Nail Gun Massacre coming from Code Red

[Wren]

Originally Posted by Kriztoffer Swank

Anyone else having trouble with the main menu? Under the "Play" option is where you choose to view it widescreen or open matte, trouble is the menu is always stuck on "Resume" instead. After some tinkering around I was somehow able to get the Play button to show so that I could choose 16:9 (it defaults to 4:3 when choosing a scene), but I can't get it to show up again.

No problems with the main menu.

[DEF!]

Cracked this open earlier and it definitely suffers from menu issues on the PS3 at least. Once the ratio is selected it's very hard to change it without rebooting the disc.

Anywho what's the story with the different aspect ratios? Which looks better and which is the OAR? I really don't know anything about the movie other than I hear it's daft as a brush.

[returnofthemack]

Yeah there are ozone menu problems for me as well. If I don't hit play right away it will actually kick back to my blu ray players main menu.

[raybestos]

Specs are an absolute joke!

Disc Title: NAILGUN MASSACRE
Disc Size: 23 845 033 080 bytes
Protection: AACS
BD-Java: No
Playlist: 00006.MPLS
Size: 9 217 972 224 bytes
Length: 1:25:27.205
Total Bitrate: 14,38 Mbps
Video: MPEG-4 AVC Video / 12582 kbps / 1080p / 23,976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio: English / DTS-HD Master Audio / 2.0 / 96 kHz / 1047 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 384 kbps / 16-bit)


When will they learn? Leave the Boom Cut off and give the damn feature some breathing room, for the love of all that is 1080p!

Easy pass, and I encourage others not to support this level of shoddiness. At a minimum, a BD50 should have been used. For the savings of a few pennies, the ball has again been dropped.

[jsvg00]

Originally Posted by raybestos

Specs are an absolute joke!

Disc Title: NAILGUN MASSACRE
Disc Size: 23 845 033 080 bytes
Protection: AACS
BD-Java: No
Playlist: 00006.MPLS
Size: 9 217 972 224 bytes
Length: 1:25:27.205
Total Bitrate: 14,38 Mbps
Video: MPEG-4 AVC Video / 12582 kbps / 1080p / 23,976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio: English / DTS-HD Master Audio / 2.0 / 96 kHz / 1047 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 384 kbps / 16-bit)


When will they learn? Leave the Boom Cut off and give the damn feature some breathing room, for the love of all that is 1080p!

Easy pass, and I encourage others not to support this level of shoddiness. At a minimum, a BD50 should have been used. For the savings of a few pennies, the ball has again been dropped.

The fullscreen version is the way it was meant to be seen. Terry has said many times that he shot things to just capture it on film like someone does taking pictures at a kids birthday party. He and his crew were unaware how films were framed for screening. He was probably looking to the home video (vhs) market for the majority of sales anyways.

[billyearle]

I would also like to know more about the story behind the aspect ratios, and how was this originally shown in theatres. I appreciate the info and opinions of the above post, but fear he is closing the book on discussion by trying to make his statement sound definitive, which it isn't. I would love to hear some more information or opinions on the issue. It seems that at least code red considers the "boom mike" version an extra, and the film screening at Drafthouse was in widescreen (not that this leads to anything conclusive).
BTW, I also have the menu issues, very frustrating as it was hard to decide which ratio to watch, and I kept having to reboot the disc to switch.
First time around, the widescreen version felt more right to me. But frustratingly, the fullscreen (newer scan?) version has much better PQ. Nice to have both versions, but I don't think I will be watching this too often.

[fuzzymctiger]

I think the best way to fix the menu problem, is to select an extra, then go from that and select the main menu feature, and you should be able to select it again. Worked with me.

[txfrightmare]

Originally Posted by billyearle

I would also like to know more about the story behind the aspect ratios, and how was this originally shown in theatres. I appreciate the info and opinions of the above post, but fear he is closing the book on discussion by trying to make his statement sound definitive, which it isn't. I would love to hear some more information or opinions on the issue. It seems that at least code red considers the "boom mike" version an extra, and the film screening at Drafthouse was in widescreen (not that this leads to anything conclusive).
BTW, I also have the menu issues, very frustrating as it was hard to decide which ratio to watch, and I kept having to reboot the disc to switch.
First time around, the widescreen version felt more right to me. But frustratingly, the fullscreen (newer scan?) version has much better PQ. Nice to have both versions, but I don't think I will be watching this too often.

NGM never had a theatrical run. It was screened in a theater years ago for the cast and crew, then at the Alamo a couple of years ago.

The truth is, Terry filmed it with a theatrical run in mind. So, widescreen was his intention during filming.

[billyearle]

Originally Posted by txfrightmare

NGM never had a theatrical run. It was screened in a theater years ago for the cast and crew, then at the Alamo a couple of years ago.

The truth is, Terry filmed it with a theatrical run in mind. So, widescreen was his intention during filming.

What about when he talked about all the money the film made overseas, was that just home video? Personally, the widescreen version looked more "right" to me, compositionally. Too bad they didn't do a widescreen version with what I assume is the newer scan on the fullscreen version. The PQ is pretty bad on the WS cut. For those not buying because of the low bit rate, I doubt a higher bit rate could help much considering the source. The fullscreen version looked pretty darn good considering this is an old, low budget 16mm film. I remember when I saw the bitrate on some scenes I was shocked because it looked so good within the limits of it's source. (repeat warning, the widescreen cut does look pretty bad)

[txfrightmare]

Originally Posted by billyearle

What about when he talked about all the money the film made overseas, was that just home video?

Yep.

Originally Posted by billyearle

Personally, the widescreen version looked more "right" to me, compositionally. Too bad they didn't do a widescreen version with what I assume is the newer scan on the fullscreen version. The PQ is pretty bad on the WS cut. For those not buying because of the low bit rate, I doubt a higher bit rate could help much considering the source. The fullscreen version looked pretty darn good considering this is an old, low budget 16mm film. I remember when I saw the bitrate on some scenes I was shocked because it looked so good within the limits of it's source. (repeat warning, the widescreen cut does look pretty bad)

Both versions came from the same source. There is absolutely no difference except the framing.

[billyearle]

Originally Posted by txfrightmare

Yep.



Both versions came from the same source. There is absolutely no difference except the framing.

Surprising (you sure about that?). I thought I saw something in a press release quoted early in this thread that made it sound like the full frame was from a different scan or encode. If it is really from the same scan, I would expect it to look worse zoomed in, but not as much as it did. At least on my set the two versions look miles apart. The full screen one has much better color saturation and black levels, and looks pretty natural. The widescreen one also seemed more washed out and a bit off in the black/white level balances. For lack of more advanced technical vocabulary, I'd just say the two have very different characteristics on my set. Ah well, doesn't really matter the cause. Whatever the reason, didn't you find a big gap in PQ between the versions?

[Sabbat]

Watched my copy last night and it was the first time I saw this film. Good Stuff

[WesReviews]

Back in stock at Screen Archives.

Is it worth getting? Improved transfer over the old Synapse DVD? Extras?

[RickWJ324]

Sorry for being so late to this thread, but can someone tell me if the Code Red blu for NGM is better than the 88 films release (or vice versa)? I'm just looking to pick up a copy of this film and wondering which version to track down. I'm just looking for best a/v quality for the $$. Extras/bonus features aren't that big of a deal.

Thanks, Rick

UPDATE: Nevermind...I was just able to watch a copy before buying. I will definitely pass on purchasing this one!!

[drownsoda]

I have the old Synapse DVD of this. I've been wondering for some time if Kino Lorber would reissue the Code Red Blu-ray, but it doesn't look like it at this point. I have been eyeing the German media book from New Vision Films, which also includes a DVD edition. Has anyone gotten this release? If so, is it the same cut as the Code Red disc? They both run about the same secondhand retail price (around $50), and I like the look of the mediabook edition quite a bit.

[russweiss1]

Originally Posted by drownsoda

I have the old Synapse DVD of this. I've been wondering for some time if Kino Lorber would reissue the Code Red Blu-ray, but it doesn't look like it at this point. I have been eyeing the German media book from New Vision Films, which also includes a DVD edition. Has anyone gotten this release? If so, is it the same cut as the Code Red disc? They both run about the same secondhand retail price (around $50), and I like the look of the mediabook edition quite a bit.

88 Films also released this on blu-ray although it's listed as low quality on this forum.

[gunnerg]

Originally Posted by drownsoda

I have the old Synapse DVD of this. I've been wondering for some time if Kino Lorber would reissue the Code Red Blu-ray, but it doesn't look like it at this point. I have been eyeing the German media book from New Vision Films, which also includes a DVD edition. Has anyone gotten this release? If so, is it the same cut as the Code Red disc? They both run about the same secondhand retail price (around $50), and I like the look of the mediabook edition quite a bit.

I can't comment on the German media book release. Besides disliking the title font redux & all German text. If you can find a copy of the 88 films blu ray from the UK. THAT is the release to buy imo. Same transfer, but better encoding (BD50 vs BD25) brings a noticeable upgrade over the code red disc. Their Mother's Day blu was also much better than Anchor Bay's. Both of these titles are region free. 88 was golden at that time.

[drownsoda]

Originally Posted by gunnerg

I can't comment on the German media book release. Besides disliking the title font redux & all German text. If you can find a copy of the 88 films blu ray from the UK. THAT is the release to buy imo. Same transfer, but better encoding (BD50 vs BD25) brings a noticeable upgrade over the code red disc. Their Mother's Day blu was also much better than Anchor Bay's. Both of these titles are region free. 88 was golden at that time.

I just took the plunge and ordered the German mediabook from New Vision/CMV. I have had their mediabook release of The Boogeyman for years and am still impressed with it—the quality is fantastic. I actually like the redesigned, all-red font on the cover. The contrast with the pitch blackness behind it is attention-grabbing—I liked the look of it the second I saw a photo. There is an alternate cover version available as well that is a dupe for the DVD art on the Synapse release, which I've never cared for—I prefer the classic artwork.

I am sure the 88 Films disc is great. I own a handful of releases from them, including Mother's Day and a few others (Return to Horror High, Student Bodies) and have been impressed by the quality.

[drownsoda]

Update: I got the German CMV Laservision mediabook release in the mail today—it looks stunning in person. I love the pitch-black cover art with the all-red logo. The picture quality is a definite upgrade from the Synapse DVD—it is the same uncut version I believe as the Code Red, and I'm guessing is probably from the same master. There are about 15 pages of liner notes in German sewed into the book. My German knowledge is cursory these days (I took four years of it in high school, but my memory is limited), but I did some translating and there are some interesting details in there, though a lot of it is culled from the old "Nail" documentary that's included on the disc. Very pleased with this release. My CMV mediabook of The Boogeyman has also held up nicely over the years, though I'm probably gonna get the new Vinegar Syndrome release of that when they make it available again. Speaking of, VS would be a great company to release Nail Gun Massacre (could you imagine a 4K?) but I think it's owned by Kino Lorber.

[gunnerg]

Originally Posted by drownsoda

Update: I got the German CMV Laservision mediabook release in the mail today—it looks stunning in person. I love the pitch-black cover art with the all-red logo. The picture quality is a definite upgrade from the Synapse DVD—it is the same uncut version I believe as the Code Red, and I'm guessing is probably from the same master. There are about 15 pages of liner notes in German sewed into the book. My German knowledge is cursory these days (I took four years of it in high school, but my memory is limited), but I did some translating and there are some interesting details in there, though a lot of it is culled from the old "Nail" documentary that's included on the disc. Very pleased with this release. My CMV mediabook of The Boogeyman has also held up nicely over the years, though I'm probably gonna get the new Vinegar Syndrome release of that when they make it available again. Speaking of, VS would be a great company to release Nail Gun Massacre (could you imagine a 4K?) but I think it's owned by Kino Lorber.

I also wish this one would get revisted here in the states. A 4k from VS would be a dream. Like The Boogeyman is!
It turns out the mediabook you purchased is actually from a different label than the one I had noticed/was thinking about when I commented. The one I had seen was by Astro and I did like the artwork from the Magnum vhs used on 1 variant, but they changed the title font. Here we are dried up in the US and Germany gets a total of 6 different cover choices of media book blu rays from 2 different labels. I will admit, the German dubbed version of Nail Gun Massacre is amusing (I had on dvd years ago) even the killer's voice is synthesized.
I was wondering does this German CMV release have non-removable subtitles? Both aspect ratios? If both, was it pressed on a BD25 or BD50? The cheapest blu ray release from Germany I've seen is in a plain metal case with no artwork, just a clear plastic circular window showing the disc inside. I may have to pick it up someday.
88 films also retained the Magnum vhs artwork on the reverse side of the case insert. Of all the artwork, this one has the most nostalgia for me. It's all there was for the longest time here and what got me to rent the tape back in 88 or so.