Dark Force Entertainment Discussion Thread

[Fiocca_Cola]

Originally Posted by Toxoplasmic

Just gripped Dead Pit. First Dark Force purchase.

Better get a tetanus shot just to be on the safe side

[miribeau]

Originally Posted by ProfondoRosso

Demon mentioned that was the original aspect ratio BREEDERS was filmed in during the live stream. Can anyone verify that?

Edit: Or at least the original intent. Both were stated to be true.

I saw it originally, in full-frame. I can say it was never open-matte full-frame, as, with open-matte, to then cut to a corrected widescreen frame, for this film, would have cut off too much of the faces and too much of the environment in too many scenes, for what Matthews does in his films. It would look wrong, so it couldn't have been open-matte.

Now, as to full-frame, where sides are missing from an original widescreen format, maybe, based on the dvd version I have and the similar framing on the clip on facebook. It always looked to me like there was missing information down both sides, given what he does in his films with ambiance. However, at the time of filming, it was known to be a direct to video release to be presented in 4:3, so it is entirely possible he filmed it deliberately for the 4:3 presentation, intending to cut that information down the sides or with things like boom mics and random crew members standing off to the sides throughout the filming process.

When The Baby was filmed, it was filmed for theatrical release by a television director, who deliberately framed it for 4:3, not intending to cut the sides but, rather, over-filming top and bottom, such that the open matte presentation was the correct presentation, containing all kinds of little visual goodies that gave you actual plot, and the widescreen was incorrect and nowhere near as, well, clear, in the character development.

While it is possible there is a widescreen version somewhere, at the time of filming Matthews knew it would be full frame, so I'm assuming this is the film, how it was intended to be seen.

[GilaFilms]

I just found this interview by MJ Simpson with Breeders director Paul Matthews and producer (and Paul's sister) Liz Matthews. The interview is from February 1997, during production of Breeders, then titled Rampage. I don't know how much it'll clear things up for everyone, but here ya go:

[Question] Would you be looking at doing a limited theatrical release?
LM [Liz Matthews]: “On Rampage, yes."

[Question] Do you shoot a cinema ratio or a TV ratio?
[Paul Matthews]: "A film like Rampage we shot for cinema. But making sure at the same time that it'll be okay for TV."

[ProfondoRosso]

Originally Posted by GilaFilms

Was it intended for video or just went there after failing to secure a theatrical release?

I actually just found a review mentioning it was co-financed by a German television company for broadcast, so it looks like there just may be some truth in advertising.

EDIT: and the above comment only muddies the waters.

[TripleHBK]

The old laserdisc was presented in 1.33:1 for what it's worth. From what I can tell this has likely always been presented in this full frame format.

[xXx$uicide_Ma$terxXx]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

The old laserdisc was presented in 1.33:1 for what it's worth. From what I can tell this has likely always been presented in this full frame format.

So was the DVD.

[miribeau]

Originally Posted by GilaFilms

I just found this interview by MJ Simpson with Breeders director Paul Matthews and producer (and Paul's sister) Liz Matthews. The interview is from February 1997, during production of Breeders, then titled Rampage. I don't know how much it'll clear things up for everyone, but here ya go:

[Question] Would you be looking at doing a limited theatrical release?
LM [Liz Matthews]: “On Rampage, yes."

[Question] Do you shoot a cinema ratio or a TV ratio?
[Paul Matthews]: "A film like Rampage we shot for cinema. But making sure at the same time that it'll be okay for TV."

I've never seen a widescreen version of Grim either and it also looked like it was framed deliberately, to fit everything in a 4:3. Now I'm curious as to what was removed down the sides.

At least Berserker was filmed in widescreen and presented in widescreen, except in that terrible SD, full-full frame presentation, that they have up at Amazon. That one's painful to watch, with all the missing footage.

Anyway, in the most recent live-feed they reiterated that Breeders was originally supposed to be full frame and said Ator will be out next month. Unfortunately, they also discussed doing a limited slip for MMI, which means cost will be an issue, hopefully not as much of one. In any case, on the issue of Breeders, I think they are being honest about the circumstances and they did the right thing to keep it in the correct format. Matthews films don't work if you cut off too much information by reformatting. It wouldn't have worked to re-frame.

[GilaFilms]

At least the "glass half full" side of things is that DF's output is rather spaced out...imagine these prices but with the frequency of Kino Lorber.

[Dark Force]

Originally Posted by babybreese

I did til now, thanks.

Just looked at the FB clip,
and took matching grabs from the Code Red DVD
so I could prepare myself for the modern digital marvel that is demon's extensive color correction.
blu

dvd

blu

dvd

blu

dvd


The results are IN.
New scan?
lol

Upscale??
Looks to be the case.

Extensive cost increasing color corrections?
Demon spends more time coloring his hair every day than anyone spent color working TEXAS.

That's actually total BULL S#*!T. We busted our ass on that one. You can't compare a clip that was downloaded for Facebook and wasn't even 1080p. Compare disc for disc and I guarantee the new blu is far superior to the lame color DVD. Much clearer in the high def as well. You'll soon hear when people start receiving it and comparing to the previous version.

[rillog]

Why don't you simply upload an 1080p picture from your disc? That would be more convincing than swearing and guaranteeing :-)

[Sixer]

Originally Posted by TheHorrorNerd

I knew that the interest in Dead Pit was waning.
Only 20 copies listed and still not sold out.
Also can’t believe nothing is “sold out” yet even though most of the stock was held back.

Also not good to release on the day VS puts up the pre-orders for their killer September titles.

[Sixer]

Originally Posted by babybreese

I did til now, thanks.

Just looked at the FB clip,
and took matching grabs from the Code Red DVD
so I could prepare myself for the modern digital marvel that is demon's extensive color correction.
blu

dvd

blu

dvd

blu

dvd


The results are IN.
New scan?
lol

Upscale??
Looks to be the case.

Extensive cost increasing color corrections?
Demon spends more time coloring his hair every day than anyone spent color working TEXAS.

From those grabs looks like the blu is missing info on the left and right?

EDIT - actually the first grab isnt the same frame so maybe not?

[rwharris]

Originally Posted by rillog

Why don't you simply upload an 1080p picture from your disc? That would be more convincing than swearing and guaranteeing :-)

I disagree. One thing I often feel about, say, something like a Second Sight release is that they don't do nearly enough swearing and/or flexing when talking about it. I don't find their technical updates to be in the least bit useful. Same thing with Arrow. When ARE they going to wake up and realise that the consumer only requires screaming intent and threats?!?

[frakking toaster]

Just saw this comment on one of the Dark Force posts. Don't know if really works for Fotokem but if he doe then it does seem to indicate the rumors are true.

[Puffy]

While possible, wouldn’t divulging that type of information potentially cause him to lose his job?

[Coatchief]

i predict an epic live feed later today

more intense and weirder than the one the other night

[bsend]

It's interesting to see how releases are discussed in this thread when there aren't users replying to every comment stating that you don't understand how the business is correctly being run or your thoughts on a release are incorrect.

[Mister B Gone]

Looks like I missed another opportunity to buy Dead Pit.

Why is this so impossible am I supposed to just be on standby 24/7?

[wicky_J]

Originally Posted by Mister B Gone

am I supposed to just be on standby 24/7?

Pretty much.

[WinterBox]

Sorry, not paying $30 for a 4:3 ratio Blu-ray.