Outcast (2014) Blu-ray 3D [Region B Locked]

[levcore]

http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00S...&pf_rd_i=typ01

As I hadn't heard about this being in 3D I'm presuming this might be just a crappy German auto convert disc. Anyone have any ideas or information? The trailer for this looks OK, might have some good action in it. The release date is April for this Blu Ray.

[Interdimensional]

never heard of it either, but apparently...

http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/outcast...-china-screens

The English-language period action film, converted to 3-D for its China release, stars Nicolas CAGE and Hayden CHRISTENSEN as former Crusaders who come to the aid of a prince when his older brother tries to assassinate him in 12th century China.

[Zivouhr]

Thanks for the info. Nic Cage and Hayden in the same movie. Nic Cage can act (in his early days mostly) but for many of his films, he kind of dials it in without much expression and kind of a numb performance. Hopefully Hayden has taken some constructive feedback to improve his performances and believability.
I'd like to hear how China's conversions stand up in terms of 3D for this, Robocop, etc.

[nycomet]

Originally Posted by Zivouhr

Thanks for the info. Nic Cage and Hayden in the same movie. Nic Cage can act (in his early days mostly) but for many of his films, he kind of dials it in without much expression and kind of a numb performance. Hopefully Hayden has taken some constructive feedback to improve his performances and believability.
I'd like to hear how China's conversions stand up in terms of 3D for this, Robocop, etc.

^^^^^^^^

Same here... I am hopeful that 3D conversions for China will be on par with the work done by Legend and Stereo D (etc.). The one I am most interested in is Lucy (if it's true that there will be a 3D conversion for for China).

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by nycomet

^^^^^^^^
The one I am most interested in is Lucy (if it's true that there will be a 3D conversion for for China).

How did you like Lucy the movie? I was going to see it for the action, but then heard there wasn't much. I'll check it out when the price drops but if the conversion was medium or strong, and available on bluray 3D in the US at a good price...

[levcore]

Interesting info about the Chinese conversion. Sadly the only reference point i have for Chinese conversions is Transcendence 3D which was a very weak conversion. Here's hoping this more aking to Noah in terms of the 3D.

[Interdimensional]

I'd be very dubious and skeptical about this movie. It seems like a product of so much cynicism. Perhaps confirming these suspicions, the reviews have been scathing.

I am curious about the quality of these Chinese market conversions though, and if any are worth a look.

[levcore]

This looks no worse than something like Season of the Witch. I think I'll give it a go.

[Interdimensional]

Originally Posted by levcore

This looks no worse than something like Season of the Witch. I think I'll give it a go.

fair enough if that's your sort of thing. Good luck with it, and don't forget to report back!

[infiniteCR]

been reading some of those reviews lately and I'm not sure I'm brave enough even with the 3D bonus.

[Interdimensional]

Reviews for this sort of film have a tendency to devolve into comedy routines. Critics eat movies like this for breakfast.

I was amused by the Toronto Sun review. Here's a few snippets, spoiler-free.

'Once upon a time we felt cheated when Cage starred in a movie and stunk up the joint. Now, we’re disappointed when he doesn’t get enough screen time to emanate his powerful and unique musk.'

'Outcast feels sort of like a Chinese pseudo-historical soap opera that’s been crashed by a couple of white dudes, forcing everyone to speak English with vaguely British accents.'

'the shaky-cam fight scenes feel like they were edited by a random number generator.'

The only real kiss-of-death for movies like this is if they're accused of being boring.

[levcore]

I'll give it a go, i love period action adventure movies, trailer looked fine. I don't have as high a bar as some when it comes to this kind of stuff. A period setting, action, swordplay, gruff looking dudes being gruff, that's usually enough for me. If the movie evokes the right mood then i'm happy. For the record i really like Season of the Witch.

[nyraiderfan]

Originally Posted by levcore

I'll give it a go, i love period action adventure movies, trailer looked fine. I don't have as high a bar as some when it comes to this kind of stuff. A period setting, action, swordplay, gruff looking dudes being gruff, that's usually enough for me. If the movie evokes the right mood then i'm happy. For the record i really like Season of the Witch.

I liked season of the witch as well, very entertaining movie, imo, thought it got a bad rap

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by levcore

I'll give it a go, i love period action adventure movies, trailer looked fine. I don't have as high a bar as some when it comes to this kind of stuff. A period setting, action, swordplay, gruff looking dudes being gruff, that's usually enough for me. If the movie evokes the right mood then i'm happy. For the record i really like Season of the Witch.

I hear you. While I like thought provoking movies and well written films, I also grew up watching lots of cheesy movies every Saturday afternoon on TV, so it's nice to be able to relax and enjoy "B grade movies" for what they are without being too critical.
If it hits the target of what it intended to do as a movie, whether to scare, show action scenes, stunts, comedy, etc, that's what counts often despite its flaws. No fun holding it up against AAA movies if it's not trying to be one in the first place.

Let us know how you like the 3D. Thanks.

[NzScreamindemon]

So - no-one got back about this title..I'm guessing "I've taken one for the team" here as it arrived from Germany today....

I've chucked it in for the usual "flick through" advance look - and I have to say the conversion is hit and miss - there's some very nice work with plenty of shape to characters - and some good depth........

......and then there's some downright ugly stuff - some character scenes look "overworked" and almost have too much shape, but probably the biggest ugly instance comes whenever objects are behind foliage (usually the subjects are moving) where theres a heap of "warpy" looking footage....I'm guessing some of this conversion was hindered by a fair bit of "shakey cam" work...

Oh and it seems there's forced subs for "dates/locations" not too much of a distraction

Initial thoughts are that - Ive seen worse conversions...but it does look a little like a rushed effort...

I'll post a better review once I watch it in its entirety... thats if the errors dont get the better of me

Chris

[levcore]

Thanks for your thoughts mate, this one had slipped out of my mind so I think i'll order it just to see. How was the movie itself in your opinion?

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by NzScreamindemon

So - no-one got back about this title..I'm guessing "I've taken one for the team" here as it arrived from Germany today....

I've chucked it in for the usual "flick through" advance look - and I have to say the conversion is hit and miss - there's some very nice work with plenty of shape to characters - and some good depth........

......and then there's some downright ugly stuff - some character scenes look "overworked" and almost have too much shape, but probably the biggest ugly instance comes whenever objects are behind foliage (usually the subjects are moving) where theres a heap of "warpy" looking footage....I'm guessing some of this conversion was hindered by a fair bit of "shakey cam" work...

Oh and it seems there's forced subs for "dates/locations" not too much of a distraction

Initial thoughts are that - Ive seen worse conversions...but it does look a little like a rushed effort...

I'll post a better review once I watch it in its entirety... thats if the errors dont get the better of me

Chris

Thanks Chris for the 3D info.

Originally Posted by levcore

Thanks for your thoughts mate, this one had slipped out of my mind so I think i'll order it just to see. How was the movie itself in your opinion?

Yes, I'm interested to see how Cage and Hayden will act alongside each other in this film and if the action is worth it.

[NzScreamindemon]

This little bit from earlier kinda sums it up

'Once upon a time we felt cheated when Cage starred in a movie and stunk up the joint. Now, we’re disappointed when he doesn’t get enough screen time to emanate his powerful and unique musk.'

'Outcast feels sort of like a Chinese pseudo-historical soap opera that’s been crashed by a couple of white dudes, forcing everyone to speak English with vaguely British accents.'

'the shaky-cam fight scenes feel like they were edited by a random number generator.'

My take:

Cage's role is somewhat of a cameo - I would have liked to have seen more of him in the film....

I kinda lost the plot behind it a little really,almost to the point where I wondered "what the heck is going on here" the movie seems to wander along at no-mans pace - I was expecting more of a sword-swinging/martial-arts type affair but it seems that an almost plot-less romp across varying locations got in the way.....dont get me wrong there are some fast-paced action scenes in there - but they seem a little short to me.....and some almost look like parts have been hacked out - with shots being cut short (censorship?? or maybe just too hard to convert to the 3d process)

I wasnt expecting a Hollywood blockbuster - and on that front it delivered, In the end I almost wonder if the 3d distracted me from the movie itself - as I said in an earlier post its very hit and miss - I can now say I liken the 3d to that of "Clash of The Titans" and maybe, just maybe looking for 3d errors and blemishes took me out of actually watching the movie....it's a "b" grade movie at best - and one I could easily see going to a bargain bin very quickly (or even worse hanging round on shelves simply because no-one wants it)

Maybe I'll re-visit in 2d just to see if I wasnt concentrating on the 3d to the point where it destroyed my verdict of the film....

I'ld be interested to hear others opinions on this film (thats if anyones brave enough to try it out)
- just to see If I -
A: missed something
B: got it wrong
C: Both of the above

Chris

[levcore]

My copy arrived today. I'll have time to watch the movie tomorrow evening but I stuck the disc in for a quick mooch and you know what I was actually pleasantly surprised! Granted I only checked out a few brief bits but the 3D looked a heck of a lot better than I was expecting. I'm looking forward to watching the whole thing tomorrow to see what the 3D is like overall. As far as conversions for the Chinese market go, this looks loads better than Transcendence 3D.

[infiniteCR]

Originally Posted by NzScreamindemon

So - no-one got back about this title..I'm guessing "I've taken one for the team" here as it arrived from Germany today....

Thanks a bunch for taking one for the team. Really liked your writeup. Great job!