The Elephant Man

Dubliner1 · 24-09-2009, 5:12 PM

Anyone got this yet? My local HMV is getting 1 copy in the morning at 9am and really hoping the picture quality is good....anyone????
No way am I doing any more 'blind buys' with Craptimum, er, I mean Optimum.

CJPowers81 · 24-09-2009, 5:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubliner1

Anyone got this yet? My local HMV is getting 1 copy in the morning at 9am and really hoping the picture quality is good....anyone????
No way am I doing any more 'blind buys' with Craptimum, er, I mean Optimum.

Nah, you were right first time

Dead Man's Shoes confirmed this, along with all the other crappy bare bones discs they've put out

Dubliner1 · 24-09-2009, 5:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJPowers81

Nah, you were right first time

Dead Man's Shoes confirmed this, along with all the other crappy bare bones discs they've put out

I think 'The Elephant Man' is part of the Studio Canal collection released by Optimum? I think I read in another post that 'The Deer Hunter' (part of the Studio Canal Collection) looks very good so I was hoping 'The Elephant Man' may be too....or maybe 'The Deer Hunter' is the exception?

CJPowers81 · 24-09-2009, 6:00 PM

Both are from the Studio Canal Collection, along with a few others all being released this Monday. I can't comment on The Elephant Man as I don't own it, but The Deer Hunter is a very good disc all round. Judging by the reviews of the HD DVD version, I think it's safe to say it's the same transfer, plus the BD version boasts more in the way of extras.

Dubliner1 · 24-09-2009, 6:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJPowers81

Both are from the Studio Canal Collection, along with a few others all being released this Monday. I can't comment on The Elephant Man as I don't own it, but The Deer Hunter is a very good disc all round. Judging by the reviews of the HD DVD version, I think it's safe to say it's the same transfer, plus the BD version boasts more in the way of extras.

Thanks, I'll definetely pick up 'The Deer Hunter' then...and wait for reviews/tech specs of 'Elephant Man'...

KRW · 24-09-2009, 6:09 PM

I've got the aussie version of Deer Hunter and the picture quality is absolutely astonishing. The scenes in the mountains are breathtakingly beautiful. Its also the studio canal version and if The Elephant Man is of similar quality, it'll be an absolute treat. I had no idea this was coming out, a definite purchase from me.

Dubliner1 · 24-09-2009, 6:15 PM

HMV here in Ireland charging 24.50 UK pounds for Elephant Man and (strangely, but it still a bloody rip-off) 20.99 UK pounds for Deer Hunter

CJPowers81 · 24-09-2009, 6:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRW

I've got the aussie version of Deer Hunter and the picture quality is absolutely astonishing. The scenes in the mountains are breathtakingly beautiful. Its also the studio canal version and if The Elephant Man is of similar quality, it'll be an absolute treat. I had no idea this was coming out, a definite purchase from me.

That's what I thought when I popped the disc in this afternoon

Would you say it's a direct port of the Aussie version? If so it should please everyone. DVDtherapy gave it 9/10 for Optics. PQ if you're from planet Earth

DVD Therapy : Blu-ray Review

richard_t · 24-09-2009, 8:28 PM

Just out of interest which are these awful Optimum released disks? From the top of my head every film I own that I can remember having been released by them has been fine...

The Wrestler
The Orphanage
Vicky Christina Barcelona
Martyrs
Che Part 1 & 2
Night Of The Living Dead
Diary Of The Dead
Persepolis

That's a fairly good track record as far as I'm concerned.

KRW · 24-09-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJPowers81

That's what I thought when I popped the disc in this afternoon

Would you say it's a direct port of the Aussie version? If so it should please everyone. DVDtherapy gave it 9/10 for Optics. PQ if you're from planet Earth

DVD Therapy : Blu-ray Review

Picture quality wise, it sounds like the aussie version - but no extras on that one, though, apart from one 'special feature' which turns out to be a rather bizarre colour bar and tone test to 'calibrate' your system.

My Optimum discs are absolutely fine, but I think when they do cock up, they cock up badly. Wasn't Cliffhanger (with the left and right channels mixed up) their version?

Jim Di Griz · 25-09-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard_t

Just out of interest which are these awful Optimum released disks? From the top of my head every film I own that I can remember having been released by them has been fine...

The Wrestler
The Orphanage
Vicky Christina Barcelona
Martyrs
Che Part 1 & 2
Night Of The Living Dead
Diary Of The Dead
Persepolis

That's a fairly good track record as far as I'm concerned.

I can only speak for one of these (but its a goodie)

The Orphanage is amongst the very best for PQ on blu-ray. Stunning definition etc (AQ is superb too). I think the PQ thread on the AVS forums places The Orphanage in the Gold Tier - id say it could be placed in the Blu Tier (best) its that good.

. I know that their placements are up for speculation (and I certainly dont agree with all of them) but The Orphanage is amongst the best PQ on blu-ray no question.

Off topic a bit but the sound on The Orphanage is truly unsettling. I havent come across a film that does that in a very long time.

I hope the Elephant Man has a good transfer - it deserves it, should look superb in black&white. Its not exactly one you will watch very often but its a great film.

Now wheres the rest of Lynch's back catalogue??!!

CJPowers81 · 25-09-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard_t

Just out of interest which are these awful Optimum released disks? From the top of my head every film I own that I can remember having been released by them has been fine...

The Wrestler
The Orphanage
Vicky Christina Barcelona
Martyrs
Che Part 1 & 2
Night Of The Living Dead
Diary Of The Dead
Persepolis

That's a fairly good track record as far as I'm concerned.

You can add Pan's Labyrinth to that list

Pecker · 25-09-2009, 11:00 AM

And Eden Lake. How about In the Loop? Or Gomorrah (grainy, but that's the film)? This is England?

Leon's faults are evident on all the BD releases from various companies in other countries, so can't be blamed on Optimum.

Steve W

richard_t · 25-09-2009, 11:07 AM

Going by the complete lack of examples apart from one it seems these 'Craptimum' releases are not quite as numerous as you'd be lead to believe.

Yet more over reaction and hysteria then I guess?

Dubliner1 · 25-09-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard_t

Going by the complete lack of examples apart from one it seems these 'Craptimum' releases are not quite as numerous as you'd be lead to believe.

Yet more over reaction and hysteria then I guess?

The topic has been discussed previously so that perhaps explains lack of examples/interest ...but if you want some...just off the top of my head
This Is England
Cass
Donkey Punch
Several other recent releases on BD25 discs in glorious 1080i transfers...
The Pianist- another BD25 disc missing the forced English subtitles...Grifters look bloody horrendous too.
How many more examples would you like?
To be fair, Optimum and Studio Canal have just released The StudioCanal Collection and both The Deer Hunter and Elephant Man look great and are BD50 discs with lots of extras.
Also, Optimum are offering a free replacement for The Pianist so perhaps they are finally getting their act together.
I'm surprised with all the nice gear you have that you are not more discerning...or maybe I'm just too critical or picky? :-(

richard_t · 25-09-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubliner1

The topic has been discussed previously so that perhaps explains lack of examples/interest ...but if you want some...just off the top of my head
This Is England
Cass
Donkey Punch
Several other recent releases on BD25 discs in glorious 1080i transfers...
The Pianist- another BD25 disc missing the forced English subtitles...Grifters look bloody horrendous too.
How many more examples would you like?

Fair enough then. I guess I've just been lucky that the Optimum titles i've been interested in have been good ones. Infact I was always quite pleased when a film I was looking forward to was listed as coming from them.

Dubliner1 · 25-09-2009, 1:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard_t

Fair enough then. I guess I've just been lucky that the Optimum titles i've been interested in have been good ones. Infact I was always quite pleased when a film I was looking forward to was listed as coming from them.

I have a few decent looking ones by Optimum too (at least on my 40" display)- The Wrestler, Gomorrah, Elite Squad, Angel Heart, The Score...they have a varied and interesting catalog so hopefully they will be more reliable from now on.

Pecker · 25-09-2009, 1:45 PM

I suspect that Optimum often source in high def masters from elsewhere. They've clearly done this with Leon, as the problems with it are there in the French & German releases.

Where they distributed the film theatrically in the UK, as with Eden Lake, I'd imagine they have a larger, possibly a sole input into creating the HD master, and these films all appear to look great.

Steve W

BAKA · 25-09-2009, 10:35 PM

It got a good review in Total Film, but it was really so small it's hard to assertain the technical aspects. It sounds like the visuals are great from this line:

Quote:

Meanwhile, the stunning b/w cinematography gets a crisp new kick from the HD transfer. Maybe it's not one that'll have your friends rushing out to buy 50" plasmas, but there's something special about the fact you can now see tears glistening in John Hurt's eyes behind the prosthetic.

It certainly sounds like a good transfer at the very least. I'm literally seconds away from ordering! Has anyone seen a solid review, with a list of technical specs?

Dubliner1 · 26-09-2009, 8:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAKA

It got a good review in Total Film, but it was really so small it's hard to assertain the technical aspects. It sounds like the visuals are great from this line:

It certainly sounds like a good transfer at the very least. I'm literally seconds away from ordering! Has anyone seen a solid review, with a list of technical specs?

I have the disc and its a BD50 disc -always a good thing! Audio dts MA 5.1. Some interesting extras and nice packaging with a booklet. I have not seen any reviews yet. I have just looked at the disc briefly and it looks good on my 40" LCD. Will give it another spin later.

Dubliner1 · 27-09-2009, 9:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard_t

Fair enough then. I guess I've just been lucky that the Optimum titles i've been interested in have been good ones. Infact I was always quite pleased when a film I was looking forward to was listed as coming from them.

The new release of 'The Deer Hunter' is also screwed up- the 47 documentary 'Vietnam War:Unknown Images' is in French with no English subtitles and news is now emerging that the soundtrack is incorrectly pitched.

richard_t · 27-09-2009, 9:29 AM

Yeah have seen that thread. There's some consolation that it's possibly just the 5.1 remix that's been messed up and not the original stereo soundtrack but no confirmation of that yet. Not great though.

I presume with regard to the subtitles, you've tried toggling them on with the button on the remote and not just through the menu? Probably won't make any difference but worth a go if you haven't already tried.

Dubliner1 · 27-09-2009, 8:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard_t

Yeah have seen that thread. There's some consolation that it's possibly just the 5.1 remix that's been messed up and not the original stereo soundtrack but no confirmation of that yet. Not great though.

I presume with regard to the subtitles, you've tried toggling them on with the button on the remote and not just through the menu? Probably won't make any difference but worth a go if you haven't already tried.

To be honest the audio on this film has never been stellar in my opinion. I think the original Universal DVD was only 2.0 stereo. Anyway, if 2.0 is the original soundtrack thats all good.
Another member figured out how to activate the subs for the documentary- you need to first choose either 2.0 or 5.1 English, then choose English subtitles, then play the documentary..and the English subs will be there.

Basil Plumley · 28-09-2009, 5:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubliner1

The topic has been discussed previously so that perhaps explains lack of examples/interest ...but if you want some...just off the top of my head
This Is England
Cass
Donkey Punch
Several other recent releases on BD25 discs in glorious 1080i transfers...
The Pianist- another BD25 disc missing the forced English subtitles...Grifters look bloody horrendous too.
How many more examples would you like?
To be fair, Optimum and Studio Canal have just released The StudioCanal Collection and both The Deer Hunter and Elephant Man look great and are BD50 discs with lots of extras.
Also, Optimum are offering a free replacement for The Pianist so perhaps they are finally getting their act together.
I'm surprised with all the nice gear you have that you are not more discerning...or maybe I'm just too critical or picky? :-(

Any info where I can get this done please? Also, might wanna see my thread on the spine writing for The Elephant Man...

KRW · 28-09-2009, 5:49 PM

For the spine writing, just put it on the shelf upside down. Problem solved.

Whats the PQ like? Have they done a good job or half a job?

Also, off topic, anyone know how much this is 'off the shelf' at HMV? I'd go mail order but live in London so have little to no postal service!

Rob O Blivion · 28-09-2009, 7:54 PM

Is the audio the correct pitch on The Elephant Man?

Dubliner1 · 28-09-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basil Plumley

Any info where I can get this done please? Also, might wanna see my thread on the spine writing for The Elephant Man...

For 'The Pianist' blu-ray replacement I first emailed bluray@optimumreleasing.com and then got a reply from Emilie@optimumreleasing.com so I would shoot off an email to both of those addresses and they should reply to you promptly telling you where to send your faulty disc for free replacement.

Dubliner1 · 28-09-2009, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRW

For the spine writing, just put it on the shelf upside down. Problem solved.

Whats the PQ like? Have they done a good job or half a job?

Also, off topic, anyone know how much this is 'off the shelf' at HMV? I'd go mail order but live in London so have little to no postal service!

Artificial Eye also puts the spine writing upside down. I thought the pq was good but when Anthony Hopkins first meets the Elephant Man in the cellar, I noticed some weird kind of white strobing or flickering in the backround- don't know if its just my tv or the disc....haven't seen any reliable reviews online yet tho.
Paid 28.99 euros for this at HMV in Dublin, Ireland

Basil Plumley · 29-09-2009, 5:47 AM

What exactly is wrong with The Pianist? I've had mine since release date and am ashamed to say that I've yet to watch it - I still use the HD DVD version.

Jim Di Griz · 29-09-2009, 8:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubliner1

Artificial Eye also puts the spine writing upside down. I thought the pq was good but when Anthony Hopkins first meets the Elephant Man in the cellar, I noticed some weird kind of white strobing or flickering in the backround- don't know if its just my tv or the disc....haven't seen any reliable reviews online yet tho.
Paid 28.99 euros for this at HMV in Dublin, Ireland

That is ridiculous and I would never pay anywhere near that for a single blu-ray! I think I paid £18 for my import Fear & Loathing - thats as far as I will go.