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

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

But, there is an excellent chance that No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos will be exhibited at the George Eastman House (check the Dryden Theater website periodically) in November-ish if all the stars become aligned....

Maybe you can hook up with Vincent P. and RAH to do the trek over to Rochester. Perhaps Vilmos might even be at the presentation and Vincent P. can ask him about ‘flushing the exposure’ during McCabe and Mrs. Miller.

Meanwhile, to whet your appetite………
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Joanna-...nning-Director

I think I'm the closest to schelp there - would have been even better had the high speed ferry still been in operation. I've never actually gone to Eastman House, might be worth it to see the flick.

And, yeah, "contrarian" I'll take an exception to... It's clear that among the choices, number 1 is the least offensive. While I'd vote for flexibility (ie., being able to move it around, change font, etc.), among those choices it's the only good compromise.

Again, it comes down to the fact that (in this case) there really isn't a good argument in favour of hiding subs half in pic/half out. The contrarian takes the opposite position just for the sake of being different, or belligerent. The Doctor and I, on the other hand, are above such petulence. Please do not confuse the desire for respectful rhetoric when people disagree on clear alternatives versus clear and specific examples when the contrary position is unfounded and counter-productive to the enjoyment of this hobby. The "there's only one right answer" isn't taken lightly, but in this case, it's pretty clear that moving forward a CIH-favouring solution isn't simply the best of the options given, it's the one that most clearly respects the theatrical experience. Those advocating against it would be equally wrong demaning =MORE= DNR, or Colorization, or (*gasp*) -dubbing- of the film in place of subtitles (excepting unique circumstances like visually impaired narration tracks).

[And, no, the BD/HD-DVD arguments that plagued us for years do -not- so easily fall under this cut-and-dry example]

Now, if I can try again, mind providing insight as to -why- the even more obvious alternative (movable type, changing typefaces) is a seeming impossibility for BD? The answer "after the poll closes" works, but "I'm ignoring you for bringing up a dicey question" isn't really fair in this case, is it...

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

The answer "after the poll closes" works, but "I'm ignoring you for bringing up a dicey question" isn't really fair in this case, is it...

This is why the most effective ingnoring is done silently.

If you don't respond, I'll understand that you understand me. Understand?

[Doctorossi]

BTW, shark, that's an impressive red on MJ.


... And not a bad digital cinema camera in that picture, either.

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

Understand?

sure...

btw, to add fuel to the fire, finally snagged a copy of Strangelove, and it's in a lovely DigiBook with nice, glossy photos.

There are some in this very thread that will not buy this title because of this case.

I think, frankly, that's idiotic and indefensible - we all agree that the film has never looked better at home. While the dropping of the trailer is unfortunate, the film itself is certainly a necessity for anyone who considers them selves even tangetially a fan of cinema. It is a definitive film, and its absence from your BD collection for reasons based on how the (quality, well produced) case looks looming over your other plastic cases simply holds no rational or aesthetic weight. And even if granted enough rhetorical leeway to accept that the case is an annoyance, it would still be criminal to not buy this disc and stick it into an inferior film's snap case in order to ensure it finds a home in your collection.

But, yeah, that's a whole 'nother thread, isn't it... Still, I'll also note Penton that you've not weighed in on that particular argument as well...

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

sure...

D'oh! Fail.

Originally Posted by sharkshark

finally snagged a copy of Strangelove

Take it from our dang- your dang'll nub it.

And I agree on the Digibook. It's really quite lovely, but that's beside the point. No package will stop me from getting the goods. What I object to are the excessively large packages and the spurious "value-added" trinkets they contain.

That Stranglelove set, though... well, it'd warm my heart if every Blu-ray release were so fortunate as to be that handsome an offering at that reasonable a price!

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Double-wides rule!

They beat single-wides by a huge margin, but triple-wides kick their butts...

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

the poor downtrodden Option #2ers who don’t seem to have an online Champion.

I haven't voted yet... because as a LCD owner, and unlike the DTS poll, I don't like either of the options.

Originally Posted by Alan Gordon

I'd have "How The West Was One", "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest", and "The Shawshank Redemption" by now if it weren't for the digibook packaging. The sad thing is, I'm scared that if we're lucky enough to get "North By Northwest" and "Forbidden Planet" outside of WB's expensive box sets, it will be a digibook (I'm scared for "Heat" as well). I may pick up HTWWW this week while it's on sale anyway, because the eventual re-packaging might not contain the second disc...

Originally Posted by sharkshark

Hey, who am I to judge, but, frankly, if you hate the packaging so much, buy a scanner and a colour laser printer.

Count me as someone that -loves- digipacks, and even doesn't mind the old Criterion cardboard packs (the clear cases look even weirder). That said, I find it completely insane that somebody would avoid purchasing a film that they love because that it's in a well designed book rather than a blue plastic case (easily available should you wish to store your discs that way).

Only offering classics in mega-editions with tchotchkes? Sure, that's annoying/expensive, and limits to those interested in mega editions. But for the same price, to get a decent booklet and (most importantly!) a very good movie seems like a no brainer.

I guess that focussing on the packaging as being unlike the others instead of the film is, in my opinion, kinda missing the point of this hobby... Then again, there are indeed lots out there that only get into this to show off certain scenes, rate films based on subwoofer or surround activity instead of, well, plot, character, cinemetography, etc.

I have a TON of Blu-ray movies I have yet to watch (some I've seen before, some I haven't), so I'm RARELY in a hurry to get a film. If I don't like the packaging, I can put it off for a while until different packaging comes along (see "Amadeus"). I broke down and got "How The West Was Won" while it was on sale because I was afraid the "Smilebox" second disc might not be included in a future release, and I admit that the digibooks are better quality than I assumed, but I still would prefer more standard packaging.

I've done the printer route during my DVD days, and it's too much trouble...

HTWWW's quality is fantastic (from the few minutes I sampled), but I'll pass on "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" and "The Shawshank Redemption" until more standard packaging comes along. I might pick up Sony's "Dr. Strangelove" then as well...

I'm afraid I might have to pick up "North By Northwest" though....

EDIT: LOL'ing at sharkshark's post made AFTER I started typing, but prior to posting...

~Alan

[sharkshark]

well, Alan, you've made my day with this link:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=106698

I love Rear Window a wee bit more, but this was one of the titles that made me want a giant TV (I saw it on a 60" Rear Projection CRT, and then saved up for years to buy one...)

We are agreed that the BD will kick ass...

[Doctorossi]

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=106698

OH, YEAH!

Is that enough?

I DON'T THINK SO!

[mikey p]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

That film production was a watershed event in underwater filmmaking. A fabulous cast was assembled including Al Giddings, Stan Waterman, Jack McKenney, Chuck Nicklin, David Doubilet (http://www.daviddoubilet.com/) and other lesser knows at the time.

Watched it Sunday afternoon, a great film, seen before, but some time ago now, thought it was great! Thanks for pointing this out.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

I thought that approach was trademarked by somebody around here.

You thought wrong. The person you refer to often provides links when he mentions it

Pro-B

[Anthony P]

PM, when first talk of DL and BD-live where discussed, one of the possible uses where to DL extra subtitles, back then it was about extra languages but could that be used to have alternate placement?

[sharkshark]

ah, that's a fun idea... got links to where that was discussed?

ps. I can't believe nobody took me up on the idea for Quenya and Sindarin on LOTR... I mean, CUMMON PEOPLE!

And, hell, why not Klingon on the ST sets? Aurabesh on ANH? Not like you couldn't have this stuff translated by people with enough time to, say, post on HT fora...

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

ah, that's a fun idea... got links to where that was discussed?

if you mean my post, no. I am sure you could find it in many places but these are real old discussions maybe going back to 2004. Search internet connection and subtitles here and AVS. It tended to be one of the examples given for possible benefits of a connection. The other popular examples where, excuse my sarcasm:

turning the movie into one big ad (i.e. you click a button and it brings you to a shopping location where you can buy a shirt like the one the actor is wearing or after a car crash a message pops up to link you to a car insurance company)

and making you wait (and possibly pay) for extras that should have been on the disk from the first place.

Extra subs/dubs was the most interesting idea because they both take a toll as you add languages and most people don’t use more then one of them, so you removed the toll they took on BW and space and you could add any number of them through DL. On the other hans except for some discussion about it as an example of the benefits of internet connection on forums there has never been any title that proved it could be done.

[sharkshark]

ah. I'll do the Google, but if anyone has links handy, I'd be curious if anyone with, you know, an actual clue about the workings of BD had those ideas, or if it was just pure forum conjecture.

Anyhoo, a shout out (HEY!) to dear forum member RAH, who got mentioned in the (fabulous!) doc I finally got around to on the HTWWW disc... The Cinerama doc had some spectacular images, and Robert was mentioned for using his restoration of Abel Gance's Napoleon... A warm moment indeed after a great doc ("hey, I've typed words to that guy and he read them!"... reflected glory, the best many of us can hope to achieve, alas...)

kudos, Mr. Harris, for one of your not-as-famous restorations. Now, on behalf of Mr. Tomlin, when we gettin' LOA already?

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

PM, when first talk of DL and BD-live where discussed, one of the possible uses where to DL extra subtitles, back then it was about extra languages but could that be used to have alternate placement?

Before my time……but, from what I recall, it never got much traction for various reasons.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by mikey p

Watched it Sunday afternoon, a great film, seen before, but some time ago now, thought it was great! Thanks for pointing this out.

Isn’t it nice to watch an action movie these days with no shaky cam and edits that average longer than 2 sec. in duration?

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Alan Gordon

They beat single-wides by a huge margin, but triple-wides kick their butts...

You Easterners have large lots!

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

No, but based on your tangential request I -did- book my dive trip to the BVIs yesterday, and I'll be visiting that boat... I think I'm going to wait to watch the flick -after- I have done the dive...

Well, I’m flattered.
Are you doing a live-aboard on a sailing vessel in the BVI’s or what exactly are your plans and when do you depart?

Maybe after I return from Comic-Con I can delve into some of the underwater filmmaking nuances of that motion picture which are not elaborated upon in any of the extras on the Blu-ray disc itself.

When you do eventually watch the Blu-ray, you will see a rather large barracuda swimming around RMS Rhone and I heard that years after the film was shot there, vacation divers still reported seeing him patrolling the wreck.

Do you carry an underwater camera ?

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

And, yeah, "contrarian" I'll take an exception to...

I enjoyed that phrase.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

... And not a bad digital cinema camera in that picture, either.

You mean the F35 on the TRON 2 shoot.