Gangs Of New York comparison with REMASTERED version update*PIX* - Page 13

You said I-V had never looked better. While technically true, you might have sounded more credible had you said "they have never looked better, but they still don't look good". Saying one without the other gives the wrong impression. First rule of writing: if you don't want to be misinterpreted, then be clear. I point you to my review of this title if you think I don't practice what I preach. I mentioned many times throughout the course of the review that the discs looked better than these titles ever have, but also with major caveats each time I said it. Not including such things leads people to believe that you think the transfers look good. Sorry for the confusion in any case.


Not in so many words, no, but you did imply that the waxy, oil-painted look of VI was due in large part to someone judging the transfer on a single screen cap. Having seen the disc in motion, it clearly is not.


Ah, but we apparently agree that they do not, in fact, look good...just better than previously released. As someone with undoubtedly as many "industry connections" as yourself, I can tell you from the standpoint of someone with a critical eye for such things that the problem with these transfers has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the condition of the film negatives! It has to do with digital manipulation after the fact. If something would look better with less DNR (which you admit is there yourself), then WHY add it? I don't find the statements about these transfers hyperbolic at all. You're not the only long-time fan on these forums. I've bought these six films on every format, from VHS to Laserdisc to DVD to Blu-ray, and to release them in such a fashion is an insult to those who have ponied up good money for them time and time again.

But if you're happy with them, then I digress. But wait, you never said you were happy with them, I don't want to put words in your mouth...to rephrase... If you're unhappy with them but still feel the inexplicable need to defend them here anyway, then I digress. Fair enough?

hiya oink! not my screenshots, they are xylon's.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1045420

he added the remaster to all the comp shots. night and day difference. I saw GONY opening weekend in the theater and the DVD (and first BD) were completely off with the crazy boosted color and contrast (not even mentioning the EE and dvr) it looked like a cartoon.

Thanks for all the new comparisons Xylon. Really is incredible how different the same film can look.

Where is the info on Scorsese's participation? Google didn't help me...

This line from his review is great:

"There are scenes exquisitely and naturally rendered."

Maybe...

Xylon's shots you posted above are like "night and day."

Although it's unfair I can't help picking out this one as well from that earlier review:

"...the Blu-Ray image is perhaps too much of a good thing".

What an absolute idiot. So much for his credibility.

It's fun to pick apart that awful review but I'll give him this much credit: That comment is in reference to the lighting, which he thought was flawed. What he was actually noticing without realizing it was the boosted contrast that flat-out ruined some shots.

I got my copy of the new release in the mail today and watched it tonight. I was thoroughly satisfied by the video presentation and it was good to see the movie again. I couldn't be happier with this release.

I already have 2 copies of GoNY on BR, the UK version and the French release.

I might aswell dip again.

Is the remastered version Region Free?

I don't expect it to be with all the distribution split across different territories, but you never know.

I sent disney an email about a possible exchange just for the hell of it. Here was their reply.

Dear Scott,

Thank you for the e-mail regarding your Gangs of New York. We are concerned about your inquiry and would like an opportunity to address this issue with greater detail. We are currently researching the issues that you are describing. We ask that you please send us your full mailing address and phone number so that we may contact you as soon as we have a resolution.

If you have any other questions you may also contact us at 1-800-723-4763, Mondays 9:30-7:30 and Tuesday through Friday 9:30-6:30 CST.

Thank you for your patience,

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Technical Support

Hey, if he can get an exchange out of it...good for him. I'd like to thank AVS, and especially Xylon, for helping me avoid the original GoNY release. Saved me $15-30 depending on when I would have bought it...now I've got the remastered edition and I'm very pleased.


While I'm at it, thumbs up for POTC framing and Fifth Element remastering as well

Xylon (and other eagle-eye forum members) have saved a lot of people a lot of $$$.

are we really debating whose bitching is the most responsible for this remaster?

bottom line is, these things do seem to get back to the studios in one way or another and raising awareness of sub-par discs is certainly not going to hurt matters. the mentality in the other forum is disturbing sometimes, almost feels like they don't want these films to be re-done just to spite the AVS crowd

Gorgeous remaster. 5 out of 5.

Just got my copy today and have watched about the first 30 minutes or so and all I can saw is wow! What a difference from the other release. I rented the other version about 6 months ago which was the first time I'd seen the movie and the issues with it were so bad it was downright distracting. This looks pretty damn goof to me and I'm glad I never grabbed a copy of the other version!

Maybe you could try being less of a jerk? I think that many of us would appreciate it.

Link, please.

If Robert Harris was even partially responsible for getting Gangs remastered then he should be applauded. More industry people like him should voice their concerns over ugly transfers and not sit on their hands and wait for the studios to eventually figure it out. Job well done.

Now how about revisiting Dark City and Bram Stoker's Dracula and getting those fixed too.

To be quite clear about this topic, and with acknowledgment to Mr. Pereira for his kind comments, I believe that Xylon's posts served a great purpose in lending support in terms of highly understandable, hugely visceral images.

In the end, did any of this have an impact on the new release?

Possibly not, if the latest response from the studio (see post 371) regarding a trade-in program holds any weight. Someone is "researching the issue."

"And so it goes."

I hope Xylon keeps up the great work.

RAH

Thank you for that, Robert. I'm just glad someone, somewhere, decided or was forced into deciding that the original release was inadequate--and I'm more than willing to throw thanks equally at you, Xylon, the other folks here, and the Old God Cthulhu for it. (I will now spare you all a CSI: "evidence" joke.)

It surely can't be a coincidence that Scorsese himself was speaking at length at that Blu-Con conference last year about how great Blu-Ray was for replicating grain and getting closer than ever to the original theatrical experience and then suddenly this re-master comes along?

That's a very classy post Kram.


It should go without saying but you're a class act Mr. Harris. Thanks for stopping by and posting your thoughts.


I'm not sure why it seems to be fashionable on other websites to bash Xylon. For someone who is not an insider, and doesn't have anything financially at stake in the success of the Blu-ray format; he sure has spent a lot of his own $$$ trying to promote it. Should that not be respected?

Xylon has shown repeatedly why people should be spending their money to upgrade from DVD to Blu-ray. He has also helped "educate" many here that mistakenly believed that bitrates "were just numbers that could not have a qualitative effect on PQ" with some of his HD DVD/BD threads.

Perhaps it's not Xylon per se that has turned off some of the insiders on other forums, but some of the zealots he attracts. I don't think there's anything wrong with pointing out substandard releases. If a studio doesn't give a title a proper Blu-ray release then they should expect to take some flak for it.

That's not to say that they don't give us quality releases because the good FAR outweigh the bad (although you wouldn't know it with a few members around here ) It's only when Xylon points out the occasional anomaly that he's ridiculed by some.

I think he would be the first to say that he has no problems with anyone disagreeing with his own personal take on a releases PQ. I think he might also agree that people should be using screen grabs as 'companion pieces' and actually view the title in question before making any definitive statements/decisions (e.g. "Those pics look like garbage so I'm not going to rent it!") It's the ludicrous and hyperbolic posts that denigrate his threads IMHO.

Keep up the good work Xylon and remember this: even if they are saying bad things about you - at least they're still talking about you.

I also always enjoy reading Mr. Pereira's comments as well and I hope people understand that he is entitled to his opinion(s).

EDIT: Forgot to give thanks to Xylon for his contributions here.

Great post Kroenen.

Will pick up the remastered edition when the price drops to $15 or below.

Thanks buddy.

I'm also going to wait for a price drop.

+1

I just have to say that's it's good see Robert Harris post here again. It's refreshing to see an insider actively contribute to the hobby and not just argue over the validity of screen captures.