Bleachy-Pink Ladykillers

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The Studio Canal/Lionsgate Bluray of Alexander McKendrick's The Ladykillers is a strawberries-and-whipped-cream nightmare -- perhaps the most visually unappealing manipulation of a classic film ever issued. It's saturated with the brightest and bleachiest white light seen anywhere since the aliens stepped out of the mother ship at the end of Close Encounters. It's like someone turned down the color key and then poured milk and cherry sauce over the master negative. The effect is one of rosey anemia -- a sickly dilution like nothing I've ever seen from a 1950s color film.

(l.) Anchor Bay DVD image; (r.) ditto from Studio Canal/Lionsgate Bluray.

I bought this Blu-ray for $35-something last night at Kim's, and I'm infuriated. I tried to see into the virtue of the white-pink color scheme or whatever, but I can't watch the damn thing without getting angry. And I'm especially pissed at the reviewers who gave this disc a pass without mentioning the bleachy saturation effect.

N.Y. Times DVD columnist Dave Kehr called The Ladykillers Blu-ray a "revelation" -- a revelation of strawberry-shortcake suffocation, he meant! He noted that "no earlier home video edition has done justice to [this film's] rich, bold use of Technicolor, that distinctively sharp-edged, cool-toned Technicolor that came out of the British labs." Did Kehr actually say "rich? And there's no way "bold" is an appropriate adjective unless Kehr is referring to the boldness of Studio Canal technicians saying "eff you!" to the average Blu-ray consumer.

DVD Beaver's Gary W. Tooze noted a possible "chromatic aberration"(which a reader pointed out) but said he's "very happy with the final product [which I] strongly endorse. This is a fabulous film and a strong Blu-ray package." Why would he say this? This is a Blu-ray disc that literally pisses on any person dumb enough to have bought it.

The only half-honest assessment came from DVD Talk's Stuart Galbraith IV. He noted that 1955 Ealing Studios comedy "is saturated with rich hues," but then explained that the Anchor Bay Ladykillers DVD "was a bit dark" while the Studio Canal Bluray "is too light, at least some of the time." Correction -- the white-out effect is evident throughout the entire film.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on March 4, 2010 at 2:00 PM

comment #1

eddie mars attacks says ...

dave kehr is the worst. i sell dvds and every couple of months this douche sends people into my store to look for dvds that he's recommended that are either out of print or only out in europe. i don't think he watches the dvds. he just makes shit up.

Posted by eddie mars attacks at March 4, 2010 7:12 PM

comment #2

DeeZee says ...

Digital Bits notes both versions of The Exorcist will be on BD.

Posted by DeeZee at March 4, 2010 7:13 PM

comment #3

bondjamesbond says ...

Coupla things: It's highly unlikely that your TV and/or viewing room is calibrated to any industry standard. And also, for your viewing enjoyment, if it's desirable you can easily adjust the color and all the rest of the values on the damn thing.

Everyone's viewing circumstance is different and within certain tolerances they can all be adjusted to please. Isn't that correct? You're just ranting.

Posted by bondjamesbond at March 4, 2010 7:48 PM

comment #4

Jeffrey Wells says ...

Wells to bondjamesbond: You're just being a pain in the ass. You're a denier -- a bullshit artist. I know what goes and what doesn't. There's nothing wrong with my TV or my settings. I know exactly what looks right and what doesn't. This is my life's work & obsession. You're not just blowing smoke up my ass, but everyone's.

Posted by Jeffrey Wells at March 4, 2010 7:54 PM

comment #5

Pinko Punko says ...

He was just saying that you could alter the settings on your TV so you wouldn't have to blow your stack about the bluray. You could still write about the bad choices. You seem angry all the time these days. Passion doesn't mean being pissed off all the time.

Posted by Pinko Punko at March 4, 2010 8:04 PM

comment #6

Jeffrey Wells says ...

Wells to Pinko Punko: You want me to reset my TV because I'm the problem, and not the movie? Total laydown acquiescent bullshit. I'm not pushing some skewed agenda. I'm speaking God's truth as I know it...don't you understand that?

Posted by Jeffrey Wells at March 4, 2010 8:08 PM

comment #7

Jason says ...

I thought the screen grabs at DVD Beaver looked funny when you initially linked to them. There is hardly any color in anybody's face. They all look like they've been powdered for a scene in BARRY LYNDON.

Posted by Jason at March 4, 2010 8:13 PM

comment #8

Geoff says ...

"It's highly unlikely that your TV and/or viewing room is calibrated to any industry standard."

Who's TV is? You make the best with what you've got. Buy a calibration disc, or do it by eye if you're good at it.

"And also, for your viewing enjoyment, if it's desirable you can easily adjust the color and all the rest of the values on the damn thing."

What the fuck? As far as calibration goes, you're supposed to set it and forget it. Tweak it a little if you want from time to time, but be done with it.

"Everyone's viewing circumstance is different and within certain tolerances they can all be adjusted to please. Isn't that correct? "

This is just glib bullshit. If Wells has his television set correctly, which he most likely does, then he should be able to judge the DVD accordingly.

Posted by Geoff at March 4, 2010 8:20 PM

comment #9

LexG says ...

Not to mention, those calibration disc settings ALWAYS look too dim for me; I think the FIGHT CLUB disc (and several others back in the day) had that test pattern thing to tell you how to set your TV, and if you followed the steps it was dim as fuck, like watching it through a dirty screen door with the contrast pumped 3/4 of the way down.

Actually, every techno-video-geek I've ever known sets their TV way too dark like that. They're all punching the clown over "INKY BLACKS!" and meanwhile it's like watching the movie through a drainage valve. Like, sorry, Digital Bits, pretty sure Billy Madison when properly calibrated isn't supposed to look like Gordon Willis.

As for the compare/contrast shots Jeff posted, that one on the right is so damn pink, it looks like a 1984 TV print of Hang Em High on WSBK out of Boston.

But I can all but guarantee there's some sadsack post-jockey telecine guy(s) who did this transfer whose blood would be boiling right now if they saw this, everybody bagging on the fruits of his restoration labor.

Posted by LexG at March 4, 2010 8:29 PM

comment #10

CMed1 says ...

Both the DVD and the Blu-ray look like crap. The image on the left seems to be too greenish and the one on the right has too much red. Looks out of phase on each version.

Posted by CMed1 at March 4, 2010 8:36 PM

comment #11

moviemaniac2002 says ...

Left hand image kind of reminds me of the l950's
late, unlamented WarnerColor....which always featured
truly nightmarish contrast....like the film was run through a tub of Jack Warner's stomache acid.

Posted by moviemaniac2002 at March 4, 2010 10:00 PM

comment #12

Terry McCarty says ...

Damn. Bought this a couple of weeks ago and haven't given it a look yet.

Any complaints about their BD issue of Kurosawa's RAN?

Posted by Terry McCarty at March 4, 2010 10:02 PM

comment #13

DeeZee says ...

Oh, yeah, forgot to link this Hanks Regis + Kelly appearance. http://tv.yahoo.com/daytime/video/regis-kelly-ellen-the-price-is-right/18332196/

Posted by DeeZee at March 4, 2010 10:27 PM

comment #14

Robert Cashill says ...

Remind me never to set foot in your store, eddie mars attacks.

Posted by Robert Cashill at March 4, 2010 10:41 PM

comment #15

mtgilchrist says ...

More importantly, why aren't you buying from Amazon or online somewhere? That same disc is $26 and includes free shipping on Amazon, which will get it to you in 3 days.

Posted by mtgilchrist at March 4, 2010 11:00 PM

comment #16

DeeZee says ...

New shit came in.

Persia, Toy Story 3, Elm Street posters @ http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/16533/news-shorts-march-4th-2010 .

Also via Dark Horizons: McAdams in Allen's new flick?
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3ifc6418268b866f76db727dde0473b241
Percy isn't wanted for Spidey after all.
http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEgtghkhl3WJjj
Wolvie 2 script is in the can. I wonder if they'll get someone who's Japanese(or even Asian) to play the Japanese female lead.
http://showbiz411.blogs.thr.com/2010/03/03/wolverine-japan-adventure-is-a-go/
Guy Ritchie to direct a hip Excalibur flick?
http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/16532/guy-ritchie-up-for-excalibur-tale-
I'm sure if Biel's in it, it'll be totally classy and respectful of the original film.
http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/16530/jessica-biel-up-for-state-of-the-union-
Wasn't this called Hackers?
http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/16528/catherine-hardwicke-considers-dot-war-
Del Toro's next gig.
http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/16527/-che-trio-reunite-for-jack-falcone-
Runaways clip + trailer.
http://www.themoviebox.net/movies/2010/Runaways,The/trailer.php
Wasn't this called Traffic?
http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/16531/oliver-stone-on-the-hunt-for-savages-

Posted by DeeZee at March 4, 2010 11:27 PM

comment #17

LexG says ...

Thanks for the links, DZ!!!

Posted by LexG at March 4, 2010 11:38 PM

comment #18

barryegan says ...

Well, thanks be to the Movie Godz that the Monks at Criterion didn't put this out or else we'd be knee-deep in a grainstorm. Right, Jeff?

Posted by barryegan at March 5, 2010 12:05 AM

comment #19

lens darkly says ...

A personal plea from myself Dee Zee

Hi Dee Zee

Whilst I would prefer you didn’t post off topic I think it would be easier on the eye if you used the html a tag.

For instance Your Post would look like this:

Persia, Toy Story 3, Elm Street posters.

Also via Dark Horizons: McAdams in Allen's new flick?

Percy isn't wanted for Spidey after all.

Wolvie 2 script is in the can. I wonder if they'll get someone who's Japanese(or even Asian) to play the Japanese female lead.

Guy Ritchie to direct a hip Excalibur flick?

I'm sure if Biel's in it, it'll be totally classy and respectful of the original film.

Wasn't this called Hackers?

Del Toro's next gig.

Runaways clip + trailer.

Wasn't this called Traffic?

Instructions on how to use the html a tag are avilable here.

I don’t mean to start an argument here and it’s not my intention to be condescending . I just think that looks better.

Posted by lens darkly at March 5, 2010 12:06 AM

comment #20

DeeZee says ...

lens: Sure thing. Thanks.

Posted by DeeZee at March 5, 2010 12:09 AM

comment #21

Deathtongue_Groupie says ...

"one on the right is so damn pink, it looks like a 1984 TV print of Hang Em High on WSBK out of Boston"

Or AMC with anything older than 20 years. I might punch them in to watch "Mad Men" but it's a matter of pride that have never watched a film from nose to tail on AMC partially because they have awful picture quality. That and the fact they butcher them. TCM or DVD only on my screen.

Posted by Deathtongue_Groupie at March 5, 2010 12:38 AM

comment #22

Deathtongue_Groupie says ...

You gotta love that lens darkly expressly says he would prefer that our resident Rainman not post off topic, yet the only part that is acknowledge is the helping him hijack threads.

Sometimes I shudder to think what exactly goes on in that mind... and then wonder if all our cats are accounted for.

Posted by Deathtongue_Groupie at March 5, 2010 12:42 AM

comment #23

DeeZee says ...

Oh, and via the New Bev tweet, they're no longer playing movies at the theater on Fairfax and 3rd(?).

Posted by DeeZee at March 5, 2010 1:01 AM

comment #24

DeeZee says ...

Pet Sematary remake
Police Academy remake.
Congrats, Pete

Posted by DeeZee at March 5, 2010 2:13 AM

comment #25

shahriar khan says ...

Excellent. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed the article a lot while reading. Keep posting such wonderful posts. Thanks once again.

Ladykillers

Posted by shahriar khan at March 5, 2010 3:26 AM

comment #26

Adam Tyner says ...

"Everyone's viewing circumstance is different and within certain tolerances they can all be adjusted to please. Isn't that correct? You're just ranting."

If you nose around most home theater message board discussions about The Ladykillers, the general consensus is definitely with Jeff here -- that StudioCanal botched the transfer and made it much, much too bright -- and not with the reviewers.

I was also very disappointed with StudioCanal's version of Contempt which looks drastically inferior to the other films of Godard's I've seen on Blu-ray: Pierrot le fou and Une femme mariee. I hear Breathless looks terrific, though.

I've imported a few titles from the StudioCanal Collection from the UK -- The Elephant Man and Belle de jour -- and I'm very happy with those. Ran, on the other hand, looks embarrassing.

StudioCanal looks like they're trying to position themselves as the next Criterion, but until they can find their footing with some level of consistency, they have a long, long, long way to go.

Posted by Adam Tyner at March 5, 2010 3:52 AM

comment #27

gogocrank10 says ...

To be honest, this sort of shitty looking DVD issue is exactly what's kept me from Blu-ray all these years. Better quality or not, it still all comes down to the transfer. I hear the transfer of "...Jesse James" is a true travesty, and if ever a film demanded to be pristine and perfect, it's that one.

Though echoing the occasional above, Jeff, why do you still buy retail? You seem relatively budget minded, yet pretty impulsive when it comes to DVDs. There are incredible deals to be found. Just walk into Barnes & Noble or whatever and start a list, then order at home. At least Kim's isn't a chain, I guess.

Posted by gogocrank10 at March 5, 2010 4:28 AM

comment #28

lens darkly says ...

I hear the transfer of "...Jesse James" is a true travesty.

The folks at High Def Digest.tend to agree. 160 minute film squeezed onto a single layer 25 GB disc. Do the math.

If you take a look at the Studio Canal trailer you'll note that they intend to release The Third Man on Blu-Ray.

The Hollywood-Elsewhere readership is undoubtedly familiar with Jeff's thoughts on the Criterion's edition.

Jeff do you intend to purchase the Studio Canal edition of The Third Man for comparisons sake?.

Posted by lens darkly at March 5, 2010 4:56 AM

comment #29

lens darkly says ...

Seems that link second link is broken. In any event you can view it here.

Posted by lens darkly at March 5, 2010 5:02 AM

comment #30

DeeZee says ...

More mixed-up movie titles from SA.

Posted by DeeZee at March 5, 2010 5:07 AM

comment #31

Krazy Eyes says ...

I agree that in Jeff's example above the Blu-ray looks washed-out, cherry-colored, and just plain bad. Although on the DVD Beaver site I still found myself preferring the Blu-ray in the majority of the comparison shots.

Neither is ideal but I generally find the DVD images to be overly muddy looking.

Posted by Krazy Eyes at March 5, 2010 6:38 AM

comment #32

Eloi Manning says ...

How do you all afford Blu-Rays? $25-35 a pop is absurd. Netflix, yo.

Posted by Eloi Manning at March 5, 2010 6:53 AM

comment #33

Mark says ...

Yeah, Netflix, yo, where the LadyKillers Bluray can sit in your queue labeled Very Long Wait for up to 4 months. Jeffrey, I give you kudos for supporting local merchants. Amazon just employs warehouse jobs.

Speaking of TV calibrations, my friend just spent $2K on a Samsung, and watched it for months before i came over and pointed out that the motioni interpolation (MCFI) was completely ruining his enjoyment. He had no idea how truly awful that feature was.

Posted by Mark at March 5, 2010 7:39 AM

comment #34

Zach says ...

It literally pisses on you? This I've gotta see.

Posted by Zach at March 5, 2010 8:15 AM

comment #35

bmcintire says ...

Sorry, Jeff, but the Anchor Bay release looks like it was soaked in diarrhea. The DVD Beaver screen grabs highlight perfectly what was crappy about the DVD release when comparing the shot of the gun pointed at the camera with the Blu-Ray: you can actually see a gun in the cleaned-up version!.
And I find it hilarious that you would think Anchor Bay ever got anything right.

Posted by bmcintire at March 5, 2010 9:51 AM

comment #36

Terry McCarty says ...

On the plus side of THE LADYKILLERS Blu-Ray: the interviews with Ronald Harwood, Allan Scott and Terrence Davies, plus Terry Gilliam's breif introduction.

Posted by Terry McCarty at March 5, 2010 1:00 PM

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comment #41