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Moriarty's DVD Shelf! New Release Tuesday For September 5th!!

Fuck yes! by prevert	Sep 7th, 2006 02:59:19 AM
Seven Samurai, you will be mine.
Damn you Michael Bay by MCMLXXVI	Sep 7th, 2006 03:02:50 AM

Excellent choices by Archduke_Chocula	Sep 7th, 2006 03:12:48 AM
Sad that I don't have enough for Seven Samurai or LOST Season 2, damn you bills! I have doubts about buying stuff anyways what with the emerging HD market, though who knwos if the public will just shun both and retain DVD as their primary format due to familiarity, price and not giving a crap about pristine video quality. http://k105.blogspot.com/
Question by Boba Fat	Sep 7th, 2006 03:14:01 AM
Very informative as usual Moriarty, thanks but can anyone tell me where I can get cheap / used DVD's in L.A? (Apart from Ameoba) I'll be there soon with a wad of dollars burning a hole in my geeky pocket.
Nice job, Romiarty by whahoppa	Sep 7th, 2006 03:25:01 AM
It's spelled "Amarcord".
good column by mattyholmes	Sep 7th, 2006 03:42:08 AM
great column. I think I will probably get a hold of Seven Samurai, dvd looks fantastic. www.obsessedwithfilm.com
DVD's good enough for me by zikade zarathos	Sep 7th, 2006 03:57:55 AM
I was excited about the new technology not for "CRISP! CLEAR! IMAGERY!" but for all the extras the studios started cramming on to the discs. That's why I'm not that interested in Blu-Ray or HD-DVD (though, like Mori, I'll be getting a Blu-Ray almost by accident when I get a PS3 in a few months).
free running by werewolfbynight	Sep 7th, 2006 03:58:30 AM
About a year ago I saw a doc on tv about a sport called free running. It was one of the most exciting things i had ever seen. I guess they are now calling it parkour and that is fine by me. I watched District B13 tonight and the stunts in the film took me back to that documentary. This is seriously coolm shit. if I was 20 years younger parkour would be my sport of choice. I used to do stuff like this all the time but back then they did'nt have a name for it. This movie shows off the skills of free runners and it kicks ass.
Supernatural got better towards the end of the season. by Shermdawg	Sep 7th, 2006 04:01:19 AM
And Mori, you should have known this by now, new shows (most of the time) take awhile to get going. I've said this countless times, the cabin scene in the finale was one of the best moments in television last year. Jeffrey Dean Morgan rules!!! Too bad he's probably leaving the show.
HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray by tonagan	Sep 7th, 2006 04:32:38 AM
Make up your minds! I can't take it anymore!!! (Runs away sobbing.)
It must be mine!!!!!!!! by The hoff	Sep 7th, 2006 04:58:51 AM
I already own the BFI version of seven samurai (as well as every over samurai movie made by kurosawa) but i'll quite happily replace my entire collection if they do as good a job with the rest as they have done with 7S. Next on the list has to be yojimbo followed by sanjuro and throne of blood, then hidden fortess then ran then rashamon then kagemusha. Oh god i need them all (well less so kagemusha). Oh and supernatural might get better towards the end but thats only after 16 odd episodes of mediocrity and then it barely manages to get much beyond average. Supernatural has it's moments and it's always nice to see who the hot woman will be in each episode but as a dvd collection i really don't see the point. Oh and don't get me started on the vampre episode or for that matter the shapeshifter episode that lives in the sewers (it's one thing to have continuity errors quite another for them to have the plot require them).
Boba Fat by psychedelic	Sep 7th, 2006 05:14:09 AM
Try Second Spin. I know of one on Ventura Blv. in Sherman Oaks down the street from Aaaaahs and Baja Fresh. Lazer Blazer on ?Pico? down the street from Westside Pavillion isn't bad. Penny Lane carried used DVDs; I think there's still one in Westwood but I'm not 100%. Backside Records in Burbank near Media Mall... though quite frankly Amoeba is the best. They're selection can't be beat and if you shop carefully you can find good prices. Anyone care to add to this?
Brazil 3-Disc Version by tonic	Sep 7th, 2006 05:16:08 AM
The Criterion 3-Disc version of Brazil - now in anamorphic - is also being double-dipped this week. Your column makes it sound like only the barebones one-disc version was being released. It won't do you any good to buy it if you already own the previous release (buy the single-disc version for the picture upgrade) but for those of us who never bought Brazil becuase we didn't want to spend money on a non-anamorphic 3-disc set, our prayers have finally been answered. Thank you Criterion!
Psychedelic by Boba Fat	Sep 7th, 2006 05:28:01 AM
You had me at Baja Fresh. Thanks
Tonic by TheRealMoriarty	Sep 7th, 2006 05:28:30 AM
Didn't realize that. Thanks! I guess I've got to upgrade now.
Some Questions and Thoughts by psychedelic	Sep 7th, 2006 05:37:13 AM
Drew, have you (or anyone else reading) watched to new edition of Meet The Feebles yet? How are the extras? Is the print good? The print on the first release is one of the worst I've seen on DVD. Hopefully there's improvement. Also, I found out recently that Polanski's Repulsion has been out on DVD for a while. Have you viewed that disc? How is it? Repulsion is one title I can see myself getting and then finding out the next day Criterion is planning an ultimate edition. As always, I enjoy the DVD column. As for HD/Blu-ray, I'm waiting for a Tivo/Netflix set up like you've described. 500 HD quaility DVDs on one drive attached to a top of the line HD set is the way to go. HD-DVD/Blu-Ray will probably be the last hard copy format. I figure within two years we'll see the first wave of such hard drives. However, they probably won
Dead Mans Shoes by Barney Hood	Sep 7th, 2006 05:51:05 AM
Is a hell of a film. Great performances and a rather uncomfortable viewing experience, especially if, like me, you come from the remote midlands of England where arseholes like the many characters within the film abound. Strange cover though, as it's just some guy in a gas mask, not Paddy who wears a completely different getup in the film.
re: Beals by Barney Hood	Sep 7th, 2006 05:59:17 AM
I should add she is great in Roger Dodger.
Lost 2 by movieman742	Sep 7th, 2006 06:44:21 AM
I watched the first few episodes when they aired but stopped when they skipped weeks at a time without new episodes. Couldn't stand it. Thats one thing I love about 24. I might watch this year since they are having them air back to back with a gap in the middle. Anyway, back to season 2. I bought it on Tuesday. Watched the first disc, which is the first 4 episodes, on Tuesday. Watched the last 20 on Wednesday. The first half of the season was somewhat boring but once they cought the Other it really picked up. Looking forward to Season 3.
FUCK criterion by SnakesOnABicycle	Sep 7th, 2006 07:10:54 AM
fuck them up their stupid overrated doublie-dipping assholes. They are just as bad as any other studio. They "unearth" new prints, and remasters, and sell non-anamorphic, digitally noisely edgey piles of shit, with the most retarded, pretentious, esoterically STUPID special features (Rushmore AV Club, anyone?) that no one could possibly ever want. And everyone laps them up just because they're the assholes smart enough to get the rights to great films like Seven Samurai. I've never liked criterion's picture quality, and their soundtracks never impressed me. Anyone who is impressed by them, obviously confuses an appreication for taste (which they do have), as a sign of overall quality.
New Bladerunner DVD by RighteousBrother	Sep 7th, 2006 07:16:34 AM
I don't think its due out until something ridiculous like Sept 2008.
Mori, your friend is blind as a fucking bat by Shawn F.	Sep 7th, 2006 07:28:17 AM
The HD DVD of Unforgiven looked awful, but Blu-Ray looks great? Dude, tell that guy to get whatever he is watching these discs on properly calibrated. Some of the later Blu-Ray titles, namely the ones put out by Warner Home Video, do indeed look as good as HD DVD, but the other ones suck. Fifth Element? It's bad enough the movie sucks ass, but the Blu-Ray transfer I had to endure about five minutes of looked terrible. Perhaps he is trying to justify the fact that he pissed away a thousand bucks on a Samsung Blu-Ray player. But anyone who would knowingly dish out that much money on a Samsung DVD player gets what he deserves: a piece of shit hardware.
I forgot to include you in the 'blind bat' description by Shawn F.	Sep 7th, 2006 07:32:05 AM
Calibration, son. Get the set calibrated.
Moriarty by Doughboy	Sep 7th, 2006 07:35:22 AM
First of all, T2 is a Blu-rry title. It's not HD-DVD. Secondly, you were actually impressed by the BD version of The Fifth Element? It's been universally panned by everyone who's seen it. Even Sony has all but announced they'll be re-releasing it with an improved transfer. And third, what idiot wrote you that letter saying Blu-rry was more impressive than HD-DVD so far? He must be on the Sony payroll, cuz no one who's actually seen both formats in action would make that claim. HD-DVD is wiping the floor with BD at the moment with a player that's half the cost. The PS3 announcment yesterday doesn't help any either.
FRANKENSTEIN UNBOUND by YackBacker	Sep 7th, 2006 07:40:11 AM
I dunno, I've seen it twice on cable and I understand why people find it "entertaining" but in reality there's hardly anything there to hold onto... it is a complete mess. Sometimes a bad movie has something cohesive to keep it interesting, well this movie lacks even that element. I won't say is the worst movie ever made, because in truth Michael Bay had nothing to do with it (ZING!) but I can't sit by idly when anyone makes a tacit recoomendation of this movie's worth. Seriously, guys, stay away.
no YB by Lost Prophet	Sep 7th, 2006 08:13:34 AM
it is crap, but amusing crap. Just get catnipped up and watch it. A complete mess but it is nowhere near the worst movie ever made, and any film with John Hurt in it deserves the time of day.
So, new release Tuesday on Thursday... by rev_skarekroe	Sep 7th, 2006 08:23:45 AM
I assume the new comics column will show up some time tomorrow, then?
Cigarette Burns by SoulOnIce	Sep 7th, 2006 08:32:00 AM
Finally saw it Mori and I really liked it. But you can't be satisfied with Norman Reedus's performance.
Thanks for mentioning SHOCK TREATMENT by RenoNevada2000	Sep 7th, 2006 08:37:33 AM
I've always felt that ST gets a raw deal from RHPS fans who were disappointed that the film didn't retread the original's mixture of sex, drugs and Tim Curry. Myself, I like the film because it decided to do something different and skewer the early 80s obssession with psycho-anylsis. Plus, I think some of the songs are better.
Also, the Frankenstein Unbound poster is awesome by rev_skarekroe	Sep 7th, 2006 08:40:36 AM
Even if it makes absolutely no sense when you stop to think about it.
Nice list this week. by brycemonkey	Sep 7th, 2006 09:04:32 AM
Thanks for the heads up on the Seven Samurai release (I've been waiting a looong time to pick up a decent copy of this). I'm one of those movie types that can wait years to pick up the right disc at the right price. :-)
Can't Wait To Pick Up Lost Season 2 !!!!!!! by The Ender	Sep 7th, 2006 09:53:23 AM
Give me Give me! And GOD DAMN! Evangeline Lily is so good looking in real life, it's nuts. Good list this week, Thanks Moriarty
Shock Treatment by Shaz_bot80	Sep 7th, 2006 10:01:12 AM
Yeah the songs are better, but it a bit unfair to call it a sequel to RHPS. I guess that there really isn't another word for it. This is great news though, I've been hoping for more than a bare bones DVD of Shock Treatment for a long time. Life is good for the cult movie fan!
Electric Dreams... by Dystopika	Sep 7th, 2006 10:35:35 AM
since we get Shock Treatment, when do we get an "Electric Dreams" DVD? hasn't THAT got enough of a cult to at least dump it on a disc?
District B13 by way of Tokyo by Garbageman33	Sep 7th, 2006 11:01:06 AM
Why did they insist on releasing District B13 with dubbing straight out of a 1970s monster movie? Seriously. It's that bad. I thought about turning the sound off and just putting on some thumping techno music. Then, I realized I don't have any. So I had to suffer. The action is spectacular, though.
Actually, a pretty damn good month... by President Evil	Sep 7th, 2006 11:02:52 AM
Although I did find DEAD MAN'S SHOES overrated. PARKER & VICIOUS CIRCLE was brilliant. BLADE RUNNER - I'll wait for the super deluxe package that's coming out after the "true" director's cut is released to theaters next year (according to cyberpunkreview.com). BRAZIL - I'm with you, Mori...I'll stick with my Criterion Collection package, but I would like to see how nice this print looks. THE PLAGUE...uh...is that Brad Renfro on the cover? On the right? DISTRICT B13 - Might be good for a laugh. But the real gem this month is SEVEN MOTHER-FUCKING SAMURAI, BITCH! (that's the original title, I'm told). Who ISN'T gonna pick THAT cherry up??? And, c'mon, who doesn't love FRAGGLE ROCK?
Blade Runner question by waggy	Sep 7th, 2006 11:05:59 AM
i've never seen it, but i would like to. which version should i watch first, and is it currently available on dvd?
waggy: I like to go against the grain... by brycemonkey	Sep 7th, 2006 11:10:59 AM
I like the original theatrical cut. A lot of people go on about the director's cut and voiceovers but I liked it fine the way it was. I will however wait for the long fabled release that has about 5 versions. However if you can pick up a basic disc for a bargain I'd do that in the meantime.
"When I get a PS3 in a few months" by DJSpoonfed	Sep 7th, 2006 11:19:20 AM
HAHAHA! FUCK THAT! Last I heard they still didn't even have any working consumer models built yet. Delays on the Blu-Ray drives, delays on the chips, delays on everything. PLUS, Sony's making the controller batteries, so it's likely to burst into flames in your hands (laptop battery issue a few weeks ago). What are the chances you're gonna get one before Christmas? NONE!
Yeah by a_guy	Sep 7th, 2006 11:21:13 AM
Yep, your friend is fucking clown shoes if he thinks that Blurry is even worthy to sniff the boot of HD DVD and your article is atrocious!! Get your fucking facts straight on BD and HD DVD, you are all fucked up mixing up the formats and throwing out false info, if you are going to wax intellectual about the subject get a friggin clue!!! CHRIST, check out avsforum to get your shit straight...
waggy and bryce monkey: You have little choice. by JackLint	Sep 7th, 2006 11:31:01 AM
The theatrical cut is not on dvd in any form, the only place it exists is VHS, and it's kind of rare. You might find it at an old mom and pop video store. So, unless you're willing to put forth the effort, you'll probably only find the director's cut until the big box set comes out. And if I may add my two cents, the director's cut is want you want anyway. There is some interesting info revealed in the voice over in the theatrical cut, but it's just so badly acted (on purpose, some say) that it detracts from the movie. I saw the directors cut first, then the theatrical, and I was shocked as to how bad it was in comparison.
I stand corrected Jacklint... by brycemonkey	Sep 7th, 2006 11:36:25 AM
don't know why I thought it was out on dvd ages ago (probably cos it's from 1982!?!) anyway this is what I'm waiting for: http://tinyurl.com/eramz and I still like the voiceovers :-P
Moriarty will make you his DVD-otch! by TheBaxter	Sep 7th, 2006 11:37:23 AM

brycemonkey and JackLint by waggy	Sep 7th, 2006 11:43:41 AM
thanks a bunch. looks like i will be adding the director's cut to my netflix queue.
Some of the effects in Blade Runner need to be fixed by Orionsangels	Sep 7th, 2006 12:22:27 PM
Not to many, but one particular shot that bothers me is the famous shot with the billboard sign. A flying car goes by. You can see through the car. It's semi-transparent. Suffering from the same effect seen in the AT-AT attack in Empire. Where you could see through the ships cockpit. Just darken the flying car or whatever and also get rid of some black outlines on the some of the effects and you have a perfect movie. Some Douglas Trumbull effects hold up better than others. No doubt though. The guy was way ahead of his time. Something that surprised me though was in the revamped ST motion picture DVD. They didn't fix the black outline on some of the effects, like when Scotty takes Kirk to the Enterprise. Lots of bleeding effects here and there. That still needs to be addressed.
orionsangels by mocky_puppet	Sep 7th, 2006 12:29:12 PM
yes! fix those blade runner effects. and while you're at it, fix up (with editing and better dialoge loops) the plot hole of the fifth replicant. and also, while you're at it, it always bothered me that deckard shoots pris without her shooting at him first; could we have PRIS SHOOT FIRST? huh? orionsagels? or should i say GEORGE LUCAS? are you GEORGE LUCAS? you are, AREN'T YOU? keep your MITTS off my BLADE RUNNER! no SPECIAL EDITIONS! if you aren't george lucas, and you really think they should just darken that one car, then i apologize.
My top 3 Blade Runner fixes by Riviera	Sep 7th, 2006 12:39:26 PM
1) When Deckard is talking to the synthetic pet shop owner it's obvious he's not saying what we're hearing 2) Digitally erase the Steadicam operator's shadow on the wall during the final chase scene 3) Digitally erase the wires on the spinners lifting off
riviera by mocky_puppet	Sep 7th, 2006 12:50:36 PM
oh yeah that's a good list. but hey, better yet, let's just do a remake. with will smith as deckard ("aw HELL no you didn't jump to that other roof Roy Batty!") and katie holmes as rachel and the green goblin guy as tyrell and patton oswalt as sebastian and the asian guy from madTV as chu and do it all cg and add a car chase where they fly up the side of a building and a bomb goes off and someone is hanging from a high place and there is a conspiracy that goes all the way to the president. i am very sensitive because of the skin grafts i had to get after star wars burned me so bad. just play like i'm not here. i'm just mumbling to myself in the corner like a crazy person. star wars made me a crazy person.
See what you did George Lucas?! by brycemonkey	Sep 7th, 2006 01:08:47 PM
Look at that poor, mumbling, shambolic excuse for a human being. Damn you to hell sir. For shame!
While we are ranting off topic... by brycemonkey	Sep 7th, 2006 01:11:27 PM
I know this site needs money like a crack whore but Dorm Daze 2? Really? And is that Elijah Wood or the dude from Harry Potter...?
Funniest thing I've read all week... by Meglos	Sep 7th, 2006 01:14:02 PM
"best known to mainstream audiences as Uncle Owen in EPISODE II and EPISODE III"
Don't buy Blade Runner? Ass Hat. by earl of sandwich	Sep 7th, 2006 01:26:35 PM
Mori, you are the shit, but don't ever tell me to not buy Blade Runner. Caution me that the uber set will be out in a year, but don't EVER tell me to not buy Blade Runner. I bought the very first DVD player available back in the day and drove for 3 hours the next day across the border to pick up Blade Runner in Seattle, cause it wasn't available in Canada yet. I will do anything to have a better version of that film in my possesion. And spending $20 now, to have a pristine version of the film to tide me over until the master set in out is a drop in the bucket for your favourite movie of all time. Crazy bastard telling me about Blade Run.....(mutters to myself as I walk away)
Asada? by jrbarker	Sep 7th, 2006 01:47:37 PM
Carne, cerdo o pollo?
BR Theatrical Cut by Tin Snoman	Sep 7th, 2006 05:35:00 PM
Most people go with the Director's Cut of Blade Runner (an important reason for this is that it's actually readily available), and while I don't disagree I think the Theatrical version isn't exactly a train wreck. I got a bootleg at a con a few years ago, along with a copy of the SW Holiday Special (listen to me, I sound like a typical AICN reviewer, telling my life story), anyways, people like to make a big deal about the Harrison Ford narration. That he was forced to do it, so he did a bad job on purpose, etc. My thinking on it is this: Blade Runner is film noir. Ford's narration comes across as the kind of world-weary protagonist that populates most of the genre (though it does seem at times that he gets a particular tone in his voice where you think he's about to say "No, I don't have a landing permit. I'm tryin' ta reach Lando Calrissian.". So in the film noir context, it works for me. Or maybe I'm just making excuses. When the big set comes out we can all debate it then, I suppose.
Fraggle Rock by Johnno	Sep 7th, 2006 06:31:56 PM
I watched a couple of taped version of that as a kid. It damn near mesmerized me... I wanted to eat those sugar building things those little dudes built...
Blade Runner Super Edition isn't vapor ware? by Jack Burton	Sep 7th, 2006 07:26:21 PM
After a decade (or so) in development that Special Edition better be as definitive as it gets.
Moriarty, you're buying a PS3? by HERCULESisaPUSSY	Sep 7th, 2006 08:07:07 PM
There will be books written about how Sony dropped the ball with the PS3. It looks more and more like a big corporate cluster-fuck.
Dystopika: Electric Dreams is already on DVD by Some Dude	Sep 7th, 2006 08:07:50 PM
It's just out of print. Next time, be an early adopter.
Come on Mori. We need names!!! by Vim Fuego	Sep 7th, 2006 08:21:57 PM
Who's set up did you see? I'm guessing it wasn't at the Ranch.
Need a bit of...Oooooh...shock treatment. by Lenny Nero	Sep 7th, 2006 08:53:35 PM
Kid, you're jumping like a real live wire! Damn diggity dog, I'ma Netflix this motherfucker right naw.
I'm increasingly sure you WON'T have a PS3 until... by Doom II	Sep 8th, 2006 01:31:25 AM
next year when Sony can get their system out on shelves. I just saw on MSNBC's investment show about how Sony says no more than 400,000 PS3's will ship this year to the US due to production problems (that's half of what they promised at E3). Then they followed up with rumors that NO PS3's will hit the states before Christmas and if they do, expect all kinds of mechanical problems due to the rush to get them out (bugs not worked out etc).
SnakesOnABicycle is right! Criterion is overrated! by Doctor Ecks	Sep 8th, 2006 02:31:29 AM
Their disc of the 5 WC Fields shorts is TERRIBLE! The shorts have ADDED wacky music over the original versions, apparently put in later releases of the films. Yet most reviews seem to ignore this. If they do mention it, it's merely noted and not Criticized. How can they get away with that shit?! Why is everthing Criterion puts out gets universal praise. I have never seen anything like it. They've brainwashed everyone, simply because they pick interesting classic films. Frankly, Warner Brothers is doing an amazing job with their DVD releases and boxsets. Yet, hardly any love for them on this site or any other!
DoctorEcks... by TheRealMoriarty	Sep 8th, 2006 02:56:44 AM
... you must not read this site. I have been consistent in my praise of the way Warner turned their DVD department around and is now one of the best in terms of constant catalog title output.
Moriarty, your friend may just need a firmware upgrade by Specter	Sep 8th, 2006 07:52:40 AM
Bill Hunt, from the Digital Bits ran into the same thing that your friend described with an HD-DVD player. He even described the look in much the same way. Then the manufacturer released a firmware upgrade. --- He wrote: "Toshiba has officially released version 2.0 of their firmware for the HD-A1 and HD-XA1 HD-DVD players. It's available now via Ethernet download (just follow your player's instructions, as listed in the manual). According to Toshiba: "This firmware update adds support for certain anticipated network delivered content in future HD DVD discs, improves certain video and audio processing capabilities, as well as addresses certain disc playback and HDMI/DVI related problems identified by Toshiba." So what exactly does that mean? Check THIS out: "Support for Dolby True HD is extended from two channels to 5.1, which will be available in full resolution on the HDMI and analog 5.1 outputs and down-mixed to a DTS bit stream on the SPDIF output." FULL 5.1 TrueHD support! Keep in mind, the player was shipped with 2.0 support only." (http://www.thedigitalbits.com /mytwocentsa126.html#oh) --- Granted, in that column, he was speaking about audio, but in a previous one, it was all about video quality as well. They even waited for a firmware upgrade to start reviewing the HD-DVDs. This is the second firmware upgrade they've done, and it's only improving.
YOU ARE SO OFF HD-DVD IS BETTER BLU RAY IS HORRID by Hank0527	Sep 8th, 2006 10:02:32 AM
This article is so biased. Something is not hooked up right? Does your freind have firmware 2.0 and are they using the 1080i output on the Toshiba. The Sony titles on Blu Ray up till September are garbage they look horrible next to HD DVD discs. HD-DVD looks better hands down on all titles released before Sept. Now both Blu and HDDVD are using VC-1 on some titles and the difference is not there
Your Friend's Nuts by TheDarkShape	Sep 8th, 2006 10:12:14 AM
If he's praising Blu-ray's MPEG-2 infested crap of a picture, and thinking HD DVD looks off, he needs to recalibrate his system. There's no other explanation for it.

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