks and strong highlights. There are a few minor coloration issues where shots are slightly off-colored and skin tones suddenly appear with yellow or green tinges but given the film's age and brutal length, a handful of slightly faded shots are certainly excusable.

[WickyWoo]

The screenshots do look a tad too clean, and the face detail isn't quite there, however I have to see it in motion before I can say for sure. It would be a major shame if Fox jumped on the DNR bandwagon

[WickyWoo]

Any comments on why Sony is apparently content to lag behind?

I never said they did. My personal take is that I find the Disney and Fox releases (that come out of Panasonic) to be the most consistantly good. There's nothing wrong with what Sony does whatsoever, and it's usually outstanding. I welcome anyone besting anyone else, because in the end it means better discs for all.

[sj001]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Well, hold your breath for this as I see the Patton review is now up.
Go to the home page and click on the top right side……………

https://www.blu-ray.com/

Who woulda thunk such an old film could come out looking so fine?

Never seen this movie, but looks like I will definitely have to pick this one up!

I always feel a little nervous getting a war movie that is rated PG, but I've heard nothing but good about this. I wonder how it stacks up to movies like Saving Private Ryan?

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by sj001

Never seen this movie, but looks like I will definitely have to pick this one up!

I always feel a little nervous getting a war movie that is rated PG, but I've heard nothing but good about this. I wonder how it stacks up to movies like Saving Private Ryan?

It's a much different type of movie compared to SPR. Apple and oranges if you will.

Penton,

Was any DNR applied to Patton?

[lgans316]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...1#post13912841

[Rob Tomlin]

..

[WickyWoo]

It's true that 65mm is very fine grained, but grain free, especially for something that old is unusual. Like I said, I need to see it in motion to really tell. I've gotten a pretty good grounding in spotting DNR

That said, I hardly think that Fox would choose Patton to start DNRing. Seriously, given previous patterns, err on the side of no

[Rob Tomlin]

..

[WickyWoo]

Unfortunately I missed the last chance I had to see Patton in 70mm at The Academy Theater, so I can't give a personal opinion on what kind of grain to expect. The DVD transfer is so bad, it isn't really possible to make too much from it, though it does look like grain is present.

They're showing it on the 31st at the Egyptian

The DVD was also taken from a 35mm print of unknown vintage and origin. This was done from the 65mm (or so I'm told)

[Rob Tomlin]

..

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by lgans316

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...1#post13912841

I made the mistake of reading more of that thread...

~Alan

[lgans316]

But human beings are made up of grain in real life says J6P !!!

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

It's true that 65mm is very fine grained, but grain free, especially for something that old is unusual. Like I said, I need to see it in motion to really tell. I've gotten a pretty good grounding in spotting DNR

That said, I hardly think that Fox would choose Patton to start DNRing. Seriously, given previous patterns, err on the side of no

Patton underwent a complete restoration for the Library of Congress fairly recently. So I'm not surprised that grain is unobtrusive.

I imagine this is what Lawrence of Arabia is getting.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

It's a much different type of movie compared to SPR. Apple and oranges if you will.

Penton,

Was any DNR applied to Patton?

Well, I didn’t supervise the video transfer but, I highly doubt it. If memory serves, Patton was shot on 100 ASA Kodak 5254 stock (2001 was shot on 50 ASA stock).

Anyway, the larger negative accounts for the finer-grained image.
Still unconvinced?
Attend the 70mm screening of Patton at the Egyptian in Santa Monica on 5/30.

P.S.
b.t.w., that opening scene with George C. Scott giving the speech in front of the flag………..he did it with one take, without even rehearsing.

[Penton-Man]

Cripes,
You guys do pretty damn well when I’m not around.
I needn’t even checked in tonight before bedtime..... you all had it covered!