Phenomena (Dario Argento) sub ENG

[chip75]

[Show spoiler]

Glad to see this cover included as it's the one I thought my 2004 DVD would have; it didn't and it sucked. But the cover does sort of imply some kind of fairy tale with it's Snow Whitesque design and not one about monkeys with cut-throat razors.... I still haven't seen the film yet I think I'll wait until the best AV presentation becomes available i.e. this Arrow release.

Do the Arrow releases always come in this package? I know we had the LE Battle Royale but when the SE comes out in a similar set to Phenonema will stores always stock them, do they go to a plain Amaray after a period of time? I think another member mentioned that they release set without the additional covers and so on.

[stephenwilson04]

Originally Posted by chip75

Do the Arrow releases always come in this package? I know we had the LE Battle Royale but when the SE comes out in a similar set to Phenonema will stores always stock them, do they go to a plain Amaray after a period of time? I think another member mentioned that they release set without the additional covers and so on.

Battle Royale was released in a limited edition dvd and BD boxset and then it will be released in a special edition with the alternate covers. All of Arrows releases have either 2 of 4 panel artwork. The 4 panel ones have come in an amaray case with a slipcase (for dvd and BD) and the 1 or 2 disc releases come in an amaray case. A few of the recent releases have come in a digipak (with the 2/4 panels) for the dvd versions (Dawn and Day Of The Dead). I think vamp will be a digipak for the dvd and a normal case for the BD.

[chip75]

Thanks for the info.

[Will21st]

Originally Posted by stephenwilson04

Arrow have unveiled the other 3 artwork panels for their release of Phenonema, including the rather fantastic UK "Creepers" artwork by graham Humphreys

This one is just so good,Humphreys is brilliant! The Evil Dead quads were amazing,too!

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by chip75

But the cover does sort of imply some kind of fairy tale with it's Snow Whitesque design...

If only. Suspiria=fairy tale. This film, not so much...

Great foreboding shots of trees and a tremendous repeated dream sequence, but for me personally, Argento's most crass and quite frankly clumsy film of the 70's and 80's.

That's not to say that it's necessarily 'bad', it's perfectly enjoyable, in a generic horror sense, albeit with 'fancy' shots.

It's just that the other two decade's films are far superior.

Imho of course.

[Eidolon]

i've been wanting a poster of the graham humphries art for an eternity

[The Limey]

I am seriously looking forward to this release. Hopefully all the elements are in place and there won't be a delay like The Beyond.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

If only. Suspiria=fairy tale. This film, not so much...

That's what I was hoping for when I saw the cover I bought the DVD on that basis (never judge a DVD/BD by it's cover) and thought I'd get an adult horror Labyrinth mix without Bowie in tight pants.... I read the blurb on the back and haven't gone back to it. Nevermind, live and learn....

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by chip75

I read the blurb on the back and haven't gone back to it.

I think that it's certainly worth a viewing if you happen to already own it! If only for the far-out repeated doors & passageway dream.

One of the problems that I personally have, is that it's a hugely fantastical Argento film (with noticeable fairy tale style opening narration), yet it's shot in a rather odd, slightly clinical fashion, which is far more appropriate to a Tenebrae type giallo thriller.

There's an interesting moment in the oft-criticised Opera finale (which I happen to like). Where the director is playing with flies attached to fishing wire. It's difficult to tell who Argento is actually making fun of:

It's either himself or the Phenomena detractors.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

I think that it's certainly worth a viewing if you happen to already own it! If only for the far-out repeated doors & passageway dream.

I think'll I'll wait for the BD release and give it a go. I don't think the version I have is well presented by any means so if I do see it I want to see it at its best. You make it sound appealing though.

[Will21st]

Originally Posted by Eidolon

i've been wanting a poster of the graham humphries art for an eternity

there you are:

http://www.grahamhumphreys.com/purchase.html

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by chip75

I think'll I'll wait for the BD release and give it a go. I don't think the version I have is well presented by any means so if I do see it I want to see it at its best. You make it sound appealing though.

If you happen to own the UK's 'Divid 2000' dvd, watch without fear. Against all odds, it's PQ from a French print was pretty stunning for a dvd. Better than the US releases for sure. I think the 'Platinum' UK dvd may even be the same (in all but name). If you already own it on dvd, I would personally recommend a viewing before spending 15 quid or so on a blu ray. I have a love/hate relationship with the movie and I'm sure that I am not alone.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by SymbioticFunction

If you happen to own the UK's 'Divid 2000' dvd, watch without fear. Against all odds, it's PQ from a French print was pretty stunning for a dvd. Better than the US releases for sure. I think the 'Platinum' UK dvd may even be the same (in all but name).

The PQ on my DVD is quite good a pleasant surprise (I thought it would be awful) but it has black bars down the side but it's not 4:3. Here's the cover.

Phenomena.jpg

[DaveSimonH]

Originally Posted by chip75

The PQ on my DVD is quite good a pleasant surprise (I thought it would be awful) but it has black bars down the side but it's not 4:3. Here's the cover.

Attachment 29499

Probably 1.66:1

I have "Bird with the Crystal Plumage" from that Platinum DVD Giallo Collection

[Show spoiler]

[chip75]

Originally Posted by DaveSimonH

Probably 1.66:1

I have "Bird with the Crystal Plumage" from that Platinum DVD Giallo Collection

[Show spoiler]

That's quite a nice cover compared to the Phenomena one. Yeah 1.66:1 is probably right but it's pillarboxed. 1.66:1 is the same aspect ratio as Dr. No but Phenomena has slightly more pillarboxing on my disc.

[SymbioticFunction]

Originally Posted by chip75

The PQ on my DVD is quite good a pleasant surprise (I thought it would be awful) but it has black bars down the side but it's not 4:3. Here's the cover.

Attachment 29499

Interesting ye olde dvd comparison:

http://whiggles.landofwhimsy.com/wri...phenomena.html

I saw a few versions and was personally convinced that the UK disc looked significantly better. That includes the Anchor Bay re-issue. That link also shows the 1.66:1 ratio for the film.

[Der Spieler]

Just saw this and... woah. Must be one of Argento's most delirious scenarios. Glorious inappropriate power metal soundtrack, a deformed child, a vengeful primate, a pool of maggots and corpses... and a little girl who controls insects.

This is one of those "so bad it's good" movies. The director seems to deliberately go for total chaos and out-of-the blue twists and turns. I must admit I found this quite enjoyable and highly entertaining. I didn't think much of it but now I'll surely buy a copy!

[Der Spieler]

Oh, also...

http://hcc.techradar.com/playback/bl...omena-16-02-11

I see some DNR, but I'll take it.

[DaveSimonH]

Originally Posted by Der Spieler

Oh, also...

http://hcc.techradar.com/playback/bl...omena-16-02-11

I see some DNR, but I'll take it.

Perhaps a touch, but nothing to cry over. Looks great.

[Show spoiler]

[Der Spieler]

Review: http://www.rockshockpop.com/forums/c...(Arrow-Blu-ray)

Looks like they DNR'd the hell out of this one...