Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

[liquidice]

Leaving Las Vegas Blu-ray

Leaving Las Vegas Blu-ray Review

had no idea this movie was coming out on blu.

Stopped at BestBuy today for Rule Of Attraction, and saw this sitting on the shelf. 10 bucks.

Probably won't get around to watching for a couple more days, so if anyone has review info, please post. Not sure if I've ever seen an "unrated" version of this film, so I'm off to research what is additional to make it that rating.

[Canada]

I have no idea since I have only seen the unrated version, I am wondering if the could not have the scene where Sera was raped in the theatrical version.

The movie is depressing as hell but fantastic. Nicholas' Cages performance one for the ages.

[Sucker Punch]

Originally Posted by Canada

I have no idea since I have only seen the unrated version, I am wondering if the could not have the scene where Sera was raped in the theatrical version.

The StudioCanal transfer is the Unrated version?

here the difference: https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=257058

[furious-styles]

I picked this up the other day and watched it for the first time in over 10 years. I remember thinking the film was excellent when I first saw it, but upon the recent viewing, my opinion of it isn't nearly as high now. It doesn't seem to have stood the test of time, for me anyway. The performances, which have always been known to be LLV's strongest point, didn't seem nearly as good as I remembered them being, especially Nicholas Cage's. The nuances of John O'Brien's story are what stood out for me this time around. Anyway, that's my personal opinion.

As for the quality of the transfer - awful! I don't have a DVD copy to compare it to (my only other copy is on VHS) but I doubt it's much of an improvement. It looks VERY soft (to the point of hindrance) , it has white specks fluttering about it throughout, detail is very poor, and contrast is mediocre at best. The colours of the Las Vegas nighttime skyline are fuzzy and drab, and while I'm sure that, to a degree, this was an intention of the filmmaker, the poor transfer takes it to a whole other level.

I really wish that studios would stop putting out poor quality blu-rays like this one. I would much rather wait until a proper transfer can be given a film, than to have the studios rush blu-rays out haphazardly just to get them out there.

At a $10 purchase price, it doesn't sting quite as much as a $20 poor transfer, but it's still really disappointing.

[cyniclaus]

Originally Posted by furious-styles

I don't have a DVD copy to compare it to (my only other copy is on VHS) but I doubt it's much of an improvement. It looks VERY soft (to the point of hindrance) , it has white specks fluttering about it throughout, detail is very poor, and contrast is mediocre at best. .

Dang, i snatched it up immediately for that price...great film. Now I'm afraid to compare it to my DVD

[BluVinyl]

Originally Posted by furious-styles

As for the quality of the transfer - awful! I don't have a DVD copy to compare it to (my only other copy is on VHS) but I doubt it's much of an improvement. It looks VERY soft (to the point of hindrance) , it has white specks fluttering about it throughout, detail is very poor, and contrast is mediocre at best. The colours of the Las Vegas nighttime skyline are fuzzy and drab, and while I'm sure that, to a degree, this was an intention of the filmmaker, the poor transfer takes it to a whole other level.

I really wish that studios would stop putting out poor quality blu-rays like this one. I would much rather wait until a proper transfer can be given a film, than to have the studios rush blu-rays out haphazardly just to get them out there.

I remember this being a low budget production, the wiki page says they used super 16 mm.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaving_Las_Vegas

So, I guess I was expecting poor PQ. But your comment that the transfer is poor is making me think twice about taking the plastic off until we get a review. I would guess they just used the same transfer from the HD-DVD, so maybe this review of the French HD-DVD from 2007 is still accurate.
http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/1062/...svegas_fr.html

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by BluVinyl

I remember this being a low budget production, the wiki page says they used super 16 mm.[/url]

The transfer is not perfect, but it is very far from being awful. It is dated, there is absolutely no argument there, but the dull colors, softness, and subdued contrast levels are most definitely intentional.

As far as the actual transfer is concerned, no, it is not identical to the one Studio Canal used in France. The MGM transfer is MPEG-4 AVC encoded and there are discrepancies between the color-schemes.

It is a good disc. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track alone is worth the price. Lastly, in my opinion, this is one of the greatest films of the 90s, featuring Nicholas Cage's best performance.

Pro-B

[Hep]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The transfer is not perfect, but it is very far from being awful. It is dated, there is absolutely no argument there, but the dull colors, softness, and subdued contrast levels are most definitely intentional.

As far as the actual transfer is concerned, no, it is not identical to the one Studio Canal used in France. The MGM transfer is MPEG-4 AVC encoded and there are discrepancies between the color-schemes.

It is a good disc. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track alone is worth the price. Lastly, in my opinion, this is one of the greatest films of the 90s, featuring Nicholas Cage's best performance.

Pro-B

Thank's for the insight Pro-B; I'm eagerly awaiting my copy from the US next week. It has been a while since I've seen the movie, but I certainly remember this as being Nicholas Cage's best performance.

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

...
It is a good disc. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track alone is worth the price. Lastly, in my opinion, this is one of the greatest films of the 90s, featuring Nicholas Cage's best performance.

Pro-B

Nic Cage was in it? I didn't notice anyone other than Elisabeth Shue

[danny24]

I got the Holland import Blu-ray before the USA edition and they both have 2 different video transfers. The USA Blu-ray looks the sharpest but the Holland Blu-ray has somewhat better colors and blacks and less grain. The USA Blu-ray is the better Blu-ray imo in terms of overall video quality, but not by that much it's just sharper with more detail.

Leaving Las Vegas is a sad film, but Nicolas Cage's performance is incredible.

[Show spoiler]He really is so wasted and beyond help it's quite tragic and that look in his eyes is really so sad, he doesn't care what happens to himself and it's to bad for Shue's character, he could have had a second chance at love and life but he was so addicted to alcohol and committed to his plan he totally destroys any hope. There is nothing that Sera could have done to stop him, he was damaged to begin with.

Yes, Cage deserved the Oscar for the role but this is also some of the best work of Elizabeth Shue's career, she does an amazing job with the role. It is one of the 1990's best films, and this is what Hollywood can do on a small budget, I wish there were more gems made like this with all the right ingredients. Mike Figgis's best film imo.

[KrugerIndustrial]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

The transfer is not perfect, but it is very far from being awful. It is dated, there is absolutely no argument there, but the dull colors, softness, and subdued contrast levels are most definitely intentional.

As far as the actual transfer is concerned, no, it is not identical to the one Studio Canal used in France. The MGM transfer is MPEG-4 AVC encoded and there are discrepancies between the color-schemes.

It is a good disc. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track alone is worth the price. Lastly, in my opinion, this is one of the greatest films of the 90s, featuring Nicholas Cage's best performance.

Pro-B

Thank you. How would you rate the Studio Canal transfer?

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by KrugerIndustrial

Thank you. How would you rate the Studio Canal transfer?

Not higher than 3/5. The MGM transfer is clearly better (3.5/5).

Pro-B

[BillieCassin]

Originally Posted by furious-styles

I picked this up the other day and watched it for the first time in over 10 years. I remember thinking the film was excellent when I first saw it, but upon the recent viewing, my opinion of it isn't nearly as high now.

Totally agree.

Heck, I even owned it on Laser.

I have sort of grown out of watching depressing movies, in this case

[Show spoiler] let's watch a guy drink himself to death

isn't something I want to spend two hours watching. Like, I can't believe I saw Schindler's List in the theater, LOL. I guess as I am getting older I'd rather spend two hours smiling than feeling bad.

I agree about the performances as well - while Shue holds up, I think the reason Cage doesn't is because this was a start of a new period in his career, and the 'tricks' he used are pretty much how he's played most roles since. It was remarkable at the time, but now that we've seen it a dozen more more times since it loses it's impact.

That said, I will probably Netflix the Blu...just to see what it looks like.

[househead]

Would love if this had a sountrack only feature in lossless 5.1. Mmmmmm!

[amoergosum]

Originally Posted by furious-styles

it has white specks fluttering about it throughout

I highly dislike white specks.

[beatnikslacker]

Getting annoyed that best buy has not processed or shipped the copy I freaking pre ordered of this yet!

[Arkadin]

Originally Posted by beatnikslacker

Getting annoyed that best buy has not processed or shipped the copy I freaking pre ordered of this yet!

I had the same thing happen with "Manchurian Candidate"
friggen' pathetic.
(I bought it at the store instead)

[monkeyjedi]

The film is about unconditional love. She accepts his need to continue drinking until the bitter end and he accepts her in her choice to earn a living as a prostitute. He will not change her and as much as she would love to, she will not change him. Much more realistic than Pretty Woman.

[javy]

I just purchased this off Target so maybe we'll get that remaster now.

[Member-222782]

I hope the Criterion rumors about them acquiring this are true. Nicholas Cage gives an amazing performance - possibly his best ever.