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

[Monkey]

Originally Posted by Vincent Pereira

Funny I just responded to that that thread over there on this very issue, although I suspect my post won't last too long:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...3#post18073793

Vincent

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Monkey

Wow, just wow, like I said on the last page, psychiatrists refer to this *mindset* as “delusions of grandeur”.
Somebody should compile a list of the boatload of titles that the *screenshot scientists* have bashed the PQ of – which have not been remastered.

Cliff sums it up pretty well here (esp. the second paragraph)……….
https://forum.blu-ray.com/2545052-post11152.html
And Bill Hunt has said the same in a more concise fashion (roping in all audio/video forums), months ago.

This is all a self-celebratory smoke screen in order to promote their visibility on that particular sub-forum with the ‘before and after’ remastering screenshot pics of GONY which will be used as a vehicle to legitimatize (by implication) the continued use of *screenshot science* for future Blu-ray movies…..completely ignoring their overwhelmingly past track record of hyperbolic nonsense. You my friends, are witnessing a reboot of the screenshot science thread posting button.

Yes, a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in awhile…..does that mean he is a good nut finder? Hardly.
And I notice that Robert has ‘flipped’, as his recent contribution there is completely contradictory to his past remarks about *screenshots* and what their proponents use them for on internet boards…..unless his previous comments have been edited or deleted.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Stacey Spears

I have not read the article, just the feedback on it. Actually I glanced at the feedback as I can only take so much fanboyism on any subject. Francis Kenny responded saying that it was the writer’s opinion, not American Cinematographer or the ASC. Christopher jumped in to defend his article and I thought he did a good job not responding to the personal attacks and just trying to address comments. He appears to have pretty thick skin.

My next trip to LA is next week. I will be at the studio formerly known as Ren-Mar on the 13th.

I stopped reading over there shortly after Build 15. I did enjoy the internet smackdowns between Mike Most and all the other ‘experts’, as Mike had a tendency to reveal their uninformed inaccuracies with ‘style’.

Heck Stacey, they even attack a working, level-headed D.P., namely David Mullen, ASC when what he says doesn’t jive with their beliefs, despite the fact that he is probably the single greatest asset, in terms of cinematography, to that whole board.

Interesting about your trip. Are you taking courses or offering consultation/services?
What lens package did you eventually purchase for your Red?

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

“Mister, you can say anything you want about me. I'm gonna have to ask you not to talk about my horse that way.”
Shark, when I get around to it, I’ll post a pic of the ‘paint’ that I ride.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-9aT...FA451B&index=0

Ready to Go 3.jpg

Deci, make it look pretty.
I shot this pic yesterday evening.

[JimSD]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Deci, make it look pretty.
I shot this pic yesterday evening.

You must have some interesting thoughts on bike/equestrian trail access conflicts, which has been a huge issue in our local Penasquitos area for years.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Yes, a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in awhile…..does that mean he is a good nut finder? Hardly.

He's not blind, but he has the same crazed obsession that some of the AVSers have...

And I notice that Robert has ‘flipped’, as his recent contribution there is completely contradictory to his past remarks about *screenshots* and what their proponents use them for on internet boards…..unless his previous comments have been edited or deleted.

Flipped in what way? I'm not completely sure what his past and current remarks are. At least in this forum.

[Dennis M]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

And I notice that Robert has ‘flipped’, as his recent contribution there is completely contradictory to his past remarks about *screenshots* and what their proponents use them for on internet boards…..unless his previous comments have been edited or deleted.

Haven't been following Robert's posts over at AVS. But over at HTF he has definitely taken exception with the liberal use of "All-New Digital Restoration" by the Miramax marketing people.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/foru...two-in-blu-ray

[SquidPuppet]

Penton-Man,

Can you comment?

http://screenrant.com/sony-bids-on-t...ts-kofi-44143/

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by Dennis M

Haven't been following Robert's posts over at AVS. But over at HTF he has definitely taken exception with the liberal use of "All-New Digital Restoration" by the Miramax marketing people.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/foru...two-in-blu-ray

RAH is again referencing Patton, and we have haven't seen Fox shamed into rereleasing that...yet.

So, and this might be for RAH's thread, we've established that a) most conclude that the screenshot threads are hyperbolic and self agrandizing, and b) there remain some discs that do not live up to even the lowest expectations for BD quality.

Cutting through all the rhetoric, which titles (and it should be a very short list) remain in need of re-release? Patton, to be sure. Dracula? Or is the debate on that settled? Heck, I'm still not sure he ever said anything about the HD-DVD of Spartacus (a restoration he supervised). Any others that we should hope for, these so-called actual "nuts" among the false alarms found by the squirels? RAH is (correctly) calling out Disney/Miramax for not simply coming clean with the issue. Assuming that the vast majority of titles are fine, what other titles should be called out? If insiders like RAH are open and forthcoming about actual problem discs, then their position is made even more definitive when they assure that the title has been treated according the expected standards.

Oh, and did you all see this little bit of insanity? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41jq_5ltkno

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Dennis M

Haven't been following Robert's posts over at AVS. But over at HTF he has definitely taken exception with the liberal use of "All-New Digital Restoration" by the Miramax marketing people.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/foru...two-in-blu-ray

For Christ sakes, just a *little* self-indulgent over-reaction to the misuse of terminology, me thinks.
The marketing folks really did not attempt to mislead anyone by using the term “Restoration” instead of “Remastering” on the packaging. There was no intended malice or deception.

This is how ‘working mature professionals’ respond to solicited internet queries regarding the terminology in a much more level-headed fashion …….
http://digitalcontentproducer.com/mi...ration_issues/

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

He's not blind, but he has the same crazed obsession that some of the AVSers have...

Flipped in what way? I'm not completely sure what his past and current remarks are. At least in this forum.

Well, with the blind squirrel and finding the nut analogy, I was referring more to the *screenshot scientists*.

In regards to your “flipping” query, in the past, he has essentially claimed that screenshots are pretty much worthless for critical evaluation of a motion picture and has explicitly chosen not to walk with the mentality of the *screenshot scientist* mob.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by JimSD

You must have some interesting thoughts on bike/equestrian trail access conflicts, which has been a huge issue in our local Penasquitos area for years.

As I wear both hats, Yup, I could tell you some hum-dinger stories.
I tell you one thing, when I’m riding “Pinta”, the mountain bikers refer to me always as “the cowboy” rather than an ‘equestrian’.
Maybe it’s the outfit………..or the Viggo look.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Penton-Man,
Can you comment?
http://screenrant.com/sony-bids-on-t...ts-kofi-44143/

Due to restrictions on discussions of the bidding, I am not allowed to comment even using an anonymous internet name.

Sorry.

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

For Christ sakes, just a *little* self-indulgent over-reaction to the misuse of terminology, me thinks.
The marketing folks really did not attempt to mislead anyone by using the term “Restoration” instead of “Remastering” on the packaging. There was no intended malice or deception.

This is how ‘working mature professionals’ respond to solicited internet queries regarding the terminology in a much more level-headed fashion …….
http://digitalcontentproducer.com/mi...ration_issues/

ruh roh... did you just lay a RAH smackdown?

Mommy and daddy are fighting... *sniff*

I'll give him benefit of the doubt, just in terms of nomenclature... I mean, we woudn't want "grain" called "noise", would we?

[sharkshark]

Well, just got through watching Public Enemies finally.. Thought it was a pretty stunning looking disc, actually, really liked the look they went for. The film was about what I expected, not tremendous, but certainly enjoyable.

I noticed a mild bit of colour moire near the begining of the film, at the lower portion of some horizontal blinds... Not sure if it's my setup (Oppo>Kuro) or something about the capture. Other that that minor blemmish, I'd be curious, Penton, why you scared us with talk about how some might think it's crap... Or are they all watching on contrast boosted LCDs?

[Bobby Henderson]

Not meaning to veer the topic into off-topic territory, but it's been a few days since my last post. I've been trying to find out some sort of info regarding any sort of backward compatibility any new HDTV sets currently on the market might have with the newly introduced Blu-ray 3D standard. Will any of the "240Hz" HDTV sets currently on the market be able to comply with any Blu-ray 3D standards?

I was formerly the happy owner of a 52" Sony Bravia XBR4 model LCD HDTV set. But in the wee hours of Feb. 1 my house was burglarized. The thieves made off with about $10,000 of personal property. The incident was a very nice "cherry atop the sundae" to finish off a nearly week long trudge through crippling Oklahoma Ice Storm Hell. My neighborhood had no power for 4 days straight, which meant the very cold and very dark at night 'hood was largely vacant, leaving a perfect opportunity for scumbags to come loot various residences. The President declared Oklahoma a federal disaster area last weekend, but no one saw fit to call in the National Guard to help police uphold the law.

Anyway, long story short, I'm in the market for a new HDTV set. I'm not waiting until the end of the year to buy a new TV (as well as a new PS3 to replace the limited edition 80GB Motorstorm model the pukes also robbed among other things). It would be nice to be able to pick out a new TV set that might be forward compatible with some of the new features due to arrive in HDTV sets around year's end.

Well, going to get some sleep. Gotta wake up early Saturday morning and get to work sawing up many many downed tree limbs.

[Jeff Kleist]

Well Penton, if you can't comment, then should Sony win the bidding, I hope they will be encouraged to continue their partnership with WB on Terminator and let the Sarah Connor Chronicles Direct to video movies be made to cap off the excellent series

I wish I'd gotten some video, my big white fluffy cat just banzai'd into the snow. He's a really dumb cat with a memory that is measured in nanosecond. It was awful cute until he got himself caught in a bush.

The siamese on the other hand howled in protest and refused to go anywhere near the stuff. He makes most cats look ready for the swim team. When he was a kitten he'd sit outside the bathroom and howl in terror at the steam coming from the shower

[sharkshark]

bobby, sorry to hear about the loss of your stuff, glad everyone's OK, and it sounds like you've got insurance to cover the losses.

[Jeff Kleist]

BTW Penton, your horse is real pretty

Guess what part I skip over in Hidalgo too The rest of the film is fantastic, beautifully shot and very underrated. Joe Johnston also did October Sky, a true gem

[Oliver K]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

And I notice that Robert has ‘flipped’, as his recent contribution there is completely contradictory to his past remarks about *screenshots* and what their proponents use them for on internet boards…..unless his previous comments have been edited or deleted.

Actually I think that the old release of Gangs of New Yorks had some issues that can be documented quite nicely with screenshots, especially overblown contrasts and nasty edge enhancement.

Or to put it another way: Unless there is a conspiracy so many screenshots from several sites that look so bad cannot come from a Blu-Ray that makes for a great viewing experience.

Surely one of the rarer cases where screenshots are that telling but still there are a number of releases around where I would say this is the case for certain problems.

And regarding some single person/site/forum taking credit for a re-release: I would suggest that with a release that looks as bad as GoNY and that has been criticized by so many reviewers and sites there are as many who can make that claim to fame, although as usual the members of AVS were probably the most vocal.

I would be very interesting to hear what part Martin Scorsese had in the re-release - he does love both film and what can be done with it on Blu-Ray and I have my doubts that he was happy with how the Blu-Ray of GoNY looked.