Shh...the Silents Are Coming
Film discovery of the week was the career of Lois Weber whose 1915 The Hypocrites which is credited with being the first mainstream film to feature explicit female nudity, albeit in the Biblical visions of a troubled suburban vicar. Kino is often equal to Criterion of bringing obscure, and especially obscure American silents, to the weary DVD consumer. It's a perfect prelude to the upcoming Silent Film Festival the best of all celluloid gatherings of the year. Tickets bought, research underway. Oh, and Guy Maddin will be there.Labels: Guy Maddin, movies, silent film stars, the Castro
posted by Ladrón de Basura (a.k.a. Junk Thief) @ 10:39 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
While I love Kino their compression rates and "restoration" are questionable at best. Metropolis was a huge let down as the restoration was piss poor. But then again it was a restoration so I guess I should be thankful. They need to raise the technical bar in order to compete with criterion.
Gavin - In general, I agree, and they certainly don't have the frame-by-frame devotion of Criterion. And there were many patches of "The Hypocrites" where there was more than significant damage. All the same, I was glad that they were able to make such a rarity available in whatever form. It's definitely sad that they and not Criterion got "Metropolis", but they did get "M" and the "Dr. Mabuse" films which Lang (and me for that matter) consider to be his better films.
Thank the gods of video they got "M." Odd to think back and remember how I rushed out eager to snatch up a copy and sit home in fear and dread as the the whistler lurks in the fog. I think "M" is the only true example of a film that lets you know the criminals and the people who condemn are both guilty. The current French release runs 8 minutes longer than the U.S. version. Now that is interesting as PAL is actually running 04% faster than NTSC so this must have addition footage.
Gavin - Interesting, though if French wouldn't it be SECAM not PAL?
France has been using a dual system for years. PAL won out as the prevailing system. Anyone going to Cannes with a standard Def program brings a pal copy. SECAM exists but no one really uses it. In my years in post production I have never had a request to make or play a SECAM signal. Honestly, outside the US most DVD players are open region. Even here in the US it is easy to get an open region DVD player for less than $50.00. Real easy. I'm not talkin mail order. I'm talkin cheapo player in Rite-Aide easy.
Open region players are very dangerous as they tend to double your collection as well.
If you want a list of players... let me know.
Just think of all the region 2 discs out there.
Gavin - Actually I have one. Another reason to buy more obscure stuff and "The Magnificent Ambersons".
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