When a Stranger Calls / When a Stranger Calls Back (Second Sight)

[agent999]

Originally Posted by Charlie_C

Is this completely sold out now? The price on the 'zon is a bargain but it has the "usually despatched in *** weeks" message.

Got it from my local HMV today for 17.99, may be worth calling to check if you have a branch left near to you.

[spatafore]

is sold out on amazon uk? or more copies comes? anyone have a sealed copy for 17.99?

[stigdu]

Originally Posted by spatafore

is sold out on amazon uk? or more copies comes? anyone have a sealed copy for 17.99?

Not exactly, but I'm selling a new (but watched) copy on eBay. Think. Its at £15 at the moment.

[samlop10]

Watched both the original and sequel last night:

When A Stranger Calls:

Film: A-

It’s amazing how simple yet how effective this is. This has got to be one of the, if not the, scariest/most suspenseful opening sequences of film of all time. Director F. Walton takes his time setting up the suburban mood, and like Halloween, creates a very dark and eerie atmosphere in what is supposed to be one of the most family-friendly type of settings. But perhaps that is what makes it so scary, the fact that something that is supposed to be so welcoming and friendly can turn into such a horrifying night within minutes. And although the movie itself has only one scene with mild blood, it still manages to instill a very palpable sense of dread.

The second act does slow down, but it creates quite the character development for the psychopath, something which very few scary movies accomplish or even attempt. Contrary to his attacks, his more ‘social’ side is very vulnerable and timid. And overall, that contrast just makes him even more puzzling and scary.

The third act goes back to suburban terror, with Jill already having a family with two very young children. It obviously harks back to the opening act, but it doesn’t rehash it, and it accomplishes a very haunting ending without resorting to violence or exploitative psychology, instead making the killer’s actions very logical and sensical, yet even more terrifying given the more vulnerable position Jill is in now that she is a mother.


Picture: 4.5 / 5

Impressive picture quality. The only negative I have on it is that black levels are a bit more elevated than I’d prefer, but given the age and source of the film, it is hard to complain, especially given that it looks excellent on all other fronts. There is a very nice layer of grain throughout, it can become a bit thick in a few places but it all looks natural, making it very filmic and organic. Colors are impressive throughout, always looking natural and nicely saturated and never anemic or overdone. Contrast is consistent and high without clipping anything in the darker areas, with plenty of shadow detail throughout. There is a bit of clipping is the brighter objects, but that is something which only an HDR encode could render without detracting from other areas of the picture. Fine detail is excellent as well, and there are absolutely no compression artifacts that I could spot.


Audio: 4.5 / 5

I was surprised at the dynamic range in this. It is a mono mix but music and sound effects do have a nice and hefty effect. It lacks the clarity of modern mixes, but given the age of the film, that is not surprising. Dialogue is clear throughout, except perhaps when the killer is whispering, but that is part of the effect. Overall, it sounds excellent and it’s only limited by its source.


Special Features: 4.5 / 5

The interviews with the cast and crew and very fun and interesting to listen to. Their approach (directing, scoring, acting), while simple, was obviously very effective given the end result, and they all seem to remember the film fondly with a substantial amount of detail.

I will be reviewing the sequel shortly.

[Logan Allan]

Is this now officially sold out? Possibly they will re release it some time?

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by Logan Allan

Is this now officially sold out? Possibly they will re release it some time?

I too missed out on the limited edition and have been awaiting news on a standard edition. It's being strangely quiet...

How long do they usually take to announce a standard edition after the LE sells out?

[spatafore]

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

I too missed out on the limited edition and have been awaiting news on a standard edition. It's being strangely quiet...

How long do they usually take to announce a standard edition after the LE sells out?

I don't know but I don't want the standard edition, still looking a LE for a decent price, not scalper price.

[CrockettandTubbs]

"When A Stranger Calls / When a Stranger Calls Back standard edition 2 disc release.

July 1st release date."

Reversible sleeve with new artwork by Obviously Creative and original poster artwork:

[Show spoiler]

Bonus features:

[Show spoiler]· Brand new scan and restoration
· The sequel ‘When a Stranger Calls Back’ in HD
· New scan and restoration of the original short film ‘The Sitter’
· New interview with director Fred Walton
· New interview with actor Carol Kane
· New interview with actor Rutanya Alda
· New interview with composer Dana Kaproff
· Reversible sleeve with new artwork by Obviously Creative and original
poster artwork
· English subtitles for the hearing impaired for both films

[spatafore]

Originally Posted by CrockettandTubbs

"When A Stranger Calls / When a Stranger Calls Back standard edition 2 disc release.

July 1st release date."

Reversible sleeve with new artwork by Obviously Creative and original poster artwork:

[Show spoiler]

Bonus features:

[Show spoiler]· Brand new scan and restoration
· The sequel ‘When a Stranger Calls Back’ in HD
· New scan and restoration of the original short film ‘The Sitter’
· New interview with director Fred Walton
· New interview with actor Carol Kane
· New interview with actor Rutanya Alda
· New interview with composer Dana Kaproff
· Reversible sleeve with new artwork by Obviously Creative and original
poster artwork
· English subtitles for the hearing impaired for both films

I got a limited edition some days ago, gladly to around $35 sealed, local seller.

[blueman_Richie]

Have I got my amp set up wrong or is the dialogue mixed really low and the music really LOUD in 'When a Stranger Calls'?

[OgamiittoMcJ]

saw the standard in the 2 for £25 in Fopp/HMV today

[broadwaybobl]

Can anyone confirm if the Standard Edition release is Region Free like the limited edition? THANKS!

[Streetlight]

How does the transfer of the first movie compare to the Mill Creek releases and the second and short to the Shout! release?

[Liquid_Swords]

Originally Posted by Streetlight

How does the transfer of the first movie compare to the Mill Creek releases and the second and short to the Shout! release?

Anybody?

[david7simon]

Originally Posted by Gerby

This release is all about the sequel, the main feature is ok but it pales in comparison to the sequel.

You're entitled to your wrong opinion.

[The Lurker]

Just FYI, I recently bought the regular edition of this and the title is printed on the spine on both sides, so they did fix it.

Also, I don't know what color the limited ed. came in, but this came in a spiffy black blu-ray case.

Originally Posted by broadwaybobl

Can anyone confirm if the Standard Edition release is Region Free like the limited edition? THANKS!

It is.