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Post by DasDing on Aug 11, 2018 11:14:35 GMT
Don't get too excited.... as great as it would be, this isn't about some amazing box set that is due for release.... sorry.
I recently decided to compare various releases of John Carpenter's movies in more detail, mostly on UK & USA BluRay, to work out which is the best version to own. There are some good sites to help with this, but some information can be difficult to find, sometimes not explained very well, or quite often incomplete and therefore inconclusive.
While I do own a number of these myself, I am unable to verify every single detail about every version, but do double check numerous sources and try to cross-reference where necessary to ensure what I am posting is as accurate as possible.
Although I have compiled a relatively simple list for myself, I'll be adding extra information to explain which version is best and why, as well as comparisons between versions where necessary. So it's a work in progress and will be updated over the coming weeks....
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Post by DasDing on Aug 11, 2018 11:15:36 GMT
Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)
| UK - Zone B - Second Sight Standard, Limited Edition (4000) Theatrical Cut - 91 Minutes 2.35:1 1080p 24fps AVC MPEG-4 27.99Mbps English DTS-HD MA 5.1 1644kbps (16-bit/48kHz) English LPCM 2.0 stereo 1536kbps (16-bit/48kHz)
| Audio Commentaries: John Carpenter Tommy Lee Wallace (Art Director) 'Do You Remember Laurie Zimmer?' Documentary (53:41) 'Captain Voyeur' John Carpenter Student Film (8:27) Interviews: John Carpenter and Austin Stoker (23:06) 'Return to Precinct 13' with Austin Stoker (9:28) 'The Sassy One' with Nancy Loomis (12:44) 'Filmmaking with John' with Art Director Tommy Lee Wallace (21:41) 'Producing Precinct 13' with Executive Producer Joseph Kaufman (15:39) Theatrical Trailer (2:03) 2 Radio Spots (1:04)
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| USA - Zone A - Shout Factory Collector's Edition, Limited Steelbook (10,000) Theatrical Cut - 91 Minutes 2.35:1 1080p 24fps AVC MPEG-4 30.00Mbps English DTS-HD MA 5.1 3575kbps (24-bit/48kHz) English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono 1624kbps (24-bit/48kHz) Isolated Score - Dolby Digital 2.0 192kbps (48kHz)
| Audio Commentaries: John Carpenter Tommy Lee Wallace (Art Director) Interviews: John Carpenter and actor Austin Stoker (23:06) 'Bishop Under Siege' with actor Austin Stoker (7:47) 'The Sassy One' with actress Nancy Loomis (12:42) Theatrical Trailer (2:02) 2 Radio Spots (1:03)
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Conclusion:
Best for picture and sound: USA - Shout Factory Although the UK Arrow Video release and USA Shout Factory Fox release both use the same transfer, the USA Shout Factory release has a higher bit-rate for both video and audio, also includes includes the Isolated Score (although only in Dolby Digital).
Best for extras: UK - Second Sight The UK Second Sight release includes a documentary, student film and 3 extra interviews which are currently exclusive to this release. The limited edition also included the CD Soundtrack and some art cards.
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Post by DasDing on Aug 11, 2018 11:16:20 GMT
Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
| UK - Zone B - Arrow Video Standard, Limited Steelbook, Limited Zavvi Steelbook Theatrical Cut - 100 Minutes 2.35:1 1080p 24fps AVC MPEG-4 32.60Mbps English DTS-HD MA 5.1 3846kbps (24-bit/48kHz) English LPCM 2.0 Stereo 2304kbps (24-bit/48kHz) Isolated Score - DTS-HD MA 5.1 3698kbps (24-bit/48kHz)
| Audio Commentary: John Carpenter and Kurt Russell Interviews: 'Return to Little China' with John Carpenter (12:16) 'Being Jack Burton' with Kurt Russell (20:59) 'Carpenter and I' with cinematographer Dean Cundey (15:40) 'Producing Big Trouble' with producer Larry Franco (15:23) 'Staging Big Trouble' with stunt co-ordinator Jeff Imada (12:32) Interview with visual effects producer Richard Edlund (13:25) Vintage making-of featurette (7:28) Extended ending (3:17) Deleted scenes: Airport: Workprint (5:57) / Videotape (7:06) The Dragon of the Black Pool: Workprint (2:46) / Videotape (4:28) The White Tiger: Workprint (2:21) / Videotape (7:14) Gracie's office (3:44) Thunder's tour (1:39) Beneath Chinatown (2:26) Lava sequence (1:30) Six demon bag (11:55) 3 Trailers (2:47, 1:32, 2:42) TV spots: Remember (0:32) Who is...? (0:32) Adventure (0:32) Beneath (0:32) Pay-per-view (1:02) Teaser (0:55) Music video by The Coupe De Villes (3:28) Gallery of behind-the-scenes images
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| USA - Zone ABC - 20th Century Fox Standard, Limited Special Edition Theatrical Cut - 100 Minutes 2.35:1 1080p 24fps AVC MPEG-4 27.81Mbps English DTS-HD MA 5.1 3848kbps (24-bit/48kHz) Isolated Score - DTS-HD MA 5.1 3699kbps (24-bit/48kHz) | Audio Commentary: John Carpenter and Kurt Russell Interview with visual effects producer Richard Edlund (13:25) Vintage making-of featurette (7:28) Extended ending (3:17) Deleted scenes: Airport: Workprint (5:57) / Videotape (7:06) The Dragon of the Black Pool: Workprint (2:46) / Videotape (4:28) The White Tiger: Workprint (2:21) / Videotape (7:14) Gracie's office (3:44) Thunder's tour (1:39) Beneath Chinatown (2:26) Lava sequence (1:30) Six demon bag (11:55) 3 Trailers (2:47, 1:32, 2:42) TV spots: Remember (0:32) Who is...? (0:32) Adventure (0:32) Beneath (0:32) Pay-per-view (1:02) Teaser (0:55) Music video by The Coupe De Villes (3:28) Gallery of behind-the-scenes images |
Conclusion:
Best for picture and sound: UK - Arrow Video Although the UK Arrow Video release and USA 20th Century Fox release both use the same transfer, the UK Arrow Video release has higher bit-rate video and also includes the LPCM 2.0 soundtrack.
Best for extras: UK - Arrow Video The UK Arrow Video release includes all of the extras on the USA 20th Century Fox release, but also has some new interviews which are currently exclusive to this release.
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Post by DasDing on Aug 11, 2018 11:16:39 GMT
Body Bags (1993)
| USA - Zone A - Shout Factory TV Movie - 94 Minutes 1.78:1 1080p 24fps AVC MPEG-4 30.00Mbps English DTS-HD MA 5.1 3493kbps (24-bit/48kHz) English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo 2050kbps (24-bit/48kHz)
| Audio Commentary: John Carpenter and Robert Carradine on 'The Gas Station' John Carpenter and Stacy Keach on 'Hair' Sandy King and Justin Beahm on 'Eye' 'Unzipping Body Bags' Featurette (20:06) Trailer (1:19)
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Conclusion:Currently the only version available.
Slight sound issue: There is sibilance throughout the movie. Some parts worse than others, but nowhere near as bad as some people on the internet are making it out to be.
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Post by DasDing on Aug 11, 2018 11:16:55 GMT
Christine (1983)
| UK (Zone B) - Powerhouse Films Special Edition, Limited Edition (5000) Theatrical Cut 110 Minutes 2.35:1 1080p 24fps AVC MPEG-4 34.40Mbps English DTS-HD MA 5.1 3220kbps (24-bit/48kHz) English LPCM 2.0 Stereo 2304kbps (24-bit/48kHz) Isolated Score - LPCM 2.0 Stereo 2304kbps (24-bit/48kHz) | Audio Commentary: John Carpenter and Keith Gordon Deleted Scenes (26:01) 'Christine' Documentary: Play All (48:03) 'Ignition' pre-production (11:51) 'Fast and Furious' production (28:53) 'Finish Line' post-production (7:17) Trailers and TV Spots: Play All (3:28) Trailer #1 (0:58) Trailer #2 (1:29) TV Spot #1 (0:33) TV Spot #2 (0:33)
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| USA (Zone A) - Twilight Time Limited Edition (3000) Theatrical Cut 110 Minutes 2.35:1 1080p 24fps AVC MPEG-4 33.99Mbps English DTS-HD MA 5.1 3675kbps (24-bit/48kHz) Isolated Score - DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo 1716kbps (24-bit/48kHz)
| Audio Commentary: John Carpenter and Keith Gordon Deleted Scenes (26:02) 'Christine' Documentary: Play All (48:06) 'Ignition' pre-production (11:52) 'Fast and Furious' production (28:55) 'Finish Line' post-production (7:17)
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Conclusion:Best for picture and sound: UK - Powerhouse Films Both releases use the same transfer, also found on the USA Sony Pictures release (which has a lower bit-rate). Although the UK Powerhouse Films has a slightly lower bit-rate on the DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, it also includes the LPCM 2.0 soundtrack. Best for extras: UK - Powerhouse Films Not a much difference here, but the UK Powerhouse Films release also includes 2 Trailers and 2 TV Spots. 35th Anniversary Edition 4k UHD release announced by Sony Pictures for 11/09/2018
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Post by DasDing on Aug 11, 2018 11:17:07 GMT
Dark Star (1974)
71 Minutes (Director's Cut) 83 Minutes (Extended Theatrical) | UK (Zone ABC) - Fabulous Films
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| USA (Zone ABC) - VCI
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| France (Zone B) - Carlotta Films
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A - More extras, LPCM 2.0 Stereo + LPCM 5.1 Soundtracks, 'Let There Be Light' in 1080p, but lower quality transfer & Extended only. B - Best transfer, both movie versions, but only DTS-HD HR 5.1 Soundtrack and 'Let There Be Light' in SD.
(The French release potentially offers the best of both worlds, but have not yet got around to comparing all 3 of them which I now own)
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Post by DasDing on Aug 11, 2018 11:17:24 GMT
Elvis (1979) | UK (Zone ABC) - Freemantle Home Entertainment TV Movie - 168 Minutes 1.78:1 1080p 24fps AVC MPEG-4 English LPCM 2.0
| Audio Commentary: Ronnie McDowell and author Edie Hand 'Bringing a Legend to Life' featurette (10:15) 'Rare Clips from American Bandstand' featurette (4:53) 'Elvis Songs' soundtrack access feature Photo gallery
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| USA (Zone A) - Shout Factory TV Movie - 168 Minutes 1.78:1 1080p 24fps AVC MPEG-4 30.00Mbps English DTS-HD MA 2.0 1730kbps (24-bit/48kHz)
| Audio Commentary: Ronnie McDowell and author Edie Hand 'Bringing a Legend to Life' featurette (11:00) 'Rare Clips from American Bandstand' featurette (5:00) Photo gallery
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Conclusion:Best for picture and sound: USA - Shout Factory Although both releases are from the same transfer, Shout Factory have most likely used a higher bit-rate for picture, also the extras on the Shout Factory release are in 1080p, rather than 480.60i on the UK release.
Best for extras: USA - Shout Factory The UK release has a song access feature not found on the USA release, but other than this they have the same extras. Therefore, the Shout Factory is the better option with 1080p video.
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Post by DasDing on Aug 11, 2018 11:17:42 GMT
Escape From New York (1981) | UK (Zone B) - Optimum Home Entertainment Theatrical Cut - 99 Minutes 2.35:1 1080p 24fps AVC MPEG-4 23.00Mbps English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 1974kbps (16-bit/48kHz) English Dolby Digital 5.1 640kbps (16-bit/48kHz)
| Audio commentary: John Carpenter and Kurt Russell Interview with director John Carpenter (31:15) 'Return to Escape from New York' featurette (22:35) 'Snake's Crime' deleted opening sequence (10:44) 3 Trailers (1:45, 0:59, 2:10)
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| USA (Zone A) - Shout Factory Collector's Edition, Limited Steelbook (10,000) Theatrical Cut - 99 Minutes 2.35:1 1080p 24fps AVC MPEG-4 35.00Mbps English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 3878kbps (24-bit/48kHz) English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 2099kbps (24-bit/48kHz)
| Audio Commentaries: John Carpenter and Kurt Russell (1994) Producer Debra Hill and Production Designer Joe Alves (2003) Actress Adrienne Barbeau and Director of Photography Dean Cundey (2015) 'Big Challenges in Little Manhattan: The Visual Effects of Escape from New York' (14:27) 'Scoring the Escape: A Discussion with composer Alan Howarth' (18:55) 'On Set with John Carpenter: The Images of Escape from New York' (10:50) (Interview with still photographer Kim Gottlieb-Walker) 'I Am Taylor' (an interview with actor Joe Unger) (8:49) 'My Night on Set' interview with filmmaker David DeCoteau (5:02) Deleted Scene: The Original Opening Bank Robbery Sequence (10:46) (with optional 1994 audio commentary by John Carpenter and Kurt Russell) 'Return to Escape from New York' (2003) featurette (22:59) 2 Theatrical Trailers (2:42) Photo Galleries: Movie Stills and Behind the Scenes Photos (12:02) Posters and Lobby Cards (4:12)
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Conclusion:
Best for picture and sound: USA - Shout Factory The Shout Factory is a new 2k master from the interpositive, with a decent bit-rate used for both picture and sound. Avoid the very low quality upscaled Optimum release. Best for extras: USA - Shout Factory Shout Factory have wisely put most of the extras on a 2nd bluray disc, with mostly new and exclusive extras. The only reason to buy the UK release is for a 31 minute interview with John Carpenter interview, not on the USA release.
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Post by DasDing on Aug 11, 2018 11:17:59 GMT
Escape from L.A. (1996)
| UK (Zone B) - Paramount Home Entertainment |
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| USA - Paramount Home Entertainment |
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Identical releases.
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Post by DasDing on Aug 11, 2018 11:18:13 GMT
Ghosts of Mars (2001) | UK (Zone B) - Powerhouse Films
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| USA (Zone ABC) - Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
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B - Best transfer, plus LPCM 2.0 Stereo Soundtrack. Also includes 'John Carpenter: The Guardian Interview Part 2' (Part 1 on Powerhouse release of Vampires)
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Post by DasDing on Aug 11, 2018 11:18:30 GMT
Halloween
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Post by DasDing on Aug 11, 2018 11:18:54 GMT
TBA....
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Post by DasDing on Aug 11, 2018 11:19:11 GMT
In the Mouth of Madness (1994) | USA (Zone ABC) - New Line Home Entertainment
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| USA (Zone A) - Shout Factory
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Not released in the UK. The Shout Factory release offers the best transfer, thanks to a new 4k scan of the original film elements, more extras.
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Post by DasDing on Aug 11, 2018 11:19:28 GMT
TBA....
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Post by DasDing on Aug 11, 2018 11:19:48 GMT
Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992) | USA (Zone A) - Shout Factory
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Not released in the UK. The Shout Factory release offers the best transfer, more extras.
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