The Middleton Family at the New York World's Fair (1939)
Drama, History • 55m
Overview
"An average American family", the Middletons, visit the 1939 World's Fair and witnesses the advent of future technology, encountering robots and dishwashers for the first time.
Director: Robert R. Snody
Director: Billy Wilder
Paramount 4K Blu-ray. See caps
HDR/grading: nice, but some blown out
Encoding: inconsistent, smeared motion
DNR: inconsistent, frozen
Old Paramount Blu-ray is arguably a solid alternative choice
Paramount 4K Blu-ray mono is different version of the BD mono from the same old 2000 DVD transfer.
The 5.1 remix on the 4K Blu-ray is an appalling remix done by going wild with artificially generated stems from Park Road Post who were given the surviving mono to separate. The experience is jarring and fidelity to original mix in terms of level balance, directionality and impact is nonexistent. Not only does this sound painfully weird, but the Paramount mixers then did whatever they wanted in terms of LFE, sound pans and effect changes.
The original mono mix was not restored and still needs it badly. The 4K master is filled with frozen grain examples coming and going plus some HDR issues in addition to the usual Paramount problems. It is simultaneously better and worse than the Blu-ray master.
Director: Billy Wilder
Paramount 4K Blu-ray. See caps
HDR/grading: nice, but some blown out
Encoding: inconsistent, smeared motion
DNR: inconsistent, frozen
Old Paramount Blu-ray is arguably a solid alternative choice
Paramount 4K Blu-ray mono is different version of the BD mono from the same old 2000 DVD transfer.
The 5.1 remix on the 4K Blu-ray is an appalling remix done by going wild with artificially generated stems from Park Road Post who were given the surviving mono to separate. The experience is jarring and fidelity to original mix in terms of level balance, directionality and impact is nonexistent. Not only does this sound painfully weird, but the Paramount mixers then did whatever they wanted in terms of LFE, sound pans and effect changes.
The original mono mix was not restored and still needs it badly. The 4K master is filled with frozen grain examples coming and going plus some HDR issues in addition to the usual Paramount problems. It is simultaneously better and worse than the Blu-ray master.
Director: John Ford
1988/1990 WB Hi-Fi VHS, crystal clear, albeit with some distortion in louder areas
The 4K Blu-ray reuses the same poor mastering used on the 2006 WB Blu-ray, only with a completely unnecessary bass cut and extra noise reduction.
Even putting resolution aside, the Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray has the best video, the old Blu-ray master and earlier DVD both had massive issues with colour.
That said, picture on the 4K Blu-ray isn't perfect, with strange posterized magenta glints and some instances of DNR: https://bsky.app/profile/dagscott.bsky.social/post/3leahavqi7k2l
Director: John Ford
1988/1990 WB Hi-Fi VHS, crystal clear, albeit with some distortion in louder areas
The 4K Blu-ray reuses the same poor mastering used on the 2006 WB Blu-ray, only with a completely unnecessary bass cut and extra noise reduction.
Even putting resolution aside, the Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray has the best video, the old Blu-ray master and earlier DVD both had massive issues with colour.
That said, picture on the 4K Blu-ray isn't perfect, with strange posterized magenta glints and some instances of DNR: https://bsky.app/profile/dagscott.bsky.social/post/3leahavqi7k2l
Director: Billy Wilder
Director: Billy Wilder
Director: Michael Gordon
Universal 4K Blu-ray
2012 BD is of similar fidelity but adds extra foley sounds. 2003 PAL DVD is a stereoized remix.
Director: Michael Gordon
Universal 4K Blu-ray
2012 BD is of similar fidelity but adds extra foley sounds. 2003 PAL DVD is a stereoized remix.
Director: Martin Ritt
Director: Martin Ritt
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Director: Brad Bird
Disney 4K Blu-ray has the original DTS-ES 6.1 mix in DTS-HD MA 6.1. Inferior Dolby Atmos remix is set to default.
Director: Brad Bird
Disney 4K Blu-ray has the original DTS-ES 6.1 mix in DTS-HD MA 6.1. Inferior Dolby Atmos remix is set to default.
Director: Andrew Stanton
Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Disney 4K Blu-ray: HDR10 same as the Disney disc, but Criterion's new Dolby Vision layer improves presentation in some aspects, and has very good extras
Original DTS-ES 6.1 mix: Both are equal. ES rear centre channel maintained on both releases, but is unflagged on the Criterion 4K Blu-ray.
Dolby Atmos remix: Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Disney 4K Blu-ray.
Director: Andrew Stanton
Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Disney 4K Blu-ray: HDR10 same as the Disney disc, but Criterion's new Dolby Vision layer improves presentation in some aspects, and has very good extras
Original DTS-ES 6.1 mix: Both are equal. ES rear centre channel maintained on both releases, but is unflagged on the Criterion 4K Blu-ray.
Dolby Atmos remix: Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Disney 4K Blu-ray.
Director: Tay Garnett
Unofficial Streaming
The print seems to be preserved at Library of Congress
Director: Tay Garnett
Unofficial Streaming
The print seems to be preserved at Library of Congress
Director: John Ford
Warner Archive Blu-ray new restoration by Library of Congress and the Film Foundation
Director: John Ford
Warner Archive Blu-ray new restoration by Library of Congress and the Film Foundation
Unofficial Streaming
Complete copies survive in Library of Congress
Unofficial Streaming
Complete copies survive in Library of Congress
Director: John G. Adolfi
Only the trailer survives and is held at Library of Congress
Director: John G. Adolfi
Only the trailer survives and is held at Library of Congress
Director: Phil Rosen
According to Library of Congress https://web.archive.org/web/20231009210800/http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.mbrs.sfdb.2710/default.html, a complete print survives in Lobster Films but no restoration or release yet
Director: Phil Rosen
According to Library of Congress https://web.archive.org/web/20231009210800/http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.mbrs.sfdb.2710/default.html, a complete print survives in Lobster Films but no restoration or release yet
Director: William A. Seiter
Unofficial sources ripped from TCM
Library of Congress has completed a digital restoration around 2018 but no release yet
Director: William A. Seiter
Unofficial sources ripped from TCM
Library of Congress has completed a digital restoration around 2018 but no release yet
Director: Alan Crosland
Unofficial Streaming online
Library of Congress said in 2019 that it's restoring it after it came to public domain and the source material, a nitrate print in the AFI/Marion Davies Collection, is missing reels 3 and 9 of 11, plus suffers from some deterioration in reels 4, 5, and 8. No update since.
Director: Alan Crosland
Unofficial Streaming online
Library of Congress said in 2019 that it's restoring it after it came to public domain and the source material, a nitrate print in the AFI/Marion Davies Collection, is missing reels 3 and 9 of 11, plus suffers from some deterioration in reels 4, 5, and 8. No update since.
Director: Lois Weber
OOP 2018 Kino Lorber Blu-ray, or HD Streaming available
OOP 2018 Kino Lorber Blu-ray, or HD Streaming available
The 2018 Kino Lorber Blu-ray and DVD releases as part of the "Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers" set are a newer restoration than the 2008 Kino Lorber DVD, additional info on Silent Era website, but it is worth noting the order of the movie sequences are not the same between the new and old releases. A couple comparisons uploaded to slowpics. The Library of Congress has a safety duplicate negative of this film, and it is also available for viewing on Wikipedia.
Director: Lois Weber
OOP 2018 Kino Lorber Blu-ray, or HD Streaming available
OOP 2018 Kino Lorber Blu-ray, or HD Streaming available
The 2018 Kino Lorber Blu-ray and DVD releases as part of the "Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers" set are a newer restoration than the 2008 Kino Lorber DVD, additional info on Silent Era website, but it is worth noting the order of the movie sequences are not the same between the new and old releases. A couple comparisons uploaded to slowpics. The Library of Congress has a safety duplicate negative of this film, and it is also available for viewing on Wikipedia.
Director: Dudley Murphy
Cohen Syncopation Blu-ray 1080p extras
Also available in HD Streaming by Library of Congress https://www.loc.gov/item/2023602002/
Director: Dudley Murphy
Cohen Syncopation Blu-ray 1080p extras
Also available in HD Streaming by Library of Congress https://www.loc.gov/item/2023602002/
Director: Frank Borzage
Only has really bad public domain copies
New restoration done by Library of Congress with DCP has no release yet
Director: Frank Borzage
Only has really bad public domain copies
New restoration done by Library of Congress with DCP has no release yet
More Drama on Blu-ray
Director: Gary Ross
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray, but a shot was cut from the film
Warner Bros Blu-ray for the uncut version, but it's a older master.
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray, but a shot was cut from the film
Warner Bros Blu-ray for the uncut version, but it's a older master.
Director: Gary Ross
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray, but a shot was cut from the film
Warner Bros Blu-ray for the uncut version, but it's a older master.
Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray, but a shot was cut from the film
Warner Bros Blu-ray for the uncut version, but it's a older master.
Director: Ronny Yu
Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray
International Theatrical Cut/US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray
Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray
International Theatrical Cut (aka. Unrated Cut): Universal Blu-ray
US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray, Starz Streaming for open matte
Hong Kong Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Singapore, Singapore Disney DVD for open matte
Thai Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Thailand, Thailand Disney DVD for open matte
Director: Ronny Yu
Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray
International Theatrical Cut/US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray
Director's Cut: Hong Kong Edko Films Blu-ray
International Theatrical Cut (aka. Unrated Cut): Universal Blu-ray
US Theatrical Cut: Universal Blu-ray, Starz Streaming for open matte
Hong Kong Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Singapore, Singapore Disney DVD for open matte
Thai Theatrical Cut: Disney+ Streaming in Thailand, Thailand Disney DVD for open matte
Director: Wong Kar-Wai
4K restoration: Koch Media DE 4K Blu-ray
Original digital master: Cannes 2006 Promo HD-DVD
4K remaster is cropped 2.35:1 from the original 2.55:1 presentation, and has significantly different color grading, as is the case with most WKW supervised restorations. Due to DNR the detail is sometimes lacklustre compared to the old master. CGI scenes appear to be rerendered. A sepia tinted scene was altered to be fully black and white.
Caps: Criterion US BD vs Cannes HD-DVD, HD-DVD vs KR BD vs DVDs vs US BD
Remixed 5.1: The Jokers FR 4K Blu-ray
Original 5.1: Cannes 2006 Promo HD-DVD
The remixed track has different front panning and little LFE use compared to the original.
HD-DVD is by far the best option for the original track, as DVDs and Korean BD suffer from noise gating, limiting and duplicated surrounds. Remixed tracks are all similar, but French disc has slightly better dynamics, particularly on the LFE channel.
The 2006 HD-DVD is a promotional release made in only 100 copies, handed out to VIPs at Cannes Film Festival. See this blog post for details. The same master can be found on KR BD, though it suffers from interlacing, blended frames and a gamma bug, as well as older DVD releases.
Director: Wong Kar-Wai
4K restoration: Koch Media DE 4K Blu-ray
Original digital master: Cannes 2006 Promo HD-DVD
4K remaster is cropped 2.35:1 from the original 2.55:1 presentation, and has significantly different color grading, as is the case with most WKW supervised restorations. Due to DNR the detail is sometimes lacklustre compared to the old master. CGI scenes appear to be rerendered. A sepia tinted scene was altered to be fully black and white.
Caps: Criterion US BD vs Cannes HD-DVD, HD-DVD vs KR BD vs DVDs vs US BD
Remixed 5.1: The Jokers FR 4K Blu-ray
Original 5.1: Cannes 2006 Promo HD-DVD
The remixed track has different front panning and little LFE use compared to the original.
HD-DVD is by far the best option for the original track, as DVDs and Korean BD suffer from noise gating, limiting and duplicated surrounds. Remixed tracks are all similar, but French disc has slightly better dynamics, particularly on the LFE channel.
The 2006 HD-DVD is a promotional release made in only 100 copies, handed out to VIPs at Cannes Film Festival. See this blog post for details. The same master can be found on KR BD, though it suffers from interlacing, blended frames and a gamma bug, as well as older DVD releases.
Director: Joel Schumacher
Director: Joel Schumacher
Director: Joel Schumacher
Warner Bros/New Line Blu-ray
Warner Bros/New Line Blu-ray
Director: Joel Schumacher
Warner Bros/New Line Blu-ray
Warner Bros/New Line Blu-ray
Director: Joel Schumacher
Director: Joel Schumacher
Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray
Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray / US GKIDS Blu-ray
US GKIDS Blu-ray for the Amazon English dub
US OOP Funimation Blu-ray for the older Funimation English dub
Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray is an upscale, but has less compression artifacts
Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray
Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray / US GKIDS Blu-ray
US GKIDS Blu-ray for the Amazon English dub
US OOP Funimation Blu-ray for the older Funimation English dub
Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray is an upscale, but has less compression artifacts
Directors: Hideaki Anno & Kazuya Tsurumaki & Mahiro Maeda & Masayuki
Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray
Directors: Hideaki Anno & Kazuya Tsurumaki & Mahiro Maeda & Masayuki
Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray
Directors: Katsuichi Nakayama & Kazuya Tsurumaki & Mahiro Maeda & Hideaki Anno
US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. 4K Blu-ray
US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. 4K Blu-ray
US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. 4K Blu-ray for both the original Japanese and the Amazon English dub
US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. 4K Blu-ray has higher bitrate and better encoding than the Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray
Directors: Katsuichi Nakayama & Kazuya Tsurumaki & Mahiro Maeda & Hideaki Anno
US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. 4K Blu-ray
US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. 4K Blu-ray
US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. 4K Blu-ray for both the original Japanese and the Amazon English dub
US GKIDS/UK Anime, Ltd. 4K Blu-ray has higher bitrate and better encoding than the Japan King Records 4K Blu-ray
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