Jackie Chan: Battle Creek Brawl / City Hunter (Double Feature) - July 16, 2013

[steve_dave]

Originally Posted by Cactus

I would have thought Shout being an enthusiast's label, but I guess they're just money grubbing bastards who realise that apparantly even enthusiasts like blu-ray.com users don't care for quality.

Shout is working with the Fortune Star library so unless Shout wants to do what Miramax has done and create new HD masters, we'll have to deal with what is out there.

Remember that for a long, long, long, LONG time... anamorphic DVDs of Asian films released in Hong Kong were pretty much non-existent.

And even then the non-anamorphic letterbox DVDs left a lot, a lot, A LOT to be desired. Heck, I recently bought a VCD for Osaka Wrestling Restaurant and the picture looked like the film was from the 1980s. Imagine my shock when I discovered it was released in 2004!

Now new to video titles from 2006 onward in HK are sourced from HD masters. Its just the Fortune Star catalog library that is mostly upscaled on Blu-ray. And pretty much all DVD releases are now anamorphic widescreen.

And in Thailand... ha. That's another uphill battle. The Thai movies on Blu-ray are sourced from HD masters but DVDs are a mixed bag. My Thai DVD of Confucius is nonanamorphic letterbox!!! Yes, a film from 2010 is presented in straight up 4x3 widescreen.

[Cactus]

So because good transfers are scarce we should accept upscaled SD? No.

[Dragon Lee]

If anything, I give kudos to Shout for putting these films on blu-ray, period. They're the ones taking the risk and diving into a market that has, so far, proven to be non-viable. Dragon Dynasty, HKL, Cine-Asia, all victims of this limited market. Outside of the immediate fanbase, there just isnt enough demand for these films leaving any hopes of proper remasters and restorations very slim. I think Shout are the perfect label to release these gems becuz they're a niche label specializing in releasing films that bigger studios would simply sweep under the rug. So here's hoping that their Fortune Star catalogue isnt limited to just Jackie and Bruce films (which...arent...on...Blu-ray...hmmm...???) becuz Id like to see other FS catalogue titles hit the market as well.

[steve_dave]

Originally Posted by Cactus

So because good transfers are scarce we should accept upscaled SD? No.

Then YOU do not accept it. YOU choose to not buy it.

I want quality but to me entertainment trumps quality. Does thie mean I buy Echo Bridge and Mill Creek releases? Yep.

It also means I shell out money when I visit my relatives in Thailand for VideoCDs when I can't find the DVD or Blu-rays at a reasonable price. Why? 69 Baht is roughly $2.10 US and the DVD won't offer English subtitles anyway and will more than likely be non-anamorphic anyway so boom. Rather than spend $10, I'll spend less.

Have I bought Blu-rays from Hong Kong? Oh yes. Are they all upscales? Oh no. CN Entertainment products are sourced from true HD masters. Deltamac is the same thing. Hell, even kam and Ronson have Blu-rays sourced from true HD masters.

The problem lies in Fortune Star who provides the elements for a lot of these releases worldwide. I suspect Fortune Star simply remasters whatever elements they currently have and do not spend money or effort to create new HD masters for a majority of their catalog properties.

But i digress, this is a moot point. I'd say just read the reviews before making a blanket statement about upscales. Considering Battle Creek Brawl and City Hunter have not yet been released on Blu-ray, Shout may find or even create proper HD masters for these.

Originally Posted by Dragon Lee

So here's hoping that their Fortune Star catalogue isnt limited to just Jackie and Bruce films (which...arent...on...Blu-ray...hmmm...???) becuz Id like to see other FS catalogue titles hit the market as well.

Bruce Lee catalogs coming this Summer to coincide with the 40th anniversary of both Enter the Dragon and Lee's passing.

Fortune Star's library is fairly large and does have films not focusing on Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, or Chow Yun-Fat. Naked Killer, Running Out of Time, and Angry Ranger are but a few of these titles.

Fortune Star is more than likely focusing on the big name stars that the US is familar with in regards to approving licensing & distribution deals. So we will see a lot of Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat, and Jet Li releases first.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Dragon Lee

If anything, I give kudos to Shout for putting these films on blu-ray, period. They're the ones taking the risk and diving into a market that has, so far, proven to be non-viable. Dragon Dynasty, HKL, Cine-Asia, all victims of this limited market. Outside of the immediate fanbase, there just isnt enough demand for these films leaving any hopes of proper remasters and restorations very slim. I think Shout are the perfect label to release these gems becuz they're a niche label specializing in releasing films that bigger studios would simply sweep under the rug. So here's hoping that their Fortune Star catalogue isnt limited to just Jackie and Bruce films (which...arent...on...Blu-ray...hmmm...???) becuz Id like to see other FS catalogue titles hit the market as well.

Hey, no-one's having a go at Shout here. Fair play to them for putting this stuff out there, and if the masters were proper HD then these double header releases would be undeniably superb.

[Cactus]

Originally Posted by steve_dave

Then YOU do not accept it. YOU choose to not buy it.

I want quality but to me entertainment trumps quality. Does thie mean I buy Echo Bridge and Mill Creek releases? Yep.

It's not like you can't get Battle Creek Brawl or City Hunter on anamorphic DVDs, and cheaper, so I just can't understand why people are defending SD upscales on BD like they have no alternative.

[Ill_Be_Back]

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by willo007

Originally Posted by willo007

Great covers!

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Cactus

Shout + Jackie Chan = upscale. Evidence: Track record. Police Story 1, Police Story 2, The Protector, Crime Story - all upscales.

Originally Posted by Ill_Be_Back

More Jackie Chan on Blu! Can't wait even though they will be upscales..

Originally Posted by shredking9000

Never seen either of these, despite being a huge fan Jackie chan. Based on that alone, this will be a day one buy, even if the movies are upscales.

Originally Posted by Youngbus46

Another upscale. Ffs. When are we going to get jackies films in proper HD?

What is all this upscale talk? Has any of this actually been confirmed, or is it speculation? I wouldn't mind picking this one up myself eventually, but certainly not at the price of $20. I see it was initially at $14, so I'll wait for it to drop back down to around that mark before I contemplate a purchase...

[Cactus]

Originally Posted by kdo

What is all this upscale talk? Has any of this actually been confirmed, or is it speculation? I wouldn't mind picking this one up myself eventually, but certainly not at the price of $20. I see it was initially at $14, so I'll wait for it to drop back down to around that mark before I contemplate a purchase...

You can decide for yourself what you think:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Jacki...1/#Screenshots

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Jacki...3/#Screenshots

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Cactus

You can decide for yourself what you think:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Jacki...1/#Screenshots

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Jacki...3/#Screenshots

Thanks for those links. Yeah, based on those previous releases, I'd imagine that we're probably not going to see top-notch video quality for this one, but I'm still in high hopes that it will at least be better than the DVD, which had some shortcomings...

Whatever the case, just to be able to see Billy Kiss' mustache and cape in HD, as well as the look/smile on his face after he breaks the Jamaican's back , will be worth every penny, even if it only ends up being a slight upgrade over the DVD... And to hear his lines: "How about a kiss goodbye, Jamaican?!" and "How about a little kiss, Kwan? A little kiss won't hurt you none!" in lossless, will be a dream come true of sorts ... One thing I can say for sure though, is that this catalog double-feature should probably have an MSRP more around the $15 mark (not $20), considering anyone buying this will likely be doing so for "Battle Creek Brawl" only...I'll order as soon as it drops back down to around $14.99...

[Cactus]

Originally Posted by kdo

Thanks for those links. Yeah, based on those previous releases, I'd imagine that we're probably not going to see top-notch video quality for this one, but I'm still in high hopes that it will at least be better than the DVD, which had some shortcomings...

Whatever the case, just to be able to see Billy Kiss' mustache and cape in HD, as well as the look/smile on his face after he breaks the Jamaican's back , will be worth every penny, even if it only ends up being a slight upgrade over the DVD... And to hear his lines: "How about a kiss goodbye, Jamaican?!" and "How about a little kiss, Kwan? A little kiss won't hurt you none!" in lossless, will be a dream come true of sorts ... One thing I can say for sure though, is that this catalog double-feature should probably have an MSRP more around the $15 mark (not $20), considering anyone buying this will likely be doing so for "Battle Creek Brawl" only...I'll order as soon as it drops back down to around $14.99...

I always figured "City Hunter" was the popular one? I fell asleep watching "Battle Creek Brawl".

[kdo]

Originally Posted by Cactus

I always figured "City Hunter" was the popular one? I fell asleep watching "Battle Creek Brawl".

Are you serious? You fell asleep watching "Battle Creek Brawl" ... I've never even heard of "City Hunter" until I saw it as part of this release, as to where "The Big Brawl" has been a favorite of mine for almost 15 years now...well, the good thing is that they'll both be included .

[KINGDANGER]

Originally Posted by Cactus

I always figured "City Hunter" was the popular one? I fell asleep watching "Battle Creek Brawl".

Right? City Hunter is the gem in this package!

[drees5761]

Originally Posted by Cactus

It's not like you can't get Battle Creek Brawl or City Hunter on anamorphic DVDs, and cheaper, so I just can't understand why people are defending SD upscales on BD like they have no alternative.

Could not agree more...
I have good quality anamaorphic dvds of both these titles, so why bother buying discs that will show little improvement. Shout releasing dvd's of the Jackie classics is fine, but releasing them on Blu ray when they are not proper HD is wrong, even if some here will buy them regardless....
And as for the remixed soundtracks with added sound FX and no original mono, well thats another story..
By the way i love most of Shout Factory's releases i have there excellent They Live and can't wait for The Fog, its just a shame that the HK classics are getting shoddy treatment, yes its mainly Fortune Stars fault, but could not Shout just say " these are not good enough"?

[tenebre6]

I already have Battle Creek on Blu from Japan.... which is actually nice. But maybe they have a better master of City Hunter.. FS didnt put it out so they must have a different source for it....

[kdo]

Originally Posted by tenebre6

I already have Battle Creek on Blu from Japan.... which is actually nice. But maybe they have a better master of City Hunter.. FS didnt put it out so they must have a different source for it....

When did "Battle Creek" get a Blu release in Japan? Do you have a link?

[kdo]

Anyone else ever laugh as hard as me, about the fact that the wrestler that Jackie Chan faces in his first round 1-on-1 elimination bout in "Battle Creek Brawl," seems to look almost exactly like the musician/singer Billy Joel?

[sukraj]

Originally Posted by Ill_Be_Back

More Jackie Chan on Blu! Can't wait even though they will be upscales..

me like jackie chan imo.

[WhiteKnight2]

Originally Posted by steve_dave

Shout is working with the Fortune Star library so unless Shout wants to do what Miramax has done and create new HD masters, we'll have to deal with what is out there.

What's Shout's excuse for the dubtitles on these Blurays? Are you really going to try to convince us that Fortune Star is also forcing Shout to include dubtitles instead of real subtitles?

No matter how much I like these movies, I just can't get excited about these Blurays:
1. Upscaled transfers
2. Crappy remixed soundtracks with new sound effects
3. Dubtitles

Why should anybody buy them? I just don't see the appeal. If you don't care about quality, you've already bought the HK Blurays. I see you mention the fact they are anamorphic but an anamorphic DVD of City Hunter has been available since 2001 (HKL).

[kdo]

Import CD's has this one listed at $12.29...so that's where I'll be purchasing as soon as it's available to order there...