So, tomorrow's the day... Funimation...

[OldPangYau]

The first two releases: 14 Amazons (which seems to be getting quite a bit of attention) and Shaolin Hand Lock. Now, seeing how BCI handled the A/V of Life Gamble and Opium/Kung Fu Master (progressive 24p video and mono tracks), I can only hope that Funimation picks up where they left off.

All this being said, whoever gets either of these movies tomorrow, post a quick review! Hell, I may buy one or both tomorrow myself! Basically I just want to see if they're in proper 24p like the Media Blasters releases and Dragon Dynasty's Shaws (so far).

[Morgoth Bauglir]

I've never seen either of these movies, but I could really care less about these 2 releases. I'm too excited for Hong Kong Godfather. I want to see some hate on my TV screen. HATE HATE HATE HATE!!!!!!!!

[Asmo]

Yes, I'm more excited for HKG than these two. However, I will pick them up if they're handled correctly.

[OldPangYau]

That's the thing, I'm not "super excited" myself about them. I'm just curious to see how they turn out, as they'll be templates for how their future releases, including Hong Kong Godfather, will turn out.

Then again, considering how rare HKG is (especially uncut and Cantonese), I think many will buy at least that release regardless.

[Asmo]

You could be right about HKG, I've not watched the cut version but I know it's something I'll be interested to see.

I wonder if Funimation could get the rights for more titles if these sell well enough.

[OldPangYau]

I wonder if Funimation could get the rights for more titles if these sell well enough.

Let's just hope they get the first batch right. Somebody alert us tomorrow :tongue:

[Morgoth Bauglir]

I don't have any money for it right now, but i'll be buying Handlock ASAP, just to help sales so that HKG gets released. I've knocked on wood so many hundreds of times over the last couple months. Hold on let me do it again right now. It better get released this time!!

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

Shaolin Handlock's alright. I picked it up years ago on Ocean Shores VHS, I believe it was, anywhow. I'm gonna pick it up too, actually. It's modern day setting. David Chiang does some motorcycle ridin. Thinking back, I'm looking forward to seeing it again.

[Markgway]

The 14 Amazons and Shaolin Hand Lock are both better films than Hong Kong Godfather.

If the word on the BDs is positive I'll pick them up.

[Killer Meteor]

Shaolin Hand Lock is pretty rubbish really, but I don't mind upgrading from my Siren DVD IF this is anamorphic, proper NTSC, Mandarin and English mono etc etc

[Pai Mei]

I just now recieved my 14 Amazons DVD from Amazon. I had it delivered to my work but I have an old crappy computer with only a CDROM (cheap basterds). Therefore I can not comment on the video or audio quality untill tonight:tinysmile_angry2_t:.

However, I can tell you that it lists the DVD as 117 minutes, NTSC (region 1), 16:9. The audio is Mandarin Mono, and English stereo (I was really hoping for an old school english dud:cry:). It also has english subs of course.

The DVD case isn't quite as cool as the BCI releases. The case is transparent and the inside of the insert has a purple pattern. This is pretty boring compared to BCI's reversible slip with its very old school look on its inside.

[Killer Meteor]

I just now recieved my 14 Amazons DVD from Amazon. I had it delivered to my work but I have an old crappy computer with only a CDROM (cheap basterds). Therefore I can not comment on the video or adio quality untill tonight:tinysmile_angry2_t:.

However, I can tell you that it lists the DVD as 117 minutes, NTSC (region 1), 16:9. The audio is Mandarin Mono, and English stereo (I was really hoping for an old school english dud:cry:). It also has english subs of course.

The DVD case isn't quite as cool as the BCI releases. The case is transparent and the inside of the insert is has a purple pattern. This is pretty boring compared to BCI's reversible slip with its very old school look on its inside.

117min? Uh oh, sounds like PAL speedup :( :(

[chen lung]

(cheap basterds).
I second that:tinysmile_angry2_t:!

:bigsmile:

However, I can tell you that it lists the DVD as 117 minutes, NTSC (region 1), 16:9. The audio is Mandarin Mono, and English stereo (I was really hoping an old school english dud:cry:). It also has english subs of course.
It's looking fairly positive so far.

It's odd they list one stereo track and the other mono, unless it's a 5.1 downmix to stereo - Funimation thinking fans don't like 5.1, but misinterpreted that they like some form of 2.0 regardless. OR, both are mono, but 1) it's marketed to make the higher sound set-up more appealing, or 2) they changed their minds about one of them and neglected to have them match.

We'll soon see about everything. At least they're not looking like 5.1 - it could still be the old English dub (I gather it's a "lost" one)?

The DVD case isn't quite as cool as the BCI releases. The case is transparent and the inside of the insert is has a purple pattern. This is pretty boring compared to BCI's reversible slip with its very old school look on its inside.
Yeah, the artwork and trailers were something I didn't like. Although BCI's were better, the border thing was rather clichéd. Although their DVDs are bad, I've liked Image's artwork:wink:.

We look forward to your comments!

[chen lung]

117min? Uh oh, sounds like PAL speedup :( :(
To be positive, they could be basing that on a listing somewhere, irrespective of the speed.

[Killer Meteor]

The old English dub should exist. when clips from the film appear on Celestial documentaries, they used the old dub.

[gfanikf]

The 14 Amazons and Shaolin Hand Lock are both better films than Hong Kong Godfather.

If the word on the BDs is positive I'll pick them up.

Yeah, I seriously doubt that.

Regarding the times, it may be that they are going on old information. When they gave me a running time for HKG it was something like 120 minutes...which is has to be an error, so I would say wrong running times is something outside the realm of possibility.

[Pai Mei]

Okay, so I just got back from lunch after trying out the DVD on my Oppo 980.

The running time listed on the case is correct at 117 min (actually 117min and 36 or 37sec, sorry can’t remember exactly).

As far as the audio goes, both tracks sound great with the original language in mono and the English in stereo. I really think the English track is an old dub. I watched the first five minutes or so and I heard very little stereo effect, however the sound was going through the TV and not my receiver, so I could be wrong. The first few minutes of the film is a prologue and is narrated by a guy with an English accent. When the story begins, the characters dubbed English voices sound familiar to other old dubbed shaw movies I’ve watched in the past. Again, this is just my memory and I could be wrong.
None the less, I believe both tracks are completely watchable.

The video quality looks very good. I didn’t watch but like five minutes, but what I did see looked comparable to the two BCI releases. But I wouldn’t say that it is as good as the 36th Chamber released by Dragon Dynasty.

I’m sorry OldPangYau, I thought I could see if it was 24p or not on my Oppo but I couldn’t, all I could see were the bit rates.

Hope this helps.

[gfanikf]

Okay, so I just got back from lunch after trying out the DVD on my Oppo 980.

The running time listed on the case is correct at 117 min (actually 117min and 36 or 37sec, sorry can’t remember exactly).

As far as the audio goes, both tracks sound great with the original language in mono and the English in stereo. I really think the English track is an old dub. I watched the first five minutes or so and I heard very little stereo effect, however the sound was going through the TV and not my receiver, so I could be wrong. The first few minutes of the film is a prologue and is narrated by a guy with an English accent. When the story begins, the characters dubbed English voices sound familiar to other old dubbed shaw movies I’ve watched in the past. Again, this is just my memory and I could be wrong.
None the less, I believe both tracks are completely watchable.

The video quality looks very good. I didn’t watch but like five minutes, but what I did see looked comparable to the two BCI releases. But I wouldn’t say that it is as good as the 36th Chamber released by Dragon Dynasty.

I’m sorry OldPangYau, I thought I could see if it was 24p or not on my Oppo but I couldn’t, all I could see were the bit rates.

Hope this helps.

That sounds pretty good though, thanks! Even if it is PAL to NTSC, as long as it's done properly there shouldn't be anything to worry about.

[Shaolin Patriot]

I take it that there were no special features on the disc. How about original trailer?

[Pai Mei]

Sorry, I forgot to mention, there are no special features. The menus are unanimated and a bit boring. There are about 10 or so trailers, but none of these trailers are for their current or near future Shaw Brother releases. The trailers include the likes of "Ichi" and "Love and Honor".

Edit: They do show their generic Funimation/Shaw Brothers trailer that has small clips of their first four Shaw releases. This advertisement is shown before you get to the main menu.

[Killer Meteor]

That sounds pretty good though, thanks! Even if it is PAL to NTSC, as long as it's done properly there shouldn't be anything to worry about.

PAL to NTSC is a problem, it means locked in ghosting and a poor picture

[The Running Man]

Pai Mei,
Please write up samples from the subtitles. This is extremely important factor . We want to know if Funimation has retranslated the subs or kept the bad Celestial subtitles.

This would be most appreciated.

[Markgway]

Fuck. 117m is definitely PAL to NTSC and it's the same old cut version. :(

Is there a release date for the Blu Ray?

[chen lung]

I have to say that no extras is really shit.

To tell if it's PAL>NTSC (or interlaced at least), skip a second's worth of frames on a scene with movement to check for blending.

The mono sound however, is promising.

Is this going to be another Image Entertainment?

[gfanikf]

PAL to NTSC is a problem, it means locked in ghosting and a poor picture

Not if the transfer is done well.

Pai Mei,
Please write up samples from the subtitles. This is extremely important factor . We want to know if Funimation has retranslated the subs or kept the bad Celestial subtitles.


Not as long as it has the dub. :) The best test will be with Hong Kong Godfather since that one can be compared against the theatrical subs (which are quite excellent).

I have to say that no extras is really shit.
It's annoying since I contacted them and told them that extras were done for these movies and gave them all the contact info needed. I know HKG had at least an interview done for it.


UPDATE!!!!
I just got back off the phone with Funimation. I'm going to try and get them the information for whatever other films may have had extras for them. No other titles have been locked in yet.

[Shaolin Patriot]

UPDATE!!!!
I just got back off the phone with Funimation. I'm going to try and get them the information for whatever other films may have had extras for them. No other titles have been locked in yet.

Although most fans would prefer interviews or featurettes, I'd even settle for an original trailer if acquisition rights/expenses get in the way. Even if the OT was unremastered, for the sake of having something more than just the film on the disc. Good luck in your pursuit!

[The Running Man]

Not as long as it has the dub. :) The best test will be with Hong Kong Godfather since that one can be compared against the theatrical subs (which are quite excellent).

I am not sure what you are trying to say. Celestial made subtitles for each of these films and that is what they give to distributors to use if they want to.

And sorry gfanikf, while you might like these dubs I only enjoy good English dubbing. And even if these Shaw Brother dubs were well made, the quality of the subtitles is still integral to any release of a film not in English. If you can get in contact with Funimation, you should be telling them to make sure to hire Chinese translators to retranslate the English subtitles, not just about extras which are secondary. In fact, I don't care about extras if the subtitles are the same Celestial crap.

They have top-notch translators for their Japanese releases. There is no excuse whatsoever for them not to be applying the same care to Chinese films.

Pai Mei, please post up samples from the subtitles.

[chen lung]

Not if the transfer is done well.
That's the thing - the running time suggests it is PAL>NTSC at PAL speed (rather than NTSC).

Not as long as it has the dub. :) The best test will be with Hong Kong Godfather since that one can be compared against the theatrical subs (which are quite excellent).
Yeah, the theatrical subtitles are a good source when available. Although for titles like this, we need to see if they made adjustments right away (from those with the previous subtitles and knowledge of the language).

It's annoying since I contacted them and told them that extras were done for these movies and gave them all the contact info needed. I know HKG had at least an interview done for it.
I phoned up once as well. Since that and an email, I've not had anything. Disappointing and like you say, annoying.

UPDATE!!!!
I just got back off the phone with Funimation. I'm going to try and get them the information for whatever other films may have had extras for them. No other titles have been locked in yet.
That's good, thanks. I altogether advised them in an email:

1) Present original mono audio for each language before any remixes (unless it's a new dub where it will be a remix - 'Come Drink With Me').

2) Ensure the correct language is present (or if there's debate/uncertainty, include both Cantonese/Mandarin), also the export (or perhaps US) English dub.

3) Render video progressive for film-based content and interlaced for anything else.

4) Re-translate the English subtitles based on the correct language (it can depend on the film - you'd be best asking).

5) Use seamless branching if there's a version with different length or visuals.

6) For the English dub, include a subtitle track for on-screen text.

7) Scour other editions to see if extras can be acquired - perhaps Celestial have materials that have emerged since a previous release.

Extras could include things like: interviews, photo galleries (production/behind the scenes), posters, promotional material (magazines), trailers, credit sequences, deleted scenes.

Please be careful there's no video glitches (incidental interlacing where it should be progressive, flashing), and that your 'mono' audio is genuine and not downmixed from the detested 5.1 remixes.

Also advised that there's people on the forum that can help, etc.

I suppose a re-issue of 'The 14 Amazons' is asking for too much:sad:.

Although most fans would prefer interviews or featurettes, I'd even settle for an original trailer if acquisition rights/expenses get in the way. Even if the OT was unremastered, for the sake of having something more than just the film on the disc. Good luck in your pursuit!
Yeah, I agree. If there was a genuine problem like Celestial being anal, then I can excuse that.

[The Running Man]

6) For the English dub, include a subtitle track for on-screen text.

Like many other Anime/Japanese US distributors, Funimation has always done this.

[chen lung]

Like many other Anime/Japanese US distributors, Funimation has always done this.
OK, just checking:smile:.

Curiously, does this release have such a track?

I am not sure what you are trying to say. Celestial made subtitles for each of these films and that is what they give to distributors to use if they want to.

And sorry gfanikf, while you might like these dubs I only enjoy good English dubbing. And even if these Shaw Brother dubs were well made, the quality of the subtitles is still integral to any release of a film not in English.
I think he might mean in checking for dubtitles. However, it's the subtitles and the film, in Mandarin, that's what'll be checked for reports:wink:.

[OldPangYau]

Well, I did a blind buy of Shaolin Handlock at FYE (about $14 after the sale and FYE discount), and checked it out... while it seems to be PAL-mastered, I can't tell what it is yet... I did the "progressive or interlaced?" check by doing freeze frame stepping. Now, usually there would be four "blended" frames every six frames... but I'd end up seeing a good ten progressive frames before seeing any blending. Yeah, I don't know what it is.

I'm currently "performing an autopsy" on the DVD in my computer. If anything, judging by the SB promo at the beginning of the DVD, it looks like 14 Amazons and Shaolin Hand Lock might've been the only "victims" of PAL-to-NTSC, as only they showed blurs while the others (Opium/Kung Fu Master and Hong Kong Godfather) did not.

EDIT: I have figured it out... it's a 24p transfer... of a non-converted PAL source. As I was checking out the video in TMPGEnc, I noticed that the frames that looked blended on the TV were "pre-blended" rather than appearing interlaced in the computer. So that being said, I've never seen a transfer like that before.

[chen lung]

Thanks OldPangYau.

I'm going to wait for more information (subtitles, etc) before I make contact.

[HAZ]

There is an interview with Richard Cheung Kuen that was supposed to have been included with the BCI release of HK Godfathers. It would be amazing if it was part of the funimation release. If you need a lead on it, I'm glad to help.

[gfanikf]

There is an interview with Richard Cheung Kuen that was supposed to have been included with the BCI release of HK Godfathers. It would be amazing if it was part of the funimation release. If you need a lead on it, I'm glad to help.

I mentioned that one to them. I'm also getting in touch with Big Mike to see what else he may have done with BCI.

I should be getting review copies, by the end of the week, but I suspect all the important info should be discerned by then. Thanks Pang! It's nice to know that potential these are just two goofed ones (and not really that badly) and the next ones should be normal.

I don't think people should go in expecting to much (besides not having shit transfers or the like). I got the impression that this is Funimation releasing stuff that Narrave already paid for. That said, I wouldn't rule out anything yet. Just don't set ones hopes too high.

[OldPangYau]

I mentioned that one to them. I'm also getting in touch with Big Mike to see what else he may have done with BCI.

I should be getting review copies, by the end of the week, but I suspect all the important info should be discerned by then. Thanks Pang! It's nice to know that potential these are just two goofed ones (and not really that badly) and the next ones should be normal.

I don't think people should go in expecting to much (besides not having shit transfers or the like). I got the impression that this is Funimation releasing stuff that Narrave already paid for. That said, I wouldn't rule out anything yet. Just don't set ones hopes too high.

No problem! I now checked out the Funimation promo from the beginning of the DVD, and I can confirm that only the clips of Shaolin Hand Lock and 14 Amazons had the blurring while Hong Kong Godfather and Opium/Kung Fu Master looked "in the clear". While OATKFM should've been progressive since the BCI transfer was as well, HKG was up in the air. Also, there was enough footage to tell as the blurring occurs several frames per second.

Hopefully for future DVDs they will indeed convert the PAL masters properly to NTSC, as it basically requires proper manipulation of the number of frames that appear per second. It's as simple as this, with PAL, you're seeing 25 frames/pictures of visual information every second. With NTSC, it's 24 (technically 23.976) frames/pictures. So with simple math, it's just one less "picture" shown every second, and that frame moves into the next second upon conversion.

By the way, for time conversion, this is the "magic number":

1.0427093760427093760427093760427

Yeah, that's right :tongue: So for a movie that's 90 minutes PAL, to get the NTSC runtime, this is what you do:

PAL runtime X 1.0427093760427093760427093760427 = NTSC runtime

So in this case:

90min X 1.0427093760427093760427093760427 = 93.84384384384384384384384384378 min

However, to be more accurate when converting the video, it's best to calculate by frames rather than seconds. So that being said, 90 minutes exactly for PAL would be 135000 frames. So...

135000 frames X 1.0427093760427093760427093760427 = Approximately 140766 frames

And there you have it!

Also, if anybody wants, I can post 24p clips from the movie and/or the promo via MegaUpload.

[OldPangYau]

By the way, I just noticed that Funimation included a "Hong Kong Connection Hit List" checklist for the Shaw Brothers films in the case. If it's anything to go by, this may be the order of releases:

1. 14 Amazons
2. Shaolin Hand Lock
3. Opium and the Kung Fu Master
4. Hong Kong Godfather
5. Invincible Shaolin
6. Life Gamble
7. Shaolin Prince
8. The Duel
9. Shaolin Rescuers
10. Soul of the Sword
11. Bastard Swordsman
12. Return of Bastard Swordsman
14. The Supreme Swordsman
15. The Sword of Swords
16. The Lady Hermit

Two a month maybe? We have 14A and SHL this month and OATKFM and HKG next month. Guess we'll see if Invincible Shaolin and Life Gamble show up in May.

[chen lung]

EDIT: I have figured it out... it's a 24p transfer... of a non-converted PAL source. As I was checking out the video in TMPGEnc, I noticed that the frames that looked blended on the TV were "pre-blended" rather than appearing interlaced in the computer. So that being said, I've never seen a transfer like that before.
Could be a delayed kind of conversion - the blending isn't evenly distributed within the second?

And thank you for your work!:smile:

I don't think people should go in expecting to much (besides not having shit transfers or the like). I got the impression that this is Funimation releasing stuff that Narrave already paid for. That said, I wouldn't rule out anything yet. Just don't set ones hopes too high.
It's bizarre why these two are faulty, yet the others maybe fine. We should definitely ask as it's disappointing. I wish they would maintain contact with the authorities on these titles. I hope they do reissues (even privately).

[OldPangYau]

It's bizarre why these two are faulty, yet the others maybe fine. We should definitely ask as it's disappointing. I wish they would maintain contact with the authorities on these titles. I hope they do reissues (even privately).

Glad I could help :smile: Well, in retrospect, let's not forget Media Blasters took three tries before getting them right, with Heroes Two being interlaced (albeit at the proper film speed) and The Master being non-anamorphic. So maybe this is Funimation trying to get it right in the beginning.

If you want, as mentioned earlier, I can upload a scene from SHL onto MegaUpload and you can download it to see exactly what I'm talking about. I may still buy 14 Amazons before the end of the week (while it's also on sale at FYE!) just for completist purposes if they get the rest right. I REALLY hope they get The Duel right, as it's a family favorite... my dad saw it in theaters, recorded it off of "black belt theater", and I got the crappy "Duel of the Shaolin Fist" cut on VHS when I was around 13 :tongue:

[The Running Man]

I mentioned that one to them. I'm also getting in touch with Big Mike to see what else he may have done with BCI.

What about the subtiles?

Here is my post again: http://www.kungfucinema.com/forums/showpost.php?p=120057&postcount=27


OldPangYu,
can you please post up samples of the subtitles?

By the way, I just noticed that Funimation included a "Hong Kong Connection Hit List" checklist for the Shaw Brothers films in the case. If it's anything to go by, this may be the order of releases:

It is most likely the order since Opium and Hong Kong Godfather are the next ones up according to the pre-order dates on amazon.com.

[chen lung]

Well, in retrospect, let's not forget Media Blasters took three tries before getting them right, with Heroes Two being interlaced (albeit at the proper film speed) and The Master being non-anamorphic. So maybe this is Funimation trying to get it right in the beginning.
MB did titles interlaced because they found it was a higher quality encode than progressive (maintaining visual clarity over projection), but opted for progressive after that.

The non-anamorphic thing was what only Celestial had. MB's policy is not to upconvert to anamorphic, despite a few saying it was possibly to create a decent transfer. It's a hard one if you want to maintain the quality, but also want better optimisation on displays - Celestial are the clowns to blame for that:wink:.

If you want, as mentioned earlier, I can upload a scene from SHL onto MegaUpload and you can download it to see exactly what I'm talking about.
Sure:smile:.

I may still buy 14 Amazons before the end of the week (while it's also on sale at FYE!) just for completist purposes if they get the rest right.
I don't think I'll buy the faulty ones, but hopefully wait for a reissue (I know that's probably unlikely, but we'll see first anyway).

I gather it's difficult for Rojas to frequent all the forums relevant to the brand, but I was told there's a team working on the Shaws (my email was passed onto), so it could be better to have contact with them.

[Pai Mei]

Boy Running Man, you can be pretty demanding. But I guess I'll forgive you... so here you go.

Here is the dialog between the characters that takes place at the beginning of the film after the intro:

Tsung Hua: Why didn’t you engage the enemies?
Fan Mei Sheng: Most of our warriors were killed. We are the few spared.
Haung Chung Hsing: General, the enemy is about to cross the border.
Guards: -- General! --General!
Tsung Hua: Leave me alone!
Guards: -- General! --General!
Tsung Hua: You two, go back and ask for more men. I am the general and I must stay behind.
Guards: -- General! --How about you?
Tsung Hua: It is my duty to guard the border. Live and let die.

hope this helps

[HAZ]

Hi,

Are they DVD-5's or DVD-9?

Thanks!

[Pai Mei]

They are DVD-9.

[Pai Mei]

Thanks OldPang Yau for figuring all that complicated stuff out. Like you I think I’ll go ahead and buy the other DVD (Shaolin Handlock for me). Even though these are flawed, I really don’t believe Funimation will rerelease this as a corrected version. In my opinion, the video quality is superior to that of Image Entertainment. Also, I don’t see any sign of Funimation putting these out on Blue any time soon either. My main complaint is that they didn’t put in any extras on the disc.

[Fang Shih-yu]

I see on the Funimation packaging that it's a Navarre company, as was BCI. Has this always been the case? If so, why couldn't leftover "extras" that would've been on the BCI/Shaw DVDs make it to the Funimation/Shaw DVDs? :tinysmile_angry2_t: If upcoming releases will only have the movie and language options, that'll mean the newly-reissued "Life Gamble" and "Opium and the Kung Fu Master" will not contain "extras" featured on the BCI discs, it seems. Hold on to your BCI versions for dear life!...As for my first viewing of "The 14 Amazons": better than expected! Lily Ho makes her role work, but she's NO boy!! :ooh: She's so obviously a...woman, why not write her part as being the youngest WOMAN there?...Anybody notice Fan Mei Shing carrying around two axes like he did when he was in "The Water Margin"?...Amazing special effects, too; they're on a par with the Lyendecker brothers' work on Republic serials! Overall, it's quite the epic, and often outdoes "The Water Margin" by spectacles like the "human bridge"! Bravura film-making....

[The Running Man]

Boy Running Man, you can be pretty demanding. But I guess I'll forgive you... so here you go.

This sounds demanding to you?

Pai Mei,
Please write up samples from the subtitles. This is extremely important factor . We want to know if Funimation has retranslated the subs or kept the bad Celestial subtitles.

This would be most appreciated.

Uh... okay?

Anyway, could you check if those subtitle lines match the English dub by any chance?

Thanks.

[chen lung]

I see on the Funimation packaging that it's a Navarre company, as was BCI. Has this always been the case?
"Case" being the operative word:tongue:.

According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funimation_Entertainment), it has been since 2005.

If so, why couldn't leftover "extras" that would've been on the BCI/Shaw DVDs make it to the Funimation/Shaw DVDs? :tinysmile_angry2_t: If upcoming releases will only have the movie and language options, that'll mean the newly-reissued "Life Gamble" and "Opium and the Kung Fu Master" will not contain "extras" featured on the BCI discs, it seems. Hold on to your BCI versions for dear life!....
They may not have bothered, despite Gfanikf's calls with them. I imagine we may find out more about this and other issues shortly. We can compile them into a list and ask them.

You've got a point about the extra-filled BCI DVDs.

For 'Life Gamble', it (bizarrely) looks zoom-boxed (http://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=5000) compared to other editions (perhaps 'Opium' has this problem too and can we have a comparison?). Would be good if that was fixed. Plus, the inclusion of the English dub that was unusually not included.
For 'Opium', there's a video glitch in which the image has a light grey tint for a few seconds that needs sorted. It seemed to look quite a soft remaster, but that maybe down to Celestial.

Both I'm sure will need de-interlacing where applicable in the extras section for film-based content, and re-translated subtitles.

I'd be curious in a comparison between other editions of the first two Funimation titles to see if this zoom-boxing issue is apparent.

[Pai Mei]

This sounds demanding to you?

It’s not so much how you asked, it’s the fact that you asked three times before I even got off work so I could go home and check the subs for you. Anyway, here are the subs and dubs:

Subs:
Tsung Hua: Why didn’t you engage the enemies?
Fan Mei Sheng: Most of our warriors were killed. We are the few spared.
Haung Chung Hsing: General, the enemy is about to cross the border.
Guards: -- General! --General!
Tsung Hua: Leave me alone!
Guards: -- General! --General!
Tsung Hua: You two, go back and ask for more men. I am the general and I must stay behind.
Guards: -- General! --How about you?
Tsung Hua: It is my duty to guard the border. Live and let die.

Dubs:
Tsung Hua: Why aren’t you fighting with your men?
Fan Mei Sheng: Our regimens have been wiped out. We’re the only ones left now.
Haung Chung Hsing: That’s right; the enemy has broken through our lines.
Guards: Marshal! Marshal!
Tsung Hua: Let me go! Let me go!
Guards: Marshal!
Tsung Hua: General, listen to me now. Report back to the Grand Duchess.
Guards: But sir, what about you?
Tsung Hua: I cannot leave here. My job is to guard the border.

[vengeanceofhumanlanterns]

Jesus Pai Mei!!! Hop to it lets go! Very accomodating of you sir. :)

[Killer Meteor]

Well, I did a blind buy of Shaolin Handlock at FYE (about $14 after the sale and FYE discount), and checked it out... while it seems to be PAL-mastered, I can't tell what it is yet... I did the "progressive or interlaced?" check by doing freeze frame stepping. Now, usually there would be four "blended" frames every six frames... but I'd end up seeing a good ten progressive frames before seeing any blending. Yeah, I don't know what it is.

I'm currently "performing an autopsy" on the DVD in my computer. If anything, judging by the SB promo at the beginning of the DVD, it looks like 14 Amazons and Shaolin Hand Lock might've been the only "victims" of PAL-to-NTSC, as only they showed blurs while the others (Opium/Kung Fu Master and Hong Kong Godfather) did not.

EDIT: I have figured it out... it's a 24p transfer... of a non-converted PAL source. As I was checking out the video in TMPGEnc, I noticed that the frames that looked blended on the TV were "pre-blended" rather than appearing interlaced in the computer. So that being said, I've never seen a transfer like that before.

Sounds odd...perhaps its progressive PAL-NTSC?

Not promising...

[inframan]

By the way, I just noticed that Funimation included a "Hong Kong Connection Hit List" checklist for the Shaw Brothers films in the case. If it's anything to go by, this may be the order of releases:

1. 14 Amazons
2. Shaolin Hand Lock
3. Opium and the Kung Fu Master
4. Hong Kong Godfather
5. Invincible Shaolin
6. Life Gamble
7. Shaolin Prince
8. The Duel
9. Shaolin Rescuers
10. Soul of the Sword
11. Bastard Swordsman
12. Return of Bastard Swordsman
14. The Supreme Swordsman
15. The Sword of Swords
16. The Lady Hermit

Two a month maybe? We have 14A and SHL this month and OATKFM and HKG next month. Guess we'll see if Invincible Shaolin and Life Gamble show up in May.

Wasn't Life Gamble released without the eng dub? Will that be in the re-release?

Looking forward to Shaolin Rescuers for sure!

[gfanikf]

Sounds odd...perhaps its progressive PAL-NTSC?

Not promising...

You know maybe it's not perfect, but after watching my Mandarin cut VHS sourced version of Hong Kong Godfather, honestly I'm happy just to be getting it remastered, since for the longest time it seemed like we were going to be stuck with a VHS copy. I'd like for the subtitles to honestly follow the theatrical print and not even been re-translated, besides some small grammar cleanup. I really don't expect Funimation to do anything with the subs. I'm telling you I get a feeling this is minimum investment release. If HKG's subs really stink, I'll just rip the sub file and fill in the theatrical subs (and anyone else here is welcome to them). I'm making a new post about that.

[HAZ]

I wonder if the theatrical subs are translated from the mandarin or the cantonese? I've watched the end fight, but held off from watching the film proper in anticipation of a dvd release. Is the basic plot any good?

[chen lung]

I wonder if the theatrical subs are translated from the mandarin or the cantonese? I've watched the end fight, but held off from watching the film proper in anticipation of a dvd release.
Me too! Like Gfanikf, I didn't recognise it at first in the promo.

[The Running Man]

It’s not so much how you asked, it’s the fact that you asked three times before I even got off work so I could go home and check the subs for you. Anyway, here are the subs and dubs:

I only asked you twice. The reason I asked the second time was because gfanikf replied to the comment I was asking you.

Thanks again. :smile2:

[OldPangYau]

Wasn't Life Gamble released without the eng dub? Will that be in the re-release?

Looking forward to Shaolin Rescuers for sure!

Yeah, I checked out BCI's Life Gamble through Netflix, and it was indeed lacking an English dub. Not sure why, as I see clips on YouTube with a (rough quality) English dub. Wonder if HKG will have one or not.

[gfanikf]

I wonder if the theatrical subs are translated from the mandarin or the cantonese? I've watched the end fight, but held off from watching the film proper in anticipation of a dvd release. Is the basic plot any good?

The basic plot is fairly standard, but it's well acted and the action helps elevate it beyond a standard triad film. I'm not sure what the subtitles would be based off of.

[OldPangYau]

I wonder if the theatrical subs are translated from the mandarin or the cantonese? I've watched the end fight, but held off from watching the film proper in anticipation of a dvd release. Is the basic plot any good?

I'm trying to watch the cut version in full first so I can be more excited about the uncut DVD :tongue:

[Morgoth Bauglir]

Just got Hand Lock. Very disappointed. I never noticed the blending frames thing on the Image DVDs except when I paused it, but only 2 minutes into Hand Lock and I can see the blur quite clearly during the fights. Man I hope HK Godfather doesn't look like this.

[chen lung]

Just got Hand Lock. Very disappointed. I never noticed the blending frames thing on the Image DVDs except when I paused it, but only 2 minutes into Hand Lock and I can see the blur quite clearly during the fights. Man I hope HK Godfather doesn't look like this.
Thanks mate.

They were bloody warned and look what happened...

[Killer Meteor]

Just got Hand Lock. Very disappointed. I never noticed the blending frames thing on the Image DVDs except when I paused it, but only 2 minutes into Hand Lock and I can see the blur quite clearly during the fights. Man I hope HK Godfather doesn't look like this.

Good grief, if you can see it, and you didn't see it on the Images, it must be bad!

Oh well, I'll just custom my Australian DVD of Handlock to be anamorphic - its progressive PAL.

[Morgoth Bauglir]

Yep, right from the start of the movie where Chiang comes up into the frame, you get the blur.

[gfanikf]

I'm trying to watch the cut version in full first so I can be more excited about the uncut DVD :tongue:

That works well. :) Also is the transition from shit print to remastered is awesome.

[OldPangYau]

Just got Hand Lock. Very disappointed. I never noticed the blending frames thing on the Image DVDs except when I paused it, but only 2 minutes into Hand Lock and I can see the blur quite clearly during the fights. Man I hope HK Godfather doesn't look like this.

Like I mentioned above, if the SB Funimation promo is anything to go by, Hong Kong Godfather looks to be in the clear. After all, the other three titles seem to show exactly what you get. We know SHL and 14A are PAL-to-NTSC, OATKFM should be the same transfer as BCI (which was progressive NTSC), and the clips of those three matched their transfers... so there's a very good chance it'll be proper NTSC. Fingers crossed!

[Markgway]

I'm gutted that they screwed up The 14 Amazons... Looks like I'm stuck with my IVL. :(

[OldPangYau]

That works well. :) Also is the transition from shit print to remastered is awesome.

Very true. However, I'll admit, I'm trying to find a download of the cut Taiwanese VHSrip. Now, I feel this is justified for two reasons:

1. I refuse to give any money to PanMedia for their DVD of it
2. I want to watch the cut version to be more "pumped" to buy the official Funimation DVD next month.

But damn if I can't find a proper download anywhere. I usually don't do this, but this is a unique situation.

[Killer Meteor]

I'm gutted that they screwed up The 14 Amazons... Looks like I'm stuck with my IVL. :(

There was a French DVD I think. I know it has no English subs but if you pick em up in trade they make an OK DVD-R job.

[HAZ]

People need to step their game up & graduate to 35mm! DVD is okay, but it's an economy format. The true connoisseur understands that DVD is a means to an end & comparing them is like comparing dog terds.

35mm.

Step your game up.

[OldPangYau]

People need to step their game up & graduate to 35mm! DVD is okay, but it's an economy format. The true connoisseur understands that DVD is a means to an end & comparing them is like comparing dog terds.

35mm.

Step your game up.

That's the Tarantino way of collecting movies :tongue:

[Markgway]

It's sad that a classic like The 14 Amazons isn't available uncut and in best quality.

It all stems back to Celestial. Frame cutting PAL mastering arses!!

[chen lung]

The Running Man, are you able to comment on the subtitles?:smile:

[inframan]

That's the Tarantino way of collecting movies :tongue:

I was about to say that. He used to bring parts of his collection to town and have film fests. Its kind of expensive when he does, I did go see his copy of King of Beggars, and I know he brought Eastern Condors once. I'm sure he's got a few Shaw's in there somewhere.

[Winfred]

Did I miss a post or two? Mark, why is The 14 Amazons screwed up?

[Killer Meteor]

Did I miss a post or two? Mark, why is The 14 Amazons screwed up?

Still the cut version
Seems to be a PAL-NTSC transfer

[Markgway]

Yeah, what KM said...

Original mono might be the only reason to pick this up. But frankly I would only trade as it's really not worth the money to me.

[chen lung]

I've written this up to inspire people to contact them.

1) Present original mono audio for each language before considering any remix option

For more information on why remixed audio is not favoured, you can visit Asian DVD Guide (http://adg.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=30) which explains the music re-scoring, poor mixing, and new sound effects - all very distracting.

This, however, appears to be an area currently with no problems, as the original mono sound has been included. However, please bare this in mind, should there be reconsideration in future.

Also, please be careful that you do not receive a downmixed soundtrack labelled "mono" (known as 'false mono').

A recently-commissioned dub maybe 5.1 naturally when Celestial made it themselves, in which case, isn't a concern, compared to the older dubs.

2) Ensure the correct language is present

Shaw Brothers films were either made in Cantonese or Mandarin. Until the late 70s (with exception of very few titles), those were predominantly Mandarin, but Cantonese became popular and began occupying the slot of "main official soundtrack" (note Mandarin soundtracks were usually produced alongside for other territories).

Celestial usually assume all the films are Mandarin, so it is recommended that an authority confirms which is the correct one. If there's debate/uncertainty as to what should be the correct one, include both.

3) Inclusion of English dubs

Prior to the acquisition and sub-licensing of Shaw Brothers films by Celestial Pictures in and from 2002, viewers were often presented and acquainted with dubbed versions (commissioned by Shaws in Hong Kong for export use at the time of release - with a few exceptions when the US re-edited them, or made their own) that were broadcast on TV, and released theatrically and on VHS releases. In the popular demand, fans are keen to be re-acquainted with these in restored/remastered and legit form.

If a dubbed version is not available from Celestial, please ask for information, as such soundtracks have emerged elsewhere.

Also include an accompanying seperate subtitle track transcribing on-screen text (currently being done).

4) Render video progressive for film-based content and interlaced for anything else

Currently with the first two releases, there are blended frames within the stream (pause and skip to see these). Please ensure that the original PAL or HD masters are acquired and convert yourselves a 23.976 version (within the 29.97 NTSC stream) so that all the frames are re-created with no instances of blending or interlacing (involuntary or otherwise). For anything intended to be shown interlaced (video-shot), please leave it as that.

Please also be careful that there are no video glitches (which may in turn affect the audio), such as flashing, jumps or pixelation.

Note - this also applies to the extras.

5) Re-translate the English subtitles

For a long time, the majority of Hong Kong cinema presentations have been at the mercy of crude subtitle presentations. Shaw Brothers films were an unusual exception to that, where translations were of excellent quality (as evidenced on theatrical prints). As Celestial acquired the Shaw catologue, these were abandoned and fresh subtitle translations were prepared. Unfortunately, issues with grammar, phrasing, choice of words and translation were prevalent.

Please hire a translator to re-translate dialogue and re-transcribe on-screen text (signs, letters, credits etc) with minimal simplification, remaining as accurate as possible (also providing translation where there is none). Afterwards, ensure they are proof-read for errors and tangibility. Also that they are legible in presentation.

As there are sometimes multiple languages (between Cantonese and Mandarin) to possibly base these upon, it is again recommended that an authority confirms which of the dialects is correct, as one may have differences in the script (perhaps a local reference, or denoting a language barrier) and naturally, the pronunciation. An example of the latter:

Chinese - 方世玉
Cantonese jyutping - Fong Sai Yuk
Mandarin pinyin - Fang Shi Yu

Note - this also applies to the extras, where you could potentially offer translation where there isn't.

6) Use seamless branching if there's a version with different length or visuals

For different territories, the film maybe re-edited. Instead of "filling the gap" with subtitles and different audio where an edit occurred in a different version, integrate seamless branching (including the relevant sound and subtitle tracks in the stream).

7) Acquire as many extras as possible

Extras could consist of: interviews, photo galleries (production/behind the scenes), posters, promotional material (magazines, etc), trailers, credit sequences, deleted scenes.

Celestial not only have produced featurettes, but also have access to archival material, such as trailers and photo galleries. Some distributors have also created their own extras. Funimation could seek to acquire all of these for their edition (providing a translation too).

Trailers and credit sequences can often be found on previous VHS releases all over, and I'm sure there are fans who would be willing to lend materials for inclusion - mastering them at the best quality possible.

---

I would recommend placing a representative maintaining regular contact with the Kung Fu Cinema community, who can assist with questions and resolve technical issues both ways.

[cliffmac2010]

Yeah, I checked out BCI's Life Gamble through Netflix, and it was indeed lacking an English dub. Not sure why, as I see clips on YouTube with a (rough quality) English dub. Wonder if HKG will have one or not.

Celestial couldn't deliver to us an English dub and I couldn't find an acceptable version to synch up to the master.

[cliffmac2010]

I see on the Funimation packaging that it's a Navarre company, as was BCI. Has this always been the case? If so, why couldn't leftover "extras" that would've been on the BCI/Shaw DVDs make it to the Funimation/Shaw DVDs? :tinysmile_angry2_t: If upcoming releases will only have the movie and language options, that'll mean the newly-reissued "Life Gamble" and "Opium and the Kung Fu Master" will not contain "extras" featured on the BCI discs, it seems. Hold on to your BCI versions for dear life!...As for my first viewing of "The 14 Amazons": better than expected! Lily Ho makes her role work, but she's NO boy!! :ooh: She's so obviously a...woman, why not write her part as being the youngest WOMAN there?...Anybody notice Fan Mei Shing carrying around two axes like he did when he was in "The Water Margin"?...Amazing special effects, too; they're on a par with the Lyendecker brothers' work on Republic serials! Overall, it's quite the epic, and often outdoes "The Water Margin" by spectacles like the "human bridge"! Bravura film-making....

The reason - Because Navarre fired us BCI employees, then they came in and through everything into boxes and shipped them back to the home office. No one bothered to call and ask me anything. Extras were planned for every release... and some were completed and a lot were not. I had files and emails that showed what was being done, but i'm sure Funimation never had access to any of my information.
Blame Navarre, not Funimation. No one there has an knowledge of the product. They are only releasing them because Navarre paid for the films. It's not like they care for the films or how they are released. They are all about getting their money back.

Cliff
Ex-BCI guy

[cliffmac2010]

Sounds odd...perhaps its progressive PAL-NTSC?

Not promising...

I had some of the films converted from Celestials PAL spec to NTSC, but i don't think HAND LOCK was one of them. It was expensive to do, so i was doing them two at a time. I think AMAZONS was done, but i don't recall for sure.

CLiff

[Killer Meteor]

I had some of the films converted from Celestials PAL spec to NTSC, but i don't think HAND LOCK was one of them. It was expensive to do, so i was doing them two at a time. I think AMAZONS was done, but i don't recall for sure.

CLiff

Ah, makes sense. Hope things are well at Shout!, I'm getting all excited over Gamera!

[masterofoneinchpunch]

Just got Hand Lock. Very disappointed. I never noticed the blending frames thing on the Image DVDs except when I paused it, but only 2 minutes into Hand Lock and I can see the blur quite clearly during the fights. Man I hope HK Godfather doesn't look like this.

You can see the blur in many scenes beyond the fighting as well. Any fast walking or camera movement you can see the blur. I'm surprised it was as bad as it was.

Luckily the film isn't the greatest (otherwise I would probably be more angry). Liked the scenery of Thailand though.

Shaolin Hand Lock = RNC :).

[chen lung]

Hey Cliff

Nice to see you on again! Hope you're well.

Thanks for explaining the situation to us.

[KUNG FU BOB]

Hey Cliff, thanks for the info! A lot of us said prayers for you to get a nice, new gig. I hope they're treating you right over there. Keep in touch man, your insight as both an inside man, and as a fan are always welcome.

Still loving my discs of the Chiba-san stuff you helped put out years ago. :bigsmile:

[The Running Man]

Hey Cliff! :smile2:

Can you help shine some light on the subtitle situation? Neither "Opium and the Kung Fu Master" nor "Life Gamble" were re-translated. There was word before hand that they were going to be. What happened?

[Markgway]

Cliff - Do you know anything about the missing scenes from The 14 Amazons?

[inframan]

Celestial couldn't deliver to us an English dub and I couldn't find an acceptable version to synch up to the master.

Has anyone seen the version that was on the Kung Fu HD Channel? Not sure if it was dubbed or subbed and how the quality was.

[cliffmac2010]

Ah, makes sense. Hope things are well at Shout!, I'm getting all excited over Gamera!
Things are going well... thanks!
I hope you like GAMERA.

[cliffmac2010]

Cliff - Do you know anything about the missing scenes from The 14 Amazons?

No, sorry I don't. That was to be the next title, but we had yet to start working on it before the shutdown.

[cliffmac2010]

Hey Cliff! :smile2:

Can you help shine some light on the subtitle situation? Neither "Opium and the Kung Fu Master" nor "Life Gamble" were re-translated. There was word before hand that they were going to be. What happened?

They were re-subtitled by a subtitle house in L.A.
Are you saying they match the HK releases subtitles?
If they match those releases, then that subtitle house ripped BCI off.

[cliffmac2010]

Hey Cliff, thanks for the info! A lot of us said prayers for you to get a nice, new gig. I hope they're treating you right over there. Keep in touch man, your insight as both an inside man, and as a fan are always welcome.

Still loving my discs of the Chiba-san stuff you helped put out years ago. :bigsmile:

Thanks Bob! I appreciate that. All is going well.
I was just thinking about SHADOW WARRIORS today and thinking how much i would have loved to release the second season.... but weak sales killed that idea.

[cliffmac2010]

Hey Cliff

Nice to see you on again! Hope you're well.

Thanks for explaining the situation to us.

Hey... Thanks... i couldn't help but join in on the thread. I wanted to bring the films to Shout Factory, but it didn't work out.

[The Running Man]

They were re-subtitled by a subtitle house in L.A.
Are you saying they match the HK releases subtitles?
If they match those releases, then that subtitle house ripped BCI off.

Then they ripped you guys off. :frown:

Or whoever was in charge of putting subtitles on the DVD used the wrong script? Could that have been a possibility?

[chen lung]

Hey... Thanks... i couldn't help but join in on the thread. I wanted to bring the films to Shout Factory, but it didn't work out.
Just incase, how about the Miramax titles?

Great potential there.

Or whoever was in charge of putting subtitles on the DVD used the wrong script? Could that have been a possibility?
I hadn't considered that possibility.

Although that said, it happened to both titles.

[The Running Man]

Okay, I got 14 Amazones and Shaolin Hand Lock.

After going through the subs for Shaolin Hand Lock, they are very close to the old Celestial subs. It seems to me someone just proof read them.

14 Amazons though is an interesting case.

The Good News: They are new subs. They read well.

The Bad News: They play way too loose with the translation to the point of it being useless.

Literally, there are lines just plain made up in the Funimation subs for 14 Amazons. It's shocking that the old English dub is closer to the some lines then the Funimation subs.

This means that obviously Funimation is looking through these subs. Are they actually using a translator? I am not sure. If they are then the translator isn't worth a dime and if they are just re-wrote those subs well then they sure have some nerve to do so.

People, write to Funimation about the subtitle situation. If they can't do anything about the video masters they can at least do something with the subs. They do have a blog somewhere that was linked to here before. If someone can find that link it'd be a good idea to go there and reply on their posts letting them know that their subs are sub-par shouldn't be improved otherwise no sale.

[Killer Meteor]

I just hope Funimation learns from the mistakes, unlike some of the other companies. There is still time!

[chen lung]

Not only the blog and email, but phone them (+1.972.355.7300) and mention the guidelines (http://www.kungfucinema.com/forums/showpost.php?p=120398&postcount=76).

I've had enough of this shit being put out.

[spannick]

http://img12.abload.de/img/y30ub2h4mw4u.gif

[HAZ]

Celestial did commission new subs for 14 Amazons a couple years ago. Those subs were use for the theatrical release of the film. Maybe those are the subs that are on the funimation dvd?

It's sad about Shaolin Hand Lock. Hearing Morgoth talk about it, I figured it was best to take a pass.

[The Running Man]

No, they aren't. For 14 Amazons, the Celestial subs are generally more accurate than the Funimation ones. The Funimation subs make up a lot of stuff.

I'm really shocked at what they did here.

An example:

Celestial subs:

74
00:07:22,282 --> 00:07:22,963
Kuei Ying

75
00:07:23,083 --> 00:07:24,364
Yes!

76
00:07:24,965 --> 00:07:26,206
We're at home now

77
00:07:26,286 --> 00:07:28,649
There's no need for such formality!

78
00:07:29,489 --> 00:07:30,130
Of course


Funimation subs:

-- Kuei Ying. --Here.

Thank you for arranging the party.

You're welcome.


That whole business with the last two lines are totally made up.

Even the old dub on here gets it more right:

- Keui Ying. - Madam.

Don't be so formal. Try and relax a little.

Yes.

The strange thing is, every now and then they seem to get some things right that aren't in the old subs. Like a name mentioned or a phrase that's closer to the original dialogue than the Celestial subs. But a lot of the times it's just made up.

Here's another example that illustrates both:

Celestial subs:

747
01:00:59,620 --> 01:01:01,742
Search for Mu Kuei Ying!

748
01:01:01,862 --> 01:01:02,743
Yes!

749
01:01:05,385 --> 01:01:09,509
Kill all the prisoners!

750
01:01:09,630 --> 01:01:13,313
Make them kneel before your brother

751
01:01:13,433 --> 01:01:14,554
Yes!


Funimation subs:

Search for Mu Keui Ying and her troops.

Yes!

Kill each and every captured Sung solider. Let them kneel in front of the courtyard. Torture them with whips.

Yes


See, that line about "Kill each and every captured Sung solider" is closer to the original Mandarin than the Celestial subs. But then the next two sentences are made up. "Torture them with whips"?? That's completely made up.

I'm shocked. The last time a company did this was Dragon Dynasty with their bastardized version of "Tom Yum Goong" and that was a Weinstein job just like they did back in their Miramax days with movies like Hero and Infernal Affairs. Basically, making up subtitles.

Now Funimation is doing it??

I'm confused also how it is they have some lines that are more accurate and a lot of lines that are made up. Did a translator do a subtitle track and someone came in and just re-wrote most of it? Really bizarre. But totally unacceptable.

Shaolin Hand Lock though is basically just the same subs except with a little proof-reading and better timing.

Everyone, please send Funimation a message. Either through their blog, their email or PM'ing the representative that posted here.

Let it be a polite message explaining that what they did with their subs on 14 Amazons is simply not right. Although they may not have the resources or budget to fix transfers and whatnot, at the very least they can make these releases worthwhile by giving them respectable treatment via the subtitles by giving them authentic re-translations from a professional translator. If not, then note that you cannot support the releases (that is unless you only care about the dubs).

Here is the link to the thread where the Funimation rep posted (scroll down a bit): http://www.kungfucinema.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2912&page=13

There are links to the blogs where you can post and email address as well as a PM you can send him. Remember, let's be polite about this.

[dionbrother]

People need to step their game up & graduate to 35mm! DVD is okay, but it's an economy format. The true connoisseur understands that DVD is a means to an end & comparing them is like comparing dog terds.

35mm.

Step your game up.


This is my favorite post on this board.

[gfanikf]

This is my favorite post on this board.

Can't say if it's my favorite, but man did it give me a laugh. I actually do know 35MM collectors and seeing something on 35MM is something else.

I got my two review copies today, not sure what I can add, but if people want me to look for something feel free to ask.

[The Running Man]

gfanikf,
I really hope you are taking the subtitle issue more seriously after I have noted their despicable act of making up subtitles.

Please mention to them to hire actual professional Chinese translators to do the films just like their Japanese releases. It's one thing to not translate the movies but it's another to just blatantly make up subtitles. Surely you can sympathize.

I have already written to them. Hopefully others have and will as well.