The Blu-ray Blog » Universal Monsters

Universal’s 100th Anniversary Blu-ray releases include restored Dracula, Frankenstein, Jaws, All Quiet on the Western Front, The Birds and more!

Brenden — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:15:04 +0000

This has been a stunning week of Blu-ray news (most of which I’ll get to posting in due time), all released surrounding the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The news that walloped me the hardest is that 2012 will be the year that Universal will finally offer up select titles from it’s beloved collection of monster films in new, restored Blu-ray releases!! That’s right, the gods of monsters and the gods of HD have, at long last, seen fit to allow me to own the original 1930s Dracula and Frankenstein films in glorious 1080p!

I should clarify here – Universal has not officially announced the release of those films on Blu…yet! But they have made clear that they’re restoring them and eleven others at great expense (“…three to six months each and cost $250,000 to $600,000 per title” according to Universal’s Technical Operations Head Michael Daruty) and that we can expect a Universal Monsters Blu-ray boxed set, along with a Hitchcock set before the end of the year. And though a great number of the films to be restored have yet to be officially announced for release on Blu-ray, I’d say it’s a pretty safe bet we’ll see them all before the year is out. In fact, early dates have already leaked for Pillow Talk and Jaws! The complete list of films announced for restoration is as follows:

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930 – available on Blu-ray February 14, 2012)
Dracula (1931 – directed by Tod Browning)
Dracula (1931 – Spanish language version directed by George Melford)
Frankenstein (1931)
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Abbott and Costello’s Buck Privates (1941)
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962 – available on Blu-ray January 31, 2012)
The Birds (1963)
Pillow Talk (1959 available on Blu-ray May 1, 2012))
The Sting (1973)
Jaws (1975- available on Blu-ray August 14, 2012)
Out of Africa (1985 – restored version available on Blu-ray March 6, 2012)
Schindler’s List (1993)

From the press release:

Universal Studios Home Entertainment will kick off the celebration in January with a special 50th anniversary release of To Kill a Mockingbird, debuting on Blu-ray for the first time ever. Throughout the year Universal will pay tribute to other influential films in the Universal library with special events and Blu-ray releases of such iconic classics as Jaws and E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, which celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Universal will reveal an updated animated logo tied to the centennial. The animated logo will make its first appearance in front of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax at its premiere in February and for that film’s U.S. theatrical release on March 2nd. (The new static version of this logo was unveiled today and is featured below.) Other activities surrounding the studio’s 100th anniversary include a vibrant social media campaign, special events, theme park activities, promotions and many surprises to engage fans throughout the yearlong celebration.

“This is a proud moment for all of us who’ve had the privilege of working at Universal Pictures,” said Ron Meyer, Universal Studios President and COO. “Our centennial is designed to bring special memories back to longtime movie lovers and fans and to engage new audiences with our extraordinary library of films for the first time. Our goal, 100 years later, is to preserve, restore and continue the iconic legacy of this studio for generations to come.”

Fans and film enthusiasts can start celebrating online today at the official Universal Centennial website, a one-stop destination dedicated to Universal’s 100 years. The site, as well as a number of social media platforms, will bring the centennial to life online. Universal will be sharing archival content on its brand new Tumblr page; fans of Universal classics on Facebook will find exclusives and special opportunities across their favorite pages; followers of @UniversalPics on Twitter can find the activities using the hashtag #Universal100; Foursquare users who check in at iconic Universal locations such as the studio and theme parks will be able to unlock special behind-the-scenes tips and content; and for those who are followers of fashion, Universal’s Pinterest account will be drawing inspiration from favorite films for everyone’s Pinboards, starting with 10 inaugural titles of pop-culture classics such as The Breakfast Club, Scarface, Sixteen Candles, Bridget Jones’ Diary and Bridesmaids.

These online initiatives will roll out throughout various times of the year and will tie back to the Universal Centennial official site.

In the spring select fans will have the opportunity to attend a special gala anniversary celebration on the Universal lot featuring many of the filmmakers and artists who shaped the studio’s history. In addition, the studio will spotlight the 100th anniversary throughout various worldwide film festivals and other featured events, panels and activities.

On April 30, 1912, Universal Film Manufacturing Company filed its certificate of incorporation with the state of New York. In 1915 Carl Laemmle officially opened Universal City, the largest film production facility in the world. Throughout Universal’s 100 years the studio has served as a home for many of the most talented filmmakers of all time (such as Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis, Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, Peter Jackson, Spike Lee, John Hughes and Judd Apatow) and created films that have touched the hearts of millions and fueled culture’s fascination with cinema. To share the profound legacy of its artists, the studio will highlight their careers with touching personal stories from filmmakers, talent, crews, employees and fans.

Universal’s key centennial activities included throughout the anniversary year are as follows:

Major Film Restoration Commitment
Universal will restore 13 films over the course of the centennial year. The restoration effort includes the following films: All Quiet on the Western Front, The Birds, Buck Privates, Dracula (1931), Dracula Spanish (1931), Frankenstein, Jaws, Schindler’s List, Out of Africa, Pillow Talk, Bride of Frankenstein, The Sting and To Kill a Mockingbird.

Unveiling of New Logo
Universal will reveal an updated animated logo at the February premiere of the upcoming feature Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and at that film’s U.S. theatrical debut on March 2, 2012. The updated logo will be used on all Universal Pictures films going forward and will be integrated into all aspects of the company’s business as well.

Home Entertainment
Universal Home Entertainment will be introducing a limited edition 100th Anniversary Collector’s Series featuring some of the aforementioned film restorations on Blu-ray in collectible, book-style packaging showcasing rare movie memorabilia and brand new 10-minute video featurettes. In addition, special collections will be released throughout the year, culminating in the highly anticipated Blu-ray releases of Universal’s Classic Monster and Alfred Hitchcock series. A selection of movies that have shaped Universal’s legacy will also be released in commemorative packaging, many of them on Blu-ray for the first time ever.

Theme Park Celebrations
Universal’s Parks and Resorts will help highlight the campaign with centennial-specific content and merchandise throughout both the Orlando and Hollywood locations. The Orlando resort will soon announce a specially themed entertainment experience that will celebrate Universal’s heritage. At the iconic Hollywood park the world-famous Studio Tour features expert guides that will take guests on a tour through 100 years of moviemaking history on the Universal Studios production backlot. Tours are conducted daily, visiting TV and movie sets ranging from the early Universal Studios monster film classics to current productions.

Website and Social Media Campaign
Universal will be engaging fans across multiple social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Tumblr and Pinterest. At the center of all online initiatives lies a rich, robust website dedicated to all things related to the yearlong celebration of Universal’s 100th Anniversary.“

Via: Dread Central and Blu-ray.com

Top New Blu-ray releases for the Week of November 1

Brenden — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:40:56 +0000

Once again, my weekly report on the new Blu-ray releases is being delivered a touch late. You can chalk this recent tardiness up to a tough batch of reviews and the fact that I’m on vacation. Yes, that’s right, I’m busting out reviews on my vacation. That’s how much I love you!

In addition to the selections I’ve highlighted for you, be sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the post for additional excellent titles like Spielberg’s Hook, Clooney’s Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and the Blu-ray debut PBS favourite Brideshead Revisited.

As always, clicking the Blu-ray package art will zip you over to Amazon where every purchase you make through our links helps the site stay on its feet. We appreciate every single click and thank you again for continuing to read The Blu-ray Blog.

Blu-ray disc of the week: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925/1929)

Lon Chaney‘s magisterial performance as Erik, the disfigured “phantom” who lives in the catacombs and dungeons beneath the Paris Opera, has become an icon of modern culture. Twice remade and subsequently adapted into one of the most successful musicals in theatrical history, this 1925 super-production is a landmark of the silent era, often regarded as the first great horror film.

This Blu-Ray is newly-mastered from by far the best 35mm film material ever available for a video edition. It includes two complete high-definition transfers of the 1929 reissue, three specially-commissioned musical scores, a standard-definition presentation of the surprisingly different 1925 edit and many other extras. This is as stunning and faithful a rendering of the silent classic as has ever been seen. “

There’s just so much to say about the new Phantom of the Opera disc from Image. This is one of the Blu-ray discs I’ve been looking forward to most of all this year and on a lot of levels it doesn’t disappoint. It features three versions of the film – one in 1080p, running at 24fps, one in 1080i running at 20fps and a final version in standard def. Let me just start by saying that I’ve never seen the film looking sharper and more detailed than in the HD presentations on this disc. From that standpoint, these are outstanding transfers, the 1080p/24fps being slightly superior across the board. Honestly, I found the clarity to be stunning. But for all the wonder of these new presentations there are a host of issues to report.

Now, you have to understand here that the producer of the disc, David Shepard, has announced that there are problems with this initial pressing of the Blu-ray disc, so it’s tough to criticize the Blu-ray without taking that into account. The problem is that, aside from the announcement that a stereo score was mistakenly mastered in mono, we don’t know which issues will be addressed in Phantom’s second pressing. So, please take these criticisms lightly, as they might simply be errors on this pressing, which Shepard claims should be “rarer than an upside-down airmail stamp“, that the label intends to fix moving forward. With that in mind, here’s a quick rundown of my issues with what I’ve seen.

Yes, there’s a stereo score in mono. But it still sounds pretty solid, despite the lack of separation. It’s unfortunate but it’s not an issue that jumps out and grabs you. Problems with the image, on the other hand, are obvious, even to those with a less-than-discenring eye. The first thing I noticed is that the tinting of the image is a bit out of control. Not only does it often run too hot, contrast boosted to the point of eating into image detail, but it compromises the stability of the black bars that form the ‘pillar-boxes’ on the sides of the screen. That black should be pure. Black as pitch. But when the image is tinted – the deep red tinting being the most obvious – that black shifts in tone – in the case of the red tine, the black bars become black/red. It’s clear that the production facility applied the tint to the entire anamorphic image instead of just the 1.21 aspect ratio content. That’s just sloppy work. Other than that, the 24fps/1080p version looks like a million bucks. Great stuff.

The interlaced version, running at 1080i, doesn’t offer as much clarity though it’s apparently a transfer from the same 35 mm source. That’s all right. The real issue comes in the form of the strange way the film speed has been handled. According to Shepard, the production facility didn’t simply slow down the 24fps transfer but created it anew from the source at much greater cost. It’s curious then that frames often freeze on screen for a moment. It’s a jarring effect that happens too often to be a random glitch. If you ask me, this is a critical issue with this pressing that should be resolved. While we’re on the subject of timing, the Gaylord Carter score on the 24fps version of the film and the Gabriel Thibaudeau score on the 20fps seem to be out of synch. Maybe it’s just me but that also seems like something to be resolved. (UPDATE: Shepard reports that the timing of the scores are issues that are being resolved.)

My final gripe about this disc (sorry for the laundry list of issues – I just really want this one to be perfect and a lot of these problems just seem like issues of sloppiness that can be addressed) is the appalling menu. Navigating The Phantom of the Opera Blu-ray is like being transported back to the frustrating early days of DVD. The various versions of the film are presented on the menu screen, organized by score composer. That would be all right, I guess, if the initial selections didn’t omit the 1974 Gaylord Carter score and the commentary option. In order to reach those audio tracks one must click into the “parent” audio option – for instance to watch with the Carter score, you’ve got to click on the “Alloy Orchestra Score” option, which then opens a window offering to play the feature, a selection of bookmarked scenes and then finally, the option to turn the Carter score “On” or “Off”. And don’t get me started on the fact that there’s no mention of which score allows you to watch the HD version of the film, taken from the 1929 35 mm print and which is the very different 1925 version, presented here in standard definition from an old “Show at Home” 16 mm print. If you’re looking for that info, you better have the Blu-ray case handy. Aside from all that, it’s all just very clunky and difficult to move back and forth between items. Just terrible work.

With all of these issues plaguing this pressing of the disc, I’m sure you can’t help but wonder why it’s my Blu-ray Pick of the Week. Well, there’s a lot of reasons to pick The Phantom, really. First off, I just love this film. It’s one of the first Universal Monster films ever produced and The Phantom is now the very first one of those characters to debut on Blu. That’s reason enough for me. I guess my affection for it should be reason enough for you too? But there’s so much more to love here. Like I said, the 1080p/24fps transfer from 35 mm is a revelation in just about every way. It’s just incredible to see this classic looking so vivid in HD. The inclusion of so many wonderful scores is also a real treat (I have to admit being partial to Gabriel Thibaudeau’s work, after experiencing it live at the Fantasia Festival this past summer.) The special features on the disc put it over the top for me. Jon Mirsalis‘ commentary track is a definite highlight, packed with details about the production, various versions of the film and the state of the surviving print sources as well as an odd mention of a DVD version of Phantom from another publisher, which Mirsalis just happened to supply the score for. The Thibaudeau interview from 2004 is a brief but welcome addition to the disc, as is the gallery, program reproduction, script and trailer.

This is a must-buy for fans of the film and of the Universal Monsters. Whether you grab it up now (if you can find it) and keep an eye open for an exchange program or have patience and wait for the second pressing is the only issue at hand.

Special Features:

All-new HD restoration of the film, with the Bal Masque sequence in two-strip Technicolor and other scenes hand tinted
1925 and 1929 versions
New score by The Alloy Orchestra
Gaylord Carter’s famous 1974 score released for the very first time in stereo
Gabriel Thibaudeau’s 1990 score
New audio commentary by Dr. Jon Mirsalis
Gabriel Thibaudeau Interview
Photo Gallery
Phantom Script
Phantom Souvenir Program Reproduction
Trailer

AMAZON: $23.99

SCROOGED

High-spirited high jinks on Christmas Eve put Frank Cross (Bill Murray) in a ghostly time warp in this hilarious take-off of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Cross, who has made the meteoric rise from the depths of the mailroom to TV network president, is mean, nasty, uncaring, unforgiving and has a sadistic sense of humor – perfect qualities for a modern-day Scrooge. Before the night is over, he’ll be visited by a maniacal New York cab driver from the past, a present-day fairy who’s into pratfalls and, finally, a ghoulish seven-foot-headless messenger from the future.

If you don’t love Scrooged, we can’t be friends. Seriously, this is one of those Christmas movies that’s on my must-watch list every year. It might be a predictable take on Dickens‘ A Christmas Carol but the casting and the comedy spice things up enough to make it timeless. Bill Murray is brilliant in the lead role, in one of his finer comedic performances of the ’80s (and that’s saying something.) Carol Kane is every bit his equal, though her screen time as the looney, masochistic Ghost of Christmas Present is criminally limited. David Johansen‘s taxi-driving Ghost of Christmas Past is also a standout. And who can forget the decaying, walking ghost-corpse of John Forsythe – the Jacob Marley of the story – filled with holes and disgusting, dangling bits of flesh. Yeah, Scrooged is good, old-fashioned Holiday times!

I’m almost in disbelief at how solid Scrooged looks in its Blu-ray debut. This is probably the finest work I’ve seen on a catalogue transfer from Paramount to date. Can we expect this level of work on all forthcoming catalogue titles from the studio? One can only hope. There’s detail a plenty, colours are rock solid and the whole thing looks far more film-like than I was expecting. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is also a winner, sporting surprisingly active surrounds and thunderous bass, while maintaining clean, clear dialogue and a dynamic representation of this early, yet iconic Danny Elfman score.

The only crime of which to speak on this exceptional release is the lack of supplemental material. I mean, I’ll take a good transfer over a commentary track any day, but it stinks to not have director Richard Donner (Superman, Lethal Weapon) chime in on the film in any capacity here. It’s really a missed opportunity. The only extra to be found on the disc is the original theatrical trailer.

AMAZON: $16.99

CARS 2

From the creators of “Cars”, “Up” and “Toy Story 3″ comes a new Pixar classic for the entire family. Star racecar Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours, and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage! Experience all the fast-paced fun with an “all-car” cast – plus enjoy the hilarious, never-before-seen short film “Air Mater.” It’s pedal-to-the-metal excitement from start to finish.

I haven’t seen Cars 2 but honestly, how bad can it be? Really bad, if critical reviews and my friends are to be believed. But hey, kids seem to dig it, so what do we adults know? As this is another digital-to-digital transfer from Pixar and Disney, the Blu-ray disc should be demo quality. I have no reservations in recommending the disc, sight unseen, on the basis of its technical merits. But I’m not going to speak for the film itself, in this case.

AMAZON: $26.99

Also available: CARS DIRECTOR’S EDITION

AMAZON: $79.99

SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN

From the director of The Joy Luck Club, and based on the best-selling novel, comes a timeless portrait of female friendship. Centuries ago, two “sworn sisters” are isolated by their families, but stay connected through a secret language written in the folds of a white silk fan. Now in modern-day Shanghai, their descendents must draw inspiration from the past as they struggle to maintain their own eternal bond in the face of life’s complications.

I had the opportunity to watch a DVD screener of Wayne Wang‘s Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. It’s a film I can appreciate but didn’t necessarily enjoy. I’ve always felt Wang had a truly great film in him but I’ve yet to connect with any of his work. In particular, I had high hopes for his collaborations with writer Paul Auster back in the ’90s, but again, there’s just something in the way he puts a film together that keeps me at arms length. The same can be said for his latest, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.

It’s a gorgeous, often sumptuous film that ping-pongs between the early 19th century, the ’90s and the present day, telling parallel stories of a pair of women bound to each other through myriad hardships. I feel like the work leaves me cold as a result of Wang’s camera not lingering long enough in the right spaces and the performers moving between an uptight, classical style that limits them and a contemporary style where they could flourish, if they weren’t saddled with a language they’re not entirely comfortable with (the English dialogue between the two friends in modern day Shanghai is often too cardboard to elicit any pathos.) I was really pulling for this film, hoping it would deliver but it, sadly, falls short of the mark.

As I said above, I screened a DVD of the film, provided by Fox, so I’m not able to comment on the quality of the Blu-ray disc itself. I’ll update the post when I get a look at it.

AMAZON: $24.99

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: GIFT SET

George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all – and it’s Christmas! As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence. Clarence then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn’t been for all of his good deeds over the years. Will Clarence be able to convince George to return to his family and forget suicide.

DId you pick up Paramount‘s It’s a Wonderful Life 2-disc Blu-ray set a couple of years back? If so, you’ve already got the disc content of this gift pack. If not, this might just be the set for you if you can grab it up at a good price. This is, without question, the finest presentation this classic holiday film has ever seen. And now it’s available in a double-disc set in a bulkier package with a collectable ornament inside.

Disc one is the original black and white version of the film while disc two is the garish colorized abomination that I refuse to ever, ever watch. The transfer of the original version is more attractive and film-accurate than ever before on home video (well, if you don’t count the previous identical Blu-ray release) but is far from perfect. There’s been a fair amount of digital tampering here but not of the variety that most will notice or be bothered with. Those with a keen eye for film-like HD transfers will notice the telltale signs of DNR, with waxy complexions and shifty grain. But like I said, there isn’t a better looking version of the film on the market. The lossy Dolby Digital 1.0 soundtrack is fine but should be presented in a more robust lossless track at this point in the life of the format. Not swapping this compressed track out for a newer lossless one is a real missed opportunity on this re-release.

There aren’t a ton of bonus goodies here but “The Making of ‘It’s A Wonderful Life‘” 20-minute featurette, a made-for-tv tribute from 1990 hosted by Tom Bosley is better than nothing. You can also consider the colorized version an extra, if you like, as it’s not the ideal presentation of the feature. There’s also a trailer and an included 8-page commemorative booklet that doesn’t fit into the Blu-ray case.

AMAZON: $27.99

Only in Canada: BEGINNERS

Golden Globe® nominee* Ewan McGregor (Star Wars I, II, III ), Academy Award® nominee† Christopher Plummer (Inside Man), and Mélanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds) star in Beginners, an uplifting comedy about how funny and transformative life can be. When graphic designer Oliver (McGregor) meets free-spirited Anna (Laurent) shortly after his father (Plummer) has passed away, Oliver realizes just how much of a beginner he is when it comes to long-lasting romantic love. Memories of his father, who, following the death of his wife of 45 years, came out of the closet at age 75 to live a full, energized, and wonderfully tumultuous gay life, encourage Oliver to open himself up to the potential of a true relationship. Inspired by writer/director Mike Mills’ own father, it’s an original love story that critics cheer is “smart, poignant and often hilarious!” (Karen Durbin, Elle)

Mike Mills’ Beginners is a watch-twice film for me. It’s one of the special ones. It’s one of the movies that has a number of elements at play during its runtime, some of which rub me the wrong way until it wraps up and I get a better feeling for how the whole thing fits together. It’s at that point that my feeling about the whole endeavour shifts and I just want to watch the film over again, to fully appreciate it. Mills work is pitch perfect here, inspired by his own life filtered through the inspiration of the films of Jørgen Leth and Errol Morris, NPR’s This American Life and author Milan Kundera, among others. I initially found the collage sequences in the film to be pretentious and unnecessarily prosaic in nature but by the end of the film, I had warmed to them and the art of the overall work. Performances are out of this world, as is to be expected with thespians the likes of McGregor, Plummer and Laurent (though I might add that McGregor’s American accent is, at times, quite forced and somewhat distracting.) Kasper Tuxen‘s cinematography is beyond reproach, looking fantastic in every frame, shot on the RED camera.

Speaking of fantastic visuals, Beginners looks amazing on Blu-ray. I can honestly say, I was taken aback by the crystal clear digital transfer. Detail is out of this world, colour is rock solid and blacks are deep. Fantastic! The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is also just about pitch perfect, though there’s not a lot of need for the kind of dynamism you’ll find on the big Hollywood action films.

I reviewed the Canadian version of Beginners from Alliance which appears to mimic the US version from Unniversal in every way, right down the studio’s signature menu system and logos. The only difference is in the pre-menu branding and the Alliance logo on the package. Extras on both discs include a 15-minute making-of featurette, an illustrated/animated promo which runs around a minute in length and a brilliant, very informative director’s commentary track that’s definitely worth a listen.

The US edition of the Blu-ray disc will be released on November 15th.

AMAZON: CDN$ 31.99

ALSO AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK
Clicking an image will take you to Amazon.com where you can learn more about and purchase the Blu-ray disc:

1925 Phantom of the Opera Blu-ray package art and details

Brenden — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:03:11 +0000

When the news hit a couple of weeks ago that there was going to be a Blu-ray edition of Lon Chaney‘s classic 1925/1929 film Phantom of the Opera, I think I went a little nuts. I posted all the details I could scrounge from all the forums and websites that were discussing the release. I even went so far as to talk about the version of the film I had just screened at the Fantasia Festival here in Montreal – a pretty nice 35 mm print projected with a score performed by a 30-piece orchestra, conducted by its composer, Gabriel Thibaudeau. It was shortly after that post went live that I returned to my old Image DVD edition of the film and realized it was he who composed and conducted the score for that disc. So, that soundtrack, present on the new Blu-ray, is not new work then. However, with the reveal of all the proper details of the disc, we now have a better picture of what the release will be like. And that includes what it will look like, as the package art has now also been revealed. I honestly can’t wait to get my hands on this one. I fear that it might be the only Universal Monster film to ever exist on Blu-ray at this rate.

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925)
(November 1, 2011 – MSRP $39.98)
Video: 1.33:1 1080p
Audio: PCM Stereo

Special Features:

All-new HD restoration of the film, with the Bal Masque sequence in two-strip Technicolor and other scenes hand tinted
1925 and 1929 versions
New score by The Alloy Orchestra
Gaylord Carter’s famous 1974 score released for the very first time in stereo
Gabriel Thibaudeau’s 1990 score
New audio commentary by Dr. Jon Mirsalis
Gabriel Thibaudeau Interview
Photo Gallery
Phantom Script
Phantom Souvenir Program Reproduction
Trailer

1925 Phantom of the Opera coming to Blu-ray

Brenden — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 23:51:07 +0000

November 1 will be a landmark day for we fans of the Universal Monsters. It will mark the debut of the very first of the classic films to be released on Blu-ray. The Robert Julian (among uncredited others) directed Phantom of the Opera, starring the “Man of a Thousand Faces”, Lon Chaney, in the title role, will arrive on Blu sporting two brand new transfers of the film, distributed by Image Entertainment. Details have yet to be officially released but producer David Shepard has revealed some juicy tidbits on the nitrateville.com forums:

This will be Blu-Ray, mastered at Movietone aperture from much better 35mm material than we have ever used before. There will be two complete runs of the 1929 version: one at 24 fps with a new score by the Alloy Orchestra and an optional score on theatre pipe organ by Gaylord Carter, previously issued in monaural but now in stereo from the original master stereo recording; the second run at 20 fps with orchestra/soprano score by Gabriel Thibadeau and an optional new audio essay by Jon Mirsalis. Both runs will include the Technicolor sequence mastered from our 35mm YCM labs negative and hand colored scenes on the opera roof and in the scene of “intolerable heat.” The program will also include a standard definition transfer of the original 1925 edit from a tinted 16mm print in the usual deplorable quality but with a superb new score by Frederick Hodges. Extras will include (as still images) set construction and production stills, publicity stills, original advertising art, frames from a stencil-colored French release, and the complete script.

The new edition does contain some of the same stuff (as the Image Laserdisc): the script (now reset), stills (there are more), the Gaylord Carter score (now in stereo) all improved; then, of course, there is the movie: new HD transfers at two speeds from far superior material to our previous source with sharpness and subtlety of middle tones which left me amazed, two brand new scores, an audio essay, an interview with the composer, and more.

No, the Blackhawk intro titles (from the Image Laserdisc) will not be included.

I wouldn’t want to write my own review but I suspect that everyone…will be very impressed.“

David mentions that the Image disc will be Region A locked. The same material will be published in the UK by Park Circus and be locked to Region B. He adds that the Image package art is “wonderful”, though they’ve yet to release it to the public.

It should be noted that this won’t be the one and only version of the film to hit Blu in North America. Dennis Doros of Milestone Films announced in the same forum that his company, responsible for one of the most complete and feature-rich DVD editions of the film (now, sadly, out-of-print) will be releasing their own Blu-ray disc sometime next year. He notes, “There’s a few more surprises, hopefully, and reason to have several copies.” I’m interested to see how this all pans out, as Shepard’s discs don’t cover all potential ground with the various versions of the film and available extras. Notably, the Milestone BD should include the Scott McQueen commentary track from their OOP DVD – enough reason for me to own a second copy on Blu.

Phantom of the Opera (Fantasia Festival 2011 Poster Art) by Donald Caron

But back to the Image disc, available November 1st. I had the pleasure of catching one of the Gala performances of The Phantom of the Opera Blu-ray that closed out the Fantasia Festival in Montreal this year. A beautiful 35mm print courtesy of Cinémathèque Québécoise was screened with live accompaniment from a 30-piece orchestra. The music was composed and conducted by Gabriel Thibaudeau – the very score that will be featured on the new Blu-ray disc from Image! I have to say, I thought it was right on the money. It was almost perfect. Only a couple of small missteps (one vocal cue that dragged beyond the picture and synthetic sounds that could’ve used some additional tweaking.) For a preview of what you’ll hear on the Blu, watch the video interview with Thibaudeau (sadly, all in French without subs) embedded below. Here’s hoping Image has licensed the Donald Caron poster painting from the fest (above) for their package art. It’s pretty stunning, don’t you think?

The Phantom of the Opera Blu-ray is available for pre-order on Amazon.com right now for only $27.99.

Top 5 New Blu-ray releases for the Week of June 1

Brenden — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:14:12 +0000

Oh geez. I’m all confused here. There are just too many titles hitting shelves again this week but no obvious “must-buy” disc, as far as I’m concerned. The new Hollywood blockbuster remakes all stumble in the storytelling department, the catalogue titles feature far-from-perfect presentations and there are just no damn Criterion titles as far as the eye can see! But don’t fear, if none of the brand spanking new titles do it for you this week, I’m sure you can find something in the massive batch of Eastwood newly released or re-released, as the case may be, on Blu-ray! Seriously, how many movies did has that guy made?!

1. THE WOLFMAN

Yeah. Crucify me. Shoot me with a silver bullet. This movie doesn’t work where it should – some would even go so far as to say it sucks – but I’m a die-hard Universal Monsters fan and, like it or not, this is the title that I’m most excited about this week. I wasn’t sent a review copy of this Blu-ray (c’mon Universal, what have I ever done to you!) so I can’t tell you for certain whether it’s worth your dime or not, but I’ll be the first in line to pick up The Wolfman today. I’m really hoping that the extended “Director’s Cut” will help the film out but I fear the worst.

The biggest disappointment with this Blu-ray, however, has nothing to do with the new 2010 remake but the 1941 original Lon Chaney Jr. film – while the original film is included in the package, it’s only available as a stream and not on the disc. I’d gladly be bitten by a whole pack of werewolves if Universal would put the original black-and-white films on Blu!

Amazon: $26.99

2. ALICE IN WONDERLAND

So, here’s the second of two big-budget Hollywood remakes new on Blu-ray this week, both with big problems in the story department. But you already knew that, didn’t you? You’ve either already seen Tim Burton‘s Alice in Wonderland and were dissapointed by its outcome or you found the overuse of CGI too offensive to even get you as far as buying a ticket to see the film. Look, here’s the thing. It’s Tim Burton. The CGI is just another tool in his garish visual arsenal. Story will always take a back seat in a Burton film (unless you’re talking the brilliant, nearly-perfect Ed Wood or strikingly original Pee Wee’s Big Adventure) as design takes control of the ride. Luckily, that makes this Blu-ray as sweet as candy for the eyeballs! It looks and sounds great. Too bad about that script…

Full review coming this week!

Amazon: $19.99

3. LIFE

Did you love the BBC series Planet Earth? Do you use the Blu-ray discs on a regular basis to show off your HD system? Well, you’re in luck! The BBC and noted naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough are bringing us a brand new look at life on our planet, aptly titled Life! Sadly, Warner is making you choose between a couple of slightly different versions of this new Blu-ray set – one narrated by the man himself, Sir David, or the other, the version that aired on the Discovery network in the US narrated by Oprah Winfrey. Both feature the exact same footage in the exact same show. Only difference here is the voice that tells you whats what. Me? I’ll stick with the original, Sir David track. But seriously, you’re not going to pick this up for the audio. Life is another visual treat that you’ll be happy to enjoy in any language, or with the sound turned right down.

Amazon: $48.99

4. WAR OF THE WORLDS

Here’s big-budget remake number three this week. And man, is War of the Worlds a disappointment. Perhaps even more so than Wolfman or Alice, simply because it just starts out so damn strong! This film tricked me into believing it would deliver the goods Close Encounters-style until around the halfway mark when it just completely goes off the rails with ridiculous character choices and over-the-top silly CGI nonsense. I realize that Spielberg is trying to offer a sort of homage to the old b-movies during the second and third acts but it just misses the mark. And it’s really a shame because the Blu-ray edition of the film completely shines in every other department! It looks amazing, damn-near perfect I’d say, sounds incredible and is packed with enough special features to keep this reviewer happy. I just wish the last half of the film was as well put together and thought out as the Blu-ray itself.

Amazon: $19.99

5. THE MAN WITH NO NAME TRILOGY

I haven’t had a chance to get a look at this set of films on Blu-ray yet but I doubt that I’ll be terribly dissapointed in any new editions of these three brilliant Sergio Leone films. Of the three “spaghetti western” films in the box, all starring Clint Eastwood at his most brilliant, only The Good, The Bad and The Ugly has been previously available on Blu in a much maligned edition with an uneven, sometimes DNR scrubbed image. But you know what, it’s still the best the film has ever looked. And if A Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More look anywhere near as decent as the third part of the trilogy of films, I’ll be more than happy with this new Blu-ray set.

Amazon: $54.99

MORE CLINT ON BLU THIS WEEK:

Just in case the Man With No Name Trilogy Blu-ray set doesn’t offer you enough high-def Eastwood this week, Warner has got your back with a couple of new boxed sets, single and double-feature releases and re-releases on Blu. Check it out:

ALSO AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK
Clicking an image will take you to Amazon.com where you can learn more about and purchase the Blu-ray disc:

The Wolfman (2010) coming to Blu-ray in June (UPDATED!)

Brenden — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:55:36 +0000

Has this film really been in theatres so long now that it’s already on the verge of being released on Blu-ray? This is almost depressing! I still haven’t found the free time to get out and see The Wolfman in the cinema and I’ve been pretty bummed about that. But now, seeing that the Blu-ray edition of the film is being listed for sale in the UK this coming June 14th, I feel it’s a pretty safe bet that it’ll turn up on this side of the Atlantic around the same date, guaranteeing that I’ll have a chance to check it out before Halloween 2010 rolls around.

Without an official release announcement of The Wolfman on Blu we can’t be certain about any details. But the Amazon.co.uk listing seems to suggest that the disc will contain two cuts of the film – the theatrical version and director Joe Johnston‘s preferred cut, which will run 16 minutes longer! I don’t know about you, but this is totally exciting for me. You see, I followed production reports on this film since before it went before the cameras. So, I’ve been well aware of the published details and rumours of the troubled production and the various personnel shifts which have resulted in alternate musical scores and edits of the film. I’m glad we’ll get to see at least one alternate version of the film. Let’s hope that the special features shed some light on the choices both Johnston and the studio made in seeing this film to fruition.

UPDATE: The HD Room has the US/Canada specs for The Wolfman disc and I’ve got to say, I’m pretty dissapointed. There doesn’t appear to be an alternate cut available here! That really sucks. That means I’m going to have to own two copies of this film on Blu, just to have all the bonus features. Or wait until Universal decides to issue a second edition of the film, with the additional 16 minutes of footage cut into it. The Wolfman will be released on Blu-ray in North America on June 1.

UPDATE 2: Blu-ray.com is now reporting that we WILL in fact get both cuts on the North American Blu-ray disc and that the “Unrated” Director’s Cut will run 119-minutes.

THE WOLFMAN (UK Edition)
(June 14, 2010 – MSRP £24.99, Steelbook £27.99)
Video: 1.85:1 MPEG-4 AVC 1080p
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Special Features:

Theatrical Feature – 102 min
Extended Feature – 118 min
Werewolf Legacy, Lore & Legend
Alternate Endings
Deleted and Extended Scenes
Return Of The Wolfman
The Beast Maker
Transformation Secrets
The Wolfman Unleashed
Pocket Blu

THE WOLFMAN (US/Canada Edition)
(June 1, 2010 – MSRP $39.98)
Video: 1.85:1 MPEG-4 AVC 1080p
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Special Features:

Deleted and Extended scenes
2 Exclusive Alternate Endings
Return of the Wolfman: See how Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and director Joe Johnston tapped into the tragic roots of the legend and cinematic lore to unleash a new terror
The Beast Maker: A detailed look at how legendary make-up wizard Rick Baker transformed a classic monster into a modern nightmare.
Transformation Secrets: Whether transforming werewolves, producing hallucinogenic nightmares or recreating the fog-covered streets of Victorian London, we’ll see how the visual effects team created a haunting world of moonlit monsters and unsettling thrills.
The Wolfman Unleashed: The team behind the stunt and action units shares with us the physical challenges of bringing The Wolfman to life, including the climatic werewolf battle at Talbot Hall.
Digital Copy (on a second disc)
U-Control
- Werewolf Legacy, Legend and Lore: Take a virtual tour through over seventy years of Universal’s Wolf Man films and a thousand years of Werewolf mythology.
BD Live
- Exclusive Content: Watch the first ever ONLINE STREAMING OF THE ORIGINAL 1941 WOLF MAN for a limited time only
- My Scenes, My Chat, My Movie Commentary
pocket BLU and social BLU

Via: www.blurayfreak.com

Universal Monster Legacy: clips, large crisp images, texts, factoids

Brenden — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:21:48 +0000

Universal Monster Legacy: clips, large crisp images, texts, factoids: http://bit.ly/8QjcHz (via @theauteursdaily)

[VIDEO] Halloween Wish List – Karloff & Lugosi: Horror Classics on Blu-ray

Brenden — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:22:51 +0000

As I just mentioned in my review of the Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Blu-ray disc, I’m a passionate fan of the Universal Monster films of the 30s and 40s. And through them, I’ve become fascinated with the actors who played many of the starring roles. In particular, Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff, most famous for their iconic portrayals of Dracula and the Frankenstein monster. Watching the newly released Karloff & Lugosi: Horror Classics on DVD over the last few evenings has just led me to feel overjoyed that we’ve finally got access to these fantastic films on home video while at the same time, frustrated that we haven’t seen a single horror classic from their era in high-def yet!

It’s been proven time and again that Black and White films can look spectactular on Blu-ray. And while the B&W movies presented in this newest collection may not be the “classics” that Lugosi and Karloff are most well known for, it would certainly be wonderful to see them make their way to Blu-ray. In particular, Michael Curtiz‘ (Casablanca, White Christmas) very stylish The Walking Dead, starring Karloff at his most pitiable. Fantastic and worth the price of the set alone!

WHV Press Release:

KARLOFF & LUGOSI HORROR CLASSICS

OCTOBER 6 FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO

Burbank, Calif., June 15, 2009 – Horror fans will again be screaming this Halloween when Warner Home Video debuts the Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics October 6 — four frightfully fun horror classics all in one collection and on DVD for the first time. Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, iconic horror actors best known for creating the screen’s original Frankenstein and Dracula characters, star here in other roles in The Walking Dead, Frankenstein-1970, You’ll Find Out and Zombies on Broadway. The 2-disc set will be available for $26.98 SRP.

The Walking Dead (1936)
The Walking Dead is a unique blend of cinematic horror and the classic Warner Bros. gangster stylings. This long-admired cult favorite stars Boris Karloff, who gives an outstanding performance as John Ellman, an ex-con framed for murder who’s sentenced to the electric chair. When Ellman is brought back to life through the miracles of science, his only task is to seek revenge against those responsible for his death. Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) directs this eerie tale.

Special Feature:
–Commentary by historian Greg Mank

Frankenstein-1970 (1958)
Nearly twenty years after his final appearance as the Frankenstein monster in Son of Frankenstein, Boris Karloff returned to the screen in a new film derived from the Mary Shelley story that first catapulted him to stardom. In this 1958 horror classic, Karloff appears in the role of Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a descendent of the original doctor, whose depleted fortune forces him to grant a film crew access to the family castle to shoot a horror flick. It’s not all bad, though, since he now has a supply of fresh body parts ready for harvesting.

Special Feature:
–Commentary by historians Charlotte Austin and Tom Weaver

You’ll Find Out (1940)
Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi and Peter Lorre poke fun at their horror-genre personas in this wacky 1940 RKO mix of music, murder and mirth. The plot finds the trio of horror legends leaving a trail of terror and laughs along the way, as they plan a murder in order to nab a young heiress’ inheritance in a spooky, spoofy haunted house tale. The film was one of several hits of the era featuring the music and merriment of the then popular Kay Kyser and his band. The film’s original song, “I’d Know You Anywhere” was Oscar® nominated.

Zombies on Broadway (1945)
The emphasis is equally spread between horror and hi-jinx in this wacky RKO production that has endeared itself to generations of die-hard Lugosi fans. Here, Bela Lugosi stars as mad scientist Dr. Paul Renault who ends up with more than he bargained for when he encounters
two inept Broadway press agents (Alan Carney and Wally Brown) looking for a real-life zombie to use for a publicity stunt in promoting a new nightclub.

KARLOFF & LUGOSI HORROR CLASSICS
Street Date: October 6, 2009
Collection Pricing: $26.98 SRP

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