Murderock (Dancing Death) (4K UHD) 88 Films

[Mr. Odessa]

Originally Posted by DaylightsEnd

That 4k is pretty rubbish. Poor encode, color space errors, etc. Needs redone.

Didn't notice. Looked fine by me.

[Bugg]

I notice Orbit just added this to their pre-orders. I guess they are now carrying import stuff even if there is a Vinegar Syndrome edition.

[Mr. Odessa]

I pre-ordered this alongside Sinners.

[cooey]

Now live to order at 88 (link in OP)

[DaylightsEnd]

Originally Posted by cooey

Now live to order at 88 (link in OP)

Nice. I think I'll watch the excellent VS 4k disc again tonight in anticipation of this coming out soon from 88. I've enjoyed revisiting this. The cinematography is quite a bit better than I remembered. The 88 uhd should be a real banger if they nail the encode.

[ViscountCarnacki]

Late to this thread - what other giallo are 88 Films releasing, and how many have Vinegar Syndrome releases too? I'm just curious as I'm new to giallo but am building my collection. UK based here but I don't mind importing from VS.

[dallywhitty]

My copy started freezing up approx 48 mins in...

[ThingFromMars77]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

My copy started freezing up approx 48 mins in...

I'm sorry to hear this, especially considering release date was delayed and one would expect the discs to play flawlessly

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by ThingFromMars77

I'm sorry to hear this, especially considering release date was delayed and one would expect the discs to play flawlessly

It's entirely possible it's just a player-specific issue which only affects a small number of people. Same thing happened to me with 88's release of Absurd. Which reminds me, I still need to test out the replacement copy they sent me.

[DaylightsEnd]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

It's entirely possible it's just a player-specific issue which only affects a small number of people. Same thing happened to me with 88's release of Absurd. Which reminds me, I still need to test out the replacement copy they sent me.

My copy is finally inbound. Fingers crossed.

What player are you rocking?

88 has been better than most in terms of their uhd functionality with different brands of players. I have all of their 4k disc releases to date. I’ve been lucky and had zero issues using their discs, with Oppo (203), Samsung (8500m) and Panny (9000) players. Their uhds also boot up quickly and aren’t glitchy with chapter break switches or fast-forwarding. Hopefully you can get it sorted. Oddly, I’m seeing more and more complaints lately from Panny 820 users and newer releases from VS and Indicator. Odd, that.

[redbeardedghost]

Anyone watched both copies yet? Trying to decide which one to pull the trigger on.

[Muyfa666]

Originally Posted by redbeardedghost

Anyone watched both copies yet? Trying to decide which one to pull the trigger on.

I can't comment on the VS, but the 88 Films one is solid.

[Yosef Quilty]

Anyone able to post caps or at least bitrate comparisons?

[Yosef Quilty]

I've read some reviews of the VS disc and the 88 disc (from different sites/reviewers so ofc take that with a huge grain of salt), but the reviews of the VS disc mentioned deep blacks while a review of the 88 mentioned some raised gamma and lower contrast in the darker scenes. Anyone who's seen both disc able to confirm?

[Keoma]

Originally Posted by Yosef Quilty

I've read some reviews of the VS disc and the 88 disc (from different sites/reviewers so ofc take that with a huge grain of salt), but the reviews of the VS disc mentioned deep blacks while a review of the 88 mentioned some raised gamma and lower contrast in the darker scenes. Anyone who's seen both disc able to confirm?

I have the 88 disc and it looks solid to me. Only thing I was not crazy about was the artwork. But then again, I think I like the one on the VS disc even less. Luckily, the 88 release offers the original art on the reversible sleeve, so this is no problem.

Are you referring to this review?
https://www.avforums.com/reviews/mur...-review.22811/

If so, these are a couple of a good excerpts regarding the black levels, with which I tend to agree:

"...but it never once feels like anything other than a 1980s colour grading brought to a shiny and digital life... Murder-Rock looks exactly like it should: a hazy, dream-like film shot over forty years ago on a low budget. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t look fabulous…because it does."

I have only seen screengrabs of the VS disc, but in those grabs blacks looked intentionally lowered. In other words, they may look inkier, but not necessarily accurate and faithful to the original photography or theatrical look. Pick your poison, I suppose.

In the end, I am sure they both have their pros and cons. I am personally extremely happy with the 88 release.

[Yosef Quilty]

Originally Posted by Keoma

I have the 88 disc and it looks solid to me. Only thing I was not crazy about was the artwork. But then again, I think I like the one on the VS disc even less. Luckily, the 88 release offers the original art on the reversible sleeve, so this is no problem.

Are you referring to this review?
https://www.avforums.com/reviews/mur...-review.22811/

If so, these are a couple of a good excerpts regarding the black levels, with which I tend to agree:

"...but it never once feels like anything other than a 1980s colour grading brought to a shiny and digital life... Murder-Rock looks exactly like it should: a hazy, dream-like film shot over forty years ago on a low budget. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t look fabulous…because it does."

I have only seen screengrabs of the VS disc, but in those grabs blacks looked intentionally lowered. In other words, they may look inkier, but not necessarily accurate and faithful to the original photography or theatrical look. Pick your poison, I suppose.

In the end, I am sure they both have their pros and cons. I am personally extremely happy with the 88 release.

Yes, it was that one! Happy to hear the 88 disc still looks great. I'd still love to see cap comparisons (*nudges users who have both discs*), but your first hand account is very valuable. Been wanting to grab it because of the 88 sale right now, but needed confirmation.

While you're at it, I did find this online: https://slow.pics/c/CYv3l0tA
It's a comparison between the Scorpion and the VS. If you're able do you think you'd be able to note how the 88 compares to any of these caps? I noticed the grading's a little different between the Scorpion and VS, so aside from the VS having possibly lowered blacks than the 88, if there could be any difference in color too?

[Muyfa666]

FWIW, I also think the 88 looks exactly like I expect and want it to look for a film of it's era. :-)

[Yosef Quilty]

Originally Posted by Muyfa666

FWIW, I also think the 88 looks exactly like I expect and want it to look for a film of it's era. :-)

Sounds like the 88 disc is a pretty safe bet. It was my assumption before either disc came out that they'd probably perform better than the VS. Has there ever been a situation where a VS release outdid something from 88? I feel like it's always 88 > VS.

[Muyfa666]

Originally Posted by Yosef Quilty

Sounds like the 88 disc is a pretty safe bet. It was my assumption before either disc came out that they'd probably perform better than the VS. Has there ever been a situation where a VS release outdid something from 88? I feel like it's always 88 > VS.

There are some nice releases from VS, but in general 88 Films are really good.

[Mr. Chaverria]

Originally Posted by Muyfa666

There are some nice releases from VS, but in general 88 Films are really good.

Righting Wrongs was better via 88 Films for sure. I saw VS' so much that when 88 Films' came in... it was obvious to me.

VS did release the UHD of Ebola Syndrome though. Whereas 88 Films only did the BD... a year after the BD.