Scanners (1981)

[nagysaudio]

Originally Posted by wickedmiranda

People who don't mind the color change, buy the Criterion. People who want the theatrical version, buy the UK or Australian versions. Is that so hard? Can we stop complaining now? Both versions are available so whats the fuss?

The people who are forced to buy the Subkulture release because of their hate for Cronenberg's new color grading are purchasing an inferior transfer, so they are upset. It's understandable.

[tedopolous]

Originally Posted by nagysaudio

The people who are forced to buy the Subkulture release because of their hate for Cronenberg's new color grading are purchasing an inferior transfer, so they are upset. It's understandable.

You can't be serious. You're the spokeperson for everyone in this thread now? You think the Subkultur release is inferior, good for you. I think it's superior. I couldn't be more pleased I found out about this now and not later. And I can't wait to watch it, since it's decades since last time I saw the movie.

[Rich65]

[QUOTE=HansEpp;9351442]
Don't fool yourself, sometimes films should be protected from their creators.
Like The 1979 Dracula with most of the color drained from it by director John Badham, almost ruining the beautiful color cinematography by Gil Taylor.

Anyway back on Topic, I plan on getting this when it's released and will judge it for myself.

[Pecker]

Originally Posted by nagysaudio

The people who are forced to buy the Subkulture release because of their hate for Cronenberg's new color grading are purchasing an inferior transfer, so they are upset. It's understandable.

Do we really have to descend to these levels?

How long before someone comes along and says "The people who are forced to buy the Criterion release because of their hate for Subkulture's original color grading are purchasing an inferior transfer, so they are upset. It's understandable."

There is nothing 'inferior' about the German version, other than it's not how DC wants it to look now. There's nothing 'inferior' about the Criterion other than it looks different to how it looked originally.

You pays your money and you takes your choice. In mocking people for making one choice or the other you're only showing a lack of understanding & tolerance.

There are clearly arguments on both sides. I've chosen the original look, but I'm happy for those who want the new, and I'm not going to throw insults at them for having a different opinion to mine. Argue your own case if you wish, but don’t belittle people for taking a different view. Wanting to see the film as it looked on its original release is not an unsustainable position.

Steve W

[I KEEL YOU]

So does anyone know anything about the Japanese release? Or better yet post screencaps. It might use the same non-tinted master as Subklutur, but with better contrast settings.

[lolwut]

Originally Posted by tedopolous

You can't be serious. You're the spokeperson for everyone in this thread now? You think the Subkultur release is inferior, good for you. I think it's superior. I couldn't be more pleased I found out about this now and not later. And I can't wait to watch it, since it's decades since last time I saw the movie.

Originally Posted by mdonovan

Troll. Watch the Despecialized versions.

People need to just stop responding to nagysaudio. He only ever seems to show up in threads to start ridiculous arguments.

[Bluebolt]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

So does anyone know anything about the Japanese release? Or better yet post screencaps. It might use the same non-tinted master as Subklutur, but with better contrast settings.

I have the Paramount/Japan release of Scanners, and commented on it in post #475. Here’s a screenshot - dare I say, the only screenshot - one needs in order to analyze not only the picture quality of the release, but the story elements and plot structure as well. In fact, you can merely watch this single frame for 103 minutes instead of seeing the movie, and have the exact same experience. Take particular note of the head. It’s exploding.

[chad_1138]

Heads up for those who are curious about the packaging, I just received an e-mail from Criterion that the blu-ray is a digipak and the dvd is a standard plastic case.

[Member-222782]

I already have the Second Sight disc but will still grab this edition. The 50% off sale and additional 15% off coupon I got this morning will help soften the blow.

[HotRats]

Originally Posted by Bluebolt

I have the Paramount/Japan release of Scanners, and commented on it in post #475. Here’s a screenshot - dare I say, the only screenshot - one needs in order to analyze not only the picture quality of the release, but the story elements and plot structure as well. In fact, you can merely watch this single frame for 103 minutes instead of seeing the movie, and have the exact same experience. Take particular note of the head. It’s exploding.

I seem to recall the exploding head was originally meant to be at the start of the film but Cronenberg moved it because he found the audience couldn't concentrate on anything else for about five minutes after. In the 1980s I was selling public domain disks for the Amiga (ask your dad). One of the biggest sellers was the exploding head, just a few frames in low res black and white with no sound to fit on an 880k disk

[Goremeister100]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

So does anyone know anything about the Japanese release? Or better yet post screencaps. It might use the same non-tinted master as Subklutur, but with better contrast settings.

Nothing wrong with the contrast settings on the Subkultur release. Adjust your tv.

I am curious to know if the Jap release has any extras though.

[Bluebolt]

Originally Posted by Goremeister100

I am curious to know if the Jap release has any extras though.

The only extra on the Japanese release is the original trailer (and Japanese subtitles On/Off). The disc comes in a black blu-ray case, and they must have shot it out of a cannon, because I ordered it through Amazon.co.jp with standard shipping on a Monday night and the DHL truck showed up Thursday afternoon; my domestic Amazon orders don’t arrive that quickly. Final price was USD 28.96.

I’ll try to post some more screenshots tonight, although obviously they won’t measure up to the one I already posted.

[Bluebolt]

Here are some more screenshots from the Japanese blu-ray of the movie Scanners. Let’s start with infamy; remember, what our hero is looking down upon is a CRT monitor displaying green text. Then again, he is not looking down upon a teal neon light. Decide for yourself.

[ijustblumyself]

Originally Posted by Bluebolt

Here are some more screenshots from the Japanese blu-ray of the movie Scanners. Let’s start with infamy; remember, what our hero is looking down upon is a CRT monitor displaying green text. Then again, he is not looking down upon a teal neon light. Decide for yourself.

Interesting. Not as aggressively green and muted as the Criterion, but a definite green tinge when compared to the German release.

Seems like a nice middle ground if you ask me.

[Bluebolt]

Originally Posted by ijustblumyself

Interesting. Not as aggressively green and muted as the Criterion, but a definite green tinge when compared to the German release.

Seems like a nice middle ground if you ask me.

Precisely. Good eye.

[I KEEL YOU]

Originally Posted by Goremeister100

Nothing wrong with the contrast settings on the Subkultur release. Adjust your tv.

I am curious to know if the Jap release has any extras though.

I own the Subkultur and prefer it to what I see from Criterion, especially after those raw 35 mm scans someone posted. I'm just wondering if it could look even better.

[Bad Sandwich]

Originally Posted by KowalskiVideo

Probably Cronenberg did not like these specific skull-bits anymore (but thats what armchair experts don't understand). Keep in my mind its the "director approved" edition, if its fine with Cronenberg its fine with me.... sorry i'm joking

Holy Toledo did this ever give me a big ol' giggle. Thanks for that.

[minister_x]

I was curious how the shots listed in this post:

Originally Posted by HansEpp

[Show spoiler]On the German release?
Look again!

And I did not mention the word DNR anywhere, but I recognize a wrongly applied auto-frame-rapair when I see it. Notice the edges of the skull pieces are eaten away by a bad attempt of film-dirt-removing on the Criterion. They are completely intact on the Subkultur release.

Here is a visual help for the untrained eye, and it isn't just in the bottom left corner:





I aligned the Criterion screenshot to match the Subkultur, no more changes where applied (except for the yellow labeling of course ).

compared with the Criterion version found on iTunes. The iTunes one doesn't remove the bits (and it looks brighter - pretty much like the Paramount/Japan release above). Perhaps that was what Criterion started with before mastering the blu...

iTunes head explosion:
http://moabon.com/img/scanners.png (2.7MB)

[Bad Sandwich]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

The anti-Criterion people come out in full droves when something like this happens, where are they when Criterion produces an amazing release?

The reason this elusive, clandestine Criterion lynch mob doesnt come out of the woodwork when the Big C does good is that a)Said group is a figment of your imagination, b)There's nothing to complain about in such cases, and c)Said group is a figment of your imagination. This release has evoked heavy controversy for obvious reasons. To conflate the civil, rational expression of personal reservations about this release (which is precisely what has transpired over the last 40 pages, for the most part) with a sweeping "Criterion will kill yer grandma!" stance is stupid in ways I shouldn't have to articulate.

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by minister_x

I was curious how the shots listed in this post:



compared with the Criterion version found on iTunes. The iTunes one doesn't remove the bits (and it looks brighter - pretty much like the Paramount/Japan release above). Perhaps that was what Criterion started with before mastering the blu...

iTunes head explosion:
http://moabon.com/img/scanners.png (2.7MB)

"iTunes Head Explosion" would be an awesome name for a band.

That is all.