Let’s Talk About Boutiques.

[CouncilSpectre]

Originally Posted by BDBert

There's a post in the dedicated thread where they explain they get less and less access to archives and that in some cases they've even had to halt work on movies that did end up released in other territories by other companies. HK movies have kept them afloat in recent years.

I saw that. It didn’t surprise me sadly, particularly the HK movies stuff, which despite me not having a huge interest in them, has led me to believe that they’re very much a good thing for Eureka, and by extension us

[Ben_C]

Originally Posted by BDBert

There's a post in the dedicated thread where they explain they get less and less access to archives and that in some cases they've even had to halt work on movies that did end up released in other territories by other companies. HK movies have kept them afloat in recent years.

I just hope all the people moaning about “too many HK films” from Eureka felt suitably silly when Eureka themselves said how important those films had been to their business.

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by Ben_R

Any problems ever?

Probably the release of the Czech classic Valerie & Her Week of Wonders albeit I can't remember the reason but I think it had something to do with the colour compaired to the Criterion release.

[Yami]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim142

Probably the release of the Czech classic Valerie & Her Week of Wonders albeit I can't remember the reason but I think it had something to do with the colour compaired to the Criterion release.

Criterion released a new restoration and Second Run used an unrestored scan. It's day and night.

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by Caladriusse

Is the label 'CultFilms' any good?

I really liked CouncilSpectre's response above. What I'd add is I tried them because there were some titles I wasn't going to pass up; the Sophia Loren package, One Deadly Summer for Adjani's committed performance, Visconti's The Innocent, Antonioni's Story of a Love Affair and the portmanteau film Boccaccio’70. None of it disappointed, source-related problems notwithstanding, except their 8½ which was contrast blasted to hell (I have the Criterion for comparison).

[CouncilSpectre]

Originally Posted by trobrianders

I really liked CouncilSpectre's response above. What I'd add is I tried them because there were some titles I wasn't going to pass up; the Sophia Loren package, One Deadly Summer for Adjani's committed performance, Visconti's The Innocent, Antonioni's Story of a Love Affair and the portmanteau film Boccaccio’70. None of it disappointed, source-related problems notwithstanding, except their 8½ which was contrast blasted to hell (I have the Criterion for comparison).

I have the Loren set on my backlog somewhere, but tbh I was kind of reluctant to go anywhere near it after the Fellini fiasco. Glad to hear that's not similarly blighted, I'll move it back up my list

[scarletlion]

Is Plain Archive worthy of discussion here?

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by scarletlion

Is Plain Archive worthy of discussion here?

I hope it is. I'd like to hear what others think since taking an interest in their Petzold set but it's way too pricey for two out of the four. I have Phoenix and Barabara on other blu labels, Soda and Kino Lorber. The Sciamma set looks good too.

[blurayisnice]

Originally Posted by scarletlion

Is Plain Archive worthy of discussion here?

I only have one release of theirs ("I Killed My Mother"), but haven't watched it yet. I bought it because I have heard it's a great release; it's definitely the only English-friendly blu-ray of that film out there.

[scarletlion]

I couldn't afford the Sciamma set but like everything Plain Archive do, the packaging and artwork is incredible.

I bought their 'Incendies' release which is now out of print. It's still unopened in the shrink wrap.

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

I have the Loren set on my backlog somewhere, but tbh I was kind of reluctant to go anywhere near it after the Fellini fiasco. Glad to hear that's not similarly blighted, I'll move it back up my list

You'll have read the reviews and know that there's nothing that will blow you away but for a first time viewing of these films, which it was for me, I was really pleased. If there are to be better versions down the road then fine. For now they did the job really well.

[CouncilSpectre]

Originally Posted by trobrianders

You'll have read the reviews and know that there's nothing that will blow you away but for a first time viewing of these films, which it was for me, I was really pleased. If there are to be better versions down the road then fine. For now they did the job really well.

I did have the singular Cult Films release of TWO WOMEN already and that was adequate from memory. Assuming the others are of a similar level then I think it will do fine. I haven't seen the other three in some time so it may as well be a first viewing again anyway!

[fatboyslim142]

Originally Posted by Caladriusse

Is the label 'CultFilms' any good?

Hit & miss I think, especially by the fact that they own Shameless.

[trobrianders]

Originally Posted by CouncilSpectre

I did have the singular Cult Films release of TWO WOMEN already and that was adequate from memory. Assuming the others are of a similar level then I think it will do fine. I haven't seen the other three in some time so it may as well be a first viewing again anyway!

I think A Special Day is ok as it's the approved restoration that Criterion used but I prefer the Criterion. The other two colour films are probably the weaker of the four. Still ok though. Individual titles are on offer at amazon £7.99 today.

[Jackie Scanlon]

I think it needs to be reiterated that Arrow have acknowledged their issues and are working on them. Obviously the proof is in the pudding and remains to be tasted, but given their past I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt, even with the significant staff changes and Zavvi sticking their oar in.

[Ben_R]

Poll added to the OP which is open for 30 days.

Cast your votes against each if you want them added to the list. WAC is already on the OP but should it remain?

[LAPrice]

Originally Posted by gap

Given that the discs are identical, what does it matter? Unless you had to return the LE, which I can't imagine being requested of you.

No request for a return, so I just swapped the disc over to the standard edition and binned the dodgy disc.
Are you saying that the standard edition of The Legacy has also got glitches (being identical)?

[Ben_R]

What’s wrong with the poll? It is asking contributors to the thread if they wanted other boutiques added to the main list. It’s not UK specific.

[fatboyslim142]

There's the following:

1) Nucleus: - Have corrected/fixed problems with other releases of the same films e.g. numerous ones, on the Redemption release, to Jess franco's Demons & fixing the audio problem, that was on the Vinegar Syndrome, release for either Nothing Underneath or Too Beautiful to Die.
2) Fractured Visions: - ONLy have one of their releases so can't judge them properly.
3) Camera Obscura: - Excellent releases
4) Distribpix: - Excellent releases , albeit they take forever to release films.
5) Salvation Films: - Hit & miss.

[filmlover22]

There is a new guy representing VCI over in the north American section. He said we should let him know if we have any issues with their releases.

Oh, boy. That thread could get very interesting..