Dark Force Entertainment Discussion Thread

[rillog]

I would love to upgrade if I got more. But losing the extras offsets the upgrade in picture quality. A compromise does not open my wallet for a double dip. And that is true for Scream, Dead Pit and Final Exam.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by rillog

I would love to upgrade if I got more. But losing the extras offsets the upgrade in picture quality. A compromise does not open my wallet for a double dip. And that is true for Scream, Dead Pit and Final Exam.

Dead Pit doesn't lose any extras FYI. It includes the original Blu-ray alongside the 4K disc.

[DaylightsEnd]

I wonder when my new order of Lightning deal #666 will ship out. I’ve only ever pre-ordered Dead Pit 4k last September and ordered Scream 4k last month from them, so I’m not too familiar with how DF turns the superstore on and off periodically, and seems to ship large groups of orders later on, in batches. Can’t wait to see the color timing on that GoH 35mm print copy! Such a cool offering on blu. I wish more private owners of vintage film prints would allow them to be scanned and licensed for dissemination to film fans. Various Prints of the same film could and did have significantly different color timing, contrast, etc. among them.

[Lianzantoro]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Dead Pit doesn't lose any extras FYI. It includes the original Blu-ray alongside the 4K disc.

So I take it Final Exam doesn't have any of the commentaries from the other releases?

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by Kakihara

Let me be the lone dissenter on Dead Pit 4K. I found it disappointing as several scenes came out looking more drab with colors toned down (especially green and blue) compared to the BD. I provided screenshots with examples of this a few weeks ago but it seems like I'm the only one who took issue with it.

I know what you mean, but I didn't really notice it as much as you. I don't know how much the HDR had to do with that though. That may be more of the color correction than the HDR applied to it, especially if you feel it is throughout the film. That may be something to ask Dave about. The HDR and 4K resolution really makes darker movies shine, which this is certainly one of them. It increases the shadow detail and gives the darker scenes much more clarity and depth. It thankfully loses that dark grey, almost noisiness from the blu, instead of true black shadow detail. That is where this new 4K really shines IMO. I get what you mean with the colors, as with also Argento films too. To me, it did not look like the HDR had an effect on that, as you say it is throughout the film and HDR is generally not turned on as a blanket. It seems more like a color correction choice, which is why maybe Dave can chime in on it. Either way, I really though the new 4K Dead Pit looked a lot better than the blu.

[Demon Dave]

Originally Posted by WillieMLF

I do thinks it's a valid discussion. Not every movie needs HDR, and not every title needs to be in 4K.

Short and well put WillieMLF. Turn our back for a minute and this becomes an HDR debate. Willie just summed it up perfectly and truthfully. Here is our bottom line, 4K itself only works when you have great negative elements. i.e. we found the original negative for FINAL EXAM so that was ideal. Secondly, HDR is a great little gimmick but absolutely DOES NOT benefit every movie especially ones that are not shot with a lot of colorful scenes. i.e. many dramas, movies shot mostly in a courthouse or a SCHOOL like FINAL EXAM. The first hour of FINAL EXAM is school scenes with the students, for a minute I forgot it was a slasher movie. You think over exaggerated colors would work well in this case? In my opinion it would look ridiculous. Joe Rubin of Vinegar Syndrome, a major authority on restoration, said FINAL EXAM would not benefit from HDR. HDR does look really cool with stylish shot scenes rich in colors and effects. But it really does nothing or next to nothing for movies that are lets say more plain looking. PERIOD

[Demon Dave]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Sounds like Dark Force is gonna get a low score.....

Actually jcs Dark Force is gonna score an A ++. Let me explain...in reference to the current 4K UHD series which is now at #3 with FINAL EXAM. There is no debate that the #1 release of SCREAM we significantly IMPROVED over the previous blu release hands down. The #2 release of DEAD PIT was a major home run. Just read what people are saying about it, then watch it for yourself. It looks spectacular and miles better than previous blu. Case in fact, when we put up any inventory on that one it sells out instantly. And that brings us to #3 FINAL EXAM. Not surprisingly it looks a lot better than the previous blu. The color we have already shown is way superior and we will soon show the 4K picture quality will obviously be a big improvement as well. At the end of the day the FINAL EXAM original negative is in DARK FORCE PRISON and not going anywhere, so maybe one day in the dark future just for the hell of it we'll do an HDR version and it won't be cheap. I can guarantee after you spend your money on it you'll be telling yourself...yeah the 4K SDR looked the best and after all that hubbub this one just looks plain goofy.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Demon Dave

Actually jcs Dark Force is gonna score an A ++. Let me explain...in reference to the current 4K UHD series which is now at #3 with FINAL EXAM. There is no debate that the #1 release of SCREAM we significantly IMPROVED over the previous blu release hands down. The #2 release of DEAD PIT was a major home run. Just read what people are saying about it, then watch it for yourself. It looks spectacular and miles better than previous blu. Case in fact, when we put up any inventory on that one it sells out instantly. And that brings us to #3 FINAL EXAM. Not surprisingly it looks a lot better than the previous blu. The color we have already shown is way superior and we will soon show the 4K picture quality will obviously be a big improvement as well. At the end of the day the FINAL EXAM original negative is in DARK FORCE PRISON and not going anywhere, so maybe one day in the dark future just for the hell of it we'll do an HDR version and it won't be cheap. I can guarantee after you spend your money on it you'll be telling yourself...yeah the 4K SDR looked the best and after all that hubbub this one just looks plain goofy.

When we getting that Alien Thunder / Final Exam 2-PAC ??

[darkonex]

Originally Posted by Ruined

When we getting that Alien Thunder / Final Exam 2-PAC ??

Please no I'll be sad as I just ordered the Final Exam / Scream 2pac lol. Maybe if they throw up a Kill Crazy / Drive In #19 2pac then that'll be ok

[Savage_Blu]

Originally Posted by Ruined

When we getting that Alien Thunder / Final Exam 2-PAC ??

Originally Posted by darkonex

Please no I'll be sad as I just ordered the Final Exam / Scream 2pac lol. Maybe if they throw up a Kill Crazy / Drive In #19 2pac then that'll be ok

My vote is for a Drive In #19 and Moonlighting Wives 2pac

[Demon Dave]

Originally Posted by Savage_Blu

My vote is for a Drive In #19 and Moonlighting Wives 2pac

Well damn these 2-PACS are getting tough to make here too! Next up is DRIVE-IN #19 featuring the epic ALIEN THUNDER which really was a surprise to me. The flick has a really cool look in the old Canadian west and the story pulls you in. We are going to show you a sneak preview before the weekend is out. It's pretty brutal as well and based on a true event supposedly. A real surprise gem we got lucky enough to find a nice original 35mm scope interneg on. But get your orders in for FINAL EXAM before the store closes. There will be some surprises when that one get out be sure of that.

[willo007]

@ Demon Dave,

How come the features from the Scream! Factory/Code Red release were not ported to the 4K release?

[ZeTi]

@DemonDave

Would Bare Knuckles (1977) be something for the Drive-In series? It's an awesome little gem of movie. Would be perfect fit imho.

[DaylightsEnd]

The DF webstore is back offline. I hope that means new orders will ship soon! Still champing at the bit like a fiend for that Gates of Hell print copy. I don’t recall much discussion about it back when it originally dropped. Maybe I just overlooked part of a thread about it.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by DaylightsEnd

The DF webstore is back offline. I hope that means new orders will ship soon! Still champing at the bit like a fiend for that Gates of Hell print copy. I don’t recall much discussion about it back when it originally dropped. Maybe I just overlooked part of a thread about it.

I left a review about it I thought it was one of the best presentations of the film because the damage makes it more creepy

[Savage_Blu]

Originally Posted by Demon Dave

Well damn these 2-PACS are getting tough to make here too! Next up is DRIVE-IN #19 featuring the epic ALIEN THUNDER which really was a surprise to me. The flick has a really cool look in the old Canadian west and the story pulls you in. We are going to show you a sneak preview before the weekend is out. It's pretty brutal as well and based on a true event supposedly. A real surprise gem we got lucky enough to find a nice original 35mm scope interneg on. But get your orders in for FINAL EXAM before the store closes. There will be some surprises when that one get out be sure of that.

I'm looking forward to Drive-In #19. Alien Thunder no doubt will be the prime target for most, but Smokey & The Judge looks to be a hoot.
Thanks for keeping the drive-in series going!

BTW, do you have any of the Chinese Hercules / Bruce's Ninja Secret drive-in discs left you could put up on the Superstore?


I got an itch for a martial arts double feature!

[waxHead]

Originally Posted by DaylightsEnd

The DF webstore is back offline. I hope that means new orders will ship soon! Still champing at the bit like a fiend for that Gates of Hell print copy. I don’t recall much discussion about it back when it originally dropped. Maybe I just overlooked part of a thread about it.

Earlier this morning I received a DF email that my order of "Lightning Sale #666" (Gates of Hell) is shipping out. Hopefully yours is not far behind

[ripper6]

The Dark Force release kills 4K and only contributes to the end of physical discs. I'd like to buy the movie, but it's not possible, so I'll wait to download it sometime.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by ripper6

The Dark Force release kills 4K and only contributes to the end of physical discs. I'd like to buy the movie, but it's not possible, so I'll wait to download it sometime.

Instead of stealing, perhaps you should instead work on your patience and follow DF on social media so you know when the store is open. The. 4K release isn't going anywhere.

[BigBoxBlu]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Instead of stealing, perhaps you should instead work on your patience and follow DF on social media so you know when the store is open. The. 4K release isn't going anywhere.

the customer is not the one who should be doing work to give a company money. the only person who openly complained about sales in this boutique world was Bill at code red...so dark force decided to adopt their business practice of not having an actual web store in which people don't have to get up on the 3rd Tuesday of every odd month to hope to be able to buy a 4k.