Night of the Living Dead (1990) - Out of Print

[HDMe]

My gut says this is a mistake... either a mistake made by Sony in the handoff OR a mistake in the disc authoring by Twilight Time.

Why am I leaning to mistake?

Because this has not aired on premium TV in HD with the darker look... and the currently available streaming online versions don't have the dark look either.

I can't think of a logical reason for Sony to intentionally change the coloring and not use that for online streaming AND other avenues. It wouldn't make sense for them to invest in altering the transfer just for Twilight Time.

In fact, it would be completely counter to the notion of why they license to Twilight Time in the first place!

So... I have to think this is a mistake... that hopefully will be cleared up.

I just think Twilight Time could be handling it better via their Facebook and other customer communications. IF they truly "know nothing" they would be better served not responding except to say that they are following up with Sony. Trying to justify, rationalize, or convince people this will be a "collector's item either way" seems like poor strategy for consumer relations.

I think people would be fine with a "please be patient as we follow up with Sony" notice since this happened over a weekend.

[filmmusic]

Originally Posted by BluRayFiend

filmmusic its cool but did you watch it ? It is the original with a few alterations

No I didn't watch it, but I'm talking about those alterations.
I have seen so many screencaps and I can't convince myself that everyone is producing fake dark screencaps.

A bit darker here, a bit lighter there, but it doesn't seem like the original to me.
Jaws Bluray, seems like the original film.
E.T. seems like the original one.
and a dozen others.
But this doesn't.

[AndrewFM]

If it turns out the only option is to get a refund or live with it, are you going to live with it?

For me it's no question. I know I can find the settings needed to make it work for me if no replacement is forthcoming and that's that. Missing the camera sound is sad, but good god it doesn't mean all that much. I can make a "PT-TSSHT" noise myself to fill in that oh-so important gap, and I'm not so lazy that I won't "recalibrate my TV" (push a few buttons while lying down) to make it work. Once I've found a way to make it nice, I'll write 'em down and do it each time I wanna see the movie. It's just not that big of a deal.

[BluRayFiend]

Its funny cause I'd like to know where all these fans were when I saw this at the midnight movies an half the people sat thier an complained its not the orginial one an made fun of it

Well then filmmusic if you didn't actually watch it then sorry you really have no say

[Tybo28]

Originally Posted by AndrewFM

If it turns out the only option is to get a refund or live with it, are you going to live with it?

For me it's no question. I know I can find the settings needed to make it work for me if no replacement is forthcoming and that's that. Missing the camera sound is sad, but good god it doesn't mean all that much. I can make a "PT-TSSHT" noise myself to fill in that oh-so important gap, and I'm not so lazy that I won't "recalibrate my TV" (push a few buttons while lying down) to make it work. Once I've found a way to make it nice, I'll write 'em down and do it each time I wanna see the movie. It's just not that big of a deal.

For you. Good. You did state you haven't seen it yet right?

[AndrewFM]

Originally Posted by filmmusic

No I didn't watch it, but I'm talking about those alterations.
I have seen so many screencaps and I can't convince myself that everyone is producing fake dark screencaps.

A bit darker here, a bit lighter there, but it doesn't seem like the original to me.
Jaws Bluray, seems like the original film.
E.T. seems like the original one.
and a dozen others.
But this doesn't.

Two of the earliest photos (not quite screencaps):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85732652@N07/8037524621/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85732652@N07/8037529228/

And that was before the shitstorm broke.

[odriley]

Well if any of you guys get bored, just follow this link and watch the movie how its supposed to look.

Oh and if you feel like it, check out the scene that starts at 19:32. Thats a montage...showing the passage of time. Showing the sun going down and turning into night. Its supposed to be a creepy scene to show its getting dark out. You will have missed this on the bluray because it will have already been dark for 15 minutes prior to this scene...this scene showing it get darker. Shame this scene is has been made unnecessary now.

*edited* figured out how to post the video.
*edited again haha. got the time wrong. 19:32*

YouTube

[Tybo28]

Originally Posted by AndrewFM

Two of the earliest photos (not quite screencaps):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85732652@N07/8037524621/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85732652@N07/8037529228/

And that was before the shitstorm broke.

Yes, and as it has been mentioned 100 times, the problem doesn't come till later.

[BluRayFiend]

AndrewFM thats exactly it cause its blu ray limited edition remaster people automatically think I shouldn't have to switch my settings I paid all this money it should be perfect incorrect!!! Every movie is completely different thats why you might have to take a few minutes an go through each picture setting to find the best PQ an I always do that yeah some you dont have to but everynow an then you do have to change it

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by BluRayFiend

AndrewFM thats exactly it cause its blu ray limited edition remaster people automatically think I shouldn't have to switch my settings incorrect every movie is completely different thats why you might have to take a few minutes an go through each to find the best PQ an I always do that yeah some you dont have to but everynow an then you do have to change it

if you have a properly calibrated display you should NEVER have to switch you settings....... that is unless you have a botched or poorly mastered disc (AVP:R is a good example of it being TOOOOOOOO dark, even on a properly calibrated plasma)

[AndrewFM]

Originally Posted by Tybo28

Yes, and as it has been mentioned 100 times, the problem doesn't come till later.

Yes, but as also has been mentioned 1000 times, those opening scenes are "too dark, but the BLUE TINT doesn't come til later". Well, look at those screens, they are NOT too dark.

[Tybo28]

Originally Posted by AndrewFM

Yes, but as also has been mentioned 1000 times, those opening scenes are "too dark, but the BLUE TINT doesn't come til later". Well, look at those screens, they are NOT too dark.

Uh huh, again I ask...have you seen it?

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by wormraper

if you have a properly calibrated display you should NEVER have to switch you settings.

That should be correct, but different studios have released Blu-rays before where slightly changing the contrast or color timing on your display can make for a visual improvement. People have done it to correct the color timing changes in the Lord Of The Rings Blu-ray, for example.

[odriley]

Any defenders want to comment on that scene at 19:32. Would love to hear what you think.

[AndrewFM]

Originally Posted by odriley

Any defenders want to comment on that scene at 19:32. Would love to hear what you think.

I think you're probably not talking to me, but if you are - I am not a defender, I just want to put forward solutions.

[odriley]

It was directed at anyone who has said turning the day scenes darker is better and ok to do. It makes that scene not matter anymore. So id like to know from Anyone how thats alright.

[BluRayFiend]

wormraper I agree with you to an extent about your calibration comment an I know its a flawed disc I'm not denying that but like andrew said if i can tweak something here or their for a min or 2 instead of worrying about a new one being sent ill do that. Now if this week goes by an they say replacement disc yea im all in

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by BluRayFiend

wormraper I agree with you to an extent about your calibration comment an I know its a flawed disc I'm not denying that but like andrew said if i can tweak something here or their for a min or 2 instead of worrying about a new one being sent ill do that. Now if this week goes by an they say replacement disc yea im all in

agreed. I'm gonna wait and see what they come back with before actually returning or selling.

[ucfmatt]

Originally Posted by odriley

Well if any of you guys get bored, just follow this link and watch the movie how its supposed to look.

Oh and if you feel like it, check out the scene that starts at 19:32. Thats a montage...showing the passage of time. Showing the sun going down and turning into night. Its supposed to be a creepy scene to show its getting dark out. You will have missed this on the bluray because it will have already been dark for 15 minutes prior to this scene...this scene showing it get darker. Shame this scene is has been made unnecessary now.

*edited* figured out how to post the video.
*edited again haha. got the time wrong. 19:32*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DPvr...-button&wide=1

Whoa, Barbara is a redhead? Would have never known this from the Blu.

[VaporX94]

Originally Posted by HDMe

My gut says this is a mistake... either a mistake made by Sony in the handoff OR a mistake in the disc authoring by Twilight Time.

Why am I leaning to mistake?

Because this has not aired on premium TV in HD with the darker look... and the currently available streaming online versions don't have the dark look either.

I can't think of a logical reason for Sony to intentionally change the coloring and not use that for online streaming AND other avenues. It wouldn't make sense for them to invest in altering the transfer just for Twilight Time.

In fact, it would be completely counter to the notion of why they license to Twilight Time in the first place!

So... I have to think this is a mistake... that hopefully will be cleared up.

I just think Twilight Time could be handling it better via their Facebook and other customer communications. IF they truly "know nothing" they would be better served not responding except to say that they are following up with Sony. Trying to justify, rationalize, or convince people this will be a "collector's item either way" seems like poor strategy for consumer relations.

I think people would be fine with a "please be patient as we follow up with Sony" notice since this happened over a weekend.

I respect your opinion and you have some fine points. However I believe this was intentional. What leads me to think that is the fact that it gradually gets darker after the initial zombie attack, continuing up until Barbara arrives in the house. Whoever was doing the encode decided to use this technique to usher in the nighttime, to speed up the transition. The film becomes brighter again later on and again towards the end. Do I agree with the change? Not necessarily, even Tom was quoted as saying in a commentary that he ended up loving the fact that it was so bright outside in the beginning after all, because it was the opposite of what you'd expect.

So, if it was intentional as I suspect, I don't think there would be a recall/replacement. And let's say that, oh, 500-1000 of the 3000 are returned or that many people complained about the product. Would Sony spend the money and strike a new transfer for such a low count? Not likely. Plus it was a limited run. As I've said, I believe that if you don't like it, you'll have to return and collect a refund. And then hope that after 3 (long) years a new version hits retail.