u/iP0dKiller

I managed to get my hands on this lovely Mediabook of the 1994 film Queen Margot.

The cover has a rough texture, which suggests that the paper has been produced using traditional methods. This gives the whole thing a very high-quality feel.

Both the 4K UHD and the standard Blu-ray are based on a 4K transfer of the original film negative, which was carried out in 2021. The DVD contains the uncut, extended version of the film, which is based on an older digital transfer.

Overall, there are a number of digital extras included, amongst others, a ‘making-of’ feature, a conversation between the screenwriters, a documentary on the historical background, deleted scenes and more.

Release by Capelight Pictures

As part of a large bulk order from Capelight Pictures, I also bought the Steelbook for this Korean sci-fi adventure/disaster film on spec, as I haven’t seen the film yet but have only heard good things about it so far.

The Steelbook itself has a high-gloss finish, and the edges and title are highlighted by embossing.

I’d like to post a brief review here on the quality of the 4K UHD releases of Solaris and Stalker:

Is it actually 4K and not upscaled?
Fortunately, it’s the former, but it looks to me as though DNR has been used. Some contours and surfaces appear to have been softened in the process and it looks better than ever! (Apparently, I was so tired when I first watched it that I misjudged the quality of the picture.)

What’s the sound quality like?
It hasn’t improved on the Russian audio track compared to previous Blu-ray releases. In the case of Solaris, it has actually got slightly worse, as the original Russian audio is tuned slightly higher than before and compared to the German audio tracks. One does tend to not notice this after watching for a while without constantly switching back and forth between languages, but knowing that this is the case does detract a little from the overall experience.

Are there subtitles to choose from?
Yes: German and English for the hearing-impaired. This means that, as well as dialogue, it also contains descriptive elements.

Is this 4K UHD release worth buying?
It depends on what you prioritise. So, to summarise, I’d like to mention once again that the picture is indeed 4K, but it looks as though DNR has been applied and it looks great! The sound quality of the Russian audio track hasn’t improved though and has actually deteriorated in Solaris, as the pitch is slightly higher.

All in all, taking all the positive and negative factors into account, I would rate the two 4K UHD releases as a good improvement that could have been great. The biggest improvement is that it’s now in 4K, but this is somewhat offset by the supposed DNR and the higher pitched Russian audio track (the latter only applies to Solaris), but the the pitch issue with the Russian audio track of Solaris is a shame!

I hope that, in future, another film distributor will take on Mosfilm’s 4K scan and release a truly improved an even better version onto the market.

For those living outside Germany – and particularly outside the EU – the higher postage and, where applicable, import costs are, of course, a key factor in determining whether one is prepared to fork out the necessary money.

Miscellaneous:

Is the content of the booklets worth reading?
Yes, definitely, as they’ve been written by an expert who contributes some interesting facts and perspectives. However, those who do not speak German will need a translation app to be able to read the texts.

Are the standard Blu-rays included subject to regional restrictions?
No, fortunately, they aren’t!

EDIT: I forgot to mention that Dolby Vision works amazingly well with these releases!

EDIT 2: After taking a second look with eyes that were certainly less tired, I had to retract my statement regarding the incorrectly identified DNR.

I enjoyed The Stranger quit a lot, so I got my hands on the Curzon Film release, which strangely contains more extras than the French one.

The City-Atelier Kinos still paint film posters. The current ones are upfront while the older ones are displayed on the side or within the building.

Today, in a small second-hand shop, I found this Blu-ray Mediabook of the 1956 adaptation of Moby Dick, starring Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab, for €10.

The stapled booklet comprises 24 pages.

It was released by Capelight Pictures.

On the outside, this Mediabook is screen-printed onto rough paper, which gives it a slightly vintage and high quality feel.

Another Steelbook I received today: Battle Royale II with em- and debossing and spot gloss.

It contains both cuts and quit some bonus features.

"The First King – Romulus & Remus" tells the story of the legendary brothers founding the city of Rome and the following power struggle. It’s a well-made, tense and entertaining Italian and Belgian film with a good production quality.*

I enjoyed it quit a lot. This historical drama/action adventures is hell of a watch and brutal!

I think this Steelbook is very beautiful with its embossing.

* Release by Capelight Pictures
* Format: Blu-Ray
* Region: all
* Audio: Latin (original), German (dubbing), both DTS-HD Master 5.1
* Subtitles: German, English
* Aspect ratio: 2.39:1

*Translated description from the J-card:

"The First King – Romulus & Remus" recounts, with brutal realism, the atrocities that led to the founding of Rome.

The brothers Romulus and Remus lead a simple and peaceful life on the banks of the Tiber, until one day the gods seem to turn their backs on them. The siblings are caught unawares by a huge wave and swept away by the current. Far from home, they manage to reach the shore, but are captured there by warriors from the city of Alba Longa and enslaved as gladiators. When Romulus and Remus manage to free themselves, they decide to build a new and safe city. But only one of the brothers is destined to rule over the new realm, which will go down in history as one of the greatest empires of all time.

US-Import von Wrigley’s Doublemint und Big Red im Kaufland München-Schwabing-Freimann gefunden!

Diese beiden Sorten Kaugummi waren immer meine Lieblingen.

Sichtung in München-Pasing

Release by Shout! Factory

Der Gewürzketchup „Pinda“ ist wirklich lecker, wenn man wie ich Erdnüsse mag. Erwartet keinen Currygeschmack, aber die Grundwürze von Hela ist da und die Erdnuss kommt vollmundig durch. Schade, dass es diesen Gewürzketchup nicht in Deutschland zu kaufen gibt!

When I heard there was a brutal film out there, beyond good and evil, which also happens to be from India and didn’t receive an age rating in my home country of Germany – meaning it had to be approved by a higher authority – I just had to get my hands on it!

I haven’t seen it yet, but here are some impressions of the limited-edition mediabook with cover C. All mediabooks are limited to 333 copies each, but the content of the bound booklet is identical: only the front covers feature different designs.

I managed to get my hands on one of the 6,300 copies of the Steelbook featuring the two rare episodes of "The Flying Circus" produced for West German television. It’s particularly special to me because I’m a huge German fan of the famous comedy group.

As you can see from the note, the Blu-ray also includes a few nice extras.

On my journey through Korean cinema, I’ve added another supposed gem to my collection, without having seen it yet (please don’t spoil it for me): "JSA – Joint Security Area" by Park Chan-Wook.

The film is included in 4K/UHD and Full HD, along with a Blu-ray disc packed with extras and a postcard featuring a scene from the film. As this is a Mediabook, it features a bound booklet containing an essay on “JSA”.

As a big fan of Ennio Morricone, I treated myself to the special edition of the great documentary film about him that premiered in Venice in 2021: "Ennio – The Maestro" or under the German title "Ennio Morricone – Der Maestro". The alternative name is "The Glance of Music".

The beautiful cardboard box is matt, with Ennio Morricone, his signature and the notes finished in spot gloss.

The film is available on 4K and standard Blu-ray and the original Italian audio track is also available in Dolby Atmos on the former. The digital extras include moments that didn't make it into the documentary, an interview with the director, a concert film, backstage footage from the concert as well as trailers and a CD of the music used in the film. The physical extra is a hundred-page booklet with essays on Ennio Morricone's œuvre.

Release by Plaion Pictures

After seeing No Other Choice twice in the cinema months ago, the film was finally released for home viewing and I treated myself to the mediabook (German release, as I live in that country) out of enthusiasm for it.

I pre-ordered the collector's edition of Insomnia and it was delivered today. This is the Norwegian original with the relatively young Stellan Skarsgård in the leading role and not Nolan's remake, which I find weaker. If you only know and appreciate the latter version, you should definitely watch the Norwegian original!

I can't say anything about the picture and sound quality of the new 4K UHD master at this stage, but it would be surprising if Second Sight Films were to disappoint in these areas.