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To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)
To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) poster
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Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Capelight DE 4K Blu-ray > Arrow UK 4K Blu-ray > Kino Lorber US Blu-ray, see caps

Capelight and Arrow both have good compression, but Capelight has the edge. Kino is very poor.

Best Audio Release

Original matrixed Dolby Stereo: Arrow  4K Blu-ray or Image Entertainment LaserDisc
(Arrow is a port of the LD track, see spectrograms)

Capelight and old Arrow BD included the original stereo mix, but with excessive noise reduction rendering it much less detailed. Kino only included a downmix of the 5.1 remix.

The best and most accurate of the 5.1 mixes is from the 2003 Special Edition DVD in AC3 form.

Format

UHD Blu-ray

UHD Tiers

Excellent
Arrow:

Includes highest quality audio from LaserDisc, compression is worse than Capelight but still quite good.

Excellent
Capelight:

Best compression, but lacks the higher quality LD audio from Arrow.

Disappointing
Kino:

Very poor compression, no original stereo (includes a downmix of 5.1 instead).

Length

116 mins

Type

Movie

Last Updated

8 days ago
Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release

Capelight DE 4K Blu-ray > Arrow UK 4K Blu-ray > Kino Lorber US Blu-ray, see caps

Capelight and Arrow both have good compression, but Capelight has the edge. Kino is very poor.

Best Audio Release

Original matrixed Dolby Stereo: Arrow  4K Blu-ray or Image Entertainment LaserDisc
(Arrow is a port of the LD track, see spectrograms)

Capelight and old Arrow BD included the original stereo mix, but with excessive noise reduction rendering it much less detailed. Kino only included a downmix of the 5.1 remix.

The best and most accurate of the 5.1 mixes is from the 2003 Special Edition DVD in AC3 form.

Format
UHD Blu-ray
UHD Tiers
Excellent
Arrow:

Includes highest quality audio from LaserDisc, compression is worse than Capelight but still quite good.

Excellent
Capelight:

Best compression, but lacks the higher quality LD audio from Arrow.

Disappointing
Kino:

Very poor compression, no original stereo (includes a downmix of 5.1 instead).

Length
116 mins
Type
Movie
Last Updated
8 days ago
Contributors

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2012 Fox remastered Blu-ray

Best Video:

Fox remastered Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Fox remastered Blu-ray mono track

Additional Info:

This disc defaults to a lossless 5.1 remix, however in the setup menu, the original mono mix is included as a lossy alternative for the first time since the dawn of home video. The film was given a stereo remix very early on and remained stuck that way for decades.

Best English-Friendly:

2012 Fox remastered Blu-ray

Best Video:

Fox remastered Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Fox remastered Blu-ray mono track

Additional Info:

This disc defaults to a lossless 5.1 remix, however in the setup menu, the original mono mix is included as a lossy alternative for the first time since the dawn of home video. The film was given a stereo remix very early on and remained stuck that way for decades.

Jade poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Australia Imprint 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Jade poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Australia Imprint 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Rampage poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

Rampage poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

The Hunted poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray or Paramount Blu-ray

Best Video:

Both Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray and Paramount Blu-ray are problematic. One reel of the Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray looks inferior, and the Paramount Blu-ray has some edge enhancement. Pick your poison between the Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray or the Paramount Blu-ray? Maybe the Kino Lorber Blu-ray included in the 4K Blu-ray is better

Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray or Paramount Blu-ray

Best Video:

Both Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray and Paramount Blu-ray are problematic. One reel of the Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray looks inferior, and the Paramount Blu-ray has some edge enhancement. Pick your poison between the Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray or the Paramount Blu-ray? Maybe the Kino Lorber Blu-ray included in the 4K Blu-ray is better

Rules of Engagement poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray or France 4K Blu-ray for the extras?

Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray or France 4K Blu-ray for the extras?

Bug poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

Bug poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

The Exorcist poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray retains the revisionist colors with minor tweaks, has OG mono

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray retains the revisionist colors with minor tweaks, has OG mono

Best Audio:

Theatrical: 1985 WB LaserDisc (mono). 1997 WB DVD has the 1979 70mm reissue remix.

Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray retains the revisionist colors with minor tweaks, has OG mono

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray retains the revisionist colors with minor tweaks, has OG mono

Best Audio:

Theatrical: 1985 WB LaserDisc (mono). 1997 WB DVD has the 1979 70mm reissue remix.

Sorcerer poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray. See Chris's review

Sorcerer poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray. See Chris's review

Cruising poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Cruising poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

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The Phantom poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray > 4K Blu-ray

4K is disappointing with color space issues and poor encoding, disc replacement program for the 4K disc has been put out with the correct color space.

Best Audio:

DVD 5.1 or LaserDisc PCM 2.0

The Phantom poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray > 4K Blu-ray

4K is disappointing with color space issues and poor encoding, disc replacement program for the 4K disc has been put out with the correct color space.

Best Audio:

DVD 5.1 or LaserDisc PCM 2.0

Monsieur Vincent poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Revenge of the Zombies poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

For Love or Money poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

The Beloved Rogue poster
1080p Blu-ray
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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Houseboat poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray 6K master from Paramount

Houseboat poster
1080p Blu-ray
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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray 6K master from Paramount

College Confidential poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Borderline poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Rock, Pretty Baby poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

More Crime on Blu-ray

Drive poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Second Sight 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Atmos on the Sony 4K Blu-ray maybe better?

Regarding the "original theatrical audio" 5.1 mixes:

The Sony UHD and the BD DTS-HD 5.1 mixes are the same but the UHD has been pushed slightly harder and has a lot of clipping. The UHD is 16 bit vs the BD's 24 bits.

The Second Sight UHD DTS-HD 5.1 is a downmix of its respective Atmos track. Definitely different from the Sony UHD/BD mix plus a little less dynamic. Whether or not that's representative of the theatrical Dolby Digital mix is anyone's guess.

So, if you want the best version of the original 5.1, the 2012 BD is the winner.

Best English-Friendly:

Second Sight 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Atmos on the Sony 4K Blu-ray maybe better?

Regarding the "original theatrical audio" 5.1 mixes:

The Sony UHD and the BD DTS-HD 5.1 mixes are the same but the UHD has been pushed slightly harder and has a lot of clipping. The UHD is 16 bit vs the BD's 24 bits.

The Second Sight UHD DTS-HD 5.1 is a downmix of its respective Atmos track. Definitely different from the Sony UHD/BD mix plus a little less dynamic. Whether or not that's representative of the theatrical Dolby Digital mix is anyone's guess.

So, if you want the best version of the original 5.1, the 2012 BD is the winner.

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Upcoming Release:

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The Corruptor poster
1080p Blu-ray
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Warner Bros Blu-ray

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Exclusive poster
1080p Blu-ray
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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

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1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

The Sin of Nora Moran poster
1080p Blu-ray
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Film Detective or Film Masters Blu-ray

Best Video:

Film Detective or Film Masters Blu-ray 4K restoration from 35mm Original Camera Negative

Best English-Friendly:

Film Detective or Film Masters Blu-ray

Best Video:

Film Detective or Film Masters Blu-ray 4K restoration from 35mm Original Camera Negative

A Man Named Rocca poster
1080p Blu-ray
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Kino Lorber Blu-ray

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Kino Lorber Blu-ray is a transfer from StudioCanal’s 2021 4K restoration

Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray is a transfer from StudioCanal’s 2021 4K restoration

The Racket poster
1080p Blu-ray
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Flicker Alley Blu-ray

Best Video:

Flicker Alley Blu-ray 2K scan of a surviving 35mm safety fine grain provided by the Academy Film Archive

The Racket poster
1080p Blu-ray
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Flicker Alley Blu-ray

Best Video:

Flicker Alley Blu-ray 2K scan of a surviving 35mm safety fine grain provided by the Academy Film Archive

In the Heat of the Night poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Wicked Vision Germany 4K Blu-ray or US Criterion 4K Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray probably better?

Best English-Friendly:

Wicked Vision Germany 4K Blu-ray or US Criterion 4K Blu-ray?

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray probably better?

Point Break poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

UK ICON 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK ICON 4K Blu-ray (caps)

UK 4K Blu-ray has a slightly better encode than US Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray and Germany StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

5.1 mix is flawed on Shout! Factory/ICON, a phasey upmix instead of the proper discrete surround. The UHD 2.0 tracks are downmixes of that track.
2008 Fox Blu-ray sounds great, very close to the original 70mm mix, only with split surround.
2001 DVD has the original mix as 4.1 and matrixed 2.0.

Imprint 4K has a 4.0 track. The StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray has a different 5.1, unclear if it's the same as Fox BD.

Best English-Friendly:

UK ICON 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

UK ICON 4K Blu-ray (caps)

UK 4K Blu-ray has a slightly better encode than US Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray and Germany StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

5.1 mix is flawed on Shout! Factory/ICON, a phasey upmix instead of the proper discrete surround. The UHD 2.0 tracks are downmixes of that track.
2008 Fox Blu-ray sounds great, very close to the original 70mm mix, only with split surround.
2001 DVD has the original mix as 4.1 and matrixed 2.0.

Imprint 4K has a 4.0 track. The StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray has a different 5.1, unclear if it's the same as Fox BD.

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To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) backdrop

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