US BR & 4K Releases for September & October 2024

[KDeering]

No, but i blindly defend the artistic integrity of a 70yo film. The director (before he passed away in 1998) informed me what he had envisioned for the uhd release in 2024.

Fwiw, when I expressed my desire to acquire the movie from a particular label, I never intended to promote a debate. That was just my preference. If you want to buy thru criterion, knock yourself out. Also try to tone down your borderline hostile/ confrontational attitude when you post on a public platform.

The director informed you pre-1998 of what he intended for the upcoming 4K release? Sounds completely reasonable. I'm sure he had laid out exactly how the HDR grading would go. Did he specify in the conversation whether he thought HDR10 would be enough or was he specific on Dolby Vision. Did he mention MEL or FEL for the release?

 

[KDeering]

Also, there was no HDR master for Seven Samurai t work from (which is probably why Criterion didn't do one) and the 4K is not sourced from the OCN. So even the BFI is a conservative HDR grade from what was available.

 

[Broncowrangler]

The director informed you pre-1998 of what he intended for the upcoming 4K release? Sounds completely reasonable. I'm sure he had laid out exactly how the HDR grading would go. Did he specify in the conversation whether he thought HDR10 would be enough or was he specific on Dolby Vision. Did he mention MEL or FEL for the release?

It was a slightly disingenuous statement with a hint of sarcasm associated with it.

Whenever I hear the term artistic intent for an old movie, I always wonder how we arrive at that conclusion. The movies are so old that invariably the creator has passed away or he must have expressed his future vision secretly to a trusted confidant (before moving on). For me It’s impossible to recall how a particular movie looked 6 months ago in the theater, let alone 7 decades. In that scenario (imho) the studios have an open canvas to paint upon.

 

[Broncowrangler]

Some of the movies which are 70 yrs old or more and support HDR :

Singing in the rain (52)
Casablanca (42)
Maltese Falcon (41)
Rebel without a cause (55)
Double indemnity (44)
Killers kiss (55)
Night of the Hunter (55)
Citizen Kane (41)
Mildred Pierce (45)
The red shoes (48)
The roaring twenties (39)

The argument that old movies don’t need HDR comes across like some old wives tale and thus gets tossed out of the windows. Old classic B/W films look spectacular with HDR.

 

[KDeering]

Some of the movies which are 70 yrs old or more and support HDR :

Singing in the rain (52)
Casablanca (42)
Maltese Falcon (41)
Rebel without a cause (55)
Double indemnity (44)
Killers kiss (55)
Night of the Hunter (55)
Citizen Kane (41)
Mildred Pierce (45)
The red shoes (48)
The roaring twenties (39)

The argument that old movies don’t need HDR comes across like some old wives tale and thus gets tossed out of the windows. Old classic B/W films look spectacular with HDR.

I think you are misinterpreting what I am saying. A movie's age really has no bearing on whether it would benefit from HDR. There are some outstanding movies in HDR that are older. Seven Samurai is an interesting case though because THERE IS NO OCN. So depending on how the 4K master was derived, the dynamic range is likely limited (and it was, I talked to the guy that did the encode for the BFI version directly, he is a friend) so whether there would be any real benefit from the HDR part of it itself is debatable. He said the source for the encode had good dynamic range but he did a very "conservative" HDR encode (his words). He said some things about possibilities that relate to the Criterion release that will be different than the BFI one that I am not at liberty to talk about unfortunately. But it will be interesting to see how they differ when they are both eventually released given the possibilities that he mentioned.

 

[KDeering]

Some of the movies which are 70 yrs old or more and support HDR :

Singing in the rain (52)
Casablanca (42)
Maltese Falcon (41)
Rebel without a cause (55)
Double indemnity (44)
Killers kiss (55)
Night of the Hunter (55)
Citizen Kane (41)
Mildred Pierce (45)
The red shoes (48)
The roaring twenties (39)

The argument that old movies don’t need HDR comes across like some old wives tale and thus gets tossed out of the windows. Old classic B/W films look spectacular with HDR.

Another thing that would be interesting with some of these films is how much range is actually in those HDR containers. There are plenty of movies (even modern ones) that are advertised as "HDR" that don't have any more actual dynamic range than SDR, or barely anything above it. And with a black and white movie there would be no benefit to the expanded color gamut of BT2020 to fall back on. But they would definitely benefit from updated 4K scans (especially from a restored OCN) as evidenced by the ones already out there.

 

[Broncowrangler]

Another example of criterion cutting corners with uhd releases is “The long Good Friday.” Arrow films released the 1973 title earlier this year in the UK, with a nice atmos upgrade whereas criterion chose to stick with the antiquated LPCM mono track.

Fwiw, just to clear the air, I’m not anti criterion, I have a huge collection of criterion Blu-rays/UHd’s but it gets difficult to support some of the recent developments. Many of their upcoming releases have missing HDR. It is always good (and healthy) to have options/ alternatives as a consumer.

 

[Broncowrangler]

He said some things about possibilities that relate to the Criterion release that will be different than the BFI one that I am not at liberty to talk about unfortunately. But it will be interesting to see how they differ when they are both eventually released given the possibilities that he mentioned.

Thanks for sharing that info, I would also be curious to see the differences.

I would also like to mention that they did a similar thing with The Seventh Seal 4k. Again BFI release in the UK included HDR. I have both versions and prefer the BFI version for my own personal consumption. Of course ymmv.

 

[KDeering]

So you are mad they didn’t try to do a Atmos mix from a movie that was originally mono. Got it.

 

[Broncowrangler]

From my pov, it appears that you are getting mad that arrow films chose to include an atmos track and criterion didn’t. Why upgrade at all in that case, stick with the original and enjoy.

“Guns of Navarone” a movie which is 6 decades old (older than “the long Good Friday”) includes an atmos track (Sony) and sounds fantastic. The original was a stereo or mono mix. So what’s your point?

Any case I have no interest in this back and forth as it serves no purpose. We both have our unique preferences on how we consume things in our respective setups. Let’s move along.

 

[KDeering]

I'm not mad Arrow did an Atmos track. But I don't think an Atmos track derived from a movie with an original mono mix is going to be some revelation that I need. Would be something else if it was an original surround mix of some kind. I feel like a lot of people get bent around the pole for marketing works like Atmos, HDR and any other badge that sometimes is just there to help sell something rather than actually improving anything. I get a lot of that "it must be better because it is xxx" vibe. You bought what you liked, all good.

 

[Broncowrangler]

All about options; arrow chose to do it and criterion did not. I would sincerely recommend giving The guns of navarone a watch. The original track is quite serviceable, but a little bit of Sonic Adventure is not such a bad thing in the HT realm.

Its not all marketing gimmick when Instituted properly. An argument can be made as to why we need to upgrade to UHD (or HD) at all in the first place. Just watch the original source as it was originally conceived. But if some studios have the ability to push the envelope and provide more, then I’m all for it and will back them unconditionally.

 

[StanfieldNC]

 

[purefun]

Added in 4K SDR/HDR/DV with Dolby TrueHD Atmos from Warner

Joker: Folie à Deux

In Arkham preparing for trial, Arthur falls for another inmate who is drawn to his Joker persona's growing cult of personality. Drama, Crime, Thriller, Musical. Purchase and download today in 4K Dolby Vision with Dolby Atmos audio.

www.kaleidescape.com

Added in 4K SDR/HDR/DV with Dolby TrueHD Atmos from NBCUniversal

Piece by Piece

Celebrated music producer Pharrell Williams shares the inspiring story of his life through Lego animation. Documentary, Animated, Music. Directed by Morgan Neville. Starring Pharrell Williams, Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, and Timbaland. Purchase and download today in with Dolby Atmos audio.

www.kaleidescape.com

 

[purefun]

Added in 4K SDR/HDR/DV with DTS HD-Master 5.1 from Warner/Discovery

JFK

A New Orleans D.A. investigates a suspected FBI cover-up of John F. Kennedy's assassination. Mystery, Suspense, Crime, History. Directed by Oliver Stone. Starring Kevin Costner, Kevin Bacon, Tommy Lee Jones, and Laurie Metcalf. Purchase and download today in 4K Dolby Vision.

www.kaleidescape.com

 

[ironcross]

Added Monday 10/28
The Critic (2024) in UHD/HD with DTS-HD Master 5.1 from Lionsgate (UK)

The Critic

A feared and flamboyant theater critic schemes to gain the upper hand when his paper's new owner puts his job at risk. Crime, Thriller. Directed by Anand Tucker. Starring Ian McKellen, Gemma Arterton, Mark Strong, and Lesley Manville.

www.kaleidescape.com

Added Tuesday 10/29
Babes (2024) in HDR/UHD/HD with DTS-HD Master 5.1 from NBCUniversal (UK)

Babes

After becoming pregnant from a one-night stand, aggressively single Eden leans on her married best friend and mother of two, Dawn, to guide her through gestation and beyond. Comedy. Directed by Pamela Adlon. Starring Ilana Glazer, Michelle Buteau, Hasan Minhaj, and John Carroll Lynch.

www.kaleidescape.com

 

[gpavlin73]

Looks like Fargo has been added in 4K .

Fargo

A folksy, pregnant sheriff tracks a pair of thugs hired by a Minnesotan car salesman to kidnap his wife. Crime, Drama, Thriller. Directed by Joel Coen. Starring Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, and Peter Stormare. Purchase and download today in 4K Dolby Vision.

www.kaleidescape.com

 

[forzalombardi]

Looks like Fargo has been added in 4K .

Fargo

A folksy, pregnant sheriff tracks a pair of thugs hired by a Minnesotan car salesman to kidnap his wife. Crime, Drama, Thriller. Directed by Joel Coen. Starring Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, and Peter Stormare. Purchase and download today in 4K Dolby Vision.

www.kaleidescape.com

D2D is $21.54. Typical for a MGM, but happy to pay that price for this release.

 

[Kostas]

Added in HD
With DTS-HD MA 5.1 from RLJ Entertainment

V/H/S/85

In 1985, documentary footage of scientists studying a shapeshifting alien frames series of terrifying tales. Horror. Starring Kelli Garner, Freddy Rodríguez, James Ransone, and Jordan Belfi. Purchase and download today in Blu-ray quality.

www.kaleidescape.com

With PCM Stereo from Stadium Media

No Rewind: The Orchestra Starring Elo Former Members

The Orchestra, featuring former Electric Light Orchestra members, play their original album while reflecting on their journey. Documentary, Music, Performance. Starring Glen Burtnick, Louis Clark Jr., Parthenon Huxley, and Louis Clark. Purchase and download today in Blu-ray quality.

www.kaleidescape.com

 

[DmitryB]

Looks like Fargo has been added in 4K .

Fargo

A folksy, pregnant sheriff tracks a pair of thugs hired by a Minnesotan car salesman to kidnap his wife. Crime, Drama, Thriller. Directed by Joel Coen. Starring Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, and Peter Stormare. Purchase and download today in 4K Dolby Vision.

www.kaleidescape.com

FINALLY! I've had the disc for years, glad to replace it with K. (Now let's do "The Usual Suspects" and "12 Monkeys," which came out in 4K around the same time as "Fargo," I believe.)