Scanners (1981)

[CinemaBlu]

This release should have headlined Stereo with Scanners as a bonus feature. I bought the Blu-ray because I was interested in seeing Stereo for the first time, but wasn't really expecting much from it. When I finally watched it, it completely blew me away. I loved it! But Scanners isn't one of Cronenberg's best films.

[Goremeister100]

Originally Posted by tele1962

Finally got to see this last night...........in a word fantastic. Colours look right for the time the film was released (think Taxi Driver colours, but not quite as good). It really was a pleasure to watch. 9/10

The colors DON'T look right for the time. If you saw this side by side with the Subkultur release, you would be blown away by how much better the German release looks over the Criterion. Of course if all you have is the US version then you will obviously think it looks great because you don't want to admit you overpaid for subpar release. This is how Cronenberg wants the film to look now. Not how it looked in theaters.

[Mr Kite]

Originally Posted by Goremeister100

The colors DON'T look right for the time. If you saw this side by side with the Subkultur release, you would be blown away by how much better the German release looks over the Criterion. Of course if all you have is the US version then you will obviously think it looks great because you don't want to admit you overpaid for subpar release. This is how Cronenberg wants the film to look now. Not how it looked in theaters.

To me they do, and I can see where he was coming from on this one to be honest. I have plenty of other films from around that time one I have already mentioned and on my Calibrated PDP it looked great.

[MifuneFan]

Probably best not to argue with tele1962 over colors. He's one of the few who was a big fan of the changes done for the Twilight Time Night of the Living Dead Blue-ray.

[Mr Kite]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Probably best not to argue with tele1962 over colors. He's one of the few who was a big fan of the changes done for the Twilight Time Night of the Living Dead Blue-ray.

Yeah I went with what the director liked on that one also.

[Oscar Rothman]

Originally Posted by tele1962

Finally got to see this last night...........in a word fantastic. Colours look right for the time the film was released (think Taxi Driver colours, but not quite as good). It really was a pleasure to watch. 9/10

Agreed Criterion transfer is only just shy of reference quality.

[Goremeister100]

No it isn't. The Subkultur release is reference quality

[Oblivion138]

Here...let's just save some time.

No it isn't.
Yes it is.
No it isn't.
Yes it is.
No it isn't.
Yes it is.
No it isn't.
Yes it is.

(repeat ad infinitum)

[MifuneFan]

Okay, not to open up this can of worms again, but Scanners was just added to Hulu Plus, and I'm pretty sure it isn't using the Cronenberg color timing. Its in HD, and I figured it had to be the new one, but now looking at the BD screencaps, it clearly isn't. I think the colors are much better here. I can't post HD screenshots, but I'll try and get some smaller ones up just to show the differences. I'd love for someone else to verify this.

[MifuneFan]

BD on the top (resized to same width as other shot). Hulu Plus version on the bottom (not in HD). There also appear to be some framing differences too. This is very surprising to me considering this is coming directly from Criterion, and added after the BD release. In my opinion this is how the movie should have looked on BD. Again, not trying to start anything here, but I figured some might find this interesting.

[Bad Sandwich]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Okay, not to open up this can of worms again, but Scanners was just added to Hulu Plus, and I'm pretty sure it isn't using the Cronenberg color timing. Its in HD, and I figured it had to be the new one, but now looking at the BD screencaps, it clearly isn't. I think the colors are much better here. I can't post HD screenshots, but I'll try and get some smaller ones up just to show the differences. I'd love for someone else to verify this.

Someone earlier in the thread mentioned the Criterion-distributed itunes edition also differs from the BD's look, lacking the latter's final color/contrast tweaks. I would guess it and the Hulu are probably one and the same. I do find it bizarre those changes are relegated to the actual BD.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Bad Sandwich

Someone earlier in the thread mentioned the Criterion-distributed itunes edition also differs from the BD's look, lacking the latter's final color/contrast tweaks. I would guess it and the Hulu are probably one and the same. I do find it bizarre those changes are relegated to the actual BD.

Yeah, I thought about the iTunes version after I posted. I figured they would have updated it with the newest version though, for brand consistency if anything. Like what Disney did with the iTunes version of Sword in the Stone for instance. I am glad they didn't though, so I could watch this version. Its my first viewing, and I love it so far (got 30 mins left).

[bigshot]

I think that they are deliberately hobbling some blu-ray releases to get you to have a reason to buy them again.

[Oblivion138]

Yeah, because that's historically been Criterion's M.O.

As for those caps, I guess I'm just not understanding what's so great about clipped highlights.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

[Show spoiler]BD on the top (resized to same width as other shot). Hulu Plus version on the bottom (not in HD). There also appear to be some framing differences too. This is very surprising to me considering this is coming directly from Criterion, and added after the BD release. In my opinion this is how the movie should have looked on BD. Again, not trying to start anything here, but I figured some might find this interesting.

This is definitely odd, however like other times Criterion has ignored some legitimate questions (framing on 'Blue', for instance), I assume we will not get an answer. I'm guessing it simply comes down to Cronenberg working on the blu-ray and approving the 'new look', perhaps well after the fact they had put the film for sale on iTunes. On a positive note, it gives people in the US an option if they dislike the BD transfer and color timing

[HD Goofnut]

So the online digital versions are closer to the Subkultur release in terms of color.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

So the online digital versions are closer to the Subkultur release in terms of color.

Yep, looks like it.

[DaveyJoe]

The main difference is not color, but brightness.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by DaveyJoe

The main difference is not color, but brightness.

Not true. There is a significant difference in color timing too. The first shot for instance has a more blanket teal look compared to the digital version. You can see different color differences throughout the film. If it were just a matter of brightness, this thread wouldn't be so heated. Color, contrast, and brightness levels are all factors between the Cronenberg approved transfer, and others. Detail-wise, I'm sure the Criterion BD is the best possible presentation, but it's just the changes done by Cronenberg that I'm don't really care for. The Hulu Plus (and iTunes) version isn't perfect, but I'd rather watch it with that color and look than the BD. I'll eventually get the subkultur release when it comes back down in price.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Not true. There is a significant difference in color timing too. The first shot for instance has a more blanket teal look compared to the digital version. You can see different color differences throughout the film. If it were just a matter of brightness, this thread wouldn't be so heated.

It's very close to the differences between the Criterion disc and Subkultur disc:

http://www.screenshotcomparison.com/...n.php?id=83904
http://www.screenshotcomparison.com/...n.php?id=83905
http://www.screenshotcomparison.com/...n.php?id=83906