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

[Jeff Kleist]

Great to see you Vincent

Were you down to the Philly set during Jersey Girl? I could swear we met when a mutual friend went down to see Ratface. I was only there for 20 minutes or so when they were dressing the Hard Rock.

[hanser]

Hello Penton,

I finally managed to watch the making of docu on The Adventures of Baron Munchhausen, and want to congratulate Sony for that. It is by far the most honest, entertaining, even exhilirating documentary I have seen, and am quite astonished that it made it to disc at all. Normally I would have expected something like this to be censored to death. Please send my compliments to Sony!

[Oliver K]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

What I am “suggesting” is that whenever one sees significantly low bitrates for a live action feature shot on film (esp, in this case which contains a lot of indoor imagery all shot on Kodak 5293, if memory serves), it should be a red flag to further investigation that not nearly as much detail as possible was reproduced in the Blu-ray product, in other words, the low bitrates may be either the symptom or even the direct cause of an illness.

Dr. Penton-Man: "Nurse, what we have here seems to be a serious case of low bitratitis with the classic symptoms of grain reductionitis and DNRrhea - call Dr. Harris as it looks so bad that we might have to go back to the OCN"

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

P.S.
Just to keep things in perspective, Guns of Navarone, which isn’t even in the Top 100 List received a brand spankin new HD transfer with a state of the art dirt and stratch removal (considered the best in the business) because the currently available HD master at the time was found wanting.

I do not hope that the day will come where studios afford less than acceptable transfers of older movies that did not make AFI's top 100. Looking forward to Guns of Navarone

[Robert Harris]

Originally Posted by Vincent Pereira

When was the 200-ASA 5293 introduced? I thought that was a latter "T-grain" stock, introduced either in the late 1980s or early 1990s.

Vincent

1993. The first T-grain, 7293 was introduced 1986.

[horseflesh]

Don't you sleep Robert??
At least it's "tomorrow" here.

(although of course you could just be up early on Tuesday rather than late on Monday, LOL)

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Robert Harris

....
A year has passed since the release of Patton, which I consider to be quite long enough for folks to get things together. My perception is that Amadeus is hardly in the same category. The disc is viewable, while not correct, while Patton I consider to be impermissible.....

I've just spend the past 90 minutes with the new BDs of Gandhi and Kramer vs. Kramer, both from Columbia / Sony. Both have all of their detail (high frequency visual information) intact.

Very nice work. Now I need to find the three hours plus to enjoy Gandhi from beginning to end.

I didn’t know it has been that long since Patton streeted, I had thought that it was about 9 months ago (i.e. around last Memorial Day).

Nevertheless, I’m told that the folks over at Fox have “gotten things together” in that there has been rectification of the primary deficiency, i.e. there is now more oversight/communication by the Fox studio people with regards to outside entities (and their employees) that provide Fox’s HD masters.

I’m not really concerned so much about reissues (given these current economic conditions) as much as I am about problems or deficiencies with the processes of each content provider repeating themselves with regards to future titles, whether it be random or systemic in nature.

As for Ghandi, I’m glad you like it.
I actually flubbed a little on this classic, because I had thought (and actually posted on this forum back in Jan./Feb. of 2008) that Ghandi would debut by the end of 2008 but, these ‘penciled in’ street dates often readjust due to a variety of reasons.

I guess, given the PQ/AQ quality, 7-8 weeks off in predicting the actual street date, aint too bad.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

I think Wally Pfister got robbed for The Dark Knight. At least the ASC gave Christopher Nolan their Governors Award. I can't help but wonder if some voters actually deduct points if you shoot in 65mm.

Actually, one gets points for having to tote around an IMAX camera on a reinforced steadicam for hours which leads to an award ……
http://www.soc.org/index.php?id=24&event=23
and
http://www.soc.org/index.php?id=1

Plus, don’t worry about wally, as he turns away way more work than he accepts.
^ I think I exhausted my “w’s” with the above comment.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

If I had to vote for a "digital" sourced movie for a cinematography award I would have felt much better picking The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

At the production wrap party for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Claudio (the DP) earned the “Longevity Award” for his enduring relationship with the director.

So, he wasn’t completely forgotten by his peers in the industry.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

IMHO, the selection of Slumdog Millionaire as the Best Cinematography Oscar winner is the worst choice I can remember out of movies to win that award in modern times. Really, I can't think of any movies that have given me as much of a "WTF?" kind of reaction as that one.

But, tell me, how did you like the show?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#29356750

For me, I had a truly enjoyable and comfortable evening as the seats at the Kodak are much more comfy than the chairs on the floor of Staples for the Grammys.
And who won everybody’s Hottie of the Night Award?
My vote went to the girlfriend of John Legend
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?id=377

who, in IMHO was one of the most phOtOgenic women there.
Did any broadcast HD cameras capture her action(s) for home viewers?

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Vincent Pereira

When was the 200-ASA 5293 introduced? I thought that was a latter "T-grain" stock, introduced either in the late 1980s or early 1990s. When I directed A BETTER PLACE way back in 1995, we used 7293 (5293's 16mm equivalent) for a lot of the shoot, and it was one hell of a great film stock. I just loved the look of it, and how versatile it was. I think I remember reading that 5293 was once voted the most popular filmstock of all time among cinematographers, in fact.

Vincent

I don’t have my ‘cheat sheet’ in front of me at the moment, so I’m relying totally on memory here but, the nomenclature can indeed be confusing.
I believe you’re thinking about Kodak 5293 EXR 200T (introduced around 1992).

Kodak 5293 250T was introduced around 1982 and I’m pretty sure that was the film stock used for Amadeus.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by hanser

Hello Penton,

I finally managed to watch the making of docu on The Adventures of Baron Munchhausen, and want to congratulate Sony for that. It is by far the most honest, entertaining, even exhilirating documentary I have seen, and am quite astonished that it made it to disc at all. Normally I would have expected something like this to be censored to death. Please send my compliments to Sony!

I don’t have to, as you already did just by posting the above.
I’ll do my movie quote thing from a film that was partially shot on location in your country and recently opened in the U.S. and Germany……….
“There’s what people want to hear, what people want to believe, there’s everything else.
THEN there’s the truth.”

The TRUTH, my friend , is that some of the people in the depts. totally responsible for your viewing pleasure with the Munch, read this thread. Additionally, they are super motivated in bringing the best product available to the Blu-ray format for home theater enthusiasts.

[Robert Harris]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

I don’t have my ‘cheat sheet’ in front of me at the moment, so I’m relying totally on memory here but, the nomenclature can indeed be confusing. I believe you’re thinking about Kodak 5293 EXR 200T (introduced around 1992).

Kodak 5293 250T was introduced around 1982 and I’m pretty sure that was the film stock used for Amadeus.

Gotta love the fact that Kodak, in their infinite wisdom, seem to have a need to recycle numbers. Shot on 5247? Which one?

[Bobby Henderson]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

But, tell me, how did you like the show?

The awards show was pretty decent, but not the best Oscars telecast I've seen. Hugh Jackman is quite a gifted stage performer. Ben Stiller stole a big part of the show riffing off Joaquin Phoenix' Letterman show appearance.

The 5-panel LED display (which joined together at times into one logical screen) was pretty nifty. I wish I knew the pitch of the LEDs in those units. They looked like they had to be 10mm from pixel center to pixel center if not tighter than that. The outdoor billboards our company installs usually range in 20mm to 23mm.

One of my favorite Oscar shows was the year Billy Crystal did his Jerry Maguire spoof. That piece was hilarious. I also liked the year Titanic won -which featured a Gilligan's Island opening title spoof of the Oscar winning show, and even featured cast members like "propellor man." I laughed hard at that. It confirmed I wasn't the only one stifling giggles during Titanic when that CGI character did the 6 1/2 somersault after bouncing off the ship's screw.

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

And who won everybody’s Hottie of the Night Award?

I'm a bit smitten by Anne Hathaway. Damn, she is beautiful. Beyoncé was looking nicely stacked. Sheesh, there's lots of gorgeous women at the Oscars. Freida Pinto, Natalie Portman, etc., etc.

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Did any broadcast HD cameras capture her action(s) for home viewers?

I recorded the Oscars telecast in HD off antenna onto my DVR. I'll have to go back and check it for footage of John Legend's girlfriend. The way they mixed Peter Gabriel's tune from Wall•E in with the Slumdog Millionaire music was uncomfortably lame. I winced at its silliness. I can see why Peter Gabriel would have nothing to do with it.

[juanell]

“There’s what people want to hear, what people want to believe, there’s everything else.
THEN there’s the truth.”

Speaking of The International, what can you tell us about the eventual release on Blu?

[Esox50]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

For cripes sakes, nice thing for me to think about on the drive home.

Question to our financial advisor, Essox, and I’m serious, as I’ve given you mucho free original Blu-ray news as well as technical pearls of wisdom over the years here at Blu-ray.com

I have $490,000 coming in lump sum around June of this year from sale of an investment property. I am not interested in doing a tax exchange, so don't even go there. I believe that I am currently a little over-weighted in the U.S. stock market (despite how well or poorly it is doing).

Where do I put the dough?
I need specifics.

Due to obvious reasons I cannot quote specifics due to conflict of interest. I also know nothing about you, nor am I a financial advisor. I can give you my general opinion though:

If you are more risk averse or closer to retirement, for the immediate future I would go into some FDIC insured CDs. Do some ladders, which is key. You'll earn a few percent and have flexibility to reallocate as certain "maturities come due".

If you are a little more risky, then go 60% stocks, 35% fixed income, 5% cash on your overall portfolio. Overweight the fixed income to intermediate and short duration. On the stocks, shorter term use 10-15% International.

Then look for two signs as to when it might be time to rethink the above strategy:

• Closely watch if oil starts creeping up by the 3Q/4Q time period. Don't get tricked by a summer run up due to seasonal demand.
• Watch the stock indices vs each other. When the small/mid cap stuff starts outperforming DJIA and S&P IN RELATIVE terms, then it might be time...

I can also tell you what I recently did. The shorter term CD ladders. Look, this isn't a quick fix. Lots of stuff nobody knows how to value. Even if the recession ends in 09, growth over the next 5-10 year ain't gonna be what people were expecting. Thankfully, it looks like most of it (i.e. "assume the worst") is priced in. Earn some small yield now and be flexible.

-Esox (only 1 s BTW)

DISCLAIMER: I am not an investment advisor, nor do I work for one. I have no personal stake in any of the scenarios I mentioned above.

PS: I'm still waiting for your "Freeeeeeeedom" comment months ago to materialize.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Open note to members and lurking non-membership………
I have contacted a person (via e-mail and private line [corrected]) at the Vice Presidential level over at Warner Bros. in regards to the recent discussion we’ve been having over the past couple pages.

As of yet, I have received no meaningful reply.

Thanks for trying.

[Esox50]

Penton,

I should also note that I purchased some limited edition Havana cigars. They may actually turn out to be a great "investment" longer term. However, we're not talking 5 figures, so YMMV. With 490K, you might be able to get them to produce you an entire limited edition run of a special vitola. That would be profitable because you would have the whole market cornered.

-Esox (again 1 s :P)

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

But, tell me, how did you like the show?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#29356750

For me, I had a truly enjoyable and comfortable evening as the seats at the Kodak are much more comfy that the chairs on the floor of Staples for the Grammys.
And who won everybody’s Hottie of the Night Award?
My vote went to the girlfriend of John Legend
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/movies.php?id=377

who, in IMHO was one of the most phOtOgenic women there.
Did any broadcast HD cameras capture her action(s) for home viewers?

[Jeff Kleist]

PS: I'm still waiting for your "Freeeeeeeedom" comment months ago to materialize.

Patience young jedi, soon enough

[iceman]

Originally Posted by Esox50

That would be profitable because you would have the whole market cornered.

I bet the "Cuban cigar corner" would be more famous than the wheat corner!

I think cash is king in the current economic climate... at least that's the case in Europe, where a lot of good, solid companies' stocks are really cheap now, but they just keep falling anyway, so good investments can be really cheap in a couple of years. A reliable source is telling me that the California real-estate market will go down at least another 15%, so how about a new beach house?