Comments for Dreams and Pomp http://www.jamesmsteffen.net Reflections and news about film and other arts. Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:53:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on The Color of Pomegranates: four DVD editions compared by James Steffen http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/2010/10/the_color_of_pomegranates_on_dvd/comment-page-1/#comment-604 James Steffen Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:53:57 +0000 http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/?p=195#comment-604 Both the Ruscico and the UK versions are the slightly cut version edited by Sergei Yutkevich. The UK version really does have a better picture than the Ruscico version, so it's too bad you can't play PAL discs. Ruscico sells both PAL and NTSC versions on their website--you just have to specify which one you want. Both the Ruscico and the UK versions are the slightly cut version edited by Sergei Yutkevich. The UK version really does have a better picture than the Ruscico version, so it’s too bad you can’t play PAL discs. Ruscico sells both PAL and NTSC versions on their website–you just have to specify which one you want.

]]> Comment on The Color of Pomegranates: four DVD editions compared by Andrew http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/2010/10/the_color_of_pomegranates_on_dvd/comment-page-1/#comment-602 Andrew Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:48:46 +0000 http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/?p=195#comment-602 Thanks for the response. I can't get the UK version, which is PAL because I live in the States. Is the Ruscico NTSC? Also, is the Ruscico version the cut version, meaning the Russian version which omits certain scenes that the Kino version has? Thanks! Thanks for the response. I can’t get the UK version, which is PAL because I live in the States. Is the Ruscico NTSC? Also, is the Ruscico version the cut version, meaning the Russian version which omits certain scenes that the Kino version has?

Thanks!

]]> Comment on The Color of Pomegranates: four DVD editions compared by James Steffen http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/2010/10/the_color_of_pomegranates_on_dvd/comment-page-1/#comment-601 James Steffen Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:40:54 +0000 http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/?p=195#comment-601 The Ruscico version has the original Armenian audio, but I recommend that you purchase the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Colour-Pomegranates-Special-DVD/dp/B005BPLZ8A" rel="nofollow">Second Sight edition</a> from the UK. It has an improved picture, new subtitles and new special features such as a feature-length documentary about the making of the film and an audio commentary track. The Ruscico version has the original Armenian audio, but I recommend that you purchase the Second Sight edition from the UK. It has an improved picture, new subtitles and new special features such as a feature-length documentary about the making of the film and an audio commentary track.

]]> Comment on The Color of Pomegranates: four DVD editions compared by Andrew http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/2010/10/the_color_of_pomegranates_on_dvd/comment-page-1/#comment-600 Andrew Fri, 25 Nov 2011 02:08:01 +0000 http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/?p=195#comment-600 Just one question - does the Ruscico version of Color of Pomegranates have the original Armenian audio or the Russian voice-over? Just one question – does the Ruscico version of Color of Pomegranates have the original Armenian audio or the Russian voice-over?

]]> Comment on Cave of Forgotten Dreams at the Tara by James Steffen http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/2011/05/cave-of-forgotten-dreams-at-the-tara/comment-page-1/#comment-567 James Steffen Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:10:12 +0000 http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/?p=282#comment-567 Kiril, I completely understand how you feel! In fact I had posted on Facebook how was I was disappointed that it opened in the Tara. Their projection has been sub-par for as long as I can remember. I'm planning to wait until July 8, when Tree of Life is supposed to go into wide release. My hope is that it will play at a better venue such as the Atlantic Station. Emmanuel Lubezki is arguably the greatest living cinematographer, and he deserves much better--as does Malick. Kiril, I completely understand how you feel! In fact I had posted on Facebook how was I was disappointed that it opened in the Tara. Their projection has been sub-par for as long as I can remember. I’m planning to wait until July 8, when Tree of Life is supposed to go into wide release. My hope is that it will play at a better venue such as the Atlantic Station. Emmanuel Lubezki is arguably the greatest living cinematographer, and he deserves much better–as does Malick.

]]> Comment on Cave of Forgotten Dreams at the Tara by Kiril http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/2011/05/cave-of-forgotten-dreams-at-the-tara/comment-page-1/#comment-566 Kiril Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:08:26 +0000 http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/?p=282#comment-566 Man, I just saw Tree of Life for my first experience at the Tara and was shocked and frustrated by how bad the projection was after forking over $10 for entrance. -Kiril Man, I just saw Tree of Life for my first experience at the Tara and was shocked and frustrated by how bad the projection was after forking over $10 for entrance.

-Kiril

]]> Comment on The Color of Pomegranates: four DVD editions compared by James Steffen http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/2010/10/the_color_of_pomegranates_on_dvd/comment-page-1/#comment-554 James Steffen Sat, 21 May 2011 13:45:50 +0000 http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/?p=195#comment-554 You're welcome, griezzel! I ordered the PAL version directly from <a href="http://www.ruscico.com" rel="nofollow">RUSCICO</a>, but their online catalog has been down for many weeks. You can purchase all their releases of Parajanov's films together as a box set from Fnac in Spain: <a href="http://cine.fnac.es/a55256/Pack-Sergei-Parajanov-Volumen-5-sin-especificar?PID=7" rel="nofollow">http://cine.fnac.es/a55256/Pack-Sergei-Parajanov-Volumen-5-sin-especificar?PID=7</a>. It doesn't look as if they're offering The Color of Pomegranates separately. But from what I've heard I recommend waiting for the Second Sight DVD of the film. You’re welcome, griezzel! I ordered the PAL version directly from RUSCICO, but their online catalog has been down for many weeks. You can purchase all their releases of Parajanov’s films together as a box set from Fnac in Spain: http://cine.fnac.es/a55256/Pack-Sergei-Parajanov-Volumen-5-sin-especificar?PID=7. It doesn’t look as if they’re offering The Color of Pomegranates separately. But from what I’ve heard I recommend waiting for the Second Sight DVD of the film.

]]> Comment on The Color of Pomegranates: four DVD editions compared by griezzel http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/2010/10/the_color_of_pomegranates_on_dvd/comment-page-1/#comment-553 griezzel Thu, 19 May 2011 23:11:53 +0000 http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/?p=195#comment-553 I really appreciate your comparisons and screengrabs very much. I already own a copy of the Japanese edition, but to my eyes the new 2010 editions looks better, especially in the last image. Looking online am only able to find the NTSC available, and that was difficult. Wondering where you were able to get a PAL version? Also, Second Sight has announced a new, restored edition that should be released anytime now. It was announced some time ago for a Feb. 2011 release. Someone on the Criterion forum says it should now be July or August, and may include new specials features. <> http://www.secondsightfilms.co.uk/ http://criterionforum.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=336673 Though I live in the US, I usually prefer a PAL edition as the frame size is larger, looking better on a large screen TV. I really appreciate your comparisons and screengrabs very much. I already own a copy of the Japanese edition, but to my eyes the new 2010 editions looks better, especially in the last image. Looking online am only able to find the NTSC available, and that was difficult. Wondering where you were able to get a PAL version?

Also, Second Sight has announced a new, restored edition that should be released anytime now. It was announced some time ago for a Feb. 2011 release. Someone on the Criterion forum says it should now be July or August, and may include new specials features.

<>

http://www.secondsightfilms.co.uk/
http://criterionforum.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=336673

Though I live in the US, I usually prefer a PAL edition as the frame size is larger, looking better on a large screen TV.

]]> Comment on Taxi Driver restored by James Steffen http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/2011/03/taxi-driver-restored/comment-page-1/#comment-541 James Steffen Wed, 23 Mar 2011 14:26:34 +0000 http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/?p=244#comment-541 Ah yes, reels out of order... I also remember one case where a theater had two films mounted on platters for a double feature and they started up the wrong one by accident. It took forever to fix, since the film had already started running through the projector. I think they ended up having to cut into the print. In another instance (I can't remember which film), they said they couldn't fix it and just continued to run the wrong feature through to the end. Probably the latter course was wiser. Apart from the very real pain of watching a few minutes of <em>Just Go With It</em>, it didn't take long at all for the projectionist to fix the problem last night. Ah yes, reels out of order… I also remember one case where a theater had two films mounted on platters for a double feature and they started up the wrong one by accident. It took forever to fix, since the film had already started running through the projector. I think they ended up having to cut into the print. In another instance (I can’t remember which film), they said they couldn’t fix it and just continued to run the wrong feature through to the end. Probably the latter course was wiser. Apart from the very real pain of watching a few minutes of Just Go With It, it didn’t take long at all for the projectionist to fix the problem last night.

]]> Comment on Taxi Driver restored by Michael Brooke http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/2011/03/taxi-driver-restored/comment-page-1/#comment-540 Michael Brooke Wed, 23 Mar 2011 06:42:30 +0000 http://www.jamesmsteffen.net/?p=244#comment-540 As a former repertory cinema manager, I was highly amused by the naïveté of the audience member who claimed that the wrong film would never have been shown by accident in a 35mm situation. Not only was this all too possible (especially in a venue that routinely ran up to twenty features a week), but it would take much longer to correct - so in that respect digital is clearly superior. In fact, we once showed a Godard film (sadly, I forget which one) with two reels in the wrong order, braced ourselves for a flood of complaints... but no one mentioned it! As a former repertory cinema manager, I was highly amused by the naïveté of the audience member who claimed that the wrong film would never have been shown by accident in a 35mm situation.

Not only was this all too possible (especially in a venue that routinely ran up to twenty features a week), but it would take much longer to correct – so in that respect digital is clearly superior.

In fact, we once showed a Godard film (sadly, I forget which one) with two reels in the wrong order, braced ourselves for a flood of complaints… but no one mentioned it!

]]>