Puppet Master Blu-rays

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by deltatauhobbit

I believe you're referring to this post from a few years ago. In this case, Puppet Master 1 and 2 were superior when it came to the 88 Films releases.

Yep that's the one!

[darkness2918]

Here's a pic of the slip for The Littlest Reich, its rather nice

[DetroitSportsFan]

The trunk set is currently on sale for $125 (50% off) at Full Moon’s site.

https://www.fullmoondirect.com/The-U...k-_p_1352.html

[panasonicst60]

Anyone know where I can get the first three parts of puppet master Blu-ray 88 films for a decent price? Are they out of print?

[davidthenikonuser]

Originally Posted by panasonicst60

Anyone know where I can get the first three parts of puppet master Blu-ray 88 films for a decent price? Are they out of print?

Yeah, those be OOP. I have this set which is very nice. https://www.amazon.com/Puppet-Master.../dp/B008NNSCJ2

[panasonicst60]

Originally Posted by davidthenikonuser

Yeah, those be OOP. I have this set which is very nice. https://www.amazon.com/Puppet-Master.../dp/B008NNSCJ2

But I prefer the picture quality of the 88 films, which are slightly better.

[davidthenikonuser]

Originally Posted by panasonicst60

But I prefer the picture quality of the 88 films, which are slightly better.

Guess you'll have to pay ebay prices then.

88 uses the same masters as the Full Moon releases, so it really can't be that much better. 2&3 in this set look fantastic, 1 not so much.

[TripleHBK]

Originally Posted by panasonicst60

But I prefer the picture quality of the 88 films, which are slightly better.

The Video quality isn't all that much of a difference. Audio quality wise 88 Films is better but picture wise you're likely not going to see much difference.

Originally Posted by Ruined

So, I have noticed a lot of people saying the 88 Films versions of Full Moon titles are better in terms of A/V than the Full Moon releases. While I see people saying that, often little evidence is provided to back this up. Yes, the 88 Films versions have lossless audio while the Full Moon versions do not; but like putting drag radials on a stock Prius at the drag strip, the performance really does not increase significantly as a result of better specs due to the poor source.

I spent the last week researching forums and review sites for screengrabs and comments from owners of both versions so I could really get to the bottom of this for each title. Note, the only factor here is A/V quality, nothing else. The results are different than you might expect:



Castle Freak - 88 Films wins. 88 Films version is about half a stop brighter but loses some info on right side of pictures; Full Moon version is significantly darker but has more picture info. There is no significant black detail completely lost in the full moon version, as if you brighten the Full Moon version the result is similar - but on a reference a/v setup the Full Moon version is probably going to be a bit too dark. Also, 88 Films has a bit less macroblocking in dark areas.

Demonic Toys - Tie, transfers look similar.

Dollman - Tie, transfers look similar.

Pit and the Pendulum - 88 Films wins. Full Moon bungles 1.66:1 by failing to pillarbox it. Note that Paramount made the same mistake with The Truman Show, so even big studios do make this mistake with 1.66:1 sometimes. Some prefer the framing of the DVD over 1.66:1, but I like the 1.66:1 framing a bit better. Unfortunately I have read the 88 Films versions has problems with region A Oppo players for some reason.

Puppet Master 1 - 88 Films wins. 88 Fims version has slightly more detail, some color correction, and brightening applied. But, the difference is not night and day, so it may not be worth the $10+ price premium for the 88 Films version. Likely a casualty of being Full Moon's first Blu-ray release. The 88 Films release of Puppet Master 1 also has both a 5.1 and 2.0 track unlike the Full Moon release which is 5.1 only.

Puppet Master 2 - 88 Films wins. Video transfers are similar, but a pitch conversion error in the Full Moon version's audio causes an echoing artifact in the audio at times.

Puppet Master 3 - Tie. A/V transfers are similar.

Subspecies - Full Moon wins. Full Moon version appears to have been DNR'd, but based on screengrabs 88 Films version seems to have the same DNR'd 1080i master that has been deinterlaced then had artificial digital simulated grain layered over the top. A third HD source, MonstersHD, looks near identical to the Full Moon release aside from color timing. This makes me believe 88 Films did significant digital tinkering to make a horrible master look more filmlike, but from owners comments it appears people are not satisfied with 88 Films results in doing so either. Full Moon version is 1080i but this should not matter if you have a good Blu-ray player. There are also reported motion artifacts/smearing with the 88 Films version not present in the Full Moon version which is likely due to the method of 60i>24p downconversion used. In summary both are horrible, though the Full Moon version is probably closer to the dated master being used and the lesser of two evils.

Subspecies 2 - Tie, transfers look similar.

Subspecies 3 - Tie, transfers look similar.

Tourist Trap - Tie. Both use a bungled master (cut by 5min). Buy the DVD instead.

Trancers - Tie, transfers look similar.

Trancers 2 - Unknown. Full Moon version looks great, though 88 Films version is not out yet.

So in short, 88 Films does not make a clean sweep as some might indicate. Most of the Full Moon releases look just as good. Specwise the 88 films versions are better, but in practice it does not appear to make a huge difference that the specs might imply due to the poor source material. Often, the picture is similar and even when it is different it appears it will depend on whether you prefer a picture that is likely closer to the current master or one that appears to have had digital processing attempts to make the dated masters look more modern.

I did my best to piece this list together with all the screengrabs and comparisons on the net and if you feel I am missing anything feel free to throw in your two cents.

[Kschreck]

For someone who is a fan of these movies, is the trunk set worth $175?

[DePalma1984]

Originally Posted by Kschreck

For someone who is a fan of these movies, is the trunk set worth $175?

I was wondering the same thing, but it looks like that price is no longer available. When I click on that trunk set at the top of the page it goes to the Amazon product page, but the lowest price is $789.99 from a 3rd party seller.

[Kschreck]

Originally Posted by DePalma1984

I was wondering the same thing, but it looks like that price is no longer available. When I click on that trunk set at the top of the page it goes to the Amazon product page, but the lowest price is $789.99 from a 3rd party seller.

I have an order locked in but I feel like this will be $125 again late October through the Full Moon website so I am hesitant.

Edit: Looks like there is going to be a sale in either October or November but no prices set as of yet (I asked).

[TripleHBK]

Full Moon just had a flash sale where everything was 50% off over labor day. It's possible another similar sale will happen for Halloween but they will for sure have a black Friday sale as they have every year for the last several years. From what I can remember sale prices on Black Friday have been slightly worse than these pop up sales however. (40% off vs the flash sales 50% off).

[Kschreck]

I'm pretty sure the Trunk set was not included in the labor day sale. I think I checked.

[TheBluRayBandito]

I just now noticed the Collection set. Do the movies come with special features?

[Kschreck]

Originally Posted by TheBluRayBandito

I just now noticed the Collection set. Do the movies come with special features?

There is a 12th disc with a bunch of bonus features. Not sure whats on it.

[BladeRunner2049]

Originally Posted by TripleHBK

The Video quality isn't all that much of a difference. Audio quality wise 88 Films is better but picture wise you're likely not going to see much difference.

Actually the PQ on the 88 blu ray of PM 1 is a lot cleaner and crisper looking, it doesn't have the black film splotches during the Leech Woman scene or the other scenes.... looks like 88 Films either did some digital clean up or they used a better print. A little more detailed as well but not much. 88 sounds superior as well but I have both the FM and 88 discs.

[ScareBearDan]

The Wicked Vision trunk features several longer versions not included in the Full Moon trunk. The original Puppet Master includes the uncensored version as a bonus (with standard definition, full frame inserts of the missing footage). Retro Puppet Master includes the 10-minute longer European cut in full frame as a bonus. And Puppet Master: The Legacy includes a slightly longer version in full frame as a bonus.

[ThisIsJonny]

Sure this has been addressed x amount of times, but anyway...

Were there any a/v improvements for 4-Legacy or simply just fixes?