Dark Force Entertainment Discussion Thread

[Marv Inc.]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

Not nearly as much as I wanted to. There is a really nice special effects sequence with a larva early in the film that's quite disgusting and then nothing (not even shots of the larva) again until after 45 minutes into the movie. When the final creature is unveiled it looks great (for a giant puppet) but overall the cast really hurt this one and you'll know what I'm talking about right away.... Watch the reaction (or lack there of) of the doctor...



...when the Larva is revealed early in the film. A piece of cardboard would have had a bigger response to the horror than what she has. Sadly, she is absolutely the most wooden actress I have ever seen in any movie ever and her complete and utter lack of emotion really hurt the film for me. My earlier comment about wanting everyone to die in the film was primarily brought about because of how much I disliked her acting.

Beyond all of this though the film is also rather tame with really nothing to show of the Insects carnage. I expected something closer to The Dead Pit and instead got something closer to an episode of Tales from the Darkside.

Thanks for taking a bullet, saved me ordering it.

[Killer Meteor]

Originally Posted by xXx$uicide_Ma$terxXx

Terrible.

From a print or video transfer point of view?

[Killer Meteor]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Heads up Chinese Hercules / ninja secret is the 2nd weakest looking blu in the drive in lineup, with the worst being the first one w/ don't look in the basement (though it's still the best version of don't look in the basement available)

Is that the prints or the video transfer?

[JMDiaz718]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

Not nearly as much as I wanted to. There is a really nice special effects sequence with a larva early in the film that's quite disgusting and then nothing (not even shots of the larva) again until after 45 minutes into the movie. When the final creature is unveiled it looks great (for a giant puppet) but overall the cast really hurt this one and you'll know what I'm talking about right away.... Watch the reaction (or lack there of) of the doctor...



...when the Larva is revealed early in the film. A piece of cardboard would have had a bigger response to the horror than what she has. Sadly, she is absolutely the most wooden actress I have ever seen in any movie ever and her complete and utter lack of emotion really hurt the film for me. My earlier comment about wanting everyone to die in the film was primarily brought about because of how much I disliked her acting.

Beyond all of this though the film is also rather tame with really nothing to show of the Insects carnage. I expected something closer to The Dead Pit and instead got something closer to an episode of Tales from the Darkside.

Agreed, not a very good movie and most of the insect action, is in the climax. Acting is awful, only good actress is doc with the glasses. Those kids are annoying and the comedy stuff is distracting.

Giant monster prop is well designed, but incredibly stiff.

If it were cheaper, I’d buy for kicks. $35 is waaaaaay too much, sorry.

[xXx$uicide_Ma$terxXx]

Originally Posted by Killer Meteor

From a print or video transfer point of view?

Looks basically like this
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Dont-...lu-ray/212632/

[Killer Meteor]

Oh, they just recycled the VCI transfer?

[xXx$uicide_Ma$terxXx]

Originally Posted by Killer Meteor

Oh, they just recycled the VCI transfer?

No. I just checked my DF release and the picture is 4:3 or whatever. The VCI release looks like it's been DNR'd or something. The DF release isn't as red either. Looks better. Not great or anything. Get the DF release? Here's a good write up on the DF vs Brink releases. Don't get the VCI one though.

Originally Posted by Ruined

OK, so here we go. Hopefully this is helpful in people's decisions:

First of all runtimes;
Code Red version about 1:28:29 after intro trailers/etc
Brink version about 1:28:24 after intro trailers/etc
Brink version apparently has some brief cuts I need to verify if the Code Red has/does not have, will update this later.

Update: code red version missing the same exact few seconds as the Brink and rough cut is exactly the same. Wouldn't be surprised if both were derived from same print, just with CR being totally raw while brink is over processed.

Next, A/V quality:

Boy, this is a tough one but TLDR I am going to keep the Code Red version over the BRINK.

Code Red's print is horrendous, with transparent light red spherical splotches appearing throughout, tons of print damage, lines, rough cuts, you get the picture - 3.5/10 quality if I had to rank it. Tons of artifacts from damaged film. Color is significantly worse at times than the Brink version, also.

Brink, on the other hand has a fairly capable print. Some damage, but VERY minimal compared to code red - the print quality actually looks quite good, say a 6/10. Yet we have some major digital mastering issues here. First it is clear some major DNR, scratch removal was applied. This results in things like static grain at times (not at all times, there is in most scenes active moving grain visible - but much less active grain than the Code Red version), door jambs flickering and disappearing as the DNR algorithm thinks its a scratch, etc. On top of this, as mentioned earlier the Brink has a pervasive 1 second stutter that appears every 45 seconds throughout the entire film as mentioned previously unlike the Code Red version.

This is a tough one to make a recommendation that will apply to all, as some will see the terrible print quality of Code Red and simply live with the digital artifacting of the BRINK version to escape all of the extensive print damage on the Code Red version. On the other hand, some will see the DNR and digital tinkering run amuck on the BRINK version and live with the highly damaged Code Red print.

So, as suspected earlier, this boils down to preference - if digital artifacts like stuttering and over enthusiastic DNR bothers you more, go with Code Red. On the other hand, if rampant and extensive print damage causing all sorts of artifacts throughout the film bothers you more, go with Brink. If the Brink did not have the stuttering I would likely keep that one, but with that stuttering it is just too annoying for me so I will live with all of the print damage on the Code Red version.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Killer Meteor

How is the Dark Force transfer of Don't Look in the Basement?

It's the best transfer available on disc to date but that's not saying too much

The compression is fine but there is massive and pervasive print damage. Still, it's better than the VCI version which is vertically stretched and super DNR'd, and also better than the Brink version which has super DNR and stuttering

So if you like the movie the dark force version is best but don't expect much

[Dark Force]

Originally Posted by xXx$uicide_Ma$terxXx

Terrible.

Just for the record, that was the very first ever Dark Force release which happened to be a retro drive-in double feature. We have come a long long way with the quality of our releases and the restoration since then. Although some fun trivia we vividly recall when Bill got us the film element from Don't Look in the Basement it was from a guy that said it was the best quality around.

[xXx$uicide_Ma$terxXx]

Originally Posted by Dark Force

Just for the record, that was the very first ever Dark Force release which happened to be a retro drive-in double feature. We have come a long long way with the quality of our releases and the restoration since then. Although some fun trivia we vividly recall when Bill got us the film element from Don't Look in the Basement it was from a guy that said it was the best quality around.

I mean I don't blame it on you guys lol. All the sources for that movie seem to be bad.

[gbm82]

Originally Posted by Dark Force

Although some fun trivia we vividly recall when Bill got us the film element from Don't Look in the Basement it was from a guy that said it was the best quality around.

Back alley film deals...

[Frightener22]

"NEW TITLE ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Dark Force Entertainment, in association with Code Red, will turn up the heat when they release the 1974 X-rated cult classic LIALEH!

When slick NYC operator Arlo decides to put on a hardcore musical stage act, a young hopeful named Lialeh shows she's willing to do whatever it takes to be a part of the show. Featuring a music score by soul and funk music legend Bernard Purdie (who also appears in the film), LIALEH will be the 21st standalone title from Dark Force!

Starring Lawrence Pertillar, Jennifer Leigh, Steven Blackwell (THE CROSS AND THE SWITCHBLADE, THE DOUBLE EXPOSURE OF HOLLY), Terrance Brady (DEEP THROAT PART II), Bernard Purdie - Shot by Paul Goldsmith (THE KILLING TIME, WAVELENGTH, JEREMY) - Music by Bernard Purdie - Written and Directed by Barron Bercovichy"

[Thomas Irwin]

Originally Posted by Dark Force

Although some fun trivia we vividly recall when Bill got us the film element from Don't Look in the Basement it was from a guy that said it was the best quality around.

Originally Posted by gbm82

Back alley film deals...

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Dark Force

Just for the record, that was the very first ever Dark Force release which happened to be a retro drive-in double feature. We have come a long long way with the quality of our releases and the restoration since then. Although some fun trivia we vividly recall when Bill got us the film element from Don't Look in the Basement it was from a guy that said it was the best quality around.

It appears to be the same element Brink used (which I believe was obtained from the filmmaker) except brink did a poor job on trying to clean it up and ended up making it look worse. VCI I would not be surprised if it were an upscale.

So Dark Force current best quality for this film, but might not be a bad idea to revisit in the future with a restored SE

[JasonMichael]

Originally Posted by Frightener22

"NEW TITLE ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Dark Force Entertainment, in association with Code Red, will turn up the heat when they release the 1974 X-rated cult classic LIALEH!

When slick NYC operator Arlo decides to put on a hardcore musical stage act, a young hopeful named Lialeh shows she's willing to do whatever it takes to be a part of the show. Featuring a music score by soul and funk music legend Bernard Purdie (who also appears in the film), LIALEH will be the 21st standalone title from Dark Force!

Starring Lawrence Pertillar, Jennifer Leigh, Steven Blackwell (THE CROSS AND THE SWITCHBLADE, THE DOUBLE EXPOSURE OF HOLLY), Terrance Brady (DEEP THROAT PART II), Bernard Purdie - Shot by Paul Goldsmith (THE KILLING TIME, WAVELENGTH, JEREMY) - Music by Bernard Purdie - Written and Directed by Barron Bercovichy"

Dark Force's first hardcore release? Very cool!

[El_Fez]

Originally Posted by Ruined

So Dark Force current best quality for this film, but might not be a bad idea to revisit in the future with a restored SE

Depending on how they sexed up the release, I might very well double dip. The movie was quite good, for a low budget super cheap exploitation flick, that is.

[Dark Force]

Originally Posted by gbm82

Back alley film deals...

hey gbm82 not too many people would have the courage to go down a back alley with Dark Force.

[Dk8819]

Jus hanging in the forum....waiting for the site to come up so I can throw down some money on movies again

[Nosferatu31]

15 minute warning.

[Nosferatu31]

Website is up. Nothing for me.